sow
UK[saʊ]US[soʊ]
v
To plant seeds in the ground so that they will grow into plants.
v
To cause a particular feeling or situation to begin to develop.
Etymology
The verb 'sow' originates from the Old English 'sāwan', which itself derives from the Proto-Germanic 'sēaną'. This Germanic root can be traced further back to the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root 'seh₁-', meaning 'to sow'. This ancient root is the ultimate source for a family of words related to planting and seeding across many Indo-European languages. The core meaning has remained remarkably consistent from its PIE origins, through its Germanic evolution, and into modern English, always centered on the act of scattering seed for growth. This literal agricultural action provides the logical foundation for its modern metaphorical use, where one can sow ideas, discord, or the seeds of future events.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Old English origin. The modern form 'sow' is a direct descendant of the Old English verb 'sāwan'. It functions as a base verb.
Examples
The farmer will sow the wheat seeds in the autumn.
His inflammatory speech served only to sow distrust among the population.
By investing in education now, we sow the seeds for a more prosperous future.