waters

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
water/ˈwɔːtə(r)/

▶noun

• 1 the liquid which forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms. [Chemical formula: H₂O.]

  ■ one of the four elements in ancient and medieval philosophy and in astrology.

  ■ (waters) the water of a mineral spring as used medicinally.

  ■ a solution of a specified substance in water: ammonia water.

  ■ urine.

  ■ (waters) amniotic fluid, especially as discharged shortly before birth.

• 2 (the water) a stretch of water, such as a river, sea, or lake.

  ■ the surface of this.

  ■ [as modifier] found in, on, or near the water.

  ■ (waters) an area of sea regarded as under the jurisdiction of a particular country.

• 3 the quality of transparency and brilliance shown by a diamond or other gem.

• 4 Finance capital stock which represents a book value greater than the true assets of a company.

▶verb

• 1 pour water over (a plant or an area of ground).

  ■ give a drink of water to (an animal).

  ■ take a fresh supply of water on board (a ship or steam train).

• 2 (of the eyes or mouth) produce tears or saliva.

• 3 dilute (a drink, typically an alcoholic one) with water.

  ■ (water something down) make something less forceful or controversial by changing or leaving out certain details.

• 4 (of a river) flow through (an area).

• 5 Finance increase (a company's debt, or nominal capital) by the issue of new shares without a corresponding addition to assets.

– phrases
like water in great quantities.
make water

• 1 urinate.

• 2 (of a ship or boat) take in water through a leak.

of the first water

• 1 (of a diamond or pearl) of the greatest brilliance and transparency.

• 2 referring to a person or thing unsurpassed of their kind: she was a bore of the first water.

under water submerged; flooded.
the water of life whisky.
water on the brain informal hydrocephalus.
water under the bridge (or N. Amer. water over the dam) past events that are over and done with.

– derivatives
waterer noun,
waterless adjective.

– origin OE wæter (n.), wæterian (v.), of Gmc origin.