way

views updated May 18 2018

way / / • n. 1. a method, style, or manner of doing something: worry was their way of showing how much they cared there are two ways of approaching this problem. ∎  a person's characteristic or habitual manner of behavior or expression: it was not his way to wait passively for things to happen. ∎  (ways) the customary modes of behavior or practices of a group: foreigners who adopt French ways. ∎  [in sing.] the typical manner in which something happens or in which someone or something behaves: he was showing off, as is the way with adolescent boys.2. a road, track, path, or street for traveling along: [in place names] No. 3, Church Way. ∎  [usu. in sing.] a course of travel or route taken in order to reach a place: can you tell me the way to Duffy Square? ∎  a means of entry or exit from somewhere, such as a door or gate: we're going in the back way. ∎  [in sing.] (also inf. ways) a distance traveled or to be traveled; the distance from one place to another: they still had a long way ahead of them| fig. the area's wine industry still has some way to go to full maturity. ∎  [in sing.] a period between one point in time and another: September was a long way off. ∎  [in sing.] travel or motion along a particular route; the route along which someone or something would travel if unobstructed: Christine tried to follow but Martin blocked her way. ∎  [in sing.] a specified direction: we just missed another car coming the other way. ∎  (often ways) parts into which something divides or is divided: the national vote split three ways | [in comb.] a five-way bidding war. ∎  (one's way) used with a verb and adverbial phrase to intensify the force of an action or to denote movement or progress: I shouldered my way to the bar. ∎  forward or backward motion of a ship or boat through water: the dinghy lost way and drifted toward the shore.3. [in sing.] inf. a particular area or locality: I've got a sick cousin over Fayetteville way.4. a particular aspect of something; a respect: I have changed in every way.5. [in sing.] a specified condition or state: the family was in a poor way.6. (ways) a sloping structure down which a new ship is launched.• adv. inf. at or to a considerable distance or extent; far (used before an adverb or preposition for emphasis): his understanding of what constitutes good writing is way off target my grandchildren are way ahead of others their age. ∎  much: I was cycling way too fast. ∎  extremely; really (used for emphasis): the guys behind the bar were way cool.PHRASES: across the way nearby, esp. on the opposite side of the street.all the waysee all.be on one's way have started one's journey. ∎  [in imper.] ((be) on your way) inf. go away: on your way, and stop wasting my time!by a long way by a great amount; by far.by the way1. incidentally (used to introduce a minor topic not connected with what was being spoken about previously): by the way, pay in advance if you can.2. during the course of a journey: you will have a fine view of Moray Firth by the way.by way of1. so as to pass through or across; via: we approached the Berlin Wall by way of Checkpoint Charlie.2. constituting; as a form of: “I can't help it,” shouted Tom by way of apology.3. by means of: noncompliance with the regulations is punishable by way of a fine.come one's way happen or become available to one: he did whatever jobs came his way.find a way discover a means of obtaining one's object.get (or have) one's (own) way get or do what one wants in spite of opposition.give way1. yield to someone or something: he was not a man to give way to this kind of pressure. ∎  (of a support or structure) be unable to carry a load or withstand a force; collapse or break. ∎  (give way to) allow oneself to be overcome by or to succumb to (an emotion or impulse): she gave way to a burst of weeping.2. allow someone or something to be or go first: give way to traffic coming from the right. ∎  (give way to) be replaced or superseded by: Alan's discomfort gave way to anger. go all the (or go the whole) way continue a course of action to its conclusion. ∎ inf. have sexual intercourse with someone.go out of one's way make a special effort to do something: Mrs. Mott went out of her way to be courteous to Sara.go one's own way act independently or as one wishes, esp. against contrary advice.go one's way1. (of events, circumstances, etc.) be favorable to one: I was just hoping things went my way.2. leave: each went his way singing hallelujahs.go someone's way travel in the same direction as someone: wait for Owen, he's going your way.have it your (own) way [in imper.] inf. used to indicate angrily that although one disagrees with something someone has said or proposed, one is not going to argue further: have it your way–we'll go to Princetown.have it both wayssee both.have a way with have a particular talent for dealing with or ability in: she's got a way with animals.have one's way with humorous have sexual intercourse with (someone) (typically implying that it is against their wishes or better judgment).in more ways than one used to indicate that a statement has more than one meaning: Shelley let her hair down in more ways than one.in a way (or in some ways or in one way) to a certain extent, but not altogether or completely (used to reduce the effect of a statement): in some ways television is more challenging than theater.in the family waysee family.in the (or one's) way forming an obstacle or hindrance to movement or action: his head was in the way of my view.in the way ofanother way of saying by way of (sense 2) above.in someone/something's (own) way if regarded from a particular standpoint appropriate to that person or thing: it's a good enough book in its way.in no way not at all: quasars in no way resemble normal galaxies.keep (or stay) out of someone's way avoid someone.know one's way around be familiar with (an area, procedure, or subject).lead the way go first along a route to show someone the way. ∎  be a pioneer in a particular activity.look the other way deliberately avoid seeing or noticing someone or something.no two ways about itsee no.one way and another taking most aspects or considerations into account: it’s been quite a day one way and another.one way or another (or one way or the other) used to indicate that something is the case for any of various unspecified reasons: one way or another she brought it on herself. ∎  by some means: he wants to get rid of me one way or another. ∎  whichever of two given alternatives is the case: the question is not yet decided, one way or the other.on the (or one's) way in the course of a journey: I'll tell you on the way home.on the (or its) way about to arrive or happen: there's more snow on the way. ∎ inf. (of a child) conceived but not yet born.on the (or one's) way out in the process of leaving. ∎ inf. going out of fashion or favor.the other way around in the opposite position or direction. ∎  the opposite of what is expected or supposed: it was you who sought me out, not the other way around.out of one's way not on one's intended route.put someone in the way of dated give someone the opportunity of.that way dated used euphemistically to indicate that someone is homosexual: he was a bit that way.to someone's (or one's) way of thinking in someone's (or one's) opinion.way back (also way back when) inf. long ago.the way of the Cross1. the journey of Jesus to the place of his crucifixion.2. a set of images representing the Stations of the Cross.3. fig. the suffering and self-sacrifice of a Christian.way of life the typical pattern of behavior of a person or group: the rural way of life.the way of the world the manner in which people typically behave or things typically happen (used to express one's resignation to it): all those millions are not going to create many jobs, but that's the way of the world.ways and means the methods and resources at someone's disposal for achieving something: the company is seeking ways and means of safeguarding jobs.way to go inf. used to express pleasure, approval, or excitement.ORIGIN: Old English weg, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch weg and German Weg, from a base meaning ‘move, carry.’

way

views updated Jun 27 2018

way a path in a particular direction; the Way (in the Acts of the Apostles) the Christian religion; with allusion to John 24:6.
way of all flesh death; go the way of all flesh, meaning ‘die’, is an early variant of the biblical ‘go the way of all the earth’, as in 1 Kings 2:2. The way of all flesh is also sometimes used to mean the experience common to humankind in its passage through life.
the way of the Cross the journey of Jesus to the place of his crucifixion; in extended usage, the suffering and self-sacrifice of a Christian.
the way to a man's heart is through his stomach proverbial saying, early 19th century.

See also a lion in the way, the longest way round, look the other way, love will find a way, right of way, ways, where there's a will there's a way.

way

views updated May 14 2018

way road, path; course of travel, life, or action, distance travelled. OE. weġ = OS., OHG. (Du., G.) weg, ON. vegr, Goth. wigs :- Gmc. *weʒaz, f. *weʒ- move, journey, carry:- IE. *weĝh-, repr. also by L. vehere carry.
So phr. under way (naut.) having begun to move through the water. XVIII. — Du. onderweg; whence perh. sense ‘rate of progress, velocity’ XVIII.

WAY

views updated May 14 2018

WAY World Assembly of Youth

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