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 ↗
Cephalopoda, sef-al-op′od-a, n.pl. the highest class of molluscs, usually large animals, exclusively marine, with well-developed head region, but having the ventral surface grown round the mouth and split up into arms be
English · e-37683-4582Cephaloptera, sef-a-lop′tėr-a, n. a name formerly used for a genus of rays. [Gr. kephalē, the head, ptera, wings.]
English · e-37683-4583 · brief source recordCeramic, se-ram′ik, adj. pertaining to pottery. [Gr. keramos, potter's earth.]
English · e-37683-4584 · brief source recordCerasine, ser′a-sin, n. the insoluble portion of the gum which exudes from the cherry, &c. [L. cerasus, Gr. kerasos, the cherry-tree.]
English · e-37683-4585Cerastes, se-ras′tēz, n. a genus of poisonous snakes having a horny process over each eye. [L.; Gr. kerastēs—keras, a horn.]
English · e-37683-4586Cerate, sē′rāt, n. a compound of wax with other oily or medicinal substances in such proportions as to form a stiff ointment.—adj. Cē′rated.—n. Cero′mancy, divination from figures produced by melted wax when dropped into
English · e-37683-4587Ceratitis, ser-a-tī′tis, n. inflammation of the cornea.—Also Keratī′tis.
English · e-37683-4588 · brief source recordCeratode, ser′a-tōd, n. the horny skeletal substance of sponges—also Cer′atose.—adjs. Cerat′odous, Cer′atose.
English · e-37683-4589 · brief source recordCeratoid, ser′a-toid, adj. horny.
English · e-37683-4590 · brief source recordCeraunic, se-raw′nik, adj. pertaining to, or produced by, thunder.—ns. Cerau′nite, a belemnite; Cerau′noscope, an apparatus for imitating thunder and lightning in ancient mysteries. [Gr. keraunos, a thunderbolt.]
English · e-37683-4591Cerberus, ser′bėr-us, n. (myth.) the monster that guarded the entrance to Hades, a dog with three, according to some a hundred, heads.—adj. Cerbē′rian. [L.—Gr. Kerberos.]
English · e-37683-4592Cercaria, ser-kā′ri-a, n. the technical name applied to an embryonic form of many flukes.—adj. Cercā′rian. [Gr. kerkos, a tail.]
English · e-37683-4593Cere, sēr, v.t. to cover with wax.—n. the bare waxlike patch at the base of the upper part of the beak in birds.—adj. Cerā′ceous, of or like wax.—ns. Cerā′go, a wax-like substance (bee-bread) used by bees as food; Cere′c
English · e-37683-4594Cereal. See Ceres.
English · e-37683-4595 · brief source recordCerebrum, ser′e-brum, n. the front and larger part of the brain.—adjs. Cerebell′ar, Cerebell′ous.—n. Cerebell′um, the hinder and lower part of the brain.—adj. Cer′ebral, pertaining to the cerebrum.—ns. Cer′ebralism, the
English · e-37683-4596Ceremony, ser′e-mo-ni, n. a sacred rite: the outward form, religious or otherwise: any empty form without inwardness: pomp or state; a portent or omen.—adj. Ceremō′nial, relating to ceremony.—n. outward form: a system of
English · e-37683-4597Ceres, sē′rēz, n. the Roman name for the Greek Demētēr, goddess of tillage and corn.—adj. Cē′real, relating to corn or edible grain.—n.pl. Cē′reals, the grains used as food, such as wheat, barley, &c. [L. prob. from root
English · e-37683-4598Cereus, sē′ri-us, n. a large genus of cactuses, including some of the most imposing forms. [L., 'waxen.']
English · e-37683-4599 · brief source recordCerge, sėrj, n. a large wax-candle burned before the altar.—Also Cierge, Serge. [O. Fr.,—L. cereus—cera, wax.]
English · e-37683-4600 · brief source recordCerinthian, ser-in′thi-an, adj. pertaining to Cerinthus, one of the earliest heretics in the Christian Church, against whose crude Gnosticism the Gospel of John was written, according to Irenæus.
English · e-37683-4601Ceriph. Same as Serif.
English · e-37683-4602 · brief source recordCerise, ser-ēz′, n. and adj. a light and clear red colour. [Fr., 'cherry.']
English · e-37683-4603 · brief source recordCerium, sē′ri-um, n. a rare metal found in the mineral Cē′rite, which is its hydrated silicate. [Named from the plant Ceres.]
English · e-37683-4604Cern, sėrn (Shak.). Concern.
English · e-37683-4605 · brief source recordCeromancy. See Cerate.
English · e-37683-4606 · brief source recordCeroon. See Seroon.
English · e-37683-4607 · brief source recordCeroplastic. See Cere.
English · e-37683-4608 · brief source recordCertain, sėr′tān, or sėr′tin, adj. sure: not to be doubted: resolved: fixed: regular: inevitable: some: one.—advs. Cer′tainly, (Scot.) Cer′ty, Cer′tie.—ns. Cer′titude, Cer′tainty.—'A certain person,' implying some degree
English · e-37683-4609Certes, sėr′tēz, adv. certainly: in sooth. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4610 · brief source recordCertificate, sėr-tif′i-kāt, n. a written declaration of some fact: a testimonial of character or definite statement of qualifications.—v.t. to give a certificate.—ns. Certificā′tion; Certif′icatory, a certificate—also ad
English · e-37683-4611Certiorari, sėr-shi-o-rā′ri, n. the writ by which, since the abolition of imprisonment for debt and the consequent disuse of the better-known writ, habeas corpus, causes are removed from inferior courts of record into th
English · e-37683-4612Cerulean, se-rū′le-an, adj. sky-blue: dark-blue; sea-green.—adj. Cerū′leous. [L. cæruleus.]
English · e-37683-4613 · brief source recordCerulein, sėr-ū′lē-in, n. a coal-tar colour chiefly used in dyeing cotton fabrics, producing fast olive-green shades.
English · e-37683-4614 · brief source recordCerumen, se-rū′men, n. the yellow waxy matter secreted in the ear.—adj. Cerū′minous. [L. cera, wax.]
English · e-37683-4615 · brief source recordCeruse, sē′rōōs, or ser-ūs′, n. white-lead, the native carbonate of lead.—n. Cē′rusite. [Fr.,—L. cerussa, conn. with cera, wax.]
English · e-37683-4616Cervical, sėr′vi-kal, adj. belonging to the neck. [Fr.,—L. cervix, cervicis, the neck.]
English · e-37683-4617 · brief source recordCervine, sėr′vīn, adj. relating to deer. [L. cervinus, cervus, a stag.]
English · e-37683-4618 · brief source recordCesarean. See Cæsarean.
English · e-37683-4619 · brief source recordCesarevitch. See Czar.
English · e-37683-4620 · brief source recordCespitose, ses′pi-tōs, adj. turfy: growing in tufts.—Also Ces′pitous. [L. cespes, cespitis, turf.]
English · e-37683-4621 · brief source recordCess, ses, n. a tax, a local rate.—v.t. to impose a tax.—Out of all cesse (Shak.), excessively, immoderately. [Shortened from Assess.]
English · e-37683-4622Cessation, ses-ā′shun, n. a ceasing or stopping: a rest: a pause. [Fr.,—L. cessation-em. See Cease.]
English · e-37683-4623 · brief source recordCesse, ses, v.i. (Spens.). Same as Cease.
English · e-37683-4624 · brief source recordCession, sesh′un, n. a yielding up.—n. Ces′sionary, one to whom an assignment has been legally made.—Cessio bonōrum (Scots law), before 1880 a debtor's surrender of his estate to his creditors in return for a judicial pr
English · e-37683-4625Cesspool, ses′pōōl, n. a pool or hollow in which filthy water collects. [Acc. to Skeat, from Celt. soss-pool, a pool into which foul messes flow. Cf. Scot. soss, a mixed dirty mess.]
English · e-37683-4626Cestoid, ses′toid, n. one of a family of flat worms of internal parasitic habit, having a long strap-like body divided into numerous segments: a tapeworm.—Also Cestoid′ean. [L. cestus, Gr. kestos, a girdle, a strap, and
English · e-37683-4627Cestracion, ses-trā′si-on, n. a generic name for the hammer-headed sharks. [Formed from Gr. kestra, a weapon.]
English · e-37683-4628 · brief source recordCestui, sest′wē, n. any person who—in such phrases as Cestui que trust, a person entitled to the benefit of a trust, a beneficiary in Scots law phraseology. [O. Fr.]
English · e-37683-4629Cestus, ses′tus, n. the girdle of Venus, which had power to awaken love: an ancient boxing-glove loaded with lead or iron. [L.—Gr. kestos, a girdle.]
English · e-37683-4630Cesura. See Cæsura.
English · e-37683-4631 · brief source recordCesure, sē′zūr, n. a breaking off: (Spens.) a cæsura.
English · e-37683-4632 · brief source recordCetacea, se-tā′shi-a, n.pl. an order of mammals of aquatic habit and fish-like form, including the Toothed whales, or Odontoceti, and the Baleen whales, or Mystacoceti. To the former belong the Sperm whales, the Bottleno
English · e-37683-4633Ceteosaurus, set-e-o-saw′rus, n. a large dinosaurian reptile belonging to the Jurassic system. [Gr. kētos, whale, sauros, lizard.]
English · e-37683-4634Cevadilla, sev-a-dil′a, n. the dark acrid seeds of a Mexican bulbous plant of the lily family, yielding veratrin, formerly used as an anthelmintic: the plant itself.—Also Cebadill′a. [Sp.,—L. cibāre, to feed, cibus, food
English · e-37683-4635Ceylonese, sē-lon-ēz′, adj. of or belonging to Ceylon.—n. a native of Ceylon.
English · e-37683-4636 · brief source recordChablis, shab′lē, n. a celebrated white Burgundy wine made at Chablis, near Auxerre, in France.
English · e-37683-4637 · brief source recordChabouk, tschä′bōōk, n. a Persian horsewhip. [Pers.]
English · e-37683-4638 · brief source recordChace. See Chase (1).
English · e-37683-4639 · brief source recordChack, chak, n. a snack or slight hasty meal. [Imit.]
English · e-37683-4640 · brief source recordChacma, chak′ma, n. a South African baboon.
English · e-37683-4641 · brief source recordChaco. Same as Shako.
English · e-37683-4642 · brief source recordChaconne, shak-on′, n. an old dance, with slow movement, the music, a series of variations on a ground bass, mostly eight bars in length, appearing in sonatas as well as ballets. [Fr.,—Sp. chacona—Basque chucun, pretty.]
English · e-37683-4643Chad, shad, n. a kind of fish. [See Shad.]
English · e-37683-4644 · brief source recordChætodon, kē′to-don, n. a typical genus of a family of bony fishes, known as Squamipennes. [Gr. chaitē, hair, odous, odont-, tooth.]
English · e-37683-4645Chætopod, kē′to-pod, n. a class of worms including familiar types like the Earthworm, the Fisherman's Lobworm, and the Sea-mouse—often included under the title of Annelids or ringed worms. [Gr. chaitē, hair, and pous, po
English · e-37683-4646Chafe, chāf, v.t. to make hot by rubbing: to fret or wear by rubbing: to cause to fret or rage (with against, at).—v.i. to fret or rage.—n. heat caused by rubbing: rage: passion.—ns. Chaf′er (obs.), a chafing-dish, a sau
English · e-37683-4647Chafer, chāf′ėr, n. a kind of beetle, the cockchafer. [A.S. cefer; cog. with Dut. kever, Ger. käfer.]
English · e-37683-4648 · brief source recordChaff, chaf, n. a general name for the husks of corn or other grain as threshed or winnowed: refuse, or worthless matter: light banter, badinage.—v.t. to banter, or tease, by some raillery.—ns. Chaff′-cut′ter, Chaff′-en′
English · e-37683-4649Chaffer, chaf′ėr, v.t. to buy.—v.i. to bargain: to haggle about the price.—ns. Chaff′erer, a haggler about the price; Chaff′ery, buying and selling: (Spens.) haggling. [M. E. chapfare, a bargain, from A.S. ceap, price, f
English · e-37683-4650Chaffinch, chaf′insh, n. a little song-bird of the finch family. [Said to delight in chaff. See Finch.]
English · e-37683-4651 · brief source recordChaffron. See Chamfrain.
English · e-37683-4652 · brief source recordChaft, chaft, n. (Scot. and Northern English) the jaw. [Ice. kjaptr; cf. Sw. käft, Dan. kieft.]
English · e-37683-4653 · brief source recordChagan, kag-än′, n. an early form of Khan.
English · e-37683-4654 · brief source recordChagrin, sha-grēn′, n. that which wears or gnaws the mind: vexation: annoyance.—v.t. to vex or annoy.—p.adj. Chagrined′. [Fr. chagrin, shagreen, rough skin, ill-humour.]
English · e-37683-4655Chain, chān, n. a series of links or rings passing through one another: a number of things coming after each other: anything that binds: a connected course or train of events: in surveying, often called Gunter's chain, a
English · e-37683-4656Chair, chār, n. a movable seat for one, with a back to it: a covered vehicle for one person, as a sedan-chair: the seat or office of one in authority, as a judge, a bishop, or the person presiding over any meeting—hence
English · e-37683-4657Chaise, shāz, n. a light open carriage for one or more persons: a travelling carriage (see Post-chaise).—adj. Chaise′less.—n. Chaise-longue, a couch. [Fr., a Parisian pronunciation of chaire. See Chair.]
English · e-37683-4658Chal, chal, n. fellow: person:—fem. Chai. [Gipsy.]
English · e-37683-4659 · brief source recordChalcedony, kal-sed′ō-ni, or kal′-, n. a beautiful mineral of the quartz family, consisting of quartz with some admixture of opal—it is generally translucent, has a somewhat waxy lustre, and is in colour generally white
English · e-37683-4660Chalcography, kal-kog′ra-fi, n. the art of engraving on copper or brass.—ns. Chalcog′rapher, Chalcog′raphist. [Gr. chalkos, copper, graphein, to write.]
English · e-37683-4661Chaldaic, kal-dā′ik, Chaldee, kal′dē, adj. relating to Chaldea.—n. the language of the Chaldeans.—n. Chal′dāism, a Chaldaic idiom.—adj. Chaldē′an, Chaldaic.—n. a native of Chaldea.
English · e-37683-4662Chalder, chawl′dėr, n. an old Scotch dry measure, containing 16 bolls. [Prob. a form of Chaldron.]
English · e-37683-4663 · brief source recordChaldron, chawl′drun, n. an old coal-measure, holding 36 heaped bushels (= 25½ cwt.). [Fr. chaudron. See Cauldron.]
English · e-37683-4664 · brief source recordChalet, sha-lā′, n. a summer hut used by Swiss herdsmen among the Alps: a urinal. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4665 · brief source recordChalice, chal′is, n. a cup or bowl: a communion-cup.—adj. Chal′iced, cup-like. [Fr. calice—L. calix, calicis; Gr. kylix, a cup. Calyx is a different word, but from the same root.]
English · e-37683-4666Chalk, chawk, n. the well-known white substance, a carbonate of lime.—v.t. to rub or manure with chalk.—v.i. to mark with chalk: in a tavern, to write the score with chalk.—ns. Chalk′iness; Chalk′-pit, a pit in which cha
English · e-37683-4667Challenge, chal′enj, v.t. to call on one to settle a matter by fighting or by any kind of contest: to claim as one's own: to accuse; to object to.—n. a summons to a contest of any kind, but esp. a duel: a calling of any
English · e-37683-4668Challis, shal′is, or shal′i, n. a fine fabric of silk and worsted used for ladies' dresses. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4669 · brief source recordChalumeau, shal-ū-mō′, n. a musical instrument: a shepherd's pipe. [Fr.,—O. Fr. chalemel—Low L. calamellus, dim. of calamus, a pipe, a reed.]
English · e-37683-4670Chalybean, ka-lib′ē-an, adj. (Milton) forged by the Chalybes: well tempered.—adj. Chalyb′eāte, containing iron.—n. a water or other liquor containing iron. [Gr. chalyps, chalybos, steel, so called from the Chalybes, a na
English · e-37683-4671Chalybite, kal′i-bīt, n. native iron protocarbonate—siderite.
English · e-37683-4672 · brief source recordCham, kam, n. an obsolete form of Khan.
English · e-37683-4673 · brief source recordChamade, sham′ad, n. a signal inviting a parley. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4674 · brief source recordChamber, chām′bėr, n. an apartment: the place where an assembly meets: an assembly or body of men met for some purpose, as a chamber of commerce: a hall of justice: a compartment: a cavity: the back end of the bore of a
English · e-37683-4675Chamberlain, chām′bėr-lān, or -lin, n. an officer appointed by a king or nobleman, or by a corporation, to perform domestic and ceremonial duties.—n. Cham′berlainship.—Lord Chamberlain, an officer of high standing in the
English · e-37683-4676Chambertin, shang′bert-ang, n. a famous red Burgundy from the vineyard of that name near Dijon, in France.
English · e-37683-4677 · brief source recordChameleon, ka-mēl′yun, n. a small lizard famous for changing its colour: (fig.) an inconstant person.—adjs. Chamel′eonic, Chamel′eon-like. [L. chamæleon—Gr. chamaileōn—chamai (= L. humi), on the ground, dwarf, and leōn,
English · e-37683-4678Chamelot, kam′e-lot, n. (Spens.). Camlet.
English · e-37683-4679 · brief source recordChamfer, cham′fėr, n. a bevel or slope made by paring off the edge of anything originally right-angled, either in wood or stone work: a groove, channel, or furrow.—v.t. to cut or grind off bevel-wise, as a corner: to cha
English · e-37683-4680Chamfrain, cham′fren, n. a piece of leather or plate of steel to protect the face of a horse in battle.—Also Cham′fron, Chaf′fron. [Fr. chanfrein; origin unknown.]
English · e-37683-4681Chamlet, kam′let, n. Same as Camlet.
English · e-37683-4682 · brief source recordChamois, sha′moi, sham′i, or sham′waw, n. a goat-like species or genus of antelope inhabiting the Alps and other high mountains of southern and central Europe: a soft kind of leather originally made from its skin. [Fr.,—
English · e-37683-4683Chamomile. See Camomile.
English · e-37683-4684 · brief source recordChamp, champ, v.i. to make a snapping noise with the jaws in chewing.—v.t. to bite or chew: to crush: to mash.—n. champing.—n. Champ′ing, the action of the verb champ: mashing. [Older form cham, most prob. from Scand.]
English · e-37683-4685Champac, cham′pak, n. an Indian tree of great beauty, much venerated by Brahminists and Buddhists.—Also Cham′pak. [Hind.]
English · e-37683-4686Champagne, sham-pān′, n. a light sparkling wine from Champagne in France. Still or non-effervescent champagne is also made.
English · e-37683-4687Champaign, sham-pān′, adj. level, open.—n. an open, level country.—n. Champ (her.), the field of a shield.—The Champagne, level land. [A doublet of Campaign, from O. Fr. champaigne—L. campania, a plain.]
English · e-37683-4688Champerty, sham′pėr-ti, n. an illegal bargain whereby the one party is to assist the other in recovering property, and is to share in the proceeds.—n. Cham′part, the division of the produce of land, the right of the feud
English · e-37683-4689Champignon, sham-pin′yon, n. a mushroom, esp. the Fairy-ring Agaric. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4690 · brief source recordChampion, cham′pi-un, n. one who fights in single combat for himself or for another: one who defends a cause: a successful combatant: in boxing, running, &c., one who has excelled all others: a hero:—fem. Cham′pioness.—a
English · e-37683-4691Chance, chans, n. that which falls out or happens: an unexpected event: risk: opportunity: possibility of something happening: probability: (pl.) misfortunes.—v.t. to risk.—v.i. to happen.—adj. happening by chance.—adv.
English · e-37683-4692Chance-medley, chans′-med-li, n. homicide justifiable because done in the hot blood caused by an unprovoked assault—the word has no reference to homicide by accident: inadvertency. [O. Fr. chance medlée, mingled chance.
English · e-37683-4695Chancel, chan′sel, n. the eastern part of a church, originally separated from the nave by a screen of lattice-work, so as to prevent general access thereto, though not to interrupt either sight or sound. [O. Fr.,—L. canc
English · e-37683-4693Chancellor, chan′sel-or, n. (Shak.) secretary: the president of a court of chancery or other court: the official who keeps the registers of an order of knighthood: the titular head of a university: (Scot.) the foreman of
English · e-37683-4694Chancery, chan′sėr-i, n. formerly the highest court of justice next to the House of Lords, presided over by the Lord High Chancellor—now a division of the High Court of Justice: a court of record generally: (slang) the p
English · e-37683-4696Chancre, shang′kėr, n. an ulcer arising from the direct application of syphilitic poison.—adjs. Chan′croid, Chan′crous. [Fr.; a form of Canker.]
English · e-37683-4697Chandelier, shan-de-lēr′, n. a frame with branches for holding lights.—ns. Chand′ler, originally a candle maker and dealer: a dealer generally; Chand′lering.—adv. Chand′lerly.—ns. Chand′lery, goods sold by a chandler; Sh
English · e-37683-4698Change, chānj, v.t. to alter or make different: to put or give for another: to make to pass from one state to another: to exchange.—v.i. to suffer change: to change one's clothes.—n. the act of changing: alteration or va
English · e-37683-4699Chank, changk, Chank-shell, changk′-shel, n. the popular name of the shell of several species of Turbinella, a genus of Gasteropod molluscs, natives of the East Indian seas, used as ornaments by Hindu women. [Hind. cantc
English · e-37683-4700Channel, chan′el, n. the bed of a stream of water: the deeper part of a strait, bay, or harbour: a strait or narrow sea: a groove or furrow: means of passing or conveying: (Scot.) gravel.—v.t. to make a channel: to furro
English · e-37683-4701Channel, chan′el, n. a flat piece of wood or iron projecting horizontally from a ship's side to spread the shrouds and keep them clear of the bulwarks—fore, main, and mizzen channels. [Corr. of Chain-wale. Cf. Gunnel.]
English · e-37683-4702Chanson, shan′son, n. a song.—n. Chan′sonette. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4703 · brief source recordChant, chant, v.t. to sing: to celebrate in song: to recite in a singing manner: to sell horses fraudulently.—n. song: melody: a kind of sacred music, in which prose is sung.—ns. Chant′er, Chant′or, a singer: a precentor
English · e-37683-4704Chantage, shan-täj′, chant′āj, n. extortion of money by threats of scandalous revelations. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4705 · brief source recordChanterelle, shan-ter-el′, n. the highest string of the violin, &c.: a yellowish edible mushroom. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4706 · brief source recordChanticleer, chant′i-klēr, n. a cock. [From the name of the cock in the old beast-epic of Reynard the Fox.] [O. Fr. chanter, to sing, cler, clear.]
English · e-37683-4707Chaos, kā′os, n. shapeless mass: disorder: the state of matter before it was reduced to order by the Creator.—adj. Chaot′ic, confused.—adv. Chaot′ically. [Gr.]
English · e-37683-4708Chap, chap, v.i. to crack: to strike, of a clock, &c.: to knock at a door.—v.t. to fissure.—n. crack: an open fissure in the skin, caused by exposure to frost: a knock.—adj. Chap′less.—p.adj. Chapped, cracked, of a heavy
English · e-37683-4709Chap, chap, n. a fellow, originally a customer, from Chapman.—n. Chap′pie, a familiar diminutive.
English · e-37683-4710 · brief source recordChap, chap, n. generally pl. the jaws.—adj. Chap′fall′en, a variant of Chop-fallen (q.v.). [Northern Eng. and Scot. chafts—Scand., as Ice. kjaptr, the jaw.]
English · e-37683-4711Chap-book. See Chapman.
English · e-37683-4713 · brief source recordChaparral, chap-a-ral′, n. dense tangled brushwood. [Sp., prob. Basque achaparra.]
English · e-37683-4712 · brief source recordChape, chāp, n. the plate of metal at the point of a scabbard: the catch or hook by which the sheath of a weapon was attached to the belt.—adj. Chape′less. [Fr.,—Low L. capa, a cap.]
English · e-37683-4714Chapeau, sha-pō′, n. a hat. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4715 · brief source recordChapel, chap′el, n. a place of worship inferior or subordinate to a regular church, or attached to a palace, garrison, prison, school, college, &c.: an oratory in a mausoleum, &c., or a cell of a church containing its ow
English · e-37683-4716Chaperon, shap′e-rōn, n. a kind of hood or cap: one who attends a lady in public places as a protector.—v.t. to attend a lady to public places.—n. Chap′eronage. [Fr., a large hood—chape, a hooded cloak—Low L. cappa. See
English · e-37683-4717Chapiter, chap′i-tėr, n. the head or capital of a column. [Fr. chapitel—Low L. capitellum, dim. of L. caput, the head.]
English · e-37683-4718 · brief source recordChaplain, chap′lān, or chap′lin, n. a clergyman attached to a ship of war, a regiment, a public institution, or private family.—ns. Chap′laincy, Chap′lainry, Chap′lainship. [O. Fr. chapelain—Low L. capellanus—capella. Se
English · e-37683-4719Chaplet, chap′let, n. a garland or wreath for the head: a circlet of gold, &c.: a string of beads used in counting prayers, one-third of a rosary in length: anything in a string: a metal support of a cylindrical pipe.—ad
English · e-37683-4720Chapman, chap′man, n. one who buys or sells: an itinerant dealer, a pedlar: (obs.) a purchaser.—n. Chap′-book, a name given to the books which were formerly sold by chapmen. [A.S. céap-man—céap, trade, and mann, man; cf.
English · e-37683-4721Chapter, chap′tėr, n. a main division of a book, or of anything: a subject or category generally: an assembly of the canons of a cathedral or collegiate church, or the members of a religious or military order: an organis
English · e-37683-4722Chaptrel, chap′trel, n. the capital of a pillar which supports an arch. [Dim. of Chapiter.]
English · e-37683-4723 · brief source recordChar, chär, n. a small fish of the salmon kind, found in mountain lakes and rivers. [Prob. Celt.; cf. Gael, ceara, red, blood-coloured.]
English · e-37683-4724Char, chär, v.t. to roast or burn until reduced to carbon or coal, to scorch:—pr.p. char′ring; pa.p. charred.—adj. Char′ry, pertaining to charcoal. [Prob. formed from char-coal.]
English · e-37683-4725Char. See Chare.
English · e-37683-4726 · brief source recordChar-à-banc, shar′-a-bang, n. a long light vehicle with transverse seats. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4727 · brief source recordCharacter, kar′ak-tėr, n. a letter, sign, figure, stamp, or distinctive mark: a mark of any kind, a symbol in writing, &c.: writing generally, handwriting: a secret cipher: any essential feature or peculiarity: nature: (
English · e-37683-4728Charade, shar-äd′, n. a species of riddle, the subject of which is a word proposed for solution from an enigmatical description of its component syllables and of the whole—the charade is often acted. [Fr.; ety. dub. Litt
English · e-37683-4729Charcoal, chär′kōl, n. charred wood or coal made by charring wood; the carbonaceous residue of vegetable, animal, or mineral substances when they have undergone smothered combustion. [The first element of the word is of
English · e-37683-4730Chare, chār, Char, chär, n. an occasional piece of work, an odd job: (pl.) household work—in America usually Chore.—v.i. to do odd jobs of work: to do house-cleaning.—n. Char′woman, a woman hired by the day to do odd job
English · e-37683-4731Charet, chär′et, n. (Spens.) same as Chariot.
English · e-37683-4732 · brief source recordCharge, chärj, v.t. to load, to put into, to fill (with): to load heavily, burden: to fill completely: to cause to receive electricity: to lay a task upon one, to enjoin, command: to deliver officially an injunction, as
English · e-37683-4733Chargé-d'affaires, shar′zhā-da-fār′, n. a fourth-class diplomatic agent, accredited, not to the sovereign, but to the department for foreign affairs—he also holds his credentials only from the minister: the person in cha
English · e-37683-4734Charily, Chariness. See Chary.
English · e-37683-4735 · brief source recordChariot, char′i-ot, n. a four-wheeled pleasure or state carriage: a car used in ancient warfare: a light four-wheeled carriage with back-seats.—v.t. to carry in a chariot.—v.i. to ride in a chariot.—n. Charioteer′, one w
English · e-37683-4736Charism, kar′izm, n. a free gift of grace.—adj. Charismat′ic. [Gr. charisma—charis, grace.]
English · e-37683-4737 · brief source recordCharity, char′i-ti, n. (N.T.) universal love: the disposition to think favourably of others, and do them good: almsgiving: (pl.) affections.—adj. Char′itable, of or relating to charity: liberal to the poor.—n. Char′itabl
English · e-37683-4738Charivari, shär′i-vär′i, n. a French term used to designate a wild tumult and uproar, produced by the beating of pans, kettles, and dishes, mingled with whistling, bawling, groans, and hisses, expressive of displeasure a
English · e-37683-4739Chark, chärk, v.t. to burn to charcoal.—n. charcoal, coke.
English · e-37683-4740 · brief source recordCharlatan, shär′la-tan, n. a mere talking pretender: a quack.—adj. Charlatan′ic.—ns. Char′latanism, Char′latanry. [Fr.,—It. ciarlatano—ciarlare, to chatter, an imit. word.]
English · e-37683-4741Charles's Wain, n. a name given to the seven bright stars in Ursa Major, the Plough. [A.S. Carles wægn, Carl being Charlemagne.]
English · e-37683-4742Charley, Charlie, chär′li, n. a night-watchman: the small triangular beard familiar in the portraits of Charles I.: the fox.—n. Char′ley-pitch′er (slang), one who makes a living by the thimble-and-pea trick.
English · e-37683-4743Charlock, chär′lok, n. a plant of the mustard family, with yellow flowers, that grows as a weed in cornfields. [A.S. cerlic.]
English · e-37683-4744Charlotte, shär′lot, n. a dish of apple marmalade covered with crumbs of toast.—Charlotte russe, a custard enclosed in a kind of sponge-cake.
English · e-37683-4745Charm, chärm, n. a spell: something thought to possess occult power, a metrical form of words: attractiveness: a trinket worn on a watch-guard: the blended singing of birds, children, &c.: (pl.) female beauty or other pe
English · e-37683-4746Charneco, chär′ne-ko, n. (Shak.) a kind of sweet wine. [Prob. from the name of a village near Lisbon.]
English · e-37683-4747 · brief source recordCharnel, chär′nel, adj. of, or pertaining to, a charnel or burial-place, as in 'charnel-vault,' &c.: sepulchral, death-like.—n. Char′nel-house, a place where the bones of the dead are deposited. [O. Fr. charnel—Low L. ca
English · e-37683-4748Charon, kā′ron, n. in Greek mythology, the ferryman who rowed the shades of the dead across the river Styx in the lower world: a ferryman generally. [Gr.]
English · e-37683-4749Charpie, shär′pē, n. lint shredded down so as to form a soft material for dressing wounds. [O. Fr. charpir—L. carpĕre, to pluck.]
English · e-37683-4750Charpoy, char′poi, n. the common Indian bedstead, sometimes handsomely wrought and painted. [Hind. chaārpāī—Pers. chihār-pāī, four feet.]
English · e-37683-4751Charqui, chär′kē, n. beef cut into long strips and dried in the sun—jerked beef. [Peruv.]
English · e-37683-4752 · brief source recordCharr. Same as Char (1).
English · e-37683-4753 · brief source recordChart, chärt, n. a marine or hydrographical map, exhibiting a portion of a sea or other water, with the islands, coasts of contiguous land, soundings, currents, &c: an outline-map, or a tabular statement giving informati
English · e-37683-4754Charter, chärt′er, n. any formal writing in evidence of a grant, contract, or other transaction, conferring or confirming titles, rights, or privileges, or the like: the formal deed by which a sovereign guarantees the ri
English · e-37683-4755Charter-party, chärt′ėr-pär′ti, n. the common written form in which the contract of affreightment is expressed—viz. the hiring of the whole or part of a ship for the conveyance of goods. [Fr. charte-partie, lit. a divide
English · e-37683-4757Charterhouse, chärt′ėr-hows, n. a Carthusian monastery: the famous hospital and school instituted in London in 1611, on the site of a Carthusian monastery—now transferred—the 'masterpiece of Protestant English charity' i
English · e-37683-4756Chartism, chärt′izm, n. a movement in Great Britain for the extension of political power to the working-classes, rising out of widespread national distress and popular disappointment with the results of the Reform Bill o
English · e-37683-4758Chartography. See Cartography.
English · e-37683-4759 · brief source recordChartreuse, Chartreux. See Charterhouse.
English · e-37683-4760 · brief source recordChartulary. Same as Cartulary.
English · e-37683-4761 · brief source recordCharwoman. See Chare.
English · e-37683-4762 · brief source recordChary, chār′i, adj. sparing: cautious.—adv. Char′ily.—n. Char′iness. [A.S. cearig—cearu, care.]
English · e-37683-4763 · brief source recordCharybdis, kar-ib′dis, n. a dangerous whirlpool between Italy and Sicily, and opposite to Scylla, the two together providing a proverbial alternative of ruin hardly to be escaped.
English · e-37683-4764Chase, chās, v.t. to pursue: to hunt: to drive away, put to flight.—n. pursuit: a hunting: that which is hunted: ground abounding in game.—n. Chase′port, the porthole at the bow or stern of a vessel, through which the ch
English · e-37683-4765Chase, chās, v.t. to decorate metal-work, whether hammered or punched up, by engraving the exterior.—ns. Chas′er, one who practises chasing; Chas′ing, the art of representing figures in bas-relief by punching them out fr
English · e-37683-4766Chase, chās, n. a case or frame for holding types: a groove. [Fr. châsse, a shrine, a setting—L. capsa, a chest. See Case.]
English · e-37683-4767Chasericulture, chas-er-i-kul′tūr, n. the combined industries of tea-growing and of silk-production. [A combination of Chinese cha, tea, chasze, the former tea valuers of Canton, and L. sericum, silk.]
English · e-37683-4768Chasm, kazm, n. a yawning or gaping hollow: a gap or opening: a void space.—adjs. Chasmed; Chasm′y. [Gr. chasma, from chain-ein, to gape; cf. Chaos.]
English · e-37683-4769Chasse, shäs, n. a dram or liqueur taken after coffee, to remove the taste.—Also Chasse-café [Fr. chasse-café—chasser, to chase, remove.]
English · e-37683-4770Chassé, shäs′ā, n. a kind of gliding step in dancing.—v.t. to make such a step: (slang) to dismiss. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4771 · brief source recordChassepot, shas′po, n. the kind of bolt-action breechloading rifle adopted by the French army in 1866. [From Antoine Alphonse Chassepot, the inventor.]
English · e-37683-4772Chasseur, sha-sār′, n. a hunter or huntsman: one of a select body of French light troops, either infantry or cavalry; a domestic dressed in military garb in the houses of the great. [Fr. chasser, to hunt.]
English · e-37683-4773Chaste, chāst, adj. modest; refined; virtuous: pure in taste and style.—adv. Chaste′ly.—ns. Chaste′ness, the quality of being chaste; Chas′tity, sexual purity: virginity: refinement of language: moderation. [O. Fr. chast
English · e-37683-4774Chasten, chās′n, v.t. to free from faults by punishing—hence to punish, to purify or refine: to restrain or moderate.—p.adj. Chas′tened, purified: modest.—n. Chas′tenment.
English · e-37683-4775Chastise, chas-tīz′, v.t. to inflict punishment upon for the purpose of correction: to reduce to order or to obedience.—adj. Chastīs′able.—n. Chas′tisement.
English · e-37683-4776Chasuble, chaz′ū-bl, n. a sleeveless vestment worn over the alb by the priest while celebrating mass. [O. Fr. chesible—Low L. casubula—L. casula, a mantle, dim. of casa, a hut.]
English · e-37683-4777Chat, chat, v.i. to talk idly or familiarly:—pr.p. chat′ting; pa.p. chat′ted.—n. familiar, idle talk.—n. Chat′tiness.—adj. Chat′ty, given to chat, talkative. [Short for Chatter.]
English · e-37683-4778Chat, chat, n. a genus of small birds in the thrush family, of which the wheatear is a familiar example. [From the sound of their voice.]
English · e-37683-4779Chateau, sha-tō′, n. a castle, a great country-seat, esp. in France (common in place-names, and connected with wines, as 'Château Lafitte,' 'Château Yqem,' &c.).—ns. Chatelain (shat′e-lān), a castellan; Chat′elaine, a fe
English · e-37683-4780Chaton, sha-tong′, n. the head of a ring. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-4781 · brief source recordA 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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