WEIGHMASTERWeigh"mas`ter, n.
Defn: One whose business it is to weigh ore, hay, merchandise, etc.; one licensed as a public weigher.
WEIGHT Weight, n. Etym: [OE. weght, wight, AS. gewiht; akin to D. gewigt, G. gewicht, Icel. vætt, Sw. vigt, Dan. vægt. See Weigh, v. t.]
1. The quality of being heavy; that property of bodies by which they tend toward the center of the earth; the effect of gravitative force, especially when expressed in certain units or standards, as pounds, grams, etc.
Note: Weight differs from gravity in being the effect of gravity, or the downward pressure of a body under the influence of gravity; hence, it constitutes a measure of the force of gravity, and being the resultant of all the forces exerted by gravity upon the different particles of the body, it is proportional to the quantity of matter in the body.
2. The quantity of heaviness; comparative tendency to the center of the earth; the quantity of matter as estimated by the balance, or expressed numerically with reference to some standard unit; as, a mass of stone having the weight of five hundred pounds. For sorrow, like a heavy-hanging bell, Once set on ringing, with his own weight goes. Shak.
3. Hence, pressure; burden; as, the weight of care or business. "The weight of this said time." Shak. For the public all this weight he bears. Milton. [He] who singly bore the world's sad weight. Keble.
4. Importance; power; influence; efficacy; consequence; moment; impressiveness; as, a consideration of vast weight. In such a point of weight, so near mine honor. Shak.
5. A scale, or graduated standard, of heaviness; a mode of estimating weight; as, avoirdupois weight; troy weight; apothecaries' weight.
6. A ponderous mass; something heavy; as, a clock weight; a paper weight. A man leapeth better with weights in his hands. Bacon.
7. A definite mass of iron, lead, brass, or other metal, to be used for ascertaining the weight of other bodies; as, an ounce weight.
8. (Mech.)
Defn: The resistance against which a machine acts, as opposed to the power which moves it. [Obs.] Atomic weight. (Chem.) See under Atomic, and cf. Element. — Dead weight, Feather weight, Heavy weight, Light weight, etc. See under Dead, Feather, etc. — Weight of observation (Astron. & Physics), a number expressing the most probable relative value of each observation in determining the result of a series of observations of the same kind.
Syn. — Ponderousness; gravity; heaviness; pressure; burden; load; importance; power; influence; efficacy; consequence; moment; impressiveness.
WEIGHTWeight, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Weighted; p. pr. & vb. n. Weighting.]
1. To load with a weight or weights; to load down; to make heavy; to attach weights to; as, to weight a horse or a jockey at a race; to weight a whip handle. The arrows of satire, . . . weighted with sense. Coleridge.
2. (Astron. & Physics)
Defn: To assign a weight to; to express by a number the probable accuracy of, as an observation. See Weight of observations, under Weight.
WEIGHTILYWeight"i*ly, adv.
Defn: In a weighty manner.
WEIGHTINESSWeight"i*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being weighty; weight; force; importance; impressiveness.
WEIGHTLESSWeight"less, a.
Defn: Having no weight; imponderable; hence, light. Shak.
WEIGHTYWeight"y, a. [Compar. Weightier; superl. Weightiest.]
1. Having weight; heavy; ponderous; as, a weighty body.
2. Adapted to turn the balance in the mind, or to convince; important; forcible; serious; momentous. "For sundry weighty reasons." Shak. Let me have your advice in a weighty affair. Swift.
3. Rigorous; severe; afflictive. [R.] "Attend our weightier judgment." Shak.
Syn. — Heavy; ponderous; burdensome; onerous; forcible; momentous; efficacious; impressive; cogent.
WEIL'S DISEASEWeil's disease. (Med.)
Defn: An acute infectious febrile disease, resembling typhoid fever, with muscular pains, disturbance of the digestive organs, jaundice, etc.
WEIR; WEARWeir, Wear, n. Etym: [OE. wer, AS. wer; akin to G. wehr, AS. werianto defend, protect, hinder, G. wehren, Goth. warjan; and perhaps toE. wary; or cf. Skr. vr to check, hinder. sq. root142. Cf. Garret.]
1. A dam in a river to stop and raise the water, for the purpose of conducting it to a mill, forming a fish pond, or the like.
2. A fence of stakes, brushwood, or the like, set in a stream, tideway, or inlet of the sea, for taking fish.
3. A long notch with a horizontal edge, as in the top of a vertical plate or plank, through which water flows, — used in measuring the quantity of flowing water.
WEIRDWeird, n. Etym: [OE. wirde, werde, AS. wyrd fate, fortune, one of theFates, fr. weor to be, to become; akin to OS. wurd fate, OHG. wurt,Icel. ur. Worth to become.]
1. Fate; destiny; one of the Fates, or Norns; also, a prediction. [Obs. or Scot.]
2. A spell or charm. [Obs. or Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
WEIRDWeird, a.
1. Of or pertaining to fate; concerned with destiny.
2. Of or pertaining to witchcraft; caused by, or suggesting, magical influence; supernatural; unearthly; wild; as, a weird appearance, look, sound, etc. Myself too had weird seizures. Tennyson. Those sweet, low tones, that seemed like a weird incantation. Longfellow. Weird sisters, the Fates. [Scot.] G. Douglas.
Note: Shakespeare uses the term for the three witches in Macbeth.The weird sisters, hand in hand, Posters of the sea and land. Shak.
WEIRDWeird, v. t.
Defn: To foretell the fate of; to predict; to destine to. [Scot.]Jamieson.
WEIRDNESSWeird"ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being weird.
WEISMWe"ism, n.
Defn: Same as Wegotism.
WEISMANNISMWeis"mann*ism, n. (Biol.)
Defn: The theories and teachings in regard to heredity propounded by the German biologist August Weismann, esp. in regard to germ plasm as the basis of heredity and the impossibility of transmitting acquired characteristics; — often called neo-Darwinism.
WEISS BEERWeiss beer. [G. weissbier white beer.]
Defn: A light-colored highly effervescent beer made by the top- fermentation process.
WEIVEWeive, v. t.
Defn: See Waive. [Obs.] Gower.
WEKAWe"ka, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A New Zealand rail (Ocydromus australis) which has wings so short as to be incapable of flight.
WEKAUWe"kau, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small New Zealand owl (Sceloglaux albifacies). It has short wings and long legs, and lives chiefly on the ground.
WEKEENWe*keen", n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The meadow pipit. [Prov. Eng.]
WELAWAYWel"a*way, interj. Etym: [OE. welaway, walaway, weilawey; wei wo!(Icel. vei) + la lo! (AS. la) + wei wo!; cf. AS. wa la wa. See Woe.]
Defn: Alas! [Obs.]Then welaway, for she undone was clean. Wyatt.
WEL-BEGONEWel"-be*gone`, a. Etym: [OE. wel-begon. See Well, and Begone.]
Defn: Surrounded with happiness or prosperity. [Obs.]Fair and rich and young and wel-begone. Chaucer.
WELCHWelch, a.
Defn: See Welsh. [R.]
WELCHERWelch"er, n.
Defn: See Welsher.
WELCHMANWelch"man, n.
Defn: See Welshman. [R.]
WELCOME Wel"come, a. Etym: [OE. welcome, welcume, wilcume, AS. wilcuma a welcome guest, from wil-, as a prefix, akin to willa will + cuma a comer, fr. cuman to come; hence, properly, one who comes so as to please another's will; cf. Icel. velkominn welcome, G. willkommen. See Will, n., and Come.]
1. Received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house, entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor. When the glad soul is made Heaven's welcome guest. Cowper.
2. Producing gladness; grateful; as, a welcome present; welcome news. "O, welcome hour!" Milton.
3. Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to the use of my library.
Note: Welcome is used elliptically for you are welcome. "Welcome, great monarch, to your own." Dryden. Welcome-to-our-house (Bot.), a kind of spurge (Euphorbia Cyparissias). Dr. Prior.
WELCOMEWel"come, n.
1. Salutation to a newcomer. "Welcome ever smiles." Shak.
2. Kind reception of a guest or newcomer; as, we entered the house and found a ready welcome. His warmest welcome at an inn. Shenstone. Truth finds an entrance and a welcome too. South. To bid welcome, to receive with professions of kindness. To thee and thy company I bid A hearty welcome. Shak.
WELCOMEWel"come, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welcomed; p. pr. & vb. n. Welcoming.]Etym: [AS. wilcumian.]
Defn: To salute with kindness, as a newcomer; to receive and entertain hospitably and cheerfully; as, to welcome a visitor; to welcome a new idea. "I welcome you to land." Addison. Thus we salute thee with our early song, And welcome thee, and wish thee long. Milton.
WELCOMELYWel"come*ly, adv.
Defn: In a welcome manner.
WELCOMENESSWel"come*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being welcome; gratefulness; agreeableness; kind reception.
WELCOMERWel"com*er, n.
Defn: One who welcomes; one who salutes, or receives kindly, a newcomer. Shak.
WELDWeld, v. t.
Defn: To wield. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WELD Weld, n. Etym: [OE. welde; akin to Scot. wald, Prov. G. waude, G. wau, Dan. & Sw. vau, D. wouw.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: An herb (Reseda luteola) related to mignonette, growing inEurope, and to some extent in America; dyer's broom; dyer's rocket;dyer's weed; wild woad. It is used by dyers to give a yellow color.[Written also woald, wold, and would.]
2. Coloring matter or dye extracted from this plant.
WELD Weld, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welded; p. pr. & vb. n. Welding.] Etym: [Probably originally the same word as well to spring up, to gush; perhaps from the Scand.; cf. Sw. välla to weld, uppvälla to boil up, to spring up, Dan. vælde to gush, G. wellen to weld. See Well to spring.]
1. To press or beat into intimate and permanent union, as two pieces of iron when heated almost to fusion.
Note: Very few of the metals, besides iron and platinum. are capable of being welded. Horn and tortoise shell possess this useful property.
2. Fig.: To unite closely or intimately. Two women faster welded in one love. Tennyson.
WELDWeld, n.
Defn: The state of being welded; the joint made by welding. Buttweld. See under Butt.— Scarf weld, a joint made by overlapping, and welding together,the scarfed ends of two pieces.
WELDABLEWeld"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being welded.
WELDERWeld"er, n.
Defn: One who welds, or unites pieces of iron, etc., by welding.
WELDERWeld"er, n.
1. One who welds, or wields. [Obs.]
2. A manager; an actual occupant. [Ireland. Obs.] "The welder . . . who . . . lives miserably." Swift.
WELDON'S PROCESSWel"don's proc"ess, (Chem.)
Defn: A process for the recovery or regeneration of manganese dioxide in the manufacture of chlorine, by means of milk of lime and the oxygen of the air; — so called after the inventor.
WELD STEELWeld steel.
Defn: A compound of iron, such as puddled steel, made without complete fusion.
WELEWele, n. Etym: [See Weal prosperity.]
Defn: Prosperity; happiness; well-being; weal. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WELEFULWele"ful, a.
Defn: Producing prosperity or happiness; blessed. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WELEWWe"lew, v. t.
Defn: To welk, or wither. [Obs.]
WELFAREWel"fare`, n. Etym: [Well + fare to go, to proceed, to happen.]
Defn: Well-doing or well-being in any respect; the enjoyment of health and the common blessings of life; exemption from any evil or calamity; prosperity; happiness. How to study for the people's welfare. Shak. In whose deep eyes Men read the welfare of the times to come. Emerson.
WELFARINGWel"far`ing, a.
Defn: Faring well; prosperous; thriving. [Obs.] "A welfaring person."Chaucer.
WELKWelk, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Welked; p. pr. & vb. n. Welking.] Etym:[OE. welken; cf. D. & G. welken to wither, G. welk withered, OHG.welc moist. See Welkin, and cf. Wilt.]
Defn: To wither; to fade; also, to decay; to decline; to wane. [Obs.]When ruddy Phwelk in west. Spenser.The church, that before by insensible degrees welked and impaired,now with large steps went down hill decaying. Milton.
WELKWelk, v. t.
1. To cause to wither; to wilt. [Obs.] Mot thy welked neck be to-broke [broken]. Chaucer.
2. To contract; to shorten. [Obs.] Now sad winter welked hath the day. Spenser.
3. To soak; also, to beat severely. [Prov. Eng.]
WELKWelk, n.
Defn: A pustule. See 2d Whelk.
WELKWelk, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A whelk. [R.]
WELKEDWelked, v. t.
Defn: See Whelked.
WELKIN Wel"kin, n. Etym: [OE. welken, welkene, welkne, wolcne, weolcne, AS. wolcen, pl. wolcnu, a cloud; akin to D. wolk, OFries. wolken, OS. wolkan, G. wolke, OHG. wolchan, and probably to G. welk withered, OHG. welc moist, Russ. & OSlav. vlaga moisture, Lith. vilgyti to moisten.]
Defn: The visible regions of the air; the vault of heaven; the sky.On the welkne shoon the sterres lyght. Chaucer.The fair welkin foully overcast. Spenser.When storms the welkin rend. Wordsworth.
Note: Used adjectively by Shakespeare in the phase, "Your welkin eye," with uncertain meaning.
WELL Well, n. Etym: [OE. welle, AS. wella, wylla, from weallan to well up, surge, boil; akin to D. wel a spring or fountain. Well, v. i.]
1. An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain. Begin, then, sisters of the sacred well. Milton.
2. A pit or hole sunk into the earth to such a depth as to reach a supply of water, generally of a cylindrical form, and often walled with stone or bricks to prevent the earth from caving in. The woman said unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. John iv. 11.
3. A shaft made in the earth to obtain oil or brine.
4. Fig.: A source of supply; fountain; wellspring. "This well ofmercy." Chaucer.Dan Chaucer, well of English undefiled. Spenser.A well of serious thought and pure. Keble.
5. (Naut.) (a) An inclosure in the middle of a vessel's hold, around the pumps, from the bottom to the lower deck, to preserve the pumps from damage and facilitate their inspection. (b) A compartment in the middle of the hold of a fishing vessel, made tight at the sides, but having holes perforated in the bottom to let in water for the preservation of fish alive while they are transported to market. (c) A vertical passage in the stern into which an auxiliary screw propeller may be drawn up out of water. (d) A depressed space in the after part of the deck; — often called the cockpit.
6. (Mil.)
Defn: A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run branches or galleries.
7. (Arch.)
Defn: An opening through the floors of a building, as for a staircase or an elevator; a wellhole.
8. (Metal.)
Defn: The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls. Artesian well, Driven well. See under Artesian, and Driven. — Pump well. (Naut.) See Well, 5 (a), above. — Well boring, the art or process of boring an artesian well. — Well drain. (a) A drain or vent for water, somewhat like a well or pit, serving to discharge the water of wet land. (b) A drain conducting to a well or pit. — Well room. (a) A room where a well or spring is situated; especially, one built over a mineral spring. (b) (Naut.) A depression in the bottom of a boat, into which water may run, and whence it is thrown out with a scoop. — Well sinker, one who sinks or digs wells. — Well sinking, the art or process of sinking or digging wells. — Well staircase (Arch.), a staircase having a wellhole (see Wellhole (b)), as distinguished from one which occupies the whole of the space left for it in the floor. — Well sweep. Same as Sweep, n., 12. — Well water, the water that flows into a well from subterraneous springs; the water drawn from a well.
WELL Well, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Welled; p. pr. & vb. n. Welling.] Etym: [OE. wellen, AS. wyllan, wellan, fr. weallan; akin to OFries. walla, OS. & OHG. wallan, G. wallen, Icel. vella, G. welle, wave, OHG. wella, walm, AS. wylm; cf. L. volvere to roll, Gr. Voluble, Wallop to boil, Wallow, Weld of metal.]
Defn: To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring."[Blood] welled from out the wound." Dryden. "[Yon spring] wellssoftly forth." Bryant.From his two springs in Gojam's sunny realm, Pure welling out, hethrough the lucid lake Of fair Dambea rolls his infant streams.Thomson.
WELLWell, v. t.
Defn: To pour forth, as from a well. Spenser.
WELL Well, adv. [Compar. and superl. wanting, the deficiency being supplied by better and best, from another root.] Etym: [OE. wel, AS. wel; akin to OS., OFries., & D. wel, G. wohl, OHG. wola, wela, Icel. & Dan. vel, Sw. väl, Goth. waíla; originally meaning, according to one's will or wish. See Will, v. t., and cf. Wealth.]
1. In a good or proper manner; justly; rightly; not ill or wickedly. If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. Gen. iv. 7.
2. Suitably to one's condition, to the occasion, or to a proposed endor use; suitably; abundantly; fully; adequately; thoroughly.Lot . . . beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well wateredeverywhere. Gen. xiii. 10.WE are wellable to overcome it. Num. xiii. 30.She looketh well to the ways of her household. Prov. xxxi. 27.Servant of God, well done! well hast thou fought The better fight.Milton.
3. Fully or about; — used with numbers. [Obs.] "Well a ten or twelve." Chaucer. Well nine and twenty in a company. Chaucer.
4. In such manner as is desirable; so as one could wish; satisfactorily; favorably; advantageously; conveniently. "It boded well to you." Dryden. Know In measure what the mind may well contain. Milton. All the world speaks well of you. Pope.
5. Considerably; not a little; far. Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age. Gen. xviii. 11.
Note: Well is sometimes used elliptically for it is well, as an expression of satisfaction with what has been said or done, and sometimes it expresses concession, or is merely expletive; as, well, the work is done; well, let us go; well, well, be it so.
Note: Well, like above, ill, and so, is used before many participial adjectives in its usual adverbial senses, and subject to the same custom with regard to the use of the hyphen (see the Note under Ill, adv.); as, a well-affected supporter; he was well affected toward the project; a well-trained speaker; he was well trained in speaking; well-educated, or well educated; well-dressed, or well dressed; well- appearing; well-behaved; well-controlled; well-designed; well- directed; well-formed; well-meant; well-minded; well-ordered; well- performed; well-pleased; well-pleasing; well-seasoned; well-steered; well-tasted; well-told, etc. Such compound epithets usually have an obvious meaning, and since they may be formed at will, only a few of this class are given in the Vocabulary. As well. See under As. — As well as, and also; together with; not less than; one as much as the other; as, a sickness long, as well as severe; London is the largest city in England, as well as the capital. — Well enough, well or good in a moderate degree; so as to give satisfaction, or so as to require no alteration. — Well off, in good condition; especially, in good condition as to property or any advantages; thriving; prosperous. — Well to do, well off; prosperous; — used also adjectively. "The class well to do in the world." J. H. Newman. — Well to live, in easy circumstances; well off; well to do. Shak.
WELLWell, a.
1. Good in condition or circumstances; desirable, either in a natural or moral sense; fortunate; convenient; advantageous; happy; as, it is well for the country that the crops did not fail; it is well that the mistake was discovered. It was well with us in Egypt. Num. xi. 18.
2. Being in health; sound in body; not ailing, diseased, or sick; healthy; as, a well man; the patient is perfectly well. "Your friends are well." Shak. Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake Gen. xliii. 27.
3. Being in favor; favored; fortunate. He followed the fortunes of that family, and was well with Henry the Fourth. Dryden.
4. (Marine Insurance)
Defn: Safe; as, a chip warranted well at a certain day and place.Burrill.
WE'LLWe'll.
Defn: Contraction for we will or we shall. "We'll follow them." Shak.
WELLADAYWell"a*day, interj. Etym: [Corrupted from wela way.]
Defn: Alas! Welaway! Shak.
WELLATWel"lat, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The king parrakeet See under King.
WELL-BEINGWell"-be`ing, n.
Defn: The state or condition of being well; welfare; happiness; prosperity; as, virtue is essential to the well-being of men or of society.
WELL-BORNWell"-born`, a.
Defn: Born of a noble or respect able family; not of mean birth.
WELL-BREDWell"-bred`, a.
Defn: Having good breeding; refined in manners; polite; cultivated.I am as well-bred as the earl's granddaughter. Thackera
WELLDOERWell"do`er, n.
Defn: One who does well; one who does good to another; a benefactor.
WELLDOINGWell"do`ing, n.
Defn: A doing well; right performance of duties. Also used adjectively.
WELLDRAIN Well"drain`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welldrained; p. pr. & vb. n. Well- draining.]
Defn: To drain, as land; by means of wells, or pits, which receive the water, and from which it is discharged by machinery.
WELLFAREWell"fare`, n.
Defn: See Welfare. [Obs.]
WELL-FAVOREDWell"-fa"vored, a.
Defn: Handsome; wellformed; beautiful; pleasing to the eye.Rachel was beautiful and well-favored. Gen. xxix. 17.
WELLHEADWell"head`, n.
Defn: A source, spring, or fountain.At the wellhead the purest streams arise. Spenser.Our public-school and university life is a great wellhead of new andirresponsible words. Earle.
WELLHOLEWell"hole`, n.
1. (Arch.) (a) The open space in a floor, to accommodate a staircase. (b) The open space left beyond the ends of the steps of a staircase.
2. A cavity which receives a counterbalancing weight in certain mechanical contrivances, and is adapted also for other purposes. W. M. Buchanan.
WELL-INFORMEDWell`-in*formed", a.
Defn: Correctly informed; provided with information; well furnished with authentic knowledge; intelligent.
WELLINGTON BOOTWel"ling*ton boot. [After the Duke of Wellington.]
Defn: A riding boot for men, the front of which came above the knee; also, a similar shorter boot worn under the trousers.
WELLINGTONIAWel`ling*to"ni*a, n. Etym: [NL. So named after the Duke ofWellington.] (Bot.)
Defn: A name given to the "big trees" (Sequoia gigantea) ofCalifornia, and still used in England. See Sequoia.
WELLINGTONSWel"ling*tons, n. pl. Etym: [After the Duke of Wellington.]
Defn: A kind of long boots for men.
WELL-INTENTIONEDWell`-in*ten"tioned, a.
Defn: Having upright intentions or honorable purposes. Dutchmen who had sold themselves to France, as the wellintentioned party. Macaulay.
WELL-KNOWNWell"-known`, a.
Defn: Fully known; generally known or acknowledged.A church well known with a well-known rite. M. Arnold.
WELL-LIKINGWell"-lik`ing, a.
Defn: Being in good condition. [Obs. or Archaic] They also shall bring forth more fruit in their age, and shall be fat and well-liking. Bk. of Com. Prayer (Ps. xcii.).
WELL-MANNEREDWell`-man"nered, a.
Defn: Polite; well-bred; complaisant; courteous. Dryden.
WELL-MEANERWell"-mean`er, n.
Defn: One whose intention is good. "Well-meaners think no harm."Dryden.
WELL-MEANINGWell"-mean`ing, a.
Defn: Having a good intention.
WELL-NATUREDWell`-na"tured, a.
Defn: Good-natured; kind.Well-natured, temperate, and wise. Denham.
WELL-NIGHWell"-nigh`, adv.
Defn: Almost; nearly. Chaucer.
WELL-PLIGHTEDWell"-plight`ed, a.
Defn: Being well folded. [Obs.] "Her well-plighted frock." Spenser.
WELL-READWell"-read`, a.
Defn: Of extensive reading; deeply versed; — often followed by in.
WELL-SEENWell"-seen`, a.
Defn: Having seen much; hence, accomplished; experienced. [Obs.]Beau. & Fl.Well-seen in arms and proved in many a fight. Spenser.
WELL-SETWell"-set`, a.
1. Properly or firmly set.
2. Well put together; having symmetry of parts.
WELL-SPEDWell"-sped`, a.
Defn: Having good success.
WELL-SPOKENWell"-spo`ken, a. Etym: [Well + speak.]
1. Speaking well; speaking with fitness or grace; speaking kindly. "A knight well-spoken." Shak.
2. Spoken with propriety; as, well-spoken words.
WELLSPRINGWell"spring` n.
Defn: A fountain; a spring; a source of continual supply. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly. Prov. xvi. 22.
WELL-WILLERWell"-will`er, n.
Defn: One who wishes well, or means kindly. [R.] "A well-willer of yours." Brydges.
WELL-WISHWell"-wish` n.
Defn: A wish of happiness. "A well-wish for his friends." Addison.
WELLWISHERWell"wish`er, n.
Defn: One who wishes another well; one who is benevolently or friendlily inclined.
WELSWels, n. Etym: [G.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The sheatfish; — called also waller.
WELSBACHWels"bach, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Auer von Welsbach or the incandescent gas burner invented by him. — Welsbach burner, a burner in which the combustion of a mixture of air and gas or vapor is employed to heat to incandescence a mantle composed of thoria and ceria. The mantle is made by soaking a "stocking" in a solution of nitrates of thorium and cerium (approx. 99 : 1), drying, and, for use, igniting to burn the thread and convert the nitrates into oxides, which remain as a fragile ash. The light far exceeds that obtained from the same amount of gas with the ordinary fishtail burner, but has a slight greenish hue.
WELSH Welsh, a. Etym: [AS. wælisc, welisc, from wealh a stranger, foreigner, not of Saxon origin, a Welshman, a Celt, Gael; akin to OHG. walh, whence G. wälsch or welsch, Celtic, Welsh, Italian, French, Foreign, strange, OHG. walhisc; from the name of a Celtic tribe. See Walnut.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Wales, or its inhabitants. [Sometimes written also Welch.] Welsh flannel, a fine kind of flannel made from the fleece of the flocks of the Welsh mountains, and largely manufactured by hand. — Welsh glaive, or Welsh hook, a weapon of war used in former times by the Welsh, commonly regarded as a kind of poleax. Fairholt. Craig. — Welsh mortgage (O. Eng. Law), a species of mortgage, being a conveyance of an estate, redeemable at any time on payment of the principal, with an understanding that the profits in the mean time shall be received by the mortgagee without account, in satisfaction of interest. Burrill. — Welsh mutton, a choice and delicate kind of mutton obtained from a breed of small sheep in Wales. — Welsh onion (Bot.), a kind of onion (Allium fistulosum) having hollow inflated stalks and leaves, but scarcely any bulb, a native of Siberia. It is said to have been introduced from Germany, and is supposed to have derived its name from the German term wälsch foreign. — Welsh parsley, hemp, or halters made from hemp. [Obs. & Jocular] J. Fletcher. — Welsh rabbit. See under Rabbit.
WELSHWelsh, n.
1. The language of Wales, or of the Welsh people.
2. pl.
Defn: The natives or inhabitants of Wales.
Note: The Welsh call themselves Cymry, in the plural, and a Welshman Cymro, and their country Cymru, of which the adjective is Cymreig, and the name of their language Cymraeg. They are a branch of the Celtic family, and a relic of the earliest known population of England, driven into the mountains of Wales by the Anglo-Saxon invaders.
WELSHERWelsh"er, n.
Defn: One who cheats at a horse race; one who bets, without a chance of being able to pay; one who receives money to back certain horses and absconds with it. [Written also welcher.] [Slang, Eng.]
WELSHMANWelsh"man, n.; pl. Welshmen (.
1. A native or inhabitant of Wales; one of the Welsh.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) A squirrel fish. (b) The large-mouthed black bass. See Black bass. [Southern U. S.]
WELSOMEWel"some, a.
Defn: Prosperous; well. [Obs.] Wyclif.— Wel"some*ly, adv. Wyclif.
WELT Welt, n. Etym: [OE. welte, probably fr. W. gwald a hem, a welt, gwaldu to welt or to hem.]
1. That which, being sewed or otherwise fastened to an edge or border, serves to guard, strengthen, or adorn it; as; (a) A small cord covered with cloth and sewed on a seam or border to strengthen it; an edge of cloth folded on itself, usually over a cord, and sewed down. (b) A hem, border, or fringe. [Obs.] (c) In shoemaking, a narrow strip of leather around a shoe, between the upper leather and sole. (d) In steam boilers and sheet-iron work, a strip riveted upon the edges of plates that form a butt joint. (e) In carpentry, a strip of wood fastened over a flush seam or joint, or an angle, to strengthen it. (f) In machine-made stockings, a strip, or flap, of which the heel is formed.
2. (Her.)
Defn: A narrow border, as of an ordinary, but not extending around the ends. Welt joint, a joint, as of plates, made with a welt, instead of by overlapping the edges. See Weld, n., 1 (d).
WELTWelt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welted; p. pr. & vb. n. Welting.]
Defn: To furnish with a welt; to sew or fasten a welt on; as, to welt a boot or a shoe; to welt a sleeve.
WELTWelt, v. t.
Defn: To wilt. [R.]
WELTANSCHAUUNGWelt"an"schau`ung, n.; pl. Weltanschauungen (#). [G.]
Defn: Lit., world view; a conception of the course of events in, and of the purpose of, the world as a whole, forming a philosophical view or apprehension of the universe; the general idea embodied in a cosmology.
WELTEWelte, obs.
Defn: imp. of Weld, to wield. Chaucer.
WELTER Wel"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Weltered; p. pr. & vb. n. Weltering.] Etym: [Freq. of OE. walten to roll over, AS. wealtan; akin to LG. weltern, G. walzen to roll, to waltz, sich wälzen to welter, OHG. walzan to roll, Icel. velta, Dan. vælte, Sw. vältra, välta; cf. Goth. waltjan; probably akin to E. wallow, well, v. i. Well, v. i., and cf. Waltz.]
1. To roll, as the body of an animal; to tumble about, especially in anything foul or defiling; to wallow. When we welter in pleasures and idleness, then we eat and drink with drunkards. Latimer. These wizards welter in wealth's waves. Spenser. He must not float upon his watery bier Unwept, and welter to the parching wind, Without the meed of some melodious tear. Milton. The priests at the altar . . . weltering in their blood. Landor.
2. To rise and fall, as waves; to tumble over, as billows. "The weltering waves." Milton. Waves that, hardly weltering, die away. Wordsworth. Through this blindly weltering sea. Trench.
WELTERWel"ter, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Wilt, v. i.]
Defn: To wither; to wilt. [R.]Weltered hearts and blighted . . . memories. I. Taylor.
WELTERWel"ter, a. (Horse Racing)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, the most heavily weighted race in a meeting; as, a welter race; the welter stakes.
WELTERWel"ter, n.
1. That in which any person or thing welters, or wallows; filth;mire; slough.The foul welter of our so-called religious or other controversies.Carlyle.
2. A rising or falling, as of waves; as, the welter of the billows; the welter of a tempest.
WELTERWEIGHTWel"ter*weight`, n.
1. (Horse Racing) A weight of 28 pounds (one of 40 pounds is called a heavy welterweight) sometimes imposed in addition to weight for age, chiefly in steeplechases and hurdle races.
2. A boxer or wrestler whose weight is intermediate between that of a lightweight and that of a middleweight.
WELTSCHMERTZWelt"schmertz`, n. [G., fr. welt world + schmertz pain. See World;Smart, v. i.]
Defn: Sorrow or sadness over the present or future evils or woes of the world in general; sentimental pessimism.
WELWITSCHIAWel*witsch"i*a, n. Etym: [NL. So named after the discoverer, Dr.Friedrich Welwitsch.] (Bot.)
Defn: An African plant (Welwitschia mirabilis) belonging to the order Gnetaceæ. It consists of a short, woody, topshaped stem, and never more than two leaves, which are the cotyledons enormously developed, and at length split into diverging segments.
WEMWem, n. Etym: [Cf. Womb.]
Defn: The abdomen; the uterus; the womb. [Obs.]
WEMWem, n. Etym: [AS. wam, wamm.]
Defn: Spot; blemish; harm; hurt. [Obs.] Wyclif.Withouten wem of you, through foul and fair. Chaucer.
WEMWem, v. t. Etym: [AS. wemman.]
Defn: To stain; to blemish; to harm; to corrupt. [Obs.]
WEMLESSWem"less, a.
Defn: Having no wem, or blemish; spotless. [Obs.] "Virgin wemless."Chaucer.
WENWen, n. Etym: [AS. wenn; akin to D. wen, LG. wenne.] (Med.)
Defn: An indolent, encysted tumor of the skin; especially, a sebaceous cyst.
WENCH Wench, n. Etym: [OE. wenche, for older wenchel a child, originally, weak, tottering; cf. AS. wencle a maid, a daughter, wencel a pupil, orphan, wincel, winclu, children, offspring, wencel weak, wancol unstable, OHG. wanchol; perhaps akin to E. wink. See Wink.]
1. A young woman; a girl; a maiden. Shak. Lord and lady, groom and wench. Chaucer. That they may send again My most sweet wench, and gifts to boot. Chapman. He was received by the daughter of the house, a pretty, buxom, blue- eyed little wench. W. Black.
2. A low, vicious young woman; a drab; a strumpet.She shall be called his wench or his leman. Chaucer.It is not a digression to talk of bawds in a discourse upon wenches.Spectator.
3. A colored woman; a negress. [U. S.]
WENCHWench, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wenched; p. pr. & vb. n. Wenching.]
Defn: To frequent the company of wenches, or women of ill fame.
WENCHERWench"er, n.
Defn: One who wenches; a lewd man.
WENCHLESSWench"less, a.
Defn: Being without a wench. Shak.
WENDWend, obs.
Defn: p. p. of Wene. Chaucer.
WEND Wend, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wended, Obs. Went; p. pr. & vb. n. Wending.] Etym: [AS. wendan to turn, to go, caus. of windan to wind; akin to OS. wendian, OFries. wenda, D. wenden to turn, G. wenden, Icel. venda, Sw. vända, Dan. vende, Goth. wandjan. See Wind to turn, and cf. Went.]
1. To go; to pass; to betake one's self. "To Canterbury they wend." Chaucer. To Athens shall the lovers wend. Shak.
2. To turn round. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.
WENDWend, v. t.
Defn: To direct; to betake;- used chiefly in the phrase to wend one's way. Also used reflexively. "Great voyages to wend." Surrey.
WENDWend, n. (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: A large extent of ground; a perambulation; a circuit. [Obs.]Burrill.
WENDEWende, obs.
Defn: imp. of Wene. Chaucer.
WENDIC; WENDISHWend"ic, Wend"ish, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining the Wends, or their language.
WENDICWend"ic, n.
Defn: The language of the Wends.
WENDSWends, n. pl.; sing. Wend. (Ethnol.)
Defn: A Slavic tribe which once occupied the northern and eastern parts of Germany, of which a small remnant exists.
WENEWene, v. i.
Defn: To ween. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WEN-LIWên"-li`, n. [Chin. wên li.]
Defn: The higher literary idiom of Chinese, that of the canonical books and of all composition pretending to literary standing. It employs a classical or academic diction, and a more condensed and sententious style than Mandarin, and differs also in the doubling and arrangement of words.
WENLOCK GROUPWen"lock group`, (Geol.)
Defn: The middle subdivision of the Upper Silurian in Great Britain; — so named from the typical locality in Shropshire.
WENNELWen"nel, n.
Defn: See Weanel. [Obs.] Tusser.
WENNISH; WENNYWen"nish, Wen"ny, a. Etym: [From Wen.]
Defn: Having the nature of a wen; resembling a wen; as, a wennish excrescence.
WENONAWe*no"na, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A sand snake (Charina plumbea) of Western North America, of the family Erycidæ.
WENTWent,
Defn: imp. & p. p. of Wend; — now obsolete except as the imperfect of go, with which it has no etymological connection. See Go. To the church both be they went. Chaucer.
WENTWent, n.
Defn: Course; way; path; journey; direction. [Obs.] "At a turning ofa wente." Chaucer.But here my weary team, nigh overspent, Shall breathe itself awhileafter so long a went. Spenser.He knew the diverse went of mortal ways. Spenser.
WENTLETRAP Wen"tle*trap`, n. Etym: [D. wenteltrap a winding staircase; cf. G. wendeltreppe.] [Obs.]
Defn: Any one of numerous species of elegant, usually white, marine shells of the genus Scalaria, especially Scalaria pretiosa, which was formerly highly valued; — called also staircase shell. See Scalaria.
WEPWep, obs.
Defn: imp. of Weep.
WEPENWep"en, n.
Defn: Weapon. [Obs.]
WEPTWept,
Defn: imp. & p. p. of Weep.
WERCHEWerche, v. t. & i.
Defn: To work. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WEREWere, v. t. & i.
Defn: To wear. See 3d Wear. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WEREWere, n.
Defn: A weir. See Weir. [Obs.] Chaucer. Sir P. Sidney.
WEREWere, v. t. Etym: [AS. werian.]
Defn: To guard; to protect. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WERE Were. Etym: [AS. wre (thou) wast, w (we, you, they) were, w imp. subj. See Was.]
Defn: The imperfect indicative plural, and imperfect subjunctive singular and plural, of the verb be. See Be.
WEREWere, n. Etym: [AS. wer; akin to OS. & OHG. wer, Goth. waír, L. vir,Skr. vira. Cf. Weregild, and Werewolf.]
1. A man. [Obs.]
2. A fine for slaying a man; the money value set upon a man's life;weregild. [Obs.]Every man was valued at a certain sum, which was called his were.Bosworth.
WEREGILDWere"gild`, n. Etym: [AS. wergild; wer a man, value set on a man'slife + gild payment of money; akin to G. wehrgeld. Were a man, andGeld, n.] (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: The price of a man's head; a compensation paid of a man killed, partly to the king for the loss of a subject, partly to the lord of a vassal, and partly to the next of kin. It was paid by the murderer. [Written also weregeld, weregelt, etc.] Blackstone.
WEREWOLFWere"wolf`, n.; pl. Werewolves. Etym: [AS. werwulf; wer a man + wulfa wolf; cf. G. wärwolf, währwolf, wehrwolf, a werewolf, MHG. werwolf.Were a man, and Wolf, and cf. Virile, World.]
Defn: A person transformed into a wolf in form and appetite, either temporarily or permanently, whether by supernatural influences, by witchcraft, or voluntarily; a lycanthrope. Belief in werewolves, formerly general, is not now extinct. The werwolf went about his prey. William of Palerne. The brutes that wear our form and face, The werewolves of the human race. Longfellow.
WERK; WERKEWerk, n., Werke, v.
Defn: See Work. [Obs.]
WERNWern, v. t. Etym: [See 1st Warn.]
Defn: To refuse. [Obs.] He is too great a niggard that will wern A man to light a candle at his lantern. Chaucer.
WERNERIANWer*ne"ri*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to A. G. Werner, The German mineralogist and geologist, who classified minerals according to their external characters, and advocated the theory that the strata of the earth's crust were formed by depositions from water; designating, or according to, Werner's system.
WERNERITEWer"ner*ite, n. Etym: [See Wernerian.] (Min.)
Defn: The common grayish or white variety of soapolite.
WEROOLEWe*roo"le, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An Australian lorikeet (Ptilosclera versicolor) noted for the variety of its colors; — called also varied lorikeet.
WERREWerre, n.
Defn: War. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WERREYWer"rey, v. t.
Defn: To warray. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WERSTWerst, n.
Defn: See Verst.
WERTWert
Defn: , The second person singular, indicative and subjunctive moods, imperfect tense, of the verb be. It is formed from were, with the ending -t, after the analogy of wast. Now used only in solemn or poetic style.
WERTWert, n.
Defn: A wart. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WERYANGLEWer`y*an"gle, n.
Defn: See Wariangle. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WESANDWe"sand, n.
Defn: See Weasand. [Obs.]
WESHWesh, obs. imp. of Wash.
Defn: Washed. Chaucer.
WESILWe"sil n.
Defn: See Weasand. [Obs.]
WESLEYANWes"ley*an, a. Etym: [See Wesleyanism.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Wesley or Wesleyanism.
WESLEYANWes"ley*an, n. (Eccl.)
Defn: One who adopts the principles of Wesleyanism; a Methodist.
WESLEYANISMWes"ley*an*ism, n. (Eccl.)
Defn: The system of doctrines and church polity inculcated by JohnWesley (b. 1703; d. 1791), the founder of the religious sect calledMethodist; Methodism. See Methodist, n., 2.
WESTWest, n. Etym: [AS. west, adv.; akin to D. west, G. west, westen,OHG. westan, Icel. vestr, Sw. vest, vester, vestan, Dan. vest,vesten, and perhaps to L. vesper evening, Gr. Vesper, Visigoth.]
1. The point in the heavens where the sun is seen to set at the equinox; or, the corresponding point on the earth; that one of the four cardinal points of the compass which is in a direction at right angles to that of north and south, and on the left hand of a person facing north; the point directly opposite to east. And fresh from the west is the free wind's breath. Bryant.
2. A country, or region of country, which, with regard to some other country or region, is situated in the direction toward the west.
3. Specifically: (a) The Westen hemisphere, or the New World so called, it having been discovered by sailing westward from Europe; the Occident. (b) (U. S. Hist. & Geog.) Formerly, that part of the United States west of the Alleghany mountains; now, commonly, the whole region west of the Mississippi river; esp., that part which is north of the Indian Territory, New Mexico, etc. Usually with the definite article. West by north, West by south, according to the notation of the mariner's compass, that point which lies 11 — West northwest, West southwest, that point which lies 22Illust. of Compass.
WESTWest, a.
Defn: Lying toward the west; situated at the west, or in a western direction from the point of observation or reckoning; proceeding toward the west, or coming from the west; as, a west course is one toward the west; an east and west line; a west wind blows from the west. This shall be your west border. Num. xxxiv. 6. West end, the fashionable part of London, commencing from the east, at Charing Cross.
WESTWest, adv. Etym: [AS. west.]
Defn: Westward.
WESTWest, v. i.
1. To pass to the west; to set, as the sun. [Obs.] "The hot sun gan to west." Chaucer.
2. To turn or move toward the west; to veer from the north or south toward the west.
WESTERINGWest"er*ing, a.
Defn: Passing to the west.Toward heaven's descent had sloped his westering wheel. Milton.
WESTERLYWest"er*ly, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the west; toward the west; coming from the west; western.
WESTERLYWest"er*ly, adv.
Defn: Toward the west; westward.
WESTERNWest"ern, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the west; situated in the west, or in the region nearly in the direction of west; being in that quarter where the sun sets; as, the western shore of France; the western ocean. Far o'er the glowing western main. Keble.
2. Moving toward the west; as, a ship makes a western course; coming from the west; as, a western breeze. Western Church. See Latin Church, under Latin. — Western empire (Hist.), the western portion of the Roman empire, as divided, by the will of Theodosius the Great, between his sons Honorius and Arcadius, a. d. 395.
WESTERNERWest"ern*er, n.
Defn: A native or inhabitant of the west.
WESTERNMOSTWest"ern*most`, a.
Defn: Situated the farthest towards the west; most western.
WEST INDIA; WEST INDIANWest` In"di*a, West` In"di*an.
Defn: Belonging or relating to the West Indies. West India tea (Bot.), a shrubby plant (Capraria biflora) having oblanceolate toothed leaves which are sometimes used in the West Indies as a substitute for tea.
WEST INDIANWest` In"di*an.
Defn: A native of, or a dweller in, the West Indies.
WESTINGWest"ing, n. (Naut. & Surv.)
Defn: The distance, reckoned toward the west, between the two meridians passing through the extremities of a course, or portion of a ship's path; the departure of a course which lies to the west of north.
WESTLINGWest"ling, n.
Defn: A westerner. [R.]
WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLYWest"min`ster As*sem"bly.
Defn: See under Assembly.
WESTMOSTWest"most`, a.
Defn: Lying farthest to the west; westernmost.
WESTWARD; WESTWARDS West"ward, West"wards, adv. Etym: [AS. westweard. See West, and - ward. ]
Defn: Toward the west; as, to ride or sail westward.Westward the course of empire takes its way. Berkeley.
WESTWARDWest"ward, a.
Defn: Lying toward the west.Yond same star that's westward from the pole. Shak.
WESTWARDWest"ward, n.
Defn: The western region or countries; the west.
WESTWARDLYWest"ward*ly, adv.
Defn: In a westward direction.
WESTYWest"y, a.
Defn: Dizzy; giddy. [Prov. Eng.]
WETWet, a. [Compar. Wetter; superl. Wettest.] Etym: [OE. wet, weet, AS.wt; akin to OFries. wt, Icel. vatr, Sw. våt, Dan. vaad, and E. water.Water.]
1. Containing, or consisting of, water or other liquid; moist; soaked with a liquid; having water or other liquid upon the surface; as, wet land; a wet cloth; a wet table. "Wet cheeks." Shak.
2. Very damp; rainy; as, wet weather; a wet season. "Wet October's torrent flood." Milton.
3. (Chem.)
Defn: Employing, or done by means of, water or some other liquid; as, the wet extraction of copper, in distinction from dry extraction in which dry heat or fusion is employed.
4. Refreshed with liquor; drunk. [Slang] Prior. Wet blanket, Wet dock, etc. See under Blanket, Dock, etc. — Wet goods, intoxicating liquors. [Slang]
Syn.— Nasty; humid; damp; moist. See Nasty.
WETWet, n. Etym: [AS. wæta. See Wet, a.]
1. Water or wetness; moisture or humidity in considerable degree. Have here a cloth and wipe away the wet. Chaucer. Now the sun, with more effectual beams, Had cheered the face of earth, and dried the wet From drooping plant. Milton.
2. Rainy weather; foggy or misty weather.
3. A dram; a drink. [Slang]
WETWet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wet (rarely Wetted); p. pr. & vb. n.Wetting.] Etym: [AS. wætan.]
Defn: To fill or moisten with water or other liquid; to sprinkle; to cause to have water or other fluid adherent to the surface; to dip or soak in a liquid; as, to wet a sponge; to wet the hands; to wet cloth. "[The scene] did draw tears from me and wetted my paper." Burke. Ye mists and exhalations, that now rise . . . Whether to deck with clouds the uncolored sky, Or wet the thirsty earth with falling showers. Milton. To wet one's whistle, to moisten one's throat; to drink a dram of liquor. [Colloq.] Let us drink the other cup to wet our whistles. Walton.
WETBIRDWet"bird`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The chaffinch, whose cry is thought to foretell rain. [Prov.Eng.]
WET-BULB THERMOMETERWet-bulb thermometer. (Physics)
Defn: That one of the two similar thermometers of a psychrometer the bulb of which is moistened; also, the entire instrument.
WETHER Weth"er, n. Etym: [OE. wether, AS. we; akin to OS. wethar, withar, a ram, D. weder, G. widder, OHG. widar, Icel. ver, Sw. vädur, Dan. vædder, Goth. wiprus a lamb, L. vitulus calf, Skr. vatsa, L. vetus old, Gr. Veal, Veteran.]
Defn: A castrated ram.
WETNESSWet"ness, n.
1. The quality or state of being wet; moisture; humidity; as, the wetness of land; the wetness of a cloth.
2. A watery or moist state of the atmosphere; a state of being rainy, foggy, or misty; as, the wetness of weather or the season.
Note: Wetness generally implies more water or liquid than is implied by humidness or moisture.
WET NURSEWet" nurse`.
Defn: A nurse who suckles a child, especially the child of another woman. Cf. Dry nurse.
WET PLATEWet plate. (Photog.)
Defn: A plate the film of which retains its sensitiveness only while wet. The film used in such plates is of collodion impregnated with bromides and iodides. Before exposure the plate is immersed in a solution of silver nitrate, and immediately after exposure it is developed and fixed.
WET-SHODWet"-shod`, a.
Defn: Having the feet, or the shoes on the feet, wet.
WETTISHWet"tish, a.
Defn: Somewhat wet; moist; humid.
WEVILWe"vil, n.
Defn: See Weevil.
WEXWex, v. t. & i.
Defn: To grow; to wax. [Obs.] Chaucer. "Each wexing moon." Dryden.
WEXWex, obs. imp. of Wex.
Defn: Waxed. Chaucer.
WEXWex, n.
Defn: Wax. [Obs.] "Yelwe as wex." Chaucer.
WEYWey, n.
Defn: Way; road; path. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WEYWey, v. t. & i.
Defn: To weigh. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WEYWey, n. Etym: [OE. weye, AS. w weight. Weight.]
Defn: A certain measure of weight. [Eng.] "A weye of Essex cheese."Piers Plowman.
Note: A wey is 6 Simmonds.
WEYLEWeyle, v. t. & i.
Defn: To wail. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WEYLEWAYWey"le*way, interj.
Defn: See Welaway. [Obs.]
WEYVEWeyve, v. t.
Defn: To waive. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WEZANDWe"zand, n.
Defn: See Weasand. [Obs.]
WHAAP Whaap, n. Etym: [So called from one of its notes.] (Zoöl.) (a) The European curlew; — called also awp, whaup, great whaup, and stock whaup. (b) The whimbrel; — called also May whaup, little whaup, and tang whaup. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
WHACKWhack, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whacked; p. pr. & vb. n. Whacking.] Etym:[Cf. Thwack.]
Defn: To strike; to beat; to give a heavy or resounding blow to; to thrash; to make with whacks. [Colloq.] Rodsmen were whackingtheir way through willow brakes. G. W. Cable.
WHACKWhack, v. i.
Defn: To strike anything with a smart blow. To whack away, to continue striking heavy blows; as, to whack away at a log. [Colloq.]
WHACKWhack, n.
Defn: A smart resounding blow. [Colloq.]
WHACKERWhack"er, n.
1. One who whacks. [Colloq.]
2. Anything very large; specif., a great lie; a whapper. [Colloq.] Halliwell.
WHACKINGWhack"ing, a.
Defn: Very large; whapping. [Colloq.]
WHAHOOWha*hoo", n. (Bot.)
Defn: An American tree, the winged elm. (Ulmus alata).
WHALAWhala, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whaled; p. pr. & vb. n. Whaling.] Etym:[Cf. Wale. ]