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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.

Swing, Swyng, v. Also: sweng. P.t. swang. [ME and e.m.E. swing(en (c1175), swyng(en (?c1390), p.t. suang (Cursor M.), swong (Manning), swange (14th c.), swyngede (a1375), swenged (Trevisa), p.p. suungen (Cursor M.), suongyn (c1450), OE swingan, p.t. swang, swungon, p.p. ᵹeswungen.]

1. intr. To strike a blow by swinging the arm with a sword. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 562.
Out with suerdis thai swang fra thair schalk side
a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 828.
Bot lat the riche man … fecht in his curage, To swyng with suerd quhil he suage
c1475 Wall. iv 314.
Wallace thar with swyth with a suerd out swang. Vpon the hede he straik [etc.]

2. tr. a. To draw out (a sword). b. To wield (a sword).a. ?1438 Alex. i 1027.
Quhen the … speris failȝit, Thair swordis swyftly out thai swyng [F. recovré]
b. 1513 Doug. x vii 161.
Thame stowtly he assalit … And euer his schynand swerd about him swang
1560 Rolland Seven S. 9540.
Quhen speirs was past thair … swords drew Quhill plait and maill all into flenders flew. Thair swords thai swang

3. To throw forcibly, hurl, fling. a1400 Leg. S. xxxi 847.
Til hyr nek, … Thai band faste a gret mylstan, & in-to Tybre syne hir swang
a1500 Henr. Fab. 2076.
He hint him be the heillis, And with ane swak he swang him on the creillis

4. intr. To labour, toil.Cf. swink and swete Swink v. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2752.
His seruand or his self may not be spaird To swing and sweit, withoutin meit or wage

5. To indulge one's inclination, employ one's time freely (with something). [Cf. 17th c. Eng. swindging (1613). Cf. also Swingeo(u)r n. an idler.] 1588 Waus Corr. 422.
As for my part I salbe reddy to serue, and as willing to lye ydle, and suinge with my bukis, the wyf, and bairnis, gif his Majestie will permit me

6. To move freely backwards and forwards from a fixed point. 1467 Reg. Dunferm. 359.
As for the nettis of the Calate [tributary of the Tweed] sall set thar stavis and lend abown the thre stanis and lend on thar awn land and sweng quhar scho wyll

7. Of a ship: To capsize, keel over. 1590 Welwod 53.
Bot gif the schip … swing ouer in a dry harbery he [the master] sall pay the skaith

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"Swing v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 28 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/swing_v>

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