Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Suave, Swaif, adj. Also: suawe, swave, suaif. [F. suaive, suave (early 15th c. and 1549 in Larousse), L. suāvis.]

1. Agreeable to the senses; specif., sweet-smelling. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii 850.
The sweit smell, and the suaue odour Was seminate about that blisfull tour Arundel MS 257/61.
Joseph decurio spicit thé in thi graif With myr and must most vertius & suaif [Bann. MS 33b/61 swaif] a1568 Scott vii 29.
Adew the flour of haill delyte … Adew the fragrant balme suaif 1570 Sat. P. xv 10.
Thow lauand, lurk; thow time, be tint; Thow margelene, swaif; Thow camomylde, ȝe balme and mint, Ȝour fragrant odouris laif c1590 J. Stewart 54/49.
Zephir suawe vith bonie bousum blast Reuerts againe the blomit branchis greine c1590 J. Stewart 152/7.
Bonie birkis … Quhois smelling leifs suawe Zephir maks rebound In doucest souching [etc.]

b. Of water: ? Smooth, gently flowing. c1590 J. Stewart 86/234.
O limpid vattir springing suawe and cleir

2. Gracious, gentle, kind. 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1303.
Thir musis gudelie and suaue c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii 76.
The nine Musis sweit and swaue a1568 Scott xxxvi 73.
Sweit Lord, to Syon be suave a1568 Bann. MS 239a/36.
Becaus I fand hir ay so swaif Sic favour to that sueit I gaif

b. absol. as noun. Gracious, kind one. a1568 Scott i 214.
Resaif swaif, and haif ingraif it heir