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.
Brēast'pĭn, n. p. 162A pin worn for a fastening, or for ornament, on the breast; a brooch.Brĕast'plāte, n. p. 162A plate worn upon the breast as a part of defensive armor. “Before his old rusty breastplate could be scoured, and his cracked head-piece mended.” Swift. 2. A plate or piece which receives the end of…Brĕast'-plow or Brĕast'-plough, n. p. 162A kind of plow, driven by the breast, used to cut or pare turf.Brĕast'rāil, n. p. 162The upper rail of a balcony or of the breastwork on a quarter-deck. Weale.Brĕast'-rōpe, n. p. 162See BREAST-BAND.Brĕast'-wheel, n. p. 162A water-wheel, on which the stream of water strikes neither so high as in the over-shot wheel, nor so low as in the under shot, but generally at about half the height of the wheel, being kept in…Brēast'work, n. p. 162(Fort.) A defensive work breast-high, hastily thrown up, of earth or other material. 2. (Naut.) A railing on the quarter-deck and forecastle.Breath, n. p. 162The air inhaled and exhaled in the respiration of animals. My breath came gaspingly and thick. Byron. 2. The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or capacity to breathe freely; as, I am…Brēath'a-ble, a. p. 162Capable of being breathed.Brēath'a-ble-ness, n. p. 162State of being breathable.Brēathe, v. i. p. 162To respire; to inhale and exhale air; hence, to live. “This day I breathed first.” Shak. 2. To take breath; to rest from action. “Breathe from your debauch.” Young. 3. To pass, as air; to exhale; to…Brēathe, v. t. p. 162To inhale and exhale in the process of respiration; to respire. They wish . . . To view the light of heaven, and breathe the vital air. Dryden. 2. To inject by breathing; to infuse. “Able to breathe…Brēath'er, n. p. 162One who breathes or lives; one that utters; an inspirer; one who animates or infuses by inspiration. Shak.Brĕath'ful, a. p. 162Full of breath; full of odor. [Obs.] Spenser.Brēath'ing, n. p. 162Respiration; the act of inhaling and exhaling air. “Subject to a difficulty of breathing.” Melmoth. 2. Air in gentle motion. Like the tyrannous breathing of the north, Shakes all our buds from…Brēath'ing-plāçe, n. p. 162A pause. Sidney. 2. A vent.Brĕath'ing-time, n. p. 162Pause : relaxation. Bp. Hall.Brēath'ing-whi'le, n. p. 162Time sufficient for drawing breath; a short time. Shak.Breath'less, a. p. 162Spent with labor or violent action; out of breath. But breathless, as we grow when feeling most. Byron. 2. Dead; expired; as, a breathless body.Breath'less-ness, n. p. 162The state of being breathless, or exhausted with exercise. Hall.Brĕc'ciă, n. p. 162(Geol.) A rock composed of angular fragments either of the same mineral or of different minerals, united by a cement, and presenting a variety of colors. Dana.Brĕc'ci-ā-tĕd, a. p. 162Consisting of angular fragments cemented together.Brēde, n. p. 162A braid. [Rare.] Half-lapped in glowing gauze and golden brede. Tennyson.Breech, n. p. 162The lower part of the body behind. 2. Breeches. [Obs.] Shak. 3. The hinder part of any thing, especially the part of a cannon, or other fire-arm, behind the bottom of the bore. 4. (Nav. Arch.) The…Breech, v. t. p. 162To put into breeches. 2. To fit or furnish with a breech; as, to breech a gun. 3. To whip on the breech. [Obs.] Had not a courteous serving-man conveyed me away, whilst he went to fetch whips, I…Breech'es, n. pl. p. 162A garment worn by men, covering the hips and thighs;—sometimes, but less properly, used in the sense of trowsers or pantaloons. “His jacket was red, and his breeches were blue.” Coleridge. To wear…Breech'ing, n. p. 162A whipping on the breech. I view the prince with Aristarchus' eyes. Whose looks were as a breeching to a boy. Marlow. 2. That part of a harness which comes round the breech of a horse. 3. (Naut.) A…Breech'-lōad'er, n. p. 162(Mil.) A fire-arm that receives its load at the breech. For cavalry, the revolver and breech-loader will supersede the saber. Rep. Sec. War, 1860.Breech'-lōad'ing, a. p. 162(Mil.) Receiving the charge at the breech instead of the muzzle. ☞ In breech-loading arms, a movable gate or pin is withdrawn for the insertion of the cartridge, and then replaced and held firm by a…Breech'-pĭn or Breech'-screw, n. p. 162A strong plug firmly screwed in at the breech of a musket or other fire-arm. See MUSKET.Breech'-sight, n. p. 162(Mil.) An instrument used for pointing a fire-arm.Breed, v. t. p. 162To procreate; to generate; to engender; to beget; to hatch. Yet every mother breeds not sons alike. Shak. 2. To take care of in infancy, and through the age of youth; to bring up; to nurse and…Breed, v. i. p. 162To produce a fetus: to bear and nourish young, as in pregnancy. “That they may breed abundantly in the earth.” Gen. viii. 17. The mother had never bred before. Carpenter. 2. To be formed in the…Breed, n. p. 162A race or progeny from the same parents or stock; as, a new breed of sheep. Carpenter. 2. A cast; a kind; a race of men or other animals, which have an alliance by nativity, or some distinctive…Breed'-bāte, n. p. 162One that breeds or originates quarrels. [Obs.] “No tell-tale nor no breed-bate.” Shak.Breed'er, n. p. 162One who, or that which, breeds, produces, brings up, &c. “She was a great breeder.” Dr. A. Carlyle. You love the breeder better than the male. Shak. Italy and Rome have been the best breeders of…Breed'ing, n. p. 163Nurture; education, instruction; formation of manners. Why was my breeding ordered and prescribed, As of a person separate to God? Milton. She had her breeding at my father's charge. Shak. 2.…Breeze or Breeze'-fly, n. p. 163(Entom.) A kind of fly of various species, of the family Tabanidæ, noted for buzzing about animals, and tormenting them by sucking their blood. They are among the largest of the two-winged, or…Breeze, n. p. 163A light wind; a gentle gale. Into a gradual calm the breezes sink. Wordsworth. 2. (Fig.) An excited state of feeling; a quarrel; a disturbance. [Colloq.] 3. (Brick-making.) Ashes and cinders used…Breeze, v. i. p. 163To blow gently. For now the breathing airs, from ocean born, Breeze up the bay, and lead the lively morn. Barlow.Breeze'-less, a. p. 163Motionless; destitute of breezes. A stagnant, breezeless air becalms my soul. Shenstone.Breez'y, a. p. 163Fanning with gentle winds or breezes. 'Mid lawns and shades by breezy rivulets fanned. Wordsworth.Brē'hon, n. p. 163A judge. [Ireland.] ☞ In ancient times, the general laws of Ireland were called Brehon laws, unwritten, like the common law of England. These laws were abolished by statute of Edward III. Blackstone.…Brēme, a. p. 163Fierce; cruel; sharp. [Obs.] [Written also brimme and brim.] From the septentrion cold, in the breme freezing air, Where the bleak north wind keeps still domineering there. Drayton.Brĕn, v. t. p. 163To burn. [Obs.] Or consuming fire brent his shearing-house or stall. Browne.Brĕn'nağe, n. p. 163(O. Eng. Law.) A tribute which tenants in the middle ages paid to their lord, in lieu of bran, which they were obliged to furnish for his hounds.Brĕnt or Brānt, a. p. 163Steep; high. [Obs.] Grapes grow on the brant rocks so wonderfully that ye will marvel how any man dare climb up to them. Ascham.Brĕnt, n. p. 163A brant, or brand-goose; a kind of fowl with a black neck, and a white collar or line round it. See BRANT.Brĕst or Breast, n. p. 163(Arch.) The member of a column, more usually called torus or tore. See TORUS.Brĕst'-sŭm/mer or Brĕast'-sŭm/mer, n. p. 163(Arch.) A summer or beam placed breast-wise to support a superincumbent wall;— used principally over shop windows, to carry the upper part of the front, and supported on posts or columns. Gwilt.Brĕt, n. p. 163The turbot;—called also burt or brut. [Prov. Eng.]Brēt'ful, a. p. 163Brimful. [Obs.] Chaucer.Brĕth'ren, n. p. 163pl. of brother. It is used almost exclusively, in solemn and scriptural language, in the place of brothers. See BROTHER.Bret'on, a. p. 163(Geog.) Relating to Brittany, or Bretagne, in France. Athwart the ledges of rock, Here on the Breton strand; Breton, not Briton. Tennyson.Brĕtt, n. p. 163A long, four-wheel pleasure carriage, with a calash top, and seats for four, besides a driver's seat; a britzska.Brĕt'ti-ce, n. p. 163One of the wooden planks used in supporting the roofs of coal mines.Brē'tzel, n. p. 163A kind of hard, brittle cake.Brēve, n. p. 163(Mus.) A note or character of time, equivalent to two semibreves or four minims. When dotted, it is equal to three semibreves. It was formerly of a square figure, as thus ☐, but now made oval, with a…Bre-vēt', n. p. 163A royal or imperial warrant, granting a favor, privilege, title, or dignity. 2. (Mil.) A commission in the army at large, in distinction from a commission in a particular regiment or corps. ☞ In the…Bre-vĕt', v. t. p. 163(Mil.) To confer rank or title upon by brevet.