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Welly

//ˈwɛli// adv, name, noun, slang

Definitions

Adverb
  1. 1
    Almost; nearly. Ireland, UK, dialectal, not-comparable, obsolete

    "A person exceedingly hungry says, "I'm welly clem'd; I'm almost or well-nigh starved." It is the ordinary appeal of a beggar in the streets, when asking for food."

  2. 2
    very. not-comparable

    "The real thrill comes to the investigator when, convinced that he is no mere casual diner, the waiter grins broadly and says, "You don't worry. I get you something welly nice.""

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    Wellington, New Zealand New-Zealand, informal
Noun
  1. 1
    Wellington boot. countable, informal

    "Dad has great big welly boots. For squishing in the mud; Two great big black welly boots: Thud, thud, thud."

  2. 2
    Force on a pedal or increase to any fuel or power for an engine or motor. informal, uncountable
  3. 3
    Force or effort. informal, uncountable

    "Come on! Put some welly into it!"

Etymology

Etymology 1

Clipping of Wellington boot + -y.

Etymology 2

From welne, a dialectal variant of well-nigh.

Etymology 3

Clipping of Wellington + -y (diminutive suffix).

See also for "welly"

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