[wield] vt [ME welden to control, fr. OE wieldan; akin to OHG waltan to rule, L valere to be strong, be worth] (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly dial: to deal successfully with: manage
2: to handle (as a tool) esp. effectively "~ a broom" 3 a: to exert one's authority by means of "~ influence" b: have at one's command or disposal "did not ~ appropriate credentials --G. W. Bonham" -- wield.er n