El Dorado
El Dorado, el dō-rä′dō, the golden land of imagination of the Spanish conquerors of America: any place where wealth is easily to be made. [Sp. el, the, dorado, pa.p. of dorar, to gild.]
English · e-38538-196Historical source · 1908
Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 46
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.
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 46 of 179Elaborate
Elaborate, e-lab′or-āt, v.t. to labour on: to produce with labour: to take pains with: to improve by successive operations.—adj. wrought with labour: done with fullness and exactness: highly finished.—adv. Elab′orately.—
English · e-38538-182Élan
Élan, ā-long′, n. impetuosity, dash. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-183 · brief source recordElance
Elance, e-lans′, v.t. to throw out, as a lance. [Fr. élancer.]
English · e-38538-184 · brief source recordEland
Eland, ē′land, n. the South African antelope, resembling the elk in having a protuberance on the larynx. [Dut.; Ger. elend, the elk—Lith. élnis, the elk.]
English · e-38538-185Elapse
Elapse, e-laps′, v.i. to slip or glide away: to pass silently, as time.—n. Elap′sion. [L. elapsus, elabi—e, out, away, labi, lapsus, to slide.]
English · e-38538-186Elasmobranchiate
Elasmobranchiate, e-las-mo-brang′ki-āt, adj. pertaining to a class, subclass, or order of fishes including sharks and skates, having lamellar branchiæ or plate-like gills.
English · e-38538-187Elastic
Elastic, e-las′tik, adj. having a tendency to recover the original form: springy: able to recover quickly a former state or condition after a shock: flexible: yielding.—n. a piece of string, cord, &c. made elastic by hav
English · e-38538-188Elate
Elate, e-lāt′, adj. lifted up: puffed up with success: exalted.—v.t. to raise or exalt: to elevate: to make proud.—adv. Elat′edly.—ns. Elat′edness; El′ater, an elastic filament in certain liverworts and scale-mosses: a s
English · e-38538-189Elbow
Elbow, el′bō, n. the joint where the arm bows or bends: any sharp turn or bend.—v.t. to push with the elbow: to jostle.—ns. El′bow-chair, an arm-chair; El′bow-grease, humorously applied to vigorous rubbing; El′bow-room,
English · e-38538-190Elchee
Elchee, elt′shi, n. an ambassador.—Also El′chi, Elt′chi. [Turk.]
English · e-38538-191 · brief source recordEld
Eld, eld, n. old age, senility: former times, antiquity.
English · e-38538-192 · brief source recordElder
Elder, eld′ėr, n. a genus of plants consisting chiefly of shrubs and trees, with pinnate leaves, small flowers (of which the corolla is wheel-shaped and five-cleft), and three-seeded berries—the Common Elder is the Scotc
English · e-38538-193Elder
Elder, eld′ėr, adj. older: having lived a longer time: prior in origin.—n. one who is older: an ancestor: one advanced to office on account of age: one of a class of office-bearers in the Presbyterian Church—equivalent t
English · e-38538-194Elding
Elding, el′ding, n. (prov.) fuel. [Ice.,—eldr, fire.]
English · e-38538-195 · brief source recordEldritch
Eldritch, el′drich, adj. (Scot.) weird, hideous. [Der. obscure: perh. conn. with elf.]
English · e-38538-197 · brief source recordEleatic
Eleatic, el-e-at′ik, adj. noting a school of philosophers, specially connected with Elea, a Greek city of Lower Italy, and including Zenophanes, Parmenides, and Zeno.—n. one belonging to this school.
English · e-38538-198Elecampane
Elecampane, el′e-kam-pān′, n. a composite plant allied to Aster, formerly much cultivated for its medicinal root. [Formed from Low L. enula campana.]
English · e-38538-199Elect
Elect, e-lekt′, v.t. to choose out: to select for any office or purpose: to select by vote.—adj. chosen: taken by preference from among others: chosen for an office but not yet in it (almost always after the noun, as 'co
English · e-38538-200Electric
Electric, e-lek′trik, adj. pertaining to or produced by electricity.—n. any electric substance: a non-conductor of electricity, as amber, glass, &c.—adj. Elec′trical.—adv. Elec′trically.—ns. Elec′tric-eel (see Gymnotus);
English · e-38538-201Electro-biology
Electro-biology, e-lek′tro-bī-ol′o-ji, n. the science which treats of the electricity developed in living organisms: that view of animal magnetism according to which the actions, feelings, &c. of a person are controlled
English · e-38538-202Electron
Electron. See page 1208.
English · e-38538-204 · brief source recordElectron
Electron, ē-lek′tron, n. a particle or corpuscle vastly more minute than anything heretofore contemplated by science—in mass about a thousandth part of that of a hydrogen atom; and identified with the charge of negative
English · e-38700-10032Electuary
Electuary, e-lek′tū-ar-i, n. a composition of medicinal powders with honey or sugar. [Low L. electuarium—Gr. ekleikton—ekleichein, to lick up.]
English · e-38538-203Eleemosynary
Eleemosynary, el-e-mos′i-nar-i, adj. relating to charity or almsgiving: dependent on charity: given in charity. [Gr. eleēmosynē, compassionateness, alms—eleos, pity. See Alms.]
English · e-38538-205Elegant
Elegant, el′e-gant, adj. pleasing to good taste: graceful: neat: refined: nice: richly ornamental.—ns. El′egance, El′egancy, the state or quality of being elegant: the beauty of propriety: refinement: that which is elega
English · e-38538-206Elegy
Elegy, el′e-ji, n. a song of mourning: a funeral-song: a poem written in elegiac metre.—adj. Elegī′ac, belonging to elegy: mournful: used in elegies, esp. noting the kind of metre, alternate hexameter and pentameter line
English · e-38538-207Element
Element, el′e-ment, n. a first principle: one of the essential parts of anything: an ingredient: the proper state or sphere of any thing or being: (pl.) the rudiments of learning: the bread and wine used in the Eucharist
English · e-38538-208Elemi
Elemi, el′em-i, n. a fragrant resinous substance, obtained from the Manila pitch-tree, Arbol de la Brea.—n. El′emin, the crystallisable portion of elemi. [Cf. Fr. élémi, Sp. elemi; perh. Ar.]
English · e-38538-209Elench
Elench, e-lengk′, Elenchus, e-lengk′us, n. refutation: a sophism.—adjs. Elench′ic, -al, Elenc′tic. [L.,—Gr. elengchos—elengchein, to refute.]
English · e-38538-210Elephant
Elephant, el′e-fant, n. the largest quadruped, having a very thick skin, a trunk, and two ivory tusks: a special size of paper.—ns. Elephan′tiac, one affected with elephantiasis; Elephantī′asis, a disease chiefly of trop
English · e-38538-211Eleusinian
Eleusinian, el-ū-sin′i-an, adj. relating to Eleusis in Attica.—Eleusinian mysteries, the mysteries of Demeter celebrated at Eleusis.
English · e-38538-212Eleutherian
Eleutherian, el-ū-thē′ri-an, adj. bountiful.
English · e-38538-213 · brief source recordEleutheromania
Eleutheromania, el-ūth-er-o-mā′ni-a, n. mad zeal for freedom.—n. Eleutheromā′niac (Carlyle), one possessed with such. [Formed from Gr. eleutheros, free, and mania.]
English · e-38538-214Elevate
Elevate, el′e-vāt, v.t. to raise to a higher position: to raise in mind and feelings: to improve: to cheer: to exhilarate: to intoxicate.—p.adjs. El′evate, -d, raised: dignified: exhilarated.—ns. Elevā′tion, the act of e
English · e-38538-215Elève
Elève, ā-lev′, n. a pupil. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-216 · brief source recordEleven
Eleven, e-lev′n, n. the cardinal number next above ten: the figure (11 or xi.) denoting eleven: a team of eleven cricketers.—adj. noting the number eleven.—adj. and n. Elev′enth, the ordinal number corresponding to eleve
English · e-38538-217Elf
Elf, elf, n. in European folklore, a supernatural being, generally of human form but diminutive size, more malignant than a fairy: a dwarf: a tricky being:—(pl.) Elves.—v.t. (Shak.) of the hair, to entangle.—n. Elf′-chil
English · e-38538-218Elgin marbles
Elgin marbles. See Marble.
English · e-38538-219 · brief source recordElicit
Elicit, e-lis′it, v.t. to entice: to bring to light: to deduce.—n. Elicitā′tion. [L. elicĕre, elicitum.]
English · e-38538-220 · brief source recordElide
Elide, e-līd′, v.t. to rebut: to cut off, as a syllable.—n. Eli′sion, the suppression of a vowel or syllable. [L. elidĕre, elisum—e, out, lædĕre, to strike.]
English · e-38538-221Eligible
Eligible, el′i-ji-bl, adj. fit or worthy to be chosen: legally qualified: desirable.—n. (coll.) a person or thing eligible.—ns. El′igibleness, Eligibil′ity, fitness to be elected or chosen: the state of being preferable
English · e-38538-222Eliminate
Eliminate, ē-lim′in-āt, v.t. to thrust out: to remove, cancel: to leave out of consideration.—adj. Elim′inable.—n. Eliminā′tion. [L. eliminăre, -ātum—e, out, limen, liminis, a threshold.]
English · e-38538-223Eliquation
Eliquation, same as Liquation. See Liquate.
English · e-38538-224 · brief source recordElision
Elision. See Elide.
English · e-38538-225 · brief source recordElite
Elite, ā-lēt, n. a chosen or select part: the best of anything. [Fr. élite—L. electa (pars, a part, understood). See Elect, v.t.]
English · e-38538-226Elixir
Elixir, e-liks′ėr, n. more fully, Elixir vitæ, or Elixir of life, a liquor once supposed to have the power of indefinitely prolonging life or of transmuting metals: the quintessence of anything: a substance which invigor
English · e-38538-227Elizabethan
Elizabethan, e-liz-a-beth′an, adj. pertaining to Queen Elizabeth (1533-1603) or her time—of dress, manners, literature, &c.—n. a poet or dramatist of that age.—Elizabethan architecture, a name applied to the mixed style
English · e-38538-228Elk
Elk, elk, n. the largest species of deer, found in the north of Europe and in North America.—Irish elk, a giant deer now extinct, known from the remains found in the Pleistocene diluvium, esp. of Ireland. [Perh. from the
English · e-38538-229Ell
Ell, el, n. a measure of length originally taken from the arm: a cloth measure equal to 1¼ yd.—n. Ell′wand, a measuring rod.—Give him an inch and he'll take an ell, a proverb, signifying that to yield one point entails t
English · e-38538-230Ellagic
Ellagic, e-laj′ik, adj. pertaining to gall-nuts.
English · e-38538-231 · brief source recordElleborin
Elleborin, el′ē-bō-rin, n. a very acrid resin found in winter hellebore.
English · e-38538-232 · brief source recordEllipse
Ellipse, el-lips′, n. an oval: (geom.) a figure produced by the section of a cone by a plane passing obliquely through the opposite sides.—ns. Ellip′sis (gram.), a figure of syntax by which a word or words are left out a
English · e-38538-233Ellops
Ellops, el′ops, n. a kind of serpent or fish. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-234 · brief source recordElm
Elm, elm, n. a genus of trees of the natural order Ulmaceæ, with serrated leaves unequal at the base, and small flowers growing in clusters appearing before the leaves.—adjs. Elm′en, made of elm; Elm′y, abounding with el
English · e-38538-235Elmo's fire
Elmo's fire, el′mōz fīr, n. the popular name of an electric appearance sometimes seen like a brush or star of light at the tops of masts, spars, &c.—Also known as the Fire of St Elias, of St Clara, of St Nicholas, and of
English · e-38538-236Elocution
Elocution, el-o-kū′shun, n. the art of effective speaking, more esp. of public speaking, regarding solely the utterance or delivery: eloquence.—adj. Elocū′tionary.—n. Elocū′tionist, one versed in elocution: a teacher of
English · e-38538-237Éloge
Éloge, ā-lōzh′, Elogium, ē-lō′ji-um, Elogy, el′o-ji, n. a funeral oration: a panegyric.—n. El′ogist, one who delivers an éloge. [Fr. éloge—L. elogium, a short statement, an inscription on a tomb, perh. confused with eulo
English · e-38538-238Elohim
Elohim, e-lō′him, n. the Hebrew name for God.—n. Elō′hist, the writer or writers of the Elohistic passages of the Old Testament.—adj. Elohist′ic, relating to Elohim—said of those passages in the Old Testament in which El
English · e-38538-239Eloin
Eloin, Eloign, e-loin′, v.t. to convey to a distance, to separate and remove.—ns. Eloin′ment, Eloign′ment. [O. Fr. esloignier (Fr. éloigner)—Low L. elongāre. See Elongate.]
English · e-38538-240Elongate
Elongate, e-long′gāt, v.t. to make longer: to extend.—p.adjs. Elong′ate, -d.—n. Elongā′tion, act of lengthening out: distance. [Low L. elongāre, -ātum—e, out, longus, long.]
English · e-38538-241Elope
Elope, e-lōp, v.i. to escape privately, said esp. of a woman, either married or unmarried, who runs away with a lover: to run away, bolt.—n. Elope′ment, a secret departure, esp. of a woman with a man. [Cf. Old Dut. ontlō
English · e-38538-242Eloquent
Eloquent, el′o-kwent, adj. having the power of speaking with fluency, elegance, and force: containing eloquence: persuasive.—n. El′oquence, the utterance of strong emotion in correct, appropriate, expressive, and fluent
English · e-38538-243Else
Else, els, pron. other.—adv. otherwise: besides: except that mentioned.—advs. Else′where, in or to another place; Else′wise, in a different manner: otherwise. [A.S. elles, otherwise—orig. gen. of el, other; cf. Old High
English · e-38538-244Elsin
Elsin, el′sin, n. (Scot.) an awl. [From Old Dut. elssene (mod. els), from same root as awl.]
English · e-38538-245 · brief source recordEltchi
Eltchi. Same as Elchee.
English · e-38538-246 · brief source recordElucidate
Elucidate, e-lū′si-dāt, v.t. to make lucid or clear: to throw light upon: to illustrate.—n. Elucidā′tion.—adjs. Elū′cidative, Elū′cidatory, making clear: explanatory.—n. Elū′cidator. [Low L. elucidāre, -ātum—e, inten., l
English · e-38538-247Elucubration
Elucubration. Same as Lucubration.
English · e-38538-248 · brief source recordElude
Elude, e-lūd′, v.t. to escape by stratagem: to baffle.—adj. Elū′dible.—n. Elū′sion, act of eluding: evasion.—adj. Elū′sive, practising elusion: deceptive.—adv. Elū′sively.—n. Elū′soriness.—adj. Elū′sory, tending to elude
English · e-38538-249Elul
Elul, ē′lul, n. the 12th month of the Jewish civil year, and 6th of the ecclesiastical. [Heb.,—âlal, to reap.]
English · e-38538-250 · brief source recordElutriate
Elutriate, e-lū′tri-āt, v.t. to separate by means of water the finer particles of earth and pigments from the heavier portions.—ns. Elū′tion, washing from impurity; Elutriā′tion. [L. elutriāre, -ātum, to wash out, eluĕre
English · e-38538-251Elvan
Elvan, elv′an, n. the miner's name in the south-west of England for a granular crystalline rock, composed of quartz and orthoclase, which forms veins associated with granite.—Also Elv′anite. [Prob. Corn. elven, spark.]
English · e-38538-252Elvan
Elvan, Elves, Elvish. See under Elf.
English · e-38538-253 · brief source recordElysium
Elysium, e-lizh′i-um, n. (myth.) among the Greeks, the abode of the blessed after death: any delightful place.—adj. Elys′ian, pertaining to Elysium: delightful: glorious. [L.,—Gr. ēlysion (pedion), the Elysian (plain).]
English · e-38538-254Elytrum
Elytrum, el′it-rum, n. the fore-wing of beetles, modified to form more or less hard coverings for the hind pair—also El′ytron:—pl. El′ytra.—adjs. El′ytral; Elyt′riform; Elytrig′erous. [Gr. elytron, a sheath.]
English · e-38538-255Elzevir
Elzevir, el′ze-vir, adj. published by the Elzevirs, a celebrated family of printers at Amsterdam, Leyden, and other places in Holland, whose small neat editions were chiefly published between 1592 and 1681: pertaining to
English · e-38538-256Em
Em, em, n. the name of the letter M: (print.) the unit of measurement in estimating how much is printed on a page.
English · e-38538-257 · brief source recordEmaciate
Emaciate, e-mā′shi-āt, v.t. to make meagre or lean: to deprive of flesh: to waste.—v.i. to become lean: to waste away.—p.adjs. Emā′ciate, -d.—n. Emaciā′tion, the condition of becoming emaciated or lean: leanness. [L. ema
English · e-38538-259Emanate
Emanate, em′a-nāt, v.i. to flow out or from: to proceed from some source: to arise.—adj. Em′anant, flowing from.—ns. Emanā′tion, a flowing out from a source, as the universe considered as issuing from the essence of God:
English · e-38538-260Emancipate
Emancipate, e-man′si-pāt, v.t. to set free from servitude: to free from restraint or bondage of any kind.—ns. Emancipā′tion, the act of setting free from bondage or disability of any kind: the state of being set free; Em
English · e-38538-261Emarginate
Emarginate, e-mär′jin-āt, v.t. to take away the margin of.—p.adj. (bot.) depressed and notched instead of pointed at the summit, as a leaf: (min.) having all the edges of the primitive form crossed by a face: (zool.) hav
English · e-38538-262Emasculate
Emasculate, e-mas′kū-lāt, v.t. to deprive of the properties of a male: to castrate: to deprive of masculine vigour: to render effeminate.—ns. Emasculā′tion; Emas′culātor.—adj. Emas′culātory. [Low L. emasculāre, -ātum—e,
English · e-38538-263Embace
Embace, em-bās′, v.t. (Spens.). Same as Embase.
English · e-38538-264 · brief source recordEmbale
Embale, em-bāl′, v.t. to make up, as into a bale: to bind up: to enclose. [Fr. emballer—em—L. in, balle, a bale.]
English · e-38538-265 · brief source recordEmball
Emball, em-bawl′, v.t. to encircle: ensphere.—n. Emball′ing.
English · e-38538-266 · brief source recordEmbalm
Embalm, em-bäm′, v.t. to preserve from decay by aromatic drugs, as a dead body: to perfume: to preserve with care and affection.—ns. Embalm′er; Embalm′ing; Embalm′ment. [Fr. embaumer, from em, in, and baume. See Balm.]
English · e-38538-267Embank
Embank, em-bangk′, v.t. to enclose or defend with a bank or dike.—n. Embank′ment, the act of embanking: a bank or mound made to keep water within certain limits: a mound constructed so as to carry a level road or railway
English · e-38538-268Embar
Embar, em-bär′, v.t. to shut in; to hinder or stop:—pr.p. embar′ring; pa.p. embarred′.—n. Embar′ring.
English · e-38538-269 · brief source recordEmbarcation
Embarcation. Same as Embarkation.
English · e-38538-270 · brief source recordEmbargo
Embargo, em-bär′gō, n. a temporary order from the Admiralty to prevent the arrival or departure of ships: a stoppage of trade for a short time by authority:—pl. Embar′goes.—v.t. to lay an embargo on: to seize.—pr.p. emba
English · e-38538-271Embark
Embark, em-bärk′, v.t. to put on board ship: to engage in any affair.—v.i. to go on board ship: to engage in a business: to enlist.—n. Embarkā′tion, a putting or going on board: that which is embarked: (obs.) a vessel.—p
English · e-38538-272Embarrass
Embarrass, em-bar′as, v.t. to encumber: to involve in difficulty, esp. in money matters: to perplex.—p.adj. Embarr′assed, perplexed: constrained.—n. Embarr′assment, perplexity or confusion: difficulties in money matters.
English · e-38538-273Embase
Embase, em-bāz′, v.t. (obs.) to bring down: to degrade.—p.adj. Embased′.—n. Embase′ment. [Em and base.]
English · e-38538-274 · brief source recordEmbassy
Embassy, em′bas-i, n. the charge or function of an ambassador: the person or persons sent on an undertaking.—ns. Em′bassade, Em′bassage (same as Ambassage); Embass′ador (same as Ambassador).
English · e-38538-275Embathe
Embathe, em-bāth′ v.t. to bathe.
English · e-38538-276 · brief source recordEmbattle
Embattle, em-bat′l, v.t. to furnish with battlements.—p.adj. Embatt′led, furnished with battlements: (her.) having the outline like a battlement.—n. Embatt′lement (same as Battlement). [Em, and O. Fr. bastiller, from the
English · e-38538-277Embattle
Embattle, em-bat′l, v.t. to range in order of battle: to arm—p.adj. Embatt′led, arranged for battle. [O. Fr. embataillier—en, in, bataille, battle.]
English · e-38538-278Embay
Embay, em-bā′, v.t. to enclose in a bay: to land-lock.—n. Embay′ment, a bay. [Em, in, into, and bay.]
English · e-38538-279 · brief source recordEmbay
Embay, em-bā′, v.t. (Spens.) to bathe. [Em, in, and Fr. baigner. See Bagnio.]
English · e-38538-280 · brief source recordEmbed
Embed, em-bed′, Imbed, im-, v.t. to place in a mass of matter: to lay, as in a bed.—n. Embed′ment, the act of embedding: state of being embedded.
English · e-38538-281Embellish
Embellish, em-bel′ish, v.t. to make beautiful with ornaments: to decorate: to make graceful: to illustrate pictorially, as a book.—n. Embell′isher.—adv. Embell′ishingly.—n. Embell′ishment, act of embellishing or adorning
English · e-38538-282Ember
Ember, em′bėr, n. a live piece of coal or wood: chiefly in pl. red-hot ashes: smouldering remains of a fire. [A.S. ǽmerge; Ice. eimyrja. The b is simply euphonic.]
English · e-38538-283Ember-days
Ember-days, em′bėr-dāz, n.pl. the three Fast-days in each quarter (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday)—following the first Sunday in Lent, Whitsunday, Holy Cross Day (Sept. 14th), and St Lucia's Day (Dec. 13th).—n. Em′ber-week,
English · e-38538-284Ember-goose
Ember-goose, em′bėr-gōōs, n. a kind of sea-fowl, the Great Northern Diver. [Norw. emmer; Ger. imber.]
English · e-38538-285 · brief source recordEmbezzle
Embezzle, em-bez′l, v.t. to appropriate fraudulently what has been entrusted.—ns. Embezz′lement, fraudulent appropriation of another's property by the person to whom it was entrusted; Embezz′ler. [Perh. from root of imbe
English · e-38538-286Embitter
Embitter, em-bit′ėr, Imbitter, im-, v.t. to make bitter: to increase (ill-feeling).—p.adj. Embitt′ered, soured.—n. Embitt′erer.—p.adj. Embitt′ering.—n. Embitt′erment.
English · e-38538-287Emblazon
Emblazon, em-blā′zn, v.t. to deck in blazing colours: (her.) to blazon or adorn with figures: to depict heraldically.—v.t. Emblaze′, to illuminate.—ns. Emblā′zoner; Emblā′zonment, an emblazoning; Emblā′zonry, the art of
English · e-38538-288Emblem
Emblem, em′blem, n. a picture representing to the mind something different from itself: a type or symbol: (Milton) an inlaid ornament.—v.t. to symbolise.—n. Emblē′ma, an inlaid ornament:—pl. Emblē′mata.—adjs. Emblemat′ic
English · e-38538-289Emblements
Emblements, em′bl-ments, n.pl. crops raised by the labour of the cultivator, but not fruits nor grass. [O. Fr. emblaer, to sow with corn—Low L. imbladāre—in, in, bladum, wheat.]
English · e-38538-290Embloom
Embloom, em-blōōm′, v.t. to cover with bloom.
English · e-38538-291 · brief source recordEmblossom
Emblossom, em-blos′om, v.t. to cover with blossom.
English · e-38538-292 · brief source recordEmbody
Embody, em-bod′i, Imbody, im-, v.t. to form into a body: to make corporeal: to make tangible: to express (an idea in words): to organise.—v.i. to unite in a body or mass.—p.adj. Embod′ied.—n. Embod′iment, act of embodyin
English · e-38538-293Embogue
Embogue, em-bōg′, v.i. to discharge itself.
English · e-38538-294 · brief source recordEmboil
Emboil, em-boil′, v.i. (Spens.) to burn with anger.—v.t. to cause to burn with anger: to irritate.
English · e-38538-295 · brief source recordEmbolden
Embolden, em-bōld′n, Imbolden, im-, v.t. to make bold or courageous. [Em, to make, and bold.]
English · e-38538-296 · brief source recordEmbolism
Embolism, em′bo-lizm, n. the insertion of days in an account of time to produce regularity: an intercalated prayer for deliverance from evil coming after the Lord's Prayer: (med.) the presence of obstructing clots in the
English · e-38538-297Embonpoint
Embonpoint, ang-bong-pwang′, adj. stout, plump, full in figure, mostly of women: well-fed.—n. stoutness, plumpness, well-fed condition. [Fr.,—en bon point, in good form.]
English · e-38538-298Emborder
Emborder, em-bord′ėr, v.t. (Milton) to border.
English · e-38538-299 · brief source recordEmboscata
Emboscata, em-bos-kā′ta, n. an erroneous form of It. imboscáta, an ambuscade.
English · e-38538-300 · brief source recordEmbosom
Embosom, em-booz′um, Imbosom, im-, v.t. to take into the bosom: to receive into the affections: to enclose or surround. [Em, in, into, and bosom.]
English · e-38538-301Emboss
Emboss, em-bos′, v.t. to produce (a raised pattern) by pressure upon sheet-metal, leather, cloth, &c.: to ornament with raised-work: (Spens.) to cover with armour: to be wrapped in.—p.adj. Embossed′, formed or covered wi
English · e-38538-302Emboss
Emboss, em-bos′, v.i. (Milton) to plunge into the depths of a wood.—v.t. to make to foam at the mouth. [O. Fr. embosquer, em—L. in, in, bosc, a wood. See Ambush.]
English · e-38538-303Embouchure
Embouchure, ang-boo-shür′, n. the mouth of a river: the mouth-hole of a wind musical instrument. [Fr.,—em-boucher, to put to the mouth—en, in, bouche, a mouth.]
English · e-38538-304Embound
Embound, em-bownd′, v.t. (Shak.) to bound, enclose.
English · e-38538-305 · brief source recordEmbow
Embow, em-bō′, v.t. and v.i. to bow or arch.—p.adj. Embowed′, arched, vaulted: bent like a bow: the heraldic term noting anything bent like a bow—as, e.g., the arm of a man. [Em and bow.]
English · e-38538-306Embowel
Embowel, em-bow′el, v.t. properly, to enclose in something else; but also used for disembowel, to remove the entrails from:—pr.p. embow′elling; pa.p. embow′elled.—n. Embow′elment. [Em, in, into, and bowel.]
English · e-38538-307Embower
Embower, em-bow′er, Imbower, im-, v.t. to place in a bower: to shelter, as with trees.—p.adjs. Embow′ered; Embow′ering.—n. Embow′erment. [Em, in, and bower.]
English · e-38538-308Embox
Embox, em-boks′, v.t. to set in a box. [Em, in, box.]
English · e-38538-309 · brief source recordEmbrace
Embrace, em-brās′, v.t. to take in the arms: to press to the bosom with affection: to take eagerly or willingly: to comprise: to admit, adopt, or receive.—v.i. to join in an embrace.—n. an embracing: fond pressure in the
English · e-38538-310Embrace
Embrace, em-brās′, v.t. (Spens.) to brace, to fasten, or bind:—pr.p. embrac′ing; pa.p. embraced′. [Em, in, and brace.]
English · e-38538-311 · brief source recordEmbracer
Embracer, em-brā′ser, n. (law) one who influences jurors by corrupt means to deliver a partial verdict—also Embrā′ceor, Embrā′sor.—n. Embrac′ery, the offence of an embracer. [O. Fr. embraceor, from embraser, to set on fi
English · e-38538-312Embraid
Embraid, em-brād′, v.t. (Spens.) to braid.
English · e-38538-313 · brief source recordEmbranchment
Embranchment, em-bransh′ment, n. a branching off, as an arm of a river, a spur of a mountain, &c. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-314 · brief source recordEmbrangle
Embrangle, em-brang′gl, Imbrangle, im-, v.t. to confuse, perplex.—n. Embran′glement. [Em, in, and brangle.]
English · e-38538-315 · brief source recordEmbrasure
Embrasure (Shak.)=Embracement.
English · e-38538-316 · brief source recordEmbrasure
Embrasure, em-brā′zhūr, n. a door or window with the sides slanted on the inside: an opening in a wall for cannon. [Fr.,—O. Fr. embraser, to slope the sides of a window, em—L. in, braser, to skew.]
English · e-38538-317Embrave
Embrave, em-brāv′, v.t. (Spens.) to make brave or showy, to decorate: to inspire with bravery.
English · e-38538-318 · brief source recordEmbread
Embread, v.t. (Spens.) embraid.
English · e-38538-319 · brief source recordEmbreathe
Embreathe, em-brēth′, v.t. to breathe into, to inspire with. [En and breathe.]
English · e-38538-320 · brief source recordEmbrocate
Embrocate, em′brō-kāt, v.t. to moisten and rub, as a sore with a lotion.—n. Embrocā′tion, act of embrocating: the lotion used. [Low L. embrocāre, -ātum, from Gr. embrochē, a lotion—embrechein, to soak in—em (=en), in, in
English · e-38538-321Embroglio
Embroglio=Imbroglio.
English · e-38538-322 · brief source recordEmbroider
Embroider, em-broid′ėr, v.t. to ornament with designs in needlework, originally on the border.—ns. Embroid′erer; Embroid′ery, the art of producing ornamental patterns by means of needlework on textile fabrics, &c.: ornam
English · e-38538-323Embroil
Embroil, em-broil′, v.t. to involve in a broil, or in perplexity (with): to entangle: to distract: to throw into confusion.—n. Embroil′ment, a state of perplexity or confusion: disturbance. [Fr. embrouiller—em, in, broui
English · e-38538-324Embronze
Embronze, em-bronz′, v.t. to form in bronze.
English · e-38538-325 · brief source recordEmbrown
Embrown, em-brown′, Imbrown, im-, v.t. to make brown: to darken, obscure.—p.adj. Embrown′ing.
English · e-38538-326 · brief source recordEmbrue
Embrue, em-brōō′, v.t. Same as Imbrue.
English · e-38538-327 · brief source recordEmbryo
Embryo, em′bri-ō, Embryon, em′bri-on, n. the young of an animal in its earliest stages of development: the part of a seed which forms the future plant: the beginning of anything:—pl. Em′bryos, Em′bryons.—ns. Embryoc′tomy
English · e-38538-328Eme
Eme, ēm, n. (obs.) an uncle. [A.S. éam; Dut. oom.]
English · e-38538-329 · brief source recordEmend
Emend, e-mend′, v.t. to remove faults or blemishes from: to correct or improve.—adj. Emend′able, that may be emended.—n.pl. Emend′als, funds set apart for repairs in the accounts of the Inner Temple.—v.t. Em′endate, to c
English · e-38538-330Emerald
Emerald, em′ėr-ald, n. a very highly esteemed mineral of the same species with the beryl, from which it differs in scarcely anything but its colour, a beautiful velvety green.—n. Em′erald-copp′er (see Dioptase).—Emerald
English · e-38538-331Emerge
Emerge, e-mėrj′, v.i. to rise out of: to issue or come forth: to reappear after being concealed: to come into view: to result.—ns. Emer′gence, Emer′gency, act of emerging: sudden appearance: an unexpected occurrence: pre
English · e-38538-332Emeritus
Emeritus, e-mer′i-tus, adj. honourably discharged from the performance of public duty, esp. noting a retired professor.—n. one who has been honourably discharged from public duties:—pl. Emer′iti. [L. emeritus, having ser
English · e-38538-333Emerods
Emerods, em′e-rodz, n.pl. (B.) now Hemorrhoids.
English · e-38538-334 · brief source recordEmery
Emery, em′ėr-i, n. a very hard mineral, a variety of corundum, used as powder for polishing, &c.—v.t. to rub or coat with emery.—ns. Em′ery-pā′per, paper covered with emery-powder for polishing; Em′ery-pow′der, ground em
English · e-38538-335Emetic
Emetic, e-met′ik, adj. causing vomiting.—n. a medicine that causes vomiting.—n. Em′esis, vomiting.—adj. Emet′ical.—adv. Emet′ically.—n. Em′etin, the alkaloid forming the active principle of ipecacuanha-root, violently em
English · e-38538-336Emeu
Emeu. See Emu.
English · e-38538-337 · brief source recordÉmeute
Émeute, em-üt′, n. a popular rising or uproar. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-338 · brief source recordEmicant
Emicant, em′i-kant, adj. beaming forth.—n. Emicā′tion.
English · e-38538-339 · brief source recordEmiction
Emiction, e-mik′shun, n. the discharging of urine: urine.—adj. Emic′tory, promoting the flow of urine. [L. emingĕre, emictum—e, out, mingĕre, to make water.]
English · e-38538-340Emigrate
Emigrate, em′i-grāt, v.i. and v.t. to remove from one country to another as a place of abode.—adj. Em′igrant, emigrating or having emigrated.—n. one who emigrates.—n. Emigrā′tion.—adj. Emigrā′tional.—n. Emigrā′tionist, a
English · e-38538-341Eminent
Eminent, em′i-nent, adj. rising above others: conspicuous: distinguished: exalted in rank or office.—ns. Em′inence, Em′inency, a part eminent or rising above the rest: a rising ground: height: distinction: a title of hon
English · e-38538-342Emir
Emir, em-ēr′, or ē′mir, n. a title given in the East and in the north of Africa to all independent chieftains, and also to all the supposed descendants of Mohammed through his daughter Fatima.—n. Em′irate, the office of
English · e-38538-343Emit
Emit, e-mit′, v.t. to send out: to throw or give out: in issue: to utter (a declaration):—pr.p. emit′ting; pa.p. emit′ted.—n. Em′issary, one sent out on a secret mission: a spy: an underground channel by which the water
English · e-38538-344Emmanuel
Emmanuel, em-an′ū-el, Immanuel, im-, n. the symbolical name of the child announced by Isaiah (Isa. vii. 14), and applied to the Messiah (Matt. i. 23). [Heb.,—im, with, anu, us, el, God.]
English · e-38538-345Emmarble
Emmarble, em-mär′bl, v.t. to turn to marble, to petrify. [Em and marble.]
English · e-38538-346 · brief source recordEmmenagogues
Emmenagogues, em-en′a-gogz, n.pl. medicines intended to restore, or to bring on for the first time, the menses.—adj. Emmenagog′ic (-goj′ik).—n. Emmenol′ogy, knowledge about menstruation. [Gr. emmēna, menses, agōgos, draw
English · e-38538-347Emmet
Emmet, em′et, n. (prov.) the ant. [A.S. ǽmete.]
English · e-38538-348 · brief source recordEmmetropia
Emmetropia, em-e-trō′pi-a, n. the normal condition of the refractive media of the eye.—adj. Emmetropi′c. [Gr., en, in, metron, measure, ōps, the eye.]
English · e-38538-349Emmew
Emmew, e-mū′, v.t. to confine.—Also Immew′.
English · e-38538-350 · brief source recordEmmollient
Emmollient, e-mol′yent, adj. softening: making supple.—n. (med.) a substance used to soften the textures to which they are applied, as poultices, fomentations, &c.—n. Emolles′cence, incipient fusion.—v.t. Emmoll′iate, to
English · e-38538-352Emmove
Emmove, em-mōōv′, v.t. (Spens.) to move, to excite.
English · e-38538-351 · brief source recordEmolument
Emolument, e-mol′ū-ment, n. advantage: profit arising from employment, as salary or fees.—adj. Emolumen′tal. [L. emolimentum—emolīri, to work out—e, sig. completeness, molīre, to toil.]
English · e-38538-353Emong
Emong, e-mung′, prep. (obs.) among.—Also Emongst′.
English · e-38538-354 · brief source recordEmotion
Emotion, e-mō′shun, n. a moving of the feelings: agitation of mind: (phil.) one of the three groups of the phenomena of the mind.—adj. Emō′tional.—n. Emō′tionalism, tendency to emotional excitement, the habit of working
English · e-38538-355Emp-
Emp-. For words not found under this, see Imp-.
English · e-38538-356 · brief source recordEmpacket
Empacket, em-pak′et, v.t. (Scot.) to pack up.
English · e-38538-358 · brief source recordEmpæstic
Empæstic, em-pē′stik, adj. pertaining to the art of embossing, stamped. [Gr. empaiein, to emboss.]
English · e-38538-357 · brief source recordEmpair
Empair, em-pār′, v.t. (Spens.) to impair.
English · e-38538-359 · brief source recordEmpanel
Empanel, em-pan′el, Impanel, im-, v.t. to enter the names of a jury on a panel.—n. Empan′elment.
English · e-38538-360 · brief source recordEmpanoply
Empanoply, em-pan′ō-pli, v.t. to invest in full armour.
English · e-38538-361 · brief source recordEmpatron
Empatron, em-pā′trun, v.t. (Shak.) to patronise.
English · e-38538-362 · brief source recordEmpeople
Empeople, em-pē′pl, v.t. (obs.) to fill with people: to form into a people or community.
English · e-38538-363 · brief source recordEmperish
Emperish, em-per′ish, v.t. (obs.) to impair.
English · e-38538-364 · brief source recordEmperor
Emperor, em′pėr-or, n. the head of the Roman Empire: the highest title of sovereignty:—fem. Em′press.—ns. Em′peror-moth, except the Death's-head, the largest British moth, its expanse of wings being about three inches; E
English · e-38538-365Emphasis
Emphasis, em′fa-sis, n. stress of the voice on particular words or syllables to make the meaning clear: impressiveness of expression or weight of thought: intensity:—pl. Em′phases (-sēz).—v.t. Em′phasīse, to make emphati
English · e-38538-366Emphlysis
Emphlysis, em′fli-sis, n. a vesicular tumour. [Gr., en, in, phlysis—phlyein, to break out.]
English · e-38538-367 · brief source recordEmphractic
Emphractic, em-frak′tik, adj. stopping the pores of the skin.—n. a substance with this property. [Gr., en, in, phrassein, to stop.]
English · e-38538-368Emphysema
Emphysema, em-fis-ē′ma, n. (med.) an unnatural distention of a part with air.—adj. Emphysem′atous. [Gr.,—emphysaein, to inflate.]
English · e-38538-369Emphyteusis
Emphyteusis, em-fit-ū′sis, n. in Roman law, a perpetual right in a piece of land, for which a yearly sum was paid to the proprietor.—adj. Emphyteu′tic. [L.,—Gr.,—emphyteuein, to implant.]
English · e-38538-370Empierce
Empierce, em-pērs′, v.t. (Spens.) to pierce.
English · e-38538-371 · brief source recordEmpight
Empight, em-pīt′, p.adj. (Spens.) fixed. [Em and pitch.]
English · e-38538-372 · brief source recordEmpire
Empire, em′pīr, n. supreme control or dominion: the territory under the dominion of an emperor. [Fr.,—L. imperium—imperāre, to command.]
English · e-38538-373Empiric
Empiric, -al, em-pir′ik, -al, adj. resting on trial or experiment: known only by experience.—n. Empir′ic, one who makes trials or experiments: one whose knowledge is got from experience only: a quack.—adv. Empir′ically.—
English · e-38538-374Emplacement
Emplacement, em-plās′ment, n. the act of placing: (mil.) a platform placed for guns.
English · e-38538-375 · brief source recordEmplaster
Emplaster, em-plas′tėr, n. and v. same as Plaster.—adj. Emplas′tic, glutinous: adhesive.—n. a medicine causing constipation.
English · e-38538-376Emplecton
Emplecton, em-plek′ton, n. masonry in which the outsides of the walls are ashlar and the insides filled up with rubbish.—Also Emplec′tum. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-377Employ
Employ, em-ploy′, v.t. to occupy the time or attention of: to use as a means or agent: to give work to.—n. a poetical form of employment.—adj. Employ′able, that may be employed.—ns. Employ′é, one who is employed:—fem. Em
English · e-38538-378Emplume
Emplume, em-plōōm′, v.t. to furnish with a plume.
English · e-38538-379 · brief source recordEmpoison
Empoison, em-poi′zn, v.t. to put poison in: to poison.—p.adj. Empoi′soned.—n. Empoi′sonment.
English · e-38538-380 · brief source recordEmporium
Emporium, em-pō′ri-um, n. a place to which goods are brought from various parts for sale: a shop: a great mart:—pl. Empō′ria. [L.,—Gr. emporion—emporos, a trader, em (=en), in, poros, a way.]
English · e-38538-381Jump 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 →