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An American Dictionary of the English Language

by Noah Webster

Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)

Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865

Entries
95,912
Pages
1,538
Illustrations
2,133

Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.

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  1. 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…
  2. 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.
  3. Pŏst’ūre-mās’ter, n.p. 1018One who teaches or practices artificial postures of the body. Spectator.
  4. 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…
  5. 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…
  6. 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…
  7. Pōt, v. i.p. 1018To tipple; to drink. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
  8. Pō'ta-ble, a.p. 1018Fit to be drunk; drinkable. “Water fresh and potable.” Bacon.
  9. Pō'tā-ble, n.p. 1018Something that may be drank; a beverage. Phillips.
  10. Pō'ta-ble-ness, n.p. 1018The quality of being drinkable.
  11. Pōt'āge, n.p. 1018See POTTAGE.
  12. Pŏt'a-ger, n.p. 1018A porringer. [Obs.] Grew.
  13. Po-tăg'ro, n.p. 1018A kind of pickle imported from the West Indies. King.
  14. Pŏt'ale, n.p. 1018The refuse from a grain distillery, used to fatten swine.
  15. Pŏt/a-mŏg'ra-phy, n.p. 1018An account of rivers; potamology.
  16. Pŏt'a-mŏl'o-ğy, n.p. 1018The science or scientific treatment of rivers; potamography.
  17. Pŏ'tance, n.p. 1018(Watch-making.) The stud in which the lower pivot of the verge is placed.
  18. Po-tār'go, n.p. 1018The same as POTAGRO.
  19. 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.
  20. Po-tăs'să, n.p. 1018(Chem.) Pure potash, or protoxide of potassium.
  21. 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.
  22. Pŏ'tate, a.p. 1018Potable. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
  23. Po-tā'tion, n.p. 1018A drinking or drinking-bout. 2. A draught. 3. A species of drink.
  24. 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…
  25. Potato-fly or Potato-rot or Potato-wormp. 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…
  26. Pŏ'ta-tō'ry, a.p. 1018Pertaining to drinking; as, potatory power.
  27. Pŏt'-bĕl'lied, a.p. 1018Having a prominent belly.
  28. Pŏt'-bĕl'ly, n.p. 1018A protuberant belly.
  29. Pŏt'-boy, n.p. 1018A boy who carries pots of ale; a menial in a public house.
  30. Pŏtch, v. i.p. 1018To thrust; to push. [Obs.] I'll potch at him some way. Shak.
  31. Pŏtch, v. t.p. 1018To poach; to boil slightly. [Obs.]
  32. Pŏt'-com-păn'ion, n.p. 1018An associate or companion in drinking; applied generally to hard drinkers.
  33. Pŏt'e-ca-ry, n.p. 1018The same as POTHECARY. [Obs.]
  34. Po-teen’, n.p. 1018Irish whisky. [Written also potteen.]
  35. Pŏ'te-lot, n.p. 1018(Chem.) The sulphuret of molybdenum. Fourcroy, Trans.
  36. 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.
  37. Pŏ'ten-cy, n.p. 1018The state of being potent; power. Now arriving At place of potency and sway o' th' state. Shak.
  38. 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.…
  39. Pŏ'tent, n.p. 1018A prince; a potentate. Shak. 2. A walking-staff or crutch. Chaucer.
  40. Pŏ'tent-a-cy, n.p. 1018Sovereignty. [Obs.]
  41. 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…
  42. 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…
  43. Po-tĕn’tial, n.p. 1019Any thing that may be possible; a possibility. Bacon.
  44. Po-tĕn-tĭ-ăl'ĭ-ty, n.p. 1019The state of being potential; possibility; not actuality. Bentley.
  45. 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.
  46. Po-tĕn’ti-āte, v. t.p. 1019To render active or potent. “Substantiated and successively potentiated by an especial divine grace.” Coleridge.
  47. Pō'tent-ly, adv.p. 1019With great force or energy; powerfully. You are potently opposed. Shak.
  48. Pō'tent-ness, n.p. 1019Powerfulness; strength; might.
  49. Pō'tent-ate, n.p. 1019A chief magistrate; a potentate. [Obs. and rare.] Wycliffe.
  50. Pō-tes'ta-tive, a.p. 1019Authoritative. [Obs. and rare.] Pearson.
  51. Pŏt'gŭn, n.p. 1019A popgun. [Obs.] Swift. 2. A short, wide cannon, formed like a pot. [Obs.] “ Twelve potguns of brass.” Hakluyt.
  52. Pŏt'-hāng'er, n.p. 1019A pot-hook.
  53. Pōth'e-ca-ry, n.p. 1019One who keeps a shop, especially a shop for the sale of drugs; an apothecary. [Obs.]
  54. Po-theen', n.p. 1019The same as POTEEN.
  55. Pŏth'er, n.p. 1019Bustle; confusion; tumult; flutter. The wind Coming on with a terrible pother. Wordsworth.
  56. Pŏth'er, v. i.p. 1019To make a blustering, ineffectual effort; to make a stir.
  57. Pŏth'er, v. t.p. 1019To harass and perplex; to puzzle. Locke.
  58. Pŏt'-hĕrb, n.p. 1019Any herb fitted for the table; an herb used in cooking for food.
  59. Pŏt'-hōle, n.p. 1019A circular hole formed in the rocky beds of rivers by the grinding action of stones whirled round by the water in what was at first a natural depression of the rock. Dana.
  60. Pŏt'-hŏŏk, n.p. 1019A hook on which pots and kettles are hung over the fire. 2. A letter or character like a pot-hook; a scrawled letter. I have often wished for some person as well skilled as you in these old pot-hooks…