pasture

views updated Jun 27 2018

pas·ture / ˈpaschər/ • n. land covered with grass and other low plants suitable for grazing animals, esp. cattle or sheep. ∎  the grass and herbage growing on such land: do not let your pasture grow too fast so that the plants become rank. ∎  fig. a place or activity regarded as offering new opportunities: he has departed for the greener pastures of a corner office.• v. [tr.] put (animals) in a pasture to graze: they pastured their cows in the water meadow. ∎  [intr.] (of animals) graze: the livestock pastured and the crops grew.PHRASES: put someone out to pasture force someone to retire.

pasture

views updated Jun 11 2018

pasture growing grass for cattle XIII; †feeding, food XIV. — OF. pasture (mod pâture):- late L. pāstūra, f. pp. stem of pāscere feed, pasture.
So vb. XIV. — OF. pasturer (mod. pâturer). pasturage XVI.