wishing well en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
- /ˈwɪʃɪŋ wɛl/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
Meanings
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A well or other water feature into which individuals traditionally cast coins or small objects while making a wish, based on the cultural belief that the act may bring good fortune or help fulfil the wish.
In the burial ground is a wishing-well named after St Augustine - the first Archbishop of Canterbury - who, in the 6th century, is said to have blessed it.
1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 110:Spitting in a wishing well / Blown to hell, crash / I'm the last splash / I know you, little libertine / I know you're a real cuckoo
1993, “Cannonball”, in Last Splash, performed by The Breeders:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| wishing wells | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Translations (12)
fi toivomuskaivo (well where wishes were thought to be granted) · sv önskebrunn (well where wishes were thought to be granted) · cmn 許願井 /许愿井 (well where wishes were thought to be granted) · mn хүслийн худаг (well where wishes were thought to be granted) · pt poço dos desejos (well where wishes were thought to be granted) · de Wunschbrunnen (well where wishes were thought to be granted) · fr puits à souhaits (well where wishes were thought to be granted) · fa چاه آرزو (well where wishes were thought to be granted) · ru колодец желаний (well where wishes were thought to be granted) · es pozo de los deseos (well where wishes were thought to be granted) · pl studnia życzeń (well where wishes were thought to be granted) · ga tobar rúin (well where wishes were thought to be granted)