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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- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Prick, v. t. p. 1035To pierce with a sharp-pointed instrument or substance; to make a puncture in; to drive a fine point into; as, to prick one with a pin, needle, or the like. 2. To fix by the point; to hang by…Prick, v. i. p. 1035To be pricked or punctured; to suffer or feel penetration by a point or sharp pain. 2. To spur onward; to ride forth on horseback. Before each van Prick forth the airy knights. Milton. 3. To become…Prick, n. p. 1035That which pricks, penetrates, or punctures; a sharp and slender thing; a pointed instrument, a goad, spur, or the like; a point; a skewer. “Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary.” Shak. It…Prick, v. i. p. 1035To dress one's self for show: to deck one's self out; to prink. “They have much pricking.” Latimer.Prick'er, n. p. 1035That which pricks; a sharp point; a pointed instrument; a prickle. 2. One who pricks or spurs forward; a light horseman. The prickers, who rode foremost in the troop, halted. W. Scott. 3. A thin rod…Prĭck'et, n. p. 1035A buck in his second year. Manwood.Prick'ing, n. p. 1035The act of piercing with a sharp point. 2. (Far.) (a.) The driving of a nail into a horse’s foot so as to produce lameness. (b.) The same as NICKING. Gardner. 3. A sensation of sharp pain, or of…Prick'ing-ŭp, n. p. 1035(Arch.) The first coating of plaster, in work of three coats upon laths. Its surface is scratched over to form a better key for the next coat. Brande.Prĭck'le, n. p. 1035A little prick; a small sharp-pointed projection, as from the skin of an animal, the bark of a plant, or the like. 2. A sort of basket;—a term still technically used in some branches of the trade.…Prick'le, v. t. p. 1035To pierce with a prickle, or with fine, sharp points; to prick slightly. Felt a horror over me creep, Prickle my skin, and catch my breath. Tennyson.Prĭck'le-băck, n. p. 1035(Ichth.) A small fish, so named from the prickles on its back; the stickle-back.Prĭck'li-ness, n. p. 1035The state of being prickly, or of having many prickles.Prĭck'-louse, n. p. 1035A tailor;—so called in contempt. [Obs.] L'Estrange.Prĭck'ly, a. p. 1035Full of sharp points or prickles, armed with prickles; as, a prickly shrub.Prĭck'ly-ăsh, n. p. 1035(Bot.) A prickly shrub (Xanthoxylum Americanum), with yellowish flowers appearing with the leaves. All parts of the plant are pungent and aromatic. The southern species is X. Caroliniensis. Gray.Prĭck'ly-bull'hĕad, n. p. 1035(Ichth.) A fresh-water fish of the genus Cottus.Prĭck'ly-hēat, n. p. 1035(Med.) A non-contagious cutaneous eruption of red pimples, attended with intense itching and tingling of the parts affected. Wilson.Prick'ly-peâr, n. p. 1035(Bot.) A species of Cactus, especially the Cactus opuntia, a fleshy and succulent plant, destitute of leaves, covered with spines, and consisting of flattened joints inserted upon each other. It…Prick'mād-am, n. p. 1035A species of houseleek. Johnson.Prick'-pōst, n. p. 1035(Arch.) The same as QUEEN-POST. See QUEEN-POST. Gwilt.Prĭck'-pŭnch, n. p. 1035A piece of tempered steel with a conical point, to prick a mark on cold iron or other metal. Moxon.Prĭck'-shâft, n. p. 1035An arrow. “The brunt of many a prick-shaft shot.” Taylor.Prick'-sŏng, n. p. 1035Music written down;—sometimes more particularly, music in parts; so called from the points, or dots, with which it is noted down. When opposed to plain-song, it means counter-point. [Obs.] He fights…Prick'wôod, n. p. 1035(Bot.) A European shrub of the genus Euonymus, so named from the former use of the wood for skewers. London.Prick'y, a. p. 1035Stiff and sharp; prickly. Holland.Prīde, n. p. 1035The state or quality of being proud; inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of…Prīde, v. t. p. 1036To indulge in pride; to gratify in self-esteem; to allow in vanity or boasting; — used reflexively. “A savage Indian priding himself in those trifles which our children have learned to contemn.” Bp.…Pride, n. p. 1036(Ichth.) An immature species of lamprey, of the genus Ammocœtus.Pride, v. i. p. 1036To be proud; to glory. [Obs.]Pride'ful, a. p. 1036Full of pride; scornful. Tennyson.Prīde'ful-ly, adv. p. 1036In a prideful manner; insolently; scornfully.Pride'ful-ness, n. p. 1036The quality of being prideful; insolence; scornfulness.Pride'less, a. p. 1036Without pride. [Obs.] Chaucer.Prīd'ing-ly, adv. p. 1036With pride; in pride of heart. [Obs.] Barrow.Prīe, n. p. 1036The plant privet. [Obs.] Tusser.Prīe, v. i. p. 1036To pry. [Obs.] Chaucer.Prie-dieu, n. p. 1036A kind of desk at which to kneel for prayer.Priēf, n. p. 1036Proof. [Obs.] Chaucer.Prī'er, n. p. 1036One who inquires narrowly; one who searches and scrutinizes. “So pragmatical a prier he is into divine secrets.” Fuller.Priest, n. p. 1036(Christian Church.) A presbyter or elder; a minister; as, (a.) (Lat. & Gr. Churches.) One who is authorized to consecrate the host and to say mass; but especially, one of the lowest order possessing…Priēst'-cāp, n. p. 1036(Fort.) A work so named from its points; — called also swallow-tail. See REDAN.Priest'craft, n. p. 1036The stratagems and frauds of priests; fraud or imposition in religious concerns; management of selfish and ambitious priests to gain wealth and power, or to impose on the credulity of others. It is…Priest'er-y, n. p. 1036Priests taken collectively; a body of priests; — so called in contempt. [Rare.] Milton.Priest'ess, n. p. 1036A female, among pagans, who officiated in sacred things.Priest'hōod, n. p. 1036The office or character of a priest. Whitgift. 2. Priests taken collectively; the order of men set apart for sacred offices; the order composed of priests. Dryden.Priest'ing, n. p. 1036The duty or office of a priest. [Obs. and rare.] Milton.Priest'ism, n. p. 1036The influence, doctrines, principles, or the like, of priests. [Rare.]Priest'less, a. p. 1036Without a priest. Pope.Priest'li-ness, n. p. 1036The appearance and manner of a priest.Priest'ly, a. p. 1036Pertaining to, or becoming, a priest or priests; sacerdotal; as, the priestly office; priestly sobriety and purity of life.Priĕst'-rīd'den, a. p. 1036Managed or governed by priests. Swift.Prīēve, v. t. p. 1036To prove. [Obs.] Spenser.Prig, n. p. 1036A pert, conceited, saucy, pragmatical fellow. “The queer prig of a doctor.” Macaulay. 2. A thief. [Cant.] All sorts of villains, knaves, prigs, &c., are essential parts of the equipage of life. De…Prĭg, v. i. p. 1036To haggle about the price of a commodity. [Prov. Eng.] Ramsay.Prĭg, v. t. p. 1036To haggle about; to cheapen; as, to prig a salmon. [Scot.] 2. To filch or steal. [Cant.]Prig'ger-y, n. p. 1036The manners of a prig; priggism.Prĭg'gish, a. p. 1036Affected; coxcomical; conceited.Prig'gish-ly, adv. p. 1036In a priggish manner.Prig'gish-ness, n. p. 1036The state of being priggish.Prig'gism, n. p. 1036The manners of a prig. Ed. Rev.