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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. 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.
  2. Sight'-see'ing, a.p. 1228Given to seeing sights; eager for novelties or curiosities.
  3. Sight'-see'ing, n.p. 1228The act of seeing sights; eagerness for novelties or curiosities.
  4. Sight'-sē'er, n.p. 1228One given to seeing sights, or eager for novelties or curiosities.
  5. Sight'-shot, n.p. 1228Distance to which the sight can reach, or be thrown. [Rare.] Cooley.
  6. Sights’man, n.p. 1228One who reads or performs music readily at first sight. [Rare.] Busby.
  7. Sĭg'il, n.p. 1228A seal; signature. “Of talismans and sigils knew the power.” Pope.
  8. 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…
  9. Sĭg'ĭl-la-tīve, a.p. 1228Fit to seal; belonging to a seal; composed of wax. [Obs.] Cotgrave.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. Sig-moid'al-ly, adv.p. 1228In a sigmoidal manner.
  14. 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…
  15. 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…
  16. Sign, v. i.p. 1228To be a sign or omen. [Obs.] Shak. 2. To make a sign or signal; to communicate intelligence by signs.
  17. 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…
  18. 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…
  19. Sig'nal, v. t.p. 1229To communicate by signals; as, to signal intelligence.
  20. Sig'nal-fire, n.p. 1229A fire intended for a signal.
  21. Sig'nal-ist, n.p. 1229One who makes signals; one who communicates intelligence by means of signals.
  22. Sig-năl'i-ty, n.p. 1229The state or quality of being signal or remarkable. [Obs.] Browne.
  23. 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…
  24. Sig'nal-ly, adv.p. 1229In a signal manner; eminently; remarkably.
  25. 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.
  26. Sig-nā'tion, n.p. 1229Sign given; act of betokening. [Obs.]
  27. Sig'na-to-ry, a.p. 1229Relating to a seal; used in sealing. [Obs.]
  28. 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.”…
  29. Sig'na-tīve, v. t.p. 1229To mark; to distinguish. [Obs.]
  30. Sig'na-tīr/ist, n.p. 1229One who holds to the doctrine of signatures impressed upon objects, indicative of character or qualities. [Obs.] Browne.
  31. Sign'-board, n.p. 1229A board on which a man sets a notice of his occupation, or of articles for sale.
  32. Sign'er, n.p. 1229One who signs or subscribes his name; as, a memorial with a hundred signers.
  33. 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…
  34. Sig'net-ed, a.p. 1229Stamped or marked with a signet.
  35. Sig'net-ring, n.p. 1229A ring containing a signet or private seal.
  36. Sig'ni-fer, a.p. 1229Bearing signs. [Obs. and rare.] “The signifer sphere, or zodiac.” Holland.
  37. 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…
  38. 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…
  39. Sig-nĭf'i-cant, n.p. 1229That which has significance; a token. [Obs.] “Dumb significants proclaim your thoughts.” Shak.
  40. Sig-nif'i-cant-ly, adv.p. 1229In a significant manner; with meaning.
  41. Sig-nif'i-cate, n.p. 1229(Logic.) One of several things signified by a common term. Whately.
  42. Sig′/ni-fi-cā′tion, n.p. 1229The act of signifying or making known. “A signification of being pleased, a testimonial of being served.” Landor. All speaking or signification of one's mind implies an act or address of one man to…
  43. Sig-nif'i-ca-tive, a.p. 1229Betokening or representing by an external sign. “The holy symbols or signs are not barely significative.” Brerewood. 2. Having signification or meaning; expressive of a meaning or purpose. Neither in…
  44. Sig-nĭf'i-ca-tĭve-ly, adv.p. 1229In a significative manner; so as to represent or express by an external sign.
  45. Sig-nĭf'i-ca-tĭve-ness, n.p. 1229The quality of being significative.
  46. Sĭg’nĭ-fī-cā’tor, n.p. 1229One who, or that which, signifies. In this diagram there was one significator which pressed remarkably upon our astrologer’s attention. F. Scott.
  47. Sig-nīf'i-ca-to-ry, n.p. 1229That which betokens, signifies, or represents. Bp. Taylor.
  48. Sĭg'nĭ-fĭ-cā'vĭt, n.p. 1229(Eng. Eccl. Law.) A writ issuing out of chancery, upon certificate given by the ordinary, of a man's standing excommunicate by the space of forty days, for the laying him up in prison till he submit…
  49. Sĭg'ni-fy, v. t.p. 1229To make known by a sign; to communicate by any conventional token, as words, gestures, signals, or the like. I'll signify so much unto him straight. Shak. The government should signify to the…
  50. Sig'ni-fy, v. i.p. 1229To express meaning with force.
  51. Sign'ior, n.p. 1229Sir; Mr.;—a title of respect or of address among the Italians. See SEIGNIOR.
  52. Sign'ior-ize, v. t.p. 1229To exercise dominion over; to lord it over. [Obs.] “As proud as he that signiorizeth hell.” Fairfax.
  53. Sign'ior-ize, v. i.p. 1229To exercise dominion; to lord it. [Obs.]
  54. Sĭgn'ior-shĭp, n.p. 1229The state or position of being a signior. Massinger.
  55. Sĭgn'ior-y, n.p. 1229Same as SEIGNIORY.
  56. Sīgn-măn'ū-al, n.p. 1229One's own name written by himself;—applied particularly to the signature of a sovereign or prince. See Note under SIGN, n.
  57. Sĭgn'or, n.p. 1229Sir; Mr.;—a title of address or respect among the Italians.
  58. Sĭg-nōr'ă, n.p. 1229Madam; Mrs.;— a title of address or respect among the Italians.
  59. Sign'o-rē'nă, n.p. 1229Miss;—a title of address among the Italians.
  60. Sign'-pōst, n.p. 1229A post on which a sign hangs, or on which papers are placed to give public notice of any thing.