- water
- water [wôt′ər, wät′ər]n.[ME < OE wæter, akin to Ger wasser < IE * wodōr < * wed-, to wet (< base * awed-, to moisten, flow) > Gr hydōr, water, L unda, a wave, Russ voda, water, Ir uisce, water]1. the colorless, transparent liquid occurring on earth as rivers, lakes, oceans, etc., and falling from the clouds as rain: chemically a compound of hydrogen and oxygen, H2O, it freezes, forming ice, at 0°C (32°F) and boils, forming steam, at 100°C (212°F)2. water in a specified form or amount, or occurring or distributed in a specified way, or for a specified use, as drinking or washing3. [often pl.]a) a large body of water, as a river, lake, or seab) the part of the sea contiguous with a specified country, land mass, etc. or the parts away from this [international waters]c) any area in a body of water [the noisy waters at the rapids]d) the liquid substance of a body of water [the pond's still waters]4. water with reference to5.a) its depth [ten feet of water at the dam]b) its displacement [a boat that draws six feet of water]c) its surface [above water, under water]d) its level in a sea, river, etc. [high water, low water]6. [pl.] the water of mineral springs [to take the waters at Saratoga]7. any body fluid or secretion, as urine, saliva, tears, or gastric and pancreatic juices; specif.,a) the fluid surrounding the fetus in pregnancy; amniotic fluidb) a watery fluid retained abnormally [water on the knee]8. a solution of any substance in water [mineral water, ammonia water]9.a) the degree of transparency and luster of a precious stone as a measure of its quality [a diamond of the first water]b) degree of quality or conformity to type [an artist of the first or purest water]10. a wavy, lustrous finish given to linen, silk, rayon, etc., or to a metal surface11. a watercolor painting12. Financea) a valuation wrongfully given to the assets of a business in excess of their real valueb) an issue of capital stock which brings the face value of all the stock issued by a business to a figure higher than the actual value of its assets: now prohibited by SEC regulationsvt.[ME wateren < OE wæterian < the n.]1. to supply with water; specif.,a) to give (animals) water to drinkb) to give water to (soil, crops, etc.) by sprinkling, pouring, or irrigatingc) to bring water to (land): said of a river, canal, etc.d) to put water on by sprinkling, hosing, etc.; soak or moisten with water: often with downe) to add water to so as to weaken; dilute [to water the milk]2. to give a wavy luster to the surface of (silk, etc.)3. Finance to issue (stock) so as to add illegally to the total face value without increasing assets to justify this valuationvi.1. to fill with tears: said of the eyes2. to secrete or fill with saliva [his mouth watered at the sight of the roast]3. to take on a supply of water4. to drink water: said of animalsadj.1. of or having to do with water2. in or on water [water sports]3. growing in or living on or near water [water plants, water birds]4.a) operated by water [a water wheel]b) derived from running water [water power]5. containing water or fluid [a water blister]6. prepared with water, as for thinning or hardening——————by waterby ship or boat——————hold water1. to contain water without leaking2. to remain sound, consistent, or logical, with no breaks or weaknesses [an argument that doesn't hold water]3. to keep a boat at a standstill by holding the oars steady in the water——————like waterlavishly; freely: said of money spent, etc.——————make someone's mouth waterto create a desire or appetite in someone; be or seem tasty——————make water1. to urinate: also pass water2. to take in water, as through a leak: said of a boat, etc.——————test the waters or test the waterto explore a possible course of action; approach initially——————water downto weaken the potency or effectiveness of——————water under the bridge or water under the over the damsomething not worth reexamining because it is in the past and finished
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.
