† aˈswithe, as swithe, advb. phr. Obs.
Also 4–5 alswithe, asswyþe, aswythe.
This, besides its literal meaning ‘as quickly,’ had the sense: As quickly as possible, immediately. (See as A III, and cf. asfast, assoon, astite.)
| [1375–1521; see quotations under alswithe.] c 1320 R. Brunne Medit. 1016 Ryȝt wyth þat wurde aswyþe she ryst. c 1340 Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 1400 To soper þay ȝede as⁓swyþe. c 1386 Chaucer Man of Law's T. 539 Thou schalt be slayn as swithe. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 623 A sithe Made for lupyne is upp to honge aswithe. |