Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
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- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Bā'sen, a. p. 111Extended as with astonishment. [Obs.] “With big looks basen wide.” Spenser.Bāse'ness, n. p. 111The quality of being base or low; vileness; meanness. “Your soul's above the baseness of distrust.” Dryden. 2. The quality of being of little comparative value; inferiority. “The baseness of his…Bās'e-net, n. p. 111A helmet. See BASNET. Spenser.Bāse'-plāte, n. p. 111The foundation plate of heavy machinery, as of the steam-engine; the bed-plate. Weale.Bāse'-rĭng, n. p. 111(Mil.) A projecting band of metal adjoining the base of a breech engine. [See Illust. of Cannon.]Bāse'-spir'it-ed, a. p. 111Low in courage; mean; cowardly; contemptible.Bāse'-string, n. p. 111The string of an instrument which produces the lowest note. Shak.Bāse'-vī'ol, n. p. 111See BASS-VIOL.Bāsh, v. i. p. 111To be affected with shame; to be ashamed. [Obs.] Spenser.Ba-shaw', n. p. 111A title of honor in the Turkish dominions;—appropriately, the title of the prime vizier, but given to viceroys or governors of provinces, and to generals and other men of distinction. [Now usually…Bāsh'ful, a. p. 111Having a downcast look; hence, very modest, or modest to excess; sheepish. Shak.Bāsh'ful·ly, adv. p. 111In a bashful manner.Bāsh'ful·ness, n. p. 111The quality of being bashful; excessive or extreme modesty. Syn.—BASHFULNESS, MODESTY, DIFFIDENCE, SHYNESS. Modesty arises from a low estimate of ourselves; bashfulness is an abashment or agitation…Bāsh'less, a. p. 111Shameless; unblushing. [Obs.] Spenser.Bās'hyle, n. p. 111(Chem.) See BASYLE.Bā'sic, a. p. 111(Chem.) 1. Relating to a base; performing the office of a base in a salt. Ure. 2. Having the base in excess, or the amount of the base atomically greater than that of the acid, or exceeding in…Bā'si-fi'er, n. p. 112(Chem.) That which converts into a salifiable base.Bā'si-fȳ, v. t. p. 112(Chem.) To convert into a salifiable base.Bās'i-gyn'i-ŭm, n. p. 112(Bot.) The pedicel on which the ovary of certain flowers, as the passion-flower, is seated. Lindley.Băs'il, n. p. 112The slope or angle to which the cutting edge of a tool, as a plane, is ground. Grier.Bā'sil, v. t. p. 112To grind or form the edge of to an angle. Moxon.Bā'sil, n. p. 112(Bot.) A plant of the genus Ocymum, all the species of which are natives of warm climates. They are fragrant aromatic plants, and one species, the sweet basil (O. basilicum), is much used in cookery…Bā'sil, n. p. 112The skin of a sheep tanned.Bās'ī-lar or Bās'ī-la-ry, a. p. 112Relating to, or situated at, the base. 2. (Anat.) Of, or pertaining to, certain parts which seem to serve as bases to others, as the sacrum and sphenoid bones. Dunglison.Ba-sĭl'ic or Ba-sĭl'i-ca, n. p. 112Originally, the palace of a king; but afterward an apartment provided in the houses of persons of importance, where assemblies were held for dispensing justice; and hence, any large hall used for…Ba-sĭl'ĭc or Ba-sĭl'ĭc-al, a. p. 112In the manner of a public edifice or cathedral. 2. (Anat.) Pertaining to certain parts, which the ancients supposed to have an important function in the animal economy, as the middle vein of the…Ba-sĭl'ie-an, a. p. 112Relating to, or resembling, a basilica; basilical. There can be no doubt that the first churches in Constantinople were in the basilican form. Milman.Ba-sĭl'ĭ-cŏn, n. p. 112(Med.) An ointment composed of wax, pitch, resin, and olive-oil. Dunglison.Bās'ī-lisk, n. p. 112A fabulous serpent, called a cockatrice, and said to be produced from a cock's egg brooded by a serpent. The ancients alleged that its hissing would drive away all other serpents, and that its…Bās'il-weed, n. p. 112(Bot.) Wild basil; a plant of the genus Clinopodium. Muhlenberg.Bā'sin, n. p. 112A hollow vessel or dish, to hold water for washing, and for various other uses. 2. Any hollow place containing water, as a pond, a dock for ships, a little bay. Pope. 3. A hollow vessel of different…Bā'sined, a. p. 112Inclosed in a basin. “Basined rivers.” Young.Bās'i-net, n. p. 112See BASCINET.Bā'sis or BĀ'sēs, n. p. 112[Lat. basis, Gr. βάσις. See BASE. 1. The foundation of any thing; that on which a thing rests. Dryden. 2. (Arch.) The pedestal of a pillar or shaft. “If no basis bear my rising name.” Pope. 3. The…Bā-sis'i-ty, n. p. 112(Chem.) The state or quality of being a base. Jour. of Science.Bā-sis'o-lūte, a. p. 112(Bot.) Prolonged at the base, as certain leaves. Wright.Bā'sist, n. p. 112(Mus.) A singer of bass.Bāsk, v. i. p. 112To lie in warmth; to be exposed to genial heat. Basks in the glare, and stems the tepid wave. Goldsmith.Bāsk, v. t. p. 112To warm by continued exposure to heat; to warm with genial heat. Basks at the fire his hairy strength. Milton.Bās'ket, n. p. 112A vessel made of twigs, rushes, splinters, or other flexible things, interwoven. “Rude baskets . . . woven of the flexile willow.” Dyer. 2. The contents of a basket; as much as a basket will contain…Bās'ket, v. t. p. 112To put in a basket. Cowper.Bās'ket-fish, n. p. 112(Ichth.) A star-fish of the genus Astrophyton. It has five rays issuing from an angular body, and dividing into innumerable curled filaments.Bās'ket-hilt, n. p. 112The hilt of a sword with a covering wrought like basket-work, to protect the hand. Hudibras.Bās'ket-hilt'ed, a. p. 112Having a hilt of basket-work.Bās'ket-ry, n. p. 112Baskets taken collectively, or in general.Bāsk'ing-shārk, n. p. 112(Ichth.) The largest species of shark (Selache maxima), so called from its habit of lying much on the surface of the water, basking in the sun. See SHARK.Bās'lard, n. p. 112A short sword or dagger, worn in the fifteenth century. Mir. for Mag.Bās'net, n. p. 112See BASCINET.Bā'son, n. p. 112See BASIN.Bāsque, a. p. 112Relating to Biscay, or its people, or their language.Bāsque, n. p. 112A part of a lady's dress, resembling a jacket with a short skirt.Bās'quish, a. p. 112Pertaining to the country, people, or language of Biscay; Basque. [Obs.] Browne.Bäs-re-lief’, n. p. 112See BASS-RELIEF.Bāss, n. sing. & pl. p. 112(Ichth.) A fish of the genus Labrax. ☞ One species, called also sea-dace, or sea-wolf (L. lupus), is found on the British coast, and is from twelve to eighteen inches in length, dusky blue on the…Bāss, n. p. 112(Bot.) The tiel-tree (Tilia glabra), or its bark, which is used for making mats, &c. See BAST. 2. (Pron. bäs.) A hassock or thick mat on which persons kneel at church.Bāss, n. p. 112(Mus.) The lowest part in a musical composition. [Written also base.]Bāss, v. t. p. 112To sound in a deep tone. Shak.Bās'sā, n. p. 112See BASHAW.Bās'set or Bas-sēt', n. p. 112A game at cards, resembling the modern faro, said to have been invented at Venice by a nobleman, who was banished for the invention. Some dress, some dance, some play, not to forget Your piquet…Bās'set, n. p. 112(Geol.) The emergence of strata at the surface; the outcrop. Lyell.