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.

1

a. 1400[?].  Morte Arth., 3970. Than swetes the swete kynge and in swoune fallis, Swafres vp swiftely, and swetly hym kysses.

2

c. 1485.  Digby Myst., Conversion of St. Paul, 447. Thowȝe on do swauer away from our lore.

3

1768.  Ross, Helenore, I. 20. She wins to foot, an’ swavering makes to gang.

4

1866.  Gregor, Banffsh. Gloss., s.v., He swavert o’ the edge o’ the rock, an’ syne fell our.

5

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.

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