Werrey - Wharf

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Werrey (wẽrrā), v. t. To warray. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Werst (wẽrst), n. See .
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Wert (wẽrt), The second person singular, indicative and subjunctive moods, imperfect tense, of the verb be. It is formed from were, with the ending -t, after the analogy of wast. Now used only in solemn or poetic style.
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Wert, n. A wart. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Weryangle (?), n. See . [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Wesand (?), n. See . [Obs.]
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Wesh (?), obs. imp. of . Washed. Chaucer.
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Wesil (?), n. See . [Obs.]
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Wesleyan (?), a. [See .] Of or pertaining to Wesley or Wesleyanism.
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Wesleyan, n. (Eccl.) One who adopts the principles of Wesleyanism; a Methodist.
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Wesleyanism (?), n. (Eccl.) The system of doctrines and church polity inculcated by John Wesley (b. 1703; d. 1791), the founder of the religious sect called Methodist; Methodism. See , n., 2.
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West (?), n. [AS. west, adv.; akin to D. west, G. west, westen, OHG. westan, Icel. vestr, Sw. vest, vester, vestan, Dan. vest, vesten, and perhaps to L. vesper evening, Gr. �. ����. Cf. , .]
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1. The point in the heavens where the sun is seen to set at the equinox; or, the corresponding point on the earth; that one of the four cardinal points of the compass which is in a direction at right angles to that of north and south, and on the left hand of a person facing north; the point directly opposite to east.
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And fresh from the west is the free wind's breath. Bryant.
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2. A country, or region of country, which, with regard to some other country or region, is situated in the direction toward the west.
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3. Specifically: (a) The Westen hemisphere, or the New World so called, it having been discovered by sailing westward from Europe; the Occident. (b) (U. S. Hist. & Geog.) Formerly, that part of the United States west of the Alleghany mountains; now, commonly, the whole region west of the Mississippi river; esp., that part which is north of the Indian Territory, New Mexico, etc. Usually with the definite article.
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Coloq. West by north , Coloq. West by south , according to the notation of the mariner's compass, that point which lies 111/4° to the north or south, respectively, of the point due west. -- Coloq. West northwest , Coloq. West southwest , that point which lies 221/2° to the north or south of west, or halfway between west and northwest or southwest, respectively. See Illust. of .
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West, a. 1. Lying toward the west; situated at the west, or in a western direction from the point of observation or reckoning; proceeding toward the west, or coming from the west; as, a west course is one toward the west; an east and west line; a west wind blows from the west.
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This shall be your west border. Num. xxxiv. 6.
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2. (Eccl.) Designating, or situated in, that part of a church which is opposite to, and farthest from, the east, or the part containing the chancel and choir.
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Coloq. West end , the fashionable part of London, commencing from the east, at Charing Cross.
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West, adv. [AS. west.] Westward.
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West, v. i.
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1. To pass to the west; to set, as the sun. [Obs.] “The hot sun gan to west.” Chaucer.
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2. To turn or move toward the west; to veer from the north or south toward the west.
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Westering (?), a. Passing to the west.
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Toward heaven's descent had sloped his westering wheel. Milton.
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Westerly, a. Of or pertaining to the west; toward the west; coming from the west; western.
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Westerly, adv. Toward the west; westward.
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Western (?), a.
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1. Of or pertaining to the west; situated in the west, or in the region nearly in the direction of west; being in that quarter where the sun sets; as, the western shore of France; the western ocean.
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Far o'er the glowing western main. Keble.
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2. Moving toward the west; as, a ship makes a western course; coming from the west; as, a western breeze.
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Coloq. Western Church . See Latin Church, under . -- Coloq. Western empire (Hist.), the western portion of the Roman empire, as divided, by the will of Theodosius the Great, between his sons Honorius and Arcadius, a. d. 395.
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Westerner (?), n. A native or inhabitant of the west.
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Westernmost (?), a. Situated the farthest towards the west; most western.
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{ West India (?), West Indian (?).} Belonging or relating to the West Indies.
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Coloq. West India tea (Bot.), a shrubby plant (Capraria biflora) having oblanceolate toothed leaves which are sometimes used in the West Indies as a substitute for tea.
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West Indian. A native of, or a dweller in, the West Indies.
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Westing (?), n. (Naut. & Surv.) The distance, reckoned toward the west, between the two meridians passing through the extremities of a course, or portion of a ship's path; the departure of a course which lies to the west of north.
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Westling (?), n. A westerner. [R.]
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Westminster Assembly (?). See under .
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Westmost (?), a. Lying farthest to the west; westernmost.
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{ Westward (?), Westwards (?), } adv. [AS. westweard. See , and . ] Toward the west; as, to ride or sail westward.
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Westward the course of empire takes its way. Berkeley.
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Westward, a. Lying toward the west.
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Yond same star that's westward from the pole. Shak.
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Westward, n. The western region or countries; the west.
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Westwardly, adv. In a westward direction.
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Westy (?), a. Dizzy; giddy. [Prov. Eng.]
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Wet (wĕt), a. [Compar. Wetter (?); superl. Wettest.] [OE. wet, weet, AS. wǣt; akin to OFries. wēt, Icel. vātr, Sw. våt, Dan. vaad, and E. water. √137. See .]
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1. Containing, or consisting of, water or other liquid; moist; soaked with a liquid; having water or other liquid upon the surface; as, wet land; a wet cloth; a wet table. “Wet cheeks.” Shak.
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2. Very damp; rainy; as, wet weather; a wet season. “Wet October's torrent flood.” Milton.
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3. (Chem.) Employing, or done by means of, water or some other liquid; as, the wet extraction of copper, in distinction from dry extraction in which dry heat or fusion is employed.
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4. Refreshed with liquor; drunk. [Slang] Prior.
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Coloq. Wet blanket , Coloq. Wet dock , etc. See under , , etc. -- Coloq. Wet goods , intoxicating liquors. [Slang]
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Syn. -- Nasty; humid; damp; moist. See .
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Wet (?), n. [AS. wǣta. See , a.]
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1. Water or wetness; moisture or humidity in considerable degree.
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Have here a cloth and wipe away the wet. Chaucer.
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Now the sun, with more effectual beams,
Had cheered the face of earth, and dried the wet
From drooping plant. Milton.
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2. Rainy weather; foggy or misty weather.
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3. A dram; a drink. [Slang]
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Wet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wet (rarely Wetted); p. pr. & vb. n. Wetting.] [AS. wǣtan.] To fill or moisten with water or other liquid; to sprinkle; to cause to have water or other fluid adherent to the surface; to dip or soak in a liquid; as, to wet a sponge; to wet the hands; to wet cloth. “[The scene] did draw tears from me and wetted my paper.” Burke.
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Ye mists and exhalations, that now rise . . .
Whether to deck with clouds the uncolored sky,
Or wet the thirsty earth with falling showers. Milton.
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Coloq. To wet one's whistle , to moisten one's throat; to drink a dram of liquor. [Colloq.]
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Let us drink the other cup to wet our whistles. Walton.
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wetback n. 1. A Mexican who enters the United States illegally, by wading across the Rio Grande; -- disparaging and offensive.
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2. Hence: An offensive term for a person of Mexican descent, usually intended and considered as an ethnic slur. [wns=1]
Syn. -- greaser, taco.
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Wetbird (?), n. (Zoöl.) The chaffinch, whose cry is thought to foretell rain. [Prov. Eng.]
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Wet-bulb thermometer. (Physics) That one of the two similar thermometers of a psychrometer the bulb of which is moistened; also, the entire instrument.
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Wether (?), n. [OE. wether, AS. weðer; akin to OS. wethar, withar, a ram, D. weder, G. widder, OHG. widar, Icel. veðr, Sw. vädur, Dan. vædder, Goth. wiþrus a lamb, L. vitulus calf, Skr. vatsa, L. vetus old, Gr. 'etos year; -- originally meaning, a yearling. Cf. , .] A castrated ram.
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Wetness (?), n. 1. The quality or state of being wet; moisture; humidity; as, the wetness of land; the wetness of a cloth.
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2. A watery or moist state of the atmosphere; a state of being rainy, foggy, or misty; as, the wetness of weather or the season.
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☞ Wetness generally implies more water or liquid than is implied by humidness or moisture.
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3. Sweat or sweating; -- a euphemism. [Colloq.]
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Wet nurse (?). A nurse who suckles a child, especially the child of another woman. Cf. .
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Wet plate. (Photog.) A plate the film of which retains its sensitiveness only while wet. The film used in such plates is of collodion impregnated with bromides and iodides. Before exposure the plate is immersed in a solution of silver nitrate, and immediately after exposure it is developed and fixed.
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Wet-shod (?), a. Having the feet, or the shoes on the feet, wet.
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Wettish (?), a. Somewhat wet; moist; humid.
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Wevil (?), n. See .
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Wex (?), v. t. & i. To grow; to wax. [Obs.] Chaucer. “Each wexing moon.” Dryden.
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Wex, obs. imp. of . Waxed. Chaucer.
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Wex, n. Wax. [Obs.] “Yelwe as wex.” Chaucer.
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Wey (?), n. Way; road; path. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Wey, v. t. & i. To weigh. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Wey (?), n. [OE. weye, AS. w�ge weight. ����. See .] A certain measure of weight. [Eng.] “A weye of Essex cheese.” Piers Plowman.
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☞ A wey is 6� tods, or 182 pounds, of wool; a load, or five quarters, of wheat, 40 bushels of salt, each weighing 56 pounds; 32 cloves of cheese, each weighing seven pounds; 48 bushels of oats and barley; and from two cwt. to three cwt. of butter. Simmonds.
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Weyle (?), v. t. & i. To wail. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Weyleway (?), interj. See . [Obs.]
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Weyve (?), v. t. To waive. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Wezand (?), n. See . [Obs.]
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Whaap (?), n. [So called from one of its notes.] (Zoöl.) (a) The European curlew; -- called also awp, whaup, great whaup, and stock whaup. (b) The whimbrel; -- called also May whaup, little whaup, and tang whaup. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
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whachamacallit (?), n. Any object whose name is forgotten, or not known. [Also spelled whatchamacallit.]
Syn. -- thingumbob, doohickey, dingus, whatsis, what-do-you-call-it. [PJC]

Whack (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whacked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whacking.] [Cf. .] 1. To strike; to beat; to give a heavy or resounding blow to; to thrash; to make with whacks. [Colloq.]
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Rodsmen were whackingtheir way through willow brakes. G. W. Cable.
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2. To divide into shares; as, to whack the spoils of a robbery; -- often with up. [Slang]
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Whack, v. i. To strike anything with a smart blow.
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Coloq. To whack away , to continue striking heavy blows; as, to whack away at a log. [Colloq.]
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Whack, n. 1. A smart resounding blow. [Colloq.]
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2. A portion; share; allowance. [Slang]
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3. an attempt; as, to take a whack at it. [Colloq.]
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-- Coloq. Out of whack , out of order. [Slang]
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Whacker (?), n.
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1. One who whacks. [Colloq.]
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2. Anything very large; specif., a great lie; a whopper. [Colloq.] Halliwell.
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Whacking, a. Very large; whapping. [Colloq.]
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Whack off, v. t. to sever with a blow; to cut off.
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Whack off, v. i. to masturbate. [Vulgar]
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Whahoo (?), n. (Bot.) An American tree, the winged elm. (Ulmus alata).
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Whala (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whaled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whaling.] [Cf. . ] To lash with stripes; to wale; to thrash; to drub. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U. S.] Halliwell. Bartlett.
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Whale, n. [OE. whal, AS. hwæl; akin to D. walvisch, G. wal, walfisch, OHG. wal, Icel. hvalr, Dan. & Sw. hval, hvalfisk. Cf. , .] (Zoöl.) Any aquatic mammal of the order Cetacea, especially any one of the large species, some of which become nearly one hundred feet long. Whales are hunted chiefly for their oil and baleen, or whalebone.
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☞ The existing whales are divided into two groups: the toothed whales (Odontocete), including those that have teeth, as the cachalot, or sperm whale (see ); and the baleen, or whalebone, whales (Mysticete), comprising those that are destitute of teeth, but have plates of baleen hanging from the upper jaw, as the right whales. The most important species of whalebone whales are the bowhead, or Greenland, whale (see Illust. of ), the Biscay whale, the Antarctic whale, the gray whale (see under ), the humpback, the finback, and the rorqual.
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Coloq. Whale bird . (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of large Antarctic petrels which follow whaling vessels, to feed on the blubber and floating oil; especially, Prion turtur (called also blue petrel), and Pseudoprion desolatus. (b) The turnstone; -- so called because it lives on the carcasses of whales. [Canada] -- Coloq. Whale fin (Com.), whalebone. Simmonds. -- Coloq. Whale fishery , the fishing for, or occupation of taking, whales. -- Coloq. Whale louse (Zoöl.), any one of several species of degraded amphipod crustaceans belonging to the genus Cyamus, especially Cyamus ceti. They are parasitic on various cetaceans. -- Coloq. Whale's bone , ivory. [Obs.] -- Coloq. Whale shark . (Zoöl.) (a) The basking, or liver, shark. (b) A very large harmless shark (Rhinodon typicus) native of the Indian Ocean. It sometimes becomes sixty feet long. -- Coloq. Whale shot , the name formerly given to spermaceti. -- Coloq. Whale's tongue (Zoöl.), a balanoglossus.
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Whaleback (?), n. (Naut.) A form of vessel, often with steam power, having sharp ends and a very convex upper deck, much used on the Great Lakes, esp. for carrying grain.
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Whaleboat (?), n. (Naut.) A long, narrow boat, sharp at both ends, used by whalemen.
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Whalebone (?), n. A firm, elastic substance resembling horn, taken from the upper jaw of the right whale; baleen. It is used as a stiffening in stays, fans, screens, and for various other purposes. See .
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☞ Whalebone is chiefly obtained from the bowhead, or Greenland, whale, the Biscay whale, and the Antarctic, or southern, whale. It is prepared for manufacture by being softened by boiling, and dyed black.
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Whaleman (?), n.; pl. Whalemen (�). A man employed in the whale fishery.
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Whaler (?), n. A vessel or person employed in the whale fishery.
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Whaler, n. One who whales, or beats; a big, strong fellow; hence, anything of great or unusual size. [Colloq. U. S.]
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Whaling, n. The hunting of whales.
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Whaling, a. Pertaining to, or employed in, the pursuit of whales; as, a whaling voyage; a whaling vessel.
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Whall (?), n. [See .] A light color of the iris in horses; wall-eye. [Written also whaul.]
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Whally (?), a. Having the iris of light color; -- said of horses. “Whally eyes.” Spenser.
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Whame (?), n. (Zoöl.) A breeze fly.
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Whammel (?), v. t. [Cf. .] To turn over. [Prov. Eng.]
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Whan (?), adv. When. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Whang (?), n. [Cf. .] A leather thong. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U. S.]
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Whang, v. t. 1. To beat; thrash; bang; also, to throw, hurl, or fling about, violently. [Scot. & Dial. Eng.]
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2. To slice, esp. in large pieces; to chop. [Scot.]
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Whang, n. 1. A blow; whack. [Dial. or Colloq.]
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2. A large piece or slice; chunk. [Scot. & Dial. Eng.]
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3. Formerly, a house-cleaning party. [Local, U. S.]
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Whangdoodle (?), n. An imaginary creature, of undefined character. [Slang]
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Whanghee (?), n. (Bot.) See .
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{ Whap (?), Whop }, v. i. [Cf. OE. quappen to palpitate, E. quob, quaver, wabble, awhape, wap.] To throw one's self quickly, or by an abrupt motion; to turn suddenly; as, she whapped down on the floor; the fish whapped over. Bartlett.
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☞ This word is used adverbially in the north of England, as in the United States, when anything vanishes, or is gone suddenly; as, whap went the cigar out of my mouth.
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{ Whap, Whop }, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whapped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whapping.] To beat or strike.
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{ Whap, Whop }, n. A blow, or quick, smart stroke.
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{ Whapper (?), Whopper }, n. [See .] Something uncommonly large of the kind; something astonishing; -- applied especially to a bold lie. Now (1998) usually spelled whopper. [Colloq.]
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{ Whapping (?), Whopping }, a. Very large; monstrous; astonishing; as, a whapping story. [Colloq.]
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Wharf (?), n.; pl. Wharfs (#) or Wharves (#). [AS. hwerf, hwearf, a returning, a change, from hweorfan to turn, turn about, go about; akin to D. werf a wharf, G. werft, Sw. varf a shipbuilder's yard, Dan. verft wharf, dockyard, G. werben to enlist, to engage, woo, OHG. werban to turn about, go about, be active or occupied, Icel. hverfa to turn, Goth. hwaírban, hwarbōn, to walk. Cf. .]
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1. A structure or platform of timber, masonry, iron, earth, or other material, built on the shore of a harbor, river, canal, or the like, and usually extending from the shore to deep water, so that vessels may lie close alongside to receive and discharge cargo, passengers, etc.; a quay; a pier.
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Commerce pushes its wharves into the sea. Bancroft.
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Out upon the wharfs they came,
Knight and burgher, lord and dame. Tennyson.
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☞ The plural of this word is generally written wharves in the United States, and wharfs in England; but many recent English writers use wharves.
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2. [AS. hwearf.] The bank of a river, or the shore of the sea. [Obs.] “The fat weed that roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf.” Shak.
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Coloq. Wharf boat , a kind of boat moored at the bank of a river, and used for a wharf, in places where the height of the water is so variable that a fixed wharf would be useless. [U. S.] Bartlett. -- Coloq. Wharf rat . (Zoöl.) (a) The common brown rat. (b) A neglected boy who lives around the wharfs. [Slang]
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