GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 3 definitions
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Sway (swā), 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”.
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As sparkles from the anvil rise,
When heavy hammers on the wedge are swayed. Spenser.
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2. To influence or direct by power and authority; by persuasion, or by moral force; to rule; to govern; to guide.
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The will of man is by his reason swayed. Shak.
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She could not sway her house. Shak.
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This was the race
To sway the world, and land and sea subdue. Dryden.
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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”.
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As bowls run true by being made
On purpose false, and to be swayed. Hudibras.
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Let not temporal and little advantages sway you against a more durable interest. Tillotson.
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4. (Naut.) To hoist; as, “to sway up the yards”.
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Syn. -- To bias; rule; govern; direct; influence; swing; move; wave; wield.
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Sway (swā), v. i.
1. To be drawn to one side by weight or influence; to lean; to incline.
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The balance sways on our part. Bacon.
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2. To move or swing from side to side; or backward and forward.
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3. To have weight or influence.
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The example of sundry churches . . . doth sway much. Hooker.
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4. To bear sway; to rule; to govern.
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Hadst thou swayed as kings should do. Shak.
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Sway, n.
1. The act of swaying; a swaying motion; the swing or sweep of a weapon.
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With huge two-handed sway brandished aloft. Milton.
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2. Influence, weight, or authority that inclines to one side; as, “the sway of desires”. A. Tucker.
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3. Preponderance; turn or cast of balance.
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Expert
When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway
Of battle. Milton.
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4. Rule; dominion; control. Cowper.
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When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway,
The post of honor is a private station. Addison.
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5. A switch or rod used by thatchers to bind their work. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
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Syn. -- Rule; dominion; power; empire; control; influence; direction; preponderance; ascendency.
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