W

wad, 1. n. Mass of soft material used for
keeping things separate or in place, or for
stopping up hole etc.; [Am.] roll of
paper money. 2. v.t. Put wad or wadding
in or round etc. 'wadding, n. Soft material,
sp. cotton-wool, for wads etc. (wɔd).

'waddle, n., v.i. Slow sort of walk with
roll from side to side. ('wɔdl).

wade, v.t.&i. Go through water of
(river etc.) on foot. Wade through, sp.,
get through (book etc.) with trouble.
'wader, n. Sorts of long-legged water-bird.
Waders, high rubber fishing-boots. (weid).

'wafer, n. Very thin BISCUIT taken with
ices etc.; bit of flat bread used for
COMMUNION; round flat bit of dry paste
used like sticky paper after wetting;
round bit of sticky paper, sp., red one
used as stamp on law papers. ('weifə).

'waffle, n. Flat cake cooked on waffle-iron.
'waffle-iron, n. Metal plate, gen. marked
with squares, which may be heated on
fire etc. for cooking. ('wɔfl).

waft, 1. v.t. Take smoothly through air
etc. 2. n. Sudden smell (of something).
(wa:ft).

wag, 1. v.t.&i. (Make) give shake from
side to side. 2. n. A wagging motion;
person talking with humour, attempting
to get laughs. 'waggle, v.t.&i. Wag. 'wagtail,
n. Sorts of small bird. (wag).

wage, n. Regular payment to workman or
servant etc. (gen. wages). (weidʒ).

wage, v.t. Go to, be at. (war etc.).

'wager, n., v.t.&i. BET. ('weidʒə).

'wag(g)on, n. Great 4-wheeled cart to be
pulled by 2 or more horses etc.; open
railway goods-carriage. 'wager, n. Waggon-driver.
wag'ette, n. 4-wheeled open carriage
with side seats facing. ('wagən).

waif, n. Animal, person, sp. boy or girl,
without friend or living-place, for which
or whom no one is responsible. (weif).

wail, 1. n. Long sad cry; wail-like sound of
wind. 2. v.i.&t. Give, make, wail; be
wailing, give
voice to deep
regret, about.
(weil).

wain, [Let.] n.
WAGGON. (wein).
wainscot, n.
Wood, boards,
put round, gen.
lower part of,
walls of room. 'waining, n. (Material for)
wainscot. ('weinskət).

waist, n. Middle part of person's body
where it becomes narrow; part of dress
which goes round waist; middle part of
ship. 'waistcoat, n. Bit of man's clothing,
having buttons down the front, put on
between coat and shirt and seen when
coat is open. (weist).

wait, 1. v.i.&t. Put off doing or going
for a time, sp. with a view to, in the
hope of, something taking place; wait while
watching for (a chance etc.); do work
of waiter. Wait (up)on, wait for (person)
till he is ready; be acting as servant to,
sp., at meal. 2. n. Act, time, of waiting.
Waits, persons who go round from house
to house at Christmas giving songs;
lie in wait for, be secretly on watch for.
'waiter, 'waitress, nn. Man, woman, taking
orders for, and handing round, food in
restaurant. (weit).

waive, v.t. Give up (right etc.). (weiv).

wake (woke or waked, waked, woken, or
woke), 1. v.t.&i. (Make) come out of
sleep (freq. wake up). 2. n. (In Ireland)
all-night watch of number of persons
over dead body with crying and
pleasure-making. 'wakeful, a. Unable to go
to sleep. 'waken, v.t.&i. Wake. 'waking,
a. Sp., while person is awake. (weik
(wouk)).

wake, n. Line of smooth water at back of
moving ship. In the wake of, after, with the
way made ready by.

wale, n., v.t. Mark made on body by
whip etc. (weil).

walk, 1. v.i.&t. (Of person) go on foot,
putting one foot down before taking the
other up; (of animal) go on foot with
slowest sort of motion; make (horse etc.)
walk; go (distance) by walking. Walk away
or off with, sp., take (another's property);
walk on, sp., have part in play in which one
says nothing; walk out with, sp., (of servant
etc.) have as sweetheart; walk the hospitals,
get hospital experience as part of medical
training. 2. n. Journey on foot, sp., for
pleasure, a walking; way of walking;
place for walking on. Walk of life, person's
sort of work, position in society.
'walking-stick, n. Stick used in walking.
'walk-over, n. Competition etc. in which
one person is so much better than the
rest that he has no trouble in doing best.
(wɔ:k).

wall, 1. n. Upright structure of brick,
stone, forming side of building, division
between rooms or bits of land etc.;
wall-like thing. Go to the wall, sp., be pushed
on one side, do badly; have one's back to
the wall, sp., be fighting hard against
persons, forces, much stronger than oneself.
2. v.t. Put wall round. Wall up, get
(opening) stopped up with wall. 'wallflower,
n. Sweet-smelling garden-plant; woman
who is not danced with at a dance. (wɔ:1).

'wallaby, n. Sorts of small KANGAROO.
('wɔləbi).

'wallet, n. Small folder for keeping paper
money etc. in pocket; [Old] bag for food
etc. used on journey. ('wɔlit).

'wall-eye, n. Disease making coloured
part of eye white or very light; eye
having this disease. ('wɔ:lai).

'wallop, [Hum.] v.t. Give whipping to.
'walloping, 1. n. A whipping. 2. a. Of great
size (freq. a walloping great). ('wɔləp).

'wallow, v.i. Be rolling about in dirty
water, earth etc. ('wɔlou).

'walnut, n. (Tree producing) nut with
hard outer cover opening in 2 boat-like
halves; walnut wood. ('wɔ:lnət).

'walrus, n. Air-breathing sea-MAMMAL
with 2 long teeth pointing down from
mouth. ('wɔ:lrəs).

waltz, n., v.i. (Music for) sort of dance in
3-time in which 2 persons go round and
round. (wɔ:ls).

'wampum, n. SHELLS threaded together
and used as ornaments or money by
N.-Am. Indians. ('wɔmpəm).

wan, a. (Of person, face) looking white,
tired, ill; (of sky, light etc.) looking
cold, not bright. (wɔn).

wand, n. Thin rod, sp. as sign of authority
or for use by CONJUROR. (wɔnd).

'wander, v.i. Go from place to place
without purpose or design; go from the
right way; (of thoughts, attention) be
not fixed. ('wɔndə).

'wanderlust, [G.] n. Strong desire to go
journeying. ('vɔndəlust).

wane, 1. v.i. (Of moon) become smaller after
being full; become less, feebler. 2. n.
Process of waning (freq. on the wane). (wein).

'wangle, [Com.] v.t. Get (thing desired)
by trick, design. ('waŋgl).

want, 1. v.t.&i. Have need for, be
without; have desire for. Want (certain
amount) of, be less by (certain amount)
than. 2. n. Condition or feeling of
wanting; thing wanted. 'wanting, 1. a.
Needed, not present or in existence;
[Com.] feeble-minded. Be found wanting, (of
person) let undertaking etc. down. 2.
prep. Without; less than, but for. (wɔnt).

'wanton, 1. a. Full of play, acting on
impulse; (of growth etc.) uncontrolled,
without order; loose in behaviour, with
unclean thoughts; (of damage etc.)
unnecessary, done without reason. 2. n.
Wanton person, sp., loose woman. 3. v.i. Be
wanton in thought, behaviour. ('wɔntən).

war, n. Use of armed force between
nations or groups in a nation; bad relations,
strong competition, between persons.
At war (with), having a war (against);
declare war (on), (of nation) make public
statement that it is going to have war
(against); have been in the wars, be damaged,
wounded; war to the knife, very bitter
fight, feeling, between persons. 'warfare,
n. Condition of war, fighting. 'warlike, a.
Militaty, to do with war; war-loving,
ready for war. 'war-path, n. Only on the
war-path, ready for a fight. 'war-plane, n.
Military airplane. 'warring, a. Opp. in
tendency, not in harmony. 'war-whoop,
n. Cry used, sp. by N.-Am. Indians, in
attack. 'war-worn, a. Experienced in,
made tired and feeble by, war. (wɔ:).

'warble, 1. v.i.&t. (Sp. of birds) give
(song) softly, with liquid notes. 2. n.
Sound so made. 'warbler, n. Sp., sorts of small
song-bird. ('wɔ:bl).

ward, 1. n. Young person under care of
older person or law authority; division
of town for government purposes;
separate room, division, in prison,
hospital etc.; [Old] act of watching
place (gen. keep watch and ward); cut-out
part of key which makes it right for
certain lock. 2. v.t. Ward (blow, danger) off,
keep it off. 'warden, n. Person with position
of control, such as head of certain university
colleges. 'warder, 'wardress, nn. Male,
female, GAOLER. 'wardrobe, n. Cupboard for
hanging dresses, hats etc. in; person's
store of clothing. 'ward-room, n. Room for
OFFICERS on warship. (wɔ:d).

ware, n. Goods made. from POTTERY,
metal, glass etc. (glass ware, tin ware). Wares,
goods which person has for trading.
'warehouse, 1. n. Building for storing goods.
2. v.t. Put, keep, in warehouse. (weə).

ware, v.t. (Used as int.) BEWARE.

warm, 1. a. Having quite high degree of
heat, giving feeling of heat, not cold;
(of clothing etc.) such as to keep person
warm; (of feelings, behaviour etc.) kind,
loving; (of argument etc.) angry, worked
up; (of position etc.) full of danger; (of
colour) giving suggestion of being warm,
mixed with red. Be getting warm, sp., be
getting near what one is looking for;
make it warm for. sp., get feeling worked up
against, make trouble for. 2. v.t.&i.
Make, become, warm (freq. warm up). Warm up,
sp., become very interested in what one
is doing, talking about. 3. n. Act of
warming oneself or something. warm-blooded,
a. (Of animals) with blood-heat
of 98°-112°F.; with tendency to
have strong feelings. warm-hearted, a.
Kind-hearted. 'warming-pan, n. Vessel with
burning coal in it for warming bed. warmth,
n. Quality of being warm. (wɔ:m).

warn, v.t. Make conscious of coming or
possible danger or unpleasing development.
'warning, n. Sp., words or event
warning person. Give warning of, sp., give sign
of (future event etc.). (wɔ:n).

warp, 1. v.t.&i. Make or become bent
or twisted from straight, right, or
normal form; get
(ship) into different
position by
pulling cord etc.
fixed to something
not moving.
2. n. Warped
condition; cord
used in warping ship; long threads over
and under which other threads (the
WEFT) are taken in making cloth. (wɔ:p).

'warrant, 1. n. Thing giving person support
in, good reason or authority for,
acting; [Law] statement in writing
giving police authority to make person
a prisoner, go into a house etc.; special
paper from War Office etc. making
person a warrant-officer. 2. v.t. Be warrant for;
give undertaking that (sp., goods are of a
certain sort). 'warrant-officer, n. One having
position by warrant, not by COMMISSION.
'warranty, n. Authority or good reason (for
doing); [Law] undertaking by person
offering goods on market that they are
his and in right condition, etc. ('wɔrənt).

'warren, n. Bit of land in which there are
a great number of RABBIT-holes. ('wɔrən).

'warrior, n. [Let.] Person noted in war;
fighting-man, sp. of early times or simple
society. ('wɔriə).

wart, n. Small hard growth on skin. 'wart-hog,
n. Sort of pig of Africa. (wɔ:t).

'wary, a. (Given to) taking thought before
acting, acting with care, watching for
danger; marked by such care. ('weəri).

was. See BE.

wash, 1. v.t.&i. Make clean with water
or other liquid; take (mark out, off) by
washing; wash one's hands etc., clothing
etc.; (of material) be able to be washed
without damage; (of sea, river etc.)
come up to, against, over; (of river, sea
etc.) take (thing away or in some direction).
Wash one's hands of, have nothing
more to do with; wash up, wash plates etc.
after meal; (of sea etc.) wash (thing) onto
land; won't wash, [Com.] (of statement etc.)
is not good enough, will be seen to be
false. 2. n. A washing, being washed;
clothing etc. washed or to be washed;
waves, motion of water, caused by moving
ship etc.; thin coat of liquid colour;
special liquid for washing (only in
complex words, hair wash, mouth wash etc.).
At, in, to, the wash, (of clothing), at, in, to,
the place of washing. washed-out, a.
Tired-looking, with little colour. 'washer, n.
Sp., machine for washing clothing etc.;
flat ring of rubber, leather etc. for
making joins in water-pipes etc. tight.
'washerwoman, n. Woman whose work is
washing clothing. 'wash-hand-stand, n.
Wash-stand. 'wash-house, n. Special
place, outhouse, where washing of
clothing is done. 'washing, n. Sp., clothing
washed or to be washed. 'wash-leather,
n. Soft leather used for polishing etc.
'wash-out, [Com.] n. Something coming to
nothing, of no use. 'wash-stand, n. Table
with basin etc. for washing oneself. 'washy,
a. (Of colour) very light, thin; (of feeling,
language etc.) without force, colour. (wɔʃ).

wasp, n. Winged insect with black and
yellow bands round body, and sharp
point in tail with which it gives poisoned
wound. 'waspish, a. Bad-humoured, sharp-tongued.
(wɔsp).

'wassail, [Old] n. Time of drinking and
pleasure-making. ('waseil).

wast, v. Past of "be" used with THOU. (wɔst).

waste, 1. a. Unable to be used, not or
no longer of use; (of land) not planted,
with no one living in it, not fertile.
Waste-paper basket, one for waste paper etc.
2. v.t.&i. Make no or poor use of,
make use of unnecessary amount of;
make (land) waste; make or become
feeble, thin, by degrees (freq. waste away).
3. n. Bits, material of no use, over after
making something; stretch of waste land;
wasting, being wasted. 'wastage, n.
Amount wasted, not used. 'wasteful, a.
Using more than is necessary. 'waste-pipe,
n. Pipe for waste water or steam. waster,
'wastrel, nn. Good-for-nothing. (weist).

watch, 1. n. Condition of watching to see
that all is well, safe; [Hist.] watchman,
body of watchmen; [Hist.] any of 3 or 4
divisions of the night; (on ship) any of
the 4-hour divisions of the day for which
one group of men is working in turn
with others; the men working in such
a watch; clock-like time-measuring instrument
small enough to be taken about
in pocket etc. Keep watch, watch for danger;
on the watch, watching for something, sp.
danger; on watch, keeping watch. 2. v.i.&t.
Be looking and waiting (for); be looking
out for danger; keep under observation;
be watching for, ready to take, (one's etc.
chance). 'watchful, a. On the watch. 'watchman, n.
Man whose business is to watch building
to keep it safe. 'watchword, n. [Hist.] COUNTERSIGN;
SLOGAN of group etc. (wɔtʃ).

'water, 1. n. Liquid without colour, smell,
or taste, formed of HYDROGEN and
OXYGEN, changed by heat into steam
and by cold into ice, sp., as forming
rain, sea, rivers etc.; stretch of water; sorts
of liquid chiefly formed of water; quality
of DIAMOND, as being clear, bright etc.
High, low, water, high, low, TIDE; in low
water, sp., badly off for money; of the first
water, (of DIAMOND) of best quality; the
waters, sp., water of spring with special medical
properties; won't hold water, sp., (of
theory etc.) will be seen to be false
when tested. 2. v.t.&i. Put water on
(land, plants, road); give drink of water
to (horse etc.); (of eyes, mouth) have
much water or liquid coming into or from.
Make person's mouth water, sp., (of food)
give him great desire for it; water down,
make less strong (as) by addition of
water. 'water(ing)-cart, n. Cart for watering
roads. 'water-closet, n. CLOSET in which
waste is washed away by water. 'water-colour,
n. (Picture painted in, art of
using) paint mixed with water. 'watercourse,
n. (Bed of) small river. 'watercress, n. Small
water plant used uncooked as food.
'watered, a. Sp., (of silk) with wave-like
marks. 'waterfall, n. Water of river etc.
falling to lower
level. 'water-finder,
n. DOWSER.
'waterfowl, n. Water-bird(s).
'water-gas,
n. Gas made
by sending steam
through burning
coal. 'water-glass,
n. Liquid used for keeping eggs
good for long time. 'watering-can, n.
Vessel with pipe-like outlet for watering
flowers. 'watering-place, n. Animals'
drinking-place; SPA, seaside town.
'watering-pot, n. Watering-can. 'water-lily, n.
Plant with leaves and flowers resting on
top of water. 'water-line, n. Line on ship's
side marking level to which water comes
when ship is full of goods. 'waterlogged, a.
(Of boat etc.) so full of water that it is
in danger of going down. 'waterman, n.
Boatman. 'watermark, n. Maker's design on
paper, seen when it is put up to light.
'water-melon, n. Great smooth-skinned
MELON with red inside. 'waterproof, 1. n.,
a. (Material, coat) which does not
let water through. 2. v.t. Make water.
'water-rat, n. Rat-like water-animal.
'water-rate, n. Payment which has to be
made by house-owner etc. for use of
public water. 'watershed, n. Line of high
land separating 2 river basins. 'waterspout,
n. Mass of water pulled up from sea by
circling cloud. 'watertight, a. Which does
not let water through; (of agreement
etc.) covering everything clearly, which
there is no getting out of. 'water-wheel, n.
Wheel turned by water for driving
machines. 'water-works, n. pl. Place from
which distribution of water to town etc.
is made. 'watery, a. Sp., (of liquid food) thin,
without much taste, not strong; (of
colour) WASHY. ('wɔ:tə).

watt, n. Unit of electric power. (wɔt).

'wattle, 1. n. Sticks twisted in and out of
one another as in basket-work, used for
walls etc.; sorts of Australian tree with
gold-coloured flowers. Wattle and daub, wattle
covered with sticky earth, as building-material.
2. v.t. Make of wattle. ('wɔtl).

'wattle, n. Hanging skin on head or throat
of fowl etc.

wave, 1. v.i.&t. Have motion as of flag
or grass in the wind; give such motion
to; wave one's hand etc. as sign to, at,
person; make (hair etc.) wavy; be wavy.
Wave aside, sp., put from one's mind, put
on one side, as unimportant. 2. n. Uplifted
mass of (sea etc.) water between
two hollows; motion as of a moving
wave in air, water etc., taking light,
heat, sound, electric current, in some
direction, one curve in such motion;
sudden short outburst of feeling, doing
something etc.; act of waving hand
etc.; wavy line, form. 'wave-length, n.
Distance between the highest point of
one wave and that of the wave coming
nearest after it. 'wavy, a. Having wave-like
curves. (weiv).

'waver, v.i. Be uncertain in direction,
going first to one side, then to another;
be uncertain in decision; (of army etc.)
give signs of giving way. ('weivə).

wax, v.i. (Sp. of moon) become greater;
[Old] become (fat, angry etc.). (waks).

wax, 1. n. Soft, yellow substance produced
by bees to make structures for storing
their food in; wax made white and used
as material for lights etc.; sorts of wax-like
substance. 2. v.t. Put wax on, get
polished with wax. 'waxen, a. Like wax in
being smooth and clear or readily
worked. 'waxwork, n. Form with face and
hands of coloured wax, clothed and made
to seem like living person.

way, n. Road, land or sea etc. gone over
in getting from one place to another;
direction (to be) taken; (distance of)
journey; how to do, get, or get to; point,
detail (in this way, in some ways, etc.);
(bit of) regular behaviour (freq. ways),
little trick of behaviour. Ways, sp., wood
structure down which new ship goes
into water; anything, something, in the
way of ..., sp., anything, something,
such as ... , like ...; by the way, sp.,
form of words used as sign that one is
about to say something unimportant or
having little connection; by w of, sp.,
as a way of, for the purpose of; gather
(lose) way; (of ships) go quicker (slower);
give way, become broken under weight,
blows etc.; be overcome, turned from
one's purpose, desire; have, get, one's
(own) way, do, get, what one has a desire
to; in a bad etc. way, sp., in a bad etc.
condition; in a way, sp., in some degree,
not completely; in the way, taking up room,
where not desired, across person's road
stopping him from going; lead the w;
go or do first as guide; make one's way,
get (to etc.) after some trouble etc.; get
on well; wake way for, make room for
(person etc.) to get past; out of the way,
opp. in the way; (of place) hard to get to,
far away; under way, (of ship) steaming,
sailing etc. forward; ways and means,
sp., ways of getting the money etc.
needed for doing something. 'way-bill, n.
List of persons or parcels transported
by train etc. 'wayfarer, n. Person journeying
on foot. way'lay, v.t. Be waiting somewhere
to make attack on, request etc. to,
(person) when be goes past. 'wayside, a., n.
(At, by) side of road. (wei).

'wayward, a. Pleasing oneself, moved by
impulse, not readily guided. ('weiwəd).

'W.'C., n. WATER-CLOSET. ('dʌblju'si:).

we (our, ours, us), pron. Pl. of " I." (wi:).

weak, a. Feeble; readily giving way, with
little control over others. Weak verb, one
making past form and past PARTICIPLE
by addition of "-ed." weak-kneed, a.
Readily giving way, without decision.
'weakling, n. Feeble person or animal. 'weakly, a.
Delicate, not very healthy. 'weak-'minded,
a. Feeble-minded, having something
wrong with one's brain; without strong
purpose, readily coming under power of
others. 'weakness, n. Sp., weak point, being
unable to keep away from, keep from
doing, something. A weakness for, a special or
foolish love for. (wi:k).

weal, n. Well-being, good chance (the
public weal, etc.). (wi:l).

weal, n. WALE.

wealth, n. (Having of) great amount of
money, things of value; great amount (of
anything). 'wealthy, a. Having much money.
(welθ).

wean, v.t. Get (baby, young animal) to
take other food than its mother's milk;
get turned by degrees (from bad ways,
bad company etc.). (wi:n).

'weapon, n. Thing designed, used, for
causing wound or death; thing used for
getting the better of another in argument,
competition. ('wepən).

wear (wore, worn), 1. v.t.&i. Be dressed
in, have on; make, become, damaged,
less good, by using or rubbing (freq. wear
away, down); (be of a sort to) go on being
worn, used, without getting damaged;
get into certain condition by wearing (wear
thin etc.); make (hole) by rubbing; make
tired, feeble. Wear on, (of time) go slowly
by; wear (person) out, make him very tired;
wear out, make use of, or be used, till no
longer in condition to be used. 2. n. Use
of thing as clothing; things worn as
clothing; damage done by wearing;
quality of wearing long, well. The worse
for wear, somewhat worn, damaged; wear
and tear, damage done by normal use.
(weə (wɔ:)).

'weary, 1. a. (Making) tired. 2. [Let.] v.t.&i.
Make, become, tired. 'wearisome,
a. Wearying, long, uninteresting. ('wiəri).

'weasel, n. Small red-brown animal living
on birds, rats etc. ('wi:zl).

'weather, 1. n. Condition of place at
certain time in relation to sun, wind,
rain etc. Keep one's weather eye open, be
looking out for trouble, danger; make
heavy weather of, be unnecessarily troubled
by (doing something); under the weather,
[Com.] in trouble; not very well. 2. v.t.&i.
Make or be changed through being
acted on by weather conditions; (of ship etc.)
get to the side of (headland) facing the
wind; come safely through (bad weather
conditions, trouble). 'weather-beaten, a.
Changed in colour, marked, by weather,
sp. (of face) brown and lined. 'weather-boarding,
n. Boards fixed so that one
OVERLAPS another forming wall etc.
'weather-bound, a. Kept from journeying by
bad weather. 'weathercock, n. Metal bird or
other pointer turning on roof etc. to give
direction of the wind. 'weather-glass, n.
BAROMETER. 'weather-vane, n. Weathercock.
('weðə).

weave (wove, woven), 1. v.t.&i. Make
(cloth) by taking threads over and under
one another; make cloth from (threads);
put together (facts, story) as by weaving.
2. n. Structure of cloth, way threads are
woven. (wi:v (wouv)).

web, n. Material made by WEAVING;
SPIDER's network; skin joining toes, as
in water-birds. 'webbed, a. Having web
between toes. 'webbing, n. Strong cotton
material in narrow band. (web).

wed (wedded), v.i.&t. Get married; get
married to. Wedded to, sp., having a
great love for (some interest, sport etc.).
'wedding, n. Event of getting married.
Silver, golden, diamond wedding, the day 25,
50, 60, years after one's wedding-day. 'wedding-'breakfast,
n. Meal given after wedding
to persons who came to it. 'wedlock, n.
Condition of being married. (wed).

wedge, 1. n. Bit of wood or metal thinner
at one end than the other, used for
cracking wood in two, making opening
wider, etc.; thing of wedge-like form. Thin
end of the wedge, sp., seemingly small change
etc. which will make it hard to put a stop
to further changes. 2. v.t. Get forced
open with wedge; get tightly fixed with wedge;
get forced tightly (in, into, between etc.).
(wedʒ).

'Wednesday, n. 4th day of week. ('wenzdi).

wee, [Scot.] a. Very small. (wi:).

weed, 1. n. Plant, not of garden sort,
coming up where it is not desired; thin,
tall, feeble horse or person. 2. v.t.&i.
Get weeds out of. Weed out, take out (what
is less good). 'weedy, a. Sp., thin, tall, feeble. (wi:d).

weeds, n. pl. Black clothing put on by
woman at death of man she is married
to (gen. widow's weeds). (wi:dz).

week, n. Space of 7 days, sp., measured
from Sunday; the 6 days other than
Sunday. 'week-day, n. Day other than
Sunday. week-end, n. Saturday and
Sunday (or, sometimes, Friday to Monday).
'weekly, 1. a., adv. (Taking place, done)
once a week. 2. n. Weekly newspaper. (wi:k).

ween, [Let.] v.t. Be of the opinion that.
(wi:n).

weep (wept), v.i.&t. Be crying with
drops coming from eyes (freq. weep tears);
weep because of regret, sad feeling, for.
'weeping, a. Sp., (of tree) with branches
hanging down. (wi:p (wept)).

'weevil, n. Insect damaging stored grain.
('wi:vil).

weft, n. The threads taken under and
over WARP in making cloth. (weft).

weigh, v.t.&i. Get the weight of
measured; have (certain weight); make
comparison of value of (one thing with,
against, another). Weigh anchor, take it up
before starting; weigh down, get (thing)
pulled down by weight; make troubled,
be a care to; weigh one's words, make selection
of them with care; weigh upon, be a
trouble, care, to; weigh with, sp., (of argument
etc.) have effect on, seem important
to. 'weighbridge, n. Machine for
weighing carts, automobiles. weight, 1. n.
Force of earth's pull on any material body;
measured amount of a body's weight; body
of certain weight used in weighing; something
of great weight; degree of being important,
having effect on others. 2. v.t. Put a weight
on, weigh down (with). 'weighty, a. Of great
weight; very important.
(wei).

weir, n. Structure
across river stopping
current and
lifting level of
water. (wiə).

weird, a. Unnatural,
not of this earth; [Com.] surprising,
hard to give a reason for. (wiəd).

welch, v.i. WELSH. (welʃ).

'welcome, 1. n. Words, behaviour, to
person coming, sp., as sign that one is
pleased. 2. int. Used as sign that one is
pleased to see someone. 3. v.t. Give signs
of being, be, pleased at coming of (person),
hearing of (news), etc. 4. a. Coming
as a pleasure, welcomed. You are welcome to
it, it is a pleasure to let you have it.
('welkəm).

weld, 1. v.t.&i. Get (bits of, gen. heated,
iron etc.) hammered or forced together;
make (materials into thing) by welding;
(of iron etc.) be able to be welded. 2. n.
Welded join. (weld).

'welfare, n. Well-being. Welfare work, the
work of making living conditions of
workmen etc. better. ('welfeə).

'welkin, [Let.] n. Sky. ('welkin).

well, 1. n. Deep hole made in earth to get
water, oil; [Old] spring of water; well-like
space in building for lift etc. 2. v.i.
Come out, up, as water from well. (wel).

well (better, best), 1. adv. In good,
desired, right, way; with care, completely;
much, quite; kindly, with approval;
with good reason (you may well
say so). As well (as), sp., in addition (to);
it will be as well to (do etc.), it will be
a good thing to; one might as well (do
etc.), it would be no different, no
worse, if one (did etc.); well done, sp.,
(int.) cry of approval; (of meat) cooked
through; well founded, in agreement with
fact; well grounded, well founded; well trained
in first steps of something; well out of
(undertaking etc.), in a happier condition
because of being out of. 2. a. (Of persons
etc.) healthy; in order, all right; wise,
good (it would be well to, etc.). Well and good,
all right. 3. n. Only let well (enough) alone,
make no change in what is good enough
as it is. Wish person well, be hoping good
things for him. 4. int. Used as sign of
surprise, doubt etc., or to give sense of
connection with what has been said
before. (wel ('betə, best)).

'well-, Put before PARTICIPLES in
any of the senses of adv. 'well-ap-pointed,
a. (Of house etc.) having
every comfort. 'well-balanced, a. Sp.,
having good sense, a balanced mind.
'well-being, n. Healthy, good condition,
general comfort. 'well-born, a. Of a
family high in society. 'well-bred, a.
Well-born; having the good behaviour
looked for in well-bred person. 'well-conducted,
a. Good in behaviour. 'well-connected,
a. Well-born. 'well-disposed, a. Ready
to give approval (to). 'well-doing, n.
Good acts. 'well-favoured, a. Good-looking.
'well-groomed, a. Well-dressed,
clean and brushed. 'well-intentioned, a.
Having or produced by good impulses,
purposes. 'well-judged, a. Done wisely,
at the right time. 'well-knit, a. (Of body)
strong, well-formed. 'well-mannered, a.
Pleasing in behaviour. 'well-meaning, 'well-meant,
aa. Well-intentioned. 'well-nigh,
[Old] adv. Almost. 'well-off, a. With
great amount of money. 'well-ordered,
a. With good organization. 'well-read,
a. Having wide knowledge of books
through much reading. 'well-regulated,
a. Controlled, kept in order. 'well-rounded,
a. (Of theory etc.) complete. 'well-set-'up,
a. Well-knit. 'well-spoken,
a. Talking like one with good education.
'well-timbered, a. (Of country) with a
number of trees, woods. 'well-timed, a.
Done at right, best possible, time.
'well-to-'do, a. Well-off. 'well-tried, a.
Long used, well tested. 'well-turned, a.
(Of saying) polished. 'well-wisher, n.
Person desiring another's good. 'well-worn,
a. Old, much used.

'Wellingtons, n. pl. Sort of high boots.
('weliŋtənz).

Welsh, n., a. (Language) of Wales. Welsh
rabbit, sort of cooked cheese on TOAST.
The Welsh, Welsh persons. (welʃ).

welsh, v.t.&i. (Of BOOKIE) go off without
making payment of debt to.

welt, 1. n. Thick leather edge stitched to top
part of shoe for under part to be fixed
to; WALE. 2. v.t. Put welt on (shoe); make
WALES on, give whipping to. (welt).

'welter, 1. v.i. WALLOW (in). 2. n. Mixed,
unordered mass (of thoughts, purposes
etc.). ('weltə).

'welter-weight, n. BOXER of weight
between LIGHT-WEIGHT and MIDDLE-WEIGHT.
('weltəweit).

wen, n. Growth forming under skin but
not having serious effects. (wen).

wench, [Old] n. Young woman, servant
girl. (wentʃ).

wend, v.t. Only wend one's way, go (to).
(wend).

went. See GO.

wept. See WEEP.

were. See BE.

'wer(e)wolf, [Fict.] n. Person turned into
WOLF. ('wə:wulf).

wert, [Old] v. WAST. (wə:t).

'Wesleyan, n., a. (One) of branch of
Christian Church started by John
Wesley. ('wesliən).

west, a., n., adv. Opp. east. Go west, [Hum.]
come to one's death, destruction. 'westerly,
a., adv. Opp. EASTERLY. 'western, a. Opp.
EASTERN. 'westerner, n. Person of the
West, sp., the west of the U.S.A. (west).

wet, 1. a. With water or other liquid on
or all through; raining. Wet blanket, one
who has effect of stopping talk, pleasure,
of others. 2. v.t. Make wet. 3. n. Liquid
wetting something; rain (out in the wet,
etc.). 'wet-nurse, n. Woman giving her
milk to another's baby. (wet).

'wether, n. Male sheep whose sex parts
have been taken away. ('weðə).

whack, v.t., n. Give hard blow to with
stick etc. Have one's whack of, [Hum.] have
as much of as one has a desire for.
'whacking, [Com.] a. Of great size (freq. whacking
great). (wak).

whale, 1. n. Air-breathing sea-MAMMAL
valued for its oil, the greatest animal
in existence. 2. v.i. Go after whales. 'whalebone,
n. Hard elastic substance got from top
mouth-bone of some whales. 'whaler, n.
Whaling ship or seaman. (weil).

wharf, 1. n. Landing-stage where goods
are taken into or out of ships. 2. v.t.
Get (ship) fixed to, (goods) stored on,
wharf. 'wharfage, n. (Payment made for) use
of wharf. 'wharfinger ('wɔ:findʒə), n. Wharf-owner.
(wɔ:f).

what, 1. pron. That or those which; (in
questions) used for pointing to the
thing(s), fact(s), eventfs), or amount to
be named or given an account of in the
answer; (in int.) how much (What I
would give to go!). And what not, and so on;
What? What did you say?; What about ... ?
What's the news about ... ? What's to
be done about ... ?; What for? Why?;
What if ... ? What would be the outcome,
effect, if ... ?; What of it? Even if that's
true, is it important?; what with this etc.
and what with that etc., in part because of
this etc. and in part because of that etc. 2.
a. Used before name of person(s), thing(s),
with the sense of "the ... which"; used
before name of that or those of which
it is desired to have one or more named
or pointed to by the answer (what colour
is it?); (in int.) how great, bad, strange
etc. (freq. what a ... !). What news? What is the
news? 3. int. Used as sign of surprise
or angry feeling. what'ever, [Let.] what'e'er,
a., pron. Anything, everything, which, it
is unimportant what (whateer he soys, it will be
wrong); at all, of any sort (no doubt whateer);
[Com.] (in questions) strong form of
"what." 'whatnot, n. Group of shelves for
small ornaments etc. whatso'ever, a.,
pron. (Of) whatever sort at all; [Let.]
whatever. (wɔt).

wheat, n. (Sort of
grain plant producing)
seeds which are crushed
into meal for bread. 'wheaten, a. Made of
wheat. (wi:t).

'wheedle, v.t. Make much of (person) to
get what is desired (freq. wheedle person into,
out of, doing etc.). ('wi:dl).

wheel, 1. n. Round frame or plate-like
structure turning on rod which goes
through its middle point, used on carts
etc. and as machine-part; wheel-like thing;
circling motion of line of persons turning
back in opp. direction with one end not
moving. Wheels within wheels, complex working
of different secret purposes, forces.
2. v.t.&i. Get (thing on wheels) moved by
pushing or pulling; (of birds etc.) go in
curves or circles; (of line of persons etc.)
make change in direction by a wheel; (of
persons) make quick turn round.
'wheelbarrow, n. Hand-cart with 2 legs and
one wheel, used in gardening etc.
'wheelwright, n. Maker of wheels. (wi:l).

wheeze, 1. v.i. Make noise in chest,
windpipe, in breathing. 2. n. Sound of
wheezing; [Hum.] trick, bright idea.
'wheezy, a. (With tendency to) wheezing
in breathing; (of sound) like a
wheeze. (wi:z).

whelk, n. Sorts of sea-MOLLUSC with hard
outer cover having twisting line somewhat
like a screw. (welk).

whelp, 1. v.i. (Of dog etc.) give birth.
2. n. Young dog etc.; young man of
unpleasing behaviour. (welp).

when, 1. conj. At the or any time which,
while; though (he got a brown coat when a
blue would have been better); in view of
the fact that (why give it away when you
have need of it?); at or after which, as
an outcome of which (she gave a cry, when
the dog let the meat go). The time etc. when,
the time at which. 2. adv. (In questions)
at what time, point? 3. pron. The time
at which; (in questions) what time? (till
when? etc.). 4. n. Only the when, the time of an
event. when'e'er, [Let.], when'ever, adv. At
whatever time, every time when.
whenso'ever, [Old] adv. Whenever at all.
(wen).

whence, 1. adv. (Of place, cause) from
which; to the place from which (he
returned whence he came); (in questions) from
what place, cause? 2. pron. The place,
cause, from which. 3. conj. And from,
as effect of, this. (wens).

where, 1. adv. (Of place) in which; in, at,
or to the or a place etc.; (in questions)
in or to what place, position, direction?;
in what point, way? 2. pron. (In questions)
what place? 3. n. Only the where,
the place of an event. wherea'bouts, adv. In
or near what place? 'whereabouts, n. Place
where person or thing is. where'as, conj.
Taking into account the fact that; in
comparison with the fact that. where'by, adv.
By which. wher'e'er, [Let.], wher'ever,
adv., pron. (In or to) whatever place.
'wherefore, 1. adv. [Old] Why? 2. conj. For
which reason, why. 3. n. Only the wherefore, the
reason for something. where'in, adv. In what
point, way. where'of, [Old] adv. Of what.
whereso'ever, [Old] adv. Wherever at all.
where(up)'on, conj. After which, and then.
'wherewithal, n. Only the where, the money etc.
needed for doing something. (weə).

'wherry, n. Small open boat. ('weri).

whet, v.t. Make (knife etc.) sharp; make
(desire) stronger. 'whetstone, n. Stone for
making knives etc. sharp. (wet).

'whether, conj. Used to put forward 2
possible events, decisions etc.: 1. (With
"or") if (say whether you will come or go, whether I
do it or you do it is unimportant). 2. If
or if not (say whether you will come). Whether or no,
if it is so or not. ('weðə).

whew, int. Used as sign of surprise, or
of being troubled or tired. (hju:).

whey, n. Part of milk which is still liquid
after rest has become solid. (wei).

which, 1. a. (Used in joining further
statement about thing, fact, event, to
chief statement) and, or but, or though,
or because, or being, this or these; (in
questions, when requesting selection
from limited number, sp. 2) what? 2.
pron. Which thing(s) etc.; (in questions)
which thing(s), person(s)? Which is which?, (of
2 things) which has one name and which has the
other? which'ever, pron., a. (Of limited
number, sp. 2) whatever. (witʃ).

whiff, n. Breath (of air, smoke); sudden
smell (of something). (wif).

Whig, [Hist] n. One of Eng. political
group after 1688 desiring less power for
ruler and more for PARLIAMENT, whose
place was later taken by LIBERALS.
(wig).

while, 1. conj. For the time that, at the
same time as; though, on the one hand
(while seeing your point, I take a different
view). 2. adv. (With time) in which (the
hours while he was waiting). 3. n. Space of
time, time taken up by some event (sp.
for a while, in a little while). 4. v.t. Only while
away (time), do something for one's
amusement in it. whilst, conj. While.
(wail).

whim, n. Sudden impulse to do or have
something, unreasoning idea. 'whimaical, a.
Full of whims or whimsies; strange-looking.
'whimsy, n. Whim, FANTASY. (wim).

'whimper, v.i., n. (Make) feeble sound of
pain or fear. ('wimpə).

whine, 1. n. Dog's or baby's long unhappy
cry; high, feeble, protesting note in
voice. 2. v.i.&t. Make, say with, such
sound; whine for help etc., not be acting
like a man. (wain).

'whinny, n., v.i. Soft sound made by
horse when pleased. ('wini).

whip, 1. n. Stick with cord or leather fixed
to end of it, used to give blows in driving
animals etc. or as punishment; person
helping in controlling FOXHOUNDS; person
responsible for seeing that others of
his political group in PARLIAMENT are
present when desired, do the right thing;
note from whip requesting person to be
present in PARLIAMENT etc. Have the whip
hand of, be in position to have control
over (person). 2. v.t.&i. Give blows to
with whip; be acting as whip to (dogs, political
group); give (eggs etc.) quick blows
with fork etc. to get them mixed with
air so that they become stiff; get (edge
of cloth) stitched with stitches which
go over and through again on the other
side; go or take quickly (out, through
etc.). 'whipcord, n. Thin, tightly twisted
cord. 'whipper-'in, n. Whip controlling dogs.
'whipping-boy, [Hist.] n. Boy trained with,
and taking punishment for, ruler's son.
(wip).

'whipper-snapper, n. Unimportant young
man who puts himself forward, is very
pleased with himself. ('wipə-snapə).

'whippet, n. Dog like small GREYHOUND,
used in running competitions. ('wipit).

'whippoorwill, n. Am. bird with cry like
its name. ('wippuəwil).

whirl, 1. v.t.&i. (Make) go quickly round
and round; take, go, quickly in some
direction in carriage etc.; (of brain,
senses) seem to go round and round.
2. n. Whirling motion. 'whirligig, n. Sorts
of plaything which whirl round; whirling
motion. 'whirlpool, n. Circling current of
water. 'whirlwind, n. Circling current of
air. (wə:l).

whir(r), v.i., n. (Make) soft sound as of
turning wheels, quickly moving birds'
wings. (wə:).

whisk, 1. n. Sort of brush for dusting,
waving flies away, etc.; instrument for
whipping eggs etc.; quick move (as) of
animal's tail. 2. v.t.&i. Get brushed
(away, off); take, go, (in, off etc.) with
sudden, quick motion; be waving (tail
etc.) about. 'whisker, n. Growth of hair down
side of man's face (gen. whiskers); long stiff
hair on cat's etc. face. (wisk).

'whisky, n. Alcohol for drinking made
from grain. ('wiski).

'whisper, 1. v.t.&i. Say, be talking, very
softly, using breath but not voice cords;
(of leaves, wind, water) make soft sound.
2. n. Whispered talk, sound; thing
whispered, said secretly. 'whispering-gallery,
n. Place so designed that whisper at one
point comes to ears of person at a
distance. ('wispə).

whist, n. Form of card-play for 4 players.
Whist drive, meeting for whist in which players
go on from table to table. (wist).

'whistle, 1. n. Sound made by forcing
breath through mouth with Ups almost
together; like sound made by bird,
wind, instrument etc.; instrument for
producing whistle. 2. v.i.&t. Give out a whistle;
give sign to (dog etc.) by whistling;
give (song etc.) by whistling. ('wisl).

whit, n. Only no, not a, never a, whit, not at
all. (wit).

Whit. See WHITSUN.

white, 1. a. Of the colour of snow or
table-salt; (of liquid, gas, light) clear,
without colour; (of face) with very little
colour, as when ill or in fear; (of wine)
light yellow. White heat, condition of metal
heated to more than red heat; white horses,
sp., white-topped sea waves; white lie, one
having good purpose, not looked on as
wrong; white man, man of light-skinned
RACE; [Com.] upright person; white
slave, woman forced or tricked into
becoming a PROSTITUTE to make profit
for others. 2. n. White colour or colouring
material; white part of egg, eye. 'whitebait, n.
Sorts of fish used as food when very small.
'whitening, n. Chalk used in whitewash or
for cleaning silver. white-paper, n. Account
of some question, statement,
printed by government for the public.
'whitethorn, n. HAWTHORN. 'whitewash, 1. n.
Chalk or LIME mixed with water, used
for making walls etc. white. 2. v.t. Put
whitewash on; make (person) seem not to have
done wrong. 'whiting, n. Whitening;
sort of sea-fish used for food. (wait).

'whither, [Let.] 1. adv. (Of place) to
which; to the place etc. to which; to
what place, in what direction? 2. conj.
And to that place. ('wiðə).

'whitlow, n. Growth on finger, gen. near
nail, causing INFLAMMATION. ('witlou).

'Whitsun, n. 7th Sunday after EASTER,
kept as special day of religion. 'Whitsuntide,
n. Whitsun and the days after it (freq.
Whit Monday etc.). ('witsən).

'whittle, v.t.&i. Get number of thin bits
cut off (wood); be cutting (at) in this
way. Whittle away, down, make less by
degrees. ('witl).

whiz(z), v.i., n. (Make) sound of thing
moving at great rate through air. (wiz).

who (whom, whose), pron. (Used in joining
further statement about person(s) to
the chief statement) and, or but, or
though, or because, or being, the person(s)
in question; what person(s); (in
questions) what person(s)? who'ever,
[Old] whoso'ever, prons. Anyone or everyone
who; who of any sort. (hu: (hu:m,
hu:z)).

whoa, int. Wo. (wou).

whole, 1. a. Undamaged, unbroken,
complete, taking in all. Whole number, one
formed of complete units. 2. n. Thing
complete in itself, system formed of
parts; all there is of something (the whole).
whole-hearted, a. (Of feeling, act) not
made less strong by doubt, or by some
other feeling, desire. 'wholesale, 1. n. Trade
in goods in great amounts to traders.
2. a., adv. Of, by, wholesale; on a great scale.
'wholesome, a. Healthy, producing a good
effect. 'wholly ('houlli), adv. Completely.
(houl).

whom. See WHO.

(w)hoop, v.i., n. (Give) the cry "(w)hoop"
(give) cough made in whooping-cough.
'(w)hooping-cough, n. Disease, chiefly of young
persons, causing cough with long,
loud intake of breath. (hu:p).

whop, [Hum.] v.t. Give a whipping to;
get the better of. 'whopper, [Com.] n.
Thing of specially great size; shockingly
untrue statement. 'whopping, [Com.] a. Of
great size (freq. whopping great). (wɔp).

whore, n. PROSTITUTE. (hɔ:).

whorl, n. Ring of leaves round stem; one
turn of corkscrew twist. (wə:l).

whose. See WHO.

why, 1. adv. (The reason) for which, for
what reason; (in questions) for what
reason or purpose? 2. int. Used as sign
of surprise, protest, giving thought to
question, etc.; well then. 3. n. Only the
why, the reason (freq. the whys and wherefores).
(wai).

wick, n. Thread by which oil or fat is
taken to flame of oil-light or wax-light.
(wik).

'wicked, a. (Of person, behaviour) bad,
wrong; (of statement etc.) biting, unkind,
but causing amusement. ('wikid).

'wicker, n. Stems etc. twisted over and
under one another as material for seats,
baskets etc. 'wicker-work, n. (Things made
of) wicker. ('wikə).

'wicket, n. Small door; (in CRICKET) 3
sticks fixed into earth with 2 small bits
of wood resting on top; stretch of grass
between wickets as being in a certain
condition (a soft wicket, etc.). ('wikit).

wide, 1. a. Having great width; measuring
(certain amount) from side to side;
stretching far, taking in much, of great
range; (of views etc.) not narrow-minded;
(of window, eyes etc.) open as much as
possible (freq. wide open); far from a
desired point or mark (freq. wide of the
mark). Give (person, thing) a wide berth,
keep out of the way of. 2. adv. At or to
a number of points (freq. far and wide);
with wide space between (gen. wide apart);
in such a way as not to get to the thing
fired etc. at. Wide awake, fully awake.
'wide-awake, n. Man's soft hat with
wide edge. 'wide-spread, a. Of wide distribution.
width, n. Distance, measure, from
side to side; bit of material of certain
width; quality of being wide. (waid).

'widow, 1. n. Woman not married again
after death of man she was married to.
2. v.t. Make into widow or widower. 'widower, n.
Man not married again after death of
woman he was married to. ('widou).

wield, [Let.] v.t. Have and make use of
(power, instrument etc.). (wi:ld).

wife (wives), n. Married woman, sp. in
relation to man she is married to. (waif
(waivz)).

wig, n. False hair for covering head. (wig).

'wigging, [Hum.] n. A SCOLDING. ('wigiŋ).

wight, [Old] n. Person. (wait).

'wigwam, n. N. Am. Indian's small house
of skins etc. ('wigwam).

wild, 1. a. (Of animals, plants) living in
natural conditions, not trained or produced
by man; (of animals) hard to get
near, not readily making a friend of man;
uncontrolled, violent; [Com.] very angry;
foolish, far from the point. Run wild, sp.,
not be controlled or trained; wild about,
sp., [Com.] very interested in, with a
great love for; wild-goose chase, going after
something not possible to get; wild to do
etc., [Com.] with a great desire to do etc.
2. adv. Without care or self-control.
'wilderness ('wildənis), n. Unfertile waste
land. 'wild-fire, n. Only spread etc. like
wild-fire, do so very quickly. wilds, n. pl. Only the
wilds, unplanted, unused country. (waild).

'wildebeest, n. GNU. ('wildibi:st).

wile, 1. n. Trick, unstraightforward behaviour.
2. v.t. Wile away, into etc., get
(person) away, into (doing), etc. by wile.
(wail).

'wilful, a. (Of something bad) done on
purpose; not readily guided by others,
given to pleasing oneself. ('wilful).

will (would), 1. v.aux. Used before a v.:
1. to make future form; 2. (only would)
to make the form for a statement dependent
on condition; 3. as sign of purpose;
4. as sign that act is done regularly, frequently;
5. as sign of strong impulse,
fixed purpose, to do or keep doing something.
Will (would) you do etc. ... ?, sp.,
please do etc. 2. v.t. [Old] Have a desire
for (freq. would); have a desire to (do
what you will); have one's will fixed on,
make use of will, power of suggestion,
to get (person to do); give (property
to person) at one's death by will. Would
(to God etc.) that ..., it is my strong
desire that. 3. n. The mind's power
of conscious purpose; power of controlling
one's impulses, keeping to
one's purpose; desire, purpose, thing
desired; person's directions in writing
for distribution of his property at
his death. At will, when and as desired;
good (ill) will, kind (unkind) feeling for
others; with a will, very readily, doing
one's best. 'willing, a. Ready, pleased, (to
do etc.); readily given, done. 'would-be,
a. Attempting, desiring, to be taken for
(a). (wil (wud)).

'will-o'-the-'wisp, n. Light seen moving
about on wet land, caused by certain
gas; person, thing, which one goes after
without ever being able to get to it.
('wiləðə'wisp).

'willow, n. Water-side tree with readily
bent branches. 'willowy, a. (Of person) tall,
thin, moving in pleasing way. ('wilou).

'willy'nilly, adv. Whatever one's desires,
however unpleasing. ('wili'nili).

wilt, v. Present form of "will" used with
THOU. (wilt).

wilt, v.i.&t. (Of flower etc.) become dead, with
head hanging down; make wilt.

'wily, a. Full of tricks, not straightforward.
('waili).

'wimple, n. Linen head-dress falling in
folds, of sort used by women in an order
of religion. ('wimpl).

win (won), 1. v.t.&i. Get by hard work
or as reward in competition etc.; do
best in (fight, competition etc.); make
one's way, get to some condition, by
working, attempting; get (person) to do,
over onto one's side, by argument etc.
Win one's spurs, do something which
gives one the right to be looked on as
an expert in some field; win the day, do
best in fight etc.; win through, get safely
through fight, trouble. 2. n. Outcome
of competition in which person wins.
'winning, a. Sp., (of looks, behaviour)
pleasing. 'winnings, n. pl. Money won in
card-play etc. (win (wʌn)).

wince, v.i., n. (Make) sudden motion as
sign of pain. (wins).

'wincey, n. Wool (and cotton) material
for dresses etc. ('winsi).

winch, n. WINDLASS. (wintʃ).

wind, 1. n. Air moving with force as effect
of natural causes; smell transported by
wind; (sound of) wind-instruments in
orchestra; breath as needed for running
etc.; gas causing trouble in stomach;
words, talk, without sense, value. Close
to, near, the wind, sp., (of talk, behaviour)
very near what is shocking or against
the law; get wind of, get suggestion, news,
of (something taking place); get (put)
the wind up, [Com.] get (give) a feeling
of fear; raise the wind (for), get the necessary
money, support, (for); take the wind
out of person's sails, take away his chance
of doing something by doing it before
him; there is something in the wind, there
are signs that some design is secretly
going forward. 2. v.t. Make out of
breath; give rest to (horse which is out of
breath). 'windbag, n. Person given to talking
overmuch. 'windfall, n. Fruit etc. sent
down from tree by wind; some unlooked-for
good thing, sp. money,
coming to person. 'wind-instmment, n.
Music instrument played by blowing
or air-current. 'wind-jammer, n. Trading
sailing-ship.
'windmill, n. One
for crushing
grain, worked by
force of wind
turning blades.
'windpipe, n. Air-pipe
going from
throat to chest.
'wind-screen, n.
Glass in front of
driver's seat in
automobile. 'windward, n., a., adv. (Point,
side) in direction from which wind is
blowing. 'windy, a. Open to, marked by,
wind; [Com.] in fear. (wind).

wind (winded or wound), v.t. Make sound
on (horn etc.) by blowing. (waind
(waund)).

wind (wound), v.i.&t. Go in twisting,
curving, direction; get (thread, cord etc.)
twisted round and round something or
into form of ball; get spring of (clock
etc.) tightly wound by turning key to
put or keep its works in motion (freq. wind
up). Wind up, sp., (make) come to an end
(gen. by, with etc.); wind up a company,
put everything in order with a view to
putting an end to it; wound up, sp.,
worked up. 'winding-sheet, n. Clothing put
round dead body.

'windlass, n. Machine for lifting and
pulling weights by chain etc. going round
and round a turning rod. ('windləs).

'window, n. Opening in wall etc., gen.
covered with glass, for letting in light,
air; glass or frame of window. 'window-dressing,
n. (Art of) putting goods on view in
store-window, giving advertisement to
one's work, qualities, in way to get
attention. ('windou).

wine, n. Alcohol for drinking made from
GRAPES; sorts of wine-like drink made
from other fruit. 'wine-bibber, [Old] n.
One who takes overmuch alcohol.
'winepress, n. Machine for crushing GRAPES
to make wine. 'wineskin, n. Goatskin bag
for wine. (wain).

wing, 1. n. One or other of the 2 parts
supporting bird in flight; like part in insect;
wing-like part, sp. of airplane; part of
building, army etc. stretching out to side.
On the wing, in flight; take wing, make start on
flight; the wings, sides of stage in theatre;
under one's wing, (of person) in one's
care; wing commander, one in Air Force
having authority over number of
SQUADRONS. 2. v.t.&i. Give wings to;
send (ARROW etc.) in flight; go on wings;
give wound to in wing or arm. (wiŋ).

wink, 1. v.t.&i. Get (one's eye or
eyes) open and shut quickly; wink one
eye (at person) as private sign of
amusement etc. Wink at, sp., seem not to
see (something wrong), make no protest
about. 2. n. Act of winking. Forty winks,
sp., a short sleep. (wiŋk).

'winkle, n. Small sea-SNAIL used for food.
('wiŋkl).

'winnow, v.t. Get outer covers off (grain)
by current of air; get (outer covers
out, away, from) in this way; get
what is good, true, separate from what
is bad, false, in (statement etc.).
('winou).

'winsome, a. (Of person, looks etc.)
pleasing, having attraction. ('winsəm).

'winter, 1. n., a. Part of year between fall
and spring, coldest time. Winter garden,
glass-covered space with plants, having
seats, tables. 2. v.i. Be living (in, at) for
winter. 'wintry, a. As of winter, cold.
('wintə).

'winter-green, n. (Evergreen plant producing)
strong-smelling oil. ('wintəgri:n).

wipe, 1. v.t.&i. Get clean or dry by
rubbing with cloth etc. (freq. wipe over);
get (mark etc. off) by wiping. Wipe out,
sp., make complete destruction of; wipe
up, get (liquid) off by wiping. 2. n. A
cleaning rub. (waip).

'wire, 1. n. Metal pulled out into form of
thread, narrow band; bit of this as part
of, sp. electric, apparatus; telegram. Pull
wires, sp., be secretly controlling political
etc. moves; make use of pull to get
something desired. 2. v.t.&i. Put wire(s)
in, get fixed with wire; send telegram (to).
'wire-haired, a. (Of dogs) with stiff hair.
'wireless, 1. n. Radio. 2. a. Without
wires (wireless telegraphy etc.). 3. v.i. Send news etc.
by wireless. 'wire-puller, n. One who pulls wires
politically etc. 'wire-worm, n. Sort of
insect damaging to plants. 'wiry, a. Sp.,
(of persons) thin and strong. ('waiə).

wise, a. Having experience, knowledge,
good at judging, judging rightly; (of
acts etc.) as of wise person. 'wisdom
('wizdəm), n. Quality of being wise;
wise thoughts, sayings. 'wisdom-tooth,
n. Back tooth which comes
through when person is about 20 or
older. 'wiseacre, n. Person who puts on air
of being much wiser than he is. (waiz).

wise, [Old] n. Way (gen. in no wise, in this wise).

wish, 1. v.i.&t. Have a desire (for, to do,
that); wish for (person to do); be desiring
(something) for (person) (wish him happiness,
luck etc.). 2. n. A desire. Good wishs,
wishs for person's well-being. 'wishful, a.
Only wishful thinking, belief based on one's
hopes; wishful to, full of desire to. 'wish(ing)-bone,
n. MERRYTHOUGHT. (wiʃ).

'wishy-washy, a. (Of drink) thin, with
overmuch water; (of talk etc.) without
force, colour. ('wiʃiwɔʃi).

wisp, n. Small twist or bit of STRAW, hair
etc. (wisp).

wist, [Old] v. KNEW. (wist).

wis'taria, n. Tree with red-blue flowers
and freq. having its branches supported
against walls of a house. (wis'teəriə).

'wistful, a. (Giving signs of being) troubled
by desire for something not clearly
pictured in the mind, feeling regret.
('wistful).

wit, n. Good sense, brains (freq. wits);
(person noted for) humour in talk,
writing. At one's wit's end, completely
at a loss; have one's wits about one, be
quick to see what is taking place, ready
in acting. 'witless, a. Foolish. 'witticism
('witisizm), n. Observation full of humour.
'witty, a. Full of humour. (wit).

wit, [Old] v. KNOW (only in INFINITIVE).
To wit, that is to say. 'wittingly, a. Consciously,
on purpose.

witch, n. Woman said to do MAGIC.
'witchcraft, n. Use of MAGIC. 'witch-doctor, n.
MEDICINE-MAN. 'witchery, n. Witchcraft;
attraction through being beautiful etc.
(witʃ).

with, prep. In the same place as, near, at
the same time as, in the company of;
in the same way, direction, or degree,
as; which has, having; in relation to (be
angry with, in comparison with, etc.); against
(fighting with); using (as instrument or
help); by, in, having (blessed with
children); because of (shaking with fear);
though having (with every chance, he has
done badly). With child, young, FREGNANT.
with'al (wið'ɔ:l), [Old] 1. adv. With that, in
addition. 2. prep. (Used after n.) with
as instrument. (wið).

with'draw (withdrew, withdrawn), v.t.&i.
Get pulled back, on one side, take
away; take back (statement etc.); put
an end to (payment etc.); go away or
back. (wið'drɔ: (wið'dru:)).

withe, n. WITHY. (wiθ).

'wither, v.i.&t. (Sp. of plants) become
dry, dead; make wither; have crushing,
cruel, effect on feelings, self-respect, of.
('wiðə).

'withers, n. pl. High part at base of back
of horse's neck. ('wiðəz).

with'hold (withheld), v.t. Keep back, not
give. (wið'hould (wið'beld)).

with'in, 1. adv. [Old] Inside. 2. prep.
Inside; in range of (hearing etc.); not
more than. 3. n. Inside (from within). (wið'in).

with'out, 1. adv. [Old] Outside. 2. prep.
Outside; not having, free from, not
(doing etc.). 3. n. Only from without, outside.
(wið'aut).

with'stand (withstood), v.t. Not give way
to, keep off. (wið'stand (wið'stud)).

'withy, n. Thin, readily bent stem to put
round parcel of wood etc. ('wiði).

'witness, 1. n. [Law] One giving TESTIMONY;
one who sees some event; one
putting his name at foot of agreement
etc. as sign that he has seen it signed by
right person; person, thing, whose existence
is sign of something. 2. v.t.&i.
Be witness to (agreement); be witness of (event);
be sign of. 'witness-box, n. Place for witnesses
in law COURT. ('witnis).

'witticism. See WIT (n.).

wives. See WIFE.

'wizard, n. MAGICIAN; one who has special
powers, is surprisingly good at something.
'wizardry, n. Power, acts, of a wizard.
('wizəd).

'wizened, a. (Of face) thin and lined.
('wizənd).

wo, int. Used for stopping horse. wo-back,
int. Used when making horse go back.
(wou).

woad, n. (Plant giving) blue colouring
substance. (woud).

'wobble, v.i., n. Go from side to side, be
almost falling, uncertain in balance.
be uncertain in opinions, decisions.
('wɔbl).

woe, n. Trouble, very sad, unhappy feeling.
Woes, causes of woe. 'woebegone (woubigɔn),
a. Unhappy-looking. 'woeful, a. (Making)
unhappy; [Com.] very bad, great. (wou).

woke. See WAKE (v.).

wold, n. Open stretch of umplanted
country. (would).

wolf, 1. n. Animal of dog family living on
sheep etc. and going about in groups.
Cry wolf, say there is danger when there
isn't; keep the wolf from the door, get
(enough money for) the food needed for
supporting existence. 2. [Com.] v.t. Take
(food) quickly, not delicately. (wulf).

'wolverene, 'wolverine, n. N.-Am.
animal like WEASEL. ('wulvəri:n).

'woman (women), n. Female person of
full growth, opp. man; women or the female
sex. 'womanhood, n. Sp., womanly qualities;
women as group. 'womanish, a. (Of man) like
a woman. 'womankind, n. Women generally.
'womanly, a. (Having qualities) natural to
women. 'womenkind, n. The female
part of one's family (one's womenkind). ('wumən
('wimin)).

womb, n. Part of female animal in which
young come
to development
before birth.
(wu:m).

'wombat, n.
Small Australian
MARSUPIAL.
('wɔmbət).

won. See WIN.

'wonder, 1. n.
Feeling caused
by something
very surprising, more than coming
up to one's hopes; thing causing this.
Do, work, wonders, do thing by use of other
than natural powers; do very well; for
a wonder, (of something good) surprising
though it is; no wonder, it is not surprising
(that). 2. v.i.&t. Have feeling of wonder;
be surprised that; have a desire for knowledge
as to (who, how etc.). 'wonderful, a. Of
more than common quality, such as to
be a cause of wonder. 'wonderment, n. Surprised
condition of mind. 'wondrous,
1. a. [Let.] Wonderful. 2. adv. [Old]
Wonderfully, very (wondrous good etc.).
('wʌndə).

won't, Short form of "will not." (wount).

wont, n. What a person is used to do.
'wonted, a. Such as one normally has, does.
(wount).

woo, [Let.] v.t. Make love to; make attempts
to get approval etc. of (person).
(wu:).

wood, n. Material forming stems and
branches of trees; trees covering stretch
of land. Out of the wood, sp., safely through
trouble; wine etc. from, in, the wood, from,
in, a BARREL. 'woodbine, n. HONEYSUCKLE.
'woodchuck, n. Sort of N. Am. MARMOT;
sort of woodpecker. 'woodcock, n. Woodland
bird valued as food. 'woodcraft, n. Knowledge
of woodland places, animals in
them, etc. 'woodcut, n. Print from picture
cut in wood. 'wooded, a. Having woods.
'wooden, a. Made of wood; (of look, way of
moving) stiff, as of wooden thing. 'woodland, n.
Wooded country. 'wood-louse, n. Insect
living in wood, under stones, etc.
'woodpecker, n. Bird living on insects in
tree-stems. 'woodwork, n. Things made of
wood, sp. wood parts of house; making
things of wood. 'woody, a. Sp., wooded. (wud).

woof, n. WEFT. (wu:f).

wool, n. Soft hair, as of sheep or goats;
thread, cloth, clothing, made of wool. Lose
one's wool, [Hum.] get angry. 'woolgathering,
n., a. Not giving attention, with thoughts
on other things. 'woollen, n., a. (Cloth)
made of wool. 'woolly, 1. a. Sp., (of thoughts,
argument) not clear. 2. n. Woollen coat
etc. 'woolsack, n. Cushion full of wool on
seat of LORD CHANCELLOR in HOUSE OF
LORDS. 'woolwork, n. Needlework in
coloured wools. (wul).

word, 1. n. Sound, letter, or group of
sounds, letters, forming unit of sense,
representative of an idea, in any
language; talk as opp. acting (freq.
words); talk, statement (gen. words); news;
serious statement that one will do or
not do something, which it is looked on
as wrong not to give effect to (give,
keep, one's word, etc.); order (give the word
to do etc.). Words, sp., language; by word of
mouth, in talk, as opp. in writing; have
words (with), have an angry argument
(with); take person at his word, do something
based on the belief that his feeling,
purpose, is what he says it is; the last word
in, the latest, best, example of, the best.
most complete, view about; the Word (of
GOD), sp., BIBLE; upon my word, said in,
sp. angry, surprise; word for word, without
changing a word. 2. v.t. Put into words (in
certain way). 'word-building, n. Building
up of words from parts. wording, n. Sp.,
words in which a thing is put. 'word-'perfect,
a. Having got by heart what
one has to say. 'wordy, a. Sp., using unnecessary
number of words. (wə:d).

wore. See WEAR.

work, 1. n. Use of one's powers, taking
of trouble, for some purpose, sp. as opp.
play; the doing of something for payment,
sp., to make a living; thing done
or to be done as work; thing produced by
work, sp., book, picture etc.; ornament
cut, stitched etc. on something; work
using some named instrument or
material (leather work, etc.); [Sc.] force used
in overcoming another or in producing
change. Works, acting parts of machine,
sp. of clock; buildings and plant where
things are made; [Mil.] structures for
keeping off attack; at work, doing work;
good works, kind acts done among the
poor; have one's work cut out (for one), be
faced with hard undertaking; in (out of)
work, having (unable to get) work to do for
a living; Office of Public Works, branch
of Brit. government responsible for public
buildings etc. 2. v.i.&t. (Worked
or [Old] wrought (rɔ:t)). Make use of
one's powers for some purpose, do work;
be in operation; (of thing) do what it is
designed to do; (make) get slowly or
with trouble (through, out, in etc., or
into some condition) by moving; make
do work, get, keep, (machine etc.) in
operation; give form to by hammering
etc. (freq. with wrought as past); get
(person into some condition of mind)
(freq. with wrought); make (change etc.)
come about (freq. with wrought); get
ornamented by needlework etc.; be in
troubled motion, FERMENT. Work off, get
over (feeling etc.) by giving outlet to it;
(of effect of drink etc.) go slowly away;
work one's way, make payment for journey
by working on it; get with some trouble
(through, out etc.); work out, sp., get (answer,
amount) by reasoning; get answer
to (question, sp. in mathematics); get
details of (purpose etc.) mapped out; work
up, sp., make (business etc.) better and
better by degrees; make (feelings) more
and more violent etc.; work (up)on, sp., have
effect on (feelings etc.). 'workable, a. Able
to be given effect to. 'workaday, a. Common,
everyday. 'work-bag, 'work-basket, 'work-box,
nn. One for needlework materials.
'workhouse, n. Place supported by public
money for housing of poor persons.
'working, 1. a. Sp., doing physical work for
a living; used in working. 2. n. Sp., the
way a thing works; part of mine etc.
in which work is being or has been done.
'workman, n. Man making bis living by
physical work; male worker as being good,
bad etc. 'workmanlike, a. (As) of a good
workman. 'workmanship, n. Quality of work
of person or in thing. 'workshop, n. Room
or building for making things in. (wə:k).

world, n. All existence, everything; the
earth or any body like it; persons, places
etc. in someone's range of experience,
or to do with some special interest,
branch of work (academic world, etc.);
material things, interests; man, everyone.
A world of, sp., a great amount of; for
all the world like, in every way like; the
New World, America; the Old World, Europe,
Asia, and Africa; the next, other, world, the
world to come, existence after death. 'worldling,
n. Worldly person. 'worldly, a. Interested
only in material things, as money,
pleasure. Worldly goods, property. worldly-wise,
a. Experienced, not acting foolishly. 'world-wide,
a. Through all the world. (wə:ld).

worm, 1. n. Sorts of small snake-like
animal, sp., earthworm; person who is
looked down on, looked on as unimportant;
the line cut round and round
in a screw. 2. v.i.&t. Go, get (oneself),
with worm-like motion (through etc.) (freq. worm
one's way). Worm (secret) out of, get it from
(person) by use of tricks etc. 'worm-cast, n.
Earth in worm-like form sent out from
worm's body. 'wormeaten, a. (Of wood etc.)
full of holes made by worms; old, in bad
condition. (wə:m).

'wormwood, n. Bitter plant; cause of
bitter shame. ('wə:mwud).

worn. See WEAR.

'worry, 1. v.t.&i. (Gen. of dog) be
pulling about with the teeth, be shaking
from side to side; be a trouble to; be
troubling to the mind of; have troubled
mind (about), be full of care. 2. n. Thing
worrying a person; condition of feeling
worried. ('wʌri).

worse, 1. a. More bad; in or into worse condition.
2. adv. More badly. 3. pron. Worse
thing(s), condition (worse to come, change
for the worse). (wə:s).

'worship, 1. n. Love and respect given
sp. to GOD; the forms gone through as
sign of worship for GOD. Place of worship, church;
your (his) Worship, form used in talking to
(of) police MAGISTRATE or MAYOR. 2. v.t.&i.
Have worship for; take part in church worship.
'worshipful, [Old] a. Noted, respected. ('wə:ʃip).

worst, 1. a., adv. Most bad(ly). 2. n. Worst
part, condition, worst thing which has
taken or may take place. Get the worst of it,
be overcome; if the worst comes to the worst,
if the worst takes place. 3. v.t. Get the
better of, overcome. (wə:st).

'worsted, n. Wool thread. ('wustid).

worth, 1. a. Having a value equal to; good
enough for, rewarding, (doing etc.);
having as much as (certain amount of
money). For all one is worth, [Com.] with
all one's power; worth it, worth (one's) while,
such that money, time etc. given to it
is not wasted. 2. n. Value, what something
is worth. worth-while, a. Good, worth
taking trouble about. (wə:θ).

'worthy, 1. a. With a right to be respected,
looked up to. Worthy of (to), good enough
for (to). 2. n. Worthy, noted person. ('wə:ði).

wot, [Old] v. KNOW (in present). (wɔt).

would. See WILL.

wound, 1. n. Damage done to person,
animal, by cut, blow etc.; pain given to
feelings. 2. v.t. Give wound to. (wu:nd).

wound. See WIND (v.).

wove, woven. See WEAVE.

wrack, n. Sea-plants sent onto sand.
(rak).

wraith, n. Shade of person seen short time
before or after his death. (reiθ).

'wrangle, v.i., n. (Have) loud argument,
exchange of angry words. 'wrangler, n. Person
placed in first division after test for
mathematics DEGREE at Cambridge
University. ('raŋgl).

wrap, 1. v.t.&i. Put soft material round
(freq. wrap up); put (coat etc. round, about, person).
Wrapped up in, sp., with all
one's interest, attention, taken by; wrap up,
sp., put warm clothing on. 2. n. Bit of
warm clothing etc. to put on over rest
as addition. 'wrapper, n. Cover in which
newspaper etc. is sent through post;
DRESSING-GOWN. (rap).

wrath, [Let.] n. Angry feeling. (rɔ:θ).

wreak, v.t. Give effect to (wreak one's anger
etc. (upon)). (ri:k).

wreath, n. Flowers, leaves, twisted together
in circle; ring, curving line, (of
smoke etc.). wreathe (ri:ð), v.t.&i. Get
circled (as) with wreath; be a wreath
round; make (flowers etc.) into wreath;
(of smoke) be forming wreaths. (ri:θ).

wreck, 1. n. Complete destruction, sp. of
ship; ship which has gone down, been
greatly damaged; person, building etc.
in poor, damaged, condition. 2. v.t.
Be cause of wreck of (ship, hopes etc.).
'wreckage, n. Material from wrecked ship;
broken bits. 'wrecked, a. Sp., having undergone
shipwreck. (rek).

wren, n. Sorts of small song-bird. (ren).

wrench, 1. n. Violent twist or sideways
pull; instrument for gripping and
turning nuts etc.; sad parting or uprooting
of a person. 2. v.t. Give a wrench to,
get off, away etc. by a wrench. (rentʃ).

wrest, v.t. Give twist, wrong sense, to
(facts, words etc.) for one's purposes;
violently take away (thing from). (rest).

'wrestle, 1. n. Fight in which 2 persons
make attempts to get one another down
without blows, sp. as sport; hard fight
with, use of force on, something. 2. v.i.
Take part in wrestle, have wrestle (with, against).
Wrestle with (bit of work, etc.), sp., make use
of all one's powers on. ('resl).

wretch, n. Unhappy or poor person; bad
person. 'wretched ('retʃid), a. Unhappy or in
trouble; of bad quality, poor, unpleasing.
(retʃ).

wrick, v.t., n. Give small twist to muscles
of (neck, back etc.). (rik).

'wriggle, v.i.&t., n. Be twisting about,
go with snake-like motion; be twisting
(body etc.) about. Wriggle out of (doing), get
out of (doing). ('rigl).

wring (wrung), v.t., n. Get (cloth etc.)
tightly twisted, crushed together, sp., to
get liquid out; get (something out (of),
from) by force, frequent requests.
Wringing wet, so wet that water may be
wrung out; wring one's hands, be gripping
them together as sign of being unhappy,
troubled; wring one's heart, (of one who is
unhappy etc.) make one very unhappy
about him; wring out clothes etc., wring to get
liquid out of; wring person's hand, take it
in tight grip. (riŋ (rʌŋ)).

'wrinkle, 1. n. Fold, line, in skin of face
etc.; mark of same sort in soft material;
[Com.] good trick for doing something.
2. v.t.&i. Make, get. wrinkles in. ('riŋkl).

wrist, n. Join of hand and arm. 'wristlet, n.
Band put on round wrist, sp. as support
or with watch. (rist).

writ, [Law] n. Order in writing in name
of authority to do or not to do something
in view of process which is being
started. Holy writ, BIBLE; serve writ on,
give writ to (person named in it). (rit).

write (wrote, written), v.i.&t. Make
signs representative of word(s) on paper
etc. with pen, pencil etc.; make (marks),
put down (words etc.), by writing; put
necessary writing onto (form, cheque
etc.), (make up and) put down on paper
(book, letter, music etc.); be writer of
books etc.; write letter (to); say in writing
(that). Write down, put in writing; put
value of (STOCK etc.) down in accounts,
on paper, as less; write off, put down as a
loss (old debt, amount of fall in value
of plant etc.); write out, write down in detail;
write up, sp., write about in newspaper etc.,
gen., making much of. 'writing, n. Sp.,
written signs; how a person writes;
book or other work of letters. (rait
(rout, ritn)).

writhe, v.i. Be twisting or rolling about
(as) in great pain; undergo great pain of
mind (at, under, cruel words etc.). (raið).

wrong, 1. a. Opp. right. 2. adv. In the wrong
way. Go wrong, become damaged, not in
order; get into bad ways. 3. n. Act(s),
behaviour, against the rules of right
behaviour. Do (person) wrong, do something
damaging, wrong, to; do wrong, do what is wrong;
in the wrong, in error, having done something
wrong; put (person) in the wrong, make him
seem in the wrong. 4. v.t. Do wrong to (person);
be judging (person) as worse than he is.
'wrongdoing, n. Act, behaviour, against the
rules of right behaviour. 'wrongful, a. Without
good reason, wrong. (rɔŋ).

wrote. See WRITE.

wroth, [Let.] a. Angry. (rouθ).

wrought. See WORK.

wrung. See WRING.

wry, a. Twisted, turned to one side.
Make a wry face, put on look of disgust.
(rai).