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.
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.Nāch, n. p. 873See NATCH.Năck'er, n. p. 873See KNACKER.Năck'er, n. p. 873See NACRE.Nā'cre, n. p. 873A beautiful iridescent substance which lines the interior of some shells, and is most perfect in the mother-of-pearl. [Written also nacker and naker.]Nā'cre-oūs, a. p. 873Consisting of, or resembling, nacre.Năc'rīte, n. p. 873(Min.) A mineral occurring in minute, white grains or scales, of a pearly luster and greasy feel, and consisting chiefly of silicate of alumina. Dana.Nā'dab, n. p. 873The high-priest of the Persians, nearly corresponding in rank and office to the Turkish mufti.Nā'dir, n. p. 873That point of the heavens, or lower hemisphere, directly opposite to the zenith; the inferior pole of the horizon; the point directly under the place where we stand. 2. Hence, the lowest point; the…Nä'dle-steīn, n. p. 873(Min.) Needle-stone; rutile.Næve, n. p. 873A spot. [Obs.] Dryden.}Næ-vōse', a. p. 873Spotted; freckled. [Obs.]Næ'vus, n. p. 873(Med.) A spot or mark on the skin of children when born; birth-mark. Dunglison.