Sway

[imp. & p. p. SWAYED; p. pr. & vb. n. SWAYING.] [Prov. Eng. sweg, sweigh, sway, to swing, incline, D. zwaaijen, to wield, swing, Icel. sveigia, O. D. sveje, to bend, L. Ger. swâjen, to be turned by the wind, Sw. svaja, Dan. svaie, to wave, to hover, A-S. swēgian, O. Sax. suogian, to prevail. Cf. SWAG.]

1Sense 1. To move or wield with the hand; as, to sway the scepter.

2Sense 2. To influence or direct by power and authority, or by moral force; to rule; to govern.

She could not sway her house. Shak.

Take heed lest passion sway Thy judgment to do aught which else free will Would not admit. Milton.

This was the race To sway the world, and land and sea subdue. Dryden.

3Sense 3. To cause to incline to one side; to bias; to turn; to bend.

As bowls run true by being made On purpose false, and to be swayed. Hudibras.

4Sense 4. (Naut.) To hoist; to raise; as, to sway up the yards. Totten.

Synonyms—To bias; rule; govern; direct; influence; swing; move; wave.

n. 1. Power exerted in governing; rule; dominion; control.

When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway, The post of honor is a private station. Addison.

2Sense 2. Influence, weight, or authority that inclines to one side; as, the sway of desires.

Proceed in the sway of your own will. Shak.

3Sense 3. Preponderation; turn or cast of balance.

When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway of battle. Milton.

4Sense 4. The swing or sweep of a weapon. “To strike with huge two-handed sway.” Milton.

5Sense 5. Any thing moving with bulk and power.

Are not you moved when all the sway of earth Shakes like a thing unfirm? Shak.

6Sense 6. A switch or rod used by thatchers to bind their work. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Synonyms— Rule; dominion; power; empire; control; influence; direction; preponderance; ascendency.