Cophetua sware a royal oath.
Tennyson.
Swarf (?), v. i. [Cf. Swerve.] To grow languid; to faint. [Scot.] "To
swarf for very hunger." Sir W. Scott.
Swarf, n. [Cf. Swerve.] The grit worn away from grindstones in grinding
cutlery wet. [Prov. Eng.]
Swarm (?), v. i. [Cf. Swerve.] To climb a tree, pole, or the like, by
embracing it with the arms and legs alternately. See Shin. [Colloq.]
At the top was placed a piece of money, as a prize for those who
could swarm up and seize it.
W. Coxe.
Swarm, n. [OE. swarm, AS. swearm; akin to D. zwerm, G. schwarm, OHG.
swaram, Icel. svarmr a tumult, Sw. svärm a swarm, Dan. sværm, and G.
schwirren to whiz, to buzz, Skr. svar to sound, and perhaps to E.
swear. √177. Cf. Swerve, Swirl.] 1. A large number or mass of
small animals or insects, especially when in motion. "A deadly swarm of
hornets." Milton.
2. Especially, a great number of honeybees which emigrate from a hive
at once, and seek new lodgings under the direction of a queen; a like
body of bees settled permanently in a hive. "A swarm of bees." Chaucer.
3. Hence, any great number or multitude, as of people in motion, or
sometimes of inanimate objects; as, a swarm of meteorites.
Those prodigious swarms that had settled themselves in every part
of it [Italy].
Addison.
Syn. -- Multitude; crowd; throng.
Swarm, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Swarmed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Swarming.] 1.
To collect, and depart from a hive by flight in a body; -- said of
bees; as, bees swarm in warm, clear days in summer.
2. To appear or collect in a crowd; to throng together; to congregate
in a multitude. Chaucer.