Definition of Sway

Pronunciation: swā
v. t.1.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.]
2.To influence or direct by power and authority; by persuasion, or by moral force; to rule; to govern; to guide.
She could not sway her house.
- Shak.
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.
4.(Naut.) To hoist; as, to sway up the yards.
v. i.1.To be drawn to one side by weight or influence; to lean; to incline.
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.
n.1.The act of swaying; a swaying motion; the swing or sweep of a weapon.
2.Influence, weight, or authority that inclines to one side; as, the sway of desires.
3.Preponderance; turn or cast of balance.
4.Rule; dominion; control.
5.A switch or rod used by thatchers to bind their work.


Related Words

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