ˈswithen, v. Obs. exc. dial.
(swidden, swizzen).
[a. ON. sviðna to be singed (cf. ON. sviðningr clearing of land made by burning, Da. svidning burning, singeing): see prec.]
trans. = prec. 1. Also intr. to be singed.
| 1600 Surflet Country Farm iii. xx. 471 The northeast winde..is sharpe and swithning, verie hurtfull for all sortes of plants. 1690 O. Heywood Diaries, etc. (1885) IV. 138 The ground being very chapt and grasse exceedingly swithened. 1691 Ray N.C. Words 72 To Swizzen, to Singe. 1788 W. H. Marshall Rural Econ. E. Yorksh. Gloss. (E.D.S.), Swidden, to singe, or burn off, as heath, &c. 1811 Willan W. Riding Words (E.D.S.). 1876 Whitby Gloss., Swidden, Swizzen, or Sizzen, to singe, as flannel too near the fire. Swiddening, scorching. 1892 M. C. F. Morris Yorkshire Folk-Talk 112 And a shirt that is scorched at the fire; [they say,] ‘Diz tha see? Lawks a massy! it swizzens!’ |