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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.

  1. Rūd'dle, v. t.p. 1154To mark with ruddle. “A fair sheep newly ruddled.” M. W. Montague.
  2. Rūd'dle, v. t.p. 1154To twist; to interweave; to raddle. [Obs.]
  3. Rūd'dle-man, n.p. 1154One who digs ruddle.
  4. 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…
  5. 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…
  6. Rūd'dy, v. t.p. 1154To make ruddy or red.
  7. 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…
  8. 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…
  9. 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…
  10. 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.
  11. Ru'de-ra-ry, a.p. 1154Belonging to rubbish. [Obs.]
  12. 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.]
  13. Rūdes'by, n.p. 1154An uncivil, turbulent fellow. [Obs.] Shak.
  14. 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…
  15. Rū'di-ment, v. t.p. 1155To furnish with first principles or rules; to ground; to settle in first principles. [Obs.] Gayton.
  16. 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.
  17. Rud'ish, a.p. 1155More or less rude; somewhat rude; as, rudish workmanship.
  18. Ru'di-ty, n.p. 1155The state of being rude; rudeness; ignorance. [Rare.]
  19. 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.
  20. 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…
  21. 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.
  22. Rew, n.p. 1155Sorrow; repentance. [Obs.] Shak.
  23. 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…
  24. 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…
  25. Rue'ful-ly, adv.p. 1155In a rueful manner; mournfully; sorrowfully.
  26. Rue'ful-ness, n.p. 1155The state of being rueful; sorrowfulness; mournfulness.
  27. Ru'el-bōnes, n. pl.p. 1155(Anc. Costume.) Small rings or studs of bones, &c., affixed to the girdle or head-dress. Fairholt.
  28. Ru-ēlle’, n.p. 1155A private circle or assembly at a private house; a circle. [Obs.] Dryden.
  29. Ru-fĕs'cent, a.p. 1155Reddish; tinged with red.
  30. 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…
  31. 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…
  32. 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…
  33. 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…
  34. Rŭf'fian, a.p. 1155Brutal; savagely boisterous; as, ruffian rage.
  35. Rŭf'fian, v. i.p. 1155To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult. [Obs.] Shak.
  36. Rŭf'fian-ĭsh, a.p. 1155Having the qualities or manners of a ruffian.
  37. Rŭf'fi-an-ism, n.p. 1155The act or conduct of a ruffian.
  38. Rŭf'fi-an-ly, a.p. 1155Like a ruffian; bold in crimes; violent; licentious. Fulke.
  39. Rŭf'fian-oŭs, a.p. 1155Like a ruffian; ruffianly. [Obs.]
  40. Rŭf'fle, v. t.p. 1155To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into wrinkles, open plaits, or folds; to wrinkle. Addison. 2. To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt. 3. To roughen or disturb the surface of; to make…
  41. Rŭf'fle, v. i.p. 1155To grow rough or turbulent. [Rare.] Bleak winds do ruffle sorely. Shak. 2. To play loosely; to flutter. On his right shoulder his thick mane reclined, Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind.…
  42. Rŭf'fle, n.p. 1155That which is ruffed; specifically, a strip of plaited cambric, or other fine cloth, attached to some border of a garment, as to the wristband or bosom; a frill. 2. A state of being ruffled or…
  43. Rŭf'fle, n.p. 1155(Mil.) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll;—called also ruff. Scott.
  44. Rŭf'fle, v. t.p. 1155(Mil.) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
  45. Rŭf'fle-less, a.p. 1155Having no ruffles.
  46. Rŭf'fle-ment, n.p. 1155The act of ruffling.
  47. Rŭf'fler, n.p. 1155A bully; a swaggerer; a ruffian. “Assaults, if not murders, done at his own doors by that crew of rufflers.” Milton.
  48. Rū'foŭs, a.p. 1155Reddish; of a reddish or brownish-red color.
  49. Rutt, n.p. 1155Eructation; belching. Dunglison.
  50. Rūf’ter-hōōd, n.p. 1155(Falconry.) A plain leather hood, large and open behind, to be worn by a hawk when she is first drawn. [Obs.]
  51. Rŭg, n.p. 1155A coarse, nappy, woolen fabric, used for various purposes;—as, (a.) For the cover of a bed. (b.) For protecting the carpet before a fire place, (c.) For protecting the legs against the cold in…
  52. Rŭg, v. t.p. 1155To pull roughly or hastily; to plunder; to spoil. [Scot.] The good old times of rugging . . . are come back again. W. Scott.
  53. Rū'gate, a.p. 1155Having alternate ridges and depressions; wrinkled. Dana.
  54. Rŭg'ged, a.p. 1155Full of asperities on the surface; broken into sharp or irregular points, or otherwise uneven; rough; as, a rugged mountain; a rugged road. “The rugged bark of some broad elm.” Milton. 2. Not neat or…
  55. Rŭg'ged-ly, adv.p. 1155In a rough or rugged manner.
  56. Rūg'ged-ness, n.p. 1155The quality or state of being rugged; roughness; harshness; surliness; coarseness; rudeness; storminess; boisterousness.
  57. Rūg'ging, n.p. 1155A coarse cloth, for wrapping blankets, &c. Simmonds.
  58. Rūg'-gown, n.p. 1155A gown of coarse cloth. B. Jonson.
  59. Rūg'-gowned, a.p. 1155Wearing a coarse gown or rug. Beau. & Fl.
  60. Rūg'gy, a.p. 1155Rugged; rough. [Obs.]