From Middle English welde, wolde, from Old English *weald, weard, variant form of wād, Proto-West Germanic *waiʀd, from Proto-Germanic *waizdaz. Alternatively reborrowed from or contaminated by Anglo-Norman wold, wolde (compare Old French guaide). Doublet of woad. Dutch wouw is derived from the same basic form with -l-.
Meanings
A herb (Reseda luteola) related to mignonette, growing in Europe, and to some extent in America, used to make a yellow dye.
The yellow coloring matter or dye extracted from this plant.
Alteration of well (“boil, rise”), probably influenced by the past participle, welled.
Compare cognate Danish vælde, Swedish välla (“boil, rise → to forge weld”).
Meanings
The joint made by welding.
Excessive spot weld time may cause the electrode tips to mushroom, resulting in no focus of current and a weak weld. 2001, James E. Duffy, I-Car Professional Automotive Collision Repair, page 173:
The aim of these tests is the examination of the weld without imparting any damage. These may include x-rays, hydrostatic tests, etc, and are also termed NDE or nondestructive examination and NDI or nondestructive inspection. […] To judge the soundness of the fillet welds another break test method is employed which is called as Fillet Weld Break Test. 2021 February 23, Ramakant Sharma, “Weld Testing Methods: Destructive & Non-Destructive”, in Cruxweld, archived from the original on 25 May 2025:
Alteration of well (“boil, rise”), probably influenced by the past participle, welled.
Compare cognate Danish vælde, Swedish välla (“boil, rise → to forge weld”).
Meanings
(transitive) To join two materials (especially two metals) together by applying heat, pressure and filler, either separately or in any combination.
The tensile strength test is designed to test the strength of the welded joint. 2021 February 23, Ramakant Sharma, “Weld Testing Methods: Destructive & Non-Destructive”, in Cruxweld, archived from the original on 25 May 2025:
[…] and at Dinsdale work will commence in 1957 on a depot to deal with rail welding and track pre-assembly. The plant envisaged will weld new flat-bottom rails into 180-ft. lengths for laying in selected lines. 1956 July, “Modernisation in the North Eastern Region”, in Railway Magazine, page 484:
(transitive) To make something by welding.
I've welded a metal sculpture.
(transitive) To bind together inseparably; to unite closely or intimately.
The organisational and administrative tasks involved in welding the railways into a single entity have also received much publicity. 1951 April, D. S. Barrie, “British Railways: A Survey, 1948-1950”, in Railway Magazine, number 600, page 223:
The arrows pierced through the welded ranks of the opposing army.
Now should men see / Two women faster welded in one love / Than pairs of wedlock. 1847, Alfred Lord Tennyson, The Princess:
Turne thee to those that weld the awfull crowne 1579, Immeritô [pseudonym; Edmund Spenser], The Shepheardes Calender: […], London: […] Hugh Singleton, […], →OCLC:
[Arthur says to a wicked giant] "he that alle the world weldeth gyue the ſorte lyf & ſameful dethe" ("He who wields all the world gives thee short life and shameful death") 1485: Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte D'Arthur, p. 168 line 2 (Sommer edition)
[Arthur says to conquering knights] "ye be worthy to welde all your honour and worship" 1485: Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte D'Arthur, p. 172 line 2 (Sommer edition)