Obs. [OE. swefnian trans. to appear to in a dream, intr. to dream, f. swefn: see prec.] intr. To dream.
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., III. 212. ʓif ðu swefnast ðe tweʓe monan ʓeseon.
1382. Wyclif, Isa. xxix. 8. As sweueneth the hungrende, and eteth, whan forsothe he were wakid, voide is his soule.
14[?]. Langl., P. Pl., Prol. 10 (MS. Univ. Coll. c. 45). I slombride on a slepynge & sweuenyd so myrie, Þan gan y to mete a merueylous sweuene.
1532. Chaucer’s Wks., Troylus, III. 1190. If ye be wyse Sweueneth [MSS. swouneth, etc.] not nowe, leste more folke aryse.
Hence † Swevener (also 6 Sc. suengour, swevyngeour), a dreamer.
1382. Wyclif, Jer., xxvii. 9. Ȝoure profetus, and deuynoures, and sweueneres.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VIII. Prol. 171. Suengouris [v.r. swevyngeouris] that slummeris nocht weil.
