English

Verb

oversway ‎(third-person singular simple present oversways, present participle overswaying, simple past and past participle overswayed)

1. (obsolete) To hold sway over; to have power or dominion over, to rule, govern. [16th-19th c.]
   • 1624, John Smith, Generall Historie, in Kupperman 1988, p. 86-7:

     the Presidents authoritie so overswayed the discretion of Master Scrivener, that our store, our time, our strength and labours were idely consumed to fulfill his phantasies.

2. To overrule. [from 16th c.]
3. To cause (someone, someone's thoughts or intentions etc.) to go in a particular direction; to influence. [from 16th c.]
4. To overpower, overwhelm. [from 17th c.]