swathe (redirected from swathing)

swathe someone or something in something

to wrap or drape someone or something in something. Molly swathed her children in sheets to turn them into ghosts on Halloween. She swathed the statue in black velvet for the unveiling ceremony.

swathe someone or something with something

to wrap or drape someone or something with something. The sculptor swathed his unfinished pieces with heavy drapes. The designer swathed the window with billows of taffeta.

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cut a swath/swathe through something

to cause a lot of destruction, death, or harm in a particular place or among a particular group of people Violent electrical storms cut a swath through parts of the South yesterday. The AIDS epidemic has already cut a swath through the fashion industry.

See also: cut, swath, through

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cut a (wide) swath also cut a (wide) swathe

1. to attract a lot of interest or attention The two beautiful sisters cut a wide swath through our little town, and every male wanted to take them out. The new game is unusually inventive and has cut a wide swath in the video game market.

2. to cause a lot of destruction, death, or harm in a particular place Violent thunderstorms cut a swath of destruction through the area, blowing down trees and damaging houses.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of swath ( a line or strip of grass that has been cut)

See also: cut, swath