wield

[ weeld ]
/ wild /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR wield ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to exercise (power, authority, influence, etc.), as in ruling or dominating.
to use (a weapon, instrument, etc.) effectively; handle or employ actively.
Archaic. to guide or direct.
Archaic. to govern; manage.

Origin of wield

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

OTHER WORDS FROM wield

wield·a·ble, adjective wield·er, noun un·wield·a·ble, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wield

weald wield

Words nearby wield

width, widthwise, widukind, wie geht's, wieland, wield, wieldy, wien, wiener, wiener neustadt, wiener schnitzel

Words related to wield

handle, exert, employ, maintain, swing, apply, operate, brandish, manipulate, possess, maneuver, manage, shake, work, utilize, ply, wave, command, have, conduct

Example sentences from the Web for wield

British Dictionary definitions for wield

wield
/ (wiːld) /

verb (tr)

to handle or use (a weapon, tool, etc)
to exert or maintain (power or authority)
obsolete to rule

Derived forms of wield

wieldable, adjective wielder, noun

Word Origin for wield

Old English wieldan, wealdan; related to Old Norse valda, Old Saxon waldan, German walten, Latin valēre to be strong