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.
Lī'as, n. p. 768(Geol.) A stratum of the middle secondary age, lying beneath the oölite; a species of limestone occurring in horizontal strata, belonging to the lias formation. [Dana.Lī-ăs'ic, a. p. 768Of the age of the lias; pertaining to the lias formation.Līb, v. t. p. 768To castrate. [Obs.] Chapman.Lĭb'a-ment, n. p. 769The same as LIBATION. [Obs.] Holland.Lī'bant, a. p. 769Sipping; hence, touching lightly. [Rare.]Lī-bā'tion, n. p. 769The act of pouring a liquor, usually wine, either on the ground or on a victim, in sacrifice, in honor of some deity. “A heathen sacrifice or libation to the earth.” Bacon. 2. The wine, or other…Lī'ba-to-ry, a. p. 769Engaged in, or pertaining to, libation.Lĭb'bard, n. p. 769A leopard. [Obs.] Spenser. Milton.Lĭb'bard's-bāne, n. p. 769Leopard's-bane. [Obs.]Lĭb'bet, n. p. 769A billet of wood; a stick or club; a staff. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.Lī'bel, n. p. 769A writing of any kind, as a declaration, bill, certificate, request, or supplication, and the like. [Obs.] “A libel of forsaking [i. e., a writing of divorcement].” Wycliffe. 2. (Law.) A defamatory…Lī'bel, v. t. p. 769To defame, or expose to public hatred and contempt by a writing, picture, sign, and the like; to lampoon. Some wicked wits have libeled all the fair. Pope. 2. (Law.) To proceed against by filing a…Lī'bel, v. i. p. 769To spread defamation, written or printed;—with against; as, he libels against the peers of the realm. [Obs.]Lī'bel-ant, n. p. 769One who libels; one who brings a libel or institutes a suit in an ecclesiastical or admiralty court. The counsel for the libelant contended they had a right to read the instructions. Cranch.Lī'bel-er, n. p. 769One who libels. It is ignorance of ourselves which makes us the libelers of others. Buckminster.Li-bĕl'la, n. p. 769A small balance. 2. An instrument for detecting variations from a level, or for finding the level; a level, or leveling instrument.Li-bĕl'lu-la, n. p. 769(Entom.) A genus of neuropterous insects, characterized by their beauty, strength, and rapid flight; dragon-fly.Lī'bel-oŭs, a. p. 769Defamatory; containing that which exposes a person to public hatred, contempt, and ridicule. [Written also libellous.]Lī'ber, n. p. 769(Bot.) The inner bark of plants, lying next to the wood. It usually contains a large proportion of woody, fibrous cells, and is, therefore, the part from which the fiber of the plant is obtained, as…Lĭb'er-al, a. p. 769Free by birth; gentle in manners; refined. 2. Befitting a freeman or gentleman; as, liberal arts or studies; liberal education, that is, such as is extended beyond the practical necessities of life.…Lib'er-al, n. p. 769One who advocates greater freedom from restraint, especially in political or religious matters.Lib'er-al-heârt'ed, a. p. 769Having a generous heart.Lib'er-al-ism, n. p. 769Liberal principles or feelings; freedom from narrowness or bigotry, especially in matters of religion or politics. They show that our forefathers had not learned our modern affectation of a…Lib’er-al-ĭst, n. p. 769A liberal.Lib'er-al-is'tic, a. p. 769Pertaining to, or characterized by, liberalism; acting or existing in accordance with liberal views.Lib'er-ăl'i-ty, n. p. 769Munificence; bounty. That liberality is but cast away Which makes us borrow what we can not pay. Denham. 2. A particular act of generosity; a donation; a gratuity. ☞ In this sense, it is sometimes…Lib'er-al-ize, v. t. p. 769To render liberal or catholic; to enlarge; to free from narrow views or prejudices; as, to liberalize the mind.Lib'er-al-ly, adv. p. 769In a liberal manner; freely; bountifully. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not. James i. 5. I have spoken too liberally. Beau. & Fl. 2.…Lib'er-al-mind'ed, a. p. 769Having a liberal mind.Lib'er-al-sōuled, a. p. 769Having a generous soul.Lib'er-āte, v. t. p. 769To release from restraint or bondage; to set at liberty; to free; to manumit; as, to liberate a slave or prisoner; to liberate the mind from the shackles of prejudice. Syn.—To deliver; discharge…Lib'er-ā'tion, n. p. 769The act of delivering, or the state of being delivered, from restraint, confinement, or slavery.Lib'er-ā'tor, n. p. 769One who liberates or delivers.Lib'er-a-to-ry, a. p. 769Tending, or serving, to liberate or make free. [Rare.]Lib'er-tā'ri-an, a. p. 769Pertaining to liberty, or to the doctrine of free will, as opposed to the doctrine of necessity.Lib'er-tā'ri-an, n. p. 769One who holds to free will.Lib’er-tā’ri-an-ism, n. p. 769The principles or doctrines of libertarians.Li-bĕr'ti-cīde or Lib'er-ti-cīde, n. p. 769The destruction of liberty. 2. A destroyer of liberty. Wade.Lĭb’er-tin-age, n. p. 769Libertinism. [Rare.]Līb'er-tīne, n. p. 769(Rom. Antiq.) A person manumitted or set free from legal servitude; a freedman. 2. One unconfined; one free from restraint. 3. A man who lives without restraint of the animal passion; one who leads a…Lib'er-tīne, a. p. 769Free from restraint; uncontrolled. “You are much too libertine.” Beau. & Fl. 2. Hence, dissolute; licentious; as, libertine principles or manners.Lĭb'er-tin-ĭsm, n. p. 769The state of a libertine, or freedman. [Rare.] 2. The conduct of a libertine or lewd man; debauchery; lewdness. 3. Licentiousness of principle or opinion. The spirit of religion and seriousness…Lĭb'er-ty, n. p. 769The state of a freeman; ability to do as one pleases; freedom from restraint. For liberty of person and the right of self-preservation is much nearer, much more natural, and more worth to all men…Lĭ-bĕth'en-īte, n. p. 769(Min.) A mineral of an olive-green color, consisting chiefly of phosphate of copper.Lī-bĭd'i-nĭst, n. p. 769One given to lewdness.Lī-bĭd'ĭ-nŏs'ĭ-ty, n. p. 769The state or quality of being libidinous; libidinousness. [Obs.]Lĭ-bĭd'i-noŭs, a. p. 770Eager for sexual indulgence; fitted to excite lustful desire; lewd; lustful. Syn.—Lewd; lustful; lascivious; unchaste; impure; sensual; licentious; lecherous; salacious.Lĭ-bĭd'i-noŭs-ly, adv. p. 770With lewd desire; lustfully.Lĭ-bĭd'i-noŭs-ness, n. p. 770The state or quality of being lustful.Lĭb'ken or Lĭb'kin, n. p. 770A house or lodging. [Cant.] “To their libkins at the crackman's.” B. Jonson.Lĭbră, n. p. 770(Astron.) The Balance; the seventh sign in the zodiac, which the sun enters at the autumnal equinox in September.Lĭ'bral, a. p. 770Of a pound weight. [Obs.] Johnson.Lĭ-brā'rĭ-an, n. p. 770The keeper of, or one who has the care of, a library or collection of books. 2. One who transcribes or copies books. [Obs. and rare.] Broome.Lī-brā'ri-an-shĭp, n. p. 770The office of a librarian.Lī'bra-ry, n. p. 770A collection of books belonging to a private person, or to a public institution or a company. 2. An edifice or an apartment for holding a collection of books.Lī'brāte, v. t. p. 770To poise; to balance; to hold in equipoise.Lī'brāte, v. i. p. 770To move, as a balance; to be poised. Their parts all librate on too nice a beam. Clifton.Lī-brā'tion, n. p. 770The act of librating or balancing, or state of being balanced. “The libration and frequent weighing of his wings.” Bp. Taylor. 2. (Astron.) A real or apparent libratory or balancing motion, like that…Lĭ'bra-to-ry, a. p. 770Balancing; moving like a balance, as it tends to an equipoise or level.Lĭ-brĕt’to, n. p. 770(Mus.) (a.) A book containing the words of an opera or extended piece of music. (b.) The words themselves.