Main Entry:

²sway

Function:

verb

Etymology:

alteration of earlier swey to fall, swoon, from Middle English sweyen, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse sveigja to sway; akin to Lithuanian svaigti to become dizzy

Date:

circa 1500

intransitive verb1 a: to swing slowly and rhythmically back and forth from a base or pivot b: to move gently from an upright to a leaning position2: to hold sway : act as ruler or governor3: to fluctuate or veer between one point, position, or opinion and anothertransitive verb1 a: to cause to sway : set to swinging, rocking, or oscillating b: to cause to bend downward to one side c: to cause to turn aside : deflect, divert2archaic a: wield b: govern, rule3 a: to cause to vacillate b: to exert a guiding or controlling influence on4: to hoist in place <sway up a mast>

synonyms see swing, affect

— sway·er noun