Historical source · 1908
Thomas Davidson (editor). Read this edition’s full extracted entries and its original proposals. Publication here preserves a source; it does not endorse every claim.
Coverage: the complete A–Z main-entry clusters and dictionary Addenda. Derivative words remain within their original entry clusters. Non-dictionary appendices and standalone illustrations are excluded.
United States Publisher marks these historical texts public domain in the USA. Transformed book text excludes Gutenberg branding; source attribution is a bibliographic acknowledgment. No non-US public-domain determination is made. Rights statement ↗
Calumet, kal′ū-met, n. the 'peace pipe' of the North American Indians, a tobacco-pipe having a stem of reed or painted wood about 2½ feet long, decorated with feathers, with a large bowl, usually of soap-stone. [Calumet
English · e-37683-3983Calumny, kal′um-ni, n. false accusation: slander.—v.t. Calum′niāte, to accuse falsely: to slander.—v.i. to spread evil reports.—ns. Calum′niātion; Calum′niātor.—adjs. Calum′niātory, Calum′nious, of the nature of calumny:
English · e-37683-3984Calvary, kal′va-ri, n. the name of the place where Jesus was crucified: (R.C.) a series of representations of the various scenes of Christ's crucifixion: an eminence crowned with one or three crosses bearing life-size fi
English · e-37683-3985Calve, käv, v.i. to bring forth a calf. [A.S. cealfian. See Calf.]
English · e-37683-3986 · brief source recordCalvered, kal′verd, p.adj. from obsolete verb Cal′ver, to prepare salmon or other fish when freshly caught. [Prob. the same as Scot. Caller.]
English · e-37683-3987Calvinism, kal′vin-izm, n. the doctrines of the great Genevan religious reformer, John Calvin (1509-1564), as these are given in his Institutio, esp. as regards particular election, predestination, the incapacity for tru
English · e-37683-3988Calvities, kal-vish′i-ēz, n. baldness. [L.,—calvus, bald.]
English · e-37683-3989 · brief source recordCalx, kalks, n. chalk or lime: the substance of a metal or mineral which remains after being subjected to violent heat:—pl. Calxes (kalk′sēz), or Calces (kal′sēz). [L. calx, lime.]
English · e-37683-3990Calycanthus, kal-i-kan′thus, n. a small order of square-stemmed aromatic shrubs, natives of North America and Japan. [Made up of Calyx and Gr. anthos.]
English · e-37683-3991Calyptra, ka-lip′tra, n. a hood, covering, esp. that of the theca or capsule of mosses.—adjs. Calyp′trate, furnished with such; Calyp′triform, Calyptrimor′phous, having the form of a calyptra.—n. Calyp′trogen, the root-c
English · e-37683-3992Calyx, Calix, kal′iks, or kā′liks, n. the outer covering or cup of a flower, its separate leaves termed sepals:—pl. Calyces, or Calyxes.—adjs. Cal′ycate, having a calyx; Calycīf′erous, bearing the calyx; Calyciflō′ral, C
English · e-37683-3993Cam, kam, n. (mech.) a device for changing a regular rotary motion into a reciprocating motion, various forms of which are the cam-wheel and shaft, the heart-wheel, the wiper-wheel, and the eccentric. [Dut. kam.]
English · e-37683-3994Cam-wood, kam′-wood, n. a dye-wood obtained from Baphia nitida, a leguminous tree, a native of Angola. It is at first white, but turns red on exposure to air. [Perh. from African name kambi.]
English · e-37683-4046Camaieu, kam′ī-ū, n. a cameo: a painting in monochrome, or in simple colours not imitating nature: a style of printing pictures producing the effect of a pencil-drawing.—Also Cam′ayeu. [Fr. See Cameo.]
English · e-37683-3995Camaraderie, kam-a-rad-rē′, n. good-fellowship: the intimacy of comradeship. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-3996 · brief source recordCamarilla, kam-ar-il′a, n. a body of secret intriguers, esp. of a court party against a king's legitimate ministers: a small room. [Sp. dim. of camara, a chamber.]
English · e-37683-3997Camass, ka-mas′, n. a small plant growing in the north-western United States, also its nutritious bulb.—ns. Camass′ia, a genus of liliaceous plants nearly related to the European Scilla; Camass′-rat, a small gopher roden
English · e-37683-3998Camber, kam′bėr, n. a convexity upon an upper surface, as of a deck amidships, a bridge, or lintel: the curve of a ship's plank: a small dock in the royal yards where timber is loaded and discharged.—v.t. to curve ship-p
English · e-37683-3999Camberwell beauty, kam′ber-wel bū′ti, n. (Vanessa antiopa) a fancy name for one of the largest and most beautiful of British butterflies.
English · e-37683-4001Cambist, kam′bist, n. one skilled in the science of exchange.—ns. Cam′bism, Cam′bistry. [It—L. cambīre, to exchange.]
English · e-37683-4000 · brief source recordCambium, kam′bi-um, n. a layer of vascular tissue formed between the wood and the bark of exogens, in which the annual growth is formed. [Low L.—cambium—L. cambīre, to change.]
English · e-37683-4002Camboge, obsolete form of Gamboge.
English · e-37683-4003 · brief source recordCambrel, kam′brel, n. a bent piece of wood or iron on which butchers hang the carcasses of animals: the hock of a horse. [Prob. conn. with Camber.]
English · e-37683-4004Cambrian, kam′bri-an, adj. pertaining to Cambria or Wales: Welsh: the name given by Sedgwick in 1836 to a group or series of sedimentary deposits which come next in order to the Archæan System.—n. an inhabitant of Cambri
English · e-37683-4005Cambric, kām′brik, n. a kind of fine white linen, originally manufactured at Cambrai in the French department of Nord.
English · e-37683-4006 · brief source recordCambuca, kam-bū′ka, n. a pastoral staff: a curved stick used in the game of pall-mall.—Also Cambut′ta. [Low L., of Celt. origin.]
English · e-37683-4007Came, kām, did come pa.t. of Come.
English · e-37683-4008 · brief source recordCamel, kam′el, n. an animal of Asia and Africa with one or two humps on its back, used as a beast of burden and for riding.—adj. Cam′el-backed, hump-backed.—ns. Cam′eleer, one who drives or rides a camel; Cam′eline, caml
English · e-37683-4009Cameleon. See Chameleon.
English · e-37683-4010 · brief source recordCamellia, ka-mel′ya, n. a species of evergreen shrubs, natives of China and Japan, noted for the singular beauty of their flowers. [Named from Kamel, Latinised Camellus, a Moravian Jesuit, who collected plants in the Phi
English · e-37683-4011Camelopard, kam′el-ō-pärd, or kam-el′ō-pärd, n. the giraffe. [L.,—Gr. camēlopardalis; from Gr. kamēlos, the camel, and pardalis, the panther.]
English · e-37683-4012Camelot, kam′lot, n. Same as Camlet.
English · e-37683-4013 · brief source recordCameo, kam′ē-ō, n. an engraved gem in which the figure or subject is carved in relief. [It. camméo (Fr. camée)—Low L. cammæus traced by Littré to Gr. kamnein, to work; by the late Mr C. W. King through an Ar. form, 'an a
English · e-37683-4014Camera, kam′ėr-a, n. the variety of camera-obscura used by photographers.—ns. Cam′era-lū′cida, an instrument by which the rays of light from an object are reflected by a specially shaped prism, forming an image on the pa
English · e-37683-4015Camera, kam′ėr-a, n. a vaulted room: the judge's private chamber (In camera, of a case heard there rather than in public court).—adj. Cam′erāted, divided into chambers: arched or vaulted.
English · e-37683-4016Cameronian, kam-er-ōn′i-an, n. a follower of the Covenanter Richard Cameron, killed at Airds Moss in 1680, a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.—adj. pertaining to this party, or to the famous Cameronian regiment
English · e-37683-4017Camis, kam′is, n. (Spens.) a loose robe made of some light material, as silk, &c.: a chemise. [See Chemise.]
English · e-37683-4018 · brief source recordCamisade, kam-i-sād′, n. a night attack, probably because shirts were often put on over the armour.—Also Camisad′o. [Sp., from camisa, a shirt.]
English · e-37683-4019Camisards, kam′is-ar, n.pl. the insurgent Huguenots of the Cevennes, so called from the camise or blouse worn by the peasants.
English · e-37683-4020Camise, kam′ēs, n. the usual Arab shirt.—Also Cam′iso, Cam′ese.
English · e-37683-4021 · brief source recordCamisole, kam′is-ōl, n. a sleeved jacket, a woman's loose morning gown or jacket.
English · e-37683-4022 · brief source recordCamlet, kam′let, n. a cloth originally made of camel's hair, but now chiefly of wool and goat's hair. [Fr.—Low L. camelotum—L. camelus.]
English · e-37683-4023Camomile, Chamomile, kam′o-mīl, n. a plant, or its dried flowers, used in medicine, affording a bitter stomachic and tonic. [Fr.—L.—Gr. chamaimēlon, the earth-apple, from the apple-like smell of its blossoms—chamai, on t
English · e-37683-4024Camorra, kam-or′a, n. the name of a secret society in the former kingdom of Naples, whose members, the Camorristi, for many years terrorised the country.—ns. Camorr′ism; Camorr′ist. [It.]
English · e-37683-4025Camp, kamp, n. the ground on which an army pitch their tents: the tents of an army, quarters generally, a permanent military station, as at Aldershot: any fortified site in which a force once defended itself, as a Roman
English · e-37683-4026Camp, kamp, n. (obs.) conflict: an old form of the game of football.—v.i. to fight, struggle.—v.i. Cam′ple, to wrangle. [A.S. camp, battle; cf. Ger. kampf.]
English · e-37683-4027Campagnol, kam-pa-nyol′, n. a French name for several species of field-mice or voles.
English · e-37683-4028 · brief source recordCampaign, kam-pān′, n. a large open field or plain: the time during which an army keeps the field: an excursion into the country: an organised series of operations in the advocacy of a political or social cause.—v.i. to
English · e-37683-4029Campanero, kam-pa-nē′ro, n. one of the South American bell-birds, the arapunga, &c. [Sp., a bellman.]
English · e-37683-4030 · brief source recordCampanile, kam-pan-ē′lā (sometimes also kam-pan-ēl′, and even kam′pan-il and kam′pan-īl), n. a name adopted from the Italian to signify a bell-tower of the larger kind, and usually applied only to such as are detached fr
English · e-37683-4031Campanology, kam-pan-ol′o-ji, n. the subject or science of bells or bell-ringing.—ns. Cam′panist, Campanol′ogist, one skilled in the same.—adj. Campanolog′ical. [It. campana, a bell, and Gr. logos, a discourse.]
English · e-37683-4032Campanula, kam-pan′ū-la, n. a genus of flowers, commonly known as bell-flowers or bells, usually blue or white, the best-known species the harebell and Scotch bluebell.—The Canterbury Bells is a biennial species—seen in
English · e-37683-4033Campbellite, kam′bel-īt, n. a follower of Alexander Campbell (1788-1866), founder of the sect known as the 'Disciples of Christ.'
English · e-37683-4034Campeachy, kam′pēch-i, adj. pertaining to the red dye-wood better known as Logwood, first exported from Campeachy in Yucatan.
English · e-37683-4035Campeador, kam-pe-a-dōr′, n. a warrior. [Sp.]
English · e-37683-4036 · brief source recordCampestral, kam-pes′tral, adj. growing in or pertaining to fields.—Also Campes′trian. [L. campestris, from campus.]
English · e-37683-4037 · brief source recordCamphine, kam′fīn, n. rectified oil of turpentine.—Also Cam′phene.
English · e-37683-4038 · brief source recordCamphor, kam′for, n. a solid essential oil, mostly obtained from the camphor laurel of India, China, and Japan, having a peculiar hot aromatic taste and a pleasant smell.—adj. Camphorā′ceous, like camphor.—v.t. Cam′phora
English · e-37683-4039Campion, kam′pi-un, n. the common name of plants belonging to the genera Lychnis and Silene. [Perh. from L. campus, a field.]
English · e-37683-4040Campo santo, kam′po sant′o, n. the Italian name for a cemetery or burying-ground, esp. for one enclosed by an arcade. [Lit. 'holy ground,' the earth of that at Pisa having been brought from Palestine.]
English · e-37683-4041Campylospermous, kam-pi-lō-sper′mus, adj. (bot.) having the albumen of the seed curved at the margin so as to form a longitudinal furrow on the ventral face. [Gr. kampylos, curved, sperma, a seed.]
English · e-37683-4042Campylotropal, kam-pi-lot′rō-pal, adj. (bot.) curved so as to bring the true apex close to the base—of an ovule or seed.—Also Campylot′ropous. [Gr. kampylos, curved, trepein, to turn.]
English · e-37683-4043Camstairy, kam-stār′i, adj. perverse, unruly. [Ety. dub.; first part at any rate cam, crooked.]
English · e-37683-4044 · brief source recordCamstone, kam′stōn, n. a kind of clay used to whiten doorsteps, &c.
English · e-37683-4045 · brief source recordCan, kan, v.i. to be able: to have sufficient power:—pa.t. Could.—Can is used for gan in M. E. and even in Spenser. [A.S. cunnan, to know (how to do a thing), to be able, pres. indic. can; Goth. kunnan, Ger. können, to b
English · e-37683-4047Can, kan, n. a vessel for holding or carrying liquids, generally of tinned iron, with a handle over the top: a chimney-pot: a vessel of tin-plate in which meat, fruit, &c. are hermetically sealed for exporting—in England
English · e-37683-4048Can-can, kan-kan, n. a dance in some public balls at Paris and elsewhere, characterised by immodest gestures and postures. [Usually referred to L. quamquam, the pronunciation of which was long hotly disputed in the Frenc
English · e-37683-4060Can't, känt, a colloquial contraction for Cannot.
English · e-37683-4110 · brief source recordCanaanite, kā′nan-īt, n. a descendant of Canaan, the son of Ham: a native of the land of Canaan.—adj. Cā′naanitish.
English · e-37683-4049 · brief source recordCañada, kan′ya-da, n. a narrow cañon. [Sp.]
English · e-37683-4050 · brief source recordCanadian, ka-nā′di-an, adj. and n. pertaining to Canada: a native of Canada.—Canada balsam (see Balsam).
English · e-37683-4051 · brief source recordCanaigre, ka-nā′ger, n. a Texan dock whose root is used in tanning,
English · e-37683-4052 · brief source recordCanaille, ka-nāl′, n. the mob, the vulgar rabble. [Fr., a dog—L. canis.]
English · e-37683-4053 · brief source recordCanakin. See Cannikin.
English · e-37683-4054 · brief source recordCanal, kan-al′, n. an artificial watercourse for navigation: a duct in the body for any of its fluids.—n. Canal′-boat, a boat for canal traffic.—adjs. Canalic′ular, canal-shaped; Canalic′ulate, -d, channelled, grooved.—n
English · e-37683-4055Canard, ka-när′, or ka-närd′, n. an extravagant or lying story. [Fr., lit. 'duck.']
English · e-37683-4056 · brief source recordCanarese, kan-a-rēz′, adj. pertaining to Canara in western India.—n. a native thereof: the language of the Dravidian group, allied to Telegu.—Also Kanarese′.
English · e-37683-4058Canary, ka-nā′ri, n. a light sweet wine from the Canary Islands: a bird originally from the Canary Islands: a lively dance.—adj. canary-coloured, bright yellow.—ns. Canā′ry-bird, a canary: (slang) a jail-bird: a mistress
English · e-37683-4057Canaster, ka-nas′tėr, n. a kind of tobacco, so called from the rush basket in which it was originally brought from Spanish America. [Sp. canastra—L.—Gr. kanastron.]
English · e-37683-4059Cancel, kan′sel, v.t. to erase or blot out by crossing with lines: to annul or suppress, as a printed page, &c.: to obliterate: to frustrate: to counterbalance or compensate for: to remove equivalent quantities on opposi
English · e-37683-4061Cancelli, kan-sel′ī, n.pl. cross-pieces forming a lattice-work or grating, as in the division between the choir and the body of a church: (anat.) reticulations.—adjs. Can′cellate, -d, marked latticewise, reticulated.—n.
English · e-37683-4062Cancer, kan′sėr, n. the name for an important group of malignant tumours, divided into two groups, Carcinomata and Sarcomata, the name being now strictly used only of the former: a constellation between Gemini and Leo, a
English · e-37683-4063Cancionero, kan-thē-on-ē′ro, n. a collection of songs. [Sp.]
English · e-37683-4064 · brief source recordCandelabrum, kan-de-lā′brum, n. a branched and ornamented candlestick:—pl. Candelā′bra. [L.]
English · e-37683-4065 · brief source recordCandent, kan′dent, adj. making white: glowing with heat.
English · e-37683-4066 · brief source recordCandescence, kan-des′ens, n. a white heat.—adj. Candes′cent. [L. candesc-ĕre, inceptive of cand-ēre, to glow.]
English · e-37683-4067 · brief source recordCandid, kan′did, adj. frank, ingenuous: free from prejudice: fair, impartial.—adv. Can′didly.—n. Can′didness. [Fr. candide—L. candidus, white—cand-ēre, to shine.]
English · e-37683-4068Candidate, kan′di-dāt, n. one who offers himself for any office or honour, so called because, at Rome, the applicant used to dress in white.—ns. Can′didature, Can′didateship, Can′didacy. [L. candidatus, from candidus.]
English · e-37683-4069Candied. See Candy.
English · e-37683-4070 · brief source recordCandle, kan′dl, n. wax, tallow, or other like substance surrounding a wick: a light.—ns. Can′dle-berr′y, the wax-myrtle, also its fruit: the fruit of Aleurites triloba, the candle-berry tree; Can′dle-bomb, a small glass
English · e-37683-4071Candlemas, kan′dl-mas, n. a festival of the R.C. Church in honour of the purification of the Virgin Mary, on 2d February, and so called from the number of candles used. [Candle and Mass.]
English · e-37683-4072Candock, kan′dok, n. the yellow water-lily. [Can (n.) and Dock.]
English · e-37683-4073 · brief source recordCandour, kan′dur, n. freedom from prejudice or disguise: sincerity: justice: openness. [L. candor, whiteness, from candēre, to be shining.]
English · e-37683-4074Candy, kan′di, Sugar-candy, shoog′ar-kan′di, n. a sweetmeat made of sugar: anything preserved in sugar.—v.t. to preserve or dress with sugar: to congeal or crystallise as sugar.—v.i. to become congealed.—p.adj. Can′died,
English · e-37683-4075Candy, kan′di, n. a South Indian weight, generally containing 20 maunds, about 500 pounds English.—Also Can′die and Kan′dy. [Tamil.]
English · e-37683-4076Cane, kān, n. the stem of one of the smaller palms—the calamus or rattan, or the larger grasses—bamboo and sugar-cane: a walking-stick.—v.t. to beat with a cane.—ns. Cane′-brake, a brake or thicket of canes; Cane′-chair,
English · e-37683-4077Canella, kan-el′a, n. a genus of low aromatic trees, one species the whitewood of wild cinnamon of the West Indies, yielding canella or white cinnamon bark.
English · e-37683-4078Canephor, kan′e-fōr, n. (archit.) a female figure bearing a basket on her head. [Gr. kanēphoros, one of the bearers upon their heads at the Panathenaic festival of the baskets containing the sacrificial implements.]
English · e-37683-4079Canescent, ka-nes′ent, adj. tending to white: hoary. [L. canescens—canēre—canus, hoary.]
English · e-37683-4080 · brief source recordCangue, Cang, kang, n. a Chinese portable pillory borne on the shoulders by petty offenders. [Fr. cangue—Port. cango, a yoke.]
English · e-37683-4081Canicular, ka-nik′ū-lar, adj. pertaining to the Dog-star (Canic′ula) or to the Dog-days: (coll. and hum.) pertaining to a dog. [L. canicularis, canicula, dim. of canis, a dog.]
English · e-37683-4082Canine, ka-nīn′, adj. like or pertaining to the dog.—Canine appetite, an inordinate appetite; Canine letter = R; Canine teeth, the four sharp-pointed tearing teeth in most mammals, one on each side of the upper and lower
English · e-37683-4083Canister, kan′is-tėr, n. a box or case, usually of tin, for holding tea, shot, &c.: short for canister-shot, or case-shot.—n. Can′ister-shot (same as Case-Shot, q.v.). [L. canistrum, a wicker-basket; Gr. kanastron—kannē,
English · e-37683-4084Canities, ka-nish′i-ēz, n. whiteness of the hair.
English · e-37683-4085 · brief source recordCanker, kang′kėr, n. an eating sore: a gangrene: a disease in trees, or in horses' feet: anything that corrupts, consumes, irritates, or decays.—v.t. to eat into, corrupt, or destroy: to infect or pollute: to make sour a
English · e-37683-4086Canna, kan′na, n. a genus of reed-like plants—Indian shot: the upright stem of a candlestick, &c.: the tube by which the wine was taken from the chalice. [L., a reed.]
English · e-37683-4087Canna, kan′na, n. cotton-grass. [Gael. cánach.]
English · e-37683-4088 · brief source recordCannabic, kan′a-bik, adj. pertaining to hemp.—ns. Cann′abin, a resin obtained from the plant Cannabis Indica; Cann′abis, a genus of urticaceous plants, yielding bhang.
English · e-37683-4089Cannel, kan′el, n. a bituminous coal that burns with a bright flame, and is much used for making coal oils and gas.—Also Cann′el-coal, Can′dle-coal. [Prob. conn. with Candle, because of the similarity in burning.]
English · e-37683-4090Cannelure, kan′e-lūr, n. a groove or a fluting: a groove round the cylindrical part of a bullet. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4091 · brief source recordCannibal, kan′i-bal, n. one who eats human flesh.—adj. relating to cannibalism.—n. Cann′ibalism, the practice of eating human flesh.—adj. Cannibalist′ic—adv. Cann′ibally (Shak.). [Sp., a corr. of Caribals (Eng. Caribs),
English · e-37683-4092Cannikin, kan′i-kin, n. a small can. [Dim. of Can.]
English · e-37683-4093 · brief source recordCannon, kan′un, n. a great gun used in war: a stroke in billiards in which the player hits both the red and his opponent's ball.—v.i. to cannonade: to make a cannon at billiards: to collide.—n. Cannonade′, an attack with
English · e-37683-4094Cannot, kan′ot, v.i. to be unable. [Can and Not.]
English · e-37683-4095 · brief source recordCannula, kan′ū-la, n. a surgical tube, esp. that enclosing a trocar or perforator, and the breathing-tube inserted in the windpipe after tracheotomy.—adj. Cann′ulate. [Dim. of canna, a reed.]
English · e-37683-4096Canny, kan′i, adj. (Scot.) knowing: shrewd: having supernatural power (see Uncanny): comfortable: careful in money matters: gentle: sly or pawky.—adv. Cann′ily.—n. Cann′iness.—To ca' canny, to go or act cautiously. [From
English · e-37683-4097Canoe, ka-nōō′, n. a boat made of the hollowed trunk of a tree, or of bark or skins: a skiff driven by paddling.—v.t. to paddle a canoe.—n. Canoe′ist. [Sp. canoa—Haytian canoa.]
English · e-37683-4098Canon, kan′un, n. a law or rule, esp. in ecclesiastical matters: a general rule: standard: the books of Scripture accepted as the standard or rule of faith by the Christian Church: a species of musical composition: one b
English · e-37683-4100Cañon, kan-yon′, n. a deep gorge or ravine between high and steep banks, worn by watercourses. [Sp. cañon, a hollow, from root of Cannon.]
English · e-37683-4099Canophilist, ka-nof′i-list, n. a lover of dogs. [L. canis, a dog, Gr. philein, to love.]
English · e-37683-4101 · brief source recordCanopus, ka-nō′pus, n. a bright star in the southern constellation Argo navis: an Egyptian vase for holding the entrails of the body embalmed.—adj. Canop′ic. [L.,—Gr.]
English · e-37683-4102Canopy, kan′o-pi, n. a covering over a throne or bed: a covering of state stretched over the head: any covering, as the sky: a roof-like projection over a niche, tomb, statue, &c.: the wooden covering over prebends' stal
English · e-37683-4103Canorous, kan-ō′rus, adj. musical: melodious.—adv. Canō′rously.—n. Canō′rousness. [L. canorus, from canor, melody—canĕre, to sing.]
English · e-37683-4104Canstick, kan′stik, n. (Shak.) a candlestick.
English · e-37683-4105 · brief source recordCant, kant, v.i. to speak in a conventional manner: to use the language of thieves, &c.: to talk in an affectedly solemn or hypocritical way.—n. a hypocritical or affected style of speech: the language peculiar to a sect
English · e-37683-4106Cant, kant, n. an inclination from the level: a toss or jerk: a sloping or tilted position: one of the segments forming a side-piece in the head of a cask: a ship's timber lying obliquely to the line of the keel.—v.t. to
English · e-37683-4107Cant, kant, n. sale by auction.—v.t. to sell by auction. [O. Fr. encant, auction; der. uncertain, cf. Low L. incantāre, to put up to auction.]
English · e-37683-4108Cant, kant, adj. brisk: lively. [Scot.; der. unknown. See Canty.]
English · e-37683-4109 · brief source recordCantab, kan′tab, for Cantabrigian, adj. of or pertaining to Cambridge—Latinised Cantabrigia.
English · e-37683-4111 · brief source recordCantabank, kan′ta-bangk, n. a strolling singer. [It. cantambanco.]
English · e-37683-4112 · brief source recordCantaloup, kan′ta-loop, n. a small, ribbed variety of musk-melon. [Fr.,—It. Cantalupo, a town near Rome, where it was first grown in Europe.]
English · e-37683-4113Cantankerous, kan-tang′kėr-us, adj. cross-grained: perverse in temper.—adv. Cantan′kerously.—n. Cantan′kerousness. [M. E. contak, quarrelling.]
English · e-37683-4114Cantar, kan′tär, n. a Turkish weight of 100 rotls or pounds.
English · e-37683-4115 · brief source recordCantata, kan-tä′ta, n. originally the name applied to a sort of musical narrative by one person, accompanied by a single instrument; subsequently an air was introduced—the modern concert-aria: now also a choral work, eit
English · e-37683-4116Canteen, kan-tēn′, n. a tin vessel used by soldiers for holding liquors: a barrack-tavern, or refreshment-house for the use of the soldiers. [Fr. cantine—It. cantina, a cellar; further der. uncertain.]
English · e-37683-4117Canter, kan′tėr, n. an easy gallop.—v.i. to move at an easy gallop.—v.t. to make to canter. [Orig. Canterbury-gallop, from the easy pace at which the pilgrims rode to the shrine at Canterbury.]
English · e-37683-4118Canterbury, kan′tėr-ber-ri, n. a stand with divisions in it for holding books, music, &c.—Canterbury Bells (see Campanula).
English · e-37683-4119Cantharides, kan-thar′i-dēz, n.pl. Spanish flies, used for blistering.—adjs. Canthar′idal, Cantharid′ian, Cantharid′ic, composed of cantharides.—n. Canthar′idine, the active principle of blistering-flies. [L. cantharis,
English · e-37683-4120Cantharus, kan′tha-rus, n. a large two-handled drinking-cup: a laver in the atrium before ancient churches;—pl. Can′tharī, [L.]
English · e-37683-4121Canthus, kan′thus, n. the angle formed by the junction of the eyelids: one of the upper and lower or anterior and posterior extremities of the compound eyes of insects:—pl. Can′thi (-thī). [Gr. kanthos, corner of the eye
English · e-37683-4122Canticle, kan′ti-kl, n. a song: a non-metrical hymn, esp. one of those used in the public services of the church, as the Benedicite: (pl.) the Song of Solomon.—n. Can′ticum, a canticle: a part-song in an ancient play. [L
English · e-37683-4123Cantilena, kan-ti-lē′na, n. a ballad or light song: a cantus firmus or melody for church use: a singing exercise or solfeggio. [L.]
English · e-37683-4124Cantilever, kan′ti-lēv-ėr, n. a large bracket used in architecture for supporting cornices, balconies, and even stairs—the principle has been applied in the construction of bridges to support enormous weights.—Also Can′t
English · e-37683-4125Cantillate, kan′ti-lāt, v.t. and v.i. to chant, intone.—n. Cantillā′tion.—adj. Can′tillatory.
English · e-37683-4126 · brief source recordCantion, kan′shun, n. (Spens.) a song.
English · e-37683-4127 · brief source recordCantle, kan′tl, n. a fragment or edge of anything: the protuberant part of the back of a saddle: (Scot.) the top of the head.—v.t. to cut a piece from: to divide.—ns. Cant′let, a fragment, cantle; Cant′ling, the lower co
English · e-37683-4128Canto, kan′tō, n. division of a song or poem: the treble or leading melody.—n. Can′tor, the leader of the singing in a church, a precentor.—adjs. Cantō′rial; Cantō′ris (gen. of L. cantor), of or belonging to the cantor o
English · e-37683-4129Canton, kan′tun, n. a division of territory, constituting in Switzerland a separate government, in France a subdivision of an arrondissement: (her.) an ordinary of a shield, being a square occupying generally the dexter,
English · e-37683-4130Cantor. See under Canto.
English · e-37683-4131 · brief source recordCantred, kan′tred, n. a division of the country: a hundred. [W. cantref—cant, hundred, and tref, town.]
English · e-37683-4132 · brief source recordCantrip, kan′trip, n. a freak or wilful piece of trickery: a witch's spell. [Scot.; ety. unknown; Jamieson suggested cant, to turn over, raip, a roap.]
English · e-37683-4133Cantuarian, kan-tū-ā′ri-an, adj. pertaining to Canterbury as the archiepiscopal see of the primate of the Church of England. [Low L. Cantuarius, Cantuarensis—A.S. Cantware (pl.), the people of Kent.]
English · e-37683-4134Canty, kan′ti, adj. cheerful, lively.—n. Can′tiness. [Scot.; cf. Low Ger. kantig.]
English · e-37683-4135 · brief source recordCanvas, kan′vas, n. a coarse cloth made of hemp, used for sails, tents, &c., and for painting on: the sails of a ship.—v.t. to cover with canvas.—ns. Can′vas-back, a North American duck, very good eating, its back ashy w
English · e-37683-4136Canvass, kan′vas, v.t. to sift, examine: to discuss: to solicit votes, contributions, &c.—v.i. to solicit votes, &c. (with for).—n. close examination: a seeking or solicitation.—n. Can′vasser. [From Canvas.]
English · e-37683-4137Cany, kān′i, adj. (Milton) made of canes.
English · e-37683-4138 · brief source recordCanyon. Same as Cañon.
English · e-37683-4139 · brief source recordCanzone, kan-zō′nā, n. a song or air in two or more parts, with passages of fugue and imitation: a series of stanzas in Italian poetry, of various metrical arrangements, and restricted to no set themes—(dim.) Canzonet′,
English · e-37683-4140Caoutchouc, kow′chuk, n. the highly elastic juice or gum of a plant which grows in South America and Asia: india-rubber. [Fr.—Carib. cahuchu.]
English · e-37683-4141Cap, kap, n. a woman's head-dress of muslin, or the like: a boy's head-dress, any kind of unbrimmed covering for the head: a cap-like covering of any kind: a cover: the top.—v.t. to put on a cap, as the official cap of a
English · e-37683-4142Cap, kap, n. a wooden drinking-bowl, with two handles. [Scot., prob. from A.S. copp, a cup; prob. Scand. koppr.]
English · e-37683-4143 · brief source recordCap-à-pie, kap-a-pē′, adv. from head to foot, referring to arming, as a knight. [O. Fr. cap a pie (mod. de pied en cap)—L. caput, head, and pes, foot.]
English · e-37683-4147Capa, kä′pa, n. a Spanish cloak: fine Cuban tobacco for the outsides of cigars. [Sp.]
English · e-37683-4144 · brief source recordCapable, kāp′a-bl, adj. having ability, power, or skill to do: qualified, competent.—ns. Capabil′ity, Cap′ableness. [Fr.,—Low L. capabilis—L. capĕre, to hold, take.]
English · e-37683-4145Capacity, kap-as′i-ti, n. power of holding or grasping a thing: room: volume: power of mind: character: position enabling one to do something.—adj. Capā′cious, including much: roomy: wide: extensive.—adv. Capā′ciously.—n
English · e-37683-4146Caparison, ka-par′is-un, n. the covering of a horse: a rich cloth laid over a war-horse: dress and ornaments generally.—v.t. to cover with a cloth, as a horse: to dress very richly.—adj. Capar′isoned. [Fr. caparaçon—Sp.
English · e-37683-4148Cape, kāp, n. a covering for the shoulders attached as a tippet to a coat or cloak: a sleeveless cloak. [O. Fr. cape—Low L. cappa.]
English · e-37683-4149Cape, kāp, n. a head or point of land running into the sea: a headland: a wine produced in Cape Colony.—v.i. (naut.) to keep a course.—The Cape, for the Cape Colony. [Fr. cap—L. caput, the head.]
English · e-37683-4150Capelin, kap′e-lin, n. a small fish of the smelt family, extremely abundant on the coasts of Newfoundland, and much used as bait in the cod-fishery.—Also Cap′lin. [Fr. and Sp. capelan.]
English · e-37683-4151Capeline, kap′e-lin, n. a small iron skull-cap worn by archers in the middle ages: a light woollen hood worn by ladies going out to an evening party: a surgical bandage for the head.—Also Cap′elline. [Fr.,—Low L. capella
English · e-37683-4152Capell-meister. Same as Kapellmeister (q.v.).
English · e-37683-4154 · brief source recordCapellet, kap′e-let, n. a wen-like swelling on a horse's elbow, or on the back part of his hock. [Fr.,—Low L. capella—capa, a cap.]
English · e-37683-4153Caper, kā′pėr, n. the pickled flower-bud of the caper-shrub, much grown in Sicily. It has an agreeable pungency of taste, with a slight bitterness, and is much used in sauces, along with boiled mutton, &c.—n. Cā′per-tea,
English · e-37683-4155Caper, kā′pėr, v.i. to leap or skip like a goat: to dance in a frolicsome manner.—n. a leap: a prank.—n. Cā′perer, a dancer.—To cut a caper, to dance or act fantastically. [See Capriole.]
English · e-37683-4156Capercailzie, kā-per-kāl′yi, n. a species of grouse, almost equal in size to a turkey, and the largest of the gallinaceous birds of Europe.—Also Capercail′lie. [Gael. capull coilie, large woodcock.]
English · e-37683-4157Capernaite, kap-er′na-īt, n. a polemical term applied to a believer in transubstantiation—from John, vi. 52.—adj. Capernait′ic.—adv. Capernait′ically. [Capernaum, a town in Galilee.]
English · e-37683-4158Capernoitie, kap-er-noi′ti, n. (Scot.) head, noddle.—n. Capernoi′tedness.—adjs. Capernoi′ty, Capernoi′ted, peevish: crabbed.
English · e-37683-4159Capias, kā′pi-as, n. a judicial writ, commanding the sheriff to arrest the person named in it. [L. capias, thou mayst take—L. capĕre, to take.]
English · e-37683-4160Capibara. Same as Capybara.
English · e-37683-4161 · brief source recordCapillaire, kap-il-lār′, n. (orig.) a syrup extracted from the maiden-hair fern: a simple syrup flavoured with orange-flower water. [Fr., 'maiden-hair'—L. capillaris. See Capillary.]
English · e-37683-4162Capillament, ka-pil′a-ment, n. a filament or fine fibre. [L. capillamentum—capillus, hair.]
English · e-37683-4163 · brief source recordCapillary, kap′il-a-ri, or ka-pil′a-ri, adj. as fine or minute as a hair: having a very small bore, as a tube.—n. a tube with a bore as fine as a hair: (pl.) the minute vessels that unite the veins and arteries in animal
English · e-37683-4164Capital, kap′it-al, adj. relating to the head: involving the loss of the head; chief: principal: excellent.—n. the head or top part of a column or pillar: the chief or most important thing: the chief city of a country: a
English · e-37683-4165Capitan, kap-i-tan′, or kap′i-tan, n. the chief admiral of the Turkish fleet.—n. Capitan′o, a head-man. [See Captain.]
English · e-37683-4166 · brief source recordCapitol, kap′it-ol, n. the temple of Jupiter at Rome, built on the Capitoline hill: (U.S.) the house where Congress meets.—adjs. Capitō′lian, Capit′oline. [L. Capitolium—caput, the head.]
English · e-37683-4167Capitular, kap-it′ūl-ar, n. a statute passed in a chapter or ecclesiastical court: a member of a chapter—also Capit′ulary.—adj. relating or belonging to a chapter in a cathedral.—adv. Capit′ularly. [See Chapter.]
English · e-37683-4168Capitulate, kap-it′ūl-āt, v.i. to treat: to draw up terms of agreement: to yield or surrender on certain conditions or heads.—ns. Capit′ulant; Capitulā′tion.—adj. Capit′ulatory, recapitulatory. [Low L. capitulatus, pa.p.
English · e-37683-4169Capitulum, ka-pit′ū-lum, n. (bot.) a close head of sessile flowers, as in Compositæ: (anat.) the head of a bone, esp. of a rib—also Capitel′lum.—adj. Capit′ular. [L., dim. of caput, head.]
English · e-37683-4170Caple, Capul, kā′pl, n. a horse. [M. E. capel; cf. Ice. kapall; Ir. capall; prob. from Low L. caballus, a horse.]
English · e-37683-4171 · brief source recordCapnomancy, kap′no-man-si, n. divination by means of smoke. [Gr. kapnos, smoke, manteia, divination.]
English · e-37683-4172 · brief source recordCapocchia, ka-pok′ia, n. (Shak.) a fool. [It.]
English · e-37683-4173 · brief source recordCapon, kā′pn, n. a castrated cock: a fish: a letter.—v.t. Cā′ponise. [A.S. capun; L. capon-em, Gr. kapōn—koptein, to cut. See Chop.]
English · e-37683-4174Caponiere, kap-ō-nēr′, n. a covered passage across the ditch of a fortified place.—Also Caponier′. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4175 · brief source recordCaporal, kap-or-al′, n. a kind of shag tobacco. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4176 · brief source recordCapot, ka-pot′, n. the winning of all the tricks at the game of piquet, and scoring forty.—v.i. to win all the tricks in piquet. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4177Capote, ka-pōt′, n. a long kind of cloak or mantle. [Fr., dim. of cape, a cloak.]
English · e-37683-4178 · brief source recordCappagh-brown, kap′a-brown, n. a brown pigment yielded by a bituminous earth from Cappagh near Cork.—Also Capp′ah-brown.
English · e-37683-4179Capric, kap′rik, adj. in Capric acid, a fatty acid obtained from butter, &c., having a slightly goat-like smell.—ns. Cap′rin, Cap′rine, a compound of capric acid and glycerine found in butter. [L. caper, a goat.]
English · e-37683-4180Caprice, ka-prēs′, n. a change of humour or opinion without reason: a freak: changeableness.—ns. Capriccio (ka-prēt′cho), a sportive motion: (mus.) a species of free composition, not subject to rule as to form or figure;
English · e-37683-4181Capricorn, kap′ri-korn, n. one of the twelve signs of the zodiac, like a horned goat. [L. capricornus—caper, a goat, cornu, a horn.]
English · e-37683-4182A historical dictionary can preserve useful evidence and superseded analyses at the same time. These records retain their source identity; no parent edge, sound law, first-use date or confidence score is generated from a sentence’s position.
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