Dictionary
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.
Book'-keep'ing, n. p. 151The art of recording mercantile transactions in a regular and systematic manner, so that a man may know the true state of his business and property by an inspection of his books; the art of keeping…Book'-knowl'edge, n. p. 151Knowledge gained by reading books.Bōok'land or Bōck'land, n. p. 151(Old Eng. Laws.) Charter land held by deed under certain rents and free services, which differed in nothing from free socage lands. This species of tenure has given rise to the modern freeholds.…Bōōk'-lĕarned, a. p. 151Versed in books; acquainted with books and literature; ignorant of men, or of the common concerns of life. Whate'er these book-learned blockheads say, Solon's the veriest fool in all the play. Dryden.Book'-learn'ing, n. p. 151Learning acquired by reading; acquaintance with books and literature; usually as distinguished from practical knowledge. Neither does it so much require book-learning and scholarship, as good natural…Book'less, a. p. 151Without books; unlearned. Shenstone.Book'-mād'/ness, n. p. 151A rage for possessing books; bibliomania.Book'-mak'er, n. p. 151One who writes and publishes books; particularly one who gathers his materials from other books; a compiler.Book'-māk'ing, n. p. 151The practice of writing and publishing books, especially of compiling books from the writings of others, without much original thought or research; compilation. “The art of book-making.” Irving.Book'-măn, n. p. 151One whose chief occupation is the study of books. Shak.Book'-märk, n. p. 151Something placed in a book to assist in finding a particular page or place.Book'-māte, n. p. 151A school-fellow.Book'mind'ed-ness, n. p. 151Love of books.Book'-mōn'ger, n. p. 151A dealer in books.Book'-mū'slin, n. p. 151A kind of muslin used for the covers of books.Book'-ōath, n. p. 151The oath made on THE BOOK, or Bible. Shak.Book'-pōst, n. p. 151A department of the British post-office, devoted to the transmission of books. Simmonds.Book'-räck, n. p. 151A frame for supporting a book and keeping it open.Bōōk'-sĕll'er, n. p. 151One whose occupation is to sell books.Book'-sél'ing, n. p. 151The employment of selling books.Book'-shĕlf, n. p. 151A shelf to hold books.Book'-shŏp, n. p. 151A shop or place where books are sold; a book-seller's shop.Book'-stall, n. p. 151A stand or stall, often in the open air, for retailing books.Book'ständ, n. p. 151A place or stand for the sale of books in the streets; a book-stall. 2. A stand or support to hold books for reading or reference.Bōok'stōne, n. p. 151(Min.) See BIBLIOLITE.Book'stōre, n. p. 151In the U. S., a shop where books are kept for sale;—called in England a book-seller's shop.Book'-trāde, n. p. 151The buying and selling of books. For the book-trade is running into a smithery among us. Sir J. Stephens.Book'worm, n. p. 151A worm or mite that eats holes in books. 2. A student closely attached to books or addicted to study; a reader without appreciation. I wanted but a black gown and a salary to be as mere a book-worm…Bōō’ley, n. p. 151One who has no settled habitation, but wanders from place to place with his flocks and herds, living on their milk, like the Tartars. [Irish.] Spenser.Bōōm, n. p. 151(Naut.) A long pole or spar, run out from various parts of a ship, or other vessel, for the purpose of extending the bottom of particular sails; as, the jib boom, studding-sail boom, main boom…Boom, v. i. p. 151To rush with violence, as a ship under a press of sail. “She comes booming down before it.” Totten. 2. [W. bwmp, a hollow sound; bwmp y gors, the hollow sound of the bog or fen, and aderyn y bwmp…Bōōm'er-ang, n. p. 151A very singular missile-weapon used by the natives of Australia. It is made of hard wood, usually from 20 to 30 inches in length, from 2 to 3 inches wide, and half or three quarters of an inch thick.…Bōōm'ing, p. a. p. 151Rushing with violence; roaring like waves. O'er the sea-beat ships the booming waters roar. Falconer.Bōōm'ing, n. p. 151A violent rushing with heavy roar; as, the booming of the sea; a deep, hollow sound; as, the booming of bitterns. Howitt.Bōōm'-ī'ron, n. p. 151Flat iron rings on the yards through which the studding-sail booms traverse in being rigged out or in. Totten.Bōōn, n. p. 151That which is asked or granted as a benefit or favor; a gift; a benefaction; a grant; a present. I begged them as a boon to lay His corse in dust, whereon the day Might shine. Byron. 2. [A-S. bên…Bōōn, a. p. 151Gay; merry; jovial; as, two boon companions. Irving. 2. Kind; bountiful. Which . . . nature boon Poured forth profuse on hill, and dale, and plain. Milton. With as boon a grace and as bold a front…Bōōn, n. p. 151The refuse or useless vegetable matter from dressed flax.Bōōr, n. p. 151A countryman; a peasant; a rustic; a plowman; a clown; hence, one who is rude in manners and illiterate. “The habits and the cunning of a boor.” Thackeray.Bōōr'ish, a. p. 151Like a boor; clownish; rustic; awkward; illiterate. Which is in truth a gross and boorish opinion, how common soever. Milton.Bōōr'ish-ly, adv. p. 151In a boorish or clownish manner; as a boor. Limbs . . . neither weak nor boorishly robust. Fenton.Bōōr'ish-ness, n. p. 151Clownishness; rusticity; coarseness of manners.Bōōse, n. p. 151A stall or inclosure for oxen, cows, or other cattle. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.Bōōse or Bōōze, v. i. p. 152To drink excessively. See BOUSE. [Vulgar.] Maunder. Yet did he truly in a boozing-bout say of the Duke James. Landor.Bōōs'er, n. p. 152One who drinks to excess; a tippler.Bōōst, v. t. p. 152To lift or push from behind one who is endeavoring to climb; to push up. [Low.] [New England.]Bōō'sy or Bōō'zy, a. p. 152A little Bōō'zy intoxicated; fuddled; merry with liquor. [Collog.] C. Kingsley.Bōōt, v. t. p. 152To profit; to advantage;—generally followed by it: as, what boots it? What subdued To change like this a mind so far imbued With scorn of man, it little boots to know. Byron. What boots to us your…Bōot, n. p. 152That which is given to make an exchange equal, or to supply the deficiency of value in one of the things exchanged; profit; gain; advantage. I'll give you boot: I'll give you three for one. Shak.…Bōōt, n. p. 152A covering for the foot and leg, ordinarily made of leather. 2. An instrument made of iron, formerly used to torture criminals, particularly in Scotland. So he was put to the torture, which in…Bōot, v. t. p. 152To put boots on. “Coated and booted for it.” B. Jonson.Bōot, n. p. 152Booty. [Obs. and rare.] Chapman.Bōōt'-cātch'er, n. p. 152The person at an inn whose business it is to pull off boots and clean them. [Obs.] Swift.Bōot'-crĭmp, n. p. 152A frame or last used by boot-makers for drawing and shaping the body of a boot.Bōot-ee′, n. p. 152A half or short boot.Bo-ō'tēs, n. p. 152(Astron.) A northern constellation, consisting, according to Flamsteed's catalogue, of fifty-four stars.Bōoth, n. p. 152A house or shed built of boards, boughs of trees, or other slight materials, for temporary occupation. Camden.Bōōt'hale, v. t. p. 152To forage for booty; to plunder. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.Bōot'hōse, n. p. 152Stocking-hose, or spatterdashes, in lieu of boots. Shak.Bōot'i-kīn, n. p. 152A little boot. 2. A covering for the leg or hand, used as a cure for the gout. "I desire no more of my bootikins than to curtail my fits [of the gout]." H. Walpole.