v. Obs. 1–3. Pa. t. aswác. [OE. aswícan, to betray, desert, abandon, f. A- pref. 1 + swícan to fail, fall short, deceive: see SWIKE v. But ME. aswike corresponds in sense to the OE. intrans. verb ʓeswícan to leave off, cease, desist.] To cease, desist.
c. 975. Rushw. Gosp., Matt. v. 29, 30. Gif þanne þin eʓe … aswicað þe [Ags. æswicie, aswice, Hatton aswikie, aswike].
c. 1205. Lay., 16112. Þa aswac worden Merlin þe wise.
c. 1220. Leg. St. Kath., 2186. Þis swifte pine þat aswikeð se sone.
