Middle English Dictionary Entry
swifte n.
Entry Info
| Forms | swifte n. |
| Etymology | From ON: cp. OI svipting, ONorw. sviptungr & OI svipta to reef, Shet. swift to reef a sail. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Naut. A piece of light rope passed through the eyelets of a reef band and used to reef a sail, a reef point.
Associated quotations
- (1301-2) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 2104 : In d vlnis panni emptis pro velo eadem panno tincto diuersis coloribus swyftes wynies et diuersis cordis ad idem.
- (1336) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 3140 : In d Swyftes emptis in grosso apud lenn'..precium centene iij s.
- (1336) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 3141 : In ij petris cord' de canabo petra continente ut supra emptis ibidem pro swifftes et robond' inde faciendis..xij d.
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)11/65b : Propes: swyfte.