Middle English Dictionary Entry
swam n.
Entry Info
| Forms | swam n. Also (in surname) swamme. |
| Etymology | OE swamm; for senses (b) and (c) also cp. MDu. swam sponge & (M)LG swampeswāter muddy or stagnant water. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A mushroom or other fungus; (b) ~ water, ?a stagnant pool, swamp water; ?a bog or marsh; (c) in surname.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1200(?OE) PDidax.(Hrl 6258b)13/12 : Nim webradeleaf ar sunne upgange; nym þanne hlaf and sealt and swamm and cnuca hyt eal togadere.
- ?a1200(?OE) PDidax.(Hrl 6258b)51/30 : Þann scealt þu hy[m] læten blod..and syle hym ealra ærest etan ȝebrædne swam.
b
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)52/282b : Musicia: a swamwatyr.
c
- (1332) in Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames207 : Mat. ate Swamme.