Epergne
Epergne, e-pėrn′, n. an ornamental stand for a large dish for the centre of a table. [Perh. from Fr. épargne, saving—épargner, to save.]
English · e-38538-782Historical source · 1908
Thomas Davidson (editor). Read this edition’s full extracted entries and its original proposals. Publication here preserves a source; it does not endorse every claim.
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Epergne, e-pėrn′, n. an ornamental stand for a large dish for the centre of a table. [Perh. from Fr. épargne, saving—épargner, to save.]
English · e-38538-782Epexegesis, ep-eks-e-jē′sis, n. the addition of words to make the sentence more clear.—adjs. Epexeget′ic, -al.—adv. Epexeget′ically. [Gr. epi, in addition, exēgeisthai, to explain.]
English · e-38538-783Epha, Ephah, ē′fa, n. a Hebrew measure for dry goods. [Heb.; prob. of Egyptian origin.]
English · e-38538-784 · brief source recordEphebe, ef-ēb′, n. (Greek antiquities) a young citizen from 18 to 20 years of age. [L. ephēbus—Gr. ephēbos—epi, upon, hēbē, early manhood.]
English · e-38538-785Ephemera, ef-em′er-a, n. the Mayfly, a genus of short-lived insects: that which lasts a short time.—adj. Ephem′eral, existing only for a day: daily: short-lived.—n. anything lasting a short time.—ns. Ephemeral′ity; Ephem
English · e-38538-786Ephesian, ef-ē′zi-an, adj. of or pertaining to Ephesus.—n. an inhabitant of Ephesus: (Shak.) 'a jolly companion.'
English · e-38538-787 · brief source recordEphod, ef′od, n. a kind of linen surplice worn by the Jewish priests: a surplice, generally. [Heb. aphad, to put on.]
English · e-38538-788 · brief source recordEphor, ef′or, n. a class of magistrates whose office apparently originated at Sparta, being peculiar to the Doric states.—n. Eph′oralty. [Gr. epi, upon, and root of horaein, to see.]
English · e-38538-789Epiblast, ep′i-blast, n. Same as Ectoderm.
English · e-38538-790 · brief source recordEpic, ep′ik, adj. applied to a poem which recounts a great event in an elevated style: lofty: grand.—n. an epic or heroic poem: a story comparable to those in epic poems.—ns. Ep′icism; Ep′icist.—Epic dialect, the Greek i
English · e-38538-791Epicalyx, ep-i-kā′liks, n. an external or accessory calyx outside of the true calyx, as in Potentilla.
English · e-38538-792 · brief source recordEpicarp, ep′i-kärp, n. (bot.) the outermost layer of the pericarp or fruit. [Gr. epi, upon, karpos, fruit.]
English · e-38538-793 · brief source recordEpicedium, ep-i-sē′di-um, n. a funeral ode.—adjs. Epicē′dial, Epicē′dian, elegiac. [L.,—Gr. epikēdeion—epi, upon, kēdos, care.]
English · e-38538-794Epicene, ep′i-sēn, adj. and n. common to both sexes: (gram.) of either gender. [Through L.,—Gr. epikoinos—epi, upon, koinos, common.]
English · e-38538-795Epicheirema, ep-i-kī-rē′ma, n. a syllogism confirmed in its major or minor premise, or in both, by an incidental proposition. [Gr. epicheirēma, attempt—epi, upon, cheir, the hand.]
English · e-38538-796Epiclinal, ep-i-klī′nal, adj. (bot.) placed on the torus or receptacle of a flower.
English · e-38538-797 · brief source recordEpicure, ep′i-kūr, n. a follower of Epicurus (341-270 B.C.), a Greek philosopher, who taught that pleasure was the chief good: one given to sensual enjoyment: one devoted to the luxuries of the table.—adj. Epicurē′an, pe
English · e-38538-798Epicycle, ep′i-sī-kl, n. a circle having its centre on the circumference of a greater circle on which it moves.—adj. Epicy′clic.—n. Epicy′cloid, a curve described by every point in the plane of a circle moving on the con
English · e-38538-799Epideictic, -al, ep-i-dīk′tik, -al, adj. done for show or display. [Gr. epi, upon, deiknynai, to show.]
English · e-38538-800 · brief source recordEpidemic, -al, ep-i-dem′ik, -al, adj. affecting a community at a certain time: general.—n. Epidem′ic, a disease falling on great numbers in one place, simultaneously or in succession.—adv. Epidem′ically.—n. Epidemiol′ogy
English · e-38538-801Epidermis, ep-i-dėr′mis, n. scarf-skin or cuticle, forming an external covering of a protective nature for the true skin or corium.—adjs. Epider′matoid; Epider′mic, Epider′mal, Epider′midal. [Gr. epidermis—epi, upon, der
English · e-38538-802Epidote, ep′i-dōt, n. a silicate of aluminium, iron, and calcium.
English · e-38538-803 · brief source recordEpigastrium, ep-i-gas′tri-um, n. the part of the abdomen which chiefly corresponds to the situation of the stomach, extending from the sternum towards the navel.—adj. Epigas′tric. [Gr. epi, upon, gastēr, the stomach.]
English · e-38538-804Epigene, ep′i-jēn, adj. applied to the geological agents of change which affect chiefly the superficial position of the earth's crust, as the atmosphere, water, &c.—adjs. Epig′enous, growing on the surface of a part; Epi
English · e-38538-805Epigenesis, ep-i-jen′e-sis, n. the development of the organism by the growth and differentiation of a single germ—i.e. by the division or segmentation of a fertilised egg-cell.—n. Epigen′esist.—adj. Epigenet′ic. [Gr. epi
English · e-38538-806Epiglottis, ep-i-glot′is, n. the cartilage at the root of the tongue that partly closes the aperture of the larynx.—adj. Epiglott′ic. [Gr. epi, upon, glōtta (glōssa), the tongue.]
English · e-38538-807Epigram, ep′i-gram, n. any concise and pointed or sarcastic saying: a short poem on one subject ending with an ingenious thought.—adjs. Epigrammat′ic, -al, relating to or dealing in epigrams: like an epigram: concise and
English · e-38538-808Epigraph, ep′i-graf, n. an inscription, esp. on a building: a citation or motto at the commencement of a book or its parts.—v.t. to provide with an epigraph.—ns. Epig′rapher, Epig′raphist.—adj. Epigraph′ic.—n. Epig′raphy
English · e-38538-809Epigynous, e-pij′i-nus, adj. (bot.) growing upon the top of the ovary.
English · e-38538-810 · brief source recordEpilepsy, ep′i-lep-si, n. a chronic functional disease of the nervous system, manifested by recurring attacks of sudden insensibility or impairment of consciousness, commonly accompanied by peculiar convulsive seizures.—
English · e-38538-811Epilogue, ep′i-log, n. the conclusion of a book: a speech or short poem at the end of a play.—adjs. Epilog′ic (-loj′ik), Epilogis′tic.—v.i. Epil′ogise (′o-jīz), to write an epilogue. [Fr.—L.—Gr. epilogos, conclusion—epi,
English · e-38538-812Epinasty, ep′i-nas-ti, n. (bot.) curvature of an organ, caused by a more active growth on its upper side.—adj. Epinas′tic.—adv. Epinas′tically.
English · e-38538-813Epiperipheral, ep-i-pe-rif′e-ral, adj. situated on the periphery or outer surface of the body.
English · e-38538-814 · brief source recordEpipetalous, ep-i-pet′a-lus, adj. (bot.) inserted or growing on a petal.
English · e-38538-815 · brief source recordEpiphany, e-pif′an-i, n. a church festival celebrated on Jan. 6, in commemoration of the manifestation of Christ to the wise men of the East: the manifestation of a god. [Gr. epiphaneia, appearance—epi, to, phainein, to
English · e-38538-816Epiphlœum, ep-i-flē′um, n. (bot.) the corky envelope of the bark next the epidermis.
English · e-38538-817 · brief source recordEpiphragm, ep′i-fram, n. (bot.) the dilated apex of the columella in urn-mosses: the disc with which certain molluscs close the aperture of their shell.
English · e-38538-818Epiphyllospermous, ep-i-fil-ō-sper′mus, adj. (bot.) bearing fruit on the back of the fronds, as ferns.
English · e-38538-819 · brief source recordEpiphyllous, ep-i-fil′us, adj. (bot.) growing upon a leaf, esp. on its upper surface.
English · e-38538-820 · brief source recordEpiphysis, ep-if′i-sis, n. any portion of a bone having its own centre of ossification: the pineal gland: a small upper piece of each half of an alveolus of a sea-urchin:—pl. Epiph′yses. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-821Epiphyte, ep′i-fīt, n. one of a species of plants attached to trees, and deriving their nourishment from the decaying portions of the bark, and perhaps also from the air.—adjs. Epiphy′tal, Epiphyt′ic. [Gr. epi, upon, and
English · e-38538-822Epiplastron, ep-i-plas′tron, n. the anterior lateral one of the nine pieces of which the plastron of a turtle may consist.
English · e-38538-823Epiploon, e-pip′lō-on, n. the great omentum.—adj. Epiplō′ic. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-824 · brief source recordEpipolism, e-pip′ō-lizm, n. fluorescence.—adj. Epipol′ic. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-825 · brief source recordEpirhizous, ep-i-rī′zus, adj. growing on a root.
English · e-38538-826 · brief source recordEpiscopacy, e-pis′ko-pas-i, n. the government of the church by bishops: the office of a bishop: the period of office: the bishops, as a class.—adj. Epis′copal, governed by bishops: belonging to or vested in bishops.—adj.
English · e-38538-827Episemon, ep-i-sē′mon, n. the characteristic device of a city, &c.: one of three obsolete Greek letters used as numerals— [Image: vau] , vau; [Image: koppa] , koppa; and [Image: san] , san, sampi.
English · e-38538-828Episode, ep′i-sōd, n. a story introduced into a narrative or poem to give variety: an interesting incident.—adjs. Ep′isōdal, Episō′dial, Episōd′ic, Episōd′ical, pertaining to or contained in an episode: brought in as a d
English · e-38538-829Epispastic, ep-i-spas′tik, adj. producing a blister on the skin.—n. a blister.
English · e-38538-830 · brief source recordEpisperm, ep′i-spėrm, n. the outer integument of a seed. [Gr. epi, upon, and sperma, seed.]
English · e-38538-831 · brief source recordEpistaxis, ep-is-tak′sis, n. bleeding from the nose.
English · e-38538-832 · brief source recordEpistemology, ep-is-tē-mol′oj-i, n. the theory of knowledge.—adj. Epistemolog′ical. [Gr. epistēmē, knowledge, logia, discourse.]
English · e-38538-833Episternum, ep-i-ster′num, n. the interclavicle: the epiplastron: the presternum of mammals.—adj. Epister′nal.
English · e-38538-834 · brief source recordEpistilbite, ep-i-stil′bīt, n. a whitish hydrous silicate of aluminium, calcium, and sodium.
English · e-38538-835 · brief source recordEpistle, e-pis′l, n. a writing sent to one, a letter: esp. a letter to an individual or church from an apostle, as the Epistles of Paul: the extract from one of the apostolical epistles read as part of the communion serv
English · e-38538-836Epistrophe, e-pis′trō-fē, n. (rhet.) a form of repetition in which successive clauses end with the same word, as in 2 Cor. xi. 22: a refrain in music.
English · e-38538-837Epistyle, ep′i-stīl, n. Same as Architrave. [Gr. epi, upon, stylos, a pillar.]
English · e-38538-838 · brief source recordEpitaph, ep′i-taf, n. a commemorative inscription on a tombstone or monument.—v.t. to write an epitaph upon.—adjs. Epitaph′ian, Epitaph′ic.—n. Ep′itaphist, a writer of epitaphs. [Gr. epitaphion—epi, upon, taphos, a tomb.
English · e-38538-839Epitasis, e-pit′a-sis, n. the main action of a Greek drama, leading to the catastrophe—opp. to Protasis.
English · e-38538-840 · brief source recordEpithalamium, ep-i-tha-lā′mi-um, n. a song or poem in celebration of a marriage.—adj. Epithalam′ic. [Gr. epithalamion—epi, upon, thalamos, a bedchamber, marriage.]
English · e-38538-841Epithelium, ep-i-thē′li-um, n. the cell-tissue which invests the outer surface of the body and the mucous membranes connected with it, and also the closed cavities of the body.—adj. Epithē′lial.—n. Epitheliō′ma, carcinom
English · e-38538-842Epithem, ep′i-them, n. (med.) a soft external application. [Gr. epithema—epi, upon, tithenai, to place.]
English · e-38538-843 · brief source recordEpithet, ep′i-thet, n. an adjective expressing some real quality of the thing to which it is applied, or an attribute expressing some quality ascribed to it: (Shak.) term, expression.—v.t. to term.—adj. Epithet′ic, perta
English · e-38538-844Epithymetic, ep-i-thim-et′ik, adj. pertaining to desire. [Gr.,—epi, upon, thymos, the soul.]
English · e-38538-845 · brief source recordEpitome, e-pit′o-me, n. an abridgment or short summary of anything, as of a book.—adj. Epitom′ical, like an epitome.—v.t. Epit′omise, to make an epitome of: to shorten: to condense.—ns. Epit′omiser, Epit′omist, one who a
English · e-38538-846Epitonic, ep-i-ton′ik, adj. overstrained. [Gr.,—epi, upon, teinein, to stretch.]
English · e-38538-847 · brief source recordEpitrite, ep′i-trīt, n. (pros.) a foot made up of three long syllables and one short. [L.,—Gr.,—epi, in addition, tritos, the third.]
English · e-38538-848Epizeuxis, ep-i-zūk′sis, n. (rhet.) the immediate repetition of a word for emphasis. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-849 · brief source recordEpizoon, ep-i-zō′on, n. a parasitic animal that lives on the bodies of other animals and derives its nourishment from the skin—also Epizō′an:—pl. Epizō′a.—adj. Epizoot′ic, pertaining to epizoa: (geol.) containing fossil
English · e-38538-850Epoch, ep′ok, or ē′-, n. a point of time fixed or made remarkable by some great event from which dates are reckoned: a period remarkable for important events: (astron.) the mean heliocentric longitude of a planet in its
English · e-38538-851Epode, ep′ōd, n. a kind of lyric poem invented by Archilochus, in which a longer verse is followed by a shorter one: the last part of a lyric ode, sung after the strophe and antistrophe.—adj. Epod′ic. [Gr. epōdos—epi, on
English · e-38538-852Eponym, ep′o-nim, n. a mythical personage created to account for the name of a tribe or people: a special title.—adj. Epon′ymous. [Gr. epi, upon, to, onoma, a name.]
English · e-38538-853Epopee, ep′o-pē, Epopœia, ep-o-pē′ya, n. epic poetry: an epic poem. [Formed from Gr. epopoiia—epos, a word, an epic poem, poiein, to make.]
English · e-38538-854Epopt, ep′opt, n. one initiated into the Eleusinian mysteries. [Gr. epi, upon, and root op-, to see.]
English · e-38538-855 · brief source recordEpos, ep′os, n. the elementary stage of epic poetry: an epic poem: a series of events such as are treated in epic poetry. [L.,—Gr. epos, a word.]
English · e-38538-856Eprouvette, ep-roov-et′, n. a machine for testing the strength of gunpowder. [Fr.,—éprouver, to try.]
English · e-38538-857 · brief source recordEpsom, ep′sum, n. a useful purgative medicine, acting as a refrigerant, and sometimes as a diuretic.—Also Ep′som-salt. [From Epsom, a town in Surrey.]
English · e-38538-858Epulotic, ep-ū-lot′ik, adj. cicatrising.—n. a cicatrising medicament.
English · e-38538-859 · brief source recordEquable, ē′kwa-bl, or ek′wa-bl, adj. equal and uniform: smooth: not variable: of even temper.—ns. Equabil′ity, E′quableness, the state or condition of being equable.—adv. E′quably. [L. æquabilis—æquāre—æquus, equal.]
English · e-38538-860Equal, ē′kwal, adj. identical: of the same value: adequate: in just proportion: fit: equable: uniform: equitable: evenly balanced: just.—n. one of the same age, rank, &c.—v.t. to be, or to make, equal to:—pr.p. ē′quallin
English · e-38538-861Equanimity, ē-kwa-nim′i-ti, n. equality or evenness of mind or temper.—adj. Equan′imous.—adv. Equan′imously. [L. æquanimitas—æquus, equal, animus, the mind.]
English · e-38538-862Equerry, ek′we-ri, n. in the royal household, an official under the Master of the Horse, whose main duty is to accompany the sovereign when riding in state. [Fr. écurie—Low L. scuria, a stable—Old High Ger. scûr (Ger. sc
English · e-38538-863Equestrian, e-kwes′tri-an, adj. pertaining to horses or horsemanship: on horseback.—n. one who rides on horseback:—fem. Equestrienne′.—n. Eques′trianism, horsemanship. [L. equester, equestris—eques, a horseman—equus, a h
English · e-38538-864Equi-, ē′kwi, a prefix meaning equal, from L. æquus.—adj. Equian′gular, consisting of or having equal angles.—n. Equibal′ance, equal weight.—adjs. Equidiff′erent, having equal differences; Equidis′tant, equally distant.—
English · e-38538-865Equine, ē′kwīn, Equinal, ē-kwīn′al, adj. pertaining to a horse or horses.—n. Equin′ia, horse-pox, glanders, farcy. [L. equinus—equus, a horse.]
English · e-38538-866Equinox, ē′kwi-noks, n. the time when the sun crosses the equator, making the night equal in length to the day, about 21st March and 23d Sept.—adj. Equinoc′tial, pertaining to the equinoxes, the time of the equinoxes, or
English · e-38538-867Equip, e-kwip′, v.t. to fit out: to furnish with everything needed for any service or work:—pr.p. equip′ping; pa.p. equipped′.—n. E′quipāge, that with which one is equipped: furniture required for any service, as that of
English · e-38538-868Equipollent, e-kwi-pol′ent, adj. having equal power or force: equivalent.—n. an equivalent.—ns. Equipoll′ence, Equipoll′ency. [L. æquus, equal, pollens, pollentis, pr.p. of pollēre, to be able.]
English · e-38538-869Equiponderate, ē-kwi-pon′dėr-āt, v.i. to be equal in weight: to balance.—adj. equal in weight.—n. Equipon′derance.—adj. Equipon′derant. [L. æquus, equal, pondus, ponderis, weight.]
English · e-38538-870Equisetum, ek-wi-sē′tum, n. a genus of herbaceous plants having leafless articulated and whorled stems and branches—also Horse-tail.—adjs. Equisetā′ceous; Equiset′ic; Equiset′iform. [L.,—equus, a horse, seta, a bristle.]
English · e-38538-871Equitation, ek-wi-tā′shun, n. the art of riding on horseback.—adjs. Eq′uitant, riding: straddling, overlapping; Equiv′orous, eating horse-flesh. [L.,—equitāre—equus, a horse.]
English · e-38538-872Equity, ek′wi-ti, n. right as founded on the laws of nature: moral justice, of which laws are the imperfect expression: the spirit of justice which enables us to interpret laws rightly: fairness.—adj. Eq′uitable, possess
English · e-38538-873Equivalent, e-kwiv′a-lent, adj. equal in value, power, meaning, &c.—n. a thing equivalent.—n. Equiv′alence.—adv. Equiv′alently. [Fr.,—L. æquus, equal, valens, valentis, pr.p. of valēre, to be worth.]
English · e-38538-874Equivocal, e-kwiv′ō-kal, adj. capable of meaning two or more things: of doubtful meaning: capable of a double explanation: suspicious: questionable.—adv. Equiv′ocally.—n. Equiv′ocalness.—v.i. Equiv′ocāte, to use equivoca
English · e-38538-875Era, ē′ra, n. a series of years reckoned from a particular point, or that point itself: an important date. [Late L. æra, a number, orig. 'counters,' pieces of copper used in counting, being the neut.pl. of æs, æris, copp
English · e-38538-876Eradiate, e-rā′di-āt, v.i. to shoot out like a ray of light:—pr.p. erā′diating; pa.p. erā′diated.—n. Eradiā′tion, the act of eradiating; emission of radiance. [L. e, out, radius, a ray.]
English · e-38538-877Eradicate, e-rad′i-kāt, v.t. to pull up by the roots: to destroy.—adj. Erad′icable, that may be eradicated.—p.adj. Erad′icāted, rooted up: (her.) said of a tree, or part of a tree, torn up by the roots.—n. Eradicā′tion,
English · e-38538-878Erase, e-rās′, v.t. to rub or scrape out: to efface: to destroy.—adj. Erā′sable.—p.adj. Erased′, rubbed out: effaced: (her.) torn off, so as to leave jagged edges.—ns. Erā′ser, one who, or that which, erases, as ink-eras
English · e-38538-879Erastian, e-rast′yan, n. a follower of Thomas Erastus (1524-83), a Swiss physician, who denied the church the right to inflict excommunication and disciplinary penalties: one who minimises the spiritual independence of t
English · e-38538-880Erato, er′a-tō, n. the Muse of lyric poetry.
English · e-38538-881 · brief source recordErbium, er′bi-um, n. a rare metal, the compounds of which are present in the mineral gadolinite, found at Ytterby in Sweden. [From Ytterby.]
English · e-38538-882Ere, ār, adv. before, sooner.—prep. before.—conj. sooner than.—advs. Erelong′, before long: soon; Erenow′, before this time; Erewhile′, formerly: some time before. [A.S. ǽr; cf. Dut. eer.]
English · e-38538-883Erebus, er′e-bus, n. (myth.) the dark and gloomy cavern between earth and Hades: the lower world, hell. [L.,—Gr. Erebos.]
English · e-38538-884Erect, e-rekt′, v.t. to set upright: to raise: to build: to exalt: to establish.—adj. upright: directed upward.—adj. Erect′ed.—ns. Erect′er, Erect′or, one who, or that which, erects or raises: a muscle which assists in e
English · e-38538-885Eremacausis, er-e-ma-kaw′sis, n. (chem.) slow combustion or oxidation. [Gr. erema, slowly, kausis—kaiein, to burn.]
English · e-38538-886 · brief source recordEremite, er′e-mīt, n. a recluse who lives apart, from religious motives: a hermit.—adjs. Eremit′ic, -al.—n. Er′emitism, state of being an eremite. [Late L.,—Gr. erēmos, desert.]
English · e-38538-887Erethism, er′e-thizm, n. excitement or stimulation of any organ.—adjs. Erethis′mic, Erethis′tic, Erethit′ic. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-888 · brief source recordErf, erf, n. a garden-plot in South Africa. [Dut.]
English · e-38538-889 · brief source recordErg, erg, n. the unit of work in the centimetre-gramme-second system—that is, the quantity of work done by a force which, acting for one second upon a mass of one gramme, produces a velocity of one centimetre per second.
English · e-38538-890Ergo, ėr′go, adv. (logic) therefore, used to mark the conclusion of a syllogism.—v.i. Er′gotise, to wrangle. [L. ergo, therefore.]
English · e-38538-891Ergot, ėr′got, n. a disease, consisting of a parasitical fungus, found on the seed of certain plants, esp. rye and some other grasses.—ns. Er′gotine, the active principle of ergot of rye; Er′gotism, poisoning caused by e
English · e-38538-892Eric, er′ik, n. the blood-fine paid by a murderer to his victim's family in old Irish law.—Also Er′iach, Er′ick.
English · e-38538-893 · brief source recordErica, e-rī′ka, n. the scientific name for heath.—adj. Ericā′ceous, belonging to plants of the genus Erica. [L.,—Gr. ereikē, heath.]
English · e-38538-894Eringo. Same as Eryngo.
English · e-38538-895 · brief source recordErinite, er′i-nīt, n. native arseniate of copper found in Cornwall and Ireland. [Erin, old name of Ireland.]
English · e-38538-896 · brief source recordErinys, e-rī′nis, n. one of the Furies:—pl. Erinyes (e-rin′i-ēz).
English · e-38538-897 · brief source recordEriometer, er-i-om′e-ter, n. an optical instrument for measuring small diameters of fibres, &c. [Gr. erion, wool, metron, a measure.]
English · e-38538-898Eristic, -al, er-is′tik, -al, adj. of or pertaining to controversy. [Gr. erizein, to strive—eris, strife.]
English · e-38538-899 · brief source recordErl-king, ėrl′-king, n. for German erl-könig, a mistranslation (meaning 'alder-king') of the Danish ellerkonge (i. e. elverkonge, king of the elves).
English · e-38538-900Ermelin, ėr′me-lin, n. (arch.) ermine.
English · e-38538-901 · brief source recordErmine, ėr′min, n. a well-known carnivore belonging to the genus which includes polecat, weasel, ferret, &c.—its white fur often used as an emblem of purity: ermine fur used for the robes of judges and magistrates.—adj.
English · e-38538-902Erne, ėrn, n. the eagle. [A.S. earn; cf. Ice. orn, Dut. arend.]
English · e-38538-903 · brief source recordErne, ėrn, v.i. obsolete form of earn, to yearn.
English · e-38538-904 · brief source recordErode, e-rōd′, v.t. to eat away: to wear away.—n. Erō′dent, a caustic drug.—adj. Erōse′, gnawed.—n. Erō′sion, act or state of eating or being eaten away.—adj. Erō′sive, having the property of eating away. [L. e, out, rod
English · e-38538-905Erostrate, e-ros′trāt, adj. (bot.) having no beak.
English · e-38538-906 · brief source recordErotesis, er-ō-tē′sis, n. (rhet.) a figure consisting of an oratorical question.—adj. Erotet′ic. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-907 · brief source recordErotic, er-ot′ik, adj. pertaining to love: amatory.—n. an amatory poem.—ns. Erotomā′nia, morbid sexual passion; Erotomā′niac, one affected with this. [Gr. erōtikos—erōs, erōtos, love.]
English · e-38538-908Err, er, v.i. to wander from the right way: to go astray: to mistake: to sin.—adj. Err′able, capable of erring.—n. Errat′ic, a wanderer: an erratic boulder.—adjs. Errat′ic, -al, wandering: having no certain course: not s
English · e-38538-909Errand, er′and, n. a message: a commission to say or do something.—A fool's errand, a useless undertaking; Go an errand, to go with messages; Make an errand, to invent a reason for going. [A.S. ǽrende; Ice. eyrindi; prob
English · e-38538-910Errant, er′ant, adj. wandering: roving: wild: (obs.) thorough (cf. Arrant).—n. a knight-errant.—adv. Err′antly.—n. Err′antry, an errant or wandering state: a rambling about like a knight-errant. [Fr.,—L. errans, errantis
English · e-38538-911Errhine, er′in, adj. affecting the nose.—n. a sternutatory. [Gr., en, in, rhis, rhinos, the nose.]
English · e-38538-912 · brief source recordErse, ėrs, n. the name given by the Lowland Scotch to the language of the people of the West Highlands, as being of Irish origin—now sometimes used for Irish, as opposed to Scotch, Gaelic. [Irish.]
English · e-38538-913Erst, ėrst, adv. at first: formerly.—adv. Erst′while, formerly. [A.S. ǽrest, superl. of ǽr. See Ere.]
English · e-38538-914 · brief source recordErubescent, er-ōō-bes′ent, adj. growing red: blushing.—ns. Erubes′cence, Erubes′cency. [L. erubescens, -entis, pr.p. of erubescĕre, to grow red—e, out, and rubescĕre—rubēre, to be red. See Ruby.]
English · e-38538-915Eructate, e-ruk′tāt, v.t. to belch out, as wind from the stomach.—n. Eructā′tion, the act of belching: a violent ejection of wind or other matter from the earth, as a volcano, &c. [L. eructāre, -ātum—e, out, ructāre, to
English · e-38538-916Erudite, er′ōō-dīt, adj. learned.—n. a learned person.—adv. Er′uditely.—n. Erudi′tion, state of being erudite or learned: knowledge gained by study: learning, esp. in literature. [L. erudīre, erudītum, to free from ruden
English · e-38538-917Erupt, e-rupt′, v.i. to break out or through, as a volcano.—n. Erup′tion, a breaking or bursting forth: that which bursts forth: a breaking out of spots on the skin.—adjs. Erup′tional; Erupt′ive, breaking forth: attended
English · e-38538-918Eryngo, e-ring′go, n. a genus of evergreen plants resembling thistles, the young leaves of E. maritimum (sea-holly) being sometimes eaten as a salad. [L. eryngion—Gr. ēryngos.]
English · e-38538-919Erysimum, er-is′i-mum, n. a genus of Cruciferæ, allied to Hedge-mustard and Dame's Violet. [Formed through L. from Gr. erysimon.]
English · e-38538-920Erysipelas, er-i-sip′e-las, n. an inflammatory disease, generally in the face, marked by a bright redness of the skin.—adj. Erysipel′atous. [Gr.; prob. from the root of erythros, red, pella, skin.]
English · e-38538-921Erythema, er-i-thē′ma, n. a name applied to certain skin diseases, but scarcely used by any two writers in exactly the same sense.—adjs. Erythemat′ic, Erythem′atous. [Gr.,—erythainein, to redden—erythros, red.]
English · e-38538-922Erythrite, e-rith′rīt, n. a reddish hydrous arseniate of cobalt.—adj. Erythrit′ic.
English · e-38538-923 · brief source recordEscalade, es-ka-lād′, n. the scaling of the walls of a fortress by means of ladders.—v.t. to scale: to mount and enter by means of ladders—sometimes written Escalā′do. [Fr.,—Sp. escalada—escala, a ladder—L. scala.]
English · e-38538-924Escallop, es-kal′up, n. a variant of scallop.—adj. Escall′oped. (her.), covered with scallop-shells.
English · e-38538-925 · brief source recordEscape, es-kāp′, v.t. to free from: to pass unobserved: to evade: to issue.—v.i. to flee and become safe from danger: to be passed without harm.—n. act of escaping: flight from danger or from prison.—adj. Escap′able.—ns.
English · e-38538-926Escarmouche, e-skär′moosh, n. (obs.) a skirmish. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-927 · brief source recordEscarp, es-kärp′, v.t. to make into a scarp or sudden slope.—n. a scarp or steep slope: (fort.) the side of the ditch next the rampart.—n. Escarp′ment, the precipitous side of any hill or rock: escarp. [Fr. escarper, to
English · e-38538-928Eschalot, esh-a-lot′. See Shallot.
English · e-38538-929 · brief source recordEschar, es′kär, n. a slough or portion of dead or disorganised tissue, gen. of artificial sloughs produced by the application of caustics.—adj. Escharot′ic, tending to form an eschar: caustic.—n. a caustic substance. [L.
English · e-38538-930Eschatology, es-ka-tol′o-ji, n. (theol.) the doctrine of the last or final things, as death, judgment, the state after death.—adjs. Eschatolog′ic, -al.—n. Eschatol′ogist. [Gr. eschatos, last, logia, a discourse.]
English · e-38538-931Escheat, es-chēt′, n. property which falls to the state for want of an heir, or by forfeiture: (Spens.) plunder.—v.t. to confiscate.—v.i. to fall to the lord of the manor or the state.—adj. Escheat′able.—ns. Escheat′age;
English · e-38538-932Eschew, es-chōō′, v.t. to shun: to flee from: to abstain from. [O. Fr. eschever; cog. with Ger. scheuen, to shun.]
English · e-38538-933 · brief source recordEsclandre, e-sklang′dr, n. notoriety: any unpleasantness. [Fr.,—L. scandalum.]
English · e-38538-934 · brief source recordEscort, es′kort, n. a body of men, or a single man, accompanying any one on a journey, for protection, guidance, or merely courtesy: attendance.—v.t. Escōrt′, to attend as guide or guard. [Fr. escorte—It. scorta—scorgere
English · e-38538-935Escot, es-kot′, v.t. (Shak.) to pay a reckoning for, to maintain. [O. Fr. escoter, escot=scot, a tax.]
English · e-38538-936 · brief source recordEscritoire, es-kri-twor′, n. a writing-desk.—adj. Escritō′rial. [Fr. escritoire—Low L. scriptorium—L. scribĕre, scriptum, to write.]
English · e-38538-937Escroll, es-krōl′, n. (her.). Same as Scroll.
English · e-38538-938 · brief source recordEscuage, es′kū-āj, n. scutage.
English · e-38538-939 · brief source recordEsculapian, es-kū-lā′pi-an, adj. pertaining to Esculapius, and hence to the art of healing.—Also Æsculā′pian. [Æsculapius, god of medicine.]
English · e-38538-940Esculent, es′kū-lent, adj. eatable: fit to be used for food by man.—n. something that is eatable. [L. esculentus, eatable—esca, food—edĕre, to eat.]
English · e-38538-941Escutcheon, es-kuch′un, n. a shield on which a coat of arms is represented: a family shield: the part of a vessel's stern bearing her name.—adj. Escutch′eoned ('und), having an escutcheon.—Escutcheon of pretence, an escu
English · e-38538-942Esemplastic, es-em-plas′tik, adj. shaping into one.
English · e-38538-943 · brief source recordEskar, Esker. Same as Asar (q.v.).
English · e-38538-944 · brief source recordEskimo, es′ki-mō, n. and adj. one of a nation constituting the aboriginal inhabitants of the whole northern coast of America, and spread over the Arctic islands, Greenland, and the nearest Asiatic coast.—n. Eskimo dog, a
English · e-38538-945Esloin, es-loin′. See Eloin.
English · e-38538-946 · brief source recordEsnecy, es′ne-si, n. the right of first choice belonging to the eldest.
English · e-38538-947 · brief source recordEsophagus. See Œsophagus.
English · e-38538-948 · brief source recordEsoteric, es-o-ter′ik, adj. inner: secret: mysterious: (phil.) taught to a select few—opp. to Exoteric.—adv. Esoter′ically.—ns. Esoter′icism, Esot′erism, the holding of esoteric opinions.—Esoteric Buddhism (see Theosophy
English · e-38538-949Espalier, es-pal′yėr, n. a lattice-work of wood on which to train fruit-trees: a fruit-tree trained on stakes: (obs.) a row of trees so trained.—v.t. to train as an espalier. [Fr.,—It. spalliera, a support for the should
English · e-38538-950Esparto, es-par′tō, n. a strong kind of grass found in the south of Europe, esp. in Spain, used for making baskets, cordage, paper, &c. [Sp.,—L. spartum—Gr. sparton, a kind of rope.]
English · e-38538-951Especial, es-pesh′al, adj. special: particular: principal: distinguished.—adv. Espec′ially.—In especial, in particular. [O. Fr.,—L. specialis—species.]
English · e-38538-952Esperance, es′pėr-ans, n. (Shak.) hope. [Fr.,—L. sperans, pr.p. of sperāre, to hope.]
English · e-38538-953 · brief source recordEspiègle, es-pi-ā′gl, adj. roguish, frolicsome.—n. Espièg′lerie, raillery: frolicsomeness. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-954 · brief source recordEspionage, es′pi-on-āj, n. practice or employment of spies. [Fr.,—espionner—espion, a spy.]
English · e-38538-955 · brief source recordEsplanade, es-pla-nād′, n. a level space between a citadel and the first houses of the town: any level space for walking or driving in. [Fr.,—Sp. esplanada—L. explanāre—ex, out, planus, flat.]
English · e-38538-956Espouse, es-powz′, v.t. to give in marriage: to take as spouse: to wed: to take with a view to maintain: to embrace, as a cause.—ns. Espous′al, the act of espousing or betrothing: the taking upon one's self, as a cause:
English · e-38538-957Esprit, es-prē′, n. spirit: liveliness.—Esprit de corps (es-prē′ d' kōr), regard for the character of that body to which one belongs; Esprit fort (es-prē′ fōr), a person of strong character. [Fr. esprit, spirit, corps, b
English · e-38538-958Espy, es-pī′, v.t. to watch: to see at a distance: to catch sight of: to observe: to discover unexpectedly.—n. Espī′al, the act of espying: observation. [O. Fr. espier, from root of spy.]
English · e-38538-959Esquimau, es′ki-mō (pl. Esquimaux, es′ki-mōz). Same as Eskimo.
English · e-38538-960 · brief source recordEsquire, es-kwīr′, n. (orig.) a squire or shield-bearer: an attendant on a knight: a landed proprietor: a title of dignity next below a knight: a title given to younger sons of noblemen, &c.: a general title of respect i
English · e-38538-961Ess, the name of the letter S (q.v.).
English · e-38538-962 · brief source recordEssay, es′ā, n. a trial: an experiment: a written composition less elaborate than a treatise.—v.t. Essay′, to try: to attempt: to make experiment of:—pr.p. essay′ing; pa.p. essayed′.—ns. Essay′er, Es′sayist, one who essa
English · e-38538-963Esse, es′i, n. used in phrase In esse, in existence, opposed to In posse, in potentiality. [L. esse, to be.]
English · e-38538-964 · brief source recordEssence, es′ens, n. the inner distinctive nature of anything: the qualities which make any object what it is: a being: the extracted virtues of any drug: the solution in spirits of wine of a volatile or essential oil: a
English · e-38538-965Essene, es-sēn′, n. one of a small religious fraternity among the ancient Jews leading retired ascetic lives and holding property in common.—n. Essen′ism. [Bishop Lightfoot prefers the der. from Heb. chāshā, to be silent
English · e-38538-966Essoin, es-soin′, n. (law) excuse for not appearing in court: (Spens.) excuse.—n. Essoin′er. [O. Fr. essoine (Fr. exoine), es—L. ex, out, soin, care.]
English · e-38538-967Essorant, es′ō-rant, adj. (her.) about to soar.
English · e-38538-968 · brief source recordEstablish, es-tab′lish, v.t. to settle or fix: to confirm: to prove a point: to ordain: to found: to set up in business: to institute by law as the recognised state church, and to support officially and financially.—p.ad
English · e-38538-969Estacade, es-ta-kād′, n. a dike of piles in a morass, river, &c., against an enemy. [Fr.,—Sp.]
English · e-38538-970 · brief source recordEstafette, es-ta-fet′, n. a military courier or express. [Fr.,—It. staffetta—Old High Ger. stapho, a step.]
English · e-38538-971 · brief source recordEstaminet, es-tam-in-ā′, a restaurant where smoking is allowed. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-972 · brief source recordEstate, es-tāt′, n. condition or rank: position: property, esp. landed property: fortune: an order or class of men in the body-politic: (pl.) dominions: possessions.—v.t. to give an estate to: (arch.) to bestow upon.—n.
English · e-38538-973Esteem, es-tēm′, v.t. to set a high estimate or value on: to regard with respect or friendship: to consider or think.—n. high estimation or value: favourable regard.—p.adj. Esteemed′, respected.—adj. Es′timable, that can
English · e-38538-974Esthetic, Esthetics. See Æsthetic, Æsthetics.
English · e-38538-975 · brief source recordEsthonian, es-thō′ni-an, adj. pertaining to Esthonia, the most northerly of the Baltic provinces of Russia, or its population, language, or customs.—ns. Esth, an Esthonian of the original Finnish stock; Esth′lander, an E
English · e-38538-976Estival, Estivation. See Æstival, Æstivation.
English · e-38538-977 · brief source recordEstop, es-top′, v.t. to stop or bar: (law) to hinder, preclude:—pr.p. estop′ping; pa.p. estop′ped.—ns. Estop′pāge, the state of being estopped; Estop′pel, a conclusive admission, which cannot be denied by the party whom
English · e-38538-978Estovers, es-tō′vėrz, n.pl. (law) necessaries allowed by law, as wood to a tenant for necessary repairs, &c.—Common of estovers, the right of taking necessary wood from another's estate for household use and the making o
English · e-38538-979Estrade, es-träd′, n. a low platform. [Fr.,—Sp. estrado.]
English · e-38538-980 · brief source recordEstrange, es-trānj′, v.t. to treat as an alien: to alienate: to divert from its original use or possessor.—p.adj. Estranged′, alienated: disaffected.—ns. Estrang′edness; Estrange′ment; Estrang′er. [O. Fr. estranger (Fr.
English · e-38538-981A historical dictionary can preserve useful evidence and superseded analyses at the same time. These records retain their source identity; no parent edge, sound law, first-use date or confidence score is generated from a sentence’s position.
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