waɪd adj., adv., & n. --adj. 1 a measuring
much or
more than other things of
the same kind
across or
from side to side. b
considerable; more than is needed (a wide margin). 2 (following a measurement) in
width (a metre wide). 3 extending
far; embracing much; of
great extent (has a wide
range;
has wide
experience; reached a wide public). 4
not tight or close or restricted;
loose. 5 a
free,
liberal;
unprejudiced (takes wide views). b not specialized;
general. 6
open to the full extent (staring
with wide eyes). 7 a (foll. by of) not
within a
reasonable distance of. b at a considerable distance from a
point or mark. 8
Brit. sl.
shrewd;
skilled in
sharp practice (wide boy). 9 (in comb.) extending
over the
whole of (nationwide). --adv. 1
widely. 2 to the full extent (wide awake). 3 far from the
target etc. (is
shooting wide). --n. 1 Cricket a ball judged to pass the
wicket beyond the batsman's
reach and so scoring a
run. 2 (prec. by the) the wide
world. øgive a wide
berth to see BERTH. wide-angle (of a lens) having a
short focal length and
hence a
field covering a wide
angle. wide
awake 1
fully awake. 2 colloq.
wary,
knowing. wide ball Cricket (sense 1 of n.). wide-eyed surprised or
naìve. wide of the mark see
MARK(1). wide open (often foll. by to) exposed or
vulnerable (to
attack etc.). wide-ranging covering an
extensive range. the wide world
all the world great as it
is. øøwideness n. widish adj. [OE wid (adj.), wide (adv.) f. Gmc]