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.
Lĕft'-hānd'ed, a. p. 762Having the left hand or arm more strong and dexterous than the right; using the left hand and arm with more dexterity than the right. 2. Hence, clumsy; awkward. 3. Unlucky; inauspicious…Lĕft’-hănd’ed-ness or Lĕft’-hănd’i-ness, n. p. 762Habitual use of, or the ability to use, the left hand with more ease and strength than the right; hence, awkwardness.Lĕft'-ŏff, a. p. 762That which is laid aside; as, left-off clothing.Left'ward, adv. p. 762Toward the left; on the left side; to the left hand. The winding vale now narrows on his view, And, steeper of ascent, Rightward and leftward rise the rocks. Southey.Lēg, n. p. 762The limb of an animal, used in supporting the body, and in walking and running; especially, that part of the limb from the knee to the foot. 2. That which resembles a leg in form or use; especially…Lĕg, v. t. p. 762To strike in the leg; — used in the game of cricket.Lĕg'a-cy, n. p. 762A gift, by will, of personal property; a bequest. 2. A business with which one is intrusted by another; a commission. [Obs.] “My legacy and message wherefore I am sent into the world.” Tyndale. “He…Lĕg'a-cy-hŭnt'er, n. p. 762One who flatters and courts for legacies.Lē'gal, a. p. 762According to, in conformity with, or relating to, law; as, a legal standard or test; a legal procedure; a legal claim. 2. Lawful; permitted by law; as, a legal trade; any thing is legal which the…Lē'gal-ism, n. p. 762Strictness in adhering to law, or trusting to conformity to law; as, the spirit of legalism.Lē'gal-ist, n. p. 762One who desires a strict adherence to law. 2. (Theol.) One who regards conformity to law as a ground of salvation.Le-gā'lis Hō'mo p. 762(O. Eng. Law.) A lawful person; one who stands rectus in curiā, neither outlawed, excommunicated, nor infamous. Wharton. Burrill.Le-gāl'i-ty, n. p. 762The state of being legal; conformity to law. 2. The state or condition of a legalis homo. 3. (Theol.) A conformity to law without the inward principle; a resting in the letter of the law, without its…Lē'gal-i-zā'tion, n. p. 762The act of rendering legal.Lē'gal-ize, v. t. p. 762To make lawful; to render conformable to law; to authorize. 2. To sanction after being done; to give the authority of law to after a thing is done without law or authority; as, irregular proceedings…Lē'gal-ly, adv. p. 762According to law; in a manner permitted by law; lawfully.Lĕg'a-ta-ry, n. p. 762One to whom a legacy is bequeathed; a legatee. [Rare.] Ayliffe.Lēg'ate, n. p. 762An embassador or envoy. 2. The pope’s embassador to a foreign prince or state; a cardinal or bishop sent as the pope’s representative or commissioner to a sovereign prince. ☞ Legates are of three…Lĕg'a-tee', n. p. 762(Law.) One to whom a legacy is bequeathed.Lēg'ate-shĭp, n. p. 762The office of a legate.Lēg'a-tīne, a. p. 762Pertaining to a legate; as, legatine power. Holinshed. 2. Made by, or proceeding from, a legate; as, a legatine constitution. Ayliffe.Le-gā′tion, n. p. 762The sending forth or commissioning one person to act for another. “The Divine Legation of Moses.” Warburton. “When we are satisfied on the capital point of his divine legation.” I. Taylor. 2. A…Le-gā'to, a. p. 762(Mus.) Connected; tied; — a term used when successive tones are produced in a closely connected manner, and often indicated by a tie, thus ⌒, or ⌣, written over or under the notes to be so performed.Lĕg'a-tôr', n. p. 763(Law.) A testator; one who bequeaths a legacy.Lĕg'a-tū'rō, n. p. 763(Mus.) A binding note.Lĕg'-bāil, n. p. 763Running away; flight. [Colloq.] To give leg-bail, to escape from custody, and run away.Lĕge, v. t. p. 763To allege. 2. To lighten; to allay. Chaucer.Lĕg'e'ment, n. p. 763See LEDGEMENT.Lě'gend or Lěg'end, n. p. 763That which is appointed to be read; especially, a chronicle or register of the lives of saints, formerly read at matins, and at the refectories of religious houses. 2. A story respecting saints…Golden legend p. 763a collection of the lives of the saints, made by Jacobus de Voragine, archbishop of Genoa, in the thirteenth century, which was used in the church upward of two hundred years. Brande.Lĕ'gend or Lĕg'end, v. t. p. 763To tell or narrate, as a legend. [Obs.] Hall.Lĕg'end-a-ry, a. p. 763Consisting of legends; strange; fabulous. 2. Like a legend; exaggerated; extravagant; false.Lĕg'end-a-ry, n. p. 763A book of legends; a tale or narrative. Read the Countess of Pembroke's “Arcadia,” a gallant legendary, full of pleasurable accidents. James VI., King of Scotland. 2. One who relates legends.Lĕg'er, n. p. 763Any thing that lies in a place; that which rests or remains. [Obs.] 2. A minister or embassador resident at a court or seat of government. [Written also léger.] Sir Edward Carne, the queen's leger at…Lĕg'er, a. p. 763Light; slender; slight; slim; hence, unimportant; trifling. 2. [See LEDGER.] Lying or remaining in a place; hence, resident. Leger embassador, a resident embassador. See LEGER, n., No. 2.— Leger line…Lĕg'er-de-māin', n. p. 763A deceptive performance which depends on dexterity of hand; a trick performed with such art and adroitness, that the manner or art eludes observation; sleight of hand; trick; deception. “The tricks…Lĕg'er-de-māin'ist, n. p. 763One who uses sleight of hand.Le-gěr′-i-ty, n. p. 763Lightness; nimbleness. [Obs.] Shak.Lĕgge, v. t. p. 763To lay. [Obs.] Wycliffe.Lĕgged, a. p. 763Having legs; — used in composition; as, a two-legged animal.Lĕg-ji-ä'dro p. 763(Mus.) In a brisk and lively style.Lĕg'gĭn or Lĕg'ging, n. p. 763A cover for the leg, like a long gaiter; a garment that incloses the leg.Lĕg'hŏrn, n. p. 763A kind of plait for bonnets and hats, prepared from the straw of a variety of bearded wheat, cut when green, and dried. It was originally made at Leghorn, whence the name. Simmonds.Lĕg'ĭ-bĭl'ĭ-ty, n. p. 763The quality or state of being legible; legibleness.Lĕg'i-ble, a. p. 763Capable of being read; consisting of letters or figures that may be distinguished by the eye; as, a fair, legible manuscript. 2. Capable of being discovered or understood by apparent marks or…Lĕg'i-ble-ness, n. p. 763The quality or state of being legible; legibility.Lĕg'i-bly, adv. p. 763In such a manner as may be read; as, a manuscript legibly written.Lē′gion, n. p. 763(Rom. antiqu.) A body of infantry, consisting of different numbers of men at different periods, from three to five thousand. Each legion was divided into ten cohorts, each cohort into ten companies…Lē’gion-a-ry, a. p. 763Relating to, or consisting of, a legion or of legions; as, a legionary force. 2. Containing a great number. “Legionary body of errors.” Browne.Lē'giọn-a-ry, n. p. 763One of a legion. Milton.Lē'gis-lāte, v. i. p. 763To make or enact a law or laws.Lĕg'is-lā'tion, n. p. 763The act of legislating, or enacting laws. Pythagoras joined legislation to his philosophy. Littelton.Lĕg'is-lā/tive, a. p. 763Giving or enacting laws; as, a legislative body. 2. Pertaining to the enacting of laws; suitable to laws; as, the legislative style. 3. Done by enacting; as, a legislative act. ☞ In this word, and in…Lĕg'is-lā'tive-ly, adv. p. 763In a legislative manner.Lēg'is-lā'tor, n. p. 763A lawgiver; one who makes laws for a state or community.Lĕg'is-la-tō'ri-al, a. p. 763Of, or pertaining to, a legislature.Lĕg'is-lā'tor-ship, n. p. 763The office of a legislator. [Obs.] Halifax.Lēg'is-lā'tress or Lēg'is-lā'trix, n. p. 763A female who makes laws.Lĕg'is-lā-ture, n. p. 763The body of men in a state or kingdom invested with power to make and repeal laws; the supreme power of a state. The legislature of Great Britain consists of the Lords and Commons, with the king or…Lē'gist, n. p. 763One skilled in the laws.