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.
Sid'er-o-scōpe, n. p. 1227An instrument for detecting small quantities of iron in any substance, by means of a very delicate combination of magnetic needles.Sīd'er-ŏx'y-lon, n. p. 1227(Bot.) A genus of evergreen trees, the wood of which is exceedingly hard and heavy; iron-wood. Baird.Side'-săd'dle, n. p. 1227A saddle for a woman to sit upon when on horseback.Side'-săd'dle-flow'er, n. p. 1227(Bot.) A plant of the genus Sarracenia, having hollow leaves, pitcher or trumpet shaped. It is common in bogs in the United States, and is also called pitcher-plant and huntsman's cup. The flower is…Sides’man, n. p. 1227An assistant to the churchwarden. 2. One who takes sides; a party man; a partisan. [Obs.] Milton.Side'-tā'ble, n. p. 1227A table placed either against the wall or aside from the principal table.Side'-tāk'ing, n. p. 1227A taking sides, or engaging in a party. Hall.Side'-view, n. p. 1227A view on or from one side; an oblique view.Side′wạlk, n. p. 1227A raised way for foot-passengers at the side of a street or road; a foot-pavement. [U. S.]Side'wāys, adv. p. 1227The same as SIDEWISE.Side'-wind, n. p. 1227A wind from one side; hence, an indirect attack, or indirect means. Wright.Side'wise, adv. p. 1227Toward one side; inclining; as, to hold the head sidewise. 2. Laterally; on one side; as, the refraction of light sidewise. Newton.Sid'ing, n. p. 1227The attaching of one's self to a party. 2. The turn-out of a railroad. [Eng.]Sī'dle, v. i. p. 1227To go or move side foremost; as, to sidle through a crowd. He ... then sidled close to the astonished girl. W. Scott. 2. To lie on the side. Swift.Siēge, n. p. 1227A seat; especially, a royal seat; a throne. [Obs.] “Siege of justice.” Shak. From lofty siege began these words to sound. Spenser. 2. Hence, place or situation. [Obs.] Ah! traitorous eyes, come out…Siēge, v. t. p. 1227To besiege. [Rare.] “All the dangers that can siege the life of man.” Byron.Si'en-ite, n. p. 1227See SYENITE.Sĭ'en-īt'ic, a. p. 1227See SYENITIC.Si-ēn'nā, n. p. 1227An earthy pigment of a brownish-yellow color: it is a silicate of iron and alumina;—called also terra sienna. Burnt sienna, sienna made of a much redder color by the action of fire. — Raw sienna…Si'en-nēse', a. p. 1228(Geog.) Of or pertaining to Sienna, a city of Italy.Sĭ-en-nēse', n. sing. & pl. p. 1228(Geog.) A native or inhabitant of Sienna; in the plural, the people of Sienna.Sĭ-ēr'ră, n. p. 1228A saw-like ridge of mountains and craggy rocks.Sĭ-ēs'tă, n. p. 1228A short sleep taken about the middle of the day, or after dinner.Sieur, n. p. 1228Sir;—a title of respect used by the French.Sieve, n. p. 1228A utensil for separating the fine part of any pulverized or fine substance from the coarse, consisting of a vessel, usually shallow, with the bottom perforated, or made of hair, wire, or the like…Sif'fle-ment, n. p. 1228The act of whistling or hissing; a whistling, or sound resembling a whistling; sibilation. [Obs.]Sift, v. t. p. 1228To separate by a sieve, as the fine part of a substance from the coarse; as, to sift meal; to sift powder; to sift sand or lime. 2. To separate or part as if by a sieve. When yellow sands are sifted…Sift'er, n. p. 1228One who sifts; that which sifts; a sieve.Si-gaul'ti-an, a. p. 1228Of, pertaining to, or first performed by Sigault, a French physician. Sigaultian section (Surg.), the operation of dividing the symphysis pubis for the purpose of facilitating labor; symphysectomy.…Sigh, v. i. p. 1228To inhale a larger quantity of air than usual, and immediately expel it; to make a deep single respiration, especially as the result or involuntary expression of fatigue, exhaustion, grief, sorrow…Sigh, v. t. p. 1228To utter sighs over; to lament or mourn over. Ages to come, and men unborn Shall bless her name and sigh her fate. Prior. 2. To express by sighs. The gentle swain . . . sighs back her grief. Hoole.Sigh, n. p. 1228A single deep respiration; a long breath; the inhaling of a larger quantity of air than usual, and the sudden emission of it, especially as the result or involuntary expression of fatigue…Sigh'-bôrn, a. p. 1228Sorrowful; mournful. “Sigh-born thoughts.” De Quincey.Sigh'er, n. p. 1228One who sighs.Sīgh'ing-ly, adv. p. 1228With sighing.Sīght, n. p. 1228The act of seeing; perception of objects by the eye; view; as, to gain sight of land. A cloud received him out of their sight. Acts i. 9. 2. The power of seeing; the faculty of vision, or of…Sīght, v. t. p. 1228To get sight of; to see; as, to sight land. Kane. 2. To look at through a sight; to see accurately; as, to sight an object, as a star. 3. (Mil.) To give the proper elevation and direction to by means…Sight, v. i. p. 1228To obtain a distinct view. 2. (Mil.) To take aim by a sight; to take sight.Sight'ed, a. p. 1228Having sight, or seeing in a particular manner;—rarely used, except in composition; as, long-sighted, short-sighted, quick-sighted, sharp-sighted, and the like.Sight'ful, a. p. 1228Easily or clearly seen; distinctly visible; perspicuous. [Obs.] Chaucer.Sight'ful-ness, n. p. 1228The state or quality of being sightful; clearness of sight; perspicuity. [Obs.]Sight'less, a. p. 1228Wanting sight; blind. “Of all who blindly creep or sightless soar.” Pope. 2. Offensive or unpleasing to the eye; unsightly; as, sightless stains. [Rare.] Shak.Sight'less-ly, adv. p. 1228In a sightless manner.Sight'less-ness, n. p. 1228The state of being sightless; want of sight.Sight'li-ness, n. p. 1228The state of being sightly; comeliness.Sight'ly, a. p. 1228Open to sight; conspicuous; as, a house stands in a sightly place. 2. Pleasing to the sight; comely. “Many brave, sightly horses.” L'Estrange.Sight'-see'ing, a. p. 1228Given to seeing sights; eager for novelties or curiosities.Sight'-see'ing, n. p. 1228The act of seeing sights; eagerness for novelties or curiosities.Sight'-sē'er, n. p. 1228One given to seeing sights, or eager for novelties or curiosities.Sight'-shot, n. p. 1228Distance to which the sight can reach, or be thrown. [Rare.] Cooley.Sights’man, n. p. 1228One who reads or performs music readily at first sight. [Rare.] Busby.Sĭg'il, n. p. 1228A seal; signature. “Of talismans and sigils knew the power.” Pope.Sĭgĭl-lā'ri-ă, n. pl. p. 1228(Rom. Antiq.) Little images or figures of earthen-ware exposed for sale, or given as presents, on the last two days of the Saturnalia; hence, the last two, or sixth and seventh, days of the…Sĭg'ĭl-la-tīve, a. p. 1228Fit to seal; belonging to a seal; composed of wax. [Obs.] Cotgrave.Sĭg'la, n. pl. p. 1228The signs, abbreviations, letters, or characters standing for words, &c., such as are found in ancient manuscripts, or on coins, medals, and the like. Savage.Sĭg'mă, n. p. 1228The Greek letter Σ, σ, or ς (English S, or s);—originally having the form of the English C. 2. A dining-table shaped like the letter C. Elmes.Sig'moid or Sig-moid'al, a. p. 1228Curved in two directions, like the letter S, or the Greek ς. Bigelow. Sigmoid flexure (Anat.), the last curve of the colon, before it terminates in the rectum.Sig-moid'al-ly, adv. p. 1228In a sigmoidal manner.Sīgn, n. p. 1228That by which any thing is made known or represented; that which furnishes evidence; a mark; a token; an indication; a proof; hence, specifically, (a.) A remarkable event, considered by the ancients…Sīgn, v. t. p. 1228To represent by a sign; to signify; to make known in a typical or emblematic manner, in distinction from speech. I signed to Browne to make his retreat. W. Scott. 2. To affix a signature to; to…