Word a Day
wield
What does wield mean?
wield (verb): to handle with skill and ease, especially a weapon or tool.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you pronounce wield?
/wild/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does wield come from?
From Middle English welden, from the merger of Old English wealdan (“to control, rule”) (strong class 7) and Old English wieldan (“to control, subdue”) (weak).
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Test yourself: do you know “wield”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “wield” mean?
to face or deal with, attempting to overcome or fight down
Not quite: that's what tackle means.
to handle with skill and ease, especially a weapon or tool
Right! That's what “wield” means.
expel or eject (saliva or phlegm or sputum) from the mouth
Not quite: that's what spit means.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
Not quite: that's what acquire means.
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