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.
As-cēt'ic, a. p. 80Unduly rigid in devotions and mortifications; austere. The stern ascetic rigor of the Temple discipline. W. Scott.As-cĕt'ic, n. p. 80In the early church, one who retired from the customary business of life, and devoted himself to the duties of piety and devotion; a hermit; a recluse; hence, one who practices undue rigor and…As-cĕt'i-cĭsm, n. p. 80The state or practice of ascetics. “Such are those which teach the sanctity of celibacy and asceticism.” Warburton.As'cī, n. pl. p. 80(Bot.) Small membranous bladders or tubes in which are inclosed the seed-like reproductive particles, or sporules of cryptogamous plants. London.As·cīd'i-ā, n. pl. p. 80As-cīd'i-ans p. 80A class of acephalous mollusks, having often a leathery exterior. See ANIMALS.As-cĭd'i-fôrm, a. p. 80Bottle-shaped; ascidia-like. Dana.As-cīg'er-oüs, a. p. 80(Bot.) Having asci. London.As'ci-i or As'cians, n. pl. p. 80Persons who, at certain times of the year, have no shadow at noon. Such only are the inhabitants of the torrid zone, who have, twice a year, a vertical sun.As'ci-tan, n. p. 80(Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect or branch of Montanists, who appeared in the second century. They introduced into their assemblies certain bacchanals, who danced around a bag or skin distended with air…As·cī'tēs, n. p. 80(Med.) A collection of serous fluid in the abdomen; dropsy of the peritoneum. Dunglison.As-cīt'ie or As-cīt'ie-al, a. p. 80Belonging to ascites; dropsical; hydropical.Ăs-ci-ti'tious, a. p. 80Additional; added; supplemental; not inherent or original; adscititious. Homer has been reckoned an ascitious name. Pope.As-clē'pi-ad, n. p. 80(Anc. Pros.) A verse of four feet, a spondee, two choriambi, and an iambus; or a spondee, a dactyl, a long syllable followed by a cesura, after which are two dactyls; thus, Mæcē | nas, ātāvis ||…As-cle'pi-as, n. p. 80(Bot.) A genus of plants including the milkweed, swallow-wort, and some other species having medicinal properties.As-crib'a-ble, a. p. 80Capable of being ascribed or attributed.As-cribe′, v. t. p. 80To attribute, impute, or refer, as to a cause. Three different motions ... Which else to several spheres thou must ascribe. Milton. 2. To attribute, as a quality, or an appurtenance; to consider or…As-crip'tion, n. p. 80The act of ascribing, imputing, or affirming to belong.As'crip-ti'tious, a. p. 80That is ascribed. 2. Added; enrolled. [Obs.] “An ascriptitious and supernumerary God.” Farindon. This word was applied to villains under the feudal system, who were annexed to the freehold and…A-sĕp'tĭa, n. pl. p. 81Substances not liable to putrefaction.A-sĕp'tic, a. p. 81Not liable to putrefaction.A-sĕx'ū-al, a. p. 81Having no distinct sex.Ash, n. p. 81(Bot.) A genus of forest trees; Fraxinus. The common European ash is the F. excelsior. 2. The wood of the ash-tree.Ash, v. t. p. 81To strow or sprinkle with ashes. Howell.A-shāme', v. t. p. 81To shame. [Rare.] Barrow.A-shāmed′, a. p. 81Affected by shame; abashed or confused by guilt, or a conviction or consciousness of some wrong action or impropriety;—followed by of. “Enough to make us ashamed of our species.” Macaulay. ☞ Ashamed…A-shăm'ed-ly, adv. p. 81Bashfully. [Rare.]Ash'an-tee', n. p. 81A native or an inhabitant of Ashantee.Ăsh'an-tee', a. p. 81(Geog.) Pertaining to Ashantee or to its inhabitants.Ash'-blūe, n. p. 81A chemical production of copper and lime water. Simmonds.Ash'en, a. p. 81Pertaining to, or made of, ash. “Ashen poles.” Cowper.Ăsh'er-y, n. p. 81A place where ashes are deposited. 2. A place where potash is made.Ash'es, n. pl. p. 81The earthy or mineral particles of combustible substances remaining after combustion, as of wood or coal. 2. Specifically, the remains of the human body when burnt. Their martyred blood and ashes…Ash'-fire, n. p. 81A low fire used in chemical operations.Ash'-fûr'nace or Ash'-ōv'en, n. p. 81A furnace or oven used in glass-making.Ash'lar, n. p. 81Ăsh'ler p. 81(Arch.) A facing made of squared stones; or a facing made of thin slabs, used to cover walls of brick or rubble. 2. Common freestones as they are brought from the quarry. [England.] Gwilt.Āsh'ler-ing, n. p. 81(Arch.) Short upright pieces of wood for lathing to, placed between the floor and rafters in a garret to make more convenient rooms by cutting off the acute angles at the bottom. 2. The act of…A-shōre’, adv. p. 81On, or to, shore; on the land adjacent to water; to the shore;—sometimes opposed to aboard or afloat. “Here shall I die ashore.” Shak. “I must fetch his necessaries ashore.” Shak.Ash-Wédnes'day, n. p. 81The first day of Lent;—so called from a custom in the Roman Catholic church of sprinkling ashes, that day, on the heads of penitents, then admitted to penance.Ash'-weed, n. p. 81(Bot.) The small wild angelica, goutwort, goats-foot, or herb-gerard, a species of the genus Ægopodium.Ash'y, a. p. 81Pertaining to, composed of, or filled or strowed with, ashes. 2. Ash-colored; inclining to a whitish gray. Shak.Ash'y-pāle, a. p. 81Pale as ashes. Shak.Ā'sian, a. p. 81Pertaining to Asia; Asiatic. “The effeminacy of Asian princes.” Bp. Taylor.Ā'si-ărch, n. p. 81One of the chiefs or pontiffs of Proconsular Asia, who had the superintendence of the public games. Milner.Ā'si-ăt'ic, a. p. 81Belonging to Asia or to its inhabitants.Ā'si-ā'tic, n. p. 81A native of Asia.Ā'si-ăt'i-ciṣm, n. p. 81Imitation of the Asiatic manner.A-side', adv. p. 81On, or to, one side; out of a straight line, course, or direction; out of the way; away; off; apart. Thou shalt set aside that which is full. 2 Kings iv. 4. But soft! aside; here comes the king.…Ăs'i-na-ry, a. p. 81Asinine; assish.As′i-nē′go, n. p. 81A foolish, stupid fellow. Mason.Ăs'i-nine, a. p. 81Belonging to, or having the qualities of, the ass, as stupidity and obstinacy. “Asinine nature.” B. Jonson. “Asinine feast.” Milton.A-sĭ'ti-a, n. p. 81(Med.) Want of appetite; loathing of food. Dunglison.Ask, v. t. p. 81To request; to seek to obtain by words; to petition; — with of, in the sense of from, before the person addressed, or for before the thing desired. Ask counsel of God. Judg. xviii. 5. 2. To require…Ask, v. i. p. 81To request or petition;—usually followed by for; as, ask for bread. Ask, and it shall be given you. Matt. vii. 7. 2. To inquire, or seek by request;—sometimes followed by after. Wherefore dost thou…A-skănce' or A-skānt', adv. p. 81Sideways; obliquely. “They dart away, they wheel askance.” Beattie. My palfrey eyed them askance. Landor.Ask'er, n. p. 81[From ask.] One who asks; a petitioner; an inquirer. 2. [A corruption of A-S. athece, lizard, newt.] A water newt. [Also written ask.] Johnson.A-skew’, adv. p. 81With a wry look; aside; askant; sometimes indicating scorn, or contempt, or envy. Spencer.A-skīle', adv. p. 81Same as ASKEW. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.A-slāke′, v. t. p. 81To slacken; to mitigate. [Obs.] Spenser.