intransitive verb

1. 1. to swing or move from side to side or to and fro
   2. to vacillate or alternate between one position, opinion, etc. and another
2. 1. to lean or incline to one side; veer
   2. Obsolete to incline or tend in judgment or opinion
3. Old Poet. to rule; reign; hold sway

Etymology: ME sweyen < ON sveigja, to turn, bend: for IE base see swathe

transitive verb

1. 1. to cause to swing or move from side to side
   2. to cause to vacillate
2. 1. to cause to lean or incline to one side
   2. to cause (a person, an opinion, actions, etc.) to be inclined a certain way or be turned from a given course; influence or divert swayed by promises
3. Archaic
   1. to wield (a scepter, etc.)
   2. to rule over or control; dominate
4. Naut. to hoist (a mast, etc.) into place: usually with up

noun

1. a swaying or being swayed; movement to the side; a swinging, leaning, fluctuation, etc.
2. influence, force, or control moved by the sway of passion
3. sovereign power or authority; rule; dominion