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.
Com-băt'a-ble, a. p. 254Liable to occasion of combat; liable to dispute.Cŏm'bat-ant, a. p. 254Contending; disposed to contend. B. Jonson. 2. (Her.) Fighting, or in the position of fighting; — said of two beasts borne in a coat of arms, with their faces to each other.Com'bat-ant, n. p. 254One who engages in combat; a fighter; a champion. “A controversy which long survived the original combatants.” Macaulay. Men become combatants for . . . opinions. Locke.Cŏm'bat-er, n. p. 254One who combats. Sherwood.Com'bat-ive, a. p. 254Disposed to combat.Cŏm'bat-ive-ness, n. p. 254(Phren.) Disposition to contend. Combe.Cōmb'-brōach, n. p. 254The tooth of a wool comb. Simmonds.Cōmb'-brŭsh, n. p. 254A brush to clean combs.Com′ber, n. p. 254One who combs; one whose occupation is to comb wool, &c. 2. A long, curling wave; as, the sea was rough with high combers. See BEACH-COMBER.Cōm'ber, v. t. p. 254To trouble; to impede. [Obs.] See CUMBER. Spenser.Com'ber, n. p. 254Trouble; care; encumbrance. [Obs.] See CUMBER. The stools and other comber are removed when the assembly rises. Evelyn.Cōm'ber, n. p. 254(Ichth.) A long, slender fish, with a red back, found in Cornwall, England.Com-bin'a-ble, a. p. 254Capable of combining. [Obs.] Pleasures are very combinable both with business and study. Lit. Chesterfield.Com-bīn'a-ble-ness, n. p. 254State of being combinable.Cŏm'bi-nate, a. p. 254Espoused; betrothed. [Obs.] She lost her . . . combinate husband. Shak.Cŏm'bi-nā'tion, n. p. 254In general, close union or connection. Hence, 1. The union of persons or things to effect some purpose, or that tends to bring about some result; association; alliance. “To withstand a combination of…Com-bīn'a-tĭve or Com-bīn'a-to-ry, a. p. 254Tending to combination; joining. [Rare.] Clarke.Com-bine', v. t. p. 254To unite or join; to link closely together. So fitly them in pairs thou hast combined. Shak.Com-bīne', v. i. p. 254To form a union; to agree; to coalesce; to confederate. You with your foes combine, And seem your own destruction to design. Dryden. 2. To unite by affinity or natural attraction: as, two substances…Com-bīn'er, n. p. 254One who, or that which, combines.Cōmb'ing, n. p. 254The act of using a comb. 2. Borrowed hair combed over a bald part of the head. Bp. Taylor.Cōmb'ings, n. pl. p. 254See COAMINGS.Cōmb'less, a. p. 254Without a comb or crest; as, a combless cock. Shak.Cöm'bo-lō'io, n. p. 254A Mohammedan rosary, consisting of ninety-nine beads. And by her comboloio lies A Koran of illumined dyes. Byron.Comb'-shāped, a. p. 254(Bot.) Toothed like a comb; pectinate. Henslow.Com-būst’, a. p. 254(Astron.) So near the sun as to be obscured or eclipsed by his light; — said of the moon and planets when not more than eight degrees and a half from the sun. [Obs.] “Planets that are oft combust.”…Com-būs'ti-ble, a. p. 254Capable of taking fire and burning; inflammable. Sin is to the soul like fire to combustible matter. South. 2. Easily kindled or excited; quick; irascible. Arnold was a combustible character. W.…Com-būs'ti-ble, n. p. 254A substance that will take fire and burn. Ure.Com-bŭs'ti-ble-ness or Com-bŭs'ti-bĭl'i-ty, n. p. 254The quality of being combustible, or of taking fire and burning; capability of being burned.Com-bŭs'tion, n. p. 254The operation of fire on inflammable substances; burning. “Pyral combustion.” Browne. 2. Violent agitation; confusion; tumult. [Obs.] There [were] great combustions and divisions among the heads of…Com-būs'tiòus, a. p. 254Liable to take fire; inflammable. [Obs.] “Dry, combustious matter.” Shak.Com-bŭs'tive, a. p. 254Disposed to take fire; inflammable; combustible.Cȯme, v. i. p. 254To move hitherward; to draw near; to approach;—opposed to go. In at this gate none pass The vigilance here placed, but such as come Well known. Milton. We are come to you to do a good office. Shak.…Cȯme, n. p. 254A sprout. [Obs.] Mortimer.Co-mē'di-an, n. p. 254An actor or player in comedy. “The famous comedian Roscius, whom a singular merit in his art had recommended to the familiarity and friendship of the greatest men in Rome.” Middleton. 2. A writer of…Cōm'e-dy, n. p. 254A dramatic composition of a light and amusing character, illustrative of the foibles of individuals, the manners of society, or the ludicrous accidents of life. The earlier chapters [of the Vicar of…Cōme'li-ly, adv. p. 254In a suitable or decent manner. [Rare.] Sherwood.Cōme'li-ness, n. p. 254The quality of being comely; suitableness; fitness; becomingness; symmetry; gracefulness. Comeliness is a disposing fair Of things and actions in fit time and place. Davies. It is not virtue, wisdom…Cōme'ly, a. p. 254Handsome; graceful; well-proportioned. He that is comely when old and decrepit, surely was very beautiful when he was young. South. 2. Suitable, or becoming, to time, place, circumstances, or…Côme'ly, adv. p. 254In a becoming, suitable, or graceful manner.Còme-ôff', n. p. 254Means of escape; evasion; excuse. We do not want this come-off. Grellmann.Côme-out’er, n. p. 254One who comes out or withdraws from a regular church, or other organization, under the pretense of its being corrupt; a radical reformer. [U. S.] Hayward.Côm'er, n. p. 254One who comes, or who has come; one who has arrived, and is present.Cŏm/es-sā/tion, n. p. 254Feasting or reveling. Bp. Hall.Co-mĕs'ti-ble, a. p. 254Suitable to be eaten; eatable. [Obs.] “Some herbs are most comestible.” Elyot. “Comestible wares.” Wotton.Co-mĕs'ti-bles, n. pl. p. 254Eatables. Conybeare.Cŏm'et, n. p. 254(Astron.) One of those members of the solar system which usually move in very eccentric orbits, approaching very near to the sun in their perihelion, and receding to a very great distance from it at…Cŏm'et, n. p. 254A game at cards. Southerne.Cŏm'et-ē'ri-ūm, n. p. 254An astronomical instrument, intended to represent the revolution of a comet round the sun. Hutton.Côm'et-a-ry, a. p. 254Pertaining to a comet. Cheyne.Côm'et-find'er or Côm'et-seek'er, n. p. 254(Astron.) A telescope having a large field of view and low magnifying power, used for finding comets.Co-mēt'ic, a. p. 254Relating to a comet.Côm'et-ŏg'ra-pher, n. p. 254One who describes or writes about comets.Côm'et-ōg'ra-phy, n. p. 254A description of, or a treatise concerning, comets.Côm'fit or Côm'fit-ūre, n. p. 254A dry sweetmeat; any kind of fruit or root preserved with sugar and dried; a confect.Cŏm'fit, v. t. p. 255To preserve dry with sugar. The fruit which does so quickly waste, . . . Thou comfitest in sweets to make it last. Cowley.Cŏm'fort, v. t. p. 255To bring strength, support, or consolation to; to give vigor to the spirits of; to relieve from distress or pain; to cheer; to invigorate; to console. I am louted by a traitor villain. And can not…Cŏm'fort, n. p. 255Strength and relief received under affliction; support; solace; consolation. Her soul, heaven's queen, whose name she bears, In comfort of her mother's fears, Hath placed among her virgin train. B.…Còm'fort-a-ble, a. p. 255Affording, imparting, or enjoying comfort; as, a comfortable hope. Be comfortable to my mother, Your mistress, and make much of her. Shak. The lives of many miserable men were saved, and a…Cŏm'fort-a-ble, n. p. 255A heavy stuffed or quilted coverlet for a bed; a comforter; a comfort. [U. S.]