| welcome | 1. Salutation to a newcomer. "Welcome ever smiles." 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) 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!" 3. Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to the use of my library. Welcome is used elliptically for you are welcome. "Welcome, great monarch, to your own. <botany> " Welcome-to-our-house, a kind of spurge (Euphorbia Cyparissias). Origin: 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, and Come. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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