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Welter: meaning, definitions and examples

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welter

 

[ ˈwɛltər ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

movement, confusion

To welter means to roll or toss about, often in a chaotic or confused manner. It can also refer to being in a state of turmoil or being swept along by an uncontrollable force.

Synonyms

flounder, tumble, wallow.

Examples of usage

  • The ship weltered in the stormy sea.
  • Emotions weltered within her during the argument.
  • The children weltered in the play area after the rain.
Context #2 | Noun

confusion, turmoil

Welter can also refer to a state of confusion or mess, often characterized by turmoil and disorder. It describes a chaotic situation where different elements are intertwined and difficult to disentangle.

Synonyms

confusion, disarray, muddle.

Examples of usage

  • The welter of opinions made it hard to reach a conclusion.
  • Amidst the welter of activities, he found time to relax.
  • The report was filled with a welter of details.

Translations

Translations of the word "welter" in other languages:

🇵🇹 welter

🇮🇳 गड़बड़

🇩🇪 Durcheinander

🇮🇩 kekacauan

🇺🇦 безлад

🇵🇱 bałagan

🇯🇵 混乱

🇫🇷 désordre

🇪🇸 desorden

🇹🇷 kargaşa

🇰🇷 혼란

🇸🇦 فوضى

🇨🇿 nepořádek

🇸🇰 neporiadok

🇨🇳 混乱

🇸🇮 zmeda

🇮🇸 óreiða

🇰🇿 бұзылыс

🇬🇪 ჩხუბი

🇦🇿 qarışıqlıq

🇲🇽 desorden

Etymology

The word 'welter' has its origins in Middle English and can be traced back to the Old English term 'wealtrian', which means 'to roll' or 'to toss about'. This etymological lineage reflects the core concept of movement and disorder inherent in the term. In the evolution of language, 'welter' has maintained its association with chaos and confusion, often used in literary or poetic contexts to evoke images of tumultuous situations. The transition of the word from its Old English roots into modern usage illustrates how language adapts while retaining essential meanings over time. By the 16th century, 'welter' was established in English and was commonly used in descriptions of physical states as well as abstract concepts of emotional turmoil. As it stands today, 'welter' encapsulates both physical movement and psychological disturbances, serving as a vivid representation of chaos in various forms.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,789, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.