from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Swing \Swing\, n.
1. The act of swinging; a waving, oscillating, or vibratory
motion of a hanging or pivoted object; oscillation; as,
the swing of a pendulum.
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2. Swaying motion from one side or direction to the other;
as, some men walk with a swing.
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3. A line, cord, or other thing suspended and hanging loose,
upon which anything may swing; especially, an apparatus
for recreation by swinging, commonly consisting of a rope,
the two ends of which are attached overhead, as to the
bough of a tree, a seat being placed in the loop at the
bottom; also, any contrivance by which a similar motion is
produced for amusement or exercise.
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4. Influence of power of a body put in swaying motion.
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The ram that batters down the wall,
For the great swing and rudeness of his poise,
They place before his hand that made the engine.
--Shak.
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5. Capacity of a turning lathe, as determined by the diameter
of the largest object that can be turned in it.
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6. Free course; unrestrained liberty or license; tendency.
"Take thy swing." --Dryden.
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To prevent anything which may prove an obstacle to
the full swing of his genius. --Burke.
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{Full swing}. See under {Full}.
{Swing beam} (Railway Mach.), a crosspiece sustaining the car
body, and so suspended from the framing of a truck that it
may have an independent lateral motion.
{Swing bridge}, a form of drawbridge which swings
horizontally, as on a vertical pivot.
{Swing plow}, or {Swing plough}.
(a) A plow without a fore wheel under the beam.
(b) A reversible or sidehill plow.
{Swing wheel}.
(a) The scape-wheel in a clock, which drives the pendulum.
(b) The balance of a watch.
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