[A mod. variant of WALE sb.1, by confusion with WHEAL sb.1, a pustule: see WHEAL sb.2] The mark or ridge raised on the flesh by the blow of a rod, lash, etc.; = WALE sb.1 2, WHEAL sb.2
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., etc., II. 68. Who, soon as mounted, with his switching weals, Puts Dob’s best swiftness in his heavy heels.
1842. Lover, Handy Andy, iv. From shoulder to flank, sir, I am one mass of welts and weals.
1845. Darwin, Voy. Nat., vi. (1852), 111. He told us that his legs were marked by great weals, where the thong had wound round as if he had been flogged with a whip.
1872. Tennyson, Last Tourn., 58. His visage ribb’d From ear to ear with dogwhip-weals.
1909. Conan Doyle, Green Flag, etc., 185. Black and bitter were the thoughts of Frenchmen when they saw this weal of dishonour slashed across the fair face of their country.
