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whelk

 - 6 dictionary results

whelk

1  [hwelk, welk]
Use whelk in a Sentence
–noun
any of several large, spiral-shelled, marine gastropods of the family Buccinidae, esp. Buccinum undatum, that is used for food in Europe.
Origin:
bef. 900; late ME, aspirated var. of ME welk, OE weoloc

whelk

2  [hwelk, welk]
–noun
a pimple or pustule.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME whelke, OE hwylca, hwelca; akin to wheal
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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whelk 1   (hwělk, wělk)   
n.  Any of various large, mostly edible marine snails of the family Buccinidae, having a pointed, spiral shell, especially Buccinum undatum, which is commonly eaten in Europe.

[Middle English welke, whelke, from Old English weoloc; see wel-2 in Indo-European roots.]
whelk 2   (hwělk, wělk)   
n.  An inflamed swelling, such as a pimple or pustule.

[Middle English whelke, from Old English hwylca; akin to hwelian, to suppurate.]
whelk'y adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

whelk 
"large marine snail," O.E. weoloc, wioloc, from P.Gmc. *weluka- (cf. M.Du. willoc, Du. wulk), perhaps from PIE base *wel- "to turn, revolve" (see vulva; cf. also volute). The spelling with wh- dates from 15c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

whelk (wělk)
n.
An inflamed swelling, such as a pimple or pustule.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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