sweet

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sweet pleasing to the senses or the mind; dearly loved or prized; kindly, gracious. OE. swēte = OS. swōti (Du. zoot), OHG. s(w)uozi (G. süss), ON. sœtr :- Gmc. *swōtja-, *swōti- (cf. Goth. suts), f. *swōt- :- IE. *swād-, repr. by Skr. svādú-, Gr. hēdús, L. suāvis (:- *swadwis). Comps. sweet-bread pancreas. XVI; perh. OE. bræd flesh = OS. brādo ham, calf of leg, etc.; but the reason for the name is unkn. sweetheart XIII. sweetmeat †sweet cake, etc.; sugarplum, lollipop XV; cf. OE. swēt-, swōtmettas dainties. sweet william species of pink. XVI.
Hence sweet sb. XIII. sweeten (-EN5) XVI. sweetie (-IE) sweetmeat XVIII; sweet one XIX. sweeting (-ING3) sweetheart XIII; sweet variety of apple XVI. sweetly (-LY2), sweetness OE.

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