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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SWARM, v. tr. To turn, to move round, specif. of a pot over a fire in order to distribute the heat (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); to stir (Sh. 1972). Also intr. with apo.Sh. 1898–1901 Shetland News (228 May, 23 Feb.):
Swarm apo da kettle. Sibbie. . . . Shü swarm'd da kettle.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
I wis at du wid swarm upo da kettle, he's boilin aa at e side.

[A nasalised variant of Norw. dial. svarva, to turn or spin round, which has also a parallel form svarma, to be dizzy, cogn. with Eng. swerve, and poss. with swarm, of bees. to climb a tree, etc.]

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