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.
Swecht, n. Also: sweicht, swelch, swelth. [Late ME sweyght (15th c.), sweght (north. c1440). Also in the later dial.] Impetus, force (of a moving object). —sing. ?a1500 Remembr. Passion 445.
Think how the croce wes liftit vp and set in the erd quhen our Lord wes nalit on it and thair efter fell againe; the quhilk sweicht maid the holis in his handis and in his feit mair 1513 Doug. vii ix 100.
Wallis feill in all thar byr and swecht Jawpyng about hys [sc. a rock's] skyrtis with mony a bray 1513 Doug. ix xi 100.
The hie pillar of marbill stone … With grysly swecht [Sm. swouch, Ruddim. swelth, 1553 swelch] down duschit in the see 1513 Doug. xii xi 159.
Like as the gret roch crag … Is maid to fall and tumbill with all his swecht —pl. 1513 Doug. ix ix 36.
Tho with thar [sc. the Trojans'] swechtis, as thai reill and leipe, The byrnand towr down rollys with a rusche
