SWAY (3)

Sway, n. 1. 1. The act of swaying; a swaying motion; the swing or sweep of a weapon.
With huge two-handed sway brandished aloft. Milton. 2. 2. Influence, weight, or authority that inclines to one side; as, the sway of desires. A. Tucker.
3. 3. Preponderance; turn or cast of balance.
Expert When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway Of battle. Milton. 4. 4. Rule; dominion; control. Cowper.
When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway, The post of honor is a private station. Addison. 5. 5. A switch or rod used by thatchers to bind their work. Halliwell.
Syn. — Rule; dominion; power; empire; control; influence; direction; preponderance; ascendency.