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Dictionary

well

Pronunciation: (wel), [key]
—adv., adj., compar. bet•ter, superl. best,
—interj., n.

—adv.
1. in a good or satisfactory manner: Business is going well.
2. thoroughly, carefully, or soundly: to shake well before using; listen well.
3. in a moral or proper manner: to behave well.
4. commendably, meritoriously, or excellently: a difficult task well done.
5. with propriety, justice, or reason: I could not well refuse.
6. adequately or sufficiently: Think well before you act.
7. to a considerable extent or degree: a sum well over the amount agreed upon.
8. with great or intimate knowledge: to know a person well.
9. certainly; without doubt: I anger easily, as you well know.
10. with good nature; without rancor: He took the joke well.
11. as well,
a. in addition; also; too: She insisted on directing the play and on producing it as well.
b. equally: The town grew as well because of its location as because of its superb climate.
12. as well as, as much or as truly as; equally as: Joan is witty as well as intelligent.

—adj.
1. in good health; sound in body and mind: Are you well? He is not a well man.
2. satisfactory, pleasing, or good: All is well with us.
3. proper, fitting, or gratifying: It is well that you didn't go.
4. in a satisfactory position; well-off: I am very well as I am.
5. leave well enough alone, avoid changing something that is satisfactory.

—interj.
1. (used to express surprise, reproof, etc.): Well! There's no need to shout.
2. (used to introduce a sentence, resume a conversation, etc.): Well, who would have thought he could do it?

—n.
well-being; good fortune; success: to wish well to someone.

well

Pronunciation: (wel), [key]
—n.
1. a hole drilled or bored into the earth to obtain water, petroleum, natural gas, brine, or sulfur.
2. a spring or natural source of water.
3. an apparent reservoir or a source of human feelings, emotions, energy, etc.: He was a well of gentleness and courtesy.
4. a container, receptacle, or reservoir for a liquid: the well of ink in a fountain pen.
5. any sunken or deep, enclosed space, as a shaft for air or light, stairs, or an elevator, extending vertically through the floors of a building.
6. Naut.
a. a part of a weather deck between two superstructures, extending from one side of a vessel to the other.
b. a compartment or enclosure around a ship's pumps to make them easily accessible and protect them from being damaged by the cargo.
7. a hollow compartment, recessed area, or depression for holding a specific item or items, as fish in the bottom of a boat or the retracted wheels of an airplane in flight.
8. any shaft dug or bored into the earth, as for storage space or a mine.

—v.i.
to rise, spring, or gush, as water, from the earth or some other source (often fol. by up, out, or forth): Tears welled up in my eyes.

—v.t.
to send welling up or forth: a fountain welling its pure water.

—adj.
like, of, resembling, from, or used in connection with a well.