Obs. Also 1 swelce, swilce, swylce, (etc.) 2 swice, swilc, 2–3 swulche, 3 swulc, swich, suich, suych, swlc(h, sulc(h, 6 suche. [OE. swelce, etc., f. swelc SUCH a.]
A. adv. In correlation. So. rare.
In OE. the advb. meanings are ‘in like manner, likewise, also, as well, too,’ ‘as, like,’ ‘in such a manner, so.’
a. 831. Charter, in O. E. Texts, 444. Mid suilce godcunde gode suilce iow cynlic ðynce.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 243. Vn to swich a worthy man as he. Ibid., 684. Swiche glarynge eyen hadde he as an hare.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 28. As Stiel is hardest in his kynde Above alle othre that men finde Of Metals, such was Rome tho The myhtieste.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, IV. xii. (1869), 182. It is a meevinge sercleliche suich in the ende as at the firste.
1509. Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1874), I. 208. None lyueth … Suche meke so holy, so wyse or pacyent, Whiche can hym selfe at euery tyme so gyde To please eche fole.
b. To such an extent, so much (that).
1776. Herd, Scottish Songs, I. 103. The Hogan Dutch they feared such, They bred a horrid stink then.
B. conj. As if.
c. 888. Ælfred, Boeth., xxxv. § 7. Wildu dior ðær woldon to irnan & stondan swilce hi tamu wæren.
a. 1175. Cott. Hom., 227. Swice hi godes were.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 9. Þa iweorden alle þos ilefede men swulche hi alle hefden ane heorte.
c. 1205. Lay., 3070. Þe king Leir iwerðe swa blac swlch hit a blac cloð weoren. Ibid., 28009. He aras up and adun sat, swulc he weore swiðe seoc.
a. 1250. Owl & Night. (Jesus MS.), 1533. He chid & gred such he beo wod.
