Wall

(wawl), n. [A-S. weall, wall, O. Sax., O. Ir., & D. wal, Ger. wall, Sw. vall, Dan. val, allied to Lat. vallum, vallus.] 1. A work or structure of stone, brick, or other materials, raised to some height, and intended for a defense, security, or for an inclosure; a solid and permanent inclosing fence, as around a field, a park, a town, or the like; also, one of the upright inclosing parts of a building or room. 2. (pl.) Fortifications in general; works for defense. I rush undaunted to defend the walls. Dryden. 3. (Naut.) A knot upon the end of a rope. Dana. To drive to the wall, to bring to extremities; to push to extremes; to get the advantage of or mastery over. — To go to the wall, to be hard pressed or driven; to be the weaker party; to be pushed to extremes. — To take the wall, to take the inner side of a walk, that is, the side next the wall; hence, to take the precedence. “I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague’s.” Shak.