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.
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.”
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.
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