WHIPCORD. A tight spun cord, with which the cat-o-nine-tails is made.
WHOLE. All, total, containing all.
Take care the WHOLE. A cautionary word which was formerly used in the British service, and is sometimes, but improperly, given now. The term Attention is adopted in its room.
WHOOP. A shout; a loud noise which soldiers make in charging, &c. It is a natural though a barbarous habit, and has been preserved in civilized armies from a prevailing custom among savages, particularly the wild Indians of America.
WICKET, (guichet, Fr.) A small door in the gate of a fortified place, through which people go in and out, without opening the great gate.
WIDERZOUROUK. A compound word from the German, which signifies back again. The French pronounce it Vuiderzourouk. It means a movement which is made to the rear, in order to bring a squadron to the right about, in the same manner that a battalion is faced about. Marshal Puysegur remarks, that the French adopted this movement from the Germans, in the year 1670. He is of opinion, that previous to this epoch, squadrons were faced to the rear by means of a double caracol, describing a half-circle, the extent of whose front was equal to half of its diameter; on which account, the general order of battle in those days had considerable intervals, and great loss of time and space of course.
WIG. A Saxon termination of the names of men, signifying war.
WIGWAM. A hut used in America by the Indians.
WILBE, Ind. Guardian; protector.
WILDFIRE. A composition of firework, so called from its ready ignition and rapid combustion.