3. Specifically, the central part of the butt in archery, which was formerly painted white; the center of a mark at which a missile is shot. 'T was I won the wager, though you hit the white. Shak.
4. A person with a white skin; a member of the white, or Caucasian, races of men.
5. A white pigment; as, Venice white.
6. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of butterflies belonging to Pieris, and allied genera in which the color is usually white. See Cabbage butterfly, under Cabbage. Black and white. See under Black. — Flake white, Paris white, etc. See under Flack, Paris, etc. — White of a seed (Bot.), the albumen. See Albumen, 2. — White of egg, the viscous pellucid fluid which surrounds the yolk in an egg, particularly in the egg of a fowl. In a hen's egg it is alkaline, and contains about 86 per cent of water and 14 per cent of solid matter, the greater portion of which is egg albumin. It likewise contains a small amount of globulin, and traces of fats and sugar, with some inorganic matter. Heated above 60º C. it coagulates to a solid mass, owing to the albumin which it contains. Parr. — White of the eye (Anat.), the white part of the ball of the eye surrounding the transparent cornea.
WHITEWhite, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whited; p. pr. & vb. n. Whiting.] Etym:[AS. hwitan.]
Defn: To make white; to whiten; to whitewash; to bleach.Whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but arewithin full of . . . uncleanness. Matt. xxiii. 27.So as no fuller on earth can white them. Mark. ix. 3.
WHITEBACKWhite"back`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The canvasback.
WHITEBAIT White"bait`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The young of several species of herrings, especially of the common herring, esteemed a great delicacy by epicures in England. (b) A small translucent fish (Salanx Chinensis) abundant at certain seasons on the coasts of China and Japan, and used in the same manner as the European whitebait.
WHITEBEAMWhite"beam`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The common beam tree of England (Pyrus Aria); — so called from the white, woolly under surface of the leaves.
WHITEBEARDWhite"beard`, n.
Defn: An old man; a graybeard.
WHITEBELLY White"bel`ly, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The American widgeon, or baldpate. (b) The prairie chicken.
WHITEBILLWhite"bill`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The American coot.
WHITE-BLAZEWhite"-blaze`, n.
Defn: See White-face.
WHITEBLOWWhite"blow`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Whitlow grass, under Whitlow.
WHITEBOYWhite"boy`, n.
1. A favorite. [Obs.] See White, a., 6. "One of God's whiteboys." Bunyan.
2. One of an association of poor Roman catholics which arose in Ireland about 1760, ostensibly to resist the collection of tithes, the members of which were so called from the white shirts they wore in their nocturnal raids.
WHITEBOYISMWhite"boy`ism, n.
Defn: The conduct or principle of the Whiteboys.
WHITECAPWhite"cap`, n.
1. (Zoöl.) (a) The European redstart; — so called from its white forehead. (b) The whitethroat; — so called from its gray head. (c) The European tree sparrow.
2. A wave whose crest breaks into white foam, as when the wind is freshening.
WHITECOATWhite"coat`, n.
Defn: The skin of a newborn seal; also, the seal itself. [Sealers'Cant]
WHITE-EARWhite"-ear`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The wheatear.
WHITE ELEPHANTWhite elephant.
Defn: Something requiring much care and expense and yielding little profit; any burdensome possession. [Slang]
WHITE-EYEWhite"-eye`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several species of small Old World singing of the genus Zosterops, as Zosterops palpebrosus of India, and Z. coerulescens of Australia. The eyes are encircled by a ring of white feathers, whence the name. Called also bush creeper, and white-eyed tit.
WHITE-FACEWhite"-face`, n.
Defn: A white mark in the forehead of a horse, descending almost to the nose; — called also white-blaze.
WHITEFISH White"fish`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of Coregonus, a genus of excellent food fishes allied to the salmons. They inhabit the lakes of the colder parts of North America, Asia, and Europe. The largest and most important American species (C. clupeiformis) is abundant in the Great Lakes, and in other lakes farther north. Called also lake whitefish, and Oswego bass. (b) The menhaden. (c) The beluga, or white whale.
Note: Various other fishes are locally called whitefish, as the silver salmon, the whiting (a), the yellowtail, and the young of the bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix).
WHITEFLAWWhite"flaw`, n. Etym: [See Whitlow.] (Med.)
Defn: A whitlow. [Obs.] Holland.
WHITE FLYWhite fly.
Defn: Any one of numerous small injurious hemipterous insects of the genus Aleyrodes, allied to scale insects. They are usually covered with a white or gray powder.
WHITE-FOOTWhite"-foot`, n. (Far.)
Defn: A white mark on the foot of a horse, between the fetlock and the coffin.
WHITE FRIARWhite" fri`ar. (Eccl.)
Defn: A mendicant monk of the Carmelite order, so called from the white cloaks worn by the order. See Carmelite.
WHITE-FRONTEDWhite`-front"ed, a.
Defn: Having a white front; as, the white-fronted lemur. White- fronted goose (Zoöl.), the white brant, or snow goose. See Snow goose, under Snow.
WHITEHEAD White"head`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The blue-winged snow goose. (b) The surf scoter.
WHITEHEAD TORPEDO; WHITEHEADWhite"head` tor*pe"do, or White"head`, n.
Defn: A form of self-propelling torpedo.
WHITE-HEARTWhite"-heart`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A somewhat heart-shaped cherry with a whitish skin.
WHITE HORSEWhite horse.
Defn: A large mass of tough sinewy substance in the head of sperm whales, just above the upper jaw and extending in streaks into the junk above it. It resembles blubber, but contains no oil. Also, the part of the head in which it occurs.
WHITE-HOTWhite"-hot`, a.
Defn: White with heat; heated to whiteness, or incandescence.
WHITE-LIMEDWhite"-limed`, a.
Defn: Whitewashed or plastered with lime. "White-limed walls." Shak.
WHITE LIST White list. (a) A list of business concerns regarded as worthy of patronage by reason of compliance with certain conditions, as in regard to treatment of employees; as, the white list of the Consumers' League. [Cant] (b) (New York Stock Exchange) The official list of all transactions, published daily on white paper, divided into sales from 10 to 12, 12 to 2, and 2 to 3.
WHITE-LIVEREDWhite"-liv`ered, a.
Defn: Having a pale look; feeble; hence, cowardly; pusillanimous;dastardly.They must not be milksops, nor white-livered knights. Latimer.
WHITELYWhite"ly, a.
Defn: Like, or coming near to, white. [Obs.]
WHITE MUSTARDWhite mustard.
Defn: A kind of mustard (Sinapis alba) with rough-hairy foliage, a long-beaked hispid pod, and pale seeds, which yield mustard and mustard oil. The plant is also grown for forage.
WHITENWhit"en, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whitened; p. pr. & vb. n. Whitening.]Etym: [OE. whitenen; cf. Icel. hvitna.]
Defn: To grow white; to turn or become white or whiter; as, the hair whitens with age; the sea whitens with foam; the trees in spring whiten with blossoms.
WHITENWhit"en, v. t.
Defn: To make white; to bleach; to blanch; to whitewash; as, to whiten a wall; to whiten cloth. The broad stream of the Foyle then whitened by vast flocks of wild swans. Macaulay.
Syn.— See Blanch.
WHITENERWhit"en*er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, whitens; a bleacher; a blancher; a whitewasher.
WHITENESSWhite"ness, n. Etym: [AS. hwitness.]
1. The quality or state of being white; white color, or freedom from darkness or obscurity on the surface. Chaucer.
2. Want of a sanguineous tinge; paleness; as from terror, grief, etc. "The whiteness in thy cheek." Shak.
3. Freedom from stain or blemish; purity; cleanness. He had kept The whiteness of his soul, and thus men o'er him wept. Byron.
4. Nakedness. [Obs.] Chapman.
5. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A flock of swans.
WHITENINGWhit"en*ing, n.
1. The act or process of making or becoming white.
2. That which is used to render white; whiting. [R.] Whitening stone, a sharpening and polishing stone used by cutlers; also, a finishing grindstone of fine texture.
WHITE PERSONWhite person.
Defn: A person of the Caucasian race (6 Fed. Rep. 256). In the time of slavery in the United States white person was generally construed as a person without admixture of colored blood. In various statutes and decisions in different States since 1865 white person is construed as in effect: one not having any negro blood (Ark., Okla.); one having less than one eighth of negro blood (Ala., Fla., Ga., Ind., Ky., Md., Minn., Miss., Mo., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Tex.); one having less than one fourth (Mich., Neb., Ore., Va.); one having less than one half (Ohio).
WHITE PLAGUEWhite plague.
Defn: Tuberculosis, esp. of the lungs.
WHITE-POTWhite"-pot`, n.
Defn: A kind of food made of milk or cream, eggs, sugar, bread, etc., baked in a pot. King.
WHITERUMPWhite"rump`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The American black-tailed godwit.
WHITESWhites, n. pl.
1. (Med.)
Defn: Leucorrh
2. The finest flour made from white wheat.
3. Cloth or garments of a plain white color.
WHITESIDEWhite"side`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The golden-eye.
WHITE SLAVEWhite slave.
Defn: A woman held in involuntary confinement for purposes of prostitution; loosely, any woman forced into unwilling prostitution.
WHITE SLAVERWhite slaver.
Defn: A person engaged in procuring or holding a woman or women for unwilling prostitution.
WHITE SLAVINGWhite slaving.
Defn: The action of one who procures or holds a woman or women for unwilling prostitution.
WHITESMITHWhite"smith`, n.
1. One who works in tinned or galvanized iron, or white iron; a tinsmith.
2. A worker in iron who finishes or polishes the work, in distinction from one who forges it.
WHITESTERWhite"ster, n. Etym: [White + -ster.]
Defn: A bleacher of lines; a whitener; a whitster. [Prov. Eng.]
WHITETAILWhite"tail`, n.
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The Virginia deer.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The wheatear. [Prov. Eng.]
WHITETHORNWhite"thorn`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The hawthorn.
WHITETHROATWhite"throat`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several species of Old World warblers, esp. the common European species (Sylvia cinerea), called also strawsmear, nettlebird, muff, and whitecap, the garden whitethroat, or golden warbler (S. hortensis), and the lesser whitethroat (S. curruca).
WHITETOPWhite"top`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Fiorin.
WHITEWALLWhite"wall`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The spotted flycatcher; — so called from the white color of the under parts. [Prov. Eng.]
WHITEWASHWhite"wash` (, n.
1. Any wash or liquid composition for whitening something, as a wash for making the skin fair. Addison.
2. A composition of line and water, or of whiting size, and water, or the like, used for whitening walls, ceilings, etc.; milk of lime.
WHITEWASHWhite"wash`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whitewashed; p. pr. & vb. n.Whitewashing.]
1. To apply a white liquid composition to; to whiten with whitewash.
2. To make white; to give a fair external appearance to; to clear from imputations or disgrace; hence, to clear (a bankrupt) from obligation to pay debts.
WHITEWASHERWhite"wash`er, n.
Defn: One who whitewashes.
WHITE-WATERWhite"-wa`ter, n. (Far.)
Defn: A dangerous disease of sheep.
WHITEWEEDWhite"weed`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A perennial composite herb (Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum) with conspicuous white rays and a yellow disk, a common weed in grass lands and pastures; — called also oxeye daisy.
WHITEWING White"wing`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The chaffinch; — so called from the white bands on the wing. (b) The velvet duck.
WHITEWOODWhite"wood`, n.
Defn: The soft and easily-worked wood of the tulip tree (Liriodendron). It is much used in cabinetwork, carriage building, etc.
Note: Several other kinds of light-colored wood are called whitewood in various countries, as the wood of Bignonia leucoxylon in the West Indies, of Pittosporum bicolor in Tasmania, etc. Whitewood bark. See the Note under Canella.
WHITEWORT White"wort`, n. (Bot.) (a) Wild camomile. (b) A kind of Solomon's seal (Polygonum officinale).
WHITFLAWWhit"flaw`, n. Etym: [See Whitlow.]
Defn: Whitlow. [Obs.] "The nails fallen off by whitflaws." Herrick.
WHITHER Whith"er, adv. Etym: [OE. whider. AS. hwider; akin to E. where, who; cf. Goth. hvadre whither. See Who, and cf. Hither, Thither.]
1. To what place; — used interrogatively; as, whither goest thou "Whider may I flee" Chaucer. Sir Valentine, whither away so fast Shak.
2. To what or which place; — used relatively. That no man should know . . . whither that he went. Chaucer. We came unto the land whither thou sentest us. Num. xiii. 27.
3. To what point, degree, end, conclusion, or design; whereunto; whereto; — used in a sense not physical. Nor have I . . . whither to appeal. Milton. Any whither, to any place; anywhere. [Obs.] "Any whither, in hope of life eternal." Jer. Taylor. — No whither, to no place; nowhere. [Obs.] 2 Kings v. 25.
Syn. — Where. — Whither, Where. Whither properly implies motion to place, and where rest in a place. Whither is now, however, to a great extent, obsolete, except in poetry, or in compositions of a grave and serious character and in language where precision is required. Where has taken its place, as in the question, "Where are you going"
WHITHERSOEVERWhith`er*so*ev"er, adv. Etym: [Whither + soever.]
Defn: To whatever place; to what place soever; wheresoever; as, I will go whithersoever you lead.
WHITHERWARDWhith"er*ward, adv.
Defn: In what direction; toward what or which place. R. of Brunne. Whitherward to turn for a good course of life was by no means too apparent. Carlyle.
WHITILE Whit"ile, n. Etym: [Perhaps properly, the cutter (see Whittle, v.), or cf. whitewall, witwal.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The yaffle. [Prov. Eng.]
WHITINGWhit"ing, n. Etym: [From White.]
1. (Zoöl.) (a) A common European food fish (Melangus vulgaris) of the Codfish family; — called also fittin. (b) A North American fish (Merlucius vulgaris) allied to the preceding; — called also silver hake. (c) Any one of several species of North American marine sciænoid food fishes belonging to genus Menticirrhus, especially M. Americanus, found from Maryland to Brazil, and M. littoralis, common from Virginia to Texas; — called also silver whiting, and surf whiting.
Note: Various other fishes are locally called whiting, as the kingfish (a), the sailor's choice (b), the Pacific tomcod, and certain species of lake whitefishes.
2. Chalk prepared in an impalpable powder by pulverizing and repeated washing, used as a pigment, as an ingredient in putty, for cleaning silver, etc. Whiting pollack. (Zoöl.) Same as Pollack. — Whiting pout (Zoöl.), the bib, 2.
WHITING-MOPWhit"ing-mop`, n. [Obs.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A young whiting. [Prov. Eng.]
2. A fair lass. "This pretty whiting-mop." Massinger.
WHITISHWhit"ish, a. Etym: [From White.]
1. Somewhat white; approaching white; white in a moderate degree.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Covered with an opaque white powder.
WHITISHNESSWhit"ish*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being whitish or somewhat white.
WHITLEATHERWhit"leath`er, n. Etym: [White + leather.]
1. Leather dressed or tawed with alum, salt, etc., remarkable for its pliability and toughness; white leather.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: The paxwax. See Paxwax.
WHITLINGWhit"ling, n. Etym: [White + -ling.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A young full trout during its second season. [Prov. Eng.]
WHITLOW Whit"low, n. Etym: [Prov. E. whickflaw, for quickflaw, i. e., a flaw or sore at the quick; cf. Icel. kvika the quick under the nail or under a horse's hoof. See Quick, a., and Flaw.]
1. (Med.)
Defn: An inflammation of the fingers or toes, generally of the last phalanx, terminating usually in suppuration. The inflammation may occupy any seat between the skin and the bone, but is usually applied to a felon or inflammation of the periosteal structures of the bone.
2. (Far.)
Defn: An inflammatory disease of the feet. It occurs round the hoof, where an acrid matter is collected. Whitlow grass (Bot.), name given to several inconspicuous herbs, which were thought to be a cure for the whitlow, as Saxifraga tridactylites, Draba verna, and several species of Paronychia.
WHITLOW-WORTWhit"low-wort`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Whitlow grass, under Whitlow.
WHITMONDAYWhit"mon`day, n. (Eccl.)
Defn: The day following Whitsunday; — called also Whitsun Monday.
WHITNEYITE Whit"ney*ite, n. Etym: [So called after J.D. Whitney, an American geologist.] (Min.)
Defn: an arsenide of copper from Lake Superior.
WHITSONWhit"son, a.
Defn: See Whitsun. [Obs.]
WHITSOURWhit"sour`, n. Etym: [White + sour.] (Bot.)
Defn: A sort of apple.
WHITSTERWhit"ster, n. Etym: [Contracted fr. whitester.]
Defn: A whitener; a bleacher; a whitester. [Obs.]The whitsters in Datchet mead. Shak.
WHITSUNWhit"sun, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or observed at, Whitsuntide; as, Whitsun week; Whitsun Tuesday; Whitsun pastorals.
WHITSUNDAYWhit"sun*day, n. Etym: [White + Sunday.]
1. (Eccl.)
Defn: The seventh Sunday, and the fiftieth day, after Easter; a festival of the church in commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost; Pentecost; — so called, it is said, because, in the primitive church, those who had been newly baptized appeared at church between Easter and Pentecost in white garments.
2. (Scots Law)
Defn: See the Note under Term, n., 12.
WHITSUNTIDEWhit"sun*tide`, n. Etym: [Whitsunday + tide.]
Defn: The week commencing with Whitsunday, esp. the first three days— Whitsunday, Whitsun Monday, and Whitsun Tuesday; the time ofPentecost. R. of Gloucester.
WHITTEN TREEWhit"ten tree`. Etym: [Probably from white; cf. AS. hwitingtreów.](Bot.)
Defn: Either of two shrubs (Viburnum Lantana, and V. Opulus), so called on account of their whitish branches.
WHITTERICKWhit"ter*ick, n.
Defn: The curlew. [Prov. Eng.]
WHITTLE Whit"tle, n. Etym: [AS. hwitel, from hwit white; akin to Icel. hvitill a white bed cover. See White.] (a) A grayish, coarse double blanket worn by countrywomen, in the west of England, over the shoulders, like a cloak or shawl. C. Kingsley. (b) Same as Whittle shawl, below. Whittle shawl, a kind of fine woolen shawl, originally and especially a white one.
WHITTLEWhit"tle, n. Etym: [OE. thwitel, fr. AS. pwitan to cut. Cf. Thwittle,Thwaite a piece of ground.]
Defn: A knife; esp., a pocket, sheath, or clasp knife. "A butcher's whittle." Dryden. "Rude whittles." Macaulay. He wore a Sheffield whittle in his hose. Betterton.
WHITTLEWhit"tle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whittled; p. pr. & vb. n. Whittling.]
1. To pare or cut off the surface of with a small knife; to cut or shape, as a piece of wood held in the hand, with a clasp knife or pocketknife.
2. To edge; to sharpen; to render eager or excited; esp., to excite with liquor; to inebriate. [Obs.] "In vino veritas." When men are well whittled, their tongues run at random. Withals.
WHITTLEWhit"tle, v. i.
Defn: To cut or shape a piece of wood with am small knife; to cut upa piece of wood with a knife.Dexterity with a pocketknife is a part of a Nantucket education; butI am inclined to think the propensity is national. Americans must andwill whittle. Willis.
WHITTLINGSWhit"tlings, n. pl.
Defn: Chips made by one who whittles; shavings cut from a stick with a knife.
WHITTRETWhit"tret, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A weasel. [Scot.]
WHITTUESDAYWhit"tues`day, n. (Eccl.)
Defn: The day following Whitmonday; — called also Whitsun Tuesday.
WHITWALLWhit"wall`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Whetile.
WHITWORTH BALLWhit"worth ball`. (Gun.)
Defn: A prejectile used in the Whitworth gun.
WHITWORTH GUNWhit"worth gun`. (Gun.)
Defn: A form of rifled cannon and small arms invented by Sir JosephWhitworth, of Manchester, England.
Note: In Mr. Whitworth's system, the bore of the gun has a polygonal section, and the twist is rapid. The ball, which is pointed in front, is made to fit the bore accurately, and is very much elongated, its length being about three and one half times as great as its diameter. H. L. Scott.
WHITY-BROWNWhit"y-brown`, a.
Defn: Of a color between white and brown. Pegge.
WHIZWhiz, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whizzed; p. pr. & vb. n. Whizzing.] Etym:[Of imitative origin. Whistle, and Hiss.]
Defn: To make a humming or hissing sound, like an arrow or ball flying through the air; to fly or move swiftly with a sharp hissing or whistling sound. [Written also whizz.] It flew, and whizzing, cut the liquid way. Dryden.
WHIZWhiz, n.
Defn: A hissing and humming sound.Like the whiz of my crossbow. Coleridge.
WHIZZINGLYWhiz"zing*ly, adv.
Defn: With a whizzing sound.
WHO Who, pron. [Possess. whose; object. Whom.] Etym: [OE. who, wha, AS. hwa, interrogative pron., neut. hwæt; akin to OFries. hwa, neut. hwet, OS. hwe, neut. hwat, D. wie, neut. wat, G. wer, neut.was, OHG. wer, hwer, neut. waz, hwaz, Icel. hvat, neut., Dan. hvo, neut. hvad, Sw. ho, hvem, neut. hvad, Goth. hwas, fem. hwo, neut. hwa, Lith. kas, Ir. & Gael. co, W. pwy, L. quod, neuter of qui, Gr. po`teros whether, Skr. kas. sq. root182. Cf. How, Quantity, Quorum, Quote, Ubiquity, What, When, Where, Whether, Which, Whither, Whom, Why.]
1. Originally, an interrogative pronoun, later, a relative pronoun also; — used always substantively, and either as singular or plural. See the Note under What, pron., 1. As interrogative pronouns, who and whom ask the question: What or which person or persons Who and whom, as relative pronouns (in the sense of that), are properly used of persons (corresponding to which, as applied to things), but are sometimes, less properly and now rarely, used of animals, plants, etc. Who and whom, as compound relatives, are also used especially of persons, meaning the person that; the persons that; the one that; whosoever. "Let who will be President." Macaulay. [He] should not tell whose children they were. Chaucer. There thou tell'st of kings, and who aspire; Who fall, who rise, who triumph, who do moan. Daniel. Adders who with cloven tongues Do hiss into madness. Shak. Whom I could pity thus forlorn. Milton. How hard is our fate, who serve in the state. Addison. Who cheapens life, abates the fear of death. Young. The brace of large greyhounds, who were the companions of his sports. Sir W. Scott.
2. One; any; one. [Obs., except in the archaic phrase, as who should say.] As who should say, it were a very dangerous matter if a man in any point should be found wiser than his forefathers were. Robynson (More's Utopia).
WHOAWhoa, interj.
Defn: Stop; stand; hold. See Ho, 2.
WHOBUBWho"bub, n.
Defn: Hubbub. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
WHOEVERWho*ev"er, pron.
Defn: Whatever person; any person who; be or she who; any one who; as, he shall be punished, whoever he may be. "Whoever envies or repines." Milton. "Whoever the king favors." Shak.
WHOLE Whole, a. Etym: [OE. hole, hol, hal, hool, AS. hal well, sound, healthy; akin to OFries. & OS. h, D. heel, G. heil, Icel. heill, Sw. hel whole, Dan. heel, Goth. hails well, sound, OIr. c augury. Cf. Hale, Hail to greet, Heal to cure, Health, Holy.]
1. Containing the total amount, number, etc.; comprising all the parts; free from deficiency; all; total; entire; as, the whole earth; the whole solar system; the whole army; the whole nation. "On their whole host I flew unarmed." Milton. The whole race of mankind. Shak.
2. Complete; entire; not defective or imperfect; not broken or fractured; unimpaired; uninjured; integral; as, a whole orange; the egg is whole; the vessel is whole. My life is yet whole in me. 2 Sam. i. 9.
3. Possessing, or being in a state of, heath and soundness; healthy; sound; well. [She] findeth there her friends hole and sound. Chaucer. They that be whole need not a physician. Matt. ix. 12. When Sir Lancelot's deadly hurt was whole. Tennyson. Whole blood. (Law of Descent) See under Blood, n., 2. — Whole note (Mus.), the note which represents a note of longest duration in common use; a semibreve. — Whole number (Math.), a number which is not a fraction or mixed number; an integer. Whole snipe (Zoöl.), the common snipe, as distinguished from the smaller jacksnipe. [Prov. Eng.]
Syn. — All; total; complete; entire; integral; undivided; uninjured; unimpaired; unbroken; healthy. — Whole, Total, Entire, Complete. When we use the word whole, we refer to a thing as made up of parts, none of which are wanting; as, a whole week; a whole year; the whole creation. When we use the word total, we have reference to all as taken together, and forming a single totality; as, the total amount; the total income. When we speak of a thing as entire, we have no reference to parts at all, but regard the thing as an integer, i. e., continuous or unbroken; as, an entire year; entire prosperity. When we speak of a thing as complete, there is reference to some progress which results in a filling out to some end or object, or a perfected state with no deficiency; as, complete success; a complete victory. All the whole army stood agazed on him. Shak. One entire and perfect chrysolite. Shak. Lest total darkness should by night regain Her old possession, and extinguish life. Milton. So absolute she seems, And in herself complete. Milton.
WHOLEWhole, n.
1. The entire thing; the entire assemblage of parts; totality; all of a thing, without defect or exception; a thing complete in itself. "This not the whole of life to live, Nor all of death to die. J. Montgomery.
2. A regular combination of parts; a system. Parts answering parts shall slide into a whole. Pope. Committee of the whole. See under Committee. — Upon the whole, considering all things; taking everything into account; in view of all the circumstances or conditions.
Syn.— Totality; total; amount; aggregate; gross.
WHOLE-HOOFEDWhole"-hoofed`, a.
Defn: Having an undivided hoof, as the horse.
WHOLE-LENGTHWhole"-length`, a.
Defn: Representing the whole figure; — said of a picture or statue.— n.
Defn: A portrait or statue representing the whole figure.
WHOLENESSWhole"ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being whole, entire, or sound; entireness; totality; completeness.
WHOLESALEWhole"sale`, n.
Defn: Sale of goods by the piece or large quantity, as distinguished from retail. By wholesale, in the mass; in large quantities; without distinction or discrimination. Some, from vanity or envy, despise a valuable book, and throw contempt upon it by wholesale. I. Watts.
WHOLESALEWhole"sale`, a.
1. Pertaining to, or engaged in, trade by the piece or large quantity; selling to retailers or jobbers rather than to consumers; as, a wholesale merchant; the wholesale price.
2. Extensive and indiscriminate; as, wholesale slaughter. "A time for wholesale trust." Mrs. Humphry Ward.
WHOLESOMEWhole"some, a. [Compar. Wholesomer; superl. Wholesomest.] Etym:[Whole + some; cf. Icel. heilsamr, G. heilsam, D. heilzaam.]
1. Tending to promote health; favoring health; salubrious; salutary. Wholesome thirst and appetite. Milton. From which the industrious poor derive an agreeable and wholesome variety of food. A Smith.
2. Contributing to the health of the mind; favorable to morals, religion, or prosperity; conducive to good; salutary; sound; as, wholesome advice; wholesome doctrines; wholesome truths; wholesome laws. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. Prov. xv. 4. I can not . . . make you a wholesome answer; my wit's diseased. Shak. A wholesome suspicion began to be entertained. Sir W. Scott.
3. Sound; healthy. [Obs.] Shak.— Whole"some*ly, adv.— Whole"some*ness, n.
WHOLE-SOULEDWhole"-souled`, a.
Defn: Thoroughly imbued with a right spirit; noble-minded; devoted.
WHOLLYWhol"ly, adv.
1. In a whole or complete manner; entirely; completely; perfectly. Nor wholly overcome, nor wholly yield. Dryden.
2. To the exclusion of other things; totally; fully. They employed themselves wholly in domestic life. Addison.
WHOMWhom, pron. Etym: [OE. wham, AS. dative hwam, hw. See Who.]
Defn: The objective case of who. See Who.
Note: In Old English, whom was also commonly used as a dative. Cf.Him.And every grass that groweth upon root She shall eke know, and whomit will do boot. Chaucer.
WHOMSOEVERWhom`so*ev"er, pron.
Defn: The objective of whosoever. See Whosoever. The Most High ruleth in the kingdow of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. Dan. iv. 17.
WHOOBUBWhoo"bub, n.
Defn: Hubbub. [Obs.] Shak.
WHOOPWhoop (, n. Etym: [See Hoopoe.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The hoopoe.
WHOOPWhoop, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whooped; p. pr. & vb. n. Whooping.] Etym:[OE. houpen. See Hoop, v. i.]
1. To utter a whoop, or loud cry, as eagerness, enthusiasm, or enjoyment; to cry out; to shout; to halloo; to utter a war whoop; to hoot, as an owl. Each whooping with a merry shout. Wordsworth. When naught was heard but now and then the howl Of some vile cur, or whooping of the owl. W. Browne.
2. To cough or breathe with a sonorous inspiration, as in whooping cough.
WHOOPWhoop, v. t.
Defn: To insult with shouts; to chase with derision.And suffered me by the voice of slaves to be Whooped out of Rome.Shak.
WHOOPWhoop, n.
1. A shout of pursuit or of war; a very of eagerness, enthusiasm, enjoyment, vengeance, terror, or the like; an halloo; a hoot, or cry, as of an owl. A fox, crossing the road, drew off a considerable detachment, who clapped spurs to their horses, and pursued him with whoops and halloos. Addison. The whoop of the crane. Longfellow.
2. A loud, shrill, prolonged sound or sonorous inspiration, as in whooping cough.
WHOOPERWhoop"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, whooops. Woopher swan. (Zoöl.) See theNote under Swan.
WHOOPINGWhoop"ing,
Defn: a. & n. from Whoop, v. t. Whooping cough (Med.), a violent, convulsive cough, returning at longer or shorter intervals, and consisting of several expirations, followed by a sonorous inspiration, or whoop; chin cough; hooping cough. Dunglison. — Whooping crane (Zoöl.), a North American crane (Crus Americana) noted for the loud, whooplike note which it utters. — Whooping swan (Zoöl.), the whooper swan. See the Note under Swan.
WHOOTWhoot, v. i. Etym: [See Hoot.]
Defn: To hoot. [Obs.]
WHOPWhop, v. t.
Defn: Same as Whap. Forby.
WHOPWhop, n.
Defn: Same as Whap.
WHOPPERWhop"per, n. Etym: [Cf. Whapper.]
1. One who, or that which, whops.
2. Same as Whapper.
WHOREWhore, n. Etym: [OE. hore, AS. h; akin to D. hoer, hoere, G. hure,OHG. huora, huorra, Icel. h, Dan. hore, Sw. hora, Goth. h anadulterer, AS. h adultery, OHG. huor, and probably to L. carus dear.Cf. Charity.]
Defn: A woman who practices unlawful sexual commerce with men, especially one who prostitutes her body for hire; a prostitute; a harlot. Wyclif.
Syn.— Harlot; courtesan; prostitute; strumpet.
WHOREWhore, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whored; p. pr. & vb. n. Whoring.] Etym:[Cf. Icel. h. See Whore, n.]
1. To have unlawful sexual intercourse; to practice lewdness.
2. (Script.)
Defn: To worship false and impure gods.
WHOREWhore, v. t.
Defn: To corrupt by lewd intercourse; to make a whore of; to debauch.[R.] Congreve.
WHOREDOMWhore"dom, n. Etym: [OE. hordom; cf. Icel. h.]
1. The practice of unlawful intercourse with the other sex; fornication; lewdness.
2. (Script.)
Defn: The sin of worshiping idols; idolatry. O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled; they will not . . . turn unto their God. Hos. v. 3, 4.
WHOREMASTERWhore"mas`ter, n.
1. A man who practices lewdness; a lecher; a whoremonger.
2. One keeps or procures whores for others; a pimp; a procurer.
WHOREMASTERLYWhore"mas`ter*ly, a.
Defn: Having the character of a whoremaster; lecherous; libidinous.
WHOREMONGERWhore"mon`ger, n.
Defn: A whoremaster; a lecher; a man who frequents the society of whores.
WHORESONWhore"son, n.
Defn: A bastard; colloquially, a low, scurvy fellow; — used generally in contempt, or in coarse humor. Also used adjectively. [Archaic] Shak.
WHORISHWhor"ish, a.
Defn: Resembling a whore in character or conduct; addicted tounlawful pleasures; incontinent; lewd; unchaste.— Whor"ish*ly, adv.— Whor"ish*ness, n.
WHORL Whorl, n. Etym: [OE. whorvil the whirl of a spindle; akin to AS. hweorfa the whirl of a spindle, hweorfan to turn; cf. OD. worvel the whirl of a spindle. See Whirl, n. & v.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A circle of two or more leaves, flowers, or other organs, about the same part or joint of a stem.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A volution, or turn, of the spire of a univalve shell.
3. (Spinning)
Defn: The fly of a spindle.
WHORLEDWhorled, a.
Defn: Furnished with whorls; arranged in the form of a whorl or whorls; verticillate; as, whorled leaves.
WHORLERWhorl"er, n.
Defn: A potter's wheel.
WHORTWhort, n. Etym: [See Whortleberry.] (Bot.)
Defn: The whortleberry, or bilberry. See Whortleberry (a).
WHORTLEWhor"tle, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The whortleberry, or bilberry.[He] looked ahead of him from behind a tump of whortles. R. D.Blackmore.
WHORTLEBERRY Whor"tle*ber`ry, n. Etym: [AS. wyrtil a small shrub (dim. of wyrt wort) + E. berry. See Wort, and cf. Huckleberry, Hurtleberry.] (Bot.) (a) In England, the fruit of Vaccinium Myrtillus; also, the plant itself. See Bilberry, 1. (b) The fruit of several shrubby plants of the genus Gaylussacia; also, any one of these plants. See Huckleberry.
WHOSEWhose, pron. Etym: [OE. whos, whas, AS. hwæs, gen. of hwa. See Who.]
Defn: The possessive case of who or which. See Who, and Which.Whose daughter art thou tell me, I pray thee. Gen. xxiv. 23.The question whose solution I require. Dryden.
WHOSESOEVERWhose`so*ev"er, pron.
Defn: The possessive of whosoever. See Whosoever.
WHOSOWho"so, pron.
Defn: Whosoever. Piers Plowman.Whoso shrinks or falters now, . . . Brand the craven on his brow!Whittier.
WHOSOEVERWho`so*ev"er, pron.
Defn: Whatsoever person; any person whatever that; whoever.Whosoever will, let him take . . . freely. Rev. xxii. 17.
WHOTWhot, a.
Defn: Hot. [Obs.] Spenser.
WHURWhur, v. i. Etym: [Probably of imitative origin. Cf. Hurr, Hurry,Whir.]
1. To make a rough, humming sound, like one who pronounces the letter r with too much force; to whir; to birr.
2. To snarl or growl, as a dog. Halliwell.
WHURWhur, n.
Defn: A humming or whirring sound, like that of a body moving through the air with velocity; a whir.
WHURRYWhur"ry, v. t. Etym: [See Hurry.]
Defn: To whisk along quickly; to hurry. [R.]Whurrying the chariot with them to the shore. Vicars.
WHURTWhurt, n. (Bot.)
Defn: See Whort.
WHY Why, adv. Etym: [OE. whi, why, AS. hwi, hw, instrumental case of hwa, hwæt; akin to Icel. hvi why, Dan. & Sw. hvi; cf. Goth. hw. Who.]
1. For what cause, reason, or purpose; on what account; wherefore; — used interrogatively. See the Note under What, pron., 1. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel Ezek. xxxiii. 11.
2. For which; on account of which; — used relatively. No ground of enmity between us known Why he should mean me ill or seek to harm. Milton. Turn the discourse; I have a reason why I would not have you speak so tenderly. Dryden.
3. The reason or cause for which; that on account of which; on what account; as, I know not why he left town so suddenly; — used as a compound relative.
Note: Why is sometimes used as an interjection or an expletive inexpression of surprise or content at a turn of affairs; used also incalling. "Why, Jessica!" Shak.If her chill heart I can not move, Why, I'll enjoy the very love.Cowley.Sometimes, also, it is used as a noun.The how and the why and the where. Goldsmith.For why, because; why. See Forwhy. [Obs. or Colloq.]
WHYWhy, n.
Defn: A young heifer. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.
WHYDAH BIRD; WHYDAH FINCHWhyd"ah bird`, or Whyd"ah finch`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The whidah bird.
WHY-NOTWhy"-not`, n.
Defn: A violent and peremptory procedure without any assigned reason;a sudden conclusive happening. [Obs.]When the church Was taken with a why-not in the lurch. Hudibras.This game . . . was like to have been lost with a why-not. NugæAntiq.
WICHWich, n.
Defn: A variant of 1st Wick.
WICHITASWich"i*tas, n. pl.; sing. Wichita (. (Ethnol.)
Defn: A tribe of Indians native of the region between the Arkansas and Red rivers. They are related to the Pawnees. See Pawnees.
WICK; WICH Wick, or Wich, n. Etym: [AS. wic village, fr. L. vicus. In some names of places, perhaps fr. Icel. vik an inlet, creek, bay. See Vicinity, and cf. Villa.]
1. A street; a village; a castle; a dwelling; a place of work, or exercise of authority; — now obsolete except in composition; as, bailiwick, Warwick, Greenwick. Stow.
2. (Curling)
Defn: A narrow port or passage in the rink or course, flanked by the stones of previous players.
WICK Wick, n. Etym: [OE. wicke, weyke, weke, AS. weoca or wecca; cf. D. wiek a roll of lint, Prov. G. wicke, and wieche, OHG. wiohha, Sw. veke, Dan. væge; of uncertain origin.]
Defn: A bundle of fibers, or a loosely twisted or braided cord, tape, or tube, usually made of soft spun cotton threads, which by capillary attraction draws up a steady supply of the oil in lamps, the melted tallow or wax in candles, or other material used for illumination, in small successive portions, to be burned. But true it is, that when the oil is spent The light goes out, and wick is thrown away. Spenser.
WICKWick, v. i. (Curling)
Defn: To strike a stone in an oblique direction. Jamieson.
WICKEWick"e, a.
Defn: Wicked. [Obs.] Piers Plowman. "With full wikke intent."Chaucer.
WICKEDWicked, a.
Defn: Having a wick; — used chiefly in composition; as, a two-wicked lamp.
WICKED Wick"ed a. Etym: [OE. wicked, fr. wicke wicked; probably originally the same word as wicche wizard, witch. See Witch.]
1. Evil in principle or practice; deviating from morality; contrary to the moral or divine law; addicted to vice or sin; sinful; immoral; profligate; — said of persons and things; as, a wicked king; a wicked woman; a wicked deed; wicked designs. Hence, then, and evil go with thee along, Thy offspring, to the place of evil, hell, Thou and thy wicked crew! Milton. Never, never, wicked man was wise. Pope.
2. Cursed; baneful; hurtful; bad; pernicious; dangerous. [Obs.] "Wicked dew." Shak. This were a wicked way, but whoso had a guide. P. Plowman.
3. Ludicrously or sportively mischievous; disposed to mischief; roguish. [Colloq.] Pen looked uncommonly wicked. Thackeray.
Syn. — Iniquitous; sinful; criminal; guilty; immoral; unjust; unrighteous; unholy; irreligious; ungodly; profane; vicious; pernicious; atrocious; nefarious; heinous; flagrant; flagitious; abandoned. See Iniquitous.
WICKEDLYWick"ed*ly, adv.
Defn: In a wicked manner; in a manner, or with motives and designs,contrary to the divine law or the law of morality; viciously;corruptly; immorally.I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. 2 Sam. xxiv. 17.
WICKEDNESSWick"ed*ness, n.
1. The quality or state of being wicked; departure from the rules of the divine or the moral law; evil disposition or practices; immorality; depravity; sinfulness. God saw that the wickedness of man was great. Gen. vi. 5. Their inward part is very wickedness. Ps. v. 9.
2. A wicked thing or act; crime; sin; iniquity. I'll never care what wickedness I do, If this man comes to good. Shak.
WICKEN TREEWick"en tree`.
Defn: Same as Quicken tree.
WICKER Wick"er, n. Etym: [OE. wiker, wikir, osier, probably akin to AS. wican to give way. Cf. Weak.]
1. A small pliant twig or osier; a rod for making basketwork and the like; a withe.
2. Wickerwork; a piece of wickerwork, esp. a basket. Then quick did dress His half milk up for cheese, and in a press Of wicker pressed it. Chapman.
3. Same as 1st Wike. [Prov. Eng.]
WICKERWick"er, a.
Defn: Made of, or covered with, twigs or osiers, or wickerwork. Each one a little wicker basket had, Made of fine twigs, entrailéd curiously. Spenser.
WICKEREDWick"ered, a.
Defn: Made of, secured by, or covered with, wickers or wickerwork. Ships of light timber, wickered with osier between, and covered over with leather. Milton.
WICKERWORKWick"er*work`, n.
Defn: A texture of osiers, twigs, or rods; articles made of such a texture.
WICKET Wick"et, n. Etym: [OE. wiket, OF. wiket, guichet, F. quichet; probably of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. v a small creek, inlet, bay, vik a corner.]
1. A small gate or door, especially one forming part of, or placed near, a larger door or gate; a narrow opening or entrance cut in or beside a door or gate, or the door which is used to close such entrance or aperture. Piers Plowman. "Heaven's wicket." Milton. And so went to the high street, . . . and came to the great tower, but the gate and wicket was fast closed. Ld. Berners. The wicket, often opened, knew the key. Dryden.
2. A small gate by which the chamber of canal locks is emptied, or by which the amount of water passing to a water wheel is regulated.
3. (Cricket) (a) A small framework at which the ball is bowled. It consists of three rods, or stumps, set vertically in the ground, with one or two short rods, called bails, lying horizontally across the top. (b) The ground on which the wickets are set.
4. A place of shelter made of the boughs of trees, — used by lumbermen, etc. [Local, U. S.] Bartlett.
5. (Mining)
Defn: The space between the pillars, in postand-stall working.Raymond. Wicket door, Wicket gate, a small door or gate; a wicket.See def. 1, above. Bunyan.— Wicket keeper (Cricket), the player who stands behind the wicketto catch the balls and endeavor to put the batsman out.
WICKINGWick"ing, n.
Defn: the material of which wicks are made; esp., a loosely braided or twisted cord or tape of cotton.
WICKIUP WICKYUP{ Wick"i*up Wick"y*up }, n.
Defn: Vars of Wikiup.
WICLIFITE; WICKLIFFITEWic"lif*ite, Wick"liff*ite, n.
Defn: See Wyclifite.
WICOPYWic"o*py, n. (Bot.)
Defn: See Leatherwood.
WIDAL'S TEST; WIDAL TEST; WIDAL'S REACTION; WIDAL REACTION Wi*dal's", or Wi*dal", test or reaction . [After Fernand Widal (b. 1862), French physician.] (Med.)
Defn: A test for typhoid fever based on the fact that blood serum of one affected, in a bouillon culture of typhoid bacilli, causes the bacilli to agglutinate and lose their motility.
WIDDYWid"dy, n. Etym: [Cf. Withy.]
Defn: A rope or halter made of flexible twigs, or withes, as of birch. [Scot.]
WIDE Wide, a. [Compar. Wider; superl. Widest.] Etym: [OE. wid, wyde, AS. wid; akin to OFries. & OS. wid, D. wijd, G. weit, OHG. wit, Icel. vi\'ebr, Sw. & Dan. vid; of uncertain origin.]
1. Having considerable distance or extent between the sides; spacious across; much extended in a direction at right angles to that of length; not narrow; broad; as, wide cloth; a wide table; a wide highway; a wide bed; a wide hall or entry. The chambers and the stables weren wyde. Chaucer. Wide is the gate . . . that leadeth to destruction. Matt. vii. 18.
2. Having a great extent every way; extended; spacious; broad; vast; extensive; as, a wide plain; the wide ocean; a wide difference. "This wyde world." Chaucer. For sceptered cynics earth were far too wide a den. Byron. When the wide bloom, on earth that lies, Seems of a brighter world than ours. Bryant.
3. Of large scope; comprehensive; liberal; broad; as, wide views; a wide understanding. Men of strongest head and widest culture. M. Arnold.
4. Of a certain measure between the sides; measuring in a direction at right angles to that of length; as, a table three feet wide.
5. Remote; distant; far. The contrary being so wide from the truth of Scripture and the attributes of God. Hammond.
6. Far from truth, from propriety, from necessity, or the like. "Ourwide expositors." Milton.It is far wide that the people have such judgments. Latimer.How wide is all this long pretense ! Herbert.
7. On one side or the other of the mark; too far side-wise from the mark, the wicket, the batsman, etc. Surely he shoots wide on the bow hand. Spenser. I was but two bows wide. Massinger.
8. (Phon.)
Defn: Made, as a vowel, with a less tense, and more open and relaxed, condition of the mouth organs; — opposed to primary as used by Mr. Bell, and to narrow as used by Mr. Sweet. The effect, as explained by Mr. Bell, is due to the relaxation or tension of the pharynx; as explained by Mr. Sweet and others, it is due to the action of the tongue. The wide of e (eve) is î (îll); of a (ate) is ê (ênd), etc. See Guide to Pronunciation, § 13-15.
Note: Wide is often prefixed to words, esp. to participles and participial adjectives, to form self-explaining compounds; as, wide- beaming, wide-branched, wide-chopped, wide-echoing, wide-extended, wide-mouthed, wide-spread, wide-spreading, and the like. Far and wide. See under Far. — Wide gauge. See the Note under Cauge, 6.
WIDEWide, adv. Etym: [As. w.]
1. To a distance; far; widely; to a great distance or extent; as, his fame was spread wide. [I] went wyde in this world, wonders to hear. Piers Plowman.
2. So as to leave or have a great space between the sides; so as to form a large opening. Shak.
3. So as to be or strike far from, or on one side of, an object or purpose; aside; astray.
WIDEWide, n.
1. That which is wide; wide space; width; extent. "The waste wide of that abyss." Tennyson.
2. That which goes wide, or to one side of the mark.
WIDE-ANGLEWide"-an`gle, a. (Photog. & Optics)
Defn: Having or covering an angle wider than the ordinary; — applied to certain lenses of relatively short focus. Lenses for ordinary purposes have an angle of 50º or less. Wide-angle lenses may cover as much as 100º and are useful for photographing at short range, but the pictures appear distorted.
WIDE-AWAKEWide`-a*wake", a.
Defn: Fully awake; not Dickens.
WIDE-AWAKEWide`-a*wake", n.
Defn: A broad-brimmed, low-crowned felt hat.
WIDEGAPWide"gap`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The angler; — called also widegab, and widegut.
WIDELYWide"ly, adv.
1. In a wide manner; to a wide degree or extent; far; extensively; as, the gospel was widely disseminated by the apostles.
2. Very much; to a great degree or extent; as, to differ widely in opinion.
WIDENWid"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Widened; p. pr. & vb. n. Widening.]
Defn: To make wide or wider; to extend in breadth; to increase the width of; as, to widen a field; to widen a breach; to widen a stocking.
WIDENWid"en, v. i.
Defn: To grow wide or wider; to enlarge; to spread; to extend.Arches widen, and long aisles extend. Pope.
WIDENESSWide"ness, n.
1. The quality or state of being wide; breadth; width; great extent from side to side; as, the wideness of a room. "I landed in a small creek about the wideness of my canoe." Swift.
2. Large extent in all directions; broadness; greatness; as, the wideness of the sea or ocean.
WIDESPREADWide"spread`, a.
Defn: Spread to a great distance; widely extended; extending far and wide; as, widespread wings; a widespread movement.
WIDEWHEREWide"where`, adv. Etym: [See Wide, and Where.]
Defn: Widely; far and wide. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WIDGEON Widg"eon, n. Etym: [Probably from an old French form of F. vigeon, vingeon, gingeon; of uncertain origin; cf. L. vipio, -onis, a kind of small crane.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several species of fresh-water ducks, especiallythose belonging to the subgenus Mareca, of the genus Anas. The commonEuropean widgeon (Anas penelope) and the American widgeon (A.Americana) are the most important species. The latter is called alsobaldhead, baldpate, baldface, baldcrown, smoking duck, wheat, duck,and whitebelly. Bald-faced, or Green-headed, widgeon, the Americanwidgeon.— Black widgeon, the European tufted duck.— Gray widgeon. (a) The gadwall. (b) The pintail duck.— Great headed widgeon, the poachard.— Pied widgeon. (a) The poachard. (b) The goosander. Saw-billedwidgeon, the merganser.— Sea widgeon. See in the Vocabulary.— Spear widgeon, the goosander. [Prov. Eng.] — Spoonbilledwidgeon, the shoveler.— White widgeon, the smew.— Wood widgeon, the wood duck.
WIDISHWid"ish, a.
Defn: Moderately wide. Tyndall.
WIDMANSTATTEN FIGURES; WIDMANSTAETTEN FIGURESWid"man*stät`ten fig"ures. (Min.)
Defn: Certain figures appearing on etched meteoric iron; — so called after A. B. Widmanstätten, of Vienna, who first described them in 1808. See the Note and Illust. under Meteorite.
WIDOW Wid"ow, n. Etym: [OE. widewe, widwe, AS. weoduwe, widuwe, wuduwe; akin to OFries. widwe, OS. widowa, D. weduwe, G. wittwe, witwe, OHG. wituwa, witawa, Goth. widuw, Russ. udova, OIr. fedb, W. gweddw, L. vidua, Skr. vidhava; and probably to Skr. vidh to be empty, to lack; cf. Gr. Vidual.]
Defn: A woman who has lost her husband by death, and has not married again; one living bereaved of a husband. "A poor widow." Chaucer. Grass widow. See under Grass. — Widow bewitched, a woman separated from her husband; a grass widow. [Colloq.] Widow-in-mourning (Zoöl.), the macavahu. — Widow monkey (Zoöl.), a small South American monkey (Callithrix lugens); — so called on account of its color, which is black except the dull whitish arms, neck, and face, and a ring of pure white around the face. — Widow's chamber (Eng. Law), in London, the apparel and furniture of the bedchamber of the widow of a freeman, to which she was formerly entitled.
WIDOWWid"ow, a.
Defn: Widowed. "A widow woman." 1 Kings xvii. 9. "This widow lady."Shak.
WIDOWWid"ow, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Widowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Widowing.]
1. To reduce to the condition of a widow; to bereave of a husband; — rarely used except in the past participle. Though in thus city he Hath widowed and unchilded many a one, Which to this hour bewail the injury. Shak.
2. To deprive of one who is loved; to strip of anything beloved or highly esteemed; to make desolate or bare; to bereave. The widowed isle, in mourning, Dries up her tears. Dryden. Tress of their shriveled fruits Are widowed, dreary storms o'er all prevail. J. Philips. Mourn, widowed queen; forgotten Sion, mourn. Heber.
3. To endow with a widow's right. [R.] Shak.
4. To become, or survive as, the widow of. [Obs.] Let me be married to three kings in a forenoon, and widow them all. Shak.
WIDOW BIRDWid"ow bird`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Whidan bird.
WIDOWERWid"ow*er, n.
Defn: A man who has lost his wife by death, and has not married again. Shak.
WIDOWERHOODWid"ow*er*hood, n.
Defn: The state of being a widower.
WIDOWHOODWid"ow*hood, n.