[well] n [ME welle, fr. OE welle; akin to OE weallan to bubble, boil, OHG wella wave, Lith vilnis] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an issue of water from the earth: a pool fed by a spring b: source, origin
2. a: a pit or hole sunk into the earth to reach a supply of water b: a shaft or hole sunk to obtain oil, brine, or gas 3 a: an enclosure in the middle of a ship's hold to protect from damage and facilitate the inspection of the pumps b: a compartment in the hold of a fishing boat in which fish are kept alive
4: an open space extending vertically through floors of a structure
5: a space having a construction or shape suggesting a well for water
6. a: something resembling a well in being damp, cool, deep, or dark b: a deep vertical hole c: a source from which something may be drawn as needed 7: a pronounced minimum of a variable in physics "a potential ~"
[2]well [ME, fr. OE wellan to cause to well; akin to OE weallan to bubble, boil] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to rise to the surface and usu. flow forth "tears ~ed from her eyes"
2: to rise like a flood of liquid "longing ~ed up in his breast" ~ vt: to emit in a copious free flow [3]well adv bet.ter ; best [ME wel, fr. OE; akin to OHG wela well, OE wyllan to wish--more at will] (bef. 12c) 1 a: in a good or proper manner: justly, rightly b: satisfactorily with respect to conduct or action "did ~ in math"
2: in a kindly or friendly manner "spoke ~ of your idea" 3 a: with skill or aptitude: expertly "paints ~" b: satisfactorily c: with good appearance or effect: elegantly "carried himself ~"
4: with careful or close attention: attentively
5: to a high degree "~ deserved the honor" "a well-equipped kitchen"--often used as an intensifier or qualifier "there are ... vacancies pretty ~ all the time --Listener"
6: fully, quite "~ worth the price"
7. a: in a way appropriate to the facts or circumstances: fittingly, rightly b: in a prudent manner: sensibly--used with do 8: in accordance with the occasion or circumstances: with propriety or good reason "cannot ~ refuse"
9. a: as one could wish: favorably b: with material success: advantageously "married ~"
10. a: easily, readily "could ~ afford a new car" b: in all likelihood: indeed "it may ~ be true" 11: in a prosperous or affluent manner "he lives ~" 12: to an extent approaching completeness: thoroughly "after being ~ dried with a sponge" 13: without doubt or question: clearly "~ knew the penalty" 14: in a familiar manner "knew her ~" 15: to a large extent or degree: considerably, far "~ over a million" usage see good -- as well 1: in addition: also "there were other features as well"
2: to the same extent or degree: as much "open as well to the poor as to the rich"
3: with equivalent, comparable, or more favorable effect "might just as well have stayed home" [4]well interj (bef. 12c) 1--used to indicate resumption of discourse or to introduce a remark 2--used to express surprise or expostulation [5]well adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: prosperous, well-off b: being in satisfactory condition or circumstances
2: being in good standing or favor
3: satisfactory, pleasing "all's ~ that ends well"
4: advisable, desirable "it might be ~ for you to leave"
5. a: free or recovered from infirmity or disease: healthy "a ~ man" b: completely cured or healed "the wound is nearly ~"
6: pleasing or satisfactory in appearance 7: being a cause for thankfulness: fortunate "it is ~ that this has happened" syn see healthy usage see good