sward

Meaning

Noun

1. Earth which grass has grown into the upper layer of; greensward, sod, turf; (countable) a portion of such earth.
2. An expanse of land covered in grass; a lawn or meadow.
3. (obsolete) The upper layer of the ground, especially when vegetation is growing on it.
4. The rind of bacon or pork; also, the outer covering or skin of something.

Verb

1. To cover (ground, etc.) with sward.
2. Of ground, etc.: to be covered with sward; to develop a covering of sward.

Synonyms

turf

sod

lawn

grass

greensward

grass-plot

glebe

grassland for grazing

lea

meadow

skin

verdure

Pronounced as (IPA)

/swɔːd/

Etymology

The noun is derived from Middle English sward (“rind; skin; calloused skin; leather strap; sod, turf”) [and other forms], from Old English sweard, swearð (“rind; skin”), from Proto-Germanic *swarduz (“rind; tough skin; turf”); further etymology unknown.
The verb is derived from the noun.