SWALLOW-TAILS. The points of a burgee. Also, the tails of a coat.
SWAMP. A tract of land or bog on which, from its impermeable bottom, the collected fresh water remains stagnant.
SWAPE. A wooden support for a small light. Also, a pump-handle; a lever. Also, a long oar used in working a coal-keel in the north.
SWART-BACK. The Larus marinus, or great black and white gull.
SWARTS. A name formerly applied by voyagers to Indians and negroes.
SWASH. A sudden surge of the sea. Also, a shoal in a tide-way or mouth of a river, over which the water flows, and the tide ripples in ebbing or flowing.
SWASHWAY. A channel across a bank, or among shoals, as the noted instance between the Goodwin Sands.
SWATHE. The entire length of a sea-wave.
SWAY, To, or Sway away. To hoist simultaneously; particularly applied to the lower yards and top-masts, and topgallant-masts and yards.—To sway away on all top-ropes. To go great lengths (colloquially).
SWAY UP, To. To apply a strain on a mast-rope in order to lift the spar upwards, so that the fid may be taken out, previous to lowering the mast. Or sway yards aloft ready for crossing.