Dictionary
whole
Pronunciation: (hōl), [key]—
adj.
1. comprising the full quantity, amount, extent, number, etc., without diminution or exception; entire, full, or total:
He ate the whole pie. They ran the whole distance.
2. containing all the elements properly belonging; complete:
We have a whole set of antique china.
3. undivided; in one piece:
to swallow a thing whole.
4. Math.integral, or not fractional.
5. not broken, damaged, or impaired; intact:
Thankfully, the vase arrived whole.
6. uninjured or unharmed; sound:
He was surprised to find himself whole after the crash.
7. pertaining to all aspects of human nature, esp. one's physical, intellectual, and spiritual development:
education for the whole person.
8. out of whole cloth, without foundation in fact; fictitious:
a story made out of whole cloth.
—
n.
1. the whole assemblage of parts or elements belonging to a thing; the entire quantity, account, extent, or number:
He accepted some of the parts but rejected the whole.
2. a thing complete in itself, or comprising all its parts or elements.
3. an assemblage of parts associated or viewed together as one thing; a unitary system.
4. as a whole, all things included or considered; altogether:
As a whole, the relocation seems to have been beneficial.
5. on or upon the whole,
a. in view of all the circumstances; after consideration.
b. disregarding exceptions; in general:
On the whole, the neighborhood is improving. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
