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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. Bēan, n.p. 116(Bot.) A well known leguminous plant, and its seed, of many varieties, the principal species being the Faba vulgaris.
  2. Bēan'-cā'per, n.p. 116(Bot.) A deciduous plant of warm climates, generally with fleshy leaves and flowers of a yellow or whitish-yellow color, of the genus Zygophyllum. London.
  3. Bēan'-ēod, n.p. 116A small vessel used in the rivers of Portugal. It is sharp forward, having its stem bent above into a great curve. Encyc. Brit.
  4. Bēan'-fly, n.p. 117A beautiful fly, of a pale purple color, found on bean flowers, produced from a maggot called Mida. Encyc. Brit.
  5. Bēan'-goose, n.p. 117(Ornith.) A species of goose (Anser segetum), probably so called from its predilection for beans and other kinds of pulse. P. Cyc.
  6. Bēan'-trē'foil, n.p. 117(Bot.) A small tree of the genus Anagyris, which bears a pod curved inward at its extremity. Loudon.
  7. Beâr, v. t.p. 117To support or sustain; to hold up. 2. To support and remove or carry; to convey. Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens. 1 Kings v. 15. I'll bear your logs the while. Shak. 3. To…
  8. Beâr, v. i.p. 117To suffer, as with pain. [Rare.] But man is born to bear. Pope. 2. To endure with patience; to be patient. [Rare.] I can not, can not bear. Dryden. 3. To produce, as fruit; to be fruitful, in…
  9. Bēar, n.p. 117A bier. [Obs.] Spenser.
  10. Beār, n.p. 117(Zoöl.) A wild plantigrade quadruped of the genus Ursus. It belongs to the carnivorous order, but lives mostly on plants and fruits. Among the species are the brown bear of Europe (Ursus arctos), the…
  11. Bēar or Bēre, n.p. 117(Bot.) A species of barley (Hordeum hexastichon) having six rows in the ear, cultivated in Scotland and the north of England;—called also big. London.
  12. Beâr'a-ble, a.p. 117Capable of being borne or endured; tolerable. Ed. Rev.
  13. Beâr'a-bly, adv.p. 117In a bearable manner.
  14. Beâr'-bĕr-ry, n.p. 117(Bot.) A trailing plant of the heath family (Arbutus uva-ursi), having leaves which are tonic and astringent;—called also trailing arbutus. London.
  15. Beār'-bīnd, n.p. 117(Bot.) A genus of plants of the Convolvulus family, allied to the bind-weed. London.
  16. Beār'-clōth or Beār'ing-clōth, n.p. 117A cloth in which a new-born child is covered when carried to church to be baptized. Shak.
  17. Beard, n.p. 117The hair that grows on the chin, lips, and adjacent parts of the face, chiefly of male adults. 2. (Zoöl.) (a.) The long hairs about the lower part of the face or head in animals, as the beard of the…
  18. Beard, v. t.p. 117To take by the beard; to seize, pluck, or pull the beard, in contempt or anger. 2. To oppose to the face; to set at defiance. I have been bearded by boys. More.
  19. Bēard'ed, a.p. 117Having a beard, as a man. 2. Having long, stiff hairs; barbate. "Bearded groves of ears." Milton. 3. Having sharp jags or barbs. "The bearded steel." Dryden.
  20. Bēard'-grāss, n.p. 117(Bot.) A plant of different species of the genus Andropogon.
  21. Bēard'less, a.p. 117Without a beard; not having arrived to puberty or manhood. 2. Destitute of an awn; as, beardless wheat.
  22. Bēard'less-ness, n.p. 117The state or quality of being destitute of beard.
  23. Beâr'er, n.p. 117One who bears, sustains, or carries. “Bearers of burdens.” 2 Chron. ii. 18. “A bearer of unhappy news.” Dryden. 2. Specifically, one who assists in carrying a body to the grave; a pall-bearer. “The…
  24. Beâr'-fly, n.p. 117An insect. Bacon.
  25. Beâr'-gär'den, n.p. 117A place where bears are kept for diversion or fighting. Stillingfleet. 2. A rude, turbulent assembly.
  26. Beár'-hèrd, n.p. 117A man that tends bears. Shak.
  27. Beár'ing, a.p. 117Solid; substantial. [Obs.] “A good bearing dinner.” Beau. & Fl.
  28. Beár'ing, n.p. 117The manner in which a person bears or conducts himself; gesture; mien; behavior. I know him by his bearing. Slack. 2. The situation of an object, with respect to another object, by which it is…
  29. Beâr'ing-clŏth, n.p. 117A cloth in which a child is borne to its baptism; bear-cloth. Shak.
  30. Beâr'ish, a.p. 117Partaking of the qualities of a bear; resembling a bear in temper or manners. Harris.
  31. Beârn, n.p. 117A child. [Obs.] Shak.
  32. Bear's'-breech, n.p. 117(Bot.) A plant of the genus Acanthus, one species of which (A. mollis) has been used in medicine; called also Brank-ursine. London.
  33. Beâr's'-ëar, n.p. 117(Bot.) The Primula auricula;— popularly so called.
  34. Bear's'-ear or Săn'i-clep. 117A species of the Primrose family; Cortusa Matthioli. Loudon.
  35. Beâr’s’-foot, n.p. 117(Bot.) A species of hellebore; Helleborus fœtidus. Loudn.
  36. Beâr'-skin, n.p. 117The skin of a bear. 2. A coarse, shaggy, woolen cloth for overcoats.
  37. Beâr'-wȧrd, n.p. 117A keeper of bears. Shak. The army is your bear now, and old Noll is your bear-ward. W. Scott.
  38. Bēast, n.p. 117Any four-footed animal, which may be used for labor, food, or sport; as opposed to man, any irrational animal. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast. Prov. xii. 10. Bowls that turned…
  39. Bēast, v. i.p. 117To hunt for beasts. [Obs.] Dian beasts with Cupid's darts. Spenser.
  40. Bēast'ings, n. pl.p. 117See BIESTINGS.
  41. Bēast'ish, a.p. 117Like a beast; brutal.
  42. Bēast'li-hèad, n.p. 117The quality or character of a beast; beastliness. [Obs.] Spenser.
  43. Bēast'li-ness, n.p. 118The state or quality of being beastly; brutality; coarseness; vulgarity; filthiness. Spenser.
  44. Beast'ly, a.p. 118Pertaining to, or having the form and nature of, a beast. “Beastly divinities.” Prior. 2. Like a beast; brutal; coarse; filthy; contrary to the nature and dignity of man. The beastly vice of drinking…
  45. Bēatp. 118v. t. [imp. BEAT; p. p. BEAT, BEATEN; p. pr. & vb. n. BEATING.] [A-S. beatan, O. Sw. beta, Lat. battuere, Serb. batati, Russ. biti, Pol. bic; Fr. battre, Pr. batre, It. battere, Sp. batir, Pg.…
  46. Bēat, v. i.p. 118To strike repeatedly; to knock. The men of the city . . . beat at the door. Judges xix. 22. 2. To move with pulsation or throbbing. A thousand hearts beat happily. Byron. 3. To come or act with…
  47. Bēat, n.p. 118A stroke, or the manner of giving one; a blow. He, with a careless beat, Struck out the mute creation at a heat. Dryden. 2. A recurring stroke; a pulsation; as, the beat of the pulse. 3. (Mus.) (a.)…
  48. Bēat, a.p. 118Weary; tired; fatigued. [Modern and low.] Quite beat, and very much vexed and disappointed. Dickens.
  49. Beat or Bēat'en, p. a.p. 118Made smooth by beating or treading; worn by use. “A broad and beaten way.” Milton. “Beaten gold.” Shak. 2. Become common or trite by frequent use; as, a beaten question. 3. Tried; practiced. [Obs.]…
  50. Bēat'er, n.p. 118One who beats, or strikes. 2. An instrument for pounding.
  51. Bēath, v. t.p. 118To dry by exposure to fire. [Obs.]
  52. Bē-a-tif'ic, a.p. 118
  53. Bē/a-tif'ie-alp. 118See BEATIFY.] Imparting or completing blissful enjoyment. The greatness and strangeness of the beatific vision. South.
  54. Bē'a-tĭf'ie-al-ly, adv.p. 118In a beatific manner.
  55. Bē-a-tif'i-cāte, v. t.p. 118To beatify. [Obs.] Fuller.
  56. Be-ăt'i-fi-cā'tion, n.p. 118The act of beatifying, or of pronouncing or rendering happy; blessedness. “The beatification of his spirit.” Bp. Taylor. 2. (Rom. Cath. Church.) An act of the pope by which he declares a person…
  57. Be-ăt'i-fy, v. t.p. 118To pronounce or regard as happy, or as conferring happiness. The common conceits and phrases that beatify wealth. Barrow. 2. To make happy; to bless with the completion of celestial enjoyment.…
  58. Bēat'ing, n.p. 118The act of striking or giving blows; punishment or chastisement by blows. 2. A regular pulsation or throbbing; as, the beating of the heart. 3. (Mus.) The regular pulsative swellings of sound…
  59. Be-ăt'i-tūde, n.p. 118Felicity of the highest kind; consummate bliss. 2. The declaration of blessedness made by our Savior to particular virtues. Udal. 3. (Rom. Cath. Church.) Beatification. Milman. Syn.— Blessedness…
  60. Beau, n.p. 118A man of dress; a fine, gay man; one whose great care is to deck his person; a lady’s attendant or suitor. “Even the beaux and coquettes of that age.” M’caulay.