wield / wēld/ • v. [tr.] hold and use (a weapon or tool): a masked raider wielding a handgun. ∎  have and be able to use (power or influence): faction leaders wielded enormous influence within the party.DERIVATIVES: wield·er n.

wield †rule, direct, command; handle with skill or effect. ME. wēlde(n), repr. (1) OE. str. vb. wealdan = OS. waldan, OHG. waltan (G. walten), ON. valda, Goth. waldan, and (2) OE. wk. vb. wieldan, f. mutated form of Gmc. *walð-, cogn. with Balto-Sl. forms denoting rule and power, and prob. ult. with *wal- of L. valēre be strong.
Hence wieldy (-Y1) †capable of easy movement XIV; (now chiefly as back-formation from UNWIELDY) manageable, handy XVI.