swank(1) (iou) and curb(1) (iou)

swank(1) (iou)

swank adjective1. Scot. L18.
[App. from Middle Low German swank, Middle Dutch swanc flexible, supple, slender = Middle High German swanc (German schwank) from stem of Old English swancor pliant, supple, agile.]
Agile, active, nimble.

curb(1) (iou)

curb noun. See also KERB noun. L15.
[Prob. from CURB verb. Cf. CRUB.]
I.
A chain or strap passing under the lower jaw of a horse and attached to the bit, used chiefly as a check. L15.
W. Holtby The big horse pulled at the curb.
fig. Anything that curbs or restrains; a check, a restraint. E17.
Time Italy has imposed curbs on Japanese motorcycles.
II. Senses corresp. to French courbe curve.
A hard swelling on a horse's leg; the disease characterized by this. E16.
A curve, an arc. obsolete exc. dial. E17.
A mould or template for marking out curved work. L18.
III. An enclosing (orig. curved) framework or border.
A frame round the top of a well or a brewer's copper; the frame of a trapdoor or skylight. E16.
A raised margin or edging, as a fender round a hearth. M18.
An edging of stone etc. to a pavement or raised path; = KERB noun 3. Now N. Amer. L18.
A circular ring or plate round the edge of a dome or Other circular structure; the base of a well. (Earlier as KERB noun 2.) E19.
Comb.: curb-bit, curb-bridle: fitted with a curb; curb-chain: acting as a horse's curb; curb-plate the curb of a dome or a well; the horizontal timber where the upper and lower slopes of a curb roof meet; curb roof: of which each face has two slopes, the lower one being the steeper; curb service N. Amer. service by a shop etc. to customers in cars at the street kerb; curbstone = kerbstone s.v. KERB noun.
curbed adjective having a curb; fig. checked, restrained: L16.
curbless adjective (rare) without curb or restraint E19.

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