Main Entry: ¹wall

Pronunciation: \ˈwȯl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English weall; akin to Middle High German wall; both from Latin vallum rampart, from vallus stake, palisade; perhaps akin to Old Norse vǫlr staff — more at wale

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a high thick masonry structure forming a long rampart or an enclosure chiefly for defense —often used in plural b : a masonry fence around a garden, park, or estate c : a structure that serves to hold back pressure (as of water or sliding earth)
2 : one of the sides of a room or building connecting floor and ceiling or foundation and roof
3 : the side of a footpath next to buildings
4 : an extreme or desperate position or a state of defeat, failure, or ruin <the surrounded troops had their backs against the wall> <small companies driven to the wall>
5 : a material layer enclosing space <the wall of a container> <heart walls>
6 : something resembling a wall (as in appearance, function, or effect); especially : something that acts as a barrier or defense <a wall of reserve> <tariff wall>

— wall–like \ˈwȯl-ˌlīk\ adjective

— off the wall slang : crazy <the plan was off the wall>

— up the wall slang : into a state of intense agitation, annoyance, or frustration <the noise drove me up the wall>