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welsh

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To welsh is defined as to go back on your word or fail to honor a promise.

(verb)

When you promise to pay your son's college tuition if he gets into Harvard and then he gets in and you tell him you don't have the money after all, this is an example of a time when you welsh on your promise.

The definition of Welsh is something related to Wales, a principality of Great Britain that is located west of central England.

(adjective)

If a food is characteristic of Wales, this is an example of a food that would be described as Welsh.

See welsh in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

to cheat or swindle by failing to pay a bet or other debt
to evade (an obligation)

Origin: 19th-c. slang, prob. < Welsh, with reference to alleged character traits of the Welsh

Related Forms:

welsher noun

noun

the Celtic language spoken in Wales

Origin: ME Wel(i)sch < OE Welisc < Wealh, Briton, foreigner < PGmc *walh-, Celt < Celt name > L Volcae, name of a Celtic people of S France

adjective

of Wales or its people, language, or culture

See welsh in American Heritage Dictionary 4

intransitive verb welshed also welched, welsh·ing also welch·ing, welsh·es also welch·es
Informal

To swindle a person by not paying a debt or wager.
To fail to fulfill an obligation.

Origin:

Origin: Origin unknown

Related Forms:

welshˈer noun

adjective

Of or relating to Wales or its people, language, or culture.

noun

The people of Wales.
The Celtic language of Wales. Also called Cymric.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English Walische

Origin: , from Old English Wǽlisc

Origin: , from Wealh, foreigner, Welshman, Celt

Origin: , perhaps of Celtic origin

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