swarthy

[swawr-th ee, -thee] /ˈswɔr ði, -θi/
adjective, swarthier, swarthiest.
1.
(of skin color, complexion, etc.) dark.
Origin
1570-80; unexplained variant of obsolete swarty (swart + -y1)
Related forms
swarthiness, noun
Examples from the web for swarthy
  • He is a figure of medium height, dark-haired, swarthy.
  • But as taboo feelings of desire swell between the swarthy new lovers, their relationship is discovered.
  • Here his swarthy baritone is prodigious in scale and implausibly pliable.
  • The shining knight had died, and now the swarthy villain carried off his noble lady.
  • swarthy skin always looks better in colors that have red or yellow in them.
  • Her swarthy skin was stretched tight across her jaw bones and looked thick and leathery.
  • He is of swarthy complexion, wears a small til-own mustache and has brown hair tinged with gray.
  • He was not well proportioned but had clear, swarthy skin and a thick nose with brown hair.
British Dictionary definitions for swarthy

swarthy

/ˈswɔːðɪ/
adjective swarthier, swarthiest
1.
dark-hued or dark-complexioned
Derived Forms
swarthily, adverb
swarthiness, noun
Word Origin
C16: from obsolete swarty, from swart + -y1
Word Origin and History for swarthy
adj.

1580s, unexplained alteration of swarty (1570s), from swart + -y (2).