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To move or wield with the hand; to swing; to wield; as, to sway the scepter. As sparkles from the anvil rise, When heavy hammers on the wedge are swayed. Spenser.

A bar attached to the hounds, in the rear of the front axle, so as to slide on the reach as the axle is swung in turning the vehicle.

Having the back hollow or sagged, whether naturally or as the result of injury or weakness; -- said of horses and other animals.

The horizontal bracing of a bridge, which prevents its swaying.

Bent down, and hollow in the back; sway-backed; -- said of a horse. Shak.

Able to sway. [R.] Rush.

An injury caused by violent strains or by overloading; -- said of the backs of horses. Crabb.

Placed in such a position as to exhibit the top and two sides, the corner being in front; -- said of a rectangular form. Encyc. Brit. Cussans.

A swaying in a contrary direction; an opposing influence. [Obs.] A countersway of restraint, curbing their wild exorbitance. Milton.

See Crossroad.

A wrong way. [Obs.] Chaucer.

To bear sway over.

Not capable of being swayed. Shak.

To sway or swing aloft; as, to upsway a club. [R.] Sir W. Scott.

Bent of mind; a feeling or natural impulse or natural impulse acting upon and swaying the mind; any emotion; as, the benevolent affections, esteem, gratitude, etc. ; the malevolent affections, hatred, envy, etc.; inclination; disposition; propensity; tendency. Affection is applicable to an unpleasant as well as a pleas…

Hoisted up and ready to be swayed across; -- said of yards.

One who rules with undisputed sway in any company or relation; a despot. The autocrat of the breakfast table. Holmes.

ion urges them. They collide, they recoil, they oscillate. Tyndall. No longer rocking and swaying, but clashing and colliding. Carlyle.

To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders. And reigned, commanding in his monarchy. Shak. For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman]. Esth. iii. 2.

The power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny. "The despotism of vice." Byron.