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| wa·ter [ wáwtər ] |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. liquid of rain and rivers: the clear colorless liquid, odorless and tasteless when pure, that occurs as rain, snow, and ice, forms rivers, lakes, and seas, and is essential for life. Naturally occurring water picks up color and taste from substances in its environment. H2O
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2. area of water: an area or body of water, e.g. a river, stream, lake, or sea
  We went down to the water to feed the ducks.
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3. surface of water: the surface of a body of water
swim under water
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4. element: in ancient and medieval philosophy, water as one of the four elements
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5. transportation over water: transportation by ship, boat, or some other means of travel over or through water
can only get there by water
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6. water supply: a supply of water to a house, town, or region
Our water's been turned off.
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7. solution of substance in water: a solution of a particular chemical or substance in water
lavender water
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8. body fluid: any watery fluid present in or secreted by the body, e.g. urine, sweat, saliva, or tears
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9. U.S. fluid surrounding fetus: the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus in the womb
(
often used in the plural
)
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10. wavy pattern: a lustrous wavy pattern on the surface of some fabrics such as silk
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11. brightness: the quality of brightness of a gem.
See also first water
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plural noun wa·ters |
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| Definition: |
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1. particular area of sea: a particular region of sea, e.g. that belonging to a specific nation
territorial waters
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2. water containing minerals: naturally occurring water containing minerals, e.g. that found at a spa and used for health reasons
take the waters
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verb (past and past participle wa·tered, present participle wa·ter·ing, 3rd person present singular wa·ters) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb sprinkle or soak something with water: to sprinkle, wet, or soak something with water
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2. transitive verb irrigate land: to take water to crops or fields
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3. transitive and intransitive verb give or get water: to give drinking water to an animal, or get or take water as an animal does
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4. intransitive verb fill with tears when irritated: to fill with tears, especially because of irritation
(
refers to eyes
)
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5. intransitive verb produce saliva: to produce saliva, particularly in pleasant anticipation of food
(
refers to the mouth
)
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6. intransitive verb nautical take on water supply: to take on a supply of water
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7. transitive verb textiles give fabric wavy sheen: to give a lustrous wavy pattern to fabric, especially silk
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| [ Old English wæter< Indo-European, "water"] |
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| wa·ter·er noun |
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be dead in the water to have no chance of success or survival
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be water under the bridge to be something that is in the past and that cannot be altered
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hold water to be well-founded, or stand up under scrutiny
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in deep water in a difficult or complicated situation
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in hot water in trouble or in an embarrassing situation
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muddy the waters to cause confusion or trouble
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pour or throw cold water on or onto or over something to discourage a plan or idea by showing a lack of interest in it or rejecting it as impractical
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throw water West Africa to offer somebody a bribe
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tread water
1. to keep afloat without moving forward, by moving the legs and arms
2. to make no progress but manage to keep a situation the same for a period of time
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water off a duck's back words or actions that have absolutely no effect on the attitude or behavior of the person to whom they are said or done
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