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.
Spĕc'i-fy, v. t. p. 1268To mention or name, as a particular thing; to designate in words, so as to distinguish from other things; as, to specify the uses of a plant; to specify the articles one wants to purchase. He has…Spĕ'ci-men, n. p. 1268A part, or small portion, of any thing, or number of things, intended to exhibit the kind and quality of the whole, or of what is not exhibited; a sample; as, a specimen of a man's handwriting; a…Spē'ci-ŏs'i-ty, n. p. 1268The state of being specious. [Rare.] “Professions built so largely on speciosity, instead of performance.” Carlyle.Spē′ciōus, a. p. 1268Obvious; showy; manifest; open. The rest, far greater part, Will deem in outward rites and specious forms Religion satisfied. Milton. 2. Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct…Spē·cioús·ly, adv. p. 1268In a specious manner; with a fair appearance; with show of right; as, to reason speciously.Spē'ciōus-ness, n. p. 1268The quality of being specious; plausible appearance; fair external show; as, the speciousness of an argument.Speck, n. p. 1268A small place in any thing that is discolored by foreign matter, or is of a color different from that of the main substance; a spot; a stain; as, a speck on paper or cloth. “Gray sand, with black…Spĕck, v. t. p. 1268To stain in spots or drops; to spot.Spĕck, n. p. 1268The same as SPECK. Speck and span new, spick and span new. See SPICK.Spĕck'le, n. p. 1268A little spot in any thing, of a different substance or color from that of the thing itself; a speck.Spĕck'le, v. t. p. 1268To mark with small spots of a different color; to variegate with spots of a different color from the ground or surface of. The diction is still too much speckled with strange words. Jeffrey. Speckled…Spĕck'led-ness, n. p. 1268The state of being speckled.Speck'sion-eer', n. p. 1268The man who directs in cutting up the speck or blubber;—so called among whale-fishers.Spēckt, n. p. 1268A woodpecker. See SPEIGHT. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]Spĕc'ta-cle (-kl), n. p. 1268Something exhibited to view; usually, something presented to view as extraordinary, or as unusual and worthy of special notice; a remarkable or noteworthy sight; a show. O, piteous spectacle! O…Spĕc'ta-cled, a. p. 1268Furnished with spectacles; wearing spectacles. “As spectacled she sits in chimney nook.” Keats.Spec-tăc'ū-lar, a. p. 1268Pertaining to shows; of the nature of a show. 2. Of, or pertaining to, spectacles, or glasses for the eyes. Hickes.Spēctant, a. p. 1268Looking forward.Spec-tā'tion, n. p. 1268Regard; respect. [Obs.] Harvey.Spec-tā'tor, n. p. 1268One who looks on; one who sees or beholds; a beholder; one personally present at any exhibition; as, the spectators of a show. Syn. — Looker-on; beholder; observer; witness.Spĕc'/ta-tō'ri-al, a. p. 1268Of, or pertaining to, a spectator. [Rare.] Addison.Spec-tā'tor-shĭp, n. p. 1268The act of beholding. Shak. 2. The office or quality of a spectator. Addison.Spec-tā'tress or Spec-tā'trix p. 1268A female beholder or looker-on. “A spectatress of the whole scene.” Jeffrey.Spēc'ter or Spēc'tre, n. p. 1268An apparition; a ghost. The ghosts of traitors from the bridge descend, With bold, fanatic specters to rejoice. Dryden. 2. Something made preternaturally visible.Spĕc'tral, a. p. 1268Pertaining to a specter; ghostly. He that feels timid at the spectral form of evil, is not the man to spread light. F. W. Robertson. 2. Pertaining to a spectrum; as, spectral colors.Spec-trōl'o-gy, n. p. 1268The science of chemical analysis, by means of the lines of spectra as modified by the volatilization of different elements. Am. Journal of Science.Spĕc'tro-scōpe, n. p. 1268An optical instrument for forming and examining spectra, particularly those produced by flames in which different substances are volatilized, so as to determine, from the position of the spectral…Spĕc'trum, n. p. 1268A visible form; something seen. Darwin. 2. (Opt.) The several colored and other rays of which light is composed, separated by the refraction of a prism or other means, and exhibited either as spread…Spĕc'ū-lar, a. p. 1268Having the qualities of a speculum or mirror; having a smooth, reflecting surface; as, a specular metal; a specular surface. 2. Assisting sight. [Obs.] Thy specular orb Apply to well-directed…Spēc'ū-lāte, v. i. p. 1268To consider by turning an object in the mind, and viewing it in its different aspects and relations; to meditate; to contemplate; as, to speculate on political events. 2. (Com.) To purchase with the…Spēc'ū-lāte, v. t. p. 1268To consider attentively; as, to speculate the nature of a thing. [Obs.] Browne.Spĕc/ū-lā'tion, n. p. 1268The act of speculating; as, (a.) Examination by the eye; view. [Obs.] (b.) Mental view of any thing in its various aspects and relations; contemplation; intellectual examination. Thenceforth to…Spēc'ū-la-tīst, n. p. 1268One who speculates or forms theories; a speculator; a theorist. “The very ingenious speculatist, Mr. Hume.” Knox.Spĕc'ū-lā-tīve, a. p. 1268Given to, or concerning, speculation; involving, or formed by, speculation; ideal; theoretical; not established by reason; imaginary. “The mind of man being by nature speculative.” Hooker. 2.…Spēc'ū-la-tīve-ly, adv. p. 1268In a speculative manner; in contemplation; ideally; theoretically; in theory only, not in practice. 2. In the way of speculation in lands, goods, and the like.Spĕc'ū-lā-tīve-ness, n. p. 1268The state of being speculative, or of consisting in speculation only.Spĕc'ū-lā'tor, n. p. 1268One who speculates or forms theories. In the earlier part of the seventeenth century, a speculator who had dared to affirm that the human soul is by nature immortal. Macaulay. 2. An observer; a…Spēc/ū-la-tō'ri-al, a. p. 1268Speculatory; speculative. [Obs.]Spēc'ū-la-to-ry, a. p. 1268Exercising speculation; speculative. Carew. 2. Intended or adapted for viewing or espying.Spēc'ū-list, n. p. 1268One who observes or considers; an observer. [Rare.] Goldsmith.Spĕc'ŭ-lūm, n. p. 1268A mirror or looking-glass. 2. A reflector of polished metal, especially such as is used in reflecting telescopes, made of an alloy of copper and tin, or of a coating of silver deposited on a surface…Spēd, imp. & p. p. p. 1269of speed. See SPEED.Speece, n. p. 1269Species; kind; sort. [Obs.] B. Jonson.Speech, n. p. 1269The faculty of uttering articulate sounds or words, as in human beings; the faculty of expressing thoughts by words or articulate sounds; the power of speaking. 2. That which is spoken; words, as…Speech, v. i. p. 1269To make a speech; to harangue. [Obs. and rare.]Speech'ful, a. p. 1269Full of speech or words; uttering many words; voluble; loquacious. [Rare.]Speech'i-fi-cā'tion, n. p. 1269The act of speechifying;—used humorously or in contempt.Speech'i-fy, v. i. p. 1269To make a speech; to harangue;—used derisively or humorously.Speech'ing, n. p. 1269The act of making a speech. [Obs.]Speech'less, a. p. 1269Destitute or deprived of the faculty of speech. 2. Not speaking for a time; dumb; mute; silent. “Speechless with wonder, and half dead with fear.” Addison.Speech'less-ness, n. p. 1269The state of being speechless; muteness.Speech'-mak'er, n. p. 1269One who makes speeches; one who is accustomed to speak in a public assembly.Speed, v. i. p. 1269To make haste; to move with celerity. Shak. 2. To attain what one seeks for; to advance in one's enterprise; to prosper; to succeed. He that's once denied will hardly speed. Shak. 3. To have any…Speed, v. t. p. 1269To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to send forth as a messenger; hence, to hasten; to hurry. He sped him thence home to his habitation. Fairfax. 2. To help forward; to assist onward…Speed, n. p. 1269The moving or causing to move forward with celerity; swiftness; quickness. 2. Prosperity in an undertaking; favorable issue, that is, advance to the desired end; success. O Lord God of my master…Speed'er, n. p. 1269One who, or that which, speeds. 2. A kind of machine for forwarding things in manufacture.Speed'fŭl, a. p. 1269Full of speed; hasty. [Obs.]Speed'ful-ly, adv. p. 1269In a speedful manner; speedily.Speed'i-ly, adv. p. 1269In a speedy manner; quickly; with haste.Speed'i-ness, n. p. 1269The quality of being speedy; quickness; celerity; haste; dispatch.