Now rare. An act of wishing well to another; a good wish. Const. to, for.
1621. Lady M. Wroth, Urania, 435. If … these speeches haue proceeded only from your well-wishes to mee, I must be sorry for them.
1623. Bp. Hall, Best Bargaine, Wks. (1625), 518. Our zealous well-wishes … for the vndoubted truth of our Maker and Redeemer.
1643. Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., II. § 13. If this be true, I must confesse I am charitable only in my liberall intentions, and bountifull well-wishes.
1654. J. Sherman (title), White Salt: or, A Sober Correction of A Mad World, In some Wel-wishes to Goodness.
1708. Addison, Pres. St. War, 8. Any one that hath … a well Wish for his Friends or Posterity.
1709. Hearne, Collect. (O.H.S.), II. 288. Sends hearty wellwishes to Barnes’ … design.
1816. Keats, Lett., Wks. 1889, III. 46. You know with what Reverence I would send my Well-wishes to him.
1872. Michie, Deeside Tales, xiv. (1908), 138. The bridegroom … got presents o’ corn an’ ither gear in token o’ their well wishes.
1889. Hardwicke’s Sci.-Gossip, XXV. 226. Testifying their thanks and well-wishes to the captain and steward.
1908. Westm. Gaz., 5 June, 2/2. The exhibition has received the well wishes of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
