swarth

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /swɔː(ɹ)ð/ or IPA^(key): /swɔː(ɹ)θ/

Etymology 1

Noun

swarth (countable and uncountable, plural swarthes or swarths)

1. Alternative form of sward
   • (Can we date this quote by Herman Melville and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)

     Last year's scythes flung down, and left in the half-cut swarths.

   • (Can we date this quote by Cowper and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)

     Grassy swarth, close cropped by nibbling sheep.

Etymology 2

See swart.

Adjective

swarth (comparative more swarth, superlative most swarth)

1. (archaic) swarthy
   • 1855, Robert Browning, “Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came”, XII:

     […] What made those holes and rents / In the dock's harsh swarth leaves, bruised as to baulk / All hope of greenness? […]

   • (Can we date this quote by Chapman and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)

     a swarth complexion

Etymology 3

Noun

swarth

1. An apparition of a person about to die; a wraith.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Grose to this entry?)

Anagrams

• Warths, warths, wraths

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Middle English

Etymology 1

From Old English sweard.

Noun

swarth

1. Alternative form of sward

Etymology 2

From Old English swaþu; influenced by the above noun.

Noun

swarth

1. Alternative form of swathe (“swath”)