Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Bŭnt'ing, n. p. 174(Ornith.) A bird of different species, of the genus Emberiza. ☞ The common or corn-bunting is E. miliaria; the seed-bunting, E. schoeniculus; the snow-bunting, Plectrophanes nivalis; the…Bŭnt'ing or Bŭnt'ine, n. p. 174A thin woolen stuff, of which the colors or flags and signals of ships are made.Bŭnt'/lĭne, n. p. 174(Naut.) One of the ropes fastened to cringles in the foot-rope of a sail, used to haul up the body of the sail when taking it in. Totten.Buoy, n. p. 174A float; especially a floating mark to point out the position of objects beneath the water, as anchors, shoals, rocks, &c. ☞ “Buoys are of various kinds; as, can-buoys, in the form of a cone; nut or…Buoy, v. t. p. 175To bear or keep from sinking in a fluid, as in water or air; to keep afloat;—with up. 2. To support or sustain; to keep from sinking into ruin or despondency. Those old prejudices, which buoy up the…Buoy or Buōy, v. i. p. 175To float; to rise by specific lightness. Rising merit will buoy up at last. Pope.Buoy'age, n. p. 175Buoys taken collectively; a series of buoys, as for the guidance of vessels into or out of port; the providing of buoys.Buoy'an-cy, n. p. 175The quality of floating on the surface of a fluid, or in the atmosphere; specific lightness, which is inversely as the weight compared with that of an equal volume of water. 2. (Physics.) The weight…Buoy'ant, a. p. 175Having the quality of rising or floating in a fluid; tending to rise or float; as, iron is buoyant in mercury. “Buoyant on the flood.” Pope. 2. Bearing up, as a fluid; sustaining another body by…Buoy'ant-ly, adv. p. 175In a buoyant manner.Buoy'-rōpe, n. p. 175(Naut.) The rope which fastens a buoy to an anchor.Bu-prĕs'ti-dan, n. p. 175(Entom.) One of a tribe of coleopterous insects, of brilliant metallic colors. Kirby.Būr or Bour, n. p. 175A chamber or a cottage.Bûr or Bûrr, n. p. 175Any rough or prickly envelope of the seeds of plants, whether a persistent calyx, pericarp, or proper coat, as of the chestnut and burdock. 2. The rough edge or ridge left by a tool in cutting or…Bûr'-bōlt, n. p. 175A bird-bolt. [Obs.] Ford.Bŭr'bot, n. p. 175(Ichth.) A fish of the genus Lota, shaped like an eel, but shorter and thicker, with a flat head, having on the nose two small beards, and another on the chin. ☞ The fish is sometimes called an…Būr'de-lāis, n. p. 175A sort of grape. Johnson.Bûr'den, n. p. 175[A-S. byrdhen, Icel. byrdhi, Dan. byrde, Sw. börda, M. D. borde, N. H. Ger. bürde, O. H. Ger. purdi, Goth. baurthei, from the root of bear, A-S. beran, Goth. bairan. 1. That which is borne or…Bûr'den, n. p. 175The verse repeated in a song, or the return of the theme at the end of each stanza; the chorus; refrain. Hence, that which is often repeated; the main topic; as, the burden of a prayer. I would sing…Bûr'den, v. t. p. 175To encumber with weight; to lay a heavy load upon; to load. I mean not that other men be eased and ye burdened. 2 Cor. viii. 13. 2. To oppress with any thing grievous or trying; as, to burden a…Bûr'den-er, n. p. 175One who loads; an oppressor.Bûr'den-ous, a. p. 175Grievous; heavy to be borne; oppressive; burdensome. “Burdenous taxations.” Shak. “A burdenous drone.” Milton.Būr'den-sōme, a. p. 175Grievous to be borne; causing uneasiness or fatigue; oppressive. The debt immense of endless gratitude So burdensome. Milton.Bûr'den-sôme-ly, adv. p. 175In a burdensome manner.Bûr'den-sôme-ness, n. p. 175The quality of being burdensome; heaviness; oppressiveness.Bŭr'dŏck, n. p. 175(Bot.) A genus of plants called Lappa (Arctium of Linnæus). ☞ The common burdock is the Lappa major; the lesser burdock, a species of Xanthium.Bûr'don, n. p. 175A pilgrim’s staff;— also written burden. Chaucer. Spenser.Bū'reau, n. p. 175Originally, a desk or writing table, with drawers for papers. For not the desk with silver nails, Nor bureau of expense, Nor standish well japanned, avails To writing of good sense. Swift. 2. The…Bu-reau'cra-cy, n. p. 175A system in which the business of government is carried on in departments, each under the control of a chief, in contradistinction from a system in which the officers of government have a coordinate…Bū'reau-crät'ic, a. p. 175Relating to, or having the form of, a bureaucracy.Bu-reau'cra-tist, n. p. 175An advocate for, or supporter of, bureaucracy.Bu-rĕt'te, n. p. 175(Chem.) A graduated glass tube, with a small aperture and stop-cock for delivering measured quantities of liquid.Būrg, n. p. 175A fortified town. [Obs.] 2. A city or town which sends members to parliament, whether incorporated or not; a borough. See BOROUGH.Būr'gage, n. p. 175(Eng. Law.) A tenure by which houses or lands are held of the king or other lord of a borough or city, at a certain yearly rent, or by services relating to trade or handicraft. Burrill.Bŭr'gall, n. p. 175(Ichth.) A small fish (the Ctenolabrus ceruleus) found on the eastern coast of the United States;—called also nibbler, chogset, blue perch, and conner. Bartlett.Būr'ga-mōt', n. p. 175A variety of pear. 2. A kind of perfume. See BERGAMOT.Būr'ga-nēt or Būr'go-nēt, n. p. 175A kind of helmet; the Spanish murrion. This day I'll wear aloft my burgonet . . . Ev'n to affright thee with the view thereof. Shak.Būr'gee, n. p. 175A kind of small coal suitable for burning in the furnaces of engines. 2. A three cornered flag, or distinguishing pennant, used by cutters, yachts, and merchant vessels.Bur-geois', n. p. 175A burgess; a citizen. See BOURGEOIS.Bur-geois', n. p. 175(Print.) A species of type, or printing letter, smaller than long primer, and larger than brevier. See BOURGEOIS.Būr'geon, v. n. p. 175To bud. See BOURGEON.Būr'gees, n. p. 175An inhabitant of a borough or walled town, or one who possesses a tenement therein; a citizen or freeman of a borough. Blackstone. “A burgess of a borough corresponds with a citizen of a city.”…Būr'gess-shīp, n. p. 175The state or privilege of a burgess. South.Būrg'grāve, n. p. 175(Germany.) Originally, one appointed to the command of a burg; but the title afterward became hereditary, with a domain attached.Būrgh, n. p. 175See BURG and BOROUGH.Būrgh'al, a. p. 175Belonging to a burgh.Būrgh'-bōte, n. p. 175(Old Law.) A contribution toward the building or repairing of castles, or walls, for the defense of a city or town.Būrgh'-brēch, n. p. 175(A-S. Law.) The offense of violating the pledge given by every inhabitant of a tithing to keep the peace; breach of the peace. Burrill.Būrgh'er, n. p. 175An inhabitant of a burgh or borough, who enjoys the privileges of the borough of which he is a freeman. 2. (Eccl. Hist.) A member of that party, among the Scotch seceders, which asserted the…Būrgh'er-mās'ter, n. p. 175See BURGOMASTER.Būrgh'er-ship, n. p. 175The state or privilege of a burgher.Būrgh'-hōld'er, n. p. 175See BORS-HOLDER.Būrgh'-mās'ter, n. p. 175A burgomaster. 2. An officer in the tin mines who directs and lays out the meers for the workmen;—called also bailiff, and bar-master. [Eng.]Būrgh'-mōte, n. p. 175The court or meeting of a burgh or borough. Burrill.Būrg'lar, n. p. 175(Law.) One guilty of the crime of burglary; one who breaks and enters a mansion or dwelling-house, in the night-time, with intent to commit a felony.Bûrg'lar-er, n. p. 176A burglar. [Obs.] Sir William Brain was sent to the tower only for procuring the pope's bull against certain burglarers that robbed his own house. State Trials, 1646.Bur-glā'ri-oūs, a. p. 176Pertaining to burglary; constituting the crime of burglary. To come down a chimney is held a burglarious entry. Blackstone.Bur-glā'ri-oûs-ly, adv. p. 176With an intent to commit burglary; in the manner of a burglar. Blackstone.Bûrg'la-ry, n. p. 176(Law.) The breaking and entering the dwelling-house of another, in the night-time, with intent to commit a felony therein, whether the felonious purpose be accomplished or not. Wharton. Burrill.…Bŭrg'o-mâs'ter, n. p. 176A burgh-master; a chief magistrate of a municipal town in Holland, Flanders, and Germany, corresponding to mayor in England and the United States. 2. (Ornith.) An aquatic bird, the glaucous gull…