Sc. and north. dial. [OE. swǽrnes = MLG. swêr-, swârnisse: see SWEER a. and -NESS.]

1

  1.  Indolence, laziness, sloth.

2

c. 889.  Ælfred, Boeth., xxxv. § 1. Þeah sio swærnes ðæs lichoman & þa unþeawas oft abiseʓien þæt mod mid oferʓiotulnesse.

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a. 1300.  Cursor M., 28370. My suernes me has don forgette.

4

c. 1400.  Apol. Loll. (Camden), 107. Superfluite, glotany, and lust, and swernes.

5

1456.  Sir G. Hay, Bk. Knighthood, Wks. (S.T.S.), II. 59. Suerenes is a vice quhilk makis a man to hate all gudelynes and to lufe all viciousnes.

6

1533.  Gau, Richt Vay, 20. Sweirnes is aganis the thrid command.

7

1595.  Duncan, App. Etym. (E. D. S.), Segnities,… sweirnes; desidia.

8

1676.  Row, Contn. Blair’s Autobiog., ix. (1848), 129. Checking himself for swearness, laziness, and loving of his bed too well.

9

  2.  Unwillingness, disinclination (to do something).

10

1533.  Bellenden, Livy, V. xxiv. (S.T.S.), II. 231. For swernes þat ȝe haue to big, ȝe ar reddy to suffer all þir schamefull … dammaigis.

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1659.  Melrose Regality Reconds (S.H.S., 1914), I. 218. [He] burstit [a mare] … puting and binding three harrowes togither for hes sueirnes to lift the ane at the land end.

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