Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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- 95,912
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
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…Sig-nĭf'i-cant, n. p. 1229That which has significance; a token. [Obs.] “Dumb significants proclaim your thoughts.” Shak.Sig-nif'i-cant-ly, adv. p. 1229In a significant manner; with meaning.Sig-nif'i-cate, n. p. 1229(Logic.) One of several things signified by a common term. Whately.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…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…Sig-nĭf'i-ca-tĭve-ly, adv. p. 1229In a significative manner; so as to represent or express by an external sign.Sig-nĭf'i-ca-tĭve-ness, n. p. 1229The quality of being significative.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.Sig-nīf'i-ca-to-ry, n. p. 1229That which betokens, signifies, or represents. Bp. Taylor.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…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…Sig'ni-fy, v. i. p. 1229To express meaning with force.Sign'ior, n. p. 1229Sir; Mr.;—a title of respect or of address among the Italians. See SEIGNIOR.Sign'ior-ize, v. t. p. 1229To exercise dominion over; to lord it over. [Obs.] “As proud as he that signiorizeth hell.” Fairfax.Sign'ior-ize, v. i. p. 1229To exercise dominion; to lord it. [Obs.]Sĭgn'ior-shĭp, n. p. 1229The state or position of being a signior. Massinger.Sĭgn'ior-y, n. p. 1229Same as SEIGNIORY.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.Sĭgn'or, n. p. 1229Sir; Mr.;—a title of address or respect among the Italians.Sĭg-nōr'ă, n. p. 1229Madam; Mrs.;— a title of address or respect among the Italians.Sign'o-rē'nă, n. p. 1229Miss;—a title of address among the Italians.Sign'-pōst, n. p. 1229A post on which a sign hangs, or on which papers are placed to give public notice of any thing.Sīk or Sīke, a. p. 1229Such. See SUCH. [Obs.] “Sike fancies weren foolery.” Spenser.Sīke, n. p. 1229A sign; an indication. [Obs.] 2. A sick person. [Prov. Eng.] 3. A gutter; a stream, such as is usually dry in summer. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.Sĭk'er, a. or adv. p. 1229The same as SICKER, q. v.Sik'er-ness, n. p. 1229Sureness; safety. See SICKERNESS. [Obs.] Chaucer.Sikhs, n. pl. p. 1229(Geog.) A warlike nation inhabiting a region in North-western India, now annexed to British India. [Written also Seiks.]Sīle, v. t. p. 1229To strain, as fresh milk from the cow. [Prov. Eng.]Sīle, n. p. 1229A sieve with fine meshes. [Prov. Eng.] 2. Filth; sediment. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. 3. A young or small herring. Pennant.Sī'lençe, n. p. 1229The state of being silent; entire absence of sound or noise; absolute stillness. I saw and heard, for such a numerous host Fled not in silence through the frighted deep. Milton. 2. Forbearance from…Sī'lence, interj. p. 1229Be silent;—used elliptically for let there be silence, or keep silence.Sī'lence, v. t. p. 1229To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to hush. Silence that dreadful bell. Shak. 2. To put to rest; to quiet. This would silence all further opposition. Clarendon. These would have…