Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†SWECHT, n. Also sweight. [swɛçt]
1. A rush, an impetus; “burden, weight, force” (Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. GI.).Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry 173:
Round him they rush't, and push't, and pecht, To overturn him wi' their swecht.Ags. 1988 Raymond Vettese The Richt Noise 19:
and the spreit that lowps whaun it meets
the swecht o oor true past, and greets
no oot o seep-sappin heedrum-hodrum ...
2. A multitude, a great number or quantity (Bwk. 1825 Jam.); the greater part, the majority. Also in n.Eng. dial.Bwk. 1764 Session Papers, State of Process, Yules v. Others 21, 78:
The stubbles struck them for the sweight of it, to about the knee. . . . The oats on the Forth park and Howlawrigg, were very good, which was the sweight of the farm.
