Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
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.
Prŏx'i-mate, a. p. 1055Nearest; next immediately preceding or following. “A grand council, consisting of all such citizens as could prove that their proximate ancestors had shared in the offices or honors of the state.” J.…Prŏx'i-mate-ly, adv. p. 1055In a proximate position or manner.Prŏx'ĭme, a. p. 1055Next; immediately preceding or following. [Obs.] Watts.Prox-im'i-oûs, a. p. 1055Proximate. [Obs.] Tucker.Prox-im'i-ty, n. p. 1055The state of being next in time, place, causation, or influence, &c.; immediate nearness either in place, blood, or alliance. If he plead proximity of blood, That empty title is with ease withstood.…Prŏx'i-mo, n. p. 1055A day of the next month; as, on the 3d proximo. See INSTANT, n.Prŏx'y, n. p. 1055The agency of one who acts as a substitute for another or his principal; authority to act for another, especially in a legislative capacity. I have no man's proxy; I speak only for myself. Burke. 2.…Prŏx'y, v. i. p. 1055To act by proxy; to do any thing by the agency of another. [Rare.]Prŏx'y-ship, n. p. 1055The office or agency of a proxy.Pruse, n. p. 1055Prussian leather. [Obs.] Dryden.Prude, n. p. 1055A woman of affected or over-sensitive modesty or reserve; one who is over-scrupulous or sensitive. “Less modest than the speech of prudes.” Swift.Pru'dence, n. p. 1055The state of being prudent: wisdom applied to practice; caution evinced in forethought. Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be done, and due means, order, season, and method of doing…Pru'den-cy, n. p. 1055Prudence. [Obs.]Pru'dent, a. p. 1055Sagacious in adapting means to ends; skillful in determining any line of conduct; practically wise; careful; discreet; as, a prudent man or action. 2. Dictated or directed by prudence or wise…Pru-dĕn’tial, a. p. 1055Proceeding from prudence; dictated or prescribed by prudence;—often by prudence as distinguished from higher motives or influences; as, prudential motives; prudential rules. “A prudential line of…Pru-dĕn’tial, n. p. 1055That which relates to, or demands the exercise of, discretion or prudence; — usually in the plural. Many stanzas, in poetic measures, contain rules relating to common prudentials as well as to…Pru-dĕn’tial-ist, n. p. 1055One who is governed by prudential considerations, or acts from prudential motives. [Rare.] Coleridge.Pru'den-ti-ăl'i-ty, n. p. 1055The quality of being prudential; eligibility on principles of prudence. [Obs.] Browne.Pru-dên'tial-ly, adv. p. 1055In conformity with prudence; prudently. South.Prū'dent-ly, adv. p. 1055In a prudent manner; with prudence; with due caution or circumspection; discreetly; wisely; frugally; as, domestic affairs prudently managed; laws prudently framed or executed.Pru'd'er-y, n. p. 1055The quality or state of being prudish; affected scrupulousness; excessive nicety in conduct; stiffness; coyness.Prŭd'ish, a. p. 1055Like a prude; very formal, precise, or reserved; as, a prudish woman; prudish manners. “A formal lecture, spoke with prudish face.” Garrick.Prud'ish-ly, adv. p. 1055In a prudish manner.Pru-ī'na, n. p. 1055Hoar frost.Pru'i-nate, a. p. 1055The same as PRUINOUS.Prū'i-nōse/, a. p. 1055Covered with minute dust, appearing as if frosted; hoary. Humble.Prū'i-nous, a. p. 1055Frosty.Prūne, v. t. p. 1055To lop or cut off, as the superfluous branches of trees; to trim. Our delightful task To prune these growing plants, and tend These flowers. Milton. 2. To clear from any thing superfluous; to dress…Prune, v. i. p. 1055To dress; to prink; — used humorously or in contempt. Dryden.Prune, n. p. 1055A dried plum; sometimes, also, a fresh plum. It appears from Maroceus Extaticus, 1595, and other works, that stewed prunes were commonly placed in the windows of houses of disreputable character.…Pru-nĕl'la, n. p. 1055(Med.) (a.) Inflammation of the upper portions of the alimentary canal and air-passages; sore throat. (b.) A disease of the lips, mouth, and intestinal canal, accompanied with small vesicles which…Pru-nĕl'la or Pru-nĕl'lo, n. p. 1055A smooth woolen stuff, generally black, used for making shoes or garments; a kind of lasting. Pope.Prū-nĕl'lo, n. p. 1056A species of dried plum. McCulloch.Prūn'er, n. p. 1056One who prunes, or removes what is superfluous.Prūne'-tree, n. p. 1056(Bot.) A tree of the genus Prunus (P. domestica), which produces prunes.Prū-nī'fer-ōūs, a. p. 1056Bearing plums.Prūn'ing, n. p. 1056The act of trimming, or removing what is superfluous. 2. (Falconry.) Things cast off; leavings. B. & F.Prŭn'ing-hōōk or Prŭn'ing-knīfe, n. p. 1056A cutting instrument used in pruning trees.Prŭn'ing-shēars, n. pl. p. 1056Shears for pruning trees, &c.Prŭ'ri-ence or Prŭ'ri-en-cy, n. p. 1056The state of being prurient; an itching, longing desire or appetite for any thing. It has nothing to recommend it to the pruriency of curious ears. Burke.Prū'ri-ent, a. p. 1056Uneasy with desire; itching; as, a prurient curiosity. Warton. The eye of the vain and prurient is darting from object to object of illicit attraction. I. Taylor.Prŭ-rĭg'i-nous, a. p. 1056Tending to, or caused by, prurigo; affected by prurigo. Greenhill.Prŭ-rī'go, n. p. 1056(Med.) A popular disease of the skin, of which itching is the principal symptom, the eruption scarcely differing from the healthy cuticle in color.Prus'sian, a. p. 1056(Geog.) Of, or pertaining to, Prussia. Prussian blue (Chem.), cyanide of potassium and iron. This salt is of a beautiful deep blue, and is much used as a pigment. It is also used in medicine.Prus'sian, n. p. 1056(Geog.) A native or inhabitant of Prussia.Prŭs'si-ate or Prūs'si-ate, n. p. 1056(Chem.) One of various compound cyanides; as, the red and yellow prussiate of potash.Prus'sic, a. p. 1056Pertaining to Prussian blue. Prussic acid, hydrocyanic acid, formerly so called because obtained from prussian blue. It is a virulent poison.Prū-tēn'ic, a. p. 1056Prussian; — applied to certain astronomical tables published in the sixteenth century, founded on the principles of Copernicus, a Prussian.Prŷ, v. i. p. 1056To peep into that which is closed; to inspect closely; to attempt to discover that which is inaccessible; — often employed with an implied reproach. Watch, thou, and wake, when others be asleep, To…Prŷ, n. p. 1056Narrow inspection; impertinent peeping.Prŷ, n. p. 1056A lever; — a contraction in America for prize.Prŷ, v. t. p. 1056To raise, or attempt to raise, with a lever; to prize. [U. S.]Prŷ'ing, p. a. p. 1056Looking closely into; closely inspecting. Syn.—Inquisitive; curious. See INQUISITIVE.Prŷ'ing-ly, adv. p. 1056With close inspection or impertinent curiosity.Prŷt'a-nē'um, n. p. 1056(Gr. Antiq.) A public hall in Athens regarded as the home of the city, in which the duties of hospitality were exercised, on behalf of the city, to its own citizens and strangers. Foreign embassadors…Prŷt'a-nīs, n. p. 1056(Gr. Antiq.) A member of one of the ten sections into which the senate of five hundred was divided, and to each of which belonged the presidency of the senate for one tenth of the year.Prŷt'a-ny, n. p. 1056(Gr. Antiq.) The period during which the presidency of the senate belonged to the prytanes of one section.Prŷth'ee p. 1056The same as PRITHEE.Psălm, n. p. 1056A sacred song; a poetical composition for praise or worship to God. Hymns devout and holy psalms Singing everlastingly. Milton. 2. Especially, one of the hymns by David and others, collected into one…Psālm'ist, n. p. 1056A writer or composer of sacred songs;—a title particularly applied to David and the other authors of the scriptural psalms. 2. (Rom. Cath. Church.) A clerk, preceptor, singer, or leader of music in…