swainish en · ADJ
Etymology
From swain + -ish.
Meanings
-
Pertaining to, or resembling, a swain according to any definition; but commonly conveying the sense of "ignorant", or "rustic".
Falconer's characters are few; but the calm sagacious commander, and the rough obstinate Rodmond, are well contrasted. Some part of the love-story of Palemon is rather swainish and protracted, yet the effect of his being involved in the calamity, leaves a deeper sympathy in the mind for the daughter of Albert, when we conceive her at once deprived both of a father and a lover.
1819 Thomas Campbell, Specimens of the British Poets - Volume 6[W]hen good and faire in one Perſon meet, argues both a groſſe and ſhallow Judgement, and withall an ungentle, and ſwainiſh breſt.
1642 April, John Milton, An Apology for Smectymnuus; republished in A Complete Collection of the Historical, Political, and Miscellaneous Works of John Milton, […], volume I, Amsterdam [actually London: s.n.], 1698, →OCLC, page 177:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more swainish | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most swainish | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |