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.]
1. Received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house, entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor.
When the glad soul is made Heaven's welcome guest.
Cowper.
2. Producing gladness; grateful; as, a welcome present; welcome news. "O, welcome hour!"
Milton.
3. Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to the use of my library.
⇒ Welcome is used elliptically for you are welcome. "Welcome, great monarch, to your own."
Dryden.
Welcome-to-our-house Bot., a kind of spurge (Euphorbia Cyparissias).
Dr. Prior.
© Webster 1913.
Wel"come, n.
1. Salutation to a newcomer. "Welcome ever smiles."
Shak.
2. Kind reception of a guest or newcomer; as, we entered the house and found a ready welcome.
His warmest welcome at an inn.
Shenstone.
Truth finds an entrance and a welcome too.
South.
To bid welcome, to receive with professions of kindness.
To thee and thy company I bid
A hearty welcome.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Wel"come, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welcomed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Welcoming.] [AS. wilcumian.] To salute with kindness, as a newcomer; to receive and entertain hospitably and cheerfully; as, to welcome a visitor; to welcome a new idea. "I welcome you to land."
Addison.
Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long.
Milton.
© Webster 1913. | 
