Gorcrow
Gorcrow, gor′krō, n. the carrion-crow. [A.S. gor, filth, carrion, and crow.]
English · e-38538-3181 · brief source recordHistorical 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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Gorcrow, gor′krō, n. the carrion-crow. [A.S. gor, filth, carrion, and crow.]
English · e-38538-3181 · brief source recordGordian, gord′yan, adj. intricate: difficult.—v.t. (Keats) to tie up, knot.—Cut the Gordian knot, to overcome a difficulty by violent measures—Alexander, unable to untie the fateful knot tied by Gordius, king of Phrygia,
English · e-38538-3182Gordius, gor′di-us, n. a genus typical of Gordiidæ, a family of nematode worms with a hair-like body.
English · e-38538-3183 · brief source recordGore, gōr, n. clotted blood: blood.—adv. Gor′ily (Tenn.), in a gory or bloody manner or state.—adj. Gor′y, covered with gore: bloody.—Gory dew, a dark-red slimy film sometimes seen on damp walls and in shady places. [A.S
English · e-38538-3184Gore, gōr, n. a triangular piece let into a garment to widen it: a triangular piece of land.—v.t. to shape like or furnish with gores: to pierce with anything pointed, as a spear or horns.—n. Gor′ing, a piece of cloth cu
English · e-38538-3185Gorge, gorj, n. the throat: a narrow pass among hills: (fort.) the entrance to an outwork.—v.t. to swallow greedily: to glut.—v.i. to feed.—adj. Gorged, having a gorge or throat: glutted: (her.) having a crown or coronet
English · e-38538-3186Gorgeous, gor′jus, adj. showy: splendid: magnificent.—adv. Gor′geously.—n. Gor′geousness. [O. Fr. gorgias, gaudy—gorgias, a ruff—gorge, the throat.]
English · e-38538-3187Gorgon, gor′gun, n. one of three fabled female monsters (Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa), of horrible aspect, winged, with hissing serpents for hair—every one who looked on Medusa was turned to stone: anything very ugly.—ad
English · e-38538-3188Gorgonzola, gor-gon-zō′la, n. a highly esteemed cheese.
English · e-38538-3189 · brief source recordGorilla, gor-il′a, n. a great African ape, the largest known anthropoid, generally referred to the same genus with the chimpanzee. [African.]
English · e-38538-3190Gormand, older form of gourmand.—v.i. Gor′mandīse, to eat hastily or voraciously.—ns. Gor′mandīser; Gor′mandīsing, the act or habit of eating voraciously; Gor′mandism, gluttony.
English · e-38538-3191Gorse, gors, n. a prickly shrub growing on waste places, the furze or whin.—adj. Gors′y. [A.S. gorst.]
English · e-38538-3192 · brief source recordGoshawk, gos′hawk, n. a short-winged hawk, once used for hunting wild-geese and other fowl, not having a toothed bill, like the falcons proper. [A.S. góshafoc—gós, goose, hafoc, hawk.]
English · e-38538-3193Gosling, goz′ling, n. a young goose. [A.S. gós, goose, double dim. -l-ing.]
English · e-38538-3194 · brief source recordGospel, gos′pel, n. the Christian revelation: the narrative of the life of Christ, as related by Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John: the stated portion of these read at service: the teaching of Christ: a system of religious tr
English · e-38538-3195Goss, gos, n. (Shak.). See Gorse.
English · e-38538-3196 · brief source recordGossamer, gos′a-mėr, n. very fine spider-threads which float in the air or form webs on bushes in fine weather: any thin material.—adj. light, flimsy.—adj. Goss′amery, like gossamer: flimsy. [M. E. gossomer; Prof Skeat t
English · e-38538-3197Gossan, gos′an, n. (prov.) decomposed rock, usually ferruginous, forming the upper part of a metallic vein.—Also Gozz′an.
English · e-38538-3198Gossip, gos′ip, n. one who runs about telling and hearing news: idle talk: a familiar acquaintance: a boon-companion.—v.i. to run about telling idle tales: to talk much: to chat: (Shak.) to stand godfather to.—n. Goss′ip
English · e-38538-3199Gossoon, go-sōōn′, n. a boy-servant in Ireland. [From Fr. garçon, a boy.]
English · e-38538-3200 · brief source recordGossypium, go-sip′i-um, n. a malvaceous genus of herbs and shrubs, native to the tropics, yielding the cotton of commerce. [L. gossypion.]
English · e-38538-3201Got, Gotten. See under Get.
English · e-38538-3202 · brief source recordGoth, goth, n. one of an ancient Teutonic nation, originally settled on the southern coasts of the Baltic, which migrated to Dacia in the 3d century, and later founded kingdoms in Italy, southern France, and Spain: a rud
English · e-38538-3203Gothamite, goth′a-mīt, Gothamist, goth′a-mist, n. a simpleton: a wiseacre. [From Gotham, a village of Nottinghamshire, with which name are connected many of the simpleton stories of immemorial antiquity. So of Gordon in
English · e-38538-3204Gouache, gwash, n. a method of water-colour painting with opaque colours, mixed with water, honey, and gum, presenting a dead surface: work painted according to this method. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-3205Gouda, gow′da, n. a kind of cheese from Gouda.
English · e-38538-3206 · brief source recordGouge, gowj, or gōōj, n. a chisel, with a hollow blade, for cutting grooves or holes.—v.t. to scoop out, as with a gouge: to force out, as the eye with the thumb. [O. Fr.,—Low L. guvia, a kind of chisel.]
English · e-38538-3207Goujeers, gōō′jērz, n. (Shak.) venereal disease.—Goujere, often Good year, used as a slight imprecation, as pox; cf. 2 Henry IV., II. iv. 64. [Perh. Fr. gouge, a prostitute, goujat, a blackguard.]
English · e-38538-3208Goura, gow′ra, n. a genus of beautifully crested, ground-loving pigeons, native to New Guinea.
English · e-38538-3209 · brief source recordGourami. See Goramy.
English · e-38538-3210 · brief source recordGourd, gōrd, or gōōrd, n. a large fleshy fruit: rind of a gourd used as a drinking-cup: the gourd plant: (pl.) hollow dice used by cheating gamblers.—ns. Gourd′iness; Gourd′-worm, a fluke or trematode worm, esp. the live
English · e-38538-3211Gourmand, gōōr′mand, n. one who eats greedily: a glutton.—adj. voracious: gluttonous—also Gor′mand.—n. Gourmet (goor-mā′, or -met′), an epicure, originally one with a delicate taste in wines. [Fr. gourmand, a glutton; or
English · e-38538-3212Gousty, gows′ti, adj. dreary.—adj. Gous′trous, stormy: (Scot.) rude. [Same as Gusty.]
English · e-38538-3213 · brief source recordGout, gowt, n. an acute inflammation of the smaller joints, and esp. of the great toe, in persons of luxurious habits and past middle life: (obs.) a drop.—adv. Gout′ily.—ns. Gout′iness; Gout′wort, Gout′weed, an umbellife
English · e-38538-3214Gout, gōō, n. taste: relish. [Fr.,—L. gustus, taste.]
English · e-38538-3215 · brief source recordGovern, guv′ėrn, v.t. to direct: to control: to rule with authority: (gram.) to determine the mood, tense, or case of.—v.i. to exercise authority: to administer the laws.—adj. Gov′ernable.—ns. Gov′ernall (Spens.), govern
English · e-38538-3216Gowan, gow′an, n. (Scot.) the wild daisy. [Ir. and Gael. gugan, bud, daisy.]
English · e-38538-3217 · brief source recordGowd, Scotch for gold.
English · e-38538-3218 · brief source recordGowf, gowf, v.t. (Scot.) to strike, cuff. [A modification of golf.]
English · e-38538-3219 · brief source recordGowk, Gouk, gowk, n. a stupid fellow, a fool.
English · e-38538-3220 · brief source recordGowl, gowl, v.i. (Scot.) to cry or howl. [M. E. goulen—Scand., Ice. gaula, to bellow.]
English · e-38538-3221 · brief source recordGown, gown, n. a woman's upper garment: a long loose robe worn officially by clergymen, lawyers, college lecturers, &c.—v.t. to invest with the gown.—adj. Gowned, dressed in a gown.—ns. Gown′man, Gowns′man, one whose pro
English · e-38538-3222Gowpen, gowp′en, n. (Scot.) the hollow of the hand or of the two hands held together: a handful. [Scand.; Ice. gaupn, Sw. göpen, Dan. gövn; Low Ger. göpse, göpsch, Ger. dial. gauf, gaufel.]
English · e-38538-3223Graafian, grä′fi-an, adj. pertaining to the follicle or little sac in the ovary in which an ovum matures—in mammals. [Named from the discoverer of these, Regnier de Graaf, 1641-73.]
English · e-38538-3224Graal. Same as Grail, a dish.
English · e-38538-3225 · brief source recordGrab, grab, n. a vessel on the Malabar coast, having two or three masts.
English · e-38538-3226 · brief source recordGrab, grab, v.t. (coll.) to seize or grasp suddenly: to lay hands on:—pr.p. grab′bing; pa.p. grabbed.—n. a sudden grasp or catch, acquisition by violent or unjust means: that which is seized: a simple card game.—ns. Grab
English · e-38538-3227Grabble, grab′l, v.i. to grope. [Freq. of grab.]
English · e-38538-3228 · brief source recordGrace, grās, n. easy elegance in form or manner: what adorns and commends to favour: embellishment: favour: pardon: the undeserved mercy of God: divine influence: eternal life or salvation: a short prayer at meat: an act
English · e-38538-3229Gracile, gras′il, adj. slender, gracefully slight in form.—n. Gracil′ity. [L. gracilis, slender.]
English · e-38538-3230 · brief source recordGrackle, grak′l, n. the common name of many birds of the starling family, all tropical or subtropical.—Also Grak′le. [L. graculus, a jackdaw.]
English · e-38538-3231Grade, grād, n. a degree or step in rank or dignity: the degree of slope on a road as compared with the horizontal: a class of animals produced by crossing a common breed with one purer—also adj.: a group of animals bran
English · e-38538-3232Gradely, grād′li, adv. (prov.) readily, speedily.—Also Graith′ly.
English · e-38538-3233 · brief source recordGradgrind, gräd′grīnd, n. one who regulates all human things by rule and compass and the mechanical application of statistics, allowing nothing for sentiment, emotion, and individuality. [From Thomas Gradgrind in Dickens
English · e-38538-3234Graf, gräf, n. a German title of dignity equivalent to Count:—fem. Gräfin.
English · e-38538-3235 · brief source recordGraff, graf, n. (Scot.) a grave. A variant of grave.
English · e-38538-3236 · brief source recordGraff, n. and v. (B.). Same as Graft.
English · e-38538-3237 · brief source recordGraffito, graf-fē′to, n. the name given to certain classes of mural inscriptions, such as the scribblings of schoolboys and idlers, found at Pompeii, Rome, and other ancient cities:—pl. Graffiti (-fē′tē). [It.—graffiare,
English · e-38538-3238Graft, graft, v.t. to make an incision in a tree or plant, and insert in it a small branch of another, so as to make a union of the two: to insert in something anything not belonging to it: to incorporate one thing with
English · e-38538-3239Grail, grāl, n. (Spens.) small particles of any kind, as sand. [O. Fr. graile (Fr. grêle), hail—L. gracilis, slender.]
English · e-38538-3240 · brief source recordGrail, See Gradual.
English · e-38538-3241 · brief source recordGrail, grāl, n. in medieval legend, the Holy Cup used by Christ at the Last Supper. [Orig. the San Greal, 'Holy Dish' (not Sang Real, 'Holy Blood'), in which it is said Joseph of Arimathea collected our Lord's blood; fro
English · e-38538-3242Grain, grān, n. a single small hard seed: (coll.) the seeds of certain plants which form the chief food of man: corn, in general: a minute particle: a very small quantity: the smallest British weight, supposed to be the
English · e-38538-3243Grain, grān, n. a prong, fork: a kind of harpoon.
English · e-38538-3244 · brief source recordGraining, grān′ing, n. a kind of dace found in the Mersey and in Swiss lakes: a small fish of the same genus, resembling the dace.
English · e-38538-3245Graip, grāp, n. (Scot.) a three or four pronged fork used for lifting dung or digging potatoes. [A form of grope. Cf. Sw. grepe, Dan. greb.]
English · e-38538-3246Graith, grāth, n. apparatus for work, travelling, &c., equipment.—v.t. (Scot.) to make ready, to dress.—adjs. Graith, Grāde, ready, free.—Lift one's graith, to collect one's tools and leave the mine. [Ice. greidhr, ready
English · e-38538-3247Grakle. See Grackle.
English · e-38538-3248 · brief source recordGrallæ, gral′ē, Grallatores, gral-a-tō′rēz, n.pl. an old order of wading and running birds, including rails, snipes and curlews, cranes, herons and bitterns, storks, and numerous other families.—adjs. Grallatō′rial, Gral
English · e-38538-3249Gralloch, Grallock, gral′ok, v.t. to disembowel.
English · e-38538-3250 · brief source recordGram, gram, n. (Rossetti) misery.—Also Grame. [A.S. grama, anger.]
English · e-38538-3251 · brief source recordGram, gram, n. a word used in commerce for chick peas exported from British India. [Anglo-Ind., perh. from Port, grão—L. granum, a grain.]
English · e-38538-3252Gram, Gramme, gram, n. the unit of mass in the metric system, equal to 15.432 troy grains. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. gramma, a letter, a small weight.]
English · e-38538-3253Gramary, gram′a-ri, n. magic: enchantment.—Also Gram′arye. [M. E. gramery, skill in grammar, hence magic—O. Fr. gramaire, grammar.]
English · e-38538-3254Gramercy, gra-mėr′si, interj. great thanks—an obsolete expression of obligation, with surprise. [O. Fr. grammerci, grantmerci, great thanks.]
English · e-38538-3255Gramineæ, grā-min′ē-ē, n.pl. the order of grasses.—adjs. Graminā′ceous, Gramin′eal, Graminē′ous, like or pertaining to grass: grassy; Graminifō′lious, bearing leaves; Graminiv′orous, feeding or subsisting on grass and he
English · e-38538-3256Grammar, gram′ar, n. the science of the right use of language: a book which teaches grammar: any elementary work.—ns. Grammā′rian, one versed in, or who teaches, grammar; Gramm′ar-school, a school in which grammar, esp.
English · e-38538-3257Gramme. See Gram.
English · e-38538-3258 · brief source recordGramophone, gram′o-fōn, n. an instrument of the phonograph type for recording and reproducing articulate speech—invented by E. Berliner. [Gr. gramma, a letter, phōnē, sound.]
English · e-38538-3259Grampus, gram′pus, n. a large voracious fish of the dolphin family, common in almost all seas. [A sailor's corr. of It. gran pesce, or Sp. gran pez, great fish—L. grandis piscis, great fish.]
English · e-38538-3260Granadilla, gran-a-dil′a, n. the edible fruit of a species of passion-flower. [Sp.]
English · e-38538-3261 · brief source recordGranary, gran′ar-i, n. a storehouse for grain or threshed corn. [L. granaria—granum.]
English · e-38538-3262 · brief source recordGrand, grand, adj. of great size, extent, power, or dignity: splendid: illustrious: noble: sublime: chief: covering the whole field, or including all details: (mus.) containing all the parts proper to a given form of com
English · e-38538-3263Grandisonian, gran-di-sō′ni-an, adj. like the novelist Richardson's hero, Sir Charles Grandison, polite and chivalrous to an extreme and tedious degree.
English · e-38538-3264Grange, grānj, n. a farm-house with its stables and other buildings: (Milt.) a granary: (U.S.) a lodge of the order of 'Patrons of Husbandry.'—n. Gran′ger, a member of a farmer's grange.—adj. pertaining to such. [O. Fr.
English · e-38538-3265Grangerism, grān′jer-izm, n. the practice of cutting plates and title-pages out of many books to illustrate one book.—v.t. Gran′gerise, to practise grangerism. [From James Granger (1716-76), whose Biographical History of
English · e-38538-3266Graniferous, gran-if′ėr-us, adj. bearing seeds like grain.—adjs. Gran′iform, formed or shaped like a grain or seed; Graniv′orous, eating grain: feeding on seeds. [L. granum, grain, ferre, to carry, forma, form, vorāre, t
English · e-38538-3267Granite, gran′it, n. an igneous crystalline rock, composed of grains of quartz, feldspar, and mica, and of a whitish, grayish, or reddish colour.—adj. Granit′ic, pertaining to, consisting of, or like granite.—n. Granitif
English · e-38538-3268Granny, gran′i, n. a grandmother: an old woman—also Grand′am.—n. Grann′y-knot, a knot like a reef-knot, but having the second tie across, difficult to untie when jammed.
English · e-38538-3269Grant, grant, v.t. to bestow or give over: to give possession of: to admit as true what is not yet proved: to concede.—v.i. (Shak.) to consent.—n. a bestowing: something bestowed, an allowance: a gift: (Eng. law) conveya
English · e-38538-3270Granule, gran′ūl, n. a little grain: a fine particle.—adjs. Gran′ūlar, Gran′ūlary, Gran′ūlose, Gran′ūlous, consisting of or like grains or granules.—adv. Gran′ūlarly.—v.t. Gran′ūlāte, to form or break into grains or smal
English · e-38538-3271Grape, grāp, v.i. a Scotch form of grope.
English · e-38538-3272 · brief source recordGrape, grāp, n. the fruit of the grape-vine, or of any of the many species of the genus Vitis: a mangy tumour on the legs of horses: grapeshot.—n. Grape′-hy′acinth, a genus of bulbous-rooted plants, nearly allied to the
English · e-38538-3273Graph, graf, n. a representation by means of lines, exhibiting the nature of the law according to which some phenomena vary: -graph is used as a terminal in many Greek compounds to denote an agent which writes, &c., as t
English · e-38538-3274Grapholite, graf′o-līt, n. a kind of slate for writing on.—n. Graphom′eter, an instrument used by surveyors for measuring angles.—adjs. Graphomet′ric, -al, pertaining to or determined by a graphometer.—ns. Graph′ophone,
English · e-38538-3275Grapnel, grap′nel, n. a small anchor with several claws or arms: a grappling-iron. [Fr. grappin—grappe, a hook, with dim. suff. -el.]
English · e-38538-3276Grapple, grap′l, v.t. to seize: to lay fast hold of.—v.i. to contend in close fight.—ns. Grapp′lement (Spens.), a grappling, close fight; Grapp′ling-ī′ron, a large grapnel for seizing hostile ships in naval engagements.
English · e-38538-3277Graptolite, grap′to-līt, n. one of a group of fossil hydrozoa, having simple or branched polyparies, usually strengthened by a horny-like rod—the 'solid axis.' [Gr. graptos—graphein, to write, lithos, a stone.]
English · e-38538-3278Grasp, grasp, v.t. to seize and hold by clasping with the fingers or arms: to catch at: to comprehend.—v.i. to endeavour to seize: to catch (with at).—n. gripe of the hand: reach of the arms: power of seizing: mental pow
English · e-38538-3279Grass, gras, n. common herbage: an order of plants (Gramineæ), the most important in the whole vegetable kingdom, with long, narrow leaves and tubular stem, including wheat, rye, oats, rice, millet, and all those which s
English · e-38538-3280Grassum, gräs′um, n. (Scots law) a lump sum paid by persons who take a lease of landed property—in England, 'premium' and 'fine.'
English · e-38538-3281Grate, grāt, n. a framework composed of bars with interstices, esp. one of iron bars for holding coals while burning.—adj. Grat′ed, having a grating.—ns. Graticulā′tion, the division of a design into squares for convenie
English · e-38538-3282Grate, grāt, v.t. to rub hard or wear away with anything rough: to make a harsh sound: to irritate or offend.—n. Grat′er, an instrument with a rough surface for grating down a body.—adj. Grat′ing, rubbing hard on the fee
English · e-38538-3283Grateful, grāt′fōōl, adj. causing pleasure: acceptable: delightful: thankful: having a due sense of benefits.—adv. Grate′fully.—ns. Grate′fulness; Gratificā′tion, a pleasing or indulging: that which gratifies: delight; G
English · e-38538-3284Gratillity, gra-til′i-ti, n. (Shak.) gratuity.
English · e-38538-3285 · brief source recordGratis, grā′tis, adv. for nothing: without payment or recompense. [L., contr. of gratiis, abl. pl. of gratia, favour—gratus.]
English · e-38538-3286Gratitude, grat′i-tūd, n. warm and friendly feeling towards a benefactor: thankfulness. [Fr.,—Low L. gratitudo—-L. gratus.]
English · e-38538-3287Gratuity, gra-tū′i-ti, n. a present: an acknowledgment of service, generally pecuniary.—adj. Gratū′itous, done or given for nothing: voluntary: without reason, ground, or proof.—adv. Gratū′itously. [Fr.,—Low L. gratuitat
English · e-38538-3288Gratulatory, grat′ū-la-tor-i, adj. congratulatory.—adj. Grat′ulant, congratulatory.—v.t. Grat′ulāte, to congratulate.—n. Gratulā′tion, congratulation.
English · e-38538-3289Gravamen, grav-ā′men, n. grievance: the substantial or chief ground of complaint or accusation: the name for the statement of abuses, grievances, &c. sent by the Lower to the Upper House of Convocation. [L.,—gravis, heav
English · e-38538-3290Grave, grāv, v.t. to carve or cut on a hard substance: to engrave.—v.i. to engrave:—pa.p. graved or grāv′en.—n. a pit graved or dug out, esp. one in which to bury the dead: any place of burial: the abode of the dead: (fi
English · e-38538-3291Grave, grāv, v.t. to smear with graves or greaves, a mixture of tallow, rosin, &c. boiled together.—ns.pl. Graves, Greaves, tallow-drippings. [See Greaves.]
English · e-38538-3292Grave, grāv, adj. of importance: serious: not gay or showy: sober: solemn; weighty: (mus.) not acute: low.—n. the grave accent, or its sign (`).—adv. Grave′ly.—n. Grave′ness. [Fr.,—L. gravis.]
English · e-38538-3293Grave, grāv, n. a count, prefect, a person holding office, as in landgrave, margrave, burgrave, &c. [Dut. graaf, Ger. graf.]
English · e-38538-3294Gravel, grav′el, n. small stones often intermixed with sand: small collections of gravelly matter in the kidneys or bladder.—v.t. to cover with gravel: to puzzle, perplex:—pr.p. grav′elling; pa.p. grav′elled.—adj. Grav′e
English · e-38538-3295Graven, grāv′n, pa.p. of grave, to carve, engrave.
English · e-38538-3296 · brief source recordGraveolent, grav′ē-o-lent, adj. giving forth an offensive smell.—n. Grav′eolence.
English · e-38538-3297 · brief source recordGraver, grāv′ėr, n. an engraver: a tool for engraving on hard substances, a burin.
English · e-38538-3298 · brief source recordGravid, grav′id, adj. heavy, esp. as being with child: pregnant. [L. gravidus—gravis, heavy.]
English · e-38538-3299 · brief source recordGravigrade, grav′i-grād, adj. walking heavily.—n. an animal like the megatherium, &c.
English · e-38538-3300 · brief source recordGraving, grāv′ing, n. an act of graving or cutting out on hard substances: that which is graved or cut out: carved-work: act of cleaning a ship's bottom.—n. Grav′ing-dock, a dock into which ships are taken to have their
English · e-38538-3301Gravity, grav′i-ti, n. weightiness: that attraction between bodies, or acceleration of one toward another, of which the fall of a body to the ground is an example: state of being grave or sober: relative importance: (mus
English · e-38538-3302Gravy, grāv′i, n. the juices from meat while cooking.—n. Grav′y-boat, a vessel for gravy or sauce. [Earlier greavy; prob. originally an adj. formed greaves, the dregs of tallow.]
English · e-38538-3303Gray, Grey, grā, adj. of a white colour mixed with black: ash-coloured: (fig.) aged, gray-haired, mature.—n. a gray colour: an animal of a grayish colour, as a horse, &c.—v.t. to cause to become gray: to give a soft effe
English · e-38538-3304Graywacke, Greywacke, grä′wak-e, n. a kind of sandstone, consisting of rounded pebbles and sand firmly united together. [Ger. grauwacke—grau, gray, wacke, a flint.]
English · e-38538-3305Graze, grāz, v.t. to eat or feed on grass: to feed or supply with grass: (obs.) to tend while grazing.—v.i. to eat grass: to supply grass.—ns. Graz′er, an animal which grazes; Grazier (grā′zhėr), one who grazes or pastur
English · e-38538-3306Graze, grāz, v.t. to pass lightly along the surface. [Ety. dub.; perh. only a special use of graze above; perh. coined from rase (Fr. raser), the initial g due to the analogy of grate.]
English · e-38538-3307Grease, grēs, n. soft thick animal fat: oily matter of any kind: an inflammation in the heels of a horse, marked by swelling, &c.—v.t. (sometimes pron. grēz) to smear with grease, to lubricate—also used figuratively, to
English · e-38538-3308Great, grāt, adj. large: long continued: superior: distinguished: highly gifted: noble: mighty: sublime: of high rank: chief: proud, arrogant: weighty: difficult: important: pregnant, teeming: indicating one degree more
English · e-38538-3309Greave, grēv, n. (Spens.) a groove, a grove.
English · e-38538-3310 · brief source recordGreave. See Greeve.
English · e-38538-3311 · brief source recordGreaves, grēvz, n.pl. the sediment of melted tallow pressed into cakes for dogs' food.—Also Graves. [Prov. Sw. grevar, tallow-leavings; cf. Ger. griebe.]
English · e-38538-3312Greaves, grēvz, n.pl. ancient armour for the legs, of leather, &c. [O. Fr. greves—greve, shin-bone.]
English · e-38538-3313 · brief source recordGrebe, grēb, n. an aquatic bird, having a long conical beak, short wings, and no tail. [Fr. grèbe; from Celt., as in Bret. krib, a comb, W. crib, crest.]
English · e-38538-3314Grecian, grē′shan, adj. pertaining to Greece.—n. a native of Greece: one well versed in the Greek language and literature: (B.) a Hellenising Jew, or Jew who spoke Greek: one of the senior boys of Christ's Hospital: (sla
English · e-38538-3315Grecque, grek, n. a vessel with a perforated bottom for making coffee without grounds: a Greek fret.
English · e-38538-3316 · brief source recordGree, grē, n. (Spens.) good-will, favour: the prize of the day.—v.i. (Shak.) to agree. [O. Fr. gre—L. gratus, pleasing. See Agree.]
English · e-38538-3317Gree, grē, n. degree, rank: a step:—pl. Grees, Grece, Grese, steps—in turn used as a sing. and spelt Greece, Greese, Griece, Grize, a flight of steps, a staircase, a degree (Grees′ing, Gres′sing, and even Grē′cian are ob
English · e-38538-3318Greedy, grēd′i, adj. having a voracious appetite: covetous: eagerly desirous.—n. Greed, an eager desire or longing: covetousness.—adv. Greed′ily.—n. Greed′iness. [A.S. grǽdig; Dut. gretig.]
English · e-38538-3319Greek, grēk, adj. Grecian.—n. a Grecian: the language of Greece: (B.) a Greek by race, or more frequently a Gentile as opposed to a Jew, a Hellenising Jew, a Jew naturalised in foreign countries: a cunning rogue, a merry
English · e-38538-3320Green, grēn, adj. of the colour of growing plants: growing: vigorous: new: unripe: inexperienced, simple, raw, easily imposed on: young.—n. the colour of growing plants: a small green or grassy plat, esp. that common to
English · e-38538-3321Greengage, grēn′gāj, n. a green and very sweet variety of plum. [Said to be named from Sir W. Gage of Hengrave Hall, near Bury, before 1725.]
English · e-38538-3322Greese, Greesing. See Gree (2).
English · e-38538-3323 · brief source recordGreet, grēt, v.t. to salute or address with kind wishes: to send kind wishes to: to congratulate.—v.i. to meet and salute:—pr.p. greet′ing; pa.p. greet′ed.—n. Greet′ing, expression of kindness or joy: salutation. [A.S. g
English · e-38538-3324Greet, grēt, v.i. (Spens.) to cry, weep.—adj. Greet′ing, mournful.—n. weeping. [A.S. grǽtan; Goth. gretan.]
English · e-38538-3325 · brief source recordGreeve, grēv, n. (Scot.) a reeve, a steward.—Also Greave, Grieve. [Not like reeve from A.S. geréfa; but from Ice. greifi; cf. Ger. graf.]
English · e-38538-3326Greffier, gref′ier, n. a registrar, a prothonotary. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-3327 · brief source recordGregarious, gre-gā′ri-us, adj. associating or living in flocks and herds.—adj. Gregā′rian.—n. Gregā-rianism.—adv. Gregā′riously.—n. Gregā′riousness. [L. gregarius—grex, gregis, a flock.]
English · e-38538-3328Gregorian, gre-gō′ri-an, adj. belonging to or established by Pope Gregory; as the Gregorian chant or tones, introduced by Gregory I. (6th century), and the calendar, reformed by Gregory XIII. (1582): one of an 18th-centu
English · e-38538-3329Greit, grēt. Same as Greet (2).
English · e-38538-3330 · brief source recordGremial, grē′mi-al, n. a piece of cloth laid on a bishop's knees to keep his vestments clean from oil at ordinations. [Fr.,—L. gremium, the lap.]
English · e-38538-3331Grenade, gre-nād′, n. a small shell of iron or annealed glass, filled with powder and bits of iron, and thrown from the hand, or with a shovel over a parapet. [Fr.,—Sp. granada—L. granatus, full of seeds—granum, a grain,
English · e-38538-3332Grenadier, gren-a-dēr′, n. (orig.) a soldier who threw grenades: then, a member of the first company of every battalion of foot: now only used as the title of the first three battalions of the foot-guards.
English · e-38538-3333Grenadine, gren-a-dēn′, n. a thin kind of silk used for ladies' dresses, shawls, &c. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-3334 · brief source recordGressorial, gres-ō′ri-al, adj. adapted for walking, belonging to the Gressoria, a sub-order of orthopterous insects with slender bodies and long legs. [L. gressus, pa.p. of gradi, to walk.]
English · e-38538-3335Gretna, gret′na.—Gretna-green marriage, a runaway marriage across the Border to Gretna in Dumfriesshire.
English · e-38538-3336 · brief source recordGrève, grāv, n. the Tyburn of ancient Paris.
English · e-38538-3337 · brief source recordGreves, grēvz, n.pl. (Milt.) armour for the legs—a form of greaves.
English · e-38538-3338 · brief source recordGrew, grōō, pa.t. of grow.
English · e-38538-3339 · brief source recordGrey, grā. Same as Gray.—Grey Friars (see Friar); Grey hen, a stone bottle for holding liquor; Greys=Scots Greys (see Scot).
English · e-38538-3340Greyhound, grā′hownd, n. a tall and slender dog, kept for the chase, with great powers of speed and great keenness of sight. [M. E. greihund; Ice. greyhundr—Ice. grey, a dog, hundr, a hound.]
English · e-38538-3341Greywether, grā-weth′er, n. a large block of hard sandstone found sporadically over south and south-east England.—Also Grayweth′er, but not Grayweather. [Gray and wether—i.e. 'gray ram.']
English · e-38538-3342Grice, grīs, n. a little pig.—Also Grise. [Ice.]
English · e-38538-3343 · brief source recordGriddle, grid′l, n. a flat iron plate for baking cakes. [O. Fr. gredil, grëil—Low L. craticulum, dim. of cratis, a hurdle.]
English · e-38538-3344Gride, grīd, v.t. to cut with a grating sound, to pierce harshly: to grate, jar upon:—pr.p. grīd′ing; pa.p. grīd′ed.—n. a harsh grating sound. [Gird.]
English · e-38538-3345Gridelin, grid′e-lin, n. a kind of violet-gray colour. [Fr. gris de lin, gray of flax.]
English · e-38538-3346 · brief source recordGridiron, grid′ī-urn, n. a frame of iron bars for broiling flesh or fish over the fire: a frame of wood or iron cross-beams to support a ship during repairs.—v.t. to cover with parallel bars or lines.—n. Grid, a grating
English · e-38538-3347Griece. See Gree (2).
English · e-38538-3348 · brief source recordGrief, grēf, n. heaviness of heart: sorrow: regret: mourning: cause of sorrow: affliction: (B.) bodily as well as mental pain.—adjs. Grief′ful (Spens.), full of grief; Grief′less, sorrowless; Grief′shot (Shak.), pierced
English · e-38538-3349Grieve. See Greeve.
English · e-38538-3350 · brief source recordGrieve, grēv, v.t. to cause grief or pain of mind to: to make sorrowful: to vex: (B.) also to inflict bodily pain.—v.i. to feel grief: to mourn.—n. Griev′ance, cause of grief: burden: hardship: injury: grief.—adv. Griev′
English · e-38538-3351Griffin, grif′in, Griffon, grif′un, n. an imaginary animal, with the body and legs of a lion, and the crooked beak and wings of an eagle: a new-comer in India, a novice: a watchful guardian, esp. over a young woman: a du
English · e-38538-3352Grig, grig, n. a cricket, grasshopper: a small lively eel, the sand-eel. [Prob. a form of crick, in cricket.]
English · e-38538-3353 · brief source recordGrill, gril, v.t. to broil on a gridiron: to torment.—v.i. to undergo torment, to be in a broil.—n. a grated appliance for broiling meat, &c., a gridiron.—ns. Grill′āde, anything grilled or broiled on a gridiron; Grill′ā
English · e-38538-3354Grille, gril, n. a lattice, or grating, or screen, or open-work of metal, generally used to enclose or protect a window, shrine, &c.: a grating in a convent or jail door. [Fr. See Grill.]
English · e-38538-3355Grilse, grils, n. a young salmon on its first return from salt water. [Skeat suggests a corr. of Dan. graalax, Sw. grålax, 'gray salmon,' from Dan. graa, Sw. grå, gray; and Dan., Sw., Ice. lax, Ger. lachs, a salmon. Othe
English · e-38538-3356Grim, grim, adj. of forbidding aspect: ferocious: ghastly: sullen: stern, unyielding.—adv. Grim′ly.—n. Grim′ness. [A.S. grim; Ger. grimmig—grimm, fury, Dut. grimmig, Ice. grimmr.]
English · e-38538-3357Grimace, gri-mās′, n. a distortion of the face, in jest, &c.: a smirk.—v.i. to make grimaces.—adj. Grimaced′, with a grimace: distorted. [Fr.; of uncertain origin, perh. from Ice. gríma, a mask.]
English · e-38538-3358Grimalkin, gri-mal′kin, n. an old cat, a cat generally. [Gray, and malkin, a dim. of Moll=Mary.]
English · e-38538-3359 · brief source recordGrime, grīm, n. ingrained dirt.—v.t. to soil deeply.—adv. Grim′ily.—n. Grim′iness.—adjs. Grim′-looked (Shak.), having a grim or dismal aspect; Grim′y, foul, dirty. [From a Teut. root seen in Dan. grim, soot, Fris. grime,
English · e-38538-3360Grimm's Law. See Law.
English · e-38538-3361 · brief source recordGrin, grin, v.i. to set the teeth together and withdraw the lips: to smile with some accompanying distortion of the features, expressive of derision, stupid admiration, &c.—v.t. to express by grinning:—pr.p. grin′ning; p
English · e-38538-3362Grin, grin, n. a snare or trap. [A.S. grín.]
English · e-38538-3363 · brief source recordGrind, grīnd, v.t. to reduce to powder by friction: to wear down or sharpen by rubbing: to rub together: to oppress or harass: to set in motion by a crank.—v.i. to be moved or rubbed together: to drudge at any tedious ta
English · e-38538-3364Gringo, gring′gō, n. an Englishman or American among Spanish-speaking Americans. [Sp. 'gibberish,' prob. Griego, Greek.]
English · e-38538-3365Grip, grip, n. a small ditch or trench, a drain.—Also Gripe. [M. E. grip, grippe; cf. Low Ger. gruppe.]
English · e-38538-3366 · brief source recordGrip, grip, n. grasp or firm hold with the hand, &c.: the handle or part by which anything is grasped: a mode of grasping, a particular mode of grasping hands for mutual recognition, as by Freemasons: a clutching device
English · e-38538-3367Griqua, grek′wa, n. one of a mixed race in South Africa, descended from Boer fathers and Hottentot or Bush women.
English · e-38538-3368 · brief source recordGris-amber, gris′-am′bėr, n. (Milt.)—ambergris.
English · e-38538-3370 · brief source recordGrisaille, grē-zāl′, n. a style of decorative painting in grayish tints in imitation of bas-reliefs: a stained-glass window in this style. [Fr.,—gris, gray.]
English · e-38538-3369Grise, Grize. See Gree (2).
English · e-38538-3371 · brief source recordGriselda, gris-el′da, n. a woman of exemplary gentleness and patience, from the name of the heroine of a tale retold by Boccaccio, Petrarch, and Chaucer (Clerkes Tale).
English · e-38538-3372Griseous, gris′ē-us, adj. bluish-gray.
English · e-38538-3373 · brief source recordGrisette, gri-zet′, n. a gay young Frenchwoman of the lower class. [Fr. grisette, a gray gown, which used to be worn by that class—gris, gray.]
English · e-38538-3374Griskin, gris′kin, n. (prov.) the spine of a hog. [Obs. gris, grice, a pig—Ice. griss, a young pig.]
English · e-38538-3375 · brief source recordGrisled, griz′ld. Same as Grizzled.
English · e-38538-3376 · brief source recordGrisly, griz′li, adj. frightful: hideous.—n. Gris′liness. [A.S. gryslíc, ágrísan, to dread; Ger. grässlich.]
English · e-38538-3377 · brief source recordGrist, grist, n. corn for grinding at one time: supply: profit.—n. Grist′-mill, a mill for grinding grain.—Bring grist to the mill, to be a source of profit. [A.S. grist, gerst, a grinding; from root of grind.]
English · e-38538-3378Gristle, gris′l, n. a soft elastic substance in animal bodies—also called Cartilage.—n. Grist′liness.—adj. Grist′ly. [A.S. gristle—grist, grinding.]
English · e-38538-3379Grit, grit, n. the coarse part of meal: gravel: a kind of hard sandstone: firmness of character, spirit: (pl.) oats coarsely ground, groats.—ns. Grit′stone; Grit′tiness.—adj. Grit′ty, having hard particles: sandy: determ
English · e-38538-3380A 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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