swyven

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Inherited from Old English swīfan (to sweep), from Proto-West Germanic *swīban, from Proto-Germanic *swībaną.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈswiːvən/

Verb

swyven (third-person singular simple present swyveth, present participle swyvende, swyvynge, first-/third-person singular past indicative and past participle swyved)

  1. (ambitransitive, vulgar) To have sexual intercourse; copulate.
    • c. 1390, Geoffrey Chaucer, Canterbury Tales: Manciple's Prologue and Tale:
      On thy bed thy wif I sey hym swyue []
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Conjugation

Conjugation of swyven (weak in -ed)
infinitive (to) swyven, swyve
present tense past tense
1st-person singular swyve swyved
2nd-person singular swyvest swyvedest
3rd-person singular swyveth swyved
subjunctive singular swyve
imperative singular
plural1 swyven, swyve swyveden, swyvede
imperative plural swyveth, swyve
participles swyvynge, swyvende swyved

1 Sometimes used as a formal 2nd-person singular.

Descendants

  • English: swive
  • Middle Scots: swyfe, swyve

References