weal
pronunciation
How to pronounce weal in British English:
UK [wi:l]
How to pronounce weal in American English:
US [wil]
-
- Noun:
- a raised mark on the skin (as produced by the blow of a whip); characteristic of many allergic reactions
Word Origin
- weal (n.1)
- "well-being," Old English wela "wealth," in late Old English also "welfare, well-being," from West Germanic *welon-, from PIE root *wel- (2) "to wish, will" (see will (v.)). Related to well (adv.).
- weal (n.2)
- "raised mark on skin," 1821, alteration of wale (q.v.).
Example
- 1. Our two peoples are brothers sharing weal and woe .
- 2. And what is the harm to the common weal ?
- 3. We do this because we believe such services benefit the common weal .
- 4. God alone is your unfailing friend in weal and woe .
- 5. At all events , we should sacrifice private interests for the sake of public weal .