swainish

English

Etymology

From swain +‎ -ish.

Adjective

swainish (comparative more swainish, superlative most swainish)

1. Pertaining to, or resembling, a swain according to any definition; but commonly conveying the sense of "ignorant", or "rustic".
   • 1642 April, John Milton, An Apology for Smectymnuus; republished in A Complete Collection of the Historical, Political, and Miscellaneous Works of John Milton, […], volume I, Amsterdam [actually London: s.n.], 1698, →OCLC, page 177:

     [W]hen good and faire in one Perſon meet, argues both a groſſe and ſhallow Judgement, and withall an ungentle, and ſwainiſh breſt.

   • 1819 Thomas Campbell, Specimens of the British Poets - Volume 6

     Falconer's characters are few; but the calm sagacious commander, and the rough obstinate Rodmond, are well contrasted. Some part of the love-story of Palemon is rather swainish and protracted, yet the effect of his being involved in the calamity, leaves a deeper sympathy in the mind for the daughter of Albert, when we conceive her at once deprived both of a father and a lover.

Usage notes

Rarely used except when quoting Milton.

Related terms

• swainishness

References

• “swainish”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.