Definition

A condition in horses where the muscles, particularly in the shoulder area, weaken or shrink.

Example

The veterinarian diagnosed the horse with sweeny after noticing the muscle atrophy.

Conversation

I heard that one of the horses at the stable has developed sweeny.

Oh no, that's unfortunate! What does that mean for the horse?

It usually means there’s some muscle atrophy in the shoulder area.

That sounds serious; I hope they can treat it properly.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'sweeny' originates from Irish, specifically from the term 'súile' meaning 'eyes'. It is often used in a colloquial context to refer to someone who is perceived as having a sly or cunning demeanor, possibly alluding to the way one might look at others with a shifty or crafty gaze.

Memory Tip

Think of the Irish word for 'eyes' and remember that 'sweeny' describes someone who might have a sly or cunning look, as if they are always watching and plotting.

Visually Confused Words