Wade (?), n.
Woad.
[Obs.]
Mortimer.
© Webster 1913.
Wade (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Waded; p. pr. & vb. n. Wading.] [OE. waden to wade, to go, AS. wadan; akin to OFries. wada, D. waden, OHG. watan, Icel. vaa, Sw. vada, Dan. vade, L. vadere to go, walk, vadum a ford. Cf. Evade, Invade, Pervade, Waddle.]
1.
To go; to move forward.
[Obs.]
When might is joined unto cruelty,
Alas, too deep will the venom wade.
Chaucer.
Forbear, and wade no further in this speech.
Old Play.
2.
To walk in a substance that yields to the feet; to move, sinking at each step, as in water, mud, sand, etc.
So eagerly the fiend . . .
With head, hands, wings, or feet, pursues his way,
And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies.
Milton.
3.
Hence, to move with difficulty or labor; to proceed lowly among objects or circumstances that constantly inder or embarrass; as, to wade through a dull book.
And wades through fumes, and gropes his way.
Dryden.
The king's admirable conduct has waded through all these difficulties.
Davenant.
© Webster 1913.
Wade, v. t.
To pass or cross by wading; as, he waded he rivers and swamps.
© Webster 1913.
Wade (?), n.
The act of wading.
[Colloq.]
© Webster 1913.