Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
- Pages
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- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
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…Sī-lē'ne, n. p. 1229(Bot.) A genus of plants usually covered with a viscid secretion, by which insects are caught; catch-fly.Sī'lent, a. p. 1229Free from sound or noise; absolutely still; perfectly quiet. How silent is this town! Shak. 2. Indisposed to talk; speechless; mute; habitually taciturn; not loquacious; not talkative. Ulysses, he…Sī'lent, n. p. 1230That which is silent; a time of silence. [Rare.] “The silent of the night.” Shak.Sī-lēn′ti-a-ry, n. p. 1230One appointed to keep silence and order in court; one sworn not to divulge secrets of state. [Obs.]Sĭ′lent-ly, adv. p. 1230In a silent manner; quietly. Each, silently, Demands thy grace, and seems to watch thy eye. Dryden.Sī′lent-ness, n. p. 1230State of being silent; silence.Sī-lē'si-ā, n. p. 1230A kind of thin, coarse linen cloth, originally made in Silesia, a province in Prussia.Sī-lē'si-an, a. p. 1230(Geog.) Of, or pertaining to, Silesia; made in Silesia; as, Silesian linen.Sī-lē′si-an, n. p. 1230(Geog.) A native or inhabitant of Silesia.Sī'lex, n. p. 1230(Min.) Silicic acid, generally impure, as it is found in nature, constituting flint, quartz, and most sands and sandstones. See SILICA and SILICIC.Sĭl'hou-ette, n. p. 1230A representation of the outlines of an object filled in with a black color; a profile. “It is little suspected that this innocent term originated in a political nickname. Silhouette was minister of…Sĭl'i-că, n. p. 1230(Chem.) Silicic acid in a state of purity. See SILICIC.Sĭl'i-cate, n. p. 1230(Chem.) A salt composed of silicic acid and a base.Sĭl'i-cā'ted, a. p. 1230Combined or impregnated with silica. Silicated soap, a kind of hard soap containing silicate of soda.Sĭl'i-cā'ti-zā'tion, n. p. 1230The process of combining with silica, so as to change to a silicate. Dana.Sĭl'ĭce, n. p. 1230(Bot.) A silicle. [Rare.]Sī-lī′ceōus or Sī-lī′ciōus, a. p. 1230Pertaining to, or containing, silica, or partaking of its nature and qualities.Si-lĭç'ic, a. p. 1230(Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, flint or quartz. Silicic acid, an acid composed of one equivalent of silicon and three of oxygen. When pure, it is a light, white powder, which feels…Sī-lĭç'i-cal-eā're-oŭs, a. p. 1230Consisting of silex and calcareous matter.Sī-līç'i-cālçe, n. p. 1230(Min.) A mineral of a gray, brown, or sometimes nearly black color, found in amorphous masses, and in thin beds under strata of compact limestone, in Provence. It is a mixture of flint and carbonate…Sĭl'i-cĭf'er-ous, a. p. 1230Producing silex; united with a portion of silex.Sĭ-lĭ-sĭ-fi-cā'tion, n. p. 1230Petrifaction by means of silica.