WALL


Meaning of WALL in English

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 >

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.