weal

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Contents

English [edit]

Pronunciation [edit]

Etymology 1 [edit]

Old English wela.

Noun [edit]

weal (plural weals)

  1. (obsolete) Wealth, riches. [10th-19th c.]
  2. (now literary) Welfare, prosperity. [from 10th c.]
  3. Specifically, the general happiness of a community, country etc. (often with qualifying word). [from 15th c.]
    • 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter IV:
      The austerity of my tone seemed to touch a nerve and kindle the fire that always slept in this vermilion-headed menace to the common weal [...].
    • 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin 2003, p. 372:
      Louis could aim to restyle himself the first among citizens, viewing virtuous attachment to the public weal as his most important kingly duty.
Translations [edit]
Related terms [edit]

Etymology 2 [edit]

See wale

Noun [edit]

weal (plural weals)

  1. a raised, longitudinal wound, usually purple, on the surface of flesh caused by stroke of rod or whip; a welt.
Synonyms [edit]
Translations [edit]

Verb [edit]

weal (third-person singular simple present weals, present participle wealing, simple past and past participle wealed)

  1. To mark with stripes; to wale.

Anagrams [edit]