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hold water

 - 9 dictionary results

wa⋅ter

[waw-ter, wot-er]
–noun
1. a transparent, odorless, tasteless liquid, a compound of hydrogen and oxygen, H2O, freezing at 32°F or 0°C and boiling at 212°F or 100°C, that in a more or less impure state constitutes rain, oceans, lakes, rivers, etc.: it contains 11.188 percent hydrogen and 88.812 percent oxygen, by weight.
2. a special form or variety of this liquid, as rain.
3. Often, waters. this liquid in an impure state as obtained from a mineral spring: Last year we went to Marienbad for the waters.
4. the liquid content of a river, inlet, etc., with reference to its relative height, esp. as dependent on tide: a difference of 20 feet between high and low water.
5. the surface of a stream, river, lake, ocean, etc.: above, below, or on the water.
6. waters,
a. flowing water, or water moving in waves: The river's mighty waters.
b. the sea or seas bordering a particular country or continent or located in a particular part of the world: We left San Diego and sailed south for Mexican waters.
7. a liquid solution or preparation, esp. one used for cosmetic purposes: lavender water; lemon water.
8. Often, waters. Medicine/Medical.
a. amniotic fluid.
b. the bag of waters; amnion: Her water broke at 2 a.m.
9. any of various solutions of volatile or gaseous substances in water: ammonia water.
10. any liquid or aqueous organic secretion, exudation, humor, or the like, as tears, perspiration, or urine.
11. Finance. fictitious assets or the inflated values they give to the stock of a corporation.
12. a wavy, lustrous pattern or marking, as on silk fabrics or metal surfaces.
13. (formerly) the degree of transparency and brilliancy of a diamond or other precious stone.
14. take water, (of a boat) to allow water to enter through leaks or portholes or over the side.
–verb (used with object)
15. to sprinkle, moisten, or drench with water: to water the flowers; to water a street.
16. to supply (animals) with water for drinking.
17. to furnish with a supply of water, as a ship.
18. to furnish water to (a region), as by streams; supply (land) with water, as by irrigation: The valley is watered by a branch of the Colorado River. Our land is watered by the All-American Canal.
19. to dilute, weaken, soften, or adulterate with, or as with, water (often fol. by down): to water soup; to water down an unfavorable report.
20. Finance. to issue or increase the par value of (shares of stock) without having the assets to warrant doing so (often fol. by down).
21. to produce a wavy, lustrous pattern, marking, or finish on (fabrics, metals, etc.): watered silk.
–verb (used without object)
22. to discharge, fill with, or secrete water or liquid, as the eyes when irritated, or as the mouth at the sight or thought of tempting food.
23. to drink water, as an animal.
24. to take in a supply of water, as a ship: Our ship will water at Savannah.
–adjective
25. of or pertaining to water in any way: a water journey.
26. holding, or designed to hold, water: a water jug.
27. worked or powered by water: a water turbine.
28. heating, pumping, or circulating water (often used in combination): hot-water furnace; city waterworks.
29. used in or on water: water skis.
30. containing or prepared with water, as for hardening or dilution: water mortar.
31. located or occurring on, in, or by water: water music; water frontage.
32. residing by or in, or ruling over, water: water people; water deities.
33. above water, out of embarrassment or trouble, esp. of a financial nature: They had so many medical bills that they could hardly keep their heads above water.
34. break water,
a. to break the surface of the water by emerging from it.
b. Swimming. to break the surface of the water with the feet, esp. in swimming the breaststroke doing the frog kick.
c. Medicine/Medical. to break the amniotic sac prior to parturition.
35. by water, by ship or boat: to send goods by water.
36. dead in the water. dead (def. 41).
37. hold water,
a. to be logical, defensible, or valid: That accusation won't hold water.
b. to check the movement of a rowboat by keeping the oars steady with the blades vertical.
38. in deep water, in great distress or difficulty: Their marriage has been in deep water for some time.
39. in hot water. hot water.
40. like water, lavishly; abundantly; freely: The champagne flowed like water.
41. make one's mouth water, to excite a desire or appetite for something: The roasting turkey made our mouths water.
42. make water,
a. (of a boat) to allow water to enter; leak.
b. to urinate.
43. tread water. tread (def. 23).

Origin:
bef. 900; (n.) ME; OE wæter; c. D water, G Wasser; akin to ON vain, Goth wato, Hittite watar, Gk hýdōr; (v.) ME wateren, OE wæterian, deriv. of the n.


wa⋅ter⋅er, noun
wa⋅ter⋅less, adjective
wa⋅ter⋅less⋅ly, adverb
wa⋅ter⋅less⋅ness, noun
wa⋅ter⋅like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To hold water
hold 1   (hōld)   
v.   held (hěld), hold·ing, holds

v.   tr.
    1. To have and keep in one's grasp: held the reins tightly.

    2. To aim or direct; point: held a hose on the fire.

    3. To keep from falling or moving; support: a nail too small to hold the mirror; hold the horse steady; papers that were held together with staples.

    4. To sustain the pressure of: The old bridge can't hold much weight.

    5. To keep from departing or getting away: Hold the bus! Hold the dog until I find the leash.

    6. To keep in custody: held the suspect for questioning.

    7. To retain (one's attention or interest): Televised sports can't hold my interest.

    8. To avoid letting out or expelling: The swimmer held her breath while underwater.

    9. To be filled by; contain.

    10. To be capable of holding. See Synonyms at contain.

    11. To have as a chief characteristic or quality: The film holds many surprises.

    12. To have in store: Let's see what the future holds.

    13. To have and maintain in one's possession: holds a great deal of property.

    14. To have as a responsible position or a privilege: held the governorship for six years.

    15. To have in recognition of achievement or superiority: holds the record for the one-mile race; holds the respect of her peers.

    16. To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.

    17. To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.

    18. To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).

    19. To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.

    20. To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.

    21. To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!

    22. To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.

    23. To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.

    24. To be the legal possessor of.

    25. To bind by a contract.

    26. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.

    27. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.

    28. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.

    29. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.

    30. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.

    31. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.

    32. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.

    33. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.

    34. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.

    1. To keep from departing or getting away: Hold the bus! Hold the dog until I find the leash.

    2. To keep in custody: held the suspect for questioning.

    3. To retain (one's attention or interest): Televised sports can't hold my interest.

    4. To avoid letting out or expelling: The swimmer held her breath while underwater.

    5. To be filled by; contain.

    6. To be capable of holding. See Synonyms at contain.

    7. To have as a chief characteristic or quality: The film holds many surprises.

    8. To have in store: Let's see what the future holds.

    9. To have and maintain in one's possession: holds a great deal of property.

    10. To have as a responsible position or a privilege: held the governorship for six years.

    11. To have in recognition of achievement or superiority: holds the record for the one-mile race; holds the respect of her peers.

    12. To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.

    13. To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.

    14. To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).

    15. To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.

    16. To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.

    17. To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!

    18. To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.

    19. To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.

    20. To be the legal possessor of.

    21. To bind by a contract.

    22. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.

    23. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.

    24. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.

    25. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.

    26. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.

    27. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.

    28. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.

    29. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.

    30. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.

    1. To be filled by; contain.

    2. To be capable of holding. See Synonyms at contain.

    3. To have as a chief characteristic or quality: The film holds many surprises.

    4. To have in store: Let's see what the future holds.

    5. To have and maintain in one's possession: holds a great deal of property.

    6. To have as a responsible position or a privilege: held the governorship for six years.

    7. To have in recognition of achievement or superiority: holds the record for the one-mile race; holds the respect of her peers.

    8. To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.

    9. To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.

    10. To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).

    11. To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.

    12. To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.

    13. To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!

    14. To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.

    15. To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.

    16. To be the legal possessor of.

    17. To bind by a contract.

    18. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.

    19. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.

    20. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.

    21. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.

    22. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.

    23. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.

    24. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.

    25. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.

    26. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.

    1. To have and maintain in one's possession: holds a great deal of property.

    2. To have as a responsible position or a privilege: held the governorship for six years.

    3. To have in recognition of achievement or superiority: holds the record for the one-mile race; holds the respect of her peers.

    4. To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.

    5. To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.

    6. To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).

    7. To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.

    8. To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.

    9. To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!

    10. To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.

    11. To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.

    12. To be the legal possessor of.

    13. To bind by a contract.

    14. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.

    15. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.

    16. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.

    17. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.

    18. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.

    19. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.

    20. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.

    21. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.

    22. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.

    1. To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.

    2. To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.

    3. To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).

    4. To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.

    5. To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.

    6. To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!

    7. To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.

    8. To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.

    9. To be the legal possessor of.

    10. To bind by a contract.

    11. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.

    12. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.

    13. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.

    14. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.

    15. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.

    16. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.

    17. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.

    18. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.

    19. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.

    1. To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.

    2. To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!

    3. To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.

    4. To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.

    5. To be the legal possessor of.

    6. To bind by a contract.

    7. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.

    8. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.

    9. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.

    10. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.

    11. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.

    12. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.

    13. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.

    14. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.

    15. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.

    1. To be the legal possessor of.

    2. To bind by a contract.

    3. To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.

    4. To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.

    5. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.

    6. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.

    7. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.

    8. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.

    9. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.

    10. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.

    11. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.

    1. To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.

    2. To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.

    3. To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.

    4. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.

    5. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.

    6. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.

    7. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.

    1. To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.

    2. To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.

    3. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.

    4. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.

    1. To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.

    2. To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.

v.   intr.
    1. To maintain a grasp or grip on something.

    2. To stay securely fastened: The chain held.

    3. To maintain a desired or accustomed position or condition: hopes the weather will hold.

    4. To withstand stress, pressure, or opposition: The defense held. We held firm on the negotiations.

    1. To maintain a desired or accustomed position or condition: hopes the weather will hold.

    2. To withstand stress, pressure, or opposition: The defense held. We held firm on the negotiations.

  1. To continue in the same direction: The ship held to an easterly course.

  2. To be valid, applicable, or true: The observation still holds in cases like this.

  3. To have legal right or title. Often used with of or from.

  4. To halt an intended action. Often used in the imperative.

  5. To stop the countdown during a missile or spacecraft launch.

  6. Slang To have in one's possession illicit or illegally obtained material or goods, especially narcotics: The suspect was holding.

n.  
    1. The act or a means of grasping.

    2. A manner of grasping an opponent, as in wrestling or aikido: a neck hold; an arm hold.

    3. A bond or force that attaches or restrains, or by which something is affected or dominated: a writer with a strong hold on her readership.

    4. Complete control: has a firm hold on the complex issues.

    5. Full understanding: has a good hold on physics.

    6. The sustaining of a note longer than its indicated time value.

    7. The symbol designating this pause; a fermata.

    8. A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.

    9. A temporary halt, as in a countdown.

    10. A prison cell.

    11. The state of being in confinement; custody.

    12. To postpone or delay.

    13. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.

  1. Something that may be grasped or gripped, as for support.

  2. A control or adjustor on a television that keeps the screen image in proper position: adjusted the horizontal hold.

  3. A telephone service that allows one to temporarily interrupt a call without severing the connection.

    1. A bond or force that attaches or restrains, or by which something is affected or dominated: a writer with a strong hold on her readership.

    2. Complete control: has a firm hold on the complex issues.

    3. Full understanding: has a good hold on physics.

    4. The sustaining of a note longer than its indicated time value.

    5. The symbol designating this pause; a fermata.

    6. A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.

    7. A temporary halt, as in a countdown.

    8. A prison cell.

    9. The state of being in confinement; custody.

    10. To postpone or delay.

    11. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.

  4. Music

    1. The sustaining of a note longer than its indicated time value.

    2. The symbol designating this pause; a fermata.

    3. A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.

    4. A temporary halt, as in a countdown.

    5. A prison cell.

    6. The state of being in confinement; custody.

    7. To postpone or delay.

    8. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.

    1. A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.

    2. A temporary halt, as in a countdown.

    3. A prison cell.

    4. The state of being in confinement; custody.

    5. To postpone or delay.

    6. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.

    1. A prison cell.

    2. The state of being in confinement; custody.

    3. To postpone or delay.

    4. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.

  5. Archaic A fortified place; a stronghold.

  6. To retain in one's possession or control: held back valuable information; held back my tears.

  7. To impede the progress of.

  8. To restrain oneself.

  9. To limit: Please hold the noise down.

  10. To fulfill the duties of (a job): holds down two jobs.

  11. To keep at a distance; resist: held the creditors off.

  12. To stop or delay doing something: Let's hold off until we have more data.

  13. To maintain one's grip; cling.

  14. To continue to do something; persist.

  15. To wait for something wanted or requested, especially to keep a telephone connection open.

  16. To present or proffer as something attainable.

  17. To continue to be in supply or service; last: Our food is holding out nicely.

  18. To continue to resist: The defending garrison held out for a month.

  19. To refuse to reach or satisfy an agreement.

    1. To postpone or delay.

    2. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.

  20. To continue a term of office past the usual length of time.

  21. To prolong the engagement of: The film was held over for weeks.

  22. To obstruct or delay.

  23. To rob while armed, often at gunpoint.

  24. To offer or present as an example: held the essay up as a model for the students.

  25. To continue to function without losing force or effectiveness; cope: managed to hold up under the stress.

Phrasal Verb(s):
hold back
  1. To retain in one's possession or control: held back valuable information; held back my tears.

  2. To impede the progress of.

  3. To restrain oneself.

hold down
  1. To limit: Please hold the noise down.

  2. To fulfill the duties of (a job): holds down two jobs.

hold forthTo talk at great length.
hold off
  1. To keep at a distance; resist: held the creditors off.

  2. To stop or delay doing something: Let's hold off until we have more data.

hold on
  1. To maintain one's grip; cling.

  2. To continue to do something; persist.

  3. To wait for something wanted or requested, especially to keep a telephone connection open.

hold out
  1. To present or proffer as something attainable.

  2. To continue to be in supply or service; last: Our food is holding out nicely.

  3. To continue to resist: The defending garrison held out for a month.

  4. To refuse to reach or satisfy an agreement.

hold over
    1. To postpone or delay.

    2. To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.

  1. To continue a term of office past the usual length of time.

  2. To prolong the engagement of: The film was held over for weeks.

hold toTo remain loyal or faithful to: She held to her resolutions.
hold up
  1. To obstruct or delay.

  2. To rob while armed, often at gunpoint.

  3. To offer or present as an example: held the essay up as a model for the students.

  4. To continue to function without losing force or effectiveness; cope: managed to hold up under the stress.

hold withTo agree with; support: I don't hold with your theories.

Idiom(s):
get hold of
  1. To come into possession of; find: Where can I get hold of a copy?

  2. To communicate with, as by telephone: tried to get hold of you but the line was busy.

  3. To gain control of. Often used reflexively: You must get hold of yourself!


Idiom(s):
hold a candle toTo compare favorably with: This film doesn't hold a candle to his previous ones.

Idiom(s):
hold (one's) end upTo fulfill one's part of an agreement; do one's share.

Idiom(s):
hold (one's) ownTo do reasonably well despite difficulty or criticism.

Idiom(s):
hold out on (someone)To withhold something from: Don't hold out on me; start telling the truth.

Idiom(s):
hold (someone's) feet to the fireTo pressure (someone) to consent to or undertake something.

Idiom(s):
hold swayTo have a controlling influence; dominate.

Idiom(s):
hold the bag Informal
  1. To be left with empty hands.

  2. To be forced to assume total responsibility when it ought to have been shared.


Idiom(s):
hold the fort Informal
  1. To assume responsibility, especially in another's absence.

  2. To maintain a secure position.


Idiom(s):
hold the lineTo maintain the existing position or state of affairs: had to hold the line on salary increases.

Idiom(s):
hold the phone Slang To stop doing what one is engaged in doing. Often used in the imperative: Hold the phone! Let's end this argument.

Idiom(s):
hold waterTo stand up to critical examination: Your explanation doesn't hold water.

Idiom(s):
no holds barredWithout limits or restraints.

Idiom(s):
on hold
  1. Into a state of temporary interruption without severing a telephone connection: put me on hold for 10 minutes.

  2. Informal Into a state of delay or indeterminate suspension: had to put the romance on hold.


[Middle English holden, from Old English healdan.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

hold water

To seem logical and consistent: “At first I was persuaded by the politician's speech, but upon reflection, I decided her arguments didn't hold water.”

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary
hold water

  1. tv.
    [for an idea, plan, etc.] to survive evaluation or scrutiny. : Nothing you've said so far holds water.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

water  (n.2)
measure of quality of a diamond, 1607, from water (n.1), perhaps as a transl. of Arabic ma' "water," which also is used in the sense "lustre, splendor."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2water
Function: intransitive verb
: to form or secrete water or watery matter (as tears or saliva)
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

water wa·ter (wô'tər)
n.

  1. A clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid essential for most plant and animal life and the most widely used of all solvents. Freezing point 0°C (32°F); boiling point 100°C (212°F); specific gravity (4°C) 1.0000; weight per gallon (15°C) 8.338 pounds (3.782 kilograms).

  2. Any of the liquids that are present in or passed out of the body, such as urine, perspiration, tears, or saliva.

  3. The fluid that surrounds a fetus in the uterus; amniotic fluid.

  4. An aqueous solution of a substance, especially a gas.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
water   (wô'tər)  Pronunciation Key 
A colorless, odorless compound of hydrogen and oxygen. Water covers about three-quarters of the Earth's surface in solid form (ice) and liquid form, and is prevalent in the lower atmosphere in its gaseous form, water vapor. Water is an unusually good solvent for a large variety of substances, and is an essential component of all organisms, being necessary for most biological processes. Unlike most substances, water is less dense as ice than in liquid form; thus, ice floats on liquid water. Water freezes at 0°C (32°F) and boils at 100°C (212°F). Chemical formula: H2O.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

hold water

Stand up to critical examination, be sound and valid, as in This argument just won't hold water, or Her reasons for quitting don't hold water. This metaphoric expression alludes to a container that can hold water without leaking. [c. 1600]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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