a. Obs. [OE. ʓeswincfull, later swincfull: see SWINK sb. and -FUL.]
1. Full of toil or trouble; disastrous; troublesome, irksome; painful, distressing.
c. 888. Ælfred, Boeth., xiv. § 1. ʓif hi yfele sint & lytiʓe þonne sint hi þe pliolicran & ʓeswincfulran hæfd ðonne næfd.
a. 1100. O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1085. & þæs ilcan ʓeares wæs swiðe hefelic ʓear & swiðe swincfull.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 7. Þeos world is … swiðe lewe & swincful.
a. 1225. Ancr. R. 292. Þu schalt ȝiuen me, Louerd, heorte-scheld aȝean þe ueonde; þet beoð þine swincfule pinen.
2. Hard-working, industrious, diligent.
c. 1200. Ormin, 2621. Ȝho wass swinncfull … Inn alle gode dedess.
Hence † Swinkfulness, diligence.
c. 1200. Ormin, 2526. Ȝho wass … Alt full … Off rihht wis swinncfullnesse.
