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.
Rŏck'ing-stōne, n. p. 1145A stone, often of great size and weight, resting upon another stone, and so exactly poised on some edge or corner, that it can be rocked, or slightly moved, with but little force.Rŏck'-less, a. p. 1145Being without rocks. Dryden.Röck'ling, n. p. 1145(Ichth.) A fish of the genus Motella (M. vulgaris), belonging to the cod family; whistle-fish.Röck'-milk, n. p. 1145(Min.) A loose, friable variety of carbonate of lime, deposited from waters containing it in solution. Dana.Rŏck'-mŏss, n. p. 1145(Bot.) A lichen of the genus Lecanora (L. tartarea), from which cudbear is obtained.Röck'-oil, n. p. 1145The same as PETROLEUM.Rŏck'-pig'eŏn, n. p. 1145A species of pigeon (Columba livia) found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It inhabits rocks and caves, and is considered to be the original of the domestic pigeons.Rŏck'-plănt, n. p. 1145A plant distinguished by growing on or among naked rocks. P. Cyc.Rŏck'-răb'bit, n. p. 1145(Zoöl.) See HYRAX.Rŏck'-rōse, n. p. 1145(Bot.) (a.) A plant of the genus Cistus, found on the coasts of the Mediterranean in both Europe and Africa. C. Cretica (the Cretan rock-rose) affords the fragrant gum known as ladanum, or labdanum.…Rŏck'-rŭ'by, n. p. 1145(Min.) A fine reddish variety of garnet. Dana.Rŏck'-salt, n. p. 1145(Min.) Chloride of sodium or common salt occurring in rock-like masses in mines; mineral salt; salt dug from the earth. ☞ In the United States, this name is sometimes given to salt in large crystals…Rŏck'-sháft, n. p. 1145(Mech.) A shaft that oscillates on its journals, instead of revolving; more strictly, a vibrating shaft for modifying motion in the valve-gear of a steam-engine;—called also rocker and rocking-shaft.Rŏck'-shĕll, n. p. 1145(Conch.) A certain univalve characterized by a long, straight canal which terminates the mouth of the shell. Brande.Rŏck'-sōap, n. p. 1145(Min.) A mineral having a smooth, greasy feel, and adhering to the tongue. It is composed chiefly of silica, alumina, and water, with sometimes a small proportion of oxide of iron. Dana.Rŏck'-tār, n. p. 1145Petroleum. See PETROLEUM.Rōck'-wōōd, n. p. 1145Ligniform asbestos.Rŏck'-work, n. p. 1145Stones fixed in mortar in imitation of natural masses of rock. 2. (Gardening.) An elevation of earth and other loose materials covered with stones, &c., among which plants adapted for such a…Rŏck'y, a. p. 1145Full of rocks; as, a rocky mountain; a rocky shore. 2. Formed of rocks. “Rocky pillars.” Milton. 3. Resembling a rock; as, the rocky orb of a shield. Milton. 4. Not easily impressed or affected…Rō'cou, n. p. 1145A colored pulpy substance within the legume, and surrounding the seeds, of the Bixa Orellana. In its purified state it is called annotto.Ro-cō'co, a. & n. p. 1145A kind of florid ornamentation, which prevailed, more especially in France, at the close of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth centuries. It consisted chiefly in reviving and…Rōd, n. p. 1145The shoot or long twig of any woody plant; a branch, or the stem of a shrub; as, a rod of hazel, of birch, of oak, or hickory. 2. A slender stick; a wand; as, (a.) An instrument of punishment or…Rŏd'dy, a. p. 1145Full of rods; containing many rods or twigs. [Obs.]Rōde, imp. p. 1145of ride. See RIDE.Rōde, n. p. 1145A cross. See ROOD.Rō'dent, a. p. 1145Gnawing;—a term applied to the Rodentia.Rō'dent, n. p. 1145(Zoöl.) One of the Rodentia; an animal that gnaws, as a rat.Rō-dĕn′ti-ă, n. pl. p. 1145(Zoöl.) An order of mammals having two large incisor teeth in each jaw, separated from the molar teeth by an empty space. The rat, the squirrel, the marmot, and the beaver, belong to this order.Rōdge, n. p. 1145(Ornith.) A kind of water-fowl resembling a duck, but not so large. Crabb.Rōd'o-mēl, n. p. 1145The juice of roses mixed with honey. Simmonds.Rōd'o-mont, n. p. 1145A vain boaster; a braggart. [Obs.] Herbert.Rōd'o-mont, a. p. 1145Bragging; vainly boasting.Rōd'o-mont-āde', n. p. 1145Vain boasting; empty bluster or vaunting; rant. I could show that the rodomontades of Almanzor are neither so irrational nor impossible. Dryden.Rŏd'ō-mont-āde', v. i. p. 1146To boast; to brag; to bluster; to rant.Rŏd'ō-mont-ād'ist, n. p. 1146A blustering boaster; one who brags or vaunts.Rŏd'ō-mont-ā'do, n. p. 1146Rodomontade. [Obs.]Rŏd'ō-mont-ā'dor, n. p. 1146A rodomontadist. [Obs.]Rōe, n. p. 1146(Zoöl.) (a.) A roebuck. See ROEBUCK. (b.) The female of any species of deer.Rōē, n. p. 1146The seed or spawn of fishes. The roe of the male is called soft roe, or milt; that of the female, hard roe, or spawn. 2. A mottled appearance of light and shade in wood, especially in mahogany.Rōē'bŭck, n. p. 1146A species of deer (Capreolus dorcas: Cervus capreolus of Linnæus), having erect cylindrical branched horns, forked at the summit. This is one of the smallest kind of deer, but of elegant shape and…Rō'ed, a. p. 1146Filled or impregnated with roe.Rōe'-stōne, n. p. 1146(Min.) The same as OÖLITE.Ro-gā'tion, n. p. 1146(Rom. Antiq.) The demand, by the consuls or tribunes, of a law to be passed by the people. 2. Litany; supplication. He perfecteth the rogations or litanies before in use. Hooker. Rogation days…Ro-gē'ri-an, n. p. 1146A wig. [Obs. and rare.]Rōgue, n. p. 1146(Law.) A vagrant; a sturdy beggar; a vagabond. ☞ Persons of this character were, by the ancient laws of England, punished by whipping and had their ears bored with a hot iron. 2. A deliberately…Rōgue, v. i. p. 1146To wander, as a rogue; to play the vagabond. Spencer. 2. To act as a rogue; to play knavish tricks.Rŏg'u'er-y, n. p. 1146The life of a vagrant. [Obs.] 2. Knavish tricks; cheating; fraud; dishonest practices. 'Tis no scandal grown For debt and roguery to quit the town. Dryden. 3. The conduct of a rogue; rogue-like…Rŏgue'ship, n. p. 1146The qualities or personage of a rogue.Rōgue's'-mārch, n. p. 1146Derisive music performed in driving away a person under popular indignation, or when a soldier is drummed out of a regiment. Wright.Rōgue's'-yärm, n. p. 1146Yarn of a different twist and color from the rest, and inserted into the cordage of the British navy, to identify it if stolen. Buchanan.Rōgu'ish, a. p. 1146Resembling a rogue; proper for a rogue; rogue-like. His roguish madness Allows itself to any thing. Shak. 2. Waggish; wanton; slightly mischievous.Rŏgu'ish-ly, adv. p. 1146Like a rogue; knavishly; wantonly.Rō'guish-ness, n. p. 1146The quality or state of being roguish; knavery; mischievousness. 2. Archness; sly cunning; as, the roguishness of a look.Rōg'uy, a. p. 1146Like a rogue; roguish; knavish; wanton. [Obs.] L'Estrange.Roil, v. t. p. 1146To render turbid by stirring up the dregs or sediment of; as, to roil wine, cider, or other liquor in casks or bottles. 2. To excite to some degree of anger; to disturb; to rouse the passion of…Roil, v. i. p. 1146To make disturbance; to romp. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. 2. To wander about; to roam. [Obs.]Roil'y, a. p. 1146Disturbed; turbid; rily. [Colloq.]Roin, v. t. p. 1146See ROYNE. [Obs.]Roin, n. p. 1146A scab; a scurf, or scurfy spot. [Obs.]Roin'ish, a. p. 1146See ROYNISH.