Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
- Pages
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- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Pŏst'-mill, n. p. 1017A form of wind-mill so constructed that the whole fabric rests on a vertical axis firmly fastened to the ground, and capable of being turned by a lever as the direction of the wind varies.Pŏst'-môr'tem p. 1017After death. Post-mortem examination of a body (Med.), an examination made after the death of the patient.Pōst'-nā'tal, a. p. 1017After birth; as, post-natal infanticide.Pŏst'nate, a. p. 1017Subsequent. [Obs. and rare.] Bp. Taylor.Pōst'-nōte, n. p. 1017(Com.) (a.) A note issued by a bank, payable at some future specified time, whence its name post-note. (b.) A bank-note, made payable to order, and intended to be transmitted to a distant place by…Pōst'-nŭp'tial, a. p. 1017Being or happening after marriage; as, a post-nuptial settlement on a wife. Kent.Pōst'-ō'bit, n. p. 1018(Law.) A bond, in which the obligor, in consideration of having received a certain sum of money, binds himself to pay a larger sum, on unusual interest, on the death of some specified individual from…Pōst'-ŏf/fice, n. p. 1018An office, under governmental superintendence, where letters are received and distributed; a place appointed for attending to all business connected with the mail. 2. The governmental system for…Pōst-ōrb'it-al, n. p. 1018(Anat.) A certain bone of the skull. See SKULL.Pōst'-pāid, a. p. 1018Having the postage paid, as a letter.Pōst-pōne', v. t. p. 1018To defer to a future or later time; to put off; to delay; as, to postpone the consideration of a bill or question to the afternoon, or to the following day. 2. To set below something else in value or…Pōst-pōne'ment, n. p. 1018The act of postponing or deferring to a future time; temporary delay of business.Pōst-pōn'ençe, n. p. 1018Dislike. [Obs.]Pōst-pōn'er, n. p. 1018One who postpones.Pōst-pōse', v. t. p. 1018To place after; to postpone. [Obs.] In the solemn vow and protestation the defense of the king's person and authority is put first, which, in this covenant, is postposed to the privileges of…Pōst'po-sĭ'tion, n. p. 1018The state of being put back, or out of the regular place. Mede. 2. (Gram.) A word or particle placed after, or at the end of, a word; —distinguished from preposition. M. Müller.Pōst-pōs'i-tĭve, a. p. 1018Placed after something else, as a word.Pōst'-prān'dī-al, a. p. 1018Occurring subsequent to dinner; after-dinner. Butler.PŌst'-re-mōte', a. p. 1018More remote in subsequent time or order. Darwin.Pōst'-rōad or Pōst'-rōute, n. p. 1018A road over which the mail is carried.Pōst-scē'ni-um, n. p. 1018The back part of the stage.Pōst'script, n. p. 1018A paragraph added to a letter after it is concluded and signed by the writer; or any addition made to a book or composition after it had been supposed to be finished, containing something omitted, or…Pōst'script-ed, a. p. 1018Added in a postscript. [Rare.] J. Q. Adams.Pōst'-tēr'tia-ry, a. p. 1018(Geol.) The period following the tertiary; pleistocene; quaternary. Dana.Pōst'-town, n. p. 1018A town in which a post-office is established by law. 2. A town in which post-horses are kept.Pōst'ū-lant, n. p. 1018One who makes a request or demand; hence, a candidate.Pōst'ū-late, n. p. 1018A position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident, or too plain to require illustration; a truth to which assent may be demanded or challenged, without…Pŏst'ū-lāte, v. t. p. 1018To beg or assume without proof. [Rare.] 2. To take without positive consent; to assume. The Byzantine emperors appear to have exercised, or at least to have postulated, a sort of paramount supremacy…Pŏst'ū-lā'tion, n. p. 1018The act of postulating; gratuitous assumption. Hale. 2. Supplication; intercession; solicitation; also, suit; cause. Pearson. Burnet.Pōst'ū-la-to-ry, a. p. 1018Assuming or assumed without proof. Browne.Pōst'ū-lā'tum, n. p. 1018A postulate. Addison.Pōst'ū-mous, a. p. 1018Posthumous. [Rare.]Pōst'ūr-al, a. p. 1018Pertaining to posture.Pŏst'ūre, n. p. 1018(Fine Arts.) The situation of a figure with regard to the eye, and of the several principal members with regard to each other, by which action is expressed; attitude. Postures should be accommodated…Pōst'ūre, v. t. p. 1018To place in a particular manner; to dispose the parts of, with reference to a particular purpose. He was raw with posturing himself according to the direction of the chirurgeons. Brook.Pŏst’ūre-mās’ter, n. p. 1018One who teaches or practices artificial postures of the body. Spectator.Pō'sy, n. p. 1018A poetical sentence, or a sententious maxim; a motto; a verse; a legend or inscription. “The posy of a ring.” Shak. “Scarcely wider than the posy of a ring.” De Quincey. There was also a…Pŏt, n. p. 1018A large metallic or earthen vessel, appropriated to any of a great variety of uses, as for boiling meat or vegetables, for holding liquors, for plants, and the like. 2. A cup, as for holding liquors…Pŏt, v. t. p. 1018To place or inclose in pots; as, (a.) To preserve seasoned. “Potted fowl and fish.” Dryden. (b.) To set out or cover in pots; as, potted plants or bulbs. Mortimer. (c.) To drain; as, to pot sugar, by…Pōt, v. i. p. 1018To tipple; to drink. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]Pō'ta-ble, a. p. 1018Fit to be drunk; drinkable. “Water fresh and potable.” Bacon.Pō'tā-ble, n. p. 1018Something that may be drank; a beverage. Phillips.Pō'ta-ble-ness, n. p. 1018The quality of being drinkable.Pōt'āge, n. p. 1018See POTTAGE.Pŏt'a-ger, n. p. 1018A porringer. [Obs.] Grew.Po-tăg'ro, n. p. 1018A kind of pickle imported from the West Indies. King.Pŏt'ale, n. p. 1018The refuse from a grain distillery, used to fatten swine.Pŏt/a-mŏg'ra-phy, n. p. 1018An account of rivers; potamology.Pŏt'a-mŏl'o-ğy, n. p. 1018The science or scientific treatment of rivers; potamography.Pŏ'tance, n. p. 1018(Watch-making.) The stud in which the lower pivot of the verge is placed.Po-tār'go, n. p. 1018The same as POTAGRO.Pŏt'ăsh, n. p. 1018(Chem.) A powerful alkali, the protoxide of potassium; potassa. ☞ The name is very often applied, in popular language, to the substance in an impure state, as obtained from wood ashes by leaching.Po-tăs'să, n. p. 1018(Chem.) Pure potash, or protoxide of potassium.Po-tăs'si-ŭm, n. p. 1018(Chem.) A bluish-white, lustrous metal, having a strong affinity for oxygen, with which it forms potassa. It has an atomic weight of 39, and is lighter than water.Pŏ'tate, a. p. 1018Potable. [Obs.] B. Jonson.Po-tā'tion, n. p. 1018A drinking or drinking-bout. 2. A draught. 3. A species of drink.Po-tā′to, n. p. 1018(Bot.) A plant (Solanum tuberosum), and its esculent, farinaceous tuber, largely used for food, and in various farinaceous preparations. It is a native of South America. Sweet potato, a climbing…Potato-fly or Potato-rot or Potato-worm p. 1018a beetle of several species infesting the potato vine. The Cantharis vittata, which is of a yellowish-red above, barred with black, and the C. atrata, which is wholly black, are common species. They…Pŏ'ta-tō'ry, a. p. 1018Pertaining to drinking; as, potatory power.Pŏt'-bĕl'lied, a. p. 1018Having a prominent belly.