Obs. Forms: 4 suaþebend, 6 swadeband, sweathband, 6–7 swathe-band, (9 Hist.) swath-band; 7 swathebond. [f. stem of SWATHE v. + BAND sb.1 (BEND sb.1, BOND sb.1). Cf. SWATHING-BANDS.]
1. pl. Swaddling-bands, swaddling-clothes.
c. 1315. Shoreham, III. 127. In suaþebendes hy hyne dyȝte, Ase hyt hys þe chyldes ryȝte.
1563. Mirr. Mag., Hastings, xcii. Euen in thy Swathebands out commission goeth To loose thy breath, that yet but yongly bloweth.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., VI. iv. 23. Euery part, that vnder sweathbands lay.
1632. B. Jonson, Magn. Lady, III. iv. Could they teach each other how to win I’ their swath bands.
1641. J. Trappe, Theol. Theol., i. 6. The Babe of Bethlehem (lapt up in the swath-bands of the holy History).
1652. Starke, Prim. Devot. (1663), 534. Did not princes Christ in swath-bands greet?
1656. J. Smith, Pract. Physick, 208. After four Months the Hands and Arms may be let loose from swath-bands.
2. A bandage, binder.
1556. J. Heywood, Spider & F., lxxx. 32. One leg, and his waste, in swadeband rold to be, And crutches by his side.
1615. Sylvester, Job Triumph., IV. 408. Whenas I made the Cloud a clowt for it, And blackest Darkness as a swath-band fit.
1672. Ovid de Arte Amandi, 76. About a faint and slender body wear A flannel swathband or warm stomacher.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 434/2. A Swathe Band … Of some called a Rowller, or a Linnen Rowller.
3. transf. An enveloping membrane. rare.
1668. Culpepper & Cole, Barthol. Anat., I. xvii. 45. Another external [membrane] from the Peritonæum, which adhæres but loosely, whence they term it the Swath-band of the Kidneys [i.e., fascia renum].
