W \W\ (d[u^]b"'l [=u]),
   the twenty-third letter of the English alphabet, is usually a
   consonant, but sometimes it is a vowel, forming the second
   element of certain diphthongs, as in few, how. It takes its
   written form and its name from the repetition of a V, this
   being the original form of the Roman capital letter which we
   call U. Etymologically it is most related to v and u. See V,
   and U. Some of the uneducated classes in England, especially
   in London, confuse w and v, substituting the one for the
   other, as weal for veal, and veal for weal; wine for vine,
   and vine for wine, etc. See Guide to Pronunciation,
   [sect][sect] 266-268.

Waag \Waag\ (w[aum]g), n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The grivet.

Waahoo \Waa*hoo"\ (w[aum]*h[=oo]"), n. (Bot.)
   The burning bush; -- said to be called after a quack medicine
   made from it.

Wabble \Wab"ble\ (w[o^]b"b'l), v. i. [Cf. Prov. G. wabbeln to
   wabble, and E. whap. Cf. {Quaver}.]
   To move staggeringly or unsteadily from one side to the
   other; to vacillate; to move the manner of a rotating disk
   when the axis of rotation is inclined to that of the disk; --
   said of a turning or whirling body; as, a top wabbles; a buzz
   saw wabbles.



Wabble \Wab"ble\, n.
   A hobbling, unequal motion, as of a wheel unevenly hung; a
   staggering to and fro.

Wabbly \Wab"bly\, a.
   Inclined to wabble; wabbling.

Wacke \Wack"e\, Wacky \Wack"y\, n. [G. wacke, MHG. wacke a large
   stone, OHG. waggo a pebble.] (Geol.)
   A soft, earthy, dark-colored rock or clay derived from the
   alteration of basalt.

Wad \Wad\, n. [See {Woad}.]
   Woad. [Obs.]

Wad \Wad\, n. [Probably of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. vadd wadding,
   Dan vat, D. & G. watte. Cf. {Wadmol}.]
   1. A little mass, tuft, or bundle, as of hay or tow.
      --Holland.

   2. Specifically: A little mass of some soft or flexible
      material, such as hay, straw, tow, paper, or old rope
      yarn, used for retaining a charge of powder in a gun, or
      for keeping the powder and shot close; also, to diminish
      or avoid the effects of windage. Also, by extension, a
      dusk of felt, pasteboard, etc., serving a similar purpose.

   3. A soft mass, especially of some loose, fibrous substance,
      used for various purposes, as for stopping an aperture,
      padding a garment, etc.

   {Wed hook}, a rod with a screw or hook at the end, used for
      removing the wad from a gun.

Wad \Wad\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Waded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wadding}.]
   1. To form into a mass, or wad, or into wadding; as, to wad
      tow or cotton.

   2. To insert or crowd a wad into; as, to wad a gun; also, to
      stuff or line with some soft substance, or wadding, like
      cotton; as, to wad a cloak.

Wad \Wad\, Wadd \Wadd\, n. (Min.)
      (a) An earthy oxide of manganese, or mixture of different
          oxides and water, with some oxide of iron, and often
          silica, alumina, lime, or baryta; black ocher. There
          are several varieties.
      (b) Plumbago, or black lead.

Wadding \Wad"ding\, n. [See {Wad} a little mass.]
   1. A wad, or the materials for wads; any pliable substance of
      which wads may be made.

   2. Any soft stuff of loose texture, used for stuffing or
      padding garments; esp., sheets of carded cotton prepared
      for the purpose.

Waddle \Wad"dle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Waddled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Waddling}.] [Freq. of wade; cf. AS. w[ae]dlian to beg, from
   wadan to go. See {Wade}.]
   To walk with short steps, swaying the body from one side to
   the other, like a duck or very fat person; to move clumsily
   and totteringly along; to toddle; to stumble; as, a child
   waddles when he begins to walk; a goose waddles. --Shak.

         She drawls her words, and waddles in her pace. --Young.

Waddle \Wad"dle\, v. t.
   To trample or tread down, as high grass, by walking through
   it. [R.] --Drayton.

Waddler \Wad"dler\, n.
   One who, or that which, waddles.

Waddlingly \Wad"dling*ly\, adv.
   In a waddling manner.

Wade \Wade\, n.
   Woad. [Obs.] --Mortimer.

Wade \Wade\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Waded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wading}.] [OE. waden to wade, to go, AS. wadan; akin to
   OFries. wada, D. waden, OHG. watan, Icel. va?a, Sw. vada,
   Dan. vade, L. vadere to go, walk, vadum a ford. Cf. {Evade},
   {Invade}, {Pervade}, {Waddle}.]
   1. To go; to move forward. [Obs.]

            When might is joined unto cruelty, Alas, too deep
            will the venom wade.                  --Chaucer.

            Forbear, and wade no further in this speech. --Old
                                                  Play.

   2. To walk in a substance that yields to the feet; to move,
      sinking at each step, as in water, mud, sand, etc.

            So eagerly the fiend . . . With head, hands, wings,
            or feet, pursues his way, And swims, or sinks, or
            wades, or creeps, or flies.           --Milton.

   3. Hence, to move with difficulty or labor; to proceed ?lowly
      among objects or circumstances that constantly ?inder or
      embarrass; as, to wade through a dull book.

            And wades through fumes, and gropes his way.
                                                  --Dryden.

            The king's admirable conduct has waded through all
            these difficulties.                   --Davenant.

Wade \Wade\, v. t.
   To pass or cross by wading; as, he waded ?he rivers and
   swamps.

Wade \Wade\, n.
   The act of wading. [Colloq.]

Wader \Wad"er\, n.
   1. One who, or that which, wades.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) Any long-legged bird that wades in the water in
      search of food, especially any species of limicoline or
      grallatorial birds; -- called also {wading bird}. See
      Illust. g, under {Aves}.

Wading \Wad"ing\,
   a. & n. from {Wade}, v.

   {Wading bird}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Wader}, 2.

Wadmol \Wad"mol\, n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. va?m[=a]l a
   woollen stuff, Dan vadmel. Cf. {Wad} a small mass, and
   {Woodmeil}.]
   A coarse, hairy, woolen cloth, formerly used for garments by
   the poor, and for various other purposes. [Spelled also
   {wadmal}, {wadmeal}, {wadmoll}, {wadmel}, etc.] --Beck
   (Draper's Dict.). Sir W. Scott.

Wadset \Wad"set\, n. [Scot. wad a pledge; akin to Sw. vad a
   wager. See {Wed}.] (Scots Law)
   A kind of pledge or mortgage. [Written also {wadsett}.]

Wadsetter \Wad"set*ter\, n.
   One who holds by a wadset.

Wady \Wad"y\, n.; pl. {Wadies}. [Ar. w[=a]d[=i] a valley, a
   channel of a river, a river.]
   A ravine through which a brook flows; the channel of a water
   course, which is dry except in the rainy season.

Wae \Wae\, n.
   A wave. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Waeg \Waeg\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The kittiwake. [Scot.]

Wafer \Wa"fer\, n. [OE. wafre, OF. waufre, qaufre, F. qaufre; of
   Teutonic origin; cf. LG. & D. wafel, G. waffel, Dan. vaffel,
   Sw. v[*a]ffla; all akin to G. wabe a honeycomb, OHG. waba,
   being named from the resemblance to a honeycomb. G. wabe is
   probably akin to E. weave. See {Weave}, and cf. {Waffle},
   {Gauffer}.]
   1. (Cookery) A thin cake made of flour and other ingredients.

            Wafers piping hot out of the gleed.   --Chaucer.

            The curious work in pastry, the fine cakes, wafers,
            and marchpanes.                       --Holland.

            A woman's oaths are wafers -- break with making --B.
                                                  Jonson.

   2. (Eccl.) A thin cake or piece of bread (commonly
      unleavened, circular, and stamped with a crucifix or with
      the sacred monogram) used in the Eucharist, as in the
      Roman Catholic Church.

   3. An adhesive disk of dried paste, made of flour, gelatin,
      isinglass, or the like, and coloring matter, -- used in
      sealing letters and other documents.



   {Wafer cake}, a sweet, thin cake. --Shak.

   {Wafer irons}, or {Wafer tongs} (Cookery), a pincher-shaped
      contrivance, having flat plates, or blades, between which
      wafers are baked.

   {Wafer woman}, a woman who sold wafer cakes; also, one
      employed in amorous intrigues. --Beau. & Fl.

Wafer \Wa"fer\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wafered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wafering}.]
   To seal or close with a wafer.

Waferer \Wa"fer*er\, n.
   A dealer in the cakes called wafers; a confectioner. [Obs.]
   --Chaucer.

Waffle \Waffle\, n. [D. wafel. See {Wafer}.]
   1. A thin cake baked and then rolled; a wafer.

   2. A soft indented cake cooked in a waffle iron.

   {Waffle iron}, an iron utensil or mold made in two parts
      shutting together, -- used for cooking waffles over a
      fire.

Waft \Waft\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wafted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wafting}.] [Prob. originally imp. & p. p. of wave, v. t. See
   {Wave} to waver.]
   1. To give notice to by waving something; to wave the hand
      to; to beckon. [Obs.]

            But soft: who wafts us yonder?        --Shak.

   2. To cause to move or go in a wavy manner, or by the impulse
      of waves, as of water or air; to bear along on a buoyant
      medium; as, a balloon was wafted over the channel.

            A gentle wafting to immortal life.    --Milton.

            Speed the soft intercourse from soul to soul, And
            waft a sigh from Indus to the pole.   --Pope.

   3. To cause to float; to keep from sinking; to buoy. [Obs.]
      --Sir T. Browne.

   Note: This verb is regular; but waft was formerly som?times
         used, as by Shakespeare, instead of wafted.

Waft \Waft\, v. i.
   To be moved, or to pass, on a buoyant medium; to float.

         And now the shouts waft near the citadel. --Dryden.

Waft \Waft\, n.
   1. A wave or current of wind. ``Everywaft of the air.''
      --Longfellow.

            In this dire season, oft the whirlwind's wing Sweeps
            up the burden of whole wintry plains In one wide
            waft.                                 --Thomson.

   2. A signal made by waving something, as a flag, in the air.

   3. An unpleasant flavor. [Obs.]

   4. (Naut.) A knot, or stop, in the middle of a flag. [Written
      also {wheft}.]

   Note: A flag with a waft in it, when hoisted at the staff, or
         half way to the gaff, means, a man overboard; at the
         peak, a desire to communicate; at the masthead,
         ``Recall boats.''

Waftage \Waft"age\, n.
   Conveyance on a buoyant medium, as air or water. --Shak.

         Boats prepared for waftage to and fro.   --Drayton.

Wafter \Waft"er\, n.
   1. One who, or that which, wafts.

            O Charon, Thou wafter of the soul to bliss or bane.
                                                  --Beau. & FL.

   2. A boat for passage. --Ainsworth.

Wafture \Waf"ture\, n.
   The act of waving; a wavelike motion; a waft. --R. Browning.

         An angry wafture of your hand.           --Shak.

Wag \Wag\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wagged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wagging}.] [OE. waggen; probably of Scand. origin; cf. Sw.
   vagga to rock a cradle, vagga cradle, Icel. vagga, Dan.
   vugge; akin to AS. wagian to move, wag, wegan to bear, carry,
   G. & D. bewegen to move, and E. weigh. [root]136. See
   {Weigh}.]
   To move one way and the other with quick turns; to shake to
   and fro; to move vibratingly; to cause to vibrate, as a part
   of the body; as, to wag the head.

         No discerner durst wag his tongue in censure. --Shak.

         Every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and
         wag his head.                            --Jer. xviii.
                                                  16.

   Note: Wag expresses specifically the motion of the head and
         body used in buffoonery, mirth, derision, sport, and
         mockery.

Wag \Wag\, v. i.
   1. To move one way and the other; to be shaken to and fro; to
      vibrate.

            The resty sieve wagged ne'er the more. --Dryden.

   2. To be in action or motion; to move; to get along; to
      progress; to stir. [Colloq.]

            ``Thus we may see,'' quoth he, ``how the world
            wags.''                               --Shak.

   3. To go; to depart; to pack oft. [R.]

            I will provoke him to 't, or let him wag. --Shak.

Wag \Wag\, n. [From {Wag}, v.]
   1. The act of wagging; a shake; as, a wag of the head.
      [Colloq.]

   2. [Perhaps shortened from wag-halter a rogue.] A man full of
      sport and humor; a ludicrous fellow; a humorist; a wit; a
      joker.

            We wink at wags when they offend.     --Dryden.

            A counselor never pleaded without a piece of pack
            thread in his hand, which he used to twist about a
            finger all the while he was speaking; the wags used
            to call it the thread of his discourse. --Addison.

Wagati \Wa*ga"ti\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A small East Indian wild cat ({Felis wagati}), regarded by
   some as a variety of the leopard cat.

Wage \Wage\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Waged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Waging}.] [OE. wagen, OF. wagier, gagier, to pledge,
   promise, F. gager to wager, lay, bet, fr. LL. wadium a
   pledge; of Teutonic origin; cf. Goth. wadi a pledge,
   gawadj[=o]n to pledge, akin to E. wed, G. wette a wager. See
   {Wed}, and cf. {Gage}.]
   1. To pledge; to hazard on the event of a contest; to stake;
      to bet, to lay; to wager; as, to wage a dollar. --Hakluyt.

            My life I never but as a pawn To wage against thy
            enemies.                              --Shak.

   2. To expose one's self to, as a risk; to incur, as a danger;
      to venture; to hazard. ``Too weak to wage an instant trial
      with the king.'' --Shak.

            To wake and wage a danger profitless. --Shak.

   3. To engage in, as a contest, as if by previous gage or
      pledge; to carry on, as a war.

            [He pondered] which of all his sons was fit To reign
            and wage immortal war with wit.       --Dryden.

            The two are waging war, and the one triumphs by the
            destruction of the other.             --I. Taylor.

   4. To adventure, or lay out, for hire or reward; to hire out.
      [Obs.] ``Thou . . . must wage thy works for wealth.''
      --Spenser.

   5. To put upon wages; to hire; to employ; to pay wages to.
      [Obs.]

            Abundance of treasure which he had in store,
            wherewith he might wage soldiers.     --Holinshed.

            I would have them waged for their labor. --Latimer.

   6. (O. Eng. Law) To give security for the performance of.
      --Burrill.

   {To wage battle} (O. Eng. Law), to give gage, or security,
      for joining in the duellum, or combat. See {Wager of
      battel}, under {Wager}, n. --Burrill.

   {To wage one's law} (Law), to give security to make one's
      law. See {Wager of law}, under {Wager}, n.

Wage \Wage\, v. i.
   To bind one's self; to engage. [Obs.]

Wage \Wage\, n. [OF. wage, gage, guarantee, engagement. See
   {Wage}, v. t. ]
   1. That which is staked or ventured; that for which one
      incurs risk or danger; prize; gage. [Obs.] ``That warlike
      wage.'' --Spenser.

   2. That for which one labors; meed; reward; stipulated
      payment for service performed; hire; pay; compensation; --
      at present generally used in the plural. See {Wages}. ``My
      day's wage.'' --Sir W. Scott. ``At least I earned my
      wage.'' --Thackeray. ``Pay them a wage in advance.'' --J.
      Morley. ``The wages of virtue.'' --Tennyson.

            By Tom Thumb, a fairy page, He sent it, and doth him
            engage, By promise of a mighty wage, It secretly to
            carry.                                --Drayton.

            Our praises are our wages.            --Shak.

            Existing legislation on the subject of wages.
                                                  --Encyc. Brit.

   Note: Wage is used adjectively and as the first part of
         compounds which are usually self-explaining; as, wage
         worker, or wage-worker; wage-earner, etc.

   {Board wages}. See under 1st {Board}.

   Syn: Hire; reward; stipend; salary; allowance; pay;
        compensation; remuneration; fruit.

Wagel \Wag"el\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   See {Waggel}.

Wagenboom \Wa"gen*boom`\, n. [D., literally, wagon tree.] (Bot.)
   A south African proteaceous tree ({Protea grandiflora});
   also, its tough wood, used for making wagon wheels.



Wager \Wa"ger\, n. [OE. wager, wajour, OF. wagiere, or wageure,
   E. gageure. See {Wage}, v. t.]
   1. Something deposited, laid, or hazarded on the event of a
      contest or an unsettled question; a bet; a stake; a
      pledge.

            Besides these plates for horse races, the wagers may
            be as the persons please.             --Sir W.
                                                  Temple.

            If any atheist can stake his soul for a wager
            against such an inexhaustible disproportion, let him
            never hereafter accuse others of credulity.
                                                  --Bentley.

   2. (Law) A contract by which two parties or more agree that a
      certain sum of money, or other thing, shall be paid or
      delivered to one of them, on the happening or not
      happening of an uncertain event. --Bouvier.

   Note: At common law a wager is considered as a legal contract
         which the courts must enforce unless it be on a subject
         contrary to public policy, or immoral, or tending to
         the detriment of the public, or affecting the interest,
         feelings, or character of a third person. In many of
         the United States an action can not be sustained upon
         any wager or bet. --Chitty. --Bouvier.

   3. That on which bets are laid; the subject of a bet.

   {Wager of battel}, or {Wager of battle} (O. Eng. Law), the
      giving of gage, or pledge, for trying a cause by single
      combat, formerly allowed in military, criminal, and civil
      causes. In writs of right, where the trial was by
      champions, the tenant produced his champion, who, by
      throwing down his glove as a gage, thus waged, or
      stipulated, battle with the champion of the demandant,
      who, by taking up the glove, accepted the challenge. The
      wager of battel, which has been long in disuse, was
      abolished in England in 1819, by a statute passed in
      consequence of a defendant's having waged his battle in a
      case which arose about that period. See {Battel}.

   {Wager of law} (Law), the giving of gage, or sureties, by a
      defendant in an action of debt, that at a certain day
      assigned he would take a law, or oath, in open court, that
      he did not owe the debt, and at the same time bring with
      him eleven neighbors (called compurgators), who should
      avow upon their oaths that they believed in their
      consciences that he spoke the truth.

   {Wager policy}. (Insurance Law) See under {Policy}.

Wager \Wa"ger\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wagered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wagering}.]
   To hazard on the issue of a contest, or on some question that
   is to be decided, or on some casualty; to lay; to stake; to
   bet.

         And wagered with him Pieces of gold 'gainst this which
         he wore.                                 --Shak.

Wager \Wa"ger\, v. i.
   To make a bet; to lay a wager.

         'T was merry when You wagered on your angling. --Shak.

Wagerer \Wa"ger*er\, n.
   One who wagers, or lays a bet.

Wagering \Wa"ger*ing\, a.
   Hazarding; pertaining to the act of one who wagers.

   {Wagering policy}. (Com.) See {Wager policy}, under {Policy}.

Wages \Wa"ges\, n. plural in termination, but singular in
   signification. [Plural of wage; cf. F. gages, pl., wages,
   hire. See {Wage}, n.]
   A compensation given to a hired person for services; price
   paid for labor; recompense; hire. See {Wage}, n., 2.

         The wages of sin is death.               --Rom. vi. 23.

   {Wages fund} (Polit. Econ.), the aggregate capital existing
      at any time in any country, which theoretically is
      unconditionally destined to be paid out in wages. It was
      formerly held, by Mill and other political economists,
      that the average rate of wages in any country at any time
      depended upon the relation of the wages fund to the number
      of laborers. This theory has been greatly modified by the
      discovery of other conditions affecting wages, which it
      does not take into account. --Encyc. Brit.

   Syn: See under {Wage}, n.

Waggel \Wag"gel\ (w[a^]g"g[e^]l), n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The young of the great black-backed gull ({Larus marinus}),
   formerly considered a distinct species. [Prov. Eng.]

Waggery \Wag"ger*y\ (-g[~e]r*[y^]), n.; pl. {Waggeries}. [From
   {Wag}.]
   The manner or action of a wag; mischievous merriment;
   sportive trick or gayety; good-humored sarcasm; pleasantry;
   jocularity; as, the waggery of a schoolboy. --Locke.

         A drollery and lurking waggery of expression. --W.
                                                  Irving.

Waggie \Wag"gie\ (-g[i^]), n.
   The pied wagtail. [Prov. Eng.]

Waggish \Wag"gish\ (-g[i^]sh), a.
   1. Like a wag; mischievous in sport; roguish in merriment or
      good humor; frolicsome. ``A company of waggish boys.''
      --L'Estrange.

   2. Done, made, or laid in waggery or for sport; sportive;
      humorous; as, a waggish trick. -- {Wag"gish*ly}, adv. --
      {Wag"gish*ness}, n.

Waggle \Wag"gle\, v. i. [Freq. of wag; cf. D. waggelen, G.
   wackeln.]
   To reel, sway, or move from side to side; to move with a
   wagging motion; to waddle.

         Why do you go nodding and waggling so?   --L'Estrange.

Waggle \Wag"gle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Waggled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Waggling}.]
   To move frequently one way and the other; to wag; as, a bird
   waggles his tail.

Wag-halter \Wag"-hal`ter\, n. [Wag + halter.]
   One who moves or wears a halter; one likely to be hanged.
   [Colloq. & Obs.]

         I can tell you, I am a mad wag-halter.   --Marston.

Wagnerite \Wag"ner*ite\, n. (Min.)
   A fluophosphate of magnesia, occurring in yellowish crystals,
   and also in massive forms.

Wagon \Wag"on\, n. [D. wagen. [root]136. See {Wain}.]
   1. A wheeled carriage; a vehicle on four wheels, and usually
      drawn by horses; especially, one used for carrying freight
      or merchandise.

   Note: In the United States, light wagons are used for the
         conveyance of persons and light commodities.

   2. A freight car on a railway. [Eng.]

   3. A chariot [Obs.] --Spenser.

   4. (Astron.) The Dipper, or Charles's Wain.

   Note: This word and its compounds are often written with two
         g's (waggon, waggonage, etc.), chiefly in England. The
         forms wagon, wagonage, etc., are, however,
         etymologically preferable, and in the United States are
         almost universally used.

   {Wagon boiler}. See the Note under {Boiler}, 3.

   {Wagon ceiling} (Arch.), a semicircular, or wagon-headed,
      arch or ceiling; -- sometimes used also of a ceiling whose
      section is polygonal instead of semicircular.

   {Wagon master}, an officer or person in charge of one or more
      wagons, especially of those used for transporting freight,
      as the supplies of an army, and the like.

   {Wagon shoe}, a skid, or shoe, for retarding the motion of a
      wagon wheel; a drag.

   {Wagon vault}. (Arch.) See under 1st {Vault}.

Wagon \Wag"on\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wagoned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wagoning}.]
   To transport in a wagon or wagons; as, goods are wagoned from
   city to city.

Wagon \Wag"on\, v. i.
   To wagon goods as a business; as, the man wagons between
   Philadelphia and its suburbs.

Wagonage \Wag"on*age\, n.
   1. Money paid for carriage or conveyance in wagon.

   2. A collection of wagons; wagons, collectively.

            Wagonage, provender, and a piece or two of cannon.
                                                  --Carlyle.

Wagoner \Wag"on*er\, n.
   1. One who conducts a wagon; one whose business it is to
      drive a wagon.

   2. (Astron.) The constellation Charles's Wain, or Ursa Major.
      See {Ursa major}, under {Ursa}.

Wagonette \Wag`on*ette"\, n.
   A kind of pleasure wagon, uncovered and with seats extended
   along the sides, designed to carry six or eight persons
   besides the driver.

Wagonful \Wag"on*ful\, n.; pl. {Wagonfuls}.
   As much as a wagon will hold; enough to fill a wagon; a
   wagonload.

Wagon-headed \Wag"on-head`ed\, a.
   Having a top, or head, shaped like the top of a covered
   wagon, or resembling in section or outline an inverted U,
   thus ?; as, a wagonheaded ceiling.

Wagonload \Wag"on*load`\, n.
   Same as {Wagonful}.

Wagon-roofed \Wag"on-roofed`\, a.
   Having a roof, or top, shaped like an inverted U;
   wagon-headed.

Wagonry \Wag"on*ry\, n.
   Conveyance by means of a wagon or wagons. [Obs.] --Milton.

Wagonwright \Wag"on*wright`\, n.
   One who makes wagons.

Wagtail \Wag"tail`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of many species of Old World singing birds belonging
   to {Motacilla} and several allied genera of the family
   {Motacillid[ae]}. They have the habit of constantly jerking
   their long tails up and down, whence the name.

   {Field wagtail}, any one of several species of wagtails of
      the genus {Budytes} having the tail shorter, the legs
      longer, and the hind claw longer and straighter, than do
      the water wagtails. Most of the species are yellow
      beneath. Called also {yellow wagtail}.

   {Garden wagtail}, the Indian black-breasted wagtail
      ({Nemoricola Indica}).

   {Pied wagtail}, the common European water wagtail ({Motacilla
      lugubris}). It is variegated with black and white. The
      name is applied also to other allied species having
      similar colors. Called also {pied dishwasher}.

   {Wagtail flycatcher}, a true flycatcher ({Sauloprocta
      motacilloides}) common in Southern Australia, where it is
      very tame, and frequents stock yards and gardens and often
      builds its nest about houses; -- called also {black
      fantail}.

   {Water wagtail}.
   (a) Any one of several species of wagtails of the restricted
       genus {Motacilla}. They live chiefly on the shores of
       ponds and streams.
   (b) The American water thrush. See {Water thrush}.

   {Wood wagtail}, an Asiatic wagtail; ({Calobates sulphurea})
      having a slender bill and short legs.

Wah \Wah\ (w[aum]), n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The panda.

Wahabee \Wa*ha"bee\, n. [Ar. wah[=a]bi.]
   A follower of Abdel Wahab (b. 1691; d. 1787), a reformer of
   Mohammedanism. His doctrines prevail particularly among the
   Bedouins, and the sect, though checked in its influence,
   extends to most parts of Arabia, and also into India.
   [Written also {Wahaby}.]

Waid \Waid\, a. [For weighed.]
   Oppressed with weight; crushed; weighed down. [Obs.]
   --Tusser.

Waif \Waif\, n. [OF. waif, gaif, as adj., lost, unclaimed, chose
   gaive a waif, LL. wayfium, res vaivae; of Scand. origin. See
   {Waive}.]
   1. (Eng. Law.) Goods found of which the owner is not known;
      originally, such goods as a pursued thief threw away to
      prevent being apprehended, which belonged to the king
      unless the owner made pursuit of the felon, took him, and
      brought him to justice. --Blackstone.

   2. Hence, anything found, or without an owner; that which
      comes along, as it were, by chance. ``Rolling in his mind
      old waifs of rhyme.'' --Tennyson.

   3. A wanderer; a castaway; a stray; a homeless child.

            A waif Desirous to return, and not received.
                                                  --Cowper.

Waift \Waift\, n.
   A waif. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Wail \Wail\, v. t. [Cf. Icel. val choice, velja to choose, akin
   to Goth. waljan, G. w["a]hlen.]
   To choose; to select. [Obs.] ``Wailed wine and meats.''
   --Henryson.

Wail \Wail\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wailed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wailing}.] [OE. wailen, weilen, probably fr. Icel. v[ae]la;
   cf. Icel. v[ae], vei, woe, and E. wayment, also OE. wai, wei,
   woe. Cf. {Woe}.]
   To lament; to bewail; to grieve over; as, to wail one's
   death. --Shak.

Wail \Wail\, v. i.
   To express sorrow audibly; to make mournful outcry; to weep.

         Therefore I will wail and howl. --Micah i. 8.

Wail \Wail\, n.
   Loud weeping; violent lamentation; wailing. ``The wail of the
   forest.'' --Longfellow.

Wailer \Wail"er\, n.
   One who wails or laments.

Waileress \Wail"er*ess\, n.
   A woman who wails. [Obs.]

Wailful \Wail"ful\, a.
   Sorrowful; mournful. `` Like wailful widows.'' --Spenser.
   ``Wailful sonnets.'' --Shak.

Wailingly \Wail"ing*ly\, adv.
   In a wailing manner.

Wailment \Wail"ment\, n.
   Lamentation; loud weeping; wailing. [Obs.] --Bp. Hacket.

Waiment \Wai"ment\ v. & n.
   See {Wayment}. [Obs.]

Wain \Wain\, n. [OE. wain, AS. w[ae]gn; akin to D. & G. wagen,
   OHG. wagan, Icel. & Sw. vagn, Dan. vogn, and E. way. ????.
   See {Way}, {Weigh}, and cf. {Wagon}.]
   1. A four-wheeled vehicle for the transportation of goods,
      produce, etc.; a wagon.

            The wardens see nothing but a wain of hay.
                                                  --Jeffrey.

            Driving in ponderous wains their household goods to
            the seashore.                         --Longfellow.

   2. A chariot. [Obs.]

   {The Wain}. (Astron.) See {Charles's Wain}, in the
      Vocabulary.

   {Wain rope}, a cart rope. --Shak.

Wainable \Wain"a*ble\, a.
   Capable of being plowed or cultivated; arable; tillable.
   [Obs.] --Cowell.

Wainage \Wain"age\ (?; 48), n. [From {Wain}.]
   A finding of carriages, carts, etc., for the transportation
   of goods, produce, etc. --Ainsworth.

Wainage \Wain"age\, n. (O. Eng. Law)
   See {Gainage}, a.

Wainbote \Wain"bote`\, n. [Wain + bote.] (O. Eng. Law)
   See {Cartbote}. See also the Note under {Bote}.

Wainscot \Wain"scot\, n. [OD. waeghe-schot, D. wagen-schot, a
   clapboard, fr. OD. waeg, weeg, a wall (akin to AS. wah; cf.
   Icel. veggr) + schot a covering of boards (akin to E. shot,
   shoot).]
   1. Oaken timber or boarding. [Obs.]

            A wedge wainscot is fittest and most proper for
            cleaving of an oaken tree.            --Urquhart.

            Inclosed in a chest of wainscot.      --J. Dart.

   2. (Arch.) A wooden lining or boarding of the walls of
      apartments, usually made in panels.

   3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of European moths
      of the family {Leucanid[ae]}.

   Note: They are reddish or yellowish, streaked or lined with
         black and white. Their larv[ae] feed on grasses and
         sedges.

Wainscot \Wain"scot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wainscoted}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Wainscoting}.]
   To line with boards or panelwork, or as if with panelwork;
   as, to wainscot a hall.

         Music soundeth better in chambers wainscoted than
         hanged.                                  --Bacon.

         The other is wainscoted with looking-glass. --Addison.

Wainscoting \Wain"scot*ing\, n.
   1. The act or occupation of covering or lining with boards in
      panel.

   2. The material used to wainscot a house, or the wainscot as
      a whole; panelwork.

Wainwright \Wain"wright`\, n.
   Same as {Wagonwright}.

Wair \Wair\, n. (Carp.)
   A piece of plank two yard? long and a foot broad. --Bailey.

Waist \Waist\, n. [OE. wast; originally, growth, akin to AS.
   weaxan to grow; cf. AS. w[ae]stm growth. See {Wax} to grow.]
   1. That part of the human body which is immediately below the
      ribs or thorax; the small part of the body between the
      thorax and hips. --Chaucer.

            I am in the waist two yards about.    --Shak.

   2. Hence, the middle part of other bodies; especially
      (Naut.), that part of a vessel's deck, bulwarks, etc.,
      which is between the quarter-deck and the forecastle; the
      middle part of the ship.

   3. A garment, or part of a garment, which covers the body
      from the neck or shoulders to the waist line.

   4. A girdle or belt for the waist. [Obs.] --Shak.

   {Waist anchor}. See {Sheet anchor}, 1, in the Vocabulary.

Waistband \Waist"band\, n.
   1. The band which encompasses the waist; esp., one on the
      upper part of breeches, trousers, pantaloons, skirts, or
      the like.

   2. A sash worn by women around the waist. [R.]

Waistcloth \Waist"cloth\, n.
   1. A cloth or wrapper worn about the waist; by extension,
      such a garment worn about the hips and passing between the
      thighs.

   2. (Naut.) A covering of canvas or tarpaulin for the
      hammocks, stowed on the nettings, between the quarterdeck
      and the forecastle.

Waistcoat \Waist"coat\, n.
      (a) A short, sleeveless coat or garment for men, worn
          under the coat, extending no lower than the hips, and
          covering the waist; a vest.
      (b) A garment occasionally worn by women as a part of
          fashionable costume.

   Note: The waistcoat was a part of female attire as well as
         male . . . It was only when the waistcoat was worn
         without a gown or upper dress that it was considered
         the mark of a mad or profligate woman. --Nares.

   Syn: See {Vest}.

Waistcoateer \Waist`coat*eer"\, n.
   One wearing a waistcoat; esp., a woman wearing one uncovered,
   or thought fit for such a habit; hence, a loose woman;
   strumpet. [Obs.]

         Do you think you are here, sir, Amongst your
         waistcoateers, your base wenches?        --Beau. & Fl.

Waistcoating \Waist"coat*ing\, n.
   A fabric designed for waistcoats; esp., one in which there is
   a pattern, differently colored yarns being used.

Waister \Waist"er\, n. (Naut.)
   A seaman, usually a green hand or a broken-down man,
   stationed in the waist of a vessel of war. --R. H. Dana, Jr.

Wait \Wait\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Waited}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Waiting}.] [OE. waiten, OF. waitier, gaitier, to watch,
   attend, F. guetter to watch, to wait for, fr. OHG. wahta a
   guard, watch, G. wacht, from OHG. wahh[=e]n to watch, be
   awake. [root]134. See {Wake}, v. i.]
   1. To watch; to observe; to take notice. [Obs.]

            ``But [unless] ye wait well and be privy, I wot
            right well, I am but dead,'' quoth she. --Chaucer.

   2. To stay or rest in expectation; to stop or remain
      stationary till the arrival of some person or event; to
      rest in patience; to stay; not to depart.

            All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till
            my change come.                       --Job xiv. 14.

            They also serve who only stand and wait. --Milton.

            Haste, my dear father; 't is no time to wait.
                                                  --Dryden.



   {To wait on} or {upon}.
      (a) To attend, as a servant; to perform services for; as,
          to wait on a gentleman; to wait on the table.
          ``Authority and reason on her wait.'' --Milton. ``I
          must wait on myself, must I?'' --Shak.
      (b) To attend; to go to see; to visit on business or for
          ceremony.
      (c) To follow, as a consequence; to await. ``That ruin
          that waits on such a supine temper.'' --Dr. H. More.
      (d) To look watchfully at; to follow with the eye; to
          watch. [R.] ``It is a point of cunning to wait upon
          him with whom you speak with your eye.'' --Bacon.
      (e) To attend to; to perform. ``Aaron and his sons . . .
          shall wait on their priest's office.'' --Num. iii. 10.
      (f) (Falconry) To fly above its master, waiting till game
          is sprung; -- said of a hawk. --Encyc. Brit.

Wait \Wait\, v. t.
   1. To stay for; to rest or remain stationary in expectation
      of; to await; as, to wait orders.

            Awed with these words, in camps they still abide,
            And wait with longing looks their promised guide.
                                                  --Dryden.

   2. To attend as a consequence; to follow upon; to accompany;
      to await. [Obs.]

   3. To attend on; to accompany; especially, to attend with
      ceremony or respect. [Obs.]

            He chose a thousand horse, the flower of all His
            warlike troops, to wait the funeral.  --Dryden.

            Remorse and heaviness of heart shall wait thee, And
            everlasting anguish be thy portion.   --Rowe.

   4. To cause to wait; to defer; to postpone; -- said of a
      meal; as, to wait dinner. [Colloq.]

Wait \Wait\, n. [OF. waite, guaite, gaite, F. guet watch,
   watching, guard, from OHG. wahta. See {Wait}, v. i.]
   1. The act of waiting; a delay; a halt.

            There is a wait of three hours at the border Mexican
            town of El Paso.                      --S. B.
                                                  Griffin.

   2. Ambush. ``An enemy in wait.'' --Milton.

   3. One who watches; a watchman. [Obs.]

   4. pl. Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians; not used
      in the singular. [Obs.] --Halliwell.

   5. pl. Musicians who sing or play at night or in the early
      morning, especially at Christmas time; serenaders; musical
      watchmen. [Written formerly {wayghtes}.]

            Hark! are the waits abroad?           --Beau & Fl.

            The sound of the waits, rude as may be their
            minstrelsy, breaks upon the mild watches of a winter
            night with the effect of perfect harmony. --W.
                                                  Irving.

   {To lay wait}, to prepare an ambuscade.

   {To lie in wait}. See under 4th {Lie}.

Waiter \Wait"er\, n.
   1. One who, or that which, waits; an attendant; a servant in
      attendance, esp. at table.

            The waiters stand in ranks; the yeomen cry, ``Make
            room,'' as if a duke were passing by. --Swift.

   2. A vessel or tray on which something is carried, as dishes,
      etc.; a salver.

   {Coast waiter}. See under {Coast}, n.

Waiting \Wait"ing\,
   a. & n. from {Wait}, v.

   {In waiting}, in attendance; as, lords in waiting. [Eng.]

   {Waiting gentlewoman}, a woman who waits upon a person of
      rank.

   {Waiting maid}, {Waiting woman}, a maid or woman who waits
      upon another as a personal servant.

Waitingly \Wait"ing*ly\, adv.
   By waiting.

Waitress \Wait"ress\, n.
   A female waiter or attendant; a waiting maid or waiting
   woman.



Waive \Waive\, n. [See {Waive}, v. t. ]
   1. A waif; a castaway. [Obs.] --Donne.

   2. (O. Eng. Law) A woman put out of the protection of the
      law. See {Waive}, v. t., 3
      (b), and the Note.

Waive \Waive\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Waived}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Waiving}.] [OE. waiven, weiven, to set aside, remove, OF.
   weyver, quesver, to waive, of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. veifa
   to wave, to vibrate, akin to Skr. vip to tremble. Cf.
   {Vibrate}, {Waif}.] [Written also {wave}.]
   1. To relinquish; to give up claim to; not to insist on or
      claim; to refuse; to forego.

            He waiveth milk, and flesh, and all.  --Chaucer.

            We absolutely do renounce or waive our own opinions,
            absolutely yielding to the direction of others.
                                                  --Barrow.

   2. To throw away; to cast off; to reject; to desert.

   3. (Law)
      (a) To throw away; to relinquish voluntarily, as a right
          which one may enforce if he chooses.
      (b) (O. Eng. Law) To desert; to abandon. --Burrill.

   Note: The term was applied to a woman, in the same sense as
         outlaw to a man. A woman could not be outlawed, in the
         proper sense of the word, because, according to
         Bracton, she was never in law, that is, in a
         frankpledge or decennary; but she might be waived, and
         held as abandoned. --Burrill.

Waive \Waive\, v. i.
   To turn aside; to recede. [Obs.]

         To waive from the word of Solomon.       --Chaucer.

Waiver \Waiv"er\, n. (Law)
   The act of waiving, or not insisting on, some right, claim,
   or privilege.

Waivure \Waiv"ure\, n.
   See {Waiver}. [R.]

Waiwode \Wai"wode\, n.
   See {Waywode}.

Wake \Wake\, n. [Originally, an open space of water s?rrounded
   by ice, and then, the passage cut through ice for a vessel,
   probably of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. v["o]k a hole, opening
   in ice, Sw. vak, Dan. vaage, perhaps akin to E. humid.]
   The track left by a vessel in the water; by extension, any
   track; as, the wake of an army.

         This effect followed immediately in the wake of his
         earliest exertions.                      --De Quincey.

         Several humbler persons . . . formed quite a procession
         in the dusty wake of his chariot wheels. --Thackeray.

Wake \Wake\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Waked}or {Woke} (?); p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Waking}.] [AS. wacan, wacian; akin to OFries. waka,
   OS. wak?n, D. waken, G. wachen, OHG. wahh?n, Icel. vaka, Sw.
   vaken, Dan. vaage, Goth. wakan, v. i., uswakjan, v. t., Skr.
   v[=a]jay to rouse, to impel. ????. Cf. {Vigil}, {Wait}, v.
   i., {Watch}, v. i.]
   1. To be or to continue awake; to watch; not to sleep.

            The father waketh for the daughter.   --Ecclus.
                                                  xlii. 9.

            Though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps. --Milton.

            I can not think any time, waking or sleeping,
            without being sensible of it.         --Locke.

   2. To sit up late festive purposes; to hold a night revel.

            The king doth wake to-night, and takes his rouse,
            Keeps wassail, and the swaggering upspring reels.
                                                  --Shak.

   3. To be excited or roused from sleep; to awake; to be
      awakened; to cease to sleep; -- often with up.

            He infallibly woke up at the sound of the concluding
            doxology.                             --G. Eliot.

   4. To be exited or roused up; to be stirred up from a
      dormant, torpid, or inactive state; to be active.

            Gentle airs due at their hour To fan the earth now
            waked.                                --Milton.

            Then wake, my soul, to high desires.  --Keble.

Wake \Wake\, v. t.
   1. To rouse from sleep; to awake.

            The angel . . . came again and waked me. --Zech. iv.
                                                  1.

   2. To put in motion or action; to arouse; to excite. ``I
      shall waken all this company.'' --Chaucer.

            Lest fierce remembrance wake my sudden rage.
                                                  --Milton.

            Even Richard's crusade woke little interest in his
            island realm.                         --J. R. Green.

   3. To bring to life again, as if from the sleep of death; to
      reanimate; to revive.

            To second life Waked in the renovation of the just.
                                                  --Milton.

   4. To watch, or sit up with, at night, as a dead body.

Wake \Wake\, n.
   1. The act of waking, or being awaked; also, the state of
      being awake. [Obs. or Poetic]

            Making such difference 'twixt wake and sleep.
                                                  --Shak.

            Singing her flatteries to my morning wake. --Dryden.

   2. The state of forbearing sleep, especially for solemn or
      festive purposes; a vigil.

            The warlike wakes continued all the night, And
            funeral games played at new returning light.
                                                  --Dryden.

            The wood nymphs, decked with daises trim, Their
            merry wakes and pastimes keep.        --Milton.

   3. Specifically:
      (a) (Ch. of Eng.) An annual parish festival formerly held
          in commemoration of the dedication of a church.
          Originally, prayers were said on the evening
          preceding, and hymns were sung during the night, in
          the church; subsequently, these vigils were
          discontinued, and the day itself, often with
          succeeding days, was occupied in rural pastimes and
          exercises, attended by eating and drinking, often to
          excess.

                Great solemnities were made in all churches, and
                great fairs and wakes throughout all England.
                                                  --Ld. Berners.

                And every village smokes at wakes with lusty
                cheer.                            --Drayton.
      (b) The sitting up of persons with a dead body, often
          attended with a degree of festivity, chiefly among the
          Irish. ``Blithe as shepherd at a wake.'' --Cowper.

   {Wake play}, the ceremonies and pastimes connected with a
      wake. See {Wake}, n., 3
      (b), above. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Wakeful \Wake"ful\, a.
   Not sleeping; indisposed to sleep; watchful; vigilant.

         Dissembling sleep, but wakeful with the fright.
                                                  --Dryden.
   -- {Wake"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Wake"ful*ness}, n.

Waken \Wak"en\, v. i. [imp. & p. pr. {Wakened}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wakening}.] [OE. waknen, AS. w[ae]cnan; akin to Goth.
   gawaknan. See {Wake}, v. i.]
   To wake; to cease to sleep; to be awakened.

         Early, Turnus wakening with the light.   --Dryden.

Waken \Wak"en\, v. t.
   1. To excite or rouse from sleep; to wake; to awake; to
      awaken. ``Go, waken Eve.'' --Milton.

   2. To excite; to rouse; to move to action; to awaken.

            Then Homer's and Tyrt[ae]us' martial muse Wakened
            the world.                            --Roscommon.

            Venus now wakes, and wakens love.     --Milton.

            They introduce Their sacred song, and waken raptures
            high.                                 --Milton.

Wakener \Wak"en*er\, n.
   One who wakens.

Wakening \Wak"en*ing\, n.
   1. The act of one who wakens; esp., the act of ceasing to
      sleep; an awakening.

   2. (Scots Law) The revival of an action. --Burrill.

            They were too much ashamed to bring any wakening of
            the process against Janet.            --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

Waker \Wak"er\, n.
   One who wakes.

Wake-robin \Wake"-rob`in\, n. (Bot.)
   Any plant of the genus {Arum}, especially, in England, the
   cuckoopint ({Arum maculatum}).

   Note: In America the name is given to several species of
         Trillium, and sometimes to the Jack-in-the-pulpit.

Waketime \Wake"time`\, n.
   Time during which one is awake. [R.] --Mrs. Browning.

Waking \Wak"ing\, n.
   1. The act of waking, or the state or period of being awake.

   2. A watch; a watching. [Obs.] ``Bodily pain . . . standeth
      in prayer, in wakings, in fastings.'' --Chaucer.

            In the fourth waking of the night.    --Wyclif
                                                  (Matt. xiv.
                                                  25).

Walaway \Wa"la*way\, interj.
   See {Welaway}. [Obs.]

Wald \Wald\, n. [AS. weald. See {Wold}.]
   A forest; -- used as a termination of names. See {Weald}.

Waldenses \Wal*den"ses\ (?; 277), n. pl. [So called from Petrus
   Waldus, or Peter Waldo, a merchant of Lyons, who founded this
   sect about a. d. 1170.] (Eccl. Hist.)
   A sect of dissenters from the ecclesiastical system of the
   Roman Catholic Church, who in the 13th century were driven by
   persecution to the valleys of Piedmont, where the sect
   survives. They profess substantially Protestant principles.

Waldensian \Wal*den"sian\, a.
   Of or pertaining to the Waldenses. -- n. One Holding the
   Waldensian doctrines.

Waldgrave \Wald"grave\, n. [See {Wald}, and {Margrave}.]
   In the old German empire, the head forest keeper.

Waldheimia \Wald*hei"mi*a\, n. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
   A genus of brachiopods of which many species are found in the
   fossil state. A few still exist in the deep sea.

Wale \Wale\, n. [AS. walu a mark of stripes or blows, probably
   originally, a rod; akin to Icel. v["o]lr, Goth. walus a rod,
   staff. [root]146. Cf. {Goal}, {Weal} a wale.]
   1. A streak or mark made on the skin by a rod or whip; a
      stripe; a wheal. See {Wheal}. --Holland.

   2. A ridge or streak rising above the surface, as of cloth;
      hence, the texture of cloth.

            Thou 'rt rougher far, And of a coarser wale, fuller
            of pride.                             --Beau & Fl.

   3. (Carp.) A timber bolted to a row of piles to secure them
      together and in position. --Knight.

   4. (Naut.)
      (a) pl. Certain sets or strakes of the outside planking of
          a vessel; as, the main wales, or the strakes of
          planking under the port sills of the gun deck; channel
          wales, or those along the spar deck, etc.
      (b) A wale knot, or wall knot.

   {Wale knot}. (Naut.) See {Wall knot}, under 1st {Wall}.

Wale \Wale\, v. t.
   1. To mark with wales, or stripes.

   2. To choose; to select; specifically (Mining), to pick out
      the refuse of (coal) by hand, in order to clean it. [Prov.
      Eng. & Scot.]

Walhalla \Wal*hal"la\, n. [Cf. G. walhalla, See {Valhalla}.]
   See {Valhalla}.

Waling \Wal"ing\, n. (Naut.)
   Same as {Wale}, n., 4.

Walk \Walk\ (w[add]k), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Walked}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Walking}.] [OE. walken, probably from AS. wealcan to
   roll, turn, revolve, akin to D. walken to felt hats, to work
   a hat, G. walken to full, OHG. walchan to beat, to full,
   Icel. v[=a]lka to roll, to stamp, Sw. valka to full, to roll,
   Dan. valke to full; cf. Skr. valg to spring; but cf. also AS.
   weallian to roam, ramble, G. wallen. [root]130.]
   1. To move along on foot; to advance by steps; to go on at a
      moderate pace; specifically, of two-legged creatures, to
      proceed at a slower or faster rate, but without running,
      or lifting one foot entirely before the other touches the
      ground.

            At the end of twelve months, he walked in the palace
            of the kingdom of Babylon.            --Dan. iv. 29.

            When Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked
            on the water, to go to Jesus.         --Matt. xiv.
                                                  29.

   Note: In the walk of quadrupeds, there are always two, and
         for a brief space there are three, feet on the ground
         at once, but never four.

   2. To move or go on the feet for exercise or amusement; to
      take one's exercise; to ramble.

   3. To be stirring; to be abroad; to go restlessly about; --
      said of things or persons expected to remain quiet, as a
      sleeping person, or the spirit of a dead person; to go
      about as a somnambulist or a specter.

            I have heard, but not believed, the spirits of the
            dead May walk again.                  --Shak.

            When was it she last walked?          --Shak.

   4. To be in motion; to act; to move; to wag. [Obs.] ``Her
      tongue did walk in foul reproach.'' --Spenser.

            Do you think I'd walk in any plot?    --B. Jonson.

            I heard a pen walking in the chimney behind the
            cloth.                                --Latimer.

   5. To behave; to pursue a course of life; to conduct one's
      self.

            We walk perversely with God, and he will walk
            crookedly toward us.                  --Jer. Taylor.

   6. To move off; to depart. [Obs. or Colloq.]

            He will make their cows and garrans to walk.
                                                  --Spenser.

   {To walk} in, to go in; to enter, as into a house.

   {To walk after the flesh} (Script.), to indulge sensual
      appetites, and to live in sin. --Rom. viii. 1.

   {To walk after the Spirit} (Script.), to be guided by the
      counsels and influences of the Spirit, and by the word of
      God. --Rom. viii. 1.

   {To walk by faith} (Script.), to live in the firm belief of
      the gospel and its promises, and to rely on Christ for
      salvation. --2 Cor. v. 7.

   {To walk in darkness} (Script.), to live in ignorance, error,
      and sin. --1 John i. 6.

   {To walk in the flesh} (Script.), to live this natural life,
      which is subject to infirmities and calamities. --2 Cor.
      x. 3.

   {To walk in the light} (Script.), to live in the practice of
      religion, and to enjoy its consolations. --1 John i. 7.

   {To walk over}, in racing, to go over a course at a walk; --
      said of a horse when there is no other entry; hence,
      colloquially, to gain an easy victory in any contest.



   {To walk through the fire} (Script.), to be exercised with
      severe afflictions. --Isa. xliii. 2.

   {To walk with God} (Script.), to live in obedience to his
      commands, and have communion with him.

Walk \Walk\, v. t.
   1. To pass through, over, or upon; to traverse; to
      perambulate; as, to walk the streets.

            As we walk our earthly round.         --Keble.

   2. To cause to walk; to lead, drive, or ride with a slow
      pace; as to walk one's horses. `` I will rather trust . .
      . a thief to walk my ambling gelding.'' --Shak.

   3. [AS. wealcan to roll. See {Walk} to move on foot.] To
      subject, as cloth or yarn, to the fulling process; to
      full. [Obs. or Scot.]

   {To walk the plank}, to walk off the plank into the water and
      be drowned; -- an expression derived from the practice of
      pirates who extended a plank from the side of a ship, and
      compelled those whom they would drown to walk off into the
      water; figuratively, to vacate an office by compulsion.
      --Bartlett.

Walk \Walk\, n.
   1. The act of walking, or moving on the feet with a slow
      pace; advance without running or leaping.

   2. The act of walking for recreation or exercise; as, a
      morning walk; an evening walk.

   3. Manner of walking; gait; step; as, we often know a person
      at a distance by his walk.

   4. That in or through which one walks; place or distance
      walked over; a place for walking; a path or avenue
      prepared for foot passengers, or for taking air and
      exercise; way; road; hence, a place or region in which
      animals may graze; place of wandering; range; as, a sheep
      walk.

            A woody mountain . . . with goodliest trees Planted,
            with walks and bowers.                --Milton.

            He had walk for a hundred sheep.      --Latimer.

            Amid the sound of steps that beat The murmuring
            walks like rain.                      --Bryant.

   5. A frequented track; habitual place of action; sphere; as,
      the walk of the historian.

            The mountains are his walks.          --Sandys.

            He opened a boundless walk for his imagination.
                                                  --Pope.

   6. Conduct; course of action; behavior.

   7. The route or district regularly served by a vender; as, a
      milkman's walk. [Eng.]



Walkable \Walk"a*ble\, a.
   Fit to be walked on; capable of being walked on or over. [R.]
   --Swift.

Walker \Walk"er\, n.
   1. One who walks; a pedestrian.

   2. That with which one walks; a foot. [Obs.]

            Lame Mulciber, his walkers quite misgrown.
                                                  --Chapman.

   3. (Law) A forest officer appointed to walk over a certain
      space for inspection; a forester.

   4. [AS. wealcere. See {Walk}, v. t., 3.] A fuller of cloth.
      [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

            She cursed the weaver and the walker The cloth that
            had wrought.                          --Percy's
                                                  Reliques.

   5. (Zo["o]l.) Any ambulatorial orthopterous insect, as a
      stick insect.

Walking \Walk"ing\,
   a. & n. from {Walk}, v.

   {Walking beam}. See {Beam}, 10.

   {Walking crane}, a kind of traveling crane. See under
      {Crane}.

   {Walking fern}. (Bot.) See {Walking leaf}, below.

   {Walking fish} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
      Asiatic fishes of the genus {Ophiocephalus}, some of
      which, as {O. marulius}, become over four feet long. They
      have a special cavity over the gills lined with a membrane
      adapted to retain moisture to aid in respiration, and are
      thus able to travel considerable distances over the land
      at night, whence the name. They construct a curious nest
      for their young. Called also {langya}.

   {Walking gentleman} (Theater), an actor who usually fills
      subordinate parts which require a gentlemanly appearance
      but few words. [Cant]

   {Walking lady} (Theater), an actress who usually fills such
      parts as require only a ladylike appearance on the stage.
      [Cant]

   {Walking leaf}.
   (a) (Bot.) A little American fern ({Camptosorus
       rhizophyllus}); -- so called because the fronds taper
       into slender prolongations which often root at the apex,
       thus producing new plants.
   (b) (Zo["o]l.) A leaf insect. See under {Leaf}.

   {Walking papers}, or {Walking ticket}, an order to leave;
      dismissal, as from office. [Colloq.] --Bartlett.

   {Walking stick}.
   (a) A stick or staff carried in the hand for hand for support
       or amusement when walking; a cane.
   (b) (Zo["o]l.) A stick insect; -- called also {walking
       straw}. See Illust. of {Stick insect}, under {Stick}.

   {Walking wheel} (Mach.), a prime mover consisting of a wheel
      driven by the weight of men or animals walking either in
      it or on it; a treadwheel.

Walk-mill \Walk"-mill`\, n. [Walk to Walking Leaf, or full +
   mill.]
   A fulling mill. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.

Walk-over \Walk"-o`ver\, n.
   In racing, the going over a course by a horse which has no
   competitor for the prize; hence, colloquially, a one-sided
   contest; an uncontested, or an easy, victory.



Walkyr \Wal"kyr\, n. (Scand. Myth.)
   See {Valkyria}.

Wall \Wall\, n. (Naut.)
   A kind of knot often used at the end of a rope; a wall knot;
   a wale.

   {Wall knot}, a knot made by unlaying the strands of a rope,
      and making a bight with the first strand, then passing the
      second over the end of the first, and the third over the
      end of the second and through the bight of the first; a
      wale knot. Wall knots may be single or double, crowned or
      double-crowned.

Wall \Wall\, n. [AS. weall, from L. vallum a wall, vallus a
   stake, pale, palisade; akin to Gr. ? a nail. Cf. {Interval}.]
   1. A work or structure of stone, brick, or other materials,
      raised to some height, and intended for defense or
      security, solid and permanent inclosing fence, as around a
      field, a park, a town, etc., also, one of the upright
      inclosing parts of a building or a room.

            The plaster of the wall of the King's palace. --Dan.
                                                  v. 5.

   2. A defense; a rampart; a means of protection; in the
      plural, fortifications, in general; works for defense.

            The waters were a wall unto them on their right
            hand, and on their left.              --Ex. xiv. 22.

            In such a night, Troilus, methinks, mounted the
            Troyan walls.                         --Shak.

            To rush undaunted to defend the walls. --Dryden.

   3. An inclosing part of a receptacle or vessel; as, the walls
      of a steam-engine cylinder.

   4. (Mining)
      (a) The side of a level or drift.
      (b) The country rock bounding a vein laterally. --Raymond.

   Note: Wall is often used adjectively, and also in the
         formation of compounds, usually of obvious
         signification; as in wall paper, or wall-paper; wall
         fruit, or wall-fruit; wallflower, etc.

   {Blank wall}, Blind wall, etc. See under {Blank}, {Blind},
      etc.

   {To drive to the wall}, to bring to extremities; to push to
      extremes; to get the advantage of, or mastery over.

   {To go to the wall}, to be hard pressed or driven; to be the
      weaker party; to be pushed to extremes.

   {To take the wall}. to take the inner side of a walk, that
      is, the side next the wall; hence, to take the precedence.
      ``I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's.''
      --Shak.

   {Wall barley} (Bot.), a kind of grass ({Hordeum murinum})
      much resembling barley; squirrel grass. See under
      {Squirrel}.

   {Wall box}. (Mach.) See {Wall frame}, below.

   {Wall creeper} (Zo["o]l.), a small bright-colored bird
      ({Tichodroma muraria}) native of Asia and Southern Europe.
      It climbs about over old walls and cliffs in search of
      insects and spiders. Its body is ash-gray above, the wing
      coverts are carmine-red, the primary quills are mostly red
      at the base and black distally, some of them with white
      spots, and the tail is blackish. Called also {spider
      catcher}.

   {Wall cress} (Bot.), a name given to several low cruciferous
      herbs, especially to the mouse-ear cress. See under
      {Mouse-ear}.

   {Wall frame} (Mach.), a frame set in a wall to receive a
      pillow block or bearing for a shaft passing through the
      wall; -- called also {wall box}.

   {Wall fruit}, fruit borne by trees trained against a wall.

   {Wall gecko} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of Old
      World geckos which live in or about buildings and run over
      the vertical surfaces of walls, to which they cling by
      means of suckers on the feet.

   {Wall lizard} (Zo["o]l.), a common European lizard ({Lacerta
      muralis}) which frequents houses, and lives in the chinks
      and crevices of walls; -- called also {wall newt}.

   {Wall louse}, a wood louse.

   {Wall moss} (Bot.), any species of moss growing on walls.

   {Wall newt} (Zo["o]l.), the wall lizard. --Shak.

   {Wall paper}, paper for covering the walls of rooms; paper
      hangings.

   {Wall pellitory} (Bot.), a European plant ({Parictaria
      officinalis}) growing on old walls, and formerly esteemed
      medicinal.

   {Wall pennywort} (Bot.), a plant ({Cotyledon Umbilicus})
      having rounded fleshy leaves. It is found on walls in
      Western Europe.

   {Wall pepper} (Bot.), a low mosslike plant ({Sedum acre})
      with small fleshy leaves having a pungent taste and
      bearing yellow flowers. It is common on walls and rocks in
      Europe, and is sometimes seen in America.

   {Wall pie} (Bot.), a kind of fern; wall rue.

   {Wall piece}, a gun planted on a wall. --H. L. Scott.

   {Wall plate} (Arch.), a piece of timber placed horizontally
      upon a wall, and supporting posts, joists, and the like.
      See Illust. of {Roof}.

   {Wall rock}, granular limestone used in building walls. [U.
      S.] --Bartlett.

   {Wall rue} (Bot.), a species of small fern ({Asplenium
      Ruta-muraria}) growing on walls, rocks, and the like.

   {Wall spring}, a spring of water issuing from stratified
      rocks.

   {Wall tent}, a tent with upright cloth sides corresponding to
      the walls of a house.

   {Wall wasp} (Zo["o]l.), a common European solitary wasp
      ({Odynerus parietus}) which makes its nest in the crevices
      of walls.

Wall \Wall\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Walled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Walling}.]
   1. To inclose with a wall, or as with a wall. ``Seven walled
      towns of strength.'' --Shak.

            The king of Thebes, Amphion, That with his singing
            walled that city.                     --Chaucer.

   2. To defend by walls, or as if by walls; to fortify.

            The terror of his name that walls us in. --Denham.

   3. To close or fill with a wall, as a doorway.

Wallaba \Wal"la*ba\, n. (Bot.)
   A leguminous tree ({Eperua falcata}) of Demerara, with
   pinnate leaves and clusters of red flowers. The reddish brown
   wood is used for palings and shingles. --J. Smith (Dict.
   Econ. Plants).

Wallaby \Wal"la*by\, n.; pl. {Wallabies}. [From a native name.]
   (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of numerous species of kangaroos belonging to the
   genus {Halmaturus}, native of Australia and Tasmania,
   especially the smaller species, as the brush kangaroo ({H.
   Bennettii}) and the pademelon ({H. thetidis}). The wallabies
   chiefly inhabit the wooded district and bushy plains.
   [Written also {wallabee}, and {whallabee}.]

Wallah \Wal"lah\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A black variety of the jaguar; -- called also {tapir tiger}.
   [Written also {walla}.]

Wallaroo \Wal`la*roo"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of several species of kangaroos of the genus
   {Macropus}, especially {M. robustus}, sometimes called the
   {great wallaroo}.

Wallbird \Wall"bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The spotted flycatcher. [Prov. Eng.]

Waller \Wall"er\, n.
   One who builds walls.

Waller \Wall"er\, n. [G.] (Zo["o]l.)
   The wels.

Wallerian degeneration \Wal*le"ri*an de*gen`er*a"tion\ (Med.)
   A form of degeneration occurring in nerve fibers as a result
   of their division; -- so called from Dr. Waller, who
   published an account of it in 1850.

Wallet \Wal"let\, n. [OE. walet, probably the same word as OE.
   watel a bag. See {Wattle}.]
   1. A bag or sack for carrying about the person, as a bag for
      carrying the necessaries for a journey; a knapsack; a
      beggar's receptacle for charity; a peddler's pack.

            [His hood] was trussed up in his walet. --Chaucer.

   2. A pocketbook for keeping money about the person.

   3. Anything protuberant and swagging. ``Wallets of flesh.''
      --Shak.

Walleteer \Wal`let*eer"\, n.
   One who carries a wallet; a foot traveler; a tramping beggar.
   [Colloq.] --Wright.

Wall-eye \Wall"-eye`\, n. [See {Wall-eyed}.]
   1. An eye in which the iris is of a very light gray or
      whitish color; -- said usually of horses. --Booth.

   Note: Jonson has defined wall-eye to be ``a disease in the
         crystalline humor of the eye; glaucoma.'' But glaucoma
         is not a disease of the crystalline humor, nor is
         wall-eye a disease at all, but merely a natural
         blemish. --Tully. In the north of England, as Brockett
         states, persons are said to be wall-eyed when the white
         of the eye is very large and distorted, or on one side.

   2. (Zo["o]l.)
      (a) An American fresh-water food fish ({Stizostedion
          vitreum}) having large and prominent eyes; -- called
          also {glasseye}, {pike perch}, {yellow pike}, and
          {wall-eyed perch}.
      (b) A California surf fish ({Holconotus argenteus}).
      (c) The alewife; -- called also {wall-eyed herring}.

Wall-eyed \Wall"-eyed`\, a. [Icel. valdeyg[eth]r, or vagleygr;
   fr. vagl a beam, a beam in the eye (akin to Sw. vagel a
   roost, a perch, a sty in the eye) + eygr having eyes (from
   auga eye). See {Eye}.]
   Having an eye of a very light gray or whitish color. --Booth.

   Note: Shakespeare, in using wall-eyed as a term of reproach
         (as ``wall-eyed rage,'' a ``wall-eyed wretch''),
         alludes probably to the idea of unnatural or distorted
         vision. See the Note under {Wall-eye}. It is an eye
         which is utterly and incurably perverted, an eye that
         knows no pity.

Wallflower \Wall"flow`er\, n.
   1. (Bot.) A perennial, cruciferous plant ({Cheiranthus
      Cheiri}), with sweet-scented flowers varying in color from
      yellow to orange and deep red. In Europe it very common on
      old walls.

   Note: The name is sometimes extended to other species of
         {Cheiranthus} and of the related genus {Erysimum},
         especially the American {Western wallflower} ({Erysimum
         asperum}), a biennial herb with orange-yellow flowers.

   2. A lady at a ball, who, either from choice, or because not
      asked to dance, remains a spectator. [Colloq.]

Wallhick \Wall"hick`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The lesser spotted woodpecker ({Dryobates minor}). [Prov.
   Eng.]

Walling \Wall"ing\, n.
   1. The act of making a wall or walls.

   2. Walls, in general; material for walls.

   {Walling wax}, a composition of wax and tallow used by
      etchers and engravers to make a bank, or wall, round the
      edge of a plate, so as to form a trough for holding the
      acid used in etching, and the like. --Fairholt.

Walloons \Wal*loons"\, n. pl.; sing. {Walloon}. [Cf. F. wallon.]
   A Romanic people inhabiting that part of Belgium which
   comprises the provinces of Hainaut, Namur, Li['e]ge, and
   Luxembourg, and about one third of Brabant; also, the
   language spoken by this people. Used also adjectively.
   [Written also Wallons.] ``A base Walloon . . . thrust Talbot
   with a spear.'' --Shak.

   {Walloon guard}, the bodyguard of the Spanish monarch; -- so
      called because formerly consisting of Walloons.

Wallop \Wal"lop\, v. i. [Cf. OFlem. walop a gallop; of uncertain
   origin. Cf. {Gallop}.]
   To move quickly, but with great effort; to gallop. [Prov.
   Eng. & Scot.]

Wallop \Wal"lop\, n.
   A quick, rolling movement; a gallop. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Wallop \Wal"lop\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Walloped}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Walloping}.] [Probably fr. AS. weallan to spring up, to
   boil or bubble. [root]147. See {Well}, n. & v. i.]
   1. To boil with a continued bubbling or heaving and rolling,
      with noise. [Prov. Eng.] --Brockett.

   2. To move in a rolling, cumbersome manner; to waddle. [Prov.
      Eng.] --Halliwell.

   3. To be slatternly. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.

Wallop \Wal"lop\, v. t.
   1. To beat soundly; to flog; to whip. [Prov. Eng., Scot., &
      Colloq. U. S.]

   2. To wrap up temporarily. [Prov. Eng.]

   3. To throw or tumble over. [Prov. Eng.]

Wallop \Wal"lop\, n.
   1. A thick piece of fat. --Halliwell.

   2. A blow. [Prov. Eng., Scot., & Colloq. U. S.]

Wallow \Wal"low\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Wallowed}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Wallowing}.] [OE. walwen, AS. wealwian; akin to Goth.
   walwjan (in comp.) to roll, L. volvere; cf. Skr. val to turn.
   [root]147. Cf. {Voluble Well}, n.]
   1. To roll one's self about, as in mire; to tumble and roll
      about; to move lazily or heavily in any medium; to
      flounder; as, swine wallow in the mire.

            I may wallow in the lily beds.        --Shak.

   2. To live in filth or gross vice; to disport one's self in a
      beastly and unworthy manner.

            God sees a man wallowing in his native impurity.
                                                  --South.

   3. To wither; to fade. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Wallow \Wal"low\, v. t.
   To roll; esp., to roll in anything defiling or unclean.
   ``Wallow thyself in ashes.'' --Jer. vi. 26.

Wallow \Wal"low\, n.
   A kind of rolling walk.

         One taught the toss, and one the new French wallow.
                                                  --Dryden.

Wallower \Wal"low*er\, n.
   1. One who, or that which, wallows.

   2. (Mach.) A lantern wheel; a trundle.

Wallowish \Wal"low*ish\, a. [Scot. wallow to fade or wither.]
   Flat; insipid. [Obs.] --Overbury.

Wall-plat \Wall"-plat`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The spotted flycatcher. It builds its nest on walls. [Prov.
   Eng.]

Wall-sided \Wall"-sid`ed\, a. (Naut.)
   Having sides nearly perpendicular; -- said of certain vessels
   to distinguish them from those having flaring sides, or sides
   tumbling home (see under {Tumble}, v. i.).

Wallwort \Wall"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
   The dwarf elder, or danewort ({Sambucus Ebulus}).

Walm \Walm\, v. i. [AS. weallan; cf. w[ae]lm, billow.
   [root]147.]
   To roll; to spout; to boil up. [Obs.] --Holland.

Walnut \Wal"nut\, n. [OE. walnot, AS. wealh-hnutu a Welsh or
   foreign nut, a walnut; wealh foreign, strange, n., a
   Welshman, Celt (akin to OHG. Walh, properly, a Celt, from the
   name of a Celtic tribe, in L. Volcae) + hnutu a nut; akin to
   D. walnoot, G. walnuss, Icel. valhnot, Sw. valn["o]t, Dan
   valn["o]d. See {Nut}, and cf. {Welsh}.] (Bot.)
   The fruit or nut of any tree of the genus {Juglans}; also,
   the tree, and its timber. The seven or eight known species
   are all natives of the north temperate zone.



   Note: In some parts of America, especially in New England,
         the name walnut is given to several species of hickory
         ({Carya}), and their fruit.

   {Ash-leaved walnut}, a tree ({Juglans fraxinifolia}), native
      in Transcaucasia.

   {Black walnut}, a North American tree ({J. nigra}) valuable
      for its purplish brown wood, which is extensively used in
      cabinetwork and for gunstocks. The nuts are thick-shelled,
      and nearly globular.

   {English}, or {European}, {walnut}, a tree ({J. regia}),
      native of Asia from the Caucasus to Japan, valuable for
      its timber and for its excellent nuts, which are also
      called Madeira nuts.

   {Walnut brown}, a deep warm brown color, like that of the
      heartwood of the black walnut.

   {Walnut oil}, oil extracted from walnut meats. It is used in
      cooking, making soap, etc.

   {White walnut}, a North American tree ({J. cinerea}), bearing
      long, oval, thick-shelled, oily nuts, commonly called
      butternuts. See {Butternut}.

Walrus \Wal"rus\, n. [D. walrus; of Scand. origin; cf. Dan
   valros, Sw. vallross, Norw. hvalros; literally, whale horse;
   akin to Icel. hrosshvalr, AS. horshw[ae]l. See {Whale}, and
   {Horse}.] (Zo["o]l.)
   A very large marine mammal ({Trichecus rosmarus}) of the Seal
   family, native of the Arctic Ocean. The male has long and
   powerful tusks descending from the upper jaw. It uses these
   in procuring food and in fighting. It is hunted for its oil,
   ivory, and skin. It feeds largely on mollusks. Called also
   {morse}.

   Note: The walrus of the North Pacific and Behring Strait
         ({Trichecus obesus}) is regarded by some as a distinct
         species, by others as a variety of the common walrus.

Walter \Wal"ter\, v. i. [See {Welter}.]
   To roll or wallow; to welter. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Waltron \Wal"tron\, n.
   A walrus. [Obs.] --Woodward.

Walty \Wal"ty\, a. [Cf. {Walter} to roll.]
   Liable to roll over; crank; as, a walty ship. [R.]
   --Longfellow.

Waltz \Waltz\, n. [G. walzer, from walzen to roll, revolve,
   dance, OHG. walzan to roll; akin to AS. wealtan. See
   {Welter}.]
   A dance performed by two persons in circular figures with a
   whirling motion; also, a piece of music composed in triple
   measure for this kind of dance.

Waltz \Waltz\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Waltzed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Waltzing}.]
   To dance a waltz.

Waltzer \Waltz"er\, n.
   A person who waltzes.

Walwe \Wal"we\, v.
   To wallow. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Waly \Wa"ly\, interj. [Cf. {Welaway}.]
   An exclamation of grief. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Wamble \Wam"ble\, v. i. [Cf. Dan. vamle, and vammel squeamish,
   ready to vomit, Icel. v[ae]ma to feel nausea, v[ae]minn
   nauseous.]
   1. To heave; to be disturbed by nausea; -- said of the
      stomach. --L'Estrange.

   2. To move irregularly to and fro; to roll.

Wamble \Wam"ble\, n.
   Disturbance of the stomach; a feeling of nausea. --Holland.

Wamble-cropped \Wam"ble-cropped`\, a.
   Sick at the stomach; also, crestfallen; dejected. [Slang]

Wammel \Wam"mel\, v. i.
   To move irregularly or awkwardly; to wamble, or wabble.
   [Prov. Eng.]

Wamp \Wamp\, n. [From the North American Indian name.]
   (Zo["o]l.)
   The common American eider.

Wampee \Wam*pee"\, n. (Bot.)
   (a) A tree ({Cookia punctata}) of the Orange family, growing
       in China and the East Indies; also, its fruit, which is
       about the size of a large grape, and has a hard rind and
       a peculiar flavor.
   (b) The pickerel weed. [Southern U. S.]

Wampum \Wam"pum\, n. [North American Indian wampum, wompam, from
   the Mass. w['o]mpi, Del. w[=a]pe, white.]
   Beads made of shells, used by the North American Indians as
   money, and also wrought into belts, etc., as an ornament.

         Round his waist his belt of wampum.      --Longfellow.

         Girded with his wampum braid.            --Whittier.

   Note: These beads were of two kinds, one white, and the other
         black or dark purple. The term wampum is properly
         applied only to the white; the dark purple ones are
         called suckanhock. See {Seawan}. ``It [wampum]
         consisted of cylindrical pieces of the shells of
         testaceous fishes, a quarter of an inch long, and in
         diameter less than a pipestem, drilled . . . so as to
         be strung upon a thread. The beads of a white color,
         rated at half the value of the black or violet, passed
         each as the equivalent of a farthing in transactions
         between the natives and the planters.'' --Palfrey.

Wan \Wan\, obs. imp. of {Win}.
   Won. --Chaucer.

Wan \Wan\, a. [AS. wann, wonn, wan, won, dark, lurid, livid,
   perhaps originally, worn out by toil, from winnan to labor,
   strive. See {Win}.]
   Having a pale or sickly hue; languid of look; pale; pallid.
   ``Sad to view, his visage pale and wan.'' --Spenser.

         My color . . . [is] wan and of a leaden hue. --Chaucer.

         Why so pale and wan, fond lover?         --Suckling.

         With the wan moon overhead.              --Longfellow.

Wan \Wan\, n.
   The quality of being wan; wanness. [R.]

         Tinged with wan from lack of sleep.      --Tennyson.

Wan \Wan\, v. i.
   To grow wan; to become pale or sickly in looks. ``All his
   visage wanned.'' --Shak.

         And ever he mutter'd and madden'd, and ever wann'd with
         despair.                                 --Tennyson.

Wand \Wand\, n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. v["o]ndr, akin to
   Dan. vaand, Goth. wandus; perhaps originally, a pliant twig,
   and akin to E. wind to turn.]
   1. A small stick; a rod; a verge.

            With good smart blows of a wand on his back.
                                                  --Locke.

   2. Specifically:
      (a) A staff of authority.

                Though he had both spurs and wand, they seemed
                rather marks of sovereignty than instruments of
                punishment.                       --Sir P.
                                                  Sidney.
      (b) A rod used by conjurers, diviners, magicians, etc.

                Picus bore a buckler in his hand; His other
                waved a long divining wand.       --Dryden.

   {Wand of peace} (Scots Law), a wand, or staff, carried by the
      messenger of a court, which he breaks when deforced (that
      is, hindered from executing process), as a symbol of the
      deforcement, and protest for remedy of law. --Burrill.

Wander \Wan"der\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Wandered}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Wandering}.] [OE. wandren, wandrien, AS. wandrian; akin
   to G. wandern to wander; fr. AS. windan to turn. See {Wind}
   to turn.]
   1. To ramble here and there without any certain course or
      with no definite object in view; to range about; to
      stroll; to rove; as, to wander over the fields.

            They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins.
                                                  --Heb. xi. 37.

            He wandereth abroad for bread.        --Job xv. 23.

   2. To go away; to depart; to stray off; to deviate; to go
      astray; as, a writer wanders from his subject.

            When God caused me to wander from my father's house.
                                                  --Gen. xx. 13.

            O, let me not wander from thy commandments. --Ps.
                                                  cxix. 10.

   3. To be delirious; not to be under the guidance of reason;
      to rave; as, the mind wanders.

   Syn: To roam; rove; range; stroll; gad; stray; straggly; err;
        swerve; deviate; depart.

Wander \Wan"der\, v. t.
   To travel over without a certain course; to traverse; to
   stroll through. [R.] ``[Elijah] wandered this barren waste.''
   --Milton.

Wanderer \Wan"der*er\, n.
   One who wanders; a rambler; one who roves; hence, one who
   deviates from duty.

Wandering \Wan"der*ing\,
   a. & n. from {Wander}, v.

   {Wandering albatross} (Zo["o]l.), the great white albatross.
      See Illust. of {Albatross}.

   {Wandering cell} (Physiol.), an animal cell which possesses
      the power of spontaneous movement, as one of the white
      corpuscles of the blood.

   {Wandering Jew} (Bot.), any one of several creeping species
      of {Tradescantia}, which have alternate, pointed leaves,
      and a soft, herbaceous stem which roots freely at the
      joints. They are commonly cultivated in hanging baskets,
      window boxes, etc.

   {Wandering kidney} (Med.), a morbid condition in which one
      kidney, or, rarely, both kidneys, can be moved in certain
      directions; -- called also {floating kidney}, {movable
      kidney}.

   {Wandering liver} (Med.), a morbid condition of the liver,
      similar to wandering kidney.

   {Wandering mouse} (Zo["o]l.), the whitefooted, or deer,
      mouse. See Illust. of {Mouse}.

   {Wandering spider} (Zo["o]l.), any one of a tribe of spiders
      that wander about in search of their prey.

Wanderingly \Wan"der*ing*ly\, adv.
   In a wandering manner.

Wanderment \Wan"der*ment\, n.
   The act of wandering, or roaming. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.

Wanderoo \Wan`der*oo"\, n. [Cingalese wanderu a monkey.]
   (Zo["o]l.)
   A large monkey ({Macacus silenus}) native of Malabar. It is
   black, or nearly so, but has a long white or gray beard
   encircling the face. Called also {maha}, {silenus},
   {neelbhunder}, {lion-tailed baboon}, and {great wanderoo}.
   [Written also {ouanderoo}.]

   Note: The name is sometimes applied also to other allied
         species.

Wandy \Wand"y\, a.
   Long and flexible, like a wand. [Prov. Eng.] --Brockett.

Wane \Wane\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Waned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Waning}.] [OE. wanien, AS. wanian, wonian, from wan, won,
   deficient, wanting; akin to D. wan-, G. wahnsinn, insanity,
   OHG. wan, wana-, lacking, wan?n to lessen, Icel. vanr
   lacking, Goth. vans; cf. Gr. ? bereaved, Skr. ?na wanting,
   inferior. ????. Cf. {Want} lack, and {Wanton}.]
   1. To be diminished; to decrease; -- contrasted with {wax},
      and especially applied to the illuminated part of the
      moon.

            Like the moon, aye wax ye and wane. Waning moons
            their settled periods keep.           --Addison.

   2. To decline; to fail; to sink.

            You saw but sorrow in its waning form. --Dryden.

            Land and trade ever will wax and wane together.
                                                  --Sir J.
                                                  Child.

Wane \Wane\, v. t.
   To cause to decrease. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.

Wane \Wane\, n.
   1. The decrease of the illuminated part of the moon to the
      eye of a spectator.

   2. Decline; failure; diminution; decrease; declension.

            An age in which the church is in its wane. --South.

            Though the year be on the wane.       --Keble.

   3. An inequality in a board. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.

Waney \Wan"ey\, n.
   A sharp or uneven edge on a board that is cut from a log not
   perfectly squared, or that is made in the process of
   squaring. See {Wany}, a.

Wang \Wang\, n. [OE. wange, AS. wange, wonge, cheek, jaw; akin
   to D. wang, OS. & OHG. wanga, G. wange.]
   1. The jaw, jawbone, or cheek bone. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

            So work aye the wangs in his head.    --Chaucer.

   2. A slap; a blow. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.

   {Wang tooth}, a cheek tooth; a molar. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Wang \Wang\, n.
   See {Whang}. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

Wangan \Wan"gan\, n. [American Indian.]
   A boat for conveying provisions, tools, etc.; -- so called by
   Maine lumbermen. [Written also {wangun}.] --Bartlett.

Wanger \Wang"er\, n. [AS. wangere. See 1st {Wang}.]
   A pillow for the cheek; a pillow. [Obs. & R.]

         His bright helm was his wanger.          --Chaucer.

Wanghee \Wang*hee"\, n. [Chin. wang yellow + he? a root.] (Bot.)
   The Chinese name of one or two species of bamboo, or jointed
   cane, of the genus {Phyllostachys}. The slender stems are
   much used for walking sticks. [Written also {whanghee}.]

Wango \Wang"o\, n.
   A boomerang.

Wanhope \Wan"hope`\, n. [AS. wan, won, deficient, wanting + hopa
   hope: cf. D. wanhoop. ????. See {Wane}, and {Hope}.]
   Want of hope; despair; also, faint or delusive hope;
   delusion. [Obs.] Piers Plowman. ``Wanhope and distress.''
   --Chaucer.

Wanhorn \Wan"horn`\, n. [Corruption fr. Siamese wanhom.] (Bot.)
   An East Indian plant ({K[ae]mpferia Galanga}) of the Ginger
   family. See {Galanga}.

Waniand \Wan"i*and\, n. [See {Wanion}.]
   The wane of the moon. [Obs.] --Halliwell.

Waning \Wan"ing\, n.
   The act or process of waning, or decreasing.

         This earthly moon, the Church, hath fulls and wanings,
         and sometimes her eclipses.              --Bp. Hall.

Wanion \Wan"ion\, n. [Probably for OE. waniand waning, p. pr. of
   wanien; hence, used of the waning of the moon, supposed to be
   an unlucky time. See {Wane}.]
   A word of uncertain signification, used only in the phrase
   with a wanion, apparently equivalent to with a vengeance,
   with a plague, or with misfortune. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
   Latimer.

Wankle \Wan"kle\, a. [AS. wancol.]
   Not to be depended on; weak; unstable. [Prov. Eng.] --Grose.

Wanly \Wan"ly\, adv.
   In a wan, or pale, manner.

Wanned \Wanned\, a.
   Made wan, or pale.

Wanness \Wan"ness\, n.
   The quality or state of being wan; a sallow, dead, pale
   color; paleness; pallor; as, the wanness of the cheeks after
   a fever.

Wannish \Wan"nish\, a.
   Somewhat wan; of a pale hue.

         No sun, but a wannish glare, In fold upon fold of
         hueless cloud.                           --Tennyson.

Want \Want\ (277), n. [Originally an adj., from Icel. vant,
   neuter of vanr lacking, deficient. [root]139. See {Wane}, v.
   i.]
   1. The state of not having; the condition of being without
      anything; absence or scarcity of what is needed or
      desired; deficiency; lack; as, a want of power or
      knowledge for any purpose; want of food and clothing.

            And me, his parent, would full soon devour For want
            of other prey.                        --Milton.

            From having wishes in consequence of our wants, we
            often feel wants in consequence of our wishes.
                                                  --Rambler.

            Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and more saucy.
                                                  --Franklin.

   2. Specifically, absence or lack of necessaries; destitution;
      poverty; penury; indigence; need.

            Nothing is so hard for those who abound in riches,
            as to conceive how others can be in want. --Swift.

   3. That which is needed or desired; a thing of which the loss
      is felt; what is not possessed, and is necessary for use
      or pleasure.

            Habitual superfluities become actual wants. --Paley.

   4. (Mining) A depression in coal strata, hollowed out before
      the subsequent deposition took place. [Eng.]

   Syn: Indigence; deficiency; defect; destitution; lack;
        failure; dearth; scarceness.

Want \Want\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wanted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wanting}.]
   1. To be without; to be destitute of, or deficient in; not to
      have; to lack; as, to want knowledge; to want judgment; to
      want learning; to want food and clothing.

            They that want honesty, want anything. --Beau. & Fl.

            Nor think, though men were none, That heaven would
            want spectators, God want praise.     --Milton.

            The unhappy never want enemies.       --Richardson.

   2. To have occasion for, as useful, proper, or requisite; to
      require; to need; as, in winter we want a fire; in summer
      we want cooling breezes.

   3. To feel need of; to wish or long for; to desire; to crave.
      `` What wants my son?'' --Addison.

            I want to speak to you about something. --A.
                                                  Trollope.

Want \Want\, v. i. [Icel. vanta to be wanting. See {Want} to
   lack.]
   1. To be absent; to be deficient or lacking; to fail; not to
      be sufficient; to fall or come short; to lack; -- often
      used impersonally with of; as, it wants ten minutes of
      four.

            The disposition, the manners, and the thoughts are
            all before it; where any of those are wanting or
            imperfect, so much wants or is imperfect in the
            imitation of human life.              --Dryden.

   2. To be in a state of destitution; to be needy; to lack.

            You have a gift, sir (thank your education), Will
            never let you want.                   --B. Jonson.

            For as in bodies, thus in souls, we find What wants
            in blood and spirits, swelled with wind. --Pope.

   Note: Want was formerly used impersonally with an indirect
         object. ``Him wanted audience.'' --Chaucer.

Wa'n't \Wa'n't\
   A colloquial contraction of was not.

Wantage \Want"age\, n.
   That which is wanting; deficiency.

Wanting \Want"ing\, a.
   Absent; lacking; missing; also, deficient; destitute; needy;
   as, one of the twelve is wanting; I shall not be wanting in
   exertion.



Wantless \Want"less\, a.
   Having no want; abundant; fruitful.

Wanton \Wan"ton\, a. [OE. wantoun, contr. from wantowen; pref.
   wan- wanting (see {Wane}, v. i.), hence expressing negation +
   towen, p. p., AS. togen, p. p. of te['o]n to draw, to
   educate, bring up; hence, properly, ill bred. See {Tug}, v.
   t.]
   1. Untrained; undisciplined; unrestrained; hence, loose;
      free; luxuriant; roving; sportive. ``In woods and wanton
      wilderness.'' --Spenser. ``A wild and wanton herd.''
      --Shak.

            A wanton and a merry [friar].         --Chaucer.

            [She] her unadorned golden tresses wore Disheveled,
            but in wanton ringlets waved.         --Milton.

            How does your tongue grow wanton in her praise!
                                                  --Addison.

   2. Wandering from moral rectitude; perverse; dissolute. ``Men
      grown wanton by prosperity.'' --Roscommon.

   3. Specifically: Deviating from the rules of chastity; lewd;
      lustful; lascivious; libidinous; lecherous.

            Not with wanton looking of folly.     --Chaucer.

            [Thou art] froward by nature, enemy to peace,
            Lascivious, wanton.                   --Shak.

   4. Reckless; heedless; as, wanton mischief.

Wanton \Wan"ton\, n.
   1. A roving, frolicsome thing; a trifler; -- used rarely as a
      term of endearment.

            I am afeard you make a wanton of me.  --Shak.

            Peace, my wantons; he will do More than you can aim
            unto.                                 --B. Jonson.

   2. One brought up without restraint; a pampered pet.

            Anything, sir, That's dry and wholesome; I am no
            bred wanton.                          --Beau. & Fl.

   3. A lewd person; a lascivious man or woman.

Wanton \Wan"ton\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Wantoned}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Wantoning}.]
   1. To rove and ramble without restraint, rule, or limit; to
      revel; to play loosely; to frolic.

            Nature here wantoned as in her prime. --Milton.

            How merrily we would sally into the fields, and
            strip under the first warmth of the sun, and wanton
            like young dace in the streams!       --Lamb.

   2. To sport in lewdness; to play the wanton; to play
      lasciviously.

Wanton \Wan"ton\, v. t.
   To cause to become wanton; also, to waste in wantonness.
   [Obs.]

Wantonize \Wan"ton*ize\, v. i.
   To behave wantonly; to frolic; to wanton. [R.] --Lamb.

Wantonly \Wan"ton*ly\, adv.
   1. In a wanton manner; without regularity or restraint;
      loosely; sportively; gayly; playfully; recklessly;
      lasciviously.

   2. Unintentionally; accidentally. [Obs.] --J. Dee.

Wantonness \Wan"ton*ness\, n.
   The quality or state of being wanton; negligence of
   restraint; sportiveness; recklessness; lasciviousness.
   --Gower.

         The tumults threatened to abuse all acts of grace, and
         turn them into wantonness.               --Eikon
                                                  Basilike.

         Young gentlemen would be as sad as night Only for
         wantonness.                              --Shak.

Wantrust \Wan"trust`\, n. [Pref. wan- as in wanton + trust.]
   Failing or diminishing trust; want of trust or confidence;
   distrust. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Wantwit \Want"wit`\, n.
   One destitute of wit or sense; a blockhead; a fool. [Obs.]
   --Shak.

Wanty \Wan"ty\, n. [For womb tie, that is, belly?and. See
   {Womb}, and {Tie}.]
   A surcingle, or strap of leather, used for binding a load
   upon the back of a beast; also, a leather tie; a short wagon
   rope. [Prov. Eng.]

Wany \Wan"y\, v. i.
   To wane. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Wany \Wan"y\, a.
   1. Waning or diminished in some parts; not of uniform size
      throughout; -- said especially of sawed boards or timber
      when tapering or uneven, from being cut too near the
      outside of the log.

   2. Spoiled by wet; -- said of timber. --Halliwell.

Wanze \Wanze\, v. i.
   To wane; to wither. [Obs.]

Wap \Wap\, v. t. & i. [See {Whap}.]
   To beat; to whap. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] --Sir T. Malory.

Wap \Wap\, n.
   A blow or beating; a whap. [Prov. Eng.]

Wapacut \Wap"a*cut\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The American hawk owl. See under {Hawk}.

Wapatoo \Wap"a*too`\, n. (Bot.)
   The edible tuber of a species of arrowhead ({Sagittaria
   variabilis}); -- so called by the Indians of Oregon. [Written
   also {wappato}.]

Waped \Waped\, a. [Prov. E. wape pale, v., to stupefy, akin to
   wap to beat. Cf. {Whap}, and {Wappened}.]
   Cast down; crushed by misery; dejected. [Obs.]

Wapentake \Wap"en*take\ (?; 277), n. [AS. w?penge??c,
   w?pent[=a]c, from Icel. v[=a]pnat[=a]k, literally, a weapon
   taking or weapon touching, hence an expression of assent
   (``si displicuit sententia fremitu aspernantur; sin placuit
   frameas concutiunt.'' --Tacitus, ``Germania,'' xi.). See
   {Weapon}, and {Take}. This name had its origin in a custom of
   touching lances or spears when the hundreder, or chief,
   entered on his office. ``Cum quis accipiebat pr[ae]fecturam
   wapentachii, die statuto in loco ubi consueverant congregari,
   omnes majores natu contra eum conveniebant, et descendente eo
   de equo suo, omnes assurgebant ei. Ipse vero, erecta lancea
   sua, ab omnibus secundum morem f[oe]dus accipiebat; omnes
   enim quot-quot venissent cum lanceis suis ipsius hastam
   tangebant, et ita se confirmabant per contactum armorum, pace
   palam concessa. W[ae]pnu enim arma sonat; tac, tactus est --
   hac de causa totus ille conventus dicitur Wapentac, eo quod
   per tactum armorum suorum ad invicem conf[oe]derati sunt.''
   --L L. Edward Confessor, 33. D. Wilkins.]
   In some northern counties of England, a division, or
   district, answering to the hundred in other counties.
   Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire are divided into
   wapentakes, instead of hundreds. [Written also {wapentac}.]
   --Selden. Blackstone.

Wapinschaw \Wap"in*schaw\, n. [Scot. See {Weapon}, and {Show}.]
   An exhibition of arms. according to the rank of the
   individual, by all persons bearing arms; -- formerly made at
   certain seasons in each district. [Scot.] --Jamieson. Sir W.
   Scott.

Wapiti \Wap"i*ti\, n. [Probably the Iroquois name. Bartlett.]
   (Zo["o]l.)
   The American elk ({Cervus Canadensis}). It is closely related
   to the European red deer, which it somewhat exceeds in size.

   Note: By some writers it is thought to be a variety of the
         red deer, but it is considered a distinct species by
         others. It is noted for the large, branching antlers of
         the male.

Wapp \Wapp\, n. [CF. Prov. E. wap to wrap up.] (Naut.)
   (a) A fair-leader.
   (b) A rope with wall knots in it with which the shrouds are
       set taut.

Wappato \Wap"pa*to\, n. (Bot.)
   See {Wapatoo}.

Wappened \Wap"pened\, a. [Cf. {Waped}, {Wapper}.]
   A word of doubtful meaning used once by Shakespeare.

         This [gold] is it

         That makes the wappen'd widow wed again.

   Note: It is conjectured by some that it is an error for
         wappered, meaning tremulous or exhausted.

Wapper \Wap"per\, v. t. & i. [freq. of wap, v.; cf. dial. G.
   wappern, wippern, to move up and down, to rock.]
   To cause to shake; to tremble; to move tremulously, as from
   weakness; to totter. [Obs.]

Wapper \Wap"per\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A gudgeon. [Prov. Eng.]



Wappet \Wap"pet\, n.
   A small yelping cur. [Prov. Eng.]

Wapping \Wap"ping\, n.
   Yelping. [R.] --Fuller.

War \War\, a.
   Ware; aware. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

War \War\, n. [OE. & AS. werre; akin to OHG. werra scandal,
   quarrel, sedition, werran to confound, mix, D. warren, G.
   wirren, verwirren, to embroil, confound, disturb, and perhaps
   to E. worse; cf. OF. werre war, F. querre, of Teutonic
   origin. Cf. {Guerrilla}, {Warrior}.]
   1. A contest between nations or states, carried on by force,
      whether for defence, for revenging insults and redressing
      wrongs, for the extension of commerce, for the acquisition
      of territory, for obtaining and establishing the
      superiority and dominion of one over the other, or for any
      other purpose; armed conflict of sovereign powers;
      declared and open hostilities.

            Men will ever distinguish war from mere bloodshed.
                                                  --F. W.
                                                  Robertson.

   Note: As war is the contest of nations or states, it always
         implies that such contest is authorized by the monarch
         or the sovereign power of the nation. A war begun by
         attacking another nation, is called an offensive war,
         and such attack is aggressive. War undertaken to repel
         invasion, or the attacks of an enemy, is called
         defensive.

   2. (Law) A condition of belligerency to be maintained by
      physical force. In this sense, levying war against the
      sovereign authority is treason.

   3. Instruments of war. [Poetic]

            His complement of stores, and total war. --Prior.

   4. Forces; army. [Poetic]

            On their embattled ranks the waves return, And
            overwhelm their war.                  --Milton.

   5. The profession of arms; the art of war.

            Thou art but a youth, and he is a man of war from
            his youth.                            --1 Sam. xvii.
                                                  33.

   6. a state of opposition or contest; an act of opposition; an
      inimical contest, act, or action; enmity; hostility.
      ``Raised impious war in heaven.'' --Milton.

            The words of his mouth were smoother than butter,
            but war was in his heart.             --Ps. lv. 21.

   {Civil war}, a war between different sections or parties of
      the same country or nation.

   {Holy war}. See under {Holy}.

   {Man of war}. (Naut.) See in the Vocabulary.

   {Public war}, a war between independent sovereign states.

   {War cry}, a cry or signal used in war; as, the Indian war
      cry.

   {War dance}, a dance among savages preliminary to going to
      war. Among the North American Indians, it is begun by some
      distinguished chief, and whoever joins in it thereby
      enlists as one of the party engaged in a warlike
      excursion. --Schoolcraft.

   {War field}, a field of war or battle.

   {War horse}, a horse used in war; the horse of a cavalry
      soldier; especially, a strong, powerful, spirited horse
      for military service; a charger.

   {War paint}, paint put on the face and other parts of the
      body by savages, as a token of going to war. ``Wash the
      war paint from your faces.'' --Longfellow.

   {War song}, a song of or pertaining to war; especially, among
      the American Indians, a song at the war dance, full of
      incitements to military ardor.

   {War whoop}, a war cry, especially that uttered by the
      American Indians.

War \War\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Warred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Warring}.]
   1. To make war; to invade or attack a state or nation with
      force of arms; to carry on hostilities; to be in a state
      by violence.

            Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of
            Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem
            to war against it.                    --Isa. vii. 1.

            Why should I war without the walls of Troy? --Shak.

            Our countrymen were warring on that day! --Byron.

   2. To contend; to strive violently; to fight. ``Lusts which
      war against the soul.'' --1 Pet. ii. 11.

War \War\, v. t.
   1. To make war upon; to fight. [R.]

            To war the Scot, and borders to defend. --Daniel.

   2. To carry on, as a contest; to wage. [R.]

            That thou . . . mightest war a good warfare. --Tim.
                                                  i. 18.

War-beaten \War"-beat`en\, a.
   Warworn.

Warble \War"ble\, n. [Cf. {Wormil}.]
   1. (Far.)
      (a) A small, hard tumor which is produced on the back of a
          horse by the heat or pressure of the saddle in
          traveling.
      (b) A small tumor produced by the larv[ae] of the gadfly
          in the backs of horses, cattle, etc. Called also
          {warblet}, {warbeetle}, {warnles}.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) See {Wormil}.

Warble \War"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Warbled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Warbling}.] [OE. werbelen, OF. werbler; of Teutonic origin;
   cf. G. wirbeln to turn, to warble, D. wervelen, akin to E.
   whirl. See {Whirl}.]
   1. To sing in a trilling, quavering, or vibratory manner; to
      modulate with turns or variations; to trill; as, certain
      birds are remarkable for warbling their songs.

   2. To utter musically; to modulate; to carol.

            If she be right invoked in warbled song. --Milton.

            Warbling sweet the nuptial lay.       --Trumbull.

   3. To cause to quaver or vibrate. ``And touch the warbled
      string.'' --Milton.

Warble \War"ble\, v. i.
   1. To be quavered or modulated; to be uttered melodiously.

            Such strains ne'er warble in the linnet's throat.
                                                  --Gay.

   3. To sing in a trilling manner, or with many turns and
      variations. ``Birds on the branches warbling.'' --Milton.

   3. To sing with sudden changes from chest to head tones; to
      yodel.

Warble \War"ble\, n.
   A quavering modulation of the voice; a musical trill; a song.

         And he, the wondrous child, Whose silver warble wild
         Outvalued every pulsing sound.           --Emerson.

Warbler \War"bler\, n.
   1. One who, or that which, warbles; a singer; a songster; --
      applied chiefly to birds.

            In lulling strains the feathered warblers woo.
                                                  --Tickell.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small Old World
      singing birds belonging to the family {Sylviid[ae]}, many
      of which are noted songsters. The bluethroat, blackcap,
      reed warbler (see under {Reed}), and sedge warbler (see
      under {Sedge}) are well-known species.

   3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small, often
      bright colored, American singing birds of the family or
      subfamily {Mniotiltid[ae]}, or {Sylvicolin[ae]}. They are
      allied to the Old World warblers, but most of them are not
      particularly musical.

   Note: The American warblers are often divided, according to
         their habits, into bush warblers, creeping warblers,
         fly-catching warblers, ground warblers, wood warblers,
         wormeating warblers, etc.

   {Bush warbler} (Zo["o]l.) any American warbler of the genus
      {Opornis}, as the Connecticut warbler ({O. agilis}).

   {Creeping warbler} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
      very small American warblers belonging to {Parula},
      {Mniotilta}, and allied genera, as the blue yellow-backed
      warbler ({Parula Americana}), and the black-and-white
      creeper ({Mniotilta varia}).

   {Fly-catching warbler} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species
      of warblers belonging to {Setophaga}, {Sylvania}, and
      allied genera having the bill hooked and notched at the
      tip, with strong rictal bristles at the base, as the
      hooded warbler ({Sylvania mitrata}), the black-capped
      warbler ({S. pusilla}), the Canadian warbler ({S.
      Canadensis}), and the American redstart (see {Redstart}).
      

   {Ground warbler} (Zo["o]l.), any American warbler of the
      genus {Geothlypis}, as the mourning ground warbler ({G.
      Philadelphia}), and the Maryland yellowthroat (see
      {Yellowthroat}).

   {Wood warbler} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous American
      warblers of the genus {Dendroica}. Among the most common
      wood warblers in the Eastern States are the yellowbird, or
      yellow warbler (see under {Yellow}), the black-throated
      green warbler ({Dendroica virens}), the yellow-rumped
      warbler ({D. coronata}), the blackpoll ({D. striata}), the
      bay-breasted warbler ({D. castanea}), the chestnut-sided
      warbler ({D. Pennsylvanica}), the Cape May warbler ({D.
      tigrina}), the prairie warbler (see under {Prairie}), and
      the pine warbler ({D. pinus}). See also {Magnolia
      warbler}, under {Magnolia}, and {Blackburnian warbler}.

Warblingly \War"bling*ly\, adv.
   In a warbling manner.

Warburg's tincture \War"burg's tinc"ture\ (Pharm.)
   A preparation containing quinine and many other ingredients,
   often used in the treatment of malarial affections. It was
   invented by Dr. Warburg of London.

-ward \-ward\ (w[~e]rd), -wards \-wards\ (w[~e]rdz). [AS.
   -weard, -weardes; akin to OS. & OFries. -ward. OHG. -wert, G.
   -w["a]rts, Icel. -ver[eth]r, Goth. -va['i]r[thorn]s, L.
   vertere to turn, versus toward, and E. worth to become.
   [root]143. See {Worth}. v. i., and cf. {Verse}. Adverbs
   ending in -wards (AS. -weardes) and some other adverbs, such
   as besides, betimes, since (OE. sithens). etc., were
   originally genitive forms used adverbially.]
   Suffixes denoting course or direction to; motion or tendency
   toward; as in backward, or backwards; toward, or towards,
   etc.

Ward \Ward\, n. [AS. weard, fem., guard, weard, masc., keeper,
   guard; akin to OS. ward a watcher, warden, G. wart, OHG.
   wart, Icel. v["o]r[eth]r a warden, a watch, Goth. -wards in
   da['u]rawards a doorkeeper, and E. wary; cf. OF. warde guard,
   from the German. See {Ware}, a., {Wary}, and cf. {Guard},
   {Wraith}.]
   1. The act of guarding; watch; guard; guardianship;
      specifically, a guarding during the day. See the Note
      under {Watch}, n., 1.

            Still, when she slept, he kept both watch and ward.
                                                  --Spenser.

   2. One who, or that which, guards; garrison; defender;
      protector; means of guarding; defense; protection.

            For the best ward of mine honor.      --Shak.

            The assieged castle's ward Their steadfast stands
            did mightily maintain.                --Spenser.

            For want of other ward, He lifted up his hand, his
            front to guard.                       --Dryden.

   3. The state of being under guard or guardianship;
      confinement under guard; the condition of a child under a
      guardian; custody.

            And he put them in ward in the house of the captain
            of the guard.                         --Gen. xl. 3.

            I must attend his majesty's command, to whom I am
            now in ward.                          --Shak.

            It is also inconvenient, in Ireland, that the wards
            and marriages of gentlemen's children should be in
            the disposal of any of those lords.   --Spenser.

   4. A guarding or defensive motion or position, as in fencing;
      guard. ``Thou knowest my old ward; here I lay, and thus I
      bore my point.'' --Shak.

   5. One who, or that which, is guarded. Specifically:
      (a) A minor or person under the care of a guardian; as, a
          ward in chancery. ``You know our father's ward, the
          fair Monimia.'' --Otway.
      (b) A division of a county. [Eng. & Scot.]
      (c) A division, district, or quarter of a town or city.

                Throughout the trembling city placed a guard,
                Dealing an equal share to every ward. --Dryden.
      (d) A division of a forest. [Eng.]
      (e) A division of a hospital; as, a fever ward.

   6.
      (a) A projecting ridge of metal in the interior of a lock,
          to prevent the use of any key which has not a
          corresponding notch for passing it.
      (b) A notch or slit in a key corresponding to a ridge in
          the lock which it fits; a ward notch. --Knight.

                The lock is made . . . more secure by attaching
                wards to the front, as well as to the back,
                plate of the lock, in which case the key must be
                furnished with corresponding notches.
                                                  --Tomlinson.



   {Ward penny} (O. Eng. Law), money paid to the sheriff or
      castellan for watching and warding a castle.

   {Ward staff}, a constable's or watchman's staff. [Obs.]

Ward \Ward\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Warded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Warding}.] [OE. wardien, AS. weardian to keep, protect; akin
   to OS. ward?n to watch, take care, OFries. wardia, OHG.
   wart?n, G. warten to wait, wait on, attend to, Icel. var?a to
   guarantee defend, Sw. v[*a]rda to guard, to watch; cf. OF.
   warder, of German origin. See {Ward}, n., and cf. {Award},
   {Guard}, {Reward}.]
   1. To keep in safety; to watch; to guard; formerly, in a
      specific sense, to guard during the day time.

            Whose gates he found fast shut, no living wight To
            ward the same.                        --Spenser.

   2. To defend; to protect.

            Tell him it was a hand that warded him From thousand
            dangers.                              --Shak.

   3. To defend by walls, fortifications, etc. [Obs.]

   4. To fend off; to repel; to turn aside, as anything
      mischievous that approaches; -- usually followed by off.

            Now wards a felling blow, now strikes again.
                                                  --Daniel.

            The pointed javelin warded off his rage. --Addison.

            It instructs the scholar in the various methods of
            warding off the force of objections.  --I. Watts.

Ward \Ward\, v. i.
   1. To be vigilant; to keep guard.

   2. To act on the defensive with a weapon.

            She redoubling her blows drove the stranger to no
            other shift than to ward and go back. --Sir P.
                                                  Sidney.

Ward-corn \Ward"-corn`\, n. [Ward + F. corne horn, L. cornu.]
   (O. Eng. Law)
   The duty of keeping watch and ward (see the Note under
   {Watch}, n., 1) with a horn to be blown upon any occasion of
   surprise. --Burrill.

Wardcorps \Ward"corps`\, n. [Wars + corps.]
   Guardian; one set to watch over another. [Obs.] ``Though thou
   preyedest Argus . . . to be my wardcorps.'' --Chaucer.

Warden \Ward"en\, n. [OE. wardein, OF. wardein, gardein,
   gardain, F. gardien. See {Guardian}, and {Ward} guard.]
   1. A keeper; a guardian; a watchman.

            He called to the warden on the . . . battlements.
                                                  --Sir. W.
                                                  Scott.

   2. An officer who keeps or guards; a keeper; as, the warden
      of a prison.



   3. A head official; as, the warden of a college; specifically
      (Eccl.), a churchwarden.

   4. [Properly, a keeping pear.] A large, hard pear, chiefly
      used for baking and roasting. [Obs.]

            I would have had him roasted like a warden. --Beau.
                                                  & Fl.

   {Warden pie}, a pie made of warden pears. [Obs.] --Shak.

Wardenry \Ward"en*ry\, Wardenship \Ward"en*ship\, n.
   The office or jurisdiction of a warden.

Warder \Ward"er\, n.
   1. One who wards or keeps; a keeper; a guard. ``The warders
      of the gate.'' --Dryden.

   2. A truncheon or staff carried by a king or a commander in
      chief, and used in signaling his will.

            When, lo! the king suddenly changed his mind, Casts
            down his warder to arrest them there. --Daniel.

            Wafting his warder thrice about his head, He cast it
            up with his auspicious hand, Which was the signal,
            through the English spread, This they should charge.
                                                  --Drayton.

Wardian \Ward"i*an\, a.
   Designating, or pertaining to, a kind of glass inclosure for
   keeping ferns, mosses, etc., or for transporting growing
   plants from a distance; as, a Wardian case of plants; -- so
   named from the inventor, Nathaniel B. Ward, an Englishman.

Wardmote \Ward"mote`\, n.
   Anciently, a meeting of the inhabitants of a ward; also, a
   court formerly held in each ward of London for trying
   defaults in matters relating to the watch, police, and the
   like. --Brande & C. ``Wards and wardmotes.'' --Piers Plowman.

Wardrobe \Ward"robe`\, n. [OE. warderobe, OF. warderobe, F.
   garderobe; of German origin. See {Ward}, v. t., and {Robe}.]
   1. A room or apartment where clothes are kept, or wearing
      apparel is stored; a portable closet for hanging up
      clothes.

   2. Wearing apparel, in general; articles of dress or personal
      decoration.

            Flowers that their gay wardrobe wear. --Milton.

            With a pair of saddlebags containing his wardrobe.
                                                  --T. Hughes.

   3. A privy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Wardroom \Ward"room`\, n.
   1. (Naut.) A room occupied as a messroom by the commissioned
      officers of a war vessel. See {Gunroom}. --Totten.

   2. A room used by the citizens of a city ward, for meetings,
      political caucuses, elections, etc. [U. S.]

-wards \-wards\
   See {-ward}.

Wardship \Ward"ship\, n.
   1. The office of a ward or keeper; care and protection of a
      ward; guardianship; right of guardianship.

            Wardship is incident to tenure in socage.
                                                  --Blackstone.

   2. The state of begin under a guardian; pupilage.

            It was the wisest act . . . in my wardship. --B.
                                                  Jonson.

Wardsman \Wards"man\, n.; pl. {Wardsmen}.
   A man who keeps ward; a guard. [R.] --Sydney Smith.

Ware \Ware\, obs. imp. of {Wear}.
   Wore.

Ware \Ware\, v. t. (Naut.)
   To wear, or veer. See {Wear}.

Ware \Ware\, n. [AS. w[=a]r.] (Bot.)
   Seaweed. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

   {Ware goose} (Zo["o]l.), the brant; -- so called because it
      feeds on ware, or seaweed. [Prov. Eng.]

Ware \Ware\, n. [OE. ware, AS. waru; akin to D. waar, G. waare,
   Icel. & Sw. vara, Dan. vare; and probably to E. worth, a. See
   {Worth}, a.]
   Articles of merchandise; the sum of articles of a particular
   kind or class; style or class of manufactures; especially, in
   the plural, goods; commodities; merchandise. ``Retails his
   wares at wakes.'' --Shak. ``To chaffer with them and eke to
   sell them their ware.'' --Chaucer.

         It the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on
         the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of
         them on the Sabbath, or on the holy day. --Neh. x. 31.

   Note: Although originally and properly a collective noun, it
         admits of a plural form, when articles of merchandise
         of different kinds are meant. It is often used in
         composition; as in hardware, glassware, tinware, etc.

Ware \Ware\, a. [OE. war, AS. w[ae]r. [root]142. See {Wary}.]
   A ware; taking notice; hence, wary; cautious; on one's guard.
   See {Beware}. [Obs.]

         She was ware and knew it bet [better] than he.
                                                  --Chaucer.

         Of whom be thou ware also.               --2. Tim. iv.
                                                  15.

         He is ware enough; he is wily and circumspect for
         stirring up any sedition.                --Latimer.

         The only good that grows of passed fear Is to be wise,
         and ware of like again.                  --Spenser.

Ware \Ware\, n. [AS. waru caution.]
   The state of being ware or aware; heed. [Obs.] --Wyclif.

Ware \Ware\, v. t. [As. warian.]
   To make ware; to warn; to take heed of; to beware of; to
   guard against. ``Ware that I say.'' --Chaucer.

         God . . . ware you for the sin of avarice. --Chaucer.

         Then ware a rising tempest on the main.  --Dryden.

Wareful \Ware"ful\, a.
   Wary; watchful; cautious. [Obs.]

Warefulness \Ware"ful*ness\, n.
   Wariness; cautiousness. [Obs.] ``Full of warefulness.'' --Sir
   P. Sidney.

Warega fly \Wa*re"ga fly`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   A Brazilian fly whose larv[ae] live in the skin of man and
   animals, producing painful sores.

Warehouse \Ware"house`\, n.; pl. {Warehouses}.
   A storehouse for wares, or goods. --Addison.

Warehouse \Ware"house`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Warehoused}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Warehousing}.]
   1. To deposit or secure in a warehouse.

   2. To place in the warehouse of the government or customhouse
      stores, to be kept until duties are paid.

Warehouseman \Ware"house`man\, n.; pl. {Warehousemen}.
   1. One who keeps a warehouse; the owner or keeper of a dock
      warehouse or wharf store.

   2. One who keeps a wholesale shop or store for Manchester or
      woolen goods. [Eng.]

   {Warehouseman's itch} (Med.), a form of eczema occurring on
      the back of the hands of warehousemen.

Warehousing \Ware"hous`ing\, n.
   The act of placing goods in a warehouse, or in a customhouse
   store.

   {Warehousing system}, an arrangement for lodging imported
      articles in the customhouse stores, without payment of
      duties until they are taken out for home consumption. If
      re["e]xported, they are not charged with a duty. See
      {Bonded warehouse}, under {Bonded}, a.

Wareless \Ware"less\, a. [See {Ware}, n.]
   Unwary; incautious; unheeding; careless; unaware. [Obs.]

         And wareless of the evil That by themselves unto
         themselves is wrought.                   --Spenser.

Warely \Ware"ly\, adv.
   Cautiously; warily. [Obs.]

         They bound him hand and foot with iron chains, And with
         continual watch did warely keep.         --Spenser.

Warence \War"ence\, n. [OF. warance. F. garance, LL. warentia,
   garantia.] (Bot.)
   Madder.

Wareroom \Ware"room`\, n.
   A room in which goods are stored or exhibited for sale.

Wares \Wares\, n. pl.
   See 4th {Ware}.

Warfare \War"fare`\, n. [War + OE. fare a journey, a passage,
   course, AS. faru. See {Fare}, n.]
   1. Military service; military life; contest carried on by
      enemies; hostilities; war.

            The Philistines gathered their armies together for
            warfare, to fight with Israel.        --I Sam.
                                                  xxviii. 1.

            This day from battle rest; Faithful hath been your
            warfare.                              --Milton.

   2. Contest; struggle.

            The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. --2 Cor.
                                                  x. 4.

Warfare \War"fare`\, v. i.
   To lead a military life; to carry on continual wars.
   --Camden.

Warfarer \War"far`er\, n.
   One engaged in warfare; a military man; a soldier; a warrior.

Warhable \War"ha`ble\, a. [War + hable.]
   Fit for war. [Obs.] ``Warhable youth.'' --Spenser.

Wariangle \War`i*an"gle\, n. [OE. wariangel, weryangle; cf. AS.
   wearg outlaw, criminal, OHG, warg, warch, Goth. wargs (in
   comp.), G. w["u]rgengel, i. e., destroying angel, destroyer,
   killer, and E. worry.] (Zo["o]l.)
   The red-backed shrike ({Lanius collurio}); -- called also
   {w["u]rger}, {worrier}, and {throttler}. [Written also
   {warriangle}, {weirangle}, etc.] [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

Warily \Wa"ri*ly\, adv.
   In a wary manner.

Wariment \Wa"ri*ment\, n.
   Wariness. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Warine \War"ine\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A South American monkey, one of the sapajous.

Wariness \Wa"ri*ness\, n.
   The quality or state of being wary; care to foresee and guard
   against evil; cautiousness. ``An almost reptile wariness.''
   --G. W. Cable.

         To determine what are little things in religion, great
         wariness is to be used.                  --Sprat.

   Syn: Caution; watchfulness; circumspection; foresight; care;
        vigilance; scrupulousness.

Warish \War"ish\, v. t. [OF. warir to protect, heal, cure, F.
   gu['e]ri? to cure; of Teutonic origin; cf. OHG. werian,
   weren, to protect, to hinder. See {Garret}.]
   To protect from the effects of; hence, to cure; to heal.
   [Obs.]

         My brother shall be warished hastily.    --Chaucer.

         Varro testifies that even at this day there be some who
         warish and cure the stinging of serpents with their
         spittle.                                 --Holland.

Warish \War"ish\, v. i.
   To be cured; to recover. [Obs.]

         Your daughter . . . shall warish and escape. --Chaucer.

Warison \War"i*son\, n. [OF. warison safety, supplies, cure, F.
   gu['e]rison cure. See {Warish}, v. t.]
   1. Preparation; protection; provision; supply. [Obs.]

   2. Reward; requital; guerdon. [Obs. or Scot.]

            Wit and wisdom is good warysoun.      --Proverbs of
                                                  Hending.

Wark \Wark\, n. [See {Work}.]
   Work; a building. [Obs. or Scot.] --Spenser.

Warkloom \Wark"loom\, n.
   A tool; an implement. [Scot.]

Warlike \War"like`\, a.
   1. Fit for war; disposed for war; as, a warlike state; a
      warlike disposition.

            Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike men. --Shak.

   2. Belonging or relating to war; military; martial.

            The great archangel from his warlike toil Surceased.
                                                  --Milton.

   Syn: Martial; hostile; soldierly. See {Martial}.

Warlikeness \War"like`ness\, n.
   Quality of being warlike.

Warling \War"ling\, n.
   One often quarreled with; -- ? word coined, perhaps, to rhyme
   with darling. [Obs.]

         Better be an old man's darling than a young man's
         warling.                                 --Camde?.

Warlock \War"lock\, n. [OE. warloghe a deceiver, a name or the
   Devil, AS. w?rloga a belier or breaker of his agreement,
   word, or pledge; w?r covenant, troth (aki? to L. verus true;
   see {Very}) + loga a liar (in comp.), le['o]gan to lie. See
   3d {Lie}.]
   A male witch; a wizard; a sprite; an imp. [Written also
   {warluck}.] --Dryden.

         It was Eyvind Kallda's crew Of warlocks blue, With
         their caps of darkness hooded!           --Longfellow.

Warlock \War"lock\, a.
   Of or pertaining to a warlock or warlock; impish. [R.]

         Thou shalt win the warlock fight.        --J. R. Drak?.

Warlockry \War"lock*ry\, n.
   Impishness; magic.

Warly \War"ly\, a.
   Warlike. --Burns.

Warm \Warm\, a. [Compar. {Warmer}; superl. {Warmest}.] [AS.
   wearm; akin to OS., OFries., D., & G. warm, Icel. varmr, Sw.
   & Dan. varm, Goth. warmjan to warm; probably akin to Lith.
   virti to cook, boil; or perhaps to Skr. gharma heat, OL.
   formus warm. ???, ???.]
   1. Having heat in a moderate degree; not cold as, warm milk.
      ``Whose blood is warm within.'' --Shak.

            Warm and still is the summer night.   --Longfellow.

   2. Having a sensation of heat, esp. of gentle heat; glowing.

   3. Subject to heat; having prevalence of heat, or little or
      no cold weather; as, the warm climate of Egypt.

   4. Fig.: Not cool, indifferent, lukewarm, or the like, in
      spirit or temper; zealous; ardent; fervent; excited;
      sprightly; irritable; excitable.

            Mirth, and youth, and warm desire!    --Milton.

            Each warm wish springs mutual from the heart.
                                                  --Pope.

            They say he's warm man and does not care to be mad?
            mouths at.                            --Addison.

            I had been none of the warmest of partisans.
                                                  --Hawthor??.

   5. Violent; vehement; furious; excited; passionate; as, a
      warm contest; a warm debate.

            Welcome, daylight; we shall have warm work on't.
                                                  --Dryden.

   6. Being well off as to property, or in good circumstances;
      forehanded; rich. [Colloq.]

            Warm householders, every one of them. --W. Irving.

            You shall have a draft upon him, payable at sight:
            and let me tell you he as warm a man as any within
            five miles round him.                 --Goldsmith.

   7. In children's games, being near the object sought for;
      hence, being close to the discovery of some person, thing,
      or fact concealed. [Colloq.]

            Here, indeed, young Mr. Dowse was getting ``warm,''
            ?? children say at blindman's buff.   --Black.

   8. (Paint.) Having yellow or red for a basis, or in their
      composition; -- said of colors, and opposed to cold which
      is of blue and its compounds.

   Syn: Ardent; zealous; fervent; glowing; enthusiastic;
        cordial; keen; violent; furious; hot.

Warm \Warm\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Warmed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Warming}.] [AS. wearmian. See {Warm}, a.]
   1. To communicate a moderate degree of heat to; to render
      warm; to supply or furnish heat to; as, a stove warms an
      apartment.

            Then shall it [an ash tree] be for a man to burn;
            for he will take thereof and warm himself. --Isa.
                                                  xliv 15

            Enough to warm, but not enough to burn.
                                                  --Longfellow.

   2. To make engaged or earnest; to interest; to engage; to
      excite ardor or zeal; to enliven.

            I formerly warmed my head with reading controversial
            writings.                             --Pope.

            Bright hopes, that erst bosom warmed. --Keble.



Warm \Warm\, v. i. [AS. wearmian.]
   1. To become warm, or moderately heated; as, the earth soon
      warms in a clear day summer.

            There shall not be a coal to warm at. --Isa. xlvii.
                                                  14.

   2. To become ardent or animated; as, the speake? warms as he
      proceeds.

Warm \Warm\, n.
   The act of warming, or the state of being warmed; a warming;
   a heating. [Colloq.] --Dickens.

Warm-blooded \Warm"-blood`ed\, a. (Physiol.)
   Having warm blood; -- applied especially to those animals, as
   birds and mammals, which have warm blood, or, more properly,
   the power of maintaining a nearly uniform temperature
   whatever the temperature of the surrounding air. See
   {Homoiothermal}.

Warmer \Warm"er\, n.
   One who, or that which, warms.

Warmful \Warm"ful\, a.
   Abounding in capacity to warm; giving warmth; as, a warmful
   garment. [R.] --Chapman.

Warm-hearted \Warm"-heart`ed\, a.
   Having strong affection; cordial; sincere; hearty;
   sympathetic. -- {Warm"-heart`ed*ness}, n.

Warming \Warm"ing\,
   a. & n. from {Warm}, v.

   {Warming pan}, a long-handled covered pan into which live
      coals are put, -- used for warming beds. --Shak.

Warmly \Warm"ly\, adv.
   In a warm manner; ardently.

Warmness \Warm"ness\, n.
   Warmth. --Chaucer.

Warmonger \War"mon`ger\, n.
   One who makes ar a trade or business; a mercenary. [R.]
   --Spenser.

Warmouth \War"mouth\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   An American freshwater bream, or sunfish ({Ch[ae]nobryttus
   gulosus}); -- called also {red-eyed bream}.

Warmth \Warmth\, n.
   1. The quality or state of being warm; gentle heat; as, the
      warmth of the sun; the warmth of the blood; vital warmth.

            Here kindly warmth their mounting juice ferments.
                                                  --Addison.

   2. A state of lively and excited interest; zeal; ardor;
      fervor; passion; enthusiasm; earnestness; as, the warmth
      of love or piety; he replied with much warmth. ``Spiritual
      warmth, and holy fires.'' --Jer. Taylor.

            That warmth . . . which agrees with Christian zeal.
                                                  --Sprat.

   3. (Paint.) The glowing effect which arises from the use of
      warm colors; hence, any similar appearance or effect in a
      painting, or work of color.

   Syn: Zeal; ardor; fervor; fervency; heat; glow; earnestness;
        cordiality; animation; eagerness; excitement; vehemence.

Warmthless \Warmth"less\, a.
   Being without warmth; not communicating warmth; cold. [R.]
   --Coleridge.

Warn \Warn\ (w[add]rn), v. t. [OE. wernen, AS. weornan, wyrnan.
   Cf. {Warn} to admonish.]
   To refuse. [Written also {wern}, {worn}.] [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Warn \Warn\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Warned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Warning}.] [OE. warnen, warnien, AS. warnian, wearnian, to
   take heed, to warn; akin to AS. wearn denial, refusal, OS.
   warning, wernian, to refuse, OHG. warnen, G. warnen to warn,
   OFries. warna, werna, Icel. varna to refuse; and probably to
   E. wary. ????.]
   1. To make ware or aware; to give previous information to; to
      give notice to; to notify; to admonish; hence, to notify
      or summon by authority; as, to warn a town meeting; to
      warn a tenant to quit a house. ``Warned of the ensuing
      fight.'' --Dryden.

            Cornelius the centurion . . . was warned from God by
            an holy angel to send for thee.       --Acts x. 22.

            Who is it that hath warned us to the walls? --Shak.

   2. To give notice to, of approaching or probable danger or
      evil; to caution against anything that may prove
      injurious. ``Juturna warns the Daunian chief of Lausus'
      danger, urging swift relief.'' --Dryden.

   3. To ward off. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Warner \Warn"er\, n.
   One who warns; an admonisher.

Warner \Warn"er\, n.
   A warrener. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.

Warning \Warn"ing\, a.
   Giving previous notice; cautioning; admonishing; as, a
   warning voice.

         That warning timepiece never ceased.     --Longfellow.

   {Warning piece}, {Warning wheel} (Horol.), a piece or wheel
      which produces a sound shortly before the clock strikes.

Warning \Warn"ing\, n.
   1. Previous notice. ``At a month's warning.'' --Dryden.

            A great journey to take upon so short a warning.
                                                  --L'Estrange.

   2. Caution against danger, or against faults or evil
      practices which incur danger; admonition; monition.

            Could warning make the world more just or wise.
                                                  --Dryden.

Warningly \Warn"ing*ly\, adv.
   In a warning manner.

Warnstore \Warn"store\, v. t. [Cf. OF. warnesture, garnesture,
   provisions, supplies, and E. garnish.]
   To furnish. [Obs.] ``To warnstore your house.'' --Chaucer.

Warp \Warp\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Warped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Warping}.] [OE. warpen; fr. Icel. varpa to throw, cast, varp
   a casting, fr. verpa to throw; akin to Dan. varpe to warp a
   ship, Sw. varpa, AS. weorpan to cast, OS. werpan, OFries.
   werpa, D. & LG. werpen, G. werfen, Goth. wa['i]rpan; cf. Skr.
   vrj to twist. ????. Cf. {Wrap}.]
   1. To throw; hence, to send forth, or throw out, as words; to
      utter. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.

   2. To turn or twist out of shape; esp., to twist or bend out
      of a flat plane by contraction or otherwise.

            The planks looked warped.             --Coleridge.

            Walter warped his mouth at this To something so mock
            solemn, that I laughed.               --Tennyson.

   3. To turn aside from the true direction; to cause to bend or
      incline; to pervert.

            This first avowed, nor folly warped my mind.
                                                  --Dryden.

            I have no private considerations to warp me in this
            controversy.                          --Addison.

            We are divested of all those passions which cloud
            the intellects, and warp the understandings, of men.
                                                  --Southey.

   4. To weave; to fabricate. [R. & Poetic.] --Nares.

            While doth he mischief warp.          --Sternhold.

   5. (Naut.) To tow or move, as a vessel, with a line, or warp,
      attached to a buoy, anchor, or other fixed object.

   6. To cast prematurely, as young; -- said of cattle, sheep,
      etc. [Prov. Eng.]

   7. (Agric.) To let the tide or other water in upon (lowlying
      land), for the purpose of fertilization, by a deposit of
      warp, or slimy substance. [Prov. Eng.]

   8. (Rope Making) To run off the reel into hauls to be tarred,
      as yarns.

   9. (Weaving) To arrange (yarns) on a warp beam.

   {Warped surface} (Geom.), a surface generated by a straight
      line moving so that no two of its consecutive positions
      shall be in the same plane. --Davies & Peck.

Warp \Warp\, v. i.
   1. To turn, twist, or be twisted out of shape; esp., to be
      twisted or bent out of a flat plane; as, a board warps in
      seasoning or shrinking.

            One of you will prove a shrunk panel, and, like
            green timber, warp, warp.             --Shak.

            They clamp one piece of wood to the end of another,
            to keep it from casting, or warping.  --Moxon.

   2. to turn or incline from a straight, true, or proper
      course; to deviate; to swerve.

            There is our commission, From which we would not
            have you warp.                        --Shak.

   3. To fly with a bending or waving motion; to turn and wave,
      like a flock of birds or insects.

            A pitchy cloud Of locusts, warping on the eastern
            wind.                                 --Milton.

   4. To cast the young prematurely; to slink; -- said of
      cattle, sheep, etc. [Prov. Eng.]

   5. (Weaving) To wind yarn off bobbins for forming the warp of
      a web; to wind a warp on a warp beam.

Warp \Warp\, n. [AS. wearp; akin to Icel. varp a casting,
   throwing, Sw. varp the draught of a net, Dan. varp a towline,
   OHG. warf warp, G. werft. See {Warp}, v.]
   1. (Weaving) The threads which are extended lengthwise in the
      loom, and crossed by the woof.

   2. (Naut.) A rope used in hauling or moving a vessel, usually
      with one end attached to an anchor, a post, or other fixed
      object; a towing line; a warping hawser.

   3. (Agric.) A slimy substance deposited on land by tides,
      etc., by which a rich alluvial soil is formed. --Lyell.

   4. A premature casting of young; -- said of cattle, sheep,
      etc. [Prov. Eng.]

   5. Four; esp., four herrings; a cast. See {Cast}, n., 17.
      [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.

   6. [From {Warp}, v.] The state of being warped or twisted;
      as, the warp of a board.

   {Warp beam}, the roller on which the warp is wound in a loom.
      

   {Warp fabric}, fabric produced by warp knitting.

   {Warp frame}, or {Warp-net frame}, a machine for making warp
      lace having a number of needles and employing a thread for
      each needle.

   {Warp knitting}, a kind of knitting in which a number of
      threads are interchained each with one or more contiguous
      threads on either side; -- also called {warp weaving}.

   {Warp lace}, or {Warp net}, lace having a warp crossed by
      weft threads.

Warpage \Warp"age\, n.
   The act of warping; also, a charge per ton made on shipping
   in some harbors.

Warpath \War"path`\, n.
   The route taken by a party of Indians going on a warlike
   expedition. --Schoolcraft.

   {On the warpath}, on a hostile expedition; hence,
      colloquially, about to attack a person or measure.

Warper \Warp"er\, n.
   1. One who, or that which, warps or twists out of shape.

   2. One who, or that which, forms yarn or thread into warps or
      webs for the loom.

Warping \Warp"ing\, n.
   1. The act or process of one who, or that which, warps.

   2. The art or occupation of preparing warp or webs for the
      weaver. --Craig.

   {Warping bank}, a bank of earth raised round a field to
      retain water let in for the purpose of enriching land.
      --Craig.

   {Warping hook}, a hook used by rope makers for hanging the
      yarn on, when warping it into hauls for tarring.

   {Warping mill}, a machine for warping yarn.

   {Warping penny}, money, varying according to the length of
      the thread, paid to the weaver by the spinner on laying
      the warp. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.

   {Warping post}, a strong post used in warping rope-yarn.

Warproof \War"proof`\, n.
   Valor tried by war.

Warragal \War"ra*gal\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The dingo.

Warrandice \War"ran*dice\, n. [See {Warrantise}.] (Scots Law)
   The obligation by which a person, conveying a subject or a
   right, is bound to uphold that subject or right against every
   claim, challenge, or burden arising from circumstances prior
   to the conveyance; warranty. [Written also {warrandise}.]
   --Craig.

Warrant \War"rant\, n. [OE. warant, OF. warant a warrant, a
   defender, protector, F. garant, originally a p. pr. pf German
   origin, fr. OHG. wer[=e]n to grant, warrant, G. gew["a]hren;
   akin to OFries. wera. Cf. {Guarantee}.]
   1. That which warrants or authorizes; a commission giving
      authority, or justifying the doing of anything; an act,
      instrument, or obligation, by which one person authorizes
      another to do something which he has not otherwise a right
      to do; an act or instrument investing one with a right or
      authority, and thus securing him from loss or damage;
      commission; authority. Specifically:
      (a) A writing which authorizes a person to receive money
          or other thing.
      (b) (Law) A precept issued by a magistrate authorizing an
          officer to make an arrest, a seizure, or a search, or
          do other acts incident to the administration of
          justice.
      (c) (Mil. & Nav.) An official certificate of appointment
          issued to an officer of lower rank than a commissioned
          officer. See {Warrant officer}, below.

   2. That which vouches or insures for anything; guaranty;
      security.

            I give thee warrant of thy place.     --Shak.

            His worth is warrant for his welcome hither. --Shak.

   3. That which attests or proves; a voucher.

   4. Right; legality; allowance. [Obs.] --Shak.

   {Bench warrant}. (Law) See in the Vocabulary.

   {Dock warrant} (Com.), a customhouse license or authority.

   {General warrant}. (Law) See under {General}.

   {Land warrant}. See under {Land}.

   {Search warrant}. (Law) See under {Search}, n.

   {Warrant of attorney} (Law), written authority given by one
      person to another empowering him to transact business for
      him; specifically, written authority given by a client to
      his attorney to appear for him in court, and to suffer
      judgment to pass against him by confession in favor of
      some specified person. --Bouvier.

   {Warrant officer}, a noncommissioned officer, as a sergeant,
      corporal, bandmaster, etc., in the army, or a
      quartermaster, gunner, boatswain, etc., in the navy.

   {Warrant to sue and defend}.
      (a) (O. Eng. Law) A special warrant from the crown,
          authorizing a party to appoint an attorney to sue or
          defend for him.
      (b) A special authority given by a party to his attorney
          to commence a suit, or to appear and defend a suit in
          his behalf. This warrant is now disused. --Burrill.

Warrant \War"rant\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Warranted}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Warranting}.] [OE. waranten, OF. warantir, garantir,
   guarantir, garentir, garandir, F. garantir to warrant, fr.
   OF. warant, garant, guarant, a warrant, a protector, a
   defender, F. garant. [root]142. See {Warrant}, n.]
   1. To make secure; to give assurance against harm; to
      guarantee safety to; to give authority or power to do, or
      forbear to do, anything by which the person authorized is
      secured, or saved harmless, from any loss or damage by his
      action.

            That show I first my body to warrant. --Chaucer.

            I'll warrant him from drowning.       --Shak.

            In a place Less warranted than this, or less secure,
            I can not be.                         --Milton.

   2. To support by authority or proof; to justify; to maintain;
      to sanction; as, reason warrants it.

            True fortitude is seen in great exploits, That
            justice warrants, and that wisdom guides. --Addison.

            How little while it is since he went forth out of
            his study, -- chewing a Hebrew text of Scripture in
            his mouth, I warrant.                 --Hawthorne.

   3. To give a warrant or warranty to; to assure as if by
      giving a warrant to.

            [My neck is] as smooth as silk, I warrant ye. --L'
                                                  Estrange.

   4. (Law)
      (a) To secure to, as a grantee, an estate granted; to
          assure.
      (b) To secure to, as a purchaser of goods, the title to
          the same; to indemnify against loss.
      (c) To secure to, as a purchaser, the quality or quantity
          of the goods sold, as represented. See {Warranty}, n.,
          2.
      (d) To assure, as a thing sold, to the purchaser; that is,
          to engage that the thing is what it appears, or is
          represented, to be, which implies a covenant to make
          good any defect or loss incurred by it.

Warrantable \War"rant*a*ble\, a.
   Authorized by commission, precept, or right; justifiable;
   defensible; as, the seizure of a thief is always warrantable
   by law and justice; falsehood is never warrantable.

         His meals are coarse and short, his employment
         warrantable, his sleep certain and refreshing. --South.
   -- {War"rant*a*ble*ness}, n. -- {War"rant*bly}, adv.

Warrantee \War`ran*tee"\, n. (Law)
   The person to whom a warrant or warranty is made.

Warranter \War"rant*er\, n.
   1. One who warrants, gives authority, or legally empowers.

   2. (Law) One who assures, or covenants to assure; one who
      contracts to secure another in a right, or to make good
      any defect of title or quality; one who gives a warranty;
      a guarantor; as, the warranter of a horse.

Warrantise \War"rant*ise\, n. [OF. warentise, warandise,
   garantise. See {Warrant}, n.]
   Authority; security; warranty. [Obs.] --Shak.

Warrantise \War"rant*ise\, v. t.
   To warrant. [Obs.] --Hakluyt.

Warrantor \War"rant*or\, n. (Law)
   One who warrants.

Warranty \War"rant*y\, n.; pl. {Warranties}. [OF. warantie, F.
   garantie. See {Warrant}, n., and cf. {Guaranty}.]
   1. (Anc. Law) A covenant real, whereby the grantor of an
      estate of freehold and his heirs were bound to warrant and
      defend the title, and, in case of eviction by title
      paramount, to yield other lands of equal value in
      recompense. This warranty has long singe become obsolete,
      and its place supplied by personal covenants for title.
      Among these is the covenant of warranty, which runs with
      the land, and is in the nature of a real covenant. --Kent.

   2. (Modern Law) An engagement or undertaking, express or
      implied, that a certain fact regarding the subject of a
      contract is, or shall be, as it is expressly or impliedly
      declared or promised to be. In sales of goods by persons
      in possession, there is an implied warranty of title, but,
      as to the quality of goods, the rule of every sale is,
      Caveat emptor. --Chitty. Bouvier.

   3. (Insurance Law) A stipulation or engagement by a party
      insured, that certain things, relating to the subject of
      insurance, or affecting the risk, exist, or shall exist,
      or have been done, or shall be done. These warranties,
      when express, should appear in the policy; but there are
      certain implied warranties. --Bouvier.

   4. Justificatory mandate or precept; authority; warrant. [R.]
      --Shak.

            If they disobey precept, that is no excuse to us,
            nor gives us any warranty . . . to disobey likewise.
                                                  --Kettlewe??.

   5. Security; warrant; guaranty.

            The stamp was a warranty of the public. --Locke.

   Syn: See {Guarantee}.

Warranty \War"rant*y\, v. t.
   To warrant; to guarantee.

Warray \War"ray\, v. t. [OF. werreier, werrier, guerroier, F.
   guerroyer, from OF. werre war, F. guerre; of German origin.
   See {War}.]
   To make war upon. [Obs.] Fairfax. ``When a man warrayeth
   truth.'' --Chaucer.

Warre \Warre\, a. [OE. werre; of Scand. origin. See {Worse}.]
   Worse. [Obs.]

         They say the world is much warre than it wont.
                                                  --Spenser.



Warren \War"ren\, n. [Of. waresne, warenne, garene, F. garenne,
   from OF. warer, garer, to beware, to take care; of Teutonic
   origin; cf. OHG. war?n (in comp.), OS. war?n to take care, to
   observe, akin to E. wary. ????. See {Wary}.]
   1. (Eng Law)
      (a) A place privileged, by prescription or grant the king,
          for keeping certain animals (as hares, conies,
          partridges, pheasants, etc.) called beasts and fowls
          of warren. --Burrill.
      (b) A privilege which one has in his lands, by royal grant
          or prescription, of hunting and taking wild beasts and
          birds of warren, to the exclusion of any other person
          not entering by his permission. --Spelman.

                They wend both warren and in waste. --Piers
                                                  Plowman.

   Note: The warren is the next franchise in degree to the park;
         and a forest, which is the highest in dignity,
         comprehends a chase, a park, and a free warren.

   2. A piece of ground for the breeding of rabbits.

   3. A place for keeping flash, in a river.

Warrener \War"ren*er\, n.
   The keeper of a warren.

Warriangle \War`ri*an"gle\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   See {Wariangle}. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

Warrie \War"rie\, v. t.
   See {Warye}. [Obs.]

Warrin \War"rin\, n. [From a native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
   An Australian lorikeet ({Trichoglossus multicolor})
   remarkable for the variety and brilliancy of its colors; --
   called also {blue-bellied lorikeet}, and {blue-bellied
   parrot}.

Warrior \War"rior\ (?; 277), n. [OE. werreour, OF. werreour,
   guerreor, from guerre, werre, war. See {War}, and {Warray}.]
   A man engaged or experienced in war, or in the military life;
   a soldier; a champion.

         Warriors old with ordered spear and shield. --Milton.

   {Warrior ant} (Zo["o]l.), a reddish ant ({Formica sanguinea})
      native of Europe and America. It is one of the species
      which move in armies to capture and enslave other ants.

Warrioress \War"rior*ess\, n.
   A female warrior. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Warry \War"ry\, v. t.
   See {Warye}. [Obs.]

Warsaw \War"saw\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The black grouper ({Epinephelus nigritus}) of the
       southern coasts of the United States.
   (b) The jewfish; -- called also {guasa}.

Wart \Wart\, n. [OE. werte, AS. wearte; akin to D. wrat, G.
   warze, OHG. warza, Icel. varta, Sw. v[*a]rta, Dan. vorte;
   perh. orig., a growth, and akin to E. wort; or cf. L. verruca
   wart.]
   1. (Med.) A small, usually hard, tumor on the skin formed by
      enlargement of its vascular papill[ae], and thickening of
      the epidermis which covers them.

   2. An excrescence or protuberance more or less resembling a
      true wart; specifically (Bot.), a glandular excrescence or
      hardened protuberance on plants.

   {Fig wart}, {Moist wart} (Med.), a soft, bright red, pointed
      or tufted tumor found about the genitals, often massed
      into groups of large size. It is a variety of condyloma.
      Called also {pointed wart}, {venereal wart}. --L. A.
      Duhring.

   {Wart cress} (Bot.), the swine's cress. See under {Swine}.

   {Wart snake} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of East
      Indian colubrine snakes of the genus {Acrochordus}, having
      the body covered with wartlike tubercles or spinose
      scales, and lacking cephalic plates and ventral scutes.

   {Wart spurge} (Bot.), a kind of wartwort ({Euphorbia
      Helioscopia}).

Warted \Wart"ed\, a. (Bot.)
   Having little knobs on the surface; verrucose; as, a warted
   capsule.

Wart hog \Wart" hog`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   Either one of two species of large, savage African wild hogs
   of the genus {Phacoch[oe]rus}. These animals have a pair of
   large, rough, fleshy tubercles behind the tusks and second
   pair behind the eyes. The tusks are large and strong, and
   both pairs curve upward. The body is scantily covered with
   bristles, but there is long dorsal mane. The South African
   species ({Phacoch[oe]rus [AE]thiopicus}) is the best known.
   Called also {vlacke vark}. The second species ({P.
   [AE]liani}) is native of the coasts of the Red Sea.

Wartless \Wart"less\, a.
   Having no wart.

Wartweed \Wart"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
   Same as {Wartwort}.

Wartwort \Wart"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
   A name given to several plants because they were thought to
   be a cure for warts, as a kind of spurge ({Euphorbia
   Helioscopia}), and the nipplewort ({Lampsana communis}).

Warty \Wart"y\, a.
   1. Having warts; full of warts; overgrow with warts; as, a
      warty leaf.

   2. Of the nature of warts; as, a warty excrescence.

   {Warty egg} (Zo["o]l.), a marine univalve shell ({Ovulum
      verrucosum}), having the surface covered with wartlike
      elevations.

Warwickite \War"wick*ite\, n. (Min.)
   A dark brown or black mineral, occurring in prismatic
   crystals imbedded in limestone near Warwick, New York. It
   consists of the borate and titanate of magnesia and iron.

Warworn \War"worn`\, a.
   Worn with military service; as, a warworn soldier; a warworn
   coat. --Shak.

Wary \Wa"ry\, a. [Compar. {Warier}; superl. {Wariest}.] [OE.
   war, AS. w[ae]r; akin to Icel. v?rr, Dan. & Sw. var, Goth.
   wars, G. gewahr aware, OHG. wara notice, attention, Gr. ? to
   see. Cf. {Aware}, {Garment}, {Garnish}, {Garrison},
   {Panorama}, {Ward}, v. t. {Ware}, a., {Warren}.]
   1. Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding
      against deception, artifices, and dangers; timorously or
      suspiciously prudent; circumspect; scrupulous; careful.
      ``Bear a wary eye.'' --Shak.

            We should be wary, therefore, what persecution we
            raise against the living labors of public men.
                                                  --Milton.

   2. Characterized by caution; guarded; careful.

            It behoveth our words to be wary and few. --Hooker.

   Syn: Cautious; circumspect; watchful. See {Cautious}.

Warye \War"ye\, v. t. [AS. wergian, wyrgean. Cf. {Worry}.]
   To curse; to curse; to execrate; to condemn; also, to vex.
   [Obs.] [Spelled also {warrie}, {warry}, and {wary}.] ``Whom I
   thus blame and warye.'' --Chaucer.

Was \Was\ (w[o^]z). [AS. w[ae]s, 2d pers. w[=ae]re, 3d pers.
   w[ae]s, pl. w[=ae]ron, with the inf. wesan to be; akin to D.
   wezen, imp. was, OHG. wesan, imp. was, G. wesen, n., a being,
   essence, war was, Icel. vera to be, imp. var, Goth. wisan to
   be, to dwell, to remain, imp. was, Skr. vas to remain, to
   dwell. [root]148. Cf. {Vernacular}, {Wassail}, {Were}, v.]
   The first and third persons singular of the verb be, in the
   indicative mood, preterit (imperfect) tense; as, I was; he
   was.

Wase \Wase\ (w[=a]s), n. [Cf. Sw. vase a sheaf.]
   A bundle of straw, or other material, to relieve the pressure
   of burdens carried upon the head. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.

Wash \Wash\ (w[o^]sh), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Washed} (w[o^]sht);
   p. pr. & vb. n. {Washing}.] [OE. waschen, AS. wascan; akin to
   D. wasschen, G. waschen, OHG. wascan, Icel. & Sw. vaska, Dan.
   vaske, and perhaps to E. water. [root]150.]
   1. To cleanse by ablution, or dipping or rubbing in water; to
      apply water or other liquid to for the purpose of
      cleansing; to scrub with water, etc., or as with water;
      as, to wash the hands or body; to wash garments; to wash
      sheep or wool; to wash the pavement or floor; to wash the
      bark of trees.

            When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, . . .
            he took water and washed his hands before the
            multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of
            this just person.                     --Matt. xxvii.
                                                  24.

   2. To cover with water or any liquid; to wet; to fall on and
      moisten; hence, to overflow or dash against; as, waves
      wash the shore.

            Fresh-blown roses washed with dew.    --Milton.

            [The landscape] washed with a cold, gray mist.
                                                  --Longfellow.

   3. To waste or abrade by the force of water in motion; as,
      heavy rains wash a road or an embankment.



   4. To remove by washing to take away by, or as by, the action
      of water; to drag or draw off as by the tide; -- often
      with away, off, out, etc.; as, to wash dirt from the
      hands.

            Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins.
                                                  --Acts xxii.
                                                  16.

            The tide will wash you off.           --Shak.

   5. To cover with a thin or watery coat of color; to tint
      lightly and thinly.

   6. To overlay with a thin coat of metal; as, steel washed
      with silver.

   {To wash gold}, etc., to treat earth or gravel, or crushed
      ore, with water, in order to separate the gold or other
      metal, or metallic ore, through their superior gravity.

   {To wash the hands of}. See under {Hand}.

Wash \Wash\, v. i.
   1. To perform the act of ablution.

            Wash in Jordan seven times.           --2 Kings v.
                                                  10.

   2. To clean anything by rubbing or dipping it in water; to
      perform the business of cleansing clothes, ore, etc., in
      water. ``She can wash and scour.'' --Shak.

   3. To bear without injury the operation of being washed; as,
      some calicoes do not wash. [Colloq.]

   4. To be wasted or worn away by the action of water, as by a
      running or overflowing stream, or by the dashing of the
      sea; -- said of road, a beach, etc.

Wash \Wash\, n.
   1. The act of washing; an ablution; a cleansing, wetting, or
      dashing with water; hence, a quantity, as of clothes,
      washed at once.

   2. A piece of ground washed by the action of a sea or river,
      or sometimes covered and sometimes left dry; the
      shallowest part of a river, or arm of the sea; also, a
      bog; a marsh; a fen; as, the washes in Lincolnshire. ``The
      Wash of Edmonton so gay.'' --Cowper.

            These Lincoln washes have devoured them. --Shak.

   3. Substances collected and deposited by the action of water;
      as, the wash of a sewer, of a river, etc.

            The wash of pastures, fields, commons, and roads,
            where rain water hath a long time settled.
                                                  --Mortimer.

   4. Waste liquid, the refuse of food, the collection from
      washed dishes, etc., from a kitchen, often used as food
      for pigs. --Shak.

   5. (Distilling)
      (a) The fermented wort before the spirit is extracted.
      (b) A mixture of dunder, molasses, water, and scummings,
          used in the West Indies for distillation. --B.
          Edwards.

   6. That with which anything is washed, or wetted, smeared,
      tinted, etc., upon the surface. Specifically:
      (a) A liquid cosmetic for the complexion.
      (b) A liquid dentifrice.
      (c) A liquid preparation for the hair; as, a hair wash.
      (d) A medical preparation in a liquid form for external
          application; a lotion.
      (e) (Painting) A thin coat of color, esp. water color.
      (j) A thin coat of metal laid on anything for beauty or
          preservation.

   7. (Naut.)
      (a) The blade of an oar, or the thin part which enters the
          water.
      (b) The backward current or disturbed water caused by the
          action of oars, or of a steamer's screw or paddles,
          etc.

   8. The flow, swash, or breaking of a body of water, as a
      wave; also, the sound of it.

   9. Ten strikes, or bushels, of oysters. [Prov. Eng.]

   {Wash ball}, a ball of soap to be used in washing the hands
      or face. --Swift.

   {Wash barrel} (Fisheries), a barrel nearly full of split
      mackerel, loosely put in, and afterward filled with salt
      water in order to soak the blood from the fish before
      salting.

   {Wash bottle}. (Chem.)
      (a) A bottle partially filled with some liquid through
          which gases are passed for the purpose of purifying
          them, especially by removing soluble constituents.
      (b) A washing bottle. See under {Washing}.

   {Wash gilding}. See {Water gilding}.

   {Wash leather}, split sheepskin dressed with oil, in
      imitation of chamois, or shammy, and used for dusting,
      cleaning glass or plate, etc.; also, alumed, or buff,
      leather for soldiers' belts.

Wash \Wash\, a.
   1. Washy; weak. [Obs.]

            Their bodies of so weak and wash a temper. --Beau. &
                                                  Fl.

   2. Capable of being washed without injury; washable; as, wash
      goods. [Colloq.]

Washable \Wash"a*ble\, a.
   Capable of being washed without damage to fabric or color.

Washboard \Wash"board`\, n.
   1. A fluted, or ribbed, board on which clothes are rubbed in
      washing them.

   2. A board running round, and serving as a facing for, the
      walls of a room, next to the floor; a mopboard.

   3. (Naut.) A broad, thin plank, fixed along the gunwale of
      boat to keep the sea from breaking inboard; also, a plank
      on the sill of a lower deck port, for the same purpose; --
      called also {wasteboard}. --Mar. Dict.

Washbowl \Wash"bowl`\, n.
   A basin, or bowl, to hold water for washing one's hands,
   face, etc.

Washdish \Wash"dish`\, n.
   1. A washbowl.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Washerwoman}, 2. [Prov. Eng.]

Washed \Washed\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
   Appearing as if overlaid with a thin layer of different
   color; -- said of the colors of certain birds and insects.

Washen \Wash"en\, obs.
   p. p. of {Wash}. --Chaucer.

Washer \Wash"er\, n. [AS. w[ae]scere.]
   1. One who, or that which, washes.

   2. A ring of metal, leather, or other material, or a
      perforated plate, used for various purposes, as around a
      bolt or screw to form a seat for the head or nut, or
      around a wagon axle to prevent endwise motion of the hub
      of the wheel and relieve friction, or in a joint to form a
      packing, etc.

   3. (Plumbing) A fitting, usually having a plug, applied to a
      cistern, tub, sink, or the like, and forming the outlet
      opening.

   4. (Zo["o]l.) The common raccoon.

   5. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Washerwoman}, 2. [Prov. Eng.]

Washerman \Wash"er*man\, n.; pl. {Washermen}.
   A man who washes clothes, esp. for hire, or for others.

Washerwoman \Wash"er*wom`an\, n.; pl. {Washerwomen}.
   1. A woman who washes clothes, especially for hire, or for
      others.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) The pied wagtail; -- so called in allusion to
      its beating the water with its tail while tripping along
      the leaves of water plants. [Prov. Eng.]

Washhouse \Wash"house`\, n.
   An outbuilding for washing, esp. one for washing clothes; a
   laundry.

Washiness \Wash"i*ness\, n.
   The quality or state of being washy, watery, or weak.

Washing \Wash"ing\, n.
   1. The act of one who washes; the act of cleansing with
      water; ablution.

   2. The clothes washed, esp. at one time; a wash.

   {Washing bear} (Zo["o]l.), the raccoon.

   {Washing bottle} (Chem.), a bottle fitted with glass tubes
      passing through the cork, so that on blowing into one of
      the tubes a stream of water issuing from the other may be
      directed upon anything to be washed or rinsed, as a
      precipitate upon a filter, etc.

   {Washing fluid}, a liquid used as a cleanser, and consisting
      usually of alkaline salts resembling soaps in their
      action.

   {Washing machine}, a machine for washing; specifically, a
      machine for washing clothes.

   {Washing soda}. (Chem.) See {Sodium carbonate}, under
      {Sodium}.

   {Washing stuff}, any earthy deposit containing gold enough to
      pay for washing it; -- so called among gold miners.

Washingtonian \Wash`ing*to"ni*an\, a.
   1. Pertaining to, or characteristic of, George Washington;
      as, a Washingtonian policy. --Lowell.

   2. Designating, or pertaining to, a temperance society and
      movement started in Baltimore in 1840 on the principle of
      total abstinence. -- n. A member of the Washingtonian
      Society.

Wash-off \Wash"-off`\, a. (Calico Printing)
   Capable of being washed off; not permanent or durable; --
   said of colors not fixed by steaming or otherwise.

Washout \Wash"out`\, n.
   The washing out or away of earth, etc., especially of a
   portion of the bed of a road or railroad by a fall of rain or
   a freshet; also, a place, especially in the bed of a road or
   railroad, where the earth has been washed away.

Washpot \Wash"pot`\, n.
   1. A pot or vessel in which anything is washed.

   2. (Tin-Plate Manuf.) A pot containing melted tin into which
      the plates are dipped to be coated.

Washstand \Wash"stand`\, n.
   A piece of furniture holding the ewer or pitcher, basin, and
   other requisites for washing the person.

Washtub \Wash"tub`\, n.
   A tub in which clothes are washed.

Washy \Wash"y\, a. [From {Wash}.]
   1. Watery; damp; soft. ``Washy ooze.'' --Milton.

   2. Lacking substance or strength; weak; thin; dilute; feeble;
      as, washy tea; washy resolutions.

            A polish . . . not over thin and washy. --Sir H.
                                                  Wotton.

   3. Not firm or hardy; liable to sweat profusely with labor;
      as, a washy horse. [Local, U. S.]

Wasite \Wa"site\, n. [See {Wasium}.] (Min.)
   A variety of allanite from Sweden supposed to contain wasium.

Wasium \Wa"si*um\, n. [NL. So called from Wasa, or Vasa, the
   name of a former royal family of Sweden.] (Chem.)
   A rare element supposed by Bahr to have been extracted from
   wasite, but now identified with thorium.

Wasp \Wasp\, n. [OE. waspe, AS. w[ae]ps, w[ae]fs; akin to D.
   wesp, G. wespe, OHG. wafsa, wefsa, Lith. vapsa gadfly, Russ.
   osa wasp, L. vespa, and perhaps to E. weave.] (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of numerous species of stinging hymenopterous
   insects, esp. any of the numerous species of the genus
   {Vespa}, which includes the true, or social, wasps, some of
   which are called {yellow jackets}.

   Note: The social wasps make a complex series of combs, of a
         substance like stiff paper, often of large size, and
         protect them by a paperlike covering. The larv[ae] are
         reared in the cells of the combs, and eat insects and
         insect larv[ae] brought to them by the adults, but the
         latter feed mainly on the honey and pollen of flowers,
         and on the sweet juices of fruit. See Illust. in
         Appendix.

   {Digger wasp}, any one of numerous species of solitary wasps
      that make their nests in burrows which they dig in the
      ground, as the sand wasps. See {Sand wasp}, under {Sand}.
      

   {Mud wasp}. See under {Mud}.

   {Potter wasp}. See under {Potter}.

   {Wasp fly}, a species of fly resembling a wasp, but without a
      sting.



Waspish \Wasp"ish\, a.
   1. Resembling a wasp in form; having a slender waist, like a
      wasp.

   2. Quick to resent a trifling affront; characterized by
      snappishness; irritable; irascible; petulant; snappish.

            He was naturally a waspish and hot man. --Bp. Hall.

            Much do I suffer, much, to keep in peace This
            jealous, waspish, wrong-head, rhyming race. --Pope.

   Syn: Snappish; petulant; irritable; irascible; testy;
        peevish; captious. -- {Wasp"ish*ly}, adv. --
        {Wasp"ish*ness}, n.

Wassail \Was"sail\, n. [AS. wes h[=a]l (or an equivalent form in
   another dialect) be in health, which was the form of drinking
   a health. The form wes is imperative. See {Was}, and
   {Whole}.]
   1. An ancient expression of good wishes on a festive
      occasion, especially in drinking to some one.

            Geoffrey of Monmouth relates, on the authority of
            Walter Calenius, that this lady [Rowena], the
            daughter of Hengist, knelt down on the approach of
            the king, and, presenting him with a cup of wine,
            exclaimed, Lord king w[ae]s heil, that is,
            literally, Health be to you.          --N. Drake.

   2. An occasion on which such good wishes are expressed in
      drinking; a drinking bout; a carouse. ``In merry wassail
      he . . . peals his loud song.'' --Sir W. Scott.

            The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse,
            Keeps wassail.                        --Shak.

            The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and
            wassail.                              --Prescott.

   3. The liquor used for a wassail; esp., a beverage formerly
      much used in England at Christmas and other festivals,
      made of ale (or wine) flavored with spices, sugar, toast,
      roasted apples, etc.; -- called also {lamb's wool}.

            A jolly wassail bowl, A wassail of good ale. --Old
                                                  Song.

   4. A festive or drinking song or glee. [Obs.]

            Have you done your wassail! 'T is a handsome, drowsy
            ditty, I'll assure you.               --Beau. & Fl.

Wassail \Was"sail\, a.
   Of or pertaining to wassail, or to a wassail; convivial; as,
   a wassail bowl. ``Awassail candle, my lord, all tallow.''
   --Shak.

   {Wassail bowl}, a bowl in which wassail was mixed, and placed
      upon the table. ``Spiced wassail bowl.'' --J. Fletcher.
      ``When the cloth was removed, the butler brought in a huge
      silver vessel . . . Its appearance was hailed with
      acclamation, being the wassail bowl so renowned in
      Christmas festivity.'' --W. Irving.

   {Wassail cup}, a cup from which wassail was drunk.

Wassail \Was"sail\, v. i.
   To hold a wassail; to carouse.

         Spending all the day, and good part of the night, in
         dancing, caroling, and wassailing.       --Sir P.
                                                  Sidney.

Wassailer \Was"sail*er\, n.
   One who drinks wassail; one who engages in festivity,
   especially in drinking; a reveler.

         The rudeness and swilled insolence Of such late
         wassailers.                              --Milton.

Wast \Wast\
   The second person singular of the verb be, in the indicative
   mood, imperfect tense; -- now used only in solemn or poetical
   style. See {Was}.

Wastage \Wast"age\, n.
   Loss by use, decay, evaporation, leakage, or the like; waste.

Waste \Waste\, a. [OE. wast, OF. wast, from L. vastus,
   influenced by the kindred German word; cf. OHG. wuosti, G.
   w["u]st, OS. w?sti, D. woest, AS. w[=e]ste. Cf. {Vast}.]
   1. Desolate; devastated; stripped; bare; hence, dreary;
      dismal; gloomy; cheerless.

            The dismal situation waste and wild.  --Milton.

            His heart became appalled as he gazed forward into
            the waste darkness of futurity.       --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

   2. Lying unused; unproductive; worthless; valueless; refuse;
      rejected; as, waste land; waste paper.

            But his waste words returned to him in vain.
                                                  --Spenser.

            Not a waste or needless sound, Till we come to
            holier ground.                        --Milton.

            Ill day which made this beauty waste. --Emerson.

   3. Lost for want of occupiers or use; superfluous.

            And strangled with her waste fertility. --Milton.

   {Waste gate}, a gate by which the superfluous water of a
      reservoir, or the like, is discharged.

   {Waste paper}. See under {Paper}.

   {Waste pipe}, a pipe for carrying off waste, or superfluous,
      water or other fluids. Specifically:
      (a) (Steam Boilers) An escape pipe. See under {Escape}.
      (b) (Plumbing) The outlet pipe at the bottom of a bowl,
          tub, sink, or the like.

   {Waste steam}.
      (a) Steam which escapes the air.
      (b) Exhaust steam.

   {Waste trap}, a trap for a waste pipe, as of a sink.

Waste \Waste\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wasted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wasting}.] [OE. wasten, OF. waster, guaster, gaster, F.
   g[^a]ter to spoil, L. vastare to devastate, to lay waste, fr.
   vastus waste, desert, uncultivated, ravaged, vast, but
   influenced by a kindred German word; cf. OHG. wuosten, G.
   w["u]sten, AS. w[=e]stan. See {Waste}, a.]
   1. To bring to ruin; to devastate; to desolate; to destroy.

            Thou barren ground, whom winter's wrath hath wasted,
            Art made a mirror to behold my plight. --Spenser.

            The Tiber Insults our walls, and wastes our fruitful
            grounds.                              --Dryden.

   2. To wear away by degrees; to impair gradually; to diminish
      by constant loss; to use up; to consume; to spend; to wear
      out.

            Until your carcasses be wasted in the wilderness.
                                                  --Num. xiv.
                                                  33.

            O, were I able To waste it all myself, and leave ye
            none!                                 --Milton.

            Here condemned To waste eternal days in woe and
            pain.                                 --Milton.

            Wasted by such a course of life, the infirmities of
            age daily grew on him.                --Robertson.

   3. To spend unnecessarily or carelessly; to employ
      prodigally; to expend without valuable result; to apply to
      useless purposes; to lavish vainly; to squander; to cause
      to be lost; to destroy by scattering or injury.

            The younger son gathered all together, and . . .
            wasted his substance with riotous living. --Luke xv.
                                                  13.

            Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And
            waste its sweetness on the desert air. --Gray.

   4. (Law) To damage, impair, or injure, as an estate,
      voluntarily, or by suffering the buildings, fences, etc.,
      to go to decay.

   Syn: To squander; dissipate; lavish; desolate.

Waste \Waste\, v. i.
   1. To be diminished; to lose bulk, substance, strength,
      value, or the like, gradually; to be consumed; to dwindle;
      to grow less.

            The time wasteth night and day.       --Chaucer.

            The barrel of meal shall not waste.   --1 Kings
                                                  xvii. 14.

            But man dieth, and wasteth away.      --Job xiv. 10.

   2. (Sporting) To procure or sustain a reduction of flesh; --
      said of a jockey in preparation for a race, etc.

Waste \Waste\, n. [OE. waste; cf. the kindred AS. w?sten, OHG.
   w?st[=i], wuost[=i], G. w["u]ste. See {Waste}, a. & v.]
   1. The act of wasting, or the state of being wasted; a
      squandering; needless destruction; useless consumption or
      expenditure; devastation; loss without equivalent gain;
      gradual loss or decrease, by use, wear, or decay; as, a
      waste of property, time, labor, words, etc. ``Waste . . .
      of catel and of time.'' --Chaucer.

            For all this waste of wealth loss of blood.
                                                  --Milton.

            He will never . . . in the way of waste, attempt us
            again.                                --Shak.

            Little wastes in great establishments, constantly
            occurring, may defeat the energies of a mighty
            capital.                              --L. Beecher.

   2. That which is wasted or desolate; a devastated,
      uncultivated, or wild country; a deserted region; an
      unoccupied or unemployed space; a dreary void; a desert; a
      wilderness. ``The wastes of Nature.'' --Emerson.

            All the leafy nation sinks at last, And Vulcan rides
            in triumph o'er the waste.            --Dryden.

            The gloomy waste of waters which bears his name is
            his tomb and his monument.            --Bancroft.

   3. That which is of no value; worthless remnants; refuse.
      Specifically: Remnants of cops, or other refuse resulting
      from the working of cotton, wool, hemp, and the like, used
      for wiping machinery, absorbing oil in the axle boxes of
      railway cars, etc.

   4. (Law) Spoil, destruction, or injury, done to houses,
      woods, fences, lands, etc., by a tenant for life or for
      years, to the prejudice of the heir, or of him in
      reversion or remainder.

   Note: Waste is voluntary, as by pulling down buildings; or
         permissive, as by suffering them to fall for want of
         necessary repairs. Whatever does a lasting damage to
         the freehold is a {waste}. --Blackstone.

   5. (Mining) Old or abandoned workings, whether left as vacant
      space or filled with refuse.

   Syn: Prodigality; diminution; loss; dissipation; destruction;
        devastation; havoc; desolation; ravage.

Wastebasket \Waste"bas`ket\, n.
   A basket used in offices, libraries, etc., as a receptacle
   for waste paper.

Wasteboard \Waste"board`\, n. (Naut.)
   See {Washboard}, 3.

Wastebook \Waste"book`\, n. (Com.)
   A book in which rough entries of transactions are made,
   previous to their being carried into the journal.

Wasteful \Waste"ful\, a.
   1. Full of waste; destructive to property; ruinous; as,
      wasteful practices or negligence; wasteful expenses.

   2. Expending, or tending to expend, property, or that which
      is valuable, in a needless or useless manner; lavish;
      prodigal; as, a wasteful person; a wasteful disposition.

   3. Waste; desolate; unoccupied; untilled. [Obs.]

            In wilderness and wasteful desert strayed.
                                                  --Spenser.

   Syn: Lavish; profuse; prodigal; extravagant. --
        {Waste"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Waste"ful*ness}, n.

Wastel \Was"tel\, n. [OF. wastel, gastel, F. g[^a]teau, LL.
   wastellus, fr. MHG. wastel a kind of bread; cf. OHG. & AS.
   wist food.]
   A kind of white and fine bread or cake; -- called also
   {wastel bread}, and {wastel cake}. [Obs.]

         Roasted flesh or milk and wasted bread.  --Chaucer.

         The simnel bread and wastel cakes, which were only used
         at the tables of the highest nobility.   --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

Wasteness \Waste"ness\, n.
   1. The quality or state of being waste; a desolate state or
      condition; desolation.

            A day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness.
                                                  --Zeph. i. 15.

   2. That which is waste; a desert; a waste. [R.]

            Through woods and wasteness wide him daily sought.
                                                  --Spenser.

Waster \Wast"er\, n. [OE. wastour, OF. wasteor, gasteor. See
   {Waste}, v. t.]
   1. One who, or that which, wastes; one who squanders; one who
      consumes or expends extravagantly; a spendthrift; a
      prodigal.

            He also that is slothful in his work is brother to
            him that is a great waster.           --Prov. xviii.
                                                  9.

            Sconces are great wasters of candles. --Swift.

   2. An imperfection in the wick of a candle, causing it to
      waste; -- called also a {thief}. --Halliwell.

   3. A kind of cudgel; also, a blunt-edged sword used as a
      foil.

            Half a dozen of veneys at wasters with a good fellow
            for a broken head.                    --Beau. & Fl.

            Being unable to wield the intellectual arms of
            reason, they are fain to betake them unto wasters.
                                                  --Sir T.
                                                  Browne.

Wastethrift \Waste"thrift`\, n.
   A spendthrift. [Obs.]

Wasteweir \Waste"weir`\, n.
   An overfall, or weir, for the escape, or overflow, of
   superfluous water from a canal, reservoir, pond, or the like.

Wasting \Wast"ing\, a.
   Causing waste; also, undergoing waste; diminishing; as, a
   wasting disease; a wasting fortune.



   {Wasting palsy} (Med.), progressive muscular atrophy. See
      under {Progressive}.

Wastor \Wast"or\, n.
   A waster; a thief. [Obs. or R.] [Written also {wastour}.]
   --Chaucer. Southey.

Wastorel \Wast"o*rel\, n.
   See {Wastrel}. [Obs.]

Wastrel \Wast"rel\, n.
   1. Any waste thing or substance; as:
      (a) Waste land or common land. [Obs.] --Carew.
      (b) A profligate. [Prov. Eng.]
      (c) A neglected child; a street Arab. [Eng.]

   2. Anything cast away as bad or useless, as imperfect bricks,
      china, etc. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

Watch \Watch\ (w[o^]ch), n. [OE. wacche, AS. w[ae]cce, fr.
   wacian to wake; akin to D. wacht, waak, G. wacht, wache.
   [root]134. See {Wake}, v. i. ]
   1. The act of watching; forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful,
      vigilant, or constantly observant attention; close
      observation; guard; preservative or preventive vigilance;
      formerly, a watching or guarding by night.

            Shepherds keeping watch by night.     --Milton.

            All the long night their mournful watch they keep.
                                                  --Addison.

   Note: Watch was formerly distinguished from ward, the former
         signifying a watching or guarding by night, and the
         latter a watching, guarding, or protecting by day
         Hence, they were not unfrequently used together,
         especially in the phrase to keep watch and ward, to
         denote continuous and uninterrupted vigilance or
         protection, or both watching and guarding. This
         distinction is now rarely recognized, watch being used
         to signify a watching or guarding both by night and by
         day, and ward, which is now rarely used, having simply
         the meaning of guard, or protection, without reference
         to time.

               Still, when she slept, he kept both watch and
               ward.                              --Spenser.

               Ward, guard, or custodia, is chiefly applied to
               the daytime, in order to apprehend rioters, and
               robbers on the highway . . . Watch, is properly
               applicable to the night only, . . . and it begins
               when ward ends, and ends when that begins.
                                                  --Blackstone.

   2. One who watches, or those who watch; a watchman, or a body
      of watchmen; a sentry; a guard.

            Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch; go your way,
            make it as sure as ye can.            --Matt. xxvii.
                                                  65.

   3. The post or office of a watchman; also, the place where a
      watchman is posted, or where a guard is kept.

            He upbraids Iago, that he made him Brave me upon the
            watch.                                --Shak.

   4. The period of the night during which a person does duty as
      a sentinel, or guard; the time from the placing of a
      sentinel till his relief; hence, a division of the night.

            I did stand my watch upon the hill.   --Shak.

            Might we but hear . . . Or whistle from the lodge,
            or village cock Count the night watches to his
            feathery dames.                       --Milton.

   5. A small timepiece, or chronometer, to be carried about the
      person, the machinery of which is moved by a spring.



   Note: Watches are often distinguished by the kind of
         escapement used, as an {anchor watch}, a {lever watch},
         a {chronometer watch}, etc. (see the Note under
         {Escapement}, n., 3); also, by the kind of case, as a
         {gold} or {silver watch}, an {open-faced watch}, a
         {hunting watch}, or {hunter}, etc.

   6. (Naut.)
      (a) An allotted portion of time, usually four hour for
          standing watch, or being on deck ready for duty. Cf.
          {Dogwatch}.
      (b) That part, usually one half, of the officers and crew,
          who together attend to the working of a vessel for an
          allotted time, usually four hours. The watches are
          designated as the {port watch}, and the {starboard
          watch}.

   {Anchor watch} (Naut.), a detail of one or more men who keep
      watch on deck when a vessel is at anchor.

   {To be on the watch}, to be looking steadily for some event.
      

   {Watch and ward} (Law), the charge or care of certain
      officers to keep a watch by night and a guard by day in
      towns, cities, and other districts, for the preservation
      of the public peace. --Wharton. --Burrill.

   {Watch and watch} (Naut.), the regular alternation in being
      on watch and off watch of the two watches into which a
      ship's crew is commonly divided.

   {Watch barrel}, the brass box in a watch, containing the
      mainspring.

   {Watch bell} (Naut.), a bell struck when the half-hour glass
      is run out, or at the end of each half hour. --Craig.

   {Watch bill} (Naut.), a list of the officers and crew of a
      ship as divided into watches, with their stations.
      --Totten.

   {Watch case}, the case, or outside covering, of a watch;
      also, a case for holding a watch, or in which it is kept.
      

   {Watch chain}. Same as {watch guard}, below.

   {Watch clock}, a watchman's clock; see under {Watchman}.

   {Watch fire}, a fire lighted at night, as a signal, or for
      the use of a watch or guard.

   {Watch glass}.
      (a) A concavo-convex glass for covering the face, or dial,
          of a watch; -- also called {watch crystal}.
      (b) (Naut.) A half-hour glass used to measure the time of
          a watch on deck.



   {Watch guard}, a chain or cord by which a watch is attached
      to the person.

   {Watch gun} (Naut.), a gun sometimes fired on shipboard at 8
      p. m., when the night watch begins.

   {Watch light}, a low-burning lamp used by watchers at night;
      formerly, a candle having a rush wick.

   {Watch night}, The last night of the year; -- so called by
      the Methodists, Moravians, and others, who observe it by
      holding religious meetings lasting until after midnight.
      

   {Watch paper}, an old-fashioned ornament for the inside of a
      watch case, made of paper cut in some fanciful design, as
      a vase with flowers, etc.

   {Watch tackle} (Naut.), a small, handy purchase, consisting
      of a tailed double block, and a single block with a hook.

Watch \Watch\, v. i. [Cf. AS. w[oe]ccan, wacian. [root]134. See
   {Watch}, n., {Wake}, v. i. ]
   1. To be awake; to be or continue without sleep; to wake; to
      keep vigil.

            I have two nights watched with you.   --Shak.

            Couldest thou not watch one hour ?    --Mark xiv.
                                                  37.

   2. To be attentive or vigilant; to give heed; to be on the
      lookout; to keep guard; to act as sentinel.

            Take ye heed, watch and pray.         --Mark xiii.
                                                  33.

            The Son gave signal high To the bright minister that
            watched.                              --Milton.

   3. To be expectant; to look with expectation; to wait; to
      seek opportunity.

            My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that
            watch for the morning.                --Ps. cxxx. 6.

   4. To remain awake with any one as nurse or attendant; to
      attend on the sick during the night; as, to watch with a
      man in a fever.

   5. (Naut.) To serve the purpose of a watchman by floating
      properly in its place; -- said of a buoy.

   {To watch over}, to be cautiously observant of; to inspect,
      superintend, and guard.

Watch \Watch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Watched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Watching}.]
   1. To give heed to; to observe the actions or motions of, for
      any purpose; to keep in view; not to lose from sight and
      observation; as, to watch the progress of a bill in the
      legislature.

            Saul also sent messengers unto David's house to
            watch him, and to slay him.           --1 Sam. xix.
                                                  11

            I must cool a little, and watch my opportunity.
                                                  --Landor.

            In lazy mood I watched the little circles die.
                                                  --Longfellow.

   2. To tend; to guard; to have in keeping.

            And flaming ministers, to watch and tend Their
            earthy charge.                        --Milton.

            Paris watched the flocks in the groves of Ida.
                                                  --Broome.



Watchdog \Watch"dog`\ (w[o^]ch"d[o^]g`), n.
   A dog kept to watch and guard premises or property, and to
   give notice of the approach of intruders.

Watcher \Watch"er\ (-[~e]r), n.
   One who watches; one who sits up or continues; a diligent
   observer; specifically, one who attends upon the sick during
   the night.

Watches \Watch"es\ (-[e^]z), n. pl. (Bot.)
   The leaves of {Saracenia flava}. See {Trumpets}.

Watchet \Watchet\ (-[e^]t), a. [Probably from F. vaciet
   bilberry, whortleberry; cf. L. vaccinium blueberry,
   whortleberry.]
   Pale or light blue. [Obs.] ``Watchet mantles.'' --Spenser.

         Who stares in Germany at watchet eyes?   --Dryden.

Watchful \Watch"ful\, a.
   Full of watch; vigilant; attentive; careful to observe
   closely; observant; cautious; -- with of before the thing to
   be regulated or guarded; as, to be watchful of one's
   behavior; and with against before the thing to be avoided;
   as, to be watchful against the growth of vicious habits.
   ``Many a watchful night.'' --Shak. ``Happy watchful
   shepherds.'' --Milton.

         'Twixt prayer and watchful love his heart dividing.
                                                  --Keble.

   Syn: Vigilant; attentive; cautious; observant; circumspect;
        wakeful; heedful. -- {Watch"ful*ly}, adv. --
        {Watch"ful*ness}, n.

Watchhouse \Watch"house`\, n.; pl. {Watchhouses}.
   1. A house in which a watch or guard is placed.

   2. A place where persons under temporary arrest by the police
      of a city are kept; a police station; a lockup.

Watchmaker \Watch"mak`er\, n.
   One whose occupation is to make and repair watches.

Watchman \Watch"man\, n.; pl. {Watchmen}.
   1. One set to watch; a person who keeps guard; a guard; a
      sentinel.

   2. Specifically, one who guards a building, or the streets of
      a city, by night.

   {Watchman beetle} (Zo["o]l.), the European dor.

   {Watchman's clock}, a watchman's detector in which the
      apparatus for recording the times of visiting several
      stations is contained within a single clock.

   {Watchman's detector}, or {Watchman's time detector}, an
      apparatus for recording the time when a watchman visits a
      station on his rounds.

   {Watchman's rattle}, an instrument having at the end of a
      handle a revolving arm, which, by the action of a strong
      spring upon cogs, produces, when in motion, a loud, harsh,
      rattling sound.

Watchtower \Watch"tow`er\, n.
   A tower in which a sentinel is placed to watch for enemies,
   the approach of danger, or the like.

Watchword \Watch"word`\, n.
   1. A word given to sentinels, and to such as have occasion to
      visit the guards, used as a signal by which a friend is
      known from an enemy, or a person who has a right to pass
      the watch from one who has not; a countersign; a password.

   2. A sentiment or motto; esp., one used as a rallying cry or
      a signal for action.

            Nor deal in watchwords overmuch.      --Tennyson.

Water \Wa"ter\ (w[add]"t[~e]r), n. [AS. w[ae]ter; akin to OS.
   watar, OFries. wetir, weter, LG. & D. water, G. wasser, OHG.
   wazzar, Icel. vatn, Sw. vatten, Dan. vand, Goth. wat[=o], O.
   Slav. & Russ. voda, Gr. 'y`dwr, Skr. udan water, ud to wet,
   and perhaps to L. unda wave. [root]137. Cf. {Dropsy},
   {Hydra}, {Otter}, {Wet}, {Whisky}.]
   1. The fluid which descends from the clouds in rain, and
      which forms rivers, lakes, seas, etc. ``We will drink
      water.'' --Shak. ``Powers of fire, air, water, and
      earth.'' --Milton.

   Note: Pure water consists of hydrogen and oxygen, {H2O}, and
         is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, transparent
         liquid, which is very slightly compressible. At its
         maximum density, 39[deg] Fahr. or 4[deg] C., it is the
         standard for specific gravities, one cubic centimeter
         weighing one gram. It freezes at 32[deg] Fahr. or
         0[deg] C. and boils at 212[deg] Fahr. or 100[deg] C.
         (see {Ice}, {Steam}). It is the most important natural
         solvent, and is frequently impregnated with foreign
         matter which is mostly removed by distillation; hence,
         rain water is nearly pure. It is an important
         ingredient in the tissue of animals and plants, the
         human body containing about two thirds its weight of
         water.

   2. A body of water, standing or flowing; a lake, river, or
      other collection of water.

            Remembering he had passed over a small water a poor
            scholar when first coming to the university, he
            kneeled.                              --Fuller.

   3. Any liquid secretion, humor, or the like, resembling
      water; esp., the urine.

   4. (Pharm.) A solution in water of a gaseous or readily
      volatile substance; as, ammonia water. --U. S. Pharm.

   5. The limpidity and luster of a precious stone, especially a
      diamond; as, a diamond of the first water, that is,
      perfectly pure and transparent. Hence, of the first water,
      that is, of the first excellence.

   6. A wavy, lustrous pattern or decoration such as is imparted
      to linen, silk, metals, etc. See {Water}, v. t., 3,
      {Damask}, v. t., and {Damaskeen}.

   7. An addition to the shares representing the capital of a
      stock company so that the aggregate par value of the
      shares is increased while their value for investment is
      diminished, or ``diluted.'' [Brokers' Cant]

   Note: Water is often used adjectively and in the formation of
         many self-explaining compounds; as, water drainage;
         water gauge, or water-gauge; waterfowl, water-fowl, or
         water fowl; water-beaten; water-borne, water-circled,
         water-girdled, water-rocked, etc.

   {Hard water}. See under {Hard}.

   {Inch of water}, a unit of measure of quantity of water,
      being the quantity which will flow through an orifice one
      inch square, or a circular orifice one inch in diameter,
      in a vertical surface, under a stated constant head; also
      called {miner's inch}, and {water inch}. The shape of the
      orifice and the head vary in different localities. In the
      Western United States, for hydraulic mining, the standard
      aperture is square and the head from 4 to 9 inches above
      its center. In Europe, for experimental hydraulics, the
      orifice is usually round and the head from 1/2 of an inch
      to 1 inch above its top.

   {Mineral water}, waters which are so impregnated with foreign
      ingredients, such as gaseous, sulphureous, and saline
      substances, as to give them medicinal properties, or a
      particular flavor or temperature.

   {Soft water}, water not impregnated with lime or mineral
      salts.

   {To hold water}. See under {Hold}, v. t.

   {To keep one's head above water}, to keep afloat; fig., to
      avoid failure or sinking in the struggles of life.
      [Colloq.]

   {To make water}.
      (a) To pass urine. --Swift.
      (b) (Naut.) To admit water; to leak.

   {Water of crystallization} (Chem.), the water combined with
      many salts in their crystalline form. This water is
      loosely, but, nevertheless, chemically, combined, for it
      is held in fixed and definite amount for each substance
      containing it. Thus, while pure copper sulphate, {CuSO4},
      is a white amorphous substance, blue vitriol, the
      crystallized form, {CuSO4.5H2O}, contains five molecules
      of water of crystallization.

   {Water on the brain} (Med.), hydrocephalus.

   {Water on the chest} (Med.), hydrothorax.

   Note: Other phrases, in which water occurs as the first
         element, will be found in alphabetical order in the
         Vocabulary.

Water \Wa"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Watered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Watering}.] [AS. w[ae]terian, gew[ae]terian.]
   1. To wet or supply with water; to moisten; to overflow with
      water; to irrigate; as, to water land; to water flowers.

            With tears watering the ground.       --Milton.

            Men whose lives gilded on like rivers that water the
            woodlands.                            --Longfellow.

   2. To supply with water for drink; to cause or allow to
      drink; as, to water cattle and horses.

   3. To wet and calender, as cloth, so as to impart to it a
      lustrous appearance in wavy lines; to diversify with
      wavelike lines; as, to water silk. Cf. {Water}, n., 6.

   4. To add water to (anything), thereby extending the quantity
      or bulk while reducing the strength or quality; to extend;
      to dilute; to weaken.

   {To water stock}, to increase the capital stock of a company
      by issuing new stock, thus diminishing the value of the
      individual shares. Cf. {Water}, n., 7. [Brokers' Cant]

Water \Wa"ter\, v. i.
   1. To shed, secrete, or fill with, water or liquid matter;
      as, his eyes began to water.

            If thine eyes can water for his death. --Shak.

   2. To get or take in water; as, the ship put into port to
      water.

   {The mouth waters}, a phrase denoting that a person or animal
      has a longing desire for something, since the sight of
      food often causes one who is hungry to have an increased
      flow of saliva.

Water adder \Wa"ter ad"der\ (Zo["o]l.)
      (a) The water moccasin.
      (b) The common, harmless American water snake
          ({Tropidonotus sipedon}). See Illust. under {Water
          Snake}.

Waterage \Wa"ter*age\ (?; 48), n.
   Money paid for transportation of goods, etc., by water.
   [Eng.]

Water agrimony \Wa"ter ag"ri*mo*ny\ (Bot.)
   A kind of bur marigold ({Bidens tripartita}) found in wet
   places in Europe.

Water aloe \Wa"ter al"oe\ (Bot.)
   See {Water soldier}.

Water antelope \Wa"ter an"te*lope\
   See {Water buck}.

Water arum \Wa"ter a"rum\ (Bot.)
   An aroid herb (Calla palustris) having a white spathe. It is
   an inhabitant of the north temperate zone.

Water back \Wa"ter back`\
   See under 1st {Back}.

Water bailiff \Wa"ter bail"iff\
   An officer of the customs, whose duty it is to search
   vessels. [Eng.]

Water ballast \Wa"ter bal"last\ (Naut.)
   Water confined in specially constructed compartments in a
   vessel's hold, to serve as ballast.

Water barometer \Wa"ter ba*rom"e*ter\ (Physics)
   A barometer in which the changes of atmospheric pressure are
   indicated by the motion of a column of water instead of
   mercury. It requires a column of water about thirty-three
   feet in height.

Water bath \Wa"ter bath`\
   A device for regulating the temperature of anything subjected
   to heat, by surrounding the vessel containing it with another
   vessel containing water which can be kept at a desired
   temperature; also, a vessel designed for this purpose.

Water battery \Wa"ter bat"ter*y\
   1. (Elec.) A voltaic battery in which the exciting fluid is
      water.

   2. (Mil.) A battery nearly on a level with the water.

Water bear \Wa"ter bear`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   Any species of Tardigrada, 2. See Illust. of {Tardigrada}.

Water-bearer \Wa"ter-bear`er\, n. (Astron.)
   The constellation Aquarius.

Water bed \Wa"ter bed`\
   A kind of mattress made of, or covered with, waterproof
   fabric and filled with water. It is used in hospitals for
   bedridden patients.



Water beech \Wa"ter beech`\ (Bot.)
   The American hornbeam. See {Hornbeam}.

Water beetle \Wa"ter bee"tle\ (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of numerous species of aquatic beetles belonging to
   {Dytiscus} and allied genera of the family {Dytiscid[ae]},
   and to various genera of the family {Hydrophilid[ae]}. These
   beetles swim with great agility, the fringed hind legs acting
   together like oars.

Water bellows \Wa"ter bel"lows\
   Same as {Tromp}.

Water bird \Wa"ter bird`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   Any aquatic bird; a water fowl.

Water blackbird \Wa"ter black"*bird\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The European water ousel, or dipper.

Waterboard \Wa"ter*board`\, n.
   A board set up to windward in a boat, to keep out water.
   --Ham. Nav. Encyc.

Water boatman \Wa"ter boat`man\ (Zo["o]l.)
   A boat bug.

Waterbok \Wa"ter*bok`\, n. [D.] (Zo["o]l.)
   A water buck.

Water-bound \Wa"ter-bound`\, a.
   Prevented by a flood from proceeding.

Water brain \Wa"ter brain`\
   A disease of sheep; gid.

Water brash \Wa"ter brash`\ (Med.)
   See under {Brash}.

Water breather \Wa"ter breath"er\ (Zo["o]l.)
   Any arthropod that breathes by means of gills.

Water bridge \Wa"ter bridge`\ (Steam Boilers)
   See {Water table}.

Water buck \Wa"ter buck`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   A large, heavy antelope ({Kobus ellipsiprymnus}) native of
   Central Africa. It frequents the banks of rivers and is a
   good swimmer. It has a white ring around the rump. Called
   also {photomok}, {water antelope}, and {waterbok}.

   Note: The name is also applied to other related species, as
         the leche ({Kobus leche}), which has similar habits.

Water buffalo \Wa"ter buf"fa*lo\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The European buffalo.

Water bug \Wa"ter bug`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The Croton bug.
   (b) Any one of numerous species of large, rapacious, aquatic,
       hemipterous insects belonging to {Belostoma}, {Benacus},
       {Zaitha}, and other genera of the family
       {Belostomatid[ae]}. Their hind legs are long and fringed,
       and act like oars. Some of these insects are of great
       size, being among the largest existing Hemiptera. Many of
       them come out of the water and fly about at night.

Water butt \Wa"ter butt`\
   A large, open-headed cask, set up on end, to contain water.
   --Dickens.

Water caltrop \Wa"ter cal"trop\ (Bot.)
   The water chestnut.

Water can \Wa"ter can`\ (Bot.)
   Any one of several species of Nuphar; the yellow frog lily;
   -- so called from the shape of the seed vessel. See {Nuphar},
   and cf. {Candock}. --Dr. Prior.

Water canker \Wa"ter can"ker\ (Med.)
   See {Canker}, n., 1.

Water carriage \Wa"ter car"riage\
   1. Transportation or conveyance by water; means of
      transporting by water.

   2. A vessel or boat. [Obs.] --Arbuthnot.

Water cart \Wa"ter cart`\
   A cart carrying water; esp., one carrying water for sale, or
   for sprinkling streets, gardens, etc.

Water cavy \Wa"ter ca"vy\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The capybara.

Water celery \Wa"ter cel"er*y\ (Bot.)
   A very acrid herb ({Ranunculus sceleratus}) growing in
   ditches and wet places; -- called also {cursed crowfoot}.

Water cell \Wa"ter cell`\
   A cell containing water; specifically (Zo["o]l.), one of the
   cells or chambers in which water is stored up in the stomach
   of a camel.

Water cement \Wa"ter ce*ment"\
   Hydraulic cement.

Water chestnut \Wa"ter chest"nut\ (Bot.)
   The fruit of {Trapa natans} and {Trapa bicornis}, Old World
   water plants bearing edible nutlike fruits armed with several
   hard and sharp points; also, the plant itself; -- called also
   {water caltrop}.

Water chevrotain \Wa"ter chev`ro*tain"\ (Zo["o]l.)
   A large West African chevrotain ({Hy[ae]moschus aquaticus}).
   It has a larger body and shorter legs than the other allied
   species. Called also {water deerlet}.

Water chicken \Wa"ter chick"en\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The common American gallinule.

Water chickweed \Wa"ter chick"weed`\ (Bot.)
   A small annual plant ({Montia fontana}) growing in wet places
   in southern regions.

Water chinquapin \Wa"ter chin"qua*pin\ (Bot.)
   The American lotus, and its edible seeds, which somewhat
   resemble chinquapins. Cf. {Yoncopin}.

Water clock \Wa"ter clock`\
   An instrument or machine serving to measure time by the fall,
   or flow, of a certain quantity of water; a clepsydra.

Water-closet \Wa"ter-clos`et\, n.
   A privy; especially, a privy furnished with a contrivance for
   introducing a stream of water to cleanse it.

Water cock \Wa"ter cock`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   A large gallinule ({Gallicrex cristatus}) native of
   Australia, India, and the East Indies. In the breeding season
   the male is black and has a fleshy red caruncle, or horn, on
   the top of its head. Called also {kora}.

Water color \Wa"ter col`or\ (Paint.)
   1. A color ground with water and gum or other glutinous
      medium; a color the vehicle of which is water; -- so
      called in distinction from {oil color}.

   Note: It preserves its consistency when dried in a solid
         cake, which is used by rubbing off a portion on a
         moistened palette. Moist water colors are water colors
         kept in a semifluid or pasty state in little metal
         tubes or pans.

   2. A picture painted with such colors.

Water-colorist \Wa"ter-col`or*ist\, n.
   One who paints in water colors.

Water course \Wa"ter course`\
   1. A stream of water; a river or brook. --Isa. xliv. 4.

   2. A natural channel for water; also, a canal for the
      conveyance of water, especially in draining lands.

   3. (Law) A running stream of water having a bed and banks;
      the easement one may have in the flowing of such a stream
      in its accustomed course. A water course may be sometimes
      dry. --Angell. --Burrill.

Water craft \Wa"ter craft`\
   Any vessel or boat plying on water; vessels and boats,
   collectively.

Water crake \Wa"ter crake`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The dipper.
   (b) The spotted crake ({Porzana maruetta}). See Illust. of
       {Crake}.
   (c) The swamp hen, or crake, of Australia.



Water crane \Wa"ter crane`\
   A goose-neck apparatus for supplying water from an elevated
   tank, as to the tender of a locomotive.

Water cress \Wa"ter cress`\ (Bot.)
   A perennial cruciferous herb ({Nasturtium officinale})
   growing usually in clear running or spring water. The leaves
   are pungent, and used for salad and as an antiscorbutic.

Water crow \Wa"ter crow`\ [So called in allusion to its dark
   plumage.] (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The dipper.
   (b) The European coot.

Water crowfoot \Wa"ter crow"foot`\ (Bot.)
   An aquatic kind of buttercup ({Ranunculus aquatilis}), used
   as food for cattle in parts of England.

   {Great water crowfoot}, an American water plant ({Ranunculus
      multifidus}), having deep yellow flowers.

Water cure \Wa"ter cure`\
   1. (Med.) Hydropathy.

   2. A hydropathic institution.

Water deck \Wa"ter deck`\
   A covering of painting canvas for the equipments of a
   dragoon's horse. --Wilhelm.

Water deer \Wa"ter deer`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) A small Chinese deer ({Hydropotes inermis}). Both sexes
       are destitute of antlers, but the male has large,
       descending canine tusks.
   (b) The water chevrotain.

Water deerlet \Wa"ter deer"let\
   See {Water chevrotain}.

Water devil \Wa"ter dev"il\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The rapacious larva of a large water beetle ({Hydrophilus
   piceus}), and of other similar species. See Illust. of Water
   beetle.

Water dock \Wa"ter dock`\ (Bot.)
   A tall, coarse dock growing in wet places. The American water
   dock is {Rumex orbiculatus}, the European is {R.
   Hydrolapathum}.

Water doctor \Wa"ter doc"tor\ (Med.)
   (a) One who professes to be able to divine diseases by
       inspection of the urine.
   (b) A physician who treats diseases with water; an
       hydropathist.

Water dog \Wa"ter dog`\
   1. (Zo["o]l.) A dog accustomed to the water, or trained to
      retrieve waterfowl. Retrievers, waters spaniels, and
      Newfoundland dogs are so trained.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) The menobranchus.

   3. A small floating cloud, supposed to indicate rain.

   4. A sailor, esp. an old sailor; an old salt. [Colloq.]

Water drain \Wa"ter drain`\
   A drain or channel for draining off water.

Water drainage \Wa"ter drain"age\ (?; 48).
   The draining off of water.

Water dressing \Wa"ter dress"ing\ (Med.)
   The treatment of wounds or ulcers by the application of
   water; also, a dressing saturated with water only, for
   application to a wound or an ulcer.

Water dropwort \Wa"ter drop"wort`\ (Bot.)
   A European poisonous umbelliferous plant ({Enanthe
   fistulosa}) with large hollow stems and finely divided
   leaves.

Water eagle \Wa"ter ea"gle\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The osprey.

Water elder \Wa"ter el"der\ (Bot.)
   The guelder-rose.

Water elephant \Wa"ter el"e*phant\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The hippopotamus. [R.]

Water engine \Wa"ter en"gine\
   An engine to raise water; or an engine moved by water; also,
   an engine or machine for extinguishing fires; a fire engine.

Waterer \Wa"ter*er\, n.
   One who, or that which, waters.

Waterfall \Wa"ter*fall`\, n.
   1. A fall, or perpendicular descent, of the water of a river
      or stream, or a descent nearly perpendicular; a cascade; a
      cataract.

   2. (Hairdressing) An arrangement of a woman's back hair over
      a cushion or frame in some resemblance to a waterfall.



   3. A certain kind of neck scarf. --T. Hughes.

Water feather \Wa"ter feath"er\ Water feather-foil \Wa"ter
feath"er-foil`\ (Bot.)
   The water violet ({Hottonia palustris}); also, the less showy
   American plant {H. inflata}.

Water flag \Wa"ter flag`\ (Bot.)
   A European species of Iris ({Iris Pseudacorus}) having bright
   yellow flowers.

Water flannel \Wa"ter flan"nel\ (Bot.)
   A floating mass formed in pools by the entangled filaments of
   a European fresh-water alga ({Cladophora crispata}).

Water flea \Wa"ter flea`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of numerous species of small aquatic Entomostraca
   belonging to the genera {Cyclops}, {Daphnia}, etc; -- so
   called because they swim with sudden leaps, or starts.

Waterflood \Wa"ter*flood`\, n. [AS. w[ae]terfl[=o]d.]
   A flood of water; an inundation.

Water flounder \Wa"ter floun"der\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The windowpane ({Pleuronectes maculatus}). [Local, U. S.]

Waterfowl \Wa"ter*fowl`\, n.
   Any bird that frequents the water, or lives about rivers,
   lakes, etc., or on or near the sea; an aquatic fowl; -- used
   also collectively.

   Note: Of aquatic fowls, some are waders, or furnished with
         long legs; others are swimmers, or furnished with
         webbed feet.

Water fox \Wa"ter fox`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The carp; -- so called on account of its cunning. --Walton.

Water frame \Wa"ter frame`\
   A name given to the first power spinning machine, because
   driven by water power.

Water furrow \Wa"ter fur"row\ (Agric.)
   A deep furrow for conducting water from the ground, and
   keeping the surface soil dry.

Water-furrow \Wa"ter-fur"row\, v. t.
   To make water furrows in.

Water gage \Wa"ter gage`\
   See {Water gauge}.

Water gall \Wa"ter gall`\
   1. A cavity made in the earth by a torrent of water; a
      washout.

   2. A watery appearance in the sky, accompanying the rainbow;
      a secondary or broken rainbow.

            These water galls, in her dim element, Foretell new
            storms to those already spent.        --Shak.

            False good news are [is] always produced by true
            good, like the water gall by the rainbow. --Walpole.

Water gang \Wa"ter gang`\ (O. E. Law)
   A passage for water, such as was usually made in a sea wall,
   to drain water out of marshes. --Burrill.

Water gas \Wa"ter gas`\ (Chem.)
   See under {Gas}.

Water gate \Wa"ter gate`\
   A gate, or valve, by which a flow of water is permitted,
   prevented, or regulated.

Water gauge \Wa"ter gauge`\ [Written also {water gage}.]
   1. A wall or bank to hold water back. --Craig.

   2. An instrument for measuring or ascertaining the depth or
      quantity of water, or for indicating the height of its
      surface, as in the boiler of a steam engine. See {Gauge}.

Water gavel \Wa"ter gav"el\ (O. Eng. Law)
   A gavel or rent paid for a privilege, as of fishing, in some
   river or water.

Water germander \Wa"ter ger*man"der\ (Bot.)
   A labiate plant ({Teucrium Scordium}) found in marshy places
   in Europe.

Water gilding \Wa"ter gild"ing\
   The act, or the process, of gilding metallic surfaces by
   covering them with a thin coating of amalgam of gold, and
   then volatilizing the mercury by heat; -- called also {wash
   gilding}.

Water glass \Wa"ter glass`\ (Chem.)
   See {Soluble glass}, under {Glass}.

Water god \Wa"ter god`\ (Myth.)
   A fabulous deity supposed to dwell in, and preside over, some
   body of water.

Water gruel \Wa"ter gru"el\
   A liquid food composed of water and a small portion of meal,
   or other farinaceous substance, boiled and seasoned.

Water hammer \Wa"ter ham"mer\ (Physics)
   1. A vessel partly filled with water, exhausted of air, and
      hermetically sealed. When reversed or shaken, the water
      being unimpeded by air, strikes the sides in solid mass
      with a sound like that of a hammer.

   2. A concussion, or blow, made by water in striking, as
      against the sides of a pipe or vessel containing it.

Water hare \Wa"ter hare\ (Zo["o]l.)
   A small American hare or rabbit ({Lepus aquaticus}) found on
   or near the southern coasts of the United States; -- called
   also {water rabbit}, and {swamp hare}.

Water hemlock \Wa"ter hem"lock\ (Bot)
   (a) A poisonous umbelliferous plant ({Cicuta virosa}) of
       Europe; also, any one of several plants of that genus.
   (b) A poisonous plant ({[OE]nanthe crocata}) resembling the
       above.

Water hemp \Wa"ter hemp`\ (Bot.)
   See under {Hemp}.

Water hen \Wa"ter hen`\
   1. (Zo["o]l.) Any gallinule.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) The common American coot.

Water hog \Wa"ter hog`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The capybara.

Water horehound \Wa"ter hore"hound`\ (Bot.)
   Bugleweed.

Waterhorse \Wa"ter*horse`\, n.
   A pile of salted fish heaped up to drain.

Water hyacinth \Wa"ter hy"a*cinth\ (Bot.)
   Either of several tropical aquatic plants of the genus
   {Eichhornia}, related to the pickerel weed.

Water ice \Wa"ter ice`\
   Water flavored, sweetened, and frozen, to be eaten as a
   confection.

Waterie \Wa"ter*ie\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The pied wagtail; -- so called because it frequents ponds.

Water inch \Wa"ter inch`\
   Same as {Inch of water}, under {Water}.

Wateriness \Wa"ter*i*ness\, n.
   The quality or state of being watery; moisture; humidity.

Watering \Wa"ter*ing\,
   a. & n. from {Water}, v.

   {Watering call} (Mil.), a sound of trumpet or bugle summoning
      cavalry soldiers to assemble for the purpose of watering
      their horses.

   {Watering cart}, a sprinkling cart. See {Water}.

   {Watering place}.
   (a) A place where water may be obtained, as for a ship, for
       cattle, etc.
   (b) A place where there are springs of medicinal water, or a
       place by the sea, or by some large body of water, to
       which people resort for bathing, recreation, boating,
       etc.

   {Watering pot}.
   (a) A kind of bucket fitted with a rose, or perforated
       nozzle, -- used for watering flowers, paths, etc.
   (b) (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of marine bivalve
       shells of the genus {Aspergillum}, or {Brechites}. The
       valves are small, and consolidated with the capacious
       calcareous tube which incases the entire animal. The tube
       is closed at the anterior end by a convex disk perforated
       by numerous pores, or tubules, and resembling the rose of
       a watering pot.

   {Watering trough}, a trough from which cattle, horses, and
      other animals drink.

Waterish \Wa"ter*ish\, a. [AS. w[ae]terisc.]
   1. Resembling water; thin; watery.

            Feed upon such nice and waterish diet. --Shak.

   2. Somewhat watery; moist; as, waterish land.

Waterishness \Wa"ter*ish*ness\, n.
   The quality of being waterish.



Water joint \Wa"ter joint`\ (Arch.)
   A joint in a stone pavement where the stones are left
   slightly higher than elsewhere, the rest of the surface being
   sunken or dished. The raised surface is intended to prevent
   the settling of water in the joints.

Water junket \Wa"ter jun"ket\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The common sandpiper.

Water-laid \Wa"ter-laid`\, a.
   Having a left-hand twist; -- said of cordage; as, a
   water-laid, or left-hand, rope.

Waterlander \Wa`ter*land"er\, Waterlandian \Wa`ter*land"i*an\n.
   (Eccl. Hist.)
   One of a body of Dutch Anabaptists who separated from the
   Mennonites in the sixteenth century; -- so called from a
   district in North Holland denominated Waterland.

Water laverock \Wa"ter la"ver*ock\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The common sandpiper.

Waterleaf \Wa"ter*leaf`\, n. (Bot.)
   Any plant of the American genus {Hydrophyllum}, herbs having
   white or pale blue bell-shaped flowers. --Gray.

Water leg \Wa"ter leg`\ (Steam Boilers)
   See {Leg}, 7.

Water lemon \Wa"ter lem"on\ (Bot.)
   The edible fruit of two species of passion flower
   ({Passiflora laurifolia}, and {P. maliformis}); -- so called
   in the West Indies.

Waterless \Wa"ter*less\, a.
   Destitute of water; dry. --Chaucer.

Water lettuce \Wa"ter let"tuce\ (Bot.)
   A plant ({Pistia stratiotes}) which floats on tropical
   waters, and forms a rosette of spongy, wedge-shaped leaves.
   --J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).

Water level \Wa"ter lev"el\
   1. The level formed by the surface of still water.

   2. A kind of leveling instrument. See under {Level}, n.

Water lily \Wa"ter lil`y\ (Bot.)
   A blossom or plant of any species of the genus Nymph[ae]a,
   distinguished for its large floating leaves and beautiful
   flowers. See {Nymph[ae]a}.

   Note: The name is extended to various plants of other related
         genera, as {Nuphar}, {Euryale}, {Nelumbo}, and
         {Victoria}. See {Euryale}, {Lotus}, and {Victoria}, 1.

Water lime \Wa"ter lime`\
   Hydraulic lime.

Water line \Wa"ter line`\
   1. (Shipbuilding) Any one of certain lines of a vessel,
      model, or plan, parallel with the surface of the water at
      various heights from the keel.

   Note: In a half-breadth plan, the water lines are outward
         curves showing the horizontal form of the ship at their
         several heights; in a sheer plan, they are projected as
         straight horizontal lines.

   2. (Naut.) Any one of several lines marked upon the outside
      of a vessel, corresponding with the surface of the water
      when she is afloat on an even keel. The lowest line
      indicates the vessel's proper submergence when not loaded,
      and is called the {light water line}; the highest, called
      the {load water line}, indicates her proper submergence
      when loaded.

   {Water-line model} (Shipbuilding), a model of a vessel formed
      of boards which are shaped according to the water lines as
      shown in the plans and laid upon each other to form a
      solid model.

Water lizard \Wa"ter liz"ard\ (Zo["o]l.)
   Any aquatic lizard of the genus {Varanus}, as the monitor of
   the Nile. See {Monitor}, n., 3.

Water locust \Wa"ter lo"cust\ (Bot.)
   A thorny leguminous tree ({Gleditschia monosperma}) which
   grows in the swamps of the Mississippi valley.

Water-logged \Wa"ter-logged\, a.
   Filled or saturated with water so as to be heavy,
   unmanageable, or loglike; -- said of a vessel, when, by
   receiving a great quantity of water into her hold, she has
   become so heavy as not to be manageable by the helm.

Waterman \Wa"ter*man\, n.; pl. {Watermen}.
   1. A man who plies for hire on rivers, lakes, or canals, or
      in harbors, in distinction from a seaman who is engaged on
      the high seas; a man who manages fresh-water craft; a
      boatman; a ferryman.

   2. An attendant on cab stands, etc., who supplies water to
      the horses. [Eng.] --Dickens.

   3. A water demon. --Tylor.

Watermark \Wa"ter*mark`\, n.
   1. A mark indicating the height to which water has risen, or
      at which it has stood; the usual limit of high or low
      water.

   2. A letter, device, or the like, wrought into paper during
      the process of manufacture.

   Note: ``The watermark in paper is produced by bending the
         wires of the mold, or by wires bent into the shape of
         the required letter or device, and sewed to the surface
         of the mold; -- it has the effect of making the paper
         thinner in places. The old makers employed watermarks
         of an eccentric kind. Those of Caxton and other early
         printers were an oxhead and star, a collared dog's
         head, a crown, a shield, a jug, etc. A fool's cap and
         bells, employed as a watermark, gave the name to
         foolscap paper; a postman's horn, such as was formerly
         in use, gave the name to post paper.'' --Tomlinson.

   3. (Naut.) See {Water line}, 2. [R.]

Water meadow \Wa"ter mead"ow\ (Agric.)
   A meadow, or piece of low, flat land, capable of being kept
   in a state of fertility by being overflowed with water from
   some adjoining river or stream.

Water measure \Wa"ter meas"ure\
   A measure formerly used for articles brought by water, as
   coals, oysters, etc. The water-measure bushel was three
   gallons larger than the Winchester bushel. --Cowell.

Water measurer \Wa"ter meas"ur*er\ (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of numerous species of water; the skater. See
   {Skater}, n., 2.

Watermelon \Wa"ter*mel`on\, n. (Bot.)
   The very large ovoid or roundish fruit of a cucurbitaceous
   plant ({Citrullus vulgaris}) of many varieties; also, the
   plant itself. The fruit sometimes weighs many pounds; its
   pulp is usually pink in color, and full of a sweet watery
   juice. It is a native of tropical Africa, but is now
   cultivated in many countries. See Illust. of {Melon}.

Water meter \Wa"ter me"ter\
   A contrivance for measuring a supply of water delivered or
   received for any purpose, as from a street main.

Water milfoil \Wa"ter mil"foil\ (Bot.)
   Any plant of the genus {Myriophyllum}, aquatic herbs with
   whorled leaves, the submersed ones pinnately parted into
   capillary divisions.

Water mill \Wa"ter mill`\
   A mill whose machinery is moved by water; -- distinguished
   from a {windmill}, and a {steam mill}.

Water mint \Wa"ter mint`\
   A kind of mint ({Mentha aquatica}) growing in wet places, and
   sometimes having a perfume resembling bergamot.

Water mite \Wa"ter mite`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   Any of numerous species of aquatic mites belonging to
   {Hydrachna} and allied genera of the family {Hydrachnid[ae]},
   usually having the legs fringed and adapted for swimming.
   They are often red or red and black in color, and while young
   are parasites of fresh-water insects and mussels. Called also
   {water tick}, and {water spider}.



Water moccasin \Wa"ter moc"ca*sin\ (Zo["o]l.)
   A venomous North American snake ({Ancistrodon piscivorus})
   allied to the rattlesnake but destitute of a rattle. It lives
   in or about pools and ponds, and feeds largely of fishes.
   Called also {water snake}, {water adder}, {water viper}.



Water mole \Wa"ter mole`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The shrew mole. See under {Shrew}.
   (b) The duck mole. See under {Duck}.

Water monitor \Wa"ter mon"i*tor\ (Zo["o]l.)
   A very large lizard ({Varanaus salvator}) native of India. It
   frequents the borders of streams and swims actively. It
   becomes five or six feet long. Called also {two-banded
   monitor}, and {kabaragoya}. The name is also applied to other
   aquatic monitors.

Water motor \Wa"ter mo"tor\
   1. A water engine.

   2. A water wheel; especially, a small water wheel driven by
      water from a street main.

Water mouse \Wa"ter mouse`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of several species of mice belonging to the genus
   {Hydromys}, native of Australia and Tasmania. Their hind legs
   are strong and their toes partially webbed. They live on the
   borders of streams, and swim well. They are remarkable as
   being the only rodents found in Australia.

Water murrain \Wa"ter mur"rain\
   A kind of murrain affecting cattle. --Crabb.

Water newt \Wa"ter newt`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of numerous species of aquatic salamanders; a triton.

Water nymph \Wa"ter nymph`\
   1. (Myth.) A goddess of any stream or other body of water,
      whether one of the Naiads, Nereids, or Oceanides.

   2. (Bot.) A water lily ({Nymph[ae]a}).

Water oat \Wa"ter oat`\
   Indian rice. See under {Rice}.

Water opossum \Wa"ter o*pos"sum\ (Zo["o]l.)
   See {Yapock}, and the Note under {Opossum}.

Water ordeal \Wa"ter or"de*al\
   Same as {Ordeal by water}. See the Note under {Ordeal}, n.,
   1.

Water ousel \Wa"ter ou"sel\, Water ouzel \Wa"ter ou"zel\ .
   (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of several species of small insessorial birds of the
   genus {Cinclus} (or {Hydrobates}), especially the European
   water ousel ({C. aquaticus}), and the American water ousel
   ({C. Mexicanus}). These birds live about the water, and are
   in the habit of walking on the bottom of streams beneath the
   water in search of food.

Water parsnip \Wa"ter pars"nip\ (Bot.)
   Any plant of the aquatic umbelliferous genus {Sium},
   poisonous herbs with pinnate or dissected leaves and small
   white flowers.

Water partridge \Wa"ter par"tridge\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The ruddy duck. [Local, U. S.]

Water pennywort \Wa"ter pen"ny*wort`\ (Bot.)
   Marsh pennywort. See under {Marsh}.

Water pepper \Wa"ter pep"per\ (Bot.)
   (a) Smartweed.
   (b) Waterwort.

Water pheasant \Wa"ter pheas"ant\ (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The pintail. See {Pintail}, n., 1.
   (b) The goosander.
   (c) The hooded merganser.

Water piet \Wa"ter pi"et\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The water ousel.

Water pig \Wa"ter pig`\
   1. (Zo["o]l.) The capybara.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) The gourami.

Water pillar \Wa"ter pil"lar\
   A waterspout. [Obs.]

Water pimpernel \Wa"ter pim"per*nel\ (Bot.)
   A small white-flowered shrub; brookweed.

Water pipe \Wa"ter pipe\
   A pipe for conveying water.

Water pitcher \Wa"ter pitch"er\
   1. A pitcher for water.

   2. (Bot.) One of a family of plants having pitcher-shaped
      leaves. The sidesaddle flower ({Sarracenia purpurea}) is
      the type.

Water plant \Wa"ter plant`\
   A plant that grows in water; an aquatic plant.

Water plantain \Wa"ter plan"tain\ (Bot.)
   A kind of plant with acrid leaves. See under 2d {Plantain}.

Water plate \Wa"ter plate`\
   A plate heated by hot water contained in a double bottom or
   jacket. --Knight.

Water poa \Wa"ter po"a\ (Bot.)
   Meadow reed grass. See under {Reed}.

Water poise \Wa"ter poise`\
   A hydrometer.

Water pore \Wa"ter pore`\,
   1. (Zo["o]l.) A pore by which the water tubes of various
      invertebrates open externally.

   2. (Bot.) One of certain minute pores in the leaves of some
      plants. They are without true guardian cells, but in other
      respects closely resemble ordinary stomata. --Goodale.

Waterpot \Wa"ter*pot`\, n.
   A vessel for holding or conveying water, or for sprinkling
   water on cloth, plants, etc.

Water power \Wa"ter pow"er\
   1. The power of water employed to move machinery, etc.

   2. A fall of water which may be used to drive machinery; a
      site for a water mill; a water privilege.

Water pox \Wa"ter pox`\ (Med.)
   A variety of chicken pox, or varicella. --Dunglison.

Water privilege \Wa"ter priv"i*lege\
   The advantage of using water as a mechanical power; also, the
   place where water is, or may be, so used. See under
   {Privilege}.

Waterproof \Wa"ter*proof`\, a.
   Proof against penetration or permeation by water; impervious
   to water; as, a waterproof garment; a waterproof roof.

Waterproof \Wa"ter*proof`\, n.
   1. A substance or preparation for rendering cloth, leather,
      etc., impervious to water.

   2. Cloth made waterproof, or any article made of such cloth,
      or of other waterproof material, as rubber; esp., an outer
      garment made of such material.

Waterproof \Wa"ter*proof`\, v. t.
   To render impervious to water, as cloth, leather, etc.

Waterproofing \Wa"ter*proof`ing\, n.
   1. The act or process of making waterproof.

   2. Same as {Waterproof}, n., 1.

Water purslane \Wa"ter purs"lane\ (Bot.)
   See under {Purslane}.

Water qualm \Wa"ter qualm`\ (Med.)
   See {Water brash}, under {Brash}.

Water rabbit \Wa"ter rab"bit\ (Zo["o]l.)
   See {Water hare}.

Water radish \Wa"ter rad"ish\ (Bot.)
   A coarse yellow-flowered plant ({Nasturtium amphibium})
   related to the water cress and to the horse-radish.

Water rail \Wa"ter rail`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of numerous species of rails of the genus {Rallus},
   as the common European species ({Rallus aquaticus}). See
   Illust. of {Rail}.

Water ram \Wa"ter ram`\
   An hydraulic ram.

Water rat \Wa"ter rat`\
   1. (Zo["o]l.)
      (a) The water vole. See under {Vole}.
      (b) The muskrat.
      (c) The beaver rat. See under {Beaver}.

   2. A thief on the water; a pirate.

Water rate \Wa"ter rate`\
   A rate or tax for a supply of water.

Water rattle \Wa"ter rat"tle\ Water rattler \Wa"ter rat"tler\
   (Zo["o]l.)
   The diamond rattlesnake ({Crotalus adamanteus}); -- so called
   from its preference for damp places near water.

Water-ret \Wa"ter-ret`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Water-retted}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Water-retting}.]
   To ret, or rot, in water, as flax; to water-rot.

Water rice \Wa"ter rice"\
   Indian rice. See under {Rice}.

Water rocket \Wa"ter rock"et\
   1. (Bot.) A cruciferous plant ({Nasturtium sylvestre}) with
      small yellow flowers.

   2. A kind of firework to be discharged in the water.

Water-rot \Wa"ter-rot`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Water-rotted}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Water-rotting}.]
   To rot by steeping in water; to water-ret; as, to water-rot
   hemp or flax.

Water sail \Wa"ter sail`\ (Naut.)
   A small sail sometimes set under a studding sail or under a
   driver boom, and reaching nearly to the water.

Water sapphire \Wa"ter sap"phire\ [Equiv. to F. saphir d'eau.]
   (Min.)
   A deep blue variety of iolite, sometimes used as a gem; --
   called also {saphir d'eau}.

Waterscape \Wa"ter*scape"\, n. [Cf. {Landscape}.]
   A sea view; -- distinguished from landscape. [Jocose]

--Fairholt.

Water scorpion \Wa"ter scor"pi*on\ (Zo["o]l.)
   See {Nepa}.

Water screw \Wa"ter screw`\
   A screw propeller.

Watershed \Wa"ter*shed`\, n. [Cf. G. wasserscheide; wasser water
   + scheide a place where two things separate, fr. scheiden to
   separate.]
   1. The whole region or extent of country which contributes to
      the supply of a river or lake.

   2. The line of division between two adjacent rivers or lakes
      with respect to the flow of water by natural channels into
      them; the natural boundary of a basin.

Water shield \Wa"ter shield`\ (Bot.)
   An aquatic American plant ({Brasenia peltata}) having
   floating oval leaves, and the covered with a clear jelly.

Watershoot \Wa"ter*shoot`\, n.
   1. A sprig or shoot from the root or stock of a tree. [Obs.]

   2. (Arch.) That which serves to guard from falling water; a
      drip or dripstone.

   3. A trough for discharging water.

Water shrew \Wa"ter shrew`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of several species of shrews having fringed feet and
   capable of swimming actively. The two common European species
   ({Crossopus fodiens}, and {C. ciliatus}) are the best known.
   The most common American water shrew, or marsh shrew
   ({Neosorex palustris}), is rarely seen, owing to its
   nocturnal habits.

Water snail \Wa"ter snail`\
   1. (Zo["o]l.) Any aquatic pulmonate gastropod belonging to
      {Planorbis}, {Limn[ae]a}, and allied genera; a pond snail.

   2. (Mech.) The Archimedean screw. [R.]

Water snake \Wa"ter snake`\ (Zo["o]l.)
      (a) A common North American colubrine snake ({Tropidonotus
          sipedon}) which lives chiefly in the water.
      (b) Any species of snakes of the family {Homalopsid[ae]},
          all of which are aquatic in their habits.

Water-soak \Wa"ter-soak`\, v. t.
   To soak water; to fill the interstices of with water.

Water soldier \Wa"ter sol`dier\ (Bot.)
   An aquatic European plant ({Stratiotes aloides}) with
   bayonet-shaped leaves.

Water souchy \Wa"ter souch`y\ (Cookery)
   A dish consisting of small fish stewed and served in a little
   water. [Written also {water souchet}.] See {Zoutch}.

Water spaniel \Wa"ter span"iel\
   A curly-haired breed of spaniels, naturally very fond of the
   water.

Water sparrow \Wa"ter spar"row\ (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The reed warbler. [Prov. Eng.]
   (b) The reed bunting. [Prov. Eng.]

Water speedwell \Wa"ter speed"well\ (Bot.)
   A kind of speedwell ({Veronica Anagallis}) found in wet
   places in Europe and America.

Water spider \Wa"ter spi"der\ (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) An aquatic European spider ({Argyoneta aquatica}) which
       constructs its web beneath the surface of the water on
       water plants. It lives in a bell-shaped structure of
       silk, open beneath like a diving bell, and filled with
       air which the spider carries down in the form of small
       bubbles attached one at a time to the spinnerets and hind
       feet. Called also {diving spider}.
   (b) A water mite.
   (c) Any spider that habitually lives on or about the water,
       especially the large American species ({Dolomedes
       lanceolatus}) which runs rapidly on the surface of water;
       -- called also {raft spider}.

Water spinner \Wa"ter spin`ner\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The water spider.

Waterspout \Wa"ter*spout`\, n.
   A remarkable meteorological phenomenon, of the nature of a
   tornado or whirlwind, usually observed over the sea, but
   sometimes over the land.

   Note: Tall columns, apparently of cloud, and reaching from
         the sea to the clouds, are seen moving along, often
         several at once, sometimes straight and vertical, at
         other times inclined and tortuous, but always in rapid
         rotation. At their bases, the sea is violently agitated
         and heaped up with a leaping or boiling motion, water,
         at least in some cases, being actually carried up in
         considerable quantity, and scattered round from a great
         height, as solid bodies are by tornadoes on land. --Sir
         J. Herschel.

Water sprite \Wa"ter sprite`\
   A sprite, or spirit, imagined as inhabiting the water. --J.
   R. Drake.

Water-standing \Wa"ter-stand`ing\, a.
   Tear-filled. [R.] ``Many an orphan's water-standing eye.''
   --Shak.

Water star grass \Wa"ter star" grass`\ (Bot.)
   An aquatic plant ({Schollera graminea}) with grassy leaves,
   and yellow star-shaped blossoms.

Water starwort \Wa"ter star"wort`\
   See under {Starwort}.

Water supply \Wa"ter sup*ply"\
   A supply of water; specifically, water collected, as in
   reservoirs, and conveyed, as by pipes, for use in a city,
   mill, or the like.

Water tabby \Wa"ter tab"by\
   A kind of waved or watered tabby. See {Tabby}, n., 1.

Water table \Wa"ter ta"ble\ (Arch.)
   A molding, or other projection, in the wall of a building, to
   throw off the water, -- generally used in the United States
   for the first table above the surface of the ground (see
   {Table}, n., 9), that is, for the table at the top of the
   foundation and the beginning of the upper wall.

Watertath \Wa"ter*tath`\, n. [Water + tath, n.]
   A kind of coarse grass growing in wet grounds, and supposed
   to be injurious to sheep. [Prov. Eng.]

Water thermometer \Wa"ter ther*mom"e*ter\ (Physics)
   A thermometer filled with water instead of mercury, for
   ascertaining the precise temperature at which water attains
   its maximum density. This is about 39[deg] Fahr., or 4[deg]
   Centigrade; and from that point down to 32[deg] Fahr., or
   0[deg] Centigrade, or the freezing point, it expands.

Water thief \Wa"ter thief`\
   A pirate. [R.] --Shak.

Water thrush \Wa"ter thrush`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) A North American bird of the genus {Seiurus}, belonging
       to the Warbler family, especially the common species ({S.
       Noveboracensis}).
   (b) The European water ousel.
   (b) The pied wagtail.

Water thyme \Wa"ter thyme`\ (Bot.)
   See {Anacharis}.

Water tick \Wa"ter tick`\
   Same as {Water mite}.

Water tiger \Wa"ter ti"ger\ (Zo["o]l.)
   A diving, or water, beetle, especially the larva of a water
   beetle. See Illust. b of {Water beetle}.

Water-tight \Wa"ter-tight`\, a.
   So tight as to retain, or not to admit, water; not leaky.

Water torch \Wa"ter torch`\ (Bot.)
   The common cat-tail ({Typha latifolia}), the spike of which
   makes a good torch soaked in oil. --Dr. Prior.

Water tower \Wa"ter tow"er\
   A large metal pipe made to be extended vertically by
   sections, and used for discharging water upon burning
   buildings.



Water tree \Wa"ter tree`\ (Bot.)
   A climbing shrub ({Tetracera alnifolia, or potatoria}) of
   Western Africa, which pours out a watery sap from the freshly
   cut stems.

Water trefoil \Wa"ter tre"foil`\ (Bot.)
   The buck bean.

Water tube \Wa"ter tube`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   One of a system of tubular excretory organs having external
   openings, found in many invertebrates. They are believed to
   be analogous in function to the kidneys of vertebrates. See
   Illust. under {Trematodea}, and {Sporocyst}.

Water tupelo \Wa"ter tu"pe*lo\ (Bot.)
   A species of large tupelo ({Nyssa aquatica}) growing in
   swamps in the southern of the United States. See {Ogeechee
   lime}.

Water turkey \Wa"ter tur"key\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The American snakebird. See {Snakebird}.

Water tu tuyere \Wa"ter tu tu`y[`e]re"\
   A tuy[`e]re kept cool by water circulating within a casing.
   It is used for hot blast.

Water tu twist \Wa"ter tu twist`\
   Yarn made by the throstle, or water frame.



Water vine \Wa"ter vine`\ (Bot.)
   Any plant of the genus {Phytocrene}, climbing shrubs of Asia
   and Africa, the stems of which are singularly porous, and
   when cut stream with a limpid potable juice.

Water violet \Wa"ter vi"o*let\ (Bot.)
   See under {Violet}.

Water viper \Wa"ter vi"per\ (Zo["o]l.)
   See {Water moccasin}.

Water vole \Wa"ter vole`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   See under {Vole}.

Water wagtail \Wa"ter wag"tail`\
   See under {Wagtail}.

Waterway \Wa"ter*way`\, n. (Naut.)
   Heavy plank or timber extending fore and aft the whole length
   of a vessel's deck at the line of junction with the sides,
   forming a channel to the scuppers, which are cut through it.
   In iron vessels the waterway is variously constructed.

Water way \Wa"ter way`\
   Same as {Water course}.

Waterweed \Wa"ter*weed`\, n. (Bot.)
   See {Anacharis}.

Water wheel \Wa"ter wheel`\
   1. Any wheel for propelling machinery or for other purposes,
      that is made to rotate by the direct action of water; --
      called an {overshot wheel} when the water is applied at
      the top, an {undershot wheel} when at the bottom, a
      {breast wheel} when at an intermediate point; other forms
      are called {reaction wheel}, {vortex wheel}, {turbine
      wheel}, etc.

   2. The paddle wheel of a steam vessel.

   3. A wheel for raising water; a noria, or the like.

Water willow \Wa"ter wil`low\ (Bot.)
   An American aquatic plant ({Dianthera Americana}) with long
   willowlike leaves, and spikes of small purplish flowers.

Water wing \Wa"ter wing`\ (Arch.)
   One of two walls built on either side of the junction of a
   bridge with the bank of a river, to protect the abutment of
   the bridge and the bank from the action of the current.

Water witch \Wa"ter witch`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The dabchick.
   (b) The stormy petrel. [Prov. Eng.]

Water-white \Wa"ter-white`\, n. (Bot.)
   A vinelike plant ({Vitis Carib[ae]a}) growing in parched
   districts in the West Indies, and containing a great amount
   of sap which is sometimes used for quenching thirst.

Waterwork \Wa"ter*work`\, n.
   1. (Paint.) Painting executed in size or distemper, on canvas
      or walls, -- formerly, frequently taking the place of
      tapestry. --Shak. Fairholt.

   2. An hydraulic apparatus, or a system of works or fixtures,
      by which a supply of water is furnished for useful or
      ornamental purposes, including dams, sluices, pumps,
      aqueducts, distributing pipes, fountains, etc.; -- used
      chiefly in the plural.



Waterworn \Wa"ter*worn`\, a.
   Worn, smoothed, or polished by the action of water; as,
   waterworn stones.

Waterwort \Wa"ter*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
   Any plant of the natural order {Elatine[ae]}, consisting of
   two genera ({Elatine}, and {Bergia}), mostly small annual
   herbs growing in the edges of ponds. Some have a peppery or
   acrid taste.

Watery \Wa"ter*y\, a. [AS. w[ae]terig.]
   1. Of or pertaining to water; consisting of water. ``The
      watery god.'' --Dryden. ``Fish within their watery
      residence.'' --Milton.

   2. Abounding with water; wet; hence, tearful.

   3. Resembling water; thin or transparent, as a liquid; as,
      watery humors.

            The oily and watery parts of the aliment.
                                                  --Arbuthnot.

   4. Hence, abounding in thin, tasteless, or insipid fluid;
      tasteless; insipid; vapid; spiritless.

Watt \Watt\, n. [From the distinguished mechanician and
   scientist, James Watt.] (Physics)
   A unit of power or activity equal to 10^{7} C.G.S. units of
   power, or to work done at the rate of one joule a second. An
   English horse power is approximately equal to 746 watts.

Wattmeter \Watt"me`ter\, n. [Watt + meter.] (Physics)
   An instrument for measuring power in watts, -- much used in
   measuring the energy of an electric current.

Wattle \Wat"tle\, n. [AS. watel, watul, watol, hurdle, covering,
   wattle; cf. OE. watel a bag. Cf. {Wallet}.]
   1. A twig or flexible rod; hence, a hurdle made of such rods.

            And there he built with wattles from the marsh A
            little lonely church in days of yore. --Tennyson.

   2. A rod laid on a roof to support the thatch.

   3. (Zo["o]l.)
      (a) A naked fleshy, and usually wrinkled and highly
          colored, process of the skin hanging from the chin or
          throat of a bird or reptile.
      (b) Barbel of a fish.

   4.
      (a) The astringent bark of several Australian trees of the
          genus {Acacia}, used in tanning; -- called also
          {wattle bark}.
      (b) (Bot.) The trees from which the bark is obtained. See
          {Savanna wattle}, under {Savanna}.

   {Wattle turkey}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Brush turkey}.

Wattle \Wat"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wattled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wattling}.]
   1. To bind with twigs.

   2. To twist or interweave, one with another, as twigs; to
      form a network with; to plat; as, to wattle branches.

   3. To form, by interweaving or platting twigs.

            The folded flocks, penned in their wattled cotes.
                                                  --Milton.

Wattlebird \Wat"tle*bird`\, n.
   1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of honey eaters
      belonging to {Anthoch[ae]ra} and allied genera of the
      family {Meliphagid[ae]}. These birds usually have a large
      and conspicuous wattle of naked skin hanging down below
      each ear. They are natives of Australia and adjacent
      islands.

   Note: The best-known species ({Anthoch[ae]ra carunculata})
         has the upper parts grayish brown, with a white stripe
         on each feather, and the wing and tail quills dark
         brown or blackish, tipped with withe. Its wattles, in
         life, are light blood-red. Called also {wattled crow},
         {wattled bee-eater}, {wattled honey eater}. Another
         species ({A. inauris}) is streaked with black, gray,
         and white, and its long wattles are white, tipped with
         orange. The bush wattlebirds, belonging to the genus
         {Anellobia}, are closely related, but lack conspicuous
         wattles. The most common species ({A. mellivora}) is
         dark brown, finely streaked with white. Called also
         {goruck creeper}.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) The Australian brush turkey.

Wattled \Wat"tled\, a.
   Furnished with wattles, or pendent fleshy processes at the
   chin or throat.

         The wattled cocks strut to and fro.      --Longfellow.

Wattling \Wat"tling\, n.
   The act or process of binding or platting with twigs; also,
   the network so formed.

         Made with a wattling of canes or sticks. --Dampier.

Waucht \Waucht\, Waught \Waught\, n. [Cf. {Quaff}.]
   A large draught of any liquid. [Scot.] --Jamieson.

Waul \Waul\, v. i. [Of imitative origin.]
   To cry as a cat; to squall; to wail. [Written also {wawl}.]

         The helpless infant, coming wauling and crying into the
         world.                                   --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

Waur \Waur\, a. [See {Worse}.]
   Worse. [Scot.]

         Murder and waur than murder.             --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

Wave \Wave\ (w[=a]v), v. t.
   See {Waive}. --Sir H. Wotton. Burke.

Wave \Wave\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Waved} (w[=a]vd); p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Waving}.] [OE. waven, AS. wafian to waver, to hesitate,
   to wonder; akin to w[ae]fre wavering, restless, MHG. wabern
   to be in motion, Icel. vafra to hover about; cf. Icel.
   v[=a]fa to vibrate. Cf. {Waft}, {Waver}.]
   1. To play loosely; to move like a wave, one way and the
      other; to float; to flutter; to undulate.

            His purple robes waved careless to the winds.
                                                  --Trumbull.

            Where the flags of three nations has successively
            waved.                                --Hawthorne.

   2. To be moved to and fro as a signal. --B. Jonson.

   3. To fluctuate; to waver; to be in an unsettled state; to
      vacillate. [Obs.]

            He waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither
            good nor harm.                        --Shak.

Wave \Wave\, v. t.
   1. To move one way and the other; to brandish. ``[[AE]neas]
      waved his fatal sword.'' --Dryden.

   2. To raise into inequalities of surface; to give an
      undulating form a surface to.

            Horns whelked and waved like the enridged sea.
                                                  --Shak.

   3. To move like a wave, or by floating; to waft. [Obs.] --Sir
      T. Browne.

   4. To call attention to, or give a direction or command to,
      by a waving motion, as of the hand; to signify by waving;
      to beckon; to signal; to indicate.

            Look, with what courteous action It waves you to a
            more removed ground.                  --Shak.

            She spoke, and bowing waved Dismissal. --Tennyson.

Wave \Wave\, n. [From {Wave}, v.; not the same word as OE. wawe,
   waghe, a wave, which is akin to E. wag to move. [root]136.
   See {Wave}, v. i.]
   1. An advancing ridge or swell on the surface of a liquid, as
      of the sea, resulting from the oscillatory motion of the
      particles composing it when disturbed by any force their
      position of rest; an undulation.

            The wave behind impels the wave before. --Pope.

   2. (Physics) A vibration propagated from particle to particle
      through a body or elastic medium, as in the transmission
      of sound; an assemblage of vibrating molecules in all
      phases of a vibration, with no phase repeated; a wave of
      vibration; an undulation. See {Undulation}.

   3. Water; a body of water. [Poetic] ``Deep drank Lord Marmion
      of the wave.'' --Sir W. Scott.

            Build a ship to save thee from the flood, I 'll
            furnish thee with fresh wave, bread, and wine.
                                                  --Chapman.

   4. Unevenness; inequality of surface. --Sir I. Newton.

   5. A waving or undulating motion; a signal made with the
      hand, a flag, etc.

   6. The undulating line or streak of luster on cloth watered,
      or calendered, or on damask steel.

   7. Fig.: A swelling or excitement of thought, feeling, or
      energy; a tide; as, waves of enthusiasm.

   {Wave front} (Physics), the surface of initial displacement
      of the particles in a medium, as a wave of vibration
      advances.

   {Wave length} (Physics), the space, reckoned in the direction
      of propagation, occupied by a complete wave or undulation,
      as of light, sound, etc.; the distance from a point or
      phase in a wave to the nearest point at which the same
      phase occurs.

   {Wave line} (Shipbuilding), a line of a vessel's hull, shaped
      in accordance with the wave-line system.

   {Wave-line system}, {Wave-line theory} (Shipbuilding), a
      system or theory of designing the lines of a vessel, which
      takes into consideration the length and shape of a wave
      which travels at a certain speed.

   {Wave loaf}, a loaf for a wave offering. --Lev. viii. 27.

   {Wave moth} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of small
      geometrid moths belonging to {Acidalia} and allied genera;
      -- so called from the wavelike color markings on the
      wings.

   {Wave offering}, an offering made in the Jewish services by
      waving the object, as a loaf of bread, toward the four
      cardinal points. --Num. xviii. 11.

   {Wave of vibration} (Physics), a wave which consists in, or
      is occasioned by, the production and transmission of a
      vibratory state from particle to particle through a body.
      

   {Wave surface}.
      (a) (Physics) A surface of simultaneous and equal
          displacement of the particles composing a wave of
          vibration.
      (b) (Geom.) A mathematical surface of the fourth order
          which, upon certain hypotheses, is the locus of a wave
          surface of light in the interior of crystals. It is
          used in explaining the phenomena of double refraction.
          See under {Refraction}.

   {Wave theory}. (Physics) See {Undulatory theory}, under
      {Undulatory}.

Waved \Waved\, a.
   1. Exhibiting a wavelike form or outline; undulating;
      intended; wavy; as, waved edge.

   2. Having a wavelike appearance; marked with wavelike lines
      of color; as, waved, or watered, silk.

   3. (Her.) Having undulations like waves; -- said of one of
      the lines in heraldry which serve as outlines to the
      ordinaries, etc.

Waveless \Wave"less\, a.
   Free from waves; undisturbed; not agitated; as, the waveless
   sea.

Wavelet \Wave"let\, n.
   A little wave; a ripple.

Wavellite \Wa"vel*lite\, n. [After Dr. Wm. Wavel, the
   discoverer.] (Min.)
   A hydrous phosphate of alumina, occurring usually in
   hemispherical radiated forms varying in color from white to
   yellow, green, or black.

Waver \Wa"ver\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Wavered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wavering}.] [OE. waveren, from AS. w[ae]fre wavering,
   restless. See {Wave}, v. i.]
   1. To play or move to and fro; to move one way and the other;
      hence, to totter; to reel; to swing; to flutter.

            With banners and pennons wavering with the wind.
                                                  --Ld. Berners.

            Thou wouldst waver on one of these trees as a terror
            to all evil speakers against dignities. --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

   2. To be unsettled in opinion; to vacillate; to be
      undetermined; to fluctuate; as, to water in judgment.

            Let us hold fast . . . without wavering. --Heb. x.
                                                  23.

            In feeble hearts, propense enough before To waver,
            or fall off and join with idols.      --Milton.

   Syn: To reel; totter; vacillate. See {Fluctuate}.

Waver \Wa"ver\, n. [From {Wave}, or {Waver}, v.]
   A sapling left standing in a fallen wood. [Prov. Eng.]
   --Halliwell.

Waverer \Wa"ver*er\, n.
   One who wavers; one who is unsettled in doctrine, faith,
   opinion, or the like. --Shak.

Waveringly \Wa"ver*ing*ly\, adv.
   In a wavering manner.

Waveringness \Wa"ver*ing*ness\, n.
   The quality or state of wavering.

Waveson \Wave"son\, n. [From {Wave}; cf. {Jetsam}.] (O. Eng.
   Law)
   Goods which, after shipwreck, appear floating on the waves,
   or sea.

Waveworn \Wave"*worn`\, a.
   Worn by the waves.

         The shore that o'er his wave-worn basis bowed. --Shak.

Wavey \Wa"vey\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The snow goose. [Canadian, & Local U. S.]

Waviness \Wav"i*ness\, n.
   The quality or state of being wavy.

Wavure \Wav"ure\, n.
   See {Waivure}. [R.]

Wavy \Wav"y\, a.
   1. Rising or swelling in waves; full of waves. ``The wavy
      seas.'' --Chapman.

   2. Playing to and fro; undulating; as, wavy flames.

            Let her glad valleys smile with wavy corn. --Prior.

   3. (Bot.) Undulating on the border or surface; waved.

Wawaskeesh \Wa*was"keesh\, n. [From an Indian name.] (Zo["o]l.)
   The wapiti, or wapiti, or American elk.

Wave \Wave\, n. [See {Woe}.]
   Woe. [Obs.]

Wawe \Wawe\, n. [OE. wawe, waghe; cf. Icel. v[=a]gr; akin to E.
   wag; not the same word as wave.]
   A wave. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Spenser.

Wawl \Wawl\, v. i.
   See {Waul}. --Shak.

Wax \Wax\, v. i. [imp. {Waxed}; p. p. {Waxed}, and Obs. or
   Poetic {Waxen}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Waxing}.] [AS. weaxan; akin
   to OFries. waxa, D. wassen, OS. & OHG. wahsan, G. wachsen,
   Icel. vaxa, Sw. v["a]xa, Dan. voxe, Goth. wahsjan, Gr. ? to
   increase, Skr. waksh, uksh, to grow. ???. Cf. {Waist}.]
   1. To increase in size; to grow bigger; to become larger or
      fuller; -- opposed to wane.

            The waxing and the waning of the moon. --Hakewill.

            Truth's treasures . . . never shall wax ne wane.
                                                  --P. Plowman.

   2. To pass from one state to another; to become; to grow; as,
      to wax strong; to wax warmer or colder; to wax feeble; to
      wax old; to wax worse and worse.

            Your clothes are not waxen old upon you. --Deut.
                                                  xxix. 5.

            Where young Adonis oft reposes, Waxing well of his
            deep wound.                           --Milton.

   {Waxing kernels} (Med.), small tumors formed by the
      enlargement of the lymphatic glands, especially in the
      groins of children; -- popularly so called, because
      supposed to be caused by growth of the body. --Dunglison.

Wax \Wax\, n. [AS. weax; akin to OFries. wax, D. was, G. wachs,
   OHG. wahs, Icel. & Sw. vax, Dan. vox, Lith. vaszkas, Russ.
   vosk'.]
   1. A fatty, solid substance, produced by bees, and employed
      by them in the construction of their comb; -- usually
      called beeswax. It is first excreted, from a row of
      pouches along their sides, in the form of scales, which,
      being masticated and mixed with saliva, become whitened
      and tenacious. Its natural color is pale or dull yellow.

   Note: Beeswax consists essentially of cerotic acid
         (constituting the more soluble part) and of myricyl
         palmitate (constituting the less soluble part).

   2. Hence, any substance resembling beeswax in consistency or
      appearance. Specifically:
      (a) (Physiol.) Cerumen, or earwax. See {Cerumen}.
      (b) A waxlike composition used for uniting surfaces, for
          excluding air, and for other purposes; as, sealing
          wax, grafting wax, etching wax, etc.
      (c) A waxlike composition used by shoemakers for rubbing
          their thread.
      (d) (Zo["o]l.) A substance similar to beeswax, secreted by
          several species of scale insects, as the Chinese wax.
          See {Wax insect}, below.
      (e) (Bot.) A waxlike product secreted by certain plants.
          See {Vegetable wax}, under {Vegetable}.
      (f) (Min.) A substance, somewhat resembling wax, found in
          connection with certain deposits of rock salt and
          coal; -- called also mineral wax, and ozocerite.
      (g) Thick sirup made by boiling down the sap of the sugar
          maple, and then cooling. [Local U. S.]

   {Japanese wax}, a waxlike substance made in Japan from the
      berries of certain species of {Rhus}, esp. {R.
      succedanea}.

   {Mineral wax}. (Min.) See {Wax}, 2
      (f), above.

   {Wax cloth}. See {Waxed cloth}, under {Waxed}.

   {Wax end}. See {Waxed end}, under {Waxed}.

   {Wax flower}, a flower made of, or resembling, wax.

   {Wax insect} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of scale
      insects belonging to the family {Coccid[ae]}, which
      secrete from their bodies a waxlike substance, especially
      the Chinese wax insect ({Coccus Sinensis}) from which a
      large amount of the commercial Chinese wax is obtained.
      Called also {pela}.

   {Wax light}, a candle or taper of wax.

   {Wax moth} (Zo["o]l.), a pyralid moth ({Galleria cereana})
      whose larv[ae] feed upon honeycomb, and construct silken
      galleries among the fragments. The moth has dusky gray
      wings streaked with brown near the outer edge. The larva
      is yellowish white with brownish dots. Called also {bee
      moth}.

   {Wax myrtle}. (Bot.) See {Bayberry}.

   {Wax painting}, a kind of painting practiced by the ancients,
      under the name of encaustic. The pigments were ground with
      wax, and diluted. After being applied, the wax was melted
      with hot irons and the color thus fixed.

   {Wax palm}. (Bot.)
      (a) A species of palm ({Ceroxylon Andicola}) native of the
          Andes, the stem of which is covered with a secretion,
          consisting of two thirds resin and one third wax,
          which, when melted with a third of fat, makes
          excellent candles.
      (b) A Brazilian tree ({Copernicia cerifera}) the young
          leaves of which are covered with a useful waxy
          secretion.

   {Wax paper}, paper prepared with a coating of white wax and
      other ingredients.

   {Wax plant} (Bot.), a name given to several plants, as:
      (a) The Indian pipe (see under {Indian}).
      (b) The {Hoya carnosa}, a climbing plant with polished,
          fleshy leaves.
      (c) Certain species of {Begonia} with similar foliage.

   {Wax tree} (Bot.)
      (a) A tree or shrub ({Ligustrum lucidum}) of China, on
          which certain insects make a thick deposit of a
          substance resembling white wax.
      (b) A kind of sumac ({Rhus succedanea}) of Japan, the
          berries of which yield a sort of wax.
      (c) A rubiaceous tree ({El[ae]agia utilis}) of New
          Grenada, called by the inhabitants ``arbol del cera.''
          

   {Wax yellow}, a dull yellow, resembling the natural color of
      beeswax.



Wax \Wax\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Waxed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Waxing}.]
   To smear or rub with wax; to treat with wax; as, to wax a
   thread or a table.

   {Waxed cloth}, cloth covered with a coating of wax, used as a
      cover, of tables and for other purposes; -- called also
      {wax cloth}.

   {Waxed end}, a thread pointed with a bristle and covered with
      shoemaker's wax, used in sewing leather, as for boots,
      shoes, and the like; -- called also {wax end}. --Brockett.

Waxberry \Wax"ber`ry\, n. (Bot.)
   The wax-covered fruit of the wax myrtle, or bayberry. See
   {Bayberry}, and {Candleberry tree}.

Waxbill \Wax"bill`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of numerous species of finchlike birds belonging to
   {Estrelda} and allied genera, native of Asia, Africa, and
   Australia. The bill is large, conical, and usually red in
   color, resembling sealing wax. Several of the species are
   often kept as cage birds.

Waxbird \Wax"bird`\, (Zo["o]l.)
   The waxwing.

Waxen \Wax"en\, a.
   1. Made of wax. ``The female bee, that . . . builds her waxen
      cells.'' --Milton.

   2. Covered with wax; waxed; as, a waxen tablet.

   3. Resembling wax; waxy; hence, soft; yielding.

            Men have marble, women waxen, minds.  --Shak.

   {Waxen chatterer} (Zo["o]l.), the Bohemian chatterer.

Waxiness \Wax"i*ness\, n.
   Quality or state of being waxy.

Waxwing \Wax"wing`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of several species of small birds of the genus
   {Ampelis}, in which some of the secondary quills are usually
   tipped with small horny ornaments resembling red sealing wax.
   The Bohemian waxwing (see under {Bohemian}) and the cedar
   bird are examples. Called also {waxbird}.

Waxwork \Wax"work`\, n.
   1. Work made of wax; especially, a figure or figures formed
      or partly of wax, in imitation of real beings.

   2. (Bot.) An American climbing shrub ({Celastrus scandens}).
      It bears a profusion of yellow berrylike pods, which open
      in the autumn, and display the scarlet coverings of the
      seeds.

Waxworker \Wax"work`er\, n.
   1. One who works in wax; one who makes waxwork.

   2. A bee that makes or produces wax.

Waxy \Wax"y\, a.
   Resembling wax in appearance or consistency; viscid;
   adhesive; soft; hence, yielding; pliable; impressible. ``Waxy
   to persuasion.'' --Bp. Hall.

   {Waxy degeneration} (Med.), amyloid degeneration. See under
      {Amyloid}.

   {Waxy kidney}, {Waxy liver}, etc. (Med.), a kidney or liver
      affected by waxy degeneration.

Way \Way\, adv. [Aphetic form of away.]
   Away. [Obs. or Archaic] --Chaucer.

   {To do way}, to take away; to remove. [Obs.] ``Do way your
      hands.'' --Chaucer.

   {To make way with}, to make away with. See under {Away}.
      [Archaic]

Way \Way\, n. [OE. wey, way, AS. weg; akin to OS., D., OHG., &
   G. weg, Icel. vegr, Sw. v["a]g, Dan. vei, Goth. wigs, L. via,
   and AS. wegan to move, L. vehere to carry, Skr. vah.
   [root]136. Cf. {Convex}, {Inveigh}, {Vehicle}, {Vex}, {Via},
   {Voyage}, {Wag}, {Wagon}, {Wee}, {Weigh}.]
   1. That by, upon, or along, which one passes or processes;
      opportunity or room to pass; place of passing; passage;
      road, street, track, or path of any kind; as, they built a
      way to the mine. ``To find the way to heaven.'' --Shak.

            I shall him seek by way and eke by street.
                                                  --Chaucer.

            The way seems difficult, and steep to scale.
                                                  --Milton.

            The season and ways were very improper for his
            majesty's forces to march so great a distance.
                                                  --Evelyn.

   2. Length of space; distance; interval; as, a great way; a
      long way.

            And whenever the way seemed long, Or his heart began
            to fail.                              --Longfellow.

   3. A moving; passage; procession; journey.

            I prythee, now, lead the way.         --Shak.

   4. Course or direction of motion or process; tendency of
      action; advance.

            If that way be your walk, you have not far.
                                                  --Milton.

            And let eternal justice take the way. --Dryden.

   5. The means by which anything is reached, or anything is
      accomplished; scheme; device; plan.

            My best way is to creep under his gaberdine. --Shak.

            By noble ways we conquest will prepare. --Dryden.

            What impious ways my wishes took!     --Prior.

   6. Manner; method; mode; fashion; style; as, the way of
      expressing one's ideas.

   7. Regular course; habitual method of life or action; plan of
      conduct; mode of dealing. ``Having lost the way of
      nobleness.'' --Sir. P. Sidney.

            Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths
            are peace.                            --Prov. iii.
                                                  17.

            When men lived in a grander way.      --Longfellow.

   8. Sphere or scope of observation. --Jer. Taylor.

            The public ministers that fell in my way. --Sir W.
                                                  Temple.

   9. Determined course; resolved mode of action or conduct; as,
      to have one's way.

   10. (Naut.)
       (a) Progress; as, a ship has way.
       (b) pl. The timbers on which a ship is launched.

   11. pl. (Mach.) The longitudinal guides, or guiding surfaces,
       on the bed of a planer, lathe, or the like, along which a
       table or carriage moves.

   12. (Law) Right of way. See below.

   {By the way}, in passing; apropos; aside; apart from, though
      connected with, the main object or subject of discourse.
      

   {By way of}, for the purpose of; as being; in character of.
      

   {Covert way}. (Fort.) See {Covered way}, under {Covered}.

   {In the family way}. See under {Family}.

   {In the way}, so as to meet, fall in with, obstruct, hinder,
      etc.

   {In the way with}, traveling or going with; meeting or being
      with; in the presence of.

   {Milky way}. (Astron.) See {Galaxy}, 1.

   {No way}, {No ways}. See {Noway}, {Noways}, in the
      Vocabulary.

   {On the way}, traveling or going; hence, in process;
      advancing toward completion; as, on the way to this
      country; on the way to success.

   {Out of the way}. See under {Out}.

   {Right of way} (Law), a right of private passage over
      another's ground. It may arise either by grant or
      prescription. It may be attached to a house, entry, gate,
      well, or city lot, as well as to a country farm. --Kent.
      

   {To be under way}, or {To have way} (Naut.), to be in motion,
      as when a ship begins to move.

   {To give way}. See under {Give}.

   {To go one's way}, or {To come one's way}, to go or come; to
      depart or come along. --Shak.

   {To go the way of all the earth}, to die.



   {To make one's way}, to advance in life by one's personal
      efforts.

   {To make way}. See under {Make}, v. t.

   {Ways and means}.
       (a) Methods; resources; facilities.
       (b) (Legislation) Means for raising money; resources for
           revenue.

   {Way leave}, permission to cross, or a right of way across,
      land; also, rent paid for such right. [Eng]

   {Way of the cross} (Eccl.), the course taken in visiting in
      rotation the stations of the cross. See {Station}, n., 7
       (c) .

   {Way of the rounds} (Fort.), a space left for the passage of
      the rounds between a rampart and the wall of a fortified
      town.

   {Way pane}, a pane for cartage in irrigated land. See {Pane},
      n., 4. [Prov. Eng.]

   {Way passenger}, a passenger taken up, or set down, at some
      intermediate place between the principal stations on a
      line of travel.

   {Ways of God}, his providential government, or his works.

   {Way station}, an intermediate station between principal
      stations on a line of travel, especially on a railroad.

   {Way train}, a train which stops at the intermediate, or way,
      stations; an accommodation train.

   {Way warden}, the surveyor of a road.

   Syn: Street; highway; road.

   Usage: {Way}, {Street}, {Highway}, {Road}. Way is generic,
          denoting any line for passage or conveyance; a highway
          is literally one raised for the sake of dryness and
          convenience in traveling; a road is, strictly, a way
          for horses and carriages; a street is, etymologically,
          a paved way, as early made in towns and cities; and,
          hence, the word is distinctively applied to roads or
          highways in compact settlements.

                All keep the broad highway, and take delight
                With many rather for to go astray. --Spenser.

                There is but one road by which to climb up.
                                                  --Addison.

                When night Darkens the streets, then wander
                forth the sons Of Belial, flown with insolence
                and wine.                         --Milton.

Way \Way\, v. t.
   To go or travel to; to go in, as a way or path. [Obs.] ``In
   land not wayed.'' --Wyclif.

Way \Way\, v. i.
   To move; to progress; to go. [R.]

         On a time as they together wayed.        --Spenser.

Waybill \Way"bill`\, n.
   A list of passengers in a public vehicle, or of the baggage
   or gods transported by a common carrier on a land route. When
   the goods are transported by water, the list is called a bill
   of lading.

Waybread \Way"bread`\, n. [AS. wegbr?de. See {Way}, and
   {Broad}.] (Bot.)
   The common dooryard plantain ({Plantago major}).

Waybung \Way"bung`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   An Australian insessorial bird ({Corcorax melanorhamphus})
   noted for the curious actions of the male during the breeding
   season. It is black with a white patch on each wing.

Wayed \Wayed\, a.
   Used to the way; broken. [R.]

         A horse that is not well wayed; he starts at every bird
         that flies out the hedge.                --Selden.

Wayfare \Way"fare`\, v. i. [Way + fare to go.]
   To journey; to travel; to go to and fro. [Obs.]

         A certain Laconian, as he wayfared, came unto a place
         where there dwelt an old friend of his.  --Holland.

Wayfare \Way"fare`\, n.
   The act of journeying; travel; passage. [Obs.] --Holland.

Wayfarer \Way"far`er\, n.
   One who travels; a traveler; a passenger.

Wayfaring \Way"far`ing\, a.
   Traveling; passing; being on a journey. ``A wayfaring man.''
   --Judg. xix. 17.

   {Wayfaring tree} (Bot.), a European shrub ({Viburnum
      lantana}) having large ovate leaves and dense cymes of
      small white flowers.

   {American wayfaring tree} (Bot.), the ({Viburnum
      lantanoides}).

Waygate \Way"gate`\, n.
   The tailrace of a mill. --Knight.

Way-going \Way"-go`ing\, a.
   Going away; departing; of or pertaining to one who goes away.

   {Way-going crop} (Law of Leases), a crop of grain to which
      tenants for years are sometimes entitled by custom; grain
      sown in the fall to be reaped at the next harvest; a crop
      which will not ripen until after the termination of the
      lease. --Burrill.

Way-goose \Way"-goose`\, n.
   See {Wayz-goose}, n., 2. [Eng.]

Wayk \Wayk\, a.
   Weak. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Waylay \Way"lay`\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Waylaid}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Waylaying}.] [Way + lay.]
   To lie in wait for; to meet or encounter in the way;
   especially, to watch for the passing of, with a view to
   seize, rob, or slay; to beset in ambush.

         Falstaff, Bardolph, Peto, and Gadshill shall rob those
         men that we have already waylaid.        --Shak.

         She often contrived to waylay him in his walks. --Sir
                                                  W. Scott.

Waylayer \Way"lay`er\, n.
   One who waylays another.

Wayless \Way"less\, a.
   Having no road or path; pathless.

Wayleway \Way"le*way\, interj.
   See {Welaway}. [Obs.]

Waymaker \Way"mak`er\, n.
   One who makes a way; a precursor. [R.] --Bacon.

Waymark \Way"mark`\, n.
   A mark to guide in traveling.

Wayment \Way"ment\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Waymented}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Waymenting}.] [OE. waymenten, OF. waimenter,
   gaimenter, guaimenter, from wai, guai, woe! (of Teutonic
   origin; see {Woe}) and L. lamentari to lament. See {Lament}.]
   To lament; to grieve; to wail. [Written also {waiment}.]
   [Obs.]

         Thilke science . . . maketh a man to waymenten.
                                                  --Chaucer.

         For what boots it to weep and wayment, When ill is
         chanced?                                 --Spenser.

Wayment \Way"ment\, n.
   Grief; lamentation; mourning. [Written also {waiment}.]
   [Obs.] --Spenser.

Way shaft \Way" shaft`\
   1. (Mach.) A rock shaft.

   2. (Mining) An interior shaft, usually one connecting two
      levels. --Raymond.

-ways \-ways\
   A suffix formed from way by the addition of the adverbial -s
   (see {-wards}). It is often used interchangeably with wise;
   as, endways or endwise; noways or nowise, etc.

Wayside \Way"side`\, n.
   The side of the way; the edge or border of a road or path.

Wayside \Way"side`\, a.
   Of or pertaining to the wayside; as, wayside flowers. ``A
   wayside inn.'' --Longfellow.

Wayward \Way"ward\, a. [OE. weiward, for aweiward, i. e., turned
   away. See {Away}, and {-ward}.]
   Taking one's own way; disobedient; froward; perverse;
   willful.

         My wife is in a wayward mood.            --Shak.

         Wayward beauty doth not fancy move.      --Fairfax.

         Wilt thou forgive the wayward thought?   --Keble.
   -- {Way"ward*ly}, adv. -- {Way"ward*ness}, n.

Way-wise \Way"-wise`\, a.
   Skillful in finding the way; well acquainted with the way or
   route; wise from having traveled.

Waywiser \Way"wis`er\, n. [Cf. G. wegweiser a waymark, a guide;
   weg way + weisen to show, direct.]
   An instrument for measuring the distance which one has
   traveled on the road; an odometer, pedometer, or
   perambulator.

         The waywiser to a coach, exactly measuring the miles,
         and showing them by an index.            --Evelyn.

Waywode \Way"wode\, n. [Russ. voevoda, or Pol. woiewoda;
   properly, a leader of an army, a leader in war. Cf.
   {Vaivode}.]
   Originally, the title of a military commander in various
   Slavonic countries; afterwards applied to governors of towns
   or provinces. It was assumed for a time by the rulers of
   Moldavia and Wallachia, who were afterwards called hospodars,
   and has also been given to some inferior Turkish officers.
   [Written also {vaivode}, {voivode}, {waiwode}, and
   {woiwode}.]

Waywodeship \Way"wode*ship\, n.
   The office, province, or jurisdiction of a waywode.

Wayworn \Way"worn`\, a.
   Wearied by traveling.

Wayz-goose \Wayz"-goose`\, n. [Wase stubble + goose.]
   1. A stubble goose. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

   2. An annual feast of the persons employed in a printing
      office. [Written also {way-goose}.] [Eng.]

We \We\ (w[=e]), pron.; pl. of I. [Poss. {Our} (our) or {Ours}
   (ourz); obj. {Us} ([u^]s). See {I}.] [As. w[=e]; akin to OS.
   w[=i], OFries. & LG. wi, D. wij, G. wir, Icel. v[=e]r, Sw. &
   Dan. vi, Goth. weis, Skr. vayam. [root]190.]
   The plural nominative case of the pronoun of the first
   person; the word with which a person in speaking or writing
   denotes a number or company of which he is one, as the
   subject of an action expressed by a verb.

   Note: We is frequently used to express men in general,
         including the speaker. We is also often used by
         individuals, as authors, editors, etc., in speaking of
         themselves, in order to avoid the appearance of egotism
         in the too frequent repetition of the pronoun I. The
         plural style is also in use among kings and other
         sovereigns, and is said to have been begun by King John
         of England. Before that time, monarchs used the
         singular number in their edicts. The German and the
         French sovereigns followed the example of King John in
         a. d. 1200.

Weak \Weak\ (w[=e]k), a. [Compar. {Weaker} (-[~e]r); superl.
   {Weakest}.] [OE. weik, Icel. veikr; akin to Sw. vek, Dan. veg
   soft, flexible, pliant, AS. w[=a]c weak, soft, pliant, D.
   week, G. weich, OHG. weih; all from the verb seen in Icel.
   v[=i]kja to turn, veer, recede, AS. w[=i]can to yield, give
   way, G. weichen, OHG. w[=i]hhan, akin to Skr. vij, and
   probably to E. week, L. vicis a change, turn, Gr. e'i`kein to
   yield, give way. [root]132. Cf. {Week}, {Wink}, v. i.
   {Vicissitude}.]
   1. Wanting physical strength. Specifically:
      (a) Deficient in strength of body; feeble; infirm; sickly;
          debilitated; enfeebled; exhausted.

                A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man.
                                                  --Shak.

                Weak with hunger, mad with love.  --Dryden.
      (b) Not able to sustain a great weight, pressure, or
          strain; as, a weak timber; a weak rope.
      (c) Not firmly united or adhesive; easily broken or
          separated into pieces; not compact; as, a weak ship.
      (d) Not stiff; pliant; frail; soft; as, the weak stalk of
          a plant.
      (e) Not able to resist external force or onset; easily
          subdued or overcome; as, a weak barrier; as, a weak
          fortress.
      (f) Lacking force of utterance or sound; not sonorous;
          low; small; feeble; faint.

                A voice not soft, weak, piping, and womanish.
                                                  --Ascham.
      (g) Not thoroughly or abundantly impregnated with the
          usual or required ingredients, or with stimulating and
          nourishing substances; of less than the usual
          strength; as, weak tea, broth, or liquor; a weak
          decoction or solution; a weak dose of medicine.
      (h) Lacking ability for an appropriate function or office;
          as, weak eyes; a weak stomach; a weak magistrate; a
          weak regiment, or army.

   2. Not possessing or manifesting intellectual, logical,
      moral, or political strength, vigor, etc. Specifically: 
      (a) Feeble of mind; wanting discernment; lacking vigor;
          spiritless; as, a weak king or magistrate.

                To think every thing disputable is a proof of a
                weak mind and captious temper.    --Beattie.

                Origen was never weak enough to imagine that
                there were two Gods.              --Waterland.
      (b) Resulting from, or indicating, lack of judgment,
          discernment, or firmness; unwise; hence, foolish.

                If evil thence ensue, She first his weak
                indulgence will accuse.           --Milton.
      (c) Not having full confidence or conviction; not decided
          or confirmed; vacillating; wavering.

                Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but
                not to doubtful disputations.     --Rom. xiv. 1.
      (d) Not able to withstand temptation, urgency, persuasion,
          etc.; easily impressed, moved, or overcome;
          accessible; vulnerable; as, weak resolutions; weak
          virtue.

                Guard thy heart On this weak side, where most
                our nature fails.                 --Addison.
      (e) Wanting in power to influence or bind; as, weak ties;
          a weak sense of honor of duty.
      (f) Not having power to convince; not supported by force
          of reason or truth; unsustained; as, a weak argument
          or case. ``Convinced of his weak arguing.'' --Milton.

                A case so weak . . . hath much persisted in.
                                                  --Hooker.
      (g) Wanting in point or vigor of expression; as, a weak
          sentence; a weak style.
      (h) Not prevalent or effective, or not felt to be
          prevalent; not potent; feeble. ``Weak prayers.''
          --Shak.
      (i) Lacking in elements of political strength; not
          wielding or having authority or energy; deficient in
          the resources that are essential to a ruler or nation;
          as, a weak monarch; a weak government or state.

                I must make fair weather yet awhile, Till Henry
                be more weak, and I more strong.  --Shak.
      (k) (Stock Exchange) Tending towards lower prices; as, a
          weak market.

   3. (Gram.)
      (a) Pertaining to, or designating, a verb which forms its
          preterit (imperfect) and past participle by adding to
          the present the suffix -ed, -d, or the variant form
          -t; as in the verbs abash, abashed; abate, abated;
          deny, denied; feel, felt. See {Strong}, 19
      (a) .
      (b) Pertaining to, or designating, a noun in Anglo-Saxon,
          etc., the stem of which ends in -n. See {Strong}, 19
      (b) .

   Note: Weak is often used in the formation of self-explaining
         compounds; as, weak-eyed, weak-handed, weak-hearted,
         weak-minded, weak-spirited, and the like.



   {Weak conjugation} (Gram.), the conjugation of weak verbs; --
      called also {new, or regular, conjugation}, and
      distinguished from the old, or irregular, conjugation.

   {Weak declension} (Anglo-Saxon Gram.), the declension of weak
      nouns; also, one of the declensions of adjectives.

   {Weak side}, the side or aspect of a person's character or
      disposition by which he is most easily affected or
      influenced; weakness; infirmity.

   {Weak sore} or {ulcer} (Med.), a sore covered with pale,
      flabby, sluggish granulations.

Weak \Weak\, v. t. & i. [Cf. AS. w?can. w[=a]cian. See {Weak},
   a.]
   To make or become weak; to weaken. [R.]

         Never to seek weaking variety.           --Marston.

Weaken \Weak"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Weakened}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Weakening}.]
   1. To make weak; to lessen the strength of; to deprive of
      strength; to debilitate; to enfeeble; to enervate; as, to
      weaken the body or the mind; to weaken the hands of a
      magistrate; to weaken the force of an objection or an
      argument.

            Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it
            be not done.                          --Neh. vi. 9.

   2. To reduce in quality, strength, or spirit; as, to weaken
      tea; to weaken any solution or decoction.

Weaken \Weak"en\, v. i.
   To become weak or weaker; to lose strength, spirit, or
   determination; to become less positive or resolute; as, the
   patient weakened; the witness weakened on cross-examination.
   ``His notion weakens, his discernings are lethargied.''
   --Shak.

Weakener \Weak"en*er\, n.
   One who, or that which, weakens. ``[Fastings] weakeners of
   sin.'' --South.

Weakfish \Weak"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   Any fish of the genus {Cynoscion}; a squeteague; -- so called
   from its tender mouth. See {Squeteague}.

   {Spotted weakfish} (Zo["o]l.), the spotted squeteague.

Weak-hearted \Weak"-heart`ed\, a.
   Having little courage; of feeble spirit; dispirited;
   faint-hearted. ``Weak-hearted enemies.'' --Shak.

Weakish \Weak"ish\, a.
   Somewhat weak; rather weak.

Weakishness \Weak"ish*ness\, n.
   Quality or state of being weakish.

Weak-kneed \Weak"-kneed`\, a.
   Having weak knees; hence, easily yielding; wanting
   resolution. --H. James.

Weakling \Weak"ling\, n. [Weak + -ling.]
   A weak or feeble creature. --Shak. ``All looking on him as a
   weakling, which would post to the grave.'' --Fuller.

         We may not be weaklings because we have a strong enemy.
                                                  --Latimer.

Weakling \Weak"ling\, a.
   Weak; feeble. --Sir T. North.

Weakly \Weak"ly\, adv.
   In a weak manner; with little strength or vigor; feebly.

Weakly \Weak"ly\, a. [Compar. {Weaklier}; superl. {Weakliest}.]
   Not strong of constitution; infirm; feeble; as, a weakly
   woman; a man of a weakly constitution.

Weak-minded \Weak"-mind`ed\, a.
   Having a weak mind, either naturally or by reason of disease;
   feebleminded; foolish; idiotic. -- {Weak"-mind`ed*ness}, n.

Weakness \Weak"ness\, n.
   1. The quality or state of being weak; want of strength or
      firmness; lack of vigor; want of resolution or of moral
      strength; feebleness.

   2. That which is a mark of lack of strength or resolution; a
      fault; a defect.

            Many take pleasure in spreading abroad the weakness
            of an exalted character.              --Spectator.

   Syn: Feebleness; debility; languor; imbecility; infirmness;
        infirmity; decrepitude; frailty; faintness.

Weal \Weal\, n.
   The mark of a stripe. See {Wale}.

Weal \Weal\, v. t.
   To mark with stripes. See {Wale}.

Weal \Weal\, n. [OE. wele, AS. wela, weola, wealth, from wel
   well. See {Well}, adv., and cf. {Wealth}.]
   1. A sound, healthy, or prosperous state of a person or
      thing; prosperity; happiness; welfare.

            God . . . grant you wele and prosperity. --Chaucer.

            As we love the weal of our souls and bodies.
                                                  --Bacon.

            To him linked in weal or woe.         --Milton.

            Never was there a time when it more concerned the
            public weal that the character of the Parliament
            should stand high.                    --Macaulay.

   2. The body politic; the state; common wealth. [Obs.]

            The special watchmen of our English weal. --Shak.

Weal \Weal\, v. t.
   To promote the weal of; to cause to be prosperous. [Obs.]
   --Beau. & Fl.

Weal-balanced \Weal"-bal`anced\, a.
   Balanced or considered with reference to public weal. [Obs.]
   --Shak.

Weald \Weald\, n. [AS. See {Wold}.]
   A wood or forest; a wooded land or region; also, an open
   country; -- often used in place names.

         Fled all night long by glimmering waste and weald, And
         heard the spirits of the waste and weald Moan as she
         fled.                                    --Tennyson.

   {Weald clay} (Geol.), the uppermost member of the Wealden
      strata. See {Wealden}.

Wealden \Weald"en\ (?; 277), a. [AS. weald, wald, a forest, a
   wood. So called because this formation occurs in the wealds,
   or woods, of Kent and Sussex. See {Weald}.] (Geol.)
   Of or pertaining to the lowest division of the Cretaceous
   formation in England and on the Continent, which overlies the
   O["o]litic series.

Wealden \Weald"en\, n. (Geol.)
   The Wealden group or strata.

Wealdish \Weald"ish\, a.
   Of or pertaining to a weald, esp. to the weald in the county
   of Kent, England. [Obs.] --Fuller.

Wealful \Weal"ful\, a.
   Weleful. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Wealsman \Weals"man\, n.; pl. {Wealsmen}. [Weal + man.]
   A statesman; a politician. [R.] --Shak.

Wealth \Wealth\, n. [OE. welthe, from wele; cf. D. weelde
   luxury. See {Weal} prosperity.]
   1. Weal; welfare; prosperity; good. [Obs.] ``Let no man seek
      his own, but every man another's wealth.'' --1 Cor. x. 24.

   2. Large possessions; a comparative abundance of things which
      are objects of human desire; esp., abundance of worldly
      estate; affluence; opulence; riches.

            I have little wealth to lose.         --Shak.

            Each day new wealth, without their care, provides.
                                                  --Dryden.

            Wealth comprises all articles of value and nothing
            else.                                 --F. A.
                                                  Walker.

   {Active wealth}. See under {Active}.

   Syn: Riches; affluence; opulence; abundance.

Wealthful \Wealth"ful\, a.
   Full of wealth; wealthy; prosperous. [R.] --Sir T. More. --
   {Wealth"ful*ly}, adv. [R.]

Wealthily \Wealth"i*ly\, adv.
   In a wealthy manner; richly.

         I come to wive it wealthily in Padua.    --Shak.

Wealthiness \Wealth"i*ness\, n.
   The quality or state of being wealthy, or rich; richness;
   opulence.

Wealthy \Wealth"y\, a. [Compar. {Wealthier}; superl.
   {Wealthiest}.]
   1. Having wealth; having large possessions, or larger than
      most men, as lands, goods, money, or securities; opulent;
      affluent; rich.

            A wealthy Hebrew of my tribe.         --Shak.

            Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. --Ps.
                                                  lxvi. 12.

   2. Hence, ample; full; satisfactory; abundant. [R.]

            The wealthy witness of my pen.        --B. Jonson.

Wean \Wean\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Weaned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Weaning}.] [OE. wenen, AS. wenian, wennan, to accustom; akin
   to D. wennen, G. gew["o]hnen, OHG. giwennan, Icel. venja, Sw.
   v["a]nja, Dan. v[ae]nne, Icel. vanr accustomed, wont; cf. AS.
   [=a]wenian to wean, G. entw["o]hnen. See {Wont}, a.]
   1. To accustom and reconcile, as a child or other young
      animal, to a want or deprivation of mother's milk; to take
      from the breast or udder; to cause to cease to depend on
      the mother nourishment.

            And the child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made
            a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
                                                  --Gen. xxi. 8.

   2. Hence, to detach or alienate the affections of, from any
      object of desire; to reconcile to the want or loss of
      anything. ``Wean them from themselves.'' --Shak.

            The troubles of age were intended . . . to wean us
            gradually from our fondness of life.  --Swift.

Wean \Wean\, n.
   A weanling; a young child.

         I, being but a yearling wean.            --Mrs.
                                                  Browning.

Weanedness \Wean"ed*ness\, n.
   Quality or state of being weaned.

Weanel \Wean"el\, n.
   A weanling. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Weanling \Wean"ling\,
   a. & n. from {Wean}, v.

         The weaning of the whelp is the great test of the skill
         of the kennel man.                       --J. H. Walsh.

   {Weaning brash}. (Med.) See under {Brash}.

Weanling \Wean"ling\, n. [Wean + -ling.]
   A child or animal newly weaned; a wean.

Weanling \Wean"ling\, a.
   Recently weaned. --Milton.

Weapon \Weap"on\ (?; 277), n. [OE. wepen, AS. w?pen; akin to OS.
   w?pan, OFries. w?pin, w?pen, D. wapen, G. waffe, OHG. waffan,
   w[=a]fan, Icel. v[=a]pn, Dan. vaaben, Sw. vapen, Goth. w?pna,
   pl.; of uncertain origin. Cf. {Wapentake}.]
   1. An instrument of offensive of defensive combat; something
      to fight with; anything used, or designed to be used, in
      destroying, defeating, or injuring an enemy, as a gun, a
      sword, etc.

            The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. --2 Cor.
                                                  x. 4.

            They, astonished, all resistance lost, All courage;
            down their idle weapons dropped.      --Milton.

   2. Fig.: The means or instrument with which one contends
      against another; as, argument was his only weapon.
      ``Woman's weapons, water drops.'' --Shak.

   3. (Bot.) A thorn, prickle, or sting with which many plants
      are furnished.

   {Concealed weapons}. See under {Concealed}.

   {Weapon salve}, a salve which was supposed to cure a wound by
      being applied to the weapon that made it. [Obs.] --Boyle.

Weaponed \Weap"oned\, a.
   Furnished with weapons, or arms; armed; equipped.

Weaponless \Weap"on*less\, a.
   Having no weapon.

Weaponry \Weap"on*ry\, n.
   Weapons, collectively; as, an array of weaponry. [Poetic]

Wear \Wear\ (?; 277), n.
   Same as {Weir}.

Wear \Wear\, v. t. [Cf. {Veer}.] (Naut.)
   To cause to go about, as a vessel, by putting the helm up,
   instead of alee as in tacking, so that the vessel's bow is
   turned away from, and her stern is presented to, the wind,
   and, as she turns still farther, her sails fill on the other
   side; to veer.

Wear \Wear\, v. t. [imp. {Wore}; p. p. {Worn}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wearing}. Before the 15th century wear was a weak verb, the
   imp. & p. p. being {Weared}.] [OE. weren, werien, AS. werian
   to carry, to wear, as arms or clothes; akin to OHG. werien,
   weren, to clothe, Goth. wasjan, L. vestis clothing, vestire
   to clothe, Gr. ?, Skr. vas. Cf. {Vest}.]
   1. To carry or bear upon the person; to bear upon one's self,
      as an article of clothing, decoration, warfare, bondage,
      etc.; to have appendant to one's body; to have on; as, to
      wear a coat; to wear a shackle.

            What compass will you wear your farthingale? --Shak.

            On her white breast a sparkling cross s?? wore,
            Which Jews might kiss, and infidels adore. --Pope.

   2. To have or exhibit an appearance of, as an aspect or
      manner; to bear; as, she wears a smile on her countenance.
      ``He wears the rose of youth upon him.'' --Shak.

            His innocent gestures wear A meaning half divine.
                                                  --Keble.

   3. To use up by carrying or having upon one's self; hence, to
      consume by use; to waste; to use up; as, to wear clothes
      rapidly.

   4. To impair, waste, or diminish, by continual attrition,
      scraping, percussion, on the like; to consume gradually;
      to cause to lower or disappear; to spend.

            That wicked wight his days doth wear. --Spenser.

            The waters wear the stones.           --Job xiv. 19.

   5. To cause or make by friction or wasting; as, to wear a
      channel; to wear a hole.

   6. To form or shape by, or as by, attrition.

            Trials wear us into a liking of what, possibly, in
            the first essay, displeased us.       --Locke.

   {To wear away}, to consume; to impair, diminish, or destroy,
      by gradual attrition or decay.

   {To wear off}, to diminish or remove by attrition or slow
      decay; as, to wear off the nap of cloth.

   {To wear on or upon}, to wear. [Obs.] ``[I] weared upon my
      gay scarlet gites [gowns.]'' --Chaucer.

   {To wear out}.
      (a) To consume, or render useless, by attrition or decay;
          as, to wear out a coat or a book.
      (b) To consume tediously. ``To wear out miserable days.''
          --Milton.
      (c) To harass; to tire. ``[He] shall wear out the saints
          of the Most High.'' --Dan vii. 25.
      (d) To waste the strength of; as, an old man worn out in
          military service.

   {To wear the breeches}. See under {Breeches}. [Colloq.]

Wear \Wear\, v. i.
   1. To endure or suffer use; to last under employment; to bear
      the consequences of use, as waste, consumption, or
      attrition; as, a coat wears well or ill; -- hence,
      sometimes applied to character, qualifications, etc.; as,
      a man wears well as an acquaintance.

   2. To be wasted, consumed, or diminished, by being used; to
      suffer injury, loss, or extinction by use or time; to
      decay, or be spent, gradually. ``Thus wore out night.''
      --Milton.

            Away, I say; time wears.              --Shak.

            Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou and this
            people that is with thee.             --Ex. xviii.
                                                  18.

            His stock of money began to wear very low. --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

            The family . . . wore out in the earlier part of the
            century.                              --Beaconsfield.

   {To wear off}, to pass away by degrees; as, the follies of
      youth wear off with age.

   {To wear on}, to pass on; as, time wears on. --G. Eliot.

   {To wear weary}, to become weary, as by wear, long
      occupation, tedious employment, etc.

Wear \Wear\, n.
   1. The act of wearing, or the state of being worn;
      consumption by use; diminution by friction; as, the wear
      of a garment.

   2. The thing worn; style of dress; the fashion.

            Motley 's the only wear.              --Shak.

   {Wear and tear}, the loss by wearing, as of machinery in use;
      the loss or injury to which anything is subjected by use,
      accident, etc.

Wearable \Wear"a*ble\, a.
   Capable of being worn; suitable to be worn.

Wearer \Wear"er\, n.
   1. One who wears or carries as appendant to the body; as, the
      wearer of a cloak, a sword, a crown, a shackle, etc.

            Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers,
            tossed, And fluttered into rags.      --Milton.

   2. That which wastes or diminishes.

Weariable \Wea"ri*a*ble\, a.
   That may be wearied.

Weariful \Wea"ri*ful\, a.
   Abounding in qualities which cause weariness; wearisome. --
   {Wea"ri*ful*ly}, adv.

Weariless \Wea"ri*less\, a.
   Incapable of being wearied.

Wearily \Wea"ri*ly\, adv.
   In a weary manner.

Weariness \Wea"ri*ness\, n.
   The quality or state of being weary or tried; lassitude;
   exhaustion of strength; fatigue.

         With weariness and wine oppressed.       --Dryden.

         A man would die, though he were neither valiant nor
         miserable, only upon a weariness to do the same thing
         so oft over and over.                    --Bacon.



Wearing \Wear"ing\, n.
   1. The act of one who wears; the manner in which a thing
      wears; use; conduct; consumption.

            Belike he meant to ward, and there to see his
            wearing.                              --Latimer.

   2. That which is worn; clothes; garments. [Obs.]

            Give me my nightly wearing and adieu. --Shak.

Wearing \Wear"ing\, a.
   Pertaining to, or designed for, wear; as, wearing apparel.

Wearish \Wear"ish\, a. [Etymol. uncertain, but perhaps akin to
   weary.]
   1. Weak; withered; shrunk. [Obs.] ``A wearish hand.'' --Ford.

            A little, wearish old man, very melancholy by
            nature.                               --Burton.

   2. Insipid; tasteless; unsavory. [Obs.]

            Wearish as meat is that is not well tasted.
                                                  --Palsgrave.

Wearisome \Wea"ri*some\, a.
   Causing weariness; tiresome; tedious; weariful; as, a
   wearisome march; a wearisome day's work; a wearisome book.

         These high wild hills and rough uneven ways Draws out
         our miles, and makes them wearisome.     --Shak.

   Syn: Irksome; tiresome; tedious; fatiguing; annoying;
        vexatious. See {Irksome}. -- {Wea"ri*some*ly}, adv. --
        {Wea"ri*some*ness}, n.

Weary \Wea"ry\, a. [Compar. {Wearier}; superl. {Weariest}.] [OE.
   weri, AS. w?rig; akin to OS. w?rig, OHG. wu?rag; of uncertain
   origin; cf. AS. w?rian to ramble.]
   1. Having the strength exhausted by toil or exertion; worn
      out in respect to strength, endurance, etc.; tired;
      fatigued.

            I care not for my spirits if my legs were not weary.
                                                  --Shak.

            [I] am weary, thinking of your task.  --Longfellow.

   2. Causing weariness; tiresome. ``Weary way.'' --Spenser.
      ``There passed a weary time.'' --Coleridge.

   3. Having one's patience, relish, or contentment exhausted;
      tired; sick; -- with of before the cause; as, weary of
      marching, or of confinement; weary of study.

   Syn: Fatigued; tiresome; irksome; wearisome.

Weary \Wea"ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wearied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wearying}.]
   1. To reduce or exhaust the physical strength or endurance
      of; to tire; to fatigue; as, to weary one's self with
      labor or traveling.

            So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers.
                                                  --Shak.

   2. To make weary of anything; to exhaust the patience of, as
      by continuance.

            I stay too long by thee; I weary thee. --Shak.

   3. To harass by anything irksome.

            I would not cease To weary him with my assiduous
            cries.                                --Milton.

   {To weary out}, to subdue or exhaust by fatigue.

   Syn: To jade; tire; fatigue; fag. See {Jade}.

Weary \Wea"ry\, v. i.
   To grow tired; to become exhausted or impatient; as, to weary
   of an undertaking.

Weasand \Wea"sand\, n. [OE. wesand, AS. w[=a]send; akin to
   OFries. w[=a]sende, w[=a]sande; cf. OHG. weisunt.]
   The windpipe; -- called also, formerly, {wesil}. [Formerly,
   written also, {wesand}, and {wezand}.]

         Cut his weasand with thy knife.          --Shak.

Weasel \Wea"sel\, n. [OE. wesele, AS. wesle; akin to D. wezel,
   G. wiesel, OHG. wisala, Icel. hreyiv[=i]sla, Dan. v["a]sel,
   Sw. vessla; of uncertain origin; cf. Gr. ?, ?, cat, weasel.]
   (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of various species of small carnivores belonging to
   the genus {Putorius}, as the ermine and ferret. They have a
   slender, elongated body, and are noted for the quickness of
   their movements and for their bloodthirsty habit in
   destroying poultry, rats, etc. The ermine and some other
   species are brown in summer, and turn white in winter; others
   are brown at all seasons.

   {Malacca weasel}, the rasse.

   {Weasel coot}, a female or young male of the smew; -- so
      called from the resemblance of the head to that of a
      weasel. Called also {weasel duck}.

   {Weasel lemur}, a short-tailed lemur ({Lepilemur
      mustelinus}). It is reddish brown above, grayish brown
      below, with the throat white.

Weasel-faced \Wea"sel-faced`\, a.
   Having a thin, sharp face, like a weasel.

Weaser \Wea"ser\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The American merganser; -- called also {weaser sheldrake}.
   [Local, U. S.]

Weasiness \Wea"si*ness\, n.
   Quality or state of being weasy; full feeding; sensual
   indulgence. [Obs.] --Joye.

Weasy \Wea"sy\, a. [Cf. {Weasand}.]
   Given to sensual indulgence; gluttonous. [Obs.] --Joye.

Weather \Weath"er\, n. [OE. weder, AS. weder; akin to OS. wedar,
   OFries. weder, D. weder, we[^e]r, G. wetter, OHG. wetar,
   Icel. ve[eth]r, Dan. veir, Sw. v["a]der wind, air, weather,
   and perhaps to OSlav. vedro fair weather; or perhaps to Lith.
   vetra storm, Russ. vieter', vietr', wind, and E. wind. Cf.
   {Wither}.]
   1. The state of the air or atmosphere with respect to heat or
      cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness or
      cloudiness, or any other meteorological phenomena;
      meteorological condition of the atmosphere; as, warm
      weather; cold weather; wet weather; dry weather, etc.

            Not amiss to cool a man's stomach this hot weather.
                                                  --Shak.

            Fair weather cometh out of the north. --Job xxxvii.
                                                  22.

   2. Vicissitude of season; meteorological change; alternation
      of the state of the air. --Bacon.

   3. Storm; tempest.

            What gusts of weather from that gathering cloud My
            thoughts presage!                     --Dryden.

   4. A light rain; a shower. [Obs.] --Wyclif.

   {Stress of weather}, violent winds; force of tempests.

   {To make fair weather}, to flatter; to give flattering
      representations. [R.]

   {To make good}, or {bad}, {weather} (Naut.), to endure a gale
      well or ill; -- said of a vessel. --Shak.

   {Under the weather}, ill; also, financially embarrassed.
      [Colloq. U. S.] --Bartlett.

   {Weather box}. Same as {Weather house}, below. --Thackeray.

   {Weather breeder}, a fine day which is supposed to presage
      foul weather.

   {Weather bureau}, a popular name for the signal service. See
      {Signal service}, under {Signal}, a. [U. S.]

   {Weather cloth} (Naut.), a long piece of canvas of tarpaulin
      used to preserve the hammocks from injury by the weather
      when stowed in the nettings.

   {Weather door}. (Mining) See {Trapdoor}, 2.

   {Weather gall}. Same as {Water gall}, 2. [Prov. Eng.]
      --Halliwell.

   {Weather house}, a mechanical contrivance in the form of a
      house, which indicates changes in atmospheric conditions
      by the appearance or retirement of toy images.

            Peace to the artist whose ingenious thought Devised
            the weather house, that useful toy!   --Cowper.

   {Weather molding}, or

   {Weather moulding} (Arch.), a canopy or cornice over a door
      or a window, to throw off the rain.

   {Weather of a windmill sail}, the obliquity of the sail, or
      the angle which it makes with its plane of revolution.

   {Weather report}, a daily report of meteorological
      observations, and of probable changes in the weather;
      esp., one published by government authority.

   {Weather spy}, a stargazer; one who foretells the weather.
      [R.] --Donne.

   {Weather strip} (Arch.), a strip of wood, rubber, or other
      material, applied to an outer door or window so as to
      cover the joint made by it with the sill, casings, or
      threshold, in order to exclude rain, snow, cold air, etc.

Weather \Weath"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Weathered}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Weathering}.]
   1. To expose to the air; to air; to season by exposure to
      air.

            [An eagle] soaring through his wide empire of the
            air To weather his broad sails.       --Spenser.

            This gear lacks weathering.           --Latimer.

   2. Hence, to sustain the trying effect of; to bear up against
      and overcome; to sustain; to endure; to resist; as, to
      weather the storm.

            For I can weather the roughest gale.  --Longfellow.

            You will weather the difficulties yet. --F. W.
                                                  Robertson.

   3. (Naut.) To sail or pass to the windward of; as, to weather
      a cape; to weather another ship.

   4. (Falconry) To place (a hawk) unhooded in the open air.
      --Encyc. Brit.

   {To weather a point}.
      (a) (Naut.) To pass a point of land, leaving it on the lee
          side.
      (b) Hence, to gain or accomplish anything against
          opposition.

   {To weather out}, to encounter successfully, though with
      difficulty; as, to weather out a storm.

Weather \Weath"er\, v. i.
   To undergo or endure the action of the atmosphere; to suffer
   meteorological influences; sometimes, to wear away, or alter,
   under atmospheric influences; to suffer waste by weather.

         The organisms . . . seem indestructible, while the hard
         matrix in which they are imbedded has weathered from
         around them.                             --H. Miller.

Weather \Weath"er\, a. (Naut.)
   Being toward the wind, or windward -- opposed to lee; as,
   weather bow, weather braces, weather gauge, weather lifts,
   weather quarter, weather shrouds, etc.

   {Weather gauge}.
   (a) (Naut.) The position of a ship to the windward of
       another.
   (b) Fig.: A position of advantage or superiority; advantage
       in position.

             To veer, and tack, and steer a cause Against the
             weather gauge of laws.               --Hudibras.

   {Weather helm} (Naut.), a tendency on the part of a sailing
      vessel to come up into the wind, rendering it necessary to
      put the helm up, that is, toward the weather side.

   {Weather shore} (Naut.), the shore to the windward of a ship.
      --Totten.

   {Weather tide} (Naut.), the tide which sets against the lee
      side of a ship, impelling her to the windward. --Mar.
      Dict.

Weather-beaten \Weath"er-beat`en\, a.
   Beaten or harassed by the weather; worn by exposure to the
   weather, especially to severe weather. --Shak.

Weather-bit \Weath"er-bit`\, n. (Naut.)
   A turn of the cable about the end of the windlass, without
   the bits.

Weatherbit \Weath"er*bit`\, v. t. (Naut.)
   To take another turn with, as a cable around a windlass.
   --Totten.

Weather-bitten \Weath"er-bit`ten\, a.
   Eaten into, defaced, or worn, by exposure to the weather.
   --Coleridge.

Weatherboard \Weath"er*board`\, n.
   1. (Naut.)
      (a) That side of a vessel which is toward the wind; the
          windward side.
      (b) A piece of plank placed in a porthole, or other
          opening, to keep out water.

   2.
      (a) (Arch.) A board extending from the ridge to the eaves
          along the slope of the gable, and forming a close
          junction between the shingling of a roof and the side
          of the building beneath.
      (b) A clapboard or feather-edged board used in
          weatherboarding.

Weather-board \Weath"er-board`\, v. t. (Arch.)
   To nail boards upon so as to lap one over another, in order
   to exclude rain, snow, etc. --Gwilt.

Weatherboarding \Weath"er*board`ing\, n. (Arch.)
   (a) The covering or siding of a building, formed of boards
       lapping over one another, to exclude rain, snow, etc.
   (b) Boards adapted or intended for such use.

Weather-bound \Weath"er-bound`\, a.
   Kept in port or at anchor by storms; delayed by bad weather;
   as, a weather-bound vessel.

Weathercock \Weath"er*cock`\, n.
   1. A vane, or weather vane; -- so called because originally
      often in the figure of a cock, turning on the top of a
      spire with the wind, and showing its direction. ``As a
      wedercok that turneth his face with every wind.''
      --Chaucer.

            Noisy weathercocks rattled and sang of mutation.
                                                  --Longfellow.

   2. Hence, any thing or person that turns easily and
      frequently; one who veers with every change of current
      opinion; a fickle, inconstant person.

Weathercock \Weath"er*cock`\, v. t.
   To supply with a weathercock; to serve as a weathercock for.

         Whose blazing wyvern weathercock the spire. --Tennyson.

Weather-driven \Weath"er-driv`en\, a.
   Driven by winds or storms; forced by stress of weather.
   --Carew.

Weathered \Weath"ered\, a.
   1. (Arch.) Made sloping, so as to throw off water; as, a
      weathered cornice or window sill.

   2. (Geol.) Having the surface altered in color, texture, or
      composition, or the edges rounded off by exposure to the
      elements.

Weather-fend \Weath"er-fend`\, v. t.
   To defend from the weather; to shelter. --Shak.

         [We] barked the white spruce to weather-fend the roof.
                                                  --Emerson.

Weatherglass \Weath"er*glass`\, n.
   An instrument to indicate the state of the atmosphere,
   especially changes of atmospheric pressure, and hence changes
   of weather, as a barometer or baroscope.

   {Poor man's weatherglass}. (Bot.) See under {Poor}.

Weathering \Weath"er*ing\, n. (Geol.)
   The action of the elements on a rock in altering its color,
   texture, or composition, or in rounding off its edges.

Weatherliness \Weath"er*li*ness\, n. (Naut.)
   The quality of being weatherly.

Weatherly \Weath"er*ly\, a. (Naut.)
   Working, or able to sail, close to the wind; as, a weatherly
   ship. --Cooper.

Weathermost \Weath"er*most`\, a. (Naut.)
   Being farthest to the windward.

Weatherproof \Weath"er*proof`\, a.
   Proof against rough weather.

Weatherwise \Weath"er*wise`\, a.
   Skillful in forecasting the changes of the weather.
   --Hakluyt.

Weatherwiser \Weath"er*wis`er\, n. [Cf. {Waywiser}.]
   Something that foreshows the weather. [Obs.] --Derham.

Weatherworn \Weath"er*worn`\, a.
   Worn by the action of, or by exposure to, the weather.

Weave \Weave\, v. t. [imp. {Wove}; p. p. {Woven}, {Wove}; p. pr.
   & vb. n. {Weaving}. The regular imp. & p. p. {Weaved}, is
   rarely used.] [OE. weven, AS. wefan; akin to D. weven, G.
   weben, OHG. weban, Icel. vefa, Sw. v["a]fva, Dan. v[ae]ve,
   Gr. ?, v., ? web, Skr. ?r?av[=a]bhi spider, lit., wool
   weaver. Cf. {Waper}, {Waffle}, {Web}, {Weevil}, {Weft},
   {Woof}.]
   1. To unite, as threads of any kind, in such a manner as to
      form a texture; to entwine or interlace into a fabric; as,
      to weave wool, silk, etc.; hence, to unite by close
      connection or intermixture; to unite intimately.

            This weaves itself, perforce, into my business.
                                                  --Shak.

            That in their green shops weave the smooth-haired
            silk To deck her sons.                --Milton.

            And for these words, thus woven into song. --Byron.

   2. To form, as cloth, by interlacing threads; to compose, as
      a texture of any kind, by putting together textile
      materials; as, to weave broadcloth; to weave a carpet;
      hence, to form into a fabric; to compose; to fabricate;
      as, to weave the plot of a story.

            When she weaved the sleided silk.     --Shak.

            Her starry wreaths the virgin jasmin weaves. --Ld.
                                                  Lytton.

Weave \Weave\, v. i.
   1. To practice weaving; to work with a loom.

   2. To become woven or interwoven.

Weave \Weave\, n.
   A particular method or pattern of weaving; as, the cassimere
   weave.

Weaver \Weav"er\, n.
   1. One who weaves, or whose occupation is to weave. ``Weavers
      of linen.'' --P. Plowman.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) A weaver bird.

   3. (Zo["o]l.) An aquatic beetle of the genus {Gyrinus}. See
      {Whirling}.

   {Weaver bird} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
      Asiatic, Fast Indian, and African birds belonging to
      {Ploceus} and allied genera of the family {Ploceid[ae]}.
      Weaver birds resemble finches and sparrows in size,
      colors, and shape of the bill. They construct pensile
      nests composed of interlaced grass and other similar
      materials. In some of the species the nest is
      retort-shaped, with the opening at the bottom of the tube.
      

   {Weavers' shuttle} (Zo["o]l.), an East Indian marine univalve
      shell ({Radius volva}); -- so called from its shape. See
      Illust. of {Shuttle shell}, under {Shuttle}.

Weaverfish \Weav"er*fish`\, n. [See {Weever}.] (Zo["o]l.)
   See {Weever}.

Weaving \Weav"ing\, n.
   1. The act of one who, or that which, weaves; the act or art
      of forming cloth in a loom by the union or intertexture of
      threads.

   2. (Far.) An incessant motion of a horse's head, neck, and
      body, from side to side, fancied to resemble the motion of
      a hand weaver in throwing the shuttle. --Youatt.

Weazand \Wea"zand\, n.
   See {Weasand}. [Obs.]

Weazen \Wea"zen\, a. [See {Wizen}.]
   Thin; sharp; withered; wizened; as, a weazen face.

         They were weazen and shriveled.          --Dickens.

Weazeny \Wea"zen*y\, a.
   Somewhat weazen; shriveled. [Colloq.] ``Weazeny, baked
   pears.'' --Lowell.

Web \Web\, n. [OE. webbe, AS. webba. See {Weave}.]
   A weaver. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Web \Web\, n. [OE. web, AS. webb; akin to D. web, webbe, OHG.
   weppi, G. gewebe, Icel. vefr, Sw. v["a]f, Dan. v[ae]v. See
   {Weave}.]
   1. That which is woven; a texture; textile fabric; esp.,
      something woven in a loom.

            Penelope, for her Ulysses' sake, Devised a web her
            wooers to deceive.                    --Spenser.

            Not web might be woven, not a shuttle thrown, or
            penalty of exile.                     --Bancroft.

   2. A whole piece of linen cloth as woven.

   3. The texture of very fine thread spun by a spider for
      catching insects at its prey; a cobweb. ``The smallest
      spider's web.'' --Shak.

   4. Fig.: Tissue; texture; complicated fabrication.

            The somber spirit of our forefathers, who wove their
            web of life with hardly a . . . thread of rose-color
            or gold.                              --Hawthorne.

            Such has been the perplexing ingenuity of
            commentators that it is difficult to extricate the
            truth from the web of conjectures.    --W. Irving.

   5. (Carriages) A band of webbing used to regulate the
      extension of the hood.

   6. A thin metal sheet, plate, or strip, as of lead.

            And Christians slain roll up in webs of lead.
                                                  --Fairfax.
      Specifically: 
      (a) The blade of a sword. [Obs.]

                The sword, whereof the web was steel, Pommel
                rich stone, hilt gold.            --Fairfax.
      (b) The blade of a saw.
      (c) The thin, sharp part of a colter.
      (d) The bit of a key.

   7. (Mach. & Engin.) A plate or thin portion, continuous or
      perforated, connecting stiffening ribs or flanges, or
      other parts of an object. Specifically:
      (a) The thin vertical plate or portion connecting the
          upper and lower flanges of an lower flanges of an iron
          girder, rolled beam, or railroad rail.
      (b) A disk or solid construction serving, instead of
          spokes, for connecting the rim and hub, in some kinds
          of car wheels, sheaves, etc.
      (c) The arm of a crank between the shaft and the wrist.
      (d) The part of a blackmith's anvil between the face and
          the foot.

   8. (Med.) Pterygium; -- called also {webeye}. --Shak.

   9. (Anat.) The membrane which unites the fingers or toes,
      either at their bases, as in man, or for a greater part of
      their length, as in many water birds and amphibians.

   10. (Zo["o]l.) The series of barbs implanted on each side of
       the shaft of a feather, whether stiff and united together
       by barbules, as in ordinary feathers, or soft and
       separate, as in downy feathers. See {Feather}.



   {Pin and web} (Med.), two diseases of the eye, caligo and
      pterygium; -- sometimes wrongly explained as one disease.
      See {Pin}, n., 8, and {Web}, n., 8. ``He never yet had
      pinne or webbe, his sight for to decay.'' --Gascoigne.

   {Web member} (Engin.), one of the braces in a web system.

   {Web press}, a printing press which takes paper from a roll
      instead of being fed with sheets.

   {Web system} (Engin.), the system of braces connecting the
      flanges of a lattice girder, post, or the like.

Web \Web\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Webbed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Webbing}.]
   To unite or surround with a web, or as if with a web; to
   envelop; to entangle.

Webbed \Webbed\, a.
   1. Provided with a web.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) Having the toes united by a membrane, or web;
      as, the webbed feet of aquatic fowls.

Webber \Web"ber\, n.
   One who forms webs; a weaver; a webster. [Obs.]

Webbing \Web"bing\, n.
   A woven band of cotton or flax, used for reins, girths, bed
   bottoms, etc.

Webby \Web"by\, a.
   Of or pertaining to a web or webs; like a web; filled or
   covered with webs.

         Bats on their webby wings in darkness move. --Crabbe.

Weber \We"ber\, n. [From the name of Professor Weber, a German
   electrician.] (Elec.)
   The standard unit of electrical quantity, and also of
   current. See {Coulomb}, and {Amp?re}. [Obs.]

Webeye \Web"eye`\, n. (Med.)
   See {Web}, n., 8.

Web-fingered \Web"-fin`gered\, a.
   Having the fingers united by a web for a considerable part of
   their length.

Webfoot \Web"foot`\, n.; pl. {Webfeet}.
   1. A foot the toes of which are connected by a membrane.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) Any web-footed bird.

Web-footed \Web"-foot`ed\, a.
   Having webbed feet; palmiped; as, a goose or a duck is a
   web-footed fowl.

Webster \Web"ster\, n. [AS. webbestre. See {Web}, {Weave}, and
   {-ster}.]
   A weaver; originally, a female weaver. [Obs.] --Brathwait.

Websterite \Web"ster*ite\, n. [So named after Webster, the
   geologist.] (Min.)
   A hydrous sulphate of alumina occurring in white reniform
   masses.

Web-toed \Web"-toed`\, a.
   Having the toes united by a web for a considerable part of
   their length.

Webform \Web"form`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of various species of moths whose gregarious larv[ae]
   eat the leaves of trees, and construct a large web to which
   they retreat when not feeding.

   Note: The most destructive webworms belong to the family
         {Bombycid[ae]}, as the fall webworm ({Hyphantria
         textor}), which feeds on various fruit and forest
         trees, and the common tent caterpillar, which feeds on
         various fruit trees (see {Tent caterpillar}, under
         {Tent}.) The grapevine webworm is the larva of a
         geometrid moth (see {Vine inchworm}, under {Vine}).

Wed \Wed\ (w[e^]d), n. [AS. wedd; akin to OFries. wed, OD.
   wedde, OHG, wetti, G. wette a wager, Icel. ve[eth] a pledge,
   Sw. vad a wager, an appeal, Goth. wadi a pledge, Lith.
   vad[*u]ti to redeem (a pledge), LL. vadium, L. vas, vadis,
   bail, security, vadimonium security, and Gr. ?, ? a prize.
   Cf. {Athlete}, {Gage} a pledge, {Wage}.]
   A pledge; a pawn. [Obs.] --Gower. Piers Plowman.

         Let him be ware, his neck lieth to wed [i. e., for a
         security].                               --Chaucer.

Wed \Wed\, v. t. [imp. {Wedded}; p. p. {Wedded} or {Wed}; p. pr.
   & vb. n. {Wedding}.] [OE. wedden, AS. weddian to covenant,
   promise, to wed, marry; akin to OFries. weddia to promise, D.
   wedden to wager, to bet, G. wetten, Icel. ve[eth]ja, Dan.
   vedde, Sw. v["a]dja to appeal, Goth. gawadj[=o]n to betroth.
   See {Wed}, n.]
   1. To take for husband or for wife by a formal ceremony; to
      marry; to espouse.

            With this ring I thee wed.            --Bk. of Com.
                                                  Prayer.

            I saw thee first, and wedded thee.    --Milton.

   2. To join in marriage; to give in wedlock.

            And Adam, wedded to another Eve, Shall live with
            her.                                  --Milton.

   3. Fig.: To unite as if by the affections or the bond of
      marriage; to attach firmly or indissolubly.

            Thou art wedded to calamity.          --Shak.

            Men are wedded to their lusts.        --Tillotson.

            [Flowers] are wedded thus, like beauty to old age.
                                                  --Cowper.

   4. To take to one's self and support; to espouse. [Obs.]

            They positively and concernedly wedded his cause.
                                                  --Clarendon.

Wed \Wed\, v. i.
   To contact matrimony; to marry. ``When I shall wed.'' --Shak.

Weddahs \Wed"dahs\, n. pl. (Ethnol.)
   See {Veddahs}.

Wedded \Wed"ded\, a.
   1. Joined in wedlock; married.

            Let w?alth, let honor, wait the wedded dame. --Pope.

   2. Of or pertaining to wedlock, or marriage. ``Wedded love.''
      --Milton.

Wedder \Wed"der\, n.
   See {Wether}. --Sir W. Scott.

Wedding \Wed"ding\, n. [AS. wedding.]
   Nuptial ceremony; nuptial festivities; marriage; nuptials.

         Simple and brief was the wedding, as that of Ruth and
         of Boaz.                                 --Longfellow.

   Note: Certain anniversaries of an unbroken marriage have
         received fanciful, and more or less appropriate, names.
         Thus, the fifth anniversary is called the wooden
         wedding; the tenth, the tin wedding; the fifteenth, the
         crystal wedding; the twentieth, the china wedding; the
         twenty-fifth, the silver wedding; the fiftieth, the
         golden wedding; the sixtieth, the diamond wedding.
         These anniversaries are often celebrated by appropriate
         presents of wood, tin, china, silver, gold, etc., given
         by friends.

   Note: Wedding is often used adjectively; as, wedding cake,
         wedding cards, wedding clothes, wedding day, wedding
         feast, wedding guest, wedding ring, etc.

               Let her beauty be her wedding dower. --Shak.

   {Wedding favor}, a marriage favor. See under {Marriage}.

Weder \Wed"er\, n.
   Weather. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Wedge \Wedge\, n. [OE. wegge, AS. wecg; akin to D. wig, wigge,
   OHG. wecki, G. weck a (wedge-shaped) loaf, Icel. veggr, Dan.
   v[ae]gge, Sw. vigg, and probably to Lith. vagis a peg. Cf.
   {Wigg}.]
   1. A piece of metal, or other hard material, thick at one
      end, and tapering to a thin edge at the other, used in
      splitting wood, rocks, etc., in raising heavy bodies, and
      the like. It is one of the six elementary machines called
      the mechanical powers. See Illust. of {Mechanical powers},
      under {Mechanical}.

   2. (Geom.) A solid of five sides, having a rectangular base,
      two rectangular or trapezoidal sides meeting in an edge,
      and two triangular ends.

   3. A mass of metal, especially when of a wedgelike form.
      ``Wedges of gold.'' --Shak.

   4. Anything in the form of a wedge, as a body of troops drawn
      up in such a form.

            In warlike muster they appear, In rhombs, and
            wedges, and half-moons, and wings.    --Milton.

   5. The person whose name stands lowest on the list of the
      classical tripos; -- so called after a person (Wedgewood)
      who occupied this position on the first list of 1828.
      [Cant, Cambridge Univ., Eng.] --C. A. Bristed.

   {Fox wedge}. (Mach. & Carpentry) See under {Fox}.

   {Spherical wedge} (Geom.), the portion of a sphere included
      between two planes which intersect in a diameter.

Wedge \Wedge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wedged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wedging}.]
   1. To cleave or separate with a wedge or wedges, or as with a
      wedge; to rive. ``My heart, as wedged with a sigh, would
      rive in twain.'' --Shak.

   2. To force or drive as a wedge is driven.

            Among the crowd in the abbey where a finger Could
            not be wedged in more.                --Shak.

            He 's just the sort of man to wedge himself into a
            snug berth.                           --Mrs. J. H.
                                                  Ewing.

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

   4. To press closely; to fix, or make fast, in the manner of a
      wedge that is driven into something.

            Wedged in the rocky shoals, and sticking fast.
                                                  --Dryden.

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

   6. (Pottery) To cut, as clay, into wedgelike masses, and work
      by dashing together, in order to expel air bubbles, etc.
      --Tomlinson.

Wedgebill \Wedge"bill`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   An Australian crested insessorial bird ({Sphenostoma
   cristatum}) having a wedge-shaped bill. Its color is dull
   brown, like the earth of the plains where it lives.

Wedge-formed \Wedge"-formed`\, a.
   Having the form of a wedge; cuneiform.

   {Wedge-formed characters}. See {Arrow-headed characters},
      under {Arrowheaded}.

Wedge-shaped \Wedge"-shaped`\, a.
   1. Having the shape of a wedge; cuneiform.

   2. (Bot.) Broad and truncate at the summit, and tapering down
      to the base; as, a wedge-shaped leaf.

Wedge-shell \Wedge"-shell`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of numerous species of small marine bivalves
   belonging to {Donax} and allied genera in which the shell is
   wedge-shaped.

Wedge-tailed \Wedge"-tailed"\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
   Having a tail which has the middle pair of feathers longest,
   the rest successively and decidedly shorter, and all more or
   less attenuate; -- said of certain birds. See Illust. of
   {Wood hoopoe}, under {Wood}.

   {Wedge-tailed eagle}, an Australian eagle ({Aquila audax})
      which feeds on various small species of kangaroos, and on
      lambs; -- called also {mountain eagle}, {bold eagle}, and
      {eagle hawk}.

   {Wedge-tailed gull}, an arctic gull ({Rhodostethia rosea}) in
      which the plumage is tinged with rose; -- called also
      {Ross's gull}.

Wedgewise \Wedge"wise`\, adv.
   In the manner of a wedge.

Wedgwood ware \Wedg"wood` ware`\ [From the name of the inventor,
   Josiah Wedgwood, of England.]
   A kind of fine pottery, the most remarkable being what is
   called {jasper}, either white, or colored throughout the
   body, and capable of being molded into the most delicate
   forms, so that fine and minute bas-reliefs like cameos were
   made of it, fit even for being set as jewels.

Wedgy \Wedg"y\, a.
   Like a wedge; wedge-shaped.

Wedlock \Wed"lock\, n. [AS. wedl[=a]c a pledge, be trothal; wedd
   a pledge + l[=a]c a gift, an offering. See {Wed}, n., and cf.
   {Lake}, v. i., {Knowledge}.]
   1. The ceremony, or the state, of marriage; matrimony. ``That
      blissful yoke . . . that men clepeth [call] spousal, or
      wedlock.'' --Chaucer.

            For what is wedlock forced but a hell, An age of
            discord or continual strife?          --Shak.

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

   Syn: See {Marriage}.

Wedlock \Wed"lock\, v. t.
   To marry; to unite in marriage; to wed. [R.] ``Man thus
   wedlocked.'' --Milton.

Wednesday \Wednes"day\ (?; 48), n. [OE. wednesdai, wodnesdei,
   AS. W[=o]dnes d[ae]g, i. e., Woden's day (a translation of L.
   dies Mercurii); fr. W[=o]den the highest god of the Teutonic
   peoples, but identified with the Roman god Mercury; akin to
   OS. W[=o]dan, OHG. Wuotan, Icel. O[eth]inn, D. woensdag
   Wednesday, Icel. [=o][eth]insdagr, Dan. & Sw. onsdag. See
   {Day}, and cf. {Woden}, {Wood}, a.]
   The fourth day of the week; the next day after Tuesday.

   {Ash Wednesday}. See in the Vocabulary.

Wee \Wee\, n. [OE. we a bit, in a little we, probably originally
   meaning, a little way, the word we for wei being later taken
   as synonymous with little. See {Way}.]
   A little; a bit, as of space, time, or distance. [Obs. or
   Scot.]

Wee \Wee\, a.
   Very small; little. [Colloq. & Scot.]

         A little wee face, with a little yellow beard. --Shak.

Weech-elm \Weech"-elm`\, n. (Bot.)
   The wych-elm. [Obs.] --Bacon.

Weed \Weed\, n. [OE. wede, AS. w?de, w?d; akin to OS. w[=a]di,
   giw[=a]di, OFries, w?de, w?d, OD. wade, OHG. w[=a]t, Icel.
   v[=a]?, Zend vadh to clothe.]
   1. A garment; clothing; especially, an upper or outer
      garment. ``Low?ly shepherd's weeds.'' --Spenser. ``Woman's
      weeds.'' --Shak. ``This beggar woman's weed.'' --Tennyson.

            He on his bed sat, the soft weeds he wore Put off.
                                                  --Chapman.

   2. An article of dress worn in token of grief; a mourning
      garment or badge; as, he wore a weed on his hat;
      especially, in the plural, mourning garb, as of a woman;
      as, a widow's weeds.

            In a mourning weed, with ashes upon her head, and
            tears abundantly flowing.             --Milton.

Weed \Weed\, n.
   A sudden illness or relapse, often attended with fever, which
   attacks women in childbed. [Scot.]

Weed \Weed\, n. [OE. weed, weod, AS. we['o]d, wi['o]d, akin to
   OS. wiod, LG. woden the stalks and leaves of vegetables D.
   wieden to weed, OS. wiod[=o]n.]
   1. Underbrush; low shrubs. [Obs. or Archaic]

            One rushing forth out of the thickest weed.
                                                  --Spenser.

            A wild and wanton pard . . . Crouched fawning in the
            weed.                                 --Tennyson.

   2. Any plant growing in cultivated ground to the injury of
      the crop or desired vegetation, or to the disfigurement of
      the place; an unsightly, useless, or injurious plant.

            Too much manuring filled that field with weeds.
                                                  --Denham.

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

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

   4. (Stock Breeding) An animal unfit to breed from.

   5. Tobacco, or a cigar. [Slang]

   {Weed hook}, a hook used for cutting away or extirpating
      weeds. --Tusser.

Weed \Weed\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Weeded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Weeding}.] [AS. we['o]dian. See 3d {Weed}.]
   1. To free from noxious plants; to clear of weeds; as, to
      weed corn or onions; to weed a garden.

   2. To take away, as noxious plants; to remove, as something
      hurtful; to extirpate. ``Weed up thyme.'' --Shak.

            Wise fathers . . . weeding from their children ill
            things.                               --Ascham.

            Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the more
            man's nature runs to, the more ought law to weed it
            out.                                  --Bacon.

   3. To free from anything hurtful or offensive.

            He weeded the kingdom of such as were devoted to
            Elaiana.                              --Howell.

   4. (Stock Breeding) To reject as unfit for breeding purposes.

Weeder \Weed"er\, n.
   One who, or that which, weeds, or frees from anything
   noxious.

Weedery \Weed"er*y\, n.
   Weeds, collectively; also, a place full of weeds or for
   growing weeds. [R.] --Dr. H. More.

Weeding \Weed"ing\,
   a. & n. from {Weed}, v.

   {Weeding chisel}, a tool with a divided chisel-like end, for
      cutting the roots of large weeds under ground.

   {Weeding forceps}, an instrument for taking up some sorts of
      plants in weeding.

   {Weeding fork}, a strong, three-pronged fork, used in
      clearing ground of weeds; -- called also {weeding iron}.
      

   {Weeding hook}. Same as {Weed hook}, under 3d {Weed}.

   {Weeding iron}. See {Weeding fork}, above.

   {Weeding tongs}. Same as {Weeding forceps}, above.

Weeding-rhim \Weed"ing-rhim`\, n. [Cf. Prov. E. rim to remove.]
   A kind of implement used for tearing up weeds esp. on summer
   fallows. [Prov. Eng.]

Weedless \Weed"less\, a.
   Free from weeds or noxious matter.

Weedy \Weed"y\, a. [Compar. {Weedier}; superl. {Weediest}.]
   1. Of or pertaining to weeds; consisting of weeds. ``Weedy
      trophies.'' --Shak.

   2. Abounding with weeds; as, weedy grounds; a weedy garden;
      weedy corn.

            See from the weedy earth a rivulet break. --Bryant.

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

Weedy \Weed"y\, a.
   Dressed in weeds, or mourning garments. [R. or Colloq.]

         She was as weedy as in the early days of her mourning.
                                                  --Dickens.



Week \Week\, n. [OE. weke, wike, woke, wuke AS. weocu, wicu,
   wucu; akin to OS. wika, OFries. wike, D. week, G. woche, OHG.
   wohha, wehha, Icel. vika, Sw. vecka, Dan. uge, Goth. wik?,
   probably originally meaning, a succession or change, and akin
   to G. wechsel change, L. vicis turn, alternation, and E.
   weak. Cf. {Weak}.]
   A period of seven days, usually that reckoned from one
   Sabbath or Sunday to the next.

         I fast twice in the week.                --Luke xviii.
                                                  12.

   Note: Although it [the week] did not enter into the calendar
         of the Greeks, and was not introduced at Rome till
         after the reign of Theodesius, it has been employed
         from time immemorial in almost all Eastern countries.
         --Encyc. Brit.

   {Feast of Weeks}. See {Pentecost}, 1.

   {Prophetic week}, a week of years, or seven years. --Dan. ix.
      24.

   {Week day}. See under {Day}.

Weekly \Week"ly\, a.
   1. Of or pertaining to a week, or week days; as, weekly
      labor.

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

Weekly \Week"ly\, n.; pl. {Weeklies}.
   A publication issued once in seven days, or appearing once a
   week.

Weekly \Week"ly\, adv.
   Once a week; by hebdomadal periods; as, each performs service
   weekly.

Weekwam \Week"wam\, n.
   See {Wigwam}. [R.]

Weel \Weel\, a. & adv.
   Well. [Obs. or Scot.]

Weel \Weel\, n. [AS. w[=ae]l. [root]147.]
   A whirlpool. [Obs.]

Weel \Weel\, Weely \Weel"y\, [Prov. E. weel, weal, a wicker
   basket to catch eels; prob. akin to willow, and so called as
   made of willow twigs.]
   A kind of trap or snare for fish, made of twigs. [Obs.]
   --Carew.

Ween \Ween\, v. i. [OE. wenen, AS. w?nan, fr. w?n hope,
   expectation, opinion; akin to D. waan, OFries. w?n, OS. &
   OHG. w[=a]n, G. wahn delusion, Icel. v[=a]n hope,
   expectation, Goth. w?ns, and D. wanen to fancy, G. w["a]hnen,
   Icel. v[=a]na to hope, Goth. w?njan, and perhaps to E.
   winsome, wish.]
   To think; to imagine; to fancy. [Obs. or Poetic] --Spenser.
   Milton.

         I have lost more than thou wenest.       --Chaucer.

         For well I ween, Never before in the bowers of light
         Had the form of an earthly fay been seen. --J. R.
                                                  Drake.

         Though never a dream the roses sent Of science or
         love's compliment, I ween they smelt as sweet. --Mrs.
                                                  Browning.

Weep \Weep\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The lapwing; the wipe; -- so called from its cry.

Weep \Weep\, obs.
   imp. of {Weep}, for wept. --Chaucer.

Weep \Weep\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Wept}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Weeping}.] [OE. wepen, AS. w?pan, from w?p lamentation; akin
   to OFries. w?pa to lament, OS. w?p lamentation, OHG. wuof,
   Icel. ?p a shouting, crying, OS. w?pian to lament, OHG.
   wuoffan, wuoffen, Icel. ?pa, Goth. w?pjan. ????.]
   1. Formerly, to express sorrow, grief, or anguish, by outcry,
      or by other manifest signs; in modern use, to show grief
      or other passions by shedding tears; to shed tears; to
      cry.

            And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck.
                                                  --Acts xx. 37.

            Phocion was rarely seen to weep or to laugh.
                                                  --Mitford.

            And eyes that wake to weep.           --Mrs. Hemans.

            And they wept together in silence.    --Longfellow.

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

   3. To flow in drops; to run in drops.

            The blood weeps from my heart.        --Shak.

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

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

Weep \Weep\, v. t.
   1. To lament; to bewail; to bemoan. ``I weep bitterly the
      dead.'' --A. S. Hardy.

            We wandering go Through dreary wastes, and weep each
            other's woe.                          --Pope.

   2. To shed, or pour forth, as tears; to shed drop by drop, as
      if tears; as, to weep tears of joy.

            Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth. --Milton.

            Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm.
                                                  --Milton.

Weeper \Weep"er\, n.
   1. One who weeps; esp., one who sheds tears.

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

   3. (Zo["o]l.) The capuchin. See {Capuchin}, 3
      (a) .

Weepful \Weep"ful\, a.
   Full of weeping or lamentation; grieving. [Obs.] --Wyclif.

Weeping \Weep"ing\, n.
   The act of one who weeps; lamentation with tears; shedding of
   tears.

Weeping \Weep"ing\, a.
   1. Grieving; lamenting; shedding tears. ``Weeping eyes.''
      --I. Watts.

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

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

   4. Pertaining to lamentation, or those who weep.

   {Weeping cross}, a cross erected on or by the highway,
      especially for the devotions of penitents; hence, to
      return by the weeping cross, to return from some
      undertaking in humiliation or penitence.

   {Weeping rock}, a porous rock from which water gradually
      issues.

   {Weeping sinew}, a ganglion. See {Ganglion}, n., 2. [Colloq.]
      

   {Weeping spring}, a spring that discharges water slowly.

   {Weeping willow} (Bot.), a species of willow ({Salix
      Babylonica}) whose branches grow very long and slender,
      and hang down almost perpendicularly.



Weepingly \Weep"ing*ly\, adv.
   In a weeping manner.

Weeping-ripe \Weep"ing-ripe`\, a.
   Ripe for weeping; ready to weep. [Obs.] --Shak.

Weerish \Weer"ish\, a.
   See {Wearish}. [Obs.]

Weesel \Wee"sel\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   See {Weasel}.

Weet \Weet\, a. & n.
   Wet. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Weet \Weet\, v. i. [imp. {Wot}.] [See {Wit} to know.]
   To know; to wit. [Obs.] --Tyndale. Spenser.

Weet-bird \Weet"-bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The wryneck; -- so called from its cry. [Prov. Eng.]

Weetingly \Weet"ing*ly\, adv.
   Knowingly. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Weetless \Weet"less\, a.
   Unknowing; also, unknown; unmeaning. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Weet-weet \Weet"-weet`\, n. [So called from its piping cry when
   disturbed.] (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The common European sandpiper.
   (b) The chaffinch. [Prov. Eng.]

Weever \Wee"ver\, n. [Probably from F. vive, OF. vivre, a kind
   of fish, L. vipera viper. Cf. {Viper}.] (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of several species of edible marine fishes belonging
   to the genus {Trachinus}, of the family {Trachinid[ae]}. They
   have a broad spinose head, with the eyes looking upward. The
   long dorsal fin is supported by numerous strong, sharp spines
   which cause painful wounds.



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

Weevil \Wee"vil\, n. [OE. wivel, wevil, AS. wifel, wibil; akin
   to OD. wevel, OHG. wibil, wibel, G. wiebel, wibel, and
   probably to Lith. vabalas beetle, and E. weave. See {Weave}.]
   (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of numerous species of snout beetles, or
   Rhynchophora, in which the head is elongated and usually
   curved downward. Many of the species are very injurious to
   cultivated plants. The larv[ae] of some of the species live
   in nuts, fruit, and grain by eating out the interior, as the
   plum weevil, or curculio, the nut weevils, and the grain
   weevil (see under {Plum}, {Nut}, and {Grain}). The larv[ae]
   of other species bore under the bark and into the pith of
   trees and various other plants, as the pine weevils (see
   under {Pine}). See also {Pea weevil}, {Rice weevil}, {Seed
   weevil}, under {Pea}, {Rice}, and {Seed}.

Weeviled \Wee"viled\, a.
   Infested by weevils; as, weeviled grain. [Written also
   {weevilled}.]

Weevily \Wee"vil*y\, a.
   Having weevils; weeviled. [Written also {weevilly}.]

Weezel \Wee"zel\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   See {Weasel}.

Weft \Weft\, obs.
   imp. & p. p. of {Wave}.

Weft \Weft\, n. [Cf. {Waif}.]
   A thing waved, waived, or cast away; a waif. [Obs.] ``A
   forlorn weft.'' --Spenser.

Weft \Weft\, n. [AS. weft, wefta, fr. wefan, to weave. See
   {Weave}.]
   1. The woof of cloth; the threads that cross the warp from
      selvage to selvage; the thread carried by the shuttle in
      weaving.

   2. A web; a thing woven.

Weftage \Weft"age\, n.
   Texture. [Obs.] --Grew.

Wegotism \We"go*tism\, n. [From we, in imitation of egotism.]
   Excessive use of the pronoun we; -- called also {weism}.
   [Colloq. or Cant]

Wehrgeld \Wehr"geld`\, Wehrgelt \Wehr"gelt`\, n. (O. Eng. Law)
   See {Weregild}.

Wehrwolf \Wehr"wolf`\, n.
   See {Werewolf}.

Weigela \Wei"gel*a\, Weigelia \Wei*ge"li*a\, n. [NL. So named
   after C. E. Weigel, a German naturalist.] (Bot.)
   A hardy garden shrub ({Diervilla Japonica}) belonging to the
   Honeysuckle family, with white or red flowers. It was
   introduced from China.

Weigh \Weigh\ (w[=a]), n. (Naut.)
   A corruption of {Way}, used only in the phrase {under weigh}.

         An expedition was got under weigh from New York.
                                                  --Thackeray.

         The Athenians . . . hurried on board and with
         considerable difficulty got under weigh. --Jowett
                                                  (Thucyd.).

Weigh \Weigh\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Weighed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Weighing}.] [OE. weien, weyen, weghen, AS. wegan to bear,
   move; akin to D. wegen to weigh, G. w["a]gen, wiegen, to
   weigh, bewegen to move, OHG. wegan, Icel. vega to move,
   carry, lift, weigh, Sw. v["a]ga to weigh, Dan. veie, Goth.
   gawigan to shake, L. vehere to carry, Skr. vah. ????. See
   {Way}, and cf. {Wey}.]
   1. To bear up; to raise; to lift into the air; to swing up;
      as, to weigh anchor. ``Weigh the vessel up.'' --Cowper.

   2. To examine by the balance; to ascertain the weight of,
      that is, the force with which a thing tends to the center
      of the earth; to determine the heaviness, or quantity of
      matter of; as, to weigh sugar; to weigh gold.

            Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found
            wanting.                              --Dan. v. 27.

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

   4. To pay, allot, take, or give by weight.

            They weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
                                                  --Zech. xi.
                                                  12.

   5. To examine or test as if by the balance; to ponder in the
      mind; to consider or examine for the purpose of forming an
      opinion or coming to a conclusion; to estimate
      deliberately and maturely; to balance.

            A young man not weighed in state affairs. --Bacon.

            Had no better weighed The strength he was to cope
            with, or his own.                     --Milton.

            Regard not who it is which speaketh, but weigh only
            what is spoken.                       --Hooker.

            In nice balance, truth with gold she weighs. --Pope.

            Without sufficiently weighing his expressions. --Sir
                                                  W. Scott.

   6. To consider as worthy of notice; to regard. [Obs. or
      Archaic] ``I weigh not you.'' --Shak.

            All that she so dear did weigh.       --Spenser.

   {To weigh down}.
      (a) To overbalance.
      (b) To oppress with weight; to overburden; to depress.
          ``To weigh thy spirits down.'' --Milton.

Weigh \Weigh\, v. i.
   1. To have weight; to be heavy. ``They only weigh the
      heavier.'' --Cowper.

   2. To be considered as important; to have weight in the
      intellectual balance.

            Your vows to her and me . . . will even weigh.
                                                  --Shak.

            This objection ought to weigh with those whose
            reading is designed for much talk and little
            knowledge.                            --Locke.

   3. To bear heavily; to press hard.

            Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff
            Which weighs upon the heart.          --Shak.

   4. To judge; to estimate. [R.]

            Could not weigh of worthiness aright. --Spenser.

   {To weigh down}, to sink by its own weight.

Weigh \Weigh\, n. [See {Wey}.]
   A certain quantity estimated by weight; an English measure of
   weight. See {Wey}.

Weighable \Weigh"a*ble\, a.
   Capable of being weighed.

Weighage \Weigh"age\ (?; 48), n.
   A duty or toil paid for weighing merchandise. --Bouvier.

Weighbeam \Weigh"beam`\, n.
   A kind of large steelyard for weighing merchandise; -- also
   called {weighmaster's beam}.

Weighboard \Weigh"board`\, n. (Mining)
   Clay intersecting a vein. --Weale.

Weighbridge \Weigh"bridge`\, n.
   A weighing machine on which loaded carts may be weighed;
   platform scales.

Weigher \Weigh"er\, n.
   One who weighs; specifically, an officer whose duty it is to
   weigh commodities.

Weigh-house \Weigh"-house`\, n.; pl. {Weigh-houses}.
   A building at or within which goods, and the like, are
   weighed.

Weighing \Weigh"ing\,
   a. & n. from {Weigh}, v.

   {Weighing cage}, a cage in which small living animals may be
      conveniently weighed.

   {Weighing house}. See {Weigh-house}.

   {Weighing machine}, any large machine or apparatus for
      weighing; especially, platform scales arranged for
      weighing heavy bodies, as loaded wagons.

Weighlock \Weigh"lock`\, n.
   A lock, as on a canal, in which boats are weighed and their
   tonnage is settled.

Weighmaster \Weigh"mas`ter\, n.
   One whose business it is to weigh ore, hay, merchandise,
   etc.; one licensed as a public weigher.

Weight \Weight\, n. [OE. weght, wight, AS. gewiht; akin to D.
   gewigt, G. gewicht, Icel. v[ae]tt, Sw. vigt, Dan. v[ae]gt.
   See {Weigh}, v. t.]
   1. The quality of being heavy; that property of bodies by
      which they tend toward the center of the earth; the effect
      of gravitative force, especially when expressed in certain
      units or standards, as pounds, grams, etc.

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

   2. The quantity of heaviness; comparative tendency to the
      center of the earth; the quantity of matter as estimated
      by the balance, or expressed numerically with reference to
      some standard unit; as, a mass of stone having the weight
      of five hundred pounds.

            For sorrow, like a heavy-hanging bell, Once set on
            ringing, with his own weight goes.    --Shak.

   3. Hence, pressure; burden; as, the weight of care or
      business. ``The weight of this said time.'' --Shak.

            For the public all this weight he bears. --Milton.

            [He] who singly bore the world's sad weight.
                                                  --Keble.

   4. Importance; power; influence; efficacy; consequence;
      moment; impressiveness; as, a consideration of vast
      weight.

            In such a point of weight, so near mine honor.
                                                  --Shak.

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

   6. A ponderous mass; something heavy; as, a clock weight; a
      paper weight.

            A man leapeth better with weights in his hands.
                                                  --Bacon.

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

   8. (Mech.) The resistance against which a machine acts, as
      opposed to the power which moves it. [Obs.]

   {Atomic weight}. (Chem.) See under {Atomic}, and cf.
      {Element}.

   {Dead weight}, {Feather weight}, {Heavy weight}, {Light
   weight}, etc. See under {Dead}, {Feather}, etc.

   {Weight of observation} (Astron. & Physics), a number
      expressing the most probable relative value of each
      observation in determining the result of a series of
      observations of the same kind.

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

Weight \Weight\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Weighted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Weighting}.]
   1. To load with a weight or weights; to load down; to make
      heavy; to attach weights to; as, to weight a horse or a
      jockey at a race; to weight a whip handle.

            The arrows of satire, . . . weighted with sense.
                                                  --Coleridge.

   2. (Astron. & Physics) To assign a weight to; to express by a
      number the probable accuracy of, as an observation. See
      {Weight of observations}, under {Weight}.



Weightily \Weight"i*ly\, adv.
   In a weighty manner.

Weightiness \Weight"i*ness\, n.
   The quality or state of being weighty; weight; force;
   importance; impressiveness.

Weightless \Weight"less\, a.
   Having no weight; imponderable; hence, light. --Shak.

Weighty \Weight"y\, a. [Compar. {Weightier}; superl.
   {Weightiest}.]
   1. Having weight; heavy; ponderous; as, a weighty body.

   2. Adapted to turn the balance in the mind, or to convince;
      important; forcible; serious; momentous. ``For sundry
      weighty reasons.'' --Shak.

            Let me have your advice in a weighty affair.
                                                  --Swift.

   3. Rigorous; severe; afflictive. [R.] ``Attend our weightier
      judgment.'' --Shak.

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

Weir \Weir\ (w[=e]r), Wear \Wear\,n. [OE. wer, AS. wer; akin to
   G. wehr, AS. werian to defend, protect, hinder, G. wehren,
   Goth. warjan; and perhaps to E. wary; or cf. Skr. v[.r] to
   check, hinder. [root]142. Cf. {Garret}.]
   1. A dam in a river to stop and raise the water, for the
      purpose of conducting it to a mill, forming a fish pond,
      or the like.

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

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

Weird \Weird\ (w[=e]rd), n. [OE. wirde, werde, AS. wyrd fate,
   fortune, one of the Fates, fr. weor[eth]an to be, to become;
   akin to OS. wurd fate, OHG. wurt, Icel. ur[eth]r. [root]143.
   See {Worth} to become.]
   1. Fate; destiny; one of the Fates, or Norns; also, a
      prediction. [Obs. or Scot.]

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

Weird \Weird\, a.
   1. Of or pertaining to fate; concerned with destiny.

   2. Of or pertaining to witchcraft; caused by, or suggesting,
      magical influence; supernatural; unearthly; wild; as, a
      weird appearance, look, sound, etc.

            Myself too had weird seizures.        --Tennyson.

            Those sweet, low tones, that seemed like a weird
            incantation.                          --Longfellow.

   {Weird sisters}, the Fates. [Scot.] --G. Douglas.

   Note: Shakespeare uses the term for the three witches in
         Macbeth.

               The weird sisters, hand in hand, Posters of the
               sea and land.                      --Shak.

Weird \Weird\, v. t.
   To foretell the fate of; to predict; to destine to. [Scot.]
   --Jamieson.

Weirdness \Weird"ness\, n.
   The quality or state of being weird.

Weism \We"ism\, n.
   Same as {Wegotism}.

Weive \Weive\, v. t.
   See {Waive}. [Obs.] --Gower.

Weka \We"ka\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A New Zealand rail ({Ocydromus australis}) which has wings so
   short as to be incapable of flight.

Wekau \We"kau\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A small New Zealand owl ({Sceloglaux albifacies}). It has
   short wings and long legs, and lives chiefly on the ground.

Wekeen \We*keen"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The meadow pipit. [Prov. Eng.]

Welaway \Wel"a*way\, interj. [OE. welaway, walaway, weilawey;
   wei wo! (Icel. vei) + la lo! (AS. l[=a]) + wei wo!; cf. AS.
   w[=a] l[=a] w[=a]. See {Woe}.]
   Alas! [Obs.]

         Then welaway, for she undone was clean.  --Wyatt.

Wel-begone \Wel"-be*gone`\, a. [OE. wel-begon. See {Well}, and
   {Begone}.]
   Surrounded with happiness or prosperity. [Obs.]

         Fair and rich and young and wel-begone.  --Chaucer.

Welch \Welch\, a.
   See {Welsh}. [R.]

Welcher \Welch"er\, n.
   See {Welsher}.

Welchman \Welch"man\, n.
   See {Welshman}. [R.]

Welcome \Wel"come\, a. [OE. welcome, welcume, wilcume, AS.
   wilcuma a welcome guest, from wil-, as a prefix, akin to
   willa will + cuma a comer, fr. cuman to come; hence,
   properly, one who comes so as to please another's will; cf.
   Icel. velkominn welcome, G. willkommen. See {Will}, n., and
   Come.]
   1. Received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house,
      entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor.

            When the glad soul is made Heaven's welcome guest.
                                                  --Cowper.

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

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

   Note: Welcome is used elliptically for you are welcome.
         ``Welcome, great monarch, to your own.'' --Dryden.

   {Welcome-to-our-house} (Bot.), a kind of spurge ({Euphorbia
      Cyparissias}). --Dr. Prior.

Welcome \Wel"come\, n.
   1. Salutation to a newcomer. ``Welcome ever smiles.'' --Shak.

   2. Kind reception of a guest or newcomer; as, we entered the
      house and found a ready welcome.

            His warmest welcome at an inn.        --Shenstone.

            Truth finds an entrance and a welcome too. --South.

   {To bid welcome}, to receive with professions of kindness.

            To thee and thy company I bid A hearty welcome.
                                                  --Shak.

Welcome \Wel"come\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Welcomed}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Welcoming}.] [AS. wilcumian.]
   To salute with kindness, as a newcomer; to receive and
   entertain hospitably and cheerfully; as, to welcome a
   visitor; to welcome a new idea. ``I welcome you to land.''
   --Addison.

         Thus we salute thee with our early song, And welcome
         thee, and wish thee long.                --Milton.

Welcomely \Wel"come*ly\, adv.
   In a welcome manner.

Welcomeness \Wel"come*ness\, n.
   The quality or state of being welcome; gratefulness;
   agreeableness; kind reception.

Welcomer \Wel"com*er\, n.
   One who welcomes; one who salutes, or receives kindly, a
   newcomer. --Shak.

Weld \Weld\, v. t.
   To wield. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Weld \Weld\, n. [OE. welde; akin to Scot. wald, Prov. G. waude,
   G. wau, Dan. & Sw. vau, D. wouw.]
   1. (Bot.) An herb ({Reseda luteola}) related to mignonette,
      growing in Europe, and to some extent in America; dyer's
      broom; dyer's rocket; dyer's weed; wild woad. It is used
      by dyers to give a yellow color. [Written also {woald},
      {wold}, and {would}.]

   2. Coloring matter or dye extracted from this plant.

Weld \Weld\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Welded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Welding}.] [Probably originally the same word as well to
   spring up, to gush; perhaps from the Scand.; cf. Sw. v["a]lla
   to weld, uppv["a]lla to boil up, to spring up, Dan. v[ae]lde
   to gush, G. wellen to weld. See {Well} to spring.]
   1. To press or beat into intimate and permanent union, as two
      pieces of iron when heated almost to fusion.

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

   2. Fig.: To unite closely or intimately.

            Two women faster welded in one love.  --Tennyson.

Weld \Weld\, n.
   The state of being welded; the joint made by welding.

   {Butt weld}. See under {Butt}.

   {Scarf weld}, a joint made by overlapping, and welding
      together, the scarfed ends of two pieces.

Weldable \Weld"a*ble\, a.
   Capable of being welded.

Welder \Weld"er\, n.
   One who welds, or unites pieces of iron, etc., by welding.

Welder \Weld"er\, n.
   1. One who welds, or wields. [Obs.]

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

Weldon's process \Wel"don's proc"ess\, (Chem.)
   A process for the recovery or regeneration of manganese
   dioxide in the manufacture of chlorine, by means of milk of
   lime and the oxygen of the air; -- so called after the
   inventor.

Wele \Wele\, n. [See {Weal} prosperity.]
   Prosperity; happiness; well-being; weal. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Weleful \Wele"ful\, a.
   Producing prosperity or happiness; blessed. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Welew \We"lew\, v. t.
   To welk, or wither. [Obs.]

Welfare \Wel"fare`\, n. [Well + fare to go, to proceed, to
   happen.]
   Well-doing or well-being in any respect; the enjoyment of
   health and the common blessings of life; exemption from any
   evil or calamity; prosperity; happiness.

         How to study for the people's welfare.   --Shak.

         In whose deep eyes Men read the welfare of the times to
         come.                                    --Emerson.

Welfaring \Wel"far`ing\, a.
   Faring well; prosperous; thriving. [Obs.] ``A welfaring
   person.'' --Chaucer.

Welk \Welk\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Welked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Welking}.] [OE. welken; cf. D. & G. welken to wither, G.
   welk withered, OHG. welc moist. See {Welkin}, and cf.
   {Wilt}.]
   To wither; to fade; also, to decay; to decline; to wane.
   [Obs.]

         When ruddy Ph?bus 'gins to welk in west. --Spenser.

         The church, that before by insensible degrees welked
         and impaired, now with large steps went down hill
         decaying.                                --Milton.

Welk \Welk\, v. t.
   1. To cause to wither; to wilt. [Obs.]

            Mot thy welked neck be to-broke [broken]. --Chaucer.

   2. To contract; to shorten. [Obs.]

            Now sad winter welked hath the day.   --Spenser.

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

Welk \Welk\, n.
   A pustule. See 2d {Whelk}.

Welk \Welk\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A whelk. [R.]

Welked \Welked\, v. t.
   See {Whelked}.

Welkin \Wel"kin\, n. [OE. welken, welkene, welkne, wolcne,
   weolcne, AS. wolcen, pl. wolcnu, a cloud; akin to D. wolk,
   OFries. wolken, OS. wolkan, G. wolke, OHG. wolchan, and
   probably to G. welk withered, OHG. welc moist, Russ. & OSlav.
   vlaga moisture, Lith. vilgyti to moisten.]
   The visible regions of the air; the vault of heaven; the sky.

         On the welkne shoon the sterres lyght.   --Chaucer.

         The fair welkin foully overcast.         --Spenser.

         When storms the welkin rend.             --Wordsworth.

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

Well \Well\, n. [OE. welle, AS. wella, wylla, from weallan to
   well up, surge, boil; akin to D. wel a spring or fountain.
   ????. See {Well}, v. i.]
   1. An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain.

            Begin, then, sisters of the sacred well. --Milton.

   2. A pit or hole sunk into the earth to such a depth as to
      reach a supply of water, generally of a cylindrical form,
      and often walled with stone or bricks to prevent the earth
      from caving in.

            The woman said unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to
            draw with, and the well is deep.      --John iv. 11.

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

   4. Fig.: A source of supply; fountain; wellspring. ``This
      well of mercy.'' --Chaucer.

            Dan Chaucer, well of English undefiled. --Spenser.

            A well of serious thought and pure.   --Keble.

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

   6. (Mil.) A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from
      which run branches or galleries.

   7. (Arch.) An opening through the floors of a building, as
      for a staircase or an elevator; a wellhole.

   8. (Metal.) The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal
      falls.

   {Artesian well}, {Driven well}. See under {Artesian}, and
      {Driven}.

   {Pump well}. (Naut.) See {Well}, 5
      (a), above.

   {Well boring}, the art or process of boring an artesian well.
      

   {Well drain}.
      (a) A drain or vent for water, somewhat like a well or
          pit, serving to discharge the water of wet land.
      (b) A drain conducting to a well or pit.

   {Well room}.
      (a) A room where a well or spring is situated; especially,
          one built over a mineral spring.
      (b) (Naut.) A depression in the bottom of a boat, into
          which water may run, and whence it is thrown out with
          a scoop.

   {Well sinker}, one who sinks or digs wells.

   {Well sinking}, the art or process of sinking or digging
      wells.

   {Well staircase} (Arch.), a staircase having a wellhole (see
      {Wellhole}
      (b) ), as distinguished from one which occupies the whole
          of the space left for it in the floor.

   {Well sweep}. Same as {Sweep}, n., 12.

   {Well water}, the water that flows into a well from
      subterraneous springs; the water drawn from a well.

Well \Well\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Welled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Welling}.] [OE. wellen, AS. wyllan, wellan, fr. weallan;
   akin to OFries. walla, OS. & OHG. wallan, G. wallen, Icel.
   vella, G. welle, wave, OHG. wella, walm, AS. wylm; cf. L.
   volvere to roll, Gr. ? to inwrap, ? to roll. Cf. {Voluble},
   {Wallop} to boil, {Wallow}, {Weld} of metal.]
   To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring.
   ``[Blood] welled from out the wound.'' --Dryden. ``[Yon
   spring] wells softly forth.'' --Bryant.

         From his two springs in Gojam's sunny realm, Pure
         welling out, he through the lucid lake Of fair Dambea
         rolls his infant streams.                --Thomson.

Well \Well\, v. t.
   To pour forth, as from a well. --Spenser.

Well \Well\, adv. [Compar. and superl. wanting, the deficiency
   being supplied by better and best, from another root.] [OE.
   wel, AS. wel; akin to OS., OFries., & D. wel, G. wohl, OHG.
   wola, wela, Icel. & Dan. vel, Sw. v["a]l, Goth. wa['i]la;
   originally meaning, according to one's will or wish. See
   {Will}, v. t., and cf. {Wealth}.]
   1. In a good or proper manner; justly; rightly; not ill or
      wickedly.

            If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.
                                                  --Gen. iv. 7.

   2. Suitably to one's condition, to the occasion, or to a
      proposed end or use; suitably; abundantly; fully;
      adequately; thoroughly.

            Lot . . . beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it
            was well watered everywhere.          --Gen. xiii.
                                                  10.

            WE are wellable to overcome it.       --Num. xiii.
                                                  30.

            She looketh well to the ways of her household.
                                                  --Prov. xxxi.
                                                  27.

            Servant of God, well done! well hast thou fought The
            better fight.                         --Milton.

   3. Fully or about; -- used with numbers. [Obs.] ``Well a ten
      or twelve.'' --Chaucer.

            Well nine and twenty in a company.    --Chaucer.

   4. In such manner as is desirable; so as one could wish;
      satisfactorily; favorably; advantageously; conveniently.
      ``It boded well to you.'' --Dryden.

            Know In measure what the mind may well contain.
                                                  --Milton.

            All the world speaks well of you.     --Pope.

   5. Considerably; not a little; far.

            Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age.
                                                  --Gen. xviii.
                                                  11.

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

   Note: Well, like above, ill, and so, is used before many
         participial adjectives in its usual adverbial senses,
         and subject to the same custom with regard to the use
         of the hyphen (see the Note under {Ill}, adv.); as, a
         well-affected supporter; he was well affected toward
         the project; a well-trained speaker; he was well
         trained in speaking; well-educated, or well educated;
         well-dressed, or well dressed; well-appearing;
         well-behaved; well-controlled; well-designed;
         well-directed; well-formed; well-meant; well-minded;
         well-ordered; well-performed; well-pleased;
         well-pleasing; well-seasoned; well-steered;
         well-tasted; well-told, etc. Such compound epithets
         usually have an obvious meaning, and since they may be
         formed at will, only a few of this class are given in
         the Vocabulary.

   {As well}. See under {As}.

   {As well as}, and also; together with; not less than; one as
      much as the other; as, a sickness long, as well as severe;
      London is the largest city in England, as well as the
      capital.

   {Well enough}, well or good in a moderate degree; so as to
      give satisfaction, or so as to require no alteration.

   {Well off}, in good condition; especially, in good condition
      as to property or any advantages; thriving; prosperous.

   {Well to do}, well off; prosperous; -- used also adjectively.
      ``The class well to do in the world.'' --J. H. Newman.

   {Well to live}, in easy circumstances; well off; well to do.
      --Shak.

Well \Well\, a.
   1. Good in condition or circumstances; desirable, either in a
      natural or moral sense; fortunate; convenient;
      advantageous; happy; as, it is well for the country that
      the crops did not fail; it is well that the mistake was
      discovered.

            It was well with us in Egypt.         --Num. xi. 18.

   2. Being in health; sound in body; not ailing, diseased, or
      sick; healthy; as, a well man; the patient is perfectly
      well. ``Your friends are well.'' --Shak.

            Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake?
                                                  --Gen. xliii.
                                                  27.

   3. Being in favor; favored; fortunate.

            He followed the fortunes of that family, and was
            well with Henry the Fourth.           --Dryden.

   4. (Marine Insurance) Safe; as, a chip warranted well at a
      certain day and place. --Burrill.

Welladay \Well"a*day\, interj. [Corrupted from wela way.]
   Alas! Welaway! --Shak.

Wellat \Wel"lat\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The king parrakeet See under {King}.

Well-being \Well"-be`ing\, n.
   The state or condition of being well; welfare; happiness;
   prosperity; as, virtue is essential to the well-being of men
   or of society.

Well-born \Well"-born`\, a.
   Born of a noble or respect able family; not of mean birth.

Well-bred \Well"-bred`\, a.
   Having good breeding; refined in manners; polite; cultivated.

         I am as well-bred as the earl's granddaughter.
                                                  --Thackera?.



Welldoer \Well"do`er\, n.
   One who does well; one who does good to another; a
   benefactor.

Welldoing \Well"do`ing\, n.
   A doing well; right performance of duties. Also used
   adjectively.

Welldrain \Well"drain`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Welldrained}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Well-draining}.]
   To drain, as land; by means of wells, or pits, which receive
   the water, and from which it is discharged by machinery.

Wellfare \Well"fare`\, n.
   See {Welfare}. [Obs.]

Well-favored \Well"-fa"vored\, a.
   Handsome; wellformed; beautiful; pleasing to the eye.

         Rachel was beautiful and well-favored.   --Gen. xxix.
                                                  17.

Wellhead \Well"head`\, n.
   A source, spring, or fountain.

         At the wellhead the purest streams arise. --Spenser.

         Our public-school and university life is a great
         wellhead of new and irresponsible words. --Earle.

Wellhole \Well"hole`\, n.
   1. (Arch.)
      (a) The open space in a floor, to accommodate a staircase.
      (b) The open space left beyond the ends of the steps of a
          staircase.

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

Well-informed \Well`-in*formed"\, a.
   Correctly informed; provided with information; well furnished
   with authentic knowledge; intelligent.

Wellingtonia \Wel`ling*to"ni*a\, n. [NL. So named after the Duke
   of Wellington.] (Bot.)
   A name given to the ``big trees'' ({Sequoia gigantea}) of
   California, and still used in England. See {Sequoia}.

Wellingtons \Wel"ling*tons\, n. pl. [After the Duke of
   Wellington.]
   A kind of long boots for men.

Well-intentioned \Well`-in*ten"tioned\, a.
   Having upright intentions or honorable purposes.

         Dutchmen who had sold themselves to France, as the
         wellintentioned party.                   --Macaulay.

Well-known \Well"-known`\, a.
   Fully known; generally known or acknowledged.

         A church well known with a well-known rite. --M.
                                                  Arnold.

Well-liking \Well"-lik`ing\, a.
   Being in good condition. [Obs. or Archaic]

         They also shall bring forth more fruit in their age,
         and shall be fat and well-liking.        --Bk. of Com.
                                                  Prayer (Ps.
                                                  xcii.).

Well-mannered \Well`-man"nered\, a.
   Polite; well-bred; complaisant; courteous. --Dryden.

Well-meaner \Well"-mean`er\, n.
   One whose intention is good. ``Well-meaners think no harm.''
   --Dryden.

Well-meaning \Well"-mean`ing\, a.
   Having a good intention.

Well-natured \Well`-na"tured\, a.
   Good-natured; kind.

         Well-natured, temperate, and wise.       --Denham.

Well-nigh \Well"-nigh`\, adv.
   Almost; nearly. --Chaucer.

Well-plighted \Well"-plight`ed\, a.
   Being well folded. [Obs.] ``Her well-plighted frock.''
   --Spenser.

Well-read \Well"-read`\, a.
   Of extensive reading; deeply versed; -- often followed by in.

Well-seen \Well"-seen`\, a.
   Having seen much; hence, accomplished; experienced. [Obs.]
   --Beau. & Fl.

         Well-seen in arms and proved in many a fight.
                                                  --Spenser.

Well-set \Well"-set`\, a.
   1. Properly or firmly set.

   2. Well put together; having symmetry of parts.

Well-sped \Well"-sped`\, a.
   Having good success.

Well-spoken \Well"-spo`ken\, a. [Well + speak.]
   1. Speaking well; speaking with fitness or grace; speaking
      kindly. ``A knight well-spoken.'' --Shak.

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

Wellspring \Well"spring`\, n.
   A fountain; a spring; a source of continual supply.

         Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that
         hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly. --Prov.
                                                  xvi. 22.

Well-willer \Well"-will`er\, n.
   One who wishes well, or means kindly. [R.] ``A well-willer of
   yours.'' --Brydges.

Well-wish \Well"-wish`\, n.
   A wish of happiness. ``A well-wish for his friends.''
   --Addison.

Wellwisher \Well"wish`er\, n.
   One who wishes another well; one who is benevolently or
   friendlily inclined.

We'll \We'll\
   Contraction for we will or we shall. ``We'll follow them.''
   --Shak.

Wels \Wels\, n. [G.] (Zo["o]l.)
   The sheatfish; -- called also {waller}.

Welsh \Welsh\, a. [AS. w[ae]lisc, welisc, from wealh a stranger,
   foreigner, not of Saxon origin, a Welshman, a Celt, Gael;
   akin to OHG. walh, whence G. w["a]lsch or welsch, Celtic,
   Welsh, Italian, French, Foreign, strange, OHG. walhisc; from
   the name of a Celtic tribe. See {Walnut}.]
   Of or pertaining to Wales, or its inhabitants. [Sometimes
   written also {Welch}.]

   {Welsh flannel}, a fine kind of flannel made from the fleece
      of the flocks of the Welsh mountains, and largely
      manufactured by hand.

   {Welsh glaive}, or {Welsh hook}, a weapon of war used in
      former times by the Welsh, commonly regarded as a kind of
      poleax. --Fairholt. --Craig.

   {Welsh mortgage} (O. Eng. Law), a species of mortgage, being
      a conveyance of an estate, redeemable at any time on
      payment of the principal, with an understanding that the
      profits in the mean time shall be received by the
      mortgagee without account, in satisfaction of interest.
      --Burrill.

   {Welsh mutton}, a choice and delicate kind of mutton obtained
      from a breed of small sheep in Wales.

   {Welsh onion} (Bot.), a kind of onion ({Allium fistulosum})
      having hollow inflated stalks and leaves, but scarcely any
      bulb, a native of Siberia. It is said to have been
      introduced from Germany, and is supposed to have derived
      its name from the German term w["a]lsch foreign.

   {Welsh parsley}, hemp, or halters made from hemp. [Obs. &
      Jocular] --J. Fletcher.

   {Welsh rabbit}. See under {Rabbit}.

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

   2. pl. The natives or inhabitants of Wales.

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

Welsher \Welsh"er\, n.
   One who cheats at a horse race; one who bets, without a
   chance of being able to pay; one who receives money to back
   certain horses and absconds with it. [Written also
   {welcher}.] [Slang, Eng.]

Welshman \Welsh"man\, n.; pl. {Welshmen}.
   1. A native or inhabitant of Wales; one of the Welsh.

   2. (Zo["o]l.)
      (a) A squirrel fish.
      (b) The large-mouthed black bass. See {Black bass}.
          [Southern U. S.]

Welsome \Wel"some\, a.
   Prosperous; well. [Obs.] --Wyclif. -- {Wel"some*ly}, adv.
   Wyclif.

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

   2. (Her.) A narrow border, as of an ordinary, but not
      extending around the ends.

   {Welt joint}, a joint, as of plates, made with a welt,
      instead of by overlapping the edges. See {Weld}, n., 1
      (d) .

Welt \Welt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Welted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Welting}.]
   To furnish with a welt; to sew or fasten a welt on; as, to
   welt a boot or a shoe; to welt a sleeve.

Welt \Welt\, v. t.
   To wilt. [R.]

Welte \Welte\, obs.
   imp. of {Weld}, to wield. --Chaucer.

Welter \Wel"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Weltered}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Weltering}.] [Freq. of OE. walten to roll over, AS.
   wealtan; akin to LG. weltern, G. walzen to roll, to waltz,
   sich w["a]lzen to welter, OHG. walzan to roll, Icel. velta,
   Dan. v[ae]lte, Sw. v["a]ltra, v["a]lta; cf. Goth. waltjan;
   probably akin to E. wallow, well, v. i. ????. See {Well}, v.
   i., and cf. {Waltz}.]
   1. To roll, as the body of an animal; to tumble about,
      especially in anything foul or defiling; to wallow.

            When we welter in pleasures and idleness, then we
            eat and drink with drunkards.         --Latimer.

            These wizards welter in wealth's waves. --Spenser.

            He must not float upon his watery bier Unwept, and
            welter to the parching wind, Without the meed of
            some melodious tear.                  --Milton.

            The priests at the altar . . . weltering in their
            blood.                                --Landor.

   2. To rise and fall, as waves; to tumble over, as billows.
      ``The weltering waves.'' --Milton.

            Waves that, hardly weltering, die away.
                                                  --Wordsworth.

            Through this blindly weltering sea.   --Trench.

Welter \Wel"ter\, v. t. [Cf. {Wilt}, v. i.]
   To wither; to wilt. [R.]

         Weltered hearts and blighted . . . memories. --I.
                                                  Taylor.

Welter \Wel"ter\, a. (Horse Racing)
   Of, pertaining to, or designating, the most heavily weighted
   race in a meeting; as, a welter race; the welter stakes.

Welter \Wel"ter\, n.
   1. That in which any person or thing welters, or wallows;
      filth; mire; slough.

            The foul welter of our so-called religious or other
            controversies.                        --Carlyle.

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

Welwitschia \Wel*witsch"i*a\, n. [NL. So named after the
   discoverer, Dr. Friedrich Welwitsch.] (Bot.)
   An African plant ({Welwitschia mirabilis}) belonging to the
   order {Gnetace[ae]}. It consists of a short, woody, topshaped
   stem, and never more than two leaves, which are the
   cotyledons enormously developed, and at length split into
   diverging segments.



Wem \Wem\, n. [Cf. {Womb}.]
   The abdomen; the uterus; the womb. [Obs.]

Wem \Wem\, n. [AS. wam, wamm.]
   Spot; blemish; harm; hurt. [Obs.] --Wyclif.

         Withouten wem of you, through foul and fair. --Chaucer.

Wem \Wem\, v. t. [AS. wemman.]
   To stain; to blemish; to harm; to corrupt. [Obs.]

Wemless \Wem"less\, a.
   Having no wem, or blemish; spotless. [Obs.] ``Virgin
   wemless.'' --Chaucer.

Wem \Wem\, n. [AS. wenn; akin to D. wen, LG. wenne.] (Med.)
   An indolent, encysted tumor of the skin; especially, a
   sebaceous cyst.

Wench \Wench\, n. [OE. wenche, for older wenchel a child,
   originally, weak, tottering; cf. AS. wencle a maid, a
   daughter, wencel a pupil, orphan, wincel, winclu, children,
   offspring, wencel weak, wancol unstable, OHG. wanchol;
   perhaps akin to E. wink. See {Wink}.]
   1. A young woman; a girl; a maiden. --Shak.

            Lord and lady, groom and wench.       --Chaucer.

            That they may send again My most sweet wench, and
            gifts to boot.                        --Chapman.

            He was received by the daughter of the house, a
            pretty, buxom, blue-eyed little wench. --W. Black.

   2. A low, vicious young woman; a drab; a strumpet.

            She shall be called his wench or his leman.
                                                  --Chaucer.

            It is not a digression to talk of bawds in a
            discourse upon wenches.               --Spectator.

   3. A colored woman; a negress. [U. S.]

Wench \Wench\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Wenched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wenching}.]
   To frequent the company of wenches, or women of ill fame.

Wencher \Wench"er\, n.
   One who wenches; a lewd man.

Wenchless \Wench"less\, a.
   Being without a wench. -- Shak.

Wend \Wend\, obs.
   p. p. of {Wene}. --Chaucer.

Wend \Wend\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Wended}, Obs. {Went}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Wending}.] [AS. wendan to turn, to go, caus. of
   windan to wind; akin to OS. wendian, OFries. wenda, D. wenden
   to turn, G. wenden, Icel. venda, Sw. v["a]nda, Dan. vende,
   Goth. wandjan. See {Wind} to turn, and cf. {Went}.]
   1. To go; to pass; to betake one's self. ``To Canterbury they
      wend.'' --Chaucer.

            To Athens shall the lovers wend.      --Shak.

   2. To turn round. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh.

Wend \Wend\, v. t.
   To direct; to betake; -- used chiefly in the phrase to wend
   one's way. Also used reflexively. ``Great voyages to wend.''
   --Surrey.

Wend \Wend\, n. (O. Eng. Law)
   A large extent of ground; a perambulation; a circuit. [Obs.]
   --Burrill.

Wende \Wende\, obs.
   imp. of {Wene}. --Chaucer.

Wendic \Wend"ic\, Wendish \Wend"ish\, a.
   Of or pertaining the Wends, or their language.

Wendic \Wend"ic\, n.
   The language of the Wends.

Wends \Wends\, n. pl.; sing. {Wend}. (Ethnol.)
   A Slavic tribe which once occupied the northern and eastern
   parts of Germany, of which a small remnant exists.

Wene \Wene\, v. i.
   To ween. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Wenlock group \Wen"lock group`\, (Geol.)
   The middle subdivision of the Upper Silurian in Great
   Britain; -- so named from the typical locality in Shropshire.

Wennel \Wen"nel\, n.
   See {Weanel}. [Obs.] --Tusser.

Wennish \Wen"nish\, Wenny \Wen"ny\, a. [From {Wen}.]
   Having the nature of a wen; resembling a wen; as, a wennish
   excrescence.

Wenona \We*no"na\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A sand snake ({Charina plumbea}) of Western North America, of
   the family {Erycid[ae]}.

Went \Went\,
   imp. & p. p. of {Wend}; -- now obsolete except as the
   imperfect of go, with which it has no etymological
   connection. See {Go}.

         To the church both be they went.         --Chaucer.

Went \Went\, n.
   Course; way; path; journey; direction. [Obs.] ``At a turning
   of a wente.'' --Chaucer.

         But here my weary team, nigh overspent, Shall breathe
         itself awhile after so long a went.      --Spenser.

         He knew the diverse went of mortal ways. --Spenser.

Wentletrap \Wen"tle*trap`\, n. [D. wenteltrap a winding
   staircase; cf. G. wendeltreppe.] [Obs.]
   Any one of numerous species of elegant, usually white, marine
   shells of the genus Scalaria, especially {Scalaria pretiosa},
   which was formerly highly valued; -- called also {staircase
   shell}. See {Scalaria}.

Wep \Wep\, obs.
   imp. of {Weep}.

Wepen \Wep"en\, n.
   Weapon. [Obs.]

Wept \Wept\,
   imp. & p. p. of {Weep}.

Werche \Werche\, v. t. & i.
   To work. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Were \Were\, v. t. & i.
   To wear. See 3d {Wear}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Were \Were\, n.
   A weir. See {Weir}. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Sir P. Sidney.

Were \Were\, v. t. [AS. werian.]
   To guard; to protect. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Were \Were\ (w[~e]r; 277). [AS. w[=ae]re (thou) wast, w[=ae]ron
   (we, you, they) were, w[=ae]re imp. subj. See {Was}.]
   The imperfect indicative plural, and imperfect subjunctive
   singular and plural, of the verb be. See {Be}.

Were \Were\ (w[=e]r), n. [AS. wer; akin to OS. & OHG. wer, Goth.
   wa['i]r, L. vir, Skr. v[=i]ra. Cf. {Weregild}, and
   {Werewolf}.]
   1. A man. [Obs.]

   2. A fine for slaying a man; the money value set upon a man's
      life; weregild. [Obs.]

            Every man was valued at a certain sum, which was
            called his were.                      --Bosworth.

Weregild \Were"gild`\, n. [AS. wergild; wer a man, value set on
   a man's life + gild payment of money; akin to G. wehrgeld.
   [root]285. See {Were} a man, and {Geld}, n.] (O. Eng. Law)
   The price of a man's head; a compensation paid of a man
   killed, partly to the king for the loss of a subject, partly
   to the lord of a vassal, and partly to the next of kin. It
   was paid by the murderer. [Written also {weregeld},
   {weregelt}, etc.] --Blackstone.

Werewolf \Were"wolf`\, n.; pl. {Werewolves}. [AS. werwulf; wer a
   man + wulf a wolf; cf. G. w["a]rwolf, w["a]hrwolf, wehrwolf,
   a werewolf, MHG. werwolf. [root]285. See {Were} a man, and
   {Wolf}, and cf. {Virile}, {World}.]
   A person transformed into a wolf in form and appetite, either
   temporarily or permanently, whether by supernatural
   influences, by witchcraft, or voluntarily; a lycanthrope.
   Belief in werewolves, formerly general, is not now extinct.

         The werwolf went about his prey.         --William of
                                                  Palerne.

         The brutes that wear our form and face, The werewolves
         of the human race.                       --Longfellow.

Werk \Werk\, n., Werke \Werke\, v.
   See {Work}. [Obs.]

Wern \Wern\, v. t. [See 1st {Warn}.]
   To refuse. [Obs.]

         He is too great a niggard that will wern A man to light
         a candle at his lantern.                 --Chaucer.

Wernerian \Wer*ne"ri*an\, a.
   Of or pertaining to A. G. Werner, The German mineralogist and
   geologist, who classified minerals according to their
   external characters, and advocated the theory that the strata
   of the earth's crust were formed by depositions from water;
   designating, or according to, Werner's system.

Wernerite \Wer"ner*ite\, n. [See {Wernerian}.] (Min.)
   The common grayish or white variety of soapolite.

Weroole \We*roo"le\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   An Australian lorikeet ({Ptilosclera versicolor}) noted for
   the variety of its colors; -- called also {varied lorikeet}.

Werre \Werre\, n.
   War. [Obs.] --Chaucer.



Werrey \Wer"rey\ (w[~e]r"r[=a]), v. t.
   To warray. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Werst \Werst\ (w[~e]rst), n.
   See {Verst}.

Wert \Wert\ (w[~e]rt),
   The second person singular, indicative and subjunctive moods,
   imperfect tense, of the verb be. It is formed from were, with
   the ending -t, after the analogy of wast. Now used only in
   solemn or poetic style.

Wert \Wert\, n.
   A wart. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Weryangle \Wer`y*an"gle\, n.
   See {Wariangle}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Wesand \We"sand\, n.
   See {Weasand}. [Obs.]

Wesh \Wesh\, obs. imp. of {Wash}.
   Washed. --Chaucer.

Wesil \We"sil\, n.
   See {Weasand}. [Obs.]

Wesleyan \Wes"ley*an\, a. [See {Wesleyanism}.]
   Of or pertaining to Wesley or Wesleyanism.

Wesleyan \Wes"ley*an\, n. (Eccl.)
   One who adopts the principles of Wesleyanism; a Methodist.

Wesleyanism \Wes"ley*an*ism\, n. (Eccl.)
   The system of doctrines and church polity inculcated by John
   Wesley (b. 1703; d. 1791), the founder of the religious sect
   called Methodist; Methodism. See {Methodist}, n., 2.

West \West\, n. [AS. west, adv.; akin to D. west, G. west,
   westen, OHG. westan, Icel. vestr, Sw. vest, vester, vestan,
   Dan. vest, vesten, and perhaps to L. vesper evening, Gr. ?.
   ????. Cf. {Vesper}, {Visigoth}.]
   1. The point in the heavens where the sun is seen to set at
      the equinox; or, the corresponding point on the earth;
      that one of the four cardinal points of the compass which
      is in a direction at right angles to that of north and
      south, and on the left hand of a person facing north; the
      point directly opposite to east.

            And fresh from the west is the free wind's breath.
                                                  --Bryant.

   2. A country, or region of country, which, with regard to
      some other country or region, is situated in the direction
      toward the west.

   3. Specifically:
      (a) The Westen hemisphere, or the New World so called, it
          having been discovered by sailing westward from
          Europe; the Occident.
      (b) (U. S. Hist. & Geog.) Formerly, that part of the
          United States west of the Alleghany mountains; now,
          commonly, the whole region west of the Mississippi
          river; esp., that part which is north of the Indian
          Territory, New Mexico, etc. Usually with the definite
          article.

   {West by north}, {West by south}, according to the notation
      of the mariner's compass, that point which lies 111/4[deg]
      to the north or south, respectively, of the point due
      west.

   {West northwest}, {West southwest}, that point which lies
      221/2[deg] to the north or south of west, or halfway
      between west and northwest or southwest, respectively. See
      Illust. of {Compass}.

West \West\, a.
   Lying toward the west; situated at the west, or in a western
   direction from the point of observation or reckoning;
   proceeding toward the west, or coming from the west; as, a
   west course is one toward the west; an east and west line; a
   west wind blows from the west.

         This shall be your west border.          --Num. xxxiv.
                                                  6.

   {West end}, the fashionable part of London, commencing from
      the east, at Charing Cross.

West \West\, adv. [AS. west.]
   Westward.

West \West\, v. i.
   1. To pass to the west; to set, as the sun. [Obs.] ``The hot
      sun gan to west.'' --Chaucer.

   2. To turn or move toward the west; to veer from the north or
      south toward the west.

Westering \West"er*ing\, a.
   Passing to the west.

         Toward heaven's descent had sloped his westering wheel.
                                                  --Milton.

Westerly \West"er*ly\, a.
   Of or pertaining to the west; toward the west; coming from
   the west; western.

Westerly \West"er*ly\, adv.
   Toward the west; westward.

Western \West"ern\, a.
   1. Of or pertaining to the west; situated in the west, or in
      the region nearly in the direction of west; being in that
      quarter where the sun sets; as, the western shore of
      France; the western ocean.

            Far o'er the glowing western main.    --Keble.

   2. Moving toward the west; as, a ship makes a western course;
      coming from the west; as, a western breeze.

   {Western Church}. See {Latin Church}, under {Latin}.

   {Western empire} (Hist.), the western portion of the Roman
      empire, as divided, by the will of Theodosius the Great,
      between his sons Honorius and Arcadius, a. d. 395.

Westerner \West"ern*er\, n.
   A native or inhabitant of the west.

Westernmost \West"ern*most`\, a.
   Situated the farthest towards the west; most western.

West India \West` In"di*a\, West Indian \West` In"di*an\
   Belonging or relating to the West Indies.

   {West India tea} (Bot.), a shrubby plant ({Capraria biflora})
      having oblanceolate toothed leaves which are sometimes
      used in the West Indies as a substitute for tea.

West Indian \West` In"di*an\
   A native of, or a dweller in, the West Indies.

Westing \West"ing\, n. (Naut. & Surv.)
   The distance, reckoned toward the west, between the two
   meridians passing through the extremities of a course, or
   portion of a ship's path; the departure of a course which
   lies to the west of north.

Westling \West"ling\, n.
   A westerner. [R.]

Westminster Assembly \West"min`ster As*sem"bly\
   See under {Assembly}.

Westmost \West"most`\, a.
   Lying farthest to the west; westernmost.

Westward \West"ward\, Westwards \West"wards\, adv. [AS.
   westweard. See {West}, and {-ward}. ]
   Toward the west; as, to ride or sail westward.

         Westward the course of empire takes its way.
                                                  --Berkeley.

Westward \West"ward\, a.
   Lying toward the west.

         Yond same star that's westward from the pole. --Shak.

Westward \West"ward\, n.
   The western region or countries; the west.

Westwardly \West"ward*ly\, adv.
   In a westward direction.

Westy \West"y\, a.
   Dizzy; giddy. [Prov. Eng.]

Wet \Wet\ (w[e^]t), a. [Compar. {Wetter}; superl. {Wettest}.]
   [OE. wet, weet, AS. w[=ae]t; akin to OFries. w[=e]t, Icel.
   v[=a]tr, Sw. v[*a]t, Dan. vaad, and E. water. [root]137. See
   {Water}.]
   1. Containing, or consisting of, water or other liquid;
      moist; soaked with a liquid; having water or other liquid
      upon the surface; as, wet land; a wet cloth; a wet table.
      ``Wet cheeks.'' --Shak.

   2. Very damp; rainy; as, wet weather; a wet season. ``Wet
      October's torrent flood.'' --Milton.

   3. (Chem.) Employing, or done by means of, water or some
      other liquid; as, the wet extraction of copper, in
      distinction from dry extraction in which dry heat or
      fusion is employed.

   4. Refreshed with liquor; drunk. [Slang] --Prior.

   {Wet blanket}, {Wet dock}, etc. See under {Blanket}, {Dock},
      etc.

   {Wet goods}, intoxicating liquors. [Slang]

   Syn: Nasty; humid; damp; moist. See {Nasty}.

Wet \Wet\, n. [AS. w[=ae]ta. See {Wet}, a.]
   1. Water or wetness; moisture or humidity in considerable
      degree.

            Have here a cloth and wipe away the wet. --Chaucer.

            Now the sun, with more effectual beams, Had cheered
            the face of earth, and dried the wet From drooping
            plant.                                --Milton.

   2. Rainy weather; foggy or misty weather.

   3. A dram; a drink. [Slang]

Wet \Wet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wet} (rarely {Wetted}); p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Wetting}.] [AS. w[=ae]tan.]
   To fill or moisten with water or other liquid; to sprinkle;
   to cause to have water or other fluid adherent to the
   surface; to dip or soak in a liquid; as, to wet a sponge; to
   wet the hands; to wet cloth. ``[The scene] did draw tears
   from me and wetted my paper.'' --Burke.

         Ye mists and exhalations, that now rise . . . Whether
         to deck with clouds the uncolored sky, Or wet the
         thirsty earth with falling showers.      --Milton.

   {To wet one's whistle}, to moisten one's throat; to drink a
      dram of liquor. [Colloq.]

            Let us drink the other cup to wet our whistles.
                                                  --Walton.

Wetbird \Wet"bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The chaffinch, whose cry is thought to foretell rain. [Prov.
   Eng.]

Wether \Weth"er\, n. [OE. wether, AS. we[eth]er; akin to OS.
   wethar, withar, a ram, D. weder, G. widder, OHG. widar, Icel.
   ve[eth]r, Sw. v["a]dur, Dan. v[ae]dder, Goth. wi[thorn]rus a
   lamb, L. vitulus calf, Skr. vatsa, L. vetus old, Gr. 'e`tos
   year; -- originally meaning, a yearling. Cf. {Veal},
   {Veteran}.]
   A castrated ram.

Westness \West"ness\, n.
   1. The quality or state of being wet; moisture; humidity; as,
      the wetness of land; the wetness of a cloth.

   2. A watery or moist state of the atmosphere; a state of
      being rainy, foggy, or misty; as, the wetness of weather
      or the season.

   Note: Wetness generally implies more water or liquid than is
         implied by humidness or moisture.

Wet nurse \Wet" nurse`\
   A nurse who suckles a child, especially the child of another
   woman. Cf. {Dry nurse}.

Wet-shod \Wet"-shod`\, a.
   Having the feet, or the shoes on the feet, wet.

Wettish \Wet"tish\, a.
   Somewhat wet; moist; humid.

Wevil \We"vil\, n.
   See {Weevil}.

Wex \Wex\, v. t. & i.
   To grow; to wax. [Obs.] --Chaucer. ``Each wexing moon.''
   --Dryden.

Wex \Wex\, obs. imp. of {Wex}.
   Waxed. --Chaucer.

Wex \Wex\, n.
   Wax. [Obs.] ``Yelwe as wex.'' --Chaucer.

Wey \Wey\, n.
   Way; road; path. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Wey \Wey\, v. t. & i.
   To weigh. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Wey \Wey\, n. [OE. weye, AS. w?ge weight. ????. See {Weight}.]
   A certain measure of weight. [Eng.] ``A weye of Essex
   cheese.'' --Piers Plowman.

   Note: A wey is 6? tods, or 182 pounds, of wool; a load, or
         five quarters, of wheat, 40 bushels of salt, each
         weighing 56 pounds; 32 cloves of cheese, each weighing
         seven pounds; 48 bushels of oats and barley; and from
         two cwt. to three cwt. of butter. --Simmonds.

Weyle \Weyle\, v. t. & i.
   To wail. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Weyleway \Wey"le*way\, interj.
   See {Welaway}. [Obs.]

Weyve \Weyve\, v. t.
   To waive. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Wezand \We"zand\, n.
   See {Weasand}. [Obs.]

Whaap \Whaap\, n. [So called from one of its notes.] (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The European curlew; -- called also {awp}, {whaup},
       {great whaup}, and {stock whaup}.
   (b) The whimbrel; -- called also {May whaup}, {little whaup},
       and {tang whaup}. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Whack \Whack\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whacked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Whacking}.] [Cf. {Thwack}.]
   To strike; to beat; to give a heavy or resounding blow to; to
   thrash; to make with whacks. [Colloq.]

         Rodsmen were whackingtheir way through willow brakes.
                                                  --G. W. Cable.

Whack \Whack\, v. i.
   To strike anything with a smart blow.

   {To whack away}, to continue striking heavy blows; as, to
      whack away at a log. [Colloq.]

Whack \Whack\, n.
   A smart resounding blow. [Colloq.]

Whacker \Whack"er\, n.
   1. One who whacks. [Colloq.]

   2. Anything very large; specif., a great lie; a whapper.
      [Colloq.]

--Halliwell.

Whacking \Whack"ing\, a.
   Very large; whapping. [Colloq.]

Whahoo \Wha*hoo"\, n. (Bot.)
   An American tree, the winged elm. ({Ulmus alata}).

Whala \Whala\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whaled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Whaling}.] [Cf. {Wale}. ]
   To lash with stripes; to wale; to thrash; to drub. [Prov.
   Eng. & Colloq. U. S.] --Halliwell. Bartlett.

Whale \Whale\, n. [OE. whal, AS. hw[ae]l; akin to D. walvisch,
   G. wal, walfisch, OHG. wal, Icel. hvalr, Dan. & Sw. hval,
   hvalfisk. Cf. {Narwhal}, {Walrus}.] (Zo["o]l.)
   Any aquatic mammal of the order {Cetacea}, especially any one
   of the large species, some of which become nearly one hundred
   feet long. Whales are hunted chiefly for their oil and
   baleen, or whalebone.



   Note: The existing whales are divided into two groups: the
         toothed whales ({Odontocete}), including those that
         have teeth, as the cachalot, or sperm whale (see {Sperm
         whale}); and the baleen, or whalebone, whales
         ({Mysticete}), comprising those that are destitute of
         teeth, but have plates of baleen hanging from the upper
         jaw, as the right whales. The most important species of
         whalebone whales are the bowhead, or Greenland, whale
         (see Illust. of {Right whale}), the Biscay whale, the
         Antarctic whale, the gray whale (see under {Gray}), the
         humpback, the finback, and the rorqual.

   {Whale bird}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) Any one of several species of large Antarctic petrels
       which follow whaling vessels, to feed on the blubber and
       floating oil; especially, {Prion turtur} (called also
       {blue petrel}), and {Pseudoprion desolatus}.
   (b) The turnstone; -- so called because it lives on the
       carcasses of whales. [Canada]

   {Whale fin} (Com.), whalebone. --Simmonds.

   {Whale fishery}, the fishing for, or occupation of taking,
      whales.

   {Whale louse} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
      degraded amphipod crustaceans belonging to the genus
      {Cyamus}, especially {C. ceti}. They are parasitic on
      various cetaceans.

   {Whale's bone}, ivory. [Obs.]

   {Whale shark}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The basking, or liver, shark.
   (b) A very large harmless shark ({Rhinodon typicus}) native
       of the Indian Ocean. It sometimes becomes sixty feet
       long.

   {Whale shot}, the name formerly given to spermaceti.

   {Whale's tongue} (Zo["o]l.), a balanoglossus.

Whaleboat \Whale"boat`\, n. (Naut.)
   A long, narrow boat, sharp at both ends, used by whalemen.

Whalebone \Whale"bone`\, n.
   A firm, elastic substance resembling horn, taken from the
   upper jaw of the right whale; baleen. It is used as a
   stiffening in stays, fans, screens, and for various other
   purposes. See {Baleen}.

   Note: Whalebone is chiefly obtained from the bowhead, or
         Greenland, whale, the Biscay whale, and the Antarctic,
         or southern, whale. It is prepared for manufacture by
         being softened by boiling, and dyed black.

Whaleman \Whale"man\, n.; pl. {Whalemen}.
   A man employed in the whale fishery.

Whaler \Whal"er\, n.
   A vessel or person employed in the whale fishery.

Whaler \Whal"er\, n.
   One who whales, or beats; a big, strong fellow; hence,
   anything of great or unusual size. [Colloq. U. S.]

Whaling \Whal"ing\, n.
   The hunting of whales.

Whaling \Whal"ing\, a.
   Pertaining to, or employed in, the pursuit of whales; as, a
   whaling voyage; a whaling vessel.

Whall \Whall\, n. [See {Wall-eye}.]
   A light color of the iris in horses; wall-eye. [Written also
   {whaul}.]

Whally \Whall"y\, a.
   Having the iris of light color; -- said of horses. ``Whally
   eyes.'' --Spenser.

Whame \Whame\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A breeze fly.

Whammel \Wham"mel\, v. t. [Cf. {Whelm}.]
   To turn over. [Prov. Eng.]

Whan \Whan\, adv.
   When. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Whang \Whang\, n. [Cf. {Thong}.]
   A leather thong. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U. S.]

Whang \Whang\, v. t.
   To beat. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U. S.]

Whanghee \Whang*hee"\, n. (Bot.)
   See {Wanghee}.

Whap \Whap\, Whop \Whop\, v. i. [Cf. OE. quappen to palpitate,
   E. quob, quaver, wabble, awhape, wap.]
   To throw one's self quickly, or by an abrupt motion; to turn
   suddenly; as, she whapped down on the floor; the fish whapped
   over. --Bartlett.

   Note: This word is used adverbially in the north of England,
         as in the United States, when anything vanishes, or is
         gone suddenly; as, whap went the cigar out of my mouth.

Whap \Whap\, Whop \Whop\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whapped}; p. pr.
   & vb. n. {Whapping}.]
   To beat or strike.

Whap \Whap\, Whop \Whop\, n.
   A blow, or quick, smart stroke.

Whapper \Whap"per\, Whopper \Whop"per\, n. [See {Whap}.]
   Something uncommonly large of the kind; something
   astonishing; -- applied especially to a bold lie. [Colloq.]



Whapping \Whap"ping\, Whopping \Whop"ping\, a.
   Very large; monstrous; astonishing; as, a whapping story.
   [Colloq.]



Wharf \Wharf\, n.; pl. {Wharfs}or {Wharves}. [AS. hwerf, hwearf,
   a returning, a change, from hweorfan to turn, turn about, go
   about; akin to D. werf a wharf, G. werft, Sw. varf a
   shipbuilder's yard, Dan. verft wharf, dockyard, G. werben to
   enlist, to engage, woo, OHG. werban to turn about, go about,
   be active or occupied, Icel. hverfa to turn, Goth.
   hwa['i]rban, hwarb[=o]n, to walk. Cf. {Whirl}.]
   1. A structure or platform of timber, masonry, iron, earth,
      or other material, built on the shore of a harbor, river,
      canal, or the like, and usually extending from the shore
      to deep water, so that vessels may lie close alongside to
      receive and discharge cargo, passengers, etc.; a quay; a
      pier.

            Commerce pushes its wharves into the sea.
                                                  --Bancroft.

            Out upon the wharfs they came, Knight and burgher,
            lord and dame.                        --Tennyson.

   Note: The plural of this word is generally written wharves in
         the United States, and wharfs in England; but many
         recent English writers use wharves.

   2. [AS. hwearf.] The bank of a river, or the shore of the
      sea. [Obs.] ``The fat weed that roots itself in ease on
      Lethe wharf.'' --Shak.

   {Wharf boat}, a kind of boat moored at the bank of a river,
      and used for a wharf, in places where the height of the
      water is so variable that a fixed wharf would be useless.
      [U. S.] --Bartlett.

   {Wharf rat}. (Zo["o]l.)
      (a) The common brown rat.
      (b) A neglected boy who lives around the wharfs. [Slang]



Wharf \Wharf\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wharfed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wharfing}.]
   1. To guard or secure by a firm wall of timber or stone
      constructed like a wharf; to furnish with a wharf or
      wharfs.

   2. To place upon a wharf; to bring to a wharf.

Wharfage \Wharf"age\, n.
   1. The fee or duty paid for the privilege of using a wharf
      for loading or unloading goods; pierage, collectively;
      quayage.

   2. A wharf or wharfs, collectively; wharfing.

Wharfing \Wharf"ing\, n.
   1. Wharfs, collectively.

   2. (Hydraul. Engin.) A mode of facing sea walls and
      embankments with planks driven as piles and secured by
      ties. --Knight.

Wharfinger \Wharf"in*ger\, n. [For wharfager.]
   A man who owns, or has the care of, a wharf.

Wharl \Wharl\, Wharling \Wharl"ing\, n.
   A guttural pronunciation of the letter r; a burr. See {Burr},
   n., 6.

         A strange, uncouth wharling in their speech. --Fuller.

Wharp \Wharp\, n.
   A kind of fine sand from the banks of the Trent, used as a
   polishing powder. [Eng.]

What \What\, pron., a., & adv. [AS. hw[ae]t, neuter of hw[=a]
   who; akin to OS. hwat what, OFries. hwet, D. & LG. wat, G.
   was, OHG. waz, hwaz, Icel. hvat, Sw. & Dan. hvad, Goth. hwa.
   [root]182. See {Who}.]
   1. As an interrogative pronoun, used in asking questions
      regarding either persons or things; as, what is this? what
      did you say? what poem is this? what child is lost?

            What see'st thou in the ground?       --Shak.

            What is man, that thou art mindful of him? --Ps.
                                                  viii. 4.

            What manner of man is this, that even the winds and
            the sea obey him!                     --Matt. viii.
                                                  27.

   Note: Originally, what, when, where, which, who, why, etc.,
         were interrogatives only, and it is often difficult to
         determine whether they are used as interrogatives or
         relatives. What in this sense, when it refers to
         things, may be used either substantively or
         adjectively; when it refers to persons, it is used only
         adjectively with a noun expressed, who being the
         pronoun used substantively.

   2. As an exclamatory word:
      (a) Used absolutely or independently; -- often with a
          question following. ``What welcome be thou.''
          --Chaucer.

                What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
                                                  --Matt. xxvi.
                                                  40.
      (b) Used adjectively, meaning how remarkable, or how
          great; as, what folly! what eloquence! what courage!

                What a piece of work is man!      --Shak.

                O what a riddle of absurdity!     --Young.

   Note: What in this use has a or an between itself and its
         noun if the qualitative or quantitative importance of
         the object is emphasized.
      (c) Sometimes prefixed to adjectives in an adverbial
          sense, as nearly equivalent to how; as, what happy
          boys!

                What partial judges are our love and hate!
                                                  --Dryden.

   3. As a relative pronoun:
      (a) Used substantively with the antecedent suppressed,
          equivalent to that which, or those [persons] who, or
          those [things] which; -- called a compound relative.

                With joy beyond what victory bestows. --Cowper.

                I'm thinking Captain Lawton will count the noses
                of what are left before they see their
                whaleboats.                       --Cooper.

                What followed was in perfect harmony with this
                beginning.                        --Macaulay.

                I know well . . . how little you will be
                disposed to criticise what comes to you from me.
                                                  --J. H.
                                                  Newman.
      (b) Used adjectively, equivalent to the . . . which; the
          sort or kind of . . . which; rarely, the . . . on, or
          at, which.

                See what natures accompany what colors. --Bacon.

                To restrain what power either the devil or any
                earthly enemy hath to work us woe. --Milton.

                We know what master laid thy keel, What workmen
                wrought thy ribs of steel.        --Longfellow.
      (c) Used adverbially in a sense corresponding to the
          adjectival use; as, he picked what good fruit he saw.

   4. Whatever; whatsoever; what thing soever; -- used
      indefinitely. ``What after so befall.'' --Chaucer.

            Whether it were the shortness of his foresight, the
            strength of his will, . . . or what it was. --Bacon.

   5. Used adverbially, in part; partly; somewhat; -- with a
      following preposition, especially, with, and commonly with
      repetition.

            What for lust [pleasure] and what for lore.
                                                  --Chaucer.

            Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what
            with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom
            shrunk.                               --Shak.

            The year before he had so used the matter that what
            by force, what by policy, he had taken from the
            Christians above thirty small castles. --Knolles.

   Note: In such phrases as I tell you what, what anticipates
         the following statement, being elliptical for what I
         think, what it is, how it is, etc. ``I tell thee what,
         corporal Bardolph, I could tear her.'' --Shak. Here
         what relates to the last clause, ``I could tear her;''
         this is what I tell you. What not is often used at the
         close of an enumeration of several particulars or
         articles, it being an abbreviated clause, the verb of
         which, being either the same as that of the principal
         clause or a general word, as be, say, mention,
         enumerate, etc., is omitted. ``Men hunt, hawk, and what
         not.'' --Becon. ``Some dead puppy, or log, orwhat
         not.'' --C. Kingsley. ``Battles, tournaments, hunts,
         and what not.'' --De Quincey. Hence, the words are
         often used in a general sense with the force of a
         substantive, equivalent to anything you please, a
         miscellany, a variety, etc. From this arises the name
         whatnot, applied to an ['e]tag[`e]re, as being a piece
         of furniture intended for receiving miscellaneous
         articles of use or ornament.

But what is used for but that, usually after a negative, and
excludes everything contrary to the assertion in the following
sentence. ``Her needle is not so absolutely perfect in tent and
cross stitch but what my superintendence is advisable.'' --Sir
W. Scott. ``Never fear but what our kite shall fly as high.''
--Ld. Lytton.

   {What ho!} an exclamation of calling.

   {What if}, what will it matter if; what will happen or be the
      result if. ``What if it be a poison?'' --Shak.

   {What of this}? {that?} {it?} etc., what follows from this,
      that, it, etc., often with the implication that it is of
      no consequence. ``All this is so; but what of this, my
      lord?'' --Shak. ``The night is spent, why, what of that?''
      --Shak.

   {What though}, even granting that; allowing that; supposing
      it true that. ``What though the rose have prickles, yet't
      is plucked.'' --Shak.

   {What time}, or {What time as}, when. [Obs. or Archaic]
      ``What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.'' --Ps.
      lvi. 3.

            What time the morn mysterious visions brings.
                                                  --Pope.

What \What\, n.
   Something; thing; stuff. [Obs.]

         And gave him for to feed, Such homely what as serves
         the simple ?lown.                        --Spenser.

What \What\, interrog. adv.
   Why? For what purpose? On what account? [Obs.]

         What should I tell the answer of the knight. --Chaucer.

         But what do I stand reckoning upon advantages and gains
         lost by the misrule and turbulency of the prelates?
         What do I pick up so thriftily their scatterings and
         diminishings of the meaner subject?      --Milton.

Whate'er \What*e'er"\, pron.
   A contraction of what-ever; -- used in poetry. ``Whate'er is
   in his way.'' --Shak.

Whatever \What*ev"er\, pron.
   Anything soever which; the thing or things of any kind; being
   this or that; of one nature or another; one thing or another;
   anything that may be; all that; the whole that; all
   particulars that; -- used both substantively and adjectively.

         Whatever fortune stays from his word.    --Shak.

         Whatever Earth, all-bearing mother, yields. --Milton.

         Whatever be its intrinsic value.         --J. H.
                                                  Newman.

   Note: Whatever often follows a noun, being used elliptically.
         ``There being no room for any physical discovery
         whatever'' [sc. it may be]. --Whately.

Whatnot \What"not\, n. [See the Note under {What}, pron., 5.]
   A kind of stand, or piece of furniture, having shelves for
   books, ornaments, etc.; an ['e]tag[`e]re.

Whatso \What"so\, indef. pron.
   Whatsoever; whosoever; whatever; anything that. [Obs.]

         Whatso he were, of high or low estate.   --Chaucer.

         Whatso the heaven in his wide vault contains.
                                                  --Spenser.

Whatsoe'er \What`so*e'er"\, pron.
   A contraction of whatsoever; -- used in poetry. --Shak.

Whatsoever \What`so*ev"er\, pron. & a.
   Whatever. ``In whatsoever shape he lurk.'' --Milton.

         Whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.  --Gen. xxxi.
                                                  16.

   Note: The word is sometimes divided by tmesis. ``What things
         soever ye desire.'' --Mark xi. 24.

Whaul \Whaul\, n.
   Same as {Whall}.

Whaup \Whaup\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   See {Whaap}. [Prov. Eng.]

Wheal \Wheal\, n. [OE. whele, AS. hwele putrefaction, hwelian to
   putrefy.]
   A pustule; a whelk. --Wiseman.

Wheal \Wheal\, n. [Cf. {Wale}.]
   1. A more or less elongated mark raised by a stroke; also, a
      similar mark made by any cause; a weal; a wale.

   2. Specifically (Med.), a flat, burning or itching eminence
      on the skin, such as is produced by a mosquito bite, or in
      urticaria.

Wheal \Wheal\, n. [Cornish hwel.] (Mining)
   A mine.

Whealworm \Wheal"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The harvest mite; -- so called from the wheals, caused by its
   bite.

Wheat \Wheat\ (hw[=e]t), n. [OE. whete, AS. hw[=ae]te; akin to
   OS. hw[=e]ti, D. weit, G. weizen, OHG. weizzi, Icel. hveiti,
   Sw. hvete, Dan. hvede, Goth. hwaiteis, and E. white. See
   {White}.] (Bot.)
   A cereal grass ({Triticum vulgare}) and its grain, which
   furnishes a white flour for bread, and, next to rice, is the
   grain most largely used by the human race.

   Note: Of this grain the varieties are numerous, as red wheat,
         white wheat, bald wheat, bearded wheat, winter wheat,
         summer wheat, and the like. Wheat is not known to exist
         as a wild native plant, and all statements as to its
         origin are either incorrect or at best only guesses.

   {Buck wheat}. (Bot.) See {Buckwheat}.

   {German wheat}. (Bot.) See 2d {Spelt}.

   {Guinea wheat} (Bot.), a name for Indian corn.

   {Indian wheat}, or {Tartary wheat} (Bot.), a grain
      ({Fagopyrum Tartaricum}) much like buckwheat, but only
      half as large.

   {Turkey wheat} (Bot.), a name for Indian corn.

   {Wheat aphid}, or {Wheat aphis} (Zo["o]l.), any one of
      several species of Aphis and allied genera, which suck the
      sap of growing wheat.

   {Wheat beetle}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) A small, slender, rusty brown beetle ({Sylvanus
       Surinamensis}) whose larv[ae] feed upon wheat, rice, and
       other grains.
   (b) A very small, reddish brown, oval beetle ({Anobium
       paniceum}) whose larv[ae] eat the interior of grains of
       wheat.

   {Wheat duck} (Zo["o]l.), the American widgeon. [Western U.
      S.]

   {Wheat fly}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Wheat midge}, below.

   {Wheat grass} (Bot.), a kind of grass ({Agropyrum caninum})
      somewhat resembling wheat. It grows in the northern parts
      of Europe and America.

   {Wheat jointworm}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Jointworm}.

   {Wheat louse} (Zo["o]l.), any wheat aphid.

   {Wheat maggot} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of a wheat midge.

   {Wheat midge}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) A small two-winged fly ({Diplosis tritici}) which is very
       destructive to growing wheat, both in Europe and America.
       The female lays her eggs in the flowers of wheat, and the
       larv[ae] suck the juice of the young kernels and when
       full grown change to pup[ae] in the earth.
   (b) The Hessian fly. See under {Hessian}.

   {Wheat moth} (Zo["o]l.), any moth whose larv[ae] devour the
      grains of wheat, chiefly after it is harvested; a grain
      moth. See {Angoumois Moth}, also {Grain moth}, under
      {Grain}.

   {Wheat thief} (Bot.), gromwell; -- so called because it is a
      troublesome weed in wheat fields. See {Gromwell}.

   {Wheat thrips} (Zo["o]l.), a small brown thrips ({Thrips
      cerealium}) which is very injurious to the grains of
      growing wheat.

   {Wheat weevil}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The grain weevil.
   (b) The rice weevil when found in wheat.

Wheatbird \Wheat"bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A bird that feeds on wheat, especially the chaffinch.

Wheatear \Wheat"ear`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A small European singing bird ({Saxicola [oe]nanthe}). The
   male is white beneath, bluish gray above, with black wings
   and a black stripe through each eye. The tail is black at the
   tip and in the middle, but white at the base and on each
   side. Called also {checkbird}, {chickell}, {dykehopper},
   {fallow chat}, {fallow finch}, {stonechat}, and {whitetail}.

Wheaten \Wheat"en\, a. [AS. hw[ae]ten.]
   Made of wheat; as, wheaten bread. --Cowper.

Wheatsel bird \Wheat"sel bird`\ (Zo["o]l.)
   The male of the chaffinch. [Prov. Eng.]

Wheatstone's bridge \Wheat"stone's bridge`\ (Elec.)
   See under {Bridge}.

Wheatworm \Wheat"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A small nematode worm ({Anguillula tritici}) which attacks
   the grains of wheat in the ear. It is found in wheat affected
   with smut, each of the diseased grains containing a large
   number of the minute young of the worm.

Wheder \Whed"er\, pron. & conj.
   Whether. [Obs.]

Wheedle \Whee"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wheedled}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Wheedling}.] [Cf. G. wedeln to wag with the tail, as a
   dog, wedel a fan, tail, brush, OHG. wadal; akin to G. wehen
   to blow, and E. wind, n.]
   1. To entice by soft words; to cajole; to flatter; to coax.

            The unlucky art of wheedling fools.   --Dryden.

            And wheedle a world that loves him not. --Tennyson.

   2. To grain, or get away, by flattery.

            A deed of settlement of the best part of her estate,
            which I wheedled out of her.          --Congreve.

Wheedle \Whee"dle\, v. i.
   To flatter; to coax; to cajole.

Wheel \Wheel\, n. [OE. wheel, hweol, AS. hwe['o]l, hweogul,
   hweowol; akin to D. wiel, Icel. hv[=e]l, Gr. ky`klos, Skr.
   cakra; cf. Icel. hj[=o]l, Dan. hiul, Sw. hjul. [root]218. Cf.
   {Cycle}, {Cyclopedia}.]
   1. A circular frame turning about an axis; a rotating disk,
      whether solid, or a frame composed of an outer rim, spokes
      or radii, and a central hub or nave, in which is inserted
      the axle, -- used for supporting and conveying vehicles,
      in machinery, and for various purposes; as, the wheel of a
      wagon, of a locomotive, of a mill, of a watch, etc.

            The gasping charioteer beneath the wheel Of his own
            car.                                  --Dryden.

   2. Any instrument having the form of, or chiefly consisting
      of, a wheel. Specifically:
      (a) A spinning wheel. See under {Spinning}.
      (b) An instrument of torture formerly used.

                His examination is like that which is made by
                the rack and wheel.               --Addison.

   Note: This mode of torture is said to have been first
         employed in Germany, in the fourteenth century. The
         criminal was laid on a cart wheel with his legs and
         arms extended, and his limbs in that posture were
         fractured with an iron bar. In France, where its use
         was restricted to the most atrocious crimes, the
         criminal was first laid on a frame of wood in the form
         of a St. Andrew's cross, with grooves cut transversely
         in it above and below the knees and elbows, and the
         executioner struck eight blows with an iron bar, so as
         to break the limbs in those places, sometimes finishing
         by two or three blows on the chest or stomach, which
         usually put an end to the life of the criminal, and
         were hence called coups-de-grace -- blows of mercy. The
         criminal was then unbound, and laid on a small wheel,
         with his face upward, and his arms and legs doubled
         under him, there to expire, if he had survived the
         previous treatment. --Brande.
      (c) (Naut.) A circular frame having handles on the
          periphery, and an axle which is so connected with the
          tiller as to form a means of controlling the rudder
          for the purpose of steering.
      (d) (Pottery) A potter's wheel. See under {Potter}.

                Then I went down to the potter's house, and,
                behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. --Jer.
                                                  xviii. 3.

                Turn, turn, my wheel! This earthen jar A touch
                can make, a touch can mar.        --Longfellow.
      (e) (Pyrotechny) A firework which, while burning, is
          caused to revolve on an axis by the reaction of the
          escaping gases.
      (f) (Poetry) The burden or refrain of a song.

   Note: ``This meaning has a low degree of authority, but is
         supposed from the context in the few cases where the
         word is found.'' --Nares.

               You must sing a-down a-down, An you call him
               a-down-a. O, how the wheel becomes it! --Shak.



   3. A bicycle or a tricycle; a velocipede.

   4. A rolling or revolving body; anything of a circular form;
      a disk; an orb. --Milton.

   5. A turn revolution; rotation; compass.

            According to the common vicissitude and wheel of
            things, the proud and the insolent, after long
            trampling upon others, come at length to be trampled
            upon themselves.                      --South.

            [He] throws his steep flight in many an a["e]ry
            wheel.                                --Milton.

   {A wheel within a wheel}, or {Wheels within wheels}, a
      complication of circumstances, motives, etc.

   {Balance wheel}. See in the Vocab.

   {Bevel wheel}, {Brake wheel}, {Cam wheel}, {Fifth wheel},
   {Overshot wheel}, {Spinning wheel}, etc. See under {Bevel},
      {Brake}, etc.

   {Core wheel}. (Mach.)
      (a) A mortise gear.
      (b) A wheel having a rim perforated to receive wooden
          cogs; the skeleton of a mortise gear.

   {Measuring wheel}, an odometer, or perambulator.

   {Wheel and axle} (Mech.), one of the elementary machines or
      mechanical powers, consisting of a wheel fixed to an axle,
      and used for raising great weights, by applying the power
      to the circumference of the wheel, and attaching the
      weight, by a rope or chain, to that of the axle. Called
      also {axis in peritrochio}, and {perpetual lever}, -- the
      principle of equilibrium involved being the same as in the
      lever, while its action is continuous. See {Mechanical
      powers}, under {Mechanical}.

   {Wheel animal}, or {Wheel animalcule} (Zo["o]l.), any one of
      numerous species of rotifers having a ciliated disk at the
      anterior end.

   {Wheel barometer}. (Physics) See under {Barometer}.

   {Wheel boat}, a boat with wheels, to be used either on water
      or upon inclined planes or railways.

   {Wheel bug} (Zo["o]l.), a large North American hemipterous
      insect ({Prionidus cristatus}) which sucks the blood of
      other insects. So named from the curious shape of the
      prothorax.

   {Wheel carriage}, a carriage moving on wheels.

   {Wheel chains}, or {Wheel ropes} (Naut.), the chains or ropes
      connecting the wheel and rudder.

   {Wheel cutter}, a machine for shaping the cogs of gear
      wheels; a gear cutter.

   {Wheel horse}, one of the horses nearest to the wheels, as
      opposed to a leader, or forward horse; -- called also
      {wheeler}.

   {Wheel lathe}, a lathe for turning railway-car wheels.

   {Wheel lock}.
      (a) A letter lock. See under {Letter}.
      (b) A kind of gunlock in which sparks were struck from a
          flint, or piece of iron pyrites, by a revolving wheel.
      (c) A kind of brake a carriage.

   {Wheel ore} (Min.), a variety of bournonite so named from the
      shape of its twin crystals. See {Bournonite}.

   {Wheel pit} (Steam Engine), a pit in the ground, in which the
      lower part of the fly wheel runs.

   {Wheel plow}, or {Wheel plough}, a plow having one or two
      wheels attached, to render it more steady, and to regulate
      the depth of the furrow.

   {Wheel press}, a press by which railway-car wheels are forced
      on, or off, their axles.

   {Wheel race}, the place in which a water wheel is set.

   {Wheel rope} (Naut.), a tiller rope. See under {Tiller}.

   {Wheel stitch} (Needlework), a stitch resembling a spider's
      web, worked into the material, and not over an open space.
      --Caulfeild & S. (Dict. of Needlework).

   {Wheel tree} (Bot.), a tree ({Aspidosperma excelsum}) of
      Guiana, which has a trunk so curiously fluted that a
      transverse section resembles the hub and spokes of a
      coarsely made wheel. See {Paddlewood}.

   {Wheel urchin} (Zo["o]l.), any sea urchin of the genus
      {Rotula} having a round, flat shell.

   {Wheel window} (Arch.), a circular window having radiating
      mullions arranged like the spokes of a wheel. Cf. {Rose
      window}, under {Rose}.

Wheel \Wheel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wheeled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wheeling}.]
   1. To convey on wheels, or in a wheeled vehicle; as, to wheel
      a load of hay or wood.

   2. To put into a rotatory motion; to cause to turn or
      revolve; to cause to gyrate; to make or perform in a
      circle. ``The beetle wheels her droning flight.'' --Gray.

            Now heaven, in all her glory, shone, and rolled Her
            motions, as the great first mover's hand First
            wheeled their course.                 --Milton.

Wheel \Wheel\, v. i.
   1. To turn on an axis, or as on an axis; to revolve; to more
      about; to rotate; to gyrate.

            The moon carried about the earth always shows the
            same face to us, not once wheeling upon her own
            center.                               --Bentley.

   2. To change direction, as if revolving upon an axis or
      pivot; to turn; as, the troops wheeled to the right.

            Being able to advance no further, they are in a fair
            way to wheel about to the other extreme. --South.

   3. To go round in a circuit; to fetch a compass.

            Then wheeling down the steep of heaven he flies.
                                                  --Pope.

   4. To roll forward.

            Thunder mixed with hail, Hail mixed with fire, must
            rend the Egyptian sky, And wheel on the earth,
            devouring where it rolls.             --Milton.

Wheelband \Wheel"band`\, n.
   The tire of a wheel.

Wheelbarrow \Wheel"bar`row\, n.
   A light vehicle for conveying small loads. It has two handles
   and one wheel, and is rolled by a single person.

Wheelbird \Wheel"bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The European goatsucker. [Prov. Eng.]

Wheeled \Wheeled\, a.
   Having wheels; -- used chiefly in composition; as, a
   four-wheeled carriage.

Wheeler \Wheel"er\, n.
   1. One who wheels, or turns.

   2. A maker of wheels; a wheelwright. [Obs.]

   3. A wheel horse. See under {Wheel}.

   4. (Naut.) A steam vessel propelled by a paddle wheel or by
      paddle wheels; -- used chiefly in the terms side-wheeler
      and stern-wheeler.

   5. A worker on sewed muslin. [Eng.]

   6. (Zo["o]l.) The European goatsucker. [Prov. Eng.]

Wheelhouse \Wheel"house`\, n. (Naut.)
      (a) A small house on or above a vessel's deck, containing
          the steering wheel.
      (b) A paddle box. See under {Paddle}.

Wheeling \Wheel"ing\, n.
   1. The act of conveying anything, or traveling, on wheels, or
      in a wheeled vehicle.

   2. The act or practice of using a cycle; cycling.

   3. Condition of a road or roads, which admits of passing on
      wheels; as, it is good wheeling, or bad wheeling.

   4. A turning, or circular movement.

Wheelman \Wheel"man\, n.; pl. {Wheelmen}.
   One who rides a bicycle or tricycle; a cycler, or cyclist.

Wheel-shaped \Wheel"-shaped`\, a.
   1. Shaped like a wheel.

   2. (Bot.) Expanding into a flat, circular border at top, with
      scarcely any tube; as, a wheel-shaped corolla.

Wheelswarf \Wheel"swarf`\, n.
   See {Swarf}.

Wheelwork \Wheel"work`\, n. (Mach.)
   A combination of wheels, and their connection, in a machine
   or mechanism.

Wheel-worn \Wheel"-worn`\, a.
   Worn by the action of wheels; as, a wheel-worn road.

Wheelwright \Wheel"wright`\, n.
   A man whose occupation is to make or repair wheels and
   wheeled vehicles, as carts, wagons, and the like.

Wheely \Wheel"y\, a.
   Circular; suitable to rotation.

Wheen \Wheen\, n. [Cf. AS. hw?ne, hw?ne, a little, somewhat,
   hw?n little, few.]
   A quantity; a goodly number. [Scot.] ``A wheen other dogs.''
   --Sir W. Scott.

Wheeze \Wheeze\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Wheezed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wheezing}.] [OE. whesen, AS. hw?san (cf. Icel. hv[ae]sa to
   hiss, Sw. hv["a]sa, Dan. hv[ae]se); akin to AS. hw?sta a
   cough, D. hoest, G. husten, OHG. huosto, Icel. h?sti, Lith.
   kosti to cough, Skr. k?s. [root]43. Cf. {Husky} hoarse.]
   To breathe hard, and with an audible piping or whistling
   sound, as persons affected with asthma. ``Wheezing lungs.''
   --Shak.

Wheeze \Wheeze\, n.
   1. A piping or whistling sound caused by difficult
      respiration.

   2. (Phon.) An ordinary whisper exaggerated so as to produce
      the hoarse sound known as the ``stage whisper.'' It is a
      forcible whisper with some admixture of tone.

Wheezy \Wheez"y\, a.
   Breathing with difficulty and with a wheeze; wheezing. Used
   also figuratively.

Wheft \Wheft\, n. (Naut.)
   See {Waft}, n., 4.

Whelk \Whelk\, n. [OE. welk, wilk, AS. weoloc, weloc, wiloc. Cf.
   {Whilk}, and {Wilk}.] (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one numerous species of large marine gastropods belonging
   to {Buccinum} and allied genera; especially, {Buccinum
   undatum}, common on the coasts both of Europe and North
   America, and much used as food in Europe.

   {Whelk tingle}, a dog whelk. See under {Dog}.

Whelk \Whelk\, n. [OE. whelke, dim. of whele. See {Wheal} a
   pustule.]
   1. A papule; a pustule; acne. ``His whelks white.''
      --Chaucer.

   2. A stripe or mark; a ridge; a wale.

   {Chin whelk} (Med.), sycosis.

   {Rosy whelk} (Med.), grog blossom.

Whelked \Whelked\, a.
   Having whelks; whelky; as, whelked horns. --Shak.

Whelky \Whelk"y\, a.
   1. Having whelks, ridges, or protuberances; hence, streaked;
      striated.

   2. Shelly. ``Whelky pearls.'' --Spenser.

Whelm \Whelm\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whelmed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Whelming}.] [OE. whelmen to turn over, akin to OE. whelven,
   AS. whelfan, hwylfan, in ?whylfan, ?whelfan, to overwhelm,
   cover over; akin to OS. bihwelbian, D. welven to arch, G.
   w["o]lben, OHG. welben, Icel. hvelfa to overturn; cf. Gr. ?
   bosom, a hollow, a gulf.]
   1. To cover with water or other fluid; to cover by immersion
      in something that envelops on all sides; to overwhelm; to
      ingulf.

            She is my prize, or ocean whelm them all! --Shak.

            The whelming billow and the faithless oar. --Gay.

   2. Fig.: To cover completely, as if with water; to immerse;
      to overcome; as, to whelm one in sorrows. ``The whelming
      weight of crime.'' --J. H. Newman.

   3. To throw (something) over a thing so as to cover it.
      [Obs.] --Mortimer.

Whelp \Whelp\, n. [AS. hwelp; akin to D. welp, G. & OHG. welf,
   Icel. hvelpr, Dan. hvalp, Sw. valp.]
   1. One of the young of a dog or a beast of prey; a puppy; a
      cub; as, a lion's whelps. ``A bear robbed of her whelps.''
      --2 Sam. xvii. 8.

   2. A child; a youth; -- jocosely or in contempt.

            That awkward whelp with his money bags would have
            made his entrance.                    --Addison.

   3. (Naut.) One of the longitudinal ribs or ridges on the
      barrel of a capstan or a windless; -- usually in the
      plural; as, the whelps of a windlass.

   4. One of the teeth of a sprocket wheel.

Whelp \Whelp\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Whelped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Whelping}.]
   To bring forth young; -- said of the female of the dog and
   some beasts of prey.

Whelp \Whelp\, v. t.
   To bring forth, as cubs or young; to give birth to.

         Unless she had whelped it herself, she could not have
         loved a thing better.                    --B. Jonson.

         Did thy foul fancy whelp so black a scheme? --Young.

When \When\, adv. [OE. when, whan, whenne, whanne, AS.
   hw[ae]nne, hwanne, hwonne; akin to OS. hwan, OD. wan, OHG.
   wanne, G. wann when, wenn if, when, Goth. hwan when, and to
   E. who. ????. See {Who}.]
   1. At what time; -- used interrogatively.

            When shall these things be?           --Matt. xxiv.
                                                  3.

   Note: See the Note under {What}, pron., 1.

   2. At what time; at, during, or after the time that; at or
      just after, the moment that; -- used relatively.

            Kings may Take their advantage when and how they
            list.                                 --Daniel.

            Book lore ne'er served, when trial came, Nor gifts,
            when faith was dead.                  --J. H.
                                                  Newman.

   3. While; whereas; although; -- used in the manner of a
      conjunction to introduce a dependent adverbial sentence or
      clause, having a causal, conditional, or adversative
      relation to the principal proposition; as, he chose to
      turn highwayman when he might have continued an honest
      man; he removed the tree when it was the best in the
      grounds.

   4. Which time; then; -- used elliptically as a noun.

            I was adopted heir by his consent; Since when, his
            oath is broke.                        --Shak.

   Note: When was formerly used as an exclamation of surprise or
         impatience, like what!

               Come hither; mend my ruff: Here, when! thou art
               such a tedious lady!               --J. Webster.

   {When as}, {When that}, at the time that; when. [Obs.]

            When as sacred light began to dawn.   --Milton.

            When that mine eye is famished for a look. --Shak.

Whenas \When"as`\, conj.
   Whereas; while [Obs.]

         Whenas, if they would inquire into themselves, they
         would find no such matter.               --Barrow.

Whence \Whence\, adv. [OE. whennes, whens (with adverbial s,
   properly a genitive ending; -- see {-wards}), also whenne,
   whanene, AS. hwanan, hwanon, hwonan, hwanone; akin to D.
   when. See {When}, and cf. {Hence}, {Thence}.]
   1. From what place; hence, from what or which source, origin,
      antecedent, premise, or the like; how; -- used
      interrogatively.

            Whence hath this man this wisdom?     --Matt. xiii.
                                                  54.

            Whence and what art thou?             --Milton.

   2. From what or which place, source, material, cause, etc.;
      the place, source, etc., from which; -- used relatively.

            Grateful to acknowledge whence his good Descends.
                                                  --Milton.

   Note: All the words of this class, whence, where, whither,
         whereabouts, etc., are occasionally used as pronouns by
         a harsh construction.

               O, how unlike the place from whence they fell?
                                                  --Milton.

   Note: From whence, though a pleonasm, is fully authorized by
         the use of good writers.

               From whence come wars and fightings among you?
                                                  --James iv. 1.
         Of whence, also a pleonasm, has become obsolete.

Whenceever \Whence*ev"er\, adv. & conj.
   Whencesoever. [R.]

Whenceforth \Whence`forth"\, adv.
   From, or forth from, what or which place; whence. [Obs.]
   --Spenser.

Whencesoever \Whence`so*ev"er\, adv. & conj.
   From what place soever; from what cause or source soever.

         Any idea, whencesoever we have it.       --Locke.

Whene'er \When*e'er\, adv. & conj.
   Whenever.

Whenever \When*ev"er\, adv. & conj.
   At whatever time. ``Whenever that shall be.'' --Milton.

Whennes \When"nes\, adv.
   Whence. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Whensoever \When`so*ev"er\, adv. & conj.
   At what time soever; at whatever time; whenever. --Mark xiv.
   7.

Wher \Wher\, Where \Where\, pron. & conj. [See {Whether}.]
   Whether. [Sometimes written {whe'r}.] [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.

         Men must enquire (this is mine assent), Wher she be
         wise or sober or dronkelewe.             --Chaucer.

Where \Where\, adv. [OE. wher, whar, AS. hw?r; akin to D. waar,
   OS. hw?r, OHG. hw[=a]r, w[=a]r, w[=a], G. wo, Icel. and Sw.
   hvar, Dan. hvor, Goth. hwar, and E. who; cf. Skr. karhi when.
   [root]182. See {Who}, and cf. {There}.]
   1. At or in what place; hence, in what situation, position,
      or circumstances; -- used interrogatively.

            God called unto Adam, . . . Where art thou? --Gen.
                                                  iii. 9.

   Note: See the Note under {What}, pron., 1.

   2. At or in which place; at the place in which; hence, in the
      case or instance in which; -- used relatively.

            She visited that place where first she was so happy.
                                                  --Sir P.
                                                  Sidney.

            Where I thought the remnant of mine age Should have
            been cherished by her childlike duty. --Shak.

            Where one on his side fights, thousands will fly.
                                                  --Shak.

            But where he rode one mile, the dwarf ran four.
                                                  --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

   3. To what or which place; hence, to what goal, result, or
      issue; whither; -- used interrogatively and relatively;
      as, where are you going?

            But where does this tend?             --Goldsmith.

            Lodged in sunny cleft, Where the gold breezes come
            not.                                  --Bryant.

   Note: Where is often used pronominally with or without a
         preposition, in elliptical sentences for a place in
         which, the place in which, or what place.

               The star . . . stood over where the young child
               was.                               --Matt. ii. 9.

               The Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
                                                  --Matt. viii.
                                                  20.

               Within about twenty paces of where we were.
                                                  --Goldsmith.

               Where did the minstrels come from? --Dickens.

   Note: Where is much used in composition with preposition, and
         then is equivalent to a pronoun. Cf. {Whereat},
         {Whereby}, {Wherefore}, {Wherein}, etc.

   {Where away} (Naut.), in what direction; as, where away is
      the land?

   Syn: See {Whither}.

Where \Where\, conj.
   Whereas.

         And flight and die is death destroying death; Where
         fearing dying pays death servile breath. --Shak.

Where \Where\, n.
   Place; situation. [Obs. or Colloq.]

         Finding the nymph asleep in secret where. --Spenser.

Whereabout \Where"a*bout`\, Whereabouts \Where"a*bouts`\, adv.
   1. About where; near what or which place; -- used
      interrogatively and relatively; as, whereabouts did you
      meet him?

   Note: In this sense, whereabouts is the common form.

   2. Concerning which; about which. ``The object whereabout
      they are conversant.'' --Hooker.



Whereabout \Where"a*bout`\, Whereabouts \Where"a*bouts`\, n.
   The place where a person or thing is; as, they did not know
   his whereabouts. --Shak.

         A puzzling notice of thy whereabout.     --Wordsworth.

Whereas \Where*as"\, adv.
   At which place; where. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

         At last they came whereas that lady bode. --Spenser.

Whereas \Where*as"\, conj.
   1. Considering that; it being the case that; since; -- used
      to introduce a preamble which is the basis of
      declarations, affirmations, commands, requests, or like,
      that follow.

   2. When in fact; while on the contrary; the case being in
      truth that; although; -- implying opposition to something
      that precedes; or implying recognition of facts, sometimes
      followed by a different statement, and sometimes by
      inferences or something consequent.

            Are not those found to be the greatest zealots who
            are most notoriously ignorant? whereas true zeal
            should always begin with true knowledge. --Sprat.

Whereat \Where*at"\, adv.
   1. At which; upon which; whereupon; -- used relatively.

            They vote; whereat his speech he thus renews.
                                                  --Milton.

            Whereat he was no less angry and ashamed than
            desirous to obey Zelmane.             --Sir P.
                                                  Sidney.

   2. At what; -- used interrogatively; as, whereat are you
      offended?

Whereby \Where*by"\, adv.
   1. By which; -- used relatively. ``You take my life when you
      take the means whereby I life.'' --Shak.

   2. By what; how; -- used interrogatively.

            Whereby shall I know this?            --Luke i. 18.

Where'er \Wher*e'er"\, adv.
   Wherever; -- a contracted and poetical form. --Cowper.

Wherefore \Where"fore\, adv. & conj. [Where + for.]
   1. For which reason; so; -- used relatively.

            Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
                                                  --Matt. vii.
                                                  20.

   2. For what reason; why; -- used interrogatively.

            But wherefore that I tell my tale.    --Chaucer.

            Wherefore didst thou doubt?           --Matt. xiv.
                                                  31.

Wherefore \Where"fore\, n.
   the reason why. [Colloq.]

Whereform \Where*form"\, adv. [Where + from.]
   From which; from which or what place. --Tennyson.

Wherein \Where*in"\, adv.
   1. In which; in which place, thing, time, respect, or the
      like; -- used relatively.

            Her clothes wherein she was clad.     --Chaucer.

            There are times wherein a man ought to be cautious
            as well as innocent.                  --Swift.

   2. In what; -- used interrogatively.

            Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him! --Mal. ii.
                                                  17.

Whereinto \Where`in*to"\, adv.
   1. Into which; -- used relatively.

            Where is that palace whereinto foul things Sometimes
            intrude not?                          --Shak.

            The brook, whereinto he loved to look. --Emerson.

   2. Into what; -- used interrogatively.

Whereness \Where"ness\, n.
   The quality or state of having a place; ubiety; situation;
   position. [R.]

         A point hath no dimensions, but only a whereness, and
         is next to nothing.                      --Grew.

Whereof \Where*of"\, adv.
   1. Of which; of whom; formerly, also, with which; -- used
      relatively.

            I do not find the certain numbers whereof their
            armies did consist.                   --Sir J.
                                                  Davies.

            Let it work like Borgias' wine, Whereof his sire,
            the pope, was poisoned.               --Marlowe.

            Edward's seven sons, whereof thyself art one.
                                                  --Shak.

   2. Of what; -- used interrogatively.

            Whereof was the house built?          --Johnson.

Whereon \Where*on"\, adv.
   1. On which; -- used relatively; as, the earth whereon we
      live.

            O fair foundation laid whereon to build. --Milton.

   2. On what; -- used interrogatively; as, whereon do we stand?

Whereout \Where*out"\, adv.
   Out of which. [R.]

         The cleft whereout the lightning breaketh. --Holland.

Whereso \Where"so\, adv.
   Wheresoever. [Obs.]

Wheresoe'er \Where`so*e'er"\, adv.
   Wheresoever. [Poetic] ``Wheresoe'er they rove.'' --Milton.

Wheresoever \Where`so*ev"er\, adv.
   In what place soever; in whatever place; wherever.

Wherethrough \Where*through"\, adv.
   Through which. [R.] ``Wherethrough that I may know.''
   --Chaucer.

         Windows . . . wherethrough the sun Delights to peep, to
         gaze therein on thee.                    --Shak.

Whereto \Where*to"\, adv.
   1. To which; -- used relatively. ``Whereto we have already
      attained.'' --Phil. iii. 16.

            Whereto all bonds do tie me day by day. --Shak.

   2. To what; to what end; -- used interrogatively.

Whereunto \Where`un*to"\, adv.
   Same as {Whereto}.

Whereupon \Where`up*on"\, adv.
   Upon which; in consequence of which; after which.

         The townsmen mutinied and sent to Essex; whereupon he
         came thither.                            --Clarendon.

Wherever \Wher*ev"er\, adv.
   At or in whatever place; wheresoever.

         He can not but love virtue wherever it is. --Atterbury.

Wherewith \Where*with"\, adv.
   1. With which; -- used relatively.

            The love wherewith thou hast loved me. --John xvii.
                                                  26.

   2. With what; -- used interrogatively.

            Wherewith shall I save Israel?        --Judg. vi.
                                                  15.

Wherewith \Where*with"\, n.
   The necessary means or instrument.

         So shall I have wherewith to answer him. --Ps. cxix.
                                                  42.

         The wherewith to meet excessive loss by radiation. --H.
                                                  Spencer.

Wherewithal \Where`with*al"\, adv. & n.
   Wherewith. ``Wherewithal shall we be clothed?'' --Matt. vi.
   31.

         Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? --Ps.
                                                  cxix. 9.

         [The builders of Babel], still with vain design, New
         Babels, had they wherewithal, would build. --Milton.

Whereret \Where"ret\, v. t. [From {Whir}.]
   1. To hurry; to trouble; to tease. [Obs.] --Bickerstaff.

   2. To box (one) on the ear; to strike or box. (the ear); as,
      to wherret a child. [Obs.]

Wherret \Wher"ret\, n.
   A box on the ear. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.

Wherry \Wher"ry\, n.; pl. {Wherries}. [Cf. Icel. hverfr shifty,
   crank, hverfa to turn, E. whirl, wharf.] (Naut.)
   (a) A passenger barge or lighter plying on rivers; also, a
       kind of light, half-decked vessel used in fishing. [Eng.]
   (b) A long, narrow, light boat, sharp at both ends, for fast
       rowing or sailing; esp., a racing boat rowed by one
       person with sculls.

Wherry \Wher"ry\, n. [Cf. W. chwerw bitter.]
   A liquor made from the pulp of crab apples after the verjuice
   is expressed; -- sometimes called {crab wherry}. [Prov. Eng.]
   --Halliwell.

Wherso \Wher"so\, adv.
   Wheresoever. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Whet \Whet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whetted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Whetting}.] [AS. hwettan; akin to D. wetten, G. wetzen, OHG.
   wezzen, Icel. hvetja, Sw. v["a]ttja, and AS. hw[ae]t
   vigorous, brave, OS. hwat, OHG. waz, was, sharp, Icel. hvatr,
   bold, active, Sw. hvass sharp, Dan. hvas, Goth. hwassaba
   sharply, and probably to Skr. cud to impel, urge on.]
   1. To rub or on with some substance, as a piece of stone, for
      the purpose of sharpening; to sharpen by attrition; as, to
      whet a knife.

            The mower whets his scythe.           --Milton.

            Here roams the wolf, the eagle whets his beak.
                                                  --Byron.

   2. To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to stimulate;
      as, to whet the appetite or the courage.

            Since Cassius first did whet me against C[ae]sar, I
            have not slept.                       --Shak.

   {To whet on}, {To whet forward}, to urge on or forward; to
      instigate. --Shak.

Whet \Whet\, n.
   1. The act of whetting.

   2. That which whets or sharpens; esp., an appetizer. ``Sips,
      drams, and whets.'' --Spectator.

   {Whet slate} (Min.), a variety of slate used for sharpening
      cutting instruments; novaculite; -- called also {whetstone
      slate}, and {oilstone}.

Whether \Wheth"er\, pron. [OE. whether, AS. hw[ae]?er; akin to
   OS. hwe?ar, OFries. hweder, OHG. hwedar, wedar, G. weder,
   conj., neither, Icel. hv[=a]rr whether, Goth. hwa?ar, Lith.
   katras, L. uter, Gr. ?, ?, Skr. katara, from the
   interrogatively pronoun, in AS. hw[=a] who. ????. See {Who},
   and cf. {Either}, {Neither}, {Or}, conj.]
   Which (of two); which one (of two); -- used interrogatively
   and relatively. [Archaic]

         Now choose yourself whether that you liketh. --Chaucer.

         One day in doubt I cast for to compare Whether in
         beauties' glory did exceed.              --Spenser.

         Whether of them twain did the will of his father?
                                                  --Matt. xxi.
                                                  31.

Whether \Wheth"er\, conj.
   In case; if; -- used to introduce the first or two or more
   alternative clauses, the other or others being connected by
   or, or by or whether. When the second of two alternatives is
   the simple negative of the first it is sometimes only
   indicated by the particle not or no after the correlative,
   and sometimes it is omitted entirely as being distinctly
   implied in the whether of the first.

         And now who knows But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?
                                                  --Shak.

         You have said; but whether wisely or no, let the forest
         judge.                                   --Shak.

         For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether
         we die, we die unto the Lord; whether we live
         therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.    --Rom. xiv. 8.

         But whether thus these things, or whether not; Whether
         the sun, predominant in heaven, Rise on the earth, or
         earth rise on the sun, . . . Solicit not thy thoughts
         with matters hid.                        --Milton.

   {Whether or no}, in either case; in any case; as, I will go
      whether or no.

   {Whether that}, whether. --Shak.

Whethering \Wheth"er*ing\, n.
   The retention of the afterbirth in cows. --Gardner.

Whetile \Whet"ile\, n. [Cf. {Whitile}.] (Zo["o]l.)
   The green woodpecker, or yaffle. See {Yaffle}. [Prov. Eng.]

Whetstone \Whet"stone`\, n. [AS. hwetst[=a]n.]
   A piece of stone, natural or artificial, used for whetting,
   or sharpening, edge tools.

         The dullness of the fools is the whetstone of the wits.
                                                  --Shak.

         Diligence is to the understanding as the whetstone to
         the razor.                               --South.

   Note: Some whetstones are used dry, others are moistened with
         water, or lubricated with oil.

   {To give the whetstone}, to give a premium for extravagance
      in falsehood. [Obs.]

Whetter \Whet"ter\, n.
   1. One who, or that which, whets, sharpens, or stimulates.

   2. A tippler; one who drinks whets. [Obs.] --Steele.

Whettlebones \Whet"tle*bones\, n. pl.
   The vertebr[ae] of the back. [Prov. Eng.] --Dunglison.

Whew \Whew\ (hw[=u]), n. & interj.
   A sound like a half-formed whistle, expressing astonishment,
   scorn, or dislike.

   {Whew duck}, the European widgeon. [Prov. Eng.]

Whew \Whew\, v. i.
   To whistle with a shrill pipe, like a plover. [Prov. Eng. &
   Scot.]

Whewellite \Whew"ell*ite\, n. [So named after Prof. Whewell of
   Cambridge, England.] (Min.)
   Calcium oxalate, occurring in colorless or white monoclinic
   crystals.

Whewer \Whew"er\, n. [Cf. W. chwiwell a widgeon, chwiws
   widgeons, waterfowls; or cf. E. whew, v. i.] (Zo["o]l.)
   The European widgeon. [Prov. Eng.]

Whey \Whey\, n. [AS. hw[ae]g; cf. D. wei, hui, Fries. weye, LG.
   wey, waje. ]
   The serum, or watery part, of milk, separated from the more
   thick or coagulable part, esp. in the process of making
   cheese.

   Note: In this process, the thick part is called {curd}, and
         the thin part whey.

Wheyey \Whey"ey\, a.
   Of the nature of, or containing, whey; resembling whey;
   wheyish. --Bacon.

Wheyface \Whey"face`\, n.
   One who is pale, as from fear.

Whey-faced \Whey"-faced`\, a.
   Having a pale or white face, as from fright. ``Whey-faced
   cavaliers.'' --Aytoun.

Wheyish \Whey"ish\, a.
   Somewhat like whey; wheyey. --J. Philips. -- {Whey"ish*ness},
   n.

Which \Which\, pron. [OE. which, whilk, AS. hwilc, hwylc, hwelc,
   from the root of hw[=a] who + l[=i]c body; hence properly, of
   what sort or kind; akin to OS. hwilik which, OFries. hwelik,
   D. welk, G. welch, OHG. wel[=i]h, hwel[=i]h, Icel.
   hv[=i]l[=i]kr, Dan. & Sw. hvilken, Goth. hwileiks, hw?leiks;
   cf. L. qualis. ????. See {Who}, and {Like}, a., and cf.
   {Such}.]
   1. Of what sort or kind; what; what a; who. [Obs.]

            And which they weren and of what degree. --Chaucer.

   2. A interrogative pronoun, used both substantively and
      adjectively, and in direct and indirect questions, to ask
      for, or refer to, an individual person or thing among
      several of a class; as, which man is it? which woman was
      it? which is the house? he asked which route he should
      take; which is best, to live or to die? See the Note under
      {What}, pron., 1.

            Which of you convinceth me of sin?    --John viii.
                                                  46.

   3. A relative pronoun, used esp. in referring to an
      antecedent noun or clause, but sometimes with reference to
      what is specified or implied in a sentence, or to a
      following noun or clause (generally involving a reference,
      however, to something which has preceded). It is used in
      all numbers and genders, and was formerly used of persons.

            And when thou fail'st -- as God forbid the hour! --
            Must Edward fall, which peril heaven forfend!
                                                  --Shak.

            God . . . rested on the seventh day from all his
            work which he had made.               --Gen. ii. 2.

            Our Father, which art in heaven.      --Matt. vi. 9.

            The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. --1
                                                  Cor. iii. 17.

   4. A compound relative or indefinite pronoun, standing for
      any one which, whichever, that which, those which, the . .
      . which, and the like; as, take which you will.

   Note: The which was formerly often used for which. The
         expressions which that, which as, were also sometimes
         used by way of emphasis.

               Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the
               which ye are called?               --James ii. 7.

   Note: Which, referring to a series of preceding sentences, or
         members of a sentence, may have all joined to it
         adjectively. ``All which, as a method of a
         proclamation, is very convenient.'' --Carlyle.

Whichever \Which*ev"er\, Whichsoever \Which`so*ev"er\, pron. &
   a.
   Whether one or another; whether one or the other; which; that
   one (of two or more) which; as, whichever road you take, it
   will lead you to town.

Whidah bird \Whid"ah bird`\, (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of several species of finchlike birds belonging to
   the genus {Vidua}, native of Asia and Africa. In the breeding
   season the male has very long, drooping tail feathers. Called
   also {vida finch}, {whidah finch}, {whydah bird}, {whydah
   finch}, {widow bird}, and {widow finch}.

   Note: Some of the species are often kept as cage birds,
         especially {Vidua paradisea}, which is dark brownish
         above, pale buff beneath, with a reddish collar around
         the neck.

Whider \Whid"er\, adv.
   Whither. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Whiff \Whiff\, n. [OE. weffe vapor, whiff, probably of imitative
   origin; cf. Dan. vift a puff, gust, W. chwiff a whiff, puff.]
   1. A sudden expulsion of air from the mouth; a quick puff or
      slight gust, as of air or smoke.

            But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword The
            unnerved father falls.                --Shak.

            The skipper, he blew a whiff from his pipe, And a
            scornful laugh laughed he.            --Longfellow.

   2. A glimpse; a hasty view. [Prov. Eng.]

   3. (Zo["o]l.) The marysole, or sail fluke.

Whiff \Whiff\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whiffed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Whiffing}.]
   1. To throw out in whiffs; to consume in whiffs; to puff.

   2. To carry or convey by a whiff, or as by a whiff; to puff
      or blow away.

            Old Empedocles, . . . who, when he leaped into Etna,
            having a dry, sear body, and light, the smoke took
            him, and whiffed him up into the moon. --B. Jonson.

Whiff \Whiff\, v. i.
   To emit whiffs, as of smoke; to puff.

Whiffet \Whif"fet\, n.
   A little whiff or puff.

Whiffing \Whiff"ing\, n.
   1. The act of one who, or that which, whiffs.

   2. A mode of fishing with a hand line for pollack, mackerel,
      and the like.

Whiffle \Whif"fle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Whiffled}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Whiffling}.] [Freq. of whiff to puff, perhaps influenced
   by D. weifelen to waver.]
   1. To waver, or shake, as if moved by gusts of wind; to
      shift, turn, or veer about. --D?mpier.

   2. To change from one opinion or course to another; to use
      evasions; to prevaricate; to be fickle.



      A person of whiffing and unsteady turn of mind can not
      keep close to a point of controversy.       --I. Watts.

Whiffle \Whif"fle\, v. t.
   1. To disperse with, or as with, a whiff, or puff; to
      scatter. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.

   2. To wave or shake quickly; to cause to whiffle.

Whiffle \Whif"fle\, n.
   A fife or small flute. [Obs.] --Douce.

Whiffler \Whif"fler\, n.
   1. One who whiffles, or frequently changes his opinion or
      course; one who uses shifts and evasions in argument;
      hence, a trifler.



      Every whiffler in a laced coat who frequents the chocolate
      house shall talk of the constitution.       --Swift.

   2. One who plays on a whiffle; a fifer or piper. [Obs.]

   3. An officer who went before procession to clear the way by
      blowing a horn, or otherwise; hence, any person who
      marched at the head of a procession; a harbinger.

            Which like a mighty whiffler 'fore the king, Seems
            to prepare his way.                   --Shak.



   Note: ``Whifflers, or fifers, generally went first in a
         procession, from which circumstance the name was
         transferred to other persons who succeeded to that
         office, and at length was given to those who went
         forward merely to clear the way for the procession. . .
         . In the city of London, young freemen, who march at
         the head of their proper companies on the Lord Mayor's
         day, sometimes with flags, were called whifflers, or
         bachelor whifflers, not because they cleared the way,
         but because they went first, as whifflers did.''
         --Nares.

   4. (Zo["o]l) The golden-eye. [Local, U. S.]

Whiffletree \Whif"fle*tree`\, n.
   Same as {Whippletree}.

Whig \Whig\, n. [See {Whey}.]
   Acidulated whey, sometimes mixed with buttermilk and sweet
   herbs, used as a cooling beverage. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

Whig \Whig\, n. [Said to be from whiggam, a term used in
   Scotland in driving horses, whiggamore one who drives horses
   (a term applied to some western Scotchmen), contracted to
   whig. In 1648, a party of these people marched to Edinburgh
   to oppose the king and the duke of Hamilton (the Whiggamore
   raid), and hence the name of Whig was given to the party
   opposed to the court. Cf. Scot. whig to go quickly.]
   1. (Eng. Politics) One of a political party which grew up in
      England in the seventeenth century, in the reigns of
      Charles I. and II., when great contests existed respecting
      the royal prerogatives and the rights of the people. Those
      who supported the king in his high claims were called
      Tories, and the advocates of popular rights, of
      parliamentary power over the crown, and of toleration to
      Dissenters, were, after 1679, called Whigs. The terms
      Liberal and Radical have now generally superseded Whig in
      English politics. See the note under {Tory}.

   2. (Amer. Hist.)
      (a) A friend and supporter of the American Revolution; --
          opposed to {Tory}, and {Royalist}.
      (b) One of the political party in the United States from
          about 1829 to 1856, opposed in politics to the
          Democratic party.

Whig \Whig\, a.
   Of or pertaining to the Whigs.

Whiggamore \Whig"ga*more\, n. [See {Whig}.]
   A Whig; -- a cant term applied in contempt to Scotch
   Presbyterians. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.

Whiggarchy \Whig"gar*chy\, n. [Whig + -archy.]
   Government by Whigs. [Cont] --Swift.

Whiggery \Whig"ger*y\, n.
   The principles or practices of the Whigs; Whiggism.

Whiggish \Whig"gish\, a.
   Of or pertaining to Whigs; partaking of, or characterized by,
   the principles of Whigs.

Whiggishly \Whig"gish*ly\, adv.
   In a Whiggish manner.

Whiggism \Whig"gism\, n.
   The principles of the Whigs.

Whigling \Whig"ling\, n.
   A petty or inferior Whig; -- used in contempt. --Spectator.

While \While\, n. [AS. hw[=i]l; akin to OS. hw[=i]l, hw[=i]la,
   OFries. hw[=i]le, D. wigl, G. weile, OHG. w[=i]la, hw[=i]la,
   hw[=i]l, Icel. hv[=i]la a bed, hv[=i]ld rest, Sw. hvila, Dan.
   hvile, Goth. hweila a time, and probably to L. quietus quiet,
   and perhaps to Gr. ? the proper time of season. [root]20. Cf.
   {Quiet}, {Whilom}.]
   1. Space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a
      time; as, one while we thought him innocent. ``All this
      while.'' --Shak.

            This mighty queen may no while endure. --Chaucer.

            [Some guest that] hath outside his welcome while,
            And tells the jest without the smile. --Coleridge.

            I will go forth and breathe the air a while.
                                                  --Longfellow.

   2. That which requires time; labor; pains. [Obs.]

            Satan . . . cast him how he might quite her while.
                                                  --Chaucer.

   {At whiles}, at times; at intervals.

            And so on us at whiles it falls, to claim Powers
            that we dread.                        --J. H.
                                                  Newman.
      

   {The while}, {The whiles}, in or during the time that;
      meantime; while. --Tennyson.

   {Within a while}, in a short time; soon.

   {Worth while}, worth the time which it requires; worth the
      time and pains; hence, worth the expense; as, it is not
      always worth while for a man to prosecute for small debts.

While \While\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whiled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Whiling}.]
   To cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or
   disgust; to spend or pass; -- usually followed by away.

         The lovely lady whiled the hours away.   --Longfellow.

While \While\, v. i.
   To loiter. [R.] --Spectator.

While \While\, conj.
   1. During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time
      that; as, while I write, you sleep. ``While I have time
      and space.'' --Chaucer.

            Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a
            gradual improvement, while you take care not to
            overload it.                          --I. Watts.

   2. Hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though;
      whereas.

   {While as}, {While that}, during or at the time that. [Obs.]

While \While\, prep.
   Until; till. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

         I may be conveyed into your chamber; I'll lie under
         your bed while midnight.                 --Beau. & Fl.

Whilere \Whil`ere"\, adv. [While + ere]
   A little while ago; recently; just now; erewhile. [Obs.]

         Helpeth me now as I did you whilere.     --Chaucer.

         He who, with all heaven's heraldry, whilere Entered the
         world.                                   --Milton.

Whiles \Whiles\, adv. [See {While}, n., and {-wards}.]
   1. Meanwhile; meantime. [R.]

            The good knight whiles humming to himself the lay of
            some majored troubadour.              --Sir. W.
                                                  Scott.

   2. sometimes; at times. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.

   {The whiles}. See under {While}, n.

Whiles \Whiles\, conj.
   During the time that; while. [Archaic] --Chaucer. Fuller.

         Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in
         the way with him.                        --Matt. v. 25.

Whilk \Whilk\, n. [See {Whelk} a mollusk.]
   1. (Zo["o]l.) A kind of mollusk, a whelk. [Prov. Eng.]

   2. (Zo["o]l.) The scoter. [Prov. Eng.]

Whilk \Whilk\, pron.
   Which. [Obs. or Scot.]

   Note: Whilk is sometimes used in Chaucer to represent the
         Northern dialect.

Whilom \Whi"lom\ (hw[imac]"l[u^]m), adv. [AS. hw[=i]lum,
   properly, at times, dative pl. of hw[=i]l; akin to G. weiland
   formerly, OHG. hw[=i]l[=o]m, See {While}, n.]
   Formerly; once; of old; erewhile; at times. [Obs. or Poetic]
   --Spenser.

         Whilom, as olde stories tellen us, There was a duke
         that highte Theseus.                     --Chaucer.

Whilst \Whilst\, adv. [From {Whiles}; cf. {Amongst}.]
   While. [Archaic]

         Whilst the emperor lay at Antioch.       --Gibbon.

   {The whilst}, in the meantime; while. [Archaic.] --Shak.

Whim \Whim\, n. [Cf. {Whimbrel}.] (Zo["o]l.)
   The European widgeon. [Prov. Eng.]

Whim \Whim\, n. [Cf. Icel. hwima to wander with the eyes, vim
   giddiness, Norw. kvima to whisk or flutter about, to trifle,
   Dan. vimse to skip, whisk, jump from one thing to another,
   dial. Sw. hvimsa to be unsteady, dizzy, W. chwimio to move
   briskly.]
   1. A sudden turn or start of the mind; a temporary
      eccentricity; a freak; a fancy; a capricious notion; a
      humor; a caprice.

            Let every man enjoy his whim.         --Churchill.

   2. (Mining) A large capstan or vertical drum turned by horse
      power or steam power, for raising ore or water, etc., from
      mines, or for other purposes; -- called also {whim gin},
      and {whimsey}.

   {Whim gin} (Mining), a whim. See {Whim}, 2.

   {Whim shaft} (Mining), a shaft through which ore, water,
      etc., is raised from a mine by means of a whim.

   Syn: Freak; caprice; whimsey; fancy.

   Usage: {Whim}, {Freak}, {Caprice}. Freak denotes an
          impulsive, inconsiderate change of mind, as by a child
          or a lunatic. Whim is a mental eccentricity due to
          peculiar processes or habits of thought. Caprice is
          closely allied in meaning to freak, but implies more
          definitely a quality of willfulness or wantonness.

Whim \Whim\, v. i.
   To be subject to, or indulge in, whims; to be whimsical,
   giddy, or freakish. [R.] --Congreve.

Whimbrel \Whim"brel\, n. [Cf. {Whimper}.] (Zo["o]l)
   Any one of several species of small curlews, especially the
   European species (Numenius ph[ae]opus), called also {Jack
   curlew}, {half curlew}, {stone curlew}, and {tang whaup}. See
   Illustration in {Appendix}.

   {Hudsonian} or, {Eskimo}, {whimbreal}, the Hudsonian curlew.

Whimling \Whim"ling\, n. [Whim + -ling.]
   One given to whims; hence, a weak, childish person; a child.

         Go, whimling, and fetch two or three grating loaves.
                                                  --Beau. & Fl.

Whimmy \Whim"my\, a.
   Full of whims; whimsical.

         The study of Rabbinical literature either finds a man
         whimmy or makes him so.                  --Coleridge.

Whimper \Whim"per\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Whimpered}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Whimpering}.] [Cf. Scot. whimmer, G. wimmern.]
   To cry with a low, whining, broken voice; to whine; to
   complain; as, a child whimpers.

         Was there ever yet preacher but there were gainsayers
         that spurned, that winced, that whimpered against him?
                                                  --Latimer.

Whimper \Whim"per\, v. t.
   To utter in alow, whining tone.

Whimper \Whim"per\, n.
   A low, whining, broken cry; a low, whining sound, expressive
   of complaint or grief.

Whimperer \Whim"per*er\, n.
   One who whimpers.

Whimple \Whim"ple\, v. t.
   See {Wimple}.

Whimple \Whim"ple\, v. i. [Cf. {Whiffle}.]
   To whiffle; to veer.

Whimsey \Whim"sey\, Whimsy \Whimsy\, n.; pl. {Whimseys}or
   {Whimsies}. [See {Whim}.]
   1. A whim; a freak; a capricious notion, a fanciful or odd
      conceit. ``The whimsies of poets and painters.'' --Ray.

            Men's folly, whimsies, and inconstancy. --Swift.

            Mistaking the whimseys of a feverish brain for the
            calm revelation of truth.             --Bancroft.

   2. (Mining) A whim.

Whimsey \Whim"sey\, v. t.
   To fill with whimseys, or whims; to make fantastic; to craze.
   [R.]

         To have a man's brain whimsied with his wealth. --J.
                                                  Fletcher.

Whimsical \Whim"si*cal\, a. [From {Whimsey}.]
   1. Full of, or characterized by, whims; actuated by a whim;
      having peculiar notions; queer; strange; freakish. ``A
      whimsical insult.'' --Macaulay.

            My neighbors call me whimsical.       --Addison.

   2. Odd or fantastic in appearance; quaintly devised;
      fantastic. ``A whimsical chair.'' --Evelyn.

   Syn: Quaint; capricious; fanciful; fantastic.

Whimsicality \Whim`si*cal"i*ty\, n.
   The quality or state of being whimsical; whimsicalness.

Whimsically \Whim"si*cal*ly\, adv.
   In a whimsical manner; freakishly.

Whimsicalness \Whim"si*cal*ness\, n.
   The quality or state of being whimsical; freakishness;
   whimsical disposition.

Whimsy \Whim"sy\, n.
   A whimsey.

Whimwham \Whim"wham\, n. [Formed from whim by reduplication.]
   1. A whimsical thing; an odd device; a trifle; a trinket; a
      gimcrack. [R.]

            They'll pull ye all to pieces for your whimwhams.
                                                  --Bear. & Fl.

   2. A whim, or whimsey; a freak.

Whin \Whin\, n. [W. chwyn weeds, a single weed.]
   1. (Bot.)
      (a) Gorse; furze. See {Furze}.

                Through the whins, and by the cairn. --Burns.
      (b) Woad-waxed. --Gray.

   2. Same as {Whinstone}. [Prov. Eng.]

   {Moor whin} or {Petty whin} (Bot.), a low prickly shrub
      ({Genista Anglica}) common in Western Europe.

   {Whin bruiser}, a machine for cutting and bruising whin, or
      furze, to feed cattle on.

   {Whin Sparrow} (Zo["o]l.), the hedge sparrow. [Prov. Eng.]

   {Whin Thrush} (Zo["o]l.), the redwing. [Prov. Eng.]

Whinberry \Whin"ber*ry\, n. (Bot.)
   The English bilberry; -- so called because it grows on moors
   among the whins, or furze. --Dr. Prior.

Whinchat \Whin"chat`\, n. [So called because it frequents
   whins.] (Zo["o]l.)
   A small warbler ({Pratincola rubetra}) common in Europe; --
   called also {whinchacker}, {whincheck}, {whin-clocharet}.

Whine \Whine\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Whined}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Whining}.] [OE. whinen, AS. hw[=i]nan to make a whistling,
   whizzing sound; akin to Icel. hv[=i]na, Sw. hvina, Dan.
   hvine, and probably to G. wiehern to neigh, OHG. wih[=o]n,
   hweij[=o]n; perhaps of imitative origin. Cf. {Whinny}, v. i.]
   To utter a plaintive cry, as some animals; to moan with a
   childish noise; to complain, or to tell of sorrow, distress,
   or the like, in a plaintive, nasal tone; hence, to complain
   or to beg in a mean, unmanly way; to moan basely. ``Whining
   plovers.'' --Spenser.

         The hounds were . . . staying their coming, but with a
         whining accent, craving liberty.         --Sir P.
                                                  Sidney.

         Dost thou come here to whine?            --Shak.

Whine \Whine\, v. t.
   To utter or express plaintively, or in a mean, unmanly way;
   as, to whine out an excuse.

Whine \Whine\, n.
   A plaintive tone; the nasal, childish tone of mean complaint;
   mean or affected complaint.

Whiner \Whin"er\, n.
   One who, or that which, whines.

Whinge \Whinge\, v. i.
   To whine. [Scot.] --Burns.

Whinger \Whing"er\, n. [See {Whinyard}.]
   A kind of hanger or sword used as a knife at meals and as a
   weapon. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

         The chief acknowledged that he had corrected her with
         his whinger.                             --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

Whiningly \Whin"ing*ly\, adv.
   In a whining manner; in a tone of mean complaint.

Whinner \Whin"ner\, v. i.
   To whinny. [Colloq.]

Whinny \Whin"ny\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Whinnied}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Whinnying}.] [From {Whine}]
   To utter the ordinary call or cry of a horse; to neigh.

Whinny \Whin"ny\, n.; pl. {Whinnies}.
   The ordinary cry or call of a horse; a neigh. ``The stately
   horse . . . stooped with a low whinny.'' --Tennyson.

Whinny \Whin"ny\, a.
   Abounding in whin, gorse, or furze.

         A fine, large, whinny, . . . unimproved common.
                                                  --Sterne.

Whinock \Whin"ock\ (hw[i^]n"[u^]k), n. [Cf. Scot. whin, quhene,
   a few, AS. hw[=e]ne, hw[=ae]ne, a little, hw[=o]n little,
   few. Cf. {Wheen}.]
   The small pig of a litter. [Local, U. S.]

Whinstone \Whin"stone"\, n. [Whin + stone; cf. Scot.
   quhynstane.]
   A provincial name given in England to basaltic rocks, and
   applied by miners to other kind of dark-colored unstratified
   rocks which resist the point of the pick. -- for example, to
   masses of chert. Whin-dikes, and whin-sills, are names
   sometimes given to veins or beds of basalt.

Whinyard \Whin"yard\, n. [Cf. Prov. E. & Scot. whingar, whinger;
   perhaps from AS. winn contention, war + geard, gyrd, a staff,
   rod, yard; or cf. AS. hw[=i]nan to whistle, E. whine.]
   1. A sword, or hanger. [Obs.]

   2. [From the shape of the bill.] (Zo["o]l)
      (a) The shoveler. [Prov. Eng.]
      (b) The poachard. [Prov. Eng.]

Whip \Whip\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whipped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Whipping}.] [OE. whippen to overlay, as a cord, with other
   cords, probably akin to G. & D. wippen to shake, to move up
   and down, Sw. vippa, Dan. vippe to swing to and fro, to
   shake, to toss up, and L. vibrare to shake. Cf. {Vibrate}.]
   1. To strike with a lash, a cord, a rod, or anything slender
      and lithe; to lash; to beat; as, to whip a horse, or a
      carpet.

   2. To drive with lashes or strokes of a whip; to cause to
      rotate by lashing with a cord; as, to whip a top.

   3. To punish with a whip, scourge, or rod; to flog; to beat;
      as, to whip a vagrant; to whip one with thirty nine
      lashes; to whip a perverse boy.

            Who, for false quantities, was whipped at school.
                                                  --Dryden.

   4. To apply that which hurts keenly to; to lash, as with
      sarcasm, abuse, or the like; to apply cutting language to.

            They would whip me with their fine wits. --Shak.

   5. To thrash; to beat out, as grain, by striking; as, to whip
      wheat.

   6. To beat (eggs, cream, or the like) into a froth, as with a
      whisk, fork, or the like.

   7. To conquer; to defeat, as in a contest or game; to beat;
      to surpass. [Slang, U. S.]

   8. To overlay (a cord, rope, or the like) with other cords
      going round and round it; to overcast, as the edge of a
      seam; to wrap; -- often with about, around, or over.

            Its string is firmly whipped about with small gut.
                                                  --Moxon.

   9. To sew lightly; specifically, to form (a fabric) into
      gathers by loosely overcasting the rolled edge and drawing
      up the thread; as, to whip a ruffle.

            In half-whipped muslin needles useless lie. --Gay.

   10. To take or move by a sudden motion; to jerk; to snatch;
       -- with into, out, up, off, and the like.

             She, in a hurry, whips up her darling under her
             arm.                                 --L'Estrange.

             He whips out his pocketbook every moment, and
             writes descriptions of everything he sees.
                                                  --Walpole.

   11. (Naut.)
       (a) To hoist or purchase by means of a whip.
       (b) To secure the end of (a rope, or the like) from
           untwisting by overcasting it with small stuff.

   12. To fish (a body of water) with a rod and artificial fly,
       the motion being that employed in using a whip.

             Whipping their rough surface for a trout.
                                                  --Emerson.

   {To whip in}, to drive in, or keep from scattering, as hounds
      in a hurt; hence, to collect, or to keep together, as
      member of a party, or the like.

   {To whip the cat}.
       (a) To practice extreme parsimony. [Prov. Eng.] --Forby.
       (b) To go from house to house working by the day, as
           itinerant tailors and carpenters do. [Prov. & U. S.]



Whip \Whip\, v. i.
   To move nimbly; to start or turn suddenly and do something;
   to whisk; as, he whipped around the corner.

         With speed from thence he whipped.       --Sackville.

         Two friends, traveling, met a bear upon the way; the
         one whips up a tree, and the other throws himself flat
         upon the ground.                         --L'Estrange.

Whip \Whip\, n. [OE. whippe. See {Whip}, v. t.]
   1. An instrument or driving horses or other animals, or for
      correction, consisting usually of a lash attached to a
      handle, or of a handle and lash so combined as to form a
      flexible rod. ``[A] whip's lash.'' --Chaucer.

            In his right hand he holds a whip, with which he is
            supposed to drive the horses of the sun. --Addison.

   2. A coachman; a driver of a carriage; as, a good whip.
      --Beaconsfield.

   3. (Mach.)
      (a) One of the arms or frames of a windmill, on which the
          sails are spread.
      (b) The length of the arm reckoned from the shaft.

   4. (Naut.)
      (a) A small tackle with a single rope, used to hoist light
          bodies.
      (b) The long pennant. See {Pennant}
      (a)

   5. A huntsman who whips in the hounds; whipper-in.

   6. (Eng. Politics)
      (a) A person (as a member of Parliament) appointed to
          enforce party discipline, and secure the attendance of
          the members of a Parliament party at any important
          session, especially when their votes are needed.
      (b) A call made upon members of a Parliament party to be
          in their places at a given time, as when a vote is to
          be taken.

   {Whip and spur}, with the utmost haste.

   {Whip crane}, or {Whip purchase}, a simple form of crane
      having a small drum from which the load is suspended,
      turned by pulling on a rope wound around larger drum on
      the same axle.

   {Whip gin}. See {Gin block}, under 5th {Gin}.

   {Whip grafting}. See under {Grafting}.

   {Whip hand}, the hand with which the whip is used; hence,
      advantage; mastery; as, to have or get the whip hand of a
      person. --Dryden.

   {Whip ray} (Zo["o]l.), the European eagle ray. See under
      {Ray}.

   {Whip roll} (Weaving), a roll or bar, behind the reeds in a
      loom, on which the warp threads rest.

   {Whip scorpion} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
      arachnids belonging to {Thelyphonus} and allied genera.
      They somewhat resemble true scorpions, but have a long,
      slender bristle, or lashlike organ, at the end of the
      body, instead of a sting.

   {Whip snake} (Zo["o]l.), any one of various species of
      slender snakes. Specifically:
      (a) A bright green South American tree snake ({Philodryas
          viridissimus}) having a long and slender body. It is
          not venomous. Called also {emerald whip snake}.
      (b) The coachwhip snake.

Whipcord \Whip"cord`\, n.
   A kind of hard-twisted or braided cord, sometimes used for
   making whiplashes.

Whipgraft \Whip"graft`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whipgrafted}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Whipgrafting}.]
   To graft by cutting the scion and stock in a certain manner.
   See {Whip grafting}, under {Grafting}.

Whiplash \Whip"lash`\, n.
   The lash of a whip, -- usually made of thongs of leather, or
   of cords, braided or twisted.

Whipparee \Whip`pa*ree"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) A large sting ray ({Dasybatis, or Trygon, Sayi}) native
       of the Southern United States. It is destitute of large
       spines on the body and tail.
   (b) A large sting ray ({Rhinoptera bonasus}, or {R.
       quadriloba}) of the Atlantic coast of the United States.
       Its snout appears to be four-lobed when viewed in front,
       whence it is also called {cow-nosed ray}.

Whipper \Whip"per\, n.
   1. One who whips; especially, an officer who inflicts the
      penalty of legal whipping.

   2. One who raises coal or merchandise with a tackle from a
      chip's hold. [Eng.]

   3. (Spinning) A kind of simple willow.

Whipperin \Whip"per*in`\, n.
   1. A huntsman who keeps the hounds from wandering, and whips
      them in, if necessary, to the of chase.

   2. Hence, one who enforces the discipline of a party, and
      urges the attendance and support of the members on all
      necessary occasions.



Whippersnapper \Whip"per*snap`per\, n.
   A diminutive, insignificant, or presumptuous person.
   [Colloq.] ``Little whippersnappers like you.'' --T. Hughes.

Whipping \Whip"ping\,
   a & n. from {Whip}, v.

   {Whipping post}, a post to which offenders are tied, to be
      legally whipped.

Whippletree \Whip"ple*tree`\, n. [See {Whip}, and cf.
   {Whiffletree}.]
   1. The pivoted or swinging bar to which the traces, or tugs,
      of a harness are fastened, and by which a carriage, a
      plow, or other implement or vehicle, is drawn; a
      whiffletree; a swingletree; a singletree. See
      {Singletree}.

            [People] cut their own whippletree in the woodlot.
                                                  --Emerson.

   2. (Bot.) The cornel tree. --Chaucer.

Whip-poor-will \Whip"-poor-will`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   An American bird ({Antrostomus vociferus}) allied to the
   nighthawk and goatsucker; -- so called in imitation of the
   peculiar notes which it utters in the evening. [Written also
   {whippowil}.]

Whipsaw \Whip"saw`\, n.
   A saw for dividing timber lengthwise, usually set in a frame,
   and worked by two persons; also, a fret saw.

Whip-shaped \Whip"-shaped`\, a.
   Shaped like the lash of a whip; long, slender, round, and
   tapering; as, a whip-shaped root or stem.

Whipstaff \Whip"staff`\, n. (Naut.)
   A bar attached to the tiller, for convenience in steering.

Whipstalk \Whip"stalk`\, n.
   A whipstock.

Whipster \Whip"ster\, n. [Whip + -ster.]
   A nimble little fellow; a whippersnapper.

         Every puny whipster gets my sword.       --Shak.

Whipstick \Whip"stick`\, n.
   Whip handle; whipstock.

Whipstitch \Whip"stitch`\, n.
   1. A tailor; -- so called in contempt.

   2. Anything hastily put or stitched together; hence, a hasty
      composition. [R.] --Dryden.

   3. (Agric.) The act or process of whipstitching.

Whipstitch \Whip"stitch`\, v. t. (Agric.)
   To rafter; to plow in ridges, as land. [Eng.]

Whipstock \Whip"stock`\, n.
   The rod or handle to which the lash of a whip is fastened.

Whipt \Whipt\, imp. & p. p. of {Whip}.
   Whipped.

Whip-tom-kelly \Whip"-tom`-kel"ly\, n. [So called in imitation
   of its notes.] (Zo["o]l.)
   A vireo ({Vireo altiloquus}) native of the West Indies and
   Florida; -- called also {black-whiskered vireo}.

Whipworm \Whip"worm`\, n. [So called from its shape.] (Zo["o]l.)
   A nematode worm ({Trichocephalus dispar}) often found
   parasitic in the human intestine. Its body is thickened
   posteriorly, but is very long and threadlike anteriorly.

Whir \Whir\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Whirred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Whirring}.] [Perhaps of imitative origin; cf. D. hvirre to
   whirl, and E. hurr, hurry, whirl. ???.]
   To whirl round, or revolve, with a whizzing noise; to fly or
   more quickly with a buzzing or whizzing sound; to whiz.

         The partridge bursts away on whirring wings. --Beattie.

Whir \Whir\, v. t. [See {Whir} to whiz.]
   To hurry a long with a whizzing sound. [R.]

         This world to me is like a lasting storm, Whirring me
         from my friends.                         --Shak.

Whir \Whir\, n.
   A buzzing or whizzing sound produced by rapid or whirling
   motion; as, the whir of a partridge; the whir of a spinning
   wheel.

Whirl \Whirl\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whirled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Whirling}.] [OE. whirlen, probably from the Scand.; cf.
   Icel. & Sw. hvirfla, Dan. hvirvle; akin to D. wervelen, G.
   wirbeln, freq. of the verb seen in Icel. hverfa to turn.
   [root]16. See {Wharf}, and cf. {Warble}, {Whorl}.]
   1. To turn round rapidly; to cause to rotate with velocity;
      to make to revolve.

            He whirls his sword around without delay. --Dryden.

   2. To remove or carry quickly with, or as with, a revolving
      motion; to snatch; to harry. --Chaucer.

            See, see the chariot, and those rushing wheels, That
            whirled the prophet up at Chebar flood. --Milton.

            The passionate heart of the poet is whirl'd into
            folly.                                --Tennyson.

Whirl \Whirl\, v. i.
   1. To be turned round rapidly; to move round with velocity;
      to revolve or rotate with great speed; to gyrate. ``The
      whirling year vainly my dizzy eyes pursue.'' --J. H.
      Newman.

            The wooden engine flies and whirls about. --Dryden.

   2. To move hastily or swiftly.

            But whirled away to shun his hateful sight.
                                                  --Dryden.

Whirl \Whirl\, n. [Cf. Dan. hvirvel, Sw. hvirfvel, Icel.
   hvirfill the crown of the head, G. wirbel whirl, crown of the
   head, D. wervel. See {Whirl}, v. t.]
   1. A turning with rapidity or velocity; rapid rotation or
      circumvolution; quick gyration; rapid or confusing motion;
      as, the whirl of a top; the whirl of a wheel. ``In no
      breathless whirl.'' --J. H. Newman.

            The rapid . . . whirl of things here below interrupt
            not the inviolable rest and calmness of the noble
            beings above.                         --South.

   2. Anything that moves with a whirling motion.

            He saw Falmouth under gray, iron skies, and whirls
            of March dust.                        --Carlyle.

   3. A revolving hook used in twisting, as the hooked spindle
      of a rope machine, to which the threads to be twisted are
      attached.

   4. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.) A whorl. See {Whorl}.

Whirlabout \Whirl"a*bout`\, n.
   Something that whirls or turns about in a rapid manner; a
   whirligig.

Whirlbat \Whirl"bat`\, n.
   Anything moved with a whirl, as preparatory for a blow, or to
   augment the force of it; -- applied by poets to the cestus of
   ancient boxers.

         The whirlbat and the rapid race shall be Reserved for
         C[ae]sar.                                --Dryden.

Whirl-blast \Whirl"-blast`\, n.
   A whirling blast or wind.

         A whirl-blast from behind the hill.      --Wordsworth.

Whirlbone \Whirl"bone`\, n. (Anat.)
   (a) The huckle bone. [Obs.]
   (b) The patella, or kneepan. [Obs.] --Ainsworth.

Whirler \Whirl"er\, n.
   One who, or that which, whirls.

Whirlicote \Whirl"i*cote\, n.
   An open car or chariot. [Obs.]

         Of old time coaches were not known in this island, but
         chariots, or whirlicotes.                --Stow.

Whirligig \Whirl"i*gig\, n. [Whirl + gig.]
   1. A child's toy, spun or whirled around like a wheel upon an
      axis, or like a top. --Johnson.

   2. Anything which whirls around, or in which persons or
      things are whirled about, as a frame with seats or wooden
      horses.

            With a whirligig of jubilant mosquitoes spinning
            about each head.                      --G. W. Cable.

   3. A medi[ae]val instrument for punishing petty offenders,
      being a kind of wooden cage turning on a pivot, in which
      the offender was whirled round with great velocity.

   4. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of beetles
      belonging to {Gyrinus} and allied genera. The body is
      firm, oval or boatlike in form, and usually dark colored
      with a bronzelike luster. These beetles live mostly on the
      surface of water, and move about with great celerity in a
      gyrating, or circular, manner, but they are also able to
      dive and swim rapidly. The larva is aquatic. Called also
      {weaver}, {whirlwig}, and {whirlwig beetle}.

Whirling \Whirl"ing\,
   a. & n. from {Whirl}, v. t.

   {Whirling table}.
   (a) (Physics) An apparatus provided with one or more
       revolving disks, with weights, pulleys, and other
       attachments, for illustrating the phenomena and laws of
       centrifugal force, and the like.
   (b) A potter's wheel.

Whirlpit \Whirl"pit`\, n.
   A whirlpool. [Obs.] ``Raging whirlpits.'' --Sandys.

Whirlpool \Whirl"pool`\, n.
   1. An eddy or vortex of water; a place in a body of water
      where the water moves round in a circle so as to produce a
      depression or cavity in the center, into which floating
      objects may be drawn; any body of water having a more or
      less circular motion caused by its flowing in an irregular
      channel, by the coming together of opposing currents, or
      the like.

   2. A sea monster of the whale kind. [Obs.] --Spenser.

            The Indian Sea breedeth the most and the biggest
            fishes that are; among which the whales and
            whirlpools, called ``bal[ae]n[ae],'' take up in
            length as much as four . . . arpents of land.
                                                  --Holland.

Whirlwig \Whirl"wig`\, n. [Cf. {Earwig}.] (Zo["o]l.)
   A whirligig.

Whirlwind \Whirl"wind`\, n. [Cf. Icel. hvirfilvindr, Sw.
   hvirfvelvind, Dan. hvirvelvind, G. wirbelwind. See {Whirl},
   and {Wind}, n.]
   1. A violent windstorm of limited extent, as the tornado,
      characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with
      an upward current in the center; a vortex of air. It
      usually has a rapid progressive motion.

            The swift dark whirlwind that uproots the woods. And
            drowns the villages.                  --Bryant.

   Note: Some meteorologists apply the word whirlwind to the
         larger rotary storm also, such as cyclones.

   2. Fig.: A body of objects sweeping violently onward. ``The
      whirlwind of hounds and hunters.'' --Macaulay.

Whirry \Whir"ry\, v. i.
   To whir. [Obs.]

Whirtle \Whir"tle\, n. (Mech.)
   A perforated steel die through which wires or tubes are drawn
   to form them.

Whisk \Whisk\, n. [See {Whist}, n.]
   A game at cards; whist. [Obs.] --Taylor (1630).

Whisk \Whisk\, n. [Probably for wisk, and of Scand. origin; cf.
   Icel. visk a wisp; akin to Dan. visk, Sw. viska, D. wisch,
   OHG. wisc, G. wisch. See {Wisp}.]
   1. The act of whisking; a rapid, sweeping motion, as of
      something light; a sudden motion or quick puff.

            This first sad whisk Takes off thy dukedom; thou art
            but an earl.                          --J. Fletcher.

   2. A small bunch of grass, straw, twigs, hair, or the like,
      used for a brush; hence, a brush or small besom, as of
      broom corn.

   3. A small culinary instrument made of wire, or the like, for
      whisking or beating eggs, cream, etc. --Boyle.

   4. A kind of cape, forming part of a woman's dress.

            My wife in her new lace whisk.        --Pepys.

   5. An impertinent fellow. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.

   6. A plane used by coopers for evening chines.

Whisk \Whisk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whisked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Whisking}.] [Cf. Dan. viske, Sw. viska, G. wischen, D.
   wisschen. See {Whisk}, n.]
   1. To sweep, brush, or agitate, with a light, rapid motion;
      as, to whisk dust from a table; to whisk the white of eggs
      into a froth.

   2. To move with a quick, sweeping motion.

            He that walks in gray, whisking his riding rod. --J.
                                                  Fletcher.

            I beg she would not impale worms, nor whisk carp out
            of one element into another.          --Walpole.

Whisk \Whisk\, v. i.
   To move nimbly at with velocity; to make a sudden agile
   movement.

Whisker \Whisk"er\, n.
   1. One who, or that which, whisks, or moves with a quick,
      sweeping motion.

   2. Formerly, the hair of the upper lip; a mustache; --
      usually in the plural.

            Hoary whiskers and a forky beard.     --Pope.

   3. pl. That part of the beard which grows upon the sides of
      the face, or upon the chin, or upon both; as, side
      whiskers; chin whiskers.

   4. A hair of the beard.

   5. One of the long, projecting hairs growing at the sides of
      the mouth of a cat, or other animal.

   6. pl. (Naut.) Iron rods extending on either side of the
      bowsprit, to spread, or guy out, the stays, etc.

Whiskered \Whisk"ered\, a.
   1. Formed into whiskers; furnished with whiskers; having or
      wearing whiskers.

            Our forefathers, a grave, whiskered race. --Cowper.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) Having elongated hairs, feathers, or bristles
      on the cheeks.

            The whiskered vermin race.            --Grainger.

Whiskerless \Whisk"er*less\, a.
   Being without whiskers.

Whisket \Whis"ket\, n. [Cf. {Wisket}.]
   1. A basket; esp., a straw provender basket. [Prov. Eng.]
      --Halliwell.

   2. (Mach.) A small lathe for turning wooden pins.



Whiskey \Whis"key\, n.
   Same as {Whisky}, a liquor.

Whiskey \Whis"key\, Whisky \Whis"ky\, n.; pl. {Whiskeys}or
   {Whiskies}. [See {Whisk}, v. t. & n.]
   A light carriage built for rapid motion; -- called also
   {tim-whiskey}.

Whiskin \Whisk"in\, n.
   A shallow drinking bowl. [Prov. Eng.] --Ray.

Whisking \Whisk"ing\, a.
   1. Sweeping along lightly.

   2. Large; great. [Prov. Eng.]

Whisky \Whis"ky\, Whiskey \Whis"key\, n. [Ir. or Gael. uisge
   water (perhaps akin to E. wash, water) in uisgebeatha
   whiskey, properly, water of life. Cf. {Usquebaugh}.]
   An intoxicating liquor distilled from grain, potatoes, etc.,
   especially in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. In
   the United States, whisky is generally distilled from maize,
   rye, or wheat, but in Scotland and Ireland it is often made
   from malted barley.

   {Bourbon whisky}, corn whisky made in Bourbon County,
      Kentucky.

   {Crooked whisky}. See under {Crooked}.

   {Whisky Jack} (Zo["o]l.), the Canada jay ({Perisoreus
      Canadensis}). It is noted for its fearless and familiar
      habits when it frequents the camps of lumbermen in the
      winter season. Its color is dull grayish blue, lighter
      beneath. Called also {moose bird}.

Whiskyfied \Whis"ky*fied\, Whiskeyfied \Whis"key*fied\, a.
   [Whisky + -fy.]
   Drunk with whisky; intoxicated. [Humorous] --Thackeray.

Whisp \Whisp\, n.
   See {Wisp}.

Whisp \Whisp\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A flock of snipe.

Whisper \Whis"per\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Whispered}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Whispering}.] [AS. hwisprian; akin to G. wispern,
   wispeln, OHG. hwispal?n, Icel. hv[=i]skra, Sw. hviska, Dan.
   hviske; of imitative origin. Cf. {Whistle}.]
   1. To speak softly, or under the breath, so as to be heard
      only by one near at hand; to utter words without sonant
      breath; to talk without that vibration in the larynx which
      gives sonorous, or vocal, sound. See {Whisper}, n.

   2. To make a low, sibilant sound or noise.

            The hollow, whispering breeze.        --Thomson.

   3. To speak with suspicion, or timorous caution; to converse
      in whispers, as in secret plotting.

            All that hate me whisper together against me. --Ps.
                                                  xli. 7.

Whisper \Whis"per\, v. t.
   1. To utter in a low and nonvocal tone; to say under the
      breath; hence, to mention privately and confidentially, or
      in a whisper.

            They might buzz and whisper it one to another.
                                                  --Bentley.

   2. To address in a whisper, or low voice. [Archaic]

            And whisper one another in the ear.   --Shak.

            Where gentlest breezes whisper souls distressed.
                                                  --Keble.

   3. To prompt secretly or cautiously; to inform privately.
      [Obs.] ``He came to whisper Wolsey.'' --Shak.

Whisper \Whis"per\, n.
   1. A low, soft, sibilant voice or utterance, which can be
      heard only by those near at hand; voice or utterance that
      employs only breath sound without tone, friction against
      the edges of the vocal cords and arytenoid cartilages
      taking the place of the vibration of the cords that
      produces tone; sometimes, in a limited sense, the sound
      produced by such friction as distinguished from breath
      sound made by friction against parts of the mouth. See
      {Voice}, n., 2, and Guide to Pronunciation, [sect][sect]
      5, 153, 154.

            The inward voice or whisper can not give a tone.
                                                  --Bacon.

            Soft whispers through the assembly went. --Dryden.

   2. A cautious or timorous speech. --South.

   3. Something communicated in secret or by whispering; a
      suggestion or insinuation.

   4. A low, sibilant sound. ``The whispers of the leaves.''
      --Tennyson.

Whisperer \Whis"per*er\, n.
   1. One who whispers.

   2. A tattler; one who tells secrets; a conveyer of
      intelligence secretly; hence; a backbiter; one who
      slanders secretly. --Prov. xvi. 28.

Whispering \Whis"per*ing\,
   a. & n. from {Whisper}. v. t.

   {Whispering gallery}, or {Whispering dome}, one of such a
      form that sounds produced in certain parts of it are
      concentrated by reflection from the walls to another part,
      so that whispers or feeble sounds are audible at a much
      greater distance than under ordinary circumstances.

Whisperingly \Whis"per*ing*ly\, adv.
   In a whisper, or low voice; in a whispering manner; with
   whispers. --Tennyson.

Whisperously \Whis"per*ous*ly\, adv.
   Whisperingly. [R.]

Whist \Whist\, interj. [Cf. G. st! pst! bst! ???. Cf. {Hist}.]
   Be silent; be still; hush; silence.

Whist \Whist\, n. [From {Whist}, interj.]
   A certain game at cards; -- so called because it requires
   silence and close attention. It is played by four persons
   (those who sit opposite each other being partners) with a
   complete pack of fifty-two cards. Each player has thirteen
   cards, and when these are played out, he hand is finished,
   and the cards are again shuffled and distributed.

   Note: Points are scored for the tricks taken in excess of
         six, and for the honors held. In long whist, now seldom
         played, ten points make the game; in short whist, now
         usually played in England, five points make the game.
         In American whist, so-called, honors are not counted,
         and seven points by tricks make the game.

Whist \Whist\, v. t. [From {Whist}, interj.]
   To hush or silence. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Whist \Whist\, v. i.
   To be or become silent or still; to be hushed or mute. [R.]
   --Surrey.

Whist \Whist\, a. [Properly p. p. of whist, v.]
   Not speaking; not making a noise; silent; mute; still; quiet.
   ``So whist and dead a silence.'' --Sir J. Harrington.

         The winds, with wonder whist, Smoothly the waters
         kissed.                                  --Milton.

   Note: This adjective generally follows its noun, or is used
         predicatively.

Whistle \Whis"tle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Whistled}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Whistling}.] [AS. hwistlian; akin to Sw. hvissla, Dan.
   hvisle, Icel. hv[=i]sla to whisper, and E. whisper. [root]43.
   See {Whisper}.]
   1. To make a kind of musical sound, or series of sounds, by
      forcing the breath through a small orifice formed by
      contracting the lips; also, to emit a similar sound, or
      series of notes, from the mouth or beak, as birds.

            The weary plowman leaves the task of day, And,
            trudging homeward, whistles on the way. --Gay.

   2. To make a shrill sound with a wind or steam instrument,
      somewhat like that made with the lips; to blow a sharp,
      shrill tone.

   3. To sound shrill, or like a pipe; to make a sharp, shrill
      sound; as, a bullet whistles through the air.

            The wild winds whistle, and the billows roar.
                                                  --Pope.

Whistle \Whis"tle\, v. t.
   1. To form, utter, or modulate by whistling; as, to whistle a
      tune or an air.

   2. To send, signal, or call by a whistle.

            He chanced to miss his dog; we stood still till he
            had whistled him up.                  --Addison.

   {To whistle off}.
      (a) To dismiss by a whistle; -- a term in hawking. ``AS a
          long-winged hawk when he is first whistled off the
          fist, mounts aloft.'' --Burton.
      (b) Hence, in general, to turn loose; to abandon; to
          dismiss.

                I 'ld whistle her off, and let her down the wind
                To prey at fortune.               --Shak.

   Note: ``A hawk seems to have been usually sent off in this
         way, against the wind when sent in search of prey; with
         or down the wind, when turned loose, and abandoned.''
         --Nares.

Whistle \Whis"tle\, n. [AS. hwistle a pipe, flute, whistle. See
   {Whistle}, v. i.]
   1. A sharp, shrill, more or less musical sound, made by
      forcing the breath through a small orifice of the lips, or
      through or instrument which gives a similar sound; the
      sound used by a sportsman in calling his dogs; the shrill
      note of a bird; as, the sharp whistle of a boy, or of a
      boatswain's pipe; the blackbird's mellow whistle.

            Might we but hear The folded flocks, penned in their
            wattled cotes, . . . Or whistle from the lodge.
                                                  --Milton.

            The countryman could not forbear smiling, . . . and
            by that means lost his whistle.       --Spectator.

            They fear his whistle, and forsake the seas.
                                                  --Dryden.

   2. The shrill sound made by wind passing among trees or
      through crevices, or that made by bullet, or the like,
      passing rapidly through the air; the shrill noise (much
      used as a signal, etc.) made by steam or gas escaping
      through a small orifice, or impinging against the edge of
      a metallic bell or cup.

   3. An instrument in which gas or steam forced into a cavity,
      or against a thin edge, produces a sound more or less like
      that made by one who whistles through the compressed lips;
      as, a child's whistle; a boatswain's whistle; a steam
      whistle (see {Steam whistle}, under {Steam}).

            The bells she jingled, and the whistle blew. --Pope.

   4. The mouth and throat; -- so called as being the organs of
      whistling. [Colloq.]

            So was her jolly whistle well ywet.   --Chaucer.

            Let's drink the other cup to wet our whistles.
                                                  --Walton.

   {Whistle duck} (Zo["o]l.), the American golden-eye.

Whistlefish \Whis"tle*fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   A gossat, or rockling; -- called also {whistler},
   {three-bearded rockling}, {sea loach}, and {sorghe}.

Whistler \Whis"tler\, n. [AS. hwistlere.]
   1. One who, or that which, whistles, or produces or a
      whistling sound.

   2. (Zo["o]l.)
      (a) The ring ousel.
      (b) The widgeon. [Prov. Eng.]
      (c) The golden-eye.
      (d) The golden plover and the gray plover.

   3. (Zo["o]l.) The hoary, or northern, marmot ({Arctomys
      pruinosus}).

   4. (Zo["o]l.) The whistlefish.

Whistlewing \Whis"tle*wing`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The American golden-eye.

Whistlewood \Whis"tle*wood`\, n. (Bot.)
   The moosewood, or striped maple. See {Maple}.

Whistling \Whis"tling\,
   a. & n. from {Whistle}, v.

   {Whistling buoy}. (Naut.) See under {Buoy}.

   {Whistling coot} (Zo["o]l.), the American black scoter.

   {Whistling Dick}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) An Australian shrike thrush ({Colluricincla Selbii}).
   (b) The song thrush. [Prov. Eng.]

   {Whistling duck}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The golden-eye.
   (b) A tree duck.

   {Whistling eagle} (Zo["o]l.), a small Australian eagle
      ({Haliastur sphenurus}); -- called also {whistling hawk},
      and {little swamp eagle}.

   {Whistling plover}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The golden plover.
   (b) The black-bellied, or gray, plover.

   {Whistling snipe} (Zo["o]l.), the American woodcock.

   {Whistling swan}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The European whooper swan; -- called also {wild swan},
       and {elk}.
   (b) An American swan ({Olor c