[world] n [ME, fr. OE woruld human existence, this world, age (akin to OHG weralt age, world); akin to OE wer man, eald old--more at virile, old] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the earthly state of human existence b: life after death--used with a qualifier "the next ~"
2: the earth with its inhabitants and all things upon it
3: individual course of life: career
4: the inhabitants of the earth: the human race
5. a: the concerns of the earth and its affairs as distinguished from heaven and the life to come b: secular affairs
6: the system of created things: universe
7. a: a division or generation of the inhabitants of the earth distinguished by living together at the same place or at the same time "the medieval ~" b: a distinctive class of persons or their sphere of interest "the academic ~" "the sports ~" 8: human society "withdraw from the ~" 9: a part or section of the earth that is a separate independent unit 10: the sphere or scene of one's life and action "living in your own little ~" 11: an indefinite multitude or a great quantity or distance "makes a ~ of difference" "a ~ away" 12: the whole body of living persons: public "announced their discovery to the ~" 13: kingdom
5. "the animal ~" 14: a celestial body (as a planet) -- for all the world : in every way: exactly "copies which look for all the world like the original" -- in the world : among innumerable possibilities: ever--used as an intensive "what in the world is it" -- out of this world : of extraordinary excellence: superb
[2]world adj (13c) 1: of or relating to the world "a ~ championship"
2. a: extending or found throughout the world: worldwide "brought about ~ peace" b: involving or applying to part of or the whole world "a ~ tour" "a ~ state"