1. A servant. [Obs.] Him behoves serve himself that has no swain. Chaucer.
2. A young man dwelling in the country; a rustic; esp., a cuntry gallant or lover; — chiefly in poetry. It were a happy life To be no better than a homely swain. Shak. Blest swains! whose nymphs in every grace excel. Pope.
SWAINISH
Swain"ish, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, a swain; rustic; ignorant. "An ungentle and swainish beast." Milton. — Swain"ish*ness, n. Emerson.
SWAINLING
Swain"ling, n.
Defn: A little swain. [R.]
SWAINMOTE
Swain"mote`, n. Etym: [Swain + mote meeting: cf. LL. swanimotum.]
(Eng. Forest Law)
Defn: A court held before the verders of the forest as judges, by the steward of the court, thrice every year, the swains, or freeholders, within the forest composing the jury. [Written also swanimote, and sweinmote.] Blackstone.
SWAINSHIP
Swain"ship, n.
Defn: The condition of a swain.