Middle English Dictionary Entry
Swēthe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | Swēthe n. Also (?error in comb.) sweþer & (error) snaide. |
| Etymology | ?From OE Swēo-þēod or ON (cp. OI svī-þjōþ) people of Sweden; also cp. MDu. Swede inhabitant of Sweden. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. Suaves n.pl.
1.
Sweden; ~ lond (riche).
Associated quotations
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.109 : Kyng Kanute..sent þaym to þe kyng of Sweþerlond for to be slayn.
- a1400 Þis world ys delyd (Roy 13.D.1)p.273 : In Europe ben londes mo..Saxone, Loerenne, and Snaide [?read: Suaide], Alemaine, Denemarche, Norwey, and Trace.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)47 : Danmarke he dryssede all by drede of hym seluyn, Fra Swynn vnto Swetheryke, with his swerde kene.
- 1530(c1450) Mirror Our Lady (Fawkes)20 : Mayster Peter had turned thys Legende in to latyn out of the tongue of Swethe, for he was a man borne of the same londe.