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An American Dictionary of the English Language

Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)

Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865

Entries
95,912
Pages
1,538
Illustrations
2,133

Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.

  1. Ar-chi'e-rey, n.p. 71The higher order of clergy in Russia, including metropolitans, archbishops, and bishops. Pinkerton.
  2. Ar-chi'gra-pher, n.p. 71A chief secretary. Ogilvie.
  3. Ar'chil, n.p. 71A violet dye obtained from several species of lichen (Rocella tinctoria, &c.), which grow on the rocks in the Canary and Cape Verd Islands. It is used in dyeing to modify or brighten other colors…
  4. Ar'chi-lō'chi-an, a.p. 71Pertaining to the Greek poet Archilochus. In ancient prosody, the term is used to denote the four metrical combinations which he invented. There are three dactylic Archilochian distichs, and one…
  5. Ar'chi-mi'gus, n.p. 72The high priest of the Persian Magi, or worshipers of fire.
  6. Ăr'chi-măn'drīte, n.p. 72(Gr. Church.) (a.) A chief of a monastery, corresponding to abbot in the Romish church. (b.) A superintendent of several monasteries, corresponding to superior abbot, or father provincial, in the…
  7. Ar'chi-me-dē'an, a.p. 72Pertaining to Archimedes, a celebrated Greek philosopher; or to the screw invented by him, as used for raising water, or for the propulsion of vessels; as, an archimedean propeller. Archimedean…
  8. Är'chi-pe-lăġ'ic, a.p. 72Pertaining to an archipelago.
  9. Är'chi-pĕl'a-go, n.p. 72Specifically, and originally, the sea which separates Greece from Asia Minor, otherwise called the Egean Sea, which is studded with a vast number of small islands;—in a general sense, any body of…
  10. Ar'chi-tĕct, n.p. 72A person skilled in the art of building; one who understands architecture, or makes it his occupation to form plans and designs of buildings, and superintends the artificers employed. 2. A contriver…
  11. Ar'chi-tēct'ive, a.p. 72Used in building; proper for building. Derham.
  12. Ar'chi-tĕc-tŏn'ic or Ar'chi-tĕc-tŏn'ic-al, a.p. 72Pertaining to, or skilled in, architecture; evincing skill in designing or construction. “Architectonic wisdom.” Bogle. “Architectonical draughts.” Browne.
  13. Ar'chi-tec-tōn'ic, n.p. 72The art or capacity to organize knowledge, or arrange it in a system.
  14. Ar'chi-tec-tōn'ics, n. sing.p. 72The science of architecture. [See Note under MATHEMATICS.]
  15. Är'chi-tĕct'or, n.p. 72One who builds; an architect. [Obs.] “He was an excellent architector.” North.
  16. Är'chi-tĕct'ress, n.p. 72A female architect. Wotton.
  17. Är'chi-tĕct'ūr-al, a.p. 72Of, or pertaining to, the art of building; conformed to the rules of architecture.
  18. Är'chi-tĕct'ūre, n.p. 72The art or science of building; especially, the art of constructing houses, bridges, and other buildings, for the purpose of civil life;—often called civil architecture. 2. Frame or structure…
  19. Är'chei-trāve, n.p. 72(Arch.) (a.) The lower division of an entablature, or that part which rests immediately on the column. (b.) The ornamental molding running round the exterior curve of an arch. (c.) A molding above a…
  20. Ar'chi-val, a.p. 72Pertaining to, or contained in, archives or records. Poole.
  21. Ar'chīve, n.p. 72The place in which public records are kept. Our words . . . become records in God's court, and are laid up in his archives as witnesses either for or against us. Gov. of Tongue. 2. Public records and…
  22. Ar'chi-vist, n.p. 72The keeper of archives or records.
  23. Ar'chi-vōlt, n.p. 72(Arch.) The inner contour of an arch, or a band adorned with moldings running over the faces of the arch-stones, and bearing upon the imposts. Gwilt.
  24. Arch'i-lūte or Arch'lūte, n.p. 72(Mus.) A theorbo, or large lute, formerly in use, having the bass-strings doubled with an octave, and the higher strings with a unison.
  25. Ărch'ly, adv.p. 72In an arch manner; shrewdly; slyly; wittily; jestingly.
  26. Arch-măr'shal, n.p. 72The grand marshal of the German empire; a dignity that belonged to the elector of Saxony.
  27. Ärch'ness, n.p. 72Cunning; shrewdness; sly humor destitute of malice; waggishness. Goldsmith.
  28. Ar'chon, n.p. 72(Antiq.) One of the chief magistrates, nine in number, who had charge of civil and religious concerns in ancient Athens. ☞ The first was properly the archon; the second was called king; the third…
  29. Ar'chon-ship, n.p. 72The office of an archon, or the term of his office. Mitford.
  30. Ar-chōn’tic, n.p. 72(Eccl. Hist.) One of a branch of the Valentinians, who held that the world was not created by God, but by angels called archontes.
  31. Arch-pres'by-ter-y, n.p. 72The absolute dominion of presbytery, or the chief presbytery. Milton.
  32. Ärch-prī'mate, n.p. 72The chief primate; an archbishop over other archbishops. Milton.
  33. Ärch'-stōne, n.p. 72One of the stones of an arch.
  34. Ärch-trĕas'ūr-er, n.p. 72A chief treasurer;—specifically, the great treasurer of the German empire.
  35. Ärch'wāy, n.p. 72A way or passage under an arch.
  36. Ärch'wāyed, a.p. 72Having a way by an arch.
  37. Ärch-wīfe', n.p. 72A woman in the higher ranks of society. [Obs.] Chaucer.
  38. Ärch'wīse, adv.p. 72In the form of an arch.
  39. Ärch'y, a.p. 72Having or resembling arches; arching.
  40. Ar-çĭt'e-nent, a.p. 72Carrying a bow. [Obs.] Blount.
  41. Ärc'o-grăph, n.p. 72An instrument for drawing a circular arc without the use of a central point; a cyclograph. Hebert.
  42. Arc-tā'tion or Arc'ti-tūde, n.p. 72(Med.) Preternatural straitness, or contraction of some natural passage, as in constipation from inflammation or spasm. Coxe.
  43. Ärct'ic, a.p. 72Pertaining to, or situated under, the northern constellation called the Bear; as, the arctic pole, circle, region, or ocean. The arctic circle is a lesser circle parallel to the equator, 23° 28′ from…
  44. Arc-tū'rus, n.p. 72(Astron.) A fixed star of the first magnitude in the constellation Boötes.
  45. Arc'ū-ate or Arc'ū-ā'ted, a.p. 72Bent or curved in the form of a bow. “Arcuate stalks.” Gray.
  46. Är'cu-a-tīle, a.p. 72Bent; curved; curvate. [Obs.]
  47. Ar'cu-ā'tion, n.p. 72The act of bending; incurvation; the state of being bent; crookedness. Coxe. 2. A method of raising trees by layers; that is, by bending branches to the ground, and covering the small shoots with…
  48. Ar'cu-a-tūre, n.p. 72The curvature of an arch. [Obs.] Bailey.
  49. Är'cu-ba-līst, n.p. 72A cross-bow. It was of different kinds, and sometimes discharged stones or bullets. See ARBALIST. Fosbroke.
  50. Ar'cu-bäl'ist-er or Ar'cu-ba-līst'er, n.p. 72A cross-bowman; one who used the arcubalist. Holinshed.
  51. Ardp. 72the termination of many English words, is taken from the Ger. a. hart, Goth. hardus, A-S. heard, O. Sax., Icel., & Eng. hard, and appears in O. H. Ger. in proper names, as Reginhart, Reinhart, strong…
  52. Ăr-dăs'sine, n.p. 72A very fine sort of Persian silk; the finest used in the looms of France.
  53. Ăr'deb, n.p. 72A measure for grain, containing about eight bushels, used extensively in Africa.
  54. Ăr'den-cy, n.p. 72Warmth of passion or affection; ardor; eagerness; as, the ardency of love or zeal.
  55. Ar'dent, a.p. 72Hot or burning; causing a sensation of burning; as, ardent spirits, that is, distilled liquors; an ardent fever. 2. Having the appearance or quality of fire; fierce; as, ardent eyes. 3. Warm; much…
  56. Ăr'dent-ly, adv.p. 72In an ardent manner; with warmth; affectionately; passionately.
  57. Är'dent-ness, n.p. 72Ardency. [Rare.]
  58. Ar'dor, n.p. 72Heat, in a literal sense; as, the ardor of the sun's rays. 2. Warmth, or heat of passion or affection; eagerness; as, he pursues study with ardor; they fought with ardor. ☞ Milton uses the word for…
  59. Ard′ū·ous, a.p. 72High or lofty, in a literal sense. “Arduous paths.” Pope. 2. Attended with great labor, like the ascending of acclivities; difficult; as, an arduous employment, task, or enterprise. Syn.—Difficult…
  60. Ärd'ū-oûs-ly, adv.p. 72In an arduous manner; with difficulty or laboriousness.