Leavings
Leavings, lēv′ingz, n.pl. things left: relics: refuse.—n. Leav′ing-shop, an unlicensed pawnshop.
English · e-38538-7181 · 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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Leavings, lēv′ingz, n.pl. things left: relics: refuse.—n. Leav′ing-shop, an unlicensed pawnshop.
English · e-38538-7181 · brief source recordLeavy, lēv′i, adj. (Shak.). Same as Leafy.
English · e-38538-7182 · brief source recordLecher, lech′ėr, n. a man addicted to lewdness.—v.i. to practise lewdness.—adj. Lech′erous, lustful: provoking lust.—adv. Lech′erously.—ns. Lech′erousness, Lech′ery. [O. Fr. lecheor—lecher, to lick; from Old High Ger. le
English · e-38538-7183Lectern, lek′tėrn, n. a reading-desk in churches from which the Scripture lessons are read.—ns. (obs.) Lec′turn, Let′tern. [Low L. lectrinum—Low L. lectrum, a pulpit—Gr. lektron, a couch.]
English · e-38538-7184Lection, lek′shun, n. a reading: a variety in a manuscript or book: a portion of Scripture read in divine service.—ns. Lec′tionary, a book for use in worship, containing lessons for particular days; Lec′tor, a reader: a
English · e-38538-7185Lectual, lek′tū-al, adj. confining to the bed.
English · e-38538-7186 · brief source recordLecture, lek′tūr, n. a discourse on any subject, esp. a professional or tutorial discourse: an expository and discursive religious discourse, usually based on an extended passage of Scripture rather than a single text: a
English · e-38538-7187Led, led, pa.t. and pa.p. of lead, to show the way.—adj. under leading or control, esp. of a farm or place managed by a deputy instead of the owner or tenant in person.—Led captain, an obsequious attendant, a henchman; L
English · e-38538-7188Leden, led′n, n. (Spens.) language, dialect, speech. [A.S. lǽden, Latin speech—L. Latinum, Latin.]
English · e-38538-7189 · brief source recordLedge, lej, n. a shelf on which articles may be laid: that which resembles such a shelf: a ridge or shelf of rocks: a layer: a small moulding: a lode in mining.—adj. Ledg′y, abounding in ledges. [Skeat explains as Scand.
English · e-38538-7190Ledger, lej′ėr, n. the principal book of accounts among merchants, in which the entries in all the other books are entered: (Shak.) a resident, esp. an ambassador: a bar, stone, &c., made to lie flat, a piece of timber u
English · e-38538-7191Ledum, lē′dum, n. a genus of ericaceous plants. [Gr. lēdon, ladanum.]
English · e-38538-7192 · brief source recordLee, lē, n. the quarter toward which the wind blows.—adj. as in Lee′-side, the sheltered side of a ship.—ns. Lee′-board, a board lowered on the lee-side of a vessel, and acting like a keel or centre-board to prevent her
English · e-38538-7193Lee, lē, n. (Spens.) a river: also the same as Lea.
English · e-38538-7194 · brief source recordLeech, lēch, n. the edge of a sail at the sides. [Ice. lík, a leech-line; Dan. lig; Sw. lik, a bolt-rope.]
English · e-38538-7195 · brief source recordLeech, lēch, n. a blood-sucking worm: a physician.—v.t. to apply leeches to.—ns. Leech′craft, Leech′dom. [A.S. lǽce, one who heals; cf. Goth. leikeis.]
English · e-38538-7196Leef, lēf, adj. an obsolete form of lief.
English · e-38538-7197 · brief source recordLeefang, lē′fang, n. a rope through the clew of a jib, holding it amidships while lacing on the bonnet.
English · e-38538-7198 · brief source recordLeek, lēk, n. a well-known biennial species of the onion family, esteemed for cooking—national emblem of Wales.—Eat the leek, to be compelled to take back one's words or put up with insulting treatment—from the scene bet
English · e-38538-7199Leer, lēr, n. a sly, sidelong look: (Shak.) complexion, colour.—v.i. to look askance: to look archly or obliquely.—adv. Leer′ingly, with a leering look. [A.S. hleór, face, cheek; Ice. hlýr.]
English · e-38538-7200Lees, lēz, n.pl. sediment or dregs that settle at the bottom of liquor. [Fr. lie—Low L. lia.]
English · e-38538-7201 · brief source recordLeese, lēz, v.t. (Spens.) to lose. [A.S. leósan, to lose.]
English · e-38538-7202 · brief source recordLeet, lēt, n. (Scot.) a selected list of candidates for an office.—Short leet, a small list of selected candidates—for the final choice. [Ice. leiti, a share; cf. A.S. hlét, hlýt, forms of hlot, lot.]
English · e-38538-7203Leet, lēt, n. an ancient English court, esp. the assembly of the men of a township: the district subject to such: the right to hold such a court.—n. Court′-leet (see Court). [A.S. lǽth.]
English · e-38538-7204Leetle, lē′tl, a vulgarism for little.
English · e-38538-7205 · brief source recordLeeze, lēz (Scot.), in phrase Leeze me, it is pleasing to me. [Prob. a corr. of Lief is me.]
English · e-38538-7206 · brief source recordLeft, left, pa.p. (Spens.) lifted.
English · e-38538-7207 · brief source recordLeft, left, pa.t. and pa.p. of leave.—adj. Left′-off, laid aside.
English · e-38538-7208 · brief source recordLeft, left, adj. being on the left side—also Left′-hand.—n. the side opposite to the right: the part of an assembly sitting on the president's left hand, generally the more liberal or democratic section.—adv. toward the
English · e-38538-7209Leg, leg, n. one of the limbs by which animals walk: a long, slender support of anything, as of a table: (fig.) something that supports: in cricket, that part of the field, or that fielder, to the left of and behind the
English · e-38538-7210Legacy, leg′a-si, n. that which is left to one by will: a bequest of personal property.—ns. Leg′acy-hunt′er, one who hunts after legacies by courting those likely to leave them; Leg′atary, a legatee; Legatee′, one to who
English · e-38538-7211Legal, lē′gal, adj. pertaining to, or according to, law: lawful: created by law: (theol.) according to the Mosaic law or dispensation.—n. Lē′galisātion.—v.t. Lē′galise, to make legal or lawful: to authorise: to sanction.
English · e-38538-7212Legate, leg′āt, n. an ambassador, esp. from the Pope: a delegate, deputy, esp. a foreign envoy chosen by the senate of ancient Rome, or a general or consul's lieutenant.—n. Leg′ateship.—adj. Leg′atīne, of or relating to
English · e-38538-7213Legatee. See Legacy.
English · e-38538-7214 · brief source recordLegato, lā-gä′to, adj. (mus.) in a smooth manner, the notes being played as if bound together.—n. a smooth manner of performance, or a tune so played.—adv. (sup.) Legatiss′imo. [It.,—L. ligāre, to tie.]
English · e-38538-7215Legend, lej′end, or lē′-, n. a marvellous story from early times: the motto on a coat of arms, medal, or coin: an inscription of any kind: a musical composition set to a poetical story.—n. Leg′endary, a book of legends:
English · e-38538-7216Leger, lej′ėr, adj. light: small.—ns. Leger′ity (Shak.), lightness; Leg′er′-line (mus.), one of the short lines added above or below the staff to extend its compass. [O. Fr.,—L. lĕvis, light.]
English · e-38538-7217Legerdemain, lej-ėr-dē-mān′, n. sleight-of-hand: jugglery. [Fr. léger de main—L. as if leviarius—levis, light, Fr. de, of, main—L. manus, hand.]
English · e-38538-7218Leghorn, leg′horn, n. fine plait for bonnets and hats made in Tuscany: a bonnet of this material: a small breed of the common domestic fowl. [Leghorn (It. Livorno), a seaport of Tuscany, Italy.]
English · e-38538-7219Legible, lej′i-bl, adj. that may be read: that may be understood.—ns. Leg′ibleness, Legibil′ity.—adv. Leg′ibly. [L. legibilis—legĕre, to read.]
English · e-38538-7220Legion, lē′jun, n. in ancient Rome, a body of soldiers of from three to six thousand: a military force: a great number: in French history, the name of several military bodies, more esp. one which distinguished itself in
English · e-38538-7221Legislate, lej′is-lāt, v.i. to bring forward, propose, or make laws.—n. Legislā′tion.—adj. Leg′islative, giving or enacting laws: pertaining to legislation, or a legislature.—n. a body of persons, or a single person, wit
English · e-38538-7222Legist, lē′jist, n. one skilled in the laws. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-7223 · brief source recordLegitim, lej′i-tim, n. (Scots law) the legal provision which a child is entitled to out of the movable or personal estate of the deceased father.—Also Bairn's Part. [Fr.,—L. legitimus—lex, law.]
English · e-38538-7224Legitimate, le-jit′i-māt, adj. lawful: lawfully begotten, born in wedlock: fairly deduced: following by natural sequence: authorised by usage.—v.t. to make lawful: to give the rights of a legitimate child to an illegitim
English · e-38538-7225Legume, leg′ūm, n. a seed-vessel which splits into two valves, having the seeds attached to the ventral suture only: a pod, as of the pea, bean, &c.—also Legū′men:—pl. Legū′mens, Legū′mina.—adj. Legū′minar.—n. Legū′mine,
English · e-38538-7226Leibnitzian, līb-nit′zi-an, adj. pertaining to the great German philosopher and mathematician, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz (1646-1716).—n. Leibnit′zianism, the philosophy of Leibnitz—the doctrine of primordial monads, pre
English · e-38538-7227Leiger, lej′ėr, n. (Shak.) a resident ambassador.—Also Leidg′er. [See Ledger.]
English · e-38538-7228 · brief source recordLeiotrichous, lī-ot′ri-kus, adj. of the smooth-haired races. [Gr. leios, smooth, thrix, trichos, hair.]
English · e-38538-7229 · brief source recordLeipoa, lī-pō′a, n. a genus of Australian mound-birds.
English · e-38538-7230 · brief source recordLeister, lēs′tėr, n. (Scot.) a salmon-spear. [Cf. Ice. ljóstr; Dan. lyster, a salmon-spear.]
English · e-38538-7231 · brief source recordLeisure, lē′zhōōr, or lezh′-, n. time free from employment: freedom from occupation, convenient opportunity, ease.—adj. unoccupied.—adj. Lei′sured, not occupied with business.—adj. and adv. Lei′surely, not hasty or hasti
English · e-38538-7232Leman, lē′man, or lem′-, n. a sweetheart; paramour. [A.S. leóf, loved, mann, man.]
English · e-38538-7233 · brief source recordLemma, lem′a, n. (math.) a preliminary proposition demonstrated for the purpose of being used in a subsequent proposition: sometimes in logic a premise taken for granted: a theme:—pl. Lemm′as, Lemm′ata. [L.,—Gr. lēmma—la
English · e-38538-7234Lemming, lem′ing, n. a genus of rodents, nearly allied to voles, migrating southward in great numbers. [Norw. lemende, lemming—lemja, to beat. Perh. Lapp, loumek, a lemming.]
English · e-38538-7235Lemnian, lem′ni-an, adj. pertaining to Lemnos in the Ægean Sea.—Lemnian earth, cimolite; Lemnian ruddle, a red chalk found in Lemnos.
English · e-38538-7236Lemniscate, lem-nis′kāt, n. a curve in general form like the figure 8—also adj.—n. Lemnis′cus, a woollen fillet attached to the back of crowns, diadems, &c. [Gr. lēmniskos.]
English · e-38538-7237Lemon, lem′un, n. an oval fruit resembling the orange, with an acid pulp: the tree that bears lemons.—n. Lemonade′, a drink made of lemon-juice, water, and sugar.—adj. Lem′on-col′oured, having the colour of a ripe lemon.
English · e-38538-7238Lemur, lē′mur, n. a genus of mammals appearing to stand between the Insectivora and the monkeys, forest dwellers, mainly nocturnal in habits, common in Madagascar. [L. lemur, a ghost.]
English · e-38538-7239Lemures, lem′ū-rēz, n.pl. (Milt.) spirits of the departed: spectres. [L.]
English · e-38538-7240 · brief source recordLend, lend, v.t. to give for a short time something to be returned: to afford, grant, or furnish, in general: to let for hire.—v.i. to make a loan:—pr.p lend′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. lent.—ns. Lend′er; Lend′ing, the act of g
English · e-38538-7241Length, length, n. quality of being long: extent from end to end: the longest measure of anything: long continuance: detail: (prosody) time occupied in uttering a vowel or syllable: the quality of a vowel as long or shor
English · e-38538-7242Lenient, lē′ni-ent, adj. softening: mild: merciful.—n. (med.) that which softens: an emollient.—ns. Lē′nience, Lē′niency.—adv. Lē′niently.—v.t. Lē′nify (rare), to assuage.—adj. Len′itive, mitigating: laxative.—n. any pal
English · e-38538-7243Leno, lē′nō, n. a thin linen like muslin.
English · e-38538-7244 · brief source recordLenocinium, lē-nō-sin′i-um, n. (Scots law) a husband's connivance at his wife's adultery. [L.]
English · e-38538-7245 · brief source recordLens, lenz, n. (optics) a piece of transparent substance with one or both sides convex or concave, the object to refract rays of light really or apparently radiating from a point, and make them deviate so as to pass, or
English · e-38538-7246Lent, lent, n. an annual fast of forty days in commemoration of the fast of our Saviour (Matt. iv. 2), from Ash-Wednesday to Easter.—adj. Lent′en, relating to, or used in, Lent: sparing.—n. Lent′-lil′y, the daffodil, as
English · e-38538-7247Lentamente, len-ta-men′te, adv. (mus.) slowly, in slow time.—advs. Lentan′do, becoming slower by degrees; Len′to, slow, slowly. [It.]
English · e-38538-7248Lenticular, len-tik′ū-lar, adj. resembling a lens or lentil seed: double-convex—also Len′tiform.—n. Len′ticel (bot.), a loose, lens-shaped mass of cells belonging to the corky layer or periderm of plants.—adj. Lenticel′l
English · e-38538-7249Lentigo, len-tī′gō, n. a freckle.—adjs. Lentig′inose, Lentig′inous (bot.), covered with minute dots as if dusted. [L.]
English · e-38538-7250 · brief source recordLentil, len′til, n. an annual plant, common near the Mediterranean, bearing pulse used for food. [O. Fr. lentille—L. lens, lentis, the lentil.]
English · e-38538-7251Lentisk, len′tisk, n. the mastic-tree. [L. lentiscus.]
English · e-38538-7252 · brief source recordLentor, len′tor, n. tenacity, viscidity.—adj. Len′tous. [L. lentus, slow.]
English · e-38538-7253 · brief source recordLenvoy, len-voi′, n. a kind of postscript appended to a literary composition: an envoy. [O. Fr. l'envoi.]
English · e-38538-7254 · brief source recordLeo, lē′ō, n. the Lion, the 5th sign of the zodiac.
English · e-38538-7255 · brief source recordLeonine, lē′o-nīn, adj. of or like a lion.
English · e-38538-7256 · brief source recordLeonine, lē′o-nīn, adj. a kind of Latin verse, generally alternate hexameter and pentameter, rhyming at the middle and end. [From Leoninus, a 12th-cent. canon in Paris; or from Pope Leo II.]
English · e-38538-7257Leopard, lep′ard, n. an animal of the cat kind, with a spotted skin, now generally supposed to be identical with the panther:—fem. Leop′ardess: (her.) a lion passant gardant. [O. Fr.,—L.,—Gr. leopardos—leōn, lion, pardos
English · e-38538-7258Leper, lep′ėr, n. one affected with leprosy.—adjs. Lep′erous (Shak.), Lep′rous. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. lepra—lepros, scaly—lepos, a scale—lepein, to peel off.]
English · e-38538-7259Lepid, lep′id, adj. pleasant, jocose. [L. lepidus.]
English · e-38538-7260 · brief source recordLepidodendron, lep-i-do-den′dron, n. a common fossil plant of the Carboniferous strata, the stem covered with ovate leaf-scars arranged spirally. [Gr. lepis, -idos, a scale, dendron, a tree.]
English · e-38538-7261Lepidoptera, lep-i-dop′tėr-a, n.pl. an order of insects, with four wings covered with fine scales—butterfly, moth, &c.—adjs. Lepidop′teral, Lepidop′terous. [Gr. lepis, -idos, a scale, pteron, a wing.]
English · e-38538-7262Lepidosauria, lep-i-do-sawr′i-a, n. a sub-class or sub-order of Reptilia, with scales and plates—the ophidians and lacertilians, not crocodilians and chelonians. [Gr. lepis, a scale, sauros, a lizard.]
English · e-38538-7263Lepidosiren, lep-i-do-sī′ren, n. one of the Amazon mud-fishes or Dipnoi. [Gr. lepis, a scale, Eng. siren.]
English · e-38538-7264 · brief source recordLepidosteus, lep-i-dos′te-us, n. a genus of fishes with rhomboid scales hard like bone. [Gr. lepis, -idos, a scale, osteon, a bone.]
English · e-38538-7265Leporine, lep′o-rīn, adj. pertaining to or resembling the hare. [L. leporinus—lepus, lepŏris, the hare.]
English · e-38538-7266 · brief source recordLepped, lep′d, pa.t. (Spens.) leaped.
English · e-38538-7267 · brief source recordLeprechaun, Leprechawn, lep′rē-kawn, n. a small-sized brownie who helps Irish housewives, mends shoes, grinds meal, &c. [Ir. luchorpan, lu, small, corpan, corp, a body—L. corpus.]
English · e-38538-7268Leprosy, lep′ro-si, n. a name applied to several different cutaneous diseases of contagious character, now confined to lepra cutanea, elephantiasis, Græcorum, or Leontiasis.—n. Lep′ra, leprosy: a scurfy, mealy substance
English · e-38538-7269Leptocardian, lep-to-kär′di-an, adj. pertaining to the Leptocardii, the lowest group of true vertebrates, the lancelets.—n. a lancelet, branchiostome, or amphioxus. [Gr. leptos, thin, kardia, heart.]
English · e-38538-7270Leptocephalic, lep-to-se-fal′ik, adj. having a narrow skull, as in certain flat-fishes. [Gr. leptos, thin, kephalē, the head.]
English · e-38538-7271Leptodactyl, lep-to-dak′til, adj. having small or slender toes. [Gr. leptos, thin, daktylos, a finger.]
English · e-38538-7272 · brief source recordLeptology, lep-tol′o-ji, n. minute description. [Gr. leptos, thin, logia—legein, to speak.]
English · e-38538-7273 · brief source recordLepton, lep′ton, n. the smallest of modern Greek coins, 100 to the drachma. [Gr.,—leptos, small.]
English · e-38538-7274 · brief source recordLeptorrhine, lep′tō-rin, adj. with small nose or slender snout. [Gr. leptos, thin, hris, hrinos, nose.]
English · e-38538-7275 · brief source recordLeptospermum, lep-to-sper′mum, n. a genus of Australian trees and shrubs, evergreens, with leaves like those of myrtles—the tea-tree, &c. [Gr. leptos, thin, sperma, seed.]
English · e-38538-7276Lere, lēr, n. (Spens.) learning a lesson.—v.t. to learn: to teach. [Learn.]
English · e-38538-7277 · brief source recordLesbian, les′bi-an, adj. pertaining to the island of Lesbos in the Ægean Sea, and the adjoining part of the coast of Asia Minor, together forming Æolis, the home of a famous school of lyric poets, including Alcæus and Sa
English · e-38538-7278Lese-majestie, lēz′-maj′es-ti, n. any crime committed against the sovereign power in a state, treason.—Also Leze′-maj′esty. [O. Fr.,—Low L. læsa majestas—L. læsa—lædĕre, to hurt, majestas, majesty.]
English · e-38538-7279Lesion, lē′zhun, n. a hurt: (med.) an injury or wound. [Fr.,—L. læsion-em—lædĕre, læsum, to hurt.]
English · e-38538-7280 · brief source recordLess, les, adj. (serves as comp. of little) diminished: smaller.—adv. not so much: in a lower degree.—n. a smaller portion: (B.) the inferior or younger. [A.S. lǽssa, less, lǽs (adv.); comparative form from a root lasinn
English · e-38538-7281Lessee, les-sē′, n. one to whom a lease is granted.
English · e-38538-7282 · brief source recordLessen, les′n, v.t. to make less, in any sense: to weaken: to degrade.—v.i. to become less, shrink.
English · e-38538-7283 · brief source recordLesser, les′ėr, adj. (B.) less: smaller: inferior. [A double comp. formed from less.]
English · e-38538-7284 · brief source recordLesson, les′n, n. a portion of Scripture appointed to be read in divine service: that which a pupil learns at a time: a precept or doctrine inculcated: instruction derived from experience: severe lecture.—v.t. to give a
English · e-38538-7285Lessor, les′or, n. one who grants a lease.
English · e-38538-7286 · brief source recordLest, lest, conj. that not: for fear that. [From the A.S. phrase ðý læs ðe (for the reason less that=L. quominus), the first word being dropped, while the others coalesced into lest.]
English · e-38538-7287Lest, lest, v.i. (Spens.) to listen.
English · e-38538-7288 · brief source recordLet, let, v.t. to slacken or loose restraint upon: to give leave or power to: to allow, permit, suffer: to grant to a tenant or hirer: to cause (with infin. without to):—pr.p. let′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. let.—n. a letting
English · e-38538-7289Let, let, v.t. (B.) to prevent.—n. (law) hinderance, obstruction: delay.—n. Let′ter. [A.S. lettan, to hinder—læt, slow.]
English · e-38538-7290Letch, lech, n. strong desire: a crotchet.
English · e-38538-7291 · brief source recordLethal, lē′thal, adj. death-dealing: deadly: mortal.—n. Lethe (Shak.), death.—adj. Lethif′erous, carrying death. [L. lethalis—lethum, letum, death.]
English · e-38538-7292Lethargy, leth′ar-ji, n. heavy unnatural slumber: dullness.—v.t. (Shak.) to make lethargic.—adjs. Lethar′gic, -al, pertaining to lethargy: unnaturally sleepy: dull.—adv. Lethar′gically.—n. Lethar′gicness, the state of be
English · e-38538-7293Lethe, lē′thē, n. one of the rivers of hell causing forgetfulness of the past to all who drank of it: oblivion.—adj. Lethē′an, of Lethe: oblivious. [Gr.,—lēthō, old form of lanthanein, to forget.]
English · e-38538-7294Letter, let′ėr, n. a conventional mark to express a sound: a written or printed message: literal meaning: a printing-type: (pl.) learning, literary culture.—v.t. to stamp letters upon.—ns. Lett′er-bal′ance, a balance for
English · e-38538-7295Lettic, let′ik, adj. of or pertaining to the Letts or Lithuanians, or to their language.—Also Lett′ish.
English · e-38538-7296 · brief source recordLetting, let′ing, n. the act of granting to a tenant: the act of giving to a contractor.
English · e-38538-7297 · brief source recordLettuce, let′is, n. a plant containing a milky juice, its leaves used as a salad. [O. Fr. laictuce (Fr. laitue)—L. lactuca—lac, milk.]
English · e-38538-7298Leucæmia, lū-sē′mi-a, n. a disease in which the number of white corpuscles in the blood is greatly increased, with changes in the lymphatic tissues, enlargement of the spleen, &c.—Also Leucocythæ′mia. [Gr. leukos, white,
English · e-38538-7299Leucine, lū′sin, n. a product of the decomposition of albuminous materials occurring in many of the juices of the animal body. [Gr. leukos, white.]
English · e-38538-7300Leuciscus, lū-sis′kus, n. a genus of fresh-water fishes of the Cyprinoid family, including the roach, dace, chub, minnow, &c. [Gr. leukos, white.]
English · e-38538-7301Leucite, lū′sīt, n. a whitish mineral occurring only in volcanic rocks.—adj. Leucit′ic. [Gr. leukos, white.]
English · e-38538-7302 · brief source recordLeucocyte, lū′kō-sīt, n. a white corpuscle of the blood or lymph (see Phagocyte).—adj. Leucocyt′ic.—ns. Leucocytog′enesis, the production of leucocytes; Leucocytō′sis, the presence of an excessive number of white corpusc
English · e-38538-7303Leucocythæmia. See Leucæmia.
English · e-38538-7304 · brief source recordLeucol, lū′kol, n. an organic base obtained by the distillation of coal-tar. [Gr. leukos, white.]
English · e-38538-7305 · brief source recordLeucoma, lū-kō′ma, n. a white opacity of the cornea, the result of acute inflammation. [Gr. leukos, white.]
English · e-38538-7306 · brief source recordLeucomaine, lū′kō-mān, n. an alkaloid found in living animal tissue:—opp. to Ptomaine (q.v.).
English · e-38538-7307 · brief source recordLeucorrhœa, lū-kō-rē′a, n. an abnormal mucous or muco-purulent discharge from the vagina, the whites. [Gr. leukos, white, hroia—hrein, to flow.]
English · e-38538-7308Leucosis, lū-kō′sis, n. whiteness of skin, pallor.—ns. Leucism (lū′sizm), whiteness resulting from lack of colour, albinism; Leucop′athy, albinism.—adj. Leu′cous, white, albinotic. [Gr. leukos, white.]
English · e-38538-7309Levant, le-vant′, n. the point where the sun rises: the East: the coasts of the Mediterranean east of Italy.—adj. Lev′ant, or Lē′vant, eastern.—n. Levant′er, a strong easterly wind in the Levant.—adj. Levant′ine, belongi
English · e-38538-7310Levant, le-vant′, v.i. to decamp.—n. Levant′er, one who runs away dishonourably, who dodges paying his bets, &c. [Sp. levantar, to move—L. levāre, to raise.]
English · e-38538-7311Levator, le-vā′tor, n. that which raises (of a muscle):—opp. to Depressor. [L. levāre, to raise.]
English · e-38538-7312 · brief source recordLevee, lev′ā, lev′ē, le-vē′, n. a morning assembly of visitors: an assembly received by a sovereign or other great personage.—v.t. to attend the levee of. [Fr. lever, to rise.]
English · e-38538-7313Levee, le-vē′, n. an artificial bank, as that of the Lower Mississippi: a quay. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-7314 · brief source recordLevel, lev′el, n. a horizontal line or surface: a surface without inequalities: proper position: usual elevation: state of equality: the line of direction: an instrument for showing the horizontal.—adj. horizontal: even,
English · e-38538-7315Lever, lē′vėr, n. a bar of metal or other substance turning on a support called the fulcrum or prop, for imparting pressure or motion from a source of power to a resistance—of three kinds, according to the relative posit
English · e-38538-7316Lever, lē′vėr, adv. an obsolete comp. of lief.
English · e-38538-7317 · brief source recordLeveret, lev′ėr-et, n. a hare in its first year. [O. Fr. levret (Fr. lièvre)—L. lepus, lepŏris, a hare.]
English · e-38538-7318 · brief source recordLeviable, lev′i-a-bl, adj. able to be levied or assessed.
English · e-38538-7319 · brief source recordLeviathan, le-vī′a-than, n. (B.) a huge aquatic animal in Job xli., here a crocodile; in Isa. xxvii. 1, apparently the great python of Egyptian monuments: anything of huge size: any huge sea-monster, as in Ps. civ. 26. [
English · e-38538-7320Levigate, lev′i-gāt, v.t. to make smooth: to grind to a fine, impalpable powder.—adj. made smooth, polished.—adj. Lev′igable, capable of being ground down to fine powder.—n. Levigā′tion. [L. lēvigāre, -ātum—lēvis, smooth
English · e-38538-7321Levigate, lev′i-gāt, v.t. to lighten, belittle. [L. lĕvigāre, -ātum—lĕvis, light.]
English · e-38538-7322 · brief source recordLevin, lev′n, n. (Spens.) lightning.—Also Lev′en.
English · e-38538-7323 · brief source recordLevirate, lev′i-rāt, n. marriage between a man and a childless brother's widow—an obligation amongst the ancient Hebrews.—adj. Levirat′ical.—n. Levirā′tion. [L. levir, a brother-in-law.]
English · e-38538-7324Levitation, lev-i-tā′shun, n. act of rendering light: the floating in the air of heavy bodies believed in by spiritualists.—v.t. Lev′itate, to cause to float.
English · e-38538-7325Levite, lē′vīt, n. a descendant of Levi: an inferior priest of the ancient Jewish Church.—adjs. Levit′ic, -al.—adv. Levit′ically.—n. Levit′icus, the third book of the Old Testament.—Levitical degrees, the degrees of kind
English · e-38538-7326Levity, lev′it-i, n. lightness of weight: lightness of temper or conduct: thoughtlessness: disposition to trifle: vanity. [L. levitat-em—lĕvis, light.]
English · e-38538-7327Levogyrate (Læv-), lē-vō-jī′rāt, adj. causing to turn toward the left hand.—n. Levogyrā′tion.—adj. Levogy′rous.
English · e-38538-7328 · brief source recordLevulose, lev′ū-lōs, n. a sugar isomeric with dextrose, but turning the plane of polarisation to the left. [L. lævus, left.]
English · e-38538-7329Levy, lev′i, v.t. to raise: to collect by authority, as an army or a tax:—pr.p. lev′ying; pa.t. and pa.p. lev′ied.—n. the act of collecting by authority: the troops so collected. [L. levāre, to raise.]
English · e-38538-7330Lew, lū, adj. tepid, lukewarm. [Cf. Ger. lau.]
English · e-38538-7331 · brief source recordLewd, lūd, or lōōd, adj. lustful: unchaste: debauched: ignorant, vicious, or bad, so in B.—adv. Lewd′ly.—ns. Lewd′ness; Lewd′ster, one addicted to lewdness. [A.S. lǽwede, ignorant, belonging to the laity, the pa.p. of th
English · e-38538-7332Lewis, lū′is, n. a contrivance for securing a hold on a block of stone to allow of its being raised by a derrick.—Also Lew′isson. [Ety. dub.]
English · e-38538-7333Lexicon, leks′i-kon, n. a word-book or dictionary.—adj. Lex′ical, belonging to a lexicon.—adv. Lex′ically.—n. Lexicog′rapher, one skilled in lexicography.—adjs. Lexicograph′ic, -al.—ns. Lexicog′raphist, Lexicol′ogist, on
English · e-38538-7334Ley, lē, n. Same as Lea.
English · e-38538-7335 · brief source recordLeyden jar, lī′den jär, n. a form of condenser for statical electricity, a glass jar coated inside and outside with tinfoil for two-thirds of its height, the inner coating connected with a metallic knob at the top of the
English · e-38538-7336Lherzolite, ler′zō-līt, n. an igneous rock, consisting of a granular aggregate of olivine, pyroxene, enstatite, and picotite. [From Lake Lherz.]
English · e-38538-7337Li, lē, n. a Chinese weight, equal to the one-thousandth of a liang or ounce, and nominally to the Japanese rin: a Chinese mile, equal to rather more than one-third of an English mile. [Chinese.]
English · e-38538-7338Liable, lī′a-bl, adj. able to be bound or obliged: responsible: tending to: subject: (Shak.) exposed: suitable.—ns. Liabil′ity, state of being liable: that for which one is liable, an obligation, debt, &c.; Lī′ableness,
English · e-38538-7339Liaison, lē-ā-zong′, n. union, or bond of union: connection, esp. if illicit between the sexes: in French, the linking in pronunciation of a final consonant to the succeeding word, when that begins with a vowel. [Fr.—L.
English · e-38538-7340Liana, li-an′a, n. a general name for the woody, climbing, and twining plants in tropical forests. [Fr. liane—lier, to bind—L. ligāre, to bind.]
English · e-38538-7341Liang, lyang, n. a Chinese ounce or tael, reckoned as one-third heavier than the ounce avoirdupois.
English · e-38538-7342 · brief source recordLiar, lī′ar, n. one who lies. [Lie.]
English · e-38538-7343 · brief source recordLiard, lī′ard, adj. gray, dapple-gray—(Scot.) Lī′art, Ly′art. [M. E. liard—O. Fr. liard, liart.]
English · e-38538-7344 · brief source recordLiard, liär, n. an old French coin, worth 3 deniers.
English · e-38538-7345 · brief source recordLias, lī′as, n. (geol.) a formation of argillaceous limestone, &c., underlying the oolitic system.—adj. Lias′sic, pertaining to the lias formation. [Fr., perh. Bret. liach, a stone, Gael. leac, a stone.]
English · e-38538-7346Lib, lib, v.t. (prov.) to geld, castrate.
English · e-38538-7347 · brief source recordLibation, lī-bā′shun, n. the pouring forth wine or other liquid in honour of a deity: the liquid poured.—adj. Lī′bant, sipping.—v.t. Lī′bate (rare), to make a libation to.—adj. Lī′batory, pertaining to libation. [L. liba
English · e-38538-7348Libbard, lib′bard, n. (Spens.) a leopard.
English · e-38538-7349 · brief source recordLibeccio, li-bech′ō, n. the south-west wind. [It.]
English · e-38538-7350 · brief source recordLibel, lī′bel, n. a written accusation: any malicious defamatory publication or statement: (law) the statement of a plaintiff's grounds of complaint against a defendant.—v.t. to defame by a libel: to satirise unfairly: (
English · e-38538-7351Liber, lī′ber, n. the bast or inner bark of exogenous plants: a book. [L.]
English · e-38538-7352 · brief source recordLiberal, lib′ėr-al, adj. becoming a gentleman: generous: noble-minded: candid: free: free from restraint: general, extensive.—n. one who advocates greater freedom in political institutions.—n. Liberalisā′tion, the proces
English · e-38538-7353Liberty, lib′ėr-ti, n. freedom to do as one pleases: the unrestrained enjoyment of natural rights: power of free choice: privilege: exemption: relaxation of restraint: the bounds within which certain privileges are enjoy
English · e-38538-7354Libidinous, li-bid′in-us, adj. lustful, lascivious, lewd.—ns. Libid′inist, a lewd person; Libidinos′ity, Libid′inousness.—adv. Libid′inously. [Fr.,—L. libidinosus—libido, desire—libet, lubet, it pleases.]
English · e-38538-7355Libken, lib′ken, n. (slang) a place of abode.
English · e-38538-7356 · brief source recordLibra, lī′bra, n. the balance, the seventh sign of the zodiac. [L.]
English · e-38538-7357 · brief source recordLibrary, lī′brar-i, n. a building or room containing a collection of books: a collection of books.—ns. Librā′rian, the keeper of a library; Librā′rianship. [L. librarium—liber, a book.]
English · e-38538-7358Librate, lī′brāt, v.t. to poise: to balance.—v.i. to move slightly: to be poised.—n. Librā′tion, balancing: a state of equipoise: a slight swinging motion.—adj. Lī′bratory.—Libration of the moon, an apparent irregularity
English · e-38538-7359Libretto, li-bret′ō, n. a book of the words of an opera or other musical composition: the text itself.—n. Librett′ist, a writer of librettos. [It., dim. of libro—L. liber, a book.]
English · e-38538-7360Libyan, lib′yan, adj. of Libya, northern Africa from Egypt to the Atlantic.—n. a native thereof.
English · e-38538-7361 · brief source recordLice, līs, pl. of louse.
English · e-38538-7362 · brief source recordLicense, Licence, lī′sens, n. a being allowed: leave: grant of permission, as for manufacturing a patented article or for the sale of intoxicants: the document by which authority is conferred: excess or abuse of freedom:
English · e-38538-7363Lichen, lī′ken, lich′en, n. one of an order of cellular flowerless plants: an eruption on the skin.—adjs. Lī′chened, covered with lichens; Lichen′ic, pertaining to lichens; Lī′cheniform.—ns. Lī′chenine, a starch-like sub
English · e-38538-7364Lichgate, lich′gāt, n. a churchyard gate with a porch to rest the bier under.—ns. Lich′wake, the wake or watch held over a dead body—also Likewake, Lykewake, and even Latewake; Lich′way, the path by which the dead are ca
English · e-38538-7365Licit, lis′it, adj. lawful, allowable.—adv. Lic′itly. [L.]
English · e-38538-7366 · brief source recordLick, lik, v.t. to pass the tongue over: to take in by the tongue: to lap: to beat by repeated blows: (coll.) to triumph over, overcome.—n. a passing the tongue over: a slight smear: (Scot.) a tiny amount: a blow: (coll.
English · e-38538-7367Lickerish, lik′ėr-ish, adj. dainty: eager to taste or enjoy: tempting.—adv. Lick′erishly.—n. Lick′erishness. [Formerly also liquorish; a corr. of obsolete lickerous, lecherous.]
English · e-38538-7368Licorice. Same as Liquorice.
English · e-38538-7369 · brief source recordLictor, lik′tor, n. an officer who attended the Roman magistrates, bearing an axe and bundle of rods. [L.]
English · e-38538-7370 · brief source recordLid, lid, n. a cover: that which shuts a vessel: the cover of the eye.—adjs. Lid′ded, having a lid or lids; Lid′less, without lid or lids. [A.S. hlid (Dut. lid)—hlídan, to cover.]
English · e-38538-7371Lie, lī, n. anything meant to deceive: an intentional violation of truth: anything that misleads.—v.i. to utter falsehood with an intention to deceive: to make a false representation:—pr.p. ly′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. lied.—
English · e-38538-7372Lie, lī, v.i. to rest in a reclining posture: to lean: to press upon: to be situated: to abide: to consist: (law) to be sustainable: (Shak.) to be imprisoned: to lodge, pass the night:—pr.p. ly′ing; pa.t. lay; pa.p. lain
English · e-38538-7373Liebig, lē′big, n. a nutritious extract of beef first prepared by the great German chemist, Baron von Liebig (1803-1873).
English · e-38538-7374Lied, lēt, n. a German ballad, secular or sacred, fitted for singing and often set to music. [Ger.; cf. A.S. leóth, a song.]
English · e-38538-7375Lief, lēf, adj. (arch.) loved, dear.—adv. willingly—now chiefly used in the phrases, 'I had as lief,' 'to have liefer.' [A.S. leóf; Ger. lieb, loved.]
English · e-38538-7376Liege, lēj, adj. free, except as within the relations of vassal and feudal lord: under a feudal tenure.—n. one under a feudal tenure: a vassal: a lord or superior, or one who has lieges.—n. Liege′dom, allegiance.—adj. Li
English · e-38538-7377Lien, lī′en, or lē′en, n. (law) a right in one to retain the property of another to pay a claim. [Fr., tie, band—L. ligamen—ligāre, to bind.]
English · e-38538-7378Lien, lī′en (B.), pa.p. of lie, to lie down.
English · e-38538-7379 · brief source recordLientery, lī′en-ter-i, n. a form of diarrhœa, with frequent liquid evacuations in which the food is discharged undigested.—adj. Lienter′ic. [Gr. leios, smooth, enteron, an intestine.]
English · e-38538-7380A 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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