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Sward vs Swarf - What's the difference?

sward | swarf |

As nouns the difference between sward and swarf

is that sward is (lb) a layer of earth into which grass has grown; turf; sod while swarf is the waste chips or shavings from metalworking or a saw cutting wood.

As a verb swarf is

(scotland) to grow languid; to faint.

sward

English

Alternative forms

* swarth * swart * swerd

Noun

(en noun)
  • (lb) A layer of earth into which grass has grown; turf; sod.
  • * (1809-1892)
  • *:The sward was trim as any garden lawn.
  • (lb) An expanse of land covered in grass; a lawn or meadow.
  • *
  • *:It was not far from the house; but the ground sank into a depression there, and the ridge of it behind shut out everything except just the roof of the tallest hayrick. As one sat on the sward behind the elm, with the back turned on the rick and nothing in front but the tall elms and the oaks in the other hedge, it was quite easy to fancy it the verge of the prairie with the backwoods close by.
  • *1890 , (Arthur Conan Doyle), ''(w) Company
  • *:.
  • *1918 , (Booth Tarkington), ''(w) Ambersons
  • *:Only where George stood was there left a sward as of yore; the great, level, green lawn that served for both the Major's house and his daughter's.
  • Skin; covering.
  • :(Halliwell)
  • Synonyms

    * (earth into which grass has grown ): grass, turf, sod * (land covered with grass ): clearing, field, greensward, lawn, meadow, yard

    Derived terms

    * greensward

    Anagrams

    * *

    References

    swarf

    English

    Noun

    (-)
  • the waste chips or shavings from metalworking or a saw cutting wood
  • * 1979 , Cormac McCarthy, Suttree , Random House, p.95:
  • Harrogate looked at the ground. A black swarf packed with small parts in a greasy mosaic.
  • the grit worn away by use of a grindstone or whetstone, being particles of the material being cut and of the cutting stone itself
  • Usage notes

    Infrequently used after the 19th century; primarily in technical settings.

    See also

    * grind * grinder * grindstone * grit * hone * metalwork * smith * whet * whetstone

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (Scotland) To grow languid; to faint.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
  • to swarf for very hunger

    References