4 N‑SING In weaving, the warp is the threads which are held in a frame or machine called a loom while another thread is passed across through them. Compare weft .
wa r paint also warpaint N‑UNCOUNT War paint is the paint which some groups of people used to decorate their faces and bodies before they fought a battle.
war|path /wɔː r pɑːθ, -pæθ/ PHRASE If you say that someone is or has gone on the warpath , you mean that they are angry and getting ready for a fight or conflict. [INFORMAL ] □ I had warned the children that daddy was on the warpath.
war|plane /wɔː r ple I n/ (warplanes ) also war plane N‑COUNT A warplane is an aircraft that is designed to be used for fighting, for example to attack other aircraft or to drop bombs.
war|rant /wɒ rənt, [AM ] wɔː r-/ (warrants , warranting , warranted )
1 VERB If something warrants a particular action, it makes the action seem necessary or appropriate for the circumstances. □ [V n] The allegations are serious enough to warrant an investigation. ● war|rant|ed ADJ □ Do you think this fear is warranted?
2 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A warrant is a legal document that allows someone to do something, especially one that is signed by a judge or magistrate and gives the police permission to arrest someone or search their house. □ [+ for ] Police confirmed that they had issued a warrant for his arrest. □ …a search warrant.
3 → see also death warrant
wa r|rant of|fic|er (warrant officers ) N‑COUNT A warrant officer is a person in the army, the air force, or the marines who is above the rank of sergeant and below the rank of lieutenant. In the United States Navy, a warrant officer is above the rank of petty officer and below the rank of ensign.
war|ran|ty /wɒ rənti, [AM ] wɔː r-/ (warranties ) N‑COUNT [oft under N ] A warranty is a written promise by a company that, if you find a fault in something they have sold you within a certain time, they will repair it or replace it free of charge. □ …a twelve month warranty. □ The equipment is still under warranty.
war|ren /wɒ rən, [AM ] wɔː r-/ (warrens )
1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A warren is a group of holes in the ground which are connected by tunnels and which rabbits live in.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe a building or an area of a city as a warren , you mean that there are many narrow passages or streets. □ [+ of ] …a warren of narrow streets.
war|ring /wɔː r I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] Warring is used to describe groups of people who are involved in a conflict or quarrel with each other. □ The warring factions have not yet turned in all their heavy weapons. □ …warring brothers and sisters.
war|ri|or /wɒ riə r , [AM ] wɔː r-/ (warriors ) N‑COUNT A warrior is a fighter or soldier, especially one in former times who was very brave and experienced in fighting.
war|ship /wɔː r ʃ I p/ (warships ) N‑COUNT A warship is a ship with guns that is used for fighting in wars.
wart /wɔː r t/ (warts ) N‑COUNT A wart is a small lump which grows on your skin.
wart|hog /wɔː r thɒg, [AM ] -hɔːg/ (warthogs ) N‑COUNT A warthog is a wild pig with two large teeth that curve upwards at the sides of its mouth. Warthogs live in Africa.
war|time /wɔː r ta I m/ also war-time N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N , N n] Wartime is a period of time when a war is being fought. □ …his wartime experiences in France.
wa r wid|ow (war widows ) N‑COUNT A war widow is a woman whose husband was killed while he was in the armed forces during a war.
wary /weə ri/ (warier , wariest ) ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are wary of something or someone, you are cautious because you do not know much about them and you believe they may be dangerous or cause problems. □ [+ of ] People did not teach their children to be wary of strangers. □ [+ about ] They were very wary about giving him a contract. ● wari|ly /weə r I li/ ADV [usu ADV with v] □ She studied me warily, as if I might turn violent.
was /wəz, STRONG wɒz, [AM ] wʌz/ Was is the first and third person singular of the past tense of be .
wash ◆◇◇ /wɒ ʃ/ (washes , washing , washed )
1 VERB If you wash something, you clean it using water and usually a substance such as soap or detergent. □ [V n] He got a job washing dishes in a pizza parlour. □ [V n prep] It took a long time to wash the mud out of his hair. □ [V n with adv] Rub down the door and wash off the dust before applying the varnish. ● N‑COUNT Wash is also a noun. □ That coat could do with a wash. □ The treatment leaves hair glossy and lasts 10 to 16 washes.
2 VERB If you wash or if you wash part of your body, especially your hands and face, you clean part of your body using soap and water. □ [V ] They looked as if they hadn't washed in days. □ [V n] She washed her face with cold water. □ [get V -ed] You are going to have your dinner, get washed, and go to bed. ● N‑COUNT Wash is also a noun. □ She had a wash and changed her clothes.
3 VERB If a sea or river washes somewhere, it flows there gently. You can also say that something carried by a sea or river washes or is washed somewhere. □ [V prep/adv] The sea washed against the shore. □ [V n with adv] The force of the water washed him back into the cave. [Also V n prep]
4 N‑SING The wash of a boat is the wave that it causes on either side as it moves through the water. □ [+ from ] …the wash from large ships.