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.
Screām, v. i. p. 1184To cry out with a shrill voice; to utter a sudden, sharp outcry, as in a fright or extreme pain; to shriek. I heard the owl scream. Shak. The fearful matrons raise a screaming cry. Dryden.Scrēam, n. p. 1184A shriek, or sharp, shrill cry, uttered suddenly, as in terror or in pain; a shriek; a screech.Screa'mer, n. p. 1184(Ornith.) A South American bird of two species (Palamedea cornuta, and Chauna chavaria), usually ranked with the grallatorial or wading birds; — so called from their loud, shrill cry. P. Cyc.Scree, n. p. 1184A small stone or pebble. [Prov. Eng.] “Before I had got half way up the screes, which gave way and rattled beneath me at every step.” Southey.Screech, v. i. p. 1184To cry out with a sharp, rough voice; to utter a harsh, shrill cry, as in terror or acute pain; to scream; to shriek.Screech, n. p. 1184A harsh, shrill cry, uttered in acute pain, or in a sudden fright. 2. A harsh, shrill cry, as of a fowl.Screech'-owl, n. p. 1184An owl that utters a harsh, disagreeable cry at night.Screech'y, a. p. 1184Like a screech; shrill and harsh.Screed, n. p. 1184(Arch.) (a.) A wooden rule for running moldings. (b.) An extreme guide on the margins of walls and ceilings for floating to, by the aid of the rules. Brande.Screed, n. p. 1184A breach or rent; a breaking forth into a loud, shrill sound; as, martial screeds. Burns. 2. An harangue; a long tirade on any subject. The old carle gae them a screed of doctrine; ye might have…Screen, n. p. 1184Any thing that separates or cuts off inconvenience, injury, or danger; that which shelters or protects from danger, prevents inconvenience, shuts off view, and the like. “Your leafy screens throw…Screen, v. t. p. 1184To provide with a shelter or means of concealment; to separate or cut off from inconvenience, injury, or danger; to shelter; to protect; to protect by hiding; to conceal; as, fruits screened from…Screen'ings, n. pl. p. 1184The refuse matter left after sifting coal, ashes, &c.Screw, n. p. 1184A cylinder, or a cylindrical perforation, having a continuous rib or thread winding round it spirally at a constant inclination, so as to leave a like continuous groove between each turn and the…Screw, v. t. p. 1185To turn or apply a screw to; to press, fasten, or make firm, by a screw; as, to screw a lock on a door; to screw a press. 2. To force; to squeeze; to press. Screw your courage to the sticking point…Screw, v. i. p. 1185To use violent means in making exactions; to be oppressive or exacting. “Whose screwing, iron-handed administration of relief is the boast of the parish.” Howell.Screw'-bōlt, n. p. 1185See TAP-BOLT.Screw'-dock, n. p. 1185A kind of graving-dock in which large screws form an important part of the machinery for raising and lowering vessels.Screw'-driv'er, n. p. 1185An implement for turning screws, resembling a blunt chisel.Screw'er, n. p. 1185One who, or that which, screws.Screw'ing-ma-chĭne', n. p. 1185A machine-tool for cutting screws.Screw'-jăck, n. p. 1185A contrivance for raising great weights through short lifts by means of a screw, or more usually, a powerful combination of toothed wheels, working in a suitable stock or frame, and moved by a winch…Screw'-kēy, n. p. 1185A lever for turning the screw of a press; also, a part of a lathe.Screw'-piles, n. pl. p. 1185Piles used to support light-houses, &c., forced into the ground and held firmly there by a peculiar kind of screw at the lower extremity.Screw'-pine, n. p. 1185(Bot.) A tree or bush having long, lanceolate leaves, like those of the pine-apple, arranged spirally about the trunk, whence the name. It grows in loose, sandy, or marshy places, and often shoots…Screw'-plate, n. p. 1185A thin plate of steel, having a series of holes with internal screws, to be used in forming external screws.Screw'-press, n. p. 1185(Mach.) A press in which the force is applied by means of a screw, in distinction fromScrew'-pro-pĕl'ler, n. p. 1185A steam-vessel propelled by a screw; also the screw, or spiral-bladed wheel, used in the propulsion of steam-vessels.Screw'-shell, n. p. 1185(Conch.) The spiral shell of a mollusk of the genus Turbo; wreath-shell.Screw'-steam'er, n. p. 1185A steamer propelled by a screw.Screw'-tāp, n. p. 1185An external screw, usually made somewhat tapering, used in forming internal screws.Screw'-tree, n. p. 1185(Bot.) A plant of the genus Helicteres, of several species, natives of warm climates. They are evergreen, shrubby plants, with purple, brown, or yellow flowers, and capsules intorted, or twisted…Screw'-vălve, n. p. 1185A stop-cock furnished with a puppet-valve moved by a screw, instead of a spigot.Screw'-wrench, n. p. 1185A wrench or lever used for turning screws.Scrib'a-ble, a. p. 1185Capable of being written, or of being written upon. [Obs.]Scrī-bā'cioŭs, a. p. 1185Skillful in, or fond of, writing. Barrow.Scrĭb'bet, n. p. 1185A painter's pencil. Simmonds.Scrĭb'ble, v. t. p. 1185To write with haste, or without care or regard to correctness or elegance; as, to scribble a letter or pamphlet. 2. To fill or cover with artless or worthless writing. 3. (Woolen Manuf.) To card…Scrĭb'ble, v. i. p. 1185To write without care, elegance, or value; to scrawl. “If Mævius scribble in Apollo’s spite.” Pope.Scrib'ble, n. p. 1185Hasty or careless writing; a writing of little value; as, a hasty scribble. Boyle.Scrib'ble-ment, n. p. 1185Hasty or careless writing. [Rare.] Foster.Scrib'bler, n. p. 1185One who scribbles; a petty author; a writer of no reputation. The scribbler, pinched with hunger, writes to dine. Granville. 2. See SCRIBBLING-MACHINE.Scrib'bling, n. p. 1185The act of scribbling, or writing hastily. 2. (Woolen Manuf.) The first coarse carding of wool preliminary to the final carding.Scrib'bling-ly, adv. p. 1185In a scribbling way.Scrib'bling-ma-chîne', n. p. 1185The machine used for the first carding of wool;—called also scribbler.Scribe, n. p. 1185One who writes; a writer; especially, an official or public writer; an amanuensis, secretary, notary, or copyist. 2. (Jewish & Sacred Hist.) A writer and a doctor of the law; a man of learning; one…Scribe, v. t. p. 1185To write, engrave, or mark upon; to inscribe. [Obs.] Spenser. 2. (Carp.) (a.) To mark or fit by a rule or compasses; to fit, as one edge of a board, &c., to another edge, or to a surface. (b.) To…Scrib'er, n. p. 1185A sharp-pointed tool, used by joiners for drawing lines on stuff; a marking awl.Scrib'ing-ī'ron, n. p. 1185An iron-pointed instrument for marking casks and logs. Simmonds.Scrib'ism, n. p. 1185The character and opinions of a scribe, especially of a Jewish scribe in the time of Christ. F. W. Robertson.Ser'id, n. p. 1185A shred; a fragment; a screed. [Rare.]Serig'gle, v. i. p. 1185To twist around; to writhe; to wriggle. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.Scri'mer, n. p. 1185A fencing master. [Obs.] Shak.Serim'mage, n. p. 1185Formerly a skirmish; now, a general row or fight. [Prov. Eng.] Lord Berners employs the expression “sore scrummisse” to designate a severe combat.Scrimp, v. t. p. 1185To make too small or short; to limit or straiten; to scant; to contract; to shorten; as, to scrimp the pattern of a coat. [Prov. Eng. Local U. S.]Scrimp, a. p. 1185Short; scanty. [Local U. S.]Scrimp, n. p. 1185A pinching miser; a niggard; a close-fisted person. [Local U. S.]Scrimp'ing-ly, adv. p. 1185In a scrimping or scanty manner.Scrimp'ness, n. p. 1185The state of being scrimp; scantiness.Scrĭmp'tion, n. p. 1185A small pittance; a little bit. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.