water

¹wa·ter

noun, often attributive \ˈwȯ-tər, ˈwä-\

Definition of WATER

1

a : the liquid that descends from the clouds as rain, forms streams, lakes, and seas, and is a major constituent of all living matter and that when pure is an odorless, tasteless, very slightly compressible liquid oxide of hydrogen H₂O which appears bluish in thick layers, freezes at 0° C and boils at 100° C, has a maximum density at 4° C and a high specific heat, is feebly ionized to hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, and is a poor conductor of electricity and a good solvent b : a natural mineral water —usually used in plural

2

: a particular quantity or body of water: as a (1) plural : the water occupying or flowing in a particular bed (2) chiefly British : lake, pond b : a quantity or depth of water adequate for some purpose (as navigation) c plural (1) : a band of seawater abutting on the land of a particular sovereignty and under the control of that sovereignty (2) : the sea of a particular part of the earth d : water supply <threatened to turn off the water>

3

: travel or transportation on water <we went by water>

4

: the level of water at a particular state of the tide : tide

5

: liquid containing or resembling water: as a (1) : a pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparation made with water (2) : a watery solution of a gaseous or readily volatile substance — compare ammonia water b archaic : a distilled fluid (as an essence); especially : a distilled alcoholic liquor c : a watery fluid (as tears, urine, or sap) formed or circulating in a living body d : amniotic fluid; also : bag of waters

6

a : the degree of clarity and luster of a precious stone b : degree of excellence <a scholar of the first water>

7

: watercolor

8

a : stock not representing assets of the issuing company and not backed by earning power b : fictitious or exaggerated asset entries that give a stock an unrealistic book value

— above water

: out of difficulty

Examples of WATER

1. Would you like a glass of water?
2. There's water dripping from the ceiling.
3. The kids love playing in the water.
4. A stick was floating on the water.
5. They like to vacation near the water.
6. We are sailing in international waters.
7. They were fishing in Canadian waters.

Origin of WATER

Middle English, from Old English wæter; akin to Old High German wazzar water, Greek hydōr, Latin unda wave

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

Rhymes with WATER

daughter, slaughter