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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- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Mō'tile, a. p. 862Having powers of self-motion, though unconscious; as, the motile spores of certain sea-weeds. Dana.Mo·til'i·ty, n. p. 862The faculty of moving; contractility. Dunglison.Mō'tion, n. p. 862The act or process of changing place; movement; alteration of position; the passing of a body from one place to another, whether by voluntary, organic, or mechanical action;—opposed to rest. 2.…Perpetual motion p. 862an incessant motion conceived to be attainable by a machine supplying its own motive forces independently of any action from without, or which has within itself the means, when once set in motion, of…Mō'tion, v. i. p. 862To make a significant movement or gesture, as with the hand; as, to motion to one to take a seat. 2. To make proposal; to offer plans. [R.] Milton.Mō'tion, v. t. p. 862To propose. [Rare.] See MOVE. O thou that, . . . when we were quite breathless, didst motion peace and terms of covenant with us. Milton.Mō'tion-er, n. p. 862A mover. [Obs.]Mō'tion-ist, n. p. 862One who makes a motion.Mō'tion-less, a. p. 862Wanting motion; being at rest.Mō'tive, a. p. 862Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power.Mō'tive, n. p. 862That which moves; a mover. [Obs.] Shak. 2. That which incites to action; any thing prompting or exciting to choice, or moving the will; cause; reason; inducement. 3. (Mus.) The theme or subject; a…Mō'tive, v. t. p. 862To supply a motive to or for; to prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move. The divine punishments are motived by the divine wisdom acting for the good of some great whole. Wm. Smith.Mo-tiv'i-ty, n. p. 862The power of producing motion. 2. The quality of being influenced by motives.Mo-tī'vo, n. p. 862(Mus.) See MOTIVE, No. 3.Mŏt'ley, a. p. 862Variegated in color; consisting of different colors; dappled. “A motley coat.” Shak. ☞ The domestic fool of the great formerly wore a party-colored coat. Hence, in Shakespeare, Lear says, “A worthy…Mŏt'ley-mīnd'ed, a. p. 862Having diversified views and feelings. Shak.Mŏt'mŏt, n. p. 862(Ornith.) A passerine bird, of the genus Momotus, found in Brazil, having a long, strong, and thick beak, and a long, narrow tongue, barbed at the edges. It feeds upon insects, and builds its nest in…Mō'to, n. p. 862(Mus.) Movement; manner of movement; particularly, movement with increased rapidity;—used especially in the phrase con moto, directing to a somewhat quicker movement; as, andante con moto, a little…Mō'ton, n. p. 862(Anc. Armor.) A small plate covering the armpits of a knight, used when plate armor was worn. Fairholt.Mō'tor, n. p. 862One who, or that which, imparts motion; a source or originator of mechanical power; a moving power, as water, steam, animal strength, &c.Mō'tor or Mō'to-ry or Mo-tō'ri-al, a. p. 862Giving motion; pertaining to organs of motion; as, motory muscles.Mō'tor-pāth'ic, a. p. 862Of, or pertaining to, motorpathy.Mo-tōr'pa-thy, n. p. 862(Med.) A system of healing by directing and exercising the motions of the body;—called also the movement-cure.Mōt'tie, a. p. 862See MOTTY.Mōt'tle, v. t. p. 862To mark with spots of different color, or shades of color, as if stained; to spot; to maculate.Mōt'to, n. p. 862A sentence or phrase prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, and the like, intimating the subject of it; a brief sentence added to a device. It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his…Mōt'ty, a. p. 862Full of, or consisting of, motes. [Written also mottie.] [Scot.] The motty dust-reek raised by the workmen. H. Miller.Mouff'lon, n. p. 862(Zo-ol.) An animal of the sheep kind (Caprovis musimon), inhabiting the mountains of Sardinia, &c. Its horns are very large, with a triangular base, and rounded angles. It is supposed to be the…Mought p. 862the obsolete preterit of may.Mōuld or Mōuld'er or Mōuld'y p. 862&c. See MOLD, MOLDER, MOLDY, &c.Mou-line’ or Mou’li-net, n. p. 862The drum or roller upon which the rope is wound in a capstan, crane, or the like; also, a kind of turnstile. Wright.Mōult, v. & n. p. 862See MOLT.Moun, v. i. p. 862To be able; as an auxiliary, may; must. [Obs.] See MOWE. Moun ye drynke the cuppe whiche I schal drynke? thei seyn to him, we moun. Wycliffe, Luke xiii.Mounch, v. t. p. 862To munch. See MUNCH. [Obs.]Mound, n. p. 862An artificial hill or elevation of earth; a raised bank; an embankment thrown up for defense; a bulwark; a rampart; also, a natural elevation appearing as if thrown up artificially; a regular and…Mound, n. p. 862(Her.) A ball or globe forming part of the regalia of an emperor or other sovereign. It is encircled with bands, enriched with precious stones, and surmounted with a cross;—called also globe.Mound, v. t. p. 862To fortify with a mound.Mount, n. p. 862A mass of earth, or earth and rock, rising considerably above the common surface of the surrounding land; a mountain; a high hill;—used always instead of mountain, when put before a proper name; as…Mount, v. i. p. 862To rise on high; to go up; to be upraised or uplifted; to tower aloft; to ascend;—often with up. “Though Babylon should mount up to heaven.” Jer. ii. 53. The fire of trees and houses mounts on high.…Mount, v. t. p. 863To get upon; to ascend; to climb. Shall we mount again the rural throne? Dryden. 2. To place one's self on, as a horse or other animal, or any thing that one bestrides or sits upon; to bestride. 3.…Mount'a-ble, a. p. 863Capable of being ascended or mounted.Mount'ain, n. p. 863A large mass of earth and rock, rising above the common level of the earth or adjacent land; an elevation or protuberance on the earth’s surface; a high hill; a great eminence; a mount. 2. That which…Mount'ain, a. p. 863Pertaining to a mountain; found on mountains; growing or dwelling on a mountain; as, mountain air; mountain pines; mountain goats. 2. Of mountain size; like a mountain; vast. “The high, the mountain…Mount'ain-dew, n. p. 863Genuine Scotch whisky;—so called as being often secretly distilled in the mountains of Scotland.Mount-ain-eer’, n. p. 863An inhabitant of a mountain. 2. A rustic; a freebooter; a savage.Mount'ain-er, n. p. 863A mountaineer. [Obs.]Mount'ain-ĕt, n. p. 863A small mountain; a hillock. [Obs.] Sidney.Mount'ain-oŭs, a. p. 863Full of mountains; as, the mountainous country of the Swiss. 2. Large as a mountain; huge; as, a mountainous heap. Prior. 3. Inhabiting mountains. [Obs.] Bacon.Mount'ain-oŭs-ness, n. p. 863The state of being mountainous.Mount'ançe, n. p. 863Amount; sum; quantity. [Obs.]Mount'ant, a. p. 863Rising on high. [Obs.] Shak.Mount'e-bank, n. p. 863One who mounts a bench or stage in the market or other public place, boasts of his skill in curing diseases, and vends medicines which he pretends are infallible remedies; a quack-doctor. Such is the…Mount'e-bank, v. t. p. 863To cheat by boasting and false pretenses; to gull. [Rare.] Shak.Mount'e-bank-er-y, n. p. 863Quackery; boastful and vain pretenses.Mount'e-bank-ĭsm, n. p. 863The principles or practice of a mountebank; mountebankery.Mount'e-näunçe, n. p. 863Amount; distance. [Obs.] Spenser.Mount'er, n. p. 863One who mounts or ascends. 2. An animal mounted; a monture. [Obs.]Mount'ing, n. p. 863The act of preparing for use, or embellishing. 2. That by which any thing is prepared for use, or set off to advantage; equipment; embellishment; as, the mounting of a sword or diamond.Mount'ing-ly, adv. p. 863By rising or ascending.Mount'let, n. p. 863A small or low mountain. “Snowy mountlets.” P. Fletcher.