swash

[ swosh, swawsh ]

verb (used without object)

1. to splash, as things in water, or as water does:

   Waves were swashing against the piers.

2. to dash around, as things in violent motion.
3. to swagger.

verb (used with object)

1. to dash or cast violently, especially to dash (water or other liquid) around, down, etc.

noun

1. the surging or dashing, sometimes violent, of water, waves, etc.
2. the sound made by such dashing:

   the thunderous swash of the waves.

3. the ground over which water washes.
4. Chiefly Southeastern U.S. a channel of water through or behind a sandbank.
5. Printing. an extending ornamental flourish, as on letters of certain fonts of italic or cursive type.

adjective

1. Printing. noting or pertaining to a character having a swash:

   a swash letter.

swash

/ swɒʃ /

verb

1. intr (esp of water or things in water) to wash or move with noisy splashing
2. tr to dash (a liquid, esp water) against or upon
3. archaic.
   intr to swagger or bluster

noun

1. Also calledsend the dashing movement or sound of water, such as that of waves on a beach Compare backwash
2. any other swashing movement or sound
3. a sandbar washed by the waves
4. Also calledswash channel a channel of moving water cutting through or running behind a sandbank
5. archaic.
   1. swagger or bluster
   2. a swashbuckler

Word History and Origins

Origin of swash¹

First recorded in 1520–30; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of swash¹

C16: probably of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Admittedly, ruthlessness does not go hand-in-hand with the swash and buckle that makes England thrilling to watch.

From BBC

“Because I know that my good golf is good enough,” he said all calmly, with neither swash nor buckle.

From Washington Post

The developer showed off new footage of the game as a part of its Ubisoft Forward event highlighting all the timbers you’ll get to shiver and buckles you’ll get to swash.

From The Verge

In these moments, this “Cyrano” duly swashes and buckles, to diverting if somewhat perfunctory effect.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s always tough to put into words,” Rahm said of his debt to the late Ballesteros, who won five major championships and redefined the game from his particular intersection of swash and buckle.

From Washington Post