swain Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a man who is the lover of a girl or young woman
beau; fellow; young man; boyfriend.
- if I'd known he was her boyfriend I wouldn't have asked

OE. swain, swein, Icel. sveinn a boy, servant; akin to Sw. sven, Dan. svend, AS. swan, OHG. swein.

A servant. Obs.
Him behoves serve himself that has no swain. Chaucer.
A young man dwelling in the country; a rustic; esp., a cuntry gallant or lover; -- chiefly in poetry.
It were a happy life To be no better than a homely swain. Shak.

Blest swains! whose nymphs in every grace excel. Pope.