Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
- Pages
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- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
A-vow'try, n. p. 97See ADVOWTRY.A-voy'er, n. p. 97The chief magistrate of imperial towns, and of the Swiss cities. [Obs.]A-vŭlsed', a. p. 97Plucked or pulled off. Shenstone.A-vŭl'sion, n. p. 97A tearing asunder; a forcible separation. “The avulsion of two polished superficies.” Locke. 2. A fragment torn off. Barrow. 3. (Law.) The sudden removal of lands or soil from the estate of one man…A-vŭn'cu-lar, a. p. 97Of or pertaining to an uncle. Thackeray. “In these rare instances, the law of pedigree, whether direct or avuncular, gives way.” I. Taylor.A-wāit', v. t. p. 97To wait or look out for; to expect. Betwixt the rocky pillars Gabriel sat, Chief of th' angelic guards, awaiting night. Milton. 2. To be in store for; to attend; to be ready for; as, a glorious…A-wâit', n. p. 97A waiting for; ambush. [Obs.] Spenser.A-wâit', adv. p. 97In wait. [Obs.] Tyndale.A-wāke', v. t. p. 97To rouse from sleep; to wake; to awaken. I go that I may awake him out of sleep. John xi. 11. 2. To arouse from a state resembling sleep, as from death, stupidity, or inaction; to put into action, or…A-wāke′, v. i. p. 97To cease to sleep; to come out of a state of natural sleep; and, figuratively, out of a state resembling sleep, as out of inaction or death. Awake to righteousness. 1 Cor. xv. 34.A-wāke', a. p. 97Not sleeping; in a state of vigilance or action. Before whom awake I stood. Milton.A-wäk'en, v. t. & i. p. 97To rouse from sleep or torpor; to awake; to wake. Already to awaken whom thou nam'st. Cooper. Their consciences are thoroughly awakened. Tillotson. Syn.—To arouse; excite; stir up; call forth.A-wäk'en-er, n. p. 98He who, or that which, awakens.A-wāk'en-ing, p. a. p. 98Rousing from sleep, in a natural or figurative sense; exciting; as, an awakening discourse; the awakening dawn.A-wăk'en-ing, n. p. 98The act of awaking, or ceasing to sleep; specifically, a revival of religion, or more general attention to religion than usual. Tracy.A-wäk'en-ing-ly, adv. p. 98In a manner to awaken.A-wäk'en-ment, n. p. 98An awakening. [Rare.]A-want'ing, a. p. 98Missing; wanting. W. Scott.A-ward', v. t. p. 98To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign by sentence; to adjudge; as, the arbitrators awarded damages to A. B. To review The wrongful sentence, and award a new. Dryden.A-ward', v. t. p. 98To determine; to make an award.A-wārd', n. p. 98A judgment, sentence, or final decision; specifically, the decision of arbitrators in a case submitted. “Impatient for the award.” Cowper. “An award had been given against her.” Gilpin. 2. The paper…A-ward'er, n. p. 98One who awards, or assigns by sentence or judicial determination; a judge.A-wāre', a. p. 98Watchful; vigilant or guarded against danger or difficulty; hence, apprised; informed; cognizant; as, the general was aware of the enemy's designs. Aware of nothing arduous in a task They never…A-warn', v. t. p. 98To warn. [Obs.] Spenser.A-wāy', adv. p. 98Absent; at a distance; as, the master is away from home. “Have me away, for I am sore wounded.” 2 Chron. xxxv. 23. ☞ It is much used in phrases signifying moving or going from; as, go away, send…A-wāy'ward, adv. p. 98Away. [Obs.] Gower.Awe, n. p. 98Profound fear mingled with admiration or reverence; dread inspired by something great, terrific, or sublime; reverential fear. His frown was full of terror, and his voice Shook the delinquent with…Awe, v. t. p. 98To strike with fear and reverence; to influence by reverential fear; to control by inspiring dread. That same eye whose bend doth awe the world. Shak.A-wēa'ry, a. p. 98Weary. “I begin to be aweary of thee.” Shak.A-wēath’er, adv. p. 98(Naut.) On the weather side, or toward the wind; in the direction from which the wind blows;—opposed to alee; as, helm aweather! Totten.A-weigh', adv. p. 98(Naut.) Just drawn out of the ground, and hanging perpendicularly; atrip;—said of the anchor. See ATRIP. Totten.Awe'sôme, a. p. 98Respectful; fearful or appalling; as, an awesome sight. Wright.Awe'-strŭck, a. p. 98Struck with awe. Milton.Aw'ful, a. p. 98Striking with awe; filling with profound reverence, or with fear and admiration. “Heaven's awful Monarch.” Milton. 2. Struck or filled with awe. [Obs.] A weak and awful reverence for antiquity.…Aw'ful-ly, adv. p. 98In an awful manner; in a manner to fill with awe; fearfully; apprehensively.Aw'ful-ness, n. p. 98The quality of striking with awe, or with reverence; solemnity; as, the awful-ness of this sacred place. “The awfulness of grandeur.” Johnson. 2. The state of being struck with awe; a spirit of…A-whāpe', v. t. p. 98To strike; to confound; to terrify. [Obs.] Spenser.A-while', adv. p. 98A space of time; for some time; for a short time. “It walked the town awhile.” Milton.Awk, a. p. 98Odd; out of order. “Professors ringing as awk as the bells.” L’Estrange. 2. Wrong, or not commonly used; as, the awk end of a rod. Golding. 3. Clumsy in performance, or manners; unhandy; not…Awk'ward, a. p. 98Wanting dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments; unready; not dextrous; without skill; bungling; clumsy. “So true that he was awkward at a trick.” Dryden. 2. Ungraceful in manner…Awk'ward-ly, adv. p. 98In an awkward or bungling manner; inelegantly. “Bring on your story awkwardly, and it offends.” Gilpin.Awk'ward-ness, n. p. 98The quality of being awkward; clumsiness; ungracefulness in manners; want of dexterity.Awl, n. p. 98A pointed instrument for piercing small holes, as in leather or wood; used by shoemakers, saddlers, cabinet-makers, &c. The blade is differently shaped and pointed for different uses, as in the…Aw'less, a. p. 98Wanting reverence; void of respectful fear. “Awless insolence.” Dryden. 2. Wanting the power of causing reverence; not exciting awe. “The aweless throne.” Shak.Awl'-shāped, a. p. 98Having the shape of an awl. 2. (Bot.) Subulate; slender, and tapering toward the extremity from a broadish base, as a leaf. Gray.Awl'wort, n. p. 98(Bot.) The Subularia aquatica:—so called from its awl-shaped leaves. London.Aum or Awm, n. p. 98(Com.) A liquid measure in use among the Dutch. See AAM.Awn, n. p. 98The bristle or beard of barley, oats, grasses, &c.; or any similar bristle-like appendage; arista. Gray.Awned, a. p. 98(Bot.) Furnished with an awn, or long, bristle-shaped tip. Gray.Awn'ing, n. p. 98A cover of canvas, to shelter from the sun’s rays. 2. (Naut.) That part of the poop-deck which is continued forward beyond the bulk-head of the cabin. Mar. Dict.Awn'less, a. p. 98Without awn or beard.Awn'y, a. p. 98Having awns; full of beard.Ă-wōke', imp. & p. p. p. 98of awake, q. v.A-work′, adv. p. 98At work; in, or into, a state of labor or action. Shak.A-work'ing, adv. p. 98At work; in, or into, a state of working or action. Spenser.A-wrēke′, v. i. p. 98To avenge. [Obs.] See WREAK.A-wrŏng', adv. p. 98In a wrong manner; wrongfully. [Obs.] Ford.A-wry', a. or adv. p. 98Turned or twisted toward one side; not in a straight or true direction, or position; asquint; with oblique vision; as, to glance a look awry; the lady's cap is awry. Blows them transverse ten…Ăx or Ăxe, n. p. 98An instrument, usually of iron, with a steel edge or blade, for hewing timber, chopping wood, &c. It consists of a head with an arching edge, and a wooden helve or handle. The broad-ax, or…Ăx, v. t. & i. p. 98To ask; to inquire or inquire of. ☞ This word is from the Saxon, and as old as the English language. It was formerly in good use, but is now regarded as a vulgarism. It is still heard among the…