Meaning of the word water

English[edit]

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Pronunciation[edit]

• (United Kingdom)
  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈwɔːtə/
  • (England, Estuary English) IPA^(key): [ˈwoːʔɐ], [ˈwoːʔə]
  • (England, Cockney) IPA^(key): [ˈwoʊʔə], [ˈwɔoɾɐ]
  • (Scotland) IPA^(key): /ˈwɔtər/, [ˈwɔtər]
  • (dialectal) IPA^(key): /ˈwɒtə/, /ˈwɒtəɹ/
• (North America)
  • (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈwɔtəɹ/, [ˈwɔɾɚ], enPR: wôtər
  • (US, cot–caught merger, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈwɑtəɹ/, [ˈwɑɾɚ], enPR: wŏtər
  • (NYC) IPA^(key): [ˈwɔəɾə]
  • (Philadelphia) IPA^(key): /ˈwʊtəɹ/, [ˈwʊɾɚ]
  • (Western Pennsylvania) IPA^(key): /ˈwɔɹtəɹ/, [ˈwɔɹɾɚ]
• (General Australian, New Zealand) IPA^(key): /ˈwoːtə/, [ˈwoːɾə]
• (Ireland) IPA^(key): /ˈwɔːtəɹ/, [ˈwɒːθ̠ɚ]
• (Indian English) IPA^(key): [ˈwɔʈə(r)], [ˈʋɔʈə(r)]
  • (Tamil English) IPA^(key): [ˈʋaːʈər(ɯ)], [ˈwaːʈər(ɯ)]
• (General South African) IPA^(key): [ˈwoːtə]
• (Northern English, dated, obsolete elsewhere) IPA^(key): /ˈwætəɹ/, [ˈwætə], [ˈwæɾɚ]
• Hyphenation: wa‧ter
• Rhymes: -ɔːtə(ɹ), -ɒtə(ɹ)

Etymology 1[edit]

From Middle English water, from Old English wæter (“water”), from Proto-West Germanic *watar, from Proto-Germanic *watōr (“water”), from Proto-Indo-European *wódr̥ (“water”).

Noun[edit]

water (countable and uncountable, plural waters)

2. (uncountable) A substance (of molecular formula H₂O) found at room temperature and pressure as a clear liquid; it is present naturally as rain, and found in rivers, lakes and seas; its solid form is ice and its gaseous form is steam.

   By the action of electricity, the water was resolved into its two parts, oxygen and hydrogen.

   • 2013 September-October, Katie L. Burke, “In the News”, in American Scientist:

     Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis: the ability to convert water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and waste oxygen using solar energy.

   1. (uncountable, in particular) The liquid form of this substance: liquid H₂O.

      May I have a glass of water?

      Your plants need more water.

      • 1835, Sir John Ross, Sir James Clark Ross, Narrative of a Second Voyage in Search of a North-west Passage …, Volume 1, pp.284-5

        Towards the following morning, the thermometer fell to 5°; and at daylight, there was not an atom of water to be seen in any direction.

      • 2002, Arthur T. Hubbard, Encyclopedia of Surface and Colloid Science, →ISBN, page 4895:

        A water drop placed on the surface of ice can either spread or form a lens depending on the properties of the three phases involved in wetting, i.e., on the properties of the ice, water, and gas phases.

      • 2013 May 11, “The climate of Tibet: Pole-land”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8835, page 80:

        Of all the transitions brought about on the Earth’s surface by temperature change, the melting of ice into water is the starkest. It is binary. And for the land beneath, the air above and the life around, it changes everything.

      • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:water.
   2. (countable) A serving of liquid water.

      • 2006, Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy, Amy Garvey, Bad Boys of Summer, →ISBN, page 91:

        Joe bustled back and offered her a glass of wine but she shook her head. “Just a water, please.”

3. (alchemy, philosophy) The aforementioned liquid, considered one of the Classical elements or basic elements of alchemy.

   He showed me the river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God.

4. (uncountable or in the plural) Water in a body; an area of open water.

   • c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 138, column 2:

     Roſa. O vain peticioner, beg a greater matter,
     Thou now requeſts but Mooneſhine in the water.

   • 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 1, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients:

     ‘Twas early June, the new grass was flourishing everywheres, the posies in the yard—peonies and such—in full bloom, the sun was shining, and the water of the bay was blue, with light green streaks where the shoal showed.

   • 2019, VOA Learning English (public domain)

     The president expressed hope that creating rain over waters between the countries would help reduce pollution.

   And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

   The boat was found within the territorial waters.

   These seals are a common sight in the coastal waters of Chile.

5. (poetic, archaic or dialectal) A body of water, almost always a river.
   • 1842, Alfred Tennyson, “Morte d’Arthur”, in Poems. […], volume II, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 4:

     On one side lay the Ocean, and on one
     Lay a great water, and the moon was full.

   • 1865, William Allingham (ed.), The Ballad Book: a selection of the choicest British ballads, William and May Margaret, or the Water of Clyde:

     But ere he came to Clyde’s water, fu’ loud the wind did blaw.

6. A combination of water and other substance(s).
   1. (sometimes countable) Mineral water.

      Perrier is the most popular water in this restaurant.

   2. (countable, often in the plural) Spa water.

      Many people visit Bath to take the waters.

   3. (pharmacy) A solution in water of a gaseous or readily volatile substance.

      ammonia water

   4. Urine. [from 15th c.]

      • 1999, George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings, Bantam, published 2011, page 458:

        Ser Dunaver’s squire Jodge could not hold his water when he slept.

   6. Amniotic fluid or the amniotic sac containing it. (Used only in the plural in the UK but often also in the singular in North America.)

      Synonym: bag of waters

      Before the child is born, the pregnant woman’s water breaks. (North America)

      Before your child is born, your water(s) will break. (North America)

      Before the child is born, the pregnant woman’s waters break. (UK)

   7. (colloquial, medicine) Fluids in the body, especially when causing swelling.

      He suffers from water on the knee.

7. (figuratively, in the plural or in the singular) A state of affairs; conditions; usually with an adjective indicating an adverse condition.

   The rough waters of change will bring about the calm after the storm.

8. (colloquial, figuratively) A person’s intuition.

   Synonym: bones

   I know he’ll succeed. I feel it in my waters.

9. (uncountable, dated, finance) Excess valuation of securities.

   • 1902 August 2, “Too Much Water to Suit Cummins”, in The Atlanta Constitution:

     Iowa Governor Will Fight Rock Island Reorganization. He Says That Under the New Plan Too Much Water Is Put Into the Stock—Believes Plan Is Out of Harmony with Iowa Laws.

   • 1920 April 11, “Says Stock ‘Water’ Didn’t Affect Fare”, in New York Times:

     the outstanding stock and bond obligations of the company were reduced from $34,000,000 to $24,000,000 by squeezing out the water.

10. The limpidity and lustre of a precious stone, especially a diamond.

    a diamond of the first water is perfectly pure and transparent
11. A wavy, lustrous pattern or decoration such as is imparted to linen, silk, metals, etc.

Alternative forms[edit]

• wahter, wahtuh (eye dialect)

Synonyms[edit]

• See also Thesaurus:water
• See also Thesaurus:urine

Antonyms[edit]

• (liquid H₂O): ice, steam, water vapor/water vapour
• (basic elements): earth, air/wind, fire; wood, metal; void/ether

Hypernyms[edit]

• (chemical having the formula H₂O): chemical, substance
• (liquid H₂O): liquid, fluid
• (basic elements): element
• (urine): body fluid, bodily fluid, biofluid

Hyponyms[edit]

• (chemical having the formula H₂O): heavy water; ice, steam, water vapor/water vapour
• (liquid H₂O): drinkwater, freshwater, meltwater, mineral water; hard water, soft water

Meronyms[edit]

• (chemical having the formula H₂O): hydrogen, oxygen

Derived terms[edit]

Descendants[edit]

Translations[edit]

Etymology 2[edit]

From Middle English wateren, from Old English wæterian, from Proto-Germanic *watrōną, *watrijaną, from Proto-Germanic *watōr (“water”), from Proto-Indo-European *wódr̥ (“water”).

Verb[edit]

water (third-person singular simple present waters, present participle watering, simple past and past participle watered)

1. (transitive) To pour water into the soil surrounding (plants).

   • 1900, L. Frank Baum, chapter 24, in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz:

     Aunt Em had just come out of the house to water the cabbages when she looked up and saw Dorothy running toward her.

2. (transitive) To wet or supply with water; to moisten; to overflow with water; to irrigate.
   • Men whose lives glided on like rivers that water the woodlands.

4. (transitive) To provide (animals) with water for drinking.

   I need to water the cattle.

5. (intransitive) To get or take in water.

   The ship put into port to water.

   • 1944 January and February, W. McGowan Gradon, “Forres as a Railway Centre”, in Railway Magazine, page 23:

     After working the 1.30 p.m. through train from Forres to Aberdeen as far as Elgin, she returns tender first with a local passenger train and is then coaled and watered at Forres shed, and eventually works back to Perth on the 10.20 p.m. through freight.

6. (transitive, colloquial) To urinate onto.

   Nature called, so I stepped into the woods and watered a tree.

7. (transitive) To dilute.

   Can you water the whisky, please?

8. (transitive, dated, finance) To overvalue (securities), especially through deceptive accounting.

   • 1930 April 10, “Calls Rail Holding Companies Threat”, in The Sun:

     such agencies would make it possible for the railroads to water stock and evade the law subjecting security issues to public regulation

9. (intransitive) To fill with or secrete water.

   Chopping onions makes my eyes water.

   The smell of fried onions makes my mouth water.

10. (transitive) To wet and calender, as cloth, so as to impart to it a lustrous appearance in wavy lines; to diversify with wavelike lines.

    to water silk

Synonyms[edit]

• (urinate): (see the list of synonyms in the entry «urinate»)
• (dilute): water down

Antonyms[edit]

• (dilute): refine

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• “water”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• water in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

Anagrams[edit]

• Ewart, tawer

Afrikaans[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Dutch water, from Middle Dutch wāter, from Old Dutch watar, from Proto-West Germanic *watar, from Proto-Germanic *watōr, from Proto-Indo-European *wódr̥.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ˈvɑːtər/

Noun[edit]

water (plural waters)

1. water
2. any artificial fluid similar to water
3. (colloquial) urine
4. any body of water, such as a river or a lake
5. a disease where water is accumulated; hydrops
6. (in the plural) a large quantity of water; inundation

Verb[edit]

water (present water, present participle waterende, past participle gewater)

1. to urinate
2. to secrete liquid

Derived terms[edit]

• waterlemoen
• ontwater

References[edit]

• Jan Kromhout, Afrikaans-English, English-Afrikaans Dictionary (2001)

Dutch[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ˈʋaːtər/, (Belgium) [β̞aːtər], (Netherlands) [ʋaːtər]

• audio (Belgium, the first one)

  (file)

• audio (Netherlands)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aːtər
• Hyphenation: wa‧ter

Etymology 1[edit]

From Middle Dutch wāter, from Old Dutch watar, from Proto-West Germanic *watar, from Proto-Germanic *watōr, from Proto-Indo-European *wódr̥.

Noun[edit]

water n (plural waters or wateren, diminutive watertje n)

1. water (H₂O)

   Het water kookte.

   The water boiled.

2. body of water (such as a lake, ditch or stream)
3. bodily fluid (especially amniotic fluid)

Derived terms[edit]

Descendants[edit]

• Afrikaans: water
• Javindo: water
• Negerhollands: watu, water, water, waeter
• Petjo: watter
• Skepi Creole Dutch: water
• →? Sranan Tongo: watra
  • → Aukan: wataa
  • → Saramaccan: wáta

Etymology 2[edit]

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Verb[edit]

water

1. first-person singular present indicative of wateren
2. imperative of wateren

Further reading[edit]

• “water” in Van Dale Onlinewoordenboek, Van Dale Lexicografie, 2007.

Anagrams[edit]

• tarwe

Dutch Low Saxon[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

• wotter, woater, waoter

Etymology[edit]

From Old Saxon watar.

Noun[edit]

water

1. (Drents, Twents) water

See also[edit]

• Water

French[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Ellipsis of water-closet, borrowed from English water closet.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /wa.tɛʁ/

Noun[edit]

water m (plural waters)

1. toilet, bathroom
2. Ellipsis of water-closet.

Synonyms[edit]

• toilettes
• toilette (Belgium)
• waters
• WC

Derived terms[edit]

• waters

Further reading[edit]

• “water”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

Italian[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Pseudo-anglicism, a clipping of English water closet.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ˈva.ter/^[1]
• Rhymes: -ater

Noun[edit]

water m (invariable)

1. toilet bowl
2. (colloquial) water closet, toilet

References[edit]

Limburgish[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

• Waater (Eupen, Krefeld)

Etymology[edit]

From Middle Dutch wāter, from Old Dutch watar, from Proto-West Germanic *watar, from Proto-Germanic *watōr, from Proto-Indo-European *wódr̥.

Noun[edit]

water n

1. water
2. body of water

Conjugation[edit]

Inflection

	Root singular	Root plural	Diminutive singular	Diminutive plural
Nominative	water	watere	waeterke	waeterkes
Genitive	waters	watere	waeterkes	waeterkes
Locative	wateves	watevese	waeterke	waeterkes
Dative¹	watevem	?	?	?
Accusative¹	water	watere	?	?

• Dative and accusative are nowadays obsolete, use nominative instead.
• Plural and diminutive only used for the meaning body of water.

Derived terms[edit]

• móndjwater

References[edit]

• Stefaan Top, Limburgs sagenboek (2004), page 45

Middle Dutch[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Old Dutch watar.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ˈwaːtər/

Noun[edit]

wāter n

1. water

Inflection[edit]

This noun needs an inflection-table template.

Descendants[edit]

• Dutch: water
  • Afrikaans: water
  • Javindo: water
  • Negerhollands: watu, water, water, waeter
  • Petjo: watter
  • Skepi Creole Dutch: water
  • →? Sranan Tongo: watra
    • → Aukan: wataa
    • → Saramaccan: wáta
• Limburgish: water
• West Flemish: woater

Further reading[edit]

• “water”, in Vroegmiddelnederlands Woordenboek, 2000
• Verwijs, E.; Verdam, J. (1885–1929), “water”, in Middelnederlandsch Woordenboek, The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff, →ISBN

Middle English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

• watere, watir, waterre

Etymology[edit]

From Old English wæter, from Proto-West Germanic *watar, from Proto-Germanic *watōr.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ˈwatər/, /ˈwaːtər/

Noun[edit]

water (plural wateres)

1. water (liquid H₂O)

   • c. 1190, Layamon, Brut, MS. Cotton Caligula A ix edition:

     al ſwa great ſwa a beam:
     þe he leide in ane walle ſtream.
     Þe ilke makeð þat water hot:
     & þan folc halwende.

     (please add an English translation of this quote)

2. water vapour, condensation
3. lake, pond, ocean, canal, body of water
4. water source, spring, well, fount
5. solution, liquid mixture

Quotations[edit]

• For quotations using this term, see Citations:water.

Derived terms[edit]

• waterlees

Descendants[edit]

• English: water (see there for further descendants)
• Scots: watter
• Yola: waudher, wadher

References[edit]

• “wā̆ter, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-03-20.

Middle Low German[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Old Saxon watar.

Pronunciation[edit]

• (originally) IPA^(key): /ˈwaːtər/

Noun[edit]

wāter n

1. water

   • 1537, Jürgen Richolff the Younger, Datt högeste unde öldeste water recht, xxviii:

     Eyn schip effte twe effte meer liggen in einer hauen dar kleyn water is
     vnde plecht dröge tho synde
     also dat dat eyne schip hart by dem andern tho liggende kumpt […]

     A ship or two or more lie in a port with little water, which tends to be dry, so that one the ship comes to lie close by the other […]

Declension[edit]

Descendants[edit]

• German Low German: Water

Occitan[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Shortened form of English water closet.

Noun[edit]

water m

1. (colloquial) water closet, toilet, rest room

• Defenition of the word water

  • Significant accumulation of water, covering the Earth or another planet.
  • Common liquid (Hв‚‚O) which forms rain, rivers, the sea, etc., and which makes up a large part of the bodies of organisms.
  • To pour water onto the soil surrounding plants.
  • Of the eyes: To secrete tears because of an irritation caused by wind, smoke etc.
  • the part of the earth’s surface covered with water; «they invaded our territorial waters»
  • saline fluid secreted by lacrimal_glands; lubricates the surface of the eyeball
  • salty fluid secreted by sweat glands; «sweat poured off his brow»
  • liquid excretory product; «there was blood in his urine»; «the child had to make water»
  • (archaic) once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe
  • secrete or form water, as tears or saliva: «My mouth watered at the prospect of a good dinner»; «His eyes watered»
  • fill with tears; «His eyes were watering»
  • provide with water: «We watered the buffalo»
  • a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; «he asked for a drink of water»
  • pour water on; «Water the lawn»
  • source of water; «the town debated the purification of the water supply»; «first you have to cut off the water»
  • facility that provides a source of water; «the town debated the purification of the water supply»; «first you have to cut off the water»
  • a fluid necessary for the life of most animals and plants; «he asked for a drink of water»
  • the part of the earth»s surface covered with water (such as a river or lake or ocean); «they invaded our territorial waters»; «they were sitting by the water»s edge»
  • 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
  • once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
  • secrete or form water, as tears or saliva; «My mouth watered at the prospect of a good dinner»; «His eyes watered»
  • supply with water, as with channels or ditches or streams; «Water the fields»
  • provide with water; «We watered the buffalo»
  • a facility that provides a source of water
  • a liquid necessary for the life of most animals and plants
  • the part of the earth’s surface covered with water (such as a river or lake or ocean)
  • liquid excretory product
  • secrete or form water, as tears or saliva
  • supply with water, as with channels or ditches or streams
  • fill with tears
  • provide with water

Synonyms for the word water

• • body of water
  • dampen
  • diaphoresis
  • fill up
  • fill with tears
  • H2O
  • hidrosis
  • hose
  • hose down
  • irrigate
  • lachrymal secretion
  • lacrimal secretion
  • pee
  • perspiration
  • piddle
  • piss
  • run
  • stream
  • sudor
  • sweat
  • urine
  • water supply
  • water system
  • weewee
  • wet

Similar words in the water

• • water
  • water’s
  • waterbury
  • waterbury’s
  • watercolor
  • watercolor’s
  • watercolors
  • watercourse
  • watercourse’s
  • watercourses
  • watercraft
  • watercraft’s
  • watercress
  • watercress’s
  • watered
  • waterfall
  • waterfall’s
  • waterfalls
  • waterfowl
  • waterfowl’s
  • waterfront
  • waterfront’s
  • waterfronts
  • watergate
  • watergate’s
  • waterier
  • wateriest
  • watering
  • watering’s
  • waterline
  • waterlines
  • waterlogged
  • waterloo
  • waterloo’s
  • watermark
  • watermark’s
  • watermarked
  • watermarking
  • watermarks
  • watermelon
  • watermelon’s
  • watermelons
  • waterproof
  • waterproofed
  • waterproofing
  • waterproofs
  • waters
  • waters’s
  • watershed
  • watershed’s
  • watersheds
  • waterside
  • waterside’s
  • watersides
  • waterspout
  • waterspout’s
  • waterspouts
  • watertight
  • waterway
  • waterway’s
  • waterways
  • waterworks
  • waterworks’s
  • watery

Meronymys for the word water

• • artificial lake
  • atomic number 1
  • atomic number 8
  • base
  • Earth’s surface
  • H
  • H2O
  • hydrogen
  • hydrosphere
  • infrastructure
  • O
  • oxygen
  • reservoir
  • surface
  • tear
  • teardrop
  • water
  • water main

Hyponyms for the word water

• • backwater
  • bath water
  • bay
  • bilge
  • bilge water
  • branch water
  • brine
  • briny
  • channel
  • crossing
  • dishwater
  • distilled water
  • drink
  • drinking water
  • embayment
  • estuary
  • falls
  • flowage
  • flush
  • ford
  • fresh water
  • freshwater
  • ground water
  • gulf
  • hard water
  • high sea
  • holy water
  • hose
  • hose down
  • hush
  • inlet
  • international waters
  • lake
  • limewater
  • main
  • meltwater
  • mid-water
  • ocean
  • offing
  • polynya
  • pool
  • puddle
  • recess
  • saltwater
  • sea
  • seawater
  • seven seas
  • shallow
  • shoal
  • slush
  • soft water
  • sound
  • spring water
  • stream
  • tap water
  • territorial waters
  • water of crystallisation
  • water of crystallization
  • water of hydration
  • watercourse
  • waterfall
  • waterway
  • well water

Hypernyms for the word water

• • binary compound
  • body waste
  • element
  • excrement
  • excreta
  • excretion
  • excretory product
  • facility
  • fill
  • fill up
  • food
  • furnish
  • installation
  • liquid
  • nutrient
  • object
  • physical object
  • provide
  • release
  • render
  • secrete
  • secretion
  • supply
  • thing
  • wet

Idioms for the word water

• • fish in troubled waters
  • stir the waters
  • get into deep water
  • be in hot water
  • of the first water

See other words

• • What is november
  • The definition of april
  • The interpretation of the word tal’vku
  • What is meant by viluku
  • The lexical meaning tien
  • The dictionary meaning of the word negen
  • The grammatical meaning of the word acht
  • Meaning of the word zeven
  • Literal and figurative meaning of the word zes
  • The origin of the word mec
  • Synonym for the word bos
  • Antonyms for the word kudmaine
  • Homonyms for the word maan
  • Hyponyms for the word ay
  • Holonyms for the word nationalisme
  • Hypernyms for the word achse
  • Proverbs and sayings for the word asche
  • Translation of the word in other languages vlinder

вода, воды, море, водоем, поливать, напоить, поить, водный, водяной

существительное ↓

глагол ↓

прилагательное ↓

В выражениях, идиомах и прочем

Примеры с переводом

Примеры, ожидающие перевода

Однокоренные слова

waterage  — перевозка грузов по воде
watered  — разбавленный, муаровый
watering  — полив, поливка, орошение, обводнение, поливочный
waterless  — безводный
watery  — водянистый, водяной, жидкий, мокрый, жидковатый, бледный, бесцветный
waters  — море
overwater  — надводный, водный
underwater  — подводный, под водой
wateriness  — водянистость
unwater  — осушать, удалять воду, обезвоживать

Формы слова

verb
I/you/we/they: water
he/she/it: waters
ing ф. (present participle): watering
2-я ф. (past tense): watered
3-я ф. (past participle): watered

noun
ед. ч.(singular): water
мн. ч.(plural): waters

wa·ter

 (wô′tər, wŏt′ər)

n.

1. A clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid, H₂O, essential for most plant and animal life and the most widely used of all solvents. Freezing point 0°C (32°F); boiling point 100°C (212°F); specific gravity (4°C) 1.0000; weight per gallon (15°C) 8.338 pounds (3.782 kilograms).

2.

a. Any of various forms of water: waste water.

b. often waters Naturally occurring mineral water, as at a spa.

3.

a. A body of water such as a sea, lake, river, or stream.

b. waters A particular stretch of sea or ocean, especially that of a state or country: escorted out of British waters.

4.

a. A supply of water: had to turn off the water while repairing the broken drain.

b. A water supply system.

5.

a. Any of the fluids normally secreted from the body, such as urine, perspiration, tears, or saliva.

b. A fluid present in a body part in abnormal quantities as a result of injury or disease: water on the knee.

c. The fluid surrounding a fetus in the uterus; amniotic fluid.

6. An aqueous solution of a substance, especially a gas: ammonia water.

7. A wavy finish or sheen, as of a fabric or metal.

8.

a. The valuation of the assets of a business firm beyond their real value.

b. Stock issued in excess of paid-in capital.

9.

a. The transparency and luster of a gem.

b. A level of excellence.

v. wa·tered, wa·ter·ing, wa·ters

v.tr.

1. To pour or sprinkle water on; make wet: watered the garden.

2.

a. To give drinking water to.

b. To lead (an animal) to drinking water.

3. To dilute or weaken by adding water: a bar serving whiskey that had been watered.

4. To give a sheen to the surface of (fabric or metal).

5. To increase (the number of shares of stock) without increasing the value of the assets represented.

6. To irrigate (land).

v.intr.

1. To produce or discharge fluid, as from the eyes.

2. To salivate in anticipation of food: The wonderful aroma from the kitchen makes my mouth water.

3. To take on a supply of water, as a ship.

4. To drink water, as an animal.

Phrasal Verb:

water down

To reduce the strength or effectiveness of: «It seemed clear by late autumn that the ban would be significantly watered down or removed altogether before the trade bill became law» (George R. Packard).

Idioms:

above water

1. Being or holding an asset that is worth more than its purchase price or the debt owed on it.

2. Making more than enough money to meet financial obligations.

under water

1. Being or holding an asset that is worth less than its purchase price or the debt owed on it.

2. Not making enough money to meet financial obligations.

water under the bridge

A past occurrence, especially something unfortunate, that cannot be undone or rectified: All that is now just water under the bridge.

---

---

wa′ter·er n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

water

(ˈwɔːtə)

n

1. (Elements & Compounds) a clear colourless tasteless odourless liquid that is essential for plant and animal life and constitutes, in impure form, rain, oceans, rivers, lakes, etc. It is a neutral substance, an effective solvent for many compounds, and is used as a standard for many physical properties. Formula: H2O.

2. (Physical Geography) any body or area of this liquid, such as a sea, lake, river, etc

3. (as modifier): water sports; water transport; a water plant.

4. the surface of such a body or area: fish swam below the water.

5. (Physical Geography) any form or variety of this liquid, such as rain

7. (Chemistry) any of various solutions of chemical substances in water: lithia water; ammonia water.

8. (Physiology) physiol

a. any fluid secreted from the body, such as sweat, urine, or tears

b. (usually plural) the amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus in the womb

9. (Textiles) a wavy lustrous finish on some fabrics, esp silk

10. (Jewellery) archaic the degree of brilliance in a diamond. See also first water

11. excellence, quality, or degree (in the phrase of the first water)

12. (Banking & Finance) finance

a. capital stock issued without a corresponding increase in paid-up capital, so that the book value of the company’s capital is not fully represented by assets or earning power

b. the fictitious or unrealistic asset entries that reflect such inflated book value of capital

13. (Astrology) (modifier) astrology of or relating to the three signs of the zodiac Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Compare air²⁰, earth¹⁰, fire²⁴

14. above the water informal out of trouble or difficulty, esp financial trouble

15. hold water to prove credible, logical, or consistent: the alibi did not hold water.

16. in deep water in trouble or difficulty

17. (Physiology) to urinate

18. (Nautical Terms) (of a boat, hull, etc) to let in water

19. (Physiology) pass water to urinate

20. test the water See test¹⁵

21. throw cold water on pour cold water on informal to be unenthusiastic about or discourage

22. water under the bridge events that are past and done with

vb

23. (tr) to sprinkle, moisten, or soak with water

24. (often foll by: down) to weaken by the addition of water

25. (Physiology) (intr) (of the eyes) to fill with tears

26. (Physiology) (intr) (of the mouth) to salivate, esp in anticipation of food (esp in the phrase make one’s mouth water)

27. (Agriculture) (tr) to irrigate or provide with water: to water the land; he watered the cattle.

28. (Physiology) (intr) to drink water

29. (Nautical Terms) (intr) (of a ship, etc) to take in a supply of water

30. (Banking & Finance) (tr) finance to raise the par value of (issued capital stock) without a corresponding increase in the real value of assets

31. (Textiles) (tr) to produce a wavy lustrous finish on (fabrics, esp silk)

[Old English wæter, of Germanic origin; compare Old Saxon watar, Old High German wazzar, Gothic watō, Old Slavonic voda; related to Greek hudor]

ˈwaterer n

ˈwaterish adj

ˈwaterishness n

ˈwaterless adj

ˈwaterlessness n

ˈwater-ˌlike adj

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

wa•ter

(ˈwɔ tər, ˈwɒt ər)

n.

1. a transparent, odorless, tasteless liquid, a compound of hydrogen and oxygen, H₂O, freezing at 32°F or 0°C and boiling at 212°F or 100°C, that in a more or less impure state constitutes rain, oceans, lakes, rivers, etc.

2. a special form or variety of this liquid, as rain.

3. Often, waters. this liquid in an impure state as obtained from a mineral spring.

4. the liquid content of a river, inlet, etc., with reference to its relative height, esp. as dependent on tide: a difference of 20 feet between high and low water.

5. the surface of a stream, river, ocean, etc.: boats on the water.

6. waters,

a. flowing water, or water moving in waves.

b. the sea or seas bordering a particular country or continent.

7. a liquid preparation, esp. one used for cosmetic purposes: lavender water.

8. Often, waters.

b. the bag of waters; amnion.

9. any of various solutions of volatile or gaseous substances in water: ammonia water.

10. any liquid or aqueous organic secretion, exudation, humor, or the like, as tears, perspiration, or urine.

11. fictitious assets or the inflated values given to the stock of a corporation.

12. a wavy, lustrous pattern or marking, as on silk.

13. (formerly) the degree of transparency and brilliancy of a diamond or other precious stone.

v.t.

14. to sprinkle or drench with water.

15. to supply with water, as a ship.

16. to supply (animals) with drinking water.

17. to supply (land, a region, etc.) with water, as by streams or irrigation.

18. to dilute, weaken, or adulterate with or as if with water (often fol. by down): to water down a reprimand.

19. to issue or increase the par value of (shares of stock) without having the necessary assets (often fol. by down).

20. to produce a wavy, lustrous pattern, marking, or finish on (fabrics, metals, etc.).

v.i.

21. to discharge, fill with, or secrete water or liquid, as the eyes when irritated.

22. to drink water, as an animal.

adj.

23. of or pertaining to water in any way: a water journey.

24. holding, or designed to hold, water.

25. worked or powered by water.

26. heating, pumping, or circulating water (often used in combination): a hot-water furnace.

27. used in or on water: water skis.

28. containing or prepared with water.

29. located or occurring on or by water.

30. residing by or in, or ruling over, water: water people; water deities.

Idioms:

1. by water, by ship or boat: to send goods by water.

2. hold water, to be able to be substantiated or defended: That accusation won’t hold water.

3. in deep water, in great distress or difficulty.

4. keep one’s head above water, to stay out of financial difficulties.

5. like water, freely; abundantly; lavishly: The champagne flowed like water.

6. make one’s mouth water, to excite a desire or appetite for something: a sports car that makes your mouth water.

7. make water, to urinate.

[before 900; Middle English; Old English wæter, c. Old Saxon watar, Old High German wazzar; akin to Old Norse vain, Gothic wato, Hittite watar, Greek hýdōr]

wa′ter•er, n.

Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

wa·ter

(wô′tər)

A clear, liquid compound of hydrogen and oxygen, H₂O. Water covers about three-quarters of the Earth’s surface and also occurs in solid form as ice and in gaseous form as vapor. It is an essential component of all organisms, and it is necessary for most biological processes. Water freezes at 32°F (0°C) and boils at 212°F (100°C).

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Water

an abnormal fear of floods.

hydroponics. — aquicultural, adj.

the science dealing with the behavior of water vapor. — atmologist, n. — atmologic, atmological, adj.

the treatment of illness or disease by bathing.

the skill or talent of water divining.

1. the process of dehydrating or removing the water from a substance.
2. the state of being dehydrated.

the property of a substance to attract and absorb moisture, especially from the air. Cf. efflorescence. — deliquescent, adj.

a form of divination involving a rod or wand, especially the art of finding underground supplies of water, ores, etc. Also called rhabdomancy.

the property of a substance to yield up water through evaporation. Cf. deliquescence. See also processes. — efflorescent, adj.

the science of watercourses, especially rivers. — fluviologist, n.

Obsolete. the moving of water by an artificval channel.

hydropathy.

an abnormal love of drinking water.

1. the study, description, and mapping of oceans, lakes, and rivers, especially with reference to their use for navigational purposes.
2. those parts of the map, collectively, that represent surface waters. — hydrographer, n. — hydrographic, hydrographical, adj.

the science that studies the occurrence, circulation, distribution, and properties of the waters of the earth and its atmosphere. — hydrologist, n. — hydrologie, hydrological, adj.

a form of divination involving observations of water or of other liquids.

an excessive love of water.

the “water cure,” first developed in Germany in 1825. Also called hydriatrics. — hydropathist, n. — hydropathic, adj.

Botany. the capacity of a plant to be pollinated through the agency of water. — hydrophilous, adj.

an abnormal fear of water.

a device for viewing things below the surface of a body of water.

the treatment of disorders by the use of water externally, especially in the form of exercises in a pool, etc. — hydrotherapist, n. — hydrotherapeutic, adj.

growth or movement in response to water as a stimulus. — hydrotropic, adj.

the branch of physics that studies atmospheric humidity.

1. hydrophobia
2. an abnormal fear of water.

a form of divination involving the examination of water in a basin.

a form of self-hypnotism involving staring at water in a basin.

the scientific study of bodies of fresh water, as lakes or rivers, with reference to their physical, geographical, and biological features. — limnologist, n. — limnologic, limnological, adj.

the branch of hydrography that studies the drainage phenomena of mountains. — orohydrographic, adj.

the tendency of some plants to respond to a current of water by growing with it (positive rheotaxis) or against it (negative rheotaxis).

the tendency of certain living things to move in response to the mechanical stimulus of a current of water.

an instrument for measuring the pressure exerted by currents of water. See also instruments.

an instrument for measuring the turbidity of water or other fluids. — turbidimetric, adj.

the measurement of the turbidity of water or other fluids, as with a turbidimeter. — turbidimetric, adj.

-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

water

Past participle: watered
Gerund: watering

Imperative
water
water

Present
I water
you water
he/she/it waters
we water
you water
they water

Preterite
I watered
you watered
he/she/it watered
we watered
you watered
they watered

Present Continuous
I am watering
you are watering
he/she/it is watering
we are watering
you are watering
they are watering

Present Perfect
I have watered
you have watered
he/she/it has watered
we have watered
you have watered
they have watered

Past Continuous
I was watering
you were watering
he/she/it was watering
we were watering
you were watering
they were watering

Past Perfect
I had watered
you had watered
he/she/it had watered
we had watered
you had watered
they had watered

Future
I will water
you will water
he/she/it will water
we will water
you will water
they will water

Future Perfect
I will have watered
you will have watered
he/she/it will have watered
we will have watered
you will have watered
they will have watered

Future Continuous
I will be watering
you will be watering
he/she/it will be watering
we will be watering
you will be watering
they will be watering

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been watering
you have been watering
he/she/it has been watering
we have been watering
you have been watering
they have been watering

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been watering
you will have been watering
he/she/it will have been watering
we will have been watering
you will have been watering
they will have been watering

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been watering
you had been watering
he/she/it had been watering
we had been watering
you had been watering
they had been watering

Conditional
I would water
you would water
he/she/it would water
we would water
you would water
they would water

Past Conditional
I would have watered
you would have watered
he/she/it would have watered
we would have watered
you would have watered
they would have watered

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

water

One of the four elements; associated with sensitivity and emotion.

Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited

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