I. ˈwȯ-tər, ˈwä- noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wæter; akin to Old High German wazzar water, Greek hydōr, Latin unda wave
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : the liquid that descends from the clouds as rain, forms streams, lakes, and seas, and is a major constituent of all living matter and that when pure is an odorless, tasteless, very slightly compressible liquid oxide of hydrogen H 2 O which appears bluish in thick layers, freezes at 0° C and boils at 100° C, has a maximum density at 4° C and a high specific heat, is feebly ionized to hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, and is a poor conductor of electricity and a good solvent
b. : a natural mineral water — usually used in plural
2. : a particular quantity or body of water: as
a.
(1) plural : the water occupying or flowing in a particular bed
(2) chiefly British : lake , pond
b. : a quantity or depth of water adequate for some purpose (as navigation)
c. plural
(1) : a band of seawater abutting on the land of a particular sovereignty and under the control of that sovereignty
(2) : the sea of a particular part of the earth
d. : water supply
threatened to turn off the water
3. : travel or transportation on water
we went by water
4. : the level of water at a particular state of the tide : tide
5. : liquid containing or resembling water: as
a.
(1) : a pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparation made with water
(2) : a watery solution of a gaseous or readily volatile substance — compare ammonia water
b. archaic : a distilled fluid (as an essence) ; especially : a distilled alcoholic liquor
c. : a watery fluid (as tears, urine, or sap) formed or circulating in a living body
d. : amniotic fluid ; also : bag of waters
6.
a. : the degree of clarity and luster of a precious stone
b. : degree of excellence
a scholar of the first water
7. : watercolor
8.
a. : stock not representing assets of the issuing company and not backed by earning power
b. : fictitious or exaggerated asset entries that give a stock an unrealistic book value
•
- above water
II. verb
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1. : to moisten, sprinkle, or soak with water
water the lawn
2. : to supply with water for drink
water cattle
3. : to supply water to
lands water ed by the river
4. : to treat with or as if with water ; specifically : to impart a lustrous appearance and wavy pattern to (cloth) by calendering
5.
a. : to dilute by the addition of water — often used with down
water down the punch
b. : to add to the aggregate par value of (securities) without a corresponding addition to the assets represented by the securities
intransitive verb
1. : to form or secrete water or watery matter (as tears or saliva)
2. : to get or take water: as
a. : to take on a supply of water
the boat docked to water
b. : to drink water