Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

wee|nie /wiː ni/ (weenies ) → see wienie

weep /wiː p/ (weeps , weeping , wept )

1 VERB If someone weeps , they cry. [LITERARY ] □ [V ] She wanted to laugh and weep all at once. □ [V -ing] The weeping family hugged and comforted each other. □ [V n] She wept tears of joy. ● N‑SING Weep is also a noun. □  There are times when I sit down and have a good weep.

2 VERB If a wound weeps , liquid or blood comes from it because it is not healing properly. □ [V ] In severe cases, the skin can crack and weep. □ [V -ing] …little blisters which develop into weeping sores.

wee p|ing wi l|low (weeping willows ) N‑VAR A weeping willow is a type of willow tree. It has long thin branches that hang down to the ground.

weepy /wiː pi/ (weepies )

1 ADJ Someone who is weepy is sad and likely to cry easily. □  I suddenly felt very weepy. □  …weepy moods.

2 N‑COUNT A weepy is a film or a story which is sentimental and makes you cry. [INFORMAL ]

wee|vil /wiː v I l/ (weevils ) N‑COUNT A weevil is a small insect which feeds on grain and seeds, and destroys crops.

weft /we ft/ N‑SING In weaving, the weft of a piece of cloth is the threads which are passed sideways across the other threads. Compare warp .

weigh ◆◇◇ /we I / (weighs , weighing , weighed )

1 VERB [no cont] If someone or something weighs a particular amount, this amount is how heavy they are. □ [V amount] It weighs nearly 27 kilos (about 65 pounds).

2 VERB If you weigh something or someone, you measure how heavy they are. □ [V n] The scales can be used to weigh other items such as parcels.

3 VERB If you weigh the facts about a situation, you consider them very carefully before you make a decision, especially by comparing the various facts involved. □ [V n] He is weighing the possibility of filing criminal charges against the doctor. □ [V wh] She spoke very slowly, weighing what she would say. ● PHRASAL VERB Weigh up means the same as weigh . [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P n] The company will be able to weigh up the environmental pros and cons of each site. □ [V P wh] You have to weigh up whether a human life is more important than an animal's life. [Also V n P ]

▸  weigh down PHRASAL VERB If something that you are wearing or carrying weighs you down , it stops you moving easily by making you heavier. □ [V n P ] He took off his shoes. If they had to swim, he didn't want anything weighing him down. □ [V P n] These nests increase in size each year, and can eventually weigh down the branch.

▸  weigh up

1 → see weigh 3

2 PHRASAL VERB If you weigh someone up , you try and find out what they are like and form an opinion of them, especially when you are suspicious of them. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n P ] My recruiting sergeant weighed me up when I first walked into his office. [Also V P n] SYNONYMS weigh VERB 3

consider:You do have to consider the feelings of those around you.

study:I invite every citizen to carefully study the document.

examine:I have given the matter much thought, examining all the possible alternatives.

contemplate:For a time he contemplated a career as an army medical doctor.

wei gh-in (weigh-ins ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] When there is a weigh-in on the day of a boxing match, each competitor is weighed to check their weight before the match.

weight ◆◆◇ /we I t/ (weights , weighting , weighted )