Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Swash?

\Swash\, n. [Cf. {Swash}, v. i., {Squash}, v. t.] (Arch.) An oval figure, whose moldings are oblique to the axis of the work. --Moxon. {Swash plate} (Mach.), a revolving circular plate, set obliquely on its shaft, and acting as a cam to give a reciprocating motion to a rod in a direction parallel to the shaft.
\Swash\, a. [Cf. {Swash}, v. i., {Squash}, v. t.] Soft, like fruit too ripe; swashy. [Prov. Eng.] --Pegge.
\Swash\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Swashed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Swashing}.] [Probably of imitative origin; cf. Sw. svasska to splash, and, for sense 3, Sw. svassa to bully, to rodomontade.] 1. To dash or flow noisily, as water; to splash; as, water swashing on a shallow place. 2. To fall violently or noisily. [Obs.] --Holinshed. 3. To bluster; to make a great noise; to vapor or brag.
\Swash\, n. 1. Impulse of water flowing with violence; a dashing or splashing of water. 2. A narrow sound or channel of water lying within a sand bank, or between a sand bank and the shore, or a bar over which the sea washes. 3. Liquid filth; wash; hog mash. [Obs.] 4. A blustering noise; a swaggering behavior. [Obs.] 5. A swaggering fellow; a swasher.