- well
- wellwell1 [wel]n.[ME welle < OE wella, akin to weallan, to boil up, akin to Ger welle, wave, wallen, to boil < IE base * wel-, to turn, roll > WALK, L volvere, to roll]1. a flow of water from the earth; natural spring and pool2. a hole or shaft in the earth dug or drilled to tap an underground supply of water, gas, oil, etc.3. a source of abundant supply; fount [a book that is a well of information]4. any of various shafts or deep enclosed spaces resembling a well; esp.,a) an open shaft in a building for a staircase; stairwellb) a shaft in a building or between buildings, open to the sky for light and airc) an elevator shaftd) Naut. an enclosure in the hold of a ship for containing the pumps and protecting them from damagee) a compartment in a fishing boat where freshly caught fish are kept5. any of various vessels, containers, etc. for holding liquid, as an inkwell6. a depression, as on a platter or broiler for catching meat juicesvi.[ME wellen, to well up, bubble, boil, weld < OE wiellan, wyllan, to bubble, caus. of weallan: see WELL1 the n.]to flow or spring from or as from a well; gush (up, forth, down, out, etc.)vt.to pour forth; gush [eyes that welled tears]well2 [wel]adv.better, best [ME wel < OE, akin to Ger wohl: for IE base see WILL1: basic sense “according to desire”]1. in a pleasing or desirable manner; satisfactorily [work that is going well]2. in a proper, friendly, or attentive manner [to treat a person well]3. skillfully; expertly [to sing well]4. in an appropriate manner; fittingly [spoken well]5.a) prosperously; in comfort and plenty [to live well]b) to one's advantage or well-being [to marry well]6. with good reason; in justice; properly [one may well ask]7. satisfactorily in regard to health or physical condition [the patient is doing well]8. to a considerable extent, degree, or distance [well advanced]9. thoroughly; fully [stir well before cooking]10. with certainty; definitely [to know perfectly well what one must do]11. intimately; familiarly; closely [to know a person well]12. in good spirit; with good grace [he took the news well]: Well is also used in hyphenated compounds, meaning properly, satisfactorily, thoroughly, etc. [well- defined, well- paid, well- worn ]adj.better, best1. suitable, proper, fit, right, etc. [it is well that he came]2. in good health [she is quite well]3. in a good or satisfactory condition; favorable; comfortable [things are well with us]interj.1. used variously to express agreement, resignation, surprise, inquiry, expostulation, etc.2. used to preface or resume one's remarks——————as well1. besides; in addition2. with equal justification, propriety, or effect; equally——————as well asin addition to——————wish someone wellto wish success or good fortune for someone
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.