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.
Be-moist'en, v. t. p. 124To moisten; to wet.Bē'mol, n. p. 124(Mus.) The same as B flat. Moore.Be-mŏn'ster, v. t. p. 124To make monstrous. [Obs.] Shak.Be-mōurn', v. t. p. 124To weep or mourn over. Wycliffe.Be-mŭf'fle, v. t. p. 124To cover as with a muffler; to wrap up. “Bemuffled with the externals of religion.” Sterne.Be-mūsed', a. p. 124Overcome with musing; sunk in reverie. “A parson much bemused in beer.” Pope.Bēn or Bēn'-nūt p. 124(Bot.) The seed or fruit of a species of Moringa (M. pterygosperma), from which an oil is extracted (called oil of ben), much valued by perfumers and watchmakers for its sweetness and fluidity. Baird.Bĕnch, n. p. 124A long seat, differing from a stool in its greater length. Rude, mossy benches supplied the place of chairs. W. Scott. 2. A long table at which mechanics and others work; as, a carpenter's bench. 3.…Bēnch, v. t. p. 124To furnish with benches. “’Twas benched with turf.” Dryden. Stately theaters benched crescent-wise. Tennyson. 2. To place on a bench or seat of honor. “Whom I . . . have benched.” Shak.Bēnch, v. i. p. 124To sit on a seat of justice. “Bench by his side; you are of the commission.” Shak.Bēnch'er, n. p. 124One of the senior members of a society who have the government of one of the inns of court. They have been readers, and, being admitted to plead within the bar, are called inner barristers. They…Bēnch'-märk, n. p. 124(Leveling.) One of a number of marks along a line of survey indicating a series of levels at different elevations. Francis.Bĕnch'-wăr/rant, n. p. 124(Law.) A process issued by a court against a person guilty of some contempt, or indicted for some crime. Bouvier.Bĕnd, v. t. p. 124To strain or move out of a straight line; to crook by straining; to crook; to curve. “They bend their bows.” Dryden. In duty bend thy knee to me. Shak. 2. To turn out of the direct course to some…Bĕnd, v. i. p. 125To be moved or strained out of a straight line; to crook or be curving; to bow; to jut or overhang. There is a cliff whose high and bending head Looks fearfully on the confined deep. Shak. With…Bĕnd, n. p. 125A turn or deflection from a straight line or direction; a curve; a crook; a bow; an incurvation; as, a slight bend of the body; a bend in a road. 2. Turn; purpose; ends. [Obs.] Farewell, poor swain…Bĕnd, n. p. 125A band. [Obs.] Spenser.Bĕnd'a-ble, a. p. 125Capable of being bent or incurvated. Sherwood.Bĕnd'er, n. p. 125The person who bends or makes crooked. 2. An instrument used for bending. 3. A spree or frolic; a jollification. [Amer. and vulgar.] Bartlett.Běnd'-leath'er, n. p. 125The best quality of sole-leather. Halliwell.Bĕnd'let, n. p. 125(Her.) A little bend. Burke.Bĕn'dy, a. p. 125(Her.) Divided by bends into four, six, or more parts, diagonally; — said of an escutcheon. Burke.Bĕn'e, n. p. 125(Bot.) The Sesamum orientale, or oil plant;— popularly so called. See BENNE. Mease.Be-nēaped', a. p. 125(Naut.) See NEAPED.Be-nēath’, prep. p. 125Lower in place, with something directly over or on; under. Beneath a rude and nameless stone he lies. Pope. 2. (Fig.) Under, as from the effect of pressure. Our country sinks beneath the yoke. Shak.…Be-nēath' or Be-nĕath', adv. p. 125In a lower place. “The earth which you take from beneath will be barren.” Mortimer. 2. Below, as opposed to heaven, or to any superior region; as, in heaven above, or in earth beneath. Syn.—See BELOW.Bĕn'e-diet or Bĕn'e-dick, n. p. 125A married man, or a man newly married.Bĕn'e-dĭet, a. p. 125Having mild and salubrious qualities. [Obs.] Bacon.Bĕn'e-dĭct'ine, a. p. 125Pertaining to the order of monks of St. Benedict, or St. Benet.Bēn'e-dict'ine, n. p. 125(Eccl. Hist.) One of an order of monks, known from the color of their dress as Black Friars, established by St. Benedict in the sixth century. This order was introduced into the United States in…Bĕn'e-dĭc'tion, n. p. 125The act of blessing. 2. Blessing, prayer, or kind wishes uttered in favor of any person or thing; a solemn or affectionate invocation of happiness; thanks; expression of gratitude; specifically, the…Bĕn'e-dĭc'tion-a-ry, n. p. 125A collected series of benedictions. [Obs.] “The benedictionary of Bishop Athelwold.” Richardson.Bēn'e-dict'ive, a. p. 125Tending to bless; giving a blessing. Gauden.Bēn'e-dict'o-ry, a. p. 125Expressing wishes for good; as, a benedictory prayer. Theodoret.Bĕn'e-făc'tion, n. p. 125The act of conferring a benefit. Johnson. 2. A benefit conferred, especially a charitable donation. Atterbury.Bēn'e-fā'ctor, n. p. 125One who confers a benefit, especially one who makes charitable contributions either for public institutions or for private use.Bēn'e-făc'tress, n. p. 125A woman who confers a benefit.Bēn'e-fice, n. p. 125Life, a benefit, advantage, or kindness. 2. An ecclesiastical living; a church endowed with a revenue for the maintenance of divine service, or the revenue itself. ☞— All church preferments are…Bĕn'e-fĭced, a. p. 125Possessed of a benefice or church preferment. “Beneficed clergymen.” Burke.Bēn'e-fīce-less, a. p. 125Having no benefice. [Obs.] “Beneficeless precisian.” Sheldon.Be-nĕf'i-cence, n. p. 125The practice of doing good; active goodness, kindness, or charity. And whose beneficence no change exhausts. Cooper. Syn.—See BENEVOLENCE.Be-nĕf'i-cent, a. p. 125Doing good; performing acts of kindness and charity; characterized by beneficence. “The beneficent fruits of Christianity.” Prescott. Syn.—See BENEVOLENT.Be-nĕf'i-cent-ly, adv. p. 125In a beneficent manner.Bĕn'e-fĭ'cial, a. p. 125Conferring benefits; useful; profitable; helpful; contributing to a valuable end; — followed by to. “The war which would have been most beneficial to us.” Swift. 2. (Law.) Receiving, or entitled to…Bēn'e-fi'cial, n. p. 125A church-living; a benefice. [Obs.] Spenser.Bĕn’e-fi’cial-ly, adv. p. 125In a beneficial or advantageous manner; profitably; helpfully.Bĕn'e-fi'cial-ness, n. p. 125The quality of being beneficial; usefulness; profitableness. Hale.Bĕn'e-fi'ci-a-ry, a. p. 125Holding some office or valuable possession, in subordination to another; having a dependent and secondary possession. “Beneficiary services.” Spelman. “A beneficiary king.” Bacon.Bĕn'e-fi'ci-a-ry, n. p. 125A feudatory or vassal; hence, one who holds a benefice, and uses its proceeds. Ayliffe. 2. One who receives any thing as a gift, or is maintained by charity. The rich men will be offering sacrifice…Bĕn'e-fi'cien-cy, n. p. 125Kindness or favor bestowed. [Obs.] Browne.Bēn'e-fi'cient, a. p. 125Doing good. [Rare.] Adam Smith.Bĕn'e-fit, n. p. 125An act of kindness; a favor conferred. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Ps. ciii. 2. 2. Whatever contributes to promote prosperity and personal happiness, or adds value to…Bĕn'e-fit, v. t. p. 125To be beneficial to, to do good to; to advantage; to advance in health or prosperity; to be useful to. What course I mean to hold shall nothing benefit your knowledge. Shak.Bĕn'e-fit, v. t. p. 125To gain advantage; to make improvement. To tell you what I have benefited herein. Milton.Be-nē'gro, v. t. p. 125To render dark; to blacken. [Obs. and rare.] “The sun shall be benegreed in darkness.” Hewyt.Be-nēme', v. t. p. 125To name. [Obs.] Spenser. 2. To promise; to give. [Obs.] Spenser.Be-nĕmp'ne, v. t. p. 125To name. [Obs.] Spenser.Bē'ne-plăç'i-to p. 125(Mus.) At pleasure.Bĕn'e-plăc'i-tūre, n. p. 125Will; choice. [Obs.] Glanville.Be-nēt', v. t. p. 125To catch in a net; to insnare. [Obs.] Shak.