Reading Theme:
Pasture: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：grassland for livestock (pasture)
pasture
/ˈpɑːstʃər/
n./vt.
A large area of land covered with grass, where farm animals like cows and sheep can eat and live.
grassland for livestock
➕
/ˈɡræslænd fɔːr ˈlaɪvstɒk/
n./vt.
A field of grass specifically grown and maintained for farm animals to feed on.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'pastura' (feeding, grazing), related to 'pascere' (to feed).
💡 Mnemonic
Think of the 'past' in pasture: animals spend their past time eating in this grassy field.
📖 Example
The cows looked very content as they grazed in the pasture under the blue sky.
The cows looked very content as they grazed in the pasture under the blue sky.
🔗 Collocations
rich pasture – land with abundant and nutritious grass for animals
open pasture – a wide, unfenced area of grazing land
put out to pasture – to allow animals to graze in a field; idiomatically means to retire someone
🔄 Synonyms
meadow (n.) – A field of grass, often wildflowers, sometimes used for hay but also for grazing.
grassland (n.) – A large open area of country covered with grass.
grazing land (n.) – Land suitable for animals to feed on growing grass.
🚫 Antonyms
barren land (n.) – Land that is too poor or dry to produce much or any vegetation.
feedlot (n.) – An area or building where livestock are fed and fattened, not allowed to graze freely.
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'pasture' entered English via Old French from Latin 'pastura'. It's fundamentally tied to the history of animal husbandry and agriculture. In modern culture, it evokes bucolic, pastoral scenes and is central to discussions about sustainable farming, land management, and organic food production.
Meaning 2：to graze animals (pasture)
pasture
/ˈpɑːstʃər/
n./vt.
To put animals like cows or sheep in a field so they can eat the grass.
to graze animals
➕
/tuː ɡreɪz ˈænɪməlz/
n./vt.
To allow or cause livestock to feed on the grass in a field.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
In the spring, the shepherd will pasture his sheep on the fresh mountain slopes.
In the spring, the shepherd will pasture his sheep on the fresh mountain slopes.
🔗 Collocations
pasture cattle – to put cows out to feed in a field
pasture on hillsides – to allow animals to graze on sloping land
well-pastured – describing land that has been effectively used for grazing
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
pasturer (n.) – One who pastures animals; a herdsman or shepherd (less common).
Wordbook
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