Swerd, n. Sword. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Swerve (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Swerved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Swerving.]
[OE. swerven, AS. sweorfan to wipe off, to file, to polish; akin to
OFries. swerva to creep, D. zwerven to swerve, to rope, OS. swerban to
wipe off, MHG. swerben to be whirled, OHG. swerban to wipe off, Icel.
sverfa to file, Goth. swaírban (in comp.) to wipe, and perhaps to E.
swarm. Cf. Swarm.] 1. To stray; to wander; to rope. [Obs.]
A maid thitherward did run, To catch her sparrow which from her did
swerve.
Sir P. Sidney.
2. To go out of a straight line; to deflect. "The point [of the sword]
swerved." Sir P. Sidney.
3. To wander from any line prescribed, or from a rule or duty; to
depart from what is established by law, duty, custom, or the like; to
deviate.