water

wa·ter / ˈwôtər; ˈwä-/ • n. 1. a colorless, transparent, odorless, tasteless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms. ∎  this as supplied to houses or commercial establishments through pipes and taps: each bedroom has a washbasin with hot and cold water | [as adj.] water pipes. ∎  one of the four elements in ancient and medieval philosophy and in astrology (considered essential to the nature of the signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces): [as adj.] a water sign. ∎  (usu. the waters) the water of a mineral spring, typically as used medicinally for bathing in or drinking: resorts where southerners came to take the waters. ∎  a solution of a specified substance in water: ammonia water. ∎  urine: drinking alcohol will make you need to pass water more often. ∎  (waters) the amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus in the womb, esp. as discharged in a flow shortly before birth: I think my waters have broken. 2. (the water) a stretch or area of water, such as a river, sea, or lake: the lawns ran down to the water's edge. ∎  the surface of such an area of water: she ducked under the water. ∎  [as adj.] found in, on, or near such areas of water: a water plant. ∎  (waters) the water of a particular sea, river, or lake: the waters of Hudson Bay | fig. the government is taking us into unknown waters with these changes in the legislation. ∎  (waters) an area of sea regarded as under the jurisdiction of a particular country: Japanese coastal waters. 3. the quality of transparency and brilliance shown by a diamond or other gem. 4. Finance capital stock that represents a book value greater than the true assets of a company. • v. 1. [tr.] pour or sprinkle water over (a plant or an area of ground), typically in order to encourage plant growth: I went out to water the geraniums. ∎  give a drink of water to (an animal): they stopped to water the horses and to refresh themselves. ∎  [intr.] (of an animal) drink water. ∎  (usu. be watered) (of a river) flow through (an area of land): the valley is watered by the Pines River. ∎  take a fresh supply of water on board (a ship or steam train): the ship was watered and fresh livestock taken aboard. ∎  Finance increase (a company's debt, or nominal capital) by the issue of new shares without a corresponding addition to assets. 2. [intr.] (of the eyes) become full of moisture or tears: Rory blinked, his eyes watering. ∎  (of the mouth) produce saliva, typically in response to the sight or smell of appetizing food: the smell of frying bacon made Hilary's mouth water. 3. [tr.] dilute or adulterate (a drink, typically an alcoholic one) with water: staff at the club had been watering down the drinks. ∎  (water something down) make a statement or proposal less forceful or controversial by changing or leaving out certain details: the army's report of its investigation was considerably watered down. PHRASES: by water using a ship or boat for travel or transport: at the end of the lake was a small gazebo, accessible only by water.cast one's bread upon the waterssee bread.like water in great quantities: George was spending money like water.make water 1. urinate. 2. (of a ship or boat) take in water through a leak. of the first water (of a diamond or pearl) of the greatest brilliance and transparency. ∎  (typically of someone or something perceived as undesirable or annoying) extreme or unsurpassed of their kind: she was a bore of the first water. under water submerged; flooded.the water of life whiskey.water off a duck's backsee duck¹ . water on the brain inf. hydrocephalus.water under the bridge (or water over the dam) used to refer to events or situations that are in the past and consequently no longer to be regarded as important or as a source of concern.DERIVATIVES: wa·ter·er n.wa·ter·less adj. ORIGIN: Old English wæter (noun), wæterian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch water, German Wasser, from an Indo-European root shared by Russian voda (compare with vodka), also by Latin unda ‘wave’ and Greek hudōr ‘water.’