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.
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.
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.
&fist; 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.
Hear it pronounced