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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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Prō'á, n. p. 1040(Naut.) A long, narrow, sail canoe, used in the regions of the trade-winds, with the head and stern exactly alike, but with the sides differently formed. That which is intended for the lee side is…Prō'ach, v. i. p. 1040To approach. [Obs.] Fairfax.Pro-au'li-on, n. p. 1040(Arch.) A vestibule or porch.Prōb'a-bil-ism, n. p. 1040The doctrine of the probabilists.Prōb'a·bil-ist, n. p. 1040One of those who maintain that certainty is impossible, and that probability alone is to govern our faith and actions. 2. (Morals & Theol.) One who maintains that a man may do what is probably right…Prōb'a-bĭl'i-ty, n. p. 1040The quality of being probable; appearance of truth; likelihood. Probability is the appearance of the agreement or disagreement of two ideas by the intervention of proofs whose connection is not…Prŏb'a-ble, a. p. 1040Capable of being proved; provable. [Obs.] 2. Having more evidence for than against; supported by evidence which inclines the mind to belief, but leaves some room for doubt; likely. That is accounted…Prōb'a-ble, n. p. 1040That which is probable; a probable thing or circumstance.Prōb'a-bly, adv. p. 1040In a probable manner; to such a degree as to give ground for belief; in likelihood. Distinguish between what may possibly and what will probably be done. L'Estrange.Prō'ba-cy, n. p. 1040Proof. [Obs.] Chaucer.Prŏ'bang, n. p. 1040(Surg.) A flexible piece of whalebone, with a sponge fixed to the end.Prō'bāte, n. p. 1040Proof. [Obs.] Shelton. 2. (Law.) (a.) Official proof; especially, the proof before a competent officer or tribunal that an instrument offered, purporting to be the last will and testament of a person…Prō'bate, a. p. 1040Of, or belonging to, a probate or court of probate; as, a probate record. Probate Court, or Court of Probate, a court for the probate of wills. — Probate duty, a government tax on property passing by…Pro-bā'tion, n. p. 1040The act of proving; proof. [Obs.] When by miracle God dispensed great gifts to the laity, ... he gave probation that he intended that all should prophecy and preach. Bp. Taylor. 2. Any proceeding…Pro-bā'tion-al, a. p. 1040Relating to probation; serving for trial. Bp. Richardson.Pro-bāʹtion-a-ry, a. p. 1040Serving for trial; probational. All the probationary work of man is ended when death arrives. Dwight.Pro-bā'tion-er, n. p. 1040One who is undergoing probation; one who is on trial; a novice. While yet a young probationer, And candidate for heaven. Dryden. 2. A student in divinity, who, producing a certificate of a professor…Pro-bāʹtion-er-ship, n. p. 1040The state of being a probationer; novitiate. [Rare.] Locke.Pro-bā′tion-ship, n. p. 1040A state of probation; novitiate; probation. [Rare.]Prō'ba-tive, a. p. 1040Serving for trial or proof; probationary. South.Pro-bā'tor, n. p. 1040An examiner; an approver. Maundman. 2. (O. Eng. Law.) One who, when indicted for crime, confessed it, and accused others, his accomplices, in order to obtain pardon; a state's-evidence.Prŏ'ba-to-ry, a. p. 1040Pertaining to, or serving for, trial. Bramhall. 2. Pertaining to, or serving for, proof. Bp. Taylor.Prōbe, n. p. 1040(Surg.) An instrument for examining the depth or other circumstances of a wound, ulcer, or cavity, or the direction of a sinus, or for searching for stones in the bladder, and the like. Parr.…Prōbe, v. t. p. 1040To examine, as a wound, ulcer, or some cavity of the body, by the use of an instrument thrust into the part. 2. Hence, to search to the bottom; to scrutinize; to examine thoroughly into causes and…Prŏ'bēa-gle, n. p. 1040See PORBEAGLE.Prŏb'i-ty, n. p. 1040Tried virtue or integrity; approved moral excellence; strict honesty; sincerity. So near approach we their celestial kind, By justice, truth, and probity of mind. Pope. Syn.—Rectitude; uprightness…Prŏb'lem, n. p. 1040A question proposed for solution; a matter stated for examination or proof; hence, a matter difficult of solution or settlement; a doubtful case; a question involving doubt. The problem is, whether a…Prŏb'lem-ăt'ic or Prŏb'lem-ăt'ic-al, a. p. 1040Having the nature of a problem; questionable; uncertain; unsettled; disputable; doubtful. Diligent inquiries into problematical guilt leave a gate wide open to informers. Swift.Prŏb'lem-ăt'ic-al-ly, adv. p. 1040In a problematic manner; doubtfully, dubiously; uncertainly.Prŏb'lem-a-tist, n. p. 1040One who proposes problems. [Obs.] Evelyn.Prŏb'lem-a-tize, v. t. p. 1040To propose problems. [Obs.]Pro-bŏs'çi-date, a. p. 1040Furnished with a proboscis.Prŏ'bos-çid'i-al, a. p. 1040Furnished with a proboscis.Prŏ′bos-cĭd′i-an, n. p. 1040A pachyderm having a proboscis, as the elephant or mastodon.Prō/bos-cĭd'ĭ-fōrm, a. p. 1040Having the form or uses of a proboscis; as, a proboscidiform mouth. Carpenter.Pro-bŏs'cis, n. p. 1040An extensible hollow tube situated about the head of various animals, and capable of absorbing fluids; a snout; a trunk. The proboscis of an elephant is a flexible, muscular elongation of the nose.…**Proboscis monkey** p. 1040a monkey (Nasalis larvatus) having a long nose. It is a native of Borneo. See KAHÁU.Pro-că'cioŭs, a. p. 1040Pert; petulant; saucy. [Obs.] Barrow.Pro-căc'i-ty, n. p. 1040Impudence; petulance. [Obs.] Burton.Prō'/ca-tā're/tic, a. p. 1040(Med.) Beginning; commencing;—applied to those causes which immediately kindle a disease into action when there exists a predisposition to it. “These words [procatarctic causes] have been used with…Prō'ca-tārx'is, n. p. 1040(Med.) The kindling of a disease into action by a procatarctic cause, when a predisposition exists; the procatarctic cause itself of a disease. Quincy.Prō'çe-dĕn'do, n. p. 1040(Law.) (a.) A writ by which a cause which has been removed from an inferior to a superior court by certiorari, or otherwise, is sent down again to the same court, to be proceeded in there, where it…Pro·cēd′ure, n. p. 1040The act or manner of proceeding or moving forward; progress; process; management; conduct. “The true procedure of conscience.” South. 2. A step taken; an act performed; a proceeding. “His gracious…Pro·ceed’,, v. i. p. 1041To move, pass, or go forward or onward; to go on; to come forth; to advance; to make progress; to continue or renew motion commenced; to go or come further. 2. To pass from a stated point or topic to…Pro·ceed', v. i. p. 1041To make progress with; to go on with. [Obs.]Prō'ceed, n. p. 1041That which comes forth or results; effect; product;— used almost solely in the plural, proceeds; yield; issue; product; sum afforded by a sale, and the like.Pro·ceed’er, n. p. 1041One who proceeds; one who goes forward or makes progress. Bacon.Pro·ceed’ing, n. p. 1041The act of one who proceeds, or who prosecutes a design or transaction; action contemplated as in process or with reference to its successive steps; progress or movement from one thing to another; a…Prŏ'ce-leŭs-măt'ic, a. p. 1041Inciting; animating; encouraging. 2. (Pros.) Consisting of four short syllables; composed of feet of four short syllables each.Prŏc'e-leis-māt'ic, n. p. 1041(Pros.) A foot consisting of four short syllables.Prō'cel-lā'rĭ-an, n. p. 1041(Ornith.) One of a family of oceanic birds, usually found far out at sea, and often seen in great abundance when the sea is agitated and the wind is high; the petrel.Pro·cĕl'lōus, a. p. 1041Stormy. [Obs.] Bailey.Pro-cĕp'tion, n. p. 1041Preoccupation. [Obs.] K. Charles.Pro-cēre', a. p. 1041Of high stature; tall. [Obs.] Evelyn.Pro-cĕr'i-ty, n. p. 1041Tallness; height of stature. [Obs.] “Procerity, to use Dr. Johnson’s stately word in speaking of the stately Prussian regiment.” De Quincey.Prŏc'ess, n. p. 1041The act of proceeding or moving forward; procedure; progress; advance; continued movement. “Long process of time.” Milton. Yet I doubt not, through the ages, one increasing purpose runs, And the…Pro·cĕs'sion, n. p. 1041The act of proceeding, moving on, advancing, or issuing; continuous course; regular, orderly, or ceremonious progress. Yet proof is here of men's unquenched desire That the procession of their life…Pro·cĕs’sion, v. t. p. 1041(Law.) To ascertain, mark, and establish the boundary lines of, as lands. “To procession the lands of such persons as desire it.” Burrill. [Local in North Carolina and Tennessee.]Pro·cēs'sion, v. i. p. 1041To go or march in procession. [Rare.]Pro·cēs'sion-al, a. p. 1041Pertaining to a procession; consisting in a procession. The processional services became more frequent, more imposing. Milman.