Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - well

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English ~e, from Old English; akin to Old English weallan to bubble, boil, Old High German ~a wave, Lithuanian vilnis  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. an issue of water from the earth ; a pool fed by a spring  b. source, origin  2.  a. a pit or hole sunk into the earth to reach a supply of water  b. a shaft or hole sunk to obtain oil, brine, or gas  3.  a. an enclosure in the middle of a ship's hold to protect from damage and facilitate the inspection of the pumps  b. a compartment in the hold of a fishing boat in which fish are kept alive  4. an open space extending vertically through floors of a structure  5. a space having a construction or shape suggesting a ~ for water  6.  a. something resembling a ~ in being damp, cool, deep, or dark  b. a deep vertical hole  c. a source from which something may be drawn as needed  7. a pronounced minimum of a variable in physics a potential ~  II. verb  Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ~an to cause to ~; akin to Old English weallan to bubble, boil  Date: before 12th century  intransitive verb  1. to rise to the surface and usually flow forth tears ~ed from her eyes  2. to rise like a flood of liquid longing ~ed up in his breast  transitive verb to emit in a copious free flow  III. adverb  (better; best)  Etymology: Middle English wel, from Old English; akin to Old High German wela ~, Old English wyllan to wish — more at will  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. in a good or proper manner ; justly, rightly  b. satisfactorily with respect to conduct or action did ~ in math works ~ under pressure  2. in a kindly or friendly manner spoke ~ of your idea wished them ~  3.  a. with skill or aptitude ; expertly, excellently paints ~  b. satisfactorily the plan worked ~  c. with good appearance or effect ; elegantly carried himself ~  4. with careful or close attention ; attentively watch ~ what I do  5. to a high degree ~ deserved the honor a ~-equipped kitchen — often used as an intensifier or qualifier there are…vacancies pretty ~ all the time — Listener  6. fully, quite ~ worth the price  7.  a. in a way appropriate to the facts or circumstances ; fittingly, rightly ~ said  b. in a prudent manner ; sensibly — used with do you would do ~ to reread the material  8. in accordance with the occasion or circumstances ; with propriety or good reason cannot ~ refuse the decision may ~ be questioned  9.  a. as one could wish ; pleasingly the idea didn't sit ~ with her  b. with material success ; advantageously married ~  10.  a. easily, readily could ~ afford a new car  b. in all likelihood ; indeed it may ~ be true  11. in a prosperous or affluent manner he lives ~  12. to an extent approaching completeness ; thoroughly after being ~ dried with a towel  13. without doubt or question ; clearly ~ knew the penalty  14. in a familiar manner knew her ~  15. to a large extent or degree ; considerably, far ~ over a million  Usage: see good  IV. interjection  Date: before 12th century  1. — used to indicate resumption of discourse or to introduce a remark they are, ~, not quite what you'd expect  2. — used to express surprise or expostulation ~, what have we here?  V. adjective  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. prosperous, ~-off  b. being in satisfactory condition or circumstances  2. being in good standing or favor  3. satisfactory, pleasing all's ~ that ends ~  4. advisable, desirable it might be ~ for you to leave  5.  a. free or recovered from infirmity or disease ; healthy he's not a ~ man  b. completely cured or healed the wound is nearly ~  6. pleasing or satisfactory in appearance our garden looks ~ — Conrad Aiken  7. being a cause for thankfulness ; fortunate it is ~ that this has happened  Synonyms: see healthy  Usage: see good