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.
Fer-mĕnt'al, a. p. 506Having power to cause fermentation; fermentative. [Obs.] Browne.Fēr′-men-tā′tion, n. p. 506That change of organic substances by which their starch, sugar, gluten, &c., under the influence of water, air, and warmth, are decomposed, usually with evolution of gas and heat, and their elements…Fer-mĕnt'a-tive, a. p. 506Causing, or consisting in, fermentation; as, fermentative heat or process.Fer-mĕnt'a-tive-ness, n. p. 506The state of being fermentative.Fēr'men-tēs'ci-ble, n. p. 506A body that enters into fermentation when in contact with a fermenting or putrescent body.Fĕr'mil-let, n. p. 506A buckle or clasp. [Obs.] Donne.Fērn, n. p. 506(Bot.) An order of cryptogamous plants, the Filices, which have their fructification on the back of the fronds or leaves. They are usually found in humid soil, sometimes grow parasitically on trees…Fērn'er-y, n. p. 506A place for rearing ferns.Fērn'-owl, n. p. 506(Ornith.) The European goatsucker, or nightjar, a bird of the genus Caprimulgus.Fērn'ti-ile, n. p. 506A freckle on the skin, resembling the seed of fern. [Prov. Eng.]Fērn'y, a. p. 506Abounding in fern; overgrown with fern. Barret.Fe-rō'cioŭs, a. p. 506Fierce; savage; wild; indicating cruelty; ravenous; rapacious; as, a ferocious look or features; a ferocious lion. Syn.—FEROCIOUS, FIERCE, SAVAGE, BARBAROUS. When these words are applied to human…Fe-rō'ciōŭs-ly, adv. p. 506Fiercely; with savage cruelty.Fe-rō'ciŏus-ness, n. p. 506The state of being ferocious; savage fierceness; ferocity.Fe-rō'ci-ty, n. p. 506Savage wildness or fierceness; fury; cruelty; as, ferocity of countenance. “The pride and ferocity of a Highland chief.” Macaulay.Fē'rōŭs, a. p. 506Wild; savage. Wilson.Fer-rān'dine, n. p. 506A stuff made of silk and wool. “I did buy a colored silk ferrandine.” Pepys.Fer-rä'ra, n. p. 506A sword of excellent temper, made of steel from Ferrara, Italy. The kind most prized was manufactured by Andrea di Ferrara; hence such a sword was often called an Andrea Ferrara. W. Scott.Fēr'ra-rēse', a. p. 506(Geog.) Pertaining to Ferrara, in Italy.Fĕr'ra-rēse', n., sing. & pl. p. 506(Geog.) A native, or naturalized inhabitant, of Ferrara; collectively, the inhabitants of Ferrara.Fē'r'ra-ry, n. p. 506The art of working in iron. [Obs.] Chapman.Fē'r're-ous, a. p. 506Partaking of, made of, or pertaining to, iron; like iron. Browne.Fēr'ret, n. p. 506(Zoöl.) An animal of the weasel kind (Mustela or Putorius furo), about 14 inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in…Fĕr'ret, v. t. p. 506To drive or hunt out of a lurking-place, as a ferret does the cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts;—often used with out. Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, And ferret him. Shak.Fēr'ret-er, n. p. 506One who ferrets or hunts another in his private retreat.Fer-rēt'to, n. p. 506Copper calcined with brimstone or white vitriol, used to color glass. Hebert.Fēr'ri-age, n. p. 506The price or fare to be paid at a ferry; the compensation established or paid for conveyance over a river or lake in a boat.Fē'r'rie, a. p. 506Pertaining to, or extracted from, iron. Ferric acid (Chem.), an acid consisting of one atom of iron and three atoms of oxygen.Fēr'ri-er, n. p. 506A ferryman. Calthrop.Fer-rif'er-ōus, a. p. 506Producing or yielding iron. Phillips.Fĕr'ro-cy'a-nate, n. p. 506(Chem.) A compound of ferrocyanic acid with a base.Fēr'ro-cy-ān'ic, a. p. 506(Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, iron and cyanogen. Ferro-cyanic acid, proto-cyanide of iron.Fĕr'ro-cy'a-nīde, n. p. 506(Chem.) A compound of the proto-cyanide of iron with some other cyanide.Fer-rū'gi-nā'ted, a. p. 506Having the color or properties of the rust of iron.Fēr'ru-gīn'e-ōūs, a. p. 506Ferruginous.Fer-rū'gi-nous, a. p. 506Partaking of iron; containing particles of iron. 2. Resembling iron-rust in appearance or color; brownish-red, mixed with gray.Fer-rū'go, n. p. 506A disease of plants caused by fungi, commonly called the rust, from resembling iron-rust in color.Fĕr'rule, n. p. 506A ring of metal put round a cane, tool-handle, or other thing, to strengthen it, or prevent splitting. 2. (Steam-boilers.) A bushing for expanding the end of a flue.Fer-rū'mi-nāte, v. t. p. 506To solder or unite, as metals. [Rare.]Fer-ru'mi-nā'tion, n. p. 506The soldering or uniting of metals.Fĕr'ry, v. t. p. 506To carry or transport over a river, strait, or other water, in a boat.Fĕr'ry, v. i. p. 506To pass over water in a boat. They ferry o'er this Lethean sound Both to and fro. Milton.Fĕr'ry, n. p. 506A vessel in which passengers and goods are conveyed over narrow waters; a wherry. Spenser. 2. A place where persons or things are carried across a river or other water in ferry-boats. It can pass the…Fēr'ry-bōat, n. p. 506A boat for conveying passengers over streams and other narrow waters.Fēr'ry-man, n. p. 506One who keeps a ferry, and transports passengers over a river.Fĕr'tile, a. p. 506Producing fruit in abundance; fruitful; able to produce abundantly; prolific; productive; rich; inventive; produced in abundance; as, fertile land or fields; a fertile mind or imagination. Shall tend…Fēr'tīle-ly, adv. p. 506In a fertile or fruitful manner.Fēr'tile-ness, n. p. 506Fertility.Fer-tĭl'i-tāte, v. t. p. 506To make productive; to impregnate; to fertilize. [Obs.] Browne.Fer-tĭl'i-ty, n. p. 506The state of being fertile or fruitful; fruitfulness; the quality of producing fruit in abundance; richness; abundance of resources; fertile invention; as, the fertility of soil, or of imagination.…Fēr'ti-līze, v. t. p. 506To make fertile or enrich; to supply with nourishment for plants; to make fruitful or productive; as, to fertilize land, soil, ground, and meadows. And fertilize the field that each pretends to gain.…Fēr'ti-li-zā'tion, n. p. 506The act or process of rendering fertile. 2. (Bot.) The process by which the pollen renders the ovule fertile. Henslow. 3. (Physiol.) The act or process of fecundating the ovum. Carpenter.Fēr'ti-līz'er, n. p. 506One who, or that which, renders fertile; as, to employ guano as a fertilizer.Fēr'ū-lă, n. p. 506(Bot.) A genus of plants; giant fennel. The inspissated juice of the roots of some species, especially F. Persica, is the asafetida of commerce. 2. A ferule. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl. 3. The emperor’s…Fēr'ū-lar, n. p. 506A ferule. [Obs.] Milton.Fēr'ū-lā'ceous, a. p. 506Pertaining to reeds and canes; having a stalk like a reed; or resembling the ferula: as, ferulaceous plants.Fēr'ule, n. p. 506A flat piece of wood, used for striking children in punishment.Fēr'ule, v. t. p. 506To punish with a ferule.Fēr'vençe, n. p. 506Heat; fervency. [Obs.] Chapman.Fēr'ven-cy, n. p. 506The state of being fervent or warm; heat of mind; ardor; eagerness; warmth of devotion. Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he With fervency drew up. Shak.