WINDINESSWind"i*ness, n.
1. The quality or state of being windy or tempestuous; as, the windiness of the weather or the season.
2. Fullness of wind; flatulence.
3. Tendency to generate wind or gas; tendency to produce flatulence; as, the windiness of vegetables.
4. Tumor; puffiness. The swelling windiness of much knowledge. Brerewood.
WINDINGWind"ing, n. Etym: [From Wind to blow.] (Naut.)
Defn: A call by the boatswain's whistle.
WINDINGWind"ing, a. Etym: [From Wind to twist.]
Defn: Twisting from a direct line or an even surface; circuitous.Keble.
WINDINGWind"ing, n.
Defn: A turn or turning; a bend; a curve; flexure; meander; as, the windings of a road or stream. To nurse the saplings tall, and curl the grove With ringlets quaint, and wanton windings wove. Milton.
Defn: A line- or ribbon-shaped material (as wire, string, or bandaging) wound around an object; as, the windings (conducting wires) wound around the armature of an electric motor or generator. Winding engine, an engine employed in mining to draw up buckets from a deep pit; a hoisting engine. — Winding sheet, a sheet in which a corpse is wound or wrapped. — Winding tackle (Naut.), a tackle consisting of a fixed triple block, and a double or triple movable block, used for hoisting heavy articles in or out of a vessel. Totten.
WINDINGLYWind"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: In a winding manner.
WINDJAMMERWind"jam`mer, n.
1. (Naut.) A sailing vessel or one of its crew; — orig. so called contemptuously by sailors on steam vessels. [Colloq.]
2. An army bugler or trumpeter; any performer on a wind instrument. [Slang]
WINDLACEWind"lace, n. & v.
Defn: See Windlass. [Obs.]Two arblasts, . . . with windlaces and quarrels. Sir W. Scott.
WINDLASSWind"lass, n.Etym: [Perhaps from wind to turn + lace.]
Defn: A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course; a shift.
WINDLASSWind"lass, v. i.
Defn: To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect means. [Obs.] Hammond.
WINDLASS Wind"lass, n. Etym: [OE. windelas, windas, Icel. vindilass, vindas, fr. vinda to wind + ass a pole; cf. Goth. ans a beam. See Wind to turn.]
1. A machine for raising weights, consisting of a horizontal cylinder or roller moving on its axis, and turned by a crank, lever, or similar means, so as to wind up a rope or chain attached to the weight. In vessels the windlass is often used instead of the capstan for raising the anchor. It is usually set upon the forecastle, and is worked by hand or steam.
2. An apparatus resembling a winch or windlass, for bending the bow of an arblast, or crossbow. [Obs.] Shak. Chinese windlass. See Differential windlass, under Differential.
WINDLASSWind"lass, v. t. & i.
Defn: To raise with, or as with, a windlass; to use a windlass. TheCentury.
WINDLEWin"dle, n. Etym: [From Wind to turn.]
1. A spindle; a kind of reel; a winch.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The redwing. [Prov. Eng.]
WINDLESSWind"less, a.
1. Having no wind; calm.
2. Wanting wind; out of breath.
WINDLESTRAE; WINDLESTRAWWin"dle*strae`, Win"dle*straw`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A grass used for making ropes or for plaiting, esp. AgrostisSpica-ventis. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Shelley.
WINDMILLWind"mill`, n.
Defn: A mill operated by the power of the wind, usually by the action of the wind upon oblique vanes or sails which radiate from a horizontal shaft. Chaucer.
WINDORE Win"dore, n. Etym: [A corrupt. of window; or perh. coined on the wrong assumption that window is from wind + door.]
Defn: A window. [Obs.] Hudibras.
WINDOW Win"dow, n. Etym: [OE. windowe, windoge, Icel. vindauga window, properly, wind eye; akin to Dan. vindue. Wind, n., and Eye.]
1. An opening in the wall of a building for the admission of light and air, usually closed by casements or sashes containing some transparent material, as glass, and capable of being opened and shut at pleasure. I leaped from the window of the citadel. Shak. Then to come, in spite of sorrow, And at my window bid good morrow. Milton.
2. (Arch.)
Defn: The shutter, casement, sash with its fittings, or other framework, which closes a window opening.
3. A figure formed of lines crossing each other. [R.] Till he has windows on his bread and butter. King.
French window (Arch.), a casement window in two folds, usually reaching to the floor; — called also French casement. — Window back (Arch.), the inside face of the low, and usually thin, piece of wall between the window sill and the floor below. — Window blind, a blind or shade for a window. — Window bole, part of a window closed by a shutter which can be opened at will. [Scot.] — Window box, one of the hollows in the sides of a window frame for the weights which counterbalance a lifting sash. — Window frame, the frame of a window which receives and holds the sashes or casement. — Window glass, panes of glass for windows; the kind of glass used in windows. — Window martin (Zoöl.), the common European martin. [Prov. Eng.] - - Window oyster (Zoöl.), a marine bivalve shell (Placuna placenta) native of the East Indies and China. Its valves are very broad, thin, and translucent, and are said to have been used formerly in place of glass. — Window pane. (a) (Arch.) See Pane, n., 3 (b). (b) (Zoöl.) See Windowpane, in the Vocabulary. — Window sash, the sash, or light frame, in which panes of glass are set for windows. — Window seat, a seat arranged in the recess of a window. See Window stool, under Stool. — Window shade, a shade or blind for a window; usually, one that is hung on a roller. — Window shell (Zoöl.), the window oyster. — Window shutter, a shutter or blind used to close or darken windows. — Window sill (Arch.), the flat piece of wood, stone, or the like, at the bottom of a window frame. — Window swallow (Zoöl.), the common European martin. [Prov. Eng.] — Window tax, a tax or duty formerly levied on all windows, or openings for light, above the number of eight in houses standing in cities or towns. [Eng.]
WINDOWWin"dow, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Windowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Windowing.]
1. To furnish with windows.
2. To place at or in a window. [R.] Wouldst thou be windowed in great Rome and see Thy master thus with pleach'd arms, bending down His corrigible neck Shak.
WINDOWEDWin"dowed, a.
Defn: Having windows or openings. [R.] "Looped and windowed raggedness." Shak.
WINDOWLESSWin"dow*less, a.
Defn: Destitute of a window. Carlyle.
WINDOWPANEWin"dow*pane`, n.
1. (Arch.)
Defn: See Pane, n., (3) b. [In this sense, written also window pane.]
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A thin, spotted American turbot (Pleuronectes maculatus) remarkable for its translucency. It is not valued as a food fish. Called also spotted turbot, daylight, spotted sand flounder, and water flounder.
WINDOWYWin"dow*y, a.
Defn: Having little crossings or openings like the sashes of a window. [R.] Donne.
WINDPIPEWind"pipe`, n. (Anat.)
Defn: The passage for the breath from the larynx to the lungs; the trachea; the weasand. See Illust. under Lung.
WIND-PLANTWind"-plant`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A windflower.
WIND-RODEWind"-rode`, a. (Naut.)
Defn: Caused to ride or drive by the wind in opposition to the course of the tide; — said of a vessel lying at anchor, with wind and tide opposed to each other. Totten.
WINDROWWind"row`, n. Etym: [Wind + row.]
1. A row or line of hay raked together for the purpose of being rolled into cocks or heaps.
2. Sheaves of grain set up in a row, one against another, that the wind may blow between them. [Eng.]
3. The green border of a field, dug up in order to carry the earth on other land to mend it. [Eng.]
WINDROWWind"row, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Windrowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Windrowing.]
Defn: To arrange in lines or windrows, as hay when newly made. Forby.
WIND-SHAKENWind"-shak`en, a.
Defn: Shaken by the wind; specif. (Forestry),
Defn: affected by wind shake, or anemosis (which see, above).
WIND SIGNALWind signal.
Defn: In general, any signal announcing information concerning winds, and esp. the expected approach of winds whose direction and force are dangerous to shipping, etc. The wind-signal system of the United States Weather Bureau consists of storm, information, hurricane, hot wind, and inland storm signals.
WINDSORWind"sor, n.
Defn: A town in Berkshire, England. Windsor bean. (Bot.) See underBean.— Windsor chair, a kind of strong, plain, polished, wooden chair.Simmonds.— Windsor soap, a scented soap well known for its excellence.
WINDSTORMWind"storm, n.
Defn: A storm characterized by high wind with little or no rain.
WIND-SUCKERWind"-suck`er, n.
1. (Far.) A horse given to wind-sucking Law.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The kestrel. B. Jonson.
WIND-SUCKINGWind"-suck`ing, n. (Far.)
Defn: A vicious habit of a horse, consisting in the swallowing of air; — usually associated with crib-biting, or cribbing. See Cribbing, 4.
WINDTIGHTWind"tight`, a.
Defn: So tight as to prevent the passing through of wind. Bp. Hall.
WIND-UPWind"-up`, n.
Defn: Act of winding up, or closing; a concluding act or part; the end.
WINDWARDWind"ward, n.
Defn: The point or side from which the wind blows; as, to ply to the windward; — opposed to Ant: leeward. To lay an anchor to the windward, a figurative expression, signifying to adopt precautionary or anticipatory measures for success or security.
WINDWARDWind"ward, a.
Defn: Situated toward the point from which the wind blows; as, theWindward Islands.
WINDWARDWind"ward, adv.
Defn: Toward the wind; in the direction from which the wind blows.
WINDYWind"y, a. [Compar. Windier; superl. Windiest.] Etym: [AS. windig.]
1. Consisting of wind; accompanied or characterized by wind; exposed to wind. "The windy hill." M. Arnold. Blown with the windy tempest of my heart. Shak.
2. Next the wind; windward. It keeps on the windy side of care. Shak.
3. Tempestuous; boisterous; as, windy weather.
4. Serving to occasion wind or gas in the intestines; flatulent; as, windy food.
5. Attended or caused by wind, or gas, in the intestines. "A windy colic." Arbuthnot.
6. Fig.: Empty; airy. "Windy joy." Milton. Here's that windy applause, that poor, transitory pleasure, for which I was dishonored. South.
WINEWine, n. Etym: [OE. win, AS. win, fr. L. vinum (cf. Icel. vin; allfrom the Latin); akin to Gr. o'i^nos, , and E. withy. Cf. Vine,Vineyard, Vinous, Withy.]
1. The expressed juice of grapes, esp. when fermented; a beverage or liquor prepared from grapes by squeezing out their juice, and (usually) allowing it to ferment. "Red wine of Gascoigne." Piers Plowman. Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Prov. xx. 1. Bacchus, that first from out the purple grape Crushed the sweet poison of misused wine. Milton.
Note: Wine is essentially a dilute solution of ethyl alcohol, containing also certain small quantities of ethers and ethereal salts which give character and bouquet. According to their color, strength, taste, etc., wines are called red, white, spirituous, dry, light, still, etc.
2. A liquor or beverage prepared from the juice of any fruit or plant by a process similar to that for grape wine; as, currant wine; gooseberry wine; palm wine.
3. The effect of drinking wine in excess; intoxication.Noah awoke from his wine. Gen. ix. 24.Birch wine, Cape wine, etc. See under Birch, Cape, etc.— Spirit of wine. See under Spirit.— To have drunk wine of ape or wine ape, to be so drunk as to befoolish. [Obs.] Chaucer.— Wine acid. (Chem.) See Tartaric acid, under Tartaric. [Colloq.] -- Wine apple (Bot.), a large red apple, with firm flesh and a rich,vinous flavor.— Wine bag, a wine skin.— Wine biscuit, a kind of sweet biscuit served with wine.— Wine cask, a cask for holding wine, or which holds, or has held,wine.— Wine cellar, a cellar adapted or used for storing wine.— Wine cooler, a vessel of porous earthenware used to cool wine bythe evaporation of water; also, a stand for wine bottles, containingice.a drink composed of approximately equal parts of wine and somecarbonated beverage (soda). Also called California cooler.— Wine fly (Zoöl.), small two-winged fly of the genus Piophila,whose larva lives in wine, cider, and other fermented liquors.— Wine grower, one who cultivates a vineyard and makes wine.— Wine measure, the measure by which wines and other spirits aresold, smaller than beer measure.— Wine merchant, a merchant who deals in wines.— Wine of opium (Pharm.), a solution of opium in aromatized sherrywine, having the same strength as ordinary laudanum; — alsoSydenham's laudanum.— Wine press, a machine or apparatus in which grapes are pressed toextract their juice.— Wine skin, a bottle or bag of skin, used, in various countries,for carrying wine.— Wine stone, a kind of crust deposited in wine casks. See 1stTartar, 1.— Wine vault. (a) A vault where wine is stored. (b) A place wherewine is served at the bar, or at tables; a dramshop. Dickens.— Wine vinegar, vinegar made from wine.— Wine whey, whey made from milk coagulated by the use of wine.
WINEBERRY Wine"ber`ry, n. (Bot.) (a) The red currant. (b) The bilberry. (c) A peculiar New Zealand shrub (Coriaria ruscifolia), in which the petals ripen and afford an abundant purple juice from which a kind of wine is made. The plant also grows in Chili.
WINEBIBBERWine"bib`ber, n.
Defn: One who drinks much wine. Prov. xxiii. 20.— Wine"bib`bing, n.
WINEGLASSWine"glass`, n.
Defn: A small glass from to drink wine.
WINEGLASSFULWine"glass`ful;, n. pl. Wineglassfuls (.
Defn: As much as a wineglass will hold; enough to fill a wineglass.It is usually reckoned at two fluid ounces, or four tablespoonfuls.
WINELESSWine"less, a.
Defn: destitute of wine; as, wineless life.
WINERYWin"er*y, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vinerie.]
Defn: A place where grapes are converted into wine.
WINESAPWine"sap`, n. [Wine + sap for sop.]
Defn: A variety of winter apple of medium size, deep red color, and yellowish flesh of a rich, rather subacid flavor.
WING Wing, n. Etym: [OE. winge, wenge; probably of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. & Sw. vinge, Icel. vængr.]
1. One of the two anterior limbs of a bird, pterodactyl, or bat. They correspond to the arms of man, and are usually modified for flight, but in the case of a few species of birds, as the ostrich, auk, etc., the wings are used only as an assistance in running or swimming. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings. Deut. xxxii. 11.
Note: In the wing of a bird the long quill feathers are in series. The primaries are those attached to the ulnar side of the hand; the secondaries, or wing coverts, those of the forearm: the scapulars, those that lie over the humerus; and the bastard feathers, those of the short outer digit. See Illust. of Bird, and Plumage.
2. Any similar member or instrument used for the purpose of flying. Specifically: (Zoöl.) (a) One of the two pairs of upper thoracic appendages of most hexapod insects. They are broad, fanlike organs formed of a double membrane and strengthened by chitinous veins or nervures. (b) One of the large pectoral fins of the flying fishes.
3. Passage by flying; flight; as, to take wing. Light thickens; and the crow Makes wing to the rooky wood. Shak.
4. Motive or instrument of flight; means of flight or of rapid motion. Fiery expedition be my wing. Shak.
5. Anything which agitates the air as a wing does, or which is put in winglike motion by the action of the air, as a fan or vane for winnowing grain, the vane or sail of a windmill, etc.
6. An ornament worn on the shoulder; a small epaulet or shoulder knot.
7. Any appendage resembling the wing of a bird or insect in shape or appearance. Specifically: (a) (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the broad, thin, anterior lobes of the foot of a pteropod, used as an organ in swimming. (b) (Bot.) Any membranaceous expansion, as that along the sides of certain stems, or of a fruit of the kind called samara. (c) (Bot.) Either of the two side petals of a papilionaceous flower.
8. One of two corresponding appendages attached; a sidepiece. Hence: (a) (Arch.) A side building, less than the main edifice; as, one of the wings of a palace. (b) (Fort.) The longer side of crownworks, etc., connecting them with the main work. (c) (Hort.) A side shoot of a tree or plant; a branch growing up by the side of another. [Obs.] (d) (Mil.)
Defn: The right or left division of an army, regiment, etc. (e) (Naut.) That part of the hold or orlop of a vessel which is nearest the sides. In a fleet, one of the extremities when the ships are drawn up in line, or when forming the two sides of a triangle. Totten. (f) One of the sides of the stags in a theater. On the wing. (a) Supported by, or flying with, the wings another. — On the wings of the wind, with the utmost velocity. — Under the wing, or wings, of, under the care or protection of. — Wing and wing (Naut.), with sails hauled out on either side; — said of a schooner, or her sails, when going before the wind with the foresail on one side and the mainsail on the other; also said of a square-rigged vessel which has her studding sails set. Cf. Goosewinged. — Wing case (Zoöl.), one of the anterior wings of beetles, and of some other insects, when thickened and used to protect the hind wings; an elytron; — called also wing cover. — Wing covert (Zoöl.), one of the small feathers covering the bases of the wing quills. See Covert, n., 2. — Wing gudgeon (Mach.), an iron gudgeon for the end of a wooden axle, having thin, broad projections to prevent it from turning in the wood. See Illust. of Gudgeon. — Wing shell (Zoöl.), wing case of an insect. — Wing stroke, the stroke or sweep of a wing. — Wing transom (Naut.), the uppermost transom of the stern; — called also main transom. J. Knowles.
WINGWing, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Winged; p. pr. & vb. n. Winging.]
1. To furnish with wings; to enable to fly, or to move with celerity. Who heaves old ocean, and whowings the storms. Pope. Living, to wing with mirth the weary hours. Longfellow.
2. To supply with wings or sidepieces. The main battle, whose puissance on either side Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse. Shak.
3. To transport by flight; to cause to fly. I, an old turtle, Will wing me to some withered bough. Shak.
4. To move through in flight; to fly through. There's not an arrow wings the sky But fancy turns its point to him. Moore.
5. To cut off the wings of; to wound in the wing; to disable a wing of; as, to wing a bird. To wing a flight, to exert the power of flying; to fly.
WINGEDWinged, a.
1. Furnished with wings; transported by flying; having winglike expansions.
2. Soaring with wings, or as if with wings; hence, elevated; lofty; sublime. [R.] How winged the sentiment that virtue is to be followed for its own sake. J. S. Harford.
3. Swift; rapid. "Bear this sealed brief with winged haste to the lord marshal." Shak.
4. Wounded or hurt in the wing.
5. (Bot.)
Defn: Furnished with a leaflike appendage, as the fruit of the elm and the ash, or the stem in certain plants; alate.
6. (Her.)
Defn: Represented with wings, or having wings, of a different tincture from the body.
7. Fanned with wings; swarming with birds. "The winged air darked with plumes." Milton.
WINGERWing"er, n. (Naut.)
Defn: One of the casks stowed in the wings of a vessel's hold, being smaller than such as are stowed more amidships. Totten.
WINGFISHWing"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A sea robin having large, winglike pectoral fins. See Sea robin, under Robin.
WING-FOOTEDWing"-foot`ed, a.
1. Having wings attached to the feet; as, wing-footed Mercury; hence, swift; moving with rapidity; fleet. Drayton.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) Having part or all of the feet adapted for flying. (b) Having the anterior lobes of the foot so modified as to form a pair of winglike swimming organs; — said of the pteropod mollusks.
WING-HANDEDWing"-hand`ed, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the anterior limbs or hands adapted for flight, as the bats and pterodactyls.
WING-LEAVEDWing"-leaved`, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Having pinnate or pinnately divided leaves.
WINGLESSWing"less, a.
Defn: Having no wings; not able to ascend or fly. Wingless bird(Zoöl.), the apteryx.
WINGLETWing"let, n.
1. A little wing; a very small wing.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A bastard wing, or alula.
WINGMANSHIPWing"man*ship, n. Etym: [From Wing, in imitation of horsemanship.]
Defn: Power or skill in flying. [R.] Duke of Argyll.
WING-SHELL Wing"-shell`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of various species of marine bivalve shells belonging to the genus Avicula, in which the hinge border projects like a wing. (b) Any marine gastropod shell of the genus Strombus. See Strombus. (c) Any pteropod shell.
WINGYWing"y, a.
1. Having wings; rapid. With wingy speed outstrip the eastern wind. Addison.
2. Soaring with wings, or as if with wings; volatile airy. [Obs. or R.] Those wingy mysteries in divinity. Sir T. Browne.
WINK Wink, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Winked; p. pr. & vb. n. Winking.] Etym: [OE. winken, AS. wincian; akin to D. wenken, G. winken to wink, nod, beckon, OHG. winchan, Sw. vinka, Dan. vinke, AS. wancol wavering, OHG. wanchal wavering, wanch to waver, G. wanken, and perhaps to E. weak; cf. AS. wincel a corner. Cf. Wench, Wince, v. i.]
1. To nod; to sleep; to nap. [Obs.] "Although I wake or wink." Chaucer.
2. To shut the eyes quickly; to close the eyelids with a quickmotion.He must wink, so loud he would cry. Chaucer.And I will wink, so shall the day seem night. Shak.They are not blind, but they wink. Tillotson.
3. To close and open the eyelids quickly; to nictitate; to blink. A baby of some three months old, who winked, and turned aside its little face from the too vivid light of day. Hawthorne.
4. To give a hint by a motion of the eyelids, often those of one eye only. Wink at the footman to leave him without a plate. Swift.
5. To avoid taking notice, as if by shutting the eyes; to connive at anything; to be tolerant; — generally with at. The times of this ignorance God winked at. Acts xvii. 30. And yet, as though he knew it not, His knowledge winks, and lets his humors reign. Herbert. Obstinacy can not be winked at, but must be subdued. Locke.
6. To be dim and flicker; as, the light winks. Winking monkey (Zoöl.), the white-nosed monkey (Cersopithecus nictitans).
WINKWink, v. t.
Defn: To cause (the eyes) to wink.[Colloq.]
WINKWink, n.
1. The act of closing, or closing and opening, the eyelids quickly; hence, the time necessary for such an act; a moment. I have not slept one wink. Shak. I could eclipse and cloud them with a wink. Donne.
2. A hint given by shutting the eye with a significant cast. Sir. P. Sidney. The stockjobber thus from Change Alley goes down, And tips you, the freeman, a wink. Swift.
WINKERWink"er, n.
1. One who winks. Pope.
2. A horse's blinder; a blinker.
WINKINGLYWink"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: In a winking manner; with the eye almost closed. Peacham.
WINKLE Win"kle, n. Etym: [AS. wincle.] (Zoöl.) (a) Any periwinkle. Holland. (b) Any one of various marine spiral gastropods, esp., in the United States, either of two species of Fulgar (F. canaliculata, and F. carica).
Note: These are large mollusks which often destroy large numbers of oysters by drilling their shells and sucking their blood. Sting winkle, a European spinose marine shell (Murex erinaceus). See Illust. of Murex.
WINKLE-HAWKWin"kle-hawk`, n. Etym: [D. winkel-haak a carpenter's square.]
Defn: A rectangular rent made in cloth; — called also winkle-hole.[Local, U. S.] Bartlett.
WINNARDWin"nard, n.
Defn: The redwing. [Prov. Eng.]
WINNEBAGOESWin`ne*ba"goes, n.; sing. Winnebago (. (Ethnol.)
Defn: A tribe of North American Indians who originally occupied the region about Green Bay, Lake Michigan, but were driven back from the lake and nearly exterminated in 1640 by the IIlinnois.
WINNERWin"ner, n.
Defn: One who wins, or gains by success in competition, contest, or gaming.
WINNINGWin"ning, a.
Defn: Attracting; adapted to gain favor; charming; as, a winning address. "Each mild and winning note." Keble.
WINNINGWin"ning, n.
1. The act of obtaining something, as in a contest or by competition.
2. The money, etc., gained by success in competition or contest, esp, in gambling; — usually in the plural. Ye seek land and sea for your winnings. Chaucer.
3. (Mining)(a) A new opening.(b) The portion of a coal field out for working. Winning headway(Mining), an excavation for exploration, in post-and-stall working.— Winning post, the post, or goal, at the end of a race.
WINNINGLYWin"ning*ly, adv.
Defn: In a winning manner.
WINNINGNESSWin"ning*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being winning. "Winningness in style."J. Morley.
WINNINISHWin"nin*ish, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The land-locked variety of the common salmon. [Canada]
WINNOW Win"now, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Winnowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Winnowing.] Etym: [OE. windewen, winewen, AS. windwian; akin to Goth. winpjan (in comp.), winpi-skauro a fan, L. ventilare to fan, to winnow; cf. L. wannus a fan for winnowing, G. wanne, OHG. wanna. . See Wind moving air, and cf. Fan., n., Ventilate.]
1. To separate, and drive off, the chaff from by means of wind; to fan; as, to winnow grain. Ho winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing floor. Ruth. iii. 2.
2. To sift, as for the purpose of separating falsehood from truth; to separate, as had from good. Winnow well this thought, and you shall find This light as chaff that flies before the wind. Dryden.
3. To beat with wings, or as with wings.[Poetic] Now on the polar winds; then with quick fan Winnows the buxom air. Milton.
WINNOWWin"now, v. i.
Defn: To separate chaff from grain.Winnow not with every wind. Ecclus. v. 9.
WINNOWERWin"now*er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, winnows; specifically, a winnowing machine.
WINNOWINGWin"now*ing, n.
Defn: The act of one who, or that which, winnows.
WINROWWin"row`, n.
Defn: A windrow.
WINSINGWin"sing, a.
Defn: Winsome. [Obs.] Chaucer.
WINSOME Win"some, a. [Compar. Winsomer; superl. Winsomest.] Etym: [AS. wynsum, fr. wynn joy; akin to OS. wunnia, OHG. wunna, wunni, G. wonne, Goth. wunan to rejoice (in unwunands sad), AS. wunian to dwell. Win, v. t., Wont, a.]
1. Cheerful; merry; gay; light-hearted. Misled by ill example, and a winsome nature. Jeffrey.
2. Causing joy or pleasure; gladsome; pleasant. Still plotting how their hungry ear That winsome voice again might hear. Emerson.
WINSOMENESSWin"some*ness, n.
Defn: The characteristic of being winsome; attractiveness of manner.J. R. Green.
WINTER Win"ter, n. Etym: [AS. winter; akin to OFries. & D. winter, OS. & OHG. wintar, G. winter, D. & Sw. vinter, Icel. vetr, Goth. wintrus; of uncertain origin; cf. Old Gallic vindo- white (in comp.), OIr. find white.
1. The season of the year in which the sun shines most obliquely upon any region; the coldest season of the year. "Of thirty winter he was old." Chaucer. And after summer evermore succeeds Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold. Shak. Winter lingering chills the lap of May. Goldsmith.
Note: North of the equator, winter is popularly taken to include the months of December, January, and February (see Season). Astronomically, it may be considered to begin with the winter solstice, about December 21st, and to end with the vernal equinox, about March 21st.
2. The period of decay, old age, death, or the like. Life's autumn past, I stand on winter's verge. Wordsworth. Winter apple, an apple that keeps well in winter, or that does not ripen until winter. — Winter barley, a kind of barley that is sown in autumn. — Winter berry (Bot.), the name of several American shrubs (Ilex verticillata, I. lævigata, etc.) of the Holly family, having bright red berries conspicuous in winter. — Winter bloom. (Bot.) (a) A plant of the genus Azalea. (b) A plant of the genus Hamamelis (H. Viginica); witch-hazel; — so called from its flowers appearing late in autumn, while the leaves are falling. — Winter bud (Zoöl.), a statoblast. — Winter cherry (Bot.), a plant (Physalis Alkekengi) of the Nightshade family, which has, a red berry inclosed in the inflated and persistent calyx. See Alkekengi. — Winter cough (Med.), a form of chronic bronchitis marked by a cough recurring each winter. — Winter cress (Bot.), a yellow-flowered cruciferous plant (Barbarea vulgaris). — Winter crop, a crop which will bear the winter, or which may be converted into fodder during the winter. — Winter duck. (Zoöl.) (a) The pintail. (b) The old squaw. — Winter egg (Zoöl.), an egg produced in the autumn by many invertebrates, and destined to survive the winter. Such eggs usually differ from the summer eggs in having a thicker shell, and often in being enveloped in a protective case. They sometimes develop in a manner different from that of the summer eggs. — Winter fallow, ground that is fallowed in winter. — Winter fat. (Bot.) Same as White sage, under White. — Winter fever (Med.), pneumonia. [Colloq.] — Winter flounder. (Zoöl.) See the Note under Flounder. — Winter gull (Zoöl.), the common European gull; — called also winter mew. [Prov. Eng.] — Winter itch. (Med.) See Prarie itch, under Prairie. — Winter lodge, or Winter lodgment. (Bot.) Same as Hibernaculum. — Winter mew. (Zoöl.) Same as Winter gull, above. [Prov. Eng.] — Winter moth (Zoöl.), any one of several species of geometrid moths which come forth in winter, as the European species (Cheimatobia brumata). These moths have rudimentary mouth organs, and eat no food in the imago state. The female of some of the species is wingless. — Winter oil, oil prepared so as not to solidify in moderately cold weather. — Winter pear, a kind of pear that keeps well in winter, or that does not ripen until winter. — Winter quarters, the quarters of troops during the winter; a winter residence or station. — Winter rye, a kind of rye that is sown in autumn. — Winter shad (Zoöl.), the gizzard shad. — Winter sheldrake (Zoöl.), the goosander. [Local, U.S.] — Winter sleep (Zoöl.), hibernation. — Winter snipe (Zoöl.), the dunlin. — Winter solstice. (Astron.) See Solstice, 2. — Winter teal (Zoöl.), the green-winged teal. — Winter wagtail (Zoöl.), the gray wagtail (Motacilla melanope). [Prov. Eng.] — Winter wheat, wheat sown in autumn, which lives during the winter, and ripens in the following summer. — Winter wren (Zoöl.), a small American wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) closely resembling the common wren.
WINTERWin"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wintered; p. pr. & vb. n. Wintering.]
Defn: To pass the winter; to hibernate; as, to winter in Florida. Because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence. Acts xxvii. 12.
WINTERWin"ter, v. i.
Defn: To keep, feed or manage, during the winter; as, to winter young cattle on straw.
WINTER-BEATENWin"ter-beat`en, a.
Defn: Beaten or harassed by the severe weather of winter. Spenser.
WINTERGREENWin"ter*green`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A plant which keeps its leaves green through the winter.
Note: In England, the name wintergreen is applied to the species of Pyrola which in America are called English wintergreen, and shin leaf (see Shin leaf, under Shin.) In America, the name wintergreen is given to Gaultheria procumbens, a low evergreen aromatic plant with oval leaves clustered at the top of a short stem, and bearing small white flowers followed by red berries; — called also checkerberry, and sometimes, though improperly, partridge berry. Chickweed wintergreen, a low perennial primulaceous herb (Trientalis Americana); — also called star flower. — Flowering wintergreen, a low plant (Polygala paucifolia) with leaves somewhat like those of the wintergreen (Gaultheria), and bearing a few showy, rose-purple blossoms. — Spotted wintergreen, a low evergreen plant (Chimaphila maculata) with ovate, white-spotted leaves.
WINTER-GROUNDWin"ter-ground`, v. t.
Defn: To coved over in the season of winter, as for protection or shelter; as, to winter-ground the roods of a plant. The ruddock would . . . bring thee all this, Yea, and furred moss besides, when flowers are none To winter-ground thy corse. Shak.
WINTERKILLWin"ter*kill`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Winterkilled; p. pr. & vb. n.Winterkilling.]
Defn: To kill by the cold, or exposure to the inclemency of winter; as, the wheat was winterkilled. [U. S.]
WINTERLYWin"ter*ly, a.
Defn: Like winter; wintry; cold; hence, disagreeable, cheerless; as, winterly news. [R.] Shak. The sir growing more winterly in the month of April. Camden.
WINTER-PROUDWin"ter-proud`, a.
Defn: Having too rank or forward a growth for winter. When either corn is winter-proud, or other plants put forth and bud too early. Holland.
WINTER-RIGWin"ter-rig`, v. t. Etym: [See Winter and Ridge.]
Defn: To fallow or till in winter. [Prov. Eng.]
WINTER'S BARKWin"ter's bark`. (Bot.)
Defn: The aromatic bark of tree (Drimys, or Drymis, Winteri) of the Magnolia family, which is found in Southern Chili. It was first used as a cure for scurvy by its discoverer, Captain John Winter, vice admiral to sir Francis Drake, in 1577.
WINTERTIDEWin"ter*tide`, n.
Defn: Winter time. Tennyson.
WINTERWEEDWin"ter*weed`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A kind of speedwell (Veronica hederifolia) which spreads chiefly in winter. Dr. Prior.
WINTERYWin"ter*y, a.
Defn: Wintry.
WINTRYWin"try, a. Etym: [AS. wintrig.]
Defn: Suitable to winter; resembling winter, or what belongs to winter; brumal; hyemal; cold; stormy; wintery. Touch our chilled hearts with vernal smile, Our wintry course do thou beguile. Keble.
WINYWin"y, a.
Defn: Having the taste or qualities of wine; vinous; as, grapes of a winy taste. Dampier.
WINZEWinze, n. (Mining.)
Defn: A small shaft sunk from one level to another, as for the purpose of ventilation.
WIPEWipe, n. Etym: [Cf. Sw. vipa, Dan. vibe, the lapwing.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The lapwing. [Prov. Eng.]
WIPE Wipe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wiped; p. pr. & vb. n. Wiping.] Etym: [OE. vipen, AS. wipian; cf. LG. wiep a wisp of straw, Sw. vepa to wrap up, to cuddle one's self up, vepa a blanket; perhaps akin to E. whip.]
1. To rub with something soft for cleaning; to clean or dry by rubbing; as, to wipe the hands or face with a towel. Let me wipe thy face. Shak. I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down. 2 Kings xxi. 13.
2. To remove by rubbing; to rub off; to obliterate; — usually followed by away, off or out. Also used figuratively. "To wipe out our ingratitude." Shak. Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon. Milton.
3. To cheat; to defraud; to trick; — usually followed by out. [Obs.] Spenser. If they by coveyne [covin] or gile be wiped beside their goods. Robynson (More's Utopia) To wipe a joint (Plumbing), to make a joint, as between pieces of lead pipe, by surrounding the junction with a mass of solder, applied in a plastic condition by means of a rag with which the solder is shaped by rubbing. — To wipe the nose of, to cheat. [Old Slang]
WIPEWipe, n.
1. Act of rubbing, esp. in order to clean.
2. A blow; a stroke; a hit; a swipe. [Low]
3. A gibe; a jeer; a severe sarcasm. Swift.
4. A handkerchief. [Thieves' Cant or Slang]
5. Stain; brand. [Obs.] "Slavish wipe." Shak.
WIPERWip"er, n.
1. One who, or that which, wipes.
2. Something used for wiping, as a towel or rag.
3. (Mach.)
Defn: A piece generally projecting from a rotating or swinging piece, as an axle or rock shaft, for the purpose of raising stampers, lifting rods, or the like, and leaving them to fall by their own weight; a kind of cam.
4. (Firearms)
Defn: A rod, or an attachment for a rod, for holding a rag with which to wipe out the bore of the barrel.
WIRBLEWir"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wirbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Wirbling.]Etym: [Cf. Warble, Whirl.]
Defn: To whirl; to eddy. [R.]The waters went wirbling above and around. Owen. Meredith.
WIRCHEWirche, v. i. & t.
Defn: To work [Obs.] Chaucer.
WIRE Wire, n. Etym: [OE. wir, AS. wir; akin to Icel. virr, Dan. vire, LG. wir, wire; cf. OHG. wiara fine gold; perhaps akin to E. withy. .]
1. A thread or slender rod of metal; a metallic substance formed to an even thread by being passed between grooved rollers, or drawn through holes in a plate of steel.
Note: Wire is made of any desired form, as round, square, triangular, etc., by giving this shape to the hole in the drawplate, or between the rollers.
2. A telegraph wire or cable; hence, an electric telegraph; as, to send a message by wire. [Colloq.] Wire bed, Wire mattress, an elastic bed bottom or mattress made of wires interwoven or looped together in various ways. — Wire bridge, a bridge suspended from wires, or cables made of wire. — Wire cartridge, a shot cartridge having the shot inclosed in a wire cage. — Wire cloth, a coarse cloth made of woven metallic wire, — used for strainers, and for various other purposes. — Wire edge, the thin, wirelike thread of metal sometimes formed on the edge of a tool by the stone in sharpening it. — Wire fence, a fence consisting of posts with strained horizontal wires, wire netting, or other wirework, between. — Wire gauge or gage. (a) A gauge for measuring the diameter of wire, thickness of sheet metal, etc., often consisting of a metal plate with a series of notches of various widths in its edge. (b) A standard series of sizes arbitrarily indicated, as by numbers, to which the diameter of wire or the thickness of sheet metal in usually made, and which is used in describing the size or thickness. There are many different standards for wire gauges, as in different countries, or for different kinds of metal, the Birmingham wire gauges and the American wire gauge being often used and designated by the abbreviations B. W.G. and A. W.G. respectively. — Wire gauze, a texture of finely interwoven wire, resembling gauze. — Wire grass (Bot.), either of the two common grasses Eleusine Indica, valuable for hay and pasture, and Poa compressa, or blue grass. See Blue grass. — Wire grub (Zoöl.), a wireworm. — Wire iron, wire rods of iron. — Wire lathing, wire cloth or wire netting applied in the place of wooden lathing for holding plastering. — Wire mattress. See Wire bed, above. — Wire micrometer, a micrometer having spider lines, or fine wires, across the field of the instrument. — Wire nail, a nail formed of a piece of wire which is headed and pointed. — Wire netting, a texture of woven wire coarser than ordinary wire gauze. — Wire rod, a metal rod from which wire is formed by drawing. — Wire rope, a rope formed wholly, or in great part, of wires.
WIREWire, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wired; p. pr. & vb. n. Wiring.]
1. To bind with wire; to attach with wires; to apply wire to; as, to wire corks in bottling liquors.
2. To put upon a wire; as, to wire beads.
3. To snare by means of a wire or wires.
4. To send (a message) by telegraph. [Colloq.]
WIREWire, v. i.
1. To pass like a wire; to flow in a wirelike form, or in a tenuous stream. [R.] P. Fletcher.
2. To send a telegraphic message. [Colloq.]
WIREDRAWWire"draw`, v. t. [imp. Wiredrew; p. p. Wiredrawn; p. pr. & vb. n.Wiredrawing.]
1. To form (a piece of metal) into wire, by drawing it through a hole in a plate of steel.
2. Hence, to draw by art or violence. My sense has been wiredrawn into blasphemy. Dryden.
3. Hence, also, to draw or spin out to great length and tenuity; as, to wiredraw an argument. Such twisting, such wiredrawing, was never seen in a court of justice. Macaulay.
4. (Steam Engine)
Defn: To pass, or to draw off, (as steam) through narrow ports, or the like, thus reducing its pressure or force by friction.
WIRE-DRAWERWire"-draw`er, n.
Defn: One who draws metal into wire.
WIRE GUNWire gun.
Defn: = Wire-wound gun.
WIRE-HEELWire"-heel`, n. (Far.)
Defn: A disease in the feet of a horse or other beast.
WIRELESSWire"less, a.
Defn: Having no wire; specif. (Elec.),
Defn: designating, or pertaining to, a method of telegraphy, telephony, etc., in which the messages, etc., are transmitted through space by electric waves; as, a wireless message. — Wireless telegraphy or telegraph (Elec.), any system of telegraphy employing no connecting wire or wires between the transmitting and receiving stations. Although more or less successful researchers were made on the subject by Joseph Henry, Hertz, Oliver Lodge, and others, the first commercially successful system was that of Guglielmo Marconi, patented in March, 1897. Marconi employed electric waves of high frequency set up by an induction coil in an oscillator, these waves being launched into space through a lofty antenna. The receiving apparatus consisted of another antenna in circuit with a coherer and small battery for operating through a relay the ordinary telegraphic receiver. This apparatus contains the essential features of all the systems now in use. — Wireless telephone, an apparatus or contrivance for wireless telephony. —Wireless telephony, telephony without wires, usually employing electric waves of high frequency emitted from an oscillator or generator, as in wireless telegraphy. A telephone transmitter causes fluctuations in these waves, it being the fluctuations only which affect the receiver.
WIRELESSWire"less, n.
Defn: Short for Wireless telegraphy, Wireless telephony, etc.; as, to send a message by wireless.
WIRE-PULLERWire"-pull`er, n.
Defn: One who pulls the wires, as of a puppet; hence, one who operates by secret means; an intriguer. Political wire-pullers and convention packers. Lowell.
WIRE-PULLINGWire"-pull`ing, n.
Defn: The act of pulling the wires, as of a puppet; hence, secret influence or management, especially in politics; intrigue.
WIRE-TAILEDWire"-tailed`, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having some or all of the tail quills terminated in a long, slender, pointed shaft, without a web or barbules.
WIRE TAPPERWire tapper.
Defn: One that taps, or cuts in on, telegraph wires and intercepts messages; hence (Slang),
Defn: a swindler who pretends to tap wires or otherwise intercept advance telegraphic news for betting. — Wire tapping.
WIREWORKWire"work`, n.
Defn: Work, especially openwork, formed of wires.
WIRE-WORKERWire"-work`er, n.
Defn: One who manufactures articles from wire.
WIREWORM Wire"worm`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) One of the larvæ of various species of snapping beetles, or elaters; — so called from their slenderness and the uncommon hardness of the integument. Wireworms are sometimes very destructive to the roots of plants. Called also wire grub. (b) A galleyworm.
WIRE-WOUND GUNWire"-wound` gun. (Ordnance)
Defn: A gun in the construction of which an inner tube (either entire or in segments) is wound with wire under tension to insure greater soundness and uniformity of resistance. In modern construction hoops and jackets are shrunk on over the wire.
WIRINESSWir"i*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being wiry.
WIRINGWir"ing, n.
1. The act of one that wires anything.
2. The wires or conductors employed in a system of electric distribution.
WIRYWir"y, a. Etym: [Written also wiery.]
1. Made of wire; like wire; drawn out like wire.
2. Capable of endurance; tough; sinewy; as, a wiry frame or constitution. "A little wiry sergeant of meek demeanor and strong sense." Dickens. He bore his age well, and seemed to retain a wiry vigor and alertness. Hawthorne.
WIS Wis, adv. Etym: [Aphetic form of iwis, ywis; or fr. Icel. viss certain. See Ywis.]
Defn: Certainly; really; indeed. [Obs.] "As wis God helpe me."Chaucer.
WISWis, v. t. Etym: [Due to mistaking OE. iwis certain, AS. gewiss, forI wis. See Ywis.]
Defn: To think; to suppose; to imagine; — used chiefly in the firstperson sing. present tense, I wis. See the Note under Ywis. [Obs. orPoetic] "Howe'er you wis." R. Browning.Nor do I know how long it is (For I have lain entranced, I wis).Coleridge.
WISARDWis"ard, n.
Defn: See Wizard.
WISDOMWis"dom (-dûm), n. Etym: [AS. wisdom. See Wise, a., and -dom.]
1. The quality of being wise; knowledge, and the capacity to make due use of it; knowledge of the best ends and the best means; discernment and judgment; discretion; sagacity; skill; dexterity. We speak also not in wise words of man's wisdom, but in the doctrine of the spirit. Wyclif (1 Cor. ii. 13). Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. Job xxviii. 28. It is hoped that our rulers will act with dignity and wisdom that they will yield everything to reason, and refuse everything to force. Ames. Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom. Coleridge.
2. The results of wise judgments; scientific or practical truth; acquired knowledge; erudition. Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. Acts vii. 22.
Syn. — Prudence; knowledge. Wisdom, Prudence, Knowledge. Wisdom has been defined to be "the use of the best means for attaining the best ends." "We conceive," says Whewell, " prudence as the virtue by which we select right means for given ends, while wisdom implies the selection of right ends as well as of right means." Hence, wisdom implies the union of high mental and moral excellence. Prudence (that is, providence, or forecast) is of a more negative character; it rather consists in avoiding danger than in taking decisive measures for the accomplishment of an object. Sir Robert Walpole was in many respects a prudent statesman, but he was far from being a wise one. Burke has said that prudence, when carried too far, degenerates into a "reptile virtue," which is the more dangerous for its plausible appearance. Knowledge, a more comprehensive term, signifies the simple apprehension of facts or relations. "In strictness of language," says Paley, " there is a difference between knowledge and wisdom; wisdom always supposing action, and action directed by it." Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one, Have ofttimes no connection. Knowledge dwells In heads replete with thoughts of other men; Wisdom, in minds attentive to their own. Knowledge, a rude, unprofitable mass, The mere materials with which wisdom builds, Till smoothed, and squared, and fitted to its place, Does but encumber whom it seems to enrich. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much; Wisdom is humble that he knows no more. Cowper. Wisdom tooth, the last, or back, tooth of the full set on each half of each jaw in man; — familiarly so called, because appearing comparatively late, after the person may be supposed to have arrived at the age of wisdom. See the Note under Tooth, 1.
WISDOM LITERATUREWis"dom lit"er*a*ture.
Defn: The class of ancient Hebrew writings which deal reflectively with general ethical and religious topics, as distinguished from the prophetic and liturgical literature, and from the law. It is comprised chiefly in the books of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiasticus, Ecclesiastes, and Wisdom of Solomon. The "wisdom" (Hokhmah) of these writings consists in detached sage utterances on concrete issues of life, without the effort at philosophical system that appeared in the later Hellenistic reflective writing beginning with Philo Judæus.
WISE Wise, a. [Compar. Wiser; superl. Wisest.] Etym: [OE. wis, AS. wis; akin to OS. & OFries. wis, D. wijs, G. weise, OHG. wis, wisi, Icel. viss, Sw. vis, Dan. viis, Goth. weis; akin to wit, v. i. See Wit, v., and cf. Righteous, Wisdom.]
1. Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive information; erudite; learned. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. Jer. iv. 22.
2. Hence, especially, making due use of knowledge; discerning and judging soundly concerning what is true or false, proper or improper; choosing the best ends and the best means for accomplishing them; sagacious. When clouds appear, wise men put their cloaks. Shak. From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation. 2 Tim. iii. 15.
3. Versed in art or science; skillful; dexterous; specifically, skilled in divination. Fal. There was, mine host, an old fat woman even now with me; but she's gone. Sim. Pray you, sir, was't not the wise woman of Brentford Shak.
4. Hence, prudent; calculating; shrewd; wary; subtle; crafty. [R.] "Thou art . . . no novice, but a governor wily and wise." Chaucer. Nor, on the other side, Will I be penuriously wise As to make money, that's my slave, my idol. Beau. & Fl. Lords do not care for me: I am too wise to die yet. Ford.
5. Dictated or guided by wisdom; containing or exhibiting wisdom; well adapted to produce good effects; judicious; discreet; as, a wise saying; a wise scheme or plan; wise conduct or management; a wise determination. "Eminent in wise deport." Milton. To make it wise, to make it a matter of deliberation. [Obs.] " We thought it was not worth to make it wise." Chaucer. — Wise in years, old enough to be wise; wise from age and experience; hence, aged; old. [Obs.] A very grave, state bachelor, my dainty one; He's wise in years, and of a temperate warmth. Ford. You are too wise in years, too full of counsel, For my green experience. Ford.
WISE Wise, a. Etym: [OE. wise, AS. wise; akin to OS. wisa, OFries. wis, D. wijs, wijze, OHG. wisa, G. weise, Sw. vis, Dan. viis, Icel. övis otherwise; from the root of E. wit; hence, originally, knowledge, skill. See Wit, v., and cf. Guise.]
Defn: Way of being or acting; manner; mode; fashion. "All armed incomplete wise." Spenser.To love her in my beste wyse. Chaucer.This song she sings in most commanding wise. Sir P. Sidney.Let not these blessings then, sent from above, Abused be, or spilt inprofane wise. Fairfax.
Note: This word is nearly obsolete, except in such phrases as in any wise, in no wise, on this wise, etc. " Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil." Ps. xxxvii. 8. "He shall in no wise lose his reward." Matt. x. 42. " On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel." Num. vi. 23.
Note: Wise is often used as a suffix in composition, as in likewise, nowise, lengthwise, etc., in which words -ways is often substituted with the same sense; as, noways, lengthways, etc.
WISEACRE Wise"a*cre, n. Etym: [OD. wijssegger or G. weissager a foreteller, prophet, from weissagen to foretell, to prophesy, OHG. wissag, corrupted (as if compounded of the words for wise and say) fr. wizzag, fr. wizzag a prophet, akin to AS. witiga, witga, from the root of E. wit. See Wit, v.]
1. A learned or wise man. [Obs.] Pythagoras learned much . . . becoming a mighty wiseacre. Leland.
2. One who makes undue pretensions to wisdom; a would-be-wise person; hence, in contempt, a simpleton; a dunce.
WISE-HEARTEDWise"-heart`ed, a.
Defn: Wise; knowing; skillful; sapient; erudite; prudent. Ex. xxviii. 3.
WISE-LIKEWise"-like`, a.
Defn: Resembling that which is wise or sensible; judicious.The only wise-like thing I heard anybody say. Sir W. Scott.
WISELINGWise"ling, n.
Defn: One who pretends to be wise; a wiseacre; a witling. Donne.
WISELYWise"ly, adv.
Defn: In a wise manner; prudently; judiciously; discreetly; withwisdom.And wisely learn to curb thy sorrows wild. Milton.
WISENESSWise"ness, n.
Defn: Wisdom. [Obs.] Spenser.
WISH Wish, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wished; p. pr. & vb. n. Wishing.] Etym: [OE. wischen, weschen, wuschen, AS. w; akin to D. wenschen, G. wünschen, Icel. æeskja, Dan. önske, Sw. önska; from AS. w a wish; akin to OD. & G. wunsch, OHG. wunsc, Icel. , Skr. va a wish, va to wish; also to Skr. van to like, to wish. Winsome, Win, v. t., and cf. Wistful.]
1. To have a desire or yearning; to long; to hanker.They cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. Actsxxvii. 29.This is as good an argument as an antiquary could wish for.Arbuthnot.
WISHWish, v. t.
1. To desire; to long for; to hanker after; to have a mind ordisposition toward.I would not wish Any companion in the world but you. Shak.I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper. 3. John 2.
2. To frame or express desires concerning; to invoke in favor of, or against, any one; to attribute, or cal down, in desire; to invoke; to imprecate. I would not wish them to a fairer death. Shak. I wish it may not prove some ominous foretoken of misfortune to have met with such a miser as I am. Sir P. Sidney. Let them be driven backward, and put to shame, that wish me evil. Ps. xl. 14.
3. To recommend; to seek confidence or favor in behalf of. [Obs.] Shak. I would be glad to thrive, sir, And I was wished to your worship by a gentleman. B. Jonson.
Syn.— See Desire.
WISHWish, n.
1. Desire; eager desire; longing. Behold, I am according to thy wish in God a stead. Job xxxiii. 6.
2. Expression of desire; request; petition; hence, invocation or imprecation. Blistered be thy tongue for such a wish. Shak.
3. A thing desired; an object of desire. Will he, wise, let loose at once his ire . . . To give his enemies their wish! Milton.
WISHABLEWish"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable or worthy of being wished for; desirable. Udall.
WISHBONEWish"bone`, n.
Defn: The forked bone in front of the breastbone in birds; — called also merrythought, and wishing bone. See Merrythought, and Furculum.
WISHEDLYWish"ed*ly, adv.
Defn: According to wish; conformably to desire. [Obs.] Chapman.
WISHERWish"er, n.
Defn: One who wishes or desires; one who expresses a wish. Shak.
WISHFULWish"ful, a. Etym: [Cf. Wistful.]
1. Having desire, or ardent desire; longing.
2. Showing desire; as, wishful eyes. From Scotland am I stolen, even of pure love To greet mine own land with my wishful sight. Shak.
3. Desirable; exciting wishes. [R.] Chapman.— Wish"ful*ly, adv.— Wish"ful*ness, n.
WISHINGWish"ing,
Defn: a. & n. from Wish, v. t. Wishing bone. See Wishbone. — Wishing cap, a cap fabled to give one whatever he wishes for when wearing it.
WISHLYWish"ly, adv.
Defn: According to desire; longingly; with wishes. [Obs. or Prov.Eng.] Chapman.
WISHTONWISHWish"ton*wish, n. Etym: [Probably of American Indian origin.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The prairie dog.
WISH-WASHWish"-wash`, n.
Defn: Any weak, thin drink.
WISHY-WASHYWish"y-wash`y, a. Etym: [See Wash.]
Defn: Thin and pale; weak; without strength or substance; —originally said of liquids. Fig., weak-minded; spiritless.A weak wishy-washy man who had hardly any mind of his own. A.Trollope.
WISHY-WASHYWish"y-wash`y, n.
Defn: A weak or thin drink or liquor; wish-wash.
WISKETWis"ket, n.
Defn: A whisket, or basket. [Prov. Eng.] Ainsworth.
WISLYWis"ly, adv. Etym: [See Wis, adv.]
Defn: Certainly. [Obs.] "God so wisly have mercy on me." Chaucer.
WISP Wisp, n. Etym: [OE. wisp, wips; probably akin to D. & G. wisch, Icel. visk, and perhaps to L. virga a twig, rod. Cf. Verge a rod, Whisk, n.]