First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1wind
noun, often attributive \ˈwind, archaic or poetic ˈwīnd\
Definition of WIND
1
a : a natural movement of air of any velocity; especially : the earth's air or the gas surrounding a planet in natural motion horizontally b : an artificially produced movement of air c : solar wind, stellar wind
2
3
4
: gas generated in the stomach or the intestines <pass wind>
5
a : compressed air or gas b archaic : air
6
: something that is insubstantial: as a : mere talk : idle words b : nothing, nothingness c : vain self-satisfaction
7
a : air carrying a scent (as of a hunter or game) b : slight information especially about something secret : intimation <got wind of the plan>
8
a : musical wind instruments especially as distinguished from strings and percussion b plural : players of wind instruments
9
a : a direction from which the wind may blow : a point of the compass; especially : one of the cardinal points b : the direction from which the wind is blowing
— wind·less \-ləs\ adjective
— wind·less·ly adverb
— before the wind
: in the same direction as the main force of the wind
— close to the wind
: as nearly as possible against the main force of the wind
— have the wind of
— near the wind
1
: close to the wind
2
: close to a point of danger : near the permissible limit
— off the wind
: away from the direction from which the wind is blowing
— on the wind
: toward the direction from which the wind is blowing
— under the wind
1
: to leeward
2
: in a place protected from the wind : under the lee
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Origin of WIND
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wint wind, Latin ventus, Greek aēnai to blow, Sanskrit vāti it blows
2wind
verb \ˈwind\
Definition of WIND
transitive verb
1
: to detect or follow by scent
2
: to expose to the air or wind : dry by exposing to air
3
: to make short of breath
4
: to regulate the wind supply of (an organ pipe)
5
: to rest (as a horse) in order to allow the breath to be recovered
intransitive verb
1
: to scent game
2
dial : to pause for breath
First Known Use of WIND
15th century
3wind
verb \ˈwīnd, ˈwind\
wind·ed \ˈwīn-dəd, ˈwin-\ or wound \ˈwau̇nd\ wind·ing
Definition of WIND
transitive verb
1
: to cause (as a horn) to sound by blowing : blow
2
: to sound (as a call or note) on a horn <wound a rousing call — R. L. Stevenson>
intransitive verb
: to produce a sound on a horn
Origin of WIND
1wind
First Known Use: 1586
4wind
verb \ˈwīnd\
wound \ˈwau̇nd\ also wind·edwind·ing
Definition of WIND
transitive verb
2
a : to encircle or cover with something pliable : bind with loops or layers b : to turn completely or repeatedly about an object : coil, twine c (1) : to hoist or haul by means of a rope or chain and a windlass (2) : to move (a ship) by hauling on a capstan d (1) : to tighten the spring of <wind a clock> (2) obsolete : to make tighter : tighten, tune (3) : crank e : to raise to a high level (as of excitement or tension) —usually used with up
3
a : to cause to move in a curving line or path b archaic : to turn the course of; especially : to lead (a person) as one wishes c (1) : to cause (as a ship) to change direction : turn (2) : to turn (a ship) end for end d : to traverse on a curving course <the river winds the valley> e : to effect by or as if by curving
intransitive verb
2
a : to have a curving course or shape : extend in curves b : to proceed as if by winding
3
: to move so as to encircle something
4
: to turn when lying at anchor
Origin of WIND
Middle English, from Old English windan to twist, move with speed or force, brandish; akin to Old High German wintan to wind, Umbrian ohavendu let him turn aside
First Known Use: before 12th century
5wind
noun \ˈwīnd\
Definition of WIND
1
: a mechanism (as a winch) for winding
2
: an act of winding : the state of being wound
4
: a particular method of winding
First Known Use of WIND
14th century
Wind
geographical name \ˈwind\
Definition of WIND
river W cen Wyoming, the upper course of Bighorn River
WINDLESS Defined for Kids
1wind
noun \ˈwind\
Definition of WIND for Kids
1
: a natural movement of the air <northerly winds>
2
: power to breathe <Falling down knocked the wind out of me.>
3
: limited knowledge especially about something secret <They got wind of our plans.>
4
winds plural : wind instruments of a band or orchestra
2wind
verb
wind·edwind·ing
Definition of WIND for Kids
: to cause to be out of breath <Climbing the long flight of stairs winded him.>
3wind
verb \ˈwīnd\
wound \ˈwau̇nd\wind·ing
Definition of WIND for Kids
1
: to move in or be made up of a series of twists and turns <The trail winds through the trees.>
2
: to twist around <The machine winds thread on a spool.>
3
: to cover with something twisted around : wrap <Wind your arm with a bandage.>
4
: to make the spring of tight <I wound my watch.>
— wind up
1
: to bring to an end : conclude <Let's wind up the meeting.>
2
: to reach a place or situation that was not expected <How did we wind up back here?>
3
: to swing the arm before pitching a baseball
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