Middle English Dictionary Entry
swēre adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | swēre adj. Also swar(e; comp. (early) swærere. |
| Etymology | OE swǣr, swǣre, swār. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Heavy; fig. oppressive, grievous; (b) slow, sluggish; lazy, slothful; with inf.: reluctant (to do sth.), disinclined, loath; (c) in place name.
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)126/28 : Eala gyf mine synnen & mine eremðen, þe ic þolige, wæron gewegen on anre wæge, þone wæron heo swærere geseowene þone sandcorn on sæ.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)16280 : Forr hefiȝ & forr sware unngriþþ Þatt hæþenn follc þær wrohhte..Þatt draȝhenn swerd wass inn an hannd & lim & stan inn oþerr.
- c1450(c1400) Sultan Bab.(Gar 140)428 : The grete gloton Estagote With his myghty mace sware On the Gatis of Rome..smote And brake hem alle on thre thare.
b
- c1330 Þe siker soþe (Auch)39 : Now swift, now swere, Now snelle, now slawe..Þe warld tirueþ ous touȝ.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)28242 : Ic ha bene reckeles on many wys Anentis crist and his seruise, Childir þat ic houe o funt, And als my-self ic haue vm-stunt, I cri godd merci, bene leue to suere Vre crede and pater noster lere.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)28284 : Ic ha ben bath reckeles and suere To helpe nedy in þair mistere.
c
- (1255) in Mawer PNNhb.& Dur.193 : Swarland.