noun
1.
a small dam in a river or stream.
2.
a fence, as of brush or narrow boards, or a net set in a stream, channel, etc., for catching fish.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English were, Old English wer, derivative of root of werian to defend, dam up
before 900; Middle English were, Old English wer, derivative of root of werian to defend, dam up
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To weir
Collins
World English Dictionary
weir (wɪə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a low dam that is built across a river to raise the water level, divert the water, or control its flow |
| 2. | a series of traps or enclosures placed in a stream to catch fish |
| [Old English wer; related to Old Norse ver, Old Frisian were, German Wehr] | |
00:10
Weir
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| Weir (wɪə) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | Judith. born 1954, Scottish composer, noted esp for her opera A Night at the Chinese Opera (1987) |
| 2. | Peter. born 1944, Australian film director; his films include Dead Poets Society (1989), The Truman Show (1998), and Master and Commander (2003) |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
weir
O.E. wer "dam, fence, enclosure," especially one for catching fish (related to werian "dam up"), from P.Gmc. *warjanan (cf. O.N. ver, O.Fris., M.Du. were, Du. weer, O.H.G. wari, Ger. Wehr "defense, protection," Goth. warjan "to defend, protect"), from PIE *wer- "to cover, shut" (cf. Skt. vatah "enclosure,"
vrnoti "covers, wraps, shuts;" Lith. uzveriu "to shut, to close;" O.Pers. *pari-varaka "protective;" L. (op)erire "to cover;" O.C.S. vora "sealed, closed," vreti "shut;" O.Ir. feronn "field," prop. "enclosed land").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia
weir
any control or barrier placed in an open channel to permit measurement of water discharge. The latter may be computed from a formula expressing the discharge in terms of crest length of the weir, depth of flow above the weir, weir geometry, and other factors. A variety of weirs have been used in streams, the so-called sharp-crested and trapezoidal forms being relatively common; but broad-crested, triangular, and contracted weirs are also favoured in certain circumstances. Spillways, controls, and embankments designed to permit discharge measurements are simply different kinds of broad-crested weirs
Learn more about weir with a free trial on Britannica.com.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
Weir sticks are commercially calibrated stick or staff gage type devices which may be placed by hand upon the crest of a weir.
To blame the weir for environmental destruction which has already occurred is political humbug.
Enhanced oil spill recovery rate using the weir skimmer.
Weir spacing is dependent on the streamflow leaving the weir and its intersection with the downstream structure or bank.
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