sweeny
[swee-nee]
- atrophy of the shoulder muscles in horses.
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Also swinney.
Origin of sweeny
1820–30, Americanism; compare dialectal German Schweine, Pennsylvania German Schwinne atrophy, Old English swindan to pine away, disappear
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for sweeny
Historical Examples
Sweeny was an object of suspicion and dislike to the sergeant.
Priscilla's SpiesGeorge A. Birmingham
Sweeny, so his instinct told him, must be engaged in some kind of wrongdoing.
Priscilla's SpiesGeorge A. Birmingham
"They'd never venture as far as Inishbawn in her," said Sweeny.
Priscilla's SpiesGeorge A. Birmingham
"Tell me this now," said Sweeny, after a moment's consideration.
Priscilla's SpiesGeorge A. Birmingham
Then he turned and followed the sergeant into Sweeny's house.
Priscilla's SpiesGeorge A. Birmingham
sweeny
- vet science a wasting of the shoulder muscles of a horse, esp as the result of a nerve injury
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Word Origin
C19: probably from German dialect Schweine emaciation, atrophy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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