I. ˈswiŋ verb
( swung ˈswəŋ ; swing·ing ˈswiŋ-iŋ)
Etymology: Middle English, to beat, fling, hurl, rush, from Old English swingan to beat, fling oneself, rush; akin to Old High German swingan to fling, rush
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to cause to move vigorously through a wide arc or circle
swing an ax
b. : to cause to sway to and fro
c.
(1) : to cause to turn on an axis
(2) : to cause to face or move in another direction
swing the car into a side road
2. : to suspend so as to permit swaying or turning
3. : to convey by suspension
cranes swing ing cargo into the ship's hold
4.
a.
(1) : to influence decisively
swing a lot of votes
(2) : to bring around by influence
b. : to handle successfully : manage
wasn't able to swing a new car on his income
swing a deal
5. : to play or sing (as a melody) in the style of swing music
intransitive verb
1. : to move freely to and fro especially in suspension from an overhead support
2.
a. : to die by hanging
b. : to hang freely from a support
3. : to move in or describe a circle or arc:
a. : to turn on a hinge or pivot
b. : to turn in place
c. : to convey oneself by grasping a fixed support
swing aboard the train
4.
a. : to have a steady pulsing rhythm
b. : to play or sing with a lively compelling rhythm ; specifically : to play swing music
5. : to shift or fluctuate from one condition, form, position, or object of attention or favor to another
swing constantly from optimism to pessimism and back — Sinclair Lewis
6.
a. : to move along rhythmically
b. : to start up in a smooth vigorous manner
ready to swing into action
7. : to hit or aim at something with a sweeping arm movement
8.
a. : to be lively, exciting, and up-to-date
b. : to engage freely in sex
Synonyms:
swing , wave , flourish , brandish , thrash mean to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down. swing implies regular or uniform movement
swing the rope back and forth
wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion
waving the flag
flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement
flourished the winning lottery ticket
brandish implies threatening or menacing motion
brandishing a knife
thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement
an infant thrashing his arms about
Synonyms:
swing , sway , oscillate , vibrate , fluctuate , waver , undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite. swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side
the door suddenly swung open
sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement
trees swaying in the breeze
oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction
an oscillating fan
vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact
the vibrating strings of a piano
fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value
fluctuating interest rates
waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering
the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing
undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion
an undulating sea of grass
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : an act or instance of swinging : swinging movement: as
a.
(1) : a stroke or blow delivered with a sweeping arm movement
a batter with a powerful swing
(2) : a sweeping or rhythmic movement of the body or a bodily part
(3) : a dance figure in which two dancers revolve with joined arms or hands
(4) : jazz dancing in moderate tempo with a lilting syncopation
b.
(1) : the regular movement of a freely suspended object (as a pendulum) along an arc and back
(2) : back and forth sweep
the swing of the tides
c.
(1) : steady pulsing rhythm (as in poetry or music)
(2) : a steady vigorous movement characterizing an activity or creative work
d.
(1) : a trend toward a high or low point in a fluctuating cycle (as of business activity)
(2) : an often periodic shift from one condition, form, position, or object of attention or favor to another
2.
a. : liberty of action
b.
(1) : the driving power of something swung or hurled
(2) : steady vigorous advance : driving speed
a train approaching at full swing
3. : the progression of an activity, process, or phase of existence
the work is in full swing
4. : the arc or range through which something swings
5. : something that swings freely from or on a support ; especially : a seat suspended by a rope or chains for swinging to and fro on for pleasure
6.
a. : a curving course or outline
b. : a course from and back to a point : a circular tour
7. : jazz that is played (as by a big band) with a steady beat and that uses the harmonic structures of popular songs and the blues as a basis for improvisations and arrangements
8. : a short pass in football thrown to a back running to the outside
III. adjective
Date: 1933
1. : of or relating to musical swing
a swing band
swing music
swing dancing
2. : that may swing often decisively either way on an issue or in an election
swing voters
a swing state