Obs. Forms: see SWIKE sb.2 and -DOM. [OE. swicdóm, f. swik-: see SWIKE v. and -DOM.] Deceit, fraud; treachery, treason.

1

c. 893.  K. Ælfred, Oros., II. iv. 76. Se ʓionga cyning swiðor micle wenende wæs þæt hie þonon fleonde wæren þonne hie æniʓne swicdom cyþan dorstan. Ibid., IV. v. 168. Þa tuʓon hie hiene þære burge witan þæt he heora swicdomes wið Alexander fremmende wære.

2

c. 1100.  O. E. Chron., an. 1087. Ða þe cyng underʓeat … hwilcne swicdom hi dydon to weard his.

3

c. 1175.  Pater Noster, 10, in Lamb. Hom., 55. Þurh beelzebubes swikedom.

4

c. 1205.  Lay., 5520. Belin & his broðer beien weoren warre of þon swikedome þe heom com of Rome.

5

a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 167. Svikedom haueþ schome and hete If hit is ope and vnderyete.

6

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 2294. Vor to do a suikedom no conseil ne ssolde faile.

7

c. 1325.  Chron. Eng., 838, in Ritson, Metr. Rom., II. 305. Knout … made hem telle here suykedom Ant for that tresoun that hy dude Hy were to-drawen.

8

c. 1400.  R. Gloucester’s Chron. (Rolls), App. X. 3. Vor after þat seint kenelm þoru swikedom ded lay Fourti ȝer after.

9