wind1 [w?nd]
¦ noun
1. the perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current blowing from a particular direction.
the rush of air caused by a fast-moving body.
2. breath as needed in physical exertion, speech, playing an instrument, etc.
3. Brit. air swallowed while eating or gas generated in the stomach and intestines by digestion.
4. meaningless talk.
5. (also winds) [treated as sing. or plural] wind or woodwind instruments forming a band or section of an orchestra.
6. a scent carried by the wind, indicating the proximity of an animal or person.
¦ verb
1. cause to have difficulty breathing because of exertion or a blow to the stomach.
2. Brit. make (a baby) bring up wind after feeding by patting its back.
3. detect the scent of.
4. w??nd (past and past participle winded or wound wa?nd) literary sound (a bugle or call) by blowing.
Phrases
before the wind Sailing with the wind blowing from astern.
get wind of informal hear a rumour of.
off the wind Sailing with the wind on the quarter.
on a wind Sailing against a wind on either bow.
put (or have) the wind up Brit. informal alarm or frighten (or be alarmed or frightened).
sail close to (or near) the wind
1. sail as nearly against the wind as possible.
2. behave or operate in a risky way.
take the wind out of someone's sails frustrate someone by anticipating an action or remark.
to the wind(s) (or the four winds) in all directions. [from 'And fear of death deliver to the winds' (Milton's Paradise Lost).]
Derivatives
windless adjective
Origin
OE, of Gmc origin.
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wind2 [w??nd]
¦ verb (past and past participle wound wa?nd)
1. move in or take a twisting or spiral course.
2. pass (something) around a thing or person so as to encircle or enfold them.
(with reference to a length of something) twist or be twisted around itself or a core.
3. make (a clock or clockwork device) operate by turning a key or handle.
turn (a key or handle) repeatedly.
4. move (an audio or video tape or a film) back or forwards to a desired point.
5. hoist or draw with a windlass, winch, etc.
¦ noun
1. a twist or turn in a course.
2. a single turn made when winding.
Phrasal verbs
wind down
1. (of a clockwork mechanism) gradually lose power.
2. informal relax.
3. (also wind something down) draw or bring gradually to a close.
wind up informal end up in a specified state, situation, or place.
wind someone up Brit. informal tease or irritate someone.
wind something up
1. arrange the affairs of and dissolve a company.
2. gradually bring an activity to a conclusion.
3. informal increase the tension or power of something.
Origin
OE
windan 'go rapidly, twine', of Gmc origin; related to
wander and
wend.