Middle English Dictionary Entry
swī̆k(e n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | swī̆k(e n.(2) Also swick, swich(e, squike, (in place names) s)weche & (?errors) suilk, suk. |
| Etymology | OE swic & swice. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Deceit, deception, treachery; withouten ~, honestly, in all honesty; (b) a trick, ruse, stratagem; (c) a trap, pitfall, snare; also fig.; (d) in place names [see Smith PNElem.2.172].
Associated quotations
a
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)344 : Ðe deuel is tus ðe [fox] ilik, mið iuele breides & wið swik.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)454 : Ðe mereman..mirie..singeð..& haueð manie stefnes..oc it ben wel ille..ðe sipes sinken mitte suk [?read: suik], ne cumen he nummor up.
- ?a1300(c1250) Prov.Hend.(Dgb 86)st.46 : Frendes wordes þer hy ben grete, Summe bittere and summe swete, And wel ful of swike.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)2097 : Asie es, wit-outen suike [Frf: squyke], Sua mikel als europ and affrike.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5168 : Sais me þan wit-outen suike, Quar ar yee mas minning now O ioseph, mi sun, bituix yow?
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)18891 : For his tresun and his suike [Trin-C: swiche] Anoþer most haf his biscop-rike.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)27273 : Al mister men..Queþer þai þair mister leli do Or menges ani suilk [?read: suikk; Frf: gile] þar-to, [etc.].
- c1400 WParadise (Hrl 1671)139.211/15 : Of..contencions comen oftetyme these batayles and these manslauȝtes, these wrathes and these rancowrs, where he hat mychel of swyche [F peril].
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)11837 : Priam..& his prise knightes Sweryn all swiftly & no swyke thoghtyn.
b
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)396 : He cumen & houen in his muð, of his swike he arn uncuð.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)818 : Þe find..wit his suik [Frf: gawdes] bi-suak adam.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)6514 : Þi folk..has don a suik.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)19231 : Ilk suik it-self bisuikes.
c
- a1300 Hit bilimpeð (Corp-O 59)19 : He vs bouchte wið his blod of þe feondes swiche.
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)677 : Under þat þan was a swyke..His hors fote toched þareon, Þan fel þe portculis onone Bytwyx him and his hinder arsown.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)4109 : Vndyr þe brygge þer is a swyke, Couerde clos, ioynande queyntelyke.
- a1500(?a1475) Guy(4) (Cmb Ff.2.38)7580 : He ys black as any pyck, And also felle as a lyon in his swyck.
- a1500 Mayer Nominale (Mayer)703/7 : Discipula: a swyke.
d
- (1313) in Wallenberg PNKent518 : Atte Sweche.
- (1334) in Wallenberg PNKent518 : Atte Weche.
- (1357) in Wallenberg PNKent518 : Atte Swych'.
- (?a1400) EPNSoc.19 (Cmb.)347 : Swike.