swain

[ sweyn ]

/ sweɪn /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR swain ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a male admirer or lover.

a country lad.

a country gallant.

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Lincolnesque

without interest or significance; dull; insipid.

like or characteristic of Abraham Lincoln.

very high or tall; lofty.

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Words nearby swain

swagger stick, swaggering, swaggie, swagman, swahili, swain, swainson's hawk, swainson's thrush, swakara, swale, swaledale

Origin of swain

before 1150; Middle English swein servant < Old Norse sveinn boy, servant; cognate with Old English swān

OTHER WORDS FROM swain

swain·ish, adjectiveswain·ish·ness, nounun·der·swain, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for swain

The courts ruled against our final appeals late on the night of Nov. 7, around 26 hours before Swain was put to death.
Death Penalty Survives In California, But Three-Strikes Law Cut Back|David R. Dow|November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
While he was inside, Ms. Nixon returned home, and Swain killed her.
Death Penalty Survives In California, But Three-Strikes Law Cut Back|David R. Dow|November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Director J. Kevin Swain said he met Cornelius in 1988, when Swain was a production coordinator on the Soul Train Music Awards.
Legendary ‘Soul Train’ Creator Don Cornelius Battled Demons in Final Years|Christine Pelisek, Allison Samuels|February 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“I had never seen him more happy and full of joy,” said Swain.
Legendary ‘Soul Train’ Creator Don Cornelius Battled Demons in Final Years|Christine Pelisek, Allison Samuels|February 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The unusual procedure by Swain of reviewing documents "ex parte" amounted to the judge going an extra mile to be fair.
Madoff Secretary Annette Bongiorno Jailed Over Ponzi Millions|Allan Dodds Frank|December 21, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Thomas, for that was the swain's name, made an assignation one night to meet Jenny in the orchard at Allanbank.
Scottish Ghost Stories|Elliott O'Donnell
"Yes, he is to have it," cried Mr. Swain, with a violence to bring on a fit of coughing.
Richard Carvel, Complete|Winston Churchill
I sat with Mr. Swain many an hour that spring, with Patty sewing at the window open to the garden.
Richard Carvel, Complete|Winston Churchill
The coroner's jury returned a verdict that Swain was guilty of your father's death.
The Gloved Hand|Burton E. Stevenson
It was a resolute Tilda who awaited her swain at the kitchen door that night.
Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, December 2, 1914|Various

British Dictionary definitions for swain

swain

/ (sweɪn) /

noun archaic, or poetic

a male lover or admirer

a country youth

Derived forms of swain

swainish, adjective

Word Origin for swain

Old English swān swineherd; related to Old High German swein, Old Norse sveinn boy; see swine

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

swain

noun

QUIZZES

Words related to swain

Words nearby swain

Origin of swain

OTHER WORDS FROM swain

Example sentences from the Web for swain

British Dictionary definitions for swain

noun archaic, or poetic

Derived forms of swain

Word Origin for swain