[f. SWERVE v. + -ING1.] The action of the vb. SWERVE; deviation; departure from a norm, a prescribed or right course, etc.; terror, transgression.
1513. More, Rich. III. (1641), 246. The smalest swarving thit is possible (if the thing bee misconstured) may bee the cause of the destruction of many giltlesse persons.
1545. Bale, Myst. Iniq., 29. Bynde vp her head for sweruynge, lappe vp her bodye warme for surfetynge.
1561. Norton & Sackv., Gorboduc, I. ii. 20. Their vnworthy life,… their lawlesse swaruynge out of kinde.
1561. Daus, trans. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573), 125 b. Corrupt doctrine and swaruyng from the fayth.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., I. iii. § 1. That which Angels doe cleerly behold, and without any swaruing obserue, is a Law celestiall and heauenly.
1607. Hieron, Wks., I. 151. The swaruing and straying from the will of God.
1607. Markham, Caval., II. (1617), 199. Making a horse doe them iust and strongly without either reeling or swaruing.
a. 1656. Hales, Gold. Rem. (1673), 53. Our Sermons, in which the swarvings of that Church are necessarily to be taxt by us.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies (1662), II. 120. The Swervings and Aberrations of men.
1842. Manning, Serm. (1848), I. 55. The holiest will … is clogged and checked by the swerving and burden of the flesh.
1859. Tennyson, Geraint & Enid, 1355. At a sudden swerving of the road.
1883. Sat. Rev., 27 Oct., 537/2. It seems that Bendigo, after swerving, had dashed up close to the rails and won by a neck.
