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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. Cŏm'pass-less, a.p. 261Having no compass. Knowles.
  2. Cŏm'pass-plāne, n.p. 261(Carp.) A plane, convex in the direction of its length on the under side, for smoothing curved timber.
  3. Cŏm'pass-sȧw, n.p. 261A saw that cuts in a circular manner.
  4. Cŏm'pass-sĭg'nal, n.p. 261A signal that denotes a point of the compass. Simmonds.
  5. Cŏm'pass-tīm'ber, n.p. 261(Ship-building.) Curved or crooked timber.
  6. Còm'pass-win'dōw, n.p. 261(Arch.) A circular bay-window, or oriel.
  7. Cŏm'pa-tēr'ni-ty, n.p. 261The relation of a godfather to a person. [Obs.] The relation of gossiped and compaternity by the canon law is a spiritual affinity. Davies.
  8. Com-păt′i-bĭl′i-ty, n.p. 261The quality or power of being compatible or congruous; as, a compatibility of tempers; a compatibility and concurrence of properties.
  9. Com-păt'i-ble, a.p. 261Capable of existing in harmony; congruous; suitable;— usually followed by with. Our poets have joined together such qualities as are by nature the most compatible. Browne. Syn.— Consistent; suitable…
  10. Com-păt'i-ble-ness, n.p. 261Compatibility; consistency; fitness; agreement.
  11. Com-păt'i-bly, adv.p. 261Fitly; suitably; consistently.
  12. Com-pā'tient, a.p. 261Suffering together. [Obs.] Sir G. Buck.
  13. Com-pā'tri-ot, n.p. 261One of the same country, and having like interests and feelings. “The distrust with which they felt themselves to be regarded by their compatriots in America.” Palfrey.
  14. Com-pä'tri-ot, a.p. 261Of the same country. She [Britain] rears to freedom an undaunted race, Compatriot, zealous, hospitable, kind. Thomson.
  15. Com-pā'tri-ot-ism, n.p. 261The condition of being a compatriot.
  16. Com-peer', n.p. 261One who is an equal; a companion; an associate; a mate. To honor A stranger subject with so high a title, As his compeer in arms. Ford.
  17. Com-peer', v. t.p. 261To be equal with; to match. [Rare.] In my rights By me invested, he compeers the best. Shak.
  18. Com-peer', v. i.p. 261To appear. [Obs.]
  19. Com-pel', v. t.p. 261To drive or urge with force, or irresistibly; to constrain; to oblige; to necessitate, either by physical or moral force. Wolsey, greatly dissatisfied with this imperfect obedience, compelled the…
  20. Com-pĕl'la-ble, a.p. 261Capable of being compelled or constrained. Blackstone.
  21. Com-pĕl'la-bly, adv.p. 261By compulsion.
  22. Cŏm'pel-lā'tion, n.p. 261The manner of address or salutation; appellation. He useth this endearing compellation, “my little children.” Bp. Beveridge. The peculiar compellation of the kings in France is by “Sire.” Temple.
  23. Com-pĕl'la-tive, n.p. 261(Gram.) The name by which a person is addressed. Crosby.
  24. Com-pĕl'la-to-ry, a.p. 261Compulsory. Cavendish.
  25. Com-pĕl'ler, n.p. 261One who compels or constrains.
  26. Cŏm'pend, n.p. 261A brief compilation or composition, containing the principal heads, or general principles, of a larger work or system; an abridgment; an epitome. “A compend and recapitulation of the Mosaic law.” Bp.…
  27. Com-pĕnd'i-ā'ri-oŭs, a.p. 261Short; compendious. [Obs.] Bailey.
  28. Com-pĕnd'i-āte, v. t.p. 261To sum or collect together. [Obs.] Bp. King.
  29. Com-pĕnd'i-oŭs, a.p. 261Containing the substance or general principles of a subject or work in a narrow compass; abridged; short; comprehensive. Three things be required in the oration of a man having authority—that it be…
  30. Com-pĕnd'i-oŭs-ly, adv.p. 261In a short or brief manner; summarily; in brief; in epitome.
  31. Com-pĕnd'i-oŭs-ness, n.p. 261Comprehension in a narrow compass; shortness; brevity. Bentley.
  32. Com-pĕn'di-ŭm, n.p. 261An abridgment or epitome. “A short system or compendium of a science.” Watts. Syn.—See ABRIDGMENT.
  33. Com-pĕn'sa-ble, a.p. 261Capable of being compensated. [Obs.] Cotgrave.
  34. Cŏm'pen-sāte or Com-pĕn'sāte, v. t.p. 261To make equal return to; to remunerate; to recompense; to give an equivalent to; as, to compensate a laborer for his work, or a merchant for his losses. 2. To be equivalent in value or effect to; to…
  35. Cŏm'pen-sāte or Com-pĕn'sāte, v. i.p. 261To make amends; to supply an equivalent;—followed by for; as, nothing can compensate for the loss of reputation.
  36. Cŏm'pen-sā'tion, n.p. 261The act or principle of compensating. Emerson. 2. That which constitutes, or is regarded as, an equivalent; amends; remuneration; recompense. The parliament which dissolved the monastic foundations .…
  37. Com-pĕn'sa-tĭve, a.p. 261Affording compensation.
  38. Com-pĕn'sa-to-ry, a.p. 261Serving for compensation; making amends. Bp. Taylor.
  39. Com-pĕnse', v. t.p. 261To recompense. [Obs.] Bacon.
  40. Cŏm'pe-rĕn'di-nāte, v. t.p. 261To delay. [Obs.] Bailey.
  41. Com-pēte', v. i.p. 261To contend emulously; to seek or strive for the same thing as another; to maintain a contest; to contend as rivals for a prize. The rival statesmen, with eyes fixed on America, were all the while…
  42. Cŏm'pe-tençe or Cŏm'pe-ten-çy, n.p. 261The state of being competent; fitness; power; ability; adequacy. The loan demonstrates, in regard to instrumental resources, the competency of this kingdom to the assertion of the common cause.…
  43. Cŏm'pe-tent, a.p. 261Answering to all requirements; adequate; sufficient; fit. “A competent knowledge of the world.” Atterbury. “Competent age.” Grafton. “Competent statesmen.” Palfrey. “A competent witness.” Bouvier. 2.…
  44. Cŏm'pe-tent-ly, adv.p. 261In a competent manner; adequately; suitably.
  45. Com-pĕt'i-ble, a.p. 261Compatible. [Obs.] More.
  46. Cŏm'pe-tĭ'tion, n.p. 261The act of seeking, or endeavoring to gain, what another is endeavoring to gain at the same time; common strife for the same object; strife for superiority; rivalry; emulous contest. A portrait, with…
  47. Com-pĕt′i-tive, a.p. 261Producing competition; pertaining to competition; rival; emulous. “Is trade competitive?” E. B. Browning.
  48. Com-pĕt'i-tor, n.p. 261One who seeks and endeavors to obtain what another seeks; or one who claims what another claims; a rival. And can not brook competitors in love. Shak. 2. One who associates himself with another; a…
  49. Com-pĕt'i-to-ry, a.p. 261Acting in competition; rival.
  50. Com-pĕt'i-tress or Com-pĕt'i-trix, n.p. 261A female competitor.
  51. Cŏm'pi-lā'tion, n.p. 261The act or process of compiling or gathering together from various sources. 2. That which is compiled; especially a book or document composed of materials gathered from other books or documents. His…
  52. Cŏm'pi-lā'tor, n.p. 261A collector. [Obs.] Chaucer.
  53. Com-pīle', v. t.p. 261To put together; to compose; to construct; to build; to frame. [Obs.] Before that Merlin died, he did intend A brazen wall in compass to compile. Spenser. 2. To contain or comprise. [Obs.] After so…
  54. Com-pīle'ment, n.p. 261The act of piling together or heaping; coacervation. [Rare.] Woodward.
  55. Com-pīl'er, n.p. 261A collector of parts of authors, or of separate papers or accounts; one who forms a book or composition from various authors or separate papers.
  56. Com-plā'cençe or Com-plā'cen-cy, n.p. 261A feeling of quiet pleasure; satisfaction; gratification. The inward complacence we find in acting reasonably and virtuously. Atterbury. Others proclaim the infirmities of a great man with…
  57. Com-plā'cent, a.p. 261Accompanied with pleasure; gratified; displaying satisfaction. They look up with a sort of complacent awe to kings. Burke.
  58. Com'pla-cen'tial, a.p. 262Marked by complacence; accommodating. “Complacential regards.” Cogan.
  59. Com'pla-cen'tial-ly, adv.p. 262In a complacential or accommodating manner.
  60. Com-plâ'cent-ly, adv.p. 262In a complacent manner.