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An American Dictionary of the English Language

by Noah Webster

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.

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  1. Sphe-rōm'e-ter, n.p. 1270An instrument for measuring the thickness of small bodies, the curvature of optical glasses, and the like.
  2. Sphĕr'/o-sĭd'er-īte, n.p. 1270(Min.) Carbonate of iron in spheroidal masses, occurring in trap. Dana.
  3. Sphēr'u-late, a.p. 1270Covered or set with spherules; having one or more rows of spherules or minute tubercles.
  4. Sphèr'ule, n.p. 1270A little sphere or spherical body; as, quicksilver, when poured upon a plane, divides itself into a great number of minute spherules.
  5. Sphĕr'u-lite, n.p. 1270(Min.) A variety of obsidian or pearl-stone, found in rounded grains.
  6. Sphē'r'y, a.p. 1270Round; spherical. Shak. 2. Belonging to the spheres. She can teach ye how to climb Higher than the sphery chime. Milton.
  7. Sphig-mōm'e-ter, n.p. 1270The same as SPHYGMOMETER, q. v.
  8. Sphinc'ter, n.p. 1270(Anat.) A muscle that contracts or shuts the opening of an organ. It is more generally applied to such as naturally and without volition maintain soft openings closed; as, the sphincter of the mouth.
  9. Sphinx, n.p. 1270(Myth.) A monster usually represented as having the winged body of a lion, and the face and breast of a young woman; — represented also in other forms. 2. (Entom.) A genus of lepidopterous insects…
  10. Sphrăg'īde, n.p. 1270(Min.) A species of ocherous clay which falls to pieces in water, with the emission of many bubbles; — called also earth of Lemnos and Lemnian earth.
  11. Sphra-gis'tics, n. sing.p. 1271The science of seals, their history, age, distinctions; a branch of diplomatics. [See Note under MATHEMATICS.]
  12. Sphyg'mic, a.p. 1271Of, or pertaining to the pulse. Dunglison.
  13. Sphyg'mo-grāph, n.p. 1271(Med.) A contrivance for indicating the character of the pulse as to force and extent of undulations. Dunglison.
  14. Sphyg-mŏm'e-ter, n.p. 1271A sphygmograph.
  15. Spī'al, n.p. 1271A spy; a scout. [Obs.] Bacon.
  16. Spī'cā, n.p. 1271(Surg.) A kind of bandage;—so called from its resemblance to a spike of barley. 2. (Astron.) A star of the first magnitude situated in the constellation Virgo.
  17. Spī'cate or Spī'cā-ted, a.p. 1271(Bot.) Having the form of a spike or ear; arranged in a spike. Lee.
  18. Spic-cā'to, p. a.p. 1271(Mus.) Detached; separated;—a term indicating that every note is to be performed in a distinct and pointed manner. [Obs. or rare.]
  19. Spīce, n.p. 1271A vegetable production, fragrant or aromatic to the smell and pungent to the taste;—used in sauces and in cookery. 2. Hence, that which resembles spice, or enriches or alters the quality of a thing…
  20. Spīce, v. t.p. 1271To season with spice, or that which resembles spice; to mix aromatic substances with; as, to spice wine. 2. To fill or impregnate with the odor of spices. “In the spiced Indian air, by night.” Shak.…
  21. Spīce'-bush, n.p. 1271(Bot.) Spice-wood.
  22. Spīce'-nŭt, n.p. 1271A gingerbread nut. [Eng.]
  23. Spī'cer, n.p. 1271One who seasons with spice. 2. One who deals in spice.
  24. Spī'cer-y, n.p. 1271Spices in general; fragrant and aromatic vegetable substances used in seasoning. 2. A repository of spices. Addison.
  25. Spice'-wood, n.p. 1271(Bot.) An American shrub, the bark of which has a spicy taste and odor; the Benzoin odoriferum (Laurus benzoin of Linnæus);—called also Benjamin, wild allspice, and fever-bush.
  26. Spī·cif'er-ous, a.p. 1271Bearing ears, as corn; producing spikes, as some plants; spicate. [Obs.] Bailey.
  27. Spī'ci-fōrm, a.p. 1271(Bot.) Spike-shaped. Gray.
  28. Spī'ci-ly, adv.p. 1271In a spicy manner.
  29. Spī'ci-ness, n.p. 1271The state or quality of being spicy.
  30. Spĭck, n.p. 1271A spike or nail. [Prov. Eng.] Spick and span new, quite new; that is, as new as a spike or nail just made and a chip just split. See SPAN-NEW.
  31. Spĭck'nel, n.p. 1271(Bot.) A plant of the genus Athemantium; — called also, provincially, maldmony, and bearwort.
  32. Spī-cōse', a.p. 1271(Bot.) Having spikes or ears, like corn-spikes. Wright.
  33. Spī-cōs'ĭ-ty, n.p. 1271The state of having or being full of ears, like corn. [Obs.] Bailey.
  34. Spī'coūs, a.p. 1271The same as SPICOSE, q. v.
  35. Spī'cē-lā, n.p. 1271(Bot.) (a.) A little spike; a spikelet. (b.) A pointed, fleshy appendage. Henslow.
  36. Spīc'ū-lar, a.p. 1271Resembling a dart; having sharp points.
  37. Spīc'ū-lāte, v. t.p. 1271To sharpen to a point. [Rare.] Mason.
  38. Spīc'ū-late, a.p. 1271(Bot.) Covered with minute points, as pointed fleshy appendages; divided into small spikelets. Henslow.
  39. Spīc'ūle, n.p. 1271A minute, slender granule or point.
  40. Spi-cū'li-form, a.p. 1271Having the form of a spicule.
  41. Spicūlig'enous, a.p. 1271Containing spicules.
  42. Spī'cy, a.p. 1271Producing, pertaining to, or abounding with, spices. “Led by new stars, and borne by spicy gales.” Pope. 2. Hence, pungent; pointed; as, a spicy debate. Syn. — Racy; aromatic; fragrant; smart…
  43. Spi'der, n.p. 1271(Zoöl.) An animal of the family Araneidæ, of the class Arachnida, some of which are remarkable for spinning webs for taking their prey and forming a convenient habitation, and for the deposit of…
  44. Spī'der-cătch'er, n.p. 1271One who, or that which, catches spiders; specifically, a certain bird; a kind of woodpecker.
  45. Spī'der-crăb, n.p. 1271(Zoöl.) An animal of the genus Maia; the sea-spider.
  46. Spĭ'der-ôr'chis, n.p. 1271(Bot.) One of two species of Orchis, O. aranifera and O. arachnites. Eng. Cyc.
  47. Spī'der-shell, n.p. 1271(Conch.) A species of murex.
  48. Spī'der-wort, n.p. 1271(Bot.) A plant; Tradescantia Virginiana. Baird.
  49. Spight, n.p. 1271Reluctance. [Obs.] Spenser.
  50. Spight, n.p. 1271A woodpecker. See SPEIGHT. [Obs.] Holland.
  51. Spight, v. t.p. 1271To spite. [Obs.] Spenser.
  52. Spig'nel, n.p. 1271See SPICKNEL.
  53. Spig'net, n.p. 1271(Bot.) [Corrupted from spikenard.] A plant of the genus Aralia (A. racemosa). Gray.
  54. Spig'ot, n.p. 1271A pin or peg used to stop a faucet, or to stop a small hole in a cask of liquor.
  55. Spi-gŭr'nel, n.p. 1271(Eng. Law.) The sealer of the royal writs.
  56. Spike, n.p. 1271A sort of very large nail. 2. An ear of corn or grain. 3. A shoot. Addison. 4. (Bot.) A species of inflorescence, in which sessile flowers are alternate on a common simple peduncle, as lavender…
  57. Spike, n.p. 1271The same as SPIKE-LAVENDER, q. v.
  58. Spike, v. t.p. 1271To fasten with spikes, or long and large nails; as, to spike down the planks of a floor or bridge. 2. To set with spikes. A youth, leaping over the spiked pales, . . . was caught by the spikes.…
  59. Spiked, p. a.p. 1271Furnished with spikes, as corn; fastened with spikes; stopped with spikes.
  60. Spīke'-lăv'en-der, n.p. 1271(Bot.) A shrubby species of lavender, a native of Southern Europe; the Lavandula spica, from which an essential oil is produced, used in veterinary medicine, and in the preparation of certain…