n. Bowl-shaped frying-pan used in esp. Chinese cookery. [chinese]

past and past part. Of *win.

v. (woos, wooed) 1 court; seek the hand or love of.

- try to win (fame, fortune, etc.).

- seek the favour or support of.

- coax or importune. wooer n. [old english]

n. Slang offens. Italian or other s. European. [origin uncertain]

—int. Expressing astonishment or admiration. —n. Slang sensational success. —v. Slang impress greatly. [imitative]

- n. Slow pitch-fluctuation in sound-reproduction, perceptible in long notes. [imitative]

abbr. Woman police constable.

Abbr. Words per minute.

adj. (wryer, wryest or wrier, wriest) 1 distorted or turned to one side.

- (of a face, smile, etc.) Contorted in disgust, disappointment, or mockery.

- (of humour) dry and mocking. wryly adv. Wryness n. [old english]

abbr. West-south-west.

—v. (-ding) 1 walk through water, mud, etc., esp. With difficulty.

- (foll. By through) go through (a tedious task, book, etc.).

- (foll. By into) colloq. Attack (a person or task) vigorously. —n. Spell of wading. wade in colloq. Make a vigorous attack or intervention. [old english]