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.
Dū'bi-tā-tive, a. p. 417Tending to doubt. [Rare.]Dū'cal, a. p. 417Pertaining to a duke; as, a ducal coronet. His ducal cap was to be exchanged for a kingly crown. Motley.Dū'cal-ly, adv. p. 417In the manner of a duke; in a manner becoming the rank of a duke.Dūc'at, n. p. 417A coin, either of silver or gold, of several countries in Europe, struck in the dominions of a duke. The silver ducat is generally of the value of four shillings and sixpence sterling, about equal to…Dūc'a-tōon', n. p. 417A silver coin of several countries of Europe, and of different values.Dū'cēs tē'cum p. 417A judicial process commanding a person to appear in court and bring with him books and documents in his hands pertaining to a matter to be heard.Dūch'ess, n. p. 417The consort or widow of a duke; also, a lady who has the sovereignty of a duchy in her own right.Dŭch'y, n. p. 417The territory or dominions of a duke; a dukedom.Dŭch'y-cōurt, n. p. 417The court of a duchy; and especially, of the duchy of Lancaster, in England, held before the chancellor of the duchy or his deputy, concerning all matters of equity relating to lands held by the king…Dŭck, n. p. 417A species of coarse cloth or light canvas, used for small sails, sacking of beds, &c.Dŭck, n. p. 417(Ornith.) A water-fowl of the family Anatidæ and order Anseres. The fresh-water ducks are of the sub-family Anatidæ, and the sea-ducks of the sub-family Fuligulinæ. Of the former, the common domestic…Dück, n. p. 418A pet; a darling. Shak.Dŭck, v. t. p. 418[N. H. Ger. ducken, tauchen, M. H. Ger. tucken, tücken, tächen, O. H. Ger. tâhhan, D. duiken, to stoop, dive, plunge, Prov. Eng. donk. 1. To dip or plunge in water and suddenly withdraw; as, to duck…Dŭck, v. i. p. 418To go under the surface of water and immediately return; to plunge the head in water or other liquid; to dip. In Tiber ducking thrice by break of day. Dryden. 2. To drop the head or person suddenly…Dŭck'-ánt, n. p. 418The termes, or white ant. [Jamaica.]Dŭck'-bĭll, n. p. 418(Zoöl.) A mammiferous animal of Australia and Van Diemen’s Land, having a bill resembling that of a duck, with the head of a quadruped; the ornithorhynchus or platypus; — called also mullangong…Dŭck'-billed, a. p. 418Having a bill like a duck; said of the animal called ornithorhynchus.Dück'er, n. p. 418One who ducks; a plunger; a diver. 2. A cringing, servile person; a fawner.Dŭck'-hawk, n. p. 418(Ornith.) A kind of bird having a long, rounded, or even, tail, lengthened wings, and the head furnished with a circle of feathers resembling that of an owl. It inhabits marshy grounds, and preys…Dück'ing-stōol, n. p. 418A stool or chair in which common scolds were formerly tied, and plunged into water, as a punishment; a cucking-stool. Blackstone. The practice of ducking began in the latter part of the 15th century…Dŭck'-lēgged, a. p. 418Having short legs, like a duck. Dryden.Dŭck'ling, n. p. 418A young or little duck. Gay.Dŭck'-mēat or Dŭck's'-mēat, n. p. 418(Bot.) A plant of the genus Lemna; duck-weed.Duck-oy', n. p. 418See DECOY.Dŭck's'-bĭll Lĭm'pet p. 418A genus of gastropodous mollusks. Ogilvie.Dŭck's'-foot, n. p. 418(Bot.) A low, herbaceous plant, of the genus Podophyllum, with white flowers hidden by the overshadowing broad leaves; — called also May-apple. Loudon.Dŭck'-weed, n. p. 418(Bot.) An annual plant of the genus Lemna, of many species, some of which form extensive green plats on stagnant water. It affords nourishment to ducks; — hence the name. Loudon.Dūct,, n. p. 418Any tube or canal by which a fluid or other substance is conducted or conveyed; especially, (a.) One of the vessels of an animal body by which the products of glandular secretion are conveyed to…Dūc'tile, a. p. 418Easily led or drawn out; tractable; flexible; pliable; complying; obsequious; yielding to motives, persuasion, or instruction; as, a ductile people. Addison. Forms their ductile minds To human…Dŭc'tile-ly, adv. p. 418In a ductile manner.Dūc'tile-ness or Duc-til'i-ty, n. p. 418The quality of being ductile; tractableness; flexibility; pliableness. Donne.Dŭc'ti-lim'e-ter, n. p. 418An instrument for accurately determining the ductility of metals.Dūc'tion or Dūc'tūre, n. p. 418Guidance. [Obs.] South.Dūc'tor, n. p. 418One who leads or commands. [Obs.] Browne.Dŭd'der, v. t. p. 418To deafen with noise; to render the head confused. Jennings.Dūd'der, v. i. p. 418To shiver or tremble; to dodder. I dudder and shake like an aspen leaf. Ford.Dăd'der, n. p. 418A peddler or hawker, especially of cheap and flashy goods pretended to be smuggled; a duffer.Dūd'der-y, n. p. 418A place where rags are bought and kept for sale. [Eng.]Dūd'geon, n. p. 418A small dagger; also, the hilt of a dagger. Shak.Dŭd'geon, n. p. 418Anger; resentment; malice; ill-will; discord. I drink it to thee in dudgeon and hostility. W. Scott.Dūdʹgeon, a. p. 418Coarse; rude; untaught. By my troth, though I am plain and dudgeon, I would not be an ass. Beau. & Fl.Dŭds, n. pl. p. 418Old clothes; tattered garments; colloquially, effects in general.Dūe, a. p. 418Owed; requiring payment; proper to be paid or done to another. 2. Required by the circumstances; proper; suitable; hence, enforced by conscience; required by natural or constitutional relations…Dūe, adv. p. 418Directly; exactly; as, a due east course.Dūe, n. p. 418That which is owed; that which one contracts to pay, do, or perform to another; that which is enforced by moral obligation or propriety of any kind; that which custom, station, or law requires to be…Dūe, v. t. p. 418To pay as due. [Obs.] Shak. 2. To endue. [Obs.] See ENDUE. Shak.Dūe'-bill, n. p. 418(Com.) A brief written acknowledgment of a debt, not made payable to order, and not transferable by indorsement, like a promissory note. Burrill.Dūe'ful, a. p. 418Fit; becoming. [Obs.] Spenser.Dū'el, n. p. 418A combat between two persons; especially, a premeditated fight between two persons to decide some private difference, or establish some point of honor. “Expert in all to duels that belong.” Drayton.Dū'el, v. i. or t. p. 418To fight in single combat. South.Dū'el-er, n. p. 418One who engages in a duel. [Rare.] South.Dū'el-ing, p. a. p. 418Pertaining to, or employed in, dueling; as, dueling pistols. [Written also duelling.]Du'el-ist, n. p. 418One who fights in single combat. A duelist . . . always values himself upon his courage, his sense of honor, his fidelity and friendship. Hume.Du-ěl'lo, n. p. 418A duel; single combat. 2. The practice of dueling, or the code of laws which regulates it. Shak.Du-ēl'lium, n. p. 418(O. Eng. & Scots Law.) A single contest between two, to prove the truth in a suit; the one who overcame being considered as having proved his case. Burrill.Dueña, n. p. 418See DONA.Dūe'ness, n. p. 418Fitness; propriety; due quality. [Obs.]Du-ēn'nä, n. p. 418The chief lady in waiting on the queen of Spain. Brande. 2. An elderly lady holding a middle station between a governess and companion, and appointed to have charge over the younger females in a…Du-ēt' or Du-ēt'to, n. p. 418(Mus.) A composition for two performers, whether vocal or instrumental.Dāff, n. p. 418Dough or paste. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. 2. A stiff flour pudding, boiled in a bag;—a term used especially by seamen.