swither

== English == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈswɪðə/ Rhymes: -ɪðə(ɹ) === Etymology 1 === From Middle English *swithren, from Old Norse sviðra (“to burn, singe”). Related to Middle English swithen (“to burn, scorch, singe”), from Old Norse svíða (“to burn”). ==== Alternative forms ==== swether, swidder ==== Verb ==== swither (third-person singular simple present swithers, present participle swithering, simple past and past participle swithered) (dialectal) To burn, scorch, singe. (dialectal) To burn slowly, melt (as a candle), sweal (dialectal, figurative) To smart, ache; tingle ==== Noun ==== swither (countable and uncountable, plural swithers) (dialectal) A great heat; a scorching, singeing (dialectal) Sweating. === Etymology 2 === First attested in 1501; of unknown origin. ==== Verb ==== swither (third-person singular simple present swithers, present participle swithering, simple past and past participle swithered) (Scotland, Northern England) To be indecisive or in a state of confusion; to dither. To move or swing about. ==== Noun ==== swither (plural swithers) (chiefly Scotland, Northern England) A state of indecision or confusion; a panicked state; a flap, fluster, or dither. === Anagrams === Withers, whister, wishter, withers, writhes == Scots == === Etymology === First attested in 1501; of unknown origin. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈswɪðər/ === Verb === swither (third-person singular simple present swithers, present participle switherin, simple past and past participle swithert) to be indecisive, to dither, to hesitate. to doubt, to be doubtful, to fear. to fail, to falter, to waver. === Noun === swither (plural swithers) doubt, hesitation. a state of wavering. a fright.