See Also: swing(2)(dictionary)
Swing(dictionary)
Take a swing(finance)
swing(encyclopedia)
swing(1)(dictionary)
Take a swing(money)
swing(medicine)
swing set(dictionary)
Swing Trading(money)
Swing trading(finance)

swing(1) (iou)



swing noun1. OE.

I. Abstract senses.
A stroke with a weapon. OE-LME.
Impulse; inclination. M16-E18.
Steady or vigorous pace or progress of an event, action, period of time, etc. L16.
E. Langley Picking would be in full swing in a week's time. J. Harvey He resumed his work; but disjointedly..with no sort of swing. B. Pym She found the firework party in full swing.
b. A swift tour involving a number of stops; spec. a political campaign tour. N. Amer. M19.
c. A break during a period of work; a shift system incorporating such breaks. US slang. E20.
Freedom of action, free scope. L16.
S. E. White A kindly girl, whose parents gave her free swing.
A forceful movement of propulsion or momentum (as) of an object swung or flung. arch. L16.
Dryden And rising as he threw, With its full swing the fatal Weapon flew.
A movement to and fro, (as) of an object from above, or an object turning on a fixed centre or axis; the curve traced in this way, the amount or extent of this. L16.
S. Johnson One was detected by his gait, and another by the swing of his arms. Practical Woodworking Check the snugness of fit and the swing of the door.
b. A discernible movement in general opinion away from one position towards another, spec. a change in the relative distribution of popular support for political parties. L19.
mood swing: see MOOD noun1.
City Limits The most interesting thing..in fashion recently has been the swing away from utility. Private Investor Trade..has shown a pronounced swing..in the direction of Europe.
c. Cricket. A curving deviation of a ball from a straight line of flight on delivery. E20.
d. Electricity. An increase or decrease in the magnitude of a current or voltage; the difference between its greatest and smallest values. E20.
e. Bridge. The difference between the total scores of two teams of two pairs playing the same deal at two tables. M20.
The action or an act of brandishing or waving about a weapon or other body; a movement describing a curve; colloq. a blow or punch delivered with such a movement. M17.
Golf Monthly Unless the basics are right in the swing, there isn't much chance that you'll hit the ball. Daily Telegraph Hand injuries caused to people taking swings at opponents in brawls.
a. A steady flowing rhythm characterizing a piece of verse. E19.
b. Jazz or dance music with an easy flowing rhythm, esp. that played by big bands in the 1930s and 1940s; the rhythmic feeling or drive of this music. L19.
II.
A seat suspended from above on ropes or rods, on or in which a person may sit and swing to and fro. L17.
The rope or chain attached to the tongue of a wagon, along which the draught animals between the leaders and the wheelers are attached. M19.
The group of outriders who keep a moving herd of cattle in order. US. E20.
Phrases: go with a swing (of a party or other event) be lively or successful. in full swing at the height of activity. swings and roundabouts [from phr. you lose on the swings what you make on the roundabouts] a state of affairs in which different actions result in no eventual gain or loss.
Comb.: swingometer colloq. [from SWING noun1 after barometer etc.] a device consisting of a dial with a movable pointer, used to demonstrate the effect of a political swing on an election; swing man (a) an outrider in a swing; (b) a jazz musician who plays swing music; (c) US slang a versatile sports player who can play effectively in different positions; (d) slang a drug pedlar; swing set a frame for children to play on, including one or more swings.