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.
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.Pŏt'-bĕl'ly, n. p. 1018A protuberant belly.Pŏt'-boy, n. p. 1018A boy who carries pots of ale; a menial in a public house.Pŏtch, v. i. p. 1018To thrust; to push. [Obs.] I'll potch at him some way. Shak.Pŏtch, v. t. p. 1018To poach; to boil slightly. [Obs.]Pŏt'-com-păn'ion, n. p. 1018An associate or companion in drinking; applied generally to hard drinkers.Pŏt'e-ca-ry, n. p. 1018The same as POTHECARY. [Obs.]Po-teen’, n. p. 1018Irish whisky. [Written also potteen.]Pŏ'te-lot, n. p. 1018(Chem.) The sulphuret of molybdenum. Fourcroy, Trans.Pŏ'tençe, n. p. 1018(Her.) A cross whose ends resemble the head of a crutch; — called also cross-potence. 2. The same as POTENCY. Sir W. Hamilton.Pŏ'ten-cy, n. p. 1018The state of being potent; power. Now arriving At place of potency and sway o' th' state. Shak.Pŏ'tent, a. p. 1018Physically strong; forcible; powerful; efficacious; as, a potent medicine. Moses once more his potent rod extends. Milton. 2. Having great authority, control, or dominion; as, a potent prince. Shak.…Pŏ'tent, n. p. 1018A prince; a potentate. Shak. 2. A walking-staff or crutch. Chaucer.Pŏ'tent-a-cy, n. p. 1018Sovereignty. [Obs.]Pō'tent-ate, n. p. 1019One who is potent; a person who possesses great power or sway; a prince; a sovereign; an emperor, king, or monarch. Exalting him not only above earthly princes and potentates, but above the highest…Po-tĕn’tial, a. p. 1019Being potent; having latent power; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious. [Obs.] A voice potential, As double as the duke’s. Shak. 2. Existing in possibility, not in act. This…Po-tĕn’tial, n. p. 1019Any thing that may be possible; a possibility. Bacon.Po-tĕn-tĭ-ăl'ĭ-ty, n. p. 1019The state of being potential; possibility; not actuality. Bentley.Po-tĕn′tial-ly, adv. p. 1019In a potential or possible manner; in possibility; not in act; not positively. This duration of human souls is only potentially infinite. Bradley.Po-tĕn’ti-āte, v. t. p. 1019To render active or potent. “Substantiated and successively potentiated by an especial divine grace.” Coleridge.Pō'tent-ly, adv. p. 1019With great force or energy; powerfully. You are potently opposed. Shak.Pō'tent-ness, n. p. 1019Powerfulness; strength; might.Pō'tent-ate, n. p. 1019A chief magistrate; a potentate. [Obs. and rare.] Wycliffe.Pō-tes'ta-tive, a. p. 1019Authoritative. [Obs. and rare.] Pearson.Pŏt'gŭn, n. p. 1019A popgun. [Obs.] Swift. 2. A short, wide cannon, formed like a pot. [Obs.] “ Twelve potguns of brass.” Hakluyt.Pŏt'-hāng'er, n. p. 1019A pot-hook.Pōth'e-ca-ry, n. p. 1019One who keeps a shop, especially a shop for the sale of drugs; an apothecary. [Obs.]