Dict 8

Oxford English Dictionary.
txt
Washerwoman n. Laundress.
Washing n. Clothes etc. For washing or just washed.
Washing-machine n. Machine for washing clothes.
Washing-powder n. Soap powder or detergent for washing clothes.
Washing-soda n. Sodium carbonate, used dissolved in water for washing and cleaning.
Washing-up n. 1 process of washing dishes etc. 2 used dishes etc. For washing.
Wash-out n. Colloq. Complete failure, non-event.

Washroom n. Esp. Us public toilet.
Washstand n. Piece of furniture to hold a basin, jug, soap, etc.
Washy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 too watery or weak. 2 lacking vigour or intensity.
washily adv. Washiness n.
Wasn't contr. Was not.
Wasp n. (also wasp) us usu. Derog. Middle-class american white protestant. [white
anglo-saxon protestant]
Wasp n. Stinging insect with black and yellow stripes. [old english]
Waspish adj. Irritable, snappish.

Wasp-waist n. Very slender waist.
Wassail archaic —n. Festive occasion; drinking-bout. —v. Make merry. [old norse ves
heill be in health: related to *whole]
Wastage n. 1 amount wasted. 2 loss by use, wear, or leakage. 3 (also natural
wastage) loss of employees other than by redundancy.
Waste —v. (-ting) 1 use to no purpose or with inadequate result or extravagantly. 2

fail to use (esp. An opportunity). 3 (often foll. By on) a give (advice etc.)
Without effect. B (often in passive) fail to be appreciated or used properly (she
was wasted on him; feel wasted in this job). 4 wear gradually away; make or become
weak. 5 devastate. —adj. 1 superfluous; no longer needed. 2 not inhabited or
cultivated. —n. 1 act of wasting. 2 waste material. 3 waste region. 4 being used up;
diminution by wear. 5 = *waste pipe.
Waste disposal unit n. Device fitted to a sink etc. For disposing of household
waste.
Wasteful adj. 1 extravagant. 2 causing or showing waste. wastefully adv.
Wasteland n. 1 unproductive or useless area of land. 2 place or time considered
spiritually or intellectually barren.
Waste paper n. Used or valueless paper.
Waste-paper basket n. Receptacle for waste paper.

Waste pipe n. Pipe to carry off waste material.
Waste product n. Useless by-product of manufacture or of an organism.
Waster n. 1 wasteful person. 2 colloq. Wastrel.
Page 1629
Oxford English Dictionary.txt
Wastrel n. Good-for-nothing person.
Watch —v. 1 keep the eyes fixed on. 2 keep under observation; follow observantly. 3
(often foll. By for) be in an alert state; be vigilant. 4 (foll. By over) look
after; take care of. —n. 1 small portable timepiece for carrying on the wrist or in
a pocket. 2 state of alert or constant observation or attention. 3 naut. A usu.
Four-hour spell of duty. B (in full starboard or port watch) each of the halves into
which a ship's crew is divided to take alternate watches. 4 hist. Watchman or
watchmen. on the watch for waiting for (an anticipated occurrence). Watch it (or
oneself) colloq. Be careful. Watch out (often foll. By for) be on one's guard.
watcher n. (also in comb.). [old english: related to *wake1]
Watchdog n. 1 dog guarding property etc. 2 person or body monitoring others' rights
etc.
Watchful adj. 1 accustomed to watching, alert. 2 on the watch. watchfully adv.

Watchfulness n.
Watching brief n. Brief of a barrister who follows a case for a client not directly
concerned.
Watchmaker n. Person who makes and repairs watches and clocks.
Watchman n. Man employed to look after an empty building etc. At night.

Watch-night service n. Religious service held on the last night of the year.
Watch-tower n. Tower for keeping watch from.
Watchword n. Phrase summarizing a guiding principle.

Water —n. 1 colourless transparent liquid compound of oxygen and hydrogen. 2 liquid
consisting chiefly of this and found in seas and rivers, in rain, and in secretions
of organisms. 3 expanse of water; a sea, lake, river, etc. 4 (in pl.) Part of a sea
or river. 5 (often as the waters) mineral water at a spa etc. 6 state of a tide. 7
solution of a specified substance in water (lavender-water). 8 transparency and
brilliance of a gem. 9 (attrib.) A found in or near water. B of, for, or worked by
water. C involving, using, or yielding water. 10 (usu. In pl.) Amniotic fluid,
released during labour. —v. 1 sprinkle or soak with water. 2 supply (a plant) with
water. 3 give water to (an animal). 4 secrete water. 5 (as watered adj.) (of silk
etc.) Having irregular wavy glossy markings. 6 take in a supply of water. by water
using a ship etc. For transport. Like water in great quantity, profusely. Make one's
mouth water cause one's saliva to flow, stimulate one's appetite or anticipation. Of
the first water of the finest quality or extreme degree. Water down 1 dilute. 2 make
less forceful or horrifying. Water under the bridge past events accepted as
irrevocable. [old english]
Water-bearer var. Of *water-carrier.
Water-bed n. Mattress filled with water.
Water-biscuit n. Thin crisp unsweetened biscuit.
Water-buffalo n. Common domestic indian buffalo.
Water bus n. Boat carrying passengers on a regular run on a river, lake, etc.
Water-cannon n. Device using a jet of water to disperse a crowd etc.
Water-carrier n. (also water-bearer) (prec. By the) zodiacal sign or constellation
aquarius.
Water chestnut n. Corm from a sedge, used in chinese cookery.
Page 1630
Water-clock n. Clock measuring time by the flow of water.
Water-closet n. Lavatory that can be flushed.
Water-color n. (brit. Water-colour) 1 artists' paint made of pigment to be diluted
with water and not oil. 2 picture painted with this. 3 art of painting with
water-colours. water-colourist n.
Water-colour n. (us water-color) 1 artists' paint made of pigment to be diluted
with water and not oil. 2 picture painted with this. 3 art of painting with
water-colours. water-colourist n.
Water-cooled adj. Cooled by the circulation of water.
Watercourse n. 1 brook or stream. 2 bed of this.

Watercress n. Pungent cress growing in running water and used in salad.
Water-diviner n. Dowser.
Waterfall n. Stream flowing over a precipice or down a steep hillside.

Waterfowl n. (usu. Collect. As pl.) Birds frequenting water.
Waterfront n. Part of a town adjoining a river etc.
Water-glass n. Solution of sodium or potassium silicate used esp. For preserving

eggs.
Water-hammer n. Knocking noise in a water-pipe when a tap is suddenly turned off.

Water-hole n. Shallow depression in which water collects.
Water-ice n. Flavoured and frozen water and sugar etc.
Watering-can n. Portable container with a long spout, for watering plants.
Watering-hole n. 1 = *watering-place 1. 2 slang bar.
Watering-place n. 1 pool from which animals regularly drink. 2 spa or seaside

resort.
Water jump n. Jump over water in a steeplechase etc.
Water-level n. 1 a surface of the water in a reservoir etc. B height of this. 2

level below which the ground is saturated with water. 3 level using water to
determine the horizontal.
Water lily n. Aquatic plant with floating leaves and flowers.
Water-line n. Line along which the surface of water touches a ship's side.
Waterlogged adj. Saturated or filled with water.

Waterloo n. Decisive defeat or contest. [waterloo in belgium, where napoleon was
defeated]
Water main n. Main pipe in a water-supply system.
Waterman n. 1 boatman plying for hire. 2 oarsman as regards skill in keeping the
boat balanced.
Watermark —n. Faint design in some paper identifying the maker etc. —v. Mark with
Page 1631
this.
Water-meadow n. Meadow periodically flooded by a stream.
Water melon n. Large dark-green melon with red pulp and watery juice.
Water-mill n. Mill worked by a water-wheel.
Water-pistol n. Toy pistol shooting a jet of water.
Water polo n. Game played by swimmers, with a ball like a football.
Water-power n. Mechanical force derived from the weight or motion of water.

Waterproof —adj. Impervious to water. —n. Waterproof garment or material. —v. Make
waterproof.
Water-rat n. = *water-vole.
Water-rate n. Charge made for the use of the public water-supply.
Watershed n. 1 line of separation between waters flowing to different rivers,
basins, etc. 2 turning-point in affairs. [from shed ridge]
Waterside n. Edge of a sea, lake, or river.
Water-ski —n. Each of a pair of skis for skimming the surface of the water when
towed by a motor boat. —v. Travel on water-skis. water-skier n.
Water-softener n. Apparatus for softening hard water.

Waterspout n. Gyrating column of water and spray between sea and cloud.
Water table n. = *water-level 2.

Watertight adj. 1 closely fastened or fitted so as to prevent the passage of water.
2 (of an argument etc.) Unassailable.
Water-tower n. Tower with an elevated tank to give pressure for distributing water.
Water-vole n. Aquatic vole.
Waterway n. Navigable channel.
Water-wheel n. Wheel driven by water to work machinery, or to raise water.
Water-wings n.pl. Inflated floats fixed on the arms of a person learning to swim.
Waterworks n. 1 establishment for managing a water-supply. 2 colloq. Shedding of
tears. 3 colloq. Urinary system.
Watery adj. 1 containing too much water. 2 too thin in consistency. 3 of or
consisting of water. 4 vapid, uninteresting. 5 (of colour) pale. 6 (of the sun,
moon, or sky) rainy-looking. 7 (of eyes) moist; tearful. wateriness n.
Watt n. Si unit of power, equivalent to one joule per second, corresponding to the
rate of energy in an electric circuit where the potential difference is one volt and
the current one ampere. [watt, name of an engineer]
Wattage n. Amount of electrical power expressed in watts.
Watt-hour n. Energy used when one watt is applied for one hour.
Wattle1 n. 1 structure of interlaced rods and sticks used for fences etc. 2
Page 1632
australian acacia with pliant branches and golden flowers used as the national
emblem. [old english]
Wattle2 n. Fleshy appendage on the head or throat of a turkey or other birds.

[origin unknown]
Wattle and daub n. Network of rods and twigs plastered with clay or mud as a
building material.
Wave —v. (-ving) 1 a (often foll. By to) move a hand etc. To and fro in greeting or
as a signal. B move (a hand etc.) In this way. 2 a show a sinuous or sweeping motion
as of a flag, tree, corn, etc. In the wind. B impart a waving motion to. 3 direct (a
person) by waving (waved them away; waved them to follow). 4 express (a greeting
etc.) By waving. 5 give an undulating form to (hair etc.). 6 (of hair etc.) Have
such a form. —n. 1 ridge of water between two depressions. 2 long body of water
curling into an arch and breaking on the shore. 3 thing compared to this, e.g. A
body of persons in one of successive advancing groups. 4 gesture of waving. 5 a
process of waving the hair. B undulating form produced by this. 6 temporary
occurrence or increase of a condition or influence (wave of enthusiasm; heat wave).
7 physics a disturbance of the particles of esp. A fluid medium for the propagation
or direction of motion, heat, light, sound, etc. B single curve in this motion. 8
undulating line or outline. make waves colloq. Cause trouble. Wave aside dismiss
as intrusive or irrelevant. Wave down wave to (a vehicle or driver) to stop. [old
english]
Waveband n. Range of radio wavelengths between certain limits.
Wave-form n. Physics curve showing the shape of a wave at a given time.
Wavelength n. 1 distance between successive crests of a wave. 2 this as a

distinctive feature of radio waves from a transmitter. 3 colloq. Particular mode or
range of thought.
Wavelet n. Small wave.

Wave machine n. Device at a swimming-pool producing waves.
Waver v. 1 be or become unsteady; begin to give way. 2 be irresolute. 3 (of a

light) flicker. [old norse: related to *wave]
Wavy adj. (-ier, -iest) having waves or alternate contrary curves. waviness n.
Wax1 —n. 1 sticky plastic yellowish substance secreted by bees as the material of
honeycomb. 2 this bleached and purified, used for candles, modelling, etc. 3 any
similar substance, e.g. The yellow substance secreted by the ear. —v. 1 cover or
treat with wax. 2 remove unwanted hair from (legs etc.) Using wax. waxy adj.
(-ier, -iest). [old english]
Wax2 v. 1 (of the moon) increase in apparent size. 2 become larger or stronger. 3
pass into a specified state or mood (wax lyrical). wax and wane undergo alternate
increases and decreases. [old english]
Waxen adj. 1 smooth or pale like wax. 2 archaic made of wax.
Waxwing n. Any of various birds with tips like red sealing-wax to some
wing-feathers.
Waxwork n. 1 object, esp. A lifelike dummy, modelled in wax. 2 (in pl.) Exhibition
of wax dummies.
Way —n. 1 road, track, path, etc., for passing along. 2 course or route for
reaching a place (asked the way to london; the way out). 3 method or plan for
attaining an object. 4 style, manner (i like the way you dress). 5 person's chosen
or habitual course of action. 6 normal course of events (that is always the way). 7
Page 1633
travelling distance; length traversed or to be traversed. 8 unimpeded opportunity or
space to advance (make way). 9 advance in some direction; impetus, progress (under
way). 10 being engaged in movement from place to place; time spent in this (on the
way home). 11 specified direction (step this way). 12 colloq. Scope or range. 13
line of occupation or business. 14 specified condition or state (things are in a bad
way). 15 respect (is useful in some ways). 16 (in pl.) Part into which a thing is
divided (split it three ways). 17 (in pl.) Structure of timber etc. Down which a new
ship is launched. —adv. Colloq. Far (way off). by the way incidentally. By way of
1 by means of. 2 as a form of. 3 passing through. Come one's way become available to
one. Get out of the (or my etc.) Way stop obstructing a person. Go out of one's way
make a special effort. In a way to some extent. In the (or one's) way forming an
obstruction. Lead the way act as guide or leader. Look the other way ignore what one
should notice. On the (or one's) way 1 in the course of a journey etc. 2 having
progressed. 3 colloq. (of a child) conceived but not yet born. On the way out
colloq. Going out of fashion or favour. Out of the way 1 no longer an obstacle. 2
disposed of. 3 unusual. 4 (of a place) remote. [old english]
Way back adv. Colloq. Long ago.
Waybill n. List of passengers or parcels on a vehicle.
Wayfarer n. Traveller, esp. On foot. wayfaring n. & adj.
Waylay v. (past and past part. Waylaid) 1 lie in wait for. 2 stop to talk to or
rob.
Way of life n. Principles or habits governing all one's actions etc.

Way-out adj. Colloq. Unusual; eccentric.
-ways suffix forming adjectives and adverbs of direction or manner (sideways).
Ways and means n.pl. 1 methods of achieving something. 2 methods of raising

government revenue.
Wayside n. 1 side of a road. 2 land at the side of a road.
Wayward adj. Childishly self-willed; capricious. waywardness n. [from *away,

*-ward]
Wb abbr. Weber(s).
Wc abbr. 1 water-closet. 2 west central.
W/cdr. Abbr. Wing commander.
We pron. (obj. Us; poss. Our, ours) 1 pl. Of *i2. 2 used for or by a royal person
in a proclamation etc. Or by an editor etc. In a formal context. [old english]
Wea abbr. Workers' educational association.
Weak adj. 1 deficient in strength, power, vigour, resolution, or number. 2

unconvincing. 3 gram. (of a verb) forming inflections by the addition of a suffix to
the stem. weakish adj. [old norse]
Weaken v. Make or become weak or weaker.

Weak-kneed adj. Colloq. Lacking resolution.
Weakling n. Feeble person or animal.
Weakly —adv. In a weak manner. —adj. (-ier, -iest) sickly, not robust.
Page 1634
Weak-minded adj. 1 mentally deficient. 2 lacking in resolution.
Weak moment n. Time when one is unusually compliant or susceptible.
Weakness n. 1 being weak. 2 weak point. 3 (foll. By for) self-indulgent liking
(weakness for chocolate).
Weak point n. (also weak spot) 1 place where defences are assailable. 2 flaw in an
argument or character or in resistance to temptation.
Weal1 —n. Ridge raised on the flesh by a stroke of a rod or whip. —v. Mark with a
weal. [var. Of *wale]
Weal2 n. Literary welfare. [old english]
Wealth n. 1 riches. 2 being rich. 3 (foll. By of) abundance. [old english]
Wealthy adj. (-ier, -iest) having an abundance, esp. Of money.

Wean v. 1 accustom (an infant or other young mammal) to food other than (esp. Its
mother's) milk. 2 (often foll. By from, away from) disengage (from a habit etc.) By
enforced discontinuance. [old english, = accustom]
Weapon n. 1 thing designed, used, or usable for inflicting bodily harm. 2 means for
gaining the advantage in a conflict. [old english]
Weaponry n. Weapons collectively.
Wear —v. (past wore; past part. Worn) 1 have on one's person as clothing or an
ornament etc. 2 exhibit or present (a facial expression etc.) (wore a frown). 3
colloq. (usu. With neg.) Tolerate. 4 (often foll. By away, down) a injure the
surface of, or partly obliterate or alter, by rubbing, stress, or use. B undergo
such injury or change. 5 (foll. By off, away) rub or be rubbed off. 6 make (a hole
etc.) By constant rubbing or dripping etc. 7 (often foll. By out) exhaust. 8 (foll.
By down) overcome by persistence. 9 (foll. By well etc.) Endure continued use or
life. 10 (of time) pass, esp. Tediously. 11 (of a ship) fly (a flag). —n. 1 wearing
or being worn. 2 things worn; fashionable or suitable clothing (sportswear;
footwear). 3 (in full wear and tear) damage from continuous use. wear one's heart
on one's sleeve show one's feelings openly. Wear off lose effectiveness or
intensity. Wear out 1 use or be used until useless. 2 tire or be tired out. Wear
thin (of patience, excuses, etc.) Begin to fail. Wear the trousers see *trousers.
wearer n. [old english]
Wearisome adj. Tedious; tiring by monotony or length.
Weary —adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 very tired after exertion or endurance. 2 (foll. By of)
no longer interested in, tired of. 3 tiring, tedious. —v. (-ies, -ied) make or grow
weary. wearily adv. Weariness n. [old english]
Weasel n. Small flesh-eating mammal related to the stoat and ferret. [old english]
Weasel word n. (usu. In pl.) Word that is intentionally ambiguous or misleading.
Weather —n. 1 state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat,
cloudiness, dryness, sunshine, wind, and rain etc. 2 (attrib.) Naut. Windward. —v. 1
expose to or affect by atmospheric changes; season (wood). 2 be discoloured or worn
in this way. 3 a come safely through (a storm). B survive (a difficult period etc.).
4 get to the windward of (a cape etc.). keep a weather eye open be watchful. Make
heavy weather of colloq. Exaggerate the difficulty presented by. Under the weather
colloq. Indisposed. [old english]
Weather-beaten adj. Affected by exposure to the weather.
Weatherboard n. 1 sloping board attached to the bottom of an outside door to keep
Page 1635
out the rain etc. 2 each of a series of overlapping horizontal boards on a wall.
weatherboarding n. (in sense 2 of n.).
Weathercock n. 1 weather-vane in the form of a cock. 2 inconstant person.
Weather forecast n. Assessment of likely weather.
Weatherman n. Meteorologist, esp. One who broadcasts a weather forecast.

Weatherproof adj. Resistant to the effects of bad weather, esp. Rain.
Weather-vane n. 1 revolving pointer on a church spire etc. To show the direction of
the wind. 2 inconstant person.
Weave1 —v. (-ving; past wove; past part. Woven or wove) 1 a form (fabric) by
interlacing long threads in two directions. B form (thread) into fabric in this way.
2 make fabric in this way. 3 a (foll. By into) make (facts etc.) Into a story or
connected whole. B make (a story) in this way. —n. Style of weaving. [old english]
Weave2 v. (-ving) move repeatedly from side to side; take an intricate course to
avoid obstructions. get weaving slang begin action; hurry. [old norse: related to
*wave]
Weaver n. 1 person who weaves fabric. 2 (in full weaver-bird) tropical bird
building elaborately woven nests.
Web n. 1 a woven fabric. B amount woven in one piece. 2 complex series (web of
lies). 3 cobweb, gossamer, or a similar product of a spinning creature. 4 membrane
between the toes of a swimming animal or bird. 5 large roll of paper used in
printing. 6 thin flat connecting part in machinery etc. webbed adj. [old english]
Webbing n. Strong narrow closely-woven fabric used for belts etc.
Weber n. The si unit of magnetic flux. [weber, name of a physicist]
Web-footed adj. Having the toes connected by webs.

Wed. Abbr. (also weds.) Wednesday.
Wed v. (-dd-; past and past part. Wedded or wed) 1 usu. Formal or literary marry. 2
unite. 3 (as wedded adj.) Of or in marriage (wedded bliss). 4 (as wedded adj.)
(foll. By to) obstinately attached or devoted to (a pursuit etc.). [old english, =
pledge]
We'd contr. 1 we had. 2 we should; we would.

Wedding n. Marriage ceremony. [old english: related to *wed]
Wedding breakfast n. Meal etc. Between a wedding and departure for the honeymoon.
Wedding cake n. Rich iced cake served at a wedding reception.
Wedding ring n. Ring worn by a married person.
Wedge —n. 1 piece of tapering wood or metal etc. Driven between two objects or
parts to secure or separate them. 2 anything resembling a wedge. 3 golf club with a
wedge-shaped head. —v. (-ging) 1 secure or fasten with a wedge. 2 force open or
apart with a wedge. 3 (foll. By in, into) pack or thrust (a thing or oneself)
tightly in or into. thin end of the wedge colloq. Thing of little importance in
itself, but likely to lead to more serious developments. [old english]
Wedgwood n. Propr. 1 a kind of fine stoneware usu. With a white cameo design. 2 its
characteristic blue colour. [wedgwood, name of a potter]
Page 1636
Wedlock n. The married state. born in (or out of) wedlock born of married (or
unmarried) parents. [old english, = marriage vow]
Wednesday —n. Day of the week following tuesday. —adv. Colloq. 1 on wednesday. 2
(wednesdays) on wednesdays; each wednesday. [old english]
Weds. Abbr. Var. Of *wed.
Wee1 adj. (weer; weest) 1 esp. Scot. Little. 2 colloq. Tiny. [old english]
Wee2 n. Colloq. = *wee-wee.
Weed —n. 1 wild plant growing where it is not wanted. 2 thin weak-looking person or
horse. 3 (prec. By the) slang a marijuana. B tobacco. —v. 1 a clear (an area) of
weeds. B remove unwanted parts from. 2 (foll. By out) a sort out and remove
(inferior or unwanted parts etc.). B rid of inferior parts, unwanted members, etc. 3
cut off or uproot weeds. [old english]
Weed-killer n. Chemical used to destroy weeds.
Weeds n.pl. (in full widow's weeds) archaic deep mourning worn by a widow. [old
english, = garment]
Weedy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 weak, feeble. 2 having many weeds.

Week n. 1 period of seven days reckoned usu. From midnight on saturday. 2 any
period of seven days. 3 the six days between sundays. 4 a the five days monday to
friday. B time spent working in this period (35-hour week; three-day week). [old
english]
Weekday n. Day other than sunday or saturday and sunday.
Weekend n. 1 sunday and saturday or part of saturday. 2 this period extended

slightly esp. For a holiday or visit etc.
Weekender n. Person who spends the weekend away from home; weekend visitor.
Weekly —adj. Done, produced, or occurring once a week. —adv. Once a week. —n. (pl.
-ies) weekly newspaper or periodical.
Weeny adj. (-ier, -iest) colloq. Tiny. [from *wee1]

Weep —v. (past and past part. Wept) 1 shed tears. 2 (often foll. By for) bewail,
lament over. 3 a be covered with or send forth drops. B come or send forth in drops;
exude liquid. 4 (as weeping adj.) (of a tree) having drooping branches. —n. Spell of
weeping. [old english]
Weepie n. Colloq. Sentimental or emotional film, play, etc.

Weepy adj. (-ier, -iest) colloq. Inclined to weep; tearful.
Weevil n. Destructive beetle feeding esp. On grain. [low german]
Wee-wee colloq. —n. 1 act of urinating. 2 urine. —v. (-wees, -weed) urinate.
[origin unknown]
Weft n. 1 threads woven across a warp to make fabric. 2 yarn for these. 3 thing
woven. [old english: related to *weave1]
Weigh v. 1 find the weight of. 2 balance in the hands to guess or as if to guess
the weight of. 3 (often foll. By out) take a definite weight of (a substance);
measure out (a specified weight) (weigh out the flour; weigh out 6 oz). 4 a estimate
the relative value, importance, or desirability of. B (foll. By with, against)
compare. 5 be equal to (a specified weight). 6 have (esp. A specified) importance;
Page 1637
exert an influence. 7 (often foll. By on) be heavy or burdensome (to); be depressing
(to). weigh down 1 bring down by exerting weight. 2 be oppressive to. Weigh in (of
a boxer before a contest, or a jockey after a race) be weighed. Weigh in with
colloq. Advance (an argument etc.) Boldly. Weigh out (of a jockey) be weighed before
a race. Weigh up colloq. Form an estimate of. Weigh one's words carefully choose the
way one expresses something. [old english, = carry]
Weighbridge n. Weighing-machine for vehicles.
Weigh-in n. Weighing of a boxer before a fight.
Weight —n. 1 force experienced by a body as a result of the earth's gravitation. 2
heaviness of a body regarded as a property of it. 3 a quantitative expression of a
body's weight. B scale of such weights (troy weight). 4 body of a known weight for
use in weighing or weight training. 5 heavy body, esp. As used in a mechanism etc. 6
load or burden. 7 influence, importance. 8 athletics = *shot1 7. —v. 1 a attach a
weight to. B hold down with a weight. 2 (foll. By with) impede or burden. throw
one's weight about (or around) colloq. Be unpleasantly self-assertive. Worth one's
weight in gold very useful or helpful. [old english]
Weighting n. Extra allowance paid in special cases.

Weightless adj. (of a body, esp. In an orbiting spacecraft etc.) Not apparently
acted on by gravity. weightlessness n.
Weightlifting n. Sport of lifting heavy weights. weightlifter n.
Weight training n. Physical training using weights.

Weighty adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 heavy. 2 momentous. 3 (of utterances etc.) Deserving
consideration. 4 influential, authoritative. weightily adv. Weightiness n.
Weir n. Dam across a river to raise the level of water upstream or regulate its
flow. [old english]
Weird adj. 1 uncanny, supernatural. 2 colloq. Queer, incomprehensible. weirdly
adv. Weirdness n. [old english wyrd destiny]
Weirdo n. (pl. -s) colloq. Odd or eccentric person.
Welch var. Of *welsh.

Welcome —n. Act of greeting or receiving gladly; kind or glad reception. —int.
Expressing such a greeting. —v. (-ming) receive with a welcome. —adj. 1 that one
receives with pleasure (welcome guest; welcome news). 2 (foll. By to, or to +
infin.) Cordially allowed or invited (you are welcome to use my car). make welcome
receive hospitably. Outstay one's welcome stay too long as a visitor etc. You are
welcome there is no need for thanks. [old english]
Weld —v. 1 a hammer or press (pieces of iron or other metal usu. Heated but not
melted) into one piece. B join by fusion with an electric arc etc. C form by welding
into some article. 2 fashion into an effectual or homogeneous whole. —n. Welded
joint. welder n. [alteration of *well2, probably influenced by the form welled]
Welfare n. 1 well-being, happiness; health and prosperity (of a person or community
etc.). 2 (welfare) a welfare centre or office. B financial support given by the
state. [from *well1, *fare]
Welfare state n. 1 system whereby the state undertakes to protect the health and
well-being of its citizens by means of grants, pensions, etc. 2 country practising
this system.
Welfare work n. Organized effort for the welfare of the poor, disabled, etc.
Page 1638
Welkin n. Poet. Sky. [old english, = cloud]
Well1 —adv. (better, best) 1 in a satisfactory way (works well). 2 with some
distinction (plays the piano well). 3 in a kind way (treated me well). 4 thoroughly,
carefully (polish it well). 5 with heartiness or approval (speak well of). 6
probably, reasonably (you may well be right). 7 to a considerable extent (is well
over forty). —adj. (better, best) 1 (usu. Predic.) In good health. 2 (predic.) A in
a satisfactory state or position. B advisable (it would be well to enquire). —int.
Expressing surprise, resignation, etc., or used to introduce speech. leave well
alone avoid needless change or disturbance. Well and truly decisively, completely.
Well away 1 having made considerable progress. 2 colloq. Fast asleep or drunk. Well
done! Expressing praise for something done. Well worth certainly worth. [old
english]
Well2 —n. 1 shaft sunk into the ground to obtain water, oil, etc. 2 enclosed space
like a well-shaft, e.g. In the middle of a building for stairs or a lift, or for
light or ventilation. 3 (foll. By of) source. 4 (in pl.) Spa. 5 = *ink-well. 6
archaic water-spring. 7 railed space in a lawcourt. —v. (foll. By out, up) spring as
from a fountain. [old english]
We'll contr. We shall; we will.
Well-adjusted adj. 1 mentally and emotionally stable. 2 in a good state of

adjustment.
Well-advised adj. (usu. Foll. By to + infin.) Prudent.
Well-appointed adj. Having all the necessary equipment.
Well-attended adj. Attended by a large number of people.
Well-balanced adj. Sane, sensible.
Well-behaved adj. Habitually behaving well.

Well-being n. State of being contented, healthy, etc.
Well-born adj. Of noble family.
Well-bred adj. Having or showing good breeding or manners.

Well-built adj. Big, strong, and well-proportioned.
Well-connected adj. Associated, esp. By birth, with persons of good social
position.
Well-disposed adj. (often foll. By towards) friendly or sympathetic.
Well-dressed adj. Fashionably smart.
Well-earned adj. Fully deserved.
Well-founded adj. (of suspicions etc.) Based on good evidence.

Well-groomed adj. With carefully tended hair, clothes, etc.
Well-head n. Source.
Well-heeled adj. Colloq. Wealthy.

Wellies n.pl. Colloq. Wellingtons. [abbreviation]
Well-informed adj. Having much knowledge or information about a subject.
Page 1639
Wellington n. (in full wellington boot) waterproof boot usu. Reaching the knee.
[duke of wellington]
Well-intentioned adj. Having or showing good intentions.
Well-judged adj. Opportunely, skilfully, or discreetly done.
Well-kept adj. Kept in good order or condition.
Well-known adj. Known to many.
Well-made adj. 1 strongly manufactured. 2 having a good build.

Well-mannered adj. Having good manners.
Well-meaning adj. (also well-meant) well-intentioned (but ineffective).
Wellnigh adv. Almost (wellnigh impossible).

Well off adj. (also well-off) 1 having plenty of money. 2 in a fortunate situation.
Well-oiled adj. Colloq. Very drunk.
Well-paid adj. 1 (of a job) that pays well. 2 (of a person) amply rewarded for a
job.
Well-preserved adj. 1 in good condition. 2 (of an old person) showing little sign
of age.
Well-read adj. Knowledgeable through much reading.
Well-received adj. Welcomed; favourably received.
Well-rounded adj. Complete and symmetrical.

Well-spoken adj. Articulate or refined in speech.
Well-spring n. = *well-head.
Well-to-do adj. Prosperous.

Well-tried adj. Often tested with good results.
Well-trodden adj. Much frequented.

Well-wisher n. Person who wishes one well.
Well-worn adj. 1 much worn by use. 2 (of a phrase etc.) Trite.
Welsh —adj. Of or relating to wales or its people or language. —n. 1 the celtic
language of wales. 2 (prec. By the; treated as pl.) The people of wales. [old
english, ultimately from latin volcae, name of a celtic people]
Welsh v. (also welch) 1 (of a loser of a bet, esp. A bookmaker) decamp without
paying. 2 evade an obligation. 3 (foll. By on) a fail to carry out a promise to (a
person). B fail to honour (an obligation). [origin unknown]
Welshman n. Man who is welsh by birth or descent.
Welsh rabbit n. (also, by folk etymology, welsh rarebit) dish of melted cheese etc.
On toast.
Welshwoman n. Woman who is welsh by birth or descent.
Page 1640
Welt —n. 1 leather rim sewn round the edge of a shoe-upper for the sole to be
attached to. 2 = *weal1. 3 ribbed or reinforced border of a garment. 4 heavy blow.
—v. 1 provide with a welt. 2 raise weals on; thrash. [origin unknown]
Welter1 —v. 1 roll, wallow. 2 (foll. By in) lie prostrate or be soaked in. —n. 1
general confusion. 2 (foll. By of) disorderly mixture or contrast. [low german or
dutch]
Welter2 n. Heavy rider or boxer. [origin unknown]
Welterweight n. 1 weight in certain sports intermediate between lightweight and
middleweight, in the amateur boxing scale 63.5–67 kg. 2 sportsman of this weight.
Wen n. Benign tumour on the skin, esp. On the scalp. [old english]
Wench n. Joc. Girl or young woman. [abbreviation of wenchel, from old english, =
child]
Wend v. wend one's way make one's way. [old english, = turn]
Wendy house n. Children's small houselike tent or structure for playing in. [wendy,
name of a character in barrie's peter pan]
Went past of *go1.
Wept past of *weep.

Were 2nd sing. Past, pl. Past, and past subjunctive of *be.
We're contr. We are.
Weren't contr. Were not.

Werewolf n. (pl. -wolves) mythical being who at times changes from a person to a
wolf. [old english]
Wesleyan —adj. Of or relating to a protestant denomination founded by john wesley.
—n. Member of this denomination.
West —n. 1 a point of the horizon where the sun sets at the equinoxes. B compass
point corresponding to this. C direction in which this lies. 2 (usu. The west) a
european civilization. B states of western europe and n. America. C western part of
a country, town, etc. —adj. 1 towards, at, near, or facing the west. 2 from the west
(west wind). —adv. 1 towards, at, or near the west. 2 (foll. By of) further west
than. go west slang be killed or destroyed etc. To the west (often followed by of)
in a westerly direction. [old english]
Westbound adj. Travelling or leading westwards.
West country n. South-western england.
West end n. Main entertainment and shopping area of london.

Westering adj. (of the sun) nearing the west.
Westerly —adj. & adv. 1 in a western position or direction. 2 (of a wind) from the
west. —n. (pl. -ies) such a wind.
Western —adj. Of or in the west. —n. Film or novel about cowboys in western north
america. westernmost adj.
Westerner n. Native or inhabitant of the west.
Page 1641
Westernize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) influence with, or convert to, the ideas
and customs etc. Of the west.
West indian n. 1 native or national of the west indies. 2 person of west indian
descent.
West-north-west n. Point or direction midway between west and north-west.
West side n. Us western part of manhattan.

West-south-west n. Point or direction midway between west and south-west.
Westward —adj. & adv. (also westwards) towards the west. —n. Westward direction or
region.
Wet —adj. (wetter, wettest) 1 soaked or covered with water or other liquid. 2 (of
the weather etc.) Rainy. 3 (of paint etc.) Not yet dried. 4 used with water (wet
shampoo). 5 colloq. Feeble, inept. —v. (-tt-; past and past part. Wet or wetted) 1
make wet. 2 a urinate in or on (wet the bed).
Wet blanket n. Colloq. Gloomy person hindering others' enjoyment.
Wet dream n. Erotic dream with the involuntary ejaculation of semen.

Wether n. Castrated ram. [old english]
Wetland n. (often in pl.) Swamps and other damp areas of land.
Wet-nurse —n. Woman employed to suckle another's child. —v. 1 act as a wet-nurse
to. 2 colloq. Treat as if helpless.
Wet suit n. Rubber garment worn by skin-divers etc. To keep warm.
We've contr. We have.

Wg. Cdr. Abbr. Wing commander.
Whack colloq. —v. 1 strike or beat forcefully. 2 (as whacked adj.) Tired out. —n. 1
sharp or resounding blow. 2 slang share. have a whack at slang attempt.
[imitative]
Whacking colloq. —adj. Very large. —adv. Very.
Whale —n. (pl. Same or -s) very large marine mammal with a streamlined body and
horizontal tail. —v. (-ling) hunt whales. a whale of a colloq. An exceedingly good
or fine etc. [old english]
Whalebone n. Elastic horny substance in the upper jaw of some whales.
Whale-oil n. Oil from the blubber of whales.
Whaler n. Whaling ship or seaman.
Wham int. Colloq. Expressing forcible impact. [imitative]
Wharf —n. (pl. Wharves or -s) quayside area to which a ship may be moored to load
and unload. —v. 1 moor (a ship) at a wharf. 2 store (goods) on a wharf. [old
english]
Wharfage n. 1 accommodation at a wharf. 2 fee for this.
What —interrog. Adj. 1 asking for a choice from an indefinite number or for a
statement of amount, number, or kind (what books have you read?). 2 colloq. = *which
Page 1642
interrog.adj. (what book have you chosen?). —adj. (usu. In an exclamation) how great
or remarkable (what luck!). —rel. Adj. The or any … that (will give you what help i
can). —pron. (corresponding to the functions of the adj.) 1 what thing or things?
(what is your name?; i don't know what you mean). 2 (asking for a remark to be
repeated) = what did you say? 3 how much (what you must have suffered!). 4 (as rel.
Pron.) That or those which; a or the or any thing which (what followed was worse;
tell me what you think). —adv. To what extent (what does it matter?). what about
what is the news or your opinion of. What-d'you-call-it colloq. Substitute for a
name not recalled. What ever what at all or in any way (what ever do you mean?) (see
also *whatever). What for colloq. 1 for what reason? 2 severe reprimand (esp. Give a
person what for). What have you (prec. By or or and) colloq. Anything else similar.
What not (prec. By and) other similar things. What's-his (or -her or -its) -name
colloq. Substitute for a name not recalled. What's what colloq. What is useful or
important etc. What with colloq. Because of (usu. Several things). [old english]
Whatever adj. & pron. 1 = *what (in relative uses) with the emphasis on
indefiniteness (lend me whatever you can; whatever money you have). 2 though
anything (we are safe whatever happens). 3 (with neg. Or interrog.) At all; of any
kind (there is no doubt whatever).
Whatnot n. Colloq. Indefinite or trivial thing.
Whatsoever adj. & pron. = *whatever.

Wheat n. 1 cereal plant bearing dense four-sided seed-spikes. 2 its grain, used in
making flour etc. [old english]
Wheatear n. Small migratory bird. [related to *white, *arse]
Wheaten adj. Made of wheat.
Wheat germ n. Embryo of the wheat grain, extracted as a source of vitamins.
Wheatmeal n. Flour made from wheat with some of the bran and germ removed.
Wheedle v. (-ling) 1 coax by flattery or endearments. 2 (foll. By out) get (a

thing) out of a person or cheat (a person) out of a thing by wheedling. [origin
uncertain]
Wheel —n. 1 circular frame or disc which revolves on an axle and is used for
vehicular or other mechanical motion. 2 wheel-like thing. 3 motion as of a wheel,
esp. The movement of a line of soldiers with one end as a pivot. 4 (in pl.) Slang
car. 5 = *steering-wheel. —v. 1 a turn on an axis or pivot. B swing round in line
with one end as a pivot. 2 a (often foll. By about, round) change direction or face
another way. B cause to do this. 3 push or pull (a wheeled thing, or its load or
occupant). 4 go in circles or curves. at the wheel 1 driving a vehicle. 2
directing a ship. 3 in control. On wheels (or oiled wheels) smoothly. Wheel and deal
engage in political or commercial scheming. Wheels within wheels 1 intricate
machinery. 2 colloq. Indirect or secret agencies. wheeled adj. (also in comb.).
[old english]
Wheelbarrow n. Small handcart with one wheel and two shafts.
Wheelbase n. Distance between the axles of a vehicle.

Wheelchair n. Chair on wheels for an invalid or disabled person.
Wheel-clamp n. = *clamp1 n. 2.
-wheeler comb. Form vehicle with a specified number of wheels (three-wheeler).
Wheeler-dealer n. Person who wheels and deals.
Wheel-house n. Steersman's shelter.
Page 1643
Wheelie n. Slang stunt of riding a bicycle or motor cycle with the front wheel off
the ground.
Wheel-spin n. Rotation of a vehicle's wheels without traction.
Wheelwright n. Person who makes or repairs wheels.
Wheeze —v. (-zing) 1 breathe with an audible whistling sound. 2 utter with this
sound. —n. 1 sound of wheezing. 2 colloq. Clever scheme. wheezy adj. (-ier,
-iest). Wheezily adv. Wheeziness n. [probably from old norse, = hiss]
Whelk n. Marine mollusc with a spiral shell. [old english]
Whelm v. Poet. 1 engulf. 2 crush with weight. [old english]
Whelp —n. 1 young dog; puppy. 2 archaic cub. 3 ill-mannered child or youth. —v.
(also absol.) Give birth to (a whelp or whelps or (derog.) A child). [old english]
When —interrog. Adv. 1 at what time? 2 on what occasion? 3 how soon? —rel. Adv.
(prec. By time etc.) At or on which (there are times when i could cry). —conj. 1 at
the or any time that; as soon as (come when you like; come when ready). 2 although
(why stand when you could sit?). 3 after which; and then; but just then (was nearly
asleep when the bell rang). —pron. What time?; which time (till when can you stay?;
since when it has improved). —n. Time, occasion (fixed the where and when). [old
english]
Whence formal —interrog. Adv. From what place? —conj. 1 to the place from which
(return whence you came). 2 (often prec. By place etc.) From which. 3 and thence
(whence it follows that). [old english: related to *when]
Usage the use of from whence rather than simply whence (as in the place from whence
they came), though common, is generally considered incorrect.
Whenever conj. & adv. 1 at whatever time; on whatever occasion. 2 every time that.
Whensoever conj. & adv. Formal = *whenever.
Where —interrog. Adv. 1 in or to what place or position? 2 in what respect? (where

does it concern us?). —rel. Adv. (prec. By place etc.) In or to which (places where
they meet). —conj. 1 in or to the or any place, direction, or respect in which (go
where you like; tick where applicable). 2 and there (reached crewe, where the car
broke down). —pron. What place? (where do you come from?). —n. Place; scene of
something (see *when n.). [old english]
Whereabouts —interrog. Adv. Approximately where? —n. (as sing. Or pl.) Person's or
thing's location.
Whereas conj. 1 in contrast or comparison with the fact that. 2 (esp. In legal
preambles) taking into consideration the fact that.
Whereby conj. By what or which means.
Wherefore —adv. Archaic 1 for what reason? 2 for which reason. —n. See *why.
Wherein conj. Formal in what or which place or respect.
Whereof conj. Formal of what or which.
Whereupon conj. Immediately after which.

Wherever —adv. In or to whatever place. —conj. In every place that.
Wherewithal n. Colloq. Money etc. Needed for a purpose.
Page 1644
Wherry n. (pl. -ies) 1 light rowing-boat usu. For carrying passengers. 2 large
light barge. [origin unknown]
Whet v. (-tt-) 1 sharpen (a tool). 2 stimulate (the appetite or a desire etc.).
[old english]
Whether conj. Introducing the first or both of alternative possibilities (i doubt
whether it matters; i do not know whether they have arrived or not). whether or no
whether it is so or not. [old english]
Whetstone n. Tapered stone used with water to sharpen tools.
Whew int. Expressing surprise, consternation, or relief. [imitative]
Whey n. Watery liquid left when milk forms curds. [old english]
Which —interrog. Adj. Asking for choice from a definite set of alternatives (which
john do you mean?; say which book you prefer). —rel. Adj. Being the one just
referred to; and this or these (ten years, during which time they admitted nothing).
—interrog. Pron. 1 which person or persons? (which of you is responsible?). 2 which
thing or things? (say which you prefer). —rel. Pron. (poss. Of which, whose) 1 which
thing or things, usu. Introducing a clause not essential for identification (the
house, which is empty, has been damaged). 2 used in place of that after in or that
(there is the house in which i was born; that which you have just seen). [old
english]
Whichever adj. & pron. Any which (take whichever you like).
Whiff n. 1 puff or breath of air, smoke, etc. 2 smell. 3 (foll. By of) trace of
scandal etc. 4 small cigar. [imitative]
Whig n. Hist. Member of the british reforming and constitutional party succeeded in
the 19th c. By the liberal party. whiggery n. Whiggish adj. Whiggism n.
[whiggamer, -more, nickname of 17th-c. Scots rebels]
While —n. Period of time (a long while ago; waited a while; all this while). —conj.
1 during the time that; for as long as; at the same time as (while i was away, the
house was burgled; fell asleep while reading). 2 in spite of the fact that; whereas
(while i want to believe it, i cannot). —v. (-ling) (foll. By away) pass (time etc.)
In a leisurely or interesting way. —rel. Adv. (prec. By time etc.) During which (the
summer while i was abroad). between whiles in the intervals. For a while for some
time. In a while soon. The while in the meantime. Worth while (or worth one's while)
worth the time or effort spent. [old english]
Usage worth while (two words) is used only predicatively, as in thought it worth
while to ring the police, whereas worthwhile is used both predicatively and
attributively.
Whilst adv. & conj. While. [from *while]
Whim n. 1 sudden fancy; caprice. 2 capriciousness. [origin unknown]

Whimper —v. Make feeble, querulous, or frightened sounds. —n. Such a sound.
[imitative]
Whimsical adj. Capricious, fantastic. whimsicality n. Whimsically adv.
Whimsy n. (pl. -ies) = *whim. [origin uncertain]
Whin n. (in sing. Or pl.) Gorse. [scandinavian]
Whinchat n. Small songbird.
Page 1645
Whine —n. 1 complaining long-drawn wail as of a dog. 2 similar shrill prolonged
sound. 3 querulous tone or complaint. —v. (-ning) emit or utter a whine; complain.
[old english]
Whinge v. (-geing or -ging) colloq. Whine; grumble peevishly. [old english]
Whinny —n. (pl. -ies) gentle or joyful neigh. —v. (-ies, -ied) give a whinny.
[imitative]
Whip —n. 1 lash attached to a stick for urging on animals or punishing etc. 2 a
member of a political party in parliament appointed to control its discipline and
tactics. B whips' written notice requesting or requiring attendance for voting at a
division etc., variously underlined according to the degree of urgency (three-line
whip). C (prec. By the) party discipline and instructions (asked for the labour
whip). 3 dessert made with whipped cream etc. 4 = *whipper-in. —v. (-pp-) 1 beat or
urge on with a whip. 2 beat (cream or eggs etc.) Into a froth. 3 take or move
suddenly, unexpectedly, or rapidly (whipped out a knife; whipped behind the door). 4
slang steal. 5 slang a excel. B defeat. 6 bind with spirally wound twine. 7 sew with
overcast stitches. whip in bring (hounds) together. Whip on urge into action. Whip
up excite or stir up. [low german or dutch]
Whipcord n. Tightly twisted cord.
Whip hand n. 1 hand that holds the whip (in riding etc.). 2 (usu. Prec. By the)
advantage or control in a situation.
Whiplash n. Flexible end of a whip.
Whiplash injury n. Injury to the neck caused by a jerk of the head, esp. As in a
motor accident.
Whipper-in n. (pl. Whippers-in) huntsman's assistant who manages the hounds.
Whippersnapper n. 1 small child. 2 insignificant but presumptuous person.
Whippet n. Crossbred dog of the greyhound type used for racing. [probably from
obsolete whippet move briskly, from whip it]
Whipping boy n. Scapegoat.
Whipping-top n. Top kept spinning by blows of a lash.

Whippoorwill n. American nightjar. [imitative]
Whip-round n. Colloq. Informal collection of money among a group of people.
Whipstock n. Handle of a whip.
Whirl —v. 1 swing round and round; revolve rapidly. 2 (foll. By away) convey or go
rapidly in a vehicle etc. 3 send or travel swiftly in an orbit or a curve. 4 (of the
brain etc.) Seem to spin round. —n. 1 whirling movement. 2 state of intense activity
(the social whirl). 3 state of confusion (in a whirl). give it a whirl colloq.
Attempt it. [old norse, and low german or dutch]
Whirligig n. 1 spinning or whirling toy. 2 merry-go-round. 3 revolving motion.
Whirlpool n. Powerful circular eddy of water.
Whirlwind n. 1 rapidly whirling mass or column of air. 2 (attrib.) Very rapid.
Whirr —n. Continuous rapid buzz or soft clicking sound. —v. (-rr-) make this sound.
[scandinavian]
Page 1646
Whisk —v. 1 (foll. By away, off) a brush with a sweeping movement. B take suddenly.
2 whip (cream, eggs, etc.). 3 convey or go (esp. Out of sight) lightly or quickly. 4
wave or lightly brandish. —n. 1 whisking action or motion. 2 utensil for whisking
eggs or cream etc. 3 bunch of grass, twigs, bristles, etc., for removing dust or
flies. [scandinavian]
Whisker n. 1 (usu. In pl.) Hair growing on a man's face, esp. On the cheek. 2 each
of the bristles on the face of a cat etc. 3 colloq. Small distance (within a whisker
of). whiskered adj. Whiskery adj. [from *whisk]
Whiskey n. (brit. Whisky) (pl. -eys) spirit distilled esp. From malted grain, esp.
Barley or rye. [abbreviation of usquebaugh from gaelic, = water of life]
Whisky n. (ir. & us whiskey) (pl. -ies or -eys) spirit distilled esp. From malted
grain, esp. Barley or rye. [abbreviation of usquebaugh from gaelic, = water of life]
Whisper —v. 1 a speak very softly without vibration of the vocal cords. B talk or
say in a barely audible tone or in a secret or confidential way. 2 rustle or murmur.
—n. 1 whispering speech or sound. 2 thing whispered. it is whispered there is a
rumour. [old english]
Whist n. Card-game usu. For two pairs of players. [earlier whisk, perhaps from
*whisk (with ref. To whisking away the tricks): perhaps associated with whist! (=
silence)]
Whist drive n. Social occasion with the playing of progressive whist.
Whistle —n. 1 clear shrill sound made by forcing breath through a small hole
between nearly closed lips. 2 similar sound made by a bird, the wind, a missile,
etc. 3 instrument used to produce such a sound. —v. (-ling) 1 emit a whistle. 2 a
give a signal or express surprise or derision by whistling. B (often foll. By up)
summon or give a signal to (a dog etc.) By whistling. 3 (also absol.) Produce (a
tune) by whistling. 4 (foll. By for) vainly seek or desire. [old english]
Whistle-stop n. 1 us small unimportant town on a railway. 2 politician's brief

pause for an electioneering speech on tour.
Whit —n. = *whitsuntide. —attrib. Adj. Of whitsuntide or whit sunday. [old english,
= white]
Whit n. Particle; least possible amount (not a whit better). [apparently = *wight]
White —adj. 1 resembling a surface reflecting sunlight without absorbing any of the
visible rays; of the colour of milk or snow. 2 nearly this colour; pale, esp. In the
face. 3 (white) a of the human group having light-coloured skin. B of or relating to
white people. 4 albino (white mouse). 5 (of hair) having lost its colour, esp. In
old age. 6 (of coffee) with milk or cream. —n. 1 white colour or pigment. 2 a white
clothes or material. B (in pl.) White garments as worn in cricket, tennis, etc. 3 a
(in a game or sport) white piece, ball, etc. B player using these. 4 = *egg-white. 5
whitish part of the eyeball round the iris. 6 (white) member of a light-skinned
race. bleed white drain of wealth etc. whiteness n. Whitish adj. [old english]
White ant n. Termite.
Whitebait n. (pl. Same) (usu. In pl.) Small silvery-white young of herrings and
sprats, esp. As food.
White cell n. Leucocyte.
White-collar attrib. Adj. (of a worker or work) non-manual; clerical, professional.
White corpuscle n. = *white cell.
White elephant n. Useless possession.
Page 1647
White feather n. Symbol of cowardice.
White flag n. Symbol of surrender.

White friar n. Carmelite.
White goods n.pl. Large domestic electrical equipment.
Whitehead n. Colloq. White or white-topped skin-pustule.

White heat n. 1 temperature at which metal emits white light. 2 state of intense
passion or activity. white-hot adj.
White hope n. Person expected to achieve much.
White horses n.pl. White-crested waves at sea.
White lead n. Mixture of lead carbonate and hydrated lead oxide used as pigment.
White lie n. Harmless or trivial untruth.
White light n. Apparently colourless light, e.g. Ordinary daylight.

White magic n. Magic used for beneficent purposes.
White meat n. Poultry, veal, rabbit, and pork.
Whiten v. Make or become white. whitener n.

White noise n. Noise containing many frequencies with equal intensities.
White-out n. Dense blizzard, esp. In polar regions.
White paper n. Government report giving information.

White pepper n. Pepper made by grinding a ripe or husked berry.
White russian n. = *byelorussian.

White sauce n. Sauce of flour, melted butter, and milk or cream.
White slave n. Woman tricked or forced into prostitution.
White spirit n. Light petroleum as a solvent.

White sugar n. Purified sugar.
White tie n. Man's white bow-tie as part of full evening dress.
Whitewash —n. 1 solution of quicklime or whiting for whitening walls etc. 2 means
employed to conceal mistakes or faults. —v. 1 cover with whitewash. 2 attempt to
clear the reputation of by concealing facts.
White wedding n. Wedding at which the bride wears a formal white wedding dress.
White whale n. Northern cetacean, white when adult.
Whitewood n. Pale wood, esp. Prepared for staining etc.
Whither archaic —adv. 1 to what place or state? 2 (prec. By place etc.) To which.
—conj. 1 to the or any place to which (go whither you will). 2 and thither. [old
english]
Page 1648
Whiting1 n. (pl. Same) small white-fleshed fish used as food. [dutch: related to
*white]
Whiting2 n. Ground chalk used in whitewashing etc.

Whitlow n. Inflammation near a fingernail or toenail. [originally white *flaw1]
Whitsun —n. = *whitsuntide. —adj. = *whit. [whitsun day = whit sunday]

Whit sunday n. Seventh sunday after easter, commemorating pentecost.
Whitsuntide n. Weekend or week including whit sunday.
Whittle v. (-ling) 1 (often foll. By at) pare (wood etc.) With repeated slicing
with a knife. 2 (often foll. By away, down) reduce by repeated subtractions. [dial.
Thwittle]
Whiz (also whizz) —n. Sound made by a body moving through the air at great speed.
—v. (-zz-) move with or make a whiz. [imitative]
Whiz-kid n. Colloq. Brilliant or highly successful young person.
Who abbr. World health organization.

Who pron. (obj. Whom or colloq. Who; poss. Whose) 1 a what or which person or
persons? (who called?; you know who it was). B what sort of person or persons? (who
am i to object?). 2 (a person) that (anyone who wishes can come; the woman whom you
met; the man who you saw). 3 and or but he, they, etc. (gave it to tom, who sold it
to jim). [old english]
Usage in the last two examples of sense 2 whom is correct, but who is common in
less formal contexts.
Whoa int. Used to stop or slow a horse etc. [var. Of *ho]

Who'd contr. 1 who had. 2 who would.
Whodunit n. (also whodunnit) colloq. Detective story, play, or film. [= who done
(illiterate for did) it?]
Whoever pron. (obj. Whoever or formal whomever; poss. Whosever) 1 the or any person
or persons who (whoever comes is welcome). 2 though anyone (whoever else objects, i
do not).
Whole —adj. 1 uninjured, unbroken, intact, or undiminished. 2 not less than; all
there is of. 3 (of blood or milk etc.) With no part removed. —n. 1 thing complete in
itself. 2 all there is of a thing. 3 (foll. By of) all members etc. Of (the whole of
london knows it). as a whole as a unity; not as separate parts. On the whole
taking everything relevant into account. Whole lot see *lot. wholeness n. [old
english]
Wholefood n. Food which has not been unnecessarily processed or refined.
Wholegrain attrib. Adj. Made with or containing whole grains (wholegrain rice).
Wholehearted adj. 1 completely devoted. 2 done with all possible effort or

sincerity. wholeheartedly adv.
Wholemeal n. (usu. Attrib.) Meal or flour with none of the bran or germ removed.
Whole number n. Number without fractions; integer.
Wholesale —n. Selling of goods in large quantities to be retailed by others. —adj.
Page 1649
& adv. 1 by wholesale. 2 on a large scale. —v. (-ling) sell wholesale. wholesaler
n. [by whole sale]
Wholesome adj. 1 promoting physical, mental, or moral health. 2 prudent (wholesome
respect). [old english: related to *whole]
Wholewheat n. (usu. Attrib.) Wheat with none of the bran or germ removed.
Wholism var. Of *holism.

Wholly adv. 1 entirely; without limitation. 2 purely.
Whom objective case of *who.
Whomever objective case of *whoever.

Whomsoever objective case of *whosoever.
Whoop —n. 1 loud cry of or as of excitement etc. 2 long rasping indrawn breath in
whooping cough. —v. Utter a whoop. whoop it up colloq. 1 engage in revelry. 2 us
make a stir. [imitative]
Whoopee int. Expressing exuberant joy. make whoopee colloq. 1 have fun, make
merry. 2 make love. [imitative]
Whooping cough n. Infectious bacterial disease, esp. Of children, with a series of
short violent coughs followed by a whoop.
Whoops int. Colloq. Expressing surprise or apology, esp. On losing balance or
making an obvious mistake. [var. Of *oops]
Whop v. (-pp-) slang 1 thrash. 2 defeat. [origin unknown]
Whopper n. Slang 1 something big of its kind. 2 great lie.
Whopping adj. Colloq. (esp. As an intensifier) huge (a whopping success; a whopping
great lie).
Whore n. 1 prostitute. 2 derog. Promiscuous woman. [old english]
Whore-house n. Brothel.
Whorl n. 1 ring of leaves etc. Round a stem. 2 one turn of a spiral. [apparently
var. Of *whirl]
Whortleberry n. (pl. -ies) bilberry. [origin unknown]
Whose —interrog. Pron. Of or belonging to which person (whose is this book?).
—interrog. Adj. Of whom or which (whose book is this?) —rel. Pron. Of whom; of which
(the man, whose name was tim; the house whose roof was damaged).
Whosoever pron. (obj. Whomsoever; poss. Whosesoever) archaic = *whoever.

Who's who n. 1 who or what each person is (know who's who). 2 list with facts about
notable persons.
Why —adv. 1 for what reason or purpose (why did you do it?; i do not know why you
came). 2 (prec. By reason etc.) For which (the reasons why i did it). —int.
Expressing: 1 surprised discovery or recognition (why, it's you!). 2 impatience
(why, of course i do!). 3 reflection (why, yes, i think so). 4 objection (why, what
is wrong with it?). whys and wherefores reasons; explanation. [old english:
related to *what]
Wi abbr. 1 west indies. 2 women's institute.
Page 1650
Wick n. Strip or thread feeding a flame with fuel. get on a person's wick colloq.
Annoy a person. [old english]
Wicked adj. (-er, -est) 1 sinful, iniquitous, immoral. 2 spiteful. 3 playfully
malicious. 4 colloq. Very bad. 5 slang excellent. wickedly adv. Wickedness n.
[origin uncertain]
Wicker n. Plaited osiers etc. As material for baskets etc. [scandinavian]
Wickerwork n. 1 wicker. 2 things made of wicker.
Wicket n. 1 cricket a three stumps with the bails in position defended by a

batsman. B ground between two wickets. C state of this. D instance of a batsman
being got out (bowler has taken four wickets). 2 (in full wicket-door or -gate)
small door or gate, esp. Beside or in a larger one or closing the lower part only of
a doorway. [anglo-french wiket = french guichet]
Wicket-keeper n. Fieldsman stationed close behind a batsman's wicket.
Widdershins adv. (also withershins) esp. Scot. 1 in a direction contrary to the
sun's course (considered unlucky). 2 anticlockwise. [german, = contrary]
Wide —adj. 1 having sides far apart, broad, not narrow (wide river; wide sleeve;
wide angle). 2 (following a measurement) in width (a metre wide). 3 a extending far
(wide range; wide experience). B considerable (wide margin). 4 not restricted (a
wide public). 5 a liberal; unprejudiced (takes wide views). B not specialized;
general. 6 open to the full extent (wide eyes). 7 (foll. By of) not within a
reasonable distance of, far from (wide shot; wide of the target). 8 (in comb.)
Extending over the whole of (nationwide). —adv. 1 widely. 2 to the full extent. 3
far from the target etc. (shooting wide). —n. = *wide ball. give a wide berth to
see *berth. Wide of the mark see *mark1. Wide open (often foll. By to) exposed (to
attack etc.). The wide world all the world, great as it is. [old english]
Wide awake adj. 1 fully awake. 2 colloq. Wary, knowing.
Wide ball n. Cricket ball judged to be beyond the batsman's reach, so scoring a
run.
Wide-eyed adj. Surprised; naïve.

Widely adv. 1 to a wide extent; far apart. 2 extensively. 3 by many people (it is
widely thought that). 4 considerably; to a large degree (holds a widely different
view).
Widen v. Make or become wider.
Widespread adj. Widely distributed.
Widgeon n. (also wigeon) a kind of wild duck. [origin uncertain]
Widow —n. 1 woman who has lost her husband by death and not married again. 2 woman
whose husband is often away on a specified activity (golf widow). —v. 1 make into a
widow or widower. 2 (as widowed adj.) Bereft by the death of a spouse. widowhood
n. [old english]
Widower n. Man who has lost his wife by death and not married again.
Widow's peak n. V-shaped growth of hair towards the centre of the forehead.
Width n. 1 measurement from side to side. 2 large extent. 3 liberality of views
etc. 4 strip of material of full width. widthways adv. [from *wide]
Wield v. Hold and use; command, exert (a weapon, tool, power, etc.). [old english]
Page 1651

Dict 8

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Оригинальное название

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Dict 8

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Oxford English Dictionary.

Wash-out n. Colloq. Complete failure, non-event.

Waspish adj. Irritable, snappish.

Waste —v. (-ting) 1 use to no purpose or with inadequate result or extravagantly. 2

Waste-paper basket n. Receptacle for waste paper.

Watchful adj. 1 accustomed to watching, alert. 2 on the watch. watchfully adv.

Watchman n. Man employed to look after an empty building etc. At night.

Watchword n. Phrase summarizing a guiding principle.

Watercourse n. 1 brook or stream. 2 bed of this.

Waterfall n. Stream flowing over a precipice or down a steep hillside.

Water-glass n. Solution of sodium or potassium silicate used esp. For preserving

Water-hammer n. Knocking noise in a water-pipe when a tap is suddenly turned off.

Watering-hole n. 1 = *watering-place 1. 2 slang bar.

Watering-place n. 1 pool from which animals regularly drink. 2 spa or seaside

Water-level n. 1 a surface of the water in a reservoir etc. B height of this. 2

Waterlogged adj. Saturated or filled with water.

Water-power n. Mechanical force derived from the weight or motion of water.

Water-softener n. Apparatus for softening hard water.

Water table n. = *water-level 2.

Wattle2 n. Fleshy appendage on the head or throat of a turkey or other birds.

Wave-form n. Physics curve showing the shape of a wave at a given time.

Wavelength n. 1 distance between successive crests of a wave. 2 this as a

Wavelet n. Small wave.

Waver v. 1 be or become unsteady; begin to give way. 2 be irresolute. 3 (of a

Way of life n. Principles or habits governing all one's actions etc.

Ways and means n.pl. 1 methods of achieving something. 2 methods of raising

Wayward adj. Childishly self-willed; capricious. waywardness n. [from *away,

Weak adj. 1 deficient in strength, power, vigour, resolution, or number. 2

Weaken v. Make or become weak or weaker.

Wealthy adj. (-ier, -iest) having an abundance, esp. Of money.

Weatherman n. Meteorologist, esp. One who broadcasts a weather forecast.

Web-footed adj. Having the toes connected by webs.

We'd contr. 1 we had. 2 we should; we would.

Weedy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 weak, feeble. 2 having many weeds.

Weekend n. 1 sunday and saturday or part of saturday. 2 this period extended

Weeny adj. (-ier, -iest) colloq. Tiny. [from *wee1]

Weepie n. Colloq. Sentimental or emotional film, play, etc.

Weighting n. Extra allowance paid in special cases.

Weight training n. Physical training using weights.

Weirdo n. (pl. -s) colloq. Odd or eccentric person.

Welch var. Of *welsh.

We'll contr. We shall; we will.

Well-adjusted adj. 1 mentally and emotionally stable. 2 in a good state of

Well-behaved adj. Habitually behaving well.

Well-born adj. Of noble family.

Well-bred adj. Having or showing good breeding or manners.

Well-founded adj. (of suspicions etc.) Based on good evidence.

Well-heeled adj. Colloq. Wealthy.

Well-made adj. 1 strongly manufactured. 2 having a good build.

Wellnigh adv. Almost (wellnigh impossible).

Well-received adj. Welcomed; favourably received.

Well-rounded adj. Complete and symmetrical.

Well-to-do adj. Prosperous.

Well-trodden adj. Much frequented.

Wept past of *weep.

Weren't contr. Were not.

West end n. Main entertainment and shopping area of london.

West side n. Us western part of manhattan.

Wet dream n. Erotic dream with the involuntary ejaculation of semen.

Wetland n. (often in pl.) Swamps and other damp areas of land.

We've contr. We have.

Whatnot n. Colloq. Indefinite or trivial thing.

Whatsoever adj. & pron. = *whatever.

Whitsun —n. = whitsuntide. —adj. = whit. [whitsun day = whit sunday]