n. & v.
--n.
1. the state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, cloudiness, dryness, sunshine, wind, and rain etc.
2 (attrib.) Naut. windward (on the weather side).
--v.
1. tr. expose to or affect by atmospheric changes, esp. deliberately to dry, season, etc. (weathered timber).
2 a tr. (usu. in passive) discolour or partly disintegrate (rock or stones) by exposure to air. b intr. be discoloured or worn in this way.
3 tr. make (boards or tiles) overlap downwards to keep out rain etc.
4 tr. a come safely through (a storm). b survive (a difficult period etc.).
5 tr. (of a ship or its crew) get to the windward of (a cape etc.).
Phrases and idioms:
keep a (or one's) weather eye open be watchful. make good (or bad) weather of it Naut. (of a ship) behave well (or badly) in a storm. make heavy weather of colloq. exaggerate the difficulty or burden presented by (a problem, course of action, etc.). under the weather colloq. indisposed or out of sorts. weather-beaten affected by exposure to the weather. weather-bound unable to proceed owing to bad weather. weather-chart (or -map) a diagram showing the state of the weather over a large area. weather forecast an analysis of the state of the weather with an assessment of likely developments over a certain time. weather-glass a barometer. weather side the side from which the wind is blowing (opp. lee side). weather station an observation post for recording meteorological data. weather-strip a piece of material used to make a door or window proof against rain or wind. weather-tiles tiles arranged to overlap like weatherboards. weather-vane see VANE. weather-worn damaged by storms etc.
Etymology: OE weder f. Gmc