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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Swelt, Suelt, v. Also: soult. P.t. swelt, suelt, swalt, swolt, sualted. P.p. swelt, suelt. [ME and e.m.E. swelte (c1200), p.t. swelted (c1320), swelt (c1350), swalt (14th c.), pl. also swulltenn (Orm), swalton (c1400), OE sweltan, p.t. swealt, swulton, p.p. ᵹeswolten, ON svelta. Also in the later dial.] intr.

1. To die.pres. 1460 Hay Alex. 7721.
Quhat witt had he that saw his fallowis sua Sw[e]ltand to dede thare slaaris for to sla? 1513 Doug. viii ix 85.
O faynt fortoun … Suffir me swelt, and end this cruel lyfe 1513 Doug. xi xii 84.
Men quhilk ȝeld the gaste and sweltis 1638 Adamson Muses Thr. I 111.
Some through despaire Did overleap the bridge and perish there: And some lay swelting in the slykie sandp.t. 1375 Barb. iv 311.
[At] Bourch in-to the sand He suelt rycht in his awne land a1400 Leg. S. xvii 197.
Vith that scho swelt, & gawe the gest c1420 Wynt. vii 1290 (W).
Sa he handillit the barne sa fast Quhill at he swelt [R. deyd] thare at the last 1460 Hay Alex. 18680.
Sum vther tuike sic sorrow and sic cair That furthwith thair thay suelt into that place a1500 Henr. Fab. 445.
Syne at the last the sweit swelt in my arme a1500 Bk. Chess 1731.
For gret joye than scho swelt & gaif the gaist 1535 Stewart 40562.
He slew him self thair suddantlie and suelt(b) 1535 Stewart 4798.
Mony ane swolt and mony fell in swounp.p. c1420 Wynt. viii 5312.
For hade the Talbot, as taylyd was, Justyd, he had swelt in to that plas 1513 Doug. vii v 28.
Mycht thai nocht all haue swelt [Sm. suelt] thar vnder scheildis?

2. To be or seem to be on the point of dying, from strong emotion, a blow, etc.; to be overcome, faint, swoon.There is some ambiguity with prec.pres. 1513 Doug. vii v heading.
Juno persavand the Troianys beild a town, For greif and dolour like to swelt and swoun 1513 Doug. viii Prol. 5 (Sm.).
A selcouth sege I saw … Swownand as he suelt wald, soupit in site a1605 Montg. Flyt. 317 (H).
The swerfe and the sweiting, with sounding to swelt c1590 J. Stewart 43/19.
For sorrow sad he seims to suelt and smart c1590 Fowler I 376/16.
By thé I feile my ioyes expyre, By thé I swelt in payne a1605 Montg. Misc. P. v 14.
The fremmitnes that I haif felt, For syte and sorrou garris me suelt, And maks my hairt within me melt c1620 Boyd Fl. Zion Exc. xxii/2.
From morne to ev'n wee drenched are in sweate, Wee swelt for thirst, and get but little meate 1629 Boyd Last B. xlvii/2.
Clusters of stroakes most fiercely on them fell, Which made their hearts to swelt, and backs to swell(b) c1580 in Bann. Memor. 338.
The king wald soult [Trans. suelt] except [etc.]p.t. c1420 Wynt. vii 1294 (W).
The quene, that … saw hir barne than dede sua … swounyt and swelt and deit thare a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 599.
Quhen he had hard hir greit infirmitie … He swelt for wo and fell doun in ane swoun 15.. Sym & Bruder 120.
He swownit & he swelt almaist For gaping & for ganting 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 74.
Howsein he was set vpoun horsback, incontinent … he bristit and swelt sua that he … deceissit a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 218 (Wr.) (see Swete v. 1 b).
Mine agony was so extreame, I swelt and swound for feare(b) a1500 Henr. Fab. 2181 (Harl.).
He … hit him with sic will vpoun the heid, Quhill neir he swonit and swalt [Ch. swelt] in to that steid(c) 1634 Johnston Diary I 191.
O thos floods of tears, thos redoubled groans, and interrupted words, quhairwith my heart evin sualted continualy

3. To suffer from oppressive heat, or from the excessive sweating caused by such heat; to swelter. c1590 Fowler I 367/20.
In snowe I swelt with sweit 1638 Adamson Muses Thr. I 48.
Mean while … as we were swelting The sweat from off our brows and temples melting