Obs. Also 4–5 swayf(e, sweyf, swaffe, 8 swave. [f. ON. sveif- in *sveifa SWAYVE, sveif tiller (cf. OHG. sweib swinging), related to svíf- in svífa OE. swífan to SWIVE; the general notion being that of sweeping or swinging.]
1. A swinging stroke or blow; momentum.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 1268. Wyth þe swayf of þe sworde þat swolȝed hem alle.
a. 1400–50. Wars Alex., 806 (Ashmole MS.). Alexander … swyngis out his swerde & his swayfe [Dubl. MS. swaffe] feches.
14[?]. Chaucer’s Troylus, II. 1383 (Harl. MS. 3943). Þe grete sweyf [v.rr. sweyght, sweigh, swey, swough] doþ it þan fal at ones.
2. A kind of sling or ballista; = SWEEP sb. 24.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. xviii. (Roxb.), 127/2. He beareth Argent a Swafe, or swing stone, sable…. These kinds may fitly be termed swafe slings. Ibid., 128/2. Some terme this a Slinge tree, but the best name is, a double swafe, or back swafe, to distinguish it from the swafe, or single swafe.
3. A pump-handle; = SWAPE 3, SWEEP sb. 23.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 297/1. The Bucket of the Pump, is the like Sucker fastned to an Iron rod, which is moved up and down by the help of the Sweep, or Swafe [1726 Dict. Rust., s.v. Pump Swave], or Handle.
