wow 1
/wow/ , Informal.
interj.
1. (an exclamation of surprise, wonder, pleasure, or the like): Wow! Look at that!
v.t.
2. to gain an enthusiastic response from; thrill.
n.
3. an extraordinary success: His act is a real wow.
4. excitement, interest, great pleasure, or the like: a car that will add some wow to your life.
[ 1890-95; perh. identical with Scots wow! exclamation of surprise or admiration ]
wow 2
/wow/ , n.
1. Audio. a slow wavering of pitch in sound recording or reproducing equipment caused by uneven speed of the turntable or the tape. Cf. flutter (def. 12).
2. Scot. and North Eng. Dial. a howl, wail, bark, whine, or mew.
v.i.
3. Scot. and North Eng. Dial. to howl, wail, bark, whine, or mew.
[ 1800-10 for defs. 2-3; 1930-35 for def. 1; imit.; the audio term is prob. an independent formation ]