Weal

Pronunciation

• enPR: wÄ“l, IPA: /wiːl/
• Rhymes: -iːl
• Homophones: we'll; wheal, wheel in accents with the wine-whine merger

Old English wela.

Full definition of weal

Noun

1. (obsolete) Wealth, riches. 10th-19th c.
2. (now literary) Welfare, prosperity. from 10th c.
• Francis Baconas we love the weal of our souls and bodies
• Miltonto him linked in weal or woe
3. Specifically, the general happiness of a community, country etc. (often with qualifying word). from 15th c.
• MacaulayNever was there a time when it more concerned the public weal that the character of the Parliament should stand high.
• 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, The austerity of my tone seemed to touch a nerve and kindle the fire that always slept in this vermilion-headed menace to the common weal ....
• 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin 2003, p. 372:Louis could aim to restyle himself the first among citizens, viewing virtuous attachment to the public weal as his most important kingly duty.

Related terms

• in weal or woe

See wale

Noun

1. a raised, longitudinal wound, usually purple, on the surface of flesh caused by stroke of rod or whip; a welt.

Synonyms

• wheal

Verb

1. To mark with stripes; to wale.

Anagrams

• lawe, wale