v. Obs. In 1 sweorcan (see etym.), 3 swærken, pa. t. pl. swurken. [OE. sweorcan, pa. t. swearc, *swurcon, pa. pple. -sworcen = OS. swerkan to become sad, pa. pple. gisworkan clouded, darkened (lit. and fig.), LG. in pa. pple. sworken and besworken, -ed clouded, OHG. swercan to become dark or gloomy (lit. and fig.), f. Teut. root swerk- (: swark-, swurk-), whence also OE. ʓesweorc cloud, swearcian to be darkened, OS. gismerk darkness, (M)LG. swerk, swark dark clouds, sorrow, grief, MDu. gheswerc, swerc (Du. zwerk) clouds, cloudy sky, OHG. giswerc, kisworc dark clouds, and OE. áswarcan, ‘tabescere,’ ásweorcan ‘elanguere,’ áswarcod ‘reveritus’; ulterior connections undetermined.] intr. To be or become dark; in OE. often, to become gloomy, troubled, or sad.
Beowulf, 1737 (Gr.). Ne him inwitsorh on sefan sweorceð.
a. 1000. Andreas, 372 (Gr.). Wedercandel swearc, windas weoxon.
a. 1000. Boeth. Metr., iii. 2. & hu grundleasum seaðe swinceð þæt sweorcende mod.
c. 1205. Lay., 11973. Swurken vnder sunnen sweorte weolcnen. Ibid., 22030. Þenne swelleð þe mære, Þenne swærkeð þa vðen.
