swain

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.4 Anagrams

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Via Middle English swein from Old Norse sveinn, akin to Old English swān. From Proto-Germanic *swaina-, Proto-Germanic *swainaz (relative, young man, servant), from Proto-Indo-European *se- (aside, separated, apart).

[edit] Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪn

[edit] Noun

swain (plural swains)

1. A servant. Originally the servant to a Knight, looking after his armaments and horse.
2. A young man dwelling in the country; a rustic; esp., a country gallant or lover; — chiefly in poetry. Hence, the road name "Swains' Lane" can be translated to "Lovers' Lane".
3. A boyfriend; a man who is the lover of a woman.

[edit] Anagrams

• Alphagram: ainsw
• iwans
• saw in
• wains