wh -abbr
- white
WH -abbr
- watt-hour
- withholding
whack ['hwak, 'wak] -vb, n
- to strike with a smart or resounding blow
- to cut with or as if with a whack : chop
- to get the better of : defeat
- murder, kill
- to strike a smart or resounding blow
- a smart or resounding blow
- the sound of or as if of such a blow
- a critical attack
- portion, share
- condition, state
- an opportunity or attempt to do something
- a single action or occasion
- borrowed 50 all at one whack
whackedout ['(h)wakt-,au̇t, ,(h)wakt-'] -adj
- worn-out, exhausted
- wacky
- stoned
whack·ing ['hwa-kiŋ, 'wa-] -adj
- very large : whopping
whacking -adv
- very
whacko ['wa-(,)kō] -adj
(variant of wacko)
- wacky
- a person who is wacky
- psycho
whack off -vb
- masturbate
whack up -vt
- to divide into shares
whacky ['wa-kē] -adj, adv, n
(variant of wacky)
- absurdly or amusingly eccentric or irrational : crazy
whale ['hwāl, 'wāl] -n, adj
- cetacean
- one (as a sperm whale or killer whale) of larger size
- one that is impressive esp. in size
- to engage in whale fishing
- lash, thrash
- to strike or hit vigorously
- to defeat soundly
whale·back ['hwāl-,bak, 'wāl-] -n
- something shaped like the back of a whale
whale·boat [-,bōt] -n
- a long narrow rowboat made with both ends sharp and raking, often steered with an oar, and formerly used by whalers for hunting whales
- a long narrow rowboat or motorboat resembling the original whaleboats and often carried by warships and merchant ships
whale·bone [-,bōn] -n
- baleen
- an article made of whalebone
whalebone whale -n
- baleen whale
whal·er ['hwā-lər, 'wā-] -n
- a person or ship engaged in whale fishing
- whaleboat
whale shark -n
- a shark ( Rhincodon typus) of warm waters that has small teeth, feeds chiefly on plankton strained by its gill rakers, may sometimes attain a length of up to 60 feet (18.3 meters), and is the largest known fish
whaling -n
- the occupation of catching and extracting commercial products from whales
wham ['hwam, 'wam] -n
- a solid blow
- the loud sound of a hard impact
- with violent abruptness
- everything was going well; then wham the deal fell through
- to propel, strike, or beat so as to produce a loud impact
- to hit or explode with a loud impact
wham·my ['hwa-mē, 'wa-] -n
- a supernatural power bringing bad luck
- a magic curse or spell : jinx, hex
- a potent force or attack
- a paralyzing or lethal blow
whang ['hwaŋ, 'waŋ] -n
- thong
- rawhide
- a large piece : chunk
- penis
- beat, thrash
- to propel or strike with force
- to beat or work with force or violence
- a loud sharp vibrant or resonant sound
- to make a whang
- to strike with a whang
whan·gee [hwaŋ-'ē, waŋ-, -'gē] -n
- the wood of any of several Asian bamboos (genus Phyllostachys)
- a walking stick or riding crop of whangee
whap ['hwäp, 'wäp] -vt
(variant of whop)
- to pull or whip out
- beat, strike
- to defeat totally
- a heavy blow : thump
wharf ['hwȯrf, 'wȯrf] -n
- a structure built along or at an angle from the shore of navigable waters so that ships may lie alongside to receive and discharge cargo and passengers
- the bank of a river or the shore of the sea
wharf·age ['hwȯr-fij, 'wȯr-] -n
- the provision or the use of a wharf
- the handling or stowing of goods on a wharf
- the charge for the use of a wharf
- the wharf accommodations of a place : wharves
wharf·in·ger [-fən-jər] -n
- the operator or manager of a commercial wharf
wharf·mas·ter ['hwȯrf-,mas-tər, 'wȯrf-] -n
- wharfinger
what ['hwät, 'hwət, 'wät, 'wət] -pron
- used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the identity, nature, or value of an object or matter
- what is wealth without friends
- often used to ask for repetition of an utterance or part of an utterance not properly heard or understood
- who used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the identity of a person
- used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the character, nature, occupation, position, or role of a person
- what do you think I am, a fool
- what is she, that all our swains commend her -- Shak.
- used as an exclamation expressing surprise or excitement and frequently introducing a question
- used in expressions directing attention to a statement that the speaker is about to make
- used at the end of a question to express inquiry about additional possibilities
- is it raining, or snowing, or what
- used with or at the end of a question usu. in expectation of agreement
- is this exciting, or what
- used at the end of an utterance as a form of tag question
- that , which , who
- that which : the one or ones that
- no income but what he gets from his writings
sometimes used in reference to a clause or phrase that is yet to come or is not yet complete - gave also, what is more valuable, understanding
- the thing or things that
- what you need is a vacation
- what angered us was the tone of the article
- whatever
- whoever
- why
- in what respect : how
- used to introduce prepositional phrases in parallel construction or a prepositional phrase that expresses cause and usu. has more than one object used principally before phrases beginning with with
- what with unemployment increasing
- what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk -- Shak.
- used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the identity, nature, or value of a person, object, or matter
- what minerals do we export
- how remarkable or striking for good or bad qualities used esp. in exclamatory utterances and dependent clauses
- whatever
- any
- ornament of what description soever
- the...that : as much or as many...as
- rescued what survivors they found
what all ['hwä-,dȯl, 'wä-, '(h)wə-] -pron
- whatnot
what·cha·ma·call·it ['hwä-chə-mə-,kȯ-lət, 'wä-, '(h)wə-] -n
- thingamajig
what·ev·er [hwät-'e-vər, wät-, (h)wət-] -pron
- anything or everything that
- no matter what
- whatever he says, they won't believe him
- whatnot
- enjoys skiing, hiking, or whatever
- what used to express astonishment or perplexity
- whatever do you mean by that
whatever -adj
- any...that : all...that
- buy peace...on whatever terms could be obtained -- C. S. Forester
- no matter what
- money, in whatever hands, will confer power -- Samuel Johnson
- of any kind at all used after the substantive it modifies with any or with an expressed or implied negative
- in any order whatever -- W. G. Moulton
- in any case : whatever the case may be sometimes used interjectionally to suggest the unimportance of an issue or decision between alternatives
- go see a movie, watch TV,- whatever
whatif [,hwät-'if, ,wät-, ,(h)wət-] -n, adj
- a suppositional question
what·ness ['hwät-nəs, 'wät-, '(h)wət-] -n
- quiddity
what·not ['hwät-,nät, 'wät-, '(h)wət-] -pron
- any of various other things that might also be mentioned
- paper clips, pins, and whatnot
whatnot -n
- a nondescript person or thing
- a light open set of shelves for bric-a-brac
what·sit ['hwät-sət, 'wät-, '(h)wət-] -n
- thingamajig
what·so·ev·er [,hwät-sə-'we-vər, ,wät-, ,(h)wət-] -pron or adj
- whatever
whaup ['hwȯp, 'wȯp] -n
- a European curlew ( Numenius arquata)
wheal ['hwēl, 'wēl] -n
- : a suddenly formed elevation of the skin surface : welt
- a flat burning or itching eminence on the skin
wheat ['hwēt, 'wēt] -n
- a cereal grain that yields a fine white flour used chiefly in breads, baked goods (as cakes and crackers), and pastas (as macaroni or spaghetti), and is important in animal feeds
- any of various Old World annual grasses (genus Triticum,esp. T. aestivumand T. turgidum) of wide climatic adaptability that are cultivated in most temperate areas for the wheat they yield
- a light yellow
wheat berry -n
- an unprocessed whole kernel of wheat
wheat bread -n
- a bread made of a combination of white and whole wheat flours as distinguished from bread made entirely of white or whole wheat flour
wheat cake -n
- a pancake made of wheat flour
wheat·ear ['hwēt-,ir, 'wēt-] -n
- any of various small thrushes (genus Oenanthe)
- a white-rumped one ( O. oenanthe) of northern No. America and the Old World
wheat·en ['hwē-tᵊn, 'wē-] -adj
- of, relating to, or made of wheat
wheaten -n
- a pale yellowish to ruddy-fawn color characteristic of the coat of some dogs
wheat germ -n
- the embryo of the wheat kernel separated in milling and used esp. as a source of vitamins and protein
wheat·grass ['hwēt-,gras, 'wēt-] -n
- any of a genus ( Agropyron) of perennial grasses including some which are important pasture, hay, or turf grasses
wheat·land ['hwēt-,land, 'wēt-] -n
- land used or suitable for growing wheat
wheat rust -n
- a destructive disease of wheat caused by rust fungi
- a fungus (as Puccinia graminis) causing a wheat rust
Wheat·stone bridge ['hwēt-,stōn-, 'wēt-, chiefly Brit -stən-] -n
- an electrical bridge consisting of two branches of a parallel circuit joined by a galvanometer and used for determining the value of an unknown resistance in one of the branches
whee ['hwē, 'wē] -interj
- used to express delight or exuberance
whee·dle ['hwē-dᵊl, 'wē-] -vb
- to influence or entice by soft words or flattery
- to gain or get by wheedling
- wheedle one's way into favor
- to use soft words or flattery
wheel ['hwēl, 'wēl] -n, adj
- a circular frame of hard material that may be solid, partly solid, or spoked and that is capable of turning on an axle
- : a contrivance or apparatus having as its principal part a wheel: as
- a chiefly medieval instrument of torture designed for mutilating a victim (as by stretching or disjointing)
- bicycle
- any of many revolving disks or drums used as gambling paraphernalia
- potter's wheel
- steering wheel
- an imaginary turning wheel symbolizing the inconstancy of fortune
- a recurring course, development, or action : cycle
- : something (as a round flat cheese) resembling a wheel in shape
- a curving or circular movement
- a rotation or turn usu. about an axis or center
- a turning movement of troops or ships in line in which the units preserve alignment and relative positions as they change direction
- a moving or essential part of something compared to a machine
- the wheel s of government
- a directing or controlling force
- a person of importance esp. in an organization
- the refrain or burden of a song
- a circuit of theaters or places of entertainment
- a sports league
- a wheeled vehicle
- automobile
- legs
- to turn on or as if on an axis : revolve
- to change direction as if revolving on a pivot
- the battalion would have wheel ed to the flank -- Walter Bernstein
- her mind will wheel around to the other extreme -- Liam O'Flaherty
- wheel ed to face her opponent
- to move or extend in a circle or curve
- birds in wheel ing flight
- valleys where young cotton wheel ed slowly in fanlike rows -- William Faulkner
- to travel on or as if on wheels or in a wheeled vehicle
- to cause to turn on or as if on an axis : rotate
- to convey or move on or as if on wheels or in a wheeled vehicle
- wheel ed the patient back to his room
- wheel ed the car into the driveway
- to cause to change direction as if revolving on a pivot
- to make or perform in a circle or curve
wheel and axle -n
- a mechanical device consisting of a grooved wheel turned by a cord or chain with a rigidly attached axle (as for winding up a weight) together with the supporting standards
wheel animal -n
- rotifer
wheel·bar·row ['hwēl-,ba-(,)rō, 'wēl-] -n
- a small usu. single-wheeled vehicle that is used for carrying small loads and is fitted with handles at the rear by which it can be pushed and guided
wheelbarrow -vt
- to convey in a wheelbarrow
wheel·base ['hwēl-,bās, 'wēl-] -n
- the distance in inches between the front and rear axles of an automotive vehicle
wheel bug -n
- a large No. American assassin bug ( Arilus cristatus) that has a high serrated crest on its prothorax and preys on insects
wheel·chair ['hwēl-,cher, 'wēl-] -n
- a chair mounted on wheels esp. for the use of disabled persons
wheeled ['hwēld, 'wēld] -adj
- equipped with wheels
- moving or functioning by means of wheels
wheel·er ['hwē-lər, 'wē-] -n
- one that wheels
- a draft animal (as a horse) pulling in the position nearest the front wheels of a wagon
- something (as a vehicle or ship) that has wheels used esp. in combination
wheeler and dealer -n
- wheeler-dealer
wheel·erdeal·er [,hwē-lər-'dē-lər, ,wē-] -n
- a shrewd operator esp. in business or politics
wheel·horse ['hwēl-,hȯrs, 'wēl-] -n
- a horse (as in a tandem) in a position nearest the wheels
- a steady and effective worker esp. in a political body
wheel·house [-,hau̇s] -n
- pilothouse
wheel·ie ['hwē-lē, 'wē-] -n
- a maneuver in which a wheeled vehicle (as a bicycle) is momentarily balanced on its rear wheel or wheels
wheel·ing ['hwē-liŋ, 'wē-] -n
- the act or process of one that wheels
- the condition of a road relative to passage on wheels
wheel lock -n
- a gun's lock for a muzzle-loading firearm in which sparks are struck from a flint or a piece of pyrite by a revolving wheel
wheel·man ['hwēl-mən, 'wēl-] -n
- helmsman
- the driver of an automobile
- cyclist
wheels·man ['hwēlz-mən, 'wēlz-] -n
- one who steers with a wheel
- helmsman
wheelthrown ['hwēl-,thrōn, 'wēl-] -adj
- made on a potter's wheel
wheel·work ['hwēl-,wərk, 'wēl-] -n
- wheels in gear and their connections in a machine or mechanism
wheel·wright [-,rīt] -n
- a maker and repairer of wheels and wheeled vehicles
wheen ['hwēn, 'wēn] -adj
- few
- a considerable number or amount
wheeze ['hwēz, 'wēz] -vi
- to breathe with difficulty usu. with a whistling sound
- to make a sound resembling that of wheezing
- a sound of wheezing
- an often repeated and widely known joke used esp. by entertainers
- a trite saying or proverb
wheezy ['hwē-zē, 'wē-] -adj, adv, n
- inclined to wheeze
- having a wheezing sound
- the wheezy call of a phoebe
whelk ['hwelk, 'welk, 'wilk] -n
- any of numerous large marine snails (as of the genus Buccinum)
- one ( B. undatum) used as food in Europe
- papule, pustule
whelm ['hwelm, 'welm] -vb
- to turn (as a dish or vessel) upside down usu. to cover something : cover or engulf completely with usu. disastrous effect
- to overcome in thought or feeling : overwhelm
- whelm ed with a rush of joy -- G. A. Wagner
- to pass or go over something so as to bury or submerge it
whelp ['hwelp, 'welp] -n
- any of the young of various carnivorous mammals and esp. of the dog
- a young boy or girl
- to give birth to used of various carnivores and esp. the dog
- to bring forth young
when ['hwen, 'wen, (h)wən] -adv
- at what time
- at or during which time
- and then
- at a former and usu. less prosperous time
- brag fondly of having known him when -- Vance Packard
- at or during the time that : while
- went fishing when he was a boy
- just at the moment that
- stop writing when the bell rings
- at any or every time that
- when he listens to music, he falls asleep
- in the event that : if
- a contestant is disqualified when he disobeys the rules
- considering that
- why use water at all when you can drown in it -- Stuart Chase
- in spite of the fact that : although
- quit politics when I might have had a great career in it
- the time or occasion at or in which
- tomorrow is when we must decide
- humor is when you laugh -- Earl Rovit
- what or which time
- life-long homes for those...who have lived here since when -- Kim Waller
- the time in which something is done or comes about
- troubled his head very little about the hows and when s of life -- Laurence Sterne
when·as [hwe-'naz, we-, (h)wə-] -conj
- when
whence ['hwen(t)s, 'wen(t)s] -adv
- from what place, source, or cause
- then whence comes this paradox -- Changing Times
- from what place, source, or cause
- inquired whence the water came -- Maria Edgeworth
- from or out of which place, source, or cause
- the lawless society whence the ballads sprang -- DeLancey Ferguson
- by reason of which fact : wherefore
- nothing broke- whence I infer that my bones are not yet chalky -- O. W. Holmes 1935
whence·so·ev·er ['hwen(t)(s)-sə-,we-vər, 'wen(t)(s)-] -conj
- from whatever place or source
when·ev·er [hwe-'ne-vər, we-, (h)wə-] -conj
- at any or every time that
whenever -adv
- at whatever time
when·so·ev·er ['hwen(t)-sə-,we-vər, 'wen(t)-] -conj
- whenever
whensoever -adv
- at any time whatever
where ['hwer, 'wer, (,)(h)wər] -adv
- at, in, or to what place
- at, in, or to what situation, position, direction, circumstances, or respect
- where does this plan lead
- here, there
- lo, where it comes again -- Shak.
- at, in, or to what place
- at, in, or to what situation, position, direction, circumstances, or respect
- shows where the plan leads
- the place or point at, in, or to which
- couldn't see from where he was sitting
- kept that horse and gentled him to where I finally rode him -- William Faulkner
- wherever
- at, in, or to which place
- at or in which
- has reached the size where traffic is a problem
- two fireplaces where you can bake bread in the ovens -- Randall Jarrell
- at, in, or to the place at, in, or to which
- send him away where he'll forget
- in a case, situation, or respect in which
- outstanding where endurance is called for
- that
- I've read where they do it that way in some Middle Eastern countries -- Andy Rooney
- place, location
- the where and the how of the accident
- what place, source, or cause
- I know where that comes from
where·abouts [-ə-,bau̇ts] -adv
- about where : near what place
whereabouts -conj
- on what business or errand
- near what place : where
- know whereabouts he lives
- the place or general locality where a person or thing is
- their present whereabouts are a secret
where·as [hwer-'az, wer-, (,)(h)wər-] -conj
- while on the contrary
- although
- in view of the fact that : since used esp. to introduce a preamble
whereas -n
- an introductory statement of a formal document : preamble
- a conditional or qualifying statement
where·at [-'at] -conj
- at or toward which
- in consequence of which : whereupon
where·by [-'bī] -conj
- by, through, or in accordance with which
whereby -adv
- by what : how
where·fore ['hwer-,fȯr, 'wer-] -adv
- for what reason or purpose : why
- therefore
wherefore -n
- an answer or statement giving an explanation : reason
- wants to know the whys and wherefore s
where·from [-,frəm, -,främ] -conj
- from which
where·in [hwer-'in, wer-, (,)(h)wər-] -adv
- in what : in what particular or respect
wherein -conj
- in which : where
- the city wherein he lives
- during which
- in what way : how
- showed me wherein I was wrong
where·in·to [-'in-(,)tü] -conj
- into which
where·of [-'əv, -'äv] -conj
- with or by which
- of what
- of which
- books whereof the best are lost
- of whom
whereof -adv
- of what
- whereof are you made -- Shak.
where·on [-'ȯn, -'än] -conj
- on what
- tell me whereon the likelihood depends -- Shak.
- on which
- the base whereon it rests
whereon -adv
- on what
- whereon do you look -- Shak.
where·so·ev·er ['hwer-sə-,we-vər, 'wer-] -conj
- wherever
where·through ['hwer-,thrü, 'wer-] -conj
- through which
where·to [-,tü] -adv
- to what place, purpose, or end
- whereto tends all this -- Shak.
whereto -conj
- to which
where·un·to [hwer-'ən-(,)tü, wer-, (,)(h)wər-] -adv or conj
- whereto
where·up·on ['hwer-ə-,pȯn, 'wer-, -,pän] -conj
- on which
- closely following and in consequence of which
wher·ev·er [hwer-'e-vər, wer-, (,)(h)wər-] -adv
- where in the world
- wherever did you get that tie
- anywhere at all
- explore northward or wherever -- Bernard De Voto
wherever -conj
- at, in, or to any or all places that
- in any circumstance in which
- wherever it is possible, we try to help
where·with ['hwer-,with, 'wer-, -,with] -pron
- that with or by which used with an infinitive
- so shall I have wherewith to answer him -- Ps 119:42 (AV)
wherewith -adv
- with what
- wherewith shall it be salted -- Mt 5:13 (AV)
- with or by means of which
- metal tools wherewith to break ground -- Russell Lord
where·with·al ['hwer-wi-,thȯl, 'wer-, -,thȯl] -conj
- wherewith
wherewithal -pron
- wherewith
- means, resources
- money
- didn't have the wherewithal for an expensive dinner
wher·ry ['hwer-ē, 'wer-] -n
- : any of various light boats: as
- a long light rowboat made sharp at both ends and used to transport passengers on rivers and about harbors
- a racing scull for one person
- a large light barge, lighter, or fishing boat varying in type in different parts of Great Britain
whet ['hwet, 'wet] -vt, n
- to sharpen by rubbing on or with something (as a stone)
- to make keen or more acute : excite, stimulate
- a spell of work done with a scythe between the time it is sharpened and the time it needs to be sharpened again
- time, while
- : something that sharpens or makes keen:
- goad, incitement
- appetizer
- a drink of liquor
wheth·er ['hwe-thər, 'we-, (,)(h)wə-] -pron
- which one of the two
- whichever one of the two
whether -conj
- used as a function word usu. with correlative or or with or whether to indicate (1) until the early 19th century a direct question involving alternatives; (2) an indirect question involving stated or implied alternatives
- decide whether he should agree or raise objections
; (3) alternative conditions or possibilities - see me no more, whether he be dead or no -- Shak.
- seated him next to her whether by accident or design
whet·stone ['hwet-,stōn, 'wet-] -n
- a stone for whetting edge tools
whew [often read as 'hwü, 'wü, 'hyü; the interj is a whistle concluded with a voiceless ü] -n
- a whistling sound or a sound like a half-formed whistle uttered as an exclamation
- gave a long whew when he realized the size of the job
used interjectionally chiefly to express amazement, discomfort, or relief
whey ['hwā, 'wā] -n, adj
- the watery part of milk that is separated from the coagulable part or curd esp. in the process of making cheese and that is rich in lactose, minerals, and vitamins and contains lactalbumin and traces of fat
wheyface ['hwā-,fās, 'wā-] -n, adj
- a person having a pale face (as from fear)
which ['hwich, 'wich] -adj
- being what one or ones out of a group used as an interrogative
- kept a record of which employees took their vacations in July
- whichever
- it will not fit, turn it which way you like
- used as a function word to introduce a nonrestrictive relative clause and to modify a noun in that clause and to refer together with that noun to a word or word group in a preceding clause or to an entire preceding clause or sentence or longer unit of discourse
- in German, which language might...have been the medium of transmission -- Thomas Pyles
- that this city is a rebellious city...: for which cause was this city destroyed -- Ezra 4:15 (AV)
- what one or ones out of a group used as an interrogative
- which of those houses do you live in
- which of you want tea and which want lemonade
- he is swimming or canoeing, I don't know which
- whichever
- used as a function word to introduce a relative clause used in any grammatical relation except that of a possessive used esp. in reference to animals, inanimate objects, groups, or ideas
- the bonds which represent the debt -- G. B. Robinson
- the Samnite tribes, which settled south and southeast of Rome -- Ernst Pulgram
used freely in reference to persons as recently as the 17th century - our Father which art in heaven -- Mt 6:9(AV)
, and still occas. so used but usu. with some implication of emphasis on the function or role of the person rather than on the person as such - chiefly they wanted husbands, which they got easily -- Lynn White
used by speakers on all educational levels and by many reputable writers, though disapproved by some grammarians, in reference to an idea expressed by a word or group of words that is not necessarily a noun or noun phrase - he resigned that post, after which he engaged in ranching -- Current Biog.
which·ev·er [hwich-'e-vər, wich-] -adj
- being whatever one or ones out of a group : no matter which
- its soothing...effect will be the same whichever way you take it -- Punch
whichever -pron
- whatever one or ones out of a group
- take two of the four elective subjects, whichever you prefer
which·so·ev·er [,hwich-sə-'we-vər, ,wich-] -pron or adj
- whichever
whick·er ['hwi-kər, 'wi-] -vi, n
- neigh, whinny
whid ['hwid, 'wid] -vi
- to move nimbly and silently
whiff ['hwif, 'wif] -n
- a quick puff or slight gust esp. of air, odor, gas, smoke, or spray
- an inhalation of odor, gas, or smoke
- a slight puffing or whistling sound
- a slight trace or indication
- strikeout
- to move with or as if with a puff of air
- to emit whiffs : puff
- to inhale an odor
- strike out
- to carry or convey by or as if by a whiff : blow
- to expel or puff out in a whiff : exhale
- smoke
- fan
whif·fet ['hwi-fət, 'wi-] -n
- a small, young, or unimportant person
whif·fle ['hwi-fəl, 'wi-] -vb
- to blow unsteadily or in gusts
- vacillate
- to emit or produce a light whistling or puffing sound
- to blow, disperse, emit, or expel with or as if with a whiff
whif·fler ['hwi-flər, 'wi-] -n
- one that clears the way for a procession
- a person who frequently changes opinions or course
- a person who uses shifts and evasions in argument
whif·fle·tree ['hwi-fəl-(,)trē, 'wi-] -n
- the pivoted swinging bar to which the traces of a harness are fastened and by which a vehicle or implement is drawn
Whig ['hwig, 'wig] -n, adj
- a member or supporter of a major British political group of the late 17th through early 19th centuries seeking to limit the royal authority and increase parliamentary power
- an American favoring independence from Great Britain during the American Revolution
- a member or supporter of an American political party formed about 1834 in opposition to the Jacksonian Democrats, associated chiefly with manufacturing, commercial, and financial interests, and succeeded about 1854 by the Republican party
Whig·gery ['hwi-gə-rē, 'wi-] -n
- the principles or practices of Whigs
Whig·gish ['hwi-gish, 'wi-] -adj
- characteristic of Whigs or Whiggery
- of, relating to, or characterized by a view which holds that history follows a path of inevitable progression and improvement and which judges the past in light of the present
whig·ma·lee·rie [,hwig-mə-'lir-ē, ,wig-] -n
- whim
- an odd or fanciful contrivance : gimcrack
while ['hwī(-ə)l, 'wī(-ə)l] -n
- a period of time esp. when short and marked by the occurrence of an action or a condition : time
- the time and effort used (as in the performance of an action) : trouble
- during the time that
- as long as
- while there's life there's hope
- when on the other hand : whereas
- easy for an expert, while it is dangerous for a novice
- in spite of the fact that : although
- while respected, he is not liked
- similarly and at the same time that
- while the book will be welcomed by scholars, it will make an immediate appeal to the general reader -- Brit. Book News
- until
- to cause to pass esp. without boredom or in a pleasant manner usu. used with away
whiles ['hwī(-ə)lz, 'wī(-ə)lz] -conj
- while
- sometimes
whi·lom ['hwī-ləm, 'wī-] -adv
- formerly
whilom -adj
- former
whilst ['hwī(-ə)lst, 'wī(-ə)lst] -conj
- while
whim ['hwim, 'wim] -n
- a capricious or eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of the mind : fancy
- a large capstan that is made with one or more radiating arms to which a horse may be yoked and that is used in mines for raising ore or water
whim·brel ['hwim-brəl, 'wim-] -n
- a curlew ( Numenius phaeopus) chiefly of the northern coastal regions of No. America and Eurasia
whim·per ['hwim-pər, 'wim-] -vi
- to make a low whining plaintive or broken sound
- to complain or protest with or as if with a whimper
whimper -n
- a whimpering cry or sound
- a petulant complaint or protest
- the bill passed without a whimper
whim·si·cal ['hwim-zi-kəl, 'wim-] -adj, n, adv
- full of, actuated by, or exhibiting whims
- resulting from or characterized by whim or caprice
- lightly fanciful
- subject to erratic behavior or unpredictable change
whim·sy ['hwim-zē, 'wim-] -n
- whim, caprice
- the quality or state of being whimsical or fanciful
- the designer's new line showed a touch of whimsy
- a fanciful or fantastic device, object, or creation esp. in writing or art
whimwham ['hwim-,hwam, 'wim-,wam] -n
- a whimsical object or device esp. of ornament or dress
- fancy, whim
- jitters
whin ['hwin, 'win] -n
- gorse
whin·chat ['hwin-,chat, 'win-] -n
- a small brown and buff European singing bird ( Saxicola rubetra) of grassy meadows
whine ['hwīn, 'wīn] -vb, n, adv
- to utter a high-pitched plaintive or distressed cry
- to make a sound similar to such a cry
- the wind whined in the chimney
- to complain with or as if with a whine
- always whining about the weather
- to move or proceed with the sound of a whine
- the bullet whined ...across the ice -- Berton Roueche
- to utter or express with or as if with a whine
- a prolonged high-pitched cry usu. expressive of distress or pain
- a sound resembling such a cry
- a complaint uttered with or as if with a whine
whingding ['wiŋ-,diŋ, 'hwiŋ-] -n
- wingding
whinge ['hwinj, 'winj] -vi, n
- to complain fretfully : whine
whin·ny ['hwi-nē, 'wi-] -vb
- to neigh esp. in a low or gentle way
- to utter with or as if with a whinny
whinny -n
- the neigh of a horse esp. when low or gentle
- a sound resembling a neigh
whin·stone ['hwin-,stōn, 'win-] -n
- basaltic rock : trap
- any of various other dark resistant rocks (as chert)
whip ['hwip, 'wip] -vb, n
- to take, pull, snatch, jerk, or otherwise move very quickly and forcefully
- whipped out his gun -- Green Peyton
- to strike with a slender lithe implement (as a lash or rod) esp. as a punishment
- spank
- to drive or urge on by or as if by using a whip
- to strike as a lash does
- rain whipped the pavement
- to bind or wrap (as a rope or fishing rod) with cord for protection and strength
- to wind or wrap around something
- to belabor with stinging words : abuse
- to seam or hem with shallow overcasting stitches
- to overcome decisively : defeat
- to stir up : incite usu. used with up
- trying to whip up a new emotion -- Ellen Glasgow
- to produce in a hurry usu. used with up
- a sketch...an artist might whip up -- N.Y. Times
- to fish (water) with rod, line, and artificial lure
- to beat (as eggs or cream) into a froth with a utensil (as a whisk or fork)
- to gather together or hold together for united action in the manner of a party whip
- to proceed nimbly or quickly
- whipping through the supper dishes -- C. B. Davis
- to thrash about flexibly in the manner of a whiplash
- a flag... whipping out from its staff -- H. A. Calahan
- an instrument consisting usu. of a handle and lash forming a flexible rod that is used for whipping
- a stroke or cut with or as if with a whip
- a dessert made by whipping a portion of the ingredients
- a kitchen utensil made of braided or coiled wire or perforated metal with a handle and used in whipping
- : one that handles a whip: as
- a driver of horses : coachman
- whipper-in
- a member of a legislative body appointed by a political party to enforce party discipline and to secure the attendance of party members at important sessions
- a notice of forthcoming business sent weekly to each member of a political party in the British House of Commons
- a whipping or thrashing motion
- the quality of resembling a whip esp. in being flexible
- whip antenna
whip antenna -n
- a flexible vertical rod radio antenna
whip·cord ['hwip-,kȯrd, 'wip-] -n
- a thin tough cord made of braided or twisted hemp or catgut
- a cloth that is made of hard-twisted yarns and has fine diagonal cords or ribs
whip hand -n
- positive control : advantage
- the hand holding the whip in driving
whip in -vt
- to collect or keep together (members of a political party) for legislative action
- to keep (hounds in a pack) from scattering by use of a whip
whip·lash ['hwip-,lash, 'wip-] -n
- the lash of a whip
- something resembling a blow from a whip
- the whiplash of fear -- R. S. Banay
- injury resulting from a sudden sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a person in a vehicle that is struck from the rear by another vehicle)
whip·perin [,hwi-pər-'in, ,wi-] -n
- a huntsman's assistant who whips in the hounds
- whip
whip·per·snap·per ['hwi-pər-,sna-pər, 'wi-] -n
- a diminutive, insignificant, or presumptuous person
whip·pet ['hwi-pət, 'wi-] -n
- any of a breed of small swift slender dogs used for coursing small game and racing
whipping -n
- : the act of one that whips: as
- a severe beating or chastisement
- a stitching with small overcasting stitches
- material used to whip or bind
whipping boy -n
- a boy formerly educated with a prince and punished in his stead
- scapegoat
whipping cream -n
- a cream suitable for whipping that by law contains not less than 30 percent butterfat
whipping post -n
- a post to which offenders are tied to be legally whipped
whip·ple·tree ['hwi-pəl-(,)trē, 'wi-] -n
- whiffletree
whippoorwill ['hwi-pər-,wil, ,hwi-pər-', 'wi-, ,wi-] -n
- a nocturnal nightjar ( Caprimulgus vociferus) of chiefly eastern No. America with a loud repeated call suggestive of its name
whip·py ['hwi-pē, 'wi-] -adj
- unusually resilient : springy
- of, relating to, or resembling a whip
whipround ['hwip-,rau̇nd, 'wip-] -n
- a collection of money made usu. for a benevolent purpose
- had a whipround to help the couple pay for a Paris honeymoon -- The People
whip·saw ['hwip-,sȯ, 'wip-] -n
- a narrow pit saw averaging 5 to 7 feet (1.5 to 2.3 meters) in length
whipsaw -vt
- to saw with a whipsaw
- to beset or victimize in two opposite ways at once, by a two-phase operation, or by the collusive action of two opponents
- wage earners were whipsaw ed by inflation and high taxes
whip·sawed [-,sȯd] -adj
- subjected to a double market loss through trying inopportunely to recoup a loss by a subsequent short sale of the same security
whip scorpion -n
- any of an order (Uropygi) of chiefly tropical arachnids somewhat resembling true scorpions but having a long slender caudal process and no sting
whip stall -n
- a stall during a vertical climb in which the nose of the airplane whips violently forward and then downward
whip·stitch ['hwip-,stich, 'wip-] -vt
- whip
whipstitch -n
- a shallow overcasting stitch
whip·stock [-,stäk] -n
- the handle of a whip
whip·tail [-,tāl] -n
- any of various long slender American lizards (genus Cnemidophorus) having a whiplike tail and including some forms that are parthenogenetic
whip·worm [-,wərm] -n
- a parasitic nematode worm (genus Trichuris) with a body that is thickened posteriorly and that is very long and slender anteriorly
- one ( T. trichiura) of the human intestine
whir ['hwər, 'wər] -vb
- to fly, revolve, or move rapidly with a whir
- hummingbirds whirring past
- to move or carry rapidly with a whir
- a continuous fluttering or vibratory sound made by something in rapid motion
whirl ['hwər(-ə)l, 'wər(-ə)l] -vb, n
- to move in a circle or similar curve esp. with force or speed
- to turn on or around an axis like a wheel : rotate
- to turn abruptly around or aside : wheel
- whirl ed around in surprise
- to pass, move, or go quickly
- whirl ed down the hallway
- to become giddy or dizzy : reel
- to drive, impel, or convey with or as if with a rotary motion
- to cause to turn usu. rapidly on or around an axis : rotate
- to cause to turn abruptly around or aside
- to throw or hurl violently with a revolving motion
- a rapid rotating or circling movement
- something undergoing such a movement
- a busy or fast-paced succession of events : bustle
- a confused or disturbed mental state : turmoil
- a whirl of febrile excitement -- Emily Skeel
- an experimental or brief attempt : try
whirl·i·gig ['hwər-li-,gig, 'wər-] -n
- a child's toy having a whirling motion
- merry-go-round
- one that continuously whirls, moves, or changes
- a whirling or circling course (as of events)
whirligig beetle -n
- any of a family (Gyrinidae) of beetles with two pairs of eyes and clubbed antennae that live mostly on the surface of water where they swim swiftly about in circles
whirl·ing disease ['hwər-liŋ-, 'wər-] -n
- an infectious often fatal disease esp. of young salmonid fishes (as trout and salmon) that is caused by a protozoan ( Myxobolus cerebralissyn. Myxosoma cerebralis) and is marked by skeletal deformities and a tendency to swim in circles
whirl·pool ['hwər(-ə)l-,pül, 'wər(-ə)l-] -n
- a confused tumult and bustle : whirl
- a magnetic or impelling force by which something may be engulfed
- refusing to be drawn into this whirlpool of intrigue -- A. D. White
- water moving rapidly in a circle so as to produce a depression in the center into which floating objects may be drawn : eddy, vortex
- whirlpool bath
whirlpool bath -n
- a therapeutic bath in which all or part of the body is exposed to forceful whirling currents of hot water
whirl·wind [-,wind] -n
- a small rotating windstorm of limited extent
- a confused rush : whirl
- a violent or destructive force or agency
whirlwind -adj
- resembling a whirlwind esp. in speed or force
whirly ['hwər-lē, 'wər-] -adj
- marked by or exhibiting a whirling motion
- a small whirlwind
whirly·bird [-,bərd] -n
- helicopter
whir·ry ['hwər-ē, 'wər-, '(h)wə-rē] -vb
- to convey quickly
- hurry
whish ['hwish, 'wish] -vb
- to urge on or cause to move with a whish
- to make a sibilant sound
- to move with a whish esp. at high speed
- an elevator...whish es down to the lower level -- Natalie Cooper
- a rushing sound : swish
whisht ['hwisht, 'wisht] -vi
- hush often used interjectionally to enjoin silence
whisk ['hwisk, 'wisk] -n
- a quick light brushing or whipping motion
- a usu. wire kitchen utensil used for beating food by hand
- a flexible bunch (as of twigs, feathers, or straw) attached to a handle for use as a brush
- to move nimbly and quickly
- to move or convey briskly
- whisk ed the children off to bed
- to mix or fluff up by or as if by beating with a whisk
- to brush or wipe off lightly
whisk broom -n
- a small broom with a short handle used esp. as a clothes brush
whis·ker ['hwis-kər, 'wis-] -n, adj
- a hair of the beard
- mustache
- the part of the beard growing on the sides of the face or on the chin
- hairbreadth
- lost the race by a whisker
- one of the long projecting hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal (as a cat or bird)
- an outrigger extending on each side of the bowsprit to spread the jib and flying jib guys usu. used in pl.
- a shred or filament resembling a whisker
- a thin hairlike crystal (as of sapphire or copper) of exceptional mechanical strength used esp. to reinforce composite structural material
whis·key ['hwis-kē, 'wis-] -n
- a liquor distilled from fermented wort (as that obtained from rye, corn, or barley mash)
- a drink of whiskey
Whiskey
- a communications code word for the letter w
whiskey sour -n
- a cocktail usu. consisting of whiskey, sugar, and lemon juice shaken with ice
whis·per ['hwis-pər, 'wis-] -vb
- to speak softly with little or no vibration of the vocal cords esp. to avoid being overheard
- to make a sibilant sound that resembles whispering
- to address in a whisper
- to utter or communicate in or as if in a whisper
whisper -n
- something communicated by or as if by whispering
- rumor
- an act or instance of whispering
- speech without vibration of the vocal cords
- a sibilant sound that resembles whispered speech
- hint, trace
whis·per·er [-pər-ər] -n
- one that whispers
- rumormonger
whispering -n
- whispered speech
- gossip, rumor
- a sibilant sound : whisper
- making a sibilant sound
- spreading confidential and esp. derogatory reports
- whispering tongues can poison truth -- S. T. Coleridge
whispering campaign -n
- the systematic dissemination by word of mouth of derogatory rumors or charges esp. against a candidate for public office
whis·pery ['hwis-p(ə-)rē, 'wis-] -adj
- resembling a whisper
- full of whispers
whist ['hwist, 'wist] -vi
- to be silent : hush often used interjectionally to enjoin silence
- quiet, silent
- a card game for four players in two partnerships that is played with a pack of 52 cards and that scores one point for each trick in excess of six
whis·tle ['hwi-səl, 'wi-] -n
- a small wind instrument in which sound is produced by the forcible passage of breath through a slit in a short tube
- a device through which air or steam is forced into a cavity or against a thin edge to produce a loud sound
- a shrill clear sound produced by forcing breath out or air in through the puckered lips
- the sound produced by a whistle
- a signal given by or as if by whistling
- a sound that resembles a whistle
- a shrill clear note of or as if of a bird
whistle [-s(ə-)liŋ] -vb, adj
- to utter a shrill clear sound by blowing or drawing air through the puckered lips
- to utter a shrill note or call resembling a whistle
- to make a shrill clear sound esp. by rapid movement
- to blow or sound a whistle
- to give a signal or issue an order or summons by or as if by whistling
- to make a demand without result
- he did a sloppy job, so he can whistle for his money
- to send, bring, signal, or call by or as if by whistling
- to charge (as a basketball or hockey player) with an infraction
- to produce, utter, or express by whistling
whis·tleblow·er [-,blō-ər] -n
- one who reveals something covert or who informs against another
- pledges to protect whistleblower s who fear reprisals -- Wall Street Jour.
whis·tler ['hwi-s(ə-)lər, 'wi-] -n
- : one that whistles: as
- any of various birds
- any of numerous oscine birds (esp. genus Pachycephala) found chiefly in Australia and South Pacific islands and having a whistling call
- a large marmot ( Marmota caligata) of northwestern No. America having a shrill alarm call
- a broken-winded horse
- a very-low-frequency radio signal that is generated by lightning discharge, travels along the earth's magnetic-field lines, and produces a sound resembling a whistle of descending pitch in radio receivers
whis·tlestop ['hwi-səl-,stäp, 'wi-] -n
- a small station at which trains stop only on signal : flag stop
- a small community
- a brief personal appearance esp. by a political candidate usu. on the rear platform of a train during the course of a tour
whistlestop -vi
- to make a tour esp. in a political campaign with many brief personal appearances in small communities
whistling -n
- the act or sound of one that whistles : whistle
whistling swan -n
- tundra swan
whit ['hwit, 'wit] -n
- the smallest part or particle imaginable : bit
- what some people will do for a whit of publicity -- Patrick Quinn
white ['hwīt, 'wīt] -adj
- free from color
- of the color of new snow or milk
- of the color white
- light or pallid in color
- lustrous pale gray : silvery
- made of silver
- being a member of a group or race characterized by light pigmentation of the skin
- of, relating to, characteristic of, or consisting of white people or their culture
- marked by upright fairness
- that's mighty white of you
- : free from spot or blemish: as
- free from moral impurity : innocent
- marked by the wearing of white by the woman as a symbol of purity
- unmarked by writing or printing
- not intended to cause harm
- favorable, fortunate
- one of the white days of his life -- Sir Walter Scott
- wearing or habited in white
- marked by the presence of snow : snowy
- heated to the point of whiteness
- notably ardent : passionate
- conservative or reactionary in political outlook and action
- instigated or carried out by reactionary forces as a counterrevolutionary measure
- of, relating to, or constituting a musical tone quality characterized by a controlled pure sound, a lack of warmth and color, and a lack of resonance
- consisting of a wide range of frequencies used of light, sound, and electromagnetic radiation
- the achromatic object color of greatest lightness characteristically perceived to belong to objects that reflect diffusely nearly all incident energy throughout the visible spectrum
- : a white or light-colored part of something: as
- a mass of albuminous material surrounding the yolk of an egg
- the white part of the eyeball
- the light-colored pieces in a 2-player board game
- the player by whom these are played
- the area of a page unmarked by writing, printing, or illustration
- a white target
- the fifth or outermost circle of an archery target
- a shot that hits it
- : one that is or approaches white in color: as
- white clothing often used in pl.
- white wine
- a white mammal (as a horse or a hog)
- a white-colored product (as flour, pins, or sugar) usu. used in pl.
- any of numerous butterflies (subfamily Pierinae of the family Pieridae) that usu. have the ground color of the wings white and are related to the sulphur butterflies
- teeth used in the phrase pearly whites
- leukorrhea
- a person belonging to a light-skinned race
- a member of a conservative or reactionary political group
- whiten
white amur [-ä-'mu̇r] -n
- grass carp
white ant -n
- termite
white ash -n
- a No. American ash ( Fraxinus americana) having compound leaves with a pale green or silvery-white underside
- its hard brownish wood
white·bait ['hwīt-,bāt, 'wīt-] -n
- the young of any of several European herrings and esp. of the common herring ( Clupea harengus) or of the sprat ( Sprattus sprattus)
- any of various small fishes likened to the European whitebait and used as food
white bass -n
- a No. American freshwater bony fish ( Morone chrysopsof the family Percichthyidae) that is used for food
white bean -n
- a white kidney bean (as a cannellini bean)
white·beard ['hwīt-,bird, 'wīt-] -n
- an old man : graybeard
white birch -n
- paper birch
- gray birch
- either of two Eurasian birches ( Betula pubescensand B. pendula) with white or ash-colored bark that are often planted as ornamentals in the U.S.
white blood cell -n
- any of the blood cells that are colorless, lack hemoglobin, contain a nucleus, and include the lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils called also leukocyte white blood corpuscle white cell
white·board ['hwīt-,bȯrd, 'wīt-] -n
- a hard smooth white surface used for writing or drawing on with markers
white book -n
- an official report of government affairs bound in white
whitebread ['hwīt-'bred, 'wīt-] -adj
- being, typical of, or having qualities (as blandness) associated with the white middle class
white·cap ['hwīt-,kap, 'wīt-] -n
- a wave crest breaking into white foam usu. used in pl.
white cedar -n
- an aromatic evergreen swamp tree ( Chamaecyparis thyoides) of the cypress family that occurs along the eastern coast of the U.S. and has branchlets in fan-shaped sprays and small round cones
- its wood
- northern white cedar
white cell -n
- white blood cell
white chip -n
- a white-colored poker chip usu. of minimum value
- a thing or quantity of little worth
white chocolate -n
- a confection of cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids, lecithin, and flavorings
white clover -n
- a Eurasian clover ( Trifolium repens) with round heads of white flowers that is widely used in lawn and pasture grass-seed mixtures and is an important source of nectar for bees called also white Dutch clover
whitecoat hypertension -n
- a temporary elevation in a patient's blood pressure that occurs when measured in a medical setting (as a physician's office) and that is usu. due to anxiety on the part of the patient
whitecol·lar ['hwīt-'kä-lər, 'wīt-] -adj
- of, relating to, or constituting the class of salaried employees whose duties do not call for the wearing of work clothes or protective clothing
white crappie -n
- a silvery No. American sunfish ( Pomoxis annularis) with five or six protruding spines on the dorsal fins that is used as a panfish and often for stocking small ponds
whitecrowned sparrow ['hwīt-'krau̇nd-, 'wīt-] -n
- a migratory sparrow ( Zonotrichia leucophrys) that breeds in northern and western No. America and has a grayish breast, pink bill, and head striped with black and white
whited -adj
- covered with white or whiting and esp. with whitewash
- made white : whitened
whited sepulcher -n
- a person inwardly corrupt or wicked but outwardly or professedly virtuous or holy : hypocrite
white dwarf -n
- a small hot whitish star of low intrinsic brightness usu. with a mass approximately equal to that of the sun but with a density many times larger
white elephant -n
- an Indian elephant of a pale color that is sometimes venerated in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar
- a property requiring much care and expense and yielding little profit
- an object no longer of value to its owner but of value to others
- something of little or no value
white·face ['hwīt-,fās, 'wīt-] -n
- a white-faced animal
- hereford
- dead-white facial makeup
whitefaced [-'fāst] -adj
- having the face white in whole or in part used esp. of an animal otherwise dark in color
- having a wan pale face
white feather -n
- a mark or symbol of cowardice used chiefly in the phrase show the white feather
white fir -n
- a large fir ( Abies concolor) of western No. America with pale usu. bluish-green foliage, a narrow erect crown, and soft wood that is used for lumber
white·fish ['hwīt-,fish, 'wīt-] -n
- any of various freshwater salmonid food fishes (esp. of genera Coregonusand Prosopium) found usu. in cold northern waters
- any of various fishes resembling the true whitefishes
- any of various market fishes with white flesh that is not oily
- the flesh of a whitefish esp. as an article of food
white flag -n
- a flag of plain white used as a flag of truce or as a token of surrender
- a token of weakness or yielding
white flight -n
- the departure of whites from places (as urban neighborhoods or schools) increasingly or predominantly populated by minorities
white·fly ['hwīt-,flī, 'wīt-] -n
- any of numerous small homopterous insects (family Aleyrodidae) that are injurious plant pests
whitefoot·ed mouse ['hwīt-,fu̇-təd-, 'wīt-] -n
- any of various largely nocturnal mice (genus Peromyscus) of No. and Central America typically having whitish feet and underparts
- a common woodland mouse ( P. leucopus) of No. America
white friar -n
- carmelite
white gas -n
- unleaded gasoline used esp. to fuel portable stoves called also white gasoline
whiteglove ['hwīt-'gləv, 'wīt-] -adj
- marked by special care or attention : meticulous
white gold -n
- a pale alloy of gold esp. with nickel or palladium that resembles platinum in appearance
white goods -n pl
- white fabrics esp. of cotton or linen
- articles (as sheets, towels, or curtains) orig. or typically made of white cloth
- major household appliances (as stoves and refrigerators) that are typically finished in white enamel
white grub -n
- a grub that is a destructive pest of grass roots and is the larva of various beetles and esp. june bugs
White·hall ['hwīt-,hȯl, 'wīt-] -n
- the British government
white hat -n
- one who is admirable and honorable
- a mark or symbol of goodness
- could use a few more guys in white hats -- Robert Christgau
white·head [-,hed] -n
- a small whitish lump in the skin due to retention of keratin in an oil gland duct called also milium
whitehead·ed [-'he-dəd] -adj
- having the hair, fur, or plumage of the head white or very light
- specially favored : fortunate used esp. in the phrase white-headed boy
white heat -n
- a temperature (as for copper and iron from 1500 to 1600 C) which is higher than red heat and at which a body becomes brightly incandescent
- a state of intense mental or physical strain, emotion, or activity
white hole -n
- a hypothetical extremely dense celestial object that radiates enormous amounts of energy and matter
white hope -n
- a white contender for a boxing championship held by a black
- one who is felt to represent whites
- one from whom much is expected
- a person undertaking a difficult task
whitehot ['hwīt-'hät, 'wīt-] -adj
- being at or radiating white heat
- extremely hot
- exhibiting or marked by extreme fervor or zeal
White House [-,hau̇s] -n
- a residence of the president of the U.S.
- the executive department of the U.S. government
white hunter -n
- a white man serving as guide and professional hunter to an African safari
white knight -n
- one that comes to the rescue of another
- a corporation invited to buy out a second corporation in order to prevent an undesired takeover by a third
- one that champions a cause
whiteknuck·le ['hwīt-'nə-kəl, 'wīt-] -adj
- marked by, causing, or experiencing tense nervousness
- a whiteknuckle ride on a roller coaster
white lead -n
- any of several white lead-containing pigments
- a heavy poisonous basic carbonate of lead marketed as a powder or as a paste in linseed oil and used esp. formerly in paints
white lightning -n
- moonshine
white line -n
- a band or edge of something white
- a stripe painted on a road and used to guide traffic
white list [-,list] -n, adj
- a list of approved or favored items
whiteliv·ered [-'li-vərd] -adj
- pusillanimous, lily-livered
white·ly ['hwīt-lē, 'wīt-] -adv
- with an effect of whiteness : so as to show or appear white
white man's burden -n
- the alleged duty of the white peoples to manage the affairs of the less developed nonwhite peoples
white marlin -n
- a marlin ( Tetrapturas albidus) of the Atlantic Ocean that is blue above and silvery-white below
white matter -n
- neural tissue esp. of the brain and spinal cord that consists largely of myelinated nerve fibers bundled into tracts, has a whitish color, and typically underlies the cortical gray matter
white metal -n
- any of several light-colored alloys used esp. as a base for plated silverware and ornaments and novelties
- any of several lead-base or tin-base alloys (as babbitt) used esp. for bearings, fusible plugs, and type metal
white mustard -n
- a Eurasian mustard ( Brassica hirta) grown for its pale yellow seeds which yield mustard and mustard oil
whit·en ['hwī-tᵊn, 'wī-] -vb
- to make white or whiter
- to become white or whiter
whit·en·er ['hwīt-nər, 'wīt-; 'hwī-tᵊn-ər, 'wī-] -n
- one that whitens
- an agent (as a bleach) used to impart whiteness to something
white·ness ['hwīt-nəs, 'wīt-] -n
- : the quality or state of being white: as
- white color
- pallor, paleness
- freedom from stain : cleanness
- white substance
whitening -n
- the act or process of making or becoming white
- something that is used to make white : whiting
white noise -n
- a heterogeneous mixture of sound waves extending over a wide frequency range
- a constant background noise
- one that drowns out other sounds
- meaningless or distracting commotion, hubbub, or chatter
- the white noise of policy and politics in America -- Joseph Nocera
white oak -n
- any of various oaks (esp. Quercus albaof eastern No. America) with acorns that mature in one year and leaf veins that never extend beyond the margin of the leaf
- its hard strong durable wood
white oil -n
- any of various colorless odorless tasteless mineral oils used esp. in medicine and in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations
white·out ['hwīt-,au̇t, 'wīt-] -n
- a surface weather condition in a snow-covered area (as a polar region) in which no object casts a shadow, the horizon cannot be seen, and only dark objects are discernible
- a blizzard that severely reduces visibility
white pages -n pl
- the section of a telephone directory that lists individuals and businesses alphabetically
white paper -n
- a government report on any subject
- a British publication that is usu. less extensive than a blue book
- a detailed or authoritative report
white pepper -n
- a pungent condiment that consists of the fruit of a pepper plant ( Piper nigrum) ground after the black husk has been removed
white perch -n
- a silvery anadromous bass ( Morone americana) chiefly of the coast and coastal streams of the eastern U.S.
- freshwater drum
- white crappie
white pine -n
- a tall-growing pine ( Pinus strobus) of eastern No. America with long needles in clusters of five called also eastern white pine
- any of several pines that resemble the white pine esp. in having needles in bundles of five
- the wood of a white pine and esp. of the eastern white pine
whitepine blister rust -n
- a destructive disease of white pine caused by a rust fungus ( Cronartium ribicola) that passes part of its complex life cycle on currant or gooseberry bushes
- this fungus
white potato -n
- potato
white rhinoceros -n
- a rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum) of southern and central Africa that is distinguished from the black rhinoceros esp. by larger size and by a squared upper lip lacking a protrusion called also white rhino
white rice -n
- rice from which the hull and bran have been removed by milling
white room -n
- clean room
White Russian -n
- belarusian
- a cocktail made of vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream or milk
white rust -n
- any of various diseases of chiefly cruciferous plants caused by a fungus (genus Albugo) and marked by white spore-filled lesions
- a fungus causing white rust
white sale -n
- a sale of white goods
white sauce -n
- a sauce consisting essentially of a roux with milk, cream, or stock and seasoning
white sea bass -n
- a large croaker ( Atractoscion nobilis) of the Pacific coast of No. America that is an important sport and food fish
white shark -n
- great white shark
whiteshoe ['hwīt-'shü, 'wīt-] -adj
- of, associated with, or characteristic of the privileged moneyed upper class : upper-crust
white slave -n
- a woman or girl held unwillingly for purposes of commercial prostitution
white slav·er [-'slā-vər] -n
- one engaged in white-slave traffic
white slavery -n
- enforced prostitution
white·smith ['hwīt-,smith, 'wīt-] -n
- tinsmith
- a worker in iron who finishes or polishes the work
white space -n
- the areas of a page without print or pictures
white spruce -n
- any of several spruces
- a widely distributed spruce ( Picea glauca) of coniferous forests of Canada and the northern U.S. that has short stiff blue-green needles and slender cones
- the wood of a white spruce
- the light pale tough straight-grained wood of the common white spruce ( Picea glauca) used esp. for construction and as a source of paper pulp
white sucker -n
- a common and widespread edible sucker ( Catostomus commersoni) of the U.S. and Canada
white supremacist -n
- an advocate of or believer in white supremacy
white supremacy -n
- a doctrine based on a belief in the inherent superiority of the white race over other races and the correlative necessity for the subordination of nonwhites to whites in all relationships
white·tail ['hwīt-,tāl, 'wīt-] -n
- white-tailed deer
whitetailed deer [-,tāld-] -n
- a No. American deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) with a rather long tail white on the undersurface and the males of which have forward-arching antlers called also whitetail deer
white·throat ['hwīt-,thrōt, 'wīt-] -n
- : any of several birds with white on the throat: as
- an Old World warbler ( Sylvia communis) with rusty upper parts and largely pale buff underparts
- white-throated sparrow
whitethroat·ed sparrow [-,thrō-təd-] -n
- a common brown sparrow ( Zonotrichia albicollis) chiefly of eastern No. America with a black-and-white striped crown and a white patch on the throat
whitetie -adj
- characterized by or requiring the wearing of formal evening clothes consisting of white tie and tailcoat for men and a formal gown for women
white trash -n sing but pl in constr
- a member of an inferior or underprivileged white social group
white·wall ['hwīt-,wȯl, 'wīt-] -n
- an automobile tire having a white band on the sidewall
white walnut -n
- butternut
- the light-colored wood of a butternut
white·wash ['hwīt-,wȯsh, 'wīt-, -,wäsh] -vt, n
- to whiten with whitewash
- to gloss over or cover up (as vices or crimes)
- refused to whitewash the scandal
- to exonerate by means of a perfunctory investigation or through biased presentation of data
- to hold (an opponent) scoreless in a game or contest
whitewash -n
- : a liquid composition for whitening a surface: as
- a preparation for whitening the skin
- a composition (as of lime and water or whiting, size, and water) for whitening structural surfaces
- an act or instance of glossing over or of exonerating
- a defeat in a contest in which the loser fails to score
white·wash·ing [-,wȯ-shiŋ, -,wä] -n
- an act or instance of applying whitewash
- whitewash
white water -n, adj
- frothy water (as in breakers, rapids, or falls)
white way -n
- a brilliantly lighted street or avenue esp. in a city's business or theater district
white whale -n
- beluga
white wine -n
- a wine ranging in color from faintly yellow to amber that is produced from the juice alone of dark- or light-colored grapes
white·wing ['hwīt-,wiŋ, 'wīt-] -n
- a person and esp. a street sweeper wearing a white uniform
white·wood [-,wu̇d] -n
- : any of various trees with pale or white wood: as
- tulip tree
- an Australian tree ( Atalaya hemiglauca) of the soapberry family
- the wood of a whitewood
- tulipwood
whit·ey ['hwī-tē, 'wī-] -n
- the white man : white society
white zinfandel -n
- a blush wine made from zinfandel grapes
whith·er ['hwi-thər, 'wi-] -adv
- to what place
- to what situation, position, degree, or end
- whither will this abuse drive him
whither -conj
- to what place
- knew whither to go -- Daniel Defoe
- to what situation, position, degree, or end
- to the place at, in, or to which
- to which place
- to whatever place
whith·er·so·ev·er [,hwi-thər-sə-'we-vər, ,wi-] -conj
- to whatever place
- will go whithersoever you lead
whith·er·ward ['hwi-thər-wərd, 'wi-] -adv
- toward what or which place
whit·ing ['hwī-tiŋ, 'wī-] -n
- : any of various marine food fishes: as
- a common European fish ( Merlangus merlangus) of the cod family
- silver hake
whiting -n
- calcium carbonate ground into fine powder, washed, and used esp. as a pigment and extender, in putty, and in rubber compounding and paper coating
whit·low ['hwit-(,)lō, 'wit-] -n
- a deep usu. suppurative inflammation of the finger or toe esp. near the end or around the nail called also felon
Whit·mon·day ['hwit-,mən-dē, 'wit-, -'mən-] -n
- the day after Whitsunday observed as a legal holiday in England, Wales, and Ireland
Whit·sun ['hwit-sən, 'wit-] -adj
- of, relating to, or observed on Whitsunday or at Whitsuntide
Whit·sun·day [-'sən-dē, -sən-,dā] -n
- pentecost
Whit·sun·tide [-sən-,tīd] -n
- the week beginning with Whitsunday and esp. the first three days of this week
whit·tle ['hwi-tᵊl, 'wi-] -n
- a large knife
whittle ['hwit-liŋ, 'wit-; 'hwi-tᵊl-iŋ, 'wi-] -vb, n
- to pare or cut off chips from the surface of (wood) with a knife
- to shape or form by so paring or cutting
- to reduce, remove, or destroy gradually as if by cutting off bits with a knife : pare
- to cut or shape something (as wood) by or as if by paring it with a knife
- to wear oneself or another out with fretting
whit·tling -n
- the act or art of whittling
- a piece cut away in whittling
whit·tret ['hwi-trət, 'wi-] -n
- weasel
whity ['hwī-tē, 'wī-] -adj
- somewhat white : whitish usu. used in combination
whiz ['hwiz, 'wiz] -vb
- to hum, whir, or hiss like a speeding object (as an arrow or ball) passing through air
- to fly or move swiftly esp. with a whiz
- to cause to whiz
- to rotate very rapidly
- a hissing, buzzing, or whirring sound
- a movement or passage of something accompanied by a whizzing sound
- an act of urinating used esp. in the phrase take a whiz
- wizard
whiz·bang ['hwiz-,baŋ, 'wiz-, -'baŋ] -n, adj
- one that is conspicuous for noise, speed, excellence, or startling effect
whiz kid -n
- a person who is unusually intelligent, clever, or successful esp. at an early age
whiz·zer ['hwi-zər, 'wi-] -n
- one that whizzes
- a centrifugal machine for drying something (as grain, sugar, or nitrated cotton)
whiz·zy ['hwi-zē, 'wi-] -adj
- wizardly
who ['hü, ü] -pron
- what or which person or persons used as an interrogative used by speakers on all educational levels and by many reputable writers, though disapproved by some grammarians, as the object of a verb or a following preposition
- who did I see but a Spanish lady -- Padraic Colum
- do not know who the message is from -- G. K. Chesterton
- the person or persons that : whoever
- used as a function word to introduce a relative clause used esp. in reference to persons
- my father, who was a lawyer
but also in reference to groups - a generation who had known nothing but war -- R. B. West
or to animals - dogs who...fawn all over tramps -- Nigel Balchin
or to inanimate objects esp. with the implication that the reference is really to a person - earlier sources who maintain a Davidic ancestry -- F. M. Cross
used by speakers on all educational levels and by many reputable writers, though disapproved by some grammarians, as the object of a verb or a following preposition - a character who we are meant to pity -- Times Lit. Supp.
WHO -abbr
- World Health Organization
whoa ['wō, 'hō, 'hwō] -vb imper
- a command (as to a draft animal) to stand still
- cease or slow a course of action or a line of thought : pause to consider or reconsider often used to express a strong reaction (as alarm or astonishment)
who'd ['hüd]
- who had : who would
who·dun·it [hü-'də-nət] -n
- a detective story or mystery story
who·ev·er [hü-'e-vər] -pron
- whatever person : no matter who used in any grammatical relation except that of a possessive
- sells to whoever has the money to buy
whole ['hōl] -adj, n
- free of wound or injury : unhurt
- recovered from a wound or injury : restored
- being healed
- whole of an ancient evil, I sleep sound -- A. E. Housman
- free of defect or impairment : intact
- physically sound and healthy : free of disease or deformity
- mentally or emotionally sound
- having all its proper parts or components : complete, unmodified
- constituting the total sum or undiminished entirety : entire
- each or all of the
- took part in the whole series of athletic events
- constituting an undivided unit : unbroken, uncut
- a whole roast suckling pig
- directed to one end : concentrated
- seemingly complete or total
- the whole idea is to help, not hinder
- very great in quantity, extent, or scope
- feels a whole lot better now
- constituting the entirety of a person's nature or development
- educate the whole student
- having the same father and mother
- a complete amount or sum : a number, aggregate, or totality lacking no part, member, or element
- something constituting a complex unity : a coherent system or organization of parts fitting or working together as one
- wholly, entirely
- a whole new age group -- Henry Chauncey
- as a complete entity
whole cloth -n
- pure fabrication usu. used in the phrase out of whole cloth
- the theory was created out of whole cloth
whole food -n
- a natural food and esp. an unprocessed one (as a vegetable or fruit)
whole gale -n
- wind having a speed of 55 to 63 miles (88 to 102 kilometers) per hour
whole·heart·ed ['hōl-'här-təd] -adj, adv
- completely and sincerely devoted, determined, or enthusiastic
- a wholehearted student of social problems
- marked by complete earnest commitment : free from all reserve or hesitation
- gave the proposal wholehearted approval
wholehog -adj
- committed without reservation : thoroughgoing
whole hog -n
- the whole way or farthest limit usu. used adverbially in the phrase go the whole hog
- to the fullest extent : without reservation : completely
- accepting whole hog the standards...of the majority -- R. B. Kaplan
whole language -n
- a method of teaching reading and writing that emphasizes learning whole words and phrases by encountering them in meaningful contexts rather than by phonics exercises
wholelife ['hōl-'līf] -adj
- of, relating to, or being life insurance with a fixed premium for the life of the policyholder and a cash value that can be redeemed on sale of the policy or can be the basis of low-interest loans
whole·meal ['hōl-,mēl] -adj
- whole wheat
whole note -n
- a musical note equal in time value to four quarter notes or two half notes
whole number -n
- any of the set of nonnegative integers
- integer
whole rest -n
- a musical rest corresponding in time value to a whole note
whole·sale ['hōl-,sāl] -n
- the sale of commodities in quantity usu. for resale (as by a retail merchant)
wholesale -adj
- performed or existing on a large scale esp. without discrimination
- of, relating to, or engaged in the sale of commodities in quantity for resale
- in a wholesale manner
- to sell (something) in quantity usu. for resale
- to sell in quantity usu. for resale
whole·sal·er ['hōl-,sā-lər] -n
- a merchant middleman who sells chiefly to retailers, other merchants, or industrial, institutional, and commercial users mainly for resale or business use
whole·some ['hōl-səm] -adj, adv, n
- promoting health or well-being of mind or spirit
- promoting health of body
- sound in body, mind, or morals
- having the simple health or vigor of normal domesticity
- based on well-grounded fear : prudent
- a wholesome respect for the law
- safe
- it wouldn't be wholesome for you to go down there -- Mark Twain
wholesouled ['hōl-'sōld] -adj
- moved by ardent enthusiasm or single-minded devotion : wholehearted
whole step -n
- a musical interval (as CD or CB ) comprising two half steps called also whole tone
whole wheat -adj
- made of ground entire wheat kernels
whol·ly ['hō(l)-lē] -adv
- to the full or entire extent : completely
- a wholly owned subsidiary
- to the exclusion of other things : solely
- a book dealing wholly with herbs
whom ['hüm, üm] -pron
- used as an interrogative or relative used as object of a verb or a preceding preposition
- to know for whom the bell tolls -- John Donne
or less frequently as the object of a following preposition - the man whom you wrote to
though now often considered stilted esp. as an interrogative and esp. in oral use occas. used as predicate nominative with a copulative verb or as subject of a verb esp. in the vicinity of a preposition or a verb of which it might mistakenly be considered the object - whom say ye that I am -- Mt 16:15 (AV)
- people...whom you never thought would sympathize -- Shea Murphy
whom·ev·er [hü-'e-vər] -pron
(variant of whoever)
- whatever person : no matter who used in any grammatical relation except that of a possessive
- sells to whoever has the money to buy
whomp ['hwämp, 'hwȯmp, 'wämp, 'wȯmp] -n
- a loud slap, crash, or crunch
- to strike with a sharp noise or thump
- to hit or slap sharply
- to defeat decisively : trounce
- to create or put together esp. hastily usu. used with up
whomp up -vt
- to stir up : arouse
whom·so ['hü-(,)sō] -pron
(variant of whoso)
- whoever
whom·so·ev·er [,hü-sə-'we-vər] -pron
(variant of whosoever)
- whoever
whoop ['hüp, 'hu̇p, 'hwüp, 'hwu̇p, 'wüp, 'wu̇p] -vb
- to utter a whoop in expression of eagerness, enthusiasm, or enjoyment : shout
- to utter the cry of an owl : hoot
- to make the characteristic whoop of whooping cough
- to go or pass with a loud noise
- to be rushed through by acclamation or with noisy support
- the bill whoop ed through both houses
- to utter or express with a whoop
- to urge, drive, or cheer on with a whoop
- to agitate in behalf of
- raise, boost
- a loud yell expressive of eagerness, exuberance, or jubilation often used interjectionally
- a shout of hunters or of men in battle or pursuit
- the cry of an owl : hoot
- the crowing intake of breath following a paroxysm in whooping cough
- a minimum amount or degree : the least bit
whoopdedo [,h(w)üp-dē-'dü, ,h(w)u̇p-, -tē-] -n
- noisy and exuberant or attention-getting activity (as at a social affair or in a political campaign)
- a lively social affair
- agitated public discussion or debate
whoop·ee ['(h)wu̇-(,)pē, '(h)wü-; (h)wu̇-'pē, (h)wü-] -interj
- used to express exuberance
- boisterous convivial fun : merrymaking usu. used with make
- sexual play usu. used with make
whoopee cushion -n
- a cushion that makes a sound like the breaking of wind when sat upon
whoop·er ['h(w)ü-pər, 'h(w)u̇-] -n
- one that whoops
- whooping crane
whooper swan -n
- a chiefly Eurasian swan ( Cygnus cygnus) with a yellow and black bill
whooping cough -n
- an infectious respiratory disease esp. of children caused by a bacterium ( Bordetella pertussis) and marked by a convulsive spasmodic cough sometimes followed by a crowing intake of breath called also pertussis
whooping crane -n
- a large white nearly extinct No. American crane ( Grus americana) noted for its loud trumpeting call
whoop·la ['h(w)üp-,lä, 'h(w)u̇p-] -n
- hoopla
- boisterous merrymaking
whoops ['(w)u̇(ə)ps] -interj
(variant of oops)
- used typically to express mild apology, surprise, or dismay
whoosh ['hwüsh, 'wüsh, '(h)wu̇sh] -n
- a swift or explosive rush
- the sound created by such a rush often used interjectionally
- to rush past or move explosively
- cars whoosh ing along the expressway
- to move (a person or thing) with or as if with a whoosh
whop ['hwäp, 'wäp] -vt
- to pull or whip out
- beat, strike
- to defeat totally
- a heavy blow : thump
whop·per ['hwä-pər, 'wä-] -n
- something unusually large or otherwise extreme of its kind
- an extravagant or monstrous lie
whop·ping ['hwä-piŋ, 'wä-] -adj
- extremely large
- extraordinary, incredible
whore ['hȯr, 'hu̇r] -n
- a woman who engages in sexual acts for money : prostitute
- a promiscuous or immoral woman
- a male who engages in sexual acts for money
- a venal or unscrupulous person
- to have unlawful sexual intercourse as or with a whore
- to pursue a faithless, unworthy, or idolatrous desire
- to corrupt by lewd intercourse : debauch
whore·dom ['hȯr-dəm, 'hu̇r-] -n
- the practice of whoring : prostitution
- faithless, unworthy, or idolatrous practices or pursuits
whore·house ['hȯr-,hau̇s, 'hu̇r-] -n
- a building in which prostitutes are available : bordello
whore·mas·ter [-,mas-tər] -n
- a man consorting with whores or given to lechery
whore·mon·ger [-,məŋ-gər, -,mäŋ-] -n
- whoremaster
whore·son ['hȯr-sᵊn, 'hu̇r-] -n
- bastard
- a coarse fellow used as a generalized term of abuse
Whorf·ian hypothesis ['wȯr-fē-ən-, 'hwȯr-] -n
- a theory in linguistics: one's language determines one's conception of the world
whor·ish ['hȯr-ish, 'hu̇r-] -adj
- of or befitting a whore
whorl ['hwȯr(-ə)l, 'wȯr(-ə)l, '(h)wər(-ə)l] -n
- a drum-shaped section on the lower part of a spindle in spinning or weaving machinery serving as a pulley for the tape drive that rotates the spindle
- an arrangement of similar anatomical parts (as leaves) in a circle around a point on an axis
- something that whirls, coils, or spirals or whose form suggests such movement : swirl
- one of the turns of a univalve shell
- a fingerprint in which the central papillary ridges turn through at least one complete circle
whorled ['hwȯr(-ə)ld, 'wȯr(-ə)ld, '(h)wər(-ə)ld] -adj
- having or arranged in whorls
- leaves whorled at the nodes of the stem
whor·tle·ber·ry ['hwər-tᵊl-,ber-ē, 'wər-] -n
- bilberry
- blueberry
whose ['hüz, üz] -adj
- of or relating to whom or which esp. as possessor or possessors
- whose gorgeous vesture heaps the ground -- Robert Browning
, agent or agents- the law courts, whose decisions were important -- F. L. Mott
, or object or objects of an action- the first poem whose publication he ever sanctioned -- J. W. Krutch
- that which belongs to whom used without a following noun as a pronoun equivalent in meaning to the adjective whose
- tell me whose it was -- Shak.
whose·so·ev·er [,hüz-sə-'we-vər] -adj
- of or relating to whomsoever
- whosesoever sins ye remit -- Jn 20:23(AV)
who·so ['hü-(,)sō] -pron
- whoever
who·so·ev·er [,hü-sə-'we-vər] -pron
- whoever
who's who [,hüz-'hü] -n
- a compilation of brief biographical sketches of prominent persons in a particular field
- a who's who of sports figures
- the leaders of a group : elite
- a listing or grouping of notable persons or things
whump ['hwəmp, 'wəmp] -vi, n
- bang, thump
whup ['hwu̇p, 'wu̇p] -vt
- to administer a beating to esp. as punishment
- to defeat decisively
why ['hwī, 'wī] -adv
- for what cause, reason, or purpose
- the cause, reason, or purpose for which
- for which : on account of which
- know the reason why you did it
- reason, cause
- wants to know the why s and wherefores
- a baffling problem : enigma
- used to express mild surprise, hesitation, approval, disapproval, or impatience
- why, here's what I was looking for
whyd·ah ['hwi-də, 'wi-] -n
- any of various mostly brownish African passerine birds (genera Euplectesand Vidua) often kept as cage birds and distinguished in the male by black-and-white plumage and by long tail feathers during the breeding season