snead, sned Now dial.
(sniːd), (snɛd)
Forms: α. 1 snæd, 3 snede, 7–9 sneed, 9 sneyd, sneid; 7– snead. β. 9 sned. See also snath n.
[OE. snǽd, of obscure origin and not represented in the cognate languages.]
The shaft or pole of a scythe.
| α c 1000 ælfric Hom. II. 162 Hwilon eac befeoll an siðe of ðam snæde into anum deopan seaðe. 1235–52 Rentalia Glastonb. (Somerset Rec. Soc.) 165 Et [habebit] de herba quantum potest levare cum sidsnede. 1664 Evelyn Sylva xii. §2 These Hedges are..kept in order with a Scythe of four foot long..; this is fix'd on a long sneed or streight handle. 1686 Plot Staffordsh. 357 A short strong Sithe..fitted with a strong Snead. 1813 Davis Agric. Wilts. in Archæol. Rev. (1888), Scythe, or Sive—The handle [is] called the snead. 1825– in dial. glossaries, etc. (Somerset, Northampt., Chesh., Warwicks.). 1885 Calendar of Prisoners at Mids. Sessions, Taunton 30 June, William Chorley..stealing a scythe and snead. |
| β 1825– in dial. glossaries (Northumb., Shropsh., Northampt.). 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm III. 849 The curved sned is usually made of willow. 1901 Scotsman 1 Apr. 8/7 He sent his servant..for a scythe sned. |