Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Wind \Wind\ (w[i^]nd, in poetry and singing often w[imac]nd;
   277), n. [AS. wind; akin to OS., OFries., D., & G. wind, OHG.
   wint, Dan. & Sw. vind, Icel. vindr, Goth winds, W. gwynt, L.
   ventus, Skr. v[=a]ta (cf. Gr. 'ah`ths a blast, gale, 'ah^nai
   to breathe hard, to blow, as the wind); originally a p. pr.
   from the verb seen in Skr. v[=a] to blow, akin to AS.
   w[=a]wan, D. waaijen, G. wehen, OHG. w[=a]en, w[=a]jen, Goth.
   waian. [root]131. Cf. {Air}, {Ventail}, {Ventilate},
   {Window}, {Winnow}.]
   1. Air naturally in motion with any degree of velocity; a
      current of air.

            Except wind stands as never it stood, It is an ill
            wind that turns none to good.         --Tusser.

            Winds were soft, and woods were green. --Longfellow.

   2. Air artificially put in motion by any force or action; as,
      the wind of a cannon ball; the wind of a bellows.

   3. Breath modulated by the respiratory and vocal organs, or
      by an instrument.

            Their instruments were various in their kind, Some
            for the bow, and some for breathing wind. --Dryden.

   4. Power of respiration; breath.

            If my wind were but long enough to say my prayers, I
            would repent.                         --Shak.

   5. Air or gas generated in the stomach or bowels; flatulence;
      as, to be troubled with wind.

   6. Air impregnated with an odor or scent.

            A pack of dogfish had him in the wind. --Swift.

   7. A direction from which the wind may blow; a point of the
      compass; especially, one of the cardinal points, which are
      often called the four winds.

            Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon
            these slain.                          --Ezek.
                                                  xxxvii. 9.

   Note: This sense seems to have had its origin in the East.
         The Hebrews gave to each of the four cardinal points
         the name of wind.

   8. (Far.) A disease of sheep, in which the intestines are
      distended with air, or rather affected with a violent
      inflammation. It occurs immediately after shearing.

   9. Mere breath or talk; empty effort; idle words.

            Nor think thou with wind Of airy threats to awe.
                                                  --Milton.

   10. (Zo["o]l.) The dotterel. [Prov. Eng.]

   Note: Wind is often used adjectively, or as the first part of
         compound words.

   {All in the wind}. (Naut.) See under {All}, n.

   {Before the wind}. (Naut.) See under {Before}.

   {Between wind and water} (Naut.), in that part of a ship's
      side or bottom which is frequently brought above water by
      the rolling of the ship, or fluctuation of the water's
      surface. Hence, colloquially, (as an injury to that part
      of a vessel, in an engagement, is particularly dangerous)
      the vulnerable part or point of anything.

   {Cardinal winds}. See under {Cardinal}, a.

   {Down the wind}.
       (a) In the direction of, and moving with, the wind; as,
           birds fly swiftly down the wind.
       (b) Decaying; declining; in a state of decay. [Obs.] ``He
           went down the wind still.'' --L'Estrange.

   {In the wind's eye} (Naut.), directly toward the point from
      which the wind blows.

   {Three sheets in the wind}, unsteady from drink. [Sailors'
      Slang]

Cardinal \Car"di*nal\, a. [L. cardinalis, fr. cardo the hinge of
   a door, that on which a thing turns or depends: cf. F.
   cardinal.]
   Of fundamental importance; pre["e]minent; superior; chief;
   principal.

         The cardinal intersections of the zodiac. --Sir T.
                                                  Browne.

         Impudence is now a cardinal virtue.      --Drayton.

         But cardinal sins, and hollow hearts, I fear ye.
                                                  --Shak.

   {Cardinal numbers}, the numbers one, two, three, etc., in
      distinction from first, second, third, etc., which are
      called {ordinal numbers}.

   {Cardinal points}
   (a) (Geol.) The four principal points of the compass, or
       intersections of the horizon with the meridian and the
       prime vertical circle, north, south east, and west.
   (b) (Astrol.) The rising and setting of the sun, the zenith
       and nadir.

   {Cardinal signs} (Astron.) Aries, Libra, Cancer, and
      Capricorn.

   {Cardinal teeth} (Zo["o]l.), the central teeth of bivalve
      shell. See {Bivalve}.

   {Cardinal veins} (Anat.), the veins in vertebrate embryos,
      which run each side of the vertebral column and returm the
      blood to the heart. They remain through life in some
      fishes.

   {Cardinal virtues}, pre["e]minent virtues; among the
      ancients, prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude.

   {Cardinal winds}, winds which blow from the cardinal points
      due north, south, east, or west.