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.
Swane, Swaine, n. Also: suane, swayn(e, swyne. [ME and e.m.E. swein (Layamon), suain, suayn, squayne, sweyn (all Cursor M.), swayn (Chaucer), late OE swein (a1150), ON sveinn boy, servant, attendant.]There is some ambiguity and overlap between the following senses.
1. In military contexts: A young attendant or follower.1375 Barb. v 235.
Quhill I liff, and may haf mycht To lede a ȝheman or a swane, He sall nocht bruk it but bargane! 1375 Barb. xiii 229 (C).
Ȝhemen, swanys, and poveraill 1375 Barb. xv 363.
[Befor thame gert thai driff the ky] With knawis and swanys that na mycht Had for to stand in feld and fycht a1400 Leg. S. xxix 309.
Hard pestilence … al his douchty men sleu done … Bath knycht, squiare, page, & swane [L. cunctos servos et ancillas] ?1438 Alex. ii 501.
‘Schir,’ said the suane, ‘than ga we swyth To tell thir tythingis ?1438 Alex. ii 6017.
‘Lat me speik mair!’ said the suane [F. vallés], ‘Of ȝow and of the Bauderane' c1420 Wynt. ix 906.
Alswelle … may be slayne A mychty man as may a swayne 1513 Doug. xiii iv 22.
The remanent … of the haill barnage Followys wepand, knycht, swane, man, and page
2. A servant, serving-man.a1500 Rauf C. 607.
He met ane porter swayne Cummand raith him agayne Fast fra the ȝet a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 81.
Ane duergh braydit about … Small birdis on broche be ane bright fyre. Schir Kay ruschit to the roist, and reft fra the swane, … the lym fra the lyre 1513 Doug. i xi 23.
Ȝong swanys The cowrsis … To set on burdis sik as we call sewaris And to fill cowpys [etc.]
3. A male person, generally.c1420 Wynt. i 365.
That swayne [sc. a giant] he swakyde oure that hycht That on hys crown he gert hym lycht c1420 Wynt. viii 5574.
A karle … That wald set settys comownaly Chyldyr and women for to sla, And swanys, that he mycht … ete thame all a1570-86 Dunb. in Maitl. F. 379/25.
Ȝe tailȝouris … Thocht God mak a misfasonit swayne [B. man] Ȝe can him all schaip new agane With bettir fassoun
b. With pejorative connotations: A man whose character or behaviour makes him an object of contempt. Also coll.c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 226.
Thus beswik I that swane, with my sueit wordis 1513 Doug. viii Prol. 68.
Swengeouris and scurryvagis swankeis and swanys Gevis na cur to cun craft nor comptis for na crymecoll. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 119/31.
Gud rewle is banist our the bordour And rangat ringis but ony ordour With reird of rebaldis and of swane
4. ? An outdoor worker; ? a farm labourer.a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 776.
He is not worth ane swayn that letis his labour for the rain a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 682.
He is a lipper swyne that lettis his erand for the raine a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 810.
Swaine
