~ 1
■ adverb ( better , best )
1》 in a good or satisfactory way.
↘in a condition of prosperity or comfort.
↘ archaic luckily; opportunely: hail fellow, ~ met.
2》 in a thorough manner.
↘to a great extent or degree; very much.
↘ Brit. informal very; extremely: he was ~ out of order.
3》 very probably; in all likelihood.
↘without difficulty.
↘with good reason.
■ adjective ( better , best )
1》 in good health; free or recovered from illness.
↘in a satisfactory state or position.
2》 sensible; advisable.
■ exclamation used to express surprise, anger, resignation, etc., or when pausing in speech.
Phrases
as ~
1》 in addition; too.
2》 ( as ~ or just as ~ ) with equal reason or an equally good result.
↘sensible, appropriate, or desirable.
be ~ out of Brit. informal be fortunate to be no longer involved in.
be ~ up on (or in ) know a great deal about.
leave (or let ) ~ ( N. Amer. enough) alone refrain from interfering with or trying to improve something.
very ~ used to express agreement or understanding.
~ and truly completely.
Derivatives
~ness noun
Origin
OE wel(l) , of Gmc origin; prob. related to the verb will 1 .
Usage
The adverb ~ is often used in combination with past participles to form adjectival compounds. The general stylistic principle for hyphenation is that if the adjectival compound is placed attributively (i.e. before the noun), it should be hyphenated ( a ~-intentioned remark ) but that if it is placed predicatively (i.e. standing alone after the verb), it should not be hyphenated ( her remarks were ~ intentioned ). In this dictionary, the unhyphenated form is generally the only one given.
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~ 2
■ noun
1》 a shaft sunk into the ground to obtain water, oil, or gas.
↘a depression made to hold liquid.
2》 a plentiful source or supply: a deep ~ of sympathy.
3》 an enclosed space in the middle of a building, giving room for stairs or a lift or allowing light or ventilation.
4》 Brit. the place in a law court where the clerks and ushers sit.
5》 Physics a region of minimum potential.
6》 archaic a water spring or fountain.
■ verb (often ~ up ) (of a liquid) rise up to the surface and spill or be about to spill.
↘(of an emotion) develop and become more intense.
Origin
OE ~a , of Gmc origin.