Grit
Grit, grit, a Scotch form of great.
English · e-38538-3381 · 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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Grit, grit, a Scotch form of great.
English · e-38538-3381 · brief source recordGrize. See Gree (2).
English · e-38538-3382 · brief source recordGrizzle, griz′l, n. a gray colour.—adjs. Grizz′led, gray, or mixed with gray; Grizz′ly, of a gray colour.—n. the grizzly bear (Ursus horribilis) of the Rocky Mountains. [M. E. grisel—Fr. gris, gray—Mid. High Ger. grís, g
English · e-38538-3383Groan, grōn, v.i. to utter a moaning sound in distress: (fig.) to be afflicted: to express disapprobation of a speaker by means of audible groans or similar sounds.—n. a deep moaning sound as of distress: a sound of disa
English · e-38538-3384Groat, grawt, or grōt, n. an English silver coin, worth fourpence—only coined after 1662 as Maundy money—the silver fourpenny-piece, coined from 1836-56, was not called a groat: a very small sum, proverbially. [Old Low G
English · e-38538-3385Groats, grōts, n.pl. the grain of oats deprived of the husks. [M. E. grotes, prob. Ice. grautr, barley; cog. with A.S. grút, coarse meal.]
English · e-38538-3386Grobian, grō′bi-an, n. a boorish rude fellow. [Ger. grob, coarse; cf. gruff—Dut. grof.]
English · e-38538-3387 · brief source recordGrocer, grōs′ėr, n. a dealer in tea, sugar, &c.—n. Groc′ery (generally used in pl.), articles sold by grocers. [Earlier grosser or engrosser, a wholesale dealer; O. Fr. grossier—gros, great.]
English · e-38538-3388Grog, grog, n. a mixture of spirits and cold water, without sugar.—ns. Grog′-bloss′om, a redness of the nose due to drinking; Grog′gery (U.S.), a low public-house; Grog′giness, state of being groggy; Grog′ging, extractin
English · e-38538-3389Grogram, grog′ram, n. a kind of coarse cloth of silk and mohair. [O. Fr. grosgrain.]
English · e-38538-3390 · brief source recordGroin, groin, n. the part of the body on either side of the belly where the thigh joins the trunk: (archit.) the angular curve formed by the crossing of two arches.—v.t. to form into groins, to build in groins.—n. Groin′
English · e-38538-3391Groin, groin, v.i. (obs.) to grunt, to growl. [O. Fr. grogner—L. grunnīre, to grunt.]
English · e-38538-3392 · brief source recordGrolier, grō′lye, n. a book or a binding from the library of the French bibliophile, Jean Grolier (1479-1565).—adj. Grolieresque′, after the style of Grolier's bindings, with geometrical or arabesque figures and leaf-spr
English · e-38538-3393Grommet, grom′et, n. a ring formed of a single strand of rope, laid in three times round, fastening the upper edge of a sail to its stay: a ship-boy. [O. Fr.]
English · e-38538-3394Gromwell, grom′wel, n. a herb of the borage family. [O. Fr. grumel—L. grumulus, a hillock.]
English · e-38538-3395 · brief source recordGroom, grōōm, n. one who has the charge of horses: a title of several officers of the royal household: a bridegroom.—v.t. to tend, as a horse.—n. Grooms′man, the attendant on a bridegroom at his marriage. [Prob. from A.S
English · e-38538-3396Groove, grōōv, n. a furrow, or long hollow, such as is cut with a tool.—v.t. to grave or cut a groove or furrow in. [Prob. Dut. groef, groeve, a furrow; cog. with Ger. grube, a pit, Ice. gróf, Eng. grave.]
English · e-38538-3397Grope, grōp, v.i. to search for something, as if blind or in the dark.—v.t. to search by feeling.—adv. Grop′ingly, in a groping manner. [A.S. grápian, to seize; allied to grab, gripe.]
English · e-38538-3398Grosbeak, grōs′bēk, n. a name applied to not a few highly specialised finches (Fringillidæ), with thick, heavy, seed-crushing bills—also to many other birds, as the cardinal grosbeaks and the rose-breasted grosbeak. [Gro
English · e-38538-3399Groschen, grō′shen, n. a small silver coin till 1873-76 current in the north of Germany, in value 1⁄30th of a thaler. [Ger.,—L. grossus, thick.]
English · e-38538-3400Groser, grō′ser, n. (prov.) a gooseberry—(Scot.) Gros′sart.—adj. Grossulā′ceous, pertaining to the gooseberry. [See Gooseberry.]
English · e-38538-3401Gross, grōs, adj. coarse: rough: dense: palpable, glaring, shameful: whole: coarse in mind: stupid: sensual: obscene.—n. the main bulk: the whole taken together: a great hundred—i.e. twelve dozen.—adv. Gross′ly.—n. Gross
English · e-38538-3402Grotesque, grō-tesk′, adj. extravagantly formed: ludicrous.—n. (art) extravagant ornament, containing animals, plants, &c. not really existing.—adv. Grotesque′ly.—ns. Grotesque′ness; Grotesqu′ery. [Fr. grotesque—It. grot
English · e-38538-3403Grotian, grō′shi-an, adj. of or pertaining to Hugo Grotius (1583-1645), the Latinised form of Huig van Groot, founder of the science of international law.—Grotian theory, the theory that man is essentially a social being
English · e-38538-3404Grotto, grot′ō, n. a cave: a place of shade, for pleasure—also Grot:—pl. Grott′os—n. Grott′o-work, a grotto-like structure. [It. grotta (Fr. grotte)—L. crypta—Gr. kryptē, a crypt.]
English · e-38538-3405Ground, grownd, pa.t. and pa.p. of grind.
English · e-38538-3406 · brief source recordGround, grownd, n. the surface of the earth: a portion of the earth's surface: land, field, soil: the floor, &c.: position: field or place of action: (lit. or fig.) that on which something is raised: foundation: sufficie
English · e-38538-3407Groundsel, grownd′sel, n. an annual plant, about a foot high, with small yellow flowers. [A.S. grundeswelge—grund, ground, swelgan, to swallow.]
English · e-38538-3408Group, grōōp, n. a number of persons or things together: a number of individual things related, in some definite way differentiating them from others: (art) a combination of figures forming a harmonious whole.—v.t. to fo
English · e-38538-3409Grouse, grows, n. the heathcock or moorfowl, a plump bird with a short curved bill, short legs, and feathered feet, which frequents Scotch moors and hills—the Scotch ptarmigan, red-grouse: any bird of the family Tetraoni
English · e-38538-3410Grout, growt, n. coarse meal: the sediment of liquor: lees: a thin coarse mortar: a fine plaster for finishing ceilings.—n. Grout′ing, the filling up or finishing with grout: the stuff so used.—adj. Grout′y, thick, muddy
English · e-38538-3411Grove, grōv, n. a wood of small size, generally of a pleasant or ornamental character: an avenue of trees: (B.) an erroneous translation of Asherah, the wooden upright image of the lewdly worshipped goddess Ashtoreth; al
English · e-38538-3412Grovel, grov′el, v.i. to crawl on the earth, esp. in abject fear, &c.: to be base or mean:—pr.p. grov′elling; pa.p. grov′elled.—n. Grov′eller.—adj. Grov′elling, mean. [Explained by Skeat as due to M. E. groveling, flat o
English · e-38538-3413Grow, grō, v.i. to become enlarged by a natural process: to advance towards maturity: to increase in size: to develop: to become greater in any way: to extend: to improve: to pass from one state to another: to become.—v.
English · e-38538-3414Growl, growl, v.i. to utter a deep, murmuring sound like a dog: to grumble surlily.—v.t. to express by growling.—n. a murmuring, snarling sound, as of an angry dog.—ns. Growl′er, one who growls: a fish of the Perch famil
English · e-38538-3415Groyne, groin, n. a wooden breakwater. [Groin.]
English · e-38538-3416 · brief source recordGrub, grub, v.i. to dig in the dirt: to be occupied meanly: (slang) to eat.—v.t. to dig or root out of the ground (generally followed by up): (slang) to supply with victuals:—pr.p. grub′bing; pa.p. grubbed.—n. the larva
English · e-38538-3417Grudge, gruj, v.t. to murmur at: to look upon with envy: to give or take unwillingly.—v.i. to show discontent.—n. secret enmity or envy: an old cause of quarrel.—adjs. Grudge′ful (Spens.), full of grudge, envious; Grudg′
English · e-38538-3418Gruel, grōō′el, n. a thin food made by boiling oatmeal in water. [O. Fr. gruel (Fr. gruau), groats—Low L. grutellum, dim. of grutum, meal—Old Low Ger. grut, groats, A.S. grút.]
English · e-38538-3419Gruesome, grōō′sum, adj. horrible: fearful: dismal, depressing.—vs.i. Grue, Grew, to shudder: to feel horror or repulsiveness. [Scand.; Dan. gru, horror, with suff. -som; cf. Dut. gruwzaam, Ger. grausam.]
English · e-38538-3420Gruff, gruf, adj. rough, stern, or abrupt in manner: churlish.—adv. Gruff′ly.—n. Gruff′ness. [Dut. grof; cog. with Sw. grof, Ger. grob, coarse.]
English · e-38538-3421Grum, grum, adj. morose: surly: deep in the throat, as a sound.—adv. Grum′ly.—n. Grum′ness. [A.S. grom; cf. Dan. grum.]
English · e-38538-3422 · brief source recordGrumble, grum′bl, v.i. to murmur with discontent: to growl: to rumble.—n. the act of grumbling.—ns. Grum′bler; Grumbletō′nian, one of the country party as opposed to the court party, after 1689.—adv. Grum′blingly. [Old D
English · e-38538-3423Grume, grōōm, n. a thick consistence of fluid: a clot, as of blood.—adjs. Grum′ous, Grum′ose, thick: clotted. [O. Fr. grume, a bunch (Fr. grumeau, a clot)—L. grumus, a little heap.]
English · e-38538-3424Grumph, grumf, n. (Scot.) a grunt.—v.i. to grunt.—n. Grumph′ie, a sow.
English · e-38538-3425 · brief source recordGrumpy, grum′pi, adj. surly: dissatisfied: melancholic.—adv. Grum′pily. [Grumble.]
English · e-38538-3426 · brief source recordGrundy, grund′i, Mrs, the invisible censor morum who is frequently appealed to in the phrase, 'But what will Mrs Grundy say?' in Thomas Morton's play, Speed the Plough (1800).
English · e-38538-3427Grunt, grunt, v.i. to make a sound like a pig: to utter guttural sounds.—n. a short, guttural sound, as of a hog.—ns. Grunt′er; Grunt′ing.—adv. Grunt′ingly. [M. E. grunten—A.S. grunian; cf. Ger. grunzen, L. grunnīre; all
English · e-38538-3428Grutch, gruch, v.t. or v.i. (Spens.) to grudge.
English · e-38538-3429 · brief source recordGruyère, grōō-yār′, n. a famous whole-milk cheese, made at Gruyère and many other places in the canton of Freiburg, Switzerland.
English · e-38538-3430Gryde, grīd, v.i. (Spens.) to gride.
English · e-38538-3431 · brief source recordGryfon, Gryphon, grif′on, n. obsolete forms of griffin.—Also Grype.
English · e-38538-3432 · brief source recordGryposis, gri-pō′sis, n. a curvature, esp. of the nails.
English · e-38538-3433 · brief source recordGrysie, grīz′i, adj. (Spens.) grisly: squalid: moist.
English · e-38538-3434 · brief source recordGuacharo, gwä′chä-rō, n. the oil-bird, a South American nocturnal frugivorous goatsucker. [Sp.]
English · e-38538-3435 · brief source recordGuacho, gwä′kō, n. a tropical American climbing composite: the medicinal substance in the leaves.
English · e-38538-3436 · brief source recordGuaiacum, gwā′ya-kum, n. a genus of trees in the West Indies, that yield a greenish resin used in medicine. [Sp. guayaco, from a Haytian word.]
English · e-38538-3437Guan, gwän, n. the yacou, a South American genus of large arboreal game-birds, giving loud cries.
English · e-38538-3438 · brief source recordGuanaco, gwä-nä′ko, n. a cameloid ruminant widely spread in South America.
English · e-38538-3439 · brief source recordGuano, gwä′nō, n. the long-accumulated excrement of certain sea-fowl, found on certain coasts and islands, esp. about South America, much used for manure.—adj. Guanif′erous.—n. Guä′nin, a yellowish-white, amorphous subst
English · e-38538-3440Guarana, gwä-rä′na, n. a paste prepared from the pounded seeds of Paullinia sorbilis, a climbing Brazilian shrub, made in round or oblong cakes—Guarana Bread.
English · e-38538-3441Guarantee, gar-an-tē′, Guaranty, gar′an-ti, n. a warrant or surety: a contract to see performed what another has undertaken: the person who makes such a contract, one responsible for the performance of some action, the t
English · e-38538-3442Guard, gärd, v.t. to ward, watch, or take care of: to protect from danger or attack: to protect the edge of, as by an ornamental border.—v.i. to watch: to be wary.—n. that which guards from danger: a man or body of men s
English · e-38538-3443Guarish, gār′ish, v.t. (Spens.) to heal. [O. Fr. guarir (Fr. guérir), to heal.]
English · e-38538-3444 · brief source recordGuava, gwä′va, n. a genus of trees and shrubs of tropical America, with yellow, pear-shaped fruit made into jelly. [Sp. guayaba—Braz.]
English · e-38538-3445Gubbins, gub′ins, n.pl. a half-savage race in Devonshire, described by the pastoral poet William Browne and by Fuller in his Worthies.
English · e-38538-3446Gubernation, gū-bėr-nā′shun, n. government, rule.—adj. Gubernatō′rial. [L. gubernāre, govern.]
English · e-38538-3447 · brief source recordGuddle, gud′l v.t. (Scot.) to catch fish with the hands by groping under the stones or banks of a stream.
English · e-38538-3448 · brief source recordGudgeon, guj′un, n. a genus of small, carp-like fishes common in the fresh waters of Europe—easily caught: a person easily cheated.—adj. foolish.—v.t. to impose on, cheat. [O. Fr. goujon—L. gobion-em—Gr. kōbios. See Goby
English · e-38538-3449Gudgeon, guj′un, n. the bearing of a shaft, esp. when made of a separate piece: a metallic journal-piece let into the end of a wooden shaft: a pin. [O. Fr. goujon, the pin of a pulley.]
English · e-38538-3450Gue, gū, n. a rude kind of violin used in Shetland.
English · e-38538-3451 · brief source recordGuebre, Gueber, gē′bėr, n. a follower of the ancient Persian religion as reformed by Zoroaster. [Pers. gabr; see Giaour; cf. Ar. kafir, unbeliever.]
English · e-38538-3452Guelder-rose, gel′dėr-rōz, n. a species of Viburnum with large white ball-shaped flowers—also called Snowball-tree. [From Gueldres in Holland.]
English · e-38538-3453Guelf, Guelph, gwelf, n. one of a papal and popular party in Italy in the Middle Ages which was opposed to the emperors.—adj. Guelf′ic, belonging to the Guelfs, in modern times the royal family of Hanover and England. [T
English · e-38538-3454Guerdon, gėr′dun, n. a reward or recompense.—v.t. to reward. [O. Fr. guerdon, guerredon (It. guidardone)—Low L. widerdonum, corr. from Old High Ger. widarlón (A.S. wiðerleán)—wider (A.S. wiðer), against, and lón (A.S. le
English · e-38538-3455Guereza, ger′e-za, n. a large, long-haired, black-and-white African monkey, with a bushy tail.
English · e-38538-3456 · brief source recordGuerilla, Guerrilla, gėr-ril′a, n. a mode of harassing an army by small bands adopted by the Spaniards against the French in the Peninsular war: a member of such a band.—adj. conducted by or conducting petty warfare. [Sp
English · e-38538-3457Guernsey, gėrn′zi, n. a sailor's closely-fitting knitted woollen shirt: one of a breed of dairy cattle from the island: the red-legged partridge. [From Guernsey in the Channel Islands.]
English · e-38538-3458Guess, ges, v.t. to form an opinion on uncertain knowledge: to conjecture, to think.—v.i. to judge on uncertain knowledge: to conjecture rightly.—n. judgment or opinion without sufficient evidence or grounds.—adj. Guess′
English · e-38538-3459Guest, gest, n. a visitor received and entertained.—n. Guest′-cham′ber (B.), a chamber or room for the accommodation of guests.—v.i. Guest′en (Scot.), to stay as a guest.—adv. Guest′wise, in the manner or capacity of a g
English · e-38538-3460Gueux, gū, n.pl. the name assumed by the confederation (1565) of nobles and others to resist the introduction of the Inquisition into the Low Countries by Philip II. of Spain. [Fr., 'beggars.']
English · e-38538-3461Guffaw, guf-faw′, v.i. to laugh loudly.—n. a loud laugh. [From the sound.]
English · e-38538-3462 · brief source recordGuggle, gug′l, v.i. to make a noise with the mouth or throat, to gurgle. [Formed from gurgle.]
English · e-38538-3463 · brief source recordGuicowar. Same as Gaikwar.
English · e-38538-3464 · brief source recordGuide, gīd, v.t. to lead or direct: to regulate: to influence.—n. he who, or that which, guides: one who directs another in his course of life: a soldier or other person employed to obtain information for an army: a guid
English · e-38538-3465Guild, Gild, gild, n. an association of men for mutual aid: a corporation: (orig.) an association in a town where payment was made for mutual support and protection.—ns. Guild′-broth′er, a fellow-member of a guild; Guild
English · e-38538-3466Guilder, Gilder, gild′ėr, n. an old Dutch and German gold coin: now a silver coin=1s. 8d.: (Shak.) money generally. [Dut. gulden—Ger. gulden, gold.]
English · e-38538-3467Guile, gīl, n. wile, jugglery: cunning: deceit.—v.t. (Spens.) to beguile.—p.adj. Guiled, armed with deceit: treacherous.—adj. Guile′ful, crafty: deceitful.—adv. Guile′fully.—n. Guile′fulness.—adj. Guile′less, without dec
English · e-38538-3468Guillemot, gil′e-mot, n. a genus of diving birds of the Auk family, with long, straight, feathered bill and very short tail. [Fr., prob. Celt.; Bret. gwelan, gull, and O. Fr. moette, a sea-mew, from Teut.]
English · e-38538-3469Guilloche, gil-losh′, n. an ornament formed of two or more bands intertwining in a continued series.—v.t. to decorate with intersecting curved lines. [Fr.; said to be from the name of its inventor, Guillot.]
English · e-38538-3470Guillotine, gil′ō-tēn, n. an instrument for beheading—consisting of an upright frame down which a sharp heavy axe descends on the neck of the victim—adopted during the French Revolution, and named after Joseph Ignace Gui
English · e-38538-3471Guilt, gilt, n. punishable conduct: the state of having broken a law: crime: wickedness.—adv. Guilt′ily.—n. Guilt′iness.—adj. Guilt′less, free from crime: innocent.—adv. Guilt′lessly.—n. Guilt′lessness.—adj. Guilt′y, jus
English · e-38538-3472Guilt, gilt, p.adj. (Spens.) gilded.
English · e-38538-3473 · brief source recordGuinea, gin′i, n. an English gold coin, no longer used=21s., so called because first made of gold brought from Guinea, in Africa.—ns. Guin′ea-corn, a cereal extensively cultivated in Central Africa and India—also Indian
English · e-38538-3474Guipure, gē-pōōr′, n. a kind of lace having no ground or mesh, the pattern fixed by interlacing threads: a species of gimp. [Fr. guipure—O. Fr. guiper, prob. Teut.; cf. Goth. veipan, to weave.]
English · e-38538-3475Guise, gīz, n. manner, behaviour: external appearance: dress.—v.t. (arch.) to dress.—v.i. to act as a guiser.—ns. Guis′er (Scot.), Guis′ard, a person in disguise: a Christmas mummer. [O. Fr. guise; from Old High Ger. wís
English · e-38538-3476Guitar, gi-tär′, n. a six-stringed musical instrument, somewhat like the lute, well adapted for accompanying the voice. [Fr. guitare—L. cithara—Gr. kithara, a lyre or lute. See Cithern.]
English · e-38538-3477Gula, gū′la, n. a piece in some insects, esp. in the beetles, &c., forming the lower surface of the head, behind the mentum, bounded laterally by the genæ or cheeks: the upper part of a bird's throat, between mentum and
English · e-38538-3478Gulch, gulch, n. (U.S.) a ravine or narrow rocky valley, a gully.—v.t. (prov.) to swallow greedily. [Prob. the n. and v. are connected.]
English · e-38538-3479Gulden, gōōl′den, n. a certain gold or silver coin in Germany in the Middle Ages: the unit of account in Austria, having the value of about 2s. [Ger.]
English · e-38538-3480Gules, gūlz, n. (her.) a red colour, marked in engraved figures by perpendicular lines.—adj. Gū′ly. [O. Fr. gueules; acc. to Brachet, from Pers. ghul, a rose; acc. to others, from L. gula, the throat.]
English · e-38538-3481Gulf, gulf, n. a hollow or indentation in the sea-coast: a deep place in the earth: an abyss: a whirlpool: anything insatiable: in Oxford and Cambridge examinations, the place of those next to the pass, but not bad enoug
English · e-38538-3482Gull, gul, n. a web-footed sea-fowl belonging to the family Laridæ. [Celt.; Corn. gullan, W. gwylan, Bret. gwelan—gwela, to weep, to cry.]
English · e-38538-3483Gull, gul, v.t. to beguile: to deceive.—n. a trick: one easily cheated: (Shak.) a nestling.—ns. Gull′-catch′er (Shak.), a cheat; Gull′er; Gull′ery, imposture; Gullibil′ity.—adj. Gull′ible, easily deceived.—n. Gullos′ity.
English · e-38538-3484Gullet, gul′et, n. the throat: the passage in the neck by which food is taken into the stomach.—n. Gulos′ity, gluttony. [O. Fr. goulet, dim. of O. Fr. goule (Fr. gueule)—L. gula, the throat.]
English · e-38538-3485Gully, gul′i, n. (Scot.) a big knife.—Also Gull′ey.
English · e-38538-3486 · brief source recordGully, gul′i, n. a channel worn by running water: a ditch: a ravine.—v.t. to wear a gully or channel in.—p.adj. Gull′ied.—ns. Gull′y-hole, a manhole into a drain, &c.; Gull′y-hunt′er, one who picks up things from gutters
English · e-38538-3487Gulp, gulp, v.t. to swallow eagerly or in large draughts.—n. a swallow: as much as is swallowed at once. [Dut. gulpen—gulp, a great draught.]
English · e-38538-3488Gum, gum, n. the firm fleshy tissue which surrounds the teeth: (slang) insolence.—n. Gum′boil, a boil or small abscess on the gum. [A.S. góma, jaws; Ice. gómr, Ger. gaumen, palate.]
English · e-38538-3489Gum, gum, n. a substance which exudes from certain trees and plants, and hardens on the surface, including those containing arabin, bassorin, and gum-resins.—v.t. to smear or unite with gum:—pr.p. gum′ming; pa.p. gummed.
English · e-38538-3490Gumbo, gum′bō, n. the okra or its mucilaginous pods: a soup of which okra is an ingredient, also a dish of okra-pods seasoned: Creole patois in Louisiana.
English · e-38538-3491Gumption, gump′shun, n. sense: shrewdness: common-sense.—adj. Gump′tious. [Doubtless conn. with A.S. gýman, to observe; cf. Goth. gaumjan.]
English · e-38538-3492Gun, gun, n. a firearm or weapon, from which balls or other projectiles are discharged, usually by means of gunpowder—now generally applied to cannon: one who carries a gun, a member of a shooting-party.—v.i. (Amer.) to
English · e-38538-3493Gunnel, gun′l, n. Same as Gunwale.
English · e-38538-3494 · brief source recordGunny, gun′i, n. a strong coarse cloth manufactured in India from jute, and used as sacking. [Hind. gon, goní, sacking—Sans. goní, a sack.]
English · e-38538-3495Gunter's scale. See Scale.
English · e-38538-3496 · brief source recordGunwale, Gunnel, gun′el, n. the wale or upper edge of a ship's side next to the bulwarks, so called because the upper guns are pointed from it.
English · e-38538-3497Gurge, gurj, n. (Milt.) a whirlpool. [L. gurges.]
English · e-38538-3498 · brief source recordGurgle, gur′gl, v.i. to flow in an irregular noisy current: to make a bubbling sound. [Through an It. gorgogliare, from gorgo—L. gurges.]
English · e-38538-3499Gurgoyle. Same as Gargoyle.
English · e-38538-3500 · brief source recordGurly, gur′li, adj. (obs.) fierce, stormy.
English · e-38538-3501 · brief source recordGurnard, gur′nard, n. a genus of fishes having the body rounded, tapering, and covered with small scales, an angular head, the eyes near the summit, and the teeth small and very numerous—(obs.) Gur′net. [From O. Fr. gron
English · e-38538-3502Gurrah, gur′a, n. a coarse Indian muslin.
English · e-38538-3503 · brief source recordGurry, gur′i, n. fish-offal.
English · e-38538-3504 · brief source recordGuru, gōō′rōō, n. a spiritual teacher, any venerable person.—Also Goo′roo. [Hind.—Sans.]
English · e-38538-3505 · brief source recordGush, gush, v.i. to flow out with violence or copiously: to be effusive, or highly sentimental.—n. that which flows out: a violent issue of a fluid.—n. Gush′er, an oil-well not needing to be pumped.—adj. Gush′ing, rushin
English · e-38538-3506Gusset, gus′et, n. the piece of cloth in a shirt which covers the armpit: an angular piece of cloth inserted in a garment to strengthen some part of it.—v.t. to make with a gusset: to insert a gusset into. [O. Fr. gousse
English · e-38538-3507Gust, gust, n. a sudden blast of wind: a violent burst of passion.—adjs. Gust′ful, Gust′y, stormy: irritable.—n. Gust′iness. [Ice. gustr, blast.]
English · e-38538-3508Gust, gust, n. sense of pleasure of tasting: relish: gratification.—n. Gustā′tion, the act of tasting: the sense of taste.—adjs. Gust′ātive, Gus′tātory, of or pertaining to gustation.—n. Gust′o, taste: zest. [L. gustus,
English · e-38538-3509Gut, gut, n. the alimentary canal: intestines prepared for violin-strings, &c. (gut for angling, see Silkworm-gut): (pl.) the bowels.—v.t. to take out the bowels of: to plunder:—pr.p. gut′ting; pa.p. gut′ted.—n. Gut′-scr
English · e-38538-3510Gutta, gut′a, n. a drop: one of the small drop-like ornaments on the under side of the mutules and regulæ of the Doric entablature: a small round colour-spot:—pl. Gutt′æ.—adjs. Gutt′ate, -d, containing drops: spotted. [L
English · e-38538-3511Gutta-percha, gut′a-pėrch′a, n. the solidified juice of various trees in the Malayan Islands. [Malay gatah, guttah, gum, percha, the tree producing it.]
English · e-38538-3512Gutter, gut′ėr, n. a channel at the eaves of a roof for conveying away water: a channel for water: (print.) one of a number of pieces of wood or metal, grooved in the centre, used to separate the pages of type in a form:
English · e-38538-3513Guttural, gut′ur-al, adj. pertaining to the throat: formed in the throat: harsh or rasping in sound.—n. (gram.) a letter pronounced in the throat or the back part of the mouth (k, c hard, q, g, ng).—v.t. Gutt′uralise, Gu
English · e-38538-3514Guy, gī, n. (naut.) a rope to steady any suspended weight.—v.t. to keep in position by a guy. [Sp. guia, a guide.]
English · e-38538-3515 · brief source recordGuy, gī, n. an effigy of Guy Fawkes, dressed up grotesquely on the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot (5th Nov.): an odd figure.
English · e-38538-3516Guzzle, guz′l, v.i. to eat and drink with haste and greediness.—v.t. to swallow with exceeding relish.—n. Guzz′ler. [O. Fr. (des-) gouziller, to swallow down; gosier, the throat.]
English · e-38538-3517Gwiniad, gwin′i-ad, n. a fresh-water fish of about 10 or 12 inches in length, found in some of the lakes of Wales and Cumberland—the Fresh-water Herring. [W.,—gwyn, white.]
English · e-38538-3518Gygis, jī′jis, n. a genus of small terns, white, with black bill, long-pointed wings, and a slightly forked tail. [Gr. gygēs, a water-bird.]
English · e-38538-3519Gymkhana, jim-kä′na, n. a place of public resort for athletic games, &c., also a meeting for such sports. [A factitious word, according to Yule-Burnell, prob. based on gend-khāna ('ball-house'), the usual Hind. name for
English · e-38538-3520Gymnasium, jim-nā′zi-um, n. a school for gymnastics: a school for the higher branches of literature and science: (orig.) a public place or building where the Greek youths exercised themselves, with running and wrestling
English · e-38538-3521Gymnocarpous, jim-no-kär′pus, adj. (bot.) having the fruit naked, or not invested with a receptacle. [Gr. gymnos, naked, karpos, fruit.]
English · e-38538-3522Gymnocitta, jim-no-sit′a, n. a genus of crow-like American jays with naked nostrils. [Gr. gymnos, naked, kitta, kissa, a jay.]
English · e-38538-3523Gymnocladus, jim-nok′lad-us, n. a genus of North American trees, the pods slightly aperient. [Gr. gymnos, naked, klados, a branch.]
English · e-38538-3524Gymnogynous, jim-noj′i-nus, adj. (bot.) having a naked ovary. [Gr. gymnos, naked, gynē, female.]
English · e-38538-3525 · brief source recordGymnorhinal, jim-nō-rī′nal, adj. having the nostrils bare or unfeathered, as certain jays and auks. [Gr. gymnos, naked, hris, hrin-os, the nose.]
English · e-38538-3526Gymnosophist, jim-nos′of-ist, n. the name given by the Greeks to those ancient Hindu philosophers who wore little or no clothing, and lived solitarily in mystical contemplation.—n. Gymnos′ophy. [Gr. gymnos, naked, sophos
English · e-38538-3527Gymnosperm, jim′nō-spėrm, n. one of the lower or more primitive group of seed plants—also Gym′nogen.—adj. Gymnosper′mous (bot.), having the seeds unenclosed in a capsule.—n. Gym′nospore, a naked spore. [Gr. gymnos, naked
English · e-38538-3528Gymnotus, jim-nō′tus, n. the most powerful of the electric fishes, occurring in the fresh waters of Brazil and Guiana.—Also Electric eel. [Formed from Gr. gymnos, naked, nōtos, the back.]
English · e-38538-3529Gynæceum, Gynecium, jin-ē-sē′um, n. an apartment in a large house exclusively appropriated to women. [Gr. gynē, a woman, oikos, a house.]
English · e-38538-3530Gynandria, ji-nan′dri-a, n. a Linnæan class of plants, in which the stamens are united with the pistil.—n. Gynan′der, a plant of the gynandria: a masculine woman.—adjs. Gynan′drian, Gynan′drous. [Gr. gynē, a female, anēr
English · e-38538-3531Gynarchy, jin′är-ki, n. government by a female. [Gr. gynē, a woman, archē, rule.]
English · e-38538-3532 · brief source recordGynecian, Gynæcian, ji-nē′shi-an, adj. relating to women.—adjs. Gynē′cic, Gynæ′cic, pertaining to women's diseases.—n. Gynœ′cium, the collective pistils of a flower.
English · e-38538-3533Gynecocracy, jin-ē-kok′ra-si, n. government by women—also Gynoc′racy.—adj. Gynecrat′ic. [Gr. gynē, a woman, kratein, to rule.]
English · e-38538-3534Gynecology, Gynæcology, jin-ē-kol′-o-ji, n. that branch of medicine which treats of the diseases and affections peculiar to woman and her physical organism.—adj. Gynecolog′ical.—n. Gynecol′ogist. [Gr. gynē, a woman, lege
English · e-38538-3535Gyneolatry, jīnē-ol′at-ri, n. excessive worship of woman. [Gr. gynē, a woman, latreia, worship.]
English · e-38538-3536 · brief source recordGynophore, jin′o-fōr, n. (bot.) an elongation or internode of the receptacle of a flower.
English · e-38538-3537 · brief source recordGyp, jip, n. a male servant who attends to college rooms at Cambridge. [Perh. a contr. from gypsy; hardly from Gr. gyps, a vulture.]
English · e-38538-3538Gypsum, jip′sum, n. a valuable mineral of a comparatively soft kind, burned in kilns, and afterwards ground to a fine powder, called plaster of Paris.—adjs. Gyp′seous, of or resembling gypsum; Gypsif′erous, producing or
English · e-38538-3539Gypsy, Gypsyism. See Gipsy.
English · e-38538-3540 · brief source recordGyrate, jī′rāt, v.i. to whirl round a central point: to move round.—adj. (bot.) winding round.—n. Gyrā′tion, act of whirling round a central point: a spiral motion.—adjs. Gy′ratory, Gyrā′tional, moving in a circle. [L. g
English · e-38538-3541Gyre, jīr, n. a circular motion.—n. Gy′ra, the richly embroidered border of a robe:—pl. Gy′ræ.—adjs. Gy′ral, whirling, rotating; Gyroid′al, spiral in arrangement or movement. [L. gyrus—Gr. gyros, a ring, round.]
English · e-38538-3542Gyre-carlin, gīr-kar′lin, n. (Scot.) a witch. [Ice. gýgr, a witch, karlinna, a carline.]
English · e-38538-3543 · brief source recordGyrfalcon. See Gerfalcon.
English · e-38538-3544 · brief source recordGyromancy, jī′ro-man-si, n. divination by walking in a circle till dizziness caused a fall towards one direction or another. [Gr. gyros, a circle, manteia, divination.]
English · e-38538-3545Gyron, Giron, jī′ron, n. (her.) a bearing consisting of two straight lines drawn from any given part of the field and meeting in an acute angle in the fesse-point.—adjs. Gyronnet′ty, Gyron′ny, Giron′ny. [Fr., acc. to Ske
English · e-38538-3546Gyroscope, jī′ro-skōp, n. an instrument for the exhibition of various properties of rotation, and the composition of rotations.—adj. Gyroscop′ic. [Gr. gyros, a circle, skopein, to see.]
English · e-38538-3547Gyrose, jī′rōs, adj. (bot.) turned round like a crook.
English · e-38538-3548 · brief source recordGyrostat, jī′rō-stat, n. an instrument contrived for illustrating the dynamics of rotating rigid bodies.—adj. Gyrostat′ic. [Gr. gyros, round, statikos, static.]
English · e-38538-3549Gyrus, jī′rus, n. one of the rounded edges into which the surface of the cerebral hemisphere is divided by the fissures or sulci. [Gr. gyros, a circle.]
English · e-38538-3550Gyte, gīt, adj. (Scot.) crazy, mad.
English · e-38538-3551 · brief source recordGyte, gīt, n. (Scot.) a child: a first year's boy at Edinburgh High School. [Prob. a corr. of get, offspring.]
English · e-38538-3552 · brief source recordGytrash, gī′trash, n. (prov.) a ghost.
English · e-38538-3553 · brief source recordGyve, jīv, v.t. to fetter.—n.pl. Gyves, shackles, fetters. [M. E. gives, gyves. Of Celt. origin; cf. W. gefyn, Ir. geimheal.]
English · e-38538-3554H, the eighth letter in our alphabet, its sound that of a strongly-marked continuous guttural, produced at the back of the palate, not existing in English, but heard in the Scotch loch and the German lachen. In Old Engli
English · e-38538-3555Ha, hä, interj. denoting surprise, joy, or grief; and, when repeated, laughter: in continued speech, often an involuntary sound expressive of hesitation. [Imit.]
English · e-38538-3556Ha-ha, imitation of the sound of laughter.
English · e-38538-3639 · brief source recordHa-ha, Hawhaw, haw-haw′, n. a sunk fence, or a ditch not seen till close upon it.
English · e-38538-3640 · brief source recordHa'n't, hānt, a coll. contr. for have not or has not.
English · e-38538-3744 · brief source recordHa′, haw, n. (Scot.) hall.
English · e-38538-3557 · brief source recordHaaf, häf, n. a deep-sea fishing-ground off the coast of Shetland.—n. Haaf′-fish′ing, deep-sea fishing, as for cod. [Ice. haf, sea.]
English · e-38538-3558Haar, här, n. (Scot.) a fog.
English · e-38538-3559 · brief source recordHabble, häb′l, v.t. (Scot.) to perplex.—v.i. to stutter or stammer.—n. a perplexity, a squabble. [Hobble.]
English · e-38538-3560 · brief source recordHabeas-corpus (ad subjiciendum), hā′be-as-kor′pus, n. a writ to a jailer to produce the body of one detained in prison, and to state the reasons of such detention.—n. Haben′dum, the clause in a deed beginning 'habendum e
English · e-38538-3561Habenaria, hab-ē-nā′ri-a, n. a genus of tuberous orchidaceous plants. [L. habena, a thong.]
English · e-38538-3562 · brief source recordHaberdasher, hab′ėr-dash-ėr, n. a seller of small-wares, as ribbons, tape, &c.—n. Hab′erdashery, goods sold by a haberdasher. [O. Fr. hapertas; ety. dub.; not Ice.]
English · e-38538-3563Haberdine, ha-ber-dīn′, n. (obs.) dried salt cod. [Old Dut. abberdaan, also labberdaen; prob. from Le Labourd, or Lapurdum (Bayonne).]
English · e-38538-3564Habergeon, ha-bėr′je-un, n. a piece of armour to defend the neck and breast. [Fr. haubergeon, dim. of O. Fr. hauberc.]
English · e-38538-3565 · brief source recordHabile, hab′il, adj. (obs.) able, capable. [Fr.,—L. habilis. See Able.]
English · e-38538-3566 · brief source recordHabiliment, ha-bil′i-ment, n. a garment: (pl.) clothing, dress.—adjs. Hab′ilable (Carlyle), capable of being clothed; Habil′atory, having reference to dressing. [Fr. habillement—habiller, to dress—L. habilis, fit, ready—
English · e-38538-3567Habilitation, ha-bil-i-tā′shun, n. (Bacon) qualification: (U.S.) the act of supplying money to work a mine.—n. Habilitā′tor, one who does so.—v.i. Habil′itate, to acquire certain necessary qualifications, esp. for the of
English · e-38538-3568Hability, ha-bil′i-ti, n. an obsolete form of ability.
English · e-38538-3569 · brief source recordHabit, hab′it, n. ordinary course of conduct: tendency to perform certain actions: general condition or tendency, as of the body: practice: custom: outward appearance: dress, esp. any official or customary costume: a gar
English · e-38538-3570Habitable, hab′it-a-bl, adj. that may be dwelt in.—ns. Habitabil′ity, Hab′itableness.—adv. Hab′itably.—ns. Hab′itant, an inhabitant; Hab′itat, the natural abode or locality of an animal or plant: place of abode generally
English · e-38538-3571Hable, hā′bl, adj. (Spens.). Same as Habile.
English · e-38538-3572 · brief source recordHachel, hach′el, n. (Scot.) a sloven.
English · e-38538-3573 · brief source recordHachure, hash′ūr, n. Same as Hatching.
English · e-38538-3574 · brief source recordHacienda, as-i-en′da, n. an estate or establishment. [Sp.,—L. facienda, things to be done, facĕre, to do.]
English · e-38538-3575 · brief source recordHack, hak, v.t. to cut: to chop or mangle: to notch: to kick (another) at football.—n. a cut made by hacking: a kick on the shin.—n. Hack′ing, the operation of picking a worn grindstone, &c., with a hack-hammer.—adj. sho
English · e-38538-3576Hack, hak, n. a horse kept for hire, esp. a poor one: any person overworked on hire: a literary drudge.—adj. hired, mercenary: used up.—v.t. to offer for hire: to use roughly.—n. Hack′-work, literary drudgery for which a
English · e-38538-3577A 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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