swaver, v. north. dial.
(ˈsweɪvə(r))
Also 4 swafre.
[? f. Scand. stem sveif-: see swayve and -er5. Cf. ON. sveifla to swing (Norw. dial. sveivla to fan, waft), and Eng. dial. swavel to reel, stagger, sway about.]
intr. To stagger, totter. Also fig. to decline away from.
| ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 3970 Than swetes the swete kynge and in swoune fallis, Swafres vp swiftely, and swetly hym kysses. c 1485 Digby Myst., Conversion of St. Paul 447 Thowȝe on do swauer away from our lore. 1768 Ross Helenore i. 20 She wins to foot, an' swavering makes to gang. 1866 Gregor Banffsh. Gloss. s.v., He swavert o' the edge o' the rock, an' syne fell our. 1866 Buchanan Lond. Poems 230 His heart fail'd, he swaver'd forth again. 1874 ― Scaith o' Bartle Poet. Wks. I. 199 Swavering down the path, he took my arm. |