walls

Main Entry:: ¹wall
Pronunciation:: \ˈwȯl\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English, from Old English weall; akin to Middle High German wall; both from Latin vallum rampart, from vallus stake, palisade; perhaps akin to Old Norse vǫlr staff — more at wale
Date:: before 12th century

1 a: a high thick masonry structure forming a long rampart or an enclosure chiefly for defense —often used in plural b: a masonry fence around a garden, park, or estate c: a structure that serves to hold back pressure (as of water or sliding earth)2: one of the sides of a room or building connecting floor and ceiling or foundation and roof3: the side of a footpath next to buildings4: an extreme or desperate position or a state of defeat, failure, or ruin <the surrounded troops had their backs against the wall> <small companies driven to the wall>5: a material layer enclosing space <the wall of a container> <heart walls>6: something resembling a wall (as in appearance, function, or effect) ; especially : something that acts as a barrier or defense <a wall of reserve> <tariff wall>

— wall–like

\ˈwȯl-ˌlīk\ adjective

— off the wall

slang : crazy <the plan was off the wall>

— up the wall

slang : into a state of intense agitation, annoyance, or frustration <the noise drove me up the wall>

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