wayside 1558
way·side /'weɪsaɪd/ n [the+S] especially old use the side of the road or path: a wayside inn → see also fall by the wayside (FALL)
way·ward /'weɪwɔːd||-wərd/ adj usually derog changeable and difficult to guide or advise: wayward behaviour | their wayward son →ness n [U]
WBC, the /ˌdʌbljuː biː 'siː/ abbrev. for the World Boxing Council, one of the organizations responsible for controlling professional boxing. It was formed in 1963.
WBO, the /ˌdʌblju biː 'əʊ/ abbrev. for World Boxing Organization, one of the organizations responsible for controlling professional boxing. The WBO became active in 1998.
WC /ˌdʌbljuː 'siː/ n abbrev. for water closet; a word for toilet used especially on signs in public places
we /wi; strong wiː/ pron (used as the subject of a sentence) 1 (plural of 'I') the people speaking; oneself and one or more others: We were all very excited when we heard the news. | Shall we (=you and I) sit together, Mary? | Can we (=I and the others) go now, sir? 2 fm/ (used by a king or queen in official language) I 3 (used by a writer or speaker) you (the reader or listener) and I: We saw in the previous chapter how the king persuaded his nobles to stop quarrelling. | We have all heard stories about people being burgled. 4 (used especially to children and sick people) you: Now, we must be a brave girl, and stop crying. | And how are we feeling today, Mr Jones? (Many people do not like this use of WE) 5 fm/ people in general; human beings: Do we have the right to destroy the world in which we live? → see also ROYAL WE
WEA, the /ˌdʌbljuː iː 'eɪ/ abbrev. for Workers' Educational Association; a British organization that arranges classes for adults, especially adults who started working at a young age and may not have had a good education
weak /wiːk/ adj 1 not strong, especially not strong enough to work or last properly: I still feel a bit weak after my illness. | The shelf is too weak to hold all those books. | Her pulse is weak, she must be very ill. | a weak radio signal. | a weak heart | weak eyes 2 not strong or firm in character; not determined or severe enough: The teacher's so weak that the children do what they like. | a weak and indecisive leader | too weak-willed to resist their arguments → see also WEAK-KNEED 3 sometimes derog containing a lot of water; having little taste: weak soup/tea → compare STRONG 4 [at, in] not reaching a good standard; of lower than average skill or ability: She's weak in/at French. | Her French is rather weak. 5 lacking effectiveness or persuasiveness: weak arguments | The play was well acted, but I thought the plot was a bit weak. 6 [no comp.] tech (of a verb) forming the past tense and past participle in a regular way, with the usual endings: Stepped is a weak form; swam and swum are strong. → compare STRONG 7 weak at the knees infml (of a person) not well or strong, especially after something surprising or unpleasant has happened 8 You are the weakest link, Goodbye. infml humor an expression made popular by the British television PRESENTER Anne Robinson on the QUIZ show The Weakest Link. She says this phrase to a CONTESTANT when they have been voted off the show by the other people in the quiz because the contestant has not answered enough questions correctly. →ly adv
weak·en /'wiːkən/ v [I/T] 1 to make or become weaker: She weakened as the illness grew worse. | The illness weakened her heart. | These internal disputes have weakened the government's position. 2 to make or become less determined: She asked so many times that in the end we weakened and let her go. | None of these setbacks could weaken her resolve to become a doctor.
'weaker ,sex n [the+S+sing./pl.v] pomp women in general; most women would consider this offensive now
Weakest 'Link, the a television QUIZ show presented by Anne Robinson. After the CONTESTANTS (=people who are taking part in the show) have tried to answer some questions, they vote to decide which of them must leave the competition. Then there are more questions and more votes until only two people remain. When someone has been voted to leave, Anne Robinson says: 'You are the weakest link. Goodbye'. In the final round, the last two people compete to try to win the quiz.
'weak ,force n [the] one of the four FUNDAMENTAL FORCES which causes RADIOACTIVITY
weak-'kneed adj infml derog habitually nervous and lacking determination; cowardly; IRRESOLUTE
weak·ling /'wiːklɪŋ/ n 'derog a person who lacks physical strength or strength of character
weak·ness /'wiːknəs/ n 1 [U] the fact or state of being weak, especially in mind, body, or character: The president was accused of weakness in dealing with the crisis. 2 [C] an imperfect part, especially one that spoils the rest: a structural weakness in the aircraft | The only weakness of/in the plan is its cost. 3 [C] a fault in character; FAILING: Drinking is his weakness. 4 [C(for)] a strong liking, especially for something that is bad or slightly disapproved of: I have a weakness for chocolate. → compare STRENGTH
weal /wiːl/ n a raised usually red mark on the skin where one has been hit |
wealth /welθ/ n 1 [U] a large amount of money and possessions: How did he acquire his great wealth? | The country's wealth comes from its oil. | a man of wealth 2 [S(of)] fm/ or pomp a large number or amount: a wealth of examples/of experience
wealth·y /'welθi/ adj (especially of a person, family, or country) rich
wean /wiːn/ v [T] to introduce (a baby or young animal) to the habit of eating ordinary food instead of mother's milk
wean sbdy. from/off sth. phr v. [T+obj/v-ing] to cause to gradually leave (an interest, habit, companion etc, that one disapproves of): She tried to wean him off drugs.
wean sbdy. on sthg. phr v. [T often pass.] to cause to grow up under the influence of: Today's generation is being weaned on television.
weap·on /'wepən/ n anything used to fight with, such as a sword, gun, or bomb: They used anything that came to hand – stones, pieces of wood, bottles – as weapons. | nuclear conventional weapons | (fig.) The newspapers use these sensational stories as a weapon in the bid to gain readers. → see also CHEMICAL WEAPON
weap·on·ry /'wepənri/ n [U] weapons: nuclear weaponry
'weapons in,spector n a scientist who works for a government or for the UN, and who has special knowledge about chemical, BIOLOGICAL, or NUCLEAR weapons. Weapon inspectors are sent to countries that already have these weapons and to countries that are thought to be developing them, for example Iraq before the 2003 Iraq War. Their job is to check that UN RESOLUTIONS (=laws) on these types of weapon are being obeyed.
'weapons of ,mass de'struction abbrev. WMD n [C] chemical, NUCLEAR, and BIOLOGICAL weapons that are very powerful and could kill a lot of people or destroy large areas. This expression is used especially by politicians and newspaper reporters to talk about weapons that are held by countries which are considered to be a threat to world peace.
wear¹ /weər/ v wore /wɔːr/, worn /wɔːrn||wɔːrn/ 1 [T] to have on one's body, especially as clothing, but sometimes also for protection, decoration, or other purposes: He wearing a new coat. | She usually wears her hair up. (=in a raised style) | She was wearing her diamonds/wearing an expensive perfume. | He wore dark glasses to protect his eyes from the strong sunlight. | Is it compulsory to wear seat belts when you're driving? → compare HAVE ON; see DRESS (USAGE) 2 [T] to have (a particular expression) on the face: She wore an angry frown. 3 [I] to be reduced, weakened, or damaged by continued use, rubbing etc: I liked this shirt, but the collar has worn. → see also WEAR AWAY, WEAR DOWN, WEAR OUT 4 [T+obj+adv/prep] to produce by wear, use, rubbing etc: You've worn a hole in your sock. | The villagers had worn a path through the fields. 5 [+adv] to last in the stated condition: These modern concrete buildings have worn badly (=no longer look good or remain in good condition). Considering her age, she has worn well. (=still look young) 6 [T usually in questions and negatives] infml, especially BrE to allow or find acceptable: I was going to suggest Fiji for our holiday, but I don't think father will wear it. 7 wear one's heart on one's sleeve infml to show one's true feelings openly instead of hiding them 8 wear the trousers BrE pants AmE — infml to be in charge: Who wears the trousers in your house – you or your wife? → see also WORN →able adj
wear (sthg. ↔ ) away phr v [I/T] to (cause to) disappear