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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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Căt'a-pŭce, n. p. 205(Bot.) The herb spurge. [Obs.] Chaucer.Căt'a-pŭlt, n. p. 205(Mil. Antiq.) An engine used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for throwing stones, arrows, &c. Mitford.Căt'a-răct, n. p. 205A great fall of water over a precipice; a great cascade or waterfall. The tremendous cataracts of America thundering in their solitudes. W. Irving. 2. (Surg.) An opacity of the crystalline lens, or…Căt'a-răct'oŭs, a. p. 205Partaking of the nature of a cataract in the eye.Ca-tärrh', n. p. 205(Med.) (a.) A discharge of fluid from the mucous membrane, especially of the nose, fauces, and bronchial passages, caused by a cold in the head. It is attended with cough, thirst, lassitude, and…Ca-tärrh'al or Ca-tärrh'oŭs, a. p. 205Pertaining to catarrh, or produced by it or attending it; as, a catarrhal fever.Căt'a-stăl'tic, a. p. 205(Med.) Checking evacuations through astringent or styptic qualities.Ca-tăs'ta-sis, n. p. 205(Rhet.) That part of a speech, usually the exordium, in which the orator sets forth the subject-matter of the question to be discussed, often for the purpose of gaining the favor or good-will of the…Ca-tăs'ter-ism, n. p. 205A placing among the stars; a catalogue of stars. “The catasterisms of Eratosthenes.” Whewell.Ca-tăs'tro-phe, n. p. 205An event producing a subversion of the order or system of things; a final event, usually of a calamitous or disastrous nature. The most horrible and portentous catastrophe that nature ever yet saw.…Căt/a-strŏph'ic, a. p. 205Of, or pertaining to, a catastrophe. B. Powell.Ca-tas'tro-phist, n. p. 205(Geol.) One who holds that the formation of the rocks and other geological changes were produced by a series of catastrophes or violent physical changes.Ca-taw'bā, n. p. 205A native North American grape, of a light claret color when ripe; much used for making wine.Căt'-bird, n. p. 205(Ornith.) An American bird of the thrush family (Mimus Carolinensis), whose cry resembles the mewing of a cat. Baird.Căt'-blŏck, n. p. 205(Naut.) A two or three fold block, with an iron strap and large hook, used to draw up an anchor to the cat-head. Totten.Căt'-call, n. p. 205A squeaking instrument, used in playhouses to condemn plays. Pope.Cătch, v. t. p. 205To lay hold on; to seize, especially with the hand; as, to catch a ball. 2. To take captive, as in a snare or net; to entangle; to apprehend; as, to catch a bird; to catch a thief. “To catch him in…Catch, v. i. p. 205To be held or impeded by entanglement or slight obstruction; as, a kite catches in a tree; a door catches so as not to open. 2. To spread by infecting; to communicate. “Sickness is catching.” Shak.Cătch, n. p. 205The act of seizing; seizure. Sidney. 2. That by which any thing is caught; as, the catch of a gate. 3. The posture of seizing; a state of preparation to lay hold of, or of watching the opportunity to…Cătch or Cŭtch, n. p. 205Catechu, so called in commerce. See CATECHU. Simmonds.Cătch'a-ble, a. p. 205Capable of being caught. [Rare.]Cătch'-drāin, n. p. 205A ditch or drain on the side of a hill to catch the surface water; also, a ditch on the side of a canal to catch the surplus water.Cătch'er, n. p. 205One who catches; that which catches, or in which any thing is caught.Cătch'flȳ, n. p. 205(Bot.) A plant, of different species, having the surface of the leaves, &c., covered with viscid secretions, which catch and hold flies, such as the Silene. Loudon.Cătch'ing-bär'gain, n. p. 205A bargain made with an heir-expectant for the purchase of his expectancy at an inadequate price. Bouvier.Cătch'-lănd, n. p. 205Land so lying that it is uncertain to which of two or more parishes, &c., it belongs; border-land. [Eng.] Halliwell.Cătch'-mĕad'ōw, n. p. 205A meadow which is irrigated by water from a spring or rivulet on the declivity of a hill.Cătch'ment, n. p. 205A surface of ground where water may be caught and collected into a reservoir.Cătch'pĕn-ny, n. p. 205Something worthless, particularly a worthless book or pamphlet, intended to gain money in market.Cătch'pĕn-ny, a. p. 205Made to gain money; worthless; as, a catchpenny pamphlet.Cātech'pēn-ny, a. p. 205Made to gain money; worthless; as, a catchpenny pamphlet.Cātech’poll, n. p. 205A bailiff’s assistant; — so called by way of reproach. [Obs.] Bacon.Cātech'up or Cāt'sup, n. p. 205A liquor extracted from mushrooms, tomatoes, walnuts, &c., used as a sauce.Cătch'-weed, n. p. 205A weed that catches hold of whatever comes in contact with it. Craig.Cătch'-word, n. p. 205Among theatrical performers, the last word of the preceding speaker, which reminds one that he is to speak next; cue. 2. (Print.) The first word of every page of a book after the first, inserted at…Cătch'-work, n. p. 205A work or artificial water-course for throwing water on lands that lie on the slopes of hills; a catch-drain. Ogilvie.Cāte, n. p. 205Food. [Obs.] See CATES.Căt'e-chēt'ic or Căt'e-chēt'ic-al, a. p. 205Relating to, or consisting in, asking questions and receiving answers, according to the ancient manner of teaching pupils. Socrates introduced a catechetical method of arguing. Addison.Căt'e-chēt'ic-al-ly, adv. p. 205In a catechetical manner; by question and answer.Căt'e-chēt'ics, n. sing. p. 205The science or habit of instructing by questions and answers. [See note under MATHEMATICS.]Căt'e-chīne, n. p. 205(Chem.) A peculiar compound contained in catechu. When pure, it forms a white, silky, crystalline powder. Gregory.Căt'e-chi-sā'tion, n. p. 205The act of catechising.Cāt'e-chīse, v. t. p. 205To instruct by asking questions, receiving answers, and offering explanations and corrections, — particularly in regard to points of religious faith. 2. To question or interrogate; to examine or try…Căt'e-chīṣ'er, n. p. 205One who catechises; one who instructs by question and answer, particularly in the rudiments of the Christian religion.Căt'e-chĭsm, n. p. 205A form of instruction by means of questions and answers. 2. An elementary book containing a summary of principles, especially of religious doctrine, reduced to the form of questions and answers. The…Cāt'e-chīṣ'mal, a. p. 205Having the form of questions and answers; catechetical.Căt'e-chīst, n. p. 205One who instructs by question and answer; a catechiser.Cāt'e-chīst'ic or Cāt'e-chīst'ic-al, a. p. 205Pertaining to a catechist or to catechism. “Catechistical doctrine.” Henry More.Căt'e-chū, n. p. 205(Chem.) A dry, brown, astringent extract, obtained by decoction and evaporation from the Acacia catechu, in India. It contains a large portion of tannin or tannic acid, and is used both in medicine…Căt'e-chū'men, n. p. 205(Eccl.) One who is receiving rudimentary instruction in the doctrines of Christianity; a neophyte.Căt'e-chū'men-ate, n. p. 205The state or condition of a catechumen.Căt'e-chu-mĕn'ie-al, a. p. 205Pertaining to catechumens; as, catechumenical instructions.Căt'e-chū'men-īst, n. p. 205One who is receiving rudimentary instruction in the doctrines of Christianity; a catechumen. [Obs.] Bp. Morton.Căt'e-gōr'e-māt'ic, a. p. 205(Logic.) Capable of being employed by itself as a term; — said of a word.Căt'e-gōr'ie-al, a. p. 205Pertaining to a category. 2. Not hypothetical or relative; admitting no conditions or exceptions; absolute; positive; express; as, a categorical proposition, syllogism, or answer. The Scriptures, by…Căt'e-gŏr'ie-al-ly, adv. p. 205Absolutely; directly; expressly; positively; as, to affirm categorically.Căt'e-gōr'ie-al-ness, n. p. 205The quality of being categorical, positive, or absolute. A. Marvell.Cāt'e-go-rize, v. t. p. 205To insert in a category or list; to class; to catalogue.Cāt'e-go-ry, n. p. 205(Logic.) One of the highest classes to which the objects of knowledge or thought can be reduced, and by which they can be arranged in a system; a predicament. The categories or predicaments—the…Căt'e-lēc'trōde, n. p. 206(Electro-chem.) The negative electrode or pole of a galvanic battery. Faraday.