from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Wale \Wale\, n. [AS. walu a mark of stripes or blows, probably
originally, a rod; akin to Icel. v["o]lr, Goth. walus a rod,
staff. [root]146. Cf. {Goal}, {Weal} a wale.]
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1. A streak or mark made on the skin by a rod or whip; a
stripe; a wheal. See {Wheal}. --Holland.
Syn: welt; weal; wheal.
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2. A ridge or streak rising above the surface, as of cloth;
hence, the texture of cloth.
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Thou 'rt rougher far,
And of a coarser wale, fuller of pride. --Beau. &
Fl.
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3. (Carp.) A timber bolted to a row of piles to secure them
together and in position. --Knight.
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4. (Naut.)
(a) pl. Certain sets or strakes of the outside planking of
a vessel; as, the main wales, or the strakes of
planking under the port sills of the gun deck; channel
wales, or those along the spar deck, etc.
(b) A wale knot, or wall knot.
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{Wale knot}. (Naut.) See {Wall knot}, under 1st {Wall}.
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