See Also: scythe(medicine)
scythe(1)(dictionary)
scythe(2)(dictionary)
scythe 1, noun(dictionary)
scythe 2, verb(dictionary)

scythe(1) (iou)



scythe noun. Also (earlier) sithe & other vars.
[Old English siTe = Middle Low German segede, sigde (Low German seged, seid, sichte), Old Norse siger, from Germanic, whence also synon. Old Saxon segisna, Middle Dutch seisene (Dutch zeis), Old High German segansa (German Sense).]
A mowing or reaping implement having a long thin curving blade attached at an angle to a long two-handled shaft, swung over the ground with a sweeping motion. OE.
fig.: Shakespeare Sonnets And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence.
Hist. A weapon having a long curving blade resembling a scythe. ME.
Comb.: scytheman, scythesman a person using a scythe, a reaper; spec. a member of an irregular body of troops, armed with a scythe.
? The spelling with sc- (first recorded E17) is prob. due to assoc. with SCISSORS.
scytheless adjective E19.