Scythe

(sīth), n. [Written also sithe and sythe.] (A.-S. sidhe, for sigdhe, Icel. sigdh, Fries. sid, sied, O. L. Ger. segd, seged, L. Ger. seise, seesze, D. zeis, zeisen, O. H. Ger. segansa, seginsa, M. H. Ger. segense, segese, seinse, N. H. Ger. sense, allied to Lat. secare, Ger. sägen, Eng. saw, q. v.) 1. An instrument for mowing grass, grain, or the like, composed of a long, curving blade, with a sharp edge, made fast to a handle, called a snath, which is bent into a convenient form for swinging the blade to advantage. The sharp-edged scythe shears up the spiring grass. Drayton. Whatever thing The scythe of Time mows down. Milton. 2. Hence, the curved, sharp blade used anciently in war chariots.