The Well

For lessons using a Well as spiritual metaphor, follow this link.

Definitions

1. 1. a. A spring of water rising to the surface of the earth and forming a small pool or flowing in a stream; a pool (or, rarely, a stream) fed by a spring. Now arch. or dial.

b. A miraculous spring of water (or oil); a spring of water supposed to be of miraculous origin or to have supernatural healing powers; also, in later use, a medicinal or mineral spring. Freq. in proper names assigning the well to a particular saint.

c. pl. A place where medicinal springs exist, to which invalids resort; a watering-place or spa.

d. Her. The representation of a stream, used as a bearing. Obs.

e. A fountain fed by a spring; a structure erected above a spring for convenience in obtaining the water; a drinking-fountain. Chiefly Sc.

• 2. transf. and fig. a. In allusive contexts directly suggestive of the nature (flowing, etc.) or uses (drinking, taking water) of a spring.

b. That from which something springs or arises; a source or origin.

c. Applied to persons regarded as a source or abundant manifestation of some quality or virtue.

d. A copious flow (of tears or blood). Also hyperbolically applied to a weeping person.

e. A whirlpool. Applied spec. to certain whirlpools in the Orkneys as a rendering of the native designation keld = ON. kelda spring. Tennyson's use may either be independent or derived from Scott.

• 3. a. A pit dug in the ground to obtain a supply of spring-water; spec. a vertical excavation, usually circular in form and lined with masonry, sunk to such a depth as to penetrate a water-bearing stratum.

b. Her. A bearing representing the stone curb or border of a well.

• 4. a. In various proverbial sayings or phrases. (See also PITCHER1 1b.)
  • b. to put (a person) in the well (see quot.). slang.

• 5. transf. a. = FONTANELLE 1a. Obs.

b. a well of a (place): like a well, as being damp and cold or deep and dark.

• 6. Naut. a. A vertical shaft protecting the pump below the lower (or upper) deck in a ship's hold. to sound the well, to ascertain, by means of a sounding-rod, the depth of water accumulated in the hold.

b. A cistern or tank in a fishing-boat, in which the catch of fish is preserved alive. Cf. WELL-BOAT 1

• 7. A shaft or pit bored or dug in the ground. In various specific applications. a. An excavation for the storage of ice.

a. A shaft sunk to obtain oil, brine, gas, etc.

b. A shaft to carry water through a retentive to a porous stratum or to a drain; a sink for sewage.

c. Engin. A hollow cylinder or shaft of masonry sunk and filled in solid to form a foundation.

• 8. a. The central open space, from roof to basement, of a winding, spiral, or elliptical staircase; the open space in which a lift operates.

b. The space on the floor of a law-court (between the Judge's bench and the last row of seats occupied by Counsel) where the solicitors sit.

c. A deep narrow space formed by the surrounding walls of a building or buildings, serving for the access of light and air.

d. = orchestra pit s.v. ORCHESTRA 4.

• 7. A shaft or pit bored or dug in the ground. In various specific applications. a. An excavation for the storage of ice.

b. Mil. = SHAFT n.3 2.

c. (See quot.)

d. A shaft sunk to obtain oil, brine, gas, etc.

e. A shaft to carry water through a retentive to a porous stratum or to a drain; a sink for sewage.

f. Engin. A hollow cylinder or shaft of masonry sunk and filled in solid to form a foundation.

• 8. a. The central open space, from roof to basement, of a winding, spiral, or elliptical staircase; the open space in which a lift operates.

b. The space on the floor of a law-court (between the Judge's bench and the last row of seats occupied by Counsel) where the solicitors sit.

c. A deep narrow space formed by the surrounding walls of a building or buildings, serving for the access of light and air.

d. = orchestra pit s.v. ORCHESTRA 4.

• 9. a. A space left, in stacking hay, to serve as a ventilating shaft. dial.

b. In Ship- and Boat-building applied to various vertical apertures: see quots.

• 10. a. A box-like receptacle in the body of a vehicle, for articles of luggage.Pa

b. A comparatively deep receptacle at the bottom of a piece of furniture, esp. of one fitted with trays, drawers, compartments, etc.

• 11. A hole or cavity containing or to contain a liquid. In various applications. a. The water-tank at the base of a shot-tower, into which the drops of melted lead fall.

b. A cavity at the bottom of a furnace, into which the molten metal fall> A sunk receptacle for a liquid, as ink, etc.; also, an indentation or cavity in a dish, tray, etc.; spec. in Ceramics, the depressed central portion of a plate, saucer, or dish.

• 12. Physics. = potential well s.v. POTENTIAL n. 4c.

A Prayer in reference to The Well

"Listen to the Cosmic Christ, to Cosmic Wisdom calling all the children of God together: 'Come, children, drink of my waters which are all common waters. They are free and available to all my children. Drink of my wisdom from your own unique well. Let the Taoists drink and the Muslims drink; let the Jews drink and the Buddhists drink; let the Christians drink and the [........] drink.

I am tired of your religious wars; your sectarian divisions, your crusading spirits that arise from disharmony. I long for harmony. If there must be competition, let it take place at the level of shared gifts and the bountiful outpouring of wisdom. Pray together. Create harmony and healing together. Cease using religion to divide.

Use it for its purpose, to reconnect to Mother and Father, to blessings, to the underground river that I am and that you all share. And cease scandalizing the young by your indifference to these awesome blessings, by your competition and your boredom. Praise one another. Praise the earth. In doing so, you praise me.'", Matthew Fox