n.
Pronunciation: ' wo ̇ -t ə r, ' wä-
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wæter; akin to Old High German wazzar water, Greek hyd ō r, Latin unda wave
Date: before 12th century
1 a : the liquid that descends from the clouds as rain, forms streams, lakes, and seas, and is a major constituent of all living matter and that when pure is an odorless, tasteless, very slightly compressible liquid oxide of hydrogen H 2 O which appears bluish in thick layers, freezes at 0° C and boils at 100° C, has a maximum density at 4° C and a high specific heat, is feebly ionized to hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, and is a poor conductor of electricity and a good solvent b : a natural mineral water ― usually used in plural
2 : a particular quantity or body of water: as a (1) plural : the water occupying or flowing in a particular bed (2) chiefly British : LAKE , POND b : a quantity or depth of water adequate for some purpose (as navigation) c plural (1) : a band of seawater abutting on the land of a particular sovereignty and under the control of that sovereignty (2) : the sea of a particular part of the earth d : WATER SUPPLY <threatened to turn off the water >
3 : travel or transportation on water <we went by water >
4 : the level of water at a particular state of the tide : TIDE
5 : liquid containing or resembling water: as a (1) : a pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparation made with water (2) : a watery solution of a gaseous or readily volatile substance ― compare AMMONIA WATER b archaic : a distilled fluid (as an essence) especially : a distilled alcoholic liquor c : a watery fluid (as tears, urine, or sap) formed or circulating in a living body d : AMNIOTIC FLUID also : BAG OF WATERS
6 a : the degree of clarity and luster of a precious stone b : degree of excellence <a scholar of the first water >
7 : WATERCOLOR
8 a : stock not representing assets of the issuing company and not backed by earning power b : fictitious or exaggerated asset entries that give a stock an unrealistic book value
– above water : out of difficulty