1. A deep hole or shaft sunk into the earth to obtain water, oil, gas, or brine. 2. A container or reservoir for a liquid, such as ink. 3a. A place where water issues from the earth; a spring or fountain. b. A mineral spring. c.wells A watering place; a spa. 4. An abundant source: a well of information.5. An open space extending vertically through the floors of a building, as for stairs or ventilation. 6.Nauticala. An enclosure in a ship's hold for the pumps. b. A compartment or recessed area in a ship, used for stowage: an anchor well.c. A part of a ship's weather deck enclosed between two watertight bulkheads. 7. A cistern with a perforated bottom in the hold of a fishing vessel for keeping fish alive. 8. An enclosed space for receiving and holding something, such as the wheels of an airplane when retracted. 9.Chiefly British The central space in a law court, directly in front of the judge's bench, where the counsel or solicitor sits.
VERB:
Inflected forms: welled, well·ing, wells
INTRANSITIVE VERB:
1. To rise to the surface, ready to flow: Tears welled in my eyes.2. To rise or surge from an inner source: Anger welled up in me.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
To pour forth.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English welle, from Old English. See wel-2 in Appendix I.
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