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| WYCH | | comb. Form in names of trees with pliant branches (wych-alder; wych-elm). [old english, = bending] | |
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| WACKY | | adj. (-ier, -iest) slang crazy. [originally dial., = left-handed] | |
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| WADER | | n. - long-legged water-bird that wades.
- (in pl.) High waterproof boots. | |
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| WAFER | | n. - very thin light crisp sweet biscuit.
- disc of unleavened bread used in the eucharist.
- disc of red paper stuck on a legal document instead of a seal. [anglo-french wafre from germanic] | |
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| WAGED | | adj. In regular paid employment. | |
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| WAGER | | n. & v. = *bet. [anglo-french: related to *wage] | |
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| WAGON | | n. (also waggon) 1 four-wheeled vehicle for heavy loads.
- railway vehicle, esp. An open truck.
- tea trolley. on the wagon (or water-wagon) slang teetotal. [dutch: related to *wain] | |
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| WAIFS | | and strays n.pl. - homeless or neglected children.
- odds and ends. | |
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| WAIST | | n. - a part of the human body below the ribs and above the hips; narrower middle part of the normal human figure. B circumference of this.
- narrow middle of a violin, wasp, etc.
- a part of a garment encircling the waist. B us blouse, bodice.
- part of a ship between the forecastle and the quarterdeck. waisted adj. (also in comb.). [old english: related to *wax2] | |
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| WAIVE | | v. (-ving) refrain from insisting on or using (a right, claim, opportunity, etc.). [anglo-french weyver: related to *waif] | |
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