Wāde1, v. i.
[imp. & p. p. WADED; p. pr. & vb. n. WADING.] [A-S. wadan, O. Fries. wada, D. waden, L. Ger. waden, waen, Icel. & Sw. wada, Dan. vade, O. H. Ger. watan, M. & N. H. Ger. waten, allied to Lat. vadere, to go, walk.]
Sense 1. To go; to move forward. [Obs. and rare.]
Forbear, and wade no further in this speech. O. Play.
Sense 2. To walk through any substance that yields to the feet; to move about, sinking at each step, as in water, mud, sand, and the like.
So eagerly the fiend . . . With head, hands, wings, or feet pursues his way, And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies. Milton.
Sense 3. To move or pass with difficulty or labor; to proceed slowly among objects or circumstances that constantly hinder or embarrass. “And wades through fumes, and gropes his way.” Dryden.
The king’s admirable conduct has waded through all these difficulties. Davenant.