swingle

Meaning

Noun

1. An implement used to separate the fibres of flax by beating them; a scutch.
2. The swinging part of a flail, especially that which is used on the grain in threshing; the swipple.

Verb

To beat or flog, especially for extracting the fibres from flax stalks; to scutch.

Verb

1. To dangle; to wave hanging.
2. (UK, dialectal, obsolete) To swing for pleasure.

Synonyms

scutch

beat

shake

🫨

scutcher

maul

rammer

flail

varnish tree

tree of heaven

tree-of-heaven

copal tree

jerk

mallet

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈswɪŋ(ɡ)əl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: swingel

Inherited from Old English: swingel

Cognate with Middle Dutch: swingel

Cognate with Dutch: zwingel

Inherited from Middle English: swingelen

Cognate with Middle Dutch: swingelen

In summary

The noun is from Middle English swingel, from Old English swingel, swingelle (“whip, scourge”), equivalent to swing + -le. Related to Middle Dutch swingel, swengel, Dutch zwingel, zwengel. Doublet of swingel.
The verb is from Middle English swingelen, from the noun. Related to Middle Dutch swingelen, swengelen.