Historical 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.
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 ↗
Fetlock, fet′lok, n. a tuft of hair that grows behind on horses' feet: the part where this hair grows.—adj. Fet′locked, tied by the fetlock. [History obscure; often explained as compounded of foot and lock (of hair); cf.
English · e-38538-1582Fetter, fet′ėr, n. a chain or shackle for the feet: anything that restrains—used chiefly in pl.—v.t. to put fetters on: to restrain.—adjs. Fett′ered, bound by fetters: (zool.) of feet bent backward and apparently unfit f
English · e-38538-1583Fettle, fet′l, v.t. (prov.) to arrange, mend.—v.i. to potter fussily about.—n. preparedness, ready condition. [Prob. A.S. fetel, a belt.]
English · e-38538-1584Fetus. See Fœtus.
English · e-38538-1585 · brief source recordFeu, fū, n. (Scot.) a tenure where the vassal, in place of military services, makes a return in grain or in money: a right to the use of land, houses, &c., in perpetuity, for a stipulated annual payment (Feu′-dū′ty).—v.t
English · e-38538-1586Feud, fūd, n. a war waged by private individuals, families, or clans against one another on their own account: a bloody strife.—Right of feud, the right to protect one's self and one's kinsmen, and punish injuries. [O. F
English · e-38538-1587Feud, fūd, n. a fief or land held on condition of service.—adj. Feud′al, pertaining to feuds or fiefs: belonging to feudalism.—n. Feudalisā′tion.—v.t. Feud′alise.—ns. Feud′alism, the system, during the Middle Ages, by wh
English · e-38538-1588Feuilleton, fė′lye-tong, n. the portion of a newspaper set apart for intelligence of a non-political character—criticisms on art or letters, or a serial story—usually marked off by a line.—n. Feuil′letonism, superficial
English · e-38538-1589Fever, fē′vėr, n. disease marked by great bodily heat and quickening of pulse: extreme excitement of the passions, agitation: a painful degree of anxiety.—v.t. to put into a fever.—v.i. to become fevered.—adj. Fē′vered,
English · e-38538-1590Few, fū, adj. small in number: not many.—n. Few′ness.—A few, used colloquially for 'a good bit;' A good few, a considerable number; In few=in a few (words), briefly; Some few, an inconsiderable number; The few, the minor
English · e-38538-1591Fewter, fū′tėr, v.t. (Spens.) to set close, to fix in rest, as a spear. [O. Fr. feutre—feutre, felt.]
English · e-38538-1592 · brief source recordFewtrils, fū′trilz, n.pl. (prov.) little things, trifles. [See Fattrels.]
English · e-38538-1593 · brief source recordFey, Fay, fā, adj. doomed, fated soon to die, under the shadow of a sudden or violent death—often marked by extravagantly high spirits. [M. E. fay, fey—A.S. fǽge, doomed; cf. Dut. veeg, about to die.]
English · e-38538-1594Fez, fez, n. a red brimless cap of wool or felt, fitting closely to the head, with a tassel of black or blue, worn in Turkey, Egypt, &c.—in Africa usually called tarbûsh. [From Fez in Morocco.]
English · e-38538-1595Fiacre, fē-ä′kr, n. a hackney-coach. [Fr., from the Hôtel de St Fiacre in Paris, where first used.]
English · e-38538-1596 · brief source recordFiancée, fē-ong-sā′, n. a woman betrothed:—masc. Fiancé. [Fr., fiancer, to betroth—L. fidentia, confidence, fidĕre, to trust.]
English · e-38538-1597Fiars, fī′arz, n.pl. (Scot.) the prices of grain legally struck or fixed for the year at the Fiars Court, so as to regulate the payment of stipend, rent, and prices not expressly agreed upon. [Conn. with fiar, the holder
English · e-38538-1598Fiasco, fi-as′ko, n. a failure in a musical performance: a failure of any kind. [It. fiasco, bottle, perh. from L. vasculum, a little vessel, vas, a vessel.]
English · e-38538-1599Fiat, fī′at, n. a formal or solemn command: a short order or warrant of a judge for making out or allowing processes, letters-patent, &c.—(Spens.) Fī′aun.—v.t. to sanction, [L. 'let it be done,' 3d pers. sing. pres. subj
English · e-38538-1600Fib, fib, n. something said falsely: a mild expression for a lie.—v.i. to tell a fib or lie: to speak falsely:—pr.p. fib′bing; pa.p. fibbed.—ns. Fib′ber, one who fibs; Fib′bery (rare), the habit of fibbing; Fib′ster, a f
English · e-38538-1601Fibre, fī′bėr, n. a conglomeration of thread-like tissue such as exists in animals or vegetables: any fine thread, or thread-like substance: material, substance.—adjs. Fī′bred, having fibres; Fī′breless, having no fibres
English · e-38538-1602Fibroline, fib′rō-lēn, n. a yarn manufactured from the waste in hemp, flax, and jute spinning works, for backs of carpets, &c.
English · e-38538-1603Fibula, fib′ū-la, n. a clasp or buckle; the outer of the two bones from the knee to the ankle.—adjs. Fib′ular, Fib′ulate, Fib′ulous. [L.]
English · e-38538-1604Fichu, fē-shü′, n. a three-cornered cape worn over the shoulders, the ends crossed upon the bosom: a triangular piece of muslin, &c., for the neck. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-1605Fickle, fik′l, adj. inconstant: changeable.—n. Fick′leness. [A.S. ficol; gefic, fraud.]
English · e-38538-1606 · brief source recordFico, fē′ko, n. (Shak.) a motion of contempt by placing the thumb between two fingers. [It.,—L.]
English · e-38538-1607 · brief source recordFictile, fik′til, adj. used or fashioned by the potter, plastic. [L. fictilis—fingĕre, to form or fashion.]
English · e-38538-1608 · brief source recordFiction, fik′shun, n. a feigned or false story: a falsehood: romance: the novel, story-telling as a branch of literature: a supposition of law that a thing is true, which is either certainly not true, or at least is as p
English · e-38538-1609Fid, fid, n. a conical pin of hard wood, used by sailors to open the strands of a rope in splicing: a square bar of wood or iron, with a shoulder at one end, used to support the weight of the topmast or top-gallant-mast
English · e-38538-1610Fiddle, fid′l, n. a stringed instrument of music, called also a Violin.—v.t. or v.i. to play on a fiddle: to be busy over trifles, to trifle:—pr.p. fidd′ling; pa.p. fidd′led.—ns. Fidd′le-block, a long block having two sh
English · e-38538-1611Fidelity, fi-del′i-ti, n. faithful performance of duty: faithfulness to a husband or wife: honesty: firm adherence. [L. fidelitat-em—fidelis, faithful—fidĕre, to trust.]
English · e-38538-1612Fidget, fij′et, v.i. to be unable to rest: to move uneasily:—pr.p. fidg′eting; pa.p. fidg′eted.—n. irregular motion: restlessness: (pl.) general nervous restlessness, with a desire of changing the position.—v.i. Fidge, t
English · e-38538-1613Fiducial, fi-dū′shi-al, adj. showing confidence or reliance: of the nature of a trust.—adv. Fidū′cially.—adj. Fidū′ciary, confident: unwavering: held in trust.—n. one who holds anything in trust: (theol.) one who depends
English · e-38538-1614Fie, fī, interj. denoting disapprobation or disgust. [Scand., Ice. fý, fei, fie! cf. Ger. pfui.]
English · e-38538-1615 · brief source recordFief, fēf, n. land held of a superior in fee or on condition of military service: a feud. [Fr.,—Low L. feudum.]
English · e-38538-1616 · brief source recordField, fēld, n. country or open country in general: a piece of ground enclosed for tillage or pasture: the range of any series of actions or energies: the locality of a battle: the battle itself: room for action of any k
English · e-38538-1617Fiend, fēnd, n. the devil: one actuated by the most intense wickedness or hate.—adj. Fiend′ish, like a fiend; malicious.—n. Fiend′ishness.—adj. Fiend′like, like a fiend: fiendish. [A.S. feónd, pr.p. of feón, to hate; Ger
English · e-38538-1618Fierce, fērs, adj. ferocious: violent: angry.—adv. Fierce′ly.—n. Fierce′ness. [O. Fr. fers (Fr. fier)—L. ferus, wild, savage.]
English · e-38538-1619Fiery, fīr′i, or fī′ėr-i, adj. ardent: impetuous: irritable.—adv. Fier′ily.—ns. Fier′iness; Fier′y-cross (see Cross).—adjs. Fier′y-foot′ed, swift in motion; Fier′y-hot, impetuous; Fier′y-new, hot from newness; Fier′y-sho
English · e-38538-1620Fife, fīf, n. a smaller variety of the flute, usually with only one key.—v.i. to play on the fife.—ns. Fife′-mā′jor (obs.), the chief fifer in a regiment; Fif′er, one who plays on a fife; Fife′-rail, the rail round the m
English · e-38538-1621Fifish, fī′fish, adj. (Scot.) whimsical, cranky. [Fife.]
English · e-38538-1622 · brief source recordFifteen, fif′tēn, adj. and n. five and ten.—adj. Fif′teenth, the fifth after the tenth: being one of fifteen equal parts.—n. a fifteenth part.—The Fifteen, the Jacobite rising of 1715. [A.S. fíftyne—fíf, five, týn, ten.]
English · e-38538-1623Fifth, fifth, adj. next after the fourth.—n. one of five equal parts: (mus.) a tone five diatonic degrees above or below any given tone.—adv. Fifth′ly, in the fifth place.—ns. Fifth′-mon′archism; Fifth′-mon′archist.—Fift
English · e-38538-1624Fifty, fif′ti, adj. and n. five tens or five times ten.—adj. Fif′tieth, the ordinal of fifty.—n. a fiftieth part. [A.S. fíftig—fíf, five, tig, ten.]
English · e-38538-1625Fig, fig, n. the fig-tree (Ficus), or its fruit, growing in warm climates: a thing of little consequence.—v.t. (Shak.) to insult by a contemptuous motion of the fingers.—ns. Fig′-leaf, the leaf of the fig-tree: an imitat
English · e-38538-1626Fig, fig, n. (coll.) figure: dress.—v.t. to dress, get up.—n. Fig′gery, dressy ornament.
English · e-38538-1627 · brief source recordFigaro, fig′ar-o, n. a type of cunning and dexterity from the dramatic character, first barber and then valet-de-chambre, in the Barbier de Seville and the Mariage de Figaro, by Beaumarchais: the name adopted by a famous
English · e-38538-1628Fight, fīt, v.i. to strive with: to contend in war or in single combat.—v.t. to engage in conflict with: to gain by fight: to cause to fight:—pr.p. fight′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. fought (fawt).—n. a struggle: a combat: a bat
English · e-38538-1629Figment, fig′ment, n. a fabrication or invention. [L. figmentum—fingĕre, to form.]
English · e-38538-1630 · brief source recordFiguline, fig′ū-lin, adj. such as is made by the potter, fictile.—n. an earthen vessel:—pl. pottery. [L.—figulinus—figulus, potter.]
English · e-38538-1631Figure, fig′ūr, n. the form of anything in outline: the representation of anything in drawing, &c.: a drawing: a design: a statue: appearance: a character denoting a number: value or price: (rhet.) a deviation from the o
English · e-38538-1632Fike, fīk, v.i. (Scot.) to fidget restlessly.—n. restlessness: any vexatious requirement or detail in work.—n. Fik′ery, fuss.—adj. Fik′y. [Prob. Ice. fíkja.]
English · e-38538-1633Filaceous, fil-ā′shus, adj. composed of threads. [L. filum, a thread.]
English · e-38538-1634 · brief source recordFilacer, fil′ā-ser, n. an officer in the Court of Common Pleas who formerly filed original writs and made out processes on them.—Also Fil′azer. [O. Fr. filacier—filace, a file for papers—L. filum.]
English · e-38538-1635Filament, fil′a-ment, n. a slender or thread-like object: a fibre: (bot.) the stalk of the stamen which supports the pollen-containing anther.—adjs. Filament′ary, Filament′ose; Filament′oid, like a filament; Filament′ous
English · e-38538-1636Filanders, fil-an′dėrz, n.pl. a disease in hawks caused by a small intestinal worm, the filander. [Fr. filandres—L. filum.]
English · e-38538-1637Filar, fī′lar, adj. pertaining to a thread.
English · e-38538-1638 · brief source recordFilature, fil′a-tūr, n. the reeling of silk, or the place where it is done.—n. Fil′atory, a machine for forming or spinning threads. [Fr.,—L. filum, a thread.]
English · e-38538-1639Filbert, fil′bert, n. the nut of the cultivated hazel—(obs.) Fil′berd. [Prob. from St Philibert, whose day fell in the nutting season, Aug. 22 (O.S.).]
English · e-38538-1640Filch, filch, v.t. to steal: to pilfer.—n. Filch′er, a thief.—adv. Filch′ingly. [Ety. unknown.]
English · e-38538-1641 · brief source recordFile, fīl, n. a line or wire on which papers are placed in order: the papers so placed: a roll or list: a line of soldiers ranged behind one another: the number of men forming the depth of a battalion.—v.t. to put upon a
English · e-38538-1642File, fīl, n. a steel instrument with sharp-edged furrows for smoothing or rasping metals, &c.: any means adopted to polish a thing, as a literary style: a shrewd, cunning person, a deep fellow: a pickpocket.—v.t. to cut
English · e-38538-1643File, fīl, v.t. (Shak.) to defile, pollute.
English · e-38538-1644 · brief source recordFilemot, fil′e-mot, adj. of a dead-leaf colour—also n. the colour itself. [Fr. feuillemorte, a dead leaf.]
English · e-38538-1645 · brief source recordFilial, fil′yal, adj. pertaining to or becoming a son or daughter: bearing the relation of a child.—adv. Fil′ially. [Fr.,—Low L. filialis—L. filius, a son.]
English · e-38538-1646Filiate, Filiation. Same as Affiliate, Affiliation.
English · e-38538-1647 · brief source recordFilibuster, Fillibuster, fil′i-bus-tėr, n. a lawless military or piratical adventurer, as in the West Indies: a buccaneer.—v.i. to obstruct legislation wantonly by endless speeches, motions, &c.—n. Fil′ibusterism, the ch
English · e-38538-1648Filices, fil′i-sez, n.pl. the ferns.—adjs. Fil′ical; Filic′iform; Fil′icoid.
English · e-38538-1649 · brief source recordFiliform, fil′i-form, adj. having the form of a filament: long and slender. [L. filum, thread, forma, form.]
English · e-38538-1650 · brief source recordFiligree, fil′i-grē, n. a kind of ornamental metallic lacework of gold and silver, twisted into convoluted forms, united and partly consolidated by soldering—earlier forms, Fil′igrain, Fil′igrane.—adj. Fil′igreed, orname
English · e-38538-1651Filioque, fil-i-ō′kwe, n. the clause inserted into the Nicene Creed at Toledo in 589, which asserts that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Son, as well as from the Father—not accepted by the Eastern Church. [L., 'and from
English · e-38538-1652Fill, fil, v.t. to make full: to put into until all the space is occupied: to supply abundantly: to satisfy: to glut: to perform the duties of: to supply a vacant office.—v.i. to become full: to become satiated.—n. as mu
English · e-38538-1653Fill, fil, n. (Shak.) the thill or shaft of a cart or carriage. [See Thill.]
English · e-38538-1654 · brief source recordFillet, fil′et, n. a little string or band, esp. to tie round the head: meat or fish boned and rolled, roasted or baked: a piece of meat composed of muscle, esp. the fleshy part of the thigh: (archit.) a small space or b
English · e-38538-1655Fillibeg, Philibeg, fil′i-beg, n. the kilt, the dress or petticoat reaching nearly to the knees, worn by the Highlanders of Scotland. [Gael. feileadhbeag—feileadh, plait, fold, beag, little.]
English · e-38538-1656Fillip, fil′ip, v.t. to strike with the nail of the finger, forced from the ball of the thumb with a sudden jerk: to incite, drive:—pr.p. fill′iping; pa.p. fill′iped.—n. a jerk of the finger from the thumb: anything whic
English · e-38538-1657Fillister, fil′is-ter, n. a rabbeting plane used in making window-sashes.
English · e-38538-1658 · brief source recordFilly, fil′i, n. a young mare: a lively, wanton girl. [Dim. of foal.]
English · e-38538-1659 · brief source recordFilm, film, n. a thin skin or membrane: a very slender thread: the coating on a plate prepared to act as a medium for taking a picture.—v.t. to cover with a film, or thin skin.—n. Film′iness.—adj. Film′y, composed of fil
English · e-38538-1660Filoplume, fī′lo-plōōm, n. a long slender feather. [Formed from L. filum, thread, pluma, a feather.]
English · e-38538-1661 · brief source recordFilose, fī′lōs, adj. ending in a thread-like process.—n. Filoselle′, ferret or floss silk. [L. filum, thread.]
English · e-38538-1662 · brief source recordFilter, fil′ter, n. a contrivance arranged for purifying a liquid of solid insoluble matter by passing it through some porous substance which does not allow the solid particles to pass through.—v.t. to purify liquor by a
English · e-38538-1663Filth, filth, n. foul matter: anything that defiles, physically or morally.—adv. Filth′ily.—n. Filth′iness.—adj. Filth′y, foul: unclean: impure. [A.S. fýldh—fúl, foul.]
English · e-38538-1664Filtrate, fil′trāt, v.t. to filter or percolate.—n. Filtrā′tion, act or process of filtering.
English · e-38538-1665 · brief source recordFimble, fim′bl, n. the male plant of hemp, yielding a weaker and shorter fibre than the Carl hemp or female plant. [Dut. femel.]
English · e-38538-1666Fimbriate, -d, fim′bri-āt, -ed, adj. fringed.—n. Fim′bria, a fringing filament.—v.t. Fim′briate, to fringe: to hem.—adj. Fim′bricate, fimbriate. [L. fimbriātus—fimbriæ, fibres.]
English · e-38538-1667Fimetarious, fim-ē-tā′ri-us, adj. growing on dung.
English · e-38538-1668 · brief source recordFin, fin, n. the organ by which a fish balances itself and swims.—n. Fin′-back, a finner or fin-whale.—adjs. Fin′-foot′ed, having feet with toes connected by a membrane; Finned, having fins; Fin′ny, furnished with fins.—
English · e-38538-1669Finable, fīn′a-bl, adj. liable to a fine.
English · e-38538-1670 · brief source recordFinal, fī′nal, adj. last: decisive, conclusive: respecting the end or motive: of a judgment ready for execution.—ns. Fī′nalism; Fī′nalist; Final′ity, state of being final: completeness or conclusiveness.—adv. Fī′nally.—F
English · e-38538-1671Finale, fi-nä′lā, n. the end: the last passage in a piece of music: the concluding piece in a concert. [It. finale, final—L. finis.]
English · e-38538-1672Finance, fi-nans′, n. money affairs or revenue, esp. of a ruler or state: public money: the art of managing or administering the public money.—v.t. to manage financially, to furnish with sums of money.—adj. Finan′cial, p
English · e-38538-1673Finch, finsh, n. a name applied to many Passerine birds, esp. to those of the genus Fringilla or family Fringillidæ—bullfinch, chaffinch, goldfinch, &c.—adjs. Finch′-backed, Finched, striped or spotted on the back. [A.S.
English · e-38538-1674Find, fīnd, v.t. to come upon or meet with: to discover or arrive at: to perceive: to experience: to supply: to determine after judicial inquiry:—pr.p. fīnd′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. found.—ns. Find′er; Find′-fault (Shak.), o
English · e-38538-1675Findon-haddock. See Finnan-haddock.
English · e-38538-1676 · brief source recordFine, fīn, adj. excellent: beautiful: not coarse or heavy: subtle: thin: slender: exquisite: nice: delicate: overdone: showy: splendid: striking or remarkable (often ironically): pure, refined: consisting of small partic
English · e-38538-1677Fine, fīn, n. a composition: a sum of money imposed as a punishment.—v.t. to impose a fine on: to punish by fine: (Shak.) to pledge or pawn.—adj. Fine′less (Shak.), endless.—In fine, in conclusion. [Low L. finis, a fine—
English · e-38538-1678Fineer, fi-nēr′, v.i. to get goods on credit by fraudulent artifice. [Prob. Dut.; cog. with Finance.]
English · e-38538-1679 · brief source recordFinesse, fi-nes′, n. subtlety of contrivance: artifice: an endeavour by a player holding (say) queen and ace to take the trick with the lower card.—v.i. to use artifice.—ns. Fines′ser; Fines′sing. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-1680Finger, fing′gėr, n. one of the five terminal parts of the hand: a finger-breadth: skill in the use of the hand or fingers: execution in music.—v.t. to handle or perform with the fingers: to pilfer: to toy or meddle with
English · e-38538-1681Finial, fin′i-al, n. the bunch of foliage, &c., at the termination of the pinnacles, gables, spires, &c., in Gothic architecture. [From L. finīre—finis.]
English · e-38538-1682Finical, fin′i-kal, adj. affectedly fine or precise in trifles: nice: foppish.—n. Finical′ity, state of being finical: something finical.—adv. Fin′ically.—ns. Fin′icalness, the quality of being finical: foppery; Fin′icki
English · e-38538-1683Fining, fīn′ing, n. process of refining or purifying.—n. Fin′ing-pot, a pot or vessel used in refining.
English · e-38538-1684 · brief source recordFinis, fī′nis, n. the end: conclusion. [L.]
English · e-38538-1685 · brief source recordFinish, fin′ish, v.t. to end or complete the making of anything: to perfect: to give the last touches to: to put an end to, to destroy.—n. that which finishes or completes: the end of a race, hunt, &c.: last touch, caref
English · e-38538-1686Finite, fī′nīt, adj. having an end or limit: subject to limitations or conditions, as time, space—opp. to Infinite (q.v.).—adj. Fī′nīteless, without end or limit.—adv. Fī′nītely.—ns. Fī′nīteness, Fin′itūde. [L. finītus,
English · e-38538-1687Finn, fin, n. a native of Finland in the north-west of Russia.—adjs. Fin′nic, Fin′nish, pertaining to the Finns in the widest sense.
English · e-38538-1688Finnan-haddock, fin′an-had′uk, n. a kind of smoked haddock, esp. that prepared at Findon, near Aberdeen.—Also Fin′don-hadd′ock.
English · e-38538-1689Fiord, Fjord, fyord, n. name given in Scandinavia to a long, narrow, rock-bound inlet. [Norw.]
English · e-38538-1690 · brief source recordFiorin, fī′o-rin, n. a species of creeping bent-grass.
English · e-38538-1691 · brief source recordFiorite, fī-ō′rīt, n. a kind of siliceous incrustation found in the vicinity of volcanoes and hot springs. [From Santa Fiore in Tuscany.]
English · e-38538-1692Fir, fėr, n. the name of several species of cone-bearing, resinous trees, valuable for their timber.—adj. Fir′ry, abounding in firs. [A.S. furh (wudu); cf. Ger. föhre.]
English · e-38538-1693Fire, fīr, n. the heat and light caused by burning: flame: anything burning, as fuel in a grate, &c.: a conflagration: torture or death by burning: severe trial: anything inflaming or provoking: ardour of passion: vigour
English · e-38538-1694Firk, fėrk, v.t. (Shak.) to whip or beat: to rouse.
English · e-38538-1695 · brief source recordFirkin, fėr′kin, n. a measure equal to the fourth part of a barrel: 9 gallons: 56 lb. of butter. [With dim. suff. -kin, from Old Dut. vierde, fourth.]
English · e-38538-1696Firlot, fėr′lot, n. an old Scotch dry measure, the fourth part of a boll.
English · e-38538-1697 · brief source recordFirm, fėrm, adj. fixed: compact: strong: not easily moved or disturbed: unshaken: resolute: decided.—v.t. (obs.) to fix, establish, confirm.—adj. Firm′less, wavering.—adv. Firm′ly.—n. Firm′ness. [O. Fr. ferme—L. firmus.]
English · e-38538-1698Firm, fėrm, n. the title under which a company transacts business: a business house or partnership. [It. firma, from L. firmus. See Farm.]
English · e-38538-1699Firmament, fėr′ma-ment, n. the solid sphere in which the stars were thought to be fixed: the sky.—adj. Firmament′al, pertaining to the firmament: celestial. [Fr.,—L. firmamentum—firmus, firm.]
English · e-38538-1700Firman, fėr′man, or fer-män′, n. any decree emanating from the Turkish government. [Pers. fermán; Sans. pramâna, command.]
English · e-38538-1701Firn, firn, or fern, n. snow on high glaciers while still granular—the French névé. [Ger. firn, of last year; cf. obs. Eng. fern, former.]
English · e-38538-1702First, fėrst, adj. foremost: preceding all others in place, time, or degree: most eminent: chief.—adv. before anything else, in time, space, rank, &c.—adjs. First′-begot′ten, begotten or born first: eldest; First′-born,
English · e-38538-1703Firth, fėrth. Same as Frith.
English · e-38538-1704 · brief source recordFisc, fisk, n. the state treasury: the public revenue: one's purse.—adj. Fisc′al, pertaining to the public treasury or revenue.—n. a treasurer: a public prosecutor, the chief law officer of the crown under the Holy Roman
English · e-38538-1705Fisgig. See Fizgig.
English · e-38538-1706 · brief source recordFish, fish, n. a vertebrate that lives in water, and breathes through gills: the flesh of fish: a piece of wood fixed alongside another for strengthening:—pl. Fish, or Fish′es.—v.t. to search for fish: to search by sweep
English · e-38538-1707Fiskery, fisk′er-i, n. (Carlyle) friskiness.—v.i. Fisk (obs.), to jump about. [Prob. a freq. of A.S. fýsan, to hurry, or of fésian, to feeze; Sw. fjäska, to fidget.]
English · e-38538-1708Fissile, fis′il, adj. that may be cleft or split in the direction of the grain.—adjs. Fissicos′tate, having the ribs divided; Fissiling′ual, having the tongue cleft.—ns. Fissil′ity, cleavableness; Fis′sion, a cleaving or
English · e-38538-1709Fissiparous, fis-sip′a-rus, adj. propagated by spontaneous fission or self-division.—ns. Fissip′arism, Fissipa′rity.—adv. Fissip′arously. [L. fissus, pa.p. of findĕre, to cleave, parĕre, to bring forth.]
English · e-38538-1710Fissiped, fis′i-ped, adj. cloven-footed—also n.
English · e-38538-1711 · brief source recordFissirostral, fis-i-ros′tral, adj. having a deeply cleft or gaping beak, as swallows, &c. [L. fissus, cleft, rostrum, a beak.]
English · e-38538-1712Fissle, fis′l, v.i. (Scot.) to rustle: to whistle.
English · e-38538-1713 · brief source recordFissure, fish′ūr, n. a narrow opening or chasm: a cleft, slit, or furrow: any groove or sulcus, esp. one of the furrows on the surface of the brain, as the longitudinal fissure separating the hemispheres.—adj. Fiss′ūred,
English · e-38538-1714Fist, fist, n. the closed or clenched hand.—v.t. to strike or grip with the fist.—n. Fistiā′na, anecdotes about boxing and boxers.—adj. Fist′ic (Dickens), pugilistic.—ns. Fist′icuff, a blow with the fist: (pl.) boxing, b
English · e-38538-1715Fistula, fist′ū-la, n. a narrow passage or duct: the tube through which the wine of the eucharist was once sucked from the chalice—also Calamus.—adjs. Fist′ular, hollow like a pipe; Fist′ulate, -d, hollowed like a fistul
English · e-38538-1716Fit, fit, adj. adapted to any particular end or standard, prepared for: qualified: convenient: proper: properly trained and ready, as for a race.—v.t. to make fit or suitable: to suit one thing to another: to be adapted
English · e-38538-1717Fit, fit, n. a sudden attack by convulsions, as apoplexy, epilepsy, &c.: convulsion or paroxysm: a temporary attack of anything, as laughter, &c.: a sudden effort or motion: a passing humour.—v.t. (Shak.) to wrench, as b
English · e-38538-1718Fit, fit, n. a song, or part of a song or ballad.—Also Fitt, Fitte, Fytte. [A.S. fitt, a song.]
English · e-38538-1719 · brief source recordFitch, fich, n. now vetch: (B.) Isa. xxviii. 25, black cummin (Nigella sativa): in Ezek. iv. 9, a kind of bearded wheat, spelt. [See Vetch.]
English · e-38538-1720Fitché, Fitchée, fich′ā, adj. (her.) cut to a point. [Fr. ficher, to fix.]
English · e-38538-1721 · brief source recordFitchew, fich′ōō, n. a polecat.—Also Fitch′et. [O. Fr. fissel, from root of Dut. visse, nasty.]
English · e-38538-1722 · brief source recordFitz, fits, n. (a prefix) son of: used in England, esp. of the illegitimate sons of kings and princes, as Fitzclarence, &c. [Norman Fr. fiz (Fr. fils)—L. filius.]
English · e-38538-1723Five, fīv, adj. and n. four and one.—n. Five′-fing′er, a name for various plants (cinque-foil, oxlip, &c.): a species of starfish.—adj. Five′fold, five times folded, or repeated in fives.—ns. Fiv′er (coll.), a five-pound
English · e-38538-1724Fives, fīvz, n. (Shak.) vives, a disease of horses.
English · e-38538-1725 · brief source recordFives, fīvz, n.pl. a game of handball played in a roomy court against a wall, chiefly at the great public schools of England.
English · e-38538-1726Fix, fiks, v.t. to make firm or fast: to establish: to drive into: to settle: to put into permanent form: to establish as a fact: to direct steadily: to regulate: to deprive of volatility.—v.i. to settle or remain perman
English · e-38538-1727Fizgig, fiz′gig, n. a giddy girl: a firework of damp powder: a gimcrack: a crotchet.—Also Fis′gig.
English · e-38538-1728 · brief source recordFizz, fiz, v.i. to make a hissing or sputtering sound.—n. any frothy drink, as soda-water, or esp. champagne.—adj. Fiz′zenless (Scot.), pithless—also Fū′sionless.—v.i. Fiz′zle, to hiss or sputter: to come to a sudden sto
English · e-38538-1729Flabbergast, flab′ėrgast, v.t. (coll.) to stun, confound. [Prob. conn. with flabby, and gast, to astonish.]
English · e-38538-1730 · brief source recordFlabby, flab′i, adj. easily moved: soft, yielding: hanging loose.—n. Flabb′iness. [From flap.]
English · e-38538-1731 · brief source recordFlabellate, flä-bel′āt, adj. fan-shaped—also Flabell′iform.—ns. Flabellā′tion, the action of fanning; Flab′ellum (eccles.), a fan, anciently used to drive away flies from the chalice during the celebration of the euchari
English · e-38538-1732Flaccid, flak′sid, adj. flabby: lax: easily yielding to pressure: soft and weak.—adv. Flac′cidly.—ns. Flac′cidness, Flaccid′ity, want of firmness. [Fr.,—L. flaccidus—flaccus, flabby.]
English · e-38538-1733Flack, flak, v.i. (prov.), to flap, flutter.—v.t. to flap or flick with something.
English · e-38538-1734 · brief source recordFlacker, flak′ėr, v.i. (prov.) to flap, flutter.
English · e-38538-1735 · brief source recordFlacket, flak′et, n. a flask, bottle.
English · e-38538-1736 · brief source recordFlacon, flak-ong′, n. a scent-bottle, &c. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-1737 · brief source recordFlaff, flaf, v.i. (Scot.) to flap: to pant.—n. a flutter of the wings: a puff.—v.i. Flaf′fer, to flutter. [Imit.]
English · e-38538-1738 · brief source recordFlag, flag, v.i. to grow languid or spiritless.—pr.p. flag′ging; pa.p. flagged.—n. Flag′giness.—adj. Flag′gy, limp, flabby. [Perh. O. Fr. flac—L. flaccus; prob. influenced by imit. forms as flap.]
English · e-38538-1739Flag, flag, n. a popular name for many plants with sword-shaped leaves, mostly growing in moist situations, sometimes specially the species of iris or flower-de-luce—esp. the yellow flag: the acorus or sweet flag: (B.) r
English · e-38538-1740Flag, flag, n. the ensign of a ship or of troops: a banner.—v.t. to decorate with flags: to inform by flag-signals.—ns. Flag′-cap′tain, in the navy, the captain of the ship which bears the admiral's flag; Flag′-lieuten′a
English · e-38538-1741Flag, flag, n. a stone that separates in flakes or layers: a flat stone used for paving—also Flag′stone.—v.t. to pave with flagstones.—n. Flag′ging, flagstones: a pavement of flagstones. [A form of flake; Ice. flaga, a f
English · e-38538-1742Flagellate, flaj′el-āt, v.t. to whip or scourge.—ns. Flagel′lantism; Flagellā′tion; Flag′ellātor, Flagel′lant (also flaj′-), one who scourges himself in religious discipline.—adjs. Flag′ellatory; Flagellif′erous; Flagel′
English · e-38538-1743Flageolet, flaj′o-let, n. the modern form of the old flute-à-bec, or straight flute, the simplest kind of which is the tin whistle with six holes. [Fr., dim. of O. Fr. flageol, flajol, a pipe; not through a supposed Low
English · e-38538-1744Flagitate, flaj′i-tāt, v.t. (Carlyle) to entreat, importune.—n. Flagitā′tion.
English · e-38538-1745 · brief source recordFlagitious, fla-jish′us, adj. grossly wicked: guilty of enormous crimes.—adv. Flagi′tiously.—n. Flagi′tiousness. [L. flagitiosus—flagitium, a disgraceful act—flagrāre, to burn.]
English · e-38538-1746Flagon, flag′un, n. a vessel with a narrow neck for holding liquids. [Fr. flacon for flascon—Low L. flasco. See Flask.]
English · e-38538-1747 · brief source recordFlagrant, flā′grant, adj. glaring: notorious: enormous.—ns. Flā′grance, Flā′grancy.—adv. Flā′grantly. [L. flagrans, pr.p. of flagrāre, to burn.]
English · e-38538-1748Flail, flāl, n. an implement for threshing corn, consisting of a wooden bar (the swingle) hinged or tied to a handle: a medieval weapon with spiked iron swingle.—v.t. to strike with, or as if with, a flail. [A.S. fligel,
English · e-38538-1749Flair, flār, n. perceptiveness, discernment. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-1750 · brief source recordFlake, flāk, n. a small flat layer or film of anything: a very small loose mass, as of snow or wool.—v.t. to form into flakes.—ns. Flake′-white, the purest white-lead for painting, in the form of scales or plates; Flak′i
English · e-38538-1751Flake, flāk, n. (Scot.) a movable hurdle for fencing; (naut.) a stage hung over a ship's side for caulking, &c. [Scand.; cf. Ice. flake; Dut. vlaak.]
English · e-38538-1752Flam, flam, n. a whim: an idle fancy: a falsehood.—v.t. to impose upon with such. [Prob. from flim-flam or flamfew, a trifle, a corr. of Fr. fanfelue.]
English · e-38538-1753Flambeau, flam′bō, n. a flaming torch:—pl. Flam′beaux (′bōz). [Fr., flambe—L. flamma.]
English · e-38538-1754 · brief source recordFlamboyant, flam-boi′ant, adj. of the latest style of Gothic architecture which prevailed in France in the 15th and 16th centuries, corresponding to the Perpendicular in England—from the flame-like forms of the tracery o
English · e-38538-1755Flame, flām, n. gaseous matter undergoing combustion: the gleam or blaze of a fire: rage: ardour of temper: vigour of thought: warmth of affection: love: (coll.) the object of love.—v.i. to burn as flame: to break out in
English · e-38538-1756Flamen, flā′men, n. a priest in ancient Rome devoted to one particular god.—adj. Flamin′ical. [L., from same root as fla-grāre, to burn.]
English · e-38538-1757Flamingo, fla-ming′gō, n. a tropical bird of a flaming or bright-red colour, with long legs and neck. [Sp. flamenco—L. flamma, a flame.]
English · e-38538-1758Flanch, flansh, n. a flange: (her.) an ordinary formed on each side of a shield by the segment of a circle.—adj. Flanched, charged with a pair of flanches. [Prob. related to flank.]
English · e-38538-1759Flanconade, flang-ko-nād′, n. (fencing) a thrust in the flank or side. [Fr., from flanc, the side.]
English · e-38538-1760 · brief source recordFlâneur, flä-nür′, n. one who saunters about with gossip.—n. Flân′erie. [Fr. flâner, to lounge.]
English · e-38538-1761 · brief source recordFlange, flanj, n. a projecting or raised edge or flank, as of a wheel or of a rail.—adj. Flanged.—n. Flange′-rail, a rail having a flange on one side to prevent wheels running off. [Corr. of flank.]
English · e-38538-1762Flank, flangk, n. the side of an animal from the ribs to the thigh: the side or wing of anything, esp. of an army or fleet: a body of soldiers on the right and left extremities.—v.t. to attack or pass round the side of:
English · e-38538-1763Flannel, flan′el, n. a soft woollen cloth of loose texture for undergarments, &c.: the garment itself: (pl.) the garb of cricketers, &c.—v.t. to wrap in or rub with flannel.—n. Flannelette′, a cotton fabric, made in imit
English · e-38538-1764Flap, flap, n. the blow or motion of a broad loose object: anything broad and flexible hanging loose, as the tail of a coat: a portion of skin or flesh detached from the underlying part for covering and growing over the
English · e-38538-1765Flare, flār, v.i. to burn with a glaring, unsteady light: to glitter or flash: to display glaringly.—n. an unsteady light.—p.adj. Flā′ring, giving out an unsteady light: gaudy.—adv. Flā′ringly.—adj. Flā′ry. [Prob. Scand.
English · e-38538-1766Flash, flash, n. a momentary gleam of light: a sudden burst, as of merriment: a short transient state.—v.i. to break forth, as a sudden light: to break out into intellectual brilliancy: to burst out into violence.—v.t. t
English · e-38538-1767Flask, flask, n. a narrow-necked vessel for holding liquids: a bottle: a pocket-bottle: a horn or metal vessel for carrying powder.—n. Flask′et, a vessel in which viands are served: (Spens.) a basket.—Florence flask, a n
English · e-38538-1768Flat, flat, adj. smooth: level: wanting points of prominence and interest: monotonous: vapid, insipid: dejected: unqualified, positive: (mus.) opposite of sharp.—n. a level plain: a tract covered by shallow water: someth
English · e-38538-1769Flatter, flat′ėr, v.t. to soothe with praise and servile attentions: to please with false hopes or undue praise.—n. Flatt′erer.—adj. Flatt′ering, uttering false praise: pleasing to pride or vanity.—adv. Flatt′eringly.—n.
English · e-38538-1770Flatulent, flat′ū-lent, adj. affected with air in the stomach: apt to generate such: empty: vain.—ns. Flat′ulence, Flat′ulency, distension of the stomach or bowels by gases formed during digestion: windiness, emptiness.—
English · e-38538-1771Flaught, flaht, n. (Scot.) a flight, a flapping.—n. Flaugh′ter, a fluttering motion.—v.i. to flutter, flicker. [See Flight.]
English · e-38538-1772Flaunt, flawnt, v.i. to fly or wave in the wind: to move or display ostentatiously: to carry a gaudy or saucy appearance.—n. (Shak.) anything displayed for show.—n. Flaunt′er.—adj. Flaunt′ing.—adv. Flaunt′ingly, in a fla
English · e-38538-1773Flautist. Same as Flutist.
English · e-38538-1774 · brief source recordFlavescent, fla-ves′ent, adj. yellowish or turning yellow. [L. flavescens, -entis, pr.p. of flavescĕre, to become yellow—flavus, yellow.]
English · e-38538-1775Flavian, flāv′i-an, adj. of or pertaining to the Flavian emperors of Rome—Flavius Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian (69-96 A.D.).
English · e-38538-1776Flavine, flā′vin, n. a concentrated preparation of quercitron bark, till recently an important yellow dye. [L. flavus, yellow.]
English · e-38538-1777Flavour, flā′vur, n. that quality of anything which affects the smell or the palate: a smack or relish.—v.t. to impart flavour to.—adj. Flā′vorous.—n. Flā′vouring, any substance used to give a flavour.—adj. Flā′vourless.
English · e-38538-1778Flaw, flaw, n. a gust of wind: a sudden rush, uproar. [Cf. Dut. vlaag, Sw. flaga.]
English · e-38538-1779 · brief source recordFlaw, flaw, n. a break, a crack: a defect.—v.t. to crack or break.—adjs. Flaw′less; Flaw′y. [Ice. flaga, a slab.]
English · e-38538-1780 · brief source recordFlawn, flawn, n. a custard, pancake. [O. Fr. flaon—Low L. fladon-em—Old High Ger. flado.]
English · e-38538-1781 · brief source recordA 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 →