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.
I swerve not from thy commandments. --Bk. of Com.
Prayer.
They swerve from the strict letter of the law.
--Clarendon.
Many who, through the contagion of evil example,
swerve exceedingly from the rules of their holy
religion. --Atterbury.
4. To bend; to incline. ``The battle swerved.'' --Milton.
5. To climb or move upward by winding or turning.
The tree was high; Yet nimbly up from bough to bough
I swerved. --Dryden.