colloq. (orig. U.S.) [f. SWEAR v. + WORD sb. Cf. cuss-word s.v. CUSS sb. 3.] A word used in profane swearing, a profane word.
1841. Spirit of the Age (Woodstock, VT), 22 Jan., 2/6. If our subscribers do ’nt draw us more wood they may go to——, won’t you just take your hand off our mouth, sis., we warn’t a going to say a swear word—they may go to—paying over the cash for their papers; that’s all, and all fair, too.
1883. A. M. Gow, Primer Politeness, 58. A youth who mixed his conversation with many swear-words.
1893. Dunmore, Pamirs, I. 344. A string of naughty swear words.
1904. H. Jenner, Cornish Lang., xiii. 154. Cornish is a disappointing language in respect of swear-words.
