well2

 
Pronunciation: /wɛl/

noun

  • 1a shaft sunk into the ground to obtain water, oil, or gas.
  • archaic a water spring or fountain.
  • (Wells) [in place names] a place where there are mineral springs: Tunbridge Wells
  • a depression made to hold liquid: put the flour on a flat surface and make a well to hold the eggs
  • 2a plentiful source or supply: she could feel a deep well of sympathy and compassion
  • 3an enclosed space in the middle of a building, giving room for stairs or a lift, or to allow light or ventilation.
  • British the place in a law court where the clerks and ushers sit.
  • 4 Physics a region of minimum potential: a gravity well

verb

[no object, with adverbial] (often well up)
  • (of a liquid) rise up to the surface and spill or be about to spill: tears were beginning to well up in her eyes
  • (of an emotion) develop and become more intense: all the old bitterness began to well up inside her again

Origin:

Old English wella, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wel and German Welle 'a wave'