[wall] n [ME, fr. OE weall; akin to MHG wall; both fr. L vallum rampart, fr. vallus stake, palisade; perh. akin to ON volr staff--more at wale] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a high thick masonry structure forming a long rampart or an enclosure chiefly for defense--often used in pl. 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--usu. used in the phrase to the wall
5: a material layer enclosing space "the ~ of a container" "heart ~s"
6: something resembling a wall (as in appearance, function, or effect); esp: something that acts as a barrier or defense "a ~ of reserve" "tariff ~" -- walled adj -- wall-like adj -- up the wall slang: into a state of intense agitation, annoyance, or frustration "the noise drove me up the wall"
[2]wall vt (13c) 1 a: to provide, cover with, or surround with or as if with a wall "~ in the garden" b: to separate by or as if by a wall "~ed off half the house"
2. a: immure b: to close (an opening) with or as if with a wall [3]wall vb [ME (Sc) wawlen, prob. fr. ME wawil- (in wawil-eghed walleyed)] vi (15c) of the eyes: to roll in a dramatic manner ~ vt: to roll (one's eyes) in a dramatic manner