swelce

swelce

Old English

Alternative forms

• swilċe, swylċe
• sƿelċe (wynn spelling)

Etymology

Equivalent to swelċ +‎ e.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈswel.t͡ʃe/

Adverb

swelċe

1. also, likewise
2. about (approximately)
3. like, as
4. expletive: like, as it were

Conjunction

swelċe

1. (with subjunctive) like, as if

   Þonne weorold ġeendaþ, þonne biþ hit swelċe hēo nǣfre nǣre.

   When the world ends, it will be like it never existed.

   • c. 900, translation of Orosius' History Against the Pagans

     Man ġeseah swelċe se heofon burne.

     It looked like the sky was on fire.

   • late 10th century, Ælfric, "Saint Maur, Abbot"

     Hē ārās þā ġesund, swelċe of slǣpe āwreaht, and begann tō wundrienne hū hē wurde þider ġebrōht.

     Then he got up safe and sound, as if woken from sleep, and began to wonder how he got there.