Main Entry:

¹wale

Pronunciation:

\ˈwāl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English walu; akin to Old Norse vǫlr staff and perhaps to Old Norse valr round, Latin volvere to roll — more at voluble

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: a streak or ridge made on the skin especially by the stroke of a whip : weal b: a narrow raised surface : ridge2: any of a number of strakes usually of extra thick and strong planks in the sides of a wooden ship —usually used in plural3 a: one of a series of even ribs in a fabric b: the texture especially of a fabric4: a horizontal constructional member (as of timber or steel) used for bracing vertical members