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.
Di'vĕrb, n. p. 398A saying in which two members of the sentence are contrasted: an antithetical proverb. [Obs.] Italy, a paradise for horses, a hell for women, as the diverb goes. Burton.Dĭ′ver-ber-ā′tion, n. p. 398A sounding through.Di-vĕrge', v. i. p. 398To extend, or proceed from a common point in different directions; to deviate gradually from a given course or line;—opposed to converge; as, rays of light diverge as they proceed from the sun. 2. To…Di-vērge'ment, n. p. 398Act of diverging; divergence.Di-vĕr'gence or Di-vĕr'gen-cy, n. p. 398[Fr. divergence, It. divergen-za, Sp. divergencia, Lat. divergens. [See infra.] A receding from each other in radiating lines; as, the divergence of lines, or the angle of divergence. Gregory.Dī-vĕr'gent, a. p. 398Departing or receding from each other, as lines radiating from the same point; deviating gradually from a given direction;—opposed to convergent.Di-vēr'ging-ly, adv. p. 398In a diverging manner.Dī'vers, a. p. 398Different in kind or species; various; diverse. [Obs.] Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds. Deut. xxii. 9. 2. Several; sundry; more than one, but not a great number; as, we have divers…Di'verse, a. p. 398Different in kind; different; unlike. And calling forth, straightway, A diverse dream out of his prison dark. Spencer. 2. Capable of various forms; multiform. Eloquence is a diverse thing. B. Jonson.Dī-vērse', adv. p. 398In different directions. And with tendrils creep diverse. Philips.Dī-vērse', v. i. p. 398To turn aside. [Obs.] “The red-cross knight diverst.” Spenser.Dī'verse-ly, adv. p. 398In different ways; differently; variously. “Diversely interpreted.” Bacon. 2. In different directions; to different points. On life's vast ocean diversely we sail. Pope.Dī-vĕr'si-fī/a-ble, a. p. 398Capable of being diversified or varied. Boyle.Di-vĕr'si-fi-cā'tion, n. p. 398The act of making various, or of changing forms or qualities. Boyle. 2. State of diversity or variation; modification; change; alteration. Infinite diversifications of tint may be produced.…Dī-vēr'si-fied, p. a. p. 398Distinguished by various forms, or by a variety of aspects; as, diversified scenery; a diversified landscape.Dī-vĕr'si-fōrm, a. p. 398Of a different form; of varied forms.Dī-vēr'si-fy, v. t. p. 398To make diverse or various in form or qualities; to give variety to; to variegate; to distinguish by numerous differences or aspects. “Separated and diversified one from another.” Locke. “Its seven…Dī'ver-sil'o-quent, a. p. 398Speaking in different ways. [Rare.]Dī-vērʹsion, n. p. 398The act of turning aside from any course, occupation, or object; as, the diversion of a stream from its channel; diversion of the mind from business. 2. That which diverts; that which turns or draws…Dī-vēr'si-ty, n. p. 398A state of difference; dissimilitude; unlikeness. Not resting in a bare diversity, rise into a contrariety. South. 2. Multiplicity of difference; variety. Roaring, shrieking, howling, jingling…Dī'ver-sīv'o-lent, a. p. 398Desiring many different things. [Obs.]Dī-vēr'so in-tēl'ē-tu p. 398(Law.) With a different intent or purpose; in a different view or point of view; by a different course or process.Dī-vĕr'so-ry, a. p. 398Serving to divert. [Obs.]Dī-vēr'so-ry, n. p. 398A wayside inn. [Obs. and rare.] Chapman.Dĭ-vĕrt’, v. t. p. 398To turn off from any course, direction, or intended application; to turn aside; as, to divert a river from its usual channel; to divert commerce from its usual course. “That crude apple that diverted…Dī-vērt', v. i. p. 398To turn aside; to digress. [Obs.] I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces. Evelyn.Dĭ-vĕrt'er, n. p. 398One who, or that which, diverts, turns off, or pleases.Dī-vĕr'ti-cle, n. p. 398A turning; a by-way. [Obs.] Hale. 2. (Anat.) A blind tube branching out of a longer one, especially out of the intestinal canal. Wright.Dī-vĕrt'ing-ly, adv. p. 398In an amusing or entertaining manner.Di-vērt'ing-ness, n. p. 398The quality of being amusing or diverting. [Rare.]Di-vĕrt'ise, v. t. p. 398To divert; to please; to entertain. [Obs.] Dryden.Di-vērt'ise-ment, n. p. 398Diversion; amusement; recreation. [Rare.] In these disagreeable divertisements the morning crept away as it could. W. Scott. 2. (pron. de-vērt'iz-mong.) [Fr.] A short ballet, or other entertainment…Di-vērt'ive, a. p. 398Tending to divert; amusing; interesting. “Things of a pleasant and divertive nature.” Rogers.Di-vēst', v. t. p. 398To strip, as of clothes, arms, or equipage;—opposed to invest. 2. To deprive; as, to divest one of his rights or privileges.Di-vēst'i-ble, a. p. 398Capable of being divested. Boyle.Di-vēst'i-tūre, n. p. 398The act of stripping, putting off, or depriving; the state of being divested; the surrender of rights, privileges, or property.Di-vĕst'ment, n. p. 398The act of divesting. [Rare.]Dī-vĕst'ūre, n. p. 398Act of putting off. [Obs.] Boyle.Di-vīd’a-ble, a. p. 398Capable of being divided. 2. Divided; separate; parted. [Obs.] Shak.Dĭ-vīd’ant, a. p. 398Different; separate. [Obs.] Shak.Di-vīde', v. t. p. 398To sever into parts or pieces; to separate; to sunder. Divide the living child in two. 1 Kings iii. 25. 2. To cause to be separate; to keep apart by a partition, or by an imaginary line or limit; as…Dī-vīde', v. i. p. 398To be separated; to part; to open; to cleave; to sunder. 2. To break friendship. “Brothers divide.” Shak. 3. To vote by separating a legislative house into two parts. The emperors sat, voted, and…Dĭ-vīde', n. p. 398A dividing ridge between the tributaries of two streams; a water-shed. J. C. Fremont.Di-vīd'ed, p. a. p. 398Parted; disunited; distributed. 2. (Bot.) Cut into divisions, by incisions extending nearly to the midrib;—said of a leaf.Di-vīd'ed-ly, adv. p. 398Separately. Knatchbull.Dĭv'i-dend, n. p. 398A sum divided; a division; a part or share made by division; the percentage divided;—applied in cases of the pro rata division of assets among creditors, or profits among stockholders. 2. (Arith.) A…Div'i-dent, n. p. 398Dividend; part; share; division. [Obs.] Foxe. 2. One who divides; a divider. [Obs.] Harrington.Di-vīd'er, n. p. 398One who, or that which, divides; that which separates into parts. 2. One who deals out to each his share; a distributor. Who made me a judge or a divider over you? Luke xii. 14. 3. One who, or that…Di-vīd'ing-ly, adv. p. 398By division.Dĭ’vĭ-dĭ’vĭ, n. p. 398(Bot.) A plant of tropical America (Cæsalpinia coriaria), whose legumes contain a large proportion of tannic and gallic acid, and are used by tanners and dyers.Dī-vid'ū-al, a. p. 399Divided, shared, or participated in common with others. [Rare.] His religion . . . is become a dividual movable. Milton.Di-vid'ū-al-ly, adv. p. 399By dividing.Di-vid'ū-ous, a. p. 399Divided; dividual. [Rare.] He so often substantiates distinctions into dividuous, self-subsistent. Coleridge.Div'i-nā'tion, n. p. 399The act of divining; a foretelling future events, or discovering things secret or obscure, by the aid of superior beings, or by other than human means. ☞ Among the ancient heathen philosophers…Dĭv'i-nā'tor, n. p. 399One who pretends to divination.Di-vin'a-to-ry, a. p. 399Professing, or relating to, divination. [Rare.] Raleigh.Dī-vīne', a. p. 399Belonging to God; as, divine perfections. “The immensity of the divine nature.” Paley. 2. Proceeding from God; as, divine judgments. A man resteth and assureth himself upon divine protection. Bacon.…Di-vīne', n. p. 399A minister of the gospel; a priest; a clergyman. Swift. The first divines of New England were surpassed by none in extensive erudition. J. Woodbridge. 2. A man skilled in divinity; a theologian; as…Di-vine', v. t. p. 399To foresee or foreknow; to predict; to presage; to detect. “A sagacity which divined the evil designs.” Bancroft. 2. To render divine; to deify. [Obs.] “Like angel new divined.” Spenser. Syn.—To…Di-vine', v. i. p. 399To use or practice divination. 2. To afford omens or auguries; to impart presages of the future; to utter prognostications. The prophets thereof divine for money. Micah iii. 11. 3. To have presages…