Entry 2 senses Webster, 1913 Swain /swān/ · IPA /sweɪn/ 01 n. A servant. 1. A servant.[Obs.] “Him behoves serve himself that has no swain.” — Chaucer. 2. 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.