WELL

I. noun Etymology: Middle English ~e, from Old English; akin to Old English weallan to bubble, boil, Old High German ~a wave, Lithuanian vilnis Date: before 12th century 1. an issue of water from the earth ; a pool fed by a spring, source , origin , 2. a pit or hole sunk into the earth to reach a supply of water, a shaft or hole sunk to obtain oil, brine, or gas, 3. an enclosure in the middle of a ship's hold to protect from damage and facilitate the inspection of the pumps, a compartment in the hold of a fishing boat in which fish are kept alive, an open space extending vertically through floors of a structure, a space having a construction or shape suggesting a ~ for water, 6. something resembling a ~ in being damp, cool, deep, or dark, a deep vertical hole, a source from which something may be drawn as needed, a pronounced minimum of a variable in physics , II. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ~an to cause to ~; akin to Old English weallan to bubble, boil Date: before 12th century intransitive verb to rise to the surface and usually flow forth , to rise like a flood of liquid , transitive verb to emit in a copious free flow, III. adverb (better; best) see: will Date: before 12th century 1. in a good or proper manner ; justly, rightly , satisfactorily with respect to conduct or action , in a kindly or friendly manner , 3. with skill or aptitude ; expertly, excellently , satisfactorily , with good appearance or effect ; elegantly , with careful or close attention ; attentively , to a high degree , fully , quite , 7. in a way appropriate to the facts or circumstances ; fittingly, rightly , in a prudent manner ; sensibly, in accordance with the occasion or circumstances ; with propriety or good reason , 9. as one could wish ; pleasingly , with material success ; advantageously , 10. easily , readily , in all likelihood ; indeed , in a prosperous or affluent manner , to an extent approaching completeness ; thoroughly , without doubt or question ; clearly , in a familiar manner , to a large extent or degree ; considerably, far , see: good IV. interjection Date: before 12th century 1. — used to indicate resumption of discourse or to introduce a remark 2. — used to express surprise or expostulation V. adjective Date: before 12th century 1. prosperous , ~-off , being in satisfactory condition or circumstances, being in good standing or favor, satisfactory , pleasing , advisable , desirable , 5. free or recovered from infirmity or disease ; healthy , completely cured or healed , pleasing or satisfactory in appearance , being a cause for thankfulness ; fortunate , see: healthy see: good