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.
In/feud-ā'tion, n. p. 688See INFEUDATION.In-feoff', v. t. p. 688See ENFEOFF.In-fĕr', v. t. p. 688To bring on; to induce. [Obs.] “Infer fair England's peace by this alliance.” Shak. 2. To derive either by deduction or induction; to know by means, or on the ground, of facts or evidence; to prove…In-fēr'a-ble, a. p. 688Capable of being inferred or deduced from premises. [Written also inferrible.]In'fer-ence, n. p. 688The act of inferring. Though it may chance to be right in the conclusion, it is yet unjust and mistaken in the method of inference. Glanville. 2. That which is inferred; a truth or proposition drawn…Ĭn/fer-ēn′tial, a. p. 688Deduced or deducible by inference.Ĭn'fer-ēn′tial-ly, adv. p. 688By way of inference.In-fē'rī-æ, n. pl. p. 688(Gr. & Rom. Antiq.) Sacrifices offered by the ancients to the souls of deceased heroes or friends.In-fē′ri-or, a. p. 688Lower in place, social rank, or excellence; less important or valuable; subordinate. “A thousand inferior and particular propositions.” Watts. “The body, or, as some love to call it, our inferior…In-fē'ri-or, n. p. 688A person who is younger, or of a lower station or rank in society, than another. A person gets more by obliging his inferior than by disdaining him. South.In-fē/ri-ŏr'i-ty, n. p. 688The state of being inferior; a lower state or condition; as, the inferiority of rank, of office, of talents, of age, of worth.In-fē′ri-or-ly, adv. p. 688In an inferior manner, or on the inferior part.In-fĕr'nal, a. p. 688Pertaining to the lower regions, or regions of the dead, the Tartarus of the ancients. “The Elysian fields, the infernal monarchy.” Garth. 2. Pertaining to hell; resembling hell; inhabiting hell…In-fér'nal, n. p. 688An inhabitant of hell, or of the lower regions.In-fĕr'nal-ly, adv. p. 688In an infernal manner.In-fèr'ri-ble, a. p. 688The same as INFERABLE, q. v.In-fèr'tile, a. p. 688Not fertile; not fruitful or productive; barren; as, an infertile soil.In-fér'tile-ly, adv. p. 688In an infertile manner; unproductively; unfruitfully.In'/fer-til'i-ty, n. p. 688The state of being infertile; unproductiveness; barrenness; as, the infertility of land. Hale.In-fěst', v. t. p. 688To trouble greatly; to disturb; to annoy; to harass; as, flies infest horses and cattle; the sea is often infested with pirates; parties of the enemy infest the coast. These, said the genius, are…In-fěst',, a. p. 688Mischievous; hurtful; harassing. [Obs.] Spenser.Ĭn/fes-tā'tion, n. p. 688The act of infesting; molestation. Bacon.In-fĕst'er, n. p. 688One who infests.In-fès'tered, a. p. 688Rankling; inveterate. [Obs.]In-fĕs’tive, a. p. 688Having no mirth; not festive or merry; dull; cheerless. [Rare.]In/fes-tiv'i-ty, n. p. 688Want of festivity, or of cheerfulness and mirth, as at entertainments; dullness; cheerlessness. [Rare.]In-fĕst’ū-oūs, a. p. 688Mischievous; harmful; dangerous. [Obs.] Bacon.Ĭn/feū-dā'tion, n. p. 688(Law.) The act of putting one in possession of an estate in fee. Hale. 2. The granting of tithes to laymen. Blackstone.In-fĭb'ū-lā'tion, n. p. 688The act of clasping, or confining, as with a buckle or padlock. 2. The act of attaching a ring, clasp, or the like, to the privy parts in such a manner as to prevent copulation.Ĭn'fi-del, a. p. 688Unbelieving; disbelieving the inspiration of the Scriptures, or the divine institution of Christianity. The infidel writer is a great enemy to society. Knox.Ĭn'/fĭ-del, n. p. 688One who is without faith, or unfaithful; hence, a disbeliever; a freethinker; especially, (a.) A heathen. (b.) A Mohammedan. (c.) One who disbelieves in Christ, or the divine origin and authority of…Ĭn/fĭ-dĕl'ĭ-ty, n. p. 688Want of faith or belief; a withholding of confidence. 2. Disbelief of the inspiration of the Scriptures, or the divine origin of Christianity; unbelief. There is no doubt that vanity is one principal…In-field', v. t. p. 688To inclose, as a field.In'field, n. p. 688Land kept continually under crop, and which receives manure; — distinguished from out-field. [Scotland.]In-file', v. t. p. 688To arrange in a file or rank; to place in order. [Obs.] Holland.In-film', v. t. p. 688To cover with a film; to coat thinly; as, to infilm one metal with another, in the process of gilding.In-fil'ter, v. t. or i. p. 689To filter or sift in.In-fil'trate, v. i. p. 689To enter by penetrating the pores or interstices of a substance.In'fil-trā'tion, n. p. 689The act or process of infiltrating. 2. The substance which has entered the pores or cavities of a body. Calcareous infiltrations filling the cavities of other stones. Kirwan.In-fil'tra-tive, a. p. 689Pertaining to infiltration. Kane.In'fi-nite, a. p. 689Unlimited or boundless, in time or space; as, infinite duration or distance. 2. Without limit in power, capacity, intensity, or moral excellence; perfect; as, the infinite wisdom and goodness of God.…Ĭn′fi-nĭte, n. p. 689That which is infinite; an infinite space or extent; infinity. Not till the weight is heaved from off the air, and the thunders roll down the horizon, will the serene light of God flow upon us, and…In′fi-nite-ly, adv. p. 689Without bounds or limits; beyond or below assignable limits; as, an infinitely large or infinitely small quantity.In'fi-nite-ness, n. p. 689The state of being infinite; infinity; greatness; immensity.Ĭn′fin-ĭ-tēs′ĭ-mal, a. p. 689Infinitely small; less than any assignable quantity.Ĭn′/fĭn-ĭ-tēs′ĭ-mal, n. p. 689(Math.) An infinitely small quantity; that which is less than any assignable quantity.In′fin-i-tés′i-mal-ly, adv. p. 689By infinitesimals; in infinitely small quantities.In-fĭn'i-tīve, a. p. 689Unlimited; not bounded or restricted. Infinitive mode (Gram.), that mode of the verb which expresses the action of the verb, without limitation of person or number; as, to love. The word infinitive…In-fĭn′i-tive-ly, adv. p. 689(Gram.) In the manner of an infinitive mode.Ĭn-fi-nĭ'to, a. p. 689(Mus.) Infinite; perpetual, as a canon whose end leads back to the beginning. See INFINITE.In-fin'i-tūde, n. p. 689The quality of being infinite, or without limits; infiniteness. 2. Infinite extent; immensity; infinity; greatness. 3. Boundless number; countless multitude. “An infinitude of distinctions.” Addison.In-fīn'i-tū'ple, a. p. 689Multiplied an infinite number of times. [Rare.] Wollaston.In-fīn'i-ty, n. p. 689Unlimited extent of time, space, or quantity; boundlessness. 2. Unlimited capacity, energy, or excellence; as, the infinity of God and his perfections; the infinity of his existence, his knowledge…In-firm', a. p. 689Not firm or sound; weak; feeble; as, an infirm body; an infirm constitution. “A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man.” Shak. 2. Weak of mind; irresolute. “Infirm of purpose.” Shak. 3. Not solid…In-firm', v. t. p. 689To weaken; to enfeeble. [Obs.] Raleigh.In-firm'a-ry, n. p. 689A hospital, or place where the infirm or sick are lodged and nursed, or only treated as out-patients.In-firm'a-tive, a. p. 689Weakening; annulling, or tending to make void. [Obs.] Cotgr.In-firm'a-to-ry, n. p. 689An infirmary. [Obs.] Evelyn.In-firm'i-ty, n. p. 689The state of being infirm; an imperfection or weakness; especially, a disease; a malady; as, infirmity of body. 2. Weakness; feebleness; failing; foible; defect. Will you be cured of your infirmity?…In-firm'ly, adv. p. 689In an infirm manner.