Bosworth Toller's

Anglo-Saxon

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sweorcan

  • verb [ strong ]
Dictionary links
Grammar
sweorcan, p. swearc, pl. swurcon; pp. sworcen.
Wright's OE grammar
§500;
in a physical sense,
to become dark, be obscured
Show examples

  • Wedercandel swearc windas weóxon

    the sun was darkened, the winds rose,

      Andr. Kmbl. 744; An. 372.

  • Swearc norðrodor won under wolcnum, woruld miste oferteáh,

      Exon. Th. 178, 33; Gú. 1253.
figuratively of mental gloom,
of that which feels sadness,
to become troubled, gloomy, sad
Show examples

  • Siteþ sorgcearig, on sefan sweorceþ, sylfum þinceþ, ðæt sý endeleás earfoða dǽl,

      Exon. Th. 379, 6; Deór. 29.

  • Hé módsorge wæg, hreþer innan swearc,

      165, 8; Gú. 1025.

  • On hú grundleásum seáðe swiaceþ ðæt sweorcende mód

    quam praecipiti mersa profundo mens hebet,

      Met. 3, 2.
of that which causes sadness,
to become grievous, troublesome, saddening
Show examples

  • Ne hine wiht dereþ, ádl ne yldo, ne him inwitsorh on sefan sweorceþ

    nor in his mind springs gloomy care,

      Beo. Th. 3478; B. 1737.
Etymology
[Swelleð þe mære and swærkeð þa uðen, Laym. 22030. Swurken (þirkede (dirkede ?), 2nd MS.) under sunnen sweorte weolcnen, 11973. O. Sax. swerkan: Ni lát thú thínan seƀon swerkan do not be sad, Hél. 4042. O. H. Ger. swercan.]
Similar entries
v. á-, for-, ge-, tó-sweorcan.
Entry information
Citation

Bosworth, Joseph. “sweorcan.” In An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary Online, edited by Thomas Northcote Toller, Christ Sean, and Ondřej Tichy. Prague: Faculty of Arts, Charles University, 2014. https://bosworthtoller.com/29682.

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Full form

Word-wheel

  • sweorcan, v.

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