Chapter XXXV: Front Matter (35)

WATER, waw't[.e]r, _n._ in a state of purity, at ordinary temperatures, a clear transparent liquid, perfectly neutral in its reaction, and devoid of taste or smell: any collection of such, as the ocean, a lake, river, &c.: mineral water: tears: saliva: eye-water: urine: transparency, lustre, as of a diamond: (_pl._) waves.--_v.t._ to wet, overflow, or supply with water: to wet and press so as to give a wavy appearance to: to increase the nominal capital of a company by the issue of new shares without a corresponding increase of actual capital.--_v.i._ to shed water: to gather saliva, noting strong craving: to take in water.--_ns._ WA'TERAGE, money paid for a journey by water; WA'TER-BAG, the bag-like compartment in which the camel stores water; WA'TER-BAIL'IFF, a custom-house officer who inspects ships on reaching or leaving a port: a person appointed to guard the fish in a protected piece of water; WA'TER-BAROM'ETER, a barometer in which water is substituted for mercury; WA'TER-BARR'EL, -CASK, a barrel, cask, for holding water; WA'TER-BATH, a bath composed of water: a vessel containing warm water used for chemical purposes; WA'TER-BATT'ERY, a voltaic battery in which the electrolyte is water: (_fort._) a battery nearly on a level with the water; WA'TER-BEAR'ER, one who carries water: (_astron._) a sign of the zodiac; WA'TER-BED, an india-rubber mattress filled with water, used by invalids to prevent bed-sores; WA'TER-BELL'OWS, a form of blower used in gas-machines, and formerly to supply a blast for furnaces; WA'TER-BIRD, a bird that frequents the water; WA'TER-BIS'CUIT, a biscuit made of flour and water; WA'TER-BLINK, a spot of cloud hanging over open water in arctic regions; WA'TER-BOAT, a boat carrying water in bulk to supply ships; WA'TER-BOAT'MAN, a kind of aquatic bug.--_adj._ WA'TER-BORNE, conveyed in a boat.--_ns._ WA'TER-BOTT'LE, a glass, rubber, &c. bottle for carrying water; WA'TER-BRASH, an affection consisting of a hot sensation in the stomach with eructations of an acrid burning liquid; WA'TER-BREAK, a ripple; WA'TER-BROSE (_Scot._), brose made of meal and water alone; WA'TER-BUCK, an African water-antelope; WA'TER-BUG, a species of hemipterous insects found in ponds and still water; WA'TER-BUTT, a large barrel for rain-water, usually kept out of doors; WA'TER-CARR'IAGE, carriage or conveyance by water; WA'TER-CART, a cart for conveying water, esp. for the purpose of watering streets or roads; WA'TER-CELL, one of several small paunches in a camel used for storing water: a voltaic cell containing pure water; WA'TER-CEMENT', hydraulic cement; WA'TER-CHEST'NUT (_Marron d'eau_), the name given in France to the edible seeds of the _Trapa natans_; WA'TER-CLOCK, a clock which is made to go by the fall of water; WA'TER-CLOS'ET, a closet used as a privy, in which the discharges are carried off by water; WA'TER-COCK, the kora, a large East Indian gallinule; WA'TER-COL'OUR, a colour or pigment diluted with water and gum, instead of oil: a painting in such a colour or colours; WA'TER-COL'OURIST, a painter in water-colours; WA'TER-COOL'ER, a machine for cooling water or for keeping water cool; WA'TER-CORE, an apple with watery-looking core: in founding, a hollow core through which water may be passed; WA'TERCOURSE, a course or channel for water; WA'TER-CRAFT, boats plying on the water; WA'TER-CRANE, a crane for turning water from a railway-tank into a locomotive tender; WA'TER-CRESS, a small plant growing in watery places, much esteemed as a salad, and used as a preventive of scurvy; WA'TER-CURE, medical treatment by means of water; WA'TER-DECK, a decorated canvas cover for a dragoon's saddle; WA'TER-DEER, a small Chinese musk-deer of aquatic habits: in Africa, one of the chevrotains; WA'TER-DOC'TOR, a hydropathist: one who divines diseases from the urine; WA'TER-DOG, a dog accustomed to the water: a variety of the common dog valuable to sportsmen in hunting water-fowl on account of its aquatic habits: (_coll._) an experienced sailor: (_pl._) small irregular floating clouds supposed to indicate rain; WA'TER-DRAIN, a channel through which water runs; WA'TER-DRAIN'AGE; WA'TER-DRINK'ER, a drinker of water: a teetotaler; WA'TER-DROP, a drop of water: a tear; WA'TER-DROP'WORT, a genus of umbelliferous plants.--_adj._ WA'TERED, marked with wavy lines like those made by water--(WATERED STOCKS, a term applied to securities whose nominal amount has been increased without any corresponding payment in cash).--_ns._ WA'TER-EL'EVATOR, a device for raising water to a level: a lift that works by water; WA'TER-EN'GINE, an engine for raising water: an engine for extinguishing fires; WA'TERER, one who waters: a vessel for watering with; WA'TERFALL, a fall or perpendicular descent of a body of water: a cataract or cascade: (_coll._) a neck-tie, a chignon; WA'TER-FLAG, the yellow iris; WA'TER-FLEA, the common name for minute aquatic crustaceans; WA'TER-FLOOD, an inundation; WA'TER-FLOW, current of water.--_adj._ WA'TER-FLOW'ING, streaming.--_ns._ WA'TER-FLY, an aquatic insect: (_Shak._) an insignificant, troublesome person; WA'TER-FOWL, a fowl that frequents water; WA'TER-FRAME, Arkwright's spinning-frame, which was driven by water; WA'TER-GALL, a watery appearance in the sky accompanying the rainbow: a pit or cavity made by a torrent of water; WA'TER-GAS, a gas partly derived from the decomposition of steam; WA'TER-GATE, a flood-gate: a gate admitting to a river or other body of water; WA'TER-GAUGE, -GAGE, an instrument for gauging or measuring the quantity or height of water; WA'TER-GILDING=_Wash-gilding_; WA'TER-GLASS, a water-clock: an instrument for making observations beneath the surface of water: soluble glass; WA'TER-GOD, a deity presiding over some tract of water; WA'TER-GRU'EL, gruel made of water and meal, &c., eaten without milk; WA'TER-GUARD, river, harbour, or coast police; WA'TER-HAMM'ER, the noise made by the sudden stoppage of moving water in a pipe: an air vacuum containing some water: (_med._) a metal hammer heated in water and applied to the skin as a counter-irritant; WA'TER-HEN, the moorhen; WA'TER-HOLE, a reservoir for water, a water-pool; WA'TERINESS; WA'TERING, act of one who waters: the art or process of giving a wavy, ornamental appearance; WA'TERING-CALL, a cavalry trumpet-signal to water horses; WA'TERING-CAN, -POT, a vessel used for watering plants; WA'TERING-HOUSE, a place where cab-horses are watered; WA'TERING-PLACE, a place where water may be obtained: a place to which people resort to drink mineral water, for bathing, &c.; WA'TERING-TROUGH, a trough in which horses and cattle drink.--_adj._ WA'TERISH, resembling, abounding in, water: somewhat watery: thin.--_ns._ WA'TERISHNESS; WA'TER-JACK'ET, a casing containing water placed around anything to keep it cool--also WA'TER-BOX and WA'TER-MAN'TLE; WA'TER-KEL'PIE, a malignant water-spirit, generally in the form of a horse, which delights to drown unwary travellers; WA'TER-LEM'ON, a species of passion-flower; WA'TER-LENS, a simple lens formed by placing a few drops of water in a small brass cell with blackened sides and a glass bottom.--_adj._ WA'TERLESS, lacking water.--_ns._ WA'TER-LEV'EL, the level formed by the surface of still water: a levelling instrument in which water is used; WA'TER-LIL'Y, a name commonly given to the different species of _Nymphæa_ and _Nuphar_, and also of _Nelumbium_, all genera of the natural order _Nymphæaceæ_, and indeed often extended to all the plants of that order--of the three British species all have heart-shaped leaves, floating on the water; WA'TER-LINE, the line on a ship to which the water rises: a water-mark.--_adj._ WA'TER-LOGGED, rendered log-like or unmanageable from being filled with water.--_ns._ WA'TER-LOT, a lot of ground which is under water; WA'TER-MAIN, a great subterranean pipe supplying water in cities; WA'TERMAN, a man who plies a boat on water for hire: a boatman: a ferryman: a neat oarsman; WA'TERMANSHIP, oarsmanship; WA'TERMARK, a mark showing the height to which water has risen: a tide-mark: a mark wrought into paper, denoting its size or its manufacturer.--_v.t._ to mark with water-marks.--_ns._ WA'TER-MEAD'OW, a meadow periodically overflowed by a stream; WA'TER-MEL'ON, a plant having a spherical, pulpy, pleasantly flavoured fruit, the fruit itself; WA'TER-ME'TER, an instrument measuring the quantity of water passing through it: an instrument for measuring evaporation; WA'TER-MILL, a mill driven by water; WA'TER-MOLE, the desman: a duck-mole or duck-billed platypus; WA'TER-MONK'EY, an earthenware jar for keeping drinking-water in hot climates, round, with narrow neck--also _Monkey-jar_; WA'TER-M[=O]'TOR, any water-wheel or turbine, esp. any small motor driven by water under pressure; WA'TER-NIX'Y, a spirit inhabiting water; WA'TER-NYMPH, a Naiad; WA'TER-OU'SEL, the dipper; WA'TER-PARS'NIP, a plant of the aquatic genus _Sium_--the skirret; WA'TER-PART'ING (same as WATERSHED); WA'TER-PHONE, an instrument for detecting leaks in pipes; WA'TER-PIPE, a pipe for conveying water; WA'TER-PLANE, a plane passing through a vessel when afloat; WA'TER-PLANT, a plant which grows in water; WA'TER-PLATE, a plate having a double bottom and a space for hot water, used to keep food warm; WA'TER-P[=O]'LO, an aquatic game played by swimmers in swimming-baths, at piers, &c., the sides numbering seven each--a goal-keeper, two backs, one half-back, and three forwards; WA'TER-POT, a pot or vessel for holding water; WA'TER-POW'ER, the power of water, employed to move machinery, &c.; WA'TER-POX, varicella; WA'TER-PRIV'ILEGE, the right to the use of water, esp. for machinery.--_adj._ WA'TERPROOF, proof against water: not permitting water to enter.--_n._ anything with such qualities: a garment of some waterproof substance, like india-rubber.--_ns._ WA'TERPROOFING, the act of making any substance impervious to water: the material with which a thing is made waterproof, as caoutchouc; WA'TER-PUMP, a pump for water, used humorously of the eyes; WA'TER-PUR'PIE (_Scot._), brook-lime, a species of _Veronica_; WA'TER-RAIL, the common rail of Europe; WA'TER-RAM, a hydraulic ram; WA'TER-RAT, the popular name of the water-vole: the American musk-rat; WA'TER-RATE, a rate or tax for the supply of water; WA'TER-ROUTE, a stream, lake, &c. used as a means of travel; WA'TER-RUG (_Shak._), a kind of dog; WA'TERSHED, the line which separates two river-basins: a district from which several rivers rise; WA'TER-SIDE, the brink of water: the sea-shore; WA'TER-SMOKE, water evaporating as visible mist; WA'TER-SNAKE, a snake frequenting the water; WA'TER-SOL'DIER, an aquatic plant (_Stratiotes aloïdes_) common in lakes and ditches in the east of England; WA'TER-SPAN'IEL (see SPANIEL); WA'TER-SP[=I]'DER, an aquatic spider; WA'TERSPOUT, a pipe from which water spouts: a moving spout or column of water, often seen at sea, and sometimes on land; WA'TER-SPRIN'KLE (_Spens._), a water-pot; WA'TER-SPRITE, a spirit inhabiting the water.--_adj._ WA'TER-STAND'ING (_Shak._), containing water, tearful.--_ns._ WA'TER-STRID'ER, any aquatic heteropterous insect of the family _Hydrobatidæ_; WA'TER-SUPPLY', the obtaining and distribution of sufficient water to the inhabitants of a town: the amount of water thus distributed; WA'TER-T[=A]'BLE, a moulding or other projection in the wall of a building to throw off the water; WA'TER-TANK, a tank or cistern for holding water; WA'TER-TAP, a tap or cock used for letting out water; WA'TER-THERMOM'ETER, a thermometer filled with water instead of mercury, and used for showing the point at which water acquires its greatest density; WA'TER-THIEF (_Shak._), a pirate.--_adj._ WA'TER-TIGHT, so tight as not to admit water nor let it escape--(WATER-TIGHT COMPARTMENT, a division of a ship's hull or other sub-aqueous structure so formed that water cannot enter it from any other part; see BULKHEAD).--_ns._ WA'TER-TUBE, a pipe for rain-water; WA'TER-TWIST, a kind of cotton-twist, first made by the water-frame; WA'TER-V[=I]'OLET, a plant of the genus _Hottonia_; WA'TER-VOLE, the common European water-rat; WA'TER-WAG'TAIL, a wagtail, the pied wagtail; WA'TER-WAY (_naut._) a series of pieces of timber, extending round a ship at the junction of the decks with the sides, pierced by scuppers to carry off the water: a water-route; WA'TERWHEEL, a wheel moved by water: an engine for raising water; WA'TERWORK (mostly in _pl._) any work or engine by which water is furnished, as to a town, &c.: a textile fabric, used like tapestry: (_slang_) used humorously of shedding tears.--_adj._ WA'TER-WORN, worn by the action of water.--_n._ WA'TER-WRAITH, a water-spirit supposed to portend death.--_adj._ WA'TERY, pertaining to or like water: thin or transparent: tasteless: weak, vapid: affecting water (of the moon, as governing the tide): (_Shak._) eager.--_ns._ HIGH'-WA'TER, HIGH'-WA'TER-MARK (see HIGH); LOW'-WA'TER (see LOW); LOW'-WA'TER-MARK, the limit of water at low tide: the lowest point of anything.--WATER OF LIFE, spiritual refreshment: (_Scot._) whisky; WATER ON THE BRAIN, knee, an accumulation of serous fluid in the cranial cavity, knee-joint; WATERED SILK, silk on which a changeable pattern has been worked by means of pressing and moistening.--ABOVE WATER, out of trouble; AERATED WATER (see AERATE); APOLLINARIS WATER, an agreeable table-water, obtained in Rhenish Prussia; BAG OF WATERS, the foetal membranes, filled with _liquor amnii_, which dilate the mouth of the womb; CAST A PERSON'S WATER, to examine urine to aid in the diagnosis of disease; DEEP WATER, or WATERS, water too deep for safety, sore trouble, distress; FIRST WATER, the highest degree of fineness in a diamond, &c., hence the highest rank generally; HOLD WATER, to be correct or well-grounded, to stand investigation; HOLY WATER, water used symbolically as a means of purification; LIKE WATER, with the quick, full flow of water: extravagantly, recklessly; MAKE THE MOUTH WATER, to arouse in any one a strong desire for a thing--from the gathering of saliva in the mouth at the prospect of a savoury morsel; MAKE WATER, to micturate; MINERAL WATER (see MINERAL); OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS, anything that allays or assuages, from the effect of pouring oil on rough water; TREAD WATER, to keep the head above water by an up-and-down movement of the feet; UNDER WATER, below the surface; WHITE WATER, breakers, foaming water. [A.S. _wæter_; Dut. _water_, Ger. _wasser_; Gr. _hyd[=o]r_, L. _udus_, wet, _unda_, a wave, Sans. _udan_, water.]

WATLING STREET, wat'ling strët, _n._ one of the great Roman highways of Britain, commencing at Dover, passing through Canterbury and Rochester to London, and thence to Chester and York, and northwards in two branches to Carlisle and the Wall in the neighbourhood of Newcastle.

WATT, wot, _n._ the practical unit of electrical activity or power--from James _Watt_ (1736-1819).

WATTEAU BODICE, wat'[=o] bod'is, _n._ a bodice with a square opening at the neck resembling the costumes in the paintings of the French artist Antoine _Watteau_ (1684-1721).

WATTLE, wot'l, _n._ a twig or flexible rod: a hurdle: the fleshy excrescence under the throat of a cock or a turkey: one of various Australian acacias.--_v.t._ to bind with wattles or twigs: to form by plaiting twigs.--_n._ WATT'LE-BIRD, a wattled honey-eater of Australia.--_adj._ WATT'LED, having wattles like a bird.--_n._ WATT'LING, a construction made by interweaving twigs. [A.S. _watel_, _watul_, a hurdle.]

WAUGHT, WAUCHT, w[=a]ht, _n._ (_Scot._) a large draught. [Gael. _cuach_, a cup.]

WAUKRIFE. See WAKE.

WAUL, WAWL, wawl, _v.t._ to cry as a cat. [Imit.]

WAVE, w[=a]v, _n._ a ridge on the surface of water swaying or moving backwards and forwards: (_poet._) the sea: a state of vibration propagated through a system of particles: inequality of surface: a line or streak like a wave: an undulation: a rush of anything: a gesture.--_v.i._ to move like a wave: to play loosely: to be moved, as a signal: to fluctuate.--_v.t._ to move backwards and forwards: to brandish: to waft or beckon: to raise into inequalities of surface.--_p.adj._ WAVED, showing a wavelike form or outline: undulating: (_her._) indented: (_nat. hist._) having on the margin a succession of curved segments or incisions.--_n._ WAVE'-LENGTH, the distance between the crests of adjacent waves.--_adj._ WAVE'LESS, free from waves: undisturbed.--_n._ WAVE'LET, a little wave.--_adj._ WAVE'LIKE.--_ns._ WAVE'-LINE, the outline, path, of a wave: the surface of the waves: the line made by a wave on the shore; WAVE'-LOAF, a loaf for a wave-offering; WAVE'-M[=O]'TION, undulatory movement; WAVE'-MOULD'ING (_archit._), undulating moulding; WAVE'-OFF'ERING, an ancient Jewish custom of moving the hands in succession towards the four points of the compass in presenting certain offerings--opposed to the _Heave-offering_, in which the hands were only lifted up and lowered.--_v.t._ W[=A]'VER, to move to and fro: to shake: to falter: to be unsteady or undetermined: to be in danger of falling.--_ns._ W[=A]'VERER; W[=A]'VERING.--_adv._ W[=A]'VERINGLY, in a wavering or irresolute manner.--_n._ W[=A]'VERINGNESS.--_adjs._ W[=A]'VEROUS, W[=A]'VERY, unsteady.--_n._ WAVE'SON, goods floating on the sea after a shipwreck.--_adj._ WAVE'-WORN, worn or washed away by the waves.--_ns._ W[=A]'VINESS, the state or quality of being wavy; W[=A]'VING.--_adj._ W[=A]'VY, full of or rising in waves: playing to and fro: undulating.--HOT WAVE, WARM WAVE, a movement of heat or warmth onwards, generally eastward. [A.S. _wafian_, to wave; cf. Ice. _vafra_, to waver.]

WAVEY, WAVY, waw'vi, _n._ the snow-goose.

WAWE, waw, _n._ (_Spens._) a wave.

WAX, waks, _n._ the name given to some animal and vegetable substances, and even to one or two mineral bodies (e.g. _ozokerite_), which more or less resemble beeswax both in their appearance and in their physical properties: the fat-like yellow substance produced by bees, and used by them in making their cells: any substance like it, as that in the ear: the substance used to seal letters: that used by shoemakers to rub their thread: in coal-mining, puddled clay: a thick sugary substance made by boiling down the sap of the sugar-maple, and cooling by exposure to the air: (_coll._) a passion.--_v.t._ to smear or rub with wax.--_ns._ WAX'-BILL, one of various small spermestine seed-eating birds with bills like sealing-wax; WAX'-CHAND'LER, a maker or dealer in wax candles; WAX'-CLOTH, cloth covered with a coating of wax, used for table-covers, &c., a popular name for all oil floorcloths; WAX'-DOLL, a child's doll having the head and bust made of hardened beeswax.--_adj._ WAX'EN, made of wax, like wax, easily effaced.--_ns._ WAX'-END, better WAXED END, a strong thread having its end stiffened by shoemakers' wax, so as to go easily through the hole made by the awl; WAX'ER, one who or that which waxes; WAX'-FLOW'ER, a flower made of wax; WAX'INESS, waxy appearance; WAX'ING, a method of putting a finish on dressed leather: the process of stopping out colours in calico-printing; WAX'-IN'SECT, an insect which secretes wax; WAX'-LIGHT, a candle or taper made of wax; WAX'-MOD'ELLING, the process of forming figures in wax; WAX'-MOTH, a bee-moth; WAX'-MYR'TLE, the candle-berry tree; WAX'-PAINT'ING, a kind of painting, the pigments for which are ground with wax and diluted with oil of turpentine; WAX'-PALM, either of two South American palms yielding wax; WAX'-P[=A]'PER, paper prepared by spreading over its surface a thin coating made of white wax and other materials.--_adj._ WAX'-RED (_Shak._), bright-red like sealing-wax.--_ns._ WAX'TREE, a genus of plants of natural order _Hypericaceæ_, all whose species yield a yellow resinous juice when wounded, forming when dried the so-called American gamboge; WAX'-WING, a genus of small Passerine birds, so named from most of the species having small red horny appendages, resembling red sealing-wax, on their wings; WAX'WORK, work made of wax, esp. figures or models formed of wax: (_pl._) an exhibition of wax figures; WAX'WORKER.--_adj._ WAX'Y, resembling wax: soft: pallid, pasty: adhesive: (_slang_) irate, incensed.--WAXY DEGENERATION, a morbid process in which the healthy tissue of various organs is transformed into a peculiar waxy albuminous substance--also _amyloid_ or _lardaceous degeneration_. [A.S. _weax_; Ice. _vax_, Dut. _was_, Ger. _wachs_.]

WAX, waks, _v.i._ to grow or increase, esp. of the moon, as opposed to _Wane_: to pass into another state.--_pa.p._ WAX'EN (_B._), grown. [A.S. _weaxan_; Ice. _vaxa_, Ger. _wachsen_, L. _aug[=e]re_, to increase, Gr. _auxanein_.]

WAY, w[=a], _v.t._ (_Spens._) to weigh, esteem.

WAY, w[=a], _n._ passage: road: length of space: distance: direction: manner of life: condition, state: advance in life: general manner of acting: means: manner: will: (_naut._) progress or motion through the water, headway.--_v.i._ (_Spens._) to journey.--_ns._ WAY'-BAG'GAGE (_U.S._), baggage to be laid down at a way-station; WAY'-BILL, list of passengers and goods carried by a coach; WAY'-BOARD, WEIGH'-BOARD, a thin stratum or seam separating thicker strata; WAY'BREAD, the common plantain.--_v.i._ WAY'F[=A]RE, to travel on foot.--_n._ WAY'F[=A]RER, a traveller or passenger.--_adj._ WAY'F[=A]RING, travelling or passing.--_n._ WAY'F[=A]RING-TREE, the _Viburnum lantana_, a large shrub common in British hedges.--_adjs._ WAY'-G[=O]'ING, departing; WAY'GONE, exhausted by travelling.--_v.t._ WAY'LAY, to lie in the way for: to watch or lie in ambush for.--_n._ WAYLAY'ER.--_adj._ WAY'LESS, without a path.--_ns._ WAY'-M[=A]K'ER, a pioneer, path-finder; WAY'-MARK, -POST, guide-post; WAY'-PASS'ENGER, one taken up or set down by the way; WAY'-SIDE, the side of a way, path, or highway.--_adj._ growing or lying near the way-side.--_ns._ WAY'-SLID'ING (_rare_), a wandering from the right way; WAY'-ST[=A]'TION, an intermediate station between principal stations on a railway; WAY'-THIS'TLE, the Canada thistle; WAY'-TRAFF'IC, local traffic, as distinguished from through or express traffic; WAY'-TRAIN (_U.S._), a train stopping at most of the stations on a line.--_adj._ WAY'WARD, froward: wilful: irregular.--_n._ WAY'-WAR'DEN, a keeper of roads.--_adv._ WAY'WARDLY.--_n._ WAY'WARDNESS.--_adj._ WAY'WORN, worn-out by travel.--_n._ RIGHT'-OF-WAY (see RIGHT).--WAY OF THE CROSS, a series of pictorial representations representing the stages of Christ's progress to Calvary: devotions used in connection with these stages; WAYS AND MEANS, resources: methods of raising money for the carrying on of government.--BE UNDER WAY, HAVE WAY (_naut._), to be in progress, as a vessel; BY THE WAY, as we go on; BY WAY OF, as for the purpose of: in character of; COME ONE'S WAY, to come in one's direction; COMMITTEE OF WAYS AND MEANS, the House of Commons in its capacity of raising the supplies; GIVE WAY (see GIVE); GO ONE'S WAY (see GO); GO THE WAY OF ALL THE EARTH, to die; HAVE ONE'S WAY, to carry one's point or wish; IN A SMALL WAY, on a petty scale; IN THE FAMILY WAY (see FAMILY); IN THE WAY, on the way: impeding, obstructing; IN THE WAY OF, in a good position for effecting something: in respect of; LEAD THE WAY, to act as a guide in any movement; MAKE ONE'S WAY, to push one's self forward; MAKE WAY, to give room: to advance; ON THE WAY, in progress; OUT OF THE WAY, so as not to hinder or obstruct: away from the ordinary course: unusual: (_Shak._) lost, hidden; PUT ONE'S SELF OUT OF THE WAY, to give one's self trouble; TAKE ONE'S WAY, to set out: to follow one's own inclination or plan; THE WAY, the Christian Religion (Acts ix. 2, &c.). [A.S. _weg_; Ger. _weg_, L. _via_, Sans. _vaha_, akin to _veh[)e]re_, to carry.]

WAYGOOSE, w[=a]'g[=oo]s, _n._ a printers' annual dinner or picnic, formerly one given by an apprentice to his fellow-workmen, at which a _wase-_goose or stubble-goose was the great dish.--Also WASE'-GOOSE, WAYZ'-GOOSE.

WAYMENT, w[=a]-ment', _v.t._ and _v.i._ (_Spens._) to lament, grieve.--_n._ (_Spens._) lamentation, grief. [O. Fr. _waimenter_--L. _lament[=a]ri_, to lament.]

WE, w[=e], _pron.pl._ of I: I and others. [A.S. _wé_; cog. with Goth. _weis_, Ger. _wir_.]

WEAK, w[=e]k, _adj._ soft: wanting strength and vigour: not able to sustain a great weight: wanting health: easily overcome: feeble of mind: wanting moral or mental force: frail: unsteady: slight or incomplete: having little of the chief ingredient: impressible: inconclusive: (_Shak._) inconsiderable: (_gram._) of a verb inflected by regular syllabic addition instead of by change of the main vowel: tending downward in price.--_adj._ WEAK'-BUILT (_Shak._), ill-founded.--_v.t._ WEAK'EN, to make weak: to reduce in strength or spirit.--_v.i._ to grow weak or weaker.--_n._ WEAK'ENER, one who or that which weakens.--_adjs._ WEAK'-EYED, having weak eyes or sight; WEAK'-HAND'ED, powerless; WEAK'-HEAD'ED, having a feeble intellect; WEAK'-HEART'ED (_Shak._), of weak or feeble heart or spirit; WEAK'-HINGED, ill-balanced; WEAK'-KNEED, having weak knees: weak in will.--_n._ WEAK'LING, a weak or feeble creature.--_adv._ WEAK'LY.--_adj._ WEAK'-MIND'ED, of feeble powers of mind.--_ns._ WEAK'-MIND'EDNESS; WEAK'NESS.--_adjs._ WEAK'-SIGHT'ED, having feeble eyesight; WEAK'-SPIR'ITED, bearing wrong tamely, cowardly.--WEAKER SEX, women; WEAKER VESSEL (see VESSEL).--WEAK SIDE, POINT, that side or point in which a person is most easily influenced or most liable to temptation. [A.S. _wác_, pliant--_wican_, to yield; Dut. _week_, Ice. _veikr_, Ger. _weich_.]

WEAL, w[=e]l, _n._ state of being well: a sound or prosperous state: welfare.--_adj._ WEAL'-BAL'ANCED (_Shak._), explained by Schmidt as kept in a state of just proportion by reasons of state.--_n._ WEALS'MAN (_Shak._), a statesman.--THE PUBLIC, GENERAL, or COMMON WEAL, the well-being, interest, and prosperity of the country. [A.S. _wela_, wealth, bliss; Ger. _wohl_.]

WEAL, w[=e]l, _n._ a form of _wale_.

WEALD, w[=e]ld, _n._ any open country.--_adj._ WEALD'EN, pertaining to the _Weald_.--_n._ a geological formation seen in the Weald--viz. the upper oolitic series of rocks.--THE WEALD, a district comprising portions of Kent and Sussex, extending from Folkestone Hill near the Straits of Dover to Beachy Head. [From the root of _wild_; not directly conn. with A.S. _weald_, a forest, wold.]

WEALTH, welth, _n._ large possessions of any kind: riches.--_adv._ WEALTH'ILY.--_n._ WEALTH'INESS.--_adj._ WEALTH'Y, rich: prosperous: well-fed. [An extension of _weal_.]

WEAN, w[=e]n, _v.t._ to accustom to nourishment other than the mother's milk: to reconcile to the want of anything: to estrange the affections from any object or habit.--_n._ (w[=a]n) an infant, a child (_Scot._).--_ns._ WEAN'EL (_Spens._), a weanling; WEAN'ING-BRASH, a severe form of diarrhoea, which supervenes, at times, on weaning.--_adj._ WEAN'LING, newly weaned.--_n._ a child or animal newly weaned. [A.S. _wenian_; Ice. _venja_, Ger. _gewöhnen_, to accustom, _ent-wöhnen_, to disuse, to wean.]

WEAPON, wep'un, _n._ any instrument or organ of offence or defence.--_adjs._ WEAP'ONED; WEAP'ONLESS, having no weapons.--_n._ WEAP'ON-SALVE, a salve supposed to cure a wound by being applied to the weapon that made it. [A.S. _w['æ]pen_; Goth. _wepna_, arms, Ger. _waffen_ and _wappen_.]

WEAPON-SCHAW=_Wapinschaw_ (q.v.).

WEAR, w[=a]r, _v.t._ to carry on the body: to have the appearance of: to consume by use, time, or exposure: to waste by rubbing: to do by degrees: to exhaust, efface: (_naut._) to veer.--_v.i._ to be wasted by use or time: to be spent tediously: to consume slowly: to last under use: (_Shak._) to be in fashion, to become accustomed: (_naut._) to come round away from the wind: (_obs._) to become:--_pa.t._ w[=o]re; _pa.p._ w[=o]rn.--_n._ act of wearing: lessening or injury by use or friction: article worn.--_adj._ WEAR'ABLE, fit to be worn.--_n._ WEAR'ER.--_p.adj._ WEAR'ING, made or designed for wear: consuming, exhausting.--_n._ the process of wasting by attrition or time: that which is worn, clothes.--_ns._ WEAR'ING-APPAR'EL, dress; WEAR'-[=I]'RON, a friction-guard.--WEAR AND TEAR, loss by wear or use; WEAR AWAY, to impair, consume; WEAR OFF, to rub off by friction: to diminish by decay: to pass away by degrees; WEAR OUT, to impair by use: to render useless by decay: to consume tediously: to harass. [A.S. _werian_, to wear; Ice. _verja_, to cover, Goth. _wasjan_.]

WEAR, w[=e]r, _n._ another spelling of _weir_.

WEAR, w[=e]r, _v.t._ (_obs._) to guard, ward off: to guide. [A.S. _werian_, to guard, from root of _wary_.]

WEARISH, w[=e]r'ish, _adj._ (_Spens._) withered, shrunk.

WEARY, w[=e]'ri, _adj._ worn-out: having the strength or patience exhausted: tired: causing weariness: (_prov._) puny.--_v.t._ to wear out or make weary: to reduce the strength or patience of: to harass.--_v.i._ to become weary or impatient: to long for.--_adjs._ WEA'RIED, tired; WEA'RIFUL, wearisome.--_adv._ WEA'RIFULLY.--_adj._ WEA'RILESS, incessant.--_adv._ WEA'RILY.--_n._ WEA'RINESS.--_adj._ WEA'RISOME, making weary: tedious.--_adv._ WEA'RISOMELY.--_n._ WEA'RISOMENESS.--WEARY OUT, to exhaust. [A.S. _wérig_, weary.]

WEARY, w[=e]'ri, _n._ (_Scot._) a curse, as in 'weary on you.'

WEASAND, w[=e]'zand, _n._ the windpipe: the throat. [A.S. _wásend_; not to be traced to A.S. _hwésan_ (Ice. _hvæsa_), to wheeze.]

WEASEL, w[=e]'zl, _n._ a common carnivore belonging to the same genus as the polecat and stoat--the body long and slender--eating rats, frogs, birds, mice, &c.: (_Shak._) a lean, hungry fellow.--_n._ WEA'SEL-COOT, the red-headed smew.--_adj._ WEA'SEL-FACED, having a lean sharp face. [A.S. _wesle_; Ger. _wiesel_.]

WEATHER, weth'[.e]r, _n._ state of the air as to heat or cold, dryness, wetness, cloudiness, &c.--_v.t._ to affect by exposing to the air: to sail to the windward of: to gain or pass, as a promontory or cape: to hold out stoutly against difficulties.--_v.i._ to become discoloured by exposure.--_adj._ (_naut._) toward the wind, windward.--_adjs._ WEATH'ER-BEAT'EN, distressed or seasoned by the weather; WEATH'ER-BIT'TEN, worn or defaced by exposure to the winds.--_n._ WEATH'ER-BOARD, the windward side of a ship: a plank in the port of a laid-up vessel placed so as to keep off rain, without preventing air to circulate.--_v.t._ to fit with such planks.--_n._ WEATH'ER-BOARD'ING, thin boards placed overlapping to keep out rain: exterior covering of a wall or roof.--_adj._ WEATH'ER-BOUND, delayed by bad weather.--_ns._ WEATH'ER-BOX, -HOUSE, a toy constructed on the principle of a barometer, consisting of a house with the figures of a man and wife who come out alternately as the weather is respectively bad or good; WEATH'ER-CLOTH, a tarpaulin protecting boats, hammocks, &c.; WEATH'ERCOCK, a vane (often in the form of a cock) to show the direction of the wind: anything turning easily and often.--_v.t._ to act as a weathercock for.--_p.adj._ WEATH'ER-DRIV'EN, driven by winds or storms.--_adj._ WEATH'ERED (_archit._), made slightly sloping, so as to throw off water: (_geol._) having the surface altered in colour, form, texture, or composition by the action of the elements.--_n._ WEATH'ER-EYE, the eye considered as the means by which one forecasts the weather.--_v.t._ WEATH'ER-FEND (_Shak._), to defend from the weather, to shelter.--_ns._ WEATH'ER-GAGE, the position of a ship to the windward of another: advantage of position; WEATH'ER-GLASS, a glass or instrument that indicates the changes of the weather: a barometer; WEATH'ER-GLEAM (_prov._), a bright aspect of the sky at the horizon; WEATH'ER-HELM, a keeping of the helm somewhat a-weather when a vessel shows a tendency to come into the wind while sailing; WEATH'ERING (_archit._), a slight inclination given to the top of a cornice or moulding, to prevent water from lodging on it: (_geol._) the action of the elements in altering the form, colour, texture, or composition of rocks.--_adj._ WEATH'ERLY (_naut._), making little leeway when close-hauled.--_n._ WEATH'ER-MAP, a map indicating meteorological conditions over a large tract of country.--_adj._ WEATH'ERMOST, farthest to windward.--_n._ WEATH'ER-NOT[=A]'TION, a system of abbreviation for meteorological phenomena.--_adj._ WEATH'ER-PROOF, proof against rough weather.--_ns._ WEATH'ER-PROPH'ET, one who foretells weather: a device for foretelling the weather; WEATH'ER-ROLL, the lurch of a vessel to windward when in the trough of the sea; WEATH'ER-SER'VICE, an institution for superintending and utilising observed meteorological phenomena; WEATH'ER-SIDE, the windward side; WEATH'ER-SIGN, a phenomenon indicating change of weather: any prognostic; WEATH'ER-STAIN, discolouration produced by exposure; WEATH'ER-ST[=A]'TION, a station where phenomena of weather are observed; WEATH'ER-STRIP, a thin piece of some material used to keep out wind and cold; WEATH'ER-SYM'BOL, a conventional sign indicating some meteorological phenomenon.--_adjs._ WEATH'ER-WISE, wise or skilful in foreseeing the changes or state of the weather; WEATH'ER-WORN, worn by exposure to the weather.--WEATHER ANCHOR, the anchor lying to windward; WEATHER A POINT, to gain an advantage or accomplish a purpose against opposition; WEATHER OUT (_obs._), to hold out against till the end.--KEEP ONE'S WEATHER EYE OPEN, to be on one's guard, to have one's wits in readiness; MAKE FAIR WEATHER (_Shak._), to conciliate: to flatter; STRESS OF WEATHER, violent and especially unfavourable winds, force of tempests. [A.S. _weder_; Ice. _vedhr_, Ger. _wetter_.]

WEAVE, w[=e]v, _v.t._ to twine threads together: to unite threads in a loom to form cloth: to work into a fabric: to unite by intermixture: to construct, contrive.--_v.i._ to practise weaving:--_pa.t._ w[=o]ve, (rarely) weaved; _pa.p._ w[=o]v'en.--_ns._ WEAV'ER; WEAV'ER-BIRD, a family of Passerine birds resembling the finches, so called from their remarkably woven nests; WEAV'ING, the act or art of forming a web or cloth by the intersecting of two distinct sets of fibres, threads, or yarns--those passing longitudinally from end to end of the web forming the warp, those crossing and intersecting the warp at right angles forming the weft. [A.S. _wefan_; Ice. _vefa_, Ger. _weben_; cog. with Gr. _hupp[=e]_, a web, _huphainein_, to weave.]

WEAVE, w[=e]v, _v.t._ and _v.i._ (_Spens._) waved, floated.

WEAZAND, w[=e]'zand, _n._ Same as WEASAND.

WEAZEN, w[=e]'zn, _adj._ thin, sharp. [_Wizen_.]

WEB, web, _n._ that which is woven: anything resembling a web, as a roll of cloth, paper, &c.: a plot, scheme: in birds, the blade of a feather: (_anat._) any connective tissue: the fine texture spun by the spider as a snare for flies: a film over the eye: the skin between the toes of water-fowls.--_v.t._ to envelop, to connect with a web.--_adj._ WEBBED, having the toes united by a web or skin.--_n._ WEB'BING, a narrow woven fabric of hemp, used for chairs, &c.: (_zool._) the webs of the digits: (_print._) tapes conducting webs of paper in a printing machine.--_adj._ WEB'BY.--_n._ WEB'-EYE, a film spreading over the eye.--_adjs._ WEB'-EYED; WEB'-FING'ERED.--_n._ WEB'-FOOT, a foot the toes of which are united with a web or membrane.--_adjs._ WEB'-FOOT'ED; WEB'-TOED.--WEB AND PIN (_Shak._), or PIN AND WEB, cataract on the eye. [A.S. _webb_; Ice. _vefr_, Ger. _gewebe_; from root of _weave_.]

WEBSTER, web'st[.e]r, _n._ (_obs._) a weaver. [A.S. _webbestre_, a female weaver--_webban_, to weave.]

WECHT, weht, _n._ (_Scot._) an instrument for lifting grain. [Perh. conn. with _weigh_.]

WED, wed, _v.t._ to marry: to join in marriage: to unite closely.--_v.i._ to marry:--_pr.p._ wed'ding; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ wed'ded or wed.--_adj._ WED'DED, married: belonging to marriage: clasped together.--_ns._ WED'DING, marriage: marriage ceremony; WED'DING-BED, the bridal bed; WED'DING-CAKE, a highly decorated cake served at a wedding, and also divided among absent friends.--_n.pl._ WED'DING-CARDS, complimentary cards of a newly married pair, sent to friends.--_ns._ WED'DING-DAY, day of marriage; WED'DING-DOWER, marriage portion; WED'DING-DRESS, a bride's dress; WED'DING-F[=A]VOUR, white rosette worn by men at a wedding; WED'DING-GAR'MENT, garment worn at a wedding; WED'DING-RING, a plain ring given by the groom to the bride at a wedding.--PENNY WEDDING, a wedding where the guests paid for the entertainment, and sometimes contributed to the outfit; SILVER, GOLDEN, DIAMOND WEDDING, the celebrations of the 25th, 50th, and 60th anniversaries of a wedding. [A.S. _weddian_, to engage, to marry (Ger. _wetten_, to wager)--_wed_, a pledge; Goth. _wadi_, Ger. _wette_, a bet.]

WED, wed, _n._ a pledge, security--(_Scot._) WAD.--_v.t._ to wager. [A.S. _wed_, a pledge.]

WEDGE, wej, _n._ a piece of wood or metal, thick at one end and sloping to a thin edge at the other, used in splitting: anything shaped like a wedge: a mass of metal: at Cambridge, the man lowest on the list of the classical tripos.--_v.t._ to cleave with a wedge: to force or drive with a wedge: to press closely: to fasten with a wedge: to make into a wedge.--_v.i._ to force one's way like a wedge.--_adjs._ WEDGED, cuneiform or wedge-shaped; WEDGE'-SHAPED, having the shape of a wedge; WEDGE'-TAILED, having the tail wedge-shaped or cuneate.--_adv._ WEDGE'WISE, in the manner of a wedge.--_n._ WEDG'ING, a method of joining timbers.--WEDGE OF LEAST RESISTANCE, the form in which a substance yields to pressure.--THE THIN, or SMALL, END OF THE WEDGE, the insignificant-looking beginning of a principle or practice which will yet lead to something great and important. [A.S. _wecg_; Ice. _veggr_, Ger. _weck_, a wedge; prob. from the root of _weigh_.]

WEDGWOOD WARE. See WARE.

WEDLOCK, wed'lok, _n._ marriage: matrimony.--BREAK WEDLOCK, to commit adultery. [A.S. _wedlác_--_wed_, _-lác_, a gift.]

WEDNESDAY, wenz'd[=a], _n._ fourth day of the week. [A.S. _Wódenes dæg_, the day of _Woden_ or _Odin_, the chief Teutonic deity.]

WEE, w[=e], _n._ a short distance, a short time.--_adj._ tiny. [Scand. form of _way_; Dan. _vei_, Ice. _vegr_; not conn. with Ger. _wenig_, little.]

WEED, w[=e]d, _n._ any useless plant of small growth: anything useless or troublesome; a sorry animal, a worthless fellow: (_coll._) a cigar.--_v.t._ to free from weeds: to remove anything hurtful or offensive.--_adjs._ WEED'ED, WEED'-GROWN, overgrown with weeds.--_n._ WEED'ER.--_n.pl._ WEED'ER-CLIPS (_Scot._), shears for weeding.--_ns._ WEED'ERY, a place full of weeds; WEED'INESS; WEED'ING-CHIS'EL, -FOR'CEPS, -FORK, -HOOK, -TONGS (_pl._) garden implements of varying forms for destroying weeds.--_adjs._ WEED'LESS; WEED'Y, weed-like, consisting of weeds; worthless. [A.S. _wéod_, an herb.]

WEED, w[=e]d, _n._ a garment, esp. in _pl._ a widow's mourning apparel.--_adj._ WEED'Y, clad in widow's mourning. [A.S. _w['æ]d_, clothing; Old High Ger. _w[=a]t_, cloth; cf. _leinwand_.]

WEED, w[=e]d, _n._ (_Scot._) a popular name for any sudden illness, cold, or relapse with febrile symptoms in women after confinement or nursing: lymphangitis in the horse.--Also WEID.

WEEK, w[=e]k, _n._ the space of seven days, esp. from Sunday to Sunday: the six working days of the week.--_n._ WEEK'DAY, any day of the week except Sunday.--_adj._ WEEK'LY, coming, happening, or done once a week.--_adv._ once a week.--_n._ a publication appearing once a week.--WEEK ABOUT, in alternate periods of seven days.--A PROPHETIC WEEK (_B._), seven years; A WEEK OF SUNDAYS (_coll._), seven weeks: a long time; FEAST OF WEEKS, a Jewish festival lasting seven weeks; GREAT WEEK, HOLY WEEK, PASSION WEEK, the week preceding Easter Sunday; THIS DAY WEEK, a week from to-day. [A.S. _wice_; Dut. _week_, Ger. _woche_.]

WEEK, w[=e]k, _n._ (_Spens._). Same as WICK.

WEEL, w[=e]l, _n._ a whirlpool. [A.S. _w['æ]l_.]

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.]

WELT, welt, _v.i._ (_prov._) to decay: to become stringy. [_Wilt_.]

WELTER, wel't[.e]r, _v.i._ to roll or tumble about, to wallow about, esp. in dirt: to lie in some floating substance.--_v.t._ to make way in a weltering manner.--_n._ a tossing about, a state of turmoil.--_adj._ WEL'TERING. [M. E. _walten_, to roll over--A.S. _wealtan_, to roll.]

WELTER-WEIGHT, wel't[.e]r-w[=a]t, _n._ an unusually heavy weight, carried mostly in steeple-chases and hurdle-races.--_n._ WEL'TER-RACE, a race in which such weights are carried.--_n.pl._ WEL'TER-STAKES, the stakes in a welter-race. [Perh. from _welter_, in allusion to the less free motion; others trace to _swelter_, from the heating of the heavily weighted horses.]

WELWITSCHIA, wel-wich'i-a, _n._ a genus of African Gymnosperms belonging to the _Gnetaceæ_, and containing only one species, its flower consisting of a panicle of brilliant overlapping scarlet scales. [Friedrich _Welwitsch_ (1806-72), an Austrian traveller.]

WEN, wen, _n._ a sebaceous cyst, most commonly on the scalp, consisting of obstructed sebaceous glands, which enlarge by the internal pressure of their accumulated secretions.--_adjs._ WEN'NISH, WEN'NY, wen-like. [A.S. _wen_, a swelling, a wart; Dut. _wen_.]

WENCH, wensh, _n._ a maid, damsel: a working-girl, a maid-servant: a lewd woman, a mistress, a whore.--_v.i._ to frequent the company of whores.--_n._ WENCH'ER, one who indulges in lewdness. [Perh. from the sing. of A.S. _winclo_, children, prob. _wencel_, weak, _wancol_, unstable.]

WEND, wend, _v.i._ to go: to wind or turn. [A.S. _wendan_, the causative of _windan_, to turn round.]

WEND, wend, _n._ the name given by the Germans to a branch of the Slavs which, as early as the 6th century, occupied the north and east of Germany from the Elbe along the coast of the Baltic to the Vistula, and as far south as Bohemia: one of the Slavic population of Lusatia who still speak the Wendish tongue.--_adjs._ WEN'DIC, WEN'DISH. [Prob. ultimately cog. with _wander_.]

WENLOCK, wen'lok, _adj._ (_geol._) denoting a group or series of rocks of the Upper Silurian period, consisting of limestone and shale, and largely developed in the neighbourhood of _Wenlock_ in Shropshire.

WENT, went, properly _pa.t._ of _wend_, but now used as _pa.t._ of _go_.--_n._ (_Spens._) a turning: a path.

WENTLE-TRAP, wen'tl-trap, _n._ a genus of gasteropodous molluscs, having a spiral shell with many deep whorls, crossed by elevated ribs, and the aperture round and narrow. [Ger. _wendel-treppe_, a winding staircase.]

WEPT, wept, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _weep_.

WERE, wer, _v.i._ the _pl._ of _was_, used as _pa.t._ of _be_. [A.S. _w['æ]re_; Ger. _war_, Ice. _vera_, to be. Cf. _Was_.]

WEREWOLF, WERWOLF, w[=e]r'woolf, _n._ a person supposed to be able by natural gift or magic art to change himself for a time into a wolf.--_adjs._ WERE'WOLFISH, WER'WOLFISH.--_n._ WERE'WOLFISM, lycanthropy. [A.S. _werwulf_--_wer_, man (Goth. _vair_, L. _vir_), _wulf_, a wolf. The modern Ger. _Währwolf_ is the Mid. High Ger. _Werwolf_, Latinised as _garulphus_ or _gerulphus_, whence the O. Fr. _garoul_, the modern French name being pleonastically _loup-garou_.]

WEREGILD, WERGILD, w[=e]r'gild, _n._ a composition by which, by the custom of Anglo-Saxons, Franks, and other Teutonic peoples, homicide and other heinous crimes against the person were expiated. [A.S. _wergield_, from _wer_, man, _gield_--_gieldan_, to pay.]

WERNERIAN, w[.e]r-n[=e]'ri-an, _adj._ pertaining or according to the opinions or system of A. G. _Werner_, a German mineralogist and geologist (1750-1817), who classified minerals according to their external characters, and advocated that all geological phenomena are due to the action of water.--_n._ an upholder of this theory.--_n._ WER'NERITE, a variety of scapolite.

WERSH, wersh, _adj._ (_Scot._) tasteless, unsalted. [_Wearish_.]

WERT, wert, the 2d pers. sing. of _were_, used as the _pa.t._ subjunctive of _be_.

WERTHERIAN, ver-t[=e]'ri-an, _adj._ pertaining to or resembling the character of _Werther_ in Goethe's romance, 'The Sorrows of Young Werther.'--_n._ WER'THERISM, sentimentality like that of WERTHER.

WESAND, w[=e]'zand, _n._ (_Spens._). Same as WEASAND.

WESLEYAN, wes'le-an, _adj._ pertaining to Wesleyanism.--_n._ one who adopts Wesleyanism.--_n._ WES'LEYANISM, the system of doctrine and church polity of the Wesleyan Methodists: Arminian Methodism. [Named from John _Wesley_ (1703-91).]

WEST, west, _n._ the quarter where the sun sets: one of the four chief points of the compass: the direction faced when one stands with his back to the high altar of a church: the countries to the west of Europe.--_adj._ situated towards or coming from the west: opposite the high altar of a church.--_adv._ towards the west.--_v.i._ (_Spens._) to move towards the west.--_adv._ WEST'-ABOUT', towards the west.--_v.i._ WES'TER (_obs._), to turn westward.--_adjs._ WES'TERING (_Milt._), passing to the west; WES'TERLY, lying or moving towards west: from the west.--_adv._ towards the west.--_adj._ WES'TERN, situated in the west: belonging to the west: moving towards, or coming from, the west.--_n._ an inhabitant of a western region or country.--_ns._ WES'TERNER, a person belonging to the west; WES'TERNISM, an idiom or other characteristic of western people.--_adj._ WES'TERNMOST, furthest to the west.--_n._ WES'TING, space or distance westward: departure westward: time of setting or reaching the west.--_adv._ WEST'LING, towards the west.--_adj._ WEST'MOST, most westerly.--_adj._ and _adv._ WEST'WARD, towards the west.--_advs._ WEST'WARDLY, WEST'WARDS, towards the west.--WESTERN CHURCH, the Latin Church, as distinguished from the Eastern or Greek Church; WESTERN EMPIRE, the western division of the later Roman Empire; WESTERN STATES, the states of the American Union lying west of the Alleghanies.--WESTWARD HO! to the west! an old cry of London watermen plying westwards. [A.S. _west_ (Fr. _ouest_, Ice. _vestr_); prob. conn. with Ice. _vist_, abode, L. _vesper_, Gr. _hespera_.]

WESTPHALIAN, west-f[=a]'li-an, _adj._ pertaining to _Westphalia_, a duchy, a kingdom, and now a province of Prussia.--_n._ a native of Westphalia.

WET, wet, _adj._ containing water: having water on the surface: rainy: (_slang_) given to drinking, tipsy: (_U.S._) allowing the sale of intoxicating liquors, as opposed to prohibition.--_n._ water or wetness: moisture: act of wetting, a dram, a debauch.--_v.t._ to make wet: to soak with water: to sprinkle: (_slang_) to celebrate by drinking:--_pr.p._ wet'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ wet, (rarely) wet'ted.--_ns._ WET'-CUP'PING, the simultaneous application of a cupping-glass and the making an incision on the skin; WET'-DOCK, a dock or basin for floating vessels at all states of the tide; WET'NESS; WET'-NURSE, a nurse who suckles a child for its mother.--_adj._ WET'-SHOD, having shoes or feet wet.--_n._ WET'TING-MACHINE', a machine used to damp paper for printing.--_adj._ WET'TISH, somewhat wet.--WET BOB (_slang_), a boy at school who goes in for rowing in preference to cricket or football; WET BULB THERMOMETER (see PSYCHROMETER); WET GOODS, liquors; WET METER, a gas-meter in which the gas to be measured passes through water; WET PLATE (_phot._), a plate coated with collodion and sensitised with a salt of silver.--A WET BLANKET, a damper, kill-joy. [A.S. _w['æ]t_; Ice. _vátr_; from root of water.]

WETHER, weth'[.e]r, _n._ a castrated ram. [A.S. _wither_; Ger. _widder_.]

WEY, w[=a], _n._ a measure or weight differing with different articles=182 lb. wool, 40 bushels salt or corn, 48 bushels oats, &c. [_Weigh_.]

WHACK, hwak, _v.t._ to thwack: (_slang_) to parcel out, share.--_v.i._ to keep on striking: (_slang_) to settle accounts.--_n._ a blow: a stroke, share.--_n._ WHACK'ER (_slang_), something big.--_adj._ WHACK'ING, very large, astounding. [_Thwack_.]

WHAISLE, WHAIZLE, hw[=a]'zl, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to wheeze. [A form of _wheeze_.]

WHALE, hw[=a]l, _n._ the common name of a cetaceous mammal, the largest of sea-animals, including the _toothed_ whales, such as Sperm Whale and Dolphin, and the _whalebone_ whales, such as Right Whale and Rorqual, in which the teeth are only embryonic.--_v.i._ to take whales.--_ns._ WHALE'-BACK, a boat whose maindecks are covered in and rounded, for rough seas; WHALE'-BOAT, a long, narrow boat used in the pursuit of whales; WHALE'BONE, a light flexible substance consisting of the baleen plates of the Arctic and allied whales.--_adj._ made of whalebone.--_ns._ WHALE'-CALF, a young whale--also CALF WHALE; WHALE'-FISH'ER, one engaged in whale-fishery or the hunting of whales; WHALE'-FISH'ERY; WHALE'-FISH'ING; WHALE'-LINE, strong rope used for harpoon-lines in the whale-fishery; WHALE'-LOUSE, a genus of Crustacea, parasitic on the skin of Cetaceans; WHALE'-MAN, WH[=A]L'ER, a person employed in whale-fishing; WHALE'-OIL, oil obtained from the blubber of a whale; WH[=A]L'ER, WHALE'SHIP, a ship employed in the whale-fishing; WH[=A]L'ERY, whaling.--_adj._ WH[=A]L'ING, connected with whale-catching.--_n._ the business of catching whales.--_ns._ WH[=A]L'ING-GUN, a contrivance for killing whales by means of a projectile; WH[=A]L'ING-MAS'TER, the captain of a whaler; WH[=A]L'ING-PORT, a port where whalers are registered.--WHALE'S BONE, ivory.--BULL WHALE, an adult male whale. [A.S. _hwæl_ (Ice. _hvalr_, Ger. _walfisch_); orig. unknown.]

WHALE, hw[=a]l, _v.t._ (_slang_) to thrash. [Form of _wale_.]

WHALLY, hw[=a]l'i, _adj._ wall-eyed.--_n._ WHALL, wall-eye.

WHANG, hwang, _n._ a leathern thong. [Form of _thwang_, _thong_.]

WHANG, hwang, _v.t._ to flog: (_Scot._) to cut in great slices.--_n._ a blow, bang: a large slice. [Prob. a variant of _whack_.]

WHANGAM, hwang'gam, _n._ a feigned name of some animal, invented by Goldsmith.