Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Pōle'āx or Pōle'āxe, n. p. 1006An ax fixed to a pole or handle; or, rather, a sort of hatchet with a handle about fifteen inches in length, and often a point or claw bending downward, or projecting from the back of its head. It…Pōle'căt, n. p. 1006(Zoöl.) A carnivorous mammal (Mustela putorius), allied to the weasel, which exhales a disagreeable odor; the fitchew or fitchet. The AmericanPōle'da-vy, n. p. 1006A sort of coarse canvas; hence, any coarse wares. [Obs.] You must be content with such homely poledavy ware from me. Howell.Pōle'-ē'vil, n. p. 1006The same as POLL-EVIL.Pōle'-lāthe, n. p. 1006A simple form of lathe, or a substitute for a lathe, in which the work is turned by means of a cord passing around it, one end being fastened to the treadle, and the other to an elastic pole above.Pōl'e-mārch, n. p. 1006(Gr. Antiq.) In Athens, originally, the military commander-in-chief; but, afterward, a civil magistrate who had under his care all strangers and sojourners in the city. There were also in Sparta…Pōle'-māst, n. p. 1006(Naut.) A mast formed of a single piece, or from a single tree. Craig.Po-lēm'ic, n. p. 1006One who writes in support of an opinion or system in opposition to another; a controversialist; a disputant. “The sarcasm and invective of the young polemic.” Macaulay.Po-lēm'ic or Po-lēm'ic-al, a. p. 1006Pertaining to, engaged in, or involving controversy; controversial; as, a polemic treatise, discourse, essay, or book; polemic divinity. 2. Given to controversy; disputatious; as, a polemic writer.…Po-lēm'i-cist, n. p. 1006One given to controversy; a polemic. [Rare.]Po-lēm'ics, n. sing. p. 1006Contest or controversy, especially on religious subjects; — that branch of theological science which pertains to the history or conduct of ecclesiastical controversy. [See Note under MATHEMATICS.]Pōl'e-mīst, n. p. 1006A polemic. [Rare.]Po-lēm'o-scōpe, n. p. 1006An oblique perspective glass contrived for seeing objects that do not lie directly before the eye; — called also diagonal or side opera-glass.Pōl'e-my, n. p. 1006Warfare; war; hence, contention; opposition; resistance. [Obs.]Po-lĕn'ta, n. p. 1006Pudding made of the flour of maize, or Indian meal. [Italy.] 2. A pudding made of the meal of chestnuts boiled in milk. [France.] Simmonds.Pōl'er, n. p. 1006One who poles. 2. An extortioner. See POLLER. Burton.Pōle'-stär, n. p. 1006(Astron.) A star at or near to the pole of the heavens; a lode-star. The present northern pole-star is the star Alpha, of the second magnitude, in the constellation Ursa Minoris. 2. Hence, that which…Pō'ley, n. p. 1006See POLY.Pō'ley-grāss, n. p. 1006A plant of the genus Lythrum.Pō'ley-mount'ain, n. p. 1006(Bot.) A plant of the genus Teucrium.Pō'li-a-nīte, n. p. 1006(Min.) A mineral occurring in crystals, and consisting chiefly of the peroxide of manganese.Pō'li-ăn' thēz, n. p. 1006(Bot.) A genus of plants, one species of which (P. tuberosa) is cultivated for its flowers.Po-līçe', n. p. 1006A judicial and executive system and an organized civil force for the government of a city, town, or district, for the preservation of order, cleanliness, health, &c., and for the enforcement of the…Po-līçed' or Pōl'i-çied, a. p. 1006Regulated by laws; furnished with a regular system of laws and administration. Bacon. Burke.Po-līce'man, n. p. 1006One of the ordinary police.Po-lī'cial, a. p. 1006Of, or pertaining to, the police. [Rare.]Pŏl'i-cy, n. p. 1006Polity. [Obs.] 2. The settled method by which the government and affairs of a nation are, or may be, administered; a system of public or official administration, as designed to promote the external…Pŏl'i-cy, n. p. 1007A ticket or warrant for money in the public funds. 2. (Law.) The writing or instrument in which a contract of insurance is embodied; an instrument in writing containing the terms and conditions on…Pōl'i-cy, v. t. p. 1007To supply with, or subject to, policy or organized government; to reduce to order. [Obs.]Pōl'i-cy-bōōk, n. p. 1007A book kept in an insurance office for making entries of policies granted.Pŏl'i-cy-hōld'er, n. p. 1007One to whom a policy or certificate of insurance is granted.Pōl'ing, n. p. 1007(Gardening.) The operation of dispersing the worm-casts all over the walks with long poles. 2. The act of poling; as, the poling of a boat; the poling of beans, &c. 3. One of the planks or boards…Pōl'ish, a. p. 1007(Geog.) Of, or pertaining to, Poland or its inhabitants.Pŏl'ish, v. t. p. 1007To make smooth and glossy, usually by friction; as, to polish glass, marble, metals, and the like. 2. Hence, to refine; to wear off the rudeness, rusticity, or coarseness of; to make elegant and…Pŏl'ish, v. i. p. 1007To become smooth; to receive a gloss; to take a smooth and glossy surface. Steel will polish almost as white and bright as silver. Bacon.Pŏl'ish, n. p. 1007A smooth, glossy surface, produced by friction. Another prism of clearer glass and better polish seemed free from veins. Newton. 2. Hence, refinement; elegance of manners. What are these wondrous…Pŏl'ish-a-ble, a. p. 1007Capable of being polished.Pŏl'ished-ness, n. p. 1007State of being polished, or of being refined and elegant. Donne. Coventry.Pōl'ish-er, n. p. 1007One who polishes; that which polishes or is used in polishing. Addison.Pōl'ish-ing-ī'ron, n. p. 1007An iron implement used in smoothing; a flat-iron. Simmonds.Pŏl'ish-ing-slāte, n. p. 1007A hone-slate or whetstone.Pōl'ish-ing-snāke, n. p. 1007A tool used by lithographers. Simmonds.Pŏl'ish-ment, n. p. 1007The act of polishing, or the state of being polished. [Rare.]Po-lite', a. p. 1007Smooth; glossy; polished. [Obs.] “Rays of light falling on a polite surface.” Newton. 2. Elegant in manners; refined in behavior; well-bred; courteous; complaisant; obliging. He marries, bows at…Po·lite', v. t. p. 1007To cause to be polite; to render polite. [Obs.] Ray.Po-līte'ly, adv. p. 1007With elegance of manners; genteelly; courteously.Po-līte'ness, n. p. 1007The state or quality of being polite; polish or elegance of manners; gentility; good breeding; courteousness; complaisance; obliging attentions. 2. Rare finish; elegance. [Obs.] “Renowned for the…Pŏl'i-tĕsse' (-tĕs'),, n. p. 1007Politeness. ☞ “An affected word, unless when applied, by way of contempt, to overacted politeness.” Smart.Pŏl'i-tic, a. p. 1007Political; as, the body politic. He with his people made all but one politic body. Sidney. 2. Pertaining to or promoting a policy, especially a national policy; well devised; adapted to its end…Pŏl'i-tie, n. p. 1007A politician. [Obs.] “Worldlings and depraved politics.” Bacon.Po-litʹi-cal, a. p. 1007Furnished with fixed or regular system or administration of government. [Rare.] This beautiful city is more stained with such horrid acts of revenge and murders than any one place in Europe, . . . or…Po-lit'ic-al-ism, n. p. 1007Earnestness or party spirit in political matters.Po-lit'ic-al-ly, adv. p. 1007In a political manner.Po-lĭt'i-căs/ter, n. p. 1007A petty politician; a pretender to politics. “The tribe of aphorismers and politicasters.” Milton.Pŏl/i-tĭ'cian, n. p. 1007One who is versed in the science of government and the art of governing; one devoted to politics. “Empiric politicians.” Dryden. 2. One who is devoted to the advancement of a political party; one who…Pŏl/i-tĭ'cian, a. p. 1007Cunning; using artifice. [Obs.]Po-lĭt'i-çist, n. p. 1007A political writer. [Rare.]Pŏl'i-tic-ly, adv. p. 1007In a political manner; sagaciously; artfully.Pŏl'i-tics, n. sing. p. 1007The science of government; that part of ethics which has to do with the regulation and government of a nation or state, the preservation of its safety, peace, and prosperity; the defense of its…Pŏl'i-tīze, v. t. p. 1007To play the politician. [Obs.] Milton.