swingletree.html - n. & v.
--n.

1 a wooden instrument for beating flax and removing the woody parts from it.
2 the swinging part of a flail.

--v.

tr. clean (flax) with a swingle. [ME f. MDu. swinghel (as SWING, -LE(1))]

swingletree.html - n.
a crossbar pivoted in the middle, to which the traces are attached in a cart, plough, etc.

swingletree.html - See: IN FULL SWING.

swingletree.html - {v. phr.} To use your personal power to get something done * /The President swings his weight to get laws passed./ * /Mr. Thomas swung his weight to get his son a job with the company./

swingletree.html - v. & n.
--v.

(past and past part. swung)
1 intr. & tr. move or cause to move with a to-and-fro or curving motion, as of an object attached at one end and hanging free at the other.
2 intr. & tr. a sway. b hang so as to be free to sway. c oscillate or cause to oscillate.
3 intr. & tr. revolve or cause to revolve.
4 intr. move by gripping something and leaping etc. (swung from tree to tree).
5 intr. go with a swinging gait (swung out of the room).
6 intr. (foll. by round) move round to the opposite direction.
7 intr. change from one opinion or mood to another.
8 intr. (foll. by at) attempt to hit or punch.
9 a intr. (also swing it) play music with a swing rhythm. b tr. play (a tune) with swing.
10 intr. colloq. a be lively or up to date; enjoy oneself. b be promiscuous.
11 intr. colloq. (of a party etc.) be lively, successful, etc.
12 tr. have a decisive influence on (esp. voting etc.).
13 tr. colloq. deal with or achieve; manage.
14 intr. colloq. be executed by hanging.
15 Cricket a intr. (of the ball) deviate from a straight course in the air. b tr. cause (the ball) to do this.

--n.

1 the act or an instance of swinging.
2 the motion of swinging.
3 the extent of swinging.
4 a swinging or smooth gait or rhythm or action.
5 a a seat slung by ropes or chains etc. for swinging on or in. b a spell of swinging on this.
6 an easy but vigorous continued action.
7 a jazz or dance music with an easy flowing rhythm. b the rhythmic feeling or drive of this music.
8 a discernible change in opinion, esp. the amount by which votes or points scored etc. change from one side to another.

swing-boat a boat-shaped swing at fairs. swing-bridge a bridge that can be swung to one side to allow the passage of ships. swing-door a door able to open in either direction and close itself when released. swing the lead Brit. colloq. malinger; shirk one's duty. swings and roundabouts a situation affording no eventual gain or loss (from the phr. lose on the swings what you make on the roundabouts). swing shift US a work shift from afternoon to late evening. swing-wing an aircraft wing that can move from a right-angled to a swept-back position. swung dash a dash (°) with alternate curves.

swinger n. (esp. in sense 10 of v.). [OE swingan to beat f. Gmc]

swingletree.html - v.tr.
(swingeing) archaic strike hard; beat. [alt. f. ME swenge f. OE swengan shake, shatter, f. Gmc]