Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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- 95,912
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Hām'mer-hēad, n. p. 604(Ichth.) A shark of the genus Zygæna, having the eyes set on projections from the sides of the head, which gives it a hammer shape; balance-fish. The Zygæna malleus is found in the North Atlantic.Hăm'mer-măn, n. p. 604A hammerer.Hām'mer-oys'ter, n. p. 604(Zoöl.) A bivalve shell (Malleus vulgaris), found in the East Indies, allied to the pearl oyster, and resembling it when young, but when mature becoming hammer-shaped.Hām'mer-wort, n. p. 604The herb pellitory. Halliwell.Hăm'mo-chrȳ'sos, n. p. 604A stone with spangles of gold color in it.Hām'mock, n. p. 604A kind of hanging bed, usually consisting of a netting or a piece of hempen cloth about six feet long and three feet wide, gathered at the ends, from which it is suspended by cords.Hā-mōse' or Hā'moŭs, a. p. 604(Bot.) Having the end hooked or curved.Hăm'per, n. p. 604A large basket for conveying things to market, &c.Hăm'per, n. p. 604An instrument that shackles; a fetter. W. Browne.Hăm'per, v. t. p. 604To put in a hamper. 2. To put a hamper or fetter on: to shackle; to insnare; to inveigle; to entangle; hence, to impede in motion or progress: to embarrass; to encumber. “A lion hampered in a net.”…Hăm'-shăck/le, v. t. p. 604To fasten by a rope binding the head to one of the fore legs; as, to ham-shackle a horse or cow; hence, to bind or restrain.Hām'ster, n. p. 604(Zoöl.) A species of rat; the Cricetus vulgaris, or German marmot. It is remarkable for having a bag on each side of the jaw, under the skin, and for its migrations.Hām’string, n. p. 604One of the tendons of the ham.Hām’string, v. t. p. 604To lame or disable by cutting the tendons of the ham. So have they hamstrung the valor of the subject by seeking to effeminate us all at home. Milton.Hām'ŭ-lōse', a. p. 604(Bot.) Bearing at the end a small hook. Gray.Hān, v. p. 604For have, in the plural. [Obs.] Spenser.Hăn'ap, n. p. 604A rich goblet or tankard of silver or gold, used on state occasions. [Obs.]Hăn'a-per, n. p. 604A kind of basket, usually of wicker-work, and adapted for package. Holland. 2. A bag or basket, in the English chancery, used to receive the fees due to the king for seals of charters, patents…Hānce, v. t. p. 604To enhance. [Obs.]Hănce or Hănch, n. p. 604Hānch p. 604(Arch.) The end of an elliptical arch, which is the arc of a smaller circle than the scheme, or middle part of the arch. Harris. 2. (Naut.) The fall of the fife-rail placed on balusters on the poop…Hānd, n. p. 604The outer extremity of the human arm, consisting of the palm and fingers, united by the wrist to the arm; the part of the body with which we commonly hold and use any instrument. See SKELETON. 2.…Hănd, v. t. p. 604To give or transmit with the hand; as, he handed them the letter. 2. To lead, guide, and lift with the hand; to conduct; as, to hand a lady into a carriage. 3. To manage; as, I hand my oar. [Obs.]…Hānd, v. i. p. 605To go hand in hand; to co-operate. [Obs.] Massinger.Hānd'-bār'rōw, n. p. 605A barrow or vehicle borne by the hands of men, and without a wheel.Hānd'-bās/ket, n. p. 605A small or portable basket.Hānd'-bĕll, n. p. 605A small bell rung by the hand; a table-bell. Bacon.Hānd’bīll, n. p. 605A loose printed sheet to be circulated or stuck up for some public announcement. 2. A small bill or pruning-hook. Simmonds.Hānd'-bōŏk, n. p. 605A book of reference for the hand; a manual; a guide-book for travelers.Hānd'-brĕadth, n. p. 605A space equal to the breadth of the hand; a palm.Hānd'-cār, n. p. 605A railway car, propelled through the aid of cranks, gearing, &c., by one or more of the passengers.Hānd'-eārt, n. p. 605A cart drawn or pushed by hand.Hānd'-elōth, n. p. 605A handkerchief.Hānd'craft, n. p. 605The same as HANDICRAFT.Hānd'crāfts-man, n. p. 605A handicraftsman. Swift.Hānd′cŭff, n. p. 605A fastening consisting of an iron ring around the wrist, usually connected by a chain with one on the other wrist; a manacle.Hănd'cŭff, v. t. p. 605To put hand-cuffs on; to manacle.Hānd'-dī-rēct'or, n. p. 605(Mus.) An instrument to aid in forming a good position of the hands and arms when performing on the piano-forte; a hand-guide.Hānd'ed, a. p. 605With hands joined. Into their inmost bower, handed they went. Milton. 2. Having a hand of such or such a sort. What false Italian, As poisonous tongued as handed, hath prevailed. Shak.Hānd'er, n. p. 605One who hands or transmits; a conveyer in succession. Dryden.Hānd'-fāst, n. p. 605Hold; custody; power of confining or keeping. [Obs.] Shak.Hānd'fāst, a. p. 605Fast by contract; betrothed by joining hands. [Obs.]Hānd'fāst, v. t. p. 605To pledge; to betroth by joining hands, in order to cohabitation, before the celebration of marriage. [Obs.]Hānd'fāst-ly, adv. p. 605In a handfast or solemnly pledged manner. [Obs.] Holinshed.Hānd'ful, n. p. 605As much as the hand will grasp or contain. Addison. 2. A palm; four inches. [Obs.] Knap the tongs together about a handful from the bottom. Bacon. 3. A small quantity or number. This handful of men…Hănd'-găl/lop, n. p. 605A slow and easy gallop, in which the hand presses the bridle to hinder increase of speed. Johnson.Hānd'-gēar, n. p. 605The contrivances in a steam-engine for working the valves by hand; the starting-gear.Hānd'-glāss, n. p. 605A glass or small glazed frame used for placing over, protecting, and forwarding plants. Simmonds.Hānd'-guide, n. p. 605The same as HAND-DIRECTOR.Hānd'-hōle, n. p. 605(Steam-boilers.) A small hole at the bottom of a water space, for the purpose of inserting the hand, cleaning, &c. Hand-hole plate, the cover of a hand-hole.Hānd'-i-cāp, n. p. 605A race in which the horses carry different weights, according to their age and character for speed, &c., with a view to equalize the chances as much as possible; a contest in which the chances of…Hānd'i-cāp'per, n. p. 605The umpire of a handicap.Hānd'i-craft, n. p. 605Manual occupation; work performed by the hand; handicraft. Addison. 2. A man who obtains his living by manual labor; one skilled in some mechanical art; a handicraftsman. [Rare.] Dryden.Hānd'i-crafts'man, n. p. 605A man skilled or employed in manual occupation; a manufacturer. Swift.Hănd'i-ly, adv. p. 605In a handy manner.Hānd'i-ness, n. p. 605Quality or state of being handy.Hānd'l-work, n. p. 605Work done by the hands. The firmament showeth thine handiwork. Ps. xix. 1.Hānd'ker-cher, n. p. 605A handkerchief. [Obs. or colloq.] Chapman, 1654.Hănd'ker-chief, n. p. 605A piece of cloth, usually silk or linen, carried about the person for the purpose of wiping the face or hands. 2. A cloth to be worn about the neck; a necker-chief; a neckcloth.Hănd'-lăng'guage, n. p. 605The art of conversing by the hands.