Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Com-pĕn'di-ŭm, n. p. 261An abridgment or epitome. “A short system or compendium of a science.” Watts. Syn.—See ABRIDGMENT.Com-pĕn'sa-ble, a. p. 261Capable of being compensated. [Obs.] Cotgrave.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…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.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 .…Com-pĕn'sa-tĭve, a. p. 261Affording compensation.Com-pĕn'sa-to-ry, a. p. 261Serving for compensation; making amends. Bp. Taylor.Com-pĕnse', v. t. p. 261To recompense. [Obs.] Bacon.Cŏm'pe-rĕn'di-nāte, v. t. p. 261To delay. [Obs.] Bailey.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…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.…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.…Cŏm'pe-tent-ly, adv. p. 261In a competent manner; adequately; suitably.Com-pĕt'i-ble, a. p. 261Compatible. [Obs.] More.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…Com-pĕt′i-tive, a. p. 261Producing competition; pertaining to competition; rival; emulous. “Is trade competitive?” E. B. Browning.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…Com-pĕt'i-to-ry, a. p. 261Acting in competition; rival.Com-pĕt'i-tress or Com-pĕt'i-trix, n. p. 261A female competitor.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…Cŏm'pi-lā'tor, n. p. 261A collector. [Obs.] Chaucer.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…Com-pīle'ment, n. p. 261The act of piling together or heaping; coacervation. [Rare.] Woodward.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.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…Com-plā'cent, a. p. 261Accompanied with pleasure; gratified; displaying satisfaction. They look up with a sort of complacent awe to kings. Burke.Com'pla-cen'tial, a. p. 262Marked by complacence; accommodating. “Complacential regards.” Cogan.Com'pla-cen'tial-ly, adv. p. 262In a complacential or accommodating manner.Com-plâ'cent-ly, adv. p. 262In a complacent manner.Com-plain', v. i. p. 262To express distress, pain, or censure; to lament; to murmur; to find fault; — commonly used with of. O loss of sight, of thee I most complain. Milton. 2. To make a formal assertion of injuries; to…Com-plāin', v. t. p. 262To lament; to bewail. [Obs.] They might the grievance inwardly complain, But outwardly they needs must temporize! Daniel.Com-plāin'a-ble, a. p. 262Capable of being complained of. [Rare.] Feltham.Com-plāin'ant, n. p. 262One who makes complaint. “Eager complainants.” Collier. 2. (Law.) (a.) One who commences a legal process by a complaint. (b.) The actor or party suing in equity, answering to the plaintiff at common…Com-plāin'er, n. p. 262One who complains or laments; one who finds fault; a murmurer. Beattie.Com-plāin'ful, a. p. 262Full of complaint. [Rare.]Com-plāint′, n. p. 262Expression of grief, regret, pain, censure, or resentment; lamentation; murmuring. I have, and most unwillingly, of late Heard many grievous, I do say, my lord, Grievous complaints of you. Shak. 2.…Com-plāint'ful, a. p. 262Full of complaint. [Obs.]Cŏm'plai-sănce', n. p. 262A deportment indicative of a desire to please; obliging compliance with the wishes of others; courtesy; civility. These [ladies] compose half the world, and are by the just complaisance and gallantry…Còm'plai-sant, a. p. 262Desirous to please; courteous; obliging; as, a complaisant gentleman. There are to whom my satire seems too bold, Scarce to wise Peters complaisant enough, And something said of Chartres much too…Cŏm'plai-sant-ly, adv. p. 262In a complaisant manner; with civility. Pope.Cŏm'plai-sant-ness, n. p. 262The quality of complaisance; civility. [Rare.]Cōm'pla-nate, a. p. 262Flattened to a level surface.Cōm'pla-nāte, v. t. p. 262To make level; to reduce to an even surface. Derham.Com-plāne', v. t. p. 262To complanate. [Rare.]Cŏm'ple-ment, n. p. 262That which fills up, completes, or supplies a deficiency; the quantity or number required to fill a thing or make it complete; fullness or completeness. “To exceed his complement and number appointed…Cŏm'ple-mĕnt'al, a. p. 262Supplying, or tending to supply, a deficiency; fully completing. “Complemental ceremony.” Prynne.Cŏm'ple-mĕnt'a-ry, a. p. 262Serving to fill out or to complete; as, complementary colors or numbers.Cŏm'ple-mĕn't'a-ry, n. p. 262One skilled in compliments. [Obs.] B. Jonson.Com-ple'te, a. p. 262Filled up; free from deficiency; entire; perfect; consummate. “Complete perfections.” Milton. 2. Finished; ended; concluded; as, the edifice is complete. This course of vanity almost complete. Prior.…Com-plēte′, v. t. p. 262To bring to a state in which there is no deficiency; to perfect; to consummate; to accomplish; as, to complete a task, or a poem; to complete a course of education. “Bred only and completed to the…Com-plēte'ly, adv. p. 262In a complete manner; fully; entirely. Swift.Com-plēte'ment, n. p. 262The act of completing; a finishing. [Obs.] Dryden.Com-plēte'ness, n. p. 262The state of being complete; perfection. Watts.Com-plè'tion, n. p. 262The act, process, or state of being complete; as, the completion of an undertaking; the completion of an education. “The completion of some repairs.” Prescott. 2. Fulfillment; accomplishment…Com-plē'tive, a. p. 262Making complete. Harris.Com·plē'to·ry, a. p. 262Serving to fulfill; accomplishing. “Completory of ancient presignifications and predictions.” Barrow.Cŏm'ple-to-ry, n. p. 262(Eccl.) The evening service; the compline of the Roman Catholic church. Hooper.Cŏm'plex, a. p. 262Composed of two or more parts; composite; not simple; as, a complex being; a complex idea. Ideas thus made up of several simple ones put together, I call complex; such as beauty, gratitude, a man, an…Cŏm′plex, n. p. 262Assemblage; collection; complication. [Rare.] This parable of the wedding supper comprehends in it the whole complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel. South.Com-plĕxed’, a. p. 262Complex. Browne.