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.
Rid'dling-ly, adv. p. 1138In the manner of a riddle; secretly. Donne.Ride, v. i. p. 1138To be carried on the back of any animal, as a horse. 2. To be borne in a carriage; as, to ride in a coach, in a car, and the like. 3. To be borne on or in a fluid. Men once walked where ships at…Ride, v. t. p. 1139To sit on, so as to be carried; as, to ride a horse. They ride the air in whirlwind. Milton. 2. To manage insolently at will. The nobility could no longer endure to be ridden by bakers, cobblers, and…Ride, n. p. 1139An excursion on horseback or in a vehicle. 2. A saddle horse. [Prov. Eng.] Grose. 3. A road cut in a wood, or through a ground, for the amusement of riding; a riding.Rĭ-deau', n. p. 1139A small mound of earth.Rīd'er, n. p. 1139One who rides, or is borne on a horse or other beast, or in a vehicle. 2. Hence, a clerk or agent who goes out with samples of goods to obtain orders. [Eng.] 3. One who breaks or manages a horse.…Rid'er-less, a. p. 1139Having no rider.Ridge (rĭj), n. p. 1139The back, or top of the back. Hudibras. 2. A long or continued range of hills or mountains; or the upper part of such a range; a steep elevation, eminence, or protuberance. “The frozen ridges of the…Ridge, v. t. p. 1139To form a ridge of; to make into a ridge or ridges. Bristles ranged like those that ridge the back Of chafed wild boar. Milton. 2. (Agric.) To form into ridges with the plow, as land. 3. To wrinkle.…Ridge'-bănd, n. p. 1139The part of a harness which passes over the saddle on a horse's back, and serves to support the shafts of a cart;—called also ridge-rope, ridge-stay, and ridger. Halliwell.Ridge'-bōne, n. p. 1139The back-bone. [Obs.] “Blood . . . lying cluttered about the ridge-bone.” Holland.Ridg'el, n. p. 1139The same as RIDGIL.Ridge'let, n. p. 1139A little ridge.Ridge'-pōle, n. p. 1139(Arch.) The timber or board forming the ridge of a roof, and into which the rafters are secured; — called also ridge-plate or ridge-piece.Ridge'-rōpe, n. p. 1139(Naut.) A rope along the bulwarks, or in like places, to prevent persons from falling, or to secure an awning to. Totten.Ridge'-tile, n. p. 1139A tile on the ridge of a roof.Ridg'il or Ridg'ling, n. p. 1139The male of any beast half gelt. Dryden.Ridg'ing-ly, adv. p. 1139In a ridgy manner; so as to form ridges.Ridg'y, a. p. 1139Having a ridge or ridges; rising in a ridge. “Lifted on a ridgy wave.” Pope.Rid'i-cūle, n. p. 1139The expression of laughter, especially when mingled with contempt; contemptuous derision. We have in great measure restricted the meaning of ridicule, which would properly extend over the whole…Rid'i-cūle, v. t. p. 1139To laugh at with expressions of contempt; to deride; to awaken ridicule toward or respecting. I've known the young, who ridiculed his rage, Love's humblest vassals when oppressed with age. Goldsmith.…Rid'i-cūle, a. p. 1139Ridiculous. [Obs.]Rid'i-cūl'er, n. p. 1139One who ridicules.Ri-dĭc'ŭ-līze, v. t. p. 1139To make ridiculous; to ridicule. [Obs.] Chapman.Rĭ-dĭc'ū-lōŭs, a. p. 1139Fitted to excite ridicule; contemptible and laughable; as, a ridiculous dress; ridiculous behavior. Agricola, discerning that those little targets and unwieldy glaives, ill pointed, would soon become…Ri-dĭc'ŭ-lōus-ly, adv. p. 1139In a ridiculous manner; as, a man ridiculously vain.Ri-dĭc'ŭ-lōus-ness, n. p. 1139The quality of being ridiculous.Rid'ing, a. p. 1139Employed to travel on any occasion. No suffragan bishop shall have more than one riding apparitor. Ayliffe. 2. Suitable for riding on; as, a riding-horse. ☞ Riding is often used in the formation of…Rid'ing, n. p. 1139The act of one who is carried upon the back of an animal or in a carriage. 2. A road cut in a wood or through a ground, for the diversion of riding therein. Sidney. 3. A district visited by an…Rīd'ing-clērk, n. p. 1139One of the six clerks in chancery. [Eng.] Ash.Rid'ing-days, n. pl. p. 1139Days when hostile excursions or attacks are made by horsemen. W. Scott.Rid'ing-hōōd, n. p. 1139A hood used by females when they ride; a kind of cloak with a hood.Rid'ing-house, n. p. 1139A building within which the art of riding is taught or practiced.Rid'ing-mās'ter, n. p. 1139A man who instructs in the art of riding.Rid'ing-mis'tress, n. p. 1139A woman who instructs in the art of riding.Rid'ing-school, n. p. 1139A school or place where the art of riding is taught.Rĭ-dŏt'to, n. p. 1139A favorite Italian public entertainment, consisting of music and dancing;—held generally on fast eves. Twice a week there are to be ridottos at guinea tickets. H. Walpole.Ri-dōt'to, v. i. p. 1139To frequent ridottos. [Rare.]Rīe, n. p. 1139See RYE.Riët'boe, n. p. 1139(Zoöl.) An African species of antelope; Antilope eleotragus or Eleotragus arundinaceus:—so called from its frequenting reedy places and dry watercourses. Eng. Cyc.Riëv'er, n. p. 1139A robber. See REAVE.Rife, a. p. 1139Prevailing; prevalent; abounding. The tumult of loud mirth Was rife. Milton. 2. Having power; active; nimble. [Obs.] I'll dance myself rather than thus put down. What! I am rife a little yet. J.…Rife'ly, adv. p. 1139In a rife manner; prevalently; frequently. It was rife'ly reported that the Turks were coming in a great fleet. Knolles.Rife'ness, n. p. 1139The quality of being rife; frequency; prevalence. Arbuthnot.Riff-raff, n. p. 1139Sweepings; refuse; the lowest order of society.Rī'fle, v. t. p. 1139To seize and bear away by force; to snatch away; to carry off. Till time shall rifle every youthful grace. Pope. 2. To strip; to rob; to pillage; to plunder. You have rifled my master. L'Estrange. 3.…Rĭffle, v. i. p. 1139To raffle. [Obs.] Chapman. 2. To commit robbery. [Rare.] Bp. Hall.Rī′fle, n. p. 1139A gun usually somewhat shorter than a musket, the inside of whose barrel is grooved, or formed with spiral channels, thus securing for the ball a rotary motion, and great precision in the direction…Rĭ'fle, v. t. p. 1139To groove; to channel; especially, to groove internally with spiral channels; as, to rifle a gun-barrel. 2. To sharpen, as a scythe, with a rifle; to whet with a rifle. See RIFLE, n., 2.Rī'fle-man, n. p. 1139A man armed with a rifle.Rĭ'fle-pĭt, n. p. 1139(Mil.) A pit dug for the shelter of sharpshooters.Rĭf'ler, n. p. 1139One who rifles; a robber.Rĭft, n. p. 1139An opening made by riving or splitting; a cleft; a fissure. 2. A shallow place in a stream; a fording-place.Rĭft, v. t. p. 1139To cleave; to rive; to split; as, to rift an oak or a rock. “To dwell these rifted rocks between.” Wordsworth.Rĭft, v. i. p. 1139To burst open; to split. “Timber . . . not apt to rift with ordnance.” Bacon. 2. To belch; to break wind. [Prov. Eng.]Rĭft'er, n. p. 1139A rafter. [Obs.] Holland.Rig, n. p. 1139A ridge. [Obs.]Rig, v. t. p. 1139To dress; to put on; to clothe, especially in an odd or fanciful manner. Jack was rigged out in his gold and silver lace, with a feather in his cap. L’Estrange. 2. To furnish with apparatus or gear…Rig, n. p. 1139Dress; especially, odd or fanciful clothing. 2. The peculiar manner of fitting the masts and rigging to the hull of a vessel; as, schooner rig, ship rig, &c. Brande. 3. Bluster. [Obs.] Burke. 4. A…Rig, v. i. p. 1140To play the wanton; to trick. “Rigging and rifling all ways.” Chapman.