| 释义 |
welln.1 Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: < the same Germanic base as wall v.1 Compare, with different stem class: Old Frisian walla spring; and with different ablaut grade (e -grade: compare well v.1) and varying stem class: Old High German wella wave, tide (Middle High German welle, German Welle), Old Icelandic vella boiling, bubbling mass, flow, Norwegian vell fount, spring, torrent, profusion, Old Swedish välder seething, surging, spring of water, bubbling mass, Danish væld spring.Inflection and form history in Old English. In Old English different formations are apparently preferred in different dialects. In West Saxon, the word is usually a strong masculine, probably originally an i -stem (wiell , late West Saxon will , wyll ; occasionally also wylle apparently both as strong masculine ja -stem and weak feminine jōn -stem). In Anglian, on the other hand, the word is usually a weak feminine jōn -stem (wælle ). Besides these chief types, inflection as a weak masculine (willa , etc.) is also occasionally found. Moreover, inflection as strong feminine may also be indicated by occasional apparently strong forms with feminine agreement. In all of these formations, the stem shows i-mutation caused by the original i or j of the suffix. In Anglian wæll- (see α. forms; also found in West Saxon sources showing Mercian influence) the vowel shows the reflex of early Old English æ after retraction before l plus consonant and subsequent i-mutation; early West Saxon wiell- (late West Saxon wyll- : see γ. forms) shows the mutation of the same vowel after breaking to ea . The β. forms (well- ) continue the regular reflex of the same vowel after breaking and subsequent i-mutation in Kentish (e is also found in West Saxon sources showing Mercian or Kentish influence); they also reflect the later development of Anglian æ to e in this phonological context outside the west midlands in Middle English. However, it has been suggested that the β. forms partly also continue a formation with a different ablaut grade of the vowel (and with a different suffix), comparable to Old High German wella ; compare early Mercian (inflected) well- , beside expected wæll- . Well and weel. In β. forms (and occasionally also α. forms) sometimes not easily distinguishable from weel n.1 (although the latter has an inherited long vowel), as there is also some semantic overlap. Use in place names. The word occurs frequently in boundary markers in Anglo-Saxon charters and as an element in early place names (compare especially sense 1b). In these contexts it always denotes a natural spring and sometimes in extended use a river or stream (compare sense 1a, and see E. Ekwall Eng. River-names (1928) 444–5); it does not denote an excavation made for obtaining water (in contrast to lexical use in sense 6a). With use in reference to conduits or pipes at springs (see sense 3) compare the place names Pipewelle , Northamptonshire (1086; now Pipewell) and Thetwall , Lancashire (12th cent.; now Thatto Heath; compare Old English þēote in sense ‘pipe’), although occasionally other explanations have been offered for these names. For further discussion of the place-name evidence, including names with religious connections or associated with superstitious practice (compare sense 1b and e.g. holy well n.), see M. Gelling & A. Cole Landscape of Place-names (2000) 31–5. Development of specific senses. In many of its earliest senses this word is first attested translating classical Latin font- , fons fount n.1 In sense 5 originally and chiefly with reference to particular whirlpools in the sea around the Orkney Islands (especially the Wells of Swona in the Pentland Firth), perhaps arising from a misapprehension of weel n.1 as a Scots variant of the present word (compare γ. forms). Compare:a1688 J. Wallace Acct. Orkney (1700) 179 Claudian..seems to have in his view the rocks and weels in Pightland Firth. I. A spring of water, and related senses. 1. the world > the earth > water > spring > [noun] α. eOE Bounds (Sawyer 298) in D. Hooke (1994) 105 Fram smalan cumbes heafde to græwan stane, ðonon wiðufan ðæs wælles heafod on odencolc. eOE (Mercian) (1965) xli. 1 (2) Sicut ceruus desiderat ad fontes aquarum, ita desiderat anima mea ad te, deus : swe swe heorut gewillað to waellum wetra swę gewillað sawul min to ðe god. OE (Julius) 15 May 105 He gefyhð on ðæs clænan mannes heortan swa swa culfre ðonne heo baðað hi on smyltum wætre on hluttere wællan. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) l. 8497 Summe heo uerden a-nan þat heo comen to Alæban. þat is a wælle [c1300 Otho welle]. c1300 (c1250) (Cambr.) (1966) l. 291 (MED) Aboue þe walle stant a treo. 1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius (1858) II. 219 Out of ane woll discendand fra ane spring, He send that tyme cald water for to bring. 1567 in R. Renwick (1893) 39 That na personis wysche ony clathis..at the burne nor yit at Sanct Mungois wall. 1595 91/2 Fra the said puill eist to ane wall callit the Dokand well. 1652 in (1848) Dec. 152 Going..to the Kirktowne wall and washing of her daughter's eyen, & saying..All ye ill of my bairn's eyen in ye wall fall. 1775 M. J. Armstrong 107 There is a remarkable fine spring, called Geddes's wall, near the top [of Broad Law]. 1806 R. Jamieson I. 61 Tak me to yon wall fair; You'll wash my bluidy wounds o'er and o'er. 1907 1 61 They gaed ap aboot the waal o' Stennarian. 1916 T. W. Paterson v. 15 Frae the waters in-by yer ain waal. 1995 F. Garry 32 Wadgin her nieve At her ain face glowerin up throwe Strypie's waal. the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > [noun] > working wonders or miracles > miracle > miraculous spring of water the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > treatments using water > [noun] > taking medicinal waters > a medicinal spring eOE tr. Bede (Tanner) v. xi. 418 Is ðæt ec sæd þætte in ðere stowe, þer hio ofslegne weran, weolle an welle [L. fons]. OE Bounds (Sawyer 1556) in W. de G. Birch (1887) I. 417 Of denebroce innon tilnoþ, andlong tilnoþes to halgan wyllan. c1300 St. Kenelm (Harl.) 297 in F. J. Furnivall (1862) 55 A wil spring vp þere stod..Þat me clepeþ seint kenelmes welle: þat menie men haþ isoȝt. a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk (Gough) (1905) 14 And when he was buryet, at þe hed of þe tombe sprong a well of oyle þat dyd medysyn to all seke. a1500 (?a1300) (Lamb.) l. 828 (MED) Two wellis there bethe..that sprynggythe oyle. 1581 (1814) III. 212/2 Aganis passing in pilgramage to chapellis wellis and croces. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. ii. 81 Th. Where meete we? Pro. At Saint Gregories well . View more context for this quotation 1632 L. Rowzee (title) The Queenes Welles. That is, a treatise of the nature and vertues of Tunbridge water. 1648 T. Gage 5 [Papists] encroaching upon many Houses and Farmes, enriching themselves, as namely at Winifreds Well (so termed by them) where they had bought an Inne. 1773 R. Fergusson 100 Reaming ale, Mair precious than the well of Spa, Our hearts to heal. 1806 P. Neill 26 I likewise visited the wells of Kildingie... These wells or springs, are situated in the Mill Bay. 1824 W. Scott (title) St. Ronan's well. 1882 W. Taylor i. 27 (note) A copious fountain of pure water situated on..the girth boundary in the heights of the parish..has from time immemorial borne the name of St. David's well. 1904 A. C. Fraser i. 26 The Priory..and the well and chapel of St. Modan on the hill, were my favourite haunts. 1978 R. Butler (1979) i. 10 ‘Then where?’ ‘Beyant, the next hill, near the Well of Saint Brigid.’ 2009 J. Bingham ii. 15 At Winchcombe they prayed at the shrine of St. Kenelm and drank the healing waters of his well. the world > health and disease > healing > places for the sick or injured > [noun] > place to which invalids resort > spa 1673 T. Shadwell i. i Enter Mrs. Woodly,..to Toby and others, drinking at the Wells. 1707 in J. Ashton (1882) II. 113 The New Wells at Epsom, with variety of Raffling Shops, will be open'd on Easter Monday next. 1716 No. 5459/1 The Princess set out..for the Wells of Medway. 1728 E. Young (ed. 2) v. 23 Thro' every sign of vanity they run; Assemblies, Parks,..Balls, Wells, Bedlams, [etc.]. 1756 J. Wall 13 There are now at the Well some very remarkable Cases which have lately receiv'd great Benefit from their Use. 1800 Dec. 382 The numerous elegant buildings are chiefly inhabited by the company who frequent the wells. 1869 D. Manson 61 There are also, during the season, daily religious services..conducted generally by clergymen attending the Wells. 1904 G. L. Gomme I. 104 The above places, where amusement and fashion attached a local celebrity to the different wells. 1998 31 514 This image of life at the wells centers on the slightly erotic and light-hearted attitudes associated both with the eighteenth century in general and spas in particular. 2. figurative and in extended use. eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) vii. 49 Hio [sc. the speech of two prophets] aweoll of anum wille; ðeah heo an tu tefleowe, ðeah wæs sio æspryng sio soðe lufu [L. non a diuerso fonte dilectionis emanauit]. eOE tr. Bede (Tanner) iv. xvii. 302 Ond he ærest ealdormen þære mægðe & cyninges þegnas mid þa halgan wyllan þwoh fulwihtes bæðes. lOE xli. 3 Sitiuit anima mea ad deum fontem uiuum : þyrststeð sawle minre to drihten wyl lifigende. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 207 Inhire heldeð naut ane dropemel. Ach flowinde ȝeotteð wellen of his graces. a1300 (c1275) (1991) 222 Ðanne we ðus brennen, Bihoueð us to rennen To Cristes quike welle,..Drinken his wissing. c1350 (a1333) William of Shoreham (1902) 117 Þys wulle hys god self man by-come, Of hym þys ioyen beþ alle y-nome. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 21023 O þe wel o witt he dranc. c1425 (c1400) (Cambr.) (1895) 67 Mi soule þirstide to god, þat is a quyk welle. ?a1450 (?c1400) Comm. Ave Maria (Lamb.) in (1901) 13 Crist was þe furst qwyk welle of grace. 1568 T. Howell f. 17v O noble hart whose Well of grace, shall spring and neuer drie. 1807 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. i, in 38 Not one who, early by the Muse beguil'd, Drank from her well, the waters undefil'd. 1843 H. W. Longfellow i. v. 40 O sleep,..Holding unto our lips thy goblet filled Out of Oblivion's well, a healing draught! 1899 J. P. Fitzpatrick i. 25 The effect of the annexation was to start the wells of plenty bubbling—with British Gold. 2007 L. Crawshaw x. 154 That's all they needed to drink from the well of change. the world > existence and causation > causation > source or origin > [noun] α. eOE (Mercian) (1965) xi. 1 Splendor paternae gloriae.., lux lucis et fons luminis : birhtu federlices wuldres..leht lehtes & waelle lehtes. 1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen sig. Diii The bibil quhilk is the grund and vol of al godlie doctrine and hewinlie visdom. 1599 A. Hume sig. F1 He made the sun a lampe of light, A woll of heate to shine by day. the world > existence and causation > causation > source or origin > [noun] > person as source of something OE tr. Bede (Corpus Cambr.) v. Concl. 486 Ic bidde ðe nu, goda Hælend.., þæt ic æt nyhstan to ðe þam wylle ealles wisdomes [L. fontem omnis sapientiae] becuman mote. c1225 (?c1200) (Royal) (1934) 25 Þu art walle of waisdom [emended to wisdom in ed.]. a1350 in G. L. Brook (1968) 64 Ofte y crie ‘Merci’; of mylse þou art welle. a1450 (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1912) l. 1857 That they may say, as ye passe by strete: ‘Loo, yonder gothe the welle of gentylnesse’. a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 78 O þou welle of euerlasting loue. 1559 W. Baldwin et al. Edward IV. vi A Salomon that was of wit the well. 1596 E. Spenser iv. ii. sig. B7v Dan Chaucer, well of English vndefyled, On Fames eternall beadroll worthie to be fyled. View more context for this quotation 1622 (?a1513) W. Dunbar (Reidpeth) (1998) I. 64 Oure lustie quein, The vall of velth, guid cheir and mirrines. 2009 J. Illes 126/2 Aegir knows everything; he is a well of knowledge and can theoretically fill any request. the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > [noun] > copious or continuous > instance of the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > weeping > [noun] > a tear > tears > copious the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > weeping > [noun] > weeper OE Prayers (Arundel 155) xvii, in (1889) 11 119 Miserere mei fontemque lacrimarum et remissionem omnium peccatorum atque intimam cordis confessionem mihi tribue poscenti : gemiltsa min & wyll teara forgyfennesse ealra synna & inweardlice heortan andetnesse me syle gyrnendum. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 123 For þi he [sc. Jeremiah] bed walle teres to hise echnen..þet is echnen ne adruȝeden neauer no more þenne welle. a1250 Ureisun ure Louerde (Lamb.) in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 189 Þe ilke fif wallen [a1250 Nero wellen] þet of þi blisfulle bodi sprungen and strike dun strondes of blode. a1382 (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Jer. ix. 1 Who shal ȝyue to myn hed watir, and to myn eȝen a welle of teres? c1460 (a1449) J. Lydgate (1934) 785 (MED) The sonne was clips and dirk..Whan Crist Ihesu five wellys lyst vncloose. ?1515 (de Worde) sig. A.ii She sawe her sone all deed Splayed on a crosse with the fyue welles of pyte. a1560 Arundel MS in J. A. W. Bennett (1955) 280 The haly wellis of teris quhilk Thow furthȝet in the passioun of Thy Sone. 1609 W. Shakespeare v. xi. 19 There is a word will Priam turne to stone, Make wells and Niobe's of the maides and wiues. View more context for this quotation 1814 H. Weber tr. Bk. Heroes in H. Weber et al. 106 ‘Christian, guard thy heart!’ cried the heathen king accurst; ‘Soon a bloody well from thy side shall burst.’ 1826 W. Hazlitt II. 348 He [sc. Lear] is merely a king and a father. The ground is common: but what a well of tears has he dug out of it! 1905 A. C. Swinburne IV. 34 The fire of hell that warmed the hearts of priests, The wells of blood that slaked the lips of kings. 1996 E. M. Bradley ii. 17/2 Brice has jerked wells of tears by singing the title song while decked out in her wedding dress. the world > the earth > water > fountain > [noun] > artificial c1300 (c1250) (Cambr.) (1966) l. 223 In þe tur þer is a welle [emended in ed. to walle]; Suþe cler hit is wiþ alle. He urneþ in o pipe of bras. a1525 ( (1907) I. 105 Both welles & sprynges oute of þe same cundyte. 1575 in J. D. Marwick (1876) I. 457 Item, to Johne Wilsoun for four geistis to the woll in Gallowgait..viij lib. 1630 in J. D. Marwick (1876) I. 373 The new woll in the Trongait to be sklaittet in the best forme. 1638 in (1876) 390 Ane warrand..for taking doun the wall at the Croce. 1656 in J. D. Marwick (1881) II. 351 The twa new wallis newlie buildit in Trongait and at the vennall. 1823 J. Galt III. iv. 34 She was mobbet, and the wells pumped upon her by the enraged multitude. 1843 G. P. R. James I. i. 6 It had a tall clump of elms on the south side, with a well, and an iron ladle underneath. 1876 S. R. Whitehead 229 I..washed my face, which was a great refreshment, at a pump waal in the yard. 1928 A. Black 24 Did ye notice I hid a wall in my bedroom? 1991 K. Armstrong in T. Hubbard 114 Ilka day she howders wi a sey tae the wal In the yaird ootbye. 1993 (Ferguslie Elderly Forum) 3 I can always remember children telling me: ‘Do you know, we've got 8 wells!’ and I said ‘Hows that?’ ‘Four in the kitchen and 4 in the bathroom’. We just had one well which only ran cold water. society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > other heraldic representations > [noun] > stream 1486 Blasyng of Armys sig. eviv, in And of hym yt beris thes armys ye most say... He berith of golde and .iij. wellis. the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > whirlpool > [noun] 1654 W. J. Blaeu v. (Map following p. 133) Orcades..Souna..The Welles. 1654 W. J. Blaeu v. (Map following p. 133) Spurness well. a1688 J. Wallace (1693) 7 The Wells of Swinna, which are two Whirl-pools in the Sea. 1750 M. Mackenzie 5/1 One of these Whirlpools or Wells, as they are called in Orkney. 1774 G. Low (1879) 29 The whirlpools called the Wells of Swona, so long famous for the alledged danger in passing over or near them. 1821 W. Scott III. xi. 259 Even as the wells of Tuftiloe can wheel the stoutest vessel round and round, in despite of either sail or steerage. 1850 Ld. Tennyson x. 15 If..the roaring wells Should gulf him fathom deep in brine. View more context for this quotation 1876 W. Morris ii. 98 He saw the downlong river, and its fishy-peopled streams, And the swift smooth heads of its forces, and its swirling wells and deep. 1927 F. Muirhead 408 The isle of Swona..set in the full stream of one of these currents, gives rise to a dangerous whirlpool (the Well of Swona). 2007 T. Smith & C. Jex ii. 20 The swirling areas of water known as the Wells of Swona (two large recirculating eddies which form to the west of both headlands during the west going tide) were in the past used by locals as excellent fishing spots. II. An excavation for obtaining water, and derived senses. 6. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well α. OE (Northumbrian) iv. 6 Erat autem ibi fons iacob : uæs uutedlice ðer uælle iacobes. OE (Northumbrian) iv. 12 Numquid tu maior es patre nostro iacob qui dedit nobis puteum : ahne uel hueðer arð ðu mara uel hera from feder usum iacobe seðe gesalde us ðiosne pytt uel uælla? a1300 Woman of Samaria l. 12 in R. Morris (1872) 84 Iesus at ore walle reste him seolf al one. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 13229 (MED) Here nu quat herodias did, In a wall his heued sco hid. c1535 i. sig. A.vv They folowe Christ that shedde his blode To heuen, as buckette in to the wall. 1882 J. Robison 11 T' horrator war prayan fer a girt wal et he cud drop intul. 1981 B. Holton tr. S. Nai'an Men o the Mossflow in No. 7. 5/1 His hairt wis playin dunt-duntie like fifteen buckets in a wal. a1400 tr. Lanfranc (Ashm.) (1894) 193 Now we han medycyns drawen of .ij. wellis & of manie maistris. c1450 (1900) 2 (MED) Delve doun..þanne þi welle is depe ynow in perfeccyoun for to springe watyr of grace. a1591 H. Smith (1592) 998 The well of Gods secrets is so deepe, that no bucket of man can sound it. 1611 Isa. xii. 3 With ioy shall yee draw water out of the wels of saluation. View more context for this quotation 1655 W. Spurstowe (title) The wels of salvation opened. 1771 July 352/2 I, sir, as the queen of Sheba, come..to draw you out of the deep well of your profound silence. 1782 W. Cowper Conversation in 240 Hearts may be found..Whose wisdom drawn from the deep well of life, Tastes of its healthful origin. 1847 C. Dickens (1848) xviii. 178 After stating this curious and unexpected fact, Mr. Toots fell into a deep well of silence. 1885 T. Mozley I. xlviii. 302 John Hallam was a well, and a pretty deep one. It required a long rope and a strong arm to get anything out of him. 1900 J. O. Hobbes ii. 57 I have sunk into a well of unappeasable longings, which, not fixed for any mitigation in this world, have fastened on my soul. 1994 July 8/2 Not for him the poisoned well of Conservative individualism and consumerism. His vision for Britain was richer, fuller and more inclusive. 2009 V. Lingiardi in S. Fortuna & M. Granolati vi. 70 Aracoeli and Volver plunge us deep into the well of memory and our relationship with the maternal imago. society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > other heraldic representations > [noun] > architectural features 1688 R. Holme ii. ii. 32/1 He beareth Vert, a fountain, or a Well of Water..but I hold them more properly termed Pitts, or standing Waters; for a Fountain and a Well are contrary things. 1780 R. Glover's Ord. Arms Augm. 49 in J. Edmondson II. O, Gu. three wells ar. water az. ?1828 W. Berry I. 80/2 Ar. a chev. sa. betw. three wells gu. 1903 J. Matthews (ed. 2) 10 Arms—Argent, a chevron between three wells sable. 2002 C. Barron in P. Coss & M. Keen (2008) xi. 233 John Wells displayed two wells on his shield. the world > matter > light > darkness or absence of light > [noun] > a dark place the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > extension downwards or depth > [noun] > great or considerable depth > deep place, part, or thing 1843 C. Dickens ii. 55 He then conveyed him..into the veriest old well of a shivering best-parlour that ever was seen. 1869 R. D. Blackmore II. xvi. 209 She had gotten it in a great well of a cupboard. 1903 J. Conrad & F. M. Hueffer v. iii. 400 It was a well of a place, high black walls going up into the desolate, weeping sky, and quite tiny. 1917 Sept. 98/1 The ‘laboratory’..might have been described as an old well of a place with a toad singing in a corner. 1999 M. de Villiers vii. 131 I went to have supper in a place someone had told me about, deep in the kasbah, a sunken well of a place that seemed to have been converted from a cistern. the world > life > the body > structural parts > muscle > parts of muscle > [noun] a1400 tr. Lanfranc (Ashm.) (1894) 216 Make him .iij. cauterijs:..oon bihinde þe nolle in þe welle þerof, [etc.]. ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 127 (MED) Punctuale cauteriez..in þe wellez [L. fontinellis] of þe armez & setonez bihynde þe necke ar more luffed to me in þis case. ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 156v He commaundeþ for to sette þam in þe wellez of þe necke. ?a1425 MS Hunterian 95 f. 154, in at Wel(le Make a cauterie in þe welle vnder þe kne. 8. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > other parts of body of vessel > [noun] > opening in deck > vertical aperture > for a pump society > travel > travel by water > other nautical operations > [verb (intransitive)] > ascertain depth of water in hold 1611 R. Cotgrave Lossec, the sinke, or well, of the pumpe of a ship. 1626 J. Smith 11 The Pumpe, the pumpes well, the pumpes brake. 1627 J. Smith ii. 9 The Dutch men vse a Burre pumpe..to pumpe vp the Billage water that..cannot come to the well. 1750 T. R. Blanckley 185 Well, a square Place, parted off and planked round the Main-mast from the Gundeck down to the Foot-waaling, to keep the Ballast, &c. from the Pumps placed therein. 1762 W. Falconer ii. 29 They sound the well. 1825 T. Hook 2nd Ser. III. 401 The ship seemed rapidly settling..yet no one dared to sound the well. 1836 F. Marryat Pirate iv, in 35 The well was again sounded. Nine feet water in the hold. 1881 14 Feb. So long as the sounding-rod gave a dry well, the men's courage kept tolerably steadfast. 1942 W. Oakeshott v. 65 At midnight Moone was to go down into the well of the ship and bore three holes near the keel, with a spike gimlet. 2009 G. Fremont-Barnes 34 A lieutenant sent one of the carpenter's mates to sound the ship's well on two occasions during each watch. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > room, locker, or quarters > [noun] > storage room or compartment > for storing catch on fishing boat 1614 T. Gentleman 19 Fresh fish, which they of purpose do keepe aliue in their boates in Wells. 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot ii. 3 We took two Murenes or Sea-Eeles which were in the Fisher mens Wells. 1720 D. Defoe 40 This Well [was of] the same Kind which the small Fisher-Boats in England have to preserve their Fish alive in. 1788 Feb. 129/1 The proprietors of our London smacks send them [sc. whitlings] thither in the wells of the vessel..to convey them to Billingsgate alive. 1828 H. Davy 49 He..is landed. A fine well-fed fish, not much less than 4 lbs. Throw him into the well. 1848 C. A. Johns 259 The store-pot is emptied and its contents transferred to a well in the hold of the vessel. 1912 29 Mar. 4 The Betsy was running for harbour for all she was worth. Her ‘well’ was full of live cod. 2010 J. J. Murray vii. 68 DJ removes the fish, drops it into the live well, and tosses my line back into the water. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > other parts of body of vessel > [noun] > opening in deck > vertical aperture 1825 J. Weddell vi. 168 The fishing utensils occupy the first division [of the canoe]..; the fourth is the bailing well, where the water is collected to be thrown out. 1874 S. J. P. Thearle (new ed.) I. §192 When it is not considered necessary to provide a well for raising the propellor. 1894 H. Paasch (ed. 2) 108 Well. The deepening between the ends of two waterballast-tanks, or between the ends of a double-bottom and a bulkhead. 1897 Earl of Suffolk et al. I. 179/1 Well, the opening in a decked canoe to admit the putting in of cargo and to accommodate the crew. 1924 10 4 In the Upper Yangtsze craft this [sc. rudder] is of the balanced type, the rudder being hauled up into a ‘well’ or ‘trunk’ when out of commission. 1962 R. J. Bulkley ii. iii. 41 The torpedo was carried in a well, which when flooded permitted launching the torpedo under its own power. 1998 Oct. 26/1 A well is provided in the boat made of thin metal, housing the countervail also made of thin metal, which is fitted so as to form a triangular fin in the line of the keel. 9. A shaft or pit bored or dug in the ground for a specific purpose. society > occupation and work > workplace > places where raw materials are extracted > oil rig > [noun] > well 1652 J. French iii. 34 The Sulphur-Well in York-shire smells like the scowring of a Gun that is very fowl. 1682 J. Collins 14 [Crude sea-salt is] carried in wicker Baskets or Fenders to Brine Wells. 1762 P. Murdoch tr. A. F. Büsching III. 61 When the ejaculation is strong and brisk, the petroleous wells are observed to become very turbid. 1800 6 127 An Account of the Petroleum Wells in the Burmha Dominions. 1885 XVIII. 713 In 1819 a well bored for brine in Wayne county, Kentucky, yielded so much black petroleum that it was abandoned. 1901 25 743/2 The first flowing [petroleum] well, or ‘gusher’,..was struck in 1861. 1943 176/2 The powerful uprush of oil is controlled by equally ingenious means, the well is capped, and the fluid travels through surface piping to one of several neighbouring de-gassing stations. 2006 V. Smil iv. 168 The development of directional drilling..made it possible to complete several wells from a single location. the world > food and drink > food > place for storing food > [noun] > for moist provisions > for ice 1681 8 Building an ice well for his Majesty's use in Windsor Great Park. 1752 P. Miller (ed. 6) at Ice house For the Well into which the Ice is to be put, a circular Figure is the most convenient. 1785 G. Washington 7 Jan. (1978) IV. 74 Preparing..the Well in my New Cellar for the reception of Ice. 1850 1 82 Section of ice well... a, well; b, porch. 1873 E. Spon 1st Ser. 364/1 There must be perfect drainage insured from the bottom of the well, so that the ice will be kept dry. 1916 P. Wilstach xii. 149 He now prepared a dry well for ice in the cellar under the banquet hall. 2009 R. Slotkin iii. 42 Officers of the 6th New Hampshire were enjoying the rare treat of lemonade..cooled with ice brought out under fire from the ice well. society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > [noun] > mine(s) > part of 1702 sig. G2v Well, a Depth the Miner sinks into the Ground, and thence carries on the Branches, or Galeries, to find out, and disappoint the Enemies Mines, or to prepare one. 1736 J. Campbell I. 217 We now began to perceive that their Miners were in search of our Mines, and that they worked in sinking Wells in order to get into our Galleries. 1895 E. S. Farrow (ed. 2) III. 298/2 In fortification, holes in the form of wells..[serve] as entrances to galleries. the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > instrument for distant vision > [noun] > telescope > astronomical telescopes > parts of 1706 (new ed.) at Observatory The Royal Observatory..furnish'd with all sorts of Instruments..and a dry Well for Discovery of the Stars in the Day-time. 1840 110 I was desired to procure information relative to the place of Flamsteed's well. 1903 26 102 The well was of considerable depth (100 feet), with a spiral staircase. 1904 E. W. Maunder iii. iv. 240 Flamsteed..sank a well at Greenwich Observatory for the purpose of observing Gamma Draconis, the zenith star of Greenwich... Its purpose seems to have been, not to have furnished the means of observing the star with the naked eye, but to enable the observer to measure telescopically as accurately as possible the distance of the star from the true zenith at the moment of transit. 1999 C. Aslet 137 There were..a sixty-foot telescope suspended from a mast, and a telescope sunk in a well. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > preparation of land or soil > ditching or drainage > [noun] > other types of drainage > specific type > shaft of 1797 J. Johnstone 52 Making one large pit or well in the middle or lowest part of the bog..would save boring along each of the drains. 1856 J. C. Morton (new ed.) I. 692 It will be proper..to cut a drain of four feet in depth only, and then to sink small wells down to the watery bed. 1865 27 Oct. 5/2 The system of drainage adopted is that of running the pipes of each house into a dead well... These wells are made of bricks, without any cement. 1898 T. Newbigging (ed. 6) 135 The first thing to be done is to sink a well or sump. 2004 L. K. Smedema et al. xii. 286 The flow to the wells would mostly occur in the permeable substrata. society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > building or providing with specific parts > specific parts built or constructed > [noun] > foundation(s) 1832 C. S. Drewry 178 A good plan for foundations, when the ground is loose and sandy, is to build upon wells. 1885 L. F. Vernon-Harcourt I. 405 Where the thickness of the mud exceeded 13 feet, square masonry wells were sunk through it on to the rock... These wells, being..filled in solid with masonry, form piers for arches. 1924 A. J. Wallis-Tayler viii. 147 This monte-jus should be sunk in the ground, and enclosed with brickwork or masonry in a sort of well. 2008 S. Ponnuswamy x. 266 Providing a well foundation..was not considered economical. 10. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > unfilled space in building > round which staircase turns society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > unfilled space in building > in which lift operates society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > other means of conveyance > [noun] > lift or hoist > space in which lift operates c1660 J. Evelyn anno 1644 (1955) II. 229 Two paire of Oval Stayres all of stone, & voide in the well. ?1677 S. Primatt 66 A pair of open Newel-Stairs (which are Stairs with a well or light coming from the top). 1783 (Royal Soc.) 73 138 Which, passing over pullies.., was fastened to a scale that descended into the well of an adjoining stair~case. 1794 Oct. 912/1 The well by which..heavy stores were conveyed into the upper apartments. 1817 J. Evans 161 In the well of the staircase, by a cord of black and yellow, hangs a Gothic lantern. 1848 W. M. Thackeray lxi. 546 If you choose to consider it, and sit on the landing, looking up and down the well! 1886 R. L. Stevenson iv. 33 The same passing brightness showed me the steps were of unequal length, and that one of my feet rested that moment within two inches of the well. 1890 B. Hall viii. 87 But Gean hustled the man out to the elevator shaft and dropped him into the well beneath. 1899 F. Norris vii. 124 Maria..paused under the single gas-jet that burned at the top of the well of the staircase. 1901 8 Mar. 6/8 The cage..was at the bottom of the well. 1940 C. Morgan v. iv. 494 From the well of the staircase only silence came up, no footfall descending. 1994 J. Montgomery-Massingberd & C. S. Sykes x. 135/1 (caption) Against the wall at the bottom of the well of the staircase is an elaborate musical box by Samuel Troll. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivation of plants or crops > storage or preservation of crops > [noun] > stacking or ricking > stack or rick > part of 1710 D. Hilman Aug. 7 Some prescribe leaving a Hole or Well in the middle of the Mow..by keeping therein a Basket or Barrel, and raising it as the Mow increases. 1842 C. W. Johnson 1261/2 Well, a..chimney or vent hole left in a rick or mow of hay or other similar materials, to prevent its overheating. society > law > administration of justice > judicial body, assembly, or court > place where court is held > [noun] > space on floor of court 1832 7 Jan. 163/2 Every now and then the machine will put out his leg, and trample the solicitors in the well of the Court under foot. 1853 C. Dickens i. 2 The various solicitors in the cause..ranged in a line, in a long matted well..between the registrar's red table and the silk gowns. 1879 T. H. S. Escott II. 209 In the ‘well’, a seat a step below that of the Queen's counsel, sit the solicitors. 1883 D. C. Murray xxviii Wigged heads went together in the well of the court, and papers were rustled to and fro on the table. 1945 8 Jan. 79/2 (caption) Visiting lawyers are seated in the well of the court. Crowded behind them is the general public. 2000 M. Lewis 196 He'd lean into his microphone in the well of the U.S. district courtroom and boom out his questions in the Voice of God. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > unfilled space in building 1858 C. H. Hartshorne II. ix. 208 (plan) K Outer Kitchen. M Well for Light. N Chapel. 1859 C. Dickens ii. v. 60 Climbing to a high chamber in a well of houses, he threw himself down in his clothes on a neglected bed. 1861 T. Winthrop v. 78 Through a most unsavoury alley into a court, or rather space, serving as a well to light the rear range of a tenement-house. 1898 (Building ed.) Dec. 105/3 A striking feature of the hall is an elliptical well in the ceiling of the first story. 1915 29 May 742/2 The back-rooms look south—into the well. 1982 M. F. K. Fisher Two Kitchens in Provence Pref., in 90 It opened onto a dim air well, so that we knew intimate things about our unseen neighbors. 2001 C. Lightfoot iii. i. 118 The classic courtyard has been reduced to a well of light and air, merely conforming to the statutory building requirement of fifteen percent open space. society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > a performance > place of performance or practice > [noun] > opera house > orchestra pit 1878 G. A. Sala in Feb. 166 In the well of the orchestra, immediately before my eyes, was one empty chair, that by right belonging to the leader of the first violins. 1933 P. Godfrey i. 15 The orchestra are in position in the ‘well’. 1951 836/2 The Orchestra Well for the accommodation of the theatre musicians is in front of and below the stage itself. 11. a. society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > parts and equipment of motor vehicles > [noun] > body or bodywork > rear part > rear part arranged to carry luggage 1783 14 Mar. 4/2 (advt.) A very roomy crane-necked Travelling Coach, with well to the bottom, and luggages behind. 1795 W. Felton II. (Gloss.) 238 Well, a strong box conveniently placed at the bottom of the body to carry luggage. 1848 W. M. Thackeray lxvi. 609 The baggage was strapped on. Francis came out with his master's sword, and cane, and umbrella tied up together, and laid them in the well. 1911 W. F. Butler xx. 354 He..took three or four brace of grouse from the bag, and..put the birds in the ‘well’ of the vehicle [sc. an Irish car]. 1999 J. Hale (2006) 50/2 The Vagabond was a more utility-style, full-length buggy with stock VW fittings, rear engine hatch and a luggage well behind the rear seats. society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > parts and equipment of motor vehicles > [noun] > space for legs 1929 19 Oct. 68/2 This design [for the Riley saloon car] normally entails wells for the rear passengers' feet in either side of the propellor shaft. 1956 June 138 (caption) Three-wheeler's passenger compartment has a well for feet. 1993 July 14/1 The lack of space really shows in the leg well area, with little clearance between the legs and the panel. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > [noun] > parts of furniture generally > fitted receptacle 1833 J. C. Loudon 1060 The seats are stuffed on a wooden frame, and take off, leaving a well or cupboard beneath, for holding the loose linen cases by which they are covered. 1841 W. Savage 246 There is frequently a piece of board nailed to the bottom of these rails, which thus forms a depository for page cords, copy that is not in use, and other small matters: this is called a Well. 1842 E. Bulwer-Lytton vii. ii He peered into the well [of an escritoire], and opened the drawers. 1879 M. E. Braddon III. 47 There was an old-fashioned work-table, with a faded red silk well, beside the open window. 1888 C. T. Jacobi 154 Well, a receptacle under the cases in the upper part of a composing frame, for holding copy, etc. 1905 H. G. Wells iii. iii. §4 Kipps..draws out the marvellous till; here gold is to be, here silver, here copper—notes locked up in a cash~box in the well below. 2002 D. Harris 19 The well of the desk is divided into sections and fitted out for shaving with a place for a razor (now missing), a strop for sharpening the razor..and a sliding wooden lid. 12. A hole or cavity containing or intended to contain a liquid for a specific purpose. society > occupation and work > equipment > furnace or kiln > furnace > parts of furnace > [noun] > other parts of furnaces 1825 J. H. Vivian Let. 30 Oct. in J. Taylor (1829) 54 The well..at the bottom of the furnace, is lined with a brasque composed of two thirds clay and one third of powdered charcoal. 1826 2 292 The metal in the..well of the patent furnace is protected by a quantity of small coke resting on its surface. 1916 8 Apr. 508/2 The lead flows from the well of the blast-furnace into moulds. 2011 A. C. Reardon (ed. 2) v. 95/1 The molten metal droplets are collected in the inner portion of the cupola known as the well. society > armed hostility > military equipment > production and development of arms > [noun] > manufacture of firearms and ammunition > instruments > for making bullets or shot 1835 Sept. 349/1 The largest size of shot falls from the summit of the edifice to the bottom of a well. 1884 C. G. W. Lock 3rd Ser. 362/1 They are sufficiently hardened by cooling to bear the shock of striking the surface of the water in the well below. 1919 D. T. Hamilton ix. 141 From the well, the shot is conveyed to a steam-jacketed tumbling barrel. 1965 E. Tunis 72/1 The ladle men poured metal into perforated copper pans held rigidly over the well. 1846 C. E. Francatelli 194 Make a well in the centre, by spreading the flour out in the form of a ring, with the back of the hand. 1878 Feb. 91/1 Make a well in the centre of the heap of flour and butter on the board, and break into it two eggs, and knead it into a nice smooth paste. 1915 L. L. McLaren 156 Dissolve a level teaspoon of compressed yeast in a little lukewarm water; pour it into the well and mix it with the flour, little by little, until it is a smooth dough. 1983 J. Famularo & L. Imperiale i. 10 Put the flour on a flat surface or in a bowl and form a well deep enough to hold the egg(s). 2008 Sept. 98/1 Beat the egg yolks, milk and melted butter together, tip into the well, then bring together with a cutlery knife. society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > [noun] > for fluid > sunk or indented society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > vessel > [noun] > shallow vessel or dish > central part 1848 11 200 The iron ink-roller, f, with its frame and well of ink, g.., is attached to two brackets, h. 1873 E. Spon 1st Ser. 166/2 The bath should be..larger than the well, which must be a square hole, a little larger than the plate, and about an inch deep. 1881 20 Aug. 165/1 A small glass ‘naphtha well’ set in the case, similar to an ink well. 1937 Nov. 28 The Fleurette shape..with flower grouping in the well and repeated on the shoulder. 1971 21 Oct. 1055/1 The saucer is decorated with a circular medallion of The Bull and the Mouse, its well with four sprigs of flowers, the bowl with the Bull and the Frogs. 2002 T. Shimoda (2003) 1 Kiichi Shimoda..dipped a brush into the well of black sumi ink. the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > [noun] > region of lower potential 1942 8 302 The..way to estimate the depth of the well is to postulate that the binding energy of the least strongly bound particle shall be equal to the experimental value for this quantity. 1972 Apr. 27/1 The original aim was to create a well so deep (from 10 to 20 million volts deep) that the ion-ion collisions could be energetic enough for nuclear transmutations to occur. 2012 S. T. Thornton & A. F. Rex x. 340 The binding energy and well depth may not be exactly equal. the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > drinking place > [noun] > tap-room or bar > bar-counter > shelf beneath 1951 95/3 Bottles are shaped to fit the bartender's well. 1971 27 May 31/3 The bartender is willing to disclose the name of the liquor ‘in the well’—the bar whisky—and, if necessary, warn a customer of its character. 2013 J. Taffer viii. 200 Well drinks are poured ‘out of the well’, a ‘speed rack’ of stock liquors kept at the bartender's station. Phrases P1. In various proverbial sayings or phrases. 1550 J. Heywood (new ed.) ii. vii. sig. Eviiv Well well (quoth she) many wels, many buckets. 1898 F. Breton iv. iii. 250 I mean to cheer you and bid you not mind a woman's tongue—‘Many bells, many clappers; many wells, many buckets; a cocket must have her say!’ 1691 J. Hartcliffe 181 If Truth, as Democritus fansied, lies at the bottom of a deep Well. 1779 Aug. 373/2 The dedication to the Lord Chancellor is a piece of decent witty irony, and truth lies at the bottom of the well. 1847 C. Dickens (1848) xxxii. 323 He tried a glass of grog; but melancholy truth was at the bottom of that well, and he couldn't finish it. 1888 J. M. Cobban iv The depth of the well at the bottom of which truth is hid was nothing to the unfathomableness of his designs. 1917 J. Conrad i. 42 At last the watch came up from the deep pocket like solid truth from a well. 2001 (Nexis) 31 Oct. Truth may be found at the bottom of the well, but there was no well in London deep enough for that commodity. 1758 B. Franklin 22 Then, as Poor Dick says, When the Well's dry, they know the Worth of Water. 1832 J. J. Blunt 140 We know not, says the proverb, what the well is worth till it is dry. 1851 iv. 58 When the well is dry, they know the worth of water. 1899 D. Belasco Naughty Anthony i. in (1941) 18 277 You'll never miss the water, 'till the well runs dry. 1916 June 182/2 When the well's dry, we know the worth of water: when about to die, the time for insurance has passed. 1972 H. Casson & J. Grenfell 38 You'll never miss the water till the well runs dry. 2012 (Nexis) 13 Nov. c2 Is fighting about water meters because they are too expensive or fighting to use less water the real issue?.. ‘We never know the worth of water, until the well is dry.’ the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > defrauding or swindling > perpetrate (a swindle) [verb (transitive)] > defraud or swindle > of share of booty 1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in II. at Garden To put a person in the garden..or in the well, are synonymous phrases, signifying to defraud him of his due share of booty by embezzling a part of the property, or the money it is fenced for. Compounds C1. a. General attributive. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > mouth of > covering 1817 10 Nov. Several Thousand Feet of Ship Oak.., in good lengths for fence sills, floors, drain and well coverings. 1845 G. Petrie 447 Well Coverings. 1921 Nov. 892/1 (caption) An Ordinary Water Pump is Set into the Concrete Well Covering. 2010 L. Tom & B. Tom vi. 105/1 A large circular stone, used as a well covering, was hoisted into the wall to use as a window frame. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > mouth of > covering 1886 W. J. Tucker 410 It is the duty..of the eldest boy in the school..to see that the well gratings are closed. 1931 3 Feb. 1/1 He plunged through an opening in the sidewalk where the light well grating had been removed to run in fire hose. 2006 J. Kraus x. 94 He knelt down in front of a metal window well grating. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > mouth of 1530 Gen. xxix. f. xliv There laye a great stone at the well mouth. 1537–8 in H. Littlehales (1905) 377 Paid for j lode of bryk for his well mowthe. 1869 H. F. Tozer II. 130 The well-mouth, from being dry, becomes full of water. 2011 I. Hartung & S. Boehm in L. F. M. Da Silva et al. xlix. 1269 At the well mouth, leaking mortar indicates that the gap between the borehole and the anchor bar is completely filled. society > occupation and work > equipment > lifting or hoisting equipment > [noun] > tackle > pulley > types of 1855 28 June The Farmers Store, keeps chains, hoes, hay forks.., well pulleys, cow and sheep bells. 1940 W. Faulkner i. i. 18 He had already begun to hear the mournful..plaint of a rusted well-pulley. 2003 C. McCullough i. ii. 63 All he had been able to give her were firewood, a weedless garden, a well pulley that worked much better now. society > occupation and work > equipment > pump > [noun] > pump for raising water 1840 Jan. 19/3 For very long well-pumps..our prices are from two to five dollars additional to the above rates. 1889 5 Aug. 2/7 A substantially constructed set of well pumps, even if fitted down a well 100 or 200 feet from the ground level, may be utilised as a fire engine in large establishments. 1963 V. B. Cranley ii. 18 The kitehawks hovered in the heat over the well-pumps, waiting for some stray lamb. 2006 64 124 The well pump clanks in tandem, sucks up another icy load from its stony subterra [sic] chamber. 1822 II. 145/2 Brunnendach, wellhouse, wellroof. 1886 F. Caddy v. 88 Chemillé has a romanesque church and the usual domical stone well-roofs. 2007 P. Jiles (2008) xvi. 152 He and Jeanine mixed mortar and reset the stones, and then tore down the tipped and twisted well roof. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > rope 1424–5 in J. T. Fowler (1888) III. 151 It. Roberto Raper pro ij wellerapis. 1575 Aldeburgh Rec. in (1920) 12th Ser. 7 227/1 For a bucket ye hoopes, and a well Roape..xiiiid. 1752 in W. Cramond (1903) I. 465 Rigwoodies, tethers, wallropes. 1908 21 July 2/1 He went to a well and clambered down the well-rope. 2002 T. H. Phillips ii. 16 My father and I were in Tanner's Store to buy a well rope and an axe handle and some fishhooks. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > shaft 1830 May 164 Particulars of the strata observed in sinking a well shaft, about 1½ mile south of the town of Dehra. 1855 C. Dickens (1857) i. iv. 31 In one corner of the hall..there was a little waiting-room, like a well-shaft. 2009 (Nexis) 25 June a8 Police in this northern Vancouver Island community have saved an 84-year-old man who was trapped for four days in a well shaft. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > side of a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 771 As she and I reposed us at this welle-syde, than cam there to me an arraunte knyght. 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini i. xcvii. 194 The rope which hung upon the bucket by the well-side. 1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor vii, in 3rd Ser. II. 134 For all she can sit idle by a well-side the whole day when she has a handsome young gentleman to prate wi'. 2008 S. Arnoldussen v. 264 In more clayey subsoils, where the well sides are less prone to erosion by stagnant water, lining may not have been necessary at all. society > occupation and work > workplace > places where raw materials are extracted > oil rig > [noun] > site where well has been drilled the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > site for a well 1865 J. H. A. Bone (ed. 2) 124 Guerrillas, who hunted up unfortunate Union men instead of oil springs, and ‘prospected’ for plunder rather than for well sites. 1972 L. M. Harris iii. 22 The wellsite geologist should..provide technical assistance to the drilling supervisor. 1979 127 406/2 This led in due time to the adoption of a system of deep ditches around the various well sites. 2002 5 Aug. 13/1 The newest wrinkle is the need for gravel pits to supply gravel for the well sites. a1525 ( (1908) II. 446 Their plum house by þe well-yarde yate. 1795 J. Woodforde 11 Feb. (1929) IV. 173 The Water in the ditch..was up to the upper Cant-Rail of the Pales which separates the slope Garden from the Well-Yard. 2008 C. Berg 256 I stepped forward.., my ears on the dribbling conduit that piped water from the well yard. society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > worker in oil industry > [noun] > well-digger 1611 R. Cotgrave Puitier, a digger, or maker of pits; a well-maker. 1617 (new ed.) ii. 51 Aquilex aquilegis, putearius, id est qui putei effodiendi certis in locis rationem habet, a Well-maker [1579 woll maker]. 1803 26 Mar. Upon questioning a well-holder on the impropriety of letting an almost unfathomable reservoir remain uncovered, he coolly and collectively answered, that he had no children to fall into it. 1869 10 232 An infinite variety of deceptions have been played upon well-owners, company managers, and landholders. 1895 21 Dec. 5/4 When the second slip took place, the well-maker was suffocated. 1915 2 652 The trouble with most well builders is that they cannot determine this exact point. 2007 R. Blythe (new ed.) 112 We looked with wonder at the brickwork, still rounded and faultless as it was when the well-makers had finished it. 1965 28 Jan. b7/2 (advt.) Polka Dot Club... Monday through Friday Well Drinks 50¢. Dancing nightly. 1973 (Nexis) 3 Apr. a12/1 ‘Well’ liquors in the automatic gun machines of the Center's bars will be Relska vodka, Jim Beam bourbon, Passport Scotch, and Calvert gin. 2013 (Nexis) 3 Mar. ct8 Daily happy hour..features $5 house wines and well drinks. C3. See also well-boat n., well bucket n., well-cress n., etc. society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > basket > [noun] > deep 1760 XIV. iii. 387 They fish with draw-nets, well-baskets, hooks, and harpoons. 1861 H. Mayhew (new ed.) II. 485/1 I give two shillings for a ‘shallow’; that's a flat basket with two handles; they put 'em a top of ‘well-baskets’, them as can carry a good load. 1890 16 Aug. 522/1 Then every year there are repairs to be looked after on the house, etc., tools to be mended, several well baskets to be purchased. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > beam over which rope runs 1804 J. Webster 153 At C is a wheel and handle, over which the line passes that joins them to a small multiplying wheel fastened to the well beam. 1888 R. Kipling 37 He will hang him by the heels from the well-beam. 2009 G. C. Schoolfield xiv. 306 The overture was added the next day and prepares for what is to come by means of an ominous sign, the long handle of the well-beam hanging black into the evening's face. society > occupation and work > equipment > piercing or boring tools > [noun] > boring tool > for boring in the ground society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > worker in oil industry > [noun] > well-digger 1780 W. Robinson 15 Apr. 1771 in 115 A well-borer..put his instrument into the same holes, that I might see what kind of ground it was. 1852 6 Nov. 370 Thomson's Artesian Well-borer. 1967 C. J. Glacken vii. 321 The light alder furnished flailing sticks; it and the conifers, well borers and the wooden conduits. 1969 13 Feb. 981 An exemption from payment of wet time insurance to well borers and pump sinkers in respect of their employees. 2008 D. Spencer xix. 256 Granddad was a well borer reputed to spend the mornings earning and the afternoons drinking. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > shaft the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > constructing well 1822 Nov. 308 (title) On well-boring. 1890 26 74/1 Many years ago, in a well-boring,..the flanks of the buried Primary rocks were reached at a depth of 1100 feet. 1929 73 188 As a result of well-borings it is reckoned that the thickness of the sediments averages over 1000 feet. 1999 M. A. Bailey & M. Hu in M. E. Beard & H. L. Rook 267 We have received samples of pond water, groundwater in well borings, standing water in open pits, [etc.]. 2009 51 324 Water..in the southern Kalahari was available mainly at pans before the arrival of well-boring technology. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > clay compositions > baked clay > brick > [noun] > brick of specific shape 1703 Act 2 Anne in (1719) 64 No other..Bricks, shall be used..except Well-Bricks, and such other Bricks as are already made, or to be made before the Commencement of this Act. 1784 (Royal Soc.) 75 3 To build a wall of clay against the morassy sides of the well, with a wall of well-bricks internally, up to the top of it. 1889 E. Peacock (ed. 2) Well-bricks, curved bricks used for lining wells. 1968 W. G. Nash (2002) II. vi. 66/1 It is better to use purpose-made bricks called chimney or well bricks. the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > bos taurus or ox > [noun] > working > for miscellaneous types of work 1829 Nov. 591/1 A dwelling house with out-offices; 100 beegahs of arable land, free of rent for one year; 3 pairs of plough and well-bullocks. 1879 Mrs. A. G. F. E. James 72 One of the well-bullocks had a violent attack of the malady. 1918 (U.S. Dept. Commerce) 19 June 1086 Aerometers (wind-vane pumps) might be introduced in the Tihamah to save the expense of well bullocks. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > room, locker, or quarters > [noun] > cabin > with no ventilation 1833 Feb. 175/1 The wind sail which was let down through the sky-light into the little well cabin of the schooner. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Well-cabins, those in brigs and small vessels, which have no afterwindows or thorough draught. 1869 14 June 3/1 On Sale, a beautiful little steam yacht... Has saloon, smoking, and well cabins fitted complete. society > faith > artefacts > sanctuary or holy place > chapel > [noun] > enclosing holy well 1775 S. Paterson 4 Well chapel, near Wingham. 1783 (ed. 5) 141 Winifrid's Well chapel built, 1490. 1858 J. T. Blight 94 Well-chapel, Menacuddle, St. Austell... The length of this building is 11 feet... The spring rises in the east end. 2004 G. McLachlan (ed. 6) 833 The most impressive part of the monastery is the cloister, and in particular its picturesque well chapel, nicknamed the Tonsur. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > constructed reservoir > cistern 1869 9 Jan. 21/3 A well-cistern is attached beneath the tank, through which the water passes to the filters. 1898 July 150 A well-cistern of clear spring water. 1905 W. H. Hunt II. xi. 289 To judge from the company round the well-cisterns..it [sc. Cana of Galilee] was at the time a happy neighbourhood. 2010 E. Eulisse in G. Holst-Warhaft & T. Steenhuis iii. 55 The well-cisterns of Athens and Corinth also demonstrate similarities to the sacred wells of Sardina. society > occupation and work > equipment > oil and natural gas recovery equipment > [noun] > other equipment 1945 3/2 The same result may be obtained by introducing liquid, or fluid pressure, into the well conductor at the well surface. 1974 Oct. 2/1 The jacket..wraps round the well-conductors which go down into the ground. 2012 Y. Bai & Q. Bai xxii. 727 A base structure..can be landed and locked to the existing well conductor housing. society > occupation and work > equipment > lifting or hoisting equipment > [noun] > crane > types of 1836 1 22 There are four wooden cranes to the basin, three of them well cranes calculated to lift 3 or 4 tons. 1849 J. Glynn 35 The well crane having been found inconvenient for raising great weights, because of the insufficient resistance of the ground at the well top. society > occupation and work > equipment > lifting or hoisting equipment > [noun] > winch or capstan > over a well (Harl. 221) 520 Welle crank, tollinum. 1852 1 Nov. 242/2 This is evident from the familiar attempt to turn a grindstone or well-crank by pushing with all power in line against the shaft. 1986 7/1 A well crank arm..rotates at about 10 rpm and accordingly, each revolution of the crank requires approximately six seconds. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > frame round top of society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > building or providing with specific parts > specific parts built or constructed > [noun] > other specific parts 1665 in D. G. Vaisey (1969) 150 One well curb, bucket and chaine. 1780 5 July The ground on which she stood by the well side gave way, and let her in up to the shoulders, where she supported herself by catching hold of the well curb. 1877 T. De W. Talmage 23 Will you sit down in front of the well-curb, when a few more turns of the windlass might bring up the..buckets? 1886 R. Kipling (1899) 56 We have trodden the mart and the well-curb. 1892 (Archit. Publ. Soc.) Well-curb. The ring of elm or metal upon which the lining of a well is built. 1897 1 378 The use of a circular wooden frame, generally termed a ‘well-curb,’ in sinking wells, is still common in many parts of the country where the soil or strata are loose. 2008 S. Whiteside tr. T. Scarpa (2009) 37 You go back and spread your arms around the circumference of the well-curbs, closed with bronze covers. society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > worker in oil industry > [noun] > well-digger 1610 J. Healey tr. J. L. Vives in tr. St. Augustine x. ix. 372 The subterrene [demon], that liue in caues, and kill well-diggers, and miners for mettalls, causing earth-quakes, and eruptions of flames, and pestilent winds. 1700 17 A Borer (such as Well-Diggers use). 1883 Oct. 708/2 By trade he is a well-digger. 1992 R. Long 73 Two wizened old men with venal faces came and said they were the local well-diggers. the world > food and drink > food > setting table > table utensils > [noun] > table-vessels > dish or plate > other types of dish 1814 18 Oct. 250 Wedgwood hunting and other jugs, raised and plain; large well dishes and water plates, wine and butter coolers. 1880 R. D. Blackmore III. xi. 163 When a coal comes to table in a well-dish. 1971 16 Sept. 680/3 In some instances the meat was raised above the surface of the well-dish by being placed upon a flat oval mazarine or strainer plate. c1558 in P. A. Kennedy (1962) 52 2 wombles on parcer on chesselle oon weldrage on hacheit. 1649 C. Hoole 257/1 A well-drag. 1823 Jan. 227/1 Take a ladder, a rope, and the well-drag! 1857 T. Wright Well-drag, a three-pronged drag to bring the bucket up when it falls in. Leic. 1976 8 111 (caption) Well drag. It is three-pronged so that on whatever side it comes to rest there is one hook to engage debris. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > preparation of land or soil > ditching or drainage > [noun] > other types of drainage > specific type 1818 A. Rees (1819) XXXVIII Well-drain, in Agriculture, that sort of vent or discharge for the wetness of land, which is constructed in somewhat the well or pit manner. 1857 Oct. 222/1 Generally these well-drains may be made very small and at a trifling expense, and often a whole field may be drained by sinking these wells in the center of local wet spots. 1915 (Iowa State Drainage Assoc.) 34 The efficiency of the well drain will then depend on the amount of space through which water will flow along the side. 1976 Jan. 73/2 Boat Test No. 242... Outboard well drains with plugs. 1987 No. 1455. 83/1 Pumped well drains can be used effectively as relief drains if an aquifer of deep sand and gravel underlies the area. 1993 1/1 The unit has a well drain for draining wash and rinse water from the well into the hollow shell. 1828 N. Webster Well-drain, to drain land by means of wells or pits, which receive the water, and from which it is discharged by machinery. Cyc. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > preparation of land or soil > ditching or drainage > [noun] > other types of drainage 1818 A. Rees (1819) XXXVIII Well-draining, that means of clearing lands from wetness, which..is accomplished by making large deep pits or wells. society > leisure > social event > festive occasion > persons and characters > [noun] > presiding > at Whitsun festivities 1837 20 May 307/2 They have not, however, the experience of the original well-dressers, for this festival is but of two or three years standing. 1898 R. M. Gilchrist i Within five minutes the curtain would be drawn aside and the well-dressers set free to join the turbulent outside revellers. 2013 (Nexis) 13 Feb. 31 Every year a team of well dressers decorate clay boards with petals and foliage to create a beautiful dressing to be placed around the town's water features. society > faith > worship > liturgical year > feast, festival > specific Christian festivals > Pentecost > [noun] > dressing of wells at 1819 Sept. 586/1 To the sermon is prefixed a note describing the festivities at the Well Dressing at Tissington. 1860 2nd Ser. 9 430/2 [He] was collecting [flowers] for the Pilsley ‘Well’ or ‘Tap’ dressing. 1976 3 Sept. (Peak ed.) 4/3 Local organizations at Eyam benefitted at the well dressing and plague service by serving refreshments in the Village Institute to many of the visitors. 2006 July 15/2 New life could soon be breathed into the ancient ceremony of well-dressing, which is widely practised in the Peak District. society > occupation and work > equipment > piercing or boring tools > [noun] > boring tool > for boring in the ground 1866 2/1 The nature of my said invention consists in a tubular rod for well-drills and pumps. 1938 N. A. Kessler 3 Where quarry operations are on a large scale..well drills are used. Where operations do not warrant so large an investment, jackhammer drills are usually sufficient. 1963 L. F. Sheffy xxiii. 356 Another major factor in the process of transition was the new method for securing water with horse-drawn well drills. 2012 437 255/1 The scope of non-road machinery includes construction equipment, industrial well drills, [etc.]. 1849 324 Vinton, Henry, well driller, Exchange near Chicago. 1879 30 July (advt.) Am general agent for the sale of the Well Auger and for the sale of O. D. Pierce's Artesian Well Driller. 1924 A. J. Collier (1925) ii. 202 Some of the measurements are reported by well drillers. 1984 Aug. 115/3 (advt.) Weekend Well Driller... Easy to operate as your power lawn mower! 2013 (Nexis) 4 Oct. c3 He spent the rest of his working years as a well driller of oil, gas and water. 1860 30 Aug. Well Drilling. Farmers..who want their wells drilled,..Evans and his men are the only old and experienced workmen at that business... Good pumps, pipe, &c., furnished. 1874 4 Sept. The proprietors of the ‘Boss’ have a well drilling on the Sidney Crawford farm. 1962 G. A. Lipsky et al. x. 158 To improve the rural water supply, a well drilling program was launched. 2008 149 445 (title) Middle-Wisconsinan Gravel and Wood from a Well-Drilling in West-Central Indiana. 2012 (Nexis) 12 Mar. Another $250-300 million will be spent on well drilling. the world > the earth > water > spring > [noun] > in a marsh the world > existence and causation > causation > source or origin > [noun] c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece v. iii. f. 56/1 Thay knew nocht the ground and fell sumtymes in swardis of mossis & sumtyme in well Eys. 1755 R. Forbes Jrnl. London to Portsmouth in tr. Ovid (new ed.) 30 I was lyin tawin an' wamlin..like..a stirkie that had staver'd into a well-eye. 1820 Marmaiden of Clyde ii, in 6 422 An' the marmaid's goun was green as grass In the cauld wall-ee that grows. 1826 J. Galt xxxv. 317 The cause o' our national decay, and agricultural distress,..come a'thegither frae another well-ee. 1914 S. R. Crockett vi. 47 Only the one way out, which is shut by the bottomless green ‘well-eyes’ and sleechy quicksands of the ill-omened moss of Cooran. 2009 J. Westwood & S. Kingshill 65/1 Wandering about, he sank at last into a ‘well-eye’, or bog, in which he died. the world > plants > particular plants > ferns > [noun] > maidenhair fern 1565 T. Cooper Adiantum..It may be called Venus heare..other name it to be well ferne. 1605 J. Mosan tr. C. Wirsung 3rd Index sig. Hhh4 Adiantum, Venus haire, or well Ferne. 1704 T. Creech tr. Plutarch Symposiacs iii, in tr. III. 260 The Myrtle and Well-fern, though not hot, but confessedly cold are green all the Year. 1847 14 The bright green well-fern..grew abundantly between each stone. the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > that which or one who heats > [noun] > a device for heating or warming > devices for heating buildings, rooms, etc. > hearth or fireplace > grate 1895 9 Aug. 107/2 We commend this ‘Well Fire’ to the careful consideration of our readers. 1906 38 127/1 Well-fires are used in all the rooms. 1914 Apr. 16/2 (advt.) No other Grate approaches the genuine ‘Well Fire’ for beauty, comfort, economy, and heating power. society > faith > worship > liturgical year > feast, festival > specific Christian festivals > Pentecost > [noun] > dressing of wells at 1823 27 Sept. 609/3 An ancient custom still prevails in the village of Tissington, to which, indeed, it appears to be confined—for I have not met with any thing of a similar description in any other part of Derbyshire. It is denominated Well-Flowering. 1874 (ed. 2) 188 An ancient..custom of dressing the 5 wells or springs of this village [sc. Tissington]..is still kept up, and is known as ‘Tap Dressing’, or ‘Well Flowering’. 1992 B. Harley & J. Harley ii. 28 This pleasant village presented a very animated appearance on the occasion of the well-flowering. 1882 J. Longmuir & D. Donaldson (rev. ed.) IV. 767/1 Well-grass, well girse, well kerses, water cresses. 1955 G. Grigson 62 Watercress... Well-girse, Scot. 1996 R. Mabey 452/1 Water-cress is well-girse or wild skirret. the world > the supernatural > deity > [noun] > of specific things > of other things 1868 M. C. Ferguson ii. 84 Thither comes he weeping, drooping, till the well-God hears his prayer. 1903 T. Seccombe & J. W. Allen I. i. 44 His [sc. Browne's] Devonshire has a large population of river-gods, well-gods, and nymphs. 2006 C. M. Valente vi. 82 I sent my clouds over the giggling, groping ground and flooded out the well-gods with my tears. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular vegetables > [noun] > leaf vegetables > cress a1646 D. Wedderburn (1685) 18 Nasturtium aquaticum, well-grass. 1808 J. Jamieson Well-kerses, water-cresses, called also wall- or well-grass. 1915 No. 205. 21 Water-cress... Other names are well-cress or -grass, water-kers, -kars, [etc.]. 1999 L. Page 228 Watercress, Nasturtium officinale... Common Names: poor man's bread, well grass, teng tongues and billers. the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > that which or one who heats > [noun] > a device for heating or warming > devices for heating buildings, rooms, etc. > hearth or fireplace > grate 1898 13 245/1 The chimney-piece in the hall would be entirely of red bricks with wide mortar joints, and the fire would burn on the hearth, an object attainable by using the ‘Well grate.’ 1910 XII. 378/2 In the closing years of the 19th century a ‘well-grate’ was invented, in which the fire burns upon the hearth, combustion being aided by an air-chamber below. 1927 W. E. Collinson 90 Fires..are more often well-grates (i.e. low) than basket-grates (with hobs for the kettle). 1991 J. Smiley viii. 47 We were severely punished for wandering off, for crossing the road, for climbing onto the well grate. c1480 Medulla Gram. (Pepys) in at Welle [Arpax] welhoke [a1425 Stonyhurst wel hope]. 1585 J. Higgins tr. Junius 302/1 Lupus,..a well hooke. 1702 J. Kersey A Well-hook, or drag. 1860 H. Hallet tr. M. d'Azeglio xxxvi. 471 At last, the end of the rope appeared, to which was attacked a well-hook, rusty and foul with slime. 2005 H. R. Coursen iv. 56 The coachmaker's brace, the pie peel, the well hook, the quarryman's mud spoon, the fruit auger. the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [noun] > that turns a piece of machinery 1894 G. Meredith 2 Jan. (1912) II. 461 I am under an engagement..to deliver a novel in the Spring, and have to go the round of a well-horse daily. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > well-house 1354–5 in J. T. Fowler (1899) II. 555 In una sera reparanda pro le Welhousdore. 1466–7 in J. T. Fowler (1901) III. 641 Pro punctuacione super stabulum hospitum et le Wellehouse infra abbathiam. 1597 in (1913) 64 369 1500 ston lat nail for ye well house. 1750 G. Randolph i. 53 A Collection of Cases, extracted from a List of Cures, which was formerly kept at the Well-house. 1784 J. Byng Diary 29 June in (1934) I. 126 There are some families..who ride and drive to take the waters; but these..look down upon the vulgar society of the well-house. 1895 S. R. Crockett xxvii I made a rush swiftly round the corner, and entered the well-house. 1990 D. McIntosh 162 I left the house and its shrunken, untended dahlias and went out past the wellhouse to the barns. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > frame round top of 1845 May 448 I awoke, full of joyfulness, and hastened out to the great stone by the well-kerb to perform my matinal ablutions. 1888 R. Kipling 67 Losson..lowered the cage [of the parrot] into the cool darkness of a well, and sat on the well-kerb. 2010 Q. Guo v. 121 A well head is never put together with a windlass, but a well kerb is. society > occupation and work > industry > drilling for oil or gas > [noun] > exertion of pressure by oil well 1966 4 The gas lift valves open in the conventional manner (that is to say, the well ‘kick’), causing the slug to start up the tubing. 1972 L. M. Harris x. 97 Closing in around the drill pipe and circulating a conventional well kick. 1994 R. D. Grace ii. 31 Generally, the first indication of a well kick is a sudden increase in drilling rate. 2013 S. Xiaozhen xi. 229 The well should be closed in time when the overflow and well kick really happen. the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > that which or one who closes or shuts > [noun] > that which closes an aperture > material or composition used for > for specific purpose 1865 1 Improvement in well-packing. 1908 Jan. 23/1 In packing your steam piston valves you have to have a well packing that has been already prepared for that use. 1992 D. L. Russell iii. 78 The function of the well packing is to help filter out soil from the formation and prevent it from plugging the well screen. society > occupation and work > equipment > conveyor > [noun] > conduit, channel, or tube > pipe > for water a1569 M. Coverdale (1593) sig. T4v Here are opened the conduites and well pipes of life. 1866 1 Dec. 377/1 I claim, in combination with the well pipes, B and D, and a chamber, E, the gas pipe, F, having a safety valve applied to it. 1897 11 197 The well pipes were screwed together with special wrought-iron couplings. 1929 VI. xxii. 778 At Rochester the well-pipe is in the cross-wall, with an opening on each floor. 1958 2 225 Neutrons from a radium-beryllium source pass out through the well pipe into the surrounding rock. 1991 11 Mar. 28/3 The team of four to six men will make a clean cut on the well pipe sticking out of the ground..and close the valve to stop the flow of oil. 2012 S. Coll xxviii. 602 Methane shooting through well pipes whooshed eerily in the darkness outside. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > mouth of > frame or plate extending over 1871 19 1085 A set of good three-throw pumps with head gear and well-plate adapted to wells 40 to 60 feet deep..would be worth about £100. 1930 11 194 (caption) A result obtained with a ‘well’ plate, M. lysodeikticus inhibited by cat's saliva. 1957 10 1101 The well plates thus prepared were inoculated by withdrawing a small quantity of spirochetal containing inoculum from the enrichment culture. 2002 M. A. M. Groenen et al. in K. Schellander et al. 98 The first step was the identification of the 384 well plate pools containing a clone for that particular marker. the world > animals > birds > freshwater birds > order Anseriformes (geese, etc.) > subfamily Merginae (duck) > [noun] > member of genus Aythya (miscellaneous) > aythya ferina (pochard) 1862 C. A. Johns 625 Wellplum, the Red-headed Pochard. 1885 C. Swainson 160 Well plum. society > occupation and work > equipment > lifting or hoisting equipment > [noun] > for raising water society > occupation and work > equipment > lifting or hoisting equipment > [noun] > for raising water > parts of 1727 J. Allin 15 A Well-Pole shivered, the Iron Hoop of the Bucket in part melted. 1826 H. W. Longfellow in S. Longfellow (1886) I. 86 There is so little..to remind one that he is out of town: no corn-fields..no slab~fences: no well-poles. 1837 J. L. Stephens vi. 101 I continually saw the Arabs..drawing water to irrigate the ground, in a basket fastened to a pole, like one of our oldfashioned well-poles. 1893 J. Salisbury Well-pole, a pole having at the end a hook, with which the bucket is lowered into the well for the purpose of bringing up water. 1960 3 74 The wide horizons shimmering in the heat of summer with unreal outlines, the crossed well-poles like slanting T's. 2003 F. G. Meijer 166/2 Behind the cod is a basket of mixed fish, an iron-bound wooden bucket and, propped against the side of the table, a well-pole. society > authority > office > holder of office > public officials > [noun] > other English officials ?1648 in H. Stocks (1923) IV. 372 The Mayor for the time beinge together with the Aldermen of everie warde shall nowe for present and yearely hereafter (about the month of Maye) choose Well Reeves, who with the assistance of the Aldermen and Constables of everie ye severall wards shall assesse and taxe all such Inhabitants within theire said severall wards, which have used or ought to paie towards the repaire of theire said severall Common Wells. 1853 17 Sept. The office of Well-Reeve was of sufficient importance to require its occupants to take an oath properly to perform their duties. 1995 J. Rattue (2001) 100 Leicester's public wells, including several Christian ones, were guarded from 1584 by two well-reeves in each ward. society > occupation and work > equipment > piercing or boring tools > [noun] > boring tool > for boring in the ground 1875 E. H. Knight III. 2759/1 Well-rig is the term applied to the whole plant for well-boring, consisting of the derrick, its engine, [etc.]. 1931 23 1139 There are three distinct types of well rigging..at the present time: The old time standard well rig, [etc.]. 2008 R. Compton 14 Hezekiah had to move his well rig to another location. society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > worker in oil industry > [noun] > well-digger 1882 J. Longmuir & D. Donaldson (rev. ed.) IV. 193/2 A sinker of shafts; as, ‘a well-shanker, a pit-shanker,’ West of S[cotland]. 1889 R. Renwick II. Gloss. 423/2 Womell, an instrument for boring, a well-shanker's boring iron. the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Crustacea > [noun] > subclass Malacostraca > division Thoracostraca > order Decapoda > suborder Macrura > miscellaneous or unspecified types of shrimp 1853 23 Apr. 260/2 A Well Shrimp, a small white crustaceous animal, about half an inch long. 1905 304 One of the well-shrimps is a very peculiar Isopod, for which a new genus, Phreatoicus, was established in 1883. 2008 (Nexis) 12 Mar. The Irish well shrimp—or Niphargus Kochianus Irlandicus to give him his posh name—is now getting his share of the limelight in a scientific study. society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > worker in oil industry > [noun] > well-digger 1604 in J. Harland (1856) I. 156 A well-sinker, vj days sinkinge the well..iijs. 1774 51 Treloer, William, well-sinker. 1884 24 Jan. 3/4 Wanted..three good Well-sinkers. 2001 33 146 His assigned convicts included..a glazier, a slater, a well-sinker/pump-borer. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > constructing well 1797 T. H. Page 11 All the works of the Ordnance at Sheerness, Harwich, and Landguard Fort, including the well sinking, were under the direction of Captain Page. 1858 Jan. 6 All sorts of earthwork, in embanking, boring, and well~sinking. 1915 20 Sept. 1 The authorities have requisitioned all workmen with a knowledge of well-sinking..and are sending them..to work on drilling artesian wells. 2009 V. C. Kwashirai v. 172 Settlers also awarded work contracts to Africans..for bricklaying, carpentry, stone masonry, and well sinking. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > fishing vessel > [noun] > vessels which store, freeze, or transport fish ?1758 9 The greatest Part of what is now sold at the London Markets..is brought alive in Well-Smacks to the aforesaid Place. 1765 4 238 The well~smacks employed in our cod-fisheries. 1888 Dec. 917 Very good examples were given in the models of the Exhibition of..the drift-net boat, the well smack, and the trawler. 2012 W. J. Bolster 356 This cutaway view of a well smack shows the wet well between the masts. 1886 131 67 Other and simpler forms of the well-spherometer suggest themselves. 1916 (National Acad. Sci. U.S.A.) 8 263 The other [paper], published in 1886..was upon a well-spherometer of his own invention. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > mouth of > frame or plate extending over 1863 (Appleby Bros.) 55 Pumps to be worked by Horse-power: consisting of..cast-iron well-stage near top of well, to carry the guides. 1871 W. D. Hoskoll i. 95 Cast iron well stage, 5 feet long, to be fixed at about every 12 feet in depth of the well, with roller guides for well rods and clips for rising main pipe. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > stairs > [noun] > other types of stairs or staircase 1729 W. Congreve Let. 18 June in C. Wilson (1730) ii. 29 The Top of an old round Tower belonging to the Vatican, (with a Well-Stair-Case, much like the Monument). 1841 C. Dickens ii. xlviii. 62 A little out-of-the-way door at the foot of the well staircase flew briskly open. 1868 4 Aug. If space is an object, two or three well-staircases..might be employed. 1993 H. Saalman vi. 314 The small scale of the spaces left over following the creation of the square well staircase in the south-western corner. 1669 J. Brown 23 Draw out a pair of well Stairs..at any particular height and breadth. 1892 (Archit. Publ. Soc.) Well-stairs. 1924 20 Aug. 19/3 (advt.) Beautiful old mellowed red brick 17th century house, with original carved oak well stairs and much panelling. 1853 W. W. Clapp xxi. 312 The staircase being spiral, or what is termed a ‘well’ stairway, he was precipitated the distance of forty or fifty feet. 1883 Feb. 347/1 The central column around which these well-stairways usually wind. 2011 (Nexis) 3 May Any internal alterations of the building will retain features identified as having architectural merit, including marble columns in the entrance hall, a fine well stairway, balustrades and arched windows. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > site for a well ?1492 tr. (de Worde) sig. qiiv/2 He begynneth to delue in that syde of the hyll tyll he fynde an able begynnyng of a welstede. 1546 in W. Page (1894) I. 152 For a wellsteede..for a wellstede and a fysshyng. 1876 F. K. Robinson Wellsteead, the site of a well. society > occupation and work > equipment > lifting or hoisting equipment > [noun] > for raising water 1818 May 225 A man in the neighborhood fell from a well-sweep, and broke his leg. 1836 C. A. Goodrich (ed. 2) i. i. 27 Here and there, by the side of the older houses, may be seen a well-sweep, a primitive contrivance to draw up water by a pole, which is attached to a beam, moving up and down on an axle. a1871 A. Cary in M. C. Ames (1873) 252 A grape-vine, shaggy and rough and red, Swings from the well-sweeps high, sharp head. 1885 E. S. Morse (1886) ii. 73 In this sketch a regular New England well-sweep is seen. 2006 Apr. 82/3 Consider practical elements as ornament: bee skeps, well sweeps, and birdhouses are evocative. the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > burial > grave or burial-place > types of tomb > [noun] > types of ancient or prehistoric 1843 May 80/1 La classe des tombeaux creusés en puits (well-tombs). 1889 11 Apr. 303/1 The graves belong to the type of ‘well-tombs’. 2003 (Soc. for Promotion Hellenic Stud.) No. 49. 28 The investigation by Th. Spyropoulous of a Myc cemetery containing chamber tombs, ‘well’ tombs and trench graves. the world > food and drink > hunting > equipment > trap or snare > [noun] > pit trap the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > sanitation > provision of sewers > [noun] > sewer > trap > types of 1819 22 Feb. 57/1 There is a plan to take them with nets, and another to sink well-traps. 1842 V. 670/2 It is from the drying up of water in these well-traps (vulgarly called stink-traps) that uninhabited houses are so frequently offensive. 1874 4 Sept. 2/2 I found the sink pipes in the kitchens going into the drains and only protected by well traps. 1893 J. Watson 133 The well-trap is a square, deep box, built into the ground opposite to a smoot-hole in the fence through which the rabbits run. As the rabbits run, the floor opens, and they drop into the well. 1896 4 Jan. (Suppl.) 4/5 Of the methods of obtaining them—field-netting, well traps, shooting—all are as nothing compared with silent ferreting. 1955 58 401 The screen keeps the captured creatures from going out through these drainage holes or well traps and also concentrates in these two and one half inch pipes the smaller organisms caught. society > occupation and work > industry > mining > [noun] > lining of pit-shaft 1898 F. Davis 41 Roman wine casks that have served the purpose of well tubbing. 1943 48 173 In view of the possible recurrence of this trouble with the bottom string of well tubbing, it was decided to replace the cast iron cutting edge of this string. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > shaft 1807 XXIII. Well-Tube, an hydraulic instrument for procuring water, in almost every situation. 1865 G. W. Gesner (ed. 2) ii. 34 An air-pump is used at some places to force a current of air through a tube carried to the bottom of the well tube, and in this way compel the oil and water to flow out without the use of pumping rods and valves. 1937 29 92 The space between the well tube proper and the outer casing is cemented after the gravel has been placed. 2012 Y. Bai & Q. Bai xiv. 426 The model can accurately predict steady-state and transient heat transfer of the well tube and pipeline. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > shaft 1753 J. Hanway I. xvi. 103 The method of keeping them clear of water, is by a large scoop which is suspended..over the well-way. 1899 (ed. 3) 60 (advt.) Builders of Passenger and Freight Elevators of any capacity... Friction Hoists, Etc., Fireproof Iron Plastered Wellways. 1900 19 772/2 A sea-going hydraulic dredge having the ladder for the suction-pipe and cutter in a well-way in the centre. 2002 C. M. Trout xxiv. 402/2 Wellways and runways are terms used to designate the structural openings in a building or structure where the escalator or moving walk is placed. society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > wheel > [noun] > other wheels 1535 f. 84 b ix new storoppes to staye the Rynge of the well wheell to the spokes. 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus f. 24 (margin) The scoldyng of brathels is no more to bee passed on, then the squekyng of welle wheles. 1895 Mar. 308 You take insult like a donkey on a well wheel. 2008 J. Petrie tr. G. Simenon iii. 50 He turned the well wheel and began watering the lettuces. the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [noun] > well > constructing well 1836 5 154 The same facilities apply with great advantage to all cases of mining operations and deep well-work. 1858 W. H. Skyring 76 The digging will only be applicable to Well-work, as that for Drains must of course depend upon their depth. 1869 J. L. Stewart 6 Its timber is valued for well-work, verandah-posts &c. society > faith > worship > kinds of worship > [noun] > of wells 1655 H. Hammond xv. 163 Another parallel mistake..should be rendred fontis adoratio, not Will-worship but Well-worship, for which I referre the Reader to the former place in the Annotations. 1810 C. O'Conor 84 Origin of Irish Well-worship. 1882 9 510 Well-worship continues to this day, and votive gifts..are still thrown into the clear spring waters. 2010 R. Foley ii. 35 Well worship declined with the development of a more formal church structure. society > faith > worship > kinds of worship > [noun] > of wells society > faith > worship > kinds of worship > [adjective] > of wells 1810 C. O'Conor 79 Well-worshipping was a Druidic superstition. 1812 C. O' Conor II. vi. 244 The Mass of our population, misled by artifice, were governed not by Christian and Canonical Rules, but by Druidical and well-worshipping excommunications. 1892 23 July 5/5 A race of well-worshipping semi-pagans. 1971 12 July 5/1 The accident occurred Thursday during a traditional well-worshipping ceremony following the birth of a son to a villager. 2008 J. A. McLeod v. 130/2 A number were renamed or became associated with Christian saints and miracles, but nevertheless the Church frowned on well worshipping. Derivatives the world > the earth > water > lake > pool > [adjective] > well 1743 W. Stukeley 1 6 They took up the millstone, and saw a well-like descent. 1854 H. D. Thoreau 195 We have one other pond just like this, White Pond..but..I do not know a third of this pure and well-like character. 1910 H. R. Haggard xvi. 241 [He] pointed to a jagged, well-like hole blown out..by the recoil of the blast. 2006 I. Petrosian & D. Underwood (ed. 2) 70 Form a well-like depression in the center of each serving and fill it with a spoonful of spiced butter. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online June 2022). welln.2 Origin: Apparently a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Etymon: weal n.1 Etymology: Apparently a variant of weal n.1, with short vowel arising by association with well adv. and well adj. Compare later well n.3In early examples the length of the vowel is not always clear, and instances of this word are difficult to distinguish from those of weal n.1 In quots. c1300 and a1325 at sense 1a, the form wel has been taken to show a short stem vowel (by influence from well adv.), since loss of the final vowel of southern and midland early Middle English wēle ( < Old English wela weal n.1) would otherwise be unusual at so early a date (although for the converse situation in northern texts compare discussion of forms at weal n.1). For further discussion of the semantic influence of well adv. on these words see weal n.1 With the forms wille, wyll compare δ. forms at well adv. and n.4 Compare the following example of Old English wel in verse, which could be taken either as showing a predicative use of well adj. (compare well adj. 1a(b)) or an otherwise unattested use as noun (in sense ‘well-being, happiness’):OE Crist III 1576 Ne bið þær ængum godum gnorn ætywed, ne nængum yflum wel, ac þær æghwæþer anfealde gewyrht ondweard wigeð. 1. Well-being, welfare, advantage, profit. the world > action or operation > advantage > [noun] c1300 (Laud) (1868) l. 2777 He ne sholden, for lef ne loth, Neuere more ageyn him go..for wel ne for wo. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 216 Ðat he sulde him ðer loken fro A fruit ðe kenned wel and wo. R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle 95 Godis lufe..failys not for wel ne wo. c1475 (c1420) J. Page (Egerton) (1876) 35 Thes were the syghtys of dyfferauns,..That one of welle and þat othyr of wo. 1530 (Fawkes) (1873) iii. 320 For the soulle when yt ys departed fro the body by dethe. receyueth anon welle or wo. 1549 R. Crowley sig. Aivv But do thou nothinge wickedly, Neither for well nor yet for wo. 1602 W. Watson 350 A resolute intent..in well, and in woe, to remaine constant. a1647 J. Sibbald (1658) 55 There abideth him a great change from his estate in this world whatsomever it be, to an eternall estate in the world to come, either in well or in woe. 1766 A. Nicol 280 Here we must win eternal well or woe, Ere death at last shall strike the fatal blow. 1822 (Amer. Evangelical Tract Soc.) Sept. 72 Without regard to the eternal well or woe of your immortal soul. 1875 July 4 Be it for well or be it for woe, Beans flower before May doth go. 1954 H. Howard vi. 71 For well or woe, the job was done. 2008 A. Dacey ii. 45 Most ethicists point out that personal matters have moral importance not just because they give people power over each other, for well or for woe. the world > action or operation > prosperity > [noun] a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) l. 4300 Do wel; wel [v.r. weyl] shalt þou haue. 1429–30 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Sept. 1429 §26. m. 11 Commissions..been sent..for the welle of this your seide roialme. ?1497 in J. Gairdner (1863) II. 74 For the welle of hys saule he can noo lesse doo then sue for absolucion. 1509 A. Barclay (Pynson) f. ccxxix For worldy ryches, the trouth nat playne to tell Puttynge bodely profyte before eternall well. a1525 ( (1907) I. 72 Ȝif hit so be þat thei touche the well of the kyng..or hies realme. 1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart II. xx. 17 b For ye well of the peace..we desyre them to sette to their seales. 1590 E. Spenser i. ii. sig. C That may restore you to your wonted well. 1632 W. Lithgow ix. 414 Hungary aboundeth..in all things the earth can produce for the well of man. a1645 Ld. Napier (1793) 43 My Lord Lowdon..might have thought me willfull against my owne well. c1650 P. Gordon (1844) i. 35 The parlement sits doune; his majestie, for the publick well, grantes all they can demand, nor leaues any priuat interest onsatisfied. society > authority > rule or government > a or the state > [noun] 1447 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Feb. 1447 §19. m. 2 The maisters wexen riche in money, and the lerners pouere in connyng,..aynst all vertue and ordre of well puplik. c1475 tr. A. Chartier (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1974) 225 (MED) Many high and wyse men..haue lost thaire lyues for to recouere the prosperitee of the well publique. 1553 Instr. Sir R. Morison in Coll. Rec. No. 57. 229 in Bp. G. Burnet (1681) II. As may be thought expedient for the well-publick of Christendom. 1579 T. Lodge 6 Though Plato could wish the expulsion of Poetes from his well publiques,..yet the wisest had not all that same opinion. 1640 Proc. Commissioners Parl. of Scotl. 100 in W. Kerr These demands were but motions and propositions..as might serve most for the well-publicke, without trenching upon his Majesties authority. the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > [noun] c1500 (1895) 135 (MED) She..desired moche to see hym for the well that it was said of hym. 1600 Sir E. Carew in J. S. Brewer & W. Bullen (1869) 435 (modernized text) Out of other parts of Ireland we hear nothing but well. 1669 R. Josselin 29 Aug. (1976) 548 God I hope mercifull to my children at London. hear nothing but well. 1715 J. Woodworth Let. 21 Aug. in (1887) 35 26 I am Glad to hear nothing but well from you. a1848 P. B. Bronte Angria & Angrians in (1999) III. 172 I'm not disengaged from him and I have heard nothing but well from him. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021). welladj.n.3  Brit.  /wɛl/, U.S. /wɛl/, Bermudian English /ˈβæl/, /ˈβɛ(j)əl/Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: well adv. Etymology: < well adv.Originally reflecting uses of well adv. in predicative constructions in which, by a gradual shift, the word was reanalysed and began to be used as adjective (particularly in use with reference to physical health: compare senses A. 1a and A. 5a), although predicative uses continue to predominate. In Old English the word chiefly occurs in impersonal constructions, frequently with dative of the person affected (compare sense A. 1a), although personal constructions are occasionally found. Even in personal constructions such as quot. OE at sense A. 1b the word was probably still felt to be an adverb (compare the parallel construction with Old English yfle (adverb) badly, in the same quot.). For possible earlier use as noun (compare sense B.) see discussion of Old English evidence at well n.2 The Bermudian English forms val, vell at α. forms, reflect the merger of v and w, which is a characteristic feature of this variety, and which is often exaggerated in parodies of Bermudian English. A. adj. 1. In predicative use. Expressing a state of good fortune, welfare, or happiness affecting a person. a. Preceding an impersonal copular verb ( is, was, were (subjunctive), etc., or worth: see worth v.1 Phrases 2b) and (after, or occasionally in early use before, the verb) a noun or pronoun indicating the affected party. In Middle English and modern English, normally in initial position in a clause.In Old English also with specific reference to physical health (cf. quot. eOE at sense A. 1a(a)); cf. sense A. 5a(a).the world > action or operation > prosperity > [adjective] > predicatively eOE tr. Bede (Tanner) iii. vii. 178 Þa seolfan moldan..monige men..in wæter dydon & sealdon heora untrumum monnum & neatum drincan; & him sona wel wæs. OE (2008) 186 Wel bið þæm þe mot æfter deaðdæge Drihten secean. OE (Claud.) xi. 18 Wel us wæs on Egypta lande. OE (Tiber.) (1994) 116 Ic þe to cweþe þæt ic þe onfo me to wife and þe byþ swa wel swa me is. ?c1250 (?c1175) Poema Morale (Egerton) 388 in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 183 Of him to sene nis no sed, wel hem is þe hine bi-healeð. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 6528 Wel wurðe þe Vortiger þat þu ært icumen her. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) 5751 A voys sede, as him þoȝte, þes wordes þoru þe soun, Wel is þe, wel is þe, as he vel adoun. a1350 in G. L. Brook (1968) 52 Suete Iesu, wel may him be Þat þe may in blisse se. a1425 J. Wyclif (1869) I. 256 And so at þe daie of dome, God shal not seie, Wel be þee. a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 769 Well ys me that I have mette wyth you. c1500 (?a1437) (1939) liii (MED) A! wele were him that now were in thy plyte. 1523 J. Skelton 718 O wele were hym that herof myght be sure. 1535 Psalms cxxviii. 2 O well is the, happie art thou. 1599 T. Storer sig. B3v But well is me where e're my ashes lie, If one teare drop from some religious eie. 1650 J. Carstaires (1846) 63 If so, weils me for evermore. 1690 W. Walker 512 Well is me if this be true. 1770 G. S. Carey II. 190 Ah well is me, Ah well-aday! 1825 J. T. Brockett Weel's-mon-thee! God bless you. 1877 M. P. Maudslay tr. E. Polko 28 Well is me! well is me! Now I am in safety. Or has he even followed me? 1900 W. Alexander 200 O pilgrim, well is thee Till the day break, and till the shadows cease, Resting the faint heart and the failing knee, In that sweet chamber, Peace. 1953 R. Pitter 60 O well is me, and happy shall I be! OE 1 Wel bið þam eorle þe him on innan hafað..rume heortan. OE (Nero) ii. lxxxiv. §2a. 368 Gesælig byð se hyrde..and wel þære heorde, ðe gefolgað þam hyrde. c1300 (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1901) l. 99 Wel beo þe time þat þu were ibore, For al þis wordle were forlore. a1500 (?c1450) xiv. 225 Well were that maiden that so feire a knyght wolde requere hir of love. 1509 A. Barclay (Pynson) f. cxxxv Well is that londe and ioyous may it be Whiche is defendyd by suche a noble estate. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 9v Well were þat woman might weld hym for euer. 1593 G. Harvey 141 Yet well-worth the Master-Ape. 1597 Bp. J. Hall iii. ii. 55 Well were thy name and thee, Wert thou inditched in great secrecie. 1602 R. Carew i. f. 37 In times past..Holdings were so plentifull and Holders so scarce, as well was the Land-lord who could get one to bee his Tenant. 1606 W. Arthur & H. Charteris (1 Thess.) vii. 84 Well is that man in whose mouth this word is put: and well is that people that hes a man in whose mouth the Lord hes put his word. the world > action or operation > prosperity > [adjective] > favoured or attended by good fortune > auspicious 1633 G. Herbert 138 And well it was for thee, when this befell, That God did make Thy businesse his. 1678 T. Sprat 16 Charity..is made the constant Companion..of all Virtues..and well it is for that Virtue, where it most enters, and longest stayes. 1748 T. Smollett I. xxiv. 228 And well it was for him, that such expedition was used. 1751 in J. Tull (ed. 3) xvii. 269 (note) Well it is for the Hoer, whose Land is of such a kind, that he can keep it in Heart without Dung by Hoeing. 1806 Lady Morgan I. ii. 74 I can fast with any one, and well it is for me I can. 1860 May 475 ‘Well was it for thee, King Rolf,’ cried the wizard, ‘well was it for thee that thou didst not.’ 1925 G. K. Chesterton i. iv. 106 Well it is for the world that he was a God of Battles. 1935 R. A. Knox iii. 122 Well it was for Major Gresham that his choice had fallen upon one who could be a helpmeet to him. 1995 C. B. Pasternack tr. Wanderer in ii. 33 Well it is for the one who seeks comfort from the father in heaven. OE Wærferð tr. Gregory (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) iv. lvii. 345 Oð ðis ic wæs swiðe yfle, ac nu ic eom swiðe wel [L. nunc usque male fui, sed iam modo bene sum]. lOE tr. Alcuin De Virtutibus et Vitiis (Vesp.) in R. D.-N. Warner (1917) 104 Þa mænn, þe heom God ondrædeð, byð on þan ytemesten dæige swyðe wel, & heora mede wuneð on ecnysse. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) 5765 He wende to heuene & was wel ynou. c1390 (?c1350) (1871) l. 659 We weore so wel of vr-self we nuste what we duden. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) 1452 Now er men wele, now er men wa. ?a1475 (1922) 233 Ffare wel sere and wel ȝe be. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil vii. iii. 38 All haill our native goddis, weill ȝe be! a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil (1557) ii. sig. Biv And well were they whoes hands might touch the cordes. 1570 J. Foxe (rev. ed.) II. 1118/1 They fell to singyng... Well was hee that could reache the hyest note. 1597 Bp. J. King Serm. Queenes Day, 1595 in 703 O well were wee in the daies of Queene Elizabeth. 1597 T. Beard 183 Wel was he that could hide himself in a corner. 1688 S. Penton 24 He was never well but when he was managing or talking of the Dogs. 1766 H. Brooke II. viii. 49 I hope I have not offended him past Forgiveness. Indeed, I am not well, says he. Heav'ns, what an Overcasting! of such a Sunshine, too! 1818 P. B. Shelley 11 Mary dear, come to me soon, I am not well whilst thou art far. 1884 A. De Vere V. 155 No demon scares him: well is he! 2. In predicative use with it (formerly also † that) as subject. Also occasionally with subject unexpressed. a. Unmodified. the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > be expedient or advisable [verb (intransitive)] OE tr. (Cambr.) xvii. §1. 195 To soðon wel hyt ys to wundrianne [L. vere et bene admiramini] þæt ge be þam hælende gehyred habbað. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 10379 Sannt iohan cnew himm full wel, & tatt iss wel to trowwenn. a1400 tr. Lanfranc (Ashm.) (1894) 141 (MED) It is necessarie þat a surgian haue more diligence in þe woundis of þe face..& it is wel to do make a sotil cicatrice. c1475 (?c1451) (Royal) (1860) 82 (MED) It is welle to undrestonde that ye have no protectoure, kepar, ne defendour but it come of God. 1529 J. Frith f. xix It is well that they shall bringe apon them selves swifte perdition. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. vii. 1 Then 'twer well, It were done quickly. View more context for this quotation 1684 J. Bunyan 61 I think it is well that they hang so near the High-way that others may see and take warning. View more context for this quotation 1727 S. Switzer vi. l. 265 It is well to set some hand-glasses, or frames of glasses before them [sc. the lettuce heads] to ripen the seed the better. 1785 W. Marshall 13 It is well to rake the beds slightly, and sift over them a little fresh mould. 1820 J. Keats Eve of St. Agnes in 102 If thou think'st well To trust, fair Madeline, to no rude infidel. 1847 C. Dickens (1848) xlvi. 450 I never thought to look at him again,..but it's well I should, perhaps. 1864 A. Thomas III. 97 Suggestions as to the seat it would be well for him to take. 1910 II. 28/1 When a trout rises it is well to count ‘ten’ before striking. 1953 Dec. 354/2 After the extravagant claims that have sometimes been made on behalf of science..it is well that we should walk humbly. 1991 65 1013/2 It is well to remember that many diseases are not recorded in early literature and yet are manifest in skeletal remains. the world > action or operation > prosperity > [adjective] > favoured or attended by good fortune the world > action or operation > prosperity > in prosperous condition [phrase] > fortunately 1577 W. Fulke Answer True Christian 68 in It is well you haue nothing better to proue your Church, then the honorable name of Catholike. 1583 P. Stubbes sig. Ev There is a certen Citye..where as the poore lye in ye streats, vppon pallets of straw, and well if they haue that to, or els in the mire and dirt, as commonlie it is seene. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iv. 246 Clown. 'Tis well they are whispring: clamor your tongues, and not a word more. View more context for this quotation 1665 Duke of Ormonde in (1887) App. v. 13 It is well wee have time to looke about us before the next assault. 1701 D. Defoe i. 23 'Tis well that Virtue gives Nobility. a1732 F. Atterbury (1734) I. 161 It is well they afford us both these. 1779 J. Warner in J. H. Jesse (1844) IV. 271 Such a dinner as we had to-day! it was well it was a christening! 1842 C. Dickens II. vi. 162 It was well for us, that we were in this humour, for the road [etc.]. 1859 Ld. Tennyson Guinevere in 247 Well is it that no child is born of thee. 1865 J. S. Le Fanu III. 149 It is well when these sudden collapses of the overwrought nerves occur. 1902 R. C. Maclagan 12 Witchcraft is all gone now, and it is well it is, for it was a bad thing. 1994 J. Harkins v. 140 It is well that Walker's errors have done little harm. b. In as well. the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > expedient or advisable [phrase] the world > action or operation > prosperity > in prosperous condition [phrase] > fortunately 1649 J. Harrison 10 It might be as well for some among them, if they were a Common-wealth too. 1725 Lady Hervey in Countess of Suffolk (1824) I. 192 My stomach is so much sharper set than my wit, that I fancy it will be as well for us both to conclude. 1753 S. Richardson II. xxvii. 209 Perhaps in this case..it were as well they did not. 1801 E. Wright II. 288 I think it would be as well if John was to go off..this afternoon. 1860 A. Robins (ed. 3) xv. 323 Whilst he will race horses, it is as well that he should..separate himself from holy things. 1955 ‘Miss Read’ vii. 59 It might be as well if she stayed with her for a week or two, though I doubt if she will go there. 1999 A. Mallinson (2000) ix. 201 It will be as well that you start out there tomorrow morning thinking thus! 1817 22 Nov. 122/1 It was as well that we attempted none. 1835 J. Hogg I. 143 My heart was so full that I could not express myself, and it was probably as well that I did not make too great a palaver. 1911 F. Coombe iii. i. 239 Perchance it is as well that the Solomon Islanders had about 300 years in which to forget the first Christian emissaries before the next visited them! 1995 E. Toman i. 33 It was as well he got on with the major-domo for Snotters was a petulant wee man. 2009 ‘R. Keeland’ tr. S. Larsson xv. 307 It was as well that Trinity belonged to the inquisitive rather than the malicious type of computer marauder. c. In just as well. 1810 July 616 From what we can gather..it were just as well that the 160 vessels returned home. 1822 Nov. 381 It might be just as well if they were now to avail themselves of the very favourable occasion which offers itself for practising what they used so freely to preach. 1867 Minutes of Evid. Select Comm. Metropolis Subways Bill 121 in (H.C. 495) XI. 203 If any other clauses are to be introduced, it is just as well that we should know what they are. 1893 T. R. R. Stebbing xii. 188 Under all the circumstances it seems as if it would be just as well to call a spine a spine instead of a stylocerite. 1903 W. D. Howells iv. 24 I think it is just as well to begin that way till we know the ropes a little better. 1986 F. Underwood & G. Warr in A. Limon et al. (ed. 2) ii. ii. 155 If you intend to make many mortises it is just as well to obtain the ones [sc. chisels] you will need. 2007 J. Scalzi i. 25 The rationale was that the people who were in them would otherwise be causing trouble at home, so it was just as well to let them go. 1816 J. Marcet i. 11 As we are never likely to become legislators, is it not just as well that we should remain in happy ignorance of evils which we have no power to remedy? 1830 J. Welsh I. vii. 261 A glimpse of him was sufficient to satisfy me that it was just as well we did not fall in with this sovereign of the eastern woods, in his rude state. 1889 M. E. Kennard vii Perhaps it was just as well..that Ebenezer remained in his cabin. 1914 ‘I. Hay’ xiii. § 3 They conformed to the rules,..observing the spirit rather than the letter of the law. Which was just as well. 1928 D. L. Sayers ix. 110 Perhaps it's just as well he popped off when he did. He might have cut me off with a shilling. 1977 17 Apr. 24/7 It was just as well that most of Brighton's promotion rivals faltered yesterday. 2005 17 May (Motoring section) 9/3 Just as well that the car is so blisteringly quick. 3. In predicative use. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being satisfactory > [adjective] OE (Claud.) xxxvii. 14 Far to him & loca hwæðer hyt wel sy mid him & mid heora heordum [L. si cuncta prospera sint erga fratres tuos et pecora]. OE (1956) 15 Wide ne biþ wel cwæþ se þe gehyrde on helle hriman. lOE (Corpus Cambr. 303) (1980) 125 He..genam þa mid him swa feola gebroðra swa swa him þuhte þæt hit wel beon mihte. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 7264 Tatt wass baþe rihht. & wel. Þatt crist wass borenn þære. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) i. l. 1605 (MED) If thou myht so finde reste, Wel is, for thanne is ther nomore. 1488 W. Cely Let. 15 Feb. in (1975) 244 They of Brugys sayth all schall be well schorttly, but hytt ys onlyckly. 1523 J. Skelton 763 He can neuer leue warke whylis it is wele. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. ix If it [sc. corn] be to thyn sowe ticker the next yere, and yf it be well hold his hande there other yeres. 1580 H. Smith in R. Hakluyt (1589) ii. 471 We did tarrie for her to know whether all was well with her. 1581 A. Hall tr. Homer v. 76 The warre they deeme not well for them. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1622) iii. i. 41 Good morrow good Leiutenant, I am sorry For your displeasure, but all will soone be well . View more context for this quotation 1622 T. May i. sig. B That's well, that's very well. 1740 S. Richardson I. xxxi. 203 However, said she, all is well now; because my Watchments are now over, by my Master's Direction. 1746 P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace ii. vi. 10 I have enough in my possessing, 'Tis well. a1817 J. Austen (1818) I. x. 154 Though it is vastly well to be here for a few weeks, we would not live here for millions. View more context for this quotation 1819 W. Irving i. 43 She saw,..with the quick eyes of affection, that all was not well with him. 1859 E. FitzGerald tr. lxiv. 14 He's a Good Fellow, and 'twill all be well. 1941 H. G. Wells i. i. 17 ‘All's well with the Missus, Tewler?’ he asked. 1999 C. Thubron (2000) iii. 64 I thought I knew these interviews. From the far side of his desk a sterile apparatchik would tell me that all was well. a1525 Bk. Sevyne Sagis l. 430 in W. A. Craigie (1925) II. 14 And a grewhound ye lord best lufit That oft at hunting wele had prufit. 1550 J. Heywood xcii. sig. Cvi It [sc. a cheese] is saith an other, well as can bee. 1595 in (1913) 64 389 Because the walles ryse and be not well nor all of one collore, the most be wheyted at the plasterers charge. 1599 J. Minsheu Pleasant Dialogues Spanish & Eng. 3 in R. Percyvall & J. Minsheu This water is now well [Sp. Ya esta buena est agua], you may now wel wash Sir. 1609 W. Shakespeare ciii. sig. G2v Were it not sinfull then striuing to mend, To marre the subiect that before was well . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. i. 155 Kate. The meate was well... Pet. I tell thee Kate, 'twas burnt and dried away. View more context for this quotation 1764 S. Foote i. ii. 10 Do you know now, that..I honour the Park? forty thousand million of times preferable to the play house! Don't you think so, my dear! Miss Godfrey. They are both well in their way. 1918 July 334/1 The submarine chasers and the destroyers building in the larger shipyards and by Henry Ford are all well in their way. the world > food and drink > food > qualities of food > [adjective] > delicious or tasty 1598 W. Phillip tr. J. H. van Linschoten i. xlviii. 88/2 Most of their fish is eaten with rice, that they seeth in broth which they put upon the rice, and is somewhat sowre..but it tasteth well. 1704 Nat. Hist. iii, in L. Wafer (ed. 2) 206 The River Whisker..has six long black Whiskers, but no Scales: it tastes well, and is frequently eaten. 1855 H. Howe 207 A rasher that might taste well. 1984 P. A. Smith & F. M. Barritt Val, very satisfactory. ‘This wahoo tastes val.’ 2019 @MeTooBermuda 25 June in twitter.com (accessed 5 Aug. 2020) I had this well #vegan roti from Juice and Beans on Court Street and I'd fight a meat lover who tells me they can't love a little vegan. It was vell! the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > [adjective] > prepared or ready > completely ready 1805 A. Scott 40 With hunger smit, may hap they seem to feel, Or cry, perhaps, oh! is the hodgil weel! 1825 J. Jamieson Suppl. at Weill Is the denner weel? a1917 E. C. Smith (1927) 24 Daursay that egg ull be weel now; it's been toattlin lang eneuch. 4. In predicative use. c1225 (?c1200) (Bodl.) l. 30 (MED) Þes ȝunge mon eleusius..þus wes wel wið þe king. c1300 (Laud) (1868) 2878 She is fayr, and she is fre,..Þertekene she is wel with me. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 9521 He had an anlepe son, þat wit his fader was sa wele þat [he] wist his wisdom ilk dele. a1475 in A. Clark (1905) i. 26 She was fayre and comly, and well was with the kyng almyhty. a1500 (?a1400) (1887) l. 1948 That man was well with god all-myȝt. 1599 R. Parsons iv. 44 It shalbe best for you to prouyde for the woorst, and especialie that you stand well with God in matters of conscience and religion. a1631 J. Donne (1640) l. 499 Not till he had first established an assurance, that David stood well with him. 1659 J. Howell Prov. Spanish Toung 16/1 in (1660) He is rich who is well with God. 1685 J. Bampfield 59 I was very deep in his Maties displeasure (which he knew as well as they) yet I was well with others, whoe were no less his enimies. 1710 D. Manley I. i. 74 There was nothing I outwardly omitted to be well with her Majesty. 1739 tr. C. Rollin (ed. 2) VIII. 30 Antigonus..had..intreated Philip to keep well with Aratus. 1741 Ld. Chesterfield 8 Aug. (1932) (modernized text) II. 465 The last [report] I had from Mr. Maittaire was so good a one, that you and I are at present extremely well together. 1770 in Earl Malmesbury (1844) I. 66 For although they are by no means well together, yet they would both find their advantages in a war. 1811 A. de Beauclerc II. 66 She chose to keep well with the Dudleys in all appearance. 1820 T. Brown IV. c. 608 ‘The true secret of happiness’, says Fontenelle, ‘is to be well with our own mind.’ 1881 E. Lynn Linton I. i. 13 He desired to keep well with Stella's father. 1945 R. L. Beals 134 You are well with the Virgin and Christ... Yonder they are going to receive you in heaven when you die. 1988 F. Jennings (1990) xvii. 383 William Logan's equivocal conduct as he tried to keep well with Thomas Penn and virtuous with his co-religionists would justify a doctoral dissertation. the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > favour > in favour [phrase] the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [adjective] > intimate or familiar > on intimate terms with a woman 1670 tr. A. de Brunel 217 He caused a certain Frier suspected to be well with her, and that was believed the consolation of her Widowhood, to be watched. 1705 C. Cibber v. iii. 52 But it's so Natural for a Prude to be Malicious, when a Man endeavours to be well with any Body but her self. 1784 R. Bage I. 91 You must know Sir, I have the honour to be well with Mrs. Gadbury, Lady Conollan's woman. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage I. iii. v. 376 All our set were well with some fine woman or other. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage I. iii. vii. 405 Do not suppose that you are well with a duchess. 1844 W. M. Thackeray Barry Lyndon xvi. in Aug. 239 Every one thought I was well with the widowed countess, though no one could show that I said so. 1910 Ld. Rosebery iii. 47 Dutens, she said, had boasted in company that he was well with her, and that if her fortune and family answered expectation he might marry her. the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > favour > [adjective] 1694 M. Prior in H. Ellis (1843) 213 Neither the Dauphin or Monsr Luxemberg are very well in Court. 1752 Ld. Chesterfield 22 Sept. (1932) (modernized text) V. 1942 In short, make yourself well there, without making yourself ill somewhere else. 1776 in J. Sparks (1853) I. 203 I have the pleasure to inform you that I am extremely well in the opinion of the senatorial part. 1839 T. Faulkner iv. 282 His reigning passion was to be well at Court, and to this object he sacrificed every circumstance of his life. 1887 G. M. Fenn lxix. 355 I used to wish I were well in society. I don't wish it now. a1894 R. L. Stevenson (1896) v. 91 Dandie saluted his aunt with a certain familiarity as of one who was well in court. the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > self-satisfaction > [adjective] c1390 (?c1350) (1871) l. 659 (MED) And a wynt and a sauor whappede vs vmbe, we weore so wel of vr-self we nuste what we duden.] 1773 Jan. 2/2 I cannot think that a man can be happy without being well with himself. 1786 A. M. Bennett I. 11 He could not avoid being extremely well with himself. 1843 R. S. Surtees I. vii. 130 He went on 'Change with..a strut that plainly told how well he was to do with himself. 1865 A. Thomas I. iv. 61 His horses..rattled over the stones..at a rate he would not have driven them had he been well with himself just then. 1901 J. Conrad & F. M. Hueffer xvi. 260 But that touch on my shoulder was enough to set me well with myself again... It at least showed me that he bore me no ill-will. 2012 S. Landra in F. Ossimo & M. J. Stein xiv. 351 At times I realise that I really am unbearable—the fact is that I don't feel well with myself. 5. a. Sound in health; free or recovered from sickness or infirmity. the world > health and disease > [adjective] > of health: good > healthy the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased a1300 (c1275) (1991) l. 203 He [sc. a deer] drinkeð water gredilike Til he is ful wel sikerlike. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 2411 Pharaon bad him wurðen wel. 1555 Cardinal R. Pole in (1913) July 529 Thoȝ my passage over the see was not so quyet..yet after I was londed I found myself very wel. 1587 L. Mascall 285 When a Hogge is not well, giue him Polypody or Oake ferne rootes boyled in beere or ale. 1591 R. Greene sig. E Alas honest man helpe me, I am not well, and with that [he] suncke downe suddenly in a sowne. 1600 W. Shakespeare iii. ii. 233 Not sicke my Lord, vnlesse it be in mind, nor well, vnlesse in mind. View more context for this quotation 1608 T. Middleton v. sig. H2v Troth I am not well of a suddaine? a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. i. 73 M. Page. I am glad to see your Worships well . View more context for this quotation 1637 J. Milton 34 Where young Adonis oft reposes, Waxing well of his deepe wound. 1650 O. Cromwell Let. 30 July in (1939) (modernized text) II. 301 The Maj.-Gen. will, I believe, within few days be well to take the field. 1668 J. Dryden i. iii. 11 Dear Asteria lead me, I am not well o'th sudden. (She faints.) 1711 J. Swift 5 Dec. (1948) II. 430 He..drinks no claret yet, for fear of his rheumatism, of which he is almost well. 1722 D. Defoe 67 The young Lady complain'd she was not well; in a quarter of an Hour more, she vomited. 1782 W. Cowper 220 This shall be yours when you bring back My husband safe and well. 1843 N. Macleod (ed. 2) I. 2 If a man has a sair leg or a sick body ye needna keep..roarin' in his lug a' day that he's no weel. 1853 C. Dickens xxiii. 234 I hope you are well. I am happy to see you. 1864 A. Trollope I. xx. 199 ‘The fact is this; I'm very well, you know;—as strong as a horse.’ ‘You look pretty well.’ 1903 in (1904) 16 49 She is well of her symptoms. 1916 M. Gyte 6 Sept. (1999) 100 Our Tony is not well and is in bed with a bilious attack. 1939 A. Thirkell vi. 142 Miss Morris said she was quite well, thanked Mrs Brandon again for the slip, and rang off. 2001 P. Caldwell (2003) vii. 169 Though restless leg syndrome may be caused by nerve damage from a variety of diseases.., most affected people are otherwise perfectly well. a1450 Serm. (Cambr. Dd.11.89) in (1916) 15 412 (MED) To do penaunce men asketh anon, ȝif þou art a quelle man. 1654 R. Whitlock 95 Our division of the living is not so much into Physitian, and Patient, as into well Physitian, and sick Physitian. a1665 K. Digby (1868) 14 I tooke a view of my well men. 1666 S. Pepys 12 Feb. (1972) VII. 41 In spite to well people, would breathe in the faces (out of their windows) of well people going by. 1672 R. Wiseman ii. vii. 50 He..could take no rest until his wounded finger was digested, yet his pain was not so great in his Wound, as in his well fingers. 1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Cock & Fox in 238 But neither Pills nor Laxatives I like, They only serve to make a well-man sick. 1737 B. Franklin 9 Poor Dick, eats like a well man, and drinks like a sick. 1759 62 One of the ships..with no more than 65 guns..and but 472 well men at quarters. 1841 G. Catlin II. xlv. 80 Of those who are alive, there are not well ones enough to take care of the sick. 1873 W. D. Howells iv. 87 Calling Kitty's attention to his ingenuity by a pressure with her well foot. 1879 W. D. Howells (1883) II. 10 They welcomed him back to animation with the patronage with which well people hail a convalescent. 1887 Testimony Investig. Chief Justice Robert F. Morrison 29 in 8 He is ill a good deal; he is not a well man. 1891 Aug. 288/2 He has always been a very well baby. 1900 ‘M. Twain’ 128 Two days later he ‘began to eat like a well man’. 1901 C. G. Kerley 6 In order to appreciate disease or failure in proper growth and development, it is necessary to know what constitutes a well baby. 1914 S. Waterloo i. 8 Supporting myself by my well arm and hand. 1944 14 Oct. 29/4 The warnings that the Pope is not a well man. 1985 14 Apr. (Colour Suppl.) 23/3 She looked every inch the part of the world's most glamorous well-woman. 2002 (Nexis) 29 May (Features section) 23 As a podologist, his current interest is in the ‘well foot’. 1854 T. B. Thorpe xxvi. 306 I wouldn't say..that the wellest-looking of them wasn't sick. 1859 E. Cabot 25 Jan. (1905) I. 219 Think of me as the wellest, happiest, and best-cared for woman in America. 1884 M. V. F. Victor ix. 65 I am much weller, we start for the country tomoro! 1899 E. Elgar Let. 29 Dec. in J. N. Moore (1987) I. 15 I was and am so glad to hear of you again—please go on getting weller. 1938 D. Jones Let. 14 Feb. in R. Hague (1980) 84 I may do some more—I'm sure I shall if I get weller. 1962 J. Potts ii. 25 Oh my, thought Marcia, I am not the wellest woman in town. 1993 Mar. 163/2 He's not the wellest duck in the world. 2006 J. Fenton (ed. 3) 230 A niver wuz weeler. the world > health and disease > [adjective] > relating to good health the world > health and disease > healing > recovery > [adjective] > recovered the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > state of feeling or mood > [adjective] > good a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. i. 13 Luc. And how does that Honourable, Compleate, Free-hearted Gentleman of Athens, thy very bountifull good Lord and Mayster? Flam. His health is well sir. Luc. I am right glad that his health is well sir. View more context for this quotation 1641 T. Hayne tr. M. Adam 138 He had his health competently well, but that sometimes he was troubled with headach, especially in his elder yeeres. 1762 O. Goldsmith I. 19 His health, thank heaven, is still pretty well. 1801 E. Helme III. x. 186 Your health is, I fear, not well. 1836 R. Southey III. 137 Yet he described his spirits as tolerably well in the day. 1847 R. S. Surtees iv. 74 Indeed he had fully determined, if his cold was well enough, to ride over to Snailswell. 1872 Aug. 457/1 My health is well enough; but I am a broken-hearted man. 1917 27 509 Drove out in country for week end on cold November day, took severe cold; left side of head continued to discharge after the ‘cold’ was well. 2010 S. Bagwell ix. 167 Maura was glad Abe's health was well enough for him to do without her. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [adjective] > free from harm or damage society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessel with reference to qualities or attributes > [adjective] > seaworthy or stable > undamaged a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 3378 (MED) He let bi-aften de more del To kepen here ðing al wel. ?c1450 (1891) l. 475 God shewed meruaile in apert. Þe bell was wele al swythe. 1580 H. Smith in R. Hakluyt (1589) ii. 470 Wee were afraid that she [sc. the ship] had taken some hurt, but she was well. 1667 Earl of Orrery (1742) 288 He..came..to inform me..that the Rupert was driven from them by force of weather, but doubts not, that she is well. 1748 7 June The Crew..drove six of them over-board, and carried the other three to St. Thomas's, where the Ship was well the 10th of April. 1802 S. Marshall I. x. 349 On the 22d of February, the owner received information that she was well, and had sailed from Africa on the 2d of October. 1848 J. Arnould I. 586 In order to protect himself from liability to any loss before a given day, the underwriter frequently causes a warranty to be inserted in the policy that the ship was ‘all safe’, or ‘well’, on the day. 7. a. In conformity with approved standards of action or conduct; right, proper. Now archaic. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adjective] a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) l. 3370 (MED) Hys frendys departed hys katel Among þe pore men, and þat was wel. a1438 i. 165 (MED) Þow þis maner of werkyng may seme boþe good & ylle..I dowt it not it is ryth wel. 1534 in I. S. Leadam (1911) II. 315 John..toke the seid iiij horsez..and theym impounded, as well and lawfull it was..for hym to doo. 1540 J. Palsgrave tr. G. Gnapheus ii. v. sig. Nij That is well, or well done, let hym be brought in. 1640 R. Baillie 30 Mar. (1841) I. 245 If when the whole Presbytrie and paroche..are for his restitution and yow onlie hold him out, it will not be weell. 1713 J. Addison iii. ii O Portius, was this well!—to frown on her, That lives upon thy Smiles! 1824 L. M. Child iii. 35 ‘It is not well to give away to lightness of speech in speaking of the dignities of the church,’ observed her lover, ‘though I know well you mean no harm.’ 1853 26 Nov. 65/1 It is well to deal justly and mercifully with criminals. 1874 T. Hardy I. viii. 94 For ye see, shepherd, though 'tis very well for a woman, dang it all, 'tis awkward for a man like him. 1575 G. Fenton f. 75 The well gouernement of a common weale. 1583 in D. Neal (1754) I. 267 The archbishop has power to make laws for the well government of the church. 1635 Earl of Strafford 27 Nov. (1739) I. 482 That he see to the upholding of my Houses and well Usage of my Grounds. 1677 Earl of Essex in C. E. Pike (1913) II. 148 The well payment of their Rents depending much upon the well paying of the Army. 1743 ii. 68 Virtue, Modesty, and the Well-performance of that Duty to so deserving a Husband. 1861 XII. lxviii. 105 They shall, for the well government of the affairs committed to their charge, elect such officers therein..as they, the said Board of Directors, shall deem expedient. 1982 12 112 It is, therefore, plain that the well performance of these functions is part of, because it is necessary for, human, as for animal, good. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being satisfactory > [adjective] > unexceptionable 1661 A. Marvell Let. 15 June in (1971) II. 30 The things [clauses in the Act] seem to me generally well & desirable. 1671 J. Milton 1723 Nothing is here for tears,..no weakness, no contempt, Dispraise, or blame, nothing but well and fair. View more context for this quotation 1695 A. Charlett in A. Wood (1894) III. 499 His behaviour was very well during his Illnesse; was very patient and Quiet. 1766 O. Goldsmith I. xi. 99 Our honest neighbour's goose and dumplings were fine..his manner of telling stories was not quite so well. 1773 O. Goldsmith ii. 38 Yet the fellow, but for his unaccountable bashfulness, is pretty well too. He has good sense. 1780 S. Johnson in J. Boswell (1887) IV. 24 Yes, they are very well, Sir; but you may observe in what manner they are well. They are the forcible verses of a man of a strong mind, but not accustomed to write verse. a1817 J. Austen (1818) I. v. 63 It is really very well for a novel. View more context for this quotation a1817 J. Austen (1818) III. iii. 37 In the way of business, gentleman of the navy are well to deal with. View more context for this quotation 1859 W. B. Bernard ii. 16 'Pon my word, that's very well—very pleasant indeed! 1925 J. Drinkwater iii. 40 For an uncultivated talent it is pretty well, we may allow. But we must not turn his head. 1988 C. Harrod-Eagles i. iv. 70 Lucy tried it, and smiled. ‘Oh yes, I like that. That's very well.’ 8. In predicative use. the mind > possession > wealth > [adjective] the mind > possession > wealth > [adjective] > well-off c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 68 Thanked be Fortune and hir false wheel That noon estaat assureth to been weel. c1500 ( G. Ashby Prisoner's Refl. l. 78 in (1899) 3 Whiche greuyd me sore..To be in pouert and of goodes bad, That before was well in goodes and rest. 1579 T. North tr. Plutarch 898 It is true that his father died, leauing him seuen yeare olde, and left him reasonable wel. 1606 T. Dekker v. sig. E4 Richmens sonnes that were left well, and had more money giuen by will, then they had wit how to bestow it. 1682 in (1921) 12th Ser. 9 436/2 He has left euery body that is related to him good Legaseys and his wife extreame well. 1686 tr. J. Chardin Coronation Solyman 130 in A Family that is not very well in the World. 1746 (1748) I. 189 Vanesius was well in Cash. 1780 No. 97 He imperceptibly became, ‘in easy circumstances, well in the world, of great credit, [etc.]’. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage I. ii. vii. 251 He must be very well in the world. 1835 D. Mackillar 97 Two boys..the one high-born as to rank, and..the other well in the world as to riches. 1875 J. Grant ii. 21 Cora shall be well and handsomely left. 1898 ‘M. Twain’ Let. 17–20 Mar. in (1969) 328 I couldn't beat him down any from his price—$1,500,000; he is well in cash, now, and knows the value of the invention nearly as well as I do. the world > action or operation > prosperity > [adjective] a1500 (a1450) (BL Add.) (1912) l. 5281 When wymmen be well they can not cese. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. i. 249 An. Wil't please your worship to come in, Sir? Sl. No, I thank you forsooth, hartely; I am very well . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. v. 32 We vse To say, the dead are well . View more context for this quotation 1643 J. Burroughes 351 You who are thorough Gods mercy in his way, you are now well, know when you are well, and keep you wel. 1650 J. Howell Addit. Lett. xii. 24 in (ed. 2) I am afraid we have seen our best days, we knew not when we were well. 1738 J. Swift ii. 68 Mr. Neverout, I find you a true English-Man, you never know when you are well. 1784 R. Bage I. 64 But every body, Mrs. Susan, don't know when they are well. 1821 S. Smith (1859) I. 330/2 All the fat and sleek people..the mumpsimus, and ‘well as we are’ people, are perfectly outrageous at being compelled to do their duty. 1865 M. Arnold Academies in ii. 43 Not without a little hesitation—for apparently they found themselves very well as they were..—they consented. 1935 G. B. Shaw (privately printed ed.) iv. 74 Yet I am very well as I am. Why should I change? I shall be very happy as an old bachelor. 1996 G. R. Evans i. 19 We are very well as we are. We have all we need in our church to be Christians together. the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] c1450 King Ponthus (Digby) in (1897) 12 15 (MED) Yeve me my myrrour and se that I be wele. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. v. 120 Hee'll make a proper man:..His leg is but so so, and yet 'tis well . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. iii. 20 But here it [sc. a statue] is:..behold, and say 'tis well . View more context for this quotation 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot i. 72 They look very well, and sit as close as if they were nailed to the Horse. c1710 C. Fiennes (1888) 248 In this parke stands another pallace St. James, wch is very well. 1741 S. Richardson III. xxviii. 162 He is a lively Gentleman, well enough in his Person. 1747 S. Richardson I. ii. 7 But then, stepping to the glass, she complimented herself, ‘That she was very well’. a1817 J. Austen (1925) vii. 98 Yes, yes, he is very well to look at. 1880 W. S. Gilbert i. 6 Fred. What a terrible thing it would be if I were to marry this innocent person, and then find out that she is, on the whole, plain! King. Oh, Ruth is very well—very well indeed. 1919 J. West tr. A. Chekhov Anniversary in 123 She looks very well with her hair done over her head. 1947 H. N. Wieman et al. 54 Neo-Orthodoxy is Fundamentalism in a new spring dress. Superficially, she looks very well indeed, so refurbished, and endowed with many sophisticated allurements. 2006 J. C. Newman 457 You look well in that cravat. 10. In predicative use, with concessive force, followed by an objection or contrary view expressed or implied: right and proper in itself or under certain circumstances. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [phrase] > it is right and proper in itself 1533 tr. Erasmus xv. sig. O.vv That is very well (saythe the grosse felowe) for I yet lacke very many thynges. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. lxxxij And where as they saye that the Gospell must be taught after the interpretations approued by the churche (that is very well) but all the stryfe is, which is the trewe church. 1622 T. May i. sig. B That's well, that's very well, now Roscio Followes my part. 1671 T. Shadwell i. 10 Frisk. She has a very ill reputation, for my part I don't care for being seen in her Company, that's the truth on't. Raym. That's very well. 1738 J. Miller ii. 20 Viol. It [sc. politeness] makes us humain and good natur'd. Julio. Ay, ay, that's very well, tho' I han't found out that it does so yet. 1765 I. xix. 136 Those ladies are very well ‘pour passer le temps’; but, when the grave crotchet Matrimony gets into the head, then the sober woman..comes in play. 1789 tr. J.-C. Laveaux II. 336 The King. How would you plant them, from east to west, or west to east? Forester. From west to east. The King. That's very well; but why? 1806 H. K. White Let. 6 Jan. in (1807) I. 224 Visiting and gayety are very well, by way of change, but there is no enjoyment so lasting as that of one's own family. 1831 S. E. Ferrier I. xv. 64 Ah! that's very well, but you ought to send him in the meantime to a public school. 1899 M. Hewlett 229 To sonneteer is very well, but a lover..must live. 1922 June 94/1 That's very well, but take a look up here at the steam gauge. 2005 96 89/2 And I said, ‘Well, that's very well but who does the monitoring?’ society > morality > dueness or propriety > [phrase] > it is right and proper in itself 1548 W. Lynne sig. Hii And thus let euery man be warned, for he knocketh, & if ye do open, wel and good. 1620 T. Ryves 152 If this course be legall, and may be taken for the better maintenance of the poore Clergie in this miserable kingdome, well and good. 1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán ii. 261 So as the birds doe not pecke them, it is all good and well. 1699 A. Boyer (at cited word) Well and good, à la bonne heure. 1725 D. Defoe I. vii. 93 If his creditors will do any thing generously for him, to enable him to go on again, well and good. 1749 T. Smollett tr. A. R. Le Sage IV. x. x. 60 My mother's predictions were always favourable to those who sollicited them: if they proved true, good and well; but when they came back to reproach her, [etc.]. 1762 Nov. 562/1 If they have a mind to carry on the law-suits themselves, at their own expence, it is well and good, but another farthing will I not borrow. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage IV. x. x. 131 My mother always sold good-luck for good money; if the accomplishment trod on the heels of the prediction, well and good. 1834 C. E. Trevelyan et al. 120 If the measure should be approved of by the present enlightened Committee, and its approbation confirmed..; all good and well. 1843 R. S. Surtees I. viii. 155 These people arrive to-day.—If you..can find anything out about them, you know, well and good. 1881 Nov. 578 Well, well; what you say is all well and good, but here is Maria calling for me. 1921 1 124/1 This is well and good as long as the interests of the member are in harmony with the interests of his customers. 1950 10 Apr. 99/2 If I could marry her as King, well and good; I would be happy and in consequence perhaps a better King. 2004 9 June 108/3 Karaoke is all good and well, but most people excel at air guitar. 2008 7 Nov. 16/1 The suffragan bishop..invited us to offer each other a sign of peace. Well and good, I thought: a salutary reminder of the diaconal ministry of a bishop. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being satisfactory > [phrase] 1798 W. Wordsworth Goody Blake & Harry Gill in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge 87 'Twas well enough when summer came... But when the ice [etc.]. 1823 W. Scott I. Introd. p. viii Their higher wines, indeed, are well enough..yet I cannot but remember the generous qualities of my sound old Oporto. 1842 C. Dickens II. vii. 219 This is well enough, but nevertheless I cannot..incline towards the Shakers. 1877 24 Nov. 454/3 The music was well enough, but the literature has been either grossly suggestive or hopelessly dull. 1921 R. C. Benchley xiii. 130 Such futile rumination is all well enough for those who like it. 2010 23 Dec. 62/1 ‘I have no tendency to be a saint,’ he told one admirer. ‘Saints are not literary men... I may be well enough in my own way, but it is not the “high line”.’ the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] 1673 J. Ray 152 I have been often told that there are in Paris a million and a half of people, whereas it is well if there be half a million. 1673 J. Ray 379 A free State..as the Inhabitants boast, for above 1000 years, but its well if half so long. B. n.31589 R. Greene sig. I3 Sweete Censors take my silly worst for well. the world > health and disease > [noun] > good health > person 1659 J. Gauden ii. xxx. 246 Private charities to the poorer and richer, to the well and the sick, for food, physick, clothing. 1676 104 For our S. P. never worketh on the Well, either by Vomit or Stool. 1783 S. Johnson 29 Aug. (1994) IV. 192 It is great consolation to the well, and still greater to the sick. 1787 T. Jefferson Let. 7 Feb. in (1955) XI. 122 The bulletins of the sick are read, and the billets of the well. 1841 G. Catlin II. xlii. 69 Leaving about thirty sick, and about an equal number of well to take care of and protect them. 1886 W. Besant III. ii. xxv. 107 Everybody feels it, the sick and the well, the patient and the nurses. 1908 22 Feb. 16/1 It should be the business of the doctors to prevent the well from getting sick. 1991 A. Campbell in M. Brazier & M. Lobjoit vii. 106 It fails to demand from the well and powerful any genuine commitment to the welfare of the ill and the weak. Phrasesthe mind > attention and judgement > testing > indicate successful outcome [interjection] 1741 in (1842) II. 116 This deponent..[was] bound with ropes..for refusing to cry ‘all is well’, when he was an out-sentry. 1769 W. Falconer All's well! an acclamation of safety or security pronounced by a centinel..at the time of striking the bell each half-hour during..the night watch. 1802 C. James at Pass All's Well, a term used by a British sentry after he has challenged a person that comes near his post, [etc.]. 1803 T. Dibdin iii. ii. Duet ‘Who goes there? Stranger—quickly tell;’ ‘A friend,’—the word—‘Good night—All's well’. 1824 3 Apr. 285/1 He heard the watchman, stationed on the top of the City Hall, bawl out, ‘Twelve o'clock, and all's well!’ 1863 J. M. Bannatyne (ed. 3) I. i. 16 Q. If the person approaching a sentry, on being challenged, gives a satisfactory reply, what should the sentry say? A. ‘Pass, friend—All's well.’ 1920 P. Gibbs ii. iv. 78 ‘Who goes there?’ It was a cockney voice. ‘Friends.’ ‘Pass, friends. All's well.’ 1922 Oct. 185/1 The watchman on his nightly round still proclaims the hour..and assures the citizens that ‘All's well’. 1998 J. Druett ii. 57 In 1838 Hannah Winn described the watchman calling out ‘All's well’ as he struck the bell at night. 2008 H. Maxwell-Stewart vi. 125 The watchman's call of ‘all's well’ and the sentry's answering cry from the wharf. a1325 (c1250) Prov. Hendyng (Cambr.) i, in (1881) 4 182 (MED) Wel is him þat wel ende mai.] a1425 (Cambr.) (1968) 25 (MED) Forȝete þou not þis olde prouerbe: Alle is wel þat endeþ wel, & rule þer affter. a1500 (c1400) (1895) II. 139 (MED) If the ende be wele, than is alle wele. 1546 J. Heywood i. x. sig. Ciiiv Well aunt (quoth Ales) all is well that ends well. a1550 in R. Dyboski (1908) 110 ‘Alas,’ sayd þe gudman, ‘this ys an hevy lyff’; ‘And all ys well þat endyth well’, said þe gud wyff. 1600 F. L. tr. Ovid To Rdr. E 3 b Yet take this old Prouerbe with a right application..All is well that endeth well. And so end I. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) (title) All's well, that ends well. 1650 A. Cowley ii. x. sig. Cv/1 'Tis very well, excellent well, all's well that ends well. 1705 J. Vanbrugh i. i. 2 Well Neighbour, all's well that ends well; but Dick will be hang'd. 1761 June 148 With respect to the external incidents of life, doubtless all is well that ends well. 1811 S. Beazley ii. 43 Yes—a foolish whim, which you shall all know, has induced me to act as I have done—but all's well that ends well. 1869 H. B. Stowe xviii. 203 There's no merit in wanting your bit of cake, and maybe taking it when it is n't good for you; but let's hope all's well that ends well. 1905 ‘G. Thorne’ iv. 106 All's well that ends well! You won't have the services disturbed again. 1939 Feb. 47/1 All's well that ends well, they say, but as you can well believe there were times when we certainly did not anticipate so comparatively pleasant an ending to an adventure which thrills enough for me! 1997 J. Ryan vii. 81 ‘But, no matter. All's well that ends well,’ she said, leaving Eve speechless, a child whose parent stood between them and the world, endlessly making things right. 2010 K. Laye vii. 79 My boss is much happier with the way I'm performing now so I may be due for a promotion review soon, so all's well that ends well, it seems. the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] > refrain from interfering 1722 G. Cheyne xlviii. 70 Whilst the original Disorder lasts in any Degree, and the Waters continue to relieve it, they may be used; but in all Cases, and Events, it is safest, and best to let well alone. 1740 G. Cheyne Ess. Regimen in p. xxxvi When a Person is tolerably well, and is subject to no painful or dangerous Distemper, I think it his Duty..to let Well alone. 1792 2 June 4/1 (heading) Let well enough alone. 1830 T. P. Thompson in July 246 Why not avoid all this, as Napoleon might have done, by letting well alone? a1865 E. C. Gaskell (1866) II. iii. 21 Why can't you leave well alone? 1883 D. C. Murray xii Tom was very near yielding... But Mr. Carroll could not let well alone, and unfortunately he went on, ‘Whom am I to believe, [etc.].’ 1919 L. H. Morrison iv. 56 The early Diesel operator knew but little about the engine and believed in letting well enough alone. 1935 T. S. Eliot i. 25 Leave well alone, Or your goose may be cooked and eaten to the bone. a1978 S. T. Warner (1985) 140 Just because she was silent and I can never let well enough alone, I asked her what part of London she came from. 2003 J. M. Coetzee (2004) vii. 184 In her restlessness, her inability to leave well alone, do they see something of themselves? the mind > possession > wealth > rich or wealthy [phrase] > well off c1571 E. Campion (1963) ii. ix. 125 But yow are well and warme, and so holde yow. a1670 A. Wood (1891) I. 129 A. W. seemed very sorry at this news, because he was well and warme where he was. 1673 E. Hickeringill 4 I shall not get a penny by your custome; neither do I desire it. For I am well and warm. 1832 A. Cunningham iii. vi. 37 She brought them meat and drink. ‘Dame, well and warm You seem to live.’ P5. In sense A. 5. the world > health and disease > mental health > [adjective] a1450 in (1869) 4 182 She was mony dayes after distracte, and nat long after so well of her wittes as she was to fore. 1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione i. sig. J.iii A manne may assuredly thinke him not to be wel in his wittes. 1577 tr. St. Augustine in H. I. tr. H. Bullinger I. ii. viii. sig. N.viiv/1 What man that were wel in his wittes would say to kinges [etc.]. 1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo (1586) i. 4 If I shuld say it, rather I (than you) might be thought scarce wel in my wits. 1650 R. Weston 25 Such profitable Terms, as no man, that is well in his wits, but will venture at them. 1686 W. Clagett (1699) App. 18 No body, well in his wits can be misled by it. 1720 D. Waterland 90 A Man would hardly be supposed well in his Wits, that should seriously entertain any the least Doubt..concerning it. ?1754 I. xvi. 177 It makes a Body believe you are not well in your Wits, when you tell one a Story, that takes up more Time in guessing its Meaning, than in repeating. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. ccccxxviijv She was not very wel in health. 1606 R. Chambers tr. P. Numan xv. 77 Her mother finding her thus cured made no difficulte to let her ly that very nyght following with the rest of her Children who were wel in health. 1664 S. Pepys 31 Aug. (1971) V. 258 Pretty well in health since I left off wearing of a gowne within doors all day. 1740 G. Foley Let. 23 Oct. in (1861) II. 115 He has not known Mrs. Foley so well in health a great while. a1774 O. Goldsmith tr. P. Scarron (1775) I. xxviii. 313 Though it is now fourscore years since he has plagued all those who have any dependence on him, yet he is so well in health [etc.]. 1831 W. Scott Count Robert viii, in 4th Ser. III. 162 Ursel..is restored to you well in health. 1864 Dec. 546/1 ‘I am well in health,’ she stated in this letter. 1932 J. G. Hayes (1936) vi. 103 Returning on August 2nd, as well in health as could be expected after enduring terrible hardships. 1975 P. Scott (2000) i. 163 Well in health but not fit to travel. 1996 H. W. Sullivan Introd. 4 The Latin verb salvere means to salute or hail, to be well in health. the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > specifically of persons 1809 C. Lamb & M. Lamb I. 90 Well to do and well to see Were the parents of all three. 1815 R. Anderson et al. (new ed.) 130 To be seer she's a sarvent, but weel to be seen. 1902 S. R. Crockett vii. 43 In person she was short, well-to-see, rosy-cheeked, buxom. 1953 27 Oct. Twa dothers were as weel-tae-be-seen as ony in the hale pairish. 1960 No. 54. 15 He hed a gud look at Tammy, an he wis weel ta be seen. Compounds C1. the world > health and disease > [noun] > good health > time of freedom from ill health 1631 J. Henshaw ii. 161 I will take leave of them, onely as of an Ague, for a well day or two, but to come againe. 1652 A. Wood Aug. (1891) I. 176 What in the well-days his stomach had contracted, he would on the sick-day vomit it out. 1719 D. Defoe 111 The 30th was my well day..and I went abroad with my Gun. 1768 H. Brooke III. xv. 99 As it was one of his well days, he walked in without help. 1869 T. Carlyle Let. 6 Mar. in (1904) II. 251 I struggle to hang by my ‘Work’..and generally do get a particle or two of it done every well-day. 1927 V. L. Parrington II. ii. ii. 82 The victim of a slight, ramshackly physique, never weighing a hundred pounds, never knowing a well day, fearfully handicapped in the everyday matter of living. 1999 14 Feb. 2 On a ‘well’ day, when I wasn't in the middle of an episode, my 10-year-old looked up at me and said, out of the blue, ‘Mom, I like how you take care of me.’ 2011 L. M. Breau et al. in D. R. Patel et al. xvii. 256 Recent data reveal that ‘sick days’ in this population were associated with higher levels of pain and discomfort than were ‘well days’. C2. As the first element in adjectives relating to the provision of health care and information aimed at the prevention or early detection of disease in particular subgroups of people. the world > health and disease > healing > places for the sick or injured > [adjective] > type of clinic 1914 17 Oct. 961/2 The mother is directed to bring her baby to a ‘well-baby clinic’. 1921 5 Oct. 6/4 A well-baby clinic will be held at the Saanich Health Centre..An invitation is extended to all mothers to bring their infants. 1976 G. E. Godber i. 5 Many of the elected councils of cities and counties had not used their powers to provide antenatal and well-baby care. 2005 Feb. 11/2 The first immunisations are due at six weeks and can also be done at a well-baby clinic. the world > health and disease > healing > places for the sick or injured > [adjective] > type of clinic 1966 104 238 (title) The function of the well man clinic. 1989 13 Feb. 26/1 The few Well Men clinics pioneered by the FPA and still running in tandem with female services charge around £60 for comprehensive screening. 2005 8 Feb. 30/4 The ‘well woman’ and ‘well man’ annual checks..are available to the elderly population. the world > health and disease > [noun] > good health > person 1941 1 Dec. 2331/2 Already in our clinic a limited well-woman clinic has been started for the purpose of semi-annual breast and pelvic examinations. 1948 64 Several special clinics within the services have been instituted during the year. A Well Woman Clinic, which was omitted during the war, has resumed operation as of May, 1947, and is well attended. 1977 No. 3. 3/3 A range of leaflets on contraceptive methods, well-women care, sex-related diseases. 1984 S. Townsend 13 She says she needs the money for her ‘Well Woman’ test. She is having primary and secondary sexual organs checked. 2006 28 Nov. (Extra section) 10/1 I have recently had a Well Woman check-up. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online June 2022). wellv.1Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with West Frisian wālje , welje to well up, to bring to the boil, welle to weld, to forge, Middle Dutch wellen to heat, to cause to boil, to cause to melt, to weld, to forge, (Dutch wellen ), Middle Low German wellen to cause to boil, to weld together, Middle High German wellen to cause to boil, to cause to melt or flow, Old Icelandic vella to cause to well up, to cause to boil, a causative formation < the same Germanic base as wall v.1 Compare later weld v.In Old English, as in the earliest stages of other Germanic languages, this verb was transitive, with intransitive senses being expressed by the corresponding strong verb wall v.1 and its cognates. This distinction had begun to break down by the beginning of the Middle English period, probably due in part to the homophony of certain forms of the two verbs in West Saxon (see below), and in part to the influence of the corresponding noun well n.1, of which forms in -a- and -e- are attested (compare α. and β. forms at well n.1, and see further discussion at wall v.1). In Old English the verb shows the expected reflex of the i-mutation of early Old English æ (West Germanic a ) before ll , depending on dialect (compare discussion at well n.1). The stem forms wæl- , wel- reflect Mercian influence in West Saxon sources. In West Saxon, the forms of the verb would be homophonous with the forms of wall v.1 in the 2nd and 3rd singular present indicative, which show regular i-mutation in that dialect. It is therefore not entirely certain that quot. ?a1200 at sense 5a shows a form of well v.1 rather than wall v.1, but the quot. has been included here, because this text does not appear to distinguish transitive and intransitive stem forms elsewhere (compare quot. ?a1200 at sense 2a). With sense 1b compare Old English awilled meolc , glossing post-classical Latin iuta in uncertain sense, perhaps denoting curdled milk (see joute n.). In Old English the prefixed form gewiellan (compare y- prefix) is also attested, in sense ‘to cause to boil’; compare also awiellan to cause to boil, to reduce by boiling, to incite (compare a- prefix1), bewiellan to boil away, to reduce by boiling (compare be- prefix), onwiellan to cause to boil, to inflame (compare on- prefix), oferwiellan overwell v. I. To boil or melt. 1. the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > action of boiling > boil or cause to boil [verb (transitive)] eOE (Royal) (1865) i. i. 22 Genim wudurofan & wudumerce & hofan & wel on buteran. OE tr. Pseudo-Apuleius (Vitell.) (1984) i. 32 Genim þa ylcan wyrte betonican & wyl on ealdan wine oþþe on ecede. OE Recipe (Vitell. C.iii) in T. O. Cockayne (1864) I. 374 Gepuna ða wyrte tosomne & wæl tosomne in heortes mærige. c1300 St. Lucy (Laud) 145 in C. Horstmann (1887) 105 Þo nomen huy pich and brumston, and welden it wel faste. c1440 (?a1400) l. 1736 I walde be wellyde all qwyke, and quarterde in sondre, Bot I wyrke my dede. a1475 (Sloane) (1862) 19 Take brede and peper and ale, And temper þo brothe..And welle hit togeder. a1500 (?c1440) J. Lydgate Horse, Goose & Sheep (Lansd.) l. 375 in (1934) ii. 555 Rostid or sodyn, holsom is motoun, Wellid with growel. a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 499 in W. A. Craigie (1925) II. 110 The wyis quhar ye wicht went war in wa [i.e. woe, physical suffering] wellit. 1567 in F. G. Emmison (1983) (modernized text) II. 54 My new kettle I use to well in. 1596 in F. G. Emmison (2000) (modernized text) XII. 111 Sufficient straw..to bake, brew and wield with. the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation of dairy produce > [verb (transitive)] > prepare milk for cheese a1425 (a1399) Forme of Cury (BL Add.) 53 in C. B. Hieatt & S. Butler (1985) 109 (MED) Take thyk mylke as tofore welled; Cast þerto sugur. (Harl. 221) 520 Welle, mylke or oþer lycure, coagulo. 1564 in F. G. Emmison (1993) (modernized text) VIII. 27 To Richard my cauldron hanged in a furnace in the milkhouse in which they well the whey. 1876 F. K. Robinson ‘They're welling livers’, obtaining the oil from the livers of fish, in the way of making it flow by an adapted heat. †2. the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > cooking > undergo cooking [verb (intransitive)] > undergo boiling the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > action of boiling > boil [verb (intransitive)] ?a1200 (?OE) (1896) 19 Nim forcorfen leac and cnuca hyt and wring þæt wos of anne sticcan fulne..and huniȝes þry sticcan fulne [read fulle] and do þæt hyt welle þrywa. a1450 (1969) l. 3593 Go þou to helle..In bras & brimston to welle! ?c1450 in (1896) 18 301 Take..þe whyte of tweyne eyre And a porcyoun of rye-mele, And late it well to-geder welle. a1475 (Sloane) (1862) 5 (MED) Take sope, cast in hys potage; Þenne wylle þe pot begyn to rage And welle on alle. ?a1560 in T. Wright (1860) 12 Full lean be thi pottage where the pote wellis. 1869 J. C. Atkinson Well, to boil. the world > action or operation > adversity > be in adversity [verb (intransitive)] the mind > emotion > suffering > suffer mental pain [verb (intransitive)] a1350 in G. L. Brook (1968) 41 In such wondryng for wo y welle. c1390 in F. J. Furnivall (1901) ii. 476 Þe Mon þat is taken in dedly synne, He may wel witen In wo to wellen. a1400 (c1300) Serm. on Gospels (Coll. Phys.) in J. Small (1862) 29 Thar thai sal euermare duelle, And wafullic in pines welle. a1450 (1885) 6 Efter þaire warkes were, in wo sall þai well. society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > heat > melt society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > metal > metal in specific state or form > [verb (intransitive)] > boil up a1250 (?a1200) (Nero) (1952) 128 Þe caliz ðet was imelt iðe fure. & stroncliche iwelled [?c1225 Cleo. iwalled; c1230 Corpus iweallet]. and seoððen..so swuðe ueire afeited. c1300 St. Patrick's Purgatory (Laud) 272 in C. Horstmann (1887) 208 Þe feondes welden led and bras, and in heore mouþes caste. a1325 St. Patrick (Corpus Cambr.) l. 608 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill (1956) 106 (MED) Esste of him wuch colour were heuene up riȝt þere, He sede him þoȝte riȝt as gold þat wellinge were. c1400 J. Wyclif On the Seven Deadly Sins (Bodl. 647) in (1871) III. 136 Men schal welle [a1425 Wycliffite Bible, L.V. Isa. ii. 4 welle togidere; L. conflabunt] hor swerde into plowgh-schares. (Harl. 221) 520 Welle, metel, fundo. c1450 (a1400) Chevalere Assigne l. 166 in W. H. French & C. B. Hale (1930) 865 And i breke me a cheyne and halfe leyde in þe fyer, And it wexedde in my hande and wellede so faste That i toke þe oþur fyve and fro þe fyer caste. 1570 P. Levens sig. Eiv/2 To Wel iron, conflare. society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > weld society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > heat > melt > together society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > associate together or with [verb] 1424–5 [implied in: 1424–5 in J. T. Fowler (1888) III. 152 Item, Thomæ Qwernside pro scharpyng et wellyng of wegges de ferro, 5 d. (at welling n.1 2a)]. a1475 (Lansd.) (1998) I. l. 4754 As two peces of yren doth fare In þe fire whanne þei welling are [?1537 whan they wellyd are]: Leie þat oone þat oþer vpon And ȝeue hem a strook anoon, Þorgh hete þey togidre bynde. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil viii. vii. 174 A huge gret semely targat, or a scheild..In every place sevin ply thai well and call. 1545 G. Joye (ii.) f. 29v They shalbe mixt together, but yet shal they not cleaue to nomore then may [word illegible: read iron] be welled together with a potsherd. 1599 in J. Barmby (1888) 275 For wellinge the springe and for makinge nailles to the cocke [perh. read clock] bordes, iij d. a1693 Z. Boyd (1989) iv. 34 The wicked..who were welled together in wickedness even in a cluster, as if they had beene but one man. 1775 I. Fletcher 15 Nov. (1994) 310 Joseph at smithy getting the cart wheels naild anew and the iron well'd & lengthen'd. 1824 W. Carr Well, to weld. 1846 T. C. Thornton 160 The hardest cast metal..may be welled together. 1905 27 160 The kidney, liver, and stomach..were probably welled together with adhesions. 1995 J. M. Sims-Kimbrey Well, to weld. 2004 5/1 The hair strands are bound or welled together along a common line. II. To flow forth. 5. the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > flow [verb (intransitive)] > flow out or well up the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > copiously or continuously ?a1200 (?OE) (1896) 9 Nim renwæter oððer wullewæter, þa upwærd wylld [perh. read wyllð] and clæne byð. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 159 He welleð of þe horte swa doð water of welle. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. xiii. i. 647 Other watir springeþ and welleþ owte of the ynner parties of the erthe, as welles watir and pittes watir. c1400 tr. Aelred of Rievaulx (Vernon) (1984) 30 Þyse ryueres beþ holy scriptures, þat welleþ out fro þe welle of wysdom, þat is Crist. c1440 (?a1400) l. 3377 Thane cho wente to þe welle by þe wode-euis, That all wellyde of wyne. a1450 (Cambr. Dd.1.17) (1845) l. 135 Fayre welles there wellyde fast. 1590 E. Spenser i. i. sig. A7v Thereby a christall streame did gently play, Which from a sacred fountaine welled forth alway. 1614 Bp. J. Hall II. O.T. v. 62 Hee might (if he had pleased) haue caused a spring to well out of the plaine earth. 1744 J. Thomson Summer in (new ed.) 88 From his two Springs,..Pure-welling out, he..rolls his Infant-Stream. a1796 R. Burns (1968) I. 34 Lone as I..mus'd where limpid streams, once hallow'd, well. 1796 R. Southey iii. 21 Fast by a spring, which welling at his feet With many a winding crept along the mead. 1812 I. D'Israeli II. 191 A few whose waters silently welled from the pure spring of Leland's genius. 1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton i. ii. 15 As the water glides from yonder rock,..I see the tide of empire welling from my hands. 1846 J. Keble 120 O who may count The drops from that eternal Fount Of heavenly Intercession, welling night and day? 1877 T. H. Huxley 190 The molten matter, which wells up the throat of a volcano. 1929 R. Hughes viii. 203 Both she and Laura expected to see quantities of water come welling through and rapidly fill the ship. 1999 L. Owens vi. 69 The spring had slipped out of the mossy rock into its small pool, gathered, and welled over the pool's lip into a stream that fell silently down the little side canyon. the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > from a source > of vapour or perfume 1860 E. B. Pusey 82 The smoke..ascendeth, swelleth, welleth, vanisheth. 1895 S. Crane v. 62 Smoke welled slowly through the leaves. 1957 D. K. Haynes in J. M. Reid (1989) 312 Steam welled out at the door, and there was a savoury smell of frying. 1987 Nov. 96/3 Indoor air is warmer and lighter than outdoor air, so it wells out of the top of the building through gaps where the walls join the roof. 2000 A. Ghosh (2002) vi. 388 She spotted a branch... She used it to lever up the hood and a cloud of steam welled out. 6. the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > discharge or flux > discharge [verb (intransitive)] > discharge putrid matter > of matter: flow the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > discharge or flux > discharge [verb (intransitive)] > bleed > flow of blood c1330 King of Tars (Auch.) l. 1144 in (1889) 11 60 (MED) Þe blod out of his wounde gan wel. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 289 Herodes..hadde the dropesie, wiþ wormes wellynge out of þe rotynge of his prive stones. c1450 (?c1425) St. Mary of Oignies i. vii, in (1885) 8 140 Wormys wellynge oute of seint Symeouns woundes. 1532 T. More iii. p. cclxv As the water welled out wyth the blood oute of hys blessed harte vppon the crosse. 1590 E. Spenser i. viii. sig. H4v Her dried dugs..Hong downe, and filthy matter from them weld. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis x, in tr. Virgil 533 With clotted Locks, and Blood that well'd from out the Wound. 1727 W. Broome Iliad x, in 128 Blood o'er the crimson Field Well'd from the Slain. 1777 R. Potter tr. Æschylus Agamemnon in tr. Æschylus 271 When forth-welling from the wound, The purple-streaming blood shall fall. 1858 G. MacDonald xiii. 182 His hand was pressed against his side... The blood was welling from between the fingers. 1890 29 Mar. 707 Many small cavities were exposed. They were tensely filled with foul pus, which welled out freely from them. 1940 June 36/3 Just below the elbow there was a red gash and, from this gash, a little red stream was welling with a measured pulse. 1994 H. Dunmore (1995) i. 1 The cut was only perhaps an inch long, but the blood welled and welled and would not clot. the world > matter > liquid > liquid which has been emitted > emit [verb (transitive)] the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit > copiously > in or as in a stream c1400 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (Tiber.) (1874) V. 235 [a1387 St. John's Cambr. He] wellede [St. John's continues ful of wormes]. c1440 (?a1400) l. 3819 All wellys full of blode, thare he awaye passes. 1483 tr. Adam of Eynsham xi Also y behylde the right syde of the ymage of oure lordis body and hit wellid oute of blode. 1835 9 607 Wounds Welling with blood. 1915 18 Sept. 433/2 The whole wound was welling with pus and it seemed doubtful whether the mans's leg could be saved. 2006 M. Acosta xvi. 143 I reached down and pulled the shard from my other foot. A crimson crescent welled with blood. 7. transitive. Also with forth, out, up. the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > cause to flow [verb (transitive)] > pour forth (water) a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 391 Þis ȝere at Fynchamstede in Barrokschire a welle was i-seie welle blood fiftene dayes. a1480 (c1450) (Peterhouse) (1986) 74 (MED) The wellys..han nat lefte to welle vp water. 1729 R. Savage v. 22 Rills..Meet in yon Mead, and well a River's Source. 1819 W. Irving i. 34 It was like visiting some classic fountain, that had once welled its pure waters in a sacred shade. 1841 A. Croke II. 194 Fast in his neck the trembling weapon stood, And the deep wound welled forth the gory blood. 1853 G. Johnston I. 227 Another green bank from which a spring wells up to the light its sparkling waters. 1860 Oct. 465/2 If his death-wound welled out other than gentle blood. 1894 22 i. 301 The lava..was therefore enabled to arrive at the surface where it probably welled forth water, steam and mud. 1956 G. Durrell xvii. 232 My knuckles were bruised and aching, and a two-inch gash welled blood in great profusion. 1999 C. V. Kaske v. 166 A miraculous stone welling out water. the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit > copiously > in or as in a stream a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xv. lxxviii. 773 Þis londe..wellid [L. fluentem] melk and hony. a1400 (a1325) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 17076 Mary welle of mercy: wellyng [c1460 Laud willyng] euer pite. 1490 W. Caxton tr. vi. sig. B.viiiv Her fayr swete eyen..better semed two grete sourges wellynge vp grete affluence of teerys. 1526 W. Bonde iii. sig. LLii Wherfore, it is deuyded in two partes, on the one parte it welleth vp all mocions of concupiscence. 1590 E. Spenser ii. ii. sig. O She sate, Welling out streames of teares. 1590 E. Spenser ii. x. 26 Behold the boyling Bathes at Cairbadon, Which seeth with secret fire eternally, And..to their people wealth they forth do well. 1610 G. Fletcher 14 How nimbly will the golden phrases flie, And shed forth streames of choycest rhetorie, Welling celestiall torrents out of poesie? 1845 T. De Quincey Suspiria de Profundis in Mar. 285/2 Deep is the solitude..of millions..who, with hearts welling forth love, have none to love them. 1874 D. March vi. 224 Every picture and every artistic device should have been a messenger bearing glad tidings, a fountain welling forth joy. 1930 J. Douglas & W. Will viii. 239 The ringing notes of the tenor as he welled out the praises of the sunny isle. 8. the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > lachrymal organs > flow [verb (intransitive)] > of tears: rise to the eyes the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > lachrymal organs > flow [verb (transitive)] c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. xix. l. 375 And þanne welled water for wikked werkes, Egerlich ernynge out of mennes eyen. 1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso iv. xciv. 74 Downe from her eies welled the pearles round, Vpon the bright Ennamell of her face. 1601 J. Weever sig. E4 Still the pearles round Stil through her eies, and wel vpon her face. 1799 I. Disraeli 74 Tears welled on his pale cheeks. 1858 G. MacDonald xiii. 157 She lay with closed eyes, whence two large tears were just welling from beneath the veiling lids. 1944 A. Thirkell vi. 125 Tears welled in her eyes, sobs rose in her bosom, her throat was constricted. 1990 N. Gordimer 235 But the tears welled and found their way over the contours of that dear face. the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > weeping > weep [verb (intransitive)] > shed tears (of the eyes) 1859 6 180/1 She dared not raise her eyes: they were welling with tears already. 1890 Mar. 451 I felt my eyes welling with tears. 1922 A. Waugh xviii. 263 She had never unlocked her heart before; it hurt her to do it now and her eyes welled with tears. 1975 A. Carter in 6 146 She raises her hands to unfasten the neck of her dress and her eyes well with tears, they trickle down beneath the rim of her dark glasses. 1991 18 Nov. 60/1 Occasionally his eyes welled but no tears ran down his cheeks. 9. figurative. the world > existence and causation > causation > source or origin > originate, derive, or arise [verb (intransitive)] ?a1475 Lessons of Dirige (Douce) l. 438 in J. Kail (1904) 135 Vertues, lorde, though I haue none, Late thy grace in me now welle. a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 77 Considre all þinges as welling of þe hyest & most souereyn good. 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in i. f. cccxxviii Trewly al maner of blysse and preciousnesse in vertue out of the springen, and wellen. 1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus I. Luke iv. f. 20–4 The woordes whiche proceded from the mouth of Jesus..welled foorth from a brest replenished with the heauenly spirite of God. 1590 E. Spenser iii. vi. sig. Hh4 With sugred words and gentle blandishment, From which a fountaine from her sweete lips went, And welled goodly forth. 1830 3 i. 150 The wisdom that welled forth, pure bright and unaffected, from her lips. 1850 H. Miller (ed. 2) xv. 223 Those old artless compositions which have welled out from time to time from among the people. 1883 R. W. Church v. 129 The abundance of his ideas, as they welled forth in his mind day by day. 1907 G. Meredith 30 Dec. (1970) III. 1621 Your little book of the Cento Liriche will be near me constantly. For it wells of the pure spirit of Italy. 1940 T. Wolfe & E. C. Aswell i. 3 A nameless happiness welled within him. 1967 M. Meyer (1974) ii. ix. 258 That saeva indignatio from which his poetry welled. 2011 J. Hambright iii 37 A sudden and insatiable need to protect Grace and Caleb Marshall welled from deep inside of him. the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > audibility > be or become audible [verb (intransitive)] the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > of intangible things or particles from an object 1825 F. D. Hemans 55 Caught some tone from memory, of the music, welling Ever with that fresh rill, from its deep rocky dwelling. 1848 C. Kingsley iv. iv. 215 What sweet sounds from her fast-closed lips are welling. a1849 E. A. Poe (1859) 62 Keeping time..To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells From the bells. 1867 W. Morris xiv. 234 White bodies moving,..Wherefrom it seemed that lovely music welled. 1935 ‘A. Bridge’ xvii. 219 The rain had stirred up the nightingales..—near and far, their bubbling ecstasy welled out from the dark shelter of ilexes and cypresses. 2000 B. Keenan vi. 138 The laughter welled out of him at this last remark and I could not help but join him. Phrasal verbs to well over the world > matter > liquid > liquid which has been emitted > overflow > [verb (intransitive)] > of a vessel the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > be excessive [verb (intransitive)] > superabound > overflow 1843 G. P. R. James I. i. 5 It had a pond, which was kept clear by a spring at the bottom, welling constantly over at the side next the road. 1845 B. K. Hanson (ed. 2) xii. 203 The brimming eyes welled over. 1883 D. C. Murray viii His heart welled over with joy. 1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ i. 11 The spring of imaginative passion..lay there, ready to bubble up and well over into a strong current at the touch of the divining-rod. 1931 N. Coward v. 75 ‘My son,’ she said simply. Just that, but in those two words the meed of mother love was welling over. 1987 B. Duffy 313 The guttered blade gliding up under his tongue and between his teeth as his mouth welled over with blood. 1. intransitive. the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > flow [verb (intransitive)] > flow out or well up a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 59 In þis citee welleþ vp and springeþ hote baþes. a1475 (Lansd.) (1998) I. l. 5474 And þat [earth] torneþ to brimstone And welleþ vp somtime good wone. 1530 J. Palsgrave 778/2 I well up, as water that bobylleth, or cometh out of the yerthe. 1835–6 I. 238/2 The blood..wells up abundantly from the bottom of the wound. 1869 H. F. Tozer I. 39 The..fountains were..believed to well up from the Scamander. 1913 F. K. Ward xvii. 241 At the base of one of these intervening ridges masses of calcareous rock lay about in confusion, and innumerable hot springs welled up. 1993 12 Sept. ii. 74/3 It wells up out of a huge hole at the bottom of a sheer cliff at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and is the beginning of the Sorgue. 2002 22 Dec. d6/2 Lava wells up to fill the impact basins. the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > rise or go up [verb (intransitive)] > well up 1835 G. Stephens 206 The oracular vapour, welling up from the very sources of her being, to inspire her with vaticinal fury. 1842 C. Dickens I. iii. 69 What sparkling bubbles glanced upon the waves, and welled up every moment to the surface. 1863 J. D. Dana 710 The heat as gradually welled up from below, penetrating the moist and yielding beds. 1915 R. Pulitzer vii. 134 A great cloud of jet-black smoke suddenly welled up from the Belgian front trench. 1992 D. Adams xii. 132 A great wump of hot air welled up from the explosion. 2. intransitive. the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > lachrymal organs > flow [verb (transitive)] a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Pierpont Morgan) (1882) v. l. 215 But þo by-gan a lytel his herte vnswelle Thorugh teris which þat gonnen vp to welle. 1863 M. E. Braddon I. ii. 41 As she looked, the tears welled slowly up to her eyes which had been dry before. 1877 R. Broughton (new ed.) i. iv. 91 Her voice wavers and breaks. The tears well up into her eyes. 1932 A. Huxley xiv. 237 He felt the hot tears welling up behind his eyelids as he recalled the words. 2007 C. MacFarlane (2009) i. 15 And we'd see the tears welling up in some people's eyes as they began singing. the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > weeping > weep [verb (intransitive)] > shed tears (of the eyes) 1848 Feb. 87/1 I have seen those expressive eyes well up with tears when together we would read some old story or poem. 1854 30 May 2/4 While he spoke, his eyes ‘welled up,’ and he evinced all noble feelings of a true sailor for the sad calamity which has befallen his consort. 1986 S. Minot vii. 124 Chicky's eyes welled up. 2000 29 Mar. b1/2 Jason Johnson stared aimlessly into his locker as his eyes welled up with moisture. 1989 J. J. Winkler tr. Achilles Tatius Leucippe & Clitophon in B. P. Reardon 252 On hearing this, she welled up into tears. 1997 Sept. 42/2 It made me well up, I admit. He hastens to reassure me. ‘That scene made Clint Eastwood misty too.’ 2006 (Nexis) 26 May 10 Men north of the border are quite open about welling up over a tearjerker on television. 3. intransitive. the mind > emotion > [verb (intransitive)] > rise up 1846 Feb. 134 The Pilgrim's Progress..welled up from the deep fountains of the author's own mind, and..flowed on without reserve. 1864 June 709/2 If once he had..let a smile well up and flood his eyes and lips and face, in a heart-beat it had faded. 1874 A. L. Wister tr. E. Marlitt xxvi. 281 An emotion of indignation, of anger, such as she had never known before, welled up within her. 1908 L. M. Montgomery x. 93 Something warm and pleasant welled up in Marilla's heart. 1938 M. Sarton vi. 68 She knew it to be a triumph..the old ardor welling up like a warm fountain inside her at the very thought. 1979 C. James i. iii. 53 Details well up in the mind with Proustian specificity. 2008 W. McCarthy xvii. 397 A tide of remorse welled up in her and poured over into the poem. 1887 J. A. Steuart xii. 189 A soft, gurgling laugh welled up from the depths of a great easy chair. 1941 23 June 23/2 The next thing I knew the air was trembling with a terrible vibration, a meaningless sound welling up around me. 1987 T. Horton (1989) viii. 180 The very hush welling up from the valley sounds its own pure, exultant note. 2002 H. Holt (2003) iv. 47 The music welled up and the image disappeared from the screen, to be replaced by that of a young woman with large dangly earrings chopping up immense handfuls of coriander. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † wellv.2 Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: well n.1 Etymology: < well n.1In sense 1 apparently with reference to the concealment of booty, as though in a well, although compare also quot. 1819 and to put (a person) in the well at well n.1 Phrases 2. Obsolete. the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > defrauding or swindling > perpetrate (a swindle) [verb (transitive)] > defraud or swindle > of share of booty 1787 12 Sept. 1000/1 You welled one of these notes, did not you?—I do not know what that is. Then I will tell you what welling is, when you take twenty pounds, you put ten pounds in your own pocket, and divide the other ten. 1811 To Well, to divide unfairly. To conceal part. A cant phrase used by thieves. 1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in II. at Well To well your accomplice, or put him in the well. 1824 App. 255 Probert frequently alluded to the money..and his apprehensions lest Thurtell should well it (meaning keep it to himself). 1893 22 July 766/1 Out of the salvage of my fortune—for something had been safely ‘welled’, you may be sure—I purchased a tricycle. society > travel > travel by water > other nautical operations > [verb (transitive)] > stop a leak in specific way 1820 W. Scoresby II. 450 To well the ship.—This operation [for stopping a leak], consisting in the building of a bulk-head or partition on the fore part of the leak, and caulking it, so as to confine the water within it. 1863 9 Oct. 736/1 I determined..to ‘well out’ any hole which might be made by striking on rocks. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online September 2019). welladv.n.4 Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with Old Frisian wel , wol (West Frisian wel , wol ), Middle Dutch wel , wol , wela , wola , wēle , wole (Dutch wel ), Old Saxon wel , wela , (as interjection) wola , (Middle Low German wol ), Old High German wela , wola , wol (Middle High German wole , wol , German wohl ), Old Icelandic vel , Norn (Shetland) vel , Norwegian vel , Swedish väl , Danish vel , and also (with different ablaut grade) Old Frisian wal , Old Dutch wala , Old Saxon wala , interjection (Middle Low German wal ), Old High German wala (rare), Old Icelandic val , and (with different and uncertain vocalism) Gothic waila , apparently < the same Germanic base as will v.1 Compare well adj., wella int.Corresponding adjective. Already in Old English, wel is most commonly used as the adverb corresponding to gōd good adj., a correspondence that appears to have been inherited from Germanic. Gradation. Like that of good adj., the Germanic base of well adv. appears to have had no regular comparative or superlative, these forms being supplied by formations from the common base of better adv. and best adv. In Old English and early Middle English, beside the suppletive forms (comparative) bet bet adv.1 (and later better adv.) and (superlative) betst best adv., alternative suppletive adverbial forms are attested from a different Germanic base: sēl better (see seler adj.) and sēlest best (see selest adj.). See further discussion at good adj. Form history. The Old English (Northumbrian) form woel (see β. forms) shows rounding of the vowel due to initial w- and so, perhaps, does the rare form weol . Later β. forms show further rounding, probably especially in conditions of low stress. It has been suggested that already in Old English the stem vowel was long when stressed, although this is not indicated in the spelling. The preference for the spelling wel over well in the Ormulum is perhaps evidence that the vowel could be long very early in Middle English. The γ. forms show a long vowel, developed in positions where the word was stressed. The δ. forms have been attributed to development in low stress in Middle English. (The rare Old English form wyl appears to show a south-eastern inverted spelling of y for e ; it has therefore been placed under the α. forms.) The ε. forms apparently show the influence of early Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic val ). Disjunctive use. In disjunctive use (see branch A. V.) the word is chiefly attested in Old English in combination with lā lo int.1, as wel lā wella int. and (in reduplicated form) as wel lā wel . However, the sequence wel lā wel may occasionally be interrupted by an intervening noun in the vocative as in quot. eOE at sense A. 20a; compare the similar use of reduplicated well at sense A. 21b. Compare also Old English welgā (early Mercian weolgā ), an interjection of uncertain sense (attested only in glosses in ambiguous contexts suggesting praise, exhortation, or derision) < the Germanic base of well adv. + a second element of uncertain origin (compare Old High German welaga, welago well now, oh, Old Dutch welagis oh). A. adv. I. In accordance with what is morally good; so as to show a good disposition or character. 1. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [adverb] society > morality > virtue > [adverb] OE 119 Welan ah in wuldre se nu wel þenceð. OE (Corpus Cambr.) xii. 12 Witodlice ys alyfed on restedagum wel to donne [L. benefacere]. lOE (Laud) anno 1086 Litel rihtwisnesse wæs on þisum lande mid ænige menn buton mid munecan ane þær þær hi wæll ferdon. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 131 Ðe mon þe wel deð, he wel ifehð. a1250 in C. Brown (1932) 15 Man, let sinne and lustes stench, wel do, wel þench. a1325 (c1280) (Pepys 2344) (1927) l. 609 (MED) Oure lord vs byddeþ do wel & euere ȝarken vs. J. Gaytryge (York Min.) (1901) 78 (MED) Nouthir sal we fall so ferr in al wanhope That we ne sall traist to have blisse if we wele do. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) 1987 Þe last day of man is hyd,..For he shuld kepe wele al þe other dayes. 1480 (Caxton) (1964) 45 Qui bien fera bien aura. Who doth well shall well haue. a1500 (?a1450) (Harl. 7333) (1879) 1 (MED) Þerfore gouerne the wele the while til I come home aȝen. 1546 J. Heywood ii. ix. sig. Kiiiv Doo well and haue well. men saie. a1591 H. Smith (1601) 299 It is better to doe well then to doe good: for a man cannot offend in doing well. 1611 Isa. i. 17 Learne to doe well, seeke iudgement, relieue the oppressed. View more context for this quotation 1665 S. Patrick xxx. 355 Let me see a man that keeps his shop and buys and sells, and yet lives well and keeps the Laws of Christ. 1703 W. Burkitt Mark x. 17 It is not talking well and professing well, but doing well that entitles us to Heaven and Eternal Life. 1750 J. Mayhew 29 Those who do well have as much reason to be afraid as those that do evil. a1807 W. Wordsworth (1959) viii. 302 That by acting well And understanding, I should learn to love The end of life. 1860 E. B. Pusey 606 If thou livest well and teachest well, thou wilt be a judge of all; if thou teachest well and livest ill, thine own only. 1919 July 26/1 This spirit..brings the glad consciousness of work well done, a life well lived. 2000 B. Davies in A. Hastings et al. 35/2 Virtues are dispositions (habitus) for living well, and theological virtues are no exception. the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [adverb] OE 5 He him wel hereð, þeowaþ him geþwære. c1175 (?OE) Instr. for Christians 239 in (1964) 82 17 Næfre ic ne gehyrde þæt wurde laford god eft on ylde..ne huru on ylde æfre gewurðan wel geþeignod, þonne wolde ær..wel þeignan. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 11393 Þe birrþ..þeowwtenn wel wiþþ all þin mahht, Allwældennd drihhtin ane. c1300 St. Martin (Harl.) l. 233 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill (1956) 491 Ich am God þat þu seruest wel. c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 968 And they hym sworen his axing faire and wel. a1450 (Faust.) (1883) l. 4838 (MED) Loue god & serue hym wyle. ?1473 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre (1894) I. lf. 29v The same Archas gouerned hym so wele and so wisely that [etc.]. 1526 1 Tim. v. 17 The seniours that rule wele are worthy of double honoure. 1530 (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 65 Deuoute redyng..causyth moche grace and comforte to the soulle yf yt be well and dyscretely vsed. 1534 in J. Morrin (1861) I. 11 Ye swear that ye well and trulie shall serve or Sovraigne Lord the King. 1569 R. Grafton II. 349 If any charge do come vpon the king and his realme, howe it may be well and honourably supported. 1602 W. Segar i. xx. 27 The ancient Emperours..had in vse to bestow vpon Captaines and Souldiers certaine giftes to encourage them to serue well. 1657 I. B. ii. sig. E2v If Polititians give Princes maximes wherby to command well, they likewise prescribe Laws to Subjects to obey well. 1765 J. D. Furley To King in 131 No less hard Will Sov'reigns find the task to govern well, Than Subjects to obey. 1833 A. J. Morrell iv. 86 The crew had behaved well, no punishment having been required during the whole voyage. 1881 49 13 He there worked well and never touched alcohol. 1883 R. Whitelaw tr. Sophocles 1323 'Tis counselled well, if well with ill can be. 1924 Feb. 22/3 William earns money by acting as my assistant,..and he works well, too. 2011 T. C. Heslop 122 Marcos, keep Rosalia, the maid, as long as you can. She is a good woman and she served me well. society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > justification > [adverb] c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Jonah iv. 4 And the Lord saide, Gessist thou, wher thou art wel wroth? [L. bene irasceris tu.] c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Jonah iv. 9 And the Lord saide to Jonas, Gessist thou, wher thou art wel wroth [L. bene irasceris tu] on the eder? 2. a. In such a manner as to constitute good treatment or confer a benefit; in a kindly and friendly manner, welcomingly; considerately, favourably; generously; charitably. the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > [adverb] the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adverb] the mind > possession > giving > liberal giving > [adverb] eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) xli. 304 Far mid us, ðæt we ðe mægen wel don [L. bene faciamus]. OE (Corpus Cambr.) v. 44 Doþ wel þam ðe eow yfel doð. a1225 MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 59 Þene Mon he lufede and welbiþohte. ?a1300 (c1250) Prov. Hendyng (Digby) xxvii, in (1881) 4 196 (MED) Me þinkeþ he doþ wel bi me, Þat ȝeveþ me a luitel fe. a1382 (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. xlix. 11 He remembrede..to wel don [a1425 L.V. do wel; L. benefacere] to them, that sheweden riȝt weies. 1424 in F. J. Furnivall (1882) 57 No man merueil þogh I do well to him, for [etc.]. ?a1450 in C. von Nolcken (1979) 69 (MED) If we do will to pore men, wo seez þat? 1540 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman (1902) II. 270 Your grace was veray moch displeasyd Saying I am not well handelyd. 1565 T. Cooper at Bene To be well vsed for little coste. 1600 W. Shakespeare v. i. 28 Vse his men wel Dauy, for they are arrant knaues, and will backbite. View more context for this quotation 1685 C. Cotton tr. M. de Montaigne I. xxx. 274 After having a long time treated their Prisoners very well. 1712 J. Swift 11 Oct. (1948) II. 564 Opportunityes will often fall in my way if I am us'd well. 1792 152 They have said, ‘No, you do me well’; which is as much as to say, you treat me well. 1847 14 Aug. 101/1 I will be your wife, for I think you will treat me well. 1896 W. E. Gladstone in 8 Oct. (1903) 5/2 My danger is the danger of being too well used..by my biographers. 1914 Apr. 300/2 In that age of treachery and low standards, the Negro soldier was unusually grateful and faithful to those who used him well. 2011 27 Oct. 19/2 (headline) Treat people well and they won't slack. the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > [adverb] > with welcome OE Ælfric (Julius) (1881) I. 44 And þa romaniscan wytan hi wel underfængon. lOE (Laud) (Peterborough interpolation) anno 675 Ic Agatho papa of Rome grete wel seo wurðfulle Æþelred Myrcene kyning. ?a1160 (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1137 He for to Rome & þær wæs wæl underfangen fram þe pape. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 7526 Uortigerne..grette wel Hengest. c1330 (?c1300) (Auch.) (1898) 52 [I] grete þe wel, fadyr myn. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 427 To grete wel his gode wiif & gamely þer-after alle his freliche felawes. 1443 King Henry VI Let. 17 Aug. in H. Ellis (1846) 3rd Ser. I. 79 Right dere in God we grete you wele. c1450 (a1400) (Calig. A.ii) (1969) l. 1401 (MED) A lady..Afeng hym fayr and well. 1483 King Richard III in H. Ellis (1827) 2nd Ser. I. 159 Right reverend Fadre in God, right trusty and welbeloved, we grete you wele. 1568 T. Hacket tr. A. Thevet xxiv. 31 b We were well received of the Indians or wilde men of the Countrey. 1674 in O. Airy (1890) I. 197 Right Trusty and Right Welbeloved Cousin and Councellour, Wee greet you well. 1706 J. Savage tr. R. de Piles 336 He was well receiv'd at Court, and in favour with Four Kings successively. 1757 Dec. 603/2 He had received her well, and invited her to see him that morning. 1823 24 May 166/1 Carry this to my gossip, jolly Father Boniface, the monk of Saint Martin's—greet him well from me. 1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ v. 73 You receive him very well considering you do not like him? 1917 July 32/3 He..knew that the Eskimos would receive him well and furnish him with furs when he needed furs. 2005 H. Kamen iv. 234 In some areas they were well received, in others they were hated as foreigners. the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [adverb] the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adverb] > in feeling or intention OE Ælfric Homily (Vitell. C.v) in J. C. Pope (1968) II. 571 He mildelice þam mannum getyþode, for þan þe he eallgod is, & æfre wel wille eallum rihtgeþancodum þe on hine truwiað. a1425 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Corpus Cambr. 61) (1894) iii. l. 337 Ffor wel I woot thow menest wel parde. a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 13 (MED) We do wel & mene wel. 1578 R. Day f. 32 Soften our hard and steely harts: warme our ycie and frozen harts, that we may wish well one to another. a1592 R. Greene (1594) sig. Ciiv I wish thee well Orlando: get thee gone, Say that a Centynell did suffer thee. 1659 in E. Nicholas (1920) IV. 87 Not as intending well to the King, for they are vowed rebells. 1661 J. Barwick in (Friends' Hist. Soc.) (1911) 2nd Ser. 128 A Gentleman that wishes well to the King. 1729 T. Innes I. Pref. p. xliv At least I meant well, and aimed only at truth. 1786 R. Burns 200 Friends an' folk that wish me well, They sometimes roose me. 1831 W. Scott Castle Dangerous iv, in 4th Ser. III. 283 I am an Englishman, and wish dearly well to my country. 1836 C. Dickens 1st Ser. I. 92 We wished the man well, but we trembled for his success. 1847 F. Marryat II. xi. 236 There is a great difference between wishing well to a cause, and supporting it in person. 1870 30 July 348/2 Mr. Bancroft intended well; but either his courage failed, or his pride of ancestry was too strong for him. 1910 R. Brooke 9 Jan. (1968) 206 He is a silly man... Yet he means well. 2000 A. Ghosh (2001) xii. 148 I must go now. I do not think we shall meet again, but I wish you well. a1225 (c1200) (1888) 7 (MED) Sume læted [perh. read læteð] wel of hem seluen. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) v. l. 4755 Sche can so kepe hir wommanhiede, That every man spekth of hir wel. c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) i. 3534 (MED) No man koude of hir wirkyng deme No þing but wel. 1445 tr. Claudian's De Consulatu Stilichonis in (1905) 28 269 Easyly with the thus thi men live; thou seith of hem evir wele. a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 102 Wheþer þei say wel, wheþer þei say evel, þou art [not] þerfore a noþer man. 1526 1 Tim. v. 10 Soche a wone as was..well reported off in good workes. 1538 T. Elyot Addicion Bene audire, to be well spoken of. 1576 R. Peterson tr. G. della Casa 22 Eache man desireth to bee well thought of. 1596 J. Harington Answer Let. sig. Aiiij If you haue heard so well of my poore house. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iv. 36 Signior Baptista, of whom I heare so well . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. ii. 90 His forward voyce now is to speake well of his friend. View more context for this quotation 1648 H. Hexham Wel-bedacht, well-advised, or well-thought upon. 1699 M. Henry 24 Ill-will never speaks well. a1739 C. Jarvis tr. M. de Cervantes (1742) I. ii. iv. 53 That clergyman must be over and above good, who obliges his parishioners to speak well of him. 1753 S. Richardson II. xlviii. 388 One would be willing to be well thought of by the worthy. 1847 C. Dickens (1848) xliii. 430 Papa thinks well of Mrs. Pipchin. 1895 Oct. 12/2 ‘The Ebb Tide’ was practically by Mr. Stevenson himself, and he was disposed to think very well of it. 1904 J. Conrad vii. 208 Old or young, they like money, and will speak well of the man who gives it to them. 1957 L. E. H. Pearson iv. 233 Nothing could bring him such contentment as to hear well of his ‘dear mother’. 2005 J. M. Coetzee iv. 30 He would like her to think well of him in all respects. the mind > emotion > calmness > [adverb] c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 2179 Thanne is it wisdom..To maken vertu of necessitee And take it wel þt we may nat eschue. ?1476 J. Paston in (2004) I. 604 Ye can and wyll take euery thyng well that is well ment. a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in (1557) 59/1 Yet was [he] at a pointe in his owne mynde, toke she it wel or otherwise. 1632 P. Massinger & N. Field iv. sig. H2 I haue waited, sir, Three houres to speake w'ee, and not take it well, Such magpies, are admitted, whilst I daunce Attendance. 1671 J. Milton 655 The bearing well of all calamities. View more context for this quotation 1753 S. Richardson III. x. 133 They did not suffer her to go out of her chamber; which she took not well. 1779 S. Johnson 8 Nov. (1992) III. 211 If she be a feeler, I can bear a feeler as well as You. 1817 J. Austen Let. 14 Mar. in (2004) 207 Our objection to it You have heard, & I give your Authorship credit for bearing Criticism so well. 1917 H. H. Peerless Diary 23 May in (2003) 223 There are a hundred and one other galling little pin-pricky things that get on one's nerves, but up till now the people bear them wonderfully well. 1923 R. A. Freeman i. 31 ‘And how did the coloured gentleman take it?’ ‘Not very well.’ 1970 P. Larkin Let. 7 June in (2010) 409 On Thursday I tackled Wood & told him I was going to propose Brenda for Acting Librarian. He took it very well. 2001 R. Hill (2002) ii. 9 One of the good things about Dick Dee was that he took cheek very well, even from the most junior member of his staff. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (transitive)] > deserve (well or ill) > by merit > deserve good treatment from ?1531 tr. Plutarch f. 10 For it is not so honest to deserue well of a frende, as hit is shame not to do hit. 1586 Earl of Leicester (1844) 423 He can tell you whether I dyd use Paul Buis, and deservyd well at his handes, or no. 1600 W. Shakespeare v. ii. 2 Praie thee..deserue well at my hands, by helping me to the speech of Beatrice. View more context for this quotation 1643 W. Prynne App. 199 Lest..whiles they seeke to deserve well of the Common-wealth, they militate to the private lust of any. 1709 J. Addison No. 117. ⁋1 A great Man, who has deserved well of his Country. 1709 T. Hearne (1886) II. 234 He deserves well of the Publick. 1811 Gen. Floyd in R. Southey (1844) II. 640 You would, indeed, to use the French phrase, ‘Deserve well of the country’. 1840 W. M. Thackeray I. 185 He..swore by the..deputies who had deserved well of their country. 1865 C. Dickens II. iii. ii. 15 You do right, child,..to speak well of those who deserve well of you. 1935 G. T. Griffith x. 293 The mercenaries inside had clearly deserved well of Eupolemus. 2009 P. Arora iv. 44 If by preventing waste there can be more coal left in this country.., then we shall have deserved well of our descendants. the mind > emotion > courage > bravery or boldness > [adverb] OE 118 Giet biþ þæt [selast], þonne mon him sylf ne mæg wyrd onwendan, þæt he þonne wel þolige. lOE Distichs of Cato (Trin. Cambr.) xliii, in (1972) 90 10 Gif ðe mon mid ryhtre scylde brocige, geðola hit wel & beo his wel geðafa. c1225 (?c1200) (Royal) (1981) 852 Beo stale-wurðe ant stond wel. ?a1300 (c1250) Prov. Hendyng (Digby) xli, in (1881) 4 199 (MED) Muchel of his wille abit, þat wel may þolien. c1330 (?a1300) (Auch.) (1973) l. 9923 Nacien þat kniȝt of pris..Þat also wele yfouȝten cert. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) ii. 24 So many douhty dyntes was bituex þam tueye, Wele þei did togidere, better may no man seye. 1447 in S. A. Moore (1871) i. 20 (MED) Douryssh acquytted hym well. a1500 (?c1450) xxxii. 654 Sir Gawein and his felowes dide merveiles and wele. a1500 (?c1450) vi. 97 Alle the barouns that weren of valoure and wele hadde don. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. i. 121 Hee that escapes me without some broken limbe, shall acquit him well . View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton vi. 29 Servant of God, well done, well hast thou fought The better fight. View more context for this quotation 1759 Aug. 92 That army will seldom fight well, which has nothing to lose by a defeat. 1819 W. Scott III. i. 15 Well and chivalrously did De Bracy that day maintain the fame he had acquired. 1862 C. E. Pruyn Let. 8 June in R. W. Clark (1866) xvi. 297 We fought well in our regiment—losing, in killed, wounded, and missing, one man out of every four. 1941 11 Aug. 39/1 The Bismarck fought well. She never hauled her flag down the whole time. They knew she was a goner but stuck to it. 1999 T. Barrett (2000) x. 85 Your betrothed acquitted himself well..and bears with him even now the marks of his valor. II. In a way that is regarded as acceptable, desirable, expected, or satisfactory. 4. Heedfully, carefully, attentively. the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adverb] eOE (Kentish) Charter: Ealhburg to Christ Church, Canterbury (Sawyer 1195) in F. E. Harmer (1914) 8 Ic Ealhburg bebiade Eadwealde minem mege an Godes naman & an ealra his haligra ðet he ðis wel healde. OE 1235 Þær bið on eadgum eðgesyne þreo tacen somod, þæs þe hi hyra þeodnes wel wordum ond weorcum willan heoldon. OE 109 Is eallum mannum nedþearf & nytlic þæt hie heora fulwihthadas wel gehealdan. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 1033 Þatt follkess haliȝdomess..wærenn inn an arrke þær Wel & wurrþlike ȝemmde. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 3276 Þa riche men..Plihten mid honden þat heo wel hulden. þurh alle þing flemen Argal heore king. c1300 (Laud) (1868) 209 And preide, he shulde yeme hire wel. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 2139 Loke þat hirde-men wel kepe þe komune passage. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 6849 (MED) Haldes þis wille [Gött. wele], i bid yow now. 1482 in H. E. Malden (1900) 124 I hawhe promysyd hym a bow and I trwste that he wyll se whell to yowr hors. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour (Adv.) i. 118 Ȝe suld..Haiff chosyn ȝow a king that mycht Have haldyn veyle the land in rycht. a1500 (a1450) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 6941 (MED) He..The laugh abseruyd will bothe ferre and nere. 1573 T. Tusser (new ed.) f. 55 To cart, gap, & barne, set a guide to loke weele. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach ii. f. 53 Touchyng seede, this is to be well seene to. 1611 Jer. xxxix. 12 Take him and looke well to him, and doe him no harme. View more context for this quotation 1646 H. Lawrence 185 To keepe well and strictly the out-doores, the sences. 1728 C. Cibber iv. 59 Look well to your Heart, or, Ads me! they'll whip it up in the Trip of a Minute. a1796 R. Burns (1968) I. 24 I gat some gear wi' meikle care, I held it weel thegither. 1844 9 Mar. 25/1 See to it well that no revenue raised for legitimate purposes is wasted. 1855 J. R. Leifchild 262 Look to the Purser well, lest he look to himself too well. the mind > attention and judgement > attention > [adverb] OE 203 Mid þy þe þa Cristenan leode þæt wel sceawodan, ða gesawon hie & getealdon þæt þær wæs eac syx hund manna..acweald. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) Ded. l. 103 Loke wel þatt he. An boc staff write twiȝ ȝess. Eȝȝwhær þær itt upp o þiss boc, Iss writenn o þatt wise. a1250 (?a1200) (Nero) (1952) 88 Auh abuten þeos þencheð & astudieð wel swuðe. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 3565 (MED) God listnede wel. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) viii. l. 2397 Whan sche hath me wel beholde..sche seide thus [etc.]. a1425 (Lansd.) (1902) 11 And tat ye recorde wel þe cumantemens of god. c1450 (c1386) G. Chaucer (Fairf. 16) (1879) Prol. l. 335 Of thyn answere avise the ryght weel. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour (Adv.) i. 202 And gyff ony of thaim thar-at war wrath, Thai watyt hym wele with gret scaith. a1513 H. Bradshaw (1521) i. xiii. sig. e.iiv She well consydered, with due dyscrecyon Of this present lyfe, the great wretchydnesse. a1529 J. Skelton Poems against Garnesche in (1843) I. 129 Note and marke wyl thys parcele. a1538 T. Starkey (1989) 79 Me thynke you pondur not al wel & depely. 1603 S. Harsnett 36 Heere is her lesson read ouer: and marke the scholler how well she conned it. 1611 Prov. xiv. 15 The prudent man looketh well to his going. View more context for this quotation 1746 P. Francis tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace i. vii. 117 Philip, who well observ'd our simple Guest, Laughs in his Sleeve. 1767 A. Campbell 6 Consider well how I have conglomerated this atchievement of erudition. 1782 F. Burney IV. viii. vi. 263 Think of it well ere you proceed. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. v. 610 Feversham..had looked at himself well in the glass. 1873 4 Jan. 9/2 After thinking the matter well over, we have determined not to compete. 1902 J. W. Bengough 110 Mark well that figure tall, Clad in the rugged coon-skin coat. 1924 L. C. Gray & H. A. Turner (U.S. Dept. Agric. Farmers' Bull. No. 1164) 34 Each party should consider well..the general desirability of the bargain itself. 1988 W. Horwood v. 69 Now listen to me, and listen well. 2014 22 Aug. 6 They put up the specials on the website weekly, so study it well before you go. 5. In a way appropriate to the facts or circumstances; fittingly, properly. the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adverb] > fittingly or properly the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > [adjective] > argued well eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) xxi. 151 Be ðære ildinge suiðe wel Dryhten ðreade Iudeas [L. bene Iudaeam Dominus corripit], ða he ðurh ðone witgan cuæð: Ge sindon leogende. OE 9 His [sc. Gabriel's] nama wæs gereht Godes strengo. Wel þæt wæs gecweden. OE (Corpus Cambr.) xii. 28 Ða genealæhte him an of þam bocerum þe he gehyrde hi smeagende & geseah þæt he him wel andswarode & ahsode hine, hwæt wære ealra beboda mæst? c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 18908 Forr þi mihhte he wel mælenn. & berenn wittness i þe follc. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 83 He com bi þis forwundede mon. Wel he com bi him, þa he bicom alswich alse he, wiþute sunne ane. c1275 (?c1250) (Calig.) (1935) l. 1269 For þi seide alfred swiþe wel, And his worde was goddspel. 1340 (1866) 19 (MED) Zuych folie is wel y-cleped onwythede. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xv. 7 Ysay, the prophete, propheciede wel of ȝou. c1400 (?a1300) (Laud) (1952) 3093 Þou hast wel spoken, Dalmadas. a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 639 ‘This is well seyde,’ seyde Morgan le Fay. a1500 (a1450) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 1835 Whanne the Sowdon had hard hym sey so will, ‘Generydes,’ quod he, ‘I geue yow grace’. 1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione i. sig. J.iiiiv And you say wel, that both the one and the other is the folowing of nature. 1590 C. Marlowe sig. K5 Wel said, let there be a fire presently. 1610 J. Donne vi. 170 Sepulueda..saies well..That the soule doth exercise, Herile Imperium vpon the body. 1638 F. Junius 7 It is well observed by an ancient Orator [etc.]. 1662 E. Stillingfleet iii. ii. §1 If so, as Maimonides well observes, the whole Religion of Moses is overthrown. 1725 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer II. viii. 153 Well hast thou spoke, (Euryalus replies). 1779 No. 37. ⁋8 The delightful occupations of a country life, which Cicero well said..are next in kindred to true philosophy. 1809 J. Roland 119 It was well suggested..that it would be better [etc.]. 1855 F. A. Paley (1861) Pref. p. vi (note) Hermann himself well says of certain critics of the old school [etc.]. 1883 R. Whitelaw tr. Sophocles 252 If I speak not well Have thou thy way. 1907 A. H. Strong I. iii. iii. 244 Aristotle says well that there is no such thing as a science of the unique. 2004 B. Richards (ed. 2) I. ii. 19 It has been well observed that..secrets are easier to protect in authoritarian than in open societies. the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adverb] OE 3 Wel þe geriseð þæt þu heafoð [perh. read heafod] sie healle mærre. OE 13 Wel þæt..gedafenaþ þæt he [sc. Christ] to eorþan astige þurh þa clænan leomu þære halgan fæmnan. OE (Tiber. B.i) 22 Syððan hine man byrigde, swa him wel gebyrede, ful wurðlice, swa he wyrðe wæs. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 9571 Tatt bilimmpeþþ wel þatt crist. Iss þurrh þe word bitacnedd. c1225 (?c1200) (Bodl.) 528 Wel bisemeð þe to beon & bikimmeð to beo streon of a swuch strunde. c1300 (Laud) (1868) l. 976 (MED) It was neuere man þat yemede In kinneriche, þat so wel semede King or cayser forto be. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 61 (MED) Þis accordeþ wel to resoun and to philosofie þat treteþ of hote welles. c1400 (?c1380) (1920) l. 793 Wlonk whit watz her wede and wel hit hem semed. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour (Adv.) i. 394 And in spek wlispyt he sumdeill; Bot that sat him rycht wondre weill. ?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis (Pynson) iii. xxxiv. sig. Lii It acordeth nat to welle to my hert. 1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil vii. Prol. 165 As our buik begouth his weirfair tell, So, weill according, dewlie bene annext Thow drery preambill. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) Induct. i. 124 An Onion wil do well for such a shift. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. ii. 4 It would doe well to set the Deares horns vpon his head. View more context for this quotation 1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán ii. 167 I haue inlarged my selfe in speaking more already, then may well become mee. 1706 G. Farquhar iv. i. 40 I fancy my Breeches wou'd become me as well as any ranting Fellow of 'um all. 1753 S. Richardson II. xxiv. 185 She is dissatisfied with what she has written: But I tell her, I think it will do very well. 1832 G. R. Porter 274 Almost any..inflammable vegetable matter will probably answer equally well. 1835 T. Aird in Feb. 186 Yea, well that forehead's beauty undebased Beseems the scion of a prince's side. 1913 XIII. 242 I had already..examined the ground, and..it was unsuitable, with poor water supply. He insisted it would answer me very well. 1930 H. Walpole i. xii. 162 His room..was spotlessly clean. ‘I think it will do very well, thank you,’ said Peter. 1992 9 Oct. 18/6 This flat two miles suits him [sc. a racehorse] well. 2004 T. V. Morris iii. 23 It might..serve well as the first, or perhaps the last, piece of advice any career counselor gives his advisees. the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > prudence, discretion > act prudently [verb (intransitive)] society > leisure > social event > hospitality > show hospitality to [verb (transitive)] > liberal c1390 (Vernon) f. 331/1 Heo [sc. the soul] dude wel and wisly. forte refusen fals loue. 1476 in C. L. Kingsford (1919) II. 12 (MED) Ye do ryght welle to set hyt in a suerte. 1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) vii. 176 Ye have well doon, swete knyghte, for to have broughte your horse here. a1533 Ld. Berners tr. (?1560) cxiii. sig. G*iiii It were well done yt I sholde cause be armed v. hondred knightes. 1575 G. Gascoigne lxx. 192 The Huntsman..shall do well to stop vp his earthes if he can finde them. 1626 F. Bacon §53 You shall doe well to put in some few Slices of Eryngium Roots. 1673 J. Dryden iii. 24 He do's well to take his time. 1725 D. Defoe i. 198 Whoever shall follow the same, or a like Track,..will do well to make a Year of it. 1771 T. Smollett II. 86 You will do well to keep a watchfull eye over..Villiams. 1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor viii, in 3rd Ser. I. 220 Lord Bittlebrain would do weel to remember what his folk have been. 1856 M. Oliphant I. 275 ‘Boy, thou dost well to beard me’, cried Sir Roger. 1884 1 May 688/3 Clergymen who have nothing better to do than incite to war would do well to seek some other calling. 1920 Aug. 21/3 (advt.) You will do well to lay in a supply for everyday use. 2001 17 Sept. 60/1 A president does well to get his recession out of the way early in his first term. 6. the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > [adverb] OE (Claud.) xxxix. 2 Drihten wæs mid him: se man wæs weldonde on eallum þingum [L. in cunctis prospere agens]. OE Ælfric (Laud) 71 Hu mæg se man wel faran, ðe his mod awent fram eallum þisum bocum? c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 14242 Swa þatt teȝȝ mihhtenn spedenn wel. To winnenn erþlic ahhte. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 999 (MED) Weox þet folk & wel i-þaih. c1300 (Laud) (1868) 2983 Him stondes wel þat god child strenes. 1340 (1866) 1 (MED) Þer alle zaulen vareþ wel. a1425 (Cambr.) (1968) 25 (MED) Bonde souȝle & free body þryuen neuer wele. a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 740 Ye have done mervaylously well this day. 1535 1 Sam. xx. 7 Yf he saye then: It is good, then stondeth it well with thy seruant. 1535 2 Kings iv. 26 Axe her yf it go well with her. 1540 J. Palsgrave tr. G. Gnapheus iii. iii. sig. Pj All hayle moche .i. god sende the well to fare. 1556 R. Robinson tr. T. More (ed. 2) sig. Sv Thus..I byd you moste hartely well to fare. 1580 T. Tusser (new ed.) f. 21 Too lustie of courage, for wheat doth not well. 1611 2 Chron. xii. 12 Also in Iudah things went well . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. i. 22 Farewell my Wife..Ile do well yet. View more context for this quotation c1639 W. Mure Psalmes xxxvii. 7 in (1898) II. 115 And fret not that his wayes go weell, Leud plotts to passe who brings. 1665 in J. Stuart (1841) I. 40 I am werie confident..that the bussiness of our familie shall goe weall. 1713 J. Swift 17 Jan. (1948) II. 604 This took well, & turned of the Discourse. 1720 M. Prior (new ed.) 253 If human things went ill or well. 1821 8 Dec. 3/4 A..widow..who kept a boarding house in this city, and was doing well. 1842 J. C. Loudon 275 The gooseberry..and the common nightshade..succeed equally well. 1899 Mar. 552 All went well as far as the foot of the ice-fall. 1909 Oct. 310 I should only invite about six bright, lively people, and, with a little tact and management, it ought to go off very well. 1918 28 Dec. 1/4 Fencing has not fared so well, as it is rather a technical sport and few have had the opportunity of engaging in it. 1991 N. Mailer i. xi. 232 Dr. Schneider did well in the endgame and brought off a draw. 2012 18 Feb. (Mag.) 27/2 Apparently the film went down very well in Peru. the world > action or operation > advantage > [adverb] society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > getting or making money > [adverb] > profitably c1300 (?c1225) (Laud) (1901) l. 1035 Hy schal to house Þy douter do wel spuse [c1300 Cambr. ischal do to spuse Þi doȝter wel to huse]. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) 700 (MED) Ich þe wole marie wel..To þe nobloste bacheler. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 99 Sche made here bonde women free and mariede hem riȝt wel. a1475 in A. Clark (1905) i. 245 To be had and to be hold..frely quyetly..wele and in pease. 1532 G. Hervet tr. Xenophon f. 3v As longe as we kepe them vnsolde, they be no goodes, for they do vs no good: but if they be sold, they be goodes. Ye mary, sayd Socrates, if one haue the witte to sel them well. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta iv. ii. 208 What a father doth to marie his daughter wel, is to give her a great portion in mariage. 1667 J. Janeway 58 Consider..before you make light of this business, and know when you are well offered. 1729 T. Cooke 102 Monimia wrong'd the tender Soul shall move, And Anthony well lose the World for Love. 1753 S. Richardson II. xxx. 236 Will four thousand pounds be well laid out in a quarter-partnership? 1863 W. C. Baldwin vii. 231 I sold all my oxen well in Bloemfontein. 1864 A. Trollope I. xxvi. 267 ‘Amelia has done very well [in her marriage], my dear.’ ‘Oh, if you call it doing well for your girls, I don't.’ a1865 E. C. Gaskell (1866) II. iii. 27 Mamma..always says you have done very well for yourself [in marriage]. 1873 A. Trollope I. i. 13 Lizzie had done very well with herself. 1934 A. Huxley 128 Our Yukonesque stampedes into any business that seems, at any given moment, to be doing well. 2001 J. Hamilton-Paterson (2002) iii. 23 Harold's father did well out of the sale of his land. the world > action or operation > advantage > [adverb] a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 5024 Ledes wit yow beniamin, Godd giue yow þedir will [Fairf. wele] to wine. c1470 in C. L. Kingsford (1919) I. 110 (MED) Gode..brynge yow welle home and in schorte tyme. 1565 T. Cooper at Bene Good speede the, and send the well to returne. 1565 T. Cooper at Ceres To call and praie to god to send well in our corne. 1656 R. Sanderson 85 So he came well off at the last, though he was dangerously engaged onward. 1708 S. Sewall 18 Dec. (1973) I. 612 Got home well in my slay, had much adoe to avoid Slews. 1748 S. Richardson VII. ci. 371 God send him well out of the kingdom! 1748 T. Smollett I. ix. 58 We proceeded on our journey, blessing our selves that we had come off so well. 1822 W. Scott II. iv. 93 I wish you weel through, my lord, but it is an unequal fight. 1852 ‘E. Warburton’ (1860) i. xiii. 110 His regard for what was left of his reputation concurred with his greed of gold in wishing his guest well away. 1860 G. A. Sala I. xviii. 307 However, I'm well out of it, I don't mean Newgate, but my Spanish courtship. 1876 H. Brooks 199 After he had got well off from the tribes in the old neighbourhood. 1940 ‘E. M. Delafield’ 146 Old Mrs. W.-G. is more aggravating than ever, and Aunt Blanche is well out of sharing a flat with her. 1999 J. J. Connolly in T. White 158 He's..got you and Tony to test the water first and now the shit's hit, he's well out of it. 7. the world > health and disease > healing > recovery > [adverb] > satisfactorily recovering OE (Claud.) xxix. 6 Ða cwæð he: Hu mæg he? Hi cwædon þæt he wel mihte. J. Gaytryge (York Min.) (1901) l. 266 That thai welefare in bodi and in saule. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. ix. 12 A leche is nat nede to men that faren wel, but to men hauynge yuel. c1450 (1904) I. 251 A bruther of his askid hym how he did, and he said, wele. a1478 in C. L. Kingsford (1919) II. 29 I trust to God þat he sal do ryght weil and so doth þe fessechan. 1530 J. Palsgrave 524/1 I do well: ie me porte bien. 1597 W. Shakespeare ii. iv. 40 How fares the Prince? Dor. Well Madame, and in health. View more context for this quotation 1597 W. Shakespeare iii. i. 97 How fares our louing brother? Yor. Well my dread Lo:. View more context for this quotation 1611 John xi. 12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleepe, he shall doe well . View more context for this quotation 1684 J. Bunyan 84 The Boy may do well again; but he must purge and Vomit. View more context for this quotation 1712 J. Swift 18 Mar. (1948) II. 516 Mrs Percivlls young Daughter has got the Small Pox but will do well. 1798 Sept. 807/1 Three sons, who, with the mother, are likely to do well. 1841 H. Greville Diary 11 Nov. in (1883) 152 A fine child, and the Queen doing well. 1863 H. W. Longfellow in S. Longfellow (1891) III. 25 Bowditch is wounded through the arm; C. through both shoulders... Both doing well. 1914 14 1093 It was wonderful to see how the mother's milk came back as the child improved and the mother's mind was relieved from worry. I left the mother and baby doing well. 2010 B. Agbaje xii. 69 He is doing well. Spoke to the doctor. Bullet was a through-and-througher. the mind > possession > wealth > [adverb] > well-off a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 5394 Þus was þe kowherd out of kare kindeli holpen, he & his wilsum wif wel to liuen for euer. 1393 W. Langland C. vi. 8 Whenne ich hadde myn hele..and louede wel fare. c1450 (c1350) (Bodl.) (1929) 106 Þanne ferde þe worlde as a feld þat ful were of bestes, Whan eueri lud liche wel lyuede up-on erþe. 1549 T. Solme in H. Latimer To Rdr. sig. Avii The rich..gloton..fared well and deyntely euery day. a1618 W. Raleigh (1658) xxv. 116 All those..which lived well under the old order. 1799 J. Austen 19 June (1995) 49 You must give us something very nice, for we are used to live well. 1840 R. Bulwer-Lytton I. xiv. 282 It is a book that will teach you how to live well on £100 a year, and very well on £200. 1874 G. W. Dasent 302 He would be able to live well and good all his days. 1940 29 July 72 Without great wealth, the upper class lives very well, paying great attention to dining, wining and sleeping. 2010 L. Olson xiv. 234 Bruce managed to live exceedingly well in the British capital, filling his diary with accounts of the lavish meals he enjoyed. 8. Usually with modal verb, esp. may. a. With good reason; naturally; as a natural result or consequence. the world > existence and causation > causation > effect, result, or consequence > [adverb] eOE tr. Bede (Tanner) ii. 1. 96 Cwæð he: Wel þæt swa mæg [L. bene]: forðon heo ænlice onsyne habbað. OE (1932) cxxiii. 4 Wene ic forþon, þæt heo wel mæge þæt swyðre mægen, sawel usser, wæteres wenan ðæs wel gedegean. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 494 Wel ich hit mai suggen to soþe ich hit wene. a1325 St. Thomas Becket (Corpus Cambr.) l. 118 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill (1956) 614 Ech man may segge wel þat þer was Godes grace. ?c1430 (c1400) J. Wyclif (1880) 26 Siþ lordis and men of grete statis..ben so muche biholden to destroie it, & mowne welle don it in dede. c1450 (c1386) G. Chaucer (Fairf. 16) (1879) Prol. l. 183 Men..wel it calle may The daisie or elles the ye of day. 1485 W. Caxton in Pref. sig. ijv In hym..myght wel be aretted grete folye and blyndenesse. c1500 (?a1437) (1939) xiv Wist thou thy payne to cum..For sorow and drede wele myght thou wepe and waille. 1508 W. Dunbar Goldyn Targe (Chepman & Myllar) in (1998) I. 192 Rude is thy wede,..Wele aucht thou be aferit of the licht. 1578 T. Nicholas tr. F. Lopez de Gómara 60 Alleagyng..that he who had common 2000 leagues by Sea, mought well goe 70 leagues by lande. 1611 J. Speed ix. xxiv. 881/1 Well may she bee paralelled with the euer-renowned Zenobia. 1678 B. R. 3 Well may our Irish Friends, cry Oh Hone! Oh Hone! 1753 S. Richardson II. x. 70 What! are you confounded?—Well you may, if you cannot answer me as I wish! 1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in I. i. 319 Now Priam and his sons may well exult. 1816 W. Scott Old Mortality xv, in 1st Ser. IV. 320 Ye could hardly weel be said to breakfast this morning. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. iii. 368 The government did not venture..to enforce a regulation of which the legality might well be questioned. 1872 J. Morley i. 5 Another might well have said of him what he..said of his famous contemporary. 1927 A. E. Wiggam iv. 223 We can well ask the question, Are we really winning the human race? 2005 D. Weissman iii. 76 Given the racist climate of the south, one might well wonder why white artists would want to sing blues in the first place. c1275 (?c1250) (Calig.) (1935) l. 228 (MED) Þar of ich wndri, & wel mai. c1300 (c1250) (Cambr.) (1966) l. 632 Sore hi beoþ offerd, & wel maȝe. c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xx. 241 (MED) [Dives] with-oute whiles [perh. read wiles] wan and wel myghte ateniye Lordliche for to lyuen. 1570 J. Foxe (rev. ed.) I. 247/1 With this vncomely outrage the kyng was much displeased (as he myght full wel). 1592 W. Warner (rev. ed.) vii. xxxvi. 156 Her too much wronged Relict might (as well he might) be greeu'd. 1650 E. Cromwell Let. 27 Dec. in O. Cromwell (1845) II. 103 Which makes me think my writing is slighted; as well it may. 1667 J. Milton ix. 785 Back to the Thicket slunk The guiltie Serpent, and well might. View more context for this quotation 1686 J. Evelyn (1955) IV. 510 Which Dispensation..gave umbrage (as well it might) to every good Protestant. 1753 S. Richardson III. viii. 119 The dear creature..took pride, as well she might, in her hair. 1852 W. E. Gladstone 12 The capital was in amazement at the boldness of the Judges; and well it might. 1871 ‘M. Twain’ 87 All the high houses..were full, windows, roof, and all. And well they might be. 1914 Apr. 310/2 The gasolene engine is coming into more universal use every day, as well it should, considering the almost unlimited uses to which it can be put. 1946 9 Nov. 46/3 The majority of the principals are generally ill at ease. And well they might be, with so little to do. 2007 M. Brady in J. Jordan 112/2 Throughout 1918 the base functioned satisfactorily—as well it might, for the concept and detailed design were the products of much thought and experience. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adverb] > assuredly, indeed the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [adverb] > as concession the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > on condition that [conjunction] > although a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 117 ‘Alas!’ seyde the lady..‘I muste nedys reste me.’ ‘Ye shall well,’ seyde kynge Pellynor. 1589 G. Puttenham i. i. 1 Who..may well be sayd a versifier, but not a Poet. 1637 J. Milton 8 These thoughts may startle well, but not astound The vertuous mind. 1735 June 285/1 If a Man has a Right to what he pays for, they may be well call'd theirs; but the World is not content with allowing them a Right of Purchase. 1792 Oct. 924/1 How far such men are qualified to judge of abuses.., may well be questioned; but no doubt can remain as to the right their would assume to dictate to their superiors. 1821 W. Scott II. i. 14 ‘You forget glorious John,’ said Mordaunt. ‘Ay, glorious you may well call him.’ 1870 Apr. 482/1 Would a parliament during the last twenty years have acted more wisely..than the Emperor has done? It may well be questioned. Perhaps even it may be confidently denied. 1949 K. M. T. Chrimes i. i. 5 These statements may well be true, but it is unnecessary to suppose on that account that the internal condition of Sparta had still further decayed since the fourth century. 2008 25 Nov. 35/1 Sales of slow cookers may well be up, but if you start from a low base there's only one way to go. 9. a. Without difficulty or hindrance; readily, easily. Usually with may or can. the world > action or operation > easiness > [adverb] > without hindrance or encumberment OE tr. Pseudo-Apuleius (Vitell.) (1984) xcviii. 144 Wiþ ðæra eare[na u]nnytlicnysse & wi[ð] þæt man wel gehyran ne mæge genim þas ylcan wyrte cynoglossam. OE Ælfric Let. to Wulfsige (Corpus Cambr.) in B. Fehr (1914) 6 Hy mihton þa wel habban wif on þam dagum. ?c1250 in C. Brown (1932) 112 Helpe þruh þin milde mod, for wel þu mist. c1350 Nominale (Cambr. Ee.4.20) in (1906) 9* Bien puissent ils oreilere, Wil mone thay roune. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvi. vii. 833 [Siluer] may wel be wrouȝt by hamour but nought so wel as gold. a1425 (c1333–52) L. Minot (1914) 2 Þat lord of heuyn mot Edward lede And maintene him als he wele may. c1475 (a1400) Sir Amadace (Taylor) in J. Robson (1842) 43 For he that schope bothe sunne and mone, Fulle wele may pay for alle! 1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More sig. Cviiv All their housholde stuffe, whiche is verye lytle worth, though it myght well abyde the sale. 1641 R. Carpenter iii. iv. 17 That so many Angels may well stand together without much thrusting upon a needles point. 1654 E. Leigh vi. xxix. 597 He must..put aside some such summe as his present abundance may well spare. 1825 W. Scott Betrothed v, in II. 102 Surely, if I am willing to confer such confidence, it is well thy part to answer it. 1828 G. C. Lewis tr. A. Böckh I. 318 These ambassadors remained absent three months, although they might have equally well returned at the end of one. 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. vi. 16 Nor were the refugees such as a country can well spare. 1866 3 Feb. 81/1 It is wonderful how all the shops where nothing is sold but what we can perfectly well do without, prosper and flourish. 1931 L. A. Eshbach in May 185/2 The resulting death of the mad scientist can well be imagined. 1996 31 1447 With China's present economic growth rate and trade volume, it can well dispense with the export revenue from counterfeit products. the world > action or operation > easiness > [adverb] the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adverb] > readily or promptly c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 3672 (MED) Hii ne mowe noȝt wel fle Vor feblesse of hor brode, ac wanne hor briddes rype beþ. c1390 Form of Confession (Vernon) in C. Horstmann (1896) II. 341 In polucions of niht..not wel con telle wher hit come..of eny sorfet of mete or drinke. 1399 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1399 Pleas §9. m. 2 This appel..was so grete and so heghe..that..it myght not wele be redressede no punissed bot by the kyng. a1450 (1885) 103 (MED) I..nowe on myne alde dase..may noȝt wele tryne over two strase. 1523 J. Skelton 35 I can not wele tell you what was the occasyon. 1569 J. Sanford tr. H. C. Agrippa 31 b The thinge seemed graver unto him then that he mighte well speake of it. 1575 G. Turberville 332 Sometimes..a Hawke cannot well indew nor put ouer hir meate. 1609 I. 2 Kings xxv. Comm. There was so exceding much, that they wel could not, or did not weigh it. 1626 F. Bacon §173 The Base striketh more Aire, than it can well strike equally. 1680 J. Moxon I. x. 178 Though no size for the heighth of the Puppets can be well asserted. 1686 Hist. Diss. i, in W. Hopkins tr. Ratramnus (1688) 7 His Answer..could not be well written before the Year 868. 1694 tr. A. J. Tasman Relation Voy. in i. 135 The Wind would not well suffer them to go to the Northward. 1711 J. Swift 27 Apr. (1948) I. 253 I see not how they can well want him.., and he would make a troublesome enemy. 1768 L. Sterne II. 14 By the time La Fleur had well told me, the master of the hotel came..to tell me the same thing. 1803 10 203 With respect to this query,..I cannot so well answer. 1827 B. Disraeli III. v. vii. 132 Before Vivian could well finish his sentence. 1881 B. Jowett tr. Thucydides I. 192 He can praise a sharp remark before it is well out of another's mouth. 1887 ‘L. Carroll’ i. 10 I grant you they couldn't well be fewer. 1898 ‘H. S. Merriman’ xiii. 135 Appearing to know more of that abode of evil than she well could. 1934 Oct. 574/2 The dog can't well help associating the whistle with running towards his master. 1995 J. M. Myers xliii. 236 In writing orders which couldn't well have been carried out by both men,..the War and Navy Department secretaries did not think to consult each other. the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > possibility > [adverb] the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [adverb] eOE (partly from transcript of damaged MS) (2009) v. 24 Ac gif ðu nu wilnast, þæt ðu wel mæge, þæt soðe leoht sweotole oncnawan.., ðu forlætan scealt idle ofersælða. lOE (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1127 Soðfeste men..sæidon, þes þe heom þuhte, þet þær mihte wel ben abuton twenti oðer þritti hornblaweres. ?a1160 (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1137 Hi..brendon alle the tunes, ðat wel þu myhtes faren al a dæis fare, sculdest thu neure finden man in tune sittende. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) Ded. l. 17 Þu þohhtesst tatt itt mihhte wel. Till mikell frame turrnenn. 1340 (1866) 6 Þe wone [sc. of swearing] is kueaduol and may wel wende to zenne dyadlich. c1440 (?a1400) l. 1788 (MED) So may þe wynde weile turnne, I quytte hym or ewyn. 1484 W. Caxton tr. iii. iii He that is..atte vpperest of the whele of fortune, may wel falle doune. a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil (1557) ii. sig. Biiv This right hand well mought haue ben her defense. 1618 W. Lawson iii. 8 The chilling cold may well some little time stay, or hinder the proud course of the sap. 1620 F. Quarles xi. I j Was not this my Word,..When this mis-hap mought well haue bin escaped? 1709 G. Berkeley §144. 168 A little Consideration will shew us how this may well be. 1753 S. Richardson I. xii. 66 That a learned man and a linguist may very well be two persons. 1818 W. Cruise (ed. 2) II. 188 This was as strong a case as could well come before the Court. 1887 ‘L. Carroll’ i. 35 Your Premisses..are as fallacious as they can well be! 1912 T. Roosevelt in 27 July 662/2 The weasel sentence about States' rights could well have been suggested by the astuteness of..Mr. Ryan. 1954 E. P. Abraham in H. W. Florey xxxvii. 707 The required change might well occur automatically if the drug exerted its effect by damaging an enzyme system of the cell. 2000 10 Sept. h4/1 Immersing young children in English, rather than slowly dribbling out instruction, very well may be the surest route to success. †10. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > [adverb] > with good evidence a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 2169 (MED) It semet wel ðat ge spies ben,..And cume ge..for to spien ur lord ðe king. c1380 (1879) l. 4331 He semeþ ful wel þe deuels chyke, y-sprong of þe pyt of helle. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 17900 Þenne coom a mon..þat semed wel to haue ben eremyte. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 371 Wel semed eech of hem a fair Burgeys. a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 264 Thou semyst well to be a good knyght. a1500 (?c1450) (1899) iii. 47 (MED) I can not sei what he is, but wele he semed a wise man. 1530 (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 237 That yt appere wel that she ys hys mother. the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adverb] c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 2071 (MED) Þe kyng..on þe cornes bitis, And wele he geses [a1500 Trin. Dublin gessed], be þe graynes, ȝoure gomes ere fele. a1500 (?c1450) ii. 25 When thei herde these words, [they] supposed wele what he ment. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart I. xciv. 116 They supposed well before that the Kyng of Englande wolde come into Bretayne. 1587 G. Turberville f. 57v The matter was refarde To Nicoluccio, who (because he could full well Discerne of matters, and his tale in skilfull order tell) Should giue the verdit vp. a1687 C. Cotton (1689) 76 And full well you may think, If you troll with a Pink, One too weak will be apt to miscarry. 1799 J. G. Dalyell tr. L. Spallanzani 120 You judge well..that I am not much surprised to find you in opposition to M. De Buffon. 1849 T. W. Redhead III. xxiv. 358 The Republicans..were resolved that the demonstration should take place, judging well that whether the government interfered to prevent it by force or not, the result could not be otherwise than favourable to their designs. III. To a great extent; to a high degree. the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > [adverb] eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius (Otho) (2009) I. xxxii. 537 Swiðe wel þu min [hæfst] geholpen æt þære spræce. OE (2008) 2570 Scyld wel gebearg life ond lice læssan hwile mærum þeodne þonne his myne sohte. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) l. 11538 For ich hine wulle in Norwæȝe neowe king makien. and hine wæl lere to witeȝen wel þa leoden. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 1231 (MED) William wiþ god wille..wel þe duk hitt. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. xi. 910 It [sc. garlic]..helpiþ wel fleumatik men and colde. a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) (1891) l. 1911 But the oynement halpe me wele. a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich xiii. l. 270 (MED) Scheldes & hawberkis Al to-broke..So wel they Gonne there hem beweld. c1480 (a1400) St. Peter 322 in W. M. Metcalfe (1896) I. 16 I sal helpe þe wondire veill. 1561 J. Hollybush tr. H. Brunschwig f. 27 Thys helpeth very well and is experimented. 1597 J. Gerard ii. 410 The same effect Sea Housleeke works as well as thees. 1622 F. Bacon 191 If hee would take the businesse to heart, and deale in it effectually..it would succeed well. a1699 W. Temple Ess. Health & Long Life in (1701) 110 A White Staff will not help gouty Feet..nor a Blue Ribband bind up a Wound so well as a Fillet. 1748 Lady M. W. Montagu 17 July (1966) II. 407 I have planted a great deal [of tea] in my Garden, which..has succeeded very well. 1788 (Royal Soc.) 78 271 Now, when the machine worked well, Mr. Gilpin supposes he got about two or three hundred sparks a minute. 1819 R. Southey (1856) III. 262 The printer gets on well with my History. 1874 19 Oct. 6/1 If it [sc. the Bank of England] is to be an ordinary bank at all as well as the reserve bank for the whole country, it can only perform its functions well in both capacities by enlarging its sphere. 1920 July 396/2 All the plans may be..proceeding well when at the last moment bad weather may spring up and the work of weeks be rendered useless. 1954 7 84 To judge from the vehement reactions of the critics, the revolutionary shock-tactics seem..to have succeeded remarkably well. 2006 (Nexis) 15 Nov. 3 There was the US study that suggested the antioxidants in Guinness may work as well as aspirin in preventing heart clots. the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adverb] > completely or thoroughly eOE (Royal) (1865) iii. xxvi. 322 Genim nioþowearde elenan & þung.., ealra emfela, & gecnua wel. OE tr. Pseudo-Apuleius (Vitell.) (1984) xiii. 58 Wið þæs magan sare genim þas wyrte & cnuca hy & gewyll hy wel mid amigdales ele. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 19308 He..haffde himm sellf wel filledd. All þatt tatt cwiddedd haffde ben Off himm. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 240 Wule anweb beon anchere wel ibleached wið an water, an sol clað wel iweschen? a1325 (c1250) (1968) 229 He..heled him ðat side wel, Ðat it ne wrocte him neuere a del. 1381 Diuersa Servicia in C. B. Hieatt & S. Butler (1985) 64 Nym hennys & schald hem wel. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 388 Thise clerkes bette hym wel, and lete hym lye. c1440 (?a1400) l. 321 (MED) Now schalle we wreke full wele þe wrethe of oure elders! a1450 in T. Austin (1888) 6 Take otemele, an grynd it smal, an sethe it wyl. 1483 tr. Adam of Eynsham iii Ageyne meruaylously the colowre of hys face was reuyuyd and welle shewyd. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. xix Yf it [sc. corne] be well wynowed or fande it wyll be solde the derere. 1535 Ezra xxiv. 5 Let it boyle well, & let the bones seyth well therin. 1618 W. Lawson vi. 13 All your labour..about an Orchard is lost, vnlesse you fence well. 1639 T. Fuller i. xix. 31 Of late some English travellers climbing this mountain were well wetted. 1697 J. Dryden tr. iv. 128 Lab'ring well his little Spot of Ground. 1706 N. Rowe iv. i. 50 'Till..that poor bleeding King be well reveng'd. 1799 G. S. Carey (ed. 2) 76 The market here is not very well supplied. 1814 W. Scott II. xxii. 341 The pockets of the defunct..had been pretty well spung'd. View more context for this quotation 1820 J. Keats Lamia ii, in 45 She, as well As her weak hand could any meaning tell, Motion'd him to be silent. 1890 102 307 After being well dried with an antiseptic sponge or dry gauze. 1936 Apr. 102/2 Sift it [sc. the flour] into the beaten product in the mixing bowl. And stir it well... No lumps. 2007 (Nexis) 57 357 The skilled pianist must..practice regularly..and enforce a self-discipline that will sustain her through the more plodding aspects of learning her art well. 13. a. Used as an intensifier to strengthen the idea implied in the verb, or to denote that the action, etc., indicated by it attains a high point or degree. the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > very OE tr. Pseudo-Apuleius (Vitell.) (1984) xlvi. 92 Gif him fefer derige, syle him þas ylcan wyrte wel drincan on wætere. OE tr. Theodulf of Orleans (Corpus Cambr.) xxxii. 365 Mæg he þonne witan þæt he bið on syðfæte, ond wel gysthuses beþearf. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 9324 Þa muȝhe ȝe wiþþ clene lif. Wel hellpenn ȝure sawless. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 1266 Þan william wiȝtly, as he wel couþe, profered him þat prisoner. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 1 As resoun also it weel confermeth. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour (St. John's Cambr.) xviii. 87 Thai said weill at thai suld do sua. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour (Adv.) i. 21 Thai suld weill hawe prys That in thar tyme war wycht and wys. 1629 J. Earle (ed. 5) lxxv. sig. N7 A good dull vicious fellow, that complyes well with the deboshments of the time. 1649 No. 37. 266 They do well approve and confirm the choice of you to be Lord Mayor of the City of London for the year insuing. 1733 J. Swift Thoughts on Var. Subj. in J. Swift et al. I. 299 It is as hard to satyrize well a Man of distinguished Vices, as to praise well a man of distinguished Virtues. 1776 G. Washington Let. 5 Aug. in (2000) Revolutionary War Ser. X. 515 This..his own merit, as well as the great worth of his Father, well entitles him to. 1834 July 297 I dare say you three will get on very well with her... You always get on well with people. 1876 172 Mr. Deighton's bitch, who beat her opponent well at the finish. 1877 H. Smart III. 158 Ever since..the twain had got on very well together. 1914 May 611/1 His gameness under fire has been well established. 1968 P. McKellar xi. 277 Such a person might..be a professional philosopher who gets on well with other people in parties and other social situations. 2000 8 Sept. 20/2 Our senior county league hopes took a dive on Sunday, when we were well beaten by Kilcummin. OE Ælfric (Cambr. Gg.3.28) xxii. 207 We nimað nu þone wisan Augustinum to ðissere trahtnunge, ðam ðe we wel truwiað to swa micelre deopnysse. OE (Claud.) xxxix. 19 Ða se hlaford þæt gehyrde, þa wearþ he swiþe yrre, & gelyfde swiðe wel hyre wordum. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 19300 Þiss birrþ þe full wel trowwenn. c1250 in (1935) 70 236 (MED) He wende uel atte frome þat heo sie misled oþer sum brut gume heuede hire misred. a1325 (c1280) (Pepys 2344) (1927) l. 152 (MED) Whuch of ȝow..leouede wel þat al þat he sede Sholde by-ffalle? c1390 in C. Brown (1924) 138 Leeue me wel, hit lasteþ o. a1425 (?c1350) (1964) l. 2504 Þat may I noght do; Bileves wele, for me bus go. a1425 (c1333–52) L. Minot (1914) 2 Gai þai war and wele þai thoght On þe Erle Morre and oþer ma. c1450 (a1400) Chevalere Assigne l. 67 in W. H. French & C. B. Hale (1930) 862 Þe kynge..wente wele it were sothe alle þat she seyde. 1476 in C. L. Kingsford (1919) II. 11 In trowth I hadde will hopid that your horsis shulde a ben here as þis night. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour (Adv.) i. 149 He thocht weile..That he suld slely fynd the gate. a1500 (a1460) (1994) I. xxxi. 426 Thomas. Sir, whatsoeuer ye bid vs do, We assent vs well therto. a1500 (?c1450) xxxii. 655 Thei bothe fill to the erthe as he that trusted wele vpon his felowes. 1522 E. Betts Let. in B. Cusack (1998) 228 And I felt wele þt ye shuld abeen never þe nere. 1590 E. Spenser iii. v. sig. Gg4v By tract of blood, which she had freshly seene.., Well hoped shee the beast engor'd had beene. 1649 R. Baxter (new ed.) ii. sig. bb That would prove Christ was in the Bread, before they believed well that he was in Heaven. 1735 J. Andrews 59 The Cause, which he well hoped was near at an End. 1870 E. W. Montagu xviii. 219 The negro believing well that what I said was truth, and looking about him, could see no loophole for escape. 1901 29 261 I believed well that she was proud of them. 2008 A. Wallace 43 Trouble always followed this particular look of hers. He'd learned to trust it well. OE 917 He bið þam godum glædmod on gesihþe.., þam þe him on mode ær wordum ond weorcum wel gecwemdun. OE (2008) 639 Ðam wife þa word wel licodon. OE 29 Þis is min se leofa Sunu, on þæm me wel gelicode. c1225 (?c1200) (Bodl.) (1938) 4 (MED) His hinen..to cwemen wel þe huswif..swerieð somet reaðliche þet efter hire hit schal gan. c1300 St. James Great (Laud) 335 in C. Horstmann (1887) 44 Þov ne miȝht me neuere paye wel, bote þov do ase ich rede. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 28 So wel hit him liked, þe savor of þe swete sesoun and song of þe briddes. c1440 (?a1400) l. 230 (MED) There ne es prelatte..That ne he myghte be wele payede of þees pryce metes. 1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart II. cxcvi. [cxcii.] f. ccl/1 This preposycion that the vnyuersite hadde made before the kynge, pleased right well the kynge. 1589 G. Puttenham ii. x. 70 The same represented by delineation to the view pleaseth the eye well. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iv. 38 Your plainnesse and your shortnesse please me well . View more context for this quotation 1683 iv. 31 The conference the Queen had.., which gave him wonderful satisfaction, pleased them not so well. 1711 J. Addison No. 21. ¶8 A Man would be well enough pleased to buy Silks of one, whom he would not venture to feel his Pulse. 1753 S. Richardson I. li. 410 Sir Hargrave did not seem so well pleased. 1799 June 269/1 Their obedience doth please me well. 1810 R. Parkinson II. vi. 233 Earl Conyngham was so well pleased with the pigman's boy, as always to make him a present for preserving the life of a weak pig of the valuable kind. 1879 J. Burroughs 29 No hive seems to please them as well as a section of a hollow tree. 1994 N. Parker xviii. 213 I wasn't staying at Parkhurst. I was well pleased. I had detested the place from the start. OE tr. Chrodegang of Metz (Corpus Cambr. 191) xxxvii. 245 Soðlice se lufað his sawle wel [L. bene diligit], se þe hine sylfne gehylt. ?a1160 (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1154 God clerc & god man & wæl luued of þe king. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 6178 Þin macche birrþ þe lufenn wel. c1225 (?OE) (Worcester) (Fragm. B) l. 9 Hwar beoþ nu þine wæde þe þ[u] wel lufedest? a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 2009 Putifar luuede ioseph wel. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1882) VIII. 25 He..loved wel pees and quyet. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 7288 Prophet he was, sir samuel, Wel luued wit godd, for he was lel. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) ii. 36 In Ingland neuer before was kyng lufed so wele. c1450 J. Capgrave (1910) 3 We rede of hym..þat he hated þe Greke letteris and loued weel þe Latyn. a1513 R. Fabyan (1516) I. xiiii. f. viii Ye fader..Demaunded of Ragan the seconde doughter how wel she loued hym. 1590 21 Hir husband that loued Irish well, thought it no ill tricke at tables to beare a man too many. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. vii. 149 Let them kisse one another: For they lou'd well When they were aliue. View more context for this quotation 1631 tr. J. A. Comenius lv. §600 A stepfather, & a stepmother, loue not very well their steppe sonnes, or steppe children. 1702 S. Centlivre i. ii. 11 I love Mischief so well, I can refuse nothing that farthers that. 1770 H. Brooke (Dublin ed.) V. xvii. 310 I never look to have a Mistress that I shall love half as well. 1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor vii, in 3rd Ser. II. 123 It is a spot connected with the legendary lore which I love so well. 1911 E. Goldman tr. M. Baginski in Mar. 55 The very people he loved so well turned from him. 1998 5 Feb. 3 (advt.) If you know and love jazz well, this is your vade mecum. c1330 (Auch.) (1966) l. 529 (MED) Ich man liked wele his gle. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 1009 Sche..him graunted to worche wiþ hire al his wille as he wel liked. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 548 Wit bestes doumb man has his fele, O thyng man liks, il or welle. 1477 Earl Rivers tr. (Caxton) (1877) lf. 1v He trusted I shuld lyke it right wele. a1500 (?c1450) xxx. 607 Kynge Ban..be-hilde the maydenys, and liked well theire companye. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. ccxxxviijv I lyke it righte well..that you saye howe Themperoure hangeth not of the Bisshop his sleue. 1607 J. Norden iii. 85 And these springs I like well. For a house without liuely water is maymed. 1675 R. Burthogge 419 Perhaps, while some of us are for Martyn, and others for Luther,..God likes well of us All. 1704 III. xiv. 400 There being a Masque at the Court that the King liked very well, he perswaded the Chancellor to see it. 1754 A. Ferguson Let. 1 Dec. in E. C. Mossner & I. S. Ross (1977) xviii. 14 He likes very well to hear about matters of Study. 1847 H. S. Riddell 21 Our Mary liket weel to stray Where clear the burn was rowin'. 1909 A. E. Barr iv. 80 There have been hours, Annie, when I would have liked well to have horsewhipped the dastard who blacked our name. 1994 R.J. Waller 13 I watch as you play the second chorus of ‘Gone With the Wind’, the one where you do the little two-fingered runs I like so well. c1390 (a1376) W. Langland (Vernon) (1867) A. v. l. 248 (MED) Ich haue wel deseruet To haue helle for euere. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 9628 Þis þral..wel has serued for to be demed. c1450 C. d'Orleans (1941) 119 (MED) Certis y haue desert hit wil. 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus f. 215v Many moo then one to had well deserued to bee whipped. 1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. K1, in (rev. ed.) I doubt not but so to behaue my selfe, that I shall well deserue this good liking..of my maister. a1669 J. Trapp in C. H. Spurgeon (1870) I. Ps. vii. 16 Executed at Tyburn, as he had well deserven. 1692 E. Walker tr. Epictetus Ep. Ded. You were then pleas'd to express an high esteem for the Author, as he very well deserves it. 1757 A. Cooper i. ii. 20 How far the fine Stiller may profit by it, well deserves his Attention. 1790 E. Burke 135 You..in doing it have incurred the penalties you well deserve to suffer. View more context for this quotation 1833 I. Taylor vi. 179 The subject..well deserves more ample treatment. 1924 L. L. Mowbray in J. O. La Gorce 143 Well deserving its nickname of ‘The Tiger of the Sea’, the carnivorous Barracuda..darts at its prey on sight. 1993 Summer 20 This sunless mid-winter period..well deserves its Inuktitut name–Tauvijjuaq, the ‘great darkness’. eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) xviii. 139 Ac hit is ðearf ðætte sio giemen, ðe hie hira hiremonnum utan don scylen, sie wel gemetgod [L. sub certa necesse est mensura teneatur]. OE (1932) lxxiii. 18 Geseoh þu nu sylfa, god, soð is gecyðed, hu [prob. read nu] þin gewitnes ys wel gefylled, hu deorce beoð dagas on eorðan þam þe unrihtes ægh[w]ær wyrceað. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 23 Þah an castel beo wel bemoned..mid monne. a1325 Diuersa Cibaria in C. B. Hieatt & S. Butler (1985) 49 Þoes colours of saundrez schullen beon wel ibrayed in an morter..& soþþen schal beon wel istempred wiþ milke of alemauns. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 2499 (MED) He wan aȝen to William..wel icharged wiþ wyn. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 29 The chambres and the stables weeren wyde And wel we weeren esed at the beste. a1425 (c1333–52) L. Minot (1914) 9 (MED) Þe Inglis men war armed wele Both in yren and in stele. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 150 Eer thei be weel adauntid and weel schamed of her folie. 1538 T. Elyot Addicion Artitus, well instructed in sciences. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. ccxxxj Whan the number of Bysshoppes was wel increased, they beganne the Counsell. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay iv. xiii. 126 b A Leopardes skynne well spotted. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. ii. 304 Maides well Summer'd, and warme kept, are like Flyes at Bartholomew-tyde. View more context for this quotation 1627 R. Sanderson 421 The Land by that meanes well purged of these ouer-spreading Locusts. 1639 J. Taylor 46 I am neither well litter'd, nor well provender'd..nor well rubb'd, nor well curried, nor indeed well any thing'd. 1659 in E. Nicholas (1920) IV. 171 Some say the Sweade is well beaten by the Dane and Dutch. 1755 J. Shebbeare I. xix. 213 Surgeon Macpherson being well learnt in Northern Knowledge. 1783 S. Chapman in 1 285 Tincture of roses, well acidulated. 1842 J. C. Loudon 497 Pots..either new or well cleaned in the inside. 1877 A. W. Kinglake (ed. 6) I. xii. 198 He had not been kept well imbued with the policy which his Government was pursuing. 1899 28 Oct. 7/1 I conceived that his system was not well-bottomed on facts. 1920 June 35/1 Until the face of the valve and its seat are absolutely bright and well polished. 2003 18 Aug. 63/3 A good driver's sense of balance is so well honed that he can feel when the car is in danger of fishtailing around a turn. 14. the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > [adverb] OE Byrhtferð (Ashm.) (1995) iii. ii. 144 Ða gleawe sægenga wel hig understandað þæt eorðlice lichamlice [read lichaman] beoð fulran on weaxendum monan þonne on wanigendum. lOE (Corpus Cambr. 303) (1980) 107 Eala þu Godes man, nylle we na þas word gehyran forþon we witon ful wel hwæt þu eart. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 5260 Her þu mihht nu sen full wel, Þatt lufe iss all i dedess. 1258 Proclam. Henry III in (1868–9) 19 Þæt witen ȝe wel alle þæt we willen and vnnen þæt [etc.]. c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) 119 in C. Horstmann (1887) 110 For we it mowen wel i-wite..Þat..it is godes sonde. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 951 (MED) Þan William wel vnderstod sche wist what him eilede. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 866 I sagh wel þat i misfard. 1411 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1411 §13. m. 14 He knoweth wel that..he ne hath noght born hym as he sholde hav doon. c1450 (c1350) (Bodl.) (1929) 91 Men seþ wel þat þe see seseþ & stinteþ. a1500 (?c1450) xxxii. 655 Segramor..hadde well sein and parceyved whiche was Petrius. 1526 John iv. f. cxxiiij I wot well Messias shall come. a1545 Deth Edwarde IV in J. Skelton (c1563) 86 Ye wot well all, I was of no great yeld. 1581 B. Rich Ep. Ded. sig. a ij Wisdome now hath warned me, that I well knowe Cheese from Chalke. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay i. xix. 22 b Which hee well perceiued, and smiling, tolde mee that he saw wel that I dissembled. 1624 R. Montagu 95 As..his most sacred Maiestie can well remember. 1638 R. Baker tr. J. L. G. de Balzac II. 33 The number of my enemies is great, I see it well. 1667 J. Milton iv. 926 Well thou knowst I stood Thy fiercest. View more context for this quotation 1711 R. Steele No. 78. ⁋7 We well know, Sir, you want no Motives to do Justice. a1771 T. Gray Agrippina in (1775) 130 I well remember too (for I was present). 1788 J. Priestley iv. xxiv. 191 Nor does it well appear that their kings did afterwards introduce any of another sort. 1837 W. Whewell II. 202 All is done by an impulsion which one does not well understand. 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. vi. 24 He..could well remember the political contests of the reign of James the First. 1895 99 544/1 The parties know perfectly well beforehand what are the points in dispute. 1928 28 Nov. 17/3 Sir Austen Chamberlain must know well what it is to be met at night by the same barricade of red boxes across his study table. 1997 Winter 14/2 The organ is one I remember well—most of the pipe work still as Father Willis intended. b. With know (in senses relating to acquaintance). Formerly also with can. the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [adverb] > intimately or familiarly the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [adverb] > in detail > closely, thoroughly, or in detail OE Wærferð tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1900) i. iii. 23 Felix wæs haten sum broður, se wæs eac genemned Curuus, þone þu sylf wel [Corpus Cambr. ful geare; L. bene] cuðest. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 2177 Ȝho cneow himm wel. c1330 (?a1300) (1886) l. 225 Mi broþer wele it [sc. a ring] knewe, Mi fader ȝaf it me. 1340 (1866) 251 Þet is þe heȝeste wyt of man, wel to knawe his sseppere and him louie. c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xxi. l. 254 Peter þe apostel..wel hym knewe. 1535 Gen. xxix. A We knowe him well. 1600 W. Shakespeare i. i. 153 You know me well . View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil 109 The Shepherd knows it well; and calls by Name Hippomanes. View more context for this quotation 1709 R. Steele No. 58. ⁋2 He being well known to us all. 1781 W. Cowper 19 Feb. (1979) I. 449 Mr. Hill knows me well enough to be able to vouch for me that I am not overmuch addicted to Compliments. 1850 C. Dickens xxxiv. 351 I knew my aunt sufficiently well to know that she had something of importance on her mind. 1862 W. M. Thackeray II. xi. 247 I know him..too well to think he will ever apologize! 1934 E. Bowen 230 ‘Do you hate him?’ he asked. ‘Or just know him fearfully well?’ 2000 M. Gayle lxviii. 250 Knowing her as well as I did I knew she'd be devastated. the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adverb] > with scrupulous care or attention to detail OE Ælfric (Julius) (1900) II. 130 Se geleaffulla cyning..wæs his wealhstod forþan þe he wel cuþe scyttysc. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 6869 Tatt kalldealandess follc..wass off balaamess kinn. & cuþe wel hiss lare. a1275 in C. Brown (1932) 27 (MED) Godes word ful wel þov cnewe. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 459 (MED) Iobal is broðer song and glew, Wit of musike, wel he knew. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 118 Al þe werk of wicchecraft wel y-nouȝ che couȝþe. a1425 J. Wyclif (1869) I. 223 (MED) Cunne we wel Goddis lawe. a1500 (a1450) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 3698 Be cause ye knowe so will this contre. 1599 F. Thynne (1875) 36 That abstruce scyence whiche Chawcer knewe full well. 1606 Prol. sig. A2v Vnlesse you know the subiect well you may returne home as wise as you came. 1660 126 That he that knew the Law so well should so much transgresse it. 1759 S. Johnson I. vii. 45 He thought himself happy in having found a man who knew the world so well. 1807 R. Southey Let. 5 Oct. in (1856) II. 20 He knows the Arts well, and loves them disinterestedly. 1819 W. Scott III. iii. 66 I can well of woodcraft. 1893 E. Favenc 103 I will lend you a blackboy who knows the country well and will see you back here safely. 1935 10 5/2 The garage mechanic.., or the filling-station attendant, usually knows the town as well as anybody. 1999 W. H. Hebert xxi. 294 The painter had been on hand during the battle and knew his subject well. 15. the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adverb] > expertly or proficiently eOE (Mercian) (1965) xxxii. 3 Cantate ei canticum nouum, bene psallite in iubilatione : singað him song neowne wel singað in wynsumnisse. OE Cynewulf 668 Sum mæg fingrum wel hlude fore hæleþum hearpan stirgan, gleobeam gretan. a1225 (?c1175) Poema Morale (Lamb.) 109 in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 167 Ne mei him na Mon alsa wel demen ne alswa rihte. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 21 A Frenchis clerc Wace wes ihoten þe wel couþe writen. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) 3166 So wisliche he made hit & so wel þat me leuede him uaste. c1390 in C. Horstmann (1892) i. 329 (MED) Þe Preost of þe chirche vndude þe gospel And lerede his parischens, as he couþe wel. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 122 Ful wel she soong the seruyce dyuyne. a1439 J. Lydgate (Bodl. 263) ii. l. 2368 This Tubal koude forge weel. 1529 T. More i. f. iiiv/2 And men mutter amonge them selfe, that yt boke was not only faultles, but also very wel translated. 1548 f. lxxiij Thesame gate or tower..well and warly was made ouer the gate loups. 1601 B. Jonson v. v. sig. L4v How well Diana can distinguish Times? View more context for this quotation 1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes iv. i. 19 in II Well play'd, my Poet. 1656 T. Stanley II. iv. facing p. 4 A man..able to discourse wel. 1706 J. Savage tr. R. de Piles 386 He was a universal Painter; he perform'd well alike in all kinds, Landskip only excepted. 1741 Countess of Pomfret in Countess of Hartford & Countess of Pomfret (1805) II. 277 Lord Strafford..looks extremely young..but talks very well. 1803 in W. Scott (ed. 2) III. 389 Aim'd well, the chieftain's lance has flown. 1857 J. Ruskin ii. 143 A great work is only done when the painter..determines to paint it as well as he can. 1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato (ed. 2) V. 381 Every one of these poets has said many things well and many things the reverse of well. 1905 Baroness Orczy xxi. 205 Briggs was an expert skipper, and Sir Percy handled a schooner as well as any master mariner. 2010 Spring 35/2 She sings well enough to have performed two sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being satisfactory > [adverb] OE (Corpus Cambr.) liii. 85 To geares fæce twegen gebroðra into cumena cicenan gan, and þa synd swylce, þe wel þenian cunnan and þa þenunge wel gefyllen. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 1541 He seruede his fader wel Wið wines drinc and seles mel. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iv. l. 1234 (MED) Malgre hem thei mote obeie And don al ydelschipe aweie, To serve wel and besiliche. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 18 He..kepte alwey so wel Roial estat That ther nas no wher swich another man. c1450 (a1400) Chevalere Assigne l. 2 in W. H. French & C. B. Hale (1930) 859 All-weldynge God..Wele He wereth His werke with His owne honde. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour (St. John's Cambr.) xi. 50 God may richt weill our werdis deill. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta iv. xxxi. 295 Cherries, both wilde and tame have not prospered well at the Indies. 1691 J. Wilson ii. iv To eat well, drink lustick, care for nothing, and have my Flatterers as other Men. 1712 J. Swift 26 Mar. (1948) II. 525 The Quicksetts..do not grow so well as those famous ones on the Ditch. 1756 P. Browne ii. ii. 130 Where the ground is observed to produce a kind plant and to rattoon well. 1853 14 ii. 367 The machine..could not cut laid corn well. 1855 2 523 She appears moping, but eats very well. 1893 28 85/1 The existing practice has worked well, and..ought to be maintained. 1908 E. Fowler 40 Very fine Irises..grow well in that garden. 2007 M. Annacchino i. 36 If you fail to satisfy the need, there is no compensation that will offset what is lacking. Meet the need well and there are many things that will be overlooked. the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adverb] ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) i. 196 After þe Inglis kynges, he says þer pris þat alle in metir fulle wele lys. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 388 This Markys..hir sette Vp on an hors snow whyt and wel amblyng. a1529 J. Skelton Poems against Garnesche in (1843) I. 130 Yt wold garnyche wyll thy face. 1638 T. Nabbes i. iii. 7 The Balconees..set off a Ladies person well, when she presents her selfe to the view of gazing passengers. Artificial fucations are not discern'd at distance. 1668 J. Dryden iii. i. 26 Those knots of sky, do not So well with the dead colour of her face. 1710 R. Steele No. 212. ⁋4 A Woman must think well to look well. 1779 No. 11 That [science] of the serjeant, as it teaches a man to stand well on his legs. 1845 J. Dixon tr. M. Thiers II. xxxvii. 71/2 One of those groups..was composed of those young men who, to distinguish themselves from the Jacobins, dressed well and wore high cravats, which obtained for them the name of ‘Muscadins’, or dandies. 1898 A. Balfour vi I was a big, strong fellow, carrying my six feet well. 1940 29 Jan. 68/1 Slim and handsome, he dressed well. 1999 K. Grenville 19 She had always had a good bust, and the little blue top set it off well. IV. As an intensifier with adjectives, numerals, adverbs, etc. 16. With adjectives. the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > to a considerable degree eOE tr. Bede (Tanner) iv. ii. 258 Wæron her stronge cyningas & wel cristne [L. fortissimos Christianosque habentes reges]. eOE (Royal) (1865) ii. ii. 180 Pisan ofþænda & gesodena on ecede & on wætre & on wine wel scearpum. OE 217 Þa wæs he þær dagas wel manige. lOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius (Bodl.) (2009) I. xxv. 293 Seo leo, þeah hio wel tam se.., gif hit æfre gebyreð þæt heo blodes onbirigð, heo forgit sona hire niwan taman. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 49 Ah leofemen godalmihtin haueð isceaweð us wel muchele grace. a1225 (c1200) (1888) 123 (MED) Hit beoueð ðat hie bie wiel lutter and ðat ðar ne bie forholen non atter. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) l. 12823 We habbeð wið him iuohten wel feole siðen. a1300 (c1275) (1991) 86 His muð is ȝet wel unkuð Wið pater noster and crede. c1300 St. Brendan (Harl.) 150 in C. Horstmann (1887) 224 (MED) To a stede ȝe schulle hunne wende..Þat is foweles parays, a wel ioyful place. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) 7693 Þoru out al engelond he huld wel god pes. c1350 (a1333) William of Shoreham (1902) 2 Be him wel siker, þer-to he schel. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 4 (MED) In þat forest..þer woned a wel old cherl. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 13 I haue peynt a wel faire man. c1390 (a1376) W. Langland (Vernon) (1867) A. vii. l. 44 In a wel perilous place þat Purgatorie hette. ?a1425 (Egerton) (1889) 35 A lytill citee and a narow, bot it es wele lang. a1475 in A. Clark (1905) i. 160 Hit shold be wele lawfull to the same Abbesse. 1484 W. Caxton tr. ii Wel hyghe fro the ground. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. (1882–7) lii. 176 He thought hymselfe ryght wel happy. 1577 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Islande Brit. ii. ii. f. 62/1, in R. Holinshed I The Ogur or Gur..is a welfaire streame. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens iv. xxxi. 489 A branche of leaues, very well like to the leaues of the Lentil. 1602 J. Marston v. iv. sig. K Tis well brim full. Euen I haue glut of blood. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. i. 233 If I did thinke, Sir, I were well awake, I'ld striue to tell you. View more context for this quotation 1664 H. More Apol. in 520 When he was once well warm in his Dignity. 1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Palamon & Arcite i, in 6 Nor well alive, nor wholly dead they were. 1728 E. Chambers at Painting To Paint on a Wall: when well dry, they give it two or three Washes of boiling Oil. 1823 W. Scoresby 448 We..made her well fast for another night's lodgings. 1867 J. Turrill Diary 10 June in (1993) 136 I should think they are well drunk by this time. 1878 23 ii. 1061 I passed a full-sized bougie along the urethra to keep it well open. 1886 J. S. Corbett I. 115 The charm of his face were the well-open eyes. 1914 J. Stephens xxxi. 256 When they are well asleep we'll walk quietly off with ourselves and leave them there. 1949 A. C. Walshaw (ed. 3) ii. 47 The inlet valve should be timed to open so that it is well open by the time the induction stroke commences. 1962 S. Ennis tr. P. Sayers vi. 32 It was well late when I reached Flagstone a little below Vicarstown, and those little things delayed me. 1991 G. B. Knos & Y.-F. Sung in A. Stoudemire & B. S. Fogel iii. 135 Until the patient is well awake and stable. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > worth > [adjective] > well worth the world > action or operation > ability > [adjective] > for, of, or to do something OE Ælfric (Cambr. Gg.3.28) Pref. 175 On ðam timan bið swa micel yfelnyss & þwyrnys betwux mancynne, þæt hi wel wyrðe beoð þære deoflican ehtnysse. OE St. Eustace (Julius) in W. W. Skeat (1900) II. 190 Wæs he eac wel gleaw on huntunge, and þæt singallice ælce dæge beeode. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 2357 Þær þurrh wass ȝho wel wurrþ to ben. Swa wurrþedd her onn erþe. a1225 (c1200) (1888) 29 (MED) Hwilch harm oðer hwilc unȝelimp ðe ðe to-cumþ, þench ðat ðu art wel wurðe ðes eueles. c1350 (a1333) William of Shoreham (1902) 44 (MED) Þe ferþe [degree in orders] ‘acolyt’ hys, to segge y-wys, Tapres to bere wel worþe. a1500 (a1450) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 2181 To wayte on hym ther were [they] well willyng. 1570 iv. i. sig. Div When you feele your selfe, well able to preuayle: Byd you the battell. 1585 in J. D. Marwick (1882) IV. 437 Sic persouns..as ar knawin to be..maist cairfull and weill willing to seik the saiftie and preseruatioun of the same. 1611 Num. xiii. 30 Let vs goe vp at once and possesse it, for we are well able to ouercome it. View more context for this quotation 1612 R. Ch. 64 Though it be a seemely and large tree, and well worth the hauing, yet [etc.]. 1627 G. Richardson xiii. 27 Exceedingly fruitfull for corne, and all other commodities, which the colder clime is well capable of. 1648 T. Gage 160 They have enough and more then is well sutable to their vow..of poverty. 1711 R. Steele No. 78. ⁋9 You are well able to settle this affair. 1777 J. Priestley III. 97 It appears to me to be well worth while to examine the power of all liquids, and of solid substances too..properly to absorb common air. 1780 W. Coxe 187 He was well aware that the only method [etc.]. a1817 J. Austen (1818) II. xiii. 248 The two girls..found themselves so well-sufficient..to themselves, that it was eleven o'clock..before they quitted the supper-room. View more context for this quotation 1837 B. D. Walsh tr. Aristophanes Knights i. iii, in 179 I was well aware That these intrigues were carpentered. 1840 C. J. Lever Charles O'Malley x, in May 527/1 ‘Here, Charley,’ cried a voice I was well familiar with, ‘here's a place I've been keeping for you.’ 1848 17 i. 144 It would be well worthwhile to run a few narrow galleries through the hills. 1889 May 188 There is..still a large extent of country well suitable to cultivation. 1954 2 Feb. 9/4 He..is physically well capable of carrying a big weight. 1961 M. J. Molloy ii. 43 I was well willing to marry him at a time when he was hot and warm to marry me. 1971 S. Howatch (1972) ii. i. 121 I was well aware that if I gave him the slightest provocation he would remake his will to leave everything to Jared. 2007 Jan. 101/4 Adding double glazing and central heating costs a further £2,500—well worth pushing the boat out for. the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > very > specifically of something good 1972 J. Speight (1973) 133 Rita: God's got the churches. Mike: Yeah, the way property is gazumping, He's got to be well loaded. 1985 J. Sullivan (1999) I. 4th Ser. Episode 7. 256 We were well lucky to get 'em out without being caught! 1989 Jan. 59/3 A city where Walters is ‘well sound’ and Led Zeppelin are ‘a better buzz’. This is Liverpool in 1988. 1990 9 June 13/1 This boy looked in wonder at the polyurethane and leather marvel and offered it the coolest of street compliments. ‘Well wicked,’ he breathed. 1998 A. Wood (BBC TV script) (O.E.D. Archive) Episode 642. 61 Mick. If Lola doesn't make it we'll just have to play background music. Lenny. That'll look well naff won't it? 2012 7 Sept. 15/3 Louboutin is well chuffed and says that everybody knows a red sole is a Louboutin sole and now it's enshrined in law. the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adverb] > fully or to full extent or in full OE Ælfric (Julius) (1881) I. 454 Sum wer wæs eac blind wel seofon gear fulle, se hæfde ænne latteow þe hine lædde gehwider. OE Ælfric (Laud) 56 For ðan þe ic gesett hæbbe of þisum feower bocum wel feowertig larspella on Engliscum gereorde. c1300 St. Kenelm (Laud) 232 in C. Horstmann (1887) 352 Folk þat þis wonder i-saiȝ..a-waiteden wel a dai ȝware þe kou bi-come. c1390 (?c1350) (1871) l. 521 (MED) Seraphe takes of heore men wel a two hundred. ?a1425 (c1400) (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 126 Wel a .iiij. quarteres of a furlong ore more. ?1473 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre (1894) II. lf. 222v He..was there well thre owres seechyng yf he coude fynde ony hoole or caue. 1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) i. 23 They were well an hondred men or more. a1525 (Trin. Dublin) (1896) 52 Wel thre þousand men. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda i. iii. 8 A great Harbour, which reacheth into the Lande sixe leagues, and at the entering it containeth well as much more. 18. the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > very OE (Julius) (1994) 43 Ðæs scræfes locstan hi wel fæste beclysdon. OE Ælfric 2nd Let. to Wulfstan (Corpus Cambr.) in B. Fehr (1914) 172 Man sceal to mæssan don gemencged win and wæter togædere well clænlice [L. debent misceri simul uinum et aqua]. c1330 (?a1300) (Auch.) p. 446 Wel wele y knowe..Herhaud, so god me rede. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 4989 I hote þe in hert, it liked him wel ille. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. Prol. l. 67 The moste my[s]chief [MS mychief] on molde is mountyng wel faste. c1430 (c1395) G. Chaucer (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) Prol. l. 33 There is wel onethe game non That from myne bokys make me to gon. c1450 tr. (Royal) 17 They beren it welle grevously ayens him. c1450 (c1400) (1881) l. 2513 Down to the erthe wele lowe thay loute. 1563 N. Winȝet tr. St. Vincent of Lérins For Antiq. Catholike Fayth ix, in (1890) II. 27 The writtingis of sum auld aunciant man weil dirklie setfurth. b. With adverbial expressions of place, direction, age, or time: to a considerable extent; more than slightly. OE 58 Þænne dream gerist wel wide gehwær, swa se witega sang. OE Byrhtferð (Ashm.) (1995) iii. ii. 144 Wel oft eac grammaticeras and rimcræftige þegnas hig geþwærlæcað. a1225 (?c1175) Poema Morale (Lamb.) 8 in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 161 Wel late ich habbe me bi-þocht; bute God me nu rede. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) l. 13097 (MED) Welle wide sprong þas eorles word. c1275 (?c1250) (Calig.) (1935) 36 For þine wle lete Wel oftich mine song forlete. c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Otho) (1978) 12651 Folk þar com wel sone to þare borh of Rome. c1300 (?c1225) (Cambr.) (1901) l. 1177 (MED) Ihc habbe go mani Mile, Wel feor bi ȝonde weste, To seche my beste. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 2443 Wel out from alle weyes for-wery þei hem rested. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 17 Þat is in oþer bookes i-write welwyde. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 11027 Til elizabeth þan welforth stadd, Hir child in wamb [began] be gladd. 1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) vii. 176 But or ever he was vnbounde, the other were well ferre. 1530 J. Palsgrave 862/1 Well forwarde, bien auant. 1654 A. Brome iii. i. 39 The poore Gentelman is well onward of his journey by this time. 1698 J. Fryer 173 Whose Force..so gauled Seva Gi, that he wish'd him well off. 1728 E. Smith (ed. 2) 311 After the first Scabs are well off, anoint the Face..with the following Ointment. 1773 L. Carter 19 Sept. (1965) II. 774 I ordered him 25 grains Ipecacuana, and as soon as it could be well down it gave him ease and Vomited him 4 times. 1787 ‘G. Gambado’ 17 A long back'd horse, who throws his saddle well forward. 1790 J. White 109 Being well in with the westward-most point of a very large bay. 1832 iii. 64 They will have their horses in hand..with their heads well up. 1856 E. K. Kane I. v. 60 The bergs were aground well out to seaward. 1879 R. L. Stevenson 61 [I] put my revolver ready to my hand, and snuggled well down among the sheepskins. 1908 R. W. Chambers xxiv. 407 ‘A man at your time of life—’ ‘My—what! Confound it, Louis I'm well this side of forty!’ 1958 195 It had been deliberately ‘leaked’ well beforehand. 2008 I. M. Banks x. 167 Life..quite thoroughly infested the entire galaxy, and probably—almost certainly—well beyond. a1425 (?c1350) (1964) l. 549 He thoght to be wele on hys way, Or it war passed þe thryd day. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 20 Welnyȝ or weel toward the al hool lawe with which Cristen men ben chargid. 1473 J. Paston in (2004) I. 463 Som men thynke it wysdom..to be theer now, weell owt off the weye. a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in (1557) 53/1 Neuer can there be thinge..amisse..but it should be in mine eares ere it were well oute of their mouthes. 1563 J. Foxe 1698/2 Beinge iudged by the common people, more then an hundreth years of age, and by her owne estimation well towardes a C. 1625 S. Purchas II. 1132 Well within the banke we harboured. 1645 T. Blake 51 He lived in the fifth Century, well towards the same distance from Christ, as we now stand from the Conquest. 1740 Nov. 559/2 If the Fleet have had the same Winds, they must be got well to the Southward. 1792 F. V. Vernon xx. 304 It would then be proper to keep well to the northward of the Azores, or Western-Islands. 1840 R. H. Dana xxxv. 440 The captain stood well to the westward, to run inside of the Bermudas. 1855 M. Pattison in 287 Though not published till 1830, which was well into the second period. 1864 A. Robins iv. 63 He was well over sixty. 1895 72 817/1 A woman well past the age of childbearing. 1920 F. C. Cornell xi. 170 Next day we were off well before sun-up, anxious to shoot something for the pot. 1935 388/2 To receive a service of this kind the player..should stand well behind the back line. 1994 D. Halberstam (1995) xx. 249 The ball had gone over the iron gate in old Forbes Field, well over it and well past it. 2012 July 72/1 He was playing at a level well below his own. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 12081 Þeȝȝ lætenn þatt hemm birrþ beon wel. Abufenn oþre leode. c1230 (?a1200) (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 104 Tu maht demen hire wel ut of hire witte. ?c1335 (Harl. 913) (1911) 4 (MED) Make þe wel at on wiþ him. a1450 (1969) l. 2701 (MED) Þou art a-party wele in age. 1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto xlii. 168 A woman reasonably well in years. 1701 W. Wotton i. 17 Marcus went to Lectures to this Man..when he was well in Years. 1861 T. Hughes I. iv. 63 It takes no mean qualities to keep a boat's crew well together and in order. 1879 M. W. Hungerford III. 100 Taffy and Mabel Steyne can be seen a little lower down, holding well together. 1906 11 Jan. 2/1 A man of sufficient prestige and authority to be well in the front rank. 1920 J. K. Turner & J. L. Bridges iv. 125 He was well in his prime and almost in the zenith of his political power. 1999 C. Tóibín (2000) ii. 48 She's well over it now. She's good at forgetting things, putting them behind her. the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > by or to a great degree or extent c1300 St. Edmund Rich (Laud) l. 475 in C. Horstmann (1887) 444 Ȝif is lyf was holi er, wel betere it was þo. c1390 (a1376) W. Langland (Vernon) (1867) A. v. l. 95 I deme men þat don ille and ȝit I do wel worse. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) 2359 Men sese noght ne knawes what it es, Þarfor men dredes it wele þe les. 1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville (Caxton) (1859) iv. xxxviii. 63 Thenne began she to wepe wel faster than byfore. a1500 (a1460) (1994) I. xxvi. 345 I was well wrother with Iudas. 1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius (1858) II. 199 Fra that tyme furth the weill les he thame dred. 1624 W. Bedell xi. 141 Your next is well worse. 1695 C. Ness (1696) III. 487 Though Omri the Father was very bad, yet his Son Ahab was well worse. 1825 Oct. 460/1 Poor Nanse was in a bad condition, and I was weil waur. 1939 29 Sept. 13/3 British American, after opening at 4, closed well higher on the day at 4 5-32. 1978 L. A. Manrique & R. S. Porter in D. J. Meier 72 At a level well lower than that achieved by the combination of shear and pressure in the capillary rheometer. 1999 J. Henderson ii. 61 Questions which are well bigger than any of us. 2001 K. Sampson (2002) 102 They looked well better in the summer with their vest tops and that, little minis. V. In disjunctive use (sometimes as a simple interjection). 20. Used to introduce a remark or statement, sometimes implying that the speaker or writer accepts a situation, etc., already expressed or indicated, or desires to qualify this in some way, but frequently used only as a preliminary or resumptive word. Well functions as a discourse marker, often expressing an emotion such as surprise, indignation, resignation, or relief, but also used when pausing to consider one's next words, to introduce an explanation or amplification, to mark the resumption or end of a conversation, etc., or to indicate that one is waiting for an answer or explanation from someone.eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius (Otho) (2009) I. xxxi. 531 Wella wisan men, wel, gað ealle on þone weg [etc.]. c1330 (?a1300) (1886) l. 2950 (MED) Wel, whi seistow so? c1350 (a1333) William of Shoreham (1902) 11 Wel, broþer, Ne non ne may icristned be Ar he his boren of moder. a1382 (Bodl. 959) (1969) Isa. xliv. 16 He..is chaufid & seide, vath or weele [L. va] I am hat. a1425 (c1395) (Royal) (1850) Ezek. xxvi. 2 Wel [L. euge]! the ȝatis of puplis ben brokun. a1438 i. 24 (MED) ‘Wel,’ he seyd, ‘þan schal I medyl ȝow a-geyn.’ ?a1475 (1922) 233 (MED) Wel, serys, ȝe sal se..I xal correcte hym for his trespas. c1500 (?a1475) (1896) l. 505 ‘Well,’ seyde Apollo, ‘yef he on erthe bee, Wyth my brennyng chare I shall hym confound.’ 1529 T. More i. xxi. 27 b Well quod I yet wold I wit one thyng more. 1550 R. Crowley sig. Aviiiv Wel loke to this geare be tyme. 1581 A. Hall tr. Homer i. 13 Wel, thee to please, I wil [go] to Ioue. 1589 J. Lyly B ij Squirrilitie were a better word: well, let me alone to squirrell them. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. ii. 44 This is a very scuruy tune to sing at a mans Funerall: well, here's my comfort. Drinkes. 1652 H. Bell tr. M. Luther 293 They..take from us what wee have. Well! they will repent it. 1691 A. Gavin 207 Well, (said he) I shall make a shift..to eat them with my Fingers. 1711 J. Swift 3 Nov. (1948) II. 400 Well, but as I was saying, what care I for your mayor? 1766 O. Goldsmith I. xii. 118 Well, my boy, what have you brought us from the fair? 1779 J. Warner in J. H. Jesse (1844) IV. 261 He asked, ‘Well, and how is George?’ 1818 G. C. Smith 20 Well, what a set of know-nothing fellows we are. 1826 J. Galt xvii. 151 ‘I understood that Mr. Mailings..was one of your most particular friends.’ ‘Well, and what of that?’ 1863 J. Carlyle Let. 5 July in (1883) III. 170 Well, I returned from that visit quite set up. 1886 M. Linskill II. xvi. 210 ‘Well?’ said Mrs. Stanmere interrogatingly. 1891 S. Fiske (Boston ed.) ix. 197 As works of art—well, they were rather too highly colored for works of art. 1925 J. Dos Passos ii. vi. 238 Well I guess I'd better be going. 1957 R. A. Heinlein ii. 46 ‘I'm going to give you some advice.’.. ‘Well?’ ‘Do nothing. You haven't got a prayer.’ 1969 13 Jan. 31/3 Well, don't worry. I'll take care of it. 1999 2 July ii. 8/2 Why does he only cut short hair, I ask? ‘Well, I am good at it and short haircuts are more creative.’ 2006 J. Walters 44 Do you need to use the bathroom? Well if you do, it's right over in the corner. b. With a preceding interjection. Now esp. used to express acceptance or resignation.the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [adverb] > as concession 1534 N. Udall f. 16 Hem, numnam perijmus? Ah wel, are we not in yl case trowe we? 1646 H. Mill sig. A7v Ah! well! I must With such vile Rebels leave my Search in trust. 1772 Mar. 146/2 Ah! well, your son and daughter may ride in that coach post to the devil. 1814 W. Scott II. vi. 104 A weel, Duncan—did ye say your name was Duncan, or Donald? View more context for this quotation 1869 6 Feb. 219/1 If he had only been at home when your poor father—ah, well! That's no matter now. 1932 ‘L. G. Gibbon’ Prelude 26 Ah well, I'll away to my bed. 2005 S. E. Phillips (2006) 102 Ah well. All good things had to come to an end. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [adverb] > as concession 1582 T. Bentley Seuenth Lampe Virginitie in 299 O well quoth Samson, if yee had not plowed with my heyfer, that is, vsed the helpe of my wife, yee had not founde out my redell. 1600 A. Munday et al. sig. C4 Oh wel said M. Harpoole, you are heart of oake when all's done. 1657 ii. iv. sig. C.viii Oh! well, I'le come again, Lord Cardinall Take you your Castle, I'le to Portugall. 1763 G. Colman i. 11 Belford. He'll be here immediately, Madam!—Emily. Oh! Well! 1835 1 Aug. 481/3 The paper! Oh, well, let's see... Ha, yes, here it is. 1868 J. S. Le Fanu I. xxii. 220 ‘Oh! well, after luncheon, then,’ said he. 1949 5 Sept. 76 Of Chaplin he says simply, ‘Oh well, he's just the greatest artist that ever lived.’ 2010 P. W. McDermott i. x. 54 Oh well, at least it was fun while it lasted. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [adverb] > as concession 1550 H. Latimer sig. Bviiv Wel now, yf couetousnes be the cause of rebellyon, then preachyng againste couetuousnesse is not the cause of rebellion. 1600 B. Jonson iv. iv. sig. Niiv Well now maister Snip let me see your bill. View more context for this quotation 1615 T. Adams Spirituall Nauigator 19 in Well yet, as salt and bitter as this Ocean the world is, there is some good wrought out of this ill. 1651 T. Randolph et al. v. i. 45/1 Well now, stay here a while. 1753 S. Richardson I. xxxvii. 267 Well but, my dear, you seem to have a long parcel of writing before you: One, two, three, four—Eight leaves—Upon my word!—But Mr. Reeves told me you are a writer. 1767 July 436/1 Well now, and what scheme, what plan have you got, to give a jog to the generous? 1782 F. Burney IV. viii. vii. 282 ‘Well now,’ said he, ‘remember the sin of this breach of appointment lies wholly at your door.’ 1839 C. Dickens xxvii. 259 ‘Well now, really,’ thought Mrs. Nickleby within herself. ‘Such delicacy as that, I never saw!’ 1869 Oct. 691 ‘You can remember three words, can't you?’ ‘Yes, sir,’ we would say. ‘Well, now, how long can you remember them?’ 1889 ‘J. S. Winter’ xix ‘What are you thinking about, Stevie?’..‘Oh! well really, I can't say.’ 1908 L. M. Montgomery xxv. 284 ‘Well now, I guess our Anne did as well as any of them’ said Matthew proudly. 1933 H. Walpole iii. 349 Not married, you say? Not married? Well, I never! 2001 J. Wilson i. xviii. 102 Well, now, there's a thing—I'm in the ship-building business myself. 21. Reduplicated. Expressing surprise, anticipation, resignation, or acquiescence. the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > exclamation of surprise [interjection] the mind > language > statement > acquiescence > [phrase] OE xxxiv. 25 Non dicant in cordibus suis, euge, euge, anime nostrę, nec dicant, deuorauimus eum : ne cweðun hig on heortum heora wel wel uel eala eala uel bene bene sawla ure ne hi ne cweþan we forswulgun hine. a1425 (c1395) (Royal) (1850) Psalms xxxiv. 21 Thei seiden, Wel, wel! oure iȝen han sien. c1425 (c1400) (Cambr.) (1895) 66 Bere þei her confusioun anoon, þat seien to me, ‘wel! wel [L. va va]!’ a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Two Mice l. 225 in (1981) 12 ‘Weil, weil, sister,’ quod the rurall mous. 1550 J. Heywood (new ed.) ii. vii. sig. Eviiv Well well (quoth she) many wels, many buckets. 1563 J. Foxe 1375/1 Syr, the lawe is, he shoulde bee gagged. therfore let him be gagged. At whiche wordes doctor Ridley..wagged his head at him, and made no aunswere again, but with a sigh said: Oh wel, well, well. 1600 W. Shakespeare ii. ii. 99 Well, well, but for mine owne part,..I will not rest till I haue runne some ground. View more context for this quotation 1675 C. Cotton 183 Apol. Well! well! but he were best take heed How he attaques my Maiden-head. 1712 R. Steele No. 533. ⁋1 Well, well, you may banter as long as you please. 1740 S. Richardson I. xxxi. 163 Well, well, Lambkin, (which the Foolish often calls me). 1815 W. Scott III. iii. 57 But well, well! it will last my time. 1847 A. Helps I. i. vii. 117 Well, well, we will leave these heights, and descend in little drops of criticism. 1883 D. C. Murray xv ‘Father’,..‘you must not talk like that.’ ‘Well, well, my dear,’ said her father, ‘well, well.’ 1908 K. Grahame iii. 60 ‘Well, well, it can't be helped,’ said the Rat, after pondering. 1928 D. Parker in 12 May 20/2 Well, well, well, to think of me having real Scotch; I'm out of the bush leagues at last. 2010 K. Lassky & K. H. Knight 35 Well, well..Thora, fancy meeting you here, among the rebels! ?1550 R. Weaver sig. D.iv Well wanton well, I wysse I can tel [etc.]. c1557 (new ed.) sig. Biii Well wanton well, fye for shame. 1594 T. Lodge & R. Greene sig. D2 Well sirrha well, thart as thart, and so ile take thee. 1601 B. Jonson i. i. sig. Bv Well Cosen well, I see you are e'ene past hope Of all reclaime. View more context for this quotation 1605 G. Chapman ii. i. E 1 Well, wag, well, wilt thou still deceiue thy father..? a1652 R. Brome Mad Couple Well Match'd i. i. sig. B6v, in (1653) Well wag well, you must not now put me off with my wife. 1711 S. Centlivre i. i. 6 Well, Charles, well, you shall see I can prefer Safety. 1840 G. P. R. James I. xi. 232 ‘Well. my Lord, well,’ replied the Duke.., ‘I will throw no obstacle in the way.’ 1857 C. Dickens ii. xxviii. 560 ‘I thought you had settled, Mr. Rugg,’ said Arthur, ‘that my determination to remain here was a matter of taste.’ ‘Well, sir, well! But is it good taste, is it good taste? That's the question.’ 2009 M. Kaye ii. 41 ‘Well, my Lord! Well! Plain speaking indeed.’ Clarissa was completely unprepared for this turn in the conversation. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [adverb] > as concession a1779 D. Graham (1883) II. 56 Sawny. A well a well then good day to you good-mither. 1848 E. C. Gaskell II. xiv. 182 The old woman tried to comfort her, beginning with her accustomed, ‘Well-a-well!’ 1868 H. Greeley (1869) ii. 26 A-weel, a-weel, dear John, if it maun..be a log-house, make it a log heegher nor the lave. 1898 D. Willox 251 Tam simply wad say, ‘Weel-a-weel, I'll jist by your counsel be guided.’ 1910 W. Blair 119 Weel a weel, as I gaed up the banks o' the Minnow Burn. 1927 J. Buchan xvii. 293 Weel-a-weel, a soo may whistle, though it has an ill mouth for it. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > introducing an argument [interjection] a1450 (1885) 328 (MED) Wele þan, We sall frayst er they founde vs fer fro. ?c1450 (?a1400) J. Wyclif (1880) 376 Wel þan, for goddis loue, If þu wilt glose þe textis of þe gospelle.., glose hem as criste did. 1509 S. Hawes (1928) xxix. 137 Well than quod she I shall you now tell How the case stondeth. 1535 Ezek. iv. 15 Well than, I will graunte the to take cowes donge, for the donge off a man. 1543 R. Record ii. sig. R.viiv Well then to go forth, in the nexte space I fynde one counter which I remoue forward. 1628 J. Doughty Church Schismes in 10 Well then: let both principles of Church tenents & Scripture stand in force. 1647 A. Cowley Wish in i Well then; I now do plainly see, This busie world and I shall ne're agree. 1679 J. Dryden & N. Lee iii. 34 Dio. Basely you kill'd him. Adr... Well then, I kill'd him basely. 1749 Mar. 124/2 Well then, if I may take your own words for it, you are neither of you Christians. 1781 R. B. Sheridan iii. ii Well then, let Loveless look to his wife, 'twill be but the retort courteous on both sides. 1827 J. Bentham I. i. vii. 136 Well then, since we must stop somewhere, we will stop at a trillion. 1844 B. Disraeli I. iii. i. 253 Well then, there were Bolingbroke and Pitt. 1885 B. L. Farjeon III. xxxvii. 72 ‘Well then!’ she exclaimed; winding up the argument thus, as is the way with women. 1915 Apr. 18/3 The criminal law..provides different penalties in proportion to the seriousness of the offence... Well, then, why can't we have different penalties for Scouts who break the Scout Law? 1969 D. R. Cressey vi. 116 You want us to..embarrass you? Well then, see that the right thing is done. 1997 A. Smith (2001) 271 You should see and come home a bit more... You're not married are you now, Aisling? No, I thought not. Well then. 2009 T. Bruns III. 468 You want to hit me? Well then, go ahead! the mind > language > statement > assent > [adverb] > expression of assent 1529 T. More i. xix. f. xxvi/1 Uery well quod I. then erreth he as moche..that byleuyth to moche as he that byleueth to lytle. 1566 sig. D1v You wyll say, we haue a commaundement of the Lorde... Very well. 1605 G. Chapman ii. i. sig. E3 Very well, mast Courtier, & Dan Cornuto, ile cry quit with both. 1694 T. D'Urfey iv. i. 40 Very well, Sancho, talk on, talk on, the smarting of thy Bones I do perceive has made thee sharp and witty. 1719 D. Defoe 259 We were chas'd..By five Sloops,..says the Fellow..; Very well, said I, then it is apparent there is something in it. 1766 O. Goldsmith I. vii. 66 ‘Very well,’ cried I, ‘that's a good girl.’ 1815 W. Scott III. viii. 161 The Baronet, though highly offended, could only say, ‘Very well, sir, it is very well.’ 1866 ‘G. Eliot’ III. xxxv. 19 At last he said..‘I agree—I must have time.’ ‘Very well. It is a bargain.’ 1878 T. Hardy III. vi. iii. 292 ‘Very well, then,’ sighed Thomasin. ‘I will say no more.’ 1909 W. H. Hudson ii. 20 ‘What!’ I exclaimed. ‘Lady Y——: that funny old woman!’ ‘No—middle-aged,’ he corrected... ‘Very well, middle-aged if you like.’ 1957 E. Hyams iii. vi. 234 ‘I'd better get cracking.’ ‘Very well. Take care of yourself.’ 1960 ‘Miss Read’ (1962) xi. 116 ‘Maurice!’ said Joan... ‘You promised, you know.’ ‘Oh, very well,’ said Maurice pettishly. 2011 C. M. Paratore viii. 57 ‘Certainly Ms. Havisham,’ he says... ‘Please call me Stella.’ ‘Very well then, Stella.’ B. n.4the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [noun] > instance of > introduction to 1867 J. R. Lowell 2nd Ser. (new ed.) Introd. p. xxxix A friend..told me that he once heard five ‘wells’..precede the answer to an inquiry. 1885 1 312 The ‘wells’ and ‘ahs’, ‘don't-you-know's’ and other stop-gap interjections. 1895 21 Sept. 757/2 ‘Come, come,’ interrupted the lawyer, ‘we have had enough of 'wells' and 'buts'... I want a plain answer.’ 2006 A. D. Bernstein & P. W. Bernstein vi. 391/1 Our worst anxieties come from lack of information... If you hear a bunch of ‘wells’ and ‘maybes’, you remain in a perpetual state of anxiety. Phrases P1. With modifying adverb or adjective. the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > excessively [phrase] eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius (Otho) (2009) I. v. 398 Forðæm þæt ðe þissa woruldsælða to wel ne lyste. OE 185 Ic lærde wlance men & heahgeþungene þæt hie ne astigan on ofermedu, ne uþgendra welena to wel ne truwodon. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 185 To wel we witen hu þe wei of þis world is slibbri. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 9639 (MED) Þe deuel..sed bituene hom seu..al to wel it greu. a1456 (a1426) J. Lydgate (1934) ii. 680 (MED) We knowe to weel þe bent of Jackys bowe. 1579 E. Spenser Nov. 51 To well I wote..howe my rymes bene rugged and vnkempt. 1595 liv. 213 Ah ! to to well I suspected..that my captiuitie would bring her callamity. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1622) v. ii. 353 Then must you speake, Of one that lou'd not wisely, but too well . View more context for this quotation 1672 J. Dryden i. iii. i. 23 Too well I know her blandishments to gain, Usurper-like, till setled in her Reign. 1753 S. Richardson II. ix. 59 Those [facts], however, would too well justify him. 1781 S. Johnson Pope in VII. 228 That he loved too well to eat, is certain; but that his sensuality shortened his life will not be hastily concluded. 1847 C. Dickens (1848) xix. 189 There was a touching modulation in these words about her father that Walter understood too well. 1888 ‘J. S. Winter’ iv. 26 I didn't use poor Bill any too well. 1913 W. Grossmith ix. 110 With some of these drawbacks against us, Heather Bigg and myself didn't do too well. 1970 T. Southern iii. i. 145 Naturally, this had not gone down too well with the Card [sc. Cardinal]—who went straight to the Prince and lodged the strongest sort of complaint. 2007 24 Apr. a6/1 The baby book conjured up that emotion we mothers know all too well: guilt. the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] OE Ælfric (Royal) (1997) xix. 330 Genoh wel wat god hu hit getimað on þære fandunge. lOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius (Bodl.) (2009) I. xiii. 264 Ic ongite þæt..þu genoh wel understenst þæt ic þe to sprece. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 1652 Forr witt. & skill iss wel inoh, Þurrh salltess smacc bitacnedd. c1300 (Laud) (1868) 707 (MED) Hise ship he greyþede wel inow, He dede it tere, an ful wel pike, Þat it ne doutede sond ne krike. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) v. l. 5010 And thanne him thoghte wel ynouh, It was fantosme. c1450 (1904) I. 215 When sho saw þis maister of þe knyghtis, sho knew hym well enogh & he hur. 1485 (Caxton) xxi. i. sig. ddiij And by cause of hyr fayre speche Syr Mordred trusted hyr wel ynough. a1500 (?c1450) iv. 68 And these othir tymes I parceyved it wele I-nough. 1579 J. Stubbs sig. D7 Which mought wel ynough be the cause why the Pope decked hym with hys title of most christian king. 1585 R. Parsons Pref. 4 The vulgar translation is known welinough. 1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay xxx. 551 But the Rabbines saw wellynough that the miracles of Iesus could not be denyed. 1631 J. Shirley v. i. 68 He gaue me two or three kicks, which I deseru'd well enough. 1698 J. Fryer 25 For which the Winds served them well enough, though full in our Teeth. 1711 J. Swift 11 Jan. (1948) I. 162 The scheme..would have done well enough in good hands. 1753 S. Richardson I. xvii. 119 They liked not the humour he seemed to be in well enough to comply with his request. 1831 T. Hood in (ed. 2) 32 Time was I liked a cheesecake well enough. 1880 G. Sims in 23 May 12/1 It is thieves' patter, but someone in the crowd understands it well enough and answers him. 1907 W. De Morgan xxxii. 332 She knew well enough that the unheard portions of the conversation were worse than what had reached her ears. 1999 G. Kissick (2000) xxiv. 231 I like her well enough. She's a good lookin' babe. 2000 D. Ginsberg xi. 283 It was a rough patch, I assumed. He'd done well enough the year before and he was bound to snap out of it. the world > relative properties > quantity > moderateness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > fairly 1576 G. Whetstone i. 3 For my selfe, I shifted prettie well. a1627 T. Middleton & W. Rowley (1656) v. 61 The Dutch Veny I swallowed pretty wel. 1694 P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais vi After we had pretty well staid our Stomachs with some tight Snatches. 1701 C. Cibber iv. 44 I do know London pretty well. 1737 H. Bracken xxv. 365 Give the Horse pretty well of my Cordial Ball. 1737 H. Bracken xxv. 368 He has pretty well of Flesh upon his Back. 1753 S. Richardson II. vii. 40 Their father..by that time, had pretty well got over his grief. 1855 C. Kingsley I. ii. 45 He..had his heart pretty well hardened by long baneful licence. 1882 W. Besant II. xxviii. 206 They had got by this time pretty well all they clamoured for. 1888 ‘J. S. Winter’ xi. 84 Lassie kept her composure pretty well. 1902 H. K. Mann I. i. 417 The pallium..had then..pretty well its modern shape. 2005 C. Frayling iii. 52 The bigger ship, La France, was riding the gale pretty well, but the Marie Annick didn't have proper ballast. the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > very 1814 in Mar. 258 Any Catholic or Catholics, that shall have their houses or windows illuminated to-night,..will come off damn well, if his or their windows and houses are not burnt by the united heroes of this nation. 1884 8 Jan. 325 If you don't bleeding well let me go. 1898 R. Kipling in 8 Nov. 5/1 My friend, you made a mistake, and you jolly well know it. 1916 (P.R.O.: WO 71/509) f. 4 I'll get you fucking well shot. 1921 E. O'Neill i. 160 Ring the bell now an' you'll bloody well see what I means. 1928 E. Waugh iii. iii. 240 I should bleeding well say there was. 1933 M. Lincoln iii. 23 I'd have ruddy well..locked the door. 1941 N. Coward i. 6 We were in it once and for all and intended to damn well get on with it. 1943 D. Welch iii. 14 Someone in the next cell was shouting, ‘Bloody well let me out, you bastards.’ 1962 L. R. Banks i. vi. 96 Because actually, as a matter of fact, don't y'know, I'm not sodding well coming. 1982 P. Redmond (Mersey TV shooting script) (O.E.D. Archive) Episode 1. 61 Paul. It's obvious, isn't it. Bobby. No it bloody well isn't. 2006 4 Mar. 37/4 Everyone wants to be green but live as they damn well like. P2. as well. c1384 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt (1931) 231 (MED) Forseyng that, As well vndyr the seyd Hall, parlour, And kechyn, botery, And All the seyd Chambres, be selered vndurnethe the Grunde xij fote in heygh. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 423 Euery fysshe one eyed is; So fareþ as wel in Albania þe Milewel. a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) 536 As she dyde, he dyde yn dede;..Ryȝt as she dede, he dede as weyl. c1475 tr. C. de Pisan (Cambr.) (1977) 92 (MED) It behoueth to him..not only to haue his hondis and his tonge cloos but as well his yen. c1550 (1979) 1 As veil it bringis furtht..hoilsum frute of honour. a1631 J. Donne (1652) sig. D6v They should love their brothers aswel. 1670 A. Marvell Let. 22 Feb. in (1971) II. 98 The next news will be that..they [sc. the Lords] have as well comply'd on their part also. 1706 R. Estcourt v. i Thou hast a handsom smug Neighbour that I believe knows her as well. 1833 J. Nyren 39 The wicket-keeper..should remove a little backward from the wicket..because by his doing so the catches will be much more easy, and he may stump as well. 1875 23 Jan. 95/1 But the state of the French Exchange is such that gold is taken from London as well. 1882 W. Besant II. xxvii. 199 Because she was a dressmaker, and lived at Stepney, he would be a workman and live there as well. 1930 17 26/2 The poor music teacher must sell his wares not only to the school student, but to his principal and the faculty advisor of the student as well. 1961 R. McInerny (1971) ii. 34 Not only is analogical signification an antepredicament, it is as well a kind of equivocation. 2005 18 Mar. 10/4 Maria Luisa fed not only the stray cats and dogs of her Venetian neighbourhood, but the rats as well. 2012 10 July d3/1 My training has always focused on physical agility but brain training helps sharpen my mental agility as well. the world > relative properties > quantity > [phrase] > to the same extent or degree c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 199 Wherfore as weel or miche rather Cristen men ouȝten be waar forto entirmete with like ymagis. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 260 Wherfore as weel and as alloweabili y mai seie this speche. P3. as well as. a1225 ( (Winteney) (1888) liii. 107 Ealswa wel þeo abbodesse ealswa eall þeo ȝeferreden [OE Corpus Cambr. ægþer ge se abbod ge eal seo geferræden; L. (Winteney) tam abbatissa quam cunta congregatio]. c1225 (?c1200) (Bodl.) (1940) l. 638 (MED) Nis ha [sc. Pride] nawt i claðes..þah hit beo merke þrof..oðer hwiles, ah under hwit oðer blac & ase wel under grei ase under grene. c1390 (Vernon) (1967) 81 Alle poyntes he fynde may..Þat bifalleþ to Godes godhede As wel as to his monhede. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) i. l. 2248 For al schal deie..Als wel a Leoun as an asse, Als wel a beggere as a lord. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 49 And ther to hadde he ryden..As wel in cristendom as hethenesse. ?1467–8 in C. L. Kingsford (1919) I. 100 The Shireff shewyd ij comyssions of this graunt as well of the lordes as of the comyns. c1533 T. Cranmer Let. 21 July in (1833) I. 45 That you take all manner of depositions, as well for the one part as for the other. ?a1560 L. Digges (1571) i. xx. sig. Fivv In equiangle triangles aswell the contayning as the subtending sides of equall angles are proportionall. 1588 R. Parke tr. J. G. de Mendoza Comm. Notable Thinges in tr. J. G. de Mendoza 329 All of them as well the men as women and children were clothed with shamway skins. 1645 T. Gataker 50 Consisting of both sorts, as well unfaithfull as faithfull, as well bad as good. 1662 E. Stillingfleet ii. iv. §2 Which..must certainly comprehend as well the morall as the ceremoniall part of Moses his Law. 1718 i. xiii. 38 Making Use as well of his Eye..as of his Tongue. 1749 C. Middleton Pref. p. xxxiii It is allowed..by all, as well friends as enemies. 1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth ii, in 2nd Ser. II. 48 Our churchmen have become wealthy, as well by the gifts of pious persons, as by..bribes. 1878 Dec. 199 We hardly find a powerful word which expresses a lasting state of pleasure, comprising as well the smallest satisfaction as the loftiest happiness. 1908 1 523 To hold as well the capital or principal of the said trust funds as the dividends, interest and annual income thereof upon the usual trusts for the children of the marriage. 1982 Fall 173 An independent Jewish-Christian gospel that was used as well by the author of the Gospel of Thomas as by Tatian. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [adverb] > equally the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > equality [phrase] > as well as (anyone) OE (Tiber. B.iv) anno 1066 He..swor..þæt he wolde þisne þeodscype swa wel haldan swa ænig kyngc ætforan him betst dyde. lOE Wulfstan (Corpus Cambr. 302) (1957) 173 Ealswa bealdlice se þeowa clypað & namað on his pater noster his Drihten him to fæder swa se hlaford, & seo wylen eallswa wel swa seo hlæfdige.] a1225 (c1200) (1888) 125 Alswa wel onbuten mid-niht alswa on mid-daiȝ. c1230 (?a1200) (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 5 Þis nis nawt ibet ȝet ase wel as hit ahte. c1300 Childhood Jesus (Laud) l. 1455 in C. Horstmann (1875) 1st Ser. 49 Seiȝe me..ȝwi was Aleph i nemneð furst In Ebrv, and destincte hit Ase wel ase þou canst and miȝht. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 98 Þe herdes wif..fetisliche it [sc. þat child] baþede, & wrouȝt wiþ it as wel as ȝif it were hire owne. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 44 And wele as Aristotill [he couth] þe artis all seuyn. a1525 ( (1907) I. 182 But neuer-the-later..he makithe cardes ther-of as well as he may. 1530 J. Palsgrave 831/2 As well as is possyble,..As well as can be or maye be. 1589 G. Puttenham iii. xxii. 218 Certaine propheticall rymes, which might be constred two or three wayes as well as to that one whereunto the rebelles applied it. 1600 I 1 b I see Prince Iohn coorted as well as I. 1637 J. Milton 8 This is the place, as well as I may guesse. a1640 P. Massinger & J. Fletcher Very Woman iv. i. 7 in P. Massinger (1655) Ped. How hast thou sped? John. My Lord, as well as wishes. 1718 A. Ramsay iii. 49 I've done my best..As well's I may. 1794 W. Anderson 7 Fan cummers fled an' hurl'd as weel On ice, as ony vady chiel. a1798 J. Palmer (1811) I. xii. 174 I am left to rough it as well as I can. 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. vi. 74 She affected..to listen with civility while the Hydes excused their recent conduct, as well as they could. 1881 C. Phillipps-Wolley 76 I crept and ran as well as I could after my wounded game. 1924 R. M. Ogden tr. K. Koffka v. §6. 293 Certain children can read mirror-writing at first just as well as they can ordinary writing. 2005 7 Feb. 53/1 (caption) This roller ball writes as well as any fountain pen. the world > relative properties > quantity > [phrase] > to the same extent or degree the world > relative properties > quantity > [phrase] > as much (as) OE Ælfric (Royal) (1997) xix. 333 Eallswa wel behofað þæt heafod þæra oðra lima, swa swa þa lymu behofiað þæs heafdes.] c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) 1888 in C. Horstmann (1887) 160 For erchebischop ich am, wel ȝe wutez: ase wel ase he is on. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 738 He moot as wel seye o word as another. c1450 (1904) I. 75 (MED) He..sayde he was a synner & mysterd forgyfnes of his syn als wele as sho did. 1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry (1971) l. 72 Ye..haue as wel for to paye as she hath. 1533 T. More ii. xv. f. lvv I durste as wel trust the trouth of one iudge as of two iuryes. 1547 Swearing ii. sig. G iv b Aswell they vse the name of God in vayne..as they whiche do promise [etc.]. 1628 R. Burton (ed. 3) ii. ii. iii. 235 Why hath Daulis and Thebes no Swallowes..as well as the rest of Greece. 1664 H. Power Concl. 184 Pugs and Baboons may claim a Traduction from Adam as well as these. 1710 J. Addison No. 4. ⁋1 A man may as well hope to distinguish colours in the midst of darkness, as to find out what to approve and disapprove in nonsense. 1804 A. Seward Let. 10 May in (1811) VI. 164 Every day produces letters as well worth attention as most of Cowper's. 1891 R. W. Church xix. 347 The English Church was after all as well worth living in and fighting for as any other. 1906 W. Churchill (1968) ii. xiii. 418 I am as well able to do it as he was. 1978 R. Kirkpatrick ii. 60 Judgement and self-control are as well able to generate fluency as nervous excitement. 2005 R. M. Fogelson 198 Olmsted, Jr., was as well aware of this bind as anyone. the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > condition or state of being inclusive > included [phrase] > inclusion with another c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 316 The multitude of the lay peple, as weel as of clerkis. a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 537 Whan men bene hote in dedis of armys, oftyn..they hurte their frendis as well as their foys. ?a1500 MS Harl. 838 in (1829) 22 396 A stremer shal be slyt & so shal a standard as welle as a getoun. 1599 Prol. Worthy writers' works, Wherein, as well as famous facts, ignomious placed are. 1613 S. Hieron Baptizing of Eunuch in (1620) I. 335 Whereas the children of God in many things are trespassers aswell as the vngodly. 1649 J. Howell (ed. 3) 3 Nor is she lesse abounding in all things conducing to pleasure also, aswel as profit. 1655 in E. Nicholas (1897) III. 221 My heart as well as pursse being quite sunck. 1715 J. T. Desaguliers tr. N. Gauger 127 The two first..are made of Tin as well as the third. a1719 J. Addison Dialogues Medals in (1721) I. ii. 452 I find..the Latins mean Courage by the figure of Virtue, as well as by the word it self. 1769 W. Draper in ‘Junius’ (1772) I. ii. 20 Educated..by..a most spirited as well as excellent scholar. 1821 W. M. Craig vii. 404 The back-ground as well as other parts is dotted or stippled. 1854 A. Jameson 39 There are different sorts of strength as well as different degrees. 1896 73 615/1 A highway for carriages as well as for foot-passengers. 1924 O. Jespersen i. 23 Children..learn the accentuation as well as the sounds of each word. 2009 (National ed.) 18 Sept. c27/4 He scolds the free-market ethos of the Reagan and Thatcher eras as well as the thinking of anti-Keynesian New Classical economists. ?1533 G. Du Wes sig. Cciii In the whiche all maner shape and effigiation doth shyne clerely so well corporates as incorporates. ?1545 J. Bale ii. sig. Giij Comprehendynge in hym so well Mahomete as the Pope, so well the ragynge tyraunt as the styll hypocrite. 1605 in (1800) 13 316 [The steward] is to see into all offices, soe well forraine, as at home. 1619 tr. G. de Montenay 92 The pipkens.., So well the great as the small. P5. British colloquial. to be well away. the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (intransitive)] > outstrip others or take the lead the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > advance, progress, or develop [verb (intransitive)] > advance or make progress the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [verb (intransitive)] > make progress in drinking 1821 Aug. 10/2 I thought it best to make nimble heels from the scene to another part, and before I was well away I heard her at him. 1859 J. S. Rarey (new ed.) x. 169 When he [sc. the fox] is well away through the hedge of a good-sized field, halloo..‘Tally-o aw-ay-o-o!’ 1910 20 Mar. 14/3 Stewart again seemed well away for the home side. 1950 J. Cannan vii. 141 ‘What's happened?’.. ‘If we knew that, we should be well away.’ 1997 M. Jackson 1998 5 My mind was furiously sending out instructions—to turn and run, to get well away from that bird. 1919 S. Graham xiv. 295 ‘You were well away,’ said another. ‘You were drunk all right last night, my boy,’ said a third. 1947 ‘N. Shute’ iii. 51 Bristow had a bottle of whisky and I had one of gin so we were well away. 1984 A. Carter iii. v. 233 The Colonel..overcomes his resistance to vodka to such an extent he is soon well away and sings songs of Old Kentucky. 1995 M. Grapendaal et al. iii. 55 By now Ellen was well away and taking heroin (and sometimes cocaine) almost every weekend. 2011 J. Rollins vii. 66 One night when I was well away on ecstasy I climbed up under a railway bridge. 2012 A. J. Lawton xvi. 119 I drained the beer and the hot toddy; I was well away by the time we left. 1928 Jan. 151 By the time he had gone to smoke, nothing could have kept me from slumber, and I was well away when I felt my arm being tugged. 1945 ‘H. Green’ 51 I bet he's well away after that dinner he ate. He'll never stir. 1973 J. Porter viii. 72 Many great men..[can] drop off to sleep at any time..and Chief Inspector was no exception. He was well away by the time MacGregor climbed back into the car. 1993 J. Cresswell 381 Your baby's well away, isn't she? They wake up and fall asleep at the blink of an eye when they're little, don't they? P6. colloquial. 1830 G. Colman II. i. 20 He jerk'd up one shoulder, twisted his mouth a little awry, and begun with—‘Well, I'll be d—d,—things were different in the late Mr. Garrick's time.’ 1842 26 Nov. ‘Well, I'll be swan'd to man!’ exclaimed the pedler.., ‘it's the voice of the devil!’ 1855 ‘P. Paxton’ xxi. 153 ‘Well, I'll be blowed—what's that? Who's calling me?’ 1913 16 Sept. 18 (advt.) Well, I'll be durned. 1955 B. Pym x. 121 Jebel Pingpong! Well, I'll be jiggered! 1988 (Nexis) 4 Feb. He was, however, bemused at the plan which had the streets running the wrong way. ‘Well I'll be buggered,’ he spluttered. 2008 17 Aug. 30/3 He emerges smiling from the water to the wild cheers of his teammates... ‘Well, I'll be damned’, he says. 1887 C. Miesse iv. ii. 420 Another man..exclaiming in loud laughter, ‘Well, I'll be ——, I'll be ——, well, I'll be ——, etc.’] 1903 Sept. 378/1 The following is a list of slang expressions... Girls... Well, I'll be. 1937 June 26/3 Pat grinned. ‘Well, I'll be!’ he exclaimed, delightedly. 1994 P. Baker xxx. 344 ‘It was me and Dave Green who saved your cousin in the hospital when the gangs tried to shoot him.’ ‘Well I'll be. Whatever happened to the footballer?’ 2001 C. M. Schultz in 1 Oct. (Home ed.) c10/1 (cartoon caption) I was right? Well, I'll be! 1904 H. James I. i. iv. 77 All their case wants, at any rate,..is that you should leave it well alone. 1944 ii. 43 The natives chew these...but..it should be left well alone by the white man. 1995 K. Ishiguro xxix. 431 He'll already know in his heart of hearts..that the past is now best left well alone. 2009 I. Sabatini (2010) i. xxviii. 131 Leave the politics well alone. CompoundsOE (2008) 1927 Hygd [wæs] swiðe geong, wis welþungen, þeah ðe wintra lyt under burhlocan gebiden hæbbe. OE (Corpus Cambr.) lxiv. 121 Sy he snotor and welbesceawod on his dædum and na oferswiþe ne þreage. a1225 (c1200) (1888) 17 (MED) He wile hes habben..bi rihte wæiȝe wel i-wæiȝen, and wel imered gold. c1275 (?c1250) (Calig.) (1935) l. 1547 His wif is..softe, Of faire bleo & wel idiht. c1330 Sir Degare (Auch.) l. 568 in W. H. French & C. B. Hale (1930) 305 (MED) His schaft was strong and god wiȝal, And wel scharped þe coronal. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 1083 (MED) Þemperour of rome..her hem alle hiȝe hider..wel warniched for þe war. 1590 E. Spenser ii. i. sig. N2 Archimago..Had craftily deuisd To be her Squire, and do her seruice well aguisd. 1599 R. Hakluyt tr. Odoric of Pordenone in (new ed.) II. i. 59 They are exceeding fat [sc. geese] & wel sold [L. optimi fori]. a1640 F. Beaumont et al. Loves Cure iii. iv, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher (1647) sig. Rrrrr4v/2 Cla. 'Tis ill for a faire Lady to be idle. Say. She had better be well-busied. 1661 R. Boyle Hist. Fluidity & Firmnesse i, in 154 The hardness of a well-blown Bladder. 1746 P. Francis tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace i. vi. 58 Venus decks the well-bemoney'd Swain. 1793 T. Holcroft tr. J. C. Lavater (abridged ed.) xxiii. 116 Well-arched and short foreheads are..not of long duration. 1851 M. Reid I. xxi. 276 This was said in well accentuated..English. 1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ III. xxxiii. 85 The well-clothed, well-fed, well-amused passage through barren hours. 1959 W. Andrew iv. 113 (caption) The ‘hairs’, covered with well-vascularized epidermis, may be as much as 20 mm. long. 1995 Mar. 194/3 The rest of the chapter consists of a well-presented and nicely illustrated introduction to tiling and symmetry in art. eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) lvii. 439 He nemde ða undiorestan wyrta ðe on wyrttunum weaxe, & ðeah swiðe welstincenda. OE cl. 5 Laudate eum in cymbalis bene sonantibus : heriað hine on cimbalum wel swegendum. a1382 (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Psalms xci. 15 Wel suffrende thei shul be. ?a1425 (c1400) (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 31 This bryd [sc. the Phoenix]..hath a crest of fedres vpon his hed..& his nekke is ȝalow after colour of an Oriell þat is a ston wel schynynge [Fr. e ad le col tout jaune de la colour dun oriel bien luisant]. 1432 (Electronic ed.) Parl. May 1432 §43. m. 5 Þe wynes of Gascoigne and Guyen were..faire, fyne, wele drinkyng. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 274 Thilk word..is..so deliteful as her lijf, so weel teching and dressing. ?c1500 (Douce) f. 136 (MED) The hors of gode entaile schall have..the ballokys wele hangynge. a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1595) sig. E4v Accompanied with..the well inchaunting skill of Musicke. 1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau 38/2 Then with a well-cuttinge sawe, sawe of the whole legge. 1660 N. Ingelo iv. 244 The people express'd it with such an exact harmony of well-agreeing Voices. 1670 J. Eachard 12 If a Lad has but a lusty and well-bearing Memory..He proves a brave Clergy-man. 1748 S. Richardson III. lxv. 316 To see multitudes of well-appearing people, all joining in one reverent act. 1795 1 Come silver Age, with thy well-schooling Grace. 1844 W. H. Mill iii. 77 That..view, even when sobered to a well-calculating morality. 1864 R. L. De Coin 279 Sticks split from some good or well-splitting wood. 1884 W. S. B. McLaren (ed. 2) 36 A vessel..containing a well-closing lid. 1889 R. S. S. Baden-Powell 12 A sport which draws so well-paying a visitation on to their village. 1934 Oct. 240/3 Self-supporting landing-gear..completes the structural features of a well-appearing little ship. 1998 P. Uvin Introd. 1 The development community considered Rwanda to be a well-developing country. C3. OE (Northumbrian) Abbreviations List (Durham Ritual) in A. H. Thompson & U. Lindelöf (1927) 187 Beneficium, uelfremming. a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) cxviii. 91 in C. Horstmann (1896) II. 254 With þi welesettinge lastes dai. a1568 R. Ascham (1570) i. f. 12v Finding paine in ill doing, and pleasure in well studiyng. 1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. C4, in (rev. ed.) Weeting of my well deeming. 1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso xvii. xcvi. 314 Through my well guiding is your voiage donne. 1623 J. Taylor C 2 b A..large Armorie..with other Weapons and munition, which for goodnesse,..and well-keeping, is not second to any Noblemans in England. 1624 H. Wotton 1 Well building hath three Conditions. 1656 R. Sanderson 270 In the well joyning consisteth the strength of any structure. 1787 T. Jefferson Let. 11 Apr. in (1955) XI. 284 The leases are either during pleasure, or for three, six, or nine years, which does not give the farmer time to repay himself for the expensive operation of well manuring, and therefore, he manures ill, or not at all. 1821 July 365 In the month of April, 1813, I prepared a piece of land, by well ploughing, for wheat. 1852 B. S. Williams 41 They succeed best when grown in the Indian house, and require well watering at the roots in their growing season, so that the mould is never allowed to get dry. 1429 in H. Nicolas (1834) III. 330 (MED) Þinges..I..desire of þe King..for þe weel sustenyng, defense, and exaltacioun of oure Christen feith. 1494 W. Hilton (de Worde) i. lxiii. sig. fvv Vayne gladnes & well payeng of thiselfe. a1500 (?c1450) (1899) xxvii. 550 But the cristin ne myght but litill space endure, ne hadde be the well doinge of the v knyghtes of the reame of logres. a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1590) i. iii. sig. C3 The well bringing vp of the people. 1596 J. Harington sig. Lijv The wel handling of the matter. 1623 J. Taylor B 3 b His goods are but lent him, by him that will one day call him to a reckoning, for the well or ill disposing of them. a1639 W. Whately (1640) xxvi. 17 The wel-husbanding of abundance. 1653 D. Dickson xcii. 4. 350 One of the parts of the well-spending of the Sabbath. 1690 J. Child viii. 129 The well-making of our Woollen-Manufactures. 1691 W. Petty Treat. Naval Philos. in T. Hale 119 The safety and well sailing of a Vessel. 1707 J. Mortimer 48 In the well draining of Cornlands lies a main advantage. 1707 J. Mortimer 50 The well covering of the Seed must be of great advantage. 1739 S. Trowell 4 The well ploughing of the Land is a very great Advantage to all Seeds sown. 1766 at Plough The well going of the plough wholly depends upon the placing of this. 1840 D. P. Blaine ii. 178 By which we learn how much the well framing of the loins has to do both with the galloping and the leaping of our horses and dogs. 1870 14 July 22/1 Notwithstanding the well draining of the wound two abscesses formed in the arm, discharging a great quantity of pus. 1937 J. A. R. Marriott (ed. 2) ii. 13 Politics is the science and art which deals with the well governing of States. 2009 W. H. Beale viii. 170 Well-madeness is never that simple, either in the well-making of individual discourses or in the development of practical competence. c1450 ( Crowned King l. 60 in W. W. Skeat (1873) 526 (MED) His wit is full feble, But yif he wite be his werkes he hath well deserued, And of his well doyng his dedes to deme the same. a1500 tr. Lanfranc (Wellcome) f. 22 (MED) Ne abied þou not þe token of wele etyng and well goyng to foreyns. ?1568 in J. Pettus (1670) 61 Rules and Ordinances for the well-governing the Affairs of the Society, etc. 1625 K. Long tr. J. Barclay v. xiv. 383 For the loue of her..hee would not faile in well-looking to his charge. 1634 T. Herbert 138 Because of..the wel-seating it..he allured out of Babilon sixe hundred thousand soules. 1693 G. St. Lo (title) England's safety... Proposing a sure method for..raising qualified seamen for the well manning Their Majesties Fleet on any occasion. 1699 T. Cockman tr. Cicero i. xl. 135 By Moderation..we mean..the Knowledge of Well-timing whatever we do. 1766 B. Gale in (Royal Soc.) 55 197 The well-peopling the colonies, and securing our new acquisitions. 1766 at Lucern The grand secret of well-managing a trading populous country. 1834 14 i. 158 To calm seditions, to aid them in danger, to receive their ambassadors at fixed times,..to moderate the tribute of those who come,—these are the means of well-treating the great vassals. 1854 2 351/2 The..all-important necessity of well matching the poultry. 1890 A. P. Morton tr. H. Le Roux 168 In well calculating the strength of the steed. 1954 (News of World) 92/1 A good polish-reviver can be made by well mixing together a gill of vinegar, a gill of methylated spirits, [etc.]. OE (Northumbrian) vi. 28 Benedicite maledicentibus uobis : wel cueðas uel bloedsas ðæm woergendum iuh. a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) civ. 8 in C. Horstmann (1896) II. 237 He was mined..ofe his witeworde hende,..Þat he welesete for Abraham sake. c1450 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker (1884) I. 602/23 Persoleo,..to welwone. 1563 J. Man tr. W. Musculus 286 b Seyng that the mystery of the holy Trinitye did not well lyke with that people. 1612 M. Drayton xvii. 257 That of so great descent, and of so large a Dower, Might well-allie their House. 1670 J. Milton iii. 129 Prowlers..intent upon all occasions..to pamper and well line themselves. 1786 ‘N. Nobody’ 5 He well loves me. 1851 (title) Robert Owen's journal. Explanatory of the means to well-place and well-feed, well-clothe, well-lodge, well-employ, well-govern, and cordially unite the populations of the world. OE Regularis Concordia (Corpus Cambr.) in (1890) 84 6 Þæt is, þæt..acwuncenum eallum leohtum gan twa cild welgestemnede and to þam foresceawode to þan suðportice mid gedremum swege singan hludre stefne Kyrielejson. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) 8571 Þikke mon he was ynou..wel iboned [c1450 Cambr. Univ. boned] & strong. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 359 I and þow be here allone, iliche wel i-horsed and i-wepened. 1530 J. Palsgrave 442/2 This sworde is well backed. 1569 R. Grafton II. 495 Of bodie he was slender,..well membred, and strongly made. 1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin (xviii. 34) i. f. 63 He had bin a well-sinewed man. 1591 R. Greene sig. K3 The Gentleman is well forehanded and well foreheaded. 1630 Bp. J. Hall §xlii Why perfectly limmed, not a cripple? Why well-sensed, not a foole? 1669 A. Woodhead tr. (1671) ii. vii. 52 That those that shall be received, be thereto called by God, and be well-dispositioned. 1704 D. Defoe lx. 41 Old English Courage scorns those trifling things, The Higher Ground, the Well-flank'd Wings. ?1707 J. Grubb vii. 8 Castor the Flame of fiery Steed With well Spur'd Boots took down. 1804 W. Mitford (ed. 2) 372 A well-eared poet will of course avoid cacophony in rimes. 1855 3 452 Her eggs are well formed and well-shelled. 1857 P. H. Gosse xi. 326 The formidable Shark,..a well-toothed adult. 1891 July 318/1 The well-ancestored, rich,..respectability from which she springs. 1894 Sept. 427/2 The five brace of grand, plump, well-plumaged birds. 1902 J. Beatty tr. I. Bartholdsson ii. 17 I had striven to treat Leif and Guttorm with the consideration due to honest and well-lineaged gentlemen. 1998 J. Feather iv. 52 If asked for his ideal of womanhood Gareth would have produced a description of Charlotte: tall, deep-bosomed, well-hipped. 1853 20 267 Its accession..would bring no well-wieldable strength with it. 1941 A. J. Swan vii. 112 Powerful and well-performable music. 1997 27 Mar. 41/5 You could kit this kitchen out at any High Street store. It's a good basic, well-wipeable place. 2004 M. Potter xv. 261 An infinite well-orderable cardinal is called an aleph. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online June 2022). <  n.1eOE n.2c1300 adj.n.3eOEv.1eOE v.21787 adv.n.4eOE |