water Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
    H2O.
  2. noun the part of the earth's surface covered with water (such as a river or lake or ocean)
    body of water.
    • they invaded our territorial waters
    • they were sitting by the water's edge
  3. noun once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
  4. noun a facility that provides a source of water
    water supply; water system.
    • the town debated the purification of the water supply
    • first you have to cut off the water
  5. noun liquid excretory product
    weewee; piddle; urine; pee; piss.
    • there was blood in his urine
    • the child had to make water
  6. noun a liquid necessary for the life of most animals and plants
    • he asked for a drink of water
  7. verb supply with water, as with channels or ditches or streams
    irrigate.
    • Water the fields
  8. verb provide with water
    • We watered the buffalo
  9. verb secrete or form water, as tears or saliva
    • My mouth watered at the prospect of a good dinner
    • His eyes watered
  10. verb fill with tears
    • His eyes were watering

WordNet

Wa"ter noun
Etymology
AS. wæter; akin to OS. watar, OFries. wetir, weter, LG. & D. water, G. wasser, OHG. wazzar, Icel. vatn, Sw. vatten, Dan. vand, Goth. wat, O. Slav. & Russ. voda, Gr. , Skr. udan water, ud to wet, and perhaps to L. unda wave. . Cf. Dropsy, Hydra, Otter, Wet, Whisky.
Definitions
  1. The fluid which descends from the clouds in rain, and which forms rivers, lakes, seas, etc. "We will drink water." Shak."Powers of fire, air, water, and earth." Milton. ✍ Pure water consists of hydrogen and oxygen, H2O, and is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, transparent liquid, which is very slightly compressible. At its maximum density, 39° Fahr. or 4° C., it is the standard for specific gravities, one cubic centimeter weighing one gram. It freezes at 32° Fahr. or 0° C. and boils at 212° Fahr. or 100° C. (see Ice, Steam). It is the most important natural solvent, and is frequently impregnated with foreign matter which is mostly removed by distillation; hence, rain water is nearly pure. It is an important ingredient in the tissue of animals and plants, the human body containing about two thirds its weight of water.
  2. A body of water, standing or flowing; a lake, river, or other collection of water.
    Remembering he had passed over a small water a poor scholar when first coming to the university, he kneeled. Fuller.
  3. Any liquid secretion, humor, or the like, resembling water; esp., the urine.
  4. (Pharm.) A solution in water of a gaseous or readily volatile substance; as, ammonia water. U. S. Pharm.
  5. The limpidity and luster of a precious stone, especially a diamond; as, a diamond of the first water, that is, perfectly pure and transparent. Hence, of the first water, that is, of the first excellence.
  6. A wavy, lustrous pattern or decoration such as is imparted to linen, silk, metals, etc. See Water, v. t., 3, Damask, v. t., and Damaskeen.
  7. An addition to the shares representing the capital of a stock company so that the aggregate par value of the shares is increased while their value for investment is diminished, or "diluted." Brokers' Cant ✍ Water is often used adjectively and in the formation of many self-explaining compounds; as, water drainage; water gauge, or water-gauge; waterfowl, water-fowl, or water fowl; water-beaten; water-borne, water-circled, water-girdled, water-rocked, etc. ✍ Other phrases, in which water occurs as the first element, will be found in alphabetical order in the Vocabulary.
Wa"ter transitive verb
Etymology
AS. wæterian, gewæterian.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Watered ; present participle & verbal noun Watering
Definitions
  1. To wet or supply with water; to moisten; to overflow with water; to irrigate; as, to water land; to water flowers.
    With tears watering the ground. Milton.
    Men whose lives gilded on like rivers that water the woodlands. Longfellow.
  2. To supply with water for drink; to cause or allow to drink; as, to water cattle and horses.
  3. To wet and calender, as cloth, so as to impart to it a lustrous appearance in wavy lines; to diversify with wavelike lines; as, to water silk. Cf. Water, n., 6.
  4. To add water to (anything), thereby extending the quantity or bulk while reducing the strength or quality; to extend; to dilute; to weaken.
Wa"ter intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To shed, secrete, or fill with, water or liquid matter; as, his eyes began to water.
    If thine eyes can water for his death. Shak.
  2. To get or take in water; as, the ship put into port to water.

Webster 1913