Almuce
Almuce, an early form of Amice.
English · e-37683-778 · brief source recordHistorical source · 1908
Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 5
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 5 of 179Almug
Almug, al′mug, n. the wood of a tree described in the Bible as brought from Ophir in the time of Solomon, for the house and temple at Jerusalem, and for musical instruments—probably the red sandalwood of India. [Heb. alg
English · e-37683-779Aloe
Aloe, al′ō, n. a genus of plants of considerable medicinal importance, of the 200 species of which as many as 170 are indigenous to the Cape Colony.—The so-called American Aloe is a totally different plant (see Agave).—a
English · e-37683-780Aloes
Aloes, al′ōz, a purgative bitter drug, the inspissated juice of the leaves of several almost tree-like species of aloe. Used both as a sing. n., and as a pl. of Aloe.—n. and adj. Aloet′ic, a medicine containing a large p
English · e-37683-781Aloft
Aloft, a-loft′, adv. on high: overhead: at a great height: (naut.) above the deck, at the masthead: sometimes used as equivalent to aloof (Mad. D'Arblay). [Scand.; Icel. á lopt (pron. loft), expressing motion; á lopti, e
English · e-37683-782Alone
Alone, al-ōn′, adj. single: solitary: alone of its kind: of itself, or by themselves.—adv. singly, by one's self only.—n. Alone′ness [All and One.]
English · e-37683-783Along
Along, a-long′, adv. by or through the length of: lengthwise: throughout: onward: (fol. by with) in company of.—prep. by the side of: near.—n.pl. Along′shore-men, labourers employed about the docks or wharves in the Tham
English · e-37683-784Alongst
Alongst, a-longst′, prep. (obs. except dial.) along: by the length. [M. E. alongest, from along, with adv. gen. -es.]
English · e-37683-785 · brief source recordAloof
Aloof, a-lōōf′, adv. at a distance: apart.—n. Aloof′ness, withdrawal from common action or sympathy. [Pfx. a- (—A.S. on), on, and Loof, prob. Dut. loef. See Luff.]
English · e-37683-786Alopecia
Alopecia, al-o-pē′si-a, n. baldness: a skin-disease producing this. [Gr. alopekia, fox-mange.]
English · e-37683-787 · brief source recordAloud
Aloud, a-lowd′, adv. with a loud voice: loudly. [Prep. a (—A.S. on), and hlúd, noise; Ger. laut.]
English · e-37683-788 · brief source recordAlow
Alow, a-lō′, adv. in a low place—opp. to Aloft.
English · e-37683-789 · brief source recordAlow
Alow, al-low′, adv. (Scot.) ablaze. [Prep. a, and Low, a flame.]
English · e-37683-790 · brief source recordAlp
Alp, alp, n. a high mountain:—pl. Alps, specially applied to the lofty ranges of Switzerland.—adjs. Alp′en; Alpine (alp′in, or alp′īn), pertaining to the Alps, or to any lofty mountains: very high.—ns. Al′pinist, Alpes′t
English · e-37683-791Alpaca
Alpaca, al-pak′a, n. the Peruvian sheep, akin to the llama, having long silken wool: cloth made of its wool. [Sp. alpaca or al-paco, from al, Arab. article, and paco, most prob. a Peruvian word.]
English · e-37683-792Alpenhorn
Alpenhorn, al′pen-horn, n. a long powerful horn, wide and curved at the mouth, used chiefly by Alpine cowherds.—Also Alp′horn. [Gr. Alpen, of the Alps, horn, horn.]
English · e-37683-793Alpenstock
Alpenstock, alp′n-stok, n. a long stick or staff used by travellers in climbing the Alps. [Ger. Alpen, of the Alps; stock, stick.]
English · e-37683-794Alpha
Alpha, al′fa, n. the first letter of the Greek alphabet: the first or beginning. [Gr. alpha—Heb. aleph, an ox, the name of the first letter of the Phœnician and Hebrew alphabet. See A.]
English · e-37683-795Alphabet
Alphabet, al′fa-bet, n. the letters of a language arranged in the usual order.—n. Alphabetā′rian, one learning his alphabet, a beginner: a student of alphabets.—adjs. Alphabet′ic, -al, relating to or in the order of an a
English · e-37683-796Alphonsine
Alphonsine, al′fons-īn, adj. of Alphonso (X.) the Wise, king of Castile, pertaining to his planetary tables, completed in 1252.
English · e-37683-797Already
Already, awl-red′i, adv. previously, or before the time specified.—Sometimes used adjectively = present. [All and Ready.]
English · e-37683-798Als
Als, an old form of Also.
English · e-37683-799 · brief source recordAlsatian
Alsatian, al-sā′shi-an, adj. of or pertaining to Alsatia (Ger. Elsass), a province between France and Germany.—n. a rogue or debauchee, such as haunted Alsatia—a cant name for Whitefriars, a district in London between th
English · e-37683-800Also
Also, awl′so, adv. in like manner: further. [Compounded of all and so; A.S. al and swá.]
English · e-37683-801 · brief source recordAlt
Alt, alt, n. high tone, in voice or instrument.—In alt, in the octave above the treble stave beginning with G; (fig.) in an exalted and high-flown mood.
English · e-37683-802Altaltissimo
Altaltissimo, alt-al-tis′si-mo, n. the very highest summit. [It. reduplicated comp. of alto, high, and altissimo, highest.]
English · e-37683-803Altar
Altar, awlt′ar, n. an elevated place or structure, block or stone, or the like, on which sacrifices were anciently offered: in Christian churches, the table on which the officiating priest consecrates the eucharist: the
English · e-37683-804Altazimuth
Altazimuth, alt-az′i-muth, n. an instrument devised by Sir G. B. Airy for determining the apparent places of the heavenly bodies on the celestial sphere. [A contr. for 'altitude and azimuth instrument.']
English · e-37683-805Alter
Alter, awl′tėr, v.t. to make different: to change: (U.S.) to castrate.—v.i. to become different: to vary.—ns. Alterabil′ity, Al′terableness.—adj. Al′terable, that may be altered.—adv. Al′terably.—adj. Al′terant, altering
English · e-37683-806Alter ego
Alter ego, al′tėr ē′go, n. second self, counterpart, double. [L. alter, other; ego, I.]
English · e-37683-808 · brief source recordAltercate
Altercate, al′tėr-kāt, v.i. to dispute or wrangle.—n. Altercā′tion, contention: controversy.—adj. Altercā′tive. [L. altercāri, -catus, to bandy words from one to the other (alter).]
English · e-37683-807Alternate
Alternate, al′tėr-nāt, or al-tėr′nāt, v.t. to cause to follow by turns or one after the other.—v.i. to happen by turns: to follow every other or second time—also Al′ternise.—adjs. Al′tern (Milton), alternate, acting by t
English · e-37683-809Althæa
Althæa, al-thē′a, n. a genus of plants including the marsh mallow and the hollyhock. [Gr.]
English · e-37683-810 · brief source recordAlthough
Although, awl-thō′, conj. admitting all that: notwithstanding that. [See Though.]
English · e-37683-811 · brief source recordAltimeter
Altimeter, al-tim′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring heights.—adj. Altimet′rical.—n. Altim′etry. [L. altus, high, and Meter.]
English · e-37683-812Altiscope
Altiscope, al′ti-skōp, n. an instrument containing several lenses and mirrors, so arranged that an observer can see beyond intervening objects.
English · e-38700-10028Altissimo
Altissimo, al-tis′si-mo, adj. (mus.) in phrase 'in altissimo,' in the second octave above the treble stave beginning with G. [It. altissimo, superl. of alto, high.]
English · e-37683-813Altitude
Altitude, alt′i-tude, n. height: a point or position at a height above the sea: high rank or eminence.—n.pl. Alt′itudes, passion, excitement.—adj. Altitū′dinal.—n. Altitudinā′rian, one given to flightiness in doctrine or
English · e-37683-814Alto
Alto, alt′o, n. (mus.) properly the same as counter-tenor, the male voice of the highest pitch (now principally falsetto), and not the lowest female voice, which is properly contralto, though in printed music the second
English · e-37683-815Alto-relievo
Alto-relievo, Alto-rilievo, alt′o-re-lē′vo, n. high relief: figures projected by at least half their thickness from the background on which they are sculptured. [It. alto, high. See Relief.]
English · e-37683-817Altogether
Altogether, awl-too-geth′ėr, adv. all together: wholly: completely: without exception.
English · e-37683-816 · brief source recordAltruism
Altruism, al′trōō-ism, n. the principle of living and acting for the interest of others.—adj. Altruist′ic.—adv. Altruist′ically. [Fr. altruisme, formed by Comte from It. altrui—L. alter, another.]
English · e-37683-818Alum
Alum, al′um, n. a mineral salt, the double sulphate of alumina and potash, used as a mordant in dyeing and for many purposes.—adj. Al′umish, having the character or taste of alum.—ns. Al′um-shale, or -slate, a slate cons
English · e-37683-819Alumina
Alumina, al-ū′min-a, Alumine, al′ū-min, n. one of the earths, the characteristic ingredient of common clay—the oxide of aluminium.—adj. Alū′minous, containing alum or alumina. [L. alumen, alum.]
English · e-37683-820Aluminium
Aluminium, al-ū-min′i-um, n. the metallic base of alumina; a metal somewhat resembling silver, and remarkable for its lightness, now made from Bauxite.—Aluminium bronze, an alloy lighter than gold, but like it in colour.
English · e-37683-821Alumnus
Alumnus, al-um′nus, n. one educated at a college is called an alumnus of it:—pl. Alum′ni.—n. Alum′niate, the period of pupilage. [L.,—alĕre, to nourish.]
English · e-37683-822Alunite
Alunite, al′un-īt, n. a mineral consisting of common alum together with normal hydrate of aluminium.—Also Alum-stone, Alumin′ilite.
English · e-37683-823Alure
Alure, al-lūr′, n. (obs.) a place to walk in, a gallery, a covered passage. [O. Fr. aleure, aller, to go.]
English · e-37683-824 · brief source recordAlveary
Alveary, al′ve-ar-i, n. a beehive: (anat.) the hollow of the external ear.—adj. Al′veolate, pitted like a honeycomb. [L. alvearium, beehive—alveus, a hollow vessel.]
English · e-37683-825Alveolar
Alveolar, al′ve-o-lar, adj. (anat.) of or belonging to the sockets of the teeth, as the alveolar arch, the part of the upper jaw in which the teeth are placed—also Al′veolary.—n. Al′veole, the hollow or socket of a tooth
English · e-37683-826Alvine
Alvine, al′vin, adj. of or from the belly. [From L. alvus, belly.]
English · e-37683-827 · brief source recordAlways
Always, awl′wāz, Alway, awl′wā, adv. through all ways: continually: for ever. [Gen. case of Alway.]
English · e-37683-828 · brief source recordAm
Am, am, the 1st pers. sing, of the verb To be. [A.S. eom; Gr. ei-mi; Lat. s-u-m (as-(u)-mi); Goth. -im; Sans. as-mi.]
English · e-37683-829 · brief source recordAmadou
Amadou, am′a-dōō, n. a soft spongy substance, growing as a fungus on forest trees, used as a styptic and as tinder. [Fr. amadouer, to allure (as in the phrase 'to coax a fire'); prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Norse mata, to
English · e-37683-830Amain
Amain, a-mān′, adv. with main force or strength: violently: at full speed: exceedingly. [Pfx. a- = on, and Main.]
English · e-37683-831 · brief source recordAmalgam
Amalgam, a-mal′gam, n. a compound of mercury with another metal: any soft mixture: a combination of various elements: one of the ingredients in an alloy.—v.t. Amal′gamate, to mix mercury with another metal: to compound.—
English · e-37683-832Amandine
Amandine, am′an-din, n. a kind of cold cream prepared from sweet almonds. [Fr.—amande, almond.]
English · e-37683-833 · brief source recordAmanuensis
Amanuensis, a-man-ū-en′sis, n. one who writes to dictation: a copyist: a secretary:—pl. Amanuen′sēs. [L.—ab, from, and manus, the hand.]
English · e-37683-834Amaracus
Amaracus, a-mar′a-kus, n. (Tennyson) marjoram. [L.—Gr.]
English · e-37683-835 · brief source recordAmaranth
Amaranth, -us, am′ar-anth, -us, n. a genus of plants with richly-coloured flowers, that last long without withering, as Love-lies-bleeding, early employed as an emblem of immortality.—adj. Amaranth′ine, pertaining to ama
English · e-37683-836Amaryllis
Amaryllis, am-a-ril′is, n. a genus of bulbous-rooted plants, including the narcissus, jonquil, &c. [Amaryllis, the name of a country girl in Theocritus and Virgil.]
English · e-37683-837Amass
Amass, a-mas′, v.t. to gather in large quantity: to accumulate.—adjs. Amass′able.—pa.p. Amassed′.—n. Amass′ment. [Fr. amasser—L. ad, to, and massa, a mass.]
English · e-37683-838Amasthenic
Amasthenic, am-as-then′ik, adj. uniting all the chemical rays of light into one focus, applied to a lens perfect for photographic purposes. [Gr. hama, together, sthenos, force.]
English · e-37683-839Amate
Amate, a-māt′, v.t. to accompany: (Spens.) to match. [Pfx. a-, and Mate.]
English · e-37683-840 · brief source recordAmate
Amate, a-māt′, v.t. (arch.) to subdue, to daunt, to stupefy. [O. Fr. amatir, to subdue.]
English · e-37683-841 · brief source recordAmateur
Amateur, am′at-ūr, or am-at-ār′, n. one who cultivates a particular study or art for the love of it, and not professionally: in general terms, one who plays a game for pleasure, as distinguished from a professional who p
English · e-37683-842Amative
Amative, am′at-iv, adj. relating to love: amorous.—n. Am′ativeness, propensity to love or to sexuality. [From L. amāre, -ātum, to love.]
English · e-37683-843Amatory
Amatory, am′at-or-i, adj. relating to or causing love: affectionate.—adjs. Am′atory, Amatō′rial, Amatō′rian (obs.).—adv. Amatō′rially.
English · e-37683-844Amaurosis
Amaurosis, am-aw-rō′sis, n. total blindness when no change can be seen in the eye sufficient to account for it; Amblyopia being partial loss of sight under similar circumstances. The old name was Gutta serena—the 'drop s
English · e-37683-845Amaze
Amaze, a-māz′, v.t. to confound with surprise or wonder.—n. astonishment: perplexity (much less common than Amaze′ment).—adv. Amaz′edly, with amazement or wonder.—n. Amaze′ment, Amaz′edness (rare), surprise mingled with
English · e-37683-846Amazon
Amazon, am′az-on, n. one of a fabled nation of female warriors: a masculine woman: a virago.—adj. Amazō′nian, of or like an Amazon: of masculine manners: warlike. [Popular Gr. ety. from a, neg., mazos, a breast—they bein
English · e-37683-847Ambage
Ambage, am′bāj, n. roundabout phrases: circuitous paths, windings: dark and mysterious courses:—pl. Am′bages.—adj. Ambā′gious, circumlocutory: circuitous.—adv. Ambā′giously.—n. Ambā′giousness—adj. Ambā′gitory (rare).
English · e-37683-848Ambassador
Ambassador, am-bas′a-dur, n. a diplomatic minister of the highest order sent by one sovereign power to another:—fem. Ambass′adress.—adj. Ambassadō′rial.—n. Ambass′adorship.—n. Ambass′age—now usually Embassage, the positi
English · e-37683-849Ambe
Ambe, am′bē, n. an old mechanical contrivance, ascribed to Hippocrates, for reducing dislocations of the shoulder. [Gr. ambē, Ionic for ambōn, a ridge.]
English · e-37683-850Amber
Amber, am′bėr, n. a yellowish fossil resin, used in making ornaments.—adjs. Am′bered (obs.), flavoured with amber or ambergris; Amb′ery. [Fr.—Ar. ‛anbar, ambergris.]
English · e-37683-851Ambergris
Ambergris, am′bėr-grēs, n. a fragrant substance of an ash-gray colour, found floating on the sea or on the seacoast of warm countries, and in the intestines of the spermaceti whale. [Fr. ambre gris, gray amber.]
English · e-37683-852Amberite
Amberite, am′be-rīt, n. a smokeless powder.
English · e-37683-853 · brief source recordAmbidexter
Ambidexter, am-bi-deks′tėr, adj. and n. able to use both hands with equal facility: double-dealing, or a double-dealer.—n. Ambi′dexter′ity, superior cleverness or adaptability.—adj. Ambidex′trous. [L. ambo, both, dexter,
English · e-37683-854Ambient
Ambient, am′bi-ent, adj. going round: surrounding: investing.—n. an encompassing sphere: the air or sky. [L. ambi, about, iens, ientis, pr.p. of eo, īre, to go.]
English · e-37683-855Ambiguous
Ambiguous, am-big′ū-us, adj. of doubtful signification: indistinct: wavering or uncertain: equivocal.—n. Ambigū′ity, uncertainty or dubiousness of meaning—also Ambig′uousness.—adv. Ambig′uously. [L. ambiguus—ambigĕre, to
English · e-37683-856Ambit
Ambit, am′bit, n. a circuit: a space surrounding a house or town: extent of meaning of words, &c.
English · e-37683-857 · brief source recordAmbition
Ambition, am-bish′un, n. the desire of power, honour, fame, excellence.—n. Ambi′tionist (Carlyle), an ambitious man.—adj. Ambi′tious, full of ambition (with of, formerly for): strongly desirous of anything—esp. power: as
English · e-37683-858Amble
Amble, am′bl, v.i. to move as a horse by lifting together both legs on one side alternately with those on the other side: to move at an easy pace affectedly.—n. a pace of a horse between a trot and a walk.—n. Am′bler, a
English · e-37683-859Amblygon
Amblygon, am′bli-gon, adj. obtuse-angled. [Gr. amblus, obtuse, gonia, angle.]
English · e-37683-860 · brief source recordAmblyopia
Amblyopia, am-bli-ō′pi-a, n. dullness of sight (see Amaurosis).—n. Amblyop′sis, the bony fish found in the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, the rudimentariness of whose eyes is due to darkness and consequent disuse. [Gr.—amblys
English · e-37683-861Amblystoma
Amblystoma, am-blis′tō-ma, n. a genus of tailed amphibians in the gill-less or salamandroid sub-order—the adult form of axolotl. [Gr. amblys, blunt, stoma, mouth.]
English · e-37683-862Ambo
Ambo, am′bō, n. a kind of reading-desk or pulpit, which in early Christian churches was placed in the choir. The ambo had two ascents—one from the east, and the other from the west. [Gr. ambōn, a rising.]
English · e-37683-863Ambrosia
Ambrosia, am-brō′zhi-a, n. the fabled food of the gods, which gave immortal youth and beauty to those who ate it: the anointing oil of the gods: any finely-flavoured beverage: something delightfully sweet and pleasing.—a
English · e-37683-864Ambry
Ambry, am′bri, n. a niche in churches in which the sacred utensils were kept: a cupboard for victuals. [O. Fr. armarie, a repository for arms (Fr. armoire, a cupboard)—L. armarium, a chest for arms—arma, arms.]
English · e-37683-865Ambs-ace
Ambs-ace, āmz′-ās, n. double ace: the lowest possible throw at dice: ill-luck: worthlessness. [O. Fr. ambes as—L. ambas as. See Ace.]
English · e-37683-866Ambulacrum
Ambulacrum, am-bū-lā′krum, n. a row of pores in the shell of an echinoderm, as a sea-urchin, through which the tube-feet protrude.—adj. Ambulā′cral. [L., a walk—ambulāre, to walk.]
English · e-37683-867Ambulance
Ambulance, am′būl-ans, n. a carriage which follows an army and serves as a movable hospital for the wounded—also used as an adj., as in ambulance wagon.—n. Ambulan′cier, a man attached to an ambulance.—adj. Am′bulant, wa
English · e-37683-868Ambuscade
Ambuscade, am′busk-ād, n. a hiding to attack by surprise: a body of troops in concealment: the hidden place of ambush—used also as a verb.—n. Ambuscā′do, a now archaic form of Ambuscade (common in 17th century):—pl. Ambu
English · e-37683-869Ambush
Ambush, am′boosh, n. and v. same meanings as Ambuscade.—n. Am′bushment (B.), ambush. [O. Fr. embusche (mod. embûche), embuscher, Low L. emboscāre—in-, in, and boscus, a bush.]
English · e-37683-870Ameer
Ameer, or Amere, a-mēr′, n. a title of honour, also of an independent ruler in Mohammedan countries. [Ar. amīr. See Admiral.]
English · e-37683-871Ameliorate
Ameliorate, a-mēl′yor-āt, v.t. to make better: to improve.—v.i. to grow better.—n. Ameliorā′tion, the condition of being made better: improvement or the means of such.—adj. Amel′iorative. [L. ad, to, and melior, better.]
English · e-37683-872Amen
Amen, ā′men′, or ä′men′, interj. so let it be!—v.t. to say amen to anything, to ratify solemnly. [Gr.—Heb. āmēn, firm, true.]
English · e-37683-873Amenable
Amenable, a-mēn′a-bl, adj. easy to be led or governed: liable or subject to.—ns. Amenabil′ity, Amen′ableness.—adv. Amen′ably. [Fr. amener, to lead—a = L. ad, and mener, to lead—Low L. mināre, to lead, to drive (as cattle
English · e-37683-874Amenage
Amenage, am′e-nāj, v.t. (Spens.) to manage. [O. Fr. amenager. See Manage.]
English · e-37683-875 · brief source recordAmenance
Amenance, am′e-nans, n. (Spens.) conduct, behaviour. [O. Fr. amenance, from root of Amenable.]
English · e-37683-876 · brief source recordAmend
Amend, a-mend′, v.t. to correct: to improve: to alter in detail, as a bill before parliament, often so fundamentally as to overthrow entirely the thing originally proposed.—v.i. to grow or become better.—adjs. Amend′able
English · e-37683-877Amende
Amende, ä-mend′, n. a fine, penalty.—Amende honorable, a public confession and apology made for any offence. [Fr. See Amend.]
English · e-37683-878Amenity
Amenity, am-en′i-ti, n. pleasantness, as regards situation, climate, manners, or disposition. [Fr. aménité—L. amœnitas—amœnus, pleasant, from root of am-āre, to love.]
English · e-37683-879Amenorrhœa
Amenorrhœa, Amenorrhea, a-men-ō-rē′a, n. absence of menstruation. [From Gr. a, priv., mēn, month, roia, a flowing.]
English · e-37683-880 · brief source recordAmentum
Amentum, a-men′tum, Ament, am′ent, n. a scaly sort of spike, as of the willow: a catkin:—pl. Amen′ta.—adjs. Amentā′ceous, Amen′tal. [L. amentum, thong.]
English · e-37683-881Amerce
Amerce, a-mėrs′, v.t. to punish by a fine: to deprive of anything, or inflict loss upon.—n. Amerce′ment, a penalty inflicted—also Amerc′iament. [O. Fr. amercier, to impose a fine—L. merces, wages, fine.]
English · e-37683-882American
American, a-mer′ik-an, adj. pertaining to America, esp. to the United States.—n. a native of America.—v.t. Amer′icanise, to render American.—n. Amer′icanism, a custom, characteristic, word, phrase, or idiom peculiar to A
English · e-37683-883Amethyst
Amethyst, a′meth-ist, n. a bluish-violet variety of quartz of which drinking cups used to be made, which the ancients supposed prevented drunkenness.—adj. Amethyst′ine, [Gr. amethystos—a, neg., methy-ein, to be drunken—m
English · e-37683-884Amiable
Amiable, ām′i-a-bl, adj. lovable: worthy of love: of sweet disposition.—ns. Amiabil′ity, Am′iableness, quality of being amiable, or of exciting love.—adv. Am′iably. [O. Fr. amiable, friendly—L. amicabilis, from amicus, a
English · e-37683-885Amiantus
Amiantus, a-mi-ant′us, n. the finest fibrous variety of asbestos—it can be made into cloth which when stained is readily cleansed by fire.—Also Amianth′us. [Gr. amiantos, unpollutable—a, neg.,and miain-ein, to soil.]
English · e-37683-886Amicable
Amicable, am′ik-a-bl, adj. friendly.—ns. Amicabil′ity, Am′icableness.—adv. Am′icably. [L. amicabilis—amicus, a friend, am-āre, to love.]
English · e-37683-887Amice
Amice, am′is, n. a flowing cloak formerly worn by priests and pilgrims: a strip of fine linen, with a piece of embroidered cloth sewn upon it, worn formerly on the head, now upon the shoulders, by Roman Catholic priests
English · e-37683-888Amice
Amice, am′is, n. a furred hood with long ends hanging down in front, originally a cap or covering for the head, afterwards a hood, or cape with a hood, later a mere college hood. [O. Fr. aumuce, of doubtful origin; but a
English · e-37683-889Amid
Amid, a-mid′, Amidst, a-midst′, prep. in the middle or midst: among.—adv. Amid′most (W. Morris), in the very middle of.—adv. and n. Amid′ships, half-way between the stem and stern of a ship, [a, on, and Mid.]
English · e-37683-890Amide
Amide, am′īd, n. one of the compound ammonias derived from one or more molecules of common ammonia, by exchanging one or more of the three hydrogen atoms for acid radicals of equivalent acidity.
English · e-37683-891Amildar
Amildar, am′il-dar, n. a factor or manager in India: a collector of revenue amongst the Mahrattas. [Hind. ‛amaldār—Ar. ‛amal, work.]
English · e-37683-893Amine
Amine, am′īn, n. one of the compound ammonias, in which one or more of the three hydrogen atoms in ammonia are exchanged for alcohol or other positive radicals, or for a metal.
English · e-37683-892Amir
Amir, a-mēr′. Same as Ameer.
English · e-37683-894 · brief source recordAmiss
Amiss, a-mis′, adj. in error: wrong.—adv. in a faulty manner.—n. Amiss′ibility.—adjs. Amiss′ible; Amiss′ing, wanting, lost. [a, on, and Miss, failure.]
English · e-37683-895Amity
Amity, am′i-ti, n. friendship: good-will. [Fr. amitié—ami—L. amicitia, friendship, amicus, a friend. See Amicable.]
English · e-37683-896 · brief source recordAmmiral
Ammiral, an old spelling of Admiral.
English · e-37683-897 · brief source recordAmmonia
Ammonia, am-mōn′i-a, n. a pungent gas yielded by smelling-salts, burning feathers, &c.: a solution of ammonia in water (properly liquid ammonia): a name of a large series of compounds, analogous to ammonia, including ami
English · e-37683-898Ammonite
Ammonite, am′mon-īt, n. the fossil shell of an extinct genus of molluscs, so called because they resemble the horns on the statue of Jupiter Ammon, worshipped as a ram.
English · e-37683-899Ammunition
Ammunition, am-mūn-ish′un, n. anything used for munition or defence: military stores, formerly of all kinds (as still in the word used adjectively, as in ammunition wagon, &c.), now esp. powder, balls, bombs, &c.—v.t. to
English · e-37683-900Amnesia
Amnesia, am-nē′si-a, n. loss of memory. [Gr. amnesia]
English · e-37683-901 · brief source recordAmnesty
Amnesty, am′nest-i, n. a general pardon of political offenders: an act of oblivion.—v.t. to give amnesty to. [Gr. a-mnestos, not remembered.]
English · e-37683-902Amnion
Amnion, am′ni-on, n. the innermost membrane enveloping the embryo of reptiles, birds, and mammals. [Gr.—amnos, a lamb.]
English · e-37683-903 · brief source recordAmœba
Amœba, a-mēb′a, n. a name given to a number of the simplest animals or Protozoa, which consist of unit masses of living matter. They flow out in all directions in blunt processes (pseudopodia, 'false feet'), and have thu
English · e-37683-904Amœbæan
Amœbæan, am-e-bē′an, adj. answering alternately, responsive, as in some of Virgil's eclogues. [L.—Gr. amoibaios, amoibē, change, alternation.]
English · e-37683-905Amomum
Amomum, a-mō′mum, n. a genus of herbaceous tropical plants (nat. ord. Scitamineæ), allied to the ginger-plant, several species yielding the cardamoms and grains of paradise of commerce. [Gr. amōmon.]
English · e-37683-906Among
Among, a-mung′, Amongst, a-mungst′, prep. of the number of: amidst. [A.S. on-gemang—mengan, to mingle.]
English · e-37683-907 · brief source recordAmontillado
Amontillado, a-mon-til-yä′do, n. a dry or little sweet kind of sherry of a light colour and body. [Sp.]
English · e-37683-908 · brief source recordAmoret
Amoret, am′or-et, n. (obs.) a sweetheart. [O. Fr. amorette—L. amor-em.]
English · e-37683-909 · brief source recordAmoretto
Amoretto, am-or-et′to, n. a lover: a cupid:—pl. Amoret′ti. [It.]
English · e-37683-910 · brief source recordAmornings
Amornings, a-morn′ingz, adv. (obs.) of mornings. [Of and Morning.]
English · e-37683-911 · brief source recordAmoroso
Amoroso, am-or-ro′so, adj. (mus.) tender: descriptive of love.—n. one in love, a gallant:—pl. Amorō′si.—n. Amorō′sity (rare), fondness.
English · e-37683-912Amorous
Amorous, am′or-us, adj. easily inspired with love: fondly in love (with of): relating to love.—n. Am′orist, a lover: a gallant.—adv. Am′orously.—n. Am′orousness. [O. Fr. amorous (Fr. amoureux)—L. amoros-um, amor, love.]
English · e-37683-913Amorpha
Amorpha, a-mor′fa, n. a genus of North American shrubs of the bean family, the false indigoes or lead-plants—also bastard or wild indigo.
English · e-37683-914Amorphism
Amorphism, a-mor′fizm, n. a state of being amorphous or without crystallisation even in the minutest particles.—adj. Amor′phous, without regular shape, shapeless, uncrystallised. [Gr. a, neg., morphē, form.]
English · e-37683-915Amort
Amort, a-mort′, adj. (obs. or arch. merely) spiritless, dejected.—n. Amortisā′tion.—v.t. Amort′īse, to alienate in mortmain: to convey to a corporation:—pr.p. amort′īsing; pa.p. amort′īsed. [Fr. à, to, mort, death. See M
English · e-37683-916Amount
Amount, a-mownt′, v.i. to mount or rise to: to result in: to come in meaning or substance to (with to).—n. the whole sum: the effect or result. [O. Fr. amonter, to ascend—L. ad, to, mont, mons, a mountain.]
English · e-37683-917Amour
Amour, am-ōōr′, n. a love intrigue, or illicit affection: a love affair (humorously only, for the old innocent sense is now obsolete).—n. Amourette′, a petty love affair: the love-grass, or quaking-grass: a cupid.—Amour
English · e-37683-918Amove
Amove, a-mōōv′, v.t. (Spens.) to stir up: to affect:—pr.p. amov′ing; pa.p. amoved′. [L. admovēre—ad, to, and mov-ēre, to move.]
English · e-37683-919Amove
Amove, a-mōōv′, v.t. to remove, esp. from a place (obsolete except in law). [O. Fr. amover—L. amovēre, ab, from, mov-ēre, to move.]
English · e-37683-920Ampère
Ampère, am-pehr′, n. in electricity, unit of current. [From Ampère, a French electrician who died in 1836.]
English · e-37683-921 · brief source recordAmpersand
Ampersand, am′pėrs-and, n. a name formerly in use for the character & (also called short and), commonly placed at the end of the alphabet in primers.—Also Am′perzand, Am′pussy-and, and simply Am′passy. [A corr. of and pe
English · e-37683-922Amphibalus
Amphibalus, am-fib′a-lus, n. an ecclesiastical vestment like the chasuble. [L.—Gr., from amphi, around, ball-ein, to cast.]
English · e-37683-923Amphibia
Amphibia, am-fib′i-a, Amphibials, Amphibians, n.pl. animals capable of living both under water and on land.—n. Amphib′ian.—adj. Amphib′ious. [L.—Gr., from amphi, both, bios, life.]
English · e-37683-924Amphibole
Amphibole, am-fib′ol-ē, n. the name of a group of minerals which are essentially silicates of lime and magnesia, but these bases are often partly replaced by alumina, and oxides of iron and manganese—tremolite, nephrite
English · e-37683-925Amphibology
Amphibology, am-fib-ol′o-ji, n. the use of ambiguous phrases or such as can be construed in two senses. A good example is Shakespeare's 'The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose' (2 Henry VI., I. iv. 33)—also Amphib′ol
English · e-37683-926Amphibrach
Amphibrach, am′fi-brak, n. in prosody, a foot of three syllables—a short, a long, and a short, as ămārĕ. The name is sometimes applied in English to such a word as amusement, where an accented syllable falls between two
English · e-37683-927Amphictyonic
Amphictyonic, am-fik-ti-on′ik, adj. The Amphictyonic Council was an old Greek assembly composed of deputies (Amphictyons) from twelve of the leading states.—n. Amphic′tyony, an association of such states. [Gr. amphiktyon
English · e-37683-928Amphimacer
Amphimacer, am-fim′a-sėr, n. in prosody, a foot of three syllables, the middle one short, and the first and last long, as cārĭtās. Sometimes applied to such Eng. words as runaway. [Gr., 'long at both ends;' amphi, on bot
English · e-37683-929Amphioxus
Amphioxus, am-fī-oks′us, n. the lancelet, one of the lowest backboned animals, found on the sandy coasts of warm and temperate seas. The body is about two inches long and pointed at both ends. [Gr. amphi, on both sides,
English · e-37683-930Amphipods
Amphipods, am′fi-pods, n. an order of small sessile-eyed crustaceans—a familiar example is the sand-hopper. [Gr. amphi, both ways, pous, podos, a foot.]
English · e-37683-931Amphisbæna
Amphisbæna, am-fis-bē′na, n. a family of lizard-snakes, chiefly found in tropical America, which have their tails so rounded as to give them the appearance of having a head at both ends.—adj. Amphisbē′nic. [Gr. amphisbai
English · e-37683-932Amphiscians
Amphiscians, am-fish′i-anz, n.pl. the inhabitants of the torrid zone, whose shadows are thrown both ways—that is, to the north one part of the year, and to the south the other part, according as the sun is north or south
English · e-37683-933Amphistomous
Amphistomous, am-fis′tō-mus, adj. having a mouth-like orifice at either end, as some parasitic worms. [Gr., amphistomos, double mouthed.]
English · e-37683-934Amphitheatre
Amphitheatre, am-fi-thē′a-tėr, n. an oval or circular edifice having rows of seats one above another, around an open space, called the arena, in which public spectacles are exhibited: anything like an amphitheatre in for
English · e-37683-935Amphitryon
Amphitryon, am-fit′ri-on, n. a host or entertainer. [From Amphitryon in Molière's comedy, who gives a great dinner. Amphitryon in Gr. mythology was husband of Alcmene, who was deceived by Zeus in her husband's semblance,
English · e-37683-936Amphora
Amphora, am′fō-ra, n. a two-handled vessel or jar used by the Greeks and Romans for holding liquids.—adj. Am′phoric (med.), like the sound produced by speaking into an amphora or any large vessel with a small mouth. [Gr.
English · e-37683-937Ample
Ample, am′pl, adj. spacious: large enough: abundant: liberal: copious, or of great length.—ns. Am′pleness; Ampliā′tion, enlarging, an enlargement.—adj. Ampliā′tive (rare).—adv. Am′ply. [Fr.—L. amplus, large.]
English · e-37683-938Amplexicaul
Amplexicaul, am-pleks′i-kawl, adj. (bot.) nearly surrounding the stem—said of sessile leaves. [Modern L. amplexicaulis—L. amplexus, embrace, and caulis, stem.]
English · e-37683-939Amplify
Amplify, am′pli-fī, v.t. to make more copious in expression: to add to.—n. Amplificā′tion, enlargement.—adj. Amplificā′tory.—n. Am′plifier, one who amplifies: a lens which enlarges the field of vision. [L. amplus, large,
English · e-37683-940Amplitude
Amplitude, am′pli-tūd, n. largeness: abundance: width: splendour: wide range of mind: the distance from the east point of a horizon at which a heavenly body rises, or from the west point at which it sets. [Fr.—L. amplitu
English · e-37683-941Ampul
Ampul, am′pul, n. a small earthenware or glass vessel of an oblong globular form, used for containing consecrated oil or wine and water for the eucharistic service—now more commonly Ampul′la. [O. Fr. ampole—L. ampulla.]
English · e-37683-942Ampulla
Ampulla, am-pul′la, n. a small two-handled flask or bottle for holding liquids or unguents: a vessel for holding consecrated oil or chrism, esp. at the coronation of kings: a kind of cruet of transparent glass for holdin
English · e-37683-943Amputate
Amputate, am′pūt-āt, v.t. to cut off, as a limb of an animal.—n. Amputā′tion. [L. amb, round about, putāre, to cut.]
English · e-37683-944 · brief source recordAmrita
Amrita, am-rē′ta, n. the drink of the gods in Hindu mythology. [Sans.]
English · e-37683-945 · brief source recordAmuck
Amuck, a-muk′, adv. madly: in murderous frenzy—hardly ever used save in the phrase 'to run amuck.' [Malay, amoq, intoxicated or excited to madness.]
English · e-37683-946Amulet
Amulet, am′ū-let, n. a gem, scroll, or other object carried about the person, as a charm against sickness, harm, or witchcraft. [Fr.—L. amulētum, a word of unknown origin; curiously like the mod. Ar. himalat, lit. 'a car
English · e-37683-947Amuse
Amuse, a-mūz′, v.t. to occupy pleasantly: to divert: to beguile with expectation: (obs.) occupy the attention with: (arch.) to beguile.—adj. Amus′able, capable of being amused.—n. Amuse′ment, that which amuses: pastime.—
English · e-37683-948Amusette
Amusette, am-ū-zėt′, n. a light field-gun invented by Marshal Saxe. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-949 · brief source recordAmutter
Amutter, a-mut′ėr, adv. in a muttering state.
English · e-37683-950 · brief source recordAmygdalate
Amygdalate, a-mig′da-lāt, adj. pertaining to, like, or made of almonds.—adj. Amygdalā′ceous, akin to the almond. [L. amygdala—Gr. amygdalē, an almond.]
English · e-37683-951Amygdalin
Amygdalin, Amygdaline, a-mig′da-lin, n. a crystalline principle existing in the kernel of bitter almonds.
English · e-37683-952 · brief source recordAmygdaloid
Amygdaloid, a-mig′da-loid, n. a variety of basaltic rock containing almond-shaped nodules of other minerals, as quartz, felspar.—adj. Amygdaloi′dal. [Gr. amygdalē, and eidos, form.]
English · e-37683-953Amyl
Amyl, am′il, n. the fifth in the series of the alcohol radicals, a natural product of the distillation of coal. As thus found, two molecules are united together, usually called diamyl, being a colourless liquid with an a
English · e-37683-954Amylaceous
Amylaceous, am-i-lā′shus, adj. pertaining to or resembling starch. [L. amylum, starch—Gr. amylon.]
English · e-37683-955 · brief source recordAmyloid
Amyloid, am′i-loid, n. a half-gelatinous substance like starch, found in some seeds.—adj. Amyloid′al. [Gr. amylon, the finest flour, starch; lit. 'unground'—a, neg., mylē, a mill, and eidos, form.]
English · e-37683-956An
An, an, adj. one: the indefinite article, used before words beginning with the sound of a vowel. [A.S. ān. See One.]
English · e-37683-957 · brief source recordAn
An, an, conj. if. [A form of And.]
English · e-37683-958 · brief source recordAn-end
An-end, an-end′, prep. phrase, to the end, continuously: upright.—Most an-end, almost always.
English · e-37683-1041 · brief source recordAn't
An't, a contr. of aren't, are not; colloquial for am not, is not, has not.—An't = on't, on it (Shak.).
English · e-37683-1115 · brief source recordAna
Ana, ā′na, a suffix to names of persons or places, denoting a collection of memorable sayings, items of gossip, or miscellaneous facts, as Johnsoniana, Tunbrigiana, &c.: applied also to the literature of some special sub
English · e-37683-959Anabaptist
Anabaptist, an-a-bapt′ist, n. one who holds that baptism ought to be administered only to adults (by immersion), and therefore that those baptised in infancy ought to be baptised again.—The name is disclaimed by recent o
English · e-37683-960Anabasis
Anabasis, an-ab′a-sis, n. a military advance into the interior of a country—specially the title of the famous story of the unfortunate expedition of Cyrus the Younger against his brother Artaxerxes, and of the retreat of
English · e-37683-961Anableps
Anableps, an′a-bleps, n. a genus of bony fishes with open air-bladders, and projecting eyes divided into an upper and lower portion, so that each eye has two pupils. [Gr. anablepsis, 'a looking up.']
English · e-37683-962Anabolism
Anabolism, an-ab′ol-izm, n. the constructive processes within the protoplasm, by which food or other material, at a relatively low level, passes through an ascending series of ever more complex and unstable combinations,
English · e-37683-963Anacanthous
Anacanthous, an-a-kan′thus, adj. without spine. [Gr. an-, without, akantha, spine.]
English · e-37683-964 · brief source recordAnacard
Anacard, an′a-kard, n. the cashew-nut, the fruit of the Anacardium occidentale. [Gr., made up of ana, according to, and kardia, heart, from the shape of the fruit.]
English · e-37683-965Anacatharsis
Anacatharsis, an-a-kath-ar′sis, n. vomiting or expectoration.—n. Anacathar′tic, a medicine with this effect—expectorants, emetics, sternutatorics, &c. [Gr.; made up of ana, up, and kathair-ein, to cleanse.]
English · e-37683-966Anacharis
Anacharis, an-ak′ar-is, n. a North American weed found in ponds and slow streams, which was first found in Britain in 1842, and is now very troublesome in the Trent, Derwent, and other rivers. [Made up of Gr. ana, up, an
English · e-37683-967Anachorism
Anachorism, a-nak′ō-rizm, n. (rare) something incongruous with the spirit of the country. [Coined on the analogy of anachronism, from Gr. ana, back, and chōrion, country, with suff. ism.]
English · e-37683-968Anachronism
Anachronism, an-a′kron-izm, n. an error in regard to time, whereby a thing is assigned to an earlier or to a later age than it belongs to: anything out of keeping with the time.—v.t. Ana′chronise.—n. Ana′chronist.—adjs.
English · e-37683-969Anaclastic
Anaclastic, an-a-klas′tik, adj. pertaining to refraction: bending back. [Gr. ana, back, klaein, break off.]
English · e-37683-970 · brief source recordAnacoluthon
Anacoluthon, an-a-ko-lū′thon, n. want of sequence in the construction of a sentence, when the latter part does not grammatically correspond with the former: a sentence exhibiting an Anacoluthia, or the passing from one c
English · e-37683-971Anaconda
Anaconda, an-a-kon′da, n. a large South American water-snake of the Python family, closely related to the boa-constrictor. [Singhalese (?).]
English · e-37683-972Anacreontic
Anacreontic, an-a-kre-ont′ik, adj. after the manner of the Greek poet Anacreon: free, convivial, erotic.—n. a poem in this vein.—adv. Anacreont′ically.
English · e-37683-973Anacrusis
Anacrusis, an-a-krōō′sis, n. (pros.) an upward beat at the beginning of a verse, consisting of one or two unaccented syllables introductory to the just rhythm. [Gr. from ana, up, krou-ein, to strike.]
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