Sway — Defs

01 v. t. To move or wield with the hand; to swing; to wield; as, to sway the scepter.

imp. & p. p. Swayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Swaying

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.” — Spenser.
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.” — Shak.

“She could not sway her house.” — Shak.

“This was the race To sway the world, and land and sea subdue.” — Dryden.
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.” — Hudibras.

“Let not temporal and little advantages sway you against a more durable interest.” — Tillotson.
4.
To hoist; as, to sway up the yards.(Naut.)

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

02 v. i. To be drawn to one side by weight or influence; to lean; to incline.

1.
To be drawn to one side by weight or influence; to lean; to incline.
“The balance sways on our part.” — Bacon.
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.” — Hooker.
4.
To bear sway; to rule; to govern.
“Hadst thou swayed as kings should do.” — Shak.

03 n. The act of swaying; a swaying motion; the swing or sweep of a weapon.

1.
The act of swaying; a swaying motion; the swing or sweep of a weapon.
“With huge two-handed sway brandished aloft.” — Milton.
2.
Influence, weight, or authority that inclines to one side; as, the sway of desires.
3.
Preponderance; turn or cast of balance.
“Expert When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway Of battle.” — Milton.
4.
Rule; dominion; control.
“When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway, The post of honor is a private station.” — Addison.
5.
A switch or rod used by thatchers to bind their work.[Prov. Eng.]