I tried if a pendulum would swing faster, or
continue swinging longer, in case of exsuction of
the air. --Boyle.
2. To sway or move from one side or direction to another; as,
the door swung open.
3. To use a swing; as, a boy swings for exercise or pleasure.
See {Swing}, n., 3.
4. (Naut.) To turn round by action of wind or tide when at
anchor; as, a ship swings with the tide.
5. To be hanged. [Colloq.] --D. Webster.
{To swing round the circle}, to make a complete circuit.
[Colloq.]
He had swung round the circle of theories and
systems in which his age abounded, without finding
relief. --A. V. G.
Allen.
He swings his tail, and swiftly turns his round.
--Dryden.
They get on ropes, as you must have seen the
children, and are swung by their men visitants.
--Spectator.
2. To give a circular movement to; to whirl; to brandish; as,
to swing a sword; to swing a club; hence, colloquially, to
manage; as, to swing a business.
2. Swaying motion from one side or direction to the other;
as, some men walk with a swing.
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.
4. Influence of power of a body put in swaying motion.
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.
5. Capacity of a turning lathe, as determined by the diameter
of the largest object that can be turned in it.
6. Free course; unrestrained liberty or license; tendency.
``Take thy swing.'' --Dryden.
To prevent anything which may prove an obstacle to
the full swing of his genius. --Burke.
{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.