Sc. [app. a. MLG. swank, MDu. swanc flexible, supple, slender, = MHG. swanc (G. schwank); f. swank-, appearing also, with suffix, in OE. swancor pliant, supple, agile, MHG. swankel supple, and parallel to swang- appearing in ON. svangr thin, lean, SWONG, svangi SWANGE, early mod.G. schwang (= schwank).
For other derivatives of the widespread swink-: swank- and swing-: swang-, see SWINK, SWENCH, SWING, SWINGE, SWENGE.]
Agile, active, nimble.
1786. Burns, To Auld Mare, iii. A filly buirdly, steeve, an’ swank.
1901. ‘Ian Maclaren,’ Yng. Barbarians, iv. (ed. 3), 68. Ye ’re to tak’ thirty swank fellows that can run.
1912. Blackw. Mag., April, 487/2. To ride among the swank, well-fed lads in the Bewcastle chase.
