WEEL, w[=e]l, _n._ (_prov._) a trap or snare for fish: (_her._) a bearing
resembling such.
WEEL, w[=e]l, _adv._ (_Scot._) well.
WEEM, w[=e]m, _n._ (_Scot._) a subterranean dwelling.
WEEN, w[=e]n, _v.i._ to think or fancy. [A.S. _wénan_--_wén_ (Ger. _wahn_),
expectation, hope.]
WEEP, w[=e]p, _v.i._ to express grief by shedding tears: to wail or lament:
to drip, rain: to be pendent, as a _weeping_ willow.--_v.t._ to lament: to
pour forth:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ wept.--_n._ WEEP'ER, one who weeps: a
white border round the sleeve of a mourning dress: a crape hat-band: a
widow's crape-veil: anything pendent.--_adj._ WEEP'ING, drooping the
branches (as it were through grief).--_ns._ WEEP'ING-ASH, a variety of the
common European ash, with drooping branches; WEEP'ING-BIRCH, a variety of
the white birch, with drooping branches.--_adv._ WEEP'INGLY.--_adj._
WEEP'ING-RIPE (_Shak._), ripe or ready for tears.--_ns._ WEEP'ING-ROCK, a
rock through which water percolates slowly; WEEP'ING-SPRING, a spring from
which water escapes slowly; WEEP'ING-TREE, a tree with long pendulous
branches; WEEP'ING-WILL'OW (see WILLOW).--_adj._ WEEP'Y, oozy. [A.S.
_wépan_--_wóp_, clamour; allied to Goth. _wópjan_.]
WEET, WEET'ING, WEET'INGLY, WEET'LESS, obsolete form of wit, &c.
WEET, dialectal form of _wet_.
WEEVER, w[=e]'v[.e]r, _n._ a genus of fishes (_Trachinus_) of which two
species are British, with sharp dorsal and opercular spines capable of
inflicting serious wounds.--Also _Sting-fish_. [Perh. conn. with L.
_vipera_.]
WEEVIL, w[=e]v'il, _n._ a popular name for a large number of beetles, with
the anterior part of the head prolonged into a beak or proboscis, feeding
upon plants: any insect injurious to stored grain.--_adjs._ WEEV'ILED,
WEEV'ILLED, WEEV'ILY, WEEV'ILLY, infested by weevils. [A.S. _wifel_; Ger.
_wiebel_.]
WEFT, weft, _n._ the threads woven into and crossing the warp--also
WOOF.--_n._ WEFT'AGE, texture. [A.S. _weft_--_wefan_, to weave.]
WEFT, weft, _n._ (_Spens._) a waif, a castaway.
WEFTE, weft, _v.pa.t._ (_Spens._) was wafted, avoided.
WEIGH. w[=a], _v.t._ to compare by the balance: to find the heaviness of:
to be equal to in heaviness: to bear up, to raise, esp. a ship's anchor: to
ponder in the mind: to consider worthy of notice.--_v.i._ to have weight:
to be considered of importance: to press heavily: to weigh anchor, get
under sail.--_adj._ WEIGH'ABLE, capable of being weighed.--_ns._ WEIGH'AGE,
rate paid for the weighing of goods; WEIGH'-BAUK (_Scot._), the beam of a
balance: (_pl._) a pair of scales; WEIGH'-BOARD (same as WAY-BOARD);
WEIGH'-BRIDGE, a machine for weighing carts with their loads.--_p.adj._
WEIGHED (_Bacon_), experienced.--_ns._ WEIGH'ER, an officer who weighs
articles or tests weights; WEIGH'-HOUSE, a public building for weighing
goods, ascertaining the tonnage of boats, &c.; WEIGH'ING; WEIGH'ING-CAGE, a
cage in which live animals are weighed; WEIGH'ING-MACHINE', a machine or
apparatus for weighing heavy goods; WEIGHT, the heaviness of a thing when
weighed, or the amount which anything weighs: the force with which a body
is attracted to the earth, measured by the mass into the acceleration: a
mass of metal adjusted to a standard and used for finding weight: anything
heavy: a ponderous mass: pressure: importance: power: impressiveness: in
mining, subsidence of the roof due to overhead pressure, also called
WEIGH'TING.--_v.t._ to make more heavy.--_adv._ WEIGH'TILY.--_n._
WEIGH'TINESS.--_adjs._ WEIGHT'LESS; WEIGH'TY.--WEIGH DOWN, to depress:
(_Shak._) to preponderate over; WEIGH IN, to ascertain one's weight before
a contest, as a horse-race; WEIGHT OF METAL, total weight of iron thrown at
one discharge from a ship's guns.--DEAD WEIGHT (see DEAD). [A.S. _wegan_,
to carry; Ger. _wiegen_; L. _veh[)e]re_, to carry.]
WEIGH, w[=a], _n._ a very common misspelling of _way_ in the phrase 'Under
way,' through confusion with the phrase 'To weigh anchor.'
WEIR, WEAR, w[=e]r, _n._ a dam across a river: a fence of stakes set in a
stream for catching fish. [A.S. _wer_, an enclosure, allied to _werian_, to
protect; cf. Ger. _wehr_, a dam, _wehren_, to ward.]
WEIRD, w[=e]rd, _n._ fate: that which comes to pass: a spell or
charm.--_adj._ skilled in witchcraft: unearthly, uncanny.--_v.t._ to
destine, doom, adjure.--_adv._ WEIRD'LY.--_n._ WEIRD'NESS.--DREE ONE'S
WEIRD (see DREE).--THE WEIRD SISTERS, the Fates. [A.S. _wyrd_,
fate--_weorthan_, to become; Ger. _werden_.]
WEISM, w[=e]'izm, _n._ inordinate use of the pronoun _we_.
WEISMANNISM, v[=i]s'man-izm, _n._ the doctrine in biology of August
_Weismann_ (born 1834)--that acquired characters are not transmitted,
function and environment affecting the individual only, not the species,
the sole source of evolutionary change being the intermingling of
germ-plasma which occurs in fertilisation, and the condition of progress
being found in the action of natural selection on the germinal variations
which thus arise.
WELAWAY. Same as WELLAWAY.
WELCOME, wel'kum, _adj._ received with gladness: admitted willingly:
causing gladness: free to enjoy.--_n._ kindly reception.--_v.t._ to receive
with kindness: to entertain hospitably.--_ns._ WEL'COMENESS; WEL'COMER, one
who welcomes.--BID A WELCOME, to receive with professions of kindness.
[Scand., Ice. _velkominn_--_vel_, well, _kominn_, pa.p. of _koma_, to
come.]
WELD, weld, _n._ a scentless species of mignonette, yielding a yellow
dye--(_Scot._) WALD. [Cf. Ger. _wau_.]
WELD, weld, _v.t._ to join together as iron or steel by hammering, when
softened by heat: to join closely.--_v.i._ to undergo welding.--_n._ a
welded joint.--_n._ WELDABIL'ITY.--_adj._ WEL'DABLE.--_ns._ WEL'DER;
WEL'DING; WELD'-[=I]'RON, wrought-iron.--_adj._ WELD'LESS, having no
welds.--_n._ WELD'-STEEL, puddled steel. [Scand., Sw. _välla_, orig. to
well up, and so cog. with A.S. _weallan_, to boil; Ger. _wallen_.]
WELD, weld, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to wield.
WELDER, wel'd[.e]r, _n._ a land-tenant holding under the farmer or
middleman. [Ir.]
WELFARE, wel'f[=a]r, _n._ state of faring or doing well: freedom from any
calamity, &c.: enjoyment of health, &c.: prosperity.
WELK, welk, _v.i._ (_obs._) to wither, to shrivel or shrink: to
decline.--_v.t._ to contract, shorten, or impair: to form into wrinkles or
ridges. [From a root seen in Old High Ger. _welc_ (Ger. _welk_), moist.]
WELKIN, wel'kin, _n._ the sky or region of clouds.--_adj._ (_Shak._)
sky-blue. [A.S. _wolcnu_, pl. of _wolcen_, cloud, air, sky; Ger. _wolke_,
cloud.]
WELL, wel, _n._ a rise of water from the earth: a spring: a pit in the
earth whence a supply of water is obtained: an enclosure in a ship's hold
round the pumps: the open space in the middle of a staircase: a cavity: an
eddy.--_v.i._ to issue forth, as water from the earth: to spring.--_ns._
WELL'-BOAT, -SMACK, a fishing-boat having a well; WELL'-BOR'ING, sinking
wells by drilling through rock; WELL'-BUCK'ET, a vessel for drawing up
water from a well; WELL'-CURB, the stone ring built round the mouth of a
well; WELL'-DECK, an enclosed space on the deck of a ship; WELL'-DRAIN, a
pit drawing the water from wet land; WELL'-DRESS'ING, the festal decoration
of wells and springs, as at Tissington in Derbyshire on Ascension-day, &c.;
WELL'-HEAD, the source of a spring; WELL'-HOLE, the pit or shaft of a well;
WELL'-HOUSE, a room built over a well; WELL'ING, an outpouring; WELL'-ROOM,
a room enclosing a mineral well: a cavity in a boat for collecting leakage
and rain-water; WELL'-SINK'ER, one who digs wells; WELL'-SINK'ING, the act
of boring for water; WELL'-SPRING, a fountain.--THE WELLS, any place where
mineral wells are situated. [A.S. _wella_--_weallan_, to boil; cf. Ice.
_vella_, to boil.]
WELL, wel, _adj._ good in condition: fortunate: comfortable: in
health.--_n._ (_Spens._) good health, fortune.--_adv._ in a proper manner:
rightly: thoroughly: favourably: conveniently: to a considerable extent:
conscientiously: so be it (as a sign of assent).--_adjs._
WELL'-ACQUAINT'ED, having intimate personal knowledge; WELL'-ADVISED',
prudent.--_adv._ WELL'-ANEAR' (_Shak._), very soon.--_adj._
WELL'-APPOINT'ED, in good trim.--_n._ WELL'-APPOINT'EDNESS'.--_adjs._
WELL'-BAL'ANCED, properly adjusted; WELL'-BEH[=A]VED', becoming in
manner.--_n._ WELL'-B[=E]'ING, state of being well, welfare.--_adjs._
WELL'-BELOVED', very dear; WELL'-BESEEM'ING, properly becoming;
WELL'-BESEEN' (_Spens._), showy in appearance; WELL'-BORN, born of a good
or respectable family: not of mean birth; WELL'-BREATHED, strong of lung;
WELL'-BRED, educated to polished manners: of good stock;
WELL'-CONDI'TIONED, in a desirable condition; WELL'-CONDUCT'ED, properly
led: acting properly; WELL'-DISPOSED', favourable.--_ns._ WELL'-DO'ER, a
benefactor; WELL'-DO'ING, a doing of what is right or good.--_adjs._
WELL'-EARNED, thoroughly deserved; WELL'-ED'UCATED, having a good
education; WELL'-FAMED, famous; WELL-F[=A]'VOURED, good-looking; WELL'-FED,
fat; WELL'-FOUND, commendable; WELL'-FOUND'ED, highly probable;
WELL'-GRACED, popular; WELL'-GROUND'ED, very likely; WELL'-INFORMED', full
of varied information; WELL'-INTEN'TIONED, of upright intentions or
purpose; WELL'-JUDGED, correctly calculated; WELL'-KNIT, strongly framed;
WELL'-KNOWN, fully known: celebrated: notorious; WELL'-LIK'ING (_Shak._),
in good condition: clever, smart; WELL'-LOOK'ING, good-looking;
WELL'-MANN'ERED, polite: obedient; WELL'-MARKED, obvious, decided;
WELL'-MEAN'ING, well-intentioned; WELL'-MEANT, rightly intended;
WELL'-MIND'ED, favourably inclined.--_adv._ WELL'-NIGH, nearly:
almost.--_adjs._ WELL'-OR'DERED, correctly governed; WELL'-PLEAS'ING,
acceptable; WELL'-PLIGHT'ED (_Spens._), well folded; WELL'-PROPOR'TIONED,
having correct proportions; WELL'-READ, of extensive reading;
WELL'-REG'ULATED, well-ordered; WELL'-RESPECT'ED, highly esteemed;
WELL-ROUND'ED, symmetrical; WELL'-SEEN (_Shak._), experienced, skilful;
WELL'-SET, properly arranged: fitly put together; WELL'-SP[=O]'KEN, spoken
properly: graceful in speech; WELL'-TEM'PERED (_mus._), tuned in equal
temperament; WELL'-THEWED (_Spens._), well-educated, well-mannered, of good
disposition; WELL'-TIM'BERED, furnished with much timber; WELL'-TIMED,
opportune: keeping accurate time; WELL'-TO-DO, prosperous; WELL'-TURNED,
accurately rounded or fashioned; WELL'-WARR'ANTED, having good
credit.--_ns._ WELL'-WILL'ER, -WISH'ER, one who wills or wishes
well.--_adjs._ WELL'-WISHED (_Shak._), held in good-will; WELL'-WON,
honestly gained; WELL'-WORN, worn threadbare: (_rare_) becomingly
worn.--_adv._ WELL'Y (_prov._), well-nigh.--WELL DONE, a word of praise,
bravely! nobly! WELL ENOUGH, in a moderate but sufficient degree; WELL MET
(see MEET); WELL OFF, in good circumstances; WELL SAID, well done! WELL UP
(_coll._), well versed in, well acquainted with (with _in_).--AS WELL AS
(see AS); JUST AS WELL, all the same: so much the better. [A.S. _wel_; cog.
with Goth. _vaila_, Ger. _wohl_, from the root of _will_.]
WELLADAY, wel'a-d[=a], WELLAWAY, wel'a-w[=a], _interjs._ alas! [Corr. from
M. E. _weylaway_--A.S. _wá_, _lá_, _wá_, 'woe, lo! woe.']
WELLINGTONIA, wel-ing-t[=o]'ni-a, _n._ the largest of existing trees, a
native of California--the same as SEQUOIA (q.v.).
WELLINGTONS, wel'ing-tonz, _n._ a kind of riding-boots covering the knee in
front, but cut away behind: a shorter closely-fitting boot, worn under the
trousers. [Named after the great Duke of _Wellington_.]
WELSH, welsh, _adj._ pertaining to _Wales_ or its inhabitants.--_n.pl._ the
inhabitants of Wales:--_sing._ their language.--_ns._ WELSH'-HARP, a large
instrument, furnished with three rows of strings, two tuned in unison and
in the diatonic scale, the third in the sharps and flats of the chromatic;
WELSH'-HOOK, an old weapon, like the bill; WELSH'MAN, a native of WALES;
WELSH'-ON'ION, the cibol, a perennial plant with a garlic taste;
WELSH'-RABB'IT (see RABBIT). [A.S. _welisc_, foreign--_wealh_ (pl.
_wealas_), a foreigner, esp. the Celts or Welshmen.]
WELSH, welsh, _v.t._ and _v.i._ to run off from a race-course without
settling or paying one's bets--also WELCH.--_ns._ WELSH'ER, WELCH'ER.
[Perh. in allusion to the alleged bad faith of Welshmen.]
WELT, welt, _n._ a kind of hem or edging round a shoe: (_coll._) a
weal.--_v.t._ to furnish with a welt: to flog severely.--_adj._
WELT'ED.--_n._ WELT'ING. [W. _gwald_, a hem.]