~ 1 [ wɪnd ]
■ noun
1》 the perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current blowing from a particular direction.
↘the rush of air caused by a fast-moving body.
2》 breath as needed in physical exertion, speech, playing an instrument, etc.
3》 Brit. air swallowed while eating or gas generated in the stomach and intestines by digestion.
4》 meaningless talk.
5》 (also ~s ) [treated as sing. or plural ] ~ or wood~ instruments forming a band or section of an orchestra.
6》 a scent carried by the ~, indicating the proximity of an animal or person.
■ verb
1》 cause to have difficulty breathing because of exertion or a blow to the stomach.
2》 Brit. make (a baby) bring up ~ after feeding by patting its back.
3》 detect the scent of.
4》 wʌɪnd ( past and past participle ~ed or wound waʊnd ) literary sound (a bugle or call) by blowing.
Phrases
before the ~ Sailing with the ~ blowing from astern.
get ~ of informal hear a rumour of.
off the ~ Sailing with the ~ on the quarter.
on a ~ Sailing against a ~ on either bow.
put (or have ) the ~ up Brit. informal alarm or frighten (or be alarmed or frightened).
sail close to (or near ) the ~
1》 sail as nearly against the ~ as possible.
2》 behave or operate in a risky way.
take the ~ out of someone's sails frustrate someone by anticipating an action or remark.
to the ~ ( s ) (or the four ~s) in all directions. [from ‘And fear of death deliver to the ~s’ (Milton's Paradise Lost ).]
Derivatives
~less adjective
Origin
OE, of Gmc origin.
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~ 2 [ wʌɪnd ]
■ verb ( past and past participle wound waʊnd )
1》 move in or take a twisting or spiral course.
2》 pass (something) around a thing or person so as to encircle or enfold them.
↘(with reference to a length of something) twist or be twisted around itself or a core.
3》 make (a clock or clockwork device) operate by turning a key or handle.
↘turn (a key or handle) repeatedly.
4》 move (an audio or video tape or a film) back or forwards to a desired point.
5》 hoist or draw with a ~lass, winch, etc.
■ noun
1》 a twist or turn in a course.
2》 a single turn made when ~ing.
Phrasal verbs
~ down
1》 (of a clockwork mechanism) gradually lose power.
2》 informal relax.
3》 (also ~ something down ) draw or bring gradually to a close.
~ up informal end up in a specified state, situation, or place.
~ someone up Brit. informal tease or irritate someone.
~ something up
1》 arrange the affairs of and dissolve a company.
2》 gradually bring an activity to a conclusion.
3》 informal increase the tension or power of something.
Origin
OE ~an 'go rapidly, twine', of Gmc origin; related to wander and wend .