water

Etymology 1

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”). cognates Cognate with cf, North Frisian weeter (“water”), Saterland Frisian Woater (“water”), West Frisian wetter (“water”), Dutch water (“water”), Low German Water (“water”), German Wasser, Old Norse vatn (Swedish vatten (“water”), Danish vand (“water”), Norwegian Bokmål vann (“water”), Norwegian Nynorsk and Icelandic vatn (“water”), Old Irish coin fodorne (“otters”, literally “water-dogs”), Latin unda (“wave”), Lithuanian vanduõ (“water”), Russian вода́ (vodá, “water”), Albanian ujë (“water”), Ancient Greek ὕδωρ (húdōr, “water”), Armenian գետ (get, “river”), Sanskrit उदन् (udán, “wave, water”), Hittite 𒉿𒀀𒋻 (wa-a-tar).

noun

1. (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.
   1. (uncountable, in particular) The liquid form of this substance: liquid H₂O.
      May I have a glass of water?
      Your plants need more water.
      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. 1835, Sir John Ross, Sir James Clark Ross, Narrative of a Second Voyage in Search of a North-west Passage …, Volume 1, pages 284–5
      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. 2002, Arthur T. Hubbard, Encyclopedia of Surface and Colloid Science, page 4895
      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. 2013-05-11, “The climate of Tibet: Pole-land”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8835, page 80
   2. (countable) A serving of liquid water.
      Joe bustled back and offered her a glass of wine but she shook her head. “Just a water, please.” 2006, Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy, Amy Garvey, Bad Boys of Summer, page 91
2. (alchemy, philosophy) The aforementioned liquid, considered one of the Classical elements or basic elements of alchemy.
   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.
   He showed me the river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God.
3. (uncountable or in the plural) Water in a body; an area of open water.
   '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. 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 1, in Mr. Pratt's Patients
   The president expressed hope that creating rain over waters between the countries would help reduce pollution. Audio (US) (file) 2019, VOA Learning English (public domain)
   The boat was found within the territorial waters.
   These seals are a common sight in the coastal waters of Chile.
4. (poetic, archaic or dialectal) A body of water, almost always a river.
   But ere he came to Clyde's water, fu' loud the wind did blaw. 1865, William Allingham, editor, The Ballad Book: a selection of the choicest British ballads, William and May Margaret, or the Water of Clyde
5. 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.
      Ser Dunaver's squire Jodge could not hold his water when he slept. 1999, George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings, Bantam, published 2011, page 458
   5. 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.)
      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)
   6. (colloquial, medicine) Fluids in the body, especially when causing swelling.
      He suffers from water on the knee.
6. (figurative, 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.
7. (colloquial, figurative) A person's intuition.
   I know he'll succeed. I feel it in my waters.
8. (uncountable, dated, finance) Excess valuation of securities.
   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. August 2, 1902, “Too Much Water to Suit Cummins”, in The Atlanta Constitution
   the outstanding stock and bond obligations of the company were reduced from $34,000,000 to $24,000,000 by squeezing out the water. April 11, 1920, “Says Stock 'Water' Didn't Affect Fare”, in New York Times
9. The limpidity and lustre of a precious stone, especially a diamond.
   a diamond of the first water is perfectly pure and transparent
10. A wavy, lustrous pattern or decoration such as is imparted to linen, silk, metals, etc.

Etymology 2

From Middle English wateren, from Old English wæterian, from Proto-Germanic *watrōną, *watrijaną, from Proto-Germanic *watōr (“water”), from Proto-Indo-European *wódr̥ (“water”). cognates Cognate with Scots watter (“water”), Saterland Frisian woaterje (“to water”), West Frisian wetterje (“to water”), Dutch wateren (“to water”), German Low German watern (“to water”), German wässern (“to water”), Danish vande (“to water”), Swedish vattna (“to water”), Icelandic vatna (“to water”).

verb

1. (transitive) To pour water into the soil surrounding (plants).
   Aunt Em had just come out of the house to water the cabbages when she looked up and saw Dorothy running toward her. 1900, L. Frank Baum, chapter 24, in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
2. (transitive) To wet or supply with water; to moisten; to overflow with water; to irrigate.
3. (transitive) To provide (animals) with water for drinking.
   I need to water the cattle.
4. (intransitive) To get or take in water.
   The ship put into port to water.
   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. 1944 January and February, W. McGowan Gradon, “Forres as a Railway Centre”, in Railway Magazine, page 23
5. (transitive, colloquial) To urinate onto.
   Nature called, so I stepped into the woods and watered a tree.
6. (transitive) To dilute.
   Can you water the whisky, please?
7. (transitive, dated, finance) To overvalue (securities), especially through deceptive accounting.
   such agencies would make it possible for the railroads to water stock and evade the law subjecting security issues to public regulation April 10, 1930, “Calls Rail Holding Companies Threat”, in The Sun
8. (intransitive) To fill with or secrete water.
   Chopping onions makes my eyes water.
   The smell of fried onions makes my mouth water.
9. (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