wind¹ • n. / wind/ 1. the perceptible natural movement of the air, esp. in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction: the wind howled about the building an easterly wind| gusts of wind. ∎  [as adj.] relating to or denoting energy obtained from harnessing the wind with windmills or wind turbines. ∎  used to suggest something very fast, unrestrained, or changeable: run like the wind she could be as free and easy as the wind. ∎  used in reference to an influence or tendency that cannot be resisted: a wind of change. ∎  used in reference to an impending situation: he had seen which way the wind was blowing. ∎  the rush of air caused by a fast-moving body. ∎  a scent carried by the wind, indicating the presence or proximity of an animal or person.2. breath as needed in physical exertion or in speech. ∎  the power of breathing without difficulty while running or making a similar continuous effort: he waited while Jerry got his wind back.See also second wind.3. empty, pompous, or boastful talk; meaningless rhetoric. ∎  air swallowed while eating or gas generated in the stomach and intestines by digestion.4. air or breath used for sounding an organ or a wind instrument. ∎  (also winds) [treated as sing. or pl.] wind instruments, or specifically woodwind instruments, forming a band or a section of an orchestra: concerto for piano, violin, and thirteen winds | [as adj.] wind players. • v. / wind/ [tr.] 1. (often be winded) cause (someone) to have difficulty breathing because of exertion or a blow to the stomach: the fall nearly winded him.2. detect the presence of (a person or animal) by scent: the birds could not have seen us or winded us.3. / wīnd/ (past and past part. wind·ed / ˈwīndid/ or wound / wound/ ) poetic/lit. sound (a bugle or call) by blowing: but scarce again his horn he wound.PHRASES: before the wind Sailing with the wind blowing more or less from astern.get wind of inf. begin to suspect that (something) is happening; hear a rumor of: Marty got wind of a plot being hatched.off the wind Sailing with the wind on either quarter.on a wind Sailing against a wind on either bow.sail close to (or near) the wind1. Sailing sail as nearly against the wind as possible while still making headway.2. inf. verge on indecency, dishonesty, or disaster.take the wind out of someone's sails frustrate someone by unexpectedly anticipating an action or remark.to the wind (s) (or the four winds) in all directions: my little flock scatters to the four winds. ∎  so as to be abandoned or neglected: I threw my friends' advice to the winds.DERIVATIVES: wind·less adj.wind² / wīnd/ • v. (past wound / wound/ ) 1. [intr.] move in or take a twisting or spiral course: the path wound among olive trees.2. [tr.] pass (something) around a thing or person so as to encircle or enfold: he wound a towel around his midriff. ∎  repeatedly twist or coil (a length of something) around itself or a core: Anne wound the wool into a ball. ∎  [intr.] be twisted or coiled in such a way: large vines wound around every tree. ∎  wrap or surround (a core) with a coiled length of something: devices wound with copper wire.3. [tr.] make (a clock or other device, typically one operated by clockwork) operate by turning a key or handle: he wound up the clock every Saturday night she was winding the gramophone. ∎  turn (a key or handle) repeatedly around and around: I wound the handle as fast as I could. ∎  [tr.] cause (an audio or videotape or a film) to move back or forward to a desired point: wind your tape back and listen to make sure everything is okay. ∎  [tr.] hoist or draw (something) with a windlass, winch, or similar device.• n. 1. a twist or turn in a course.2. a single turn made when winding.PHRASAL VERBS: wind down (of a mechanism, esp. one operated by clockwork) gradually lose power. ∎ inf. (of a person) relax after stress or excitement. ∎  (also wind something down) draw or bring gradually to a close: business began to wind down as people awaited the new regime.wind up inf. 1. arrive or end up in a specified state, situation, or place: Kevin winds up in New York.2. another way of saying wind something up (sense 2): he wound up by attacking Nonconformists.3. Baseball (of a pitcher) use the windup delivery.wind someone up (usu. be wound up) make tense or angry: he was clearly wound up and frantic about his daughter.wind something up1. arrange the affairs of and dissolve a company: the company has since been wound up.2. gradually or finally bring an activity to a conclusion: the experiments had to be wound up because the funding stopped.3. inf. increase the tension, intensity, or power of something: he wound up the engine.