Porcine vs. Swine — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 3, 2023
"Porcine" refers to something relating to or resembling pigs, used as an adjective. "Swine" is a term for the animals themselves, used as a noun.
Difference Between Porcine and Swine
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Key Differences
"Porcine" is an adjective that is derived from the Latin word "porcinus," which pertains to or is characteristic of pigs. "Swine," on the other hand, is a noun that can be traced back to the Old English word "swīn," which is used to refer to the actual animals, typically domestic pigs or hogs.
When it comes to their usage in language, "porcine" is predominantly used to describe attributes, diseases, or anything associated with pigs. "Swine" is the collective term for the animals and is commonly used in both agriculture and culinary contexts to refer to the pig species as a whole or to an individual pig.
In scientific and medical contexts, "porcine" is often the preferred term, especially when describing pig-related tissues, cells, or attributes in research or medical treatments. Contrastingly, "swine" is more colloquial and is used to denote the pigs in farming or when discussing pork as a form of meat.
Interestingly, "porcine" can sometimes carry a metaphorical connotation, used to describe someone's pig-like behavior or features. "Swine" is also used metaphorically, but can take on a more pejorative tone, often employed to describe a person deemed to be contemptible or disgusting.
The term "porcine" can also be found in zoology when classifying species, subspecies, or breeds of pigs. However, "swine" is a term that you might come across more frequently in general discourse, news reports, and in the context of agriculture or the food industry where the focus is on pigs as livestock or food source.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Noun
Origin
Latin "porcinus" (of a pig)
Old English "swīn" (pig)
Usage Context
Scientific, descriptive
General, farming, culinary
Connotation
Neutral, can be metaphorical
Neutral, sometimes pejorative
Plurality
Does not apply (adjective)
Can be singular or plural
Compare with Definitions
Porcine
Describing behaviors or characteristics akin to pigs
His porcine greed was apparent at the buffet table.
Swine
Used derogatorily to describe a contemptible person
He was called a swine for his rude behavior.
Porcine
Of, affecting, or resembling a pig
The porcine features of the cartoon character made the audience chuckle.
Swine
Domestic pigs as livestock
The swine were herded into the barn at dusk.
Porcine
Relating to the species Sus domesticus
Porcine DNA is surprisingly similar to human DNA in some respects.
Swine
A group of pigs
A swine of pigs uprooted the garden looking for truffles.
Porcine
Used in zoology to refer to the pig family
Porcine species are varied and include wild boars.
Swine
A term for pigs, hogs, or boars as animals
Farmers in the valley raise swine for local markets.
Porcine
Pertaining to the flesh of pigs, especially in a culinary context
Porcine delicacies are a staple in many cuisines.
Swine
Any of various omnivorous, even-toed ungulates of the family Suidae, having a stout body with thick skin, a short neck, and a movable snout, especially the domesticated pig.
Porcine
Of or resembling swine or a pig
"a bald porcine old man" (Vladimir Nabokov).
Swine
A person regarded as contemptible or disgusting.
Porcine
Of or pertaining to pigs.
Swine
A pig the animal.
Porcine
(derogatory) Overweight to the extent of resembling a pig; morbidly obese.
Swine
(pejorative) A contemptible person plural swines.
Porcine
Of or pertaining to swine; characteristic of the hog.
Swine
A police officer; a "pig".
Porcine
Relating to or suggesting swine;
Comparison between human and porcine pleasures
Swine
Something difficult or awkward; a pain.
That old car is a swine to manoeuvre.
Porcine
Repellently fat;
A bald porcine old man
Swine
(archaic) sow
Porcine
Resembling swine; coarsely gluttonous or greedy;
Piggish table manners
The piggy fat-cheeked little boy and his porcine pot-bellied father
Swinish slavering over food
Swine
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.
Swine
Stout-bodied short-legged omnivorous animals
Swine
Referring to the meat of a pig, commonly known as pork
Swine is consumed worldwide in numerous dishes.
Common Curiosities
Is swine an offensive term?
Swine can be offensive if used to describe a person; otherwise, it's a neutral term for pigs.
Can swine be singular?
Yes, swine can refer to one or more pigs.
Can porcine be used as a noun?
No, porcine is strictly an adjective.
Are porcine and swine interchangeable?
No, they are not interchangeable; porcine is an adjective, and swine is a noun.
Do porcine and swine come from the same language origin?
No, porcine comes from Latin, while swine comes from Old English.
Is it correct to say ‘a swine’ or ‘swines’ for multiple pigs?
It is most correct to say ‘swine’ for both singular and plural.
Is swine used in scientific contexts?
Swine is used, but primarily in agricultural or culinary contexts.
Does porcine have a metaphorical use?
Yes, porcine can metaphorically describe someone with pig-like qualities.
What does porcine mean?
Porcine means related to, resembling, or characteristic of pigs.
What fields commonly use the term porcine?
Veterinary science, zoology, and medical research commonly use porcine.
Can porcine refer to wild pigs?
Yes, porcine can describe anything related to pigs, wild or domestic.
Are there any idioms that use the word swine?
Yes, "pearls before swine" is a common idiom meaning offering something valuable to those who won't appreciate it.
Can porcine be used to describe pork products?
Yes, porcine can describe pork products in a culinary context.
What is a group of swine called?
A group of swine is commonly referred to as a herd.
Is swine ever used positively?
While it can have negative connotations, swine is also used neutrally in the context of farming and food.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
