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.
Nī'lo-scōpe, n. p. 886An instrument for observing, or measuring, the height of the waters of the Nile; a Nilometer.Nī-lŏt'ic, a. p. 886Pertaining to the River Nile, in Egypt.Nĭm, v. t. p. 886To take; to steal; to filch. [Obs.] Every one who had nimmed a church-bell did not ring it out for all to hear the sound thereof. Fuller.Nĭm-bĭf'er-oŭs, a. p. 886Serving to bring clouds or stormy weather.Nĭm'ble, a. p. 886Light and quick in motion; moving with ease and celerity; lively; swift. Through the mid seas the nimble pinnace sails. Pope. ☞ Nimble is sometimes used in the formation of self-explaining compounds…Nim'ble-ness, n. p. 887The quality of being nimble; lightness and agility in motion; quickness; celerity; speed; swiftness. The stag thought it better to trust to the nimbleness of his feet. Sidney. Ovid ranged over…Nĭm'bless, n. p. 887Nimbleness. [Obs.] Spenser.Nim'bly, adv. p. 887In a nimble manner; with agility; with light, quick motion. He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber. Shak.Nim-bōse', a. p. 887Cloudy; stormy.Nim’bus, n. p. 887(Fine Arts.) A circle, or disk, of rays of light around the heads of divinities, saints, and sovereigns, upon medals, pictures, and the like; a halo. When limited to the head only, it is termed…Ni-mi'e-ty, n. p. 887State of being in excess. [R.] There is a nimiety, a too-much-ness, in all Germans. Coleridge.Nīm'i-oûs, a. p. 887Excessive; extravagant; inordinate. [Obs.]Nim'mer, n. p. 887A thief. [Obs.]Nin'com-poop, n. p. 887A silly fool; a blockhead; a trifling dotard. [Low.]Nīne, a. p. 887One more than eight, or one less than ten; five and four added; as, nine miles.Nīne, n. p. 887The number next following eight and preceding ten; the sum of five and four. 2. A symbol representing nine units, as 9 or ix. The Nine, the nine Muses.Nīne'fōld, a. p. 887Nine times repeated.Nine'-hōles, n. p. 887A game in which nine holes are made in the ground, into which a ball is to be bowled.Nine'-kill'er, n. p. 887(Ornith.) The northern butcher-bird; — popularly so called.Nine'-mén's-môr/ris, n. p. 887See MORRIS.Nine'pence, n. p. 887A silver coin of the value of nine pence.Nīne'-pĭns, n. p. 887A play, originally with nine pins or pieces of wood set on end, at which a bowl is rolled for throwing them down; as, to play at nine-pins, or a game at nine-pins. ☞ In the United States, ten pins…Nīne'-scōre, a. p. 887Noting nine times twenty, or one hundred and eighty. See SCORE.Nīne'-scōre, n. p. 887The number of nine times twenty.Nīne'teen, a. p. 887Nine and ten; one more than eighteen, and one less than twenty; as, nineteen months.Nīne'teen, n. p. 887The number greater by one than eighteen; the sum of ten and nine. 2. A symbol representing nineteen units, as 19 or xix.Nīne'teenth, a. p. 887Following the eighteenth and preceding the twentieth; coming after eighteen of the same class. 2. Constituting or being one of nineteen equal parts into which any thing is divided.Nine'teenth, n. p. 887The quotient of a unit divided by nineteen; one of nineteen equal parts. 2. The next in order after the eighteenth; the ninth after the tenth. 3. (Mus.) An interval comprising two octaves and a…Nine'ti-eth, a. p. 887Next in order after the eighty-ninth. 2. Constituting or being one of ninety equal parts.Nīne'ti-eth, n. p. 887The quotient of a unit divided by ninety; one of ninety equal parts. 2. The next in order after the eighty-ninth; the tenth after the eightieth.Nīne'ty, a. p. 887Nine times ten; one more than eighty-nine; as, ninety men.Nīne'ty, n. p. 887The sum of nine times ten. 2. A symbol representing ninety units, as 90 or xc.Nĭn'ny, n. p. 887A fool; a simpleton; a dolt.Nin'ny-hăm'mer, n. p. 887A simpleton. Arbuthnot.Nin’sin, n. p. 887(Med.) A bitter root possessing medicinal qualities similar to those of ginseng. [Written also ninzin.] Dunglison.Ninth, a. p. 887Following the eighth and preceding the tenth; coming after eight of the same class. 2. Constituting or being one of nine equal parts into which any thing is divided.Ninth, n. p. 887The quotient of a unit divided by nine; one of nine equal parts. 2. (Mus.) (a.) An interval containing an octave and a second. (b.) A chord consisting of the common chord, with the eighth advanced…Ninth'ly, adv. p. 887In the ninth place.Nin'zin, n. p. 887See NINSIN.Nī'o-be, n. p. 887(Myth.) The daughter of Tantalus, and wife of Amphion, king of Thebes. Her pride in her children provoked Apollo and Diana, who slew them all. Upon this Niobe was struck dumb with grief, and remained…Nī-ō'bi-ŭm, n. p. 887(Min.) The metal previously named columbium. Dana.Nip, v. t. p. 887To inclose and compress tightly between two surfaces or edges which are brought together or closed; to pinch; to close in upon. May this hard earth cleave to the Nadir hell, Down, down, and close…Nĭp, n. p. 887A seizing or closing in upon; as, in the northern seas, the nip of the ice. 2. A pinch with the nails or teeth. 3. A small cut, or a cutting off the end. 4. A blast; a killing of the ends of plants…Nip'per, n. p. 887A fore tooth of a horse. The nippers are four in number. 2. A satirist. [Obs.] 3. A pickpocket; a petty thief. 4. A small draught; a sip; a nip. [Vulgar.]Nip'per-kĭn, n. p. 887A small cup. [Rare.]Nip′pers, n. pl. p. 887Small pincers for holding, breaking, or cutting. 2. (Naut.) A number of yarns marled together, used to secure a cable to the messenger.Nip'ping-ly, adv. p. 887In a nipping manner; with bitter sarcasm; bitingly.Nip'pi-tate, a. p. 887Peculiarly strong and good, as ale or other liquor. [Cant.] [Obs.] 'Twill make a cup of wine taste nippitate. Chapman.Nĭp-pi-tā'to, n. p. 887Strong liquor.Nĭp-pi-tā'tum p. 887Beau. & Fl.Nip'ple, n. p. 887The spongy, conical protuberance by which milk is drawn from the breasts of females; a teat; a pap. 2. The orifice at which any animal liquor is separated. [Rare.] Derham. 3. Any small projection in…Nip'ple-wort, n. p. 887(Bot.) An herb of the genus Lapsana, formerly used as an external application to the breasts of women.Nip'ter, n. p. 887(Eccl.) The ceremony of washing the feet observed by the members of some Christian sects in imitation of the act of the Savior, especially by those of the Greek church, who perform it on the Thursday…Nis p. 887Is not. [Obs.] Spenser.Nī'san, n. p. 887A month of the Jewish calendar, being the first month of the civil year, answering to the month of April. It was originally called Abib, but began to be called Nisan after the captivity. Kitto.Nī'sey, n. p. 887A simpleton; a fool. “To win applause from gaping niseys.” Hudibras Redivivus, 1707.Nī'sī, conj. p. 887Unless; if not. ☞ In legal proceedings, this word is used to indicate that any order, &c., shall take effect at a given time, unless before that time the order, &c., is modified, or something else is…Nisi prius p. 887unless before:—a phrase applied to terms of court, held generally by a single judge, with a jury, for the trial of jury causes. The term originated in a legal fiction. An issue of fact being made up…Nĭt, n. p. 887The egg of a louse or other small insect.Ni'ten-cy, n. p. 887Brightness; luster. 2. [From Lat. nitens, p. pr. of niti, to strive.] Endeavor; effort. Boyle.