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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- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Coun'ter-stāte/ment, n. p. 303A statement made in opposition to, or denial of, another statement.Coun'ter-stăt'ūte, n. p. 303A contrary statute or ordinance.Coun'ter-stēp, n. p. 303A contrary method of procedure; opposite course of action.Coun'ter-stōck, n. p. 303See COUNTER-FOIL.Coun'ter-strōke, n. p. 303A contrary stroke; a stroke returned. Spenser.Coun'ter-sure/ty, n. p. 303A counter-bond, or a surety to secure one that has given security.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.Coun'ter-swāy, n. p. 303Contrary sway; opposite influence.Coun'ter-tál'ly, n. p. 303A tally corresponding to another.Coun'ter-tāste, n. p. 303Opposite or false taste.Coun'ter-tēn'or, n. p. 303(Mus.) One of the middle parts, between the tenor and the treble; high tenor. See COUNTER, n.Coun'ter-tide, n. p. 303Contrary tide.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.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…Coun'ter-trĕnch, n. p. 303(Fort.) A trench made so as to meet or oppose that of a besieging force.Coun'ter-tûrn, n. p. 303The height of a play, which puts an end to expectation. Dryden.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…Coun'ter-vāil, n. p. 303Power or value sufficient to obviate any effect; equal weight, strength, or value; compensation; requital. South.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…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…Coun'ter-vōte', v. t. p. 303To vote in opposition to; to balance or overcome by voting; to outvote. Scott.Coun'ter-weigh', v. t. p. 303To weigh against; to counterbalance.Coun'ter-weight, n. p. 303A counterpoise.Coun'ter-wheel', v. t. p. 303(Mil.) To cause to wheel in an opposite direction.Coun'ter-wind, n. p. 303Contrary wind.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.Count'ess, n. p. 303The consort of an earl or count.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.Count'less, a. p. 303Incapable of being counted; not having the number ascertained; not ascertainable; innumerable.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.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.Coûn’tri-fy, v. t. p. 303To render rustic; to cause to assume the manners of a rustic. C. Lamb.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…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…Coün'try-dănce, n. p. 303A dance in which the partners are arranged opposite to each other in lines.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…Coŭn’try-sēat, n. p. 303A dwelling in the country, used as a place of retirement from the city.Count'-wheel, n. p. 303The wheel in a clock which causes it to strike the hours correctly.Coūn’try-wom’an, n. p. 303A woman born, or who dwells, in the same country.Coun'ty, n. p. 303An earldom; the district or territory of a count or earl. [Obs.] 2. A circuit or particular portion of a state or kingdom, separated from the rest of the territory, for certain purposes in the…Coup de grâce p. 303The stroke of mercy by which an executioner ends the sufferings of one on the rack, &c., by death. Hence, a decisive, finishing stroke.Coup de main p. 303(Mil.) A rapid and unexpected attack or enterprise.Coup d'é-tat' p. 303(Politics.) A sudden, decisive blow; a stroke of policy.Coup d'œil p. 303A single view; glance of the eye. 2. (Mil.) That talent of rapid observation by which an officer, by a glance at a portion of ground, appreciates its importance, detects its strong and weak points…Coup de soleil p. 303(Med.) A stroke of the sun. See SUN-STROKE.Coupé, n. p. 303The front apartment of a French diligence; also, a similar apartment for three persons in front of the first carriage on railways in England. 2. A four-wheeled, close carriage for two persons inside…Cœu-pee', n. p. 303A motion in dancing, when one leg is a little bent, and raised from the ground, and with the other a motion is made forward. Chambers.Coup'le, n. p. 304That which links or connects two things together; a bond or tie; a coupler. [Obs.] It is of some sort with friends as it is with dogs in couples: they should be of the same size and humor.…Coûp'le, v. t. p. 304To link or connect together; to tie with one another; to join. Couple coming harms with sorrows past. Sidney. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds, And couple Clowder with the deep-mouthed…Coŭp'le, v. i. p. 304To come together as male and female; to form a sexual union.Coûp'le-bêg'gar, n. p. 304One who makes it his business to marry beggars to each other.Coûp'le-clōse or Coûp'le-clōss, n. p. 304(Her.) An ordinary consisting of the fourth part of a chevron on either side of a whole chevron. 2. (Arch.) A pair of spars for a roof.Coŭp'le-ment, n. p. 304Union; a coupling. [Obs.] “Allied with bands of mutual couplement.” Spenser.Coûp'ler, n. p. 304That which couples, as a link or ring to hold together the crucible-tongs in founding. Coupler of an organ, a contrivance by which any two or more of the ranks of keys, or keys and pedals, are…Coûp'let, n. p. 304Two taken together; a pair or couple; especially two lines of verse that rhyme with each other.Cou'pling, n. p. 304The act of bringing or coming together; connection; sexual union. 2. (Mach.) That which serves to couple or connect, as a hook, chain, or other contrivance; as, the coupling of railroad cars; any…Coŭp'ling-bŏx, n. p. 304(Mach.) A box or cylinder into which the ends of two shafts fit and are fastened for the purpose of connecting them in a line.Coŭp'ling-pĭn, n. p. 304A pin used for coupling or joining together railroad cars and other machinery.Cou'pon, n. p. 304(Com.) A certificate of interest due, printed at the bottom of transferable bonds (state, railroad, &c.), given for a term of years, designed to be cut off and presented for payment when the interest…Cou-pūre', n. p. 304(Mil.) A cut or excavation made across the parapet and terre-plein of a work.