swain

[ sweyn ]

/ sweɪn /

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noun

a male admirer or lover.

a country lad.

a country gallant.

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ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

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True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

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Origin of swain

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

OTHER WORDS FROM swain

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

Words nearby swain

swaggering, swagger stick, swaggie, swagman, Swahili, swain, Swainson's hawk, Swainson's thrush, S.W.A.K., swakara, swale

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use swain in a sentence

All five remain free on bail, at least until U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain sentences them in late July.
Bernie Madoff’s Five Little Helpers Are Going To Prison.|Allan Dodds Frank|March 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, in Texas two days after the election, Mario Swain became the 13th person executed in the state this year.
Death Penalty Survives In California, But Three-Strikes Law Cut Back|David R. Dow|November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
After two hearings in New York last week that were at times comic, Judge Swain fashioned a compromise.
Madoff's Millionaire Secretary|Allan Dodds Frank|December 20, 2010|DAILY BEAST
He turned to the foot-swain who stood at his side: “ Fetch hither five horse-whips,” King Valdemar cried.
The Tale of Brynild, and King Valdemar and his Sister|Anonymous

The more costly the musical ingredients, the greater the swain's devotion!
Jane Journeys On|Ruth Comfort Mitchell
Half-past eight oclock was the time appointed by Mary to see her swain, and the constables took care to be as punctual as he.
The Chronicles of Crime or The New Newgate Calendar. v. 1/2|Camden Pelham
Before the House Mr. Swain spoke only under extraordinary emotion, and then he gained every ear.
Richard Carvel, Complete|Winston Churchill
Mr. Swain had bought the dwelling from an aged man with a history, dead some nine years back.
Richard Carvel, Complete|Winston Churchill

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

Origin of swain

OTHER WORDS FROM swain

Words nearby swain

Words related to swain

How to use swain in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for swain

Derived forms of swain

Word Origin for swain