Historical source · 1908

Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 79

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Page 79 of 179

Knives

Knives, pl. of knife.

English · e-38538-6779 · brief source record

Knob

Knob, nob, n. a hard protuberance: a hard swelling: a round ball.—adj. Knobbed, containing or set with knobs.—n. Knob′biness.—adj. Knob′by, full of knobs: knotty.—n. Knob′stick (slang), a synonym for a blackleg or scab i

English · e-38538-6780

Knobkerrie

Knobkerrie, nob′ker-i, n. a round-headed stick used as a club and a missile by the Kafirs.

English · e-38538-6781 · brief source record

Knock

Knock, nok, v.i. to strike with something hard or heavy: to drive or be driven against: to strike for admittance: to rap.—v.t. to strike: to drive against.—n. a sudden stroke: a rap.—adj. Knock′-down, such as to overthro

English · e-38538-6782

Knoll

Knoll, nōl, n. a round hillock: the top of a hill. [A.S. cnol; Ger. knollen, a knob, lump.]

English · e-38538-6783 · brief source record

Knoll

Knoll, nōl. Same as Knell.

English · e-38538-6784 · brief source record

Knop

Knop, nop, n. (B.) a knob, a bud. [A.S. cnœp; Dut. knop, Ger. knopf.]

English · e-38538-6785 · brief source record

Knosp

Knosp, nosp, n. the unopened bud of a flower: an architectural ornament resembling such. [Ger. knospe.]

English · e-38538-6786 · brief source record

Knot

Knot, not, n. a wading-bird much resembling a snipe, sometimes said, but without evidence, to be named from King Cnut or Canute.

English · e-38538-6787

Knot

Knot, not, n. a bunch of threads or the like entangled or twisted: an interlacement of parts of a cord, &c., by twisting the ends about each other, and then drawing tight the loops thus formed: a piece of ribbon, lace, &

English · e-38538-6788

Knout

Knout, nowt, n. a whip formerly used as an instrument of punishment in Russia: punishment inflicted by the knout. [Russ. knute.]

English · e-38538-6789

Know

Know, nō, v.t. to be informed of: to be assured of: to be acquainted with: to recognise: (B.) to approve: to have sexual commerce with.—v.i. to possess knowledge:—pr.p. knōw′ing; pa.t. knew (nū); pa.p. known (nōn).—n. (S

English · e-38538-6790

Knowledge

Knowledge, nol′ej, n. assured belief: that which is known: information, instruction: enlightenment, learning: practical skill.—adj. Knowl′edgeable (coll.), possessing knowledge: intelligent.—n. Knowl′edge-box (slang), th

English · e-38538-6791

Knub

Knub, nub, n. a knob, a small lump: the waste or refuse of silk-cocoons.—Also Knubs.

English · e-38538-6792 · brief source record

Knuckle

Knuckle, nuk′l, n. projecting joint of the fingers; (cook.) the knee-joint of a calf or pig.—v.i. to bend the fingers: to touch the forehead as a mark of respect: to yield.—v.t. (rare) to touch with the knuckle.—ns. Knuc

English · e-38538-6793

Knurl

Knurl, nėrl, n. (Burns) a humpback.

English · e-38538-6794 · brief source record

Knurl

Knurl. Same as Gnarl, Knarl.

English · e-38538-6795 · brief source record

Knurr

Knurr, Knur, nur, n. a knot in wood: a wooden ball.—Knur and spell, a game played with a ball (knur), trap (spell), and tripstick, in vogue chiefly in the north of England. [Old Dut. knorre.]

English · e-38538-6796

Koa

Koa, kō′a, n. a forest-tree of the Sandwich Islands.

English · e-38538-6797 · brief source record

Koala

Koala, kō-ä′lä, n. an Australian marsupial, called also 'Native Bear.'

English · e-38538-6798 · brief source record

Kob

Kob, kob, n. an African water-antelope.

English · e-38538-6799 · brief source record

Kobalt

Kobalt, n. Same as Cobalt.

English · e-38538-6800 · brief source record

Kobang

Kobang, kō′bang, n. an oblong gold coin, rounded at the corners, once current in Japan.—Also Kō′ban.

English · e-38538-6801 · brief source record

Kobold

Kobold, kō′bold, n. in German folklore, a spirit of the mines. [Akin to goblin.]

English · e-38538-6802 · brief source record

Kodak

Kodak, kō′dak, n. a small portable photographic camera with a continuous roll of sensitised film, on which successive instantaneous negatives are made.—v.t. to take an instantaneous picture of. [The trademark name of the

English · e-38538-6803

Koff

Koff, kof, n. a small Dutch sailing-vessel.

English · e-38538-6804 · brief source record

Koftgar

Koftgar, koft′gär, n. one who inlays steel with gold.—n. Koft′gari, such work—sometimes Koft′work. [Hind.]

English · e-38538-6805 · brief source record

Koheleth

Koheleth, kō-hel′eth, n. the Preacher, supposed to be applied to Solomon in Eccles. i. 12.

English · e-38538-6806 · brief source record

Kohl

Kohl, kōl, n. a fine powder of antimony used in the East for staining the eyes. [Ar.]

English · e-38538-6807 · brief source record

Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi, kōl′rā-bi, n. the turnip-cabbage. [Ger.,—It. cavolo rapa, cole-turnip.]

English · e-38538-6808 · brief source record

Kokra

Kokra, kok′ra, n. an Indian wood used for making flutes, &c.—Also Cocus-wood.

English · e-38538-6809 · brief source record

Kola

Kola, kō′lä, n. an African tree whose nuts or seeds have stimulant properties: a name given to an aerated non-alcoholic beverage.

English · e-38538-6810

Kolinsky

Kolinsky, ko-lin′ski, n. the Siberian polecat or mink.

English · e-38538-6811 · brief source record

Koniscope

Koniscope, kon′i-skōp, n. an instrument for indicating the quantity of dust in the atmosphere. [Gr. konis, dust, skopein, to look.]

English · e-38538-6812

Konistra

Konistra, kō-nis′tra, n. the orchestra or dancing-place in the ancient Greek theatre, a circular area between the stage and the auditorium.

English · e-38538-6813

Koodoo

Koodoo, kōō′dōō, n. an African antelope with long spiral horns.

English · e-38538-6814 · brief source record

Koorbash

Koorbash, kōōr′bash, n. a whip of hippopotamus or rhinoceros hide, used in Egypt and elsewhere.—Also Kourbash. [Ar. kurbāj.]

English · e-38538-6815

Koord

Koord, kōōrd, n. Same as Kurd.

English · e-38538-6816 · brief source record

Kopeck

Kopeck, kō′pek, n. Same as Copeck.

English · e-38538-6817 · brief source record

Kopje

Kopje, kop′ye, n. a flat-topped hill. [Dut. kop, a top.]

English · e-38538-6818 · brief source record

Koran

Koran, kō′rän, n. the Mohammedan Scriptures: Alcoran.—adj. Koran′ic. [Ar. qurān, reading.]

English · e-38538-6819 · brief source record

Kosher

Kosher, kō′shėr, adj. pure, clean, according to the Jewish ordinances—as of meat killed and prepared by Jews. [Heb., from yāshar, to be right.]

English · e-38538-6820

Kosmos

Kosmos. Same as Cosmos.

English · e-38538-6821 · brief source record

Koto

Koto, kō′tō, n. a Japanese musical instrument consisting of an oblong box over which thirteen silk strings are stretched.

English · e-38538-6822

Kotow

Kotow, kō-tow′, n. the Chinese ceremony of prostration.—v.i. to perform that ceremony, to abase one's self.—Also Kowtow′. [Chin.]

English · e-38538-6823

Kotyliskos

Kotyliskos, kot-i-lis′kos, n. a small Greek toilet-vase with a small foot.

English · e-38538-6824 · brief source record

Koumiss

Koumiss, kōō′mis, n. a Kalmuck intoxicating beverage made from the soured and fermented milk of mares—supposed to be good for pulmonary phthisis. [Russ.,—Tartar.]

English · e-38538-6825

Kraal

Kraal, kräl, n. a Hottentot village or hut [Dut. kraal—Port. curral—L. currĕre.]

English · e-38538-6826 · brief source record

Kraken

Kraken, krä′ken, n. a fabled sea-animal of enormous size. [Scand.]

English · e-38538-6827 · brief source record

Krang

Krang, krang, n. the carcass of a whale after the blubber has been removed.—Also Kreng. [Dut.]

English · e-38538-6828 · brief source record

Krasis

Krasis, krā′sis, n. the act of adding a little water to the wine used for the Eucharist.—Also called Mixture. [Gr.]

English · e-38538-6829 · brief source record

Kreatin

Kreatin. Same as Creatin.

English · e-38538-6830 · brief source record

Kreese

Kreese. Same as Creese.

English · e-38538-6831 · brief source record

Kremlin

Kremlin, krem′lin, n. a citadel, specially that of Moscow. [Russ. kremli.]

English · e-38538-6832 · brief source record

Kreosote

Kreosote, krē′o-sōt, n. Same as Creosote.

English · e-38538-6833 · brief source record

Kreutzer

Kreutzer, kroit′zėr, n. a small copper coin of Austria, 100 to the florin or gulden—formerly also in South Germany. [Ger. kreuzer—kreuz, a cross, because formerly stamped with a cross.]

English · e-38538-6834

Kriegspiel

Kriegspiel, krēg′spēl, n. the 'war-game' played with metal blocks on a map, to train officers in military manœuvres. [Ger. krieg, war, spiel, game.]

English · e-38538-6836

Kris

Kris. Same as Creese.

English · e-38538-6837 · brief source record

Krishna

Krishna, krish′na, n. a deity in later Hindu mythology.

English · e-38538-6838 · brief source record

Krummhorn

Krummhorn, krum′horn, n. a medieval clarinet-like instrument: a reed-stop in the organ. [Ger. krumm.]

English · e-38538-6839 · brief source record

Krupsis

Krupsis, krōōp′sis, n. (theol.) the doctrine that Christ, during His state of humiliation, continued to possess in a veiled way the divine attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, &c. [Gr., kryptein, to conceal.]

English · e-38538-6840

Kryometer

Kryometer, krī-om′e-tėr, n. a thermometer for measuring very low temperatures. [Gr. kryos, cold, metron, a measure.]

English · e-38538-6841 · brief source record

Ksar

Ksar (Milt.), a former spelling of Czar.

English · e-38538-6842 · brief source record

Kshatriya

Kshatriya, kshat′ri-ya, n. the second or military caste among the Brahmanic Hindus.

English · e-38538-6843 · brief source record

Kudos

Kudos, kū′dos, n. credit, fame, generally used jocularly. [Gr.]

English · e-38538-6845 · brief source record

Kudu

Kudu. Same as Koodoo.

English · e-38538-6846 · brief source record

Kufic

Kufic. Same as Cufic.

English · e-38538-6847 · brief source record

Kuklux

Kuklux, kū′kluks, or Kuklux Klan, a secret organisation in several Southern states after the Civil War of 1861-65, to oppose Northern influence in the South, and to prevent the negroes from enjoying their rights as freem

English · e-38538-6848

Kumiss

Kumiss. Same as Koumiss.

English · e-38538-6849 · brief source record

Kümmel

Kümmel, küm′el, n. a liqueur flavoured with cumin and caraway seeds. [Ger.]

English · e-38538-6850 · brief source record

Kurd

Kurd, kōōrd, n. an inhabitant of Kurdistan, a region on the east of the upper course of the Tigris.

English · e-38538-6851 · brief source record

Kursaal

Kursaal, kōōr′säl, n. the reception-room of a German spa. [Ger., lit. 'cure-saloon.']

English · e-38538-6852 · brief source record

Kvass

Kvass, kvas, n. rye-beer. [Russ. kvasŭ.]

English · e-38538-6853 · brief source record

Kyanise

Kyanise, kī′an-īz, v.t. to preserve from dry-rot by injecting corrosive sublimate into the pores of the wood. [From John H. Kyan (1774-1830).]

English · e-38538-6854

Kyanite

Kyanite, kī′a-nīt, n. Same as Cyanite.

English · e-38538-6855 · brief source record

Kye

Kye, Ky, kī, n.pl. Scotch form of the plural of cow. [See Kine.]

English · e-38538-6856 · brief source record

Kylix

Kylix, kī′liks, n. a broad and shallow Greek drinking-vase.

English · e-38538-6857 · brief source record

Kyllosis

Kyllosis, kil-lō′sis, n. club-foot.

English · e-38538-6858 · brief source record

Kyloe

Kyloe, kī′lō, n. one of the cattle of the Hebrides.

English · e-38538-6859 · brief source record

Kymograph

Kymograph, kī′mō-graf, n. an instrument for measuring the pressure of fluids, esp. of blood in a blood-vessel.—adj. Kymograph′ic. [Gr. kyma, a wave, graphein, to write.]

English · e-38538-6860

Kyrie

Kyrie, kir′i-ē, n. the Kyrie eleïson='Lord have mercy,' including both the words and the music to which they are sung: one of the responses to the commandments in the Anglican ante-communion service.—Kyrie eleïson, a for

English · e-38538-6861

Kyriologic

Kyriologic, -al, kir-i-o-loj′ik, -al, adj. denoting objects by alphabetical characters or conventional signs. [Gr. kyrios, literal, proper, logos, discourse.]

English · e-38538-6862

Kythe

Kythe, kīth, v.t. (Scot.) to make known.—v.i. to show one's self, to appear. [A.S. cyðan, to make known. See Uncouth.]

English · e-38538-6863 · brief source record

L

L, the twelfth letter in our alphabet, usually termed a liquid, but more correctly designated as a front palatal: (chem.) the symbol for lithium: in Roman numerals, for 50, but [overline: L]=50,000.

English · e-38538-6864

La

La, lä, interj. lo! see! behold! ah! indeed!—n. (mus.) in solmisation, the syllable used for the sixth tone of the scale. [A.S. lá.]

English · e-38538-6865

Laager

Laager, lä′gėr, n. in South African campaigning, a camp made by a ring of ox-wagons set close together, the spaces beneath being filled up with the baggage of the company.—v.t. to arrange in such a defensive enclosure. [

English · e-38538-6866

Labarum

Labarum, lab′a-rum, n. a Roman military standard adopted as the imperial standard after Constantine's conversion. It bore the Greek letters XP (Chr), joined in a monogram, to signify the name of Christ: a similar ecclesi

English · e-38538-6867

Labdanum

Labdanum. See Ladanum.

English · e-38538-6868 · brief source record

Labefaction

Labefaction, lab-e-fak′shun, n. a weakening decay—also Labefactā′tion.—v.t. Lab′efy, to impair. [L. labefacĕre, to shake.]

English · e-38538-6869

Label

Label, lā′bel, n. a small slip of writing affixed to anything to denote its contents, ownership, &c.: (law) a paper annexed to a will, as a codicil: (her.) a fillet with pendants: (archit.) the dripstone over a Gothic wi

English · e-38538-6870

Labellum

Labellum, la-bel′um, n. the lower petal of a flower, esp. an orchis. [L., dim. of labium, a lip.]

English · e-38538-6871 · brief source record

Labial

Labial, lā′bi-al, adj. pertaining to the lips: formed by the lips.—n. a sound formed by the lips: a letter representing a sound formed either by both the lips, or by the upper lip and under teeth—p, b, m, f, v.—v.t. Lā′b

English · e-38538-6872

Labis

Labis, lā′bis, n. the cochlear or eucharistic spoon. [Late Gr. from lambanein, to take.]

English · e-38538-6873 · brief source record

Laboratory

Laboratory, lab′or-a-tor-i, n. a chemist's workroom: a place where scientific experiments are systematically carried on: a place for the manufacture of arms and war material: a place where anything is prepared for use. [

English · e-38538-6874

Labour

Labour, lā′bur, n. toil or exertion, esp. when fatiguing: work: pains: duties: a task requiring hard work: the pangs of childbirth.—v.i. to undergo labour: to work: to take pains: to be oppressed: to move slowly: to be i

English · e-38538-6875

Labradorite

Labradorite, lab′ra-dōr-īt, n. one of the group of the Feldspars, and a very important rock-forming mineral. [Labrador.]

English · e-38538-6876

Labret

Labret, lā′bret, n. a piece of bone, shell, &c. inserted into the lip by savages for ornament.—adj. Lā′brose, having thick lips.—n. Lā′brum, a lip or lip-like part:—pl. Lā′bra. [L. labrum, labium, a lip.]

English · e-38538-6877

Laburnum

Laburnum, la-bur′num, n. a small tree with large pendulous racemes of beautiful yellow flowers, a native of the Alps. [L.]

English · e-38538-6878

Labyrinth

Labyrinth, lab′i-rinth, n. a place full of inextricable windings: (orig.) a building consisting of halls connected by intricate passages: an arrangement of tortuous passages in which it is difficult to find the way out:

English · e-38538-6879

Lac

Lac, lak, n. the term used in India for 100,000 rupees, the nominal value of which is £10,000.—Also Lakh. [Hind. lak—Sans. laksha, 100,000, a mark.]

English · e-38538-6880

Lac

Lac, lak, n. a dark-red transparent resin produced on the twigs of trees in the East by the lac insect, used in dyeing.—adj. Laccic (lak′sik).—ns. Laccine (lak′sin), a brittle, translucent, yellow substance, obtained fro

English · e-38538-6881

Lace

Lace, lās, n. a plaited string for fastening: an ornamental fabric of linen, cotton, silk, or gold and silver threads, made by looping, knotting, plaiting, or twisting the thread into definite patterns, of contrasted ope

English · e-38538-6882

Lacerate

Lacerate, las′ėr-āt, v.t. to tear: to rend: to wound: to afflict.—adjs. Lac′erable, that may be lacerated; Lac′erant, harrowing; Lac′erate, -d, rent, torn: (bot.) having the edges cut into irregular segments.—n. Lacerā′t

English · e-38538-6883

Lacerta

Lacerta, la-sėr′ta, n. a genus of saurian reptiles, the name properly restricted to slender, active lizards.—n. and adj. Lacer′tian, an animal belonging to the genus Lacerta.—n. Lacertil′ia, an order of reptiles, includi

English · e-38538-6884

Laches

Laches, läsh′ēz, n. (law) negligence or undue delay, such as to disentitle a person to a certain remedy, any negligence. [O. Fr. lachesse.]

English · e-38538-6885

Lachesis

Lachesis, lak′e-sis, n. the one of the three Fates who assigned to each mortal his destiny—she spun the thread of life from the distaff held by Clotho. [Gr.]

English · e-38538-6886

Lachrymal

Lachrymal, Lacrymal, lak′ri-mal, adj. of or pertaining to tears, secreting tears, as in 'lachrymal duct,' the nasal duct, conveying tears from the eye to the nose.—n. one of the bones of the face, the os unguis, or nail-

English · e-38538-6887

Lacing

Lacing, lās′ing, n. a fastening with a lace or cord through eyelet-holes: a cord used in fastening: in bookbinding, the cords by which the boards of a book are fastened to the back: in shipbuilding, the knee of the head,

English · e-38538-6888

Lacinia

Lacinia, lā-sin′i-a, n. a long incision in a leaf, &c.—also a narrow lobe resulting from such: in entomology, the apex of the maxilla.—adjs. Lacin′iāte, -d, cut into narrow lobes, fringed; Lacin′iform, fringe-like; Lacin

English · e-38538-6889

Lack

Lack, lak, v.t. and v.i. to want: to be in want: to be destitute of: to miss.—n. want: destitution.—ns. Lack′-all, one who is destitute; Lack′-brain (Shak.), a fool.—adjs. Lack′-lin′en (Shak.), wanting linen; Lack′-lus′t

English · e-38538-6890

Lack-a-day

Lack-a-day, lak-a-dā′, interj. See Alack-a-day.

English · e-38538-6892 · brief source record

Lackadaisical

Lackadaisical, lak-a-dā′zi-kal, adj. affectedly pensive, sentimental.—interj. Lack′adaisy=Lack-a-day. [Alack-a-day. See Alack.]

English · e-38538-6891

Lacker

Lacker. See Lacquer.

English · e-38538-6893 · brief source record

Lackey

Lackey, lak′i, n. a menial attendant: a footman or footboy.—v.t. and v.i. to pay servile attendance: to act as a footman. [O. Fr. laquay (Fr. laquais)—Sp. lacayo, a lackey; perh. Ar. luka‛, servile.]

English · e-38538-6894

Lacmus

Lacmus, lak′mus, n. the same as Litmus (q.v.).

English · e-38538-6895 · brief source record

Laconic

Laconic, -al, la-kon′ik, -al, adj. expressing in few words after the manner of the Laconians, Lacedæmonians, or Spartans: concise: pithy.—adv. Lacon′ically.—ns. Lac′onism, Lacon′icism, a concise style: a short, pithy phr

English · e-38538-6896

Lacquer

Lacquer, Lacker, lak′ėr, n. a varnish made of lac and alcohol.—v.t. to cover with lacquer: to varnish.—ns. Lac′querer, one who varnishes or covers with lacquer; Lac′quering, the act of varnishing with lacquer: a coat of

English · e-38538-6897

Lacrosse

Lacrosse, la-kros′, n. a Canadian game of ball, played by two sets of eleven, the ball driven through the opponents' goal by means of the Crosse, a bent stick, 5-6 ft. long, with a shallow net at one end. [Fr.]

English · e-38538-6898

Lacteal

Lacteal, lak′te-al, adj. pertaining to or resembling milk: conveying chyle.—n. one of the absorbent vessels of the intestines which convey the chyle to the thoracic ducts.—ns. Lac′tarene, Lac′tarine, a preparation of the

English · e-38538-6899

Lacuna

Lacuna, la-kū′na, n. a gap or hiatus:—pl. Lacū′næ.—n. Lacū′nar, a sunken panel or coffer in a ceiling or a soffit: a ceiling containing such.—adjs. Lacū′nose, furrowed: pitted; Lacū′nous. [L. lacuna, anything hollow—lacu

English · e-38538-6900

Lacustrine

Lacustrine, la-kus′trin, adj. pertaining to lakes.—Also Lacus′tral, Lacus′trian. [From L. lacus, a lake.]

English · e-38538-6901 · brief source record

Lad

Lad, lad, n. a boy: a youth: (Scot.) a lover:—fem. Lass.—n. Lad′die, a little lad: a boy.—Lad's love, a provincial name of the southernwood. [M. E. ladde—Ir. lath, a youth, champion (W. llawd). Mr H. Bradley suggests tha

English · e-38538-6902

Ladanum

Ladanum, lad′a-num, n. a resinous exudation from the leaves of a shrub growing round the Mediterranean.—Also Lab′danum. [L.,—Gr. lēdanon—Pers. lādan. See Laudanum.]

English · e-38538-6903

Ladder

Ladder, lad′ėr, n. a frame made with steps placed between two upright pieces, by which one may ascend a building, &c.: anything by which one ascends: a gradual rise. [A.S. hlǽder; Ger. leiter.]

English · e-38538-6904

Lade

Lade, lād, v.t. to burden: to throw in or out, as a fluid, with a ladle or dipper.—n. (Scot.) a load: a water-course: the mouth of a river.—n. Lad′ing, the act of loading: that which is loaded: cargo: freight. [A.S. hlad

English · e-38538-6905

Ladin

Ladin, la-dēn′, n. a Romance tongue spoken in the Engadine valley in Switzerland and the upper Inn valley in Tyrol. [L. Latinus, Latin.]

English · e-38538-6906

Ladino

Ladino, la-dē′nō, n. the old Castilian tongue: the Spanish jargon of some Turkish Jews: a Central American of mixed white and Indian blood.

English · e-38538-6907

Ladle

Ladle, lād′l, n. a large spoon for lifting out liquid from a vessel: the float-board of a mill-wheel: an instrument for drawing the charge from a cannon.—v.t. to lift with a ladle.—ns. Lad′leful, the quantity in a ladle:

English · e-38538-6908

Ladrone

Ladrone, la-drōn′, n. a robber. [Sp.,—L. latro.]

English · e-38538-6909 · brief source record

Lady

Lady, lā′di, n. the mistress of a house: a wife: a title of the wives of knights, and all degrees above them, and of the daughters of earls and all higher ranks: a title of complaisance to any woman of refined manners:—p

English · e-38538-6910

Lætare

Lætare, lē-tā′rē, n. the fourth Sunday in Lent, named from the first word in the service for the festival. [L. lætāre, to rejoice—lætus, joyful.]

English · e-38538-6911

Lag

Lag, lag, adj. slack: sluggish: coming behind.—n. he who, or that which, comes behind: the fag-end: (slang) an old convict.—v.i. to move or walk slowly: to loiter.—v.t. (slang) to commit to justice:—pr.p. lag′ging; pa.p.

English · e-38538-6912

Lagena

Lagena, la-jē′na, n. a wine-vase, amphora: the terminal part of the cochlea in birds and reptiles:—pl. Lagē′næ. [L.]

English · e-38538-6913 · brief source record

Lager-beer

Lager-beer, lä′ger-bēr, n. a kind of light beer very much used in Germany.—Also La′ger. [Ger. lagerbier—lager, a store-house, bier, beer.]

English · e-38538-6914

Laggen

Laggen, lag′en, n. (Burns) the angle between the side and bottom of a wooden dish.

English · e-38538-6915 · brief source record

Lagomys

Lagomys, lā-gō′mis, n. a genus of rodents, much resembling hares or rabbits. [Gr. lagōs, a hare, mys, a mouse.]

English · e-38538-6916 · brief source record

Lagoon

Lagoon, Lagune, la-gōōn′, n. a shallow pond into which the sea flows. [It. laguna—L. lacuna.]

English · e-38538-6917 · brief source record

Lagophthalmia

Lagophthalmia, lag-of-thal′mi-a, n. inability to close the eye.—adj. Lagophthal′mic.

English · e-38538-6918 · brief source record

Lagopus

Lagopus, la-gō′pus, n. a genus of grouse, the ptarmigans.—adj. Lagop′odous, having furry feet.—n. Lagos′toma, hare-lip.—adj. Lagō′tic, rabbit-eared.

English · e-38538-6919

Lagrimoso

Lagrimoso, lag-ri-mō′sō, adj. (mus.) plaintive. [It.]

English · e-38538-6920 · brief source record

Lagthing

Lagthing, läg′ting, n. the upper house of the Norwegian parliament. [Norw. lag, law, thing, parliament.]

English · e-38538-6921 · brief source record

Laic

Laic, Laical, Laicise. See Lay, adj.

English · e-38538-6922 · brief source record

Laid

Laid, lād, adj. put down, prostrate: pressed down.—Laid paper, such as shows in its fabric the marks of the close parallel wires on which the paper-pulp was laid in the process of its manufacture:—opp. to Wove-paper, tha

English · e-38538-6923

Laidly

Laidly, lād′li, adj. (prov.) loathly.

English · e-38538-6924 · brief source record

Lain

Lain, pa.p. of Lie, to rest.

English · e-38538-6925 · brief source record

Lair

Lair, lār, n. a lying-place, esp. the den or retreat of a wild beast: (Scot.) the ground for one grave in a burying-place. [A.S. leger, a couch—licgan, to lie down; Dut. leger, Ger. lager.]

English · e-38538-6926

Lair

Lair, lār, v.i. (Scot.) to sink in mud.—n. mire, a bog, a quagmire. [Ice. leir, mud.]

English · e-38538-6927 · brief source record

Laird

Laird, lārd, n. (Scot.) a landed proprietor, a landlord.—n. Laird′ship, an estate. [Lord.]

English · e-38538-6928 · brief source record

Laissez-faire

Laissez-faire, lās′ā-fār′, n. a letting alone, a general principle of non-interference with the free action of the individual: the let-alone principle in government, business, &c.—Also Laiss′er-faire′. [Fr. laisser—L. la

English · e-38538-6929

Laity

Laity, lā-′i-ti, n. the people as distinct from the clergy. [See Lay, adj.]

English · e-38538-6930 · brief source record

Lake

Lake, lāk, n. a pigment or colour formed by precipitating animal or vegetable colouring matters from their solutions, chiefly with alumina or oxide of tin. [Fr. laque. See Lac (2).]

English · e-38538-6931

Lake

Lake, lāk, n. a large body of water within land.—ns. Lake′-bā′sin, the whole area drained by a lake; Lake′-law′yer (U.S.), the bowfin: burbot; Lake′let, a little lake; Lā′ker, Lā′kist, one of the Lake school of poetry.—a

English · e-38538-6932

Lakh

Lakh, n. See Lac, term used for 100,000.

English · e-38538-6933 · brief source record

Lakin

Lakin, lā′kin, n. (Shak.) a corruption of ladykin, dim. of lady.

English · e-38538-6934 · brief source record

Lakshmi

Lakshmi, laksh′mē, n. in Hindu mythology, the name of the consort of the god Vishnu (q.v.), considered as his female or creative energy.

English · e-38538-6935

Lallan

Lallan, lal′an, n. the Scotch dialect. [Lowland.]

English · e-38538-6936 · brief source record

Lallation

Lallation, la-lā′shon, n. lambdacism (q.v.).

English · e-38538-6937 · brief source record

Lam

Lam, lam, v.t. to beat. [Ice. lemja, to beat.]

English · e-38538-6938 · brief source record

Lama

Lama, n. an animal. [See Llama.]

English · e-38538-6939 · brief source record

Lama

Lama, lä′ma, n. a Buddhist priest in Tibet.—ns. Lä′maism, the religion prevailing in Tibet and Mongolia, being Buddhism corrupted by Sivaism, and by Shamanism or spirit-worship; Lä′maist; Lä′masery, a Tibetan monastery.

English · e-38538-6940

Lamantin

Lamantin, la-man′tin, n. the manatee. [Fr.]

English · e-38538-6941 · brief source record

Lamarckism

Lamarckism, la-mär′kizm, n. the theory of the French naturalist, J. B. P. A. de Monet de Lamarck (1744-1829), that species have developed by the efforts of organisms to adapt themselves to new conditions—also Lamarck′ian

English · e-38538-6942

Lamb

Lamb, lam, n. the young of a sheep: the flesh of the young sheep: one innocent and gentle as a lamb: the Saviour of the world.—v.i. to bring forth young, as sheep.—ns. Lamb′-ale, a feast at the time of lamb-shearing; Lam

English · e-38538-6943

Lambative

Lambative, lam′ba-tiv, adj. to be taken by licking.—n. a medicine of such a kind.

English · e-38538-6944 · brief source record

Lambda

Lambda, lam′da, n. the Greek letter corresponding to Roman l.—n. Lamb′dacism, a too frequent use of words containing l: a defective pronunciation of r, making it like l.—adjs. Lamb′doid, -al, shaped like the Greek capita

English · e-38538-6945

Lambent

Lambent, lam′bent, adj. moving about as if touching lightly: gliding over: flickering.—n. Lam′bency, the quality of being lambent: that which is lambent. [L. lambens—lambĕre, to lick.]

English · e-38538-6946

Lamboys

Lamboys, lam′boiz, n.pl. kilted flexible steel-plates worn skirt-like from the waist. [O. Fr.]

English · e-38538-6947 · brief source record

Lambrequin

Lambrequin, lam′bre-kin, n. a strip of cloth, leather, &c., hanging from a window, doorway, or mantelpiece, as a drapery: an ornamental covering, as of cloth, attached to a helmet. [Fr.]

English · e-38538-6948

Lame

Lame, lām, adj. disabled in the limbs: hobbling: unsatisfactory: imperfect.—v.t. to make lame: to cripple: to render imperfect.—n. Lame′-duck (slang), a bankrupt.—adv. Lame′ly.—n. Lame′ness.—adj. Lam′ish, a little lame:

English · e-38538-6949

Lamella

Lamella, lä-mel′a, n. a thin plate or scale:—pl. Lamell′æ.—adjs. Lam′ellar, Lam′ellate.—n.pl. Lamellibranchiā′ta, a class of shell-fishes or molluscs in which the shell consists of two limy plates, lying one on each side

English · e-38538-6950

Lament

Lament, la-ment′, v.i. to utter grief in outcries: to wail: to mourn.—v.t. to mourn for: to deplore.—n. sorrow expressed in cries: an elegy or mournful ballad.—adj. Lam′entable, deserving or expressing sorrow: sad: pitif

English · e-38538-6951

Lameter

Lameter, Lamiter, lā′met-ėr, n. a cripple.

English · e-38538-6952 · brief source record

Lametta

Lametta, la-met′a, n. foil of gold, silver, &c. [It.]

English · e-38538-6953 · brief source record

Lamia

Lamia, lā′mi-a, n. in Greek and Roman mythology, a female phantom, a serpent witch who charmed children and youths in order to suck their blood.

English · e-38538-6954

Lamiger

Lamiger, lam′i-jėr, n. (prov.) a cripple.

English · e-38538-6955 · brief source record

Lamina

Lamina, lam′i-na, n. a thin plate: a thin layer or coat lying over another:—pl. Lam′inæ.—adjs. Lam′inable; Lam′inar, Lam′inary, in laminæ or thin plates: consisting of, or resembling, thin plates.—n. Laminā′ria, a genus

English · e-38538-6956

Lammas

Lammas, lam′as, n. the feast of first-fruits on 1st August.—n. Lamm′as-tide, Lammas-day, 1st August. [A.S. hláf-mæsse and hlammæsse—hláf, loaf, mæsse, feast.]

English · e-38538-6957

Lammer

Lammer, lam′ėr, n. (Scot.) amber. [Fr. l'ambre.]

English · e-38538-6958 · brief source record

Lammergeier

Lammergeier, lam′mėr-gī-ėr, n. the great bearded vulture of the mountains of southern Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. [Ger. lämmergeier—lämmer, lambs, geier, vulture.]

English · e-38538-6959

Lammy

Lammy, lam′i, n. a thick quilted outside jumper worn in cold weather by sailors.—Also Lamm′ie.

English · e-38538-6960 · brief source record

Lamp

Lamp, lamp, n. a vessel for burning oil with a wick, and so giving light: a light of any kind.—v.i. (Spens.) to shine.—ns. Lamp′ad (rare), a lamp or candlestick, a torch; Lamp′adary, in the Greek Church, one who looks af

English · e-38538-6961

Lamp

Lamp, lamp, v.i. (Scot.) to run wild, to scamper: to go jauntily.

English · e-38538-6962 · brief source record

Lampas

Lampas, lam′pas, n. a material of silk and wool used in upholstery. [Fr.]

English · e-38538-6963 · brief source record

Lampass

Lampass, lam′pas, n. (Shak.) a swelling of the roof of the mouth in horses. [Fr. lampas.]

English · e-38538-6964 · brief source record

Lampern

Lampern, lam′pėrn, n. a river lamprey.

English · e-38538-6965 · brief source record

Lampoon

Lampoon, lam-pōōn′, n. a personal satire in writing: low censure.—v.t. to assail with personal satire: to satirise:—pr.p. lampōōn′ing; pa.p. lampōōned′.—ns. Lampoon′er, one who writes a lampoon; Lampoon′ry, practice of l

English · e-38538-6966

Lamprey

Lamprey, lam′pre, n. a genus of cartilaginous fishes resembling the eel, so called from their attaching themselves to rocks or stones by their mouths. [O. Fr. lamproie—Low L. lampreda, lampetra—L. lambĕre, to lick, petra

English · e-38538-6967

Lana

Lana, lä′na, n. the tough, close-grained wood of a Guiana tree.

English · e-38538-6968 · brief source record

Lanate

Lanate, -d, lā′nāt, -ed, adjs. woolly: (bot.) covered with a substance resembling wool.—n. Lā′nary, a wool-store. [L. lanatus—lana, wool.]

English · e-38538-6969

Lancasterian

Lancasterian, lang-kas-tē′ri-an, adj. pertaining to Joseph Lancaster (1778-1838), or the method of teaching younger pupils by those more advanced (monitors) in primary schools.

English · e-38538-6970

Lancastrian

Lancastrian, lang-kas′tri-an, adj. pertaining to the dukes or the royal house of Lancaster.—n. an adherent of the house of Lancaster, as against the Yorkists, in the Wars of the Roses (1455-85).

English · e-38538-6971

Lance

Lance, lans, n. (Spens.) balance, poise. [L. lanx, lancis, a dish or scale.]

English · e-38538-6972 · brief source record

Lance

Lance, lans, n. a long shaft of wood, with a spear-head, and bearing a small flag: the bearer of a lance.—v.t. to pierce with a lance: to open with a lancet.—ns. Lance′-cor′poral, a private soldier doing the duties of a

English · e-38538-6973

Lancegay

Lancegay, lans′gā, n. (obs.) a kind of spear. [O. Fr.,—lance, a lance, zagaye, a pike. See Assagai.]

English · e-38538-6974 · brief source record

Lanceolate

Lanceolate, -d, lan′se-o-lāt, -ed, adjs. (bot.) having the form of a lance-head: tapering toward both ends—also Lan′ceolar.—adv. Lan′ceolately. [L. lanceolatus—lanceola, dim. of lancea.]

English · e-38538-6975

Lancet

Lancet, lan′set, n. a surgical instrument used for opening veins, abscesses, &c.: a high and narrow window, terminating in an arch acutely pointed, often double or triple, common in the first half of the 13th century. [O

English · e-38538-6976

Lanch

Lanch. Same as Launch.

English · e-38538-6977 · brief source record

Lancinate

Lancinate, lan′sin-āt, v.t. to lacerate.—n. Lancinā′tion, sharp, shooting pain. [L. lancināre, -ātum, to tear.]

English · e-38538-6978 · brief source record

Land

Land, land, n. earth, the solid portion of the surface of the globe: a country: a district: soil: real estate: a nation or people: (Scot.) a group of dwellings or tenements under one roof and having a common entry.—v.t.

English · e-38538-6979

Land-louper

Land-louper, land′-lowp′ėr, n. a vagabond or vagrant.—Also Land′-lop′er. [Dut. landloopen—land, land, loopen, to ramble; cf. Ger. landläufer.]

English · e-38538-6984

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