A Quick and Simple Dictionary

sway

1. Noun.  The act of swaying; a swaying motion; a swing or sweep of a weapon.
2. Noun.  A rocking or swinging motion.
3. Noun.  Influence, weight, or authority that inclines to one side; as, the sway of desires.
4. Noun.  Preponderance; turn or cast of balance.
5. Noun.  Rule; dominion; control.
6. Noun.  A switch or rod used by thatchers to bind their work.
7. Noun.  The maximum amplitude of a vehicle's lateral motion.
8. Noun.  The opposite of Rocking.
9. Verb.  To move or swing from side to side; or backward and forward; to rock.
10. Verb.  To move or wield with the hand; to swing; to wield; as, to sway the scepter.
11. Verb.  To influence or direct by power, authority, persuasion, or by moral force; to rule; to govern; to guide. Compare persuade.
12. Verb.  To cause to incline or swing to one side, or backward and forward; to bias; to turn; to bend; warp; as, reeds swayed by wind.
13. Verb.  (nautical) To hoist (a mast or yard) into position.
14. Verb.  To be drawn to one side by weight or influence; to lean; to incline.
15. Verb.  To have weight or influence.
16. Verb.  To bear sway; to rule; to govern.