1
- move or cause to move slowly or rhythmically backwards and forwards or from side to side摇摆; 摆动：
no obj. he swayed slightly on his feet他站在那里轻轻地来回晃动
as adj. swaying swaying palm trees摇摆的棕榈树
with obj. wind rattled and swayed the trees.风沙沙作响, 吹得树不停地摇晃。
1.1
- with obj. control or influence (a person or course of action)控制（或影响）（人或动作的过程）：
he's easily swayed by other people.
他很容易被别人左右。
1.2
- poetic/literary rule; govern〈诗/文〉统治; 管理：
now let the Lord forever reign and sway us as he will.
现在让上帝永远统治我们, 任意摆布我们吧。
mass noun
1
- a rhythmical movement from side to side有节奏的摇摆：
the easy sway of her hips.
她臀部的轻快摇摆。
2
- rule; control统治; 控制：
the part of the continent under Russia's sway.
在俄国统治之下的大陆部分。
短语
hold sway
- have great power or influence over a particular person, place, or domain（对人, 地方, 领域）有支配力量; 占统治地位。
词源
Middle English: corresponding in sense to Low German swājen 'be blown to and fro' and Dutch zwaaien 'swing, walk totteringly'.