Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Wĕll, n. p. 1503An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain. Begin, then, sisters of the sacred well. Milton. 2. Hence, a source. “Dan Chaucer, well of English undefiled.” Spenser. 3. A pit or hole sunk…Well, v. i. p. 1504To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring. 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.Wĕll, v. t. p. 1504To pour forth, as from a well.Well, a. p. 1504Good in condition or circumstances; desirable, either in a natural or moral sense; fortunate; convenient; advantageous; happy; as, it is well for us that we are so far removed from the rest of the…Well, adv. p. 1504In 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…Wēl'a-dāy, interj. p. 1504Alas! welaway!Wĕll'-bē'ing, n. p. 1504Welfare; happiness; prosperity; as, virtue is essential to the well-being of men or of society.Wĕll'-bōat, n. p. 1504A fishing-boat with a well to keep fish in, in order to bring them alive to market.Wĕll'-bōr'er, n. p. 1504One who digs or bores for water; one who makes wells. Simmonds.Wēll'-bōrn, a. p. 1504Born of a noble or respectable family; not of mean birth.Wēll'-brēd, a. p. 1504Educated to polished manners; polite; cultivated; refined. I am as well-bred as the earl's granddaughter. Thackeray.Wēll'-dō'er, n. p. 1504One who does well; one who does good to another; a benefactor.Wĕll'-dō'ing, n. p. 1504A doing well; performance of duties.Wĕll'-drāin, n. p. 1504A drain or vent for water, somewhat like a well or pit, serving to discharge the water of wet land. 2. A drain conducting to a well or pit.Well'-drāin, v. t. p. 1504To drain, as land, by means of wells or pits, which receive the water, and from which it is discharged by machinery.Wēll'fāre, n. p. 1504Welfare. [Obs.] See WELFARE.Wĕll'-fā'vored, a. p. 1504Handsome; well formed; beautiful; pleasing to the eye. Rachel was beautiful and well-favored. Gen. xxix. 17.Wēll'-hēad, n. p. 1504A source, spring, or fountain.Wĕll'-hōle, n. p. 1504(Arch.) The open space in the middle of a staircase, beyond the ends of the stairs; — called also well, and sometimes limited to the open space in the middle of a winding staircase, or to the opening…Wēll'-in-fōrmed', a. p. 1504Correctly informed; provided with information; well furnished with authentic knowledge; intelligent.Wēl'ling-tons, n. pl. p. 1504A kind of long boots for men. Simmonds.Wĕll'-in-tĕn'/tioned, a. p. 1504Having upright intentions or honorable purposes. “Dutchmen who had sold themselves to France, as the well-intentioned party.” Macaulay.Wĕll'-knōwn, a. p. 1504Fully known; generally known or acknowledged.Wĕll'-măn'nered, a. p. 1504Polite; well-bred; complaisant. Dryden.Wĕll'-mēan'er, n. p. 1504One whose intention is good. Dryden.Wĕll'-mēan'ing, a. p. 1504Having a good intention.Wĕll'-mēant, a. p. 1504Rightly intended; kind; friendly.Wēll'-mind'ed, a. p. 1504Well disposed; having a good mind.Wēll'-mōr'al-ized, a. p. 1504Regulated or characterized by good morals. Milner.Well'-nāt'ūred, a. p. 1504Good-natured; kind. Dryden.Wēll'-nīgh, adv. p. 1504Almost; nearly.Wēll'-plight/ed, a. p. 1504Well folded. [Obs.] “Her well-plighted frock.” Spenser.Wēll'-rēad, a. p. 1504Of extensive reading; deeply versed; — followed by the preposition in.Wĕll'-rōom, n. p. 1504A room where a well or spring is situated; especially, one built over a mineral spring, &c. Simmonds. 2. (Naut.) A depression in the bottom of a boat, &c., into which water may run, and whence it is…Wēll'-seen, a. p. 1504Having seen many things or places; hence, accomplished; experienced. [Obs.] B. & Fl.Wēll'-sĕt, a. p. 1504Having good symmetry of parts.Wĕll'-sĭnk'er, n. p. 1504One who sinks or digs wells.Wĕll'-sĭnk'ing, n. p. 1504The art or process of sinking or digging a well or wells.Wēll'-spēd, a. p. 1504Having good success.Wēll'-spōk'en, a. p. 1504Speaking well; speaking with fitness or grace; or speaking kindly. 2. Spoken with propriety; as, well-spoken words.Wēll'-spring, n. p. 1504A fountain; a spring; a source of continual supply. Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly. Prov. xvi. 22.Wĕll'-stâir/cāse, n. p. 1504(Archl.) A winding stairway inclosed within walls; a stairway with a well-hole.Wēll'-sweep, n. p. 1504A long pole balanced upon a high post and used in drawing water by means of a bucket from a well; a sweep. See SWEEP.Wĕll'-wa/ter, n. p. 1504The water that flows into a well from subterraneous springs; water drawn from a well.Wēll'-will'er, n. p. 1504One who wishes well or means kindly. [Rare.] “A well-will'er of yours.” Brydges.Wĕll'-wĭsh, n. p. 1504A wish of happiness. Addison.Wēll'-wīsh'er, n. p. 1504One who wishes another well; a person benevolently or friendly inclined.Wēlsh, a. p. 1504(Geog.) Belonging or relating to Wales, or its inhabitants. [Rarely written also Welch.] Welsh flannel, the finest kind of flannel, made from the fleeces of the flocks of the Welsh mountains, and…Wĕlsh, n. sing. or pl. p. 1504(sing.) The language of Wales, or of the Welsh. 2. (pl.) (Geog.) The natives or inhabitants of Wales. ☞ The Welsh call themselves Cymry, in the plural, and a Welshman Cymro, and their country Cymru…Wĕlsh'man, n. p. 1504A native or inhabitant of Wales; one of the Welsh.Wĕl'sȯme, a. p. 1504Prosperous; well. [Obs.] Wycliffe.Wĕl'sȯme-ly, adv. p. 1504In a welsome manner; prosperously; well. [Obs.] Wycliffe.Wĕlt or Welt-joint, n. p. 1504That which, being folded or brought round, serves to guard, strengthen, or adorn something; as, (a.) A small cord covered with cloth and sewed on a seam or border to strengthen it; an edge of cloth…Wëlt, v. t. p. 1504To furnish with a welt; to sew a welt on.Wëlt, v. t. p. 1504To welter or wither; to wilt. [Rare.]Wĕl'ter, v. i. p. 1504To roll, as the body of an animal; to wallow; to tumble about, especially in any thing foul or defiling. “The priests at the altar . . . weltering in their blood.” Landor. When we welter in pleasures…Wēl'ter, v. t. p. 1504To wither; to wilt. [Rare.] “Weltered hearts and blighted memories.” I. Taylor.Wĕl'ter, n. p. 1504That in which one welters or wallows; filth; mire; slough. “The foul welter of our so-called religious or other controversies.” Carlyle.Wĕm, n. p. 1504A spot; a scar. [Obs.] Brerewood.Wēm, v. t. p. 1504To corrupt; to vitiate. [Obs.]