swither
Americannoun
verb
noun
Etymology
Origin of swither
1495–1505; origin uncertain; compare Old English geswithrian to retire, dwindle, fail
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One can also be "in a swither", a state of indecision or doubt, a pondering, hesitation, uncertainty.
From BBC • Jul. 3, 2014
The 2014 outcome will depend, he rightly says, on the "head vs heart" of modern politics here, and how many bravehearts swither at the last minute thanks to economic nagging.
From The Guardian • Nov. 18, 2012
Even seemed to swither: was Morvern's striking amorality, her disavowal of cause and effect, inexplicable or just not explained?
From The Guardian • Jun. 1, 2012
In fact, the novelty of having women appear in pants suits has headwaiters across the country in a swither.
From Time Magazine Archive
Sae, Aunty, ye see I 'm a' in a swither, What answer the bodie to gie— But aften I wish he wad tak' my auld mither, And let puir young Tibby abee.
From The Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volume V. The Songs of Scotland of the Past Half Century by Rogers, Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
