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.
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.Pro·cĕs'sion-al, n. p. 1041A book relating to processions of the Roman Catholic church. Gregory.Pro-cĕs'sion-al-ist, n. p. 1041One who goes or marches in a procession. [Rare.]Pro-çēs'sion-a-ry, a. p. 1041Consisting in procession; as, processionary service. Hooker.Pro-cĕs'sion-er, n. p. 1041A manual of processions; a processional. [Obs.] Fuller. 2. An officer appointed to procession lands. [Local in North Carolina and Tennessee.] Burrill.Pro-çĕs'sion-ing, n. p. 1041(U. S. Law.) The manner of ascertaining and fixing the boundaries of land, as prescribed by law. See PROCESSION, v. t. Bouvier.Pro·cĕs'sive, a. p. 1041Proceeding; advancing. “Because it is language, — ergo, processive.” Coleridge.Procès verbal p. 1041(Fr. Law.) An authentic minute of an official act, or statement of facts.Prō'chein, a. p. 1041Next; nearest. Prochein amy (Law), the next friend; any person by whom, or in whose name, an infant prosecutes a suit.Prō'chrō-nĭsm, n. p. 1041The dating of an event before the time it happened; an antedating. [Obs.]Prŏç'i-dençe or Prō'çi-dençe, n. p. 1041A falling down; a prolapsus. [Rare.] Parr.Pro·cid'ū·ous, a. p. 1041Falling from its proper place.Pro-cĭnct', n. p. 1041Complete preparation for action. [Obs.] War he perceived, war in procinct. Milton.Pro-claim′, v. t. p. 1041To make conspicuously known by public announcement; to give wide publicity to; to publish abroad; to promulgate. Throughout the host proclaim A solemn council forthwith to be held. Milton. 2. To…Pro-clāim'er, n. p. 1041One who proclaims or publishes; one who announces or makes known.