† swafe Obs.
Also 4–5 swayf(e, sweyf, swaffe, 8 swave.
[f. ON. sveif- in *sveifa swayve, sveif tiller (cf. OHG. sweib swinging), related to sv{iacu}f- in sv{iacu}fa = OE. sw{iacu}fan to swive; the general notion being that of sweeping or swinging.]
1. A swinging stroke or blow; momentum.
| 13.. E.E. Allit. P. B. 1268 Wyth þe swayf of þe sworde þat swolȝed hem alle. a 1400–50 Wars Alex. 806 (Ashmole MS.) Alexander..swyngis out his swerde & his swayfe [Dubl. MS. swaffe] feches. 14.. Chaucer's Troylus ii. 1383 (Harl. MS. 3943) Þe grete sweyf [v.rr. sweyght, sweigh, swey, swough] doþ it þan fal at ones. |
2. A kind of sling or ballista; = sweep n. 25.
| 1688 Holme Armoury iii. xviii. (Roxb.) 127/2 He beareth Argent a Swafe, or swing stone, sable... These kinds may fitly be termed swafe slings. Ibid. 128/2 Some terme this a Slinge tree, but the best name is, a double swafe, or back swafe, to distinguish it from the swafe, or single swafe. |
3. A pump-handle; = swape 3, sweep n. 24.
| 1688 Holme Armoury iii. 297/1 The Bucket of the Pump, is the like Sucker fastned to an Iron rod, which is moved up and down by the help of the Sweep, or Swafe [1726 Dict. Rust. s.v. Pump Swave], or Handle. |