A Concise Dictionary of Middle English from A.D. 1150 to 1580

by A. L. Mayhew; Walter W. Skeat

[ Sweuening], sb. dreaming, S, S2.

[ Sweuien], v. to send to sleep; sweueð, pr. s., S.—Icel. svefja, to lull to sleep.

[ Sweyen], v. to sway, to go, walk, pass, SkD, HD; sweiȝen, SD; sweȝen, SkD; sweande, pr. p., S2; swe, pr. pl., S2; seyed, pp., S2.—Cp. Swed. sviga, to bend.

[ Sweyen], v. to sound, PP; sweien, S.—AS. swégan (causal of swógan). See [Swowen].

[ Sweyne], sb. servant, armiger, Prompt., S; swayn, C2, G; swein, S; sueyn, S; suein, S2.—Icel. sveinn, a boy, lad, servant; cp. AS. swán.

[ Swi-], prefix, silent. Comb.: swi-dages, still days, days of silence, S; swi-messe, the Canon of the Mass, the silent Mass, S; swi-wike, the still week, SD.—AS. swíge, silence.

[ Swien], v. to be silent; swigeð, pr. s., S; swiede, pt. s., S.—AS. swían, swígian; cp. OHG. suíigén (Tatian).

[ Swiere], sb. neck, S; see [Swire].

[ Swike], sb. traitor, deceiver, S; suikes, pl., S.—AS. swica.

[ Swike], sb. mouse-trap, S; swyke, Voc.; suik, deceit, S2.—AS. swice, ‘scandalum’ (Grein).