Afrikaans edit

Etymology edit

From Dutch zwijn, from Middle Dutch swijn, from Old Dutch swīn, from Proto-Germanic *swīną, from an adjectival form of Proto-Indo-European *suH-.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /swəi̯n/
  • (file)

Noun edit

swyn (plural swyne, diminutive swyntjie)

  1. A swine, boar, hog.
  2. A pig; a revolting person, in particular a man.

Derived terms edit

Middle English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Inherited from Old English swīn, from Proto-West Germanic *swīn, from Proto-Germanic *swīną.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

swyn (plural swyn or swynes)

  1. A pig, hog or swine.
    Synonyms: hog, pigge
    • c. 1395, John Wycliffe, John Purvey [et al.], transl., Bible (Wycliffite Bible (later version), MS Lich 10.)‎[1], published c. 1410, Matheu 7:6, page 2r, column 2; republished as Wycliffe's translation of the New Testament, Lichfield: Bill Endres, 2010:
      Nile ȝe ȝyue hooli þing to houndis · neþer caſte ȝe ȝoure margaritis bifoꝛe ſwyn / leſt parauenture þei defoulen hem wiþ her feet / ⁊ and þe houndes be turned and ⁊ to tere ȝou
      You shouldn't give holy things to dogs or throw your pearls at pigs, in case they trample them with their feet while the dogs are turned and rip at you.
  2. The meat of swine or pigs; pork.
    Synonyms: hog, pigge
  3. (colloquial) A disgraceful individual.

Related terms edit

Descendants edit

  • English: swine
  • Scots: swine

References edit

Old English edit

Noun edit

swȳn n

  1. Alternative form of swīn

Welsh edit

Etymology edit

From Middle Welsh swyn, from Proto-Brythonic *suɨɣn, from Latin signum.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

swyn m (plural swynion, not mutable)

  1. spell, incantation
  2. sorcery, witchcraft
  3. magic remedy, charm for healing
  4. (magic) charm, amulet, talisman
  5. sign, ceremony, ritual, blessing
  6. charm, fascination

Derived terms edit

References edit

  • R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “swyn”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies