c. 1300, "coupling device that allows independent rotation," from frequentative form of stem of Old English verb swifan "to move in a course, revolve, sweep" (a class I strong verb), from Proto-Germanic *swif- (cognates: Old Frisian swiva "to be uncertain," Old Norse svifa "to rove, ramble, drift"), from PIE root *swei- (2) "to turn, bend, move in a sweeping manner."
Related Middle English swive was the principal slang verb for "to have sexual intercourse with," a sense that developed c. 1300. This probably explains why, though the root is verbal, the verb swivel is not attested in Modern English until 1794. Compare Middle English phrase smal-swivinge men "men who copulate infrequently."
swivel (v.)
1794 (transitive), from swivel (n.). Intransitive use from 1846. Related: Swiveled; swiveling; swivelled; swivelling.
例文
1. His chairs can swivel ，but they can 't move up or down.
彼の椅子は回転することができますが、昇降することはできません。
2.She returned to the swivel chair behind her desk.
彼女はテーブルの後ろの回転椅子に戻った。
3.He leaned back in the swivel chair and locked his fingers behind his head.
彼は回転椅子に仰向けになり、10本の指が頭の後ろに交差して枕になった。
4.Flora restored the heavy swivel chair to its upright position.