swinge

¹

[swinj]

verb (used with object)

British Dialect.

swinged, swingeing 

1. to thrash; punish.

swinge

²

[swinj]

verb (used with object)

swinged, swingeing 

1. to singe.

swinge

/ swɪndʒ /

verb

1. archaic,  (tr) to beat, flog, or punish

Other Word Forms

• swinger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of swinge¹

1250–1300; Middle English swengen to shake, smite, Old English swengan, causative of swingan to swing, or denominative derivative of Old English sweng a blow

Origin of swinge²

First recorded in 1580–90; obscurely akin to singe

Word History and Origins

Origin of swinge¹

Old English swengan; related to Old Frisian swenga to drench, Gothic afswaggwjan to cause to sway; see _swing

Example Sentences

If 'twere not here, Where reverence bids me hold, I would so swinge thee, thou rude, Unmanner'd Knave; take from his bounty, His honour that he gives me, to beget Sawcy, and sullen fears?

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He must swinge them, like it or not!

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That was all: Say yes, good Sir John—or I'll swinge you.

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That lying cut is lost that she is not swinged and beaten, And yet for all my good name it were a small amends!

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My age! do not use That word again; if you do, I shall grow young, And swinge you soundly.

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