From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Sway \Sway\ (sw[=a]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swayed; p. pr. & vb.
n. Swaying.] [OE. sweyen, Icel. sveigja, akin to E. swing;
cf. D. zwaaijen to wield, swing. See Swing, and cf. Swag,
v. i.]
1. To move or wield with the hand; to swing; to wield; as, to
sway the scepter.
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As sparkles from the anvil rise,
When heavy hammers on the wedge are swayed.
--Spenser.
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2. To influence or direct by power and authority; by
persuasion, or by moral force; to rule; to govern; to
guide.
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The will of man is by his reason swayed. --Shak.
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She could not sway her house. --Shak.
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This was the race
To sway the world, and land and sea subdue.
--Dryden.
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3. 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; judgment swayed by passion.
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As bowls run true by being made
On purpose false, and to be swayed. --Hudibras.
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Let not temporal and little advantages sway you
against a more durable interest. --Tillotson.
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4. (Naut.) To hoist; as, to sway up the yards.
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Syn: To bias; rule; govern; direct; influence; swing; move;
wave; wield.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Sway \Sway\ (sw[=a]), v. i.
1. To be drawn to one side by weight or influence; to lean;
to incline.
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The balance sways on our part. --Bacon.
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2. To move or swing from side to side; or backward and
forward.
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3. To have weight or influence.
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The example of sundry churches . . . doth sway much.
--Hooker.
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4. To bear sway; to rule; to govern.
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Hadst thou swayed as kings should do. --Shak.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Sway \Sway\, n.
1. The act of swaying; a swaying motion; the swing or sweep
of a weapon.
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With huge two-handed sway brandished aloft.
--Milton.
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2. Influence, weight, or authority that inclines to one side;
as, the sway of desires. --A. Tucker.
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3. Preponderance; turn or cast of balance.
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Expert
When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway
Of battle. --Milton.
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4. Rule; dominion; control. --Cowper.
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When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway,
The post of honor is a private station. --Addison.
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5. A switch or rod used by thatchers to bind their work.
[Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
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Syn: Rule; dominion; power; empire; control; influence;
direction; preponderance; ascendency.
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