well

n. [ OE. welle, AS. wella, wylla, from weallan to well up, surge, boil; akin to D. wel a spring or fountain. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;. See Well, v. i. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain. [ 1913 Webster ]

Begin, then, sisters of the sacred well. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A pit or hole sunk into the earth to such a depth as to reach a supply of water, generally of a cylindrical form, and often walled with stone or bricks to prevent the earth from caving in. [ 1913 Webster ]

The woman said unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. John iv. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A shaft made in the earth to obtain oil or brine. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Fig.: A source of supply; fountain; wellspring. “This well of mercy.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dan Chaucer, well of English undefiled. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

A well of serious thought and pure. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Naut.) (a) An inclosure in the middle of a vessel's hold, around the pumps, from the bottom to the lower deck, to preserve the pumps from damage and facilitate their inspection. (b) A compartment in the middle of the hold of a fishing vessel, made tight at the sides, but having holes perforated in the bottom to let in water for the preservation of fish alive while they are transported to market. (c) A vertical passage in the stern into which an auxiliary screw propeller may be drawn up out of water. (d) A depressed space in the after part of the deck; -- often called the cockpit. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Mil.) A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run branches or galleries. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Arch.) An opening through the floors of a building, as for a staircase or an elevator; a wellhole. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Metal.) The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls. [ 1913 Webster ]

Artesian well,
Driven well. See under Artesian, and Driven. --
Pump well. (Naut.) See Well, 5 (a), above. --
Well boring, the art or process of boring an artesian well. --
Well drain. (a) A drain or vent for water, somewhat like a well or pit, serving to discharge the water of wet land. (b) A drain conducting to a well or pit. --
Well room. (a) A room where a well or spring is situated; especially, one built over a mineral spring. (b) (Naut.) A depression in the bottom of a boat, into which water may run, and whence it is thrown out with a scoop. --
Well sinker, one who sinks or digs wells. --
Well sinking, the art or process of sinking or digging wells. --
Well staircase (Arch.), a staircase having a wellhole (see Wellhole (b)), as distinguished from one which occupies the whole of the space left for it in the floor. --
Well sweep. Same as Sweep, n., 12. --
Well water, the water that flows into a well from subterraneous springs; the water drawn from a well. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Welled p. pr. & vb. n. Welling. ] [ OE. wellen, AS. wyllan, wellan, fr. weallan; akin to OFries. walla, OS. & OHG. wallan, G. wallen, Icel. vella, G. welle, wave, OHG. wella, walm, AS. wylm; cf. L. volvere to roll, Gr. &unr_; to inwrap, &unr_; to roll. Cf. Voluble, Wallop to boil, Wallow, Weld of metal. ] To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring. “[ Blood ] welled from out the wound.” Dryden. “[ Yon spring ] wells softly forth.” Bryant. [ 1913 Webster ]

From his two springs in Gojam's sunny realm,
Pure welling out, he through the lucid lake
Of fair Dambea rolls his infant streams. Thomson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To pour forth, as from a well. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Good in condition or circumstances; desirable, either in a natural or moral sense; fortunate; convenient; advantageous; happy; as, it is well for the country that the crops did not fail; it is well that the mistake was discovered. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was well with us in Egypt. Num. xi. 18. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Being in health; sound in body; not ailing, diseased, or sick; healthy; as, a well man; the patient is perfectly well. “Your friends are well.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Gen. xliii. 27. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Being in favor; favored; fortunate. [ 1913 Webster ]

He followed the fortunes of that family, and was well with Henry the Fourth. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Marine Insurance) Safe; as, a chip warranted well at a certain day and place. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

interj. [ Corrupted from wela way. ] Alas! Welaway! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The king parrakeet See under King. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or condition of being well; welfare; happiness; prosperity; as, virtue is essential to the well-being of men or of society. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Born of a noble or respect able family; not of mean birth. [ 1913 Webster ]