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Entry 20 senses · 6 variants Webster, 1913

Well

/wĕl/ · IPA /ˈwɛl/
01 n. An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain.
  1. 1.
    An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain.
    “Begin, then, sisters of the sacred well.” — Milton.
  2. 2.
    A pit or hole sunk into the earth to such a depth as to reach a supply of water, generally of a cylindrical form, and often walled with stone or bricks to prevent the earth from caving in.
    “The woman said unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep.” — John iv. 11.
  3. 3.
    A shaft made in the earth to obtain oil or brine.
  4. 4.
    Fig.: A source of supply; fountain; wellspring.
    “Dan Chaucer, well of English undefiled.” — Spenser.
    “A well of serious thought and pure.” — Keble.
  5. 5.
    An inclosure in the middle of a vessel's hold, around the pumps, from the bottom to the lower deck, to preserve the pumps from damage and facilitate their inspection.(Naut.)
  6. 6.
    A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run branches or galleries.(Mil.)
  7. 7.
    An opening through the floors of a building, as for a staircase or an elevator; a wellhole.(Arch.)
  8. 8.
    The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls.(Metal.)
Phrases & compounds
Artesian well — See under Artesian, and Driven.
Pump well — See Well, 5 (a), above.
Well boring — the art or process of boring an artesian well.
Well drain — A drain or vent for water, somewhat like a well or pit, serving to discharge the water of wet land.
Well room — A room where a well or spring is situated; especially, one built over a mineral spring.
Well sinker — one who sinks or digs wells.
Well sinking — the art or process of sinking or digging wells.
Well staircase — a staircase having a wellhole (see Wellhole (b)), as distinguished from one which occupies the whole of the space left for it in the floor.
Well sweep — Same as Sweep, n., 12.
Well water — the water that flows into a well from subterraneous springs; the water drawn from a well.
02 v. i. To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring.
imp. & p. p. Welled; p. pr. & vb. n. Welling
  1. 1.
    To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring.
    “From his two springs in Gojam's sunny realm, Pure welling out, he through the lucid lake Of fair Dambea rolls his infant streams.” — Thomson.
03 v. t. To pour forth, as from a well.
  1. 1.
    To pour forth, as from a well.
04 adv. In a good or proper manner; justly; rightly; not ill or wickedly.
  1. 1.
    In a good or proper manner; justly; rightly; not ill or wickedly.
    “If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” — Gen. iv. 7.
  2. 2.
    Suitably to one's condition, to the occasion, or to a proposed end or use; suitably; abundantly; fully; adequately; thoroughly.
    “Lot . . . beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere.” — Gen. xiii. 10.
    “WE are wellable to overcome it.” — Num. xiii. 30.
    “She looketh well to the ways of her household.” — Prov. xxxi. 27.
    “Servant of God, well done! well hast thou fought The better fight.” — Milton.
  3. 3.
    Fully or about; -- used with numbers.[Obs.]
    “Well nine and twenty in a company.” — Chaucer.
  4. 4.
    In such manner as is desirable; so as one could wish; satisfactorily; favorably; advantageously; conveniently.
    “Know In measure what the mind may well contain.” — Milton.
    “All the world speaks well of you.” — Pope.
  5. 5.
    Considerably; not a little; far.
    “Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age.” — Gen. xviii. 11.
Phrases & compounds
As well — See under As.
As well as — and also; together with; not less than; one as much as the other; as, a sickness long, as well as severe; London is the largest city in England, as well as the capital.
Well enough — well or good in a moderate degree; so as to give satisfaction, or so as to require no alteration.
Well off — in good condition; especially, in good condition as to property or any advantages; thriving; prosperous.
Well to do — well off; prosperous; -- used also adjectively.
Well to live — in easy circumstances; well off; well to do.
05 a. Good in condition or circumstances; desirable, either in a natural or moral sense; fortunate; convenient; advantageous; happy; as, it is we…
  1. 1.
    Good in condition or circumstances; desirable, either in a natural or moral sense; fortunate; convenient; advantageous; happy; as, it is well for the country that the crops did not fail; it is well that the mistake was discovered.
    “It was well with us in Egypt.” — Num. xi. 18.
  2. 2.
    Being in health; sound in body; not ailing, diseased, or sick; healthy; as, a well man; the patient is perfectly well.
    “Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake?” — Gen. xliii. 27.
  3. 3.
    Being in favor; favored; fortunate.
    “He followed the fortunes of that family, and was well with Henry the Fourth.” — Dryden.
  4. 4.
    Safe; as, a chip warranted well at a certain day and place.(Marine Insurance)
06 Contraction for we will or we shall.
  1. 1.
    Contraction for we will or we shall.