wunder · Library

Part 1055

The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section S · Project Gutenberg — chapter 1055 of 1079 · ~549 words · public domain

Read in the Wunder reader — free

Dryden.

The grazing ox which swoops it [the medicinal herb] in with the common grass.

Glanvill.

Swoop, v. i. 1. To descend with closed wings from a height upon prey, as a hawk; to stoop.

2. To pass with pomp; to sweep. [Obs.] Drayton.

Swoop, n. A falling on and seizing, as the prey of a rapacious bird; the act of swooping.

The eagle fell, . . . and carried away a whole litter of cubs at a swoop.

L'Estrange.

Swoop"stake` (?), n. See Sweepstake. [Obs.]

Swoop"stake`, adv. Altogether; indiscriminately. [R.] Shak.

Swop (?), v. & n. Same as Swap. Dryden.

Sword (srd), n. [OE. swerd, AS. sweord; akin to OFries. swerd, swird, D. zwaard, OS. swerd, OHG. swert, G. schwert, Icel. sverð, Sw. svärd, Dan. sværd; of uncertain origin.] 1. An offensive weapon, having a long and usually sharp-pointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is the general term, including the small sword, rapier, saber, scimiter, and many other varieties.

2. Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of authority and power.

He [the ruler] beareth not the sword in vain.

Rom. xiii. 4.

She quits the balance, and resigns the sword.

Dryden.

3. Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension.

I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Matt. x. 34.

4. The military power of a country.

He hath no more authority over the sword than over the law.

Milton.

5. (Weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended.

Sword arm, the right arm. -- Sword bayonet, a bayonet shaped somewhat like a sword, and which can be used as a sword. -- Sword bearer, one who carries his master's sword; an officer in London who carries a sword before the lord mayor when he goes abroad. -- Sword belt, a belt by which a sword is suspended, and borne at the side. -- Sword blade, the blade, or cutting part, of a sword. -- Sword cane, a cane which conceals the blade of a sword or dagger, as in a sheath. -- Sword dance. (a) A dance in which swords are brandished and clashed together by the male dancers. Sir W. Scott. (b) A dance performed over swords laid on the ground, but without touching them. -- Sword fight, fencing; a combat or trial of skill with swords; swordplay. -- Sword grass. (Bot.) See Gladen. -- Sword knot, a ribbon tied to the hilt of a sword. -- Sword law, government by the sword, or by force; violence. Milton. -- Sword lily. (Bot.) See Gladiolus. -- Sword mat (Naut.), a mat closely woven of yarns; -- so called from a wooden implement used in its manufacture. -- Sword shrimp (Zoöl.), a European shrimp (Pasiphæa sivado) having a very thin, compressed body. -- Sword stick, a sword cane. -- To measure swords with one. See under Measure, v. t. -- To put to the sword. See under Put.

Sword"bill` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A humming bird (Docimastes ensiferus) having a very long, slender bill, exceeding the length of the body of the bird.

Sword"ed, a. [Cf. AS. geswurdod.] Girded with a sword. Milton.

Sword"er (?), n. One who uses, or fights with, a sword; a swordsman; a soldier; a cutthroat. [Obs.] Shak.

← Previous chapterAll chaptersNext chapter →

The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section S · The Wunder Library — complete classics, free to read, with narration.

© 2026 Wunder Learning LLC · Terms & Privacy