Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
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- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Shēarn, n. p. 1216Dung; excrements. [Obs.] [Written also shern.] Holland.Shēar'-steel, n. p. 1216Steel suitable for shears, scythes, and other cutting instruments, prepared from fagots of blistered steel by repeated heating, rolling, and tilting, to increase its malleability and fineness of…Shēar'wa·ter, n. p. 1216(Ornith.) A web-footed marine bird, of the genus Puffinus, allied to the gulls. Shearwater petrel or Manx shearwater, the Puffinus Anglorum. [Written also shearwater.]Shēat, n. p. 1216The same as SHEET, q. v.Shēat'-fish, n. p. 1216(Ichth.) A long, soft-finned fish (Silurus glanis), having a long, slimy body, destitute of scales, and the back dusky, like that of the eel. It is the largest fresh-water fish of Europe, being…Shēath, n. p. 1216A case for the reception of a sword or other long and slender instrument; a scabbard. 2. Any thin covering for defense or protection; as, (a.) (Bot.) The base of a leaf when sheathing or investing a…Shēathe, v. t. p. 1216To put into a sheath, case, or scabbard; to inclose or cover with a sheath or case. The leopard . . . keeps the claws of his fore feet turned up from the ground, and sheathed in the skin of his toes.…Shēathed, p. a. p. 1216Provided with, or inclosed in, a sheath. 2. (Bot.) Invested by a sheath or cylindrical, membranaceous tube, which is the base of the leaf, as the stalk or culm in grasses; vaginate.Shēath'er, n. p. 1216One who sheathes.Shēath'ing, n. p. 1216That which sheathes; especially, the casing or covering of a ship's bottom and sides; or the materials for such covering; as, copper sheathing.Shēath'less, a. p. 1216Without a sheath or case for covering; unsheathed.Shēath'-wĭnged, a. p. 1216Having cases for covering the wings; as, a sheath-winged insect.}Sheâth'y, a. p. 1216Forming, or resembling, a sheath or case. [Rare.] Browne.Shē'a-tree, n. p. 1216(Bot.) An African tree of the genus Bassia (B. Parkii), from the seeds of which a substance resembling butter is obtained; the butter-tree. Baird.Shēave, n. p. 1216A wheel in a block, rail, mast, yard, &c., on which a rope works; the wheel of a pulley.Shēave, v. t. p. 1216To bring together; to collect. [Obs.] Ashmole.Shēaved, a. p. 1216Made of straw. [Obs.] Shak.Shēave'-hōle, n. p. 1216A channel cut in a mast, yard, or other timber, in which to fix a sheave.Shēb'an-der, n. p. 1216A Dutch commercial officer in the East Indies.She-chi'nah, n. p. 1216See SHEKINAH.Shēck'la-ton, n. p. 1216A kind of gilt leather. [Obs.] Spenser.Shĕd, v. t. p. 1216To cause to emanate, proceed, or flow out; especially, to throw off or give forth from one's self; to emit; diffuse. Did Romeo's hand shed Tybalt's blood? Shak. 2. To let fall; to throw off, as a…Shĕd, v. i. p. 1216To let fall the parts; to throw off a covering or envelope. Wild oats are apt to shed most as they lie, and black as they stand. Mortimer.Shĕd, n. p. 1216The act of shedding or causing to flow;— used only in composition; as, blood-shed.Shĕd, n. p. 1216A slight or temporary erection built to shelter something; an out-building; a hut. “The first Aletes born in lowly shed.” Fairfax. “Sheds of reeds which summer’s heat repel.” Sandys. 2. (Weaving.)…Shĕd'der, n. p. 1216One who sheds or causes to flow out; as, a shedder of blood.Shĕd'dĭng, n. p. 1216The act of shedding or casting off or out. 2. That which is shed or cast off. [Rare.]Sheel'ing, n. p. 1216A hut or small cottage such as is used by shepherds in the field, or by fishermen upon the shore; a cottage; a shed.Sheen, n. p. 1216Bright; glittering; showy. [Rare, except in poetry.] Up rose each warrior bold and brave, Glittering in filed steel and armor sheen. Fairfax.Sheen, v. i. p. 1216To shine; to glisten. [Poet. and rare.] This town, That, sheening far, celestial seems to be. Byron.Sheen, n. p. 1216Brightness; splendor. “Throned in celestial sheen.” Milton.Sheen'ly, adv. p. 1216Brightly. [Rare.] Browning.Sheen'y, a. p. 1216Sheen; bright; shining. “The sheeny summer morn.” Tennyson.Sheep, n. sing. & pl. p. 1216(Zoöl.) A small ruminant quadruped, valued for its flesh and wool, the common sheep being Ovis aries, of which there are many varieties. ☞ The sheep is allied to the goat, having, like it, no…Sheep'-bér'ry, n. p. 1216(Bot.) A small tree of the genus Viburnum (V. lentago), having white flowers in flat cymes, and edible fruit. Gray.Sheep'-bite, v. i. p. 1216To bite or nibble like a sheep; hence, to practice petty thefts. [Obs.] Shak.Sheep'-bit'er, n. p. 1216One who practices petty thefts. [Obs.] Shak.Sheep'-cōt, n. p. 1216A small inclosure for sheep; a pen.Sheep'-fāced, a. p. 1216Excessively bashful; sheepish.Sheep'-fōld, n. p. 1216A fold or pen for sheep; a place where sheep are collected or confined.Sheep'-hōōk, n. p. 1216A hook fastened to a pole, by which shepherds lay hold on the legs of their sheep; a shepherd's crook.Sheep'ish, a. p. 1216Pertaining to sheep. [Obs.] Stafford. 2. Like a sheep; bashful; timorous to excess; over-modest; meanly or foolishly diffident. Wanting change of company, he will, when he comes abroad, be a sheepish…Sheep'ish-ly, adv. p. 1216In a sheepish manner; bashfully.Sheep'ish-ness, n. p. 1216The quality of being sheepish; excessive modesty or diffidence; timorousness; bashfulness. Herbert.Sheep'-laurel, n. p. 1216(Bot.) A small evergreen shrub of the genus Kalmia (K. angustifolia), having small corymbs of flowers of a handsome pink color. Gray.Sheep'-măr'ket, n. p. 1216A place where sheep are sold.Sheep'-mâs'ter, n. p. 1216A feeder of sheep; one who has the care of sheep.Sheep'-rûn, n. p. 1216See SHEEP-WALK.Sheep's'-beard, n. p. 1216(Bot.) A plant of the genus Tragopogon.Sheep's'-eye, n. p. 1216A modest, diffident look; a loving or desiring glance. I saw her just now give him the languishing eye, as they call it; that is, the Whiting's-eye, of old called the sheep'-eye. Wycherley.Sheep’s’-foot, n. p. 1216A tool consisting of a hammer combined with a lever, used by printers.Sheep'-shānk, n. p. 1216(Naut.) A peculiar kind of knot in a rope, made to shorten it temporarily. Totten.Sheep's'-hĕad, n. p. 1216(Ichth.) A fish caught on the shores of Connecticut and of Long Island;—so called from the resemblance of its head to that of a sheep; Sparus oris. It is allied to the gilt-head and sea-bream, and is…Sheep'-shêar'er, n. p. 1216One who shears or cuts off the wool from sheep.Sheep'-shēar'ing, n. p. 1216The act of shearing sheep. 2. The time of shearing sheep; also, a feast made on that occasion.Sheep'-shêars, n. p. 1216See SHEAR.Sheep'-skin, n. p. 1216The skin of a sheep; or leather prepared from it. 2. A diploma; — so called because the parchment on which it is engraved is usually prepared from the skin of the sheep. [Colloq. and vulgar, U. S.]Sheep'-sôr'rel, n. p. 1216(Bot.) An herb (Rumex acetosella), growing naturally on poor, dry, gravelly soil, the leaves of which have a pleasant acid taste.Sheep'-split, n. p. 1216The skin of a sheep split by a cutting knife or machine into two sections.Sheep'-sēa'bi-ōus, n. p. 1216(Bot.) An evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Jasione.