sickle

sickle
/sik"euhl/, n.
1. an implement for cutting grain, grass, etc., consisting of a curved, hooklike blade mounted in a short handle.
2. (cap.) Astron. a group of stars in the constellation Leo, likened to this implement in formation.
[bef. 1000; ME sikel, OE sicol; c. D zikkel, G Sichel, all L secula, equiv. to sec(are) to cut + -ula -ULE]

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      one of the most ancient of harvesting tools, consisting of a metal blade, usually curved, attached to a short wooden handle. The short handle forces the user to harvest in a stooped or squatting position. The longer-handled scythe, the user of which remains upright, evolved from the sickle. Harvesting with a sickle is very slow, but because of its simplicity and low cost, it is still widely used over the world, especially to reap cereals such as wheat and rice and also as a gardening tool.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Sickle — Sic kle, n. [OE. sikel, AS. sicol; akin to D. sikkel, G. sichel, OHG. sihhila, Dan. segel, segl, L. secula, fr. secare to cut; or perhaps from L. secula. See {Saw} a cutting instrument.] 1. A reaping instrument consisting of a steel blade curved… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sickle — (n.) O.E. sicol, probably a West Germanic borrowing (Cf. M.Du. sickele, O.H.G. sihhila, Du. sikkel, Ger. Sichel) from V.L. *sicila, from L. secula sickle (Cf. It. segolo hatchet ), from PIE root *sek cut (see SECTION (Cf …   Etymology dictionary

  • sickle — ► NOUN ▪ a short handled farming tool with a semicircular blade, used for cutting corn, lopping, or trimming. ORIGIN Latin secula, from secare to cut …   English terms dictionary

  • sickle — [sik′əl] n. [ME sikel < OE sicol (akin to Ger sichel) < early WGmc borrowing < L secula < secare, to cut: see SAW1] a tool consisting of a crescent shaped blade with a short handle: used for cutting down tall grasses and weeds …   English World dictionary

  • Sickle — A sickle is a hand held agricultural tool with a curved blade typically used for harvesting grain crop or cutting grass for hay. The inside of the curve is sharp, so that the user can draw or swing the blade against the base of the crop, catching …   Wikipedia

  • sickle — I. noun Etymology: Middle English sikel, from Old English sicol, from Latin secula sickle, from secare to cut more at saw Date: before 12th century 1. an agricultural implement consisting of a curved metal blade with a short handle fitted on a… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • sickle — sick·le sik əl n a dental scaler with a curved 3 sided point sickle adj of, relating to, or characteristic of sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait <sickle hemoglobin> sickle vb, sick·led; sick·ling sik (ə )liŋ vt to change (a red blood… …   Medical dictionary

  • sickle — 1. noun [sɪkl̩/ an implement, having a semicircular blade and short handle, used for cutting long grass and cereal crops Syn …   Wiktionary

  • sickle — n. 1 a short handled farming tool with a semicircular blade, used for cutting corn, lopping, or trimming. 2 anything sickle shaped, esp. the crescent moon. Phrases and idioms: sickle bill any of various curlews with a sickle shaped bill. sickle… …   Useful english dictionary

  • sickle — UK [ˈsɪk(ə)l] / US noun [countable] Word forms sickle : singular sickle plural sickles 1) a tool for cutting down grass and tall plants, consisting of a long curved blade and a handle 2) literary a curved shape • See: hammer and sickle …   English dictionary

  • Sickle — RT 2PM Topol auf Basis eines MAZ 7917 Die RS 12M Topol (NATO Codename SS 25 Sickle, GRAU Index 15Sch58) ist eine fahrzeuggebundene, ballistische Interkontinentalrakete (ICBM) aus sowjetischer Produktion. Der Systemindex der Streitkräfte lautet RT …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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