v. & n.
v. (past and past part. swung) 1 intr. & tr. move or cause to move with a to-and-fro or curving motion, as of an object attached at one end and hanging free at the other. 2 intr. & tr. a sway. b hang so as to be free to sway. c oscillate or cause to oscillate. 3 intr. & tr. revolve or cause to revolve. 4 intr. move by gripping something and leaping etc. (swung from tree to tree). 5 intr. go with a swinging gait (swung out of the room). 6 intr. (foll. by round) move round to the opposite direction. 7 intr. change from one opinion or mood to another. 8 intr. (foll. by at) attempt to hit or punch. 9 a intr. (also swing it) play music with a swing rhythm. b tr. play (a tune) with swing. 10 intr. colloq. a be lively or up to date; enjoy oneself. b be promiscuous. 11 intr. colloq. (of a party etc.) be lively, successful, etc. 12 tr. have a decisive influence on (esp. voting etc.). 13 tr. colloq. deal with or achieve; manage. 14 intr. colloq. be executed by hanging. 15 Cricket a intr. (of the ball) deviate from a straight course in the air. b tr. cause (the ball) to do this.
n. 1 the act or an instance of swinging. 2 the motion of swinging. 3 the extent of swinging. 4 a swinging or smooth gait or rhythm or action. 5 a a seat slung by ropes or chains etc. for swinging on or in. b a spell of swinging on this. 6 an easy but vigorous continued action. 7 a jazz or dance music with an easy flowing rhythm. b the rhythmic feeling or drive of this music. 8 a discernible change in opinion, esp. the amount by which votes or points scored etc. change from one side to another. swing-boat a boat-shaped swing at fairs. swing-bridge a bridge that can be swung to one side to allow the passage of ships. swing-door a door able to open in either direction and close itself when released. swing the lead Brit. colloq. malinger; shirk one's duty. swings and roundabouts a situation affording no eventual gain or loss (from the phr. lose on the swings what you make on the roundabouts). swing shift US a work shift from afternoon to late evening. swing-wing an aircraft wing that can move from a right-angled to a swept-back position. swung dash a dash (°) with alternate curves. swinger n. (esp. in sense 10 of v.).
[ OE swingan to beat f. Gmc ]