welcome

a. [ OE. welcome, welcume, wilcume, AS. wilcuma a welcome guest, from wil-, as a prefix, akin to willa will + cuma a comer, fr. cuman to come; hence, properly, one who comes so as to please another's will; cf. Icel. velkominn welcome, G. willkommen. See Will, n., and Come. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house, entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor. [ 1913 Webster ]

When the glad soul is made Heaven's welcome guest. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Producing gladness; grateful; as, a welcome present; welcome news. “O, welcome hour!” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to the use of my library. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Welcome is used elliptically for you are welcome. “Welcome, great monarch, to your own.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Welcome-to-our-house (Bot.), a kind of spurge (Euphorbia Cyparissias). Dr. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Salutation to a newcomer. “Welcome ever smiles.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Kind reception of a guest or newcomer; as, we entered the house and found a ready welcome. [ 1913 Webster ]

His warmest welcome at an inn. Shenstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

Truth finds an entrance and a welcome too. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

To bid welcome, to receive with professions of kindness. [ 1913 Webster ]

To thee and thy company I bid
A hearty welcome. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Welcomed p. pr. & vb. n. Welcoming. ] [ AS. wilcumian. ] To salute with kindness, as a newcomer; to receive and entertain hospitably and cheerfully; as, to welcome a visitor; to welcome a new idea. “I welcome you to land.” Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a welcome manner. [ 1913 Webster ]