Main Entry:

wield

Pronunciation:

\ˈwēld\

Function:

transitive verb

Etymology:

Middle English welden to control, from Old English wieldan; akin to Old High German waltan to rule, Latin valēre to be strong, be worth

Date:

before 12th century

1chiefly dialect : to deal successfully with : manage2: to handle (as a tool) especially effectively <wield a broom>3 a: to exert one's authority by means of <wield influence> b: have at one's command or disposal <did not wield appropriate credentials — G. W. Bonham>

— wield·er noun