Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Ru'by, n. p. 1154(Min.) A precious stone or mineral, of a carmine red color, sometimes verging to violet, or intermediate between carmine and hyacinth red. The common ruby is a red variety of the spinel. The Oriental…Ru'by, v. t. p. 1154To make red; to redden. [Rare.] Pope.Ru'by, a. p. 1154Having the color of the ruby; red; as, ruby lips.Ru'by-tāil, a. p. 1154Having the tail or lower part of the body of a ruby color. Ruby-tail fly (Entom.), one of a family of hymenopterous insects, having a cylindrical body, and the under side of the abdomen of a fiery…Ru'by-wood, n. p. 1154Red sanders, or sandal wood.Ruche, n. p. 1154A kind of plated or goffered quilling, chiefly used for trimming the inside of bonnets, and made of blonde, net, ribbon, or other material. [Written also rouche.]Rŭck, v. t. p. 1154To draw into wrinkles or folds; to crease; as, to ruck up a carpet. Smart.Rŭck, v. i. p. 1154To bend and sit close; to huddle together; to rook; to squat. [Obs.] Gover. 2. To squat or sit, as a hen on eggs; as, a rucking hen. [Prov. Eng.] Smart. 3. To have a folded or ridgy surface, as the…Rŭck, n. p. 1154A wrinkle, fold, or plait in a piece of cloth.Rück, n. p. 1154The same as Roc. [Obs.] Drayton.Ruc-tā'tion, n. p. 1154The act of belching wind from the stomach.Rūd, v. t. p. 1154To make red. [Obs.] Spenser.Rūd, n. p. 1154Redness; blush. 2. Red ocher. 3. (Ichth.) A certain fish; the rudd. See RUDD.Rūdd, n. p. 1154(Ichth.) A fresh-water European fish of the carp family; Leuciscus erythrophthalmus; red-eye. It is about the size and shape of the roach, with which it is often confounded, but it has the dorsal fin…Rūd'der, n. p. 1154(Naut.) The instrument by which a ship is steered; that part of the helm which, consisting of a piece or pieces of timber, broad in shape at the bottom, enters the water, and is attached to the…Rudder perch p. 1154a small fish with the upper part of the body brown, varied with large round spots of yellow, the belly and sides streaked with lines of white and yellow. This fish is said to follow the rudders of…Rūd'der-cōat, n. p. 1154(Naut.) A covering of tarred canvas used to prevent water from entering the rudder-hole. Craig.Rŭd'der-hĕad, n. p. 1154(Naut.) The upper end of the rudder-post, into which the tiller is inserted.Rūd'der-hōle, n. p. 1154(Naut.) The hole in the deck through which the rudder passes.Rūd'der-less, a. p. 1154Without a rudder; as, a rudder-less ship.Rŭd'der-nāil, n. p. 1154(Naut.) A nail used to fasten the pintle to the rudder. Mar. Dict.Rūd'der-pēn'dants, n. pl. p. 1154(Naut.) Strong pieces of rope, ending in chains, by which the rudder, if unshipped, is held to the ship's quarter. Craig.Rūd'der-stōck, n. p. 1154(Naut.) The main part of the rudder, which is connected by irons with the stern-post of a vessel.Rŭd'died, a. p. 1154Made ruddy or red.Rūd'di-ness, n. p. 1154The state of being ruddy; redness, or rather a lively flesh color; that degree of redness which characterizes high health; — applied chiefly to the complexion or color of the human skin; as, the…Rūd'die, n. p. 1154(Min.) A species of red earth, colored by sesquioxide of iron; red ocher.Rūd'dle, v. t. p. 1154To mark with ruddle. “A fair sheep newly ruddled.” M. W. Montague.Rūd'dle, v. t. p. 1154To twist; to interweave; to raddle. [Obs.]Rūd'dle-man, n. p. 1154One who digs ruddle.Rŭd'dock, n. p. 1154A bird, the English robin or redbreast. “The ruddock warbles soft.” Spenser. 2. That which is red; and, specifically, a piece of gold coin. The greedy carle came within a space That owned the gold…Rūd'dy, a. p. 1154Of a red color; red. “Smoke and ruddy flame.” Milton. 2. Of a lively flesh color, or the color of the human skin in high health; as, ruddy cheeks, lips, and the like. Dryden. 3. Of a reddish, shining…Rūd'dy, v. t. p. 1154To make ruddy or red.Rude, a. p. 1154Characterized by roughness; unpolished; raw; lacking delicacy or refinement; coarse. “Such tools as art yet rude had formed.” Milton. “Rude work well suited with a rustic mind.” Dryden. Hence…Rude'ly, adv. p. 1154In a rude manner; coarsely; unskillfully; uncivilly; violently; as, a mountain rudely formed; work rudely executed; a door rudely assaulted. I that am rudely stamped, and want love's majesty, To…Rude'ness, n. p. 1154The condition of being rude; unevenness; coarseness; inelegance; unskillfulness; incivility; violence; impetuosity; boisterousness; as, the rudeness of a people, a country, workmanship, manners, an…Rū'den-tūre, n. p. 1154(Arch.) The figure of a rope or staff, plain or carved, with which the flutings of columns are sometimes filled;—called also cabling. Gwilt.Ru'de-ra-ry, a. p. 1154Belonging to rubbish. [Obs.]Ru'de-rā'tion, n. p. 1154A method, among the ancients, of laying pavements, and perhaps of building walls, with rough pebbles and mortar. [Obs.]Rūdes'by, n. p. 1154An uncivil, turbulent fellow. [Obs.] Shak.Ru'di-ment, n. p. 1154That which is unformed or undeveloped; the principle which lies at the bottom of any development; unfinished beginnings. But I will bring thee where thou shalt quit Those rudiments, and see before…Rū'di-ment, v. t. p. 1155To furnish with first principles or rules; to ground; to settle in first principles. [Obs.] Gayton.Ru'di-mĕnt'al or Ru'di-mĕnt'a-ry, a. p. 1155Pertaining to rudiments, or consisting in first principles; initial; as, rudimental essays. 2. (Nat. Hist.) In an early stage of development; imperfectly developed.Rud'ish, a. p. 1155More or less rude; somewhat rude; as, rudish workmanship.Ru'di-ty, n. p. 1155The state of being rude; rudeness; ignorance. [Rare.]Ru-dolph'ine, a. p. 1155Characterizing, or relating to, a set of astronomical tables, computed by Kepler, and founded on the observations of Tycho Brahe; — so named from Rudolph II., emperor of Bohemia.Rue, v. t. p. 1155To lament; to regret; to grieve for. I wept to see, and rued it from my heart. Chapman. Thy will Chose freely what it now so justly rues. Milton. 2. To cause to grieve; to afflict. Dear dame, your…Rue, v. i. p. 1155To have compassion; to sorrow. [Rare.] “Which stirred men's hearts to rue upon them.” Ridley. Old year, we'll dearly rue for you. Thompson.Rew, n. p. 1155Sorrow; repentance. [Obs.] Shak.Rue, n. p. 1155(Bot.) A plant, Ruta (R. graveolens), having a strong, heavy odor, and a bitter taste. It is used in medicine. They [the exorcists] are to try the devil by holy water, incense, sulphur, and rue…Rue'ful, a. p. 1155Causing one to rue or lament; woful; mournful; sorrowful; fit to be lamented. Spur them to rueful work. Shak. 2. Expressing sorrow. “Two rueful figures, with long black cloaks.” W. Scott. He sighed…Rue'ful-ly, adv. p. 1155In a rueful manner; mournfully; sorrowfully.Rue'ful-ness, n. p. 1155The state of being rueful; sorrowfulness; mournfulness.Ru'el-bōnes, n. pl. p. 1155(Anc. Costume.) Small rings or studs of bones, &c., affixed to the girdle or head-dress. Fairholt.Ru-ēlle’, n. p. 1155A private circle or assembly at a private house; a circle. [Obs.] Dryden.Ru-fĕs'cent, a. p. 1155Reddish; tinged with red.Rŭff, n. p. 1155That which is made rough; especially, a muslin or linen collar plaited, crimped, or fluted, worn formerly by both sexes, but now only by females. “Here to-morrow with his best ruff on.” Shak. His…Rŭff, v. t. p. 1155To ruffle; to disorder. Spenser. 2. To trump, as a card in playing whist, instead of following suit. Smart. 3. To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum. 4. (Hawking.) To hit, as the prey, without…Rŭffed, a. p. 1155Furnished with a ruff. Ruffed grouse (Ornith.), a bird of the genus Bonasa (B. umbellus, Tetrao umbellus, or T. togatus of Linnaeus), found in North America, especially in the northern parts of the…Rŭf'fian, n. p. 1155A pimp; a pander; a procurer; a paramour. [Obs.] He [her husband] is no sooner abroad than she is instantly at home, reveling with her ruffians. Reynolds. 2. A boisterous, brutal fellow; a fellow…Rŭf'fian, a. p. 1155Brutal; savagely boisterous; as, ruffian rage.