Row vs Sow - What's the difference?

In transitive terms the difference between row and sow

is that row is to transport in a boat propelled with oars while sow is to scatter, disperse, or plant (seeds).

As nouns the difference between row and sow

is that row is a line of objects, often regularly spaced, such as seats in a theatre, vegetable plants in a garden etc while sow is a female pig.

As verbs the difference between row and sow

is that row is to propel (a boat or other craft) over water using oars while sow is to scatter, disperse, or plant (seeds).

row

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) (m), (m), (m), from (etyl) .

Alternative forms

* (dialectal)

Noun

(en noun)

A line of objects, often regularly spaced, such as seats in a theatre, vegetable plants in a garden etc.

* Bible, 1 (w) vii. 4

And there were windows in three rows .

* (John Milton) (1608-1674)

The bright seraphim in burning row .

* , chapter=5

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=Here, in the transept and choir, where the service was being held, one was conscious every moment of an increasing brightness; colours glowing vividly beneath the circular chandeliers, and the rows of small lights on the choristers' desks flashed and sparkled in front of the boys' faces, deep linen collars, and red neckbands.}}

A line of entries in a table, etc., going from left to right, as opposed to a column going from top to bottom.

Synonyms

* (line of objects) line, sequence, series, succession, tier (of seats) * (in a table) line

Antonyms

* column

Derived terms

* long row to hoe

Etymology 2

From (etyl) . Compare West Frisian roeie, Dutch roeien, Danish ro. More at rudder.

Noun

(en noun)

(weightlifting) An exercise performed with a pulling motion of the arms towards the back.

Verb

(en verb)

(transitive, or, intransitive, nautical) To propel (a boat or other craft) over water using oars.

To transport in a boat propelled with oars.

to row the captain ashore in his barge

To be moved by oars.

The boat rows easily.

Etymology 3

Unclear; some suggest it is a , verb.

Noun

(en noun)

A noisy argument.

* (Byron)

* , chapter=22

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=In the autumn there was a row at some cement works about the unskilled labour men. A union had just been started for them and all but a few joined. One of these blacklegs was laid for by a picket and knocked out of time.}}

* {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)

, chapter=18 citation , passage=‘Then the father has a great fight with his terrible conscience,’ said Munday with granite seriousness. ‘Should he make a row with the police […]? Or should he say nothing about it and condone brutality for fear of appearing in the newspapers?}}

A continual loud noise.

Synonyms

* (noisy argument) argument, disturbance, fight, fracas, quarrel, shouting match, slanging match * (continual loud noise) din, racket

Verb

(en verb)

to argue noisily

Synonyms

* (argue noisily) argue, fight

Anagrams

* English heteronyms English terms with multiple etymologies ----

sow

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) sowe, from (etyl) sugu, from (etyl) (ae)). See also swine .

Noun

(en-noun)

A female pig.

A channel that conducts molten metal to molds.

A mass of metal solidified in a mold.

* 1957 , H.R. Schubert, History of the British Iron and Steel Industry , p. 160:

In England, it was generally termed a 'sow' , if the weight was above 10 cwts., if below, it was termed a 'pig' from which the present term 'pig iron' is derived.

(derogatory, slang) A contemptible, often fat woman.

A sowbug.

(military) A kind of covered shed, formerly used by besiegers in filling up and passing the ditch of a besieged place, sapping and mining the wall, etc.

(Craig)

Usage notes

The plural form swine is now obsolete in this sense.

Synonyms

* (mass of metal solidified in a mold) ingot * (contemptible woman) bitch, cow

Derived terms

* make a silk purse of a sow's ear

Etymology 2

From (etyl) sowen, from (etyl) .

Verb

To scatter, disperse, or plant (seeds).

When I had sown the field, the day's work was over.

As you sow , so shall you reap.

(figurative) To spread abroad; to propagate.

* Addison

And sow dissension in the hearts of brothers.

(figurative) To scatter over; to besprinkle.

* Sir M. Hale

The intellectual faculty is a goodly field, and it is the worst husbandry in the world to sow it with trifles.

* Milton

[He] sowed with stars the heaven.

Synonyms

* plant, scatter

Derived terms

* reap what one sows *

Anagrams

* English heteronyms English irregular verbs English terms with multiple etymologies