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.
Cinque'-foil, n. p. 231(Bot.) A plant of different species of the genus Potentilla, also called five-finger, because of the resemblance of its leaves to the fingers of the hand. 2. (Arch.) An ornamental foliation having…Cin'que-cen'to, n. p. 231(Arch.) A style of decorative art which sprang up in Italy about 1550, and aimed to revive and elaborate the richest and most conspicuous characteristics of Greek and Roman art. Fairholt.Cinque'-pāçe, n. p. 231A kind of lively dance (called also galliard), the steps of which were regulated by the number five. Nares.Cinque'-pōrts, n. pl. p. 231The ports Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover, Sandwich, Winchelsea, and Rye; originally, only the first five of these, whence the name. [England.]Cin'ter, n. p. 231(Arch.) The centering or timber framing erected in apertures between piers to support an arch when in building.Cī'on, n. p. 231A young shoot, twig, or sprout of a tree or plant; the cutting of a twig for ingrafting on another stock. [Written also scion.] The cion overruleth the stock; and the stock is but passive, and giveth…Cȳ'pers, n. p. 231A fine gauze, much like crape; cyprus. Marston.Cĭ'per-tŭn'nel, n. p. 231A false chimney used on a house for ornament. T. Fuller.Ci'pher, n. p. 231(Arith.) A character [0] which, standing by itself, expresses nothing, but when placed at the right hand of a whole number, increases its value tenfold. 2. A person of no worth or character. Here he…Cī'pher, v. i. p. 231To use figures, or to practice arithmetic. 'Twas certain he could write and cipher too. Goldsmith.Ci'pher, v. t. p. 231To write in occult characters. His notes he ciphered with Greek characters. Hayward. 2. To designate by characters; to represent. Shak.Cī'pher-kēy, n. p. 231A key to assist in reading writings in cipher.Cĭp’o-līn, n. p. 231(Min.) A greenish marble, from Rome, containing white or greenish zones. It consists of carbonate of lime, with zones and cloudings of talc. Dana.Cĭp'pus, n. p. 231A small, low column, usually having an inscription, used by the ancients for various purposes, as for indicating the distances of places, for a landmark, for sepulchral inscriptions, &c. Gwill.Cīre, n. p. 231A circus. [Rare.]Cīr'car, n. p. 231A district or province. [India.]Cir-cas'sian, a. p. 231(Geog.) Pertaining to Circassia, in Asia.Cir-căs'sian, n. p. 231(Geog.) A native or an inhabitant of Circassia.Cir-cē'an, a. p. 231Pertaining to Circe, the fabled daughter of Sol and Perseis, who was reputed by the ancients to possess powers of enchantment, by means of which she first charmed her victims and then changed them to…Cir-cēn'sial or Cir-cēn'sian, a. p. 231Pertaining to the Circus, in Rome, where were practiced games of various kinds, as running, wrestling, combats, &c. “The pleasure of the Circensian shows.” Holyday.Cĭr′ci-nal or Cĭr′ci-nate, a. p. 231(Bot.) Rolled together downward, the tip occupying the center;—a term used in reference to foliation or leafing, as in ferns. Gray.Cir'ci-nāte, v. t. p. 231To make a circle of; to compass. Bailey.Cĭr'çi-nā'tion, n. p. 231An orbicular motion. [Obs.] Bailey.Cīr'cle, n. p. 231A plane figure, bounded by a single curve line called its circumference, every part of which is equally distant from a point within it called the center. 2. The line that bounds such a figure; a…Cir'cle, v. t. p. 231To move around; to revolve around. “Other planets circle other suns.” Pope. 2. To encompass, as by a circle; to surround; to inclose. Prior. Pope. Their heads are circled with a short turban.…Cir'cle, v. i. p. 231To move circularly. Thy name shall circle round the gaping throng. Byron.Cir'cled, a. p. 231Having the form of a circle; round. “Monthly changes in her circled orb.” Shak.Cir'eler, n. p. 231A mean or inferior poet, perhaps from his habit of wandering around as a stroller; an itinerant poet. [Obs.] B. Jonson.Cir'celet, n. p. 231A little circle, as of gold, jewels, &c. “Her fair locks in rich circlet be enroled.” Spenser. 2. A round body; an orb. Fairest of stars . . . that crown’st the smiling morn With thy bright circlet.…Cir'co-cèle, n. p. 231See CIRSOCELE.Cĭr'ceos, n. p. 231A kind of hawk. [Obs.] Holland.Cir'cuit, n. p. 231The act of moving or revolving around; as, the periodical circuit of the earth round the sun. Watts. 2. A regular or appointed journeying from place to place in the exercise of one's calling, as of a…Cir'cuit, v. i. p. 231To move in a circle; to go round; to circulate. [Obs.] Philips.Cir'cuit, v. t. p. 231To move or make to go round.Cĭr'cuit-eer', n. p. 231One who travels a circuit. Pope.Cir'cu-i'tion, n. p. 232The act of going round; compass; circumlocution. [Rare.] Hooker.Cir-cū'i-tous, a. p. 232Going round in a circuit; round about; indirect; as, a circuitous road; a circuitous manner of accomplishing an end. Burke.Cir-cū'i-tōŭs-ly, adv. p. 232In a circuit.Cir-cū'i-ty, n. p. 232A going round in a circle; a course not direct. Bouvier.Cir'cu-la-ble, a. p. 232Capable of being circulated.Cir'cu-lar, a. p. 232Of, or pertaining to, a circle; in the form of a circle; round. 2. Repeating itself; ending in itself; reverting to the point of beginning; hence, illogical; inconclusive; as, circular reasoning.…Cir'cu-lar, n. p. 232A circular letter, or paper, often printed, copies of which are addressed to various persons; as, a business circular; a political circular.Cir'cu-lār'i-ty, n. p. 232The state of being circular.Cir'cu-lar-ly, adv. p. 232In a circular manner.Cĭr'cu-la-ry, a. p. 232Circular. [Obs.] Hooker.Cir'cu-lāte, v. i. p. 232To move in a circle or circuitously; to move or pass round; to move round and return to the same point; as, the blood circulates in the body. Boyle. 2. To pass from place to place, from person to…Cir'cu-lāte, v. t. p. 232To cause to pass from place to place, or from person to person; as, to circulate a report; to circulate bills of credit. Syn.—To spread; diffuse; propagate; disseminate.Cir'cu-lā'tion, n. p. 232The act of moving in a circle, or in a course which brings the moving body to the place where its motion began; as, the circulation of the blood in the body. 2. The act of going about, or of passing…Cir'cu-la-tive, a. p. 232Promoting circulation; circulating. [Rare.]Cir'cu-lā'tor, n. p. 232One who, or that which, circulates.Cir'cu-la-tō'ri-oŭs, a. p. 232Traveling in a circuit, or from house to house. [Obs.] “Circulatorious jugglers.” Barrow.Cir'cu-la-to-ry, a. p. 232Circular; as, a circulatory letter. Johnson. 2. Circulating, or going round. Warton.Cir'cu-la-to-ry, n. p. 232A chemical vessel, in which that which rises from the vessel on the fire is collected and cooled in another fixed upon it, and falls down again. Johnson.Cĭr'cu-lēt, n. p. 232A circlet. [Obs.] Spenser.Cir'cu-līne, a. p. 232Proceeding in a circle; circular. [Obs.] “With motion circuline.” More.Cĭr'cum p. 232A Latin preposition, used as a prefix in many English words.Cir'cum-ăg'i-tāte, v. t. p. 232To agitate on all sides with frequent motion; to shake round. Bp. Taylor.Cir'cum-ăm'bi-en-cy, n. p. 232The act of surrounding or encompassing. Browne.Cir'cum-ăm'bi-ēnt, a. p. 232Surrounding; inclosing or being on all sides; encompassing. “The circumambient heaven.” Armstrong.Circ'um-ăm'bu-lāte, v. i. p. 232To walk round about. “Persons that circumambulated with their box and needles, not knowing what they did.” Hood.