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.
Pla-fōnd', n. p. 993The ceiling of a room, whether flat or arched; any soffit.Plā'gal, a. p. 993(Mus.) Having the principal tones lying between the fifth of the key and its octave or twelfth;—said of certain melodies or tunes, and opposed to authentic. Plagal cadence, a cadence in which the…Plā'ğēṣ, n. pl. p. 993Places; regions; countries. [Obs.] Chaucer.Plā'gi-a-rĭsm, n. p. 993The act or practice of plagiarizing. Swift.Plā'gi-a-rīst, n. p. 993One who plagiarizes, or purloins the writings of another, and puts them off as his own; a plagiary.Plā'gi-a-rīze, v. t. p. 993To steal or purloin from the writings of another.Plā'gi-a-rīze, v. i. p. 993To be guilty of literary theft; to purloin from the writings of another.Plā'gi-a-ry, n. p. 993A thief in literature; one who purloins another's writings, and offers them to the public as his own. 2. The crime of literary theft. [Obs.] Such kind of borrowing as this, if it be not bettered by…Plā'gi-a-ry, a. p. 993Stealing men; kidnapping. [Obs. and rare.] Browne. 2. Practicing literary theft. Hall.Plā'gi-hē'dral, a. p. 993(Crystal.) Having an oblique spiral arrangement of planes, as levogyrate and dextrogyrate crystals. Dana.Plā'gi-on-īte, n. p. 993(Min.) A sulphuret of lead and antimony, of a blackish lead-gray color and metallic luster. Dana.Plā'gi-o-stōme, n. p. 993(Ichth.) One of a group of cartilaginous fishes, including the shark, ray, and the like.Plā'gi-ōs'to-moŭs, a. p. 993Relating to the plagiostomes.Plāgue, n. p. 993That which smites or wounds; any afflictive evil or calamity; a great trial or vexation. “A plague upon this howling.” Shaks. They count that as an enjoyment, which, upon experience, they find a…Plāgue, v. t. p. 993To vex; to tease; to harass; to trouble; to embarrass. If her nature be so, Then she will plague the man that loves her most. Spenser. 2. To infest with disease, calamity, or natural evil of any…Plāgue'fŏl, a. p. 994Abounding with plagues; infected with plagues.Plāgue'less, a. p. 994Free from plagues or the plague.Plāgue'-märk, n. p. 994A plague-spot.Plāg'uer, n. p. 994One who plagues; one who vexes or annoys.Plāgue'-spŏt, n. p. 994A mark or token of pestilential disease; a token of something incurable.Plāgu'i-ly, adv. p. 994In a plaguing manner; vexatiously; extremely; horribly. [Colloq. and low.] “Ronsard is so plaguily stiff and stately.” Landor.Plāgu'y, a. p. 994Vexatious; troublesome; tormenting. [Colloq. and low.] “He is so plaguy proud.” Shak.Plāice, n. p. 994(Ichth.) A fish of the genus Platessa (Pleuronectes of Linnaeus), allied to the flounder, and growing to the size of eight or ten pounds or more. It swims on its side, and has both its eyes on one…Plaïce'-mouth, n. p. 994A mouth like that of a plaice; a small or wry mouth. [Rare.] B. Jonson.Plāid, n. p. 994A striped or variegated cloth, worn as an over-garment by the Highlanders in Scotland. It is a narrow woolen stuff, worn round the waist or on the shoulders, reaching to the knees, and, in cold…Plāid, a. p. 994Having a pattern or colors which resemble a Scotch plaid; checkered or marked with bars or stripes at right angles to one another; as, plaid white muslin.Plāid'ed, a. p. 994Wearing plaids. Campbell.Plāid'ing, n. p. 994Plaid cloth. Simmonds.Plāin, a. p. 994Without elevations or depressions; smooth; level; even; flat;—the same as PLANE. The sovereign weed between two marbles plain She pounded small. Spenser. 2. Open; clear; unencumbered; uninterrupted.…Plāin, adv. p. 994In a plain manner.Plāin, n. p. 994Level land;—usually, an open field with an even surface, or a surface little varied by inequalities; as, all the plain of Jordan. Him the Ammonite Worshiped in Rabba and her watery plain. Milton. 2.…Plāin, v. t. p. 994To level; to make plain or even on the surface. We would take Europe rather, plain the East. Wither. 2. To lament; to complain of. [Obs. or poet.] Chapman. Spenser.Plāin, v. i. p. 994To lament; to complain. [Obs. or poet.]Plāin'ant, n. p. 994One who makes complaint; plaintiff. [Obs.]Plāin'-chānt, n. p. 994The same as PLAIN-SONG.Plāin'-dēal'er, n. p. 994One who speaks out his views with great plainness.Plāin'-dēal'ing, a. p. 994Dealing or communicating with frankness and sincerity; honest; open; speaking and acting without art; as, a plain-dealing man.Plāin'-dēal'ing, n. p. 994A speaking or communicating with openness and sincerity; management without art, stratagem, or disguise; sincerity.Plāin'-heārt'ed, a. p. 994Having a sincere heart; communicating without art, reserve, or hypocrisy; of a frank disposition. Milton.Plāin'-heärt'ed-ness, n. p. 994The state of being plain-hearted. Hallywell.Plāin'ing, n. p. 994Complaint. [Obs.] Shak.Plāin'ly, adv. p. 994In a plain manner.Plāin'ness, n. p. 994Quality or state of being plain.Plāin'-sŏng, n. p. 994An ecclesiastical chant in duple measure with tones of equal length, and rarely extending beyond the compass of an octave. 2. A simple melody. Halliwell.Plāin'-speāk'ing, n. p. 994Plainness of speech; frankness; candor.Plāin'-spōk'en, a. p. 994Speaking with plain, unreserved sincerity. Dryden.Plāint, n. p. 994Audible expression of sorrow; lamentation; complaint; an accusation or protest on account of an injury received. There are three just grounds of war with Spain: one of plaints, two upon defense.…Plāint'ful, a. p. 994Containing a plaint; complaining; expressing sorrow with an audible voice. [Obs.] “My plaintful tongue.” Sidney.Plāint'iff, n. p. 994(Law.) The person who commences a personal action or suit to obtain a remedy for an injury to his rights; — opposed to defendant.Plaint'iff, a. p. 994The same as PLAINTIVE. [Obs.]Plāint’ive, a. p. 994Containing a plaint, or expression of sorrow; complaining. To soothe the sorrows of her plaintive son. Dryden. 2. Hence, indicating painful emotion or grief; serious; sad. Yet the most plaintive…Plāint'ive-ly, adv. p. 994In a plaintive manner.Plaint'ive-ness, n. p. 994The quality or state of being plaintive.Plāint'less, a. p. 994Without complaint; unrepining.Plāin'-work, n. p. 994Plain needlework, as distinguished from embroidery. Pope.Plāise, n. p. 994(Ichth.) A fish of the genus Platessa; the plaice. See PLAICE.Plaise'-mouth, n. p. 994A mouth like a plaice; a small mouth; hence, a prim or puckered mouth. B. Jon.Plāis'ter, n. p. 994The same as PLASTER. Shak.Plāit, n. p. 994A fold; a doubling, as of cloth. It is very difficult to trace out the figure of a vest through all the plaits and folding of the drapery. Addison. 2. A braid, as of hair or straw. Vulgarly…Plāit, v. t. p. 994To fold; to double in narrow folds; as, to plait a gown or a sleeve. 2. To interweave the strands or locks of; to braid; as, to plait the hair. 3. To entangle; to involve. Shak.