Chapter 1878

2. To contract; to shorten. [Obs.]

Now sad winter welked hath the day. Spenser.

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

Welk <Xpage=1640>

Welk , n. A pustule. See 2d Whelk .

Welk <Xpage=1640>

Welk , n. (Zo\'94l.) A whelk. [R.]

Welked <Xpage=1640>

Welked (?) , v. t. See Whelked .

Welkin <Xpage=1640>

Wel"kin (?) , n. [OE. welken , welkene , welkne , wolcne , weolcne , AS. wolcen , pl. wolcnu , a cloud; akin to D. wolk , OFries. wolken , OS. wolkan , G. wolke , OHG. wolchan , and probably to G. welk withered, OHG. welc moist, Russ. & OSlav. vlaga moisture , Lith. vilgyti to moisten.] The visible regions of the air; the vault of heaven; the sky.

On the welkne shoon the sterres lyght. Chaucer.

The fair welkin foully overcast. Spenser.

When storms the welkin rend. Wordsworth.

&hand; Used adjectively by Shakespeare in the phase, "Your welkin eye," with uncertain meaning.

Well <Xpage=1640>

Well (?) , n. [OE. welle , AS. wella , wylla , from weallan to well up, surge, boil; akin to D. wel a spring or fountain. <?/<?/<?/<?/. See Well , v. i. ]

1. An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain.

Begin, then, sisters of the sacred well . Milton.

2. A pit or hole sunk into the earth to such a depth as to reach a supply of water, generally of a cylindrical form, and often walled with stone or bricks to prevent the earth from caving in.

The woman said unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. John iv. 11.

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

4. Fig.: A source of supply; fountain; wellspring. "This well of mercy."

Chaucer.

Dan Chaucer, well of English undefiled. Spenser.

A well of serious thought and pure. Keble.

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

6. (Mil.) A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run branches or galleries.

7. (Arch.) An opening through the floors of a building, as for a staircase or an elevator; a wellhole.

8. (Metal.) The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls.

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

Well <Xpage=1640>

Well (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Welled (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Welling .] [OE. wellen , AS. wyllan , wellan , fr. weallan ; akin to OFries. walla , OS. & OHG. wallan , G. wallen , Icel. vella , G. welle , wave, OHG. wella , walm , AS. wylm ; cf. L. volvere to roll, Gr. <?/ to inwrap, <?/ to roll. Cf. Voluble , Wallop to boil, Wallow , Weld of metal.] To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring. "[Blood] welled from out the wound." Dryden . "[Yon spring] wells softly forth."

Bryant.

From his two springs in Gojam's sunny realm, Pure welling out, he through the lucid lake Of fair Dambea rolls his infant streams. Thomson.

Well <Xpage=1640>

Well , v. t. To pour forth, as from a well.

Spenser.

Well <Xpage=1640>

Well , adv. [ Compar. and superl. wanting, the deficiency being supplied by better and best , from another root.] [OE. wel , AS. wel ; akin to OS., OFries., & D. wel , G. wohl , OHG. wola , wela , Icel. & Dan. vel , Sw. v\'84l , Goth. wa\'a1la ; originally meaning, according to one's will or wish. See Will , v. t. , and cf. Wealth .]

1. In a good or proper manner; justly; rightly; not ill or wickedly.

If thou doest not well , sin lieth at the door. Gen. iv. 7.

2. Suitably to one's condition, to the occasion, or to a proposed end or use; suitably; abundantly; fully; adequately; thoroughly.

Lot . . . beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere. Gen. xiii. 10.

WE are well able to overcome it. Num. xiii. 30.

She looketh well to the ways of her household. Prov. xxxi. 27.

Servant of God, well done! well hast thou fought The better fight. Milton.

3. Fully or about; -- used with numbers. [Obs.] " Well a ten or twelve."

Chaucer.

Well nine and twenty in a company. Chaucer.

4. In such manner as is desirable; so as one could wish; satisfactorily; favorably; advantageously; conveniently. "It boded well to you."

Dryden.

Know In measure what the mind may well contain. Milton.

All the world speaks well of you. Pope.

5. Considerably; not a little; far.

Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age. Gen. xviii. 11.

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

&hand; Well , like above , ill , and so , is used before many participial adjectives in its usual adverbial senses, and subject to the same custom with regard to the use of the hyphen (see the Note under Ill , adv. ); as, a well -affected supporter; he was well affected toward the project; a well -trained speaker; he was well trained in speaking; well -educated, or well educated; well -dressed, or well dressed; well -appearing; well -behaved; well -controlled; well -designed; well -directed; well -formed; well -meant; well -minded; well -ordered; well -performed; well -pleased; well -pleasing; well -seasoned; well -steered; well -tasted; well -told, etc. Such compound epithets usually have an obvious meaning, and since they may be formed at will, only a few of this class are given in the Vocabulary.

As well . See under As . -- As well as , and also; together with; not less than; one as much as the other; as, a sickness long, as well as severe; London is the largest city in England, as well as the capital . -- Well enough , well or good in a moderate degree; so as to give satisfaction, or so as to require no alteration. -- Well off , in good condition; especially, in good condition as to property or any advantages; thriving; prosperous. -- Well to do , well off; prosperous; -- used also adjectively. "The class well to do in the world." J. H. Newman . -- Well to live , in easy circumstances; well off; well to do. Shak.

Well <Xpage=1640>

Well , a.

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

It was well with us in Egypt. Num. xi. 18.

2. Being in health; sound in body; not ailing, diseased, or sick; healthy; as, a well man; the patient is perfectly well . "Your friends are well ."

Shak.

Is your father well , the old man of whom ye spake? Gen. xliii. 27.

3. Being in favor; favored; fortunate.

He followed the fortunes of that family, and was well with Henry the Fourth. Dryden.

4. (Marine Insurance) Safe; as, a chip warranted well at a certain day and place .

Burrill.

Welladay <Xpage=1640>

Well"a*day (?) , interj. [Corrupted from wela way .] Alas! Welaway!

Shak.

Wellat <Xpage=1640>

Wel"lat (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) The king parrakeet See under King .

Well-being <Xpage=1640>

Well"-be`ing (?) , n. The state or condition of being well; welfare; happiness; prosperity; as, virtue is essential to the well-being of men or of society .

Well-born <Xpage=1640>

Well"-born` (?) , a. Born of a noble or respect able family; not of mean birth.

Well-bred <Xpage=1640>

Well"-bred` (?) , a. Having good breeding; refined in manners; polite; cultivated.

I am as well-bred as the earl's granddaughter. Thackera<?/.

<page="1641"> Page 1641

Welldoer <Xpage=1641>

Well"do`er (?) , n. One who does well; one who does good to another; a benefactor.

Welldoing <Xpage=1641>

Well"do`ing , n. A doing well; right performance of duties. Also used adjectively.

Welldrain <Xpage=1641>

Well"drain` (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Welldrained (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Well-draining .] To drain, as land; by means of wells, or pits, which receive the water, and from which it is discharged by machinery.

Wellfare <Xpage=1641>

Well"fare` (?) , n. See Welfare . [Obs.]

Well-favored <Xpage=1641>

Well"-fa"vored (?) , a. Handsome; wellformed; beautiful; pleasing to the eye.

Rachel was beautiful and well-favored . Gen. xxix. 17.

Wellhead <Xpage=1641>

Well"head` (?) , n. A source, spring, or fountain.

At the wellhead the purest streams arise. Spenser.

Our public-school and university life is a great wellhead of new and irresponsible words. Earle.

Wellhole <Xpage=1641>

Well"hole` (?) , n.

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

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

W. M. Buchanan.

Well-informed <Xpage=1641>

Well`-in*formed" (?) , a. Correctly informed; provided with information; well furnished with authentic knowledge; intelligent.

Wellingtenia <Xpage=1641>

Wel`ling*te"ni*a (?) , n. [NL. So named after the Duke of Wellington .] (Bot.) A name given to the "big trees" ( Sequoia gigantea ) of California, and still used in England. See Sequoia .

Wellingtons <Xpage=1641>

Wel"ling*tons (?) , n. pl. [After the Duke of Wellington .] A kind of long boots for men.

Well-intentioned <Xpage=1641>

Well`-in*ten"tioned (?) , a. Having upright intentions or honorable purposes.

Dutchmen who had sold themselves to France, as the wellintentioned party. Macaulay.

Well-known <Xpage=1641>

Well"-known` (?) , a. Fully known; generally known or acknowledged.

A church well known with a well-known rite. M. Arnold.

Well-liking <Xpage=1641>

Well"-lik`ing (?) , a. Being in good condition. [Obs. or Archaic]

They also shall bring forth more fruit in their age, and shall be fat and well-liking . Bk. of Com. Prayer (Ps. xcii.).

Well-mannered <Xpage=1641>

Well`-man"nered (?) , a. Polite; well-bred; complaisant; courteous.

Dryden.

Well-meaner <Xpage=1641>

Well"-mean`er (?) , n. One whose intention is good. " Well-meaners think no harm."

Dryden.

Well-meaning <Xpage=1641>

Well"-mean`ing , a. Having a good intention.

Well-natured <Xpage=1641>

Well`-na"tured (?) , a. Good-natured; kind.

Well-natured , temperate, and wise. Denham.

Well-nigh <Xpage=1641>

Well"-nigh` (?) , adv. Almost; nearly.

Chaucer.

Well-plighted <Xpage=1641>

Well"-plight`ed (?) , a. Being well folded. [Obs.] "Her well-plighted frock."

Spenser.

Well-read <Xpage=1641>

Well"-read` (?) , a. Of extensive reading; deeply versed; -- often followed by in .

Well-seen <Xpage=1641>

Well"-seen` (?) , a. Having seen much; hence, accomplished; experienced. [Obs.]

Beau. & Fl.

Well-seen in arms and proved in many a fight. Spenser.

Well-set <Xpage=1641>

Well"-set` (?) , a.

1. Properly or firmly set.

2. Well put together; having symmetry of parts.

Well-sped <Xpage=1641>

Well"-sped` (?) , a. Having good success.

Well-spoken <Xpage=1641>

Well"-spo`ken (?) , a. [ Well + speak .]

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

Shak.

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

Wellspring <Xpage=1641>

Well"spring` (?) n. A fountain; a spring; a source of continual supply.

Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly. Prov. xvi. 22.

Well-willer <Xpage=1641>

Well"-will`er (?) , n. One who wishes well, or means kindly. [R.] "A well-willer of yours."

Brydges.

Well-wish <Xpage=1641>

Well"-wish` (?) n. A wish of happiness. "A well-wish for his friends."

Addison.

Wellwisher <Xpage=1641>

Well"wish`er (?) , n. One who wishes another well; one who is benevolently or friendlily inclined.

We'll <Xpage=1641>

We'll (?) . Contraction for we will or we shall . " We'll follow them."

Shak.

Wels <Xpage=1641>

Wels (?) , n. [G.] (Zo\'94l.) The sheatfish; -- called also waller .

Welsh <Xpage=1641>

Welsh (?) , a. [AS. w\'91lisc , welisc , from wealh a stranger, foreigner, not of Saxon origin, a Welshman, a Celt, Gael; akin to OHG. walh , whence G. w\'84lsch or welsch , Celtic, Welsh, Italian, French, Foreign, strange, OHG. walhisc ; from the name of a Celtic tribe. See Walnut .] Of or pertaining to Wales, or its inhabitants. [Sometimes written also Welch .]

Welsh flannel , a fine kind of flannel made from the fleece of the flocks of the Welsh mountains, and largely manufactured by hand. -- Welsh glaive , &or; Welsh hook , a weapon of war used in former times by the Welsh, commonly regarded as a kind of poleax. Fairholt. Craig . -- Welsh mortgage (O. Eng. Law) , a species of mortgage, being a conveyance of an estate, redeemable at any time on payment of the principal, with an understanding that the profits in the mean time shall be received by the mortgagee without account, in satisfaction of interest. Burrill . -- Welsh mutton , a choice and delicate kind of mutton obtained from a breed of small sheep in Wales. -- Welsh onion (Bot.) , a kind of onion ( Allium fistulosum ) having hollow inflated stalks and leaves, but scarcely any bulb, a native of Siberia. It is said to have been introduced from Germany, and is supposed to have derived its name from the German term w\'84lsch foreign. -- Welsh parsley , hemp, or halters made from hemp. [Obs. & Jocular] J. Fletcher . -- Welsh rabbit . See under Rabbit .

Welsh <Xpage=1641>

Welsh , n.

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

2. pl. The natives or inhabitants of Wales.

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

Welsher <Xpage=1641>

Welsh"er (?) , n. One who cheats at a horse race; one who bets, without a chance of being able to pay; one who receives money to back certain horses and absconds with it. [Written also welcher .] [Slang, Eng.]

Welshman <Xpage=1641>

Welsh"man (?) , n. ; pl. Welshmen (<?/) .

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

2. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A squirrel fish. (b) The large-mouthed black bass. See Black bass . [Southern U. S.]

Welsome <Xpage=1641>

Wel"some (?) , a. Prosperous; well. [Obs.] Wyclif . -- Wel"some*ly , adv. Wyclif.

Welt <Xpage=1641>

Welt (?) , n. [OE. welte , probably fr. W. gwald a hem, a welt, gwaldu to welt or to hem.]

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

2. (Her.) A narrow border, as of an ordinary, but not extending around the ends.

Welt joint , a joint, as of plates, made with a welt, instead of by overlapping the edges. See Weld , n. , 1 (d) .

Welt <Xpage=1641>