† ˈswinkful, a. Obs.
[OE. ᵹeswincfull, later swincfull: see swink n. and -ful.]
1. Full of toil or trouble; disastrous; troublesome, irksome; painful, distressing.
| c 888 ælfred Boeth. xiv. §1 Ᵹif hi yfele sint & lytiᵹe þonne sint hi þe pliolicran & ᵹeswincfulran hæfd ðonne næfd. a 1100 O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1085, & þæs ilcan ᵹeares wæs swiðe hefelic ᵹear & swiðe swincfull. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 7 Þeos world is..swiðe lewe & swincful. a 1225 Ancr. R. 292 Þu schalt ȝiuen me, Louerd, heorte-scheld aȝean þe ueonde; þet beoð þine swincfule pinen. |
2. Hard-working, industrious, diligent.
| c 1200 Ormin 2621 Ȝho wass swinncfull..Inn alle gode dedess. |
Hence † ˈswinkfulness, diligence.
| c 1200 Ormin 2526 Ȝho wass..Alt full..Off rihhtwis swinncfullnesse. |