Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for SWING
SWING, n.
- A waving or vibratory motion; oscillation; the swing of a pendulum.
- Motion from one side to the other. A haughty man strut or walks with a swing.
- A line, cord or other thing suspended and hanging loose; also, an apparatus suspended for persons to swing in.
- Influence or power of a body put in motion. The ram that batters down the wall, / For the great swing and rudeness of his poise. – Shak.
- Free course; unrestrained liberty or license. Take thy string. – Dryden. To prevent any thing which may prove an obstacle to the full siring of his genius. – Burke.
- The sweep or compass of a moving body.
- Unrestrained tendency; as, the prevailing swing of corrupt nature; the string of propensities. – South. Glanville.
Return to page 353 of the letter “S”.