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.
Dē-fĭl-āde', v. t. p. 346(Fort.) To raise so as to shelter interior works when in danger of being commanded by an enemy from some higher point; as, to defilade the exposed side of a fortress.De-fīle', v. t. p. 346(Fort.) The same as DEFILADE. See DEFILADE.De-fīle′ or Dē′fīle, n. p. 346A narrow passage or way, in which troops can march only in a file, or with a narrow front; a long, narrow pass, as between hills, &c. 2. (Fort.) The act of defilading a fortress, or of raising the…De-file', v. t. p. 346To make unclean; to render foul or dirty; to befoul; to pollute; to corrupt. They that touch pitch will be defiled. Shak. 2. To make impure; to render turbid; as, the water or liquor is defiled. 3.…De-file', v. i. p. 346To march off file by file; to file off.De-fīle'ment, n. p. 346The act of defiling, or state of being defiled, whether physically or morally; foulness; dirtiness; uncleanness. “Defilements of the flesh.” Hopkins. The chaste can not take into such filth without…De-fīl'er, n. p. 346One who defiles; one who corrupts or violates; that which pollutes.De-fīn'a-ble, a. p. 346Capable of being defined, limited, or explained; determinable; describable by definition; ascertainable; as, definable limits; definable distinctions; definable words.De-fīn'a-bly, adv. p. 346In a definable manner.De-fine', v. t. p. 346To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end. “To define controversies.” Barrow. 2. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a…De-fine', v. i. p. 346To determine; to decide. [Obs.]De-fine'ment, n. p. 346The act of defining; definition; description. [Obs.] Shak.De-fin'er, n. p. 346One who defines, determines, or explains.Dĕf'i-nĭte, a. p. 346Having certain limits; determinate in extent or greatness; as, definite dimensions; a definite measure; a definite period or interval. Elements combine in definite proportions. Whewell. 2. Having…Dĕf'i-nĭte, n. p. 346A thing defined. [Obs.] Ayliffe.Dĕf'i-nĭte-ly, adv. p. 346In a definite manner.Dĕf'i-nĭte-ness, n. p. 346The state of being definite; determinateness; precision.Def/i-nĭ'tion, n. p. 346The act of defining, determining, distinguishing, explaining, or establishing the signification of. Definition being nothing but making another understand by words what the term defined stands for.…Dĕf′-i-nĭ′tion-al, a. p. 346Employed in defining; abounding in definitions.De-fīn'i-tive, a. p. 346Determinate; positive; final; conclusive; unconditional; express. “A strict and definitive truth.” Browne. “Some definitive and permanent scheme of reconciliation.” Prescott. 2. Limiting…De-fin'i-tive, n. p. 346(Gram.) A word used to define or limit the extent of the signification of a common noun, such as the article, and some pronouns. ☞ Definitives . . . are commonly called by grammarians articles. . .…De-fĭn'i-tive-ly, adv. p. 346In a definitive manner; finally; conclusively; positively.De-fīn'i-tive-ness, n. p. 346Determinateness; conclusiveness.De-fin'i-tūde, n. p. 346Definiteness. Definitude . . . is a knowledge of minute differences. Sir W. Hamilton.De-fixʹ, v. t. p. 346To fix; to fasten; to establish. [Obs.] “To defix their princely seat . . . in that extreme province.” Hakluyt.Def'-la-gra-bil'i-ty, n. p. 346(Chem.) The state of being deflagrable. “The ready deflagrability of saltpeter.” Boyle.De-flā′gra-ble or Dēfla-gra-ble, a. p. 346(Chem.) Having the quality of burning with a sudden and sparkling combustion, as niter.Dĕf'la-grāte, v. i. p. 346(Chem.) To burn with a sudden and sparkling combustion; as, niter will deflagrate.Dĕf'la-grāte, v. t. p. 346(Chem.) To cause to burn with sudden and sparkling combustion; as, to deflagrate alcohol.Dĕf'la-grā´tion, n. p. 346(Chem.) A sudden and sparkling combustion, but without explosion, attended with much evolution of flame and gas, as of metals by an electric current.Dĕf'la-grā'tor, n. p. 347(Chem.) A form of the voltaic battery used for producing rapid and powerful combustion, particularly the combustion of metallic substances.De-flĕct', v. i. p. 347To turn aside; to deviate from a right line, proper position, course, or direction; to swerve. “To deflect from the line of truth and reason.” Warburton. At some part of the Azores, the needle…De-flĕct', v. t. p. 347To cause to turn aside.De-flĕct'ed, p. a. p. 347Turned aside, or from a direct line or course. 2. (Bot.) Bending downward archwise.De-flĕc'tion, n. p. 347The act of turning aside; a turning from a right line or proper course; deviation. The other leads to the same point, through certain deflections. Lowth. 2. (Naut.) The departure of a ship from its…De-flec'tor, n. p. 347(Mech.) A diaphragm in a furnace, as of a boiler, to deflect and mingle air and gas, and give them time and room to burn.De-flĕx'üre, n. p. 347A bending or turning aside; deflection. Bailey.De-flō'rate, a. p. 347(Bot.) Past the flowering state, as an anther after it has discharged its pollen. Gray.Děf'/lo-rā'/tion, n. p. 347The act of deflouring. Johnson. 2. That which is chosen as the choicest part or flower. [Rare.] The laws of Normandy are, in a great measure, the defloration of the English laws. Hale.De-flour', v. t. p. 347To deprive of flowers. “Rending the cedars, deflouring the gardens.” Mountague. 2. To take away the prime beauty and grace of; to rob of the choicest ornament. He died before the sweetness of his…De-flour'er, n. p. 347One who deflours.De-flōw’, v. i. p. 347To flow down. [Obs.] Browne.Dĕf'lu-ous, a. p. 347Flowing down; falling off. [Obs.] Bailey.De-flū'vĭ-ŭm, n. p. 347A falling off, as of the hair or the bark of trees by disease.De-flŭx′, n. p. 347A flowing down; a running downward. [Obs.] “Deflux of humors.” Bacon.}De-flŭx'ion, n. p. 347(Med.) A flowing, running, or falling of humors or fluid matter, from a superior to an inferior part; a discharge or flowing off of humors;—sometimes used synonymously with inflammation. Dunglison.Dĕf'ly, adv. p. 347Dexterously; skilfully; deftly. [Obs.]Dĕf'e-dā'tion, n. p. 347The act of making filthy. [Obs.] Bentley.De-fō'li-ā'ted, a. p. 347Deprived of leaves.De-fō'li-ā'tion, n. p. 347The fall of the leaf, or shedding of leaves. 2. The time or season of shedding leaves in autumn;—said of plants or trees.De-fōrce′, v. t. p. 347(Law.) (a.) To keep from the lawful possession of the owner; to withhold wrongfully the possession of, as of lands or a freehold. (b.) (Scots Law.) To resist the execution of the law; to oppose by…De fōrce'ment, n. p. 347(Law.) (a.) A keeping out by force or wrong; a wrongful withholding, as of lands or tenements, to which another has a right. (b.) (Scots Law.) Resistance to an officer in the execution of law.…De-fōrce'or, n. p. 347Same as DEFORCIANT.De-fōr'ciant, n. p. 347(Eng. Law.) (a.) One who keeps out of possession the rightful owner of an estate. (b.) One against whom a fictitious action of fine was brought. [Obs.] Burrill.De-fōr/ci-ā'tion, n. p. 347(Law.) A withholding by force or fraud from rightful possession; deforcement.De-fōrm', v. t. p. 347To mar or alter in form; to disfigure. Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time Into this breathing world. Shak. 2. To render displeasing; to deprive of comeliness or perfection; to dishonor.…De-fōrm',, a. p. 347Being of an unnatural, distorted, or disproportioned form; deformed. [Obs.] Sight so deform what heart of rock could long Dry-eyed behold? Milton.Dĕf/or-mā'tion, n. p. 347Act of disfiguring or defacing. Bp. Hall.De-fôrm'ed-ly, adv. p. 347In an ugly manner.De-fōrm'ed-ness, n. p. 347The quality of being deformed; ugliness.