Win (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Won (?), Obs. Wan (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Winning.] [OE. winnen, AS. winnan to strive, labor, fight, endure; akin to OFries. winna, OS. winnan, D. winnen to win, gain, G. gewinnen, OHG. winnan to strive, struggle, Icel. vinna to labor, suffer, win, Dan. vinde to win, Sw. vinna, Goth. winnan to suffer, Skr. van to wish, get, gain, conquer. √138. Cf. Venerate, Winsome, Wish, Wont, a.]

1. To gain by superiority in competition or contest; to obtain by victory over competitors or rivals; as, to win the prize in a gate; to win money; to win a battle, or to win a country. "This city for to win." Chaucer. "Who thus shall Canaan win." Milton.

Thy well-breathed horse Impels the flying car, and wins the course. Dryden.

2. To allure to kindness; to bring to compliance; to gain or obtain, as by solicitation or courtship.

Thy virtue wan me; with virtue preserve me. Sir P. Sidney.

She is a woman; therefore to be won. Shak.

"3. To gain over to ones side or party; to obtain the favor, friendship, or support of; to render friendly or approving; as, to win an enemy; to win a jury."

4. To come to by toil or effort; to reach; to overtake. [Archaic]

Even in the porch he him did win. Spenser.

And when the stony path began, By which the naked peak they wan, Up flew the snowy ptarmigan. Sir W. Scott.

5. (Mining) To extract, as ore or coal. Raymond.

Syn. -- To gain; get; procure; earn. See Gain.

Win , v. i. To gain the victory; to be successful; to triumph; to prevail.

Nor is it aught but just That he, who in debate of truth hath won, should win in arms. Milton.

To win of, to be conqueror over. [Obs.] Shak. -- To win on or upon. (a) To gain favor or influence with. "You have a softness and beneficence winning on the hearts of others." Dryden. (b) To gain ground on. "The rabble . . . will in time win upon power." Shak.

-- Webster's unabridged 1913