Middle English Dictionary Entry
swei n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | swei n.(2) Also sweigh, sweiȝ, sweih(e, swie, swigh, swiȝ(e, (16th cent.) swaie. |
| Etymology | From sweien v.(2). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. sweif n., sweight n., swough n.(2).
1.
(a) The motion of a rotating or revolving body, a circular movement; (b) the force or impetus of a moving body, momentum; (c) ~ petra, ?a stone hung on a cart as a brake.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.298 : O firste moeuyng! cruel firmament, With thy diurnal sweigh that crowdest ay And hurlest al from est til occident.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.2024 : Fortune..chaungeth ofte..And with a swyȝe þrow hym to meschaunce.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.1029 : For welfulnesse and fals felicite With sodeyn swiȝ froward þou canst avale!
- a1425 May no man (CmbAdd 5943)25 : I-blessyd be such byes, that maketh such suyes by-tuynne my lady thyes to dryve awey the flyes, madame.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)1.m.5.4 : O thow makere of the wheel that bereth the sterres..and turnest the hevene with a ravysschynge sweigh [vr. sweyh; Walton Bo.: swye; L turbine].
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.pr.1.124 : Enforcestow the to aresten or withholden the swyftnesse and the sweigh [vr. sweyȝ] of hir turnynge wheel?
- ?a1450(1422) Lydg.SD (McC 182)56/2 : When þe blynde goddesse of variawnce, dam fortvne, haþe enhansed a man hieste vpon hir whele, with a sodeyne sweihe [vrr. swygh; swynge] sche plungeth hym downe.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)12234 : Tak hed..how in thys whel Ther ys wyth-inne..A-nother off lasse quantyte..Hath iiij spookys yt to sustene, Set vp-on an Extre large, Off the sweygh to bere the charge.
b
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.1383 : Whan that the stordy ook..Receyved hath the happy fallyng strook, The greete sweigh [vrr. swough; sweyf] doth it come al at ones.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)135/100 : So ofte must men on the oke smyte, til the happy dent have entred, whiche with the okes owne swaye maketh it to come al at ones.
c
- (1322) Acc.Wellingborough in North.RS 8123 : In duobus sweypetres, j d.