Sc. Also 8 swak. [app. a. Flem. zwak nimble, smart = Du. zwak weak, pliant (see SWAC).] Supple; lithe and nimble; smart.
1768. Ross, Helenore, I. 10. She was swak an’ souple like a rae: Swack like an eel an’ calour like a trout.
a. 1774. Ferguson, Poems, Caller Water, viii. Twill mak ye suple, swack and young.
1828. in Buchan, Ball. N. Scotl., II. 260. The lassie being swack, ran to the door fu’ snack.
1868. G. Macdonald, R. Falconer, I. 272. A good slice of swack cheese.
1871. C. Gibbon, Lack of Gold, xxxix. A swack youth of about eighteen years of age.
1893. F. Mackenzie, Cruisie Sk., xviii. (1894), 230. Her tongue was as swack as ever.
1894. J. Inglis, Oor Ain Folk, vi. 74. He wis a swack man the minister!
Hence Swacken v. intr., to become supple.
a. 1820. G. Beattie, John o’ Arnha’, 23. Wi’ that her joints began to swacken.
