ˈwell-ˌwisher
One who wishes well to another, a cause, etc. Const. to, of, or with possessive.
| 1590 Tarlton's Newes Purgatorie 1 Amongst the rest of whose welwishers my selfe being not the least. 1639 G. Plattes Discov. Subterr. Treas. To Rdr., So I take my leave and rest, Your hearty Well-wisher. G. P. 1670 Eachard Cont. Clergy 8 All well-wishers either to the clergy or learning. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 10 ¶7, I know several of my Friends and Well-wishers are in great Pain for me. 1772 Phil. Trans. LXII. 356, I am..a constant well-wisher to the progress of arts and sciences. 1780 Mirror No. 82 Yet the tale has a moral, by no means flattering to the well-wishers of this country. 1788 F. Burney Diary 24 July, He seemed to feel that he spoke to a safe and a sympathising well-wisher. 1836 C. Wordsworth Athens xi. (1855) 66 Some wise well-wisher to the Areopagus. 1849 C. Brontë Shirley i, It would be a nice opportunity for any of his well-wishers to pay him a visit. 1905 Times 10 May 10 Those who are not well-wishers of either country. |
† b. One who aspires to (be or become). Obs.
| 1710–11 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 7 Mar., The latter has a good deal of learning, and he is a well-wisher to be an author. |