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.
Polygonal numbers p. 1009a series of numbers in arithmetical progression;—so called because the number of points which they severally indicate may be arranged symmetrically in the form of some polygonal figure, as the…Pŏl'y-go-nôm'e-try, n. p. 1009The doctrine of polygons; an extension of some of the principles of trigonometry to the case of polygons. Math. Dict.Po-lŷg'o-noŏs, a. p. 1009Polygonal.Po-lyg'o-nūm, n. p. 1009(Bot.) A genus of plants embracing a large number of species, including the various kinds of buckwheat, bistort, knotgrass, &c.Po-lŷg'o-ny, n. p. 1009(Bot.) A plant of the genus Polygonium; knotweed;—so called from its numerous joints.Pŏl'y-grām, n. p. 1009A figure consisting of many lines. Barlow.Pŏl'y-grāph, n. p. 1009An instrument for multiplying copies of a writing with ease and expedition.Pŏl'y-grāph'ic or Pŏl'y-grāph'ic-al, a. p. 1009Pertaining to, or employed in, polygraphy; as, a polygraphic instrument. 2. Done with a polygraph; as, a polygraphic copy or writing.Po-ly̆g'ra-phy, n. p. 1009The art of writing in various ciphers, and of deciphering the same.Pŏl'y-gȳn, n. p. 1009(Bot.) A plant of the order Polygynia.Pŏl'y-gŷn'ĭ-ă, n. p. 1009(Bot.) An order of plants, in the Linnæan system, having many styles.Pōl'y-gyn'i-an or Po-lŷg'y-nous, a. p. 1009(Bot.) Having many styles; belonging to the order Polygynia.Po-ly̆g'y-ny, n. p. 1009The practice of having more wives than one at the same time. Forster.Po-lÿ'ha-līte, n. p. 1009(Min.) A mineral usually occurring in masses, of a fibrous structure, of a brick-red color, being tinged with iron, and consisting chiefly of the sulphate of lime, magnesia, and soda. Dana.Pŏl'y-hē'dral, a. p. 1009(Geom.) HarPōl'y-hĕd'rie-al p. 1009ing many sides, as a solid body. Polyhedral angle, an angle bounded by three or more plane angles having a common vertex. Math. Dict.Pŏl′y-hē′dron, n. p. 1009(Geom.) A body or solid contained by many sides or planes. 2. (Opt.) A polyscope, or multiplying glass.Pŏl'y-hē'drōŭs, a. p. 1009Polyhedral.Pŏl'y-hĭs'tor, n. p. 1009One versed in various learning. [Rare.] “An experienced poly-histor of infinite reading.” De Quincey.Pōl'y-hȳ'drīte, n. p. 1009An ore of iron; hisingerite.Pŏl'y-hŷm'ni-ā, n. p. 1009(Anc. Myth.) The muse of lyric poetry.Pō-lyl'o-gy, n. p. 1009A talking much; talkativeness; garrulity. [Obs.] Granger.Pō-lyl'o-quent, a. p. 1009Speaking much; talkative; loquacious. [Obs.]Pŏl'y-māth'ic, a. p. 1009Pertaining to polymathy; acquainted with many branches of learning.Po-lym'a-thist, n. p. 1009One versed in many sciences; one acquainted with many branches of learning. [Obs.]Po-lŷm'a-thy, n. p. 1009The knowledge of many arts and sciences; acquaintance with many branches of learning, or with various subjects. Johnson.Pŏl'y-mê'rie, a. p. 1009Relating to, or exhibiting, polymerism. Gregory.Po-lym'er-ism, n. p. 1009(Chem.) The principle according to which a diversity of compounds exists under a common formula; as, for example, the compounds that may exist under the general formula (C₂ H₂) nO₄ constitute an…Po-lym′er-ous, a. p. 1009(Bot.) Having many parts in each set. Gray. 2. (Chem.) Having the kind of relation called polymerism: characterized by polymerism.Pôl'y-mîg'nîte, n. p. 1009(Min.) A black, opaque mineral, having a brilliant, almost metallic luster, and containing titanic acid, zirconia, lime, yttria, oxides of iron, cerium, and manganese, and traces of potash, magnesia…Po-lŷm'nî-ä, n. p. 1009See POLYHYMNIA.Pŏl’yum-nīte, n. p. 1009(Min.) A stone marked with dendrites and black lines, and so disposed as to represent rivers, marshes, and ponds.Pŏl'y-mŏrph, n. p. 1009(Zoöl.) One of a numerous tribe or series of shells, which are very small, irregular, and singular in form, and which can not be referred to any known genus; — so called by Soldani.Pôl'y-môr'phic, a. p. 1009Of several different forms.Pŏl'y-môr'phĭsm, n. p. 1009(Crystallog.) The same as PLEOMORPHISM. 2. (Zoöl.) The capability of assuming different forms. 3. (Bot.) The capability of widely varying form.Pŏl'y-môr'phoŭs, a. p. 1009Having several different forms or characters; polymorphic. [Rare.] I find it difficult to form any judgment of an author so polymorphous as Herder. De Quincey.Pŏl'y-môr'phy, n. p. 1009Existence in many forms; polymorphism.Pŏl'y-nēme, n. p. 1009(Ichth.) A sea-fish of the genus Polynemus, characterized by having the ventral fins abdominal instead of thoracic. Baird.Pŏl'/y-nē'sĭ-ā, n. p. 1009(Geog.) A region of many islands; specifically, that part of the Pacific Ocean which includes numerous groups of islands, of which the more important are those of the Sandwich, Marquesas, Society…Pôl'y-nê'sian, a. p. 1009Pertaining to Polynesia.Po-ly̆n'i-ă, n. p. 1009The iceless sea around the North Pole; — so called by the Russians. Kane.Pŏl'y-nō'mi-al, n. p. 1009(Alg.) An expression composed of two or more terms, connected by the sign plus or minus. Math. Dict.Pŏl'y-nō'mi-al, a. p. 1009Containing many names or terms; multinomial.Pôl'y-ôm'ma·toûs, a. p. 1009Having many eyes.Pōl'y-ŏn'ō-mous, a. p. 1009Having many names or titles; many-titled. Sir W. Jones.Pōl'y-ōn'o-my, n. p. 1009Variety of different names. Faber.Pŏl'y-ŏp'tron or Pŏl'y-ŏp'trum, n. p. 1009(Opt.) A glass through which objects appear multiplied, but diminished.Pōl'y-o-rā'mā, n. p. 1009A view of many objects.Pŏl'yp, n. p. 1009An aquatic animal of the radiate type, having, in general, a cylindrical body, at one extremity of which there is a mouth, surrounded by one or more series of arms or tentacles. It has no special…Po-lŷp'a-roûs, a. p. 1009Producing a great number; bringing forth many.Pŏl'y-pa-ry, n. p. 1010Coral; — so called because formed by polyps. Dana.Pŏl'ŷpe, n. p. 1010See POLYP.Pŏl'y-pē'an, a. p. 1010Of, or pertaining to, polyps.Pŏl'y-pĕt'al-oŭs, a. p. 1010(Bot.) Having many petals; as, a polypetalous corolla. Martyn.Pō-lýph'a-goŭs, a. p. 1010Eating, or subsisting on, many things, or kinds of food.Pŏl'y-phār'ma-cy, n. p. 1010(Med.) (a.) The act or practice of prescribing too many medicines. (b.) A prescription made up of too many medicines. Dunglison.Pŏl'y-phōn'ic, a. p. 1010Having, or consisting of, many voices or sounds. 2. (Mus.) Consisting of several tone-series, or parts, progressing simultaneously, according to the laws of counterpoint; contrapuntal.Po-lýph'o-nĭsm, n. p. 1010Multiplicity of sounds, as in the reverberations of an echo. Derham. 2. (Mus.) Composition in parts; contrapuntal composition.Po-lŷph'o-nĭst, n. p. 1010One who professes the art of multiplying sounds, or who makes a variety of sounds; a ventriloquist. 2. (Mus.) A master of the art of polyphony; a contrapuntist.Po-lŷph'o-noŭs, a. p. 1010The same as POLYPHONIC.