Category:Whelm

Whelm, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whelmed; p. pr. & vb. n. Whelming.] Etym: [oe. whelmen to turn over, akin to oe. whelven, as. whelfan, hwylfan, In, , to overwhelm, cover over; akin to os. bihwelbian, d. welven to Arch, g. wölben, ohg. welben, icel. hvelfa to overturn; cf. Gr.

1. To cover with water or other fluid; to cover by immersion in Something that envelops on all sides; to overwhelm; to ingulf. She is my prize, or ocean whelm them all! Shak. The whelming billow and the faithless oar. Gay.

2. Fig.: To cover completely, as if with water; to immerse; to Overcome; as, to whelm one in sorrows. "the whelming weight of Crime." J. H. Newman.

3. To throw (something) over a thing so as to cover it. [obs.] Mortimer.