swine definition

<zoology> 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." Swine grass, the sow thistle.

Origin: OE. Swin, AS. Swin; akin to OFries. & OS. Swin, D. Zwijn, G. Schwein, OHG. Swin, Icel. Svin, Sw. Svin, Dan. Sviin, Goth. Swein; originally a diminutive corresponding to E. Sow. See Sow.

(01 Mar 1998)