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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. Sĕlf-ex-ăm-i-nā'tion, n.p. 1197An examination or scrutiny into one’s own state, conduct, and motives, particularly in regard to religious affections and duties.
  2. Sĕlf'-ex-ist'ence, n.p. 1197Inherent existence; the existence possessed by virtue of a being’s own nature, and independent of any other being or cause;—an attribute peculiar to God. Blackmore.
  3. Sēlf/-ex-ist'ent, a.p. 1197Existing of or by himself, independent of any other being; as, God is the only self-existent being.
  4. Sĕlf'-ex-plāin'ing, a.p. 1197Explaining itself; capable of being understood without explanation.
  5. Sĕlf-ex-pōs'ure, n.p. 1197The act of laying one's self open, as to danger, &c.
  6. Sēlf'-ex-ūlt'ing, a.p. 1197Exulting in one's self.
  7. Sēlf-flăt'ter-ing, a.p. 1197Flattering one's self.
  8. Sēlf/-flăt'ter-y, n.p. 1197Flattery of one's self.
  9. Sĕlf-glō'ri-oŭs, a.p. 1197Springing from vain-glory or vanity; vain; boastful. Dryden.
  10. Sĕlf'-gŏv'ern-ment, n.p. 1197The government of one's self; self-control. 2. Hence, government by the mass of a nation, or the people; democracy. But I say to you, and to our whole country, and to all the crowned heads, and…
  11. Sĕlf-grăt'ū-lā'tion, n.p. 1197Gratulation of one's self.
  12. Sēlf'-hēal, n.p. 1197(Bot.) A labiate plant of the genus Prunella (P. vulgaris), formerly supposed to possess medicinal properties, found in Europe and America; heal-all.
  13. Sĕlf'-hēal'ing, a.p. 1197Having the power or property of healing itself; as, the self-healing power of living animals and vegetables is a property as wonderful as it is indicative of divine goodness.
  14. Sĕlf'-hĕlp, n.p. 1197Assistance of, or by, one's self; the use of one's own powers to attain one's ends.
  15. Sĕlf-hŏm'-i-cīde, n.p. 1197The killing of one's self; suicide. Hakewill.
  16. Sēlf'hōod, n.p. 1197Existence as a separate self or independent person; conscious personality; individuality. [Rare.] Bib. Sacra.
  17. Sĕlf-ĭg'no-rance, n.p. 1197Ignorance of one's own character.
  18. Sĕlf-ig'no-rant, a.p. 1198Ignorant of one's self.
  19. Sēlf'-im-pārt'ing, a.p. 1198Imparting by its own powers and will. Norris.
  20. Sēlf'-im-pôr'tance, n.p. 1198Exaggerated estimate of one's own importance or merit, especially as manifested by the conduct or manners.
  21. Sēlf'-im-pōr'tant, a.p. 1198Having and manifesting an exaggerated idea of one's own importance or merit.
  22. Sĕlf'-im-pōsed', a.p. 1198Voluntarily taken on one's self; as, self-imposed tasks.
  23. Sēlf'-im-pōst'ūre, n.p. 1198Imposture practiced on one's self. South.
  24. Sēlf'-in'dig-nā'tion, n.p. 1198Indignation at one's own character or actions. Thou hast an opportunity . . . to exercise opposite and more mixed affections; such as . . . self-indignation. Baxter.
  25. Sĕlf'-in-dŭl'gence, n.p. 1198Free indulgence of one's appetites or passions.
  26. Sĕlf'-in-dŭl'gent, a.p. 1198Indulging one's self; freely gratifying one's passions, desires, and the like.
  27. Sĕlf'-in'suf-fĭ'cien-cy, n.p. 1198Insufficiency of one's self.
  28. Sēlf'-in'ter-est, n.p. 1198Private interest; the interest or advantage of one's self.
  29. Sĕlf'-ĭn’ter-est-ed, a.p. 1198Having self-interest; particularly concerned for one's self.
  30. Sēlf'-in'vo-lū'tion, n.p. 1198Involution in one's self; hence, abstraction of thought; reverie.
  31. Sĕlf'ish, a.p. 1198Supremely caring for one's self; regarding one's own good, in disregard or at the expense of that of others. They judge of things according to their own private appetites and selfish passions.…
  32. Sĕlf'ish-ly, adv.p. 1198In a selfish manner; with regard to private interest only or chiefly.
  33. Sĕlf'ish-ness, n.p. 1198The quality of being selfish; exclusive regard to one's own interest or happiness; that supreme self-love or self-preference which leads a person to direct his purposes to the advancement of his own…
  34. Sēlf'ist, n.p. 1198A selfish person. [Rare.] “The prompting of generous feeling, or of what the cold selfist calls quixotism.” I. Taylor.
  35. Sēlf'-jūs'ti-fī'er, n.p. 1198One who excuses or justifies himself. J. M. Mason.
  36. Sēlf'-kīn'dled, a.p. 1198Kindled of itself, or, without extraneous aid or power. Dryden.
  37. Sĕlf'-knōw'ing, a.p. 1198Knowing of itself, or without communication from another.
  38. Sēlf'-knōw'ledge, n.p. 1198The knowledge of one's self, or of one's own real character; abilities, worth, or demerit.
  39. Sĕlf'less, a.p. 1198Having no regard to self; unselfish. Lo, now, what hearts have men! they never mount As high as woman in her selfless mood. Tennyson.
  40. Sēlf'less-ness, n.p. 1198The state or quality of being selfless; freedom from selfishness.
  41. Sēlf'-life, n.p. 1198Life for one's self; living solely or principally for one's own pleasure or good.
  42. Sēlf'-lōve, n.p. 1198The love of one's self; desire of happiness; tendency to seek one's own benefit or advantage. Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul. Pope. Syn. — Selfishness. — SELF-LOVE, SELFISHNESS. The…
  43. Sēlf'-lū'mi-noūs, a.p. 1198Possessing in itself the property of emitting light. Brewster.
  44. Sēlf'-māde, a.p. 1198Made by one's self. Self-made man, a man who has risen from poverty, ignorance, or obscurity, to wealth, learning, fame, or power, by means of his own talents or energies, and without the aids by…
  45. Sēlf'-mĕt'al, n.p. 1198The same metal. [Obs.] Shak.
  46. Sēlf'-mēt'tle, n.p. 1198Natural mettle, or that which comes of itself. [Obs.] Shak.
  47. Sēlf'-mō'tion, n.p. 1198Motion given by inherent powers, without external impulse; spontaneous motion. Matter is not indued with self-motion. Cheyne.
  48. Sēlf'-mōved', a.p. 1198Moved by inherent power without the aid of external impulse.
  49. Sēlf'-mōv'ing, a.p. 1198Moving or exciting to action by inherent power, without the impulse of another body or extraneous influence.
  50. Sĕlf'-mŭr'dĕr, n.p. 1198The murder of one's self; suicide.
  51. Sēlf'-mūr'der-er, n.p. 1198One who voluntarily destroys his own life; a suicide.
  52. Sĕlf'-neg-lēct'ing, n.p. 1198A neglecting of one's self. Self-love is not so great a sin as self-neglecting. Shak.
  53. Sĕlf'ness, n.p. 1198Self-love; selfishness. [Obs.] Sidney.
  54. Sĕlf'-ōne, a.p. 1198‘One with itself; joined to itself and only to itself; hence, secretly kept by itself. [Obs. and rare.] A self-one guilt doth only hatch distrust. Marston.
  55. Sĕlf'-o-pĭn'ion, n.p. 1198One's own opinion. Collier. Prior. 2. High opinion of one's self; an overweening estimate of one's self, or one's own opinion; self-esteem.
  56. Sĕlf'o-pin'ioned, a.p. 1198Having a high opinion of one's self; opinionated; vain.
  57. Sĕlf'-o-rĭg'i-nā'ting, a.p. 1198Beginning with, or springing from, one's self.
  58. Sĕlf'-pär'ti-äl'i-ty, n.p. 1198That partiality by which a man overrates his own worth when compared with others. Kames.
  59. Sĕlf'-pĭt'y, n.p. 1198Pity for one's self.
  60. Sĕlf'-plēased', a.p. 1198Satisfied with one's self; as, a self-pleased man. J. M. Mason.