wielded

Wielded is the past tense and past participle of the verb wield. In modern English, to wield something is to handle and use it, especially with skill or purpose. The sense extends from concrete tools and weapons to abstract resources such as power, influence, or authority.

The verb derives from Old English wealdan or weald, related to the noun weald meaning power or control. It is of Germanic origin and has cognates in other West Germanic languages. Over time, the sense broadened from physical handling to the exercise of control or command.

Wield is a transitive verb and takes a direct object. Common collocations include wield a sword, wield a hammer, wield power, and wield influence. The past tense form, wielded, appears frequently in narrative and historical writing: for example, “The knight wielded his sword fiercely.” Metaphorically, leaders or institutions can wield influence, authority, or economic power.

Forms and related terms include the present participle wielding and the third-person singular wields. The noun form “wield” is rare in ordinary use; the adjective wieldy historically describes something easy to handle, while unwieldy describes something difficult to manage.

Usage notes: Wielded commonly conveys active control and proficiency, applicable to both tangible objects and abstract capacities. It is distinct from yield, a different verb meaning to produce, surrender, or give way. See also wielding, brandish, power, and influence.