Sway

Sway (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swayed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Swaying.] [OE. sweyen, Icel. sveigja, akin to E. swing; cf. D. zwaaijen to wield, swing. See Swing, and cf. Swag, v. i.] 1. To move or wield with the hand; to swing; to wield; as, to sway the scepter.

As sparkles from the anvil rise,
When heavy hammers on the wedge are swayed.

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

The will of man is by his reason swayed.

She could not sway her house.

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

3. To cause to incline or swing to one side, or backward and forward; to bias; to turn; to bend; warp; as, reeds swayed by wind; judgment swayed by passion.

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

Let not temporal and little advantages sway you against a more durable interest.

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

Syn. -- To bias; rule; govern; direct; influence; swing; move; wave; wield.

Sway (?), v. i. 1. To be drawn to one side by weight or influence; to lean; to incline.

The balance sways on our part.

2. To move or swing from side to side; or backward and forward.

3. To have weight or influence.

The example of sundry churches . . . doth sway much.

4. To bear sway; to rule; to govern.

Hadst thou swayed as kings should do.

Sway, n. 1. The act of swaying; a swaying motion; the swing or sweep of a weapon.

With huge two-handed sway brandished aloft.

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

3. Preponderance; turn or cast of balance.

Expert
When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway
Of battle.

4. Rule; dominion; control. Cowper.

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

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

Syn. -- Rule; dominion; power; empire; control; influence; direction; preponderance; ascendency.