water rat 1 any of various rodents that live on the banks of streams and ponds Æ 2 MUSKRAT
water right the right, sometimes limited, to use water from a stream, canal, etc. for some purpose, as irrigation
water sapphire a deep-blue, transparent variety of cordierite, sometimes used as a gem [transl. of Fr saphir d'eau]
water scorpion any of a family (Nepidae) of elongated, sticklike, four-winged hemipteran insects, characterized by a long breathing tube at the anal end of the abdomen
water shield Æ 1 a purple-flowered waterlily (Brasenia schreberi) having floating leaves coated underneath with a jellylike substance 2 CABOMBA
water snake any of numerous saltwater or freshwater snakes; esp., any of a widely distributed genus (Natrix) of thick-bodied, nonpoisonous, freshwater colubrine snakes that feed chiefly on fish and amphibians
water softener 1 a chemical compound added to hard water to soften it, as by precipitating out the minerals 2 a tank or other container in which water is filtered through any of various chemicals or ion exchange media for softening
water spaniel 1 AMERICAN WATER SPANIEL 2 IRISH WATER SPANIEL
water sprite Folklore a spirit, nymph, etc. dwelling in or haunting a body of water
water sprout a fast-growing sprout arising from the base, the trunk, or a main limb, of a tree or shrub, often with leaves different from those of adult parts of the same plant
water strider any of an insect-eating family (Gerridae) of usually slender-bodied hemipteran insects, having long legs with which they glide swiftly on the surface film of calm waters, esp. of ponds and streams
water supply 1 the water available for use of a community or in an area 2 the system for storing and supplying such water, as the reservoirs, mains, etc.
water system 1 a river with all its tributaries 2 WATER SUPPLY
water table 1 the level below which the ground is saturated with water 2 Archit. a projecting ledge or molding which throws off rainwater
water torture a form of torture in which water is caused to drip slowly onto the forehead of the immobilized victim
water tower 1 an elevated tank used for water storage and for maintaining equalized pressure on a water system Æ 2 a firefighting apparatus that can be used to lift high-pressure hoses and nozzles to great heights
water turkey ANHINGA
water vapor water in the form of a gas; steam
water wheel 1 a wheel turned by water running against or falling on paddles, used as a source of power 2 a wheel with buckets on its rim, used for lifting water
water wings a device, inflated with air, used to keep one afloat as while learning to swim: it is shaped somewhat like a pair of wings and is worn under the arms
water witch Æ 1 a person who professes to have the power to find underground water with a divining rod; dowser Æ 2 any of various diving birds, as certain grebes
waterborne (-börn') •adj. floating on or carried by water
waterbuck (-bûk') pl. -buck' •n.or -bucks' any of a genus (Kobus) of African antelopes that frequent streams or rivers and have long horns that curve forward at the tips
Waterbury (wöt´эr ber'i:, wät´-) city in WC Conn.: pop. 109,000
water-chestnut (-chest´nэt) •adj. designating a family (Trapaceae, order Myrtales) of floating, aquatic dicotyledonous plants
watercolor (-kûl'эr) •n. 1 a pigment or coloring matter that is mixed with water for use as a paint 2 a painting done with such paints 3 the art of painting with watercolors •adj. painted with watercolors wa´ter·col'or·ist •n.
water-cooled (-ku:ld') •adj. kept from overheating by having water circulated around or through it, as in pipes or a water jacket {a water-cooled engine} wa´ter-cool' (-ku:l') •vt.
watercourse (-körs') •n. 1 a stream of water; river, brook, etc. 2 a channel for water, as a canal or stream bed
watercraft (-kræft') •n. 1 skill in handling boats or ships 2 skill in water sports, as swimming 3 pl. -craft' a boat, ship, or other water vehicle
watercress (-kres') •n. a white-flowered plant (Nasturtium officinale) of the crucifer family, growing generally in running water, as from springs: its leaves are used in salads, soups, etc. [ME watercresse: see WATER & CRESS]
watercycle (-sai'kэl) •n. any of various small watercraft that are moved by working pedals or treadles
watered (wöt´эrd) •adj. 1 sprinkled with water 2 supplied with water; having streams: said of land 3 having a wavy, lustrous pattern: said of cloth, metal surfaces, etc. 4 treated, prepared, or diluted with water Æ 5 Finance issued in amounts producing a total face value beyond its true worth: said of stock, etc.
Wateree (wöt'эr i:´) river in NW S.C., flowing south to join the Congaree & form the Santee: c. 300 mi. (482 km) [AmInd tribal name < ?]
waterfall (wöt´эr föl') •n. a steep fall of water, as of a stream, from a height; cascade
Waterford (wöt´эr fэrd) 1 county of Munster province, S Ireland, on the Atlantic: 709 sq. mi. (1,837 sq. km); pop. 50,000 2 its county seat: a seaport: pop. 38,000
waterfowl (-faul') pl. -fowls' •n.or -fowl' a water bird; esp., any of a family (Anatidae, order Anseriformes), of birds consisting of ducks, geese, and swans
waterfront (-frûnt') •n. 1 land at the edge of a stream, harbor, etc. 2 the wharf or dock area of a city
Watergate (wöt´эr geit') •n. a scandal that involves officials violating public trust through subterfuge, bribery, burglary, and other abuses of power in order to maintain their positions of authority [after Watergate, building complex in Washington, D.C., housing Democratic Party headquarters, burglarized (June, 1972) under direction of government officials]
water-inch (-inch') •n. a former unit of hydraulic measure, calculated as the discharge of water through a circular opening one inch in diameter and equal to about fourteen pints per minute
wateriness (-i: nis) •n. the state or quality of being watery
watering hole [Colloq.] a bar or tavern, esp. one in which there is much social activity
watering place 1 a place at a stream, lake, etc. where animals go to drink 2 a place where water, esp. fresh water, can be obtained 3 [Chiefly Brit.] a) a resort or spa with mineral springs for drinking or bathing b) a resort with a beach suitable for swimming, water sports, etc. Æ 4 [Colloq.] WATERING HOLE
watering pot (or can) a container, esp. a can with a spout having a perforated nozzle, for watering plants, etc.
watering spot WATERING HOLE
waterish (-ish) •adj. WATERY
waterleaf (-li:f') pl. -leafs' •n. any of a genus (Hydrophyllum) of perennial plants of the waterleaf family, with white or bluish, bell-shaped flowers •adj. designating a family (Hydrophyllaceae, order Solanales) of chiefly North American dicotyledonous plants with a cymose inflorescence and capsular fruit, including the nemophilas
waterless (-lis) •adj. 1 without water; dry 2 not needing water, as for cooking wa´ter·less·ness •n.
waterlily (-lil'i:) pl. -lil'ies •n. 1 any of an order (Nymphaeales) of dicotyledonous water plants having large, flat, floating leaves and showy flowers in a wide range of color 2 the flower of such a plant •adj. designating a family (Nymphaeaceae) of waterlilies found worldwide in warm and temperate regions, including various African and Asiatic lotuses
waterline (-lain') •n. 1 the line to which the surface of the water comes on the side of a ship or boat 2 any of several lines parallel to this, marked at various heights on the hull of a ship, indicating the various degrees of submergence when the ship is fully or partly loaded, or unloaded, and on an even keel Æ 3 a pipe, tube, or other line connected to a source of water 4 WATERMARK (sense 1)
waterlocust (-lou'kэst) •n. a thorny honeylocust (Gleditsia aquatica), native to the SE U.S., with a dark, heavy wood that takes a high polish
waterlogged (-lögd') •adj. 1 soaked or filled with water so as to be almost awash, and heavy and sluggish in movement: said of boats or floating objects 2 soaked with water; swampy or spongy
Waterloo (wöt´эr lu:', wät´-; wöt'эr lu:´, wät'-) 1 city in NE Iowa: pop. 66,000 [after the town in Belgium] 2 town in central Belgium, south of Brussels: scene of Napoleon's final defeat (June 18, 1815) by the Allies under Wellington & Blücher: pop. 25,000 •n. any disastrous or decisive defeat
waterman (wöt´эr mэn) pl. -men •n. a person who works on or with boats; esp., an oarsman
watermark (wöt´эr märk') •n. 1 a mark showing the limit to which water has risen 2 Papermaking a) a translucent mark in paper, produced by pressure of a projecting design, as in the mold, during manufacture b) the design •vt. 1 to mark (paper) with a watermark 2 to impress (a design) as a watermark
watermelon (-mel'эn) •n. 1 a large, round or oblong, edible fruit with a hard, green rind and sweet, juicy, pink or red pulp containing many seeds 2 the widely cultivated African, tropical, trailing vine (Citrullus vulgaris) of the gourd family, on which it grows [WATER + MELON: from its abundant watery juice]
waterproof (-pru:f') •adj. that keeps out water completely; esp., treated with rubber, plastic, etc. so that water will not penetrate •n. 1 waterproof material 2 [Chiefly Brit., etc.] a raincoat or other outer garment of waterproof material •vt. to make waterproof
waterproofing (-iŋ) •n. 1 the act or process of making something waterproof 2 any substance used for this
water-repellent (-ri pel'эnt) •adj. that repels water but is not thoroughly waterproof
water-resistant (-ri zis'tэnt) •adj. that repels water for a short time but is not thoroughly waterproof
waterscape (-skeip') •n. 1 a view of a body of water; esp., a picture containing such a view 2 SEASCAPE [WATER + -SCAPE]
watershed (-shed') •n. 1 a ridge or stretch of high land dividing the areas drained by different rivers or river systems Æ 2 the area drained by a river or river system 3 a crucial turning point affecting action, opinion, etc.
waterside (-said') •n. land at the edge of a body of water; shore •adj. of, at, or on the waterside
waterside worker Austral. & N.Z. term for LONGSHOREMAN: also wa´ter·sid'er •n.
water-ski (-ski:') -skied', -ski'ing •vi. to be towed, as a sport, on skilike boards (water skis) by a line attached to a speedboat wa´ter-ski'er •n.
water-soak (-souk') •vt. to soak with or in water
water-soluble (-säl'yu: bэl) •adj. that can be dissolved in water
waterspout (-spaut') •n. 1 a hole, pipe, or spout from which water runs 2 a) a whirling funnel-shaped or tubelike column of air full of spray occurring over water, usually in tropical areas, often comparable in intensity to a dust devil b) [Rare] a similar whirlwind of lesser intensity
waterthrush (-θrûsh') •n. Æ any of several North American wood warblers (genus Seiurus), usually found near streams, swamps, etc.
watertight (-tait') •adj. 1 so snugly put together that no water can get in or through 2 that cannot be misconstrued, refuted, defeated, nullified, etc.; flawless {a watertight excuse, plan, etc.} wa´ter·tight'ness •n.
Waterton Lakes National Park (wöt´эr tэn, wät´-) national park in S Alberta, Canada: 203 sq. mi. (526 sq. km): with Glacier National Park of Mont., it forms Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
water-vascular system (-væs´kyu: lэr) in echinoderms, a system of closed tubes and ducts filled with sea water containing some protein, and functioning variously, as in locomotion, food gathering, clinging, and respiration
waterway (-wei') •n. 1 a channel or runnel through or along which water runs 2 any body of water wide enough and deep enough for boats, ships, etc., as a stream, canal, or river; water route
waterweed (-wi:d') •n. 1 any of various water plants having inconspicuous flowers, as pondweed 2 a North American elodea (Elodea canadensis) with white flowers: used in aquariums
waterworks (-wørks') •n.pl. 1 [often with sing. v.] a) a system of reservoirs, pumps, pipes, etc., used to bring a water supply to a town or city b) a pumping station in such a system, with its machinery, filters, etc. 2 [Slang] tears: usually in turn on the waterworks, to shed tears; weep
waterworn (-wörn') •adj. worn, smoothed, or polished by the action of running water
watery (-i:) •adj. 1 of or like water 2 containing or full of water; moist 3 thin; diluted {watery tea} 4 tearful; weeping 5 in or consisting of water {a watery grave} 6 weak; insipid 7 soft or soggy 8 full of, secreting, or giving off a morbid discharge resembling water
WATS (wäts) •n. a telephone service that ties a customer into the long-distance network through special lines so that calls can be made to and received from a defined area or areas at a special rate [w(ide) a(rea) t(elecommunications) s(ervice)]
Watson (wät´sэn, wöt´-) 1 James Dewey 1928- ; U.S. biochemist: helped determine the structure of DNA 2 John B(roadus) 1878-1958; U.S. psychologist
Watson-Watt (wät´sэn wät´), Sir Robert Alexander 1892-1973; Scot. physicist
Watt (wät), James 1736-1819; Scot. engineer & inventor: pioneer in the development of the steam engine watt (wät) •n. the practical mks unit of electrical power, equal to one joule per second or to the power developed in a circuit by a current of one ampere flowing through a potential difference of one volt; ¹/746 of a horsepower [after fol.: name proposed (1882) by Sir William SIEMENS]
wattage (wät´ij) •n. 1 amount of electrical power, expressed in watts 2 the number of watts required to operate a given device
Watteau (vå tou´; E wä tou´), (Jean) An·toine (äñ twån´) Fr. painter
watt-hour (wät´aur´) •n. a unit of electrical energy or work, equal to one watt acting for one hour, or 3,600 joules
wattle (wät´ªl) •n. 1 a sort of woven work made of sticks intertwined with twigs or branches, used for walls, fences, and roofs 2 [Brit. Dial.] a) a stick, rod, twig, or wand b) a hurdle or framework made of sticks, rods, etc. 3 [pl.] rods or poles used as the support of a thatched roof 4 [Austral.] any of various acacias: the flexible branches were much used by early settlers for making wattles 5 a fleshy, wrinkled, often brightly colored piece of skin which hangs from the chin or throat of certain birds, as the turkey, or of some lizards 6 a barbel of a fish 7 [often pl.] a fold or pouch of flesh hanging from the neck or lower part of the jaw •adj. made of or roofed with wattle or wattles •vt. -tled, -tling 1 to twist or intertwine (sticks, twigs, branches, etc.) so as to form an interwoven structure or fabric 2 to construct (a fence) by intertwining sticks or twigs 3 to build of, or roof, fence, etc. with, wattle [ME wattel < OE watul, a hurdle, woven twigs < ? IE *wedh-, to knit, bind < base *(a)we- > WEAVE]
wattlebird (-børd') •n. any of a number of large honeyeaters (genus Anthochaera) of Australia and Tasmania, characterized by wattles that hang from the corners of the mouth
wattled (wät´ªld) •adj. 1 built with wattles 2 having wattles, as a bird
wattmeter (wät´mi:t'эr) •n. an instrument for measuring in watts the power in an electric circuit
Watts (wäts), Isaac 1674-1748; Eng. clergyman & writer of hymns
Watusi (wä tu:´si:) pl. -sis or -si a member of a people of Burundi and Rwanda: also Wa·tut´si (-tu:t´si:) •n.
Waugh (wö), Eve·lyn (Arthur St. John) (i:v´lin) 1903-66; Eng. novelist
Waukegan (wö ki:´gэn) city in NE Ill., on Lake Michigan: pop. 69,000 [prob. < Ojibwa waakaaرigan, fort]
Waukesha (wö´ki shö') city in SE Wis., near Milwaukee: pop. 57,000 [< Algonquian dial., ? lit., fox]
waul (wöl) •vi., n. wail, squall, or howl [see CATERWAUL]
Wauwatosa (wö'wэ tou´sэ) city in SE Wis.: suburb of Milwaukee: pop. 49,000 [< AmInd wawatosi, ? firefly]
wave (weiv) waved, wav´ing •vi. 1 to move up and down or back and forth in a curving or undulating motion; swing, sway, or flutter to and fro: said of flexible things free at one end {flags waving in the breeze} 2 to signal by moving a hand, arm, light, etc. to and fro 3 to have the form of a series of curves or undulations {hair that waves naturally} •vt. 1 to cause to wave, undulate, or sway to and fro 2 to swing or brandish (a weapon) 3 a) to move or swing (something) as a signal; motion with (the hand, arms, etc.) b) to signal (something) by doing this {to wave farewell} c) to signal or signify something to (someone) by doing this {he waved us on} 4 to give an undulating form to; make sinuous {to wave one's hair} •n. [altered (based on the v.) < ME wawe, a wave] 1 a ridge or swell moving along the surface of a liquid or body of water as a result of disturbance, as by wind 2 a) an undulation or series of undulations in or on a surface, such as that caused by wind over a field of grain b) a curve or series of curves or curls, as in the hair c) an appearance of undulation, by reflection of light, on watered fabric 3 a motion to and fro or up and down, such as that made by the hand in signaling 4 something like a wave in action or effect; specif., a) an upsurge or rise, as to a crest, or a progressively swelling manifestation {a crime wave, heat wave, wave of emotion, etc.} b) a movement of people, etc., in groups or masses, which recedes or grows smaller before subsiding or being followed by another {a wave of immigrants} 5 [Old Poet.] water; esp., the sea or other body of water 6 Physics a periodic motion or disturbance consisting of a series of many oscillations that propagate through a medium or space, as in the propagation of sound or light: the medium does not travel outward from the source with the wave but only vibrates as it passes make waves to disturb the prevailing calm, complacency, etc. wave´less •adj. wave´like' •adj. wav´er •n. SYN.—wave is the general word for a curving ridge or swell in the surface of the ocean or other body of water; ripple is used of the smallest kind of wave, such as that caused by a breeze ruffling the surface of water; roller is applied to any of the large, heavy, swelling waves that roll in to the shore, as during a storm; breaker is applied to such a wave when it breaks, or is about to break, into foam upon the shore or upon rocks; billow is a somewhat poetic or rhetorical term for a great, heaving ocean wave [ME waven < OE wafian, akin to Ger waben, to fluctuate < IE *webh-, to move to and fro, prob. identical with *webh-, to WEAVE] Wave (weiv) •n. a member of the WAVES wave (weiv) waved, wav´ing •vi. 1 to move up and down or back and forth in a curving or undulating motion; swing, sway, or flutter to and fro: said of flexible things free at one end {flags waving in the breeze} 2 to signal by moving a hand, arm, light, etc. to and fro 3 to have the form of a series of curves or undulations {hair that waves naturally} •vt. 1 to cause to wave, undulate, or sway to and fro 2 to swing or brandish (a weapon) 3 a) to move or swing (something) as a signal; motion with (the hand, arms, etc.) b) to signal (something) by doing this {to wave farewell} c) to signal or signify something to (someone) by doing this {he waved us on} 4 to give an undulating form to; make sinuous {to wave one's hair} •n. [altered (based on the v.) < ME wawe, a wave] 1 a ridge or swell moving along the surface of a liquid or body of water as a result of disturbance, as by wind 2 a) an undulation or series of undulations in or on a surface, such as that caused by wind over a field of grain b) a curve or series of curves or curls, as in the hair c) an appearance of undulation, by reflection of light, on watered fabric 3 a motion to and fro or up and down, such as that made by the hand in signaling 4 something like a wave in action or effect; specif., a) an upsurge or rise, as to a crest, or a progressively swelling manifestation {a crime wave, heat wave, wave of emotion, etc.} b) a movement of people, etc., in groups or masses, which recedes or grows smaller before subsiding or being followed by another {a wave of immigrants} 5 [Old Poet.] water; esp., the sea or other body of water 6 Physics a periodic motion or disturbance consisting of a series of many oscillations that propagate through a medium or space, as in the propagation of sound or light: the medium does not travel outward from the source with the wave but only vibrates as it passes make waves to disturb the prevailing calm, complacency, etc. wave´less •adj. wave´like' •adj. wav´er •n. SYN.—wave is the general word for a curving ridge or swell in the surface of the ocean or other body of water; ripple is used of the smallest kind of wave, such as that caused by a breeze ruffling the surface of water; roller is applied to any of the large, heavy, swelling waves that roll in to the shore, as during a storm; breaker is applied to such a wave when it breaks, or is about to break, into foam upon the shore or upon rocks; billow is a somewhat poetic or rhetorical term for a great, heaving ocean wave [ME waven < OE wafian, akin to Ger waben, to fluctuate < IE *webh-, to move to and fro, prob. identical with *webh-, to WEAVE]
wave band Radio, TV a specific range of radio frequencies
wave base the depth in a body of water at which the action of surface waves stops stirring the sediments
wave front Physics a surface, at right angles to a propagated disturbance, that passes at any given moment through those parts of the wave motion that are in the same phase and are moving in the same direction
wave mechanics the branch of physics that describes the motion of particles, as atoms and elementary particles, by wave motion
wave train Physics a series of waves coming from the same source at regular intervals
waveguide (weiv´gaid') •n. an electric conductor consisting of a metal tubing, usually circular or rectangular in cross section, used for the conduction or directional transmission of microwaves
wavelength (-leŋkθ') •n. 1 Physics the distance, measured in the direction of progression of a wave, from any given point to the next point characterized by the same phase 2 [Colloq.] a way of thinking, understanding, etc.: chiefly in the phrase on the same wavelength, having mutual understanding; in accord
wavelet (weiv´lit) •n. a little wave; ripple
Wavell (wei´vэl), Archibald (Percival) 1st Earl Wavell 1883-1950; Brit. field marshal
wavellite (wei´vэ lait') •n. an orthorhombic hydrous phosphate of aluminum, vitreous and translucent [after W. Wavell (?-1829), Eng physician who discovered it]
waver (wei´vэr) •vi. 1 to swing or sway to and fro; flutter 2 to show doubt or indecision; find it hard, or be unable, to decide; vacillate 3 to become unsteady; begin to give way; falter 4 to tremble; quaver: said of the voice, etc. 5 to vary in brightness; flicker: said of light 6 to fluctuate 7 to totter •n. the act of wavering, trembling, vacillating, etc. wa´ver·er •n. wa´ver·ing·ly •adv. [ME waveren, freq. of waven, to WAVE]
WAVES (weivz) •n. the women's branch of the U.S. Navy [orig., W(omen) A(ppointed for) V(oluntary) E(mergency) S(ervice)]
wavy (wei´vi:) wav´i·er, wav´i·est •adj. 1 having waves 2 moving in a wavelike motion 3 having undulating curves; forming waves and hollows; sinuous 4 characteristic or suggestive of waves 5 wavering; fluctuating; unsteady wav´i·ly •adv. wav´i·ness •n.
wa-wa (wä´wä´) •n. alt. sp. of WAH-WAH
wawl (wöl) •vi., n. alt. Brit. sp. of WAUL
wax bean 1 a variety of kidney bean with long, narrow, yellow pods 2 the edible immature seed pod of this
wax insect any of various homopteran insects, esp. scale insects, that secrete a waxy substance sometimes used commercially; specif., a Chinese scale insect (Ericerus pela)
wax museum an exhibition of wax figures, as of famous persons
wax myrtle an evergreen bayberry (Myrica cerifera) native to E North America and having grayish-white berries coated with a wax used for candles
wax palm 1 CARNAUBA 2 a palm tree (Ceroxylon andicola) of the Andes, whose trunk yields a wax used in making candles, polishes, etc.
wax paper a kind of paper made moisture-proof by a wax, or paraffin, coating Also waxed paper
wax¹ (wæks) •n. 1 a plastic, dull-yellow substance secreted by bees for building cells; beeswax: it is hard when cold, easily molded when warm, melts at c. 64.4°C (c. 148°F), cannot be dissolved in water, and is used for candles, modeling, etc. 2 any plastic substance like this; specif., a) paraffin b) a waxlike substance exuded by the ears; earwax; cerumen c) a waxy substance produced by scale insects d) any waxlike substance yielded by plants or animals e) a resinous substance used by shoemakers to rub on thread f) SEALING WAX 3 any of a group of substances with a waxy appearance made up variously of esters, fatty acids, free alcohols, and solid hydrocarbons 4 [Old Colloq.] a phonograph record: once common in put on wax, to make a phonograph record of [from the wax cylinders formerly used for recording sound] •vt. 1 to rub, polish, cover, smear, or treat with wax 2 [Old Colloq.] to make a phonograph record of •adj. made of wax wax´er •n. wax´like' •adj. [ME < OE weax, akin to Ger wachs < IE *wokso- < *weg-, to weave, prob. < base *(a)we-, to WEAVE]
wax² (wæks) waxed, waxed, wax´ing •vi. 1 to grow gradually larger, more numerous, etc.; increase in strength, intensity, volume, etc.: said esp. of the visible face of the moon during the phases after new moon in which the lighted portion is gradually increasing from a thin crescent on the right, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere: opposed to WANE (vi. 1) 2 a) [Now Rare] to become; grow {to wax angry} b) to speak or express oneself {he waxed on and on about his prowess} [ME waxen < OE weaxan, to grow, akin to Ger wachsen < IE *aweks- < base *aweg-, *aug- > EKE¹, L augere, Gr auxein, to increase]
wax³ (wæks) •n. [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] a fit of anger or temper; a rage [< ? prec., as in phr. wax angry]
waxberry (wæks´ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 SNOWBERRY (senses 1 & 3) Æ 2 BAYBERRY (sense 1)
waxbill (wæks´bil') •n. any of a group of small, Old World passerine birds (family Estrildidae) with waxy pink, scarlet, or white bills: some species are kept as cage birds
waxen¹ (wæk´sэn) •adj. 1 made of wax 2 like wax, as in being yellowish, soft, smooth, lustrous, pale, plastic, pliable, impressionable, etc. 3 covered with wax
waxen² (wæk´sэn) •vi. archaic pp. of WAX²
waxiness (wæks´i: nis) •n. a waxy state or quality
waxweed (wæks´wi:d') •n. a plant (Cuphea petiolata) of the loosestrife family, with sticky stems and purple flowers
waxwing (-wiŋ') •n. any of several fruit-eating passerine birds (family Bombycillidae) of the Northern Hemisphere, with brown or gray silky plumage, a showy crest, and scarlet waxlike tips on the secondary wing feathers, as the cedar waxwing
waxwork (-wørk') •n. 1 work, as objects, figures, etc., made of wax 2 a human figure made of wax 3 [pl. with sing. v.] WAX MUSEUM
waxy (wæks´i:) wax´i·er, wax´i·est •adj. 1 full of, covered with, or made of wax 2 like wax in nature or appearance 3 Med. designating, of, or characterized by degeneration resulting from the deposit of an insoluble, waxlike substance in an organ
way (wei) •n. 1 a means of passing from one place to another, as a road, highway, street, path, etc. {the Appian Way} 2 room or space for passing; free area; an opening, as in a crowd or traffic {clear a way for the ambulance} 3 a route or course that is or may be used to go from one place to another: often used in combination {highway, railway, one-way street, etc.} 4 a specified route or direction {on the way to town} 5 a path in life; course or habits of life or conduct {to fall into evil ways} 6 a) a course of action; method or manner of doing something {do it this way} b) a means to an end; method {a way to cut costs} 7 a usual or customary manner of living, acting, or being {the way of the world} 8 a characteristic manner of acting or doing {to learn the ways of other people} 9 manner or style {to have a pleasant way} 10 distance {a long way off} 11 direction of movement or action {go this way, look this way} 12 respect; point; particular; feature {to be right in some ways} 13 what one desires; wish; will {to have or get one's own way} 14 range or scope, as of experience {a method that never came in his way} 15 relationship as to those taking part: used in hyphenated compounds {a four-way conversation} 16 [Colloq.] a (specified) state or condition {to be in a bad way} 17 [Colloq.] a district; locality; area {out our way} 18 [Now Rare] Law RIGHT OF WAY (sense 2) 19 Mech. a surface or slide on which the carriage of a lathe, etc. moves along its bed 20 Naut. a ship's movement or momentum through water 21 [pl.] Shipbuilding a timber framework on which a ship is built and along which it slides in launching •adv. [Colloq.] away; far; to a considerable extent or at some distance {way behind} by the way 1 incidentally 2 on or beside the way by way of 1 passing through; through; via 2 as a way, method, mode, or means of 3 [Chiefly Brit.] in the condition or position of {by way of being a fine pianist} come one's way 1 to come within one's scope or range; come to one 2 [Colloq.] to turn out successfully for one: also go one's way give way 1 to withdraw; yield 2 to break down; collapse give way to 1 to step aside for; yield to 2 to give free expression to {to give way to tears} Æ go all the way 1 [Colloq.] to proceed or agree completely 2 [Slang] to engage in sexual intercourse go out of the (or one's) way to inconvenience oneself; do something that one would not ordinarily do, or that requires extra or deliberate effort or trouble in the way in such a position or of such a nature as to obstruct, hinder, impede, or prevent lead the way to be a guide or example make one's way 1 to advance or proceed 2 to advance in life or succeed, as by one's own efforts make way 1 to make room; clear a passage 2 to make progress on the way out 1 becoming unfashionable, obsolescent, etc. 2 dying out of the way 1 in a position so as not to hinder or interfere 2 disposed of 3 not on the right or usual route or course 4 a) improper; wrong; amiss b) unusual; uncommon parting of the ways an ending of a relationship as because of a disagreement see one's way (clear) 1 to be willing (to do something) 2 to find it convenient or possible take one's way [Old Poet.] to go on a journey; travel the way according to the way that; as {with things the way they are} under way 1 moving; advancing; making progress 2 Naut. see UNDERWAY [ME < OE weg, akin to Ger < IE base *weGh-, to go > L vehere, to carry, ride, Gr ochos, wagon]
Way of the Cross STATIONS OF THE CROSS
way station a small railroad station between more important ones, where through trains stop only on signal
waybill (wei´bil') •n. Æ a paper giving a list of goods and shipping instructions, sent with the goods being shipped
wayfarer (-fer'эr) •n. a person who travels, esp. from place to place on foot way´far'ing •adj., n.
waygoing (wei´gou'iŋ) •adj. [Chiefly Scot.] going away; departing •n. [Chiefly Scot.] the act of leaving or departing
Wayland (wei´lэnd) Eng. Folklore, Gmc. Folklore an invisible smith Also Wayland (the) Smith
waylay (wei'lei´, wei´lei') -laid´, -lay´ing •vt. 1 to lie in wait for and attack; ambush 2 to wait for and accost (a person) on the way way'lay´er •n. [WAY + LAY¹, after MLowG wegelagen, to waylay < wegelage, an ambush < weg, akin to WAY + lage, a lying < base of leggian; akin to LIE¹]
Wayne (wein) city in NE N.J., near Paterson: pop. 47,000 [after Anthony WAYNE] Wayne (wein) 1 a masculine name 2 Anthony 1745-96; Am. general in the Revolutionary War: called Mad Anthony Wayne 3 John (called Duke) (born Marion Michael Morrison) 1907-79; U.S. film actor [< surname Wayne]
way-out (wei´aut´) •adj. [Colloq.] unconventional, experimental, nonconformist, esoteric, etc.
ways (weiz) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] [Colloq.] WAY (n. 10)
-ways (weiz) suffix forming adverbs in a (specified) direction, position, or manner {sideways}: equivalent to -WISE (sense 1) [ME < way (see WAY) + adv. gen. -s]
ways and means 1 methods and resources at the disposal of a person, company, etc. 2 methods of raising money, specif. such methods, including legislation, in government
wayside (wei´said') •n. the edge of a road; area close to the side of a road •adj. on, near, or along the side of a road go by the wayside to be put aside, shelved, or discarded
wayward (-wэrd) •adj. 1 insistent upon having one's own way contrary to others' advice, wishes, or orders; headstrong, willful, disobedient, delinquent, etc. 2 conforming to no fixed rule or pattern; unpredictable; irregular; capricious; erratic 3 [Archaic] unwanted or unexpected {wayward fate} way´ward·ly •adv. way´ward·ness •n. [ME weiward, aphetic for aweiward: see AWAY & -WARD]
wayworn (-wörn') •adj. tired from traveling
Waziristan (wä zir'i stän´) mountainous region in W Pakistan, on the Afghanistan border: c. 5,000 sq. mi. (12,950 sq. km)
wb 1 Naut. water ballast 2 waybill: also W/B or WB
WbN west by north
WbS west by south
wc abbrev. without charge
wc or WC (dûb´эl yu: si:´) •n. [Brit. Colloq.] water closet; TOILET (n. 4)
WCC World Council of Churches
WCTU Woman's Christian Temperance Union
wd 1 ward 2 word 3 would
we (wi:) sing. I pron. 1 the persons speaking or writing: used in referring to the speaker or writer and another or others, sometimes including those addressed 2 I: used by a monarch, editor, judge, etc. to indicate that the authority of his or her position or profession is represented 3 you: used in direct address as in encouraging or admonishing a child, invalid, etc. [shall we take the medicine now?] We is the nominative case form, us the objective, our and ours the possessive, and ourselves (or, by a king, etc., ourself) the intensive and reflexive, of the first personal plural pronoun [ME < OE, akin to Ger wir, Goth weis < IE base *we-, we > Sans vayám] We Wednesday
weak (wi:k) •adj. 1 a) lacking in strength of body or muscle; not physically strong b) lacking vitality; feeble; infirm 2 lacking in skill or strength in combat or competition {a weak team} 3 lacking in moral strength or willpower; yielding easily to temptation, the influence of others, etc. 4 lacking in mental power, or in the ability to think, judge, decide, etc. 5 a) lacking ruling power, or authority {a weak government} b) having few resources; relatively low in wealth, numbers, supplies, etc. {the weaker nations} 6 lacking in force or effectiveness {weak discipline} 7 a) lacking in strength of material or construction; unable to resist strain, pressure, etc.; easily torn, broken, bent, etc. {a weak railing} b) not sound or secure; unable to stand up to an attack {a weak fortification} 8 a) not functioning normally or well (said of a body organ or part) {weak eyes} b) easily upset; queasy {a weak stomach} 9 indicating or suggesting moral or physical lack of strength {weak features} 10 lacking in volume, intensity, etc.; faint {a weak voice, a weak current} 11 lacking the usual or proper strength; specif., a) having only a small amount of its essential ingredient; diluted {weak tea} b) not as potent as usual or as others of the kind {a weak drug} c) lacking, poor, or deficient in something specified {weak in grammar, a baseball team weak in pitchers} 12 a) ineffective; unconvincing {a weak argument} b) faulty {weak logic} 13 tending toward lower prices: said of a market, stock, etc. 14 Chem. having a low ion concentration, as certain acids and bases 15 Gram. expressing variation in tense by the addition of an inflectional suffix rather than by internal change of a syllabic vowel; regular (Ex.: talk, talked, talked): cf. STRONG, adj. 20) 16 Phonet. unstressed or lightly stressed: said of a syllable 17 Photog. THIN (sense 10) 18 Prosody designating or of a verse ending in which the stress falls on a word or syllable that is normally unstressed weak´ish •adj. SYN.—weak, the broadest in application of these words, basically implies a lack or inferiority of physical, mental, or moral strength [a weak muscle, mind, character, foundation, excuse, etc.]; feeble suggests a pitiable weakness or ineffectiveness [a feeble old man, a feeble joke]; frail suggests an inherent or constitutional delicacy or weakness, so as to be easily broken or shattered [a frail body, conscience, etc.]; infirm suggests a loss of strength or soundness, as through illness or age [his infirm old grandfather]; decrepit implies a being broken down, worn out, or decayed, as by old age or long use [a decrepit old pensioner, a decrepit sofa] —ANT. strong, sturdy, robust [ME waik < ON veikr, akin to OE wac, feeble (which the ON word replaced) < IE *weig-, *weik- (< base *wei-, to bend) > WEEK, WICKER, L vicis, change]
weak interaction (or force) the short-range interaction between elementary particles (leptons) responsible for beta decay and the decay of many long-lived elementary particles: see STRONG INTERACTION
weak sister Æ [Slang] one who is cowardly, unreliable, etc.
weaken (-эn) •vt., vi. to make or become weak or weaker weak´en·er •n. SYN.—weaken, the most general of these words, implies a lessening of strength, power, soundness, etc. [weakened by disease, to weaken an argument]; debilitate suggests a partial or temporary weakening, as by disease or dissipation [debilitated by alcoholic excesses]; enervate implies a lessening of force, vigor, energy, etc., as through indulgence in luxury [enervated by idleness]; undermine and sap both suggest a weakening or impairing by subtle or stealthy means [authority undermined by rumors, strength sapped by disease] —ANT. strengthen, energize
weakfish (-fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es any of various edible, marine drum fishes (genus Cynoscion), esp. a species (C. regalis) off the E coast of the U.S. [< obs. Du weekvisch < week, soft (akin to WEAK) + visch, FISH]
weak-kneed (-ni:d') •adj. 1 having weak knees 2 lacking in courage, determination, resistance, etc.
weakling (-liŋ) •n. 1 a person or animal low in physical strength or vitality 2 a person of weak character or intellect
weakly (-li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. sickly; feeble; weak •adv. in a weak manner weak´li·ness •n.
weak-minded (-main'did) •adj. 1 not firm of mind; indecisive; unable to refuse or deny 2 mentally retarded; feebleminded 3 showing weakness of resolve or thought {a weak-minded decision} weak´-mind'ed·ness •n.
weakness (-nis) •n. 1 the state or quality of being weak 2 a weak point; fault or defect, as in one's character 3 a) a liking; esp., an immoderate fondness (for something) b) something of which one is immoderately fond {candy is my one weakness} SYN. FAULT
weakside (wi:k´said') •n. 1 Basketball the side of the court with fewer players 2 Football that side of the offensive line having fewer players or opposite to the tight end
weal¹ (wi:l) •n. a mark, line, or ridge raised on the skin, as by a blow; welt; wale [var. of WALE¹]
weal² (wi:l) •n. 1 a sound or prosperous state; well-being; welfare {the public weal} 2 [Obs.] a) wealth b) the body politic [ME wele < OE wela, wealth, well-being, akin to OS: for IE base see WILL¹]
weald (wi:ld) •n. [Old Poet.] 1 a wooded area; forest 2 wild open country The Weald region in SE England, in Surrey, Kent, & Sussex: formerly heavily forested [readoption of OE (WS) weald (ME weeld), forest, wold, wilderness < PGmc *walthu: see VOLE¹]
wealth (welθ) •n. 1 a) much money or property; great amount of worldly possessions; riches b) the state of having much money or property; affluence {a person of wealth} 2 a large amount (of something); abundance {a wealth of ideas} 3 valuable products, contents, or derivatives {the wealth of the oceans} 4 [Obs.] weal; well-being 5 Econ. a) everything having economic value measurable in price b) any useful material thing capable of being bought, sold, or stocked for future disposition [ME welthe, wealth, happiness: see WEAL² & -TH¹]
wealthy (wel´θi:) wealth´i·er, wealth´i·est •adj. 1 having wealth; rich; prosperous; affluent 2 of, characterized by, or suggestive of wealth 3 rich or abundant (in something specified) {talk wealthy in nuances} SYN. RICH wealth´i·ly •adv. wealth´i·ness •n. Wealthy (wel´θi:) •n. Æ a red, medium-sized fall apple
wean¹ (wi:n) •vt. 1 to cause (a child or young animal) to become accustomed gradually to food other than its mother's milk; to cause to give up suckling; now, often, to cause to give up drinking milk from a bottle with a nipple 2 to withdraw (a person) by degrees (from a habit, object of affection, occupation, etc.), as by substituting some other interest 3 to be raised on or brought up with; to become accustomed to: with on {weaned on good books} wean´er •n. [ME wenen < OE wenian, to accustom, train, with sense of awenian, to wean < a- (< af-, away) + wenian < IE base *wen-, to desire, attain, be satisfied > L venus, love]
wean² (wi:n) •n. [Scot. or North Eng.] a child or baby [contr. of Scot wee ane, little one]
weanling (-liŋ) •n. a child or young animal that has just been weaned •adj. recently weaned
weapon (wep´эn) •n. 1 an instrument or device of any kind used to injure or kill, as in fighting or hunting 2 any organ or part of an organism used for attacking or defending 3 any means of attack or defense {the weapon of the law} weap´oned •adj. weap´on·less •adj. [ME wepen < OE wæpen, akin to Ger waffe, ON vāpn, Goth wēpna: base found only in Gmc]
weaponeer (wep'эn ir´) •n. an expert in the design and production of weapons, esp. nuclear weapons
weaponry (wep´эn ri:) •n. 1 the design and production of weapons 2 weapons collectively; esp., a nation's stockpile of weapons of war [WEAPON + -RY]
Wear (wir) river in Durham, N England, flowing northeast into the North Sea: 67 mi. (107 km)
wear and tear loss and damage resulting from use
wear¹ (wer) wore, worn, wear´ing •vt. 1 a) to have on the body or carry on the person (clothing, jewelry, a weapon, etc.) b) to hold the position or rank symbolized by {to wear the heavyweight crown} c) to dress in (a specified kind of attire) so as to be in style {what the college girl is wearing this spring} 2 to have or show in one's expression or appearance {to wear a smile, wearing an air of expectancy} 3 to be fitted with or have on the person habitually {to wear dentures} 4 to have or bear as a characteristic or attribute {to wear a beard, to wear one's hair long} 5 to fly or show (its flag): said of a ship 6 to impair, consume, or diminish as by constant use, handling, friction, etc.: often with away 7 to bring by use to a specified state {to wear a coat to rags} 8 to make, cause, or produce by the friction of rubbing, scraping, flowing, etc. {to wear a hole in the sole of one's shoe} 9 to tire or exhaust (a person) 10 to pass (time) slowly or tediously: often with away or out •vi. 1 to become impaired, consumed, or diminished by constant use, friction, etc. {shoes that have begun to wear} 2 to hold up in use as specified; bear continued use or handling; last {a suit that wears well} 3 to become in time; grow gradually {courage that is wearing thin} 4 to pass away gradually: often with away or on: said of time [the year wore on] 5 to have an irritating or exhausting effect (on) {noise wearing on our nerves} •n. 1 the act of wearing or the state of being worn 2 things, esp. clothes, worn, or for wearing, on the body [children's wear]: often in combination [sportswear, footwear] 3 the fashion or proper style of dress or the like 4 a) the gradual impairment, loss, or diminution from use, friction, etc. b) the amount of such loss 5 the ability to resist impairment or loss from use, friction, etc. {a lot of wear left in the tire} wear down 1 to make or become worn; lose or cause to lose thickness or heights by use, friction, etc. 2 to tire out, or exhaust (a person); weary 3 to overcome the resistance of by persistence wear off to pass away or diminish by degrees wear out 1 to make or become useless from continued wear or use 2 to waste or consume by degrees 3 to tire out; exhaust wear the pants (or trousers) [Colloq.] to have the greastest authority in a family wear´er •n. [ME weren < OE werian, akin to ON verja, Goth wasjan, to clothe < IE base *wes-, to clothe > Sans vastra-, L vestis, clothing, vestire, to clothe]
wear² (wer) wore, worn, wear´ing •vt. to turn or bring (a vessel) about by swinging its bow away from the wind; veer: opposed to TACK (vt. 4a) •vi. to turn or come about by having the bow swung away from the wind •n. the act of wearing a ship [? altered (infl. by prec.) < VEER²]
wearable (wer´э bэl) •adj. that can be worn; suitable for wear •n. [pl.] wearable things; garments; clothing wear'a·bil´i·ty •n.
weariful (wir´i fэl) •adj. that makes weary; tiresome wea´ri·ful·ly •adv. wea´ri·ful·ness •n.
weariless (wir´i: lis) •adj. unwearying; tireless wea´ri·less·ly •adv. wea´ri·less·ness •n.
weariness (-i: nis) •n. 1 the condition or quality of being weary; fatigue or tedium 2 something that wearies
wearing (wer´iŋ) •adj. 1 of or intended for wear {wearing apparel} 2 causing wear, or gradual impairment or diminution 3 wearying; tiring wear´ing·ly •adv.
wearisome (wir´i sэm) •adj. causing weariness; tiring, tiresome, or tedious wea´ri·some·ly •adv.
wearproof (wer´pru:f') •adj. resistant to normal wear or the effects of continued use
weary (wir´i:) -ri·er, -ri·est •adj. 1 tired; worn out 2 without further liking, patience, tolerance, zeal, etc.; bored: with of {weary of jokes} 3 tiring {weary work} 4 irksome; tedious; tiresome {his weary explanation} •vt., vi. -ried, -ry·ing to make or become weary SYN. TIRED wea´ri·ly •adv. wea´ri·ness •n. [ME weri < OE werig, akin to OHG wuorag, drunk < IE base *wōr-, giddiness, faintness > Gr hōrakian, to be giddy]
weasel (wi:´zэl) pl. -sels or -sel •n. 1 any of various agile musteline carnivores (esp. genus Mustela) with a long, slender body, short legs, and a long, bushy tail: they feed on rats, mice, birds, eggs, etc. and are worldwide 2 a sly, cunning, or sneaky person Æ vi. 1 to use weasel words 2 [Colloq.] to avoid or evade a commitment or responsibility: with out wea´sel·ly •adj. [ME wesel < OE wesle, akin to Ger wiesel, prob. < IE base *weis-, to flow out (with reference to the rank odor emitted by the animal) > VIRUS, BISON]
weasel words words or remarks that are equivocal or deliberately ambiguous or misleading [prob. in allusion to the weasel's habit of sucking out the contents of an egg without destroying the shell]
weather (weð´эr) •n. 1 the general condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place, with regard to the temperature, moisture, cloudiness, etc. 2 disagreeable or harmful atmospheric conditions; storm, rain, etc. {protected against the weather} •vt. 1 to expose to the action of weather or atmosphere, as for airing, drying, seasoning, etc. 2 to wear away, discolor, disintegrate, or otherwise change for the worse by exposure to the atmosphere 3 to pass through safely or survive {to weather a storm} 4 to slope (masonry, cornices, sills, etc.) so as to allow water to run off 5 Naut. to pass to the windward of (a cape, reef, etc.) •vi. 1 to become discolored, disintegrated, etc. by exposure to the weather or atmosphere 2 to endure such exposure in a specified manner {canvas that weathers well} •adj. 1 designating or of the side of a ship, etc. toward the wind; windward 2 exposed to the elements {weather deck} Æ under the weather [Colloq.] 1 not feeling well; somewhat sick; ailing 2 somewhat drunk weather through to pass or go safely through a storm, peril, difficulty, etc. [ME weder < OE, akin to ON vethr, Ger wetter < IE base *we-, *awe-, to blow > WIND², OSlav vedro, fair weather]
Weather Bureau old name for NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
weather eye 1 an eye alert to signs of changing weather 2 a close watch for change of any kind {to keep a weather eye on a touchy situation} keep one's weather eye open to be on the alert; stay on guard
weather map a map or chart showing the condition of the weather in a certain area at a given time by indicating barometric pressures, temperatures, wind direction, etc.
weather station a post or office where weather conditions are recorded and studied and forecasts are made
weather vane a vane that swings in the wind to show the direction from which the wind is blowing
weather-beaten (-bi:t'ªn) •adj. showing the effect of weather, as a) stained, damaged, or worn down b) sunburned, roughened, etc. (said of a person, one's face, etc.)
weatherboard (-börd') •n. 1 a) CLAPBOARD b) weatherboards collectively 2 Naut. the windward side of a ship •vt. to cover with weatherboards
weatherboarding (-bör'diŋ) •n. weatherboards collectively
weather-bound (-baund') •adj. delayed or halted by bad weather, as a ship, airplane, etc.
weathercock (-käk') •n. 1 a weather vane in the shape of a rooster 2 a fickle or changeable person or thing
weathered (weð´эrd) •adj. 1 seasoned by the weather; stained, worn, or beaten by the weather 2 given a stained or discolored finish intended to resemble that produced by exposure to the weather 3 Archit. made sloping, as sills, so as to shed water
weatherglass (weð´эr glæs') •n. BAROMETER (sense 1)
weathering (-iŋ) •n. 1 Archit. a slope built to shed water 2 Geol. the physical and chemical effects of the forces of weather on rock surfaces, as in forming soil, sand, etc.
weatherize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to weatherstrip, insulate, etc. (a building), as in order to conserve heat weath'er·i·za´tion •n. [WEATHER + -IZE]
weatherly (-li:) •adj. Naut. that can sail close to the wind with very little drift to leeward weath´er·li·ness •n.
weatherman (-mæn') pl. -men' (-mэn') •n. Æ a person who forecasts the weather, or, esp., one who reports weather conditions and forecasts, as on television
weatherproof (-pru:f') •adj. that can be exposed to wind, rain, snow, etc. without being damaged •vt. to make weatherproof
weatherstrip (-strip') •n. a thin strip of metal, felt, wood, etc., used to cover the joint between a door or window sash and the jamb, casing, or sill so as to keep out drafts, rain, etc. Also weather strip •vt. -stripped', -strip'ping to fit or provide with weatherstrips
weatherstripping (-strip'iŋ) •n. 1 WEATHERSTRIP 2 weatherstrips collectively
weather-wise (-waiz') •adj. 1 skilled in predicting the weather 2 skilled in predicting shifts of opinion, feeling, etc.
weatherworn (-wörn') •adj. WEATHER-BEATEN
weave (wi:v) wove •vt. or, chiefly for vt. 6 & vi. 2, weaved, wo´ven or wove or, chiefly for vt. 6 & vi. 2, weaved, weav´ing 1 a) to make (a fabric), esp. on a loom, by interlacing threads or yarns b) to form (threads) into a fabric 2 a) to construct in the mind or imagination b) to work (details, incidents, etc.) into a story, poem, etc. 3 a) to make by interlacing twigs, straw, rush, wicker, etc. {to weave baskets} b) to twist or interlace (straw, wicker, etc.) so as to form something 4 to twist or interlace (something) into, through, or among {to weave flowers into one's hair} 5 to make or spin (a web): said of spiders, etc. 6 a) to cause (a vehicle, etc.) to move from side to side or in and out b) to make (one's way) by moving in this fashion •vi. 1 to do weaving; make cloth 2 to move from side to side or in and out {weaving through traffic} •n. a method, manner, or pattern of weaving {a cloth of English weave} [ME weven < OE wefan, akin to ON vefa, Ger weben < IE *webh- (> Gr hyphē) < base *(a)we-, to plait, weave]
weaver (wi:´vэr) •n. 1 a person who weaves; esp., one whose work is weaving 2 WEAVER FINCH
weaver finch any of a number of Old World finches (family Ploceidae) that weave elaborate domed nests of sticks, grass, and other vegetation
weaverbird (-børd') •n. WEAVER FINCH
weaver's hitch (or knot) SHEET BEND
web (web) •n. 1 any woven fabric; esp., a length of cloth being woven on a loom or just taken off 2 a) the woven or spun network of a spider; cobweb b) a similar network spun by the larvae of certain insects 3 a carefully woven trap or snare 4 a complicated work of the mind, imagination, etc. {a web of lies} 5 anything like a web, as in intricacy of pattern, interconnection of elements, etc.; network 6 Anat. a) tissue or membrane b) an abnormal membrane joining fingers or toes at the base 7 Archit. the portion of a ribbed vault between the ribs 8 Mech. the plate joining the flanges of a joist, girder, rail, etc. 9 Printing a large roll of paper for continuously feeding a type of rotary press (web press) 10 Zool. a) the vane of a feather b) a membrane partly or completely joining the digits of various water birds, water animals, etc. •vt. webbed, web´bing 1 to join by or as by a web 2 to cover with or as with a web 3 to catch or snare in or as in a web web´like' •adj. [ME < OE webb, akin to ON vefr, OHG weppi < IE *webh-, to WEAVE]
web spinner any of an order (Embiidina) of small, tropical and subtropical insects that live in silk-lined tunnels underground, under bark, etc.: also web´spin'ner (-spin'эr) •n.
Webb (web) 1 Beatrice (Potter) 1858-1943; Eng. economist & socialist reformer: wife of Sidney James 2 Sidney (James) 1st Baron Passfield 1859-1947; Eng. economist & socialist reformer
webbed (webd) •adj. 1 formed like a web or made of webbing 2 joined by a web {webbed toes} 3 having the digits joined by a web {a webbed foot}
webbing (web´iŋ) •n. 1 a strong, tough fabric, as of jute or cotton, woven in strips and used for belts, in upholstery, etc. 2 a membrane joining the digits, as of a duck, goose, frog, etc. 3 a part like this, as between the thumb and forefinger of a baseball glove 4 a netlike structure of interwoven cord, etc., as the strung part of rackets
webby (-i:) web´bi·er, web´bi·est •adj. 1 of, having the nature of, or like a web 2 webbed or palmate
Weber (vei´bэř; for 4, web´эr) 1 Carl Ma·ri·a (Friedrich Ernst) von (mä ři:´ä fôn) 1786-1826; Ger. composer 2 Ernst Hein·rich (eřnst hain´řiH') 1795-1878; Ger. physiologist & anatomist 3 Max 1864-1920; Ger. sociologist & economist 4 Max 1881-1961; U.S. painter, born in Russia 5 Wil·helm E·du·ard (vil´helm' ei´du: äřt') 1804-91; Ger. physicist: brother of Ernst weber (web´эr, vei´bэr) •n. the practical mks unit of magnetic flux, equal to 108 maxwells: abbrev. Wb [after Wilhelm Eduard WEBER]
Webern (vei´bэřn), An·ton (von) (än´tôn) 1883-1945; Austrian composer
webfoot (web´fut') pl. -feet' •n. 1 a foot with the toes webbed 2 an animal with webbed feet web´-foot'ed •adj.
webster (web´stэr) •n. [Obs.] a weaver [ME < OE webbestre, fem. of webba, weaver < OE < webb: see WEB & -STER] Webster (web´stэr) 1 a masculine name 2 Daniel 1782-1852; U.S. statesman & orator 3 John c. 1580-c. 1625; Eng. dramatist 4 Noah 1758-1843; U.S. lexicographer Web·ste´ri·an (-stir´i: эn) •adj.
web-toed (web´toud') •adj. having webfeet
webworm (-wørm') •n. any of various caterpillars that spin large, irregular webs, as the fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), whose webs envelop whole branches of trees
wed (wed) wed´ded, wed´ded or wed, wed´ding •vt. 1 to marry; specif., a) to take as husband or wife b) to conduct the marriage ceremony for; join in wedlock 2 to unite or join closely {a project that weds science and art} •vi. to become married; take a husband or wife [ME wedden < OE weddian, lit., to pledge, engage < wed, a pledge, akin to Ger wetten, to pledge, wager < IE base *wadh-, a pledge, to redeem a pledge > L vas (gen. vadis), a pledge] Wed Wednesday
we'd (wi:d) 1 we had 2 we should 3 we would
wedded (wed´id) •adj. 1 married {the wedded pair} 2 of or arising from marriage {wedded bliss} 3 devoted {wedded to one's work} 4 joined {wedded by common interests}
Weddell Sea (wed´эl, wэ del´) section of the Atlantic east of Antarctic Peninsula [after James Weddell (1787-1834), Brit whaler who discovered it (1823)]
wedding (wed´iŋ) •n. 1 a) the act or ceremony of becoming married; marriage b) the marriage ceremony with its attendant festivities 2 an anniversary of a marriage {a golden wedding} 3 a joining together [ME < OE weddung < weddian: see WED]
wedding ring a ring, typically a band of gold, platinum, etc., given by the groom to the bride during a wedding ceremony; also, such a ring often given to the groom by the bride
Wedekind (vei´dэ kint'), Frank (fřäŋk) 1864-1918; Ger. playwright
wedeln (vei´dэln) •n. Skiing a series of short parallel turns executed in rapid succession [< Ger, to wag < MHG wedelen < wedel, a tail < OHG wadil (akin to ON vēli, bird's tail), orig., something that moves about < IE *wēt- < base *we-, *awe-, to hover, blow > WIND²]
wedge (wej) •n. 1 a piece of hard material, as wood or metal, tapering from a thick back to a thin edge that can be driven or forced into a narrow opening, as to split wood, lift a weight, reinforce a structure, etc. 2 anything shaped like a wedge or having a wedge-shaped part [a wedge of pie]; specif., a) a wedge-shaped stroke in cuneiform writing b) a wedge-shaped tactical formation, as of troops c) Golf an iron with an especially weighted head and the face angled to give the most loft, as for shots out of bunkers 3 any action or procedure that serves to open the way for a gradual change, disruption, intrusion, etc. •vt. wedged, wedg´ing 1 to split or force apart with or as with a wedge 2 to fix solidly in place by driving a wedge or wedges under, beside, etc. 3 to force or pack (in) 4 to force or crowd together in a narrow space •vi. to push or be forced as or like a wedge wedge´like' •adj. [ME wegge < OE wecg, akin to Ger dial. weck < IE *wogwhyo-, wedge, akin to *wogwhni-s, plowshare > L vomis, OHG waganso]
wedgie (wej´i:) •n. a shoe having a wedge-shaped piece under the heel, which forms a solid sole, flat from heel to toe
Wedgwood (wej´wud') trademark for a fine English ceramic ware, typically with delicate neoclassic figures applied in a white, cameolike relief on a tinted background: also Wedgwood ware [after J. Wedgwood (1730-95), Eng potter]
wedgy (wej´i:) wedg´i·er, wedg´i·est •adj. shaped or used like a wedge
wedlock (wed´läk') •n. the state of being married; matrimony [ME wedlok < OE wedlac < wed, a compact, pledge + -lac, an offering, gift, akin to ON leikr, play, Goth laiks, a dance < IE base *leig-, to leap, hop > Sans rĕjatē, (he) hops]
Wednesday (wenz´dei; occas., -di:) •n. the fourth day of the week: abbrev. Wed, We, or W [ME Wednes dei < OE Wodnes dæg, Woden's day (see WODEN & DAY), like ON Othinsdagr (lit., Odin's day), early transl. of L dies Mercurii, Mercury's day]
Wednesdays (-deiz') •adv. during every Wednesday or most Wednesdays
wee (wi:) we´er, we´est •adj. 1 very small; tiny 2 very early {the wee hours of the morning} •n. [Scot. or North Eng.] a little bit; esp., a short time {bide a wee} [ME we, wei, small quantity (only in north Eng & Scot dial.) < OE (Anglian) wege, weg < base of wegan, to bear: see WEIGH¹]
weed¹ (wi:d) •n. 1 any undesired, uncultivated plant, esp. one growing in profusion so as to crowd out a desired crop, disfigure a lawn, etc. 2 [Colloq.] a) tobacco (with the) b) a cigar or cigarette c) marijuana 3 something useless; specif., a horse that is unfit for racing or breeding •vt. 1 to remove the weeds from (a garden, lawn, etc.) 2 to remove (a weed): often with out 3 to remove as useless, harmful, etc.: often with out 4 to rid of elements regarded as useless, harmful, etc. •vi. to remove weeds, etc. weed´er •n. weed´less •adj. [ME weede < OE weod, akin to LowG wēd: base only in WGmc]
weed² (wi:d) •n. 1 [Archaic] a garment: often used in pl. 2 [pl.] black mourning clothes, esp. those worn by a widow 3 a black mourning band, as of crepe, worn on a man's hat or sleeve [ME wede < OE wæde, garment, akin to OHG wāt (Ger -wand, in leinwand, linen) < IE base *(a)wē-, to WEAVE > ON authna, fate (in reference to the spinning by the fate goddesses)]
weedkiller (-kil'эr) •n. HERBICIDE
weedy (-i:) weed´i·er, weed´i·est •adj. 1 having weeds; full of weeds 2 of or like a weed or weeds, as in rapid, rank growth 3 lean, lanky, ungainly, etc. weed´i·ness •n.
week (wi:k) •n. 1 a period of seven days, esp. one beginning with Sunday and ending with Saturday 2 a particular or specified week {Easter week, freshman week} 3 the hours or days of work in a seven-day period {to work a 40-hour week} Sunday (or Monday or Tuesday, etc.) week [Chiefly Brit., etc.] a week (counting backward or forward) from Sunday (or Monday, Tuesday, etc.) this day (or yesterday, etc.) week [Chiefly Brit., etc.] a week (counting backward or forward) from today (or yesterday, etc.) week after week every week or for many successive weeks week by week each week week in, week out every week [ME weke < OE wicu with lengthened & lowered vowel, akin to Ger woche (OHG wohha) < IE *weig-, to bend (see WEAK): basic sense period of change]
weekday (-dei') •n. 1 any day of the week except Sunday (or, as in Judaism, Saturday) 2 any day not in the weekend •adj. of, for, or on a weekday
weekdays (-deiz') •adv. during every weekday or most weekdays
weekend or week-end (wi:k´end'; also wi:k end´) •n. the period from Friday night or Saturday to Monday morning; end of the week: also week end •adj. of, for, or on a weekend •vi. to spend the weekend (at or in a specified place) long weekend a weekend plus one or two days before or after
weekender (wi:k´en'dэr) •n. 1 a person who takes a vacation or goes for a visit on a weekend 2 a small piece of luggage for use on a weekend trip: also weekend case (or bag)
weekends (-endz') •adv. during every weekend or most weekends
weekly (wi:k´li:) •adj. 1 done, happening, payable, etc. once a week, or every week {a weekly visit} 2 of a week, or of each week {a weekly wage} •adv. once a week; every week •n. pl. -lies a periodical published once a week
weeknight (wi:k´nait') •n. any night of the week except Saturday or Sunday
Weems (wi:mz), Mason Locke 1759-1825; U.S. clergyman & writer: called Parson Weems
ween (wi:n) •vi., vt. [Archaic] to think; suppose; imagine [ME wenen < OE wenan, akin to Ger wähnen < IE base *wen-, to desire, attain > WIN, WEAN¹, L venus, love]
weenie (wi:n´i:) pl. -nies •n. 1 [Colloq.] WIENER: also wee´ny, pl. -nies 2 [Slang] a) a person regarded as ineffectual, weak, dull, etc.; wimp or nerd b) a person regarded as offensive, disagreeable, ridiculous, etc.; jerk 3 [Slang] the penis: somewhat vulgar
weeny (wi:n´i:) wee´ni·er, wee´ni·est •adj. [Colloq.] small; tiny [WEE + (TI)NY]
weep (wi:p) wept, weep´ing •vi. 1 to manifest or give expression to a strong emotion, usually grief or sorrow, by crying, wailing, or, esp., shedding tears 2 to lament or mourn: with for 3 to let fall drops of water or other liquid; esp., to drop moisture condensed from the air {cold pipes weep in hot weather} 4 to exude water or other liquid {wounds, plant stems, etc. weep} •vt. 1 to weep for; lament; bewail; mourn {to weep one's misfortune} 2 to shed (tears or other drops of liquid) 3 to bring to a specified condition by weeping {to weep oneself to sleep} •n. 1 [often pl.] a fit of weeping 2 an exudation or dripping of moisture SYN. CRY [ME wepen < OE wepan, akin to wop, outcry, Goth wōpjan, OS wōpian < IE base *wab-, to cry, complain > OSlav vabiti, to call to]
weeper (wi:´pэr) •n. 1 a person who weeps, esp. habitually 2 a hired mourner, as, formerly, at a funeral 3 a conventional badge of mourning, as the long, black band of crepe formerly worn 4 a capuchin monkey
weepie (wi:´pi:) •n. [Slang] a sad, often maudlin movie
weeping (-piŋ) •n. the act of one who or that which weeps •adj. 1 that weeps tears or other liquid 2 having graceful, drooping branches weep´ing·ly •adv.
weeping willow a widely grown, Chinese willow tree (Salix babylonica) grown as an ornamental for its delicate, drooping branches
weepy (wi:´pi:) weep´i·er, weep´i·est •adj. 1 a) inclined to weep; tearful b) exuding liquid 2 characterized by or apt to cause weeping weep´i·ness •n.
weever (wi:´vэr) •n. any of a family (Trachinidae) of edible, marine percoid fishes with sharp, very poisonous spines on the gill cover and the first dorsal fin [NormFr wivre (OFr guivre), orig., serpent, dragon < L vipera, VIPER]
weevil (wi:´vэl) •n. any of various families of beetles (esp. Curculionidae) having the head prolonged into a projecting beak that usually curves downward, and including many pest species that feed, esp. as larvae, on cotton, fruits, grain, etc. [ME wevel < OE wifel, akin to MLowG wevel < IE *webh-, to move to and fro, WEAVE]
weevily or weevilly (-i:) •adj. infested with weevils
wee-wee (wi:´wi:') -weed', -wee'ing •vt. to urinate •n. urine A child's term [baby talk]
weft (weft) •n. the yarns carried by the shuttle back and forth across the warp in weaving; woof; filling [ME < OE < base of wefan, to WEAVE]
Wehrmacht (veiř´mäkht') •n. the armed forces of Nazi Germany [Ger, defense force]
Wei (wei) river in NC China, flowing from Gansu province east into the Huang: c. 500 mi. (805 km)
weigela (wai ji:´lэ, -gi:´-) •n. any of a genus (Weigela) of shrubs of the honeysuckle family, with clusters of bell-shaped flowers; esp., a widely cultivated species (W. florida) with dark red flowers: also called wei·ge´lia (-ji:l´yэ) [ModL, after C. E. Weigel (1748-1831), Ger physician]
weigh¹ (wei) •vt. 1 to determine the weight of by means of a scale or balance 2 to have (a specified) weight [it weighs ten pounds]: orig. construed as a vi. and still so construed when used with an adverb 3 WEIGHT (vt. 1) 4 to lift or balance (an object) in the hand or hands, in order to estimate its heaviness or weight 5 to measure out, dole out, or apportion, by or as by weight: often with out 6 a) to consider and choose carefully {to weigh one's words} b) to balance or ponder in the mind; consider in order to make a choice {to weigh one plan against another} 7 Naut. to hoist, or lift (an anchor) off the bottom •vi. 1 to have significance, importance, or influence {his word weighed heavily with the jury} 2 to be a burden; press or bear down: with on or upon {the theft weighed on my mind} 3 Naut. a) to hoist anchor b) to start to sail SYN. CONSIDER weigh down 1 to make bend downward as with added weight 2 to burden or bear down on so as to oppress or depress weigh in 1 to weigh (a boxer, jockey, etc.) before or after a contest in order to verify declared weight 2 to be so weighed 3 to have one's baggage weighed weigh´a·ble •adj. [ME weien, to weigh, bear < OE wegan, to carry, bear, akin to Ger weigan, wägen < IE base *weGh-, to go, draw > OE wæg, a wave, L vehere, to carry, bring]
weigh² (wei) var. of WAY: chiefly in under weigh meaning UNDER WAY (sense 1) (see phr. at WAY) •n. [modified by the notion of weighing anchor]
weight (weit) •n. 1 a portion or quantity weighing a definite or specified amount {ten pounds weight of lead} 2 a) heaviness as a quality of things b) Physics the force of gravity acting on a body, equal to the mass of the body multiplied by the acceleration of gravity 3 a) quantity or amount of heaviness; how much a thing weighs b) the amount a specified thing should weigh 4 a) any unit of heaviness or mass b) any system of such units {troy weight, avoirdupois weight} (see MEASURE, table) c) a piece, as of metal, of a specific standard heaviness, used on a balance or scale in weighing 5 any block or mass of material used for its heaviness; specif., a) one used to hold light things down or in position {a paperweight} b) one used to drive a mechanism {the weights in a clock} c) one used to maintain balance {weights placed on an automobile wheel} d) one of a particular heaviness, lifted as an athletic exercise 6 a) any heavy thing or load b) a burden or oppressiveness, as of responsibility or sorrow 7 importance or consequence {a matter of great weight} 8 influence, power, or authority {to throw one's weight to the losing side} 9 the relative thickness or heaviness of a fabric or an article of clothing as proper to a particular season, use, etc. {a suit of summer weight} 10 Printing the relative thickness of the lines in type fonts 11 Sports a) any of the several classifications into which boxers and wrestlers are placed according to how much they weigh b) the number of pounds a horse is required to carry for a particular race, including the weight of the jockey, the saddle, and, often, added lead weights 12 Statistics a constant assigned to a single item in a frequency distribution, indicative of the item's relative importance •vt. 1 to add weight to; make heavy or heavier 2 to burden; load down; oppress 3 to treat (thread or fabric) with a solution of metallic salts, in order to increase its weight 4 to manage, control, or influence in a particular direction or so as to favor a particular side; slant {evidence weighted against the defendant} 5 Statistics to assign a weight to in a frequency distribution SYN. IMPORTANCE, INFLUENCE by weight as determined by weighing carry weight to be important, influential, etc. pull one's weight to do one's share throw one's weight around to take undue advantage of one's authority or rank; be overbearing [ME weiht, altered (infl. by weien, WEIGH¹) < OE wiht < wegan: see WEIGH¹]
weight lifting the athletic exercise or competitive sport of lifting barbells weight lifter
weightless (-lis) •adj. having little or no apparent weight; specif., a) falling freely through a gravitational field, without apparent gravitational effects, as everything inside an orbital spacecraft; having zero gravity b) existing in a state of equilibrium within a fluid weight´less·ly •adv. weight´less·ness •n.
weighty (-i:) weight´i·er, weight´i·est •adj. 1 having much weight; very heavy; ponderous 2 burdensome; oppressive {weighty responsibilities} 3 of great significance or moment; serious {weighty matters of state} 4 of great influence, power, importance, etc. SYN. HEAVY weight´i·ly •adv. weight´i·ness •n.
Weil (wail, vail; Fr ve´yª), Si·mone (si: môn´) 1909-1943; Fr. philosopher
Weill (wail; Ger vail), Kurt (kørt) 1900-50; U.S. composer, born in Germany
Weimar (vai´mäř'; E wai´mär') city in central Germany, near Erfurt, in the state of Thuringia: pop. 64,000
Weimar Republic German Republic (1919-33): created by a constitutional assembly at Weimar (1919) & dissolved after Hitler became chancellor
Weimaraner (wai´mэ rän'эr, vai´-) •n. any of a breed of medium-sized hunting dog with a short, smooth, gray coat and a docked tail [< prec., where the breed was developed]
Weinberg (wain´børg'), Steven 1933- ; U.S. physicist
weir (wir) •n. 1 a low dam built in a river to back up or divert water, as for a mill; milldam 2 a fence, as of brushwood or stakes, built in a stream, channel, etc., for catching fish 3 an obstruction placed in a stream, diverting the water through a prepared aperture for measuring the rate of flow [ME were < OE wer, weir, dam (akin to Ger wehr) < base of werian, to defend, dam up < IE base *wer-, to shut up, cover]
weird (wird) •adj. 1 orig., of fate or destiny 2 of or about ghosts, evil spirits, or other supernatural things; unearthly, mysterious, eerie, etc. 3 a) strikingly odd, strange, etc.; fantastic; bizarre {a weird costume} b) eccentric, erratic, or unconventional in behavior •n. [Old Scot.] fate or destiny Æ weird out [Slang] to be or cause to be overwhelmed with the bizarre aspects of an experience weird´ly •adv. weird´ness •n. SYN.—weird applies to that which is supernaturally mysterious or fantastically strange [a weird experience]; eerie applies to that which inspires a vague, superstitious uneasiness or dread [the eerie howling of a dog]; uncanny applies to that which is unnaturally strange or remarkable [uncanny insight]; unearthly applies to that which is so strange or extraordinary as to seem to belong to another world [an unearthly light] [ME werde, orig. n., fate < OE wyrd, fate < the base of weorthan, to become (basic sense what is to come) < IE *wert-, to turn: see VERSE]
Weird Sisters the three Fates
weirdo (wir´dou) pl. -os [Slang] a person or thing that is weird, queer, bizarre, etc.: also weird´ie (-di:) •n.
Weismann (vais´män), Au·gust (au´gust) 1834-1914; Ger. biologist
Weismannism (vais´män iz'эm) •n. a theory of heredity that emphasizes the continuity of the germ plasm from generation to generation and the rigid separation of the somatoplasm which dies in every generation, thus prohibiting the transmission of acquired characters [after prec.]
Weisshorn (vais´hörn') mountain of the Pennine Alps, S Switzerland: c. 14,800 ft. (4,512 m)
weisswurst (wais´wэrst; Ger vais´vuřst') •n. a variety of bratwurst in which the meat is cooked before being stuffed into the casing [Ger < weiss, WHITE + wurst, sausage: pork and veal whiten when cooked]
Weizmann (vaits´män'; E waits´mэn), Cha·im (khai´im) 1874-1952; Israeli chemist & Zionist leader, born in Russia: 1st president of Israel (1948-52)
weka (wei´kä, wi:´kэ) •n. any of a genus (Gallirallus) of large flightless rails of New Zealand [Maori < Proto-Polynesian *weka, a bird species]
Welch (welch, welsh) •adj., n. var. of WELSH welch (welch, welsh) •vi. [Slang] var. of WELSH
welcome (wel´kэm) •adj. 1 gladly and cordially received {a welcome guest} 2 agreeable or gratifying {welcome news} 3 freely and willingly permitted or invited [welcome to use the library]: also used in a conventional response to thanks (you're welcome, meaning you're under no obligation for the favor given) •n. an act or expression of welcoming {a hearty (or cold) welcome} •interj. you are welcome: an expression of cordial greeting •vt. -comed, -com·ing 1 to greet with pleasure and hospitality 2 to receive or accept with pleasure or satisfaction {to welcome criticism} 3 to meet, receive, or acknowledge in a specified way; greet bid welcome to receive with cordial greetings Æ wear out one's welcome to come so often or stay so long that one is no longer welcome wel´com·er •n. [ME welcume, altered by assoc. with wel, WELL² (as if transl. of OFr bien venu) < wilcume < OE wilcuma, orig. n., a welcome guest < willa, pleasure, WILL¹ + cuma, guest < cuman, to COME]
welcome mat a doormat: chiefly in the phrase put out the welcome mat, to give an enthusiastic reception
weld¹ (weld) •vt. 1 to unite (pieces of metal, plastic, etc.) by heating until molten and fused or until soft enough to hammer or press together 2 to bring into close or intimate union; unite in a single, compact whole •vi. to be welded or capable of being welded {alloys that weld at different heats} •n. 1 a welding or being welded 2 the joint formed by welding weld'a·bil´i·ty •n. weld´a·ble •adj. weld´er •n. [altered (with unhistoric -d) < obs. well, to weld < ME wellen, to weld, WELL¹, v.]
weld² (weld) •n. 1 a European mignonette (Reseda luteola) that yields a yellow dye 2 the dye [ME welde, akin to MLowG wolde, MDu wouw]
welfare (wel´fer') •n. 1 the state of being or doing well; condition of health, happiness, and comfort; well-being; prosperity 2 a) the organized efforts of government agencies that grant aid to the poor, the unemployed, etc. b) such aid 3 WELFARE WORK on welfare receiving government aid because of poverty, unemployment, etc. [ME < wel faren, to fare well: see WELL² & FARE]
welfare state a state in which the welfare of its citizens, with regard to employment, medical care, social security, etc. is considered to be the responsibility of the government
welfare work the organized effort of a community or organization to improve the living conditions and standards of its needy members welfare worker
welfarism (wel´fer iz'эm) •n. the policies and practices of a welfare state or of public welfare agencies wel´far'ist (-fer'ist) •n., adj.
welkin (wel´kin) •n. [Archaic] the vault of heaven, the sky, or the upper air: now chiefly in make the welkin ring, to make a very loud sound [ME welkne < OE wolcen, cloud, akin to Ger wolke < IE base *welg-, wet > Old Russ vologa, broth & Russ Volga, VOLGA]
we'll (wi:l, wil) 1 we shall 2 we will
well¹ (wel) •n. 1 a flow of water from the earth; natural spring and pool 2 a hole or shaft sunk into the earth to tap an underground supply of water, gas, oil, etc. 3 a source of abundant supply; fount {a book that is a well of information} 4 any of various shafts or deep enclosed spaces resembling a well; esp., a) an open shaft in a building for a staircase; stairwell b) a shaft in a building or between buildings, open to the sky for light and air c) an elevator shaft d) Naut. an enclosure in the hold of a ship for containing the pumps and protecting them from damage e) a compartment in a fishing boat where freshly caught fish are kept 5 any of various vessels, containers, etc. for holding liquid, as an inkwell 6 a depression, as on a platter or broiler for catching meat juices •vi. to flow or spring from or as from a well; gush (up, forth, down, out, etc.) [ME wellen, to well up, bubble, boil, weld < OE wiellan, wyllan, to bubble, caus. of weallan: see the n.] •vt. to pour forth; gush {eyes that welled tears} [ME welle < OE wella, akin to weallan, to boil up, akin to Ger welle, wave, wallen, to boil < IE base *wel-, to turn, roll > WALK, L volvere, to roll]
well² (wel) bet´ter, best •adv. 1 in a pleasing or desirable manner; satisfactorily {work that is going well} 2 in a proper, friendly, or attentive manner {to treat a person well} 3 skillfully; expertly {to sing well} 4 in an appropriate manner; fittingly {spoken well} 5 a) prosperously; in comfort and plenty {to live well} b) to one's advantage or well-being {to marry well} 6 with good reason; in justice; properly {one may well ask} 7 satisfactorily in regard to health or physical condition {the patient is doing well} 8 to a considerable extent, degree, or distance {well advanced} 9 thoroughly; fully {stir well before cooking} 10 with certainty; definitely {to know perfectly well what one must do} 11 intimately; familiarly; closely {to know a person well} 12 in good spirit; with good grace {he took the news well} Well is also used in hyphenated compounds, meaning properly, satisfactorily, thoroughly, etc. [well-defined, well-paid, well-worn] •adj. 1 suitable, proper, fit, right, etc. {it is well that he came} 2 in good health {she is quite well} 3 in a good or satisfactory condition; favorable; comfortable {things are well with us} •interj. an exclamation used to express surprise, acquiescence, agreement, resignation, inquiry, expostulation, etc., or merely to preface or resume one's remarks as well 1 besides; in addition 2 with equal justification, propriety, or effect; equally as well as in addition to wish someone well to wish success or good fortune for someone [ME wel < OE, akin to Ger wohl: for IE base see WILL¹: basic sense according to desire]
well-advised (wel'эd vaizd´) •adj. showing or resulting from careful consideration or sound advice; wise; prudent
Welland (wel´эnd) port in SE Ontario, Canada, on the Welland Canal: pop. 45,000
Welland (Ship) Canal canal of the St. Lawrence Seaway, in Ontario, Canada between Lake Ontario & Lake Erie: 27.5 mi. (45 km) long [ult. after Welland River, in England]
well-appointed (wel'э point´id) •adj. excellently furnished or equipped {a well-appointed office}
wellaway (wel'э wei´) •interj. [Archaic] alas!: an exclamation of sorrow, regret, etc. Also well´a·day (-dei´) [ME wei la wei, lit., woe! lo! woe!: wei < ON vei, WOE + OE la, LO]
well-balanced (wel´bæl´эnst) •adj. 1 nicely or exactly balanced, adjusted, or regulated {a well-balanced meal} 2 sane, sensible, and reliable
well-behaved (wel'bi: heivd´) •adj. behaving well; conducting oneself properly; displaying good manners
well-being (wel´bi:'iŋ) •n. the state of being well, happy, or prosperous; welfare
well-beloved (wel'bi: lûvd´) •adj. 1 deeply or greatly loved 2 highly respected: used in formal ceremonies or correspondence •n. a well-beloved person
well-born (wel´börn´) •adj. born into a family of high social position
well-bred (-bred´) •adj. 1 showing good breeding; courteous and considerate 2 of good stock: said of animals
well-chosen (-chou´zэn) •adj. chosen with care and judgment; proper; appropriate {well-chosen words}
well-content (wel'kэn tent´) •adj. thoroughly pleased or satisfied Also well'-con·tent´ed
well-defined (-di: faind´) •adj. clearly defined; sharply delimited, described, differentiated, etc.; distinct in outline, meaning, nature, etc.
well-disposed (-dis pouzd´) •adj. 1 having a pleasant disposition 2 inclined to be friendly, kindly, or favorable (toward a person) or receptive (to an idea, etc.)
well-done (wel dûn´) •adj. 1 performed with skill and efficiency 2 thoroughly cooked: said esp. of meat
Welles (welz), (George) Orson 1915-85; U.S. film actor & director
well-favored (wel´fei´vэrd) •adj. handsome; pretty
well-fed (-fed´) •adj. showing the effect of eating much good food; specif., plump or fat
well-fixed (-fikst´) •adj. [Colloq.] Æ wealthy; well-to-do
well-found (-faund´) •adj. properly and adequately equipped {a well-found ship}
well-founded (-faun´did) •adj. based on facts, good evidence, or sound judgment {a well-founded suspicion}
well-groomed (-gru:md´) •adj. 1 carefully cared for {a well-groomed horse, a well-groomed lawn} 2 clean and neat; carefully washed, combed, dressed, etc.
well-grounded (-graun´did) •adj. 1 having a thorough basic knowledge of a subject 2 based on good reasons
well-handled (-hæn´dэld) •adj. efficiently managed
wellhead (wel´hed') •n. 1 the source of a spring of water; spring 2 a source; fountainhead 3 the top of a well, as an oil or gas well
well-heeled (wel´hi:ld´) •adj. [Slang] rich; prosperous
wellie (wel´i:) •n. [Brit. Colloq.] WELLINGTON (BOOT) (sense 2): usually used in pl. Also wel´ly (-i:), pl. -lies
well-informed (wel'in förmd´) •adj. 1 having thorough knowledge of a subject 2 having considerable knowledge of many subjects, esp. those of current interest
Wellington (wel´iŋ tэn), 1st Duke of (Arthur Wellesley) 1769-1852; Brit. general & statesman, born in Ireland: prime minister (1828-30): called the Iron Duke Wellington (wel´iŋ tэn) capital of New Zealand: seaport in S North Island, on Cook Strait: pop. 135,000
Wellington (boot) [also w- b-] 1 a high leather boot, traditionally extending just above the knee in front, and just below in back 2 a waterproof boot of leather or, usually now, rubber, worn in wet weather [after 1st Duke of WELLINGTON]
well-intentioned (wel'in ten´shэnd) •adj. having or showing good, kindly, or benevolent intentions: usually connoting failure or miscarriage of intention
well-knit (wel´nit´) •adj. 1 well-constructed; firm and strong 2 having a sturdy body build; not lanky
well-known (-noun´) •adj. 1 widely or generally known; famous or notorious 2 thoroughly known
well-made (-meid´) •adj. 1 well-proportioned; strongly built; skillfully and soundly put together 2 Literature, Drama a) skillfully constructed or contrived {a well-made plot} b) having a skillfully contrived plot {a well-made play}
well-mannered (-mæn´эrd) •adj. having or showing good manners; polite; courteous
well-meaning (-mi:n´iŋ) •adj. 1 having good or kindly intentions 2 said or done with good intentions, but often unwisely or ineffectually: also well´-meant´ (-ment´)
wellness (wel´nis) •n. the condition of being healthy or sound, esp. as the result of proper diet, exercise, etc.
well-nigh (-nai´) •adv. very nearly; almost
well-off (-öf´) •adj. 1 in a favorable or fortunate condition or circumstance 2 prosperous; well-to-do
well-ordered (-ör´dэrd) •adj. properly or carefully organized
well-preserved (wel'pri: zørvd´) •adj. in good condition or of good appearance, in spite of age
well-read (wel´red´) •adj. 1 having read much (in a particular subject) 2 having a wide knowledge of books through having read much
well-rounded (-raun´did) •adj. 1 well-planned for proper balance {a well-rounded education, a well-rounded program} 2 a) showing interest or ability in many fields b) showing many facets of personality {a well-rounded character} 3 fully developed; shapely {a well-rounded figure}: also Æ [Slang] well´-stacked´ (-stækt´)
Wells (welz), H(erbert) G(eorge) 1866-1946; Eng. novelist & social critic Wells´i·an (-i: эn) •adj.
well-spoken (wel´spou´kэn) •adj. 1 speaking easily or fluently 2 speaking in a courteous or gracious manner 3 properly or aptly spoken
wellspring (wel´spriŋ') •n. 1 the source of a stream, spring, etc.; fountainhead 2 a source of abundant and continual supply {a wellspring of knowledge}
well-taken (wel´teik´эn) •adj. Æ apt and sound or cogent
well-thought-of (wel´θöt´ûv') •adj. having a good reputation; of good repute
well-timed (-taimd´) •adj. timely; opportune
well-to-do (-tэ du:´) •adj. prosperous; well-off; wealthy SYN. RICH
well-turned (-tørnd´) •adj. 1 gracefully formed or shaped {a well-turned ankle} 2 expressed or worded well; felicitous {a well-turned phrase}
well-wisher (-wish'эr) •n. a person who wishes well to another or to a cause, etc. well´-wish'ing •adj., n.
well-worn (-wörn´) •adj. 1 much worn; much used 2 overused; trite {a well-worn joke} 3 worn becomingly
Welsbach burner (welz´bæk'; Ger vels´bäkh) trademark for a gas burner with a gauze mantle impregnated with thorium oxide and cerium oxide: when lighted, the gauze gives off an incandescent, greenish light [after C. A. von Welsbach (1858-1929), Austrian chemist, its inventor]
Welsh (welsh) •n. the Celtic language of Wales •adj. of Wales, its people, or their language or culture the Welsh the people of Wales [ME Wel(i)sch < OE Welisc < Wealh, Briton, foreigner < PGmc *walh-, Celt < Celt name > L Volcae, name of a Celtic people of S France] welsh (welsh) •vi. [Slang] 1 to cheat or swindle by failing to pay a bet or other debt 2 to evade (an obligation) Often with on welsh´er •n. [19th-c. slang, prob. < fol., with reference to their alleged character traits] welsh (welsh) •vi. [Slang] 1 to cheat or swindle by failing to pay a bet or other debt 2 to evade (an obligation) Often with on welsh´er •n. [19th-c. slang, prob. < fol., with reference to their alleged character traits]
Welsh cob any of a breed of medium-sized riding horse, developed in Wales, with a thickset body and relatively short legs
Welsh corgi (kör´gi:) any member of either of two breeds of short-legged dog with a foxlike head and erect ears, orig. bred in Wales for herding cattle: the Cardigan Welsh corgi has a long tail; the Pembroke Welsh corgi has a short tail or no tail and a shorter body [WELSH + Welsh corgi < corr, dwarf + ci, dog]
Welsh rabbit a dish of melted cheese, often mixed with ale or beer, served on crackers or toast: also, through faulty etymologizing, Welsh rarebit [orig. a humorous usage]
Welsh springer spaniel any of a breed of medium-sized spaniel with a silky, dark red-and-white coat, usually used as a hunting dog
Welsh terrier any of a breed of terrier, originating in Wales, with a wire-haired, black-and-tan coat, resembling a small Airedale
Welshman (welsh´mэn) pl. -men •n. a native or inhabitant of Wales
welt (welt) •n. 1 a strip of leather stitched into the seam between the sole and upper of a shoe to strengthen the joining 2 a strip of material, often folded over a cord, placed at the edge or seam of a garment, cushion, etc. to reinforce or trim it 3 a) a ridge or lump raised on the skin as by a blow b) such a blow •vt. 1 to furnish with a welt 2 to beat severely; thrash 3 to raise welts on [ME welte, prob. akin to OE wealtan, to roll: for IE base see WALK]
Weltanschauung (velt´än shau'uŋ) •n. a comprehensive, esp. personal, philosophy or conception of the universe and of human life [Ger, world view]
welter (wel´tэr) •vi. 1 a) to roll about or wallow, as a pig in mud b) to be deeply or completely involved {to welter in work} 2 to be soaked, stained, or bathed {to welter in blood} 3 to tumble and toss about, as the sea •n. 1 a tossing and tumbling, as of waves 2 a confusion; turmoil [ME weltren < MDu welteren, freq. formation akin to OE wealtan, to roll, boil up: for IE base see WELL¹]
welterweight (wel´tэr weit') •n. a boxer between a junior welterweight and a junior middleweight, with a maximum weight of 147 lbs. (66.68 kg) [prob. < WELT (vt. 2) + -ER + WEIGHT]
Weltschmerz (velt´shmeřts') •n. sentimental pessimism or melancholy over the state of the world [Ger, world pain]
Welty (wel´ti:), Eu·do·ra (yu: dör´э) 1909- ; U.S. short-story writer & novelist
Wembley (wem´bli:) district of NW London, part of Greater London borough of Brent
wen¹ (wen) •n. a benign skin tumor, esp. of the scalp, consisting of a cyst in which sebaceous matter has been retained [ME wenne < OE wenn, akin to wund, a WOUND¹]
wen² (wen) •n. name of a rune in the Old English alphabet þ, used to represent the labiovelar semivowel: in Middle English orthography it was replaced by the letter w [ME < OE, var. of win, joy, bliss]
Wenceslaus (wen´sэs lös') 1361-1419; Holy Roman emperor (1378-1400); as Wenceslaus IV, king of Bohemia (1378-1419): Ger. name Wen·zel (ven´tsэl)
wench (wench) •n. 1 a girl or young woman: now a derogatory or jocular term 2 [Archaic] a) a country girl b) a female servant c) a woman whose sexual behavior is loose and immoral •vi. to be sexually promiscuous with women whose sexual behavior is loose and immoral wench´er •n. [ME wenche, contr. < wenchel, child, boy, girl, young woman < OE wencel, a child, akin to wancol, unsteady (? in reference to an infant's gait): for IE base see WINCH]
Wend (wend) •n. SORB Wend´ish •adj., n. [Ger wende, akin to OE Winedas, the Wends: see VENETIC] wend (wend) •vt. to proceed or go on (one's way) •vi. [Archaic] to go; journey; travel [ME wenden < OE wendan, to turn, akin to Du & Ger wenden, caus. formation < base of WIND¹]
Wendy (wen´di:) a feminine name
went (went) •vi., vt. pt. of GO¹ [old pt. of WEND, used to replace missing form of GO¹]
wentletrap (went´ªl træp') •n. any of a family (Epitoniidae) of marine gastropod mollusks usually enclosed in a white, spiral shell [Du wenteltrap, lit., a winding staircase < wentel, a winding, akin to wenden (see WEND) + trap, stair: see TRAP¹]
wept (wept) •vi., vt. pt. & pp. of WEEP
were (wør; unstressed wэr) pl. & 2d pers. sing., past indic., and the past subjunc., of BE [ME weren < OE wæron, akin to Ger waren < Gmc base *wæz- < IE base *wes-: see WAS]
we're (wir, wi:´эr) we are
weren't (wørnt, wør´эnt) were not
werewolf (wir´wulf', wør´-, wer´-) pl. -wolves' (-wulvz') Folklore a person changed into a wolf, or one capable of assuming the form of a wolf at will; lycanthrope: also sp. wer´wolf', pl. wer´wolves' •vi. •n. [ME werwolf < OE werwulf < wer, man < IE *wiros, man (prob. orig., the strong one < base *wei-, to be strong > L vis, power, vir, man) + OE wulf, WOLF]
Werfel (veř´fэl), Franz (fřänts) 1890-1945; Austrian novelist, playwright, & poet, born in Prague
wergeld (wør´geld', wer´-) •n. in early Germanic and Anglo-Saxon law, a price paid by a person who has killed another to the family of the person killed, to atone for the killing and avoid reprisals: also were´gild' or wer´gild' (-gild') [ME weregylt < OE wergild < wer, man (see WEREWOLF) + geld, payment: see GELD²]
wernerite (wør´nэr ait') •n. SCAPOLITE [after A. G. Werner (1750-1817), Ger geologist + -ITE¹]
wert (wørt; unstressed wэrt) •vi. archaic 2d pers. sing., past indic. & subj., of BE: used with thou
Weser (vei´zэr) river in NW Germany, flowing from S Lower Saxony north into the North Sea: c. 300 mi. (483 km)
weskit (wes´kit) •n. a vest or waistcoat [< WAISTCOAT]
Wesley (wes´li:, wez´-) 1 a masculine name: dim. Wes [< the surname] 2 Charles 1707-88; Eng. clergyman & hymn writer: brother of John 3 John 1703-91; Eng. clergyman & evangelist; founder of Methodism
Wesleyan (wes´li: эn, wez´-) •adj. of John or Charles Wesley or the Methodist Church •n. a follower of John or Charles Wesley; Methodist Wes´ley·an·ism' •n.
Wessex (wes´iks) 1 former Anglo-Saxon kingdom in S England: see HEPTARCHY 2 corresponding section in modern England, chiefly in Dorsetshire, as the locale of Hardy's novels
west (west) •n. 1 the direction to the left of a person facing north; direction in which sunset occurs: it is properly the point on the horizon at which the center of the sun sets at the equinox 2 the point on a compass at 270°, directly opposite east 3 a region or district in or toward this direction •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the west 2 from the west {a west wind} 3 [W-] designating the western part of a continent, country, etc. {West Africa} 4 in, of, or toward that part of a church directly opposite the altar •adv. in, toward, or from the west; in a westerly direction [W-] the Western Roman Empire the West 1 the western part of the earth; esp., the Western Hemisphere, or the Western Hemisphere and Europe; Occident Æ 2 the western part of the U.S.; specif., a) [Historical] the region west of the Allegheny Mountains b) the region west of the Mississippi, esp. the northwestern part of this region 3 the U.S. and its non-Communist allies in Europe and the Western Hemisphere [ME < OE, akin to Ger < IE *we- (< base *au-, down, away from) > Gr hesperos, L vesper, evening] West (west) 1 Benjamin 1738-1820; Am. painter, in England after 1763 2 Dame Rebecca (pseud. of Cicily Isabel Fairfield; Mrs. H. M. Andrews) 1892-1983; Brit. novelist & critic, born in Ireland
West Allis (æl´is) city in SE Wis.: suburb of Milwaukee: pop. 63,000 [after the Allis-Chalmers Co. there]
West Bank area in Jordan, on the W bank of the Jordan River: occupied by Israel since 1967
West Bengal state of NE India: 33,920 sq. mi. (87,853 sq. km); pop. 54,485,000; cap. Calcutta
West Berlin see BERLIN
West Bromwich (brûm´ich, -ij; bräm´ich) city in West Midlands, England, near Birmingham: pop. 155,000
west by north the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due west and west-northwest; 11°15' north of due west
west by south the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due west and west-southwest; 11°15' south of due west
West Covina (kou vi:´nэ) city in SW Calif., near Los Angeles: pop. 96,000
West End W section of London, England: a fashionable residential district
West Flanders province of NW Belgium, on the North Sea: 1,151 sq. mi. (2,981 sq. km); pop. 1,054,000
West Germany see GERMANY
West Glamorgan county of SE Wales: 315 sq. mi. (815 sq. km); pop. 364,000; chief city, Swansea
West Ham see NEWHAM
West Hartford city in central Conn.: suburb of Hartford: pop. 60,000
West Haven city in SW Conn., on Long Island Sound: suburb of New Haven: pop. 54,000
West Highland white terrier any of a breed of small terrier with a pure white coat, short legs, and erect ears, prob. originating as a cairn terrier of the western Highlands of Scotland
West Indies large group of islands between North America & South America: it includes the Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, & Bahamas West Indian
West Indies Associated States Antigua, Dominica, St. Christopher-Nevis, St. Lucia, & St. Vincent: countries associated with the United Kingdom in matters of foreign relations & defense
West Irian (ir´i: эn) territory of Indonesia, occupying the W half of the island of New Guinea: a Dutch territory until 1963: c. 160,000 sq. mi. (414,398 sq. km); pop. 1,174,000; cap. Jayapura
West Lothian former county of SC Scotland, now in Lothian region
West Midlands county of central England: 347 sq. mi. (899 sq. km); pop. 2,647,000
West Orange town in NE N.J.: suburb of Newark: pop. 39,000 [see ORANGE]
West Pakistan former province of Pakistan: it now constitutes the country of Pakistan: cf. EAST PAKISTAN
West Palm Beach city in SE Fla., on a lagoon opposite Palm Beach: winter resort: pop. 68,000 (met. area 864,000)
West Point military reservation in SE N.Y.: site of the U.S. Military Academy [from its location on the west bank of the Hudson River]
West Prussia former province of Prussia, since 1945 part of Poland: chief city, Gdansk
West Riding former division of Yorkshire, England, now part of the counties of North Yorkshire & West Yorkshire
West Saxon 1 the Old English dialect of the West Saxons, the major literary dialect of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex before the Conquest 2 a native or inhabitant of WESSEX (the kingdom)
West Sussex county in SE England, on the English Channel: 778 sq. mi. (2,016 sq. km); pop. 683,000
West Valley City city in Utah, near Salt Lake City: pop. 87,000
West Virginia E state of the U.S., northwest of Va.: admitted, 1863; 24,181 sq. mi. (62,628 sq. km); pop. 1,793,000; cap. Charleston: abbrev. WV or WVa West Virginian [see VIRGINIA]
West Yorkshire county of N England: 787 sq. mi. (2,039 sq. km); pop. 2,056,000
westbound (west´baund') •adj. bound west; going westward
wester (wes´tэr) •vi. to move, turn, or shift to the west •n. a wind from the west, esp. one bringing a storm
westerly (-li:) •adj., adv. 1 in or toward the west 2 from the west, as a wind •n. pl. -lies a wind from the west
western (wes´tэrn) •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the west 2 from the west {a western wind} 3 [W-] of or characteristic of the West 4 [W-] of the Western Church •n. 1 WESTERNER Æ 2 a movie, book, etc. having a setting in the western U.S., esp. during the 19th-cent. period of development and expansion of the frontier [ME < OE westerne]
Western (omelet) an omelet prepared with diced green pepper, onion, and ham
Western Australia state of Australia, in the W third of the continent: 975,100 sq. mi. (2,525,500 sq. km); pop. 1,374,000; cap. Perth
Western Church 1 that part of the Catholic Church which recognizes the pope and follows the Latin Rite; the Roman Catholic Church 2 broadly, all the Christian churches of Western Europe and America
Western Hemisphere that half of the earth which includes North & South America
Western Isles region of W Scotland comprising the Outer Hebrides: 1,120 sq. mi. (2,901 sq. km); pop. 31,400
Western Ocean ancient name of the ATLANTIC
Western Province province of Saudi Arabia: c. 135,000 sq. mi. (349,648 sq. km); pop. c. 2,000,000; chief cities, Mecca & Jiddah
Western Reserve section of the Northwest Territory, on Lake Erie: reserved by Conn. for settlers when its other W lands were ceded to the Federal government in 1786: incorporated into the Ohio territory in 1800
Western Roman Empire the W part of the Roman Empire, after it was divided in A.D. 395 by Theodosius until it was overthrown by Odoacer in A.D. 476
Western saddle [also w- s-] a heavy saddle of the kind used by cowboys, with a high cantle and pommel and a horn projecting above the pommel
Western Sahara former Spanish province (Spanish Sahara) in NW Africa: divided (1975) between Mauritania & Morocco: Mauritania renounced its claim to its territory (1979) which was subsequently occupied by Morocco
Western Samoa country in the South Pacific, consisting of two large islands & several small ones: became independent in 1962 & a member of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970: 1,132 sq. mi. (2,934 sq. km); pop. 165,000; cap. Apia
Western Wall a high wall in Jerusalem believed to be part of the western section of the wall surrounding Herod's Temple: Jews have traditionally gathered at this site for prayer
westerner (wes´tэr nэr) •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of the west Æ 2 [W-] a native or inhabitant of the western part of the U.S.
westernism (wes´tэrn iz'эm) •n. [often W-] 1 a word, expression, or practice peculiar to a western region Æ 2 a term or idiom peculiar to the western U.S.
westernize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make Western in character, habits, ideas, etc. west'ern·i·za´tion •n.
westernmost (-moust') •adj. farthest west
westing (wes´tiŋ) •n. 1 Naut. the distance due west covered by a vessel traveling on any westerly course 2 a westerly direction
Westinghouse (wes´tiŋ haus'), George 1846-1914; U.S. inventor & manufacturer
Westland (west´lэnd, -lænd') city in SE Mich.: suburb of Detroit: pop. 85,000 [from its location in the W part of the county]
Westmeath (west´mi:ð') county in Leinster province, EC Ireland: 681 sq. mi. (1,764 sq. km); pop. 62,000
Westminster (west´min'stэr) 1 metropolitan borough of W central Greater London: site of the Houses of Parliament: pop. 182,000 2 city in SW Calif.: pop. 78,000 [from the sympathy of its settlers with the Presbyterian principles of the Westminster Assembly (1643-49)] 3 city in NC Colo.: suburb of Denver: pop. 75,000 [after Westminster University (1907-17), located there]
Westminster Abbey Gothic church (orig. a Benedictine abbey) in Westminster where English monarchs are crowned: it is also a burial place for English monarchs and famous statesmen, writers, etc.
Westmorland (west´mэr lэnd) former county of NW England, now part of Cumbria county
west-northwest (west´nörθ'west´; naut., -nör-) •n. the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due west and northwest; 22°30' north of due west •adj., adv. 1 in or toward this direction 2 from this direction, as a wind
Westphalia (west fei´li: э, -feil´yэ) region in NW Germany, a part of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia: formerly a duchy, a kingdom, & a province of Prussia (1816-1945); chief city, Münster Peace of Westphalia treaties signed (1648) at Osnabrück & Münster ending the Thirty Years' War West·pha´li·an •adj., n.
west-southwest (west´sauθ'west´; naut., -sau-) •n. the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due west and southwest; 22°30' south of due west •adj., adv. 1 in or toward this direction 2 from this direction, as a wind
westward (west´wэrd) •adv., adj. toward the west •n. a westward direction, point, or region
westwardly (-li:) •adv., adj. 1 toward the west 2 from the west {a westwardly wind}
westwards (west´wэrdz) •adv. WESTWARD
wet (wet) wet´ter, wet´test •adj. 1 moistened, covered, or saturated with water or other liquid 2 rainy; foggy; misty {a wet day} 3 not yet dry {wet paint} 4 preserved or bottled in a liquid 5 using water; done with or in water or other liquid {wet sanding} Æ 6 permitting or favoring the manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages; opposing, or not enforcing, prohibition {a wet candidate, wet town} 7 [Brit., etc. Colloq.] weak, ineffectual, insipid, boring, etc. •n. 1 water or other liquid; moisture 2 rain or rainy weather {come in out of the wet} Æ 3 [Colloq.] a person who favors the manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages; one opposed to prohibition 4 [Brit. Colloq.] a) a person considered weak, ineffectual, insipid, or boring b) a moderate Conservative; specif., a member of the government or of parliament who does not support rigorous or extreme measures •vt., vi. wet or wet´ted, wet´ting 1 to make or become wet: often with through or down 2 to make (a bed, oneself, etc.) wet by urination Æ all wet [Slang] wrong; mistaken wet behind the ears [Colloq.] young and inexperienced; immature wet´ly •adv. wet´ness •n. SYN.—wet is applied to something covered or soaked with water or other liquid [wet streets, clothes, etc.] or to something not yet dry [wet paint]; damp implies slight, usually undesirable or unpleasant wetness [a damp room]; dank suggests a disagreeable, chilling, unwholesome dampness [a dank fog]; moist implies slight but, unlike damp, often desirable wetness [moist air]; humid implies such permeation of the air with moisture as to make for discomfort [a hot, humid day] —ANT. dry [ME < OE wæt, akin to ON vatr: for IE base see WATER]
wet bar a bar or serving counter, as in a recreation room, equipped with running water
wet blanket a person or thing whose presence or influence lessens the enthusiasm or joy of others
wet cell a voltaic cell in which the electrolyte is a liquid
wet dream an involuntary emission of semen during sleep, usually accompanying a sexual dream
wet fly FLY² (sense 2)
wet nurse a woman hired to suckle another's child
wet pack Med. a type of bath, as for therapy, in which the patient is wrapped in wet sheets or blankets
wet suit a closefitting, usually one-piece suit of rubber, esp. of foam neoprene, worn as by skin divers for warmth
wet wash 1 laundry washed and left damp without ironing 2 a washing at a carwash in which the car is not wiped dry
wetback (wet´bæk') •n. [Colloq.] a Mexican agricultural laborer who illegally enters or is brought into the U.S. to work: a term of derision or contempt [from crossing the border by swimming or wading the Rio Grande]
wet-bulb thermometer (wet´bûlb´) Meteorol. a thermometer having its bulb covered with a wet cloth: the water evaporates to cool the wet bulb and by comparing its temperature to a dry-bulb thermometer the amount of water vapor in the air can be determined
wether (weð´эr) •n. a castrated male sheep or goat [ME < OE, akin to Ger widder < IE base *wet-, year > ETESIAN]
wetland (wet´lænd') •n. [usually pl.] 1 swamps or marshes Æ 2 an area of land characterized by swamps, marshes, etc. that is preserved for wildlife
wet-nurse (-nørs') -nursed', -nurs'ing •vt. 1 to act as wet nurse to 2 to give overly careful attention to
wettability (wet'э bil´э ti:) •n. 1 the condition or state of being wettable 2 Chem., Physics the degree to which a solid is wetted by a liquid, measured by the force of adhesion between the solid and liquid phases
wettable (wet´э bэl) •adj. 1 capable of being wetted 2 Chem., Physics able to be made adhesive or absorptive, as by the addition of a liquid, hydrocarbon, etc.
wetter (wet´эr) •n. a person or thing that wets
Wetterhorn (vet´эr hörn') mountain of the Bernese Alps, SC Switzerland: c. 12,150 ft. (3,700 m) [Ger < wetter, WEATHER + horn, peak, HORN]
wetting agent any of a group of surface-active agents which, when added to a liquid, cause the liquid to spread more easily over, or to penetrate, a solid surface
wettish (wet´ish) •adj. somewhat wet
we've (wi:v) we have
Wexford (weks´fэrd) county of Leinster province, SE Ireland: 908 sq. mi. (2,352 sq. km); pop. 99,000
Weymouth (wei´mэθ) suburb of Boston, in E Mass.: pop. 54,000 [prob. after Weymouth, town in England]
wf Printing wrong font
WFTU World Federation of Trade Unions
whack (hwæk, wæk) •vt., vi. to strike or slap with a sharp, resounding blow •n. 1 a sharp, resounding blow 2 the sound of this at a (or one) whack [Colloq.] at one time and quickly or without pausing Æ have (or take) a whack at [Colloq.] 1 to aim a blow at 2 to make an attempt at Æ out of whack [Colloq.] not in proper condition whack off 1 [Colloq.] to separate or remove by or as by a blow 2 [Vulgar Slang] to masturbate whack´er •n. [echoic]
whacked (hwækt, wækt) •adj. 1 [Colloq.] exhausted: also whacked´-out' (-aut') 2 [Slang] STONED (sense 2) [pp. of prec.]
whacking (wæk´iŋ) •adj. [Colloq., Chiefly Brit., etc.] very large; tremendous •adv. tremendously; hugely [prp. of WHACK]
whacko (-ou) pl. -os •adj., n. [Slang] var. of WACKO
whacky (-i:) whack´i·er, whack´i·est •adj. [Slang] alt. sp. of WACKY
whale shark the only species (Rhiniodon typus) of a family (Rhiniodontidae, order Orectolobiformes) of huge, spotted, egg-laying sharks that live in warm seas, have many small teeth, and feed on plankton and small fishes by means of gill strainers: the largest of fishes, often reaching 15 m (c. 50 ft.) in length