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An American Dictionary of the English Language

by Noah Webster

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.

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  1. Ridge'-bōne, n.p. 1139The back-bone. [Obs.] “Blood . . . lying cluttered about the ridge-bone.” Holland.
  2. Ridg'el, n.p. 1139The same as RIDGIL.
  3. Ridge'let, n.p. 1139A little ridge.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Ridge'-tile, n.p. 1139A tile on the ridge of a roof.
  7. Ridg'il or Ridg'ling, n.p. 1139The male of any beast half gelt. Dryden.
  8. Ridg'ing-ly, adv.p. 1139In a ridgy manner; so as to form ridges.
  9. Ridg'y, a.p. 1139Having a ridge or ridges; rising in a ridge. “Lifted on a ridgy wave.” Pope.
  10. 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…
  11. 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.…
  12. Rid'i-cūle, a.p. 1139Ridiculous. [Obs.]
  13. Rid'i-cūl'er, n.p. 1139One who ridicules.
  14. Ri-dĭc'ŭ-līze, v. t.p. 1139To make ridiculous; to ridicule. [Obs.] Chapman.
  15. 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…
  16. Ri-dĭc'ŭ-lōus-ly, adv.p. 1139In a ridiculous manner; as, a man ridiculously vain.
  17. Ri-dĭc'ŭ-lōus-ness, n.p. 1139The quality of being ridiculous.
  18. 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…
  19. 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…
  20. Rīd'ing-clērk, n.p. 1139One of the six clerks in chancery. [Eng.] Ash.
  21. Rid'ing-days, n. pl.p. 1139Days when hostile excursions or attacks are made by horsemen. W. Scott.
  22. Rid'ing-hōōd, n.p. 1139A hood used by females when they ride; a kind of cloak with a hood.
  23. Rid'ing-house, n.p. 1139A building within which the art of riding is taught or practiced.
  24. Rid'ing-mās'ter, n.p. 1139A man who instructs in the art of riding.
  25. Rid'ing-mis'tress, n.p. 1139A woman who instructs in the art of riding.
  26. Rid'ing-school, n.p. 1139A school or place where the art of riding is taught.
  27. 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.
  28. Ri-dōt'to, v. i.p. 1139To frequent ridottos. [Rare.]
  29. Rīe, n.p. 1139See RYE.
  30. 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.
  31. Riëv'er, n.p. 1139A robber. See REAVE.
  32. 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.…
  33. 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.
  34. Rife'ness, n.p. 1139The quality of being rife; frequency; prevalence. Arbuthnot.
  35. Riff-raff, n.p. 1139Sweepings; refuse; the lowest order of society.
  36. 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.…
  37. Rĭffle, v. i.p. 1139To raffle. [Obs.] Chapman. 2. To commit robbery. [Rare.] Bp. Hall.
  38. 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…
  39. 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.
  40. Rī'fle-man, n.p. 1139A man armed with a rifle.
  41. Rĭ'fle-pĭt, n.p. 1139(Mil.) A pit dug for the shelter of sharpshooters.
  42. Rĭf'ler, n.p. 1139One who rifles; a robber.
  43. Rĭft, n.p. 1139An opening made by riving or splitting; a cleft; a fissure. 2. A shallow place in a stream; a fording-place.
  44. 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.
  45. 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.]
  46. Rĭft'er, n.p. 1139A rafter. [Obs.] Holland.
  47. Rig, n.p. 1139A ridge. [Obs.]
  48. 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…
  49. 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…
  50. Rig, v. i.p. 1140To play the wanton; to trick. “Rigging and rifling all ways.” Chapman.
  51. 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.
  52. 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.
  53. Rī-gā'tion, n.p. 1140The same as IRRIGATION.
  54. Rī'gēl, n.p. 1140(Astron.) A fixed star of the first magnitude in the left foot of the constellation Orion.
  55. 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.
  56. 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…
  57. Rīg'gish, a.p. 1140Like a rig or wanton; wanton; lewd. [Obs.] Shak.
  58. Rīg'gle, v. i.p. 1140To move one way and the other. See WRIGGLE.
  59. Right, a.p. 1140Straight; not crooked; as, a right line; hence, most direct; as, the right way from London to Oxford. 2. Upright; erect; not oblique; as, right ascension; a right sphere. 3. Conformed to the…
  60. Right, adv.p. 1140In a right manner; especially, in a right or straight line; directly. Let thine eyes look right on. Prov. iv. 25. 2. According to the law or will of God, or to the standard of truth and justice; as…