Swoop"stake`, adv. Altogether; indiscriminately. [R.] Shak.
Swop (?), v. & n. Same as Swap. Dryden.
Sword (srd), n. [OE. swerd, AS. sweord; akin to OFries. swerd, swird,
D. zwaard, OS. swerd, OHG. swert, G. schwert, Icel. sverð, Sw. svärd,
Dan. sværd; of uncertain origin.] 1. An offensive weapon, having a long
and usually sharp-pointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is the
general term, including the small sword, rapier, saber, scimiter, and
many other varieties.
2. Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of
authority and power.
He [the ruler] beareth not the sword in vain.
Rom. xiii. 4.
She quits the balance, and resigns the sword.
Dryden.