Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
- Pages
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- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Ser-mŏn'ic-al p. 1205a sermon; grave and didactic. [Rare.] “Conversation . . . grave or gay, satirical or sermonic.” Prof. Wilson.Sĕr'mon-ing, n. p. 1205Discourse; instruction; advice. [Obs.] Chaucer.Sĕr'mon-ish, a. p. 1205Resembling a sermon. [Rare.]Sĕr'mon-ist, n. p. 1205A writer or deliverer of sermons; a sermonizer.Sĕr'mon-īze, v. t. p. 1205To preach or discourse to; to affect or influence by means of a sermon or of sermons. [Rare.] Which of us shall sing or sermonize the other fast asleep. Landor.Sĕr'mon-ize, v. i. p. 1205To make sermons; to compose or write a sermon or sermons; to preach. 2. To inculcate rigid rules. [Rare.] Chesterfield.Sĕr'mon-īz'er, n. p. 1205One who sermonizes.Sēr'mount-ain, n. p. 1205(Bot.) A plant of the genus Laserpitium (L. siler). Lee.Se-ron' or Se-roon', n. p. 1205(Synop., § 130). [Fr. serron, Sp. seron, a hamper, pannier, augm. of sera, a large pannier or basket.] 1. A bale or package of skin or leather for drugs or the like; a ceroon. 2. (Com.) (a.) A…Sĕ'rōse, a. p. 1205Watery; serous. [Obs.] More.Se-rōs'i-ty, n. p. 1205The thin, watery liquid forming the chief constituent of most animal fluids, as of blood, milk, and the like; serum. 2. A fluid which exudes from the albumen of the serum of the blood when coagulated…Sĕr'o-tīne, n. p. 1205(Zoöl.) A species of bat found in Europe (Vespertilio serotinus).Se-rŏt'i-noŭs, a. p. 1205(Bot.) Happening later in a season than is customary with allied species. Gray.Sē'roŭs, a. p. 1205Thin; watery; like whey; — said of that part of the blood which separates in coagulation from the grumous or red part; also, of the fluid which lubricates a serous membrane. 2. Pertaining to serum.…Sĕr'pent, n. p. 1205(Zoöl.) A snake; an ophidian reptile without feet. The bodies of serpents are extremely elongated, and move by means of the folds they form when in contact with the ground. Their hearts have two…Sĕr'pent, v. i. p. 1205To wind like a serpent; to crook about; to meander. [Rare.] “The serpentine of the Thames.” Evelyn.Sĕr'pen-tā'rī-ā, n. p. 1206(Bot.) A plant of various genera and species:—applied especially as the specific name of numerous plants that have been reputed to be remedial of snake-bites, as Aristolochia serpentaria, Prenanthes…Sĕr'pen-tā'rĭ-ŭs, n. p. 1206(Astron.) A constellation in the northern hemisphere;—called also Ophiuchus.Sĕr'pent-cū'cum-ber, n. p. 1206(Bot.) A plant of the genus Trichosanthes.Sĕr'pent-ēat'er, n. p. 1206(Ornith.) A bird of Africa that devours serpents; secretary-bird.Sĕr'pent-fīsh, n. p. 1206(Ichth.) A fish with a body of a ribbon-like and compressed form, and a band of red running lengthwise; Cepolæ rubescens. P. Cyc.Ser-pĕnt'i-fōrm, a. p. 1206Having the form of a serpent.Sēr'pen-tīg'e-nōŭs, a. p. 1206Bred of a serpent.Sēr'pen-tine, a. p. 1206Resembling a serpent; having the shape or qualities of a serpent; winding or turning one way and the other, like a moving serpent; anfractuous; meandering; crooked; spiral. The shape Like his, and…Sĕr'pen-tīne, n. p. 1206(Min.) A mineral or rock consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of magnesia, and usually of an obscure green color, with shades and spots arising from the presence of small quantities of chromic…Sĕr'pen-tīne, v. i. p. 1206To turn or bend like a serpent; to serpentine. [Rare.]Sĕr'pen-tīne-ly, adv. p. 1206In a serpentine manner.Sér'pent-i'noŭs, a. p. 1206Relating to, or like, serpentine; as, serpentinous in character.Sĕr'pent-īze, v. t. p. 1206To turn or bend, like a serpent, first in one direction and then in the opposite; to meander; to wind. [Rare.] The river runs before the door, and serpentizes more than you can conceive. H. Walpole.Sēr'pent-ry, n. p. 1206A winding like that of a serpent. 2. A place inhabited or infested by serpents.Sĕr'pent's-tōngue, n. p. 1206(Bot.) A plant of the genus Ophioglossum; adder's tongue. 2. (Palæon.) The fossil tooth of a species of shark; — so called from its resemblance to a tongue with its root.Sĕr'pet, n. p. 1206A basket. [Obs.] Ainsworth.Ser-pīg'i-noŭs, a. p. 1206Affected with serpigo.Ser-pī'gō, n. p. 1206(Med.) A disease of the skin, commonly known as ringuorum. See RINGWORM. [Obs.]Sér'po-lēt, n. p. 1206(Bot.) Wild thyme.Sér'pū-lā, n. p. 1206(Zoöl.) A genus of annelids, whose calcareous twisting tubes cover stones, shells, and other submarine bodies. See SERPULIDAN. Eng. Cyc.Ser-pū'le-an, a. p. 1206Ser-pū'li-dan p. 1206An animal of the order Annelida, of the genus Serpula, forming calcareous tubes, which twine round and cover stones, shells, and the like. Kirby.Sér'pu-līte, n. p. 1206(Paleon.) A petrified shell or fossil of the genus Serpula. Jameson.Sērr, v. t. p. 1206To crowd, press, or drive together. [Obs.] Bacon.Sér'rate or Serrā'ted, a. p. 1206Notched on the edge, like a saw. 2. (Bot.) Having sharp notches about the edge, pointing toward the extremity; as, a serrate leaf. Doubly serrate, having small serratures upon the large ones, as in…Ser-rā'tion, n. p. 1206The condition of being serrate; formation in the shape of a saw.Sĕr'ra-tūre, n. p. 1206A notching like that between the teeth of a saw, in the edge of any thing. Martyn.Sĕr'-i-cā'ted, a. p. 1206(Nat. Hist.) Covered with a short, fine, silky down.Sĕr'ri-cŏrn, n. p. 1206(Entom.) A coleopterous insect having serrated antennae. Brande.Sér'roids, a. p. 1206Like the teeth of a saw; jagged. [Obs.] Browne.Sĕr'ru-late or Sĕr'ru-lā'ted, a. p. 1206(Bot.) Finely serrate; having very minute notches.Ser'ru-lā'tion, n. p. 1206The state of being notched minutely, like a fine saw. Wright.Sěr'ry, v. t. p. 1206To crowd; to press together. [Rare, except in the p. p.] “To relax their serried files.” Milton.Sē'rum, n. p. 1206(Physiol.) (a.) The liquid portion of the blood, after the separation of the coagulum or clot, of which albumen is the principal organic ingredient. (b.) A fluid of similar nature exuded from the…Sĕrv'a-ble, a. p. 1206Capable of being served. 2. Capable of being preserved.Sérv'age, n. p. 1206Serfage; slavery; servitude. [Obs.]Sér'val, n. p. 1206(Zool.). A digitigrade, carnivorous mammal, of the cat tribe, the Felis serval of Southern Africa. It is a middle-sized species, with a long tail and black spots.Sér'vant, n. p. 1206One who serves, or does service, voluntarily or involuntarily; a person who is employed by another for mental offices, or for other labor; and is subject to his command; a person who labors or exerts…Sér'vant, v. t. p. 1206To subject. [Obs.] Shak.Sér'vant-ess, n. p. 1206A female servant; a maid-servant.Sér'vant-girl, n. p. 1206A female servant; a maid-Sĕr'vant-māid p. 1206servant.Sēr'vant-mān, n. p. 1206A male servant; a man-servant.Sér'vant-ry, n. p. 1206A body of servants; servants collectively. [Rare.]