GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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    Wield , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wielded; p. pr. & vb. n. Wielding.] [OE. welden to govern, to have power over, to possess, AS. geweldan, gewyldan, from wealdan; akin to OS. waldan, OFries. walda, G. walten, OHG. waltan, Icel. valda, Sw. vĂ¥lla to occasion, to cause, Dan. volde, Goth. waldan to govern, rule, L. valere to be strong. Cf. Herald, Valiant.]
    1913 Webster
    1. To govern; to rule; to keep, or have in charge; also, to possess. [Obs.]
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      When a strong armed man keepeth his house, all things that he wieldeth ben in peace.
      Wyclif (Luke xi. 21).

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      Wile [ne will] ye wield gold neither silver ne money in your girdles.
      Wyclif (Matt. x. 9.)

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    2. To direct or regulate by influence or authority; to manage; to control; to sway.
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      The famous orators . . . whose resistless eloquence
      Wielded at will that fierce democraty.
      Milton.

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      Her newborn power was wielded from the first by unprincipled and ambitions men.
      De Quincey.

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    3. To use with full command or power, as a thing not too heavy for the holder; to manage; to handle; hence, to use or employ; as, to wield a sword; to wield the scepter.
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      Base Hungarian wight! wilt thou the spigot wield!
      Shak.

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      Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed.
      Milton.

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      Nothing but the influence of a civilized power could induce a savage to wield a spade.
      S. S. Smith.

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      To wield the scepter, to govern with supreme command.

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