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.
Pres-byt'ic, a. p. 1030Affected by presbytia; presbyopic.Prē′ sci-ence, n. p. 1030Knowledge of events before they take place; foresight. Of things of the most accidental and mutable nature, God's prescience is certain. South.Prē'sci-ent, a. p. 1030Having knowledge of events before they take place; foreknowing. Who taught the nations of the field and wood, Prescient, the tides or tempests to withstand? Pope.Pre-scĭnd′, v. t. p. 1030To cut off; to abstract. [Obs.] Norris. 2. (Metaph.) To consider by a separate act of attention or analysis. We may, indeed, be said to prescind, but not to abstract. Thus, let A, B, C, be three…Pre-scind'ent, a. p. 1030Cutting off; abstracting. [Rare.] Cheyne.Prē'sciōus, a. p. 1030Foreknowing; having foreknowledge; as prescious of ills. Dryden.Pre-scribe', v. t. p. 1030[Lat. præscribere, from præ, before, and scribere, to write; It. prescrivere, Sp. prescribir, Pg. prescrever, Pr. prescrire, Fr. prescrire, O. Fr. prescriber. 1. To lay down authoritatively for…Pre-scribe′, v. i. p. 1030To give law; to exercise arbitrary influence; to dictate; to give directions. A forwardness to prescribe to the opinions of others. Locke. 2. (Med.) To write or give medical directions; to indicate…Pre-scrib'er, n. p. 1030One who prescribes.Prē'script, a. p. 1030Directed; prescribed. “A prescript form of words.” Bp. Taylor.Prē'script, n. p. 1030Direction; precept; model prescribed. “Divine prescript.” Milton. 2. A medical order for the use of medicines; a prescription.Pre-scrip'ti-bil'i-ty, n. p. 1030The quality of being prescriptible.Pre-scrip'ti-ble, a. p. 1030Depending or derived from prescription; proper to be prescribed.Pre-scrip'tion, n. p. 1031The act of prescribing or directing, or that which is prescribed; especially, the direction of remedies for a disease, and the manner of using them; a recipe. 2. (Law.) A prescribing for title; the…Pre-scrip'tive, a. p. 1031Consisting in, or acquired by, immemorial use and enjoyment; as, a prescriptive right or title; pleading the continuance and authority of custom. The right to be drowsy in protracted toil has become…Pré'se-ance, n. p. 1031Priority of place in sitting. [Obs.] Carew.Pré-se-lĕct’, v. t. p. 1031To select beforehand; as, stars preselected for simultaneous observation by different observers.Prĕs'ence, n. p. 1031The state or condition of being present; being or situation within sight or call, at hand, in the same apartment or division of space, or the like;—opposed to absence. 2. The region in which one is…Prĕs'ence-chām'ber or Prĕs'ence-rōom, n. p. 1031The room in which a great personage receives company. Addison.Pré-sen-sā'tion, n. p. 1031Previous sensation or feeling; antecedent notion or idea. More.Pre-sēn’sion, n. p. 1031Previous perception. [Obs.] Browne.Prĕ'sent, a. p. 1031Being at hand, within reach or call, within certain contemplated limits, or the like; not away; — opposed to absent. These things have I spoken to you, being yet present with you. John xiv. 25. 2.…Prĕs'ent, n. p. 1031Present time; time in process now, or at the moment contemplated, as in the phrases, at this present, at that present. 2. (pl.) (Law.) Present letters or instrument; a deed of conveyance, a lease…Pre-sĕnt’, v. t. p. 1031To put or place in the presence of some one, especially of a superior; to give a formal introduction to; to set before; to make known; to offer for acquaintance; as, to present an envoy to the…Prĕs'ent, n. p. 1031That which is presented or given; a gift; a donative. His dog, to-morrow, by his master's commands, he must carry for a present to his lady. Shak. Syn. — Gift; donation; donative; benefaction. See…Pre-sĕnt'a-ble, a. p. 1031Capable or admitting of being presented; suitable to be exhibited, represented, or offered; fit to be brought forward or set forth; properly prepared to be introduced to another, or to go into…Prĕs'en-tā'ne-oŭs, a. p. 1031Ready; quick; immediate; as, presentaneous poison. [Obs.] Harvey.Prĕs/en-tā’tion, n. p. 1031The act of presenting, or the state of being presented; a setting forth; an offering; bestowal. Prayers are sometimes a presentation of mere desires. Hooker. 2. Hence, exhibition; representation…Presentation copy p. 1031a copy of a work presented to some one by the author, as a testimony of respect.Pre-sĕnt'a-tive, a. p. 1031(Eccl.) Having the right of presentation, or offering a clergyman to the bishop for institution; as, advowsons are presentative, collative, or donative. An advowson presentative is where the patron…Prĕs'ent-ee', n. p. 1031One presented to a benefice.Prē-sĕnt'er, n. p. 1031One who presents.Pre-sen'tial, a. p. 1031Implying actual presence; present; immediate. [Obs.] God's mercy is made presential to us. Bp. Taylor.Prĕs'en-tiăl'i-ty, n. p. 1031The state of being actually present. [Obs.] South.Prē-sĕn’tial-ly, adv. p. 1031In a way which supposes actual presence. [Obs.] Henry More.Pre-sĕn'ti-āte, v. t. p. 1031To make present. [Obs.] Grew.Pre-sĕn’tient, a. p. 1031Perceiving beforehand.Prĕs'en-tĭf'ie or Prĕs'en-tĭf'ie-al, a. p. 1031Making present. [Obs.]Prĕs/en-tif'ic-ly, adv. p. 1031In such a manner as to make present. [Obs.] Henry More.Pre-sĕnt'i-ment, n. p. 1031Previous conception, sentiment, or opinion; previous apprehension. Butler. 2. Especially, an antecedent impression or conviction of something about to happen, particularly of something unpleasant or…Pre-sĕnt'i-mĕnt'al, a. p. 1031Relating to, or in the nature of, a presentiment; foreboding. [R.] Coleridge.Pre-sĕn’tion, n. p. 1031The same as PRESENSION. [Obs.]Prĕs'ent-ly, adv. p. 1031At present; at this time; now. [Obs.] The towns and forts you presently have. Sidney. 2. At once; without delay; instantly; or, more often, soon; before long; after a little time; by and by. I will…Pre-sĕnt'ment, n. p. 1031The act of presenting, or the state of being presented; presentation. “The heels of my presentment.” Shak. 2. Setting forth to view; delineation; appearance; representation; exhibition. Power to…Prĕs'ent-ness, n. p. 1031The quality of being present; presence. “Presentness of mind in danger.” [Obs.] Clarendon.Presentoir, n. p. 1031An ornamental cup, very shallow, and having a tall, slender, enriched stem. Fairholt.Pre-sĕrv'a-ble, a. p. 1031Capable of being preserved; admitting of preservation.Prĕs'er-vā'tion, n. p. 1031The act of preserving or keeping safe; the state of being preserved or kept from injury, destruction, or decay; security; as, preservation of life or health; the preservation of buildings from fire…Pre-sẽrv'a-tive, a. p. 1031Having the power or quality of preserving or keeping safe from injury, destruction, or decay; tending to preserve.Pre-sẽrv'a-tive, n. p. 1031That which preserves, or has the power of preserving; that which tends to secure from injury, destruction, decay, or corruption; a preventive of injury or decay. It hath been anciently in use to wear…Pre-sẽrv'a-to-ry, a. p. 1031Having the power or a tendency to preserve; preservative.Pre-sẽrv'a-to-ry, n. p. 1031That which has the power of preserving; a preservative. Whitlock.Pre-sẽrve', v. t. p. 1031To keep or save from injury or destruction; to defend from evil, harm, danger, or the like; to keep; to guard. Now good angels preserve the king. Shak. 2. To save from decay by the use of some…Pre-sĕrve', n. p. 1032That which is preserved; fruit, or the like, seasoned and kept by suitable preparation. 2. A place for the shelter or preservation of animals designed for sport or food, as game, fish, or the like.Pre-sĕr'ver, n. p. 1032One who, or that which, preserves; one who saves or defends from destruction or evil. “Camillo, preserver of my father.” Shak. 2. One who makes preserves of fruits.Pré-shōw', v. t. p. 1032To show beforehand; to foreshow.Pre-side', v. i. p. 1032To be set for the exercise of authority; to occupy the place of ruler, moderator, principal director, or the like; to direct, control, and govern, as chief officer; as, to preside at a public…Prĕs'i-dençe, n. p. 1032The same as PRESIDENCY.Prĕs'i-den-cy, n. p. 1032The act or condition of one who presides; superintendence; inspection and care. Ray. 2. The office of president; as, Washington was elected to the presidency of the United States by a unanimous vote…Pres'i-dent, a. p. 1032Occupying the first rank or chief place; having authority; presiding. [Rare.] His angels president In every province. Milton.