Chapter V: Moth (8)

2. To force or drive as a wedge is driven. Among the crowd in the abbey where a finger Could not be wedged in more. Shak. He 's just the sort of man to wedge himself into a snug berth. Mrs. J. H. Ewing.

3. To force by crowding and pushing as a wedge does; as, to wedge one's way. Milton.

4. To press closely; to fix, or make fast, in the manner of a wedge that is driven into something. Wedged in the rocky shoals, and sticking fast. Dryden.

5. To fasten with a wedge, or with wedges; as, to wedge a scythe on the snath; to wedge a rail or a piece of timber in its place.

6. (Pottery)

Defn: To cut, as clay, into wedgelike masses, and work by dashing together, in order to expel air bubbles, etc. Tomlinson.

WEDGEBILL Wedge"bill`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An Australian crested insessorial bird (Sphenostoma cristatum) having a wedge-shaped bill. Its color is dull brown, like the earth of the plains where it lives.

WEDGE-FORMED Wedge"-formed`, a.

Defn: Having the form of a wedge; cuneiform. Wedge-formed characters. See Arrow-headed characters, under Arrowheaded.

WEDGE GAUGE; WEDGE GAGE Wedge gauge or gage .

Defn: A wedge with a graduated edge, to measure the width of a space into which it is thrust.

WEDGE GEAR Wedge gear.

Defn: A friction gear wheel with wedge-shaped circumferential grooves. -- Wedge gearing.

WEDGE-SHAPED Wedge"-shaped`, a.

1. Having the shape of a wedge; cuneiform.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Broad and truncate at the summit, and tapering down to the base; as, a wedge-shaped leaf.

WEDGE-SHELL Wedge"-shell`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of small marine bivalves belonging to Donax and allied genera in which the shell is wedge-shaped.

WEDGE-TAILED Wedge"-tailed", a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having a tail which has the middle pair of feathers longest, the rest successively and decidedly shorter, and all more or less attenuate; -- said of certain birds. See Illust. of Wood hoopoe, under Wood. Wedge-tailed eagle, an Australian eagle (Aquila audax) which feeds on various small species of kangaroos, and on lambs; -- called also mountain eagle, bold eagle, and eagle hawk. -- Wedge-tailed gull, an arctic gull (Rhodostethia rosea) in which the plumage is tinged with rose; -- called also Ross's gull.

WEDGEWISE Wedge"wise`, adv.

Defn: In the manner of a wedge.

WEDGWOOD WARE Wedg"wood` ware`. Etym: [From the name of the inventor, Josiah Wedgwood, of England.]

Defn: A kind of fine pottery, the most remarkable being what is called jasper, either white, or colored throughout the body, and capable of being molded into the most delicate forms, so that fine and minute bas-reliefs like cameos were made of it, fit even for being set as jewels.

WEDGY Wedg"y, a.

Defn: Like a wedge; wedge-shaped.

WEDLOCK Wed"lock, n. Etym: [AS. wedlac a pledge, be trothal; wedd a pledge + lac a gift, an offering. See Wed, n., and cf. Lake, v. i., Knowledge.]

1. The ceremony, or the state, of marriage; matrimony. "That blissful yoke . . . that men clepeth [call] spousal, or wedlock." Chaucer. For what is wedlock forced but a hell, An age of discord or continual strife Shak.

2. A wife; a married woman. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Syn. -- See Marriage.

WEDLOCK Wed"lock, v. t.

Defn: To marry; to unite in marriage; to wed. [R.] "Man thus wedlocked." Milton.

WEDNESDAY Wednes"day (; 48), n. Etym: [OE. wednesdai, wodnesdei, AS. Wodnes dæg, i. e., Woden's day (a translation of L. dies Mercurii); fr. Woden the highest god of the Teutonic peoples, but identified with the Roman god Mercury; akin to OS. Wodan, OHG. Wuotan, Icel. Oedhinn, D. woensdag Wednesday, Icel. oedhinsdagr, Dan. & Sw. onsdag. See Day, and cf. Woden, Wood, a.]

Defn: The fourth day of the week; the next day after Tuesday. Ash Wednesday. See in the Vocabulary.

WEE Wee, n. Etym: [OE. we a bit, in a little we, probably originally meaning, a little way, the word we for wei being later taken as synonymous with little. See Way.]

Defn: A little; a bit, as of space, time, or distance. [Obs. or Scot.]

WEE Wee, a.

Defn: Very small; little. [Colloq. & Scot.] A little wee face, with a little yellow beard. Shak.

WEECH-ELM Weech"-elm`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The wych-elm. [Obs.] Bacon.

WEED Weed, n. Etym: [OE. wede, AS. w, w; akin to OS. wadi, giwadi, OFries, w, w, OD. wade, OHG. wat, Icel. va, Zend vadh to clothe.]

1. A garment; clothing; especially, an upper or outer garment. "Lowweeds." Spenser. "Woman's weeds." Shak. "This beggar woman's weed." Tennyson. He on his bed sat, the soft weeds he wore Put off. Chapman.

2. An article of dress worn in token of grief; a mourning garment or badge; as, he wore a weed on his hat; especially, in the plural, mourning garb, as of a woman; as, a widow's weeds. In a mourning weed, with ashes upon her head, and tears abundantly flowing. Milton.

WEED Weed, n.

Defn: A sudden illness or relapse, often attended with fever, which attacks women in childbed. [Scot.]

WEED Weed, n. Etym: [OE. weed, weod, AS. weód, wiód, akin to OS. wiod, LG. woden the stalks and leaves of vegetables D. wieden to weed, OS. wiodon.]

1. Underbrush; low shrubs. [Obs. or Archaic] One rushing forth out of the thickest weed. Spenser. A wild and wanton pard . . . Crouched fawning in the weed. Tennyson.

2. Any plant growing in cultivated ground to the injury of the crop or desired vegetation, or to the disfigurement of the place; an unsightly, useless, or injurious plant. Too much manuring filled that field with weeds. Denham.

Note: The word has no definite application to any particular plant, or species of plants. Whatever plants grow among corn or grass, in hedges, or elsewhere, and are useless to man, injurious to crops, or unsightly or out of place, are denominated weeds.

3. Fig.: Something unprofitable or troublesome; anything useless.

4. (Stock Breeding)

Defn: An animal unfit to breed from.

5. Tobacco, or a cigar. [Slang] Weed hook, a hook used for cutting away or extirpating weeds. Tusser.

WEED Weed, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Weeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Weeding.] Etym: [AS. weódian. See 3d Weed.]

1. To free from noxious plants; to clear of weeds; as, to weed corn or onions; to weed a garden.

2. To take away, as noxious plants; to remove, as something hurtful; to extirpate. "Weed up thyme." Shak. Wise fathers . . . weeding from their children ill things. Ascham. Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the more man's nature runs to, the more ought law to weed it out. Bacon.

3. To free from anything hurtful or offensive. He weeded the kingdom of such as were devoted to Elaiana. Howell.

4. (Stock Breeding)

Defn: To reject as unfit for breeding purposes.

WEEDER Weed"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, weeds, or frees from anything noxious.

WEEDERY Weed"er*y, n.

Defn: Weeds, collectively; also, a place full of weeds or for growing weeds. [R.] Dr. H. More.

WEEDING Weed"ing,

Defn: a. & n. from Weed, v. Weeding chisel, a tool with a divided chisel-like end, for cutting the roots of large weeds under ground. -- Weeding forceps, an instrument for taking up some sorts of plants in weeding. -- Weeding fork, a strong, three-pronged fork, used in clearing ground of weeds; -- called also weeding iron. -- Weeding hook. Same as Weed hook, under 3d Weed. -- Weeding iron. See Weeding fork, above. -- Weeding tongs. Same as Weeding forceps, above.

WEEDING-RHIM Weed"ing-rhim`, n. Etym: [Cf. Prov. E. rim to remove.]

Defn: A kind of implement used for tearing up weeds esp. on summer fallows. [Prov. Eng.]

WEEDLESS Weed"less, a.

Defn: Free from weeds or noxious matter.

WEEDY Weed"y, a. [Compar. Weedier; superl. Weediest.]

1. Of or pertaining to weeds; consisting of weeds. "Weedy trophies." Shak.

2. Abounding with weeds; as, weedy grounds; a weedy garden; weedy corn. See from the weedy earth a rivulet break. Bryant.

3. Scraggy; ill-shaped; ungainly; -- said of colts or horses, and also of persons. [Colloq.]

WEEDY Weed"y, a.

Defn: Dressed in weeds, or mourning garments. [R. or Colloq.] She was as weedy as in the early days of her mourning. Dickens.

WEEK Week, n. Etym: [OE. weke, wike, woke, wuke AS. weocu, wicu, wucu; akin to OS. wika, OFries. wike, D. week, G. woche, OHG. wohha, wehha, Icel. vika, Sw. vecka, Dan. uge, Goth. wik, probably originally meaning, a succession or change, and akin to G. wechsel change, L. vicis turn, alternation, and E. weak. Cf. Weak.]

Defn: A period of seven days, usually that reckoned from one Sabbath or Sunday to the next. I fast twice in the week. Luke xviii. 12.

Note: Although it [the week] did not enter into the calendar of the Greeks, and was not introduced at Rome till after the reign of Theodesius, it has been employed from time immemorial in almost all Eastern countries. Encyc. Brit. Feast of Weeks. See Pentecost, 1. -- Prophetic week, a week of years, or seven years. Dan. ix. 24. -- Week day. See under Day.

WEEK-END Week"-end", n.

Defn: The end of the week; specif., though loosely, the period observed commonly as a holiday, from Saturday noon or Friday night to Monday; as, to visit one for a week-end; also, a house party during a week-end.

WEEKLY Week"ly, a.

1. Of or pertaining to a week, or week days; as, weekly labor.

2. Coming, happening, or done once a week; hebdomadary; as, a weekly payment; a weekly gazette.

WEEKLY Week"ly, n.; pl. Weeklies (.

Defn: A publication issued once in seven days, or appearing once a week.

WEEKLY Week"ly, adv.

Defn: Once a week; by hebdomadal periods; as, each performs service weekly.

WEEKWAM Week"wam, n.

Defn: See Wigwam. [R.]

WEEL Weel, a. & adv.

Defn: Well. [Obs. or Scot.]

WEEL Weel, n. Etym: [AS. wæl. *147.]

Defn: A whirlpool. [Obs.]

WEEL; WEELY Weel, Weel"y,Etym: [Prov. E. weel, weal, a wicker basket to catch eels; prob. akin to willow, and so called as made of willow twigs.]

Defn: A kind of trap or snare for fish, made of twigs. [Obs.] Carew.

WEEN Ween, v. i. Etym: [OE. wenen, AS. w, fr. w hope, expectation, opinion; akin to D. waan, OFries. w, OS. & OHG. wan, G. wahn delusion, Icel. van hope, expectation, Goth. w, and D. wanen to fancy, G. wähnen, Icel. vana to hope, Goth. w, and perhaps to E. winsome, wish.]

Defn: To think; to imagine; to fancy. [Obs. or Poetic] Spenser. Milton. I have lost more than thou wenest. Chaucer. For well I ween, Never before in the bowers of light Had the form of an earthly fay been seen. J. R. Drake. Though never a dream the roses sent Of science or love's compliment, I ween they smelt as sweet. Mrs. Browning.

WEEP Weep, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The lapwing; the wipe; -- so called from its cry.

WEEP Weep, obs.

Defn: imp. of Weep, for wept. Chaucer.

WEEP Weep, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wept; p. pr. & vb. n. Weeping.] Etym: [OE. wepen, AS. w, from w lamentation; akin to OFries. w to lament, OS. w lamentation, OHG. wuof, Icel. a shouting, crying, OS. w to lament, OHG. wuoffan, wuoffen, Icel. , Goth. w.

1. Formerly, to express sorrow, grief, or anguish, by outcry, or by other manifest signs; in modern use, to show grief or other passions by shedding tears; to shed tears; to cry. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck. Acts xx. 37. Phocion was rarely seen to weep or to laugh. Mitford. And eyes that wake to weep. Mrs. Hemans. And they wept together in silence. Longfellow.

2. To lament; to complain. "They weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat." Num. xi. 13.

3. To flow in drops; to run in drops. The blood weeps from my heart. Shak.

4. To drop water, or the like; to drip; to be soaked.

5. To hang the branches, as if in sorrow; to be pendent; to droop; -- said of a plant or its branches.

WEEP Weep, v. t.

1. To lament; to bewail; to bemoan. "I weep bitterly the dead." A. S. Hardy. We wandering go Through dreary wastes, and weep each other's woe. Pope.

2. To shed, or pour forth, as tears; to shed drop by drop, as if tears; as, to weep tears of joy. Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth. Milton. Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm. Milton.

WEEPER Weep"er, n.

1. One who weeps; esp., one who sheds tears.

2. A white band or border worn on the sleeve as a badge of mourning. Goldsmith.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The capuchin. See Capuchin, 3 (a).

WEEPFUL Weep"ful, a.

Defn: Full of weeping or lamentation; grieving. [Obs.] Wyclif.

WEEPING Weep"ing, n.

Defn: The act of one who weeps; lamentation with tears; shedding of tears.

WEEPING Weep"ing, a.

1. Grieving; lamenting; shedding tears. "Weeping eyes." I. Watts.

2. Discharging water, or other liquid, in drops or very slowly; surcharged with water. "Weeping grounds." Mortimer.

3. Having slender, pendent branches; -- said of trees; as, weeping willow; a weeping ash.

4. Pertaining to lamentation, or those who weep. Weeping cross, a cross erected on or by the highway, especially for the devotions of penitents; hence, to return by the weeping cross, to return from some undertaking in humiliation or penitence. -- Weeping rock, a porous rock from which water gradually issues. -- Weeping sinew, a ganglion. See Ganglion, n., 2. [Colloq.] -- Weeping spring, a spring that discharges water slowly. -- Weeping willow (Bot.), a species of willow (Salix Babylonica) whose branches grow very long and slender, and hang down almost perpendicularly.

WEEPINGLY Weep"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a weeping manner.

WEEPING-RIPE Weep"ing-ripe`, a.

Defn: Ripe for weeping; ready to weep. [Obs.] Shak.

WEEPING TREE Weep"ing tree. (a) Any tree having pendulous branches. (b) A tree from which honeydew or other liquid secretions of insects drip in considerable quantities, esp. one infested by the larvæ of any species of the genus Ptylus, allied to the cuckoo spits, which in tropical countries secrete large quantities of a watery fluid.

WEERISH Weer"ish, a.

Defn: See Wearish. [Obs.]

WEESEL Wee"sel, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Weasel.

WEET Weet, a. & n.

Defn: Wet. [Obs.] Chaucer.

WEET Weet, v. i. [imp. Wot.] Etym: [See Wit to know.]

Defn: To know; to wit. [Obs.] Tyndale. Spenser.

WEET-BIRD Weet"-bird`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The wryneck; -- so called from its cry. [Prov. Eng.]

WEETINGLY Weet"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: Knowingly. [Obs.] Spenser.

WEETLESS Weet"less, a.

Defn: Unknowing; also, unknown; unmeaning. [Obs.] Spenser.

WEET-WEET Weet"-weet`, n. Etym: [So called from its piping cry when disturbed.] (Zoöl.) (a) The common European sandpiper. (b) The chaffinch. [Prov. Eng.]

WEETWEET Weet"*weet`, n. [Native name in Victoria.]

Defn: A throwing toy, or implement, of the Australian aborigines, consisting of a cigar-shaped stick fastened at one end to a flexible twig. It weighs in all about two ounces, and is about two feet long.

WEEVER Wee"ver, n. Etym: [Probably from F. vive, OF. vivre, a kind of fish, L. vipera viper. Cf. Viper.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of edible marine fishes belonging to the genus Trachinus, of the family Trachinidæ. They have a broad spinose head, with the eyes looking upward. The long dorsal fin is supported by numerous strong, sharp spines which cause painful wounds.

Note: The two British species are the great, or greater, weever (Trachinus draco), which becomes a foot long (called also gowdie, sea cat, stingbull, and weaverfish), and the lesser weever (T. vipera), about half as large (called also otter pike, and stingfish).

WEEVIL Wee"vil, n. Etym: [OE. wivel, wevil, AS. wifel, wibil; akin to OD. wevel, OHG. wibil, wibel, G. wiebel, wibel, and probably to Lith. vabalas beetle, and E. weave. See Weave.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of snout beetles, or Rhynchophora, in which the head is elongated and usually curved downward. Many of the species are very injurious to cultivated plants. The larvæ of some of the species live in nuts, fruit, and grain by eating out the interior, as the plum weevil, or curculio, the nut weevils, and the grain weevil (see under Plum, Nut, and Grain). The larvæ of other species bore under the bark and into the pith of trees and various other plants, as the pine weevils (see under Pine). See also Pea weevil, Rice weevil, Seed weevil, under Pea, Rice, and Seed.

WEEVILED Wee"viled, a.

Defn: Infested by weevils; as, weeviled grain. [Written also weevilled.]

WEEVILY Wee"vil*y, a.

Defn: Having weevils; weeviled. [Written also weevilly.]

WEEZEL Wee"zel, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Weasel.

WEFT Weft, obs.

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Wave.

WEFT Weft, n. Etym: [Cf. Waif.]

Defn: A thing waved, waived, or cast away; a waif. [Obs.] "A forlorn weft." Spenser.

WEFT Weft, n. Etym: [AS. weft, wefta, fr. wefan, to weave. See Weave.]

1. The woof of cloth; the threads that cross the warp from selvage to selvage; the thread carried by the shuttle in weaving.

2. A web; a thing woven.

WEFTAGE Weft"age, n.

Defn: Texture. [Obs.] Grew.

WEGOTISM We"go*tism, n. Etym: [From we, in imitation of egotism.]

Defn: Excessive use of the pronoun we; -- called also weism. [Colloq. or Cant]

WEHRGELD; WEHRGELT Wehr"geld`, Wehr"gelt`, n. (O. Eng. Law)

Defn: See Weregild.

WEHRWOLF Wehr"wolf`, n.

Defn: See Werewolf.

WEIGELA; WEIGELIA Wei"gel*a, Wei*ge"li*a, n. Etym: [NL. So named after C. E. Weigel, a German naturalist.] (Bot.)

Defn: A hardy garden shrub (Diervilla Japonica) belonging to the Honeysuckle family, with withe or red flowers. It was introduced from China.

WEIGH Weigh, n. (Naut.)

Defn: A corruption of Way, used only in the phrase under weigh. An expedition was got under weigh from New York. Thackeray. The Athenians . . . hurried on board and with considerable difficulty got under weigh. Jowett (Thucyd.).

WEIGH Weigh, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Weighed; p. pr. & vb. n. Weighing.] Etym: [OE. weien, weyen, weghen, AS. wegan to bear, move; akin to D. wegen to weigh, G. wägen, wiegen, to weigh, bewegen to move, OHG. wegan, Icel. vega to move, carry, lift, weigh, Sw. väga to weigh, Dan. veie, Goth. gawigan to shake, L. vehere to carry, Skr. vah. Way, and cf. Wey.]

1. To bear up; to raise; to lift into the air; to swing up; as, to weigh anchor. "Weigh the vessel up." Cowper.

2. To examine by the balance; to ascertain the weight of, that is, the force with which a thing tends to the center of the earth; to determine the heaviness, or quantity of matter of; as, to weigh sugar; to weigh gold. Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Dan. v. 27.

3. To be equivalent to in weight; to counterbalance; to have the heaviness of. "A body weighing divers ounces." Boyle.

4. To pay, allot, take, or give by weight. They weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. Zech. xi. 12.

5. To examine or test as if by the balance; to ponder in the mind; to consider or examine for the purpose of forming an opinion or coming to a conclusion; to estimate deliberately and maturely; to balance. A young man not weighed in state affairs. Bacon. Had no better weighed The strength he was to cope with, or his own. Milton. Regard not who it is which speaketh, but weigh only what is spoken. Hooker. In nice balance, truth with gold she weighs. Pope. Without sufficiently weighing his expressions. Sir W. Scott.

6. To consider as worthy of notice; to regard. [Obs. or Archaic] "I weigh not you." Shak. All that she so dear did weigh. Spenser. To weigh down. (a) To overbalance. (b) To oppress with weight; to overburden; to depress. "To weigh thy spirits down." Milton.

WEIGH Weigh, v. i.

1. To have weight; to be heavy. "They only weigh the heavier." Cowper.

2. To be considered as important; to have weight in the intellectual balance. Your vows to her and me . . . will even weigh. Shak. This objection ought to weigh with those whose reading is designed for much talk and little knowledge. Locke.

3. To bear heavily; to press hard. Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff Which weighs upon the heart. Shak.

4. To judge; to estimate. [R.] Could not weigh of worthiness aright. Spenser. To weigh down, to sink by its own weight.

WEIGH Weigh, n. Etym: [See Wey.]

Defn: A certain quantity estimated by weight; an English measure of weight. See Wey.

WEIGHABLE Weigh"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being weighed.

WEIGHAGE Weigh"age (; 48), n.

Defn: A duty or toil paid for weighing merchandise. Bouvier.

WEIGHBEAM Weigh"beam`, n.

Defn: A kind of large steelyard for weighing merchandise; -- also called weighmaster's beam.

WEIGHBOARD Weigh"board`, n. (Mining)

Defn: Clay intersecting a vein. Weale.

WEIGHBRIDGE Weigh"bridge`, n.

Defn: A weighing machine on which loaded carts may be weighed; platform scales.

WEIGHER Weigh"er, n.

Defn: One who weighs; specifically, an officer whose duty it is to weigh commodities.

WEIGH-HOUSE Weigh"-*house`, n.; pl. Weigh-houses (.

Defn: A building at or within which goods, and the like, are weighed.

WEIGHING Weigh"ing,

Defn: a. & n. from Weigh, v. Weighing cage, a cage in which small living animals may be conveniently weighed. -- Weighing house. See Weigh-house. -- Weighing machine, any large machine or apparatus for weighing; especially, platform scales arranged for weighing heavy bodies, as loaded wagons.

WEIGHLOCK Weigh"lock`, n.

Defn: A lock, as on a canal, in which boats are weighed and their tonnage is settled.

WEIGHMASTER Weigh"mas`ter, n.

Defn: One whose business it is to weigh ore, hay, merchandise, etc.; one licensed as a public weigher.

WEIGHT Weight, n. Etym: [OE. weght, wight, AS. gewiht; akin to D. gewigt, G. gewicht, Icel. vætt, Sw. vigt, Dan. vægt. See Weigh, v. t.]

1. The quality of being heavy; that property of bodies by which they tend toward the center of the earth; the effect of gravitative force, especially when expressed in certain units or standards, as pounds, grams, etc.

Note: Weight differs from gravity in being the effect of gravity, or the downward pressure of a body under the influence of gravity; hence, it constitutes a measure of the force of gravity, and being the resultant of all the forces exerted by gravity upon the different particles of the body, it is proportional to the quantity of matter in the body.

2. The quantity of heaviness; comparative tendency to the center of the earth; the quantity of matter as estimated by the balance, or expressed numerically with reference to some standard unit; as, a mass of stone having the weight of five hundred pounds. For sorrow, like a heavy-hanging bell, Once set on ringing, with his own weight goes. Shak.

3. Hence, pressure; burden; as, the weight of care or business. "The weight of this said time." Shak. For the public all this weight he bears. Milton. [He] who singly bore the world's sad weight. Keble.

4. Importance; power; influence; efficacy; consequence; moment; impressiveness; as, a consideration of vast weight. In such a point of weight, so near mine honor. Shak.

5. A scale, or graduated standard, of heaviness; a mode of estimating weight; as, avoirdupois weight; troy weight; apothecaries' weight.

6. A ponderous mass; something heavy; as, a clock weight; a paper weight. A man leapeth better with weights in his hands. Bacon.

7. A definite mass of iron, lead, brass, or other metal, to be used for ascertaining the weight of other bodies; as, an ounce weight.

8. (Mech.)

Defn: The resistance against which a machine acts, as opposed to the power which moves it. [Obs.] Atomic weight. (Chem.) See under Atomic, and cf. Element. -- Dead weight, Feather weight, Heavy weight, Light weight, etc. See under Dead, Feather, etc. -- Weight of observation (Astron. & Physics), a number expressing the most probable relative value of each observation in determining the result of a series of observations of the same kind.

Syn. -- Ponderousness; gravity; heaviness; pressure; burden; load; importance; power; influence; efficacy; consequence; moment; impressiveness.

WEIGHT Weight, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Weighted; p. pr. & vb. n. Weighting.]

1. To load with a weight or weights; to load down; to make heavy; to attach weights to; as, to weight a horse or a jockey at a race; to weight a whip handle. The arrows of satire, . . . weighted with sense. Coleridge.

2. (Astron. & Physics)

Defn: To assign a weight to; to express by a number the probable accuracy of, as an observation. See Weight of observations, under Weight.

WEIGHTILY Weight"i*ly, adv.

Defn: In a weighty manner.

WEIGHTINESS Weight"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being weighty; weight; force; importance; impressiveness.

WEIGHTLESS Weight"less, a.

Defn: Having no weight; imponderable; hence, light. Shak.

WEIGHTY Weight"y, a. [Compar. Weightier; superl. Weightiest.]

1. Having weight; heavy; ponderous; as, a weighty body.

2. Adapted to turn the balance in the mind, or to convince; important; forcible; serious; momentous. "For sundry weighty reasons." Shak. Let me have your advice in a weighty affair. Swift.

3. Rigorous; severe; afflictive. [R.] "Attend our weightier judgment." Shak.

Syn. -- Heavy; ponderous; burdensome; onerous; forcible; momentous; efficacious; impressive; cogent.

WEIL'S DISEASE Weil's disease. (Med.)

Defn: An acute infectious febrile disease, resembling typhoid fever, with muscular pains, disturbance of the digestive organs, jaundice, etc.

WEIR; WEAR Weir, Wear, n. Etym: [OE. wer, AS. wer; akin to G. wehr, AS. werian to defend, protect, hinder, G. wehren, Goth. warjan; and perhaps to E. wary; or cf. Skr. vr to check, hinder. sq. root142. Cf. Garret.]

1. A dam in a river to stop and raise the water, for the purpose of conducting it to a mill, forming a fish pond, or the like.

2. A fence of stakes, brushwood, or the like, set in a stream, tideway, or inlet of the sea, for taking fish.

3. A long notch with a horizontal edge, as in the top of a vertical plate or plank, through which water flows, -- used in measuring the quantity of flowing water.

WEIRD Weird, n. Etym: [OE. wirde, werde, AS. wyrd fate, fortune, one of the Fates, fr. weor to be, to become; akin to OS. wurd fate, OHG. wurt, Icel. ur. Worth to become.]

1. Fate; destiny; one of the Fates, or Norns; also, a prediction. [Obs. or Scot.]

2. A spell or charm. [Obs. or Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

WEIRD Weird, a.

1. Of or pertaining to fate; concerned with destiny.

2. Of or pertaining to witchcraft; caused by, or suggesting, magical influence; supernatural; unearthly; wild; as, a weird appearance, look, sound, etc. Myself too had weird seizures. Tennyson. Those sweet, low tones, that seemed like a weird incantation. Longfellow. Weird sisters, the Fates. [Scot.] G. Douglas.

Note: Shakespeare uses the term for the three witches in Macbeth. The weird sisters, hand in hand, Posters of the sea and land. Shak.

WEIRD Weird, v. t.

Defn: To foretell the fate of; to predict; to destine to. [Scot.] Jamieson.

WEIRDNESS Weird"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being weird.

WEISM We"ism, n.

Defn: Same as Wegotism.

WEISMANNISM Weis"mann*ism, n. (Biol.)

Defn: The theories and teachings in regard to heredity propounded by the German biologist August Weismann, esp. in regard to germ plasm as the basis of heredity and the impossibility of transmitting acquired characteristics; -- often called neo-Darwinism.

WEISS BEER Weiss beer. [G. weissbier white beer.]

Defn: A light-colored highly effervescent beer made by the top- fermentation process.

WEIVE Weive, v. t.

Defn: See Waive. [Obs.] Gower.

WEKA We"ka, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A New Zealand rail (Ocydromus australis) which has wings so short as to be incapable of flight.

WEKAU We"kau, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small New Zealand owl (Sceloglaux albifacies). It has short wings and long legs, and lives chiefly on the ground.

WEKEEN We*keen", n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The meadow pipit. [Prov. Eng.]

WELAWAY Wel"a*way, interj. Etym: [OE. welaway, walaway, weilawey; wei wo! (Icel. vei) + la lo! (AS. la) + wei wo!; cf. AS. wa la wa. See Woe.]

Defn: Alas! [Obs.] Then welaway, for she undone was clean. Wyatt.

WEL-BEGONE Wel"-be*gone`, a. Etym: [OE. wel-begon. See Well, and Begone.]

Defn: Surrounded with happiness or prosperity. [Obs.] Fair and rich and young and wel-begone. Chaucer.

WELCH Welch, a.

Defn: See Welsh. [R.]

WELCHER Welch"er, n.

Defn: See Welsher.

WELCHMAN Welch"man, n.

Defn: See Welshman. [R.]

WELCOME Wel"come, a. Etym: [OE. welcome, welcume, wilcume, AS. wilcuma a welcome guest, from wil-, as a prefix, akin to willa will + cuma a comer, fr. cuman to come; hence, properly, one who comes so as to please another's will; cf. Icel. velkominn welcome, G. willkommen. See Will, n., and Come.]

1. Received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house, entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor. When the glad soul is made Heaven's welcome guest. Cowper.

2. Producing gladness; grateful; as, a welcome present; welcome news. "O, welcome hour!" Milton.

3. Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to the use of my library.

Note: Welcome is used elliptically for you are welcome. "Welcome, great monarch, to your own." Dryden. Welcome-to-our-house (Bot.), a kind of spurge (Euphorbia Cyparissias). Dr. Prior.

WELCOME Wel"come, n.

1. Salutation to a newcomer. "Welcome ever smiles." Shak.

2. Kind reception of a guest or newcomer; as, we entered the house and found a ready welcome. His warmest welcome at an inn. Shenstone. Truth finds an entrance and a welcome too. South. To bid welcome, to receive with professions of kindness. To thee and thy company I bid A hearty welcome. Shak.

WELCOME Wel"come, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welcomed; p. pr. & vb. n. Welcoming.] Etym: [AS. wilcumian.]

Defn: To salute with kindness, as a newcomer; to receive and entertain hospitably and cheerfully; as, to welcome a visitor; to welcome a new idea. "I welcome you to land." Addison. Thus we salute thee with our early song, And welcome thee, and wish thee long. Milton.

WELCOMELY Wel"come*ly, adv.

Defn: In a welcome manner.

WELCOMENESS Wel"come*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being welcome; gratefulness; agreeableness; kind reception.

WELCOMER Wel"com*er, n.

Defn: One who welcomes; one who salutes, or receives kindly, a newcomer. Shak.

WELD Weld, v. t.

Defn: To wield. [Obs.] Chaucer.

WELD Weld, n. Etym: [OE. welde; akin to Scot. wald, Prov. G. waude, G. wau, Dan. & Sw. vau, D. wouw.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: An herb (Reseda luteola) related to mignonette, growing in Europe, and to some extent in America; dyer's broom; dyer's rocket; dyer's weed; wild woad. It is used by dyers to give a yellow color. [Written also woald, wold, and would.]

2. Coloring matter or dye extracted from this plant.

WELD Weld, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welded; p. pr. & vb. n. Welding.] Etym: [Probably originally the same word as well to spring up, to gush; perhaps from the Scand.; cf. Sw. välla to weld, uppvälla to boil up, to spring up, Dan. vælde to gush, G. wellen to weld. See Well to spring.]

1. To press or beat into intimate and permanent union, as two pieces of iron when heated almost to fusion.

Note: Very few of the metals, besides iron and platinum. are capable of being welded. Horn and tortoise shell possess this useful property.

2. Fig.: To unite closely or intimately. Two women faster welded in one love. Tennyson.

WELD Weld, n.

Defn: The state of being welded; the joint made by welding. Butt weld. See under Butt. -- Scarf weld, a joint made by overlapping, and welding together, the scarfed ends of two pieces.

WELDABLE Weld"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being welded.

WELDER Weld"er, n.

Defn: One who welds, or unites pieces of iron, etc., by welding.

WELDER Weld"er, n.

1. One who welds, or wields. [Obs.]

2. A manager; an actual occupant. [Ireland. Obs.] "The welder . . . who . . . lives miserably." Swift.

WELDON'S PROCESS Wel"don's proc"ess, (Chem.)

Defn: A process for the recovery or regeneration of manganese dioxide in the manufacture of chlorine, by means of milk of lime and the oxygen of the air; -- so called after the inventor.

WELD STEEL Weld steel.

Defn: A compound of iron, such as puddled steel, made without complete fusion.

WELE Wele, n. Etym: [See Weal prosperity.]

Defn: Prosperity; happiness; well-being; weal. [Obs.] Chaucer.

WELEFUL Wele"ful, a.

Defn: Producing prosperity or happiness; blessed. [Obs.] Chaucer.

WELEW We"lew, v. t.

Defn: To welk, or wither. [Obs.]

WELFARE Wel"fare`, n. Etym: [Well + fare to go, to proceed, to happen.]

Defn: Well-doing or well-being in any respect; the enjoyment of health and the common blessings of life; exemption from any evil or calamity; prosperity; happiness. How to study for the people's welfare. Shak. In whose deep eyes Men read the welfare of the times to come. Emerson.

WELFARING Wel"far`ing, a.

Defn: Faring well; prosperous; thriving. [Obs.] "A welfaring person." Chaucer.

WELK Welk, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Welked; p. pr. & vb. n. Welking.] Etym: [OE. welken; cf. D. & G. welken to wither, G. welk withered, OHG. welc moist. See Welkin, and cf. Wilt.]

Defn: To wither; to fade; also, to decay; to decline; to wane. [Obs.] When ruddy Phwelk in west. Spenser. The church, that before by insensible degrees welked and impaired, now with large steps went down hill decaying. Milton.

WELK Welk, v. t.

1. To cause to wither; to wilt. [Obs.] Mot thy welked neck be to-broke [broken]. Chaucer.

2. To contract; to shorten. [Obs.] Now sad winter welked hath the day. Spenser.

3. To soak; also, to beat severely. [Prov. Eng.]

WELK Welk, n.

Defn: A pustule. See 2d Whelk.

WELK Welk, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A whelk. [R.]

WELKED Welked, v. t.

Defn: See Whelked.

WELKIN Wel"kin, n. Etym: [OE. welken, welkene, welkne, wolcne, weolcne, AS. wolcen, pl. wolcnu, a cloud; akin to D. wolk, OFries. wolken, OS. wolkan, G. wolke, OHG. wolchan, and probably to G. welk withered, OHG. welc moist, Russ. & OSlav. vlaga moisture, Lith. vilgyti to moisten.]

Defn: The visible regions of the air; the vault of heaven; the sky. On the welkne shoon the sterres lyght. Chaucer. The fair welkin foully overcast. Spenser. When storms the welkin rend. Wordsworth.

Note: Used adjectively by Shakespeare in the phase, "Your welkin eye," with uncertain meaning.

WELL Well, n. Etym: [OE. welle, AS. wella, wylla, from weallan to well up, surge, boil; akin to D. wel a spring or fountain. Well, v. i.]

1. An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain. Begin, then, sisters of the sacred well. Milton.

2. A pit or hole sunk into the earth to such a depth as to reach a supply of water, generally of a cylindrical form, and often walled with stone or bricks to prevent the earth from caving in. The woman said unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. John iv. 11.

3. A shaft made in the earth to obtain oil or brine.

4. Fig.: A source of supply; fountain; wellspring. "This well of mercy." Chaucer. Dan Chaucer, well of English undefiled. Spenser. A well of serious thought and pure. Keble.

5. (Naut.) (a) An inclosure in the middle of a vessel's hold, around the pumps, from the bottom to the lower deck, to preserve the pumps from damage and facilitate their inspection. (b) A compartment in the middle of the hold of a fishing vessel, made tight at the sides, but having holes perforated in the bottom to let in water for the preservation of fish alive while they are transported to market. (c) A vertical passage in the stern into which an auxiliary screw propeller may be drawn up out of water. (d) A depressed space in the after part of the deck; -- often called the cockpit.

6. (Mil.)

Defn: A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run branches or galleries.

7. (Arch.)

Defn: An opening through the floors of a building, as for a staircase or an elevator; a wellhole.

8. (Metal.)

Defn: The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls. Artesian well, Driven well. See under Artesian, and Driven. -- Pump well. (Naut.) See Well, 5 (a), above. -- Well boring, the art or process of boring an artesian well. -- Well drain. (a) A drain or vent for water, somewhat like a well or pit, serving to discharge the water of wet land. (b) A drain conducting to a well or pit. -- Well room. (a) A room where a well or spring is situated; especially, one built over a mineral spring. (b) (Naut.) A depression in the bottom of a boat, into which water may run, and whence it is thrown out with a scoop. -- Well sinker, one who sinks or digs wells. -- Well sinking, the art or process of sinking or digging wells. -- Well staircase (Arch.), a staircase having a wellhole (see Wellhole (b)), as distinguished from one which occupies the whole of the space left for it in the floor. -- Well sweep. Same as Sweep, n., 12. -- Well water, the water that flows into a well from subterraneous springs; the water drawn from a well.

WELL Well, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Welled; p. pr. & vb. n. Welling.] Etym: [OE. wellen, AS. wyllan, wellan, fr. weallan; akin to OFries. walla, OS. & OHG. wallan, G. wallen, Icel. vella, G. welle, wave, OHG. wella, walm, AS. wylm; cf. L. volvere to roll, Gr. Voluble, Wallop to boil, Wallow, Weld of metal.]

Defn: To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring. "[Blood] welled from out the wound." Dryden. "[Yon spring] wells softly forth." Bryant. From his two springs in Gojam's sunny realm, Pure welling out, he through the lucid lake Of fair Dambea rolls his infant streams. Thomson.

WELL Well, v. t.

Defn: To pour forth, as from a well. Spenser.

WELL Well, adv. [Compar. and superl. wanting, the deficiency being supplied by better and best, from another root.] Etym: [OE. wel, AS. wel; akin to OS., OFries., & D. wel, G. wohl, OHG. wola, wela, Icel. & Dan. vel, Sw. väl, Goth. waíla; originally meaning, according to one's will or wish. See Will, v. t., and cf. Wealth.]

1. In a good or proper manner; justly; rightly; not ill or wickedly. If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. Gen. iv. 7.

2. Suitably to one's condition, to the occasion, or to a proposed end or use; suitably; abundantly; fully; adequately; thoroughly. Lot . . . beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere. Gen. xiii. 10. WE are wellable to overcome it. Num. xiii. 30. She looketh well to the ways of her household. Prov. xxxi. 27. Servant of God, well done! well hast thou fought The better fight. Milton.

3. Fully or about; -- used with numbers. [Obs.] "Well a ten or twelve." Chaucer. Well nine and twenty in a company. Chaucer.

4. In such manner as is desirable; so as one could wish; satisfactorily; favorably; advantageously; conveniently. "It boded well to you." Dryden. Know In measure what the mind may well contain. Milton. All the world speaks well of you. Pope.

5. Considerably; not a little; far. Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age. Gen. xviii. 11.

Note: Well is sometimes used elliptically for it is well, as an expression of satisfaction with what has been said or done, and sometimes it expresses concession, or is merely expletive; as, well, the work is done; well, let us go; well, well, be it so.

Note: Well, like above, ill, and so, is used before many participial adjectives in its usual adverbial senses, and subject to the same custom with regard to the use of the hyphen (see the Note under Ill, adv.); as, a well-affected supporter; he was well affected toward the project; a well-trained speaker; he was well trained in speaking; well-educated, or well educated; well-dressed, or well dressed; well- appearing; well-behaved; well-controlled; well-designed; well- directed; well-formed; well-meant; well-minded; well-ordered; well- performed; well-pleased; well-pleasing; well-seasoned; well-steered; well-tasted; well-told, etc. Such compound epithets usually have an obvious meaning, and since they may be formed at will, only a few of this class are given in the Vocabulary. As well. See under As. -- As well as, and also; together with; not less than; one as much as the other; as, a sickness long, as well as severe; London is the largest city in England, as well as the capital. -- Well enough, well or good in a moderate degree; so as to give satisfaction, or so as to require no alteration. -- Well off, in good condition; especially, in good condition as to property or any advantages; thriving; prosperous. -- Well to do, well off; prosperous; -- used also adjectively. "The class well to do in the world." J. H. Newman. -- Well to live, in easy circumstances; well off; well to do. Shak.

WELL Well, a.

1. Good in condition or circumstances; desirable, either in a natural or moral sense; fortunate; convenient; advantageous; happy; as, it is well for the country that the crops did not fail; it is well that the mistake was discovered. It was well with us in Egypt. Num. xi. 18.

2. Being in health; sound in body; not ailing, diseased, or sick; healthy; as, a well man; the patient is perfectly well. "Your friends are well." Shak. Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake Gen. xliii. 27.

3. Being in favor; favored; fortunate. He followed the fortunes of that family, and was well with Henry the Fourth. Dryden.

4. (Marine Insurance)

Defn: Safe; as, a chip warranted well at a certain day and place. Burrill.

WE'LL We'll.

Defn: Contraction for we will or we shall. "We'll follow them." Shak.

WELLADAY Well"a*day, interj. Etym: [Corrupted from wela way.]

Defn: Alas! Welaway! Shak.

WELLAT Wel"lat, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The king parrakeet See under King.

WELL-BEING Well"-be`ing, n.

Defn: The state or condition of being well; welfare; happiness; prosperity; as, virtue is essential to the well-being of men or of society.

WELL-BORN Well"-born`, a.

Defn: Born of a noble or respect able family; not of mean birth.

WELL-BRED Well"-bred`, a.

Defn: Having good breeding; refined in manners; polite; cultivated. I am as well-bred as the earl's granddaughter. Thackera

WELLDOER Well"do`er, n.

Defn: One who does well; one who does good to another; a benefactor.

WELLDOING Well"do`ing, n.

Defn: A doing well; right performance of duties. Also used adjectively.

WELLDRAIN Well"drain`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welldrained; p. pr. & vb. n. Well- draining.]

Defn: To drain, as land; by means of wells, or pits, which receive the water, and from which it is discharged by machinery.

WELLFARE Well"fare`, n.

Defn: See Welfare. [Obs.]

WELL-FAVORED Well"-fa"vored, a.

Defn: Handsome; wellformed; beautiful; pleasing to the eye. Rachel was beautiful and well-favored. Gen. xxix. 17.

WELLHEAD Well"head`, n.

Defn: A source, spring, or fountain. At the wellhead the purest streams arise. Spenser. Our public-school and university life is a great wellhead of new and irresponsible words. Earle.

WELLHOLE Well"hole`, n.

1. (Arch.) (a) The open space in a floor, to accommodate a staircase. (b) The open space left beyond the ends of the steps of a staircase.

2. A cavity which receives a counterbalancing weight in certain mechanical contrivances, and is adapted also for other purposes. W. M. Buchanan.

WELL-INFORMED Well`-in*formed", a.

Defn: Correctly informed; provided with information; well furnished with authentic knowledge; intelligent.

WELLINGTON BOOT Wel"ling*ton boot. [After the Duke of Wellington.]

Defn: A riding boot for men, the front of which came above the knee; also, a similar shorter boot worn under the trousers.

WELLINGTONIA Wel`ling*to"ni*a, n. Etym: [NL. So named after the Duke of Wellington.] (Bot.)

Defn: A name given to the "big trees" (Sequoia gigantea) of California, and still used in England. See Sequoia.

WELLINGTONS Wel"ling*tons, n. pl. Etym: [After the Duke of Wellington.]

Defn: A kind of long boots for men.

WELL-INTENTIONED Well`-in*ten"tioned, a.

Defn: Having upright intentions or honorable purposes. Dutchmen who had sold themselves to France, as the wellintentioned party. Macaulay.

WELL-KNOWN Well"-known`, a.

Defn: Fully known; generally known or acknowledged. A church well known with a well-known rite. M. Arnold.

WELL-LIKING Well"-lik`ing, a.

Defn: Being in good condition. [Obs. or Archaic] They also shall bring forth more fruit in their age, and shall be fat and well-liking. Bk. of Com. Prayer (Ps. xcii.).

WELL-MANNERED Well`-man"nered, a.

Defn: Polite; well-bred; complaisant; courteous. Dryden.

WELL-MEANER Well"-mean`er, n.

Defn: One whose intention is good. "Well-meaners think no harm." Dryden.

WELL-MEANING Well"-mean`ing, a.

Defn: Having a good intention.

WELL-NATURED Well`-na"tured, a.

Defn: Good-natured; kind. Well-natured, temperate, and wise. Denham.

WELL-NIGH Well"-nigh`, adv.

Defn: Almost; nearly. Chaucer.

WELL-PLIGHTED Well"-plight`ed, a.

Defn: Being well folded. [Obs.] "Her well-plighted frock." Spenser.

WELL-READ Well"-read`, a.

Defn: Of extensive reading; deeply versed; -- often followed by in.

WELL-SEEN Well"-seen`, a.

Defn: Having seen much; hence, accomplished; experienced. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl. Well-seen in arms and proved in many a fight. Spenser.

WELL-SET Well"-set`, a.

1. Properly or firmly set.

2. Well put together; having symmetry of parts.

WELL-SPED Well"-sped`, a.

Defn: Having good success.

WELL-SPOKEN Well"-spo`ken, a. Etym: [Well + speak.]

1. Speaking well; speaking with fitness or grace; speaking kindly. "A knight well-spoken." Shak.

2. Spoken with propriety; as, well-spoken words.

WELLSPRING Well"spring` n.

Defn: A fountain; a spring; a source of continual supply. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly. Prov. xvi. 22.

WELL-WILLER Well"-will`er, n.

Defn: One who wishes well, or means kindly. [R.] "A well-willer of yours." Brydges.

WELL-WISH Well"-wish` n.

Defn: A wish of happiness. "A well-wish for his friends." Addison.

WELLWISHER Well"wish`er, n.

Defn: One who wishes another well; one who is benevolently or friendlily inclined.

WELS Wels, n. Etym: [G.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The sheatfish; -- called also waller.

WELSBACH Wels"bach, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Auer von Welsbach or the incandescent gas burner invented by him. -- Welsbach burner, a burner in which the combustion of a mixture of air and gas or vapor is employed to heat to incandescence a mantle composed of thoria and ceria. The mantle is made by soaking a "stocking" in a solution of nitrates of thorium and cerium (approx. 99 : 1), drying, and, for use, igniting to burn the thread and convert the nitrates into oxides, which remain as a fragile ash. The light far exceeds that obtained from the same amount of gas with the ordinary fishtail burner, but has a slight greenish hue.

WELSH Welsh, a. Etym: [AS. wælisc, welisc, from wealh a stranger, foreigner, not of Saxon origin, a Welshman, a Celt, Gael; akin to OHG. walh, whence G. wälsch or welsch, Celtic, Welsh, Italian, French, Foreign, strange, OHG. walhisc; from the name of a Celtic tribe. See Walnut.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Wales, or its inhabitants. [Sometimes written also Welch.] Welsh flannel, a fine kind of flannel made from the fleece of the flocks of the Welsh mountains, and largely manufactured by hand. -- Welsh glaive, or Welsh hook, a weapon of war used in former times by the Welsh, commonly regarded as a kind of poleax. Fairholt. Craig. -- Welsh mortgage (O. Eng. Law), a species of mortgage, being a conveyance of an estate, redeemable at any time on payment of the principal, with an understanding that the profits in the mean time shall be received by the mortgagee without account, in satisfaction of interest. Burrill. -- Welsh mutton, a choice and delicate kind of mutton obtained from a breed of small sheep in Wales. -- Welsh onion (Bot.), a kind of onion (Allium fistulosum) having hollow inflated stalks and leaves, but scarcely any bulb, a native of Siberia. It is said to have been introduced from Germany, and is supposed to have derived its name from the German term wälsch foreign. -- Welsh parsley, hemp, or halters made from hemp. [Obs. & Jocular] J. Fletcher. -- Welsh rabbit. See under Rabbit.

WELSH Welsh, n.

1. The language of Wales, or of the Welsh people.

2. pl.

Defn: The natives or inhabitants of Wales.

Note: The Welsh call themselves Cymry, in the plural, and a Welshman Cymro, and their country Cymru, of which the adjective is Cymreig, and the name of their language Cymraeg. They are a branch of the Celtic family, and a relic of the earliest known population of England, driven into the mountains of Wales by the Anglo-Saxon invaders.

WELSHER Welsh"er, n.

Defn: One who cheats at a horse race; one who bets, without a chance of being able to pay; one who receives money to back certain horses and absconds with it. [Written also welcher.] [Slang, Eng.]

WELSHMAN Welsh"man, n.; pl. Welshmen (.

1. A native or inhabitant of Wales; one of the Welsh.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) A squirrel fish. (b) The large-mouthed black bass. See Black bass. [Southern U. S.]

WELSOME Wel"some, a.

Defn: Prosperous; well. [Obs.] Wyclif. -- Wel"some*ly, adv. Wyclif.

WELT Welt, n. Etym: [OE. welte, probably fr. W. gwald a hem, a welt, gwaldu to welt or to hem.]

1. That which, being sewed or otherwise fastened to an edge or border, serves to guard, strengthen, or adorn it; as; (a) A small cord covered with cloth and sewed on a seam or border to strengthen it; an edge of cloth folded on itself, usually over a cord, and sewed down. (b) A hem, border, or fringe. [Obs.] (c) In shoemaking, a narrow strip of leather around a shoe, between the upper leather and sole. (d) In steam boilers and sheet-iron work, a strip riveted upon the edges of plates that form a butt joint. (e) In carpentry, a strip of wood fastened over a flush seam or joint, or an angle, to strengthen it. (f) In machine-made stockings, a strip, or flap, of which the heel is formed.

2. (Her.)

Defn: A narrow border, as of an ordinary, but not extending around the ends. Welt joint, a joint, as of plates, made with a welt, instead of by overlapping the edges. See Weld, n., 1 (d).

WELT Welt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welted; p. pr. & vb. n. Welting.]

Defn: To furnish with a welt; to sew or fasten a welt on; as, to welt a boot or a shoe; to welt a sleeve.

WELT Welt, v. t.

Defn: To wilt. [R.]

WELTANSCHAUUNG Welt"an"schau`ung, n.; pl. Weltanschauungen (#). [G.]

Defn: Lit., world view; a conception of the course of events in, and of the purpose of, the world as a whole, forming a philosophical view or apprehension of the universe; the general idea embodied in a cosmology.

WELTE Welte, obs.

Defn: imp. of Weld, to wield. Chaucer.

WELTER Wel"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Weltered; p. pr. & vb. n. Weltering.] Etym: [Freq. of OE. walten to roll over, AS. wealtan; akin to LG. weltern, G. walzen to roll, to waltz, sich wälzen to welter, OHG. walzan to roll, Icel. velta, Dan. vælte, Sw. vältra, välta; cf. Goth. waltjan; probably akin to E. wallow, well, v. i. Well, v. i., and cf. Waltz.]

1. To roll, as the body of an animal; to tumble about, especially in anything foul or defiling; to wallow. When we welter in pleasures and idleness, then we eat and drink with drunkards. Latimer. These wizards welter in wealth's waves. Spenser. He must not float upon his watery bier Unwept, and welter to the parching wind, Without the meed of some melodious tear. Milton. The priests at the altar . . . weltering in their blood. Landor.

2. To rise and fall, as waves; to tumble over, as billows. "The weltering waves." Milton. Waves that, hardly weltering, die away. Wordsworth. Through this blindly weltering sea. Trench.

WELTER Wel"ter, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Wilt, v. i.]

Defn: To wither; to wilt. [R.] Weltered hearts and blighted . . . memories. I. Taylor.

WELTER Wel"ter, a. (Horse Racing)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, the most heavily weighted race in a meeting; as, a welter race; the welter stakes.

WELTER Wel"ter, n.

1. That in which any person or thing welters, or wallows; filth; mire; slough. The foul welter of our so-called religious or other controversies. Carlyle.

2. A rising or falling, as of waves; as, the welter of the billows; the welter of a tempest.

WELTERWEIGHT Wel"ter*weight`, n.

1. (Horse Racing) A weight of 28 pounds (one of 40 pounds is called a heavy welterweight) sometimes imposed in addition to weight for age, chiefly in steeplechases and hurdle races.

2. A boxer or wrestler whose weight is intermediate between that of a lightweight and that of a middleweight.

WELTSCHMERTZ Welt"schmertz`, n. [G., fr. welt world + schmertz pain. See World; Smart, v. i.]

Defn: Sorrow or sadness over the present or future evils or woes of the world in general; sentimental pessimism.

WELWITSCHIA Wel*witsch"i*a, n. Etym: [NL. So named after the discoverer, Dr. Friedrich Welwitsch.] (Bot.)

Defn: An African plant (Welwitschia mirabilis) belonging to the order Gnetaceæ. It consists of a short, woody, topshaped stem, and never more than two leaves, which are the cotyledons enormously developed, and at length split into diverging segments.

WEM Wem, n. Etym: [Cf. Womb.]

Defn: The abdomen; the uterus; the womb. [Obs.]

WEM Wem, n. Etym: [AS. wam, wamm.]

Defn: Spot; blemish; harm; hurt. [Obs.] Wyclif. Withouten wem of you, through foul and fair. Chaucer.

WEM Wem, v. t. Etym: [AS. wemman.]

Defn: To stain; to blemish; to harm; to corrupt. [Obs.]

WEMLESS Wem"less, a.

Defn: Having no wem, or blemish; spotless. [Obs.] "Virgin wemless." Chaucer.