- Enter a word for the dictionary definition. From The
Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48: Well
\Well\, n. [OE. welle, AS. wella, wylla, from weallan to well
up, surge, boil; akin to D. wel a spring or fountain. ????. See
Well, v. i.] [1913 Webster] 1. An issue of water from the earth;
a spring; a fountain. [1913 Webster] Begin, then, sisters of the
sacred well. --Milton. [1913 Webster] 2. A pit or hole sunk into
the earth to such a depth as to reach a supply of water,
generally of a cylindrical form, and often walled with stone or
bricks to prevent the earth from caving in. [1913 Webster] The
woman said unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and
the well is deep. --John iv. 11. [1913 Webster] 3. A shaft made
in the earth to obtain oil or brine. [1913 Webster] 4. Fig.: A
source of supply; fountain; wellspring. "This well of mercy."
--Chaucer. [1913 Webster] Dan Chaucer, well of English
undefiled. --Spenser. [1913 Webster] A well of serious thought
and pure. --Keble. [1913 Webster