WALE


Meaning of WALE in English

I. ˈwāl noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English walu; akin to Old Norse vǫlr staff and perhaps to Old Norse valr round, Latin volvere to roll — more at voluble

Date: before 12th century

1.

a. : a streak or ridge made on the skin especially by the stroke of a whip : weal

b. : a narrow raised surface : ridge

2. : any of a number of strakes usually of extra thick and strong planks in the sides of a wooden ship — usually used in plural

3.

a. : one of a series of even ribs in a fabric

b. : the texture especially of a fabric

4. : a horizontal constructional member (as of timber or steel) used for bracing vertical members

II. transitive verb

( waled ; wal·ing )

Date: 15th century

: to mark (as the skin) with welts

III. noun

Etymology: Middle English (Scots & northern dialect) wal, from Old Norse val; akin to Old High German wala choice, Old English wyllan to wish — more at will

Date: 14th century

1. dialect British : choice

2. dialect British : the best part : pick

IV. verb

Date: 14th century

dialect British : choose

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.