widow (2)

[See compound.] widow-bird, s. Ornith.: The Whidah-bird (q. v.). "The name Widow - bird is altogether an erroneous title, although it is supposed by many persons to have been given to the bird on account of its dark color and long train, as well as in consequence of its evidently disconsolate state when the beautiful tail-feathers have fallen off after the breeding season In point of fact, how ever, the proper name is Whidah-bird, a title that was originally given to it by the Portuguese, because the first specimens that were brought to Europe came from the kingdom of Whidah, on the eastern coast of Africa."Wood: Illus . Nat. Hist ., ii. 457. wid-ōw, v. t. [WIDOW (1), s.] width, s. [English wid (e); -th.] Breadth, widene ; the extent of a thing acro or from side to side. "From the width of many a gaping wound, There's many a soul into the air must fly." Drayton: Battle of Agin court. *wid-u-al, *wyd-u-al, a. [WIDOW (1), s.] Of or pertaining to a widow; vidual. "The estate of wydual clenne e." - Bale : Apologie , fol. 38. wield, *weld, *welde, v . t . [A. S. geweldan , gewyldan =to have power over, from weald an (pa. t. weóld , pa. par. wealden )=to have power over, to govern, to rule, to po e ; cogn. with Icel. valda = to wield; Dan. volde , forvolde =to occasion; Sw. vålla (for vålda )=to occasion; O. H. Ger. walt an = to dispose, to manage, to rule; Ger. walten ; Goth. wald an. From the same root as Lat. valeo =to be strong; Eng. valid .] IMG:content-0893.png:[blocks in formation] "In this city he Hath widowed and unchilded many a one." Shakesp.: Coriolanus , v. 6. *2. To endow with a widow's right. "For his po e ions, We do instate and widow you withal." Shakesp.: Measure for Measure , v. "Base Hungarian wight, wilt thou the spigot wield?" Shakesp.: Merry Wives of Windsor, i. 3. 7. To use with full command or power, as a thing not too heavy for the holder; to hold aloft or swing freely with the arm. "For, trained abroad his arms to wield , Fitz-James's blade was sword and shield."