Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Swine?

\Swine\, n.sing. & pl. [OE. swin, AS. sw[=i]n; akin to OFries. & OS. swin, D. zwijn, G. schwein, OHG. sw[=i]n, Icel. sv[=i]n, Sw. svin, Dan. sviin, Goth. swein; originally a diminutive corresponding to E. sow. See {Sow}, n.] (Zo["o]l.) Any animal of the hog kind, especially one of the domestical species. Swine secrete a large amount of subcutaneous fat, which, when extracted, is known as lard. The male is specifically called boar, the female, sow, and the young, pig. See {Hog}. ``A great herd of swine.'' --Mark v. 11. {Swine grass} (Bot.), knotgrass ({Polygonum aviculare}); -- so called because eaten by swine. {Swine oat} (Bot.), a kind of oat sometimes grown for swine. {Swine's cress} (Bot.), a species of cress of the genus {Senebiera} ({S. Coronopus}). {Swine's head}, a dolt; a blockhead. [Obs.] --Chaucer. {Swine thistle} (Bot.), the sow thistle.