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swainish. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
swainish, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
swainish in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
swainish you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From swain + -ish.
Adjective
swainish (comparative more swainish, superlative most swainish)
- Pertaining to, or resembling, a swain according to any definition; but commonly conveying the sense of "ignorant", or "rustic".
1642 April, John Milton, An Apology for Smectymnuus; republished in A Complete Collection of the Historical, Political, and Miscellaneous Works of John Milton, , volume I, Amsterdam [actually London: s.n.], 1698, →OCLC, page 177:[W]hen good and faire in one Perſon meet, argues both a groſſe and ſhallow Judgement, and withall an ungentle, and ſwainiſh breſt.
- 1819 Thomas Campbell, Specimens of the British Poets - Volume 6
- Falconer's characters are few; but the calm sagacious commander, and the rough obstinate Rodmond, are well contrasted. Some part of the love-story of Palemon is rather swainish and protracted, yet the effect of his being involved in the calamity, leaves a deeper sympathy in the mind for the daughter of Albert, when we conceive her at once deprived both of a father and a lover.
Usage notes
Rarely used except when quoting Milton.
References