Ahem
Ahem, a-hem′, interj. a lengthened form of Hem.
English · e-37683-579 · brief source recordHistorical source · 1908
Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 4
Thomas Davidson (editor). Read this edition’s full extracted entries and its original proposals. Publication here preserves a source; it does not endorse every claim.
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Page 4 of 179Ahigh
Ahigh, a-hī′, adv. an obsolete form of On high.
English · e-37683-581 · brief source recordAhithophel
Ahithophel. See Achitophel.
English · e-37683-580 · brief source recordAhold
Ahold, a-hōld′, adv. (Shak.) near the wind, so as to keep clear of the land.
English · e-37683-582 · brief source recordAhorseback
Ahorseback, a-hors′bak, adv. on horseback.
English · e-37683-583 · brief source recordAhoy
Ahoy, a-hoi′, interj. a nautical term used in hailing. [Form of interj. Hoy.]
English · e-37683-584 · brief source recordAhull
Ahull, a-hul′, adv. (naut.) with sails furled, and helm lashed to the lee-side, driving before the wind, stern foremost.
English · e-37683-585Ahungered
Ahungered, a-hung′gėrd, adj. oppressed with hunger. [Erroneously written an hungered, as in Bible.]
English · e-37683-586 · brief source recordAiblins
Aiblins, āb′linz, adv. (Scot.) perhaps, possibly. [See Able.]
English · e-37683-587 · brief source recordAid
Aid, ād, v.t. to help, assist.—n. help: assistance, as in defending an action: an auxiliary: subsidy or money grant to the king.—n. Aid′ance, aid, help, support.—adj. Aid′ant, (arch.) aiding, helping.—n. Aid′er, one who
English · e-37683-588Aide-de-camp
Aide-de-camp, ād′-de-kong, n. an officer who carries the orders of a general on the field, and brings him intelligence:—pl. Aides′-de-camp. [Fr., assistant on the field.]
English · e-37683-589Aiery
Aiery, a variant of Aerie.
English · e-37683-590 · brief source recordAigrette
Aigrette, ā′gret, n. (zool.) a small white heron: (bot.) the down attached to vegetable seeds, as in the thistle: a plume composed of feathers, or of precious stones, like a heron's crest. [Fr. aigrette.]
English · e-37683-591Aiguille
Aiguille, ā-gwēl′, n. a sharp, needle-like peak of rock, applied esp. to many of the peaks near Mont Blanc: a slender boring-drill for blasting. [Fr. See Aglet.]
English · e-37683-592Aiguillette
Aiguillette. See Aglet.
English · e-37683-593 · brief source recordAil
Ail, āl, v.i. to feel pain: to be in trouble.—v.t. to trouble, afflict—obs. except in impers. phrase 'What ails you?'—n. trouble: indisposition.—n. Ail′ment, pain: indisposition: disease. [A.S. eglan, to pain. See Awe.]
English · e-37683-594Ailanto
Ailanto, ēl-an′to, n. a lofty and beautiful tree, native to South-eastern Asia, but grown to shade public walks in France and Italy. Its leaves give food to a species of silkworm—it is sometimes called the Vernis du Japo
English · e-37683-595Ailette
Ailette, āl-let′, n. an iron plate once worn by men-at-arms for defence on the shoulder. [Fr., dim. of aille—L. ala, a wing.]
English · e-37683-596Aim
Aim, ām, v.i. to point at with a weapon: to direct the intention or endeavour (at): (obs.) to conjecture.—v.t. to point, as a weapon or firearm.—n. the pointing of a weapon: the thing pointed at: design: intention.—adj.
English · e-37683-597Ain't
Ain't, ānt, a colloquial contracted form of are not—also An't = aren't, are not.—An't (Shak.) occurs as a variant of on't = on it, of it.
English · e-37683-598Air
Air, ār, n. the fluid we breathe: the atmosphere: any special condition of atmosphere, as in 'the night-air,' 'to take the air:' a light breeze: publicity: the bearing of a person: outward appearance, manner, look: an as
English · e-37683-599Airling
Airling, ār′ling, n. (obs.) a thoughtless, gay person.
English · e-37683-600 · brief source recordAirt
Airt, ārt, n. (Scot.) direction, quarter. [Gael. aird, àrd; Ir. ard.]
English · e-37683-601 · brief source recordAisle
Aisle, īl, n. any lateral division of any part of a church, whether of nave, choir, or transept. The word is often erroneously applied to the passage in a church between the pews or seats.—adj. Aisled, (īld), having aisl
English · e-37683-602Ait
Ait, āt, n. a small island in a river or lake. [A.S. forms, íget, ígeoth, supply the key to the word, but its history is obscure.]
English · e-37683-603Aitchbone
Aitchbone, āch′bōn, n. the bone of the rump: the cut of beef over this bone. [Orig. nache- or nagebone; O. Fr. nache, nage—L. nates, buttock; a nache became aitch, and erroneously edge-bone.]
English · e-37683-604Ajar
Ajar, a-jär′, adv. partly open. [A.S. on, on, cyrr, a turn.]
English · e-37683-605 · brief source recordAjee
Ajee, Agee, a-jē′, adv. (Scot. and prov.) aside, off the straight, ajar. [Prep. a, and gee, to move to one side; jee, a call to a horse to move to one side.]
English · e-37683-606Ajutage
Ajutage, Adjutage, ad′joo-tāj, n. a tube adjusted to an orifice through which water is discharged. [Fr.—Fr. ajouter. See Adjust.]
English · e-37683-607Ake
Ake, āk, old form of Ache.
English · e-37683-608 · brief source recordAkee
Akee, a-kē′, n. the fruit of a small African sapindaceous tree, now common in the West Indies.
English · e-37683-609 · brief source recordAkimbo
Akimbo, a-kim′bo, adj. with hand on hip and elbow bent outward. [Ety. uncertain; Skeat suggests the Ice. kengboginn, bent into a crook, from kengr, a crook, twist, kink, and boginn, bowed. Others connect the -kim with Ke
English · e-37683-610Akin
Akin, a-kin′, adj. of kin: related by blood: having the same properties. [Of and Kin.]
English · e-37683-611 · brief source recordAlabaster
Alabaster, al′a-bas-tėr, n. a semi-transparent kind of gypsum or sulphate of lime: the fine limestone deposited as stalagmites and stalactites.—adj. made of alabaster.—adj. Alabas′trian. [Gr. alabastros, said to be deriv
English · e-37683-612Alack
Alack, a-lak′, interj. an exclamation denoting sorrow.
English · e-37683-613 · brief source recordAlack-a-day
Alack-a-day, a-lak′-a-dā, interj. (rare) an exclamation of sadness. [Interj. ah, lak (Lack), and Day.]
English · e-37683-614 · brief source recordAlacrity
Alacrity, a-lak′ri-ti, n. briskness: cheerful readiness: promptitude. [L. alacris, brisk.]
English · e-37683-615 · brief source recordAlalia
Alalia, a-lā′li-a, n. loss of speech. [Gr. a, priv., and lalein, to talk.]
English · e-37683-616 · brief source recordAlameda
Alameda, a-la-mē′da, n. a public walk or promenade between two rows of trees. [Sp.]
English · e-37683-617 · brief source recordAlamode
Alamode, a-la-mōd′, adv. and adj. according to the mode or fashion.—n. a light kind of glossy silk for scarfs, hat-bands, &c.—n. Alamodal′ity (rare).—Alamode beef, beef larded and stewed with vegetables. [Fr. à la mode.]
English · e-37683-618Alamort
Alamort, a-la-mort′, adj. half-dead: in a depressed condition: dejected. Sometimes erroneously All amort. [Fr. à la mort, to death. See Mortal.]
English · e-37683-619Aland
Aland, a-land′, adv. on or to land: landed.
English · e-37683-620 · brief source recordAlar
Alar, ā′lar, adj. of, or having, wings.—Also A′lary. [L. ala, a wing.]
English · e-37683-621 · brief source recordAlarm
Alarm, a-lärm′, n. notice of danger: sudden surprise with fear: a mechanical contrivance to arouse from sleep: a call to arms.—v.t. to call to arms: to give notice of danger: to fill with dread.—adv. Alarm′ingly.—n. Alar
English · e-37683-622Alarum
Alarum, al-är′um, n. and v.t. same as Alarm—now used, except poetically, only of an alarum-clock.
English · e-37683-623 · brief source recordAlas
Alas, a-las′, interj. expressive of grief.—Alas the day, Alas the while (in old writers), ah! unhappy day, or time. [O. Fr. ha las, a las (mod. Fr. hélas); ha! and las, lasse, wretched, weary—L. lassus, wearied.]
English · e-37683-624Alate
Alate, a-lāt′, adv. (arch.) lately. [A.S. pfx. a-, on, and Late.]
English · e-37683-625 · brief source recordAlate
Alate, al′āt, adj. winged: (bot.) bordered by a leafy expansion.—Also Al′ated. [L. alatus—ala, a wing.]
English · e-37683-626 · brief source recordAlb
Alb, alb, n. in R.C. churches, a white linen vestment with tight sleeves, reaching to the feet, worn by the officiating priest at the celebration of the eucharist, under the chasuble, cope, or dalmatic. [A.S. albe—Low L.
English · e-37683-627Albacore
Albacore, al′ba-kōr, n. a large species of the tunny fish, found in West Indian waters. [Port.—Ar. al, the, bukr, pl. bakārat, a young camel.]
English · e-37683-628Albata
Albata, al-bā′ta, n. a white silvery alloy of nickel, zinc, and copper—also British plate and German Silver. [L., albāre, to whiten, albus, white.]
English · e-37683-629Albatross
Albatross, al′ba-tros, n. a large, long-winged, web-footed sea-bird of remarkable powers of flight, found abundantly in the Southern Ocean, particularly near the Cape of Good Hope. [Corr. from Alcatras (q.v.), perh. with
English · e-37683-630Albe
Albe, Ale-be, awl-bē′, obs. forms of Albeit.
English · e-37683-631 · brief source recordAlbeit
Albeit, awl-bē′it, adv. although it be: notwithstanding: even if, although. [All be it (that) = all though it be that]
English · e-37683-632 · brief source recordAlbert
Albert, al′bert, n. a short kind of watch-chain. [Named from Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.]
English · e-37683-633 · brief source recordAlbescent
Albescent, al-bes′ent, adj. becoming white: whitish.—n. Albes′cence. [L. albescens, -entis, pr.p. of albescĕre, to grow white—albus, white.]
English · e-37683-634Albespyne
Albespyne, Albespine, al′be-spīn, n. whitethorn, hawthorn. [O. Fr. albespine, aubespine (Fr. aubépine)—L. alba spina, white thorn.]
English · e-37683-635Albigenses
Albigenses, al-bi-jen′sēz, n.pl. a name applied to antisacerdotal sects in the south of France during the 12th and 13th centuries, infected with Manichæan heresy, and extirpated with the most horrible cruelties. [The tow
English · e-37683-636Albino
Albino, al-bī′no, n. a human being or animal whose skin and hair are abnormally white, and the pupil of the eye of pink colour:—fem. Albī′ness:—pl. Albī′nos.—n. Al′binism, state or condition of being an albino. [Sp. albi
English · e-37683-637Albite
Albite, al′bīt, n. a species of mineral of the felspar family, of a white colour, and forming a constituent of many kinds of rocks. [From L. albus, white.]
English · e-37683-638Albugineous
Albugineous, al-bū-jin′e-us, adj. like the white of an egg or of the eye. [L. albugo, albuginis, whiteness, from albus, white.]
English · e-37683-639Album
Album, al′bum, n. among the Romans, a white tablet or register on which the prætor's edicts and such public notices were recorded: a blank book for the insertion of portraits, autographs, poetical extracts, memorial vers
English · e-37683-640Albumen
Albumen, al-bū′men, n. the white of eggs: a like substance found in animal and vegetable bodies.—ns. Albū′min, one of the classes of albuminoids, such as are soluble in water, or in dilute acids or alkalis; Albū′minate,
English · e-37683-641Albuminoid
Albuminoid, al-bū′min-oid, adj. like albumen.—n. one of a class of nitrogenous compounds derived from animal tissues. [Albumen, and Gr. eidos, form.]
English · e-37683-642Albuminuria
Albuminuria, al-bū-min-ū′ri-a, n. the presence of albumin in the urine: the disease producing this.
English · e-38700-10027 · brief source recordAlburnum
Alburnum, al-burn′um, n. in trees, the white and soft parts of wood between the inner bark and the heart-wood.—adj. Alburn′ous. [L.—albus, white.]
English · e-37683-643Alcahest
Alcahest. See Alkahest.
English · e-37683-644 · brief source recordAlcaic
Alcaic, al-kā′ik, adj. of or pertaining to the Greek lyrical poet, Alcæus (c. 600 B.C.), or to the kind of verse invented by him. The most common form consists of an anacrusis, a trochee, a spondee, and two dactyls; a se
English · e-37683-645Alcaid
Alcaid, Alcayde, al-kād′, n. a governor: a chief magistrate: a gaoler. [Sp. and Port.—Ar. alkāīd—al, the, qāīd, a leader, qāda, to lead.]
English · e-37683-646Alcalde
Alcalde, al-kal′dā, n. a judge. [Sp.—Ar. al-qādī.]
English · e-37683-647 · brief source recordAlcatras
Alcatras, al′ka-tras, n. a name applied loosely to several large ocean birds, as the pelican, gannet, frigate-bird, and even the albatross. [Sp. alcatraz, a white pelican.]
English · e-37683-648Alchemy
Alchemy, Alchymy, al′ki-mi, n. the infant stage of chemistry, as astrology was of astronomy.—A chief pursuit of the alchemists was to transmute the other metals into gold, and to discover the elixir of life.—adj. Alchem′
English · e-37683-649Alcohol
Alcohol, al′kō-hol, n. pure spirit, a liquid generated by the fermentation of sugar and other saccharine matter, and forming the intoxicating element of fermented liquors.—adj. Alcohol′ic, of or like alcohol.—n. Alcoholi
English · e-37683-650Alcoholometer
Alcoholometer, al-kō-hol-om′e-tėr, n. an instrument for ascertaining the strength of spirits.—n. Alcoholom′etry, the process of such measurement. [Alcohol and Meter.]
English · e-37683-651Alcoran
Alcoran, al′kō-ran, n. the Koran. [Al, the Arabic article.]
English · e-37683-652 · brief source recordAlcove
Alcove, al′kōv, or al-kōv′, n. a recess in a room: any recess: a shady retreat. [Sp. alcoba, a place in a room railed off to hold a bed—Ar. al, the, qobbah, a vault.]
English · e-37683-653Aldehyde
Aldehyde, al′dē-hīd, n. a volatile fluid with a suffocating smell, obtained by the oxidation of alcohol: a large class of compounds intermediate between alcohols and acids. [From Al. dehyd., a contr. for Alcohol dehydrog
English · e-37683-654Alder
Alder, awl′dėr, n. a tree related to the birch, usually growing in moist ground. [A.S. alor; Ger. erle; L. alnus.]
English · e-37683-655 · brief source recordAlder-liefest
Alder-liefest, awl-dėr-lēf′est, adj. (Shak.) most beloved of all. [The M. E. gen. pl. forms alra, alre, aller, alder, survived till about 1600; for liefest, see Lief.]
English · e-37683-656Alderman
Alderman, awl′dėr-man, n. in English and Irish boroughs, a civic dignitary next in rank to the mayor.—They are usually chosen for three years; those of London are chosen for life.—The name was assumed incongruously enoug
English · e-37683-657Aldern
Aldern, awl′dėrn, adj. made of alder.
English · e-37683-658 · brief source recordAldine
Aldine, al′dīn, adj. applied to books printed by Aldus Manutius of Venice, in 16th century.
English · e-37683-659 · brief source recordAle
Ale, āl, n. a beverage made from an infusion of malt by fermentation: a festival, so called from the liquor drunk.—ns. Ale′berry, a beverage made from ale; Ale′conner, an ale-taster, a civic officer appointed to test the
English · e-37683-660Aleatory
Aleatory, ā′lē-a-tō-ri, adj. depending on the throw of the dice: dependent on certain contingencies. [L. āleātōrius, ālea, a die.]
English · e-37683-661Alee
Alee, a-lē′, adv. on the lee-side. [See Lee.]
English · e-37683-662 · brief source recordAleft
Aleft, a-left′, adv. on or to the left hand.
English · e-37683-663 · brief source recordAlegar
Alegar, al′e-gar, n. sour ale. [Ale, and Fr. aigre—L. acer, sour.]
English · e-37683-664 · brief source recordAleger
Aleger, al′e-jėr, adj. (Bacon) lively, cheerful. [O. Fr. alègre—L. alācr-em.]
English · e-37683-665 · brief source recordAlegge
Alegge, an obsolete form of Allege.
English · e-37683-666 · brief source recordAlembic
Alembic, al-em′bik, n. a vessel used by the old chemists in distillation. [Ar. al, the, anbīq—Gr. ambiks, a cup.]
English · e-37683-667 · brief source recordAlength
Alength, a-length′, adv. at full length. [A.S. pfx. a-, on, and Length.]
English · e-37683-668 · brief source recordAlerce
Alerce, a-lers′, n. the wood of the sandarac-tree: the Chilian Arbor vitæ—both of the pine family. [Sp.—Ar. al arza, cedar.]
English · e-37683-669Alert
Alert, al-ėrt′, adj. watchful: brisk.—n. a sudden attack or surprise.—adv. Alert′ly.—n. Alert′ness.—Upon the alert, upon the watch. [Fr.—It. all' erta, on the erect—erto, L. erectus, erect.]
English · e-37683-670Alew
Alew, a-lū′ (Spens.) an obsolete form of Halloo.
English · e-37683-671 · brief source recordAlewife
Alewife, āl′wīf, n. a fish of the same genus as the shad, about a foot in length, common on the east coast of North America. [Said to be a corr. of aloofe, the Indian name of a fish.]
English · e-37683-672Alexandrian
Alexandrian, al-egz-an′dri-an, adj. relating to Alexandria in Egypt, or its school of philosophy: relating to Alexander.
English · e-37683-673Alexandrine
Alexandrine, al-egz-an′drin, n. a rhyming verse of twelve syllables, six iambic feet, so-called from its use in old French poems on Alexander the Great. It is the ordinary verse of French tragedy. French Alexandrines are
English · e-37683-674Alfa
Alfa, al′fa, n. an African name for esparto grass—also spelt Halfa.
English · e-37683-675 · brief source recordAlfalfa
Alfalfa, al-fal′fa, n. a Spanish name for a variety of lucerne—used also in some parts of the United States. [Sp. alfalfa, three-leaved grass; Ar. alfacfacah.]
English · e-37683-676Alfresco
Alfresco, al-fresk′o, adv. on the fresh, as to paint al fresco = on the fresh plaster: in the fresh or cool air. [It.]
English · e-37683-677 · brief source recordAlgæ
Algæ, al′jē, n. (bot.) a division of plants, embracing seaweeds. [L., pl. of alga, seaweed.]
English · e-37683-678 · brief source recordAlgates
Algates, al′gāts, adv. (obs.) always, altogether, at all events, nevertheless.—Also Al′gate. [Lit. alle gate, every way. See Gate.]
English · e-37683-679Algebra
Algebra, al′je-bra, n. a method of calculating by symbols—by means of letters employed to represent the numbers, and signs to represent their relations, thus forming a kind of universal arithmetic.—adjs. Algebrā′ic, -al,
English · e-37683-680Algerine
Algerine, al′je-rēn, adj. of or belonging to Algeria in Northern Africa.—n. a native of Algeria: a pirate.
English · e-37683-681 · brief source recordAlgorism
Algorism, al′go-rizm, n. the Arabic system of numeration: arithmetic.—Also Al′gorithm [Through O. Fr. and Late L. from Ar. al-khowārazmī, the native of Khwārazm, the mathematician Abu Ja'far Mohammed Ben Musa (9th centur
English · e-37683-682Algous
Algous, al′gus, adj. relating to or like the algæ or seaweeds.
English · e-37683-683 · brief source recordAlguazil
Alguazil, al-gwaz′il, n. in Spain, a warrant officer or sergeant. [Sp.—Ar. al-wazīr. See Vizier.]
English · e-37683-684 · brief source recordAlgum
Algum, al′gum. Same as Almug.
English · e-37683-685 · brief source recordAlhambresque
Alhambresque, al-ham′bresk, adj. after the style of the rich ornamentation of the Alhambra, a palace of the Moorish kings of Granada in Spain.
English · e-37683-686Alias
Alias, ā′li-as, adv. otherwise.—n. an assumed name:—pl. A′liases. [L. alias, at another time, otherwise—alius, Gr. allos, other.]
English · e-37683-687Alibi
Alibi, al′i-bī, n. the plea that a person charged with a crime was elsewhere when it was committed. [L.—alius, other, ibi, there.]
English · e-37683-688Alicant
Alicant, al′i-kant, n. a Spanish wine formerly much esteemed, said to have been made near Alicante in Spain.
English · e-37683-689 · brief source recordAlien
Alien, āl′yen, adj. foreign: different in nature: adverse to.—n. one belonging to another country: one not entitled to the rights of citizenship.—n. Al′ienage, state of being an alien. [L. alienus—alius, other.]
English · e-37683-690Alienate
Alienate, āl′yen-āt, v.t. to transfer a right or title to another: to withdraw the affections: to misapply.—adj. withdrawn: estranged.—n. Alienabil′ity.—adj. Al′ienable, capable of being transferred to another.—ns. Alien
English · e-37683-691Alienist
Alienist, āl′yen-ist, n. one who specially treats mental diseases. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-692 · brief source recordAlife
Alife, a-līf′, adv. (obs.) on my life, as one's life, excessively.
English · e-37683-693 · brief source recordAlight
Alight, a-līt′, v.i. to come down, as from a horse (from): to descend: to land anywhere (upon): to fall upon. [A.S. alíhtan, to come down. See Light, v.]
English · e-37683-694Alight
Alight, a-līt′, adj. on fire: lighted up. [a, on, and Light. See Light, n.]
English · e-37683-695 · brief source recordAlign
Align, a-līn′, v.t. to regulate by a line: to arrange in line, as troops.—n. Align′ment, a laying out by a line: arrangement of soldiers in a line or lines: the ground-plan of a railway or road. [Fr. aligner—L. ad, and l
English · e-37683-696Alike
Alike, a-līk′, adj. like one another: having resemblance.—adv. in the same manner or form: equally: similarly. [A.S. gelíc, anlíc, onlíc. See Like.]
English · e-37683-697Aliment
Aliment, al′i-ment, n. nourishment: food: provision for maintenance, alimony: support.—v.t. to support, sustain: make provision for the maintenance of.—adjs. Aliment′al, supplying food; Aliment′ary, pertaining to aliment
English · e-37683-698Alineation
Alineation. See Allineation.
English · e-37683-699 · brief source recordAliped
Aliped, al′i-ped, adj. wing-footed.—n. an animal whose toes are connected by a membrane serving as a wing, as the bat. [L. alipes—ala, a wing, and pes, pedis, a foot.]
English · e-37683-700Aliquant
Aliquant, al′i-kwant, adj. an aliquant part of a number is one that will not divide it without a remainder, thus 5 is an aliquant part of 12. [L. aliquantum, somewhat, alius, another, and quantus, how great.]
English · e-37683-701Aliquot
Aliquot, al′i-kwot, adj. such a part of a number as will divide it without a remainder. [L. aliquot, some, several—alius, other, quot, how many.]
English · e-37683-702Alisma
Alisma, al-iz′ma, n. a small genus of aquatic plants, the chief being the common water-plantain. [Gr.]
English · e-37683-703 · brief source recordAlive
Alive, a-līv′, adj. in life: susceptible. [Prep. a = on, and A.S. lífe, dat. of líf, life.]
English · e-37683-704 · brief source recordAlizarin
Alizarin, a-liz′a-rēn, n. a colouring matter used in the dyeing of Turkey red, formerly extracted from madder, the commercial name of which in the Levant is alizari. [Fr.; Ar. al, the, and 'açārah, juice pressed out.]
English · e-37683-705Alkahest, Alcahest
Alkahest, Alcahest, al′ka-hest, n. the universal solvent of the alchemists. [A coinage of Paracelsus—on Arabic analogies.]
English · e-37683-706Alkali
Alkali, al′ka-li, or -lī, n. (chem.) a substance which combines with an acid and neutralises it, forming a salt. Potash, soda, and lime are alkalies; they have an acrid taste (that of soap), and turn vegetable blues to g
English · e-37683-707Alkalify
Alkalify, al′ka-li-fī, v.t. to convert into an alkali.—v.i. to become alkaline:—pr.p. al′kalifying; pa.p. al′kalifīed.—adj. Alkalifī′able, capable of being converted into an alkali. [Alkali, and L. facĕre, to make.]
English · e-37683-708Alkaloid
Alkaloid, al′ka-loid, n. a vegetable principle possessing in some degree alkaline properties.—adj. pertaining to or resembling alkali. [Alkali, and Gr. eidos, form or resemblance.]
English · e-37683-709Alkanet
Alkanet, al′ka-net, n. a plant, native of the Levant and Southern Europe, cultivated for its root, which yields a red colouring matter: the dye itself. [Sp. alcaneta.]
English · e-37683-710Alkoran
Alkoran, n. Same as Alcoran.
English · e-37683-711 · brief source recordAll
All, awl, adj. the whole of: every one of: any whatever.—adv. wholly: completely: entirely: (Shak.) only, alone.—n. the whole: everything: the totality of things—the universe.—n. All′-Fath′er, God.—All (obs.), entirely,
English · e-37683-712All-fired
All-fired, awl-fīrd′, adj. (slang) infernal.—adv. excessively. [A softening of hell-fired, U.S.]
English · e-37683-728 · brief source recordAll-fools′-day
All-fools′-day, awl-fōōlz′-dā, n. April first. [From the sportive deceptions practised on that day.]
English · e-37683-729 · brief source recordAll-fours
All-fours, awl-fōrz′, n.pl. (preceded by on) on four legs, or on two hands and two feet: a game at cards played by two, so called from the four particulars by which the reckoning is made—high, low, Jack, and the game: al
English · e-37683-730All-hail
All-hail, awl-hāl′, interj. all health! a phrase of salutation. [See Hail, interj.]
English · e-37683-731 · brief source recordAll-hallow
All-hallow, awl-hal′lō, All-hallows, awl-hal′lōz, n. the day of all the holy ones. See All-saints. [All and Hallow.]
English · e-37683-732 · brief source recordAll-hallow-mass
All-hallow-mass. See Hallow-mass.
English · e-37683-733 · brief source recordAll-hallow-tide
All-hallow-tide, awl-hal′lō-tīd, n. the time near All-hallows-day. [See Hallow and Tide.]
English · e-37683-735 · brief source recordAll-hallown
All-hallown, awl-hal′lōn, n. (Shak.) fine summer weather late in the season—near All-hallows-day.
English · e-37683-734 · brief source recordAll-saints'-day
All-saints'-day, awl-sānts′-dā, n. November 1, a feast of the Church in honour of all the saints collectively. [See All-hallows.]
English · e-37683-756All-souls'-day
All-souls'-day, awl-sōlz′-dā, n. November 2, a feast of the Roman Catholic Church kept in commemoration of all the faithful departed, for the eternal repose of their souls.
English · e-37683-757Allah
Allah, al′la, n. the Arabic name of the one God. [Ar. al-ilâh, 'the worthy to be adored.']
English · e-37683-713 · brief source recordAllantois
Allantois, a-lan′tō-is, n. a membranous sac-like appendage for effecting oxygenation in the embryos of mammals, birds, and reptiles.—adjs. Allantō′ic, Allan′toid. [Gr. allas, a sausage.]
English · e-37683-714Allay
Allay, al-lā′, v.t. to lighten, relieve: to make quiet or calm.—n. Allay′ment (obs.), state of being allayed: state of rest: that which allays. [M. E. forms, aleggen, aleyen (A.S. a-lecgan; lecgan, causal of licgan, to l
English · e-37683-715Allay
Allay, an obsolete form of Alloy.
English · e-37683-716 · brief source recordAlledge
Alledge. Old spelling of Allege.
English · e-37683-717 · brief source recordAllege
Allege, al-lej′, v.t. to produce as an argument or plea: to assert: (B.) to give proofs—n. Allegā′tion, an assertion.—p.adj. Alleged′, cited, quoted. [Through O. Fr. forms from Low L. ex-litigāre, to clear at law. See Al
English · e-37683-718Allegiance
Allegiance, al-lēj′i-ans, n. the duty of a subject to his liege or sovereign.—adj. Allē′giant. [L. ad, to, and Liege.]
English · e-37683-719 · brief source recordAllegory
Allegory, al′le-gor-i, n. a description of one thing under the image of another.—adjs. Allegor′ic, -al, in the form of an allegory: figurative.—adv. Allegor′ically.—v.t. Al′legorise, to put in form of an allegory.—v.i. t
English · e-37683-720Allegro
Allegro, al-lē′grō, adv. and adj. (mus.) a word denoting a brisk movement.—adv. and adj. Allegret′to, somewhat brisk. [It.—L. alacer, brisk.]
English · e-37683-721Alleluia
Alleluia, Alleluiah, al-le-lōō′ya. Same as Halleluiah.
English · e-37683-722 · brief source recordAllemande
Allemande, al′le-mand, n. a name given to various Germain dances: (mus.) the first movement after the prelude in a suite. [Fr. Allemande, German.]
English · e-37683-723Allenarly
Allenarly, al-len′ar-li, adv. solely, only—obsolete save only in Scotch conveyancing. [All, and anerly, formed from ane, one.]
English · e-37683-724Alleviate
Alleviate, al-lēv′i-āt, v.t. to make light: to mitigate.—ns. Alleviā′tion; Allev′iātor. [L. ad, levis, light.]
English · e-37683-725 · brief source recordAlley
Alley, al′li, n. a walk in a garden or shrubbery: a passage in a city narrower than a street: a long narrow enclosure for playing at bowls or skittles:—pl. All′eys. [O. Fr. alee (Fr. allée), a passage, from aller, to go,
English · e-37683-726Alley
Alley, Ally, al′li, n. a name given by boys to a choice taw or large marble. [Contraction of alabaster, of which it was originally made.]
English · e-37683-727Allheal
Allheal, awl-hēl′, n. (obs.) a balsam for all wounds, a panacea—applied to various plants, as the mistletoe, the great valerian, &c.
English · e-37683-736Alliaceous
Alliaceous, al-li-ā′shus, adj. pertaining to, or having the properties of allium or garlic. [L. allium, garlic.]
English · e-37683-737 · brief source recordAlliance
Alliance, al-lī′ans, n. state of being allied: union by marriage or treaty. [See Ally.]
English · e-37683-738 · brief source recordAlligation
Alligation, al-li-gā′shun, n. (arith.) a rule for finding the price of a compound of ingredients of different values. [L. alligatio, a binding together—ad, to, and ligāre, to bind.]
English · e-37683-739Alligator
Alligator, al′li-gā-tur, n. an animal of the crocodile genus, found in America. [Sp. el lagarto—L. lacerta, a lizard.]
English · e-37683-740 · brief source recordAllineation
Allineation, Alineation, al-lin-e-ā′shun, n. the position of two or more bodies in a straight line with a given point.
English · e-37683-741 · brief source recordAllision
Allision, al-lizh′un, n. a striking against. [L. allisio, from allidĕre—ad, and lædĕre, to hurt.]
English · e-37683-742 · brief source recordAlliteration
Alliteration, al-lit-ėr-ā′shun, n. the recurrence of the same letter at the beginning of two or more words following close to each other, as in Churchill's 'apt alliteration's artful aid:' the recurrence of the same init
English · e-37683-743Allocate
Allocate, al′lo-kāt, v.t. to place: to assign to each his share.—n. Allocā′tion, act of allocating: allotment: an allowance made upon an account. [L. allocāre, ad, to, and locāre, locus, a place.]
English · e-37683-744Allocution
Allocution, al-lo-kū′shun, n. a formal address, esp. of the Pope to his clergy. [L. allocutionem—ad, to, and loqui, locutus, to speak.]
English · e-37683-745Allodial
Allodial, al-lō′di-al, adj. held independent of a superior: freehold—opp. to Feudal.
English · e-37683-746 · brief source recordAllodium
Allodium, al-lō′di-um, n. freehold estate: land held in the possession of the owner without being subject to a feudal superior.—Also Allod, Alod. [Low L. allōdium—Ger. alôd, allôd.]
English · e-37683-747Allograph
Allograph, al′lō-graf, n. a writing made by one person on behalf of another. [Gr. allos, other, graphē, writing.]
English · e-37683-748 · brief source recordAllopathy
Allopathy, al-lop′a-thi, n. a name given by homeopathists to the current or orthodox medical practice, to distinguish it from their own Homeopathy.—adj. Allopath′ic—ns. Allop′athist, Allopath. [Coined by Hahnemann (1755-
English · e-37683-749Allophylian
Allophylian, al-lō-fīl′i-an, adj. of another race, alien—applied by Prichard (1786-1848) to the Turanian or non-Aryan and non-Semitic languages of Europe and Asia.—n. Allophyle′. [L.—Gr. allophȳlos, of another tribe; all
English · e-37683-750Allot
Allot, al-lot′, v.t. to divide as by lot: to distribute in portions: to parcel out:—pr.p. allot′ting; pa.p. allot′ted.—n. Allot′ment, the act of allotting: part or share allotted: a portion of a field assigned to a cotta
English · e-37683-751Allotropy
Allotropy, al-lot′ro-pi, n. the property in some elements, as carbon, of existing in more than one form.—adj. Allot′ropic. [Gr.; allos, another, and tropos, form.]
English · e-37683-752Alloverishness
Alloverishness, awl-ō′vėr-ish-nes, n. a general sense of indisposition over the whole body, a feeling of discomfort, malaise.—adj. Allō′verish.
English · e-37683-753Allow
Allow, al-low′, v.t. to grant: to permit: to acknowledge: to abate: make allowance for: (obs.) invest, entrust: assert, say (coll. in U.S.).—adj. Allow′able, that may be allowed: not forbidden: lawful.—n. Allow′ableness.
English · e-37683-754Alloy
Alloy, al-loi′, v.t. to mix one metal with another: to reduce the purity of a metal by mixing a baser one with it: (fig.) to debase: to temper or qualify.—n. a mixture of two or more metals (when mercury is one of the in
English · e-37683-755Allspice
Allspice, awl′spīs, n. a name given to a kind of spice called Pimenta or Jamaica pepper, from its being supposed to combine the flavour of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. [All and Spice.]
English · e-37683-758Allude
Allude, al-lūd′, v.i. to mention slightly, or convey an indirect reference to, in passing: to refer to.—n. Allū′sion, an indirect reference.—adj. Allus′ive, alluding to: hinting at: referring to indirectly.—adv. Allus′iv
English · e-37683-759Allumette
Allumette, al-ū-mėt′, n. a match for lighting. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-760 · brief source recordAllure
Allure, al-lūr′, v.t. to draw on as by a lure or bait: to entice.—n. Allure′ment.—adj. Allur′ing, enticing: seductive: charming.—adv. Allur′ingly. [O. Fr. alurer—à, to, lurer, to Lure.]
English · e-37683-761Alluvion
Alluvion, al-lū′vi-un, n. land gained from the sea by the washing up of sand and earth. [L. alluvio—alluĕre. See Alluvium.]
English · e-37683-762Alluvium
Alluvium, al-lū′vi-um, n. the mass of water-borne matter deposited by rivers on lower lands:—pl. Allū′via.—adj. Allū′vial. [L.—alluĕre, to wash to or on—ad, and luĕre = lavāre, to wash.]
English · e-37683-763Ally
Ally, al-lī′, v.t. to form a relation by marriage, friendship, treaty, or resemblance.—pa.p. and adj. Allied′.—n. Ally (al-lī′, or al′lī), a confederate: a prince or state united by treaty or league:—pl. Allīes′, or Al′l
English · e-37683-764Alma
Alma, Almah, al′ma, n. an Egyptian dancing-girl.—Also Alme, Almeh. [Ar. ‛almah, learned, ‛alamah, to know.]
English · e-37683-765 · brief source recordAlmacantar
Almacantar, al-mak-an′tar, n. a name for circles of altitude parallel to the horizon, and hence for an astronomical instrument for determining time and latitude. [Ar. almuqantarāt, qantarah, an arch.]
English · e-37683-766Almagest
Almagest, al′ma-jest, n. a collection of problems in geometry and astronomy, drawn up by the Egyptian astronomer Ptolemy (about 140 A.D.), so named by the Arabs as the greatest and largest on the subject. [Ar. al, the, a
English · e-37683-767Almain
Almain, al′mān, n. (obs.) an inhabitant of Germany: a kind of dance music in slow time. [Fr. Allemand—Allemanni, an ancient German tribe.]
English · e-37683-768Almanac
Almanac, al′ma-nak, n. a register of the days, weeks, and months of the year, &c.—n. Almanog′rapher, an almanac-maker. [Most prob. the original of the word as in Fr., It., and Sp. was a Spanish-Arabic al-manākh. Eusebius
English · e-37683-769Almandine
Almandine, al′man-dīn, n. a red transparent variety of the garnet.—Also Al′mandin. [Earlier Alabandine—Low L. alabandina—Alabanda, a town in Caria, a province of Asia Minor, where it was found.]
English · e-37683-770Almighty
Almighty, awl-mīt′i, adj. possessing all might or power: omnipotent: very powerful generally: (slang) mighty, great.—Older form Almight′.—adv. Almight′ily.—ns. Almight′iness, Almight′yship.—The Almighty, God; The almight
English · e-37683-771Almner
Almner, an old spelling of Almoner.
English · e-37683-772 · brief source recordAlmond
Almond, ä′mund, n. the fruit of the almond-tree.—n.pl. Almonds (ä′mundz), the tonsils or glands of the throat, so called from their resemblance to the fruit of the almond-tree. [O. Fr. almande (Fr. amande)—L. amygdalum—G
English · e-37683-773Almoner
Almoner, al′mun-ėr, n. a distributer of alms.—n. Al′monry, the place where alms are distributed. [O. Fr. aumoner, aumonier (Fr. aumônier)—Low L. eleemosynarius (adj.). See Alms.]
English · e-37683-774Almost
Almost, awl′mōst, adv. nearly, all but, very nearly. [All and Most.]
English · e-37683-775 · brief source recordAlmry
Almry, äm′ri, n. Same as Almonry.
English · e-37683-776 · brief source recordAlms
Alms, ämz, n. relief given out of pity to the poor.—ns. Alms′-deed, a charitable deed; Alms′-drink (Shak.), leavings of drink; Alms′-fee, an annual tax of one penny on every hearth, formerly sent from England to Rome, Pe
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