wall
1. wall \'wo.l\ \'wo.ld\ \'wo.l-.li-k\ n [ME, fr. OE weall; akin to MHG
wall; both fr. a prehistoric WGmc wo]rd borrowed fr. L vallum rampart, fr.
vallus stake, palisade; akin to ON vo:lr round stick, L volvere to roll -
more at VOLUBLE 1a: a high thick masonry structure forming a long rampart
or an enclosure c hiefly for defense - often used in pl. 1b: a masonry
fence around a garden, park, or estate 1c: a structure that serves to hold
back pressure (as of water or sliding e arth) 2: one of the sides of a room
or building connecting floor and ceiling or f oundation and roof 3: the
side of a footpath next to buildings 4: an extreme or desperate position
or a state of defeat, failure, or ruin - usu. used in the phrase to the
wall 5: a material layer enclosing space {~ of a container heart ~ s} 6:
something resembling a wall in appearance; esp : something that acts as a
barrier or defense {~ of reserve tariff ~} - walled aj
2. wall vt 1a: to provide, cover with, or surround with or as if with a
wall {~)R in the garden} 1b: to separate by or as if by a wall {~ed off
half the hous e} 2a: IMMURE 2b: to close (an opening) with or as if with a
wall
3. wall vb [ME (Sc) wawlen, prob. fr. ME wawil- (in wawil-eghed walleyed])
: to roll (one's eyes) in a dramatic manner of the eyes : to roll in a
dramatic manner