One who wishes well to another, a cause, etc. Const. to, of, or with possessive.
1590. Tarlton’s Newes Purgatorie, 1. Amongst the rest of whose welwishers my selfe being not the least.
1639. G. Plattes, Discov. Subterr. Treas., To Rdr. So I take my leave and rest, Your hearty Well-wisher. G.P.
1670. Eachard, Cont. Clergy, 8. All well-wishers either to the clergy or learning.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 10, ¶ 7. I know several of my Friends and Well-wishers are in great Pain for me.
1772. Phil. Trans., LXII. 356. I am … a constant well-wisher to the progress of arts and sciences.
1780. Mirror, No. 82. Yet the tale has a moral, by no means flattering to the well-wishers of this country.
1788. Mme. D’Arblay, Diary, 24 July. He seemed to feel that he spoke to a safe and a sympathising well-wisher.
1836. C. Wordsworth, Athens, xi. (1855), 66. Some wise well-wisher to the Areopagus.
1849. C. Brontë, Shirley, i. It would be a nice opportunity for any of his well-wishers to pay him a visit.
1905. Times, 10 May, 10/2. Those who are not well-wishers of either country.
† b. One who aspires to (be or become). Obs.
1710–1. Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 7 March. The latter has a good deal of learning, and he is a well-wisher to be an author.
