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.
Pär'a-mount, a. p. 947Superior to all others: of highest rank, dignity, consideration, or value; supreme. “A traitor paramount.” Bacon. “Paramount to all governments.” Locke. Lord paramount, the king, as being supreme in…Pār'a-mount, n. p. 947The highest in rank or order; the chief.Pār'a-mount'cy, n. p. 947The condition or rank of being paramount. [Rare.] Coleridge.Pār'a-mount'ly, adv. p. 947In a paramount or superior manner or degree.Păr'a-mour, n. p. 947Love; gallantry. [Obs.] 2. A lover of either sex; one beloved; a wooer or a mistress;—formerly in a good sense, now only in a bad one; hence, one who takes the place, without possessing the rights…Pār'a-nāph'tha-līne (-līn), n. p. 947(Chem.) A substance closely resembling naphthaline, found in coal-tar; — called also anthracene. It is composed of carbon and hydrogen. Gregory.Pa-răn’thĭne, n. p. 947(Min.) A species of scapolite, including certain compact varieties and crystals of white and pale-blue colors. Dana.Pa-rā' Nūt p. 947The Brazil nut. Simmonds.Păr'a-nymph, n. p. 947(Antiq.) A friend of the bridegroom, who escorted and encouraged the bride on her way to her marriage; a brideman or bridemaid. The Timnian bride Had not so soon preferred Thy paranymph, worthless to…Pār'a-pĕgm, n. p. 947A brazen table fixed to a pillar, on which laws and proclamations were anciently engraved. 2. A table set in a public place, containing an account of the rising and setting of the stars, eclipses…Pār'a-pēt, n. p. 947A wall or rampart to the breast, or breast high; especially, a wall, rampart, or elevation of earth for covering soldiers from an enemy’s attack from the front; a breast-work. [See Illust. of Abatis…Pār'a-pĕt'ed, a. p. 948Having a parapet.Pār'aph, n. p. 948The figure or flourish made by a pen under one's signature, formerly used to provide against forgery.Pār'aph, v. t. p. 948To add a paraph to; hence, to sign, as a document, with the initials.Pār'a-phēr'nā, n. pl. p. 948The same as PARAPHERNALIA.Pār'a-phēr'nal, a. p. 948Pertaining to, or consisting in, parapherna; as, paraphernal property. Kent.Pār'a-pher-nā'li-ā, n. pl. p. 948The articles which a wife brings with her at her marriage, or which she possesses beyond her dower or jointure, and which remain at her disposal after her husband's death. Such are her apparel and…Pār'a-phī-mō'sis, n. p. 948(Med.) Strangulation of the glans penis, owing to the opening of the prepuce being too small to allow it to be drawn from behind it.Pār'a-phō'nī-ā, n. p. 948(Mus.) A kind of progression, in Greek music, by fourths and fifths. 2. An alteration of voice.Pār'a-phrāse, n. p. 948A re-statement of a text, passage, or work, expressing the meaning of the original in another form, generally for the sake of its clearer and fuller exposition; a setting forth in other and more…Pār'a-phrāse, v. t. p. 948To explain, interpret, or translate with latitude; to unfold the sense of an author with more clearness and particularity than it is expressed in his own words.Pār'a-phrāse, v. i. p. 948To interpret or explain amply; to make a paraphrase.Pār'a-phrāst, n. p. 948One who paraphrases; one who explains or translates in words more ample and clear than the words of the author.Pār'a-phrāst'ic or Pār'a-phrāst'ic-al, a. p. 948Free, clear, and ample in explanation; explaining or translating in words more clear and ample than those of the author; not verbal or literal; diffuse.Pār'a-phrāst'ic-al-ly, adv. p. 948In a paraphrastic manner.Pār'a-phre-nī'tis, n. p. 948(Med.) An inflammation of the diaphragm. Arbuthnot.Pār'a-plē'gī-ă or Pār'a-plē'g-y, n. p. 948(Med.) Palsy of the lower half of the body on both sides. It is caused mainly by disease of the spinal cord.Par-ăp’/o-plĕx’/y, n. p. 948(Med.) A soporous state resembling apoplexy; false apoplexy. Dunglison.Pär'a-quet' or Pär'a-qui'to, n. p. 948A small species of parrot. See PARRAKEET.Pār'a-sāng, n. p. 948(Antiq.) A Persian measure of length, which Herodotus states to be thirty stadia, nearly four English miles; but in different times and places, it has been thirty, forty, or sixty stadia.Pār'a-scēne' or Pār'a-scē'ni-ūm, n. p. 948(Rom. Antiq.) An apartment in the back part of a theatre, used by the actors for robing and unrobing themselves.Pār'a-sçēū-ās'tie, a. p. 948Preparatory. [Obs. and rare.]Pā'ra-scē've, n. p. 948Preparation; among the Jews, the evening before the Sabbath. Chalmers.Pār'a-se-lē'ne, n. p. 948(Astron.) A mock moon; a luminous ring or circle encompassing the moon.Pār'a-sītē, n. p. 948(Gr. Antiq.) One whose office was to gather from the husbandmen the corn allotted for public sacrifices, and to superintend the sacrifices. 2. In later usage, one who dines at another's table; hence…Pār'a-sīt'ē or Pār'a-sīt'ē-al, a. p. 948Of the nature of a parasite: fawning for bread or favors; fawning; wheedling. “Parasitic preachers.” Milton. 2. Living on, or deriving nourishment from, some other living thing; growing upon or…Pār'a-sīt'ē-al-ly, adv. p. 948In a parasitic, flattering, or wheedling manner; by dependence on another.Pār′-a-sīt′ĭc-al-ness, n. p. 948The state of being parasitical; parasitism.Păr'a-sīt'īsm, n. p. 948The state, condition, manners, or behavior of a parasite.Pār'/a-sōl', n. p. 948A small umbrella used by ladies to defend their faces from the sun’s rays.Pār'a-sol-ětte, n. p. 948A small parasol or sunshade.Păr'a-sy-näx'is, n. p. 948(Civil Law.) An unlawful meeting.Pār'a-tăx'is, n. p. 948(Gram.) The mere ranging of propositions one after another, without connection or dependence;—the opposite of syntax. Brande.Pa-răth'e-sĭs, n. p. 948(Gram.) The placing of two or more nouns in the same case, or in apposition. 2. (Rhet.) A parenthetical notice, usually of matter to be afterward expanded. Smart. 3. (Print.) The matter contained…Paratonnerre, n. p. 948A conductor of lightning; a lightning-rod.Păr′/ă-vāl′, a. p. 948(Eng. Law.) At the bottom; lowest. Cowell. In feudal law, the tenant paravail is the lowest tenant of the fee, or he who is immediate tenant to one who holds over of another. Wharton.Pār'a-vānt or Pār'a-vāunt, adv. p. 948In front; publicly; before; sooner. [Obs.] Spenser.Pär'boil, v. t. p. 948To boil in part; to cook partially by boiling.Pär'boiled, p. a. p. 948Boiled moderately or in part.Pär'breāk, v. i. or v. t. p. 948To throw out; to vomit. [Obs.] Skelton.Pär'breāk, n. p. 948Vomit. [Obs.] Spenser.Pär'bŭck-le, n. p. 948(Naut.) A purchase formed of a single rope around any weighty body, as a spar or cask, by which it is lowered or hoisted.Pär'bŭck-le, v. t. p. 948To hoist or lower by means of a parbuckle. Totten.Pär'cel, n. p. 948A portion of any thing taken separately; a fragment of a whole; a part. [Rare.] The same experiments succeed on two parcels of the white of an egg. Arbuthnot. 2. An indiscriminate or indefinite…Pär'cel, v. t. p. 948To divide and distribute by parts or portions;—often with out. Their woes are parceled, mine are general. Shak. These ghostly kings would parcel out my power. Dryden. 2. To make up into a mass.…Pär'çel, a. & adv. p. 948Part or half; in part; as, parcel-gilt; parcel-poet. The worthy dame was parcel-blind, and more than parcel-deaf. H. Scott.Pär'çel-boōk, n. p. 948A merchant’s register book for the dispatch of parcels. Simmonds.Pär'çel-ing, n. p. 948(Naut.) Long, narrow slips of canvas daubed with tar and bound about a rope like a bandage, before it is served; used, also, to raise a mouse on the stays, &c.Pär'çe-na-ry, n. p. 948(Law.) The holding or occupation of an inheritable estate which descends from the ancestor to two or more persons; co-heirship. It differs in many respects from joint-tenancy, which is created by…Pär'çe-ner, n. p. 948(Law.) A co-heir, or one of two or more persons, to whom an estate of inheritance descends jointly, and by whom it is held as one estate.