whole: Meaning and Definition of

whole

Pronunciation: (hōl), [key]
— adj.
  1. comprising the full quantity, amount, extent, number, etc., without diminution or exception; entire, full, or total: He ate the whole pie. They ran the whole distance.
  2. containing all the elements properly belonging; complete: We have a whole set of antique china.
  3. undivided; in one piece: to swallow a thing whole.
  4. integral, or not fractional.
  5. not broken, damaged, or impaired; intact: Thankfully, the vase arrived whole.
  6. uninjured or unharmed; sound: He was surprised to find himself whole after the crash.
  7. pertaining to all aspects of human nature, esp. one's physical, intellectual, and spiritual development: education for the whole person.
  8. without foundation in fact; fictitious: a story made out of whole cloth.
—n.
  1. the whole assemblage of parts or elements belonging to a thing; the entire quantity, account, extent, or number: He accepted some of the parts but rejected the whole.
  2. a thing complete in itself, or comprising all its parts or elements.
  3. an assemblage of parts associated or viewed together as one thing; a unitary system.
  4. all things included or considered; altogether: As a whole, the relocation seems to have been beneficial.
  5. On the whole, the neighborhood is improving.
    1. in view of all the circumstances; after consideration.
    2. disregarding exceptions; in general:On the whole, the neighborhood is improving.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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