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Sow vs Soy - What's the difference?

sow | soy |

As nouns the difference between sow and soy

is that sow is a female pig while soy is a Chinese and Japanese liquid sauce for fish, made by subjecting boiled beans to long fermentation and then long digestion in salt and water. US preference is the term soy sauce.

As a verb sow

is to scatter, disperse, or plant (seeds).

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

    See also

    * boar * hog * pig

    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 *

    soy

    English

    Alternative forms

    * soya

    Noun

    (-)
  • A Chinese and Japanese liquid sauce for fish, made by subjecting boiled beans to long fermentation and then long digestion in salt and water. US preference is the term soy sauce .
  • I like a little soy with my rice.
  • * 1902 — Annie R. Gregory, Woman's Favorite Cookbook , p381
  • Pour in four tablespoonfuls of sherry and four tablespoonfuls of soy , as much vinegar as the jar will hold, and cover closely until wanted.
  • Soybeans. Often used attributively.
  • These candles are made from soy .
    The soy crop is looking good this year.

    Derived terms

    * soy bean * soy milk * soy sauce