Sc. and north. dial. [OE. swǽrnes = MLG. swêr-, swârnisse: see SWEER a. and -NESS.]
1. Indolence, laziness, sloth.
c. 889. Ælfred, Boeth., xxxv. § 1. Þeah sio swærnes ðæs lichoman & þa unþeawas oft abiseʓien þæt mod mid oferʓiotulnesse.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 28370. My suernes me has don forgette.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll. (Camden), 107. Superfluite, glotany, and lust, and swernes.
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.
1533. Gau, Richt Vay, 20. Sweirnes is aganis the thrid command.
1595. Duncan, App. Etym. (E. D. S.), Segnities,… sweirnes; desidia.
1676. Row, Contn. Blair’s Autobiog., ix. (1848), 129. Checking himself for swearness, laziness, and loving of his bed too well.
2. Unwillingness, disinclination (to do something).
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.
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.
