sway

sway
sway1 [ sweı ] verb *
1. ) intransitive to move or swing gently from side to side:
The ladder swayed precariously.
Their bodies swayed to the music.
a ) transitive to make something move or swing from side to side:
She walked along, swaying her hips.
2. ) transitive often passive to influence or change someone's opinion:
Do not allow yourselves to be swayed by these arguments.
sway
sway 2 [ sweı ] noun singular
a slow swinging movement from side to side:
the sway of the ship's mast
hold sway FORMAL
1. ) to be the main influence on people's opinions or behavior:
Moral arguments no longer seem to hold sway.
2. ) to control an area:
Rebel forces still hold sway in the northern parts of the country.
under someone's sway FORMAL
under someone's control or rule

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

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Synonyms:

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  • Sway — (sw[=a]), 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Sway — Sway, n. 1. The act of swaying; a swaying motion; the swing or sweep of a weapon. [1913 Webster] With huge two handed sway brandished aloft. Milton. [1913 Webster] 2. Influence, weight, or authority that inclines to one side; as, the sway of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Sway — ist: ein Ort in England, siehe Sway (Hampshire) ein Unternehmen für Spezialeffekt in der Filmbranche, siehe Sway (Unternehmen) ein Konzept für eine schwimmende Windkraftanlage ein Künstlername, siehe Sister Sway eine Hardrockband aus Hannover,… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Sway — (sw[=a]), v. i. 1. To be drawn to one side by weight or influence; to lean; to incline. [1913 Webster] The balance sways on our part. Bacon. [1913 Webster] 2. To move or swing from side to side; or backward and forward. [1913 Webster] 3. To have… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Sway — Sway  англоязычная версия песни «¿Quién será?», мамбо 1953 года мексиканского композитора и руководителя оркестра Пабло Бельтрана Руиса. В 1954 году английский текст написал Норман Джимбел[1], и песню записал Дин Мартин (его запись …   Википедия

  • sway — sway; sway·er; sway·ing·ly; sway·less; …   English syllables

  • sway — [n] strong influence amplitude, authority, clout, command, control, dominion, empire, expanse, government, jurisdiction, mastery, might, power, predominance, range, reach, regime, reign, rule, run, scope, sovereignty, spread, stretch, sweep;… …   New thesaurus

  • sway — [swā] vi. [ME sweyen < ON sveigja, to turn, bend: for IE base see SWATHE1] 1. a) to swing or move from side to side or to and fro b) to vacillate or alternate between one position, opinion, etc. and another c) to lean or incline to one side;… …   English World dictionary

  • sway — ► VERB 1) move slowly and rhythmically backwards and forwards or from side to side. 2) cause (someone) to change their opinion; influence. 3) literary rule; govern. ► NOUN 1) a swaying movement. 2) influence; rule. ● …   English terms dictionary

  • sway — c.1300, to go, glide, move, probably from O.N. sveigja to bend, swing, give way, from P.Gmc. *swaigijanan and related to SWAG (Cf. swag) (v.) and SWING (Cf. swing). The sense of swing, wave, waver is first recorded c.1500. Related: Swayed;… …   Etymology dictionary

  • sway — vb 1 *swing, oscillate, fluctuate, pendulate, vibrate, waver, undulate Analogous words: *shake, rock, agitate, convulse 2 influence, impress, strike, touch, *affect Analogous words: control, direct, manage, *conduct: rule, * …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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