n.
Pronunciation: ' w ā v
Function: verb
Inflected Form: waved ; wav · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wafian to wave with the hands; akin to Old English wæfan to clothe and perhaps to Old English wefan to weave
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1 : to motion with the hands or with something held in them in signal or salute
2 : to float, play, or shake in an air current : move loosely to and fro : FLUTTER <flags waving in the breeze>
3 of water : to move in waves : HEAVE
4 : to become moved or brandished to and fro <signs waved in the crowd>
5 : to move before the wind with a wavelike motion <field of waving grain>
6 : to follow a curving line or take a wavy form : UNDULATE
transitive verb
1 : to swing (something) back and forth or up and down
2 : to impart a curving or undulating shape to < waved her hair>
3 a : to motion to (someone) to go in an indicated direction or to stop : FLAG , SIGNAL <checked his name and waved him on> < waved down a passing car> b : to gesture with (the hand or an object) in greeting or farewell or in homage c : to dismiss or put out of mind : DISREGARD ― usually used with aside or off d : to convey by waving < waved farewell>
4 : BRANDISH , FLOURISH < waved a pistol menacingly>
synonyms see SWING