Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
- Pages
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- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Spring'-bāl'ance, n. p. 1278A contrivance for measuring weight, or force, by the elasticity of a spiral spring of steel. Simmonds. Weele.Spring'-bee/tle, n. p. 1278(Entom.) An insect which springs to a considerable height when placed upon its back; a skip-jack; a snap, or snap-bug.Spring'-bōard, n. p. 1278An elastic board, secured at the ends, often by elastic supports, used in performing feats of agility or for exercise.Spring'-bök or Spring'-bück, n. p. 1278(Zoöl.) A species of antelope (Antilope Euchore, or springer antelope), which inhabits the plains of South Africa. It is of an exceedingly light and graceful form, and is so called from a habit of…Springe, n. p. 1278A noose, which, being fastened to an elastic body, is drawn close with a sudden spring, by which means it catches a bird or other animal; a gin. “As a woodcock to my own springe.” Shak.Springe, v. t. p. 1278To catch in a springe; to insnare. [Rare.] Bern. & Fl.Sprĭng’er, n. p. 1278One who springs; one who rouses game. 2. A young plant. Evelyn. 3. A kind of dog nearly resembling the setter. 4. The grampus. 5. (Arch.) (a.) The impost, or point at which an arch unites with its…Sprĭng'-gär'den, n. p. 1278A garden where concealed springs were made to spout jets of water on the visitors. [Obs.] Nares.Spring'-gŭn, n. p. 1278A fire-arm discharged by a spring, when this is trodden upon, or otherwise moved. Dickens.Spring'-grāss, n. p. 1278(Bot.) A kind of grass of the genus Anthoxanthum, which flowers early in the season.Spring'-halt, n. p. 1278(Far.) A kind of lameness in which a horse suddenly twitches up his legs. Shak.Spring'-hēad, n. p. 1278A fountain or source.Spring'i-ness, n. p. 1278The state of being springy; elasticity; also, the power of springing. 2. The state of abounding with springs; wetness; sponginess; as of land.Spring'ing, n. p. 1278The act or process of leaping, arising, issuing, or proceeding. 2. Growth; increase. 3. (Arch.) The side of an arch contiguous to the part on which it rests.Spring'gle, n. p. 1278A springe; a noose. [Obs.] Carew.Spring'-lă tch, n. p. 1278A latch that fastens with a spring.Spring'let, n. p. 1278A little spring; a small stream. But yet from out the little hill Oozes the slender springlet still. W. Scott.Sprĭng'-lŏck, n. p. 1278A lock that fastens with a spring. Rogers.Spring'-rȳe, n. p. 1278A kind of rye sown, or to be sown, in the spring, in distinction from winter-rye, sown in autumn.Spring'-stāy, n. p. 1278(Naut.) A preventer-stay, to assist the regular one. Dana.Spring'-tail, n. p. 1278(Entom.) One of a genus of apterous insects, or appendage to the abdomen. This tail is folded under the abdomen, when at rest, but by suddenly extending it, the insect is enabled to spring and leap…Spring'-tide, n. p. 1279The tide which happens at, or soon after, the new and full moon, which rises higher than common tides. 2. The time of spring; spring-time. Thomson.Spring'-time, n. p. 1279The season of spring.Spring'-wheat, n. p. 1279A species of wheat to be sown in the spring;—so called in distinction from winter-wheat.Spring'y, a. p. 1279Resembling, or pertaining to, a spring; elastic; light; nimble; as, springy steel; a springy step. Though her little frame was light, it was firm and springy. W. Scott. 2. Abounding with springs or…Sprĭnk'le, v. t. p. 1279To scatter, or disperse, in small drops or particles, as water, seed, and the like. 2. To scatter on; to disperse over in small drops or particles; to besprinkle; as, to sprinkle the earth with…Sprĭnk'le, v. i. p. 1279To perform the act of scattering a liquid, or any fine substance, so that it may fall in small particles. And the priest shall . . . sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord.…Sprĭnk'le, n. p. 1279A small quantity scattered, or sparsely distributed; a sprinkling. 2. A utensil for sprinkling. “The little sprinkle of hyssop.” Wycliffe.Sprink'ler, n. p. 1279One who, or that which, sprinkles.Sprĭnk'ling, n. p. 1279The act of scattering in small drops or parcels. Baptism may well enough be performed by sprinkling or effusion of water. Ayliffe. 2. A small quantity falling in distinct drops or parts, or coming…Sprit, v. t. p. 1279To throw out with force from a narrow orifice; to eject; to spurt. [Obs.] See SPURT.Sprĭt, v. i. p. 1279To sprout; to bud; to germinate or shoot, as barley steeped for malt. [Obs.]Sprīt, n. p. 1279A shoot; a sprout. [Obs.]Sprĭt, n. p. 1279(Naut.) A small boom, pole, or spar, which crosses the sail of a boat diagonally from the mast to the upper aftmost corner, which it is used to extend and elevate. Totten.Sprite, n. p. 1279A spirit; a soul; a shade; also, an apparition. See SPRIGHT.Sprite'ful, a. p. 1279See SPRIGHTFUL.Sprite'ful-ly, adv. p. 1279See SPRIGHTFULLY.Sprite'ful-ness, n. p. 1279See SPRIGHTFULNESS.Sprite'-less, a. p. 1279See SPRIGHTLESS.Sprite'li-ness, n. p. 1279See SPRIGHTLINESS.Sprite'ly, a. p. 1279See SPRIGHTLY.Sprit'ing, n. p. 1279The office of a sprite. Shak.Sprit'-sāil, n. p. 1279(Naut.) (a.) The sail extended by a sprit. (b.) A sail attached to a yard which hangs under the bowsprit. Totten.Spröck'et-wheel, n. p. 1279(Mach.) The same as RAG-WHEEL, q. v.Spröd, n. p. 1279A salmon in its second year. [Prov. Eng.] Chambers.Sprŏng, imp. p. 1279of spring. Sprung. [Obs.] See SPRUNG.Sprout, v. i. p. 1279To shoot, as the seed of a plant; to germinate; to push out new shoots; hence, to grow like shoots of plants. 2. To shoot into ramifications. Vitriol is apt to sprout with moisture. Bacon.Sprout, n. p. 1279The shoot of a plant; a shoot from the seed, or from the stump, or from the root of a plant or tree; more rarely, a shoot from the stem of a plant, or the end of a branch. 2. (pl.) Young coleworts.…Spruce, a. p. 1279Neat, without elegance or dignity;—formerly applied to things with a serious meaning, now chiefly applied to persons. “Now, my spruce companions.” Shak. He is so spruce that he never can be genteel.…Spruce, v. t. p. 1279To dress with affected neatness; to trim; to make spruce.Spruce, v. i. p. 1279To dress one's self with affected neatness.Spruce, n. p. 1279(Bot.) A coniferous tree of the genus Abies, especially the species Abies excelsa, or Norway spruce, a native of the north of Europe;—applied in the United States to A. Canadensis, the hemlock…Spruce'-beer, n. p. 1279A kind of beer which is tinctured or flavored with spruce, either by means of the extract or by decoction.Spruce'-leath'er, n. p. 1279See SPRUCE.Spruce'ly, adv. p. 1279In a spruce manner; with affected neatness.Spruce'ness, n. p. 1279The state or quality of being spruce; trimness; fineness.Sprue, n. p. 1279(Founding.) (a.) Strictly, the hole through which melted metal is poured into the gate, and thence into the mold. (b.) The waste piece of metal cast in this hole; hence, dross or scoria. 2. (Med.)…Sprüg, v. t. p. 1279To make smart. [Obs.]Sprŭng, imp. & p. p. p. 1279of spring. See SPRING.Sprŭnt, v. i. p. 1279To spring up; to germinate; to spring forward or outward. [Obs.] To sprunt up, to draw one's self up suddenly as in anger or defiance; to bristle up; to show sudden resentment. [Colloq. Local U. S.]…