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.
Slēd'ding, n. p. 1241The act of transporting on a sled. 2. The means of conveying on sleds; snow sufficient for the running of sleds; as, good sledding; the sledding is good.Sledge, n. p. 1241A large, heavy hammer;—called also sledge-hammer.Slĕdge, n. p. 1241A vehicle moved on runners, or on low wheels; as, (a.) A hurdle on which, formerly, traitors were drawn to the place of execution. [Eng.] W. Scott. (b.) A sleigh for riding upon snow.Sledge, v. t. or i. p. 1241To travel or convey in sledges. Howitt.Sleek, a. p. 1241Having an even, smooth surface; smooth; whence, glossy; as, sleek hair. “So sleek her skin, so faultless was her make.” Dryden. 2. Not rough or harsh. Those rugged names to our like mouths grow…Sleek, n. p. 1241That which makes smooth; varnish. [R.]Sleek, v. t. p. 1241To make even and smooth; as, to sleek the hair. B. Jonson. 2. To render smooth, soft, and glossy. Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks. Shak.Sleek, adv. p. 1241With ease and dexterity; with exactness. [Vulgar.]Sleek'ly, adv. p. 1241In a sleek manner; smoothly; glossily.Sleek'ness, n. p. 1241The state or quality of being sleek; smoothness and glossiness of surface.Sleek'-stōne, n. p. 1241A smoothing stone. Peacham.Sleek'y, a. p. 1241Of a sleek, or smooth, and glossy appearance. [Rare.] Thomson.Sleep, v. i. p. 1241To take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind, and an apathy of the organs of sense; to become unconscious. “Watching at the head of those that sleep.”…Sleep, v. t. p. 1242To give sleep to; to furnish with accommodations for sleeping. [Rare.] Blackwood's Mag.Sleep, n. p. 1242A natural and healthy, but temporary and periodical, suspension of the functions of the organs of sense, as well as those of the voluntary and rational soul; that state of the animal in which the…Sleep'-chärged, a. p. 1242Heavy with sleep. Lamb.Sleep'er, n. p. 1242One who sleeps; also, a drone, or lazy person. 2. That which lies dormant, as a law not executed. [Obs.] Bacon. 3. An animal that lies dormant in winter, as the bear, the marmot, and some others. 4.…Sleep'ful, a. p. 1242Strongly inclined to sleep; very sleepy. [Obs.]Sleep'ful-ness, n. p. 1242The quality of being sleepful; strong inclination to sleep. [Obs.]Sleep'i-ly, adv. p. 1242In a sleepy manner; drowsily; heavily; dully; stupidly.Sleep'i-ness, n. p. 1242The state of being sleepy; drowsiness; inclination to sleep.Sleep'ing, p. a. p. 1242Occupied with sleep; as, sleeping hours. 2. Occupied for sleeping; as, a sleeping-car on a railway, which is fitted with seats transformable into berths.Sleeping partner p. 1242a dormant partner. See DORMANT.Sleep'ing, n. p. 1242The state of resting in sleep. 2. The state of being at rest, or not stirred or agitated. “The sleeping of this business.” Shak.Sleep'ish, a. p. 1242Disposed to sleep; sleepy; drowsy. [Obs.] “Your sleepish and more than sleepish security.” Ford.Sleep'less, a. p. 1242Having no sleep; without sleep; wakeful. Trouble, care, and sleepless nights To him who wears the regal diadem. Milton. 2. Having no rest; perpetually agitated. “Biscay’s sleepless bay.” Byron.Sleep'less-ly, adv. p. 1242In a sleepless manner.Sleep'less-ness, n. p. 1242The state of being sleepless; want or destitution of sleep.Sleep'-wāk'er, n. p. 1242One in a state of magnetic sleep.Sleep'-wālk'ing, n. p. 1242The state of one mesmerized, or in a partial and morbid sleep.Sleep'-walk'er, n. p. 1242A somnambulist, or noctambulist; one who walks in his sleep.Sleep'-walk'ing, n. p. 1242Somnambulism; walking in one's sleep; noctambulism.Sleep'y, a. p. 1242Drowsy; inclined to, or overcome by, sleep. She waked her sleepy crew. Dryden. 2. Tending to induce sleep; soporiferous; somniferous; as, a sleepy drink or potion. She will give you sleepy draughts.…Sleet, n. p. 1242A fall of hail or snow mingled with rain, usually in fine particles. 2. (Gun.) The part of a mortar passing from the chamber to the trunnions for strengthening that part. [Obs.]Sleet, v. i. p. 1242To snow or hail with a mixture of rain.Sleetch, n. p. 1242The thick mud or slush lying at the bottom of rivers. Simmonds.Sleet'i-ness, n. p. 1242The state of being sleety.Sleet'y, a. p. 1242Consisting of sleet, or bringing sleet.Sleeve, n. p. 1242The part of a garment that is fitted to cover the arm; as, the sleeve of a coat or gown. 2. A knot or snarl in silk or other thread;—the same as SLEAVE, q. v. 3. A narrow channel of water. [Rare.]…Sleeve, v. t. p. 1242To furnish with sleeves; to put sleeves into; as, to sleeve a coat.Sleeve'-bŭt/ton, n. p. 1242A button to fasten the sleeve or wristband.Sleeve'-fish, n. p. 1242(Ichth.) The Loligo, or squid. See SQUID. Baird.Sleeve'-hănd, n. p. 1242The part of a sleeve nearest the hand; a cuff or wristband.Sleeve'less, a. p. 1242Having no sleeves; as, a sleeveless coat. 2. Wanting a cover, pretext, or palliation; unreasonable; profitless; useless; as, a sleeveless tale of transubstantiation. [Obs.] “To save himself from the…Sleid, v. t. p. 1242To sley or prepare for use in the weaver's sley, or slaie.Sleigh, n. p. 1242A vehicle moved on runners, and used for transporting persons or goods on snow or ice;—in England commonly called a sledge. Sleigh-bell, a small bell attached either to a horse when drawing a sleigh…Sleigh'ing, n. p. 1242The state of the snow or ice in winter which admits of running sleighs. 2. The act of riding in a sleigh.Sleight, n. p. 1242An artful trick; sly artifice; a feat so dexterously performed that the manner of performance escapes observation. The world hath many subtle sleights. Latimer. 2. Dexterous practice; dexterity. “The…Sleight'ful, a. p. 1242Cunningly dexterous. [Obs.]Sleight'i-ly, adv. p. 1242In a sleighty manner; craftily; slyly. [Obs.] Huloet.Sleight'y, a. p. 1242Sleightful; artful; cunning; sly. [Obs.] Huloet.Slĕn'der, a. p. 1242Thin or narrow in proportion to circumference or width; not thick; as, a slender stem or stalk of a plant. She, as a vail, down to the slender waist, Her unadorned golden tresses wore. Milton. 2.…Slĕn'der-ly, adv. p. 1242In a slender manner; slightly; feebly; inadequately; sparsely.Slĕn'der-ness, n. p. 1242The state or quality of being slender; thinness; as, the slenderness of a hair; want of bulk or strength; as, the slenderness of a cord or chain; weakness; slightness; as, the slenderness of a…Slĕnt, v. i. p. 1242To make an oblique remark; to jest. [Obs.] See SLANT. North.Slĕnt, v. t. p. 1242To turn aside; to ward off. [Obs.]Slēpt, imp. & p. p. p. 1242of sleep. See SLEEP.Sleüth, n. p. 1242The track of man or beast, as followed by the scent. Halliwell.Sleüth'-hound, n. p. 1242A hound that tracks its prey by the scent; a blood-hound. Halliwell.Slew, imp. p. 1242of slay. See SLAY.