wale

¹wale

noun \ˈwāl\

Definition of WALE

1

a : a streak or ridge made on the skin especially by the stroke of a whip : weal

b : a narrow raised surface : ridge

2

: any of a number of strakes usually of extra thick and strong planks in the sides of a wooden ship —usually used in plural

3

a : one of a series of even ribs in a fabric

b : the texture especially of a fabric

4

: a horizontal constructional member (as of timber or steel) used for bracing vertical members

Origin of WALE

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with WALE

ail, ale, bail, bale, Bâle, brail, braille, Braille, dale, fail, flail, frail, Gael, gale, Gale, grail, hail, hale, jail, kale, mail, male, nail, pail, pale, quail, Quayle, rail, sail, sale, scale, shale, snail, stale, swale, tael, tail, taille, tale, trail, vail, vale, veil, wail, whale, Yale

²wale

transitive verb

waledwal·ing

Definition of WALE

: to mark (as the skin) with welts

First Known Use of WALE

15th century

³wale

noun

Definition of WALE

1

dialect British : choice

2

dialect British : the best part : pick

Origin of WALE

Middle English (Scots & northern dialect) wal, from Old Norse val; akin to Old High German wala choice, Old English wyllan to wish — more at will

First Known Use: 14th century

⁴wale

verb

Definition of WALE

dialect British

: choose

First Known Use of WALE

14th century