† swerk, v. Obs.
In 1 sweorcan (see etym.), 3 swærken, pa. tense pl. swurken.
[OE. sweorcan, pa. tense swearc, *swurcon, pa. pple. -sworcen = OS. swerkan to become sad, pa. pple. gisworkan clouded, darkened (lit. and fig.), LG. in pa. pple. sworken and besworken, -ed clouded, OHG. swercan to become dark or gloomy (lit. and fig.), f. Teut. root swerk- (:swark-, swurk-), whence also OE. ᵹesweorc cloud, swearcian to be darkened, OS. giswerk darkness, (M)LG. swerk, swark dark clouds, sorrow, grief, MDu. gheswerc, swerc (Du. zwerk) clouds, cloudy sky, OHG. giswerc, kisworc dark clouds, and OE. áswarcan, ‘tabescere’, ásweorcan ‘elanguere’, áswarcod ‘reveritus’; ulterior connexions undetermined.]
intr. To be or become dark; in OE. often, to become gloomy, troubled, or sad.
| Beowulf 1737 (Gr.) Ne him inwitsorh on sefan sweorceð. a 1000 Andreas 372 (Gr.) Wedercandel swearc, windas weoxon. a 1000 Boeth. Metr. iii. 2, & hu grundleasum seaðe swinceð þæt sweorcende mod. c 1205 Lay. 11973 Swurken vnder sunnen sweorte weolcnen. Ibid. 22030 Þenne swelleð þe mære, Þenne swærkeð þa vðen. |