v. Obs. exc. dial. (swid). Forms: 3 swiðe, -sweðen, 4 swiþe, pa. t. swath, 4 swyþe, 5 pa. pple. -swythyn, 6 pa. pple. swithen. [a. ON. svíða, pa. t. sveið, pa. pple. sviðinn to singe, to smart (MSw. swidha, swe(e)dh, swidhin to singe (trans. and intr.), to smart, Sw. svida to smart, Norw. svida, Da. svide, svie), related to ON. svið singed sheeps heads, sviða roasting, burning, singeing, sviði (MSw. swidhi) smart from burning: see also SWITHEN, SWITHER v.2 The verb occurs compounded in pr. pple. forswiðande (Ancr. R., Titus MS.) and inf. forsweðen (Gen. & Ex.): see FOR- pref.1 5.]
1. trans. To burn, scorch, singe.
c. 1220. Bestiary, 70. Ðe sunne swiðeð [MS. swideð] al his [sc. the eagles] fliȝt.
a. 1300. E. E. Psalter cv[i]. 18. Þe lowe it swath sinful dounright.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., C. 478. Þe warme wynde of þe weste wertes he swyþez.
[c. 1440. Alphabet of Tales, 497. A dynt of þe throndre smate þaim bathe down, so at þe clerk lay vnder-nethe þe preste, and all þe preste membrys war all to-swythyn.]
1590. R. Bernard, trans. Terence, Adelphos, V. iii. I will make her as swithen and blacke as a coale.
2. intr. To smart. north. dial.
1876. Whitby Gloss., Swid, Swidge, or Swither My hand swidded.