n.
Pronunciation: ' sw ā n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English swein boy, servant, from Old Norse sveinn; akin to Old English sw ā n swain, Latin suus one's own ― more at SUICIDE
Date: 14th century
1 : RUSTIC , PEASANT specifically : SHEPHERD
2 : a male admirer or suitor
– swain · ish \ ' sw ā -nish \ adjective
– swain · ish · ness noun