sway
(swā)
[Middle English sweien, probably of Scandinavian origin.]
verb: swayed, sway·ing, sways.
intransitive verb
- To swing back and forth or to and fro. See synonyms at swing
- To incline or bend to one side; veer: She swayed and put out a hand to steady herself.
- To incline toward change, as in opinion or feeling.
- To fluctuate, as in outlook.
transitive verb
- To cause to swing back and forth or to and fro.
- To cause to incline or bend to one side.
- Nautical To hoist (a mast or yard) into position.
- To divert; deflect.
- To exert influence on or control over: His speech swayed the voters.
- Archaic
- To rule or govern.
- To wield, as a weapon or scepter.
noun
- The act of moving from side to side with a swinging motion.
- Power; influence.
- Dominion or control.
derivatives
- swaýer
- noun
- swaýing·ly
- adverb
