_schwein_, L. _sus_, Gr. _hys_.]
SWING, swing, _v.i._ to sway or wave to and fro, as a body hanging in air: to move forward with swaying gait: to vibrate: to practise swinging: to turn round at anchor: to be hanged.--_v.t._ to move to and fro: to cause to wave or vibrate: to whirl, to brandish: to cause to wheel or turn as about some point: to fix up anything so as to hang freely:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ swung.--_n._ the act of swinging: motion to and fro: a waving motion: anything suspended for swinging in: the sweep or compass of a swinging body: the sweep of a golf-club when driving: influence or power of anything put in motion: free course, unrestrained liberty.--_ns._ SWING'-BACK, a device for adjusting the plate-holder of a camera at any desired angle; SWING'BOAT, a boat-shaped carriage swung from a frame, in use for swinging in at fairs, &c.; SWING'-BRIDGE, a bridge that may be moved aside by swinging, at the mouth of docks, &c.; SWING'-CHURN, a churn-box so hung as to be worked by oscillation; SWING'ER; SWING'-HAN'DLE, a pivoted handle of any utensil, esp. a bail or other arched handle; SWING'ING, the act of moving back and forth, esp. the pastime of moving in a swing.--_adj._ having a free easy motion.--_n._ SWING'ING-BOOM, the spar which stretches the foot of a lower studding-sail.--_adv._ SWING'INGLY, in a swinging-manner.--_ns._ SWING'ING-POST, the post to which a gate is hung; SWING'ISM, a form of intimidation common in England about 1830-33, which consisted mainly in sending letters signed 'Swing' or 'Captain Swing' to farmers, ordering them under threats to give up threshing-machines, &c.; SWING'-M[=O]'TION, a mechanism in the truck of a railway carriage, &c., permitting swaying from side to side; SWING'-PAN, a sugar-pan with spout, pivoted so that it may be emptied by tipping; SWING'-PLOUGH, a plough without a fore-wheel under the beam; SWING'-SHELF, a hanging shelf; SWING'-STOCK, an upright timber, with a blunt edge at top over which flax was beaten by the swingle--also SWING'ING-BLOCK; SWING'-SWANG, a complete oscillation.--_adj._ swinging, drawling.--_ns._ SWING'-T[=A]'BLE, a moveable bed on which plate-glass is cemented for polishing; SWING'-TOOL, a holder swinging on horizontal centres, on which work is fastened so as to hold flat against the face of a file; SWING'-TREE=_Swingle-tree_ (q.v.); SWING'-TROT, a swinging trot; SWING'-WHEEL, the wheel that drives a clock pendulum, corresponding to the balance-wheel in a watch. [A.S. _swingan_; Ger. _schwingen_, to swing; allied to _wag_, _sway_.]
SWINGE, swinj, _v.t._ to beat, chastise: to forge, weld together: to wave to and fro.--_n._ a lash, a lashing movement.--_n._ SWINGE'-BUCK'LER (_Shak._), one who pretends to feats of arms, a blusterer.--_adj._ SWINGE'ING, great, huge.--_adv._ SWINGE'INGLY.--_n._ SWINGER (swinj'[.e]r), any person or thing great or astonishing, a bold lie, a whopper. [A.S.
_swengan_, to shake, a causal form of _swingan_, to swing.]
SWINGE, swinj, _v.t._ (_Spens._). Same as SINGE.
SWINGLE, swing'gl, _v.t._ to dress or separate the fibrous parts of flax from the woody substance by beating.--_n._ an implement for this purpose.--_ns._ SWING'LE, the part of the flail which falls on the grain in threshing; SWING'LE-TREE, SING'LE-TREE, the cross-piece of a carriage, plough, &c. to which the traces of a harnessed horse are fixed. [_Swing_.]
SWINISH, sw[=i]'nish, _adj._ like or befitting swine: gross: brutal.--_adv._ SWIN'ISHLY.--_n._ SWIN'ISHNESS.
SWINK, swingk, _v.i._ (_Spens._) to labour, to toil, to drudge.--_v.t._ to tire out with labour.--_n._ labour.--_adj._ SWINK'ED (_Milt._), wearied with labour, fatigued. [A.S. _swincan_, to labour; cf. _swingan_, swing.]
SWIPE, sw[=i]p, _n._ a hard blow.--_v.t._ to give a strong blow to: to steal by snatching.--_n._ SW[=I]'PER, one who swipes. [A.S. _swipe_, a whip.]
SWIPES, sw[=i]ps, _n._ bad or spoilt beer, also small-beer.--_adj._ SW[=I]'PEY, fuddled with malt liquor.
SWIRE, sw[=i]r, _n._ a hollow between two hills. [Prob. A.S. _sweora_, the neck.]
SWIRL, sw[.e]rl, _v.i._ to sweep along with a whirling motion.--_n._ whirling motion, as of wind or water: a curl or twist: the rush of a fish through the water in rising to a fly.--_adj._ SWIRL'Y. [Skeat explains as Scand., Norw. _svirla_, to whirl round, a freq. of _sverra_, to whirl, orig. to hum.]
SWISH, swish, _v.t._ to cause to move or to cut with a whistling sound: to flog, thrash.--_n._ a swishing sound.--_adv._ in a swishing manner or with such a sound.--_ns._ SWISH'ER, one who swishes or flogs; SWISH'-SWASH, a swishing action or sound: a washy drink. [Imit.]
SWISS, swis, _adj._ of or belonging to _Switzerland_.--_n._ a native of Switzerland: the language of Switzerland: a High German patois, spoken in fifteen of the cantons.--_n._ SWIT'ZER, a native of Switzerland: one of a hired bodyguard of a king or pope.--SWISS GUARDS, a celebrated corps or regiment of Swiss mercenaries in the French army of the old regime, constituted 'Gardes' by royal decree in 1616.
SWISSING, swis'ing, _n._ the calendering of bleached cloth, after dampening, by passing between bowls or pairs of rollers.
SWITCH, swich, _n._ a small flexible twig: a movable rail for transferring a carriage from one line of rails to another: a device to make or break a circuit, or transfer an electric current from one conductor to another.--_v.t._ to strike with a switch: to swing, whisk: to transfer a carriage from one line of rails to another by a switch: to shift from one circuit to another, or in or out of circuit, as an electric current, to shunt.--_ns._ SWITCH'BACK, a term applied to a zigzagging, alternate back-and-forward mode of progression up a slope; SWITCH'BACK-RAIL'WAY, an apparatus for public amusement, consisting of a short length of elevated railway with a series of rounded inclines, so that the car gains enough of momentum descending the first steep incline to ascend one or more smaller inclines till it gradually and more slowly works its way to the original level at the far end of the course; SWITCH'ING, a beating with a switch: trimming; SWITCH'MAN, a pointsman. [Old Dut. _swick_, a whip.]
SWITCHEL, swich'el, _n._ treacle-beer, molasses and water, &c.
SWITH, swith, _adv._ (_obs._) quickly: away! begone!
SWITHER, swith'[.e]r, _v.i._ (_prov._) to doubt, hesitate.--_n._ hesitation: a fright, a sweat.
[Illustration]
SWIVEL, swiv'l, _n._ something fixed in another body so as to turn round in it: a ring or link that turns round on a pin or neck: a small cannon turning on a swivel.--_v.i._ to turn on a pin or pivot.--_ns._ SWIV'EL-EYE, a squint-eye; SWIV'EL-HOOK, a hook secured to anything by means of a swivel. [A.S. _swifan_, to move quickly, to turn round.]
SWIZZLE, swiz'l, _v.i._ to drink to excess.--_n._ a mixed or compounded drink.
SWOLLEN, sw[=o]ln, _pa.p._ of _swell_.
SWOON, sw[=oo]n, _v.i._ to faint: to fall into a fainting-fit.--_n._ the act of swooning: a fainting-fit.--SWOOND'ED, obsolete _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _swoon_.--_n._ SWOON'ING.--_adv._ SWOON'INGLY, [M. E. _swounen_, _swoghenen_--A.S. _swogan_, to resound.]
SWOOP, sw[=oo]p, _v.t._ to sweep down upon: to take with a sweep: to catch while on the wing: to catch up.--_v.i._ to descend with a sweep.--_n._ the act of swooping: a seizing, as a bird on its prey. [A.S. _swapan_, to sweep; Ger. _schweifen_, to rove.]
SWOP, swop, _v.t._ to exchange, to barter:--_pr.p._ swop'ping; pa.t and _pa.p._ swopped.--_n._ an exchange.--Also SWAP. [Most prob. the same as obs. _swap_, _swop_, to beat, cog. with _swoop_.]
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SWORD, s[=o]rd, _n._ an offensive weapon with a long blade, sharp upon one or both edges, for cutting or thrusting: destruction by the sword or by war, war, military force: the emblem of vengeance or justice, or of authority and power.--_adj._ SWORD'-AND-BUCK'LER, fought with sword and buckler, not the rapier: armed with sword and buckler.--_ns._ SWORD'-ARM, -HAND, the arm, hand, that wields the sword; SWORD'-BAY'ONET, a bayonet shaped somewhat like a sword, and used as one; SWORD'-BEAR'ER, a public officer who carries the sword of state; SWORD'-BELT, a military belt from which the sword is hung; SWORD'BILL, a South American humming-bird with a bill longer than its body; SWORD'-BREAK'ER, an old weapon for grasping and breaking an adversary's sword; SWORD'-CANE, -STICK, a cane or stick containing a sword; SWORD'CRAFT, skill with the sword; military power; SWORD'-CUT, a blow, wound, or scar caused by the edge of a sword; SWORD'-DANCE, a dance in which the display of naked swords, or movements made with such, form a part; SWORD'-DOLL'AR, a Scotch silver coin under James VI., worth 2s. 6d. in English money, having a sword on the reverse; SWORD'ER (_Shak._), a swordsman; SWORD'FISH, a family of spiny-rayed Teleostean fishes, sometimes 12 to 15 feet in length, with a sword about 3 feet long, formed from a compressed prolongation of the upper jaw; SWORD'-FLAG, the European water-flag or yellow iris; SWORD'-GRASS, a kind of sedge; SWORD'-GUARD, the part of a sword-hilt that protects the bearer's hand; SWORD'-KNOT, a ribbon tied to the hilt of a sword; SWORD'-LAW, government by the sword.--_adj._ SWORD'LESS, destitute of a sword.--_ns._ SWORD'PLAY, fencing; SWORD'PLAYER, a fencer.--_adj._ SWORD'-PROOF, capable of resisting the blow or thrust of a sword.--_n._ SWORD'-RACK, a rack for holding swords.--_adj._ SWORD'-SHAPED, ensiform.--_ns._ SWORDS'MAN, a man skilled in the use of a sword; SWORDS'MANSHIP. [A.S. _sweord_; Ice.
_sverdh_, Ger. _schwert_.]
SWORE, SWORN. See SWEAR.
SWORN, sw[=o]rn, _pa.p._ of swear.--SWORN BROKER, a London broker who swears before the court of aldermen to maintain honesty in dealing; SWORN ENEMIES, enemies determined not to be reconciled; SWORN FRIENDS, fast or close friends.
SWOTE, sw[=o]t, _adv._ (_Spens._) sweetly.
SWOUND, swownd, _v.i._ (_Shak._) to swoon--also _n._
SWUM, swum, _pa.p._ of _swim_.
SWUNG, swung, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _swing_.
SYB, sib, _adj._ (_Spens._). Same as SIB.
SYBARITE, sib'a-r[=i]t, _n._ an inhabitant of Sybaris, a Greek city in ancient Italy, on the Gulf of Tarentum, noted for the effeminacy and luxury of its inhabitants: one devoted to luxury.--_adjs._ SYBARIT'IC, -AL.--_n._ SYB'ARITISM.
SYBO, s[=i]'b[=o], _n._ a Scotch form of _Cibol_ (q.v.):--_pl._ SY'BOES.
SYBOTIC, s[=i]-bot'ik, _adj._ pertaining to a swineherd.--_n._ SY'BOTISM.
[Gr. _syb[=o]t[=e]s_, swineherd.]
SYCAMINE, sik'a-m[=i]n, _n._ (_B._) supposed to be the black mulberry-tree (_Morus nigra_).
SYCAMORE, sik'a-m[=o]r, _n._ a fruit-tree of the fig family, common in Palestine, &c.: a species of maple, in Scotland usually called _plane-tree_: in America, the native plane. [Gr. _sykomoros_--_sykon_, a fig, _moron_, black mulberry.]
SYCE. Same as _Sice_ (q.v.).
SYCOPHANT, sik'[=o]-fant, _n._ a common informer: a servile flatterer.--_n._ SYC'OPHANCY, the behaviour of a sycophant: mean tale-bearing: obsequious flattery: servility--also SYCOPHANT'ISM.--_adjs._ SYCOPHANT'IC, -AL, SYCOPHANT'ISH, like a sycophant: obsequiously flattering: parasitic.--_v.i._ SYC'OPHANTISE.--_adv._ SYC'OPHANTISHLY.--_n._ SYC'OPHANTRY, the arts of the sycophant. [Gr.
_sykophant[=e]s_, usually said to mean one who informed against persons exporting figs from Attica or plundering the sacred fig-trees; but more prob. one who brings figs to light by shaking the tree, hence one who makes rich men yield up their fruit by informations and other vile arts--_sykon_, a fig, _phainein_, to show.]
SYCOSIS, s[=i]-k[=o]'sis, _n._ a pustular eruption on the scalp or bearded part of the face, due to ringworm, acne, or impetigo. [Gr.,--_sykon_, a fig.]
SYENITE, s[=i]'en-[=i]t, _n._ a rock composed of feldspar and hornblende.--_adj._ SYENIT'IC, relating to _Syene_ in Egypt: pertaining to syenite. [From Gr. _Sy[=e]n[=e]_, Syene in Egypt.]
SYKER, sik'[.e]r, _adv._ (_Spens._) surely. [_Sicker_.]
SYLLABLE, sil'a-bl, _n._ several letters taken together so as to form one sound: a word or part of a word uttered by a single effort of the voice: a small part of a sentence.--_v.t._ to express by syllables, to utter.--_n._ SYLL'ABARY, a list of characters representing syllables--also SYLLAB[=A]'RIUM.--_adjs._ SYLLAB'IC, -AL, consisting of a syllable or syllables.--_adv._ SYLLAB'ICALLY.--_vs.t._ SYLLAB'IC[=A]TE, SYLLAB'IFY (_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ syllab'ified), to form into syllables--_ns._ SYLLABIC[=A]'TION, SYLLABIFIC[=A]'TION; SYLL'ABISM, syllabic character, representation of syllables. [L. _syllaba_--Gr. _syllab[=e]_--_syn_, with, _lab-_, _lambanein_, to take.]
SYLLABUB, sil'a-bub, _n._ Same as SILLIBUB.
SYLLABUS, sil'a-bus, _n._ an abstract: a table of contents: the catalogue of eighty heresies, annexed to the Encyclical _Quanta Cura_, addressed by Pius IX. to all Catholic bishops, 8th Dec. 1864. [L.]
SYLLEPSIS, sil-lep'sis, _n._ substitution: a figure in rhetoric by which we take the sense of words rather by the intention of the author than by the strictness of grammar: the agreement of a verb or adjective, not with the word next it, but with some other word in the sentence.--_adjs._ SYLLEP'TIC, -AL.--_adv._ SYLLEP'TICALLY. [Gr. _syll[=e]psis_--_syn_, together, _lambanein_, to take.]