To move slowly or rhythmically backward and forward or from side to side; to influence or control someone's opinion or decision.
From Middle English sweyen, from Old Norse sveigja meaning 'to bend or swing'. The sense of 'influence' developed from the physical motion metaphor in the 16th century.
The word 'sway' beautifully captures how physical and mental influence share the same linguistic root - just as a tree sways in the wind, our opinions can be swayed by persuasive arguments. Politicians literally try to make voters 'swing' their way!
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