swingle(Noun)

An implement used to separate the fibres of flax by beating them; a scutch

swingle(Verb)

to beat or flog, especially for extracting the fibres from flax stalks; to scutch

Swingle(verb)

to dangle; to wave hanging

Swingle(verb)

to swing for pleasure

Swingle(verb)

to clean, as flax, by beating it with a swingle, so as to separate the coarse parts and the woody substance from it; to scutch

Swingle(verb)

to beat off the tops of without pulling up the roots; -- said of weeds

Swingle(noun)

a wooden instrument like a large knife, about two feet long, with one thin edge, used for beating and cleaning flax; a scutcher; -- called also swingling knife, swingling staff, and swingling wand