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 ↗
Casual, kash′ū-al, adj. accidental: unforeseen: occasional.—n. a chance or occasional visitor, labourer, pauper, &c.—n. Cas′ualism, the belief that chance governs all things.—adv. Cas′ually, in a casual manner.—n. Cas′ua
English · e-37683-4382Casuarina, kas-ū-ar-ēn′a, n. a genus of Australian trees having thread-like, jointed, pendent branches, with small toothed sheaths at the joints, like the horse-tails—the Swamp-oak and She-oak belong to it, and its wood
English · e-37683-4383Casuist, kaz′ū-ist, n. one who studies and resolves cases of conscience.—adjs. Casuist′ic, -al, relating to cases of conscience.—n. Cas′uistry, the science or doctrine of cases of conscience, or the reasoning which enabl
English · e-37683-4384Casula, kas′ū-la, n. a chasuble.
English · e-37683-4385 · brief source recordCat, kat, n. a common domestic animal kept to devour mice: a spiteful woman: a movable pent-house used for their protection by besiegers: a double tripod with six legs: a piece of wood tapering at each end, struck with t
English · e-37683-4386Cat, kat, n. an old name for a coal and timber vessel on the north-east coast of England.—adj. Cat′-rigged, having one great fore-and-aft mainsail spread by a gaff at the head and a boom at the foot, for smooth water onl
English · e-37683-4387Cat-bird. See Cat.
English · e-37683-4423 · brief source recordCat-call. See Cat.
English · e-37683-4424 · brief source recordCat-hole. See Cat.
English · e-37683-4450 · brief source recordCat-log, kat′-log, n. (Shak.). Catalogue.
English · e-37683-4454 · brief source recordCat's-tail. See Cat.
English · e-37683-4457 · brief source recordCatabolism. See Katabolism.
English · e-37683-4388 · brief source recordCatacaustic, kat-a-kaws′tik, adj. (geom.) belonging to caustic curves formed by reflection (see Caustic). [Gr. kata, against, and Caustic.]
English · e-37683-4389Catachresis, kat-a-krē′sis, n. (rhet.) a figure by which a word is used in a sense different from, yet analogous to, its own: a harsh or far-fetched metaphor.—adjs. Catachres′tic, -al.—adv. Catachres′tically. [L.,—Gr. ka
English · e-37683-4390Cataclysm, kat′a-klizm, n. a flood of water: a deluge: great revolution.—adj. Cataclys′mic. [Gr. kataklysmos—kata, downward, klyzein, to wash.]
English · e-37683-4391Catacomb, kat′a-kōm, n. a subterranean excavation used as a burial-place, esp. the famous Catacombs near Rome, where many of the early Christian victims of persecution were buried: any place built with crypt-like recesse
English · e-37683-4392Catacoustics, kat-a-kows′tiks, n. the part of acoustics which treats of echoes or sounds reflected. [Gr. kata, against, and Acoustics.]
English · e-37683-4393Catadioptric, -al, kat-a-di-op′trik, -al, adj. pertaining to instruments by which rays of light are both reflected and refracted. [See Catoptric.]
English · e-37683-4394Catadromous, kat-ad′rom-us, adj. of fishes, descending periodically for spawning to the lower parts of a river or to the sea. [Gr. kata, down, dromos, running.]
English · e-37683-4395Catafalque, kat-a-falk′, n. a temporary structure of carpentry representing a tomb or cenotaph placed over the coffin during a lying-in-state: a tomb of state, a funeral car.—Also Catafal′co. [Fr.,—It. catafalco. See Bal
English · e-37683-4396Catalan, kat′al-an, adj. of or belonging to Catalonia or its language, a dialect of Provençal.—n. a native of Catalonia, or the language thereof.
English · e-37683-4397Catalectic, kat-a-lek′tik, adj. incomplete: applied to a verse wanting one syllable at the end, or terminating in an imperfect foot. [Gr. katalēktikos, incomplete—katalēgein, to stop.]
English · e-37683-4398Catalepsy, kat′a-lep-si, n. a state of more or less complete insensibility, with absence of the power of voluntary motion, and statue-like fixedness of the body and limbs.—adj. Catalep′tic. [Gr., from kata, down, lambanō
English · e-37683-4399Catallactic, kat-al-ak′tik, adj. pertaining to exchange.—adv. Catallac′tically.—n. Catallac′tics, political economy as the science of exchanges. [Made up from Gr. katalassein, to exchange.]
English · e-37683-4400Catalogue, kat′a-log, n. a list of names, books, &c.—v.t. to put in a catalogue:—pr.p. cat′aloguing; pa.p. cat′alogued.—v.t. Cat′aloguise. [Fr.—Late L.—Gr. katalogos, from kata, down, legein, to choose.]
English · e-37683-4401Catalpa, kat-al′pa, n. a genus of hardy trees native to the United States and Japan, marked by a low habit, profuse blossoms, and long cigar-like pendent pods.—The common Catalpa, known also as the Bean-tree, Catawba, In
English · e-37683-4402Catalysis, ka-tal′i-sis, n. (chem.) the decomposition of a compound and the recomposition of its elements, by the presence of a substance which does not itself suffer change, as in fermentation.—adj. Catalyt′ic. [Gr. kat
English · e-37683-4403Catamaran, kat′a-mar-an′, or kat-am′ar-an, n. a raft of three pieces of wood lashed together, the middle piece being longer than the others, and serving as a keel—on this the rower squats, and works a paddle—much used in
English · e-37683-4404Catamenia, kat-a-mē′ni-a, n. the menstrual discharge.—adj. Catamē′nial. [Gr. katamēnios—kata, again, mēn, mēnos, a month.]
English · e-37683-4405Catamite, kat′a-mīt, n. a boy kept for unnatural purposes—a corruption of Ganymede (q.v.).
English · e-37683-4406 · brief source recordCatamount. See Cat.
English · e-37683-4407 · brief source recordCatapan, kat′a-pan, n. the governor of Calabria and Apulia for the Byzantine emperor. [Acc. to Littré, from Gr. katepanō tōn axiōmatōn, 'he who is placed over the dignities.']
English · e-37683-4408Cataphonics, kat-a-fon′iks, n. the science of reflected sounds.—adj. Cataphon′ic. [Gr. kata, against, phonē, sound.]
English · e-37683-4409 · brief source recordCataphract, kat′a-frakt, n. (Milton) a soldier in full armour. [Gr. kataphraktēs, a coat-of-mail—kata, inten., and phrass-ein, to enclose, protect.]
English · e-37683-4410Cataphyllary, kat-a-fil′ar-i, adj. pertaining to such rudimentary scale-leaves as are found on various parts of plants, esp. underground.—n. Cataphyll′um. [Gr. kata, down, phyllon, leaf.]
English · e-37683-4411Cataphysical, kat-a-fis′i-kal, adj. (rare) unnatural. [Gr. kata, down, against, physis, nature.]
English · e-37683-4412 · brief source recordCataplasm, kat′a-plazm, n. a plaster or poultice. [Gr. kataplasma, a plaster—kata-plassein, to plaster over.]
English · e-37683-4413 · brief source recordCataplexy, kat′a-plex-i, n. the kind of mesmeric sleep of animals under a sudden shock of terror—the state of 'shamming death.'—adj. Cataplec′tic. [Gr. kataplēssein, to strike down.]
English · e-37683-4414Catapult, kat′a-pult, n. anciently an engine of war, resembling the ballista, for throwing stones, arrows, &c.: a small forked stick having an elastic string fixed to the two prongs, used by boys for throwing small stone
English · e-37683-4415Cataract, kat′a-rakt, n. a great fall of water, water-spout, &c.: a waterfall or cascade: an opaque condition of the lens of the eye, painless, unaccompanied by inflammation, occasioning blindness, simply by obstructing
English · e-37683-4416Catarrh, kat-är′, n. a discharge of fluid from the inflammation of a mucous membrane, esp. of the nose, caused by cold in the head: the cold itself.—adjs. Catarrh′al, Catarrh′ous. [L. catarrhus—Gr. katarrhous—kata, down,
English · e-37683-4417Catarrhine, Catarhine, kat′ar-īn, adj. pertaining to that one of the two divisions of Quadrumana, including all the Old-World monkeys, having a narrow partition between the nostrils. [Gr. kata, down, hris, hrinos, nose.]
English · e-37683-4418Catasta, kat-äs′ta, n. a block on which slaves were exposed for sale: a stage or place for torture. [L.]
English · e-37683-4419 · brief source recordCatastasis, kat-as′tas-is, n. the part of the Greek drama in which the development of the action has reached its height: (rhet.) that part of a speech which states the subject to be discussed. [Gr.]
English · e-37683-4420Catastrophe, kat-as′trō-fē, n. an overturning: a final event: an unfortunate conclusion: a calamity.—adj. Catastroph′ic—ns. Catas′trophism, the theory in geology that accounts for 'breaks in the succession' by the hypoth
English · e-37683-4421Catawba, ka-taw′ba, n. a light sparkling wine, produced from a grape of the same name, first found on the banks of the Catawba River in Carolina.
English · e-37683-4422Catch, kach, v.t. to take hold of: to apprehend or understand: to seize after pursuit: to trap or ensnare: to take a disease by infection: to take up anything by sympathy or imitation.—v.i. to be contagious: to be entang
English · e-37683-4425Catchpole, -poll, kach′pōl, n. a constable, petty officer of justice. [Through O. Fr. from Low L. cachepolus, chassipullus, one who chases fowls. See Chase and Pullet.]
English · e-37683-4426Catchup, Catsup. See Ketchup.
English · e-37683-4427 · brief source recordCate. See Cates.
English · e-37683-4428 · brief source recordCatechise, kat′e-kīz, v.t. to instruct by question and answer: to question as to belief: to examine systematically, to take to task.—adjs. Catechet′ic, -al, relating to a catechism or oral instruction in the first princi
English · e-37683-4429Catechu, kat′e-shoo, n. a substance used in tanning and dyeing, and medicinally as an astringent, obtained from the heart-wood of several East Indian trees, as the betel-nut, &c. [Tamil.]
English · e-37683-4430Catechumen, kat-e-kū′men, n. one who is being taught the rudiments of Christianity: the appellation given in the early Christian Church to those converted Jews and heathens who had not yet received baptism, but were unde
English · e-37683-4431Category, kat′e-gor-i, n. what may be affirmed of a class: a class or order.—adjs. Categoremat′ic, capable of being used by itself as a term; Categor′ical, positive: absolute: without exception.—adv. Categor′ically, abso
English · e-37683-4432Catelectrode, kat-ē-lek′trōd, n. a negative electrode or cathode. [Gr. kata, down, and Electrode.]
English · e-37683-4433 · brief source recordCatenary, kat-ē′nar-i, n. the curve formed by a flexible homogeneous cord (such as a chain), hanging freely between two points of support, and acted on by no other force than gravity.—adj. relating to a chain, like a cha
English · e-37683-4434Cater, kā′tėr, v.i. to provide food, entertainment, &c. (with for).—ns. Cā′terer; Cā′teress; Cā′tering. [Lit. to act as a cater, the word being orig. a substantive, and spelled catour, an aphetised form of acater, acatou
English · e-37683-4435Cater-cousin, kā′tėr-kuz′n, n. a term implying familiarity, affection, sympathy, rather than kindred. [More prob. conn. with Cater than quatre or quarter.]
English · e-37683-4437Cateran, kat′er-an, n. a Highland reiver or freebooter, a robber or brigand generally. [Gael. ceathairne, peasantry, Ir. ceithern, a band of soldiers.]
English · e-37683-4436Caterpillar, kat′ėr-pil-ar, n. a grub that lives upon the leaves of plants. [Prob. O. Fr. chatepeleuse, 'hairy cat;' chate, a she-cat—L. catus, peleuse, hairy—L. pilosus, pilum.]
English · e-37683-4438Caterwaul, kat′ėr-wawl, n. the shriek or cry emitted by the cat when in heat.—v.i. to make such a noise, to make any discordant sound: to behave lasciviously: to quarrel like cats.—n. Cat′erwauling. [The second part is p
English · e-37683-4439Cates, kātz, n.pl. dainty food.
English · e-37683-4440 · brief source recordCatgut. See Cat.
English · e-37683-4441 · brief source recordCatharist, kath′ar-ist, n. one professing a higher standard of purity in life and doctrine, a puritan: esp. a member of a Manichean heretical sect of the Middle Ages, which spread over the whole of southern and western E
English · e-37683-4442Cathartic, -al, kath-ärt′ik, -al, adj. having the power of cleansing the stomach and bowels: purgative.—v.t. Cath′arise, to render absolutely clean.—ns. Cathar′sis, evacuation of the bowels; Cathart′ic, a purgative medic
English · e-37683-4443Cathead. See Cat.
English · e-37683-4444 · brief source recordCathedral, kath-ēd′ral, n. the principal church of a diocese, in which is the seat or throne of a bishop.—adj. belonging to a cathedral.—n. Cathed′ra, a bishop's seat, the episcopal dignity—ex cathedra, from the chair, o
English · e-37683-4445Catherine-wheel, kath′e-rin-hwēl, n. (archit.) an ornamented window or compartment of a window, of a circular form, with radiating divisions of various colours: (her.) a wheel set round with teeth: a kind of firework whi
English · e-37683-4446Catheter, kath′e-tėr, n. a tube to be introduced through the urethra into the bladder to draw off the urine, or for injecting air or fluids into the Eustachian tube.—ns. Cath′eterism; Cathetom′eter, an instrument for mea
English · e-37683-4447Cathisma, ka-thiz′ma, n. in Greek use, a portion of the psalter, there being altogether twenty cathismata: a troparion or short hymn used as a response. [Gr., kathizein, to sit down.]
English · e-37683-4448Cathode, kath-ōd′, n. the negative pole or electrode of a galvanic battery, as opposed to anode: the surface in contact with the negative pole: the object to be coated in electroplating—adj. Cath′odal. [Gr. kathodos, a g
English · e-37683-4449Catholic, kath′ol-ik, adj. universal: general, embracing the whole body of Christians: orthodox, as opposed to heterodox and sectarian—applied esp. to the Christian Church before the great schism between the East and the
English · e-37683-4451Catiline, kat′il-īn, n. the type of a daring and reckless conspirator, from L. Sergius Catilina, whose plot to destroy Rome was foiled by Cicero, 63 B.C.—adj. Cat′ilinārian.
English · e-37683-4452Catkin. See Cat.
English · e-37683-4453 · brief source recordCatonian, ka-tō′ni-an, adj. resembling Cato, the Roman Censor (died 149 B.C.), or Cato Uticensis (95-46 B.C.), both remarkable for gravity of manners—hence grave, severe, unbending.
English · e-37683-4455Catoptric, kat-op′trik, adj. relating to catoptrics or vision by reflection.—n.pl. Catop′trics, the part of optics which treats of reflected light. [Gr.; from katoptron, a mirror—kata, against, optesthai, to see.]
English · e-37683-4456Cattle, kat′l, n.pl. beasts of pasture, esp. oxen, bulls, and cows: sometimes also horses, sheep, &c.—ns. Catt′leman, one who tends cattle, or who rears them on a ranch; Catt′le-plague, plague or disease among cattle, es
English · e-37683-4458Catty, kat′i, n. the Chinese kin or pound, usually a little over 1¼ lb. avoirdupois.
English · e-37683-4459 · brief source recordCaucasian, kaw-kā′zhi-an, adj. pertaining to Mount Caucasus or the country around it.—n. the name adopted by Blumenbach for one of his main ethnological divisions of mankind, by him made to include the two great groups,
English · e-37683-4460Caucus, kaw′kus, n. a private meeting of political wire-pullers to agree upon candidates to be proposed for an ensuing election, or to fix the business to be laid before a general meeting of their party: applied loosely
English · e-37683-4461Caudal, kaw′dal, adj. pertaining to the tail: having a tail or something like one.—adj. Cau′dāte, tailed. [L. cauda.]
English · e-37683-4462 · brief source recordCaudex, kaw′deks, n. (bot.) the stem of a tree, esp. of a palm or tree-fern:—pl. Caud′ices, Caud′exes.—n. Caudicle, the stalk of the pollen-masses of certain orchids. [L.]
English · e-37683-4463Caudle, kaw′dl, n. a warm drink, sweetened and spiced, given to the sick, esp. women in childbed.—v.t. to give a caudle to, to mix. [O. Fr. chaudel—L. calidus, hot.]
English · e-37683-4464Caudron, kaw′dron, n. (Spens.). Same as Cauldron.
English · e-37683-4465 · brief source recordCaught, kawt, pa.t. and pa.p. of Catch.
English · e-37683-4466 · brief source recordCauk, kawk, n. chalk: sulphate of baryta or heavy spar. [A form of Chalk.]
English · e-37683-4467 · brief source recordCauker. See Caulk.
English · e-37683-4468 · brief source recordCaul, kawl, n. a net or covering for the head: the membrane covering the head of some infants at their birth. [O. Fr. cale, a little cap, prob. Celt.; cf. Ir. calla, a veil, hood.]
English · e-37683-4469Cauld, kawld, n. (Scot.) a dam in a stream, a weir.
English · e-37683-4470 · brief source recordCauldrife, kawld′-rīf, adj. (Scot.) cold, chilly, lifeless, without vigour.
English · e-37683-4471 · brief source recordCauldron, Caldron, kawl′dron, n. a large kettle for boiling or heating liquids. [O. Fr. caudron—L. caldarium—calidus, hot—calēre, to be hot.]
English · e-37683-4472Caulescent, kaw-les′ent, adj. (bot.) having a stem rising above the ground—also Caulif′erous.—n. Cau′licle, a rudimentary stem.—adj. Caulic′olous, growing on a stem.—n.pl. Cauliculā′ta, the black or antipatharian corals.
English · e-37683-4473Cauliflower, kaw′li-flow′ėr, n. a variety of cabbage, the eatable part of which is the deformed inflorescence or head. [Earlier cole-florye, colie-florie—Low L. cauli-flora—L. caulis, cabbage. See Cole and Flower.]
English · e-37683-4474Caulk, Calk, kawk, v.t. to press oakum and untwisted rope into the seams of a ship to render it watertight.—ns. Caulk′er, one who caulks: a dram: a big lie—also Cauk′er; Caulk′ing; Caulk′ing-ī′ron, an instrument like a c
English · e-37683-4475Cause, kawz, n. that which produces an effect: that by or through which anything happens: motive: inducement: a legal action between contending parties: sake, advantage: that side of a question which is taken up by an in
English · e-37683-4476Causerie, kōz′ri, n. a talk or gossip: a paragraph of chat about literature or art; a short and informal essay on any subject in a newspaper or magazine—as in Sainte-Beuve's famous Causeries du Lundi. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4477Causeway, kawz′wā, Causey, kawz′e, n. a raised way through a marsh: a pathway raised and paved with stone: a paved street.—v.t. to pave.—p.adjs. Cause′wayed, Caus′eyed. [Causeway is formed from Causey and Way. Causey is
English · e-37683-4478Caustic, kaws′tik, adj. burning: (fig.) bitter, severe, cutting: (math.) noting an envelope of rays of light proceeding from a fixed point and reflected (catacaustic) or refracted (diacaustic) by a surface or a curve.—n.
English · e-37683-4479Cautel, kaw′tel, n. (Shak.) craft: insidious purpose: caution: wariness: a traditionary caution or written direction about the proper manner of administering the sacraments.—adj. Cau′telous (Shak.), cautious: insidious:
English · e-37683-4480Cauterise, kaw′tėr-īz, v.t. to burn with a caustic or a hot iron: (fig.) to sear.—ns. Cau′ter, Cau′tery, a burning with caustics or a hot iron: a burning iron or caustic used for burning tissue; Cauterisā′tion, Cau′teris
English · e-37683-4481Caution, kaw′shun, n. heedfulness: security: warning: a surety: (Scot.) bail.—v.t. to warn to take care.—adj. Cau′tionary, containing caution: given as a pledge.—ns. Cau′tioner, one who cautions or advises: (Scots law) a
English · e-37683-4482Cavalcade, kav-al-kād′, n. a train or procession of persons on horseback.—v.i. to go in a cavalcade. [Fr., through It. and Low L. forms from L. caballus, a horse.]
English · e-37683-4483Cavalier, kav-al-ēr′, n. a knight: a Royalist in the great Civil War: a swaggering fellow: a gallant or gentleman in attendance upon a lady, as her escort or partner in a dance or the like: in military fortification, a r
English · e-37683-4484Cavalry, kav′al-ri, n. horse-soldiers: a troop of horse or horsemen. [Fr. cavallerie—It. cavalleria—L. caballarius, horseman.]
English · e-37683-4485Cavass. See Kavass.
English · e-37683-4486 · brief source recordCavatina, kav-at-ē′na, n. a short form of operatic air, of a smooth and melodious character, differing from the ordinary aria in consisting only of one part, and frequently appearing as part of a grand scena. [It.]
English · e-37683-4487Cave, kāv, n. a hollow place in the earth: a den: any small faction of seceders from a political party.—v.t. to hollow out.—v.i. to lodge in a cave.—n. Cave′-bear (Ursus spelæus), a fossil bear of the Quaternary epoch.—n
English · e-37683-4488Caveat, kā′ve-at, n. a notice or warning: a formal warning, entered in the books of a court or public office, that no step shall be taken in a particular matter without notice to the person lodging the caveat, so that he
English · e-37683-4489Cavendish, kav′en-dish, n. tobacco moistened and pressed into quadrangular cakes. [Possibly from the name of the original manufacturer.]
English · e-37683-4490Cavern, kav′ėrn, n. a deep hollow place in the earth.—v.t. to put in a cavern: to hollow out, in the form of a cavern.—adjs. Cav′erned, full of caverns: dwelling in a cavern; Cav′ernous, hollow: full of caverns.—adv. Cav
English · e-37683-4491Cavesson, kav′es-on, n. a nose-band for a horse. [Fr.,—It.—L. capitia, capitium, a head-covering.]
English · e-37683-4492 · brief source recordCavetto, ka-vet′to, n. a hollowed moulding whose curvature is the quarter of a circle, used chiefly in cornices. [It.; dim. of cavo—L. cavus, hollow.]
English · e-37683-4493Caviare, Caviar, kav-i-är′, or kav-i-ār′ (originally four syllables), n. an article of food made from the salted roes of the sturgeon, &c.: (fig.) something whose flavour is too fine for the vulgar taste. [Prob. the 16th
English · e-37683-4494Cavicorn, kav′i-korn, adj. hollow-horned, as a ruminant.—n. one of the Cavicor′nia, a family contrasted with the solid-horned ruminants, or deer (Cervidæ). [L. cavus, hollow, cornu, a horn.]
English · e-37683-4495Cavie, kāv′i, n. a hen-coop or cage. [Dut. kevie; Ger. käfig.]
English · e-37683-4496 · brief source recordCavil, kav′il, v.t. to make empty, trifling objections: to use false arguments:—pr.p. cav′illing; pa.p. cav′illed.—n. a frivolous objection.—ns. Cavillā′tion, Cav′illing; Cav′iller. [O. Fr. caviller—L. cavillāri, to prac
English · e-37683-4497Cavity, kav′it-i, n. a hollow place: hollowness: an opening.—adj. Cav′itied. [L. cavitas, -tatem—cavus, hollow.]
English · e-37683-4498 · brief source recordCavo-rilievo, kä′vō-rē-lyā′vō, n. a kind of relief in which the highest surface is level with the plane of the original stone, which is left round the outlines of the design.—Also Intaglio-rilievo and Cœlanaglyphic sculp
English · e-37683-4499Cavort, kav-ort′, v.i. (U.S. slang) to curvet, bound. [Explained as a corr. of Curvet.]
English · e-37683-4500 · brief source recordCavy, kāv′i, n. a genus of Rodents, best known by the domesticated species, the common guinea-pig. [Cabiai, the native name in French Guiana.]
English · e-37683-4501Caw, kaw, v.i. to cry as a crow.—n. the cry of a crow—also Kaw.—n. Caw′ing. [From the sound.]
English · e-37683-4502 · brief source recordCawk, kawk, n. a miner's familiar name for heavy spar. [Prov. Eng. cauk, Chalk.]
English · e-37683-4503 · brief source recordCawker. Same as Calker.
English · e-37683-4504 · brief source recordCaxon, kak′son, n. a kind of wig formerly worn. [Origin obscure.]
English · e-37683-4505 · brief source recordCaxton, kaks′ton, n. a book printed by William Caxton (1422-91), the first English printer: a kind of printing-type in imitation of Caxton's.
English · e-37683-4506Cay, kā, n. a low islet, the same as Key. [Sp. cayo.]
English · e-37683-4507 · brief source recordCayenne, kā-en′, Cayenne-pepper, kā-en′-pep′ėr, n. a very pungent red pepper, made from several species of capsicum.—adj. Cayenned′, seasoned with cayenne. [Usually referred to Cayenne in French Guiana; but there is litt
English · e-37683-4508Cayman, kā′man, n. a local name loosely applied to various species of alligator—to that of the Mississippi, and more frequently to others found in tropical or subtropical America. [Sp. caiman, most prob. Carib.]
English · e-37683-4509Cazique, a form of Cacique.
English · e-37683-4510 · brief source recordCease, sēs, v.i. to give over: to stop: to be at an end (with from).—v.t. to put an end to.—n. (Shak.) extinction.—adj. Cease′less, without ceasing: incessant.—adv. Cease′lessly.—n. Ceas′ing.—Without cease, continually.
English · e-37683-4511Cebadilla. See Cevadilla.
English · e-37683-4512 · brief source recordCebus, sē′bus, n. a genus of South American monkeys—Cebidæ (seb′i-dē) is sometimes applied to all the broad-nosed New-World monkeys (Platyrrhini) with prehensile tails, in contrast to the Pithecidæ. [Gr. kēbos.]
English · e-37683-4513Cecidomyia, ses-i-dom-ī′ya, n. a genus of dipterous (two-winged) insects in the Tipularia (gnat and mosquito) division. [Gr. kēkis, -idos, juice.]
English · e-37683-4514Cecils, sē′silz, n.pl. minced meat, bread crumbs, onions, &c., made up into balls and fried.
English · e-37683-4515 · brief source recordCecity, sē′si-ti, n. blindness. [L. cæcitas—cæcus, blind.]
English · e-37683-4516 · brief source recordCedar, sē′dar, n. a large evergreen tree remarkable for the durability and fragrance of its wood; applied also to many more or less similar trees, as the Barbadoes cedar, properly a juniper, and the Bastard Barbadoes ced
English · e-37683-4517Cede, sēd, v.t. to yield or give up to another.—v.i. to give way. [L. cedĕre, cessum, to yield, give up.]
English · e-37683-4518 · brief source recordCedilla, se-dil′la, n. a mark placed under the letter c (thus ç), esp. in French, to show that it is to have its soft sound of s, where one would expect the hard, as before a, o, u. [Sp. (Fr. cédille, It. zediglia), all
English · e-37683-4519Cedrate, sē′drāt, n. the citron. [Fr.,—L. citrus.]
English · e-37683-4520 · brief source recordCedrela, sed′rē-la, n. a tropical genus of Meliaceæ, allied to mahogany, whose wood is popularly called cedar.—adj. Cedrelā′ceous. [Gr. kedrelatē—kedros, cedar, elatē, the silver fir.]
English · e-37683-4521Cedula, sed′ū-lä, n. a South American promissory-note or mortgage-bond on lands. [Sp. Cf. Schedule.]
English · e-37683-4522 · brief source recordCee-spring, C-spring, sē′-spring, n. a spring supporting the frame of a carriage, in the shape of a C.
English · e-37683-4523 · brief source recordCeil, Ciel, sēl, v.t. to overlay the inner roof of a room, generally to plaster it: to wainscot.—n. Ceil′ing, the inner roof of a room. [Prob. conn. with Fr. ciel, It. cielo, Low L. cælum, a canopy.]
English · e-37683-4524Celadon, sel′a-don, n. a pale-green colour. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4525 · brief source recordCelandine, sel′an-dīn, n. swallow-wort, the popular name (and corruption) of Chelidonium majus, a perennial papaveraceous (poppy) herb, so named because it was supposed to flower when the swallows appeared, and to perish
English · e-37683-4526Celebrate, sel′e-brāt, v.t. to make famous: to distinguish by solemn ceremonies, as a festival or an event: to perform with proper rites and ceremonies, as mass, the eucharist, marriage, &c.: to publish the praises of.—n
English · e-37683-4527Celerity, sel-er′it-i, n. quickness: rapidity of motion. [Fr.,—L. celeritas—celer, quick.]
English · e-37683-4528 · brief source recordCelery, sel′er-i, n. a kitchen vegetable cultivated for its long blanched succulent stalks. [Fr. céleri—L. and Gr. selīnon, parsley.]
English · e-37683-4529Celestial, sel-est′yal, adj. heavenly: dwelling in heaven: in the visible heavens.—n. an inhabitant of heaven.—adv. Celest′ially.—The Celestial Empire, a name for China. [Through Fr. from L. cœlestis—cœlum, heaven.]
English · e-37683-4530Celestine, sel′es-tīn, or sel-es′tin, n. one of an order of monks following the rule of St Benedict, wearing a white garment with black hood and scapulary, founded about 1254 by Peter da Murrone, who became Pope Celestin
English · e-37683-4531Celestine, sel′es-tin, n. a mineral, native sulphate of strontia.—Also Cel′estite. [From its sky-blue colour.]
English · e-37683-4532 · brief source recordCeliac, sē′li-ak, adj. Same as Cœliac.
English · e-37683-4533 · brief source recordCelibacy, sel′i-bas-i, or se-lib′as-i, n. a single life: an unmarried state.—adjs. Celibatā′rian, favouring celibacy; Cel′ibate, living single.—n. one unmarried, or not allowed to marry. [L. cœlebs, single.]
English · e-37683-4534Cell, sel, n. a small room in a prison, monastery, &c.: a cave: a small shut cavity: the grave: a unit-mass of living matter, whether rounded off by itself, as in the simplest plants or animals, and in the youngest stage
English · e-37683-4535Cella, sel′a, n. the body of the temple, as distinguished from the portico, &c.
English · e-37683-4536 · brief source recordCellar, sel′ar, n. any underground room or vault: a cell underground, where stores are kept, esp. wine, &c.—v.t. to store in a cellar.—ns. Cell′arage, space for cellars: cellars: charge for storing in cellars; Cell′arer,
English · e-37683-4537Cello, chel′o, for Violoncello; sometimes written 'Cello.—Cellist, 'Cellist, for Violoncellist.
English · e-37683-4538 · brief source recordCellulares, sel-ū-lā′rez, n.pl. a name sometimes applied to the Cryptogamia—properly only to the mosses and lower cryptogams.
English · e-37683-4539Celt, selt, n. a cutting instrument of stone or bronze found in ancient barrows. [Founded on Celte, perh. a misreading for certe ('surely'), in the Vulgate, Job, xix. 24, there being apparently no such Latin word as celt
English · e-37683-4540Celt, selt, n. one of the Celts, an Aryan race, now represented by the Bretons, the Welsh, the Irish, and the Scottish Highlanders—also Kelt.—adj. Celt′ic.—ns. Celt′icism, a Celtic idiom or custom; Celtomā′nia. [L. Celtæ
English · e-37683-4541Cement, se-ment′, n. anything that makes two bodies stick together: mortar: a bond of union.—v.t. to unite with cement: to join firmly.—n. Cementā′tion, the act of cementing: the process by which iron is turned into stee
English · e-37683-4542Cemetery, sem′e-tėr-i, n. a burying-ground. [Low L. cæmeterium—Gr. koimētērion.]
English · e-37683-4543 · brief source recordCenacle, sen′a-kl, n. a supper-room, esp. that in which the Last Supper was eaten by Jesus and His disciples. [Fr. cénacle—L. cenaculum.]
English · e-37683-4544Cenobite. Same as Cœnobite.
English · e-37683-4545 · brief source recordCenotaph, sen′ō-taf, n. a sepulchral monument to one who is buried elsewhere. [Fr.,—L.—Gr. kenotaphion—kenos, empty, and taphos, a tomb.]
English · e-37683-4546Cenozoic, sē-no-zō′ik, adj. Same as Cainozoic.
English · e-37683-4547 · brief source recordCense, sens, v.t. to burn incense before: (obs.) to think.—n. (obs.) a public rate or tax: rank, condition. [See Census.]
English · e-37683-4548Censer, sens′ėr, n. a pan in which incense is burned. [O. Fr. censier, encensier (mod. encensoir)—Low L. incensorium—L. incendĕre, incensum, to burn.]
English · e-37683-4549Censor, sen′sor, n. in ancient Rome, an officer who kept account of the property of the citizens, imposed taxes, and watched over their morals: an officer who examines books or newspapers before they are printed: one who
English · e-37683-4550Censure, sen′shūr, n. an unfavourable judgment: blame: reproof: (obs.) criticism, judgment generally.—v.t. to blame: to condemn as wrong.—adj. Cen′surable, deserving of censure: blamable.—n. Cen′surableness.—adv. Cen′sur
English · e-37683-4551Census, sen′sus, n. an official enumeration of the inhabitants of a country, and of statistics relating to them.—adj. Cen′sual, relating to or containing a census. [L. census, a register.]
English · e-37683-4552Cent, sent, n. a hundred: an American coin—the hundredth part of a dollar.—ns. Cent′age, rate by the hundred; Cent′al, a weight of 100 lb. proposed for general adoption, legalised in 1878.—Per cent., by the hundred. [L.
English · e-37683-4553Centaur, sen′tawr, n. a fabulous monster, half-man, half-horse.—adj. Centau′rian. [L.,—Gr. kentauros; ety. dub.]
English · e-37683-4554 · brief source recordCentaury, sen′taw-ri, n. an annual with pink or rose-coloured flowers, possessing the tonic and other medicinal virtues of gentian, esteemed in medicine since the days of Galen.
English · e-37683-4555Centenary, sen′tin-ar-i (also sometimes sen-tēn′ar-i and even sen-ten′ar-i), n. a hundred: a century or hundred years.—adj. pertaining to a hundred.—ns. Centenā′rian, one a hundred years old; Centenā′rianism; Centenier (
English · e-37683-4556Centennial, sen-ten′i-al, adj. happening once in a hundred years.—n. a hundredth anniversary. [Coined from L. centum, and annus, a year.]
English · e-37683-4557Center. See Centre.
English · e-37683-4558 · brief source recordCentering, sen′tėr-ing, n. (archit.) the framework upon which an arch or vault of stone, brick, or iron is supported during its construction.
English · e-37683-4559Centesimal, sen-tes′i-mal, adj. hundredth.—adv. Centes′imally. [L. centesimus—centum.]
English · e-37683-4560 · brief source recordCentifolious, sen-ti-fō′li-us, adj. hundred-leaved.
English · e-37683-4561 · brief source recordCentigrade, sen′ti-grād, adj. having a hundred degrees: divided into a hundred degrees, as the centigrade thermometer constructed by Celsius (1701-44), in which freezing-point is zero and boiling-point is 100° (for its r
English · e-37683-4562Centigramme, sen′ti-gram, n. in the Metric System, the hundredth part of a gramme, or .1543248 of a gr. troy. [Fr.,—L. centum, a hundred, and Gramme.]
English · e-37683-4563Centilitre, sen′ti-lē-tr, n. the hundredth part of a litre, a little more than 6⁄10ths of a cubic inch. [Fr.,—L. centum, a hundred, and Litre.]
English · e-37683-4564Centime, sen-tēm′, n. the hundredth part of anything, esp. a French coin, the hundredth part of a franc. [Fr.,—L. centum, a hundred.]
English · e-37683-4565Centimetre, sen′ti-mē-tr, n. a lineal measure, the hundredth part of a metre—0.3937 inches. [Fr.,—L. centum, a hundred, metrum, Gr. metron, a measure.]
English · e-37683-4566Centinel. Same as Sentinel.
English · e-37683-4567 · brief source recordCentipede, sen′ti-pēd, n. a general name for the members of one of the orders of the class Myriapoda, being segmented animals bearing jointed appendages, having a well-defined head furnished with feelers and jaws, and br
English · e-37683-4568Centner, sent′ner, n. a common name on the Continent for a hundredweight.
English · e-37683-4569 · brief source recordCento, sen′to, n. a name applied to literary trivialities in the form of poems manufactured by putting together distinct verses or passages of one author, or of several authors, so as to make a new meaning: a composition
English · e-37683-4570Centre, Center, sen′tėr, n. the middle point of anything, esp. a circle or sphere: the middle: the point toward which all things move or are drawn: the chief leader of an organisation—head-centre: the men of moderate pol
English · e-37683-4571Centrifugal, sen-trif′ū-gal, adj. relating to the force directed towards the centre of curvature constantly required to keep a body moving in a curve instead of in its natural straight line: (bot.) applied to an inflores
English · e-37683-4572Centripetal, sen-trip′et-al, adj. of a force impelling a body towards some point as a centre. [L. centrum, and pet-ĕre, to seek.]
English · e-37683-4573Centrobaric, sen-tro-bar′ik, adj. relating to the centre of gravity. [L. centrum, and Gr. baros, weight.]
English · e-37683-4574 · brief source recordCentrode, sen′trōd, n. a locus traced out by the successive positions of an instantaneous centre of pure rotation.
English · e-37683-4575 · brief source recordCentumvir, sen-tum′vir, n. one of the Roman judges chosen annually for civil suits, originally 105 in number (three from each of the thirty-five tribes):—pl. Centum′virī.—n. Centum′virate. [L. centum, a hundred, and vir,
English · e-37683-4576Centuple, sen′tū-pl, adj. hundredfold.—v.t. Centū′plicate, to multiply a hundred times.—n. Centuplicā′tion. [L. centuplex—centum, and plicāre, to fold.]
English · e-37683-4577Century, sen′tū-ri, n. a hundred, or something consisting of a hundred in number, as sonnets, &c.: a hundred years.—adj. Centū′rial.—ns. Centū′riātor, the centuriators of Magdeburg were a group of Reformed divines who in
English · e-37683-4578Ceorl, churl, n. before the Norman Conquest an ordinary freeman not of noble birth. [A.S.]
English · e-37683-4579 · brief source recordCephalaspis, sef-a-las′pis, n. a genus of fossil Ganoid fishes found in the Upper Silurian and Devonian measures. [Gr. kephalē, the head, aspis, a shield.]
English · e-37683-4580Cephalic, se-fal′ik, adj. belonging to the head—also Cephalis′tic.—ns. Cephalag′ra, gout in the head; Cephalal′gia, Ceph′algy, headache.—adjs. Cephalal′gic; Ceph′alate, having a head, as a mollusc.—n. Cephalī′tis, inflam
English · e-37683-4581A 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.
Inspect acquisition and rights →