Norwegian Bokmål

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Etymology

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svire +‎ gast, first part from Middle Low German swīren (whirl, swarm). Last part from Dutch or Low German gast (guest), from Old Dutch *gast, from Proto-Germanic *gastiz (stranger, guest), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰóstis (stranger, host, guest), possibly from *gʰes- (to eat) +‎ *-tis.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈsʋiːrəɡast/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Rhymes: -ast
  • Hyphenation: svi‧re‧gast

Noun

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sviregast m (definite singular sviregasten, indefinite plural sviregaster, definite plural sviregastene)

  1. (obsolete) drunkard, a person who is constantly out drinking (alcohol)
    • 1928, Erik Lie, Erindringer fra et dikterhjem, page 18:
      hun hadde mange bekjente blandt de verste drukkendolter og sviregaster
      she had many acquaintances among the worst drunks and drunkards
    • 1852, Henrik Wergeland, Samlede Skrifter I, page 286:
    • (Can we date this quote?), Amalie Skram, Samlede Værker II, page 395:
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  • rangel (being drunk, going drinking), svir (being drunk), svirebror (drinking buddy)

References

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