Swede

[ sweed ]

/ swid /

noun

a native or inhabitant of Sweden.

(lowercase) Chiefly British. a rutabaga.

Origin of Swede

1580–90; < Middle Dutch or Middle Low German; cognate with German Schwede; compare Old English Swēon (plural), Old Norse Svēar, Svīar, Medieval Latin Suiōnes

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for swede

The Swede called the young Dane “a genius,” and labeled his film “a masterpiece.”
Denmark Has a Riveting New Drama Starring Mads Mikkelsen|Marlow Stern|July 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The average American, he said, is much worse off than the average Swede.
America Really Is Exceptional|Megan McArdle|September 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This is also true the other way, by the way; the average Swede would not be happy living in America.
America Really Is Exceptional|Megan McArdle|September 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
With those four words, the towering Swede, Dolph Lundgren, achieved film immortality.
Dolph Lundgren’s Wild Ride: From Fulbright Scholar to ‘The Expendables 2’|Marlow Stern|August 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST

An inexperienced 32-year-old Swede volunteered, and saved thousands.
Raoul Wallenberg’s World War II Heroism a Lesson for World Doing Nothing About Syria|Kati Marton|March 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Moreover, the big Swede knew perfectly well that she was coming and expected.
The Peace of Roaring River|George van Schaick
A lithe figure in a gray habit and a broad-brimmed hat, fair as a Swede, but with dark eyes and heavy lashes.
Mr. Isaacs|F. Marion Crawford
The Swede continued to drink raw whiskey, meanwhile babbling at the barkeeper and trying to induce him to indulge in potations.
The Monster and Other Stories|Stephen Crane
There was a cold gleam of audaciousness in the Swede's eyes.
Atlantis|Gerhart Hauptmann
The Swede recognized the meaning of this; she looked at him quickly with parted lips and her hand extended.
Dorothy and other Italian Stories|Constance Fenimore Woolson

British Dictionary definitions for swede (1 of 2)

swede

/ (swiːd) /

noun

a Eurasian plant, Brassica napus (or B. napobrassica), cultivated for its bulbous edible root, which is used as a vegetable and as cattle fodder: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

the root of this plant

NZ a slang word for head (def. 1)

Also called (for senses 1, 2): Swedish turnip, (US and Canadian) rutabaga

Word Origin for swede

C19: so called after being introduced into Scotland from Sweden in the 18th century

British Dictionary definitions for swede (2 of 2)

Swede

/ (swiːd) /

noun

a native, citizen, or inhabitant of Sweden

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

Word Origin and History for swede

Swede

1610s, from Low German, from Middle Low German Swede, back-formed from a source akin to Old English Sweoðeod, literally "Swede-people," from Sweon (plural) "Swedes" (Old Norse, Old Swedish Sviar), called by the Romans Suiones, probably from Proto-Germanic *sweba "free, independent," or else from *geswion "kinsman."

Swede

noun

RELATED CONTENT

Origin of Swede

Examples from the Web for swede

British Dictionary definitions for swede (1 of 2)

swede

noun

Word Origin for swede

British Dictionary definitions for swede (2 of 2)

Swede

noun

Word Origin and History for swede

Swede