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.
Spā'hee or Spā'hi, n. p. 1264Formerly, one of the Turkish cavalry.Spāke, imp. p. 1264of speak. [Obs.] See SPEAK.Spāke'nĕt, n. p. 1264A net for catching crabs. Halliwell.Spāk'y, a. p. 1264The same as SPECKY. [Obs.] “Where thou eatest spak'y fruit.” Chapman.Spāle, n. p. 1264A lath; also, a shaving of wood. [Eng.] Simmonds.Spall, n. p. 1264The shoulder. “And naked made each other’s manly spalls.” Spenser. 2. [Prov. Eng. spall, spell, from O. & Prov. Ger. spellen, to split.] [Written also spale.] A chip; a fragment. [Obs.]Spall, v. t. p. 1264(Mining.) To break into small pieces, as ore, for the sake of separating from rock. Pryce.Spalt, n. p. 1264A whitish, scaly mineral, used to promote the fusion of metals. [Written also spelt.] Bailey. Ash.Spalt, a. p. 1264Liable to break or split; brittle; as, spalt timber. Halliwell. 2. Heedless; careless; clumsy; pert; saucy; giddy and frail. Halliwell.Spalt, v. t. p. 1264To split off; to cleave off, as chips from a piece of timber, with an ax. [Prov. Eng. Local U. S.]Spalt, v. i. p. 1264To split or break off, as a chip or piece from timber in working. [Prov. Eng. Local U. S.]Spăn, n. p. 1264The space from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; the eighth of a fathom. 2. Hence, a brief extent or portion of time. Life's but a span; I'll every inch…Spăn, v. t. p. 1264To measure by the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object; as, to span a space or distance; to span a cylinder. 2. To measure, or reach, from one side to the…Spăn, v. i. p. 1264To be well matched; to agree in color, or in color and size; as, the horses span well. [U. S.]Spăn, imp. p. 1264of spin, for spun. [Obs.] See SPIN.Spăn'çel, n. p. 1264A rope to tie a cow’s hind legs. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.Spăn'cel, v. t. p. 1264To tie, as the legs of a horse or cow, with a rope. [Prov. Eng.] Malone.Spān'-count'er, n. p. 1264A child's game, at which one throws a counter on the ground, and another tries to hit it with his counter, or to get it near enough to the first to span the space between them, and touch both the…Spān'drel, n. p. 1264(Arch.) The irregular triangular space between the curve of an arch and the inclosing right angle; or the space between the outer moldings of two contiguous arches, and an horizontal line above them…Spāne, v. t. p. 1264To wean. [Obs.]Spăn'-fĕath'er, n. p. 1264See SPAN-COUNTER.Spăng, n. p. 1264A spangle or shining ornament. [Obs.] “With glittering spangs that did like stars appear.” Spenser.Spăng, n. p. 1264A bound or spring. [Scot.] Jamieson.Spăng, v. i. p. 1264To spring with elastic force. [Scot.] But when they spang o’er reason’s fence, We smart for’t at our own expense. Ramsay.Spăn'gle, n. p. 1264A small plate or boss of shining metal; something brilliant used as an ornament. 2. Any little thing which sparkles by reflection in the light; any thing small and brilliant. “The rich spangles that…Spāng'gle, v. t. p. 1264To set or sprinkle with spangles; to adorn with small, distinct, brilliant bodies; as, a spangled breastplate. Donne. What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty? Shak.Spăn'gler, n. p. 1264One who spangles.Spăn'iard, n. p. 1265(Geog.) A native or inhabitant of Spain.Spăn'iel, n. p. 1265A dog used in sports of the field, remarkable for his sagacity and obedience. 2. A mean, cringing, fawning person. [R.] Shak.Spăn'iel, a. p. 1265Like a spaniel; hence, mean; fawning. [Rare.] Shak.Spăn'iel, v. i. p. 1265To fawn; to cringe; to be obsequious. [Rare.] Churchill.Spăn'iel, v. t. p. 1265To follow like a spaniel. [Rare.]Spăn'ish, a. p. 1265(Geog.) Of, or pertaining to, Spain. Spanish-bayonet (Bot.), a plant of the genus Yucca, found in some parts of the Southern United States, in New Mexico, and Arizona, having stiff, sharp-pointed…Spăn'ish, n. p. 1265The language of Spain.Spānk, v. t. p. 1265To strike on the breech with the open hand; to slap.Spānk, v. i. p. 1265To move with a quick, lively step between a trot and gallop; to move quickly. Grose.Spānk'er, n. p. 1265A small coin. Derham. 2. [From spank.] (Naut.) The after-sail of a ship or bark, being a fore-and-aft sail, attached to a gaff,—formerly called driver. Totten. 3. One who takes long strides in…Spănk'ing, p. a. p. 1265Striking with the open hand. 2. Moving with a quick, lively pace. Spanking breeze, a strong breeze.Spănk'ing, a. p. 1265Large; stout. [Colloq.] Halliwell.Spān'-lŏng, a. p. 1265Of the length of a span.Spăn'ner, n. p. 1265One who spans. 2. The lock of a fusee or carbine; also, the fusee itself. [Obs.] 3. An iron instrument used in the manner of a lever to tighten the nuts upon screws; also, a hose-wrench. 4. (pl.) A…Spān'-new, a. p. 1265Quite new; brand-new; fire-new. “A span-new archbishop’s chairs.” Fuller.Spăn'/nish-ing, n. p. 1265The full blooming of a flower. [Obs.] Chaucer.Spān'-pīḗce, n. p. 1265(Arch.) The collar-beam of a roof.Spān'-rōof, n. p. 1265A common roof, having eaves on two sides. Gavit.Spăn'-shăck/le, n. p. 1265(Naut.) A large bolt driven through the forecastle, and forelocked under the forecastle beam, both under and upon the upper-deck beam. Ogilvie.Spăn'-worm, n. p. 1265(Entom.) The canker-worm;—so called from its peculiar mode of progression, in which it spans or measures the distance over which it passes. See CANKER-WORM.Spār, n. p. 1265(Min.) Any earthy mineral that breaks with regular surfaces, and has some degree of luster; a crystallized earthy mineral of a shining luster. Dana.Spār, n. p. 1265(Naut.) A long beam;—a general term for mast, yard, boom, and gaff. Totten. 2. (Arch.) Formerly, a piece of timber of various kinds;—still applied locally to rafters. 3. The bar of a gate or door.…Spār, v. t. p. 1265To shut close, or fasten with a bar; to bar. [Obs.] Chaucer.Spār, v. i. p. 1265To fight with prelusive strokes; to contend or combat with the fists for exercise or amusement; to box. “Made believe to spar at Paul with great science.” Dickens. 2. To dispute; to quarrel in words…Spār, n. p. 1265A feigned blow; as, to make a spar at a person. Dickens. 2. A contention with the fists; a contest at sparring or boxing.Spār'a-ble, n. p. 1265A small nail used by shoemakers.Spār'a-drāp, n. p. 1265A cere-cloth. [Obs.] Wiseman.Spār'age, n. p. 1265Asparagus. See ASPARAGUS.Spār'a-gās p. 1265Bp. Taylor.Spār'ble, v. t. p. 1265To scatter; to disperse; to rout. [Obs.] The king's host was sparbled and chased. Fabyan.Spär'-dĕck, n. p. 1265(Naut.) The upper deck of a vessel; especially, in a frigate, the deck which is continued in a straight line from the quarter-deck to the forecastle, and on which spare spars are usually placed.…Spāre, v. t. p. 1265To hold as scarce or valuable; to retain as precious; to use frugally; to dispense cautiously; to save. Thou thy Father's thunder didst not spare. Milton. 2. To part with reluctantly; to suffer to…Spāre, v. i. p. 1265To be frugal; not to be profuse. 2. To live frugally; to be parsimonious. Who at some times spend, at others spare, Divided between carelessness and care. Pope. 3. To forbear; to be scrupulous. To…