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Old English Dictionary Entry

Sweorcan

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Definitions

Definitions

1 definitions

1 sweorcan

p. swearc, pl. swurcon; pp. sworcen. I. in a physical sense, to become dark, be obscured:--Wedercandel swearc windas weóxon the sun was darkened, the winds rose, Andr. Kmbl. 744; An. 372. Swearc norðrodor won under wolcnum, woruld miste oferteáh, Exon. Th. 178, 33; Gú. 1253. II. figuratively of mental gloom, (a) of that which feels sadness, to become troubled, gloomy, sad:--Siteþ sorgcearig, on sefan sweorceþ, sylfum þinceþ, ðæt sý endeleás earfoða dǽl, Exon. Th. 379, 6; Deór. 29. Hé módsorge wæg, hreþer innan swearc, 165, 8; Gú. 1025. On hú grundleásum seáðe swiaceþ ðæt sweorcende mód quam praecipiti mersa profundo mens hebet, Met. 3, 2. (b) of that which causes sadness, to become grievous, troublesome, saddening:--Ne hine wiht dereþ, ádl ne yldo, ne him inwitsorh on sefan sweorceþ nor in his mind springs gloomy care, Beo. Th. 3478; B. 1737. [Swelleð þe mære and swærkeð þa uðen, Laym. 22030. Swurken (þirkede (dirkede ?), 2nd MS.) under sunnen sweorte weolcnen, 11973. O. Sax. swerkan: Ni lát thú thínan sebon swerkan do not be sad, Hél. 4042. O. H. Ger. swercan.]
Similar Words

Similar Words

Runic Inscription

Runic Inscription

ᛋᚹᛇᚱᚳᚪᚾ

Possible runic inscription in Anglo-Saxon futhorc

Abbreviations Used

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

Ger.
German
O. H. Ger.
Old High German
O. Sax.
Old Saxon

Works & Authors

An.
Andreas (OE poem)
Andr.
Andreas (OE poem)
Beo.
Beowulf
Exon.
Exeter Book
Gú.
Guthlac (OE poem)
Met.
Metres of Boethius (OE poem)
Th.
Thorpe, Benjamin (editor)
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