▪ I. † swime, n. Obs.
Forms: 1 swima, 3–4 suim(e, suijm, 4 suuime, 4 squyme, 4–5 swym(e.
[OE. sw{iacu}ma = MLG. swîm, swîme, Du. zwijm, G. dial. schweim giddiness, swooning, related immed. to (M)LG., MDu. swîmen to become faint (Du. zwijmen), MHG. swîmen, pa. tense sweem (G. dial. schweimen), and, with variety of vowel-grade, to OE. -swǽman (:—*swaimjan) sweam, OFris. swima swoon, swima to swoon, (M)LG. sweimen, swimen, swêmen to stagger, faint, swoon, ON. svimi giddiness; f. Teut. root swaim-: swī̆m-, whence also the forms s.v. swimble.]
Dizziness, giddiness, or a fit of this; swooning, a swoon.
| a 900 Cynewulf Crist 1300 (Gr.) Þær hi ascamode, scondum ᵹedreahte, Swiciað on swiman. a 1000 Judith 106 (Gr.) He on swiman læᵹ, druncen & dolhwund. c 1000 Sax. Leechd. III. 48 Wið ðone swiman nim rudan [etc.]. a 1300 Cursor M. 5072 (Cott.) Þai fell in suijm and cried ‘merci!’ Ibid. 24350 Þat suime was o mi soruing suage. ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 4246 He swounnes one þe swarthe, and one swym fallis. c 1460 Towneley Myst. ii. 27 Ye stand as ye were fallen in swyme. |
| fig. c 1400 Destr. Troy Prol. 12 Sothe stories ben stoken vp, & straught out of mynd, And swolowet into swym by swiftenes of yeres. |
▪ II. † swime, a. Obs.
In 4 swym.
[f. prec.]
Used vaguely (like the n.) in Destr. Troy = giddy, dazed, and (actively) stunning.
| c 1400 Destr. Troy 3604 With þi swerde is to swinke & not with swym thoghtes. Ibid. 9561 Alto swappon vs with swerdes & with swym strokes. |