Definitions for: Welter


[n] a confused multitude of things
[v] be immersed in, as of work
[v] roll around, as of a pig in mud
[v] toss, roll, or rise and fall in an uncontrolled way; "The shipwrecked survivors weltered in the sea for hours"



Webster (1913) Definition: Wel"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Weltered; p. pr. & vb.
n. Weltering.] [Freq. of OE. walten to roll over, AS.
wealtan; akin to LG. weltern, G. walzen to roll, to waltz,
sich w["a]lzen to welter, OHG. walzan to roll, Icel. velta,
Dan. v[ae]lte, Sw. v["a]ltra, v["a]lta; cf. Goth. waltjan;
probably akin to E. wallow, well, v. i. ????. See Well, v.
i., and cf. Waltz.]
1. To roll, as the body of an animal; to tumble about,
especially in anything foul or defiling; to wallow.

When we welter in pleasures and idleness, then we
eat and drink with drunkards. --Latimer.

These wizards welter in wealth's waves. --Spenser.

He must not float upon his watery bier Unwept, and
welter to the parching wind, Without the meed of
some melodious tear. --Milton.

The priests at the altar . . . weltering in their
blood. --Landor.

2. To rise and fall, as waves; to tumble over, as billows.
``The weltering waves.'' --Milton.

Waves that, hardly weltering, die away.
--Wordsworth.

Through this blindly weltering sea. --Trench.


Wel"ter, v. t. [Cf. Wilt, v. i.]
To wither; to wilt. [R.]

Weltered hearts and blighted . . . memories. --I.
Taylor.


Wel"ter, a. (Horse Racing)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, the most heavily weighted
race in a meeting; as, a welter race; the welter stakes.


Wel"ter, n.
1. That in which any person or thing welters, or wallows;
filth; mire; slough.

The foul welter of our so-called religious or other
controversies. --Carlyle.

2. A rising or falling, as of waves; as, the welter of the
billows; the welter of a tempest.

Synonyms: clutter, jumble, mare's nest, muddle, smother, wallow

See Also: disorder, disorderliness, move, roll over, rummage

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