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.
Pĕrch, n. p. 968(Ichth.) An acanthopterygious fish of several species, of the genus Perca, inhabiting both fresh and salt water. They have powerful dorsal fins, with strong and sharp spines. The scales are…Pĕrch, n. p. 968A pole; a long staff; a rod. 2. A measure of length containing five yards and a half; a rod; as, (a.) (Land or Square Measure.) A square rod; the fortieth part of an acre. (b.) (Solid Measure.) A…Pĕrch, v. i. p. 968To light or settle on a fixed body, as a bird; to sit or roost.Pĕrch, v. t. p. 968To place on a fixed object or perch.Per-chançe', adv. p. 968By chance; perhaps; peradventure.Pérch'er, n. p. 968(Ornith.) One of an order of birds which perch or light on trees, &c. These have four toes, three before and one behind. Kirby.Pērch’er, n. p. 968A Paris candle anciently used in England; also, a larger sort of wax candle, which was usually set on the altar. [Obs.] Bailey.Per-chlō'rate, n. p. 968(Chem.) A compound of perchloric acid with a base.Per-chlō'rie, a. p. 968(Chem.) Containing one equivalent of chlorine to seven equivalents of oxygen;— said of a certain acid. Silliman.Pĕrch'-pĕst, n. p. 968A small, crustaceous animal that attaches itself to the mouth of a perch. Kirby.Per-çĭp'i-ençe, n. p. 968The quality or act of being percipient; perception.Per-çĭp'i-ent, a. p. 968Having the faculty of perception; perceiving; as, animals are percipient beings; mere matter is not percipient.Per-çĭp'i-ent, n. p. 968One who perceives, or has the faculty of perception. More.Per-clōse', n. p. 968Conclusion. [Obs.] Raleigh. 2. An inclosure; a railing. Weale. 3. A curved bench-back; a screen.Pēr'coid, a. p. 968(Ichth.) Resembling the perch; of the perch family.Pĕr'co-lāte, v. t. p. 968To strain through; to cause to pass through small interstices, as a liquor; to filter.Pér'co-lāte, v. i. p. 968To pass through small interstices; to filter; as, water percolates through a porous stone.Pĕr'co-lā'tion, n. p. 968The act of percolating, or filtering, or of passing through small interstices, as liquor through felt or a porous stone; filtration; straining. Percolation is intended for the purification of…Pér'co-lā'tor, n. p. 968A filtering machine. Francis.Per-cùr'so-ry, a. p. 968Running over slightly or in haste; cursory.Per-cùss′, v. t. p. 968To strike forcibly; to strike upon; to come into collision with. [Rare.] Bacon.Per-cùs'sion, n. p. 968The act of percussing, or of striking one body against another; the bringing or coming of two bodies violently together; forcible collision, especially such as gives a sound or report. 2. Hence, the…Per-cùs'sive, a. p. 968Striking against; as, percussive force.Per-cū'tient, n. p. 968That which strikes, or has power to strike. Bacon.Pêr'di-foil, n. p. 968A plant that annually loses or drops its leaves; a deciduous plant; —opposed to evergreen. The passion-flower of America, and the jasmine of Malabar, which are evergreens in their native climates…Per-dĭ'tion, n. p. 968Entire loss; utter destruction; ruin. “The perdition of the Turkish fleet.” Shak. 2. The utter loss of the soul, or of final happiness in a future state; future misery or eternal death. If we reject…Per-dĭ'tion-a-ble, a. p. 968Capable of being ruined; worthy of perdition. [Rare.] Pollok.Per-dū' or Pĕr'du, n. p. 968One who is placed on the watch or in ambush. Shak.Per-dū' or Pĕr'du or Per-dūe' or Pĕr'due, a. p. 968Lost to view; in concealment; close. Object not that it is unfitting he should lie perdue who is to walk the round. Fuller. The moderator, out of view, Beneath the desk had lain perdue. Trumbull. 2.…Per-dū'el-ism or Per-dū'el-lion, n. p. 968Treason.Pĕr'du-lōus, a. p. 968Lost; thrown away. [Obs.] Bramhall.Per-dūr'a-ble, a. p. 968Very durable; lasting; continuing long. [Obs.] Shak.Per-dūr'a-bly, adv. p. 968Very durably. [Obs.] Shak.Per-dūr'ançe, n. p. 968Long continuance. [Obs.]Pĕr'du-rā'tion, n. p. 968Long continuance; [Obs.] Ainsworth.Pêr'dy, adv. p. 968Pêr'die or Pār'die p. 968Certainly; verily; in truth; truly. [Obs.] Spenser.Pĕr'e-gal, a. p. 968Fully equal. [Obs.] Spenser.Pĕr'e-gri-nāte, v. i. p. 968To travel from place to place, or from one country to another; to live in a foreign country.Pĕr'e-gri-nate, a. p. 968Having traveled; foreign. [Obs.]Pĕr'e-gri-nā'tion, n. p. 968A traveling from one country to another; a wandering; abode in foreign countries. It should not be strange to us if in this our peregrination we do meet with rough passages. Burton.Pĕr'e-gri-nā'tor, n. p. 969A traveler into foreign countries.Pĕr'e-grīne, a. p. 969Foreign; not native. [Obs.] Bacon.Peregrine falcon p. 969a species of hawk, or falcon; Falco peregrinus. See FALCON.Pĕr'e-grīne, n. p. 969A peregrine falcon. See FALCON.Pĕr'e-grin'i-ty, n. p. 969Strangeness. [Obs.] Cook.Per-ēmpt', v. t. p. 969(Law.) To kill; to crush or destroy. [Obs.] Ayliffe.Per-ēm'ption, n. p. 969A killing; a quashing; nonsuit. [Obs.] Ayliffe.Pĕr'emp-to-ri-ly, adv. p. 969In a peremptory manner; absolutely; positively. Never judge peremptorily on first appearances. S. Richardson.Pĕr′emp-to-ri-ness, n. p. 969The quality of being peremptory; positiveness; absolute decision; dogmatism. Peremptoriness is of two sorts: one, a magisterialness in matters of opinion; the other, a positiveness in matters of…Pĕr'emp-to-ry, a. p. 969Precluding debate or expostulation; express; positive; absolute; decisive; authoritative. “Briefly, then, for we are peremptory.” Shak. Think of heaven with hearty purposes and peremptory designs to…Peremptory challenge p. 969Peremptory challenge (Law), a challenge, or right of challenging jurors, without showing cause. Syn.—Decisive; express; absolute; authoritative; arbitrary; dogmatical.Per-ēn'ni-al, a. p. 969Lasting or continuing without cessation through the year. 2. Hence, continuing without stop or intermission; perpetual; unceasing; never failing. The perennial existence of bodies corporate, and…Per-ēn'ni-al, n. p. 969(Bot.) A plant which lives or continues more than two years, whether it retains its leaves or not.Per-ên'ni-al-ly, adv. p. 969Continually; without ceasing.Per-ěn'ni-brăn'chi-ate, a. p. 969(Physiol.) Having branchiæ or gills through life, as certain inferior amphibians, like the Proteus. Carpenter.Per-ēn'ni-ty, n. p. 969The quality of being perennial; lasting continuance.Pĕr'er-rā'tion, n. p. 969A wandering or rambling through various places. Howell.Pĕr'fect, a. p. 969Brought to consummation or completeness; carried through; completed; filled up; full. Whence even now the tumult of loud mirth Was rife, and perfect in my listening ear. Milton. My strength is made…Pĕr'fect or Per-fĕct', v. t. p. 969To finish or complete, so as to leave nothing wanting; to give to any thing all that is requisite to its nature and kind; to make consummate. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love…