Webster's English Dictionary

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sway

Cross references:
  1. affect                 2. swing                  3. power                 
  
1. sway \'swa-\ vb [alter. of earlier swey to fall, swoon, fr. ME sweyen, 
   prob. of Sca]nd origin; akin to ON sveigja to sway; akin to OE swathian to 
   swathe 1a: to swing slowly and rhythmically back and forth from a base or 
   pivot  1b: to move gently from an upright to a leaning position  2: to hold 
   sway : act as ruler or governor  3: to fluctuate or veer between one point, 
   position, or opinion and anothe r 1a: to cause to sway : set to swinging, 
   rocking, or oscillating  1b: to cause to bend downward to one side  1c: to 
   cause to turn aside : DEFLECT, DIVERT  archaic  2a: WIELD  2b: GOVERN, RULE 
    3a: to cause to vacillate  3b: to exert a guiding or controlling influence 
   upon  4: to hoist in place {~ up a mast}  - sway.er n
2. sway n 1: the action or an instance of swaying or of being swayed : an 
   oscillati ng, fluctuating, or sweeping motion 2: an inclination or 
   deflection caused by or as if by swaying  3a: a preponderating force or 
   pressure : a controlling influence  3b: sovereign power : DOMINION  3c: the 
   ability to exercise influence or authority : DOMINANCE