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An American Dictionary of the English Language

by Noah Webster

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.

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  1. Coun'ter-prōve', v. t.p. 303To take a counter-proof of, or a copy in reverse, by taking an impression directly from the face of an original.
  2. Coun'ter-rēv'o-lū'tion, n.p. 303A revolution opposed to a former one, and restoring a former state of things.
  3. Coun'ter-rèv'o-lû'tion-a-ry, a.p. 303Pertaining to a counter-revolution.
  4. Coun'ter-rĕv'o-lū'tion-ist, n.p. 303One engaged in, or befriending, a counter-revolution.
  5. Coun'ter-rōll, n.p. 303(O. Eng. Law.) A roll kept by an officer as a check upon another officer’s roll; a duplicate account; a counterpart. Burrill. ☞ As a verb this word is contracted into control. See CONTROL.
  6. Coun'ter-rōl'ment, n.p. 303A counter account. See CONTROL. [Obs.] Bacon.
  7. Coun'ter-round, n.p. 303(Mil.) A body of officers whose duty it is to visit and inspect the rounds and sentinels. Chambers.
  8. Coun'ter-sā'li-ent, a.p. 303(Her.) Leaping from each other;—said of two figures on a coat of arms.
  9. Counter-seâle, n.p. 303Balance, as of one scale against another. [Obs.] Howell.
  10. Coun'ter-scarf, n.p. 303See COUNTERSCARP.
  11. Coun'ter-scârp, n.p. 303(Fort.) The exterior slope of the ditch. ☞ It often signifies the whole covered way, with its parapet and glacis; as when it is said, the enemy have lodged themselves on the counterscarp. [See…
  12. Coun'ter-scŭf'fle, n.p. 303Opposite scuffle; contest.
  13. Coun'ter-sēal', v. t.p. 303To seal with another. Shak.
  14. Coun'ter-se-cūre', v. t.p. 303To give additional security to or for.
  15. Coun'ter-se-cû'ri-ty, n.p. 303Security given to one who has become surety for another.
  16. Coun'ter-sĕnse, n.p. 303Opposite meaning. Howell.
  17. Coun'ter-shaft, n.p. 303
  18. **Coun'ter-sign**, v. t.p. 303To sign on the opposite side of an instrument or writing; hence, to sign in addition to the signature of a principal or superior, in order to attest the authenticity of a writing.
  19. Coun'ter-sign, n.p. 303The signature of a secretary or other subordinate officer to a writing signed by the principal or superior, to attest its authenticity. 2. (Mil.) A private signal, word, or phrase, which must be…
  20. Coun'ter-sig'nal, n.p. 303A signal to answer or correspond to another.
  21. Coun'ter-sig'na-tūre, n.p. 303The name of a secretary or other subordinate officer countersigned to a writing. Below the imperial name is commonly a counter-signature of one of the cabinet ministers. Tooke.
  22. Coun'ter-sink', v. t.p. 303To form by drilling or turning, or otherwise, as a depression for the reception of the head of a screw or bolt below the surface, either wholly or in part; as, to countersink a hole for a screw. 2.…
  23. Coun'ter-sink, n.p. 303A cavity or depression formed for receiving the head of a screw or bolt. 2. A drill or cutting-tool to enlarge the outer end of a hole in countersinking.
  24. Coun'ter-slōpe, n.p. 303An overhanging slope; as, a wall with a counter-slope. Mahan.
  25. Coun'ter-stāte/ment, n.p. 303A statement made in opposition to, or denial of, another statement.
  26. Coun'ter-stăt'ūte, n.p. 303A contrary statute or ordinance.
  27. Coun'ter-stēp, n.p. 303A contrary method of procedure; opposite course of action.
  28. Coun'ter-stōck, n.p. 303See COUNTER-FOIL.
  29. Coun'ter-strōke, n.p. 303A contrary stroke; a stroke returned. Spenser.
  30. Coun'ter-sure/ty, n.p. 303A counter-bond, or a surety to secure one that has given security.
  31. Coun'ter-swal'low-tāil, n.p. 303(Fort.) An outwork in the form of a single tenaille wider at the gorge than at the head. Ogilvie.
  32. Coun'ter-swāy, n.p. 303Contrary sway; opposite influence.
  33. Coun'ter-tál'ly, n.p. 303A tally corresponding to another.
  34. Coun'ter-tāste, n.p. 303Opposite or false taste.
  35. Coun'ter-tēn'or, n.p. 303(Mus.) One of the middle parts, between the tenor and the treble; high tenor. See COUNTER, n.
  36. Coun'ter-tide, n.p. 303Contrary tide.
  37. Coun'ter-tim'ber, n.p. 303(Naut.) One of a number of short timbers placed in the stern of a vessel in order to strengthen the counter.
  38. Coun'ter-time, n.p. 303(Man.) The resistance of a horse, that interrupts his cadence and the measure of his manage, occasioned by a bad horseman, or the bad temper of the horse. 2. Resistance; opposition. Give not thus the…
  39. Coun'ter-trĕnch, n.p. 303(Fort.) A trench made so as to meet or oppose that of a besieging force.
  40. Coun'ter-tûrn, n.p. 303The height of a play, which puts an end to expectation. Dryden.
  41. Coun'ter-vāil', v. t.p. 303To act against with equal force, power, or effect; to thwart or overcome by such action; to furnish an equivalent to or for; to equal; to balance; to compensate. We are to compute, that upon…
  42. Coun'ter-vāil, n.p. 303Power or value sufficient to obviate any effect; equal weight, strength, or value; compensation; requital. South.
  43. Coun'ter-val-lā'tion, n.p. 303(Fort.) (a.) A chain of redoubts around a fortress, either unconnected or united by a parapet or breastworks, for the purpose of preventing sorties by the garrison. (b.) The operation of constructing…
  44. Coun'ter-view, n.p. 303An opposite or opposing view; opposition; a posture in which two persons front each other. Within the gates of hell sat Death and Sin, In counterview. Milton. 2. A position in which two dissimilar…
  45. Coun'ter-vōte', v. t.p. 303To vote in opposition to; to balance or overcome by voting; to outvote. Scott.
  46. Coun'ter-weigh', v. t.p. 303To weigh against; to counterbalance.
  47. Coun'ter-weight, n.p. 303A counterpoise.
  48. Coun'ter-wheel', v. t.p. 303(Mil.) To cause to wheel in an opposite direction.
  49. Coun'ter-wind, n.p. 303Contrary wind.
  50. Coun-ter-work', v. t.p. 303To work in opposition to; to hinder by contrary operations; to counteract. “That counterworks each folly and caprice.” Pope.
  51. Count'ess, n.p. 303The consort of an earl or count.
  52. Count'ing-house or Count'ing-rōōm, n.p. 303The house or room appropriated by merchants, traders, and manufacturers, to the business of keeping their books, accounts, letters, and papers.
  53. Count'less, a.p. 303Incapable of being counted; not having the number ascertained; not ascertainable; innumerable.
  54. Count'or, n.p. 303(O. Eng. Law.) An advocate or professional pleader; one who counted for his client, that is, related his case, recited his count, or orally pleaded his cause. [Obs.] Burrill.
  55. Coun'tri-fied, a.p. 303Having the appearance and manners of the country; rustic; rude. As being one who took no pride, And was a deal too countrified. Lloyd.
  56. Coûn’tri-fy, v. t.p. 303To render rustic; to cause to assume the manners of a rustic. C. Lamb.
  57. Coŭn’try, n.p. 303A tract of land; a region; — as distinguished from any other region, and with a personal pronoun, the region of one's birth, permanent residence, or citizenship. I might have learned this by my last…
  58. Coŭn'-try, a.p. 303Pertaining to the country or territory at a distance from a city; rural; rustic; as, a country town; the country party, as opposed to city. 2. Destitute of refinement; rude; ignorant; as, country…
  59. Coün'try-dănce, n.p. 303A dance in which the partners are arranged opposite to each other in lines.
  60. Coun'try-man, n.p. 303An inhabitant or native of a region. What countrymen, I pray? Of Mantua. Shak. 2. A fellow-inhabitant of a country; a co-resident; — used with a possessive pronoun. Alas! my friend, and my dear…