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An American Dictionary of the English Language

Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)

Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865

Entries
95,912
Pages
1,538
Illustrations
2,133

Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.

  1. Ĭn’sti-gā’tor, n.p. 700One who instigates or incites another to an evil act; a tempter.
  2. In-still', v. t.p. 700To drop in; to pour in by drops. The starlight dews All silently their tears of love instill. Byron. 2. To infuse slowly, or by degrees. How hast thou instilled Thy malice into thousands. Shak.
  3. Ĭn'stil-lā'tion, n.p. 700The act of instilling, or infusing by drops or by small quantities. 2. The act of infusing slowly into the mind. 3. That which is instilled or infused.
  4. Ĭn'stil-lā'tor, n.p. 700One who instills; one who infuses; an instiller.
  5. In-still'er, n.p. 700One who instills; an instillator.
  6. In-still'ment, n.p. 700The act of instilling, or that which is instilled or infused.
  7. In-stim'ū-lāte, v. t.p. 700To stimulate; to excite. [Obs.] 2. Not to stimulate; not to excite the vital powers of. [Obs.] Cheyne.
  8. In-stim′ū-lā′tion, n.p. 700The act of stimulating, inciting, or urging forward.
  9. In-stīnct', a.p. 700Urged or stimulated from within; moved; animated; excited. The chariot of paternal deity . . . Itself instinct with spirit, but convoyed By four cherubic shapes. Milton.
  10. Ĭn’stĭnct, n.p. 700Inward impulse; unconscious, involuntary, or unreasoning prompting to action; a disposition to any mode of action, whether bodily or spiritual, without a distinct apprehension of the end or object…
  11. In-stĭnct′, v. t.p. 700To impress an animating power upon; to awaken instinct in; to cause to act by instinct. [Obs.] Bentley.
  12. In-stīn'ction, n.p. 700Instinct. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.
  13. In-stīn'ctive, a.p. 700Prompted by instinct; determined by natural impulse or propensity; acting without reasoning, deliberation, instruction, or experience; original to the mind; not dependent on experience or reasoning…
  14. In-stīnct/ive-ly, adv.p. 701By force of instinct; without reasoning, instruction, or experience; by natural impulse.
  15. Ĭn’stĭn·c-tĭv’ĭ-ty, n.p. 701The quality of being instinctive, or prompted by instinct. There is growth only in plants; but there is irritability, or—a better word—instinctivity, in insects. Coleridge.
  16. In-stip'ū-late, a.p. 701(Bot.) Without stipules.
  17. In’sti-tūte, v. t.p. 701To set up; to establish; to erect; to appoint; to ordain; as, to institute laws, rules, &c. We institute your Grace To be our regent in these parts of France. Shak. 2. To originate and establish; to…
  18. Ĭn’sti-tūte, n.p. 701Any thing instituted or formally established; established law; settled order. Thou art pale in mighty studies grown To make the Stoics’ institutes thy own. Dryden. 2. That which is established as…
  19. Ĭn’/sti-tū’/tion, n.p. 701The act of instituting; as, (a.) Establishment; foundation; enactment. “The institution of God’s laws . . . by solemn injunction.” Hooker. (b.) Instruction; education. “His learning was not the…
  20. Ĭn'/sti-tū'/tion-al, a.p. 701Instituted by authority; enjoined. 2. Elementary; rudimental.
  21. Ĭn’sti-tū’tĭon-a-ry, a.p. 701Relating to an institution, or to institutions. 2. Containing the first principles or doctrines; elemental; rudimentary. Browne.
  22. Ĭn’sti-tū’tĭst, n.p. 701A writer of institutes or elementary rules and instructions. Harvey.
  23. Ĭn’sti-tū’tĭve, a.p. 701Tending or intended to institute; having the power to establish. 2. Established; depending on institution.
  24. Ĭn’sti-tū’tive-ly, adv.p. 701In conformity with an institution. Harrington.
  25. Ĭn’sti-tū’tor, n.p. 701One who institutes or establishes. 2. One who enacts laws, rites, and ceremonies, and enjoins the observance of them. 3. One who founds an order, sect, society, or scheme, for the promotion of a…
  26. In-stŏp', v. t.p. 701To stop; to close; to make fast. [Obs.] Dryden.
  27. In-stōre', v. t.p. 701To store. [Obs.] Wycliffe.
  28. In-strāt'i-fied, a.p. 701Stratified within something else.
  29. In-strŭct', v. t.p. 701To put in order; to form; to prepare. [Obs.] 2. To put in order or readiness for a specific action or end; to furnish with requisite outfit or preparation; to make ready; as, specifically, (a.) To…
  30. In-strūct', a.p. 701Furnished; provided. [Obs.] “Ship instruct with oars.” Chapman. 2. Instructed; taught; enlightened. The more instruct To fly or follow what concerned him most. Milton.
  31. In-strūct'er, n.p. 701See INSTRUCTOR.
  32. In-strūct'i-ble, a.p. 701Capable of being instructed; competent to receive imparted knowledge; teachable; docible; docile.
  33. In-strŭc'tion, n.p. 701The act of instructing, or teaching, or furnishing with knowledge; information. 2. That which instructs, or with which one is instructed; as, (a.) Precept; information; teachings. “If my instructions…
  34. In-strūc'tion-al, a.p. 701Pertaining to or promoting instruction; educational.
  35. In-strūc'tive, a.p. 701Conveying knowledge; serving to instruct or inform; as, affliction furnishes very instructive lessons.
  36. In-strŭct'ive-ly, adv.p. 701In an instructive manner; so as to afford or convey instruction.
  37. In-strŭct'ive-ness, n.p. 701The quality of being instructive; power of instructing.
  38. In-strŭct'or, n.p. 701One who instructs; a teacher; a person who imparts knowledge to another.
  39. In-strŭct'ress, n.p. 701A female who instructs; a preceptress; a tutoress.
  40. Ĭn'stru-ment, n.p. 701That by which work is performed, or any thing is effected; a tool: a utensil: an implement; as, the instruments of a mechanic, astronomical instruments, and the like. “All the lofty instruments of…
  41. Ĭn'stru-mĕnt'al, a.p. 701Acting as an instrument; serving as a means; contributing to promote; conducive; helpful; serviceable. The head is not more native to the heart, The hand more instrumental to the mouth. Shak. 2.…
  42. Ĭn'stru-mĕnt'al-ĭst, n.p. 701One who plays upon an instrument of music; an instrumentist.
  43. In'stry-men-tăl'i-ty, n.p. 701The quality or condition of being instrumental; that which is instrumental; agency. “The instrumentality of faith in justification.” Burnet.
  44. Ĭn'strŭ-mĕnt'al-ly, adv.p. 701By way or means of an instrument; in the nature of an instrument, as means to an end. South. 2. With instruments of music.
  45. Ĭn’stru-mĕnt’al-ness, n.p. 701Usefulness, as of means to an end; instrumentality. Hammond.
  46. Ĭn'stru-mĕnt'a-ry, a.p. 701Instrumental. [Rare.]
  47. Ĭn'stru-men-tā'tion, n.p. 701The act of using, or the subordination of, as an instrument; a series or combination of instruments; means; agency. Otherwise we have no sufficient instrumentation for our human use or handling of so…
  48. Ĭn'stru-mĕnt'ĭst, n.p. 701A performer upon a musical instrument; an instrumentalist.
  49. In-style', v. t.p. 701To call; to denominate; to style. [Obs.] Crashaw.
  50. In-suăv'i-ty, n.p. 701Want of suavity; unpleasantness. [Obs.] Burton.
  51. In'sub-jĕc'tion, n.p. 701Want of subjection; state of disobedience to government.
  52. Ĭn'sub-mĕr'gi-ble, a.p. 701Not capable of being submerged. [Rare.]
  53. Ĭn'sub-mĭs'sion, n.p. 701Want of submission; disobedience.
  54. Ĭn'sub-ôr'di-nate, a.p. 701Not submissive; not submitting to authority.
  55. Ĭn'sub-ôr'di-nā'tion, n.p. 701The quality of being insubordinate; want of subordination; disorder; disobedience to lawful authority.
  56. In'sub-stăn’tial, a.p. 701Unsubstantial; not real. “This insubstantial pageant.” Shak.
  57. In'sub-stān'-ti-āl'-i-ty, n.p. 701Unsubstantiality. [Rare.]
  58. In'sue-cā'tion, n.p. 701The act of soaking or moistening; maceration; solution in the juice of herbs. [Obs.] Coze.
  59. In'sue-tūde, n.p. 701The state or quality of being unaccustomed; absence of use or habit. Absurdities are great or small in proportion to custom or insuetude. Landor.
  60. In-sŭf'fer-a-ble, a.p. 701Incapable of being suffered, borne, or endured; insupportable; unendurable; intolerable; as, insufferable heat, cold, or pain; our wrongs are insufferable. 2. Disgusting beyond endurance; detestable.…