Unabridged Dictionary - Letter W
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W
W (?), the twenty-third letter of the English alphabet, is usually a
consonant, but sometimes it is a vowel, forming the second element of
certain diphthongs, as in few, how. It takes its written form and its
name from the repetition of a V, this being the original form of the
Roman capital letter which we call U. Etymologically it is most
related to v and u. See V, and U. Some of the uneducated classes in
England, especially in London, confuse w and v, substituting the one
for the other, as weal for veal, and veal for weal; wine for vine, and
vine for wine, etc. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 266-268.
Waag
Waag (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The grivet.
Waahoo
Waa*hoo" (?), n. (Bot.) The burning bush; -- said to be called after a
quack medicine made from it.
Wabble
Wab"ble (?), v. i. [Cf. Prov. G. wabbeln to wabble, and E. whap. Cf.
Quaver.] To move staggeringly or unsteadily from one side to the
other; to vacillate; to move the manner of a rotating disk when the
axis of rotation is inclined to that of the disk; -- said of a turning
or whirling body; as, a top wabbles; a buzz saw wabbles. <-- now
replaced by wobble. -->
Wabble
Wab"ble, n. A hobbling, unequal motion, as of a wheel unevenly hung; a
staggering to and fro.
Wabbly
Wab"bly (?), a. Inclined to wabble; wabbling.
Wacke, Wacky
Wack"e (?), Wack"y (?), n. [G. wacke, MHG.wacke a large stone, OHG.
waggo a pebble.] (Geol.) A soft, earthy, dark-colored rock or clay
derived from the alteration of basalt.
Wad
Wad (?), n. [See Woad.] Woad. [Obs.]
Wad
Wad, n. [Probably of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. vadd wadding, Dan vat, D.
& G. watte. Cf. Wadmol.]
1. A little mass, tuft, or bundle, as of hay or tow. Holland.
2. Specifically: A little mass of some soft or flexible material, such
as hay, straw, tow, paper, or old rope yarn, used for retaining a
charge of powder in a gun, or for keeping the powder and shot close;
also, to diminish or avoid the effects of windage. Also, by extension,
a dusk of felt, pasteboard, etc., serving a similar purpose.
3. A soft mass, especially of some loose, fibrous substance, used for
various purposes, as for stopping an aperture, padding a garment, etc.
Wed hook, a rod with a screw or hook at the end, used for removing the
wad from a gun.
Wad
Wad, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Waded; p. pr. & vb. n. Wadding.]
1. To form into a mass, or wad, or into wadding; as, to wad tow or
cotton.
2. To insert or crowd a wad into; as, to wad a gun; also, to stuff or
line with some soft substance, or wadding, like cotton; as, to wad a
cloak.
Wad, Wadd
Wad, Wadd, n. (Min.) (a) An earthy oxide of manganese, or mixture of
different oxides and water, with some oxide of iron, and often silica,
alumina, lime, or baryta; black ocher. There are several varieties.
(b) Plumbago, or black lead.
Wadding
Wad"ding (?), n. [See Wad a little mass.]
1. A wad, or the materials for wads; any pliable substance of which
wads may be made.
2. Any soft stuff of loose texture, used for stuffing or padding
garments; esp., sheets of carded cotton prepared for the purpose.
Waddle
Wad"dle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Waddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Waddling
(?).] [Freq. of wade; cf. AS. w\'91dlian to beg, from wadan to go. See
Wade.] To walk with short steps, swaying the body from one side to the
other, like a duck or very fat person; to move clumsily and
totteringly along; to toddle; to stumble; as, a child waddles when he
begins to walk; a goose waddles. Shak.
She drawls her words, and waddles in her pace. Young.
Waddle
Wad"dle, v. t. To trample or tread down, as high grass, by walking
through it. [R.] Drayton.
Waddler
Wad"dler (?), n. One who, or that which, waddles.
Waddlingly
Wad"dling*ly, adv. In a waddling manner.
Wade
Wade (?), n. Woad. [Obs.] Mortimer.
Wade
Wade (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Waded; p. pr. & vb. n. Wading.] [OE.
waden to wade, to go, AS. wadan; akin to OFries. wada, D. waden, OHG.
watan, Icel. va, Sw. vada, Dan. vade, L. vadere to go, walk, vadum a
ford. Cf. Evade, Invade, Pervade, Waddle.]
1. To go; to move forward. [Obs.]
When might is joined unto cruelty, Alas, too deep will the venom
wade. Chaucer.
Forbear, and wade no further in this speech. Old Play.
2. To walk in a substance that yields to the feet; to move, sinking at
each step, as in water, mud, sand, etc.
So eagerly the fiend . . . With head, hands, wings, or feet,
pursues his way, And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or
flies. Milton.
3. Hence, to move with difficulty or labor; to proceed as, to wade
through a dull book.
And wades through fumes, and gropes his way. Dryden.
The king's admirable conduct has waded through all these
difficulties. Davenant.
Wade
Wade, v. t. To pass or cross by wading; as, he waded .
Wade
Wade (?), n. The act of wading. [Colloq.]
Wader
Wad"er (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, wades.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Any long-legged bird that wades in the water in search
of food, especially any species of limicoline or grallatorial birds;
-- called also wading bird. See Illust. g, under Aves.
Wading
Wad"ing, a. & n. from Wade, v. Wading bird. (Zo\'94l.) See Wader, 2.
Wadmol
Wad"mol (?), n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel.va a woollen stuff, Dan
vadmel. Cf. Wad a small mass, and Woodmeil.] A coarse, hairy, woolen
cloth, formerly used for garments by the poor, and for various other
purposes. [Spelled also wadmal, wadmeal, wadmoll, wadmel, etc.] Beck
(Draper's Dict.). Sir W. Scott.
Wadset
Wad"set (?), n. [Scot. wad a pledge; akin to Sw. vad a wager. See
Wed.] (Scots Law) A kind of pledge or mortgage. [Written also
wadsett.]
Wadsetter
Wad"set*ter (?), n. One who holds by a wadset.
Wady
Wad"y (?), n.; pl. Wadies (#). [Ar. w\'bed\'c6 a valley, a channel of
a river, a river.] A ravine through which a brook flows; the channel
of a water course, which is dry except in the rainy season.
Wae
Wae (?), n. A wave. [Obs.] Spenser.
Waeg
Waeg (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The kittiwake. [Scot.]
Wafer
Wa"fer (?), n. [OE. wafre, OF. waufre, qaufre, F. qaufre; of Teutonic
origin; cf. LG. & D. wafel, G. waffel, Dan. vaffel, Sw. v\'86ffla; all
akin to G. wabe a honeycomb, OHG. waba, being named from the
resemblance to a honeycomb. G. wabe is probably akin to E. weave. See
Weave, and cf. Waffle, Gauffer.]
1. (Cookery) A thin cake made of flour and other ingredients.
Wafers piping hot out of the gleed. Chaucer.
The curious work in pastry, the fine cakes, wafers, and marchpanes.
Holland.
A woman's oaths are wafers -- break with making B. Jonson.
2. (Eccl.) A thin cake or piece of bread (commonly unleavened,
circular, and stamped with a crucifix or with the sacred monogram)
used in the Eucharist, as in the Roman Catholic Church.
3. An adhesive disk of dried paste, made of flour, gelatin, isinglass,
or the like, and coloring matter, -- used in sealing letters and other
documents. <-- 4. Any thin but rigid plate of solid material, esp. of
discoidal shape; -- a term used commonly to refer to the thin slices
of silicon used as starting material for the manufacture of integrated
circuits. -->
Wafer cake, a sweet, thin cake. Shak. -- Wafer irons, OR Wafer tongs
(Cookery), a pincher-shaped contrivance, having flat plates, or
blades, between which wafers are baked. -- Wafer woman, a woman who
sold wafer cakes; also, one employed in amorous intrigues. Beau. & Fl.
Wafer
Wa"fer, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wafered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wafering.] To
seal or close with a wafer.
Waferer
Wa"fer*er (?), n. A dealer in the cakes called wafers; a confectioner.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Waffle
Waffle (?), n. [D. wafel. See Wafer.]
1. A thin cake baked and then rolled; a wafer.
2. A soft indented cake cooked in a waffle iron.
Waffle iron, an iron utensil or mold made in two parts shutting
together, -- used for cooking waffles over a fire.
Waft
Waft (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wafted; p. pr. & vb. n. Wafting.] [Prob.
originally imp. & p. p. of wave, v. t. See Wave to waver.]
1. To give notice to by waving something; to wave the hand to; to
beckon. [Obs.]
But soft: who wafts us yonder? Shak.
2. To cause to move or go in a wavy manner, or by the impulse of
waves, as of water or air; to bear along on a buoyant medium; as, a
balloon was wafted over the channel.
A gentle wafting to immortal life. Milton.
Speed the soft intercourse from soul to soul, And waft a sigh from
Indus to the pole. Pope.
3. To cause to float; to keep from sinking; to buoy. [Obs.] Sir T.
Browne.
NOTE: &hand; This verb is regular; but waft was formerly somwafted.
Waft
Waft, v. i. To be moved, or to pass, on a buoyant medium; to float.
And now the shouts waft near the citadel. Dryden.
Waft
Waft, n.
1. A wave or current of wind. "Everywaft of the air." Longfellow.
In this dire season, oft the whirlwind's wing Sweeps up the burden
of whole wintry plains In one wide waft. Thomson.
2. A signal made by waving something, as a flag, in the air.
3. An unpleasant flavor. [Obs.]
4. (Naut.) A knot, or stop, in the middle of a flag. [Written also
wheft.]
NOTE: &hand; A fl ag with a waft in it, when hoisted at the staff,
or half way to the gaff, means, a man overboard; at the peak, a
desire to communicate; at the masthead, "Recall boats."
Waftage
Waft"age (?), n. Conveyance on a buoyant medium, as air or water.
Shak.
Boats prepared for waftage to and fro. Drayton.
Wafter
Waft"er (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, wafts.
O Charon, Thou wafter of the soul to bliss or bane. Beau. & FL.
2. A boat for passage. Ainsworth.
Wafture
Waf"ture (?), n. The act of waving; a wavelike motion; a waft. R.
Browning.
An angry wafture of your hand. Shak.
Wag
Wag (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wagged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wagging.]
[OE. waggen; probably of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. vagga to rock a
cradle, vagga cradle, Icel. vagga, Dan. vugge; akin to AS. wagian to
move, wag, wegan to bear, carry, G. & D. bewegen to move, and E.
weigh. \'fb136. See Weigh.] To move one way and the other with quick
turns; to shake to and fro; to move vibratingly; to cause to vibrate,
as a part of the body; as, to wag the head.
No discerner durst wag his tongue in censure. Shak.
Every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his
head. Jer. xviii. 16.
NOTE: &hand; Wa g expresses specifically the motion of the head and
body used in buffoonery, mirth, derision, sport, and mockery.
Wag
Wag, v. i.
1. To move one way and the other; to be shaken to and fro; to vibrate.
The resty sieve wagged ne'er the more. Dryden.
2. To be in action or motion; to move; to get along; to progress; to
stir. [Colloq.]
"Thus we may see," quoth he, "how the world wags." Shak.
3. To go; to depart; to pack oft. [R.]
I will provoke him to 't, or let him wag. Shak.
Wag
Wag, n. [From Wag, v.]
1. The act of wagging; a shake; as, a wag of the head. [Colloq.]
2. [Perhaps shortened from wag-halter a rogue.] A man full of sport
and humor; a ludicrous fellow; a humorist; a wit; a joker.
We wink at wags when they offend. Dryden.
A counselor never pleaded without a piece of pack thread in his
hand, which he used to twist about a finger all the while he was
speaking; the wags used to call it the thread of his discourse.
Addison.
Wagati
Wa*ga"ti (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A small East Indian wild cat (Felis
wagati), regarded by some as a variety of the leopard cat.
Wage
Wage (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Waged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Waging (?).]
[OE. wagen, OF. wagier, gagier, to pledge, promise, F. gager to wager,
lay, bet, fr. LL. wadium a pledge; of Teutonic origin; cf. Goth. wadi
a pledge, gawadj\'d3n to pledge, akin to E. wed, G. wette a wager. See
Wed, and cf. Gage.]
1. To pledge; to hazard on the event of a contest; to stake; to bet,
to lay; to wager; as, to wage a dollar. Hakluyt.
My life I never but as a pawn To wage against thy enemies. Shak.
2. To expose one's self to, as a risk; to incur, as a danger; to
venture; to hazard. "Too weak to wage an instant trial with the king."
Shak.
To wake and wage a danger profitless. Shak.
3. To engage in, as a contest, as if by previous gage or pledge; to
carry on, as a war.
[He pondered] which of all his sons was fit To reign and wage
immortal war with wit. Dryden.
The two are waging war, and the one triumphs by the destruction of
the other. I. Taylor.
4. To adventure, or lay out, for hire or reward; to hire out. [Obs.]
"Thou . . . must wage thy works for wealth." Spenser.
5. To put upon wages; to hire; to employ; to pay wages to. [Obs.]
Abundance of treasure which he had in store, wherewith he might
wage soldiers. Holinshed.
I would have them waged for their labor. Latimer.
6. (O. Eng. Law) To give security for the performance of. Burrill.
To wage battle (O. Eng. Law), to give gage, or security, for joining
in the duellum, or combat. See Wager of battel, under Wager, n.
Burrill. -- To wage one's law (Law), to give security to make one's
law. See Wager of law, under Wager, n.
Wage
Wage, v. i. To bind one's self; to engage. [Obs.]
Wage
Wage, n. [OF. wage, gage, guarantee, engagement. See Wage, v. t. ]
1. That which is staked or ventured; that for which one incurs risk or
danger; prize; gage. [Obs.] "That warlike wage." Spenser.
2. That for which one labors; meed; reward; stipulated payment for
service performed; hire; pay; compensation; -- at present generally
used in the plural. See Wages. "My day's wage." Sir W. Scott. "At
least I earned my wage." Thackeray. "Pay them a wage in advance." J.
Morley. "The wages of virtue." Tennyson.
By Tom Thumb, a fairy page, He sent it, and doth him engage, By
promise of a mighty wage, It secretly to carry. Drayton.
Our praises are our wages. Shak.
Existing legislation on the subject of wages. Encyc. Brit.
NOTE: &hand; Wa ge is us ed ad jectively an d as the first part of
compounds which are usually self-explaining; as, wage worker, or
wage-worker; wage-earner, etc.
Board wages. See under 1st Board. Syn. -- Hire; reward; stipend;
salary; allowance; pay; compensation; remuneration; fruit.
Wagel
Wag"el (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Waggel.
Wagenboom
Wa"gen*boom` (?), n. [D., literally, wagon tree.] (Bot.) A south
African proteaceous tree (Protea grandiflora); also, its tough wood,
used for making wagon wheels.
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Wager
Wa"ger (?), n. [OE. wager, wajour, OF. wagiere, or wageure, E.
gageure. See Wage, v. t.]
1. Something deposited, laid, or hazarded on the event of a contest or
an unsettled question; a bet; a stake; a pledge.
Besides these plates for horse races, the wagers may be as the
persons please. Sir W. Temple.
If any atheist can stake his soul for a wager against such an
inexhaustible disproportion, let him never hereafter accuse others
of credulity. Bentley.
2. (Law) A contract by which two parties or more agree that a certain
sum of money, or other thing, shall be paid or delivered to one of
them, on the happening or not happening of an uncertain event.
Bouvier.
NOTE: &hand; At co mmon la w a wa ger is co nsidered as a legal
contract which the courts must enforce unless it be on a subject
contrary to public policy, or immoral, or tending to the detriment
of the public, or affecting the interest, feelings, or character of
a third person. In many of the United States an action can not be
sustained upon any wager or bet.
Chitty. Bouvier.
3. That on which bets are laid; the subject of a bet.
Wager of battel, OR Wager of battle (O. Eng. Law), the giving of gage,
or pledge, for trying a cause by single combat, formerly allowed in
military, criminal, and civil causes. In writs of right, where the
trial was by champions, the tenant produced his champion, who, by
throwing down his glove as a gage, thus waged, or stipulated, battle
with the champion of the demandant, who, by taking up the glove,
accepted the challenge. The wager of battel, which has been long in
disuse, was abolished in England in 1819, by a statute passed in
consequence of a defendant's having waged his battle in a case which
arose about that period. See Battel. -- Wager of law (Law), the giving
of gage, or sureties, by a defendant in an action of debt, that at a
certain day assigned he would take a law, or oath, in open court, that
he did not owe the debt, and at the same time bring with him eleven
neighbors (called compurgators), who should avow upon their oaths that
they believed in their consciences that he spoke the truth. -- Wager
policy. (Insurance Law) See under Policy.
Wager
Wa"ger, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wagered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wagering.] To
hazard on the issue of a contest, or on some question that is to be
decided, or on some casualty; to lay; to stake; to bet.
And wagered with him Pieces of gold 'gainst this which he wore.
Shak.
Wager
Wa"ger, v. i. To make a bet; to lay a wager.
'T was merry when You wagered on your angling. Shak.
Wagerer
Wa"ger*er (?), n. One who wagers, or lays a bet.
Wagering
Wa"ger*ing, a. Hazarding; pertaining to the act of one who wagers.
Wagering policy. (Com.) See Wager policy, under Policy.
Wages
Wa"ges (?), n. plural in termination, but singular in signification.
[Plural of wage; cf. F. gages, pl., wages, hire. See Wage, n.] A
compensation given to a hired person for services; price paid for
labor; recompense; hire. See Wage, n., 2.
The wages of sin is death. Rom. vi. 23.
Wages fund (Polit. Econ.), the aggregate capital existing at any time
in any country, which theoretically is unconditionally destined to be
paid out in wages. It was formerly held, by Mill and other political
economists, that the average rate of wages in any country at any time
depended upon the relation of the wages fund to the number of
laborers. This theory has been greatly modified by the discovery of
other conditions affecting wages, which it does not take into account.
Encyc. Brit. Syn. -- See under Wage, n.
Waggel
Wag"gel (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The young of the great black-backed gull
(Larus marinus), formerly considered a distinct species. [Prov. Eng.]
Waggery
Wag"ger*y (?), n.; pl. Waggeries (#). [From Wag.] The manner or action
of a wag; mischievous merriment; sportive trick or gayety;
good-humored sarcasm; pleasantry; jocularity; as, the waggery of a
schoolboy. Locke.
A drollery and lurking waggery of expression. W. Irving.
Waggie
Wag"gie (?), n. The pied wagtail. [Prov. Eng.]
Waggish
Wag"gish , a.
1. Like a wag; mischievous in sport; roguish in merriment or good
humor; frolicsome. "A company of waggish boys." L'Estrange.
2. Done, made, or laid in waggery or for sport; sportive; humorous;
as, a waggish trick. -- Wag"gish*ly, adv. -- Wag"gish*ness, n.
Waggle
Wag"gle (?), v. i. [Freq. of wag; cf. D. waggelen, G. wackeln.] To
reel, sway, or move from side to side; to move with a wagging motion;
to waddle.
Why do you go nodding and waggling so? L'Estrange.
Waggle
Wag"gle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Waggled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Waggling
(?).] To move frequently one way and the other; to wag; as, a bird
waggles his tail.
Wag-halter
Wag"-hal`ter (?), n. [Wag + halter.] One who moves or wears a halter;
one likely to be hanged. [Colloq. & Obs.]
I can tell you, I am a mad wag-halter. Marston.
Wagnerite
Wag"ner*ite (?), n. (Min.) A fluophosphate of magnesia, occurring in
yellowish crystals, and also in massive forms.
Wagon
Wag"on (?), n. [D. wagen. &root;136. See Wain.]
1. A wheeled carriage; a vehicle on four wheels, and usually drawn by
horses; especially, one used for carrying freight or merchandise.
NOTE: &hand; In th e Un ited States, light wagons are used for the
conveyance of persons and light commodities.
2. A freight car on a railway. [Eng.]
3. A chariot [Obs.] Spenser.
4. (Astron.) The Dipper, or Charles's Wain.
NOTE: &hand; This word and its compounds are often written with two
g's (waggon, waggonage, etc.), chiefly in England. The forms wagon,
wagonage, etc., are, however, etymologically preferable, and in the
United States are almost universally used.
Wagon boiler. See the Note under Boiler, 3. -- Wagon ceiling (Arch.),
a semicircular, or wagon-headed, arch or ceiling; -- sometimes used
also of a ceiling whose section is polygonal instead of semicircular.
-- Wagon master, an officer or person in charge of one or more wagons,
especially of those used for transporting freight, as the supplies of
an army, and the like. -- Wagon shoe, a skid, or shoe, for retarding
the motion of a wagon wheel; a drag. -- Wagon vault. (Arch.) See under
1st Vault.
Wagon
Wag"on (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wagoned (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Wagoning.] To transport in a wagon or wagons; as, goods are wagoned
from city to city.
Wagon
Wag"on, v. i. To wagon goods as a business; as, the man wagons between
Philadelphia and its suburbs.
Wagonage
Wag"on*age (?), n.
1. Money paid for carriage or conveyance in wagon.
2. A collection of wagons; wagons, collectively.
Wagonage, provender, and a piece or two of cannon. Carlyle.
Wagoner
Wag"on*er (?), n.
1. One who conducts a wagon; one whose business it is to drive a
wagon.
2. (Astron.) The constellation Charles's Wain, or Ursa Major. See Ursa
major, under Ursa.
Wagonette
Wag`on*ette" (?), n. A kind of pleasure wagon, uncovered and with
seats extended along the sides, designed to carry six or eight persons
besides the driver.
Wagonful
Wag"on*ful (?), n.; pl. Wagonfuls (. As much as a wagon will hold;
enough to fill a wagon; a wagonload.
Wagon-headed
Wag"on-head`ed (?), a. Having a top, or head, shaped like the top of a
covered wagon, or resembling in section or outline an inverted U, thus
as, a wagonheaded ceiling.
Wagonload
Wag"on*load` (?), n. Same as Wagonful.
Wagon-roofed
Wag"on-roofed` (?), a. Having a roof, or top, shaped like an inverted
U; wagon-headed.
Wagonry
Wag"on*ry (?), n. Conveyance by means of a wagon or wagons. [Obs.]
Milton.
Wagonwright
Wag"on*wright` (?), n. One who makes wagons.
Wagtail
Wag"tail` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of many species of Old World
singing birds belonging to Motacilla and several allied genera of the
family Motacillid\'91. They have the habit of constantly jerking their
long tails up and down, whence the name. Field wagtail, any one of
several species of wagtails of the genus Budytes having the tail
shorter, the legs longer, and the hind claw longer and straighter,
than do the water wagtails. Most of the species are yellow beneath.
Called also yellow wagtail. -- Garden wagtail, the Indian
black-breasted wagtail (Nemoricola Indica). -- Pied wagtail, the
common European water wagtail (Motacilla lugubris). It is variegated
with black and white. The name is applied also to other allied species
having similar colors. Called also pied dishwasher. -- Wagtail
flycatcher, a true flycatcher (Sauloprocta motacilloides) common in
Southern Australia, where it is very tame, and frequents stock yards
and gardens and often builds its nest about houses; -- called also
black fantail. -- Water wagtail. (a) Any one of several species of
wagtails of the restricted genus Motacilla. They live chiefly on the
shores of ponds and streams. (b) The American water thrush. See Water
thrush. -- Wood wagtail, an Asiatic wagtail; (Calobates sulphurea)
having a slender bill and short legs.
Wah
Wah (w&aum;), n. (Zo\'94l.) The panda.
Wahabee
Wa*ha"bee (?), n. [Ar. wah\'bebi.] A follower of Abdel Wahab (b. 1691;
d. 1787), a reformer of Mohammedanism. His doctrines prevail
particularly among the Bedouins, and the sect, though checked in its
influence, extends to most parts of Arabia, and also into India.
[Written also Wahaby.]
Waid
Waid (?), a. [For weighed.] Oppressed with weight; crushed; weighed
down. [Obs.] Tusser.
Waif
Waif (?), n. [OF. waif, gaif, as adj., lost, unclaimed, chose gaive a
waif, LL. wayfium, res vaivae; of Scand. origin. See Waive.]
1. (Eng. Law.) Goods found of which the owner is not known;
originally, such goods as a pursued thief threw away to prevent being
apprehended, which belonged to the king unless the owner made pursuit
of the felon, took him, and brought him to justice. Blackstone.
2. Hence, anything found, or without an owner; that which comes along,
as it were, by chance. "Rolling in his mind old waifs of rhyme."
Tennyson.
3. A wanderer; a castaway; a stray; a homeless child.
A waif Desirous to return, and not received. Cowper.
Waift
Waift (?), n. A waif. [Obs.] Spenser.
Wail
Wail (?), v. t. [Cf. Icel. val choice, velja to choose, akin to Goth.
waljan, G. w\'84hlen.] To choose; to select. [Obs.] "Wailed wine and
meats." Henryson.
Wail
Wail, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wailed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wailing.] [OE.
wailen, weilen, probably fr. Icel. v\'91la; cf. Icel. v\'91, vei, woe,
and E. wayment, also OE. wai, wei, woe. Cf. Woe.] To lament; to
bewail; to grieve over; as, to wail one's death. Shak.
Wail
Wail, v. i. To express sorrow audibly; to make mournful outcry; to
weep.
Therefore I will wail and howl. Micah i. 8.
Wail
Wail, n. Loud weeping; violent lamentation; wailing. "The wail of
the forest." Longfellow.
Wailer
Wail"er (?), n. One who wails or laments.
Waileress
Wail"er*ess (?), n. A woman who wails. [Obs.]
Wailful
Wail"ful (?), a. Sorrowful; mournful. " Like wailful widows."
Spenser. "Wailful sonnets." Shak.
Wailingly
Wail"ing*ly, adv. In a wailing manner.
Wailment
Wail"ment (?), n. Lamentation; loud weeping; wailing. [Obs.] Bp.
Hacket.
Waiment
Wai"ment (?). v. & n. See Wayment. [Obs.]
Wain
Wain (?), n. [OE. wain, AS. w\'91gn; akin to D. & G. wagen, OHG.
wagan, Icel. & Sw. vagn, Dan. vogn, and E. way. Way, Weigh, and cf.
Wagon.]
1. A four-wheeled vehicle for the transportation of goods, produce,
etc.; a wagon.
The wardens see nothing but a wain of hay. Jeffrey.
Driving in ponderous wains their household goods to the seashore.
Longfellow.
2. A chariot. [Obs.]
The Wain. (Astron.) See Charles's Wain, in the Vocabulary. -- Wain
rope, a cart rope. Shak.
Wainable
Wain"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being plowed or cultivated; arable;
tillable. [Obs.] Cowell.
Wainage
Wain"age (?; 48), n. [From Wain.] A finding of carriages, carts, etc.,
for the transportation of goods, produce, etc. Ainsworth.
Wainage
Wain"age, n. (O. Eng. Law) See Gainage, a.
Wainbote
Wain"bote` (?), n. [Wain + bote.] (O. Eng. Law) See Cartbote. See also
the Note under Bote.
Wainscot
Wain"scot (?), n. [OD. waeghe-schot, D. wagen-schot, a clapboard, fr.
OD. waeg, weeg, a wall (akin to AS. wah; cf. Icel. veggr) + schot a
covering of boards (akin to E. shot, shoot).]
1. Oaken timber or boarding. [Obs.]
A wedge wainscot is fittest and most proper for cleaving of an
oaken tree. Urquhart.
Inclosed in a chest of wainscot. J. Dart.
2. (Arch.) A wooden lining or boarding of the walls of apartments,
usually made in panels.
3.
3. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of European moths of the
family Leucanid\'91.
NOTE: &hand; Th ey are reddish or yellowish, streaked or lined with
black and white. Their larv\'91 feed on grasses and sedges.
Wainscot
Wain"scot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wainscoted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Wainscoting.] To line with boards or panelwork, or as if with
panelwork; as, to wainscot a hall.
Music soundeth better in chambers wainscoted than hanged. Bacon.
The other is wainscoted with looking-glass. Addison.
Wainscoting
Wain"scot*ing, n.
1. The act or occupation of covering or lining with boards in panel.
2. The material used to wainscot a house, or the wainscot as a whole;
panelwork.
Wainwright
Wain"wright` (?), n. Same as Wagonwright.
Wair
Wair (?), n. (Carp.) A piece of plank two yard Bailey.
Waist
Waist (?), n. [OE. wast; originally, growth, akin to AS. weaxan to
grow; cf. AS. w\'91stm growth. See Wax to grow.]
1. That part of the human body which is immediately below the ribs or
thorax; the small part of the body between the thorax and hips.
Chaucer.
I am in the waist two yards about. Shak.
2. Hence, the middle part of other bodies; especially (Naut.), that
part of a vessel's deck, bulwarks, etc., which is between the
quarter-deck and the forecastle; the middle part of the ship.
3. A garment, or part of a garment, which covers the body from the
neck or shoulders to the waist line.
4. A girdle or belt for the waist. [Obs.] Shak.
Waist anchor. See Sheet anchor, 1, in the Vocabulary.
Waistband
Waist"band (?), n.
1. The band which encompasses the waist; esp., one on the upper part
of breeches, trousers, pantaloons, skirts, or the like.
2. A sash worn by women around the waist. [R.]
Waistcloth
Waist"cloth (?), n.
1. A cloth or wrapper worn about the waist; by extension, such a
garment worn about the hips and passing between the thighs.
2. (Naut.) A covering of canvas or tarpaulin for the hammocks, stowed
on the nettings, between the quarterdeck and the forecastle.
Waistcoat
Waist"coat (?), n. (a) A short, sleeveless coat or garment for men,
worn under the coat, extending no lower than the hips, and covering
the waist; a vest. (b) A garment occasionally worn by women as a part
of fashionable costume.
NOTE: &hand; Th e wa istcoat was a part of female attire as well as
male . . . It was only when the waistcoat was worn without a gown
or upper dress that it was considered the mark of a mad or
profligate woman. Nares.
Syn. -- See Vest.
Waistcoateer
Waist`coat*eer" (?), n. One wearing a waistcoat; esp., a woman wearing
one uncovered, or thought fit for such a habit; hence, a loose woman;
strumpet. [Obs.]
Do you think you are here, sir, Amongst your waistcoateers, your
base wenches? Beau. & Fl.
Waistcoating
Waist"coat*ing, n. A fabric designed for waistcoats; esp., one in
which there is a pattern, differently colored yarns being used.
Waister
Waist"er (?), n. (Naut.) A seaman, usually a green hand or a
broken-down man, stationed in the waist of a vessel of war. R. H.
Dana, Jr.
Wait
Wait (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Waited; p. pr. & vb. n. Waiting.] [OE.
waiten, OF. waitier, gaitier, to watch, attend, F. guetter to watch,
to wait for, fr. OHG. wahta a guard, watch, G. wacht, from OHG.
wahh\'c7n to watch, be awake. \'fb134. See Wake, v. i.]
1. To watch; to observe; to take notice. [Obs.]
"But [unless] ye wait well and be privy, I wot right well, I am but
dead," quoth she. Chaucer.
2. To stay or rest in expectation; to stop or remain stationary till
the arrival of some person or event; to rest in patience; to stay; not
to depart.
All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Job xiv. 14.
They also serve who only stand and wait. Milton.
Haste, my dear father; 't is no time to wait. Dryden.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1623
To wait on OR upon. (a) To attend, as a servant; to perform services
for; as, to wait on a gentleman; to wait on the table. "Authority and
reason on her wait." Milton. "I must wait on myself, must I?" Shak.
(b) To attend; to go to see; to visit on business or for ceremony. (c)
To follow, as a consequence; to await. "That ruin that waits on such a
supine temper." Dr. H. More. (d) To look watchfully at; to follow with
the eye; to watch. [R.] "It is a point of cunning to wait upon him
with whom you speak with your eye." Bacon. (e) To attend to; to
perform. "Aaron and his sons . . . shallwait on their priest's
office." Num. iii. 10. (f) (Falconry) To fly above its master, waiting
till game is sprung; -- said of a hawk. Encyc. Brit.
Wait
Wait (?), v. t.
1. To stay for; to rest or remain stationary in expectation of; to
await; as, to wait orders.
Awed with these words, in camps they still abide, And wait with
longing looks their promised guide. Dryden.
2. To attend as a consequence; to follow upon; to accompany; to await.
[Obs.]
3. To attend on; to accompany; especially, to attend with ceremony or
respect. [Obs.]
He chose a thousand horse, the flower of all His warlike troops, to
wait the funeral. Dryden.
Remorse and heaviness of heart shall wait thee, And everlasting
anguish be thy portion. Rowe.
4. To cause to wait; to defer; to postpone; -- said of a meal; as, to
wait dinner. [Colloq.]
Wait
Wait, n. [OF. waite, guaite, gaite, F. guet watch, watching, guard,
from OHG. wahta. See Wait, v. i.]
1. The act of waiting; a delay; a halt.
There is a wait of three hours at the border Mexican town of El
Paso. S. B. Griffin.
2. Ambush. "An enemy in wait." Milton.
3. One who watches; a watchman. [Obs.]
4. pl. Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians; not used in the
singular. [Obs.] Halliwell.
5. pl. Musicians who sing or play at night or in the early morning,
especially at Christmas time; serenaders; musical watchmen. [Written
formerly wayghtes.]
Hark! are the waits abroad? Beau & Fl.
The sound of the waits, rude as may be their minstrelsy, breaks
upon the mild watches of a winter night with the effect of perfect
harmony. W. Irving.
To lay wait, to prepare an ambuscade. -- To lie in wait. See under 4th
Lie.
Waiter
Wait"er (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, waits; an attendant; a servant in
attendance, esp. at table.
The waiters stand in ranks; the yeomen cry, "Make room," as if a
duke were passing by. Swift.
2. A vessel or tray on which something is carried, as dishes, etc.; a
salver.
Coast waiter. See under Coast, n.
Waiting
Wait"ing, a. & n. from Wait, v. In waiting, in attendance; as, lords
in waiting. [Eng.] -- Waiting gentlewoman, a woman who waits upon a
person of rank. -- Waiting maid, Waiting woman, a maid or woman who
waits upon another as a personal servant.
Waitingly
Wait"ing*ly, adv. By waiting.
Waitress
Wait"ress (?), n. A female waiter or attendant; a waiting maid or
waiting woman. <-- esp. one employed in a commercial dining
establishment, who takes the customers' orders, brings the meals, and
otherwise serves the customers who are seated at a table or counter.
-->
Waive
Waive (?), n. [See Waive, v. t. ]
1. A waif; a castaway. [Obs.] Donne.
2. (O. Eng. Law) A woman put out of the protection of the law. See
Waive, v. t., 3 (b), and the Note.
Waive
Waive, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Waived (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Waiving.] [OE.
waiven, weiven, to set aside, remove, OF. weyver, quesver, to waive,
of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. veifa to wave, to vibrate, akin to Skr.
vip to tremble. Cf. Vibrate, Waif.] [Written also wave.]
1. To relinquish; to give up claim to; not to insist on or claim; to
refuse; to forego.
He waiveth milk, and flesh, and all. Chaucer.
We absolutely do renounce or waive our own opinions, absolutely
yielding to the direction of others. Barrow.
2. To throw away; to cast off; to reject; to desert.
3. (Law) (a) To throw away; to relinquish voluntarily, as a right
which one may enforce if he chooses. (b) (O. Eng. Law) To desert; to
abandon. Burrill.
NOTE: &hand; Th e term was applied to a woman, in the same sense as
outlaw to a man. A woman could not be outlawed, in the proper sense
of the word, because, according to Bracton, she was never in law,
that is, in a frankpledge or decennary; but she might be waived,
and held as abandoned. Burrill.
Waive
Waive, v. i. To turn aside; to recede. [Obs.]
To waive from the word of Solomon. Chaucer.
Waiver
Waiv"er (?), n. (Law) The act of waiving, or not insisting on, some
right, claim, or privilege.
Waivure
Waiv"ure (?), n. See Waiver. [R.]
Waiwode
Wai"wode (?), n. See Waywode.
Wake
Wake (?), n. [Originally, an open space of water sv\'94k a hole,
opening in ice, Sw. vak, Dan. vaage, perhaps akin to E. humid.] The
track left by a vessel in the water; by extension, any track; as, the
wake of an army.
This effect followed immediately in the wake of his earliest
exertions. De Quincey.
Several humbler persons . . . formed quite a procession in the
dusty wake of his chariot wheels. Thackeray.
Wake
Wake, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Waked (?) or Woke (p. pr. & vb. n. Waking.]
[AS. wacan, wacian; akin to OFries. waka, OS. wak, D. waken, G.
wachen, OHG. wahh, Icel. vaka, Sw. vaken, Dan. vaage, Goth. wakan, v.
i., uswakjan, v. t., Skr. v\'bejay to rouse, to impel. Vigil, Wait, v.
i., Watch, v. i.]
1. To be or to continue awake; to watch; not to sleep.
The father waketh for the daughter. Ecclus. xlii. 9.
Though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps. Milton.
I can not think any time, waking or sleeping, without being
sensible of it. Locke.
2. To sit up late festive purposes; to hold a night revel.
The king doth wake to-night, and takes his rouse, Keeps wassail,
and the swaggering upspring reels. Shak.
3. To be excited or roused from sleep; to awake; to be awakened; to
cease to sleep; -- often with up.
He infallibly woke up at the sound of the concluding doxology. G.
Eliot.
4. To be exited or roused up; to be stirred up from a dormant, torpid,
or inactive state; to be active.
Gentle airs due at their hour To fan the earth now waked. Milton.
Then wake, my soul, to high desires. Keble.
Wake
Wake (?), v. t.
1. To rouse from sleep; to awake.
The angel . . . came again and waked me. Zech. iv. 1.
2. To put in motion or action; to arouse; to excite. "I shall waken
all this company." Chaucer.
Lest fierce remembrance wake my sudden rage. Milton.
Even Richard's crusade woke little interest in his island realm. J.
R. Green.
3. To bring to life again, as if from the sleep of death; to
reanimate; to revive.
To second life Waked in the renovation of the just. Milton.
4. To watch, or sit up with, at night, as a dead body.
Wake
Wake, n.
1. The act of waking, or being awaked; also, the state of being awake.
[Obs. or Poetic]
Making such difference 'twixt wake and sleep. Shak.
Singing her flatteries to my morning wake. Dryden.
2. The state of forbearing sleep, especially for solemn or festive
purposes; a vigil.
The warlike wakes continued all the night, And funeral games played
at new returning light. Dryden.
The wood nymphs, decked with daises trim, Their merry wakes and
pastimes keep. Milton.
3. Specifically: (a) (Ch. of Eng.) An annual parish festival formerly
held in commemoration of the dedication of a church. Originally,
prayers were said on the evening preceding, and hymns were sung during
the night, in the church; subsequently, these vigils were
discontinued, and the day itself, often with succeeding days, was
occupied in rural pastimes and exercises, attended by eating and
drinking, often to excess.
Great solemnities were made in all churches, and great fairs and
wakes throughout all England. Ld. Berners.
And every village smokes at wakes with lusty cheer. Drayton.
(b) The sitting up of persons with a dead body, often attended with a
degree of festivity, chiefly among the Irish. "Blithe as shepherd at a
wake." Cowper. Wake play, the ceremonies and pastimes connected with a
wake. See Wake, n., 3 (b), above. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wakeful
Wake"ful (?), a. Not sleeping; indisposed to sleep; watchful;
vigilant.
Dissembling sleep, but wakeful with the fright. Dryden.
-- Wake"ful*ly, adv. -- Wake"ful*ness, n.
Waken
Wak"en (?), v. i. [imp. & p. pr. Wakened (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Wakening.] [OE. waknen, AS. w\'91cnan; akin to Goth. gawaknan. See
Wake, v. i.] To wake; to cease to sleep; to be awakened.
Early, Turnus wakening with the light. Dryden.
Waken
Wak"en, v. t.
1. To excite or rouse from sleep; to wake; to awake; to awaken. "Go,
waken Eve." Milton.
2. To excite; to rouse; to move to action; to awaken.
Then Homer's and Tyrt\'91us' martial muse Wakened the world.
Roscommon.
Venus now wakes, and wakens love. Milton.
They introduce Their sacred song, and waken raptures high. Milton.
Wakener
Wak"en*er (?), n. One who wakens.
Wakening
Wak"en*ing, n.
1. The act of one who wakens; esp., the act of ceasing to sleep; an
awakening.
2. (Scots Law) The revival of an action. Burrill.
They were too much ashamed to bring any wakening of the process
against Janet. Sir W. Scott.
Waker
Wak"er (?), n. One who wakes.
Wake-robin
Wake"-rob`in (?), n. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Arum, especially,
in England, the cuckoopint (Arum maculatum).
NOTE: &hand; In Am erica th e na me is given to several species of
Trillium, and sometimes to the Jack-in-the-pulpit.
Waketime
Wake"time` (?), n. Time during which one is awake. [R.] Mrs. Browning.
Waking
Wak"ing, n.
1. The act of waking, or the state or period of being awake.
2. A watch; a watching. [Obs.] "Bodily pain . . . standeth in prayer,
in wakings, in fastings." Chaucer.
In the fourth waking of the night. Wyclif (Matt. xiv. 25).
Walaway
Wa"la*way (?), interj. See Welaway. [Obs.]
Wald
Wald (?), n. [AS. weald. See Wold.] A forest; -- used as a termination
of names. See Weald.
Waldenses
Wal*den"ses (?; 277), n. pl. [So called from Petrus Waldus, or Peter
Waldo, a merchant of Lyons, who founded this sect about a. d. 1170.]
(Eccl. Hist.) A sect of dissenters from the ecclesiastical system of
the Roman Catholic Church, who in the 13th century were driven by
persecution to the valleys of Piedmont, where the sect survives. They
profess substantially Protestant principles.
Waldensian
Wal*den"sian (?), a. Of or pertaining to the Waldenses. -- n. One
Holding the Waldensian doctrines.
Waldgrave
Wald"grave (?), n. [See Wald, and Margrave.] In the old German empire,
the head forest keeper.
Waldheimia
Wald*hei"mi*a (?), n. [NL.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of brachiopods of which
many species are found in the fossil state. A few still exist in the
deep sea.
Wale
Wale (?), n. [AS. walu a mark of stripes or blows, probably
originally, a rod; akin to Icel. v\'94lr, Goth. walus a rod, staff.
&root;146. Cf. Goal, Weal a wale.]
1. A streak or mark made on the skin by a rod or whip; a stripe; a
wheal. See Wheal. Holland.
2. A ridge or streak rising above the surface, as of cloth; hence, the
texture of cloth.
Thou 'rt rougher far, And of a coarser wale, fuller of pride. Beau
& Fl.
3. (Carp.) A timber bolted to a row of piles to secure them together
and in position. Knight.
4. (Naut.) (a) pl. Certain sets or strakes of the outside planking of
a vessel; as, the main wales, or the strakes of planking under the
port sills of the gun deck; channel wales, or those along the spar
deck, etc. (b) A wale knot, or wall knot.
Wale knot. (Naut.) See Wall knot, under 1st Wall.
Wale
Wale, v. t.
1. To mark with wales, or stripes.
2. To choose; to select; specifically (Mining), to pick out the refuse
of (coal) by hand, in order to clean it. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Walhalla
Wal*hal"la (?), n. [Cf. G. walhalla, See Valhalla.] See Valhalla.
Waling
Wal"ing (?), n. (Naut.) Same as Wale, n., 4.
Walk
Walk (w&asdd;k), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Walked (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Walking.] [OE. walken, probably from AS. wealcan to roll, turn,
revolve, akin to D. walken to felt hats, to work a hat, G. walken to
full, OHG. walchan to beat, to full, Icel. v\'belka to roll, to stamp,
Sw. valka to full, to roll, Dan. valke to full; cf. Skr. valg to
spring; but cf. also AS. weallian to roam, ramble, G. wallen.
&root;130.]
1. To move along on foot; to advance by steps; to go on at a moderate
pace; specifically, of two-legged creatures, to proceed at a slower or
faster rate, but without running, or lifting one foot entirely before
the other touches the ground.
At the end of twelve months, he walked in the palace of the kingdom
of Babylon. Dan. iv. 29.
When Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water,
to go to Jesus. Matt. xiv. 29.
NOTE: &hand; In th e walk of quadrupeds, there are always two, and
for a brief space there are three, feet on the ground at once, but
never four.
2. To move or go on the feet for exercise or amusement; to take one's
exercise; to ramble.
3. To be stirring; to be abroad; to go restlessly about; -- said of
things or persons expected to remain quiet, as a sleeping person, or
the spirit of a dead person; to go about as a somnambulist or a
specter.
I have heard, but not believed, the spirits of the dead May walk
again. Shak.
When was it she last walked? Shak.
4. To be in motion; to act; to move; to wag. [Obs.] "Her tongue did
walk in foul reproach." Spenser.
Do you think I'd walk in any plot? B. Jonson.
I heard a pen walking in the chimney behind the cloth. Latimer.
5. To behave; to pursue a course of life; to conduct one's self.
We walk perversely with God, and he will walk crookedly toward us.
Jer. Taylor.
6. To move off; to depart. [Obs. or Colloq.]
He will make their cows and garrans to walk. Spenser.
To walk in, to go in; to enter, as into a house. -- To walk after the
flesh (Script.), to indulge sensual appetites, and to live in sin.
Rom. viii. 1. -- To walk after the Spirit (Script.), to be guided by
the counsels and influences of the Spirit, and by the word of God.
Rom. viii. 1. -- To walk by faith (Script.), to live in the firm
belief of the gospel and its promises, and to rely on Christ for
salvation. 2 Cor. v. 7. -- To walk in darkness (Script.), to live in
ignorance, error, and sin. 1 John i. 6. -- To walk in the flesh
(Script.), to live this natural life, which is subject to infirmities
and calamities. 2 Cor. x. 3. -- To walk in the light (Script.), to
live in the practice of religion, and to enjoy its consolations. 1
John i. 7. -- To walk over, in racing, to go over a course at a walk;
-- said of a horse when there is no other entry; hence, colloquially,
to gain an easy victory in any contest.<-- = to win in a walk. --> --
To walk through the fire (Script.), to be exercised with severe
afflictions. Isa. xliii. 2. -- To walk with God (Script.), to live in
obedience to his commands, and have communion with him.
Walk
Walk, v. t.
1. To pass through, over, or upon; to traverse; to perambulate; as, to
walk the streets.
As we walk our earthly round. Keble.
2. To cause to walk; to lead, drive, or ride with a slow pace; as to
walk one's horses. " I will rather trust . . . a thief to walk my
ambling gelding." Shak.
3. [AS. wealcan to roll. See Walk to move on foot.] To subject, as
cloth or yarn, to the fulling process; to full. [Obs. or Scot.]
To walk the plank, to walk off the plank into the water and be
drowned; -- an expression derived from the practice of pirates who
extended a plank from the side of a ship, and compelled those whom
they would drown to walk off into the water; figuratively, to vacate
an office by compulsion. Bartlett.
Walk
Walk, n.
1. The act of walking, or moving on the feet with a slow pace; advance
without running or leaping.
2. The act of walking for recreation or exercise; as, a morning walk;
an evening walk.
3. Manner of walking; gait; step; as, we often know a person at a
distance by his walk.
4. That in or through which one walks; place or distance walked over;
a place for walking; a path or avenue prepared for foot passengers, or
for taking air and exercise; way; road; hence, a place or region in
which animals may graze; place of wandering; range; as, a sheep walk.
A woody mountain . . . with goodliest trees Planted, with walks and
bowers. Milton.
He had walk for a hundred sheep. Latimer.
Amid the sound of steps that beat The murmuring walks like rain.
Bryant.
5. A frequented track; habitual place of action; sphere; as, the walk
of the historian.
The mountains are his walks. Sandys.
He opened a boundless walk for his imagination. Pope.
6. Conduct; course of action; behavior.
7. The route or district regularly served by a vender; as, a milkman's
walk. [Eng.]
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1624
Walkable
Walk"a*ble (?), a. Fit to be walked on; capable of being walked on or
over. [R.] Swift.
Walker
Walk"er (?), n.
1. One who walks; a pedestrian.
2. That with which one walks; a foot. [Obs.]
Lame Mulciber, his walkers quite misgrown. Chapman.
3. (Law) A forest officer appointed to walk over a certain space for
inspection; a forester.
4. [AS. wealcere. See Walk, v. t., 3.] A fuller of cloth. [Obs. or
Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
She cursed the weaver and the walker The cloth that had wrought.
Percy's Reliques.
5. (Zo\'94l.) Any ambulatorial orthopterous insect, as a stick insect.
Walking
Walk"ing, a. & n. from Walk, v. Walking beam. See Beam, 10. -- Walking
crane, a kind of traveling crane. See under Crane. -- Walking fern.
(Bot.) See Walking leaf, below. -- Walking fish (Zo\'94l.), any one of
numerous species of Asiatic fishes of the genus Ophiocephalus, some of
which, as O. marulius, become over four feet long. They have a special
cavity over the gills lined with a membrane adapted to retain moisture
to aid in respiration, and are thus able to travel considerable
distances over the land at night, whence the name. They construct a
curious nest for their young. Called also langya. -- Walking gentleman
(Theater), an actor who usually fills subordinate parts which require
a gentlemanly appearance but few words. [Cant] -- Walking lady
(Theater), an actress who usually fills such parts as require only a
ladylike appearance on the stage. [Cant] -- Walking leaf. (a) (Bot.) A
little American fern (Camptosorus rhizophyllus); -- so called because
the fronds taper into slender prolongations which often root at the
apex, thus producing new plants. (b) (Zo\'94l.) A leaf insect. See
under Leaf. -- Walking papers, OR Walking ticket, an order to leave;
dismissal, as from office. [Colloq.] Bartlett. -- Walking stick. (a) A
stick or staff carried in the hand for hand for support or amusement
when walking; a cane. (b) (Zo\'94l.) A stick insect; -- called also
walking straw. See Illust. of Stick insect, under Stick. -- Walking
wheel (Mach.), a prime mover consisting of a wheel driven by the
weight of men or animals walking either in it or on it; a treadwheel.
Walk-mill
Walk"-mill` (?), n. [Walk to Walking Leaf, or full + mill.] A fulling
mill. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Walk-over
Walk"-o`ver (?), n. In racing, the going over a course by a horse
which has no competitor for the prize; hence, colloquially, a
one-sided contest; an uncontested, or an easy, victory.<-- = a walk; a
cake-walk. -->
Walkyr
Wal"kyr, n. (Scand. Myth.) See Valkyria.
Wall
Wall (?), n. (Naut.) A kind of knot often used at the end of a rope; a
wall knot; a wale. Wall knot, a knot made by unlaying the strands of a
rope, and making a bight with the first strand, then passing the
second over the end of the first, and the third over the end of the
second and through the bight of the first; a wale knot. Wall knots may
be single or double, crowned or double-crowned.
Wall
Wall (?), n. [AS. weall, from L. vallum a wall, vallus a stake, pale,
palisade; akin to Gr. Interval.]
1. A work or structure of stone, brick, or other materials, raised to
some height, and intended for defense or security, solid and permanent
inclosing fence, as around a field, a park, a town, etc., also, one of
the upright inclosing parts of a building or a room.
The plaster of the wall of the King's palace. Dan. v. 5.
2. A defense; a rampart; a means of protection; in the plural,
fortifications, in general; works for defense.
The waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their
left. Ex. xiv. 22.
In such a night, Troilus, methinks, mounted the Troyan walls. Shak.
To rush undaunted to defend the walls. Dryden.
3. An inclosing part of a receptacle or vessel; as, the walls of a
steam-engine cylinder.
4. (Mining) (a) The side of a level or drift. (b) The country rock
bounding a vein laterally. Raymond.
NOTE: &hand; Wa ll is of ten us ed ad jectively, an d al so in the
formation of compounds, usually of obvious signification; as in
wall paper, or wall-paper; wall fruit, or wall-fruit; wallflower,
etc.
Blank wall, Blind wall, etc. See under Blank, Blind, etc. -- To drive
to the wall, to bring to extremities; to push to extremes; to get the
advantage of, or mastery over. -- To go to the wall, to be hard
pressed or driven; to be the weaker party; to be pushed to extremes.
-- To take the wall. to take the inner side of a walk, that is, the
side next the wall; hence, to take the precedence. "I will take the
wall of any man or maid of Montague's." Shak. -- Wall barley (Bot.), a
kind of grass (Hordeum murinum) much resembling barley; squirrel
grass. See under Squirrel. -- Wall box. (Mach.) See Wall frame, below.
-- Wall creeper (Zo\'94l.), a small bright-colored bird (Tichodroma
muraria) native of Asia and Southern Europe. It climbs about over old
walls and cliffs in search of insects and spiders. Its body is
ash-gray above, the wing coverts are carmine-red, the primary quills
are mostly red at the base and black distally, some of them with white
spots, and the tail is blackish. Called also spider catcher. -- Wall
cress (Bot.), a name given to several low cruciferous herbs,
especially to the mouse-ear cress. See under Mouse-ear. -- Wall frame
(Mach.), a frame set in a wall to receive a pillow block or bearing
for a shaft passing through the wall; -- called also wall box. -- Wall
fruit, fruit borne by trees trained against a wall. -- Wall gecko
(Zo\'94l.), any one of several species of Old World geckos which live
in or about buildings and run over the vertical surfaces of walls, to
which they cling by means of suckers on the feet. -- Wall lizard
(Zo\'94l.), a common European lizard (Lacerta muralis) which frequents
houses, and lives in the chinks and crevices of walls; -- called also
wall newt. -- Wall louse, a wood louse. -- Wall moss (Bot.), any
species of moss growing on walls. -- Wall newt (Zo\'94l.), the wall
lizard. Shak. -- Wall paper, paper for covering the walls of rooms;
paper hangings. -- Wall pellitory (Bot.), a European plant (Parictaria
officinalis) growing on old walls, and formerly esteemed medicinal. --
Wall pennywort (Bot.), a plant (Cotyledon Umbilicus) having rounded
fleshy leaves. It is found on walls in Western Europe. -- Wall pepper
(Bot.), a low mosslike plant (Sedum acre) with small fleshy leaves
having a pungent taste and bearing yellow flowers. It is common on
walls and rocks in Europe, and is sometimes seen in America. -- Wall
pie (Bot.), a kind of fern; wall rue. -- Wall piece, a gun planted on
a wall. H. L. Scott. -- Wall plate (Arch.), a piece of timber placed
horizontally upon a wall, and supporting posts, joists, and the like.
See Illust. of Roof. -- Wall rock, granular limestone used in building
walls. [U. S.] Bartlett. -- Wall rue (Bot.), a species of small fern
(Asplenium Ruta-muraria) growing on walls, rocks, and the like. --
Wall spring, a spring of water issuing from stratified rocks. -- Wall
tent, a tent with upright cloth sides corresponding to the walls of a
house. -- Wall wasp (Zo\'94l.), a common European solitary wasp
(Odynerus parietus) which makes its nest in the crevices of walls.
Wall
Wall (, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Walled (; p. pr. & vb. n. Walling.]
1. To inclose with a wall, or as with a wall. "Seven walled towns of
strength." Shak.
The king of Thebes, Amphion, That with his singing walled that
city. Chaucer.
2. To defend by walls, or as if by walls; to fortify.
The terror of his name that walls us in. Denham.
3. To close or fill with a wall, as a doorway.
Wallaba
Wal"la*ba (?), n. (Bot.) A leguminous tree (Eperua falcata) of
Demerara, with pinnate leaves and clusters of red flowers. The reddish
brown wood is used for palings and shingles. J. Smith (Dict. Econ.
Plants).
Wallaby
Wal"la*by (?), n.; pl. Wallabies (#). [From a native name.] (Zo\'94l.)
Any one of numerous species of kangaroos belonging to the genus
Halmaturus, native of Australia and Tasmania, especially the smaller
species, as the brush kangaroo (H. Bennettii) and the pademelon (H.
thetidis). The wallabies chiefly inhabit the wooded district and bushy
plains. [Written also wallabee, and whallabee.]
Wallah
Wal"lah (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A black variety of the jaguar; -- called
also tapir tiger. [Written also walla.]
Wallaroo
Wal`la*roo" (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of kangaroos
of the genus Macropus, especially M. robustus, sometimes called the
great wallaroo.
Wallbird
Wall"bird` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The spotted flycatcher. [Prov. Eng.]
Waller
Wall"er (?), n. One who builds walls.
Waller
Wall"er, n. [G.] (Zo\'94l.) The wels.
Wallerian degeneration
Wal*le"ri*an de*gen`er*a"tion (?). (Med.) A form of degeneration
occurring in nerve fibers as a result of their division; -- so called
from Dr. Waller, who published an account of it in 1850.
Wallet
Wal"let (?), n. [OE. walet, probably the same word as OE. watel a bag.
See Wattle.]
1. A bag or sack for carrying about the person, as a bag for carrying
the necessaries for a journey; a knapsack; a beggar's receptacle for
charity; a peddler's pack.
[His hood] was trussed up in his walet. Chaucer.
2. A pocketbook for keeping money about the person.
3. Anything protuberant and swagging. "Wallets of flesh." Shak.
Walleteer
Wal`let*eer" (?), n. One who carries a wallet; a foot traveler; a
tramping beggar. [Colloq.] Wright.
Wall-eye
Wall"-eye` (?), n. [See Wall-eyed.]
1. An eye in which the iris is of a very light gray or whitish color;
-- said usually of horses. Booth.
NOTE: &hand; Jo nson ha s de fined wall-eye to be "a disease in the
crystalline humor of the eye; glaucoma." But glaucoma is not a
disease of the crystalline humor, nor is wall-eye a disease at all,
but merely a natural blemish. Tully. In the north of England, as
Brockett states, persons are said to be wall-eyed when the white of
the eye is very large and distorted, or on one side.
2. (Zo\'94l.) (a) An American fresh-water food fish (Stizostedion
vitreum) having large and prominent eyes; -- called also glasseye,
pike perch, yellow pike, and wall-eyed perch. (b) A California surf
fish (Holconotus argenteus). (c) The alewife; -- called also wall-eyed
herring.
Wall-eyed
Wall"-eyed` (?), a. [Icel. valdeyg&edh;r, or vagleygr; fr. vagl a
beam, a beam in the eye (akin to Sw. vagel a roost, a perch, a sty in
the eye) + eygr having eyes (from auga eye). See Eye.] Having an eye
of a very light gray or whitish color. Booth.
NOTE: &hand; Sh akespeare, in using wall-eyed as a term of reproach
(as "wall-eyed rage," a "wall-eyed wretch"), alludes probably to
the idea of unnatural or distorted vision. See the Note under
Wall-eye. It is an eye which is utterly and incurably perverted, an
eye that knows no pity.
Wallflower
Wall"flow`er (?), n.
1. (Bot.) A perennial, cruciferous plant (Cheiranthus Cheiri), with
sweet-scented flowers varying in color from yellow to orange and deep
red. In Europe it very common on old walls.
NOTE: &hand; Th e na me is so metimes extended to other species of
Cheiranthus and of the related genus Erysimum, especially the
American Western wallflower (Erysimum asperum), a biennial herb
with orange-yellow flowers.
2. A lady at a ball, who, either from choice, or because not asked to
dance, remains a spectator. [Colloq.]
Wallhick
Wall"hick` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The lesser spotted woodpecker (Dryobates
minor). [Prov. Eng.]
Walling
Wall"ing, n.
1. The act of making a wall or walls.
2. Walls, in general; material for walls.
Walling wax, a composition of wax and tallow used by etchers and
engravers to make a bank, or wall, round the edge of a plate, so as to
form a trough for holding the acid used in etching, and the like.
Fairholt.
Walloons
Wal*loons" (?), n. pl.; sing. Walloon (. [Cf. F. wallon.] A Romanic
people inhabiting that part of Belgium which comprises the provinces
of Hainaut, Namur, Li\'82ge, and Luxembourg, and about one third of
Brabant; also, the language spoken by this people. Used also
adjectively. [Written also Wallons.] "A base Walloon . . . thrust
Talbot with a spear." Shak. Walloon guard, the bodyguard of the
Spanish monarch; -- so called because formerly consisting of Walloons.
Wallop
Wal"lop (?), v. i. [Cf. OFlem. walop a gallop; of uncertain origin.
Cf. Gallop.] To move quickly, but with great effort; to gallop. [Prov.
Eng. & Scot.]
Wallop
Wal"lop, n. A quick, rolling movement; a gallop. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Wallop
Wal"lop, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Walloped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Walloping.]
[Probably fr. AS. weallan to spring up, to boil or bubble. &root;147.
See Well, n. & v. i.]
1. To boil with a continued bubbling or heaving and rolling, with
noise. [Prov. Eng.] Brockett.
2. To move in a rolling, cumbersome manner; to waddle. [Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.
3. To be slatternly. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Wallop
Wal"lop, v. t.
1. To beat soundly; to flog; to whip. [Prov. Eng., Scot., & Colloq. U.
S.]
2. To wrap up temporarily. [Prov. Eng.]
3. To throw or tumble over. [Prov. Eng.]
Wallop
Wal"lop, n.
1. A thick piece of fat. Halliwell.
2. A blow. [Prov. Eng., Scot., & Colloq. U.S.]
Wallow
Wal"low (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wallowed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Wallowing.] [OE. walwen, AS. wealwian; akin to Goth. walwjan (in
comp.) to roll, L. volvere; cf. Skr. val to turn. \'fb147. Cf. Voluble
Well, n.]
1. To roll one's self about, as in mire; to tumble and roll about; to
move lazily or heavily in any medium; to flounder; as, swine wallow in
the mire.
I may wallow in the lily beds. Shak.
2. To live in filth or gross vice; to disport one's self in a beastly
and unworthy manner.
God sees a man wallowing in his native impurity. South.
3. To wither; to fade. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Wallow
Wal"low, v. t. To roll; esp., to roll in anything defiling or unclean.
"Wallow thyself in ashes." Jer. vi. 26.
Wallow
Wal"low, n. A kind of rolling walk.
One taught the toss, and one the new French wallow. Dryden.
Wallower
Wal"low*er (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, wallows.
2. (Mach.) A lantern wheel; a trundle.
Wallowish
Wal"low*ish, a. [Scot. wallow to fade or wither.] Flat; insipid.
[Obs.] Overbury.
Wall-plat
Wall"-plat` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The spotted flycatcher. It builds its
nest on walls. [Prov. Eng.]
Wall-sided
Wall"-sid`ed (?), a. (Naut.) Having sides nearly perpendicular; --
said of certain vessels to distinguish them from those having flaring
sides, or sides tumbling home (see under Tumble, v. i.).
Wallwort
Wall"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) The dwarf elder, or danewort (Sambucus
Ebulus).
Walm
Walm (?), v. i. [AS. weallan; cf. w\'91lm, billow. \'fb147.] To roll;
to spout; to boil up. [Obs.] Holland.
Walnut
Wal"nut (?), n. [OE. walnot, AS. wealh-hnutu a Welsh or foreign nut, a
walnut; wealh foreign, strange, n., a Welshman, Celt (akin to OHG.
Walh, properly, a Celt, from the name of a Celtic tribe, in L. Volcae)
+ hnutu a nut; akin to D. walnoot, G. walnuss, Icel. valhnot, Sw.
valn\'94t, Dan valn\'94d. See Nut, and cf. Welsh.] (Bot.) The fruit or
nut of any tree of the genus Juglans; also, the tree, and its timber.
The seven or eight known species are all natives of the north
temperate zone.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1625
NOTE: &hand; In so me parts of America, especially in New England,
the name walnut is given to several species of hickory (Carya), and
their fruit.
Ash-leaved walnut, a tree (Juglans fraxinifolia), native in
Transcaucasia. -- Black walnut, a North American tree (J. nigra)
valuable for its purplish brown wood, which is extensively used in
cabinetwork and for gunstocks. The nuts are thick-shelled, and nearly
globular. -- English, OR European, walnut, a tree (J. regia), native
of Asia from the Caucasus to Japan, valuable for its timber and for
its excellent nuts, which are also called Madeira nuts. -- Walnut
brown, a deep warm brown color, like that of the heartwood of the
black walnut. -- Walnut oil, oil extracted from walnut meats. It is
used in cooking, making soap, etc. -- White walnut, a North American
tree (J. cinerea), bearing long, oval, thick-shelled, oily nuts,
commonly called butternuts. See Butternut.
Walrus
Wal"rus (?), n. [D. walrus; of Scand. origin; cf. Dan valros, Sw.
vallross, Norw. hvalros; literally, whale horse; akin to Icel.
hrosshvalr, AS. horshw\'91l. See Whale, and Horse.] (Zo\'94l.) A very
large marine mammal (Trichecus rosmarus) of the Seal family, native of
the Arctic Ocean. The male has long and powerful tusks descending from
the upper jaw. It uses these in procuring food and in fighting. It is
hunted for its oil, ivory, and skin. It feeds largely on mollusks.
Called also morse.
NOTE: &hand; Th e wa lrus of th e North Pacific and Behring Strait
(Trichecus obesus) is regarded by some as a distinct species, by
others as a variety of the common walrus.
Walter
Wal"ter (?), v. i. [See Welter.] To roll or wallow; to welter. [Obs.
or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Waltron
Wal"tron (?), n. A walrus. [Obs.] Woodward.
Walty
Wal"ty (?), a. [Cf. Walter to roll.] Liable to roll over; crank; as, a
walty ship. [R.] Longfellow.
Waltz
Waltz (?), n. [G. walzer, from walzen to roll, revolve, dance, OHG.
walzan to roll; akin to AS. wealtan. See Welter.] A dance performed by
two persons in circular figures with a whirling motion; also, a piece
of music composed in triple measure for this kind of dance.
Waltz
Waltz, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Waltzed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Waltzing.] To
dance a waltz.
Waltzer
Waltz"er (?), n. A person who waltzes.
Walwe
Wal"we (?), v. To wallow. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Waly
Wa"ly (?), interj. [Cf. Welaway.] An exclamation of grief. [Obs. or
Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Wamble
Wam"ble (?), v. i. [Cf. Dan. vamle, and vammel squeamish, ready to
vomit, Icel. v\'91ma to feel nausea, v\'91minn nauseous.]
1. To heave; to be disturbed by nausea; -- said of the stomach.
L'Estrange.
2. To move irregularly to and fro; to roll.
Wamble
Wam"ble, n. Disturbance of the stomach; a feeling of nausea. Holland.
Wamble-cropped
Wam"ble-cropped` (?), a. Sick at the stomach; also, crestfallen;
dejected. [Slang]
Wammel
Wam"mel (?), v. i. To move irregularly or awkwardly; to wamble, or
wabble. [Prov. Eng.]
Wamp
Wamp (?), n. [From the North American Indian name.] (Zo\'94l.) The
common American eider.
Wampee
Wam*pee" (?), n. (Bot.) (a) A tree (Cookia punctata) of the Orange
family, growing in China and the East Indies; also, its fruit, which
is about the size of a large grape, and has a hard rind and a peculiar
flavor. (b) The pickerel weed. [Southern U.S.]
Wampum
Wam"pum (?), n. [North American Indian wampum, wompam, from the Mass.
w\'a2mpi, Del. w\'bepe, white.] Beads made of shells, used by the
North American Indians as money, and also wrought into belts, etc., as
an ornament.
Round his waist his belt of wampum. Longfellow.
Girded with his wampum braid. Whittier.
NOTE: &hand; Th ese be ads we re of tw o kinds, one white, and the
other black or dark purple. The term wampum is properly applied
only to the white; the dark purple ones are called suckanhock. See
Seawan. "It [wampum] consisted of cylindrical pieces of the shells
of testaceous fishes, a quarter of an inch long, and in diameter
less than a pipestem, drilled . . . so as to be strung upon a
thread. The beads of a white color, rated at half the value of the
black or violet, passed each as the equivalent of a farthing in
transactions between the natives and the planters." Palfrey.
Wan
Wan (?), obs. imp. of Win. Won. Chaucer.
Wan
Wan (, a. [AS. wann, wonn, wan, won, dark, lurid, livid, perhaps
originally, worn out by toil, from winnan to labor, strive. See Win.]
Having a pale or sickly hue; languid of look; pale; pallid. "Sad to
view, his visage pale and wan." Spenser.
My color . . . [is] wan and of a leaden hue. Chaucer.
Why so pale and wan, fond lover? Suckling.
With the wan moon overhead. Longfellow.
Wan
Wan, n. The quality of being wan; wanness. [R.]
Tinged with wan from lack of sleep. Tennyson.
Wan
Wan (?), v. i. To grow wan; to become pale or sickly in looks. "All
his visage wanned." Shak.
And ever he mutter'd and madden'd, and ever wann'd with despair.
Tennyson.
Wand
Wand (?), n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. v\'94ndr, akin to Dan.
vaand, Goth. wandus; perhaps originally, a pliant twig, and akin to E.
wind to turn.]
1. A small stick; a rod; a verge.
With good smart blows of a wand on his back. Locke.
2. Specifically: (a) A staff of authority.
Though he had both spurs and wand, they seemed rather marks of
sovereignty than instruments of punishment. Sir P. Sidney.
(b) A rod used by conjurers, diviners, magicians, etc.
Picus bore a buckler in his hand; His other waved a long divining
wand. Dryden.
Wand of peace (Scots Law), a wand, or staff, carried by the messenger
of a court, which he breaks when deforced (that is, hindered from
executing process), as a symbol of the deforcement, and protest for
remedy of law. Burrill.
Wander
Wan"der (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wandered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Wandering.] [OE. wandren, wandrien, AS. wandrian; akin to G. wandern
to wander; fr. AS. windan to turn. See Wind to turn.]
1. To ramble here and there without any certain course or with no
definite object in view; to range about; to stroll; to rove; as, to
wander over the fields.
They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins. Heb. xi. 37.
He wandereth abroad for bread. Job xv. 23.
2. To go away; to depart; to stray off; to deviate; to go astray; as,
a writer wanders from his subject.
When God caused me to wander from my father's house. Gen. xx. 13.
O, let me not wander from thy commandments. Ps. cxix. 10.
3. To be delirious; not to be under the guidance of reason; to rave;
as, the mind wanders. Syn. -- To roam; rove; range; stroll; gad;
stray; straggly; err; swerve; deviate; depart.
Wander
Wan"der, v. t. To travel over without a certain course; to traverse;
to stroll through. [R.] "[Elijah] wandered this barren waste." Milton.
Wanderer
Wan"der*er (?), n. One who wanders; a rambler; one who roves; hence,
one who deviates from duty.
Wandering
Wan"der*ing, a. & n. from Wander, v. Wandering albatross (Zo\'94l.),
the great white albatross. See Illust. of Albatross. -- Wandering cell
(Physiol.), an animal cell which possesses the power of spontaneous
movement, as one of the white corpuscles of the blood. -- Wandering
Jew (Bot.), any one of several creeping species of Tradescantia, which
have alternate, pointed leaves, and a soft, herbaceous stem which
roots freely at the joints. They are commonly cultivated in hanging
baskets, window boxes, etc. -- Wandering kidney (Med.), a morbid
condition in which one kidney, or, rarely, both kidneys, can be moved
in certain directions; -- called also floating kidney, movable kidney.
-- Wandering liver (Med.), a morbid condition of the liver, similar to
wandering kidney. -- Wandering mouse (Zo\'94l.), the whitefooted, or
deer, mouse. See Illust. of Mouse. -- Wandering spider (Zo\'94l.), any
one of a tribe of spiders that wander about in search of their prey.
Wanderingly
Wan"der*ing*ly, adv. In a wandering manner.
Wanderment
Wan"der*ment (?), n. The act of wandering, or roaming. [Obs.] Bp.
Hall.
Wanderoo
Wan`der*oo" (?), n. [Cingalese wanderu a monkey.] (Zo\'94l.) A large
monkey (Macacus silenus) native of Malabar. It is black, or nearly so,
but has a long white or gray beard encircling the face. Called also
maha, silenus, neelbhunder, lion-tailed baboon, and great wanderoo.
[Written also ouanderoo.]
NOTE: &hand; Th e na me is so metimes applied also to other allied
species.
Wandy
Wand"y (?), a. Long and flexible, like a wand. [Prov. Eng.] Brockett.
Wane
Wane (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Waned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Waning.] [OE.
wanien, AS. wanian, wonian, from wan, won, deficient, wanting; akin to
D. wan-, G. wahnsinn, insanity, OHG. wan, wana-, lacking, wan to
lessen, Icel. vanr lacking, Goth. vans; cf. Gr. wanting, inferior.
Want lack, and Wanton.]
1. To be diminished; to decrease; -- contrasted with wax, and
especially applied to the illuminated part of the moon.
Like the moon, aye wax ye and wane. Waning moons their settled
periods keep. Addison.
2. To decline; to fail; to sink.
You saw but sorrow in its waning form. Dryden.
Land and trade ever will wax and wane together. Sir J. Child.
Wane
Wane, v. t. To cause to decrease. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Wane
Wane, n.
1. The decrease of the illuminated part of the moon to the eye of a
spectator.
2. Decline; failure; diminution; decrease; declension.
An age in which the church is in its wane. South.
Though the year be on the wane. Keble.
3. An inequality in a board. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Waney
Wan"ey (?), n. A sharp or uneven edge on a board that is cut from a
log not perfectly squared, or that is made in the process of squaring.
See Wany, a.
Wang
Wang (?), n. [OE. wange, AS. wange, wonge, cheek, jaw; akin to D.
wang, OS. & OHG. wanga, G. wange.]
1. The jaw, jawbone, or cheek bone. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
So work aye the wangs in his head. Chaucer.
2. A slap; a blow. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Wang tooth, a cheek tooth; a molar. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wang
Wang (?), n. See Whang. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Wangan
Wan"gan (?), n. [American Indian.] A boat for conveying provisions,
tools, etc.; -- so called by Maine lumbermen. [Written also wangun.]
Bartlett.
Wanger
Wang"er (?), n. [AS. wangere. See 1st Wang.] A pillow for the cheek; a
pillow. [Obs. & R.]
His bright helm was his wanger. Chaucer.
Wanghee
Wang*hee" (?), n. [Chin. wang yellow + he a root.] (Bot.) The Chinese
name of one or two species of bamboo, or jointed cane, of the genus
Phyllostachys. The slender stems are much used for walking sticks.
[Written also whanghee.]
Wango
Wang"o (?), n. A boomerang.
Wanhope
Wan"hope` (?), n. [AS. wan, won, deficient, wanting + hopa hope: cf.
D. wanhoop. . See Wane, and Hope.] Want of hope; despair; also, faint
or delusive hope; delusion. [Obs.] Piers Plowman. "Wanhope and
distress." Chaucer.
Wanhorn
Wan"horn` (?) n. [Corruption fr. Siamese wanhom.] (Bot.) An East
Indian plant (K\'91mpferia Galanga) of the Ginger family. See Galanga.
Waniand
Wan"i*and (?), n. [See Wanion.] The wane of the moon. [Obs.]
Halliwell.
Waning
Wan"ing (?), n. The act or process of waning, or decreasing.
This earthly moon, the Church, hath fulls and wanings, and
sometimes her eclipses. Bp. Hall.
Wanion
Wan"ion (?), n. [Probably for OE. waniand waning, p. pr. of wanien;
hence, used of the waning of the moon, supposed to be an unlucky time.
See Wane.] A word of uncertain signification, used only in the phrase
with a wanion, apparently equivalent to with a vengeance, with a
plague, or with misfortune. [Obs.] B. Jonson. Latimer.
Wankle
Wan"kle (?), a. [AS. wancol.] Not to be depended on; weak; unstable.
[Prov. Eng.] Grose.
Wanly
Wan"ly (?), adv. In a wan, or pale, manner.
Wanned
Wanned (?), a. Made wan, or pale.
Wanness
Wan"ness (?), n. The quality or state of being wan; a sallow, dead,
pale color; paleness; pallor; as, the wanness of the cheeks after a
fever.
Wannish
Wan"nish, a. Somewhat wan; of a pale hue.
No sun, but a wannish glare, In fold upon fold of hueless cloud.
Tennyson.
Want
Want (277), n. [Originally an adj., from Icel. vant, neuter of vanr
lacking, deficient. &root;139. See Wane, v. i.]
1. The state of not having; the condition of being without anything;
absence or scarcity of what is needed or desired; deficiency; lack;
as, a want of power or knowledge for any purpose; want of food and
clothing.
And me, his parent, would full soon devour For want of other prey.
Milton.
From having wishes in consequence of our wants, we often feel wants
in consequence of our wishes. Rambler.
Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and more saucy. Franklin.
2. Specifically, absence or lack of necessaries; destitution; poverty;
penury; indigence; need.
Nothing is so hard for those who abound in riches, as to conceive
how others can be in want. Swift.
3. That which is needed or desired; a thing of which the loss is felt;
what is not possessed, and is necessary for use or pleasure.
Habitual superfluities become actual wants. Paley.
4. (Mining) A depression in coal strata, hollowed out before the
subsequent deposition took place. [Eng.] Syn. -- Indigence;
deficiency; defect; destitution; lack; failure; dearth; scarceness.
Want
Want, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wanted; p. pr. & vb. n. Wanting.]
1. To be without; to be destitute of, or deficient in; not to have; to
lack; as, to want knowledge; to want judgment; to want learning; to
want food and clothing.
They that want honesty, want anything. Beau. & Fl.
Nor think, though men were none, That heaven would want spectators,
God want praise. Milton.
The unhappy never want enemies. Richardson.
2. To have occasion for, as useful, proper, or requisite; to require;
to need; as, in winter we want a fire; in summer we want cooling
breezes.
3. To feel need of; to wish or long for; to desire; to crave. " What
wants my son?" Addison.
I want to speak to you about something. A. Trollope.
Want
Want, v. i. [Icel. vanta to be wanting. See Want to lack.]
1. To be absent; to be deficient or lacking; to fail; not to be
sufficient; to fall or come short; to lack; -- often used impersonally
with of; as, it wants ten minutes of four.
The disposition, the manners, and the thoughts are all before it;
where any of those are wanting or imperfect, so much wants or is
imperfect in the imitation of human life. Dryden.
2. To be in a state of destitution; to be needy; to lack.
You have a gift, sir (thank your education), Will never let you
want. B. Jonson.
For as in bodies, thus in souls, we find What wants in blood and
spirits, swelled with wind. Pope.
NOTE: &hand; Wa nt wa s formerly used impersonally with an indirect
object. "Him wanted audience."
Chaucer.
Wa'n't
Wa'n't (?). A colloquial contraction of was not.
Wantage
Want"age (?), n. That which is wanting; deficiency.
Wanting
Want"ing, a. Absent; lacking; missing; also, deficient; destitute;
needy; as, one of the twelve is wanting; I shall not be wanting in
exertion.
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Page 1626
Wantless
Want"less (?), a. Having no want; abundant; fruitful.
Wanton
Wan"ton (?), a. [OE. wantoun, contr. from wantowen; pref. wan- wanting
(see Wane, v. i.), hence expressing negation + towen, p. p., AS.
togen, p. p. of te\'a2n to draw, to educate, bring up; hence,
properly, ill bred. See Tug, v. t.]
1. Untrained; undisciplined; unrestrained; hence, loose; free;
luxuriant; roving; sportive. "In woods and wanton wilderness."
Spenser. "A wild and wanton herd." Shak.
A wanton and a merry [friar]. Chaucer.
[She] her unadorned golden tresses wore Disheveled, but in wanton
ringlets waved. Milton.
How does your tongue grow wanton in her praise! Addison.
2. Wandering from moral rectitude; perverse; dissolute. "Men grown
wanton by prosperity." Roscommon.
3. Specifically: Deviating from the rules of chastity; lewd; lustful;
lascivious; libidinous; lecherous.
Not with wanton looking of folly. Chaucer.
[Thou art] froward by nature, enemy to peace, Lascivious, wanton.
Shak.
4. Reckless; heedless; as, wanton mischief.
Wanton
Wan"ton, n.
1. A roving, frolicsome thing; a trifler; -- used rarely as a term of
endearment.
I am afeard you make a wanton of me. Shak.
Peace, my wantons; he will do More than you can aim unto. B.
Jonson.
2. One brought up without restraint; a pampered pet.
Anything, sir, That's dry and wholesome; I am no bred wanton. Beau.
& Fl.
3. A lewd person; a lascivious man or woman.
Wanton
Wan"ton, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wantoned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wantoning.]
1. To rove and ramble without restraint, rule, or limit; to revel; to
play loosely; to frolic.
Nature here wantoned as in her prime. Milton.
How merrily we would sally into the fields, and strip under the
first warmth of the sun, and wanton like young dace in the streams!
Lamb.
2. To sport in lewdness; to play the wanton; to play lasciviously.
Wanton
Wan"ton, v. t. To cause to become wanton; also, to waste in
wantonness. [Obs.]
Wantonize
Wan"ton*ize (?), v. i. To behave wantonly; to frolic; to wanton. [R.]
Lamb.
Wantonly
Wan"ton*ly, adv.
1. In a wanton manner; without regularity or restraint; loosely;
sportively; gayly; playfully; recklessly; lasciviously.
2. Unintentionally; accidentally. [Obs.] J. Dee.
Wantonness
Wan"ton*ness, n. The quality or state of being wanton; negligence of
restraint; sportiveness; recklessness; lasciviousness. Gower.
The tumults threatened to abuse all acts of grace, and turn them
into wantonness. Eikon Basilike.
Young gentlemen would be as sad as night Only for wantonness. Shak.
Wantrust
Wan"trust` (?), n. [Pref. wan- as in wanton + trust.] Failing or
diminishing trust; want of trust or confidence; distrust. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Wantwit
Want"wit` (?), n. One destitute of wit or sense; a blockhead; a fool.
[Obs.] Shak.
Wanty
Wan"ty (?), n. [For womb tie, that is, bellyWomb, and Tie.] A
surcingle, or strap of leather, used for binding a load upon the back
of a beast; also, a leather tie; a short wagon rope. [Prov. Eng.]
Wany
Wan"y (?), v. i. To wane. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wany
Wan"y, a.
1. Waning or diminished in some parts; not of uniform size throughout;
-- said especially of sawed boards or timber when tapering or uneven,
from being cut too near the outside of the log.
2. Spoiled by wet; -- said of timber. Halliwell.
Wanze
Wanze, v. i. To wane; to wither. [Obs.]
Wap
Wap (?), v. t. & i. [See Whap.] To beat; to whap. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Sir T. Malory.
Wap
Wap, n. A blow or beating; a whap. [Prov. Eng.]
Wapacut
Wap"a*cut (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The American hawk owl. See under Hawk.
Wapatoo
Wap"a*too` (?), n. (Bot.) The edible tuber of a species of arrowhead
(Sagittaria variabilis); -- so called by the Indians of Oregon.
[Written also wappato.]
Waped
Waped (?), a. [Prov. E. wape pale, v., to stupefy, akin to wap to
beat. Cf. Whap, and Wappened.] Cast down; crushed by misery; dejected.
[Obs.]
Wapentake
Wap"en*take (?; 277), n. [AS. w, w, from Icel. v\'bepnat\'bek,
literally, a weapon taking or weapon touching, hence an expression of
assent ("si displicuit sententia fremitu aspernantur; sin placuit
frameas concutiunt." Tacitus, "Germania," xi.). See Weapon, and Take.
This name had its origin in a custom of touching lances or spears when
the hundreder, or chief, entered on his office. "Cum quis accipiebat
pr\'91fecturam wapentachii, die statuto in loco ubi consueverant
congregari, omnes majores natu contra eum conveniebant, et descendente
eo de equo suo, omnes assurgebant ei. Ipse vero, erecta lancea sua, ab
omnibus secundum morem f&oe;dus accipiebat; omnes enim quot-quot
venissent cum lanceis suis ipsius hastam tangebant, et ita se
confirmabant per contactum armorum, pace palam concessa. W\'91pnu enim
arma sonat; tac, tactus est -- hac de causa totus ille conventus
dicitur Wapentac, eo quod per tactum armorum suorum ad invicem
conf&oe;derati sunt." L L. Edward Confessor, 33. D. Wilkins.] In some
northern counties of England, a division, or district, answering to
the hundred in other counties. Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and
Nottinghamshire are divided into wapentakes, instead of hundreds.
[Written also wapentac.] Selden. Blackstone.
Wapinschaw
Wap"in*schaw (?), n. [Scot. See Weapon, and Show.] An exhibition of
arms. according to the rank of the individual, by all persons bearing
arms; -- formerly made at certain seasons in each district. [Scot.]
Jamieson. Sir W. Scott.
Wapiti
Wap"i*ti (?), n. [Probably the Iroquois name. Bartlett.] (Zo\'94l.)
The American elk (Cervus Canadensis). It is closely related to the
European red deer, which it somewhat exceeds in size.
NOTE: &hand; By so me writers it is thought to be a variety of the
red deer, but it is considered a distinct species by others. It is
noted for the large, branching antlers of the male.
Wapp
Wapp (?), n. [CF. Prov. E. wap to wrap up.] (Naut.) (a) A fair-leader.
(b) A rope with wall knots in it with which the shrouds are set taut.
Wappato
Wap"pa*to (?), n. (Bot.) See Wapatoo.
Wappened
Wap"pened (?), a. [Cf. Waped, Wapper.] A word of doubtful meaning used
once by Shakespeare.
This [gold] is it
That makes the wappen'd widow wed again.
NOTE: It is co njectured by some that it is an error for wappered,
meaning tremulous or exhausted.
Wapper
Wap"per (?), v. t. & i. [freq. of wap, v.; cf. dial. G. wappern,
wippern, to move up and down, to rock.] To cause to shake; to
tremble; to move tremulously, as from weakness; to totter. [Obs.]
Wapper
Wap"per (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A gudgeon. [Prov. Eng.] <-- ## The Zool.
mark was in square brackets, inconsistent with normal usage. -->
Wappet
Wap"pet (?), n. A small yelping cur. [Prov. Eng.]
Wapping
Wap"ping (?), n. Yelping. [R.] Fuller.
War
War (?), a. Ware; aware. [Obs.] Chaucer.
War
War (?), n. [OE. & AS. werre; akin to OHG. werra scandal, quarrel,
sedition, werran to confound, mix, D. warren, G. wirren, verwirren,
to embroil, confound, disturb, and perhaps to E. worse; cf. OF.
werre war, F. querre, of Teutonic origin. Cf. Guerrilla, Warrior.]
1. A contest between nations or states, carried on by force,
whether for defence, for revenging insults and redressing wrongs,
for the extension of commerce, for the acquisition of territory,
for obtaining and establishing the superiority and dominion of one
over the other, or for any other purpose; armed conflict of
sovereign powers; declared and open hostilities.
Men will ever distinguish war from mere bloodshed. F. W. Robertson.
NOTE: &hand; As war is the contest of nations or states, it always
implies that such contest is authorized by the monarch or the
sovereign power of the nation. A war begun by attacking another
nation, is called an offensive war, and such attack is aggressive.
War undertaken to repel invasion, or the attacks of an enemy, is
called defensive.
2. (Law) A condition of belligerency to be maintained by physical
force. In this sense, levying war against the sovereign authority
is treason.
3. Instruments of war. [Poetic]
His complement of stores, and total war. Prior.
4. Forces; army. [Poetic]
On their embattled ranks the waves return, And overwhelm their war.
Milton.
5. The profession of arms; the art of war.
Thou art but a youth, and he is a man of war from his youth. 1 Sam.
xvii. 33.
6. a state of opposition or contest; an act of opposition; an
inimical contest, act, or action; enmity; hostility. "Raised
impious war in heaven." Milton.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in
his heart. Ps. lv. 21.
Civil war
, a war between different sections or parties of the same country or
nation. -- Holy war. See under Holy. -- Man of war. (Naut.) See in the
Vocabulary. -- Public war, a war between independent sovereign states.
-- War cry, a cry or signal used in war; as, the Indian war cry. --
War dance, a dance among savages preliminary to going to war. Among
the North American Indians, it is begun by some distinguished chief,
and whoever joins in it thereby enlists as one of the party engaged in
a warlike excursion. Schoolcraft. -- War field, a field of war or
battle. -- War horse, a horse used in war; the horse of a cavalry
soldier; especially, a strong, powerful, spirited horse for military
service; a charger. -- War paint, paint put on the face and other
parts of the body by savages, as a token of going to war. "Wash the
war paint from your faces." Longfellow. -- War song, a song of or
pertaining to war; especially, among the American Indians, a song at
the war dance, full of incitements to military ardor. -- War whoop, a
war cry, especially that uttered by the American Indians.
War
War, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Warred (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Warring.]
1
1 To make war; to invade or attack a state or nation with force of
arms; to carry on hostilities; to be in a state by violence.
Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of
Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it. Isa. vii. 1.
Why should I war without the walls of Troy? Shak.
Our countrymen were warring on that day! Byron.
2. To contend; to strive violently; to fight. "Lusts which war against
the soul." 1 Pet. ii. 11.
War
War (?), v. t.
1. To make war upon; to fight. [R.]
To war the Scot, and borders to defend. Daniel.
2. To carry on, as a contest; to wage. [R.]
That thou . . . mightest war a good warfare. Tim. i. 18.
War-beaten
War"-beat`en (?), a. Warworn.
Warble
War"ble (?), n. [Cf. Wormil.]
1. (Far.) (a) A small, hard tumor which is produced on the back of a
horse by the heat or pressure of the saddle in traveling. (b) A small
tumor produced by the larv\'91 of the gadfly in the backs of horses,
cattle, etc. Called also warblet, warbeetle, warnles.
2. (Zo\'94l.) See Wormil.
Warble
War"ble, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Warbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Warbling
(?).] [OE. werbelen, OF. werbler; of Teutonic origin; cf. G. wirbeln
to turn, to warble, D. wervelen, akin to E. whirl. See Whirl.]
1. To sing in a trilling, quavering, or vibratory manner; to modulate
with turns or variations; to trill; as, certain birds are remarkable
for warbling their songs.
2. To utter musically; to modulate; to carol.
If she be right invoked in warbled song. Milton.
Warbling sweet the nuptial lay. Trumbull.
3. To cause to quaver or vibrate. "And touch the warbled string."
Milton.
Warble
War"ble, v. i.
1. To be quavered or modulated; to be uttered melodiously.
Such strains ne'er warble in the linnet's throat. Gay.
3. To sing in a trilling manner, or with many turns and variations.
"Birds on the branches warbling." Milton.
3. To sing with sudden changes from chest to head tones; to yodel.
Warble
War"ble, n. A quavering modulation of the voice; a musical trill; a
song.
And he, the wondrous child, Whose silver warble wild Outvalued
every pulsing sound. Emerson.
Warbler
War"bler (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, warbles; a singer; a songster; -- applied
chiefly to birds.
In lulling strains the feathered warblers woo. Tickell.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of small Old World singing
birds belonging to the family Sylviid\'91, many of which are noted
songsters. The bluethroat, blackcap, reed warbler (see under Reed),
and sedge warbler (see under Sedge) are well-known species.
3. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of small, often bright
colored, American singing birds of the family or subfamily
Mniotiltid\'91, or Sylvicolin\'91. They are allied to the Old World
warblers, but most of them are not particularly musical.
NOTE: &hand; Th e American warblers are often divided, according to
their habits, into bush warblers, creeping warblers, fly-catching
warblers, ground warblers, wood warblers, wormeating warblers, etc.
Bush warbler (Zo\'94l.) any American warbler of the genus Opornis, as
the Connecticut warbler (O. agilis). -- Creeping warbler (Zo\'94l.),
any one of several species of very small American warblers belonging
to Parula, Mniotilta, and allied genera, as the blue yellow-backed
warbler (Parula Americana), and the black-and-white creeper (Mniotilta
varia). -- Fly-catching warbler (Zo\'94l.), any one of several species
of warblers belonging to Setophaga, Sylvania, and allied genera having
the bill hooked and notched at the tip, with strong rictal bristles at
the base, as the hooded warbler (Sylvania mitrata), the black-capped
warbler (S. pusilla), the Canadian warbler (S. Canadensis), and the
American redstart (see Redstart). -- Ground warbler (Zo\'94l.), any
American warbler of the genus Geothlypis, as the mourning ground
warbler (G. Philadelphia), and the Maryland yellowthroat (see
Yellowthroat). -- Wood warbler (Zo\'94l.), any one of numerous
American warblers of the genus Dendroica. Among the most common wood
warblers in the Eastern States are the yellowbird, or yellow warbler
(see under Yellow), the black-throated green warbler (Dendroica
virens), the yellow-rumped warbler (D. coronata), the blackpoll (D.
striata), the bay-breasted warbler (D. castanea), the chestnut-sided
warbler (D. Pennsylvanica), the Cape May warbler (D. tigrina), the
prairie warbler (see under Prairie), and the pine warbler (D. pinus).
See also Magnolia warbler, under Magnolia, and Blackburnian warbler.
Warblingly
War"bling*ly, adv. In a warbling manner.
Warburg's tincture
War"burg's tinc"ture (?). (Pharm.) A preparation containing quinine
and many other ingredients, often used in the treatment of malarial
affections. It was invented by Dr. Warburg of London.
-ward, -wards
-ward (?), -wards (?). [AS. -weard, -weardes; akin to OS. & OFries.
-ward. OHG. -wert, G. -w\'84rts, Icel. -ver\'ebr, Goth. -va\'a1r\'eds,
L. vertere to turn, versus toward, and E. worth to become. \'fb143.
See Worth. v. i., and cf. Verse. Adverbs ending in -wards (AS.
-weardes) and some other adverbs, such as besides, betimes, since (OE.
sithens). etc., were originally genitive forms used adverbially.]
Suffixes denoting course or direction to; motion or tendency toward;
as in backward, or backwards; toward, or towards, etc.
Ward
Ward (?), n. [AS. weard, fem., guard, weard, ward a watcher, warden,
G. wart, OHG. wart, Icel. v\'94r a warden, a watch, Goth. -wards in
da\'a3rawards a doorkeeper, and E. wary; cf. OF. warde guard, from the
German. See Ware, a., Wary, and cf. Guard, Wraith.]
1. The act of guarding; watch; guard; guardianship; specifically, a
guarding during the day. See the Note under Watch, n., 1.
Still, when she slept, he kept both watch and ward. Spenser.
2. One who, or that which, guards; garrison; defender; protector;
means of guarding; defense; protection.
For the best ward of mine honor. Shak.
The assieged castle's ward Their steadfast stands did mightily
maintain. Spenser.
For want of other ward, He lifted up his hand, his front to guard.
Dryden.
3. The state of being under guard or guardianship; confinement under
guard; the condition of a child under a guardian; custody.
And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard.
Gen. xl. 3.
I must attend his majesty's command, to whom I am now in ward.
Shak.
It is also inconvenient, in Ireland, that the wards and marriages
of gentlemen's children should be in the disposal of any of those
lords. Spenser.
4. A guarding or defensive motion or position, as in fencing; guard.
"Thou knowest my old ward; here I lay, and thus I bore my point."
Shak.
5. One who, or that which, is guarded. Specifically: -- (a) A minor or
person under the care of a guardian; as, a ward in chancery. "You know
our father's ward, the fair Monimia." Otway. (b) A division of a
county. [Eng. & Scot.] (c) A division, district, or quarter of a town
or city.
Throughout the trembling city placed a guard, Dealing an equal
share to every ward. Dryden.
(d) A division of a forest. [Eng.] (e) A division of a hospital; as, a
fever ward.
6. (a) A projecting ridge of metal in the interior of a lock, to
prevent the use of any key which has not a corresponding notch for
passing it. (b) A notch or slit in a key corresponding to a ridge in
the lock which it fits; a ward notch. Knight.
The lock is made . . . more secure by attaching wards to the front,
as well as to the back, plate of the lock, in which case the key
must be furnished with corresponding notches. Tomlinson.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1627
Ward penny (O. Eng. Law), money paid to the sheriff or castellan for
watching and warding a castle. -- Ward staff, a constable's or
watchman's staff. [Obs.]
Ward
Ward (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Warded; p. pr. & vb. n. Warding.] [OE.
wardien, AS. weardian to keep, protect; akin to OS. ward to watch,
take care, OFries. wardia, OHG. wart, G. warten to wait, wait on,
attend to, Icel. var to guarantee defend, Sw. v\'86rda to guard, to
watch; cf. OF. warder, of German origin. See Ward, n., and cf. Award,
Guard, Reward.]
1. To keep in safety; to watch; to guard; formerly, in a specific
sense, to guard during the day time.
Whose gates he found fast shut, no living wight To ward the same.
Spenser.
2. To defend; to protect.
Tell him it was a hand that warded him From thousand dangers. Shak.
3. To defend by walls, fortifications, etc. [Obs.]
4. To fend off; to repel; to turn aside, as anything mischievous that
approaches; -- usually followed by off.
Now wards a felling blow, now strikes again. Daniel.
The pointed javelin warded off his rage. Addison.
It instructs the scholar in the various methods of warding off the
force of objections. I. Watts.
Ward
Ward, v. i.
1. To be vigilant; to keep guard.
2. To act on the defensive with a weapon.
She redoubling her blows drove the stranger to no other shift than
to ward and go back. Sir P. Sidney.
Ward-corn
Ward"-corn` (?), n. [Ward + F. corne horn, L. cornu.] (O. Eng. Law)
The duty of keeping watch and ward (see the Note under Watch, n., 1)
with a horn to be blown upon any occasion of surprise. Burrill.
Wardcorps
Ward"corps` (?), n. [Wars + corps.] Guardian; one set to watch over
another. [Obs.] "Though thou preyedest Argus . . . to be my
wardcorps." Chaucer.
Warden
Ward"en (?), n. [OE. wardein, OF. wardein, gardein, gardain, F.
gardien. See Guardian, and Ward guard.]
1. A keeper; a guardian; a watchman.
He called to the warden on the . . . battlements. Sir. W. Scott.
2. An officer who keeps or guards; a keeper; as, the warden of a
prison. <-- chief officer of a prison. -->
3. A head official; as, the warden of a college; specifically (Eccl.),
a churchwarden.
4. [Properly, a keeping pear.] A large, hard pear, chiefly used for
baking and roasting. [Obs.]
I would have had him roasted like a warden. Beau. & Fl.
Warden pie, a pie made of warden pears. [Obs.] Shak.
Wardenry, Wardenship
Ward"en*ry (?), Ward"en*ship, n. The office or jurisdiction of a
warden.
Warder
Ward"er (?), n.
1. One who wards or keeps; a keeper; a guard. "The warders of the
gate." Dryden.
2. A truncheon or staff carried by a king or a commander in chief, and
used in signaling his will.
When, lo! the king suddenly changed his mind, Casts down his warder
to arrest them there. Daniel.
Wafting his warder thrice about his head, He cast it up with his
auspicious hand, Which was the signal, through the English spread,
This they should charge. Drayton.
Wardian
Ward"i*an (?), a. Designating, or pertaining to, a kind of glass
inclosure for keeping ferns, mosses, etc., or for transporting growing
plants from a distance; as, a Wardian case of plants; -- so named from
the inventor, Nathaniel B. Ward, an Englishman.
Wardmote
Ward"mote` (?), n. Anciently, a meeting of the inhabitants of a ward;
also, a court formerly held in each ward of London for trying defaults
in matters relating to the watch, police, and the like. Brande & C.
"Wards and wardmotes." Piers Plowman.
Wardrobe
Ward"robe` (?), n. [OE. warderobe, OF. warderobe, F. garderobe; of
German origin. See Ward, v. t., and Robe.]
1. A room or apartment where clothes are kept, or wearing apparel is
stored; a portable closet for hanging up clothes.
2. Wearing apparel, in general; articles of dress or personal
decoration.
Flowers that their gay wardrobe wear. Milton.
With a pair of saddlebags containing his wardrobe. T. Hughes.
3. A privy. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wardroom
Ward"room` (?), n.
1. (Naut.) A room occupied as a messroom by the commissioned officers
of a war vessel. See Gunroom. Totten.
2. A room used by the citizens of a city ward, for meetings, political
caucuses, elections, etc. [U.S.]
-wards
-wards (?). See -ward.
Wardship
Ward"ship (?), n.
1. The office of a ward or keeper; care and protection of a ward;
guardianship; right of guardianship.
Wardship is incident to tenure in socage. Blackstone.
2. The state of begin under a guardian; pupilage.
It was the wisest act . . . in my wardship. B. Jonson.
Wardsman
Wards"man (?), n.; pl. Wardsmen (. A man who keeps ward; a guard. [R.]
Sydney Smith.
Ware
Ware (?), obs. imp. of Wear. Wore.
Ware
Ware, v. t. (Naut.) To wear, or veer. See Wear.
Ware
Ware, n. [AS. w\'ber.] (Bot.) Seaweed. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Ware goose
(Zo\'94l.), the brant; -- so called because it feeds on ware, or
seaweed. [Prov. Eng.]
Ware
Ware, n. [OE. ware, AS. waru; akin to D. waar, G. waare, Icel. & Sw.
vara, Dan. vare; and probably to E. worth, a. See Worth, a.] Articles
of merchandise; the sum of articles of a particular kind or class;
style or class of manufactures; especially, in the plural, goods;
commodities; merchandise. "Retails his wares at wakes." Shak. "To
chaffer with them and eke to sell them their ware." Chaucer.
It the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the Sabbath
day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the Sabbath, or on
the holy day. Neh. x. 31.
NOTE: &hand; Although originally and properly a collective noun, it
admits of a plural form, when articles of merchandise of different
kinds are meant. It is often used in composition; as in hardware,
glassware, tinware, etc.
Ware
Ware, a. [OE. war, AS. w\'91r. &root;142. See Wary.] A ware; taking
notice; hence, wary; cautious; on one's guard. See Beware. [Obs.]
She was ware and knew it bet [better] than he. Chaucer.
Of whom be thou ware also. 2. Tim. iv. 15.
He is ware enough; he is wily and circumspect for stirring up any
sedition. Latimer.
The only good that grows of passed fear Is to be wise, and ware of
like again. Spenser.
Ware
Ware, n. [AS. waru caution.] The state of being ware or aware; heed.
[Obs.] Wyclif.
Ware
Ware, v. t. [As. warian.] To make ware; to warn; to take heed of; to
beware of; to guard against. "Ware that I say." Chaucer.
God . . . ware you for the sin of avarice. Chaucer.
Then ware a rising tempest on the main. Dryden.
Wareful
Ware"ful (?), a. Wary; watchful; cautious. [Obs.]
Warefulness
Ware"ful*ness, n. Wariness; cautiousness. [Obs.] "Full of
warefulness." Sir P. Sidney.
Warega fly
Wa*re"ga fly` (?). (Zo\'94l.) A Brazilian fly whose larv\'91 live in
the skin of man and animals, producing painful sores.
Warehouse
Ware"house` (?), n.; pl. Warehouses (. A storehouse for wares, or
goods. Addison.
Warehouse
Ware"house` (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Warehoused (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Warehousing.]
1. To deposit or secure in a warehouse.
2. To place in the warehouse of the government or customhouse stores,
to be kept until duties are paid.
Warehouseman
Ware"house`man (?), n.; pl. Warehousemen (.
1. One who keeps a warehouse; the owner or keeper of a dock warehouse
or wharf store.
2. One who keeps a wholesale shop or store for Manchester or woolen
goods. [Eng.]
Warehouseman's itch (Med.), a form of eczema occurring on the back of
the hands of warehousemen.
Warehousing
Ware"hous`ing (?), n. The act of placing goods in a warehouse, or in a
customhouse store. Warehousing system, an arrangement for lodging
imported articles in the customhouse stores, without payment of duties
until they are taken out for home consumption. If re\'89xported, they
are not charged with a duty. See Bonded warehouse, under Bonded, a.
Wareless
Ware"less (?), a. [See Ware, n.] Unwary; incautious; unheeding;
careless; unaware. [Obs.]
And wareless of the evil That by themselves unto themselves is
wrought. Spenser.
Warely
Ware"ly, adv. Cautiously; warily. [Obs.]
They bound him hand and foot with iron chains, And with continual
watch did warely keep. Spenser.
Warence
War"ence (?), n. [OF. warance. F. garance, LL. warentia, garantia.]
(Bot.) Madder.
Wareroom
Ware"room` (?), n. A room in which goods are stored or exhibited for
sale.
Wares
Wares (?), n. pl. See 4th Ware.
Warfare
War"fare` (?), n. [War + OE. fare a journey, a passage, course, AS.
faru. See Fare, n.]
1. Military service; military life; contest carried on by enemies;
hostilities; war.
The Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to
fight with Israel. I Sam. xxviii. 1.
This day from battle rest; Faithful hath been your warfare. Milton.
2. Contest; struggle.
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. 2 Cor. x. 4.
Warfare
War"fare`, v. i. To lead a military life; to carry on continual wars.
Camden.
Warfarer
War"far`er (?), n. One engaged in warfare; a military man; a soldier;
a warrior.
Warhable
War"ha`ble (?), a. [War + hable.] Fit for war. [Obs.] "Warhable
youth." Spenser.
Wariangle
War`i*an"gle (?), n. [OE. wariangel, weryangle; cf. AS. wearg outlaw,
criminal, OHG, warg, warch, Goth. wargs (in comp.), G. w\'81rgengel,
i. e., destroying angel, destroyer, killer, and E. worry.] (Zo\'94l.)
The red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio); -- called also w\'81rger,
worrier, and throttler. [Written also warriangle, weirangle, etc.]
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Warily
Wa"ri*ly (?), adv. In a wary manner.
Wariment
Wa"ri*ment (?), n. Wariness. [Obs.] Spenser.
Warine
War"ine (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A South American monkey, one of the
sapajous.
Wariness
Wa"ri*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being wary; care to foresee
and guard against evil; cautiousness. "An almost reptile wariness." G.
W. Cable.
To determine what are little things in religion, great wariness is
to be used. Sprat.
Syn. -- Caution; watchfulness; circumspection; foresight; care;
vigilance; scrupulousness.
Warish
War"ish (?), v. t. [OF. warir to protect, heal, cure, F. gu\'82ri to
cure; of Teutonic origin; cf. OHG. werian, weren, to protect, to
hinder. See Garret.] To protect from the effects of; hence, to cure;
to heal. [Obs.]
My brother shall be warished hastily. Chaucer.
Varro testifies that even at this day there be some who warish and
cure the stinging of serpents with their spittle. Holland.
Warish
War"ish, v. i. To be cured; to recover. [Obs.]
Your daughter . . . shall warish and escape. Chaucer.
Warison
War"i*son (?), n. [OF. warison safety, supplies, cure, F. gu\'82rison
cure. See Warish, v. t.]
1. Preparation; protection; provision; supply. [Obs.]
2. Reward; requital; guerdon. [Obs. or Scot.]
Wit and wisdom is good warysoun. Proverbs of Hending.
Wark
Wark (?), n. [See Work.] Work; a building. [Obs. or Scot.] Spenser.
Warkloom
Wark"loom (?), n. A tool; an implement. [Scot.]
Warlike
War"like` (?), a.
1. Fit for war; disposed for war; as, a warlike state; a warlike
disposition.
Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike men. Shak.
2. Belonging or relating to war; military; martial.
The great archangel from his warlike toil Surceased. Milton.
Syn. -- Martial; hostile; soldierly. See Martial.
Warlikeness
War"like`ness, n. Quality of being warlike.
Warling
War"ling (?), n. One often quarreled with; -- darling. [Obs.]
Better be an old man's darling than a young man's warling. Camde
Warlock
War"lock (?), n. [OE. warloghe a deceiver, a name or the Devil, AS. w
a belier or breaker of his agreement, word, or pledge; w covenant,
troth (akiverus true; see Very) + loga a liar (in comp.), le\'a2gan to
lie. See 3d Lie.] A male witch; a wizard; a sprite; an imp. [Written
also warluck.] Dryden.
It was Eyvind Kallda's crew Of warlocks blue, With their caps of
darkness hooded! Longfellow.
Warlock
War"lock, a. Of or pertaining to a warlock or warlock; impish. [R.]
Thou shalt win the warlock fight. J. R. Drak
Warlockry
War"lock*ry (?), n. Impishness; magic.
Warly
War"ly (?), a. Warlike. Burns.
Warm
Warm (?), a. [Compar. Warmer; superl. Warmest.] [AS. wearm; akin to
OS., OFries., D., & G. warm, Icel. varmr, Sw. & Dan. varm, Goth.
warmjan to warm; probably akin to Lith. virti to cook, boil; or
perhaps to Skr. gharma heat, OL. formus warm.
1. Having heat in a moderate degree; not cold as, warm milk. "Whose
blood is warm within." Shak.
Warm and still is the summer night. Longfellow.
2. Having a sensation of heat, esp. of gentle heat; glowing.
3. Subject to heat; having prevalence of heat, or little or no cold
weather; as, the warm climate of Egypt.
4. Fig.: Not cool, indifferent, lukewarm, or the like, in spirit or
temper; zealous; ardent; fervent; excited; sprightly; irritable;
excitable.
Mirth, and youth, and warm desire! Milton.
Each warm wish springs mutual from the heart. Pope.
They say he's warm man and does not care to be madAddison.
I had been none of the warmest of partisans. Hawthor
5. Violent; vehement; furious; excited; passionate; as, a warm
contest; a warm debate.
Welcome, daylight; we shall have warm work on't. Dryden.
6. Being well off as to property, or in good circumstances;
forehanded; rich. [Colloq.]
Warm householders, every one of them. W. Irving.
You shall have a draft upon him, payable at sight: and let me tell
you he as warm a man as any within five miles round him. Goldsmith.
7. In children's games, being near the object sought for; hence, being
close to the discovery of some person, thing, or fact concealed.
[Colloq.]
Here, indeed, young Mr. Dowse was getting "warm," Black.
8. (Paint.) Having yellow or red for a basis, or in their composition;
-- said of colors, and opposed to cold which is of blue and its
compounds. Syn. -- Ardent; zealous; fervent; glowing; enthusiastic;
cordial; keen; violent; furious; hot.
Warm
Warm, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Warmed (; p. pr. & vb. n. Warming.] [AS.
wearmian. See Warm, a.]
1. To communicate a moderate degree of heat to; to render warm; to
supply or furnish heat to; as, a stove warms an apartment.
Then shall it [an ash tree] be for a man to burn; for he will take
thereof and warm himself. Isa. xliv 15
Enough to warm, but not enough to burn. Longfellow.
2. To make engaged or earnest; to interest; to engage; to excite ardor
or zeal; to enliven.
I formerly warmed my head with reading controversial writings.
Pope.
Bright hopes, that erst bosom warmed. Keble.
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Warm
Warm (?), v. i. [AS. wearmian.]
1. To become warm, or moderately heated; as, the earth soon warms in a
clear day summer.
There shall not be a coal to warm at. Isa. xlvii. 14.
2. To become ardent or animated; as, the speakewarms as he proceeds.
Warm
Warm, n. The act of warming, or the state of being warmed; a warming;
a heating. [Colloq.] Dickens.
Warm-blooded
Warm"-blood`ed (?), a. (Physiol.) Having warm blood; -- applied
especially to those animals, as birds and mammals, which have warm
blood, or, more properly, the power of maintaining a nearly uniform
temperature whatever the temperature of the surrounding air. See
Homoiothermal.
Warmer
Warm"er (?), n. One who, or that which, warms.
Warmful
Warm"ful (?), a. Abounding in capacity to warm; giving warmth; as, a
warmful garment. [R.] Chapman.
Warm-hearted
Warm"-heart`ed (?), a. Having strong affection; cordial; sincere;
hearty; sympathetic. -- Warm"-heart`ed*ness, n.
Warming
Warm"ing, a. & n. from Warm, v. Warming pan, a long-handled covered
pan into which live coals are put, -- used for warming beds. Shak.
Warmly
Warm"ly, adv. In a warm manner; ardently.
Warmness
Warm"ness, n. Warmth. Chaucer.
Warmonger
War"mon`ger (?), n. One who makes ar a trade or business; a mercenary.
[R.] Spenser.
Warmouth
War"mouth (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) An American freshwater bream, or sunfish
(Ch\'91nobryttus gulosus); -- called also red-eyed bream.
Warmth
Warmth (?), n.
1. The quality or state of being warm; gentle heat; as, the warmth of
the sun; the warmth of the blood; vital warmth.
Here kindly warmth their mounting juice ferments. Addison.
2. A state of lively and excited interest; zeal; ardor; fervor;
passion; enthusiasm; earnestness; as, the warmth of love or piety; he
replied with much warmth. "Spiritual warmth, and holy fires." Jer.
Taylor.
That warmth . . . which agrees with Christian zeal. Sprat.
3. (Paint.) The glowing effect which arises from the use of warm
colors; hence, any similar appearance or effect in a painting, or work
of color. Syn. -- Zeal; ardor; fervor; fervency; heat; glow;
earnestness; cordiality; animation; eagerness; excitement; vehemence.
Warmthless
Warmth"less, a. Being without warmth; not communicating warmth; cold.
[R.] Coleridge.
Warn
Warn (w&asdd;rn), v. t. [OE. wernen, AS. weornan, wyrnan. Cf. Warn to
admonish.] To refuse. [Written also wern, worn.] [Obs.] Chaucer.
Warn
Warn, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Warned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Warning.] [OE.
warnen, warnien, AS. warnian, wearnian, to take heed, to warn; akin to
AS. wearn denial, refusal, OS. warning, wernian, to refuse, OHG.
warnen, G. warnen to warn, OFries. warna, werna, Icel. varna to
refuse; and probably to E. wary.
1. To make ware or aware; to give previous information to; to give
notice to; to notify; to admonish; hence, to notify or summon by
authority; as, to warn a town meeting; to warn a tenant to quit a
house. "Warned of the ensuing fight." Dryden.
Cornelius the centurion . . . was warned from God by an holy angel
to send for thee. Acts x. 22.
Who is it that hath warned us to the walls? Shak.
2. To give notice to, of approaching or probable danger or evil; to
caution against anything that may prove injurious. "Juturna warns the
Daunian chief of Lausus' danger, urging swift relief." Dryden.
3. To ward off. [Obs.] Spenser.
Warner
Warn"er (?), n. One who warns; an admonisher.
Warner
Warn"er, n. A warrener. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.
Warning
Warn"ing, a. Giving previous notice; cautioning; admonishing; as, a
warning voice.
That warning timepiece never ceased. Longfellow.
Warning piece, Warning wheel (Horol.), a piece or wheel which produces
a sound shortly before the clock strikes.
Warning
Warn"ing, n.
1. Previous notice. "At a month's warning." Dryden.
A great journey to take upon so short a warning. L'Estrange.
2. Caution against danger, or against faults or evil practices which
incur danger; admonition; monition.
Could warning make the world more just or wise. Dryden.
Warningly
Warn"ing*ly, adv. In a warning manner.
Warnstore
Warn"store (?), v. t. [Cf. OF. warnesture, garnesture, provisions,
supplies, and E. garnish.] To furnish. [Obs.] "To warnstore your
house." Chaucer.
Warp
Warp (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Warped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Warping.]
[OE. warpen; fr. Icel. varpa to throw, cast, varp a casting, fr. verpa
to throw; akin to Dan. varpe to warp a ship, Sw. varpa, AS. weorpan to
cast, OS. werpan, OFries. werpa, D. & LG. werpen, G. werfen, Goth.
wa\'a1rpan; cf. Skr. vrj to twist. Wrap.]
1. To throw; hence, to send forth, or throw out, as words; to utter.
[Obs.] Piers Plowman.
2. To turn or twist out of shape; esp., to twist or bend out of a flat
plane by contraction or otherwise.
The planks looked warped. Coleridge.
Walter warped his mouth at this To something so mock solemn, that I
laughed. Tennyson.
3. To turn aside from the true direction; to cause to bend or incline;
to pervert.
This first avowed, nor folly warped my mind. Dryden.
I have no private considerations to warp me in this controversy.
Addison.
We are divested of all those passions which cloud the intellects,
and warp the understandings, of men. Southey.
4. To weave; to fabricate. [R. & Poetic.] Nares.
While doth he mischief warp. Sternhold.
5. (Naut.) To tow or move, as a vessel, with a line, or warp, attached
to a buoy, anchor, or other fixed object.
6. To cast prematurely, as young; -- said of cattle, sheep, etc.
[Prov. Eng.]
7. (Agric.) To let the tide or other water in upon (lowlying land),
for the purpose of fertilization, by a deposit of warp, or slimy
substance. [Prov. Eng.]
8. (Rope Making) To run off the reel into hauls to be tarred, as
yarns.
9. (Weaving) To arrange (yarns) on a warp beam.
Warped surface (Geom.), a surface generated by a straight line moving
so that no two of its consecutive positions shall be in the same
plane. Davies & Peck.
Warp
Warp (?), v. i.
1. To turn, twist, or be twisted out of shape; esp., to be twisted or
bent out of a flat plane; as, a board warps in seasoning or shrinking.
One of you will prove a shrunk panel, and, like green timber, warp,
warp. Shak.
They clamp one piece of wood to the end of another, to keep it from
casting, or warping. Moxon.
2. to turn or incline from a straight, true, or proper course; to
deviate; to swerve.
There is our commission, From which we would not have you warp.
Shak.
3. To fly with a bending or waving motion; to turn and wave, like a
flock of birds or insects.
A pitchy cloud Of locusts, warping on the eastern wind. Milton.
4. To cast the young prematurely; to slink; -- said of cattle, sheep,
etc. [Prov. Eng.]
5. (Weaving) To wind yarn off bobbins for forming the warp of a web;
to wind a warp on a warp beam.
Warp
Warp, n. [AS. wearp; akin to Icel. varp a casting, throwing, Sw. varp
the draught of a net, Dan. varp a towline, OHG. warf warp, G. werft.
See Warp, v.]
1. (Weaving) The threads which are extended lengthwise in the loom,
and crossed by the woof.
2. (Naut.) A rope used in hauling or moving a vessel, usually with one
end attached to an anchor, a post, or other fixed object; a towing
line; a warping hawser.
3. (Agric.) A slimy substance deposited on land by tides, etc., by
which a rich alluvial soil is formed. Lyell.
4. A premature casting of young; -- said of cattle, sheep, etc. [Prov.
Eng.]
5. Four; esp., four herrings; a cast. See Cast, n., 17. [Prov. Eng.]
Wright.
6. [From Warp, v.] The state of being warped or twisted; as, the warp
of a board.
Warp beam, the roller on which the warp is wound in a loom. -- Warp
fabric, fabric produced by warp knitting. -- Warp frame, OR Warp-net
frame, a machine for making warp lace having a number of needles and
employing a thread for each needle. -- Warp knitting, a kind of
knitting in which a number of threads are interchained each with one
or more contiguous threads on either side; -- also called warp
weaving. -- Warp lace, OR Warp net, lace having a warp crossed by weft
threads.
Warpage
Warp"age (?), n. The act of warping; also, a charge per ton made on
shipping in some harbors.
Warpath
War"path` (?), n. The route taken by a party of Indians going on a
warlike expedition. Schoolcraft. On the warpath, on a hostile
expedition; hence, colloquially, about to attack a person or measure.
Warper
Warp"er (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, warps or twists out of shape.
2. One who, or that which, forms yarn or thread into warps or webs for
the loom.
Warping
Warp"ing, n.
1. The act or process of one who, or that which, warps.
2. The art or occupation of preparing warp or webs for the weaver.
Craig.
Warping bank, a bank of earth raised round a field to retain water let
in for the purpose of enriching land. Craig. -- Warping hook, a hook
used by rope makers for hanging the yarn on, when warping it into
hauls for tarring. -- Warping mill, a machine for warping yarn. --
Warping penny, money, varying according to the length of the thread,
paid to the weaver by the spinner on laying the warp. [Prov. Eng.]
Wright. -- Warping post, a strong post used in warping rope-yarn.
Warproof
War"proof` (?), n. Valor tried by war.
Warragal
War"ra*gal (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The dingo.
Warrandice
War"ran*dice (?), n. [See Warrantise.] (Scots Law) The obligation by
which a person, conveying a subject or a right, is bound to uphold
that subject or right against every claim, challenge, or burden
arising from circumstances prior to the conveyance; warranty. [Written
also warrandise.] Craig.
Warrant
War"rant (?), n. [OE. warant, OF. warant a warrant, a defender,
protector, F. garant, originally a p. pr. pf German origin, fr. OHG.
wer&emac;n to grant, warrant, G. gew\'84hren; akin to OFries. wera.
Cf. Guarantee.]
1. That which warrants or authorizes; a commission giving authority,
or justifying the doing of anything; an act, instrument, or
obligation, by which one person authorizes another to do something
which he has not otherwise a right to do; an act or instrument
investing one with a right or authority, and thus securing him from
loss or damage; commission; authority. Specifically: -- (a) A writing
which authorizes a person to receive money or other thing. (b) (Law) A
precept issued by a magistrate authorizing an officer to make an
arrest, a seizure, or a search, or do other acts incident to the
administration of justice. (c) (Mil. & Nav.) An official certificate
of appointment issued to an officer of lower rank than a commissioned
officer. See Warrant officer, below.
2. That which vouches or insures for anything; guaranty; security.
I give thee warrant of thy place. Shak.
His worth is warrant for his welcome hither. Shak.
3. That which attests or proves; a voucher.
4. Right; legality; allowance. [Obs.] Shak.
Bench warrant. (Law) See in the Vocabulary. -- Dock warrant (Com.), a
customhouse license or authority. -- General warrant. (Law) See under
General. -- Land warrant. See under Land. -- Search warrant. (Law) See
under Search, n. -- Warrant of attorney (Law), written authority given
by one person to another empowering him to transact business for him;
specifically, written authority given by a client to his attorney to
appear for him in court, and to suffer judgment to pass against him by
confession in favor of some specified person. Bouvier. -- Warrant
officer, a noncommissioned officer, as a sergeant, corporal,
bandmaster, etc., in the army, or a quartermaster, gunner, boatswain,
etc., in the navy. -- Warrant to sue and defend. (a) (O. Eng. Law) A
special warrant from the crown, authorizing a party to appoint an
attorney to sue or defend for him. (b) A special authority given by a
party to his attorney to commence a suit, or to appear and defend a
suit in his behalf. This warrant is now disused. Burrill.
Warrant
War"rant (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Warranted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Warranting.] [OE. waranten, OF. warantir, garantir, guarantir,
garentir, garandir, F. garantir to warrant, fr. OF. warant, garant,
guarant, a warrant, a protector, a defender, F. garant. &root;142. See
Warrant, n.]
1. To make secure; to give assurance against harm; to guarantee safety
to; to give authority or power to do, or forbear to do, anything by
which the person authorized is secured, or saved harmless, from any
loss or damage by his action.
That show I first my body to warrant. Chaucer.
I'll warrant him from drowning. Shak.
In a place Less warranted than this, or less secure, I can not be.
Milton.
2. To support by authority or proof; to justify; to maintain; to
sanction; as, reason warrants it.
True fortitude is seen in great exploits, That justice warrants,
and that wisdom guides. Addison.
How little while it is since he went forth out of his study, --
chewing a Hebrew text of Scripture in his mouth, I warrant.
Hawthorne.
3. To give a warrant or warranty to; to assure as if by giving a
warrant to.
[My neck is] as smooth as silk, I warrant ye. L' Estrange.
4. (Law) (a) To secure to, as a grantee, an estate granted; to assure.
(b) To secure to, as a purchaser of goods, the title to the same; to
indemnify against loss. (c) To secure to, as a purchaser, the quality
or quantity of the goods sold, as represented. See Warranty, n., 2.
(d) To assure, as a thing sold, to the purchaser; that is, to engage
that the thing is what it appears, or is represented, to be, which
implies a covenant to make good any defect or loss incurred by it.
Warrantable
War"rant*a*ble (?), a. Authorized by commission, precept, or right;
justifiable; defensible; as, the seizure of a thief is always
warrantable by law and justice; falsehood is never warrantable.
His meals are coarse and short, his employment warrantable, his
sleep certain and refreshing. South.
-- War"rant*a*ble*ness, n. -- War"rant*bly, adv.
Warrantee
War`ran*tee" (?), n. (Law) The person to whom a warrant or warranty is
made.
Warranter
War"rant*er (?), n.
1. One who warrants, gives authority, or legally empowers.
2. (Law) One who assures, or covenants to assure; one who contracts to
secure another in a right, or to make good any defect of title or
quality; one who gives a warranty; a guarantor; as, the warranter of a
horse.
Warrantise
War"rant*ise (?), n. [OF. warentise, warandise, garantise. See
Warrant, n.] Authority; security; warranty. [Obs.] Shak.
Warrantise
War"rant*ise, v. t. To warrant. [Obs.] Hakluyt.
Warrantor
War"rant*or (?), n. (Law) One who warrants.
Warranty
War"rant*y (?), n.; pl. Warranties (#). [OF. warantie, F. garantie.
See Warrant, n., and cf. Guaranty.]
1. (Anc. Law) A covenant real, whereby the grantor of an estate of
freehold and his heirs were bound to warrant and defend the title,
and, in case of eviction by title paramount, to yield other lands of
equal value in recompense. This warranty has long singe become
obsolete, and its place supplied by personal covenants for title.
Among these is the covenant of warranty, which runs with the land, and
is in the nature of a real covenant. Kent.
2. (Modern Law) An engagement or undertaking, express or implied, that
a certain fact regarding the subject of a contract is, or shall be, as
it is expressly or impliedly declared or promised to be. In sales of
goods by persons in possession, there is an implied warranty of title,
but, as to the quality of goods, the rule of every sale is, Caveat
emptor. Chitty. Bouvier.
3. (Insurance Law) A stipulation or engagement by a party insured,
that certain things, relating to the subject of insurance, or
affecting the risk, exist, or shall exist, or have been done, or shall
be done. These warranties, when express, should appear in the policy;
but there are certain implied warranties. Bouvier.
4. Justificatory mandate or precept; authority; warrant. [R.] Shak.
If they disobey precept, that is no excuse to us, nor gives us any
warranty . . . to disobey likewise. Kettlewe
5. Security; warrant; guaranty.
The stamp was a warranty of the public. Locke.
Syn. -- See Guarantee.
Warranty
War"rant*y, v. t. To warrant; to guarantee.
Warray
War"ray (?), v. t. [OF. werreier, werrier, guerroier, F. guerroyer,
from OF. werre war, F. guerre; of German origin. See War.] To make war
upon. [Obs.] Fairfax. "When a man warrayeth truth." Chaucer.
Warre
Warre (?), a. [OE. werre; of Scand. origin. See Worse.] Worse. [Obs.]
They say the world is much warre than it wont. Spenser.
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Page 1629
Warren
War"ren (?), n. [Of. waresne, warenne, garene, F. garenne, from OF.
warer, garer, to beware, to take care; of Teutonic origin; cf. OHG.
war (in comp.), OS. war to take care, to observe, akin to E. wary.
Wary.]
1. (Eng Law) (a) A place privileged, by prescription or grant the
king, for keeping certain animals (as hares, conies, partridges,
pheasants, etc.) called beasts and fowls of warren. Burrill. (b) A
privilege which one has in his lands, by royal grant or prescription,
of hunting and taking wild beasts and birds of warren, to the
exclusion of any other person not entering by his permission. Spelman.
They wend both warren and in waste. Piers Plowman.
NOTE: &hand; Th e wa rren is th e ne xt franchise in degree to the
park; and a forest, which is the highest in dignity, comprehends a
chase, a park, and a free warren.
2. A piece of ground for the breeding of rabbits.
3. A place for keeping flash, in a river.
Warrener
War"ren*er (?), n. The keeper of a warren.
Warriangle
War`ri*an"gle (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Wariangle. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Warrie
War"rie (?), v. t. See Warye. [Obs.]
Warrin
War"rin (?), n. [From a native name.] (Zo\'94l.) An Australian
lorikeet (Trichoglossus multicolor) remarkable for the variety and
brilliancy of its colors; -- called also blue-bellied lorikeet, and
blue-bellied parrot.
Warrior
War"rior (?; 277), n. [OE. werreour, OF. werreour, guerreor, from
guerre, werre, war. See War, and Warray.] A man engaged or experienced
in war, or in the military life; a soldier; a champion.
Warriors old with ordered spear and shield. Milton.
Warrior ant (Zo\'94l.), a reddish ant (Formica sanguinea) native of
Europe and America. It is one of the species which move in armies to
capture and enslave other ants.
Warrioress
War"rior*ess, n. A female warrior. [Obs.] Spenser.
Warry
War"ry (?), v. t. See Warye. [Obs.]
Warsaw
War"saw (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The black grouper (Epinephelus
nigritus) of the southern coasts of the United States. (b) The
jewfish; -- called also guasa.
Wart
Wart (?), n. [OE. werte, AS. wearte; akin to D. wrat, G. warze, OHG.
warza, Icel. varta, Sw. v\'86rta, Dan. vorte; perh. orig., a growth,
and akin to E. wort; or cf. L. verruca wart.]
1. (Med.) A small, usually hard, tumor on the skin formed by
enlargement of its vascular papill\'91, and thickening of the
epidermis which covers them.
2. An excrescence or protuberance more or less resembling a true wart;
specifically (Bot.), a glandular excrescence or hardened protuberance
on plants.
Fig wart, Moist wart (Med.), a soft, bright red, pointed or tufted
tumor found about the genitals, often massed into groups of large
size. It is a variety of condyloma. Called also pointed wart, venereal
wart. L. A. Duhring. -- Wart cress (Bot.), the swine's cress. See
under Swine. -- Wart snake (Zo\'94l.), any one of several species of
East Indian colubrine snakes of the genus Acrochordus, having the body
covered with wartlike tubercles or spinose scales, and lacking
cephalic plates and ventral scutes. -- Wart spurge (Bot.), a kind of
wartwort (Euphorbia Helioscopia).
Warted
Wart"ed, a. (Bot.) Having little knobs on the surface; verrucose; as,
a warted capsule.
Wart hog
Wart" hog` (?). (Zo\'94l.) Either one of two species of large, savage
African wild hogs of the genus Phacoch&oe;rus. These animals have a
pair of large, rough, fleshy tubercles behind the tusks and second
pair behind the eyes. The tusks are large and strong, and both pairs
curve upward. The body is scantily covered with bristles, but there is
long dorsal mane. The South African species (Phacoch&oe;rus
\'92thiopicus) is the best known. Called also vlacke vark. The second
species (P. \'92liani) is native of the coasts of the Red Sea.
Wartless
Wart"less, a. Having no wart.
Wartweed
Wart"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) Same as Wartwort.
Wartwort
Wart"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A name given to several plants because they
were thought to be a cure for warts, as a kind of spurge (Euphorbia
Helioscopia), and the nipplewort (Lampsana communis).
Warty
Wart"y (?), a.
1. Having warts; full of warts; overgrow with warts; as, a warty leaf.
2. Of the nature of warts; as, a warty excrescence.
Warty egg (Zo\'94l.), a marine univalve shell (Ovulum verrucosum),
having the surface covered with wartlike elevations.
Warwickite
War"wick*ite (?), n. (Min.) A dark brown or black mineral, occurring
in prismatic crystals imbedded in limestone near Warwick, New York. It
consists of the borate and titanate of magnesia and iron.
Warworn
War"worn` (?), a. Worn with military service; as, a warworn soldier; a
warworn coat. Shak.
Wary
Wa"ry (?), a. [Compar. Warier (?); superl. Wariest.] [OE. war, AS.
w\'91r; akin to Icel. v, Dan. & Sw. var, Goth. wars, G. gewahr aware,
OHG. wara notice, attention, Gr. Aware, Garment, Garnish, Garrison,
Panorama, Ward, v. t. Ware, a., Warren.]
1. Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding against
deception, artifices, and dangers; timorously or suspiciously prudent;
circumspect; scrupulous; careful. "Bear a wary eye." Shak.
We should be wary, therefore, what persecution we raise against the
living labors of public men. Milton.
2. Characterized by caution; guarded; careful.
It behoveth our words to be wary and few. Hooker.
Syn. -- Cautious; circumspect; watchful. See Cautious.
Warye
War"ye (?), v. t. [AS. wergian, wyrgean. Cf. Worry.] To curse; to
curse; to execrate; to condemn; also, to vex. [Obs.] [Spelled also
warrie, warry, and wary.] "Whom I thus blame and warye." Chaucer.
Was
Was (?). [AS. w\'91s, 2d pers. w&aemac;re, 3d pers. w\'91s, pl.
w&aemac;ron, with the inf. wesan to be; akin to D. wezen, imp. was,
OHG. wesan, imp. was, G. wesen, n., a being, essence, war was, Icel.
vera to be, imp. var, Goth. wisan to be, to dwell, to remain, imp.
was, Skr. vas to remain, to dwell. &root;148. Cf. Vernacular, Wassail,
Were, v.] The first and third persons singular of the verb be, in the
indicative mood, preterit (imperfect) tense; as, I was; he was.
Wase
Wase (?), n. [Cf. Sw. vase a sheaf.] A bundle of straw, or other
material, to relieve the pressure of burdens carried upon the head.
[Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Wash
Wash (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Washed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Washing.]
[OE. waschen, AS. wascan; akin to D. wasschen, G. waschen, OHG.
wascan, Icel. & Sw. vaska, Dan. vaske, and perhaps to E. water.
&root;150.]
1. To cleanse by ablution, or dipping or rubbing in water; to apply
water or other liquid to for the purpose of cleansing; to scrub with
water, etc., or as with water; as, to wash the hands or body; to wash
garments; to wash sheep or wool; to wash the pavement or floor; to
wash the bark of trees.
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, . . . he took water
and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of
the blood of this just person. Matt. xxvii. 24.
2. To cover with water or any liquid; to wet; to fall on and moisten;
hence, to overflow or dash against; as, waves wash the shore.
Fresh-blown roses washed with dew. Milton.
[The landscape] washed with a cold, gray mist. Longfellow.
3. To waste or abrade by the force of water in motion; as, heavy rains
wash a road or an embankment.<-- now, wash out. -->
4. To remove by washing to take away by, or as by, the action of
water; to drag or draw off as by the tide; -- often with away, off,
out, etc.; as, to wash dirt from the hands.
Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins. Acts xxii. 16.
The tide will wash you off. Shak.
5. To cover with a thin or watery coat of color; to tint lightly and
thinly.
6. To overlay with a thin coat of metal; as, steel washed with silver.
To wash gold, etc., to treat earth or gravel, or crushed ore, with
water, in order to separate the gold or other metal, or metallic ore,
through their superior gravity. -- To wash the hands of. See under
Hand.
Wash
Wash, v. i.
1. To perform the act of ablution.
Wash in Jordan seven times. 2 Kings v. 10.
2. To clean anything by rubbing or dipping it in water; to perform the
business of cleansing clothes, ore, etc., in water. "She can wash and
scour." Shak.
3. To bear without injury the operation of being washed; as, some
calicoes do not wash. [Colloq.]
4. To be wasted or worn away by the action of water, as by a running
or overflowing stream, or by the dashing of the sea; -- said of road,
a beach, etc.
Wash
Wash, n.
1. The act of washing; an ablution; a cleansing, wetting, or dashing
with water; hence, a quantity, as of clothes, washed at once.
2. A piece of ground washed by the action of a sea or river, or
sometimes covered and sometimes left dry; the shallowest part of a
river, or arm of the sea; also, a bog; a marsh; a fen; as, the washes
in Lincolnshire. "The Wash of Edmonton so gay." Cowper.
These Lincoln washes have devoured them. Shak.
3. Substances collected and deposited by the action of water; as, the
wash of a sewer, of a river, etc.
The wash of pastures, fields, commons, and roads, where rain water
hath a long time settled. Mortimer.
4. Waste liquid, the refuse of food, the collection from washed
dishes, etc., from a kitchen, often used as food for pigs. Shak.
5. (Distilling) (a) The fermented wort before the spirit is extracted.
(b) A mixture of dunder, molasses, water, and scummings, used in the
West Indies for distillation. B. Edwards.
6. That with which anything is washed, or wetted, smeared, tinted,
etc., upon the surface. Specifically: -- (a) A liquid cosmetic for the
complexion. (b) A liquid dentifrice. (c) A liquid preparation for the
hair; as, a hair wash. (d) A medical preparation in a liquid form for
external application; a lotion. (e) (Painting) A thin coat of color,
esp. water color. (j) A thin coat of metal laid on anything for beauty
or preservation.
7. (Naut.) (a) The blade of an oar, or the thin part which enters the
water. (b) The backward current or disturbed water caused by the
action of oars, or of a steamer's screw or paddles, etc.
8. The flow, swash, or breaking of a body of water, as a wave; also,
the sound of it.
9. Ten strikes, or bushels, of oysters. [Prov. Eng.]
Wash ball, a ball of soap to be used in washing the hands or face.
Swift. -- Wash barrel (Fisheries), a barrel nearly full of split
mackerel, loosely put in, and afterward filled with salt water in
order to soak the blood from the fish before salting. -- Wash bottle.
(Chem.) (a) A bottle partially filled with some liquid through which
gases are passed for the purpose of purifying them, especially by
removing soluble constituents. (b) A washing bottle. See under
Washing. -- Wash gilding. See Water gilding. -- Wash leather, split
sheepskin dressed with oil, in imitation of chamois, or shammy, and
used for dusting, cleaning glass or plate, etc.; also, alumed, or
buff, leather for soldiers' belts.
Wash
Wash, a.
1 Washy; weak. [Obs.]
Their bodies of so weak and wash a temper. Beau. & Fl.
2. Capable of being washed without injury; washable; as, wash goods.
[Colloq.]
Washable
Wash"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being washed without damage to fabric or
color.
Washboard
Wash"board` (?), n.
1. A fluted, or ribbed, board on which clothes are rubbed in washing
them.
2. A board running round, and serving as a facing for, the walls of a
room, next to the floor; a mopboard.
3. (Naut.) A broad, thin plank, fixed along the gunwale of boat to
keep the sea from breaking inboard; also, a plank on the sill of a
lower deck port, for the same purpose; -- called also wasteboard. Mar.
Di
Washbowl
Wash"bowl` (?), n. A basin, or bowl, to hold water for washing one's
hands, face, etc.
Washdish
Wash"dish` (?), n.
1. A washbowl.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Same as Washerwoman, 2. [Prov. Eng.]
Washed
Washed (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) Appearing as if overlaid with a thin layer
of different color; -- said of the colors of certain birds and
insects.
Washen
Wash"en (?), obs. p. p. of Wash. Chaucer.
Washer
Wash"er (?), n. [AS. w\'91scere.]
1. One who, or that which, washes.
2. A ring of metal, leather, or other material, or a perforated plate,
used for various purposes, as around a bolt or screw to form a seat
for the head or nut, or around a wagon axle to prevent endwise motion
of the hub of the wheel and relieve friction, or in a joint to form a
packing, etc.
3. (Plumbing) A fitting, usually having a plug, applied to a cistern,
tub, sink, or the like, and forming the outlet opening.
4. (Zo\'94l.) The common raccoon.
5. (Zo\'94l.) Same as Washerwoman, 2. [Prov. Eng.]
Washerman
Wash"er*man (?), n.; pl. Washermen (. A man who washes clothes, esp.
for hire, or for others.
Washerwoman
Wash"er*wom`an (?), n.; pl. Washerwomen (.
1. A woman who washes clothes, especially for hire, or for others.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The pied wagtail; -- so called in allusion to its
beating the water with its tail while tripping along the leaves of
water plants. [Prov. Eng.]
Washhouse
Wash"house` (?), n. An outbuilding for washing, esp. one for washing
clothes; a laundry.
Washiness
Wash"i*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being washy, watery, or
weak.
Washing
Wash"ing, n.
1. The act of one who washes; the act of cleansing with water;
ablution.
2. The clothes washed, esp. at one time; a wash.
Washing bear (Zo\'94l.), the raccoon. -- Washing bottle (Chem.), a
bottle fitted with glass tubes passing through the cork, so that on
blowing into one of the tubes a stream of water issuing from the other
may be directed upon anything to be washed or rinsed, as a precipitate
upon a filter, etc. -- Washing fluid, a liquid used as a cleanser, and
consisting usually of alkaline salts resembling soaps in their action.
-- Washing machine, a machine for washing; specifically, a machine for
washing clothes. -- Washing soda. (Chem.) See Sodium carbonate, under
Sodium. -- Washing stuff, any earthy deposit containing gold enough to
pay for washing it; -- so called among gold miners.
Washingtonian
Wash`ing*to"ni*an (?), a.
1. Pertaining to, or characteristic of, George Washington; as, a
Washingtonian policy. Lowell.
2. Designating, or pertaining to, a temperance society and movement
started in Baltimore in 1840 on the principle of total abstinence. --
n. A member of the Washingtonian Society.
Wash-off
Wash"-off` (?), a. (Calico Printing) Capable of being washed off; not
permanent or durable; -- said of colors not fixed by steaming or
otherwise.
Washout
Wash"out` (?), n. The washing out or away of earth, etc., especially
of a portion of the bed of a road or railroad by a fall of rain or a
freshet; also, a place, especially in the bed of a road or railroad,
where the earth has been washed away.
Washpot
Wash"pot` (?), n.
1. A pot or vessel in which anything is washed.
2. (Tin-Plate Manuf.) A pot containing melted tin into which the
plates are dipped to be coated.
Washstand
Wash"stand` (?), n. A piece of furniture holding the ewer or pitcher,
basin, and other requisites for washing the person.
Washtub
Wash"tub` (?), n. A tub in which clothes are washed.
Washy
Wash"y (?), a. [From Wash.]
1. Watery; damp; soft. "Washy ooze." Milton.
2. Lacking substance or strength; weak; thin; dilute; feeble; as,
washy tea; washy resolutions.
A polish . . . not over thin and washy. Sir H. Wotton.
3. Not firm or hardy; liable to sweat profusely with labor; as, a
washy horse. [Local, U. S.]
Wasite
Wa"site (?), n. [See Wasium.] (Min.) A variety of allanite from Sweden
supposed to contain wasium.
Wasium
Wa"si*um (?), n. [NL. So called from Wasa, or Vasa, the name of a
former royal family of Sweden.] (Chem.) A rare element supposed by
Bahr to have been extracted from wasite, but now identified with
thorium.
Wasp
Wasp (?), n. [OE. waspe, AS. w\'91ps, w\'91fs; akin to D. wesp, G.
wespe, OHG. wafsa, wefsa, Lith. vapsa gadfly, Russ. osa wasp, L.
vespa, and perhaps to E. weave.] (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous
species of stinging hymenopterous insects, esp. any of the numerous
species of the genus Vespa, which includes the true, or social, wasps,
some of which are called yellow jackets.
NOTE: &hand; Th e social wasps make a complex series of combs, of a
substance like stiff paper, often of large size, and protect them
by a paperlike covering. The larv\'91 are reared in the cells of
the combs, and eat insects and insect larv\'91 brought to them by
the adults, but the latter feed mainly on the honey and pollen of
flowers, and on the sweet juices of fruit. See Illust. in Appendix.
Digger wasp, any one of numerous species of solitary wasps that make
their nests in burrows which they dig in the ground, as the sand
wasps. See Sand wasp, under Sand. -- Mud wasp. See under Mud. --
Potter wasp. See under Potter. -- Wasp fly, a species of fly
resembling a wasp, but without a sting.
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Page 1630
Waspish
Wasp"ish (?), a.
1. Resembling a wasp in form; having a slender waist, like a wasp.
2. Quick to resent a trifling affront; characterized by snappishness;
irritable; irascible; petulant; snappish.
He was naturally a waspish and hot man. Bp. Hall.
Much do I suffer, much, to keep in peace This jealous, waspish,
wrong-head, rhyming race. Pope.
Syn. -- Snappish; petulant; irritable; irascible; testy; peevish;
captious. -- Wasp"ish*ly, adv. -- Wasp"ish*ness, n.
Wassail
Was"sail (?), n. [AS. wes h\'bel (or an equivalent form in another
dialect) be in health, which was the form of drinking a health. The
form wes is imperative. See Was, and Whole.]
1. An ancient expression of good wishes on a festive occasion,
especially in drinking to some one.
Geoffrey of Monmouth relates, on the authority of Walter Calenius,
that this lady [Rowena], the daughter of Hengist, knelt down on the
approach of the king, and, presenting him with a cup of wine,
exclaimed, Lord king w\'91s heil, that is, literally, Health be to
you. N. Drake.
2. An occasion on which such good wishes are expressed in drinking; a
drinking bout; a carouse. "In merry wassail he . . . peals his loud
song." Sir W. Scott.
The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse, Keeps wassail.
Shak.
The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and wassail. Prescott.
3. The liquor used for a wassail; esp., a beverage formerly much used
in England at Christmas and other festivals, made of ale (or wine)
flavored with spices, sugar, toast, roasted apples, etc.; -- called
also lamb's wool.
A jolly wassail bowl, A wassail of good ale. Old Song.
4. A festive or drinking song or glee. [Obs.]
Have you done your wassail! 'T is a handsome, drowsy ditty, I'll
assure you. Beau. & Fl.
Wassail
Was"sail, a. Of or pertaining to wassail, or to a wassail; convivial;
as, a wassail bowl. "Awassail candle, my lord, all tallow." Shak.
Wassail bowl, a bowl in which wassail was mixed, and placed upon the
table. "Spiced wassail bowl." J. Fletcher. "When the cloth was
removed, the butler brought in a huge silver vessel . . . Its
appearance was hailed with acclamation, being the wassail bowl so
renowned in Christmas festivity." W. Irving. -- Wassail cup, a cup
from which wassail was drunk.
Wassail
Was"sail, v. i. To hold a wassail; to carouse.
Spending all the day, and good part of the night, in dancing,
caroling, and wassailing. Sir P. Sidney.
Wassailer
Was"sail*er (?), n. One who drinks wassail; one who engages in
festivity, especially in drinking; a reveler.
The rudeness and swilled insolence Of such late wassailers. Milton.
Wast
Wast (?). The second person singular of the verb be, in the indicative
mood, imperfect tense; -- now used only in solemn or poetical style.
See Was.
Wastage
Wast"age (?), n. Loss by use, decay, evaporation, leakage, or the
like; waste.
Waste
Waste (?), a. [OE. wast, OF. wast, from L. vastus, influenced by the
kindred German word; cf. OHG. wuosti, G. w\'81st, OS. w, D. woest, AS.
w&emac;ste. Cf. Vast.]
1. Desolate; devastated; stripped; bare; hence, dreary; dismal;
gloomy; cheerless.
The dismal situation waste and wild. Milton.
His heart became appalled as he gazed forward into the waste
darkness of futurity. Sir W. Scott.
2. Lying unused; unproductive; worthless; valueless; refuse; rejected;
as, waste land; waste paper.
But his waste words returned to him in vain. Spenser.
Not a waste or needless sound, Till we come to holier ground.
Milton.
Ill day which made this beauty waste. Emerson.
3. Lost for want of occupiers or use; superfluous.
And strangled with her waste fertility. Milton.
Waste gate, a gate by which the superfluous water of a reservoir, or
the like, is discharged. -- Waste paper. See under Paper. -- Waste
pipe, a pipe for carrying off waste, or superfluous, water or other
fluids. Specifically: (a) (Steam Boilers) An escape pipe. See under
Escape. (b) (Plumbing) The outlet pipe at the bottom of a bowl, tub,
sink, or the like. -- Waste steam. (a) Steam which escapes the air.
(b) Exhaust steam. -- Waste trap, a trap for a waste pipe, as of a
sink.
Waste
Waste, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Wasting.] [OE.
wasten, OF. waster, guaster, gaster, F. g\'83ter to spoil, L. vastare
to devastate, to lay waste, fr. vastus waste, desert, uncultivated,
ravaged, vast, but influenced by a kindred German word; cf. OHG.
wuosten, G. w\'81sten, AS. w&emac;stan. See Waste, a.]
1. To bring to ruin; to devastate; to desolate; to destroy.
Thou barren ground, whom winter's wrath hath wasted, Art made a
mirror to behold my plight. Spenser.
The Tiber Insults our walls, and wastes our fruitful grounds.
Dryden.
2. To wear away by degrees; to impair gradually; to diminish by
constant loss; to use up; to consume; to spend; to wear out.
Until your carcasses be wasted in the wilderness. Num. xiv. 33.
O, were I able To waste it all myself, and leave ye none! Milton.
Here condemned To waste eternal days in woe and pain. Milton.
Wasted by such a course of life, the infirmities of age daily grew
on him. Robertson.
3. To spend unnecessarily or carelessly; to employ prodigally; to
expend without valuable result; to apply to useless purposes; to
lavish vainly; to squander; to cause to be lost; to destroy by
scattering or injury.
The younger son gathered all together, and . . . wasted his
substance with riotous living. Luke xv. 13.
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness
on the desert air. Gray.
4. (Law) To damage, impair, or injure, as an estate, voluntarily, or
by suffering the buildings, fences, etc., to go to decay. Syn. -- To
squander; dissipate; lavish; desolate.
Waste
Waste (?), v. i.
1. To be diminished; to lose bulk, substance, strength, value, or the
like, gradually; to be consumed; to dwindle; to grow less.
The time wasteth night and day. Chaucer.
The barrel of meal shall not waste. 1 Kings xvii. 14.
But man dieth, and wasteth away. Job xiv. 10.
2. (Sporting) To procure or sustain a reduction of flesh; -- said of a
jockey in preparation for a race, etc.
Waste
Waste, n. [OE. waste; cf. the kindred AS. w, OHG. w, wuost\'c6, G.
w\'81ste. See Waste, a. & v.]
1. The act of wasting, or the state of being wasted; a squandering;
needless destruction; useless consumption or expenditure; devastation;
loss without equivalent gain; gradual loss or decrease, by use, wear,
or decay; as, a waste of property, time, labor, words, etc. "Waste . .
. of catel and of time." Chaucer.
For all this waste of wealth loss of blood. Milton.
He will never . . . in the way of waste, attempt us again. Shak.
Little wastes in great establishments, constantly occurring, may
defeat the energies of a mighty capital. L. Beecher.
2. That which is wasted or desolate; a devastated, uncultivated, or
wild country; a deserted region; an unoccupied or unemployed space; a
dreary void; a desert; a wilderness. "The wastes of Nature." Emerson.
All the leafy nation sinks at last, And Vulcan rides in triumph
o'er the waste. Dryden.
The gloomy waste of waters which bears his name is his tomb and his
monument. Bancroft.
3. That which is of no value; worthless remnants; refuse.
Specifically: Remnants of cops, or other refuse resulting from the
working of cotton, wool, hemp, and the like, used for wiping
machinery, absorbing oil in the axle boxes of railway cars, etc.
4. (Law) Spoil, destruction, or injury, done to houses, woods, fences,
lands, etc., by a tenant for life or for years, to the prejudice of
the heir, or of him in reversion or remainder.
NOTE: &hand; Wa ste is voluntary, as by pulling down buildings; or
permissive, as by suffering them to fall for want of necessary
repairs. Whatever does a lasting damage to the freehold is a waste.
Blackstone.
5. (Mining) Old or abandoned workings, whether left as vacant space or
filled with refuse. Syn. -- Prodigality; diminution; loss;
dissipation; destruction; devastation; havoc; desolation; ravage.
Wastebasket
Waste"bas`ket (?), n. A basket used in offices, libraries, etc., as a
receptacle for waste paper.
Wasteboard
Waste"board` (?), n. (Naut.) See Washboard, 3.
Wastebook
Waste"book` (?), n. (Com.) A book in which rough entries of
transactions are made, previous to their being carried into the
journal.
Wasteful
Waste"ful (?), c.
1. Full of waste; destructive to property; ruinous; as; wasteful
practices or negligence; wasteful expenses.
2. Expending, or tending to expend, property, or that which is
valuable, in a needless or useless manner; lavish; prodigal; as, a
wasteful person; a wasteful disposition.
3. Waste; desolate; unoccupied; untilled. [Obs.]
In wilderness and wasteful desert strayed. Spenser.
Syn. -- Lavish; profuse; prodigal; extravagant. -- Waste"ful*ly, adv.
-- Waste"ful*ness, n.
Wastel
Was"tel (?), n. [OF. wastel, gastel, F. g\'83teau, LL. wastellus, fr.
MHG. wastel a kind of bread; cf. OHG. & AS. wist food.] A kind of
white and fine bread or cake; -- called also wastel bread, and wastel
cake. [Obs.]
Roasted flesh or milk and wasted bread. Chaucer.
The simnel bread and wastel cakes, which were only used at the
tables of the highest nobility. Sir W. Scott.
Wasteness
Waste"ness (?), n.
1. The quality or state of being waste; a desolate state or condition;
desolation.
A day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness. Zeph. i. 15.
2. That which is waste; a desert; a waste. [R.]
Through woods and wasteness wide him daily sought. Spenser.
Waster
Wast"er (?), n. [OE. wastour, OF. wasteor, gasteor. See Waste, v. t.]
1. One who, or that which, wastes; one who squanders; one who consumes
or expends extravagantly; a spendthrift; a prodigal.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a
great waster. Prov. xviii. 9.
Sconces are great wasters of candles. Swift.
2. An imperfection in the wick of a candle, causing it to waste; --
called also a thief. Halliwell.
3. A kind of cudgel; also, a blunt-edged sword used as a foil.
Half a dozen of veneys at wasters with a good fellow for a broken
head. Beau. & Fl.
Being unable to wield the intellectual arms of reason, they are
fain to betake them unto wasters. Sir T. Browne.
Wastethrift
Waste"thrift` (?), n. A spendthrift. [Obs.]
Wasteweir
Waste"weir` (?), n. An overfall, or weir, for the escape, or overflow,
of superfluous water from a canal, reservoir, pond, or the like.
Wasting
Wast"ing, a. Causing waste; also, undergoing waste; diminishing; as, a
wasting disease; a wasting fortune. <-- wasting asset = 2nd sense.
Should be separate senses. --> Wasting palsy (Med.), progressive
muscular atrophy. See under Progressive.
Wastor
Wast"or, n. A waster; a thief. [Obs. or R.] [Written also wastour.]
Chaucer. Southey.
Wastorel
Wast"o*rel (?), n. See Wastrel. [Obs.]
Wastrel
Wast"rel (?), n.
1. Any waste thing or substance; as: (a) Waste land or common land.
[Obs.] Carew. (b) A profligate. [Prov. Eng.] (c) A neglected child; a
street Arab. [Eng.]
2. Anything cast away as bad or useless, as imperfect bricks, china,
etc. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Watch
Watch (?), n. [OE. wacche, AS. w\'91cce, fr. wacian to wake; akin to
D. wacht, waak, G. wacht, wache. Wake, v. i. ]
1. The act of watching; forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful,
vigilant, or constantly observant attention; close observation; guard;
preservative or preventive vigilance; formerly, a watching or guarding
by night.
Shepherds keeping watch by night. Milton.
All the long night their mournful watch they keep. Addison.
NOTE: &hand; Watch was formerly distinguished from ward, the former
signifying a watching or guarding by night, and the latter a
watching, guarding, or protecting by day Hence, they were not
unfrequently used together, especially in the phrase to keep watch
and ward, to denote continuous and uninterrupted vigilance or
protection, or both watching and guarding. This distinction is now
rarely recognized, watch being used to signify a watching or
guarding both by night and by day, and ward, which is now rarely
used, having simply the meaning of guard, or protection, without
reference to time.
Still, when she slept, he kept both watch and ward. Spenser.
Ward, guard, or custodia, is chiefly applied to the daytime, in
order to apprehend rioters, and robbers on the highway . . . Watch,
is properly applicable to the night only, . . . and it begins when
ward ends, and ends when that begins. Blackstone.
2. One who watches, or those who watch; a watchman, or a body of
watchmen; a sentry; a guard.
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch; go your way, make it as
sure as ye can. Matt. xxvii. 65.
3. The post or office of a watchman; also, the place where a watchman
is posted, or where a guard is kept.
He upbraids Iago, that he made him Brave me upon the watch. Shak.
4. The period of the night during which a person does duty as a
sentinel, or guard; the time from the placing of a sentinel till his
relief; hence, a division of the night.
I did stand my watch upon the hill. Shak.
Might we but hear . . . Or whistle from the lodge, or village cock
Count the night watches to his feathery dames. Milton.
5. A small timepiece, or chronometer, to be carried about the person,
the machinery of which is moved by a spring.<-- or electric or
electronic mechanisms. -->
NOTE: &hand; Wa tches ar e of ten di stinguished by th e ki nd of
escapement used, as an anchor watch, a lever watch, a chronometer
watch, etc. (see the Note under Escapement, n., 3); also, by the
kind of case, as a gold or silver watch, an open-faced watch, a
hunting watch, or hunter, etc.
6. (Naut.) (a) An allotted portion of time, usually four hour for
standing watch, or being on deck ready for duty. Cf. Dogwatch. (b)
That part, usually one half, of the officers and crew, who together
attend to the working of a vessel for an allotted time, usually four
hours. The watches are designated as the port watch, and the starboard
watch.
Anchor watch (Naut.), a detail of one or more men who keep watch on
deck when a vessel is at anchor. -- To be on the watch, to be looking
steadily for some event. -- Watch and ward (Law), the charge or care
of certain officers to keep a watch by night and a guard by day in
towns, cities, and other districts, for the preservation of the public
peace. Wharton. Burrill. -- Watch and watch (Naut.), the regular
alternation in being on watch and off watch of the two watches into
which a ship's crew is commonly divided. -- Watch barrel, the brass
box in a watch, containing the mainspring. -- Watch bell (Naut.), a
bell struck when the half-hour glass is run out, or at the end of each
half hour. Craig. -- Watch bill (Naut.), a list of the officers and
crew of a ship as divided into watches, with their stations. Totten.
-- Watch case, the case, or outside covering, of a watch; also, a case
for holding a watch, or in which it is kept. -- Watch chain. Same as
watch guard, below. -- Watch clock, a watchman's clock; see under
Watchman. -- Watch fire, a fire lighted at night, as a signal, or for
the use of a watch or guard. -- Watch glass. (a) A concavo-convex
glass for covering the face, or dial, of a watch; -- also called watch
crystal. (b) (Naut.) A half-hour glass used to measure the time of a
watch on deck.<-- (c) (Chem.) A round concavo-convex glass of shallow
depth used for certain manipulations of chemicals in a laboratory. -->
-- Watch guard, a chain or cord by which a watch is attached to the
person. -- Watch gun (Naut.), a gun sometimes fired on shipboard at 8
p. m., when the night watch begins. -- Watch light, a low-burning lamp
used by watchers at night; formerly, a candle having a rush wick. --
Watch night, The last night of the year; -- so called by the
Methodists, Moravians, and others, who observe it by holding religious
meetings lasting until after midnight. -- Watch paper, an
old-fashioned ornament for the inside of a watch case, made of paper
cut in some fanciful design, as a vase with flowers, etc. -- Watch
tackle (Naut.), a small, handy purchase, consisting of a tailed double
block, and a single block with a hook.
Watch
Watch (?), v. i. [Cf. AS. w&oe;ccan, wacian. &root;134. See Watch, n.,
Wake, v. i. ]
1. To be awake; to be or continue without sleep; to wake; to keep
vigil.
I have two nights watched with you. Shak.
Couldest thou not watch one hour ? Mark xiv. 37.
2. To be attentive or vigilant; to give heed; to be on the lookout; to
keep guard; to act as sentinel.
Take ye heed, watch and pray. Mark xiii. 33.
The Son gave signal high To the bright minister that watched.
Milton.
3. To be expectant; to look with expectation; to wait; to seek
opportunity.
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the
morning. Ps. cxxx. 6.
4. To remain awake with any one as nurse or attendant; to attend on
the sick during the night; as, to watch with a man in a fever.
5. (Naut.) To serve the purpose of a watchman by floating properly in
its place; -- said of a buoy.
To watch over, to be cautiously observant of; to inspect, superintend,
and guard.
Watch
Watch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Watched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Watching.]
1. To give heed to; to observe the actions or motions of, for any
purpose; to keep in view; not to lose from sight and observation; as,
to watch the progress of a bill in the legislature.
Saul also sent messengers unto David's house to watch him, and to
slay him. 1 Sam. xix. 11
I must cool a little, and watch my opportunity. Landor.
In lazy mood I watched the little circles die. Longfellow.
2. To tend; to guard; to have in keeping.
And flaming ministers, to watch and tend Their earthy charge.
Milton.
Paris watched the flocks in the groves of Ida. Broome.
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Watchdog
Watch"dog` (?), n. A dog kept to watch and guard premises or property,
and to give notice of the approach of intruders.
Watcher
Watch"er (?), n. One who watches; one who sits up or continues; a
diligent observer; specifically, one who attends upon the sick during
the night.
Watches
Watch"es (?), n. pl. (Bot.) The leaves of Sarace. See Trumpets.
Watch
Watch (?), a. [Probably from F. vaciet bilberry, whortleberry; cf. L.
vaccinium blueberry, whortleberry.] Pale or light blue. [Obs.]
"Watchet mantles." Spenser.
Who stares in Germany at watchet eyes? Dryden.
Watchful
Watch"ful (?), a. Full of watch; vigilant; attentive; careful to
observe closely; observant; cautious; -- with of before the thing to
be regulated or guarded; as, to be watchful of one's behavior; and
with against before the thing to be avoided; as, to be watchful
against the growth of vicious habits. "Many a watchful night." Shak.
"Happy watchful shepherds." Milton.
'Twixt prayer and watchful love his heart dividing. Keble.
Syn. -- Vigilant; attentive; cautious; observant; circumspect;
wakeful; heedful. -- Watch"ful*ly, adv. -- Watch"ful*ness, n.
Watchhouse
Watch"house` (?), n.; pl. Watchhouses (.
1. A house in which a watch or guard is placed.
2. A place where persons under temporary arrest by the police of a
city are kept; a police station; a lockup.
Watchmaker
Watch"mak`er (?), n. One whose occupation is to make and repair
watches.
Watchman
Watch"man (?), n.; pl. Watchmen (.
1. One set to watch; a person who keeps guard; a guard; a sentinel.
2. Specifically, one who guards a building, or the streets of a city,
by night.
Watchman beetle (Zo\'94l.), the European dor. -- Watchman's clock, a
watchman's detector in which the apparatus for recording the times of
visiting several stations is contained within a single clock. --
Watchman's detector, OR Watchman's time detector, an apparatus for
recording the time when a watchman visits a station on his rounds. --
Watchman's rattle, an instrument having at the end of a handle a
revolving arm, which, by the action of a strong spring upon cogs,
produces, when in motion, a loud, harsh, rattling sound.
Watchtower
Watch"tow`er (?), n. A tower in which a sentinel is placed to watch
for enemies, the approach of danger, or the like.
Watchword
Watch"word` (?), n.
1. A word given to sentinels, and to such as have occasion to visit
the guards, used as a signal by which a friend is known from an enemy,
or a person who has a right to pass the watch from one who has not; a
countersign; a password.
2. A sentiment or motto; esp., one used as a rallying cry or a signal
for action.
Nor deal in watchwords overmuch. Tennyson.
Water
Wa"ter (?), n. [AS. w\'91ter; akin to OS. watar, OFries. wetir, weter,
LG. & D. water, G. wasser, OHG. wazzar, Icel. vatn, Sw. vatten, Dan.
vand, Goth. wat, O. Slav. & Russ. voda, Gr. udan water, ud to wet, and
perhaps to L. unda wave. Dropsy, Hydra, Otter, Wet, Whisky.]
1. The fluid which descends from the clouds in rain, and which forms
rivers, lakes, seas, etc. "We will drink water." Shak."Powers of fire,
air, water, and earth." Milton.
NOTE: &hand; Pu re wa ter consists of hydrogen and oxygen, H2O, and
is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, transparent liquid, which is
very slightly compressible. At its maximum density, 39° Fahr. or 4°
C., it is the standard for specific gravities, one cubic centimeter
weighing one gram. It freezes at 32° Fahr. or 0° C. and boils at
212° Fahr. or 100° C. (see Ice, Steam). It is the most important
natural solvent, and is frequently impregnated with foreign matter
which is mostly removed by distillation; hence, rain water is
nearly pure. It is an important ingredient in the tissue of animals
and plants, the human body containing about two thirds its weight
of water.
2. A body of water, standing or flowing; a lake, river, or other
collection of water.
Remembering he had passed over a small water a poor scholar when
first coming to the university, he kneeled. Fuller.
3. Any liquid secretion, humor, or the like, resembling water; esp.,
the urine.
4. (Pharm.) A solution in water of a gaseous or readily volatile
substance; as, ammonia water. U. S. Pharm.
5. The limpidity and luster of a precious stone, especially a diamond;
as, a diamond of the first water, that is, perfectly pure and
transparent. Hence, of the first water, that is, of the first
excellence.
6. A wavy, lustrous pattern or decoration such as is imparted to
linen, silk, metals, etc. See Water, v. t., 3, Damask, v. t., and
Damaskeen.
7. An addition to the shares representing the capital of a stock
company so that the aggregate par value of the shares is increased
while their value for investment is diminished, or "diluted."
[Brokers' Cant]
NOTE: &hand; Wa ter is often used adjectively and in the formation
of many self-explaining compounds; as, water drainage; water gauge,
or water-gauge; waterfowl, water-fowl, or water fowl; water-beaten;
water-borne, water-circled, water-girdled, water-rocked, etc.
Hard water. See under Hard. -- Inch of water, a unit of measure of
quantity of water, being the quantity which will flow through an
orifice one inch square, or a circular orifice one inch in diameter,
in a vertical surface, under a stated constant head; also called
miner's inch, and water inch. The shape of the orifice and the head
vary in different localities. In the Western United States, for
hydraulic mining, the standard aperture is square and the head from 4
to 9 inches above its center. In Europe, for experimental hydraulics,
the orifice is usually round and the head from of an inch to 1 inch
above its top. -- Mineral water, waters which are so impregnated with
foreign ingredients, such as gaseous, sulphureous, and saline
substances, as to give them medicinal properties, or a particular
flavor or temperature. -- Soft water, water not impregnated with lime
or mineral salts. -- To hold water. See under Hold, v. t. -- To keep
one's head above water, to keep afloat; fig., to avoid failure or
sinking in the struggles of life. [Colloq.] -- To make water. (a) To
pass urine. Swift. (b) (Naut.) To admit water; to leak. -- Water of
crystallization (Chem.), the water combined with many salts in their
crystalline form. This water is loosely, but, nevertheless,
chemically, combined, for it is held in fixed and definite amount for
each substance containing it. Thus, while pure copper sulphate, CuSO4,
is a white amorphous substance, blue vitriol, the crystallized form,
CuSO4.5H2O, contains five molecules of water of crystallization. --
Water on the brain (Med.), hydrocephalus. -- Water on the chest
(Med.), hydrothorax.
NOTE: &hand; Ot her ph rases, in wh ich wa ter occurs as the first
element, will be found in alphabetical order in the Vocabulary.
Water
Wa"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Watered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Watering.] [AS. w\'91terian, gew\'91terian.]
1. To wet or supply with water; to moisten; to overflow with water; to
irrigate; as, to water land; to water flowers.
With tears watering the ground. Milton.
Men whose lives gilded on like rivers that water the woodlands.
Longfellow.
2. To supply with water for drink; to cause or allow to drink; as, to
water cattle and horses.
3. To wet and calender, as cloth, so as to impart to it a lustrous
appearance in wavy lines; to diversify with wavelike lines; as, to
water silk. Cf. Water, n., 6.
4. To add water to (anything), thereby extending the quantity or bulk
while reducing the strength or quality; to extend; to dilute; to
weaken.
To water stock, to increase the capital stock of a company by issuing
new stock, thus diminishing the value of the individual shares. Cf.
Water, n., 7. [Brokers' Cant]
Water
Wa"ter, v. i.
1. To shed, secrete, or fill with, water or liquid matter; as, his
eyes began to water.
If thine eyes can water for his death. Shak.
2. To get or take in water; as, the ship put into port to water.
The mouth waters, a phrase denoting that a person or animal has a
longing desire for something, since the sight of food often causes one
who is hungry to have an increased flow of saliva.
Water adder
Wa"ter ad"der (?). (Zo\'94l.) (a) The water moccasin. (b) The common,
harmless American water snake (Tropidonotus sipedon). See Illust.
under Water Snake.
Waterage
Wa"ter*age (?; 48), n. Money paid for transportation of goods, etc.,
by water. [Eng.]
Water agrimony
Wa"ter ag"ri*mo*ny (?). (Bot.) A kind of bur marigold (Bidens
tripartita) found in wet places in Europe.
Water aloe
Wa"ter al"oe (?). (Bot.) See Water soldier.
Water antelope
Wa"ter an"te*lope (?). See Water buck.
Water arum
Wa"ter a"rum (?). (Bot.) An aroid herb (Calla palustris) having a
white spathe. It is an inhabitant of the north temperate zone.
Water back
Wa"ter back` (?). See under 1st Back.
Water bailiff
Wa"ter bail"iff (?). An officer of the customs, whose duty it is to
search vessels. [Eng.]
Water ballast
Wa"ter bal"last (?). (Naut.) Water confined in specially constructed
compartments in a vessel's hold, to serve as ballast.
Water barometer
Wa"ter ba*rom"e*ter (?). (Physics) A barometer in which the changes of
atmospheric pressure are indicated by the motion of a column of water
instead of mercury. It requires a column of water about thirty-three
feet in height.
Water bath
Wa"ter bath` (?). A device for regulating the temperature of anything
subjected to heat, by surrounding the vessel containing it with
another vessel containing water which can be kept at a desired
temperature; also, a vessel designed for this purpose.
Water battery
Wa"ter bat"ter*y (?).
1. (Elec.) A voltaic battery in which the exciting fluid is water.
2. (Mil.) A battery nearly on a level with the water.
Water bear
Wa"ter bear` (?). (Zo\'94l.) Any species of Tardigrada, 2. See Illust.
of Tardigrada.
Water-bearer
Wa"ter-bear`er (?), n. (Astron.) The constellation Aquarius.
Water bed
Wa"ter bed` (?). A kind of mattress made of, or covered with,
waterproof fabric and filled with water. It is used in hospitals for
bedridden patients. <-- also used in some private homes. -->
Water beech
Wa"ter beech` (?). (Bot.) The American hornbeam. See Hornbeam.
Water beetle
Wa"ter bee"tle (?). (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of aquatic
beetles belonging to Dytiscus and allied genera of the family
Dytiscid\'91, and to various genera of the family Hydrophilid\'91.
These beetles swim with great agility, the fringed hind legs acting
together like oars.
Water bellows
Wa"ter bel"lows (?). Same as Tromp.
Water bird
Wa"ter bird` (?). (Zo\'94l.) Any aquatic bird; a water fowl.
Water blackbird
Wa"ter black"*bird (?). (Zo\'94l.) The European water ousel, or
dipper.
Waterboard
Wa"ter*board` (?), n. A board set up to windward in a boat, to keep
out water. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Water boatman
Wa"ter boat`man (?). (Zo\'94l.) A boat bug.
Waterbok
Wa"ter*bok` (?), n. [D.] (Zo\'94l.) A water buck.
Water-bound
Wa"ter-bound` (?), a. Prevented by a flood from proceeding.
Water brain
Wa"ter brain` (?). A disease of sheep; gid.
Water brash
Wa"ter brash` (?). (Med.) See under Brash.
Water breather
Wa"ter breath"er (?). (Zo\'94l.) Any arthropod that breathes by means
of gills.
Water bridge
Wa"ter bridge` (?). (Steam Boilers) See Water table.
Water buck
Wa"ter buck` (?). (Zo\'94l.) A large, heavy antelope (Kobus
ellipsiprymnus) native of Central Africa. It frequents the banks of
rivers and is a good swimmer. It has a white ring around the rump.
Called also photomok, water antelope, and waterbok.
NOTE: &hand; Th e name is also applied to other related species, as
the leche (Kobus leche), which has similar habits.
Water buffalo
Wa"ter buf"fa*lo (?). (Zo\'94l.) The European buffalo.
Water bug
Wa"ter bug` (?). (Zo\'94l.) (a) The Croton bug. (b) Any one of
numerous species of large, rapacious, aquatic, hemipterous insects
belonging to Belostoma, Benacus, Zaitha, and other genera of the
family Belostomatid\'91. Their hind legs are long and fringed, and act
like oars. Some of these insects are of great size, being among the
largest existing Hemiptera. Many of them come out of the water and fly
about at night.
Water butt
Wa"ter butt` (?). A large, open-headed cask, set up on end, to contain
water. Dickens.
Water caltrop
Wa"ter cal"trop (?). (Bot.) The water chestnut.
Water can
Wa"ter can` (?). (Bot.) Any one of several species of Nuphar; the
yellow frog lily; -- so called from the shape of the seed vessel. See
Nuphar, and cf. Candock. Dr. Prior.
Water canker
Wa"ter can"ker (?). (Med.) See Canker, n., 1.
Water carriage
Wa"ter car"riage (?).
1. Transportation or conveyance by water; means of transporting by
water.
2. A vessel or boat. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.
Water cart
Wa"ter cart` (?). A cart carrying water; esp., one carrying water for
sale, or for sprinkling streets, gardens, etc.
Water cavy
Wa"ter ca"vy (?). (Zo\'94l.) The capybara.
Water celery
Wa"ter cel"er*y (?). (Bot.) A very acrid herb (Ranunculus sceleratus)
growing in ditches and wet places; -- called also cursed crowfoot.
Water cell
Wa"ter cell` (?). A cell containing water; specifically (Zo\'94l.),
one of the cells or chambers in which water is stored up in the
stomach of a camel.
Water cement
Wa"ter ce*ment" (?). Hydraulic cement.
Water chestnut
Wa"ter chest"nut (?). (Bot.) The fruit of Trapa natans and Trapa
bicornis, Old World water plants bearing edible nutlike fruits armed
with several hard and sharp points; also, the plant itself; -- called
also water caltrop.
Water chevrotain
Wa"ter chev`ro*tain" (?). (Zo\'94l.) A large West African chevrotain
(Hy\'91moschus aquaticus). It has a larger body and shorter legs than
the other allied species. Called also water deerlet.
Water chicken
Wa"ter chick"en (?). (Zo\'94l.) The common American gallinule.
Water chickweed
Wa"ter chick"weed` (?). (Bot.) A small annual plant (Montia fontana)
growing in wet places in southern regions.
Water chinquapin
Wa"ter chin"qua*pin (?). (Bot.) The American lotus, and its edible
seeds, which somewhat resemble chinquapins. Cf. Yoncopin.
Water clock
Wa"ter clock` (?). An instrument or machine serving to measure time by
the fall, or flow, of a certain quantity of water; a clepsydra.
Water-closet
Wa"ter-clos`et (?), n. A privy; especially, a privy furnished with a
contrivance for introducing a stream of water to cleanse it.
Water cock
Wa"ter cock` (?). (Zo\'94l.) A large gallinule (Gallicrex cristatus)
native of Australia, India, and the East Indies. In the breeding
season the male is black and has a fleshy red caruncle, or horn, on
the top of its head. Called also kora.
Water color
Wa"ter col`or (?). (Paint.)
1. A color ground with water and gum or other glutinous medium; a
color the vehicle of which is water; -- so called in distinction from
oil color.
NOTE: &hand; It pr eserves it s co nsistency when dried in a solid
cake, which is used by rubbing off a portion on a moistened
palette. Moist water colors are water colors kept in a semifluid or
pasty state in little metal tubes or pans.
2. A picture painted with such colors.
Water-colorist
Wa"ter-col`or*ist, n. One who paints in water colors.
Water course
Wa"ter course` (?).
1. A stream of water; a river or brook. Isa. xliv. 4.
2. A natural channel for water; also, a canal for the conveyance of
water, especially in draining lands.
3. (Law) A running stream of water having a bed and banks; the
easement one may have in the flowing of such a stream in its
accustomed course. A water course may be sometimes dry. Angell.
Burrill.
Water craft
Wa"ter craft` (?). Any vessel or boat plying on water; vessels and
boats, collectively.
Water crake
Wa"ter crake` (?). (Zo\'94l.) (a) The dipper. (b) The spotted crake
(Porzana maruetta). See Illust. of Crake. (c) The swamp hen, or crake,
of Australia.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1632
Water crane
Wa"ter crane` (?). A goose-neck apparatus for supplying water from an
elevated tank, as to the tender of a locomotive.
Water cress
Wa"ter cress` (?). (Bot.) A perennial cruciferous herb (Nasturtium
officinale) growing usually in clear running or spring water. The
leaves are pungent, and used for salad and as an antiscorbutic.
Water crow
Wa"ter crow` (?). [So called in allusion to its dark plumage.]
(Zo\'94l.) (a) The dipper. (b) The European coot.
Water crowfoot
Wa"ter crow"foot` (?). (Bot.) An aquatic kind of buttercup (Ranunculus
aquatilis), used as food for cattle in parts of England. Great water
crowfoot, an American water plant (Ranunculus multifidus), having deep
yellow flowers.
Water cure
Wa"ter cure` (?).
1. (Med.) Hydropathy.
2. A hydropathic institution.
Water deck
Wa"ter deck` (?). A covering of painting canvas for the equipments of
a dragoon's horse. Wilhelm.
Water deer
Wa"ter deer` (?). (Zo\'94l.) (a) A small Chinese deer (Hydropotes
inermis). Both sexes are destitute of antlers, but the male has large,
descending canine tusks. (b) The water chevrotain.
Water deerlet
Wa"ter deer"let (?). See Water chevrotain.
Water devil
Wa"ter dev"il (?). (Zo\'94l.) The rapacious larva of a large water
beetle (Hydrophilus piceus), and of other similar species. See Illust.
of Water beetle.
Water dock
Wa"ter dock` (?). (Bot.) A tall, coarse dock growing in wet places.
The American water dock is Rumex orbiculatus, the European is R.
Hydrolapathum.
Water doctor
Wa"ter doc"tor (?). (Med.) (a) One who professes to be able to divine
diseases by inspection of the urine. (b) A physician who treats
diseases with water; an hydropathist.
Water dog
Wa"ter dog` (?).
1. (Zo\'94l.) A dog accustomed to the water, or trained to retrieve
waterfowl. Retrievers, waters spaniels, and Newfoundland dogs are so
trained.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The menobranchus.
3. A small floating cloud, supposed to indicate rain.
4. A sailor, esp. an old sailor; an old salt. [Colloq.]
Water drain
Wa"ter drain` (?). A drain or channel for draining off water.
Water drainage
Wa"ter drain"age (?; 48). The draining off of water.
Water dressing
Wa"ter dress"ing (?). (Med.) The treatment of wounds or ulcers by the
application of water; also, a dressing saturated with water only, for
application to a wound or an ulcer.
Water dropwort
Wa"ter drop"wort` (?). (Bot.) A European poisonous umbelliferous plant
(Enanthe fistulosa) with large hollow stems and finely divided leaves.
Water eagle
Wa"ter ea"gle (?). (Zo\'94l.) The osprey.
Water elder
Wa"ter el"der (?). (Bot.) The guelder-rose.
Water elephant
Wa"ter el"e*phant (?). (Zo\'94l.) The hippopotamus. [R.]
Water engine
Wa"ter en"gine (?). An engine to raise water; or an engine moved by
water; also, an engine or machine for extinguishing fires; a fire
engine.
Waterer
Wa"ter*er (?), n. One who, or that which, waters.
Waterfall
Wa"ter*fall` (?), n.
1. A fall, or perpendicular descent, of the water of a river or
stream, or a descent nearly perpendicular; a cascade; a cataract.
2. (Hairdressing) An arrangement of a woman's back hair over a cushion
or frame in some resemblance to a waterfall.<-- = a fall? -->
3. A certain kind of neck scarf. T. Hughes.
Water feather. Water feather-foil
Wa"ter feath"er (?). Wa"ter feath"er-foil` (?). (Bot.) The water
violet (Hottonia palustris); also, the less showy American plant H.
inflata.
Water flag
Wa"ter flag` (?). (Bot.) A European species of Iris (Iris Pseudacorus)
having bright yellow flowers.
Water flannel
Wa"ter flan"nel (?). (Bot.) A floating mass formed in pools by the
entangled filaments of a European fresh-water alga (Cladophora
crispata).
Water flea
Wa"ter flea` (?). (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of small
aquatic Entomostraca belonging to the genera Cyclops, Daphnia, etc; --
so called because they swim with sudden leaps, or starts.
Waterflood
Wa"ter*flood` (?), n. [AS. w\'91terfl&omac;d.] A flood of water; an
inundation.
Water flounder
Wa"ter floun"der (?). (Zo\'94l.) The windowpane (Pleuronectes
maculatus). [Local, U. S.]
Waterfowl
Wa"ter*fowl` (?), n. Any bird that frequents the water, or lives about
rivers, lakes, etc., or on or near the sea; an aquatic fowl; -- used
also collectively.
NOTE: &hand; Of aq uatic fowls, some are waders, or furnished with
long legs; others are swimmers, or furnished with webbed feet.
Water fox
Wa"ter fox` (?). (Zo\'94l.) The carp; -- so called on account of its
cunning. Walton.
Water frame
Wa"ter frame` (?). A name given to the first power spinning machine,
because driven by water power.
Water furrow
Wa"ter fur"row (?). (Agric.) A deep furrow for conducting water from
the ground, and keeping the surface soil dry.
Water-furrow
Wa"ter-fur"row, v. t. To make water furrows in.
Water gage
Wa"ter gage` (?). See Water gauge.
Water gall
Wa"ter gall` (?).
1. A cavity made in the earth by a torrent of water; a washout.
2. A watery appearance in the sky, accompanying the rainbow; a
secondary or broken rainbow.
These water galls, in her dim element, Foretell new storms to those
already spent. Shak.
False good news are [is] always produced by true good, like the
water gall by the rainbow. Walpole.
Water gang
Wa"ter gang` (?). (O. E. Law) A passage for water, such as was usually
made in a sea wall, to drain water out of marshes. Burrill.
Water gas
Wa"ter gas` (?). (Chem.) See under Gas.
Water gate
Wa"ter gate` (?). A gate, or valve, by which a flow of water is
permitted, prevented, or regulated.
Water gauge
Wa"ter gauge` (?). [Written also water gage.]
1. A wall or bank to hold water back. Craig.
2. An instrument for measuring or ascertaining the depth or quantity
of water, or for indicating the height of its surface, as in the
boiler of a steam engine. See Gauge.
Water gavel
Wa"ter gav"el (?). (O. Eng. Law) A gavel or rent paid for a privilege,
as of fishing, in some river or water.
Water germander
Wa"ter ger*man"der (?). (Bot.) A labiate plant (Teucrium Scordium)
found in marshy places in Europe.
Water gilding
Wa"ter gild"ing (?). The act, or the process, of gilding metallic
surfaces by covering them with a thin coating of amalgam of gold, and
then volatilizing the mercury by heat; -- called also wash gilding.
Water glass
Wa"ter glass` (?). (Chem.) See Soluble glass, under Glass.
Water god
Wa"ter god` (?). (Myth.) A fabulous deity supposed to dwell in, and
preside over, some body of water.
Water gruel
Wa"ter gru"el (?). A liquid food composed of water and a small portion
of meal, or other farinaceous substance, boiled and seasoned.
Water hammer
Wa"ter ham"mer (?). (Physics)
1. A vessel partly filled with water, exhausted of air, and
hermetically sealed. When reversed or shaken, the water being
unimpeded by air, strikes the sides in solid mass with a sound like
that of a hammer.
2. A concussion, or blow, made by water in striking, as against the
sides of a pipe or vessel containing it.
Water hare
Wa"ter hare (?). (Zo\'94l.) A small American hare or rabbit (Lepus
aquaticus) found on or near the southern coasts of the United States;
-- called also water rabbit, and swamp hare.
Water hemlock
Wa"ter hem"lock (?). (Bot) (a) A poisonous umbelliferous plant (Cicuta
virosa) of Europe; also, any one of several plants of that genus. (b)
A poisonous plant (nanthe crocata) resembling the above.
Water hemp
Wa"ter hemp` (?). (Bot.) See under Hemp.
Water hen
Wa"ter hen` (?).
1. (Zo\'94l.) Any gallinule.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The common American coot.
Water hog
Wa"ter hog` (?). (Zo\'94l.) The capybara.
Water horehound
Wa"ter hore"hound` (?). (Bot.) Bugleweed.
Waterhorse
Wa"ter*horse` (?), n. A pile of salted fish heaped up to drain.
Water hyacinth
Wa"ter hy"a*cinth (?). (Bot.) Either of several tropical aquatic
plants of the genus Eichhornia, related to the pickerel weed.
Water ice
Wa"ter ice` (?). Water flavored, sweetened, and frozen, to be eaten as
a confection.
Waterie
Wa"ter*ie (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The pied wagtail; -- so called because it
frequents ponds.
Water inch
Wa"ter inch` (?). Same as Inch of water, under Water.
Wateriness
Wa"ter*i*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being watery; moisture;
humidity.
Watering
Wa"ter*ing, a. & n. from Water, v. Watering call (Mil.), a sound of
trumpet or bugle summoning cavalry soldiers to assemble for the
purpose of watering their horses. -- Watering cart, a sprinkling cart.
See Water. -- Watering place. (a) A place where water may be obtained,
as for a ship, for cattle, etc. (b) A place where there are springs of
medicinal water, or a place by the sea, or by some large body of
water, to which people resort for bathing, recreation, boating, etc.
-- Watering pot. (a) A kind of bucket fitted with a rose, or
perforated nozzle, -- used for watering flowers, paths, etc. (b)
(Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of marine bivalve shells of the
genus Aspergillum, or Brechites. The valves are small, and
consolidated with the capacious calcareous tube which incases the
entire animal. The tube is closed at the anterior end by a convex disk
perforated by numerous pores, or tubules, and resembling the rose of a
watering pot. -- Watering trough, a trough from which cattle, horses,
and other animals drink.
Waterish
Wa"ter*ish, a. [AS. w\'91terisc.]
1. Resembling water; thin; watery.
Feed upon such nice and waterish diet. Shak.
2. Somewhat watery; moist; as, waterish land.
Waterishness
Wa"ter*ish*ness, n. The quality of being waterish. <--
water jacket
water jacket. A chamber surrounding a vessel or tube in which water
may be circulated, thereby regulating the temperature or supply of
heat to the vessel. Used in laboratory and manufacturing equipment.
water-jacketed. Having a water jacket; -- as, a water-jacketed
condenser. -->
Water joint
Wa"ter joint` (?). (Arch.) A joint in a stone pavement where the
stones are left slightly higher than elsewhere, the rest of the
surface being sunken or dished. The raised surface is intended to
prevent the settling of water in the joints.
Water junket
Wa"ter jun"ket (?). (Zo\'94l.) The common sandpiper.
Water-laid
Wa"ter-laid` (?), a. Having a left-hand twist; -- said of cordage; as,
a water-laid, or left-hand, rope.
Waterlander, Waterlandian
Wa`ter*land"er (?), Wa`ter*land"i*an (?) n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a
body of Dutch Anabaptists who separated from the Mennonites in the
sixteenth century; -- so called from a district in North Holland
denominated Waterland.
Water laverock
Wa"ter la"ver*ock (?). (Zo\'94l.) The common sandpiper.
Waterleaf
Wa"ter*leaf` (?), n. (Bot.) Any plant of the American genus
Hydrophyllum, herbs having white or pale blue bell-shaped flowers.
Gray.
Water leg
Wa"ter leg` (?). (Steam Boilers) See Leg, 7.
Water lemon
Wa"ter lem"on (?). (Bot.) The edible fruit of two species of passion
flower (Passiflora laurifolia, and P. maliformis); -- so called in the
West Indies.
Waterless
Wa"ter*less, a. Destitute of water; dry. Chaucer.
Water lettuce
Wa"ter let"tuce (?). (Bot.) A plant (Pistia stratiotes) which floats
on tropical waters, and forms a rosette of spongy, wedge-shaped
leaves. J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).
Water level
Wa"ter lev"el (?).
1. The level formed by the surface of still water.
2. A kind of leveling instrument. See under Level, n.
Water lily
Wa"ter lil`y (?). (Bot.) A blossom or plant of any species of the
genus Nymph\'91a, distinguished for its large floating leaves and
beautiful flowers. See Nymph\'91a.
NOTE: &hand; Th e na me is ex tended to va rious pl ants of other
related genera, as Nuphar, Euryale, Nelumbo, and Victoria. See
Euryale, Lotus, and Victoria, 1.
Water lime
Wa"ter lime` (?). Hydraulic lime.
Water line
Wa"ter line` (?).
1. (Shipbuilding) Any one of certain lines of a vessel, model, or
plan, parallel with the surface of the water at various heights from
the keel.
NOTE: &hand; In a ha lf-breadth plan, the water lines are outward
curves showing the horizontal form of the ship at their several
heights; in a sheer plan, they are projected as straight horizontal
lines.
2. (Naut.) Any one of several lines marked upon the outside of a
vessel, corresponding with the surface of the water when she is afloat
on an even keel. The lowest line indicates the vessel's proper
submergence when not loaded, and is called the light water line; the
highest, called the load water line, indicates her proper submergence
when loaded.
Water-line model (Shipbuilding), a model of a vessel formed of boards
which are shaped according to the water lines as shown in the plans
and laid upon each other to form a solid model.
Water lizard
Wa"ter liz"ard (?). (Zo\'94l.) Any aquatic lizard of the genus
Varanus, as the monitor of the Nile. See Monitor, n., 3.
Water locust
Wa"ter lo"cust (?). (Bot.) A thorny leguminous tree (Gleditschia
monosperma) which grows in the swamps of the Mississippi valley.
Water-logged
Wa"ter-logged (?), a. Filled or saturated with water so as to be
heavy, unmanageable, or loglike; -- said of a vessel, when, by
receiving a great quantity of water into her hold, she has become so
heavy as not to be manageable by the helm.
Waterman
Wa"ter*man, n.; pl. Watermen (.
1. A man who plies for hire on rivers, lakes, or canals, or in
harbors, in distinction from a seaman who is engaged on the high seas;
a man who manages fresh-water craft; a boatman; a ferryman.
2. An attendant on cab stands, etc., who supplies water to the horses.
[Eng.] Dickens.
3. A water demon. Tylor.
Watermark
Wa"ter*mark` (?), n.
1. A mark indicating the height to which water has risen, or at which
it has stood; the usual limit of high or low water.
2. A letter, device, or the like, wrought into paper during the
process of manufacture.
NOTE: &hand; "T he wa termark in pa per is produced by bending the
wires of the mold, or by wires bent into the shape of the required
letter or device, and sewed to the surface of the mold; -- it has
the effect of making the paper thinner in places. The old makers
employed watermarks of an eccentric kind. Those of Caxton and other
early printers were an oxhead and star, a collared dog's head, a
crown, a shield, a jug, etc. A fool's cap and bells, employed as a
watermark, gave the name to foolscap paper; a postman's horn, such
as was formerly in use, gave the name to post paper." Tomlinson.
3. (Naut.) See Water line, 2. [R.]
Water meadow
Wa"ter mead"ow (?). (Agric.) A meadow, or piece of low, flat land,
capable of being kept in a state of fertility by being overflowed with
water from some adjoining river or stream.
Water measure
Wa"ter meas"ure (?). A measure formerly used for articles brought by
water, as coals, oysters, etc. The water-measure bushel was three
gallons larger than the Winchester bushel. Cowell.
Water measurer
Wa"ter meas"ur*er (?). (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of
water; the skater. See Skater, n., 2.
Watermelon
Wa"ter*mel`on (?), n. (Bot.) The very large ovoid or roundish fruit of
a cucurbitaceous plant (Citrullus vulgaris) of many varieties; also,
the plant itself. The fruit sometimes weighs many pounds; its pulp is
usually pink in color, and full of a sweet watery juice. It is a
native of tropical Africa, but is now cultivated in many countries.
See Illust. of Melon.
Water meter
Wa"ter me"ter (?). A contrivance for measuring a supply of water
delivered or received for any purpose, as from a street main.
Water milfoil
Wa"ter mil"foil (?). (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Myriophyllum,
aquatic herbs with whorled leaves, the submersed ones pinnately parted
into capillary divisions.
Water mill
Wa"ter mill` (?). A mill whose machinery is moved by water; --
distinguished from a windmill, and a steam mill.
Water mint
Wa"ter mint` (?). A kind of mint (Mentha aquatica) growing in wet
places, and sometimes having a perfume resembling bergamot.
Water mite
Wa"ter mite` (?). (Zo\'94l.) Any of numerous species of aquatic mites
belonging to Hydrachna and allied genera of the family Hydrachnid\'91,
usually having the legs fringed and adapted for swimming. They are
often red or red and black in color, and while young are parasites of
fresh-water insects and mussels. Called also water tick, and water
spider.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1633
Water moccasin
Wa"ter moc"ca*sin (?). (Zo\'94l.) A venomous North American snake
(Ancistrodon piscivorus) allied to the rattlesnake but destitute of a
rattle. It lives in or about pools and ponds, and feeds largely of
fishes. Called also water snake, water adder, water viper.<-- called
also cottonmouth, cottonmouth moccasin, and cottonmouth water
moccasin. -->
Water mole
Wa"ter mole` (?). (Zo\'94l.) (a) The shrew mole. See under Shrew. (b)
The duck mole. See under Duck.
Water monitor
Wa"ter mon"i*tor (?). (Zo\'94l.) A very large lizard (Varanaus
salvator) native of India. It frequents the borders of streams and
swims actively. It becomes five or six feet long. Called also
two-banded monitor, and kabaragoya. The name is also applied to other
aquatic monitors.
Water motor
Wa"ter mo"tor (?).
1. A water engine.
2. A water wheel; especially, a small water wheel driven by water from
a street main.
Water mouse
Wa"ter mouse` (?). (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of mice
belonging to the genus Hydromys, native of Australia and Tasmania.
Their hind legs are strong and their toes partially webbed. They live
on the borders of streams, and swim well. They are remarkable as being
the only rodents found in Australia.
Water murrain
Wa"ter mur"rain (?). A kind of murrain affecting cattle. Crabb.
Water newt
Wa"ter newt` (?). (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of aquatic
salamanders; a triton.
Water nymph
Wa"ter nymph` (?).
1. (Myth.) A goddess of any stream or other body of water, whether one
of the Naiads, Nereids, or Oceanides.
2. (Bot.) A water lily (Nymph\'91a).
Water oat
Wa"ter oat` (?). Indian rice. See under Rice.
Water opossum
Wa"ter o*pos"sum (?). (Zo\'94l.) See Yapock, and the Note under
Opossum.
Water ordeal
Wa"ter or"de*al (?). Same as Ordeal by water. See the Note under
Ordeal, n., 1.
Water ousel, Water ouzel
Wa"ter ou"sel (?), Wa"ter ou"zel. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several
species of small insessorial birds of the genus Cinclus (or
Hydrobates), especially the European water ousel (C. aquaticus), and
the American water ousel (C. Mexicanus). These birds live about the
water, and are in the habit of walking on the bottom of streams
beneath the water in search of food.
Water parsnip
Wa"ter pars"nip (?). (Bot.) Any plant of the aquatic umbelliferous
genus Sium, poisonous herbs with pinnate or dissected leaves and small
white flowers.
Water partridge
Wa"ter par"tridge (?). (Zo\'94l.) The ruddy duck. [Local, U. S.]
Water pennywort
Wa"ter pen"ny*wort` (?). (Bot.) Marsh pennywort. See under Marsh.
Water pepper
Wa"ter pep"per (?). (Bot.) (a) Smartweed. (b) Waterwort.
Water pheasant
Wa"ter pheas"ant (?). (Zo\'94l.) (a) The pintail. See Pintail, n., 1.
(b) The goosander. (c) The hooded merganser.
Water piet
Wa"ter pi"et (?). (Zo\'94l.) The water ousel.
Water pig
Wa"ter pig` (?).
1. (Zo\'94l.) The capybara.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The gourami.
Water pillar
Wa"ter pil"lar (?). A waterspout. [Obs.]
Water pimpernel
Wa"ter pim"per*nel (?). (Bot.) A small white-flowered shrub;
brookweed.
Water pipe
Wa"ter pipe (?). A pipe for conveying water.
Water pitcher
Wa"ter pitch"er (?).
1. A pitcher for water.
2. (Bot.) One of a family of plants having pitcher-shaped leaves. The
sidesaddle flower (Sarracenia purpurea) is the type.
Water plant
Wa"ter plant` (?). A plant that grows in water; an aquatic plant.
Water plantain
Wa"ter plan"tain (?). (Bot.) A kind of plant with acrid leaves. See
under 2d Plantain.
Water plate
Wa"ter plate` (?). A plate heated by hot water contained in a double
bottom or jacket. Knight.
Water poa
Wa"ter po"a (?). (Bot.) Meadow reed grass. See under Reed.
Water poise
Wa"ter poise` (?). A hydrometer.
Water pore
Wa"ter pore` (?)
1. (Zo\'94l.) A pore by which the water tubes of various invertebrates
open externally.
2. (Bot.) One of certain minute pores in the leaves of some plants.
They are without true guardian cells, but in other respects closely
resemble ordinary stomata. Goodale.
Waterpot
Wa"ter*pot` (?), n. A vessel for holding or conveying water, or for
sprinkling water on cloth, plants, etc.
Water power
Wa"ter pow"er (?).
1. The power of water employed to move machinery, etc.
2. A fall of water which may be used to drive machinery; a site for a
water mill; a water privilege.
Water pox
Wa"ter pox` (?). (Med.) A variety of chicken pox, or varicella.
Dunglison.
Water privilege
Wa"ter priv"i*lege (?). The advantage of using water as a mechanical
power; also, the place where water is, or may be, so used. See under
Privilege.
Waterproof
Wa"ter*proof` (?), a. Proof against penetration or permeation by
water; impervious to water; as, a waterproof garment; a waterproof
roof.
Waterproof
Wa"ter*proof`, n.
1. A substance or preparation for rendering cloth, leather, etc.,
impervious to water.
2. Cloth made waterproof, or any article made of such cloth, or of
other waterproof material, as rubber; esp., an outer garment made of
such material.
Waterproof
Wa"ter*proof` (?), v. t. To render impervious to water, as cloth,
leather, etc.
Waterproofing
Wa"ter*proof`ing, n.
1. The act or process of making waterproof.
2. Same as Waterproof, n., 1.
Water purslane
Wa"ter purs"lane (?). (Bot.) See under Purslane.
Water qualm
Wa"ter qualm` (?). (Med.) See Water brash, under Brash.
Water rabbit
Wa"ter rab"bit (?). (Zo\'94l.) See Water hare.
Water radish
Wa"ter rad"ish (?). (Bot.) A coarse yellow-flowered plant (Nasturtium
amphibium) related to the water cress and to the horse-radish.
Water rail
Wa"ter rail` (?). (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of rails of
the genus Rallus, as the common European species (Rallus aquaticus).
See Illust. of Rail.
Water ram
Wa"ter ram` (?). An hydraulic ram.
Water rat
Wa"ter rat` (?).
1. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The water vole. See under Vole. (b) The muskrat. (c)
The beaver rat. See under Beaver.
2. A thief on the water; a pirate.
Water rate
Wa"ter rate` (?). A rate or tax for a supply of water.
Water rattle. Water rattler
Wa"ter rat"tle (?). Wa"ter rat"tler (?). (Zo\'94l.) The diamond
rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus); -- so called from its preference
for damp places near water.
Water-ret
Wa"ter-ret` (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Water-retted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Water-retting.] To ret, or rot, in water, as flax; to water-rot.
Water rice
Wa"ter rice" (?). Indian rice. See under Rice.
Water rocket
Wa"ter rock"et (?).
1. (Bot.) A cruciferous plant (Nasturtium sylvestre) with small yellow
flowers.
2. A kind of firework to be discharged in the water.
Water-rot
Wa"ter-rot` (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Water-rotted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Water-rotting.] To rot by steeping in water; to water-ret; as, to
water-rot hemp or flax.
Water sail
Wa"ter sail` (?). (Naut.) A small sail sometimes set under a studding
sail or under a driver boom, and reaching nearly to the water.
Water sapphire
Wa"ter sap"phire (?). [Equiv. to F. saphir d'eau.] (Min.) A deep blue
variety of iolite, sometimes used as a gem; -- called also saphir
d'eau.
Waterscape
Wa"ter*scape" (?), n. [Cf. Landscape.] A sea view; -- distinguished
from landscape. [Jocose] <-- painting. --> Fairholt.
Water scorpion
Wa"ter scor"pi*on (?). (Zo\'94l.) See Nepa.
Water screw
Wa"ter screw` (?). A screw propeller.
Watershed
Wa"ter*shed` (?), n. [Cf. G. wasserscheide; wasser water + scheide a
place where two things separate, fr. scheiden to separate.]
1. The whole region or extent of country which contributes to the
supply of a river or lake.
2. The line of division between two adjacent rivers or lakes with
respect to the flow of water by natural channels into them; the
natural boundary of a basin.
Water shield
Wa"ter shield` (?). (Bot.) An aquatic American plant (Brasenia
peltata) having floating oval leaves, and the covered with a clear
jelly.
Watershoot
Wa"ter*shoot` (?), n.
1. A sprig or shoot from the root or stock of a tree. [Obs.]
2. (Arch.) That which serves to guard from falling water; a drip or
dripstone.
3. A trough for discharging water.
Water shrew
Wa"ter shrew` (?). (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of shrews
having fringed feet and capable of swimming actively. The two common
European species (Crossopus fodiens, and C. ciliatus) are the best
known. The most common American water shrew, or marsh shrew (Neosorex
palustris), is rarely seen, owing to its nocturnal habits.
Water snail
Wa"ter snail` (?).
1. (Zo\'94l.) Any aquatic pulmonate gastropod belonging to Planorbis,
Limn\'91a, and allied genera; a pond snail.
2. (Mech.) The Archimedean screw. [R.]
Water snake
Wa"ter snake` (?). (Zo\'94l.) (a) A common North American colubrine
snake (Tropidonotus sipedon) which lives chiefly in the water. (b) Any
species of snakes of the family Homalopsid\'91, all of which are
aquatic in their habits.
Water-soak
Wa"ter-soak` (?), v. t. To soak water; to fill the interstices of with
water.
Water soldier
Wa"ter sol`dier (?). (Bot.) An aquatic European plant (Stratiotes
aloides) with bayonet-shaped leaves.
Water souchy
Wa"ter souch`y (?). (Cookery) A dish consisting of small fish stewed
and served in a little water. [Written also water souchet.] See
Zoutch.
Water spaniel
Wa"ter span"iel (?). A curly-haired breed of spaniels, naturally very
fond of the water.
Water sparrow
Wa"ter spar"row (?). (Zo\'94l.) (a) The reed warbler. [Prov. Eng.] (b)
The reed bunting. [Prov. Eng.]
Water speedwell
Wa"ter speed"well (?). (Bot.) A kind of speedwell (Veronica Anagallis)
found in wet places in Europe and America.
Water spider
Wa"ter spi"der (?). (Zo\'94l.) (a) An aquatic European spider
(Argyoneta aquatica) which constructs its web beneath the surface of
the water on water plants. It lives in a bell-shaped structure of
silk, open beneath like a diving bell, and filled with air which the
spider carries down in the form of small bubbles attached one at a
time to the spinnerets and hind feet. Called also diving spider. (b) A
water mite. (c) Any spider that habitually lives on or about the
water, especially the large American species (Dolomedes lanceolatus)
which runs rapidly on the surface of water; -- called also raft
spider.
Water spinner
Wa"ter spin`ner (?). (Zo\'94l.) The water spider.
Waterspout
Wa"ter*spout` (?), n. A remarkable meteorological phenomenon, of the
nature of a tornado or whirlwind, usually observed over the sea, but
sometimes over the land.
NOTE: &hand; Ta ll co lumns, apparently of cloud, and reaching from
the sea to the clouds, are seen moving along, often several at
once, sometimes straight and vertical, at other times inclined and
tortuous, but always in rapid rotation. At their bases, the sea is
violently agitated and heaped up with a leaping or boiling motion,
water, at least in some cases, being actually carried up in
considerable quantity, and scattered round from a great height, as
solid bodies are by tornadoes on land. Sir J. Herschel.
Water sprite
Wa"ter sprite` (?). A sprite, or spirit, imagined as inhabiting the
water. J. R. Drake.
Water-standing
Wa"ter-stand`ing (?), a. Tear-filled. [R.] "Many an orphan's
water-standing eye." Shak.
Water star grass
Wa"ter star" grass` (?). (Bot.) An aquatic plant (Schollera graminea)
with grassy leaves, and yellow star-shaped blossoms.
Water starwort
Wa"ter star"wort` (?). See under Starwort.
Water supply
Wa"ter sup*ply" (?). A supply of water; specifically, water collected,
as in reservoirs, and conveyed, as by pipes, for use in a city, mill,
or the like.
Water tabby
Wa"ter tab"by (?). A kind of waved or watered tabby. See Tabby, n., 1.
Water table
Wa"ter ta"ble (?). (Arch.) A molding, or other projection, in the wall
of a building, to throw off the water, -- generally used in the United
States for the first table above the surface of the ground (see Table,
n., 9), that is, for the table at the top of the foundation and the
beginning of the upper wall.
Watertath
Wa"ter*tath` (?), n. [Water + tath, n.] A kind of coarse grass growing
in wet grounds, and supposed to be injurious to sheep. [Prov. Eng.]
Water thermometer
Wa"ter ther*mom"e*ter (?). (Physics) A thermometer filled with water
instead of mercury, for ascertaining the precise temperature at which
water attains its maximum density. This is about 39° Fahr., or 4°
Centigrade; and from that point down to 32° Fahr., or 0° Centigrade,
or the freezing point, it expands.
Water thief
Wa"ter thief` (?). A pirate. [R.] Shak.
Water thrush
Wa"ter thrush` (?). (Zo\'94l.) (a) A North American bird of the genus
Seiurus, belonging to the Warbler family, especially the common
species (S. Noveboracensis). (b) The European water ousel. (b) The
pied wagtail.
Water thyme
Wa"ter thyme` (?). (Bot.) See Anacharis.
Water tick
Wa"ter tick` (?). Same as Water mite.
Water tiger
Wa"ter ti"ger (?). (Zo\'94l.) A diving, or water, beetle, especially
the larva of a water beetle. See Illust. b of Water beetle.
Water-tight
Wa"ter-tight` (?), a. So tight as to retain, or not to admit, water;
not leaky.
Water torch
Wa"ter torch` (?). (Bot.) The common cat-tail (Typha latifolia), the
spike of which makes a good torch soaked in oil. Dr. Prior.
Water tower
Wa"ter tow"er (?). A large metal pipe made to be extended vertically
by sections, and used for discharging water upon burning buildings.
<-- 2. A tall water storage tank in the shape of a tower. -->
Water tree
Wa"ter tree` (?). (Bot.) A climbing shrub (Tetracera alnifolia, OR
potatoria) of Western Africa, which pours out a watery sap from the
freshly cut stems.
Water trefoil
Wa"ter tre"foil` (?). (Bot.) The buck bean.
Water tube
Wa"ter tube` (?). (Zo\'94l.) One of a system of tubular excretory
organs having external openings, found in many invertebrates. They are
believed to be analogous in function to the kidneys of vertebrates.
See Illust. under Trematodea, and Sporocyst.
Water tupelo
Wa"ter tu"pe*lo (?). (Bot.) A species of large tupelo (Nyssa aquatica)
growing in swamps in the southern of the United States. See Ogeechee
lime.
Water turkey
Wa"ter tur"key (?). (Zo\'94l.) The American snakebird. See Snakebird.
Water tu tuy\'8are
Wa"ter tu tu`y\'8are" (?). A tuy\'8are kept cool by water circulating
within a casing. It is used for hot blast.
Water tu twist
Wa"ter tu twist` (?). Yarn made by the throstle, or water frame.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1634
Water vine
Wa"ter vine` (?). (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Phytocrene, climbing
shrubs of Asia and Africa, the stems of which are singularly porous,
and when cut stream with a limpid potable juice.
Water violet
Wa"ter vi"o*let (?). (Bot.) See under Violet.
Water viper
Wa"ter vi"per (?). (Zo\'94l.) See Water moccasin.
Water vole
Wa"ter vole` (?). (Zo\'94l.) See under Vole.
Water wagtail
Wa"ter wag"tail` (?). See under Wagtail.
Waterway
Wa"ter*way` (?), n. (Naut.) Heavy plank or timber extending fore and
aft the whole length of a vessel's deck at the line of junction with
the sides, forming a channel to the scuppers, which are cut through
it. In iron vessels the waterway is variously constructed.
Water way
Wa"ter way`. Same as Water course.
Waterweed
Wa"ter*weed` (?), n. (Bot.) See Anacharis.
Water wheel
Wa"ter wheel` (?).
1. Any wheel for propelling machinery or for other purposes, that is
made to rotate by the direct action of water; -- called an overshot
wheel when the water is applied at the top, an undershot wheel when at
the bottom, a breast wheel when at an intermediate point; other forms
are called reaction wheel, vortex wheel, turbine wheel, etc.
2. The paddle wheel of a steam vessel.
3. A wheel for raising water; a noria, or the like.
Water willow
Wa"ter wil`low (?). (Bot.) An American aquatic plant (Dianthera
Americana) with long willowlike leaves, and spikes of small purplish
flowers.
Water wing
Wa"ter wing` (?). (Arch.) One of two walls built on either side of the
junction of a bridge with the bank of a river, to protect the abutment
of the bridge and the bank from the action of the current.
Water witch
Wa"ter witch` (?). (Zo\'94l.) (a) The dabchick. (b) The stormy petrel.
[Prov. Eng.]
Water-white
Wa"ter-white` (?), n. (Bot.) A vinelike plant (Vitis Carib\'91a)
growing in parched districts in the West Indies, and containing a
great amount of sap which is sometimes used for quenching thirst.
Waterwork
Wa"ter*work` (?), n.
1. (Paint.) Painting executed in size or distemper, on canvas or
walls, -- formerly, frequently taking the place of tapestry. Shak.
Fairholt.
2. An hydraulic apparatus, or a system of works or fixtures, by which
a supply of water is furnished for useful or ornamental purposes,
including dams, sluices, pumps, aqueducts, distributing pipes,
fountains, etc.; -- used chiefly in the plural. <-- Water works. The
plant and equipment used to purify water for drinking and other
purposes, and to supply it to the mains of a town. -->
Waterworn
Wa"ter*worn` (?), a. Worn, smoothed, or polished by the action of
water; as, waterworn stones.
Waterwort
Wa"ter*wort` (?), n. (Bot.) Any plant of the natural order
Elatine\'91, consisting of two genera (Elatine, and Bergia), mostly
small annual herbs growing in the edges of ponds. Some have a peppery
or acrid taste.
Watery
Wa"ter*y (?), a. [AS. w\'91terig.]
1. Of or pertaining to water; consisting of water. "The watery god."
Dryden. "Fish within their watery residence." Milton.
2. Abounding with water; wet; hence, tearful.
3. Resembling water; thin or transparent, as a liquid; as, watery
humors.
The oily and watery parts of the aliment. Arbuthnot.
4. Hence, abounding in thin, tasteless, or insipid fluid; tasteless;
insipid; vapid; spiritless.
Watt
Watt (?), n. [From the distinguished mechanician and scientist, James
Watt.] (Physics) A unit of power or activity equal to 107 C.G.S. units
of power, or to work done at the rate of one joule a second. An
English horse power is approximately equal to 746 watts.
Wattmeter
Watt"me`ter (?), n. [Watt + meter.] (Physics) An instrument for
measuring power in watts, -- much used in measuring the energy of an
electric current.
Wattle
Wat"tle (?), n. [AS. watel, watul, watol, hurdle, covering, wattle;
cf. OE. watel a bag. Cf. Wallet.]
1. A twig or flexible rod; hence, a hurdle made of such rods.
And there he built with wattles from the marsh A little lonely
church in days of yore. Tennyson.
2. A rod laid on a roof to support the thatch.
3. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A naked fleshy, and usually wrinkled and highly
colored, process of the skin hanging from the chin or throat of a bird
or reptile. (b) Barbel of a fish.
4. (a) The astringent bark of several Australian trees of the genus
Acacia, used in tanning; -- called also wattle bark. (b) (Bot.) The
trees from which the bark is obtained. See Savanna wattle, under
Savanna.
Wattle turkey. (Zo\'94l.) Same as Brush turkey.
Wattle
Wat"tle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wattled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wattling
(?).]
1. To bind with twigs.
2. To twist or interweave, one with another, as twigs; to form a
network with; to plat; as, to wattle branches.
3. To form, by interweaving or platting twigs.
The folded flocks, penned in their wattled cotes. Milton.
Wattlebird
Wat"tle*bird` (?), n.
1. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of honey eaters belonging to
Anthoch\'91ra and allied genera of the family Meliphagid\'91. These
birds usually have a large and conspicuous wattle of naked skin
hanging down below each ear. They are natives of Australia and
adjacent islands.
NOTE: &hand; The best-known species (Anthoch\'91ra carunculata) has
the upper parts grayish brown, with a white stripe on each feather,
and the wing and tail quills dark brown or blackish, tipped with
withe. Its wattles, in life, are light blood-red. Called also
wattled crow, wattled bee-eater, wattled honey eater. Another
species (A. inauris) is streaked with black, gray, and white, and
its long wattles are white, tipped with orange. The bush
wattlebirds, belonging to the genus Anellobia, are closely related,
but lack conspicuous wattles. The most common species (A.
mellivora) is dark brown, finely streaked with white. Called also
goruck creeper.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The Australian brush turkey.
Wattled
Wat"tled (?), a. Furnished with wattles, or pendent fleshy processes
at the chin or throat.
The wattled cocks strut to and fro. Longfellow.
Wattling
Wat"tling (?), n. The act or process of binding or platting with
twigs; also, the network so formed.
Made with a wattling of canes or sticks. Dampier.
Waucht, Waught
Waucht, Waught (?), n. [Cf. Quaff.] A large draught of any liquid.
[Scot.] Jamieson.
Waul
Waul (?), v. i. [Of imitative origin.] To cry as a cat; to squall; to
wail. [Written also wawl.]
The helpless infant, coming wauling and crying into the world. Sir
W. Scott.
Waur
Waur (?), a. [See Worse.] Worse. [Scot.]
Murder and waur than number. Sir W. Scott.
Wave
Wave (?), v. t. See Wave. Sir H. Wotton. Burke.
Wave
Wave, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Waved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Waving.] [OE.
waven, AS. wafian to waver, to hesitate, to wonder; akin to w\'91fre
wavering, restless, MHG. wabern to be in motion, Icel. vafra to hover
about; cf. Icel. v\'befa to vibrate. Cf. Waft, Waver.]
1. To play loosely; to move like a wave, one way and the other; to
float; to flutter; to undulate.
His purple robes waved careless to the winds. Trumbull.
Where the flags of three nations has successively waved. Hawthorne.
2. To be moved to and fro as a signal. B. Jonson.
3. To fluctuate; to waver; to be in an unsettled state; to vacillate.
[Obs.]
He waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good nor harm.
Shak.
Wave
Wave, v. t.
1. To move one way and the other; to brandish. "[\'92neas] waved his
fatal sword." Dryden.
2. To raise into inequalities of surface; to give an undulating form a
surface to.
Horns whelked and waved like the enridged sea. Shak.
3. To move like a wave, or by floating; to waft. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
4. To call attention to, or give a direction or command to, by a
waving motion, as of the hand; to signify by waving; to beckon; to
signal; to indicate.
Look, with what courteous action It waves you to a more removed
ground. Shak.
She spoke, and bowing waved Dismissal. Tennyson.
Wave
Wave, n. [From Wave, v.; not the same word as OE. wawe, waghe, a wave,
which is akin to E. wag to move. Wave, v. i.]
1. An advancing ridge or swell on the surface of a liquid, as of the
sea, resulting from the oscillatory motion of the particles composing
it when disturbed by any force their position of rest; an undulation.
The wave behind impels the wave before. Pope.
2. (Physics) A vibration propagated from particle to particle through
a body or elastic medium, as in the transmission of sound; an
assemblage of vibrating molecules in all phases of a vibration, with
no phase repeated; a wave of vibration; an undulation. See Undulation.
3. Water; a body of water. [Poetic] "Deep drank Lord Marmion of the
wave." Sir W. Scott.
Build a ship to save thee from the flood, I 'll furnish thee with
fresh wave, bread, and wine. Chapman.
4. Unevenness; inequality of surface. Sir I. Newton.
5. A waving or undulating motion; a signal made with the hand, a flag,
etc.
6. The undulating line or streak of luster on cloth watered, or
calendered, or on damask steel.
7. Fig.: A swelling or excitement of thought, feeling, or energy; a
tide; as, waves of enthusiasm.
Wave front (Physics), the surface of initial displacement of the
particles in a medium, as a wave of vibration advances. -- Wave length
(Physics), the space, reckoned in the direction of propagation,
occupied by a complete wave or undulation, as of light, sound, etc.;
the distance from a point or phase in a wave to the nearest point at
which the same phase occurs. -- Wave line (Shipbuilding), a line of a
vessel's hull, shaped in accordance with the wave-line system. --
Wave-line system, Wave-line theory (Shipbuilding), a system or theory
of designing the lines of a vessel, which takes into consideration the
length and shape of a wave which travels at a certain speed. -- Wave
loaf, a loaf for a wave offering. Lev. viii. 27. -- Wave moth
(Zo\'94l.), any one of numerous species of small geometrid moths
belonging to Acidalia and allied genera; -- so called from the
wavelike color markings on the wings. -- Wave offering, an offering
made in the Jewish services by waving the object, as a loaf of bread,
toward the four cardinal points. Num. xviii. 11. -- Wave of vibration
(Physics), a wave which consists in, or is occasioned by, the
production and transmission of a vibratory state from particle to
particle through a body. -- Wave surface. (a) (Physics) A surface of
simultaneous and equal displacement of the particles composing a wave
of vibration. (b) (Geom.) A mathematical surface of the fourth order
which, upon certain hypotheses, is the locus of a wave surface of
light in the interior of crystals. It is used in explaining the
phenomena of double refraction. See under Refraction. -- Wave theory.
(Physics) See Undulatory theory, under Undulatory.
Waved
Waved (?), a.
1. Exhibiting a wavelike form or outline; undulating; intended; wavy;
as, waved edge.
2. Having a wavelike appearance; marked with wavelike lines of color;
as, waved, or watered, silk.
3. (Her.) Having undulations like waves; -- said of one of the lines
in heraldry which serve as outlines to the ordinaries, etc.
Waveless
Wave"less (?), a. Free from waves; undisturbed; not agitated; as, the
waveless sea.
Wavelet
Wave"let (?), n. A little wave; a ripple.
Wavellite
Wa"vel*lite (?), n. [After Dr. Wm. Wavel, the discoverer.] (Min.) A
hydrous phosphate of alumina, occurring usually in hemispherical
radiated forms varying in color from white to yellow, green, or black.
Waver
Wa"ver (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wavered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Wavering.] [OE. waveren, from AS. w\'91fre wavering, restless. See
Wave, v. i.]
1. To play or move to and fro; to move one way and the other; hence,
to totter; to reel; to swing; to flutter.
With banners and pennons wavering with the wind. Ld. Berners.
Thou wouldst waver on one of these trees as a terror to all evil
speakers against dignities. Sir W. Scott.
2. To be unsettled in opinion; to vacillate; to be undetermined; to
fluctuate; as, to water in judgment.
Let us hold fast . . . without wavering. Heb. x. 23.
In feeble hearts, propense enough before To waver, or fall off and
join with idols. Milton.
Syn. -- To reel; totter; vacillate. See Fluctuate.
Waver
Wa"ver, n. [From Wave, or Waver, v.] A sapling left standing in a
fallen wood. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Waverer
Wa"ver*er (?), n. One who wavers; one who is unsettled in doctrine,
faith, opinion, or the like. Shak.
Waveringly
Wa"ver*ing*ly, adv. In a wavering manner.
Waveringness
Wa"ver*ing*ness, n. The quality or state of wavering.
Waveson
Wave"son (?), n. [From Wave; cf. Jetsam.] (O. Eng. Law) Goods which,
after shipwreck, appear floating on the waves, or sea.
Waveworn
Wave"*worn` (?), a. Worn by the waves.
The shore that o'er his wave-worn basis bowed. Shak.
Wavey
Wa"vey (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The snow goose. [Canadian, & Local U. S.]
Waviness
Wav"i*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being wavy.
Wavure
Wav"ure (?), n. See Waivure. [R.]
Wavy
Wav"y (?), a.
1. Rising or swelling in waves; full of waves. "The wavy seas."
Chapman.
2. Playing to and fro; undulating; as, wavy flames.
Let her glad valleys smile with wavy corn. Prior.
3. (Bot.) Undulating on the border or surface; waved.
Wawaskeesh
Wa*was"keesh (?), n. [From an Indian name.] (Zo\'94l.) The wapiti, or
wapiti, or American elk.
Wave
Wave (?), n. [See Woe.] Woe. [Obs.]
Wawe
Wawe (?), n. [OE. wawe, waghe; cf. Icel. v\'begr; akin to E. wag; not
the same word as wave.] A wave. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.
Wawl
Wawl (?), v. i. See Waul. Shak.
Wax
Wax (?), v. i. [imp. Waxed (?); p. p. Waxed, and Obs. or Poetic Waxen
(; p. pr. & vb. n. Waxing.] [AS. weaxan; akin to OFries. waxa, D.
wassen, OS. & OHG. wahsan, G. wachsen, Icel. vaxa, Sw. v\'84xa, Dan.
voxe, Goth. wahsjan, Gr. waksh, uksh, to grow. Waist.]
1. To increase in size; to grow bigger; to become larger or fuller; --
opposed to wane.
The waxing and the waning of the moon. Hakewill.
Truth's treasures . . . never shall wax ne wane. P. Plowman.
2. To pass from one state to another; to become; to grow; as, to wax
strong; to wax warmer or colder; to wax feeble; to wax old; to wax
worse and worse.
Your clothes are not waxen old upon you. Deut. xxix. 5.
Where young Adonis oft reposes, Waxing well of his deep wound.
Milton.
Waxing kernels (Med.), small tumors formed by the enlargement of the
lymphatic glands, especially in the groins of children; -- popularly
so called, because supposed to be caused by growth of the body.
Dunglison.
Wax
Wax, n. [AS. weax; akin to OFries. wax, D. was, G. wachs, OHG. wahs,
Icel. & Sw. vax, Dan. vox, Lith. vaszkas, Russ. vosk'.]
1. A fatty, solid substance, produced by bees, and employed by them in
the construction of their comb; -- usually called beeswax. It is first
excreted, from a row of pouches along their sides, in the form of
scales, which, being masticated and mixed with saliva, become whitened
and tenacious. Its natural color is pale or dull yellow.
NOTE: &hand; Be eswax co nsists es sentially of ce rotic ac id
(constituting the more soluble part) and of myricyl palmitate
(constituting the less soluble part).
2. Hence, any substance resembling beeswax in consistency or
appearance. Specifically: -- (a) (Physiol.) Cerumen, or earwax. See
Cerumen. (b) A waxlike composition used for uniting surfaces, for
excluding air, and for other purposes; as, sealing wax, grafting wax,
etching wax, etc. (c) A waxlike composition used by shoemakers for
rubbing their thread. (d) (Zo\'94l.) A substance similar to beeswax,
secreted by several species of scale insects, as the Chinese wax. See
Wax insect, below. (e) (Bot.) A waxlike product secreted by certain
plants. See Vegetable wax, under Vegetable. (f) (Min.) A substance,
somewhat resembling wax, found in connection with certain deposits of
rock salt and coal; -- called also mineral wax, and ozocerite. (g)
Thick sirup made by boiling down the sap of the sugar maple, and then
cooling. [Local U.S.]
Japanese wax, a waxlike substance made in Japan from the berries of
certain species of Rhus, esp. R. succedanea. -- Mineral wax. (Min.)
See Wax, 2 (f), above. -- Wax cloth. See Waxed cloth, under Waxed. --
Wax end. See Waxed end, under Waxed. -- Wax flower, a flower made of,
or resembling, wax. -- Wax insect (Zo\'94l.), any one of several
species of scale insects belonging to the family Coccid\'91, which
secrete from their bodies a waxlike substance, especially the Chinese
wax insect (Coccus Sinensis) from which a large amount of the
commercial Chinese wax is obtained. Called also pela. -- Wax light, a
candle or taper of wax. -- Wax moth (Zo\'94l.), a pyralid moth
(Galleria cereana) whose larv\'91 feed upon honeycomb, and construct
silken galleries among the fragments. The moth has dusky gray wings
streaked with brown near the outer edge. The larva is yellowish white
with brownish dots. Called also bee moth. -- Wax myrtle. (Bot.) See
Bayberry. -- Wax painting, a kind of painting practiced by the
ancients, under the name of encaustic. The pigments were ground with
wax, and diluted. After being applied, the wax was melted with hot
irons and the color thus fixed. -- Wax palm. (Bot.) (a) A species of
palm (Ceroxylon Andicola) native of the Andes, the stem of which is
covered with a secretion, consisting of two thirds resin and one third
wax, which, when melted with a third of fat, makes excellent candles.
(b) A Brazilian tree (Copernicia cerifera) the young leaves of which
are covered with a useful waxy secretion. -- Wax paper, paper prepared
with a coating of white wax and other ingredients. -- Wax plant
(Bot.), a name given to several plants, as: (a) The Indian pipe (see
under Indian). (b) The Hoya carnosa, a climbing plant with polished,
fleshy leaves. (c) Certain species of Begonia with similar foliage. --
Wax tree (Bot.) (a) A tree or shrub (Ligustrum lucidum) of China, on
which certain insects make a thick deposit of a substance resembling
white wax. (b) A kind of sumac (Rhus succedanea) of Japan, the berries
of which yield a sort of wax. (c) A rubiaceous tree (El\'91agia
utilis) of New Grenada, called by the inhabitants "arbol del cera." --
Wax yellow, a dull yellow, resembling the natural color of beeswax.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1635
Wax
Wax (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Waxed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Waxing.] To
smear or rub with wax; to treat with wax; as, to wax a thread or a
table. Waxed cloth, cloth covered with a coating of wax, used as a
cover, of tables and for other purposes; -- called also wax cloth. --
Waxed end, a thread pointed with a bristle and covered with
shoemaker's wax, used in sewing leather, as for boots, shoes, and the
like; -- called also wax end. Brockett.
Waxberry
Wax"ber`ry (?), n. (Bot.) The wax-covered fruit of the wax myrtle, or
bayberry. See Bayberry, and Candleberry tree.
Waxbill
Wax"bill` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of finchlike
birds belonging to Estrelda and allied genera, native of Asia, Africa,
and Australia. The bill is large, conical, and usually red in color,
resembling sealing wax. Several of the species are often kept as cage
birds.
Waxbird
Wax"bird` (?), (Zo\'94l.) The waxwing.
Waxen
Wax"en (?), a.
1. Made of wax. "The female bee, that . . . builds her waxen cells."
Milton.
2. Covered with wax; waxed; as, a waxen tablet.
3. Resembling wax; waxy; hence, soft; yielding.
Men have marble, women waxen, minds. Shak.
Waxen chatterer (Zo\'94l.), the Bohemian chatterer.
Waxiness
Wax"i*ness (?), n. Quality or state of being waxy.
Waxwing
Wax"wing` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of small birds
of the genus Ampelis, in which some of the secondary quills are
usually tipped with small horny ornaments resembling red sealing wax.
The Bohemian waxwing (see under Bohemian) and the cedar bird are
examples. Called also waxbird.
Waxwork
Wax"work` (?), n.
1. Work made of wax; especially, a figure or figures formed or partly
of wax, in imitation of real beings.
2. (Bot.) An American climbing shrub (Celastrus scandens). It bears a
profusion of yellow berrylike pods, which open in the autumn, and
display the scarlet coverings of the seeds.
Waxworker
Wax"work`er (?), n.
1. One who works in wax; one who makes waxwork.
2. A bee that makes or produces wax.
Waxy
Wax"y (?), a. Resembling wax in appearance or consistency; viscid;
adhesive; soft; hence, yielding; pliable; impressible. "Waxy to
persuasion." Bp. Hall. Waxy degeneration (Med.), amyloid degeneration.
See under Amyloid. -- Waxy kidney, Waxy liver, etc. (Med.), a kidney
or liver affected by waxy degeneration.
Way
Way (?), adv. [Aphetic form of away.] Away. [Obs. or Archaic] Chaucer.
To do way, to take away; to remove. [Obs.] "Do way your hands."
Chaucer. -- To make way with, to make away with. See under Away.
[Archaic]
Way
Way, n. [OE. wey, way, AS. weg; akin to OS., D., OHG., & G. weg, Icel.
vegr, Sw. v\'84g, Dan. vei, Goth. wigs, L. via, and AS. wegan to move,
L. vehere to carry, Skr. vah. &root;136. Cf. Convex, Inveigh, Vehicle,
Vex, Via, Voyage, Wag, Wagon, Wee, Weigh.]
1. That by, upon, or along, which one passes or processes; opportunity
or room to pass; place of passing; passage; road, street, track, or
path of any kind; as, they built a way to the mine. "To find the way
to heaven." Shak.
I shall him seek by way and eke by street. Chaucer.
The way seems difficult, and steep to scale. Milton.
The season and ways were very improper for his majesty's forces to
march so great a distance. Evelyn.
2. Length of space; distance; interval; as, a great way; a long way.
And whenever the way seemed long, Or his heart began to fail.
Longfellow.
3. A moving; passage; procession; journey.
I prythee, now, lead the way. Shak.
4. Course or direction of motion or process; tendency of action;
advance.
If that way be your walk, you have not far. Milton.
And let eternal justice take the way. Dryden.
5. The means by which anything is reached, or anything is
accomplished; scheme; device; plan.
My best way is to creep under his gaberdine. Shak.
By noble ways we conquest will prepare. Dryden.
What impious ways my wishes took! Prior.
6. Manner; method; mode; fashion; style; as, the way of expressing
one's ideas.
7. Regular course; habitual method of life or action; plan of conduct;
mode of dealing. "Having lost the way of nobleness." Sir. P. Sidney.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Prov. iii. 17.
When men lived in a grander way. Longfellow.
8. Sphere or scope of observation. Jer. Taylor.
The public ministers that fell in my way. Sir W. Temple.
9. Determined course; resolved mode of action or conduct; as, to have
one's way.
10. (Naut.) (a) Progress; as, a ship has way. (b) pl. The timbers on
which a ship is launched.
11. pl. (Mach.) The longitudinal guides, or guiding surfaces, on the
bed of a planer, lathe, or the like, along which a table or carriage
moves.
12. (Law) Right of way. See below.
By the way, in passing; apropos; aside; apart from, though connected
with, the main object or subject of discourse. -- By way of, for the
purpose of; as being; in character of. -- Covert way. (Fort.) See
Covered way, under Covered. -- In the family way. See under Family. --
In the way, so as to meet, fall in with, obstruct, hinder, etc. -- In
the way with, traveling or going with; meeting or being with; in the
presence of. -- Milky way. (Astron.) See Galaxy, 1. -- No way, No
ways. See Noway, Noways, in the Vocabulary. -- On the way, traveling
or going; hence, in process; advancing toward completion; as, on the
way to this country; on the way to success. -- Out of the way. See
under Out. -- Right of way (Law), a right of private passage over
another's ground. It may arise either by grant or prescription. It may
be attached to a house, entry, gate, well, or city lot, as well as to
a country farm. Kent. -- To be under way, OR To have way (Naut.), to
be in motion, as when a ship begins to move. -- To give way. See under
Give. -- To go one's way, OR To come one's way, to go or come; to
depart or come along. Shak. -- To go the way of all the earth, to
die.<-- = to go the way of all flesh. --> -- To make one's way, to
advance in life by one's personal efforts. -- To make way. See under
Make, v. t. -- Ways and means. (a) Methods; resources; facilities. (b)
(Legislation) Means for raising money; resources for revenue. -- Way
leave, permission to cross, or a right of way across, land; also, rent
paid for such right. [Eng] -- Way of the cross (Eccl.), the course
taken in visiting in rotation the stations of the cross. See Station,
n., 7 (c). -- Way of the rounds (Fort.), a space left for the passage
of the rounds between a rampart and the wall of a fortified town. --
Way pane, a pane for cartage in irrigated land. See Pane, n., 4.
[Prov. Eng.] -- Way passenger, a passenger taken up, or set down, at
some intermediate place between the principal stations on a line of
travel. -- Ways of God, his providential government, or his works. --
Way station, an intermediate station between principal stations on a
line of travel, especially on a railroad. -- Way train, a train which
stops at the intermediate, or way, stations; an accommodation train.
-- Way warden, the surveyor of a road. Syn. -- Street; highway; road.
-- Way, Street, Highway, Road. Way is generic, denoting any line for
passage or conveyance; a highway is literally one raised for the sake
of dryness and convenience in traveling; a road is, strictly, a way
for horses and carriages; a street is, etymologically, a paved way, as
early made in towns and cities; and, hence, the word is distinctively
applied to roads or highways in compact settlements.
All keep the broad highway, and take delight With many rather for
to go astray. Spenser.
There is but one road by which to climb up. Addison.
When night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons Of
Belial, flown with insolence and wine. Milton.
Way
Way (?), v. t. To go or travel to; to go in, as a way or path. [Obs.]
"In land not wayed." Wyclif.
Way
Way, v. i. To move; to progress; to go. [R.]
On a time as they together wayed. Spenser.
Waybill
Way"bill` (?), n. A list of passengers in a public vehicle, or of the
baggage or gods transported by a common carrier on a land route. When
the goods are transported by water, the list is called a bill of
lading.
Waybread
Way"bread` (?), n. [AS. wegbr. See Way, and Broad.] (Bot.) The common
dooryard plantain (Plantago major).
Waybung
Way"bung` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) An Australian insessorial bird (Corcorax
melanorhamphus) noted for the curious actions of the male during the
breeding season. It is black with a white patch on each wing.
Wayed
Wayed (?), a. Used to the way; broken. [R.]
A horse that is not well wayed; he starts at every bird that flies
out the hedge. Selden.
Wayfare
Way"fare` (?), v. i. [Way + fare to go.] To journey; to travel; to go
to and fro. [Obs.]
A certain Laconian, as he wayfared, came unto a place where there
dwelt an old friend of his. Holland.
Wayfare
Way"fare`, n. The act of journeying; travel; passage. [Obs.] Holland.
Wayfarer
Way"far`er (?), n. One who travels; a traveler; a passenger.
Wayfaring
Way"far`ing, a. Traveling; passing; being on a journey. "A wayfaring
man." Judg. xix. 17. Wayfaring tree (Bot.), a European shrub (Viburnum
lantana) having large ovate leaves and dense cymes of small white
flowers. -- American wayfaring tree (Bot.), the (Viburnum
lantanoides).
Waygate
Way"gate` (?), n. The tailrace of a mill. Knight.
Way-going
Way"-go`ing (?), a. Going away; departing; of or pertaining to one who
goes away. Way-going crop (Law of Leases), a crop of grain to which
tenants for years are sometimes entitled by custom; grain sown in the
fall to be reaped at the next harvest; a crop which will not ripen
until after the termination of the lease. Burrill.
Way-goose
Way"-goose` (?), n. See Wayz-goose, n., 2. [Eng.]
Wayk
Wayk (?), a. Weak. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Waylay
Way"lay` (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Waylaid (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Waylaying.] [Way + lay.] To lie in wait for; to meet or encounter in
the way; especially, to watch for the passing of, with a view to
seize, rob, or slay; to beset in ambush.
Falstaff, Bardolph, Peto, and Gadshill shall rob those men that we
have already waylaid. Shak.
She often contrived to waylay him in his walks. Sir W. Scott.
Waylayer
Way"lay`er (?), n. One who waylays another.
Wayless
Way"less, a. Having no road or path; pathless.
Wayleway
Way"le*way (?), interj. See Welaway. [Obs.]
Waymaker
Way"mak`er (?), n. One who makes a way; a precursor. [R.] Bacon.
Waymark
Way"mark` (?), n. A mark to guide in traveling.
Wayment
Way"ment (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Waymented; p. pr. & vb. n.
Waymenting.] [OE. waymenten, OF. waimenter, gaimenter, guaimenter,
from wai, guai, woe! (of Teutonic origin; see Woe) and L. lamentari to
lament. See Lament.] To lament; to grieve; to wail. [Written also
waiment.] [Obs.]
Thilke science . . . maketh a man to waymenten. Chaucer.
For what boots it to weep and wayment, When ill is chanced?
Spenser.
Wayment
Way"ment, n. Grief; lamentation; mourning. [Written also waiment.]
[Obs.] Spenser.
Way shaft
Way" shaft` (?).
1. (Mach.) A rock shaft.
2. (Mining) An interior shaft, usually one connecting two levels.
Raymond.
-ways
-ways (?). A suffix formed from way by the addition of the adverbial
-s (see -wards). It is often used interchangeably with wise; as,
endways or endwise; noways or nowise, etc.
Wayside
Way"side` (?), n. The side of the way; the edge or border of a road or
path.
Wayside
Way"side`, a. Of or pertaining to the wayside; as, wayside flowers. "A
wayside inn." Longfellow.
Wayward
Way"ward (?), a. [OE. weiward, for aweiward, i. e., turned away. See
Away, and -ward.] Taking one's own way; disobedient; froward;
perverse; willful.
My wife is in a wayward mood. Shak.
Wayward beauty doth not fancy move. Fairfax.
Wilt thou forgive the wayward thought? Keble.
-- Way"ward*ly, adv. -- Way"ward*ness, n.
Way-wise
Way"-wise` (?), a. Skillful in finding the way; well acquainted with
the way or route; wise from having traveled.
Waywiser
Way"wis`er (?), n. [Cf. G. wegweiser a waymark, a guide; weg way +
weisen to show, direct.] An instrument for measuring the distance
which one has traveled on the road; an odometer, pedometer, or
perambulator.
The waywiser to a coach, exactly measuring the miles, and showing
them by an index. Evelyn.
Waywode
Way"wode (?), n. [Russ. voevoda, or Pol. woiewoda; properly, a leader
of an army, a leader in war. Cf. Vaivode.] Originally, the title of a
military commander in various Slavonic countries; afterwards applied
to governors of towns or provinces. It was assumed for a time by the
rulers of Moldavia and Wallachia, who were afterwards called
hospodars, and has also been given to some inferior Turkish officers.
[Written also vaivode, voivode, waiwode, and woiwode.]
Waywodeship
Way"wode*ship, n. The office, province, or jurisdiction of a waywode.
Wayworn
Way"worn` (?), a. Wearied by traveling.
Wayz-goose
Wayz"-goose` (?), n. [Wase stubble + goose.]
1. A stubble goose. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
2. An annual feast of the persons employed in a printing office.
[Written also way-goose.] [Eng.]
We
We (?), pron.; pl. of I. [Poss. Our (our) or Ours (; obj. Us (. See
I.] [As. w; akin to OS. w\'c6, OFries. & LG. wi, D. wij, G. wir, Icel.
v, Sw. & Dan. vi, Goth. weis, Skr. vayam. &root;190.] The plural
nominative case of the pronoun of the first person; the word with
which a person in speaking or writing denotes a number or company of
which he is one, as the subject of an action expressed by a verb.
NOTE: &hand; We is fr equently us ed to ex press men in general,
including the speaker. We is also often used by individuals, as
authors, editors, etc., in speaking of themselves, in order to
avoid the appearance of egotism in the too frequent repetition of
the pronoun I. The plural style is also in use among kings and
other sovereigns, and is said to have been begun by King John of
England. Before that time, monarchs used the singular number in
their edicts. The German and the French sovereigns followed the
example of King John in a. d. 1200.
Weak
Weak (?), a. [Compar. Weaker (?); superl. Weakest.] [OE. weik, Icel.
veikr; akin to Sw. vek, Dan. veg soft, flexible, pliant, AS. w\'bec
weak, soft, pliant, D. week, G. weich, OHG. weih; all from the verb
seen in Icel. v\'c6kja to turn, veer, recede, AS. w\'c6can to yield,
give way, G. weichen, OHG. w\'c6hhan, akin to Skr. vij, and probably
to E. week, L. vicis a change, turn, Gr. Week, Wink, v. i.
Vicissitude.]
1. Wanting physical strength. Specifically: -- (a) Deficient in
strength of body; feeble; infirm; sickly; debilitated; enfeebled;
exhausted.
A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man. Shak.
Weak with hunger, mad with love. Dryden.
(b) Not able to sustain a great weight, pressure, or strain; as, a
weak timber; a weak rope. (c) Not firmly united or adhesive; easily
broken or separated into pieces; not compact; as, a weak ship. (d) Not
stiff; pliant; frail; soft; as, the weak stalk of a plant. (e) Not
able to resist external force or onset; easily subdued or overcome;
as, a weak barrier; as, a weak fortress. (f) Lacking force of
utterance or sound; not sonorous; low; small; feeble; faint.
A voice not soft, weak, piping, and womanish. Ascham.
(g) Not thoroughly or abundantly impregnated with the usual or
required ingredients, or with stimulating and nourishing substances;
of less than the usual strength; as, weak tea, broth, or liquor; a
weak decoction or solution; a weak dose of medicine. (h) Lacking
ability for an appropriate function or office; as, weak eyes; a weak
stomach; a weak magistrate; a weak regiment, or army.
2. Not possessing or manifesting intellectual, logical, moral, or
political strength, vigor, etc. Specifically: - (a) Feeble of mind;
wanting discernment; lacking vigor; spiritless; as, a weak king or
magistrate.
To think every thing disputable is a proof of a weak mind and
captious temper. Beattie.
Origen was never weak enough to imagine that there were two Gods.
Waterland.
(b) Resulting from, or indicating, lack of judgment, discernment, or
firmness; unwise; hence, foolish.
If evil thence ensue, She first his weak indulgence will accuse.
Milton.
(c) Not having full confidence or conviction; not decided or
confirmed; vacillating; wavering.
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful
disputations. Rom. xiv. 1.
(d) Not able to withstand temptation, urgency, persuasion, etc.;
easily impressed, moved, or overcome; accessible; vulnerable; as, weak
resolutions; weak virtue.
Guard thy heart On this weak side, where most our nature fails.
Addison.
(e) Wanting in power to influence or bind; as, weak ties; a weak sense
of honor of duty. (f) Not having power to convince; not supported by
force of reason or truth; unsustained; as, a weak argument or case.
"Convinced of his weak arguing." Milton.
A case so weak . . . hath much persisted in. Hooker.
(g) Wanting in point or vigor of expression; as, a weak sentence; a
weak style. (h) Not prevalent or effective, or not felt to be
prevalent; not potent; feeble. "Weak prayers." Shak. (i) Lacking in
elements of political strength; not wielding or having authority or
energy; deficient in the resources that are essential to a ruler or
nation; as, a weak monarch; a weak government or state.
I must make fair weather yet awhile, Till Henry be more weak, and I
more strong. Shak.
(k) (Stock Exchange) Tending towards lower prices; as, a weak market.
3. (Gram.) (a) Pertaining to, or designating, a verb which forms its
preterit (imperfect) and past participle by adding to the present the
suffix -ed, -d, or the variant form -t; as in the verbs abash,
abashed; abate, abated; deny, denied; feel, felt. See Strong, 19 (a).
(b) Pertaining to, or designating, a noun in Anglo-Saxon, etc., the
stem of which ends in -n. See Strong, 19 (b).
NOTE: &hand; Weak is often used in the formation of self-explaining
compounds; as, weak-eyed, weak-handed, weak-hearted, weak-minded,
weak-spirited, and the like.
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Page 1636
Weak conjugation (Gram.), the conjugation of weak verbs; -- called
also new, OR regular, conjugation, and distinguished from the old, or
irregular, conjugation. -- Weak declension (Anglo-Saxon Gram.), the
declension of weak nouns; also, one of the declensions of adjectives.
-- Weak side, the side or aspect of a person's character or
disposition by which he is most easily affected or influenced;
weakness; infirmity. -- Weak sore OR ulcer (Med.), a sore covered with
pale, flabby, sluggish granulations.
Weak
Weak (?), v. t. & i. [Cf. AS. w. w\'becian. See Weak, a.] To make or
become weak; to weaken. [R.]
Never to seek weaking variety. Marston.
Weaken
Weak"en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Weakened (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Weakening.]
1. To make weak; to lessen the strength of; to deprive of strength; to
debilitate; to enfeeble; to enervate; as, to weaken the body or the
mind; to weaken the hands of a magistrate; to weaken the force of an
objection or an argument.
Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done.
Neh. vi. 9.
2. To reduce in quality, strength, or spirit; as, to weaken tea; to
weaken any solution or decoction.
Weaken
Weak"en, v. i. To become weak or weaker; to lose strength, spirit, or
determination; to become less positive or resolute; as, the patient
weakened; the witness weakened on cross-examination. "His notion
weakens, his discernings are lethargied." Shak.
Weakener
Weak"en*er (?), n. One who, or that which, weakens. "[Fastings]
weakeners of sin." South.
Weakfish
Weak"fish` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Any fish of the genus Cynoscion; a
squeteague; -- so called from its tender mouth. See Squeteague.
Spotted weakfish (Zo\'94l.), the spotted squeteague.
Weak-hearted
Weak"-heart`ed (?), a. Having little courage; of feeble spirit;
dispirited; faint-hearted. "Weak-hearted enemies." Shak.
Weakish
Weak"ish, a. Somewhat weak; rather weak.
Weakishness
Weak"ish*ness, n. Quality or state of being weakish.
Weak-kneed
Weak"-kneed` (?), a. Having weak knees; hence, easily yielding;
wanting resolution. H. James.
Weakling
Weak"ling (?), n. [Weak + -ling.] A weak or feeble creature. Shak.
"All looking on him as a weakling, which would post to the grave."
Fuller.
We may not be weaklings because we have a strong enemy. Latimer.
Weakling
Weak"ling, a. Weak; feeble. Sir T. North.
Weakly
Weak"ly, adv. In a weak manner; with little strength or vigor; feebly.
Weakly
Weak"ly, a. [Compar. Weaklier (?); superl. Weakliest.] Not strong of
constitution; infirm; feeble; as, a weakly woman; a man of a weakly
constitution.
Weak-minded
Weak"-mind`ed (?), a. Having a weak mind, either naturally or by
reason of disease; feebleminded; foolish; idiotic. --
Weak"-mind`ed*ness, n.
Weakness
Weak"ness, n.
1. The quality or state of being weak; want of strength or firmness;
lack of vigor; want of resolution or of moral strength; feebleness.
2. That which is a mark of lack of strength or resolution; a fault; a
defect.
Many take pleasure in spreading abroad the weakness of an exalted
character. Spectator.
Syn. -- Feebleness; debility; languor; imbecility; infirmness;
infirmity; decrepitude; frailty; faintness.
Weal
Weal (?), n. The mark of a stripe. See Wale.
Weal
Weal, v. t. To mark with stripes. See Wale.
Weal
Weal, n. [OE. wele, AS. wela, weola, wealth, from wel well. See Well,
adv., and cf. Wealth.]
1. A sound, healthy, or prosperous state of a person or thing;
prosperity; happiness; welfare.
God . . . grant you wele and prosperity. Chaucer.
As we love the weal of our souls and bodies. Bacon.
To him linked in weal or woe. Milton.
Never was there a time when it more concerned the public weal that
the character of the Parliament should stand high. Macaulay.
2. The body politic; the state; common wealth. [Obs.]
The special watchmen of our English weal. Shak.
Weal
Weal, v. t. To promote the weal of; to cause to be prosperous. [Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.
Weal-balanced
Weal"-bal`anced (?), a. Balanced or considered with reference to
public weal. [Obs.] Shak.
Weald
Weald (?), n. [AS. See Wold.] A wood or forest; a wooded land or
region; also, an open country; -- often used in place names.
Fled all night long by glimmering waste and weald, And heard the
spirits of the waste and weald Moan as she fled. Tennyson.
Weald clay (Geol.), the uppermost member of the Wealden strata. See
Wealden.
Wealden
Weald"en (?; 277), a. [AS. weald, wald, a forest, a wood. So called
because this formation occurs in the wealds, or woods, of Kent and
Sussex. See Weald.] (Geol.) Of or pertaining to the lowest division of
the Cretaceous formation in England and on the Continent, which
overlies the O\'94litic series.
Wealden
Weald"en, n. (Geol.) The Wealden group or strata.
Wealdish
Weald"ish, a. Of or pertaining to a weald, esp. to the weald in the
county of Kent, England. [Obs.] Fuller.
Wealful
Weal"ful (?), a. Weleful. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wealsman
Weals"man (?), n.; pl. Wealsmen (#). [Weal + man.] A statesman; a
politician. [R.] Shak.
Wealth
Wealth (?), n. [OE. welthe, from wele; cf. D. weelde luxury. See Weal
prosperity.]
1. Weal; welfare; prosperity; good. [Obs.] "Let no man seek his own,
but every man another's wealth." 1 Cor. x. 24.
2. Large possessions; a comparative abundance of things which are
objects of human desire; esp., abundance of worldly estate; affluence;
opulence; riches.
I have little wealth to lose. Shak.
Each day new wealth, without their care, provides. Dryden.
Wealth comprises all articles of value and nothing else. F. A.
Walker.
Active wealth. See under Active. Syn. -- Riches; affluence; opulence;
abundance.
Wealthful
Wealth"ful (?), a. Full of wealth; wealthy; prosperous. [R.] Sir T.
More. -- Wealth"ful*ly, adv. [R.]
Wealthily
Wealth"i*ly (?), adv. In a wealthy manner; richly.
I come to wive it wealthily in Padua. Shak.
Wealthiness
Wealth"i*ness, n. The quality or state of being wealthy, or rich;
richness; opulence.
Wealthy
Wealth"y (?), a. [Compar. Wealthier (?); superl. Wealthiest.]
1. Having wealth; having large possessions, or larger than most men,
as lands, goods, money, or securities; opulent; affluent; rich.
A wealthy Hebrew of my tribe. Shak.
Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. Ps. lxvi. 12.
2. Hence, ample; full; satisfactory; abundant. [R.]
The wealthy witness of my pen. B. Jonson.
Wean
Wean (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Weaned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Weaning.]
[OE. wenen, AS. wenian, wennan, to accustom; akin to D. wennen, G.
gew\'94hnen, OHG. giwennan, Icel. venja, Sw. v\'84nja, Dan. v\'91nne,
Icel. vanr accustomed, wont; cf. AS. \'bewenian to wean, G.
entw\'94hnen. See Wont, a.]
1. To accustom and reconcile, as a child or other young animal, to a
want or deprivation of mother's milk; to take from the breast or
udder; to cause to cease to depend on the mother nourishment.
And the child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast
the same day that Isaac was weaned. Gen. xxi. 8.
2. Hence, to detach or alienate the affections of, from any object of
desire; to reconcile to the want or loss of anything. "Wean them from
themselves." Shak.
The troubles of age were intended . . . to wean us gradually from
our fondness of life. Swift.
Wean
Wean, n. A weanling; a young child.
I, being but a yearling wean. Mrs. Browning.
Weanedness
Wean"ed*ness, n. Quality or state of being weaned.
Weanel
Wean"el (?), n. A weanling. [Obs.] Spenser.
Weanling
Wean"ling, a. & n. from Wean, v.
The weaning of the whelp is the great test of the skill of the
kennel man. J. H. Walsh.
Weaning brash. (Med.) See under Brash.
Weanling
Wean"ling (?), n. [Wean + -ling.] A child or animal newly weaned; a
wean.
Weanling
Wean"ling, a. Recently weaned. Milton.
Weapon
Weap"on (?; 277), n. [OE. wepen, AS. w; akin to OS. w, OFries. w, w,
D. wapen, G. waffe, OHG. waffan, w\'befan, Icel. v\'bepn, Dan. vaaben,
Sw. vapen, Goth. w, pl.; of uncertain origin. Cf. Wapentake.]
1. An instrument of offensive of defensive combat; something to fight
with; anything used, or designed to be used, in destroying, defeating,
or injuring an enemy, as a gun, a sword, etc.
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. 2 Cor. x. 4.
They, astonished, all resistance lost, All courage; down their idle
weapons dropped. Milton.
2. Fig.: The means or instrument with which one contends against
another; as, argument was his only weapon. "Woman's weapons, water
drops." Shak.
3. (Bot.) A thorn, prickle, or sting with which many plants are
furnished.
Concealed weapons. See under Concealed. -- Weapon salve, a salve which
was supposed to cure a wound by being applied to the weapon that made
it. [Obs.] Boyle.
Weaponed
Weap"oned (?), a. Furnished with weapons, or arms; armed; equipped.
Weaponless
Weap"on*less (?), a. Having no weapon.
Weaponry
Weap"on*ry (?), n. Weapons, collectively; as, an array of weaponry.
[Poetic]
Wear
Wear (?; 277), n. Same as Weir.
Wear
Wear (?), v. t. [Cf. Veer.] (Naut.) To cause to go about, as a vessel,
by putting the helm up, instead of alee as in tacking, so that the
vessel's bow is turned away from, and her stern is presented to, the
wind, and, as she turns still farther, her sails fill on the other
side; to veer.
Wear
Wear, v. t. [imp. Wore (?); p. p. Worn (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wearing.
Before the 15th century wear was a weak verb, the imp. & p. p. being
Weared.] [OE. weren, werien, AS. werian to carry, to wear, as arms or
clothes; akin to OHG. werien, weren, to clothe, Goth. wasjan, L.
vestis clothing, vestire to clothe, Gr. vas. Cf. Vest.]
1. To carry or bear upon the person; to bear upon one's self, as an
article of clothing, decoration, warfare, bondage, etc.; to have
appendant to one's body; to have on; as, to wear a coat; to wear a
shackle.
What compass will you wear your farthingale? Shak.
On her white breast a sparkling cross swore, Which Jews might kiss,
and infidels adore. Pope.
2. To have or exhibit an appearance of, as an aspect or manner; to
bear; as, she wears a smile on her countenance. "He wears the rose of
youth upon him." Shak.
His innocent gestures wear A meaning half divine. Keble.
3. To use up by carrying or having upon one's self; hence, to consume
by use; to waste; to use up; as, to wear clothes rapidly.
4. To impair, waste, or diminish, by continual attrition, scraping,
percussion, on the like; to consume gradually; to cause to lower or
disappear; to spend.
That wicked wight his days doth wear. Spenser.
The waters wear the stones. Job xiv. 19.
5. To cause or make by friction or wasting; as, to wear a channel; to
wear a hole.
6. To form or shape by, or as by, attrition.
Trials wear us into a liking of what, possibly, in the first essay,
displeased us. Locke.
To wear away, to consume; to impair, diminish, or destroy, by gradual
attrition or decay. -- To wear off, to diminish or remove by attrition
or slow decay; as, to wear off the nap of cloth. -- To wear on OR
upon, to wear. [Obs.] "[I] weared upon my gay scarlet gites [gowns.]"
Chaucer. -- To wear out. (a) To consume, or render useless, by
attrition or decay; as, to wear out a coat or a book. (b) To consume
tediously. "To wear out miserable days." Milton. (c) To harass; to
tire. "[He] shall wear out the saints of the Most High." Dan vii. 25.
(d) To waste the strength of; as, an old man worn out in military
service. -- To wear the breeches. See under Breeches. [Colloq.]
Wear
Wear, v. i.
1. To endure or suffer use; to last under employment; to bear the
consequences of use, as waste, consumption, or attrition; as, a coat
wears well or ill; -- hence, sometimes applied to character,
qualifications, etc.; as, a man wears well as an acquaintance.
2. To be wasted, consumed, or diminished, by being used; to suffer
injury, loss, or extinction by use or time; to decay, or be spent,
gradually. "Thus wore out night." Milton.
Away, I say; time wears. Shak.
Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou and this people that is with
thee. Ex. xviii. 18.
His stock of money began to wear very low. Sir W. Scott.
The family . . . wore out in the earlier part of the century.
Beaconsfield.
To wear off, to pass away by degrees; as, the follies of youth wear
off with age. -- To wear on, to pass on; as, time wears on. G. Eliot.
-- To wear weary, to become weary, as by wear, long occupation,
tedious employment, etc.
Wear
Wear, n.
1. The act of wearing, or the state of being worn; consumption by use;
diminution by friction; as, the wear of a garment.
2. The thing worn; style of dress; the fashion.
Motley wear. Shak.
Wear and tear, the loss by wearing, as of machinery in use; the loss
or injury to which anything is subjected by use, accident, etc.
Wearable
Wear"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being worn; suitable to be worn.
Wearer
Wear"er (?), n.
1. One who wears or carries as appendant to the body; as, the wearer
of a cloak, a sword, a crown, a shackle, etc.
Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers, tossed, And fluttered
into rags. Milton.
2. That which wastes or diminishes.
Weariable
Wea"ri*a*ble (?), a. That may be wearied.
Weariful
Wea"ri*ful (?), a. Abounding in qualities which cause weariness;
wearisome. -- Wea"ri*ful*ly, adv.
Weariless
Wea"ri*less, a. Incapable of being wearied.
Wearily
Wea"ri*ly, adv. In a weary manner.
Weariness
Wea"ri*ness, n. The quality or state of being weary or tried;
lassitude; exhaustion of strength; fatigue.
With weariness and wine oppressed. Dryden.
A man would die, though he were neither valiant nor miserable, only
upon a weariness to do the same thing so oft over and over. Bacon.
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Wearing
Wear"ing (?), n.
1. The act of one who wears; the manner in which a thing wears; use;
conduct; consumption.
Belike he meant to ward, and there to see his wearing. Latimer.
2. That which is worn; clothes; garments. [Obs.]
Give me my nightly wearing and adieu. Shak.
Wearing
Wear"ing (?), a. Pertaining to, or designed for, wear; as, wearing
apparel.
Wearish
Wear"ish (?), a. [Etymol. uncertain, but perhaps akin to weary.]
1. Weak; withered; shrunk. [Obs.] "A wearish hand." Ford.
A little, wearish old man, very melancholy by nature. Burton.
2. Insipid; tasteless; unsavory. [Obs.]
Wearish as meat is that is not well tasted. Palsgrave.
Wearisome
Wea"ri*some (?), a. Causing weariness; tiresome; tedious; weariful;
as, a wearisome march; a wearisome day's work; a wearisome book.
These high wild hills and rough uneven ways Draws out our miles,
and makes them wearisome. Shak.
Syn. -- Irksome; tiresome; tedious; fatiguing; annoying; vexatious.
See Irksome. -- Wea"ri*some*ly, adv. -- Wea"ri*some*ness, n.
Weary
Wea"ry (?), a. [Compar. Wearier (?); superl. Weariest.] [OE. weri, AS.
w; akin to OS. w, OHG. wu; of uncertain origin; cf. AS. w to ramble.]
1. Having the strength exhausted by toil or exertion; worn out in
respect to strength, endurance, etc.; tired; fatigued.
I care not for my spirits if my legs were not weary. Shak.
[I] am weary, thinking of your task. Longfellow.
2. Causing weariness; tiresome. "Weary way." Spenser. "There passed a
weary time." Coleridge.
3. Having one's patience, relish, or contentment exhausted; tired;
sick; -- with of before the cause; as, weary of marching, or of
confinement; weary of study. Syn. -- Fatigued; tiresome; irksome;
wearisome.
Weary
Wea"ry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wearied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wearying.]
1. To reduce or exhaust the physical strength or endurance of; to
tire; to fatigue; as, to weary one's self with labor or traveling.
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers. Shak.
2. To make weary of anything; to exhaust the patience of, as by
continuance.
I stay too long by thee; I weary thee. Shak.
3. To harass by anything irksome.
I would not cease To weary him with my assiduous cries. Milton.
To weary out, to subdue or exhaust by fatigue. Syn. -- To jade; tire;
fatigue; fag. See Jade.
Weary
Wea"ry, v. i. To grow tired; to become exhausted or impatient; as, to
weary of an undertaking.
Weasand
Wea"sand (?), n. [OE. wesand, AS. w\'besend; akin to OFries.
w\'besende, w\'besande; cf. OHG. weisunt.] The windpipe; -- called
also, formerly, wesil. [Formerly, written also, wesand, and wezand.]
Cut his weasand with thy knife. Shak.
Weasel
Wea"sel (?), n. [OE. wesele, AS. wesle; akin to D. wezel, G. wiesel,
OHG. wisala, Icel. hreyiv\'c6sla, Dan. v\'84sel, Sw. vessla; of
uncertain origin; cf. Gr. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of various species of
small carnivores belonging to the genus Putorius, as the ermine and
ferret. They have a slender, elongated body, and are noted for the
quickness of their movements and for their bloodthirsty habit in
destroying poultry, rats, etc. The ermine and some other species are
brown in summer, and turn white in winter; others are brown at all
seasons. Malacca weasel, the rasse. -- Weasel coot, a female or young
male of the smew; -- so called from the resemblance of the head to
that of a weasel. Called also weasel duck. -- Weasel lemur, a
short-tailed lemur (Lepilemur mustelinus). It is reddish brown above,
grayish brown below, with the throat white.
Weasel-faced
Wea"sel-faced` (?), a. Having a thin, sharp face, like a weasel.
Weaser
Wea"ser (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The American merganser; -- called also
weaser sheldrake. [Local, U. S.]
Weasiness
Wea"si*ness (?), n. Quality or state of being weasy; full feeding;
sensual indulgence. [Obs.] Joye.
Weasy
Wea"sy (?), a. [Cf. Weasand.] Given to sensual indulgence; gluttonous.
[Obs.] Joye.
Weather
Weath"er (?), n. [OE. weder, AS. weder; akin to OS. wedar, OFries.
weder, D. weder, we\'88r, G. wetter, OHG. wetar, Icel. ve&edh;r, Dan.
veir, Sw. v\'84der wind, air, weather, and perhaps to OSlav. vedro
fair weather; or perhaps to Lith. vetra storm, Russ. vieter', vietr',
wind, and E. wind. Cf. Wither.]
1. The state of the air or atmosphere with respect to heat or cold,
wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness or cloudiness, or any
other meteorological phenomena; meteorological condition of the
atmosphere; as, warm weather; cold weather; wet weather; dry weather,
etc.
Not amiss to cool a man's stomach this hot weather. Shak.
Fair weather cometh out of the north. Job xxxvii. 22.
2. Vicissitude of season; meteorological change; alternation of the
state of the air. Bacon.
3. Storm; tempest.
What gusts of weather from that gathering cloud My thoughts
presage! Dryden.
4. A light rain; a shower. [Obs.] Wyclif.
Stress of weather, violent winds; force of tempests. -- To make fair
weather, to flatter; to give flattering representations. [R.] -- To
make good, OR bad, weather (Naut.), to endure a gale well or ill; --
said of a vessel. Shak. -- Under the weather, ill; also, financially
embarrassed. [Colloq. U. S.] Bartlett. -- Weather box. Same as Weather
house, below. Thackeray. -- Weather breeder, a fine day which is
supposed to presage foul weather. -- Weather bureau, a popular name
for the signal service. See Signal service, under Signal, a. [U.S.] --
Weather cloth (Naut.), a long piece of canvas of tarpaulin used to
preserve the hammocks from injury by the weather when stowed in the
nettings. -- Weather door. (Mining) See Trapdoor, 2. -- Weather gall.
Same as Water gall, 2. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. -- Weather house, a
mechanical contrivance in the form of a house, which indicates changes
in atmospheric conditions by the appearance or retirement of toy
images.
Peace to the artist whose ingenious thought Devised the weather
house, that useful toy! Cowper.
-- Weather molding, OR Weather moulding (Arch.), a canopy or cornice
over a door or a window, to throw off the rain. -- Weather of a
windmill sail, the obliquity of the sail, or the angle which it makes
with its plane of revolution. -- Weather report, a daily report of
meteorological observations, and of probable changes in the weather;
esp., one published by government authority. -- Weather spy, a
stargazer; one who foretells the weather. [R.] Donne. -- Weather strip
(Arch.), a strip of wood, rubber, or other material, applied to an
outer door or window so as to cover the joint made by it with the
sill, casings, or threshold, in order to exclude rain, snow, cold air,
etc.
Weather
Weath"er (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Weathered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Weathering.]
1. To expose to the air; to air; to season by exposure to air.
[An eagle] soaring through his wide empire of the air To weather
his broad sails. Spenser.
This gear lacks weathering. Latimer.
2. Hence, to sustain the trying effect of; to bear up against and
overcome; to sustain; to endure; to resist; as, to weather the storm.
For I can weather the roughest gale. Longfellow.
You will weather the difficulties yet. F. W. Robertson.
3. (Naut.) To sail or pass to the windward of; as, to weather a cape;
to weather another ship.
4. (Falconry) To place (a hawk) unhooded in the open air. Encyc. Brit.
To weather a point. (a) (Naut.) To pass a point of land, leaving it on
the lee side. (b) Hence, to gain or accomplish anything against
opposition. -- To weather out, to encounter successfully, though with
difficulty; as, to weather out a storm.
Weather
Weath"er, v. i. To undergo or endure the action of the atmosphere; to
suffer meteorological influences; sometimes, to wear away, or alter,
under atmospheric influences; to suffer waste by weather.
The organisms . . . seem indestructible, while the hard matrix in
which they are imbedded has weathered from around them. H. Miller.
Weather
Weath"er, a. (Naut.) Being toward the wind, or windward -- opposed to
lee; as, weather bow, weather braces, weather gauge, weather lifts,
weather quarter, weather shrouds, etc. Weather gauge. (a) (Naut.) The
position of a ship to the windward of another. (b) Fig.: A position of
advantage or superiority; advantage in position.
To veer, and tack, and steer a cause Against the weather gauge of
laws. Hudibras.
-- Weather helm (Naut.), a tendency on the part of a sailing vessel to
come up into the wind, rendering it necessary to put the helm up, that
is, toward the weather side. -- Weather shore (Naut.), the shore to
the windward of a ship. Totten. -- Weather tide (Naut.), the tide
which sets against the lee side of a ship, impelling her to the
windward. Mar. Dict.
Weather-beaten
Weath"er-beat`en (?), a. Beaten or harassed by the weather; worn by
exposure to the weather, especially to severe weather. Shak.
Weather-bit
Weath"er-bit` (?), n. (Naut.) A turn of the cable about the end of the
windlass, without the bits.
Weatherbit
Weath"er*bit`, v. t. (Naut.) To take another turn with, as a cable
around a windlass. Totten.
Weather-bitten
Weath"er-bit`ten (?), a. Eaten into, defaced, or worn, by exposure to
the weather. Coleridge.
Weatherboard
Weath"er*board` (?), n.
1. (Naut.) (a) That side of a vessel which is toward the wind; the
windward side. (b) A piece of plank placed in a porthole, or other
opening, to keep out water.
2. (a) (Arch.) A board extending from the ridge to the eaves along the
slope of the gable, and forming a close junction between the shingling
of a roof and the side of the building beneath. (b) A clapboard or
feather-edged board used in weatherboarding.
Weather-board
Weath"er-board`, v. t. (Arch.) To nail boards upon so as to lap one
over another, in order to exclude rain, snow, etc. Gwilt.
Weatherboarding
Weath"er*board`ing, n. (Arch.) (a) The covering or siding of a
building, formed of boards lapping over one another, to exclude rain,
snow, etc. (b) Boards adapted or intended for such use.
Weather-bound
Weath"er-bound` (?), a. Kept in port or at anchor by storms; delayed
by bad weather; as, a weather-bound vessel.
Weathercock
Weath"er*cock` (?), n.
1. A vane, or weather vane; -- so called because originally often in
the figure of a cock, turning on the top of a spire with the wind, and
showing its direction. "As a wedercok that turneth his face with every
wind." Chaucer.
Noisy weathercocks rattled and sang of mutation. Longfellow.
2. Hence, any thing or person that turns easily and frequently; one
who veers with every change of current opinion; a fickle, inconstant
person.
Weathercock
Weath"er*cock`, v. t. To supply with a weathercock; to serve as a
weathercock for.
Whose blazing wyvern weathercock the spire. Tennyson.
Weather-driven
Weath"er-driv`en (?), a. Driven by winds or storms; forced by stress
of weather. Carew.
Weathered
Weath"ered (?), a.
1. (Arch.) Made sloping, so as to throw off water; as, a weathered
cornice or window sill.
2. (Geol.) Having the surface altered in color, texture, or
composition, or the edges rounded off by exposure to the elements.
Weather-fend
Weath"er-fend` (?), v. t. To defend from the weather; to shelter.
Shak.
[We] barked the white spruce to weather-fend the roof. Emerson.
Weatherglass
Weath"er*glass` (?), n. An instrument to indicate the state of the
atmosphere, especially changes of atmospheric pressure, and hence
changes of weather, as a barometer or baroscope. Poor man's
weatherglass. (Bot.) See under Poor.
Weathering
Weath"er*ing, n. (Geol.) The action of the elements on a rock in
altering its color, texture, or composition, or in rounding off its
edges.
Weatherliness
Weath"er*li*ness (?), n. (Naut.) The quality of being weatherly.
Weatherly
Weath"er*ly, a. (Naut.) Working, or able to sail, close to the wind;
as, a weatherly ship. Cooper.
Weathermost
Weath"er*most` (?), a. (Naut.) Being farthest to the windward.
Weatherproof
Weath"er*proof` (?), a. Proof against rough weather.
Weatherwise
Weath"er*wise` (?), a. Skillful in forecasting the changes of the
weather. Hakluyt.
Weatherwiser
Weath"er*wis`er (?), n. [Cf. Waywiser.] Something that foreshows the
weather. [Obs.] Derham.
Weatherworn
Weath"er*worn` (?), a. Worn by the action of, or by exposure to, the
weather.
Weave
Weave (?), v. t. [imp. Wove (?); p. p. Woven (?), Wove; p. pr. & vb.
n. Weaving. The regular imp. & p. p. Weaved (, is rarely used.] [OE.
weven, AS. wefan; akin to D. weven, G. weben, OHG. weban, Icel. vefa,
Sw. v\'84fva, Dan. v\'91ve, Gr. spider, lit., wool weaver. Cf. Waper,
Waffle, Web, Weevil, Weft, Woof.]
1. To unite, as threads of any kind, in such a manner as to form a
texture; to entwine or interlace into a fabric; as, to weave wool,
silk, etc.; hence, to unite by close connection or intermixture; to
unite intimately.
This weaves itself, perforce, into my business. Shak.
That in their green shops weave the smooth-haired silk To deck her
sons. Milton.
And for these words, thus woven into song. Byron.
2. To form, as cloth, by interlacing threads; to compose, as a texture
of any kind, by putting together textile materials; as, to weave
broadcloth; to weave a carpet; hence, to form into a fabric; to
compose; to fabricate; as, to weave the plot of a story.
When she weaved the sleided silk. Shak.
Her starry wreaths the virgin jasmin weaves. Ld. Lytton.
Weave
Weave, v. i.
1. To practice weaving; to work with a loom.
2. To become woven or interwoven.
Weave
Weave, n. A particular method or pattern of weaving; as, the cassimere
weave.
Weaver
Weav"er (?), n.
1. One who weaves, or whose occupation is to weave. "Weavers of
linen." P. Plowman.
2. (Zo\'94l.) A weaver bird.
3. (Zo\'94l.) An aquatic beetle of the genus Gyrinus. See Whirling.
Weaver bird (Zo\'94l.), any one of numerous species of Asiatic, Fast
Indian, and African birds belonging to Ploceus and allied genera of
the family Ploceid\'91. Weaver birds resemble finches and sparrows in
size, colors, and shape of the bill. They construct pensile nests
composed of interlaced grass and other similar materials. In some of
the species the nest is retort-shaped, with the opening at the bottom
of the tube. -- Weavers' shuttle (Zo\'94l.), an East Indian marine
univalve shell (Radius volva); -- so called from its shape. See
Illust. of Shuttle shell, under Shuttle.
Weaverfish
Weav"er*fish` (?), n. [See Weever.] (Zo\'94l.) See Weever.
Weaving
Weav"ing, n.
1. The act of one who, or that which, weaves; the act or art of
forming cloth in a loom by the union or intertexture of threads.
2. (Far.) An incessant motion of a horse's head, neck, and body, from
side to side, fancied to resemble the motion of a hand weaver in
throwing the shuttle. Youatt.
Weazand
Wea"zand (?), n. See Weasand. [Obs.]
Weazen
Wea"zen (?), a. [See Wizen.] Thin; sharp; withered; wizened; as, a
weazen face.
They were weazen and shriveled. Dickens.
Weazeny
Wea"zen*y (?), a. Somewhat weazen; shriveled. [Colloq.] "Weazeny,
baked pears." Lowell.
Web
Web (?), n. [OE. webbe, AS. webba. See Weave.] A weaver. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Web
Web, n. [OE. web, AS. webb; akin to D. web, webbe, OHG. weppi, G.
gewebe, Icel. vefr, Sw. v\'84f, Dan. v\'91v. See Weave.]
1. That which is woven; a texture; textile fabric; esp., something
woven in a loom.
Penelope, for her Ulysses' sake, Devised a web her wooers to
deceive. Spenser.
Not web might be woven, not a shuttle thrown, or penalty of exile.
Bancroft.
2. A whole piece of linen cloth as woven.
3. The texture of very fine thread spun by a spider for catching
insects at its prey; a cobweb. "The smallest spider's web." Shak.
4. Fig.: Tissue; texture; complicated fabrication.
The somber spirit of our forefathers, who wove their web of life
with hardly a . . . thread of rose-color or gold. Hawthorne.
Such has been the perplexing ingenuity of commentators that it is
difficult to extricate the truth from the web of conjectures. W.
Irving.
5. (Carriages) A band of webbing used to regulate the extension of the
hood.
6. A thin metal sheet, plate, or strip, as of lead.
And Christians slain roll up in webs of lead. Fairfax.
Specifically: - (a) The blade of a sword. [Obs.]
The sword, whereof the web was steel, Pommel rich stone, hilt gold.
Fairfax.
(b) The blade of a saw. (c) The thin, sharp part of a colter. (d) The
bit of a key.
7. (Mach. & Engin.) A plate or thin portion, continuous or perforated,
connecting stiffening ribs or flanges, or other parts of an object.
Specifically: -- (a) The thin vertical plate or portion connecting the
upper and lower flanges of an lower flanges of an iron girder, rolled
beam, or railroad rail. (b) A disk or solid construction serving,
instead of spokes, for connecting the rim and hub, in some kinds of
car wheels, sheaves, etc. (c) The arm of a crank between the shaft and
the wrist. (d) The part of a blackmith's anvil between the face and
the foot.
8. (Med.) Pterygium; -- called also webeye. Shak.
9. (Anat.) The membrane which unites the fingers or toes, either at
their bases, as in man, or for a greater part of their length, as in
many water birds and amphibians.
10. (Zo\'94l.) The series of barbs implanted on each side of the shaft
of a feather, whether stiff and united together by barbules, as in
ordinary feathers, or soft and separate, as in downy feathers. See
Feather.
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Page 1638
Pin and web (Med.), two diseases of the eye, caligo and pterygium; --
sometimes wrongly explained as one disease. See Pin, n., 8, and Web,
n., 8. "He never yet had pinne or webbe, his sight for to decay."
Gascoigne. -- Web member (Engin.), one of the braces in a web system.
-- Web press, a printing press which takes paper from a roll instead
of being fed with sheets. -- Web system (Engin.), the system of braces
connecting the flanges of a lattice girder, post, or the like.
Web
Web (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Webbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Webbing.] To
unite or surround with a web, or as if with a web; to envelop; to
entangle.
Webbed
Webbed (?), a.
1. Provided with a web.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Having the toes united by a membrane, or web; as, the
webbed feet of aquatic fowls.
Webber
Web"ber (?), n. One who forms webs; a weaver; a webster. [Obs.]
Webbing
Web"bing (?), n. A woven band of cotton or flax, used for reins,
girths, bed bottoms, etc.
Webby
Web"by (?), a. Of or pertaining to a web or webs; like a web; filled
or covered with webs.
Bats on their webby wings in darkness move. Crabbe.
Weber
We"ber (?), n. [From the name of Professor Weber, a German
electrician.] (Elec.) The standard unit of electrical quantity, and
also of current. See Coulomb, and Amp. [Obs.]
Webeye
Web"eye` (?), n. (Med.) See Web, n., 8.
Web-fingered
Web"-fin`gered (?), a. Having the fingers united by a web for a
considerable part of their length.
Webfoot
Web"foot` (?), n.; pl. Webfeet (.
1. A foot the toes of which are connected by a membrane.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Any web-footed bird.
Web-footed
Web"-foot`ed, a. Having webbed feet; palmiped; as, a goose or a duck
is a web-footed fowl.
Webster
Web"ster (?), n. [AS. webbestre. See Web, Weave, and -ster.] A weaver;
originally, a female weaver. [Obs.] Brathwait.
Websterite
Web"ster*ite (?), n. [So named after Webster, the geologist.] (Min.) A
hydrous sulphate of alumina occurring in white reniform masses.
Web-toed
Web"-toed` (?), a. Having the toes united by a web for a considerable
part of their length.
Webform
Web"form` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of various species of moths whose
gregarious larv\'91 eat the leaves of trees, and construct a large web
to which they retreat when not feeding.
NOTE: &hand; Th e mo st de structive we bworms belong to the family
Bombycid\'91, as the fall webworm (Hyphantria textor), which feeds
on various fruit and forest trees, and the common tent caterpillar,
which feeds on various fruit trees (see Tent caterpillar, under
Tent.) The grapevine webworm is the larva of a geometrid moth (see
Vine inchworm, under Vine).
Wed
Wed (w&ecr;d), n. [AS. wedd; akin to OFries. wed, OD. wedde, OHG,
wetti, G. wette a wager, Icel. ve&edh; a pledge, Sw. vad a wager, an
appeal, Goth. wadi a pledge, Lith. vaduti to redeem (a pledge), LL.
vadium, L. vas, vadis, bail, security, vadimonium security, and Gr.
Athlete, Gage a pledge, Wage.] A pledge; a pawn. [Obs.] Gower. Piers
Plowman.
Let him be ware, his neck lieth to wed [i. e., for a security].
Chaucer.
Wed
Wed, v. t. [imp. Wedded; p. p. Wedded or Wed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Wedding.] [OE. wedden, AS. weddian to covenant, promise, to wed,
marry; akin to OFries. weddia to promise, D. wedden to wager, to bet,
G. wetten, Icel. ve&edh;ja, Dan. vedde, Sw. v\'84dja to appeal, Goth.
gawadj&omac;n to betroth. See Wed, n.]
1. To take for husband or for wife by a formal ceremony; to marry; to
espouse.
With this ring I thee wed. Bk. of Com. Prayer.
I saw thee first, and wedded thee. Milton.
2. To join in marriage; to give in wedlock.
And Adam, wedded to another Eve, Shall live with her. Milton.
3. Fig.: To unite as if by the affections or the bond of marriage; to
attach firmly or indissolubly.
Thou art wedded to calamity. Shak.
Men are wedded to their lusts. Tillotson.
[Flowers] are wedded thus, like beauty to old age. Cowper.
4. To take to one's self and support; to espouse. [Obs.]
They positively and concernedly wedded his cause. Clarendon.
Wed
Wed (?), v. i. To contact matrimony; to marry. "When I shall wed."
Shak.
Weddahs
Wed"dahs (?), n. pl. (Ethnol.) See Veddahs.
Wedded
Wed"ded (?), a.
1. Joined in wedlock; married.
Let wwedded dame. Pope.
2. Of or pertaining to wedlock, or marriage. "Wedded love." Milton.
Wedder
Wed"der (?), n. See Wether. Sir W. Scott.
Wedding
Wed"ding (?), n. [AS. wedding.] Nuptial ceremony; nuptial festivities;
marriage; nuptials.
Simple and brief was the wedding, as that of Ruth and of Boaz.
Longfellow.
NOTE: &hand; Ce rtain an niversaries of an unbroken marriage have
received fanciful, and more or less appropriate, names. Thus, the
fifth anniversary is called the wooden wedding; the tenth, the tin
wedding; the fifteenth, the crystal wedding; the twentieth, the
china wedding; the twenty-fifth, the silver wedding; the fiftieth,
the golden wedding; the sixtieth, the diamond wedding. These
anniversaries are often celebrated by appropriate presents of wood,
tin, china, silver, gold, etc., given by friends.
NOTE: &hand; We dding is often used adjectively; as, wedding cake,
wedding cards, wedding clothes, wedding day, wedding feast, wedding
guest, wedding ring, etc.
Let her beauty be her wedding dower. Shak.
Wedding favor, a marriage favor. See under Marriage.
Weder
Wed"er (?), n. Weather. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wedge
Wedge (?), n. [OE. wegge, AS. wecg; akin to D. wig, wigge, OHG. wecki,
G. weck a (wedge-shaped) loaf, Icel. veggr, Dan. v\'91gge, Sw. vigg,
and probably to Lith. vagis a peg. Cf. Wigg.]
1. A piece of metal, or other hard material, thick at one end, and
tapering to a thin edge at the other, used in splitting wood, rocks,
etc., in raising heavy bodies, and the like. It is one of the six
elementary machines called the mechanical powers. See Illust. of
Mechanical powers, under Mechanical.
2. (Geom.) A solid of five sides, having a rectangular base, two
rectangular or trapezoidal sides meeting in an edge, and two
triangular ends.
3. A mass of metal, especially when of a wedgelike form. "Wedges of
gold." Shak.
4. Anything in the form of a wedge, as a body of troops drawn up in
such a form.
In warlike muster they appear, In rhombs, and wedges, and
half-moons, and wings. Milton.
5. The person whose name stands lowest on the list of the classical
tripos; -- so called after a person (Wedgewood) who occupied this
position on the first list of 1828. [Cant, Cambridge Univ., Eng.] C.
A. Bristed.
Fox wedge. (Mach. & Carpentry) See under Fox. -- Spherical wedge
(Geom.), the portion of a sphere included between two planes which
intersect in a diameter.
Wedge
Wedge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wedged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wedging.]
1. To cleave or separate with a wedge or wedges, or as with a wedge;
to rive. "My heart, as wedged with a sigh, would rive in twain." Shak.
2. To force or drive as a wedge is driven.
Among the crowd in the abbey where a finger Could not be wedged in
more. Shak.
He 's just the sort of man to wedge himself into a snug berth. Mrs.
J. H. Ewing.
3. To force by crowding and pushing as a wedge does; as, to wedge
one's way. Milton.
4. To press closely; to fix, or make fast, in the manner of a wedge
that is driven into something.
Wedged in the rocky shoals, and sticking fast. Dryden.
5. To fasten with a wedge, or with wedges; as, to wedge a scythe on
the snath; to wedge a rail or a piece of timber in its place.
6. (Pottery) To cut, as clay, into wedgelike masses, and work by
dashing together, in order to expel air bubbles, etc. Tomlinson.
Wedgebill
Wedge"bill` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) An Australian crested insessorial bird
(Sphenostoma cristatum) having a wedge-shaped bill. Its color is dull
brown, like the earth of the plains where it lives.
Wedge-formed
Wedge"-formed` (?), a. Having the form of a wedge; cuneiform.
Wedge-formed characters. See Arrow-headed characters, under
Arrowheaded.
Wedge-shaped
Wedge"-shaped` (?), a.
1. Having the shape of a wedge; cuneiform.
2. (Bot.) Broad and truncate at the summit, and tapering down to the
base; as, a wedge-shaped leaf.
Wedge-shell
Wedge"-shell` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of small
marine bivalves belonging to Donax and allied genera in which the
shell is wedge-shaped.
Wedge-tailed
Wedge"-tailed" (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) Having a tail which has the middle
pair of feathers longest, the rest successively and decidedly shorter,
and all more or less attenuate; -- said of certain birds. See Illust.
of Wood hoopoe, under Wood. Wedge-tailed eagle, an Australian eagle
(Aquila audax) which feeds on various small species of kangaroos, and
on lambs; -- called also mountain eagle, bold eagle, and eagle hawk.
-- Wedge-tailed gull, an arctic gull (Rhodostethia rosea) in which the
plumage is tinged with rose; -- called also Ross's gull.
Wedgewise
Wedge"wise` (?), adv. In the manner of a wedge.
Wedgwood ware
Wedg"wood` ware` (?). [From the name of the inventor, Josiah Wedgwood,
of England.] A kind of fine pottery, the most remarkable being what is
called jasper, either white, or colored throughout the body, and
capable of being molded into the most delicate forms, so that fine and
minute bas-reliefs like cameos were made of it, fit even for being set
as jewels.
Wedgy
Wedg"y (?), a. Like a wedge; wedge-shaped.
Wedlock
Wed"lock (?), n. [AS. wedl\'bec a pledge, be trothal; wedd a pledge +
l\'bec a gift, an offering. See Wed, n., and cf. Lake, v. i.,
Knowledge.]
1. The ceremony, or the state, of marriage; matrimony. "That blissful
yoke . . . that men clepeth [call] spousal, or wedlock." Chaucer.
For what is wedlock forced but a hell, An age of discord or
continual strife? Shak.
2. A wife; a married woman. [Obs.] B. Jonson. Syn. -- See Marriage.
Wedlock
Wed"lock, v. t. To marry; to unite in marriage; to wed. [R.] "Man thus
wedlocked." Milton.
Wednesday
Wednes"day (?; 48), n. [OE. wednesdai, wodnesdei, AS. W&omac;dnes
d\'91g, i. e., Woden's day (a translation of L. dies Mercurii); fr.
W&omac;den the highest god of the Teutonic peoples, but identified
with the Roman god Mercury; akin to OS. W&omac;dan, OHG. Wuotan, Icel.
O&edh;inn, D. woensdag Wednesday, Icel. &omac;&edh;insdagr, Dan. & Sw.
onsdag. See Day, and cf. Woden, Wood, a.] The fourth day of the week;
the next day after Tuesday. Ash Wednesday. See in the Vocabulary.
Wee
Wee (?), n. [OE. we a bit, in a little we, probably originally
meaning, a little way, the word we for wei being later taken as
synonymous with little. See Way.] A little; a bit, as of space, time,
or distance. [Obs. or Scot.]
Wee
Wee, a. Very small; little. [Colloq. & Scot.]
A little wee face, with a little yellow beard. Shak.
Weech-elm
Weech"-elm` (?), n. (Bot.) The wych-elm. [Obs.] Bacon.
Weed
Weed (?), n. [OE. wede, AS. w, w; akin to OS. w\'bedi, giw\'bedi,
OFries, w, w, OD. wade, OHG. w\'bet, Icel. v\'be, Zend vadh to
clothe.]
1. A garment; clothing; especially, an upper or outer garment.
"Lowweeds
." Spenser. "Woman's weeds." Shak. "This beggar woman's weed."
Tennyson.
He on his bed sat, the soft weeds he wore Put off. Chapman.
2. An article of dress worn in token of grief; a mourning garment or
badge; as, he wore a weed on his hat; especially, in the plural,
mourning garb, as of a woman; as, a widow's weeds.
In a mourning weed, with ashes upon her head, and tears abundantly
flowing. Milton.
Weed
Weed, n. A sudden illness or relapse, often attended with fever, which
attacks women in childbed. [Scot.]
Weed
Weed, n. [OE. weed, weod, AS. we\'a2d, wi\'a2d, akin to OS. wiod, LG.
woden the stalks and leaves of vegetables D. wieden to weed, OS.
wiod&omac;n.]
1. Underbrush; low shrubs. [Obs. or Archaic]
One rushing forth out of the thickest weed. Spenser.
A wild and wanton pard . . . Crouched fawning in the weed.
Tennyson.
2. Any plant growing in cultivated ground to the injury of the crop or
desired vegetation, or to the disfigurement of the place; an
unsightly, useless, or injurious plant.
Too much manuring filled that field with weeds. Denham.
NOTE: &hand; The word has no definite application to any particular
plant, or species of plants. Whatever plants grow among corn or
grass, in hedges, or elsewhere, and are useless to man, injurious
to crops, or unsightly or out of place, are denominated weeds.
3. Fig.: Something unprofitable or troublesome; anything useless.
4. (Stock Breeding) An animal unfit to breed from.
5. Tobacco, or a cigar. [Slang]
Weed hook, a hook used for cutting away or extirpating weeds. Tusser.
Weed
Weed, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Weeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Weeding.] [AS.
we\'a2dian. See 3d Weed.]
1. To free from noxious plants; to clear of weeds; as, to weed corn or
onions; to weed a garden.
2. To take away, as noxious plants; to remove, as something hurtful;
to extirpate. "Weed up thyme." Shak.
Wise fathers . . . weeding from their children ill things. Ascham.
Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the more man's nature runs
to, the more ought law to weed it out. Bacon.
3. To free from anything hurtful or offensive.
He weeded the kingdom of such as were devoted to Elaiana. Howell.
4. (Stock Breeding) To reject as unfit for breeding purposes.
Weeder
Weed"er (?), n. One who, or that which, weeds, or frees from anything
noxious.
Weedery
Weed"er*y (?), n. Weeds, collectively; also, a place full of weeds or
for growing weeds. [R.] Dr. H. More.
Weeding
Weed"ing, a. & n. from Weed, v. Weeding chisel, a tool with a divided
chisel-like end, for cutting the roots of large weeds under ground. --
Weeding forceps, an instrument for taking up some sorts of plants in
weeding. -- Weeding fork, a strong, three-pronged fork, used in
clearing ground of weeds; -- called also weeding iron. -- Weeding
hook. Same as Weed hook, under 3d Weed. -- Weeding iron. See Weeding
fork, above. -- Weeding tongs. Same as Weeding forceps, above.
Weeding-rhim
Weed"ing-rhim` (?), n. [Cf. Prov. E. rim to remove.] A kind of
implement used for tearing up weeds esp. on summer fallows. [Prov.
Eng.]
Weedless
Weed"less, a. Free from weeds or noxious matter.
Weedy
Weed"y (?), a. [Compar. Weedier (?); superl. Weediest.]
1. Of or pertaining to weeds; consisting of weeds. "Weedy trophies."
Shak.
2. Abounding with weeds; as, weedy grounds; a weedy garden; weedy
corn.
See from the weedy earth a rivulet break. Bryant.
3. Scraggy; ill-shaped; ungainly; -- said of colts or horses, and also
of persons. [Colloq.]
Weedy
Weed"y, a. Dressed in weeds, or mourning garments. [R. or Colloq.]
She was as weedy as in the early days of her mourning. Dickens.
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Page 1639
Week
Week (?), n. [OE. weke, wike, woke, wuke AS. weocu, wicu, wucu; akin
to OS. wika, OFries. wike, D. week, G. woche, OHG. wohha, wehha, Icel.
vika, Sw. vecka, Dan. uge, Goth. wik, probably originally meaning, a
succession or change, and akin to G. wechsel change, L. vicis turn,
alternation, and E. weak. Cf. Weak.] A period of seven days, usually
that reckoned from one Sabbath or Sunday to the next.
I fast twice in the week. Luke xviii. 12.
NOTE: &hand; Although it [the week] did not enter into the calendar
of the Greeks, and was not introduced at Rome till after the reign
of Theodesius, it has been employed from time immemorial in almost
all Eastern countries. Encyc. Brit.
Feast of Weeks. See Pentecost, 1. -- Prophetic week, a week of years,
or seven years. Dan. ix. 24. -- Week day. See under Day.
Weekly
Week"ly (?), a.
1. Of or pertaining to a week, or week days; as, weekly labor.
2. Coming, happening, or done once a week; hebdomadary; as, a weekly
payment; a weekly gazette.
Weekly
Week"ly, n.; pl. Weeklies (. A publication issued once in seven days,
or appearing once a week.
Weekly
Week"ly, adv. Once a week; by hebdomadal periods; as, each performs
service weekly.
Weekwam
Week"wam (?), n. See Wigwam. [R.]
Weel
Weel (?), a. & adv. Well. [Obs. or Scot.]
Weel
Weel, n. [AS. w\'d6l. \'fb147.] A whirlpool. [Obs.]
Weel, Weely
Weel (?), Weel"y (?),[Prov. E. weel, weal, a wicker basket to catch
eels; prob. akin to willow, and so called as made of willow twigs.] A
kind of trap or snare for fish, made of twigs. [Obs.] Carew.
Ween
Ween (?), v. i. [OE. wenen, AS. w, fr. w hope, expectation, opinion;
akin to D. waan, OFries. w, OS. & OHG. w\'ben, G. wahn delusion, Icel.
v\'ben hope, expectation, Goth. w, and D. wanen to fancy, G.
w\'84hnen, Icel. v\'bena to hope, Goth. w, and perhaps to E. winsome,
wish.] To think; to imagine; to fancy. [Obs. or Poetic] Spenser.
Milton.
I have lost more than thou wenest. Chaucer.
For well I ween, Never before in the bowers of light Had the form
of an earthly fay been seen. J. R. Drake.
Though never a dream the roses sent Of science or love's
compliment, I ween they smelt as sweet. Mrs. Browning.
Weep
Weep (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The lapwing; the wipe; -- so called from its
cry.
Weep
Weep, obs. imp. of Weep, for wept. Chaucer.
Weep
Weep, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wept (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Weeping.] [OE.
wepen, AS. w, from w lamentation; akin to OFries. w to lament, OS. w
lamentation, OHG. wuof, Icel. a shouting, crying, OS. w to lament,
OHG. wuoffan, wuoffen, Icel. , Goth. w.
1. Formerly, to express sorrow, grief, or anguish, by outcry, or by
other manifest signs; in modern use, to show grief or other passions
by shedding tears; to shed tears; to cry.
And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck. Acts xx. 37.
Phocion was rarely seen to weep or to laugh. Mitford.
And eyes that wake to weep. Mrs. Hemans.
And they wept together in silence. Longfellow.
2. To lament; to complain. "They weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh,
that we may eat." Num. xi. 13.
3. To flow in drops; to run in drops.
The blood weeps from my heart. Shak.
4. To drop water, or the like; to drip; to be soaked.
5. To hang the branches, as if in sorrow; to be pendent; to droop; --
said of a plant or its branches.
Weep
Weep, v. t.
1. To lament; to bewail; to bemoan. "I weep bitterly the dead." A. S.
Hardy.
We wandering go Through dreary wastes, and weep each other's woe.
Pope.
2. To shed, or pour forth, as tears; to shed drop by drop, as if
tears; as, to weep tears of joy.
Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth. Milton.
Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm. Milton.
Weeper
Weep"er (?), n.
1. One who weeps; esp., one who sheds tears.
2. A white band or border worn on the sleeve as a badge of mourning.
Goldsmith.
3. (Zo\'94l.) The capuchin. See Capuchin, 3 (a).
Weepful
Weep"ful (?), a. Full of weeping or lamentation; grieving. [Obs.]
Wyclif.
Weeping
Weep"ing, n. The act of one who weeps; lamentation with tears;
shedding of tears.
Weeping
Weep"ing, a.
1. Grieving; lamenting; shedding tears. "Weeping eyes." I. Watts.
2. Discharging water, or other liquid, in drops or very slowly;
surcharged with water. "Weeping grounds." Mortimer.
3. Having slender, pendent branches; -- said of trees; as, weeping
willow; a weeping ash.
4. Pertaining to lamentation, or those who weep.
Weeping cross, a cross erected on or by the highway, especially for
the devotions of penitents; hence, to return by the weeping cross, to
return from some undertaking in humiliation or penitence. -- Weeping
rock, a porous rock from which water gradually issues. -- Weeping
sinew, a ganglion. See Ganglion, n., 2. [Colloq.] -- Weeping spring, a
spring that discharges water slowly. -- Weeping willow (Bot.), a
species of willow (Salix Babylonica) whose branches grow very long and
slender, and hang down almost perpendicularly. <-- Illustr. of Weeping
willow. -->
Weepingly
Weep"ing*ly (?), adv. In a weeping manner.
Weeping-ripe
Weep"ing-ripe` (?), a. Ripe for weeping; ready to weep. [Obs.] Shak.
Weerish
Weer"ish (?), a. See Wearish. [Obs.]
Weesel
Wee"sel (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Weasel.
Weet
Weet (?), a. & n. Wet. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Weet
Weet, v. i. [imp. Wot (?).] [See Wit to know.] To know; to wit. [Obs.]
Tyndale. Spenser.
Weet-bird
Weet"-bird` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The wryneck; -- so called from its cry.
[Prov. Eng.]
Weetingly
Weet"ing*ly, adv. Knowingly. [Obs.] Spenser.
Weetless
Weet"less, a. Unknowing; also, unknown; unmeaning. [Obs.] Spenser.
Weet-weet
Weet"-weet` (?), n. [So called from its piping cry when disturbed.]
(Zo\'94l.) (a) The common European sandpiper. (b) The chaffinch.
[Prov. Eng.]
Weever
Wee"ver (?), n. [Probably from F. vive, OF. vivre, a kind of fish, L.
vipera viper. Cf. Viper.] (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of
edible marine fishes belonging to the genus Trachinus, of the family
Trachinid\'91. They have a broad spinose head, with the eyes looking
upward. The long dorsal fin is supported by numerous strong, sharp
spines which cause painful wounds. <-- Illustr. of Great weever
(Trachinus draco) -->
NOTE: &hand; Th e tw o Br itish sp ecies are the great, or greater,
weever (Trachinus draco), which becomes a foot long (called also
gowdie, sea cat, stingbull, and weaverfish), and the lesser weever
(T. vipera), about half as large (called also otter pike, and
stingfish).
Weevil
Wee"vil (?), n. [OE. wivel, wevil, AS. wifel, wibil; akin to OD.
wevel, OHG. wibil, wibel, G. wiebel, wibel, and probably to Lith.
vabalas beetle, and E. weave. See Weave.] (Zo\'94l.) Any one of
numerous species of snout beetles, or Rhynchophora, in which the head
is elongated and usually curved downward. Many of the species are very
injurious to cultivated plants. The larv\'91 of some of the species
live in nuts, fruit, and grain by eating out the interior, as the plum
weevil, or curculio, the nut weevils, and the grain weevil (see under
Plum, Nut, and Grain). The larv\'91 of other species bore under the
bark and into the pith of trees and various other plants, as the pine
weevils (see under Pine). See also Pea weevil, Rice weevil, Seed
weevil, under Pea, Rice, and Seed.
Weeviled
Wee"viled (?), a. Infested by weevils; as, weeviled grain. [Written
also weevilled.]
Weevily
Wee"vil*y (?), a. Having weevils; weeviled. [Written also weevilly.]
Weezel
Wee"zel (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Weasel.
Weft
Weft (?), obs. imp. & p. p. of Wave.
Weft
Weft, n. [Cf. Waif.] A thing waved, waived, or cast away; a waif.
[Obs.] "A forlorn weft." Spenser.
Weft
Weft, n. [AS. weft, wefta, fr. wefan, to weave. See Weave.]
1. The woof of cloth; the threads that cross the warp from selvage to
selvage; the thread carried by the shuttle in weaving.
2. A web; a thing woven.
Weftage
Weft"age (?), n. Texture. [Obs.] Grew.
Wegotism
We"go*tism (?), n. [From we, in imitation of egotism.] Excessive use
of the pronoun we; -- called also weism. [Colloq. or Cant]
Wehrgeld, Wehrgelt
Wehr"geld` (?), Wehr"gelt` (?), n. (O. Eng. Law) See Weregild.
Wehrwolf
Wehr"wolf` (?), n. See Werewolf.
Weigela, Weigelia
Wei"gel*a (?), Wei*ge"li*a (?), n. [NL. So named after C. E. Weigel, a
German naturalist.] (Bot.) A hardy garden shrub (Diervilla Japonica)
belonging to the Honeysuckle family, with withe or red flowers. It was
introduced from China.
Weigh
Weigh (?), n. (Naut.) A corruption of Way, used only in the phrase
under weigh.
An expedition was got under weigh from New York. Thackeray.
The Athenians . . . hurried on board and with considerable
difficulty got under weigh. Jowett (Thucyd.).
Weigh
Weigh, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Weighed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Weighing.]
[OE. weien, weyen, weghen, AS. wegan to bear, move; akin to D. wegen
to weigh, G. w\'84gen, wiegen, to weigh, bewegen to move, OHG. wegan,
Icel. vega to move, carry, lift, weigh, Sw. v\'84ga to weigh, Dan.
veie, Goth. gawigan to shake, L. vehere to carry, Skr. vah. Way, and
cf. Wey.]
1. To bear up; to raise; to lift into the air; to swing up; as, to
weigh anchor. "Weigh the vessel up." Cowper.
2. To examine by the balance; to ascertain the weight of, that is, the
force with which a thing tends to the center of the earth; to
determine the heaviness, or quantity of matter of; as, to weigh sugar;
to weigh gold.
Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Dan. v.
27.
3. To be equivalent to in weight; to counterbalance; to have the
heaviness of. "A body weighing divers ounces." Boyle.
4. To pay, allot, take, or give by weight.
They weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. Zech. xi. 12.
5. To examine or test as if by the balance; to ponder in the mind; to
consider or examine for the purpose of forming an opinion or coming to
a conclusion; to estimate deliberately and maturely; to balance.
A young man not weighed in state affairs. Bacon.
Had no better weighed The strength he was to cope with, or his own.
Milton.
Regard not who it is which speaketh, but weigh only what is spoken.
Hooker.
In nice balance, truth with gold she weighs. Pope.
Without sufficiently weighing his expressions. Sir W. Scott.
6. To consider as worthy of notice; to regard. [Obs. or Archaic] "I
weigh not you." Shak.
All that she so dear did weigh. Spenser.
To weigh down. (a) To overbalance. (b) To oppress with weight; to
overburden; to depress. "To weigh thy spirits down." Milton.
Weigh
Weigh (?), v. i.
1. To have weight; to be heavy. "They only weigh the heavier." Cowper.
2. To be considered as important; to have weight in the intellectual
balance.
Your vows to her and me . . . will even weigh. Shak.
This objection ought to weigh with those whose reading is designed
for much talk and little knowledge. Locke.
3. To bear heavily; to press hard.
Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff Which weighs upon
the heart. Shak.
4. To judge; to estimate. [R.]
Could not weigh of worthiness aright. Spenser.
To weigh down, to sink by its own weight.
Weigh
Weigh, n. [See Wey.] A certain quantity estimated by weight; an
English measure of weight. See Wey.
Weighable
Weigh"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being weighed.
Weighage
Weigh"age (?; 48), n. A duty or toil paid for weighing merchandise.
Bouvier.
Weighbeam
Weigh"beam` (?), n. A kind of large steelyard for weighing
merchandise; -- also called weighmaster's beam.
Weighboard
Weigh"board` (?), n. (Mining) Clay intersecting a vein. Weale.
Weighbridge
Weigh"bridge` (?), n. A weighing machine on which loaded carts may be
weighed; platform scales.
Weigher
Weigh"er (?), n. One who weighs; specifically, an officer whose duty
it is to weigh commodities.
Weighhouse
Weigh"*house` (?), n.; pl. Weigh-houses (. A building at or within
which goods, and the like, are weighed.
Weighing
Weigh"ing, a. & n. from Weigh, v. Weighing cage, a cage in which small
living animals may be conveniently weighed. -- Weighing house. See
Weigh-house. -- Weighing machine, any large machine or apparatus for
weighing; especially, platform scales arranged for weighing heavy
bodies, as loaded wagons.
Weighlock
Weigh"lock` (?), n. A lock, as on a canal, in which boats are weighed
and their tonnage is settled.
Weighmaster
Weigh"mas`ter (?), n. One whose business it is to weigh ore, hay,
merchandise, etc.; one licensed as a public weigher.
Weight
Weight (?), n. [OE. weght, wight, AS. gewiht; akin to D. gewigt, G.
gewicht, Icel. v\'91tt, Sw. vigt, Dan. v\'91gt. See Weigh, v. t.]
1. The quality of being heavy; that property of bodies by which they
tend toward the center of the earth; the effect of gravitative force,
especially when expressed in certain units or standards, as pounds,
grams, etc.
NOTE: &hand; We ight di ffers fr om gr avity in being the effect of
gravity, or the downward pressure of a body under the influence of
gravity; hence, it constitutes a measure of the force of gravity,
and being the resultant of all the forces exerted by gravity upon
the different particles of the body, it is proportional to the
quantity of matter in the body.
2. The quantity of heaviness; comparative tendency to the center of
the earth; the quantity of matter as estimated by the balance, or
expressed numerically with reference to some standard unit; as, a mass
of stone having the weight of five hundred pounds.
For sorrow, like a heavy-hanging bell, Once set on ringing, with
his own weight goes. Shak.
3. Hence, pressure; burden; as, the weight of care or business. "The
weight of this said time." Shak.
For the public all this weight he bears. Milton.
[He] who singly bore the world's sad weight. Keble.
4. Importance; power; influence; efficacy; consequence; moment;
impressiveness; as, a consideration of vast weight.
In such a point of weight, so near mine honor. Shak.
5. A scale, or graduated standard, of heaviness; a mode of estimating
weight; as, avoirdupois weight; troy weight; apothecaries' weight.
6. A ponderous mass; something heavy; as, a clock weight; a paper
weight.
A man leapeth better with weights in his hands. Bacon.
7. A definite mass of iron, lead, brass, or other metal, to be used
for ascertaining the weight of other bodies; as, an ounce weight.
8. (Mech.) The resistance against which a machine acts, as opposed to
the power which moves it. [Obs.]
Atomic weight. (Chem.) See under Atomic, and cf. Element. -- Dead
weight, Feather weight, Heavy weight, Light weight, etc. See under
Dead, Feather, etc. -- Weight of observation (Astron. & Physics), a
number expressing the most probable relative value of each observation
in determining the result of a series of observations of the same
kind. Syn. -- Ponderousness; gravity; heaviness; pressure; burden;
load; importance; power; influence; efficacy; consequence; moment;
impressiveness.
Weight
Weight, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Weighted; p. pr. & vb. n. Weighting.]
1. To load with a weight or weights; to load down; to make heavy; to
attach weights to; as, to weight a horse or a jockey at a race; to
weight a whip handle.
The arrows of satire, . . . weighted with sense. Coleridge.
2. (Astron. & Physics) To assign a weight to; to express by a number
the probable accuracy of, as an observation. See Weight of
observations, under Weight.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1640
Weightily
Weight"i*ly (?), adv. In a weighty manner.
Weightiness
Weight"i*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being weighty; weight;
force; importance; impressiveness.
Weightless
Weight"less, a. Having no weight; imponderable; hence, light. Shak.
Weighty
Weight"y (?), a. [Compar. Weightier (?); superl. Weightiest.]
1. Having weight; heavy; ponderous; as, a weighty body.
2. Adapted to turn the balance in the mind, or to convince; important;
forcible; serious; momentous. "For sundry weighty reasons." Shak.
Let me have your advice in a weighty affair. Swift.
3. Rigorous; severe; afflictive. [R.] "Attend our weightier judgment."
Shak. Syn. -- Heavy; ponderous; burdensome; onerous; forcible;
momentous; efficacious; impressive; cogent.
Weir, Wear
Weir (?), Wear, n. [OE. wer, AS. wer; akin to G. wehr, AS. werian to
defend, protect, hinder, G. wehren, Goth. warjan; and perhaps to E.
wary; or cf. Skr. vr to check, hinder. &root;142. Cf. Garret.]
1. A dam in a river to stop and raise the water, for the purpose of
conducting it to a mill, forming a fish pond, or the like.
2. A fence of stakes, brushwood, or the like, set in a stream,
tideway, or inlet of the sea, for taking fish.
3. A long notch with a horizontal edge, as in the top of a vertical
plate or plank, through which water flows, -- used in measuring the
quantity of flowing water.
Weird
Weird (?), n. [OE. wirde, werde, AS. wyrd fate, fortune, one of the
Fates, fr. weor to be, to become; akin to OS. wurd fate, OHG. wurt,
Icel. ur. Worth to become.]
1. Fate; destiny; one of the Fates, or Norns; also, a prediction.
[Obs. or Scot.]
2. A spell or charm. [Obs. or Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
Weird
Weird, a.
1. Of or pertaining to fate; concerned with destiny.
2. Of or pertaining to witchcraft; caused by, or suggesting, magical
influence; supernatural; unearthly; wild; as, a weird appearance,
look, sound, etc.
Myself too had weird seizures. Tennyson.
Those sweet, low tones, that seemed like a weird incantation.
Longfellow.
Weird sisters, the Fates. [Scot.] G. Douglas.
NOTE: &hand; Sh akespeare us es th e te rm for the three witches in
Macbeth.
The weird sisters, hand in hand, Posters of the sea and land. Shak.
Weird
Weird, v. t. To foretell the fate of; to predict; to destine to.
[Scot.] Jamieson.
Weirdness
Weird"ness, n. The quality or state of being weird.
Weism
We"ism (?), n. Same as Wegotism.
Weive
Weive (?), v. t. See Waive. [Obs.] Gower.
Weka
We"ka (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A New Zealand rail (Ocydromus australis)
which has wings so short as to be incapable of flight.
Wekau
We"kau (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A small New Zealand owl (Sceloglaux
albifacies). It has short wings and long legs, and lives chiefly on
the ground.
Wekeen
We*keen" (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The meadow pipit. [Prov. Eng.]
Welaway
Wel"a*way (?), interj. [OE. welaway, walaway, weilawey; wei wo! (Icel.
vei) + la lo! (AS. l\'be) + wei wo!; cf. AS. w\'be l\'be w\'be. See
Woe.] Alas! [Obs.]
Then welaway, for she undone was clean. Wyatt.
Wel-begone
Wel"-be*gone` (?), a. [OE. wel-begon. See Well, and Begone.]
Surrounded with happiness or prosperity. [Obs.]
Fair and rich and young and wel-begone. Chaucer.
Welch
Welch (?), a. See Welsh. [R.]
Welcher
Welch"er (?), n. See Welsher.
Welchman
Welch"man (?), n. See Welshman. [R.]
Welcome
Wel"come (?), a. [OE. welcome, welcume, wilcume, AS. wilcuma a welcome
guest, from wil-, as a prefix, akin to willa will + cuma a comer, fr.
cuman to come; hence, properly, one who comes so as to please
another's will; cf. Icel. velkominn welcome, G. willkommen. See Will,
n., and Come.]
1. Received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house,
entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor.
When the glad soul is made Heaven's welcome guest. Cowper.
2. Producing gladness; grateful; as, a welcome present; welcome news.
"O, welcome hour!" Milton.
3. Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to the use
of my library.
NOTE: &hand; We lcome is us ed el liptically fo r you are welcome.
"Welcome, great monarch, to your own."
Dryden. Welcome-to-our-house (Bot.), a kind of spurge (Euphorbia
Cyparissias). Dr. Prior.
Welcome
Wel"come, n.
1. Salutation to a newcomer. "Welcome ever smiles." Shak.
2. Kind reception of a guest or newcomer; as, we entered the house and
found a ready welcome.
His warmest welcome at an inn. Shenstone.
Truth finds an entrance and a welcome too. South.
To bid welcome, to receive with professions of kindness.
To thee and thy company I bid A hearty welcome. Shak.
Welcome
Wel"come, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welcomed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Welcoming.] [AS. wilcumian.] To salute with kindness, as a newcomer;
to receive and entertain hospitably and cheerfully; as, to welcome a
visitor; to welcome a new idea. "I welcome you to land." Addison.
Thus we salute thee with our early song, And welcome thee, and wish
thee long. Milton.
Welcomely
Wel"come*ly, adv. In a welcome manner.
Welcomeness
Wel"come*ness, n. The quality or state of being welcome; gratefulness;
agreeableness; kind reception.
Welcomer
Wel"com*er (?), n. One who welcomes; one who salutes, or receives
kindly, a newcomer. Shak.
Weld
Weld (?), v. t. To wield. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Weld
Weld (?), n. [OE. welde; akin to Scot. wald, Prov. G. waude, G. wau,
Dan. & Sw. vau, D. wouw.]
1. (Bot.) An herb (Reseda luteola) related to mignonette, growing in
Europe, and to some extent in America; dyer's broom; dyer's rocket;
dyer's weed; wild woad. It is used by dyers to give a yellow color.
[Written also woald, wold, and would.]
2. Coloring matter or dye extracted from this plant.
Weld
Weld, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welded; p. pr. & vb. n. Welding.] [Probably
originally the same word as well to spring up, to gush; perhaps from
the Scand.; cf. Sw. v\'84lla to weld, uppv\'84lla to boil up, to
spring up, Dan. v\'91lde to gush, G. wellen to weld. See Well to
spring.]
1. To press or beat into intimate and permanent union, as two pieces
of iron when heated almost to fusion.
NOTE: &hand; Very few of the metals, besides iron and platinum. are
capable of being welded. Horn and tortoise shell possess this
useful property.
2. Fig.: To unite closely or intimately.
Two women faster welded in one love. Tennyson.
Weld
Weld, n. The state of being welded; the joint made by welding. Butt
weld. See under Butt. -- Scarf weld, a joint made by overlapping, and
welding together, the scarfed ends of two pieces.
Weldable
Weld"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being welded.
Welder
Weld"er (?), n. One who welds, or unites pieces of iron, etc., by
welding.
Welder
Weld"er, n.
1. One who welds, or wields. [Obs.]
2. A manager; an actual occupant. [Ireland. Obs.] "The welder . . .
who . . . lives miserably." Swift.
Weldon's process
Wel"don's proc"ess (?), (Chem.) A process for the recovery or
regeneration of manganese dioxide in the manufacture of chlorine, by
means of milk of lime and the oxygen of the air; -- so called after
the inventor.
Wele
Wele (?), n. [See Weal prosperity.] Prosperity; happiness; well-being;
weal. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Weleful
Wele"ful (?), a. Producing prosperity or happiness; blessed. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Welew
We"lew (?), v. t. To welk, or wither. [Obs.]
Welfare
Wel"fare` (?), n. [Well + fare to go, to proceed, to happen.]
Well-doing or well-being in any respect; the enjoyment of health and
the common blessings of life; exemption from any evil or calamity;
prosperity; happiness.
How to study for the people's welfare. Shak.
In whose deep eyes Men read the welfare of the times to come.
Emerson.
Welfaring
Wel"far`ing, a. Faring well; prosperous; thriving. [Obs.] "A welfaring
person." Chaucer.
Welk
Welk (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Welked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Welking.]
[OE. welken; cf. D. & G. welken to wither, G. welk withered, OHG. welc
moist. See Welkin, and cf. Wilt.] To wither; to fade; also, to decay;
to decline; to wane. [Obs.]
When ruddy Phwelk in west. Spenser.
The church, that before by insensible degrees welked and impaired,
now with large steps went down hill decaying. Milton.
Welk
Welk, v. t.
1. To cause to wither; to wilt. [Obs.]
Mot thy welked neck be to-broke [broken]. Chaucer.
2. To contract; to shorten. [Obs.]
Now sad winter welked hath the day. Spenser.
3. To soak; also, to beat severely. [Prov. Eng.]
Welk
Welk, n. A pustule. See 2d Whelk.
Welk
Welk, n. (Zo\'94l.) A whelk. [R.]
Welked
Welked (?), v. t. See Whelked.
Welkin
Wel"kin (?), n. [OE. welken, welkene, welkne, wolcne, weolcne, AS.
wolcen, pl. wolcnu, a cloud; akin to D. wolk, OFries. wolken, OS.
wolkan, G. wolke, OHG. wolchan, and probably to G. welk withered, OHG.
welc moist, Russ. & OSlav. vlaga moisture, Lith. vilgyti to moisten.]
The visible regions of the air; the vault of heaven; the sky.
On the welkne shoon the sterres lyght. Chaucer.
The fair welkin foully overcast. Spenser.
When storms the welkin rend. Wordsworth.
NOTE: &hand; Us ed ad jectively by Shakespeare in the phase, "Your
welkin eye," with uncertain meaning.
Well
Well (?), n. [OE. welle, AS. wella, wylla, from weallan to well up,
surge, boil; akin to D. wel a spring or fountain. Well, v. i.]
1. An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain.
Begin, then, sisters of the sacred well. Milton.
2. A pit or hole sunk into the earth to such a depth as to reach a
supply of water, generally of a cylindrical form, and often walled
with stone or bricks to prevent the earth from caving in.
The woman said unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and
the well is deep. John iv. 11.
3. A shaft made in the earth to obtain oil or brine.
4. Fig.: A source of supply; fountain; wellspring. "This well of
mercy." Chaucer.
Dan Chaucer, well of English undefiled. Spenser.
A well of serious thought and pure. Keble.
5. (Naut.) (a) An inclosure in the middle of a vessel's hold, around
the pumps, from the bottom to the lower deck, to preserve the pumps
from damage and facilitate their inspection. (b) A compartment in the
middle of the hold of a fishing vessel, made tight at the sides, but
having holes perforated in the bottom to let in water for the
preservation of fish alive while they are transported to market. (c) A
vertical passage in the stern into which an auxiliary screw propeller
may be drawn up out of water. (d) A depressed space in the after part
of the deck; -- often called the cockpit.
6. (Mil.) A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run
branches or galleries.
7. (Arch.) An opening through the floors of a building, as for a
staircase or an elevator; a wellhole.
8. (Metal.) The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls.
Artesian well, Driven well. See under Artesian, and Driven. -- Pump
well. (Naut.) See Well, 5 (a), above. -- Well boring, the art or
process of boring an artesian well. -- Well drain. (a) A drain or vent
for water, somewhat like a well or pit, serving to discharge the water
of wet land. (b) A drain conducting to a well or pit. -- Well room.
(a) A room where a well or spring is situated; especially, one built
over a mineral spring. (b) (Naut.) A depression in the bottom of a
boat, into which water may run, and whence it is thrown out with a
scoop. -- Well sinker, one who sinks or digs wells. -- Well sinking,
the art or process of sinking or digging wells. -- Well staircase
(Arch.), a staircase having a wellhole (see Wellhole (b)), as
distinguished from one which occupies the whole of the space left for
it in the floor. -- Well sweep. Same as Sweep, n., 12. -- Well water,
the water that flows into a well from subterraneous springs; the water
drawn from a well.
Well
Well (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Welled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Welling.]
[OE. wellen, AS. wyllan, wellan, fr. weallan; akin to OFries. walla,
OS. & OHG. wallan, G. wallen, Icel. vella, G. welle, wave, OHG. wella,
walm, AS. wylm; cf. L. volvere to roll, Gr. Voluble, Wallop to boil,
Wallow, Weld of metal.] To issue forth, as water from the earth; to
flow; to spring. "[Blood] welled from out the wound." Dryden. "[Yon
spring] wells softly forth." Bryant.
From his two springs in Gojam's sunny realm, Pure welling out, he
through the lucid lake Of fair Dambea rolls his infant streams.
Thomson.
Well
Well, v. t. To pour forth, as from a well. Spenser.
Well
Well, adv. [Compar. and superl. wanting, the deficiency being supplied
by better and best, from another root.] [OE. wel, AS. wel; akin to
OS., OFries., & D. wel, G. wohl, OHG. wola, wela, Icel. & Dan. vel,
Sw. v\'84l, Goth. wa\'a1la; originally meaning, according to one's
will or wish. See Will, v. t., and cf. Wealth.]
1. In a good or proper manner; justly; rightly; not ill or wickedly.
If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. Gen. iv. 7.
2. Suitably to one's condition, to the occasion, or to a proposed end
or use; suitably; abundantly; fully; adequately; thoroughly.
Lot . . . beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered
everywhere. Gen. xiii. 10.
WE are wellable to overcome it. Num. xiii. 30.
She looketh well to the ways of her household. Prov. xxxi. 27.
Servant of God, well done! well hast thou fought The better fight.
Milton.
3. Fully or about; -- used with numbers. [Obs.] "Well a ten or
twelve." Chaucer.
Well nine and twenty in a company. Chaucer.
4. In such manner as is desirable; so as one could wish;
satisfactorily; favorably; advantageously; conveniently. "It boded
well to you." Dryden.
Know In measure what the mind may well contain. Milton.
All the world speaks well of you. Pope.
5. Considerably; not a little; far.
Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age. Gen. xviii.
11.
NOTE: &hand; Well is sometimes used elliptically for it is well, as
an expression of satisfaction with what has been said or done, and
sometimes it expresses concession, or is merely expletive; as,
well, the work is done; well, let us go; well, well, be it so.
NOTE: &hand; We ll, li ke ab ove, il l, and so, is used before many
participial adjectives in its usual adverbial senses, and subject
to the same custom with regard to the use of the hyphen (see the
Note under Ill, adv.); as, a well-affected supporter; he was well
affected toward the project; a well-trained speaker; he was well
trained in speaking; well-educated, or well educated; well-dressed,
or well dressed; well-appearing; well-behaved; well-controlled;
well-designed; well-directed; well-formed; well-meant; well-minded;
well-ordered; well-performed; well-pleased; well-pleasing;
well-seasoned; well-steered; well-tasted; well-told, etc. Such
compound epithets usually have an obvious meaning, and since they
may be formed at will, only a few of this class are given in the
Vocabulary.
As well. See under As. -- As well as, and also; together with; not
less than; one as much as the other; as, a sickness long, as well as
severe; London is the largest city in England, as well as the capital.
-- Well enough, well or good in a moderate degree; so as to give
satisfaction, or so as to require no alteration. -- Well off, in good
condition; especially, in good condition as to property or any
advantages; thriving; prosperous. -- Well to do, well off; prosperous;
-- used also adjectively. "The class well to do in the world." J. H.
Newman. -- Well to live, in easy circumstances; well off; well to do.
Shak.
Well
Well, a.
1. Good in condition or circumstances; desirable, either in a natural
or moral sense; fortunate; convenient; advantageous; happy; as, it is
well for the country that the crops did not fail; it is well that the
mistake was discovered.
It was well with us in Egypt. Num. xi. 18.
2. Being in health; sound in body; not ailing, diseased, or sick;
healthy; as, a well man; the patient is perfectly well. "Your friends
are well." Shak.
Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Gen. xliii. 27.
3. Being in favor; favored; fortunate.
He followed the fortunes of that family, and was well with Henry
the Fourth. Dryden.
4. (Marine Insurance) Safe; as, a chip warranted well at a certain day
and place. Burrill.
Welladay
Well"a*day (?), interj. [Corrupted from wela way.] Alas! Welaway!
Shak.
Wellat
Wel"lat (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The king parrakeet See under King.
Well-being
Well"-be`ing (?), n. The state or condition of being well; welfare;
happiness; prosperity; as, virtue is essential to the well-being of
men or of society.
Well-born
Well"-born` (?), a. Born of a noble or respect able family; not of
mean birth.
Well-bred
Well"-bred` (?), a. Having good breeding; refined in manners; polite;
cultivated.
I am as well-bred as the earl's granddaughter. Thackera
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Welldoer
Well"do`er (?), n. One who does well; one who does good to another; a
benefactor.
Welldoing
Well"do`ing, n. A doing well; right performance of duties. Also used
adjectively.
Welldrain
Well"drain` (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welldrained (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Well-draining.] To drain, as land; by means of wells, or pits, which
receive the water, and from which it is discharged by machinery.
Wellfare
Well"fare` (?), n. See Welfare. [Obs.]
Well-favored
Well"-fa"vored (?), a. Handsome; wellformed; beautiful; pleasing to
the eye.
Rachel was beautiful and well-favored. Gen. xxix. 17.
Wellhead
Well"head` (?), n. A source, spring, or fountain.
At the wellhead the purest streams arise. Spenser.
Our public-school and university life is a great wellhead of new
and irresponsible words. Earle.
Wellhole
Well"hole` (?), n.
1. (Arch.) (a) The open space in a floor, to accommodate a staircase.
(b) The open space left beyond the ends of the steps of a staircase.
2. A cavity which receives a counterbalancing weight in certain
mechanical contrivances, and is adapted also for other purposes. W. M.
Buchanan.
Well-informed
Well`-in*formed" (?), a. Correctly informed; provided with
information; well furnished with authentic knowledge; intelligent.
Wellingtenia
Wel`ling*te"ni*a (?), n. [NL. So named after the Duke of Wellington.]
(Bot.) A name given to the "big trees" (Sequoia gigantea) of
California, and still used in England. See Sequoia.
Wellingtons
Wel"ling*tons (?), n. pl. [After the Duke of Wellington.] A kind of
long boots for men.
Well-intentioned
Well`-in*ten"tioned (?), a. Having upright intentions or honorable
purposes.
Dutchmen who had sold themselves to France, as the wellintentioned
party. Macaulay.
Well-known
Well"-known` (?), a. Fully known; generally known or acknowledged.
A church well known with a well-known rite. M. Arnold.
Well-liking
Well"-lik`ing (?), a. Being in good condition. [Obs. or Archaic]
They also shall bring forth more fruit in their age, and shall be
fat and well-liking. Bk. of Com. Prayer (Ps. xcii.).
Well-mannered
Well`-man"nered (?), a. Polite; well-bred; complaisant; courteous.
Dryden.
Well-meaner
Well"-mean`er (?), n. One whose intention is good. "Well-meaners think
no harm." Dryden.
Well-meaning
Well"-mean`ing, a. Having a good intention.
Well-natured
Well`-na"tured (?), a. Good-natured; kind.
Well-natured, temperate, and wise. Denham.
Well-nigh
Well"-nigh` (?), adv. Almost; nearly. Chaucer.
Well-plighted
Well"-plight`ed (?), a. Being well folded. [Obs.] "Her well-plighted
frock." Spenser.
Well-read
Well"-read` (?), a. Of extensive reading; deeply versed; -- often
followed by in.
Well-seen
Well"-seen` (?), a. Having seen much; hence, accomplished;
experienced. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
Well-seen in arms and proved in many a fight. Spenser.
Well-set
Well"-set` (?), a.
1. Properly or firmly set.
2. Well put together; having symmetry of parts.
Well-sped
Well"-sped` (?), a. Having good success.
Well-spoken
Well"-spo`ken (?), a. [Well + speak.]
1. Speaking well; speaking with fitness or grace; speaking kindly. "A
knight well-spoken." Shak.
2. Spoken with propriety; as, well-spoken words.
Wellspring
Well"spring` (?) n. A fountain; a spring; a source of continual
supply.
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it; but
the instruction of fools is folly. Prov. xvi. 22.
Well-willer
Well"-will`er (?), n. One who wishes well, or means kindly. [R.] "A
well-willer of yours." Brydges.
Well-wish
Well"-wish` (?) n. A wish of happiness. "A well-wish for his friends."
Addison.
Wellwisher
Well"wish`er (?), n. One who wishes another well; one who is
benevolently or friendlily inclined.
We'll
We'll (?). Contraction for we will or we shall. "We'll follow them."
Shak.
Wels
Wels (?), n. [G.] (Zo\'94l.) The sheatfish; -- called also waller.
Welsh
Welsh (?), a. [AS. w\'91lisc, welisc, from wealh a stranger,
foreigner, not of Saxon origin, a Welshman, a Celt, Gael; akin to OHG.
walh, whence G. w\'84lsch or welsch, Celtic, Welsh, Italian, French,
Foreign, strange, OHG. walhisc; from the name of a Celtic tribe. See
Walnut.] Of or pertaining to Wales, or its inhabitants. [Sometimes
written also Welch.] Welsh flannel, a fine kind of flannel made from
the fleece of the flocks of the Welsh mountains, and largely
manufactured by hand. -- Welsh glaive, OR Welsh hook, a weapon of war
used in former times by the Welsh, commonly regarded as a kind of
poleax. Fairholt. Craig. -- Welsh mortgage (O. Eng. Law), a species of
mortgage, being a conveyance of an estate, redeemable at any time on
payment of the principal, with an understanding that the profits in
the mean time shall be received by the mortgagee without account, in
satisfaction of interest. Burrill. -- Welsh mutton, a choice and
delicate kind of mutton obtained from a breed of small sheep in Wales.
-- Welsh onion (Bot.), a kind of onion (Allium fistulosum) having
hollow inflated stalks and leaves, but scarcely any bulb, a native of
Siberia. It is said to have been introduced from Germany, and is
supposed to have derived its name from the German term w\'84lsch
foreign. -- Welsh parsley, hemp, or halters made from hemp. [Obs. &
Jocular] J. Fletcher. -- Welsh rabbit. See under Rabbit.
Welsh
Welsh, n.
1. The language of Wales, or of the Welsh people.
2. pl. The natives or inhabitants of Wales.
NOTE: &hand; Th e Welsh call themselves Cymry, in the plural, and a
Welshman Cymro, and their country Cymru, of which the adjective is
Cymreig, and the name of their language Cymraeg. They are a branch
of the Celtic family, and a relic of the earliest known population
of England, driven into the mountains of Wales by the Anglo-Saxon
invaders.
Welsher
Welsh"er (?), n. One who cheats at a horse race; one who bets, without
a chance of being able to pay; one who receives money to back certain
horses and absconds with it. [Written also welcher.] [Slang, Eng.]
Welshman
Welsh"man (?), n.; pl. Welshmen (.
1. A native or inhabitant of Wales; one of the Welsh.
2. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A squirrel fish. (b) The large-mouthed black bass.
See Black bass. [Southern U. S.]
Welsome
Wel"some (?), a. Prosperous; well. [Obs.] Wyclif. -- Wel"some*ly, adv.
Wyclif.
Welt
Welt (?), n. [OE. welte, probably fr. W. gwald a hem, a welt, gwaldu
to welt or to hem.]
1. That which, being sewed or otherwise fastened to an edge or border,
serves to guard, strengthen, or adorn it; as; (a) A small cord covered
with cloth and sewed on a seam or border to strengthen it; an edge of
cloth folded on itself, usually over a cord, and sewed down. (b) A
hem, border, or fringe. [Obs.] (c) In shoemaking, a narrow strip of
leather around a shoe, between the upper leather and sole. (d) In
steam boilers and sheet-iron work, a strip riveted upon the edges of
plates that form a butt joint. (e) In carpentry, a strip of wood
fastened over a flush seam or joint, or an angle, to strengthen it.
(f) In machine-made stockings, a strip, or flap, of which the heel is
formed.
2. (Her.) A narrow border, as of an ordinary, but not extending around
the ends.
Welt joint, a joint, as of plates, made with a welt, instead of by
overlapping the edges. See Weld, n., 1 (d).
Welt
Welt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welted; p. pr. & vb. n. Welting.] To furnish
with a welt; to sew or fasten a welt on; as, to welt a boot or a shoe;
to welt a sleeve.
Welt
Welt, v. t. To wilt. [R.]
Welte
Welte (?), obs. imp. of Weld, to wield. Chaucer.
Welter
Wel"ter (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Weltered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Weltering.] [Freq. of OE. walten to roll over, AS. wealtan; akin to
LG. weltern, G. walzen to roll, to waltz, sich w\'84lzen to welter,
OHG. walzan to roll, Icel. velta, Dan. v\'91lte, Sw. v\'84ltra,
v\'84lta; cf. Goth. waltjan; probably akin to E. wallow, well, v. i.
Well, v. i., and cf. Waltz.]
1. To roll, as the body of an animal; to tumble about, especially in
anything foul or defiling; to wallow.
When we welter in pleasures and idleness, then we eat and drink
with drunkards. Latimer.
These wizards welter in wealth's waves. Spenser.
He must not float upon his watery bier Unwept, and welter to the
parching wind, Without the meed of some melodious tear. Milton.
The priests at the altar . . . weltering in their blood. Landor.
2. To rise and fall, as waves; to tumble over, as billows. "The
weltering waves." Milton.
Waves that, hardly weltering, die away. Wordsworth.
Through this blindly weltering sea. Trench.
Welter
Wel"ter, v. t. [Cf. Wilt, v. i.] To wither; to wilt. [R.]
Weltered hearts and blighted . . . memories. I. Taylor.
Welter
Wel"ter, a. (Horse Racing) Of, pertaining to, or designating, the most
heavily weighted race in a meeting; as, a welter race; the welter
stakes.
Welter
Wel"ter, n.
1. That in which any person or thing welters, or wallows; filth; mire;
slough.
The foul welter of our so-called religious or other controversies.
Carlyle.
2. A rising or falling, as of waves; as, the welter of the billows;
the welter of a tempest.
Welwitschia
Wel*witsch"i*a (?), n. [NL. So named after the discoverer, Dr.
Friedrich Welwitsch.] (Bot.) An African plant (Welwitschia mirabilis)
belonging to the order Gnetace\'91. It consists of a short, woody,
topshaped stem, and never more than two leaves, which are the
cotyledons enormously developed, and at length split into diverging
segments.
Wem
Wem (?), n. [Cf. Womb.] The abdomen; the uterus; the womb. [Obs.]
Wem
Wem, n. [AS. wam, wamm.] Spot; blemish; harm; hurt. [Obs.] Wyclif.
Withouten wem of you, through foul and fair. Chaucer.
Wem
Wem, v. t. [AS. wemman.] To stain; to blemish; to harm; to corrupt.
[Obs.]
Wemless
Wem"less, a. Having no wem, or blemish; spotless. [Obs.] "Virgin
wemless." Chaucer.
Wem
Wem (?), n. [AS. wenn; akin to D. wen, LG. wenne.] (Med.) An indolent,
encysted tumor of the skin; especially, a sebaceous cyst.
Wench
Wench (?), n. [OE. wenche, for older wenchel a child, originally,
weak, tottering; cf. AS. wencle a maid, a daughter, wencel a pupil,
orphan, wincel, winclu, children, offspring, wencel weak, wancol
unstable, OHG. wanchol; perhaps akin to E. wink. See Wink.]
1. A young woman; a girl; a maiden. Shak.
Lord and lady, groom and wench. Chaucer.
That they may send again My most sweet wench, and gifts to boot.
Chapman.
He was received by the daughter of the house, a pretty, buxom,
blue-eyed little wench. W. Black.
2. A low, vicious young woman; a drab; a strumpet.
She shall be called his wench or his leman. Chaucer.
It is not a digression to talk of bawds in a discourse upon
wenches. Spectator.
3. A colored woman; a negress. [U. S.]
Wench
Wench (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wenched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wenching.]
To frequent the company of wenches, or women of ill fame.
Wencher
Wench"er (?), n. One who wenches; a lewd man.
Wenchless
Wench"less, a. Being without a wench. Shak.
Wend
Wend (?), obs. p. p. of Wene. Chaucer.
Wend
Wend, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wended, Obs. Went; p. pr. & vb. n. Wending.]
[AS. wendan to turn, to go, caus. of windan to wind; akin to OS.
wendian, OFries. wenda, D. wenden to turn, G. wenden, Icel. venda, Sw.
v\'84nda, Dan. vende, Goth. wandjan. See Wind to turn, and cf. Went.]
1. To go; to pass; to betake one's self. "To Canterbury they wend."
Chaucer.
To Athens shall the lovers wend. Shak.
2. To turn round. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.
Wend
Wend, v. t. To direct; to betake;- used chiefly in the phrase to wend
one's way. Also used reflexively. "Great voyages to wend." Surrey.
Wend
Wend, n. (O. Eng. Law) A large extent of ground; a perambulation; a
circuit. [Obs.] Burrill.
Wende
Wende (?), obs. imp. of Wene. Chaucer.
Wendic, Wendish
Wend"ic (?), Wend"ish (?), a. Of or pertaining the Wends, or their
language.
Wendic
Wend"ic (?), n. The language of the Wends.
Wends
Wends (?), n. pl.; sing. Wend. (Ethnol.) A Slavic tribe which once
occupied the northern and eastern parts of Germany, of which a small
remnant exists.
Wene
Wene (?), v. i. To ween. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wenlock group
Wen"lock group` (?), (Geol.) The middle subdivision of the Upper
Silurian in Great Britain; -- so named from the typical locality in
Shropshire.
Wennel
Wen"nel (?), n. See Weanel. [Obs.] Tusser.
Wennish, Wenny
Wen"nish (?), Wen"ny (?), a. [From Wen.] Having the nature of a wen;
resembling a wen; as, a wennish excrescence.
Wenona
We*no"na (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A sand snake (Charina plumbea) of Western
North America, of the family Erycid\'91.
Went
Went (?), imp. & p. p. of Wend; -- now obsolete except as the
imperfect of go, with which it has no etymological connection. See Go.
To the church both be they went. Chaucer.
Went
Went, n. Course; way; path; journey; direction. [Obs.] "At a turning
of a wente." Chaucer.
But here my weary team, nigh overspent, Shall breathe itself awhile
after so long a went. Spenser.
He knew the diverse went of mortal ways. Spenser.
Wentletrap
Wen"tle*trap` (?), n. [D. wenteltrap a winding staircase; cf. G.
wendeltreppe.] [Obs.] Any one of numerous species of elegant, usually
white, marine shells of the genus Scalaria, especially Scalaria
pretiosa, which was formerly highly valued; -- called also staircase
shell. See Scalaria.
Wep
Wep (?), obs. imp. of Weep.
Wepen
Wep"en (?), n. Weapon. [Obs.]
Wept
Wept (?), imp. & p. p. of Weep.
Werche
Werche (?), v. t. & i. To work. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Were
Were (?), v. t. & i. To wear. See 3d Wear. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Were
Were, n. A weir. See Weir. [Obs.] Chaucer. Sir P. Sidney.
Were
Were, v. t. [AS. werian.] To guard; to protect. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Were
Were (?). [AS. wre (thou) wast, w (we, you, they) were, w imp. subj.
See Was.] The imperfect indicative plural, and imperfect subjunctive
singular and plural, of the verb be. See Be.
Were
Were (?), n. [AS. wer; akin to OS. & OHG. wer, Goth. wa\'a1r, L. vir,
Skr. v\'c6ra. Cf. Weregild, and Werewolf.]
1. A man. [Obs.]
2. A fine for slaying a man; the money value set upon a man's life;
weregild. [Obs.]
Every man was valued at a certain sum, which was called his were.
Bosworth.
Weregild
Were"gild` (?), n. [AS. wergild; wer a man, value set on a man's life
+ gild payment of money; akin to G. wehrgeld. Were a man, and Geld,
n.] (O. Eng. Law) The price of a man's head; a compensation paid of a
man killed, partly to the king for the loss of a subject, partly to
the lord of a vassal, and partly to the next of kin. It was paid by
the murderer. [Written also weregeld, weregelt, etc.] Blackstone.
Werewolf
Were"wolf` (?), n.; pl. Werewolves (#). [AS. werwulf; wer a man + wulf
a wolf; cf. G. w\'84rwolf, w\'84hrwolf, wehrwolf, a werewolf, MHG.
werwolf. Were a man, and Wolf, and cf. Virile, World.] A person
transformed into a wolf in form and appetite, either temporarily or
permanently, whether by supernatural influences, by witchcraft, or
voluntarily; a lycanthrope. Belief in werewolves, formerly general, is
not now extinct.
The werwolf went about his prey. William of Palerne.
The brutes that wear our form and face, The werewolves of the human
race. Longfellow.
Werk, n., Werke
Werk (?), n., Werke, v. See Work. [Obs.]
Wern
Wern (?), v. t. [See 1st Warn.] To refuse. [Obs.]
He is too great a niggard that will wern A man to light a candle at
his lantern. Chaucer.
Wernerian
Wer*ne"ri*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to A. G. Werner, The German
mineralogist and geologist, who classified minerals according to their
external characters, and advocated the theory that the strata of the
earth's crust were formed by depositions from water; designating, or
according to, Werner's system.
Wernerite
Wer"ner*ite (?), n. [See Wernerian.] (Min.) The common grayish or
white variety of soapolite.
Weroole
We*roo"le (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) An Australian lorikeet (Ptilosclera
versicolor) noted for the variety of its colors; -- called also varied
lorikeet.
Werre
Werre (?), n. War. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Werrey
Wer"rey (?), v. t. To warray. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Werst
Werst (?), n. See Verst.
Wert
Wert (?), The second person singular, indicative and subjunctive
moods, imperfect tense, of the verb be. It is formed from were, with
the ending -t, after the analogy of wast. Now used only in solemn or
poetic style.
Wert
Wert, n. A wart. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Weryangle
Wer`y*an"gle (?), n. See Wariangle. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wesand
We"sand (?), n. See Weasand. [Obs.]
Wesh
Wesh (?), obs. imp. of Wash. Washed. Chaucer.
Wesil
We"sil (?) n. See Weasand. [Obs.]
Wesleyan
Wes"ley*an (?), a. [See Wesleyanism.] Of or pertaining to Wesley or
Wesleyanism.
Wesleyan
Wes"ley*an, n. (Eccl.) One who adopts the principles of Wesleyanism; a
Methodist.
Wesleyanism
Wes"ley*an*ism (?), n. (Eccl.) The system of doctrines and church
polity inculcated by John Wesley (b. 1703; d. 1791), the founder of
the religious sect called Methodist; Methodism. See Methodist, n., 2.
West
West (?), n. [AS. west, adv.; akin to D. west, G. west, westen, OHG.
westan, Icel. vestr, Sw. vest, vester, vestan, Dan. vest, vesten, and
perhaps to L. vesper evening, Gr. Vesper, Visigoth.]
1. The point in the heavens where the sun is seen to set at the
equinox; or, the corresponding point on the earth; that one of the
four cardinal points of the compass which is in a direction at right
angles to that of north and south, and on the left hand of a person
facing north; the point directly opposite to east.
And fresh from the west is the free wind's breath. Bryant.
2. A country, or region of country, which, with regard to some other
country or region, is situated in the direction toward the west.
3. Specifically: (a) The Westen hemisphere, or the New World so
called, it having been discovered by sailing westward from Europe; the
Occident. (b) (U. S. Hist. & Geog.) Formerly, that part of the United
States west of the Alleghany mountains; now, commonly, the whole
region west of the Mississippi river; esp., that part which is north
of the Indian Territory, New Mexico, etc. Usually with the definite
article.
West by north, West by south, according to the notation of the
mariner's compass, that point which lies 11° to the north or south,
respectively, of the point due west. -- West northwest, West
southwest, that point which lies 22° to the north or south of west, or
halfway between west and northwest or southwest, respectively. See
Illust. of Compass.
West
West, a. Lying toward the west; situated at the west, or in a western
direction from the point of observation or reckoning; proceeding
toward the west, or coming from the west; as, a west course is one
toward the west; an east and west line; a west wind blows from the
west.
This shall be your west border. Num. xxxiv. 6.
West end, the fashionable part of London, commencing from the east, at
Charing Cross.
West
West, adv. [AS. west.] Westward.
West
West, v. i.
1. To pass to the west; to set, as the sun. [Obs.] "The hot sun gan to
west." Chaucer.
2. To turn or move toward the west; to veer from the north or south
toward the west.
Westering
West"er*ing (?), a. Passing to the west.
Toward heaven's descent had sloped his westering wheel. Milton.
Westerly
West"er*ly, a. Of or pertaining to the west; toward the west; coming
from the west; western.
Westerly
West"er*ly, adv. Toward the west; westward.
Western
West"ern (?), a.
1. Of or pertaining to the west; situated in the west, or in the
region nearly in the direction of west; being in that quarter where
the sun sets; as, the western shore of France; the western ocean.
Far o'er the glowing western main. Keble.
2. Moving toward the west; as, a ship makes a western course; coming
from the west; as, a western breeze.
Western Church. See Latin Church, under Latin. -- Western empire
(Hist.), the western portion of the Roman empire, as divided, by the
will of Theodosius the Great, between his sons Honorius and Arcadius,
a. d. 395.
Westerner
West"ern*er (?), n. A native or inhabitant of the west.
Westernmost
West"ern*most` (?), a. Situated the farthest towards the west; most
western.
West India, West Indian
West` In"di*a (?), West` In"di*an (?). Belonging or relating to the
West Indies. West India tea (Bot.), a shrubby plant (Capraria biflora)
having oblanceolate toothed leaves which are sometimes used in the
West Indies as a substitute for tea.
West Indian
West` In"di*an. A native of, or a dweller in, the West Indies.
Westing
West"ing (?), n. (Naut. & Surv.) The distance, reckoned toward the
west, between the two meridians passing through the extremities of a
course, or portion of a ship's path; the departure of a course which
lies to the west of north.
Westling
West"ling (?), n. A westerner. [R.]
Westminster Assembly
West"min`ster As*sem"bly (?). See under Assembly.
Westmost
West"most` (?), a. Lying farthest to the west; westernmost.
Westward, Westwards
West"ward (?), West"wards (?), adv. [AS. westweard. See West, and
-ward. ] Toward the west; as, to ride or sail westward.
Westward the course of empire takes its way. Berkeley.
Westward
West"ward, a. Lying toward the west.
Yond same star that's westward from the pole. Shak.
Westward
West"ward, n. The western region or countries; the west.
Westwardly
West"ward*ly, adv. In a westward direction.
Westy
West"y (?), a. Dizzy; giddy. [Prov. Eng.]
Wet
Wet (?), a. [Compar. Wetter (?); superl. Wettest.] [OE. wet, weet, AS.
wt; akin to OFries. wt, Icel. v\'betr, Sw. v\'86t, Dan. vaad, and E.
water. Water.]
1. Containing, or consisting of, water or other liquid; moist; soaked
with a liquid; having water or other liquid upon the surface; as, wet
land; a wet cloth; a wet table. "Wet cheeks." Shak.
2. Very damp; rainy; as, wet weather; a wet season. "Wet October's
torrent flood." Milton.
3. (Chem.) Employing, or done by means of, water or some other liquid;
as, the wet extraction of copper, in distinction from dry extraction
in which dry heat or fusion is employed.
4. Refreshed with liquor; drunk. [Slang] Prior.
Wet blanket, Wet dock, etc. See under Blanket, Dock, etc. -- Wet
goods, intoxicating liquors. [Slang] Syn. -- Nasty; humid; damp;
moist. See Nasty.
Wet
Wet (?), n. [AS. w&aemac;ta. See Wet, a.]
1. Water or wetness; moisture or humidity in considerable degree.
Have here a cloth and wipe away the wet. Chaucer.
Now the sun, with more effectual beams, Had cheered the face of
earth, and dried the wet From drooping plant. Milton.
2. Rainy weather; foggy or misty weather.
3. A dram; a drink. [Slang]
Wet
Wet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wet (rarely Wetted); p. pr. & vb. n.
Wetting.] [AS. w&aemac;tan.] To fill or moisten with water or other
liquid; to sprinkle; to cause to have water or other fluid adherent to
the surface; to dip or soak in a liquid; as, to wet a sponge; to wet
the hands; to wet cloth. "[The scene] did draw tears from me and
wetted my paper." Burke.
Ye mists and exhalations, that now rise . . . Whether to deck with
clouds the uncolored sky, Or wet the thirsty earth with falling
showers. Milton.
To wet one's whistle, to moisten one's throat; to drink a dram of
liquor. [Colloq.]
Let us drink the other cup to wet our whistles. Walton.
Wetbird
Wet"bird` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The chaffinch, whose cry is thought to
foretell rain. [Prov. Eng.]
Wether
Weth"er (?), n. [OE. wether, AS. we; akin to OS. wethar, withar, a
ram, D. weder, G. widder, OHG. widar, Icel. ver, Sw. v\'84dur, Dan.
v\'91dder, Goth. wiprus a lamb, L. vitulus calf, Skr. vatsa, L. vetus
old, Gr. Veal, Veteran.] A castrated ram.
Westness
West"ness (?), n.
1. The quality or state of being wet; moisture; humidity; as, the
wetness of land; the wetness of a cloth.
2. A watery or moist state of the atmosphere; a state of being rainy,
foggy, or misty; as, the wetness of weather or the season.
NOTE: &hand; Wetness generally implies more water or liquid than is
implied by humidness or moisture.
Wet nurse
Wet" nurse` (?). A nurse who suckles a child, especially the child of
another woman. Cf. Dry nurse.
Wet-shod
Wet"-shod` (?), a. Having the feet, or the shoes on the feet, wet.
Wettish
Wet"tish (?), a. Somewhat wet; moist; humid.
Wevil
We"vil (?), n. See Weevil.
Wex
Wex (?), v. t. & i. To grow; to wax. [Obs.] Chaucer. "Each wexing
moon." Dryden.
Wex
Wex, obs. imp. of Wex. Waxed. Chaucer.
Wex
Wex, n. Wax. [Obs.] "Yelwe as wex." Chaucer.
Wey
Wey (?), n. Way; road; path. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wey
Wey, v. t. & i. To weigh. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wey
Wey (?), n. [OE. weye, AS. w weight. Weight.] A certain measure of
weight. [Eng.] "A weye of Essex cheese." Piers Plowman.
NOTE: &hand; A wey is 6 Simmonds.
Weyle
Weyle (?), v. t. & i. To wail. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Weyleway
Wey"le*way (?), interj. See Welaway. [Obs.]
Weyve
Weyve (?), v. t. To waive. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wezand
We"zand (?), n. See Weasand. [Obs.]
Whaap
Whaap (?), n. [So called from one of its notes.] (Zo\'94l.) (a) The
European curlew; -- called also awp, whaup, great whaup, and stock
whaup. (b) The whimbrel; -- called also May whaup, little whaup,
and tang whaup. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Whack
Whack (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whacked (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Whacking.] [Cf. Thwack.] To strike; to beat; to give a heavy or
resounding blow to; to thrash; to make with whacks. [Colloq.]
Rodsmen were whackingtheir way through willow brakes. G. W. Cable.
Whack
Whack, v. i. To strike anything with a smart blow.
To whack away, to continue striking heavy blows; as, to whack away at
a log. [Colloq.]
Whack
Whack, n. A smart resounding blow. [Colloq.]
Whacker
Whack"er (?), n.
1. One who whacks. [Colloq.]
2. Anything very large; specif., a great lie; a whapper. [Colloq.] <--
= whopper --> Halliwell.
Whacking
Whack"ing, a. Very large; whapping. [Colloq.]
Whahoo
Wha*hoo" (?), n. (Bot.) An American tree, the winged elm. (Ulmus
alata).
Whala
Whala (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whaled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whaling.]
[Cf. Wale. ] To lash with stripes; to wale; to thrash; to drub. [Prov.
Eng. & Colloq. U. S.] Halliwell. Bartlett.
Whale
Whale, n. [OE. whal, AS. hw\'91l; akin to D. walvisch, G. wal,
walfisch, OHG. wal, Icel. hvalr, Dan. & Sw. hval, hvalfisk. Cf.
Narwhal, Walrus.] (Zo\'94l.) Any aquatic mammal of the order Cetacea,
especially any one of the large species, some of which become nearly
one hundred feet long. Whales are hunted chiefly for their oil and
baleen, or whalebone. <-- since the 1920's and the replacement of
whale oil by petroleum products and electricity, whales have been
hunted primarily for their meat. Due to dramatic decreases in the
whale population, the International Whaling Commission was formed to
regulate the hunt, so as to avoid extinction of the endangered
species. In the 1990's, only a few countries continued to hunt whales
in significant numbers. -->
NOTE: &hand; Th e ex isting whales are divided into two groups: the
toothed whales (Odontocete), including those that have teeth, as
the cachalot, or sperm whale (see Sperm whale); and the baleen, or
whalebone, whales (Mysticete), comprising those that are destitute
of teeth, but have plates of baleen hanging from the upper jaw, as
the right whales. The most important species of whalebone whales
are the bowhead, or Greenland, whale (see Illust. of Right whale),
the Biscay whale, the Antarctic whale, the gray whale (see under
Gray), the humpback, the finback, and the rorqual.
Whale bird. (Zo\'94l.) (a) Any one of several species of large
Antarctic petrels which follow whaling vessels, to feed on the blubber
and floating oil; especially, Prion turtur (called also blue petrel),
and Pseudoprion desolatus. (b) The turnstone; -- so called because it
lives on the carcasses of whales. [Canada] -- Whale fin (Com.),
whalebone. Simmonds. -- Whale fishery, the fishing for, or occupation
of taking, whales. -- Whale louse (Zo\'94l.), any one of several
species of degraded amphipod crustaceans belonging to the genus
Cyamus, especially C. ceti. They are parasitic on various cetaceans.
-- Whale's bone, ivory. [Obs.] -- Whale shark. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The
basking, or liver, shark. (b) A very large harmless shark (Rhinodon
typicus) native of the Indian Ocean. It sometimes becomes sixty feet
long. -- Whale shot, the name formerly given to spermaceti. -- Whale's
tongue (Zo\'94l.), a balanoglossus.
Whaleboat
Whale"boat` (?), n. (Naut.) A long, narrow boat, sharp at both ends,
used by whalemen.
Whalebone
Whale"bone` (?), n. A firm, elastic substance resembling horn, taken
from the upper jaw of the right whale; baleen. It is used as a
stiffening in stays, fans, screens, and for various other purposes.
See Baleen.
NOTE: &hand; Wh alebone is ch iefly ob tained from the bowhead, or
Greenland, whale, the Biscay whale, and the Antarctic, or southern,
whale. It is prepared for manufacture by being softened by boiling,
and dyed black.
Whaleman
Whale"man (?), n.; pl. Whalemen (. A man employed in the whale
fishery.
Whaler
Whal"er (?), n. A vessel or person employed in the whale fishery.
Whaler
Whal"er, n. One who whales, or beats; a big, strong fellow; hence,
anything of great or unusual size. [Colloq. U. S.]
Whaling
Whal"ing, n. The hunting of whales.
Whaling
Whal"ing, a. Pertaining to, or employed in, the pursuit of whales; as,
a whaling voyage; a whaling vessel.
Whall
Whall (?), n. [See Wall-eye.] A light color of the iris in horses;
wall-eye. [Written also whaul.]
Whally
Whall"y (?), a. Having the iris of light color; -- said of horses.
"Whally eyes." Spenser.
Whame
Whame (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A breeze fly.
Whammel
Wham"mel (?), v. t. [Cf. Whelm.] To turn over. [Prov. Eng.]
Whan
Whan (?), adv. When. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Whang
Whang (?), n. [Cf. Thong.] A leather thong. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.
S.]
Whang
Whang, v. t. To beat. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U. S.]
Whanghee
Whang*hee" (?), n. (Bot.) See Wanghee.
Whap, Whop
Whap (?), Whop, v. i. [Cf. OE. quappen to palpitate, E. quob, quaver,
wabble, awhape, wap.] To throw one's self quickly, or by an abrupt
motion; to turn suddenly; as, she whapped down on the floor; the fish
whapped over. Bartlett.
NOTE: &hand; This word is used adverbially in the north of England,
as in the United States, when anything vanishes, or is gone
suddenly; as, whap went the cigar out of my mouth.
Whap, Whop
Whap, Whop, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whapped (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Whapping.] To beat or strike.
Whap, Whop
Whap, Whop, n. A blow, or quick, smart stroke.
Whapper, Whopper
Whap"per (?), Whop"per, n. [See Whap.] Something uncommonly large of
the kind; something astonishing; -- applied especially to a bold lie.
[Colloq.] <-- now usu. whopper. -->
Whapping, Whopping
Whap"ping (?), Whop"ping, a. Very large; monstrous; astonishing; as, a
whapping story. [Colloq.] <-- now usu. whopping. -->
Wharf
Wharf (?), n.; pl. Wharfs (#) or Wharves (#). [AS. hwerf, hwearf, a
returning, a change, from hweorfan to turn, turn about, go about; akin
to D. werf a wharf, G. werft, Sw. varf a shipbuilder's yard, Dan.
verft wharf, dockyard, G. werben to enlist, to engage, woo, OHG.
werban to turn about, go about, be active or occupied, Icel. hverfa to
turn, Goth. hwa\'a1rban, hwarb\'d3n, to walk. Cf. Whirl.]
1. A structure or platform of timber, masonry, iron, earth, or other
material, built on the shore of a harbor, river, canal, or the like,
and usually extending from the shore to deep water, so that vessels
may lie close alongside to receive and discharge cargo, passengers,
etc.; a quay; a pier.
Commerce pushes its wharves into the sea. Bancroft.
Out upon the wharfs they came, Knight and burgher, lord and dame.
Tennyson.
NOTE: &hand; Th e pl ural of this word is generally written wharves
in the United States, and wharfs in England; but many recent
English writers use wharves.
2. [AS. hwearf.] The bank of a river, or the shore of the sea. [Obs.]
"The fat weed that roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf." Shak.
Wharf boat, a kind of boat moored at the bank of a river, and used for
a wharf, in places where the height of the water is so variable that a
fixed wharf would be useless. [U. S.] Bartlett. -- Wharf rat.
(Zo\'94l.) (a) The common brown rat. (b) A neglected boy who lives
around the wharfs. [Slang]
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Wharf
Wharf (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wharfed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wharfing.]
1. To guard or secure by a firm wall of timber or stone constructed
like a wharf; to furnish with a wharf or wharfs.
2. To place upon a wharf; to bring to a wharf.
Wharfage
Wharf"age (?), n.
1. The fee or duty paid for the privilege of using a wharf for loading
or unloading goods; pierage, collectively; quayage.
2. A wharf or wharfs, collectively; wharfing.
Wharfing
Wharf"ing, n.
1. Wharfs, collectively.
2. (Hydraul. Engin.) A mode of facing sea walls and embankments with
planks driven as piles and secured by ties. Knight.
Wharfinger
Wharf"in*ger (?), n. [For wharfager.] A man who owns, or has the care
of, a wharf.
Wharl, Wharling
Wharl (?), Wharl"ing, n. A guttural pronunciation of the letter r; a
burr. See Burr, n., 6.
A strange, uncouth wharling in their speech. Fuller.
Wharp
Wharp (?), n. A kind of fine sand from the banks of the Trent, used as
a polishing powder. [Eng.]
What
What (?), pron., a., & adv. [AS. hw\'91t, neuter of hw\'be who; akin
to OS. hwat what, OFries. hwet, D. & LG. wat, G. was, OHG. waz, hwaz,
Icel. hvat, Sw. & Dan. hvad, Goth. hwa. &root;182. See Who.]
1. As an interrogative pronoun, used in asking questions regarding
either persons or things; as, what is this? what did you say? what
poem is this? what child is lost?
What see'st thou in the ground? Shak.
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Ps. viii. 4.
What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey
him! Matt. viii. 27.
NOTE: &hand; Or iginally, what, when, where, which, who, why, etc.,
were interrogatives only, and it is often difficult to determine
whether they are used as interrogatives or relatives. What in this
sense, when it refers to things, may be used either substantively
or adjectively; when it refers to persons, it is used only
adjectively with a noun expressed, who being the pronoun used
substantively.
2. As an exclamatory word: -- (a) Used absolutely or independently; --
often with a question following. "What welcome be thou." Chaucer.
What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Matt. xxvi. 40.
(b) Used adjectively, meaning how remarkable, or how great; as, what
folly! what eloquence! what courage!
What a piece of work is man! Shak.
O what a riddle of absurdity! Young.
NOTE: &hand; Wh at in th is use has a or an between itself and its
noun if the qualitative or quantitative importance of the object is
emphasized.
(c) Sometimes prefixed to adjectives in an adverbial sense, as nearly
equivalent to how; as, what happy boys!
What partial judges are our and hate! Dryden.
3. As a relative pronoun: -- (a) Used substantively with the
antecedent suppressed, equivalent to that which, or those [persons]
who, or those [things] which; -- called a compound relative.
With joy beyond what victory bestows. Cowper.
I'm thinking Captain Lawton will count the noses of what are left
before they see their whaleboats. Cooper.
What followed was in perfect harmony with this beginning. Macaulay.
I know well . . . how little you will be disposed to criticise what
comes to you from me. J. H. Newman.
(b) Used adjectively, equivalent to the . . . which; the sort or kind
of . . . which; rarely, the . . . on, or at, which.
See what natures accompany what colors. Bacon.
To restrain what power either the devil or any earthly enemy hath
to work us woe. Milton.
We know what master laid thy keel, What workmen wrought thy ribs of
steel. Longfellow.
(c) Used adverbially in a sense corresponding to the adjectival use;
as, he picked what good fruit he saw.
4. Whatever; whatsoever; what thing soever; -- used indefinitely.
"What after so befall." Chaucer.
Whether it were the shortness of his foresight, the strength of his
will, . . . or what it was. Bacon.
5. Used adverbially, in part; partly; somewhat; -- with a following
preposition, especially, with, and commonly with repetition.
What for lust [pleasure] and what for lore. Chaucer.
Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the
gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom shrunk. Shak.
The year before he had so used the matter that what by force, what
by policy, he had taken from the Christians above thirty small
castles. Knolles.
NOTE: &hand; In su ch phrases as I tell you what, what anticipates
the following statement, being elliptical for what I think, what it
is, how it is, etc. "I tell thee what, corporal Bardolph, I could
tear her." Shak. Here what relates to the last clause, "I could
tear her;" this is what I tell you. What not is often used at the
close of an enumeration of several particulars or articles, it
being an abbreviated clause, the verb of which, being either the
same as that of the principal clause or a general word, as be, say,
mention, enumerate, etc., is omitted. "Men hunt, hawk, and what
not." Becon. "Some dead puppy, or log, orwhat not." C. Kingsley.
"Battles, tournaments, hunts, and what not." De Quincey. Hence, the
words are often used in a general sense with the force of a
substantive, equivalent to anything you please, a miscellany, a
variety, etc. From this arises the name whatnot, applied to an
\'82tag\'8are, as being a piece of furniture intended for receiving
miscellaneous articles of use or ornament. <-- also called a
whatnot shelf --> But what is used for but that, usually after a
negative, and excludes everything contrary to the assertion in the
following sentence. "Her needle is not so absolutely perfect in
tent and cross stitch but what my superintendence is advisable."
Sir W. Scott. "Never fear but what our kite shall fly as high." Ld.
Lytton.
What ho! an exclamation of calling. -- What if, what will it matter
if; what will happen or be the result if. "What if it be a poison?"
Shak. -- What of this? that? it? etc., what follows from this, that,
it, etc., often with the implication that it is of no consequence.
"All this is so; but what of this, my lord?" Shak. "The night is
spent, why, what of that?" Shak. -- What though, even granting that;
allowing that; supposing it true that. "What though the rose have
prickles, yet't is plucked." Shak. -- What time, OR What time as,
when. [Obs. or Archaic] "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."
Ps. lvi. 3.
What time the morn mysterious visions brings. Pope.
What
What (?), n. Something; thing; stuff. [Obs.]
And gave him for to feed, Such homely what as serves the simple
Spenser.
What
What, interrog. adv. Why? For what purpose? On what account? [Obs.]
What should I tell the answer of the knight. Chaucer.
But what do I stand reckoning upon advantages and gains lost by the
misrule and turbulency of the prelates? What do I pick up so
thriftily their scatterings and diminishings of the meaner subject?
Milton.
Whate'er
What*e'er" (?), pron. A contraction of what-ever; -- used in poetry.
"Whate'er is in his way." Shak.
Whatever
What*ev"er (?), pron. Anything soever which; the thing or things of
any kind; being this or that; of one nature or another; one thing or
another; anything that may be; all that; the whole that; all
particulars that; -- used both substantively and adjectively.
Whatever fortune stays from his word. Shak.
Whatever Earth, all-bearing mother, yields. Milton.
Whatever be its intrinsic value. J. H. Newman.
NOTE: &hand; Wh atever of ten fo llows a no un, be ing us ed
elliptically. "There being no room for any physical discovery
whatever" [sc. it may be].
Whately.
Whatnot
What"not (?), n. [See the Note under What, pron., 5.] A kind of stand,
or piece of furniture, having shelves for books, ornaments, etc.; an
\'82tag\'8are.
Whatso
What"so (?), indef. pron. Whatsoever; whosoever; whatever; anything
that. [Obs.]
Whatso he were, of high or low estate. Chaucer.
Whatso the heaven in his wide vault contains. Spenser.
Whatsoe'er
What`so*e'er" (?), pron. A contraction of whatsoever; -- used in
poetry. Shak.
Whatsoever
What`so*ev"er (?), pron. & a. Whatever. "In whatsoever shape he lurk."
Milton.
Whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do. Gen. xxxi. 16.
NOTE: &hand; Th e word is sometimes divided by tmesis. "What things
soever ye desire."
Mark xi. 24.
Whaul
Whaul (?), n. Same as Whall.
Whaup
Whaup (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Whaap. [Prov. Eng.]
Wheal
Wheal (?), n. [OE. whele, AS. hwele putrefaction, hwelian to putrefy.]
A pustule; a whelk. Wiseman.
Wheal
Wheal, n. [Cf. Wale.]
1. A more or less elongated mark raised by a stroke; also, a similar
mark made by any cause; a weal; a wale.
2. Specifically (Med.), a flat, burning or itching eminence on the
skin, such as is produced by a mosquito bite, or in urticaria.
Wheal
Wheal, n. [Cornish hwel.] (Mining) A mine.
Whealworm
Wheal"worm` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The harvest mite; -- so called from the
wheals, caused by its bite.
Wheat
Wheat (?), n. [OE. whete, AS. hwte; akin to OS. hwti, D. weit, G.
weizen, OHG. weizzi, Icel. hveiti, Sw. hvete, Dan. hvede, Goth.
hwaiteis, and E. while. See White.] (Bot.) A cereal grass (Triticum
vulgare) and its grain, which furnishes a white flour for bread, and,
next to rice, is the grain most largely used by the human race.
NOTE: &hand; Of th is gr ain th e va rieties ar e numerous, as red
wheat, white wheat, bald wheat, bearded wheat, winter wheat, summer
wheat, and the like. Wheat is not known to exist as a wild native
plant, and all statements as to its origin are either incorrect or
at best only guesses.
Buck wheat. (Bot.) See Buckwheat. -- German wheat. (Bot.) See 2d
Spelt. -- Guinea wheat (Bot.), a name for Indian corn. -- Indian
wheat, OR Tartary wheat (Bot.), a grain (Fagopyrum Tartaricum) much
like buckwheat, but only half as large. -- Turkey wheat (Bot.), a name
for Indian corn. -- Wheat aphid, OR Wheat aphis (Zo\'94l.), any one of
several species of Aphis and allied genera, which suck the sap of
growing wheat. -- Wheat beetle. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A small, slender, rusty
brown beetle (Sylvanus Surinamensis) whose larv\'91 feed upon wheat,
rice, and other grains. (b) A very small, reddish brown, oval beetle
(Anobium paniceum) whose larv\'91 eat the interior of grains of wheat.
-- Wheat duck (Zo\'94l.), the American widgeon. [Western U. S.] --
Wheat fly. (Zo\'94l.) Same as Wheat midge, below. -- Wheat grass
(Bot.), a kind of grass (Agropyrum caninum) somewhat resembling wheat.
It grows in the northern parts of Europe and America. -- Wheat
jointworm. (Zo\'94l.) See Jointworm. -- Wheat louse (Zo\'94l.), any
wheat aphid. -- Wheat maggot (Zo\'94l.), the larva of a wheat midge.
-- Wheat midge. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A small two-winged fly (Diplosis
tritici) which is very destructive to growing wheat, both in Europe
and America. The female lays her eggs in the flowers of wheat, and the
larv\'91 suck the juice of the young kernels and when full grown
change to pup\'91 in the earth. (b) The Hessian fly. See under
Hessian. -- Wheat moth (Zo\'94l.), any moth whose larv\'91 devour the
grains of wheat, chiefly after it is harvested; a grain moth. See
Angoumois Moth, also Grain moth, under Grain. -- Wheat thief (Bot.),
gromwell; -- so called because it is a troublesome weed in wheat
fields. See Gromwell. -- Wheat thrips (Zo\'94l.), a small brown thrips
(Thrips cerealium) which is very injurious to the grains of growing
wheat. -- Wheat weevil. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The grain weevil. (b) The rice
weevil when found in wheat.
Wheatbird
Wheat"bird` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A bird that feeds on wheat, especially
the chaffinch.
Wheatear
Wheat"ear` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A small European singing bird (Saxicola
&oe;nanthe). The male is white beneath, bluish gray above, with black
wings and a black stripe through each eye. The tail is black at the
tip and in the middle, but white at the base and on each side. Called
also checkbird, chickell, dykehopper, fallow chat, fallow finch,
stonechat, and whitetail.
Wheaten
Wheat"en (?), a. [AS. hw\'91ten.] Made of wheat; as, wheaten bread.
Cowper.
Wheatsel bird
Wheat"sel bird` (?). (Zo\'94l.) The male of the chaffinch. [Prov.
Eng.]
Wheatstone's bridge
Wheat"stone's bridge` (?). (Elec.) See under Bridge.
Wheatworm
Wheat"worm` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A small nematode worm (Anguillula
tritici) which attacks the grains of wheat in the ear. It is found in
wheat affected with smut, each of the diseased grains containing a
large number of the minute young of the worm.
Wheder
Whed"er (?) pron. & conj. Whether. [Obs.]
Wheedle
Whee"dle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wheedled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Wheedling (?).] [Cf. G. wedeln to wag with the tail, as a dog, wedel a
fan, tail, brush, OHG. wadal; akin to G. wehen to blow, and E. wind,
n.]
1. To entice by soft words; to cajole; to flatter; to coax.
The unlucky art of wheedling fools. Dryden.
And wheedle a world that loves him not. Tennyson.
2. To grain, or get away, by flattery.
A deed of settlement of the best part of her estate, which I
wheedled out of her. Congreve.
Wheedle
Whee"dle, v. i. To flatter; to coax; to cajole.
Wheel
Wheel (?), n. [OE. wheel, hweol, AS. hwe\'a2l, hweogul, hweowol; akin
to D. wiel, Icel. hv\'c7l, Gr. cakra; cf. Icel. hj\'d3l, Dan. hiul,
Sw. hjul. \'fb218 Cf. Cycle, Cyclopedia.]
1. A circular frame turning about an axis; a rotating disk, whether
solid, or a frame composed of an outer rim, spokes or radii, and a
central hub or nave, in which is inserted the axle, -- used for
supporting and conveying vehicles, in machinery, and for various
purposes; as, the wheel of a wagon, of a locomotive, of a mill, of a
watch, etc.
The gasping charioteer beneath the wheel Of his own car. Dryden.
2. Any instrument having the form of, or chiefly consisting of, a
wheel. Specifically: -- (a) A spinning wheel. See under Spinning. (b)
An instrument of torture formerly used.
His examination is like that which is made by the rack and wheel.
Addison.
NOTE: &hand; Th is mo de of to rture is sa id to have been first
employed in Germany, in the fourteenth century. The criminal was
laid on a cart wheel with his legs and arms extended, and his limbs
in that posture were fractured with an iron bar. In France, where
its use was restricted to the most atrocious crimes, the criminal
was first laid on a frame of wood in the form of a St. Andrew's
cross, with grooves cut transversely in it above and below the
knees and elbows, and the executioner struck eight blows with an
iron bar, so as to break the limbs in those places, sometimes
finishing by two or three blows on the chest or stomach, which
usually put an end to the life of the criminal, and were hence
called coups-de-grace -- blows of mercy. The criminal was then
unbound, and laid on a small wheel, with his face upward, and his
arms and legs doubled under him, there to expire, if he had
survived the previous treatment. Brande.
(c) (Naut.) A circular frame having handles on the periphery, and an
axle which is so connected with the tiller as to form a means of
controlling the rudder for the purpose of steering. (d) (Pottery) A
potter's wheel. See under Potter.
Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a
work on the wheels. Jer. xviii. 3.
Turn, turn, my wheel! This earthen jar A touch can make, a touch
can mar. Longfellow.
(e) (Pyrotechny) A firework which, while burning, is caused to revolve
on an axis by the reaction of the escaping gases. (f) (Poetry) The
burden or refrain of a song.
NOTE: &hand; "T his me aning ha s a low degree of authority, but is
supposed from the context in the few cases where the word is
found." Nares.
You must sing a-down a-down, An you call him a-down-a. O, how the
wheel becomes it! Shak.
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Page 1644
3. A bicycle or a tricycle; a velocipede.
4. A rolling or revolving body; anything of a circular form; a disk;
an orb. Milton.
5. A turn revolution; rotation; compass.
According to the common vicissitude and wheel of things, the proud
and the insolent, after long trampling upon others, come at length
to be trampled upon themselves. South.
[He] throws his steep flight in many an a\'89ry wheel. Milton.
A wheel within a wheel, OR Wheels within wheels, a complication of
circumstances, motives, etc. -- Balance wheel. See in the Vocab. --
Bevel wheel, Brake wheel, Cam wheel, Fifth wheel, Overshot wheel,
Spinning wheel, etc. See under Bevel, Brake, etc. -- Core wheel.
(Mach.) (a) A mortise gear. (b) A wheel having a rim perforated to
receive wooden cogs; the skeleton of a mortise gear. -- Measuring
wheel, an odometer, or perambulator. -- Wheel and axle (Mech.), one of
the elementary machines or mechanical powers, consisting of a wheel
fixed to an axle, and used for raising great weights, by applying the
power to the circumference of the wheel, and attaching the weight, by
a rope or chain, to that of the axle. Called also axis in peritrochio,
and perpetual lever, -- the principle of equilibrium involved being
the same as in the lever, while its action is continuous. See
Mechanical powers, under Mechanical. -- Wheel animal, OR Wheel
animalcule (Zo\'94l.), any one of numerous species of rotifers having
a ciliated disk at the anterior end. -- Wheel barometer. (Physics) See
under Barometer. -- Wheel boat, a boat with wheels, to be used either
on water or upon inclined planes or railways. -- Wheel bug (Zo\'94l.),
a large North American hemipterous insect (Prionidus cristatus) which
sucks the blood of other insects. So named from the curious shape of
the prothorax. -- Wheel carriage, a carriage moving on wheels. --
Wheel chains, OR Wheel ropes (Naut.), the chains or ropes connecting
the wheel and rudder. -- Wheel cutter, a machine for shaping the cogs
of gear wheels; a gear cutter. -- Wheel horse, one of the horses
nearest to the wheels, as opposed to a leader, or forward horse; --
called also wheeler. -- Wheel lathe, a lathe for turning railway-car
wheels. -- Wheel lock. (a) A letter lock. See under Letter. (b) A kind
of gunlock in which sparks were struck from a flint, or piece of iron
pyrites, by a revolving wheel. (c) A kind of brake a carriage. --
Wheel ore (Min.), a variety of bournonite so named from the shape of
its twin crystals. See Bournonite. -- Wheel pit (Steam Engine), a pit
in the ground, in which the lower part of the fly wheel runs. -- Wheel
plow, OR Wheel plough, a plow having one or two wheels attached, to
render it more steady, and to regulate the depth of the furrow. --
Wheel press, a press by which railway-car wheels are forced on, or
off, their axles. -- Wheel race, the place in which a water wheel is
set. -- Wheel rope (Naut.), a tiller rope. See under Tiller. -- Wheel
stitch (Needlework), a stitch resembling a spider's web, worked into
the material, and not over an open space. Caulfeild & S. (Dict. of
Needlework). -- Wheel tree (Bot.), a tree (Aspidosperma excelsum) of
Guiana, which has a trunk so curiously fluted that a transverse
section resembles the hub and spokes of a coarsely made wheel. See
Paddlewood. -- Wheel urchin (Zo\'94l.), any sea urchin of the genus
Rotula having a round, flat shell. -- Wheel window (Arch.), a circular
window having radiating mullions arranged like the spokes of a wheel.
Cf. Rose window, under Rose.
Wheel
Wheel (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wheeled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wheeling.]
1. To convey on wheels, or in a wheeled vehicle; as, to wheel a load
of hay or wood.
2. To put into a rotatory motion; to cause to turn or revolve; to
cause to gyrate; to make or perform in a circle. "The beetle wheels
her droning flight." Gray.
Now heaven, in all her glory, shone, and rolled Her motions, as the
great first mover's hand First wheeled their course. Milton.
Wheel
Wheel, v. i.
1. To turn on an axis, or as on an axis; to revolve; to more about; to
rotate; to gyrate.
The moon carried about the earth always shows the same face to us,
not once wheeling upon her own center. Bentley.
2. To change direction, as if revolving upon an axis or pivot; to
turn; as, the troops wheeled to the right.
Being able to advance no further, they are in a fair way to wheel
about to the other extreme. South.
3. To go round in a circuit; to fetch a compass.
Then wheeling down the steep of heaven he flies. Pope.
4. To roll forward.
Thunder mixed with hail, Hail mixed with fire, must rend the
Egyptian sky, And wheel on the earth, devouring where it rolls.
Milton.
Wheelband
Wheel"band` (?), n. The tire of a wheel.
Wheelbarrow
Wheel"bar`row (?), n. A light vehicle for conveying small loads. It
has two handles and one wheel, and is rolled by a single person.
Wheelbird
Wheel"bird` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The European goatsucker. [Prov. Eng.]
Wheeled
Wheeled (?), a. Having wheels; -- used chiefly in composition; as, a
four-wheeled carriage.
Wheeler
Wheel"er (?), n.
1. One who wheels, or turns.
2. A maker of wheels; a wheelwright. [Obs.]
3. A wheel horse. See under Wheel.
4. (Naut.) A steam vessel propelled by a paddle wheel or by paddle
wheels; -- used chiefly in the terms side-wheeler and stern-wheeler.
5. A worker on sewed muslin. [Eng.]
6. (Zo\'94l.) The European goatsucker. [Prov. Eng.]
Wheelhouse
Wheel"house` (?), n. (Naut.) (a) A small house on or above a vessel's
deck, containing the steering wheel. (b) A paddle box. See under
Paddle.
Wheeling
Wheel"ing (?), n.
1. The act of conveying anything, or traveling, on wheels, or in a
wheeled vehicle.
2. The act or practice of using a cycle; cycling.
3. Condition of a road or roads, which admits of passing on wheels;
as, it is good wheeling, or bad wheeling.
4. A turning, or circular movement.
Wheelman
Wheel"man (?), n.; pl. Wheelmen (. One who rides a bicycle or
tricycle; a cycler, or cyclist.
Wheel-shaped
Wheel"-shaped` (?), a.
1. Shaped like a wheel.
2. (Bot.) Expanding into a flat, circular border at top, with scarcely
any tube; as, a wheel-shaped corolla.
Wheelswarf
Wheel"swarf` (?), n. See Swarf.
Wheelwork
Wheel"work` (?), n. (Mach.) A combination of wheels, and their
connection, in a machine or mechanism.
Wheel-worn
Wheel"-worn` (?), a. Worn by the action of wheels; as, a wheel-worn
road.
Wheelwright
Wheel"wright` (?), n. A man whose occupation is to make or repair
wheels and wheeled vehicles, as carts, wagons, and the like.
Wheely
Wheel"y (?), a. Circular; suitable to rotation.
Wheen
Wheen (?), n. [Cf. AS. hw, hw, a little, somewhat, hw little, few.] A
quantity; a goodly number. [Scot.] "A wheen other dogs." Sir W. Scott.
Wheeze
Wheeze (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wheezed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Wheezing.] [OE. whesen, AS. hwsan (cf. Icel. hv\'91sa to hiss, Sw.
hv\'84sa, Dan. hv\'91se); akin to AS. hwsta a cough, D. hoest, G.
husten, OHG. huosto, Icel. h, Lith. kosti to cough, Skr. k. &root;43.
Cf. Husky hoarse.] To breathe hard, and with an audible piping or
whistling sound, as persons affected with asthma. "Wheezing lungs."
Shak.
Wheeze
Wheeze, n.
1. A piping or whistling sound caused by difficult respiration.
2. (Phon.) An ordinary whisper exaggerated so as to produce the hoarse
sound known as the "stage whisper." It is a forcible whisper with some
admixture of tone.
Wheezy
Wheez"y (?), a. Breathing with difficulty and with a wheeze; wheezing.
Used also figuratively.
Wheft
Wheft (?), n. (Naut.) See Waft, n., 4.
Whelk
Whelk (?), n. [OE. welk, wilk, AS. weoloc, weloc, wiloc. Cf. Whilk,
and Wilk.] (Zo\'94l.) Any one numerous species of large marine
gastropods belonging to Buccinum and allied genera; especially,
Buccinum undatum, common on the coasts both of Europe and North
America, and much used as food in Europe. Whelk tingle, a dog whelk.
See under Dog.
Whelk
Whelk, n. [OE. whelke, dim. of whele. See Wheal a pustule.]
1. A papule; a pustule; acne. "His whelks white." Chaucer.
2. A stripe or mark; a ridge; a wale.
Chin whelk (Med.), sycosis. -- Rosy whelk (Med.), grog blossom.
Whelked
Whelked (?), a. Having whelks; whelky; as, whelked horns. Shak.
Whelky
Whelk"y (?), a.
1. Having whelks, ridges, or protuberances; hence, streaked; striated.
2. Shelly. "Whelky pearls." Spenser.
Whelm
Whelm (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whelmed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whelming.]
[OE. whelmen to turn over, akin to OE. whelven, AS. whelfan, hwylfan,
in , , to overwhelm, cover over; akin to OS. bihwelbian, D. welven to
arch, G. w\'94lben, OHG. welben, Icel. hvelfa to overturn; cf. Gr.
1. To cover with water or other fluid; to cover by immersion in
something that envelops on all sides; to overwhelm; to ingulf.
She is my prize, or ocean whelm them all! Shak.
The whelming billow and the faithless oar. Gay.
2. Fig.: To cover completely, as if with water; to immerse; to
overcome; as, to whelm one in sorrows. "The whelming weight of crime."
J. H. Newman.
3. To throw (something) over a thing so as to cover it. [Obs.]
Mortimer.
Whelp
Whelp (?), n. [AS. hwelp; akin to D. welp, G. & OHG. welf, Icel.
hvelpr, Dan. hvalp, Sw. valp.]
1. One of the young of a dog or a beast of prey; a puppy; a cub; as, a
lion's whelps. "A bear robbed of her whelps." 2 Sam. xvii. 8.
2. A child; a youth; -- jocosely or in contempt.
That awkward whelp with his money bags would have made his
entrance. Addison.
3. (Naut.) One of the longitudinal ribs or ridges on the barrel of a
capstan or a windless; -- usually in the plural; as, the whelps of a
windlass.
4. One of the teeth of a sprocket wheel.
Whelp
Whelp, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whelped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whelping.] To
bring forth young; -- said of the female of the dog and some beasts of
prey.
Whelp
Whelp, v. t. To bring forth, as cubs or young; to give birth to.
Unless she had whelped it herself, she could not have loved a thing
better. B. Jonson.
Did thy foul fancy whelp so black a scheme? Young.
When
When (?), adv. [OE. when, whan, whenne, whanne, AS. hw\'91nne, hwanne,
hwonne; akin to OS. hwan, OD. wan, OHG. wanne, G. wann when, wenn if,
when, Goth. hwan when, and to E. who. Who.]
1. At what time; -- used interrogatively.
When shall these things be? Matt. xxiv. 3.
NOTE: &hand; See the Note under What, pron., 1.
2. At what time; at, during, or after the time that; at or just after,
the moment that; -- used relatively.
Kings may Take their advantage when and how they list. Daniel.
Book lore ne'er served, when trial came, Nor gifts, when faith was
dead. J. H. Newman.
3. While; whereas; although; -- used in the manner of a conjunction to
introduce a dependent adverbial sentence or clause, having a causal,
conditional, or adversative relation to the principal proposition; as,
he chose to turn highwayman when he might have continued an honest
man; he removed the tree when it was the best in the grounds.
4. Which time; then; -- used elliptically as a noun.
I was adopted heir by his consent; Since when, his oath is broke.
Shak.
NOTE: &hand; Wh en wa s formerly used as an exclamation of surprise
or impatience, like what!
Come hither; mend my ruff: Here, when! thou art such a tedious
lady! J. Webster.
When as, When that, at the time that; when. [Obs.]
When as sacred light began to dawn. Milton.
When that mine eye is famished for a look. Shak.
Whenas
When"as` (?), conj. Whereas; while [Obs.]
Whenas, if they would inquire into themselves, they would find no
such matter. Barrow.
Whence
Whence (?), adv. [OE. whennes, whens (with adverbial s, properly a
genitive ending; -- see -wards), also whenne, whanene, AS. hwanan,
hwanon, hwonan, hwanone; akin to D. when. See When, and cf. Hence,
Thence.]
1. From what place; hence, from what or which source, origin,
antecedent, premise, or the like; how; -- used interrogatively.
Whence hath this man this wisdom? Matt. xiii. 54.
Whence and what art thou? Milton.
2. From what or which place, source, material, cause, etc.; the place,
source, etc., from which; -- used relatively.
Grateful to acknowledge whence his good Descends. Milton.
NOTE: &hand; Al l th e words of this class, whence, where, whither,
whereabouts, etc., are occasionally used as pronouns by a harsh
construction.
O, how unlike the place from whence they fell? Milton.
NOTE: &hand; From whence, though a pleonasm, is fully authorized by
the use of good writers.
From whence come wars and fightings among you? James iv. 1.
Of whence, also a pleonasm, has become obsolete.
Whenceever
Whence*ev"er (?), adv. & conj. Whencesoever. [R.]
Whenceforth
Whence`forth" (?), adv. From, or forth from, what or which place;
whence. [Obs.] Spenser.
Whencesoever
Whence`so*ev"er (?), adv. & conj. From what place soever; from what
cause or source soever.
Any idea, whencesoever we have it. Locke.
Whene'er
When*e'er (?), adv. & conj. Whenever.
Whenever
When*ev"er (?), adv. & conj. At whatever time. "Whenever that shall
be." Milton.
Whennes
When"nes (?), adv. Whence. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Whensoever
When`so*ev"er (?), adv. & conj. At what time soever; at whatever time;
whenever. Mark xiv. 7.
Wher, Where
Wher (?), Where (, pron. & conj. [See Whether.] Whether. [Sometimes
written whe'r.] [Obs.] Piers Plowman.
Men must enquire (this is mine assent), Wher she be wise or sober
or dronkelewe. Chaucer.
Where
Where (?), adv. [OE. wher, whar, AS. hw; akin to D. waar, OS. hw, OHG.
hw\'ber, w\'ber, w\'be, G. wo, Icel. and Sw. hvar, Dan. hvor, Goth.
hwar, and E. who; cf. Skr. karhi when. &root;182. See Who, and cf.
There.]
1. At or in what place; hence, in what situation, position, or
circumstances; -- used interrogatively.
God called unto Adam, . . . Where art thou? Gen. iii. 9.
NOTE: &hand; See the Note under What, pron., 1.
2. At or in which place; at the place in which; hence, in the case or
instance in which; -- used relatively.
She visited that place where first she was so happy. Sir P. Sidney.
Where I thought the remnant of mine age Should have been cherished
by her childlike duty. Shak.
Where one on his side fights, thousands will fly. Shak.
But where he rode one mile, the dwarf ran four. Sir W. Scott.
3. To what or which place; hence, to what goal, result, or issue;
whither; -- used interrogatively and relatively; as, where are you
going?
But where does this tend? Goldsmith.
Lodged in sunny cleft, Where the gold breezes come not. Bryant.
NOTE: &hand; Wh ere is of ten us ed pronominally with or without a
preposition, in elliptical sentences for a place in which, the
place in which, or what place.
The star . . . stood over where the young child was. Matt. ii. 9.
The Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Matt. viii. 20.
Within about twenty paces of where we were. Goldsmith.
Where did the minstrels come from? Dickens.
NOTE: &hand; Wh ere is mu ch used in composition with preposition,
and then is equivalent to a pronoun. Cf. Whereat, Whereby,
Wherefore, Wherein, etc.
Where away (Naut.), in what direction; as, where away is the land?
Syn. -- See Whither.
Where
Where, conj. Whereas.
And flight and die is death destroying death; Where fearing dying
pays death servile breath. Shak.
Where
Where, n. Place; situation. [Obs. or Colloq.]
Finding the nymph asleep in secret where. Spenser.
Whereabout, Whereabouts
Where"a*bout` (?), Where"a*bouts` (?), adv.
1. About where; near what or which place; -- used interrogatively and
relatively; as, whereabouts did you meet him?
NOTE: &hand; In this sense, whereabouts is the common form.
2. Concerning which; about which. "The object whereabout they are
conversant." Hooker.
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Page 1645
Whereabout, Whereabouts
Where"a*bout` (?), Where"a*bouts` (?), n. The place where a person or
thing is; as, they did not know his whereabouts. Shak.
A puzzling notice of thy whereabout. Wordsworth.
Whereas
Where*as" (?), adv. At which place; where. [Obs.] Chaucer.
At last they came whereas that lady bode. Spenser.
Whereas
Where*as", conj.
1. Considering that; it being the case that; since; -- used to
introduce a preamble which is the basis of declarations, affirmations,
commands, requests, or like, that follow.
2. When in fact; while on the contrary; the case being in truth that;
although; -- implying opposition to something that precedes; or
implying recognition of facts, sometimes followed by a different
statement, and sometimes by inferences or something consequent.
Are not those found to be the greatest zealots who are most
notoriously ignorant? whereas true zeal should always begin with
true knowledge. Sprat.
Whereat
Where*at" (?), adv.
1. At which; upon which; whereupon; -- used relatively.
They vote; whereat his speech he thus renews. Milton.
Whereat he was no less angry and ashamed than desirous to obey
Zelmane. Sir P. Sidney.
2. At what; -- used interrogatively; as, whereat are you offended?
Whereby
Where*by" (?), adv.
1. By which; -- used relatively. "You take my life when you take the
means whereby I life." Shak.
2. By what; how; -- used interrogatively.
Whereby shall I know this? Luke i. 18.
Where'er
Wher*e'er" (?), adv. Wherever; -- a contracted and poetical form.
Cowper.
Wherefore
Where"fore (?), adv.& conj. [Where + for.]
1. For which reason; so; -- used relatively.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matt. vii. 20.
2. For what reason; why; -- used interrogatively.
But wherefore that I tell my tale. Chaucer.
Wherefore didst thou doubt? Matt. xiv. 31.
Wherefore
Where"fore, n. the reason why. [Colloq.]
Whereform
Where*form" (?), adv. [Where + from.] From which; from which or what
place. Tennyson.
Wherein
Where*in" (?), adv.
1. In which; in which place, thing, time, respect, or the like; --
used relatively.
Her clothes wherein she was clad. Chaucer.
There are times wherein a man ought to be cautious as well as
innocent. Swift.
2. In what; -- used interrogatively.
Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him! Mal. ii. 17.
Whereinto
Where`in*to" (?), adv.
1. Into which; -- used relatively.
Where is that palace whereinto foul things Sometimes intrude not?
Shak.
The brook, whereinto he loved to look. Emerson.
2. Into what; -- used interrogatively.
Whereness
Where"ness (?), n. The quality or state of having a place; ubiety;
situation; position. [R.]
A point hath no dimensions, but only a whereness, and is next to
nothing. Grew.
Whereof
Where*of" (?), adv.
1. Of which; of whom; formerly, also, with which; -- used relatively.
I do not find the certain numbers whereof their armies did consist.
Sir J. Davies.
Let it work like Borgias' wine, Whereof his sire, the pope, was
poisoned. Marlowe.
Edward's seven sons, whereof thyself art one. Shak.
2. Of what; -- used interrogatively.
Whereof was the house built? Johnson.
Whereon
Where*on" (?), adv.
1. On which; -- used relatively; as, the earth whereon we live.
O fair foundation laid whereon to build. Milton.
2. On what; -- used interrogatively; as, whereon do we stand?
Whereout
Where*out" (?), adv. Out of which. [R.]
The cleft whereout the lightning breaketh. Holland.
Whereso
Where"so (?), adv. Wheresoever. [Obs.]
Wheresoe'er
Where`so*e'er" (?), adv. Wheresoever. [Poetic] "Wheresoe'er they
rove." Milton.
Wheresoever
Where`so*ev"er (?), adv. In what place soever; in whatever place;
wherever.
Wherethrough
Where*through" (?), adv. Through which. [R.] "Wherethrough that I may
know." Chaucer.
Windows . . . wherethrough the sun Delights to peep, to gaze
therein on thee. Shak.
Whereto
Where*to" (?), adv.
1. To which; -- used relatively. "Whereto we have already attained."
Phil. iii. 16.
Whereto all bonds do tie me day by day. Shak.
2. To what; to what end; -- used interrogatively.
Whereunto
Where`un*to" (?), adv. Same as Whereto.
Whereupon
Where`up*on" (?), adv. Upon which; in consequence of which; after
which.
The townsmen mutinied and sent to Essex; whereupon he came thither.
Clarendon.
Wherever
Wher*ev"er (?), adv. At or in whatever place; wheresoever.
He can not but love virtue wherever it is. Atterbury.
Wherewith
Where*with" (?), adv.
1. With which; -- used relatively.
The love wherewith thou hast loved me. John xvii. 26.
2. With what; -- used interrogatively.
Wherewith shall I save Israel? Judg. vi. 15.
Wherewith
Where*with", n. The necessary means or instrument.
So shall I have wherewith to answer him. Ps. cxix. 42.
The wherewith to meet excessive loss by radiation. H. Spencer.
Wherewithal
Where`with*al" (?), adv. & n. Wherewith. "Wherewithal shall we be
clothed?" Matt. vi. 31.
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? Ps. cxix. 9.
[The builders of Babel], still with vain design, New Babels, had
they wherewithal, would build. Milton.
Whereret
Where"ret (?), v. t. [From Whir.]
1. To hurry; to trouble; to tease. [Obs.] Bickerstaff.
2. To box (one) on the ear; to strike or box. (the ear); as, to
wherret a child. [Obs.]
Wherret
Wher"ret, n. A box on the ear. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
Wherry
Wher"ry (?), n.; pl. Wherries (#). [Cf. Icel. hverfr shifty, crank,
hverfa to turn, E. whirl, wharf.] (Naut.) (a) A passenger barge or
lighter plying on rivers; also, a kind of light, half-decked vessel
used in fishing. [Eng.] (b) A long, narrow, light boat, sharp at both
ends, for fast rowing or sailing; esp., a racing boat rowed by one
person with sculls.
Wherry
Wher"ry, n. [Cf. W. chwerw bitter.] A liquor made from the pulp of
crab apples after the verjuice is expressed; -- sometimes called crab
wherry. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Wherso
Wher"so (?), adv. Wheresoever. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Whet
Whet (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whetted; p. pr. & vb. n. Whetting.] [AS.
hwettan; akin to D. wetten, G. wetzen, OHG. wezzen, Icel. hvetja, Sw.
v\'84ttja, and AS. hw\'91t vigorous, brave, OS. hwat, OHG. waz, was,
sharp, Icel. hvatr, bold, active, Sw. hvass sharp, Dan. hvas, Goth.
hwassaba sharply, and probably to Skr. cud to impel, urge on.]
1. To rub or on with some substance, as a piece of stone, for the
purpose of sharpening; to sharpen by attrition; as, to whet a knife.
The mower whets his scythe. Milton.
Here roams the wolf, the eagle whets his beak. Byron.
2. To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to stimulate; as, to whet
the appetite or the courage.
Since Cassius first did whet me against C\'91sar, I have not slept.
Shak.
To whet on, To whet forward, to urge on or forward; to instigate.
Shak.
Whet
Whet, n.
1. The act of whetting.
2. That which whets or sharpens; esp., an appetizer. "Sips, drams, and
whets." Spectator.
Whet slate (Min.), a variety of slate used for sharpening cutting
instruments; novaculite; -- called also whetstone slate, and oilstone.
Whether
Wheth"er (?), pron. [OE. whether, AS. hw\'91; akin to OS. hwe, OFries.
hweder, OHG. hwedar, wedar, G. weder, conj., neither, Icel. hv\'berr
whether, Goth. hwa, Lith. katras, L. uter, Gr. katara, from the
interrogatively pronoun, in AS. hw\'be who. Who, and cf. Either,
Neither, Or, conj.] Which (of two); which one (of two); -- used
interrogatively and relatively. [Archaic]
Now choose yourself whether that you liketh. Chaucer.
One day in doubt I cast for to compare Whether in beauties' glory
did exceed. Spenser.
Whether of them twain did the will of his father? Matt. xxi. 31.
Whether
Wheth"er, conj. In case; if; -- used to introduce the first or two or
more alternative clauses, the other or others being connected by or,
or by or whether. When the second of two alternatives is the simple
negative of the first it is sometimes only indicated by the particle
not or no after the correlative, and sometimes it is omitted entirely
as being distinctly implied in the whether of the first.
And now who knows But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours? Shak.
You have said; but whether wisely or no, let the forest judge.
Shak.
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we
die unto the Lord; whether we live therefore, or die, we are the
Lord's. Rom. xiv. 8.
But whether thus these things, or whether not; Whether the sun,
predominant in heaven, Rise on the earth, or earth rise on the sun,
. . . Solicit not thy thoughts with matters hid. Milton.
Whether or no, in either case; in any case; as, I will go whether or
no. -- Whether that, whether. Shak.
Whethering
Wheth"er*ing, n. The retention of the afterbirth in cows. Gardner.
Whetile
Whet"ile (?), n. [Cf. Whitile.] (Zo\'94l.) The green woodpecker, or
yaffle. See Yaffle. [Prov. Eng.]
Whetstone
Whet"stone` (?), n. [AS. hwetst\'ben.] A piece of stone, natural or
artificial, used for whetting, or sharpening, edge tools.
The dullness of the fools is the whetstone of the wits. Shak.
Diligence is to the understanding as the whetstone to the razor.
South.
NOTE: &hand; So me wh etstones ar e us ed dry, others are moistened
with water, or lubricated with oil.
To give the whetstone, to give a premium for extravagance in
falsehood. [Obs.]
Whetter
Whet"ter (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, whets, sharpens, or stimulates.
2. A tippler; one who drinks whets. [Obs.] Steele.
Whettlebones
Whet"tle*bones (?), n. pl. The vertebr\'91 of the back. [Prov. Eng.]
Dunglison.
Whew
Whew (hw&umac;), n. & interj. A sound like a half-formed whistle,
expressing astonishment, scorn, or dislike. Whew duck, the European
widgeon. [Prov. Eng.]
Whew
Whew, v. i.To whistle with a shrill pipe, like a plover. [Prov. Eng. &
Scot.]
Whewellite
Whew"ell*ite (?), n. [So named after Prof. Whewell of Cambridge,
England.] (Min.) Calcium oxalate, occurring in colorless or white
monoclinic crystals.
Whewer
Whew"er (?), n. [Cf. W. chwiwell a widgeon, chwiws widgeons,
waterfowls; or cf. E. whew, v. i.] (Zo\'94l.) The European widgeon.
[Prov. Eng.]
Whey
Whey (?), n. [AS. hw\'91g; cf. D. wei, hui, Fries. weye, LG. wey,
waje. ] The serum, or watery part, of milk, separated from the more
thick or coagulable part, esp. in the process of making cheese. In
this process, the thick part is called curd, and the thin part whey.
Wheyey
Whey"ey (?), a. Of the nature of, or containing, whey; resembling
whey; wheyish. Bacon.
Wheyface
Whey"face` (?), n. One who is pale, as from fear.
Whey-faced
Whey"-faced` (?), a. Having a pale or white face, as from fright.
"Whey-faced cavaliers." Aytoun.
Wheyish
Whey"ish (?), a. Somewhat like whey; wheyey. J. Philips. --
Whey"ish*ness, n.
Which
Which (?), pron. [OE. which, whilk, AS. hwilc, hwylc, hwelc, from the
root of hw\'be who + l\'c6c body; hence properly, of what sort or
kind; akin to OS. hwilik which, OFries. hwelik, D. welk, G. welch,
OHG. wel\'c6h, hwel\'c6h, Icel. hv\'c6l\'c6kr, Dan. & Sw. hvilken,
Goth. hwileiks, hwleiks; cf. L. qualis. Who, and Like, a., and cf.
Such.]
1. Of what sort or kind; what; what a; who. [Obs.]
And which they weren and of what degree. Chaucer.
2. A interrogative pronoun, used both substantively and adjectively,
and in direct and indirect questions, to ask for, or refer to, an
individual person or thing among several of a class; as, which man is
it? which woman was it? which is the house? he asked which route he
should take; which is best, to live or to die? See the Note under
What, pron., 1.
Which of you convinceth me of sin? John viii. 46.
3. A relative pronoun, used esp. in referring to an antecedent noun or
clause, but sometimes with reference to what is specified or implied
in a sentence, or to a following noun or clause (generally involving a
reference, however, to something which has preceded). It is used in
all numbers and genders, and was formerly used of persons.
And when thou fail'st -- as God forbid the hour! -- Must Edward
fall, which peril heaven forfend! Shak.
God . . . rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had
made. Gen. ii. 2.
Our Father, which art in heaven. Matt. vi. 9.
The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Cor. iii. 17.
4. A compound relative or indefinite pronoun, standing for any one
which, whichever, that which, those which, the . . . which, and the
like; as, take which you will.
NOTE: &hand; Th e wh ich wa s fo rmerly of ten us ed for which. The
expressions which that, which as, were also sometimes used by way
of emphasis.
Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
James ii. 7.
NOTE: &hand; Wh ich, re ferring to a series of preceding sentences,
or members of a sentence, may have all joined to it adjectively.
"All which, as a method of a proclamation, is very convenient."
Carlyle.
Whichever, Whichsoever
Which*ev"er (?), Which`so*ev"er (?), pron. & a. Whether one or
another; whether one or the other; which; that one (of two or more)
which; as, whichever road you take, it will lead you to town.
Whidah bird
Whid"ah bird` (?), (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of finchlike
birds belonging to the genus Vidua, native of Asia and Africa. In the
breeding season the male has very long, drooping tail feathers. Called
also vida finch, whidah finch, whydah bird, whydah finch, widow bird,
and widow finch.
NOTE: &hand; So me of th e sp ecies ar e often kept as cage birds,
especially Vidua paradisea, which is dark brownish above, pale buff
beneath, with a reddish collar around the neck.
Whider
Whid"er (?), adv. Whither. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Whiff
Whiff (?), n. [OE. weffe vapor, whiff, probably of imitative origin;
cf. Dan. vift a puff, gust, W. chwiff a whiff, puff.]
1. A sudden expulsion of air from the mouth; a quick puff or slight
gust, as of air or smoke.
But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword The unnerved father
falls. Shak.
The skipper, he blew a whiff from his pipe, And a scornful laugh
laughed he. Longfellow.
2. A glimpse; a hasty view. [Prov. Eng.]
3. (Zo\'94l.) The marysole, or sail fluke.
Whiff
Whiff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whiffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whiffing.]
1. To throw out in whiffs; to consume in whiffs; to puff.
2. To carry or convey by a whiff, or as by a whiff; to puff or blow
away.
Old Empedocles, . . . who, when he leaped into Etna, having a dry,
sear body, and light, the smoke took him, and whiffed him up into
the moon. B. Jonson.
Whiff
Whiff, v. i. To emit whiffs, as of smoke; to puff.
Whiffet
Whif"fet (?), n. A little whiff or puff.
Whiffing
Whiff"ing (?), n.
1. The act of one who, or that which, whiffs.
2. A mode of fishing with a hand line for pollack, mackerel, and the
like.
Whiffle
Whif"fle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whiffled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Whiffling (?).] [Freq. of whiff to puff, perhaps influenced by D.
weifelen to waver.]
1. To waver, or shake, as if moved by gusts of wind; to shift, turn,
or veer about. D
2. To change from one opinion or course to another; to use evasions;
to prevaricate; to be fickle.<-- to waffle; vacillate, equivocate,
flip-flop. -->
A person of whiffing and unsteady turn of mind can not keep close
to a point of controversy. I. Watts.
Whiffle
Whif"fle, v. t.
1. To disperse with, or as with, a whiff, or puff; to scatter. [Obs.]
Dr. H. More.
2. To wave or shake quickly; to cause to whiffle.
Whiffle
Whif"fle, n. A fife or small flute. [Obs.] Douce.
Whiffler
Whif"fler (?), n.
1. One who whiffles, or frequently changes his opinion or course; one
who uses shifts and evasions in argument; hence, a trifler.<-- a
waffler? -->
Every whiffler in a laced coat who frequents the chocolate house
shall talk of the constitution. Swift.
2. One who plays on a whiffle; a fifer or piper. [Obs.]
3. An officer who went before procession to clear the way by blowing a
horn, or otherwise; hence, any person who marched at the head of a
procession; a harbinger.
Which like a mighty whiffler 'fore the king, Seems to prepare his
way. Shak.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1646
NOTE: &hand; "W hifflers, or fi fers, ge nerally we nt fi rst in a
procession, from which circumstance the name was transferred to
other persons who succeeded to that office, and at length was given
to those who went forward merely to clear the way for the
procession. . . . In the city of London, young freemen, who march
at the head of their proper companies on the Lord Mayor's day,
sometimes with flags, were called whifflers, or bachelor whifflers,
not because they cleared the way, but because they went first, as
whifflers did." Nares.
4. (Zo\'94l) The golden-eye. [Local, U.S.]
Whiffletree
Whif"fle*tree` (?), n. Same as Whippletree.
Whig
Whig (?), n. [See Whey.] Acidulated whey, sometimes mixed with
buttermilk and sweet herbs, used as a cooling beverage. [Obs. or Prov.
Eng.]
Whig
Whig, n. [Said to be from whiggam, a term used in Scotland in driving
horses, whiggamore one who drives horses (a term applied to some
western Scotchmen), contracted to whig. In 1648, a party of these
people marched to Edinburgh to oppose the king and the duke of
Hamilton (the Whiggamore raid), and hence the name of Whig was given
to the party opposed to the court. Cf. Scot. whig to go quickly.]
1. (Eng. Politics) One of a political party which grew up in England
in the seventeenth century, in the reigns of Charles I. and II., when
great contests existed respecting the royal prerogatives and the
rights of the people. Those who supported the king in his high claims
were called Tories, and the advocates of popular rights, of
parliamentary power over the crown, and of toleration to Dissenters,
were, after 1679, called Whigs. The terms Liberal and Radical have now
generally superseded Whig in English politics. See the note under
Tory.
2. (Amer. Hist.) (a) A friend and supporter of the American
Revolution; -- opposed to Tory, and Royalist. (b) One of the political
party in the United States from about 1829 to 1856, opposed in
politics to the Democratic party.
Whig
Whig, a. Of or pertaining to the Whigs.
Whiggamore
Whig"ga*more (?), n. [See Whig.] A Whig; -- a cant term applied in
contempt to Scotch Presbyterians. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
Whiggarchy
Whig"gar*chy (?), n. [Whig + -archy.] Government by Whigs. [Cont]
Swift.
Whiggery
Whig"ger*y (?), n. The principles or practices of the Whigs; Whiggism.
Whiggish
Whig"gish (?), a. Of or pertaining to Whigs; partaking of, or
characterized by, the principles of Whigs.
Whiggishly
Whig"gish*ly, adv. In a Whiggish manner.
Whiggism
Whig"gism (?), n. The principles of the Whigs.
Whigling
Whig"ling (?), n. A petty or inferior Whig; -- used in contempt.
Spectator.
While
While (?), n. [AS. hw\'c6l; akin to OS. hw\'c6l, hw\'c6la, OFries.
hw\'c6le, D. wigl, G. weile, OHG. w\'c6la, hw\'c6la, hw\'c6l, Icel.
hv\'c6la a bed, hv\'c6ld rest, Sw. hvila, Dan. hvile, Goth. hweila a
time, and probably to L. quietus quiet, and perhaps to Gr. Quiet,
Whilom.]
1. Space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a time; as,
one while we thought him innocent. "All this while." Shak.
This mighty queen may no while endure. Chaucer.
[Some guest that] hath outside his welcome while, And tells the
jest without the smile. Coleridge.
I will go forth and breathe the air a while. Longfellow.
2. That which requires time; labor; pains. [Obs.]
Satan . . . cast him how he might quite her while. Chaucer.
At whiles, at times; at intervals.
And so on us at whiles it falls, to claim Powers that we dread. J.
H. Newman.
-- The while, The whiles, in or during the time that; meantime; while.
Tennyson. -- Within a while, in a short time; soon. -- Worth while,
worth the time which it requires; worth the time and pains; hence,
worth the expense; as, it is not always worth while for a man to
prosecute for small debts.
While
While, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whiled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whiling.] To
cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or disgust; to
spend or pass; -- usually followed by away.
The lovely lady whiled the hours away. Longfellow.
While
While, v. i. To loiter. [R.] Spectator.
While
While, conj.
1. During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that;
as, while I write, you sleep. "While I have time and space." Chaucer.
Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a gradual
improvement, while you take care not to overload it. I. Watts.
2. Hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though; whereas.
While as, While that, during or at the time that. [Obs.]
While
While, prep. Until; till. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
I may be conveyed into your chamber; I'll lie under your bed while
midnight. Beau. & Fl.
Whilere
Whil`ere" (?), adv. [While + ere] A little while ago; recently; just
now; erewhile. [Obs.]
Helpeth me now as I did you whilere. Chaucer.
He who, with all heaven's heraldry, whilere Entered the world.
Milton.
Whiles
Whiles (?), adv. [See While, n., and -wards.]
1. Meanwhile; meantime. [R.]
The good knight whiles humming to himself the lay of some majored
troubadour. Sir. W. Scott.
2. sometimes; at times. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
The whiles. See under While, n.
Whiles
Whiles, conj. During the time that; while. [Archaic] Chaucer. Fuller.
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with
him. Matt. v. 25.
Whilk
Whilk (?), n. [See Whelk a mollusk.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) A kind of mollusk, a whelk. [Prov. Eng.]
2. (Zo\'94l.) The scoter. [Prov. Eng.]
Whilk
Whilk, pron. Which. [Obs. or Scot.]
NOTE: &hand; Wh ilk is so metimes used in Chaucer to represent the
Northern dialect.
Whilom
Whi"lom (?), adv. [AS. hw\'c6lum, properly, at times, dative pl. of
hw\'c6l; akin to G. weiland formerly, OHG. hw\'c6lm, See While, n.]
Formerly; once; of old; erewhile; at times. [Obs. or Poetic] Spenser.
Whilom, as olde stories tellen us, There was a duke that highte
Theseus. Chaucer.
Whilst
Whilst (?), adv. [From Whiles; cf. Amongst.] While. [Archaic]
Whilst the emperor lay at Antioch. Gibbon.
The whilst, in the meantime; while. [Archaic.] Shak.
Whim
Whim (?), n. [Cf. Whimbrel.] (Zo\'94l.) The European widgeon. [Prov.
Eng.]
Whim
Whim, n. [Cf. Icel. hwima to wander with the eyes, vim giddiness,
Norw. kvima to whisk or flutter about, to trifle, Dan. vimse to skip,
whisk, jump from one thing to another, dial. Sw. hvimsa to be
unsteady, dizzy, W. chwimio to move briskly.]
1. A sudden turn or start of the mind; a temporary eccentricity; a
freak; a fancy; a capricious notion; a humor; a caprice.
Let every man enjoy his whim. Churchill.
2. (Mining) A large capstan or vertical drum turned by horse power or
steam power, for raising ore or water, etc., from mines, or for other
purposes; -- called also whim gin, and whimsey.
Whim gin (Mining), a whim. See Whim, 2. -- Whim shaft (Mining), a
shaft through which ore, water, etc., is raised from a mine by means
of a whim. Syn. -- Freak; caprice; whimsey; fancy. -- Whim, Freak,
Caprice. Freak denotes an impulsive, inconsiderate change of mind, as
by a child or a lunatic. Whim is a mental eccentricity due to peculiar
processes or habits of thought. Caprice is closely allied in meaning
to freak, but implies more definitely a quality of willfulness or
wantonness.
Whim
Whim, v. i. To be subject to, or indulge in, whims; to be whimsical,
giddy, or freakish. [R.] Congreve.
Whimbrel
Whim"brel (?), n. [Cf. Whimper.] (Zo\'94l) Any one of several species
of small curlews, especially the European species (Numenius
ph\'91opus), called also Jack curlew, half curlew, stone curlew, and
tang whaup. See Illustration in Appendix. Hudsonian or, Eskimo,
whimbreal, the Hudsonian curlew.
Whimling
Whim"ling (?), n. [Whim + -ling.] One given to whims; hence, a weak,
childish person; a child.
Go, whimling, and fetch two or three grating loaves. Beau. & Fl.
Whimmy
Whim"my (?), a. Full of whims; whimsical.
The study of Rabbinical literature either finds a man whimmy or
makes him so. Coleridge.
Whimper
Whim"per (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whimpered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Whimpering.] [Cf. Scot. whimmer, G. wimmern.] To cry with a low,
whining, broken voice; to whine; to complain; as, a child whimpers.
Was there ever yet preacher but there were gainsayers that spurned,
that winced, that whimpered against him? Latimer.
Whimper
Whim"per, v. t. To utter in alow, whining tone.
Whimper
Whim"per, n. A low, whining, broken cry; a low, whining sound,
expressive of complaint or grief.
Whimperer
Whim"per*er (?), n. One who whimpers.
Whimple
Whim"ple (?), v. t. See Wimple.
Whimple
Whim"ple, v. i. [Cf. Whiffle.] To whiffle; to veer.
Whimsey, Whimsy
Whim"sey, Whimsy (?), n.; pl. Whimseys (#) or Whimsies (#). [See
Whim.]
1. A whim; a freak; a capricious notion, a fanciful or odd conceit.
"The whimsies of poets and painters." Ray.
Men's folly, whimsies, and inconstancy. Swift.
Mistaking the whimseys of a feverish brain for the calm revelation
of truth. Bancroft.
2. (Mining) A whim.
Whimsey
Whim"sey, v. t. To fill with whimseys, or whims; to make fantastic; to
craze. [R.]
To have a man's brain whimsied with his wealth. J. Fletcher.
Whimsical
Whim"si*cal (?), a. [From Whimsey.]
1. Full of, or characterized by, whims; actuated by a whim; having
peculiar notions; queer; strange; freakish. "A whimsical insult."
Macaulay.
My neighbors call me whimsical. Addison.
2. Odd or fantastic in appearance; quaintly devised; fantastic. "A
whimsical chair." Evelyn. Syn. -- Quaint; capricious; fanciful;
fantastic.
Whimsicality
Whim`si*cal"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being whimsical;
whimsicalness.
Whimsically
Whim"si*cal*ly (?), adv. In a whimsical manner; freakishly.
Whimsicalness
Whim"si*cal*ness, n. The quality or state of being whimsical;
freakishness; whimsical disposition.
Whimsy
Whim"sy (?), n. A whimsey.
Whimwham
Whim"wham (?), n. [Formed from whim by reduplication.]
1. A whimsical thing; an odd device; a trifle; a trinket; a gimcrack.
[R.]
They'll pull ye all to pieces for your whimwhams. Bear. & Fl.
2. A whim, or whimsey; a freak.
Whin
Whin (?), n. [W. chwyn weeds, a single weed.]
1. (Bot.) (a) Gorse; furze. See Furze.
Through the whins, and by the cairn. Burns.
(b) Woad-waxed. Gray.
2. Same as Whinstone. [Prov. Eng.]
Moor whin OR Petty whin (Bot.), a low prickly shrub (Genista Anglica)
common in Western Europe. -- Whin bruiser, a machine for cutting and
bruising whin, or furze, to feed cattle on. -- Whin Sparrow
(Zo\'94l.), the hedge sparrow. [Prov. Eng.] -- Whin Thrush (Zo\'94l.),
the redwing. [Prov. Eng.]
Whinberry
Whin"ber*ry (?), n. (Bot.) The English bilberry; -- so called because
it grows on moors among the whins, or furze. Dr. Prior.
Whinchat
Whin"chat` (?), n. [So called because it frequents whins.] (Zo\'94l.)
A small warbler (Pratincola rubetra) common in Europe; -- called also
whinchacker, whincheck, whin-clocharet.
Whine
Whine (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whining.]
[OE. whinen, AS. hw\'c6nan to make a whistling, whizzing sound; akin
to Icel. hv\'c6na, Sw. hvina, Dan. hvine, and probably to G. wiehern
to neigh, OHG. wihn, hweijn; perhaps of imitative origin. Cf. Whinny,
v. i.] To utter a plaintive cry, as some animals; to mean with a
childish noise; to complain, or to tell of sorrow, distress, or the
like, in a plaintive, nasal tone; hence, to complain or to beg in a
mean, unmanly way; to moan basely. "Whining plovers." Spenser.
The hounds were . . . staying their coming, but with a whining
accent, craving liberty. Sir P. Sidney.
Dost thou come here to whine? Shak.
Whine
Whine, v. t. To utter or express plaintively, or in a mean, unmanly
way; as, to whine out an excuse.
Whine
Whine, n. A plaintive tone; the nasal, childish tone of mean
complaint; mean or affected complaint.
Whiner
Whin"er (?), n. One who, or that which, whines.
Whinge
Whinge (?), v. i. To whine. [Scot.] Burns.
Whinger
Whing"er, n. [See Whinyard.] A kind of hanger or sword used as a knife
at meals and as a weapon. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
The chief acknowledged that he had corrected her with his whinger.
Sir W. Scott.
Whiningly
Whin"ing*ly (?), adv. In a whining manner; in a tone of mean
complaint.
Whinner
Whin"ner (?), v. i. To whinny. [Colloq.]
Whinny
Whin"ny (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whinnied (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Whinnying.] [From Whine] To utter the ordinary call or cry of a horse;
to neigh.
Whinny
Whin"ny, n.; pl. Whinnies (. The ordinary cry or call of a horse; a
neigh. "The stately horse . . . stooped with a low whinny." Tennyson.
Whinny
Whin"ny, a. Abounding in whin, gorse, or furze.
A fine, large, whinny, . . . unimproved common. Sterne.
Whinock
Whin"ock (?), n. [Cf. Scot. whin, quhene, a few, AS. hw, hwne, a
little, hwn little, few. Cf. Wheen.] The small pig of a litter.
[Local, U. S.]
Whinstone
Whin"stone" (?), n. [Whin + stone; cf. Scot. quhynstane.] A provincial
name given in England to basaltic rocks, and applied by miners to
other kind of dark-colored unstratified rocks which resist the point
of the pick. -- for example, to masses of chert. Whin-dikes, and
whin-sills, are names sometimes given to veins or beds of basalt.
Whinyard
Whin"yard (?), n. [Cf. Prov. E. & Scot. whingar, whinger; perhaps from
AS. winn contention, war + geard, gyrd, a staff, rod, yard; or cf. AS.
hw\'c6nan to whistle, E. whine.]
1. A sword, or hanger. [Obs.]
2. [From the shape of the bill.] (Zo\'94l) (a) The shoveler. [Prov.
Eng.] (b) The poachard. [Prov. Eng.]
Whip
Whip (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whipped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whipping.]
[OE. whippen to overlay, as a cord, with other cords, probably akin to
G. & D. wippen to shake, to move up and down, Sw. vippa, Dan. vippe to
swing to and fro, to shake, to toss up, and L. vibrare to shake. Cf.
Vibrate.]
1. To strike with a lash, a cord, a rod, or anything slender and
lithe; to lash; to beat; as, to whip a horse, or a carpet.
2. To drive with lashes or strokes of a whip; to cause to rotate by
lashing with a cord; as, to whip a top.
3. To punish with a whip, scourge, or rod; to flog; to beat; as, to
whip a vagrant; to whip one with thirty nine lashes; to whip a
perverse boy.
Who, for false quantities, was whipped at school. Dryden.
4. To apply that which hurts keenly to; to lash, as with sarcasm,
abuse, or the like; to apply cutting language to.
They would whip me with their fine wits. Shak.
5. To thrash; to beat out, as grain, by striking; as, to whip wheat.
6. To beat (eggs, cream, or the like) into a froth, as with a whisk,
fork, or the like.
7. To conquer; to defeat, as in a contest or game; to beat; to
surpass. [Slang, U. S.]
8. To overlay (a cord, rope, or the like) with other cords going round
and round it; to overcast, as the edge of a seam; to wrap; -- often
with about, around, or over.
Its string is firmly whipped about with small gut. Moxon.
9. To sew lightly; specifically, to form (a fabric) into gathers by
loosely overcasting the rolled edge and drawing up the thread; as, to
whip a ruffle.
In half-whipped muslin needles useless lie. Gay.
10. To take or move by a sudden motion; to jerk; to snatch; -- with
into, out, up, off, and the like.
She, in a hurry, whips up her darling under her arm. L'Estrange.
He whips out his pocketbook every moment, and writes descriptions
of everything he sees. Walpole.
11. (Naut.) (a) To hoist or purchase by means of a whip. (b) To secure
the end of (a rope, or the like) from untwisting by overcasting it
with small stuff.
12. To fish (a body of water) with a rod and artificial fly, the
motion being that employed in using a whip.
Whipping their rough surface for a trout. Emerson.
To whip in, to drive in, or keep from scattering, as hounds in a hurt;
hence, to collect, or to keep together, as member of a party, or the
like. -- To whip the cat. (a) To practice extreme parsimony. [Prov.
Eng.] Forby. (b) To go from house to house working by the day, as
itinerant tailors and carpenters do. [Prov. & U. S.]
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Page 1647
Whip
Whip (?), v. i. To move nimbly; to start or turn suddenly and do
something; to whisk; as, he whipped around the corner.
With speed from thence he whipped. Sackville.
Two friends, traveling, met a bear upon the way; the one whips up a
tree, and the other throws himself flat upon the ground.
L'Estrange.
Whip
Whip, n. [OE. whippe. See Whip, v. t.]
1. An instrument or driving horses or other animals, or for
correction, consisting usually of a lash attached to a handle, or of a
handle and lash so combined as to form a flexible rod. "[A] whip's
lash." Chaucer.
In his right hand he holds a whip, with which he is supposed to
drive the horses of the sun. Addison.
2. A coachman; a driver of a carriage; as, a good whip. Beaconsfield.
3. (Mach.) (a) One of the arms or frames of a windmill, on which the
sails are spread. (b) The length of the arm reckoned from the shaft.
4. (Naut.) (a) A small tackle with a single rope, used to hoist light
bodies. (b) The long pennant. See Pennant (a)
5. A huntsman who whips in the hounds; whipper-in.
6. (Eng. Politics) (a) A person (as a member of Parliament) appointed
to enforce party discipline, and secure the attendance of the members
of a Parliament party at any important session, especially when their
votes are needed. (b) A call made upon members of a Parliament party
to be in their places at a given time, as when a vote is to be taken.
Whip and spur, with the utmost haste. -- Whip crane, OR Whip purchase,
a simple form of crane having a small drum from which the load is
suspended, turned by pulling on a rope wound around larger drum on the
same axle. -- Whip gin. See Gin block, under 5th Gin. -- Whip
grafting. See under Grafting. -- Whip hand, the hand with which the
whip is used; hence, advantage; mastery; as, to have or get the whip
hand of a person. Dryden. -- Whip ray (Zo\'94l.), the European eagle
ray. See under Ray. -- Whip roll (Weaving), a roll or bar, behind the
reeds in a loom, on which the warp threads rest. -- Whip scorpion
(Zo\'94l.), any one of numerous species of arachnids belonging to
Thelyphonus and allied genera. They somewhat resemble true scorpions,
but have a long, slender bristle, or lashlike organ, at the end of the
body, instead of a sting. -- Whip snake (Zo\'94l.), any one of various
species of slender snakes. Specifically: (a) A bright green South
American tree snake (Philodryas viridissimus) having a long and
slender body. It is not venomous. Called also emerald whip snake. (b)
The coachwhip snake.
Whipcord
Whip"cord` (?), n. A kind of hard-twisted or braided cord, sometimes
used for making whiplashes.
Whipgraft
Whip"graft` (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whipgrafted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Whipgrafting.] To graft by cutting the scion and stock in a certain
manner. See Whip grafting, under Grafting.
Whiplash
Whip"lash` (?), n. The lash of a whip, -- usually made of thongs of
leather, or of cords, braided or twisted.
Whipparee
Whip`pa*ree" (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A large sting ray (Dasybatis, OR
Trygon, Sayi) native of the Southern United States. It is destitute of
large spines on the body and tail. (b) A large sting ray (Rhinoptera
bonasus, or R. quadriloba) of the Atlantic coast of the United States.
Its snout appears to be four-lobed when viewed in front, whence it is
also called cow-nosed ray.
Whipper
Whip"per (?), n.
1. One who whips; especially, an officer who inflicts the penalty of
legal whipping.
2. One who raises coal or merchandise with a tackle from a chip's
hold. [Eng.]
3. (Spinning) A kind of simple willow.
Whipperin
Whip"per*in` (?), n.
1. A huntsman who keeps the hounds from wandering, and whips them in,
if necessary, to the of chase.
2. Hence, one who enforces the discipline of a party, and urges the
attendance and support of the members on all necessary occasions.<-- =
whip, 6 (a) -->
Whippersnapper
Whip"per*snap`per (?), n. A diminutive, insignificant, or presumptuous
person. [Colloq.] "Little whippersnappers like you." T. Hughes.
Whipping
Whip"ping (?), a & n. from Whip, v. Whipping post, a post to which
offenders are tied, to be legally whipped.
Whippletree
Whip"ple*tree` (?), n. [See Whip, and cf. Whiffletree.]
1. The pivoted or swinging bar to which the traces, or tugs, of a
harness are fastened, and by which a carriage, a plow, or other
implement or vehicle, is drawn; a whiffletree; a swingletree; a
singletree. See Singletree.
[People] cut their own whippletree in the woodlot. Emerson.
2. (Bot.) The cornel tree. Chaucer.
Whip-poor-will
Whip"-poor-will` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) An American bird (Antrostomus
vociferus) allied to the nighthawk and goatsucker; -- so called in
imitation of the peculiar notes which it utters in the evening.
[Written also whippowil.]
Whipsaw
Whip"saw` (?), n. A saw for dividing timber lengthwise, usually set in
a frame, and worked by two persons; also, a fret saw.
Whip-shaped
Whip"-shaped` (?), a. Shaped like the lash of a whip; long, slender,
round, and tapering; as, a whip-shaped root or stem.
Whipstaff
Whip"staff` (?), n. (Naut.) A bar attached to the tiller, for
convenience in steering.
Whipstalk
Whip"stalk` (?), n. A whipstock.
Whipster
Whip"ster (?), n. [Whip + -ster.] A nimble little fellow; a
whippersnapper.
Every puny whipster gets my sword. Shak.
Whipstick
Whip"stick` (?), n. Whip handle; whipstock.
Whipstitch
Whip"stitch` (?), n.
1. A tailor; -- so called in contempt.
2. Anything hastily put or stitched together; hence, a hasty
composition. [R.] Dryden.
3. (Agric.) The act or process of whipstitching.
Whipstitch
Whip"stitch`, v. t. (Agric.) To rafter; to plow in ridges, as land.
[Eng.]
Whipstock
Whip"stock` (?), n. The rod or handle to which the lash of a whip is
fastened.
Whipt
Whipt (?), imp. & p. p. of Whip. Whipped.
Whip-tom-kelly
Whip"-tom`-kel"ly (?), n. [So called in imitation of its notes.]
(Zo\'94l.) A vireo (Vireo altiloquus) native of the West Indies and
Florida; -- called also black-whiskered vireo.
Whipworm
Whip"worm` (?), n. [So called from its shape.] (Zo\'94l.) A nematode
worm (Trichocephalus dispar) often found parasitic in the human
intestine. Its body is thickened posteriorly, but is very long and
threadlike anteriorly.
Whir
Whir (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whirred (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whirring.]
[Perhaps of imitative origin; cf. D. hvirre to whirl, and E. hurr,
hurry, whirl. To whirl round, or revolve, with a whizzing noise; to
fly or more quickly with a buzzing or whizzing sound; to whiz.
The partridge bursts away on whirring wings. Beattie.
Whir
Whir, v. t. [See Whir to whiz.] To hurry a long with a whizzing sound.
[R.]
This world to me is like a lasting storm, Whirring me from my
friends. Shak.
Whir
Whir, n. A buzzing or whizzing sound produced by rapid or whirling
motion; as, the whir of a partridge; the whir of a spinning wheel.
Whirl
Whirl (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whirled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whirling.]
[OE. whirlen, probably from the Scand.; cf. Icel. & Sw. hvirfla, Dan.
hvirvle; akin to D. wervelen, G. wirbeln, freq. of the verb seen in
Icel. hverfa to turn. &root;16. See Wharf, and cf. Warble, Whorl.]
1. To turn round rapidly; to cause to rotate with velocity; to make to
revolve.
He whirls his sword around without delay. Dryden.
2. To remove or carry quickly with, or as with, a revolving motion; to
snatch; to harry. Chaucer.
See, see the chariot, and those rushing wheels, That whirled the
prophet up at Chebar flood. Milton.
The passionate heart of the poet is whirl'd into folly. Tennyson.
Whirl
Whirl, v. i.
1. To be turned round rapidly; to move round with velocity; to revolve
or rotate with great speed; to gyrate. "The whirling year vainly my
dizzy eyes pursue." J. H. Newman.
The wooden engine flies and whirls about. Dryden.
2. To move hastily or swiftly.
But whirled away to shun his hateful sight. Dryden.
Whirl
Whirl, n. [Cf. Dan. hvirvel, Sw. hvirfvel, Icel. hvirfill the crown of
the head, G. wirbel whirl, crown of the head, D. wervel. See Whirl, v.
t.]
1. A turning with rapidity or velocity; rapid rotation or
circumvolution; quick gyration; rapid or confusing motion; as, the
whirl of a top; the whirl of a wheel. "In no breathless whirl." J. H.
Newman.
The rapid . . . whirl of things here below interrupt not the
inviolable rest and calmness of the noble beings above. South.
2. Anything that moves with a whirling motion.
He saw Falmouth under gray, iron skies, and whirls of March dust.
Carlyle.
3. A revolving hook used in twisting, as the hooked spindle of a rope
machine, to which the threads to be twisted are attached.
4. (Bot. & Zo\'94l.) A whorl. See Whorl.
Whirlabout
Whirl"a*bout` (?), n. Something that whirls or turns about in a rapid
manner; a whirligig.
Whirlbat
Whirl"bat` (?), n. Anything moved with a whirl, as preparatory for a
blow, or to augment the force of it; -- applied by poets to the cestus
of ancient boxers.
The whirlbat and the rapid race shall be Reserved for C\'91sar.
Dryden.
Whirl-blast
Whirl"-blast` (?), n. A whirling blast or wind.
A whirl-blast from behind the hill. Wordsworth.
Whirlbone
Whirl"bone` (?), n. (Anat.) (a) The huckle bone. [Obs.] (b) The
patella, or kneepan. [Obs.] Ainsworth.
Whirler
Whirl"er (?), n. One who, or that which, whirls.
Whirlicote
Whirl"i*cote (?), n. An open car or chariot. [Obs.]
Of old time coaches were not known in this island, but chariots, or
whirlicotes. Stow.
Whirligig
Whirl"i*gig (?), n. [Whirl + gig.]
1. A child's toy, spun or whirled around like a wheel upon an axis, or
like a top. Johnson.
2. Anything which whirls around, or in which persons or things are
whirled about, as a frame with seats or wooden horses.
With a whirligig of jubilant mosquitoes spinning about each head.
G. W. Cable.
3. A medi\'91val instrument for punishing petty offenders, being a
kind of wooden cage turning on a pivot, in which the offender was
whirled round with great velocity.
4. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of beetles belonging to
Gyrinus and allied genera. The body is firm, oval or boatlike in form,
and usually dark colored with a bronzelike luster. These beetles live
mostly on the surface of water, and move about with great celerity in
a gyrating, or circular, manner, but they are also able to dive and
swim rapidly. The larva is aquatic. Called also weaver, whirlwig, and
whirlwig beetle.
Whirling
Whirl"ing (?), a. & n. from Whirl, v. t. Whirling table. (a) (Physics)
An apparatus provided with one or more revolving disks, with weights,
pulleys, and other attachments, for illustrating the phenomena and
laws of centrifugal force, and the like. (b) A potter's wheel.
Whirlpit
Whirl"pit` (?), n. A whirlpool. [Obs.] "Raging whirlpits." Sandys.
Whirlpool
Whirl"pool` (?), n.
1. An eddy or vortex of water; a place in a body of water where the
water moves round in a circle so as to produce a depression or cavity
in the center, into which floating objects may be drawn; any body of
water having a more or less circular motion caused by its flowing in
an irregular channel, by the coming together of opposing currents, or
the like.
2. A sea monster of the whale kind. [Obs.] Spenser.
The Indian Sea breedeth the most and the biggest fishes that are;
among which the whales and whirlpools, called "bal\'91n\'91," take
up in length as much as four . . . arpents of land. Holland.
Whirlwig
Whirl"wig` (?), n. [Cf. Earwig.] (Zo\'94l.) A whirligig.
Whirlwind
Whirl"wind` (?), n. [Cf. Icel. hvirfilvindr, Sw. hvirfvelvind, Dan.
hvirvelvind, G. wirbelwind. See Whirl, and Wind, n.]
1. A violent windstorm of limited extent, as the tornado,
characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with an upward
current in the center; a vortex of air. It usually has a rapid
progressive motion.
The swift dark whirlwind that uproots the woods. And drowns the
villages. Bryant.
NOTE: &hand; So me me teorologists ap ply the word whirlwind to the
larger rotary storm also, such as cyclones.
2. Fig.: A body of objects sweeping violently onward. "The whirlwind
of hounds and hunters." Macaulay.
Whirry
Whir"ry (?), v. i. To whir. [Obs.]
Whirtle
Whir"tle (?), n. (Mech.) A perforated steel die through which wires or
tubes are drawn to form them.
Whisk
Whisk (?), n. [See Whist, n.] A game at cards; whist. [Obs.] Taylor
(1630).
Whisk
Whisk, n. [Probably for wisk, and of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. visk a
wisp; akin to Dan. visk, Sw. viska, D. wisch, OHG. wisc, G. wisch. See
Wisp.]
1. The act of whisking; a rapid, sweeping motion, as of something
light; a sudden motion or quick puff.
This first sad whisk Takes off thy dukedom; thou art but an earl.
J. Fletcher.
2. A small bunch of grass, straw, twigs, hair, or the like, used for a
brush; hence, a brush or small besom, as of broom corn.
3. A small culinary instrument made of wire, or the like, for whisking
or beating eggs, cream, etc. Boyle.
4. A kind of cape, forming part of a woman's dress.
My wife in her new lace whisk. Pepys.
5. An impertinent fellow. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
6. A plane used by coopers for evening chines.
Whisk
Whisk, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whisked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whisking.]
[Cf. Dan. viske, Sw. viska, G. wischen, D. wisschen. See Whisk, n.]
1. To sweep, brush, or agitate, with a light, rapid motion; as, to
whisk dust from a table; to whisk the white of eggs into a froth.
2. To move with a quick, sweeping motion.
He that walks in gray, whisking his riding rod. J. Fletcher.
I beg she would not impale worms, nor whisk carp out of one element
into another. Walpole.
Whisk
Whisk, v. i. To move nimbly at with velocity; to make a sudden agile
movement.
Whisker
Whisk"er (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, whisks, or moves with a quick, sweeping
motion.
2. Formerly, the hair of the upper lip; a mustache; -- usually in the
plural.
Hoary whiskers and a forky beard. Pope.
3. pl. That part of the beard which grows upon the sides of the face,
or upon the chin, or upon both; as, side whiskers; chin whiskers.
4. A hair of the beard.
5. One of the long, projecting hairs growing at the sides of the mouth
of a cat, or other animal.
6. pl. (Naut.) Iron rods extending on either side of the bowsprit, to
spread, or guy out, the stays, etc.
Whiskered
Whisk"ered (?), a.
1. Formed into whiskers; furnished with whiskers; having or wearing
whiskers.
Our forefathers, a grave, whiskered race. Cowper.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Having elongated hairs, feathers, or bristles on the
cheeks.
The whiskered vermin race. Grainger.
Whiskerless
Whisk"er*less (?), a. Being without whiskers.
Whisket
Whis"ket (?), n. [Cf. Wisket.]
1. A basket; esp., a straw provender basket. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
2. (Mach.) A small lathe for turning wooden pins.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1648
Whiskey
Whis"key (?), n. Same as Whisky, a liquor.
Whiskey, Whisky
Whis"key, Whis"ky, n.; pl. Whiskeys (#) or Whiskies. [See Whisk, v. t.
& n.] A light carriage built for rapid motion; -- called also
tim-whiskey.
Whiskin
Whisk"in (?), n. A shallow drinking bowl. [Prov. Eng.] Ray.
Whisking
Whisk"ing, a.
1. Sweeping along lightly.
2. Large; great. [Prov. Eng.]
Whisky, Whiskey
Whis"ky, Whis"key (?), n. [Ir. or Gael. uisge water (perhaps akin to
E. wash, water) in uisgebeatha whiskey, properly, water of life. Cf.
Usquebaugh.] An intoxicating liquor distilled from grain, potatoes,
etc., especially in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. In the
United States, whisky is generally distilled from maize, rye, or
wheat, but in Scotland and Ireland it is often made from malted
barley. Bourbon whisky, corn whisky made in Bourbon County, Kentucky.
-- Crooked whisky. See under Crooked. -- Whisky Jack (Zo\'94l.), the
Canada jay (Perisoreus Canadensis). It is noted for its fearless and
familiar habits when it frequents the camps of lumbermen in the winter
season. Its color is dull grayish blue, lighter beneath. Called also
moose bird.
Whiskyfied, Whiskeyfied
Whis"ky*fied, Whis"key*fied (?), a. [Whisky + -fy.] Drunk with whisky;
intoxicated. [Humorous] Thackeray.
Whisp
Whisp (?), n. See Wisp.
Whisp
Whisp, n. (Zo\'94l.) A flock of snipe.
Whisper
Whis"per (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whispered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Whispering.] [AS. hwisprian; akin to G. wispern, wispeln, OHG.
hwispal, Icel. hv\'c6skra, Sw. hviska, Dan. hviske; of imitative
origin. Cf. Whistle.]
1. To speak softly, or under the breath, so as to be heard only by one
near at hand; to utter words without sonant breath; to talk without
that vibration in the larynx which gives sonorous, or vocal, sound.
See Whisper, n.
2. To make a low, sibilant sound or noise.
The hollow, whispering breeze. Thomson.
3. To speak with suspicion, or timorous caution; to converse in
whispers, as in secret plotting.
All that hate me whisper together against me. Ps. xli. 7.
Whisper
Whis"per, v. t.
1. To utter in a low and nonvocal tone; to say under the breath;
hence, to mention privately and confidentially, or in a whisper.
They might buzz and whisper it one to another. Bentley.
2. To address in a whisper, or low voice. [Archaic]
And whisper one another in the ear. Shak.
Where gentlest breezes whisper souls distressed. Keble.
3. To prompt secretly or cautiously; to inform privately. [Obs.] "He
came to whisper Wolsey." Shak.
Whisper
Whis"per, n.
1. A low, soft, sibilant voice or utterance, which can be heard only
by those near at hand; voice or utterance that employs only breath
sound without tone, friction against the edges of the vocal cords and
arytenoid cartilages taking the place of the vibration of the cords
that produces tone; sometimes, in a limited sense, the sound produced
by such friction as distinguished from breath sound made by friction
against parts of the mouth. See Voice, n., 2, and Guide to
Pronunciation, §§ 5, 153, 154.
The inward voice or whisper can not give a tone. Bacon.
Soft whispers through the assembly went. Dryden.
2. A cautious or timorous speech. South.
3. Something communicated in secret or by whispering; a suggestion or
insinuation.
4. A low, sibilant sound. "The whispers of the leaves." Tennyson.
Whisperer
Whis"per*er (?), n.
1. One who whispers.
2. A tattler; one who tells secrets; a conveyer of intelligence
secretly; hence; a backbiter; one who slanders secretly. Prov. xvi.
28.
Whispering
Whis"per*ing, a. & n. from Whisper. v. t. Whispering gallery, OR
Whispering dome, one of such a form that sounds produced in certain
parts of it are concentrated by reflection from the walls to another
part, so that whispers or feeble sounds are audible at a much greater
distance than under ordinary circumstances.
Whisperingly
Whis"per*ing*ly, adv. In a whisper, or low voice; in a whispering
manner; with whispers. Tennyson.
Whisperously
Whis"per*ous*ly (?), adv. Whisperingly. [R.]
Whist
Whist (?), interj. [Cf. G. st! pst! bst! Hist.] Be silent; be still;
hush; silence.
Whist
Whist, n. [From Whist, interj.] A certain game at cards; -- so called
because it requires silence and close attention. It is played by four
persons (those who sit opposite each other being partners) with a
complete pack of fifty-two cards. Each player has thirteen cards, and
when these are played out, he hand is finished, and the cards are
again shuffled and distributed.
NOTE: &hand; Po ints ar e sc ored for the tricks taken in excess of
six, and for the honors held. In long whist, now seldom played, ten
points make the game; in short whist, now usually played in
England, five points make the game. In American whist, so-called,
honors are not counted, and seven points by tricks make the game.
Whist
Whist, v. t. [From Whist, interj.] To hush or silence. [Obs.] Spenser.
Whist
Whist, v. i. To be or become silent or still; to be hushed or mute.
[R.] Surrey.
Whist
Whist, a. [Properly p. p. of whist, v.] Not speaking; not making a
noise; silent; mute; still; quiet. "So whist and dead a silence." Sir
J. Harrington.
The winds, with wonder whist, Smoothly the waters kissed. Milton.
NOTE: &hand; Th is adjective generally follows its noun, or is used
predicatively.
Whistle
Whis"tle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whistled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Whistling (?).] [AS. hwistlian; akin to Sw. hvissla, Dan. hvisle,
Icel. hv\'c6sla to whisper, and E. whisper. Whisper.]
1. To make a kind of musical sound, or series of sounds, by forcing
the breath through a small orifice formed by contracting the lips;
also, to emit a similar sound, or series of notes, from the mouth or
beak, as birds.
The weary plowman leaves the task of day, And, trudging homeward,
whistles on the way. Gay.
2. To make a shrill sound with a wind or steam instrument, somewhat
like that made with the lips; to blow a sharp, shrill tone.
3. To sound shrill, or like a pipe; to make a sharp, shrill sound; as,
a bullet whistles through the air.
The wild winds whistle, and the billows roar. Pope.
Whistle
Whis"tle, v. t.
1. To form, utter, or modulate by whistling; as, to whistle a tune or
an air.
2. To send, signal, or call by a whistle.
He chanced to miss his dog; we stood still till he had whistled him
up. Addison.
To whistle off. (a) To dismiss by a whistle; -- a term in hawking. "AS
a long-winged hawk when he is first whistled off the fist, mounts
aloft." Burton. (b) Hence, in general, to turn loose; to abandon; to
dismiss.
I 'ld whistle her off, and let her down the wind To prey at
fortune. Shak.
NOTE: &hand; "A h awk seem s to have been usually sent off in this
way, against the wind when sent in search of prey; with or down the
wind, when turned loose, and abandoned." Nares.
Whistle
Whis"tle, n. [AS. hwistle a pipe, flute, whistle. See Whistle, v. i.]
1. A sharp, shrill, more or less musical sound, made by forcing the
breath through a small orifice of the lips, or through or instrument
which gives a similar sound; the sound used by a sportsman in calling
his dogs; the shrill note of a bird; as, the sharp whistle of a boy,
or of a boatswain's pipe; the blackbird's mellow whistle.
Might we but hear The folded flocks, penned in their wattled cotes,
. . . Or whistle from the lodge. Milton.
The countryman could not forbear smiling, . . . and by that means
lost his whistle. Spectator.
They fear his whistle, and forsake the seas. Dryden.
2. The shrill sound made by wind passing among trees or through
crevices, or that made by bullet, or the like, passing rapidly through
the air; the shrill noise (much used as a signal, etc.) made by steam
or gas escaping through a small orifice, or impinging against the edge
of a metallic bell or cup.
3. An instrument in which gas or steam forced into a cavity, or
against a thin edge, produces a sound more or less like that made by
one who whistles through the compressed lips; as, a child's whistle; a
boatswain's whistle; a steam whistle (see Steam whistle, under Steam).
The bells she jingled, and the whistle blew. Pope.
4. The mouth and throat; -- so called as being the organs of
whistling. [Colloq.]
So was her jolly whistle well ywet. Chaucer.
Let's drink the other cup to wet our whistles. Walton.
Whistle duck (Zo\'94l.), the American golden-eye.
Whistlefish
Whis"tle*fish` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A gossat, or rockling; -- called
also whistler, three-bearded rockling, sea loach, and sorghe.
Whistler
Whis"tler (?), n. [AS. hwistlere.]
1. One who, or that which, whistles, or produces or a whistling sound.
2. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The ring ousel. (b) The widgeon. [Prov. Eng.] (c)
The golden-eye. (d) The golden plover and the gray plover.
3. (Zo\'94l.) The hoary, or northern, marmot (Arctomys pruinosus).
4. (Zo\'94l.) The whistlefish.
Whistlewing
Whis"tle*wing` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The American golden-eye.
Whistlewood
Whis"tle*wood` (?), n. (Bot.) The moosewood, or striped maple. See
Maple.
Whistling
Whis"tling (?), a. & n. from Whistle, v. Whistling buoy. (Naut.) See
under Buoy. -- Whistling coot (Zo\'94l.), the American black scoter.
-- Whistling Dick. (Zo\'94l.) (a) An Australian shrike thrush
(Colluricincla Selbii). (b) The song thrush. [Prov. Eng.] -- Whistling
duck. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The golden-eye. (b) A tree duck. -- Whistling
eagle (Zo\'94l.), a small Australian eagle (Haliastur sphenurus); --
called also whistling hawk, and little swamp eagle. -- Whistling
plover. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The golden plover. (b) The black-bellied, or
gray, plover. -- Whistling snipe (Zo\'94l.), the American woodcock. --
Whistling swan. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The European whooper swan; -- called
also wild swan, and elk. (b) An American swan (Olor columbianus). See
under Swan. -- Whistling teal (Zo\'94l.), a tree duck, as Dendrocygna
awsuree of India. -- Whistling thrush. (Zo\'94l.) (a) Any one of
several species of singing birds of the genus Myiophonus, native of
Asia, Australia, and the East Indies. They are generally black,
glossed with blue, and have a patch of bright blue on each shoulder.
Their note is a loud and clear whistle. (b) The song thrush. [Prov.
Eng.]
Whistlingly
Whis"tling*ly, adv. In a whistling manner; shrilly.
Whistly
Whist"ly (?), adv. In a whist manner; silently. [Obs.]
Whit
Whit (?), n. [OE. wight, wiht, AS. wiht a creature, a thing. See
Wight, and cf. Aught, Naught.] The smallest part or particle
imaginable; a bit; a jot; an iota; -- generally used in an adverbial
phrase in a negative sentence. "Samuel told him every whit." 1 Sam.
iii. 18. "Every whit as great." South.
So shall I no whit be behind in duty. Shak.
It does not me a whit displease. Cowley.
White
White (?), a. [Compar. Whiter (?); superl. Whitest.] [OE. whit, AS.
hw; akin to OFries. and OS. hw\'c6t, D. wit, G. weiss, OHG. w\'c6z,
hw\'c6z, Icel. hv\'c6tr, Sw. hvit, Dan. hvid, Goth. hweits, Lith.
szveisti, to make bright, Russ. sviet' light, Skr. white, to be
bright. Wheat, Whitsunday.]
1. Reflecting to the eye all the rays of the spectrum combined; not
tinted with any of the proper colors or their mixtures; having the
color of pure snow; snowy; -- the opposite of black or dark; as, white
paper; a white skin. "Pearls white." Chaucer.
White as the whitest lily on a stream. Longfellow.
2. Destitute of color, as in the cheeks, or of the tinge of blood
color; pale; pallid; as, white with fear.
Or whispering with white lips, "The foe! They come! they come!"
Byron.
3. Having the color of purity; free from spot or blemish, or from
guilt or pollution; innocent; pure.
White as thy fame, and as thy honor clear. Dryden.
No whiter page than Addison's remains. Pope.
4. Gray, as from age; having silvery hair; hoary.
Your high engendered battles 'gainst a head So old and white as
this. Shak.
5. Characterized by freedom from that which disturbs, and the like;
fortunate; happy; favorable.
On the whole, however, the dominie reckoned this as one of the
white days of his life. Sir W. Scott.
6. Regarded with especial favor; favorite; darling.
Come forth, my white spouse. Chaucer.
I am his white boy, and will not be gullet. Ford.
NOTE: &hand; Wh ite is us ed in many self-explaining compounds, as
white-backed, white-bearded, white-footed.
White alder. (Bot.) See Sweet pepper bush, under Pepper. -- White ant
(Zo\'94l.), any one of numerous species of social pseudoneuropterous
insects of the genus Termes. These insects are very abundant in
tropical countries, and form large and complex communities consisting
of numerous asexual workers of one or more kinds, of large-headed
asexual individuals called soldiers, of one or more queens (or fertile
females) often having the body enormously distended by the eggs, and,
at certain seasons of numerous winged males, together with the
larv\'91 and pup\'91 of each kind in various stages of development.
Many of the species construct large and complicated nests, sometimes
in the form of domelike structures rising several feet above the
ground and connected with extensive subterranean galleries and
chambers. In their social habits they closely resemble the true ants.
They feed upon animal and vegetable substances of various kinds,
including timber, and are often very destructive to buildings and
furniture. -- White arsenic (Chem.), arsenious oxide, As2O3, a
substance of a white color, and vitreous adamantine luster, having an
astringent, sweetish taste. It is a deadly poison. -- White bass
(Zo\'94l.), a fresh-water North American bass (Roccus chrysops) found
in the Great Likes. -- White bear (Zo\'94l.), the polar bear. See
under Polar. -- White blood cell. (Physiol.) See Leucocyte. -- White
brand (Zo\'94l.), the snow goose. -- White brass, a white alloy of
copper; white copper. -- White campion. (Bot.) (a) A kind of catchfly
(Silene stellata) with white flowers. (b) A white-flowered Lychnis
(Lychnis vespertina). -- White canon (R. C. Ch.), a Premonstratensian.
-- White caps, the members of a secret organization in various of the
United States, who attempt to drive away or reform obnoxious persons
by lynch-law methods. They appear masked in white. -- White cedar
(Bot.), an evergreen tree of North America (Thuja occidentalis), also
the related Cupressus thyoides, or Cham\'91cyparis sph\'91roidea, a
slender evergreen conifer which grows in the so-called cedar swamps of
the Northern and Atlantic States. Both are much valued for their
durable timber. In California the name is given to the Libocedrus
decurrens, the timber of which is also useful, though often subject to
dry rot. Goodale. The white cedar of Demerara, Guiana, etc., is a
lofty tree (Icica, OR Bursera, altissima) whose fragrant wood is used
for canoes and cabinetwork, as it is not attacked by insect. -- White
cell. (Physiol.) See Leucocyte. -- White cell-blood (Med.),
leucocyth\'91mia. -- White clover (Bot.), a species of small perennial
clover bearing white flowers. It furnishes excellent food for cattle
and horses, as well as for the honeybee. See also under Clover. --
White copper, a whitish alloy of copper. See German silver, under
German. -- White copperas (Min.), a native hydrous sulphate of iron;
coquimbite. -- White coral (Zo\'94l.), an ornamental branched coral
(Amphihelia oculata) native of the Mediterranean. -- White corpuscle.
(Physiol.) See Leucocyte. -- White cricket (Zo\'94l.), the tree
cricket. -- White crop, a crop of grain which loses its green color,
or becomes white, in ripening, as wheat, rye, barley, and oats, as
distinguished from a green crop, or a root crop. -- White currant
(Bot.), a variety of the common red currant, having white berries. --
White daisy (Bot.), the oxeye daisy. See under Daisy. -- White damp, a
kind of poisonous gas encountered in coal mines. Raymond. -- White
elephant (Zo\'94l.), a whitish, or albino, variety of the Asiatic
elephant.<-- (b) Fig. an object of little value; -- esp. a property
requiring expensive upkeep but of little value to the owner, and often
one which is difficult to sell. --> -- White elm (Bot.), a majestic
tree of North America (Ulmus Americana), the timber of which is much
used for hubs of wheels, and for other purposes. -- White ensign. See
Saint George's ensign, under Saint. -- White feather, a mark or symbol
of cowardice. See To show the white feather, under Feather, n. --
White fir (Bot.), a name given to several coniferous trees of the
Pacific States, as Abies grandis, and A. concolor. -- White flesher
(Zo\'94l.), the ruffed grouse. See under Ruffed. [Canada] -- White
frost. See Hoarfrost. -- White game (Zo\'94l.), the white ptarmigan.
-- White garnet (Min.), leucite. -- White grass (Bot.), an American
grass (Leersia Virginica) with greenish-white pale\'91. -- White
grouse. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The white ptarmigan. (b) The prairie chicken.
[Local, U. S.] -- White grub (Zo\'94l.), the larva of the June bug and
other allied species. These grubs eat the roots of grasses and other
plants, and often do much damage. -- White hake (Zo\'94l.), the
squirrel hake. See under Squirrel. -- White hawk, OR kite (Zo\'94l.),
the hen harrier. -- White heat, the temperature at which bodies become
incandescent, and appear white from the bright light which they emit.
-- White hellebore (Bot.), a plant of the genus Veratrum (V. album)
See Hellebore, 2. -- White herring, a fresh, or unsmoked, herring, as
distinguished from a red, or cured, herring. [R.] Shak. -- White
hoolet (Zo\'94l.), the barn owl. [Prov. Eng.] -- White horses (Naut.),
white-topped waves; whitecaps. -- The White House. See under House. --
White ibis (Zo\'94l.), an American ibis (Guara alba) having the
plumage pure white, except the tips of the wings, which are black. It
inhabits tropical America and the Southern United States. Called also
Spanish curlew. -- White iron. (a) Thin sheets of iron coated with
tin; tinned iron. (b) A hard, silvery-white cast iron containing a
large proportion of combined carbon. -- White iron pyrites (Min.),
marcasite. -- White land, a tough clayey soil, of a whitish hue when
dry, but blackish after rain. [Eng.] -- White lark (Zo\'94l.), the
snow bunting. -- White lead. (a) A carbonate of lead much used in
painting, and for other purposes; ceruse. (b) (Min.) Native lead
carbonate; cerusite. -- White leather, buff leather; leather tanned
with alum and salt. -- White leg (Med.), milk leg. See under Milk. --
White lettuce (Bot.), rattlesnake root. See under Rattlesnake. --
White lie. See under Lie. -- White light. (a) (Physics) Light having
the different colors in the same proportion as in the light coming
directly from the sun, without having been decomposed, as by passing
through a prism. See the Note under Color, n., 1. (b) A kind of
firework which gives a brilliant white illumination for signals, etc.
-- White lime, a solution or preparation of lime for whitewashing;
whitewash. -- White line (Print.), a void space of the breadth of a
line, on a printed page; a blank line. -- White meat. (a) Any
light-colored flesh, especially of poultry. (b) Food made from milk or
eggs, as butter, cheese, etc.
Driving their cattle continually with them, and feeding only upon
their milk and white meats. Spenser.
-- White merganser (Zo\'94l.), the smew. -- White metal. (a) Any one
of several white alloys, as pewter, britannia, etc. (b) (Metal.) A
fine grade of copper sulphide obtained at a certain stage in copper
smelting. -- White miller. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The common clothes moth. (b)
A common American bombycid moth (Spilosoma Virginica) which is pure
white with a few small black spots; -- called also ermine moth, and
virgin moth. See Woolly bear, under Woolly. -- White money, silver
money. -- White mouse (Zo\'94l.), the albino variety of the common
mouse. -- White mullet (Zo\'94l.), a silvery mullet (Mugil curema)
ranging from the coast of the United States to Brazil; -- called also
blue-back mullet, and liza. -- White nun (Zo\'94l.), the smew; -- so
called from the white crest and the band of black feathers on the back
of its head, which give the appearance of a hood. -- White oak. (Bot.)
See under Oak. -- White owl. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The snowy owl. (b) The
barn owl. -- White partridge (Zo\'94l.), the white ptarmigan. -- White
perch. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A North American fresh-water bass (Morone
Americana) valued as a food fish. (b) The croaker, or fresh-water
drum. (c) Any California surf fish. -- White pine. (Bot.) See the Note
under Pine. -- White poplar (Bot.), a European tree (Populus alba)
often cultivated as a shade tree in America; abele. -- White poppy
(Bot.), the opium-yielding poppy. See Poppy. -- White powder, a kind
of gunpowder formerly believed to exist, and to have the power of
exploding without noise. [Obs.]
A pistol charged with white powder. Beau. & Fl.
-- White precipitate. (Old Chem.) See under Precipitate. -- White
rabbit. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The American northern hare in its winter
pelage. (b) An albino rabbit. -- White rent, (a) (Eng. Law) Formerly,
rent payable in silver; -- opposed to black rent. See Blackmail, n.,
3. (b) A rent, or duty, of eight pence, payable yearly by every tinner
in Devon and Cornwall to the Duke of Cornwall, as lord of the soil.
[Prov. Eng.] -- White rhinoceros. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The one-horned, or
Indian, rhinoceros (Rhinoceros Indicus). See Rhinoceros. (b) The
umhofo. -- White ribbon, the distinctive badge of certain
organizations for the promotion of temperance or of moral purity; as,
the White-ribbon Army. -- White rope (Naut.), untarred hemp rope. --
White rot. (Bot.) (a) Either of several plants, as marsh pennywort and
butterwort, which were thought to produce the disease called rot in
sheep. (b) A disease of grapes. See White rot, under Rot. -- White
sage (Bot.), a white, woolly undershrub (Eurotia lanata) of Western
North America; -- called also winter fat. -- White salmon (Zo\'94l.),
the silver salmon. -- White salt, salt dried and calcined;
decrepitated salt. -- White scale (Zo\'94l.), a scale insect
(Aspidiotus Nerii) injurious to the orange tree. See Orange scale,
under Orange. -- White shark (Zo\'94l.), a species of man-eating
shark. See under Shark. -- White softening. (Med.) See Softening of
the brain, under Softening. -- White spruce. (Bot.) See Spruce, n., 1.
-- White squall (Naut.), a sudden gust of wind, or furious blow, which
comes up without being marked in its approach otherwise than by
whitecaps, or white, broken water, on the surface of the sea. -- White
staff, the badge of the lord high treasurer of England. Macaulay. --
White stork (Zo\'94l.), the common European stork. -- White sturgeon.
(Zo\'94l.) See Shovelnose (d). -- White sucker. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The
common sucker. (b) The common red horse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum). --
White swelling (Med.), a chronic swelling of the knee, produced by a
strumous inflammation of the synovial membranes of the kneejoint and
of the cancellar texture of the end of the bone forming the kneejoint;
-- applied also to a lingering chronic swelling of almost any kind. --
White tombac. See Tombac. -- White trout (Zo\'94l.), the white
weakfish, or silver squeteague (Cynoscion nothus), of the Southern
United States. -- White vitriol (Chem.), hydrous sulphate of zinc. See
White vitriol, under Vitriol. -- White wagtail (Zo\'94l.), the common,
or pied, wagtail. -- White wax, beeswax rendered white by bleaching.
-- White whale (Zo\'94l.), the beluga. -- White widgeon (Zo\'94l.),
the smew. -- White wine. any wine of a clear, transparent color,
bordering on white, as Madeira, sherry, Lisbon, etc.; -- distinguished
from wines of a deep red color, as port and Burgundy. "White wine of
Lepe." Chaucer. -- White witch, a witch or wizard whose supernatural
powers are supposed to be exercised for good and beneficent purposes.
Addison. Cotton Mather. -- White wolf. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A light-colored
wolf (Canis laniger) native of Thibet; -- called also chanco, golden
wolf, and Thibetan wolf. (b) The albino variety of the gray wolf. --
White wren (Zo\'94l.), the willow warbler; -- so called from the color
of the under parts.
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Page 1649
White
White (?), n.
1. The color of pure snow; one of the natural colors of bodies, yet
not strictly a color, but a composition of all colors; the opposite of
black; whiteness. See the Note under Color, n., 1.
Finely attired in a of white. Shak.
2. Something having the color of snow; something white, or nearly so;
as, the white of the eye.
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. (Zo\'94l.) 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 60° 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.
White
White, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whited; p. pr. & vb. n. Whiting.] [AS.
hw\'c6tan.] To make white; to whiten; to whitewash; to bleach.
Whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are
within full of . . . uncleanness. Matt. xxiii. 27.
So as no fuller on earth can white them. Mark. ix. 3.
Whiteback
White"back` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The canvasback.
Whitebait
White"bait` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) (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.
Whitebeam
White"beam` (?), n. (Bot.) The common beam tree of England (Pyrus
Aria); -- so called from the white, woolly under surface of the
leaves.
Whitebeard
White"beard` (?), n. An old man; a graybeard.
Whitebelly
White"bel`ly (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The American widgeon, or baldpate.
(b) The prairie chicken.
Whitebill
White"bill` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The American coot.
White-blaze
White"-blaze` (?), n. See White-face.
Whiteblow
White"blow` (?), n. (Bot.) Same as Whitlow grass, under Whitlow.
Whiteboy
White"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.
Whiteboyism
White"boy`ism (?), n. The conduct or principle of the Whiteboys.
Whitecap
White"cap` (?), n.
1. (Zo\'94l.) (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.
Whitecoat
White"coat` (?), n. The skin of a newborn seal; also, the seal itself.
[Sealers' Cant]
White-ear
White"-ear` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The wheatear.
White-eye
White"-eye` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of small Old
World singing of the genus Zosterops, as Zosterops palpebrosus of
India, and Z. c&oe;rulescens of Australia. The eyes are encircled by a
ring of white feathers, whence the name. Called also bush creeper, and
white-eyed tit.
White-face
White"-face` (?), n. A white mark in the forehead of a horse,
descending almost to the nose; -- called also white-blaze.
Whitefish
White"fish` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) (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: &hand; Va rious other fishes are locally called whitefish, as
the silver salmon, the whiting (a), the yellowtail, and the young
of the bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix).
Whiteflaw
White"flaw` (?), n. [See Whitlow.] (Med.) A whitlow. [Obs.] Holland.
White-foot
White"-foot` (?), n. (Far.) A white mark on the foot of a horse,
between the fetlock and the coffin.
White friar
White" fri`ar (?). (Eccl.) A mendicant monk of the Carmelite order, so
called from the white cloaks worn by the order. See Carmelite.
White-fronted
White`-front"ed (?), a. Having a white front; as, the white-fronted
lemur. White-fronted goose (Zo\'94l.), the white brant, or snow goose.
See Snow goose, under Snow.
Whitehead
White"head` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The blue-winged snow goose. (b) The
surf scoter.
White-heart
White"-heart` (?), n. (Bot.) A somewhat heart-shaped cherry with a
whitish skin.
White-hot
White"-hot` (?), a. White with heat; heated to whiteness, or
incandescence.
White-limed
White"-limed` (?), a. Whitewashed or plastered with lime. "White-limed
walls." Shak.
White-livered
White"-liv`ered (?), a. Having a pale look; feeble; hence, cowardly;
pusillanimous; dastardly.
They must not be milksops, nor white-livered knights. Latimer.
Whitely
White"ly, a. Like, or coming near to, white. [Obs.]
Whiten
Whit"en (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whitened (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Whitening.] [OE. whitenen; cf. Icel. hv\'c6tna.] 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.
Whiten
Whit"en, v. t. 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.
Whitener
Whit"en*er (?), n. One who, or that which, whitens; a bleacher; a
blancher; a whitewasher. <-- a bleach. 2. A chemical used as an
adjunct to laundering white cloth, which makes white cloth appear
whiter. A bluing agent.-->
Whiteness
White"ness (?), n. [AS. hw\'c6tness.]
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. (Zo\'94l.) A flock of swans.
Whitening
Whit"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-pot
White"-pot` (?), n. A kind of food made of milk or cream, eggs, sugar,
bread, etc., baked in a pot. King.
Whiterump
White"rump` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The American black-tailed godwit.
Whites
Whites (?), n. pl.
1. (Med.) Leucorrh
2. The finest flour made from white wheat.
3. Cloth or garments of a plain white color.
Whiteside
White"side` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The golden-eye.
Whitesmith
White"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.
Whitester
White"ster (?), n. [White + -ster.] A bleacher of lines; a whitener; a
whitster. [Prov. Eng.]
Whitetail
White"tail` (?), n.
1. (Zo\'94l.) The Virginia deer.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The wheatear. [Prov. Eng.]
Whitethorn
White"thorn` (?), n. (Bot.) The hawthorn.
Whitethroat
White"throat` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) 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).
Whitetop
White"top` (?), n. (Bot.) Fiorin.
Whitewall
White"wall` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The spotted flycatcher; -- so called
from the white color of the under parts. [Prov. Eng.]
Whitewash
White"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.
Whitewash
White"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.
Whitewasher
White"wash`er (?), n. One who whitewashes.
White-water
White"-wa`ter (?), n. (Far.) A dangerous disease of sheep.
Whiteweed
White"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) 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. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The chaffinch; -- so called from
the white bands on the wing. (b) The velvet duck.
Whitewood
White"wood` (?), n. The soft and easily-worked wood of the tulip tree
(Liriodendron). It is much used in cabinetwork, carriage building,
etc.
NOTE: &hand; Se veral ot her 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).
Whitflaw
Whit"flaw` (?), n. [See Whitlow.] Whitlow. [Obs.] "The nails fallen
off by whitflaws." Herrick.
Whither
Whith"er (?), adv. [OE. whider. AS. hwider; akin to E. where, who; cf.
Goth. hvadr\'c7 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?"
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Whithersoever
Whith`er*so*ev"er (?), adv. [Whither + soever.] To whatever place; to
what place soever; wheresoever; as, I will go whithersoever you lead.
Whitherward
Whith"er*ward (?), adv. 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. [Perhaps properly, the cutter (see Whittle, v.), or
cf. whitewall, witwal.] (Zo\'94l.) The yaffle. [Prov. Eng.]
Whiting
Whit"ing (?), n. [From White.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) (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
sci\'91noid 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: &hand; Va rious ot her fi shes 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. (Zo\'94l.) Same as Pollack. -- Whiting pout
(Zo\'94l.), the bib, 2.
Whiting-mop
Whit"ing-mop` (?), n. [Obs.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) A young whiting. [Prov. Eng.]
2. A fair lass. "This pretty whiting-mop." Massinger.
Whitish
Whit"ish, a. [From White.]
1. Somewhat white; approaching white; white in a moderate degree.
2. (Bot.) Covered with an opaque white powder.
Whitishness
Whit"ish*ness, n. The quality or state of being whitish or somewhat
white.
Whitleather
Whit"leath`er (?), n. [White + leather.]
1. Leather dressed or tawed with alum, salt, etc., remarkable for its
pliability and toughness; white leather.
2. (Anat.) The paxwax. See Paxwax.
Whitling
Whit"ling (?), n. [White + -ling.] (Zo\'94l.) A young full trout
during its second season. [Prov. Eng.]
Whitlow
Whit"low (?), n. [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.) 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.) 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-wort
Whit"low-wort` (?), n. (Bot.) Same as Whitlow grass, under Whitlow.
Whitmonday
Whit"mon`day (?), n. (Eccl.) The day following Whitsunday; -- called
also Whitsun Monday.
Whitneyite
Whit"ney*ite (?), n. [So called after J.D. Whitney, an American
geologist.] (Min.) an arsenide of copper from Lake Superior.
Whitson
Whit"son (?), a. See Whitsun. [Obs.]
Whitsour
Whit"sour` (?), n. [White + sour.] (Bot.) A sort of apple.
Whitster
Whit"ster (?), n. [Contracted fr. whitester.] A whitener; a bleacher;
a whitester. [Obs.]
The whitsters in Datchet mead. Shak.
Whitsun
Whit"sun (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or observed at, Whitsuntide; as,
Whitsun week; Whitsun Tuesday; Whitsun pastorals.
Whitsunday
Whit"sun*day (?), n. [White + Sunday.]
1. (Eccl.) 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) See the Note under Term, n., 12.
Whitsuntide
Whit"sun*tide` (?), n. [Whitsunday + tide.] The week commencing with
Whitsunday, esp. the first three days -- Whitsunday, Whitsun Monday,
and Whitsun Tuesday; the time of Pentecost. R. of Gloucester.
Whitten tree
Whit"ten tree` (?). [Probably from white; cf. AS. hwitingtre\'a2w.]
(Bot.) Either of two shrubs (Viburnum Lantana, and V. Opulus), so
called on account of their whitish branches.
Whitterick
Whit"ter*ick (?), n. The curlew. [Prov. Eng.]
Whittle
Whit"tle (?), n. [AS. hw\'c6tel, from hwit white; akin to Icel.
hv\'c6till 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.
Whittle
Whit"tle (?), n. [OE. thwitel, fr. AS. pw\'c6tan to cut. Cf. Thwittle,
Thwaite a piece of ground.] 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.
Whittle
Whit"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.
Whittle
Whit"tle, v. i. To cut or shape a piece of wood with am small knife;
to cut up a piece of wood with a knife.
Dexterity with a pocketknife is a part of a Nantucket education;
but I am inclined to think the propensity is national. Americans
must and will whittle. Willis.
Whittlings
Whit"tlings (?), n. pl. Chips made by one who whittles; shavings cut
from a stick with a knife.
Whittret
Whit"tret (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A weasel. [Scot.]
Whittuesday
Whit"tues`day (?), n. (Eccl.) The day following Whitmonday; -- called
also Whitsun Tuesday.
Whitwall
Whit"wall` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Same as Whetile.
Whitworth ball
Whit"worth ball` (?). (Gun.) A prejectile used in the Whitworth gun.
Whitworth gun
Whit"worth gun` (?). (Gun.) A form of rifled cannon and small arms
invented by Sir Joseph Whitworth, of Manchester, England.
NOTE: &hand; 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-brown
Whit"y-brown` (?), a. Of a color between white and brown. Pegge.
Whiz
Whiz (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whizzed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whizzing.]
[Of imitative origin. Whistle, and Hiss.] 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.
Whiz
Whiz, n. A hissing and humming sound.
Like the whiz of my crossbow. Coleridge.
Whizzingly
Whiz"zing*ly (?), adv. With a whizzing sound.
Who
Who (?), pron. [Possess. whose (?); object. Whom (?).] [OE. who, wha,
AS. hw\'be, interrogative pron., neut. hw\'91t; akin to OFries. hwa,
neut. hwet, OS. hw&emac;, 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. hw&omac;,
neut. hwa, Lith. kas, Ir. & Gael. co, W. pwy, L. quod, neuter of qui,
Gr. po`teros whether, Skr. kas. &root;182. 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).
Whoa
Whoa (?), interj. Stop; stand; hold. See Ho, 2.
Whobub
Who"bub (?), n. Hubbub. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
Whoever
Who*ev"er (?), pron. 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. [OE. hole, hol, hal, hool, AS. h\'bel 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 (Zo\'94l.), 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.
Whole
Whole (?), 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-hoofed
Whole"-hoofed` (?), a. Having an undivided hoof, as the horse.
Whole-length
Whole"-length` (?), a. Representing the whole figure; -- said of a
picture or statue. -- n. A portrait or statue representing the whole
figure. <-- = full-length? -->
Wholeness
Whole"ness, n. The quality or state of being whole, entire, or sound;
entireness; totality; completeness.
Wholesale
Whole"sale` (?), n. 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.
Wholesale
Whole"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.
Wholesome
Whole"some (?), a. [Compar. Wholesomer (?); superl. Wholesomest.]
[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-souled
Whole"-souled` (?), a. Thoroughly imbued with a right spirit;
noble-minded; devoted.
Wholly
Whol"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.
Whom
Whom (?), pron. [OE. wham, AS. dative hw\'bem, hw. See Who.] The
objective case of who. See Who.
NOTE: &hand; In Ol d En glish, wh om wa s al so commonly used as a
dative. Cf. Him.
And every grass that groweth upon root She shall eke know, and whom
it will do boot. Chaucer.
Whomsoever
Whom`so*ev"er (?), pron. 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.
Whoobub
Whoo"bub (?), n. Hubbub. [Obs.] Shak.
Whoop
Whoop (, n. [See Hoopoe.] (Zo\'94l.) The hoopoe.
Whoop
Whoop, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whooped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whooping.]
[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.
Whoop
Whoop, v. t. To insult with shouts; to chase with derision.
And suffered me by the voice of slaves to be Whooped out of Rome.
Shak.
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Whoop
Whoop (?), 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.
Whooper
Whoop"er (?), n. One who, or that which, whooops. Woopher swan.
(Zo\'94l.) See the Note under Swan.
Whooping
Whoop"ing, 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
(Zo\'94l.), a North American crane (Crus Americana) noted for the
loud, whooplike note which it utters.<-- The species was reduced by
hunting to several dozen in the 1960's and the numbers have been
slowly rising since. --> -- Whooping swan (Zo\'94l.), the whooper
swan. See the Note under Swan.
Whoot
Whoot (?), v. i. [See Hoot.] To hoot. [Obs.]
Whop
Whop (?), v. t. Same as Whap. Forby.
Whop
Whop, n. Same as Whap.
Whopper
Whop"per (?), n. [Cf. Whapper.] <-- since < 1950 the preferred term
for whapper, something very large, as a big lie. -->
1. One who, or that which, whops.
2. Same as Whapper.
Whore
Whore (?), n. [OE. hore, AS. h; akin to D. hoer, hoere, G. hure, OHG.
huora, huorra, Icel. h, Dan. hore, Sw. hora, Goth. h an adulterer, AS.
h adultery, OHG. huor, and probably to L. carus dear. Cf. Charity.] 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.
Whore
Whore, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whored (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whoring.] [Cf.
Icel. h. See Whore, n.]
1. To have unlawful sexual intercourse; to practice lewdness.
2. (Script.) To worship false and impure gods.
Whore
Whore, v. t. To corrupt by lewd intercourse; to make a whore of; to
debauch. [R.] Congreve.
Whoredom
Whore"dom (?), n. [OE. hordom; cf. Icel. h.]
1. The practice of unlawful intercourse with the other sex;
fornication; lewdness.
2. (Script.) 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.
Wheremaster
Where"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.
Whoremasterly
Whore"mas`ter*ly, a. Having the character of a whoremaster; lecherous;
libidinous.
Whoremonger
Whore"mon`ger (?), n. A whoremaster; a lecher; a man who frequents the
society of whores.
Whoreson
Whore"son (?), n. A bastard; colloquially, a low, scurvy fellow; --
used generally in contempt, or in coarse humor. Also used adjectively.
[Archaic] Shak.
Whorish
Whor"ish (?), a. Resembling a whore in character or conduct; addicted
to unlawful pleasures; incontinent; lewd; unchaste. -- Whor"ish*ly,
adv. -- Whor"ish*ness, n.
Whorl
Whorl (?), n. [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.) A circle of two or more leaves, flowers, or other organs,
about the same part or joint of a stem.
2. (Zo\'94l.) A volution, or turn, of the spire of a univalve shell.
3. (Spinning) The fly of a spindle.
Whorled
Whorled (?), a. Furnished with whorls; arranged in the form of a whorl
or whorls; verticillate; as, whorled leaves.
Whorler
Whorl"er (?), n. A potter's wheel.
Whort
Whort (?), n. [See Whortleberry.] (Bot.) The whortleberry, or
bilberry. See Whortleberry (a).
Whortle
Whor"tle (?), n. (Bot.) The whortleberry, or bilberry.
[He] looked ahead of him from behind a tump of whortles. R. D.
Blackmore.
Whortleberry
Whor"tle*ber`ry (?), n. [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.
Whose
Whose (?), pron. [OE. whos, whas, AS. hw\'91s, gen. of hw\'be. See
Who.] 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.
Whosesoever
Whose`so*ev"er (?), pron. The possessive of whosoever. See Whosoever.
Whoso
Who"so (?), pron. Whosoever. Piers Plowman.
Whoso shrinks or falters now, . . . Brand the craven on his brow!
Whittier.
Whoso-ever
Who`so-ev"er (?), pron. Whatsoever person; any person whatever that;
whoever.
Whosoever will, let him take . . . freely. Rev. xxii. 17.
Whot
Whot (?), a. Hot. [Obs.] Spenser.
Whur
Whur (?), v. i. [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.
Whur
Whur (?), n. A humming or whirring sound, like that of a body moving
through the air with velocity; a whir.
Whurry
Whur"ry (?), v. t. [See Hurry.] To whisk along quickly; to hurry. [R.]
Whurrying the chariot with them to the shore. Vicars.
Whurt
Whurt (?), n. (Bot.) See Whort.
Why
Why (?), adv. [OE. whi, why, AS. hw\'c6, hw, instrumental case of
hw\'be, hw\'91t; akin to Icel. hv\'c6 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: &hand; Wh y is so metimes us ed as an in terjection or an
expletive in expression of surprise or content at a turn of
affairs; used also in calling. "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.]
Why
Why, n. A young heifer. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.
Whydah bird, OR Whydah finch
Whyd"ah bird` (?), OR Whyd"ah finch` (?). (Zo\'94l.) The whidah bird.
Why-not
Why"-not` (?), n. 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. Nug\'91
Antiq.
Wich
Wich (?), n. A variant of 1st Wick.
Wichitas
Wich"i*tas (?), n. pl.; sing. Wichita (. (Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians
native of the region between the Arkansas and Red rivers. They are
related to the Pawnees. See Pawnees.
Wick, OR Wich
Wick (?), OR Wich (?), n. [AS. w\'c6c village, fr. L. vicus. In some
names of places, perhaps fr. Icel. v\'c6k 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) A narrow port or passage in the rink or course, flanked
by the stones of previous players.
Wick
Wick (?), n. [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. v\'91ge; of uncertain origin.] 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.
Wick
Wick, v. i. (Curling) To strike a stone in an oblique direction.
Jamieson.
Wicke
Wick"e (?), a. Wicked. [Obs.] Piers Plowman. "With full wikke intent."
Chaucer.
Wicked
Wicked (?), a. Having a wick; -- used chiefly in composition; as, a
two-wicked lamp.
Wicked
Wick"ed (?) a. [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.
Wickedly
Wick"ed*ly, adv. 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.
Wickedness
Wick"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 tree
Wick"en tree` (?). Same as Quicken tree.
Wicker
Wick"er (?), n. [OE. wiker, wikir, osier, probably akin to AS.
w\'c6can 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.]
Wicker
Wick"er (?), a. Made of, or covered with, twigs or osiers, or
wickerwork.
Each one a little wicker basket had, Made of fine twigs,
entrail\'82d curiously. Spenser.
Wickered
Wick"ered (?), a. Made of, secured by, or covered with, wickers or
wickerwork.
Ships of light timber, wickered with osier between, and covered
over with leather. Milton.
Wickerwork
Wick"er*work` (?), n. A texture of osiers, twigs, or rods; articles
made of such a texture.
Wicket
Wick"et (?), n. [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) 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 wicket to catch the balls and endeavor to put the batsman
out.
Wicking
Wick"ing, n. the material of which wicks are made; esp., a loosely
braided or twisted cord or tape of cotton.
Wiclifite, Wickliffite
Wic"lif*ite, Wick"liff*ite (?), n. See Wyclifite.
Wicopy
Wic"o*py (?), n. (Bot.) See Leatherwood.
Widdy
Wid"dy (?), n. [Cf. Withy.] A rope or halter made of flexible twigs,
or withes, as of birch. [Scot.]
Wide
Wide (?), a. [Compar. Wider (?); superl. Widest.] [OE. wid, wyde, AS.
w\'c6d; akin to OFries. & OS. w\'c6d, D. wijd, G. weit, OHG. w\'c6t,
Icel. v\'c6\'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. "Our
wide 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.) 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 &emac; (&emac;ve) is &icr; (&icr;ll); of
\'be (\'bete) is &ecr; (&ecr;nd), etc. See Guide to Pronunciation, §
13-15.
NOTE: &hand; Wi de 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.
Wide
Wide, adv. [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.
Wide
Wide, 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.
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Wide-awake
Wide`-a*wake" (?), a. Fully awake; not Dickens.
Wide-awake
Wide`-a*wake", n. A broad-brimmed, low-crowned felt hat.
Widegap
Wide"gap` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The angler; -- called also widegab, and
widegut.
Widely
Wide"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.
Widen
Wid"en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Widened (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Widening.] 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.
Widen
Wid"en, v. i. To grow wide or wider; to enlarge; to spread; to extend.
Arches widen, and long aisles extend. Pope.
Wideness
Wide"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.
Widespread
Wide"spread` (?), a. Spread to a great distance; widely extended;
extending far and wide; as, widespread wings; a widespread movement.
Widewhere
Wide"where` (?), adv. [See Wide, and Where.] Widely; far and wide.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Widgeon
Widg"eon (?), n. [Probably from an old French form of F. vigeon,
vingeon, gingeon; of uncertain origin; cf. L. vipio, -onis, a kind of
small crane.] (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of fresh-water
ducks, especially those belonging to the subgenus Mareca, of the genus
Anas. The common European widgeon (Anas penelope) and the American
widgeon (A. Americana) are the most important species. The latter is
called also baldhead, baldpate, baldface, baldcrown, smoking duck,
wheat, duck, and whitebelly. Bald-faced, OR Green-headed, widgeon, the
American widgeon. -- 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-billed widgeon, the merganser. -- Sea widgeon. See in
the Vocabulary. -- Spear widgeon, the goosander. [Prov. Eng.] --
Spoonbilled widgeon, the shoveler. -- White widgeon, the smew. -- Wood
widgeon, the wood duck.
Widish
Wid"ish (?), a. Moderately wide. Tyndall.
Widmanst\'84tten figures
Wid"man*st\'84t`ten fig"ures (?). (Min.) Certain figures appearing on
etched meteoric iron; -- so called after A. B. Widmanst\'84tten, of
Vienna, who first described them in 1808. See the Note and Illust.
under Meteorite.
Widow
Wid"ow (?), n. [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. vidhav\'be; and probably to Skr. vidh to be empty, to
lack; cf. Gr. Vidual.] 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 (Zo\'94l.), the macavahu. -- Widow monkey
(Zo\'94l.), 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.
Widow
Wid"ow, a. Widowed. "A widow woman." 1 Kings xvii. 9. "This widow
lady." Shak.
Widow
Wid"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 bird
Wid"ow bird` (?). (Zo\'94l.) See Whidan bird.
Widower
Wid"ow*er (?), n. A man who has lost his wife by death, and has not
married again. Shak.
Widowerhood
Wid"ow*er*hood (?), n. The state of being a widower.
Widowhood
Wid"ow*hood (?), n.
1. The state of being a widow; the time during which a woman is widow;
also, rarely, the state of being a widower.
Johnson clung to her memory during a widowhood of more than thirty
years. Leslie Stephen.
2. Estate settled on a widow. [Obs.] "I 'll assure her of her
widowhood . . . in all my lands." Shak.
Widow-hunter
Wid"ow-hunt`er (?), n. One who courts widows, seeking to marry one
with a fortune. Addison.
Widowly
Wid"ow*ly, a. Becoming or like a widow.
Widow-maker
Wid"ow-mak`er (?), n. One who makes widows by destroying husbands.
[R.] Shak.
Widow-wail
Wid"ow-wail` (?), n. (Bot.) A low, narrowleaved evergreen shrub
(Cneorum tricoccon) found in Southern Europe.
Width
Width (?), n. [From Wide.] The quality of being wide; extent from side
to side; breadth; wideness; as, the width of cloth; the width of a
door.
Widual
Wid"u*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a widow; vidual. [Obs.] Bale.
Widwe
Wid"we (?), n. A widow. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wield
Wield (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wielded; p. pr. & vb. n. Wielding.]
[OE. welden to govern, to have power over, to possess, AS. geweldan,
gewyldan, from wealdan; akin to OS. waldan, OFries. walda, G. walten,
OHG. waltan, Icel. valda, Sw. v\'86lla to occasion, to cause, Dan.
volde, Goth. waldan to govern, rule, L. valere to be strong. Cf.
Herald, Valiant.]
1. To govern; to rule; to keep, or have in charge; also, to possess.
[Obs.]
When a strong armed man keepeth his house, all things that he
wieldeth ben in peace. Wyclif (Luke xi. 21).
Wile [ne will] ye wield gold neither silver ne money in your
girdles. Wyclif (Matt. x. 9.)
2. To direct or regulate by influence or authority; to manage; to
control; to sway.
The famous orators . . . whose resistless eloquence Wielded at will
that fierce democraty. Milton.
Her newborn power was wielded from the first by unprincipled and
ambitions men. De Quincey.
3. To use with full command or power, as a thing not too heavy for the
holder; to manage; to handle; hence, to use or employ; as, to wield a
sword; to wield the scepter.
Base Hungarian wight! wilt thou the spigot wield! Shak.
Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed. Milton.
Nothing but the influence of a civilized power could induce a
savage to wield a spade. S. S. Smith.
To wield the scepter, to govern with supreme command.
Wieldable
Wield"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being wielded.
Wieldance
Wield"ance (?), n. The act or power of wielding. [Obs.] "Our weak
wieldance." Bp. Hall.
Wielder
Wield"er (?), n. One who wields or employs; a manager; a controller.
A wielder of the great arm of the war. Milton.
Wielding
Wield"ing, n. Power; authority; rule. [Obs.]
To have them in your might and in your wielding. Chaucer.
Wieldless
Wield"less, a. Not to be wielded; unmanageable; unwieldy. [R.]
"Wieldless might." Spenser.
Wieldsome
Wield"some (?), a. Admitting of being easily wielded or managed.
[Obs.] Golding.
Wieldy
Wield"y (?), a. Capable of being wielded; manageable; wieldable; --
opposed to unwieldy. [R.] Johnson.
Wier
Wier (?), n. Same as Weir.
Wierangle
Wier`an"gle (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Same as Wariangle. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Wiery
Wier"y (?), a. [Cf. Wearish.] Wet; moist; marshy. [Obs.]
Wiery
Wi"er*y (?), a. [From Wire; cf. Fiery.] Wiry. [Obs.] "Wiery gold."
Peacham.
Wife
Wife (?), n.; pl; Wives (#). [OE. wif, AS. wif; akin to OFries. & OS.
wif, D. wijf, G. weib, OHG. w\'c6b, Icel. v\'c6f, Dan. viv; and
perhaps to Skr. vip excited, agitated, inspired, vip to tremble, L.
vibrare to vibrate, E. vibrate. Cf. Tacitus, [" Germania" 8]: Inesse
quin etiam sanctum aliquid et providum putant, nec aut consilia earum
aspernantur aut responsa neglegunt. Cf. Hussy a jade, Woman.]
1. A woman; an adult female; -- now used in literature only in certain
compounds and phrases, as alewife, fishwife, goodwife, and the like. "
Both men and wives." Piers Plowman.
On the green he saw sitting a wife. Chaucer.
2. The lawful consort of a man; a woman who is united to a man in
wedlock; a woman who has a husband; a married woman; -- correlative of
husband. " The husband of one wife." 1 Tin. iii. 2.
Let every one you . . . so love his wife even as himself, and the
wife see that she reverence her husband. Eph. v. 33.
To give to wife, To take to wife, to give or take (a woman) in
marriage. -- Wife's equity (Law), the equitable right or claim of a
married woman to a reasonable and adequate provision, by way of
settlement or otherwise, out of her choses in action, or out of any
property of hers which is under the jurisdiction of the Court of
Chancery, for the support of herself and her children. Burrill.
Wifehood
Wife"hood (?), n. [AS. wifh\'bed.]
1. Womanhood. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. The state of being a wife; the character of a wife.
Wifeless
Wife"less, a. Without a wife; unmarried. Chaucer.
Wifelike
Wife"like` (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or like, a wife or a woman. "
Wifelike government." Shak.
Wifely
Wife"ly, a. [AS. w\'c6flic.] Becoming or life; of or pertaining to a
wife. "Wifely patience." Chaucer.
With all the tenderness of wifely love. Dryden.
Wig
Wig (?), n. [Abbreviation from periwig.]
1. A covering for the head, consisting of hair interwoven or united by
a kind of network, either in imitation of the natural growth, or in
abundant and flowing curls, worn to supply a deficiency of natural
hair, or for ornament, or according to traditional usage, as a part of
an official or professional dress, the latter especially in England by
judges and barristers.
2. An old seal; -- so called by fishermen.
Wig tree. (Bot.) See Smoke tree, under Smoke.
Wig
Wig (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wigged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wigging (?).]
To censure or rebuke; to hold up to reprobation; to scold. [Slang]
Wigan
Wig"an (?), n. A kind of canvaslike cotton fabric, used to stiffen and
protect the lower part of trousers and of the skirts of women's
dresses, etc.; -- so called from Wigan, the name of a town in
Lancashire, England.
Wigeon
Wi"geon (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A widgeon. [R.]
Wigg, Wig
Wigg (?), Wig, n. [Cf. D. wegge a sort of bread, G. weck, orig., a
wedge-shaped loaf or cake. See Wedge.] A kind of raised seedcake.
"Wiggs and ale." Pepys.
Wigged
Wigged (?), a. Having the head covered with a wig; wearing a wig.
Wiggery
Wig"ger*y (?), n.
1. A wig or wigs; false hair. [R.] A. Trollope.
2. Any cover or screen, as red-tapism. [R.]
Fire peels the wiggeries away from them [facts.] Carlyle.
Wiggle
Wig"gle (?), v. t. & i. [Cf. Wag, v. t., Waggle.] To move to and fro
with a quick, jerking motion; to bend rapidly, or with a wavering
motion, from side to side; to wag; to squirm; to wriggle; as, the dog
wiggles his tail; the tadpole wiggles in the water. [Prov. Eng. &
Colloq. U. S.]
Wiggle
Wig"gle, n. Act of wiggling; a wriggle. [Colloq.]
Wiggler
Wig"gler (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The young, either larva or pupa, of the
mosquito; -- called also wiggletail.
Wigher
Wig"her (?), v. i. [Cf. G. wiehern, E. whine.] To neigh; to whinny.
[Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
Wight
Wight (?), n. Weight. [Obs.]
Wight
Wight, n. [OE. wight, wiht, a wight, a whit, AS. wiht, wuht, a
creature, a thing; skin to D. wicht a child, OS. & OHG. wiht a
creature, thing, G. wicht a creature, Icel. v\'91tt a wight, v\'91tt a
whit, Goth. wa\'a1hts, wa\'a1ht, thing; cf. Russ. veshche a thing.
Whit.]
1. A whit; a bit; a jot. [Obs.]
She was fallen asleep a little wight. Chaucer.
2. A supernatural being. [Obs.] Chaucer.
3. A human being; a person, either male or female; -- now used chiefly
in irony or burlesque, or in humorous language. "Worst of all
wightes." Chaucer.
Every wight that hath discretion. Chaucer.
Oh, say me true if thou wert mortal wight. Milton.
Wight
Wight, a. [OE. wight, wiht, probably of Scand. origin; cf. Icel.
v\'c6gr in fighting condition, neut. v\'c6gh war, akin to AS. w\'c6g
See Vanquish.] Swift; nimble; agile; strong and active. [Obs. or
Poetic]
'T is full wight, God wot, as is a roe. Chaucer.
He was so wimble and so wight. Spenser.
They were Night and Day, and Day and Night, Pilgrims wight with
steps forthright. Emerson.
Wightly
Wight"ly, adv. Swiftly; nimbly; quickly. [Obs.]
Wigless
Wig"less (?), a. Having or wearing no wig.
Wigwag
Wig"wag` (?), v. i. [See Wag, v. t.] (Naut.) To signal by means of a
flag waved from side to side according to a code adopted for the
purpose. [Colloq.]
Wigwam
Wig"wam (?), n. [From the Algonquin or Massachusetts Indian word
w&emac;k, "his house," or "dwelling place;" with possessive and
locative affixes, w&emac;-kou-om-ut, "in his (or their) house,"
contracted by the English to weekwam, and wigwam.] An Indian cabin or
hut, usually of a conical form, and made of a framework of poles
covered with hides, bark, or mats; -- called also tepee. [Sometimes
written also weekwam.]
Very spacious was the wigwam, Made of deerskin dressed and
whitened, With the gods of the Dacotahs Drawn and painted on its
curtains. Longfellow.
NOTE: &hand; "T he wi gwam, or Indian house, of a circular or oval
shape, was made of bark or mats laid over a framework of branches
of trees stuck in the ground in such a manner as to converge at the
top, where was a central aperture for the escape of smoke from the
fire beneath. The better sort had also a lining of mats. For
entrance and egress, two low openings were left on opposite sides,
one or the other of which was closed with bark or mats, according
to the direction of the wind." Palfrey.
Wike
Wike (?), n. A temporary mark or boundary, as a bough of a tree set up
in marking out or dividing anything, as tithes, swaths to be mowed in
common ground, etc.; -- called also wicker. [Prov. Eng.]
Wike
Wike, n. [AS. wic. See Wick a village.] A home; a dwelling. [Obs. or
Prov. Eng.]
Wikke
Wik"ke (?), a. Wicked. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wild
Wild (?), a. [Compar. Wilder (?); superl. Wildest.] [OE. wilde, AS.
wilde; akin to OFries. wilde, D. wild, OS. & OHG. wildi, G. wild, Sw.
& Dan. vild, Icel. villr wild, bewildered, astray, Goth. wilpeis wild,
and G. & OHG. wild game, deer; of uncertain origin.]
1. Living in a state of nature; inhabiting natural haunts, as the
forest or open field; not familiar with, or not easily approached by,
man; not tamed or domesticated; as, a wild boar; a wild ox; a wild
cat.
Winter's not gone yet, if the wild geese fly that way. Shak.
2. Growing or produced without culture; growing or prepared without
the aid and care of man; native; not cultivated; brought forth by
unassisted nature or by animals not domesticated; as, wild parsnip,
wild camomile, wild strawberry, wild honey.
The woods and desert caves, With wild thyme and gadding vine
o'ergrown. Milton.
3. Desert; not inhabited or cultivated; as, wild land. "To trace the
forests wild." Shak.
4. Savage; uncivilized; not refined by culture; ferocious; rude; as,
wild natives of Africa or America.
5. Not submitted to restraint, training, or regulation; turbulent;
tempestuous; violent; ungoverned; licentious; inordinate; disorderly;
irregular; fanciful; imaginary; visionary; crazy. "Valor grown wild by
pride." Prior. "A wild, speculative project." Swift.
What are these So withered and so wild in their attire ? Shak.
With mountains, as with weapons, armed; which makes Wild work in
heaven. Milton.
The wild winds howl. Addison.
Search then the ruling passion, there, alone The wild are constant,
and the cunning known. Pope.
6. Exposed to the wind and sea; unsheltered; as, a wild roadstead.
7. Indicating strong emotion, intense excitement, or as, a wild look.
8. (Naut.) Hard to steer; -- said of a vessel.
NOTE: &hand; Ma ny pl ants are named by prefixing wild to the names
of other better known or cultivated plants to which they a bear a
real or fancied resemblance; as, wild allspice, wild pink, etc. See
the Phrases below.
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Page 1653
To run wild, to go unrestrained or untamed; to live or untamed; to
live or grow without culture or training. -- To sow one's wild oats.
See under Oat. Wild allspice. (Bot.), spicewood. -- Wild balsam apple
(Bot.), an American climbing cucurbitaceous plant (Echinocystis
lobata). -- Wild basil (Bot.), a fragrant labiate herb (Calamintha
Clinopodium) common in Europe and America. -- Wild bean (Bot.), a name
of several leguminous plants, mostly species of Phaseolus and Apios.
-- Wild bee (Zo\'94l.), any one of numerous species of undomesticated
social bees, especially the domestic bee when it has escaped from
domestication and built its nest in a hollow tree or among rocks. --
Wild bergamot. (Bot.) See under Bergamot. -- Wild boar (Zo\'94l.), the
European wild hog (Sus scrofa), from which the common domesticated
swine is descended. -- Wild brier (Bot.), any uncultivated species of
brier. See Brier. -- Wild bugloss (Bot.), an annual rough-leaved plant
(Lycopsis arvensis) with small blue flowers. -- Wild camomile (Bot.),
one or more plants of the composite genus Matricaria, much resembling
camomile. -- Wild cat. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A European carnivore (Felis
catus) somewhat resembling the domestic cat, but larger stronger, and
having a short tail. It is destructive to the smaller domestic
animals, such as lambs, kids, poultry, and the like. (b) The common
American lynx, or bay lynx. (c) (Naut.) A wheel which can be adjusted
so as to revolve either with, or on, the shaft of a capstan. Luce. --
Wild celery. (Bot.) See Tape grass, under Tape. -- Wild cherry. (Bot.)
(a) Any uncultivated tree which bears cherries. The wild red cherry is
Prunus Pennsylvanica. The wild black cherry is P. serotina, the wood
of which is much used for cabinetwork, being of a light red color and
a compact texture. (b) The fruit of various species of Prunus. -- Wild
cinnamon. See the Note under Canella. -- Wild comfrey (Bot.), an
American plant (Cynoglossum Virginicum) of the Borage family. It has
large bristly leaves and small blue flowers. -- Wild cumin (Bot.), an
annual umbelliferous plant (Lag&oe;cia cuminoides) native in the
countries about the Mediterranean. -- Wild drake (Zo\'94l.) the
mallard. -- Wild elder (Bot.), an American plant (Aralia hispida) of
the Ginseng family. -- Wild fowl (Zo\'94l.) any wild bird, especially
any of those considered as game birds. -- Wild goose (Zo\'94l.), any
one of several species of undomesticated geese, especially the Canada
goose (Branta Canadensis), the European bean goose, and the graylag.
See Graylag, and Bean goose, under Bean. -- Wild goose chase, the
pursuit of something unattainable, or of something as unlikely to be
caught as the wild goose. Shak. -- Wild honey, honey made by wild
bees, and deposited in trees, rocks, the like. -- Wild hyacinth.
(Bot.) See Hyacinth, 1 (b). Wild Irishman (Bot.), a thorny bush
(Discaria Toumatou) of the Buckthorn family, found in New Zealand,
where the natives use the spines in tattooing. -- Wild land. (a) Land
not cultivated, or in a state that renders it unfit for cultivation.
(b) Land which is not settled and cultivated. -- Wild licorice. (Bot.)
See under Licorice. -- Wild mammee (Bot.), the oblong, yellowish, acid
fruit of a tropical American tree (Rheedia lateriflora); -- so called
in the West Indies. -- Wild marjoram (Bot.), a labiate plant (Origanum
vulgare) much like the sweet marjoram, but less aromatic. -- Wild oat.
(Bot.) (a) A tall, oatlike kind of soft grass (Arrhenatherum
avenaceum). (b) See Wild oats, under Oat. -- Wild pieplant (Bot.), a
species of dock (Rumex hymenosepalus) found from Texas to California.
Its acid, juicy stems are used as a substitute for the garden rhubarb.
-- Wild pigeon. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The rock dove. (b) The passenger
pigeon. -- Wild pink (Bot.), an American plant (Silene Pennsylvanica)
with pale, pinkish flowers; a kind of catchfly. -- Wild plantain
(Bot.), an arborescent endogenous herb (Heliconia Bihai), much
resembling the banana. Its leaves and leaf sheaths are much used in
the West Indies as coverings for packages of merchandise. -- Wild
plum. (Bot.) (a) Any kind of plum growing without cultivation. (b) The
South African prune. See under Prune. -- Wild rice. (Bot.) See Indian
rice, under Rice. -- Wild rosemary (Bot.), the evergreen shrub
Andromeda polifolia. See Marsh rosemary, under Rosemary. -- Wild sage.
(Bot.) See Sagebrush. -- Wild sarsaparilla (Bot.), a species of
ginseng (Aralia nudicaulis) bearing a single long-stalked leaf. --
Wild sensitive plant (Bot.), either one of two annual leguminous herbs
(Cassia Cham\'91crista, and C. nictitans), in both of which the
leaflets close quickly when the plant is disturbed. -- Wild
service.(Bot.) See Sorb. -- Wild Spaniard (Bot.), any one of several
umbelliferous plants of the genus Aciphylla, natives of New Zealand.
The leaves bear numerous bayonetlike spines, and the plants form an
impenetrable thicket. -- Wild turkey. (Zo\'94l.) See 2d Turkey.
Wild
Wild (?), n. An uninhabited and uncultivated tract or region; a forest
or desert; a wilderness; a waste; as, the wilds of America; the wilds
of Africa.
then Libya first, of all her moisture drained, Became a barren
waste, a wild of sand. Addison.
Wild
Wild, adv. Wildly; as, to talk wild. Shak.
Wild-cat
Wild"-cat` (?), a.
1. Unsound; worthless; irresponsible; unsafe; -- said to have been
originally applied to the notes of an insolvent bank in Michigan upon
which there was the figure of a panther.
2. (Railroad) Running without control; running along the line without
a train; as, a wild-cat locomotive. <-- Wildcat well. A well, as an
oil or gas well, drilled in an area not proven to be productive; often
drilled by a small exploration company. -- Wildcat strike. A strike
initiated by workers without authorization of a union, or in violation
of the work contract currently in force. -->
Wildebeest
Wilde"beest` (?), n. [D. wild wild + beeste beast.] (Zo\'94l.) The
gnu.
Wilded
Wild"ed (?), a. Become wild. [R.]
An old garden plant escaped and wilded. J. Earle.
Wilder
Wil"der (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wildered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Wildering.] [Akin to E. wild, Dan. forvilde to bewilder, Icel. villr
bewildered, villa to bewilder; cf. AS. wildor a wild animal. See Wild,
a., and cf. Wilderness.] To bewilder; to perplex.
Long lost and wildered in the maze of fate. Pope.
Again the wildered fancy dreams Of spouting fountains, frozen as
they rose. Bryant.
Wildering
Wild"er*ing (?), n. (Bot.) A plant growing in a state of nature;
especially, one which has run wild, or escaped from cultivation.
Wilderment
Wil"der*ment (?), n. The state of being bewildered; confusion;
bewilderment.
And snatched her breathless from beneath This wilderment of wreck
and death. Moore.
Wilderness
Wil"der*ness (?), n. [OE. wildernesse, wilderne,probably from AS.
wildor a wild beast; cf. D. wildernis wilderness. See Wilder, v. t.]
1. A tract of land, or a region, uncultivated and uninhabited by human
beings, whether a forest or a wide, barren plain; a wild; a waste; a
desert; a pathless waste of any kind.
The wat'ry wilderness yields no supply. Waller.
2. A disorderly or neglected place. Cowper.
3. Quality or state of being wild; wildness. [Obs.]
These paths and bowers doubt not but our joint hands. Will keep
from wilderness with ease. Milton.
Wildfire
Wild"fire (?), n.
1. A composition of inflammable materials, which, kindled, is very
hard to quench; Greek fire.
Brimstone, pitch, wildfire . . . burn cruelly, and hard to quench.
Bacon.
2. (Med.) (a) An old name for erysipelas. (b) A disease of sheep,
attended with inflammation of the skin.
3. A sort of lightning unaccompanied by thunder. [R.]
Wildgrave
Wild"grave` (?), n. [G. wildgraf or D. wildgraaf. See Wild, and cf.
Margrave.] A waldgrave, or head forest keeper. See Waldgrave.
The wildgrave winds his bugle horn. Sir W. Scott.
Wilding
Wild"ing, n. (Bot.) A wild or uncultivated plant; especially, a wild
apple tree or crab apple; also, the fruit of such a plant. Spenser.
Ten ruddy wildings in the wood I found. Dryden.
The fruit of the tree . . . is small, of little juice, and bad
quality. I presume it to be a wilding. Landor.
Wilding
Wild"ing, a. Not tame, domesticated, or cultivated; wild. [Poetic]
"Wilding flowers." Tennyson.
The ground squirrel gayly chirps by his den, And the wilding bee
hums merrily by. Bryant.
Wildish
Wild"ish, a. Somewhat wild; rather wild. "A wildish destiny."
Wordsworth.
Wildly
Wild"ly, adv. In a wild manner; without cultivation; with disorder;
rudely; distractedly; extravagantly.
Wildness
Wild"ness, n. The quality or state of being wild; an uncultivated or
untamed state; disposition to rove or go unrestrained; rudeness;
savageness; irregularity; distraction.
Wildwood
Wild"wood (?), n. A wild or unfrequented wood. Also used adjectively;
as, wildwood flowers; wildwood echoes. Burns.
Wile
Wile (?), n. [OE. wile, AS. w\'c6l; cf. Icel. v, v\'91l. Cf. Guile.] A
trick or stratagem practiced for insnaring or deception; a sly,
insidious; artifice; a beguilement; an allurement.
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil. Eph. vi. 11.
Not more almighty to resist our might, Than wise to frustrate all
our plots and wiles. Milton.
Wile
Wile, v. t.
1. To practice artifice upon; to deceive; to beguile; to allure. [R.]
Spenser.
2. To draw or turn away, as by diversion; to while or while away; to
cause to pass pleasantly. Tennyson.
Wileful
Wile"ful (?), a. Full of wiles; trickish; deceitful.
Wilful, a., Wilfully, adv., Wilfulness
Wil"ful (?), a., Wil"ful*ly, adv., Wil"ful*ness, n. See Willful,
Willfully, and Willfulness.
Wiliness
Wi"li*ness, n. The quality or state of being wily; craftiness;
cunning; guile.
Wilk
Wilk (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Whelk. [Obs.]
Will
Will (?), n. [OE. wille, AS. willa; akin to OFries. willa, OS. willeo,
willio, D. wil, G. wille, Icel. vili, Dan. villie, Sw. vilja, Goth
wilja. See Will, v.]
1. The power of choosing; the faculty or endowment of the soul by
which it is capable of choosing; the faculty or power of the mind by
which we decide to do or not to do; the power or faculty of preferring
or selecting one of two or more objects.
It is necessary to form a distinct notion of what is meant by the
word "volition" in order to understand the import of the word will,
for this last word expresses the power of mind of which "volition"
is the act. Stewart.
Will is an ambiguous word, being sometimes put for the faculty of
willing; sometimes for the act of that faculty, besides [having]
other meanings. But "volition" always signifies the act of willing,
and nothing else. Reid.
Appetite is the will's solicitor, and the will is appetite's
controller; what we covet according to the one, by the other we
often reject. Hooker.
The will is plainly that by which the mind chooses anything. J.
Edwards.
2. The choice which is made; a determination or preference which
results from the act or exercise of the power of choice; a volition.
The word "will," however, is not always used in this its proper
acceptation, but is frequently substituted for "volition", as when
I say that my hand mover in obedience to my will. Stewart.
3. The choice or determination of one who has authority; a decree; a
command; discretionary pleasure.
Thy will be done. Matt. vi. 10.
Our prayers should be according to the will of God. Law.
4. Strong wish or inclination; desire; purpose.
NOTE: &hand; "I nclination is an other wo rd wi th wh ich wi ll is
frequently confounded. Thus, when the apothecary says, in Romeo and
Juliet, --
My poverty, but not my will, consents; . . . Put this in any liquid
thing you will, And drink it off. the word will is plainly used as,
synonymous with inclination; not in the strict logical sense, as
the immediate antecedent of action. It is with the same latitude
that the word is used in common conversation, when we speak of
doing a thing which duty prescribes, against one's own will; or
when we speak of doing a thing willingly or unwillingly." Stewart.
5. That which is strongly wished or desired.
What's your will, good friar? Shak.
The mariner hath his will. Coleridge.
6. Arbitrary disposal; power to control, dispose, or determine.
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies. Ps. xxvii. 12.
7
7 (Law) The legal declaration of a person's mind as to the manner in
which he would have his property or estate disposed of after his
death; the written instrument, legally executed, by which a man makes
disposition of his estate, to take effect after his death; testament;
devise. See the Note under Testament, 1.
NOTE: &hand; Wi lls ar e written or nuncupative, that is, oral. See
Nuncupative will, under Nuncupative.
At will (Law), at pleasure. To hold an estate at the will of another,
is to enjoy the possession at his pleasure, and be liable to be ousted
at any time by the lessor or proprietor. An estate at will is at the
will of both parties. -- Good will. See under Good. -- Ill will,
enmity; unfriendliness; malevolence. -- To have one's will, to obtain
what is desired; to do what one pleases. -- Will worship, worship
according to the dictates of the will or fancy; formal worship. [Obs.]
-- Will worshiper, one who offers will worship. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor. --
With a will, with willingness and zeal; with all one's heart or
strength; earnestly; heartily.
Will
Will (?), v. t. & auxiliary. [imp. Would (?). Indic. present, I will
(Obs. I wol), thou wilt, he will (Obs. he wol); we, ye, they will.]
[OE. willen, imp. wolde; akin to OS. willan, OFries. willa, D. willen,
G. wollen, OHG. wollan, wellan, Icel. & Sw. vilja, Dan. ville, Goth.
wiljan, OSlav. voliti, L. velle to wish, volo I wish; cf. Skr.
v&rsdot; to choose, to prefer. Cf. Voluntary, Welcome, Well, adv.]
1. To wish; to desire; to incline to have.
A wife as of herself no thing ne sholde [should] Wille in effect,
but as her husband wolde [would]. Chaucer.
Caleb said unto her, What will thou ? Judg. i. 14.
They would none of my counsel. Prov. i. 30.
2. As an auxiliary, will is used to denote futurity dependent on the
verb. Thus, in first person, "I will" denotes willingness, consent,
promise; and when "will" is emphasized, it denotes determination or
fixed purpose; as, I will go if you wish; I will go at all hazards. In
the second and third persons, the idea of distinct volition, wish, or
purpose is evanescent, and simple certainty is appropriately
expressed; as, "You will go," or "He will go," describes a future
event as a fact only. To emphasize will denotes (according to the tone
or context) certain futurity or fixed determination.
NOTE: &hand; Will, auxiliary, may be used elliptically for will go.
"I'll to her lodgings." Marlowe.
NOTE: &hand; As in shall (which see), the second and third persons
may be virtually converted into the first, either by question or
indirect statement, so as to receive the meaning which belongs to
will in that person; thus, "Will you go?" (answer, "I will go")
asks assent, requests, etc.; while "Will he go?" simply inquires
concerning futurity; thus, also,"He says or thinks he will go,"
"You say or think you will go," both signify willingness or
consent.
NOTE: &hand; Would, as the preterit of will, is chiefly employed in
conditional, subjunctive, or optative senses; as, he would go if he
could; he could go if he would; he said that he would go; I would
fain go, but can not; I would that I were young again; and other
like phrases. In the last use, the first personal pronoun is often
omitted; as, would that he were here; would to Heaven that it were
so; and, omitting the to in such an adjuration. "Would God I had
died for thee." Would is used for both present and future time, in
conditional propositions, and would have for past time; as, he
would go now if he were ready; if it should rain, he would not go;
he would have gone, had he been able. Would not, as also will not,
signifies refusal. "He was angry, and would not go in." Luke xv.
28. Would is never a past participle.
NOTE: &hand; In Ir eland, Sc otland, an d th e Un ited St ates,
especially in the southern and western portions of the United
States, shall and will, should and would, are often misused, as in
the following examples: --
I am able to devote as much time and attention to other subjects as
I will [shall] be under the necessity of doing next winter.
Chalmers.
A countryman, telling us what he had seen, remarked that if the
conflagration went on, as it was doing, we would [should] have, as
our next season's employment, the Old Town of Edinburgh to rebuild.
H. Miller.
I feel assured that I will [shall] not have the misfortune to find
conflicting views held by one so enlightened as your excellency. J.
Y. Mason.
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Page 1654
Will
Will (?), v. i. To be willing; to be inclined or disposed; to be
pleased; to wish; to desire.
And behold, there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, Lord if
thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus . . . touched him,
saying, I will; be thou clean. Matt. viii. 2, 3.
NOTE: &hand; Th is wo rd ha s be en co nfused wi th will, v. i., to
choose, which, unlike this, is of the weak conjugation.
Will I, nill I, OR Will ye, hill ye, OR Will he, nill he, whether I,
you, or he will it or not; hence, without choice; compulsorily; --
sometimes corrupted into willy nilly. "If I must take service willy
nilly." J. H. Newman. "Land for all who would till it, and reading and
writing will ye, nill ye." Lowell.
Will
Will, v. t. [imp. & p. p Willed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Willing. Indic.
present I will, thou willeth, he wills; we, ye, they will.] [Cf. AS.
willian. See Will, n.]
1. To form a distinct volition of; to determine by an act of choice;
to ordain; to decree. "What she will to do or say." Milton.
By all law and reason, that which the Parliament will not, is no
more established in this kingdom. Milton.
Two things he [God] willeth, that we should be good, and that we
should be happy. Barrow.
2. To enjoin or command, as that which is determined by an act of
volition; to direct; to order. [Obs. or R.]
They willed me say so, madam. Shak.
Send for music, And will the cooks to use their best of cunning To
please the palate. Beau. & Fl.
As you go, will the lord mayor . . . To attend our further pleasure
presently. J. Webster.
3. To give or direct the disposal of by testament; to bequeath; to
devise; as, to will one's estate to a child; also, to order or direct
by testament; as, he willed that his nephew should have his watch.
Will
Will, v. i. To exercise an act of volition; to choose; to decide; to
determine; to decree.
At Winchester he lies, so himself willed. Robert of Brunne.
He that shall turn his thoughts inward upon what passes in his own
mind when he wills. Locke.
I contend for liberty as it signifies a power in man to do as he
wills or pleases. Collins.
Willemite
Wil"lem*ite (?), n. [From Willem I., king of the Netherlands.] (Min.)
A silicate of zinc, usually occurring massive and of a greenish yellow
color, also in reddish crystals (troostite) containing manganese.
Willer
Will"er (?), n. One who wills.
Willet
Wil"let (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A large North American snipe (Symphemia
semipalmata); -- called also pill-willet, will-willet, semipalmated
tattler, or snipe, duck snipe, and stone curlew. Carolina willet, the
Hudsonian godwit.
Willful
Will"ful (?), a. [Will + full.] [Written also wilful.]
1. Of set purpose; self-determined; voluntary; as, willful murder.
Foxe.
In willful poverty chose to lead his life. Chaucer.
Thou to me Art all things under heaven, all places thou, Who, for
my willful crime, art banished hence. Milton.
2. Governed by the will without yielding to reason; obstinate;
perverse; inflexible; stubborn; refractory; as, a willful man or
horse. -- Will"ful*ly, adv. -- Will"ful*ness, n.
Willier
Wil"li*er (?), n. One who works at a willying machine.
Willing
Will"ing (?), a. [From Will, v. t.]
1. Free to do or to grant; having the mind inclined; not opposed in
mind; not choosing to refuse; disposed; not averse; desirous;
consenting; complying; ready.
Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. Acts
xxiv. 27.
With wearied wings and willing feet. Milton.
[Fruit] shaken in August from the willing boughs. Bryant.
2. Received of choice, or without reluctance; submitted to
voluntarily; chosen; desired.
[They] are held, with his melodious harmony, In willing chains and
sweet captivity. Milton.
3. Spontaneous; self-moved. [R.]
No spouts of blood run willing from a tree. Dryden.
Willingly
Will"ing*ly, adv. In a willing manner; with free will; without
reluctance; cheerfully. Chaucer.
The condition of that people is not so much to be envied as some
would willingly represent it. Addison.
Willingness
Will"ing*ness, n. The quality or state of being willing; free choice
or consent of the will; freedom from reluctance; readiness of the mind
to do or forbear.
Sweet is the love which comes with willingness. Dryden.
Williwaw, Willywaw
Wil"li*waw, Wil"ly*waw (?), n. (Naut.) A whirlwind, or whirlwind
squall, encountered in the Straits of Magellan. W. C. Russell.
Willock
Wil"lock (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The common guillemot. (b) The puffin.
[Prov. Eng.]
Will-o'-the-wisp
Will"-o'-the-wisp` (?), n. See Ignis fatuus.
Willow
Wil"low (?), n. [OE. wilowe, wilwe, AS. wilig, welig; akin to OD.
wilge, D. wilg, LG. wilge. Cf. Willy.]
1. (Bot.) Any tree or shrub of the genus Salix, including many
species, most of which are characterized often used as an emblem of
sorrow, desolation, or desertion. "A wreath of willow to show my
forsaken plight." Sir W. Scott. Hence, a lover forsaken by, or having
lost, the person beloved, is said to wear the willow.
And I must wear the willow garland For him that's dead or false to
me. Campbell.
2. (Textile Manuf.) A machine in which cotton or wool is opened and
cleansed by the action of long spikes projecting from a drum which
revolves within a box studded with similar spikes; -- probably so
called from having been originally a cylindrical cage made of willow
rods, though some derive the term from winnow, as denoting the
winnowing, or cleansing, action of the machine. Called also willy,
twilly, twilly devil, and devil.
Almond willow, Pussy willow, Weeping willow. (Bot.) See under Almond,
Pussy, and Weeping. -- Willow biter (Zo\'94l.) the blue tit. [Prov.
Eng.] -- Willow fly (Zo\'94l.), a greenish European stone fly
(Chloroperla viridis); -- called also yellow Sally. -- Willow gall
(Zo\'94l.), a conical, scaly gall produced on willows by the larva of
a small dipterous fly (Cecidomyia strobiloides). -- Willow grouse
(Zo\'94l.), the white ptarmigan. See ptarmigan. -- Willow lark
(Zo\'94l.), the sedge warbler. [Prov. Eng.] -- Willow ptarmigan
(Zo\'94l.) (a) The European reed bunting, or black-headed bunting. See
under Reed. (b) A sparrow (Passer salicicolus) native of Asia, Africa,
and Southern Europe. -- Willow tea, the prepared leaves of a species
of willow largely grown in the neighborhood of Shanghai, extensively
used by the poorer classes of Chinese as a substitute for tea.
McElrath. -- Willow thrush (Zo\'94l.), a variety of the veery, or
Wilson's thrush. See Veery. -- Willow warbler (Zo\'94l.), a very small
European warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus); -- called also bee bird,
haybird, golden wren, pettychaps, sweet William, Tom Thumb, and willow
wren.
Willow
Wil"low (?), v. t. To open and cleanse, as cotton, flax, or wool, by
means of a willow. See Willow, n., 2.
Willowed
Wil"lowed (?), a. Abounding with willows; containing willows; covered
or overgrown with willows. "Willowed meads." Collins.
Willower
Wil"low*er (?), n. A willow. See Willow, n., 2.
Willow-herb
Wil"low-herb` (?), n. (Bot.) A perennial herb (Epilobium spicatum)
with narrow willowlike leaves and showy rose-purple flowers. The name
is sometimes made to include other species of the same genus. Spiked
willow-herb, a perennial herb (Lythrum Salicaria) with willowy leaves
and spiked purplish flowers.
Willowish
Wil"low*ish, a. Having the color of the willow; resembling the willow;
willowy. Walton.
Willow-thorn
Wil"low-thorn` (?), n. (Bot.) A thorny European shrub (Hippopha\'89
rhamnoides) resembling a willow.
Willow-weed
Wil"low-weed` (?), n. (Bot.) (a) A European species of loosestrife
(Lysimachia vulgaris). (b) Any kind of Polygonum with willowlike
foliage.
Willow-wort
Wil"low-wort` (?), n. (Bot.) (a) Same as Willow-weed. (b) Any plant of
the order Salicace\'91, or the Willow family.
Willowy
Wil"low*y (?), a.
1. Abounding with willows.
Where willowy Camus lingers with delight. Gray.
2. Resembling a willow; pliant; flexible; pendent; drooping; graceful.
Willsome
Will"some (?), a. [Written also wilsome.]
1. Willful; obstinate. [Obs.]
2. Fat; indolent. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
3. Doubtful; uncertain. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. -- Will"some*ness, n.
[Obs.]
Willy
Wil"ly (?), n. [Cf. Willow.]
1. A large wicker basket. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
2. (Textile Manuf.) Same as 1st Willow, 2.
Willying
Wil"ly*ing, n. The process of cleansing wool, cotton, or the like,
with a willy, or willow. Willying machine. Same as 1st Willow, 2
Willy nilly
Wil"ly nil"ly (?). See Will I, nill I, etc., under 3d Will.
Wilne
Wil"ne (?), v. t. [AS. wilnian.] To wish; to desire. [Obs.] "He
willneth no destruction." Chaucer.
Wilt
Wilt (?), 2d pers. sing. of Will.
Wilt
Wilt, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wilting.] [Written also welt, a modification
of welk.] To begin to wither; to lose freshness and become flaccid, as
a plant when exposed when exposed to drought, or to great heat in a
dry day, or when separated from its root; to droop;. to wither. [Prov.
Eng. & U. S.]
Wilt
Wilt, v. t.
1. To cause to begin to wither; to make flaccid, as a green plant.
[Prov. Eng. U. S.]
2. Hence, to cause to languish; to depress or destroy the vigor and
energy of. [Prov. Eng. & U. S.]
Despots have wilted the human race into sloth and imbecility. Dr.
T. Dwight.
Wilton carpet
Wil"ton car`pet (?). A kind of carpet woven with loops like the
Brussels, but differing from it in having the loops cut so as to form
an elastic velvet pile; -- so called because made originally at
Wilton, England.
Wilwe
Wil"we (?), n. Willow. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wily
Wil"y (?), a. [Compar. Wilier (?); superl. Wiliest.] [From Wile.] Full
of wiles, tricks, or stratagems; using craft or stratagem to
accomplish a purpose; mischievously artful; subtle. "Wily and wise."
Chaucer. "The wily snake." Milton.
This false, wily, doubling disposition of mind. South.
Syn. -- Cunning; artful; sly; crafty. See Cunning.
Wimble
Wim"ble (?), n. [OE. wimbil; akin to Dan. vimmel, OD. wemelen to bore.
Cf. Gimlet.] An instrument for boring holes, turned by a handle.
Specifically: (a) A gimlet. " It is but like the little wimble, to let
in the greater auger." Selden. (b) A stonecutter's brace for boring
holes in stone. (c) An auger used for boring in earth.
Wimble
Wim"ble (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wimbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wimbling
(?).] To bore or pierce, as with a wimble. "A foot soldier . . .
wimbled also a hole through said coffin." Wood.
Wimble
Wim"ble (?), a. [Cf. Sw. vimmelkantig giddy, whimsical, dial. Sw.
vimmla to be giddy or skittish, and E. whim.] Active; nimble.[Obs.]
Spenser.
Wimbrel
Wim"brel (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The whimbrel.
Wimple
Wim"ple (?), n. [OE. wimpel, AS. winpel; akin to D. & G. wimpel a
pennant, streamer, OHG. wimpal a veil, Icel. vimpill, Dan. & Sw.
vimpel a pennant, streamer; of uncertain origin. Cf. Gimp.]
1. A covering of silk, linen, or other material, for the neck and
chin, formerly worn by women as an outdoor protection, and still
retained in the dress of nuns.
Full seemly her wympel ipinched is. Chaucer.
For she had laid her mournful stole aside, And widowlike sad wimple
thrown away. Spenser.
Then Vivian rose, And from her brown-locked head the wimple throws.
M. Arnold.
2. A flag or streamer. Weale.
Wimple
Wim"ple, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wimpled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wimpling
(?).]
1. To clothe with a wimple; to cover, as with a veil; hence, to
hoodwink. "She sat ywympled well." Chaucer.
This wimpled, whining, purblind, wayward boy. Shak.
2. To draw down, as a veil; to lay in folds or plaits, as a veil.
3. To cause to appear as if laid in folds or plaits; to cause to
ripple or undulate; as, the wind wimples the surface of water.
Wimple
Wim"ple, v. i. To lie in folds; also, to appear as if laid in folds or
plaits; to ripple; to undulate. "Wimpling waves." Longfellow.
For with a veil, that wimpled everywhere, Her head and face was
hid. Spenser.
With me through . . . meadows stray, Where wimpling waters make
their way. Ramsay.
Win
Win (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Won (?), Obs. Wan (; p. pr. & vb. n.
Winning.] [OE. winnen, AS. winnan to strive, labor, fight, endure;
akin to OFries. winna, OS. winnan, D. winnen to win, gain, G.
gewinnen, OHG. winnan to strive, struggle, Icel. vinna to labor,
suffer, win, Dan. vinde to win, Sw. vinna, Goth. winnan to suffer,
Skr.van to wish, get, gain, conquer. &root;138. Cf. Venerate, Winsome,
Wish, Wont, a.]
1. To gain by superiority in competition or contest; to obtain by
victory over competitors or rivals; as, to win the prize in a gate; to
win money; to win a battle, or to win a country. "This city for to
win." Chaucer. "Who thus shall Canaan win." Milton.
Thy well-breathed horse Impels the flying car, and wins the course.
Dryden.
2. To allure to kindness; to bring to compliance; to gain or obtain,
as by solicitation or courtship.
Thy virtue wan me; with virtue preserve me. Sir P. Sidney.
She is a woman; therefore to be won. Shak.
3. To gain over to one's side or party; to obtain the favor,
friendship, or support of; to render friendly or approving; as, to win
an enemy; to win a jury.
4. To come to by toil or effort; to reach; to overtake. [Archaic]
Even in the porch he him did win. Spenser.
And when the stony path began, By which the naked peak they wan, Up
flew the snowy ptarmigan. Sir W. Scott.
5. (Mining) To extract, as ore or coal. Raymond. Syn. -- To gain; get;
procure; earn. See Gain.
Win
Win, v. i. To gain the victory; to be successful; to triumph; to
prevail.
Nor is it aught but just That he, who in debate of truth hath won,
should win in arms. Milton.
To win of, to be conqueror over. [Obs.] Shak. -- To win on OR upon.
(a) To gain favor or influence with. "You have a softness and
beneficence winning on the hearts of others." Dryden. (b) To gain
ground on. "The rabble . . . will in time win upon power." Shak.
Wince
Wince (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Winced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wincing
(?).] [OE. wincen, winchen, OF. quencir, guenchir, guenchier,
giencier, guinchier, and (assumed) winchier, winchir, to give way, to
turn aside, fr. OHG. wankjan, wenken, to give way, to waver, fr.
winchan to turn aside, to nod, akin to E. wink. See Wink.]
1. To shrink, as from a blow, or from pain; to flinch; to start back.
I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word. Shak.
2. To kick or flounce when unsteady, or impatient at a rider; as, a
horse winces.
Wince
Wince, n. The act of one who winces.
Wince
Wince, n. [See Winch.] (Dyeing & Calico Printing) A reel used in
dyeing, steeping, or washing cloth; a winch. It is placed over the
division wall between two wince pits so as to allow the cloth to
descend into either compartment. at will. Wince pit, Wince pot, a tank
or a pit where cloth in the process of dyeing or manufacture is
washed, dipped in a mordant, or the like.
Wincer
Win"cer (?), n. One who, or that which, winces, shrinks, or kicks.
Wincey
Win"cey (?), n. Linsey-woolsey.
Winch
Winch (?), v. i. [See Wince.] To wince; to shrink; to kick with
impatience or uneasiness.
Winch
Winch, n. A kick, as of a beast, from impatience or uneasiness.
Shelton.
Winch
Winch, n. [OE. winche, AS. wince a winch, a reel to wind thread upon.
Cf. Wink.]
1. A crank with a handle, for giving motion to a machine, a
grindstone, etc.
2. An instrument with which to turn or strain something forcibly.
3. An axle or drum turned by a crank with a handle, or by power, for
raising weights, as from the hold of a ship, from mines, etc.; a
windlass.
4. A wince.
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Page 1655
Wincing
Win"cing (?), n. The act of washing cloth, dipping it in dye, etc.,
with a wince. Wincing machine. (a) A wince. Ure. (b) A succession of
winces. See Wince. Knight.
Wincopipe
Win"co*pipe (?), n. (Bot.) A little red flower, no doubt the
pimpernel, which, when it opens in the morning, is supposed to bode a
fair day. See Pimpernel.
There is small red flower in the stubble fields, which country
people call the wincopipe; which if it opens in the morning, you
may be sure a fair day will follow. Bacon.
Wind
Wind (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wound (wound) (rarely Winded); p. pr. &
vb. n. Winding.] [OE. winden, AS. windan; akin to OS. windan, D. & G.
winden, OHG. wintan, Icel. & Sw. vinda, Dan. vinde, Goth. windan (in
comp.). Cf. Wander, Wend.]
1. To turn completely, or with repeated turns; especially, to turn
about something fixed; to cause to form convolutions about anything;
to coil; to twine; to twist; to wreathe; as, to wind thread on a spool
or into a ball.
Whether to wind The woodbine round this arbor. Milton.
2. To entwist; to infold; to encircle.
Sleep, and I will wind thee in arms. Shak.
3. To have complete control over; to turn and bend at one's pleasure;
to vary or alter or will; to regulate; to govern. "To turn and wind a
fiery Pegasus." Shak.
In his terms so he would him wind. Chaucer.
Gifts blind the wise, and bribes do please And wind all other
witnesses. Herrick.
Were our legislature vested in the prince, he might wind and turn
our constitution at his pleasure. Addison.
4. To introduce by insinuation; to insinuate.
You have contrived . . . to wind Yourself into a power tyrannical.
Shak.
Little arts and dexterities they have to wind in such things into
discourse. Gov. of Tongue.
5. To cover or surround with something coiled about; as, to wind a
rope with twine.
To wind off, to unwind; to uncoil. -- To wind out, to extricate.
[Obs.] Clarendon. -- To wind up. (a) To coil into a ball or small
compass, as a skein of thread; to coil completely. (b) To bring to a
conclusion or settlement; as, to wind up one's affairs; to wind up an
argument. (c) To put in a state of renewed or continued motion, as a
clock, a watch, etc., by winding the spring, or that which carries the
weight; hence, to prepare for continued movement or action; to put in
order anew. "Fate seemed to wind him up for fourscore years." Dryden.
"Thus they wound up his temper to a pitch." Atterbury. (d) To tighten
(the strings) of a musical instrument, so as to tune it. "Wind up the
slackened strings of thy lute." Waller.
Wind
Wind (?), v. i.
1. To turn completely or repeatedly; to become coiled about anything;
to assume a convolved or spiral form; as, vines wind round a pole.
So swift your judgments turn and wind. Dryden.
2. To have a circular course or direction; to crook; to bend; to
meander; as, to wind in and out among trees.
And where the valley winded out below, The murmuring main was
heard, and scarcely heard, to flow. Thomson.
He therefore turned him to the steep and rocky path which . . .
winded through the thickets of wild boxwood and other low aromatic
shrubs. Sir W. Scott.
3. To go to the one side or the other; to move this way and that; to
double on one's course; as, a hare pursued turns and winds.
The lowing herd wind Gray.
To wind out, to extricate one's self; to escape. Long struggling
underneath are they could wind Out of such prison. Milton.
Wind
Wind (?), n. The act of winding or turning; a turn; a bend; a twist; a
winding.
Wind
Wind (w&icr;nd, in poetry and singing often w&imac;nd; 277), n. [AS.
wind; akin to OS., OFries., D., & G. wind, OHG. wint, Dan. & Sw. vind,
Icel. vindr, Goth winds, W. gwynt, L. ventus, Skr. v\'beta (cf. Gr.
'ah`ths a blast, gale, 'ah^nai to breathe hard, to blow, as the wind);
originally a p. pr. from the verb seen in Skr. v\'be to blow, akin to
AS. w\'bewan, D. waaijen, G. wehen, OHG. w\'been, w\'bejen, Goth.
waian. &root;131. Cf. Air, Ventail, Ventilate, Window, Winnow.]
1. Air naturally in motion with any degree of velocity; a current of
air.
Except wind stands as never it stood, It is an ill wind that turns
none to good. Tusser
.
Winds were soft, and woods were green. Longfellow.
2. Air artificially put in motion by any force or action; as, the wind
of a cannon ball; the wind of a bellows.
3. Breath modulated by the respiratory and vocal organs, or by an
instrument.
Their instruments were various in their kind, Some for the bow, and
some for breathing wind. Dryden.
4. Power of respiration; breath.
If my wind were but long enough to say my prayers, I would repent.
Shak.
5. Air or gas generated in the stomach or bowels; flatulence; as, to
be troubled with wind.
6. Air impregnated with an odor or scent.
A pack of dogfish had him in the wind. Swift.
7. A direction from which the wind may blow; a point of the compass;
especially, one of the cardinal points, which are often called the
four winds.
Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain.
Ezek. xxxvii. 9.
NOTE: &hand; Th is se nse seems to have had its origin in the East.
The Hebrews gave to each of the four cardinal points the name of
wind.
8. (Far.) A disease of sheep, in which the intestines are distended
with air, or rather affected with a violent inflammation. It occurs
immediately after shearing.
9. Mere breath or talk; empty effort; idle words.
Nor think thou with wind Of airy threats to awe. Milton.
10. (Zo\'94l.) The dotterel. [Prov. Eng.]
NOTE: &hand; Wi nd is often used adjectively, or as the first part
of compound words.
All in the wind. (Naut.) See under All, n. -- Before the wind. (Naut.)
See under Before. -- Between wind and water (Naut.), in that part of a
ship's side or bottom which is frequently brought above water by the
rolling of the ship, or fluctuation of the water's surface. Hence,
colloquially, (as an injury to that part of a vessel, in an
engagement, is particularly dangerous) the vulnerable part or point of
anything. -- Cardinal winds. See under Cardinal, a. -- Down the wind.
(a) In the direction of, and moving with, the wind; as, birds fly
swiftly down the wind. (b) Decaying; declining; in a state of decay.
[Obs.] "He went down the wind still." L'Estrange. -- In the wind's eye
(Naut.), directly toward the point from which the wind blows. -- Three
sheets in the wind, unsteady from drink. [Sailors' Slang]<-- usu.
three sheets to the wind. --> -- To be in the wind, to be suggested or
expected; to be a matter of suspicion or surmise. [Colloq.] -- To
carry the wind (Man.), to toss the nose as high as the ears, as a
horse. -- To raise the wind, to procure money. [Colloq.] -- To take,
OR have, the wind, to gain or have the advantage. Bacon. -- To take
the wind out of one's sails, to cause one to stop, or lose way, as
when a vessel intercepts the wind of another. [Colloq.] -- To take
wind, OR To get wind, to be divulged; to become public; as, the story
got wind, or took wind. -- Wind band (Mus.), a band of wind
instruments; a military band; the wind instruments of an orchestra. --
Wind chest (Mus.), a chest or reservoir of wind in an organ. -- Wind
dropsy. (Med.) (a) Tympanites. (b) Emphysema of the subcutaneous
areolar tissue. -- Wind egg, an imperfect, unimpregnated, or addled
egg. -- Wind furnace. See the Note under Furnace. -- Wind gauge. See
under Gauge. -- Wind gun. Same as Air gun. -- Wind hatch (Mining), the
opening or place where the ore is taken out of the earth. -- Wind
instrument (Mus.), an instrument of music sounded by means of wind,
especially by means of the breath, as a flute, a clarinet, etc. --
Wind pump, a pump moved by a windmill. -- Wind rose, a table of the
points of the compass, giving the states of the barometer, etc.,
connected with winds from the different directions. -- Wind sail. (a)
(Naut.) A wide tube or funnel of canvas, used to convey a stream of
air for ventilation into the lower compartments of a vessel. (b) The
sail or vane of a windmill. -- Wind shake, a crack or incoherence in
timber produced by violent winds while the timber was growing. -- Wind
shock, a wind shake. -- Wind side, the side next the wind; the
windward side. [R.] Mrs. Browning. -- Wind rush (Zo\'94l.), the
redwing. [Prov. Eng.] -- Wind wheel, a motor consisting of a wheel
moved by wind. -- Wood wind (Mus.), the flutes and reed instruments of
an orchestra, collectively.
Wind
Wind (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Winded; p. pr. & vb. n. Winding.]
1. To expose to the wind; to winnow; to ventilate.
2. To perceive or follow by the scent; to scent; to nose; as, the
hounds winded the game.
3. (a) To drive hard, or force to violent exertion, as a horse, so as
to render scant of wind; to put out of breath. (b) To rest, as a
horse, in order to allow the breath to be recovered; to breathe.
To wind a ship (Naut.), to turn it end for end, so that the wind
strikes it on the opposite side.
Wind
Wind (?), v. t. [From Wind, moving air, but confused in sense and in
conjugation with wind to turn.] [imp. & p. p. Wound (wound), R.
Winded; p. pr. & vb. n. Winding.] To blow; to sound by blowing; esp.,
to sound with prolonged and mutually involved notes. "Hunters who
wound their horns." Pennant.
Ye vigorous swains, while youth ferments your blood, . . . Wind the
shrill horn. Pope.
That blast was winded by the king. Sir W. Scott.
Windage
Wind"age (?), n. [From Wind air in motion.]
1. (Gun.) The difference between the diameter of the bore of a gun and
that of the shot fired from it.
2. The sudden compression of the air caused by a projectile in passing
close to another body.
Windas
Wind"as (?), n. See 3d Windlass. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Windbore
Wind"bore` (?), n. The lower, or bottom, pipe in a lift of pumps in a
mine. Ansted.
Windbound
Wind"bound` (?), a. (Naut.) prevented from sailing, by a contrary
wind. See Weatherbound.
Wind-break
Wind"-break` (?), v. t. To break the wind of; to cause to lose breath;
to exhaust. [R.]
'T would wind-break a mule to vie burdens with her. Ford.
Wind-break
Wind"-break`, n. A clump of trees serving for a protection against the
force of wind. [Local, U. S.]
Wind-broken
Wind"-bro`ken (?), a. Having the power of breathing impaired by the
rupture, dilatation, or running together of air cells of the lungs, so
that while the inspiration is by one effort, the expiration is by two;
affected with pulmonary emphysema or with heaves; -- said of a horse.
Youatt.
Winder
Wind"er (?), n. [From Wind to turn.]
1. One who, or that which, winds; hence, a creeping or winding plant.
2. An apparatus used for winding silk, cotton, etc., on spools,
bobbins, reels, or the like.
3. (Arch.) One in a flight of steps which are curved in plan, so that
each tread is broader at one end than at the other; -- distinguished
from flyer.
Winder
Wind"er (?), v. t. & i. [Prov. E. winder a fan, and to winnow.
Winnow.] To fan; to clean grain with a fan. [Prov. Eng.]
Winder
Wind"er, n. A blow taking away the breath. [Slang]
Winder
Wind"er, v. i. To wither; to fail. [Obs.] Holland.
Windfall
Wind"fall` (?), n.
1. Anything blown down or off by the wind, as fruit from a tree, or
the tree itself, or a portion of a forest prostrated by a violent
wind, etc. "They became a windfall upon the sudden." Bacon.
2. An unexpected legacy, or other gain.
He had a mighty windfall out of doubt. B. Jonson.
<-- windfall profits. profits obtained due to a chance ot
unanticipated event that causes an asset to increase unexpectedly in
value. In contrast to profits earned as the normal and expected yield
of an enterprise. -->
Windfallen
Wind"fall`en (?), a. Blown down by the wind.
Wind-fertilized
Wind"-fer`ti*lized (?), a. (Bot.) Anemophilous; fertilized by pollen
borne by the wind.
Windflower
Wind"flow`er (?), n. (Bot.) The anemone; -- so called because formerly
supposed to open only when the wind was blowing. See Anemone.
Windgall
Wind"gall` (?), n. (Far.) A soft tumor or synovial swelling on the
fetlock joint of a horse; -- so called from having formerly been
supposed to contain air.
Windhover
Wind"hov`er (?), n. [From its habit of hovering over one spot.]
(Zo\'94l.) The kestrel; -- called also windbibber, windcuffer,
windfanner. [Prov. Eng.]
Windiness
Wind"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.
Winding
Wind"ing (?), n. [From Wind to blow.] (Naut.) A call by the
boatswain's whistle.
Winding
Wind"ing, a. [From Wind to twist.] Twisting from a direct line or an
even surface; circuitous. Keble.
Winding
Wind"ing, n. 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.
<-- 2. 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.
Windingly
Wind"ing*ly, adv. In a winding manner.
Windlace
Wind"lace (?), n. & v. See Windlass. [Obs.]
Two arblasts, . . . with windlaces and quarrels. Sir W. Scott.
Windlass
Wind"lass (?), n.[Perhaps from wind to turn + lace.] A winding and
circuitous way; a roundabout course; a shift.
Windlass
Wind"lass, v. i. To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by
indirect means. [Obs.] Hammond.
Windlass
Wind"lass, n. [OE. windelas, windas, Icel. vindil\'bess, vind\'bes,
fr. vinda to wind + \'bess 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.
Windlass
Wind"lass, v. t. & i. To raise with, or as with, a windlass; to use a
windlass. The Century.
Windle
Win"dle (?), n. [From Wind to turn.]
1. A spindle; a kind of reel; a winch.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The redwing. [Prov. Eng.]
Windless
Wind"less (?), a.
1. Having no wind; calm.
2. Wanting wind; out of breath.
Windlestrae, Windlestraw
Win"dle*strae` (?), Win"dle*straw` (?), n. (Bot.) A grass used for
making ropes or for plaiting, esp. Agrostis Spica-ventis. [Prov. Eng.
& Scot.] Shelley.
Windmill
Wind"mill` (?), n. 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. [A corrupt. of window; or perh. coined on the wrong
assumption that window is from wind + door.] A window. [Obs.]
Hudibras.
Window
Win"dow (?), n. [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.) 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.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1656
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.<-- also called counterweight channel.
(b) a box placed outside a window, on the windowsill, containing soil,
in which flowers are grown or displayed as decoration.--> -- 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 (Zo\'94l.), the common
European martin. [Prov. Eng.] -- Window oyster (Zo\'94l.), 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) (Zo\'94l.) 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 (Zo\'94l.), 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 (Zo\'94l.), 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.]
Window
Win"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.
Windowed
Win"dowed (?), a. Having windows or openings. [R.] "Looped and
windowed raggedness." Shak.
Windowless
Win"dow*less, a. Destitute of a window. Carlyle.
Windowpane
Win"dow*pane` (?), n.
1. (Arch.) See Pane, n., (3) b. [In this sense, written also window
pane.]
2. (Zo\'94l.) 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.
Windowy
Win"dow*y (?), a. Having little crossings or openings like the sashes
of a window. [R.] Donne.
Windpipe
Wind"pipe` (?), n. (Anat.) The passage for the breath from the larynx
to the lungs; the trachea; the weasand. See Illust. under Lung.
Wind-plant
Wind"-plant` (?), n. (Bot.) A windflower.
Wind-rode
Wind"-rode` (?), a. (Naut.) 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.
Windrow
Wind"row` (?), n. [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.]
Windrow
Wind"row, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Windrowed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Windrowing.] To arrange in lines or windrows, as hay when newly made.
Forby.
Windsor
Wind"sor (?), n. A town in Berkshire, England. Windsor bean. (Bot.)
See under Bean. -- Windsor chair, a kind of strong, plain, polished,
wooden chair. Simmonds. -- Windsor soap, a scented soap well known for
its excellence.
Windstorm
Wind"storm (?), n. A storm characterized by high wind with little or
no rain.
Wind-sucker
Wind"-suck`er (?), n.
1. (Far.) A horse given to wind-sucking Law.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The kestrel. B. Jonson.
Wind-sucking
Wind"-suck`ing, n. (Far.) A vicious habit of a horse, consisting in
the swallowing of air; -- usually associated with crib-biting, or
cribbing. See Cribbing, 4.
Windtight
Wind"tight` (?), a. So tight as to prevent the passing through of
wind. Bp. Hall.
Windward
Wind"ward (?), n. The point or side from which the wind blows; as, to
ply to the windward; -- opposed to leeward. To lay an anchor to the
windward, a figurative expression, signifying to adopt precautionary
or anticipatory measures for success or security.
Windward
Wind"ward, a. Situated toward the point from which the wind blows; as,
the Windward Islands.
Windward
Wind"ward, adv. Toward the wind; in the direction from which the wind
blows.
Windy
Wind"y (?), a. [Compar. Windier (?); superl. Windiest.] [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.
Wine
Wine (?), n. [OE. win, AS. win, fr. L. vinum (cf. Icel. v\'c6n; all
from 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: &hand; Wi ne is es sentially a di lute so lution of et hyl
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 be foolish. [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.<--
winesap? --> -- 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 by the evaporation of water; also, a stand for wine
bottles, containing ice.<-- (1980's) a drink composed of approximately
equal parts of wine and some carbonated beverage (soda). Also called
California cooler. --> -- Wine fly (Zo\'94l.), 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 are sold, smaller than beer measure. -- Wine merchant, a
merchant who deals in wines. -- Wine of opium (Pharm.), a solution of
opium in aromatized sherry wine, having the same strength as ordinary
laudanum; -- also Sydenham's laudanum. -- Wine press, a machine or
apparatus in which grapes are pressed to extract 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 1st Tartar, 1. -- Wine vault. (a) A vault where wine is stored.
(b) A place where wine 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.
Winebibber
Wine"bib`ber (?), n. One who drinks much wine. Prov. xxiii. 20. --
Wine"bib`bing (#), n.
Wineglass
Wine"glass` (?), n. A small glass from to drink wine.
Wineglassful
Wine"glass`ful (?);, n. pl. Wineglassfuls (. As much as a wineglass
will hold; enough to fill a wineglass. It is usually reckoned at two
fluid ounces, or four tablespoonfuls.
Wineless
Wine"less, a. destitute of wine; as, wineless life.
Winery
Win"er*y (?), n. [Cf. F. vinerie.] A place where grapes are converted
into wine.
Wing
Wing (?), n. [OE. winge, wenge; probably of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. &
Sw. vinge, Icel. v\'91ngr.]
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: &hand; In th e 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: (Zo\'94l.) (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) (Zo\'94l.) 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.) 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. <-- 9. The flat or
slightly curved part of a heavier-than-air aircraft which provides
most of the lift. In fixed-wing aircraft there are usually two main
wings fixed on opposite sides of the fuselage. Smaller wings are
typically placed near the tail, but may be absent in certain kinds of
aircraft. Helicopters usually have no wings, the lift being suppplied
by the rotating blade. --> <-- 10. One of two factions within an
organization, as a political party, which are opposed to each other;
as, right wing or left wing. 11. An administrative division of the air
force or of a naval air group, consisting of a certain number of
airplanes and the personnel associated with them. -->
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
(Zo\'94l.), 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 (Zo\'94l.), 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 (Zo\'94l.), 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.
Wing
Wing (?), 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. <-- Fig. To wound the arm of a person. -->
To wing a flight, to exert the power of flying; to fly. <-- wing it.
To perform an act, as to give a speech, without the usual preparation.
To improvise or ad-lib. -->
Winged
Winged (?), 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.) Furnished with a leaflike appendage, as the fruit of the elm
and the ash, or the stem in certain plants; alate.
6. (Her.) 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.
Winger
Wing"er (?), n. (Naut.) One of the casks stowed in the wings of a
vessel's hold, being smaller than such as are stowed more amidships.
Totten.
Wingfish
Wing"fish` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A sea robin having large, winglike
pectoral fins. See Sea robin, under Robin.
Wing-footed
Wing"-foot`ed (?), a.
1. Having wings attached to the feet; as, wing-footed Mercury; hence,
swift; moving with rapidity; fleet. Drayton.
2. (Zo\'94l.) (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-handed
Wing"-hand`ed (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) Having the anterior limbs or hands
adapted for flight, as the bats and pterodactyls.
Wing-leaved
Wing"-leaved` (?), a. (Bot.) Having pinnate or pinnately divided
leaves.
Wingless
Wing"less, a. Having no wings; not able to ascend or fly. Wingless
bird (Zo\'94l.), the apteryx.
Winglet
Wing"let (?), n.
1. A little wing; a very small wing.
2. (Zo\'94l.) A bastard wing, or alula.
Wingmanship
Wing"man*ship (?), n. [From Wing, in imitation of horsemanship.] Power
or skill in flying. [R.] Duke of Argyll.
Wing-shell
Wing"-shell` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) (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.
Wingy
Wing"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.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1657
Wink
Wink (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Winked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Winking.]
[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 quick motion.
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 (Zo\'94l.), the white-nosed monkey (Cersopithecus
nictitans).
Wink
Wink, v. t. To cause (the eyes) to wink.[Colloq.]
Wink
Wink, 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.
Winker
Wink"er (?), n.
1. One who winks. Pope.
2. A horse's blinder; a blinker.
Winkingly
Wink"ing*ly, adv. In a winking manner; with the eye almost closed.
Peacham.
Winkle
Win"kle (?), n. [AS. wincle.] (Zo\'94l.) (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: &hand; Th ese ar e la rge mo llusks 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-hawk
Win"kle-hawk` (?), n. [D. winkel-haak a carpenter's square.] A
rectangular rent made in cloth; -- called also winkle-hole. [Local, U.
S.] Bartlett.
Winnard 2
Win"nard 2, n. The redwing. [Prov. Eng.]
Winnebagoes
Win`ne*ba"goes (?), n.; sing. Winnebago (. (Ethnol.) 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.
Winner
Win"ner (?), n. One who wins, or gains by success in competition,
contest, or gaming.
Winning
Win"ning (?), a. Attracting; adapted to gain favor; charming; as, a
winning address. "Each mild and winning note." Keble.
Winning
Win"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.
Winningly
Win"ning*ly, adv. In a winning manner.
Winningness
Win"ning*ness, n. The quality or state of being winning. "Winningness
in style." J. Morley.
Winninish
Win"nin*ish (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The land-locked variety of the common
salmon. [Canada]
Winnew
Win"new (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Winnowed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Winnowing.] [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.
Winnow
Win"now (?), v. i. To separate chaff from grain.
Winnow not with every wind. Ecclus. v. 9.
Winnower
Win"now*er (?), n. One who, or that which, winnows; specifically, a
winnowing machine.
Winnowing
Win"now*ing, n. The act of one who, or that which, winnows.
Winrow
Win"row` (?), n. A windrow.
Winsing
Win"sing (?), a. Winsome. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Winsome
Win"some (?), a. [Compar. Winsomer (?); superl. Winsomest.] [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.
Winsomeness
Win"some*ness, n. The characteristic of being winsome; attractiveness
of manner. J. R. Green.
Winter
Win"ter (?), n. [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: &hand; No rth of th e eq uator, 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. l\'91vigata, 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 (Zo\'94l.), 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. (Zo\'94l.)
(a) The pintail. (b) The old squaw. -- Winter egg (Zo\'94l.), 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. (Zo\'94l.) See the Note under
Flounder. -- Winter gull (Zo\'94l.), 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. (Zo\'94l.) Same as Winter gull, above.
[Prov. Eng.] -- Winter moth (Zo\'94l.), 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 (Zo\'94l.), the gizzard shad. -- Winter sheldrake
(Zo\'94l.), the goosander. [Local, U.S.] -- Winter sleep (Zo\'94l.),
hibernation. -- Winter snipe (Zo\'94l.), the dunlin. -- Winter
solstice. (Astron.) See Solstice, 2. -- Winter teal (Zo\'94l.), the
green-winged teal. -- Winter wagtail (Zo\'94l.), 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 (Zo\'94l.), a small American wren (Troglodytes
hiemalis) closely resembling the common wren.
Winter
Win"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wintered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wintering.]
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.
Winter
Win"ter, v. i. To keep, feed or manage, during the winter; as, to
winter young cattle on straw.
Winter-beaten
Win"ter-beat`en (?), a. Beaten or harassed by the severe weather of
winter. Spenser.
Wintergreen
Win"ter*green` (?), n. (Bot.) A plant which keeps its leaves green
through the winter.
NOTE: &hand; In En gland, th e na me 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-ground
Win"ter-ground` (?), v. t. 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.
Winterkill
Win"ter*kill` (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Winterkilled (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Winterkilling.] To kill by the cold, or exposure to the inclemency
of winter; as, the wheat was winterkilled. [U. S.]
Winterly
Win"ter*ly, a. Like winter; wintry; cold; hence, disagreeable,
cheerless; as, winterly news. [R.] Shak.
The sir growing more winterly in the month of April. Camden.
Winter-proud
Win"ter-proud` (?), a. 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-rig
Win"ter-rig` (?), v. t. [See Winter and Ridge.] To fallow or till in
winter. [Prov. Eng.]
Winter's bark
Win"ter's bark` (?). (Bot.) 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.
Wintertide
Win"ter*tide` (?), n. Winter time. Tennyson.
Winterweed
Win"ter*weed` (?), n. (Bot.) A kind of speedwell (Veronica
hederifolia) which spreads chiefly in winter. Dr. Prior.
Wintery
Win"ter*y (?), a. Wintry.
Wintry
Win"try (?), a. [AS. wintrig.] 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.
Winy
Win"y (?), a. Having the taste or qualities of wine; vinous; as,
grapes of a winy taste. Dampier.
Winze
Winze (?), n. (Mining.) A small shaft sunk from one level to another,
as for the purpose of ventilation.
Wipe
Wipe (?), n. [Cf. Sw. vipa, Dan. vibe, the lapwing.] (Zo\'94l.) The
lapwing. [Prov. Eng.]
Wipe
Wipe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wiped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wiping.] [OE.
vipen, AS. w\'c6pian; 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]
Wipe
Wipe, 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.
Wiper
Wip"er (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, wipes.
2. Something used for wiping, as a towel or rag.
3. (Mach.) 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) A rod, or an attachment for a rod, for holding a rag
with which to wipe out the bore of the barrel.
Wirble
Wir"ble (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wirbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wirbling
(?).] [Cf. Warble, Whirl.] To whirl; to eddy. [R.]
The waters went wirbling above and around. Owen. Meredith.
Wirche
Wirche (?), v. i. & t. To work [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wire
Wire (?), n. [OE. wir, AS. wir; akin to Icel. v\'c6rr, 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: &hand; Wi re is ma de 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 (Zo\'94l.), 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.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1658
Wire
Wire (?), 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.]
Wire
Wire, 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.]
Wiredraw
Wire"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) To pass, or to draw off, (as steam) through narrow
ports, or the like, thus reducing its pressure or force by friction.
Wire-drawer
Wire"-draw`er (?), n. One who draws metal into wire.
Wire-heel
Wire"-heel` (?), n. (Far.) A disease in the feet of a horse or other
beast.
Wire-puller
Wire"-pull`er (?), n. 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-pulling
Wire"-pull`ing, n. The act of pulling the wires, as of a puppet;
hence, secret influence or management, especially in politics;
intrigue.
Wire-tailed
Wire"-tailed` (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) Having some or all of the tail quills
terminated in a long, slender, pointed shaft, without a web or
barbules.
Wirework
Wire"work` (?), n. Work, especially openwork, formed of wires.
Wire-worker
Wire"-work`er (?), n. One who manufactures articles from wire.
Wireworm
Wire"worm` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) (a) One of the larv\'91 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.
Wiriness
Wir"i*ness (?), n. The quality of being wiry.
Wiry
Wir"y (?), a. [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. [Aphetic form of iwis, ywis; or fr. Icel. viss certain.
See Ywis.] Certainly; really; indeed. [Obs.] "As wis God helpe me."
Chaucer.
Wis
Wis, v. t. [Due to mistaking OE. iwis certain, AS. gewiss, for I wis.
See Ywis.] To think; to suppose; to imagine; -- used chiefly in the
first person sing. present tense, I wis. See the Note under Ywis.
[Obs. or Poetic] "Howe'er you wis." R. Browning.
Nor do I know how long it is (For I have lain entranced, I wis).
Coleridge.
Wisard
Wis"ard (?), n. See Wizard.
Wisdom
Wis"dom (-d&ucr;m), n. [AS. w&imac;sd&omac;m. 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.
Wise
Wise (?), a. [Compar. Wiser (?); superl. Wisest.] [OE. wis, AS.
w\'c6s; akin to OS. & OFries. w\'c6s, D. wijs, G. weise, OHG. w\'c6s,
w\'c6si, Icel. v\'c6ss, 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. [OE. wise, AS. w\'c6se; akin to OS. w\'c6sa, OFries. w\'c6s,
D. wijs, wijze, OHG. w\'c6sa, G. weise, Sw. vis, Dan. viis, Icel.
\'94v\'c6s otherwise; from the root of E. wit; hence, originally,
knowledge, skill. See Wit, v., and cf. Guise.] Way of being or acting;
manner; mode; fashion. "All armed in complete 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
in profane wise. Fairfax.
NOTE: &hand; Th is wo rd 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: &hand; Wi se 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. [OD. wijssegger or G. weissager a foreteller,
prophet, from weissagen to foretell, to prophesy, OHG. w\'c6ssag,
corrupted (as if compounded of the words for wise and say) fr.
w\'c6zzag, fr. w\'c6zzag a prophet, akin to AS. w\'c6tiga, w\'c6tga,
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-hearted
Wise"-heart`ed (?), a. Wise; knowing; skillful; sapient; erudite;
prudent. Ex. xxviii. 3.
Wise-like
Wise"-like` (?), a. Resembling that which is wise or sensible;
judicious.
The only wise-like thing I heard anybody say. Sir W. Scott.
Wiseling
Wise"ling (?), n. One who pretends to be wise; a wiseacre; a witling.
Donne.
Wisely
Wise"ly, adv. In a wise manner; prudently; judiciously; discreetly;
with wisdom.
And wisely learn to curb thy sorrows wild. Milton.
Wiseness
Wise"ness, n. Wisdom. [Obs.] Spenser.
Wish
Wish (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wishing.]
[OE. wischen, weschen, wuschen, AS. w; akin to D. wenschen, G.
w\'81nschen, Icel. \'91eskja, Dan. \'94nske, Sw. \'94nska; from AS. w
a wish; akin to OD. & G. wunsch, OHG. wunsc, Icel. , Skr. v\'be a
wish, v\'be 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.
Acts xxvii. 29.
This is as good an argument as an antiquary could wish for.
Arbuthnot.
Wish
Wish (?), v. t.
1. To desire; to long for; to hanker after; to have a mind or
disposition 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.
Wish
Wish, 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.
Wishable
Wish"a*ble (?), a. Capable or worthy of being wished for; desirable.
Udall.
Wishbone
Wish"bone` (?), n. The forked bone in front of the breastbone in
birds; -- called also merrythought, and wishing bone. See
Merrythought, and Furculum.
Wishedly
Wish"ed*ly, adv. According to wish; conformably to desire. [Obs.]
Chapman.
Wisher
Wish"er (?), n. One who wishes or desires; one who expresses a wish.
Shak.
Wishful
Wish"ful (?), a. [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.
Wishing
Wish"ing, 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.
Wishly
Wish"ly, adv. According to desire; longingly; with wishes. [Obs. or
Prov. Eng.] Chapman.
Wishtonwish
Wish"ton*wish (?), n. [Probably of American Indian origin.] (Zo\'94l.)
The prairie dog.
Wish-wash
Wish"-wash` (?), n. Any weak, thin drink.
Wishy-washy
Wish"y-wash`y (?), a. [See Wash.] 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-washy
Wish"y-wash`y, n. A weak or thin drink or liquor; wish-wash.
Wisket
Wis"ket (?), n. A whisket, or basket. [Prov. Eng.] Ainsworth.
Wisly
Wis"ly (?), adv. [See Wis, adv.] Certainly. [Obs.] "God so wisly have
mercy on me." Chaucer.
Wisp
Wisp (?), n. [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.]
1. A small bundle, as of straw or other like substance.
In a small basket, on a wisp of hay. Dryden.
2. A whisk, or small broom.
3. A Will-o'-the-wisp; an ignis fatuus.
The wisp that flickers where no foot can tread. Tennyson.
Wisp
Wisp, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wisped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wisping.]
1. To brush or dress, an with a wisp.
2. To rumple. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Wispen
Wisp"en (?), a. Formed of a wisp, or of wisp; as, a wispen broom.
[Obs.]
Wisse
Wis"se (?), v. t. [AS. w\'c6sian. See Wise, a.] To show; to teach; to
inform; to guide; to direct. [Obs.]
Ere we depart I shall thee so well wisse That of mine house ne
shalt thou never misse. Chaucer.
Wist
Wist (?), archaic imp. & p. p. of Wit, v. Knew.
Wistaria
Wis*ta"ri*a (?), n. [NL.] [So named after Caspar Wistar, an American
anatomist.] (Bot.) A genus of climbing leguminous plants bearing long,
pendulous clusters of pale bluish flowers.
NOTE: &hand; Th e sp ecies commonest in cultivation is the Wistaria
Sinensis from Eastern Asia. W. fruticosa grows wild in the southern
parts of the United States.
Wistful
Wist"ful (?), a. [For wishful; perhaps influenced by wistly, which is
probably corrupted from OE. wisly certainly (from Icel. viss certain,
akin to E. wit). See Wish.]
1. Longing; wishful; desirous.
Lifting up one of my sashes, I cast many a wistful, melancholy look
towards the sea. Swift.
2. Full of thought; eagerly attentive; meditative; musing; pensive;
contemplative.
That he who there at such an hour hath been, Will wistful linger on
that hallowed spot. Byron.
-- Wist"ful*ly, adv. -- Wist"ful*ness, n.
Wistit
Wis"tit, n. [Prob. from native name: cf. F. ouistiti.] (Zo\'94l.) A
small South American monkey; a marmoset. [Written also wistiti, and
ouistiti.]
Wistly
Wist"ly (?), adv. [See Wistful.] Attentively; observingly. [Obs.]
Shak.
Wistonwish
Wis"ton*wish (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Wishtonwish.
Wit
Wit (?), v. t. & i. [inf. (To) Wit; pres. sing. Wot; pl. Wite; imp.
Wist(e); p. p. Wist; p. pr. & vb. n. Wit(t)ing. See the Note below.]
[OE. witen, pres. ich wot, wat, I know (wot), imp. wiste, AS. witan,
pres. w\'bet, imp. wiste, wisse; akin to OFries. wita, OS. witan, D.
weten, G. wissen, OHG. wizzan, Icel. vita, Sw. veta, Dan. vide, Goth.
witan to observe, wait I know, Russ. vidiete to see, L. videre, Gr.
vid to know, learn; cf. Skr. vid to find. History, Idea, Idol, -oid,
Twit, Veda, Vision, Wise, a. & n., Wot.] To know; to learn. "I wot and
wist alway." Chaucer.
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NOTE: &hand; Th e present tense was inflected as follows; sing. 1st
pers. wot; 2d pers. wost, or wot(t)est; 3d pers. wot, or wot(t)eth;
pl. witen, or wite. The following variant forms also occur; pres.
sing. 1st & 3d pers. wat, woot; pres. pl. wyten, or wyte, weete,
wote, wot; imp. wuste (Southern dialect); p. pr. wotting. Later,
other variant or corrupt forms are found, as, in Shakespeare, 3d
pers. sing. pres. wots.
Brethren, we do you to wit [make you to know] of the grace of God
bestowed on the churches of Macedonia. 2 Cor. viii. 1.
Thou wost full little what thou meanest. Chaucer.
We witen not what thing we prayen here. Chaucer.
When that the sooth in wist. Chaucer.
NOTE: &hand; Th is verb is now used only in the infinitive, to wit,
which is employed, especially in legal language, to call attention
to a particular thing, or to a more particular specification of
what has preceded, and is equivalent to namely, that is to say.
Wit
Wit (?), n. [AS. witt, wit; akin to OFries. wit, G. witz, OHG.
wizz\'c6, Icel. vit, Dan. vid, Sw. vett. &root;133. See Wit, v.]
1. Mind; intellect; understanding; sense.
Who knew the wit of the Lord? or who was his counselor? Wyclif
(Rom. xi. 34).
A prince most prudent, of an excellent And unmatched wit and
judgment. Shak.
Will puts in practice what wit deviseth. Sir J. Davies.
He wants not wit the dander to decline. Dryden.
2. A mental faculty, or power of the mind; -- used in this sense
chiefly in the plural, and in certain phrases; as, to lose one's wits;
at one's wits' end, and the like. "Men's wittes ben so dull." Chaucer.
I will stare him out of his wits. Shak.
3. Felicitous association of objects not usually connected, so as to
produce a pleasant surprise; also. the power of readily combining
objects in such a manner.
The definition of wit is only this, that it is a propriety of
thoughts and words; or, in other terms, thoughts and words
elegantly adapted to the subject. Dryden.
Wit which discovers partial likeness hidden in general diversity.
Coleridge.
Wit lying most in the assemblage of ideas, and putting those
together with quickness and variety wherein can be found any
resemblance or congruity, thereby to make up pleasant pictures in
the fancy. Locke.
4. A person of eminent sense or knowledge; a man of genius, fancy, or
humor; one distinguished for bright or amusing sayings, for repartee,
and the like.
In Athens, where books and wits were ever busier than in any other
part of Greece, I find but only two sorts of writings which the
magistrate cared to take notice of; those either blasphemous and
atheistical, or libelous. Milton.
Intemperate wits will spare neither friend nor foe. L'Estrange.
A wit herself, Amelia weds a wit. Young.
The five wits, the five senses; also, sometimes, the five qualities or
faculties, common wit, imagination, fantasy, estimation, and memory.
Chaucer. Nares.
But my five wits nor my five senses can Dissuade one foolish heart
from serving thee. Shak.
Syn. -- Ingenuity; humor; satire; sarcasm; irony; burlesque. -- Wit,
Humor. Wit primarily meant mind; and now denotes the power of seizing
on some thought or occurrence, and, by a sudden turn, presenting it
under aspects wholly new and unexpected -- apparently natural and
admissible, if not perfectly just, and bearing on the subject, or the
parties concerned, with a laughable keenness and force. "What I want,"
said a pompous orator, aiming at his antagonist, "is common sense."
"Exactly!" was the whispered reply. The pleasure we find in wit arises
from the ingenuity of the turn, the sudden surprise it brings, and the
patness of its application to the case, in the new and ludicrous
relations thus flashed upon the view. Humor is a quality more
congenial to the English mind than wit. It consists primarily in
taking up the peculiarities of a humorist (or eccentric person) and
drawing them out, as Addison did those of Sir Roger de Coverley, so
that we enjoy a hearty, good-natured laugh at his unconscious
manifestation of whims and oddities. From this original sense the term
has been widened to embrace other sources of kindly mirth of the same
general character. In a well-known caricature of English reserve, an
Oxford student is represented as standing on the brink of a river,
greatly agitated at the sight of a drowning man before him, and crying
out, "O that I had been introduced to this gentleman, that I might
save his life! The, "Silent Woman" of Ben Jonson is one of the most
humorous productions, in the original sense of the term, which we have
in our language.
Witch
Witch (?), n. [Cf. Wick of a lamp.] A cone of paper which is placed in
a vessel of lard or other fat, and used as a taper. [Prov. Eng.]
Witch
Witch, n. [OE. wicche, AS. wicce, fem., wicca, masc.; perhaps the same
word as AS. w\'c6tiga, w\'c6tga, a soothsayer (cf. Wiseacre); cf.
Fries. wikke, a witch, LG. wikken to predict, Icel. vitki a wizard,
vitka to bewitch.]
1. One who practices the black art, or magic; one regarded as
possessing supernatural or magical power by compact with an evil
spirit, esp. with the Devil; a sorcerer or sorceress; -- now applied
chiefly or only to women, but formerly used of men as well.
There was a man in that city whose name was Simon, a witch. Wyclif
(Acts viii. 9).
He can not abide the old woman of Brentford; he swears she's a
witch. Shak.
2. An ugly old woman; a hag. Shak.
3. One who exercises more than common power of attraction; a charming
or bewitching person; also, one given to mischief; -- said especially
of a woman or child. [Colloq.]
4. (Geom.) A certain curve of the third order, described by Maria
Agnesi under the name versiera.
5. (Zo\'94l.) The stormy petrel.
Witch balls, a name applied to the interwoven rolling masses of the
stems of herbs, which are driven by the winds over the steppes of
Tartary. Cf. Tumbleweed. Maunder (Treas. of Bot.) -- Witches' besoms
(Bot.), tufted and distorted branches of the silver fir, caused by the
attack of some fungus. Maunder (Treas. of Bot.) -- Witches' butter
(Bot.), a name of several gelatinous cryptogamous plants, as Nostoc
commune, and Exidia glandulosa. See Nostoc. -- Witch grass (Bot.), a
kind of grass (Panicum capillare) with minute spikelets on long,
slender pedicels forming a light, open panicle. -- Witch meal (Bot.),
vegetable sulphur. See under Vegetable.
Witch
Witch (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Witched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Witching.]
[AS. wiccian.] To bewitch; to fascinate; to enchant.
[I 'll] witch sweet ladies with my words and looks. Shak.
Whether within us or without The spell of this illusion be That
witches us to hear and see. Lowell.
Witchcraft
Witch"craft` (?), n. [AS. wiccecr\'91ft.]
1. The practices or art of witches; sorcery; enchantments; intercourse
with evil spirits.
2. Power more than natural; irresistible influence.
He hath a witchcraft Over the king in 's tongue. Shak.
Witch-elm
Witch"-elm` (?), n. (Bot.) See Wych-elm.
Witchery
Witch"er*y (?), n; pl. Witcheries (.
1. Sorcery; enchantment; witchcraft.
Great Comus, Deep skilled in all his mother's witcheries. Milton.
A woman infamous . . . for witcheries. Sir W. Scott.
2. Fascination; irresistible influence; enchantment.
He never felt The witchery of the soft blue sky. Wordsworth.
The dear, dear witchery of song. Bryant.
Witch-hazel
Witch"-ha`zel (?), n. [See Wych-elm, and Hazel.] (Bot.) The wych-elm.
(b) An American shrub or small tree (Hamamelis Virginica), which
blossoms late in autumn.
Witching
Witch"ing, a. That witches or enchants; suited to enchantment or
witchcraft; bewitching. "The very witching time of night." Shak. --
Witch"ing*ly, adv.
Witch-tree
Witch"-tree` (?), n. (Bot.) The witch-hazel.
Witchuck
Wit"chuck` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The sand martin, or bank swallow. [Prov.
Eng.]
Wit-cracker
Wit"-crack`er (?), n. One who breaks jests; a joker. [Obs.] Shak.
Witcraft
Wit"craft` (?), n.
1. Art or skill of the mind; contrivance; invention; wit. [Obs.]
Camden.
2. The art of reasoning; logic. [R.]
Wite
Wite (?), v. t. [AS. w\'c6tan; akin to D. wijten, G. verweisen, Icel.
v\'c6ta to mulct, and E. wit; cf. AS. w\'c6tan to see, L.
animadvertere to observe, to punish. Wit, v.] To reproach; to blame;
to censure; also, to impute as blame. [Obs. or Scot.] Spenser.
Though that I be jealous, wite me not. Chaucer.
There if that I misspeak or say, Wite it the ale of Southwark, I
you pray. Chaucer.
Wite
Wite, n. [AS. w\'c6te punishment. Wite, v.] Blame; reproach. [Obs. or
Scot.] Chaucer.
Witeless
Wite"less, a. Blameless. [Obs.] Spenser.
Witen
Wit"en (?), obs. pl. pres. of Wit. Chaucer.
Witenagemote
Wit"e*na*ge*mote` (?; 277), n. [AS. witena gem&omac;t an assembly of
the wise; wita a wise man + gem&omac;t assembly.] (AS. Hist.) A
meeting of wise men; the national council, or legislature, of England
in the days of the Anglo-Saxons, before the Norman Conquest.
Witfish
Wit"fish` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The ladyfish (a).
Witful
Wit"ful (?), a. Wise; sensible. [R.] Chapman.
With
With (?), n. See Withe.
With
With (?), prep. [OE. with, AS. wi with, against; akin to AS. wi
against, OFries. with, OS. wi, wi, D. weder, we\'88r (in comp.), G.
wider against, wieder gain, OHG. widar again, against, Icel. vi
against, with, by, at, Sw. vid at, by, Dan. ved, Goth. wipra against,
Skr. vi asunder. Cf. Withdraw, Withers, Withstand.] With denotes or
expresses some situation or relation of nearness, proximity,
association, connection, or the like. It is used especially: --
1. To denote a close or direct relation of opposition or hostility; --
equivalent to against.
Thy servant will . . . fight with this Philistine. 1 Sam. xvii. 32.
NOTE: &hand; In th is se nse, co mmon in Ol d En glish, it is now
obsolete except in a few compounds; as, withhold; withstand; and
after the verbs fight, contend, struggle, and the like.
2. To denote association in respect of situation or environment;
hence, among; in the company of.
I will buy with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so
following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray
with you. Shak.
Pity your own, or pity our estate, Nor twist our fortunes with your
sinking fate. Dryden.
See where on earth the flowery glories lie; With her they
flourished, and with her they die. Pope.
There is no living with thee nor without thee. Tatler.
Such arguments had invincible force with those pagan philosophers.
Addison.
3. To denote a connection of friendship, support, alliance,
assistance, countenance, etc.; hence, on the side of.
Fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee. Gen. xxvi. 24.
4. To denote the accomplishment of cause, means, instrument, etc; --
sometimes equivalent to by.
That with these fowls I be all to-rent. Chaucer.
Thou wilt be like a lover presently, And tire the hearer with a
book of words. Shak.
[He] entertained a coffeehouse with the following narrative.
Addison.
With receiving your friends within and amusing them without, you
lead a good, pleasant, bustling life of it. Goldsmith.
5. To denote association in thought, as for comparison or contrast.
Can blazing carbuncles with her compare. Sandys.
6. To denote simultaneous happening, or immediate succession or
consequence.
With that she told me . . . that she would hide no truth from me.
Sir P. Sidney.
With her they flourished, and with her they die. Pope.
With this he pointed to his face. Dryden.
7. To denote having as a possession or an appendage; as, the firmament
with its stars; a bride with a large fortune. "A maid with clean
hands." Shak.
NOTE: &hand; Wi th and by are closely allied in many of their uses,
and it is not easy to lay down a rule by which to distinguish their
uses. See the Note under By.
Withal
With*al" (?), adv. [With + all.]
1. With this; with that. [Obs.]
He will scarce be pleased withal. Shak.
2. Together with this; likewise; at the same time; in addition; also.
[Archaic]
Fy on possession But if a man be virtuous withal. Chaucer.
If you choose that, then I am yours withal. Shak.
How modest in exception, and withal How terrible in constant
resolution. Shak.
Withal
With*al", prep. With; -- put after its object, at the end of sentence
or clause in which it stands. [Obs.]
This diamond he greets your wife withal. Shak.
Whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal.
Lev. v. 3.
Withamit
With"am*it (?), n. [From its discoverer, H. Witham.] (Min.) A variety
of epidote, of a reddish color, found in Scotland.
Withdraw
With*draw" (?), v. t. [imp. Withdrew (?); p. p. Withdrawn (?); p. pr.
& vb. n. Withdrawing.] [With against + draw.]
1. To take back or away, as what has been bestowed or enjoyed; to draw
back; to cause to move away or retire; as, to withdraw aid, favor,
capital, or the like.
Impossible it is that God should withdraw his presence from
anything. Hooker.
2. To take back; to recall or retract; as, to withdraw false charges.
Withdraw
With*draw", v. i. To retire; to retreat; to quit a company or place;
to go away; as, he withdrew from the company. "When the sea withdrew."
King Horn. Syn. -- To recede; retrograde; go back.
Withdrawal
With*draw"al (?), n. The act of withdrawing; withdrawment; retreat;
retraction. Fielding.
Withdrawer
With*draw"er (?), n. One who withdraws; one who takes back, or
retracts.
Withdrawing-room
With*draw"ing-room` (?), n. [See Withdraw, and cf. Drawing-room.] A
room for retirement from another room, as from a dining room; a
drawing-room.
A door in the middle leading to a parlor and withdrawing-room. Sir
W. Scott.
Withdrawment
With*draw"ment (?), n. The act of withdrawing; withdrawal. W. Belsham.
Withe
Withe (?; 277), n. [OE. withe. Withy, n.] [Written also with.]
1. A flexible, slender twig or branch used as a band; a willow or
osier twig; a withy.
2. A band consisting of a twig twisted.
3. (Naut.) An iron attachment on one end of a mast or boom, with a
ring, through which another mast or boom is rigged out and secured; a
wythe. R. H. Dana, Jr.
4. (Arch.) A partition between flues in a chimney.
Withe
Withe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Withed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Withing.] To
bind or fasten with withes.
You shall see him withed, and haltered, and staked, and baited to
death. Bp. Hall.
Wither
With"er (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Withered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Withering.] [OE. wideren; probably the same word as wederen to weather
(see Weather, v. & n.); or cf. G. verwittern to decay, to be
weather-beaten, Lith. vysti to wither.]
1. To fade; to lose freshness; to become sapless; to become sapless;
to dry or shrivel up.
Shall he hot pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit
thereof, that it wither? Ezek. xvii. 9.
2. To lose or want animal moisture; to waste; to pin
This is man, old, wrinkled, faded, withered. Shak.
There was a man which had his hand withered. Matt. xii. 10.
Now warm in love, now with'ring in the grave. Dryden.
3. To lose vigor or power; to languish; to pass away. "Names that must
not wither." Byron.
States thrive or wither as moons wax and wane. Cowper.
Wither
With"er, v. t.
1. To cause to fade, and become dry.
The sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth
the grass, and the flower thereof falleth. James i. 11.
2. To cause to shrink, wrinkle, or decay, for want of animal moisture.
"Age can not wither her." Shak.
Shot forth pernicious fire Among the accursed, that withered all
their strength. Milton.
3. To cause to languish, perish, or pass away; to blight; as, a
reputation withered by calumny.
The passions and the cares that wither life. Bryant.
Witherband
With"er*band` (?), n. [Withers + band.] (Far.) A piece of iron in a
saddle near a horse's withers, to strengthen the bow.
Withered
With"ered (?), a. Faded; dried up; shriveled; wilted; wasted; wasted
away. -- With"ered*ness, n. Bp. Hall.
Withering
With"er*ing (?), a. Tending to wither; causing to shrink or fade. --
With"er*ing*ly, adv.
Witherite
With"er*ite (?), n. [So called after Dr. W. Withering.] (Min.) Barium
carbonate occurring in white or gray six-sided twin crystals, and also
in columnar or granular masses.
Witherling
With"er*ling (?), n. [Wither + -ling.] A withered person; one who is
decrepit. [Obs.] Chapman.
Withernam
With"er*nam (?), n. [AS. wi\'ebern\'bem; wi\'eber against + n\'bem a
seizure, fr. niman to take.] (Law) A second or reciprocal distress of
other goods in lieu of goods which were taken by a first distress and
have been eloigned; a taking by way of reprisal; -- chiefly used in
the expression capias in withernam, which is the name of a writ used
in connection with the action of replevin (sometimes called a writ of
reprisal), which issues to a defendant in replevin when he has
obtained judgment for a return of the chattels replevied, and fails to
obtain them on the writ of return. Blackstone.
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Withe-rod
Withe"-rod` (?), n. (Bot.) A North American shrub (Viburnum nudum)
whose tough osierlike shoots are sometimes used for binding sheaves.
Withers
With"ers (?), n. pl. [Properly, the parts which resist the pull or
strain in drawing a load; fr. OE. wither resistance, AS. wi\'ebre, fr.
wi\'eber against; akin to G. widerrist withers. See With, prep.] The
ridge between the shoulder bones of a horse, at the base of the neck.
See Illust. of Horse.
Let the galled jade wince; our withers are unwrung. Shak.
Wither-wrung
With"er-wrung` (?), a. Injured or hurt in the withers, as a horse.
Withhold
With*hold" (?), v. t. [imp. Withheld (?); p. p. Withheld, Obs. or
Archaic Withholden (; p. pr. & vb. n. Withholding.] [With again,
against, back + hold.]
1. To hold back; to restrain; to keep from action.
Withhold, O sovereign prince, your hasty hand From knitting league
with him. Spenser.
2. To retain; to keep back; not to grant; as, to withhold assent to a
proposition.
Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold Longer thy offered
good. Milton.
3. To keep; to maintain; to retain. [Obs.]
To withhold it the more easily in heart. Chaucer.
Withholder
With*hold"er (?), n. One who withholds.
Withholdment
With*hold"ment (?), n. The act of withholding.
Within
With*in" (?), prep. [OE. withinne, withinnen, AS. wi\'ebinnan; wi\'eb
with, against, toward + innan in, inwardly, within, from in in. See
With, prep., In, prep.]
1. In the inner or interior part of; inside of; not without; as,
within doors.
O, unhappy youth! Come not within these doors; within this roof The
enemy of all your graces lives. Shak.
Till this be cured by religion, it is as impossible for a man to be
happy -- that is, pleased and contented within himself -- as it is
for a sick man to be at ease. Tillotson.
2. In the limits or compass of; not further in length than; as, within
five miles; not longer in time than; as, within an hour; not exceeding
in quantity; as, expenses kept within one's income. "That he repair
should again within a little while." Chaucer.
Within these five hours lived Lord Hastings, Untainted, unexamined,
free, at liberty. Shak.
3. Hence, inside the limits, reach, or influence of; not going outside
of; not beyond, overstepping, exceeding, or the like.
Both he and she are still within my power. Dryden.
Within himself The danger lies, yet lies within his power. Milton.
Were every action concluded within itself, and drew no consequence
after it, we should, undoubtedly, never err in our choice of good.
Locke.
Within
With*in", adv.
1. In the inner part; inwardly; internally. "The wound festers
within." Carew.
Ills from within thy reason must prevent. Dryden.
2. In the house; in doors; as, the master is within.
Withinforth
With*in"forth` (?), adv. Within; inside; inwardly. [Obs.] Wyclif.
[It is much greater] labor for to withinforth call into mind,
without sight of the eye withoutforth upon images, what he before
knew and thought upon. Bp. Peacock.
Withinside
With*in"side` (?), adv. In the inner parts; inside. [Obs.] Graves.
Without
With*out" (?), prep. [OE. withoute, withouten, AS. wi\'eb; wi\'eb
with, against, toward + outside, fr. out. See With, prep., Out.]
1. On or at the outside of; out of; not within; as, without doors.
Without the gate Some drive the cars, and some the coursers rein.
Dryden.
2. Out of the limits of; out of reach of; beyond.
Eternity, before the world and after, is without our reach. T.
Burnet.
3. Not with; otherwise than with; in absence of, separation from, or
destitution of; not with use or employment of; independently of;
exclusively of; with omission; as, without labor; without damage.
I wolde it do withouten negligence. Chaucer.
Wise men will do it without a law. Bacon.
Without the separation of the two monarchies, the most advantageous
terms . . . must end in our destruction. Addison.
There is no living with thee nor without thee. Tatler.
To do without. See under Do. -- Without day [a translation of L. sine
die], without the appointment of a day to appear or assemble again;
finally; as, the Fortieth Congress then adjourned without day. --
Without recourse. See under Recourse.
Without
With*out", conj. Unless; except; -- introducing a clause.
You will never live to my age without you keep yourselves in breath
with exercise, and in heart with joyfulness. Sir P. Sidney.
NOTE: &hand; Now rarely used by good writers or speakers.
Without
With*out", adv.
1. On or art the outside; not on the inside; not within; outwardly;
externally.
Without were fightings, within were fears. 2 Cor. vii. 5.
2. Outside of the house; out of doors.
The people came unto the house without. Chaucer.
Without-door
With*out"-door` (?), a. Outdoor; exterior. [Obs.] "Her without-door
form." Shak.
Withouten
With*out"en (?), prep. Without. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Withoutforth
With*out"forth` (?), adv. Without; outside' outwardly. Cf.
Withinforth. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Withsay
With*say" (?), v. t. To contradict; to gainsay; to deny; to renounce.
[Obs.] Gower.
If that he his Christendom withsay. Chaucer.
Withset
With*set" (?), v. t. To set against; to oppose. [Obs.] "Their way he
them withset." R. of Brunne.
Withstand
With*stand" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Withstood (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Withstanding.] [AS. wi&edh;standan. See With, prep., and Stand.] To
stand against; to oppose; to resist, either with physical or moral
force; as, to withstand an attack of troops; to withstand eloquence or
arguments. Piers Plowman.
I withstood him to the face. Gal. ii. 11.
Some village Hampden, that, with dauntless breast. The little
tyrant of his fields withstood. Gray.
Withstander
With*stand"er (?), n. One who withstands, or opposes; an opponent; a
resisting power.
Withstood
With*stood" (?), imp. & p. p. oWithstand.
Withvine
With"vine` (?), n. [Withe + vine.] (Bot.) Quitch grass.
Withwind
With"wind` (?), n. [AS. wi&edh;owinde.] (Bot.) A kind of bindweed
(Convolvulus arvensis).
He bare a burden ybound with a broad list, In a withewyndes wise
ybounden about. Piers Plowman.
Withwine
With"wine` (?), n. (Bot.) Same as Withvine.
Withy
With"y (?), n.; pl. Withies (#). [OE. withe, wipi, AS. w\'c6 a willow,
willow twig; akin to G. weide willow, OHG. w\'c6da, Icel. v\'c6, a
withy, Sw. vide a willow twig, Dan. vidie a willow, osier, Gr. vitis a
vine, viere to plait, Russ. vite. &root;141. Cf. Wine, Withe.]
1. (Bot.) The osier willow (Salix viminalis). See Osier, n. (a).
2. A withe. See Withe, 1.
Withy
With"y, a. Made of withes; like a withe; flexible and tough; also,
abounding in withes.
The stream is brimful now, and lies high in this little withy
plantation. G. Eliot.
Witing
Wit"ing (?), n. [See Wit, v.] Knowledge. [Obs.] "Withouten witing of
any other wight." Chaucer.
Witless
Wit"less (?), a. Destitute of wit or understanding; wanting thought;
hence, indiscreet; not under the guidance of judgment. "Witless
bravery." Shak.
A witty mother! witless else her son. Shak.
Witless pity breedeth fruitless love. Fairfax.
-- Wit"less*ly, adv. -- Wit"less*ness, n.
Witling
Wit"ling (?), n. [Wit + -ling; cf. G. witzling.] A person who has
little wit or understanding; a pretender to wit or smartness.
A beau and witing perished in the forming. Pope.
Ye newspaper witlings! ye pert scribbling folks! Goldsmith.
Witness
Wit"ness (?), n. [AS. witness, gewitnes, from witan to know.
&root;133. See Wit, v. i.]
1. Attestation of a fact or an event; testimony.
May we with . . . the witness of a good conscience, pursue him with
any further revenge? Shak.
If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. John v. 31.
2. That which furnishes evidence or proof.
Laban said to Jacob, . . . This heap be witness, and this pillar be
witness. Gen. xxxi. 51, 52.
3. One who is cognizant; a person who beholds, or otherwise has
personal knowledge of, anything; as, an eyewitness; an earwitness.
"Thyself art witness I am betrothed." Shak.
Upon my looking round, I was witness to appearances which filled me
with melancholy and regret. R. Hall.
4. (Law) (a) One who testifies in a cause, or gives evidence before a
judicial tribunal; as, the witness in court agreed in all essential
facts. (b) One who sees the execution of an instrument, and subscribes
it for the purpose of confirming its authenticity by his testimony;
one who witnesses a will, a deed, a marriage, or the like.
Privileged witnesses. (Law) See under Privileged. -- With a witness,
effectually; to a great degree; with great force, so as to leave some
mark as a testimony. [Colloq.]
This, I confess, is haste with a witness. South.
Witness
Wit"ness, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Witnessed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Witnessing.]
1. To see or know by personal presence; to have direct cognizance of.
This is but a faint sketch of the incalculable calamities and
horrors we must expect, should we ever witness the triumphs of
modern infidelity. R. Hall.
General Washington did not live to witness the restoration of
peace. Marshall.
2. To give testimony to; to testify to; to attest.
Behold how many things they witness against thee. Mark xv. 4.
3. (Law) To see the execution of, as an instrument, and subscribe it
for the purpose of establishing its authenticity; as, to witness a
bond or a deed.
Witness
Wit"ness, v. i. To bear testimony; to give evidence; to testify.
Chaucer.
The men of Belial witnessed against him. 1 Kings xxi. 13.
The witnessing of the truth was then so generally attended with
this event [martyrdom] that martyrdom now signifies not only to
witness, but to witness to death. South.
Witnesser
Wit"ness*er (?), n. One who witness.
Wit-snapper
Wit"-snap`per (?), n. One who affects repartee; a wit-cracker. [Obs.]
Shak.
Wit-starved
Wit"-starved` (?), a. Barren of wit; destitute of genius. Examiner.
Witted
Wit"ted (?), a. Having (such) a wit or understanding; as, a
quick-witted boy.
Witticaster
Wit"tic*as`ter (?), n. [Formed like criticaster.] A witling. [R.]
Milton.
Witticism
Wit"ti*cism (?), n. [From Witty.] A witty saying; a sentence or phrase
which is affectedly witty; an attempt at wit; a conceit. Milton.
He is full of conceptions, points of epigram, and witticisms; all
which are below the dignity of heroic verse. Addison.
Wittified
Wit"ti*fied (?), a. [Witty + -fy + -ed.] Possessed of wit; witty. [R.]
R. North.
Witily
Wi"ti*ly, adv. In a witty manner; wisely; ingeniously; artfully; with
it; with a delicate turn or phrase, or with an ingenious association
of ideas.
Who his own harm so wittily contrives. Dryden.
Wittiness
Wit"ti*ness, n. The quality of being witty.
Wittingly
Wit"ting*ly (?), adv. [See Wit, v.] Knowingly; with knowledge; by
design.
Wittol
Wit"tol (?), n. [Said to be for white tail, and so called in allusion
to its white tail; but cf. witwal.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) The wheatear. [Prov. Eng.]
2. A man who knows his wife's infidelity and submits to it; a tame
cuckold; -- so called because the cuckoo lays its eggs in the wittol's
nest. [Obs.] Shak.
Wittolly
Wit"tol*ly (?), a. Like a wittol; cuckoldly. [Obs.] Shak.
Witts
Witts (?), n. (Mining) Tin ore freed from earthy matter by stamping.
Knight.
Witty
Wit"ty (?), a. [Compar. Wittier (?); superl. Wittiest.] [AS. witig,
wittig. See Wit, n.]
1. Possessed of wit; knowing; wise; skillful; judicious; clever;
cunning. [Obs.] "The deep-revolving witty Buckingham." Shak.
2. Especially, possessing wit or humor; good at repartee; droll;
facetious; sometimes, sarcastic; as, a witty remark, poem, and the
like. "Honeycomb, who was so unmercifully witty upon the women."
Addison. Syn. -- Acute; smart; sharp; arch; keen; facetious; amusing;
humorous; satirical; ironical; taunting.
Witwal, Witwall
Wit"wal`, Wit"wall` (?), n. [Akin to G. wittewal, wiedewall, MHG.
witewal, D. wiedewaal, wielewaal, OD. weduwael, and perhaps the same
word as OE. wodewale. Cf. Wood, n., Wittol.] (Zo\'94l.) (a) The golden
oriole. (b) The greater spotted woodpecker. [Prov. Eng.]
Witworm
Wit"worm` (?), n. One who, or that which, feeds on or destroys wit.
[Obs.] B. Jonson.
Wive
Wive, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wived (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wiving.] [AS.
w\'c6fian, gew\'c6fian. See Wite.] To marry, as a man; to take a wife.
Wherefore we pray you hastily to wive. Chaucer.
Wive
Wive, v. t.
1. To match to a wife; to provide with a wife. "An I could get me but
a wife . . . I were manned, horsed, and wived." Shak.
2. To take for a wife; to marry.
I have wived his sister. Sir W. Scott.
Wivehood
Wive"hood (?), n. Wifehood. [Obs.] Spenser.
Wiveless
Wive"less, a. Wifeless. [Obs.] Homilies.
Wively
Wive"ly, a. Wifely. [Obs.] Udall.
Wiver, Wivern
Wiv"er (?), Wiv"ern (?), n. [OE. wivere a serpent, OF. wivre, guivre,
F. givre, guivre, wiver, from L. vipera; probably influenced by OHG.
wipera, from the Latin. See Viper, and cf. Weever.]
1. (Her.) A fabulous two-legged, winged creature, like a cockatrice,
but having the head of a dragon, and without spurs. [Written also
wyvern.]
The jargon of heraldry, its griffins, its mold warps, its wiverns,
and its dragons. Sir W. Scott.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The weever.
Wives
Wives (?), n., pl of Wife.
Wizard
Wiz"ard (?), n. [Probably from wise + -ard.]
1. A wise man; a sage. [Obs.]
See how from far upon the eastern road The star-led wizards [Magi]
haste with odors sweet! Milton.
2. One devoted to the black art; a magician; a conjurer; a sorcerer;
an enchanter.
The wily wizard must be caught. Dryden.
Wizard
Wiz"ard, a.
1. Enchanting; charming. Collins.
2. Haunted by wizards.
Where Deva spreads her wizard stream. Milton.
Wizardly
Wiz"ard*ly, a. Resembling or becoming a wizard; wizardlike; weird.
Wizardry
Wiz"ard*ry (?), n. The character or practices o "He acquired a
reputation bordering on wizardry." J. A. Symonds.
Wizen
Wiz"en (?), v. i. [OE. wisenen, AS. wisnian akin to weornian to decay,
OHG. wesan to grow dry, G. verwesen to rot, Icel. visna to wither, Sw.
vissna, Dan. visne, and probably to L. virus an offensive odor,
poison. Cf. Virus.] To wither; to dry. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Wizen
Wiz"en, a. Wizened; thin; weazen; withered.
A little lonely, wizen, strangely clad boy. Dickens.
Wizen
Wiz"en, n. The weasand. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Wizened
Wiz"ened (?), a. Dried; shriveled; withered; shrunken; weazen; as, a
wizened old man.
Wizen-faced
Wiz"en-faced` (?), a. Having a shriveled, thin, withered face.
Wlatsome
Wlat"some (?), a. [AS. wlatian to disgust, irk, wl loathing.]
Loathsome; disgusting; hateful. [Obs.]
Murder is . . . wlatsom and abhominable to God. Chaucer.
Wo
Wo (?), n. & a. See Woe. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Woad
Woad (?), n. [OE. wod, AS. w\'bed; akin to D. weede, G. waid, OHG.
weit, Dan. vaid, veid, Sw. veide, L. vitrum.] [Written also wad, and
wade.]
1. (Bot.) An herbaceous cruciferous plant (Isatis tinctoria). It was
formerly cultivated for the blue coloring matter derived from its
leaves.
2. A blue dyestuff, or coloring matter, consisting of the powdered and
fermented leaves of the Isatis tinctoria. It is now superseded by
indigo, but is somewhat used with indigo as a ferment in dyeing.
Their bodies . . . painted with woad in sundry figures. Milton.
Wild woad (Bot.), the weld (Reseda luteola). See Weld. -- Woad mill, a
mill grinding and preparing woad.
Woaded
Woad"ed, a. Colored or stained with woad. "Man tattoed or woaded,
winter-clad in skins." Tennyson.
Woad-waxen
Woad"-wax`en (?), n. [Cf. Wood-wax.] (Bot.) A leguminous plant
(Genista tinctoria) of Europe and Russian Asia, and adventitious in
America; -- called also greenwood, greenweed, dyer's greenweed, and
whin, wood-wash, wood-wax, and wood-waxen.
Woald
Woald (?), n. See Weld.
Wobble
Wob"ble (?), v. i. See Wabble.
Wode
Wode (?), a. [AS. w&omac;d.] Mad. See Wood, a. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Chaucer.
Wode
Wode, n. Wood. Chaucer.
Wodegeld
Wode"geld` (?), n. [See Wood, and Geld.] (O. Eng. Law) A geld, or
payment, for wood. Burrill.
Woden
Wo"den (?), n. [AS. W\'d3den; akin to OS. W\'d3dan, OHG. Wuotan, Icel.
O\'ebinn, and probably to E. wood, a. Cf. Wednesday.] (Northern Myth.)
A deity corresponding to Odin, the supreme deity of the Scandinavians.
Wednesday is named for him. See Odin.
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Woe
Woe (?), n. [OE. wo, wa, woo, AS. w\'be, interj.; akin to D. wee, OS.
& OHG. w&emac;, G. weh, Icel. vei, Dan. vee, Sw. ve, Goth. wai; cf. L.
vae, Gr. Wail.] [Formerly written also wo.]
1. Grief; sorrow; misery; heavy calamity.
Thus saying, from her side the fatal key, Sad instrument of all our
woe, she took. Milton.
[They] weep each other's woe. Pope.
2. A curse; a malediction.
Can there be a woe or curse in all the stores of vengeance equal to
the malignity of such a practice? South.
NOTE: &hand; Wo e is us ed in denunciation, and in exclamations of
sorrow. " Woe is me! for I am undone."
Isa. vi. 5.
O! woe were us alive [i.e., in life]. Chaucer.
Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Isa. xlv. 9.
Woe worth, Woe be to. See Worth, v. i.
Woe worth the chase, woe worth the day, That costs thy life, my
gallant gray! Sir W. Scott.
Woe
Woe, a. Woeful; sorrowful. [Obs.]
His clerk was woe to do that deed. Robert of Brunne.
Woe was this knight and sorrowfully he sighed. Chaucer.
And looking up he waxed wondrous woe. Spenser.
Woe-begone
Woe"-be*gone` (?), a. [OE. wo begon. See Woe, and Begone, p. p.] Beset
or overwhelmed with woe; immersed in grief or sorrow; woeful. Chaucer.
So woe-begone was he with pains of love. Fairfax.
Woeful, Woful
Woe"ful, Wo"ful (?), a.
1. Full of woe; sorrowful; distressed with grief or calamity;
afflicted; wretched; unhappy; sad.
How many woeful widows left to bow To sad disgrace! Daniel.
2. Bringing calamity, distress, or affliction; as, a woeful event;
woeful want.
O woeful day! O day of woe! Philips.
3. Wretched; paltry; miserable; poor.
What woeful stuff this madrigal would be! Pope.
Woefully, Wofully
Woe"ful*ly, Wo"ful*ly, adv. In a woeful manner; sorrowfully;
mournfully; miserably; dolefully.
Woefulness, Wofulness
Woe"ful*ness, Wo"ful*ness, n. The quality or state of being woeful;
misery; wretchedness.
Woesome
Woe"some (?), a. Woeful. [Obs.] Langhorne.
Woke
Woke (?), imp. & p. p. Wake.
Wol
Wol (?), v. t. & i. See 2d Will. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wold
Wold (?), n. [OE. wold, wald, AS. weald, wald, a wood, forest; akin to
OFries. & OS. wald, D. woud, G. wald, Icel. v\'94llr, a field, and
probably to Gr. v\'be a garden, inclosure. Cf. Weald.]
1. A wood; a forest.
2. A plain, or low hill; a country without wood, whether hilly or not.
And from his further bank \'92tolia's wolds espied. Byron.
The wind that beats the mountain, blows More softly round the open
wold. Tennyson.
Wold
Wold, n. See Weld.
Wolde
Wolde (?), obs. imp. of Will. See Would.
Wolf
Wolf (?), n.; pl. Wolves (#). [OE. wolf, wulf, AS. wulf; akin to OS.
wulf, D. & G. wolf, Icel. &umac;lfr, Sw. ulf, Dan. ulv, Goth. wulfs,
Lith. vilkas, Russ. volk', L. lupus, Gr. ly`kos, Skr. v&rsdot;ka; also
to Gr. "e`lkein to draw, drag, tear in pieces. &root;286. Cf. Lupine,
a., Lyceum.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of wild and savage carnivores
belonging to the genus Canis and closely allied to the common dog. The
best-known and most destructive species are the European wolf (Canis
lupus), the American gray, or timber, wolf (C. occidentalis), and the
prairie wolf, or coyote. Wolves often hunt in packs, and may thus
attack large animals and even man.
2. (Zo\'94l.) One of the destructive, and usually hairy, larv\'91 of
several species of beetles and grain moths; as, the bee wolf.
3. Fig.: Any very ravenous, rapacious, or destructive person or thing;
especially, want; starvation; as, they toiled hard to keep the wolf
from the door.
4. A white worm, or maggot, which infests granaries.
5. An eating ulcer or sore. Cf. Lupus. [Obs.]
If God should send a cancer upon thy face, or a wolf into thy side.
Jer. Taylor.
6. (Mus.) (a) The harsh, howling sound of some of the chords on an
organ or piano tuned by unequal temperament. (b) In bowed instruments,
a harshness due to defective vibration in certain notes of the scale.
7. (Textile Manuf.) A willying machine. Knight.
Black wolf. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A black variety of the European wolf which
is common in the Pyrenees. (b) A black variety of the American gray
wolf. -- Golden wolf (Zo\'94l.), the Thibetan wolf (Canis laniger); --
called also chanco. -- Indian wolf (Zo\'94l.), an Asiatic wolf (Canis
pallipes) which somewhat resembles a jackal. Called also landgak. --
Prairie wolf (Zo\'94l.), the coyote. -- Sea wolf. (Zo\'94l.) See in
the Vocabulary. -- Strand wolf (Zo\'94l.) the striped hyena. --
Tasmanian wolf (Zo\'94l.), the zebra wolf. -- Tiger wolf (Zo\'94l.),
the spotted hyena. -- To keep the wolf from the door, to keep away
poverty; to prevent starvation. See Wolf, 3, above. Tennyson. -- Wolf
dog. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The mastiff, or shepherd dog, of the Pyrenees,
supposed by some authors to be one of the ancestors of the St. Bernard
dog. (b) The Irish greyhound, supposed to have been used formerly by
the Danes for chasing wolves. (c) A dog bred between a dog and a wolf,
as the Eskimo dog. -- Wolf eel (Zo\'94l.), a wolf fish. -- Wolf fish
(Zo\'94l.), any one of several species of large, voracious marine
fishes of the genus Anarrhichas, especially the common species (A.
lupus) of Europe and North America. These fishes have large teeth and
powerful jaws. Called also catfish, sea cat, sea wolf, stone biter,
and swinefish. -- Wolf net, a kind of net used in fishing, which takes
great numbers of fish. -- Wolf's peach (Bot.), the tomato, or love
apple (Lycopersicum esculentum). -- Wolf spider (Zo\'94l.), any one of
numerous species of running ground spiders belonging to the genus
Lycosa, or family Lycosid\'91. These spiders run about rapidly in
search of their prey. Most of them are plain brown or blackish in
color. See Illust. in App. -- Zebra wolf (Zo\'94l.), a savage
carnivorous marsupial (Thylacinus cynocephalus) native of Tasmania; --
called also Tasmanian wolf.
Wolfberry
Wolf"ber`ry (?), n. (Bot.) An American shrub (Symphoricarpus
occidentalis) which bears soft white berries.
Wolffian
Wolff"i*an (?), a (Anat.) Discovered, or first described, by Caspar
Friedrich Wolff (1733-1794), the founder of modern embryology.
Wolffian body, the mesonephros. -- Wolffian duct, the duct from the
Wolffian body.
Wolfish
Wolf"ish (?), a. Like a wolf; having the qualities or form of a wolf;
as, a wolfish visage; wolfish designs. -- Wolf"ish*ly, adv. --
Wolf"ish*ness, n.
Wolfkin
Wolf"kin (?), n. A little or young wolf. Tennyson.
Wolfling
Wolf"ling (?), n. A young wolf. Carlyle.
Wolfram
Wol"fram (?), n. [G.] (Min.) Same as Wolframite. <-- Tungsten. from
the German -->
Wolframate
Wol"fram*ate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of wolframic acid; a tungstate.
Wolframic
Wol*fram"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to wolframium. See
Tungstic.
Wolframite
Wol"fram*ite (?), n. [G., wolframit, wolfram; wolf wolf + rahm cream,
soot; cf. G. wolfsruss wolfram, lit., wolf's soot.] (Min.) Tungstate
of iron and manganese, generally of a brownish or grayish black color,
submetallic luster, and high specific gravity. It occurs in cleavable
masses, and also crystallized. Called also wolfram.
Wolframium
Wol*fra"mi*um (?), n. [NL. See Wolfram.] (Chem.) The technical name of
the element tungsten. See Tungsten. <-- also, Wolfram. -->
Wolfsbane
Wolfs"bane` (?), n. (Bot.) A poisonous plant (Aconitum Lycoctonum), a
kind of monkshood; also, by extension, any plant or species of the
genus Aconitum. See Aconite.
Wolf's-claw
Wolf's"-claw` (?), n. (Bot.) A kind of club moss. See Lycopodium.
Wolf's-foot
Wolf's"-foot` (?), n. (Bot.) Club moss. See Lycopodium.
Wolf's-milk
Wolf's"-milk` (?), n. (Bot.) Any kind of spurge (Euphorbia); -- so
called from its acrid milky juice.
Woll
Woll (?), v. t. & i. See 2d Will. [Obs.]
Wollastonite
Wol"las*ton*ite (?), n. [After Dr. W. H. Wollaston, an English
chemist, who died in 1828.] (Min.) A silicate of lime of a white to
gray, red, or yellow color, occurring generally in cleavable masses,
rarely in tabular crystals; tabular spar.
Wolle
Wolle (?), n. Wool. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wolverene, Wolverine
Wol`ver*ene", Wol`ver*ine" (?), n. [From Wolf, with a dim suffix;
prob. so called from its supposed wolfish qualities.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) The glutton.
2. A nickname for an inhabitant of Michigan. [U. S.]
Wolves
Wolves (?), n., pl. of Wolf.
Wolvish
Wolv"ish (?), a. Wolfish. Shak.
Woman
Wom"an (?) n.; pl. Women (#). [OE. woman, womman, wumman, wimman,
wifmon, AS. w\'c6fmann, w\'c6mmann; w\'c6f woman, wife + mann a man.
See Wife, and Man.]
1. An adult female person; a grown-up female person, as distinguished
from a man or a child; sometimes, any female person.
Women are soft, mild pitiful, and flexible. Shak.
And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a
woman. Gen. ii. 22.
I have observed among all nations that the women ornament
themselves more than the men; that, wherever found, they are the
same kind, civil, obliging, humane, tender beings, inclined to be
gay and cheerful, timorous and modest. J. Ledyard.
2. The female part of the human race; womankind.
Man is destined to be a prey to woman. Thackeray.
3. A female attendant or servant. " By her woman I sent your message."
Shak.
Woman hater, one who hates women; one who has an aversion to the
female sex; a misogynist. Swift.
Woman
Wom"an, v. t.
1. To act the part of a woman in; -- with indefinite it. Daniel.
2. To make effeminate or womanish. [R.] Shak.
3. To furnish with, or unite to, a woman. [R.] "To have him see me
woman'd." Shak.
Womanhead, Womanhede
Wom"an*head (?), Wom"an*hede (?), n. Womanhood. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Womanhood
Wom"an*hood (?), n.
1. The state of being a woman; the distinguishing character or
qualities of a woman, or of womankind.
Unspotted faith, and comely womanhood. Spenser.
Perhaps the smile and the tender tone Came out of her pitying
womanhood. Tennyson.
2. Women, collectively; womankind.
Womanish
Wom"an*ish (?), a. Suitable to a woman, having the qualities of a
woman; effeminate; not becoming a man; -- usually in a reproachful
sense. See the Note under Effeminate. " Thy tears are womanish." Shak.
" Womanish entreaties." Macaulay.
A voice not soft, weak, piping, and womanish, but audible, strong,
and manlike. Ascham.
-- Wom"an*ish*ly, adv. -- Wom"an*ish*ness, n.
Womanize
Wom"an*ize (?), v. t. To make like a woman; to make effeminate. [Obs.]
V. Knox.
Womankind
Wom"an*kind` (?), n. The females of the human race; women,
collectively.
A sanctuary into which womankind, with her tools of magic, the
broom and mop, has very infrequent access. Hawthorne.
Womanless
Wom"an*less, a. Without a woman or women.
Womanlike
Wom"an*like (?), a. Like a woman; womanly.
Womanlike, taking revenge too deep. Tennyson.
Womanliness
Wom"an*li*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being womanly.
There is nothing wherein their womanliness is more honestly
garnished than with silence. Udall.
Womanly
Wom"an*ly, a. Becoming a woman; feminine; as, womanly behavior.
Arbuthnot.
A blushing, womanly discovering grace. Donne.
Womanly
Wom"an*ly, adv. In the manner of a woman; with the grace, tenderness,
or affection of a woman. Gascoigne.
Womb
Womb (?), n. [OE. wombe, wambe, AS. wamb, womb; akin to D. wam belly,
OS. & OHG. wamba, G. wamme, wampe, Icel. v\'94mb, Sw. v&mb, Dan. vom,
Goth. wamba.]
1. The belly; the abdomen. [Obs.] Chaucer.
And he coveted to fill his woman of the cods that the hogs eat, and
no man gave him. Wyclif (Luke xv. 16).
An I had but a belly of any indifferency, I were simply the most
active fellow in Europe. My womb, my womb, my womb undoes me. Shak.
2. (Anat.) The uterus. See Uterus.
3. The place where anything is generated or produced.
The womb of earth the genial seed receives. Dryden.
4. Any cavity containing and enveloping anything.
The center spike of gold Which burns deep in the bluebell's womb.
R. Browning.
Womb
Womb, v. t. To inclose in a womb, or as in a womb; to breed or hold in
secret. [Obs.] Shak.
Wombat
Wom"bat (?), n. [From the native name, womback, wombach, in
Australia.] (Zo\'94l.) Any one of three species of Australian
burrowing marsupials of the genus Phascolomys, especially the common
species (P. ursinus). They are nocturnal in their habits, and feed
mostly on roots.
Womby
Womb"y (?), a. Capacious. [Obs.] Shak.
Women
Wom"en (?), n., pl. of Woman.
Won
Won (?), imp. & p. p. of Win.
Won
Won, v. i. [See 1st Wone.] To dwell or abide. [Obs. or Scot.] " Where
he wans in forest wild." Milton.
This land where I have woned thus long. Spenser.
Won
Won, n. Dwelling; wone. [Obs.] Spenser.
Wonder
Won"der (?), n. [OE. wonder, wunder, AS. wundor; akin to D. wonder,
OS. wundar, OHG. wuntar, G. wunder, Icel. undr, Sw. & Dan. under, and
perhaps to Gr.
1. That emotion which is excited by novelty, or the presentation to
the sight or mind of something new, unusual, strange, great,
extraordinary, or not well understood; surprise; astonishment;
admiration; amazement.
They were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had
happened unto him. Acts iii. 10.
Wonder is the effect of novelty upon ignorance. Johnson.
NOTE: &hand; Wonder expresses less than astonishment, and much less
than amazement. It differs from admiration, as now used, in not
being necessarily accompanied with love, esteem, or approbation.
2. A cause of wonder; that which excites surprise; a strange thing; a
prodigy; a miracle. " Babylon, the wonder of all tongues." Milton.
To try things oft, and never to give over, doth wonders. Bacon.
I am as a wonder unto many. Ps. lxxi. 7.
Seven wonders of the world. See in the Dictionary of Noted Names in
Fiction.
Wonder
Won"der, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wondered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wondering.]
[AS. wundrian.]
1. To be affected with surprise or admiration; to be struck with
astonishment; to be amazed; to marvel.
I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these
diminutive mortals. Swift.
We cease to wonder at what we understand. Johnson.
2. To feel doubt and curiosity; to wait with uncertain expectation; to
query in the mind; as, he wondered why they came.
I wonder, in my soul, What you would ask me, that I should deny.
Shak.
Wonder
Won"der, a. Wonderful. [Obs.] Gower.
After that he said a wonder thing. Chaucer.
Wonder
Won"der, adv. Wonderfully. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wondered
Won"dered (?), a. Having performed wonders; able to perform wonderful
things. [Obs.] Shak.
Wonderer
Won"der*er (?), n. One who wonders.
Wonderful
Won"der*ful (?), a. Adapted to excite wonder or admiration;
surprising; strange; astonishing. Syn. -- Marvelous; amazing. See
Marvelous. -- Won"der*ful*ly, adv. -- Won"der*ful*ness, n.
Wonderingly
Won"der*ing*ly, adv. In a wondering manner.
Wonderland
Won"der*land` (?), n. A land full of wonders, or marvels. M. Arnold.
Wonderly
Won"der*ly, adv. [AS. wundorlice.] Wonderfully; wondrously. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
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Page 1662
Wonderment
Won"der*ment (?), n. Surprise; astonishment; a wonderful appearance; a
wonder. Bacon.
All the common sights they view, Their wonderment engage. Sir W.
Scott.
Wonderous
Won"der*ous (?), a. Same as Wondrous.
Wonders
Won"ders (?), adv. See Wondrous. [Obs.]
They be wonders glad thereof. Sir T. More.
Wonderstruck
Won"der*struck` (?), a. Struck with wonder, admiration, or surprise.
Dryden.
Wonderwork
Won"der*work` (?), n. [AS. wundorweorc.] A wonderful work or act; a
prodigy; a miracle.
Such as in strange land He found in wonderworks of God and Nature's
hand. Byron.
Wonder-worker
Won"der-work`er (?), n. One who performs wonders, or miracles.
Wonder-working
Won"der-work`ing, a. Doing wonders or surprising things.
Wondrous
Won"drous (?), adv. [OE. wonders, adv. (later also adj.). See Wonder,
n., and cf. -wards.] In a wonderful or surprising manner or degree;
wonderfully.
For sylphs, yet mindful of their ancient race, Are, as when women,
wondrous fond of place. Pope.
And now there came both mist and snow, And it grew wondrous cold.
Coleridge.
Wondrous
Won"drous, a. Wonderful; astonishing; admirable; marvelous; such as
excite surprise and astonishment; strange.
That I may . . . tell of all thy wondrous works. Ps. xxvi. 7.
-- Won"drous*ly, adv. -- Won"drous*ness, n.
Chloe complains, and wondrously's aggrieved. Granville.
Wone
Wone (?), v. i. [OE. wonen, wunen, wonien, wunien, AS. wunian. Wont,
a.] To dwell; to abide. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.
Their habitation in which they woned. Chaucer.
Wone
Wone, n. [OE. See Wone, v. i., Wont, a.]
1. Dwelling; habitation; abode. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. Custom; habit; wont; use; usage. [Obs.]
To liven in delight was all his wone. Chaucer.
Wong
Wong (?), n. [AS. wang, wong.] A field. [Obs.] Spelman. "Woods and
wonges." Havelok the Dane.
Wonger
Wong"er (?), n. See Wanger. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Woning
Won"ing (?), n. Dwelling. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Won't
Won't (?). A colloquial contraction of woll not. Will not. See Will.
NOTE: &hand; Often pronounced w&ucr;nt in New England.
Wont
Wont (?), a. [For woned, p. p. of won, wone, to dwell, AS. wunian;
akin to D. wonen, OS. wun, OHG, won, G. wohnen, and AS. wund, gewuna,
custom, habit; orig. probably, to take pleasure; cf. Icel. una to
dwell, to enjoy, Goth. wunan to rejoice (in unwunands sad); and akin
to Skr. van to like, to wish. Wean, Win.] Using or doing customarily;
accustomed; habituated; used. "As he was wont to go." Chaucer.
If the ox were wont to push with his horn. Ex. xxi. 29.
Wont
Wont, n. Custom; habit; use; usage.
They are . . . to be called out to their military motions, under
sky or covert, according to the season, as was the Roman wont.
Milton.
From childly wont and ancient use. Cowper.
Wont
Wont, v. i. [imp. Wont, p. p. Wont, or Wonted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Wonting.] To be accustomed or habituated; to be used.
A yearly solemn feast she wont to make. Spenser.
Wont
Wont, v. t. To accustom; -- used reflexively.
Wonted
Wont"ed, a. Accustomed; customary; usual.
Again his wonted weapon proved. Spenser.
Like an old piece of furniture left alone in its wonted corner. Sir
W. Scott.
She was wonted to the place, and would not remove. L'Estrange.
Wontedness
Wont"ed*ness, n. The quality or state of being accustomed. [R.] Eikon
Basilike.
Wontless
Wont"less, a. Unaccustomed. [Obs.] Spenser.
Woo
Woo (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wooed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wooing.] [OE.
wowen, wo, AS. w, fr. w bent, crooked, bad; akin to OS. w\'beh evil,
Goth. unwahs blameless, Skr. va to waver, and perhaps to E.
vaccilate.]
1. To solicit in love; to court.
Each, like the Grecian artist, wooes The image he himself has
wrought. Prior.
2. To court solicitously; to invite with importunity.
Thee, chantress, oft the woods among I woo, to hear thy even song.
Milton.
I woo the wind That still delays his coming. Bryant.
Woo
Woo, v. i. To court; to make love. Dryden.
Wood
Wood (?), a. [OE. wod, AS. w; akin to OHG. wuot, Icel. , Goth. w, D.
woede madness, G. wuth, wut, also to AS. w song, Icel. , L. vates a
seer, a poet. Cf. Wednesday.] Mad; insane; possessed; rabid; furious;
frantic. [Obs.] [Written also wode.]
Our hoste gan to swear as [if] he were wood. Chaucer.
Wood
Wood, v. i. To grow mad; to act like a madman; to mad. Chaucer.
Wood
Wood, n. [OE. wode, wude, AS. wudu, wiodu; akin to OHG. witu, Icel.
vi, Dan. & Sw. ved wood, and probably to Ir. & Gael. fiodh, W. gwydd
trees, shrubs.]
1. A large and thick collection of trees; a forest or grove; --
frequently used in the plural.
Light thickens, and the crow Makes wing to the rooky wood. Shak.
2. The substance of trees and the like; the hard fibrous substance
which composes the body of a tree and its branches, and which is
covered by the bark; timber. "To worship their own work in wood and
stone for gods." Milton.
3. (Bot.) The fibrous material which makes up the greater part of the
stems and branches of trees and shrubby plants, and is found to a less
extent in herbaceous stems. It consists of elongated tubular or
needle-shaped cells of various kinds, usually interwoven with the
shinning bands called silver grain.
NOTE: &hand; Wo od co nsists chiefly of the carbohydrates cellulose
and lignin, which are isomeric with starch.
4. Trees cut or sawed for the fire or other uses.
Wood acid, Wood vinegar (Chem.), a complex acid liquid obtained in the
dry distillation of wood, and containing large quantities of acetic
acid; hence, specifically, acetic acid. Formerly called pyroligneous
acid. -- Wood anemone (Bot.), a delicate flower (Anemone nemorosa) of
early spring; -- also called windflower. See Illust. of Anemone. --
Wood ant (Zo\'94l.), a large ant (Formica rufa) which lives in woods
and forests, and constructs large nests. -- Wood apple (Bot.). See
Elephant apple, under Elephant. -- Wood baboon (Zo\'94l.), the drill.
-- Wood betony. (Bot.) (a) Same as Betony. (b) The common American
lousewort (Pedicularis Canadensis), a low perennial herb with
yellowish or purplish flowers. -- Wood borer. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The larva
of any one of numerous species of boring beetles, esp. elaters,
longicorn beetles, buprestidans, and certain weevils. See Apple borer,
under Apple, and Pine weevil, under Pine. (b) The larva of any one of
various species of lepidopterous insects, especially of the clearwing
moths, as the peach-tree borer (see under Peach), and of the goat
moths. (c) The larva of various species of hymenopterous of the tribe
Urocerata. See Tremex. (d) Any one of several bivalve shells which
bore in wood, as the teredos, and species of Xylophaga. (e) Any one of
several species of small Crustacea, as the Limnoria, and the boring
amphipod (Chelura terebrans). -- Wood carpet, a kind of floor covering
made of thin pieces of wood secured to a flexible backing, as of
cloth. Knight. -- Wood cell (Bot.), a slender cylindrical or prismatic
cell usually tapering to a point at both ends. It is the principal
constituent of woody fiber. -- Wood choir, the choir, or chorus, of
birds in the woods. [Poetic] Coleridge. -- Wood coal, charcoal; also,
lignite, or brown coal. -- Wood cricket (Zo\'94l.), a small European
cricket (Nemobius sylvestris). -- Wood culver (Zo\'94l.), the wood
pigeon. -- Wood cut, an engraving on wood; also, a print from such an
engraving. -- Wood dove (Zo\'94l.), the stockdove. -- Wood drink, a
decoction or infusion of medicinal woods. -- Wood duck (Zo\'94l.) (a)
A very beautiful American duck (Aix sponsa). The male has a large
crest, and its plumage is varied with green, purple, black, white, and
red. It builds its nest in trees, whence the name. Called also bridal
duck, summer duck, and wood widgeon. (b) The hooded merganser. (c) The
Australian maned goose (Chlamydochen jubata). -- Wood echo, an echo
from the wood. -- Wood engraver. (a) An engraver on wood. (b)
(Zo\'94l.) Any of several species of small beetles whose larv\'91 bore
beneath the bark of trees, and excavate furrows in the wood often more
or less resembling coarse engravings; especially, Xyleborus
xylographus. -- Wood engraving. (a) The act or art engraving on wood;
xylography. (b) An engraving on wood; a wood cut; also, a print from
such an engraving. -- Wood fern. (Bot.) See Shield fern, under Shield.
-- Wood fiber. (a) (Bot.) Fibrovascular tissue. (b) Wood comminuted,
and reduced to a powdery or dusty mass. -- Wood fretter (Zo\'94l.),
any one of numerous species of beetles whose larv\'91 bore in the
wood, or beneath the bark, of trees. -- Wood frog (Zo\'94l.), a common
North American frog (Rana sylvatica) which lives chiefly in the woods,
except during the breeding season. It is drab or yellowish brown, with
a black stripe on each side of the head. -- Wood germander. (Bot.) See
under Germander. -- Wood god, a fabled sylvan deity. -- Wood grass.
(Bot.) See under Grass. -- Wood grouse. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The
capercailzie. (b) The spruce partridge. See under Spruce. -- Wood
guest (Zo\'94l.), the ringdove. [Prov. Eng.] -- Wood hen. (Zo\'94l.)
(a) Any one of several species of Old World short-winged rails of the
genus Ocydromus, including the weka and allied species. (b) The
American woodcock. -- Wood hoopoe (Zo\'94l.), any one of several
species of Old World arboreal birds belonging to Irrisor and allied
genera. They are closely allied to the common hoopoe, but have a
curved beak, and a longer tail. -- Wood ibis (Zo\'94l.), any one of
several species of large, long-legged, wading birds belonging to the
genus Tantalus. The head and neck are naked or scantily covered with
feathers. The American wood ibis (Tantalus loculator) is common in
Florida. -- Wood lark (Zo\'94l.), a small European lark (Alauda
arborea), which, like, the skylark, utters its notes while on the
wing. So called from its habit of perching on trees. -- Wood laurel
(Bot.), a European evergreen shrub (Daphne Laureola). -- Wood leopard
(Zo\'94l.), a European spotted moth (Zeuzera \'91sculi) allied to the
goat moth. Its large fleshy larva bores in the wood of the apple,
pear, and other fruit trees. -- Wood lily (Bot.), the lily of the
valley. -- Wood lock (Naut.), a piece of wood close fitted and
sheathed with copper, in the throating or score of the pintle, to keep
the rudder from rising. -- Wood louse (Zo\'94l.) (a) Any one of
numerous species of terrestrial isopod Crustacea belonging to Oniscus,
Armadillo, and related genera. See Sow bug, under Sow, and Pill bug,
under Pill. (b) Any one of several species of small, wingless,
pseudoneuropterous insects of the family Psocid\'91, which live in the
crevices of walls and among old books and papers. Some of the species
are called also book lice, and deathticks, or deathwatches. -- Wood
mite (Zo\'94l.), any one of numerous small mites of the family
Oribatid\'91. They are found chiefly in woods, on tree trunks and
stones. -- Wood mote. (Eng. Law) (a) Formerly, the forest court. (b)
The court of attachment. -- Wood nettle. (Bot.) See under Nettle. --
Wood nightshade (Bot.), woody nightshade. -- Wood nut (Bot.), the
filbert. -- Wood nymph. (a) A nymph inhabiting the woods; a fabled
goddess of the woods; a dryad. "The wood nymphs, decked with daisies
trim." Milton. (b) (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of handsomely
colored moths belonging to the genus Eudryas. The larv\'91 are
bright-colored, and some of the species, as Eudryas grata, and E.
unio, feed on the leaves of the grapevine. (c) (Zo\'94l.) Any one of
several species of handsomely colored South American humming birds
belonging to the genus Thalurania. The males are bright blue, or green
and blue. -- Wood offering, wood burnt on the altar.
We cast the lots . . . for the wood offering. Neh. x. 34.
-- Wood oil (Bot.), a resinous oil obtained from several East Indian
trees of the genus Dipterocarpus, having properties similar to those
of copaiba, and sometimes substituted for it. It is also used for
mixing paint. See Gurjun. -- Wood opal (Min.), a striped variety of
coarse opal, having some resemblance to wood. -- Wood paper, paper
made of wood pulp. See Wood pulp, below. -- Wood pewee (Zo\'94l.), a
North American tyrant flycatcher (Contopus virens). It closely
resembles the pewee, but is smaller. -- Wood pie (Zo\'94l.), any black
and white woodpecker, especially the European great spotted
woodpecker. -- Wood pigeon. (Zo\'94l.) (a) Any one of numerous species
of Old World pigeons belonging to Palumbus and allied genera of the
family Columbid\'91. (b) The ringdove. -- Wood puceron (Zo\'94l.), a
plant louse. -- Wood pulp (Technol.), vegetable fiber obtained from
the poplar and other white woods, and so softened by digestion with a
hot solution of alkali that it can be formed into sheet paper, etc. It
is now produced on an immense scale. -- Wood quail (Zo\'94l.), any one
of several species of East Indian crested quails belonging to Rollulus
and allied genera, as the red-crested wood quail (R. roulroul), the
male of which is bright green, with a long crest of red hairlike
feathers. -- Wood rabbit (Zo\'94l.), the cottontail. -- Wood rat
(Zo\'94l.), any one of several species of American wild rats of the
genus Neotoma found in the Southern United States; -- called also bush
rat. The Florida wood rat (Neotoma Floridana) is the best-known
species. -- Wood reed grass (Bot.), a tall grass (Cinna arundinacea)
growing in moist woods. -- Wood reeve, the steward or overseer of a
wood. [Eng.] -- Wood rush (Bot.), any plant of the genus Luzula,
differing from the true rushes of the genus Juncus chiefly in having
very few seeds in each capsule. -- Wood sage (Bot.), a name given to
several labiate plants of the genus Teucrium. See Germander. -- Wood
screw, a metal screw formed with a sharp thread, and usually with a
slotted head, for insertion in wood. -- Wood sheldrake (Zo\'94l.), the
hooded merganser. -- Wood shock (Zo\'94l.), the fisher. See Fisher, 2.
-- Wood shrike (Zo\'94l.), any one of numerous species of Old World
singing birds belonging to Grallina, Collyricincla, Prionops, and
allied genera, common in India and Australia. They are allied to the
true shrikes, but feed upon both insects and berries. -- Wood snipe.
(Zo\'94l.) (a) The American woodcock. (b) An Asiatic snipe (Gallinago
nemoricola). -- Wood soot, soot from burnt wood. -- Wood sore.
(Zo\'94l.) See Cuckoo spit, under Cuckoo. -- Wood sorrel (Bot.), a
plant of the genus Oxalis (Oxalis Acetosella), having an acid taste.
See Illust. (a) of Shamrock. -- Wood spirit. (Chem.) See Methyl
alcohol, under Methyl. -- Wood stamp, a carved or engraved block or
stamp of wood, for impressing figures or colors on fabrics. -- Wood
star (Zo\'94l.), any one of several species of small South American
humming birds belonging to the genus Calothorax. The male has a
brilliant gorget of blue, purple, and other colors. -- Wood sucker
(Zo\'94l.), the yaffle. -- Wood swallow (Zo\'94l.), any one of
numerous species of Old World passerine birds belonging to the genus
Artamus and allied genera of the family Artamid\'91. They are common
in the East Indies, Asia, and Australia. In form and habits they
resemble swallows, but in structure they resemble shrikes. They are
usually black above and white beneath. -- Wood tapper (Zo\'94l.), any
woodpecker. -- Wood tar. See under Tar. -- Wood thrush, (Zo\'94l.) (a)
An American thrush (Turdus mustelinus) noted for the sweetness of its
song. See under Thrush. (b) The missel thrush. -- Wood tick. See in
Vocabulary. -- Wood tin. (Min.). See Cassiterite. -- Wood titmouse
(Zo\'94l.), the goldcgest. -- Wood tortoise (Zo\'94l.), the sculptured
tortoise. See under Sculptured. -- Wood vine (Bot.), the white bryony.
-- Wood vinegar. See Wood acid, above. -- Wood warbler. (Zo\'94l.) (a)
Any one of numerous species of American warblers of the genus
Dendroica. See Warbler. (b) A European warbler (Phylloscopus
sibilatrix); -- called also green wren, wood wren, and yellow wren. --
Wood worm (Zo\'94l.), a larva that bores in wood; a wood borer. --
Wood wren. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The wood warbler. (b) The willow warbler.
Wood
Wood (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wooded; p. pr. & vb. n. Wooding.] To
supply with wood, or get supplies of wood for; as, to wood a steamboat
or a locomotive.
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Page 1663
Wood
Wood (?), v. i. To take or get a supply of wood.
Woodbind
Wood"bind` (?), n. Woodbine. Dryden.
A garland . . . of woodbind or hawthorn leaves. Chaucer.
Woodbine
Wood"bine` (?), n. [AS. wudubind black ivy; -- so named as binding
about trees. See Wood, and Bind, v. t.] (Bot.) (a) A climbing plant
having flowers of great fragrance (Lonicera Periclymenum); the
honeysuckle. (b) The Virginia creeper. See Virginia creeper, under
Virginia. [Local, U. S.]
Beatrice, who even now Is couched in the woodbine coverture. Shak.
Wood-bound
Wood"-bound` (?), a. Incumbered with tall, woody hedgerows.
Woodbury-type
Wood"bur*y-type` (?), n. [After the name of the inventor, W.
Woodbury.]
1. A process in photographic printing, in which a relief pattern in
gelatin, which has been hardened after certain operations, is pressed
upon a plate of lead or other soft metal. An intaglio impression in
thus produced, from which pictures may be directly printed, but by a
slower process than in common printing.
2. A print from such a plate.
Woodchat
Wood"chat` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) (a) Any one of several species of
Asiatic singing birds belonging to the genera Ianthia and Larvivora.
They are closely allied to the European robin. The males are usually
bright blue above, and more or less red or rufous beneath. (b) A
European shrike (Enneoctonus rufus). In the male the head and nape are
rufous red; the back, wings, and tail are black, varied with white.
Woodchuck
Wood"chuck` (?), n.
1. (Zo\'94l.) A common large North American marmot (Arctomys monax).
It is usually reddish brown, more or less grizzled with gray. It makes
extensive burrows, and is often injurious to growing crops. Called
also ground hog.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The yaffle, or green woodpecker. [Prov. Eng.]
Woodcock
Wood"cock` (?), n. [AS. wuducoc.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of long-billed limicoline
birds belonging to the genera Scolopax and Philohela. They are mostly
nocturnal in their habits, and are highly esteemed as game birds.
NOTE: &hand; Th e most important species are the European (Scolopax
rusticola) and the American woodcock (Philohela minor), which agree
very closely in appearance and habits.
2. Fig.: A simpleton. [Obs.]
If I loved you not, I would laugh at you, and see you Run your neck
into the noose, and cry, "A woodcock!" Beau. & Fl.
Little woodcock. (a) The common American snipe. (b) The European
snipe. -- Sea woodcock fish, the bellows fish. -- Woodcock owl, the
short-eared owl (Asio brachyotus). -- Woodcock shell, the shell of
certain mollusks of the genus Murex, having a very long canal, with or
without spines. -- Woodcock snipe. See under Snipe.
Woodcracker
Wood"crack`er (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The nuthatch. [Prov. Eng.]
Woodcraft
Wood"craft` (?), n. Skill and practice in anything pertaining to the
woods, especially in shooting, and other sports in the woods.
Men of the glade and forest! leave Your woodcraft for the field of
fight. Bryant.
Woodcut
Wood"cut` (?), n. An engraving on wood; also, a print from it. Same as
Wood cut, under Wood.
Woodcutter
Wood"cut`ter (?), n.
1. A person who cuts wood.
2. An engraver on wood. [R.]
Woodcutting
Wood"cut`ting, n.
1. The act or employment of cutting wood or timber.
2. The act or art of engraving on wood. [R.]
Wooded
Wood"ed, a. Supplied or covered with wood, or trees; as, land wooded
and watered.
The brook escaped from the eye down a deep and wooded dell. Sir W.
Scott.
Wooden
Wood"en (?), a.
1. Made or consisting of wood; pertaining to, or resembling, wood; as,
a wooden box; a wooden leg; a wooden wedding.
2. Clumsy; awkward; ungainly; stiff; spiritless.
When a bold man is out of countenance, he makes a very wooden
figure on it. Collier.
His singing was, I confess, a little wooden. G. MacDonald.
Wooden spoon. (a) (Cambridge University, Eng.) The last junior optime
who takes a university degree, -- denoting one who is only fit to stay
at home and stir porridge. "We submit that a wooden spoon of our day
would not be justified in calling Galileo and Napier blockheads
because they never heard of the differential calculus." Macaulay. (b)
In some American colleges, the lowest appointee of the junior year;
sometimes, one especially popular in his class, without reference to
scholarship. Formerly, it was a custom for classmates to present to
this person a wooden spoon with formal ceremonies. -- Wooden ware, a
general name for buckets, bowls, and other articles of domestic use,
made of wood. -- Wooden wedding. See under Wedding.
Woodenly
Wood"en*ly (?), adv. Clumsily; stupidly; blockishly. R. North.
Woodenness
Wood"en*ness, n. Quality of being wooden; clumsiness; stupidity;
blockishness.
We set our faces against the woodenness which then characterized
German philology. Sweet.
Woodhack, Woodhacker
Wood"hack` (?), Wood"hack`er (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The yaffle. [Prov.
Eng.]
Woodnewer
Wood"new`er (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A woodpecker.
Woodhole
Wood"hole` (?), n. A place where wood is stored.
Woodhouse
Wood"house` (?), n. A house or shed in which wood is stored, and
sheltered from the weather.
Woodiness
Wood"i*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being woody. Evelyn.
Woodknacker
Wood"knack`er (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The yaffle.
Woodland
Wood"land (?), n. Land covered with wood or trees; forest; land on
which trees are suffered to grow, either for fuel or timber.
Here hills and vales, the woodland and the plain, Here earth and
water seem to strive again. Pope.
Woodlands and cultivated fields are harmoniously blended. Bancroft.
Woodland
Wood"land (?), a. Of or pertaining to woods or woodland; living in the
forest; sylvan.
She had a rustic, woodland air. Wordsworth.
Like summer breeze by woodland stream. Keble.
Woodland caribou. (Zo\'94l.) See under Caribou.
Woodlander
Wood"land*er (?), n. A dweller in a woodland.
Wood-layer
Wood"-lay`er (?), n. (Bot.) A young oak, or other timber plant, laid
down in a hedge among the whitethorn or other plants used in hedges.
Woodless
Wood"less, a. Having no wood; destitute of wood. Mitford. --
Wood"less*ness, n.
Woodly
Wood"ly, adv. In a wood, mad, or raving manner; madly; furiously.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Woodman
Wood"man (?), n.; pl. Woodmen (. [Written also woodsman.]
1. A forest officer appointed to take care of the king's woods; a
forester. [Eng.]
2. A sportsman; a hunter.
[The duke] is a better woodman than thou takest him for. Shak.
3. One who cuts down trees; a woodcutter.
Woodman, spare that tree. G. P. Morris.
4. One who dwells in the woods or forest; a bushman.
Woodmeil
Wood"meil (?), n. See Wadmol.
Woodmonger
Wood"mon`ger (?), n. A wood seller. [Obs.]
Woodness
Wood"ness, n. [From Wood mad.] Anger; madness; insanity; rage. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Woodness laughing in his rage. Chaucer.
Wood-note
Wood"-note` (?), n. [Wood, n. + note.] A wild or natural note, as of a
forest bird. [R.]
Or sweetest Shakespeare, fancy's child, Warble his native
wood-notes wild. Milton.
Woodpeck
Wood"peck` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A woodpecker. [Obs.]
Woodpecker
Wood"peck`er (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of
scansorial birds belonging to Picus and many allied genera of the
family Picid\'91.
NOTE: &hand; Th ese bi rds have the tail feathers pointed and rigid
at the tip to aid in climbing, and a strong chisellike bill with
which they are able to drill holes in the bark and wood of trees in
search of insect larv\'91 upon which most of the species feed. A
few species feed partly upon the sap of trees (see Sap sucker,
under Sap), others spend a portion of their time on the ground in
search of ants and other insects. The most common European species
are the greater spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopus major), the lesser
spotted woodpecker (D. minor), and the green woodpecker, or yaffle
(see Yaffle). The best-known American species are the pileated
woodpecker (see under Pileated), the ivory-billed woodpecker
(Campephilus principalis), which is one of the largest known
species, the red-headed woodpecker, or red-head (Melanerpes
erythrocephalus), the red-bellied woodpecker (M. Carolinus) (see
Chab), the superciliary woodpecker (M. superciliaris), the hairy
woodpecker (Dryobates villosus), the downy woodpecker (D.
pubescens), the three-toed, woodpecker (Picoides Americanus), the
golden-winged woodpecker (see Flicker), and the sap suckers. See
also Carpintero.
Woodpecker hornbill (Zo\'94l.), a black and white Asiatic hornbill
(Buceros pica) which resembles a woodpecker in color.
Woodrock
Wood"rock` (?), n. (Min.) A compact woodlike variety of asbestus.
Woodruff, Woodroof
Wood"ruff` (?), Wood"roof` (?), n. [AS. wudurofe. See Wood, n., and
cf. Ruff a plaited collar.] (Bot.) A little European herb (Asperula
odorata) having a pleasant taste. It is sometimes used for flavoring
wine. See Illust. of Whorl.
Wood-sare
Wood"-sare` (?), n. [Wood + Prov. E. sare for sore.] (Bot.) A kind of
froth seen on herbs. [Obs.]
Wood-sere
Wood"-sere` (?), n. The time when there no sap in the trees; the
winter season. [Written also wood-seer.] [Obs.] Tusser.
Woodsman
Woods"man (?), n.; pl. Woodsmen (. A woodman; especially, one who
lives in the forest.
Wood's metal
Wood's" met"al (?). A fusible alloy consisting of one or two parts of
cadmium, two parts of tin, four of lead, with seven or eight part of
bismuth. It melts at from 66° to 71° C. See Fusible metal, under
Fusible.
Woodstone
Wood"stone` (?), n. (Min.) A striped variety of hornstone, resembling
wood in appearance.
Woodsy
Woods"y (?), a. Of or pertaining to the woods or forest. [Colloq. U.
S.]
It [sugar making] is woodsy, and savors of trees. J. Burroughs.
Wood tick
Wood" tick` (?). (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of ticks of the
genus Ixodes whose young cling to bushes, but quickly fasten
themselves upon the bodies of any animal with which they come in
contact. When they attach themselves to the human body they often
produce troublesome sores. The common species of the Northern United
States is Ixodes unipunctata.
Woodwall
Wood"wall` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The yaffle. [Written also woodwale, and
woodwele.]
Woodward
Wood"ward` (?), n. (Eng. Forest Law) An officer of the forest, whose
duty it was to guard the woods.
Woodwardia
Wood*war"di*a (?), n. [NL. After Thomas J. Woodward, an English
botanist.] (Bot.) A genus of ferns, one species of which (Woodwardia
radicans) is a showy plant in California, the Azores, etc.
Wood-wash, Wood-wax, Wood-waxen
Wood"-wash` (?), Wood"-wax` (?), Wood"-wax`en (?), n. [AS. wuduweaxe.]
(Bot.) Same as Woadwaxen.
Woodwork
Wood"work` (?), n. Work made of wood; that part of any structure which
is wrought of wood. <-- Fig. the hidden parts of a building, as
between the walls. Out of the woodwork. Appearing suddenly, as if from
within the walls. -->
Woodworm
Wood"worm` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Wood worm, under Wood.
Woody
Wood"y (?), a.
1. Abounding with wood or woods; as, woody land. "The woody
wilderness." Bryant.
Secret shades Of woody Ida's inmost grove. Milton.
2. Consisting of, or containing, wood or woody fiber; ligneous; as,
the woody parts of plants.
3. Of or pertaining to woods; sylvan. [R.] "Woody nymphs, fair
Hamadryades." Spenser.
Woody fiber. (Bot.) (a) Fiber or tissue consisting of slender,
membranous tubes tapering at each end. (b) A single wood cell. See
under Wood. Goodale. -- Woody nightshade. (Bot.). See Bittersweet, 3
(a). -- Woody pear (Bot.), the inedible, woody, pear-shaped fruit of
several Australian proteaceous trees of the genus Xylomelum; -- called
also wooden pear.
Wooer
Woo"er (?), n. [AS. w&omac;gere. See Woo, v. t.] One who wooes; one
who courts or solicits in love; a suitor. "A thriving wooer." Gibber.
Woof
Woof (?), n. [OE. oof, AS. , , \'beweb; on, an, on + wef, web, fr.
wefan to weave. The initial w is due to the influence of E. weave. See
On, Weave, and cf. Abb.]
1. The threads that cross the warp in a woven fabric; the weft; the
filling; the thread usually carried by the shuttle in weaving.
2. Texture; cloth; as, a pall of softest woof. Pope.
Woofell
Woo"fell (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The European blackbird. "The woofell near
at hand that hath a golden bill." Drayton.
Woofy
Woof"y (?), a. Having a close texture; dense; as, a woofy cloud. J.
Baillie.
Woohoo
Woo`hoo" (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The sailfish.
Wooingly
Woo"ing*ly (?), adv. In a wooing manner; enticingly; with
persuasiveness. Shak.
Wook
Wook" (?), obs. imp. of Wake. Woke. Chaucer.
Wool
Wool (?), n. [OE. wolle, wulle, AS. wull; akin to D. wol, OHG. wolla,
G. wolle, Icel. & Sw. ull, Dan. uld, Goth, wulla, Lith. vilna, Russ.
volna, L. vellus, Skr. wool, Flannel, Velvet.]
1. The soft and curled, or crisped, species of hair which grows on
sheep and some other animals, and which in fineness sometimes
approaches to fur; -- chiefly applied to the fleecy coat of the sheep,
which constitutes a most essential material of clothing in all cold
and temperate climates.
NOTE: &hand; Wool consists essentially of keratin.
2. Short, thick hair, especially when crisped or curled.
Wool of bat and tongue of dog. Shak.
3. (Bot.) A sort of pubescence, or a clothing of dense, curling hairs
on the surface of certain plants.
Dead pulled wool, wool pulled from a carcass. -- Mineral wool. See
under Mineral. -- Philosopher's wool. (Chem.) See Zinc oxide, under
Zinc. -- Pulled wool, wool pulled from a pelt, or undressed hide. --
Slag wool. Same as Mineral wool, under Mineral. -- Wool ball, a ball
or mass of wool. -- Wool burler, one who removes little burs, knots,
or extraneous matter, from wool, or the surface of woolen cloth. --
Wool comber. (a) One whose occupation is to comb wool. (b) A machine
for combing wool. -- Wool grass (Bot.), a kind of bulrush (Scirpus
Eriophorum) with numerous clustered woolly spikes. -- Wool scribbler.
See Woolen scribbler, under Woolen, a. -- Wool sorter's disease
(Med.), a disease, resembling malignant pustule, occurring among those
who handle the wool of goats and sheep. -- Wool staple, a city or town
where wool used to be brought to the king's staple for sale. [Eng.] --
Wool stapler. (a) One who deals in wool. (b) One who sorts wool
according to its staple, or its adaptation to different manufacturing
purposes. -- Wool winder, a person employed to wind, or make up, wool
into bundles to be packed for sale.
Woold
Woold (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Woolded; p. pr. & vb. n. Woolding.] [D.
woelen, bewoelen; akin to G. wuhlen, bewuhlen. \'fb146.] (Naut.) To
wind, or wrap; especially, to wind a rope round, as a mast or yard
made of two or more pieces, at the place where it has been fished or
scarfed, in order to strengthen it.
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Page 1664
Woolder
Woold"er (?), n.
1. (Naut.) A stick used to tighten the rope in woolding.
2. (Rope Making) One of the handles of the top, formed by a wooden pin
passing through it. See 1st Top, 2.
Woolding
Woold"ing, n. (Naut.) (a) The act of winding or wrapping anything with
a rope, as a mast. (b) A rope used for binding masts and spars.
Wool-dyed
Wool"-dyed` (?), a. Dyed before being made into cloth, in distinction
from piece-dyed; ingrain.
Wooled
Wooled (?), a. Having (such) wool; as, a fine-wooled sheep.
Woolen
Wool"en (?), a. [OE. wollen; cf. AS. wyllen. See Wool.] [Written also
woollen.]
1. Made of wool; consisting of wool; as, woolen goods.
2. Of or pertaining to wool or woolen cloths; as, woolen manufactures;
a woolen mill; a woolen draper.
Woolen scribbler, a machine for combing or preparing wool in thin,
downy, translucent layers.
Woolen
Wool"en, n. [Written also woollen.] Cloth made of wool; woollen goods.
Woolenet
Wool`en*et" (?), n. A thin, light fabric of wool. [Written also
woollenet, woolenette, and woollenette.]
Woolert
Woo"lert (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The barn owl. [Prov. Eng.] [Written also
oolert, and owlerd.]
Woolfell
Wool"fell` (?), n. [Wool + fell a skin.] A skin with the wool; a skin
from which the wool has not been sheared or pulled. [Written also
woolfel.]
Woolgathering
Wool"gath`er*ing (?), a. Indulging in a vagrant or idle exercise of
the imagination; roaming upon a fruitless quest; idly fanciful.
Woolgathering
Wool"gath`er*ing, n. Indulgence in idle imagination; a foolish or
useless pursuit or design.
His wits were a woolgathering, as they say. Burton.
Woolgrower
Wool"grow`er (?), n. One who raises sheep for the production of wool.
-- Wool"grow`ing, n.
Wool-hall
Wool"-hall` (?), n. A trade market in the woolen districts. [Eng.]
Woolhead
Wool"head` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The buffel duck.
Woolliness
Wool"li*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being woolly.
Woolly
Wool"ly, a.
1. Consisting of wool; as, a woolly covering; a woolly fleece.
2. Resembling wool; of the nature of wool. "My fleece of woolly hair."
Shak.
3. Clothed with wool. "Woolly breeders." Shak.
4. (Bot.) Clothed with a fine, curly pubescence resembling wool.
Woolly bear (Zo\'94l.), the hairy larva of several species of bombycid
moths. The most common species in the United States are the salt-marsh
caterpillar (see under Salt), the black and red woolly bear, or larva
of the Isabella moth (see Illust., under Isabella Moth), and the
yellow woolly bear, or larva of the American ermine moth (Spilosoma
Virginica). -- Woolly butt (Bot.), an Australian tree (Eucalyptus
longifolia), so named because of its fibrous bark. -- Woolly louse
(Zo\'94l.), a plant louse (Schizoneura, OR Erisoma, lanigera) which is
often very injurious to the apple tree. It is covered with a dense
coat of white filaments somewhat resembling fine wool or cotton. In
exists in two forms, one of which infests the roots, the other the
branches. See Illust. under Blight. -- Woolly macaco (Zo\'94l.), the
mongoose lemur. -- Woolly maki (Zo\'94l.), a long-tailed lemur (Indris
laniger) native of Madagascar, having fur somewhat like wool; --
called also avahi, and woolly lemur. -- Woolly monkey (Zo\'94l.), any
South American monkey of the genus Lagothrix, as the caparro. --
Woolly rhinoceros (Paleon.), an extinct rhinoceros (Rhinoceros
tichorhinus) which inhabited the arctic regions, and was covered with
a dense coat of woolly hair. It has been found frozen in the ice of
Siberia, with the flesh and hair well preserved.
Woolly-head
Wool"ly-head` (?), n. A negro. [Low]
Woolman
Wool"man (?), n.; pl. Woolmen (. One who deals in wool.
Woolpack
Wool"pack` (?), n. A pack or bag of wool weighing two hundred and
forty pounds.
Woolsack
Wool"sack` (?), n. A sack or bag of wool; specifically, the seat of
the lord chancellor of England in the House of Lords, being a large,
square sack of wool resembling a divan in form.
Woolsey
Wool"sey (?), n. [From Wool.] Linsey-woolsey.
Woolstock
Wool"stock` (?), n. A heavy wooden hammer for milling cloth.
Woolward
Wool"ward (?), adv. [Wool + -ward.] In wool; with woolen raiment next
the skin. [Obs.]
Woolward-going
Wool"ward-go`ing (?), n. A wearing of woolen clothes next the skin as
a matter of penance. [Obs.]
Their . . . woolward-going, and rising at midnight. Tyndale.
Woon
Woon (?), n. Dwelling. See Wone. [Obs.]
Woorali
Woo"ra*li (?), n. Same as Curare.
Woosy
Woos"y (?), a. Oozy; wet. [Obs.] Drayton.
Wootz
Wootz (w&oomac;ts), n. [Perhaps a corruption of Canarese ukku steel.]
A species of steel imported from the East Indies, valued for making
edge tools; Indian steel. It has in combination a minute portion of
alumina and silica.
Wooyen
Woo"yen (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Yuen.
Wopen
Wo"pen (?), obs. p. p. of Weep. Wept. Chaucer.
Worble
Wor"ble (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Wormil.
Word
Word (?), n. [AS. word; akin to OFries. & OS. word, D. woord, G. wort,
Icel. or&edh;, Sw. & Dan. ord, Goth. wa\'a3rd, OPruss. wirds, Lith.
vardas a name, L. verbum a word; or perhaps to Gr. "rh`twr an orator.
Cf. Verb.]
1. The spoken sign of a conception or an idea; an articulate or vocal
sound, or a combination of articulate and vocal sounds, uttered by the
human voice, and by custom expressing an idea or ideas; a single
component part of human speech or language; a constituent part of a
sentence; a term; a vocable. "A glutton of words." Piers Plowman.
You cram these words into mine ears, against The stomach of my
sense. Shak.
Amongst men who confound their ideas with words, there must be
endless disputes. Locke.
2. Hence, the written or printed character, or combination of
characters, expressing such a term; as, the words on a page.
3. pl. Talk; discourse; speech; language.
Why should calamity be full of words? Shak.
Be thy words severe; Sharp as he merits, but the sword forbear.
Dryden.
4. Account; tidings; message; communication; information; -- used only
in the singular.
I pray you . . . bring me word thither How the world goes. Shak.
5. Signal; order; command; direction.
Give the word through. Shak.
6. Language considered as implying the faith or authority of the
person who utters it; statement; affirmation; declaration; promise.
Obey thy parents; keep thy word justly. Shak.
I know you brave, and take you at your word. Dryden.
I desire not the reader should take my word. Dryden.
7. pl. Verbal contention; dispute.
Some words there grew 'twixt Somerset and me. Shak.
8. A brief remark or observation; an expression; a phrase, clause, or
short sentence.
All the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love
thy neighbor as thyself. Gal. v. 14.
She said; but at the happy word "he lives," My father stooped,
re-fathered, o'er my wound. Tennyson.
There is only one other point on which I offer a word of remark.
Dickens.
By word of mouth, orally; by actual speaking. Boyle. -- Compound word.
See under Compound, a. -- Good word, commendation; favorable account.
"And gave the harmless fellow a good word." Pope. -- In a word,
briefly; to sum up. -- In word, in declaration; in profession. "Let us
not love in word, . . . but in deed and in truth." 1 John iii. 8. --
Nuns of the Word Incarnate (R. C. Ch.), an order of nuns founded in
France in 1625, and approved in 1638. The order, which also exists in
the United States, was instituted for the purpose of doing honor to
the "Mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God." -- The word, OR
The Word. (Theol.) (a) The gospel message; esp., the Scriptures, as a
revelation of God. "Bold to speak the word without fear." Phil. i. 14.
(b) The second person in the Trinity before his manifestation in time
by the incarnation; among those who reject a Trinity of persons, some
one or all of the divine attributes personified. John i. 1. -- To eat
one's words, to retract what has been said. -- To have the words for,
to speak for; to act as spokesman. [Obs.] "Our host hadde the wordes
for us all." Chaucer. -- Word blindness (Physiol.), inability to
understand printed or written words or symbols, although the person
affected may be able to see quite well, speak fluently, and write
correctly. Landois & Stirling. -- Word deafness (Physiol.), inability
to understand spoken words, though the person affected may hear them
and other sounds, and hence is not deaf. -- Word dumbness (Physiol.),
inability to express ideas in verbal language, though the power of
speech is unimpaired. -- Word for word, in the exact words; verbatim;
literally; exactly; as, to repeat anything word for word. -- Word
painting, the act of describing an object fully and vividly by words
only, so as to present it clearly to the mind, as if in a picture. --
Word picture, an accurate and vivid description, which presents an
object clearly to the mind, as if in a picture. -- Word square, a
series of words so arranged that they can be read vertically and
horizontally with like results. Syn. -- See Term.
Word
Word, v. i. To use words, as in discussion; to argue; to dispute. [R.]
Word
Word, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Worded; p. pr. & vb. n. Wording.]
1. To express in words; to phrase.
The apology for the king is the same, but worded with greater
deference to that great prince. Addison.
2. To ply with words; also, to cause to be by the use of a word or
words. [Obs.] Howell.
3. To flatter with words; to cajole. [Obs.] Shak.
To word it, to bandy words; to dispute. [Obs.] "To word it with a
shrew." L'Estrange.
Wordbook
Word"book` (?), n. [Cf. D. woordenboek, G. w\'94rterbuch.] A
collection of words; a vocabulary; a dictionary; a lexicon.
Word-catcher
Word"-catch`er (?), n. One who cavils at words.
Worder
Word"er (?), n. A speaker. [Obs.] Withlock.
Wordily
Word"i*ly (?), adv. In a wordy manner.
Wordiness
Word"i*ness, n. The quality or state of being wordy, or abounding with
words; verboseness. Jeffrey.
Wording
Word"ing, n. The act or manner of expressing in words; style of
expression; phrasing.
It is believed this wording was above his known style. Milton.
Wordish
Word"ish, a. Respecting words; full of words; wordy. [R.] Sir P.
Sidney. -- Word"ish*ness, n.
The truth they hide by their dark woordishness. Sir K. Digby.
Wordle
Wor"dle (?), n. One of several pivoted pieces forming the throat of an
adjustable die used in drawing wire, lead pipe, etc. Knight.
Wordless
Word"less (?), a. Not using words; not speaking; silent; speechless.
Shak.
Wordsman
Words"man (?), n. One who deals in words, or in mere words; a
verbalist. [R.] "Some speculative wordsman." H. Bushnell.
Wordy
Word"y (?), a. [Compar. Wordier (?); superl. Wordiest.]
1. Of or pertaining to words; consisting of words; verbal; as, a wordy
war. Cowper.
2. Using many words; verbose; as, a wordy speaker.
3. Containing many words; full of words.
We need not lavish hours in wordy periods. Philips.
Wore
Wore (?), imp. of Wear.
Wore
Wore, imp. of Ware.
Work
Work (?), n. [OE. work, werk, weork, AS. weorc, worc; akin to OFries.
werk, wirk, OS., D., & G. werk, OHG. werc, werah, Icel. & Sw. verk,
Dan. v\'91rk, Goth. gawa\'a3rki, Gr. verez to work. Bulwark, Energy,
Erg, Georgic, Liturgy, Metallurgy, Organ, Surgeon, Wright.]
1. Exertion of strength or faculties; physical or intellectual effort
directed to an end; industrial activity; toil; employment; sometimes,
specifically, physically labor.
Man hath his daily work of body or mind Appointed. Milton.
2. The matter on which one is at work; that upon which one spends
labor; material for working upon; subject of exertion; the thing
occupying one; business; duty; as, to take up one's work; to drop
one's work.
Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand That you yet know not of.
Shak.
In every work that he began . . . he did it with all his heart, and
prospered. 2 Chron. xxxi. 21.
3. That which is produced as the result of labor; anything
accomplished by exertion or toil; product; performance; fabric;
manufacture; in a more general sense, act, deed, service, effect,
result, achievement, feat.
To leave no rubs or blotches in the work. Shak.
The work some praise, And some the architect. Milton.
Fancy . . . Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams. Milton.
The composition or dissolution of mixed bodies . . . is the chief
work of elements. Sir K. Digby.
4. Specifically: (a) That which is produced by mental labor; a
composition; a book; as, a work, or the works, of Addison. (b)
Flowers, figures, or the like, wrought with the needle; embroidery.
I am glad I have found this napkin; . . . I'll have the work ta'en
out, And give 't Iago. Shak.
(c) pl. Structures in civil, military, or naval engineering, as docks,
bridges, embankments, trenches, fortifications, and the like; also,
the structures and grounds of a manufacturing establishment; as, iron
works; locomotive works; gas works. (d) pl. The moving parts of a
mechanism; as, the works of a watch.
5. Manner of working; management; treatment; as, unskillful work
spoiled the effect. Bp. Stillingfleet.
6. (Mech.) The causing of motion against a resisting force. The amount
of work is proportioned to, and is measured by, the product of the
force into the amount of motion along the direction of the force. See
Conservation of energy, under Conservation, Unit of work, under Unit,
also Foot pound, Horse power, Poundal, and Erg.
Energy is the capacity of doing work . . . Work is the transference
of energy from one system to another. Clerk Maxwell.
7. (Mining) Ore before it is dressed. Raymond.
8. pl. (Script.) Performance of moral duties; righteous conduct.
He shall reward every man according to his works. Matt. xvi. 27.
Faith, if it hath not works, is dead. James ii. 17.
Muscular work (Physiol.), the work done by a muscle through the power
of contraction. -- To go to work, to begin laboring; to commence
operations; to contrive; to manage. "I 'll go another way to work with
him." Shak. -- To set on work, to cause to begin laboring; to set to
work. [Obs.] Hooker. -- To set to work, to employ; to cause to engage
in any business or labor.
Work
Work (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Worked (?), or Wrought (; p. pr. & vb.
n. Working.] [AS. wyrcean (imp. worthe, wrohte, p. p. geworht,
gewroht); akin to OFries. werka, wirka, OS. wirkian, D. werken, G.
wirken, Icel. verka, yrkja, orka, Goth. wa\'a3rkjan. \'fb145. See
Work, n.]
1. To exert one's self for a purpose; to put forth effort for the
attainment of an object; to labor; to be engaged in the performance of
a task, a duty, or the like.
O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work, To match thy goodness?
Shak.
Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you.
Ex. v. 18.
Whether we work or play, or sleep or wake, Our life doth pass. Sir
J. Davies.
2. Hence, in a general sense, to operate; to act; to perform; as, a
machine works well.
We bend to that the working of the heart. Shak.
3. Hence, figuratively, to be effective; to have effect or influence;
to conduce.
We know that all things work together for good to them that love
God. Rom. viii. 28.
This so wrought upon the child, that afterwards he desired to be
taught. Locke.
She marveled how she could ever have been wrought upon to marry
him. Hawthorne.
4. To carry on business; to be engaged or employed customarily; to
perform the part of a laborer; to labor; to toil.
They that work in fine flax . . . shall be confounded. Isa. xix. 9.
5. To be in a state of severe exertion, or as if in such a state; to
be tossed or agitated; to move heavily; to strain; to labor; as, a
ship works in a heavy sea.
Confused with working sands and rolling waves. Addison.
6. To make one's way slowly and with difficulty; to move or penetrate
laboriously; to proceed with effort; -- with a following preposition,
as down, out, into, up, through, and the like; as, scheme works out by
degrees; to work into the earth.
Till body up to spirit work, in bounds Proportioned to each kind.
Milton.
7. To ferment, as a liquid.
The working of beer when the barm is put in. Bacon.
8. To act or operate on the stomach and bowels, as a cathartic.
Purges . . . work best, that is, cause the blood so to do, . . . in
warm weather or in a warm room. Grew.
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Page 1665
To work at, to be engaged in or upon; to be employed in. -- To work to
windward (Naut.), to sail or ply against the wind; to tack to
windward. Mar. Dict.
Work
Work (?), v. t.
1. To labor or operate upon; to give exertion and effort to; to
prepare for use, or to utilize, by labor.
He could have told them of two or three gold mines, and a silver
mine, and given the reason why they forbare to work them at that
time. Sir W. Raleigh.
2. To produce or form by labor; to bring forth by exertion or toil; to
accomplish; to originate; to effect; as, to work wood or iron into a
form desired, or into a utensil; to work cotton or wool into cloth.
Each herb he knew, that works or good or ill. Harte.
3. To produce by slow degrees, or as if laboriously; to bring
gradually into any state by action or motion. "Sidelong he works his
way." Milton.
So the pure, limpid stream, when foul with stains Of rushing
torrents and descending rains, Works itself clear, and as it runs,
refines, Till by degrees the floating mirror shines. Addison.
4. To influence by acting upon; to prevail upon; to manage; to lead.
"Work your royal father to his ruin." Philips.
5. To form with a needle and thread or yarn; especially, to embroider;
as, to work muslin.
6. To set in motion or action; to direct the action of; to keep at
work; to govern; to manage; as, to work a machine.
Knowledge in building and working ships. Arbuthnot.
Now, Marcus, thy virtue's the proof; Put forth thy utmost strength,
work every nerve. Addison.
The mariners all 'gan work the ropes, Where they were wont to do.
Coleridge.
7. To cause to ferment, as liquor.
To work a passage (Naut.), to pay for a passage by doing work. -- To
work double tides (Naut.), to perform the labor of three days in two;
-- a phrase which alludes to a practice of working by the night tide
as well as by the day. -- To work in, to insert, introduce, mingle, or
interweave by labor or skill. -- To work into, to force, urge, or
insinuate into; as, to work one's self into favor or confidence. -- To
work off, to remove gradually, as by labor, or a gradual process; as,
beer works off impurities in fermenting. -- To work out. (a) To effect
by labor and exertion. "Work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling." Phil. ii. 12. (b) To erase; to efface. [R.]
Tears of joy for your returning spilt, Work out and expiate our
former guilt. Dryden.
(c) To solve, as a problem. (d) To exhaust, as a mine, by working. --
To work up. (a) To raise; to excite; to stir up; as, to work up the
passions to rage.
The sun, that rolls his chariot o'er their heads, Works up more
fire and color in their cheeks. Addison.
(b) To expend in any work, as materials; as, they have worked up all
the stock. (c) (Naut.) To make over or into something else, as yarns
drawn from old rigging, made into spun yarn, foxes, sennit, and the
like; also, to keep constantly at work upon needless matters, as a
crew in order to punish them. R. H. Dana, Jr.
Workable
Work"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being worked, or worth working; as, a
workable mine; workable clay.
Workaday
Work"a*day` (?), n. See Workyday.
Workbag
Work"bag` (?), n. A bag for holding implements or materials for work;
especially, a reticule, or bag for holding needlework, and the like.
Workbasket
Work"bas`ket (?), n. A basket for holding materials for needlework, or
the like.
Workbench
Work"bench` (?), n. A bench on which work is performed, as in a
carpenter's shop.
Workbox
Work"box` (?), n. A box for holding instruments or materials for work.
Workday
Work"day` (?), n. & a. [AS. weorcd\'91g.] A day on which work is
performed, as distinguished from Sunday, festivals, etc., a working
day.
Worker
Work"er (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, works; a laborer; a performer; as, a worker
in brass.
Professors of holiness, but workers of iniquity. Shak.
2. (Zo\'94l.) One of the neuter, or sterile, individuals of the social
ants, bees, and white ants. The workers are generally females having
the sexual organs imperfectly developed. See Ant, and White ant, under
White.
Workfellow
Work"fel`low (?), n. One engaged in the same work with another; a
companion in work.
Workfolk
Work"folk` (?), n. People that labor.
Workful
Work"ful (?), a. Full of work; diligent. [R.]
Workhouse
Work"house` (?), n.; pl. Workhouses (#). [AS. weorch.]
1. A house where any manufacture is carried on; a workshop.
2. A house in which idle and vicious persons are confined to labor.
3. A house where the town poor are maintained at public expense, and
provided with labor; a poorhouse.
Working
Work"ing, a & n. from Work.
The word must cousin be to the working. Chaucer.
Working beam. See Beam, n. 10. -- Working class, the class of people
who are engaged in manual labor, or are dependent upon it for support;
laborers; operatives; -- chiefly used in the plural. -- Working day.
See under Day, n. -- Working drawing, a drawing, as of the whole or
part of a structure, machine, etc., made to a scale, and intended to
be followed by the workmen. Working drawings are either general or
detail drawings. -- Working house, a house where work is performed; a
workhouse. -- Working point (Mach.), that part of a machine at which
the effect required; the point where the useful work is done.
Working-day
Work"ing-day (?), a. Pertaining to, or characteristic of, working
days, or workdays; everyday; hence, plodding; hard-working.<-- =
workaday? -->
O, how full of briers in this working-day world. Shak.
Workingman
Work"ing*man (?), n.; pl. Workingmen (. A laboring man; a man who
earns his daily support by manual labor.
Workless
Work"less, a.
1. Without work; not laboring; as, many people were still workless.
2. Not carried out in practice; not exemplified in fact; as, workless
faith. [Obs.] Sir T. More.
Workman
Work"man (?), n.; pl. Workmen (#). [AS. weorcmann.]
1. A man employed in labor, whether in tillage or manufactures; a
worker.
2. Hence, especially, a skillful artificer or laborer.
Workmanlike
Work"man*like` (?), a. Becoming a workman, especially a skillful one;
skillful; well performed.
Workmanly
Work"man*ly, a. Becoming a skillful workman; skillful; well performed;
workmanlike.
Workmanly
Work"man*ly, adv. In a skillful manner; in a manner becoming a
skillful workman. Shak.
Workmanship
Work"man*ship, n.
1. The art or skill of a workman; the execution or manner of making
anything.
Due reward For her praiseworthy workmanship to yield. Spenser.
Beauty is nature's brag, and must be shown . . . Where most may
wonder at the workmanship. Milton.
2. That which is effected, made, or produced; manufacture, something
made by manual labor.
Not any skilled in workmanship embossed. Spenser.
By how much Adam exceeded all men in perfection, by being the
immediate workmanship of God. Sir W. Raleigh.
Workmaster
Work"mas`ter (?), n. The performer of any work; a master workman. [R.]
Spenser.
Workroom
Work"room` (?), n. Any room or apartment used especially for labor.
Workship
Work"ship, n. Workmanship. [R.]
Workshop
Work"shop` (?), n. A shop where any manufacture or handiwork is
carried on.
Worktable
Work"ta`ble (?), n. A table for holding working materials and
implements; esp., a small table with drawers and other conveniences
for needlework, etc.
Workwoman
Work"wom`an (?), n.; pl. Workwomen (, n. A woman who performs any
work; especially, a woman skilled in needlework.
Workyday
Work"y*day` (?), n. [See Workday, Workingday.] A week day or working
day, as distinguished from Sunday or a holiday. Also used adjectively.
[Written also workiday, and workaday.] [Obs. or Colloq.]
Prithee, tell her but a workyday fortune. Shak.
World
World (?), n. [OE. world, werld, weorld, weoreld, AS. weorold, worold;
akin to OS. werold, D. wereld, OHG. weralt, worolt, werolt, werlt, G.
welt, Icel. ver\'94ld, Sw. verld, Dan. verden; properly, the age of
man, lifetime, humanity; AS. wer a man + a word akin to E. old; cf.
AS. yld lifetime, age, ylde men, humanity. Cf. Werewolf, Old.]
1. The earth and the surrounding heavens; the creation; the system of
created things; existent creation; the universe.
The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are
clearly seen. Rom. 1. 20.
With desire to know, What nearer might concern him, how this world
Of heaven and earth conspicuous first began. Milton.
2. Any planet or heavenly body, especially when considered as
inhabited, and as the scene of interests analogous with human
interests; as, a plurality of worlds. "Lord of the worlds above." I.
Watts.
Amongst innumerable stars, that shone Star distant, but high-hand
seemed other worlds. Milton.
There may be other worlds, where the inhabitants have never
violated their allegiance to their almighty Sovereign. W. B.
Sprague.
3. The earth and its inhabitants, with their concerns; the sum of
human affairs and interests.
That forbidden tree, whose mortal taste Brought death into the
world, and all our woe. Milton.
4. In a more restricted sense, that part of the earth and its concerns
which is known to any one, or contemplated by any one; a division of
the globe, or of its inhabitants; human affairs as seen from a certain
position, or from a given point of view; also, state of existence;
scene of life and action; as, the Old World; the New World; the
religious world; the Catholic world; the upper world; the future
world; the heathen world.
One of the greatest in the Christian world Shall be my surety.
Shak.
Murmuring that now they must be put to make war beyond the world's
end -- for so they counted Britain. Milton.
5. The customs, practices, and interests of men; general affairs of
life; human society; public affairs and occupations; as, a knowledge
of the world.
Happy is she that from the world retires. Waller.
If knowledge of the world makes man perfidious, May Juba ever live
in ignorance. Addison.
6. Individual experience of, or concern with, life; course of life;
sum of the affairs which affect the individual; as, to begin the world
with no property; to lose all, and begin the world anew.
7. The inhabitants of the earth; the human race; people in general;
the public; mankind.
Since I do purpose to marry, I will think nothing to any purpose
that the world can say against it. Shak.
Tell me, wench, how will the world repute me For undertaking so
unstaid a journey? Shak.
8. The earth and its affairs as distinguished from heaven; concerns of
this life as distinguished from those of the life to come; the present
existence and its interests; hence, secular affairs; engrossment or
absorption in the affairs of this life; worldly corruption; the
ungodly or wicked part of mankind.
I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me;
for they are thine. John xvii. 9.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If
any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For
all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of
the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of
the world. 1 John ii. 15, 16.
9. As an emblem of immensity, a great multitude or quantity; a large
number. "A world of men." Chapman. "A world of blossoms for the bee."
Bryant.
Nor doth this wood lack worlds of company. Shak.
A world of woes dispatched in little space. Dryden.
All . . . in the world, all that exists; all that is possible; as, all
the precaution in the world would not save him. -- A world to see, a
wonder to see; something admirable or surprising to see. [Obs.]
O, you are novices; 't is a world to see How tame, when men and
women are alone, A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew.
Shak.
-- For all the world. (a) Precisely; exactly. (b) For any
consideration. -- Seven wonders of the world. See in the Dictionary of
Noted Names in Fiction. -- To go to the world, to be married. [Obs.]
"Thus goes every one to the world but I . . . ; I may sit in a corner
and cry heighho for a husband!" Shak. -- World's end, the end, or most
distant part, of the world; the remotest regions. -- World without
end, eternally; forever; everlastingly; as if in a state of existence
having no end.
Throughout all ages, world without end. Eph. iii. 21.
Worldliness
World"li*ness (?), n. The quality of being worldly; a predominant
passion for obtaining the good things of this life; covetousness;
addictedness to gain and temporal enjoyments; worldly-mindedness.
Worldling
World"ling (?), [World + -ling.] A person whose soul is set upon
gaining temporal possessions; one devoted to this world and its
enjoyments.
A foutre for the world and worldlings base. Shak.
If we consider the expectations of futurity, the worldling gives up
the argument. Rogers.
And worldlings blot the temple's gold. Keble.
Worldly
World"ly, a. [AS. woroldlic.]
1. Relating to the world; human; common; as, worldly maxims; worldly
actions. "I thus neglecting worldly ends." Shak.
Many years it hath continued, standing by no other worldly mean but
that one only hand which erected it. Hooker.
2. Pertaining to this world or life, in contradistinction from the
life to come; secular; temporal; devoted to this life and its
enjoyments; bent on gain; as, worldly pleasures, affections, honor,
lusts, men.
With his soul fled all my worldly solace. Shak.
3. Lay, as opposed to clerical. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Worldly
World"ly, adv. With relation to this life; in a worldly manner.
Subverting worldly strong and worldly wise By simply meek. Milton.
Worldly-minded
World"ly-mind`ed (?), a. Devoted to worldly interests; mindful of the
affairs of the present life, and forgetful of those of the future;
loving and pursuing this world's goods, to the exclusion of piety and
attention to spiritual concerns. -- World"ly*mind`ed*ness, n.
World-wide
World"-wide` (?), a. Extended throughout the world; as, world-wide
fame. Tennyson.
Worldlywise
World"ly*wise` (?), a. Wise in regard to things of this world. Bunyan.
Worm
Worm (w&ucir;rm), n. [OE. worm, wurm, AS. wyrm; akin to D. worm, OS. &
G. wurm, Icel. ormr, Sw. & Dan. orm, Goth. wa\'a3rms, L. vermis, Gr.
Vermicelli, Vermilion, Vermin.]
1. A creeping or a crawling animal of any kind or size, as a serpent,
caterpillar, snail, or the like. [Archaic]
There came a viper out of the heat, and leapt on his hand. When the
men of the country saw the worm hang on his hand, they said, This
man must needs be a murderer. Tyndale (Acts xxviii. 3, 4).
'T is slander, Whose edge is sharper than the sword, whose tongue
Outvenoms all the worms of Nile. Shak.
When Cerberus perceived us, the great worm, His mouth he opened and
displayed his tusks. Longfellow.
2. Any small creeping animal or reptile, either entirely without feet,
or with very short ones, including a great variety of animals; as, an
earthworm; the blindworm. Specifically: (Zo\'94l.) (a) Any helminth;
an entozo\'94n. (b) Any annelid. (c) An insect larva. (d) pl. Same as
Vermes.
3. An internal tormentor; something that gnaws or afflicts one's mind
with remorse.
The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul! Shak.
4. A being debased and despised.
I am a worm, and no man. Ps. xxii. 6.
5. Anything spiral, vermiculated, or resembling a worm; as: (a) The
thread of a screw.
The threads of screws, when bigger than can be made in screw
plates, are called worms. Moxon.
(b) A spiral instrument or screw, often like a double corkscrew, used
for drawing balls from firearms. (c) (Anat.) A certain muscular band
in the tongue of some animals, as the dog; the lytta. See Lytta. (d)
The condensing tube of a still, often curved and wound to economize
space. See Illust. of Still. (e) (Mach.) A short revolving screw, the
threads of which drive, or are driven by, a worm wheel by gearing into
its teeth or cogs. See Illust. of Worm gearing, below. Worm abscess
(Med.), an abscess produced by the irritation resulting from the
lodgment of a worm in some part of the body. -- Worm fence. See under
Fence. -- Worm gear. (Mach.) (a) A worm wheel. (b) Worm gearing. --
Worm gearing, gearing consisting of a worm and worm wheel working
together. -- Worm grass. (Bot.) (a) See Pinkroot, 2 (a). (b) The white
stonecrop (Sedum album) reputed to have qualities as a vermifuge. Dr.
Prior. -- Worm oil (Med.), an anthelmintic consisting of oil obtained
from the seeds of Chenopodium anthelminticum. -- Worm powder (Med.),
an anthelmintic powder. -- Worm snake. (Zo\'94l.) See Thunder snake
(b), under Thunder. -- Worm tea (Med.), an anthelmintic tea or tisane.
-- Worm tincture (Med.), a tincture prepared from dried earthworms,
oil of tartar, spirit of wine, etc. [Obs.] -- Worm wheel, a cogwheel
having teeth formed to fit into the spiral spaces of a screw called a
worm, so that the wheel may be turned by, or may turn, the worm; --
called also worm gear, and sometimes tangent wheel. See Illust. of
Worm gearing, above.
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Worm
Worm (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wormed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Worming.] To
work slowly, gradually, and secretly.
When debates and fretting jealousy Did worm and work within you
more and more, Your color faded. Herbert.
Worm
Worm, v. t.
1. To effect, remove, drive, draw, or the like, by slow and secret
means; -- often followed by out.
They find themselves wormed out of all power. Swift.
They . . . wormed things out of me that I had no desire to tell.
Dickens.
2. To clean by means of a worm; to draw a wad or cartridge from, as a
firearm. See Worm, n. 5 (b).
3. To cut the worm, or lytta, from under the tongue of, as a dog, for
the purpose of checking a disposition to gnaw. The operation was
formerly supposed to guard against canine madness.
The men assisted the laird in his sporting parties, wormed his
dogs, and cut the ears of his terrier puppies. Sir W. Scott.
4. (Naut.) To wind rope, yarn, or other material, spirally round,
between the strands of, as a cable; to wind with spun yarn, as a small
rope.
Ropes . . . are generally wormed before they are served. Totten.
<-- 5. to treat [an animal] with a medicine to eliminate parasitic
worms --> To worm one's self into, to enter into gradually by arts and
insinuations; as, to worm one's self into favor.
Wormal
Wor"mal (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Wormil.
Worm-eaten
Worm"-eat`en (?), a.
1. Eaten, or eaten into, by a worm or by worms; as, worm-eaten timber.
Concave as a covered goblet, or a worm-eaten nut. Shak.
2. Worn-out; old; worthless. [R.] Sir W. Raleigh. --
Worm"-eat`en*ness, n. [R.] Dr. John Smith.
Wormed
Wormed (?), a. Penetrated by worms; injured by worms; worm-eaten; as,
wormed timber.
Wormhole
Worm"hole` (?), n. A burrow made by a worm.
Wormian
Wor"mi*an (?), a. (Anat.) Discovered or described by Olanus Wormius, a
Danish anatomist. Wormian bones, small irregular plates of bone often
interposed in the sutures between the large cranial bones.
Wormil
Wor"mil (?), n. [Cf. 1st Warble.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) Any botfly larva which burrows in or beneath the skin of
domestic and wild animals, thus producing sores. They belong to
various species of Hypoderma and allied genera. Domestic cattle are
often infested by a large species. See Gadfly. Called also warble, and
worble. [Written also wormal, wormul, and wornil.]
2. (Far.) See 1st Warble, 1 (b).
Wormling
Worm"ling (?), n. A little worm.
O dusty wormling! dost thou strive and stand With heaven's high
monarch? Sylvester.
Wormseed
Worm"seed` (?), n. (Bot.) Any one of several plants, as Artemisia
santonica, and Chenopodium anthelminticum, whose seeds have the
property of expelling worms from the stomach and intestines. Wormseed
mustard, a slender, cruciferous plant (Erysinum cheiranthoides) having
small lanceolate leaves.
Worm-shaped
Worm"-shaped` (?), a. Shaped like a worm; as, a worm-shaped root.
Worm-shell
Worm"-shell` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Any species of Vermetus.
Wormul
Wor"mul (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Wornil.
Wormwood
Worm"wood (?), n. [AS. werm, akin to OHG. wermuota, wormuota, G.
wermuth, wermut; of uncertain origin.]
1. (Bot.) A composite plant (Artemisia Absinthium), having a bitter
and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used as a tonic and a vermifuge,
and to protect woolen garments from moths. It gives the peculiar
flavor to the cordial called absinthe. The volatile oil is a narcotic
poison. The term is often extended to other species of the same genus.
2. Anything very bitter or grievous; bitterness.
Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and
wormwood. Deut. xxix. 18.
Roman wormwood (Bot.), an American weed (Ambrosia artemisi\'91folia);
hogweed. -- Tree wormwood (Bot.), a species of Artemisia (probably
Artemisia variabilis) with woody stems. -- Wormwood hare (Zo\'94l.), a
variety of the common hare (Lepus timidus); -- so named from its
color.
Wormy
Worm"y (?), a. [Compar. Wormier (?); superl. Wormiest.]
1. Containing a worm; abounding with worms. "Wormy beds." Shak.
2. Like or pertaining to a worm; earthy; groveling.
Worn
Worn (?), p. p. of Wear. Worn land, land that has become exhausted by
tillage, or which for any reason has lost its fertility.
Wornil
Wor"nil (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Wormil.
Worn-out
Worn"-out` (?), a. Consumed, or rendered useless, by wearing; as,
worn-out garments.
Worral, Worrel
Wor"ral (?), Wor"rel (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) An Egyptian fork-tongued
lizard, about four feet long when full grown.
Worrier
Wor"ri*er (?), n. One who worries.
Worriment
Wor"ri*ment (?), n. [See Worry.] Trouble; anxiety; worry. [Colloq. U.
S.]
Worrisome
Wor"ri*some (?), a. Inclined to worry or fret; also, causing worry or
annoyance.
Worrit
Wor"rit (?), v. t. To worry; to annoy. [Illiterate]
Worrit
Wor"rit, n. Worry; anxiety. [Illiterate]
Worry
Wor"ry (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Worried (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Worrying.] [OE. worowen, wirien, to strangle, AS. wyrgan in
\'bewyrgan; akin to D. worgen, wurgen, to strangle, OHG. wurgen, G.
w\'81rgen, Lith. verszti, and perhaps to E. wring.]
1. To harass by pursuit and barking; to attack repeatedly; also, to
tear or mangle with the teeth.
A hellhound that doth hunt us all to death; That dog that had his
teeth before his eyes, To worry lambs and lap their gentle blood.
Shak.
2. To harass or beset with importunity, or with care an anxiety; to
vex; to annoy; to torment; to tease; to fret; to trouble; to plague.
"A church worried with reformation." South.
Let them rail, And worry one another at their pleasure. Rowe.
Worry him out till he gives consent. Swift.
3. To harass with labor; to fatigue. [Colloq.]
Worry
Wor"ry (?), v. i. To feel or express undue care and anxiety; to
manifest disquietude or pain; to be fretful; to chafe; as, the child
worries; the horse worries.
Worry
Wor"ry, n.; pl. Worries (. A state of undue solicitude; a state of
disturbance from care and anxiety; vexation; anxiety; fret; as, to be
in a worry. "The whir and worry of spindle and of loom." Sir T.
Browne.
Worryingly
Wor"ry*ing*ly, adv. In a worrying manner.
Worse
Worse (?), a., compar. of Bad. [OE. werse, worse, wurse, AS. wiersa,
wyrsa, a comparative with no corresponding positive; akin to OS.
wirsa, OFries. wirra, OHG. wirsiro, Icel. verri, Sw. v\'84rre, Dan.
v\'84rre, Goth. wa\'a1rsiza, and probably to OHG. werran to bring into
confusion, E. war, and L. verrere to sweep, sweep along. As bad has no
comparative and superlative, worse and worst are used in lieu of them,
although etymologically they have no relation to bad.] Bad, ill, evil,
or corrupt, in a greater degree; more bad or evil; less good;
specifically, in poorer health; more sick; -- used both in a physical
and moral sense.
Or worse, if men worse can devise. Chaucer.
[She] was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. Mark v. 26.
Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse. 2 Tim. iii. 13.
There are men who seem to believe they are not bad while another
can be found worse. Rambler.
"But I love him." "Love him? Worse and worse." Gay.
Worse
Worse, n.
1. Loss; disadvantage; defeat. "Judah was put to the worse before
Israel." Kings xiv. 12.
2. That which is worse; something less good; as, think not the worse
of him for his enterprise.
Worse
Worse, adv. [AS. wiers, wyrs; akin to OS. & OHG. wirs, Icel. verr,
Goth, wa\'a1rs; a comparative adverb with no corresponding positive.
See Worse, a.] In a worse degree; in a manner more evil or bad.
Now will we deal worse with thee than with them. Gen. xix. 9.
Worse
Worse, v. t. [OE. wursien, AS. wyrsian to become worse.] To make
worse; to put disadvantage; to discomfit; to worst. See Worst, v.
Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to better us and
worse our foes. Milton.
Worsen
Wors"en (?), v. t.
1. To make worse; to deteriorate; to impair.
It is apparent that, in the particular point of which we have been
conversing, their condition is greatly worsened. Southey.
2. To get the better of; to worst. [R.]
Worsen
Wors"en, v. i. To grow or become worse. De Quincey.
Indifferent health, which seemed rather to worsen than improve.
Carlyle.
Worser
Wors"er (?), a. Worse. [R.]
Thou dost deserve a worser end. Beau. & Fl.
From worser thoughts which make me do amiss. Bunyan.
A dreadful quiet felt, and, worser far Than arms, a sullen interval
of war. Dryden.
NOTE: &hand; Th is old and redundant form of the comparative occurs
occasionally in the best authors, although commonly accounted a
vulgarism. It has, at least, the analogy of lesser to sanction its
issue. See Lesser. "The experience of man's worser nature, which
intercourse with ill-chosen associates, by choice or circumstance,
peculiarly teaches."
Hallam.
Worship
Wor"ship (?), n. [OE. worshipe, wur&edh;scipe, AS. weor&edh;scipe;
weor&edh; worth + -scipe -ship. See Worth, a., and -ship.]
1. Excellence of character; dignity; worth; worthiness. [Obs.] Shak.
A man of worship and honour. Chaucer.
Elfin, born of noble state, And muckle worship in his native land.
Spenser.
2. Honor; respect; civil deference. [Obs.]
Of which great worth and worship may be won. Spenser.
Then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at
meat with thee. Luke xiv. 10.
3. Hence, a title of honor, used in addresses to certain magistrates
and others of rank or station.
My father desires your worships' company. Shak.
4. The act of paying divine honors to the Supreme Being; religious
reverence and homage; adoration, or acts of reverence, paid to God, or
a being viewed as God. "God with idols in their worship joined."
Milton.
The worship of God is an eminent part of religion, and prayer is a
chief part of religious worship. Tillotson.
5. Obsequious or submissive respect; extravagant admiration;
adoration.
'T is your inky brows, your black silk hair, Your bugle eyeballs,
nor your cheek of cream, That can my spirits to your worship. Shak.
6. An object of worship.
In attitude and aspect formed to be At once the artist's worship
and despair. Longfellow.
Devil worship, Fire worship, Hero worship, etc. See under Devil, Fire,
Hero, etc.
Worship
Wor"ship, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Worshiped (?) OR Worshipped; p. pr. &
vb. n. Worshiping OR Worshipping.]
1. To respect; to honor; to treat with civil reverence. [Obsoles.]
Chaucer.
Our grave . . . shall have a tongueless mouth, Not worshiped with a
waxen epitaph. Shak.
This holy image that is man God worshipeth. Foxe.
2. To pay divine honors to; to reverence with supreme respect and
veneration; to perform religious exercises in honor of; to adore; to
venerate.
But God is to be worshiped. Shak.
When all our fathers worshiped stocks and stones. Milton.
3. To honor with extravagant love and extreme submission, as a lover;
to adore; to idolize.
With bended knees I daily worship her. Carew.
Syn. -- To adore; revere; reverence; bow to; honor.
Worship
Wor"ship (?), v. i. To perform acts of homage or adoration; esp., to
perform religious service.
Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say that in
Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. John iv. 20.
Was it for this I have loved . . . and worshiped in silence?
Longfellow.
Worshipability
Wor`ship*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being worthy to be
worshiped. [R.] Coleridge.
Worshipable
Wor"ship*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being worshiped; worthy of worship.
[R.] Carlyle.
Worshiper
Wor"ship*er (?), n. One who worships; one who pays divine honors to
any being or thing; one who adores. [Written also worshipper.]
Worshipful
Wor"ship*ful (?), a. Entitled to worship, reverence, or high respect;
claiming respect; worthy of honor; -- often used as a term of respect,
sometimes ironically. "This is worshipful society." Shak.
[She is] so dear and worshipful. Chaucer.
-- Wor"ship*ful*ly, adv. -- Wor"ship*ful*ness, n.
Worst
Worst (?), a., superl. of Bad. [OE. werst, worste, wurste, AS. wyrst,
wierst, wierrest. See Worse, a.] Bad, evil, or pernicious, in the
highest degree, whether in a physical or moral sense. See Worse.
"Heard so oft in worst extremes." Milton.
I have a wife, the worst that may be. Chaucer.
If thou hadst not been born the worst of men, Thou hadst been a
knave and flatterer. Shak.
Worst
Worst, n. That which is most bad or evil; the most severe, pernicious,
calamitous, or wicked state or degree.
The worst is not So long as we can say, This is the worst. Shak.
He is always sure of finding diversion when the worst comes to the
worst. Addison.
Worst
Worst, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Worsted; p. pr. & vb. n. Worsting.] [See
Worse, v. t. & a.] To gain advantage over, in contest or competition;
to get the better of; to defeat; to overthrow; to discomfit.
The . . . Philistines were worsted by the captivated ark. South.
Worst
Worst, v. i. To grow worse; to deteriorate. [R.] "Every face . . .
worsting." Jane Austen.
Worsted
Worst"ed (?; 277), n. [From Worsted, now spelled Worstead, a town in
Norfolk, England; for Worthstead. See Worth, n., and Stead.]
1. Well-twisted yarn spun of long-staple wool which has been combed to
lay the fibers parallel, used for carpets, cloth, hosiery, gloves, and
the like.
2. Fine and soft woolen yarn, untwisted or lightly twisted, used in
knitting and embroidery.
Wort
Wort (?), n. [OE. wort, wurt, AS. wyrt herb, root; akin to OS. wurt,
G. wurz, Icel. jurt, urt, Dan. urt, Sw. \'94rt, Goth. wa\'a3rts a
root, L. radix, Gr. root, n. Cf. Licorice, Orchard, Radish, Root, n.,
Whortleberry, Wort an infusion of malt.]
1. (Bot.) A plant of any kind.
NOTE: &hand; Th is wo rd is now chiefly used in combination, as in
colewort, figwort, St. John's-wort, woundwort, etc.
2. pl. Cabbages.
Wort
Wort (?), n. [OE. worte, wurte, AS. wyrte; akin to OD. wort, G.
w\'81rze, bierw\'81rze, Icel. virtr, Sw. v\'94rt. See Wort an herb.]
An infusion of malt which is unfermented, or is in the act of
fermentation; the sweet infusion of malt, which ferments and forms
beer; hence, any similar liquid in a state of incipient fermentation.
NOTE: &hand; Wo rt co nsists es sentially of a dilute solution of
sugar, which by fermentation produces alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Worth
Worth (?), v. i. [OE. worthen, wur\'eden, to become, AS. weor\'eban;
akin to OS. wer\'eban, D. worden, G. werden, OHG. werdan, Icel.
ver\'eba, Sw. varda, Goth. wa\'a1rpan, L. vertere to turn, Skr.
v\'f0t, v. i., to turn, to roll, to become. \'fb143. Cf. Verse, -ward,
Weird.] To be; to become; to betide; -- now used only in the phrases,
woe worth the day, woe worth the man, etc., in which the verb is in
the imperative, and the nouns day, man, etc., are in the dative. Woe
be to the day, woe be to the man, etc., are equivalent phrases.
I counsel . . . to let the cat worthe. Piers Plowman.
He worth upon [got upon] his steed gray. Chaucer.
Worth
Worth, a. [OE. worth, wur\'ed, AS. weor\'eb, wurE; akin to OFries.
werth, OS. wer\'eb, D. waard, OHG. werd, G. wert, werth, Icel.
ver\'ebr, Sw. v\'84rd, Dan. v\'91rd, Goth. wa\'a1rps, and perhaps to
E. wary. Cf. Stalwart, Ware an article of merchandise, Worship.]
1. Valuable; of worthy; estimable; also, worth while. [Obs.]
It was not worth to make it wise. Chaucer.
2. Equal in value to; furnishing an equivalent for; proper to be
exchanged for.
A ring he hath of mine worth forty ducats. Shak.
All our doings without charity are nothing worth. Bk. of Com.
Prayer.
If your arguments produce no conviction, they are worth nothing to
me. Beattie.
3. Deserving of; -- in a good or bad sense, but chiefly in a good
sense.
To reign is worth ambition, though in hell. Milton.
This is life indeed, life worth preserving. Addison.
4. Having possessions equal to; having wealth or estate to the value
of.
At Geneva are merchants reckoned worth twenty hundred crowns.
Addison.
Worth while, OR Worth the while. See under While, n. <-- should add
separate "worthwhile". See below. -->
Worth
Worth, n. [OE. worth, wur\'ed, AS. weor\'eb, wur\'eb; weor\'eb,
wur\'eb, adj. See Worth, a.]
1. That quality of a thing which renders it valuable or useful; sum of
valuable qualities which render anything useful and sought; value;
hence, often, value as expressed in a standard, as money; equivalent
in exchange; price.
What 's worth in anything But so much money as 't will bring?
Hudibras.
2. Value in respect of moral or personal qualities; excellence;
virtue; eminence; desert; merit; usefulness; as, a man or magistrate
of great worth.
To be of worth, and worthy estimation. Shak.
As none but she, who in that court did dwell, Could know such
worth, or worth describe so well. Waller.
To think how modest worth neglected lies. Shenstone.
Syn. -- Desert; merit; excellence; price; rate.
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Page 1667
Worthful
Worth"ful (?), a. Full of worth; worthy; deserving. Marston.
Worthily
Wor"thi*ly (?), adv. In a worthy manner; excellently; deservedly;
according to merit; justly; suitably; becomingly.
You worthily succeed not only to the honors of your ancestors, but
also to their virtues. Dryden.
Some may very worthily deserve to be hated. South.
Worthiness
Wor"thi*ness, n. The quality or state of being worthy; desert; merit;
excellence; dignity; virtue; worth.
Who is sure he hath a soul, unless It see, and judge, and follow
worthiness? Donne.
She is not worthy to be loved that hath not some feeling of her own
worthiness. Sir P. Sidney.
The prayers which our Savior made were for his own worthiness
accepted. Hooker.
Worthless
Worth"less (?), a. [AS. weor\'eble\'a0s.] Destitute of worth; having
no value, virtue, excellence, dignity, or the like; undeserving;
valueless; useless; vile; mean; as, a worthless garment; a worthless
ship; a worthless man or woman; a worthless magistrate.
'T is a worthless world to win or lose. Byron.
-- Worth"less*ly, adv. -- Worth"less*ness, n. <--
worthwhile
worthwhile, adj. Worth the time or effort spent. See worth while.
worthy. -- worthwhileness. -->
Worthy
Wor"thy (?), a. [Compar. Worthier (; superl. Worthiest.] [OE. worthi,
wur\'edi, from worth, wur\'ed, n.; cf. Icel. ver\'ebugr, D. waardig,
G. w\'81rdig, OHG. wird\'c6g. See Worth, n.]
1. Having worth or excellence; possessing merit; valuable; deserving;
estimable; excellent; virtuous.
Full worthy was he in his lordes war. Chaucer.
These banished men that I have kept withal Are men endued with
worthy qualities. Shak.
Happier thou mayst be, worthier canst not be. Milton.
This worthy mind should worthy things embrace. Sir J. Davies.
2. Having suitable, adapted, or equivalent qualities or value; --
usually with of before the thing compared or the object; more rarely,
with a following infinitive instead of of, or with that; as, worthy
of, equal in excellence, value, or dignity to; entitled to; meriting;
-- usually in a good sense, but sometimes in a bad one.
No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway. Shak.
The merciless Macdonwald, Worthy to be a rebel. Shak.
Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. Matt. iii. 11.
And thou art worthy that thou shouldst not know More happiness.
Milton.
The lodging is well worthy of the guest. Dryden.
3. Of high station; of high social position. [Obs.]
Worthy women of the town. Chaucer.
Worthiest of blood (Eng. Law of Descent), most worthy of those of the
same blood to succeed or inherit; -- applied to males, and expressive
of the preference given them over females. Burrill.
Worthy
Wor"thy, n.; pl. Worthies (. A man of eminent worth or value; one
distinguished for useful and estimable qualities; a person of
conspicuous desert; -- much used in the plural; as, the worthies of
the church; political worthies; military worthies.
The blood of ancient worthies in his veins. Cowper.
Worthy
Wor"thy, v. t. To render worthy; to exalt into a hero. [Obs.] Shak.
Wost
Wost (?), 2d pers. sing. pres. of Wit, to know. [Obs.] Spenser.
Wot
Wot (?), 1st & 3d pers. sing. pres. of Wit, to know. See the Note
under Wit, v. [Obs.]
Brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it. Acts iii. 17.
Wotest, Wottest
Wot"est (?), Wot"test, 2d pers. sing. pres. of Wit, to know. [Obs.]
Woteth, Wotteth
Wot"eth (?), Wot"teth, 3d pers. sing. pres. of Wit, to know. [Obs.]
"He wotteth neither what he babbleth, nor what he meaneth." Tyndale.
Woul
Woul (?), v. i. To howl. [Obs.] Wyclif.
Would
Would (?), imp. of Will. [OE. & AS. wolde. See Will, v. t.] Commonly
used as an auxiliary verb, either in the past tense or in the
conditional or optative present. See 2d & 3d Will.
NOTE: &hand; Would was formerly used also as the past participle of
Will.
Right as our Lord hath would. Chaucer.
Would
Would (?), n. See 2d Weld.
Would-be
Would"-be\'b7 (as, a would-be poet\'3c-- wannabe--\'3e.
Woulding
Would"ing, n. Emotion of desire; inclination; velleity. [Obs.]
Hammond.
Wouldingness
Would"ing*ness, n. Willingness; desire. [Obs.]
Woulfe bottle
Woulfe" bot`tle (?), n. (Chem.) A kind of wash bottle with two or
three necks; -- so called after the inventor, Peter Woulfe, an English
chemist.
Wound
Wound (?), imp. & p. p. of Wind to twist, and Wind to sound by
blowing.
Wound
Wound (?; 277), n. [OE. wounde, wunde, AS. wund; akin to OFries.
wunde, OS. wunda, D. wonde, OHG. wunta, G. wunde, Icel. und, and to
AS., OS., & G. wund sore, wounded, OHG. wunt, Goth. wunds, and perhaps
also to Goth. winnan to suffer, E. win. \'fb140. Cf. Zounds.]
1. A hurt or injury caused by violence; specifically, a breach of the
skin and flesh of an animal, or in the substance of any creature or
living thing; a cut, stab, rent, or the like. Chaucer.
Showers of blood Rained from the wounds of slaughtered Englishmen.
Shak.
2. Fig.: An injury, hurt, damage, detriment, or the like, to feeling,
faculty, reputation, etc.
3. (Criminal Law) An injury to the person by which the skin is
divided, or its continuity broken; a lesion of the body, involving
some solution of continuity.
NOTE: &hand; Wa lker co ndemns th e pr onunciation wo ond as a
"capricious novelty." It is certainly opposed to an important
principle of our language, namely, that the Old English long sound
written ou, and pronounced like French ou or modern English oo, has
regularly changed, when accented, into the diphthongal sound
usually written with the same letters ou in modern English, as in
ground, hound, round, sound. The use of ou in Old English to
represent the sound of modern English oo was borrowed from the
French, and replaced the older and Anglo-Saxon spelling with u. It
makes no difference whether the word was taken from the French or
not, provided it is old enough in English to have suffered this
change to what is now the common sound of ou; but words taken from
the French at a later time, or influenced by French, may have the
French sound.
Wound gall (Zo\'94l.), an elongated swollen or tuberous gall on the
branches of the grapevine, caused by a small reddish brown weevil
(Ampeloglypter sesostris) whose larv\'91 inhabit the galls.
Wound
Wound (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Wounding.]
[AS. wundian. \'fb140. See Wound, n.]
1. To hurt by violence; to produce a breach, or separation of parts,
in, as by a cut, stab, blow, or the like.
The archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. 1 Sam.
xxxi. 3.
2. To hurt the feelings of; to pain by disrespect, ingratitude, or the
like; to cause injury to.
When ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak
conscience, ye sin against Christ. 1 Cor. viii. 12.
Woundable
Wound"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being wounded; vulnerable. [R.] Fuller.
Wounder
Wound"er (?), n. One who, or that which, wounds.
Woundily
Wound"i*ly (?), adv. In a woundy manner; excessively; woundy. [Obs.]
Woundless
Wound"less (?), a. Free from wound or hurt; exempt from being wounded;
invulnerable. "Knights whose woundless armor rusts." Spenser.
[Slander] may miss our name, And hit the woundless air. Shak.
Woundwort
Wound"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) Any one of certain plants whose soft, downy
leaves have been used for dressing wounds, as the kidney vetch, and
several species of the labiate genus Stachys.
Woundy
Wound"y (?), a. Excessive. [Obs.]
Such a world of holidays, that 't a woundy hindrance to a poor man
that lives by his labor. L'Estrange.
Woundy
Wound"y, adv. Excessively; extremely. [Obs.]
A am woundy cold. Ford.
Wourali
Wou"ra*li (?), n. Same as Curare.
Wou-wou
Wou"-wou` (?), n. [So called from its cry.] (Zo\'94l.) The agile, or
silvery, gibbon; -- called also camper. See Gibbon. [Written also
wow-wow.]
Wove
Wove (?), p. pr. & rare vb. n. of Weave.
Woven
Wov"en (?), p. p. of Weave. Woven paper, or Wove paper, writing paper
having an even, uniform surface, without watermarks.
Wowe
Wowe (?), v. t. & i. To woo. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wowf
Wowf (?), a. Disordered or unsettled in intellect; deranged. [Scot.]
Sir W. Scott.
Wowke
Wowke (?), n. Week. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wow-wow
Wow"-wow" (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Wou-wou.
Wox
Wox (?), obs. imp. of Wax. Gower.
Woxen
Wox"en (?), obs. p. p. of Wax. Chaucer.
Wrack
Wrack (?), n. A thin, flying cloud; a rack.
Wrack
Wrack, v. t. To rack; to torment. [R.]
Wrack
Wrack, n. [OE. wrak wreck. See Wreck.]
1. Wreck; ruin; destruction. [Obs.] Chaucer. "A world devote to
universal wrack." Milton.
<-- used now mainly in the phrase wrack and ruin -->
2. Any marine vegetation cast up on the shore, especially plants of
the genera Fucus, Laminaria, and Zostera, which are most abundant on
northern shores.
3. (Bot.) Coarse seaweed of any kind.
Wrack grass, or Grass wrack (Bot.), eelgrass.
Wrack
Wrack, v. t. To wreck. [Obs.] Dryden.
Wrackful
Wrack"ful (?), a. Ruinous; destructive. [Obs.]
Wrain-bolt
Wrain"-bolt` (?), n. Same as Wringbolt.
Wraith
Wraith (?), n. [Scot. wraith, warth; probably originally, a guardian
angel, from Icel. v\'94r\'ebr a warden, guardian, akin to E. ward. See
Ward a guard.]
1. An apparition of a person in his exact likeness, seen before death,
or a little after; hence, an apparition; a specter; a vision; an
unreal image. [Scot.]
She was uncertain if it were the gypsy or her wraith. Sir W. Scott.
O, hollow wraith of dying fame. Tennyson.
2. Sometimes, improperly, a spirit thought to preside over the waters;
-- called also water wraith. M. G. Lewis.
Wrangle
Wran"gle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wrangled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Wrangling (?).] [OE. wranglen to wrestle. See Wrong, Wring.]
1. To argue; to debate; to dispute. [Obs.]
2. To dispute angrily; to quarrel peevishly and noisily; to brawl; to
altercate. "In spite of occasional wranglings." Macaulay.
For a score of kingdoms you should wrangle. Shak.
He did not know what it was to wrangle on indifferent points.
Addison.
Wrangle
Wran"gle, v. t. To involve in a quarrel or dispute; to embroil. [R.]
Bp. Sanderson.
Wrangle
Wran"gle (?), n. An angry dispute; a noisy quarrel; a squabble; an
altercation. Syn. -- Altercation; bickering; brawl; jar; jangle;
contest; controversy. See Altercation.
Wrangler
Wran"gler (?), n.
1. An angry disputant; one who disputes with heat or peevishness.
"Noisy and contentious wranglers." I. Watts.
2. One of those who stand in the first rank of honors in the
University of Cambridge, England. They are called, according to their
rank, senior wrangler, second wrangler, third wrangler, etc. Cf.
Optime.
Wranglership
Wran"gler*ship, n. The honor or position of being a wrangler at the
University of Cambridge, England.
Wranglesome
Wran"gle*some (?), a. Contentious; quarrelsome. [Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.
Wrannock, Wranny
Wran"nock (?), Wran"ny (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The common wren. [Prov.
Eng.]
Wrap
Wrap (?), v. t. [A corrupt spelling of rap.] To snatch up; transport;
-- chiefly used in the p. p. wrapt.
Lo! where the stripling, wrapt in wonder, roves. Beattie.
Wrap
Wrap, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wrapped (?) or Wrapt; p. pr. & vb. n.
Wrapping.] [OE. wrappen, probably akin to E. warp. \'fb144. Cf. Warp.]
1. To wind or fold together; to arrange in folds.
Then cometh Simon Peter, . . . and seeth . . . the napkin that was
about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped
together in a place by itself. John xx. 6, 7.
Like one that wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies
down to pleasant dreams. Bryant.
2. To cover by winding or folding; to envelop completely; to involve;
to infold; -- often with up.
I . . . wrapt in mist Of midnight vapor, glide obscure. Milton.
3. To conceal by enveloping or infolding; to hide; hence, to involve,
as an effect or consequence; to be followed by.
Wise poets that wrap truth in tales. Carew.
To be wrapped up in, to be wholly engrossed in; to be entirely
dependent on; to be covered with.
Leontine's young wife, in whom all his happiness was wrapped up,
died in a few days after the death of her daughter. Addison.
Things reflected on in gross and transiently . . . are thought to
be wrapped up in impenetrable obscurity. Locke.
Wrap
Wrap, n. A wrapper; -- often used in the plural for blankets, furs,
shawls, etc., used in riding or traveling.
Wrappage
Wrap"page (?; 48), n.
1. The act of wrapping.
2. That which wraps; envelope; covering.
Wrapper
Wrap"per (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, wraps.
2. That in which anything is wrapped, or inclosed; envelope; covering.
3. Specifically, a loose outer garment; an article of dress intended
to be wrapped round the person; as, a morning wrapper; a gentleman's
wrapper.
Wraprascal
Wrap"ras`cal (?), n. A kind of coarse upper coat, or overcoat,
formerly worn.
Wrasse
Wrasse (?), n. [W. gwrachen.] (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous edible,
marine, spiny-finned fishes of the genus Labrus, of which several
species are found in the Mediterranean and on the Atlantic coast of
Europe. Many of the species are bright-colored.
NOTE: &hand; Am ong th e Eu ropean sp ecies ar e th e ballan wrasse
(Labrus maculatus), the streaked wrasse (L. lineatus), the red
wrasse (L. mixtus), the comber wrasse (L. comber), the
blue-striped, or cook, wrasse (see Peacock fish, under Peacock),
the rainbow wrasse (L. vulgaris), and the seawife.
Wrastle
Wras"tle (?), v. i. [OE. wrastlen. See Wrestle.] To wrestle. [Obs. or
Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.]
Who wrastleth best naked, with oil enoint. Chaucer.
Wrath
Wrath (?; 277), n. [OE. wrathe, wra\'ed\'ede, wrethe, wr\'91\'eb\'ebe,
AS. wr\'d6\'eb\'ebo, fr. wr\'be\'eb wroth; akin to Icel. rei\'ebi
wrath. See Wroth, a.]
1. Violent anger; vehement exasperation; indignation; rage; fury; ire.
Wrath is a fire, and jealousy a weed. Spenser.
When the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased. Esther ii. 1.
Now smoking and frothing Its tumult and wrath in. Southey.
2. The effects of anger or indignation; the just punishment of an
offense or a crime. "A revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth
evil." Rom. xiii. 4. Syn. -- Anger; fury; rage; ire; vengeance;
indignation; resentment; passion. See Anger.
Wrath
Wrath, a. See Wroth. [Obs.]
Wrath
Wrath, v. t. To anger; to enrage; -- also used impersonally. [Obs.] "I
will not wrathen him." Chaucer.
If him wratheth, be ywar and his way shun. Piers Plowman.
Wrathful
Wrath"ful (?), a.
1. Full of wrath; very angry; greatly incensed; ireful; passionate;
as, a wrathful man.
2. Springing from, or expressing, wrath; as, a wrathful countenance.
"Wrathful passions." Sprat.
Syn. -- Furious; raging; indignant; resentful. -- Wrath"ful*ly, adv.
-- Wrath"ful*ness, n.
Wrathily
Wrath"i*ly (?), adv. In a wrathy manner; very angrily; wrathfully.
[Colloq.]
Wrathless
Wrath"less, a. Free from anger or wrath. Waller.
Wrathy
Wrath"y (?), a. Very angry. [Colloq.]
Wraw
Wraw (?), a. [Cf. dial. Sw. vr\'86 willful, disobedient.] Angry;
vexed; wrathful. [Obs.]
With this speech the cock wex wroth and wraw. Chaucer.
Wrawful
Wraw"ful (?), a. Ill-tempered. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wrawl
Wrawl (?), v. i. [Cf. Dan. vraale, Sw. vr\'86la to brawl, to roar,
Dan. vraal a bawling, roaring, vr\'91le to cry, weep, whine.] To cry,
as a cat; to waul. [Obs.] Spenser.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 1668
Wrawness
Wraw"ness (?), n. Peevishness; ill temper; anger. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wray
Wray (?), v. t. [AS. wr to accuse. See Bewray.] To reveal; to
disclose. [Obs.]
To no wight thou shalt this counsel wray. Chaucer.
Wreak
Wreak (?), v. i. To reck; to care. [Obs.] Shak.
Wreak
Wreak (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wreaked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wreaking.]
[OE. wrek to revenge, punish, drive out, AS. wrecan; akin to OFries.
wreka, OS. wrekan to punish, D. wreken to avenge, G. r\'84chen, OHG.
rehhan, Icel. reka to drive, to take vengeance, Goth. wrikan to
persecute, Lith. vargas distress, vargti to suffer distress, L. urgere
to drive, urge, Gr. Urge, Wreck, Wretch.]
1. To revenge; to avenge. [Archaic]
He should wreake him on his foes. Chaucer.
Another's wrongs to wreak upon thyself. Spenser.
Come wreak his loss, whom bootless ye complain. Fairfax.
2. To execute in vengeance or passion; to inflict; to hurl or drive;
as, to wreak vengeance on an enemy.
On me let Death wreak all his rage. Milton.
Now was the time to be avenged on his old enemy, to wreak a grudge
of seventeen years. Macaulay.
But gather all thy powers, And wreak them on the verse that thou
dost weave. Bryant.
Wreak
Wreak, n. [Cf. AS. wr\'91c exile, persecution, misery. See Wreak, v.
t.] Revenge; vengeance; furious passion; resentment. [Obs.] Shak.
Spenser.
Wreaken
Wreak"en (?), obs. p. p. of Wreak. Chaucer.
Wreaker
Wreak"er (?), n. [See Wreak.] Avenger. [Obs.]
The stork, the wrekere of avouterye [adultery]. Chaucer.
Wreakful
Wreak"ful (?), a. Revengeful; angry; furious. [Obs.] -- Wreak"ful*ly,
adv. [Obs.]
Wreakless
Wreak"less, a. Unrevengeful; weak. [Obs.]
Wreath
Wreath (?; 277), n.; pl. Wreaths (#). [OE. wrethe, AS. wr&aemac;&edh;
a twisted band, fr. wr\'c6&edh;an to twist. See Writhe.]
1. Something twisted, intertwined, or curled; as, a wreath of smoke; a
wreath of flowers. "A wrethe of gold." Chaucer.
[He] of his tortuous train Curled many a wanton wreath. Milton.
2. A garland; a chaplet, esp. one given to a victor.
Conquest doth grant He dear wreath to the Grecian combatant.
Chapman.
Far back in the ages, The plow with wreaths was crowned. Bryant.
3. (Her.) An appendage to the shield, placed above it, and supporting
the crest (see Illust. of Crest). It generally represents a twist of
two cords of silk, one tinctured like the principal metal, the other
like the principal color in the arms.
Wreathe
Wreathe (?), v. t. [imp. Wreathed (?); p. p. Wreathed; Archaic
Wreathen (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wreathing.] [See Wreath, n.] [Written
also wreath.]
1. To cause to revolve or writhe; to twist about; to turn. [Obs.]
And from so heavy sight his head did wreathe. Spenser.
2. To twist; to convolve; to wind one about another; to entwine.
The nods and smiles of recognition into which this singular
physiognomy was wreathed. Sir W. Scott.
From his slack hand the garland wreathed for Eve Down dropped.
Milton.
3. To surround with anything twisted or convolved; to encircle; to
infold.
Each wreathed in the other's arms. Shak.
Dusk faces with withe silken turbants wreathed. Milton.
And with thy winding ivy wreathes her lance. Dryden.
4. To twine or twist about; to surround; to encircle.
In the flowers that wreathe the sparkling bowl, Fell adders hiss.
Prior.
Wreathe
Wreathe, v. i. To be intewoven or entwined; to twine together; as, a
bower of wreathing trees. Dryden.
Wreathen
Wreath"en (?), a. Twisted; made into a wreath. "Wreathen work of pure
gold." Ex. xxviii. 22.
Wreathless
Wreath"less (?), a. Destitute of a wreath.
Wreath-shell
Wreath"-shell` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A marine shell of the genus Turbo.
See Turbo.
Wreathy
Wreath"y (?), a. Wreathed; twisted; curled; spiral; also, full of
wreaths. "Wreathy spires, and cochleary turnings about." Sir T.
Browne.
Wrecche
Wrec"che (?), n. A wretch. [Obs.]
Wrecche
Wrec"che, a. Wretched. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wreche
Wreche (?), n. Wreak. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wreck
Wreck (?), v. t. & n. See 2d & 3d Wreak.
Wreck
Wreck, n. [OE. wrak, AS. wr\'91c exile, persecution, misery, from
wrecan to drive out, punish; akin to D. wrak, adj., damaged, brittle,
n., a wreck, wraken to reject, throw off, Icel. rek a thing drifted
ashore, Sw. vrak refuse, a wreck, Dan. vrag. See Wreak, v. t., and cf.
Wrack a marine plant.] [Written also wrack.]
1. The destruction or injury of a vessel by being cast on shore, or on
rocks, or by being disabled or sunk by the force of winds or waves;
shipwreck.
Hard and obstinate As is a rock amidst the raging floods, 'Gainst
which a ship, of succor desolate, Doth suffer wreck, both of
herself and goods. Spenser.
2. Destruction or injury of anything, especially by violence; ruin;
as, the wreck of a railroad train.
The wreck of matter and the crush of worlds. Addison.
Its intellectual life was thus able to go on amidst the wreck of
its political life. J. R. Green.
3. The ruins of a ship stranded; a ship dashed against rocks or land,
and broken, or otherwise rendered useless, by violence and fracture;
as, they burned the wreck.
4. The remain of anything ruined or fatally injured.
To the fair haven of my native home, The wreck of what I was,
fatigued I come. Cowper.
5. (Law) Goods, etc., which, after a shipwreck, are cast upon the land
by the sea. Bouvier.
Wreck
Wreck (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wrecked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wrecking.]
1. To destroy, disable, or seriously damage, as a vessel, by driving
it against the shore or on rocks, by causing it to become unseaworthy,
to founder, or the like; to shipwreck.
Supposing that they saw the king's ship wrecked. Shak.
2. To bring wreck or ruin upon by any kind of violence; to destroy, as
a railroad train.
3. To involve in a wreck; hence, to cause to suffer ruin; to balk of
success, and bring disaster on.
Weak and envied, if they should conspire, They wreck themselves.
Daniel.
Wreck
Wreck, v. i.
1. To suffer wreck or ruin. Milton.
2. To work upon a wreck, as in saving property or lives, or in
plundering.
Wreckage
Wreck"age (?; 48), n.
1. The act of wrecking, or state of being wrecked.
2. That which has been wrecked; remains of a wreck.
Wrecker
Wreck"er (?), n.
1. One who causes a wreck, as by false lights, and the like.
2. One who searches fro, or works upon, the wrecks of vessels, etc.
Specifically: (a) One who visits a wreck for the purpose of plunder.
(b) One who is employed in saving property or lives from a wrecked
vessel, or in saving the vessel; as, the wreckers of Key West.
3. A vessel employed by wreckers.
Wreckfish
Wreck"fish` (?), n. [So called because it often comes in with
wreckage.] (Zo\'94l.) A stone bass.
Wreckful
Wreck"ful (?), a. Causing wreck; involving ruin; destructive. "By
wreckful wind." Spenser.
Wrecking
Wreck"ing, a. & n. from Wreck, v. Wrecking car (Railway), a car fitted
up with apparatus and implements for removing the wreck occasioned by
an accident, as by a collision. -- Wrecking pump, a pump especially
adapted for pumping water from the hull of a wrecked vessel.
Wreck-master
Wreck"-mas`ter (?), n. A person appointed by law to take charge of
goods, etc., thrown on shore after a shipwreck.
Wreke, Wreeke
Wreke (?), Wreeke, v. t. See 2d Wreak. [Obs.]
Wren
Wren (?), n. [OE. wrenne, AS. wrenna, wr\'91nna, perhaps akin to wr
lascivious.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of small singing birds
belonging to Troglodytes and numerous allied of the family
Troglodytid\'91.
NOTE: &hand; Am ong th e sp ecies be st kn own ar e th e house wren
(Troglodytes a\'89don) common in both Europe and America, and the
American winter wren (T. hiemalis). See also Cactus wren, Marsh
wren, and Rock wren, under Cactus, Marsh, and Rock.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of small singing birds more
or less resembling the true wrens in size and habits.
NOTE: &hand; Am ong these are several species of European warblers;
as, the reed wren (see Reed warbler (a), under Reed), the sedge
wren (see Sedge warbler, under Sedge), the willow wren (see Willow
warbler, under Willow), the golden-crested wren, and the
ruby-crowned wren (see Kinglet).
Ant wren, any one of numerous South American birds of the family
Formicarid\'91, allied to the ant thrushes. -- Blue wren, a small
Australian singing bird (Malurus cyaneus), the male of which in the
breeding season is bright blue. Called also superb warbler. -- Emu
wren. See in the Vocabulary. -- Wren babbler, any one of numerous
species of small timaline birds belonging to Alcippe, Stachyris,
Timalia, and several allied genera. These birds are common in Southern
Asia and the East Indies. -- Wren tit. See Ground wren, under Ground.
-- Wren warbler, any one of several species of small Asiatic and
African singing birds belonging to Prinia and allied genera. These
birds are closely allied to the tailor birds, and build their nests in
a similar manner. See also Pincpinc.
Wrench
Wrench (?), n. [OE. wrench deceit, AS. wrenc deceit, a twisting; akin
to G. rank intrigue, crookedness, renken to bend, twist, and E. wring.
Wring, and cf. Ranch, v. t.]
1. Trick; deceit; fraud; stratagem. [Obs.]
His wily wrenches thou ne mayst not flee. Chaucer.
2. A violent twist, or a pull with twisting.
He wringeth them such a wrench. Skelton.
The injurious effect upon biographic literature of all such
wrenches to the truth, is diffused everywhere. De Quincey.
3. A sprain; an injury by twisting, as in a joint.
4. Means; contrivance. [Obs.] Bacon.
5. An instrument, often a simple bar or lever with jaws or an angular
orifice either at the end or between the ends, for exerting a twisting
strain, as in turning bolts, nuts, screw taps, etc.; a screw key. Many
wrenches have adjustable jaws for grasping nuts, etc., of different
sizes.
6. (Mech.) The system made up of a force and a couple of forces in a
plane perpendicular to that force. Any number of forces acting at any
points upon a rigid body may be compounded so as to be equivalent to a
wrench.
Carriage wrench, a wrench adapted for removing or tightening the nuts
that confine the wheels on the axles, or for turning the other nuts or
bolts of a carriage or wagon. -- Monkey wrench. See under Monkey. --
Wrench hammer, a wrench with the end shaped so as to admit of being
used as a hammer.
Wrench
Wrench, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wrenched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wrenching.]
[OE. wrenchen, AS. wrencan to deceive, properly, to twist, from wrenc
guile, deceit, a twisting. Wrench, n.]
1. To pull with a twist; to wrest, twist, or force by violence.
Wrench his sword from him. Shak.
Forthwith this frame of mine was wrenched With a woeful agony.
Coleridge.
2. To strain; to sprain; hence, to distort; to pervert.
You wrenched your foot against a stone. Swift.
Wrest
Wrest (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wrested; p. pr. & vb. n. Wresting.]
[OE. wresten, AS. wr; akin to wr a twisted band, and wr\'c6 to twist.
See Writhe.]
1. To turn; to twist; esp., to twist or extort by violence; to pull of
force away by, or as if by, violent wringing or twisting. "The secret
wrested from me." Milton.
Our country's cause, That drew our swords, now secret wrests them
from our hand. Addison.
They instantly wrested the government out of the hands of Hastings.
Macaulay.
2. To turn from truth; to twist from its natural or proper use or
meaning by violence; to pervert; to distort.
Wrest once the law to your authority. Shak.
Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor. Ex. xxiii. 6.
Their arts of wresting, corrupting, and false interpreting the holy
text. South.
3. To tune with a wrest, or key. [Obs.]
Wrest
Wrest, n.
1. The act of wresting; a wrench; a violent twist; hence, distortion;
perversion. Hooker.
2. Active or moving power. [Obs.] Spenser.
3. A key to tune a stringed instrument of music.
The minstrel . . . wore round his neck a silver chain, by which
hung the wrest, or key, with which he tuned his harp. Sir W. Scott.
4. A partition in a water wheel, by which the form of the buckets is
determined.
Wrest pin (Piano Manuf.), one of the pins around which the ends of the
wires are wound in a piano. Knight. -- Wrest plank (Piano Manuf.), the
part in which the wrest pins are inserted.
Wrester
Wrest"er (?), n. One who wrests.
Wrestle
Wres"tle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wrestled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Wrestling (?).] [OE. wrestlen, wrastlen, AS. wr, freq. of wr to wrest;
akin to OD. wrastelen to wrestle. See Wrest, v. t.]
1. To contend, by grappling with, and striving to trip or throw down,
an opponent; as, they wrestled skillfully.
To-morrow, sir, I wrestle for my credit, and he that escapes me
without some broken limb shall acquit him well. Shak.
Another, by a fall in wrestling, started the end of the clavicle
from the sternum. Wiseman.
2. Hence, to struggle; to strive earnestly; to contend.
Come, wrestle with thy affections. Shak.
We wrestle not against flesh and blood. Eph. vi. 12.
Difficulties with which he had himself wrestled. M. Arnold.
Wrestle
Wres"tle, v. t. To wrestle with; to seek to throw down as in
wrestling.
Wrestle
Wres"tle, n. A struggle between two persons to see which will throw
the other down; a bout at wrestling; a wrestling match; a struggle.
Whom in a wrestle the giant catching aloft, with a terrible hug
broke three of his ribs. Milton.
Wrestler
Wres"tler (?), n. [AS. wr&aemac;stlere.] One who wrestles; one who is
skillful in wrestling.
Wretch
Wretch (?), n. [OE. wrecche, AS. wrecca, wr\'91cca, an exile, a
wretch, fr. wrecan to drive out, punish; properly, an exile, one
driven out, akin to AS. wr\'91c an exile, OS. wrekkio a stranger, OHG.
reccheo an exile. See Wreak, v. t.]
1. A miserable person; one profoundly unhappy. "The wretch that lies
in woe." Shak.
Hovered thy spirit o'er thy sorrowing son, Wretch even then, life's
journey just begun? Cowper.
2. One sunk in vice or degradation; a base, despicable person; a vile
knave; as, a profligate wretch.
NOTE: &hand; Wr etch is sometimes used by way of slight or ironical
pity or contempt, and sometimes to express tenderness; as we say,
poor thing. "Poor wretch was never frighted so."
Drayton.
Wretched
Wretch"ed, a.
1. Very miserable; sunk in, or accompanied by, deep affliction or
distress, as from want, anxiety, or grief; calamitous; woeful; very
afflicting. "To what wretched state reserved!" Milton.
O cruel! Death! to those you are more kind Than to the wretched
mortals left behind. Waller.
<--
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore . . . -->
2. Worthless; paltry; very poor or mean; miserable; as, a wretched
poem; a wretched cabin.
3. Hatefully contemptible; despicable; wicked. [Obs.] "Wretched
ungratefulness." Sir P. Sidney.
Nero reigned after this Claudius, of all men wretchedest, ready to
all manner [of] vices. Capgrave.
Wretchedly
Wretch"ed*ly, adv. In a wretched manner; miserably; despicable.
Wretchedness
Wretch"ed*ness, n.
1. The quality or state of being wretched; utter misery. Sir W.
Raleigh.
2. A wretched object; anything despicably. [Obs.]
Eat worms and such wretchedness. Chaucer.
Wretchful
Wretch"ful (?), a. Wretched. [Obs.] Wyclif.
Wretchless
Wretch"less, a. [See Reckless.] Reckless; hence, disregarded.
[Obs.] -- Wretch"less*ly, adv. [Obs.] -- Wretch"less*ness, n.
[Obs.] Bk. of Com. Prayer.
Your deaf ears should listen Unto the wretchless clamors of the
poor. J. Webster.
Wrey
Wrey (?), v. t. See Wray. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wrie
Wrie (?), a. & v. See Wry. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wrig
Wrig (?), v. i. To wriggle. [Obs.] Skelton.
Wriggle
Wrig"gle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wriggled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Wriggling (?).] [Freq. of wrig, probably from OE. wrikken to move
to and fro; cf. LG. wriggeln, D. wrikken, Sw. vricka, Dan. vrikke.]
To move the body to and fro with short, writhing motions, like a
worm; to squirm; to twist uneasily or quickly about.
Both he and successors would often wriggle in their seats, as long
as the cushion lasted. Swift.
Wriggle
Wrig"gle, v. t. To move with short, quick contortions; to move by
twisting and squirming; like a worm.
Covetousness will wriggle itself out at a small hole. Fuller.
Wriggling his body to recover His seat, and cast his right leg
over. Hudibras.
Wriggle
Wrig"gle, a. Wriggling; frisky; pliant; flexible. [Obs.] "Their
wriggle tails." Spenser.
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Wriggler
Wrig"gler (?), n. One who, or that which, wriggles. Cowper.
Wright
Wright (?), n. [OE. wrighte, writhe, AS. wyrtha, fr. wyrcean to
work. &root;145. See Work.] One who is engaged in a mechanical or
manufacturing business; an artificer; a workman; a manufacturer; a
mechanic; esp., a worker in wood; -- now chiefly used in compounds,
as in millwright, wheelwright, etc.
He was a well good wright, a carpenter. Chaucer.
Wrightine
Wright"ine (?), n. (Chem.) A rare alkaloid found in the bark of an
East Indian apocynaceous tree (Wrightia antidysenterica), and
extracted as a bitter white crystalline substance. It was formerly
used as a remedy for diarrh&oe;a. Called also conessine, and
neriine.
Wring
Wring (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wrung (?), Obs. Wringed (; p. pr. &
vb. n. Wringing.] [OE. wringen, AS. wringan; akin to LG. & D.
wringen, OHG. ringan to struggle, G. ringen, Sw. vr\'84nga to
distort, Dan. vringle to twist. Cf. Wrangle, Wrench, Wrong.]
1. To twist and compress; to turn and strain with violence; to
writhe; to squeeze hard; to pinch; as, to wring clothes in washing.
"Earnestly wringing Waverley's hand." Sir W. Scott. "Wring him by
the nose." Shak.
[His steed] so sweat that men might him wring. Chaucer.
The king began to find where his shoe did wring him. Bacon.
The priest shall bring it [a dove] unto the altar, and wring off
his head. Lev. i. 15.
2. Hence, to pain; to distress; to torment; to torture.
Too much grieved and wrung by an uneasy and strait fortune.
Clarendon.
Didst thou taste but half the griefs That wring my soul, thou
couldst not talk thus coldly. Addison.
3. To distort; to pervert; to wrest.
How dare men thus wring the Scriptures? Whitgift.
4. To extract or obtain by twisting and compressing; to squeeze or
press (out); hence, to extort; to draw forth by violence, or
against resistance or repugnance; -- usually with out or form.
Your overkindness doth wring tears from me. Shak.
He rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and
wringed the dew out of the fleece. Judg. vi. 38.
5. To subject to extortion; to afflict, or oppress, in order to
enforce compliance.
To wring the widow from her 'customed right. Shak.
The merchant adventures have been often wronged and wringed to the
quick. Hayward.
6. (Naut.) To bend or strain out of its position; as, to wring a
mast.
Wring
Wring, v. i. To writhe; to twist, as with anguish.
'T is all men's office to speak patience To those that wring under
the load of sorrow. Shak.
Look where the sister of the king of France Sits wringing of her
hands, and beats her breast. Marlowe.
Wring
Wring, n. A writhing, as in anguish; a twisting; a griping. [Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
Wringbolt
Wring"bolt`, n. (Shipbuilding) A bolt used by shipwrights, to bend
and secure the planks against the timbers till they are fastened by
bolts, spikes, or treenails; -- not to be confounded with ringbolt.
Wringer
Wring"er (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, wrings; hence, an extortioner.
2. A machine for pressing water out of anything, particularly from
clothes after they have been washed.
Wringing
Wring"ing, a. & n. from Wring, v.
Wringing machine, a wringer. See Wringer, 2.
Wringstaff
Wring"staff` (?), n.; pl. Wringstaves (. (Shipbuilding) A strong piece
of plank used in applying wringbolts.
Wrinkle
Wrin"kle (?), n. A winkle. [Local, U.S.]
Wrinkle
Wrin"kle, n. [OE. wrinkil, AS. wrincle; akin to OD. wrinckel, and
prob. to Dan. rynke, Sw. rynka, Icel. hrukka, OHG. runza, G. runzel,
L. ruga.
1. A small ridge, prominence, or furrow formed by the shrinking or
contraction of any smooth substance; a corrugation; a crease; a slight
fold; as, wrinkle in the skin; a wrinkle in cloth. "The wrinkles in my
brows." Shak.
Within I do not find wrinkles and used heart, but unspent youth.
Emerson.
2. hence, any roughness; unevenness.
Not the least wrinkle to deform the sky. Dryden.
3. [Perhaps a different word, and a dim. AS. wrenc a twisting, deceit.
Cf. Wrench, n.] A notion or fancy; a whim; as, to have a new wrinkle.
[Colloq.]
Wrinkle
Wrin"kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wrinkled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wrinkling
(?).]
1. To contract into furrows and prominences; to make a wrinkle or
wrinkles in; to corrugate; as, wrinkle the skin or the brow. "Sport
that wrinkled Care derides." Milton.
Her wrinkled form in black and white arrayed. Pope.
2. Hence, to make rough or uneven in any way.
A keen north wind that, blowing dry, Wrinkled the face of deluge,
as decayed. Milton.
Then danced we on the wrinkled sand. Bryant.
To wrinkle at, to sneer at. [Obs.] Marston.
Wrinkle
Wrin"kle, v. i. To shrink into furrows and ridges.
Wrinkly
Wrin"kly (?), a. Full of wrinkles; having a tendency to be wrinkled;
corrugated; puckered. G. Eliot.
His old wrinkly face grew quite blown out at last. Carlyle.
Wrist
Wrist (?), n. [OE. wriste, wrist, AS. wrist; akin to OFries. wriust,
LG. wrist, G. rist wrist, instep, Icel. rist instep, Dan. & Sw. vrist,
and perhaps to E. writhe.]
1. (Anat.) The joint, or the region of the joint, between the hand and
the arm; the carpus. See Carpus.
He took me by the wrist, and held me hard. Shak.
2. (Mach.) A stud or pin which forms a journal; -- also called wrist
pin.
Bridle wrist, the wrist of the left hand, in which a horseman holds
the bridle. -- Wrist clonus. [NL. clonus, fr. Gr. Clonic.] (Med.) A
series of quickly alternating movements of flexion and extension of
the wrist, produced in some cases of nervous disease by suddenly
bending the hand back upon the forearm. -- Wrist drop (Med.),
paralysis of the extensor muscles of the hand, affecting the hand so
that when an attempt is made to hold it out in line with the forearm
with the palm down, the hand drops. It is chiefly due to plumbism.
Called also hand drop. -- Wrist plate (Steam Engine), a swinging plate
bearing two or more wrists, for operating the valves.
Wristband
Wrist"band (?), n. The band of the sleeve of a shirt, or other
garment, which covers the wrist.
Wrister
Wrist"er (?), n. A covering for the wrist.
Wristlet
Wrist"let (?), n. An elastic band worn around the wrist, as for the
purpose of securing the upper part of a glove.
Writ
Writ (?), obs. 3d pers. sing. pres. of Write, for writeth. Chaucer.
Writ
Writ, archaic imp. & p. p. of Write. Dryden.
Writ
Writ, n. [AS. writ, gewrit. See Write.]
1. That which is written; writing; scripture; -- applied especially to
the Scriptures, or the books of the Old and New testaments; as, sacred
writ. "Though in Holy Writ not named." Milton.
Then to his hands that writ he did betake, Which he disclosing
read, thus as the paper spake. Spenser.
Babylon, so much spoken of in Holy Writ. Knolles.
2. (Law) An instrument in writing, under seal, in an epistolary form,
issued from the proper authority, commanding the performance or
nonperformance of some act by the person to whom it is directed; as, a
writ of entry, of error, of execution, of injunction, of mandamus, of
return, of summons, and the like.
NOTE: &hand; Writs are usually witnessed, or tested, in the name of
the chief justice or principal judge of the court out of which they
are issued; and those directed to a sheriff, or other ministerial
officer, require him to return them on a day specified. In former
English law and practice, writs in civil cases were either original
or judicial; the former were issued out of the Court of Chancery,
under the great seal, for the summoning of a defendant to appear,
and were granted before the suit began and in order to begin the
same; the latter were issued out of the court where the original
was returned, after the suit was begun and during the pendency of
it. Tomlins. Brande. Encyc. Brit. The term writ is supposed by Mr.
Reeves to have been derived from the fact of these formul\'91
having always been expressed in writing, being, in this respect,
distinguished from the other proceedings in the ancient action,
which were conducted orally.
Writ of account, Writ of capias, etc. See under Account, Capias, etc.
-- Service of a writ. See under Service.
Writability
Writ`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. Ability or capacity to write. [R.] Walpole.
Writable
Writ"a*ble (?), a. Capable of, or suitable for, being written down.
Writative
Writ"a*tive (?), a. Inclined to much writing; -- correlative to
talkative. [R.] Pope.
Write
Write (?), v. t. [imp. Wrote (?); p. p. Written (?); Archaic imp. & p.
p. Writ (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Writing.] [OE. writen, AS. wr\'c6tan;
originally, to scratch, to score; akin to OS. wr\'c6tan to write, to
tear, to wound, D. rijten to tear, to rend, G. reissen, OHG. r\'c6zan,
Icel. r\'c6ta to write, Goth. writs a stroke, dash, letter. Cf. Race
tribe, lineage.]
1. To set down, as legible characters; to form the conveyance of
meaning; to inscribe on any material by a suitable instrument; as, to
write the characters called letters; to write figures.
2. To set down for reading; to express in legible or intelligible
characters; to inscribe; as, to write a deed; to write a bill of
divorcement; hence, specifically, to set down in an epistle; to
communicate by letter.
Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves.
Shak.
I chose to write the thing I durst not speak To her I loved. Prior.
3. Hence, to compose or produce, as an author.
I purpose to write the history of England from the accession of
King James the Second down to a time within the memory of men still
living. Macaulay.
4. To impress durably; to imprint; to engrave; as, truth written on
the heart.
5. To make known by writing; to record; to prove by one's own written
testimony; -- often used reflexively.
He who writes himself by his own inscription is like an ill
painter, who, by writing on a shapeless picture which he hath
drawn, is fain to tell passengers what shape it is, which else no
man could imagine. Milton.
To write to, to communicate by a written document to. -- Written laws,
laws deriving their force from express legislative enactment, as
contradistinguished from unwritten, or common, law. See the Note under
Law, and Common law, under Common, a.
Write
Write, v. i.
1. To form characters, letters, or figures, as representative of
sounds or ideas; to express words and sentences by written signs.
Chaucer.
So it stead you, I will write, Please you command. Shak.
2. To be regularly employed or occupied in writing, copying, or
accounting; to act as clerk or amanuensis; as, he writes in one of the
public offices.
3. To frame or combine ideas, and express them in written words; to
play the author; to recite or relate in books; to compose.
They can write up to the dignity and character of the authors.
Felton.
4. To compose or send letters.
He wrote for all the Jews that went out of his realm up into Jewry
concerning their freedom. 1 Esdras iv. 49.
Writer
Writ"er (?), n. [AS. wr\'c6tere.]
1. One who writes, or has written; a scribe; a clerk.
They [came] that handle the pen of the writer. Judg. v. 14.
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Ps. xlv. 1.
2. One who is engaged in literary composition as a profession; an
author; as, a writer of novels.
This pitch, as ancient writers do report, doth defile. Shak.
3. A clerk of a certain rank in the service of the late East India
Company, who, after serving a certain number of years, became a
factor.
Writer of the tallies (Eng. Law), an officer of the exchequer of
England, who acted as clerk to the auditor of the receipt, and wrote
the accounts upon the tallies from the tellers' bills. The use of
tallies in the exchequer has been abolished. Wharton (Law. Dict.) --
Writer's cramp, palsy, OR spasm (Med.), a painful spasmodic affection
of the muscles of the fingers, brought on by excessive use, as in
writing, violin playing, telegraphing, etc. Called also scrivener's
palsy. -- Writer to the signet. See under Signet.
Writership
Writ"er*ship (?), n. The office of a writer.
Writhe
Writhe (?), v. t. [imp. Writhed (?); p. p. Writhed, Obs. or Poetic
Writhen (; p. pr. & vb. n. Writhing.] [OE. writhen, AS. wr\'c6 to
twist; akin to OHG. r\'c6dan, Icel. r\'c6, Sw. vrida, Dan. vride. Cf.
Wreathe, Wrest, Wroth.]
1. To twist; to turn; now, usually, to twist or turn so as to distort;
to wring. "With writhing [turning] of a pin." Chaucer.
Then Satan first knew pain, And writhed him to and fro. Milton.
Her mouth she writhed, her forehead taught to frown. Dryden.
His battle-writhen arms, and mighty hands. Tennyson.
2. To wrest; to distort; to pervert.
The reason which he yieldeth showeth the least part of his meaning
to be that whereunto his words are writhed. Hooker.
3. To extort; to wring; to wrest. [R.]<-- ; extract -->
The nobility hesitated not to follow the example of their sovereign
in writhing money from them by every species of oppression. Sir W.
Scott.
Writhe
Writhe, v. i. To twist or contort the body; to be distorted; as, to
writhe with agony. Also used figuratively.
After every attempt, he felt that he had failed, and writhed with
shame and vexation. Macaulay.
Writhen
Writh"en (?), a. Having a twisted distorted from.
A writhen staff his step unstable guides. Fairfax.
Writhle
Wri"thle (?), v. t. [Freq. of writhe.] To wrinkle. [Obs.] Shak.
Writing
Writ"ing (?), n.
1. The act or art of forming letters and characters on paper, wood,
stone, or other material, for the purpose of recording the ideas which
characters and words express, or of communicating them to others by
visible signs.
2. Anything written or printed; anything expressed in characters or
letters; as: (a) Any legal instrument, as a deed, a receipt, a bond,
an agreement, or the like. (b) Any written composition; a pamphlet; a
work; a literary production; a book; as, the writings of Addison. (c)
An inscription.
And Pilate wrote a title . . . And the writing was, Jesus of
Nazareth, the King of the Jews. John xix. 19.
3. Handwriting; chirography.
Writing book, a book for practice in penmanship. -- Writing desk, a
desk with a sloping top for writing upon; also, a case containing
writing materials, and used in a similar manner. -- Writing lark
(Zo\'94l.), the European yellow-hammer; -- so called from the curious
irregular lines on its eggs. [Prov. Eng.] -- Writing machine. Same as
Typewriter. -- Writing master, one who teaches the art of penmanship.
-- Writing obligatory (Law), a bond. -- Writing paper, paper intended
for writing upon with ink, usually finished with a smooth surface, and
sized. -- Writing school, a school for instruction in penmanship. --
Writing table, a table fitted or used for writing upon.
Written
Writ"ten (?), p. p. of Write, v.
Wrizzle
Wriz"zle (?), v. t. To wrinkle. [Obs.] Spenser.
Wroken
Wro"ken (?), obs. p. p. of Wreak. Chaucer.
Wrong
Wrong (?), obs. imp. of Wring. Wrung. Chaucer.
Wrong
Wrong (?; 115), a. [OE. wrong, wrang, a. & n., AS. wrang, n.;
originally, awry, wrung, fr. wringan to wring; akin to D. wrang
bitter, Dan. vrang wrong, Sw. vr\'86ng, Icel. rangr awry, wrong. See
Wring.]
1. Twisted; wry; as, a wrong nose. [Obs.] Wyclif (Lev. xxi. 19).
2. Not according to the laws of good morals, whether divine or human;
not suitable to the highest and best end; not morally right; deviating
from rectitude or duty; not just or equitable; not true; not legal;
as, a wrong practice; wrong ideas; wrong inclinations and desires.
3. Not fit or suitable to an end or object; not appropriate for an
intended use; not according to rule; unsuitable; improper; incorrect;
as, to hold a book with the wrong end uppermost; to take the wrong
way.
I have deceived you both; I have directed you to wrong places.
Shak.
4. Not according to truth; not conforming to fact or intent; not
right; mistaken; erroneous; as, a wrong statement.
5. Designed to be worn or placed inward; as, the wrong side of a
garment or of a piece of cloth. Syn. -- Injurious; unjust; faulty;
detrimental; incorrect; erroneous; unfit; unsuitable.
Wrong
Wrong, adv. In a wrong manner; not rightly; amiss; morally ill;
erroneously; wrongly.
Ten censure wrong for one that writes amiss. Pope.
Wrong
Wrong, n. [AS. wrang. See Wrong, a.] That which is not right.
Specifically: (a) Nonconformity or disobedience to lawful authority,
divine or human; deviation from duty; -- the opposite of moral right.
When I had wrong and she the right. Chaucer.
One spake much of right and wrong. Milton.
(b) Deviation or departure from truth or fact; state of falsity;
error; as, to be in the wrong. (c) Whatever deviates from moral
rectitude; usually, an act that involves evil consequences, as one
which inflicts injury on a person; any injury done to, or received
from; another; a trespass; a violation of right.
Friend, I do thee no wrong. Matt. xx. 18.
As the king of England can do no wrong, so neither can he do right
but in his courts and by his courts. Milton.
The obligation to redress a wrong is at least as binding as that of
paying a debt. E. Evereth.
NOTE: &hand; Wrongs, legally, are private or public. Private wrongs
are civil injuries, immediately affecting individuals; public
wrongs are crimes and misdemeanors which affect the community.
Blackstone.
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Page 1670
Wrong
Wrong (?; 115), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wronged (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Wronging.]
1. To treat with injustice; to deprive of some right, or to withhold
some act of justice from; to do undeserved harm to; to deal unjustly
with; to injure.
He that sinneth . . . wrongeth his own soul. Prov. viii. 36.
2. To impute evil to unjustly; as, if you suppose me capable of a base
act, you wrong me.
I rather choose To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, Than I
will wrong such honorable men. Shak.
Wrongdoer
Wrong"do`er (?), n.
1. One who injures another, or who does wrong.
2. (Law) One who commits a tort or trespass; a trespasser; a tort
feasor. Ayliffe.
Wrongdoing
Wrong"do`ing, n. Evil or wicked behavior or action.
Wronger
Wrong"er (?), n. One who wrongs or injures another. Shak. "Wrongers of
the world." Tennyson.
Wrongful
Wrong"ful (?), a. Full of wrong; injurious; unjust; unfair; as, a
wrongful taking of property; wrongful dealing. -- Wrong"ful*ly, adv.
-- Wrong"ful*ness, n.
Wronghead
Wrong"head` (?), n. A person of a perverse understanding or obstinate
character. [R.]
Wronghead
Wrong"head`, a. Wrongheaded. [R.] Pope.
Wrongheaded
Wrong"head`ed, a. Wrong in opinion or principle; having a perverse
understanding; perverse. -- Wrong"head`ed*ly, adv. --
Wrong"head`ed*ness, n. Macaulay.
Wrongless
Wrong"less, a. Not wrong; void or free from wrong. [Obs.] --
Wrong"less*ly, adv. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.
Wrongly
Wrong"ly, adv. In a wrong manner; unjustly; erroneously; wrong; amiss;
as, he judges wrongly of my motives. "And yet wouldst wrongly win."
Shak.
Wrongness
Wrong"ness, n. The quality or state of being wrong; wrongfulness;
error; fault.
The best great wrongnesses within themselves. Bp. Butler.
The rightness or wrongness of this view. Latham.
Wrongous
Wron"gous (?), a. [Cf. OE. wrongwis. See Wrong, and cf. Righteous.]
1. Constituting, or of the nature of, a wrong; unjust; wrongful. [R.]
2. (Scots Law) Not right; illegal; as, wrongous imprisonment. Craig.
Wrong-timed
Wrong"-timed` (?; 115), a. Done at an improper time; ill-timed.
Wroot
Wroot (?), obs. imp. of Write. Wrote. Chaucer.
Wrote
Wrote (?), v. i. [OE. wroten. See 1st Root.] To root with the snout.
See 1st Root. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wrote
Wrote, imp. & archaic p. p. of Write.
Wroth
Wroth (?), a. [OE. wroth, wrap, AS. wr\'be&edh; wroth, crooked, bad;
akin to wr\'c6&edh;an to writhe, and to OS. wr&emac;&edh;angry, D.
wreed cruel, OHG. reid twisted, Icel. rei&edh;r angry, Dan. & Sw.
vred. See Writhe, and cf. Wrath.] Full of wrath; angry; incensed; much
exasperated; wrathful. "Wroth to see his kingdom fail." Milton.
Revel and truth as in a low degree, They be full wroth [i. e., at
enmity] all day. Chaucer.
Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. Gen. iv. 5.
Wrought
Wrought (?), imp. & p. p. of Work.
Alas that I was wrought [created]! Chaucer.
Wrought
Wrought, a. Worked; elaborated; not rough or crude. Wrought iron. See
under Iron.
Wrung
Wrung (?), imp. & p. p. of Wring.
Wry
Wry (?), v. t. [AS. wre\'a2n.] To cover. [Obs.]
Wrie you in that mantle. Chaucer.
Wry
Wry (?), a. [Compar. Wrier (?); superl. Wriest.] [Akin to OE. wrien to
twist, to bend, AS. wrigian to tend towards, to drive.]
1. Turned to one side; twisted; distorted; as, a wry mouth.
2. Hence, deviating from the right direction; misdirected; out of
place; as, wry words.
Not according to the wry rigor of our neighbors, who never take up
an old idea without some extravagance in its application. Landor.
3. Wrested; perverted.
He . . . puts a wry sense upon Protestant writers. Atterbury.
Wry face, a distortion of the countenance indicating impatience,
disgust, or discomfort; a grimace.
Wry
Wry, v. i.
1. To twist; to writhe; to bend or wind.
2. To deviate from the right way; to go away or astray; to turn side;
to swerve.
This Phebus gan awayward for to wryen. Chaucer.
How many Must murder wives much better than themselves For wrying
but a little! Shak.
Wry
Wry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wried; p. pr. & vb. n. Wrying.] [OE. wrien.
See Wry, a.] To twist; to distort; to writhe; to wrest; to vex. Sir P.
Sidney.
Guests by hundreds, not one caring If the dear host's neck were
wried. R. Browning.
Wrybill
Wry"bill` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Crookbill.
Wrymouth
Wry"mouth` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of large,
elongated, marine fishes of the genus Cryptacanthodes, especially C.
maculatus of the American coast. A whitish variety is called
ghostfish.
Wryneck
Wry"neck (?), n. (Med.)
1. A twisted or distorted neck; a deformity in which the neck is drawn
to one side by a rigid contraction of one of the muscles of the neck;
torticollis.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of Old World birds of the
genus Jynx, allied to the woodpeckers; especially, the common European
species (J. torguilla); -- so called from its habit of turning the
neck around in different directions. Called also cuckoo's mate,
snakebird, summer bird, tonguebird, and writheneck.
Wrynecked
Wry"necked` (?), a. Having a distorted neck; having the deformity
called wryneck.
Wryness
Wry"ness, n. The quality or state of being wry, or distorted. W.
Montagu.
Wrythen
Wryth"en (?), obs. p. p. of Writhe. Writhen.
Wulfenite
Wul"fen*ite (?), n. [So named after F. X. Wulfen, an Australian
mineralogist.] (Min.) Native lead molybdate occurring in tetragonal
crystals, usually tabular, and of a bright orange-yellow to red, gray,
or brown color; -- also called yellow lead ore.
Wull
Wull (?), v. t. & i. See 2d Will.
Pour out to all that wull. Spenser.
Wung-out
Wung"-out` (?), a. Having the sails set in the manner called
wing-and-wing. [Sailors' slang]
Wurbagool
Wur"ba*gool (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A fruit bat (Pteropus medius) native of
India. It is similar to the flying fox, but smaller.
Wurmal
Wur"mal (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Wormil.
Wurraluh
Wur"ra*luh (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The Australian white-quilled honey eater
(Entomyza albipennis).
Wust, Wuste
Wust (?), Wuste, obs. imp. of Wit. Piers Plowman.
Wyandots
Wy`an*dots" (?), n. pl.; sing. Wyandot (. (Ethnol.) Same as Hurons.
[Written also Wyandottes, and Yendots.]
Wych-elm
Wych"-elm` (?), n. [OE. wiche a kind of elm, AS. wice a kind of tree.
Cf. Wicker.] (Bot.) A species of elm (Ulmus montana) found in Northern
and Western Europe; Scotch elm.
NOTE: &hand; By confusion this word is often written witch-elm.
Wych-hazel
Wych"-ha`zel (?), n. (Bot.) The wych-elm; -- so called because its
leaves are like those of the hazel.
Wyclifite, Wycliffite
Wyc"lif*ite, Wyc"liff*ite (?), n. A follower of Wyclif, the English
reformer; a Lollard.
Wyd
Wyd (?), a. Wide. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wye
Wye (?), n.; pl. Wyes (.
1. The letter Y.
2. A kind of crotch. See Y, n. (a).
Wyke
Wyke (?), n. Week. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wyla
Wy"la (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A helmeted Australian cockatoo
(Calyptorhynchus funereus); -- called also funeral cockatoo.
Wynd
Wynd (?), n. [See Wind to turn.] A narrow lane or alley. [Scot.]
Jamieson.
The narrow wynds, or alleys, on each side of the street. Bryant.
Wynkernel
Wyn"ker*nel (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The European moor hen. [Prov. Eng.]
Wynn
Wynn (?), n. A kind of timber truck, or carriage.
Wype
Wype (?), n. The wipe, or lapwing. [Prov. Eng.]
Wythe
Wythe (?), n. (Naut.). Same as Withe, n., 4.
Wys
Wys (?), a. Wise. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Wyte, Wyten
Wyte (?), Wy"ten (?), obs. pl. pres. of Wit.
Wyvern
Wy"vern (?), n. (Her.) Same as Wiver.
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Page 1671
Xanthorh Xan`tho*rh (?), n. [NL., from Gr. xanqo`s yellow + (Bot.) A genus of
endogenous plants, native to Australia, having a thick, sometimes arborescent,
stem, and long grasslike leaves. See Grass tree.