scythed, ppl. a.
(saɪðd)
[f. scythe n. and v. + -ed.]
1. Furnished with a scythe; esp. Hist. (= Gr. δρεπανηϕόρος, L. falcatus) of war-chariots provided with scythes fastened to a revolving shaft projecting from the axle-trees; attributed by classical writers to the Persians and the Britons.
| a 1400–50 Alexander 3821 For with his florantis olifants him folowed a thousand, Of sithid chariotis. 1618 Bolton Florus (1636) 120 Three hundred thousand foot, and not a lesse number of Horse, and of seithed Chariots. 1750 Warton Verses, Montaubon 19 Galgacus' scythed, iron car. 1816 Scott Bl. Dwarf vi, Let Destiny drive forth her scythed car through the..trembling mass of humanity. 1922 Joyce Ulysses 649 Humanely his driver waited till he (or she) had ended, patient in his scythed car. |
2. Cut down with a scythe.
| 1865 Swinburne Poems & Ball. Ser. i. 209 Before Parting, And yet who knows what end the scythèd wheat Makes of its foolish poppies' mouths of red? |
3. fig. Swept over as though by a scythe.
| 1952 Dylan Thomas Coll. Poems 172 Who knows the rocketing-wind will blow The bones out of the hills, And the scythed boulders bleed. |