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weather

weath·er [ wéər ]

noun

Definition:

1. state of atmosphere: the state of the atmosphere with regard to temperature, cloudiness, rainfall, wind, and other meteorological conditions

2. bad weather: adverse weather, e.g. a storm, or the effects of this

protection from the weather

adjective

Definition:

1. meteorology used in weather forecasting: relating to or used in weather forecasting

2. nautical windward: toward the wind

verb (past and past participle weath·ered, present participle weath·er·ing, 3rd person present singular weath·ers)

Definition:

1. transitive and intransitive verb expose something to weather: to expose something to the weather, or be exposed to it

2. transitive and intransitive verb change because of exposure to weather: to change color or become worn because of prolonged exposure to the weather, or make something do this

3. intransitive verb endure effects of weather: to endure the damaging effects of the weather

4. transitive verb survive crisis: to come safely through a crisis or difficult time

5. transitive verb nautical sail windward of something: to sail on the windward side of something

6. transitive verb construction slant something to keep off rain: to give a slope to something such as a roof to keep off rain

[ Old English weder< Indo-European, "to blow"]

make heavy weather of something to make a task that is fairly easy to do seem more difficult than it is

under the weather slightly unwell

Spelling Note


	weather, wether, or whether? Do not confuse the spelling of weather, wether, and whether, which sound similar. Weather is a noun referring to meteorological conditions such as rain, sunshine, wind, or clouds (as in stormy weather, the weather forecast) or a verb meaning "expose something to the weather" or "come safely through a difficult time" (as in weathered lumber, weather the storm). The word wether, which is not frequently encountered in general usage, denotes a castrated sheep or goat. Whether introduces an alternative or indirect question: whether you want to or not; Ask her whether she wants some coffee.

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