Hypertext Webster Gateway: "welcome"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Welcome \Wel"come\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Welcomed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Welcoming}.] [AS. wilcumian.]
To salute with kindness, as a newcomer; to receive and
entertain hospitably and cheerfully; as, to welcome a
visitor; to welcome a new idea. ``I welcome you to land.''
--Addison.
Thus we salute thee with our early song, And welcome
thee, and wish thee long. --Milton.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Welcome \Wel"come\, a. [OE. welcome, welcume, wilcume, AS.
wilcuma a welcome guest, from wil-, as a prefix, akin to
willa will + cuma a comer, fr. cuman to come; hence,
properly, one who comes so as to please another's will; cf.
Icel. velkominn welcome, G. willkommen. See {Will}, n., and
Come.]
1. Received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house,
entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor.
When the glad soul is made Heaven's welcome guest.
--Cowper.
2. Producing gladness; grateful; as, a welcome present;
welcome news. ``O, welcome hour!'' --Milton.
3. Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to
the use of my library.
Note: Welcome is used elliptically for you are welcome.
``Welcome, great monarch, to your own.'' --Dryden.
{Welcome-to-our-house} (Bot.), a kind of spurge ({Euphorbia
Cyparissias}). --Dr. Prior.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Welcome \Wel"come\, n.
1. Salutation to a newcomer. ``Welcome ever smiles.'' --Shak.
2. Kind reception of a guest or newcomer; as, we entered the
house and found a ready welcome.
His warmest welcome at an inn. --Shenstone.
Truth finds an entrance and a welcome too. --South.
{To bid welcome}, to receive with professions of kindness.
To thee and thy company I bid A hearty welcome.
--Shak.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
welcome
adj : giving pleasure or satisfaction or received with pleasure or
freely granted; "a welcome relief"; "a welcome guest";
"made the children feel welcome"; "you are welcome to
join us" [ant: {unwelcome}]
n 1: the state of being welcome; "don't outstay your welcome"
2: a greeting or reception; "the proposal got a warm welcome"
v 1: accept gladly; "I welcome your proposals"
2: bid welcome to; greet upon arrival [syn: {receive}] [ant: {say
farewell}]
3: receive someone, as into one's house
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