swither

[ swith-er ]

noun

, British Dialect.

1. a state of confusion, excitement, or perplexity.

swither

/ ˈswɪðər /

verb

1. to hesitate; vacillate; be perplexed

noun

1. hesitation; perplexity; agitation

Word History and Origins

Origin of swither¹

1495–1505; origin uncertain; compare Old English geswithrian to retire, dwindle, fail

Word History and Origins

Origin of swither¹

C16: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

But take a few steps towards the painting in all its astounding veracity and the vision swithers.

From The Guardian

One can also be "in a swither", a state of indecision or doubt, a pondering, hesitation, uncertainty.

From BBC

Space swithers between two and three dimensions, the men seem variously giants or midgets, the sea appears flat as a picture; and time becomes mysterious too.

From The Guardian

Even seemed to swither: was Morvern's striking amorality, her disavowal of cause and effect, inexplicable or just not explained?

From The Guardian

And, let’s see, perhaps deciding that teachers have to have the power to discipline budding anarchists. — swither 16.

From New York Times