swerven
Middle English
Etymology
From Old English sweorfan, from Proto-Germanic *swerbaną; a cognate of Middle Low German swerven, Middle Dutch swerven, and Middle High German swerben.
Alternative forms
- swerve, swarven
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈswɛrvən/
- (Late ME) IPA(key): /ˈswarvən/
- Rhymes: -ɛrvən
Verb
swerven
- To leave (from one's view); to rotate away from.
- To move or go unsteadily, unpredictably or erratically.
- To bounce off; to avoid (hitting someone)
- To repudiate or renounce; to end association with.
- (rare, of emotion) To stop being present or affecting one.
Conjugation
Conjugation of swerven (strong class 3/weak)
| infinitive | (to) swerven | |
|---|---|---|
| indicative | present | past |
| 1st person singular | swerve | swarf, swerved |
| 2nd person singular | swervest | *swurf, *swarfest, *swervedest |
| 3rd person singular | swerveþ, swerveth | swarf, swerved |
| plural | swerven | *swurve(n), *swarfe(n), *swervede(n) |
| subjunctive | present | past |
| singular | swerve | *swurf, swerved |
| plural | swerven | *swurve(n), *swarfe(n), *swervede(n) |
| imperative | present | |
| singular | swerve | |
| plural | swerveþ, swerveth | |
| participle | present | past |
| swervende, swervinge | swerved, *(i)sworve(n) | |
Related terms
- *swerf, *swarf
Descendants
- English: swerve, swarve
- English: swerve, swarve, swerfe, swarfe
References
- “swerven (v.)” in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-12-5.