Category:Welcome

Wel"come, a. Etym: [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, n., and come.]

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!" Milton.

3. Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to the use Of my library.

Note: welcome is used elliptically for you are welcome. "welcome, Great monarch, to your own." Dryden. Welcome-to-our-house (bot.), a Kind of spurge (euphorbia cyparissias). Dr. Prior.

Welcome Wel"come, n.

1. Salutation to a newcomer. "welcome ever smiles." Shak.

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.

Welcome Wel"come, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welcomed; p. pr. & vb. n. Welcoming.] Etym: [as. wilcumian.]

Defn: to salute with kindness, as a newcomer; to receive and Entertain hospitably and cheerfully; as, to welcome a visitor; to Welcome a new idea. "i welcome you to land." Addison. Thus we salute thee with our early song, and welcome thee, and wish Thee long. Milton.