Dictionary
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.
Mȳr'i-o-rā'mā, n. p. 872A picture made up of several smaller pictures, drawn upon separate pieces in such a manner as to admit of combination in many different ways, thus producing a great variety of scenes.Myr-mē'le-ōn, n. p. 872(Entom.) A genus of neuropterous insects, including the ant-lion. Baird.Myr'mi-don, n. p. 872One of a tribe or troop who accompanied Achilles to the war against Troy; hence, a soldier of a rough character; a desperate soldier or ruffian under some daring leader.Myr'ōb'a-lān or Myr'ōb'o-lān, n. p. 872A dried fruit much resembling a prune. It contains tannin, and was formerly used in medicine, but now chiefly in tanning and dyeing. It is produced by various species of Terminalia of the East…My-rōp'o-list, n. p. 872One who sells unguents. [Obs.]Mȳ'rō-spēr'mum, n. p. 872(Bot.) A genus of plants growing in the warm parts of America, the different species of which yield balsamic products, among which are the balsam of Peru, and the balsam of Tolu. Baird.Myrrh, n. p. 872A transparent gum-resin, usually of an amber color, of an aromatic odor, and a bitter, slightly-pungent taste. It is used for its odor and for its medicinal properties. It exudes from the bark of a…Myr̆'rhie, a. p. 872Pertaining to, or obtained from, myrrh.Mȳr'rhine, a. p. 872Made of the murrhine stone, or fluoride of calcium, that is, fluor-spar. See MURRHINE.Mȳr'rhine, n. p. 872Same as MURRHINE, q. v.Myr-tā'ceous, a. p. 872Pertaining to the myrtle tribe of plants.Myr'ti-fōrm, a. p. 872Resembling myrtle or myrtle-berries.Myr'tle, n. p. 872(Bot.) A plant of the genus Myrtus, of several species. The common myrtle rises, with a shrubby, upright stem, eight or ten feet high. Its branches form a close, full head, thickly covered with ovate…Myr'tle-bĕr'ry, n. p. 872The fruit of the myrtle.Myr'tle-wāx, n. p. 872A wax obtained from the common bayberry (Myrica cerifera) or candleberry tree of the United States.My-sĕlf', pron. p. 872I or me in person;— used for emphasis, my own self or person; as, I myself will do it; I have done it myself;— used also instead of me, as the object of the first person of a reflexive verb, without…My-sōr'ine, n. p. 872(Min.) An impure oxide of copper found at Mysore, in Hindostan. Dana.Mýs'ta-gōg'ie or Mýs'ta-gōg'ie-al, a. p. 872Pertaining to the interpretation of mysteries.Mȳs'ta-gōgue, n. p. 872One who interprets mysteries. 2. One who keeps and shows church relics.Mýs'ta-gō'gy, n. p. 872The doctrines, principles, or practice of a mystagogue; interpretation of mysteries. [Rare.]Mys-tē'ri-al, a. p. 872Mysterious. [Obs.] B. Jonson.Mys-tē′ri-ārch, n. p. 872One presiding over mysteries. [Obs.]Mys-tē'ri-ous, a. p. 872Relating to, partaking of the nature of, or containing, mystery; difficult or impossible to understand; obscure; not revealed or explained. God at last To Satan, first in sin, his doom applied…Mys-tē'ri-ōŭs-ly, adv. p. 872In a mysterious manner.Mys-tē'ri-ōûs-ness, n. p. 872The quality of being mysterious, or of being hidden from the understanding, and calculated to excite curiosity or wonder; obscurity; perplexity. 2. That which is mysterious or obscure; a mystery.…Mys'ter-ize, v. t. p. 872To express in enigmas.Mys'ter-y, n. p. 872A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder; hence, specifically, that which is beyond human comprehension until…Mys'tic, n. p. 872One who holds to mysticism.Mys'tic or Mys'tic-al, a. p. 872Remote from human comprehension; governed by incomprehensible or mysterious laws; obscure. God hath revealed a way mystical and supernatural. Hooker. 2. Importing or implying mysticism; involving…Mŷs'tic-al-ly, adv. p. 872In a manner or by an act implying a secret meaning.Mŷs'tic-al-ness, n. p. 872Quality of being mystical.Mŷs'ti-cism, n. p. 872Obscurity of doctrine. 2. (Eccl. Hist.) The doctrine of the Mystics, who profess a pure, sublime, and wholly disinterested devotion, and maintain that they have direct intercourse with the divine…Mŷs'ti-fi-cā'tion, n. p. 872The act of involving in mystery or intentionally perplexing; also, something designed to mystify. The reply of Pope seems very much as though he had been playing off a mystification on his Grace. De…Mŷs'ti-fi-cā'tor, n. p. 872One who mystifies.Mȳs'ti-fy, v. t. p. 872To involve in mystery so as to mislead; to perplex purposely; to play upon the credulity of.Myth, n. p. 872A fabulous or imaginary statement or narrative, conveying an important truth, generally of a moral or religious nature; an allegory, religious or historical, of spontaneous growth and popular origin…Mythē, n. p. 872The same as MYTH.Myth'-his-to-ry, n. p. 872Mythical history; history consisting largely of myths.My̆th'ic or My̆th'ic-al, a. p. 872Relating to myths; described in a myth; of the nature of a myth; fabulous; imaginary; fanciful. “The mythic turf, where danced the nymphs.” E. B. Browning. Hengist and Horsa, Vortigern and Rowena…My̆th'ic-al-ly, adv. p. 872In a mythical way or manner.My̆-thŏg'ra-pher, n. p. 872A composer of fables.My̆th'o-lŏġ'ic or My̆th'o-lŏġ'ic-al, a. p. 872Relating to mythology; fabulous.My̆th'o-lŏġ'ic-al-ly, adv. p. 872In a way suited to the system of myths.Mý-thŏl'o-gist, n. p. 872One versed in mythology; one who writes on mythology, or explains the fables of the ancient pagans.Mý-thŏl'o-gīze, v. i. p. 872To relate or explain the fabulous history of the heathen.Mȳth'o-lŏgue, n. p. 872A fabulous narrative; a myth. [Obs.] May we not . . . consider his history of the fall as an excellent mythologue, to account for the origin of human evil? Geddes.Mȳ-thŏl'o-gy, n. p. 872The science treating of myths, or of legendary and religious popular fables; a treatise on myths. 2. A system of myths; a collective body of popular legends and fables respecting the supernatural…Mýth'o-plăṣm, n. p. 872A narration of mere fable.Mȳth'o-poe'ic, a. p. 872Making or producing myths; giving rise to mythical narratives. The same mythopoeic vein, and the same susceptibility and facility of belief, which had created both supply and demand for the legends…Mȳth'o-po-ēt'ic, a. p. 872Making or producing myths, or mythical tales.Mýt'i-lite, n. p. 872(Paleon.) A fossil shell of an animal of the genus Mytilus.Myx'ine, n. p. 872(Ichth.) A genus of fishes. See HAG.Myx'on, n. p. 872(Ichth.) An eel-shaped cartilaginous fish.N p. 873N, the fourteenth letter of the English alphabet, is a nasal consonant, and is formed by placing the end of the tongue against the root of the upper teeth, with the expulsion of a current of…Năb, n. p. 873The summit of a mountain or rock. [Prov. Eng.]Năb, v. t. p. 873To catch suddenly; to seize by a sudden grasp or thrust. [Col-log.]Nā'bĭt, n. p. 873Pulverized sugar-candy. Simmonds.Năb'lum, n. p. 873See NEBEL.Nā'bob, n. p. 873A deputy or viceroy in India; a governor of a province of the Mogul empire. 2. Hence, one who returns to Europe from the East with immense wealth; and generally, a wealthy and luxurious man; one…Năc'a-răt, n. p. 873A pale red color, with a cast of orange. 2. Fine linen or crape dyed of this color. Ure.