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.
Doub'le-mind'ed, a. p. 406Having different minds at different times; unsettled; wavering; unstable; undetermined. Jas. i. 8.Doub'le-ness, n. p. 406The state of being double or doubled. 2. Duplicity; insincerity. Chaucer.Doub'le-ōc'tāve, n. p. 406(Mus.) An interval composed of two octaves, or fifteen notes, in diatonic progression; a fifteenth.Doub'le-plēa, n. p. 406(Law.) A plea alleging several distinct matters in answer to the declaration, where either of such matters alone would be a sufficient bar to the action. Stephen.Doub'le-quar'rel, n. p. 406(Eccl. Law.) A complaint of the clerk to the archbishop against an inferior ordinary, for delay of justice. Burrill.Doub'le-quick, n. p. 406(Mil.) The fastest time or step, in marching, next to the run, requiring one hundred and sixty-five steps, each thirty-three inches in length, to be taken in one minute. The degree of swiftness may…Doub'le-quick, a. p. 406(Mil.) Performed in the time called double-quick; as, a double-quick step or march.Doub'le-quick, v. i. & t. p. 406(Mil.) To move, or cause to move, in double-quick time.Doub'ler, n. p. 406One who, or that which, doubles. 2. An instrument for augmenting a very small quantity of electricity, so as to render it manifest by sparks or the electrometer.Doub'le-salt, n. p. 407(Chem.) A compound salt consisting of two salts in chemical combination, as common alum, which contains sulphate of alumina and sulphate of potash.Doub'le-shāde, v. t. p. 407To double the natural darkness of a place. Milton.Doubl'e-shī'n-ing, a. p. 407Shining with double luster. “The sports of double-shining day.” Sidney.Dou'ble-star, n. p. 407(Astron.) Two stars so near to each other as to be seen separate by means of a telescope only. ☞ Such stars may be only optically near to each other, or physically connected so that they revolve…Doub'let, n. p. 407Two of the same kind; a pair; a couple. 2. (Print.) A word or phrase unintentionally doubled, or set up the second time. 3. The inner garment of a man; a waistcoat or vest;—so called with respect to…Dou'ble-thread'ed, a. p. 407Consisting of two threads twisted together.Doub'le-tŏngued, a. p. 407Making contrary declarations on the same subject at different times; deceitful. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubled-tongued. 1 Tim. iii. 8.Doub'lets, n. pl. p. 407A game played with dice upon tables, and bearing some resemblance to backgammon. [Obs.] 2. Two dice, each of which, when thrown, has the same number of spots on the face lying uppermost; as, to throw…Dou'ble-vault, n. p. 407(Arch.) A vault or dome composed of two domes, one within the other, the internal dome being of less altitude than the external, and made to harmonize with the proportions of the interior of the…Doub'ling, n. p. 407The act of making double. 2. (Her.) The lining of the mantle borne about the shield or escutcheon. 3. (Slating.) The course of slates at the eaves of a house. Ogilvie.Doub'ling-nāil, n. p. 407A nail used in constructing the lining of the gun-ports in vessels of war. Clarke.Doub-lōon′, n. p. 407A Spanish and Portuguese coin, of the value of from fifteen to nearly sixteen dollars.Doŭb'ly, adv. p. 407In twice the quantity; to twice the degree; as, doubly wise or good; to be doubly sensible of an obligation. Dryden.Doubt, v. i. p. 407To waver or fluctuate in opinion; to hesitate; to be in suspense; to be in uncertainty respecting any thing; to be undetermined. Even in matters divine, concerning some things, we may lawfully doubt…Doubt, v. t. p. 407To question or hold questionable; to withhold assent to; to dissent from; to hesitate to believe; to withhold confidence from; as, I have heard the story, but I doubt the truth of it. To admire…Doubt, n. p. 407A fluctuation of mind arising from defect of knowledge or evidence; uncertainty of mind; unsettled state of opinion; suspense; hesitation. Doubt is the beginning and the end of our efforts to know.…Doubt'a-ble, a. p. 407[O. Fr. doubtable, doutable, Sp. dudable, It. dubitabile, Lat. dubitabilis, from dubitare. 1. Capable of being doubted; questionable. 2. Worthy of being feared; formidable; redoubtable. [Obs.]…Doubt'ance, n. p. 407State of being in doubt; uncertainty; doubt. [Obs.] Chaucer.Doubt'er, n. p. 407One who doubts; one whose opinion is unsettled; one who scruples.Doubt'ful, a. p. 407Not settled in opinion; undetermined; wavering; hesitating; as, we are doubtful of a fact, or of the propriety of a measure. 2. Admitting of doubt; not obvious, clear, or certain; questionable; not…Doubt'ful-ly, adv. p. 407In a doubtful manner; dubiously; irresolutely; ambiguously; fearfully. Nor did the goddess doubtfully declare. Dryden.Doubt'ful-ness, n. p. 407A state of being doubtful; dubiousness; instability of opinion. Watts. 2. Uncertainty of meaning; ambiguity; indefiniteness. Locke. 3. Uncertainty of event or issue. Johnson.Doubt'ing-ly, adv. p. 407In a doubting manner; dubiously; without confidence.Doubt'less, a. p. 407Free from fear or apprehension of danger; secure. [Obs.] Pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure. Shak.Doubt'less, adv. p. 407Without doubt or question; unquestionably.Doubt'less-ly, adv. p. 407Unquestionably. [Obs.] B. & Fl.Doubt'ous, a. p. 407Doubtful. [Obs.] Chaucer.Douc, n. p. 407(Zool.) A monkey (Simia nemæus), remarkable for its varied and brilliant colors. It is a native of Cochin China. Van der Hoeven.Dou'ced or Dou'cet, n. p. 407A musical instrument, supposed by some to be the dulcimer. [Obs.] Halliwell.Douce'-pēre, n. p. 407One of the twelve peers of France. [Obs.] “Looking like a doughty douce-pere.” Spenser.Dou'cet, n. p. 407Dow'set p. 407A custard. [Obs.] “Fresh cheese and dowsets.” Drayton. 2. A douced. [Obs.]Dou'cet, n. p. 407See DOWCET.Dou-ceur', n. p. 407A present or gift; especially one intended as a bribe. Burke. 2. Gentleness and sweetness of manner; agreeableness. Chesterfield.Dōuche, n. p. 407A jet or current of water or vapor directed with considerable force upon some diseased part of the body with a view to benefit it medicinally.Dou'cine, n. p. 407(Arch.) The same as Cyma recta. See CYMA.Douck'er, n. p. 407(Ornith.) The diver, a large water-bird of the genus Colymbus. [Prov. Eng.] Ray.Dōu'lon, n. p. 407A copper coin, current in the East Indies.Dōugh, n. p. 407Paste of bread; a mass of flour or meal moistened and kneaded, but not yet baked. My cake is dough, my undertaking has not come to maturity. Shak.Dōugh'-bāked, a. p. 407Imperfectly baked; hence, not brought to perfection; unfinished; and also, of weak or dull understanding. Halliwell.Dough'-fāce, n. p. 407One who is flexible, and easily molded. [U. S.] Bartlett.Dōugh'-fāced, a. p. 407Easily molded; pliable. [U. S.]Dōugh'face-ism, n. p. 407The character of a dough-face; willingness to be led about by one of stronger mind or will; cowardly weakness; pliability. [U. S.]Dough'i-ness, n. p. 407The state of being doughy.Dough'-knēad'ed, a. p. 407Soft; like dough. Milton.Dōugh'nŭt, n. p. 407A small, roundish cake, made of flour, eggs, and sugar, moistened with milk or with water, and fried in lard.Dough'ti-ly, adv. p. 407In a doughty manner.Dough'ti-ness, n. p. 407The quality of being doughty; valor; bravery.Dough'ty, a. p. 407Characterized by bravery; valiant; eminent; noble; illustrious; redoubtable; as, a doughty hero. Doughty families, hugging old musty quarrels to their hearts, buffet each other from generation to…Dōugh'y, a. p. 407Like dough; soft; yielding to pressure; pale. Shak.Dou-lōc'ra-cy, n. p. 407A government by slaves. “A people . . . fallen under a doulocracy.” Hare.