Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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- 95,912
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
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.Rig'a-doon', n. p. 1140A gay, brisk dance, performed by one couple, and said to have been borrowed from Provence, in France. “Whose dancing dogs in riga-doons excel.” Walcott.Rī'gā Fīr. p. 1140A species of pine (Pinus sylvestris), and its wood, which affords a valuable timber;—called also Scotch pine, and red or yellow deal. It grows in all parts of Europe, in the Caucasus, and in Siberia.Rī-gā'tion, n. p. 1140The same as IRRIGATION.Rī'gēl, n. p. 1140(Astron.) A fixed star of the first magnitude in the left foot of the constellation Orion.Rīg'gĕr, n. p. 1140One who rigs or dresses; one whose occupation is to fit the rigging of a ship. 2. A cylindrical pulley or drum in machinery.Rīg'ging, n. p. 1140Dress; tackle; especially, the ropes which support the masts, extend and contract the sails, &c., of a ship. Running rigging (Naut.), all those ropes used in bracing the yards, making and shortening…Rīg'gish, a. p. 1140Like a rig or wanton; wanton; lewd. [Obs.] Shak.