Plow

(plou), Plough, n. [L. Ger. & Sw. plog, Icel. plôgr, Dan. ploug, plov, D. ploeg, L. Ger. ploog, O. H. Ger. phluoch, M. H. Ger. pfluoc, N. H. Ger. pflug, probably from Slav. ploug, Russ. & Pol. plug, Bohem. pluh, Lith. plugas, Alban. πλιούαρ.]

1. (Agr.) A well-known implement for turning up the soil, drawn by animal or other power. “Where fern succeeds ungrateful to the plow.” Dryden.
2. Hence, culture of the earth; agriculture; tillage.
3. A joiner’s instrument for grooving.
4. A knife or machine for cutting or trimming paper, used by bookbinders and paper-makers.

(plou), Plough, v. t. [imp. & p. p. PLOWED, or PLOUGHED; p. pr. & vb. n. PLOWING, or PLOUGHING.]

1. To trench and turn up with a plow; as, to plow the ground for wheat; to plow it into ridges.
2. To furrow; to divide; to run through in sailing.

With speed we plow the watery wave. Pope. 3. To turn up and devastate; to dig into or lay waste. Let the Volces plow Rome. Shak. 4. To cut or trim, as paper, with a knife or press. To plow in, to cover by plowing; as, to plow in wheat. — To plow on the back, to scourge; to mangle, or to persecute and torment. Ps. cxxix. 3. — To plow up or out, to turn out of the ground by plowing. — To plow with one's heifer, to deal with the wife to obtain something from the husband. Judges xiv. 18.