WATER


Meaning of WATER in English

■ noun

1》 the liquid which forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms. [Chemical formula: H 2 O.]

↘one of the four elements in ancient and medieval philosophy and in astrology.

↘( ~s ) the ~ of a mineral spring as used medicinally.

↘a solution of a specified substance in ~: ammonia ~.

↘urine.

↘( ~s ) amniotic fluid, especially as discharged shortly before birth.

2》 ( the ~ ) a stretch of ~, such as a river, sea, or lake.

↘the surface of this.

↘[as modifier ] found in, on, or near the ~.

↘( ~s ) an area of sea regarded as under the jurisdiction of a particular country.

3》 the quality of transparency and brilliance shown by a diamond or other gem.

4》 Finance capital stock which represents a book value greater than the true assets of a company.

■ verb

1》 pour ~ over (a plant or an area of ground).

↘give a drink of ~ to (an animal).

↘take a fresh supply of ~ on board (a ship or steam train).

2》 (of the eyes or mouth) produce tears or saliva.

3》 dilute (a drink, typically an alcoholic one) with ~.

↘( ~ something down ) make something less forceful or controversial by changing or leaving out certain details.

4》 (of a river) flow through (an area).

5》 Finance increase (a company's debt, or nominal capital) by the issue of new shares without a corresponding addition to assets.

Phrases

like ~ in great quantities.

make ~

1》 urinate.

2》 (of a ship or boat) take in ~ through a leak.

of the first ~

1》 (of a diamond or pearl) of the greatest brilliance and transparency.

2》 referring to a person or thing unsurpassed of their kind: she was a bore of the first ~.

under ~ submerged; flooded.

the ~ of life whisky.

~ on the brain informal hydrocephalus.

~ under the bridge (or N. Amer. ~ over the dam ) past events that are over and done with.

Derivatives

~er noun

~less adjective

Origin

OE wæter (n.), wæterian (v.), of Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.