W (db"'l ), the twenty-third letter of the English alphabet, is usually
a consonant, but sometimes it is a vowel, forming the second element of
certain diphthongs, as in few, how. It takes its written form and its
name from the repetition of a V, this being the original form of the
Roman capital letter which we call U. Etymologically it is most related
to v and u. See V, and U. Some of the uneducated classes in England,
especially in London, confuse w and v, substituting the one for the
other, as weal for veal, and veal for weal; wine for vine, and vine for
wine, etc. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 266-268.
Waag (wäg), n. (Zoöl.) The grivet.
Waa*hoo" (wä*h"), n. (Bot.) The burning bush; — said to be called after
a quack medicine made from it.
Wab"ble (wb"b'l), v. i. [Cf. Prov. G. wabbeln to wabble, and E. whap.
Cf. Quaver.] To move staggeringly or unsteadily from one side to the
other; to vacillate; to move the manner of a rotating disk when the
axis of rotation is inclined to that of the disk; — said of a turning
or whirling body; as, a top wabbles; a buzz saw wabbles.
Wab"ble, n. A hobbling, unequal motion, as of a wheel unevenly hung; a
staggering to and fro.
Wab"bly (?), a. Inclined to wabble; wabbling.
{ Wack"e (?), Wack"y (?), } n. [G. wacke, MHG. wacke a large stone,
OHG. waggo a pebble.] (Geol.) A soft, earthy, dark-colored rock or clay
derived from the alteration of basalt.