Obs. Forms: 1 swima, 3–4 suim(e, suijm, 4 suuime, 4 squyme, 4–5 swym(e. [OE. swíma = MLG. swîm, swîme, Du. zwijm, G. dial. schweim giddiness, swooning, related immed. to (M)LG., MDu. swîmen to become faint (Du. zwijmen), MHG. swîmen, pa. t. sweem (G. dial. schweimen), and, with variety of vowel-grade, to OE. -swǽman (:—*swaimjan) SWEAM, OFris. swima swoon, swima to swoon, (M)LG. sweimen, swimen, swêmen to stagger, faint, swoon, ON. svimi giddiness; f. Teut. root swaim-: swīm-, whence also the forms s.v. SWIMBLE.] Dizziness, giddiness, or a fit of this; swooning, a swoon.
a. 900. Cynewulf, Crist, 1300 (Gr.). Þær hi ascamode, scondum ʓedreahte, Swiciað on swiman.
a. 1000. Judith, 106 (Gr.). He on swiman læʓ, druncen & dolhwund.
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., III. 48. Wið ðone swiman nim rudan [etc.].
a. 1300. Cursor M., 5072 (Cott.). Þai fell in suijm and cried ‘merci!’ Ibid., 24350. Þat suime was o mi soruing suage.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 4246. He swounnes one þe swarthe, and one swym fallis.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst. ii. 27. Ye stand as ye were fallen in swyme.
fig. c. 1400. Destr. Troy, Prol. 12. Sothe stories ben stoken vp, & straught out of mynd, And swolowet into swym by swiftenes of yeres.
