from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Welcome \Wel"come\, a. [OE. welcome, welcume, wilcume, AS.
wilcuma a welcome guest, from wil-, as a prefix, akin to
willa will + cuma a comer, fr. cuman to come; hence,
properly, one who comes so as to please another's will; cf.
Icel. velkominn welcome, G. willkommen. See {Will}, n., and
Come.]
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1. Received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house,
entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor.
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When the glad soul is made Heaven's welcome guest.
--Cowper.
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2. Producing gladness; grateful; as, a welcome present;
welcome news. "O, welcome hour!" --Milton.
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3. Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to
the use of my library.
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Note: Welcome is used elliptically for you are welcome.
"Welcome, great monarch, to your own." --Dryden.
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{Welcome-to-our-house} (Bot.), a kind of spurge ({Euphorbia
Cyparissias}). --Dr. Prior.
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