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weigh down - 3 dictionary results

weigh

1[wey]
–verb (used with object)
1. to determine or ascertain the force that gravitation exerts upon (a person or thing) by use of a balance, scale, or other mechanical device: to weigh oneself; to weigh potatoes; to weigh gases.
2. to hold up or balance, as in the hand, in order to estimate the weight.
3. to measure, separate, or apportion (a certain quantity of something) according to weight (usually fol. by out): to weigh out five pounds of sugar.
4. to make heavy; increase the weight or bulk of; weight: We weighed the drapes to make them hang properly.
5. to evaluate in the mind; consider carefully in order to reach an opinion, decision, or choice: to weigh the facts; to weigh a proposal.
6. Archaic. to raise, lift, or hoist (something).
7. Obsolete. to think important; esteem.
–verb (used without object)
8. to have weight or a specified amount of weight: to weigh less; to weigh a ton.
9. to have importance, moment, or consequence: Your recommendation weighs heavily in his favor.
10. to bear down as a weight or burden (usually fol. by on or upon): Responsibility weighed upon her.
11. to consider carefully or judicially: to weigh well before deciding.
12. (of a ship) to raise the anchor and get under way: The ship weighed early and escaped in the fog.
13. weigh down,
a. to cause to become bowed under a weight: snow and ice weighing down the trees.
b. to lower the spirits of; burden; depress: This predicament weighs me down.
14. weigh in, Sports.
a. (of a boxer or wrestler) to be weighed by a medical examiner on the day of a bout.
b. to be of the weight determined by such a weighing: He weighed in at 170 pounds.
c. (of a jockey) to be weighed with the saddle and weights after a race.
15. weigh out, Horse Racing. (of a jockey)
a. to be weighed with the saddle and weights before a race.
b. to be of the weight determined by such a weighing.
16. weigh anchor, Nautical. to heave up a ship's anchor in preparation for getting under way.
17. weigh one's words. word (def. 27).

Origin:
bef. 900; ME weghen, OE wegan to carry, weigh; c. D wegen, G wägen, ON vega; akin to L vehere


weigh⋅a⋅ble, adjective
weigher, noun


5. ponder, contemplate. See study 1 .
weigh 1   (wā)   
v.   weighed, weigh·ing, weighs

v.   tr.
  1. To determine the weight of by or as if by using a scale or balance.
  2. To measure or apportion (a certain quantity) by or as if by weight. Often used with out: weighed out a pound of cheese.
    1. To balance in the mind in order to make a choice; ponder or evaluate: weighed the alternatives and decided to stay.
    2. To choose carefully or deliberately: weigh one's words.
  3. Nautical To raise (anchor).
v.   intr.
  1. To be of a specific weight.
  2. To have consequence or importance: The decision weighed heavily against us. See Synonyms at count1.
    1. To cause to bend heavily by or as if by added weight. Used with on or upon: a coating of ice that weighed upon the slender branches.
    2. To burden or oppress: was weighed with the onerous task of laying off the staff.
  3. Nautical To raise anchor.
Phrasal Verb(s):
weigh down
  1. To cause to bend down with added weight: vines that were weighed down with grapes.
  2. To burden or oppress: The responsibilities of the new job weighed him down.
weigh in
  1. Sports To be weighed at a weigh-in.
  2. To have one's baggage weighed, as at an airport.
  3. Slang To make a forceful statement in a discussion: She weighed in with some pertinent facts.

[Middle English weien, from Old English wegan; see wegh- in Indo-European roots.]
weigh'a·ble adj., weigh'er n.

weigh down

Burden, oppress, as in Their problems have weighed them down. This expression transfers bowing under a physical weight to emotional burdens. [c. 1600]

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