Middle English Dictionary Entry
swēven v.
Entry Info
| Forms | swēven v. P. swēvede, swēfede. |
| Etymology | From OE swefan, p. swæf & swebban, p.ppl. swefed. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. asweved ppl., isweven v.
1.
(a) To put (sb.) to sleep; (b) fig. of the sea: to become calm.
Associated quotations
a
- a1225(?OE) Vsp.A.Hom.(Vsp A.22)233 : Þis deð all ȝiure drihte: he blisseð hus mid dȝeies licht, h[e] sweueð hus mid þiestre nicht.
- c1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)24 : He swefede þe mid þen sweiȝe; swote þu sleptest longe on þine bedde.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)12750 : Wederen alre selest, and þa sæ sweuede For þere soft-nesse.