3. (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of lizards, as the pine lizard.
4. (Zoöl.) The ghost moth. See under Ghost.
5. [Cf. Swivel.] A reel, or turning instrument, for winding yarn, thread, etc.; — used chiefly in the plural.
6. The main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine.
Swifter
(Swift"er) n. [Cf. Swivel.] (Naut.) (a) A rope used to retain the bars of the capstan in their
sockets while men are turning it. (b) A rope used to encircle a boat longitudinally, to strengthen and
defend her sides. (c) The forward shroud of a lower mast.
Swifter
(Swift"er), v. t. (Naut.) To tighten, as slack standing rigging, by bringing the opposite shrouds
nearer.
Swiftfoot
(Swift"foot`) a. Nimble; fleet. Mir. for Mag.
Swiftfoot
(Swift"foot`), n. (Zoöl.) The courser.
Swiftlet
(Swift"let) n. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small East Indian and Asiatic swifts of the
genus Collocalia. Some of the species are noted for furnishing the edible bird's nest. See Illust. under
Edible.
Swiftly
(Swift"ly), adv. In a swift manner; with quick motion or velocity; fleetly. Wyclif.
Swiftness
(Swift"ness), n. The quality or state of being swift; speed; quickness; celerity; velocity; rapidity; as,
the swiftness of a bird; the swiftness of a stream; swiftness of descent in a falling body; swiftness of
thought, etc.
Swig
(Swig) v. t. [Cf. D. zwelgen to swallow, E. swallow, v.t.]
1. To drink in long draughts; to gulp; as, to swig cider. [Colloq.]
2. To suck. [Obs. or Archaic]
The lambkins swig the teat.
Creech. Swig
(Swig), n.
1. A long draught. [Colloq.] Marryat.
2. (Naut.) A tackle with ropes which are not parallel.
3. A beverage consisting of warm beer flavored with spices, lemon, etc. [Prov. Eng.]
Swig
(Swig), v. t. [Cf. Prov. E. swig to leak out, AS. swijian to be silent, swican to evade, escape.]
1. To castrate, as a ram, by binding the testicles tightly with a string, so that they mortify and slough off.
[Prov. Eng.]
2. (Naut.) To pull upon (a tackle) by throwing the weight of the body upon the fall between the block
and a cleat.
Swill
(Swill) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swilled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Swilling.] [OE. swilen to wash, AS. swilian.]
