v. north. dial. Also 4 swafre. [? f. Scand. stem sveif-: see SWAYVE and -ER5. Cf. ON. sveifla to swing (Norw. dial. sveivla to fan, waft), and Eng. dial. swavel to reel, stagger, sway about.] intr. To stagger, totter. Also fig. to decline away from.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 3970. Than swetes the swete kynge and in swoune fallis, Swafres vp swiftely, and swetly hym kysses.
c. 1485. Digby Myst., Conversion of St. Paul, 447. Thowȝe on do swauer away from our lore.
1768. Ross, Helenore, I. 20. She wins to foot, an’ swavering makes to gang.
1866. Gregor, Banffsh. Gloss., s.v., He swavert o’ the edge o’ the rock, an’ syne fell our.
1866. Buchanan, Lond. Poems, 230. His heart fail’d, he swaver’d forth again. Ibid. (1874), Scaith o’ Bartle, Poet. Wks. I. 199. Swavering down the path, he took my arm.
