资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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.]
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.
Note: 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.