plow

[[t]plaʊ[/t]]

n.

1) agr. an agricultural implement used for cutting, lifting, turning over, and partly pulverizing soil

2) any of various implements resembling or suggesting this, as a contrivance for clearing away snow from a road or track

3) astron. (cap.) Astron

the Big Dipper

4) to turn up (soil) with a plow

5) to make (a furrow) with a plow

6) to tear up, cut into, or make furrows or grooves in (a surface) with or as if with a plow (often fol. by up):

The tornado plowed up an acre of trees[/ex]

7) cvb to clear by the use of a plow, esp. a snowplow

8) bus to reinvest or reuse (usu. fol. by back):

to plow profits back into new equipment[/ex]

9) (of a ship, animal, etc.)

a) to cleave the surface of (the water)

b) to make (a way) or follow (a course) in this manner:

plowing an easterly course[/ex]

10) to till the soil or work with a plow

11) to take plowing in a specified way

12) to move forcefully through something in the manner of a plow (often fol. by through, along, etc.):

to plow through a crowd[/ex]

13) to proceed laboriously (often fol. by through)

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Etymology: bef. 1100; ME plouh, plough(e), OE plōh; c. G Pflug plow′a•ble, adj. plow′er, n.