Dictionary    Maps    Thesaurus    Translate    Advanced >   


Tip: Click Thesaurus above for synonyms. Also, follow synonym links within the dictionary to find definitions from other sources.

1. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Well \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[aum]l, Goth. wa['i]la;
   originally meaning, according to one's will or wish. See
   Will, v. t., and cf. Wealth.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. In a good or proper manner; justly; rightly; not ill or
      wickedly.
      [1913 Webster]

            If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.
                                                  --Gen. iv. 7.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Suitably to one's condition, to the occasion, or to a
      proposed end or use; suitably; abundantly; fully;
      adequately; thoroughly.
      [1913 Webster]

            Lot . . . beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it
            was well watered everywhere.          --Gen. xiii.
                                                  10.
      [1913 Webster]

            WE are wellable to overcome it.       --Num. xiii.
                                                  30.
      [1913 Webster]

            She looketh well to the ways of her household.
                                                  --Prov. xxxi.
                                                  27.
      [1913 Webster]

            Servant of God, well done! well hast thou fought
            The better fight.                     --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Fully or about; -- used with numbers. [Obs.] "Well a ten
      or twelve." --Chaucer.
      [1913 Webster]

            Well nine and twenty in a company.    --Chaucer.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. In such manner as is desirable; so as one could wish;
      satisfactorily; favorably; advantageously; conveniently.
      "It boded well to you." --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

            Know
            In measure what the mind may well contain. --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

            All the world speaks well of you.     --Pope.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. Considerably; not a little; far.
      [1913 Webster]

            Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age.
                                                  --Gen. xviii.
                                                  11.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: 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.
         [1913 Webster]

   Note: 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.
         [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

Common Misspellings >
Most Popular Searches: Define Misanthrope, Define Pulchritudinous, Define Happy, Define Veracity, Define Cornucopia, Define Almuerzo, Define Atresic, Define URL, Definitions Of Words, Definition Of Get Up, Definition Of Quid Pro Quo, Definition Of Irreconcilable Differences, Definition Of Word, Synonyms of Repetitive, Synonym Dictionary, Synonym Antonyms. See our main index and map index for more details.

©2011-2024 ZebraWords.com - Define Yourself - The Search for Meanings and Meaning Means I Mean. All content subject to terms and conditions as set out here. Contact Us, peruse our Privacy Policy