Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
- Pages
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- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
De-spite'ful-ness, n. p. 362The state of being despiteful.Des-pĭt'e-ōus, a. p. 362Feeling or showing despite; malicious. [Obs.] “Despitous reproaches.” Holland. He was to sinful man not despitous. Chaucer.Des-pĭt'e-oŭs-ly, adv. p. 362In a despiteous manner. [Obs.] Speed.De-spoil', v. t. p. 362To strip, as of clothing; to divest or unclothe; to deprive for spoil; to bereave; to rob; to pillage;—usually followed by of. The clothed earth is then bare, Despoiled is the summer fair. Gower. He…De-spoil′, n. p. 363Despoliation. [Obs.] Wolsey.De-spoil'er, n. p. 363One who despoils or strips by force.De-spoil'ment, n. p. 363Act of despoiling; a plundering.De-spō'li-ā'tion, n. p. 363The act of despoiling, or the state of being despoiled.De-spōnd', v. i. p. 363To give up; to abandon hope; to lose courage; to become dispirited or depressed; to despair. I should despair, or at least despond. Scott’s Letters. Others depress their own minds, [and] despond at…De-spŏnd', n. p. 363Despondency. [Obs.] “The slough of despond.” Bunyan.De-spōnd'ençe or De-spōnd'en-cy, n. p. 363The state of desponding; abandonment of hope; discouragement; permanent depression or dejection. The people, when once infected, lose their relish for happiness, [and] saunter about with looks of…De-spōnd'ent, a. p. 363Marked by despondence; given to despondence; as, a despondent manner; a despondent prisoner.De-spōnd'ent-ly, adv. p. 363In a despondent manner.De-spōnd'er, n. p. 363One destitute of hope.De-spōnd'ing-ly, adv. p. 363In a desponding manner.De-spōn'sa'ge, n. p. 363Betrothal. [Obs.] Ethelbert . . . went peaceably to King Offa for desponsage of A thilrid, his daughter. Foxe.De-spŏn'/sāte, v. t. p. 363To betroth. [Obs.]Dēs'pon-sā'tion, n. p. 363A betrothing; alliance. [Obs.] For all this desponsation of her . . . she had not set one step toward the consummation of her marriage. Bp. Taylor.De-spōn'so-ry, n. p. 363A written pledge of marriage. The desponsories . . . in which Don Carlos was constituted the prince's proxy to marry the Infanta on his behalf. Clarendon.Dēs'pot, n. p. 363One who exercises or possesses absolute power over another; a master; a lord; especially, a sovereign invested with absolute power. 2. One who rules regardless of a constitution or laws; a tyrant.Des-pŏt'ic or Des-pŏt'ic-al, a. p. 363Having the character of, or pertaining to, a despot; absolute in power; unrestrained by, or regardless of, constitution and laws; evincing despotism; tyrannical; arbitrary.Des-pŏt'ic-al-ly, adv. p. 363In a despotic manner.Des-pöt'ic-al-ness, n. p. 363The state of being despotic.Dēs'pot-izm, n. p. 363The power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyranny. 2. A government which is directed by a despot; absolutism; autocracy. Despotism is the only form of government…Dĕs'pu-māte or De-spū'māte, v. i. p. 363To throw off impurities; to form froth or scum; to foam.Dēs'pu-mā'tion, n. p. 363The separation of the froth or scum on the surface of liquor; clarification; scumming.De-spūme′, v. t. p. 363To free from froth or foam. [Obs.] “If honey be despūmed.” Holland.Dēs'qua-mā'tion, n. p. 363(Med.) The separation of the cuticle or epidermis in the form of flakes or scales; exfoliation.Des-quām'a-to-ry, n. p. 363An instrument for the performance of the operation of desquamation.Dēss, n. p. 363The same as DESK. [Obs.]Des-sért′, n. p. 363A service of pastry, fruits, or sweetmeats, at the close of an entertainment; the last course at the table after the meat.Des-tĕm'per or Dis-tĕm'per, n. p. 363(Paint.) A peculiar sort of painting with opaque colors, ground and diluted with water, glue, &c. Elmes.Dĕs'tin, n. p. 363Destiny. [Obs.] Unless the Destiny's adamantine band / Should tie my teeth, I can not choose but bite. Marston.Dĕs'ti-na-ble, a. p. 363Capable of being destined. [Obs.] “Miracle of the order destinable.” Chaucer.Dĕs'ti-na-bly, adv. p. 363In a destinable manner.Dĕs'ti-nal, a. p. 363Determined by destiny; fated. [Obs.] “The destinal chain.” Chaucer.Dĕs'ti-nāte, v. t. p. 363To destine, design, or appoint. [Obs.] “That name that God . . . did destinate.” Udall.Dĕs'ti-nate, a. p. 363Appointed; destined; determined. [Obs.] “Destinate to hell.” Foxe.Dĕs'ti-nā'tion, n. p. 363The act of destining or appointing. 2. That to which any thing is destined or appointed; predetermined end, object, or use. 3. End of a journey; place or point aimed at. Syn. — Appointment; design…Dĕs'tine, v. t. p. 363To determine the future condition or application of; to appoint by decree or authority; to set apart by design or intention; to ordain; to allot; to doom; — generally with the remoter object preceded…Dĕs'ti-nĭst, n. p. 363A believer in destiny; a fatalist.Dĕs'ti-ny, n. p. 363That to which any person or thing is destined; appointed or predetermined state; foreordained condition; fate; doom. Thither he Will come to know his destiny. Shak. 2. The fixed order of things…**Dés'ti-tūte**, a. p. 363Not having in possession; in want; devoid; deficient; lacking; — followed by of. “Totally destitute of all shadow of influence.” Burke. 2. Not possessing the necessaries of life; in a condition of…Dĕs'ti-tūte, n. p. 363One who is without friends or comfort.Dĕs'ti-tūte, v. t. p. 363To leave deserted; to forsake. [Obs.] “To forsake or destitute a plantation.” Bacon. 2. To cause to be in want; to deprive; — followed by of. [Obs.] “Destituted of all honor and livings.” Holinshed.Dĕs'ti-tūte-ness, n. p. 363Destitution. [Rare.] Ash.Dĕs'ti-tū'tion, n. p. 363The state or condition of being destitute, needy, or without resources; deprivation; deficiency; lack; poverty.De-stroy′, v. t. p. 363To unbuild; to pull down; to separate violently into its constituent parts; to break up the structure and organic existence of. 2. To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to annihilate. 3. To…De-stroy'a-ble, a. p. 363Capable of being destroyed. [R.] Plants scarcely destroyable by the weather. Derham.De-stroy'er, n. p. 363One who destroys, ruins, kills, or desolates.De-strūct′, v. t. p. 363To destroy. [Obs.] “Either wholly destructed or marvelously corrupted.” Mede.De-strūc/ti-bil'i-ty, n. p. 363The quality of being capable of destruction.De-strûc'ti-ble, a. p. 363Liable to destruction; capable of being destroyed.De-strūc'ti-ble-ness, n. p. 363The quality or state of being destructible; destructibility.De-struc'tion, n. p. 363The act of destroying; demolition; the breaking up of a whole into parts, and consequent termination of life, beauty, health, or well-being; a pulling down; ruin; slaying; devastation. “Destruction…De-strūc'tion-ist, n. p. 363One who delights in destroying that which is valuable; one whose principles and influence tend to destroy existing institutions; a destructive. 2. (Theol.) One who believes in the final destruction…De-strŭc'tive, a. p. 363Causing destruction; tending to bring about ruin, death, or devastation; ruinous; productive of serious evil; pernicious;—often with of or to: as, intemperance is destructive of health; evil examples…De-strŭc'tive, n. p. 363One who destroys; a radical reformer; a destructionist.De-strŭc'tive-ly, adv. p. 363In a destructive manner or degree; ruinously; mischievously; with power to destroy. “The doctrine that states the time of repentance destructively to a pious life.” South.De-strūc'tive-ness, n. p. 363The quality of destroying or ruining. “Destructiveness of these monstrous ways to the speedy peace and settlement of our church.” Pryme. 2. (Phren.) The faculty which impels to the commission of acts…