From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
welcome
adj 1: giving pleasure or satisfaction or received with pleasure
or freely granted; "a welcome relief"; "a welcome guest";
"made the children feel welcome"; "you are welcome to
join us" [ant: unwelcome]
n 1: the state of being welcome; "don't outstay your welcome"
2: a greeting or reception; "the proposal got a warm welcome"
v 1: accept gladly; "I welcome your proposals"
2: bid welcome to; greet upon arrival [syn: welcome,
receive] [ant: say farewell]
3: receive someone, as into one's house
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Welcome \Wel"come\, n.
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1. Salutation to a newcomer. "Welcome ever smiles." --Shak.
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2. Kind reception of a guest or newcomer; as, we entered the
house and found a ready welcome.
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His warmest welcome at an inn. --Shenstone.
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Truth finds an entrance and a welcome too. --South.
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To bid welcome, to receive with professions of kindness.
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To thee and thy company I bid
A hearty welcome. --Shak.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Welcome \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.]
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1. Received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house,
entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor.
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When the glad soul is made Heaven's welcome guest.
--Cowper.
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2. Producing gladness; grateful; as, a welcome present;
welcome news. "O, welcome hour!" --Milton.
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3. Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to
the use of my library.
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Note: Welcome is used elliptically for you are welcome.
"Welcome, great monarch, to your own." --Dryden.
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Welcome-to-our-house (Bot.), a kind of spurge ({Euphorbia
Cyparissias}). --Dr. Prior.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Welcome \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.
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Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long. --Milton.
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