Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Am'en-tā'ceoūs, a. p. 44(Bot.) (a.) Resembling, or consisting of, an ament or aments; as, the chestnut has an amentaceous inflorescence. (b.) Furnished with aments: having flowers arranged in aments; as, amentaceous plants.…A-mēn'tum, n. p. 44Same as AMENT, q. v.A-mērçe', v. t. p. 44To punish by a pecuniary penalty, the amount of which is not fixed by law, but left to the discretion of the court; as, the court amerced the criminal in the sum of one hundred dollars. 2. To punish…A-mērçe'ment, n. p. 44(Law.) A pecuniary penalty inflicted on an offender at the discretion of the court. It differs from a fine, in that the latter is, or was originally, a fixed and certain sum prescribed by statute for…A-mēr'cer, n. p. 44One who amerces.A-měr'cia-ment, n. p. 44Same as AMERCEMENT. Sir Edw. Cole.A-mĕr'i-can, a. p. 44Pertaining to America;—in a restricted sense, pertaining to the United States. “A young officer of the American navy.” Lyell.A-mĕr'i-can, n. p. 44A native of America;—originally applied to the aboriginal inhabitants, but now applied to the descendants of Europeans born in America; and in a restricted sense to the inhabitants of the United…A-mĕr'i-can-ism, n. p. 44A word, phrase, or idiom peculiar to America. 2. The love which American citizens have to their own country, or the preference of its interests.A-mĕr'i-can-ize, v. t. p. 44To render American; to naturalize in America. Bartlett.Āmes'-āçe, n. p. 44Same as AMES-ACE.Am'ess, n. p. 44Same as AMICE.A-mē'ta-bō'li-ā, n. pl. p. 44(Zoöl.) A division of insects which do not undergo any metamorphosis.A-mĕt′/a-bō′li-an, n. p. 44(Zoöl.) An insect that does not undergo any metamorphosis.Am'e-thōd'ie-al, a. p. 44Without method; irregular. [Obs.] Bailey.A-mĕth'o-dist, n. p. 44A quack. [Obs.]Ăm'e-thyst, n. p. 44(Min.) A sub-species of quartz, of a bluish violet color, of different degrees of intensity. It generally occurs crystallized in hexahedral prisms terminated by corresponding pyramids; also in rolled…Am'e-thyst'ine, a. p. 44Pertaining to, or resembling amethyst;—anciently applied to a garment of the color of amethyst, as distinguished from the Tyrian and hyacinthine purple. 2. Composed of the amethyst; as, an…Am-hār'ie, n. p. 44The language spoken in Abyssinia.Am'i-ā, n. p. 44(Ichth.) A genus of abdominal fishes, exclusively confined to North America, where they are found in fresh-water streams, and sometimes in lakes. They are called bow-fin in Lake Champlain, dog-fish…Ā'mi-a-bil'i-ty, n. p. 44The quality of being amiable; amiableness. Every excellency is a degree of amiability. Bp. Taylor.A'mi-a-ble, a. p. 44Worthy of love; deserving of affection; lovely; lovable; — applied usually to persons. With a look full of amiable fierceness, as in whom choler could not take away the sweetness. Sidney. 2.…Ă'mi-a-ble-ness, n. p. 45The quality of being amiable; — amiability.A'mi-a-bly, adv. p. 45In an amiable manner.Ăm/ĭ-ăm’/thĭ-fōrm, a. p. 45Resembling amianthus; amianthoid. “Amianthi-form arseniate of copper.” Phillips.Am'i-ăn'thi-nīte, n. p. 45(Min.) A species of amorphous mineral, a variety of actinolite; its color ash, greenish, or yellowish gray, often mixed with yellow or red; its fracture confusedly foliated and fibrous. Kirwan.Am/i-ăn’thoid, n. p. 45(Min.) A variety of asbestos, composed of long capillary filaments, having some degree of elasticity. The color is olive-green or greenish white. Dana.Ăm/i-ăn’thoid, a. p. 45Resembling amianthus; amianthiform.Ăm/i-ăn’thus, n. p. 45(Min.) Earth flax, or mountain-flax; a mineral substance somewhat resembling flax, belonging either to the species pyroxene or hornblende, usually grayish, or of a greenish-white; sometimes of a…Ăm'i-ca-bil'i-ty, n. p. 45The quality of being amicable; friendliness; amicableness. Ash.Am'i-ca-ble, a. p. 45Friendly; peaceable; harmonious in social or mutual transactions. That which was most remarkable in this contest was . . . the amicable manner in which it was managed. Prideaux. Amicable action…Am’i-ca-ble-ness, n. p. 45The quality of being amicable; a disposition to preserve peace and friendship; friendliness; good-will; amicability.Ăm'i-ca-bly, adv. p. 45In an amicable or friendly manner.A-mī'cal, a. p. 45Amicable. [Rare.] Watson.Ăm'içe, n. p. 45A loose flowing garment like a cloak; especially such a garment worn by priests and pilgrims as an official or characteristic dress. [Obs.] A priest succinct in amice white. Pope. A palmer’s amice…A-mī'cus Cū'ri-æ p. 45(Law.) A bystander who informs the court of a matter of law that is doubtful or mistaken; one who, not being retained in a cause, volunteers to express his views, or to make suggestions for the…A-mĭd' or A-mĭdst', prep. p. 45In the midst or middle; surrounded or encompassed by; among. “Unseen amid the throng.” “Amidst the garden.” Milton. Syn.—AMIDST, AMONG. These words differ to some extent from each other, as will be…Am'ide or A-mid'o-gen, n. p. 45(Chem.) A compound radical not yet obtained in a separate state. It consists of one part of nitrogen and two of hydrogen. Ammonia differs from it in containing three parts of hydrogen, and hence has…Ăm'ī-dine, n. p. 45Starch modified by heat so as to become a transparent mass, like horn. It is soluble in cold water.A-mid'-ships, adv. p. 45(Naut.) In the middle of a ship, with regard to her length and breadth; half way between the stem and the stern. Totten.Am'i-lot, n. p. 45(Ichth.) A white fish in the Mexican lakes, more than a foot in length. Clavigero.A-mĭr′, n. p. 45Same as EMIR. See EMIR.A-miss', a. p. 45Wrong; faulty; out of order; improper; as, it may not be amiss to ask advice. Dryden. His wisdom and virtue can not always rectify that which is amiss in himself or his circumstances. Wollaston. ☞…A-miss', adv. p. 45In a manner contrary to propriety, truth, law, or morality; faultily; improperly. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss. James iv. 3.A-mĭss′, n. p. 45A fault or wrong. [Obs.] “Some great amiss.” Shak.A-mis'si-bil'i-ty, n. p. 45Possibility or chance of being lost. [Rare.] Notions of popular rights and the amissibility of sovereign power for misconduct were alternately broached by the two great religious parties of Europe.…A-mis'sion, n. p. 45Deprivation; loss. [Obs.] “Acquisition and amission.” Browne.A-mit', v. t. p. 45To lose. [Obs.] A lode-stone fired doth presently amit its proper virtue. Browne.Am'i-ty, n. p. 45Friendship, in a general sense, between individuals, societies, or nations; harmony; good understanding; as, a treaty of amity and commerce. Its hostile amity can be obtained on no terms that do not…Am'ma, n. p. 45An abbess or spiritual mother.Ăm'mă, n. p. 45A girdle or truss used in ruptures.Ăm'man or Ăm'mant, n. p. 45In some European nations, an officer who has cognizance of civil causes. Among the French, a notary public or officer who draws up deeds and other instruments.Am'me-līne, n. p. 45(Organic Chem.) A base corresponding in composition to one part of ammonia, one of mellone, and two of water. Gregory.Am'mi-ral, n. p. 45An obsolete form of admiral. “The mast Of some great ammiral.” Milton.Am'mite, n. p. 45(Geol.) A rock consisting of small concretions like grains of sand or roe of fish in size. It is the roe-stone or oölite of recent authors;—written also ham'mite. Dana.Ăm'mo-chrŷse, n. p. 45A yellow, soft stone, consisting of glossy yellow particles. When rubbed or ground, it is sometimes used to strew over writing, like black sand.Ăm'mo-dȳte, n. p. 45(Nat. Hist.) (a.) One of a genus of apodal fishes; the sand-eel. (b.) A kind of viper. (c.) Any plant that grows in the sand. Dana.Am-mō'nī-ă, n. p. 45(Chem.) An alkali, which is gaseous or aëriform in its uncombined state. It has a pungent smell and taste, and consists of three equivalents of hydrogen and one of nitrogen. It is now considered an…Am-mō'ni-æ or Am'mo-nī'æ-al, a. p. 45Pertaining to ammonia, or possessing its properties; as, ammoniacal salts.Am-mō'ni-ae or Gūm-am-mō'ni-ae, n. p. 45(Med.) The concrete juice of an umbelliferous plant, the Dorema ammoniacum, brought from Persia in large masses, composed of tears, internally white, and externally yellow. It has a peculiar smell…