English language - Dictionaries W...Oxford English ReferenceBritish Library Cataloguing Data The concise Oxford dictionary of current English.--8th ed. 1. English language--Dictionaries I. Allen, R. E. (Robert Edward), 1944-423 ISBN 0-19-861243-5 thumb index ISBN 0-19-861200-1 plain 1.0 W... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- W(1) n. (also w) (pl. Ws or W's) the twenty-third letter of the alphabet. W(2) abbr. (also W.) 1 watt(s). 2 West; Western. 3 women's (size). 4 Welsh. W(3) symb. Chem. the element tungsten. w. abbr. 1 wicket(s). 2 wide(s). 3 with. 4 wife. 2.0 WA... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WA abbr. 1 Western Australia. 2 US Washington (State) (in official postal use). Waac n. hist. a member of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (Brit. 1917-19 or US 1942-8). [initials WAAC] Waaf n. Brit. hist. a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (1939-48). [initials WAAF] WAC abbr. (in the US) Women's Army Corps. wack(1) n. esp. US sl. a crazy person. [prob. back-form. f. WACKY] wack(2) n. dial. a familiar term of address. [perh. f. wacker Liverpudlian] wacke n. hist. a greyish-green or brownish rock resulting from the decomposition of basaltic rock. [G f. MHG wacke large stone, OHG wacko pebble] wacko adj. & n. US sl. --adj. crazy. --n. (pl. -os or -oes) a crazy person. [WACKY + -O] wacky adj. & n. (also whacky) sl. --adj. (-ier, -iest) crazy. --n. (pl. -ies) a crazy person. ЬЬwackily adv. wackiness n. [orig. dial., = left-handed, f. WHACK] wad n. & v. --n. 1 a lump or bundle of soft material used esp. to keep things apart or in place or to stuff up an opening. 2 a disc of felt etc. keeping powder or shot in place in a gun. 3 a number of banknotes or documents placed together. 4 Brit. sl. a bun, sandwich, etc. 5 (in sing. or pl.) a large quantity esp. of money. --v.tr. (wadded, wadding) 1 stop up (an aperture or a gun-barrel) with a wad. 2 keep (powder etc.) in place with a wad. 3 line or stuff (a garment or coverlet) with wadding. 4 protect (a person, walls, etc.) with wadding. 5 press (cotton etc.) into a wad or wadding. [perh. rel. to Du. watten, F ouate padding, cotton wool] wadding n. 1 soft pliable material of cotton or wool etc. used to line or stuff garments, quilts, etc., or to pack fragile articles. 2 any material from which gun-wads are made. waddle v. & n. --v.intr. walk with short steps and a swaying motion, like a stout short-legged person or a bird with short legs set far apart (e.g. a duck or goose). --n. a waddling gait. ЬЬwaddler n. [perh. frequent. of WADE] waddy n. (pl. -ies) 1 an Australian Aboriginal's war-club. 2 Austral. & NZ any club or stick. [Aboriginal, perh. f. WOOD] wade v. & n. --v. 1 intr. walk through water or some impeding medium e.g. snow, mud, or sand. 2 intr. make one's way with difficulty or by force. 3 intr. (foll. by through) read (a book etc.) in spite of its dullness etc. 4 intr. (foll. by into) colloq. attack (a person or task) vigorously. 5 tr. ford (a stream etc.) on foot. --n. a spell of wading. Ьwade in colloq. make a vigorous attack or intervention. wading bird any long-legged water-bird that wades. ЬЬwadable adj. (also wadeable). [OE wadan f. Gmc, = go (through)] wader n. 1 a a person who wades. b a wading bird, esp. any of various birds of the order Charadriiformes. 2 (in pl.) high waterproof boots, or a waterproof garment for the legs and body, worn in fishing etc. wadi n. (also wady) (pl. wadis or wadies) a rocky watercourse in N. Africa etc., dry except in the rainy season. [Arab. wadi] WAF abbr. (in the US) Women in the Air Force. w.a.f. abbr. with all faults. wafer n. & v. --n. 1 a very thin light crisp sweet biscuit, esp. of a kind eaten with ice-cream. 2 a thin disc of unleavened bread used in the Eucharist. 3 a disc of red paper stuck on a legal document instead of a seal. 4 Electronics a very thin slice of a semiconductor crystal used as the substrate for solid-state circuitry. 5 hist. a small disc of dried paste formerly used for fastening letters, holding papers together, etc. --v.tr. fasten or seal with a wafer. Ьwafer-thin very thin. ЬЬwafery adj. [ME f. AF wafre, ONF waufre, OF gaufre (cf. GOFFER) f. MLG wafel waffle: cf. WAFFLE(2)] waffle(1) n. & v. esp. Brit. colloq. --n. verbose but aimless or ignorant talk or writing. --v.intr. indulge in waffle. ЬЬwaffler n. waffly adj. [orig. dial., frequent. of waff = yelp, yap (imit.)] waffle(2) n. esp. US a small crisp batter cake. Ьwaffle-iron a utensil, usu. of two shallow metal pans hinged together, for baking waffles. [Du. wafel, waefel f. MLG wafel: cf. WAFER] waft v. & n. --v.tr. & intr. convey or travel easily as through air or over water; sweep smoothly and lightly along. --n. 1 (usu. foll. by of) a whiff or scent. 2 a transient sensation of peace, joy, etc. 3 (also weft) Naut. a distress signal, e.g. an ensign rolled or knotted or a garment flown in the rigging. [orig. 'convoy (ship etc.)', back-form. f. obs. waughter, wafter armed convoy-ship, f. Du. or LG wachter f. wachten to guard] wag(1) v. & n. --v. (wagged, wagging) 1 tr. & intr. shake or wave rapidly or energetically to and fro. 2 intr. archaic (of the world, times, etc.) go along with varied fortune or characteristics. --n. a single wagging motion (with a wag of his tail). Ьthe tail wags the dog the less or least important member of a society, section of a party, or part of a structure has control. tongues (or beards or chins or jaws) wag there is talk. [ME waggen f. root of OE wagian sway] wag(2) n. 1 a facetious person, a joker. 2 Brit. sl. a truant (play the wag). [prob. f. obs. waghalter one likely to be hanged (as WAG(1), HALTER)] wage n. & v. --n. 1 (in sing. or pl.) a fixed regular payment, usu. daily or weekly, made by an employer to an employee, esp. to a manual or unskilled worker (cf. SALARY). 2 (in sing. or pl.) requital (the wages of sin is death). 3 (in pl.) Econ. the part of total production that rewards labour rather than remunerating capital. --v.tr. carry on (a war, conflict, or contest). Ьliving wage a wage that affords the means of normal subsistence. wage-claim = pay-claim (see PAY(1)). wage-earner a person who works for wages. wages council a board of workers' and employers' representatives determining wages where there is no collective bargaining. wage slave a person dependent on income from labour in conditions like slavery. [ME f. AF & ONF wage, OF g(u)age, f. Gmc, rel. to GAGE(1), WED] wager n. & v.tr. & intr. = BET. Ьwager of battle hist. an ancient form of trial by personal combat between the parties or their champions. wager of law hist. a form of trial in which the defendant was required to produce witnesses who would swear to his or her innocence. [ME f. AF wageure f. wager (as WAGE)] waggery n. (pl. -ies) 1 waggish behaviour, joking. 2 a waggish action or remark, a joke. waggish adj. playful, facetious. ЬЬwaggishly adv. waggishness n. waggle v. & n. colloq. --v. 1 intr. & tr. wag. 2 intr. Golf swing the club-head to and fro over the ball before playing a shot. --n. a waggling motion. [WAG(1) + -LE(4)] waggly adj. unsteady. Wagnerian adj. & n. --adj. of, relating to, or characteristic of the music dramas of Richard Wagner, German composer d. 1883, esp. with reference to their large scale. --n. an admirer of Wagner or his music. wagon n. (also Brit. waggon) 1 a four-wheeled vehicle for heavy loads, often with a removable tilt or cover. 2 Brit. a railway vehicle for goods, esp. an open truck. 3 a trolley for conveying tea etc. 4 (in full water-wagon) a vehicle for carrying water. 5 US a light horse-drawn vehicle. 6 colloq. a motor car, esp. an estate car. Ьon the wagon (or water-wagon) sl. teetotal. wagon-roof (or -vault) = barrel vault. [earlier wagon, wag(h)en, f. Du. wag(h)en, rel. to OE w‘gn WAIN] wagoner n. (also Brit. waggoner) the driver of a wagon. [Du. wagenaar (as WAGON)] wagonette n. (also Brit. waggonette) a four-wheeled horse-drawn pleasure vehicle, usu. open, with facing side-seats. wagon-lit n. (pl. wagons-lits pronunc. same) a sleeping-car on a Continental railway. [F] wagtail n. any small bird of the genus Motacilla with a long tail in frequent motion. Wahabi n. (also Wahhabi) (pl. -is) a member of a sect of Muslim puritans following strictly the original words of the Koran. [Muhammad ibn Abd-el- Wahhab, founder in the 18th c.] wahine n. NZ a woman or wife. [Maori] wah-wah n. (also wa-wa) Mus. an effect achieved on brass instruments by alternately applying and removing a mute and on an electric guitar by controlling the output from the amplifier with a pedal. [imit.] waif n. 1 a homeless and helpless person, esp. an abandoned child. 2 an ownerless object or animal, a thing cast up by or drifting in the sea or brought by an unknown agency. Ьwaifs and strays 1 homeless or neglected children. 2 odds and ends. ЬЬwaifish adj. [ME f. AF waif, weif, ONF gaif, prob. of Scand. orig.] wail n. & v. --n. 1 a prolonged plaintive inarticulate loud high-pitched cry of pain, grief, etc. 2 a sound like or suggestive of this. --v. 1 intr. utter a wail. 2 intr. lament or complain persistently or bitterly. 3 intr. (of the wind etc.) make a sound like a person wailing. 4 tr. poet. or rhet. bewail; wail over. ЬWailing Wall a high wall in Jerusalem said to stand on the site of Herod's temple, where Jews traditionally pray and lament on Fridays. ЬЬwailer n. wailful adj. poet. wailingly adv. [ME f. ON, rel. to WOE] wain n. archaic 1 a wagon. 2 (prec. by the) = CHARLES'S WAIN. [OE w‘g(e)n, w‘n, f. Gmc, rel. to WAY, WEIGH(1)] wainscot n. & v. --n. 1 boarding or wooden panelling on the lower part of a room-wall. 2 Brit. hist. imported oak of fine quality. --v.tr. (wainscoted, wainscoting) line with wainscot. [ME f. MLG wagenschot, app. f. wagen WAGON + schot of uncert. meaning] wainscoting n. 1 a wainscot. 2 material for this. wainwright n. a wagon-builder. waist n. 1 a the part of the human body below the ribs and above the hips, usu. of smaller circumference than these; the narrower middle part of the normal human figure. b the circumference of this. 2 a similar narrow part in the middle of a violin, hourglass, wasp, etc. 3 a the part of a garment encircling or covering the waist. b the narrow middle part of a woman's dress etc. c US a blouse or bodice. 4 the middle part of a ship, between the forecastle and the quarterdeck. Ьwaist-cloth a loincloth. waist-deep (or -high) up to the waist (waist-deep in water). ЬЬwaisted adj. (also in comb.). waistless adj. [ME wast, perh. f. OE f. the root of WAX(2)] waistband n. a strip of cloth forming the waist of a garment. waistcoat n. Brit. a close-fitting waist-length garment, without sleeves or collar but usu. buttoned, worn usu. by men over a shirt and under a jacket. waistline n. the outline or the size of a person's body at the waist. wait v. & n. --v. 1 intr. a defer action or departure for a specified time or until some expected event occurs (wait a minute; wait till I come; wait for a fine day). b be expectant or on the watch (waited to see what would happen). c (foll. by for) refrain from going so fast that (a person) is left behind (wait for me!). 2 tr. await (an opportunity, one's turn, etc.). 3 tr. defer (a meal etc.) until a person's arrival. 4 intr. (usu. as waiting n.) park a vehicle for a short time at the side of a road etc. (no waiting). 5 intr. a (in full wait at or US on table) act as a waiter or as a servant with similar functions. b act as an attendant. 6 intr. (foll. by on, upon) a await the convenience of. b serve as an attendant to. c pay a respectful visit to. --n. 1 a period of waiting (had a long wait for the train). 2 (usu. foll. by for) watching for an enemy; ambush (lie in wait; lay wait). 3 (in pl.) Brit. a archaic street singers of Christmas carols. b hist. official bands of musicians maintained by a city or town. Ьcannot wait 1 is impatient. 2 needs to be dealt with immediately. can wait need not be dealt with immediately. wait-a-bit a plant with hooked thorns etc. that catch the clothing. wait and see await the progress of events. wait for it! colloq. 1 do not begin before the proper moment. 2 used to create an interval of suspense before saying something unexpected or amusing. wait on Austral., NZ, & N.Engl. be patient, wait. wait up (often foll. by for) not go to bed until a person arrives or an event happens. you wait! used to imply a threat, warning, or promise. [ME f. ONF waitier f. Gmc, rel. to WAKE(1)] waiter n. 1 a man who serves at table in a hotel or restaurant etc. 2 a person who waits for a time, event, or opportunity. 3 a tray or salver. waiting n. 1 in senses of WAIT v. 2 a official attendance at court. b one's period of this. Ьwaiting game abstention from early action in a contest etc. so as to act more effectively later. waiting-list a list of people waiting for a thing not immediately available. waiting-room a room provided for people to wait in, esp. by a doctor, dentist, etc., or at a railway or bus station. waitress n. a woman who serves at table in a hotel or restaurant etc. waive v.tr. refrain from insisting on or using (a right, claim, opportunity, legitimate plea, etc.). [ME f. AF weyver, OF gaiver allow to become a WAIF, abandon] waiver n. Law the act or an instance of waiving. [as WAIVE] wake(1) v. & n. --v. (past woke or waked; past part. woken or waked) 1 intr. & tr. (often foll. by up) cease or cause to cease to sleep. 2 intr. & tr. (often foll. by up) become or cause to become alert, attentive, or active (needs something to wake him up). 3 intr. (archaic except as waking adj. & n.) be awake (in her waking hours; waking or sleeping). 4 tr. disturb (silence or a place) with noise; make re-echo. 5 tr. evoke (an echo). 6 intr. & tr. rise or raise from the dead. --n. 1 a watch beside a corpse before burial; lamentation and (less often) merrymaking in connection with this. 2 (usu. in pl.) an annual holiday in (industrial) northern England. 3 hist. a a vigil commemorating the dedication of a church. b a fair or merrymaking on this occasion. Ьbe a wake-up (often foll. by to) Austral. sl. be alert or aware. wake-robin 1 Brit. an arum, esp. the cuckoo-pint. 2 US any plant of the genus Trillium. ЬЬwaker n. [OE wacan (recorded only in past woc), wacian (weak form), rel. to WATCH: sense 'vigil' perh. f. ON] wake(2) n. 1 the track left on the water's surface by a moving ship. 2 turbulent air left behind a moving aircraft etc. Ьin the wake of behind, following, as a result of, in imitation of. [prob. f. MLG f. ON v”k hole or opening in ice] wakeful adj. 1 unable to sleep. 2 (of a night etc.) passed with little or no sleep. 3 vigilant. ЬЬwakefully adv. wakefulness n. waken v.tr. & intr. make or become awake. [ON vakna f. Gmc, rel. to WAKE(1)] Walachian var. of WALLACHIAN. Waldenses n.pl. a puritan religious sect orig. in S. France, now chiefly in Italy and America, founded c.1170 and much persecuted. ЬЬWaldensian adj. & n. [med.L f. Peter Waldo of Lyons, founder] wale n. & v. --n. 1 = WEAL(1). 2 a ridge on a woven fabric, e.g. corduroy. 3 Naut. a broad thick timber along a ship's side. 4 a specially woven strong band round a woven basket. --v.tr. provide or mark with wales. Ьwale-knot a knot made at the end of a rope by intertwining strands to prevent unravelling or act as a stopper. [OE walu stripe, ridge] walk v. & n. --v. 1 intr. a (of a person or other biped) progress by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once. b progress with similar movements (walked on his hands). c go with the gait usual except when speed is desired. d (of a quadruped) go with the slowest gait, always having at least two feet on the ground at once. 2 intr. a travel or go on foot. b take exercise in this way (walks for two hours each day). 3 tr. perambulate, traverse on foot at walking speed, tread the floor or surface of. 4 tr. a cause to walk with one. b accompany in walking. c ride or lead (a horse, dog, etc.) at walking pace. d take charge of (a puppy) at walk (see sense 4 of n.). 5 intr. (of a ghost) appear. 6 intr. Cricket leave the wicket on being out. 7 Baseball a intr. reach first base on balls. b tr. allow to do this. 8 intr. archaic live in a specified manner, conduct oneself (walk humbly; walk with God). 9 intr. US sl. be released from suspicion or from a charge. --n. 1 a an act of walking, the ordinary human gait (go at a walk). b the slowest gait of an animal. c a person's manner of walking (know him by his walk). 2 a taking a (usu. specified) time to walk a distance (is only ten minutes' walk from here; it's quite a walk to the bus-stop). b an excursion on foot, a stroll or constitutional (go for a walk). c a journey on foot completed to earn money promised for a charity etc. 3 a a place, track, or route intended or suitable for walking; a promenade, colonnade, or footpath. b a person's favourite place or route for walking. c the round of a postman, hawker, etc. 4 a farm etc. where a hound-puppy is sent to accustom it to various surroundings. 5 the place where a gamecock is kept. 6 a part of a forest under one keeper. Ьin a walk without effort (won in a walk). walk about stroll. walk all over colloq. 1 defeat easily. 2 take advantage of. walk away from 1 easily outdistance. 2 refuse to become involved with; fail to deal with. 3 survive (an accident etc.) without serious injury. walk away with colloq. = walk off with. walk the boards be an actor. walk the hospitals = walk the wards. walk in (often foll. by on) enter or arrive, esp. unexpectedly or easily. walk into 1 colloq. encounter through unwariness (walked into the trap). 2 sl. archaic attack forcefully. 3 sl. archaic eat heartily. walk it 1 make a journey on foot, not ride. 2 colloq. achieve something (esp. a victory) easily. walk Matilda see MATILDA. walk off 1 depart (esp. abruptly). 2 get rid of the effects of (a meal, ailment, etc.) by walking (walked off his anger). walk a person off his or her feet (or legs) exhaust a person with walking. walk off with colloq. 1 steal. 2 win easily. walk of life an occupation, profession, or calling. walk-on 1 (in full walk-on part) = walking-on part. 2 the player of this. walk on air see AIR. walk out 1 depart suddenly or angrily. 2 (usu. foll. by with) Brit. archaic go for walks in courtship. walk-out n. a sudden angry departure, esp. as a protest or strike. walk out on desert, abandon. walk over 1 colloq. = walk all over. 2 (often absol.) traverse (a racecourse) without needing to hurry, because one has no opponents or only inferior ones. walk-over n. an easy victory or achievement. walk the plank see PLANK. walk the streets 1 be a prostitute. 2 traverse the streets esp. in search of work etc. walk tall colloq. feel justifiable pride. walk up! a showman's invitation to a circus etc. walk-up US adj. (of a building) allowing access to the upper floors only by stairs. --n. a walk-up building. walk up to approach (a person) for a talk etc. walk the wards be a medical student. ЬЬwalkable adj. [OE wealcan roll, toss, wander, f. Gmc] walkabout n. 1 an informal stroll among a crowd by a visiting dignitary. 2 a period of wandering in the bush by an Australian Aboriginal. walkathon n. an organized fund-raising walk. [WALK, after MARATHON] walker n. 1 a person or animal that walks. 2 a a wheeled or footed framework in which a baby can learn to walk. b = walking frame. walkie-talkie n. a two-way radio carried on the person, esp. by policemen etc. walking n. & adj. in senses of WALK n. Ьwalking delegate a trade-union official who visits members and their employers for discussions. walking dictionary (or encyclopaedia) colloq. a person having a wide general knowledge. walking fern any American evergreen fern of the genus Camptosorus, with fronds that root at the ends. walking frame a usu. tubular metal frame with rubberized ferrules, used by disabled or old people to help them walk. walking gentleman (or lady) Theatr. a non-speaking extra; a supernumerary. walking leaf = walking fern. walking-on part a non-speaking dramatic role. walking papers colloq. dismissal (gave him his walking papers). walking-stick 1 a stick carried when walking, esp. for extra support. 2 US = stick insect (see STICK(1)). walking-tour a holiday journey on foot, esp. of several days. walking wounded 1 (of soldiers etc.) able to walk despite injuries; not bedridden. 2 colloq. a person or people having esp. mental or emotional difficulties. Walkman n. (pl. -mans) propr. a type of personal stereo equipment. walkway n. a passage or path for walking along, esp.: 1 a raised passageway connecting different sections of a building. 2 a wide path in a garden etc. wall n. & v. --n. 1 a a continuous and usu. vertical structure of usu. brick or stone, having little width in proportion to its length and height and esp. enclosing, protecting, or dividing a space or supporting a roof. b the surface of a wall, esp. inside a room (hung the picture on the wall). 2 anything like a wall in appearance or effect, esp.: a the steep side of a mountain. b a protection or obstacle (a wall of steel bayonets; a wall of indifference). c Anat. the outermost layer or enclosing membrane etc. of an organ, structure, etc. d the outermost part of a hollow structure (stomach wall). e Mining rock enclosing a lode or seam. --v.tr. 1 (esp. as walled adj.) surround or protect with a wall (walled garden). 2 a (usu. foll. by up, off) block or seal (a space etc.) with a wall. b (foll. by up) enclose (a person) within a sealed space (walled them up in the dungeon). Ьgo to the wall be defeated or pushed aside. off the wall US sl. unorthodox, unconventional. up the wall colloq. crazy or furious (went up the wall when he heard). wall bar one of a set of parallel bars, attached to the wall of a gymnasium, on which exercises are performed. wall-barley wild barley as a weed. wall-board a type of wall-covering made from wood pulp etc. wall cress = ARABIS. wall-fern an evergreen polypody, Polypodium vulgare, with very large leaves. wall-fruit fruit grown on trees trained against a wall for protection and warmth. wall game Brit. a form of football played at Eton. wall-knot = wale-knot. wall-painting a mural or fresco. wall pepper a succulent stonecrop, Sedum acre, with a pungent taste. wall-plate timber laid in or on a wall to distribute the pressure of a girder etc. wall rocket see ROCKET(2). wall rue a small fern, Adiantum ruta-muraria, with leaves like rue, growing on walls and rocks. walls have ears it is unsafe to speak openly, as there may be eavesdroppers. wall-to-wall 1 (of a carpet) fitted to cover a whole room etc. 2 colloq. profuse, ubiquitous (wall-to-wall pop music). ЬЬwalling n. wall-less adj. [OE f. L vallum rampart f. vallus stake] wallaby n. (pl. -ies) 1 any of various marsupials of the family Macropodidae, smaller than kangaroos, and having large hind feet and long tails. 2 (Wallabies) colloq. the Australian international Rugby Union team. Ьon the wallaby (or wallaby track) Austral. vagrant; unemployed. [Aboriginal wolaba] Wallachian adj. & n. (also Walachian) --adj. of the former Principality of Wallachia, now part of Romania. --n. a native of Wallachia. [Wallachia (as VLACH)] wallah n. orig. Anglo-Ind., now sl. 1 a person concerned with or in charge of a usu. specified thing, business, etc. (asked the ticket wallah). 2 a person doing a routine administrative job; a bureaucrat. [Hindi -wala suffix = -ER(1)] wallaroo n. a large brownish-black kangaroo, Macropus robustus. [Aboriginal wolaru] wallet n. 1 a small flat esp. leather case for holding banknotes etc. 2 archaic a bag for carrying food etc. on a journey, esp. as used by a pilgrim or beggar. [ME walet, prob. f. AF walet (unrecorded), perh. f. Gmc] wall-eye n. 1 a an eye with a streaked or opaque white iris. b an eye squinting outwards. 2 an American perch, Stizostedion vitreum, with large prominent eyes. ЬЬwall-eyed adj. [back-form. f. wall-eyed: ME f. ON vagleygr f. vagl (unrecorded: cf. Icel. vagl film over the eye) + auga EYE] wallflower n. 1 a a fragrant spring garden-plant, Cheiranthus cheiri, with esp. brown, yellow, or dark-red clustered flowers. b any of various flowering plants of the genus Cheiranthus or Erysimum, growing wild on old walls. 2 colloq. a neglected or socially awkward person, esp. a woman sitting out at a dance for lack of partners. Walloon n. & adj. --n. 1 a member of a French-speaking people inhabiting S. and E. Belgium and neighbouring France (see also FLEMING). 2 the French dialect spoken by this people. --adj. of or concerning the Walloons or their language. [F Wallon f. med.L Wallo -onis f. Gmc: cf. WELSH] wallop v. & n. sl. --v.tr. (walloped, walloping) 1 a thrash; beat. b hit hard. 2 (as walloping adj.) big; strapping; thumping (a walloping profit). --n. 1 a heavy blow; a thump. 2 Brit. beer or any alcoholic drink. ЬЬwalloping n. [earlier senses 'gallop', 'boil', f. ONF (walop n. f.) waloper, OF galoper: cf. GALLOP] walloper n. 1 a person or thing that wallops. 2 Austral. sl. a policeman. wallow v. & n. --v.intr. 1 (esp. of an animal) roll about in mud, sand, water, etc. 2 (usu. foll. by in) indulge in unrestrained sensuality, pleasure, misery, etc. (wallows in nostalgia). --n. 1 the act or an instance of wallowing. 2 a a place used by buffalo etc. for wallowing. b the depression in the ground caused by this. ЬЬwallower n. [OE walwian roll f. Gmc] wallpaper n. & v. --n. 1 paper sold in rolls for pasting on to interior walls as decoration. 2 an unobtrusive background, esp. (usu. derog.) with ref. to sound, music, etc. --v.tr. (often absol.) decorate with wallpaper. Wall Street n. the American financial world or money market. [street in New York City where banks, the Stock Exchange, etc. are situated] wally n. (pl. -ies) Brit. sl. a foolish or inept person. [orig. uncert., perh. shortened form of Walter] walnut n. 1 any tree of the genus Juglans, having aromatic leaves and drooping catkins. 2 the nut of this tree containing an edible kernel in two half shells shaped like boats. 3 the timber of the walnut-tree used in cabinet-making. [OE walh-hnutu f. Gmc NUT] Walpurgis night n. the eve of 1 May when witches are alleged to meet on the Brocken mountain in Germany and hold revels with the Devil. [G Walpurgisnacht f. Walpurgis genit. of Walpurga Engl. woman saint (8th c.) + Nacht NIGHT] walrus n. a large amphibious long-tusked arctic mammal, Odobenus rosmarus, related to the seal and sea lion. Ьwalrus moustache a long thick drooping moustache. [prob. f. Du. walrus, -ros, perh. by metath. after walvisch 'whale-fish' f. word repr. by OE horschw‘l 'horse-whale'] waltz n. & v. --n. 1 a dance in triple time performed by couples who rotate and progress round the floor. 2 the usu. flowing and melodious music for this. --v. 1 intr. dance a waltz. 2 intr. (often foll. by in, out, round, etc.) colloq. move lightly, casually, with deceptive ease, etc. (waltzed in and took first prize). 3 tr. move (a person) in or as if in a waltz, with ease (was waltzed off to Paris). Ьwaltz Matilda see MATILDA. ЬЬwaltzer n. [G Walzer f. walzen revolve] wampum n. beads made from shells and strung together for use as money, decoration, or as aids to memory by N. American Indians. [Algonquin wampumpeag f. wap white + umpe string + -ag pl. suffix] wan adj. 1 (of a person's complexion or appearance) pale; exhausted; worn. 2 (of a star etc. or its light) partly obscured; faint. 3 archaic (of night, water, etc.) dark, black. ЬЬwanly adv. wanness n. [OE wann dark, black, of unkn. orig.] wand n. 1 a a supposedly magic stick used in casting spells by a fairy, magician, etc. b a stick used by a conjurer for effect. 2 a slender rod carried or used as a marker in the ground. 3 a staff symbolizing some officials' authority. 4 colloq. a conductor's baton. 5 a hand-held electronic device which can be passed over a bar-code to read the data this represents. [ME prob. f. Gmc: cf. WEND, WIND(2)] wander v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by in, off, etc.) go about from place to place aimlessly. 2 intr. a (of a person, river, road, etc.) wind about; diverge; meander. b (of esp. a person) get lost; leave home; stray from a path etc. 3 intr. talk or think incoherently; be inattentive or delirious. 4 tr. cover while wandering (wanders the world). --n. the act or an instance of wandering (went for a wander round the garden). Ьwandering Jew 1 a a legendary person said to have been condemned by Christ to wander the earth until the second advent. b a person who never settles down. 2 a a climbing plant, Tradescantia albiflora, with stemless variegated leaves. b a trailing plant, Zebrina pendula, with pink flowers. wandering sailor the moneywort. wander-plug a plug that can be fitted into any of various sockets in an electrical device. ЬЬwanderer n. wandering n. (esp. in pl.). [OE wandrian (as WEND)] wanderlust n. an eagerness for travelling or wandering. [G] wanderoo n. a langur, Semnopithecus vetulus, of Sri Lanka. [Sinh. wanderu monkey] wane v. & n. --v.intr. 1 (of the moon) decrease in apparent size after the full moon (cf. WAX(2)). 2 decrease in power, vigour, importance, brilliance, size, etc.; decline. --n. 1 the process of waning. 2 a defect of a plank etc. that lacks square corners. Ьon the wane waning; declining. ЬЬwaney adj. (in sense 2 of n.). [OE wanian lessen f. Gmc] wangle v. & n. colloq. --v.tr. 1 (often refl.) to obtain (a favour etc.) by scheming etc. (wangled himself a free trip). 2 alter or fake (a report etc.) to appear more favourable. --n. the act or an instance of wangling. ЬЬwangler n. [19th-c. printers' sl.: orig. unkn.] wank v. & n. coarse sl. °Usually considered a taboo word. --v.intr. & tr. masturbate. --n. an act of masturbating. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] Wankel engine n. a rotary internal-combustion engine with a continuously rotated and eccentrically pivoted nearly triangular shaft. [F. Wankel, Ger. engineer d. 1988] wanker n. coarse sl. °Usually considered a taboo word. 1 a contemptible or ineffectual person. 2 a person who masturbates. want v. & n. --v. 1 tr. a (often foll. by to + infin.) desire; wish for possession of; need (wants a toy train; wants it done immediately; wanted to leave; wanted him to leave). b need or desire (a person, esp. sexually). c esp. Brit. require to be attended to in esp. a specified way (the garden wants weeding). d (foll. by to + infin.) colloq. ought; should; need (you want to pull yourself together; you don't want to overdo it). 2 intr. (usu. foll. by for) lack; be deficient (wants for nothing). 3 tr. be without or fall short by (esp. a specified amount or thing) (the drawer wants a handle). 4 intr. (foll. by in, out) esp. US colloq. desire to be in, out, etc. (wants in on the deal). 5 tr. (as wanted adj.) (of a suspected criminal etc.) sought by the police. --n. 1 (often foll. by of) a a lack, absence, or deficiency (could not go for want of time; shows great want of judgement). b poverty; need (living in great want; in want of necessities). 2 a a desire for a thing etc. (meets a long-felt want). b a thing so desired (can supply your wants). Ьdo not want to am unwilling to. want ad US a classified newspaper advertisement for something sought. ЬЬwanter n. [ME f. ON vant neut. of vanr lacking = OE wana, formed as WANE] wanting adj. 1 lacking (in quality or quantity); deficient, not equal to requirements (wanting in judgement; the standard is sadly wanting). 2 absent, not supplied or provided. Ьbe found wanting fail to meet requirements. wanton adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 licentious; lewd; sexually promiscuous. 2 capricious; random; arbitrary; motiveless (wanton destruction; wanton wind). 3 luxuriant; unrestrained (wanton profusion). 4 archaic playful; sportive (a wanton child). --n. literary an immoral or licentious person, esp. a woman. --v.intr. literary 1 gambol; sport; move capriciously. 2 (foll. by with) behave licentiously. ЬЬwantonly adv. wantonness n. [ME wantowen (wan- UN-(1) + towen f. OE togen past part. of teon discipline, rel. to TEAM)] wapentake n. Brit. hist. (in areas of England with a large Danish population) a division of a shire; a hundred. [OE w‘pen(ge)t‘c f. ON v pnatak f. v pn weapon + tak taking f. taka TAKE: perh. with ref. to voting in assembly by show of weapons] wapiti n. (pl. wapitis) a N. American deer, Cervus canadensis. [Cree wapitik white deer] War. abbr. Warwickshire. war n. & v. --n. 1 a armed hostilities between esp. nations; conflict (war broke out; war zone). b a specific conflict or the period of time during which such conflict exists (was before the war). c the suspension of international law etc. during such a conflict. 2 (as the War) a war in progress or recently ended; the most recent major war. 3 a hostility or contention between people, groups, etc. (war of words). b (often foll. by on) a sustained campaign against crime, disease, poverty, etc. --v.intr. (warred, warring) 1 (as warring adj.) a rival; fighting (warring factions). b conflicting (warring principles). 2 make war. Ьart of war strategy and tactics. at war (often foll. by with) engaged in a war. go to war declare or begin a war. go to the wars archaic serve as a soldier. have been in the wars colloq. appear injured, bruised, unkempt, etc. war baby a child, esp. illegitimate, born in wartime. war bride a woman who marries a serviceman met during a war. war chest funds for a war or any other campaign. war-cloud a threatening international situation. war correspondent a correspondent reporting from a scene of war. war crime a crime violating the international laws of war. war criminal a person committing or sentenced for such crimes. war cry 1 a phrase or name shouted to rally one's troops. 2 a party slogan etc. war damage damage to property etc. caused by bombing, shelling, etc. war dance a dance performed by primitive peoples etc. before a battle or to celebrate victory. war department the State office in charge of the army etc. war-game 1 a military exercise testing or improving tactical knowledge etc. 2 a battle etc. conducted with toy soldiers. war-gaming the playing of war-games. war grave the grave of a serviceman who died on active service, esp. one in a special cemetery etc. war loan stock issued by the British Government to raise funds in wartime. war memorial a monument etc. commemorating those killed in a war. war of attrition a war in which each side seeks to wear out the other over a long period. war of the elements poet. storms or natural catastrophes. War Office hist. the British State department in charge of the army. war of nerves an attempt to wear down an opponent by psychological means. war-plane a military aircraft. war poet a poet writing on war themes, esp. of the two world wars. Wars of the Roses hist. the 15th-c. civil wars between the houses of York and Lancaster, represented by white and red roses. war-weary (esp. of a population) exhausted and dispirited by war. war widow a woman whose husband has been killed in war. war-worn = war-weary. war zone an area in which a war takes place. [ME werre f. AF, ONF var. of OF guerre: cf. WORSE] waratah n. an Australian crimson-flowered shrub, Telopea speciosissima. [Aboriginal] warble(1) v. & n. --v. 1 intr. & tr. sing in a gentle trilling manner. 2 tr. a speak or utter in a warbling manner. b express in a song or verse (warbled his love). --n. a warbled song or utterance. [ME f. ONF werble(r) f. Frank. hwirbilon whirl, trill] warble(2) n. 1 a hard lump on a horse's back caused by the galling of a saddle. 2 a the larva of a warble fly beneath the skin of cattle etc. b a tumour produced by this. Ьwarble fly any of various flies of the genus Hypoderma, infesting the skin of cattle and horses. [16th c.: orig. uncert.] warbler n. 1 a person, bird, etc. that warbles. 2 any small insect-eating bird of the family Sylviidae or, in N. America, Parulidae, including the blackcap, whitethroat, and chiff-chaff, not always remarkable for their song. ward n. & v. --n. 1 a separate room or division of a hospital, prison, etc. (men's surgical ward). 2 a Brit. an administrative division of a constituency, usu. electing a councillor or councillors etc. b esp. US a similar administrative division. 3 a a minor under the care of a guardian appointed by the parents or a court. b (in full ward of court) a minor or mentally deficient person placed under the protection of a court. 4 (in pl.) the corresponding notches and projections in a key and a lock. 5 archaic a the act of guarding or defending a place etc. b the bailey of a castle. c a guardian's control; confinement; custody. --v.tr. archaic guard; protect. Ьward-heeler US a party worker in elections etc. ward off 1 parry (a blow). 2 avert (danger, poverty, etc.). [OE weard, weardian f. Gmc: cf. GUARD] -ward suffix (also -wards) added to nouns of place or destination and to adverbs of direction and forming: 1 adverbs (usu. -wards) meaning 'towards the place etc.' (moving backwards; set off homewards). 2 adjectives (usu. -ward) meaning 'turned or tending towards' (a downward look; an onward rush). 3 (less commonly) nouns meaning 'the region towards or about' (look to the eastward). [from or after OE - weard f. a Gmc root meaning 'turn'] warden n. 1 (usu. in comb.) a supervising official (churchwarden; traffic warden). 2 a Brit. a president or governor of a college, school, hospital, youth hostel, etc. b esp. US a prison governor. ЬЬwardenship n. [ME f. AF & ONF wardein var. of OF g(u)arden GUARDIAN] warder n. 1 Brit. (fem. wardress) a prison officer. 2 a guard. [ME f. AF wardere, -our f. ONF warder, OF garder to GUARD] wardrobe n. 1 a large movable or built-in cupboard with rails, shelves, hooks, etc., for storing clothes. 2 a person's entire stock of clothes. 3 the costume department or costumes of a theatre, a film company, etc. 4 a department of a royal household in charge of clothing. Ьwardrobe mistress (or master) a person in charge of a theatrical or film wardrobe. wardrobe trunk a trunk fitted with rails, shelves, etc. for use as a travelling wardrobe. [ME f. ONF warderobe, OF garderobe (as GUARD, ROBE)] wardroom n. a room in a warship for the use of commissioned officers. -wards var. of -WARD. wardship n. 1 a guardian's care or tutelage (under his wardship). 2 the condition of being a ward. ware(1) n. 1 (esp. in comb.) things of the same kind, esp. ceramics, made usu. for sale (chinaware; hardware). 2 (usu. in pl.) a articles for sale (displayed his wares). b a person's skills, talents, etc. 3 ceramics etc. of a specified material, factory, or kind (Wedgwood ware; Delft ware). [OE waru f. Gmc, perh. orig. = 'object of care', rel. to WARE(3)] ware(2) v.tr. (also 'ware) (esp. in hunting) look out for; avoid (usu. in imper.: ware hounds!). [OE warian f. Gmc (as WARE(3)), & f. ONF warer] ware(3) predic.adj. poet. aware. [OE w‘r f. Gmc: cf. WARD] warehouse n. & v. --n. 1 a building in which esp. retail goods are stored; a repository. 2 esp. Brit. a wholesale or large retail store. --v.tr. also store (esp. furniture or bonded goods) temporarily in a repository. ЬЬwarehouseman n. (pl. -men). warfare n. a state of war; campaigning, engaging in war (chemical warfare). warfarin n. a water-soluble anticoagulant used esp. as a rat poison. [Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation + -arin, after COUMARIN] warhead n. the explosive head of a missile, torpedo, or similar weapon. warhorse n. 1 hist. a knight's or trooper's powerful horse. 2 colloq. a veteran soldier, politician, etc.; a reliable hack. warlike adj. 1 threatening war; hostile. 2 martial; soldierly. 3 of or for war; military (warlike preparations). warlock n. archaic a sorcerer or wizard. [OE w‘r-loga traitor f. w‘r covenant: loga rel. to LIE(2)] warlord n. a military commander or commander-in-chief. warm adj., v., & n. --adj. 1 of or at a fairly or comfortably high temperature. 2 (of clothes etc.) affording warmth (needs warm gloves). 3 a (of a person, action, feelings, etc.) sympathetic; cordial; friendly; loving (a warm welcome; has a warm heart). b enthusiastic; hearty (was warm in her praise). 4 animated, heated, excited; indignant (the dispute grew warm). 5 colloq. iron. dangerous, difficult, or hostile (met a warm reception). 6 colloq. a (of a participant in esp. a children's game of seeking) close to the object etc. sought. b near to guessing or finding out a secret. 7 (of a colour, light, etc.) reddish, pink, or yellowish, etc., suggestive of warmth. 8 Hunting (of a scent) fresh and strong. 9 a (of a person's temperament) amorous; sexually demanding. b erotic; arousing. --v. 1 tr. a make warm (fire warms the room). b excite; make cheerful (warms the heart). 2 intr. a (often foll. by up) warm oneself at a fire etc. (warmed himself up). b (often foll. by to) become animated, enthusiastic, or sympathetic (warmed to his subject). --n. 1 the act of warming; the state of being warmed (gave it a warm; had a nice warm by the fire). 2 the warmth of the atmosphere etc. 3 Brit. archaic a warm garment, esp. an army greatcoat. Ьwarmed-up (US -over) 1 (of food etc.) reheated or stale. 2 stale; second-hand. warm front an advancing mass of warm air. warming-pan hist. a usu. brass container for live coals with a flat body and a long handle, used for warming a bed. warm up 1 (of an athlete, performer, etc.) prepare for a contest, performance, etc. by practising. 2 (of a room etc.) become warmer. 3 (of a person) become enthusiastic etc. 4 (of a radio, engine, etc.) reach a temperature for efficient working. 5 reheat (food). warm-up n. a period of preparatory exercise for a contest or performance. warm work 1 work etc. that makes one warm through exertion. 2 dangerous conflict etc. ЬЬwarmer n. (also in comb.). warmish adj. warmly adv. warmness n. warmth n. [OE wearm f. Gmc] warm-blooded adj. 1 (of an organism) having warm blood; mammalian (see HOMOEOTHERM). 2 ardent, passionate. ЬЬwarm-bloodedness n. warm-hearted adj. having a warm heart; kind, friendly. ЬЬwarm-heartedly adv. warm-heartedness n. warmonger n. a person who seeks to bring about or promote war. ЬЬwarmongering n. & adj. warn v.tr. 1 (also absol.) a (often foll. by of, or that + clause, or to + infin.) inform of danger, unknown circumstances, etc. (warned them of the danger; warned her that she was being watched; warned him to expect a visit). b (often foll. by against) inform (a person etc.) about a specific danger, hostile person, etc. (warned her against trusting him). 2 (usu. with neg.) admonish; tell forcefully (has been warned not to go). 3 give (a person) cautionary notice regarding conduct etc. (shall not warn you again). Ьwarn off 1 tell (a person) to keep away (from). 2 prohibit from attending races, esp. at a specified course. ЬЬwarner n. [OE war(e)nian, wearnian ult. f. Gmc: cf. WARE(3)] warning n. 1 in senses of WARN v. 2 anything that serves to warn; a hint or indication of difficulty, danger, etc. 3 archaic = NOTICE n. 3b. Ьwarning coloration Biol. conspicuous colouring that warns a predator etc. against attacking. ЬЬwarningly adv. [OE war(e)nung etc. (as WARN, -ING(1))] warp v. & n. --v. 1 tr. & intr. a make or become bent or twisted out of shape, esp. by the action of heat, damp, etc. b make or become perverted, bitter, or strange (a warped sense of humour). 2 a tr. haul (a ship) by a rope attached to a fixed point. b intr. progress in this way. 3 tr. fertilize by flooding with warp. 4 tr. (foll. by up) choke (a channel) with an alluvial deposit etc. 5 tr. arrange (threads) as a warp. --n. 1 a a state of being warped, esp. of shrunken or expanded timber. b perversion, bitterness, etc. of the mind or character. 2 the threads stretched lengthwise in a loom to be crossed by the weft. 3 a rope used in towing or warping, or attached to a trawl-net. 4 sediment etc. left esp. on poor land by standing water. ЬЬwarpage n. (esp. in sense 1a of v.). warper n. (in sense 5 of v.). [OE weorpan throw, wearp f. Gmc] warpaint n. 1 paint used to adorn the body before battle, esp. by N. American Indians. 2 colloq. elaborate make-up. warpath n. 1 a warlike expedition of N. American Indians. 2 colloq. any hostile course or attitude (is on the warpath again). warragal var. of WARRIGAL. warrant n. & v. --n. 1 a anything that authorizes a person or an action (have no warrant for this). b a person so authorizing (I will be your warrant). 2 a a written authorization, money voucher, travel document, etc. (a dividend warrant). b a written authorization allowing police to search premises, arrest a suspect, etc. 3 a document authorizing counsel to represent the principal in a lawsuit (warrant of attorney). 4 a certificate of service rank held by a warrant-officer. --v.tr. 1 serve as a warrant for; justify (nothing can warrant his behaviour). 2 guarantee or attest to esp. the genuineness of an article, the worth of a person, etc. ЬI (or I'll) warrant I am certain; no doubt (he'll be sorry, I'll warrant). warrant-officer an officer ranking between commissioned officers and NCOs. ЬЬwarranter n. warrantor n. [ME f. ONF warant, var. of OF guarant, -and f. Frank. werend (unrecorded) f. giweren be surety for] warrantable adj. 1 able to be warranted. 2 (of a stag) old enough to be hunted (5 or 6 years). ЬЬwarrantableness n. warrantably adv. warrantee n. a person to whom a warranty is given. warranty n. (pl. -ies) 1 an undertaking as to the ownership or quality of a thing sold, hired, etc., often accepting responsibility for defects or liability for repairs needed over a specified period. 2 (usu. foll. by for + verbal noun) an authority or justification. 3 an undertaking by an insured person of the truth of a statement or fulfilment of a condition. [ME f. AF warantie, var. of garantie (as WARRANT)] warren n. 1 a a network of interconnecting rabbit burrows. b a piece of ground occupied by this. 2 a densely populated or labyrinthine building or district. 3 hist. a piece of ground on which game is preserved. [ME f. AF & ONF warenne, OF garenne game-park f. Gmc] warrigal n. & adj. (also warragal) Austral. --n. 1 a dingo dog. 2 an untamed horse. 3 a wild Aboriginal. --adj. wild, untamed. [Aboriginal] warring adj. rival, antagonistic. warrior n. 1 a person experienced or distinguished in fighting. 2 a fighting man, esp. of primitive peoples. 3 (attrib.) martial (a warrior nation). [ME f. ONF werreior etc., OF guerreior etc. f. werreier, guerreier make WAR] warship n. an armoured ship used in war. wart n. 1 a small hardish roundish growth on the skin caused by a virus-induced abnormal growth of papillae and thickening of the epidermis. 2 a protuberance on the skin of an animal, surface of a plant, etc. 3 colloq. an objectionable person. Ьwart-hog an African wild pig of the genus Phacochoerus, with a large head and warty lumps on its face, and large curved tusks. warts and all colloq. with no attempt to conceal blemishes or inadequacies. ЬЬwarty adj. [OE wearte f. Gmc] wartime n. the period during which a war is waged. wary adj. (warier, wariest) 1 on one's guard; given to caution; circumspect. 2 (foll. by of) cautious, suspicious (am wary of using lifts). 3 showing or done with caution or suspicion (a wary expression). ЬЬwarily adv. wariness n. [WARE(2) + -Y(1)] was 1st & 3rd sing. past of BE. Wash. abbr. Washington. wash v. & n. --v. 1 tr. cleanse (oneself or a part of oneself, clothes, etc.) with liquid, esp. water. 2 tr. (foll. by out, off, away, etc.) remove a stain or dirt in this way. 3 intr. wash oneself or esp. one's hands and face. 4 intr. wash clothes etc. 5 intr. (of fabric or dye) bear washing without damage. 6 intr. (foll. by off, out) (of a stain etc.) be removed by washing. 7 tr. poet. moisten, water (tear-washed eyes; a rose washed with dew). 8 tr. (of a river, sea, etc.) touch (a country, coast, etc.) with its waters. 9 tr. (of moving liquid) carry along in a specified direction (a wave washed him overboard; was washed up on the shore). 10 tr. a scoop out (the water had washed a channel). b erode, denude (sea-washed cliffs). 11 intr. (foll. by over, along, etc.) sweep, move, or splash. 12 tr. sift (ore) by the action of water. 13 tr. a brush a thin coat of watery paint or ink over (paper in water-colour painting etc., or a wall). b (foll. by with) coat (inferior metal) with gold etc. --n. 1 a the act or an instance of washing; the process of being washed (give them a good wash; only needed one wash). b (prec. by the) treatment at a laundry etc. (sent them to the wash). 2 a quantity of clothes for washing or just washed. 3 the visible or audible motion of agitated water or air, esp. due to the passage of a ship etc. or aircraft. 4 a soil swept off by water; alluvium. b a sandbank exposed only at low tide. 5 kitchen slops and scraps given to pigs. 6 a thin, weak, or inferior liquid food. b liquid food for animals. 7 a liquid to spread over a surface to cleanse, heal, or colour. 8 a thin coating of water-colour, wall-colouring, or metal. 9 malt etc. fermenting before distillation. 10 a lotion or cosmetic. Ьcome out in the wash colloq. be clarified, or (of contingent difficulties) be resolved or removed, in the course of time. wash-and-wear adj. (of a fabric or garment) easily and quickly laundered. wash-basin a basin for washing one's hands, face, etc. wash one's dirty linen in public see LINEN. wash down 1 wash completely (esp. a large surface or object). 2 (usu. foll. by with) accompany or follow (food) with a drink. washed out 1 faded by washing. 2 pale. 3 colloq. limp, enfeebled. washed up esp. US sl. defeated, having failed. wash one's hands euphem. go to the lavatory. wash one's hands of renounce responsibility for. wash-hand stand = WASHSTAND. wash-house a building where clothes are washed. wash-leather chamois or similar leather for washing windows etc. wash out 1 clean the inside of (a thing) by washing. 2 clean (a garment etc.) by brief washing. 3 a rain off (an event etc.). b colloq. cancel. 4 (of a flood, downpour, etc.) make a breach in (a road etc.). wash-out n. 1 colloq. a fiasco; a complete failure. 2 a breach in a road, railway track, etc., caused by flooding (see also WASHOUT). wash up 1 tr. (also absol.) esp. Brit. wash (crockery and cutlery) after use. 2 US wash one's face and hands. won't wash esp. Brit. colloq. (of an argument etc.) will not be believed or accepted. [OE w‘scan etc. f. Gmc, rel. to WATER] washable adj. that can be washed, esp. without damage. ЬЬwashability n. washboard n. 1 a board of ribbed wood or a sheet of corrugated zinc on which clothes are scrubbed in washing. 2 this used as a percussion instrument, played with the fingers. washday n. a day on which clothes etc. are washed. washer n. 1 a a person or thing that washes. b a washing-machine. 2 a flat ring of rubber, metal, leather, etc., inserted at a joint to tighten it and prevent leakage. 3 a similar ring placed under the head of a screw, bolt, etc., or under a nut, to disperse its pressure. 4 Austral. a cloth for washing the face. Ьwasher-up (pl. washers-up) a person who washes up dishes etc. washerwoman n. (pl. -women) a woman whose occupation is washing clothes; a laundress. washeteria n. = LAUNDERETTE. washing n. a quantity of clothes for washing or just washed. Ьwashing-machine a machine for washing clothes and linen etc. washing-powder powder of soap or detergent for washing clothes. washing-soda sodium carbonate, used dissolved in water for washing and cleaning. washing-up Brit. 1 the process of washing dishes etc. after use. 2 used dishes etc. for washing. washland n. land periodically flooded by a stream. washout n. Geol. a narrow river-channel that cuts into pre-existing sediments (see also wash-out). washroom n. US a room with washing and toilet facilities. washstand n. a piece of furniture to hold a basin, jug, soap, etc. washtub n. a tub or vessel for washing clothes etc. washy adj. (washier, washiest) 1 (of liquid food) too watery or weak; insipid. 2 (of colour) faded-looking, thin, faint. 3 (of a style, sentiment, etc.) lacking vigour or intensity. ЬЬwashily adv. washiness n. wasn't contr. was not. Wasp n. (also WASP) US usu. derog. a middle-class American White Protestant descended from early European settlers. ЬЬWaspy adj. (also WASPy). [White Anglo- Saxon Protestant] wasp n. 1 a stinging often flesh-eating insect of the order Hymenoptera, esp. the common social wasp Vespa vulgaris, with black and yellow stripes and a very thin waist. 2 (in comb.) any of various insects resembling a wasp in some way (wasp-beetle). Ьwasp-waist a very slender waist. wasp-waisted having a very slender waist. ЬЬwasplike adj. [OE w‘fs, w‘ps, w‘sp, f. WG: perh. rel. to WEAVE(1) (from the weblike form of its nest)] waspish adj. irritable, petulant; sharp in retort. ЬЬwaspishly adv. waspishness n. wassail n. & v. archaic --n. 1 a festive occasion; a drinking-bout. 2 a kind of liquor drunk on such an occasion. --v.intr. make merry; celebrate with drinking etc. Ьwassail-bowl (or -cup) a bowl or cup from which healths were drunk, esp. on Christmas Eve and Twelfth Night. ЬЬwassailer n. [ME w‘s h‘il etc. f. ON ves heill, corresp. to OE wes hal 'be in health', a form of salutation: cf. HALE(1)] Wassermann test n. a test for syphilis using the reaction of the patient's blood serum. [A. von Wassermann, Ger. pathologist d. 1925] wast archaic or dial. 2nd sing. past of BE. wastage n. 1 an amount wasted. 2 loss by use, wear, or leakage. 3 Commerce loss of employees other than by redundancy. waste v., adj., & n. --v. 1 tr. use to no purpose or for inadequate result or extravagantly (waste time). 2 tr. fail to use (esp. an opportunity). 3 tr. (often foll. by on) give (advice etc.), utter (words etc.), without effect. 4 tr. & intr. wear gradually away; make or become weak; wither. 5 tr. ravage, devastate. 6 tr. treat as wasted or valueless. 7 intr. be expended without useful effect. --adj. 1 superfluous; no longer serving a purpose. 2 (of a district etc.) not inhabited or cultivated; desolate (waste ground). 3 presenting no features of interest. --n. 1 the act or an instance of wasting; extravagant or ineffectual use of an asset, of time, etc. 2 waste material or food; refuse; useless remains or by-products. 3 a waste region; a desert etc. 4 the state of being used up; diminution by wear and tear. 5 Law damage to an estate caused by an act or by neglect, esp. by a life-tenant. 6 = waste pipe. Ьgo (or run) to waste be wasted. lay waste ravage, devastate. waste-basket esp. US = waste-paper basket. waste one's breath see BREATH. waste not, want not extravagance leads to poverty. waste paper spoiled or valueless paper. waste-paper basket esp. Brit. a receptacle for waste paper. waste pipe a pipe to carry off waste material, e.g. from a sink. waste products useless by-products of manufacture or of an organism or organisms. waste words see WORD. ЬЬwastable adj. wasteless adj. [ME f. ONF wast(e), var. of OF g(u)ast(e), f. L vastus] wasteful adj. 1 extravagant. 2 causing or showing waste. ЬЬwastefully adj. wastefulness n. wasteland n. 1 an unproductive or useless area of land. 2 a place or time considered spiritually or intellectually barren. waster n. 1 a wasteful person. 2 colloq. a wastrel. wastrel n. 1 a wasteful or good-for-nothing person. 2 a waif; a neglected child. watch v. & n. --v. 1 tr. keep the eyes fixed on; look at attentively. 2 tr. a keep under observation; follow observantly. b monitor or consider carefully; pay attention to (have to watch my weight; watched their progress with interest). 3 intr. (often foll. by for) be in an alert state; be vigilant; take heed (watch for the holes in the road; watch for an opportunity). 4 intr. (foll. by over) look after; take care of. 5 intr. archaic remain awake for devotions etc. --n. 1 a small portable timepiece for carrying on one's person. 2 a state of alert or constant observation or attention. 3 Naut. a a four-hour spell of duty. b (in full starboard or port watch) each of the halves, divided according to the position of the bunks, into which a ship's crew is divided to take alternate watches. 4 hist. a watchman or group of watchmen, esp. patrolling the streets at night. 5 a former division of the night. 6 a period of wakefulness at night. 7 hist. irregular Highland troops in the 18th c. Ьon the watch waiting for an expected or feared occurrence. set the watch Naut. station sentinels etc. watch-case the outer metal case enclosing the works of a watch. watch-chain a metal chain for securing a pocket-watch. Watch Committee hist. (in the UK) the committee of a county borough council dealing with policing etc. watch-glass 1 a glass disc covering the dial of a watch. 2 a similar disc used in a laboratory etc. to hold material for use in experiments. watching brief see BRIEF. watch it (or oneself) colloq. be careful. watch-night 1 the last night of the year. 2 a religious service held on this night. watch out 1 (often foll. by for) be on one's guard. 2 as a warning of immediate danger. watch-spring the mainspring of a watch. watch one's step proceed cautiously. watch-strap esp. Brit. a strap for fastening a watch on the wrist. watch-tower a tower from which observation can be kept. ЬЬwatchable adj. watcher n. (also in comb.). [OE w‘cce (n.), rel. to WAKE(1)] watchband n. US = watch-strap. watchdog n. & v. --n. 1 a dog kept to guard property etc. 2 a person or body monitoring others' rights, behaviour, etc. --v.tr. (-dogged, -dogging) maintain surveillance over. watchful adj. 1 accustomed to watching. 2 on the watch. 3 showing vigilance. 4 archaic wakeful. ЬЬwatchfully adv. watchfulness n. watchmaker n. a person who makes and repairs watches and clocks. ЬЬwatchmaking n. watchman n. (pl. -men) 1 a man employed to look after an empty building etc. at night. 2 archaic or hist. a member of a night-watch. watchword n. 1 a phrase summarizing a guiding principle; a slogan. 2 hist. a military password. water n. & v. --n. 1 a colourless transparent odourless tasteless liquid compound of oxygen and hydrogen. °Chem. formula: H[2]O. 2 a liquid consisting chiefly of this and found in seas, lakes, and rivers, in rain, and in secretions of organisms. 3 an expanse of water; a sea, lake, river, etc. 4 (in pl.) part of a sea or river (in Icelandic waters). 5 (often as the waters) mineral water at a spa etc. 6 the state of a tide (high water). 7 a solution of a specified substance in water (lavender-water). 8 the quality of the transparency and brilliance of a gem, esp. a diamond. 9 Finance an amount of nominal capital added by watering (see sense 10 of v.). 10 (attrib.) a found in or near water. b of, for, or worked by water. c involving, using, or yielding water. --v. 1 tr. sprinkle or soak with water. 2 tr. supply (a plant) with water. 3 tr. give water to (an animal) to drink. 4 intr. (of the mouth or eyes) secrete water as saliva or tears. 5 tr. (as watered adj.) (of silk etc.) having irregular wavy glossy markings. 6 tr. adulterate (milk, beer, etc.) with water. 7 tr. (of a river etc.) supply (a place) with water. 8 intr. (of an animal) go to a pool etc. to drink. 9 intr. (of a ship, engine, etc., or the person in charge of it) take in a supply of water. 10 tr. Finance increase (a company's debt, or nominal capital) by the issue of new shares without a corresponding addition to assets. Ьby water using a ship etc. for travel or transport. cast one's bread upon the waters see BREAD. like water lavishly, profusely. like water off a duck's back see DUCK(1). make one's mouth water cause one's saliva to flow, stimulate one's appetite or anticipation. of the first water 1 (of a diamond) of the greatest brilliance and transparency. 2 of the finest quality or extreme degree. on the water on a ship etc. on the water-wagon see WAGON. water-bag a bag of leather, canvas, etc., for holding water. water bailiff 1 an official enforcing fishing laws. 2 hist. a custom-house officer at a port. water bear = TARDIGRADE n. water-bed a mattress of rubber or plastic etc. filled with water. water-biscuit a thin crisp unsweetened biscuit made from flour and water. water blister a blister containing a colourless fluid, not blood or pus. water-boatman any aquatic bug of the family Notonectidae or Corixidae, swimming with oarlike hind legs. water-borne 1 (of goods etc.) conveyed by or travelling on water. 2 (of a disease) communicated or propagated by contaminated water. water-buck any of various African antelopes of the genus Kobus, frequenting river-banks. water-buffalo the common domestic Indian buffalo, Bubalus arnee. water bus a boat carrying passengers on a regular run on a river, lake, etc. water-butt a barrel used to catch rainwater. water-cannon a device giving a powerful jet of water to disperse a crowd etc. the Water-carrier (or -bearer) the zodiacal sign or constellation Aquarius. water chestnut 1 an aquatic plant, Trapa natans, bearing an edible seed. 2 a (in full Chinese water chestnut) a sedge, Eleocharis tuberosa, with rushlike leaves arising from a corm. b this corm used as food. water-clock a clock measuring time by the flow of water. water-closet 1 a lavatory with the means for flushing the pan with water. 2 a room containing this. water-colour (US -color) 1 artists' paint made of pigment to be diluted with water and not oil. 2 a picture painted with this. 3 the art of painting with water-colours. water-colourist (US -colorist) a painter in water-colours. water-cooled cooled by the circulation of water. water-cooler a tank of cooled drinking-water. water cure = HYDROPATHY. water-diviner Brit. a person who dowses (see DOWSE(1)) for water. water down 1 dilute with water. 2 make less vivid, forceful, or horrifying. water gauge 1 a glass tube etc. indicating the height of water in a reservoir, boiler, etc. 2 pressure expressed in terms of a head of water. water-glass 1 a solution of sodium or potassium silicate used for preserving eggs, as a vehicle for fresco-painting, and for hardening artificial stone. 2 a tube with a glass bottom enabling objects under water to be observed. water-hammer a knocking noise in a water-pipe when a tap is suddenly turned off. water-heater a device for heating (esp. domestic) water. water hemlock a poisonous plant, Cicuta maculata, found in marshes etc.: also called COWBANE. water-hole a shallow depression in which water collects (esp. in the bed of a river otherwise dry). water hyacinth a tropical river-weed, Eichhornia crassipes. water-ice a confection of flavoured and frozen water and sugar etc.; a sorbet. water jump a place where a horse in a steeplechase etc. must jump over water. water-level 1 a the surface of the water in a reservoir etc. b the height of this. 2 a level below which the ground is saturated with water. 3 a level using water to determine the horizontal. water lily any aquatic plant of the family Nymphaeaceae, with broad flat floating leaves and large usu. cup-shaped floating flowers. water-line 1 the line along which the surface of water touches a ship's side (marked on a ship for use in loading). 2 a linear watermark. water main the main pipe in a water-supply system. water-meadow a meadow periodically flooded by a stream. water melon a large smooth green melon, Citrullus lanatus, with red pulp and watery juice. water meter a device for measuring and recording the amount of water supplied to a house etc. water-mill a mill worked by a water-wheel. water-nymph a nymph regarded as inhabiting or presiding over water. water of crystallization water forming an essential part of the structure of some crystals. water of life rhet. spiritual enlightenment. water ouzel = DIPPER 1. water-pepper an aquatic herb, Polygonum hydropiper: also called SMARTWEED. water-pipe 1 a pipe for conveying water. 2 a hookah. water-pistol a toy pistol shooting a jet of water. water plantain any ditch-plant of the genus Alisma, with plantain-like leaves. water polo a game played by swimmers, with a ball like a football. water-power 1 mechanical force derived from the weight or motion of water. 2 a fall in the level of a river, as a source of this force. water purslane a creeping plant, Lythrum portula, growing in damp places. water rail a wading bird, Rallus aquaticus, frequenting marshes etc. water-rat = water-vole. water-rate a charge made for the use of the public water-supply. water-repellent not easily penetrated by water. water-scorpion any aquatic bug of the family Nepidae, living submerged and breathing through a bristle-like tubular tail. water-softener an apparatus or substance for softening hard water. water-soluble soluble in water. water-splash part of a road submerged by a stream or pool. water starwort any plant of the genus Callitriche, growing in water. water-supply the provision and storage of water, or the amount of water stored, for the use of a town, house, etc. water-table = water-level 2. water torture a form of torture in which the victim is exposed to the incessant dripping of water on the head, or the sound of dripping. water-tower a tower with an elevated tank to give pressure for distributing water. water under the bridge past events accepted as past and irrevocable. water-vole an aquatic vole, esp. Arvicola amphibius. water-weed any of various aquatic plants. water-wheel a wheel driven by water to work machinery, or to raise water. water-wings inflated floats fixed on the arms of a person learning to swim. ЬЬwaterer n. waterless adj. [OE w‘ter f. Gmc, rel. to WET] waterbrash n. pyrosis. [WATER + BRASH(3)] watercourse n. 1 a brook, stream, or artificial water-channel. 2 the bed along which this flows. watercress n. a hardy perennial cress, Nasturtium officinale, growing in running water, with pungent leaves used in salad. waterfall n. a stream or river flowing over a precipice or down a steep hillside. Waterford glass n. a clear colourless flint glass. [Waterford in Ireland] waterfowl n. (usu. collect. as pl.) birds frequenting water, esp. swimming game-birds. waterfront n. the part of a town adjoining a river, lake, harbour, etc. watergate n. 1 a floodgate. 2 a gate giving access to a river etc. watering n. the act or an instance of supplying water or (of an animal) obtaining water. Ьwatering-can a portable container with a long spout usu. ending in a perforated sprinkler, for watering plants. watering-hole 1 a pool of water from which animals regularly drink; = water-hole. 2 sl. a bar. watering-place 1 = watering-hole. 2 a spa or seaside resort. 3 a place where water is obtained. [OE w‘terung (as WATER, -ING(1))] waterlogged adj. 1 saturated with water. 2 (of a boat etc.) hardly able to float from being saturated or filled with water. 3 (of ground) made useless by being saturated with water. [waterlog (v.), f. WATER + LOG(1), prob. orig. = 'reduce (a ship) to the condition of a log'] Waterloo n. a decisive defeat or contest (meet one's Waterloo). [Waterloo in Belgium, where Napoleon was finally defeated in 1815] waterman n. (pl. -men) 1 a boatman plying for hire. 2 an oarsman as regards skill in keeping the boat balanced. watermark n. & v. --n. a faint design made in some paper during manufacture, visible when held against the light, identifying the maker etc. --v.tr. mark with this. waterproof adj., n., & v. --adj. impervious to water. --n. a waterproof garment or material. --v.tr. make waterproof. watershed n. 1 a line of separation between waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas. 2 a turning-point in affairs. [WATER + shed ridge of high ground (rel. to SHED(2)), after G Wasserscheide] waterside n. the margin of a sea, lake, or river. water-ski n. & v. --n. (pl. -skis) each of a pair of skis for skimming the surface of the water when towed by a motor boat. --v.intr. (-skis, -ski'd or -skied; -skiing) travel on water-skis. ЬЬwater-skier n. waterspout n. a gyrating column of water and spray formed by a whirlwind between sea and cloud. watertight adj. 1 (of a joint, container, vessel, etc.) closely fastened or fitted or made so as to prevent the passage of water. 2 (of an argument etc.) unassailable. waterway n. 1 a navigable channel. 2 a route for travel by water. 3 a thick plank at the outer edge of a deck along which a channel is hollowed for water to run off by. waterworks n. 1 an establishment for managing a water-supply. 2 colloq. the shedding of tears. 3 Brit. colloq. the urinary system. watery adj. 1 containing too much water. 2 too thin in consistency. 3 of or consisting of water. 4 (of the eyes) suffused or running with water. 5 (of conversation, style, etc.) vapid, uninteresting. 6 (of colour) pale. 7 (of the sun, moon, or sky) rainy-looking. Ьwatery grave the bottom of the sea as a place where a person lies drowned. ЬЬwateriness n. [OE w‘terig (as WATER, -Y(1))] watt n. the SI unit of power, equivalent to one joule per second, corresponding to the rate of energy in an electric circuit where the potential difference is one volt and the current one ampere. °Symb.: W. Ьwatt-hour the energy used when one watt is applied for one hour. [J. Watt, Sc. engineer d. 1819] wattage n. an amount of electrical power expressed in watts. wattle(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a interlaced rods and split rods as a material for making fences, walls, etc. b (in sing. or pl.) rods and twigs for this use. 2 an Australian acacia with long pliant branches, with bark used in tanning and golden flowers used as the national emblem. 3 dial. a wicker hurdle. --v.tr. 1 make of wattle. 2 enclose or fill up with wattles. Ьwattle and daub a network of rods and twigs plastered with mud or clay as a building material. [OE watul, of unkn. orig.] wattle(2) n. 1 a loose fleshy appendage on the head or throat of a turkey or other birds. 2 = BARB n. 3. ЬЬwattled adj. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] wattmeter n. a meter for measuring the amount of electricity in watts. waul v.intr. (also wawl) give a loud plaintive cry like a cat. [imit.] wave v. & n. --v. 1 a intr. (often foll. by to) move a hand etc. to and fro in greeting or as a signal (waved to me across the street). b tr. move (a hand etc.) in this way. 2 a intr. show a sinuous or sweeping motion as of a flag, tree, or a cornfield in the wind; flutter, undulate. b tr. impart a waving motion to. 3 tr. brandish (a sword etc.) as an encouragement to followers etc. 4 tr. tell or direct (a person) by waving (waved them away; waved them to follow). 5 tr. express (a greeting etc.) by waving (waved goodbye to them). 6 tr. give an undulating form to (hair, drawn lines, etc.); make wavy. 7 intr. (of hair etc.) have such a form; be wavy. --n. 1 a ridge of water between two depressions. 2 a long body of water curling into an arched form and breaking on the shore. 3 a thing compared to this, e.g. a body of persons in one of successive advancing groups. 4 a gesture of waving. 5 a the process of waving the hair. b an undulating form produced in the hair by waving. 6 a a temporary occurrence or increase of a condition, emotion, or influence (a wave of enthusiasm). b a specified period of widespread weather (heat wave). 7 Physics a the disturbance of the particles of a fluid medium to form ridges and troughs for the propagation or direction of motion, heat, light, sound, etc., without the advance of the particles. b a single curve in the course of this motion (see also standing wave, travelling wave (see TRAVEL)). 8 Electr. a similar variation of an electromagnetic field in the propagation of radiation through a medium or vacuum. 9 (in pl.; prec. by the) poet. the sea; water. Ьmake waves colloq. cause trouble. wave aside dismiss as intrusive or irrelevant. wave down wave to (a vehicle or its driver) as a signal to stop. wave equation a differential equation expressing the properties of motion in waves. wave-form Physics a curve showing the shape of a wave at a given time. wave-front Physics a surface containing points affected in the same way by a wave at a given time. wave function a function satisfying a wave equation and describing the properties of a wave. wave mechanics a method of analysis of the behaviour esp. of atomic phenomena with particles represented by wave equations (see quantum mechanics). wave number Physics the number of waves in a unit distance. wave theory hist. the theory that light is propagated through the ether by a wave-motion imparted to the ether by the molecular vibrations of the radiant body. ЬЬwaveless adj. wavelike adj. & adv. [OE wafian (v.) f. Gmc: (n.) also alt. of ME wawe, wage] waveband n. a range of (esp. radio) wavelengths between certain limits. waveguide n. Electr. a metal tube etc. confining and conveying microwaves. wavelength n. 1 the distance between successive crests of a wave, esp. points in a sound wave or electromagnetic wave. 2 this as a distinctive feature of radio waves from a transmitter. 3 colloq. a particular mode or range of thinking and communicating (we don't seem to be on the same wavelength). wavelet n. a small wave on water. waver v.intr. 1 be or become unsteady; falter; begin to give way. 2 be irresolute or undecided between different courses or opinions; be shaken in resolution or belief. 3 (of a light) flicker. ЬЬwaverer n. waveringly adv. [ME f. ON vafra flicker f. Gmc, rel. to WAVE] wavy adj. (wavier, waviest) (of a line or surface) having waves or alternate contrary curves (wavy hair). ЬЬwavily adv. waviness n. wa-wa var. of WAH-WAH. wawl var. of WAUL. wax(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a sticky plastic yellowish substance secreted by bees as the material of honeycomb cells; beeswax. 2 a white translucent material obtained from this by bleaching and purifying and used for candles, in modelling, as a basis of polishes, and for other purposes. 3 any similar substance, e.g. earwax. 4 colloq. a a gramophone record. b material for the manufacture of this. 5 (attrib.) made of wax. --v.tr. 1 cover or treat with wax. 2 colloq. record for the gramophone. Ьbe wax in a person's hands be entirely subservient to a person. lost wax = CIRE PERDUE. wax-light a taper or candle of wax. wax-myrtle a tree, Myrtus cerifera, yielding wax and oil used for candles. wax-painting = ENCAUSTIC. wax palm 1 a South American palm, Ceroxylon alpinum, with its stem coated in a mixture of resin and wax. 2 a carnauba. wax paper paper waterproofed with a layer of wax. wax-pod a yellow-podded bean. wax-tree an Asian tree, Rhus succedanea, having white berries which yield wax. ЬЬwaxer n. [OE w‘x, weax f. Gmc] wax(2) v.intr. 1 (of the moon between new and full) have a progressively larger part of its visible surface illuminated, increasing in apparent size. 2 become larger or stronger. 3 pass into a specified state or mood (wax lyrical). Ьwax and wane undergo alternate increases and decreases. [OE weaxan f. Gmc] wax(3) n. sl. a fit of anger. [19th c.: orig. uncert.: perh. f. WAX(2) wroth etc.] waxberry n. (pl. -ies) 1 a wax-myrtle. 2 the fruit of this. waxbill n. any of various birds esp. of the family Estrildidae, with usu. red bills resembling the colour of sealing wax. waxcloth n. oilcloth. waxen adj. 1 having a smooth pale translucent surface as of wax. 2 able to receive impressions like wax; plastic. 3 archaic made of wax. waxwing n. any bird of the genus Bombycilla, with small tips like red sealing-wax to some wing-feathers. waxwork n. 1 a an object, esp. a lifelike dummy, modelled in wax. b the making of waxworks. 2 (in pl.) an exhibition of wax dummies. waxy(1) adj. (waxier, waxiest) resembling wax in consistency or in its surface. ЬЬwaxily adv. waxiness n. [WAX(1) + -Y(1)] waxy(2) adj. (waxier, waxiest) Brit. sl. angry, quick-tempered. [WAX(3) + -Y(1)] way n. & adv. --n. 1 a road, track, path, etc., for passing along. 2 a course or route for reaching a place, esp. the best one (asked the way to London). 3 a place of passage into a building, through a door, etc. (could not find the way out). 4 a a method or plan for attaining an object (that is not the way to do it). b the ability to obtain one's object (has a way with him). 5 a a person's desired or chosen course of action. b a custom or manner of behaving; a personal peculiarity (has a way of forgetting things; things had a way of going badly). 6 a specific manner of life or procedure (soon got into the way of it). 7 the normal course of events (that is always the way). 8 a travelling distance; a length traversed or to be traversed (is a long way away). 9 a an unimpeded opportunity of advance. b a space free of obstacles. 10 a region or ground over which advance is desired or natural. 11 advance in some direction; impetus, progress (pushed my way through). 12 movement of a ship etc. (gather way; lose way). 13 the state of being engaged in movement from place to place; time spent in this (met them on the way home; with songs to cheer the way). 14 a specified direction (step this way; which way are you going?). 15 (in pl.) parts into which a thing is divided (split it three ways). 16 colloq. the scope or range of something (want a few things in the stationery way). 17 a person's line of occupation or business. 18 a specified condition or state (things are in a bad way). 19 a respect (is useful in some ways). 20 a (in pl.) a structure of timber etc. down which a new ship is launched. b parallel rails etc. as a track for the movement of a machine. --adv. colloq. to a considerable extent; far (you're way off the mark). Ьacross (or over) the way opposite. any way = ANYWAY. be on one's way set off; depart. by the way 1 incidentally; as a more or less irrelevant comment. 2 during a journey. by way of 1 through; by means of. 2 as a substitute for or as a form of (did it by way of apology). 3 with the intention of (asked by way of discovering the truth). come one's way become available to one; become one's lot. find a way discover a means of obtaining one's object. get (or have) one's way (or have it one's own way etc.) get what one wants; ensure one's wishes are met. give way 1 a make concessions. b fail to resist; yield. 2 (often foll. by to) concede precedence (to). 3 (of a structure etc.) be dislodged or broken under a load; collapse. 4 (foll. by to) be superseded by. 5 (foll. by to) be overcome by (an emotion etc.). 6 (of rowers) row hard. go out of one's way (often foll. by to + infin.) make a special effort; act gratuitously or without compulsion (went out of their way to help). go one's own way act independently, esp. against contrary advice. go one's way 1 leave, depart. 2 (of events, circumstances, etc.) be favourable to one. go a person's way accompany a person (are you going my way?). have it both ways see BOTH. in its way if regarded from a particular standpoint appropriate to it. in no way not at all; by no means. in a way in a certain respect but not altogether or completely. in the (or one's) way forming an obstacle or hindrance. lead the way 1 act as guide or leader. 2 show how to do something. look the other way 1 ignore what one should notice. 2 disregard an acquaintance etc. whom one sees. one way and another taking various considerations into account. one way or another by some means. on the (or one's) way 1 in the course of a journey etc. 2 having progressed (is well on the way to completion). 3 colloq. (of a child) conceived but not yet born. on the way out colloq. going down in status, estimation, or favour; going out of fashion. the other way about (or round) in an inverted or reversed position or direction. out of the way 1 no longer an obstacle or hindrance. 2 disposed of; settled. 3 (of a person) imprisoned or killed. 4 (with neg.) common or unremarkable (nothing out of the way). 5 (of a place) remote, inaccessible. out of one's way not on one's intended route. put a person in the way of give a person the opportunity of. way back colloq. long ago. way-leave a right of way rented to another. the way of the Cross a series of paintings or representations of the events in Christ's passion, esp. in a church. way of life the principles or habits governing all one's actions etc. way of thinking one's customary opinion of matters. way of the world conduct no worse than is customary. way-out colloq. 1 unusual, eccentric. 2 avant-garde, progressive. 3 excellent, exciting. ways and means 1 methods of achieving something. 2 methods of raising government revenue. way station US 1 a minor station on a railway. 2 a point marking progress in a certain course of action etc. way-worn tired with travel. [OE weg f. Gmc: (adv.) f. AWAY] -way suffix = -WAYS. waybill n. a list of passengers or parcels on a vehicle. waybread n. Brit. archaic a broad-leaved plantain (see PLANTAIN(1)). [OE wegbr‘de (as WAY, BROAD)] wayfarer n. a traveller, esp. on foot. wayfaring n. travelling, esp. on foot. Ьwayfaring-tree a white-flowered European and Asian shrub, Viburnum lantana, common along roadsides, with berries turning from green through red to black. waylay v.tr. (past and past part. waylaid) 1 lie in wait for. 2 stop to rob or interview. ЬЬwaylayer n. waymark n. a natural or artificial object as a guide to travellers, esp. walkers. -ways suffix forming adjectives and adverbs of direction or manner (sideways) (cf. -WISE). [WAY + -'S] wayside n. 1 the side or margin of a road. 2 the land at the side of a road. Ьfall by the wayside fail to continue in an endeavour or undertaking (after Luke 8:5). wayward adj. 1 childishly self-willed or perverse; capricious. 2 unaccountable or freakish. ЬЬwaywardly adv. waywardness n. [ME f. obs. awayward turned away f. AWAY + -WARD: cf. FROWARD] wayzgoose n. (pl. -gooses) an annual summer dinner or outing held by a printing-house for its employees. [17th c. (earlier waygoose): orig. unkn.] 3.0 Wb =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Wb abbr. weber(s). 4.0 WC... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WC abbr. 1 water-closet. 2 West Central. WCC abbr. World Council of Churches. W/Cdr. abbr. Wing Commander. 5.0 WD =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WD abbr. 1 War Department. 2 Works Department. 6.0 we... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- we pron. (obj. us; poss. our, ours) 1 (pl. of I(2)) used by and with reference to more than one person speaking or writing, or one such person and one or more associated persons. 2 used for or by a royal person in a proclamation etc. and by a writer or editor in a formal context. 3 people in general (cf. ONE pron. 2). 4 colloq. = I(2) (give us a chance). 5 colloq. (often implying condescension) you (how are we feeling today?). [OE f. Gmc] WEA abbr. (in the UK) Workers' Educational Association. weak adj. 1 deficient in strength, power, or number; fragile; easily broken or bent or defeated. 2 deficient in vigour; sickly, feeble (weak health; a weak imagination). 3 a deficient in resolution; easily led (a weak character). b (of an action or features) indicating a lack of resolution (a weak surrender; a weak chin). 4 unconvincing or logically deficient (weak evidence; a weak argument). 5 (of a mixed liquid or solution) watery, thin, dilute (weak tea). 6 (of a style etc.) not vigorous or well-knit; diffuse, slipshod. 7 (of a crew) short-handed. 8 (of a syllable etc.) unstressed. 9 Gram. in Germanic languages: a (of a verb) forming inflections by the addition of a suffix to the stem. b (of a noun or adjective) belonging to a declension in which the stem originally ended in -n (opp. STRONG adj. 22). Ьweak ending an unstressed syllable in a normally stressed place at the end of a verse-line. the weaker sex derog. women. weak grade Gram. an unstressed ablaut-form. weak interaction Physics the weakest form of interaction between elementary particles. weak-kneed colloq. lacking resolution. weak-minded 1 mentally deficient. 2 lacking in resolution. weak-mindedness the state of being weak-minded. weak moment a time when one is unusually compliant or temptable. weak point (or spot) 1 a place where defences are assailable. 2 a flaw in an argument or character or in resistance to temptation. ЬЬweakish adj. [ME f. ON veikr f. Gmc] weaken v.tr. & intr. make or become weak or weaker. ЬЬweakener n. weakfish n. (pl. same or -fishes) US a marine fish of the genus Cynoscion, used as food. [obs. Du. weekvisch f. week soft (formed as WEAK) + visch FISH(1)] weakling n. a feeble person or animal. weakly adv. & adj. --adv. in a weak manner. --adj. (weaklier, weakliest) sickly, not robust. ЬЬweakliness n. weakness n. 1 the state or condition of being weak. 2 a weak point; a defect. 3 the inability to resist a particular temptation. 4 (foll. by for) a self-indulgent liking (have a weakness for chocolate). weal(1) n. & v. --n. a ridge raised on the flesh by a stroke of a rod or whip. --v.tr. mark with a weal. [var. of WALE, infl. by obs. wheal suppurate] weal(2) n. literary welfare, prosperity; good fortune. [OE wela f. WG (as WELL(1))] Weald n. (also weald) (prec. by the) Brit. a formerly wooded district including parts of Kent, Surrey, and East Sussex. Ьweald-clay beds of clay, sandstone, limestone, and ironstone, forming the top of Wealden strata, with abundant fossil remains. [OE, = wald WOLD] Wealden adj. & n. Brit. --adj. 1 of the Weald. 2 resembling the Weald geologically. --n. a series of Lower Cretaceous freshwater deposits above Jurassic strata and below chalk, best exemplified in the Weald. wealth n. 1 riches; abundant possessions; opulence. 2 the state of being rich. 3 (foll. by of) an abundance or profusion (a wealth of new material). 4 archaic welfare or prosperity. Ьwealth tax a tax on personal capital. [ME welthe, f. WELL(1) or WEAL(2) + -TH(2), after health] wealthy adj. (wealthier, wealthiest) having an abundance esp. of money. ЬЬwealthily adv. wealthiness n. wean(1) v.tr. 1 accustom (an infant or other young mammal) to food other than (esp. its mother's) milk. 2 (often foll. by from, away from) disengage (from a habit etc.) by enforced discontinuance. [OE wenian accustom f. Gmc: cf. WONT] wean(2) n. Sc. a young child. [contr. of wee ane little one] weaner n. a young animal recently weaned. weanling n. a newly-weaned child etc. weapon n. 1 a thing designed or used or usable for inflicting bodily harm (e.g. a gun or cosh). 2 a means employed for trying to gain the advantage in a conflict (irony is a double-edged weapon). ЬЬweaponed adj. (also in comb.). weaponless adj. [OE w‘p(e)n f. Gmc] weaponry n. weapons collectively. wear(1) v. & n. --v. (past wore; past part. worn) 1 tr. have on one's person as clothing or an ornament etc. (is wearing shorts; wears earrings). 2 tr. be dressed habitually in (wears green). 3 tr. exhibit or present (a facial expression or appearance) (wore a frown; the day wore a different aspect). 4 tr. Brit. colloq. (usu. with neg.) tolerate, accept (they won't wear that excuse). 5 (often foll. by away) a tr. injure the surface of, or partly obliterate or alter, by rubbing, stress, or use. b intr. undergo such injury or change. 6 tr. & intr. (foll. by off, away) rub or be rubbed off. 7 tr. make (a hole etc.) by constant rubbing or dripping etc. 8 tr. & intr. (often foll. by out) exhaust, tire or be tired. 9 tr. (foll. by down) overcome by persistence. 10 intr. a remain for a specified time in working order or a presentable state; last long. b (foll. by well, badly, etc.) endure continued use or life. 11 a intr. (of time) pass, esp. tediously. b tr. pass (time) gradually away. 12 tr. (of a ship) fly (a flag). --n. 1 the act of wearing or the state of being worn (suitable for informal wear). 2 things worn; fashionable or suitable clothing (sportswear; footwear). 3 (in full wear and tear) damage sustained from continuous use. 4 the capacity for resisting wear and tear (still a great deal of wear left in it). Ьin wear being regularly worn. wear one's heart on one's sleeve see HEART. wear off lose effectiveness or intensity. wear out 1 use or be used until no longer usable. 2 tire or be tired out. wear thin (of patience, excuses, etc.) begin to fail. wear the trousers see TROUSERS. wear (or wear one's years) well colloq. remain young-looking. ЬЬwearable adj. wearability n. wearer n. wearingly adv. [OE werian f. Gmc] wear(2) v. (past and past part. wore) 1 tr. bring (a ship) about by turning its head away from the wind. 2 intr. (of a ship) come about in this way (cf. TACK(1) v. 4). [17th c.: orig. unkn.] wearisome adj. tedious; tiring by monotony or length. ЬЬwearisomely adv. wearisomeness n. weary adj. & v. --adj. (wearier, weariest) 1 unequal to or disinclined for further exertion or endurance; tired. 2 (foll. by of) dismayed at the continuing of; impatient of. 3 tiring or tedious. --v. (-ies, -ied) 1 tr. & intr. make or grow weary. 2 intr. esp. Sc. long. ЬЬweariless adj. wearily adv. weariness n. wearyingly adv. [OE werig, w‘rig f. WG] weasel n. & v. --n. 1 a small reddish-brown flesh-eating mammal, Mustela nivalis, with a slender body, related to the stoat and ferret. 2 a stoat. 3 colloq. a deceitful or treacherous person. --v.intr. (weaselled, weaselling; US weaseled, weaseling) 1 esp. US equivocate or quibble. 2 (foll. by on, out) default on an obligation. Ьweasel-faced having thin sharp features. weasel word (usu. in pl.) a word that is intentionally ambiguous or misleading. ЬЬweaselly adj. [OE wesle, wesule f. WG] weather n. & v. --n. 1 the state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, cloudiness, dryness, sunshine, wind, and rain etc. 2 (attrib.) Naut. windward (on the weather side). --v. 1 tr. expose to or affect by atmospheric changes, esp. deliberately to dry, season, etc. (weathered timber). 2 a tr. (usu. in passive) discolour or partly disintegrate (rock or stones) by exposure to air. b intr. be discoloured or worn in this way. 3 tr. make (boards or tiles) overlap downwards to keep out rain etc. 4 tr. a come safely through (a storm). b survive (a difficult period etc.). 5 tr. (of a ship or its crew) get to the windward of (a cape etc.). Ьkeep a (or one's) weather eye open be watchful. make good (or bad) weather of it Naut. (of a ship) behave well (or badly) in a storm. make heavy weather of colloq. exaggerate the difficulty or burden presented by (a problem, course of action, etc.). under the weather colloq. indisposed or out of sorts. weather-beaten affected by exposure to the weather. weather-bound unable to proceed owing to bad weather. weather-chart (or -map) a diagram showing the state of the weather over a large area. weather forecast an analysis of the state of the weather with an assessment of likely developments over a certain time. weather-glass a barometer. weather side the side from which the wind is blowing (opp. lee side). weather station an observation post for recording meteorological data. weather-strip a piece of material used to make a door or window proof against rain or wind. weather-tiles tiles arranged to overlap like weatherboards. weather-vane see VANE. weather-worn damaged by storms etc. [OE weder f. Gmc] weatherboard n. & v. --n. 1 a sloping board attached to the bottom of an outside door to keep out the rain etc. 2 each of a series of horizontal boards with edges overlapping to keep out the rain etc. --v.tr. fit or supply with weatherboards. ЬЬweatherboarding n. (in sense 2 of n.). weathercock n. 1 a weather-vane (see VANE) in the form of a cock. 2 an inconstant person. weathering n. 1 the action of the weather on materials etc. exposed to it. 2 exposure to adverse weather conditions (see WEATHER v. 1). weatherly adj. Naut. 1 (of a ship) making little leeway. 2 capable of keeping close to the wind. ЬЬweatherliness n. weatherman n. (pl. -men) a meteorologist, esp. one who broadcasts a weather forecast. weatherproof adj. & v. --adj. resistant to the effects of bad weather, esp. rain. --v.tr. make weatherproof. ЬЬweatherproofed adj. weave(1) v. & n. --v. (past wove; past part. woven or wove) 1 tr. a form (fabric) by interlacing long threads in two directions. b form (thread) into fabric in this way. 2 intr. a make fabric in this way. b work at a loom. 3 tr. make (a basket or wreath etc.) by interlacing rods or flowers etc. 4 tr. a (foll. by into) make (facts etc.) into a story or connected whole. b make (a story) in this way. --n. a style of weaving. [OE wefan f. Gmc] weave(2) v.intr. 1 move repeatedly from side to side; take an intricate course to avoid obstructions. 2 colloq. manoeuvre an aircraft in this way; take evasive action. Ьget weaving sl. begin action; hurry. [prob. f. ME weve, var. of waive f. ON veifa WAVE] weaver n. 1 a person whose occupation is weaving. 2 (in full weaver-bird) any tropical bird of the family Ploceidae, building elaborately woven nests. Ьweaver's knot a sheet bend (see SHEET(2)) used in weaving. web n. & v. --n. 1 a a woven fabric. b an amount woven in one piece. 2 a complete structure or connected series (a web of lies). 3 a cobweb, gossamer, or a similar product of a spinning creature. 4 a a membrane between the toes of a swimming animal or bird. b the vane of a bird's feather. 5 a a large roll of paper used in a continuous printing process. b an endless wire mesh on rollers, on which this is made. 6 a thin flat part connecting thicker or more solid parts in machinery etc. --v. (webbed, webbing) 1 tr. weave a web on. 2 intr. weave a web. Ьweb-footed having the toes connected by webs. web offset offset printing on a web of paper. web-wheel a wheel having a plate or web instead of spokes, or with rim, spokes, and centre in one piece as in watch-wheels. web-worm US a gregarious caterpillar spinning a large web in which to sleep or to feed on enclosed foliage. ЬЬwebbed adj. [OE web, webb f. Gmc] webbing n. strong narrow closely-woven fabric used for supporting upholstery, for belts, etc. weber n. the SI unit of magnetic flux, causing the electromotive force of one volt in a circuit of one turn when generated or removed in one second. °Abbr.: Wb. [W. E. Weber, Ger. physicist d. 1891] Wed. abbr. Wednesday. wed v.tr. & intr. (wedding; past and past part. wedded or wed) 1 usu. formal or literary a tr. & intr. marry. b tr. join in marriage. 2 tr. unite (wed efficiency to economy). 3 tr. (as wedded adj.) of or in marriage (wedded bliss). 4 tr. (as wedded adj.) (foll. by to) obstinately attached or devoted (to a pursuit etc.). [OE weddian to pledge f. Gmc] we'd contr. 1 we had. 2 we should; we would. wedding n. a marriage ceremony (considered by itself or with the associated celebrations). Ьwedding breakfast a meal etc. usually served between a wedding and the departure for the honeymoon. wedding cake a rich iced cake served at a wedding reception. wedding day the day or anniversary of a wedding. wedding march a march played at the entrance of the bride or the exit of the couple at a wedding. wedding night the night after a wedding (esp. with ref. to its consummation). wedding ring a ring worn by a married person. [OE weddung (as WED, -ING(1))] wedge(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a piece of wood or metal etc. tapering to a sharp edge, that is driven between two objects or parts of an object to secure or separate them. 2 anything resembling a wedge (a wedge of cheese; troops formed a wedge). 3 a golf club with a wedge-shaped head. 4 a a wedge-shaped heel. b a shoe with this. --v.tr. 1 tighten, secure, or fasten by means of a wedge (wedged the door open). 2 force open or apart with a wedge. 3 (foll. by in, into) pack or thrust (a thing or oneself) tightly in or into. Ьthin end of the wedge colloq. an action or procedure of little importance in itself, but likely to lead to more serious developments. wedge-shaped 1 shaped like a solid wedge. 2 V-shaped. ЬЬwedgelike adj. wedgewise adv. [OE wecg f. Gmc] wedge(2) v.tr. Pottery prepare (clay) for use by cutting, kneading, and throwing down. [17th c.: orig. uncert.] wedgie n. colloq. a shoe with an extended wedge-shaped heel. Wedgwood n. propr. 1 ceramic ware made by J. Wedgwood, Engl. potter d. 1795, and his successors, esp. a kind of fine stoneware usu. with a white cameo design. 2 the characteristic blue colour of this stoneware. wedlock n. the married state. Ьborn in (or out of) wedlock born of married (or unmarried) parents. [OE wedlac marriage vow f. wed pledge (rel. to WED) + -lac suffix denoting action] Wednesday n. & adv. --n. the fourth day of the week, following Tuesday. --adv. colloq. 1 on Wednesday. 2 (Wednesdays) on Wednesdays; each Wednesday. [ME wednesdei, OE wodnesd‘g day of (the god) Odin] Weds. abbr. Wednesday. wee(1) adj. (weer; weest) 1 esp. Sc. little; very small. 2 colloq. tiny; extremely small (a wee bit). [orig. Sc. noun, f. north.ME wei (small) quantity f. Anglian weg: cf. WEY] wee(2) n. esp. Brit. sl. = WEE-WEE. weed n. & v. --n. 1 a wild plant growing where it is not wanted. 2 a thin weak-looking person or horse. 3 (prec. by the) sl. a marijuana. b tobacco. --v. 1 tr. a clear (an area) of weeds. b remove unwanted parts from. 2 tr. (foll. by out) a sort out (inferior or unwanted parts etc.) for removal. b rid (a quantity or company) of inferior or unwanted members etc. 3 intr. cut off or uproot weeds. Ьweed-grown overgrown with weeds. weed-killer a substance used to destroy weeds. ЬЬweeder n. weedless adj. [OE weod, of unkn. orig.] weeds n.pl. (in full widow's weeds) archaic deep mourning worn by a widow. [OE w‘d(e) garment f. Gmc] weedy adj. (weedier, weediest) 1 having many weeds. 2 (esp. of a person) weak, feeble; of poor stature. ЬЬweediness n. week n. 1 a period of seven days reckoned usu. from and to midnight on Saturday-Sunday. 2 a period of seven days reckoned from any point (would like to stay for a week). 3 the six days between Sundays. 4 a the five days Monday to Friday. b a normal amount of work done in this period (a 35-hour week). 5 (in pl.) a long time; several weeks (have not seen you for weeks; did it weeks ago). 6 (prec. by a specified day) a week after (that day) (Tuesday week; tomorrow week). [OE wice f. Gmc, prob. orig. = sequence] weekday n. a day other than Sunday or other than at a weekend (often attrib.: a weekday afternoon). weekend n. & v. --n. 1 Sunday and Saturday or part of Saturday. 2 this period extended slightly esp. for a holiday or visit etc. (going away for the weekend; a weekend cottage). --v.intr. spend a weekend (decided to weekend in the country). weekender n. 1 a person who spends weekends away from home. 2 Austral. colloq. a holiday cottage. weeklong adj. lasting for a week. weekly adj., adv., & n. --adj. done, produced, or occurring once a week. --adv. once a week; from week to week. --n. (pl. -ies) a weekly newspaper or periodical. ween v.tr. archaic be of the opinion; think, suppose. [OE wenan f. Gmc] weeny adj. (weenier, weeniest) colloq. tiny. Ьweeny-bopper a girl like a teeny-bopper but younger. [WEE(1) after tiny, teeny] weep v. & n. --v. (past and past part. wept) 1 intr. shed tears. 2 a tr. & (foll. by for) intr. shed tears for; bewail, lament over. b tr. utter or express with tears ('Don't go,' he wept; wept her thanks). 3 a intr. be covered with or send forth drops. b intr. & tr. come or send forth in drops; exude liquid (weeping sore). 4 intr. (as weeping adj.) (of a tree) having drooping branches (weeping willow). --n. a fit or spell of weeping. Ьweep out utter with tears. ЬЬweepingly adv. [OE wepan f. Gmc (prob. imit.)] weeper n. 1 a person who weeps, esp. hist. a hired mourner at a funeral. 2 a small image of a mourner on a monument. 3 (in pl.) hist. a a man's crape hatband for funerals. b a widow's black crape veil or white cuffs. weepie n. (also weepy) (pl. -ies) colloq. a sentimental or emotional film, play, etc. weepy adj. (weepier, weepiest) colloq. inclined to weep; tearful. ЬЬweepily adv. weepiness n. weever n. any marine fish of the genus Trachinus, with sharp venomous dorsal spines. [perh. f. OF wivre, guivre, serpent, dragon, f. L vipera VIPER] weevil n. 1 any destructive beetle of the family Curculionidae, with its head extended into a beak or rostrum and feeding esp. on grain. 2 any insect damaging stored grain. ЬЬweevily adj. [ME f. MLG wevel f. Gmc] wee-wee n. & v. esp. Brit. sl. --n. 1 the act or an instance of urinating. 2 urine. --v.intr. (-wees, -weed) urinate. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] w.e.f. abbr. with effect from. weft(1) n. 1 a the threads woven across a warp to make fabric. b yarn for these. c a thing woven. 2 filling-strips in basket-weaving. [OE weft(a) f. Gmc: rel. to WEAVE(1)] weft(2) var. of WAFT n. 3. Wehrmacht n. hist. the German armed forces, esp. the army, from 1921 to 1945. [G, = defensive force] weigh(1) v. 1 tr. find the weight of. 2 tr. balance in the hands to guess or as if to guess the weight of. 3 tr. (often foll. by out) a take a definite weight of; take a specified weight from a larger quantity. b distribute in exact amounts by weight. 4 tr. a estimate the relative value, importance, or desirability of; consider with a view to choice, rejection, or preference (weighed the consequences; weighed the merits of the candidates). b (foll. by with, against) compare (one consideration with another). 5 tr. be equal to (a specified weight) (weighs three kilos; weighs very little). 6 intr. a have (esp. a specified) importance; exert an influence. b (foll. by with) be regarded as important by (the point that weighs with me). 7 intr. (often foll. by on) be heavy or burdensome (to); be depressing (to). Ьweigh anchor see ANCHOR. weigh down 1 bring or keep down by exerting weight. 2 be oppressive or burdensome to (weighed down with worries). weigh in (of a boxer before a contest, or a jockey after a race) be weighed. weigh-in n. the weighing of a boxer before a fight. weighing-machine a machine for weighing persons or large weights. weigh into colloq. attack (physically or verbally). weigh in with colloq. advance (an argument etc.) assertively or boldly. weigh out (of a jockey) be weighed before a race. weigh up colloq. form an estimate of; consider carefully. weigh one's words carefully choose the way one expresses something. ЬЬweighable adj. weigher n. [OE wegan f. Gmc, rel. to WAY] weigh(2) n. Ьunder weigh disp. = under way. [18th c.: from an erron. assoc. with weigh anchor] weighbridge n. a weighing-machine for vehicles, usu. having a plate set into the road for vehicles to drive on to. weight n. & v. --n. 1 Physics a the force experienced by a body as a result of the earth's gravitation (cf. MASS(1) n. 8). b any similar force with which a body tends to a centre of attraction. 2 the heaviness of a body regarded as a property of it; its relative mass or the quantity of matter contained by it giving rise to a downward force (is twice your weight; kept in position by its weight). 3 a the quantitative expression of a body's weight (has a weight of three pounds). b a scale of such weights (troy weight). 4 a body of a known weight for use in weighing. 5 a heavy body esp. used in a mechanism etc. (a clock worked by weights). 6 a load or burden (a weight off my mind). 7 a influence, importance (carried weight with the public). b preponderance (the weight of evidence was against them). 8 a heavy object thrown as an athletic exercise; = SHOT(1) 7. 9 the surface density of cloth etc. as a measure of its suitability. --v.tr. 1 a attach a weight to. b hold down with a weight or weights. 2 (foll. by with) impede or burden. 3 Statistics multiply the components of (an average) by factors to take account of their importance. 4 assign a handicap weight to (a horse). 5 treat (a fabric) with a mineral etc. to make it seem stouter. Ьput on weight 1 increase one's weight. 2 get fat. throw one's weight about (or around) colloq. be unpleasantly self-assertive. worth one's weight in gold (of a person) exceedingly useful or helpful. [OE (ge)wiht f. Gmc: cf. WEIGH(1)] weighting n. an extra allowance paid in special cases, esp. to allow for a higher cost of living (London weighting). weightless adj. (of a body, esp. in an orbiting spacecraft etc.) not apparently acted on by gravity. ЬЬweightlessly adv. weightlessness n. weightlifting n. the sport or exercise of lifting a heavy weight, esp. a barbell. ЬЬweightlifter n. weighty adj. (weightier, weightiest) 1 weighing much; heavy. 2 momentous, important. 3 (of utterances etc.) deserving consideration; careful and serious. 4 influential, authoritative. ЬЬweightily adv. weightiness n. Weimaraner n. a usu. grey dog of a variety of pointer used as a gun dog. [G, f. Weimar in Germany, where it was developed] weir n. 1 a dam built across a river to raise the level of water upstream or regulate its flow. 2 an enclosure of stakes etc. set in a stream as a trap for fish. [OE wer f. werian dam up] weird adj. & n. --adj. 1 uncanny, supernatural. 2 colloq. strange, queer, incomprehensible. 3 archaic connected with fate. --n. esp. Sc. archaic fate, destiny. Ьthe weird sisters 1 the Fates. 2 witches. ЬЬweirdly adv. weirdness n. [(earlier as noun) f. OE wyrd destiny f. Gmc] weirdie n. (also weirdy) (pl. -ies) colloq. = WEIRDO. weirdo n. (pl. -os) colloq. an odd or eccentric person. Weismannism n. the theory of heredity assuming continuity of germ-plasm and non-transmission of acquired characteristics. [A. Weismann, Ger. biologist d. 1914] weka n. any flightless New Zealand rail of the genus Gallirallus. [Maori: imit. of its cry] Welch var. of WELSH (now only in Royal Welch Fusiliers). welch var. of WELSH. welcome n., int., v., & adj. --n. the act or an instance of greeting or receiving (a person, idea, etc.) gladly; a kind or glad reception (gave them a warm welcome). --int. expressing such a greeting (welcome!; welcome home!). --v.tr. receive with a welcome (welcomed them home; would welcome the opportunity). --adj. 1 that one receives with pleasure (a welcome guest; welcome news). 2 (foll. by to, or to + infin.) a cordially allowed or invited; released of obligation (you are welcome to use my car). b iron. gladly given (an unwelcome task, thing, etc.) (here's my work and you are welcome to it). Ьmake welcome receive hospitably. outstay one's welcome stay too long as a visitor etc. you are welcome there is no need for thanks. ЬЬwelcomely adv. welcomeness n. welcomer n. welcomingly adv. [orig. OE wilcuma one whose coming is pleasing f. wil- desire, pleasure + cuma comer, with later change to wel- WELL(1) after OF bien venu or ON velkominn] weld(1) v. & n. --v.tr. 1 a hammer or press (pieces of iron or other metal usu. heated but not melted) into one piece. b join by fusion with an electric arc etc. c form by welding into some article. 2 fashion (arguments, members of a group, etc.) into an effectual or homogeneous whole. --n. a welded joint. ЬЬweldable adj. weldability n. welder n. [alt. of WELL(2) v. in obs. sense 'melt or weld (heated metal)', prob. infl. by past part.] weld(2) n. 1 a plant, Reseda luteola, yielding a yellow dye. 2 hist. this dye. [ME f. OE w(e)alde (unrecorded): cf. MDu. woude, MLG walde] welfare n. 1 well-being, happiness; health and prosperity (of a person or a community etc.). 2 (Welfare) a the maintenance of persons in such a condition esp. by statutory procedure or social effort. b financial support given for this purpose. Ьwelfare state 1 a system whereby the State undertakes to protect the health and well-being of its citizens, esp. those in financial or social need, by means of grants, pensions, etc. 2 a country practising this system. welfare work organized effort for the welfare of the poor, disabled, etc. [ME f. WELL(1) + FARE] welfarism n. principles characteristic of a welfare state. ЬЬwelfarist n. welkin n. poet. sky; the upper air. [OE wolcen cloud, sky] well(1) adv., adj., & int. --adv. (better, best) 1 in a satisfactory way (you have worked well). 2 in the right way (well said; you did well to tell me). 3 with some talent or distinction (plays the piano well). 4 in a kind way (treated me well). 5 thoroughly, carefully (polish it well). 6 with heartiness or approval; favourably (speak well of; the book was well reviewed). 7 probably, reasonably, advisably (you may well be right; you may well ask; we might well take the risk). 8 to a considerable extent (is well over forty). 9 successfully, fortunately (it turned out well). 10 luckily, opportunely (well met!). 11 with a fortunate outcome; without disaster (were well rid of them). 12 profitably (did well for themselves). 13 comfortably, abundantly, liberally (we live well here; the job pays well). --adj. (better, best) 1 (usu. predic.) in good health (are you well?; was not a well person). 2 (predic.) a in a satisfactory state or position (all is well). b advisable (it would be well to enquire). --int. expressing surprise, resignation, insistence, etc., or resumption or continuation of talk, used esp. after a pause in speaking (well I never!; well, I suppose so; well, who was it?). Ьas well 1 in addition; to an equal extent. 2 (also just as well) with equal reason; with no loss of advantage or need for regret (may as well give up; it would be just as well to stop now). as well as in addition to. leave (or let) well alone avoid needless change or disturbance. well-acquainted (usu. foll. by with) familiar. well-adjusted 1 in a good state of adjustment. 2 Psychol. mentally and emotionally stable. well-advised (usu. foll. by to + infin.) (of a person) prudent (would be well-advised to wait). well-affected (often foll. by to, towards) favourably disposed. well and good expressing dispassionate acceptance of a decision etc. well and truly decisively, completely. well-appointed having all the necessary equipment. well aware certainly aware (well aware of the danger). well away 1 having made considerable progress. 2 colloq. fast asleep or drunk. well-balanced 1 sane, sensible. 2 equally matched. well-behaved see BEHAVE. well-being a state of being well, healthy, contented, etc. well-beloved adj. dearly loved. --n. (pl. same) a dearly loved person. well-born of noble family. well-bred having or showing good breeding or manners. well-built 1 of good construction. 2 (of a person) big and strong and well-proportioned. well-chosen (of words etc.) carefully selected for effect. well-conditioned in good physical or moral condition. well-conducted (of a meeting etc.) properly organized and controlled. well-connected see CONNECTED. well-covered colloq. plump, corpulent. well-defined clearly indicated or determined. well-deserved rightfully merited or earned. well-disposed (often foll. by towards) having a good disposition or friendly feeling (for). well done 1 (of meat etc.) thoroughly cooked. 2 (of a task etc.) performed well (also as int.). well-dressed fashionably smart. well-earned fully deserved. well-endowed 1 well provided with talent etc. 2 colloq. sexually potent or attractive. well-favoured good-looking. well-fed having or having had plenty to eat. well-found = well-appointed. well-founded (of suspicions etc.) based on good evidence; having a foundation in fact or reason. well-groomed (of a person) with carefully tended hair, clothes, etc. well-grounded 1 = well-founded. 2 having a good training in or knowledge of the groundwork of a subject. well-heeled colloq. wealthy. well-hung colloq. (of a man) having large genitals. well-informed having much knowledge or information about a subject. well-intentioned having or showing good intentions. well-judged opportunely, skilfully, or discreetly done. well-kept kept in good order or condition. well-knit (esp. of a person) compact; not loose-jointed or sprawling. well-known 1 known to many. 2 known thoroughly. well-made 1 strongly or skilfully manufactured. 2 (of a person or animal) having a good build. well-mannered having good manners. well-marked distinct; easy to detect. well-matched see MATCH(1). well-meaning (or -meant) well-intentioned (but ineffective or unwise). well off 1 having plenty of money. 2 in a fortunate situation or circumstances. well-oiled colloq. 1 drunk. 2 (of a compliment etc.) easily expressed through habitual use. well-ordered arranged in an orderly manner. well-paid 1 (of a job) that pays well. 2 (of a person) amply rewarded for a job. well-pleased highly gratified or satisfied. well-preserved see PRESERVE. well-read knowledgeable through much reading. well-received welcomed; favourably received. well-rounded 1 complete and symmetrical. 2 (of a phrase etc.) complete and well expressed. 3 (of a person) having or showing a fully developed personality, ability, etc. well-spent (esp. of money or time) used profitably. well-spoken articulate or refined in speech. well-thought-of having a good reputation; esteemed, respected. well-thought-out carefully devised. well-thumbed bearing marks of frequent handling. well-timed opportune, timely. well-to-do prosperous. well-tried often tested with good results. well-trodden much frequented. well-turned 1 (of a compliment, phrase, or verse) elegantly expressed. 2 (of a leg, ankle, etc.) elegantly shaped or displayed. well-upholstered see UPHOLSTER. well-wisher a person who wishes one well. well-woman a woman who has undergone satisfactory gynaecological tests (often attrib.: well-woman clinic). well-worn 1 much worn by use. 2 (of a phrase etc.) trite, hackneyed. well worth certainly worth (well worth a visit; well worth visiting). °A hyphen is normally used in combinations of well- when used attributively, but not when used predicatively, e.g. a well-made coat but the coat is well made. ЬЬwellness n. [OE wel, well prob. f. the same stem as WILL(1)] well(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a shaft sunk into the ground to obtain water, oil, etc. 2 an enclosed space like a well-shaft, e.g. in the middle of a building for stairs or a lift, or for light or ventilation. 3 (foll. by of) a source, esp. a copious one (a well of information). 4 a a mineral spring. b (in pl.) a spa. 5 = ink-well. 6 archaic a water-spring or fountain. 7 Brit. a railed space for solicitors etc. in a lawcourt. 8 a depression for gravy etc. in a dish or tray, or for a mat in the floor. 9 Physics a region of minimum potential etc. --v.intr. (foll. by out, up) spring as from a fountain; flow copiously. Ьwell-head (or -spring) a source. [OE wella (= OHG wella wave, ON vella boiling heat), wellan boil, melt f. Gmc] we'll contr. we shall; we will. wellies n.pl. Brit. colloq. wellingtons. [abbr.] wellington n. (in full wellington boot) Brit. a waterproof rubber or plastic boot usu. reaching the knee. [after the 1st Duke of Wellington, Brit. general and statesman d. 1852] wellnigh adv. archaic or rhet. almost (wellnigh impossible). Welsh adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to Wales or its people or language. --n. 1 the Celtic language of Wales. 2 (prec. by the; treated as pl.) the people of Wales. ЬWelsh corgi see CORGI. Welsh dresser a type of dresser with open shelves above a cupboard. Welsh harp a harp with three rows of strings. Welsh onion a species of onion, Allium fistulosum, forming clusters of bulbs. Welsh rabbit (or rarebit by folk etymology) a dish of melted cheese etc. on toast. [OE Welisc, W‘lisc, etc., f. Gmc f. L Volcae, the name of a Celtic people] welsh v.intr. (also welch) 1 (of a loser of a bet, esp. a bookmaker) decamp without paying. 2 evade an obligation. 3 (foll. by on) a fail to carry out a promise to (a person). b fail to honour (an obligation). ЬЬwelsher n. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] Welshman n. (pl. -men) a man who is Welsh by birth or descent. Welshwoman n. (pl. -women) a woman who is Welsh by birth or descent. welt n. & v. --n. 1 a leather rim sewn round the edge of a shoe-upper for the sole to be attached to. 2 = WEAL(1). 3 a ribbed or reinforced border of a garment; a trimming. 4 a heavy blow. --v.tr. 1 provide with a welt. 2 rain welts on; thrash. [ME welte, walt, of unkn. orig.] Weltanschauung n. a particular philosophy or view of life; a conception of the world. [G f. Welt world + Anschauung perception] welter(1) v. & n. --v.intr. 1 roll, wallow; be washed about. 2 (foll. by in) lie prostrate or be soaked or steeped in blood etc. --n. 1 a state of general confusion. 2 (foll. by of) a disorderly mixture or contrast of beliefs, policies, etc. [ME f. MDu., MLG welteren] welter(2) n. 1 a heavy rider or boxer. 2 colloq. a heavy blow. 3 colloq. a big person or thing. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] welterweight n. 1 a weight in certain sports intermediate between lightweight and middleweight, in the amateur boxing scale 63.5-67 kg but differing for professionals, wrestlers, and weightlifters. 2 a sportsman of this weight. Ьjunior welterweight 1 a weight in professional boxing of 61.2-63.5 kg. 2 a professional boxer of this weight. light welterweight 1 a weight in amateur boxing of 60-63.5 kg. 2 an amateur boxer of this weight. Weltschmerz n. a feeling of pessimism; an apathetic or vaguely yearning outlook on life. [G f. Welt world + Schmerz pain] wen(1) n. 1 a benign tumour on the skin esp. of the scalp. 2 an outstandingly large or congested city. Ьthe great wen London. [OE wen, wenn, of unkn. orig.: cf. Du. wen, MLG wene, LG wehne tumour, wart] wen(2) n. (also wyn) a runic letter in Old and Middle English, later replaced by w. [OE, var. of wyn joy (see WINSOME), used because it begins with this letter: cf. THORN 3] wench n. & v. --n. 1 joc. a girl or young woman. 2 archaic a prostitute. --v.intr. archaic (of a man) consort with prostitutes. ЬЬwencher n. [ME wenche, wenchel f. OE wencel child: cf. OE wancol weak, tottering] Wend n. a member of a Slavic people of N. Germany, now inhabiting E. Saxony. ЬЬWendic adj. Wendish adj. [G Wende f. OHG Winida, of unkn. orig.] wend v.tr. & intr. literary or archaic go. Ьwend one's way make one's way. [OE wendan turn f. Gmc, rel. to WIND(2)] Wendy house n. a children's small houselike tent or structure for playing in. [after the house built around Wendy in Barrie's Peter Pan] Wensleydale n. 1 a variety of white or blue cheese. 2 a a sheep of a breed with long wool. b this breed. [Wensleydale in Yorkshire] went past of GO(1). wentletrap n. any marine snail of the genus Clathrus, with a spiral shell of many whorls. [Du. wenteltrap winding stair, spiral shell] wept past of WEEP. were 2nd sing. past, pl. past, and past subj. of BE. we're contr. we are. weren't contr. were not. werewolf n. (also werwolf) (pl. -wolves) a mythical being who at times changes from a person to a wolf. [OE werewulf: first element perh. f. OE wer man = L vir] wert archaic 2nd sing. past of BE. Wesleyan adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to a Protestant denomination founded by the English evangelist John Wesley (d. 1791) (cf. METHODIST). --n. a member of this denomination. ЬЬWesleyanism n. west n., adj., & adv. --n. 1 a the point of the horizon where the sun sets at the equinoxes (cardinal point 90ш to the left of north). b the compass point corresponding to this. c the direction in which this lies. 2 (usu. the West) a European in contrast to Oriental civilization. b the non-Communist States of Europe and N. America. c the western part of the late Roman Empire. d the western part of a country, town, etc. 3 Bridge a player occupying the position designated 'west'. --adj. 1 towards, at, near, or facing west. 2 coming from the west (west wind). --adv. 1 towards, at, or near the west. 2 (foll. by of) further west than. Ьgo west sl. be killed or destroyed etc. West Bank a region west of the River Jordan assigned to Jordan in 1948 and occupied by Israel since 1967. West Country the south-western counties of England. West End the entertainment and shopping area of London to the west of the City. West Indian 1 a native or national of any island of the West Indies. 2 a person of West Indian descent. West Indies the islands of Central America, including Cuba and the Bahamas. west-north- (or south-) west the direction or compass-point midway between west and north-west (or south-west). West Side US the western part of Manhattan. [OE f. Gmc] westbound adj. travelling or leading westwards. westering adj. (of the sun) nearing the west. [wester (v.) ME f. WEST] westerly adj., adv., & n. --adj. & adv. 1 in a western position or direction. 2 (of a wind) blowing from the west. --n. (pl. -ies) a wind blowing from the west. [wester (adj.) f. OE westra f. WEST] western adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or in the west; inhabiting the west. 2 lying or directed towards the west. 3 (Western) of or relating to the West (see WEST n. 2). --n. a film or novel about cowboys in western North America. ЬWestern Church the part of Christendom that has continued to derive its authority, doctrine, and ritual from the popes in Rome. Western hemisphere the half of the earth containing the Americas. Western roll a technique of turning the body over the bar in high-jumping. ЬЬwesternmost adj. [OE westerne (as WEST, -ERN)] westerner n. a native or inhabitant of the west. westernize v.tr. (also Westernize, -ise) influence with or convert to the ideas and customs etc. of the West. ЬЬwesternization n. westernizer n. westing n. Naut. the distance travelled or the angle of longitude measured westward from either a defined north-south grid line or a meridian. Westminster n. the Parliament at Westminster in London. westward adj., adv., & n. --adj. & adv. (also westwards) towards the west. --n. a westward direction or region. wet adj., v., & n. --adj. (wetter, wettest) 1 soaked, covered, or dampened with water or other liquid (a wet sponge; a wet surface; got my feet wet). 2 (of the weather etc.) rainy (a wet day). 3 (of paint, ink, etc.) not yet dried. 4 used with water (wet shampoo). 5 Brit. colloq. feeble, inept. 6 Brit. Polit. colloq. Conservative with liberal tendencies, esp. as regarded by right-wing Conservatives. 7 sl. (of a country, of legislation, etc.) allowing the free sale of alcoholic drink. 8 (of a baby or young child) incontinent (is still wet at night). --v.tr. (wetting; past and past part. wet or wetted) 1 make wet. 2 a urinate in or on (wet the bed). b refl. urinate involuntarily. --n. 1 moisture; liquid that wets something. 2 rainy weather; a time of rain. 3 Brit. colloq. a feeble or inept person. 4 Brit. Polit. colloq. a Conservative with liberal tendencies (see sense 6 of adj.). 5 colloq. a drink. Ьwet the baby's head colloq. celebrate its birth with a (usu. alcoholic) drink. wet behind the ears immature, inexperienced. wet blanket see BLANKET. wet dock a dock in which a ship can float. wet dream an erotic dream with involuntary ejaculation of semen. wet fly an artificial fly used under water by an angler. wet look a shiny surface given to clothing materials. wet-nurse n. a woman employed to suckle another's child. --v.tr. 1 act as a wet-nurse to. 2 colloq. treat as if helpless. wet pack the therapeutic wrapping of the body in wet cloths etc. wet suit a close-fitting rubber garment worn by skin-divers etc. to keep warm. wet through (or to the skin) with one's clothes soaked. wetting agent a substance that helps water etc. to spread or penetrate. wet one's whistle colloq. drink. ЬЬwetly adv. wetness n. wettable adj. wetting n. wettish adj. [OE w‘t (adj. & n.), w‘tan (v.), rel. to WATER: in ME replaced by past part. of the verb] wetback n. US colloq. an illegal immigrant from Mexico to the US. [WET + BACK: from the practice of swimming the Rio Grande to reach the US] wether n. a castrated ram. [OE f. Gmc] wetlands n.pl. swamps and other damp areas of land. we've contr. we have. wey n. a former unit of weight or volume varying with different kinds of goods, e.g. 3 cwt. of cheese. [OE w‘g(e) balance, weight f. Gmc, rel. to WEIGH(1)] w.f. abbr. Printing wrong fount. WFTU abbr. World Federation of Trade Unions. Wg. Cdr. abbr. Wing Commander. whack v. & n. colloq. --v.tr. 1 strike or beat forcefully with a sharp blow. 2 (as whacked adj.) esp. Brit. tired out; exhausted. --n. 1 a sharp or resounding blow. 2 sl. a share. Ьhave a whack at sl. attempt. out of whack esp. US sl. out of order; malfunctioning. ЬЬwhacker n. whacking n. [imit., or alt. of THWACK] whacking adj. & adv. colloq. --adj. very large. --adv. very (a whacking great skyscraper). whacko int. sl. expressing delight or enjoyment. whacky var. of WACKY. whale(1) n. (pl. same or whales) any of the larger marine mammals of the order Cetacea, having a streamlined body and horizontal tail, and breathing through a blowhole on the head. Ьa whale of a colloq. an exceedingly good or fine etc. whale-oil oil from the blubber of whales. whale shark a large tropical whalelike shark, Rhincodon typus, feeding close to the surface. [OE hw‘l] whale(2) v.tr. esp. US colloq. beat, thrash. [var. of WALE] whaleback n. anything shaped like a whale's back. whaleboat n. a double-bowed boat of a kind used in whaling. whalebone n. an elastic horny substance growing in thin parallel plates in the upper jaw of some whales, used as stiffening etc. Ьwhalebone whale a baleen whale. whaler n. 1 a whaling ship or a seaman engaged in whaling. 2 an Australian shark of the genus Carcharhinus. 3 Austral. sl. a tramp. whaling n. the practice or industry of hunting and killing whales, esp. for their oil or whalebone. Ьwhaling-master the captain of a whaler. wham int., n., & v. colloq. --int. expressing the sound of a forcible impact. --n. such a sound. --v. (whammed, whamming) 1 intr. make such a sound or impact. 2 tr. strike forcibly. [imit.] whammy n. (pl. -ies) US colloq. an evil or unlucky influence. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] whang v. & n. colloq. --v. 1 tr. strike heavily and loudly; whack. 2 intr. (of a drum etc.) sound under or as under a blow. --n. a whanging sound or blow. [imit.] whangee n. 1 a Chinese or Japanese bamboo of the genus Phyllostachys. 2 a cane made from this. [Chin. huang old bamboo-sprouts] whare n. a Maori hut or house. [Maori] wharf n. & v. --n. (pl. wharves or wharfs) a level quayside area to which a ship may be moved to load and unload. --v.tr. 1 moor (a ship) at a wharf. 2 store (goods) on a wharf. [OE hwearf] wharfage n. 1 accommodation at a wharf. 2 a fee for this. wharfie n. Austral. & NZ colloq. a waterside worker; a wharf-labourer. wharfinger n. an owner or keeper of a wharf. [prob. ult. f. WHARFAGE] wharves pl. of WHARF. what adj., pron., & adv. --interrog.adj. 1 asking for a choice from an indefinite number or for a statement of amount, number, or kind (what books have you read?; what news have you?). 2 colloq. = WHICH interrog.adj. (what book have you chosen?). --adj. (usu. in exclam.) how great or remarkable (what luck!). --rel.adj. the or any ... that (will give you what help I can). --pron. (corresp. to the functions of the adj.) 1 what thing or things? (what is your name?; I don't know what you mean). 2 (asking for a remark to be repeated) = what did you say? 3 asking for confirmation or agreement of something not completely understood (you did what?; what, you really mean it?). 4 how much (what you must have suffered!). 5 (as rel.pron.) that or those which; a or the or any thing which (what followed was worse; tell me what you think). --adv. to what extent (what does it matter?). Ьwhat about what is the news or position or your opinion of (what about me?; what about a game of tennis?). what-d'you-call-it (or what's-its-name) a substitute for a name not recalled. what ever what at all or in any way (what ever do you mean?) (see also WHATEVER). what for colloq. 1 for what reason? 2 a severe reprimand (esp. give a person what for). what have you colloq. (prec. by or) anything else similar. what if? 1 what would result etc. if. 2 what would it matter if. what is more and as an additional point; moreover. what next? colloq. what more absurd, shocking, or surprising thing is possible? what not (prec. by and) other similar things. what of? what is the news concerning? what of it? why should that be considered significant? what's-his (or -its) -name = what-d'you-call-it. what's what colloq. what is useful or important etc. what with colloq. because of (usu. several things). [OE hw‘t f. Gmc] whate'er poet. var. of WHATEVER. whatever adj. & pron. 1 = WHAT (in relative uses) with the emphasis on indefiniteness (lend me whatever you can; whatever money you have). 2 though anything (we are safe whatever happens). 3 (with neg. or interrog.) at all; of any kind (there is no doubt whatever). 4 colloq. = what ever. Ьor whatever colloq. or anything similar. whatnot n. 1 an indefinite or trivial thing. 2 a stand with shelves for small objects. whatso adj. & pron. archaic = WHATEVER 1, 2. [ME, = WHAT + SO, f. OE swa hw‘t swa] whatsoe'er poet. var. of WHATSOEVER. whatsoever adj. & pron. = WHATEVER 1, 2, 3. whaup n. esp. Sc. a curlew. [imit. of its cry] wheal var. of WEAL(1). wheat n. 1 any cereal plant of the genus Triticum, bearing dense four-sided seed-spikes. 2 its grain, used in making flour etc. Ьseparate the wheat from the chaff see CHAFF. wheat-belt a region where wheat is the chief agricultural product. wheat germ the embryo of the wheat grain, extracted as a source of vitamins. wheat-grass = couch grass (see COUCH(2)). [OE hw‘te f. Gmc, rel. to WHITE] wheatear n. any small migratory bird of the genus Oenanthe, esp. with a white belly and rump. [app. f. wheatears (as WHITE, ARSE)] wheaten adj. made of wheat. wheatmeal n. flour made from wheat with some of the bran and germ removed. Wheatstone bridge n. an apparatus for measuring electrical resistances by equalizing the potential at two points of a circuit. [C. Wheatstone, Engl. physicist d. 1875] whee int. expressing delight or excitement. [imit.] wheedle v.tr. 1 coax by flattery or endearments. 2 (foll. by out) a get (a thing) out of a person by wheedling. b cheat (a person) out of a thing by wheedling. ЬЬwheedler n. wheedling adj. wheedlingly adv. [perh. f. G wedeln fawn, cringe f. Wedel tail] wheel n. & v. --n. 1 a circular frame or disc arranged to revolve on an axle and used to facilitate the motion of a vehicle or for various mechanical purposes. 2 a wheel-like thing (Catherine wheel; potter's wheel; steering wheel). 3 motion as of a wheel, esp. the movement of a line of people with one end as a pivot. 4 a machine etc. of which a wheel is an essential part. 5 (in pl.) sl. a car. 6 US sl. = big wheel 2. 7 a set of short lines concluding a stanza. --v. 1 intr. & tr. a turn on an axis or pivot. b swing round in line with one end as a pivot. 2 a intr. (often foll. by about, round) change direction or face another way. b tr. cause to do this. 3 tr. push or pull (a wheeled thing esp. a barrow, bicycle, or pram, or its load or occupant). 4 intr. go in circles or curves (seagulls wheeling overhead). Ьat the wheel 1 driving a vehicle. 2 directing a ship. 3 in control of affairs. on wheels (or oiled wheels) smoothly. wheel and deal engage in political or commercial scheming. wheel-back adj. (of a chair) with a back shaped like or containing the design of a wheel. wheel-house a steersman's shelter. wheel-lock 1 an old kind of gunlock having a steel wheel to rub against flint etc. 2 a gun with this. wheel of Fortune luck. wheel-spin rotation of a vehicle's wheels without traction. wheels within wheels 1 intricate machinery. 2 colloq. indirect or secret agencies. ЬЬwheeled adj. (also in comb.). wheelless adj. [OE hweol, hweogol f. Gmc] wheelbarrow n. a small cart with one wheel and two shafts for carrying garden loads etc. wheelbase n. the distance between the front and rear axles of a vehicle. wheelchair n. a chair on wheels for an invalid or disabled person. wheeler n. 1 (in comb.) a vehicle having a specified number of wheels. 2 a wheelwright. 3 a horse harnessed next to the wheels and behind another. Ьwheeler-dealer a person who wheels and deals. wheelie n. sl. the stunt of riding a bicycle or motor cycle for a short distance with the front wheel off the ground. wheelman n. esp. US 1 a driver of a wheeled vehicle. 2 a helmsman. wheelsman n. (pl. -men) US a steersman. wheelwright n. a person who makes or repairs esp. wooden wheels. wheeze v. & n. --v. 1 intr. breathe with an audible chesty whistling sound. 2 tr. (often foll. by out) utter in this way. --n. 1 a sound of wheezing. 2 colloq. a Brit. a clever scheme. b an actor's interpolated joke etc. c a catch-phrase. ЬЬwheezer n. wheezingly adv. wheezy adj. (wheezier, wheeziest). wheezily adv. wheeziness n. [prob. f. ON hv‘sa to hiss] whelk(1) n. any predatory marine gastropod mollusc of the family Buccinidae, esp. the edible kind of the genus Baccinum, having a spiral shell. [OE wioloc, weoloc, of unkn. orig.: perh. infl. by WHELK(2)] whelk(2) n. a pimple. [OE hwylca f. hwelian suppurate] whelm v.tr. poet. 1 engulf, submerge. 2 crush with weight, overwhelm. [OE hwelman (unrecorded) = hwylfan overturn] whelp n. & v. --n. 1 a young dog; a puppy. 2 archaic a cub. 3 an ill-mannered child or youth. 4 (esp. in pl.) a projection on the barrel of a capstan or windlass. --v.tr. (also absol.) 1 bring forth (a whelp or whelps). 2 derog. (of a human mother) give birth to. 3 originate (an evil scheme etc.). [OE hwelp] when adv., conj., pron., & n. --interrog.adv. 1 at what time? 2 on what occasion? 3 how soon? 4 how long ago? --rel.adv. (prec. by time etc.) at or on which (there are times when I could cry). --conj. 1 at the or any time that; as soon as (come when you like; come when ready; when I was your age). 2 although; considering that (why stand up when you could sit down?). 3 after which; and then; but just then (was nearly asleep when the bell rang). --pron. what time? (till when can you stay?; since when it has been better). --n. time, occasion, date (fixed the where and when). [OE hwanne, hwenne] whence adv. & conj. formal --adv. from what place? (whence did they come?). --conj. 1 to the place from which (return whence you came). 2 (often prec. by place etc.) from which (the source whence these errors arise). 3 and thence (whence it follows that). °Use of from whence as in the place from whence they came, though common, is generally considered incorrect. [ME whannes, whennes f. whanne, whenne f. OE hwanon(e) whence, formed as WHEN + -S(3): cf. THENCE] whencesoever adv. & conj. formal from whatever place or source. whene'er poet. var. of WHENEVER. whenever conj. & adv. 1 at whatever time; on whatever occasion. 2 every time that. Ьor whenever colloq. or at any similar time. whensoe'er poet. var. of WHENSOEVER. whensoever conj. & adv. formal = WHENEVER. where adv., conj., pron., & n. --interrog.adv. 1 in or to what place or position? (where is the milk?; where are you going?). 2 in what direction or respect? (where does the argument lead?; where does it concern us?). 3 in what book etc.?; from whom? (where did you read that?; where did you hear that?). 4 in what situation or condition? (where does that leave us?). --rel.adv. (prec. by place etc.) in or to which (places where they meet). --conj. 1 in or to the or any place, direction, or respect in which (go where you like; that is where you are wrong; delete where applicable). 2 and there (reached Crewe, where the car broke down). --pron. what place? (where do you come from?; where are you going to?). --n. place; scene of something (see WHEN n.). [OE hw‘r, hwar] whereabouts adv. & n. --adv. where or approximately where? (whereabouts are they?; show me whereabouts to look). --n. (as sing. or pl.) a person's or thing's location roughly defined. whereafter conj. formal after which. whereas conj. 1 in contrast or comparison with the fact that. 2 (esp. in legal preambles) taking into consideration the fact that. whereat conj. archaic 1 at which place or point. 2 for which reason. whereby conj. by what or which means. where'er poet. var. of WHEREVER. wherefore adv. & n. --adv. archaic 1 for what reason? 2 for which reason. --n. a reason (the whys and wherefores). wherefrom conj. archaic from which, from where. wherein conj. & adv. formal --conj. in what or which place or respect. --adv. in what place or respect? whereof conj. & adv. formal --conj. of what or which (the means whereof). --adv. of what? whereon conj. & adv. archaic --conj. on what or which. --adv. on what? wheresoe'er poet. var. of WHERESOEVER. wheresoever conj. & adv. formal or literary = WHEREVER. whereto conj. & adv. formal --conj. to what or which. --adv. to what? whereupon conj. immediately after which. wherever adv. & conj. --adv. in or to whatever place. --conj. in every place that. Ьor wherever colloq. or in any similar place. wherewithal n. colloq. money etc. needed for a purpose (has not the wherewithal to do it). wherry n. (pl. -ies) 1 a light rowing-boat usu. for carrying passengers. 2 a large light barge. [ME: orig. unkn.] wherryman n. (pl. -men) a man employed on a wherry. whet v. & n. --v.tr. (whetted, whetting) 1 sharpen (a scythe or other tool) by grinding. 2 stimulate (the appetite or a desire, interest, etc.). --n. 1 the act or an instance of whetting. 2 a small quantity stimulating one's appetite for more. ЬЬwhetter n. (also in comb.). [OE hwettan f. Gmc] whether conj. introducing the first or both of alternative possibilities (I doubt whether it matters; I do not know whether they have arrived or not). Ьwhether or no see NO(2). [OE hw‘ther, hwether f. Gmc] whetstone n. 1 a tapered stone used with water to sharpen curved tools, e.g. sickles, hooks (cf. OILSTONE). 2 a thing that sharpens the senses etc. whew int. expressing surprise, consternation, or relief. [imit.: cf. PHEW] whey n. the watery liquid left when milk forms curds. Ьwhey-faced pale esp. with fear. [OE hw‘g, hweg f. LG] which adj. & pron. --interrog.adj. asking for choice from a definite set of alternatives (which John do you mean?; say which book you prefer; which way shall we go?). --rel.adj. being the one just referred to; and this or these (ten years, during which time they admitted nothing; a word of advice, which action is within your power, will set things straight). --interrog.pron. 1 which person or persons (which of you is responsible?). 2 which thing or things (say which you prefer). --rel.pron. (poss. of which, whose) 1 which thing or things, usu. introducing a clause not essential for identification (cf. THAT pron. 7) (the house, which is empty, has been damaged). 2 used in place of that after in or that (there is the house in which I was born; that which you have just seen). Ьwhich is which a phrase used when two or more persons or things are difficult to distinguish from each other. [OE hwilc f. Gmc] whichever adj. & pron. 1 any which (take whichever you like; whichever one you like). 2 no matter which (whichever one wins, they both get a prize). whichsoever adj. & pron. archaic = WHICHEVER. whidah var. of WHYDAH. whiff n. & v. --n. 1 a puff or breath of air, smoke, etc. (went outside for a whiff of fresh air). 2 a smell (caught the whiff of a cigar). 3 (foll. by of) a trace or suggestion of scandal etc. 4 a small cigar. 5 a minor discharge (of grapeshot etc.). 6 a light narrow outrigged sculling-boat. --v. 1 tr. & intr. blow or puff lightly. 2 intr. Brit. smell (esp. unpleasant). 3 tr. get a slight smell of. [imit.] whiffle v. & n. --v. 1 intr. & tr. (of the wind) blow lightly, shift about. 2 intr. be variable or evasive. 3 intr. (of a flame, leaves, etc.) flicker, flutter. 4 intr. make the sound of a light wind in breathing etc. --n. a slight movement of air. ЬЬwhiffler n. [WHIFF + -LE(4)] whiffletree n. US = SWINGLETREE. [var. of WHIPPLETREE] whiffy adj. colloq. (whiffier, whiffiest) having an unpleasant smell. Whig n. hist. 1 Polit. a member of the British reforming and constitutional party that after 1688 sought the supremacy of Parliament and was eventually succeeded in the 19th c. by the Liberal Party (opp. TORY 2). 2 a 17th-c. Scottish Presbyterian. 3 US a a supporter of the American Revolution. b a member of an American political party in the 19th c., succeeded by the Republicans. ЬЬWhiggery n. Whiggish adj. Whiggism n. [prob. a shortening of Sc. whiggamer, -more, nickname of 17th-c. Sc. rebels, f. whig to drive + MARE(1)] while n., conj., v., & adv. --n. 1 a space of time, time spent in some action (a long while ago; waited a while; all this while). 2 (prec. by the) a during some other process. b poet. during the time that. 3 (prec. by a) for some time (have not seen you a while). --conj. 1 during the time that; for as long as; at the same time as (while I was away, the house was burgled; fell asleep while reading). 2 in spite of the fact that; although, whereas (while I want to believe it, I cannot). 3 N.Engl. until (wait while Monday). --v.tr. (foll. by away) pass (time etc.) in a leisurely or interesting manner. --rel.adv. (prec. by time etc.) during which (the summer while I was abroad). Ьall the while during the whole time (that). for a long while for a long time past. for a while for some time. a good (or great) while a considerable time. in a while (or little while) soon, shortly. worth while (or one's while) worth the time or effort spent. [OE hwil f. Gmc: (conj.) abbr. of OE tha hwile the, ME the while that] whiles conj. archaic = WHILE. [orig. in the adverbs somewhiles, otherwhiles] whilom adv. & adj. archaic --adv. formerly, once. --adj. former, erstwhile (my whilom friend). [OE hwilum dative pl. of hwil WHILE] whilst adv. & conj. esp. Brit. while. [ME f. WHILES: cf. AGAINST] whim n. 1 a a sudden fancy; a caprice. b capriciousness. 2 archaic a kind of windlass for raising ore or water from a mine. [17th c.: orig. unkn.] whimbrel n. a small curlew, esp. Numenius phaeopus. [WHIMPER (imit.): cf. dotterel] whimper v. & n. --v. 1 intr. make feeble, querulous, or frightened sounds; cry and whine softly. 2 tr. utter whimperingly. --n. 1 a whimpering sound. 2 a feeble note or tone (the conference ended on a whimper). ЬЬwhimperer n. whimperingly adv. [imit., f. dial. whimp] whimsical adj. 1 capricious. 2 fantastic. 3 odd or quaint; fanciful, humorous. ЬЬwhimsicality n. whimsically adv. whimsicalness n. whimsy n. (also whimsey) (pl. -ies or -eys) 1 a whim; a capricious notion or fancy. 2 capricious or quaint humour. [rel. to WHIM-WHAM: cf. flimsy] whim-wham n. archaic 1 a toy or plaything. 2 = WHIM 1. [redupl.: orig. uncert.] whin(1) n. (in sing. or pl.) furze, gorse. [prob. Scand.: cf. Norw. hvine, Sw. hven] whin(2) n. 1 hard dark esp. basaltic rock or stone. 2 a piece of this. [ME: orig. unkn.] whinchat n. a small brownish songbird, Saxicola rubetra. [WHIN(1) + CHAT(2)] whine n. & v. --n. 1 a complaining long-drawn wail as of a dog. 2 a similar shrill prolonged sound. 3 a a querulous tone. b an instance of feeble or undignified complaining. --v. 1 intr. emit or utter a whine. 2 intr. complain in a querulous tone or in a feeble or undignified way. 3 tr. utter in a whining tone. ЬЬwhiner n. whiningly adv. whiny adj. (whinier, whiniest). [OE hwinan] whinge v. & n. colloq. --v.intr. whine; grumble peevishly. --n. a whining complaint; a peevish grumbling. ЬЬwhinger n. whingingly adv. whingy adj. [OE hwinsian f. Gmc] whinny n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) a gentle or joyful neigh. --v.intr. (-ies, -ied) give a whinny. [imit.: cf. WHINE] whinstone n. = WHIN(2). whip n. & v. --n. 1 a lash attached to a stick for urging on animals or punishing etc. 2 a a member of a political party in Parliament appointed to control its parliamentary discipline and tactics, esp. ensuring attendance and voting in debates. b Brit. the whips' written notice requesting or requiring attendance for voting at a division etc., variously underlined according to the degree of urgency (three-line whip). c (prec. by the) party discipline and instructions (asked for the Labour whip). 3 a dessert made with whipped cream etc. 4 the action of beating cream, eggs, etc., into a froth. 5 = WHIPPER-IN. 6 a rope-and-pulley hoisting apparatus. --v. (whipped, whipping) 1 tr. beat or urge on with a whip. 2 tr. beat (cream or eggs etc.) into a froth. 3 tr. & intr. take or move suddenly, unexpectedly, or rapidly (whipped away the tablecloth; whipped out a knife; whip off your coat; whipped behind the door). 4 tr. Brit. sl. steal (who's whipped my pen?). 5 tr. sl. a excel. b defeat. 6 tr. bind with spirally wound twine. 7 tr. sew with overcast stitches. Ьwhip-bird any Australian bird of the genus Psophodes with a cry like the crack of a whip. whip-crane a light derrick with tackle for hoisting. whip-graft Hort. a graft with the tongue of the scion in a slot in the stock and vice versa. whip hand 1 a hand that holds the whip (in riding etc.). 2 (usu. prec. by the) the advantage or control in any situation. whip in bring (hounds) together. whip on urge into action. whip-round esp. Brit. colloq. an informal collection of money from a group of people. whip scorpion any arachnid of the order Uropygi, with a long slender tail-like appendage, which secretes an irritating vapour. whip snake any of various long slender snakes of the family Colubridae. whip-stitch a stitch made by whipping. whip up 1 excite or stir up (feeling etc.). 2 summon (attendance). ЬЬwhipless adj. whiplike adj. whipper n. [ME (h)wippen (v.), prob. f. MLG & MDu. wippen swing, leap, dance] whipcord n. 1 a tightly twisted cord such as is used for making whiplashes. 2 a close-woven worsted fabric. whiplash n. 1 the flexible end of a whip. 2 a blow with a whip. Ьwhiplash injury an injury to the neck caused by a jerk of the head, esp. as in a motor accident. whipper-in n. a huntsman's assistant who manages the hounds. whippersnapper n. 1 a small child. 2 an insignificant but presumptuous or intrusive (esp. young) person. [perh. for whipsnapper, implying noise and unimportance] whippet n. a cross-bred dog of the greyhound type used for racing. [prob. f. obs. whippet move briskly, f. whip it] whipping n. 1 a beating, esp. with a whip. 2 cord wound round in binding. Ьwhipping-boy 1 a scapegoat. 2 hist. a boy educated with a young prince and punished instead of him. whipping-cream cream suitable for whipping. whipping-post hist. a post used for public whippings. whipping-top a top kept spinning by blows of a lash. whippletree n. = SWINGLETREE. [app. f. WHIP + TREE] whippoorwill n. an American nightjar, Caprimulgus vociferus. [imit. of its cry] whippy adj. (whippier, whippiest) flexible, springy. ЬЬwhippiness n. whipsaw n. & v. --n. a saw with a narrow blade held at each end by a frame. --v. (past part. -sawn or -sawed) 1 tr. cut with a whipsaw. 2 US sl. a tr. cheat by joint action on two others. b intr. be cheated in this way. whipstock n. the handle of a whip. whir var. of WHIRR. whirl v. & n. --v. 1 tr. & intr. swing round and round; revolve rapidly. 2 tr. & intr. (foll. by away) convey or go rapidly in a vehicle etc. 3 tr. & intr. send or travel swiftly in an orbit or a curve. 4 intr. a (of the brain, senses, etc.) seem to spin round. b (of thoughts etc.) be confused; follow each other in bewildering succession. --n. 1 a whirling movement (vanished in a whirl of dust). 2 a state of intense activity (the social whirl). 3 a state of confusion (my mind is in a whirl). 4 colloq. an attempt (give it a whirl). Ьwhirling dervish see DERVISH. ЬЬwhirler n. whirlingly adv. [ME: (v.) f. ON hvirfla: (n.) f. MLG & MDu. wervel spindle & ON hvirfill circle f. Gmc] whirligig n. 1 a spinning or whirling toy. 2 a merry-go-round. 3 a revolving motion. 4 anything regarded as hectic or constantly changing (the whirligig of time). 5 any freshwater beetle of the family Gyrinidae that circles about on the surface. [ME f. WHIRL + obs. gig whipping-top] whirlpool n. a powerful circular eddy in the sea etc. often causing suction to its centre. whirlwind n. 1 a mass or column of air whirling rapidly round and round in a cylindrical or funnel shape over land or water. 2 a confused tumultuous process. 3 (attrib.) very rapid (a whirlwind romance). Ьreap the whirlwind suffer worse results of a bad action. whirlybird n. colloq. a helicopter. whirr n. & v. (also whir) --n. a continuous rapid buzzing or softly clicking sound as of a bird's wings or of cog-wheels in constant motion. --v.intr. (whirred, whirring) make this sound. [ME, prob. Scand.: cf. Da. hvirre, Norw. kvirra, perh. rel. to WHIRL] whisht v. (also whist) esp. Sc. & Ir. dial. 1 intr. (esp. as int.) be quiet; hush. 2 tr. quieten. [imit.] whisk v. & n. --v. 1 tr. (foll. by away, off) a brush with a sweeping movement. b take with a sudden motion (whisked the plate away). 2 tr. whip (cream, eggs, etc.). 3 tr. & intr. convey or go (esp. out of sight) lightly or quickly (whisked me off to the doctor; the mouse whisked into its hole). 4 tr. wave or lightly brandish. --n. 1 a whisking action or motion. 2 a utensil for whisking eggs or cream etc. 3 a bunch of grass, twigs, bristles, etc., for removing dust or flies. [ME wisk, prob. Scand.: cf. ON visk wisp] whisker n. 1 (usu. in pl.) the hair growing on a man's face, esp. on the cheek. 2 each of the bristles on the face of a cat etc. 3 colloq. a small distance (within a whisker of; won by a whisker). 4 a strong hairlike crystal of metal etc. Ьhave (or have grown) whiskers colloq. (esp. of a story etc.) be very old. ЬЬwhiskered adj. whiskery adj. [WHISK + -ER(1)] whisky n. (Ir., US whiskey) (pl. -ies or -eys) 1 a spirit distilled esp. from malted barley, other grains, or potatoes, etc. 2 a drink of this. [abbr. of obs. whiskybae, var. of USQUEBAUGH] whisper v. & n. --v. 1 a intr. speak very softly without vibration of the vocal cords. b intr. & tr. talk or say in a barely audible tone or in a secret or confidential way. 2 intr. speak privately or conspiratorially. 3 intr. (of leaves, wind, or water) rustle or murmur. --n. 1 whispering speech (talking in whispers). 2 a whispering sound. 3 a thing whispered. 4 a rumour or piece of gossip. Ьit is whispered there is a rumour. whispering-gallery a gallery esp. under a dome with acoustic properties such that a whisper may be heard round its entire circumference. ЬЬwhisperer n. whispering n. [OE hwisprian f. Gmc] whist(1) n. a card-game usu. for four players, with the winning of tricks. Ьwhist drive a social occasion with the playing of progressive whist. [earlier whisk, perh. f. WHISK (with ref. to whisking away the tricks): perh. assoc. with WHIST(2)] whist(2) var. of WHISHT. whistle n. & v. --n. 1 a clear shrill sound made by forcing breath through a small hole between nearly closed lips. 2 a similar sound made by a bird, the wind, a missile, etc. 3 an instrument used to produce such a sound. --v. 1 intr. emit a whistle. 2 a intr. give a signal or express surprise or derision by whistling. b tr. (often foll. by up) summon or give a signal to (a dog etc.) by whistling. 3 tr. (also absol.) produce (a tune) by whistling. 4 intr. (foll. by for) vainly seek or desire. Ьas clean (or clear or dry) as a whistle very clean or clear or dry. blow the whistle on colloq. bring (an activity) to an end; inform on (those responsible). whistle down the wind 1 let go, abandon. 2 turn (a hawk) loose. whistle in the dark pretend to be unafraid. whistle-stop 1 US a small unimportant town on a railway. 2 a politician's brief pause for an electioneering speech on tour. 3 (attrib.) with brief pauses (a whistle-stop tour). whistling kettle a kettle fitted with a whistle sounded by steam when the kettle is boiling. [OE (h)wistlian (v.), (h)wistle (n.) of imit. orig.: cf. ON hvЎsla whisper, MSw. hvisla whistle] whistler n. 1 any bird of the genus Pachycephala, with a whistling cry. 2 a kind of marmot. Whit adj. connected with, belonging to, or following Whit Sunday (Whit Monday; Whit weekend). ЬWhit Sunday the seventh Sunday after Easter, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2). [OE Hwita Sunnand‘g, lit. white Sunday, prob. f. the white robes of the newly-baptized at Pentecost] whit n. a particle; a least possible amount (not a whit better). Ьevery whit the whole; wholly. no (or never a or not a) whit not at all. [earlier w(h)yt app. alt. f. WIGHT in phr. no wight etc.] white adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 resembling a surface reflecting sunlight without absorbing any of the visible rays; of the colour of milk or fresh snow. 2 approaching such a colour; pale esp. in the face (turned as white as a sheet). 3 less dark than other things of the same kind. 4 (White) a of the human group having light-coloured skin. b of or relating to White people. 5 albino (white mouse). 6 a (of hair) having lost its colour esp. in old age. b (of a person) white-haired. 7 colloq. innocent, untainted. 8 (in comb.) (of esp. animals) having some white on the body (white-throated). 9 a (of a plant) having white flowers or pale-coloured fruit etc. (white hyacinth; white cauliflower). b (of a tree) having light-coloured bark etc. (white ash; white poplar). 10 (of wine) made from white grapes or dark grapes with the skins removed. 11 (of coffee) with milk or cream added. 12 transparent, colourless (white glass). 13 hist. counter-revolutionary or reactionary (white guard; white army). --n. 1 a white colour or pigment. 2 a white clothes or material (dressed in white). b (in pl.) white garments as worn in cricket, tennis, etc. 3 a (in a game or sport) a white piece, ball, etc. b the player using such pieces. 4 the white part or albumen round the yolk of an egg. 5 the visible part of the eyeball round the iris. 6 (White) a member of a light-skinned race. 7 a white butterfly. 8 a blank space in printing. --v.tr. archaic make white. Ьbleed white drain (a person, country, etc.) of wealth etc. white admiral a butterfly, Limenitis camilla, with a white band across its wings. white ant a termite. white cell (or corpuscle) a leucocyte. white Christmas Christmas with snow on the ground. white coal water as a source of power. white-collar (of a worker) engaged in clerical or administrative rather than manual work. white currant a cultivar of redcurrant with pale edible berries. whited sepulchre see SEPULCHRE. white dwarf a small very dense star. white elephant a useless and troublesome possession or thing. white ensign see ENSIGN. white feather a symbol of cowardice (a white feather in the tail of a game-bird being a mark of bad breeding). white fish fish with pale flesh, e.g. plaice, cod, etc. white flag a symbol of surrender or a period of truce. White Friar a Carmelite. white frost see FROST. white goods 1 domestic linen. 2 large domestic electrical equipment. white heat 1 the temperature at which metal emits white light. 2 a state of intense passion or activity. white hope a person expected to achieve much for a group, organization, etc. white horses white-crested waves at sea. white-hot at white heat. White House the official residence of the US President in Washington. white lead a mixture of lead carbonate and hydrated lead oxide used as pigment. white lie a harmless or trivial untruth. white light colourless light, e.g. ordinary daylight. white lime lime mixed with water as a coating for walls; whitewash. white magic magic used only for beneficent purposes. white matter the part of the brain and spinal cord consisting mainly of nerve fibres (see also grey matter). white meat poultry, veal, rabbit, and pork. white metal a white or silvery alloy. white monk a Cistercian. white night a sleepless night. white noise noise containing many frequencies with equal intensities. white-out a dense blizzard esp. in polar regions. white ox-eye = ox-eye daisy. White Paper (in the UK) a Government report giving information or proposals on an issue. white pepper see PEPPER. white poplar = ABELE. white rose the emblem of Yorkshire or the House of York. White Russian a Belorussian. white sale a sale of household linen. white sauce a sauce of flour, melted butter, and milk or cream. White slave a woman tricked or forced into prostitution, usu. abroad. White slavery traffic in White slaves. white sock = STOCKING 3. white spirit light petroleum as a solvent. white sugar purified sugar. white tie a man's white bow-tie as part of full evening dress. white vitriol Chem. zinc sulphate. white water a shallow or foamy stretch of water. white wedding a wedding at which the bride wears a formal white wedding dress. white whale a northern cetacean, Delphinapterus leucas, white when adult: also called BELUGA. ЬЬwhitely adv. whiteness n. whitish adj. [OE hwit f. Gmc] whitebait n. (pl. same) 1 (usu. pl.) the small silvery-white young of herrings and sprats esp. as food. 2 NZ a young inanga. whitebeam n. a rosaceous tree, Sorbus aria, having red berries and leaves with a white downy under-side. whiteface n. the white make-up of an actor etc. whitefish n. (pl. same or -fishes) any freshwater fish of the genus Coregonus etc., of the trout family, and used esp. for food. whitefly n. (pl. -flies) any small insect of the family Aleyrodidae, having wings covered with white powder and feeding on the sap of shrubs, crops, etc. Whitehall n. 1 the British Government. 2 its offices or policy. [a street in London in which Government offices are situated] whitehead n. colloq. a white or white-topped skin-pustule. whiten v.tr. & intr. make or become white. ЬЬwhitener n. whitening n. whitesmith n. 1 a worker in tin. 2 a polisher or finisher of metal goods. whitethorn n. the hawthorn. whitethroat n. a warbler, Sylvia communis, with a white patch on the throat. whitewash n. & v. --n. 1 a solution of quicklime or of whiting and size for whitening walls etc. 2 a means employed to conceal mistakes or faults in order to clear a person or institution of imputations. --v.tr. 1 cover with whitewash. 2 attempt by concealment to clear the reputation of. 3 (in passive) (of an insolvent) get a fresh start by passage through a bankruptcy court. 4 US defeat (an opponent) without allowing any opposing score. ЬЬwhitewasher n. whitewood n. a light-coloured wood esp. prepared for staining etc. Whitey n. (pl. -eys) sl. offens. 1 a White person. 2 White people collectively. whither adv. & conj. archaic --adv. 1 to what place, position, or state? 2 (prec. by place etc.) to which (the house whither we were walking). --conj. 1 to the or any place to which (go whither you will). 2 and thither (we saw a house, whither we walked). [OE hwider f. Gmc: cf. WHICH, HITHER, THITHER] whithersoever adj. & conj. archaic to any place to which. whiting(1) n. a small white-fleshed fish, Merlangus merlangus, used as food. [ME f. MDu. wijting, app. formed as WHITE + -ING(3)] whiting(2) n. ground chalk used in whitewashing, plate-cleaning, etc. whitleather n. tawed leather. [ME f. WHITE + LEATHER] whitlow n. an inflammation near a fingernail or toenail. [ME whitflaw, -flow, app. = WHITE + FLAW(1) in the sense 'crack', but perh. of LG orig.: cf. Du. fijt, LG fit whitlow] Whitsun n. & adj. --n. = WHITSUNTIDE. --adj. = WHIT. [ME, f. Whitsun Day = Whit Sunday] Whitsuntide n. the weekend or week including Whit Sunday. whittle v. 1 tr. & (foll. by at) intr. pare (wood etc.) with repeated slicing with a knife. 2 tr. (often foll. by away, down) reduce by repeated subtractions. [var. of ME thwitel long knife f. OE thwitan to cut off] whity adj. whitish; rather white (usu. in comb.: whity-brown) (cf. WHITEY). whiz n. & v. (also whizz) colloq. --n. 1 the sound made by the friction of a body moving through the air at great speed. 2 (also wiz) colloq. a person who is remarkable or skilful in some respect (is a whiz at chess). --v.intr. (whizzed, whizzing) move with or make a whiz. Ьwhiz-bang colloq. 1 a high-velocity shell from a small-calibre gun, whose passage is heard before the gun's report. 2 a jumping kind of firework. whiz-kid colloq. a brilliant or highly successful young person. [imit.: in sense 2 infl. by WIZARD] WHO abbr. World Health Organization. who pron. (obj. whom or colloq. who; poss. whose) 1 a what or which person or persons? (who called?; you know who it was; whom or who did you see?). °In the last example whom is correct but who is common in less formal contexts. b what sort of person or persons? (who am I to object?). 2 (a person) that (anyone who wishes can come; the woman whom you met; the man who you saw). °In the last two examples whom is correct but who is common in less formal contexts. 3 and or but he, she, they, etc. (gave it to Tom, who sold it to Jim). 4 archaic the or any person or persons that (whom the gods love die young). Ьas who should say like a person who said; as though one said. who-does-what (of a dispute etc.) about which group of workers should do a particular job. who goes there? see GO(1). who's who 1 who or what each person is (know who's who). 2 a list or directory with facts about notable persons. [OE hwa f. Gmc: whom f. OE dative hwam, hw‘m: whose f. genit. hw‘s] whoa int. used as a command to stop or slow a horse etc. [var. of HO] who'd contr. 1 who had. 2 who would. whodunit n. (also whodunnit) colloq. a story or play about the detection of a crime etc., esp. murder. [= who done (illiterate for did) it?] whoe'er poet. var. of WHOEVER. whoever pron. (obj. whomever or colloq. whoever; poss. whosever) 1 the or any person or persons who (whoever comes is welcome). 2 though anyone (whoever else objects, I do not; whosever it is, I want it). 3 colloq. (as an intensive) who ever; who at all (whoever heard of such a thing?). whole adj. & n. --adj. 1 in an uninjured, unbroken, intact, or undiminished state (swallowed it whole; there is not a plate left whole). 2 not less than; all there is of; entire, complete (waited a whole year; tell the whole truth; the whole school knows). 3 (of blood or milk etc.) with no part removed. --n. 1 a thing complete in itself. 2 all there is of a thing (spent the whole of the summer by the sea). 3 (foll. by of) all members, inhabitants, etc., of (the whole of London knows it). Ьas a whole as a unity; not as separate parts. go the whole hog see HOG. on the whole taking everything relevant into account; in general (it was, on the whole, a good report; they behaved well on the whole). whole cloth cloth of full size as manufactured. whole holiday a whole day taken as a holiday (cf. half holiday). whole-life insurance life insurance for which premiums are payable throughout the remaining life of the person insured. whole lot see LOT. whole note esp. US Mus. = SEMIBREVE. whole number a number without fractions; an integer. whole-tone scale Mus. a scale consisting entirely of tones, with no semitones. ЬЬwholeness n. [OE hal f. Gmc] wholefood n. food which has not been unnecessarily processed or refined. wholegrain adj. made with or containing whole grains (wholegrain bread). wholehearted adj. 1 (of a person) completely devoted or committed. 2 (of an action etc.) done with all possible effort, attention, or sincerity; thorough. ЬЬwholeheartedly adv. wholeheartedness n. wholemeal n. (usu. attrib.) Brit. meal of wheat or other cereals with none of the bran or germ removed. wholesale n., adj., adv., & v. --n. the selling of things in large quantities to be retailed by others (cf. RETAIL). --adj. & adv. 1 by wholesale; at a wholesale price (can get it for you wholesale). 2 on a large scale (wholesale destruction occurred; was handing out samples wholesale). --v.tr. sell wholesale. ЬЬwholesaler n. [ME: orig. by whole sale] wholesome adj. 1 promoting or indicating physical, mental, or moral health (wholesome pursuits; a wholesome appearance). 2 prudent (wholesome respect). ЬЬwholesomely adv. wholesomeness n. [ME, prob. f. OE (unrecorded) halsum (as WHOLE, -SOME(1))] wholewheat n. (usu. attrib.) wheat with none of the bran or germ removed; wholemeal. wholism var. of HOLISM. wholly adv. 1 entirely; without limitation or diminution (I am wholly at a loss). 2 purely, exclusively (a wholly bad example). [ME, f. OE (unrecorded) hallice (as WHOLE, -LY(2))] whom objective case of WHO. whomever objective case of WHOEVER. whomso archaic objective case of WHOSO. whomsoever objective case of WHOSOEVER. whoop n. & v. (also hoop) --n. 1 a loud cry of or as of excitement etc. 2 a long rasping indrawn breath in whooping cough. --v.intr. utter a whoop. Ьwhooping cough an infectious bacterial disease, esp. of children, with a series of short violent coughs followed by a whoop. whooping swan a swan, Cygnus cygnus, with a characteristic whooping sound in flight. whoop it up colloq. 1 engage in revelry. 2 US make a stir. [ME: imit.] whoopee int. & n. colloq. --int. expressing exuberant joy. --n. exuberant enjoyment or revelry. Ьmake whoopee colloq. rejoice noisily or hilariously. whoopee cushion a rubber cushion that when sat on makes a sound like the breaking of wind. whooper n. a whooping swan. whoops int. colloq. expressing surprise or apology, esp. on making an obvious mistake. [var. of OOPS] whoosh v., n., & int. (also woosh) --v.intr. & tr. move or cause to move with a rushing sound. --n. a sudden movement accompanied by a rushing sound. --int. an exclamation imitating this. [imit.] whop v.tr. (whopped, whopping) sl. 1 thrash. 2 defeat, overcome. [ME: var. of dial. wap, of unkn. orig.] whopper n. sl. 1 something big of its kind. 2 a great lie. whopping adj. sl. very big (a whopping lie; a whopping fish). whore n. & v. --n. 1 a prostitute. 2 derog. a promiscuous woman. --v.intr. 1 (of a man) seek or chase after whores. 2 archaic (foll. by after) commit idolatry or iniquity. Ьwhore-house a brothel. ЬЬwhoredom n. whorer n. [OE hore f. Gmc] whoremaster n. archaic = WHOREMONGER. whoremonger n. archaic a person who has dealings with whores. whoreson n. archaic 1 a disliked person. 2 (attrib.) (of a person or thing) vile. whorish adj. of or like a whore. ЬЬwhorishly adv. whorishness n. whorl n. 1 a ring of leaves or other organs round a stem of a plant. 2 one turn of a spiral, esp. on a shell. 3 a complete circle in a fingerprint. 4 archaic a small wheel on a spindle steadying its motion. ЬЬwhorled adj. [ME wharwyl, whorwil, app. var. of WHIRL: infl. by wharve (n.) = whorl of a spindle] whortleberry n. (pl. -ies) a bilberry. [16th c.: dial. form of hurtleberry, ME, of unkn. orig.] whose pron. & adj. --pron. of or belonging to which person (whose is this book?). --adj. of whom or which (whose book is this?; the man, whose name was Tim; the house whose roof was damaged). whoseso archaic poss. of WHOSO. whosesoever poss. of WHOSOEVER. whosever poss. of WHOEVER. whoso pron. (obj. whomso; poss. whoseso) archaic = WHOEVER. [ME, = WHO + SO(1), f. OE swa hwa swa] whosoever pron. (obj. whomsoever; poss. whosesoever) archaic = WHOEVER. why adv., int., & n. --adv. 1 a for what reason or purpose (why did you do it?; I do not know why you came). b on what grounds (why do you say that?). 2 (prec. by reason etc.) for which (the reasons why I did it). --int. expressing: 1 surprised discovery or recognition (why, it's you!). 2 impatience (why, of course I do!). 3 reflection (why, yes, I think so). 4 objection (why, what is wrong with it?). --n. (pl. whys) a reason or explanation (esp. whys and wherefores). Ьwhy so? on what grounds?; for what reason or purpose? [OE hwi, hwy instr. of hw‘t WHAT f. Gmc] whydah n. (also whidah) any small African weaver-bird of the genus Vidua, the male having mainly black plumage and tail-feathers of great length. [orig. widow-bird, altered f. assoc. with Whidah (now Ouidah) in Benin] WI abbr. 1 West Indies. 2 Brit. Women's Institute. 3 US Wisconsin (in official postal use). wich- var. of WYCH-. wick(1) n. 1 a strip or thread of fibrous or spongy material feeding a flame with fuel in a candle, lamp, etc. 2 Surgery a gauze strip inserted in a wound to drain it. Ьdip one's wick coarse sl. (of a man) have sexual intercourse. get on a person's wick Brit. colloq. annoy a person. [OE weoce, -weoc (cf. MDu. wiecke, MLG weke), of unkn. orig.] wick(2) n. dial. exc. in compounds e.g. bailiwick, and in place-names e.g. Hampton Wick, Warwick 1 a town, hamlet, or district. 2 a dairy farm. [OE wic, prob. f. Gmc f. L vicus street, village] wicked adj. (wickeder, wickedest) 1 sinful, iniquitous, given to or involving immorality. 2 spiteful, ill-tempered; intending or intended to give pain. 3 playfully malicious. 4 colloq. foul; very bad; formidable (wicked weather; a wicked cough). 5 sl. excellent, remarkable. ЬWicked Bible an edition of 1631, with the misprinted commandment 'thou shalt commit adultery'. ЬЬwickedly adv. wickedness n. [ME f. obs. wick (perh. adj. use of OE wicca wizard) + -ED(1) as in wretched] wicker n. plaited twigs or osiers etc. as material for chairs, baskets, mats, etc. [ME, f. E.Scand.: cf. Sw. viker willow, rel. to vika bend] wickerwork n. 1 wicker. 2 things made of wicker. wicket n. 1 Cricket a a set of three stumps with the bails in position defended by a batsman. b the ground between two wickets. c the state of this (a slow wicket). d an instance of a batsman being got out (bowler has taken four wickets). e a pair of batsmen batting at the same time (a third-wicket partnership). 2 (in full wicket-door or -gate) a small door or gate esp. beside or in a larger one or closing the lower part only of a doorway. 3 US an aperture in a door or wall usu. closed with a sliding panel. 4 US a croquet hoop. Ьat the wicket Cricket 1 batting. 2 by the wicket-keeper (caught at the wicket). keep wicket Cricket be a wicket-keeper. on a good (or sticky) wicket colloq. in a favourable (or unfavourable) position. wicket-keeper Cricket the fieldsman stationed close behind a batsman's wicket. [ME f. AF & ONF wiket, OF guichet, of uncert. orig.] wickiup n. an American Indian hut of a frame covered with grass etc. [Fox wikiyap] widdershins var. of WITHERSHINS. wide adj., adv., & n. --adj. 1 a measuring much or more than other things of the same kind across or from side to side. b considerable; more than is needed (a wide margin). 2 (following a measurement) in width (a metre wide). 3 extending far; embracing much; of great extent (has a wide range; has wide experience; reached a wide public). 4 not tight or close or restricted; loose. 5 a free, liberal; unprejudiced (takes wide views). b not specialized; general. 6 open to the full extent (staring with wide eyes). 7 a (foll. by of) not within a reasonable distance of. b at a considerable distance from a point or mark. 8 Brit. sl. shrewd; skilled in sharp practice (wide boy). 9 (in comb.) extending over the whole of (nationwide). --adv. 1 widely. 2 to the full extent (wide awake). 3 far from the target etc. (is shooting wide). --n. 1 Cricket a ball judged to pass the wicket beyond the batsman's reach and so scoring a run. 2 (prec. by the) the wide world. Ьgive a wide berth to see BERTH. wide-angle (of a lens) having a short focal length and hence a field covering a wide angle. wide awake 1 fully awake. 2 colloq. wary, knowing. wide ball Cricket (sense 1 of n.). wide-eyed surprised or na‹ve. wide of the mark see MARK(1). wide open (often foll. by to) exposed or vulnerable (to attack etc.). wide-ranging covering an extensive range. the wide world all the world great as it is. ЬЬwideness n. widish adj. [OE wid (adj.), wide (adv.) f. Gmc] wideawake n. a soft felt hat with a low crown and wide brim. widely adv. 1 to a wide extent; far apart. 2 extensively (widely read; widely distributed). 3 by many people (it is widely thought that). 4 considerably; to a large degree (holds a widely different view). widen v.tr. & intr. make or become wider. ЬЬwidener n. widespread adj. widely distributed or disseminated. widgeon n. (also wigeon) a species of dabbling duck, esp. Anas penelope or Anas americana. [16th c.: orig. uncert.] widget n. colloq. any gadget or device. [perh. alt. of GADGET] widow n. & v. --n. 1 a woman who has lost her husband by death and has not married again. 2 a woman whose husband is often away on a specified activity (golf widow). 3 extra cards dealt separately and taken by the highest bidder. 4 Printing the short last line of a paragraph at the top of a page or column. --v.tr. 1 make into a widow or widower. 2 (as widowed adj.) bereft by the death of a spouse (my widowed mother). 3 (foll. by of) deprive of. Ьwidow-bird a whydah. widow's cruse an apparently small supply that proves or seems inexhaustible (see 1 Kgs. 17:10-16). widow's mite a small money contribution (see Mark 12:42). widow's peak a V-shaped growth of hair towards the centre of the forehead. widow's weeds see WEEDS. [OE widewe, rel. to OHG wituwa, Skr. vidh va, L viduus bereft, widowed, Gk eitheos unmarried man] widower n. a man who has lost his wife by death and has not married again. widowhood n. the state or period of being a widow. width n. 1 measurement or distance from side to side. 2 a large extent. 3 breadth or liberality of thought, views, etc. 4 a strip of material of full width as woven. ЬЬwidthways adv. widthwise adv. [17th c. (as WIDE, -TH(2)) replacing wideness] wield v.tr. 1 hold and use (a weapon or tool). 2 exert or command (power or authority etc.). ЬЬwielder n. [OE wealdan, wieldan f. Gmc] wieldy adj. (wieldier, wieldiest) easily wielded, controlled, or handled. Wiener schnitzel n. a veal escalope breaded, fried, and garnished. [G, = Viennese slice] wife n. (pl. wives) 1 a married woman esp. in relation to her husband. 2 archaic a woman, esp. an old or uneducated one. 3 (in comb.) a woman engaged in a specified activity (fishwife; housewife; midwife). Ьhave (or take) to wife archaic marry (a woman). wife-swapping colloq. exchanging wives for sexual relations. ЬЬwifehood n. wifeless adj. wifelike adj. wifely adj. wifeliness n. wifish adj. [OE wif woman: ult. orig. unkn.] wig(1) n. an artificial head of hair esp. to conceal baldness or as a disguise, or worn by a judge or barrister or as period dress. ЬЬwigged adj. (also in comb.). wigless adj. [abbr. of PERIWIG: cf. WINKLE] wig(2) v.tr. (wigged, wigging) colloq. rebuke sharply; rate. [app. f. WIG(1) in sl. or colloq. sense 'rebuke' (19th c.)] wigeon var. of WIDGEON. wigging n. colloq. a reprimand. wiggle v. & n. colloq. --v.intr. & tr. move or cause to move quickly from side to side etc. --n. an act of wiggling. ЬЬwiggler n. [ME f. MLG & MDu. wiggelen: cf. WAG(1), WAGGLE] wiggly adj. (wigglier, wiggliest) colloq. 1 showing wiggles. 2 having small irregular undulations. wight n. archaic a person (wretched wight). [OE wiht = thing, creature, of unkn. orig.] wigwag v.intr. (wigwagged, wigwagging) colloq. 1 move lightly to and fro. 2 wave flags in this way in signalling. [redupl. f. WAG(1)] wigwam n. 1 a N. American Indian's hut or tent of skins, mats, or bark on poles. 2 a similar structure for children etc. [Ojibwa wigwaum, Algonquin wikiwam their house] wilco int. colloq. expressing compliance or agreement, esp. acceptance of instructions received by radio. [abbr. of will comply] wild adj., adv., & n. --adj. 1 (of an animal or plant) in its original natural state; not domesticated or cultivated (esp. of species or varieties allied to others that are not wild). 2 not civilized; barbarous. 3 (of scenery etc.) having a conspicuously desolate appearance. 4 unrestrained, disorderly, uncontrolled (a wild youth; wild hair). 5 tempestuous, violent (a wild night). 6 a intensely eager; excited, frantic (wild with excitement; wild delight). b (of looks, appearance, etc.) indicating distraction. c (foll. by about) colloq. enthusiastically devoted to (a person or subject). 7 colloq. infuriated, angry (makes me wild). 8 haphazard, ill-aimed, rash (a wild guess; a wild shot; a wild venture). 9 (of a horse, game-bird, etc.) shy; easily startled. 10 colloq. exciting, delightful. 11 (of a card) having any rank chosen by the player holding it (the joker is wild). --adv. in a wild manner (shooting wild). --n. 1 a wild tract. 2 a desert. Ьin the wild in an uncultivated etc. state. in (or out in) the wilds colloq. far from normal habitation. run wild grow or stray unchecked or undisciplined. sow one's wild oats see OAT. wild and woolly uncouth; lacking refinement. wild boar see BOAR. wild card 1 see sense 11 of adj. 2 Computing a character that will match any character or sequence of characters in a file name etc. 3 Sport an extra player or team chosen to enter a competition at the selectors' discretion. wild cat any of various smallish cats, esp. the European Felis sylvestris (cf. WILDCAT). wild-goose chase a foolish or hopeless and unproductive quest. wild horse 1 a horse not domesticated or broken in. 2 (in pl.) colloq. even the most powerful influence etc. (wild horses would not drag the secret from me). wild hyacinth = BLUEBELL 1. wild man of the woods colloq. an orang-utan. wild rice any tall grass of the genus Zizania, yielding edible grains. wild silk 1 silk from wild silkworms. 2 an imitation of this from short silk fibres. Wild West the western US in a time of lawlessness in its early history. ЬЬwildish adj. wildly adv. wildness n. [OE wilde f. Gmc] wildcat n. & adj. --n. 1 a hot-tempered or violent person. 2 US a bobcat see wild cat. 3 an exploratory oil well. --adj. (attrib.) 1 esp. US reckless; financially unsound. 2 (of a strike) sudden and unofficial. wildebeest n. = GNU. [Afrik. (as WILD, BEAST)] wilder v.tr. archaic 1 lead astray. 2 bewilder. [perh. based on WILDERNESS] wilderness n. 1 a desert; an uncultivated and uninhabited region. 2 part of a garden left with an uncultivated appearance. 3 (foll. by of) a confused assemblage of things. Ьin the wilderness out of political office. voice in the wilderness an unheeded advocate of reform (see Matt. 3:3 etc.). [OE wildeornes f. wild deor wild deer] wildfire n. hist. 1 a combustible liquid, esp. Greek fire, formerly used in warfare. 2 = WILL-O'-THE-WISP. Ьspread like wildfire spread with great speed. wildfowl n. (pl. same) a game-bird, esp. an aquatic one. wilding n. (also wildling) 1 a plant sown by natural agency, esp. a wild crab-apple. 2 the fruit of such a plant. [WILD + -ING(3)] wildlife n. wild animals collectively. wildwood n. poet. uncultivated or unfrequented woodland. wile n. & v. --n. (usu. in pl.) a stratagem; a trick or cunning procedure. --v.tr. (foll. by away, into, etc.) lure or entice. [ME wil, perh. f. Scand. (ON v‚l craft)] wilful adj. (US willful) 1 (of an action or state) intentional, deliberate (wilful murder; wilful neglect; wilful disobedience). 2 (of a person) obstinate, headstrong. ЬЬwilfully adv. wilfulness n. [ME f. WILL(2) + -FUL] wilga n. Austral. a small tree of the genus Geijera, with white flowers. [Aboriginal] wiliness see WILY. will(1) v.aux. & tr. (3rd sing. present will; past would) (foll. by infin. without to, or absol.; present and past only in use) 1 (in the 2nd and 3rd persons, and often in the 1st: see SHALL) expressing the future tense in statements, commands, or questions (you will regret this; they will leave at once; will you go to the party?). 2 (in the 1st person) expressing a wish or intention (I will return soon). °For the other persons in senses 1, 2, see SHALL. 3 expressing desire, consent, or inclination (will you have a sandwich?; come when you will; the door will not open). 4 expressing ability or capacity (the jar will hold a kilo). 5 expressing habitual or inevitable tendency (accidents will happen; will sit there for hours). 6 expressing probability or expectation (that will be my wife). Ьwill do colloq. expressing willingness to carry out a request. [OE wyllan, (unrecorded) willan f. Gmc: rel. to L volo] will(2) n. & v. --n. 1 the faculty by which a person decides or is regarded as deciding on and initiating action (the mind consists of the understanding and the will). 2 (also will-power) control exercised by deliberate purpose over impulse; self-control (has a strong will; overcame his shyness by will-power). 3 a deliberate or fixed desire or intention (a will to live). 4 energy of intention; the power of effecting one's intentions or dominating others. 5 directions (usu. written) in legal form for the disposition of one's property after death (make one's will). 6 disposition towards others (good will). 7 archaic what one desires or ordains (thy will be done). --v.tr. 1 have as the object of one's will; intend unconditionally (what God wills; willed that we should succeed). 2 (absol.) exercise will-power. 3 instigate or impel or compel by the exercise of will-power (you can will yourself into contentment). 4 bequeath by the terms of a will (shall will my money to charity). Ьat will 1 whenever one pleases. 2 Law able to be evicted without notice (tenant at will). have one's will obtain what one wants. what is your will? what do you wish done? where there's a will there's a way determination will overcome any obstacle. a will of one's own obstinacy; wilfulness of character. with the best will in the world however good one's intentions. with a will energetically or resolutely. ЬЬwilled adj. (also in comb.). willer n. will-less adj. [OE willa f. Gmc] willet n. (pl. same) a large N. American wader, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus. [pill-will-willet, imit. of its cry] willful US var. of WILFUL. willie var. of WILLY. willies n.pl. colloq. nervous discomfort (esp. give or get the willies). [19th c.: orig. unkn.] willing adj. & n. --adj. 1 ready to consent or undertake (a willing ally; am willing to do it). 2 given or done etc. by a willing person (willing hands; willing help). --n. cheerful intention (show willing). ЬЬwillingly adv. willingness n. will-o'-the-wisp n. 1 a phosphorescent light seen on marshy ground, perhaps resulting from the combustion of gases. 2 an elusive person. 3 a delusive hope or plan. [orig. Will with the wisp: wisp = handful of (lighted) hay etc.] willow n. 1 a tree or shrub of the genus Salix, growing usu. near water in temperate climates, with small flowers borne on catkins, and pliant branches yielding osiers and timber for cricket-bats, baskets, etc. 2 a cricket-bat. Ьwillow grouse a common European grouse, Lagopus lagopus, with brown breeding plumage and white winter plumage. willow-herb any plant of the genus Epilobium etc., esp. one with leaves like a willow and pale purple flowers. willow-pattern a conventional design representing a Chinese scene, often with a willow tree, of blue on white porcelain, stoneware, or earthenware. willow-warbler (or -wren) a small woodland bird, Phylloscopus trochilus, with a tuneful song. [OE welig] willowy adj. 1 having or bordered by willows. 2 lithe and slender. willy n. (also willie) (pl. -ies) Brit. sl. the penis. willy-nilly adv. & adj. --adv. whether one likes it or not. --adj. existing or occurring willy-nilly. [later spelling of will I, nill I I am willing, I am unwilling] willy-willy n. (pl. -ies) Austral. a cyclone or dust-storm. [Aboriginal] wilt(1) v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (of a plant, leaf, or flower) wither, droop. 2 intr. (of a person) lose one's energy, flag, tire, droop. 3 tr. cause to wilt. --n. a plant-disease causing wilting. [orig. dial.: perh. alt. f. wilk, welk, of LG or Du. orig.] wilt(2) archaic 2nd person sing. of WILL(1). Wilton n. a kind of woven carpet with a thick pile. [Wilton in S. England] Wilts. abbr. Wiltshire. wily adj. (wilier, wiliest) full of wiles; crafty, cunning. ЬЬwilily adv. wiliness n. wimp n. colloq. a feeble or ineffectual person. ЬЬwimpish adj. wimpishly adv. wimpishness n. wimpy adj. [20th c.: orig. uncert.] wimple n. & v. --n. a linen or silk head-dress covering the neck and the sides of the face, formerly worn by women and still worn by some nuns. --v.tr. & intr. arrange or fall in folds. [OE wimpel] Wimpy n. (pl. -ies) propr. a hamburger served in a plain bun. Wimshurst machine n. a device for generating an electric charge by turning glass discs in opposite directions. [J. Wimshurst, Engl. engineer d. 1903] win v. & n. --v. (winning; past and past part. won) 1 tr. acquire or secure as a result of a fight, contest, bet, litigation, or some other effort (won some money; won my admiration). 2 tr. be victorious in (a fight, game, race, etc.). 3 intr. a be the victor; win a race or contest etc. (who won?; persevere, and you will win). b (foll. by through, free, etc.) make one's way or become by successful effort. 4 tr. reach by effort (win the summit; win the shore). 5 tr. obtain (ore) from a mine. 6 tr. dry (hay etc.) by exposure to the air. --n. victory in a game or bet etc. Ьwin the day be victorious in battle, argument, etc. win over persuade, gain the support of. win one's spurs 1 colloq. gain distinction or fame. 2 hist. gain a knighthood. win through (or out) overcome obstacles. you can't win colloq. there is no way to succeed. you can't win them all colloq. a resigned expression of consolation on failure. ЬЬwinnable adj. [OE winnan toil, endure: cf. OHG winnan, ON vinna] wince(1) n. & v. --n. a start or involuntary shrinking movement showing pain or distress. --v.intr. give a wince. ЬЬwincer n. wincingly adv. [ME f. OF guenchir turn aside: cf. WINCH, WINK] wince(2) n. a roller for moving textile fabric through a dyeing-vat. [var. of WINCH] wincey n. (pl. winceys) a strong lightweight fabric of wool and cotton or linen. [orig. Sc.: app. f. woolsey in LINSEY-WOOLSEY] winceyette n. Brit. a lightweight napped flannelette used esp. for nightclothes. winch n. & v. --n. 1 the crank of a wheel or axle. 2 a windlass. 3 the reel of a fishing-rod. 4 = WINCE(2). --v.tr. lift with a winch. ЬЬwincher n. [OE wince f. Gmc: cf. WINCE(1)] Winchester n. 1 propr. a breech-loading repeating rifle. 2 (in full Winchester disk) Computing a hermetically sealed data-storage device with high capacity (so called because its original numerical designation corresponded to that of the rifle's calibre). [O. F. Winchester d. 1880, US manufacturer of the rifle] wind(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a air in more or less rapid natural motion, esp. from an area of high pressure to one of low pressure. b a current of wind blowing from a specified direction or otherwise defined (north wind; contrary wind). 2 a breath as needed in physical exertion or in speech. b the power of breathing without difficulty while running or making a similar continuous effort (let me recover my wind). c a spot below the centre of the chest where a blow temporarily paralyses breathing. 3 mere empty words; meaningless rhetoric. 4 gas generated in the bowels etc. by indigestion; flatulence. 5 a an artifically produced current of air, esp. for sounding an organ or other wind instrument. b air stored for use or used as a current. c the wind instruments of an orchestra collectively (poor balance between wind and strings). 6 a scent carried by the wind, indicating the presence or proximity of an animal etc. --v.tr. 1 exhaust the wind of by exertion or a blow. 2 renew the wind of by rest (stopped to wind the horses). 3 make breathe quickly and deeply by exercise. 4 make (a baby) bring up wind after feeding. 5 detect the presence of by a scent. 6 (past and past part. winded or wound) poet. sound (a bugle or call) by blowing. Ьbefore the wind helped by the wind's force. between wind and water at a vulnerable point. close to (or near) the wind 1 sailing as nearly against the wind as is consistent with using its force. 2 colloq. verging on indecency or dishonesty. get wind of 1 smell out. 2 begin to suspect; hear a rumour of. get (or have) the wind up colloq. be alarmed or frightened. how (or which way) the wind blows (or lies) 1 what is the state of opinion. 2 what developments are likely. in the wind happening or about to happen. in the wind's eye directly against the wind. like the wind swiftly. off the wind Naut. with the wind on the quarter. on a wind Naut. against a wind on either bow. on the wind (of a sound or scent) carried by the wind. put the wind up colloq. alarm or frighten. take wind be rumoured; become known. take the wind out of a person's sails frustrate a person by anticipating an action or remark etc. to the winds (or four winds) 1 in all directions. 2 into a state of abandonment or neglect. wind and weather exposure to the effects of the elements. wind band a group of wind instruments as a band or section of an orchestra. wind-break a row of trees or a fence or wall etc. serving to break the force of the wind. wind-chill the cooling effect of wind blowing on a surface. wind-cone = wind-sock. wind-force the force of the wind esp. as measured on the Beaufort etc. scale. wind-gap a dried-up former river valley through ridges or hills. wind-gauge 1 an anemometer. 2 an apparatus attached to the sights of a gun enabling allowance to be made for the wind in shooting. 3 a device showing the amount of wind in an organ. wind instrument a musical instrument in which sound is produced by a current of air, esp. the breath. wind-jammer a merchant sailing-ship. wind machine a device for producing a blast of air or the sound of wind. wind (or winds) of change a force or influence for reform. wind-rose a diagram of the relative frequency of wind directions at a place. wind-row a line of raked hay, corn-sheaves, peats, etc., for drying by the wind. wind-sail a canvas funnel conveying air to the lower parts of a ship. wind shear a variation in wind velocity at right angles to the wind's direction. wind-sleeve = wind-sock. wind-sock a canvas cylinder or cone on a mast to show the direction of the wind at an airfield etc. wind-tunnel a tunnel-like device to produce an air-stream past models of aircraft etc. for the study of wind effects on them. ЬЬwindless adj. [OE f. Gmc] wind(2) v. & n. --v. (past and past part. wound) 1 intr. go in a circular, spiral, curved, or crooked course (a winding staircase; the path winds up the hill). 2 tr. make (one's way) by such a course (wind your way up to bed; wound their way into our affections). 3 tr. wrap closely; surround with or as with a coil (wound the blanket round me; wound my arms round the child; wound the child in my arms). 4 a tr. coil; provide with a coiled thread etc. (wind the ribbon on to the card; wound cotton on a reel; winding wool into a ball). b intr. coil; (of wool etc.) coil into a ball (the creeper winds round the pole; the wool wound into a ball). 5 tr. wind up (a clock etc.). 6 tr. hoist or draw with a windlass etc. (wound the cable-car up the mountain). --n. 1 a bend or turn in a course. 2 a single turn when winding. Ьwind down 1 lower by winding. 2 (of a mechanism) unwind. 3 (of a person) relax. 4 draw gradually to a close. wind-down n. colloq. a gradual lessening of excitement or reduction of activity. wind off unwind (string, wool, etc.). wind round one's finger see FINGER. wind up 1 coil the whole of (a piece of string etc.). 2 tighten the coiling or coiled spring of (esp. a clock etc.). 3 a colloq. increase the tension or intensity of (wound myself up to fever pitch). b irritate or provoke (a person) to the point of anger. 4 bring to a conclusion; end (wound up his speech). 5 Commerce a arrange the affairs of and dissolve (a company). b (of a company) cease business and go into liquidation. 6 colloq. arrive finally; end in a specified state or circumstance (you'll wind up in prison; wound up owing њ100). wind-up n. 1 a conclusion; a finish. 2 a state of anxiety; the provocation of this. wound up adj. (of a person) excited or tense or angry. [OE windan f. Gmc, rel. to WANDER, WEND] windage n. 1 the friction of air against the moving part of a machine. 2 a the effect of the wind in deflecting a missile. b an allowance for this. 3 the difference between the diameter of a gun's bore and its projectile, allowing the escape of gas. windbag n. colloq. a person who talks a lot but says little of any value. windbound adj. unable to sail because of contrary winds. windbreaker n. US = WINDCHEATER. windburn n. inflammation of the skin caused by exposure to the wind. windcheater n. a kind of wind-resistant outer jacket with close-fitting neck, cuffs, and lower edge. winder n. a winding mechanism esp. of a clock or watch. windfall n. 1 an apple or other fruit blown to the ground by the wind. 2 a piece of unexpected good fortune, esp. a legacy. windflower n. an anemone. windhover n. Brit. a kestrel. winding n. 1 in senses of WIND(2) v. 2 curved or sinuous motion or movement. 3 a a thing that is wound round or coiled. b Electr. coils of wire as a conductor round an armature etc. Ьwinding-engine a machine for hoisting. winding-sheet a sheet in which a corpse is wrapped for burial. windlass n. & v. --n. a machine with a horizontal axle for hauling or hoisting. --v.tr. hoist or haul with a windlass. [alt. (perh. by assoc. with dial. windle to wind) of obs. windas f. OF guindas f. ON vind ss f. vinda WIND(2) + ss pole] windlestraw n. archaic an old dry stalk of grass. [OE windelstreaw grass for plaiting f. windel basket (as WIND(2), -LE(1)) + streaw STRAW] windmill n. 1 a mill worked by the action of the wind on its sails. 2 esp. Brit. a toy consisting of a stick with curved vanes attached that revolve in a wind. Ьthrow one's cap (or bonnet) over the windmill act recklessly or unconventionally. tilt at (or fight) windmills attack an imaginary enemy or grievance. window n. 1 a an opening in a wall, roof, or vehicle etc., usu. with glass in fixed, sliding, or hinged frames, to admit light or air etc. and allow the occupants to see out. b the glass filling this opening (have broken the window). 2 a space for display behind the front window of a shop. 3 an aperture in a wall etc. through which customers are served in a bank, ticket office, etc. 4 an opportunity to observe or learn. 5 an opening or transparent part in an envelope to show an address. 6 a part of a VDU display selected to show a particular category or part of the data. 7 a an interval during which atmospheric and astronomical circumstances are suitable for the launch of a spacecraft. b any interval or opportunity for action. 8 strips of metal foil dispersed in the air to obstruct radar detection. 9 a range of electromagnetic wavelengths for which a medium is transparent. Ьout of the window colloq. no longer taken into account. window-box a box placed on an outside window-sill for growing flowers. window-cleaner a person who is employed to clean windows. window-dressing 1 the art of arranging a display in a shop-window etc. 2 an adroit presentation of facts etc. to give a deceptively favourable impression. window-ledge = window-sill. window-pane a pane of glass in a window. window-seat 1 a seat below a window, esp. in a bay or alcove. 2 a seat next to a window in an aircraft, train, etc. window-shop (-shopped, -shopping) look at goods displayed in shop-windows, usu. without buying anything. window-shopper a person who window-shops. window-sill a sill below a window. window tax Brit. hist. a tax on windows or similar openings (abolished in 1851). ЬЬwindowed adj. (also in comb.). windowless adj. [ME f. ON vindauga (as WIND(1), EYE)] windowing n. Computing the selection of part of a stored image for display or enlargement. windpipe n. the air-passage from the throat to the lungs; the trachea. windscreen n. Brit. a screen of glass at the front of a motor vehicle. Ьwindscreen wiper a device consisting of a rubber blade on an arm, moving in an arc, for keeping a windscreen clear of rain etc. windshield n. US = WINDSCREEN. Windsor n. (usu. attrib.) denoting or relating to the British Royal Family since 1917. [Windsor in S. England, site of the royal residence at Windsor Castle] Windsor chair n. a wooden dining chair with a semicircular back supported by upright rods. windsurfing n. the sport of riding on water on a sailboard. ЬЬwindsurf v.intr. windsurfer n. windswept adj. exposed to or swept back by the wind. windward adj., adv., & n. --adj. & adv. on the side from which the wind is blowing (opp. LEEWARD). --n. the windward region, side, or direction (to windward; on the windward of). Ьget to windward of 1 place oneself there to avoid the smell of. 2 gain an advantage over. windy adj. (windier, windiest) 1 stormy with wind (a windy night). 2 exposed to the wind; windswept (a windy plain). 3 generating or characterized by flatulence. 4 colloq. wordy, verbose, empty (a windy speech). 5 colloq. nervous, frightened. ЬЬwindily adv. windiness n. [OE windig (as WIND(1), -Y(1))] wine n. & v. --n. 1 fermented grape-juice as an alcoholic drink. 2 a fermented drink resembling this made from other fruits etc. as specified (elderberry wine; ginger wine). 3 the dark-red colour of red wine. --v. 1 intr. drink wine. 2 tr. entertain to wine. Ьwine and dine entertain to or have a meal with wine. wine bar a bar or small restaurant where wine is the main drink available. wine bottle a glass bottle for wine, the standard size holding 75 cl or 26 2/3 fl. oz. wine box a square carton of wine with a dispensing tap. wine cellar 1 a cellar for storing wine. 2 the contents of this. wine-grower a cultivator of grapes for wine. wine list a list of wines available in a restaurant etc. wine-tasting 1 judging the quality of wine by tasting it. 2 an occasion for this. wine vinegar vinegar made from wine as distinct from malt. wine waiter a waiter responsible for serving wine. ЬЬwineless adj. [OE win f. Gmc f. L vinum] wineberry n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a deciduous bristly shrub, Rubus phoenicolasius, from China and Japan, producing scarlet berries used in cookery. b this berry. 2 = MAKO(2). winebibber n. a tippler or drunkard. ЬЬwinebibbing n. & adj. [WINE + bib to tipple] wineglass n. 1 a glass for wine, usu. with a stem and foot. 2 the contents of this, a wineglassful. wineglassful n. (pl. -fuls) 1 the capacity of a wineglass, esp. of the size used for sherry, as a measure of liquid, about four tablespoons. 2 the contents of a wineglass. winepress n. a press in which grapes are squeezed in making wine. winery n. (pl. -ies) esp. US an establishment where wine is made. wineskin n. a whole skin of a goat etc. sown up and used to hold wine. wing n. & v. --n. 1 each of the limbs or organs by which a bird, bat, or insect is able to fly. 2 a rigid horizontal winglike structure forming a supporting part of an aircraft. 3 part of a building etc. which projects or is extended in a certain direction (lived in the north wing). 4 a a forward player at either end of a line in football, hockey, etc. b the side part of a playing-area. 5 (in pl.) the sides of a theatre stage out of view of the audience. 6 a section of a political party in terms of the extremity of its views. 7 a flank of a battle array (the cavalry were massed on the left wing). 8 Brit. the part of a motor vehicle covering a wheel. 9 a an air-force unit of several squadrons or groups. b (in pl.) a pilot's badge in the RAF etc. (get one's wings). 10 Anat. & Bot. a lateral part or projection of an organ or structure. --v. 1 intr. & tr. travel or traverse on wings or in an aircraft (winging through the air; am winging my way home). 2 tr. wound in a wing or an arm. 3 tr. equip with wings. 4 tr. enable to fly; send in flight (fear winged my steps; winged an arrow towards them). Ьgive (or lend) wings to speed up (a person or a thing). on the wing flying or in flight. on a wing and a prayer with only the slightest chance of success. spread (or stretch) one's wings develop one's powers fully. take under one's wing treat as a prot‚g‚. take wing fly away; soar. waiting in the wings holding oneself in readiness. wing-beat one complete set of motions with a wing in flying. wing-case the horny cover of an insect's wing. wing-chair a chair with side-pieces projecting forwards at the top of a high back. wing-collar a man's high stiff collar with turned-down corners. wing commander an RAF officer next below group captain. winged words highly apposite or significant words. wing-game game-birds. wing-nut a nut with projections for the fingers to turn it on a screw. wing-span (or -spread) measurement right across the wings of a bird or aircraft. wing-stroke = wing-beat. wing-tip the outer end of an aircraft's or a bird's wing. ЬЬwinged adj. (also in comb.). wingless adj. winglet n. winglike adj. [ME pl. wenge, -en, -es f. ON v‘ngir, pl. of v‘ngr] wingding n. sl. 1 esp. US a wild party. 2 US a drug addict's real or feigned seizure. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] winger n. 1 a player on a wing in football, hockey, etc. 2 (in comb.) a member of a specified political wing (left-winger). wink v. & n. --v. 1 a tr. close and open (one eye or both eyes) quickly. b intr. close and open an eye. 2 intr. (often foll. by at) wink one eye as a signal of friendship or greeting or to convey a message to a person. 3 intr. (of a light etc.) twinkle; shine or flash intermittently. --n. 1 the act or an instance of winking, esp. as a signal etc. 2 colloq. a brief moment of sleep (didn't sleep a wink). Ьas easy as winking colloq. very easy. in a wink very quickly. wink at 1 purposely avoid seeing; pretend not to notice. 2 connive at (a wrongdoing etc.). [OE wincian f. Gmc: cf. WINCE(1), WINCH] winker n. 1 a flashing indicator light on a motor vehicle. 2 (usu. in pl.) a horse's blinker. winkle n. & v. --n. any edible marine gastropod mollusc of the genus Littorina; a periwinkle. --v.tr. (foll. by out) esp. Brit. extract or eject (winkled the information out of them). Ьwinkle-picker sl. a shoe with a long pointed toe. ЬЬwinkler n. [abbr. of PERIWINKLE(2): cf. WIG(1)] winner n. 1 a person, racehorse, etc. that wins. 2 colloq. a successful or highly promising idea, enterprise, etc. (the new scheme seemed a winner). winning adj. & n. --adj. 1 having or bringing victory or an advantage (the winning entry; a winning stroke). 2 attractive, persuasive (a winning smile; winning ways). --n. (in pl.) money won esp. in betting etc. Ьwinning-post a post marking the end of a race. ЬЬwinningly adv. winningness n. winnow v.tr. 1 blow (grain) free of chaff etc. by an air-current. 2 (foll. by out, away, from, etc.) get rid of (chaff etc.) from grain. 3 a sift, separate; clear of refuse or inferior specimens. b sift or examine (evidence for falsehood etc.). c clear, sort, or weed out (rubbish etc.). 4 poet. a fan (the air with wings). b flap (wings). c stir (the hair etc.). ЬЬwinnower n. (in senses 1, 2). [OE windwian (as WIND(1))] wino n. (pl. -os) sl. a habitual excessive drinker of cheap wine; an alcoholic. winsome adj. (of a person, looks, or manner) winning, attractive, engaging. ЬЬwinsomely adv. winsomeness n. [OE wynsum f. wyn JOY + -SOME(1)] winter n. & v. --n. 1 the coldest season of the year, in the N. hemisphere from December to February and in the S. hemisphere from June to August. 2 Astron. the period from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox. 3 a bleak or lifeless period or region etc. (nuclear winter). 4 poet. a year (esp. of a person's age) (a man of fifty winters). 5 (attrib.) a characteristic of or suitable for winter (winter light; winter clothes). b (of fruit) ripening late or keeping until or during winter. c (of wheat or other crops) sown in autumn for harvesting the following year. --v. 1 intr. (usu. foll. by at, in) pass the winter (likes to winter in the Canaries). 2 tr. keep or feed (plants, cattle) during winter. Ьwinter aconite see ACONITE 2. winter cress any bitter-tasting cress of the genus Barbarea, esp. B. vulgaris. winter garden a garden or conservatory of plants flourishing in winter. winter jasmine a jasmine, Jasminum nudiflorum, with yellow flowers. winter quarters a place where soldiers spend the winter. winter sleep hibernation. winter solstice see SOLSTICE. winter sports sports performed on snow or ice esp. in winter (e.g. skiing and ice-skating). winter-tide poet. = WINTERTIME. ЬЬwinterer n. winterless adj. winterly adj. [OE f. Gmc, prob. rel. to WET] wintergreen n. any of several plants esp. of the genus Pyrola or Gaultheria remaining green through the winter. winterize v.tr. (also -ise) esp. US adapt for operation or use in cold weather. ЬЬwinterization n. wintertime n. the season of winter. wintry adj. (also wintery) (; wintrier, wintriest) 1 characteristic of winter (wintry weather; a wintry sun; a wintry landscape). 2 (of a smile, greeting, etc.) lacking warmth or enthusiasm. ЬЬwintrily adv. wintriness n. [OE wintrig, or f. WINTER] winy adj. (winier, winiest) resembling wine in taste or appearance. ЬЬwininess n. wipe v. & n. --v.tr. 1 clean or dry the surface of by rubbing with the hands or a cloth etc. 2 rub (a cloth) over a surface. 3 spread (a liquid etc.) over a surface by rubbing. 4 (often foll. by away, off, etc.) a clear or remove by wiping (wiped the mess off the table; wipe away your tears). b remove or eliminate completely (the village was wiped off the map). 5 a erase (data, a recording, etc., from a magnetic medium). b erase data from (the medium). 6 Austral. & NZ sl. reject or dismiss (a person or idea). --n. 1 an act of wiping (give the floor a wipe). 2 a piece of disposable absorbent cloth, usu. treated with a cleansing agent, for wiping something clean (antiseptic wipes). Ьwipe down clean (esp. a vertical surface) by wiping. wipe a person's eye colloq. get the better of a person. wipe the floor with colloq. inflict a humiliating defeat on. wipe off annul (a debt etc.). wipe out 1 a destroy, annihilate (the whole population was wiped out). b obliterate (wiped it out of my memory). 2 sl. murder. 3 clean the inside of. 4 avenge (an insult etc.). wipe-out n. 1 the obliteration of one radio signal by another. 2 an instance of destruction or annihilation. 3 sl. a fall from a surfboard. wipe the slate clean see SLATE. wipe up 1 Brit. dry (dishes etc.). 2 take up (a liquid etc.) by wiping. ЬЬwipeable adj. [OE wipian: cf. OHG wifan wind round, Goth. weipan crown: rel. to WHIP] wiper n. 1 = windscreen wiper. 2 Electr. a moving contact. 3 a cam or tappet. WIPO abbr. World Intellectual Property Organization. wire n. & v. --n. 1 a metal drawn out into the form of a thread or thin flexible rod. b a piece of this. c (attrib.) made of wire. 2 a length or quantity of wire used for fencing or to carry an electric current etc. 3 esp. US colloq. a telegram or cablegram. --v.tr. 1 provide, fasten, strengthen, etc., with wire. 2 (often foll. by up) Electr. install electrical circuits in (a building, piece of equipment, etc.). 3 esp. US colloq. telegraph (wired me that they were coming). 4 snare (an animal etc.) with wire. 5 (usu. in passive) Croquet obstruct (a ball, shot, or player) by a hoop. Ьby wire by telegraph. get one's wires crossed become confused and misunderstood. wire brush 1 a brush with tough wire bristles for cleaning hard surfaces, esp. metal. 2 a brush with wire strands brushed against cymbals to produce a soft metallic sound. wire cloth cloth woven from wire. wire-cutter a tool for cutting wire. wire gauge 1 a gauge for measuring the diameter of wire etc. 2 a standard series of sizes in which wire etc. is made. wire gauze a stiff gauze woven from wire. wire grass any of various grasses with tough wiry stems. wire-haired (esp. of a dog) having stiff or wiry hair. wire mattress a mattress supported by wires stretched in a frame. wire netting netting of wire twisted into meshes. wire rope rope made by twisting wires together as strands. wire-tapper a person who indulges in wire-tapping. wire-tapping the practice of tapping (see TAP(1) v. 4) a telephone or telegraph line to eavesdrop. wire-walker an acrobat performing feats on a wire rope. wire wheel a vehicle-wheel with spokes of wire. wire wool a mass of fine wire for cleaning. ЬЬwirer n. [OE wir] wiredraw v.tr. (past -drew; past part. -drawn) 1 draw (metal) out into wire. 2 elongate; protract unduly. 3 (esp. as wiredrawn adj.) refine or apply or press (an argument etc.) with idle or excessive subtlety. wireless n. & adj. --n. 1 esp. Brit. a (in full wireless set) a radio receiving set. b the transmission and reception of radio signals. °Now old-fashioned, esp. with ref. to broadcasting, and superseded by radio. 2 = wireless telegraphy. --adj. lacking or not requiring wires. Ьwireless telegraphy = RADIO-TELEGRAPHY. wireman n. (pl. -men) 1 esp. US an installer or repairer of electric wires. 2 a journalist working for a telegraphic news agency. wirepuller n. esp. US a politician etc. who exerts a hidden influence. ЬЬwirepulling n. wireworm n. the larva of the click beetle causing damage to crop plants. wiring n. 1 a system of wires providing electrical circuits. 2 the installation of this (came to do the wiring). wiry adj. (wirier, wiriest) 1 tough and flexible as wire. 2 (of a person) thin and sinewy; untiring. 3 made of wire. ЬЬwirily adv. wiriness n. Wis. abbr. Wisconsin. wis v.intr. archaic know well. [orig. I wis = obs. iwis 'certainly' f. OE gewis, erron. taken as 'I know' and as pres. tense of wist (WIT(2))] Wisd. abbr. Wisdom of Solomon (Apocrypha). wisdom n. 1 the state of being wise. 2 experience and knowledge together with the power of applying them critically or practically. 3 sagacity, prudence; common sense. 4 wise sayings, thoughts, etc., regarded collectively. Ьin his (or her etc.) wisdom usu. iron. thinking it would be best (the committee in its wisdom decided to abandon the project). wisdom tooth each of four hindmost molars not usu. cut before 20 years of age. [OE wisdom (as WISE(1), -DOM)] wise(1) adj. & v. --adj. 1 a having experience and knowledge and judiciously applying them. b (of an action, behaviour, etc.) determined by or showing or in harmony with such experience and knowledge. 2 sagacious, prudent, sensible, discreet. 3 having knowledge. 4 suggestive of wisdom (with a wise nod of the head). 5 US colloq. a alert, crafty. b (often foll. by to) having (usu. confidential) information (about). --v.tr. & intr. (foll. by up) esp. US colloq. put or get wise. Ьbe (or get) wise to colloq. become aware of. no (or none the or not much) wiser knowing no more than before. put a person wise (often foll. by to) colloq. inform a person (about). wise after the event able to understand and assess an event or circumstance after its implications have become obvious. wise guy colloq. a know-all. wise man a wizard, esp. one of the Magi. wise saw a proverbial saying. without anyone's being the wiser undetected. ЬЬwisely adv. [OE wis f. Gmc: see WIT(2)] wise(2) n. archaic way, manner, or degree (in solemn wise; on this wise). Ьin no wise not at all. [OE wise f. Gmc f. WIT(2)] -wise suffix forming adjectives and adverbs of manner (crosswise; clockwise; lengthwise) or respect (moneywise) (cf. -WAYS). °More fanciful phrase-based combinations, such as employment-wise (= as regards employment) are colloq., and restricted to informal contexts. [as WISE(2)] wiseacre n. a person who affects a wise manner. [MDu. wijsseggher soothsayer, prob. f. OHG wissago, wizago, assim. to WISE(1), ACRE] wisecrack n. & v. colloq. --n. a smart pithy remark. --v.intr. make a wisecrack. ЬЬwisecracker n. wisent n. the European bison, Bison bonasus. [G: cf. BISON] wish v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by for) have or express a desire or aspiration for (wish for happiness). 2 tr. (often foll. by that + clause, usu. with that omitted) have as a desire or aspiration (I wish I could sing; I wished that I was dead). 3 tr. want or demand, usu. so as to bring about what is wanted (I wish to go; I wish you to do it; I wish it done). 4 tr. express one's hopes for (we wish you well; wish them no harm; wished us a pleasant journey). 5 tr. (foll. by on, upon) colloq. foist on a person. --n. 1 a a desire, request, or aspiration. b an expression of this. 2 a thing desired (got my wish). Ьbest (or good) wishes hopes felt or expressed for another's happiness etc. wish-fulfilment a tendency for subconscious desire to be satisfied in fantasy. wishing-well a well into which coins are dropped and a wish is made. the wish is father to the thought we believe a thing because we wish it true. ЬЬwisher n. (in sense 4 of v.); (also in comb.). [OE wyscan, OHG wunsken f. Gmc, ult. rel. to WEEN, WONT] wishbone n. 1 a forked bone between the neck and breast of a cooked bird: when broken between two people the longer portion entitles the holder to make a wish. 2 an object of similar shape. wishful adj. 1 (often foll. by to + infin.) desiring, wishing. 2 having or expressing a wish. Ьwishful thinking belief founded on wishes rather than facts. ЬЬwishfully adv. wishfulness n. wish-wash n. 1 a weak or watery drink. 2 insipid talk or writing. [redupl. of WASH] wishy-washy adj. 1 feeble, insipid, or indecisive in quality or character. 2 (of tea, soup, etc.) weak, watery, sloppy. [redupl. of WASHY] wisp n. 1 a small bundle or twist of straw etc. 2 a small separate quantity of smoke, hair, etc. 3 a small thin person etc. 4 a flock (of snipe). ЬЬwispy adj. (wispier, wispiest). wispily adv. wispiness n. [ME: orig. uncert.: cf. WFris. wisp, and WHISK] wist past and past part. of WIT(2). wisteria n. (also wistaria) any climbing plant of the genus Wisteria, with hanging racemes of blue, purple, or white flowers. [C. Wistar (or Wister), Amer. anatomist d. 1818] wistful adj. (of a person, looks, etc.) yearningly or mournfully expectant or wishful. ЬЬwistfully adv. wistfulness n. [app. assim. of obs. wistly (adv.) intently (cf. WHISHT) to wishful, with corresp. change of sense] wit(1) n. 1 (in sing. or pl.) intelligence; quick understanding (has quick wits; a nimble wit). 2 a the unexpected, quick, and humorous combining or contrasting of ideas or expressions (conversation sparkling with wit). b the power of giving intellectual pleasure by this. 3 a person possessing such a power, esp. a cleverly humorous person. Ьat one's wit's (or wits') end utterly at a loss or in despair. have (or keep) one's wits about one be alert or vigilant or of lively intelligence. live by one's wits live by ingenious or crafty expedients, without a settled occupation. out of one's wits mad, distracted. set one's wits to argue with. ЬЬwitted adj. (in sense 1); (also in comb.). [OE wit(t), gewit(t) f. Gmc] wit(2) v.tr. & intr. (1st & 3rd sing. present wot; past and past part. wist) (often foll. by of) archaic know. Ьto wit that is to say; namely. [OE witan f. Gmc] witch n. & v. --n. 1 a sorceress, esp. a woman supposed to have dealings with the devil or evil spirits. 2 an ugly old woman; a hag. 3 a fascinating girl or woman. 4 a flat-fish, Pleuronectes cynoglossus, resembling the lemon sole. --v.tr. archaic 1 bewitch. 2 fascinate, charm, lure. Ьwitch-doctor a tribal magician of primitive people. witches' sabbath see SABBATH 3. witch-hunt 1 hist. a search for and persecution of supposed witches. 2 a campaign directed against a particular group of those holding unpopular or unorthodox views, esp. communists. the witching hour midnight, when witches are supposedly active (after Shakesp. Hamlet III. ii. 377 the witching time of night). ЬЬwitching adj. witchlike adj. [OE wicca (masc.), wicce (fem.), rel. to wiccian (v.) practise magic arts] witch- var. of WYCH-. witchcraft n. the use of magic; sorcery. witchery n. 1 witchcraft. 2 power exercised by beauty or eloquence or the like. witchetty n. (pl. -ies) Austral. a large white larva of a beetle or moth, eaten as food by Aborigines. [Aboriginal] witch-hazel n. (also wych-hazel) 1 any American shrub of the genus Hamamelis, with bark yielding an astringent lotion. 2 this lotion, esp. from the leaves of H. virginiana. witenagemot n. hist. an Anglo-Saxon national council or parliament. [OE f. witena genit. pl. of wita wise man (as WIT(2)) + gemot meeting: cf. MOOT] with prep. expressing: 1 an instrument or means used (cut with a knife; can walk with assistance). 2 association or company (lives with his mother; works with Shell; lamb with mint sauce). 3 cause or origin (shiver with fear; in bed with measles). 4 possession, attribution (the man with dark hair; a vase with handles). 5 circumstances; accompanying conditions (sleep with the window open; a holiday with all expenses paid). 6 manner adopted or displayed (behaved with dignity; spoke with vehemence; handle with care; won with ease). 7 agreement or harmony (sympathize with; I believe with you that it can be done). 8 disagreement, antagonism, competition (incompatible with; stop arguing with me). 9 responsibility or care for (the decision rests with you; leave the child with me). 10 material (made with gold). 11 addition or supply; possession of as a material, attribute, circumstance, etc. (fill it with water; threaten with dismissal; decorate with holly). 12 reference or regard (be patient with them; how are things with you?; what do you want with me?; there's nothing wrong with expressing one's opinion). 13 relation or causative association (changes with the weather; keeps pace with the cost of living). 14 an accepted circumstance or consideration (with all your faults, we like you). Ьaway (or in or out etc.) with (as int.) take, send, or put (a person or thing) away, in, out, etc. be with a person 1 agree with and support a person. 2 colloq. follow a person's meaning (are you with me?). one with part of the same whole as. with child (or young) literary pregnant. with it colloq. 1 up to date; conversant with modern ideas etc. 2 alert and comprehending. with-it adj. colloq. (of clothes etc.) fashionable. with that thereupon. [OE, prob. shortened f. a Gmc prep. corresp. to OE wither, OHG widar against] withal adv. & prep. archaic --adv. moreover; as well; at the same time. --prep. (placed after its expressed or omitted object) with (what shall he fill his belly withal?). [ME f. WITH + ALL] withdraw v. (past withdrew; past part. withdrawn) 1 tr. pull or take aside or back (withdrew my hand). 2 tr. discontinue, cancel, retract (withdrew my support; the promise was later withdrawn). 3 tr. remove; take away (withdrew the child from school; withdrew their troops). 4 tr. take (money) out of an account. 5 intr. retire or go away; move away or back. 6 intr. (as withdrawn adj.) abnormally shy and unsociable; mentally detached. Ьwithdrawing-room archaic = DRAWING-ROOM 1. ЬЬwithdrawer n. [ME f. with- away (as WITH) + DRAW] withdrawal n. 1 the act or an instance of withdrawing or being withdrawn. 2 a process of ceasing to take addictive drugs, often with an unpleasant physical reaction (withdrawal symptoms). 3 = coitus interruptus. withe (also withy) (pl. withes or -ies) n. a tough flexible shoot esp. of willow or osier used for tying a bundle of wood etc. [OE withthe, withig f. Gmc, rel. to WIRE] wither v. 1 tr. & intr. (often foll. by up) make or become dry and shrivelled (withered flowers). 2 tr. & intr. (often foll. by away) deprive of or lose vigour, vitality, freshness, or importance. 3 intr. decay, decline. 4 tr. a blight with scorn etc. b (as withering adj.) scornful (a withering look). ЬЬwitheringly adv. [ME, app. var. of WEATHER differentiated for certain senses] withers n.pl. the ridge between a horse's shoulder-blades. [shortening of (16th-c.) widersome (or -sone) f. wider-, wither- against (cf. WITH), as the part that resists the strain of the collar: second element obscure] withershins adv. (also widdershins) esp. Sc. 1 in a direction contrary to the sun's course (considered as unlucky). 2 anticlockwise. [MLG weddersins f. MHG widdersinnes f. wider against + sin direction] withhold v.tr. (past and past part. -held) 1 (often foll. by from) hold back; restrain. 2 refuse to give, grant, or allow (withhold one's consent; withhold the truth). ЬЬwithholder n. [ME f. with- away (as WITH) + HOLD(1)] within adv. & prep. --adv. archaic or literary 1 inside; to, at, or on the inside; internally. 2 indoors (is anyone within?). 3 in spirit (make me pure within). 4 inside the city walls (Bishopsgate within). --prep. 1 inside; enclosed or contained by. 2 a not beyond or exceeding (within one's means). b not transgressing (within the law; within reason). 3 not further off than (within three miles of a station; within shouting distance; within ten days). Ьwithin doors in or into a house. within one's grasp see GRASP. within reach (or sight) of near enough to be reached or seen. [OE withinnan on the inside (as WITH, innan (adv. & prep.) within, formed as IN)] without prep. & adv. --prep. 1 not having, feeling, or showing (came without any money; without hesitation; without any emotion). 2 with freedom from (without fear; without embarrassment). 3 in the absence of (cannot live without you; the train left without us). 4 with neglect or avoidance of (do not leave without telling me). °Use as a conj., as in do not leave without you tell me, is non-standard. 5 archaic outside (without the city wall). --adv. archaic or literary 1 outside (seen from without). 2 out of doors (remained shivering without). 3 in outward appearance (rough without but kind within). 4 outside the city walls (Bishopsgate without). Ьwithout end infinite, eternal. [OE withutan (as WITH, utan from outside, formed as OUT)] withstand v. (past and past part. -stood) 1 tr. oppose, resist, hold out against (a person, force, etc.). 2 intr. make opposition; offer resistance. ЬЬwithstander n. [OE withstandan f. with- against (as WITH) + STAND] withy n. (pl. -ies) 1 a willow of any species. 2 var. of WITHE. witless adj. 1 lacking wits; foolish, stupid. 2 crazy. ЬЬwitlessly adv. witlessness n. [OE witleas (as WIT(1), -LESS)] witling n. archaic usu. derog. a person who fancies himself or herself as a wit. witness n. & v. --n. 1 a person present at some event and able to give information about it (cf. EYEWITNESS). 2 a a person giving sworn testimony. b a person attesting another's signature to a document. 3 (foll. by to, of) a person or thing whose existence, condition, etc., attests or proves something (is a living witness to their generosity). 4 testimony, evidence, confirmation. --v. 1 tr. be a witness of (an event etc.) (did you witness the accident?). 2 tr. be witness to the authenticity of (a document or signature). 3 tr. serve as evidence or an indication of. 4 intr. (foll. by against, for, to) give or serve as evidence. Ьbear witness to (or of) 1 attest the truth of. 2 state one's belief in. call to witness appeal to for confirmation etc. witness-box (US -stand) an enclosure in a lawcourt from which witnesses give evidence. [OE witnes (as WIT(1), -NESS)] witter v.intr. (often foll. by on) colloq. speak tediously on trivial matters. [20th c.: prob. imit.] witticism n. a witty remark. [coined by Dryden (1677) f. WITTY, after criticism] witting adj. 1 aware. 2 intentional. ЬЬwittingly adv. [ME f. WIT(2) + -ING(2)] witty adj. (wittier, wittiest) 1 showing verbal wit. 2 characterized by wit or humour. ЬЬwittily adv. wittiness n. [OE witig, wittig (as WIT(1), -Y(1))] wivern var. of WYVERN. wives pl. of WIFE. wiz var. of WHIZ n. 2. wizard n. & adj. --n. 1 a sorcerer; a magician. 2 a person of remarkable powers, a genius. 3 a conjuror. --adj. sl. esp. Brit. wonderful, excellent. ЬЬwizardly adj. wizardry n. [ME f. WISE(1) + -ARD] wizened adj. (also wizen) (of a person or face etc.) shrivelled-looking. [past part. of wizen shrivel f. OE wisnian f. Gmc] 7.0 wk.... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- wk. abbr. 1 week. 2 work. 3 weak. wks. abbr. weeks. 8.0 Wm.... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Wm. abbr. William. WMO abbr. World Meteorological Organization. 9.0 WNW =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WNW abbr. west-north-west. 10.0 WO... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WO abbr. Warrant Officer. wo int. = WHOA. [var. of who (int.), HO] w.o. abbr. walk-over. woad n. hist. 1 a cruciferous plant, Isatis tinctoria, yielding a blue dye now superseded by indigo. 2 the dye obtained from this. [OE wad f. Gmc] wobbegong n. an Australian brown shark, Orectolobus maculatus, with buff patterned markings. [Aboriginal] wobble v. & n. --v. 1 a intr. sway or vibrate unsteadily from side to side. b tr. cause to do this. 2 intr. stand or go unsteadily; stagger. 3 intr. waver, vacillate; act inconsistently. 4 intr. (of the voice or sound) quaver, pulsate. --n. 1 a wobbling movement. 2 an instance of vacillation or pulsation. Ьwobble-board Austral. a piece of fibreboard used as a musical instrument with a low booming sound. ЬЬwobbler n. [earlier wabble, corresp. to LG wabbeln, ON vafla waver f. Gmc: cf. WAVE, WAVER, -LE(4)] wobbly adj. (wobblier, wobbliest) 1 wobbling or tending to wobble. 2 wavy, undulating (a wobbly line). 3 unsteady; weak after illness (feeling wobbly). 4 wavering, vacillating, insecure (the economy was wobbly). Ьthrow a wobbly sl. have a fit of nerves. ЬЬwobbliness n. wodge n. Brit. colloq. a chunk or lump. [alt. of WEDGE(1)] woe n. archaic or literary 1 affliction; bitter grief; distress. 2 (in pl.) calamities, troubles. 3 joc. problems (told me a tale of woe). Ьwoe betide there will be unfortunate consequences for (woe betide you if you are late). woe is me an exclamation of distress. [OE wa, w‘ f. Gmc, a natural exclam. of lament] woebegone adj. dismal-looking. [WOE + begone = surrounded f. OE began (as BE-, GO(1))] woeful adj. 1 sorrowful; afflicted with distress (a woeful expression). 2 causing sorrow or affliction. 3 very bad; wretched (woeful ignorance). ЬЬwoefully adv. woefulness n. wog(1) n. sl. offens. a foreigner, esp. a non-White one. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] wog(2) n. Austral. sl. an illness or infection. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] woggle n. a leather etc. ring through which the ends of a Scout's neckerchief are passed at the neck. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] wok n. a bowl-shaped frying-pan used in esp. Chinese cookery. [Cantonese] woke past of WAKE(1). woken past part. of WAKE(1). wold n. a piece of high open uncultivated land or moor. [OE wald f. Gmc, perh. rel. to WILD: cf. WEALD] wolf n. & v. --n. (pl. wolves) 1 a wild flesh-eating tawny-grey mammal related to the dog, esp. Canis lupus, preying on sheep etc. and hunting in packs. 2 sl. a man given to seducing women. 3 a rapacious or greedy person. 4 Mus. a a jarring sound from some notes in a bowed instrument. b an out-of-tune effect when playing certain chords on old organs (before the present 'equal temperament' was in use). --v.tr. (often foll. by down) devour (food) greedily. Ьcry wolf raise repeated false alarms (so that a genuine one is disregarded). have (or hold) a wolf by the ears be in a precarious position. keep the wolf from the door avert hunger or starvation. lone wolf a person who prefers to act alone. throw to the wolves sacrifice without compunction. wolf-cub 1 a young wolf. 2 Brit. the former name for a Cub Scout. wolf-fish any large voracious blenny of the genus Anarrhichas. wolf in sheep's clothing a hostile person who pretends friendship. wolf-pack an attacking group of submarines or aircraft. wolf's-milk spurge. wolf-spider any ground-dwelling spider of the family Lycosidae, hunting instead of trapping its prey. wolf-whistle n. a sexually admiring whistle by a man to a woman. --v.intr. make a wolf-whistle. ЬЬwolfish adj. wolfishly adv. wolflike adj. & adv. [OE wulf f. Gmc] wolfhound n. a borzoi or other dog of a kind used orig. to hunt wolves. wolfram n. 1 tungsten. 2 tungsten ore; a native tungstate of iron and manganese. [G: perh. f. Wolf WOLF + Rahm cream, or MHG ram dirt, soot] wolframite n. = WOLFRAM 2. wolfsbane n. an aconite, esp. Aconitum lycoctonum. wolfskin n. 1 the skin of a wolf. 2 a mat, cloak, etc., made from this. wolverine n. (also wolverene) = GLUTTON 3. [16th-c. wolvering, somehow derived f. wolv-, stem of WOLF] wolves pl. of WOLF. woman n. (pl. women) 1 an adult human female. 2 the female sex; any or an average woman (how does woman differ from man?). 3 a wife or female sexual partner. 4 (prec. by the) emotions or characteristics traditionally associated with women (brought out the woman in him). 5 a man with characteristics traditionally associated with women. 6 (attrib.) female (woman driver; women friends). 7 (as second element in comb.) a woman of a specified nationality, profession, skill, etc. (Englishwoman; horsewoman). 8 colloq. a female domestic help. 9 archaic or hist. a queen's etc. female attendant ranking below lady (woman of the bedchamber). Ьwoman of the streets a prostitute. Women's Institute an organization of women in rural areas to meet regularly and participate in crafts, cultural activities, etc. women's lib colloq. = women's liberation. women's libber colloq. a supporter of women's liberation. women's liberation the liberation of women from inequalities and subservient status in relation to men, and from attitudes causing these. Women's Liberation (or Movement) a movement campaigning for women's liberation. women's rights rights that promote a position of legal and social equality of women with men. ЬЬwomanless adj. womanlike adj. [OE wifmon, -man (as WIFE, MAN), a formation peculiar to English, the ancient word being WIFE] womanhood n. 1 female maturity. 2 womanly instinct. 3 womankind. womanish adj. usu. derog. 1 (of a man) effeminate, unmanly. 2 suitable to or characteristic of a woman. ЬЬwomanishly adv. womanishness n. womanize v. (also -ise) 1 intr. chase after women; philander. 2 tr. make womanish. ЬЬwomanizer n. womankind n. (also womenkind) women in general. womanly adj. (of a woman) having or showing qualities traditionally associated with women; not masculine or girlish. ЬЬwomanliness n. womb n. 1 the organ of conception and gestation in a woman and other female mammals; the uterus. 2 a place of origination and development. ЬЬwomblike adj. [OE wamb, womb] wombat n. any burrowing plant-eating Australian marsupial of the family Vombatidae, resembling a small bear, with short legs. [Aboriginal] women pl. of WOMAN. womenfolk n. 1 women in general. 2 the women in a family. womenkind var. of WOMANKIND. won past and past part. of WIN. wonder n. & v. --n. 1 an emotion excited by what is unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable, esp. surprise mingled with admiration or curiosity etc. 2 a strange or remarkable person or thing, specimen, event, etc. 3 (attrib.) having marvellous or amazing properties etc. (a wonder drug). 4 a surprising thing (it is a wonder you were not hurt). --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by at, or to + infin.) be filled with wonder or great surprise. 2 tr. (foll. by that + clause) be surprised to find. 3 tr. desire or be curious to know (I wonder what the time is). 4 tr. expressing a tentative enquiry (I wonder whether you would mind?). ЬI shouldn't wonder colloq. I think it likely. I wonder I very much doubt it. no (or small) wonder (often foll. by that + clause) one cannot be surprised; one might have guessed; it is natural. the seven wonders of the world seven buildings and monuments regarded in antiquity as specially remarkable. wonder-struck (or -stricken) reduced to silence by wonder. wonders will never cease an exclamation of extreme (usu. agreeable) surprise. wonder-worker a person who performs wonders. work (or do) wonders 1 do miracles. 2 succeed remarkably. ЬЬwonderer n. [OE wundor, wundrian, of unkn. orig.] wonderful adj. 1 very remarkable or admirable. 2 arousing wonder. ЬЬwonderfully adv. wonderfulness n. [OE wunderfull (as WONDER, -FUL)] wondering adj. filled with wonder; marvelling (their wondering gaze). ЬЬwonderingly adv. wonderland n. 1 a fairyland. 2 a land of surprises or marvels. wonderment n. surprise, awe. wondrous adj. & adv. poet. --adj. wonderful. --adv. wonderfully (wondrous kind). ЬЬwondrously adv. wondrousness n. [alt. of obs. wonders (adj. & adv.), = genit. of WONDER (cf. -S(3)) after marvellous] wonky adj. (wonkier, wonkiest) Brit. sl. 1 crooked. 2 loose, unsteady. 3 unreliable. ЬЬwonkily adv. wonkiness n. [fanciful formation] wont adj., n., & v. --predic.adj. archaic or literary (foll. by to + infin.) accustomed (as we were wont to say). --n. formal or joc. what is customary, one's habit (as is my wont). --v.tr. & intr. (3rd sing. present wonts or wont; past wont or wonted) archaic make or become accustomed. [OE gewunod past part. of gewunian f. wunian dwell] won't contr. will not. wonted attrib.adj. habitual, accustomed, usual. woo v.tr. (woos, wooed) 1 court; seek the hand or love of (a woman). 2 try to win (fame, fortune, etc.). 3 seek the favour or support of. 4 coax or importune. ЬЬwooable adj. wooer n. [OE wogian (intr.), awogian (tr.), of unkn. orig.] wood n. 1 a a hard fibrous material that forms the main substance of the trunk or branches of a tree or shrub. b this cut for timber or for fuel, or for use in crafts, manufacture, etc. 2 (in sing. or pl.) growing trees densely occupying a tract of land. 3 (prec. by the) wooden storage, esp. a cask, for wine etc. (poured straight from the wood). 4 a wooden-headed golf club. 5 = BOWL(2) n. 1. Ьnot see the wood for the trees fail to grasp the main issue from over-attention to details. out of the wood (or woods) out of danger or difficulty. wood alcohol methanol. wood anemone a wild spring-flowering anemone, Anemone nemorosa. wood-engraver a maker of wood-engravings. wood-engraving 1 a relief cut on a block of wood sawn across the grain. 2 a print made from this. 3 the technique of making such reliefs and prints. wood-fibre fibre obtained from wood esp. as material for paper. wood hyacinth = BLUEBELL 1. wood nymph a dryad or hamadryad. wood pulp wood-fibre reduced chemically or mechanically to pulp as raw material for paper. wood-screw a metal male screw with a slotted head and sharp point. wood sorrel a small plant, Oxalis acetosella, with trifoliate leaves and white flowers streaked with purple. wood spirit crude methanol obtained from wood. wood warbler 1 a European woodland bird, Phylloscopus sibilatrix, with a trilling song. 2 any American warbler of the family Parulidae. wood wool fine pine etc. shavings used as a surgical dressing or for packing. ЬЬwoodless adj. [OE wudu, wi(o)du f. Gmc] woodbind n. = WOODBINE. woodbine n. 1 wild honeysuckle. 2 US Virginia creeper. woodblock n. a block from which woodcuts are made. woodchuck n. a reddish-brown and grey N. American marmot, Marmota monax. [Amer. Ind. name: cf. Cree wuchak, otchock] woodcock n. (pl. same) any game-bird of the genus Scolopax, inhabiting woodland. woodcraft n. esp. US 1 skill in woodwork. 2 knowledge of woodland esp. in camping, scouting, etc. woodcut n. 1 a relief cut on a block of wood sawn along the grain. 2 a print made from this, esp. as an illustration in a book. 3 the technique of making such reliefs and prints. woodcutter n. 1 a person who cuts wood. 2 a maker of woodcuts. wooded adj. having woods or many trees. wooden adj. 1 made of wood. 2 like wood. 3 a stiff, clumsy, or stilted; without animation or flexibility (wooden movements; a wooden performance). b expressionless (a wooden stare). Ьwooden-head colloq. a stupid person. wooden-headed colloq. stupid. wooden-headedness colloq. stupidity. wooden horse = Trojan Horse. wooden spoon a booby prize (orig. a spoon given to the candidate coming last in the Cambridge mathematical tripos). ЬЬwoodenly adv. woodenness n. woodgrouse n. = CAPERCAILLIE. woodland n. wooded country, woods (often attrib.: woodland scenery). ЬЬwoodlander n. woodlark n. a lark, Lullula arborea. woodlouse n. (pl. -lice) any small terrestrial isopod crustacean of the genus Oniscus etc. feeding on rotten wood etc. and often able to roll into a ball. woodman n. (pl. -men) 1 a forester. 2 a woodcutter. woodmouse n. (pl. -mice) a fieldmouse. woodnote n. (often in pl.) a natural or spontaneous note of a bird etc. woodpecker n. any bird of the family Picidae that climbs and taps tree-trunks in search of insects. woodpie n. a greater spotted woodpecker. woodpigeon n. a dove, Columba palumbus, having white patches like a ring round its neck. Also called ring-dove (see RING(1)). woodpile n. a pile of wood, esp. for fuel. woodruff n. a white-flowered plant of the genus Galium, esp. G. odoratum grown for the fragrance of its whorled leaves when dried or crushed. woodrush n. any grassy herbaceous plant of the genus Luzula. woodshed n. a shed where wood for fuel is stored. Ьsomething nasty in the woodshed colloq. a shocking or distasteful thing kept secret. woodsman n. (pl. -men) 1 a person who lives in or is familiar with woodland. 2 a person skilled in woodcraft. woodsy adj. US like or characteristic of woods. [irreg. f. WOOD + -Y(1)] woodwasp n. any sawfly of the family Siricidae, esp. Urocerus gigas, that hangs its nest in trees and inserts its eggs into the wood of conifers where the larvae bore damaging tunnels. woodwind n. (often attrib.) 1 (collect.) the wind instruments of the orchestra that were (mostly) orig. made of wood, e.g. the flute and clarinet. 2 (usu. in pl.) an individual instrument of this kind or its player (the woodwinds are out of tune). woodwork n. 1 the making of things in wood. 2 things made of wood, esp. the wooden parts of a building. Ьcrawl (or come) out of the woodwork colloq. (of something unwelcome) appear; become known. ЬЬwoodworker n. woodworking n. woodworm n. 1 the wood-boring larva of the furniture beetle. 2 the damaged condition of wood affected by this. woody adj. (woodier, woodiest) 1 (of a region) wooded; abounding in woods. 2 like or of wood (woody tissue). Ьwoody nightshade see NIGHTSHADE. ЬЬwoodiness n. woodyard n. a yard where wood is used or stored. woof(1) n. & v. --n. the gruff bark of a dog. --v.intr. give a woof. [imit.] woof(2) n. = WEFT(1). [OE owef, alt. of owebb (after wefan WEAVE(1)), formed as A-(2), WEB: infl. by warp] woofer n. a loudspeaker designed to reproduce low frequencies (cf. TWEETER). [WOOF(1) + -ER(1)] wool n. 1 fine soft wavy hair from the fleece of sheep, goats, etc. 2 a yarn produced from this hair. b cloth or clothing made from it. 3 any of various wool-like substances (steel wool). 4 soft short under-fur or down. 5 colloq. a person's hair, esp. when short and curly. Ьpull the wool over a person's eyes deceive a person. wool-fat lanolin. wool-fell Brit. the skin of a sheep etc. with the fleece still on. wool-gathering absent-mindedness; dreamy inattention. wool-grower a breeder of sheep for wool. wool-oil suint. wool-pack 1 a fleecy cumulus cloud. 2 hist. a bale of wool. wool-skin = wool-fell. wool-sorters' disease anthrax. wool-stapler a person who grades wool. ЬЬwool-like adj. [OE wull f. Gmc] woollen adj. & n. (US woolen) --adj. made wholly or partly of wool, esp. from short fibres. --n. 1 a fabric produced from wool. 2 (in pl.) woollen garments. [OE wullen (as WOOL, -EN(2))] woolly adj. & n. --adj. (woollier, woolliest) 1 bearing or naturally covered with wool or wool-like hair. 2 resembling or suggesting wool (woolly clouds). 3 (of a sound) indistinct. 4 (of thought) vague or confused. 5 Bot. downy. 6 lacking in definition, luminosity, or incisiveness. --n. (pl. -ies) colloq. a woollen garment, esp. a knitted pullover. Ьwoolly-bear a large hairy caterpillar, esp. of the tiger moth. ЬЬwoolliness n. Woolsack n. 1 (in the UK) the Lord Chancellor's wool-stuffed seat in the House of Lords. 2 the position of Lord Chancellor. woolshed n. Austral. & NZ a large shed for shearing and baling wool. woomera n. Austral. 1 an Aboriginal stick for throwing a dart or spear more forcibly. 2 a club used as a missile. [Aboriginal] woop woop n. Austral. & NZ sl. 1 a jocular name for a remote outback town or district. 2 (Woop Woop) an imaginary remote place. [mock Aboriginal] woosh var. of WHOOSH. woozy adj. (woozier, wooziest) colloq. 1 dizzy or unsteady. 2 dazed or slightly drunk. 3 vague. ЬЬwoozily adv. wooziness n. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] wop n. sl. offens. an Italian or other S. European. [20th c.: orig. uncert.: perh. f. It. guappo bold, showy, f. Sp. guapo dandy] Worcester sauce n. a pungent sauce first made in Worcester. [Worcester in S. England] Worcs. abbr. Worcestershire. word n. & v. --n. 1 a sound or combination of sounds forming a meaningful element of speech, usu. shown with a space on either side of it when written or printed, used as part (or occas. as the whole) of a sentence. 2 speech, esp. as distinct from action (bold in word only). 3 one's promise or assurance (gave us their word). 4 (in sing. or pl.) a thing said, a remark or conversation. 5 (in pl.) the text of a song or an actor's part. 6 (in pl.) angry talk (they had words). 7 news, intelligence; a message. 8 a command, password, or motto (gave the word to begin). 9 a basic unit of the expression of data in a computer. --v.tr. put into words; select words to express (how shall we word that?). Ьat a word as soon as requested. be as good as (or better than) one's word fulfil (or exceed) what one has promised. break one's word fail to do what one has promised. have no words for be unable to express. have a word (often foll. by with) speak briefly (to). in other words expressing the same thing differently. in so many words explicitly or bluntly. in a (or one) word briefly. keep one's word do what one has promised. my (or upon my) word an exclamation of surprise or consternation. not the word for it not an adequate or appropriate description. of few words taciturn. of one's word reliable in keeping promises (a woman of her word). on (or upon) my word a form of asseveration. put into words express in speech or writing. take a person at his or her word interpret a person's words literally or exactly. take a person's word for it believe a person's statement without investigation etc. too ... for words too ... to be adequately described (was too funny for words). waste words talk in vain. the Word (or Word of God) the Bible. word-blind incapable of identifying written or printed words owing to a brain defect. word-blindness this condition. word-deaf incapable of identifying spoken words owing to a brain defect. word-deafness this condition. word for word in exactly the same or (of translation) corresponding words. word-game a game involving the making or selection etc. of words. word of honour an assurance given upon one's honour. word of mouth speech (only). word order the sequence of words in a sentence, esp. affecting meaning etc. word-painting a vivid description in writing. word-perfect knowing one's part etc. by heart. word-picture a piece of word-painting. word processor a purpose-built computer system for electronically storing text entered from a keyboard, incorporating corrections, and providing a printout. words fail me an expression of disbelief, dismay, etc. word-square a set of words of equal length written one under another to read the same down as across (e.g. too old ode). a word to the wise = VERB. SAP. ЬЬwordage n. wordless adj. wordlessly adv. wordlessness n. [OE f. Gmc] wordbook n. a book with lists of words; a vocabulary or dictionary. wording n. 1 a form of words used. 2 the way in which something is expressed. wordplay n. use of words to witty effect, esp. by punning. wordsmith n. a skilled user or maker of words. wordy adj. (wordier, wordiest) 1 using or expressed in many or too many words; verbose. 2 consisting of words. ЬЬwordily adv. wordiness n. [OE wordig (as WORD, -Y(1))] wore(1) past of WEAR(1). wore(2) past and past part. of WEAR(2). work n. & v. --n. 1 the application of mental or physical effort to a purpose; the use of energy. 2 a a task to be undertaken. b the materials for this. c (prec. by the; foll. by of) a task occupying (no more than) a specified time (the work of a moment). 3 a thing done or made by work; the result of an action; an achievement; a thing made. 4 a person's employment or occupation etc., esp. as a means of earning income (looked for work; is out of work). 5 a a literary or musical composition. b (in pl.) all such by an author or composer etc. 6 actions or experiences of a specified kind (good work!; this is thirsty work). 7 a (in comb.) things or parts made of a specified material or with specified tools etc. (ironwork; needlework). b archaic needlework. 8 (in pl.) the operative part of a clock or machine. 9 Physics the exertion of force overcoming resistance or producing molecular change (convert heat into work). 10 (in pl.) colloq. all that is available; everything needed. 11 (in pl.) operations of building or repair (road works). 12 (in pl.; often treated as sing.) a place where manufacture is carried on. 13 (usu. in pl.) Theol. a meritorious act. 14 (usu. in pl. or in comb.) a defensive structure (earthworks). 15 (in comb.) a ornamentation of a specified kind (poker-work). b articles having this. --v. (past and past part. worked or (esp. as adj.) wrought) 1 intr. (often foll. by at, on) do work; be engaged in bodily or mental activity. 2 intr. a be employed in certain work (works in industry; works as a secretary). b (foll. by with) be the workmate of (a person). 3 intr. (often foll. by for) make efforts; conduct a campaign (works for peace). 4 intr. (foll. by in) be a craftsman (in a material). 5 intr. operate or function, esp. effectively (how does this machine work?; your idea will not work). 6 intr. (of a part of a machine) run, revolve; go through regular motions. 7 tr. carry on, manage, or control (cannot work the machine). 8 tr. a put or keep in operation or at work; cause to toil (this mine is no longer worked; works the staff very hard). b cultivate (land). 9 tr. bring about; produce as a result (worked miracles). 10 tr. knead, hammer; bring to a desired shape or consistency. 11 tr. do, or make by, needlework etc. 12 tr. & intr. (cause to) progress or penetrate, or make (one's way), gradually or with difficulty in a specified way (worked our way through the crowd; worked the peg into the hole). 13 intr. (foll. by loose etc.) gradually become (loose etc.) by constant movement. 14 tr. artificially excite (worked themselves into a rage). 15 tr. solve (a sum) by mathematics. 16 tr. a purchase with one's labour instead of money (work one's passage). b obtain by labour the money for (one's way through university etc.). 17 intr. (foll. by on, upon) have influence. 18 intr. be in motion or agitated; cause agitation, ferment (his features worked violently; the yeast began to work). 19 intr. Naut. sail against the wind. Ьat work in action or engaged in work. give a person the works 1 colloq. give or tell a person everything. 2 colloq. treat a person harshly. 3 sl. kill a person. have one's work cut out be faced with a hard task. set to work begin or cause to begin operations. work away (or on) continue to work. work-basket (or -bag etc.) a basket or bag etc. containing sewing materials. work camp a camp at which community work is done esp. by young volunteers. work one's fingers to the bone see BONE. work in find a place for. work it colloq. bring it about; achieve a desired result. work of art a fine picture, poem, or building etc. work off get rid of by work or activity. work out 1 solve (a sum) or find out (an amount) by calculation. 2 (foll. by at) be calculated (the total works out at 230). 3 give a definite result (this sum will not work out). 4 have a specified result (the plan worked out well). 5 provide for the details of (has worked out a scheme). 6 accomplish or attain with difficulty (work out one's salvation). 7 exhaust with work (the mine is worked out). 8 engage in physical exercise or training. work over 1 examine thoroughly. 2 colloq. treat with violence. works council esp. Brit. a group of employees representing those employed in a works etc. in discussions with their employers. work-shy disinclined to work. works of supererogation see SUPEREROGATION. work study a system of assessing methods of working so as to achieve the maximum output and efficiency. work table a table for working at, esp. with a sewing-machine. work to rule (esp. as a form of industrial action) follow official working rules exactly in order to reduce output and efficiency. work-to-rule the act or an instance of working to rule. work up 1 bring gradually to an efficient state. 2 (foll. by to) advance gradually to a climax. 3 elaborate or excite by degrees. 4 mingle (ingredients) into a whole. 5 learn (a subject) by study. work one's will (foll. by on, upon) archaic accomplish one's purpose on (a person or thing). work wonders see WONDER. ЬЬworkless adj. [OE weorc etc. f. Gmc] workable adj. 1 that can be worked or will work. 2 that is worth working; practicable, feasible (a workable quarry; a workable scheme). ЬЬworkability () n. workableness n. workably adv. workaday adj. 1 ordinary, everyday, practical. 2 fit for, used, or seen on workdays. workaholic n. colloq. a person addicted to working. workbench n. a bench for doing mechanical or practical work, esp. carpentry. workbox n. a box for holding tools, materials for sewing, etc. workday n. esp. US a day on which work is usually done. worker n. 1 a person who works, esp. a manual or industrial employee. 2 a neuter or undeveloped female of various social insects, esp. a bee or ant, that does the basic work of its colony. Ьworker priest a French Roman Catholic or an Anglican priest who engages part-time in secular work. workforce n. 1 the workers engaged or available in an industry etc. 2 the number of such workers. workhorse n. a horse, person, or machine that performs hard work. workhouse n. 1 Brit. hist. a public institution in which the destitute of a parish received board and lodging in return for work done. 2 US a house of correction for petty offenders. working adj. & n. --adj. 1 engaged in work, esp. in manual or industrial labour. 2 functioning or able to function. --n. 1 the activity of work. 2 the act or manner of functioning of a thing. 3 a a mine or quarry. b the part of this in which work is being or has been done (a disused working). Ьworking capital the capital actually used in a business. working class the class of people who are employed for wages, esp. in manual or industrial work. working-class adj. of the working class. working day esp. Brit. 1 a workday. 2 the part of the day devoted to work. working drawing a drawing to scale, serving as a guide for construction or manufacture. working hours hours normally devoted to work. working hypothesis a hypothesis used as a basis for action. working knowledge knowledge adequate to work with. working lunch etc. a meal at which business is conducted. working order the condition in which a machine works (satisfactorily or as specified). working-out 1 the calculation of results. 2 the elaboration of details. working party a group of people appointed to study a particular problem or advise on some question. workload n. the amount of work to be done by an individual etc. workman n. (pl. -men) 1 a man employed to do manual labour. 2 a person considered with regard to skill in a job (a good workman). workmanlike adj. characteristic of a good workman; showing practised skill. workmanship n. 1 the degree of skill in doing a task or of finish in the product made. 2 a thing made or created by a specified person etc. workmate n. a person engaged in the same work as another. workout n. a session of physical exercise or training. workpeople n.pl. people in paid employment. workpiece n. a thing worked on with a tool or machine. workplace n. a place at which a person works; an office, factory, etc. workroom n. a room for working in, esp. one equipped for a certain kind of work. worksheet n. 1 a paper for recording work done or in progress. 2 a paper listing questions or activities for students etc. to work through. workshop n. 1 a room or building in which goods are manufactured. 2 a a meeting for concerted discussion or activity (a dance workshop). b the members of such a meeting. workstation n. 1 the location of a stage in a manufacturing process. 2 a computer terminal or the desk etc. where this is located. worktop n. a flat surface for working on, esp. in a kitchen. workwoman n. (pl. -women) a female worker or operative. world n. 1 a the earth, or a planetary body like it. b its countries and their inhabitants. c all people; the earth as known or in some particular respect. 2 a the universe or all that exists; everything. b everything that exists outside oneself (dead to the world). 3 a the time, state, or scene of human existence. b (prec. by the, this) mortal life. 4 secular interests and affairs. 5 human affairs; their course and conditions; active life (how goes the world with you?). 6 average, respectable, or fashionable people or their customs or opinions. 7 all that concerns or all who belong to a specified class, time, domain, or sphere of activity (the medieval world; the world of sport). 8 (foll. by of) a vast amount (that makes a world of difference). 9 (attrib.) affecting many nations, of all nations (world politics; a world champion). Ьall the world and his wife 1 any large mixed gathering of people. 2 all with pretensions to fashion. bring into the world give birth to or attend at the birth of. carry the world before one have rapid and complete success. come into the world be born. for all the world (foll. by like, as if) precisely (looked for all the world as if they were real). get the best of both worlds benefit from two incompatible sets of ideas, circumstances, etc. in the world of all; at all (used as an intensifier in questions) (what in the world is it?). man (or woman) of the world a person experienced and practical in human affairs. the next (or other) world a supposed life after death. out of this world colloq. extremely good etc. (the food was out of this world). see the world travel widely; gain wide experience. think the world of have a very high regard for. World Bank colloq. the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, an organization administering economic aid between member nations. world-beater a person or thing surpassing all others. world-class of a quality or standard regarded as high throughout the world. World Cup a competition between football or other sporting teams from various countries. world-famous known throughout the world. the world, the flesh, and the devil the various kinds of temptation. world language 1 an artificial language for international use. 2 a language spoken in many countries. world-line Physics a curve in space-time joining the positions of a particle throughout its existence. the (or all the) world over throughout the world. world power a nation having power and influence in world affairs. the world's end the farthest attainable point of travel. World Series the US championship for baseball teams. world-shaking of supreme importance. the world to come supposed life after death. world-view = WELTANSCHAUUNG. world war a war involving many important nations (First World War of 1914-18; Second World War of 1939-45). world-weariness being world-weary. world-weary weary of the world and life on it. world without end for ever. [OE w(e)orold, world f. a Gmc root meaning 'age': rel. to OLD] worldling n. a worldly person. worldly adj. (worldlier, worldliest) 1 temporal or earthly (worldly goods). 2 engrossed in temporal affairs, esp. the pursuit of wealth and pleasure. Ьworldly-minded intent on worldly things. worldly wisdom prudence as regards one's own interests. worldly-wise having worldly wisdom. ЬЬworldliness n. [OE woruldlic (as WORLD, -LY(1))] worldwide adj. & adv. --adj. affecting, occurring in, or known in all parts of the world. --adv. throughout the world. worm n. & v. --n. 1 any of various types of creeping or burrowing invertebrate animals with long slender bodies and no limbs, esp. segmented in rings or parasitic in the intestines or tissues. 2 the long slender larva of an insect, esp. in fruit or wood. 3 (in pl.) intestinal or other internal parasites. 4 a blindworm or slow-worm. 5 a maggot supposed to eat dead bodies in the grave. 6 an insignificant or contemptible person. 7 a the spiral part of a screw. b a short screw working in a worm-gear. 8 the spiral pipe of a still in which the vapour is cooled and condensed. 9 the ligament under a dog's tongue. --v. 1 intr. & tr. (often refl.) move with a crawling motion (wormed through the bushes; wormed our way through the bushes). 2 intr. & refl. (foll. by into) insinuate oneself into a person's favour, confidence, etc. 3 tr. (foll. by out) obtain (a secret etc.) by cunning persistence (managed to worm the truth out of them). 4 tr. cut the worm of (a dog's tongue). 5 tr. rid (a plant or dog etc.) of worms. 6 tr. Naut. make (a rope etc.) smooth by winding thread between the strands. Ьfood for worms a dead person. worm-cast a convoluted mass of earth left on the surface by a burrowing earthworm. worm-fishing fishing with worms for bait. worm-gear an arrangement of a toothed wheel worked by a revolving spiral. worm-hole a hole left by the passage of a worm. worm-seed 1 seed used to expel intestinal worms. 2 a plant e.g. santonica bearing this seed. worm's-eye view a view as seen from below or from a humble position. worm-wheel the wheel of a worm-gear. a (or even a) worm will turn the meekest will resist or retaliate if pushed too far. ЬЬwormer n. wormlike adj. [OE wyrm f. Gmc] wormeaten adj. 1 a eaten into by worms. b rotten, decayed. 2 old and dilapidated. wormwood n. 1 any woody shrub of the genus Artemisia, with a bitter aromatic taste, used in the preparation of vermouth and absinthe and in medicine. 2 bitter mortification or a source of this. [ME, alt. f. obs. wormod f. OE wormod, wermod, after worm, wood: cf. VERMOUTH] wormy adj. (wormier, wormiest) 1 full of worms. 2 wormeaten. ЬЬworminess n. worn past part. of WEAR(1). --adj. 1 damaged by use or wear. 2 looking tired and exhausted. 3 (in full well-worn) (of a joke etc.) stale; often heard. worriment n. esp. US 1 the act of worrying or state of being worried. 2 a cause of worry. worrisome adj. causing or apt to cause worry or distress. ЬЬworrisomely adv. worrit n. colloq. = WORRY. [orig. alt. in general use of WORRY] worry v. & n. --v. (-ies, -ied) 1 intr. give way to anxiety or unease; allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. 2 tr. harass, importune; be a trouble or anxiety to. 3 tr. a (of a dog etc.) shake or pull about with the teeth. b attack repeatedly. 4 (as worried adj.) a uneasy, troubled in the mind. b suggesting worry (a worried look). --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a thing that causes anxiety or disturbs a person's tranquillity. 2 a disturbed state of mind; anxiety; a worried state. 3 a dog's worrying of its quarry. Ьnot to worry colloq. there is no need to worry. worry along (or through) manage to advance by persistence in spite of obstacles. worry beads a string of beads manipulated with the fingers to occupy or calm oneself. worry-guts (or -wart) colloq. a person who habitually worries unduly. worry oneself (usu. in neg.) take needless trouble. worry out obtain (the solution to a problem etc.) by dogged effort. ЬЬworriedly adv. worrier n. worryingly adv. [OE wyrgan strangle f. WG] worse adj., adv., & n. --adj. 1 more bad. 2 (predic.) in or into worse health or a worse condition (is getting worse; is none the worse for it). --adv. more badly or more ill. --n. 1 a worse thing or things (you might do worse than accept). 2 (prec. by the) a worse condition (a change for the worse). Ьnone the worse (often foll. by for) not adversely affected (by). or worse or as an even worse alternative. the worse for drink fairly drunk. the worse for wear 1 damaged by use. 2 injured. worse luck see LUCK. worse off in a worse (esp. financial) position. [OE wyrsa, wiersa f. Gmc] worsen v.tr. & intr. make or become worse. worship n. & v. --n. 1 a homage or reverence paid to a deity, esp. in a formal service. b the acts, rites, or ceremonies of worship. 2 adoration or devotion comparable to religious homage shown towards a person or principle (the worship of wealth; regarded them with worship in their eyes). 3 archaic worthiness, merit; recognition given or due to these; honour and respect. --v. (worshipped, worshipping; US worshiped, worshiping) 1 tr. adore as divine; honour with religious rites. 2 tr. idolize or regard with adoration (worships the ground she walks on). 3 intr. attend public worship. 4 intr. be full of adoration. ЬYour (or His or Her) Worship esp. Brit. a title of respect used to or of a mayor, certain magistrates, etc. ЬЬworshipper n. (US worshiper). [OE weorthscipe (as WORTH, -SHIP)] worshipful adj. 1 (usu. Worshipful) Brit. a title given to justices of the peace and to certain old companies or their officers etc. 2 archaic entitled to honour or respect. 3 archaic imbued with a spirit of veneration. ЬЬworshipfully adv. worshipfulness n. worst adj., adv., n., & v. --adj. most bad. --adv. most badly. --n. the worst part, event, circumstance, or possibility (the worst of the storm is over; prepare for the worst). --v.tr. get the better of; defeat, outdo. Ьat its etc. worst in the worst state. at worst (or the worst) in the worst possible case. do your worst an expression of defiance. get (or have) the worst of it be defeated. if the worst comes to the worst if the worst happens. [OE wierresta, wyrresta (adj.), wyrst, wyrrest (adv.), f. Gmc] worsted n. 1 a fine smooth yarn spun from combed long staple wool. 2 fabric made from this. [Worste(a)d in S. England] wort n. 1 archaic (except in names) a plant or herb (liverwort; St John's wort). 2 the infusion of malt which after fermentation becomes beer. [OE wyrt: rel. to ROOT(1)] worth adj. & n. --predic.adj. (governing a noun like a preposition) 1 of a value equivalent to (is worth њ50; is worth very little). 2 such as to justify or repay; deserving; bringing compensation for (worth doing; not worth the trouble). 3 possessing or having property amounting to (is worth a million pounds). --n. 1 what a person or thing is worth; the (usu. specified) merit of (of great worth; persons of worth). 2 the equivalent of money in a commodity (ten pounds' worth of petrol). Ьfor all one is worth colloq. with one's utmost efforts; without reserve. for what it is worth without a guarantee of its truth or value. worth it colloq. worth the time or effort spent. worth one's salt see SALT. worth while (or one's while) see WHILE. [OE w(e)orth] worthless adj. without value or merit. ЬЬworthlessly adv. worthlessness n. worthwhile adj. that is worth the time or effort spent; of value or importance. ЬЬworthwhileness n. worthy adj. & n. --adj. (worthier, worthiest) 1 estimable; having some moral worth; deserving respect (lived a worthy life). 2 (of a person) entitled to (esp. condescending) recognition (a worthy old couple). 3 a (foll. by of or to + infin.) deserving (worthy of a mention; worthy to be remembered). b (foll. by of) adequate or suitable to the dignity etc. of (in words worthy of the occasion). --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a worthy person. 2 a person of some distinction. 3 joc. a person. ЬЬworthily adv. worthiness n. [ME wurthi etc. f. WORTH] -worthy comb. form forming adjectives meaning: 1 deserving of (blameworthy; noteworthy). 2 suitable or fit for (newsworthy; roadworthy). wot see WIT(2). wotcher int. Brit. sl. a form of casual greeting. [corrupt. of what cheer] would v.aux. (3rd sing. would) past of WILL(1), used esp.: 1 (in the 2nd and 3rd persons, and often in the 1st: see SHOULD). a in reported speech (he said he would be home by evening). b to express the conditional mood (they would have been killed if they had gone). 2 to express habitual action (would wait for her every evening). 3 to express a question or polite request (would they like it?; would you come in, please?). 4 to express probability (I guess she would be over fifty by now). 5 (foll. by that + clause) literary to express a wish (would that you were here). 6 to express consent (they would not help). Ьwould-be often derog. desiring or aspiring to be (a would-be politician). [OE wolde, past of wyllan: see WILL(1)] wouldn't contr. would not. ЬI wouldn't know colloq. (as is to be expected) I do not know. wouldst archaic 2nd sing. past of WOULD. Woulfe bottle n. Chem. a jar with more than one neck, used for passing a gas through a liquid etc. [P. Woulfe, Engl. chemist d. 1803] wound(1) n. & v. --n. 1 an injury done to living tissue by a cut or blow etc., esp. beyond the cutting or piercing of the skin. 2 an injury to a person's reputation or a pain inflicted on a person's feelings. 3 poet. the pangs of love. --v.tr. inflict a wound on (wounded soldiers; wounded feelings). ЬЬwoundingly adv. woundless adj. [OE wund (n.), wundian (v.)] wound(2) past and past part. of WIND(2) (cf. WIND(1) v. 6). woundwort n. any of various plants esp. of the genus Stachys, formerly supposed to have healing properties. wove(1) past of WEAVE(1). wove(2) adj. (of paper) made on a wire-gauze mesh and so having a uniform unlined surface. [var. of woven, past part. of WEAVE(1)] woven past part. of WEAVE(1). wow(1) int., n., & v. --int. expressing astonishment or admiration. --n. sl. a sensational success. --v.tr. sl. impress or excite greatly. [orig. Sc.: imit.] wow(2) n. a slow pitch-fluctuation in sound-reproduction, perceptible in long notes. [imit.] wowser n. Austral. sl. 1 a puritanical fanatic. 2 a spoilsport. 3 a teetotaller. [20th c.: orig. uncert.] 11.0 WP... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WP abbr. word processor or processing. w.p. abbr. weather permitting. w.p.b. abbr. waste-paper basket. WPC abbr. (in the UK) woman police constable. w.p.m. abbr. words per minute. 12.0 WRAC... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WRAC abbr. (in the UK) Women's Royal Army Corps. wrack n. 1 seaweed cast up or growing on the shore. 2 destruction. 3 a wreck or wreckage. 4 = RACK(2). 5 = RACK(5). [ME f. MDu. wrak or MLG wra(c)k, a parallel formation to OE wr‘c, rel. to wrecan WREAK: cf. WRECK, RACK(5)] WRAF abbr. (in the UK) Women's Royal Air Force. wraggle-taggle var. of RAGGLE-TAGGLE. wraith n. 1 a ghost or apparition. 2 the spectral appearance of a living person supposed to portend that person's death. ЬЬwraithlike adj. [16th-c. Sc.: orig. unkn.] wrangle n. & v. --n. a noisy argument, altercation, or dispute. --v. 1 intr. engage in a wrangle. 2 tr. US herd (cattle). [ME, prob. f. LG or Du.: cf. LG wrangelen, frequent. of wrangen to struggle, rel. to WRING] wrangler n. 1 a person who wrangles. 2 US a cowboy. 3 (at Cambridge University) a person placed in the first class of the mathematical tripos. wrap v. & n. --v.tr. (wrapped, wrapping) 1 (often foll. by up) envelop in folded or soft encircling material (wrap it up in paper; wrap up a parcel). 2 (foll. by round, about) arrange or draw (a pliant covering) round (a person) (wrapped the scarf closer around me). 3 (foll. by round) sl. crash (a vehicle) into a stationary object. --n. 1 a shawl or scarf or other such addition to clothing; a wrapper. 2 esp. US material used for wrapping. Ьtake the wraps off disclose. under wraps in secrecy. wrap-over adj. (attrib.) (of a garment) having no seam at one side but wrapped around the body and fastened. --n. such a garment. wrapped up in engrossed or absorbed in. wrap up 1 finish off, bring to completion (wrapped up the deal in two days). 2 put on warm clothes (mind you wrap up well). 3 (in imper.) sl. be quiet. [ME: orig. unkn.] wraparound adj. & n. (also wrapround) --adj. 1 (esp. of clothing) designed to wrap round. 2 curving or extending round at the edges. --n. anything that wraps round. wrappage n. a wrapping or wrappings. wrapper n. 1 a cover for a sweet, chocolate, etc. 2 a cover enclosing a newspaper or similar packet for posting. 3 a paper cover of a book, usu. detachable. 4 a loose enveloping robe or gown. 5 a tobacco-leaf of superior quality enclosing a cigar. wrapping n. (esp. in pl.) material used to wrap; wraps, wrappers. Ьwrapping paper strong or decorative paper for wrapping parcels. wrapround var. of WRAPAROUND. wrasse n. any bright-coloured marine fish of the family Labridae with thick lips and strong teeth. [Corn. wrach, var. of gwrach, = Welsh gwrach, lit. 'old woman'] wrath n. literary extreme anger. [OE wr‘ththu f. wrath WROTH] wrathful adj. literary extremely angry. ЬЬwrathfully adv. wrathfulness n. wrathy adj. US = WRATHFUL. wreak v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by upon) give play or satisfaction to; put in operation (vengeance or one's anger etc.). 2 cause (damage etc.) (the hurricane wreaked havoc on the crops). 3 archaic avenge (a wrong or wronged person). ЬЬwreaker n. [OE wrecan drive, avenge, etc., f. Gmc: cf. WRACK, WRECK, WRETCH] wreath n. (pl. wreaths) 1 flowers or leaves fastened in a ring esp. as an ornament for a person's head or a building or for laying on a grave etc. as a mark of honour or respect. 2 a a similar ring of soft twisted material such as silk. b Heraldry a representation of this below a crest. 3 a carved representation of a wreath. 4 (foll. by of) a curl or ring of smoke or cloud. 5 a light drifting mass of snow etc. [OE writha f. weak grade of writhan WRITHE] wreathe v. 1 tr. encircle as, with, or like a wreath. 2 tr. (foll. by round) put (one's arms etc.) round (a person etc.). 3 intr. (of smoke etc.) move in the shape of wreaths. 4 tr. form (flowers, silk, etc.) into a wreath. 5 tr. make (a garland). [partly back-form. f. archaic wrethen past part. of WRITHE; partly f. WREATH] wreck n. & v. --n. 1 the destruction or disablement esp. of a ship. 2 a ship that has suffered a wreck (the shores are strewn with wrecks). 3 a greatly damaged or disabled building, thing, or person (had become a physical and mental wreck). 4 (foll. by of) a wretched remnant or disorganized set of remains. 5 Law goods etc. cast up by the sea. --v. 1 tr. cause the wreck of (a ship etc.). 2 tr. completely ruin (hopes, chances, etc.). 3 intr. suffer a wreck. 4 tr. (as wrecked adj.) involved in a shipwreck (wrecked sailors). 5 intr. US deal with wrecked vehicles etc. Ьwreck-master an officer appointed to take charge of goods etc. cast up from a wrecked ship. [ME f. AF wrec etc. (cf. VAREC) f. a Gmc root meaning 'to drive': cf. WREAK] wreckage n. 1 wrecked material. 2 the remnants of a wreck. 3 the action or process of wrecking. wrecker n. 1 a person or thing that wrecks or destroys. 2 esp. hist. a person on the shore who tries to bring about a shipwreck in order to plunder or profit by the wreckage. 3 esp. US a person employed in demolition, or in recovering a wrecked ship or its contents. 4 US a person who breaks up damaged vehicles for spares and scrap. 5 US a vehicle or train used in recovering a damaged one. Wren n. (in the UK) a member of the Women's Royal Naval Service. [orig. in pl., f. abbr. WRNS] wren n. any small usu. brown short-winged songbird of the family Troglodytidae, esp. Troglodytes troglodytes of Europe, having an erect tail. [OE wrenna, rel. to OHG wrendo, wrendilo, Icel. rindill] wrench n. & v. --n. 1 a violent twist or oblique pull or act of tearing off. 2 an adjustable tool like a spanner for gripping and turning nuts etc. 3 an instance of painful uprooting or parting (leaving home was a great wrench). 4 Physics a combination of a couple with the force along its axis. --v.tr. 1 twist or pull violently round or sideways. 2 (often foll. by off, away, etc.) pull off with a wrench. 3 distort (facts) to suit a theory etc. [(earlier as verb:) OE wrencan twist] wrest v. & n. --v.tr. 1 force or wrench away from a person's grasp. 2 (foll. by from) obtain by effort or with difficulty. 3 distort into accordance with one's interests or views (wrest the law to suit themselves). --n. archaic a key for tuning a harp or piano etc. Ьwrest-block (or -plank) the part of a piano or harpsichord holding the wrest-pins. wrest-pin each of the pins to which the strings of a piano or harpsichord are attached. [OE wr‘stan f. Gmc, rel. to WRIST] wrestle n. & v. --n. 1 a contest in which two opponents grapple and try to throw each other to the ground esp. as an athletic sport under a code of rules. 2 a hard struggle. --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by with) take part in a wrestle. 2 tr. fight (a person) in a wrestle (wrestled his opponent to the ground). 3 intr. a (foll. by with, against) struggle, contend. b (foll. by with) do one's utmost to deal with (a task, difficulty, etc.). 4 tr. move with efforts as if wrestling. ЬЬwrestler n. wrestling n. [OE (unrecorded) wr‘stlian: cf. MLG wrostelen, OE wraxlian] wretch n. 1 an unfortunate or pitiable person. 2 (often as a playful term of depreciation) a reprehensible or contemptible person. [OE wrecca f. Gmc] wretched adj. (wretcheder, wretchedest) 1 unhappy or miserable. 2 of bad quality or no merit; contemptible. 3 unsatisfactory or displeasing. Ьfeel wretched 1 be unwell. 2 be much embarrassed. ЬЬwretchedly adv. wretchedness n. [ME, irreg. f. WRETCH + -ED(1): cf. WICKED] wrick Brit. var. of RICK(2). wriggle v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (of a worm etc.) twist or turn its body with short writhing movements. 2 intr. (of a person or animal) make wriggling motions. 3 tr. & intr. (foll. by along etc.) move or go in this way (wriggled into the corner; wriggled his hand into the hole). 4 tr. make (one's way) by wriggling. 5 intr. practise evasion. --n. an act of wriggling. Ьwriggle out of colloq. avoid on a contrived pretext. ЬЬwriggler n. wriggly adj. [ME f. MLG wriggelen frequent. of wriggen] wright n. a maker or builder (usu. in comb.: playwright; shipwright). [OE wryhta, wyrhta f. WG: cf. WORK] wring v. & n. --v.tr. (past and past part. wrung) 1 a squeeze tightly. b (often foll. by out) squeeze and twist esp. to remove liquid. 2 twist forcibly; break by twisting. 3 distress or torture. 4 extract by squeezing. 5 (foll. by out, from) obtain by pressure or importunity; extort. --n. an act of wringing; a squeeze. Ьwring a person's hand clasp it forcibly or press it with emotion. wring one's hands clasp them as a gesture of great distress. wring the neck of kill (a chicken etc.) by twisting its neck. [OE wringan, rel. to WRONG] wringer n. a device for wringing water from washed clothes etc. wringing adj. (in full wringing wet) so wet that water can be wrung out. wrinkle n. & v. --n. 1 a slight crease or depression in the skin such as is produced by age. 2 a similar mark in another flexible surface. 3 colloq. a useful tip or clever expedient. --v. 1 tr. make wrinkles in. 2 intr. form wrinkles; become marked with wrinkles. [orig. repr. OE gewrinclod sinuous] wrinkly adj. & n. --adj. (wrinklier, wrinkliest) having many wrinkles. --n. (also wrinklie) (pl. -ies) sl. offens. an old or middle-aged person. wrist n. 1 the part connecting the hand with the forearm. 2 the corresponding part in an animal. 3 the part of a garment covering the wrist. 4 a (in full wrist-work) the act or practice of working the hand without moving the arm. b the effect got in fencing, ball games, sleight of hand, etc., by this. 5 (in full wrist-pin) Mech. a stud projecting from a crank etc. as an attachment for a connecting-rod. Ьwrist-drop the inability to extend the hand through paralysis of the forearm muscles. wrist-watch a small watch worn on a strap round the wrist. [OE f. Gmc, prob. f. a root rel. to WRITHE] wristband n. a band forming or concealing the end of a shirt-sleeve; a cuff. wristlet n. a band or ring worn on the wrist to strengthen or guard it or as an ornament, bracelet, handcuff, etc. wristy adj. (esp. of a shot in cricket, tennis, etc.) involving or characterized by movement of the wrist. writ(1) n. 1 a form of written command in the name of a sovereign, court, State, etc., to act or abstain from acting in some way. 2 a Crown document summoning a peer to Parliament or ordering the election of a member or members of Parliament. Ьserve a writ on deliver a writ to (a person). one's writ runs one has authority (as specified). [OE (as WRITE)] writ(2) archaic past part. of WRITE. Ьwrit large in magnified or emphasized form. write v. (past wrote; past part. written) 1 intr. mark paper or some other surface by means of a pen, pencil, etc., with symbols, letters, or words. 2 tr. form or mark (such symbols etc.). 3 tr. form or mark the symbols that represent or constitute (a word or sentence, or a document etc.). 4 tr. fill or complete (a sheet, cheque, etc.) with writing. 5 tr. put (data) into a computer store. 6 tr. (esp. in passive) indicate (a quality or condition) by one's or its appearance (guilt was written on his face). 7 tr. compose (a text, article, novel, etc.) for written or printed reproduction or publication; put into literary etc. form and set down in writing. 8 intr. be engaged in composing a text, article, etc. (writes for the local newspaper). 9 intr. (foll. by to) write and send a letter (to a recipient). 10 tr. US or colloq. write and send a letter to (a person) (wrote him last week). 11 tr. convey (news, information, etc.) by letter (wrote that they would arrive next Friday). 12 tr. state in written or printed form (it is written that). 13 tr. cause to be recorded. 14 tr. underwrite (an insurance policy). 15 tr. (foll. by into, out of) include or exclude (a character or episode) in a story by suitable changes of the text. 16 tr. archaic describe in writing. Ьnothing to write home about colloq. of little interest or value. write down 1 record or take note of in writing. 2 write as if for those considered inferior. 3 disparage in writing. 4 reduce the nominal value of (stock, goods, etc.). write in 1 send a suggestion, query, etc., in writing to an organization, esp. a broadcasting station. 2 US add (an extra name) on a list of candidates when voting. write-in n. US an instance of writing in (see write in 2). write off 1 write and send a letter. 2 cancel the record of (a bad debt etc.); acknowledge the loss of or failure to recover (an asset). 3 damage (a vehicle etc.) so badly that it cannot be repaired. 4 compose with facility. write-off n. a thing written off, esp. a vehicle too badly damaged to be repaired. write out 1 write in full or in finished form. 2 exhaust (oneself) by writing (have written myself out). write up 1 write a full account of. 2 praise in writing. 3 make entries to bring (a diary etc.) up to date. write-up n. colloq. a written or published account, a review. ЬЬwritable adj. [OE writan scratch, score, write, f. Gmc: orig. used of symbols inscribed with sharp tools on stone or wood] writer n. 1 a person who writes or has written something. 2 a person who writes books; an author. 3 a clerk, esp. in the Navy or in government offices. 4 a scribe. Ьwriter's cramp a muscular spasm due to excessive writing. Writer to the Signet a Scottish solicitor conducting cases in the Court of Session. [OE writere (as WRITE)] writhe v. & n. --v. 1 intr. twist or roll oneself about in or as if in acute pain. 2 intr. suffer severe mental discomfort or embarrassment (writhed with shame; writhed at the thought of it). 3 tr. twist (one's body etc.) about. --n. an act of writhing. [OE writhan, rel. to WREATHE] writing n. 1 a group or sequence of letters or symbols. 2 = HANDWRITING. 3 (usu. in pl.) a piece of literary work done; a book, article, etc. 4 (Writings) the Hagiographa. Ьin writing in written form. writing-desk a desk for writing at, esp. with compartments for papers etc. the writing on the wall an ominously significant event etc. (see Dan. 5:5, 25-8). writing-pad a pad (see PAD(1) n. 2) of paper for writing on. writing-paper paper for writing (esp. letters) on. written past part. of WRITE. WRNS abbr. (in the UK) Women's Royal Naval Service. wrong adj., adv., n., & v. --adj. 1 mistaken; not true; in error (gave a wrong answer; we were wrong to think that). 2 unsuitable; less or least desirable (the wrong road; a wrong decision). 3 contrary to law or morality (it is wrong to steal). 4 amiss; out of order, in or into a bad or abnormal condition (something wrong with my heart; my watch has gone wrong). --adv. (usually placed last) in a wrong manner or direction; with an incorrect result (guessed wrong; told them wrong). --n. 1 what is morally wrong; a wrong action. 2 injustice; unjust action or treatment (suffer wrong). --v.tr. 1 treat unjustly; do wrong to. 2 mistakenly attribute bad motives to; discredit. Ьdo wrong commit sin; transgress, offend. do wrong to malign or mistreat (a person). get in wrong with incur the dislike or disapproval of (a person). get on the wrong side of fall into disfavour with. get wrong 1 misunderstand (a person, statement, etc.). 2 obtain an incorrect answer to. get (or get hold of) the wrong end of the stick misunderstand completely. go down the wrong way (of food) enter the windpipe instead of the gullet. go wrong 1 take the wrong path. 2 stop functioning properly. 3 depart from virtuous or suitable behaviour. in the wrong responsible for a quarrel, mistake, or offence. on the wrong side of 1 out of favour with (a person). 2 somewhat more than (a stated age). wrong-foot colloq. 1 (in tennis, football, etc.) play so as to catch (an opponent) off balance. 2 disconcert; catch unprepared. wrong-headed perverse and obstinate. wrong-headedly in a wrong-headed manner. wrong-headedness the state of being wrong-headed. wrong side the worse or undesired or unusable side of something, esp. fabric. wrong side out inside out. wrong way round in the opposite or reverse of the normal or desirable orientation or sequence etc. ЬЬwronger n. wrongly adv. wrongness n. [OE wrang f. ON rangr awry, unjust, rel. to WRING] wrongdoer n. a person who behaves immorally or illegally. ЬЬwrongdoing n. wrongful adj. 1 characterized by unfairness or injustice. 2 contrary to law. 3 (of a person) not entitled to the position etc. occupied. ЬЬwrongfully adv. wrongfulness n. wrong'un n. colloq. a person of bad character. [contr. of wrong one] wrote past of WRITE. wroth predic.adj. archaic angry. [OE wrath f. Gmc] wrought archaic past and past part. of WORK. --adj. (of metals) beaten out or shaped by hammering. Ьwrought iron a tough malleable form of iron suitable for forging or rolling, not cast. wrung past and past part. of WRING. WRVS abbr. (in the UK) Women's Royal Voluntary Service. wry adj. (wryer, wryest or wrier, wriest) 1 distorted or turned to one side. 2 (of a face or smile etc.) contorted in disgust, disappointment, or mockery. 3 (of humour) dry and mocking. ЬЬwryly adv. wryness n. [wry (v.) f. OE wrigian tend, incline, in ME deviate, swerve, contort] wryneck n. 1 = TORTICOLLIS. 2 any bird of the genus Jynx of the woodpecker family, able to turn its head over its shoulder. 13.0 WSW =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WSW abbr. west-south-west. 14.0 wt. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- wt. abbr. weight. 15.0 Wu... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Wu n. a dialect of Chinese spoken in the Kiangsu and Chekiang Provinces. [Chin.] wunderkind n. colloq. a person who achieves great success while relatively young. [G f. Wunder wonder + Kind child] wurst n. German or Austrian sausage. [G] 16.0 WV... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WV abbr. US West Virginia (in official postal use). W.Va. abbr. West Virginia. 17.0 WW =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WW abbr. US World War (I, II). 18.0 WX =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WX abbr. women's extra-large size. 19.0 WY... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WY abbr. US Wyoming (in official postal use). wych- comb. form (also wich-, witch-) in names of trees with pliant branches. [OE wic(e) app. f. a Gmc root meaning 'bend': rel. to WEAK] wych-alder n. an American plant, Fothergilla gardenii, with alder-like leaves. wych-elm n. a species of elm, Ulmus glabra. wych-hazel n. 1 var. of WITCH-HAZEL. 2 = WYCH-ELM. Wykehamist adj. & n. --adj. of or concerning Winchester College. --n. a past or present member of Winchester College. [mod.L Wykehamista f. William of Wykeham, bishop of Winchester and founder of the college (d. 1404)] wyn var. of WEN(2). wynd n. Sc. a narrow street or alley. [ME, app. f. the stem of WIND(2)] Wyo. abbr. Wyoming. WYSIWYG adj. (also wysiwyg) Computing denoting the representation of text onscreen in a form exactly corresponding to its appearance on a printout. [acronym of what you see is what you get] wyvern n. (also wivern) Heraldry a winged two-legged dragon with a barbed tail. [ME wyver f. OF wivre, guivre f. L vipera: for -n cf. BITTERN] Яндекс.Реклама: За малые деньги ремонт электродвигателей перемотка по выгодным ценам. |