To issue forth, as water from the earth or from a spring; spring; flow up or out.To boil.To pour forth from or as if from a well or spring.n. A natural source of water; a place where water springs up in or issues from the ground; a spring or well-spring; a fountain.n. Hence The source whence any series or order of things issues or is drawn; a well-spring of origin or supply; a fount in the figurative sense.n. That which flows or springs out or up from a source; water or other fluid issuing forth.n. A pit, hole, or shaft sunk in the ground, either by digging or by boring through earth and rock, to obtain a supply of water, or of other fluid, as mineral water, brine, petroleum, or natural gas, from a subterranean source, and walled or otherwise protected from caving in.n. A cavity, or an inclosed space, shaft, or the like, in some way comparable to or suggestive of an ordinary well, but of some other origin or use: as, an ink-well.n. Specifically— In a building, a compartment or shaft extending through the different floors, or from top to bottom, in which the stairs are placed, or round which they turn; or one in which an elevator or lift moves up and down; or one which serves for the admission of air or light to interior rooms, etc. The kinds of well named are distinctively called a well-staircase or (for the space interior to the stairs) a well-hole, an elevator-shaft, and an air or light-shaft.n. In a ship:n. A compartment formed by bulkheads round the pumps, for their protection and for ease of access to them.n. A shaft through which to raise and lower an auxiliary screw-propeller.n. The cockpit.n. In a fishing-vessel or on a float, a compartment with a perforated bottom for the admission of water, in which fish are kept alive: distinctively called live-well.n. In a military mine, a shaft with branches or galleries running out from it.n. In a furnace, the lower part of the cavity into which the metal falls.n. In an Irish jaunting-car, the hollow space for luggage between the seats.n. In some breech-loading small arms, a cavity for the breech-block in the rear of the chamber.n. In an English court of law, the inclosed space for the lawyers and their assistants, immediately in front of the judges' bench.n. In heraldry, a bearing representing a well-curb, usually seen in perspective, circular, and masoned of large stones.n. A whirlpool: an eddy; especially, a dangerous eddy in the sea, as about the Orkney and Shetland Islands.n. Synonyms Well, Spring, Fountain, Cistern. A well is an artificial pit sunk to such a depth that water comes into the bottom and rises to the water-level, ready to be drawn up. A spring is a place where water conies naturally to the surface of the ground and flows away: a spring may be opened or struck in excavation, but cannot be made. A fountain is characterized by the leaping upward of the water: it may be natural, and thus be a kind of spring, or it may be artificial, as in a public square. A cistern is an artificial receptacle for the storage of water, as that which is conducted from roofs; figuratively, the word may be applied to similar natural subterranean reservoirs.In a good or laudable manner; not ill; worthily; rightly; properly; suitably: as, to act or reason well; to work or ride well; to be well disposed; a well- built house.In a satisfactory or pleasing manner; ac cording to desire, taste, or the like; fortunate ly; happily; favorably: as, to live or faro well; to succeed well in business; to be well situated.With satisfaction or gratification; com mendably; agreeably; highly; excellently: as, to be well entertained or pleased.In reality; fairly; practically; fully.To a good or fair degree; not slightly or moderately; adequately: as, to be well deserving; to sleep well; a well-known author.To a large extent; greatly, either in an absolute or in a relative sense.Conformably to state or circumstances; with propriety; conveniently; advantageously; justifiably: as, I can not well afford it.Conformably to requirement or obligation; with due heed or diligence; carefully; conscientiously: now only in the legal phrase well and truly, as part of an oath or undertaking.Entirely; fully; quite; in full measure.Very; much; very much: obsolete except in well nigh (see well-nigh).Elliptically, it is well; so be it: used as a sign of assent, either in earnest, in indifference, or in irony, or with other shades of meaning, as a prelude to a further statement, and often as a mere introductory expletive.[Of the proper compounds of well with participial adjectives, only those are given below which are in standard use, or the meaning of which is not directly obvious. In regard to the improper joining of well with participles in regular verbal construction, see remark under ill.]Agreeable to wish or desire; satisfactory as to condition or relation; fortunate; opportune; propitious: only predicative, and most commonly used in impersonal clauses.Satisfactory in kind or character; suitable; proper; right; good: as, was it well to do this? the well ordering of a household.In a good state or condition; well off; comfortable; free from trouble: used predicatively: as, I am quite well where I am.In good standing; favorably situated or connected; enjoying consideration: used predicatively.In good health; not sick or ailing; in a sound condition as to body or mind: usually predicative: as, he is now well, or (colloquially) a well man.Synonyms Hale, hearty, sound.n. That which is well or good; good state, health, or fortune.
