swinge

¹

[ swinj ]

verb (used with object)

, British Dialect.

, swinged, swinge·ing.

1. to thrash; punish.

swinge

²

[ swinj ]

verb (used with object)

, swinged, swinge·ing.

1. to singe.

swinge

/ swɪndʒ /

verb

1. archaic.
   tr to beat, flog, or punish

Other Words From

• swing·er [swin, -jer], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of swinge¹

1250–1300; Middle English swengen to shake, smite, Old English swengan, causative of swingan to swing, or denominative derivative of Old English sweng a blow

Origin of swinge²

First recorded in 1580–90; obscurely akin to singe

Word History and Origins

Origin of swinge¹

Old English swengan; related to Old Frisian swenga to drench, Gothic afswaggwjan to cause to sway; see swing

Example Sentences

If 'twere not here, Where reverence bids me hold, I would so swinge thee, thou rude, Unmanner'd Knave; take from his bounty, His honour that he gives me, to beget Sawcy, and sullen fears?

From Project Gutenberg

He must swinge them, like it or not!

From Project Gutenberg

That was all: Say yes, good Sir John—or I'll swinge you.

From Project Gutenberg

That lying cut is lost that she is not swinged and beaten, And yet for all my good name it were a small amends!

From Project Gutenberg

My age! do not use That word again; if you do, I shall grow young, And swinge you soundly.

From Project Gutenberg