wale 1
/wayl/ , n. , v. , waled, waling .
n.
1. a streak, stripe, or ridge produced on the skin by the stroke of a rod or whip; welt.
2. the vertical rib in knit goods or a chain of loops running lengthwise in knit fabric (opposed to course ).
3. the texture or weave of a fabric.
4. Naut.
a. any of certain strakes of thick outside planking on the sides of a wooden ship.
b. gunwale.
5. Also called breast timber, ranger, waling . Engin., Building Trades. a horizontal timber or other support for reinforcing various upright members, as sheet piling or concrete form boards, or for retaining earth at the edge of an excavation.
6. a ridge on the outside of a horse collar.
v.t.
7. to mark with wales.
8. to weave with wales.
9. Engin. , Building Trades. to reinforce or fasten with a wale or wales.
[ bef. 1050; (n.) ME; OE walu ridge, rib, WHEAL; c. ON volr, Goth walus rod, wand; (v.) late ME, deriv. of the n. ]
wale 2
/wayl/ , n. , v. , waled, waling . Scot. and North Eng.
n.
1. something that is selected as the best; choice.
v.t.
2. to choose; select.
[ 1250-1300; ME wal ( e ) val choice, velja to choose ]