Caprification
Caprification, kap-ri-fi-kā′shun, n. a method supposed to hasten the ripening of figs, by puncturing.—adj. Cap′riform, goat-shaped. [L. caprificus, the wild fig—caper, a goat, and ficus, a fig.]
English · e-37683-4183Historical source · 1908
Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 22
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.
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Page 22 of 179Caprin
Caprin, Caprine. See Capric.
English · e-37683-4184 · brief source recordCaprine
Caprine, kap′rin, adj. like a goat.
English · e-37683-4185 · brief source recordCapriole
Capriole, kap′ri-ōl, n. a caper: a leap without advancing.—v.i. to leap: to caper. [O. Fr. capriole—It. capriola—L. caper, capra, a goat.]
English · e-37683-4186Capsicum
Capsicum, kap′si-kum, n. a tropical plant or shrub, from which cayenne pepper is made.—n. Cap′sicine, the active principle of capsicum. [From L. capsa, a case, its berries being contained in pods or capsules—capĕre, to t
English · e-37683-4187Capsize
Capsize, kap-sīz′, v.t. to upset.—v.i. to be upset. [Ety. dub.; Prof. Skeat suggests Sp. cabezar, to nod, pitch.]
English · e-37683-4188 · brief source recordCapstan
Capstan, kap′stan, n. an upright machine turned by spokes so as to wind upon it a cable which draws something, generally the anchor, on board ship. [Fr. cabestan, capestan, through Low L. forms from L. capĕre, to take, h
English · e-37683-4189Capsule
Capsule, kap′sūl, n. the seed-vessel of a plant: a small dish.—adjs. Cap′sular, Cap′sulary, hollow like a capsule: pertaining to a capsule; Cap′sulate, -d, enclosed in a capsule. [Fr.,—L. capsula, dim. of capsa, a case—c
English · e-37683-4190Captain
Captain, kap′tān, or kap′tin, n. a head or chief officer: the commander of a troop of horse, a company of infantry, or a ship: the overseer of a mine: the leader of a team or club: the head-boy of a school.—v.t. to lead.
English · e-37683-4191Caption
Caption, kap′shun, n. the act of taking: an arrest: (Eng. law) the formal title of indictments and depositions which shows the authority under which it is executed or taken: in Scotland, prior to 1837, the name given to
English · e-37683-4192Captivate
Captivate, kap′tiv-āt, v.t. to charm: to engage the affections.—adj. Cap′tivāting, having power to engage the affections. [See Captive.]
English · e-37683-4193Captive
Captive, kap′tiv, n. one taken: a prisoner of war: one kept in bondage.—adj. taken, or kept prisoner in war; charmed or subdued by anything.—ns. Cap′tivaunce (Spens.), captivity; Captiv′ity; Cap′tor, one who takes a pris
English · e-37683-4194Capuccio
Capuccio, ka-pōōch′i-o, n. (Spens.) a hood. [It.]
English · e-37683-4195 · brief source recordCapuche
Capuche, ka-pūsh′, n. a hood, esp. that worn by the Capuchins.—n. Capuchin, (kap′ū-chin or kap-ōō-shēn′), a Franciscan monk, so called from the hood he wears: a hooded pigeon. [Fr. capucin, It. cappucino, a small cowl—Lo
English · e-37683-4196Capul
Capul. See Caple.
English · e-37683-4197 · brief source recordCaput
Caput, käp′ut, n. a head.—Caput mortuum, the residuum after distillation: worthless residue.
English · e-37683-4198 · brief source recordCapybara
Capybara, kap-i-bär′a, n. the largest of rodent quadrupeds, native to South America, allied to the guinea-pig. [Brazilian.]
English · e-37683-4199Car
Car (old form Carr), kär, n. a vehicle moved on wheels, applied to very various forms—a large and splendid vehicle, as a triumphal car, a funeral car, the two-wheeled Irish jaunting-car; in Birmingham, a four-wheeled cab
English · e-37683-4200Carabine
Carabine. Sec Carbine.
English · e-37683-4201 · brief source recordCaracal
Caracal, kar′a-kal, n. the Persian lynx. [Fr., prob. Turk. qara, qulaq, black ear.]
English · e-37683-4202 · brief source recordCaracara
Caracara, kar-a-kar′a, n. a popular name for the South American Polyborinæ, a sub-family of Falconidæ, resembling the vultures. [Imit.]
English · e-37683-4203Carack
Carack. See Carrack.
English · e-37683-4204 · brief source recordCaracole
Caracole, kar′a-kōl, n. the half-turn or wheel made by a horseman: a winding stair.—v.i. to turn half-round, as cavalry in wheeling: to prance about.—p.adj. Car′acoling. [Fr. caracole—It. caracollo—Sp. caracol, the spira
English · e-37683-4205Caract
Caract, kar′akt, n. mark: sign: character (q.v.).
English · e-37683-4206 · brief source recordCarafe
Carafe, ka-raf′, n. a water-bottle for the table, [Fr. carafe, prob. from Ar. gharafa, to draw water.]
English · e-37683-4207 · brief source recordCarambola
Carambola, ka-ram′bō-la, n. the acrid pulpy fruit of a small East Indian tree, used for tarts, &c.: the tree itself.
English · e-37683-4208 · brief source recordCarambole
Carambole. See Carom.
English · e-37683-4209 · brief source recordCaramel
Caramel, kar′a-mel, n. a dark-brown substance produced by the action of heat on sugar, used in colouring whisky, wines, &c.: a kind of confection, usually of chocolate, sugar, and butter.—Also Car′omel. [Fr.—Sp. caramelo
English · e-37683-4210Carapa
Carapa, kar′a-pa, n. a genus of tropical trees of natural order Meliaceæ, a South American species yielding the useful carap-oil or crab-oil. [Caraipi, the native Guiana name.]
English · e-37683-4211Carapace
Carapace, kar′a-pās, n. the shell of the crab, tortoise, &c.—adj. Carapā′cial. [Fr.—Sp. carapacho.]
English · e-37683-4212 · brief source recordCarat
Carat, kar′at, n. a weight of 4 grains: a proportional measure of 1⁄24 in stating the fineness of gold. [Fr.,—Ar. qīrāt, perh. from Gr. keration, a seed or bean used as a weight.]
English · e-37683-4213Carauna
Carauna, ka-raw′na, n. an aromatic resinous substance yielded by a tree on the Amazon, formerly used in plasters.—Also Caran′na.
English · e-37683-4214Caravan
Caravan, kar′a-van, n. a company of travellers associated together for security in crossing the deserts in the East: a company of people: a large close carriage, or any kind of house on wheels.—ns. Caravaneer′, the leade
English · e-37683-4215Caravel
Caravel, kar′av-el, n. a kind of light sailing-vessel. [Fr.,—It. caravelia; cf. Low L. carabus, Gr. karabos, a bark.]
English · e-37683-4216 · brief source recordCaraway
Caraway, kar′a-wā, n. a plant with aromatic seeds, used as a tonic and condiment.—n. Car′away-seed. [Prob. through Sp. from Ar. karwiyā; cf. Gr. karon.]
English · e-37683-4217Carbazotic
Carbazotic, kar-bā-zot′ik, adj. consisting of carbon and azote.
English · e-37683-4218 · brief source recordCarbide
Carbide. See Carbon.
English · e-37683-4219 · brief source recordCarbine
Carbine, kär′bīn, n. a short light musket—also Car′abine.—ns. Carbineer′, Carabineer′, a soldier armed with a carbine. [Fr. carabine, O. Fr. calabrin, a carbineer—calabre, a machine for casting stones—Low L. chadabula, G
English · e-37683-4220Carbohydrate
Carbohydrate, kär′bō-hī-drāt, n. a compound of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, the last two being in the proportion to form water. [Carbon and Hydrate.]
English · e-38700-10030Carbolic acid
Carbolic acid, kar-bol′ik as′id, n. an acid produced from coal-tar, used as a disinfectant. [L. carbo, coal.]
English · e-37683-4221 · brief source recordCarbon
Carbon, kär′bon, n. an elementary substance, widely diffused, of which pure charcoal is an example.—n. Car′bide, a compound of carbon with a metal, formerly called Car′buret.—adjs. Carbonā′ceous, Carbon′ic, pertaining to
English · e-37683-4222Carbonado
Carbonado, kär-bon-ā′do, n. (obs.) a piece of meat cut crossways for broiling on coals.—v.t. to cut crossways for broiling: to slash. [Sp. carbonada.]
English · e-37683-4223Carbonari
Carbonari, kär-bon-är′i, n.pl. members of a secret society in Italy at the beginning of this century, founded to help forward a republican government.—n. Carbonar′ism. [It., lit. 'charcoal burners.']
English · e-37683-4224Carboy
Carboy, kar′boi, n. a large bottle of green or blue glass, protected with a frame of basket-work or wood, used for holding sulphuric acid or the like. [Pers. qarābah.]
English · e-37683-4225Carbuncle
Carbuncle, kär′bung-kl, n. a fiery-red precious stone: an inflamed ulcer: a pimple on the nose.—adjs. Car′buncled, set with the gem carbuncle; afflicted with carbuncles: having red inflamed spots; Carbun′cular, belonging
English · e-37683-4226Carburet
Carburet, same as Carbide (q.v. under Carbon).—adj. Car′buretted.—n. Carburet′ter, or Carburet′tor, an apparatus for charging gases with carbon.
English · e-37683-4227Carcajou
Carcajou, kär′ka-jōō, n. the American wolverine.
English · e-37683-4228 · brief source recordCarcake
Carcake, kar′kāk, n. a kind of cake for Shrove Tuesday. [Scot.—A.S. caru, grief, and Cake.]
English · e-37683-4229 · brief source recordCarcanet
Carcanet, kär′ka-net, n. a collar of jewels. [Carcan, an obsolete word for an iron collar used for punishment—Low L. carcannum, from Teut.]
English · e-37683-4230Carcass
Carcass, Carcase, kär′kas, n. a dead body or corpse, no longer used of the human body: the framework of anything: a ruin: a kind of bombshell. [Fr. carcasse, a skeleton (It. carcasso, a quiver), prob. from Late Gr. tarka
English · e-37683-4231Carcinology
Carcinology, kär-si-nol′ō-ji, n. that department of zoology which treats of crabs and other crustaceans.—adj. Carcinolog′ical.—n. Carcinol′ogist. [Gr. karkinos, a crab, logia-legein, to speak.]
English · e-37683-4232Carcinoma
Carcinoma, kar-si-nōma, n. a cancer (see Cancer).—adj. Carcinō′matous.—n. Carcinō′sis, the growth and development of cancer. [Gr.]
English · e-37683-4233Card
Card, kärd, n. a piece of pasteboard marked with figures for playing a game, or with a person's address upon it: a note.—ns. Card′-board, a stiff, finely finished pasteboard; Card′-case, a case for carrying visiting-card
English · e-37683-4234Card
Card, kärd, n. an instrument for combing wool or flax.—v.t. to comb wool, &c.—n. Card′er, one who has to do with carding wool. [Fr. carde—L. carduus, a thistle.]
English · e-37683-4235Cardamine
Cardamine, kär′da-mīn, n. a genus of cress, including the cuckoo-flower or lady's smock, &c. [Gr. kardaminē—kardamon, cress.]
English · e-37683-4236Cardamom
Cardamom, kär′da-mom, n. the capsules of certain tropical plants, which form an aromatic, pungent spice. [L. cardamomum—Gr. kardamōmon.]
English · e-37683-4237Cardecu
Cardecu, kar′de-kū, n. (obs.) an old French silver coin. [Fr. quart d'écu, quarter of a crown.]
English · e-37683-4238 · brief source recordCardiac
Cardiac, kär′di-ak, adj. belonging to the heart: cordial, reviving—also Cardiac′al.—ns. Car′diac, a disease of the heart: a cordial; Car′dialgy, Cardial′gia, an uneasy sensation or burning pain at the upper orifice of th
English · e-37683-4239Cardigan
Cardigan, kar′de-gan, n. a knitted woollen jacket, named from the Crimean hero, the Earl of Cardigan (1797-1868).
English · e-37683-4240 · brief source recordCardinal
Cardinal, kär′din-al, adj. denoting that on which a thing hinges or depends: principal; of a deep scarlet colour, like a cardinal's cassock.—n. one of the seventy princes of the church constituting the sacred college at
English · e-37683-4241Cardoon
Cardoon, kar-dōōn′, n. a perennial plant, the prickly artichoke of the Mediterranean region.—Also Chardoon′. [O. Fr.,—L. carduus, a thistle.]
English · e-37683-4242Carduus
Carduus, kar′dū-us, n. (Shak.) a thistle.—n. Cardō′phagus, a thistle-eater, a donkey. [L.,—Gr. kardos, thistle; phagos, eater.]
English · e-37683-4243Care
Care, kār, n. anxiety, heedfulness: charge, oversight: the object of anxiety.—v.i. to be anxious: to be inclined: to have regard.—adjs. Care′-crazed (Shak.), crazed or broken with care and solicitude; Care′ful, full of c
English · e-37683-4244Careen
Careen, ka-rēn′, v.t. to lay a ship on her side to repair her bottom and keel.—v.i. of a ship, to move with an inclination to one side.—n. the position of a ship laid on one side.—n. Careen′age, a place where ships are c
English · e-37683-4245Career
Career, ka-rēr′, n. a racecourse: a race: course of action: manner of life; v.i. to gallop: to move or run rapidly. [Fr. carrière, a racecourse. See Car.]
English · e-37683-4246Carême
Carême, kar-ām′, n. Lent. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4247 · brief source recordCaress
Caress, ka-res′, v.t. to treat with affection: to fondle: to embrace.—n. any act or expression of affection. [Fr. caresser—It. carezza, an endearment; Low L. caritia—L. carus, dear.]
English · e-37683-4248Caret
Caret, kā′ret, n. a mark, ^, used in writing when a word is left out. [L. caret, there is wanting.]
English · e-37683-4249 · brief source recordCarex
Carex, kā′reks, n. a genus of plants including the sedges. [L. carex, reed-grass, sedge.]
English · e-37683-4250 · brief source recordCarfax
Carfax, -fox, kär′faks, -foks, n. a place where four roads meet—now used only of particular examples, as at Oxford. [Fr.—L. quadrifurc-us, four-forked.]
English · e-37683-4251Cargo
Cargo, kär′go, n. what a ship carries: its load. [Sp., from root of Car.]
English · e-37683-4252 · brief source recordCargoose
Cargoose, kar′gōōs, n. the crested grebe. [Scand.; Ice. kjarr, copse wood, and Goose.]
English · e-37683-4253 · brief source recordCariacou
Cariacou, kar′i-a-kōō, n. the Virginian deer of North America.—Also Car′jacou.
English · e-37683-4254 · brief source recordCariama
Cariama, kär-i-ä′ma, n. a South American bird of prey of large size. [Braz. cariama.]
English · e-37683-4255 · brief source recordCarib
Carib, kar′ib, n. one of a native race inhabiting parts of Central America and the north of South America—also Car′ibbee.—adj. Caribbē′an.
English · e-37683-4256Caribou
Caribou, kar-i-bōō′, n. the American reindeer. [Can.Fr.]
English · e-37683-4257 · brief source recordCaricature
Caricature, kar′i-ka-tūr, n. a likeness of anything so exaggerated or distorted as to appear ridiculous.—v.t. to turn into ridicule by overdoing a likeness: to burlesque. Formerly spelt Caricatū′ra.—n. Caricatur′ist, one
English · e-37683-4258Caries
Caries, kā′ri-ēz, n. rottenness or decay of a bone.—adj. Cā′rious, decayed. [L.]
English · e-37683-4259 · brief source recordCarillon
Carillon, kar′il-yong, n. a suite of musical bells for playing tunes: the melody played on these. [Fr.,—Low L. quadrilion-em, a quaternary, because carillons were formerly rung on four bells.]
English · e-37683-4260Carinate
Carinate, kar′i-nāt, p.adj. keel-shaped: having a prominence on the outer surface. [L. carinatus—carina, a keel.]
English · e-37683-4261 · brief source recordCariole
Cariole, Carriole, kar′i-ōl, n. a small open carriage: a light cart. [Fr. carriole—root of Car.]
English · e-37683-4262 · brief source recordCark
Cark, kärk, n. (arch.) care, anxiety, or solicitude.—v.t. to burden, harass.—v.i. to be anxious.—adj. Cark′ing, distressing, causing anxiety. [A.S. cearig, careful, anxious—caru, cearu, care. See Care.]
English · e-37683-4263Carl
Carl, kärl, n. a husbandman, a clown: a churl: (Scot.) a niggard.—ns. Car′line, an old woman: a witch; Car′lot (Shak.), a churl, peasant. [Scand., Ice. karl, a man, a male. See Churl.]
English · e-37683-4264Carline
Carline, kar′lin, n. a genus of plants closely allied to the true thistles. [From a legend that an angel showed the root of one to Charlemagne as a remedy for a plague.]
English · e-37683-4265Carlist
Carlist, kar′list, n. a supporter of the claims of the Spanish pretender Don Carlos de Bourbon (1788-1855), second son of Charles IV., and his representatives, as against Queen Isabella, daughter of Ferdinand VII., and h
English · e-37683-4266Carlock
Carlock, kar′lok, n. a Russian isinglass obtained from the bladder of the sturgeon. [Russ.]
English · e-37683-4267 · brief source recordCarlovingian
Carlovingian, kär-lo-vin′ji-an, adj. relating to a dynasty of Frankish kings, so called from Carl the Great or Charlemagne (742-814).
English · e-37683-4268Carlylese
Carlylese, kar-līl′ēz, n. the vigorous, irregular, hypermetaphorical literary style and phraseology peculiar to Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881).—adjs. Carlyl′esque, Carlyl′ēan.—n. Carlyl′ism.
English · e-37683-4269Carmagnole
Carmagnole, kar′man-yōl, n. a. popular song and dance of the French Revolution: a kind of jacket worn by revolutionists at that time, with short skirts, a broad collar and lapels, and several rows of buttons. [Prob. from
English · e-37683-4270Carmelite
Carmelite, kär′mel-īt, n. a monk of the order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in Syria, founded there about 1156, made a mendicant order in 1247—the habit brown, with white cloak and scapular, hence the Carmelites were popu
English · e-37683-4271Carminative
Carminative, kar-min′a-tiv, adj. a medicine to relieve flatulence and pain in the bowels, such as cardamoms, peppermint, ginger, and other stimulating aromatics. [L. carmināre, to card—carmen, a card for wool.]
English · e-37683-4272Carmine
Carmine, kär′mīn, n. the red colouring principle obtained from the cochineal insect. [Fr. or Sp. carmin—Sp. carmesí, crimson—Ar. qirmazi, crimson. Same root as Crimson.]
English · e-37683-4273Carnage
Carnage, kär′nāj, n. (obs.) a heap of slain: slaughter. [Fr.,—It. carnaggio, carnage—L. caro, carnis, flesh.]
English · e-37683-4274 · brief source recordCarnal
Carnal, kär′nal, adj. fleshly: sensual: unspiritual: (Shak.) murderous, flesh-eating.—v.t. and v.i. to convert into flesh, to become fleshy.—v.t. Car′nalise, to make carnal: to debase carnally:—pr.p. cär′nalīsing; pa.p.
English · e-37683-4275Carnallite
Carnallite, kär′nal-īt, n. a milk-white or pinkish hydrous chloride of potassium and magnesium found in the salt-mines of Stassfurt in Prussia. [Named from the mineralogist Von Carnall (1804-74).]
English · e-37683-4276Carnation
Carnation, kar-nā′shun, n. flesh-colour: one of the finest of florists' flowers, a double-flowering variety of the clove pink, and existing only in a state of cultivation.—adj. Carnā′tioned, having a flesh-like colour. [
English · e-37683-4277Carnauba
Carnauba, kär-nä-ōō′ba, n. a Brazilian palm yielding a yellowish wax: the wax—also Brazilian wax. [Braz.]
English · e-37683-4278 · brief source recordCarnelian
Carnelian, kar-nē′li-an, n. the name given to the finer varieties of chalcedony, blood-red or flesh-colour, reddish-brown, reddish-white, or yellow, more rarely milk-white.—Also Cornē′lian.
English · e-37683-4279Carnival
Carnival, kär′ni-val, n. a feast observed by Roman Catholics just before the fast of Lent: any season of revelry or indulgence: riotous feasting, merriment, or amusement. [It. carnevale—Low L. carnelevarium, apparently f
English · e-37683-4280Carnivora
Carnivora, kar-niv′ō-ra, n.pl. order of flesh-eating animals.—n. Car′nivore, a carnivorous animal.—adj. Carniv′orous, flesh-eating.—adv. Carniv′orously.—n. Carniv′orousness. [L. caro, carnis, flesh, vorus, devouring.]
English · e-37683-4281Carny
Carny, Carney, kär′ni, v.t. (prov.) to coax, wheedle.—v.i. to act in such a way.—n. flattery.
English · e-37683-4282 · brief source recordCarob
Carob, kar′ob, n. the algaroba or locust-tree, a tree of the order Leguminosæ, native to the Mediterranean countries. [Through Fr. from Ar. kharrūbah.]
English · e-37683-4283Caroche
Caroche, ka-rōsh′, n. a coach or carriage. [Fr.,—It. caraccio, carro—L. carrus, car.]
English · e-37683-4284 · brief source recordCarol
Carol, kar′ol, n. a song of joy or praise.—v.i. to sing a carol: to sing or warble.—v.t. to praise or celebrate in song:—pr.p. car′olling; pa.p. car′olled.—n. Car′olling, the act of the verb to carol. [O. Fr. carole; It.
English · e-37683-4285Carolingian
Carolingian, kar-ō-lin′ji-an, adj. Same as Carlovingian (q.v.).
English · e-37683-4286 · brief source recordCarolus
Carolus, kar′ol-us, n. a gold coin of the time of Charles I.—adj. Car′oline, belonging to the time of Charles. [L. Carolus, Charles.]
English · e-37683-4287Carom
Carom, kar′om, n. an abbreviation for Carambole, the same as Cannon in billiards.
English · e-37683-4288 · brief source recordCarotid
Carotid, ka-rot′id, adj. relating to the two great arteries of the neck. [Gr. karōtides—karos, sleep, the ancients supposing that deep sleep was caused by compression of them.]
English · e-37683-4289Carouse
Carouse, kar-owz′, n. a drinking-bout: a noisy revel.—v.i. to hold a drinking-bout: to drink freely and noisily.—ns. Carous′al, a carouse: a feast; Carous′er, one who carouses.—adv. Carous′ingly. [O. Fr. carous, Fr. carr
English · e-37683-4290Carousel
Carousel, kar-ōō′zel, n. a tilting match or tournament, to which were added games, shows, and allegorical representations. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4291Carp
Carp, kärp, v.i. to catch at small faults or errors (with at).—ns. Carp′er, one who carps or cavils; Carp′ing, cavilling: fault-finding.—adv. Carp′ingly. [Most prob. Scand., Ice. karpa, to boast, modified in meaning thro
English · e-37683-4292Carp
Carp, kärp, n. a fresh-water fish common in ponds. [O. Fr. carpe—Low L. carpa, prob. Teut.]
English · e-37683-4293 · brief source recordCarpal
Carpal, kär′pal, adj. pertaining to the wrist. [Gr. karpos, the wrist.]
English · e-37683-4294 · brief source recordCarpel
Carpel, kär′pel, n. a modified leaf forming the whole or part of the pistil of a flower.—adj. Car′pellary. [Gr. karpos, fruit.]
English · e-37683-4295Carpenter
Carpenter, kär′pent-ėr, n. a worker in timber as used in building houses, ships, &c.—v.i. to do the work of a carpenter.—ns. Car′penter-bee, a bee that excavates its nest in wood; Car′pentry, the trade or work of a carpe
English · e-37683-4296Carpet
Carpet, kär′pet, n. the woven or felted covering of floors, stairs, &c.—v.t. to cover with a carpet:—pr.p. car′peting; pa.p. car′peted.—ns. Car′pet-bag, a travelling-bag, so called because usually made of carpeting; Car′
English · e-37683-4297Carpolite
Carpolite, kär′po-līt, n. fruit petrified or converted into stone.—n. Carpol′ogy, the part of botany which treats of the structure of fruits and seeds. [Gr. karpos, fruit, lithos, a stone, logos, a discourse.]
English · e-37683-4298Carrack
Carrack, kar′rak, n. a large ship of burden, which is also fitted for fighting.—Also Car′ack. [O. Fr. carraque—Low L. carraca. Ety. dub.]
English · e-37683-4299Carrageen
Carrageen, kar-ra-gēn′, n. Carrageen moss, or Irish moss—marine alga, common on the British coasts, used for making a highly digestible soup and a kind of blanc-mange, as well as size. [From Carragheen, near Waterford in
English · e-37683-4300Carrat
Carrat. Same as Carat.
English · e-37683-4301 · brief source recordCarraway
Carraway. Same as Caraway.
English · e-37683-4302 · brief source recordCarriage
Carriage, kar′ij, n. act or cost of carrying: a vehicle for carrying: behaviour: bearing: (Shak.) burden: (B.) baggage.—adj. Carr′iageable, that may be conveyed in carriages.—ns. Carr′iage-com′pany, or -peo′ple, people w
English · e-37683-4303Carrick-bend
Carrick-bend, kar′ik-bend, n. (naut.), a kind of knot, formed on a bight by putting the end of a rope over its standing part, and then passing it. [Perh. conn. with Carrack, and the root of Bind.]
English · e-37683-4304Carriole
Carriole. See Cariole.
English · e-37683-4305 · brief source recordCarrion
Carrion, kar′i-un, n. the dead and putrid body or flesh of any animal: anything vile.—adj. relating to, or feeding on, putrid flesh.—n. Carr′ion-crow, a species of crow which feeds on carrion, small animals, &c. [Fr. car
English · e-37683-4306Carritch
Carritch, kar′itch, n. (Scot.) a corrupted form of the word catechism.—n. Carr′iwitchet, a quibble.
English · e-37683-4307 · brief source recordCarron-oil
Carron-oil, kar′on-oil, n. a liniment composed of linseed-oil and lime-water. [From its use for burns at Carron Ironworks in Stirlingshire.]
English · e-37683-4309Carronade
Carronade, kar-un-ād′, n. a short cannon of large bore, first made at Carron in Scotland.
English · e-37683-4308 · brief source recordCarrot
Carrot, kar′ut, n. a genus of Umbelliferæ, having a tapering root of a reddish or yellowish colour: the root itself, which is edible and sweet.—adj. Carr′oty, carrot-coloured, applied to the hair. [Fr. carotte—L. carota.
English · e-37683-4310Carry
Carry, kar′i, v.t. to convey or bear: to lead or transport: to take by force: to effect: to behave or demean: (of money) to be sufficient for a certain purpose: to gain the election of a candidate: to get a bill passed b
English · e-37683-4311Carse
Carse, kärs, n. in Scotland, a stretch of alluvial land along the banks of some rivers. [Scot.; perh. from an obsolete word car, a fen; cf. Dan. kjær.]
English · e-37683-4312Cart
Cart, kärt, n. a two-wheeled vehicle without springs, used for farm purposes, and for conveying heavy loads.—v.t. to convey in a cart: to carry publicly in a cart as a punishment—formerly done to bawds.—ns. Cart′age, the
English · e-37683-4313Carte
Carte, kärt, n. the fourth position of the wrist in fencing. [Fr. quart—L. quartus, fourth.]
English · e-37683-4314 · brief source recordCarte
Carte, kärt, n. a bill of fare: (Scot.), a playing-card: short for carte-de-visite.—ns. Carte-blanche′, a blank paper, duly signed, and given to a person, to be filled up at his pleasure; Carte-de-visite′, a small photog
English · e-37683-4315Cartesian
Cartesian, kar-tē′zhi-an, adj. relating to the French philosopher René Descartes (1596-1650), or his philosophy.—Cartesian devil, diver, or bottle-imp, a scientific toy named after Descartes, illustrating the principle o
English · e-37683-4316Carthamine
Carthamine, kär′tha-min, n. a dye obtained in crystals by a chemical process from safflower. [Low L. carthamus—Ar. qartum, saffron.]
English · e-37683-4317Carthusian
Carthusian, kar-thū′zi-an, n. one of an order of monks founded by St Bruno in 1086, noted for their strictness: a scholar of the Charterhouse School.—adj. of or pertaining to the order. [L. Cartusianus—Catorissium, Chatr
English · e-37683-4318Cartilage
Cartilage, kär′ti-lāj, n. in vertebrate animals, a firm elastic substance, of a pearly whiteness, presenting to the unaided eye a uniform and homogeneous appearance: gristle.—adj. Cartilagi′nous, pertaining to or consist
English · e-37683-4319Cartography
Cartography, kar-tog′ra-fi, n. the art of preparing charts or maps. [L. charta, chart, map, and Gr. graphia, graph-ein, to write.]
English · e-37683-4320Cartomancy
Cartomancy, kär′tō-man-si, n. a divination by playing-cards. [Low L. carta, a card, Gr. manteia, divination.]
English · e-37683-4321 · brief source recordCarton
Carton, kär′ton, n. a thin pasteboard, a box made from such: a small disc within the bull's-eye of the target, a shot that strikes this.—ns. Car′tonnage, pasteboard: the outer covering of a mummy; Car′ton-pierre′, statua
English · e-37683-4322Cartoon
Cartoon, kär-tōōn′, n. a preparatory drawing on strong paper to be transferred to frescoes, tapestry, &c.: any large sketch or design on paper, esp. a representation of current events in a comic paper.—v.t. to make a car
English · e-37683-4323Cartouche
Cartouche, kär-tōōsh′, n. a case for holding cartridges: formerly a case containing bullets to be discharged from a mortar, but now merely a waterproof canvas case for holding the cartridges of a field battery, one to ea
English · e-37683-4324Cartridge
Cartridge, kär′trij, n. a case made of paper, pasteboard, metal, &c., containing the charge for a gun—Blank′-car′tridges contain powder only; Ball′-cartridges contain a bullet as well.—ns. Car′tridge-bag, a bag of flanne
English · e-37683-4325Cartulary
Cartulary, kär′tū-lar-i, n. a register-book of a monastery, &c.: one who kept the records: the place where the register is kept. [Low L. chartularium—L. chartula, a document—charta, paper.]
English · e-37683-4326Carucate
Carucate, kar′u-kāt, n. originally an amount of land such as one team of oxen could plough in a season.—n. Car′ucage, a tax on the carucate, first imposed by Richard I. in 1198. [Low L. carrucāta, ploughland—carruca, plo
English · e-37683-4327Caruncle
Caruncle, kar-unk′l, n. a small fleshy excrescence, as the wattles of the turkey-cock.—adjs. Carun′cular, Carun′culate, Carun′culous. [Fr.—L. caruncula.]
English · e-37683-4328Carus
Carus, kä′rus, n. complete insensibility. [Gr. karos, stupor.]
English · e-37683-4329 · brief source recordCarve
Carve, kärv, v.t. to cut into forms, devices, &c.: to make or shape by cutting: to cut up (meat) into slices or pieces: to apportion or distribute: (Shak.) to speak with suavity.—v.i. to exercise the trade of a sculptor.
English · e-37683-4330Carvel
Carvel, kär′vel, n. older form of Caravel.—adj. Car′vel-built, as distinguished from clinker-built (q.v. under Clink).
English · e-37683-4331 · brief source recordCarvy
Carvy, kär′vi′, n. Scotch form of Caraway.
English · e-37683-4332 · brief source recordCaryatid
Caryatid, kar-i-at′id, n. a female figure used instead of a column to support an entablature:—pl. Caryat′ides.—adjs. Caryat′ic, Caryat′idal, Caryatidē′an, Caryatid′ic. [Gr. Karyatides.]
English · e-37683-4333Caryophyllaceous
Caryophyllaceous, kar-i-ō-fi-lā′shi-us, adj. belonging to the natural order Caryophyllaceæ;, applied esp. to flowers having five petals with long claws, as in the clove-pink. [Gr. karyophyllon, the clove-pink.]
English · e-37683-4334Cascabel
Cascabel, kas′ka-bel, n. the whole rear part behind the base-ring of a cannon. [Sp.]
English · e-37683-4335 · brief source recordCascade
Cascade, kas-kād′, n. a waterfall: a trimming of lace or other material in a loose wavy fall.—v.i. to fall in cascades. [Fr.,—It.—L. cadĕre, to fall.]
English · e-37683-4336Cascara
Cascara, kas′ka-ra, n. the Cascara sagrada, a Californian bark used as a tonic aperient: the Cascara amarga, a bitter Honduras bark.—n. Cascarill′a, the aromatic bitter bark of the West Indian Croton Eleuteria. [Sp.]
English · e-37683-4337Casco
Casco, kas′kō, n. a form of boat used at Manila for lading and unlading ships.
English · e-37683-4338 · brief source recordCase
Case, kās, n. a covering, box, or sheath: a set: an outer coating for walls: in bookbinding, the boards and back, separate from the book: the frame in which a compositor has his types before him while at work.—v.t. to su
English · e-37683-4339Case
Case, kās, n. that which falls or happens, event: particular state or condition—'in good case' = well off: subject of question or inquiry: an instance of disease: a person under medical treatment: a legal statement of fa
English · e-37683-4340Casein
Casein, Caseine, kā′sē-in, n. an organic substance, contained in milk and cheese.—adjs. Cā′sēic; Cā′sēous, pertaining to cheese. [Fr.,—L. caseus, cheese.]
English · e-37683-4341Casemate
Casemate, kās′māt, n. any bomb-proof vaulted chamber, even when merely used as quarters for the garrison: (orig.) a loopholed gallery, from which the garrison of a fort could fire upon an enemy who had obtained possessio
English · e-37683-4342Caseous
Caseous. See Casein.
English · e-37683-4343 · brief source recordCasern
Casern, ka-sėrn′, n. a lodging for troops in a town: a barrack. [Fr.,—Sp. caserna—casa, a house.]
English · e-37683-4344 · brief source recordCash
Cash, kash, n. coin or money: ready money.—v.t. to turn into or exchange for money: to pay money for.—ns. Cash′-account′, an account to which nothing is carried but cash: a form of account with a bank, by which a person
English · e-37683-4345Cashew
Cashew, ka-shōō′, n. a spreading tree of no great height, in both the East and West Indies, the fruit of which is a kidney-shaped nut at the end of a pear-shaped fleshy stalk, the kernel of this nut and the fleshy stalk
English · e-37683-4346Cashier
Cashier, kash-ēr′, v.t. to dismiss from a post in disgrace: to discard or put away: to annul.—ns. Cashier′er, one who cashiers; Cashier′ing, a punishment for officers in the army and navy, severer than dismissal, inasmuc
English · e-37683-4347Cashmere
Cashmere, kash′mēr, n. a rich kind of shawl made from the Cashmere goat: any similar shawl.
English · e-37683-4348 · brief source recordCasino
Casino, kas-ē′nō, n. a room for public dancing: a card-game. [It.; from L. casa, a cottage.]
English · e-37683-4349 · brief source recordCask
Cask, kask, n. a hollow round vessel for holding liquor, made of staves bound with hoops: a measure of capacity: (obs.) a casque,—v.t. to put in a cask. [Fr. casque—Sp. casco, skull, helmet, cask.]
English · e-37683-4350Casket
Casket, kask′et, n. a little cask or case: a small case for holding jewels, &c.: (U.S.) a coffin. [Ety. uncertain; hardly a dim. of Cask.]
English · e-37683-4351Casque
Casque, Cask, kask, n. a cover for the head: a helmet. [A doublet of Cask.]
English · e-37683-4352 · brief source recordCassandra
Cassandra, kas-an′dra, n. a daughter of Priam, king of Troy, beloved by Apollo, who gave her the gift of prophecy, but not of being believed—hence any one who takes gloomy views of the political or social future.
English · e-37683-4353Cassareep
Cassareep, kas′a-rēp, n. a sauce or condiment made from the juice of the cassava, the chief ingredient in the West Indian pepper-pot.
English · e-37683-4354Cassation
Cassation, kas-sā′shun, n. the act of making null or void: (French law) the act of annulling the decision of a court or judicial tribunal—hence Court of Cassation, the supreme tribunal. [Low L. cassation-em—cassāre, to b
English · e-37683-4355Cassava
Cassava, kas-sä′va, n. the West Indian name of the manioc, and the starch produced from it, called Brazilian Arrowroot, or Tapioca.
English · e-37683-4356Casserole
Casserole, kas′e-rōl, n. a stew-pan: the outer part of several dressed dishes. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4357 · brief source recordCassia
Cassia, kash′ya, n. a coarser kind of cinnamon—also Cass′ia-bark: the tree which yields the foregoing: a fragrant plant mentioned in Ps. xlv. 8 (Heb. qeçî'ôth, prob. the Ind. orris or costus): a genus of shrubs of the be
English · e-37683-4358Cassimere
Cassimere, kas-i-mēr′, n. a twilled cloth of the finest wools.—Also Kerseymere′. [Corr. of Cashmere.]
English · e-37683-4359 · brief source recordCassino
Cassino, kas-sē′no, n. a game at cards. [See Casino.]
English · e-37683-4360 · brief source recordCassiopeia
Cassiopeia, kas-i-ō-pē′ya, n. a constellation in the northern hemisphere, near the North Pole, named after the mother of Andromeda in Greek mythology.
English · e-37683-4361Cassiterite
Cassiterite, ka-sit′e-rīt, n. a brown native tin dioxide. [L. cassiterum—Gr. kassiteros, tin.]
English · e-37683-4362 · brief source recordCassock
Cassock, kas′ok, n. a long loose black robe or outer coat, formerly in common wear, but now worn only by clergy and choristers: a shorter garment, usually of black silk, worn under the Geneva gown by Scotch ministers.—ad
English · e-37683-4363Cassolette
Cassolette, kas′ō-let, n. a censer: a perfume-box with perforated lid. [Fr.,—Sp. cazoleta—cazo, a saucepan.]
English · e-37683-4364 · brief source recordCassonade
Cassonade, kas-o-nād′, n. raw or unrefined sugar. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4365 · brief source recordCassowary
Cassowary, kas′ō-war-i, n. a genus of running birds, nearly related to the true ostrich, and nearer to the American rhea. [Malay kasuārī or kasavārī.]
English · e-37683-4366Cast
Cast, kast, v.t. to throw or fling: to throw off, shed, drop: to throw down: to throw together or reckon: to mould or shape: (B.) to consider, to cast or throw up.—v.i. to warp:—pa.t. and pa.p. cast.—n. act of casting: a
English · e-37683-4367Cast-iron
Cast-iron. See Iron.
English · e-37683-4374 · brief source recordCastalian
Castalian, kas-tā′li-an, adj. pertaining to Castalia, a fountain in Parnassus, sacred to Apollo and the Muses.
English · e-37683-4368 · brief source recordCastanet
Castanet, kas′ta-net, n. a musical instrument of percussion in the form of two hollow shells of ivory or hard wood, which are bound together by a band fastening on the thumb, and struck by the fingers to produce a trilli
English · e-37683-4369Caste
Caste, käst, n. a term applied chiefly to distinct classes or sections of society in India, and, in a modified sense, to social distinctions of an exclusive nature among other nations.—Lose caste, to descend in social ra
English · e-37683-4370Castellan
Castellan, Castellated. See Castle.
English · e-37683-4371 · brief source recordCastigate
Castigate, kas′tig-āt, v.t. to chastise: to correct: to punish with stripes.—ns. Castigā′tion, act of castigating: chastisement: severe punishment; Cas′tigātor, one who castigates.—adj. Cas′tigātory. [L. castigāre, -ātum
English · e-37683-4372Castilian
Castilian, kas-til′yan, adj. and n. of or belonging to Castile, a native of Castile, or the language thereof, standard Spanish.—Castile soap, a hard soap made with olive-oil and soda.
English · e-37683-4373Castle
Castle, kas′l, n. a fortified house or fortress: the residence of a prince or nobleman, or a large country mansion generally: anything built in the likeness of such: a defensive tower borne on an elephant's back: a large
English · e-37683-4375Castor
Castor, kas′tor, n. the beaver: a hat made of its fur. [L.,—Gr. kastōr; cf. Sans. kasturi, musk.]
English · e-37683-4376 · brief source recordCastor
Castor, kast′or, n. a small wheel on the legs of furniture: a small vessel with perforated top for pepper, &c.—also Cast′er. [From Cast.]
English · e-37683-4377Castor-oil
Castor-oil, kas′tor-oil, n. a medicinal oil obtained from a tropical plant, the Ricinus communis. [Ety. dub.; prob. from castor or castoreum, the unctuous substance obtained from two pear-shaped glands in the beaver, for
English · e-37683-4378Castral
Castral, kas′tral, adj. belonging to the camp. [L. castra.]
English · e-37683-4379 · brief source recordCastrametation
Castrametation, kas-tra-me-tā′shun, n. the act or art of encamping. [L. castra, a camp, metāri, -atus, to measure off—meta, a boundary.]
English · e-37683-4380Castrate
Castrate, kas′trāt, v.t. to deprive of the power of generation, to remove the testicles, geld, emasculate: to take from or render imperfect.—adj. Cas′trated, expurgated.—ns. Castrā′tion, gelding, expurgation; Castrato (k
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