v. Obs. Forms: 1 (ʓe)swencan, swencean, (suoenca), 2–3 (i)swenche(n, Ormin swennchenn; pa. t. 1–2 swencte; pa. pple. 1 ʓeswenced, -swenct, 2 -swenched, i-swenced; see also SWEYNT. [OE. swencan (also ʓe-):— *swaŋkwjan, causative of *swiŋkwan to SWINK, q.v.] trans. To trouble, harass, afflict.

1

Beowulf, 1510 (Gr.). Ac hine wundra þæs fela swencte on sunde.

2

c. 898.  Ælfred, Boeth., xxiv. § 1. Ælc deaðlic man swencð hine selfne mid mistlicum & mæniʓfealdum ymbhoʓum.

3

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Luke iv. 38. Ða wæs simones sweʓer ʓeswenced [Hatton ʓeswenched] on mycelum feferum.

4

1154.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1090. Se cyng wæs smæʓende hu he mihte wrecon his broðer Rodbeard, swiðost swencean, & Normandiʓe of him ʓewinnan.

5

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 13. Euwer feond eou ne scal derien ne swenchen. Ibid., 101. Sume men festen swa þet hi swencten swiðe heom scolfe.

6

c. 1200.  Ormin, 12216. To swennchenn Cristess þeowwess.

7

c. 1205.  Lay., 15787. Monine mon on sweuene ofte heo swencheð.

8

c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 35. H wil þu swenchest te ter wið iþi denðes dute.

9

  b.  To mortify.

10

971.  Blickl. Hom., 81. Þa lareowas sceolan heora aʓenne lichoman swencean on forhældnesse.

11

c. 1200.  Ormin, 15764. Ȝiff þatt we don itt all þwerrt ut … forr to swennchenn ure life To betenn ure sinness.

12

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 134. So wisliche heo schal þauh swenchen þet fiesch.

13