Topic: WIND, WATER, SUN
Explore WIND, WATER, SUN Topic
| Language: | Old English |
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wind1 S2 W2
1 moving air, especially when it moves strongly or quickly in a current [↪ windy]: a 70-mile-an-hour wind the side of the building most exposed to prevailing winds (=the winds blowing over a particular area most of the time)
air
[uncountable and countable] also the windDN gale/hurricane force winds (=strong enough to cause a lot of damage)
a 70-mile-an-hour wind east/west/north/south wind (=coming from the east etc)
the side of the building most exposed to prevailing winds (=the winds blowing over a particular area most of the time)2 to hear or find out about something secret or private : You better hope the press doesn't get wind of this.
get/have wind of something
informalYou better hope the press doesn't get wind of this.3 your ability to breathe normally
breath
[uncountable] get your wind (back) (=be able to breathe normally again, for example after running)
knock the wind out of somebody (=hit someone in the stomach so that they cannot breathe for a moment)
➔ second wind
at second1 (12), windpipe4 the condition of having air or gas in your stomach or intestines, or the air or gas itself [= gas American English] I can't drink beer - it gives me wind. 'What's wrong with the baby?' 'Just a little wind.'
in your stomach
[uncountable] British EnglishMII can't drink beer - it gives me wind.'What's wrong with the baby?' 'Just a little wind.'5 to make someone lose their confidence, especially by saying or doing something unexpected
take the wind out of somebody's sails
informal6 to find out what the situation is before you do something or make a decision
see which way the wind is blowing
7 used to say that something is happening or going to happen, but the details are not clear : If there was a merger in the wind, I'm sure we'd hear about it.
something is in the wind
If there was a merger in the wind, I'm sure we'd hear about it.8 used to refer to things that have important effects, and that cannot be stopped :
winds of change/freedom/public opinion etc
9 if you put the wind up someone, you make them feel anxious or frightened. If you get the wind up, you become anxious or frightened : The threat of legal action will be enough to put the wind up them.
put the wind up somebody/get the wind up
British English informalThe threat of legal action will be enough to put the wind up them.10 the people in an orchestra or band who play musical instruments that you blow through, such as a flute
music
the winds/the wind section
APM11 if someone or something moves or runs like the wind, they move or run very quickly :
like the wind
12 talk that does not mean anything
