[wale] n [ME, fr. OE walu; akin to ON volr staff and perh. to ON valr round, L volvere to roll--more at voluble] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a streak or ridge made on the skin esp. by the stroke of a whip: weal b: a narrow raised surface: ridge
2: any of a number of strakes usu. of extra thick and strong planks in the sides of a wooden ship--usu. used in pl. 3 a: one of a series of even ribs in a fabric b: the texture esp. of a fabric
4: a horizontal constructional member (as of timber or steel) used for bracing vertical members
[2]wale vt waled ; wal.ing (15c): to mark (as the skin) with welts [3]wale n [ME (Sc & northern dial.) wal, fr. ON val; akin to OHG wala choice, OE wyllan to wish--more at will] (14c) 1 dial Brit: choice
2. dial Brit: the best part: pick [4]wale vb (14c) dial Brit: choose