Definition of WALE

wale

Plural: wales

Noun

  • a raised mark on the skin (as produced by the blow of a whip); characteristic of many allergic reactions
  • thick plank forming a ridge along the side of a wooden ship
  • A ridge or low barrier.
  • A raised rib in knitted goods or fabric, especially corduroy.
  • The texture of a piece of fabric.
  • A horizontal ridge or ledge on the outside planking of a wooden ship. (See gunwale, chainwale)
  • A horizontal timber used for supporting or retaining earth.
  • A timber bolted to a row of piles to secure them together and in position.
  • A ridge on the outside of a horse collar.
  • A ridge or streak produced on skin by a cane or whip.
  • Something selected as being the best, preference; choice.

Verb

Verb Forms: waled, waling, wales

  • To mark with a welt or streak, as from a blow.
  • To strike the skin in such a way as to produce a wale or welt.
  • To beat a person, especially as punishment or out of anger.
  • To give a surface a texture of wales or welts.
  • To choose, select.

Examples

  • His masterful play of "ZEBRA" managed to wale the score sheet with points.

Origin / Etymology

The noun is from Middle English wāle (“planking, welt”), from Old English walu (“ridge, bank; rib, comb (of helmet); metal ridge on top of helmet; weal, mark of a blow”), from Proto-Germanic *waluz (“stick, root”), from Proto-Indo-European *welH- (“to turn, wind, roll”). Akin to Low German wāle; Old Norse vala (“knuckle”). The verb is from late Middle English wālen, from the noun.

Synonyms

strake, weal, welt, wheal

Scrabble Score: 7

wale: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
wale: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
wale: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 8

wale: valid Words With Friends Word