wield
Use Wield in a sentence
verb (used with object)
1.
to exercise (power, authority, influence, etc.), as in ruling or dominating.
2.
to use (a weapon, instrument, etc.) effectively; handle or employ actively.
3.
Archaic. to guide or direct.
4.
Archaic. to govern; manage.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English welden, Old English wieldan to control, derivative of wealdan to rule; cognate with German walten, Old Norse valda, Gothic waldan; akin to Latin valēre to be strong, prevail
before 900; Middle English welden, Old English wieldan to control, derivative of wealdan to rule; cognate with German walten, Old Norse valda, Gothic waldan; akin to Latin valēre to be strong, prevail
Related forms
wield·a·ble, adjective
wield·er, noun
un·wield·a·ble, adjective
Synonyms
1. exert, employ, utilize. 2. manipulate, control.
1. exert, employ, utilize. 2. manipulate, control.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To wield
00:10
Wield
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is kibitz. Does it mean:
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
| chat, to converse |
Collins
World English Dictionary
wield (wiːld) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to handle or use (a weapon, tool, etc) |
| 2. | to exert or maintain (power or authority) |
| 3. | obsolete to rule |
| [Old English wieldan, wealdan; related to Old Norse valda, Old Saxon waldan, German walten, Latin valēre to be strong] | |
| 'wieldable | |
| —adj | |
| 'wielder | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
wield
O.E. weldan (Mercian), wieldan, wealdan (W.Saxon) "to govern, possess, have control over" (class VII strong verb; past tense weold, pp. gewealden), merged with weak verb wyldan, both from P.Gmc. *wal-t- (cf. O.S., Goth. waldan, O.Fris. walda "to govern, rule," O.N. valda "to rule, wield, to cause,"
O.H.G. waltan, Ger. walten "to rule, govern"), probably from PIE *waldh- (cf. O.C.S. vlado "to rule," vlasti "power;" Lith. veldu "to rule, possess"), from base *wal- "to be strong, to rule" (see valiant).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Winfrey will be chairman and wield editorial control.
The trustee is still perceived to wield that control despite the trust relationship and may influence bank personnel.
It's a great way for far left environmentalists to wield power and exert a measure of control over business, though.
Despite their complexity, they wield the power of urgently felt material, and in each of their many rooms they seem intimate.
Related Searches
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
