Middle English Dictionary Entry
swīme n.
Entry Info
| Forms | swīme n. Also (chiefly N) swī̆m & squime, (early SW) swume. |
| Etymology | OE swīma |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. swem n., swoun(e n.
1.
An unconscious state, a swoon; fallen in (a) ~, fallen on ~, lien in ~; swoti for ~, sweaty from exhaustion; smiten in ~, to strike (sb.) unconscious or dead; swolwed in-to ~, lost in oblivion.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.Magd.(2) (LdMisc 108)487 : His wif bi-gan to wake; Of a swume heo schok and braid and sone bi-gan a-wake.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)11286 : Aske hyt [extreme unction] be tyme, For deþ cumþ now as yn swyme.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5072 : Þai fell in suijm [Göt: suoune] and cried 'merci.'
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)14201 : It es time For to wacken him [Lazarus] of his suime [Frf: squyme].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)19837 : Fell he þarwit in a suim Als drightin self did send on him.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)4246 : He swounnes one þe swrathe and one swym fallis.
- c1440 Degrev.(Thrn)1227 : By-twene vndron and pryme, Luk þou come at þat tyme, And ane of vs sall ly in swyme.
- c1440 St.Chris.(Thrn)341 : In-till his logge he hyede þat tyme, And to þe erthe he felle in swyme.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)8400 : Wyþ fewe, we han seyn many tyme, We haue þeym sondred & smyten in swyme.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)10/27 : Ye stand as ye were fallen in swyme.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)12 : Sothe stories ben..swolowet into swym by swiftenes of yeres.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)2366 : I..Beheld to my horse þat hote was of Rennyng, All swoty for swyme and his swift course.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)8319 : With Swym vnder swerd swalton full mony.