wall

[[t]wɔl[/t]]

n.

1) bui archit. any of various permanent upright constructions having a length much greater than the thickness and presenting a continuous surface except where pierced by doors, windows, etc.: used for shelter, protection, or privacy

2) an immaterial or intangible barrier, obstruction, etc., suggesting a wall:

a wall of prejudice[/ex]

3) a wall-like enclosing part, thing, mass, etc.:

a wall of fire; a wall of troops[/ex]

4) civ an embankment to prevent flooding, as a levee or sea wall

5) mil Usu., walls. a rampart raised for defensive purposes

6) the outermost film or layer of structural material protecting, surrounding, and defining the physical limits of an object:

the wall of a blood cell[/ex]

7) of or pertaining to a wall

8) growing against or on a wall:

wall plants[/ex]

9) situated or installed in or on a wall:

a wall oven[/ex]

10) to enclose, border, etc., with or as if with a wall (often fol. by in or off):

to wall in the playground[/ex]

11) to seal or fill (a doorway or other opening) with a wall:

to wall an unused entrance[/ex]

12) to seal or entomb (something or someone) within a wall; immure (usu. fol. by up)

•

- climb the walls go to the wall hit the wall off the wall up the wall

Etymology: bef. 900; ME; OE w(e)all (c. OFris, OS wal) < L vallum palisade, der. of vallus stake, post