Sentence:  During the two years that he [the Count] <WSD>cut a wide swath</WSD> in the city [Berlin] his name was constantly associated with that of some dancer, actress or other woman whose notoriety drew more attention than her talent. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To behave in an expansive, flagrantly showy, or pushy manner, especially in public venues; to exert sweeping influence.