sweien

Middle English

Etymology 1

Old English swēgan.

Verb

sweien

1. to resound; to make a sound

Usage notes

• Not to be confused with swīen (“be silent”), with which it was homophonous by the 13th century.

Alternative forms

• sweiȝan; sweie, swie

Etymology 2

Probably from Old Norse sveigja (“bend”).

Verb

sweien

1. to bend or move in a swaying or sweeping way
2. (transitive, intransitive) to move downward; to fall
3. (transitive, intransitive) to move quickly

Alternative forms

• swei, swie, sweȝe