meadow
UK: ˈmɛdəʊ | US: ˈmɛdoʊ
n. a piece of grassland, especially one used for hay or grazing
meadow = mead<grassland> + ow<noun suffix>
- mead (from Old English mǣd, meaning "meadow" or "grassland")
- ow (a common noun-forming suffix in Old English, often indicating a place or state)
Etymology Origin:
The word "meadow" traces back to Old English mǣdwe, a derivative of mǣd (grassland). It shares roots with Proto-Germanic mēdwō and is related to the Old High German māta (meadow). The suffix -ow (or -we in older forms) likely functioned as a locative marker, emphasizing the word’s association with a place. Over time, the spelling simplified to "meadow," retaining its core meaning of fertile, grassy land.
Cows grazed peacefully in the lush meadow.
Wildflowers bloomed across the sunlit meadow in spring.
The hikers set up camp near a small mountain meadow.
Farmers cut hay from the meadow every summer.
A narrow stream wound through the meadow, attracting birds.