Historical source · 1908

Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 28

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.

35,730 entries179 browse pagesPublic-domain-USOriginal source ↗

Read the edition and extraction limits

Historical scholarship from 1908; not current consensus or editorial verification.
Historical text may contain offensive, obsolete or inaccurate language and classifications.
Public-domain determination applies to the United States; other jurisdictions require separate confirmation.
Chambers consulted earlier dictionaries including Skeat and the New English Dictionary; overlapping claims are not independent scholarly votes.

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 ↗

Browse the original entries

Page 28 of 179

Coamings

Coamings, kōm′ingz, n.pl. (naut.) raised work about the edges of the hatches of a ship to prevent the water from running into the apartments below. [Der. unknown.]

English · e-37683-5349

Coaptation

Coaptation, ko-ap-tā′shun, n. adaptation of parts to each other. [L.]

English · e-37683-5350 · brief source record

Coarb

Coarb. See Comarb.

English · e-37683-5351 · brief source record

Coarctate

Coarctate, kō-ark′tāt, adj. compressed.—n. Coarctā′tion. [L. coartāre, -ātum, to compress together.]

English · e-37683-5352 · brief source record

Coarse

Coarse, kōrs, adj. rough: rude: uncivil: vulgar: harsh: gross.—adj. Coarse′-grained, coarse in the grain, as wood: (fig.) inelegant, gross.—adv. Coarse′ly.—v.t. Coars′en, to make coarse.—n. Coarse′ness.—adj. Coars′ish, s

English · e-37683-5353

Coast

Coast, kōst, n. side or border of land next the sea: the seashore: limit or border of a country.—v.i. to sail along or near a coast: to travel downhill on a bicycle with the feet on the foot-rests.—v.t. to sail by or nea

English · e-37683-5354

Coat

Coat, kōt, n. a kind of outer garment: the hair or wool of a beast: vesture or habit: any covering: a garment worn by women and children, and hanging from the waist downwards: a membrane or layer, such as paint, &c.: a c

English · e-37683-5355

Coati

Coati, kō-ä′ti, or kō′a-ti, n. an American plantigrade carnivorous mammal allied to the raccoons.—Also Coä′ti-mun′di. [Tupi.]

English · e-37683-5356

Coax

Coax, kōks, v.t. to persuade by fondling or flattery: to humour or soothe: to pet.—ns. Coax, Coax′er, one who coaxes.—adv. Coax′ingly. [M. E. cokes, a simpleton; of obscure origin.]

English · e-37683-5357

Cob

Cob, kob, n. a head of maize: a short-legged strong horse for heavy weights: a male swan—also Cob′-swan.—ns. Cob′loaf, a large loaf: (Shak.) an expression of contempt; Cob′nut, a large variety of the hazel-nut: a game pl

English · e-37683-5359

Cob

Cob, kob, n. a kind of composition of clay and straw for building.—n. Cob′-wall, a wall built of this.

English · e-37683-5360 · brief source record

Cob

Cob, kob, v.t. to strike, to thump the buttocks.

English · e-37683-5361 · brief source record

Cobalt

Cobalt, kō′bawlt, n. a metal the ores of which are sparingly distributed—in the metallic state found in meteoric stones or aerolites, generally occurring combined with arsenic: a blue pigment, prepared from the foregoing

English · e-37683-5362

Cobble

Cobble, kob′l, n. a stone worn smooth by water.—n. Cobb′le-stone, a rounded stone used in paving.—v.t. to pave with such. [Ety. dub.]

English · e-37683-5363

Cobble

Cobble, kob′l, v.t. to patch up or mend coarsely, as shoes.—ns. Cobb′ler, one who cobbles or mends shoes: a drink made up of wine, sugar, &c., and sucked through a straw; Cobbler's punch, a warm drink made of beer, with

English · e-37683-5364

Coble

Coble, Cobble, kob′l, n. a small flat-bottomed fishing-boat. [Cf. W. ceubal, a hollow trunk, a boat.]

English · e-37683-5366 · brief source record

Cobra

Cobra, Cobra da capello, kō′bra da ka-pel′o, n. a poisonous snake, native of the East Indies, which dilates the back and sides of the neck so as to resemble a hood. [Port., lit. 'snake of the hood.']

English · e-37683-5367

Coburg

Coburg, kō′burg, n. a thin fabric of worsted with cotton or silk, twilled on one side. [Coburg, a town in Germany.]

English · e-37683-5368 · brief source record

Cobweb

Cobweb, kob′web, n. the spider's web or net: any snare or device intended to entrap: anything flimsy or easily broken: anything that obscures.—n. Cobweb′bery.—adj. Cob′webby. [Prob. shortened from M. E. atter-cop-web—A.S

English · e-37683-5369

Coca

Coca, kō′ka, n. a shrub of six or eight feet high, of which the leaves furnish an important narcotic and stimulant.—ns. Cocaine (kō′kä-in), a local anæsthetic made from coca-leaves, and much used in dentistry and surgica

English · e-37683-5370

Cocagne

Cocagne, Cocaigne. Same as Cockaigne.

English · e-37683-5371 · brief source record

Cocciferous

Cocciferous, kok-sif′ėr-us, adj. berry-bearing. [L. coccum (—Gr. kokkos), a berry, and ferre, to bear.]

English · e-37683-5372 · brief source record

Coccolite

Coccolite, kok′ō-līt, n. a variety of pyroxene: a small rounded body found in deep-sea mud.—Also Cocc′olith. [Gr. kokkos, a berry, lithos, a stone.]

English · e-37683-5373

Coccus

Coccus, kok′us, n. one of the carpels or seed-vessels of a dry fruit: (zool.) a genus of insects in the order Hemiptera, and type of a family including many forms injurious to plants, and a few others useful to man.—n. C

English · e-37683-5374

Coccyx

Coccyx, kok′siks, n. (anat.) the lower bone of the vertebral column:—pl. Coc′cyges.—adjs. Coccyg′ēal, Coccyg′ian. [Gr. kokkyx, the cuckoo, from its bill.]

English · e-37683-5375

Coch

Coch, koch, n. (Spens.). Same as Coach.

English · e-37683-5376 · brief source record

Cochin

Cochin, kō′chin, n. a large-sized variety of the domestic hen, with feathered legs, full breast, small tail.—n. Cō′chin-chin′a, a large-sized hen originally from Cochin-China.—adj. Cō′chin-Chinese′.

English · e-37683-5377

Cochineal

Cochineal, koch′i-nēl, n. a scarlet dye-stuff consisting of the dried bodies of certain insects gathered from the cactus plant in Mexico, the West Indies, &c.: the insect itself. [Sp. cochinilla, dim. of L. coccinus—Gr.

English · e-37683-5378

Cochlea

Cochlea, kok′le-a, n. a spiral-shaped shell, esp. the snail-shell: (anat.) the spiral cavity of the ear.—adjs. Cochlear′iform; Coch′leary, Coch′leāte, Coch′leāted, twisted. [L.,—Gr. kochlias, a snail.]

English · e-37683-5379

Cock

Cock, kok, n. the male of birds, particularly of the domestic fowl: the time of cock-crowing: a weathercock: a plucky chap, a term of familiarity, as 'Old cock:' a strutting chief or leader: anything set erect: a tap for

English · e-37683-5380

Cock

Cock, kok, n. a small pile of hay.—adj. Cocked, heaped up in cocks. [Sw. koka, a lump of earth; Dut. kogel; Ger. kugel, a ball.]

English · e-37683-5381

Cock

Cock, kok, n. (Shak.) a cock-boat. Now Cock-boat.

English · e-37683-5382 · brief source record

Cock

Cock, perversion of the word God.—Cock and pie (see Pie, 2).

English · e-37683-5383 · brief source record

Cock-a-bon′dy

Cock-a-bon′dy, kok-a-bon′di, n. a fly for angling. [A corr. of Welsh coch a bon ddu, red, with black stem.]

English · e-37683-5384 · brief source record

Cock-boat

Cock-boat, kok′-bōt, n. a small ship's boat: a small frail boat. [See Cog, a small boat.]

English · e-37683-5388 · brief source record

Cockaigne

Cockaigne, Cockayne, kok-ān′, n. an imaginary country of luxury and delight. [Ety. dub.; Fr. cocagne, acc. to some from L. coquĕre, to cook.]

English · e-37683-5385

Cockatoo

Cockatoo, kok-a-tōō′, n. a popular name for several genera and species of parrots. [Malay, kakatúa, prob. from its cry.]

English · e-37683-5386

Cockatrice

Cockatrice, kok′a-trīs, n. a fabulous monster like a serpent, often confounded with the Basilisk (q.v.), and regarded as possessing similar deadly powers. [O. Fr. cocatrice.]

English · e-37683-5387

Cocker

Cocker, kok′ėr, v.t. to pamper: to fondle: to indulge. [Ety. dub.; cf. Dut. kokelen, O. Fr. coqueliner, to dandle.]

English · e-37683-5389 · brief source record

Cockernony

Cockernony, kok′ėr-non-i, n. (Scot.) the gathering of a young woman's hair, when it is wrapped up in a band or fillet, commonly called a 'snood' (Jamieson).

English · e-37683-5390

Cocket

Cocket, kok′et, n. the custom-house official seal: a document given by the officers of the custom-house to merchants, as a warrant that their goods are duly entered: the office where such goods are entered. [Perh. a corr

English · e-37683-5391

Cockle

Cockle, kok′l, n. a troublesome weed among corn, with a purple flower. [A.S. coccel.]

English · e-37683-5392 · brief source record

Cockle

Cockle, kok′l, n. a large and typical genus of bivalve molluscs, having a thick, ribbed, heart-shaped, equal-valved shell.—adj. Cock′led, shelled like a cockle.—ns. Cock′le-hat, a hat bearing a scallop-shell, the badge o

English · e-37683-5393

Cockle

Cockle, kok′l, v.i. to pucker into wrinkles or ridges.—v.t. to cause to pucker.

English · e-37683-5394 · brief source record

Cockle

Cockle, kok′l, n. the fire-chamber of an air-stove.

English · e-37683-5395 · brief source record

Cockney

Cockney, kok′ne, n. (Shak.) an affected, effeminate person, knowing the manners of the town, but a stranger to what every child else knows: a townsman as opposed to a countryman: one born in London, but strictly in a par

English · e-37683-5396

Coco

Coco, Cocoa, kō′kō, n. a palm-tree growing in tropical countries, and producing the coco-nut.—ns. Cō′co-nut, Cō′coa-nut, the well-known fruit of the coco-palm: (slang) a man's head. [Port. and Sp. coco, a bugbear; applie

English · e-37683-5397

Cocoa

Cocoa, kō′kō, n. the seed of the cacao or chocolate tree: a beverage made from the seeds crushed and ground. [A corr. of Cacao.]

English · e-37683-5398

Cocoon

Cocoon, ko-kōōn′, n. the silken sheath spun by the larvæ of many insects in passing into the pupa or resting stage.—n. Cocoon′ery, a place for keeping silkworms when feeding and spinning cocoons. [Fr. cocon, from coque,

English · e-37683-5399

Coction

Coction, kok′shun, n. the act of boiling or cooking.—adj. Coc′tile, baked: hardened by fire, as a brick. [L. coquĕre, coctum, to boil, to cook.]

English · e-37683-5400

Cod

Cod, kod, Codfish, kod′fish, n. a species of fish much used as food, found in the northern seas.—ns. Cod′-fisher; Cod′-fish′ery; Cod′-fish′ing; Cod′ling, a small cod.—Cod-liver oil, a medicinal oil extracted from the fre

English · e-37683-5401

Cod

Cod, kod, n. a husk or shell containing seeds: the scrotum.—adjs. Cod′ded, enclosed in a cod; Cod′ding (Shak.), wanton.—n. Cod′-piece, a baggy appendage worn in front of the tight hose of the middle ages. [A.S. codd, a s

English · e-37683-5402

Cod

Cod, kod, n. (Scot.), a pillow. [Old Dan. kodde, Ice. koddi, a pillow.]

English · e-37683-5403 · brief source record

Cod

Cod, kod, n. (slang) applied to persons, with various meanings: a joke.—v.t. to impose on. [Ety. dub.; conn. with Codger.]

English · e-37683-5404

Coddle

Coddle, kod′l, v.t. to pamper: to fondle: to parboil.—n. an effeminate person. [Ety. dub.]

English · e-37683-5405 · brief source record

Code

Code, kōd, n. a collection or digest of laws: a system of rules and regulations: a system of signs used in the army.—ns. Codificā′tion; Codi′fīer, Cod′ist, one who codifies.—v.t. Cod′ify, to put into the form of a code:

English · e-37683-5406

Codex

Codex, kō′deks, n. a code: a manuscript volume:—pl. Codices (kod′i-sēz). [L. codex or caudex, the trunk of a tree, a set of tablets, a book.]

English · e-37683-5407

Codger

Codger, koj′ėr, n. a mean fellow: an old person: a chap. [Prob. a variant of Cadger.]

English · e-37683-5408 · brief source record

Codicil

Codicil, kod′i-sil, n. a short writing or note added as a supplement to a will.—adj. Codicill′ary. [L. codicillus, dim. of codex.]

English · e-37683-5409

Codilla

Codilla, kō-dil′a, n. the coarsest part of hemp or flax, sorted out and separated from the rest. [Dim. of It. coda—L. cauda, a tail.]

English · e-37683-5410

Codille

Codille, kō-dil, n. a term at ombre when the player gets fewer tricks than one of his opponents. [Fr.]

English · e-37683-5411 · brief source record

Codling

Codling, kod′ling, Codlin, kod′lin, n. a variety of apple.—n. Cod′lin-moth, the moth whose larvæ cause the 'worm-eaten' apples which fall prematurely off. [Ety. dub.]

English · e-37683-5412

Coefficient

Coefficient, kō-ef-fish′ent, n. that which acts together with another thing: (math.) the numerical or literal factor prefixed to an unknown quantity in any algebraic term.—n. Coeffi′ciency.—adv. Coeffi′ciently.

English · e-37683-5413

Coehorn

Coehorn, Cohorn, kō′horn, n. a small mortar for throwing grenades. [From Baron van Coehoorn (1641-1704).]

English · e-37683-5414 · brief source record

Cœlenterata

Cœlenterata, sē-len-ter-ā′ta, n. the technical name for the second lowest alliance of many-celled animals—radially symmetrical, without any body-cavity distinct from the alimentary tube.—adj. Cœlen′terāte. [Gr. koilos, h

English · e-37683-5415

Cœliac

Cœliac, sē′li-ak, adj. relating to the belly. [L. cœliacus—Gr. koilia, the belly.]

English · e-37683-5416 · brief source record

Coemption

Coemption, ko-emp′shun, n. the purchasing of the whole of a commodity: in Roman law, a mode of marriage under the fiction of a mutual sale. [Co-, and L. emĕre, to buy.]

English · e-37683-5417

Cœnesthesis

Cœnesthesis, sē-nes-thē′sis, n. the general bodily consciousness. [Gr. koinos, common, aisthēsis, perception.]

English · e-37683-5418 · brief source record

Cœnobite

Cœnobite, Cenobite, sen′o-bīt, n. a monk who lives along with others of a like mind with himself, in contradistinction to anchorites or hermits.—adjs. Cœnobit′ic, -al; Cenobit′ic, -al.—ns. Cœn′obitism, Cen′obitism; Cœnō′

English · e-37683-5419

Coequal

Coequal, ko-ē′kwal, adj. equal with another person or thing: of the same rank or dignity.—n. one of the same rank.—n. Coequal′ity.—adv. Coē′qually.

English · e-37683-5420

Coerce

Coerce, kō-ėrs′, v.t. to restrain by force: to compel.—adj. Coer′cible.—adv. Coer′cibly.—ns. Coer′cion, restraint: government by force; Coer′cionist.—adj. Coer′cive, having power to coerce: compelling.—adv. Coer′cively.—

English · e-37683-5421

Coetaneous

Coetaneous, kō-ē-tān′e-us, adj. of the same age: contemporary. [Co-, and L. ætas, ætatis, age.]

English · e-37683-5423 · brief source record

Coeval

Coeval, kō-ē′val, adj. of the same age.—n. one of the same age: a contemporary. [L. coævus, co-, together, and ævum, age.]

English · e-37683-5425

Coff

Coff, kof, v.t. (Scot.) to buy.—pa.p. Coft.

English · e-37683-5428 · brief source record

Coffee

Coffee, kof′ē, n. a drink made from the seeds of the coffee-tree, a native of Arabia: the powder made by roasting and grinding the seeds.—ns. Coff′ee-bean, the seed of the coffee-plant; Coff′ee-berr′y, the fruit of the c

English · e-37683-5429

Coffer

Coffer, kof′ėr, n. a chest for holding money or treasure: (pl.) the whole wealth of a person: a deep panel in a ceiling.—v.t. to hoard up.—n. Coff′erdam, a water-tight structure used in engineering for excluding the wate

English · e-37683-5430

Coffin

Coffin, kof′in, n. the coffer or chest in which a dead body is enclosed.—v.t. to place within a coffin.—n. Coff′in-ship, a ship that is unsound, and likely to prove fatal to those in it.—Drive a nail in one's coffin, to

English · e-37683-5431

Coffle

Coffle, kof′l, n. a gang, esp. of slaves. [Ar. qāfilah, a caravan.]

English · e-37683-5432 · brief source record

Cog

Cog, kog, v.t. to cheat or deceive: to wheedle: to cog dice is to manipulate them so that they may fall in a given way.—n. the act of cheating: deception.—p.adj. Cog′ging, cheating. [No doubt from the succeeding word.]

English · e-37683-5433

Cog

Cog, kog, n. a catch or tooth on a wheel.—v.t. to fix teeth in the rim of a wheel: to stop a wheel by putting a block before it:—pr.p. cog′ging; pa.p. cogged.—n. Cog′-wheel, a toothed wheel, whose teeth fit into and move

English · e-37683-5434

Cog

Cog, kog, n. formerly a large ship of burden or for war: a small boat: a cock-boat. [M. E. cogge, perh. from O. Fr. cogue, a ship. Cf. Dan. kogge, kog; Ice. kuggi.]

English · e-37683-5435

Cogent

Cogent, kō′jent, adj. powerful: convincing.—ns. Cō′gence, Cō′gency, convincing power.—adv. Cō′gently. [L. cogĕre, co-, together, agĕre, to drive.]

English · e-37683-5436

Coggie

Coggie, Cogie, kog′i, n. (Scot.) a small wooden bowl.—Also Cog. [Dim. of Cogue (q.v.).]

English · e-37683-5437 · brief source record

Coggle

Coggle, kog′gl, v.i. to be unsteady.—n. a cobble, a round stone.—adv. Cog′gly (Scot.), shaky. [Cf. Ger. kugel, and Dut. kogel.]

English · e-37683-5438

Cogitate

Cogitate, koj′i-tāt, v.i. to turn a thing over in one's mind: to meditate: to ponder.—adj. Cog′itable, capable of being thought.—n. Cogitā′tion, deep thought: meditation.—adj. Cog′itātive, having the power of thinking: g

English · e-37683-5439

Cognac

Cognac, kō′nyak, n. an excellent quality of French brandy, so called because much of it is made near the town Cognac, in Charente.

English · e-37683-5440

Cognate

Cognate, kog′nāt, adj. of the same family, kind, or nature: related or allied to.—n. one related by blood, a kinsman: a person related to another through the mother, as distinguished from an agnate, one related through t

English · e-37683-5441

Cognition

Cognition, kog-nish′un, n. certain knowledge: apprehension.—adj. Cog′nisable, that may be known or understood: that may be judicially investigated.—adv. Cog′nisably.—ns. Cog′nisance, Cog′nizance, knowledge or notice, jud

English · e-37683-5442

Cognomen

Cognomen, kog-nō′men, n. a surname: a nickname: a name: the last of the three names of an individual among the Romans, indicating the house or family to which he belonged.—adj. Cognom′inal, like-named: relating to a cogn

English · e-37683-5443

Cognosce

Cognosce, kog-nos′, v.t. (Scots law) to examine: to give judgment: to declare to be an idiot.—adj. Cognos′cible. [L. cognoscĕre—co-, together, and noscĕre, to know.]

English · e-37683-5444

Cognoscente

Cognoscente, ko-nyo-shent′e, n. one professing a critical knowledge of works of art, and of a somewhat more pretentious character than amateurs:—pl. Cognoscenti (ko-nyo-shent′ē). [It.,—L. cognoscĕre.]

English · e-37683-5445

Cognovit

Cognovit, kog-nō′vit, n. (law) an acknowledgment by the defendant in an action that the plaintiff's cause is just. [L. cognovit actionem, he has confessed the action.]

English · e-37683-5446

Cogue

Cogue, Cog, kōg, n. (Scot.) a round wooden vessel for holding milk. [Ety. dub.]

English · e-37683-5447 · brief source record

Cohabit

Cohabit, kō-hab′it, v.i. to dwell together as husband and wife, often of persons not married.—ns. Cohab′itant, one dwelling with others; Cohabitā′tion. [L. cohabitāre—co-, together, habitāre, to dwell.]

English · e-37683-5448

Cohere

Cohere, kō-hēr′, v.i. to stick together: to follow in proper connection: to be consistent.—ns. Coher′ence, a sticking together: a consistent connection between several parts: congruity; Coher′ency.—adj. Coher′ent, sticki

English · e-37683-5450

Cohort

Cohort, kō′hort, n. among the Romans, a body of soldiers from 300 to 600 in number, forming a tenth part of a legion: a band of armed men: any band of men. [Fr.,—L. cohors, an enclosed place, a multitude enclosed, a comp

English · e-37683-5451

Cohortative

Cohortative, kō-hor′ta-tiv, adj. encouraging.—n. in Heb. grammar, a lengthened form of the imperfect—also Paragogic future. [See Paragoge.]

English · e-37683-5452

Coif

Coif, koif, n. a covering for the head, esp. the close-fitting cap of white lawn or silk originally worn by serjeants-at-law: a covering for the head worn by women.—v.t. to provide with a coif: to dress (the hair).—ns. C

English · e-37683-5453

Coign

Coign, koin, n. a corner or external angle: a corner-stone: a wedge.—Coign of vantage, a position of advantage, either for seeing or acting. [Coin.]

English · e-37683-5454

Coil

Coil, koil, v.t. to wind in rings as a rope, a serpent, &c.: to twist: to entangle.—v.i. to twist one's self.—n. a rope which has been gathered into rings: one of the rings into which a rope is gathered: a wire wound spi

English · e-37683-5455

Coil

Coil, koil, n. tumult: hubbub: noise: fuss.—Mortal coil, the toil and trouble of human life. [Der. unknown; prob. Celt.; Gael. and Ir. goill, war.]

English · e-37683-5456

Coin

Coin, koin, n. (Shak.) a corner-stone: a piece of metal legally stamped and current as money.—v.t. to convert a piece of metal into money: to stamp; to make, invent, fabricate: (fig.) to make into.—ns. Coin′age, the act

English · e-37683-5457

Coincide

Coincide, kō-in-sīd′, v.i. to fall in with, or agree, in opinion: to correspond: to be identical.—ns. Coin′cidence, act or condition of coinciding: the occurrence of an event at the same time as another event, without an

English · e-37683-5458

Coir

Coir, koir, n. the strong fibre of the husk of the coco-nut, used for making door-mats. [Malay, kāyar, cord—kāyaru, to be twisted.]

English · e-37683-5462

Coistril

Coistril, kois′tril, n. a groom: (Shak.) a knave. [See Custrel.]

English · e-37683-5463 · brief source record

Coition

Coition, kō-ish′un, n. sexual intercourse. [L. coitio—co-, together, īre, ītum, to go.]

English · e-37683-5464 · brief source record

Cojoin

Cojoin, kō-join′, v.t. (Shak.). Same as Conjoin.

English · e-37683-5465 · brief source record

Coke

Coke, kōk, n. a form of fuel obtained by the heating of coal in confined spaces whereby its more volatile constituents are driven off.—v.t. to make into coke. [Ety. dub.; not before 17th century.]

English · e-37683-5466

Col

Col, kol, n. (geog.) a depression or pass in a mountain-range. [Fr.,—L. collum, a neck.]

English · e-37683-5467 · brief source record

Colander

Colander, Cullender, kul′end-ėr, n. a vessel having small holes in the bottom, used as a strainer in cookery.—ns. Colā′tion, Col′ature, straining. [L. colāre, to strain—colum, a strainer.]

English · e-37683-5468

Colbertine

Colbertine, kol′ber-tin, n. a kind of lace, so called after Jean Baptiste Colbert (1619-83), Minister of Finance to Louis XIV., a great patron of the arts.

English · e-37683-5469

Colcannon

Colcannon, kol-kan′on, n. an Irish dish, being a stew of pounded cabbage and potatoes with butter. [Cole, cabbage; cannon unknown.]

English · e-37683-5470

Colchicum

Colchicum, kol′chi-kum, n. a genus of Liliaceæ—the meadow saffron, its corm or seed used for gout and rheumatism. [L.,—Gr. colchicon, meadow saffron—Colchicus, relating to Colchis, the native country of the sorceress Med

English · e-37683-5471

Colcothar

Colcothar, kol′kō-thar, n. a dark-red iron peroxide formed by calcining copperas.

English · e-37683-5472 · brief source record

Cold

Cold, kōld, adj. the opposite of hot: shivering: without passion or zeal: spiritless: unfriendly: indifferent: reserved.—n. a relative want of sensible heat: the feeling or sensation caused by the absence of heat: coldne

English · e-37683-5473

Cole

Cole, kōl, n. a general name for all sorts of cabbage.—ns. Cole′-garth, a cabbage garden; Cole′-seed, the seed of rape; Cole′-wort, a species of cabbage. [A.S. cáwel; Ger. kohl, Scot. kail; all from L. colis, caulis, a s

English · e-37683-5474

Coleoptera

Coleoptera, kol-e-op′tėr-a, n.pl. an order of insects having two pairs of wings, the outer pair being hard or horny, serving as wing-cases for the true wings: the beetles.—adjs. Coleop′teral, Coleop′terous.—n. Coleop′ter

English · e-37683-5475

Coleorhiza

Coleorhiza, kol-ē-ō-rī′za, n. the root-sheath in endogens. [Gr. koleos, sheath, rhiza, root.]

English · e-37683-5476 · brief source record

Colibri

Colibri, kol′ib-rē, n. a kind of humming-bird. [Sp. and Fr. colibri, said to be the Carib. name.]

English · e-37683-5477 · brief source record

Colic

Colic, kol′ik, n. a disease attended with severe pain and flatulent distension of the abdomen, without diarrhœa.—adj. Col′icky, suffering or causing colic.—n. Colī′tis (see Colonitis under Colon). [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. kolikos—k

English · e-37683-5478

Colin

Colin, kol′in, the American quail or partridge. [Ety. dub.]

English · e-37683-5479 · brief source record

Coliseum

Coliseum. See Colosseum.

English · e-37683-5480 · brief source record

Coll

Coll, kol, v.t. (Spens.) to embrace or fondle by taking round the neck.—n. Coll′ing, embracing. [Fr. col—L. collum, the neck.]

English · e-37683-5481

Collaborator

Collaborator, kol-ab′ō-rā-tor, Collaborateur, kol-ab′ō-ra-tār, n. an associate or assistant in labour, particularly literary or scientific.—n. Collaborā′tion. [Coined from L. col, with, and laborāre, -ātum, to labour.]

English · e-37683-5482

Collapse

Collapse, kol-aps′, n. a falling away or breaking down: any sudden or complete breakdown or prostration.—v.i. to fall together, to contract: to fall or break down: to go to ruin: to lose heart.—adj. Collaps′ible, capable

English · e-37683-5483

Collar

Collar, kol′ar, n. something worn round the neck: the part of a garment at the neck: a band round a dog's neck: that part of a horse's harness worn round the neck, to which the traces are attached: a ring: a band.—v.t. t

English · e-37683-5484

Collard

Collard, kol′ard, n. cole-wort. [See Cole.]

English · e-37683-5485 · brief source record

Collate

Collate, kol-āt′, v.t. to bring together for comparison: to examine and compare, as books, and esp. old manuscripts: to place in or confer a benefice upon: to place in order, as the sheets of a book for binding.—adj. Col

English · e-37683-5486

Collateral

Collateral, kol-at′ėr-al, adj. side by side: running parallel or together; corresponding; descended from the same ancestor, but not directly, as the children of brothers.—n. a collateral relation: a contemporary: a rival

English · e-37683-5487

Colleague

Colleague, kol′ēg, n. one associated with others in some employment—not of partners in business.—n. Coll′eagueship. [Fr. collègue—L. collega—col, together, and legĕre, to choose.]

English · e-37683-5488

Colleague

Colleague, kol′ēg, v.i. to join or unite: to conspire:—pr.p. colleaguing (kol-ēg′ing); pa.p. colleagued (kol-ēgd′). [From O. Fr. colliguer, to join in alliance—L. colligāre, to bind together.]

English · e-37683-5489

Collect

Collect, kol-ekt′, v.t. to assemble or bring together: to infer: to put one's thoughts in order.—v.i. to run together: to accumulate.—ns. Col′lect, a short form of prayer, peculiar to the liturgies of the Western Church,

English · e-37683-5490

Colleen

Colleen, kol′ēn, n. a girl. [Irish cailín.]

English · e-37683-5491 · brief source record

College

College, kol′ej, n. an incorporation, company, or society of persons joined together generally for literary or scientific purposes, and often possessing peculiar or exclusive privileges: a member of the body known as the

English · e-37683-5492

Collet

Collet, kol′et, n. a ring or collar: the part of a ring which contains the stone. [Fr.,—L. collum.]

English · e-37683-5493 · brief source record

Collide

Collide, kol-īd′, v.i. to dash together: to clash.—p.adjs. Collid′ed, Collid′ing.—ns. Colli′sion, state of being struck together: conflict: opposition: clashing; Colli′sion-mat; a mat for covering a hole in a ship's side

English · e-37683-5494

Collie

Collie, Colly, kol′i, n. a shepherd's dog. [Ety. dub.]

English · e-37683-5495 · brief source record

Collier

Collier, kol′yėr, n. one who works in a coal-mine: a ship that carries coal: a sailor in such a ship.—n. Coll′iery, a coal-mine.

English · e-37683-5496

Collieshangie

Collieshangie, kol-i-shang′i, n. (Scot.) noisy wrangling or fighting. [Ety. dub.; but perh. from collie, a dog, and shangie, something attached to his tail.]

English · e-37683-5500

Colligate

Colligate, kol′i-gāt, v.t. to bind together. [L. colligāre, -ātum—col, together, ligāre, to bind.]

English · e-37683-5497 · brief source record

Collimation

Collimation, kol-li-mā′shun, n. the adjustment of the line of sight of a telescope.—v.t. Col′limāte.—n. Collimā′tor, a subsidiary telescope used to detect errors in collimation, when adjusting for transit observations. [

English · e-37683-5498

Collinear

Collinear, ko-lin′e-ar, adj. in the same straight line.

English · e-37683-5499 · brief source record

Collingual

Collingual, ko-ling′gwal, adj. speaking the same tongue.

English · e-37683-5501 · brief source record

Colliquate

Colliquate, kol′i-kwāt, v.t. to melt.—adjs. Colliq′uable, Coll′iquant, melting, wasting; Colliq′uative, profuse in flow. [L. com-, together, liquāre, -ātum, to make melt.]

English · e-37683-5502

Collocate

Collocate, kol′ō-kāt, v.t. to place together: to set: to arrange.—n. Collocā′tion, act of collocating: disposition in place: arrangement. [L. collocāre, -ātum, col, together, locāre, to place.]

English · e-37683-5503

Collocutor

Collocutor, Collocutory. See Colloquy.

English · e-37683-5504 · brief source record

Collodion

Collodion, kol-ō′di-on, n. a gluey solution of gun-cotton in alcohol and ether, used in surgery and photography. [Gr. kollōdēs—kolla, glue, eidos, form, appearance.]

English · e-37683-5505

Collogue

Collogue, ko-log′, v.i. to simulate belief: to conspire: to converse confidentially.—v.t. to coax; to flatter. [Prob. from L. colloqui, to speak together.]

English · e-37683-5506

Colloid

Colloid, kol′oid, n. a name given by Graham, in contradistinction to crystalloids, to any soluble substance, which, when exposed to dialysis, does not pass through the porous membrane.—adj. Colloid′al. [Gr. kolla, glue,

English · e-37683-5507

Collop

Collop, kol′op, n. a slice of meat, fried or otherwise: (Shak.) a child.—Collop Monday, the day before Shrove Tuesday, when collops-and-eggs was eaten.—Minced collops (Scot.), minced meat.

English · e-37683-5508

Colloquy

Colloquy, kol′o-kwi, n. a speaking together: mutual discourse: conversation.—v.i. (rare) to converse.—n. Colloc′ūtor.—adj. Colloc′ūtory.—v.i. Colloque′, to hold colloquy.—adj. Collō′quial, pertaining to or used in common

English · e-37683-5509

Collotype

Collotype, kol′o-tīp, n. a photographic process much used for book illustrations and advertising purposes. [Gr. kolla, glue, and Type.]

English · e-37683-5510

Colluctation

Colluctation, kol-uk-tā′shun, n. strife: opposition. [L. colluctāri—col-, luctāri, to wrestle.]

English · e-37683-5511 · brief source record

Collude

Collude, kol-ūd′, v.i. to play into each other's hand: to act in concert, esp. in a fraud.—ns. Collud′er; Collū′sion, act of colluding: a secret agreement to deceive: deceit.—adj. Collū′sive, fraudulently concerted: dece

English · e-37683-5512

Colluvies

Colluvies, ko-lū′vi-ēs., n. filth: a rabble. [L. 'washings'—colluĕre, to wash thoroughly.]

English · e-37683-5513 · brief source record

Colly

Colly, kol′li, v.t. to begrime with coal-dust: (Shak.) to darken.—p.adj. Col′lied. [See Coal.]

English · e-37683-5514 · brief source record

Collyrium

Collyrium, ko-lir′i-um, n. a term for various kinds of eye-salve or eye-wash. [L.,—Gr. kollyrion, eye-salve, dim. of kollyra, a roll of bread.]

English · e-37683-5515

Colocynth

Colocynth, kol′ō-sinth, n. the dried and powdered pulp of a kind of cucumber, much used as a purgative. [L.,—Gr. kolokynthis.]

English · e-37683-5516

Cologne-earth

Cologne-earth, ko-lōn′-ėrth, n. a brown earth prepared from lignite, found originally near Cologne, a German city on the Rhine.—Cologne water, or Eau de Cologne, a perfumed spirit first made at Cologne in 1709 by Jean Fa

English · e-37683-5517

Colon

Colon, kō′lon, n. the mark (:) used to indicate a distinct member or clause of a sentence. [Gr. kōlon, a limb, member.]

English · e-37683-5518 · brief source record

Colon

Colon, kō′lon, n. that portion of the large intestine which extends from the cæcum to the rectum, which is the terminal portion of the intestinal canal.—n. Colonī′tis, inflammation of the colon. [L.,—Gr. kolon, the large

English · e-37683-5519

Colonel

Colonel, kur′nėl, n. an officer who has command of a regiment;—ns. Col′onelcy, his office or rank; Col′onelling, playing the colonel; Col′onelship, colonelcy: quality of a colonel. [Fr. and Sp. coronel; a corr. of It. co

English · e-37683-5520

Colonnade

Colonnade, kol-on-ād′, n. a range of columns placed at regular intervals: a similar row, as of trees. [Fr.,—L. columna.]

English · e-37683-5521

Colony

Colony, kol′on-i, n. a name somewhat vaguely applied to the foreign dependencies of a state (a Roman colony was a military settlement planted in subject territory; a Greek colony consisted of a band of emigrants impelled

English · e-37683-5522

Colophon

Colophon, kol′o-fon, n. in early printing, the inscription at the end of a book with name, date, &c. [L. colophon—Gr. kolophōn, the finish.]

English · e-37683-5523

Colophony

Colophony, kol-of′o-ni, n. the dark-coloured resin got from the distillation of turpentine with water. [Gr., from Colophon, in Asia Minor.]

English · e-37683-5524

Coloquintida

Coloquintida, kol-o-kwin′ti-da, n. the colocynth.

English · e-37683-5525 · brief source record

Colossus

Colossus, kol-os′us, n. a gigantic statue, esp. that of Apollo astride the entrance of the harbour of Rhodes.—adjs. Coloss′al, like a colossus: gigantic; Coloss′alwise, astride (Shak.).—ns. Colossē′um, Colisē′um, Vespasi

English · e-37683-5526

Colostrum

Colostrum, ko-los′trum, n. the first milk of a mammal after parturition.—n. Colostrā′tion, a disease of infants due to colostrum.—adjs. Colos′tric, Colos′trous. [L.]

English · e-37683-5527

Colour

Colour, kul′ur, n. a property of light which causes bodies to have different appearances to the eye: the hue or appearance which bodies present to the eye: appearance of blood in the face: appearance: pretext: tint: pain

English · e-37683-5528

Colporteur

Colporteur, kol′pōrt-ār, or kol′pōrt-ėr, n. a peddler, esp. one selling tracts and religious books.—n. Col′portāge, the distribution of books by colporteurs. [Fr. colporteur, from col—L. collum, the neck, and porter—L. p

English · e-37683-5529

Colt

Colt, kōlt, n. a young horse: an awkward fellow: an inexperienced youth: (B.) a young camel or ass: (naut.) a rope's end.—v.i. (Spens.) to frisk like a colt.—v.t. (Shak.) to cheat: to give the rope's end, to beat.—adj. C

English · e-37683-5530

Colter

Colter, Coulter, kōltėr, n. the fore-iron of a plough. [A.S. culter—L. culter, a knife.]

English · e-37683-5531 · brief source record

Coluber

Coluber, kol′ub-ėr, n. a genus of non-venomous snakes, of almost world-wide distribution.—n. Colub′riad (Cowper).—adj. Col′ubrine. [L. coluber, a snake.]

English · e-37683-5532

Columbian

Columbian, kō-lum′bi-an, adj. pertaining to Columbia, a name of America.—ns. Colum′bate, a salt or compound of columbic acid with a base; Colum′bite, the native ore of columbium; Colum′bium, a metallic element now called

English · e-37683-5533

Columbine

Columbine, kol′um-bīn, adj. of or like a dove: dove-coloured.—n. a genus of plants (Aquilegia) having five coloured sepals, which soon fall off, and five petals, each terminating below in a horn-shaped spur or nectary: i

English · e-37683-5534

Columel

Columel, Columella. See Column.

English · e-37683-5535 · brief source record

Column

Column, kol′um, n. a long, round body, used to support or adorn a building: any upright body or mass like a column: a body of troops drawn up in deep files: a perpendicular row of lines in a book.—ns. Col′ūmel, a small c

English · e-37683-5536

Colure

Colure, kō-lūr′, n. (astron.) one of two great circles supposed to intersect each other at right angles in the poles of the equator. [Gr. kolourus—kolos, docked, oura, tail.]

English · e-37683-5537

Colza

Colza, kol′za, n. a kind of cabbage whose seeds yield oil for lamps. [Dut. koolzaad, cabbage-seed.]

English · e-37683-5538 · brief source record

Coma

Coma, kō′ma, n. deep sleep: stupor.—adj. Com′atose, affected with coma: drowsy. [Gr. kōma.]

English · e-37683-5539 · brief source record

Coma

Coma, kō′ma, n. (bot.) a tuft or bunch of hairy-like appendages as on some seeds: the leafy branches forming the head of a tree: (astron.) the nebulous envelope surrounding the nucleus of a comet. [L.—Gr. komē, hair of t

English · e-37683-5540

Comarb

Comarb, kō′märb, n. the head of one of the families composing an old Irish sept: the successor in an ecclesiastical office, abbot, vicar, &c.—Better Cō′arb. [Ir. comharba, successor.]

English · e-37683-5541

Comart

Comart, kō′märt, n. (Shak.) an agreement.

English · e-37683-5542 · brief source record

Comate

Comate, kō′māt, n. (Shak.) a mate or companion.

English · e-37683-5543 · brief source record

Comb

Comb, kōm, n. a toothed instrument for separating and cleaning hair, wool, flax, &c.: the crest of a cock: the top or crest of a wave or of a hill: an aggregation of cells for honey.—v.t. to separate, arrange, or clean b

English · e-37683-5544

Comb

Comb, Combe. See Coomb.

English · e-37683-5545 · brief source record

Combat

Combat, kom′bat, or kum′bat, v.i. to contend or struggle.—v.t. to beat against: to contest: to oppose: to debate.—n. a struggle: a fight.—adjs. Com′batable, capable of being combated; Com′batant, disposed to combat.—n. o

English · e-37683-5546

Comber

Comber, kom′bēr, n. a name applied to the gaper, a sea-perch, and to a species of wrasse.

English · e-37683-5547 · brief source record

Combine

Combine, kom-bīn′, v.t. to join two together: to unite intimately.—v.i. to come into close union: to co-operate: (chem.) to unite and form a new compound.—n. a trading syndicate, a trust.—adj. Com′binate, combined: betro

English · e-37683-5548

Combrous

Combrous (obs.) = Cum′brous.

English · e-37683-5549 · brief source record

Comburgess

Comburgess, kom-bur′jes, n. a fellow-burgess.

English · e-37683-5550 · brief source record

Combust

Combust, kom-bust′, adj. burned by the sun: in conjunction with the sun, or apparently very near it, so as to be obscured by its light, said of a planet when it is not more than 8½° from the sun.—n. that which is burned.

English · e-37683-5551

Come

Come, kum (Shak.), a shortening of Become.

English · e-37683-5552 · brief source record

Come

Come, kum, v.i. to move toward this place (the opposite of go): to draw near: to arrive at a certain state or condition: to issue: to happen: (Shak.) to yield; to become: to turn out:—pr.p. com′ing; pa.t. came; pa.p. com

English · e-37683-5553

Comedo

Comedo, kom′e-do, n. a small, black-tipped, worm-like mass which is found on the face of some persons. [L. comedĕre, to eat up.]

English · e-37683-5555

Comedy

Comedy, kom′e-di, n. a dramatic piece of a pleasant or humorous character, originally accompanied with dancing and singing.—ns. Comē′dian, one who acts or writes comedies: an actor:—fem. Comédienne′; Comēdiet′ta, a short

English · e-37683-5556

Comely

Comely, kum′li, adj. pleasing: graceful: handsome.—adv. in a comely manner.—n. Come′liness. [A.S. cymlic—cyme, suitable, líc, like.]

English · e-37683-5557

Comestibles

Comestibles, kom-est′i-blz, n.pl. eatables. [Fr.,—L. comedĕre, to eat up.]

English · e-37683-5558 · brief source record

Comet

Comet, kom′et, n. a heavenly body with an eccentric orbit, having a definite point or nucleus, a nebulous light surrounding the nucleus, and a luminous tail preceding or following the nucleus.—adjs. Com′etary, Comet′ic.—

English · e-37683-5559

Jump to a source dictionary page

Keep the source and the verdict separate

A 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 →