Množina: wales
ETYM AS. walu a mark of stripes or blows, probably originally, a rod; akin to Icel. völr, Goth. walus a rod, staff. Cf. Goal, Weal a wale.
(Homonym: wail, whale).
1. A ridge of texture in a fabric; SYN. welt, weal, wheal.
2. A ridge of thick planking along the side of a wooden ship; SYN. strake.
3. A raised mark on the skin (as produced by a blow); SYN. welt, weal, wheal.
To choose; the act of choosing.