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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. Căt'-hĕad, n.p. 206(Naut.) A timber projecting from the bow of a ship, through which the ropes pass by which the anchor is raised, and to which it may be secured. Totten.
  2. Câth'e-drâ or Ca-thê'drâ, n.p. 206A chair; appropriately, the chair or seat of a person in authority, as a bishop or lecturer.
  3. Ca-thê'dral, n.p. 206The principal church in a diocese, so called because in it the bishop has his official chair or throne. Hook.
  4. Ca-thē'dral, a.p. 206Pertaining to the head church of a diocese; as, a cathedral church; cathedral service. 2. Emanating from the chair of office, as of a pope or bishop; official; authoritative. Now, what solemnity can…
  5. Căth'e-drā'ted, a.p. 206Relating to the chair or office of a teacher. Whitlock.
  6. Cāth'e-rē'tic, n.p. 206(Med.) A mild kind of caustic used to reduce warts and other excrescences. Dunglison.
  7. Câth'e-rine-peâr, n.p. 206A sort of small pear.
  8. Câth'e-rine-wheel, n.p. 206See CATHARINE-WHEEL.
  9. Căth'e-ter, n.p. 206(Surg.) A tubular instrument to be introduced into the bladder to draw off the urine. Dunglison.
  10. Cāth'e-tŏm'e-ter, n.p. 206An instrument for measuring differences of vertical heights, especially the rise and fall of liquid columns in glass tubes. It consists of a telescopic leveling apparatus (d), which slides up or down…
  11. Căth'e-tĭs, n.p. 206(Geom.) A line or radius, falling perpendicularly on another, as the catheti of a right-angled triangle, that is, the two sides that include the right angle. [Obs.] Barlow.
  12. Căth'ōde, n.p. 206(Electro-chem.) The part of a galvanic battery by which the electric current leaves substances through which it passes, or the surface at which the electric current passes out of the electrolyte; the…
  13. Căt'-hōle, n.p. 206(Naut.) One of two small holes astern, above the gun-room ports, through which hawsers may be passed.
  14. Căth'o-lic, a.p. 206Universal or general; as, the catholic faith. ☞ This epithet is rightly applied to the whole Christian church, although it has been claimed exclusively by the church of Rome, to which it is often…
  15. Cāth'o-lic, n.p. 206An adherent of the Roman Catholic church.
  16. Ca-thŏl'ic-al, a.p. 206Universal; catholic. [Obs.] 2. Relating to the Romish church. [Obs.] Grafton.
  17. Ca-thŏl'i-cĭsm, n.p. 206Quality of being catholic or universal. Taylor. 2. The orthodox faith of the whole Christian church. Swinburne. 3. Adherence to the Roman Catholic church; the Roman Catholic faith. 4. Liberality of…
  18. Cāth'o-lĭc'i-ty, n.p. 206The system of doctrine held by all parts of the orthodox Christian church. 2. The doctrines of the church of Rome. 3. Liberality of sentiments; catholicism.
  19. Ca-thōl'i-cize, v. i.p. 206To become catholic or a Roman Catholic. [Obs.]
  20. Cāth'o-lic-ly, adv.p. 206In a catholic manner; generally; universally. [Obs.] Sir L. Cary.
  21. Cāth'o-lic-ness, n.p. 206Universality. Brevint.
  22. Ca-thŏl'i-cōn, n.p. 206(Med.) A remedy for all diseases; a universal remedy; a panacea.
  23. Ca-thōl'i-cŏs, n.p. 206(Eccl.) The spiritual head of the Armenian church, who ordains bishops, and consecrates the sacred oil used in religious ceremonies. Coleman.
  24. Căt′-hōōk, n.p. 206(Naut.) A large hook fitted to the cat-block, by which the anchor is raised to the cat-head. Totten.
  25. Căt'i-li-nā'ri-an, a.p. 206Resembling, or pertaining to, Catiline, the Roman.
  26. Căt'i-li-nā'ri-an, n.p. 206One who resembles Catiline.
  27. Căt'i-lin-īsm, n.p. 206The principles and practices of Catiline, the Roman conspirator; conspiracy.
  28. Cā'ti-on, n.p. 206(Chem.) An electro-positive substance, which in electro-decomposition is evolved at the cathode. Faraday.
  29. Căt'kin, n.p. 206(Bot.) An ament; a species of inflorescence, consisting of many scales ranged along a slender stalk, which is the common receptacle, as in hazel, birch, oak, willow, poplar, &c.; — so called from its…
  30. Căt'ling, n.p. 206A little cat. “Cat nor catling.” Drummond. 2. (Surg.) A double-edged, sharp-pointed dismembering knife. Harris. 3. The down or moss growing about some trees, resembling the hair of a cat. Harris. 4.…
  31. Căt′-mint or Căt′-nip, n.p. 207(Bot.) A well-known plant of the genus Nepeta, somewhat like mint, having a strong scent, and sometimes used in medicine: the common species is N. cataria. It is so called because cats, as is said…
  32. Căt'o-ca-thār'tic, n.p. 207(Med.) A remedy that purges downward, or by alvine discharges. Dunglison.
  33. Ca-tō'ni-an, a.p. 207Pertaining to, or resembling, Cato the Censor, who was remarkable for the severity of his manners; grave; severe; inflexible.
  34. Căt'-o'-nīne'-tāils, n.p. 207A whip with nine lashes.
  35. Ca-tŏp'ter or Ca-tŏp'tron, n.p. 207A reflecting optical glass or instrument; a mirror. [Obs.]
  36. Ca-tŏp'tric or Ca-tŏp'tric-al, a.p. 207Relating to catoptrics, or vision by reflection.
  37. Ca-tōp'tries, n. sing.p. 207(Physics.) That part of optics which explains the properties and phenomena of reflected light, and particularly that which is reflected from mirrors or polished bodies. [See MATHEMATICS.]
  38. Ca-tōp'tro-mān'cy, n.p. 207(Antiq.) A species of divination, which was performed by letting down a mirror into water, for a sick person to look at his face in it. If his countenance appeared distorted and ghastly, it was an…
  39. Căt'-pīpe, n.p. 207See CAT-CALL.
  40. Căt'-sālt, n.p. 207A sort of salt, finely granulated, formed out of the bittern or leach-brine.
  41. Căt's'-crā'dle, n.p. 207A familiar game played by children with a string twisted on the fingers. Halliwell.
  42. Căt's'-ēye, n.p. 207(Min.) A variety of quartz or chalcedony, exhibiting yellowish opalescent reflections from within, somewhat like the eye of a cat, produced by filaments of asbestos. Dana.
  43. Căt's'-foot, n.p. 207(Bot.) A plant of the genus Glechoma; ground-ivy.
  44. Căt's'-hĕad, n.p. 207A kind of apple.
  45. Căt'-sil'ver, n.p. 207A mineral; a variety of mica.
  46. Căt'so, n.p. 207A base fellow; a rogue; a cheat. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
  47. Căt's'-păw, n.p. 207(Naut.) (a.) A light air, perceived in a calm by a rippling of the surface of the water. (b.) A particular turn in the bight of a rope, made to hook a tackle on. 2. A dupe; the instrument which…
  48. Căt's'-tāil, n.p. 207(Bot.) (a.) A tall weed or flag (Typha latifolia), with long, flat leaves, and having its flowers in a close cylindrical spike at the top of the stem. The leaves are frequently used for seating…
  49. Căt'-stick, n.p. 207A stick or club employed in the game of ball called cat. Massinger.
  50. Căt'sup, n.p. 207Same as CATCHUP, or KETCHUP, q. v.
  51. Căt'-tāil, n.p. 207The same as CAT'S-TAIL.
  52. Căt'tish, a.p. 207Of, or pertaining to, a cat; cat-like. “The cattish race.” Drummond.
  53. Căt'tle, n. pl.p. 207Domestic quadrupeds collectively, especially those of the bovine genus, sometimes also including sheep, goats, horses, mules, asses, and swine. 2. Animals; persons. [Rare.] Boys and women are for the…
  54. Căt'tle-guārd, n.p. 207A trench or hollow place on the line of a railway where it crosses a public highway, to prevent cattle from getting upon the track.
  55. Căt'tle-rānge, n.p. 207An open space through which cattle may run or range; a park. [U. S.] Bartlett.
  56. Căt'tle-shōw, n.p. 207An exhibition of domestic animals for prizes, or the encouragement of agriculture.
  57. Căt'ty, n.p. 207A Chinese weight of one pound and one third.
  58. Cau-cā'sian, a.p. 207Pertaining to Mount Caucasus, in Asia. Pinkerton.
  59. Cau-cā'sian, n.p. 207Any one belonging to the Indo-European race, and the white races originating near Mount Caucasus. R. Owen.
  60. Cau'cus, n.p. 207A meeting preliminary to an election, or to a general meeting of a party, for the selection of candidates for political offices, or for promoting party interests. More than fifty years ago, Mr.…