weal

¹ American  

[weel] / wil /

noun

1. well-being, prosperity, or happiness.

   the public weal;

   weal and woe.

2. Obsolete.  wealth or riches.

3. Obsolete.  the body politic; the state.

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weal ² American  

[weel] / wil /

noun

1. wheal.

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weal ¹ British  

/ wiːl /

noun

1. archaic  prosperity or wellbeing (now esp in the phrases the public weal, the common weal )

2. obsolete  the state

3. obsolete  wealth

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weal ² British  

/ wiːl /

noun

1. Also called: wale.   welt.   wheal.  a raised mark on the surface of the body produced by a blow

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Etymology

Origin of weal¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English wele, Old English wela; akin to well ¹

Origin of weal²

Variant of wale ¹, with ea of wheal

Example Sentences

Yet he did make one enduring contribution to the public weal, if unintentionally.

From Washington Post

As a result of its big-picture status as a niche industry, sports’ impact on the public weal is modest, except to entertain those who find joy in it.

From Washington Post

By diverting investment towards repairing landscapes and contributing to the public weal, rewilders are taking money away from conventional economic activities.

From The Guardian

“Sundry base and wicked persons,” Washington called the merchants, “preferring their own, present private emolument to their country’s weal.”

From Washington Post

Its absurdly engorged military budget diverts hundreds of billions of dollars a year from the public weal to those who profit from the military-industrial complex.

From New York Times