Library

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.

  1. Sesqui-cyanide, n.p. 1207(Chem.) A compound of cyanogen with some element, in the proportions of three equivalents of cyanogen to two of the other element.
  2. Ses'qui-dū'pli-cate, a.p. 1207Twice and a half. Sesqui-duplicate ratio (Math.), the ratio of two and a half to one, or where the greater term contains the lesser twice and a half, as that of 30 to 20.
  3. Ses-qui'ō-dīde, n.p. 1207(Chem.) A compound of iodine with another element, in the proportions of three equivalents of iodine to two of the other element.
  4. Sēs'qui-ox'ide, n.p. 1207(Chem.) A compound of oxygen with some other element, in the proportions of three equivalents of the oxygen to two of the other element.
  5. Ses-quip'e-dal or Ses-quip-e-dā'li-an, a.p. 1207Measuring or containing a foot and a half; as, a sesquipedalian pigmy;—sometimes humorously or derisively applied to long words.
  6. Ses'qui-pe-dal'i-ty, n.p. 1207The condition or quality of being sesquipedal. [Rare.] Sterne. 2. The use of sesquipedalian words; style characterized by the use of long words.
  7. Ses-quip'li-cate, a.p. 1207A ratio compounded of the sesquialterate; — a term applied to ratios; thus, a and a′ are in the sesquiplicate ratio of b and b′, when a is to a′ as the square root of the cube of b is to the square…
  8. Ses'qui-salt, n.p. 1207(Chem.) A salt having three equivalents of one component and two of another.
  9. Ses'qui-sul'phide or Ses'qui-sul'phu-ret, n.p. 1207(Chem.) A compound of sulphur with some other element, in the proportions of three equivalents of sulphur to two of the other element.
  10. Ses'qui-ter'tial, a.p. 1207Sesquiterium.
  11. Ses'qui-ter'tian or Ses'qui-ter'tion-al, a.p. 1207Having the ratio of one and one third to one.
  12. Ses'qui-tone, n.p. 1207(Mus.) A minor third, or interval of three semitones. Busby.
  13. Sess, n.p. 1207A tax; an assessment. [Obs. or rare.]
  14. Sess, v. t.p. 1207To lay tax upon; to assess. [Obs.]
  15. Ses'sile, a.p. 1207Attached without any sensible projecting support. 2. (Bot.) Issuing directly from the main stem or branch, without a pedicle or footstalk; as, a sessile leaf.
  16. Ses'sion, n.p. 1207The act of sitting, or the state of being seated. But Vision, gathering something of his mind,— Leaped from her session on his lap, and smote. Ferguson. 2. The actual sitting of a court, council…
  17. Ses'sion-al, a.p. 1207Pertaining to a session, or to sessions.
  18. Sēss'-pool, n.p. 1207A cavity sunk in the earth to receive and retain the sediment of water conveyed in drains; a cess-pool.
  19. Ses'ter-tĭus, n.p. 1207(Rom. Antiq.) A Roman coin or denomination of money, in value the fourth part of a denarius, and originally containing two asses and a half, afterward four asses; — equal to about two pence sterling…
  20. Ses'tet or Ses-tet'to, n.p. 1207(Mus.) A piece of music composed for six voices or instruments; — called also sextet. [Written also sestetto, sestettos.]
  21. Set, v. t.p. 1207To cause to sit; to seat; to make to assume a specified position; to give site or place to; to place; to put; to fix; as, to set a house on a wall of stone; to set a book on a shelf; to set a chest…
  22. Sĕt, v. i.p. 1208To pass below the horizon; to go down; to decline; to sink. “Ere the weary sun set in the west.” Shak. Thus this century sets with little mirth, and the next is likely to arise with more mourning.…
  23. Sĕt, p. a.p. 1208Fixed; firm; obstinate; as, he is very set in his opinions. 2. Regular; uniform; formal; as, a set discourse; a set battle. “The set phrase of speech.” Shak. 3. Established; prescribed; as, set forms…
  24. Sĕt, n.p. 1208The act of setting; the descent of the sun or other heavenly body below the horizon. The weary sun hath made a golden set. Shak. 2. That which is set, placed, or fixed; as, (a.) A young plant for…
  25. Sē'tā, n.p. 1208(Bot.) A bristle, or slender body like a bristle. Gray.
  26. Se-tā′ceous, a.p. 1208Set with, or consisting of, bristles; bristly; as, a stiff, setaceous tail. Derham. 2. (Nat. Hist.) Having the slender form of a bristle; bristle-shaped; as, a setaceous leaf or leaflet.
  27. Sĕt'-băck, n.p. 1208(Arch.) A plain, flat set-off in a wall. Weale.
  28. Sĕt'-bōlt, n.p. 1208(Ship-building.) An iron pin, or bolt, for fitting planks closely together. Craig.
  29. Sĕt'-down, n.p. 1208A depressing or humiliating rebuke; a rebuff.
  30. Set-ee', n.p. 1208(Naut.) A kind of vessel. See SETTEE.
  31. Sĕt'-foil, n.p. 1208The same as SEPT-FOIL, q. v.
  32. Sĕth'ic, a.p. 1208(Chron.) Of, or pertaining to, a certain period of 1460 years.
  33. Se-tĭf'er-ōus, a.p. 1208Producing, or having one or more, bristles.
  34. Sē'ti-fōrm, a.p. 1208(Bot.) Having the form of a bristle.
  35. Se-tĭg′ĕr-ōŭs, a.p. 1208(Nat. Hist.) Covered with bristles. Dana.
  36. Sē'ti-rēme or Sēt'i-rēme, n.p. 1208(Entom.) A jointed leg, whose inner side has a dense fringe of hairs, by means of which certain animals, as the diving beetles, move in the water.
  37. Sĕt'ness, n.p. 1208The state or quality of being set; regulation; adjustment; obstinacy.
  38. Sĕt'-nŭt, n.p. 1208A jam-nut or lock-nut. See NUT.
  39. Sĕt'-ŏff, n.p. 1208That which is set off against another thing; an offset. 2. That which is used to improve the appearance of any thing; a decoration; an ornament. 3. (Law.) A counter-claim; a cross-debt, or demand; a…
  40. Sē'ton, n.p. 1208(Surg.) A few horse hairs or small threads, or a twist of silk or fine linen, drawn through the skin and areolar membrane by means of a large needle, by which a small opening is made and continued.
  41. Se'tōse' or Sē'tous, a.p. 1208(Nat. Hist.) Having the surface set with bristles; bristly; as, a setose leaf or receptacle.
  42. Sĕt'-out, n.p. 1209A display, as of plate, &c. Clarke.
  43. Sēt'-screw, n.p. 1209(Mach.) A screw, sometimes cupped or pointed at one end, and screwed through one part, as of a machine, tightly upon another part, to prevent the one from slipping upon the other.
  44. Sēt'-stitched, a.p. 1209Stitched according to a formal pattern. “An old, set-stitched chair, valanced, and fringed with party-colored worsted bobs.” Sterne.
  45. Sĕtt, n.p. 1209See SET, n. No. 3. 2. (Pile-driving.) A piece placed temporarily upon the head of a pile when the latter can not be reached by the weight, or hammer, except by means of such an intervening piece.
  46. Set-tee', n.p. 1209A long seat with a back; a kind of arm-chair for several persons to sit in at once. 2. (Naut.) A vessel with one deck and a very long, sharp prow, carrying two or three masts with lateen sails;—used…
  47. Sĕt'ter, n.p. 1209One who, or that which, sets;—generally in combination with an adverb; as, a setter on, or inciter; a setter up; a setter forth, and the like. 2. A sporting dog of the hound kind, that indicates, by…
  48. Sĕt'ter-wort, n.p. 1209(Bot.) A species of hellebore (Helleborus fœtidus), sometimes used in medicine; bear's-foot.
  49. Sĕt'ting, n.p. 1209The act of putting, placing, fixing, or establishing. 2. The act of sinking, or seeming to sink, below the horizon. 3. The act or manner of taking birds by a setting-dog. 4. (a.) Something set in or…
  50. Sĕt'ting-cōat, n.p. 1209(Arch.) The best sort of plastering on walls or ceilings. Brande.
  51. Sĕt'ting-dŏg, n.p. 1209A dog trained to crouch at the sight or scent of game; a setter.
  52. Sĕt'ting-pōle, n.p. 1209A pole, often iron-pointed, used for pushing boats along in shallow water. [U. S.]
  53. Sĕt'ting-rule, n.p. 1209(Print.) The same as COMPOSING-RULE, q. v.
  54. Sĕt'tle, n.p. 1209A place settled or made lower than the rest; a wide step or platform lower than some other part. And from the bottom upon the ground, even to the lower settle, shall be two cubits, and the breadth…
  55. Sĕt'tle, v. t.p. 1209To place in a fixed or permanent condition; to make firm, steady, or stable; to establish; to fix; hence, specifically, (a.) To establish in life; to fix in business, in situation, and the like. (b.)…
  56. Sĕt'tle, v. i.p. 1209To become fixed or permanent; to establish one's self; to assume a lasting form or condition; to become stationary, from a temporary or changing state of things; as, a settled conviction, affection…
  57. Sĕt'tled-ness, n.p. 1209The state of being settled; confirmed state. [Rare.] Bp. Taylor.
  58. Sĕt'tle-ment (sĕt'tl-),, n.p. 1209The act of settling, or the state of being settled; as, specifically, (a.) Establishment in life; fixture in business, condition, or the like; ordination or installation as pastor. “Every man living…
  59. Act of settlementp. 1209the statute of 12 and 13 William III., by which the crown was limited to the present reigning house, or the house of Hanover. Blackstone.
  60. Sĕt'tler, n.p. 1209One who settles. 2. Especially, one who establishes himself in a colony; a colonist; as, a settler in Oregon. 3. That which settles or finishes; hence, a blow, &c., which settles or decides a…