n.
Pronunciation: ' wo ̇ l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English weall; akin to Middle High German wall; both from Latin vallum rampart, from vallus stake, palisade; perhaps akin to Old Norse v ỏ lr staff ― more at WALE
Date: before 12th century
1 a : a high thick masonry structure forming a long rampart or an enclosure chiefly for defense ― often used in plural b : a masonry fence around a garden, park, or estate c : a structure that serves to hold back pressure (as of water or sliding earth)
2 : one of the sides of a room or building connecting floor and ceiling or foundation and roof
3 : the side of a footpath next to buildings
4 : an extreme or desperate position or a state of defeat, failure, or ruin <the surrounded troops had their backs against the wall > <small companies driven to the wall >
5 : a material layer enclosing space <the wall of a container> <heart wall s >
6 : something resembling a wall (as in appearance, function, or effect) especially : something that acts as a barrier or defense <a wall of reserve> <tariff wall >
– wall-like \ ' wo ̇ l- ˌ l ī k \ adjective
– off the wall
slang : CRAZY <the plan was off the wall >
– up the wall
slang : into a state of intense agitation, annoyance, or frustration <the noise drove me up the wall >