ˈsweerness Sc. and north. dial.
[OE. swǽrnes = MLG. swêr-, swârnisse: see sweer a. and -ness.]
1. Indolence, laziness, sloth.
| c 888 ælfred Boeth. xxxv. §1 Þeah sio swærnes ðæs lichoman & þa unþeawas oft abiseᵹien þæt mod mid oferᵹiotulnesse. a 1300 Cursor M. 28370 My suernes me has don for⁓gette. c 1400 Apol. Loll. (Camden) 107 Superfluite, glotany, and lust, and swernes. 1456 Sir G. Hay Bk. Knighthood Wks. (S.T.S.) II. 59 Suerenes is a vice quhilk makis a man to hate all gudelynes and to lufe all viciousnes. 1533 Gau Richt Vay 20 Sweirnes is aganis the thrid command. 1595 Duncan App. Etym. (E.D.S.), Segnities,..sweirnes; desidia. 1676 Row Contn. Blair's Autobiogr. ix. (1848) 129 Checking himself for swearness, laziness, and loving of his bed too well. |
2. Unwillingness, disinclination (to do something).
| 1533 Bellenden Livy v. xxiv. (S.T.S.) II. 231 For swernes þat ȝe haue to big, ȝe ar reddy to suffer all þir schamefull..dammaigis. 1659 Melrose Regality Records (S.H.S. 1914) I. 218 [He] burstit [a mare]..puting and binding three harrowes togither for hes sueirnes to lift the ane at the land end. |