Meadow
/ˈmɛd.oʊ/noun
A field of grass or wild plants, especially one used for hay or grazing.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning “to mow,” so a meadow was originally defined by human cutting, not by untouched wilderness.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*meh₂-
“to mow, cut down”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*mewją
“a mown field, pasture”
Old English
OE
mædwe
“a meadow, pasture”
Middle English
ME
medewe
“meadow, grassland”
Modern English
English
meadow
“a grassy field, often used for hay or grazing”