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.
Cē'rine, n. p. 212(Chem.) That part of common wax obtained by dissolving it in hot alcohol; formerly supposed to be a neutral fat in the impure state, but since shown to be a volatile acid, and called cerotic acid.…Ce-rin'thi-an, n. p. 212(Eccl. Hist.) One of an ancient religious sect, so called from Cerinthus, a Jew by birth, who attempted to unite the doctrines of Christ with the opinions of the Jews and Gnostics. Hook.Çĕr'iph, n. p. 212(Type-founding.) One of the fine lines of a letter, especially one of the fine cross-strokes at the top and bottom of letters. Savage.Cē'rite, n. p. 212(Min.) A siliciferous oxide of cerium. Dana.Cē'ri-ūm, n. p. 212(Min.) A metal named from the planet Ceres; it has a high specific gravity, a grayish-white color, and lamellar texture. It exists in the mineral cerite (the species in which it was first…Cĕr'nuŏs or Cĕr'nu-oŭs, a. p. 212(Bot.) Having the top inclining or nodding downward; pendulous.Cē·ro-grāph'ic or Cē·ro-grāph'ic-al, a. p. 212Pertaining to cerography.Cē-rŏg'ra-phist, n. p. 212One who is versed in, or who practices, cerography.Ce-rŏg'ra-phy, n. p. 212A writing on wax. 2. The art of engraving on wax, spread on a sheet of copper, from which a stereotype plate is taken. S. E. Morse.Ce-rō'mā, n. p. 212(Anc. Arch.) That part of the ancient baths and gymnasia in which bathers and wrestlers used to anoint themselves with a composition of oil and wax. Elmes.Cĕr'o-mān'cy, n. p. 212Divination by dropping melted wax in water.Ce-rōon', n. p. 212A bale or package made of skins; as, a ceroon of indigo.Ce-rōph'e-ra-ry, n. p. 213A servant of inferior grade in a church, whose office is to carry the candles in religious ceremonies; an acolyte. [Obs.] Fuller.Cē'ro-plās'tic, a. p. 213Modeled in wax.Cē'ro-plās'tic, n. p. 213(Sculp.) The art of modeling, or of forming models, in wax. Elmes.Cē'r-o-sine, n. p. 213(Chem.) A waxy substance occasionally found on the surface of the sugar-cane, composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Gregory.Cē'rōte, n. p. 213See CERATE.Cěr'ri-al, a. p. 213(Bot.) Pertaining to the cerrus, or bitter oak. “Chaplets green of cerrial oak.” Dryden.Cĕr'tain, a. p. 213[Fr. certain, O. Fr. & Pr. certain, It. & O. Sp. certain, from Lat. certus, determined, fixed, certain, originally p. p. of cernere, to perceive, decide, determine. 1. Assured in mind; having no…Cĕr'tain-ly, adv. p. 213Without doubt or question; in truth and fact; without failure.Cěr'tain-ness, n. p. 213Certainty; infallibility.Cěr'tain-ty, n. p. 213The quality or condition of being certain, or beyond doubt, denial, failure, &c.; exemption from doubt or failure. The certainty of punishment is the truest security against crimes. Fisher Ames. 2. A…Cēr'tēs, adv. p. 213Certainly; in truth; verily. [Obs.] Certes it great pity was to see Him his nobility so foul deface. Spenser.Cer-tĭf'i-cate, n. p. 213A written testimony to the truth of any fact; as, a certificate of good behavior. 2. A written declaration legally authenticated. Trial by certificate, a trial in which the testimony of the person…Cer-tif'i-cāte, v. t. p. 213To verify by certificate. 2. To furnish with a certificate; as, to certificate a pupil.Cĕr'ti-fi-cā'tion, n. p. 213The act of certifying.Cĕr'ti-fi'er, n. p. 213One who certifies, or assures.Cĕr'ti-fy, v. t. p. 213To testify to in writing; to make a declaration concerning, in writing, under hand, or hand and seal; to make known or establish as a fact. The judges shall certify their opinion to the chancellor…Cĕr'ti-o-rā'rī, n. p. 213(Law.) A writ issuing out of chancery, or a superior court, to call up the records of an inferior court, or remove a cause there depending, in order that the party may have more sure and speedy…Cěr'ti-tūde, n. p. 213Freedom from doubt; assurance; certainty. No certitude, no good sense, no barrier against extravagance, heresy, or infidelity. I. Taylor.Cĕr'ule, a. p. 213Blue. [Obs.] Dyer.Cē-rū'le-an or Cē-rū'le-ous, a. p. 213Sky-colored; blue. Blue, blue, as if that sky let fall A flower from its cerulean wall. Bryant.Cær'u-lif'ic, a. p. 213Producing a blue or sky-color.Ce·ru'men, n. p. 213The wax or yellow matter secreted by the ear.Ce-ru'mi-noüs, a. p. 213Pertaining to, or containing, cerumen. Dunglison.Cér'use, n. p. 213White lead; a carbonate of lead, produced by exposing the metal, in thin plates, to the vapor of acids, as vinegar. It is used, mixed with oil, for painting, and a cosmetic is prepared from it.…Cēr'ūsed, a. p. 213Washed with a preparation of white lead; as, a cerused face. Beau. of Fl.Cĕr've-lāt, n. p. 213(Mus.) A short wind instrument, resembling the bassoon in tone. Warren.Cĕr'vi-cal, a. p. 213(Anat.) Belonging to the neck. “A cervical or dorsal appendage.” Hugh Miller.Cěr'vi-cīde, n. p. 213The act of deer-killing; as, a wanton cervicide. B. Taylor.Cěr'vīne, a. p. 213(Zoöl.) Pertaining to the deer, or to animals of the genus Cervus.Cér'vus, n. p. 213(Zoöl.) A genus of ruminating quadrupeds, including the deer or stag.Cē-sā're-an, a. p. 213Pertaining to Cæsar. Cæsarean section (Surg.), an incision made through the parietes of the abdomen and uterus in order to extract the fetus;—so called from Julius Cæsar, whose birth is said to have…Cĕs'/pi-tĭ'tiŏus, a. p. 213Pertaining to turf; made of turf. Gough.Cĕs'pi-tōse, a. p. 213(Bot.) Growing in tufts; turf-like; cespitous.Cĕs'pi-tōus, a. p. 213Pertaining to, or consisting of, turf; turfy. A cespitous or turfy plant has many stems from the same root, usually forming a close, thick carpet or matting. Martyn.Cĕss, n. p. 213A rate or tax. [Obs.] Spenser. 2. Bound; measure. [Obs.] “Out of all cess.” Shak.Cess, v. t. p. 213To rate; to lay a tax upon; to tax; to assess. [Obs.] Spenser.Cĕss, v. i. p. 213To cease. [Obs.] Spenser. 2. To neglect a legal duty. [Obs.] Cowell.Cĕss'ant, a. p. 213Intermitting action; ceasing; ending; as, a cessant state. Montague.Ces-sā'tion, n. p. 213The act of ceasing, or discontinuing motion or action of any kind, whether temporary or final; stop; rest. “The temporary cessation of the papal iniquities.” Motley. Cessation of arms (Mil.), an…Ces-sā'vit, n. p. 213(O. Eng. Law.) A writ given by statute to recover lands when the tenant or occupier has ceased for two years to perform the service which constitutes the condition of his tenure, and has not…Cēs'ser, n. p. 213(Law.) A neglect to perform services or payment for two years. See CESSAVIT. Blackstone.Cēs'si-bil'i-ty, n. p. 213The act or quality of giving way or receding. [Rare.] Digby.Cĕs'si-ble, a. p. 213Giving way; yielding. [R.] Digby.Cēs'sion, n. p. 213The act of giving way; a yielding to force or impulse; compliance. [Obs.] Bacon. 2. A yielding, or surrender, as of property or rights, to another person; the act of ceding. “A cession of the island…Cĕs'sion-a-ry, a. p. 213Having surrendered effects; as, a cessionary bankrupt. Martin.Cĕss'ment, n. p. 213An assessment or tax. [Obs.]Cēs'sor, n. p. 213(Law.) One who neglects, for two years, to perform the service by which he holds lands, so that he incurs the danger of the writ of cessavit. See CESSAVIT. Cowell. 2. An assessor, or taxer. [Obs.]…Cēss'-pōōl, n. p. 213A cavity sunk in the earth, to receive and retain the sediment of water conveyed in drains. [Written also sess-pool.]