Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
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- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Sir-cār', n. p. 1235A Hindoo clerk or writer. Malcolm. 2. A district or province; a circar. See CIRCAR.Sir-dār', n. p. 1235A native chief in Hindostan. Malcom.Sīre, n. p. 1235A father; a progenitor. “And raise his issue like a loving sire.” Shak. 2. One who stands in the relation of a father, as a king or emperor;—used as a title of honor. 3. A creator; a maker; an…Sīre, v. t. p. 1235To beget; to procreate;—used of beasts, and especially of stallions.Sī'ren, n. p. 1235(Myth.) One of three damsels, — or, according to some writers, of two, — said to dwell near the Island of Caprea, in the Mediterranean, and to sing with such sweetness that they who sailed by forgot…Sī'ren, a. p. 1235Pertaining to a siren, or to the dangerous enticements of music; bewitching, like a siren; fascinating; alluring; as, a siren song.Si-rēne, n. p. 1235An instrument for ascertaining the number of vibrations corresponding to any specified musical sound. It consists of a disk with a circular row of oblique holes, revolving close to the top-plate of a…Si-rēn'ic-al, a. p. 1235Like, or appropriate to, a siren. Here's a couple of sirenical rascals shall enchant ye. Marston.Sī'ren-īze, v. i. p. 1235To use the enticements of a siren; to charm. [Rare.]Sī-rĭ'a-sĭs, n. p. 1235(Med.) (a.) A disease occasioned by the excessive heat of the sun; coup-de-soleil. (b.) Insolation or exposure to the sun for the purpose of rousing the vital forces. [Obs.] Dunglison.Sĕr'itch, n. p. 1235A sweet oil expressed from the seeds of Sesamum orientale, much used as an article of diet, for friction of the body, and for lamps; — an Arab name. Simmonds.Sīr′i-ŭs, n. p. 1235(Astron.) The large and bright star called the Dog-star, in the mouth of the constellation Canis Major.Sĭr'loin, n. p. 1235A loin of beef. [Written also surloin.] ☞ The sirloin has been erroneously supposed by some to have received its name from the story of its having been sportively knighted by one of the English kings…Sŭr'nāme, n. p. 1235See SURNAME.Sī-rōc′co, n. pl. p. 1235Sĭ-RŌC′CŌS. [It. siricco, scirocco, scilocco, Sp. siroco, xaloque, Pg. xaroco, Pr. & Fr. siroc, Ar. shoruk, from shark, the rising of the sun, the east, from sharaha, to rise, as the sun.] An…Sĭr'rah, n. p. 1235Sir; — a word of reproach and contempt, or of familiarity and playfulness, used in addressing males generally, but sometimes also females. “Ah, sirrah mistress.” Beau. & Fl. Go, sirrah, to my cell.…Sĭrt, n. p. 1235A quicksand. [Obs.]Sir’up, n. p. 1235The sweet juice of vegetables or fruits, or sugar boiled with vegetable infusions; also, sweetened liquid of any kind. Lucent sirups tinct with cinnamon. Keats. ☞ This word is spelt sirup in most of…Sir'uped, a. p. 1235Moistened or tinged with sirup or sweet juice.Sir'up-y, a. p. 1235Like sirup, or partaking of its qualities. Mortimer.Sirvente, n. p. 1235A peculiar species of poetry, usually satirical, often used by the troubadours of the middle ages. Brande.Si-säl'-gräss or Si-säl'-hĕmp, n. p. 1235The prepared fiber of the Agave Americana, or American aloe, used for cordage;—so called from Sisal, a port in Yucatan.Sīse, n. p. 1235An assize. [Obs.] See ASSIZE.Sīse, n. p. 1235Six;— a term in games where dice are used, and the like. In the new casting of a die, when ace is on the top, sice must needs be at the bottom. Fuller.Sīs'e-rā-rā or Sīs'e-ra-ry, n. p. 1235A hard blow. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. He attacked it with such a siserary of Latin as might have scared the devil himself. W. Scott.Sīs'kin, n. p. 1235(Ornith.) A singing bird; Carduelis spinus; the aberdevine.Sīs'ki-wīt, n. p. 1235(Ichth.) A species of salmon found in Lake Superior; Salmo siskiwit.Sis-mōm'e-ter, n. p. 1235Same as SEISMOMETER, q. v.Siss, v. i. p. 1235To hiss;—a legitimate word, local in England, but in common colloquial use in the United States for some inanimate hissing sounds.Sis-sōō' or Sīs'sōō, n. p. 1235A valuable timber-tree of India (Dalbergia sissoo), used for ship-building. Its color is a light, grayish-brown, with darker colored veins. In structure it somewhat resembles the finer species of…Sīst, v. t. p. 1235(Scots Law.) To stay, as judicial proceedings; to delay or suspend.Sĭst, n. p. 1235(Scots Law.) A stay or suspension of proceedings; an order for a stay of proceedings. Burvill.Sis'ter, n. p. 1235A female whose parents are the same as those of another person;—the correlative of brother. I am the sister of one Claudio. Shak. 2. A female who is closely allied to, or associated with, another…Sĭs'ter, v. t. p. 1235To resemble closely. [Obs.] Shak.Sis'ter, v. i. p. 1235To be akin; to be near. [Obs.]Sis'ter-blŏck, n. p. 1235A solid piece of wood, with two holes one above the other, with or without sheaves, to pass a pulley through. Simmonds.Sĭs'ter-hōōd, n. p. 1235A society of sisters; or a society of females united in one faith or order. Addison. 2. The state of being a sister; the office or duty of a sister.Sĭs'ter-in-lāw, n. p. 1235A husband's or wife's sister; also, a brother's wife.Sis'ter-ly, a. p. 1235Like a sister; becoming a sister; affectionate; as, sisterly kindness.Sis'tine, a. p. 1235Of, or pertaining to, Pope Sixtus V. Sistine chapel, a chapel in the Vatican at Rome.Sĭs'trum, n. p. 1235A kind of timbrel consisting of a thin oval metal frame, through which passed a number of metal rods, and furnished with a handle by which it was shaken. It was peculiarly Egyptian, and used…Sĭ-sĭm'bri-ūm, n. p. 1235(Bot.) A genus of plants, several species of which are used in medicine. Dunglison.Sĭs'y-phē'an, a. p. 1235Relating to Sisyphus; incessantly recurring; as Sisyphæan labors.Sīs'y-phūs, n. p. 1235(Myth.) A king of Corinth, son of Æolus, famed for his cunning. He was killed by Theseus, and condemned by Pluto to roll to the top of a hill a huge stone, which constantly recoiled, and made his…Sit, v. i. p. 1235To rest upon the haunches; — said of human beings, and sometimes of other animals; as, to sit on a sofa or on the ground. 2. To perch; to rest on the feet, as birds. 3. To remain in a state of…Sĭt, v. t. p. 1236To keep the seat upon; as, he sits a horse well. 2. To cause to be seated; to furnish a seat to;— used reflexively. They sat them down to weep. Milton.Site, n. p. 1236The place where any thing is fixed; situation; local position; as, the site of a city or of a house. 2. A place fitted or chosen for any certain permanent use or occupation; as, a site for a church.…Sit’ed, a. p. 1236Having a site; placed; situated. [Obs.]Sit’fast, n. p. 1236(Far.) An ulcerated, horny sore growing on a horse’s back, under the saddle.Sith, adv. & conj. p. 1236In later times; ago; inasmuch as; since. [Obs.] We need not fear them, sith Christ is with us. Latimer.Sith or Sithe, n. p. 1236Time. [Obs.] “And humbly thanked him a thousand sithes.” Spenser.Sīthe, n. p. 1236A scythe. See SCYTHE. [Obs.]Sith'ence or Sith'es, adv. p. 1236In later times; since. [Obs.] Spenser.Sī'ti-ōl'o-gy or Si-tōl'o-gy, n. p. 1236A treatise on the regulation of the diet.Sĭt'tă, n. p. 1236(Ornith.) A genus of birds; the nuthatch. See NUT-HATCH.Sĭt'ten, p. p. p. 1236of sit, for sat. See SIT. [Obs.]Sĭt’ter, n. p. 1236One who sits. 2. A bird that sits or incubates.Sit'ting, a. p. 1236(Bot.) Sessile, that is, without petiole, peduncle, pedicel, or the like.Sit'ting, n. p. 1236The posture of being on a seat. 2. The act of placing one’s self on a seat; as, a sitting down. 3. A seat, or the space occupied by a person in a church. 4. The act or time of resting in a posture…Sit’ū-ate, a. p. 1236Permanently fixed; placed; as, a town situate on a hill or on the sea-shore. 2. Placed; residing. “Pleasure situate in hill and dale.” Milton. 3. In the United States, this word is less used than…