- The definition of a scythe is a tool on a handle with a long, sharp, curved metal piece used for cutting grains.
An example of a scythe is the tool held by the grim reaper.
A farmer uses a scythe to cut grass.
Origin of scythealtered (infl. by Classical Latin scindere, to cut) ; from Middle English sithe ; from Old English sithe, sigthe, scythe, akin to Low German seged ; from Indo-European base an unverified form sek-, to cut from source saw, Classical Latin secare, to cut
transitive verbscythed scythed, scyth·ing, scythes
Origin of scytheMiddle English sithe, from Old English sīthe, sickle; see sek- in Indo-European roots.
(third-person singular simple present scythes, present participle scything, simple past and past participle scythed)
- To cut with a scythe; to cut off as with a scythe; to mow.
From Middle English sythe or sithe, from Old English sīðe (“sickle”). The silent c appeared in the early 15th century because it was wrongly thought that the word was linked to Latin scissor ("carver, cutter") and scindere ("to cut").