welter

¹ American  

[wel-ter] / ˈwɛl tər /

verb (used without object)

1. to roll, toss, or heave, as waves or the sea.

2. to roll, writhe, or tumble about; wallow, as animals (often followed byabout ).

   pigs weltering about happily in the mud.

3. to lie bathed in or be drenched in something, especially blood.

4. to become deeply or extensively involved, associated, entangled, etc..

   to welter in setbacks, confusion, and despair.

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noun

1. a confused mass; a jumble or muddle.

   a welter of anxious faces.

2. a state of commotion, turmoil, or upheaval.

   the welter that followed the surprise attack.

   Synonyms:

   tumult , confusion

3. a rolling, tossing, or tumbling about, as or as if by the sea, waves, or wind.

   They found the shore through the mighty welter.

welter ² American  

[wel-ter] / ˈwɛl tər /

noun

1. Informal.  a welterweight boxer or wrestler.

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adjective

1. (of a steeplechase or hurdle race) pertaining to, or noting a race in which the horses bear welterweights.

welter British  

/ ˈwɛltə /

verb

1. to roll about, writhe, or wallow

2. (esp of the sea) to surge, heave, or toss

3. to lie drenched in a liquid, esp blood

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noun

1. a rolling motion, as of the sea

2. a confused mass; jumble

Etymology

Origin of welter¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English welteren, welten “tumble, fall over; writhe,” Old English wiltan, weltan “roll”; cognate with Middle Dutch welteren, Low German weltern “to roll”

Origin of welter¹

First recorded in 1785–95; of uncertain origin; perhaps from welt in the sense “to beat soundly” + -er ¹, or welter ¹ in the sense “a rolling or tossing about”

Example Sentences

Of the many double-edged gifts bestowed upon us by the streaming service gods, the welter of celebrity documentaries is perhaps the most remarkable.

From Los Angeles Times

When, in Season 3, Storer and his writers opted to slow things down a bit, to pull each character aside and unsnarl the welter of emotions that fueled the Bear’s kitchen, some viewers were disappointed.

From Los Angeles Times

Anyone who has bought into the Republican condemnation of Democrats as the “godless” left was no doubt surprised by the welter of references to many faiths.

From Los Angeles Times

Being an MP, while a privilege, isn't easy, splitting your life between two places, the welter of public scrutiny and being subject to the vagaries of your party's political fortunes.

From BBC

But the 2014 YouTube video set off a welter of “fire noodle challenges” around the world, launching Buldak into viral fame.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• jumble