Middle English Dictionary Entry
swef adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | swef adv. Also suef, sauef, (?error) shefe. |
| Etymology | OF söef, souef, süef, AF swef. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A hunting call used to calm the hounds, in cries borrowed from the French: softly, gently.
Associated quotations
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)103 : If he [hunter] se his houndes drawe fast fro hym and wolden fayn renne, he shalle say þus to hem..'Swef, moun amy, Swef,' for to make hem goo softly.
- c1425 Twiti Venery(1) (Vsp B.12)152 : If ye se that your houndes haue good wyl to renne, & be feer from you, ye shalle sey thus, 'how amy, how amy, swef, mon amy, shefe [?read: swefe; F swef].'
- c1425 Twiti Venery(1) (Vsp B.12)154 : If your houndes renne wele at the fox or atte the buk, & the be at defaunt, ye shul sey in another maner, 'Ho, ho, ore, saueff, a luy, douce.'
- c1450 Twiti Venery(2) (Yale-BA Porter MS)54/6 : Apon þe defauute make iii assigneȝs as on an hare and sey to thyn houndez þus: 'Ho ho, ore suef, ho hoy.'