Sc. and dial. Also 6 swider, sueidder, swydder, 6–9 swidder. [Of uncertain origin.
Continuity or connection with the foll. OE. words cannot be assumed with certainty: (ʓe)-sweðrian, -swiðrian to abate, subside, dwindle, fail: ʓesweð(e)rian, ʓeswiðrian to cause to fail or disappear, weaken, destroy; swaðrian, swæðorian to subside; ʓeswæðrung failure (of mind).]
intr. To be or become uncertain; to falter; to be perplexed or undecided; to hesitate.
1501. Douglas, Pal. Hon., III. lv. Than on the wall ane garitour I considder, Proclamand loud that did thair hartis swidder.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (Rolls), II. 56. Quhilk causit mony for to sueit and swidder.
1570. Satir. Poems Reform., xx. 56. Lat na mans feid … Ȝour hartis mak to swidder.
1730. Ramsay, Fables, XX. viii. Our passions gods, that gar us swither.
17[?]. Johnnie Faa, 56, in Child, Ballads (1857), IV. 285. But the virtue o’ a leal woman I trow wad never swither O.
1768. Ross, Helenore, II. 88. There’s nae time to swidder ’bout the thing.
1830. Galt, Lawrie T., VIII. v. (1849), 371. A child would not have swithered to step over it.
1881. Fraser’s Mag., Jan., 136. Sir William Harcourt was supposed to be swithering under the dictation of certain federated societies which are powerful at Derby.
1889. Stevenson, Master of B., iv. 101. I might have stood there swithering all night, had not the stranger turned.
Hence Swithering vbl. sb. and ppl. a.1
a. 1585. Montgomerie, Cherrie & Slae, 1007. Considering the swidering [v.r. sueiddring] Ȝe fand me first into.
1834. Tait’s Mag., I. 429/1. I have a swithering, and a leaning, and a hankering and relenting.
1902. N. Munro, Children of Tempest, iii. Without a moment’s swithering he gave it [sc. the money] all to the Jesuits.
1917. Kipling, ‘Holy War,’ in Land & Water, Christmas No. The Pope, the swithering Neutrals, The Kaiser and his Gott—… He knew and drew the lot.
