Historical source · 1908

Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 25

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Page 25 of 179

Chatoyant

Chatoyant, shat-oi′ant, adj. with a changing lustre, like a cat's eye in the dark. [Fr.]

English · e-37683-4782 · brief source record

Chatta

Chatta, chät′a, n. an umbrella. [Hind.]

English · e-37683-4783 · brief source record

Chattel

Chattel, chat′l, n. any kind of property which is not freehold, distinguished further into chattels-real and chattels-personal, the latter being mere personal movables—money, plate, cattle, and the like; the former inclu

English · e-37683-4784

Chatter

Chatter, chat′er, v.i. to talk idly or rapidly: to sound as the teeth when one shivers.—ns. Chatt′erbox, one who chatters or talks incessantly; Chatt′erer, one that chatters: an idle talker: a significant popular name ap

English · e-37683-4785

Chatty

Chatty, chat′i, n. an earthen water-pot in India. [Hind.]

English · e-37683-4786 · brief source record

Chaucerian

Chaucerian, chä-sē′ri-an, adj. pertaining to Chaucer, or like him.—n. a devoted student of Chaucer.—n. Chau′cerism, anything characteristic of Chaucer.

English · e-37683-4787

Chaud-mellé

Chaud-mellé, shōd-mā′lā, n. a fight arising in the heat of passion: the killing of a man in such a fight.—Also Chaud′-med′ley. [O. Fr. chaude-mellee, hot fight. See Mêlée.]

English · e-37683-4788

Chaufe

Chaufe, Chauff (Spens.). Forms of Chafe.

English · e-37683-4789 · brief source record

Chauffer

Chauffer, chaw′fėr, n. a metal box for holding fire, a portable furnace or stove. [See Chafer.]

English · e-37683-4790 · brief source record

Chauffeur

Chauffeur, shōf-fėr, n. a motor-car attendant. [Fr.]

English · e-37683-4791 · brief source record

Chausses

Chausses, shōs, or shō′sez, n.pl. any closely fitting covering for the legs, hose generally: the defence-pieces for the legs in ancient armour.—n. Chaussure′, a general name for boots and shoes. [O. Fr. chauces—L. calcia

English · e-37683-4792

Chautauquan

Chautauquan, sha-taw′kwan, adj. pertaining to a system of instruction for adults by home reading and study under guidance, evolved from the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, organised in 1878.

English · e-37683-4793

Chauvinism

Chauvinism, shō′vin-izm, n. an absurdly extravagant pride in one's country, with a corresponding contempt for foreign nations—the French equivalent of the Jingoism of London music-halls.—ns. Chau′vin, Chau′vinist.—adj. C

English · e-37683-4794

Chavender

Chavender, chav′en-der, n. the chub or cheven.

English · e-37683-4795 · brief source record

Chaw

Chaw, chaw, n. (Spens.) the jaw—usually pl.—v.t. to chew, still used of tobacco.—n. Chaw′-bā′con, a country clown, a rustic fellow.—Chawed up, destroyed. [See Jaw.]

English · e-37683-4796

Chawdron

Chawdron, chaw′dron, n. (Shak.) part of the entrails of an animal. [O. Fr. chaudun.]

English · e-37683-4797 · brief source record

Chay

Chay, a vulgar form of Chaise.

English · e-37683-4798 · brief source record

Chaya-root

Chaya-root. Same as Shaya-root.

English · e-37683-4799 · brief source record

Cheap

Cheap, chēp, adj. low in price: of a place where prices are low, as 'a cheap market:' of a low price in relation to the value: easily obtained: of small value, or reckoned at such.—v.t. Cheap′en, to ask the price of a th

English · e-37683-4800

Cheat

Cheat, chēt, v.t. to deceive, defraud, impose upon.—v.i. to practise deceit.—n. a fraud: one who cheats.—ns. Cheat′er, one who cheats: (Shak.) an officer who collected the fines to be paid into the Exchequer; Cheat′ery (

English · e-37683-4801

Check

Check, chek, v.t. to bring to a stand: to restrain or hinder: to rebuke: to control an account, &c., by comparison with certified data, vouchers, &c.: to place in check at chess: to mark with a pattern of crossing lines.

English · e-37683-4802

Checker

Checker. See Chequer.

English · e-37683-4803 · brief source record

Checker-berry

Checker-berry, chek′ėr-beri, n. an American name for the winter-green (q.v.).

English · e-37683-4804 · brief source record

Checkers

Checkers, chek′ėrz, n.pl. the game of draughts.

English · e-37683-4805 · brief source record

Checklaton

Checklaton, chek′la-ton, n. (Spens.) a cloth of gold or other rich material.—Also Cic′latoun. [O. Fr. ciclaton, from Ar., prob. from the same root as scarlet.]

English · e-37683-4806

Cheddar

Cheddar, ched′ar, n. an excellent kind of cheese first made in Somersetshire. [From the village of Cheddar in Somersetshire.]

English · e-37683-4807

Cheek

Cheek, chēk, n. the side of the face below the eye, the fleshy lateral wall of the mouth: effrontery, impudence, as in 'to have the cheek' to do anything, 'to give cheek:' one of the side-posts of a door or window: the c

English · e-37683-4808

Cheep

Cheep, chēp, v.i. to chirp, as a young bird.—n. any similar sound. [From the sound, like Chirp.]

English · e-37683-4809 · brief source record

Cheer

Cheer, chēr, n. disposition, frame of mind (with good, &c.): joy: a shout of approval or welcome: kind treatment: entertainment: fare, food.—v.t. to comfort: to encourage: to applaud: to inspirit—'to cheer up.'—v.i. in s

English · e-37683-4810

Cheese

Cheese, chēz, n. a wholesome article of food, made into a round form, from the curd of milk coagulated by rennet, separated from the whey, and pressed into a hard mass.—ns. Cheese′-cake, a cake made of soft curds, sugar,

English · e-37683-4811

Cheese

Cheese, chēz, n. (slang) the correct thing, of excellent quality, [Colonel Yule explains it as Pers. and Hind. chīz, thing, the expression having formerly been common among young Anglo-Indians, e.g. 'These cheroots are t

English · e-37683-4812

Cheetah

Cheetah, chē′tah, n. an Eastern animal like the leopard, used in hunting. [Hind, chītā—Sans. chitraka, chitrakāya, having a speckled body.]

English · e-37683-4813

Chef

Chef, shef, n. a master-cook; a reliquary in the shape of a head.—adj. chief, as in Chef d'œuvre, masterpiece, [Fr. See Chief.]

English · e-37683-4814

Cheiromancy

Cheiromancy, kī′ro-man-si, n. the art of telling fortunes by the lineaments of the hand—also Cheiros′ophy.—adj. Cheirosoph′ical.—n. Cheiros′ophist, [Gr. cheir, the hand, manteia, prophecy.]

English · e-37683-4815

Cheiroptera

Cheiroptera, kī-rop′tėr-a, n.pl. the order of Bats.—adj. Cheirop′terous. [Gr. cheir, the hand, pteron, a wing.]

English · e-37683-4816 · brief source record

Cheirotherium

Cheirotherium, kī-ro-thēr′i-um, n. the name originally given to the Labyrinthodont, from its peculiar hand-like impressions in the Triassic rocks.—adj. Cheirothē′rian. [Gr. cheir, hand, thērion, beast.]

English · e-37683-4817

Chela

Chela, kē′la, n. the prehensile claw of a crab or scorpion.—adj. Chē′late.—n. Chē′lifer, the book-scorpion.—adjs. Chelif′erous; Chē′liform. [L.,—Gr. chēlē.]

English · e-37683-4818

Chela

Chela, chē′la, n. a novice in esoteric Buddhism.—n. Chē′laship. [Hind. chēlā, servant.]

English · e-37683-4819 · brief source record

Chelicera

Chelicera, kēl-is′er-a, n. a technical term, usually restricted to the biting organs which form the first pair of appendages in spiders, scorpions, and other Arachnida:—pl. Chelic′eræ (-rē). [Gr. chēlē, a crab's claw, ke

English · e-37683-4820

Chelonia

Chelonia, ke-lō′ni-a, n. an order of vertebrate animals including the tortoise and turtle.—adj. and n. Chelō′nian. [Gr. chelōnē, a tortoise.]

English · e-37683-4821

Chemise

Chemise, she-mēz′, n. a woman's shirt or sark, a smock or shift.—n. Chemisette′, a kind of bodice worn by women, the lace or muslin which fills up the open front of a woman's dress. [Fr. chemise—Low L. camisia, a nightgo

English · e-37683-4822

Chemistry

Chemistry, kem′is-tri, formerly Chym′istry, n. the science which treats of the properties of substances both elementary and compound, and of the laws of their combination and action one upon another.—adjs. Chem′ic, -al (

English · e-37683-4823

Chemitype

Chemitype, kemi′-tīp, n. the chemical process for obtaining casts in relief from an engraving.—n. Chem′itypy.

English · e-37683-4824 · brief source record

Chemosh

Chemosh, kē′mosh, n. the national god of Moab: any false god.

English · e-37683-4825 · brief source record

Chenille

Chenille, she-nēl′, n. a thick, velvety-looking cord of silk or wool (and so resembling a caterpillar), used in ornamental sewing and manufactured trimmings. [Fr. chenille, a caterpillar—L. canicula, a hairy little dog,

English · e-37683-4826

Cheque

Cheque, Check, chek, n. a money order on a banker payable at demand.—ns. Cheque′-book, a book containing cheque forms given by a bank to its customers; Cheq′uer, Check′er, a chess-board: alternation of colours, as on a c

English · e-37683-4827

Cherimoyer

Cherimoyer, cher-i-moi′er, n. a Peruvian fruit resembling the custard-apple.—Also Chirimoy′a.

English · e-37683-4828 · brief source record

Cherish

Cherish, cher′ish, v.t. to protect and treat with affection: to nurture, nurse: to entertain in the mind.—n. Cher′ishment. [Fr. chérir, chérissant—cher, dear—L. carus.]

English · e-37683-4829

Cheroot

Cheroot, she-rōōt′, n. a cigar not pointed at either end. [Fr. cheroute, representing the Tamil name shuruttu, a roll (Colonel Yule).]

English · e-37683-4830

Cheroot

Cheroot. See Shaya-root.

English · e-37683-4831 · brief source record

Cherry

Cherry, cher′i, n. a small bright-red stone-fruit: the tree that bears it.—adj. like a cherry in colour: ruddy.—ns. Cherr′y-brand′y, a pleasant liqueur made by steeping Morello cherries in brandy; Cherr′y-lau′rel, the co

English · e-37683-4832

Cherry

Cherry, cher′i, v.t. (Spens.) to cheer.

English · e-37683-4833 · brief source record

Chersonese

Chersonese, ker′so-nēz, n. a peninsula, [Gr. cher-sonēsos—chersos, land, dry land, nēsos, an island.]

English · e-37683-4834 · brief source record

Chert

Chert, chėrt, n. a kind of quartz or flint: hornstone.—adj. Chert′y, like or containing chert. [Prob. Celt.; Ir. ceart, a pebble.]

English · e-37683-4835

Cherub

Cherub, cher′ub, n. a winged creature with human face, represented as associated with Jehovah, esp. drawing his chariot-throne: a celestial spirit: a beautiful child:—pl. Cher′ubs, Cher′ubim, Cher′ubims.—adjs. Cheru′bic,

English · e-37683-4836

Cherup

Cherup, cher′up, v.t. to urge on by chirruping.

English · e-37683-4837 · brief source record

Chervil

Chervil, chėr′vil, n. an umbelliferous plant, cultivated as a pot-herb, and used in soups and for a garnish, &c., in the same manner as parsley. In Scotland the plant is commonly called Myrrh. [A.S. cerfille (Ger. kerbel

English · e-37683-4838

Chesil

Chesil, chez′il, n. gravel: shingle: bran.—Also Chisel. [A.S. cisil.]

English · e-37683-4839 · brief source record

Chess

Chess, ches, n. a game of skill for two persons or parties, played with figures or 'pieces,' which are moved on a chequered board.—n. Chess′-board, the board on which chess is played.—n.pl. Chess′-men, pieces used in che

English · e-37683-4840

Chess

Chess, ches, n. one of the parallel planks of a pontoon-bridge—generally in pl.

English · e-37683-4841 · brief source record

Chessel

Chessel, ches′el, n. a cheese mould or vat.

English · e-37683-4842 · brief source record

Chest

Chest, chest, n. a large strong box: the part of the body between the neck and the abdomen, the thorax.—adj. Chest′ed, having a chest: placed in a chest.—n. Chest′-note, in singing or speaking, a deep note, the lowest so

English · e-37683-4843

Chestnut

Chestnut, Chesnut, ches′nut, n. a nut or fruit enclosed in a prickly case: the tree that bears it: (slang) a stale joke or story.—adj. of a chestnut colour, reddish-brown. [O. Fr. chastaigne—L. castanea—Gr. kastanon, fro

English · e-37683-4844

Chetvert

Chetvert, chet′vert, n. a Russian dry measure, equal to 8 chevteriks.

English · e-37683-4845 · brief source record

Cheval-de-frise

Cheval-de-frise, she-val′-de-frēz, n. a piece of timber armed with spikes, used to defend a passage or to stop cavalry:—pl. Chevaux-de-frise (she-vō′-).—n. Cheval′-glass, a large glass or mirror supported on a frame. [Fr

English · e-37683-4846

Chevalier

Chevalier, shev-a-lēr′, n. a cavalier: a knight: a gallant. [Fr.,—cheval—L. caballus, a horse.]

English · e-37683-4847 · brief source record

Chevelure

Chevelure, shev′e-lūr, n. a head of hair: a periwig: the nebulous part of a comet. [Fr.,—L. capillatura—capillus, hair.]

English · e-37683-4848

Cheven

Cheven, chev′en, n. the chub.—Also Chev′in.

English · e-37683-4849 · brief source record

Cheverel

Cheverel, chev′ėr-el, n. a kid: soft, flexible leather made of kid-skin.—adj. like kid leather, pliable. [Fr. chevreau, a kid—chèvre; L. capra, a goat.]

English · e-37683-4850

Chevesaile

Chevesaile, chev′e-sāl, n. an ornamental collar of a coat. [O. Fr. chevesaile—chevece, the neck.]

English · e-37683-4851 · brief source record

Cheviot

Cheviot, chē′vi-ot, or chev′i-ot, n. a hardy breed of short-wooled sheep reared on the Cheviot Hills: a cloth made from their wool.

English · e-37683-4852

Chevisance

Chevisance, shev′i-zäns, n. (Spens.) achievement, performance. [Fr.,—chevir, to accomplish; chef, the head, the end.]

English · e-37683-4853 · brief source record

Chevron

Chevron, shev′ron, n. a rafter: (her.) the representation of two rafters of a house meeting at the top: the V-shaped band of worsted braid or gold lace worn on the sleeve of a non-commissioned officer's coat.—adjs. Chevr

English · e-37683-4854

Chevy

Chevy, chev′i, Chivy, chiv′i, n. a cry, shout: a hunt.—v.t. to chase. [Perh. from 'Chevy Chase,' a well-known ballad relating a Border battle.]

English · e-37683-4855

Chew

Chew, chōō, v.t. to cut and bruise with the teeth: to masticate: (fig.) to meditate, reflect.—n. action of chewing: a quid of tobacco.—ns. Chew′et, a kind of pie or pudding made of various ingredients mixed together; Che

English · e-37683-4856

Chewet

Chewet, chōō′et, n. a chough; (Shak.) a chatterer. [Fr. chouette, an owl.]

English · e-37683-4857 · brief source record

Chian

Chian, kī′an, adj. pertaining to Chios in the Ægean Sea.

English · e-37683-4858 · brief source record

Chianti

Chianti, kē-an′ti, n. a red wine of Tuscany.

English · e-37683-4859 · brief source record

Chiaroscuro

Chiaroscuro, kyär′o-skū-ro, n. distribution or blending of light and shade, the art of representing light in shadow and shadow in light.

English · e-37683-4860

Chiasm

Chiasm, kī′azm, n. (anat.) a decussation or intersection, esp. that of the optic nerves—also Chias′ma.—n. Chias′mus (rhet.), contrast by parallelism in reverse order, as 'Do not live to eat, but eat to live.'—adj. Chias′

English · e-37683-4861

Chiaus

Chiaus, chows, n. Same as Chouse.

English · e-37683-4862 · brief source record

Chibouk

Chibouk, Chibouque, chi-book′, n. a long straight-stemmed Turkish pipe for smoking. [Turk.]

English · e-37683-4863 · brief source record

Chic

Chic, shēk, n. style, fashion: adroitness.—adj. stylish, 'up to the mark.' [Fr.]

English · e-37683-4864 · brief source record

Chica

Chica, chē′ka, n. an orange-red dye-stuff, obtained by boiling the leaves of the Bignonia, a climber of the banks of the Cassiquiare and the Orinoco. [Native name.]

English · e-37683-4865

Chicane

Chicane, shi-kān′, v.i. to use shifts and tricks.—v.t. to deceive.—n. a trick or artifice.—ns. Chicā′ner, one who chicanes: a quibbler; Chicā′nery, trickery or artifice, esp. in legal proceedings: quibbling; Chicā′ning,

English · e-37683-4866

Chiccory

Chiccory. See Chicory.

English · e-37683-4867 · brief source record

Chich

Chich, chich, n. a dwarf pea. Same as Chick-pea.

English · e-37683-4868 · brief source record

Chicha

Chicha, chēch′a, n. a South American liquor fermented from maize. [Haytian.]

English · e-37683-4869 · brief source record

Chick

Chick, chik, n. the young of fowls, esp. of the hen: a child, as a term of endearment.—ns. Chick′a-bid′dy, Chick′-a-did′dle, terms of endearment addressed to children; Chick′en, the young of birds, esp. of the hen: its f

English · e-37683-4870

Chick-pea

Chick-pea, chik′-pē, n. a dwarf species of pea cultivated for food in the south of Europe and other places. [Fr. chiche—L. cicer, and Pea.]

English · e-37683-4871

Chicory

Chicory, Chiccory, chik′o-ri, n. a plant whose long carrot-like root is ground to adulterate coffee.—Also Suc′cory. [Fr. chicorée—L. cichorium, succory—Gr. kichōrion.]

English · e-37683-4872

Chide

Chide, chīd, v.t. to scold, rebuke, reprove by words: to be noisy about, as the sea.—v.i. to make a snarling, murmuring sound, as a dog or trumpet:—pr.p. chid′ing; pa.t. chid, (obs.) chōde; pa.p. chid, chidd′en.—ns. Chid

English · e-37683-4873

Chief

Chief, chēf, adj. head: principal, highest, first: (Scot.) intimate.—adv. chiefly.—n. a head or principal person: a leader: the principal part or top of anything: (her.) an ordinary, consisting of the upper part of the f

English · e-37683-4874

Chield

Chield, chēld, n. (Scot.) a lad, a young man.—Also Chiel. [A form of Child.]

English · e-37683-4875 · brief source record

Chiff-chaff

Chiff-chaff, chif′-chaf, n. a small species of Warbler, so called from the resemblance of its notes to the syllables which form its name.

English · e-37683-4876

Chiffon

Chiffon, shif′ong, n. any merely ornamental part of a woman's dress.—n. Chiffonier′, an ornamental cupboard: (Fr.) a rag-picker. [Fr.—chiffe, rag.]

English · e-37683-4877

Chiffre

Chiffre, shē′fr, n. (mus.) a figure used to denote the harmony. [Fr.]

English · e-37683-4878 · brief source record

Chig

Chig, chig, v.t. (prov.) to chew.—n. a chew, quid.

English · e-37683-4879 · brief source record

Chignon

Chignon, shē′nyong, n. a general term for the long back-hair of women, when gathered up and folded into a roll on the back of the head and neck. [Fr., meaning first the nape of the neck, the joints of which are like the

English · e-37683-4880

Chigoe

Chigoe, chig′ō, Chigre, Chigger, chig′ėr, n. a species of flea of the West Indies, the female of which buries itself beneath the toe-nails, and produces troublesome sores. [Fr. chique.]

English · e-37683-4881

Chikara

Chikara, chi-kä′rä′, n. a four-horned goat-like antelope of Bengal.

English · e-37683-4882 · brief source record

Chikara

Chikara, chik′a′rä, n. a Hindu musical instrument of the violin class.

English · e-37683-4883 · brief source record

Chilblain

Chilblain, chil′blān, n. a localised inflammation of the skin which occurs in cold weather on hands and feet, more rarely on ears and nose. [Chill and Blain.]

English · e-37683-4884

Child

Child, chīld, n. an infant or very young person: (Shak.) a female infant: one intimately related to one older: expressing origin or relation, e.g. child of the East, child of shame, child of God, &c.: a disciple: a youth

English · e-37683-4885

Childermas-day

Childermas-day, chil′dėr-mas-dā, n. an anniversary in the Church of England, called also Innocents' Day, held 28th December, to commemorate the slaying of the children by Herod. [Child, Mass, and Day.]

English · e-37683-4886

Chiliad

Chiliad, kil′i-ad, n. the number 1000: 1000 of anything.—ns. Chil′iagon, a plane figure having 1000 angles; Chil′iahēdron, a solid figure having 1000 sides; Chil′iarch, a leader or commander of a thousand men; Chil′iarch

English · e-37683-4887

Chill

Chill, chil, n. coldness: a cold that causes shivering: anything that damps or disheartens.—adj. shivering with cold: slightly cold: opposite of cordial.—v.i. to grow cold.—v.t. to make chill or cold: to blast with cold:

English · e-37683-4888

Chilli

Chilli, chil′li, n. the seed pod or fruit of the capsicum, extremely pungent and stimulant, and employed in sauces, mixed pickles, &c.; when dried and ground, forms the spice called Cayenne pepper. [The Mexican name.]

English · e-37683-4889

Chillum

Chillum, chil′um, n. the part of a hookah containing the tobacco and charcoal balls: a hookah itself: the act of smoking it. [Hind. chilam.]

English · e-37683-4890

Chiltern Hundreds

Chiltern Hundreds. See Hundreds.

English · e-37683-4891 · brief source record

Chime

Chime, chīm, n. the harmonious sound of bells or other musical instruments: agreement of sound or of relation: harmony: (pl.) a set of bells.—v.i. to sound in harmony: to jingle: to accord or agree: to rhyme.—v.t. to str

English · e-37683-4892

Chime

Chime, Chimb, chīm, n. the rim formed by the ends of the staves of a cask: (naut.) a hollowed or bevelled channel in the waterway of a ship's deck. [Cog. with Dut. kim, Ger. kimme, edge.]

English · e-37683-4893

Chimer

Chimer, shim′er, Chimere, shi-mēr, n. the upper robe worn by a bishop, to which lawn sleeves are attached. [O. Fr. chamarre; Sp. zamarra, chamarra, sheepskin.]

English · e-37683-4894

Chimera

Chimera, Chimæra, ki-mē′ra, n. a fabulous, fire-spouting monster, with a lion's head, a serpent's tail, and a goat's body: any idle or wild fancy: a picture of an animal having its parts made up of various animals: a gen

English · e-37683-4895

Chimney

Chimney, chim′ni, n. a passage for the escape of smoke or heated air from a furnace: in houses, that part of the passage which is built above the roof: anything of a like shape.—ns. Chim′ney-can, or -pot, a cylindrical p

English · e-37683-4896

Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee, chim-pan′zē, n. an African ape, the highest of the anthropoid or more man-like apes, belonging to the same genus as the gorilla. [West African.]

English · e-37683-4897

Chin

Chin, chin, n. the jutting part of the face below the mouth.—Up to the chin, deeply immersed. [A.S. cin; Ger. kinn, Gr. genys.]

English · e-37683-4898

China

China, chīn′a, n. fine kind of earthenware, originally made in China: porcelain.—ns. Chin′a-bark, a common name of cinchona bark (derived not from the empire of China, but from. Kina or Quina, the Peruvian name of cincho

English · e-37683-4899

Chinch

Chinch, chinch, n. the bed-bug in America. [Sp.,—L. cimic-em.]

English · e-37683-4900 · brief source record

Chinchilla

Chinchilla, chin-chil′la, n. a small rodent quadruped of South America, valued for its soft gray fur: the fur itself. [Sp.]

English · e-37683-4901

Chincough

Chincough, chin′kof, n. a disease, esp. of children, attended with violent fits of coughing: whooping-cough. [For chink-cough; Scot. kink-host, Dut. kinkhoest. See Chink and Cough.]

English · e-37683-4902

Chine

Chine, chīn, n. the spine or backbone: a piece of the backbone and adjoining parts for cooking: a ridge, crest.—v.t. (Spens.) to break the back. [O. Fr. eschine, prob. from Old High Ger. scina, a pin, thorn.]

English · e-37683-4903

Chine

Chine, chīn, n. a ravine. [A.S. cinu, a cleft.]

English · e-37683-4905 · brief source record

Chiné

Chiné, shē-nā′, adj. mottled in appearance, the warp being dyed in different colours, or from threads of different colours twisted together. [Fr., lit. 'Chinese.']

English · e-37683-4904

Chink

Chink, chingk, n. a cleft, a narrow opening.—v.i. to crack.—v.t. to fill up cracks.—adj. Chink′y, full of chinks. [Apparently formed upon M. E. chine, a crack—A.S. cinu, a cleft.]

English · e-37683-4906

Chink

Chink, chingk, n. the clink, as of coins.—v.i. to give forth a sharp sound. [From the sound.]

English · e-37683-4907 · brief source record

Chink

Chink, chingk, n. a gasp for breath.—v.i. to gasp—the northern form Kink. [Cf. Dut. kinken, to cough; Ger. keichen, to gasp.]

English · e-37683-4908

Chinkapin

Chinkapin, ching′ka-pin, n. the dwarf chestnut, a native of the United States.—Also Chin′capin. [Ind.]

English · e-37683-4909 · brief source record

Chinook

Chinook, chin-ōōk′, n. a trader's jargon, consisting of words from French and English, as well as Chinook and other Indian tongues.

English · e-37683-4910

Chintz

Chintz, chints, n. a highly glazed printed calico, with a pattern generally in several colours on a white or light-coloured ground. [Orig. pl. of Hind, chint, spotted cotton-cloth.]

English · e-37683-4911

Chip

Chip, chip, v.t. to chop or cut into small pieces: to hew: of chickens, to break the shell of the egg in hatching: to pare away the crust of bread, &c.: to bet:—pr.p. chip′ping; pa.p. chipped.—n. a small piece of wood or

English · e-37683-4912

Chipmuck

Chipmuck, Chipmunk, chip′muk, -mungk, n. a kind of squirrel, common in North America.

English · e-37683-4913 · brief source record

Chippendale

Chippendale, chip′pen-dāl, adj. applied to a light style of drawing-room furniture, after the name of a well-known cabinet-maker of the 18th century. The name is also applied to a style of book plates.

English · e-37683-4914

Chiragra

Chiragra, kī-rag′ra, n. gout in the hand.—adjs. Chirag′ric, -al. [Gr.]

English · e-37683-4915 · brief source record

Chirimoya

Chirimoya. See Cherimoyer.

English · e-37683-4916 · brief source record

Chirk

Chirk, chėrk, v.i. (Scot.) to grate: to chirp or squeak. [A.S. cearcian, to creak.]

English · e-37683-4917 · brief source record

Chirl

Chirl, chirl, v.i. to emit a low sound: to warble.—n. a kind of musical warble. [Scot., from the sound. See Chirr.]

English · e-37683-4918 · brief source record

Chirm

Chirm, chėrm, v.i. to cry out: to chirp.—n. noise, din, hum of voices. [A.S. cirman, to cry out; cf. Dut. kermen.]

English · e-37683-4919 · brief source record

Chirognomy

Chirognomy, kī-rog′nō-mi, n. the so-called art or science of judging character from the lines of the hand, palmistry.—adj. Chirognom′ic. [Gr. cheir, the hand, gnōmē, understanding.]

English · e-37683-4920

Chirograph

Chirograph, kī-rog-raf′, n. any written or signed document.—ns. Chirog′rapher, Chirog′raphist, one who professes the art of writing—-adj. Chirograph′ic—n. Chirog′raphy, the art of writing, or penmanship. [Gr. cheir, the

English · e-37683-4921

Chirology

Chirology, kī-rol′o-ji, n. the art of discoursing with the hands or by signs, as the deaf and dumb do.—n. Chirol′ogist, one who converses by signs with the hands. [Gr. cheir, the hand, logia, a discourse.]

English · e-37683-4922

Chiromancy

Chiromancy. Same as Cheiromancy.

English · e-37683-4923 · brief source record

Chiropodist

Chiropodist, kī-rop′o-dist, n. a hand and foot doctor: one who removes corns, bunions, warts, &c. [Gr. cheir, the hand, and pous, podos, the foot.]

English · e-37683-4924

Chirp

Chirp, chėrp, n. the sharp, shrill sound of certain birds and insects.—v.i. to make such a sound; to talk in a happy and lively strain.—v.t. to cheer.—n. Chirp′er, a little bird: a chirping-cup.—adj. Chirp′ing, merry: ch

English · e-37683-4925

Chirr

Chirr, chėr, v.i. to chirp, as is done by the cricket or grasshopper. [From the sound.]

English · e-37683-4926 · brief source record

Chirrup

Chirrup, chir′up, v.i. to chirp: to make a sound with the mouth to urge on a horse: to cheer up. [Lengthened form of Chirp, and then brought into connection with cheer up.]

English · e-37683-4927

Chirt

Chirt, chėrt, n. a squeeze.—v.t. to squeeze. [Conn. with Chirr.]

English · e-37683-4928 · brief source record

Chirur′geon

Chirur′geon, Chirur′gery, Chirur′gical, old forms of Surgeon, Surgery, Surgical.—adv. Chirur′geonly (Shak.), in a manner becoming a surgeon. [Fr. chirurgien—Gr. cheirourgos—cheir, the hand, ergon, a work.]

English · e-37683-4929

Chisel

Chisel, chiz′el, n. an iron or steel tool to cut or hollow out wood, stone, &c.: esp. the tool of the sculptor.—v.t. to cut, carve, &c. with a chisel: (slang) to cheat:—pr.p. chis′elling; pa.p. chis′elled.—adj. Chis′elle

English · e-37683-4930

Chisel

Chisel, chiz′el, n. See Chesil.

English · e-37683-4931 · brief source record

Chisleu

Chisleu, chis′lū, n. the ninth month of the Jewish year, including parts of November and December. [Heb.]

English · e-37683-4932 · brief source record

Chit

Chit, chit, n. a note: an order or pass.—Also Chit′ty. [Hind. chitthi.]

English · e-37683-4933 · brief source record

Chit

Chit, chit, n. a baby: a lively or pert young child: contemptuously, a young woman or girl. [A.S. cith, a young tender shoot.]

English · e-37683-4934

Chitchat

Chitchat, chit′chat, n. chatting or idle talk: prattle: gossip. [A reduplication of Chat.]

English · e-37683-4935 · brief source record

Chitin

Chitin, kī′tin, n. the substance which forms most of the hard parts of jointed footed animals.—adj. Chī′tinous. [Fr. chitine—Gr. chiton, a tunic.]

English · e-37683-4936

Chiton

Chiton, kī′ton, n. the ancient Greek tunic: a genus of marine molluscs. [Gr. chitōn, a tunic]

English · e-37683-4937 · brief source record

Chitter

Chitter, chit′ėr, v.i. (Scot.) to shiver.—n. Chitt′ering. [Cf. Chatter.]

English · e-37683-4938 · brief source record

Chitterling

Chitterling, chit′ėr-ling, n. the smaller intestines of a pig or other edible animal: a frill—prov. forms, Chidling, Chitling, Chitter. [Ety. dub.]

English · e-37683-4939

Chivalry

Chivalry, shiv′al-ri, n. the usages and qualifications of chevaliers or knights: bravery and courtesy: the system of knighthood in feudal times.—adjs. Chival′ric, Chiv′alrous, pertaining to chivalry: bold: gallant.—adv.

English · e-37683-4940

Chive

Chive, chīv, n. an herb like the leek and onion, with small, flat, clustered bulbs: a small bulb.—Also Cive. [Fr. cive—L. cæpa, an onion.]

English · e-37683-4941

Chivy

Chivy, chiv′vy, or Chevy, chev′vy, n. a hunting cry.—v.t. to chase.—v.i. to scamper. [Prob. from the Border battle of Chevy Chase.]

English · e-37683-4942

Chlamys

Chlamys, klā′mis, n. an ancient Greek short cloak or mantle for men: a purple cope: a genus of phytophagous beetles. [Gr.]

English · e-37683-4943

Chloasma

Chloasma, klō-az′ma, n. a skin-disease marked by yellowish-brown patches. [Gr. chloē, verdure.]

English · e-37683-4944 · brief source record

Chlorine

Chlorine, klō′rin, n. a yellowish-green gas with a peculiar and suffocating odour.—ns. Chlō′ral, a limpid, colourless, oily liquid, with a peculiar penetrating odour, formed when anhydrous alcohol is acted on by dry chlo

English · e-37683-4945

Chobdar

Chobdar, chob′dar, n. a frequent attendant of Indian nobles, and formerly also of Anglo-Indian officials of rank, carrying a staff overlaid with silver. [Pers.]

English · e-37683-4946

Chock

Chock, chok, v.t. to fasten as with a block or wedge.—n. a wedge to keep a cask from rolling: a log.—adjs. Chock′-full, Choke′-full, quite full; Chock′-tight, very tight. [See Choke.]

English · e-37683-4947

Chocolate

Chocolate, chok′ō-lāt, n. a preparation of the seeds of Theobroma cacao, made by grinding the seeds mixed with water to a very fine paste: a beverage made by dissolving this paste in boiling water.—adj. chocolate-coloure

English · e-37683-4948

Chode

Chode, chōd, an obsolete pa.t. of Chide.

English · e-37683-4949 · brief source record

Choice

Choice, chois, n. act or power of choosing: the thing chosen: alternative: preference: the preferable or best part.—adj. worthy of being chosen: select: appropriate.—adjs. Choice′-drawn (Shak.), selected with care; Choic

English · e-37683-4950

Choir

Choir, kwīr, n. a chorus or band of singers, esp. those belonging to a church: the part of a church appropriated to the singers: the part of a cathedral separated from the nave by a rail or screen.—v.i. (Shak.) to sing i

English · e-37683-4951

Choke

Choke, chōk, v.t. to throttle: to suffocate: to stop or obstruct: to suppress.—v.i. to be choked or suffocated.—n. the action of choking.—n. Choke′-bore, the bore of a gun when narrowed at the muzzle so as to concentrate

English · e-37683-4952

Choky

Choky, chō′ki, n. a prison: a toll-station. [Hind.]

English · e-37683-4953 · brief source record

Cholæmia

Cholæmia, Cholemia, ko-lē′mi-a, n. a morbid accumulation of the constituents of bile in the blood.—adj. Cholæ′mic. [Gr. cholē, bile, haima, blood.]

English · e-37683-4954

Cholagogue

Cholagogue, kol′a-gog, n. a purgative causing evacuations of bile.—adj. Cholagog′ic. [Gr. cholē, bile, agōgos, leading.]

English · e-37683-4955

Choler

Choler, kol′ėr, n. the bile: (Shak.) biliousness: anger, irascibility.—adj. Chol′eric, full of choler: passionate. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. cholera—cholē, bile.]

English · e-37683-4956

Cholera

Cholera, kol′ėr-a, n. a highly infectious and deadly disease characterised by bilious vomiting and purging.—adj. Cholerā′ic.—British cholera, an acute catarrhal affection of the mucous membrane of the stomach and small i

English · e-37683-4957

Cholesterine

Cholesterine, ko-les′te-rin, n. a substance occurring abundantly in bile and biliary calculi, probably a monovalent alcohol.—adj. Cholester′ic. [Gr. cholē, bile, stereos, solid.]

English · e-37683-4958

Choliamb

Choliamb, kō′li-amb, n. a variety of iambic trimeter, having a trochee for an iambus as the sixth foot.—adj. Choliam′bic. [L.,—Gr. chōliambos—chōlos, lame, iambos, iambus.]

English · e-37683-4959

Choltry

Choltry, chōl′tri, n. a khan or caravansary for travellers: a shed used as a place of assembly.—Also Choul′try. [Malayalam.]

English · e-37683-4960

Chondrify

Chondrify, kon′dri-fī, v.t. to convert into cartilage.—v.i. to be converted into cartilage.—n. Chondrificā′tion. [Gr. chondros, cartilage.]

English · e-37683-4961

Chondroid

Chondroid, kon′droid, adj. cartilaginous.—ns. Chon′drin, the proper substance of cartilage; Chondrī′tis, inflammation of cartilage; Chondrogen′esis, the formation of cartilage.—adj. Chondrogenet′ic.—ns. Chondrog′raphy, a

English · e-37683-4962

Chondropterygian

Chondropterygian, kon-drop-te-rij′i-an, adj. gristly-finned, belonging to the Chondropterygii, a group of fishes variously defined in different systems. [Gr. chondros, cartilage, pterygion, dim. of pteryx, a wing.]

English · e-37683-4963

Choose

Choose, chōōz, v.t. to take one thing in preference to another: to select.—v.i. to will or determine: to think fit:—pa.t. chōse; pa.p. chōs′en.—ns. Choos′er (Shak.), one who chooses; Choos′ing, choice: selection.—Cannot

English · e-37683-4964

Chop

Chop, chop, v.t. to cut with a sudden blow: to cut into small pieces: (Milton) to change: to exchange or barter: (Milton) to trade in: to bandy words.—v.i. to change about: to shift suddenly, as the wind.—n. a blow: a pi

English · e-37683-4965

Chop

Chop, chop, n. the chap or jaw, generally used in pl.: a person with fat cheeks: the mouth of anything, as a cannon.—adj. Chop′-fall′en, lit. having the chop or lower jaw fallen down: cast-down: dejected. [See Chap (3).]

English · e-37683-4966

Chop

Chop, chop, n. in China and India, an official mark or seal: a license or passport which has been sealed. [Hind. chhāp, seal, impression.]

English · e-37683-4967

Chop-sticks

Chop-sticks, chop′-stiks, n.pl. two small sticks of wood, ivory, &c., used by the Chinese instead of knife and fork. [Chop, a corr. of kih, quick.]

English · e-37683-4971

Chopin

Chopin, chop′in, n. an old French liquid measure containing nearly an English imperial pint: a Scotch measure containing about an English quart. [O. Fr. chopine, Old Dut. schoppe; Scot. chappin, Ger. schoppen, a pint.]

English · e-37683-4968

Chopine

Chopine, chop-ēn′, chop′in, n. a high clog or patten introduced into England from Venice during the reign of Elizabeth. [Sp. chapin.]

English · e-37683-4969

Chopping

Chopping, chop′ing, adj. stout, strapping, plump.

English · e-37683-4970 · brief source record

Choragus

Choragus, ko-rā′gus, n. in Athens, the person appointed to organise the chorus: the leader of a choir.—adj. Chorag′ic, pertaining to a choragus.—Choragic monument, a small temple on which were dedicated the tripods given

English · e-37683-4972

Choral

Choral, Chorale. See Choir.

English · e-37683-4973 · brief source record

Chord

Chord, kord, n. (mus.) the simultaneous and harmonious union of sounds of a different pitch.—The Common chord is a note with its third and perfect fifth reckoned upwards. [Formed from Accord.]

English · e-37683-4974

Chord

Chord, kord, n. the string of a musical instrument: (fig.) of the emotions: (geom.) a straight line joining the extremities of an arc: a straight line joining any two points in the curve of a circle, ellipse, &c. [L. cho

English · e-37683-4975

Chorea

Chorea, ko-rē′a, n. St Vitus's dance, a nervous disease causing irregular and involuntary movements of the limbs or face. [L.,—Gr. choreia, a dancing.]

English · e-37683-4976

Choree

Choree, kō′rē, n. a trochee.—Also Chorē′us. [L.,—Gr.]

English · e-37683-4977 · brief source record

Choreography

Choreography. See Chorus.

English · e-37683-4978 · brief source record

Chorepiscopal

Chorepiscopal, kō-re-pis′ko-pal, adj. pertaining to a local or suffragan bishop. [Gr. chōra, place.]

English · e-37683-4979 · brief source record

Choriamb

Choriamb, kō′ri-amb, n. a metrical foot of four syllables, the first and last long, the two others short.—adj. and n. Choriam′bic. [Gr. choriambos—choreios, a trochee, iambos, iambus.]

English · e-37683-4980

Chorion

Chorion, kō′ri-on, n. the outer fœtal envelope: the external membrane of the seeds of plants:—pl. Chō′ria.—adj. Chō′roid. [Gr.]

English · e-37683-4981

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