w

n. (Zool.) The grivet. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) The burning bush; -- said to be called after a quack medicine made from it. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ Cf. Prov. G. wabbeln to wabble, and E. whap. Cf. Quaver. ] To move staggeringly or unsteadily from one side to the other; to vacillate; to move the manner of a rotating disk when the axis of rotation is inclined to that of the disk; -- said of a turning or whirling body; as, a top wabbles; a buzz saw wabbles. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A hobbling, unequal motion, as of a wheel unevenly hung; a staggering to and fro. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Inclined to wabble; wabbling. [ 1913 Webster ]

w>{ }w> n. [ G. wacke, MHG. wacke a large stone, OHG. waggo a pebble. ] (Geol.) A soft, earthy, dark-colored rock or clay derived from the alteration of basalt. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Woad. ] Woad. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Probably of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. vadd wadding, Dan vat, D. & G. watte. Cf. Wadmol. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A little mass, tuft, or bundle, as of hay or tow. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Specifically: A little mass of some soft or flexible material, such as hay, straw, tow, paper, or old rope yarn, used for retaining a charge of powder in a gun, or for keeping the powder and shot close; also, to diminish or avoid the effects of windage. Also, by extension, a dusk of felt, pasteboard, etc., serving a similar purpose. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A soft mass, especially of some loose, fibrous substance, used for various purposes, as for stopping an aperture, padding a garment, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Wed hook, a rod with a screw or hook at the end, used for removing the wad from a gun. [ 1913 Webster ]