2. To direct or regulate by influence or authority; to manage; to
control; to sway.
The famous orators . . . whose resistless eloquence Wielded at will
that fierce democraty.
Milton.
Her newborn power was wielded from the first by unprincipled and
ambitions men.
De Quincey.
3. To use with full command or power, as a thing not too heavy for the
holder; to manage; to handle; hence, to use or employ; as, to wield a
sword; to wield the scepter.
Base Hungarian wight! wilt thou the spigot wield!
Shak.
Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed.
Milton.
Nothing but the influence of a civilized power could induce a savage to
wield a spade.
S. S. Smith.
To wield the scepter, to govern with supreme command.
Wield"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being wielded.
Wield"ance (?), n. The act or power of wielding. [Obs.] "Our weak
wieldance." Bp. Hall.
Wield"er (?), n. One who wields or employs; a manager; a controller.
A wielder of the great arm of the war.
Milton.