Chapter Water tiger to Wax of W by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

Wave front

(Physics), the surface of initial displacement of the particles in a medium, as a wave of vibration advances. — Wave length (Physics), the space, reckoned in the direction of propagation, occupied by a complete wave or undulation, as of light, sound, etc.; the distance from a point or phase in a wave to the nearest point at which the same phase occurs. - - Wave line (Shipbuilding), a line of a vessel's hull, shaped in accordance with the wave-line system. — Wave-line system, Wave-line theory (Shipbuilding), a system or theory of designing the lines of a vessel, which takes into consideration the length and shape of a wave which travels at a certain speed. — Wave loaf, a loaf for a wave offering. Lev. viii. 27. — Wave moth (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of small geometrid moths belonging to Acidalia and allied genera; — so called from the wavelike color markings on the wings. — Wave offering, an offering made in the Jewish services by waving the object, as a loaf of bread, toward the four cardinal points. Num. xviii. 11. — Wave of vibration (Physics), a wave which consists in, or is occasioned by, the production and transmission of a vibratory state from particle to particle through a body. — Wave surface. (a) (Physics) A surface of simultaneous and equal displacement of the particles composing a wave of vibration. (b) (Geom.) A mathematical surface of the fourth order which, upon certain hypotheses, is the locus of a wave surface of light in the interior of crystals. It is used in explaining the phenomena of double refraction. See under Refraction. — Wave theory. (Physics) See Undulatory theory, under Undulatory.

Waved
(Waved) a.

1. Exhibiting a wavelike form or outline; undulating; intended; wavy; as, waved edge.

2. Having a wavelike appearance; marked with wavelike lines of color; as, waved, or watered, silk.

3. (Her.) Having undulations like waves; — said of one of the lines in heraldry which serve as outlines to the ordinaries, etc.

Waveless
(Wave"less) a. Free from waves; undisturbed; not agitated; as, the waveless sea.

Wavelet
(Wave"let) n. A little wave; a ripple.

Wavellite
(Wa"vel*lite) n. [After Dr. Wm. Wavel, the discoverer.] (Min.) A hydrous phosphate of alumina, occurring usually in hemispherical radiated forms varying in color from white to yellow, green, or black.

Waver
(Wa"ver) v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wavered ; p. pr. & vb. n. Wavering.] [OE. waveren, from AS. wæfre wavering, restless. See Wave, v. i.]

1. To play or move to and fro; to move one way and the other; hence, to totter; to reel; to swing; to flutter.

With banners and pennons wavering with the wind.

Ld. Berners.

Thou wouldst waver on one of these trees as a terror to all evil speakers against dignities.

Sir W. Scott.

2. To be unsettled in opinion; to vacillate; to be undetermined; to fluctuate; as, to water in judgment.

Let us hold fast . . . without wavering.

Heb. x. 23.

In feeble hearts, propense enough before
To waver, or fall off and join with idols.

Milton.

Syn. — To reel; totter; vacillate. See Fluctuate.

Waver
(Wa"ver), n. [From Wave, or Waver, v.] A sapling left standing in a fallen wood. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Waverer
(Wa"ver*er) n. One who wavers; one who is unsettled in doctrine, faith, opinion, or the like. Shak.