Swine | n. sing. & pl. [ OE. swin, AS. swīn; akin to OFries. & OS. swin, D. zwijn, G. schwein, OHG. swīn, Icel. svīn, Sw. svin, Dan. sviin, Goth. swein; originally a diminutive corresponding to E. sow. See Sow, n. ] (Zool.) Any animal of the hog kind, especially one of the domestical species. Swine secrete a large amount of subcutaneous fat, which, when extracted, is known as lard. The male is specifically called boar, the female, sow, and the young, pig. See Hog. “A great herd of swine.” Mark v. 11. [ 1913 Webster ] Swine grass (Bot.), knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare); -- so called because eaten by swine. -- Swine oat (Bot.), a kind of oat sometimes grown for swine. -- Swine's cress (Bot.), a species of cress of the genus Senebiera (Senebiera Coronopus). -- Swine's head, a dolt; a blockhead. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. -- Swine thistle (Bot.), the sow thistle. [ 1913 Webster ]
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