/wiːld/
OriginFrom Middle English welden, from the merger of Old English wealdan (“to control, rule”) (strong class 7) and Old English wieldan (“to control, subdue”) (weak). Both verbs derive from Proto-West Germanic *waldan and *waldijan, respectively; and are ultimately from Proto-Germanic *waldaną (“to rule”).
The reason for the merger was that in Middle English the -d in the stem made it hard to distinguish between strong and weak forms in the past tense.
- To handle with skill and ease, especially a weapon or tool.
- To exercise (authority or influence) effectively.
“The question isn't whether AI will reshape human society—it's whether its engineers will wield that power thoughtfully.”
- obsoleteTo command, rule over; to possess or own.
“There was never kyng sauff myselff that welded evir such knyghtes.”
- obsoleteTo control, to guide or manage.
“With such his chearefull speaches he doth wield / Her mind so well, that to his will she bends[…].”
- obsoleteTo carry out, to bring about.
“All is weill done, God wate, weild he hys will.”
- countable, uncountableRule, command; power, control, wielding.
“What boots it if I beat the heathen home,
And fold the mountains in my wield, and fire […]”
“[…] telling him of the treasures concealed in the cave, of the mysterious ring and tarnhelmet, possessing which he can hold the wield of the world.”
“All wealth in my wield is, I know by my wit […]”
- abbreviation, acronym, alt-ofAcronym of Western Institute for Endangered Language Documentation.
Formswields(present, singular, third-person) · wielding(participle, present) · wielded(participle, past) · wielded(past) · wields(plural) · welde(alternative, obsolete) · weild(alternative, obsolete) · weelde(alternative, obsolete)
Source: Wiktionary