WASTORWast"or, n.
Defn: A waster; a thief. [Obs. or R.] [Written also wastour.]Chaucer. Southey.
WASTORELWast"o*rel, n.
Defn: See Wastrel. [Obs.]
WASTRELWast"rel, n.
1. Any waste thing or substance; as: (a) Waste land or common land. [Obs.] Carew. (b) A profligate. [Prov. Eng.] (c) A neglected child; a street Arab. [Eng.]
2. Anything cast away as bad or useless, as imperfect bricks, china, etc. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
WATCHWatch, n. Etym: [OE. wacche, AS. wæcce, fr. wacian to wake; akin toD. wacht, waak, G. wacht, wache. Wake, v. i. ]
1. The act of watching; forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful, vigilant, or constantly observant attention; close observation; guard; preservative or preventive vigilance; formerly, a watching or guarding by night. Shepherds keeping watch by night. Milton. All the long night their mournful watch they keep. Addison.
Note: Watch was formerly distinguished from ward, the former signifying a watching or guarding by night, and the latter a watching, guarding, or protecting by day Hence, they were not unfrequently used together, especially in the phrase to keep watch and ward, to denote continuous and uninterrupted vigilance or protection, or both watching and guarding. This distinction is now rarely recognized, watch being used to signify a watching or guarding both by night and by day, and ward, which is now rarely used, having simply the meaning of guard, or protection, without reference to time. Still, when she slept, he kept both watch and ward. Spenser. Ward, guard, or custodia, is chiefly applied to the daytime, in order to apprehend rioters, and robbers on the highway . . . Watch, is properly applicable to the night only, . . . and it begins when ward ends, and ends when that begins. Blackstone.
2. One who watches, or those who watch; a watchman, or a body of watchmen; a sentry; a guard. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch; go your way, make it as sure as ye can. Matt. xxvii. 65.
3. The post or office of a watchman; also, the place where a watchman is posted, or where a guard is kept. He upbraids Iago, that he made him Brave me upon the watch. Shak.
4. The period of the night during which a person does duty as a sentinel, or guard; the time from the placing of a sentinel till his relief; hence, a division of the night. I did stand my watch upon the hill. Shak. Might we but hear . . . Or whistle from the lodge, or village cock Count the night watches to his feathery dames. Milton.
5. A small timepiece, or chronometer, to be carried about the person, the machinery of which is moved by a spring.
Note: Watches are often distinguished by the kind of escapement used, as an anchor watch, a lever watch, a chronometer watch, etc. (see the Note under Escapement, n., 3); also, by the kind of case, as a gold or silver watch, an open-faced watch, a hunting watch, or hunter, etc.
6. (Naut.) (a) An allotted portion of time, usually four hour for standing watch, or being on deck ready for duty. Cf. Dogwatch. (b) That part, usually one half, of the officers and crew, who together attend to the working of a vessel for an allotted time, usually four hours. The watches are designated as the port watch, and the starboard watch. Anchor watch (Naut.), a detail of one or more men who keep watch on deck when a vessel is at anchor. — To be on the watch, to be looking steadily for some event. — Watch and ward (Law), the charge or care of certain officers to keep a watch by night and a guard by day in towns, cities, and other districts, for the preservation of the public peace. Wharton. Burrill. — Watch and watch (Naut.), the regular alternation in being on watch and off watch of the two watches into which a ship's crew is commonly divided. — Watch barrel, the brass box in a watch, containing the mainspring. — Watch bell (Naut.), a bell struck when the half-hour glass is run out, or at the end of each half hour. Craig. — Watch bill (Naut.), a list of the officers and crew of a ship as divided into watches, with their stations. Totten. — Watch case, the case, or outside covering, of a watch; also, a case for holding a watch, or in which it is kept. — Watch chain. Same as watch guard, below. — Watch clock, a watchman's clock; see under Watchman. — Watch fire, a fire lighted at night, as a signal, or for the use of a watch or guard. — Watch glass. (a) A concavo-convex glass for covering the face, or dial, of a watch; — also called watch crystal. (b) (Naut.) A half- hour glass used to measure the time of a watch on deck.(Chem.) A round concavo-convex glass of shallow depth used for certain manipulations of chemicals in a laboratory. — Watch guard, a chain or cord by which a watch is attached to the person. — Watch gun (Naut.), a gun sometimes fired on shipboard at 8 p. m., when the night watch begins. — Watch light, a low-burning lamp used by watchers at night; formerly, a candle having a rush wick. — Watch night, The last night of the year; — so called by the Methodists, Moravians, and others, who observe it by holding religious meetings lasting until after midnight. — Watch paper, an old-fashioned ornament for the inside of a watch case, made of paper cut in some fanciful design, as a vase with flowers, etc. — Watch tackle (Naut.), a small, handy purchase, consisting of a tailed double block, and a single block with a hook.
WATCH Watch, v. i. Etym: [Cf. AS. woeccan, wacian. sq. root134. See Watch, n., Wake, v. i. ]
1. To be awake; to be or continue without sleep; to wake; to keepvigil.I have two nights watched with you. Shak.Couldest thou not watch one hour Mark xiv. 37.
2. To be attentive or vigilant; to give heed; to be on the lookout; to keep guard; to act as sentinel. Take ye heed, watch and pray. Mark xiii. 33. The Son gave signal high To the bright minister that watched. Milton.
3. To be expectant; to look with expectation; to wait; to seek opportunity. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning. Ps. cxxx. 6.
4. To remain awake with any one as nurse or attendant; to attend on the sick during the night; as, to watch with a man in a fever.
5. (Naut.)
Defn: To serve the purpose of a watchman by floating properly in its place; — said of a buoy. To watch over, to be cautiously observant of; to inspect, superintend, and guard.
WATCHWatch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Watched; p. pr. & vb. n. Watching.]
1. To give heed to; to observe the actions or motions of, for any purpose; to keep in view; not to lose from sight and observation; as, to watch the progress of a bill in the legislature. Saul also sent messengers unto David's house to watch him, and to slay him. 1 Sam. xix. 11 I must cool a little, and watch my opportunity. Landor. In lazy mood I watched the little circles die. Longfellow.
2. To tend; to guard; to have in keeping. And flaming ministers, to watch and tend Their earthy charge. Milton. Paris watched the flocks in the groves of Ida. Broome.
WATCHDOGWatch"dog`, n.
Defn: A dog kept to watch and guard premises or property, and to give notice of the approach of intruders.
WATCHERWatch"er, n.
Defn: One who watches; one who sits up or continues; a diligent observer; specifically, one who attends upon the sick during the night.
WATCHESWatch"es, n. pl. (Bot.)
Defn: The leaves of Sarace. See Trumpets.
WATCHET Watchet, a. Etym: [Probably from F. vaciet bilberry, whortleberry; cf. L. vaccinium blueberry, whortleberry.]
Defn: Pale or light blue. [Obs.] "Watchet mantles." Spenser.Who stares in Germany at watchet eyes Dryden.
WATCHFULWatch"ful, a.
Defn: Full of watch; vigilant; attentive; careful to observe closely; observant; cautious; — with of before the thing to be regulated or guarded; as, to be watchful of one's behavior; and with against before the thing to be avoided; as, to be watchful against the growth of vicious habits. "Many a watchful night." Shak. "Happy watchful shepherds." Milton. 'Twixt prayer and watchful love his heart dividing. Keble.
Syn.— Vigilant; attentive; cautious; observant; circumspect; wakeful;heedful.— Watch"ful*ly, adv.— Watch"ful*ness, n.
WATCHHOUSEWatch"house`, n.; pl. Watchhouses (.
1. A house in which a watch or guard is placed.
2. A place where persons under temporary arrest by the police of a city are kept; a police station; a lockup.
WATCHMAKERWatch"mak`er, n.
Defn: One whose occupation is to make and repair watches.
WATCHMANWatch"man, n.; pl. Watchmen (.
1. One set to watch; a person who keeps guard; a guard; a sentinel.
2. Specifically, one who guards a building, or the streets of a city, by night. Watchman beetle (Zoöl.), the European dor. — Watchman's clock, a watchman's detector in which the apparatus for recording the times of visiting several stations is contained within a single clock. — Watchman's detector, or Watchman's time detector, an apparatus for recording the time when a watchman visits a station on his rounds. — Watchman's rattle, an instrument having at the end of a handle a revolving arm, which, by the action of a strong spring upon cogs, produces, when in motion, a loud, harsh, rattling sound.
WATCH MEETINGWatch meeting.
Defn: A religious meeting held in the closing hours of the year.
WATCHTOWERWatch"tow`er, n.
Defn: A tower in which a sentinel is placed to watch for enemies, the approach of danger, or the like.
WATCHWORDWatch"word`, n.
1. A word given to sentinels, and to such as have occasion to visit the guards, used as a signal by which a friend is known from an enemy, or a person who has a right to pass the watch from one who has not; a countersign; a password.
2. A sentiment or motto; esp., one used as a rallying cry or a signal for action. Nor deal in watchwords overmuch. Tennyson.
WATER Wa"ter, n. Etym: [AS. wæter; akin to OS. watar, OFries. wetir, weter, LG. & D. water, G. wasser, OHG. wazzar, Icel. vatn, Sw. vatten, Dan. vand, Goth. wat, O. Slav. & Russ. voda, Gr. udan water, ud to wet, and perhaps to L. unda wave. Dropsy, Hydra, Otter, Wet, Whisky.]
1. The fluid which descends from the clouds in rain, and which forms rivers, lakes, seas, etc. "We will drink water." Shak."Powers of fire, air, water, and earth." Milton.
Note: Pure water consists of hydrogen and oxygen, H2O, and is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, transparent liquid, which is very slightly compressible. At its maximum density, 39º Fahr. or 4º C., it is the standard for specific gravities, one cubic centimeter weighing one gram. It freezes at 32º Fahr. or 0º C. and boils at 212º Fahr. or 100º C. (see Ice, Steam). It is the most important natural solvent, and is frequently impregnated with foreign matter which is mostly removed by distillation; hence, rain water is nearly pure. It is an important ingredient in the tissue of animals and plants, the human body containing about two thirds its weight of water.
2. A body of water, standing or flowing; a lake, river, or other collection of water. Remembering he had passed over a small water a poor scholar when first coming to the university, he kneeled. Fuller.
3. Any liquid secretion, humor, or the like, resembling water; esp., the urine.
4. (Pharm.)
Defn: A solution in water of a gaseous or readily volatile substance; as, ammonia water. U. S. Pharm.
5. The limpidity and luster of a precious stone, especially a diamond; as, a diamond of the first water, that is, perfectly pure and transparent. Hence, of the first water, that is, of the first excellence.
6. A wavy, lustrous pattern or decoration such as is imparted to linen, silk, metals, etc. See Water, v. t., 3, Damask, v. t., and Damaskeen.
7. An addition to the shares representing the capital of a stock company so that the aggregate par value of the shares is increased while their value for investment is diminished, or "diluted." [Brokers' Cant]
Note: Water is often used adjectively and in the formation of many self-explaining compounds; as, water drainage; water gauge, or water- gauge; waterfowl, water-fowl, or water fowl; water-beaten; water- borne, water-circled, water-girdled, water-rocked, etc. Hard water. See under Hard. — Inch of water, a unit of measure of quantity of water, being the quantity which will flow through an orifice one inch square, or a circular orifice one inch in diameter, in a vertical surface, under a stated constant head; also called miner's inch, and water inch. The shape of the orifice and the head vary in different localities. In the Western United States, for hydraulic mining, the standard aperture is square and the head from 4 to 9 inches above its center. In Europe, for experimental hydraulics, the orifice is usually round and the head from — Mineral water, waters which are so impregnated with foreign ingredients, such as gaseous, sulphureous, and saline substances, as to give them medicinal properties, or a particular flavor or temperature. — Soft water, water not impregnated with lime or mineral salts. — To hold water. See under Hold, v. t. — To keep one's head above water, to keep afloat; fig., to avoid failure or sinking in the struggles of life. [Colloq.] — To make water. (a) To pass urine. Swift. (b) (Naut.) To admit water; to leak. — Water of crystallization (Chem.), the water combined with many salts in their crystalline form. This water is loosely, but, nevertheless, chemically, combined, for it is held in fixed and definite amount for each substance containing it. Thus, while pure copper sulphate, CuSO4, is a white amorphous substance, blue vitriol, the crystallized form, CuSO4.5H2O, contains five molecules of water of crystallization. — Water on the brain (Med.), hydrocephalus. — Water on the chest (Med.), hydrothorax.
Note: Other phrases, in which water occurs as the first element, will be found in alphabetical order in the Vocabulary.
WATERWa"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Watered; p. pr. & vb. n. Watering.] Etym:[AS. wæterian, gewæterian.]
1. To wet or supply with water; to moisten; to overflow with water; to irrigate; as, to water land; to water flowers. With tears watering the ground. Milton. Men whose lives gilded on like rivers that water the woodlands. Longfellow.
2. To supply with water for drink; to cause or allow to drink; as, to water cattle and horses.
3. To wet and calender, as cloth, so as to impart to it a lustrous appearance in wavy lines; to diversify with wavelike lines; as, to water silk. Cf. Water, n., 6.
4. To add water to (anything), thereby extending the quantity or bulk while reducing the strength or quality; to extend; to dilute; to weaken. To water stock, to increase the capital stock of a company by issuing new stock, thus diminishing the value of the individual shares. Cf. Water, n., 7. [Brokers' Cant]
WATERWa"ter, v. i.
1. To shed, secrete, or fill with, water or liquid matter; as, his eyes began to water. If thine eyes can water for his death. Shak.
2. To get or take in water; as, the ship put into port to water. The mouth waters, a phrase denoting that a person or animal has a longing desire for something, since the sight of food often causes one who is hungry to have an increased flow of saliva.
WATER ADDER Wa"ter ad"der. (Zoöl.) (a) The water moccasin. (b) The common, harmless American water snake (Tropidonotus sipedon). See Illust. under Water Snake.
WATERAGEWa"ter*age (; 48), n.
Defn: Money paid for transportation of goods, etc., by water. [Eng.]
WATER AGRIMONYWa"ter ag"ri*mo*ny. (Bot.)
Defn: A kind of bur marigold (Bidens tripartita) found in wet places in Europe.
WATER ALOEWa"ter al"oe. (Bot.)
Defn: See Water soldier.
WATER ANTELOPEWa"ter an"te*lope.
Defn: See Water buck.
WATER ARUMWa"ter a"rum. (Bot.)
Defn: An aroid herb (Calla palustris) having a white spathe. It is an inhabitant of the north temperate zone.
WATER BACKWa"ter back`.
Defn: See under 1st Back.
WATER BAILIFFWa"ter bail"iff.
Defn: An officer of the customs, whose duty it is to search vessels.[Eng.]
WATER BALLASTWa"ter bal"last. (Naut.)
Defn: Water confined in specially constructed compartments in a vessel's hold, to serve as ballast.
WATER BAROMETERWa"ter ba*rom"e*ter. (Physics)
Defn: A barometer in which the changes of atmospheric pressure are indicated by the motion of a column of water instead of mercury. It requires a column of water about thirty-three feet in height.
WATER BATHWa"ter bath`.
Defn: A device for regulating the temperature of anything subjected to heat, by surrounding the vessel containing it with another vessel containing water which can be kept at a desired temperature; also, a vessel designed for this purpose.
WATER BATTERYWa"ter bat"ter*y.
1. (Elec.)
Defn: A voltaic battery in which the exciting fluid is water.
2. (Mil.)
Defn: A battery nearly on a level with the water.
WATER BEARWa"ter bear`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any species of Tardigrada, 2. See Illust. of Tardigrada.
WATER-BEARERWa"ter-bear`er, n. (Astron.)
Defn: The constellation Aquarius.
WATER BEDWa"ter bed`.
Defn: A kind of mattress made of, or covered with, waterproof fabric and filled with water. It is used in hospitals for bedridden patients.
WATER BEECHWa"ter beech`. (Bot.)
Defn: The American hornbeam. See Hornbeam.
WATER BEETLEWa"ter bee"tle. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of aquatic beetles belonging to Dytiscus and allied genera of the family Dytiscidæ, and to various genera of the family Hydrophilidæ. These beetles swim with great agility, the fringed hind legs acting together like oars.
WATER BELLOWSWa"ter bel"lows.
Defn: Same as Tromp.
WATER BIRDWa"ter bird`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any aquatic bird; a water fowl.
WATER BLACKBIRDWa"ter black"*bird. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The European water ousel, or dipper.
WATERBOARDWa"ter*board`, n.
Defn: A board set up to windward in a boat, to keep out water. Ham.Nav. Encyc.
WATER BOATMANWa"ter boat`man. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A boat bug.
WATERBOKWa"ter*bok`, n. Etym: [D.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A water buck.
WATER-BOUNDWa"ter-bound`, a.
Defn: Prevented by a flood from proceeding.
WATER BRAINWa"ter brain`.
Defn: A disease of sheep; gid.
WATER BRASHWa"ter brash`. (Med.)
Defn: See under Brash.
WATER BREATHERWa"ter breath"er. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any arthropod that breathes by means of gills.
WATER BRIDGEWa"ter bridge`. (Steam Boilers)
Defn: See Water table.
WATER BUCKWa"ter buck`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A large, heavy antelope (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) native of Central Africa. It frequents the banks of rivers and is a good swimmer. It has a white ring around the rump. Called also photomok, water antelope, and waterbok.
Note: The name is also applied to other related species, as the leche(Kobus leche), which has similar habits.
WATER BUFFALOWa"ter buf"fa*lo. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The European buffalo.
WATER BUG Wa"ter bug`. (Zoöl.) (a) The Croton bug. (b) Any one of numerous species of large, rapacious, aquatic, hemipterous insects belonging to Belostoma, Benacus, Zaitha, and other genera of the family Belostomatidæ. Their hind legs are long and fringed, and act like oars. Some of these insects are of great size, being among the largest existing Hemiptera. Many of them come out of the water and fly about at night.
WATER BUTTWa"ter butt`.
Defn: A large, open-headed cask, set up on end, to contain water.Dickens.
WATER CALTROPWa"ter cal"trop. (Bot.)
Defn: The water chestnut.
WATER CANWa"ter can`. (Bot.)
Defn: Any one of several species of Nuphar; the yellow frog lily; — so called from the shape of the seed vessel. See Nuphar, and cf. Candock. Dr. Prior.
WATER CANKERWa"ter can"ker. (Med.)
Defn: See Canker, n., 1.
WATER CARRIAGEWa"ter car"riage.
1. Transportation or conveyance by water; means of transporting by water.
2. A vessel or boat. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.
WATER CARTWa"ter cart`.
Defn: A cart carrying water; esp., one carrying water for sale, or for sprinkling streets, gardens, etc.
WATER CAVYWa"ter ca"vy. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The capybara.
WATER CELERYWa"ter cel"er*y. (Bot.)
Defn: A very acrid herb (Ranunculus sceleratus) growing in ditches and wet places; — called also cursed crowfoot.
WATER CELLWa"ter cell`.
Defn: A cell containing water; specifically (Zoöl.), one of the cells or chambers in which water is stored up in the stomach of a camel.
WATER CEMENTWa"ter ce*ment".
Defn: Hydraulic cement.
WATER CHESTNUTWa"ter chest"nut. (Bot.)
Defn: The fruit of Trapa natans and Trapa bicornis, Old World water plants bearing edible nutlike fruits armed with several hard and sharp points; also, the plant itself; — called also water caltrop.
WATER CHEVROTAINWa"ter chev`ro*tain". (Zoöl.)
Defn: A large West African chevrotain (Hyæmoschus aquaticus). It has a larger body and shorter legs than the other allied species. Called also water deerlet.
WATER CHICKENWa"ter chick"en. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The common American gallinule.
WATER CHICKWEEDWa"ter chick"weed`. (Bot.)
Defn: A small annual plant (Montia fontana) growing in wet places in southern regions.
WATER CHINQUAPINWa"ter chin"qua*pin. (Bot.)
Defn: The American lotus, and its edible seeds, which somewhat resemble chinquapins. Cf. Yoncopin.
WATER CLOCKWa"ter clock`.
Defn: An instrument or machine serving to measure time by the fall, or flow, of a certain quantity of water; a clepsydra.
WATER-CLOSETWa"ter-clos`et, n.
Defn: A privy; especially, a privy furnished with a contrivance for introducing a stream of water to cleanse it.
WATER COCKWa"ter cock`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A large gallinule (Gallicrex cristatus) native of Australia,India, and the East Indies. In the breeding season the male is blackand has a fleshy red caruncle, or horn, on the top of its head.Called also kora.
WATER COLORWa"ter col`or. (Paint.)
1. A color ground with water and gum or other glutinous medium; a color the vehicle of which is water; — so called in distinction from oil color.
Note: It preserves its consistency when dried in a solid cake, which is used by rubbing off a portion on a moistened palette. Moist water colors are water colors kept in a semifluid or pasty state in little metal tubes or pans.
2. A picture painted with such colors.
WATER-COLORISTWa"ter-col`or*ist, n.
Defn: One who paints in water colors.
WATER COURSEWa"ter course`.
1. A stream of water; a river or brook. Isa. xliv. 4.
2. A natural channel for water; also, a canal for the conveyance of water, especially in draining lands.
3. (Law)
Defn: A running stream of water having a bed and banks; the easement one may have in the flowing of such a stream in its accustomed course. A water course may be sometimes dry. Angell. Burrill.
WATERCOURSEWa"ter*course`, n. (Shipbuilding)
Defn: One of the holes in floor or other plates to permit water to flow through.
WATER CRAFTWa"ter craft`.
Defn: Any vessel or boat plying on water; vessels and boats, collectively.
WATER CRAKE Wa"ter crake`. (Zoöl.) (a) The dipper. (b) The spotted crake (Porzana maruetta). See Illust. of Crake. (c) The swamp hen, or crake, of Australia.
WATER CRANEWa"ter crane`.
Defn: A goose-neck apparatus for supplying water from an elevated tank, as to the tender of a locomotive.
WATER CRESSWa"ter cress`. (Bot.)
Defn: A perennial cruciferous herb (Nasturtium officinale) growing usually in clear running or spring water. The leaves are pungent, and used for salad and as an antiscorbutic.
WATER CROW Wa"ter crow`. Etym: [So called in allusion to its dark plumage.] (Zoöl.) (a) The dipper. (b) The European coot.
WATER CROWFOOTWa"ter crow"foot`. (Bot.)
Defn: An aquatic kind of buttercup (Ranunculus aquatilis), used as food for cattle in parts of England. Great water crowfoot, an American water plant (Ranunculus multifidus), having deep yellow flowers.
WATER CUREWa"ter cure`.
1. (Med.)
Defn: Hydropathy.
2. A hydropathic institution.
WATER DECKWa"ter deck`.
Defn: A covering of painting canvas for the equipments of a dragoon's horse. Wilhelm.
WATER DEER Wa"ter deer`. (Zoöl.) (a) A small Chinese deer (Hydropotes inermis). Both sexes are destitute of antlers, but the male has large, descending canine tusks. (b) The water chevrotain.
WATER DEERLETWa"ter deer"let.
Defn: See Water chevrotain.
WATER DEVILWa"ter dev"il. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The rapacious larva of a large water beetle (Hydrophilus piceus), and of other similar species. See Illust. of Water beetle.
WATER DOCKWa"ter dock`. (Bot.)
Defn: A tall, coarse dock growing in wet places. The American water dock is Rumex orbiculatus, the European is R. Hydrolapathum.
WATER DOCTOR Wa"ter doc"tor. (Med.) (a) One who professes to be able to divine diseases by inspection of the urine. (b) A physician who treats diseases with water; an hydropathist.
WATER DOGWa"ter dog`.
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A dog accustomed to the water, or trained to retrieve waterfowl. Retrievers, waters spaniels, and Newfoundland dogs are so trained.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The menobranchus.
3. A small floating cloud, supposed to indicate rain.
4. A sailor, esp. an old sailor; an old salt. [Colloq.]
WATER DRAINWa"ter drain`.
Defn: A drain or channel for draining off water.
WATER DRAINAGEWa"ter drain"age (; 48).
Defn: The draining off of water.
WATER DRESSINGWa"ter dress"ing. (Med.)
Defn: The treatment of wounds or ulcers by the application of water; also, a dressing saturated with water only, for application to a wound or an ulcer.
WATER DROPWORTWa"ter drop"wort`. (Bot.)
Defn: A European poisonous umbelliferous plant (Enanthe fistulosa) with large hollow stems and finely divided leaves.
WATER EAGLEWa"ter ea"gle. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The osprey.
WATER ELDERWa"ter el"der. (Bot.)
Defn: The guelder-rose.
WATER ELEPHANTWa"ter el"e*phant. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The hippopotamus. [R.]
WATER ENGINEWa"ter en"gine.
Defn: An engine to raise water; or an engine moved by water; also, an engine or machine for extinguishing fires; a fire engine.
WATERERWa"ter*er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, waters.
WATERFALLWa"ter*fall`, n.
1. A fall, or perpendicular descent, of the water of a river or stream, or a descent nearly perpendicular; a cascade; a cataract.
2. (Hairdressing)
Defn: An arrangement of a woman's back hair over a cushion or frame in some resemblance to a waterfall.
3. A certain kind of neck scarf. T. Hughes.
WATER FEATHER; WATER FEATHER-FOILWa"ter feath"er or Wa"ter feath"er-foil`. (Bot.)
Defn: The water violet (Hottonia palustris); also, the less showyAmerican plant H. inflata.
WATER FLAGWa"ter flag`. (Bot.)
Defn: A European species of Iris (Iris Pseudacorus) having bright yellow flowers.
WATER FLANNELWa"ter flan"nel. (Bot.)
Defn: A floating mass formed in pools by the entangled filaments of aEuropean fresh-water alga (Cladophora crispata).
WATER FLEAWa"ter flea`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of small aquatic Entomostraca belonging to the genera Cyclops, Daphnia, etc; — so called because they swim with sudden leaps, or starts.
WATERFLOODWa"ter*flood`, n. Etym: [AS. wæterflod.]
Defn: A flood of water; an inundation.
WATER FLOUNDERWa"ter floun"der. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The windowpane (Pleuronectes maculatus). [Local, U. S.]
WATERFOWLWa"ter*fowl`, n.
Defn: Any bird that frequents the water, or lives about rivers, lakes, etc., or on or near the sea; an aquatic fowl; — used also collectively.
Note: Of aquatic fowls, some are waders, or furnished with long legs; others are swimmers, or furnished with webbed feet.
WATER FOXWa"ter fox`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The carp; — so called on account of its cunning. Walton.
WATER FRAMEWa"ter frame`.
Defn: A name given to the first power spinning machine, because driven by water power.
WATER FURROWWa"ter fur"row. (Agric.)
Defn: A deep furrow for conducting water from the ground, and keeping the surface soil dry.
WATER-FURROWWa"ter-fur"row, v. t.
Defn: To make water furrows in.
WATER GAGEWa"ter gage`.
Defn: See Water gauge.
WATER GALLWa"ter gall`.
1. A cavity made in the earth by a torrent of water; a washout.
2. A watery appearance in the sky, accompanying the rainbow; a secondary or broken rainbow. These water galls, in her dim element, Foretell new storms to those already spent. Shak. False good news are [is] always produced by true good, like the water gall by the rainbow. Walpole.
WATER GANGWa"ter gang`. (O. E. Law)
Defn: A passage for water, such as was usually made in a sea wall, to drain water out of marshes. Burrill.
WATER GASWa"ter gas`. (Chem.)
Defn: See under Gas.
WATER GATEWa"ter gate`.
Defn: A gate, or valve, by which a flow of water is permitted, prevented, or regulated.
WATER GAUGEWa"ter gauge`. [Written also water gage.]
1. A wall or bank to hold water back. Craig.
2. An instrument for measuring or ascertaining the depth or quantity of water, or for indicating the height of its surface, as in the boiler of a steam engine. See Gauge.
WATER GAVELWa"ter gav"el. (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: A gavel or rent paid for a privilege, as of fishing, in some river or water.
WATER GERMANDERWa"ter ger*man"der. (Bot.)
Defn: A labiate plant (Teucrium Scordium) found in marshy places inEurope.
WATER GILDINGWa"ter gild"ing.
Defn: The act, or the process, of gilding metallic surfaces by covering them with a thin coating of amalgam of gold, and then volatilizing the mercury by heat; — called also wash gilding.
WATER GLASSWa"ter glass`. (Chem.)
Defn: See Soluble glass, under Glass.
WATER GODWa"ter god`. (Myth.)
Defn: A fabulous deity supposed to dwell in, and preside over, some body of water.
WATER GRASSWater grass.(a) A tall march perennial grass (Paspalum dilatatum) of thesouthern United States and the American tropics.(b) Manna grass.(c) The grass Chloris elegans.(d) [Dial. Eng.] (1) Velvet grass. (2)
Defn: The water cress. (3)
Defn: One of various horsetails.
WATER GRUELWa"ter gru"el.
Defn: A liquid food composed of water and a small portion of meal, or other farinaceous substance, boiled and seasoned.
WATER HAMMERWa"ter ham"mer. (Physics)
1. A vessel partly filled with water, exhausted of air, and hermetically sealed. When reversed or shaken, the water being unimpeded by air, strikes the sides in solid mass with a sound like that of a hammer.
2. A concussion, or blow, made by water in striking, as against the sides of a pipe or vessel containing it.
WATER HAREWa"ter hare. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small American hare or rabbit (Lepus aquaticus) found on or near the southern coasts of the United States; — called also water rabbit, and swamp hare.
WATER HEMLOCK Wa"ter hem"lock. (Bot) (a) A poisonous umbelliferous plant (Cicuta virosa) of Europe; also, any one of several plants of that genus. (b) A poisonous plant () resembling the above.
WATER HEMPWa"ter hemp`. (Bot.)
Defn: See under Hemp.
WATER HENWa"ter hen`.
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any gallinule.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The common American coot.
WATER HOGWa"ter hog`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The capybara.
WATER HOREHOUNDWa"ter hore"hound`. (Bot.)
Defn: Bugleweed.
WATERHORSEWa"ter*horse`, n.
Defn: A pile of salted fish heaped up to drain.
WATER HYACINTHWa"ter hy"a*cinth. (Bot.)
Defn: Either of several tropical aquatic plants of the genusEichhornia, related to the pickerel weed.
WATER ICEWa"ter ice`.
Defn: Water flavored, sweetened, and frozen, to be eaten as a confection.
WATERIEWa"ter*ie, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The pied wagtail; — so called because it frequents ponds.
WATER INCHWa"ter inch`.
Defn: Same as Inch of water, under Water.
WATERINESSWa"ter*i*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being watery; moisture; humidity.
WATERINGWa"ter*ing,
Defn: a. & n. from Water, v. Watering call (Mil.), a sound of trumpet or bugle summoning cavalry soldiers to assemble for the purpose of watering their horses. — Watering cart, a sprinkling cart. See Water. — Watering place. (a) A place where water may be obtained, as for a ship, for cattle, etc. (b) A place where there are springs of medicinal water, or a place by the sea, or by some large body of water, to which people resort for bathing, recreation, boating, etc. — Watering pot. (a) A kind of bucket fitted with a rose, or perforated nozzle, — used for watering flowers, paths, etc. (b) (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of marine bivalve shells of the genus Aspergillum, or Brechites. The valves are small, and consolidated with the capacious calcareous tube which incases the entire animal. The tube is closed at the anterior end by a convex disk perforated by numerous pores, or tubules, and resembling the rose of a watering pot. — Watering trough, a trough from which cattle, horses, and other animals drink.
WATERISHWa"ter*ish, a. Etym: [AS. wæterisc.]
1. Resembling water; thin; watery. Feed upon such nice and waterish diet. Shak.
2. Somewhat watery; moist; as, waterish land.
WATERISHNESSWa"ter*ish*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being waterish.
WATER JACKETWa"ter jac"ket.
Defn: A chamber surrounding a vessel or tube in which water may be circulated, thereby regulating the temperature or supply of heat to the vessel. Used in laboratory and manufacturing equipment. water- jacketed. Having a water jacket; — as, a water-jacketed condenser.
WATER JOINTWa"ter joint`. (Arch.)
Defn: A joint in a stone pavement where the stones are left slightly higher than elsewhere, the rest of the surface being sunken or dished. The raised surface is intended to prevent the settling of water in the joints.
WATER JUNKETWa"ter jun"ket. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The common sandpiper.
WATER-LAIDWa"ter-laid`, a.
Defn: Having a left-hand twist; — said of cordage; as, a water-laid, or left-hand, rope.
WATERLANDER; WATERLANDIANWa`ter*land"er, Wa`ter*land"i*an n. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: One of a body of Dutch Anabaptists who separated from theMennonites in the sixteenth century; — so called from a district inNorth Holland denominated Waterland.
WATER LAVEROCKWa"ter la"ver*ock. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The common sandpiper.
WATERLEAFWa"ter*leaf`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Any plant of the American genus Hydrophyllum, herbs having white or pale blue bell-shaped flowers. Gray.
WATER LEGWa"ter leg`. (Steam Boilers)
Defn: See Leg, 7.
WATER LEMONWa"ter lem"on. (Bot.)
Defn: The edible fruit of two species of passion flower (Passiflora laurifolia, and P. maliformis); — so called in the West Indies.
WATERLESSWa"ter*less, a.
Defn: Destitute of water; dry. Chaucer.
WATER LETTUCEWa"ter let"tuce. (Bot.)
Defn: A plant (Pistia stratiotes) which floats on tropical waters, and forms a rosette of spongy, wedge-shaped leaves. J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).
WATER LEVELWa"ter lev"el.
1. The level formed by the surface of still water.
2. A kind of leveling instrument. See under Level, n.
WATER LILYWa"ter lil`y. (Bot.)
Defn: A blossom or plant of any species of the genus Nymphæa, distinguished for its large floating leaves and beautiful flowers. See Nymphæa.
Note: The name is extended to various plants of other related genera, as Nuphar, Euryale, Nelumbo, and Victoria. See Euryale, Lotus, and Victoria, 1.
WATER LIMEWa"ter lime`.
Defn: Hydraulic lime.
WATER LINEWa"ter line`.
1. (Shipbuilding)
Defn: Any one of certain lines of a vessel, model, or plan, parallel with the surface of the water at various heights from the keel.
Note: In a half-breadth plan, the water lines are outward curves showing the horizontal form of the ship at their several heights; in a sheer plan, they are projected as straight horizontal lines.
2. (Naut.)
Defn: Any one of several lines marked upon the outside of a vessel, corresponding with the surface of the water when she is afloat on an even keel. The lowest line indicates the vessel's proper submergence when not loaded, and is called the light water line; the highest, called the load water line, indicates her proper submergence when loaded. Water-line model (Shipbuilding), a model of a vessel formed of boards which are shaped according to the water lines as shown in the plans and laid upon each other to form a solid model.
WATER LIZARDWa"ter liz"ard. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any aquatic lizard of the genus Varanus, as the monitor of theNile. See Monitor, n., 3.
WATER LOCUSTWa"ter lo"cust. (Bot.)
Defn: A thorny leguminous tree (Gleditschia monosperma) which grows in the swamps of the Mississippi valley.
WATER-LOGGEDWa"ter-logged, a.
Defn: Filled or saturated with water so as to be heavy, unmanageable, or loglike; — said of a vessel, when, by receiving a great quantity of water into her hold, she has become so heavy as not to be manageable by the helm.
WATERMANWa"ter*man, n.; pl. Watermen (.
1. A man who plies for hire on rivers, lakes, or canals, or in harbors, in distinction from a seaman who is engaged on the high seas; a man who manages fresh-water craft; a boatman; a ferryman.
2. An attendant on cab stands, etc., who supplies water to the horses. [Eng.] Dickens.
3. A water demon. Tylor.
WATERMANSHIPWa"ter*man*ship`, n.
1. The business or skill of a waterman.
2. Art of, or skill in, rowing; oarsmanship; specif., skill in managing the blade in the water, as distinguished from managing arms, body, etc., in the stroke.
WATERMARKWa"ter*mark`, n.
1. A mark indicating the height to which water has risen, or at which it has stood; the usual limit of high or low water.
2. A letter, device, or the like, wrought into paper during the process of manufacture.
Note: "The watermark in paper is produced by bending the wires of the mold, or by wires bent into the shape of the required letter or device, and sewed to the surface of the mold; — it has the effect of making the paper thinner in places. The old makers employed watermarks of an eccentric kind. Those of Caxton and other early printers were an oxhead and star, a collared dog's head, a crown, a shield, a jug, etc. A fool's cap and bells, employed as a watermark, gave the name to foolscap paper; a postman's horn, such as was formerly in use, gave the name to post paper." Tomlinson.
3. (Naut.)
Defn: See Water line, 2. [R.]
WATER MEADOWWa"ter mead"ow. (Agric.)
Defn: A meadow, or piece of low, flat land, capable of being kept in a state of fertility by being overflowed with water from some adjoining river or stream.
WATER MEASUREWa"ter meas"ure.
Defn: A measure formerly used for articles brought by water, as coals, oysters, etc. The water-measure bushel was three gallons larger than the Winchester bushel. Cowell.
WATER MEASURERWa"ter meas"ur*er. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of water; the skater. See Skater, n., 2.
WATERMELONWa"ter*mel`on, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The very large ovoid or roundish fruit of a cucurbitaceous plant (Citrullus vulgaris) of many varieties; also, the plant itself. The fruit sometimes weighs many pounds; its pulp is usually pink in color, and full of a sweet watery juice. It is a native of tropical Africa, but is now cultivated in many countries. See Illust. of Melon.
WATER METERWa"ter me"ter.
Defn: A contrivance for measuring a supply of water delivered or received for any purpose, as from a street main.
WATER MILFOILWa"ter mil"foil. (Bot.)
Defn: Any plant of the genus Myriophyllum, aquatic herbs with whorled leaves, the submersed ones pinnately parted into capillary divisions.
WATER MILLWa"ter mill`.
Defn: A mill whose machinery is moved by water; — distinguished from a windmill, and a steam mill.
WATER MINTWa"ter mint`.
Defn: A kind of mint (Mentha aquatica) growing in wet places, and sometimes having a perfume resembling bergamot.
WATER MITEWa"ter mite`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any of numerous species of aquatic mites belonging to Hydrachna and allied genera of the family Hydrachnidæ, usually having the legs fringed and adapted for swimming. They are often red or red and black in color, and while young are parasites of fresh-water insects and mussels. Called also water tick, and water spider.
WATER MOCCASINWa"ter moc"ca*sin. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A venomous North American snake (Ancistrodon piscivorus) allied to the rattlesnake but destitute of a rattle. It lives in or about pools and ponds, and feeds largely of fishes. Called also water snake, water adder, water viper.
WATER MOLE Wa"ter mole`. (Zoöl.) (a) The shrew mole. See under Shrew. (b) The duck mole. See under Duck.
WATER MONITORWa"ter mon"i*tor. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A very large lizard (Varanaus salvator) native of India. It frequents the borders of streams and swims actively. It becomes five or six feet long. Called also two-banded monitor, and kabaragoya. The name is also applied to other aquatic monitors.
WATER MONKEYWater monkey.
Defn: A jar or bottle, as of porous earthenware, in which water is cooled by evaporation.
WATER MOTORWa"ter mo"tor.
1. A water engine.
2. A water wheel; especially, a small water wheel driven by water from a street main.
WATER MOUSEWa"ter mouse`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several species of mice belonging to the genus Hydromys, native of Australia and Tasmania. Their hind legs are strong and their toes partially webbed. They live on the borders of streams, and swim well. They are remarkable as being the only rodents found in Australia.
WATER MURRAINWa"ter mur"rain.
Defn: A kind of murrain affecting cattle. Crabb.
WATER NEWTWa"ter newt`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of aquatic salamanders; a triton.
WATER NYMPHWa"ter nymph`.
1. (Myth.)
Defn: A goddess of any stream or other body of water, whether one of the Naiads, Nereids, or Oceanides.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: A water lily (Nymphæa).
WATER OATWa"ter oat`.
Defn: Indian rice. See under Rice.
WATER OPOSSUMWa"ter o*pos"sum. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Yapock, and the Note under Opossum.
WATER ORDEALWa"ter or"de*al.
Defn: Same as Ordeal by water. See the Note under Ordeal, n., 1.
WATER OUSEL; WATER OUZELWa"ter ou"sel, Wa"ter ou"zel. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several species of small insessorial birds of the genus Cinclus (or Hydrobates), especially the European water ousel (C. aquaticus), and the American water ousel (C. Mexicanus). These birds live about the water, and are in the habit of walking on the bottom of streams beneath the water in search of food.
WATER PARSNIPWa"ter pars"nip. (Bot.)
Defn: Any plant of the aquatic umbelliferous genus Sium, poisonous herbs with pinnate or dissected leaves and small white flowers.
WATER PARTINGWater parting. (Phys. Geog.)
Defn: A summit from the opposite sides of which rain waters flow to different streams; a line separating the drainage districts of two streams or coasts; a divide.
WATER PARTRIDGEWa"ter par"tridge. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The ruddy duck. [Local, U. S.]
WATER PENNYWORTWa"ter pen"ny*wort`. (Bot.)
Defn: Marsh pennywort. See under Marsh.
WATER PEPPER Wa"ter pep"per. (Bot.) (a) Smartweed. (b) Waterwort.
WATER PHEASANT Wa"ter pheas"ant. (Zoöl.) (a) The pintail. See Pintail, n., 1. (b) The goosander. (c) The hooded merganser.
WATER PIETWa"ter pi"et. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The water ousel.
WATER PIGWa"ter pig`.
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The capybara.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The gourami.
WATER PILLARWa"ter pil"lar.
Defn: A waterspout. [Obs.]
WATER PIMPERNELWa"ter pim"per*nel. (Bot.)
Defn: A small white-flowered shrub; brookweed.
WATER PIPEWa"ter pipe.
Defn: A pipe for conveying water.
WATER PITCHERWa"ter pitch"er.
1. A pitcher for water.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: One of a family of plants having pitcher-shaped leaves. The sidesaddle flower (Sarracenia purpurea) is the type.
WATER PLANTWa"ter plant`.
Defn: A plant that grows in water; an aquatic plant.
WATER PLANTAINWa"ter plan"tain. (Bot.)
Defn: A kind of plant with acrid leaves. See under 2d Plantain.
WATER PLATEWa"ter plate`.
Defn: A plate heated by hot water contained in a double bottom or jacket. Knight.
WATER POAWa"ter po"a. (Bot.)
Defn: Meadow reed grass. See under Reed.
WATER POCKETWater pocket.
Defn: A water hole in the bed of an intermittent stream, esp. the bowl at the foot of a cliff over which the stream leaps when in the flood stage. [Western U. S.]
WATER POISEWa"ter poise`.
Defn: A hydrometer.
WATER POREWa"ter pore`
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A pore by which the water tubes of various invertebrates open externally.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: One of certain minute pores in the leaves of some plants. They are without true guardian cells, but in other respects closely resemble ordinary stomata. Goodale.
WATERPOTWa"ter*pot`, n.
Defn: A vessel for holding or conveying water, or for sprinkling water on cloth, plants, etc.
WATER POWERWa"ter pow"er.
1. The power of water employed to move machinery, etc.
2. A fall of water which may be used to drive machinery; a site for a water mill; a water privilege.
WATER POXWa"ter pox`. (Med.)
Defn: A variety of chicken pox, or varicella. Dunglison.
WATER PRIVILEGEWa"ter priv"i*lege.
Defn: The advantage of using water as a mechanical power; also, the place where water is, or may be, so used. See under Privilege.
WATERPROOFWa"ter*proof`, a.
Defn: Proof against penetration or permeation by water; impervious to water; as, a waterproof garment; a waterproof roof.
WATERPROOFWa"ter*proof`, n.
1. A substance or preparation for rendering cloth, leather, etc., impervious to water.
2. Cloth made waterproof, or any article made of such cloth, or of other waterproof material, as rubber; esp., an outer garment made of such material.
WATERPROOFWa"ter*proof`, v. t.
Defn: To render impervious to water, as cloth, leather, etc.
WATERPROOFINGWa"ter*proof`ing, n.
1. The act or process of making waterproof.
2. Same as Waterproof, n., 1.
WATER PURSLANEWa"ter purs"lane. (Bot.)
Defn: See under Purslane.
WATER QUALMWa"ter qualm`. (Med.)
Defn: See Water brash, under Brash.
WATER RABBITWa"ter rab"bit. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Water hare.
WATER RADISHWa"ter rad"ish. (Bot.)
Defn: A coarse yellow-flowered plant (Nasturtium amphibium) related to the water cress and to the horse-radish.
WATER RAILWa"ter rail`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of rails of the genus Rallus, as the common European species (Rallus aquaticus). See Illust. of Rail.
WATER RAMWa"ter ram`.
Defn: An hydraulic ram.
WATER RATWa"ter rat`.
1. (Zoöl.) (a) The water vole. See under Vole. (b) The muskrat. (c) The beaver rat. See under Beaver.
2. A thief on the water; a pirate.
WATER RATEWa"ter rate`.
Defn: A rate or tax for a supply of water.
WATER RATTLE; WATER RATTLERWa"ter rat"tle or Wa"ter rat"tler. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus); — so called from its preference for damp places near water.
WATER-RET Wa"ter-ret`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Water-retted; p. pr. & vb. n. Water- retting.]
Defn: To ret, or rot, in water, as flax; to water-rot.
WATER RICEWa"ter rice".
Defn: Indian rice. See under Rice.
WATER ROCKETWa"ter rock"et.
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A cruciferous plant (Nasturtium sylvestre) with small yellow flowers.
2. A kind of firework to be discharged in the water.
WATER-ROT Wa"ter-rot`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Water-rotted; p. pr. & vb. n. Water- rotting.]
Defn: To rot by steeping in water; to water-ret; as, to water-rot hemp or flax.
WATER SAILWa"ter sail`. (Naut.)
Defn: A small sail sometimes set under a studding sail or under a driver boom, and reaching nearly to the water.
WATER SAPPHIREWa"ter sap"phire. Etym: [Equiv. to F. saphir d'eau.] (Min.)
Defn: A deep blue variety of iolite, sometimes used as a gem; — called also saphir d'eau.
WATERSCAPEWa"ter*scape", n. Etym: [Cf. Landscape.]
Defn: A sea view; — distinguished from landscape. [Jocose] Fairholt.
WATER SCORPIONWa"ter scor"pi*on. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Nepa.
WATER SCREWWa"ter screw`.
Defn: A screw propeller.
WATERSHED Wa"ter*shed`, n. Etym: [Cf. G. wasserscheide; wasser water + scheide a place where two things separate, fr. scheiden to separate.]
1. The whole region or extent of country which contributes to the supply of a river or lake.
2. The line of division between two adjacent rivers or lakes with respect to the flow of water by natural channels into them; the natural boundary of a basin.