To Swerve: v.,

2. b. To turn in a specified direction; to be deflected (statically).
c1600 SHAKES. Sonn. lxxxvii, And so my pattent back againe is sweruing. 1607 MARKHAM Caval. VII. xlii. 60 Waights of such sufficient poise as may either drawe the Crest vp straight, or els mak it leane to that side from whence it swerueth. 1820 L. HUNT Indicator No. 40 (1822) I. 316 While the leaves issue from it, and swerve upwards with their elegant points. 1863 COWDEN CLARKE Shaks. Char. vi. 157 In those secluded villages where the high post and railroads swerve in the distance. 1883 Mag. Art Aug. 398/1 The road swerves to the left.

 

    {dag}d. Without constr.: To deviate from the right; to err; to go astray, esp. morally; to transgress.
1576 W. RAWELY in Gascoigne Steele Gl. Wks. 1910 II. 139 The life likewise, were pure that never swerved. 1576 FLEMING Panopl. Epist. 163 Saying, that at no time our deedes haue so swerued, that they might be amended. 1602 WARNER Alb. Eng. XIII. lxxvii. (1612) 318 How all these Deities than Men more brutishly did swerue. 1611 SHAKES. Cymb. V. iv. 129 But (alas) I swerue.

 

  3. a. intr. To turn away or be deflected from a (right) course of action, a line of conduct, an opinion, etc.; {dag}to waver, vacillate.
a1400 ? CHAUCER Compl. to Mortal Foe 29, I preye, as he that wol nat swerve, That I may fare the better for my trouthe. a1547 SURREY Æneid II. 714 Neoptolem is swarved out of kinde. 1557 Tottel's Misc. (Arb.) 176 Since so vnconstantly thou wilt Not loue, but still be swaruing. 1599 SHAKES. Hen. V, II. ii. 133 Are they..Constant in spirit, not sweruing with the blood? 1667 MILTON P.L. IX. 359 Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve. 1810 WORDSW. Sonn., ‘Avaunt all specious pliancy of mind’ 7 Honour that knows the path and will not swerve. 1847 EMERSON Repr. Men, Swedenborg Wks. (Bohn) I. 334 With a tenacity that never swerved..he adheres to this brave choice. 1873 DIXON Two Queens XII. ii. II. 293 She argued with him, but he would not swerve a jot. 1884 L. J. JENNINGS Croker Papers I. x. 278 Mr. Croker..never swerved in his support of every well-directed measure for Catholic relief.