Sweat, to extract money from a person, to “bleed.” Also, to squander riches.—Bulwer.
Sweat, to violently shake up a lot of guineas or sovereigns in a leathern bag for the purpose of benefiting by the perspiration.
Sweater, common term for a “cutting” or “grinding” employer,—one who SWEATS his workpeople. A cheap tailor, who pays starvation wages.
Sweep, a contemptuous term for a low or shabby man.
Sweet, loving or fond; “how SWEET he was upon the moll,” i.e., what marked attention he paid the girl.
Sweetener, a person who runs up the prices of articles at an auction. See [JOLLYING], [BONNET], &c.
Swell, a man of importance; a person with a showy, jaunty exterior, “a rank SWELL,” a very flashily dressed person, a man who by excessive dress apes a higher position than he actually occupies. Any one occupying a superior position in society is by the mob called a SWELL. Anything is said to be SWELL or SWELLISH that looks showy, or is many coloured, or is of a desirable quality. Dickens and Thackeray were termed great SWELLS in literature, and so are the first persons in the learned professions SWELLS in their way.
Swell hung in chains, said of a showy man in the habit of wearing much jewellery.
Swell street, the West-end of London.
Swig, a hearty drink.