Definition of the word sow

The word "sow" has a fascinating history. It comes from Old English "sō", which is derived from Proto-Germanic "*sūjiz", which further originates from Proto-Indo-European "*súwe-" meaning "to plant" or "to sow". This root is also the source of the Latin word "seare", meaning "to scatter or sow seeds". In Old English, the word "sō" referred to both the female pig and the act of sowing seeds. Over time, the meaning of "sow" as a verb shifted to specifically mean "to plant seeds" or "to scatter seeds for growth", while the noun "sow" retained its reference to the female pig. Today, the word "sow" has multiple meanings, including the farming sense, as well as figurative uses such as "to sow discord" or "to sow the seeds of change". Despite its evolution, the word "sow" remains rooted in its ancient meaning of planting and growth.