wealth, weal the, welt he

[Eng. weal (1), s.; -th; cf. health, from heal, dearth, from dear, .; cogn. with Dut. weelde = luxury, from wel =well ( adv.).] I. Ordinary Language : *1. Weal, prosperity, welfare, eternal happine . "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth."-1 Corinth . x. 24. 2. A collective term for riches; material po e ions in all their variety; large po e ions of money, goods, or lands; that abundance of worldly estate which exceeds the state of the greater part of the community; affluence, opulence. "That wealth consists in money or in gold and silver, is a popular notion."- Smith : Wealth of Nations , bk. iv., ch. i. 3. Abundance, affluence, profusion. "With new wonder now he views In narrow room nature's whole wealth , yea more, A heav'n on earth." Milton: P. L., iv. 207. II. Polit . Econ.: A term embracing all and only such objects as have utility and can be appropriated in exclusive po e ion, and therefore exchanged. Political economists consider labor as the only source of wealth, and political economy treats mainly of the means of promoting the increase of national wealth, and of removing obstructions to its development. *wealth-fül, *wealth-füll, a . [Eng. wealth: ful ( 1 ).] Full of wealth or happine ; prosperous. "Likelie righte wel to prosper in wealth full place." More: Works, p. 39. *wealth-fül-ly, adv . [Eng. wealthful ; -ly .] In prosperity or happine ; prosperously. "To lead thy life wealth fully ." - Vives: Instruct. of a Christian Woman, bk. ii, ch. ii. wealth'-I-ly, adv. [Eng. wealthy: -ly.] In a wealthy manner; in the midst of wealth or riches; richly. "I came to wive it wealthily in Padua." Shakesp.: Taming of the Shrew, i. 2. wealth-I-ne , *welth-i-nes, s . [Eng. wealthy; -ne .] The quality or state of being wealthy; riches, opulence. "This in tract of tyme made him welthy, and by meane of this welthines ensued pryde."-Fabyan: Chronycie, ch. lvi.