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.
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…Sign, v. i. p. 1228To be a sign or omen. [Obs.] Shak. 2. To make a sign or signal; to communicate intelligence by signs.Sig'nal, n. p. 1228A sign which has been agreed upon to give notice of some occurrence, command, or danger, to a person at a distance; also, a sign, event, or watchword, which has been agreed upon, as the occasion of…Sig'nal, a. p. 1229Distinguished from what is ordinary; eminent; remarkable; memorable; as, a signal exploit; a signal service; a signal act of benevolence. As signal now in low, dejected state, As erst in highest…Sig'nal, v. t. p. 1229To communicate by signals; as, to signal intelligence.Sig'nal-fire, n. p. 1229A fire intended for a signal.Sig'nal-ist, n. p. 1229One who makes signals; one who communicates intelligence by means of signals.Sig-năl'i-ty, n. p. 1229The state or quality of being signal or remarkable. [Obs.] Browne.Sig'nal-ize, v. t. p. 1229To make signal or eminent; to render distinguished from what is common. It is this passion which drives men to all the ways we see in use of signalizing themselves. Burke. 2. To communicate with by…Sig'nal-ly, adv. p. 1229In a signal manner; eminently; remarkably.Sig'nal-ment, n. p. 1229The act of giving a signal, or of communicating by signals; the act of signalizing; hence, description by peculiar, appropriate, or characteristic marks. E. B. Browning.Sig-nā'tion, n. p. 1229Sign given; act of betokening. [Obs.]Sig'na-to-ry, a. p. 1229Relating to a seal; used in sealing. [Obs.]Sig'na-türe, n. p. 1229A sign, stamp, or mark impressed. “The brain, being well furnished with various traces, signatures, and images.” Watts. “The natural and indelible signature of God, stamped on the human soul.”…Sig'na-tīve, v. t. p. 1229To mark; to distinguish. [Obs.]Sig'na-tīr/ist, n. p. 1229One who holds to the doctrine of signatures impressed upon objects, indicative of character or qualities. [Obs.] Browne.Sign'-board, n. p. 1229A board on which a man sets a notice of his occupation, or of articles for sale.Sign'er, n. p. 1229One who signs or subscribes his name; as, a memorial with a hundred signers.Sig'net, n. p. 1229A seal; especially, the seal used by the sovereign in sealing private letters, and grants that pass by bill under the sign-manual;—called also privy signet. [Eng.] I have my father's signet in my…Sig'net-ed, a. p. 1229Stamped or marked with a signet.Sig'net-ring, n. p. 1229A ring containing a signet or private seal.Sig'ni-fer, a. p. 1229Bearing signs. [Obs. and rare.] “The signifer sphere, or zodiac.” Holland.Sig-nĭf'i-cance or Sig-nĭf'i-can-cy, n. p. 1229The state of being significant. 2. That which is signified; meaning; import; as, the significance of a nod, or of a motion of the hand, or of a word or expression. 3. Importance; moment; weight…Sig-nĭf'i-cant, a. p. 1229Fitted or designed to signify or make known something; embodying or expressing a meaning; standing as a sign or token; as, a significant word or sound; a significant look. It was well said of…