GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Welcome , 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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   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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   Producing gladness; grateful; as, a welcome present; welcome news. “O, welcome hour!” 
   Milton.
   
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   Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to the use of my library.
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   ☞ 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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2.       
   Welcome, n.
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   Salutation to a newcomer. “Welcome ever smiles.”
   Shak.
   
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   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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3.       
   Welcome, 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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