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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- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
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.]…Sprŭnt, n. p. 1279Any thing short and stiff; something short and not easily bent. [Obs.] 2. A leap; a spring. [Obs.] 3. A steep ascent in a road. [Prov. Eng.]Sprŭnt, a. p. 1279Active; vigorous; strong; becoming strong. [Obs.] Kersay.Sprŭnt'ly, adv. p. 1279In a sprunt manner; smartly; vigorously; youthfully. [Obs.] B. Jonson.Sprȳ, a. p. 1279Having great power of leaping or running; nimble; active; vigorous. [Prov. Eng. Colloq. U. S.] Halliwell. Forby.Spūd, n. p. 1279An implement somewhat like a chisel, with a long handle, used by farmers for destroying weeds. My spud these nettles from the stone can part. Swift. 2. Any short and thick thing; and specifically, a…Spüe, v. t. & i. p. 1279To spew. See SPEW.Spūl'zie, n. p. 1279See SPULZIE.Spūke, n. p. 1279A spirit; a spectre. See SPOOK.Spūl'ler, n. p. 1279One employed to inspect yarn, to see that it is well spun, and fit for the loom. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]Spūl'zĭe, n. p. 1279Plunder or booty. [Written also spulzie.] W. Scott.Spūme, n. p. 1279Frothy matter raised on liquors or fluid substances by boiling, effervescence, or agitation; froth; foam; scum. Materials dark Of spirituous and fiery spume. Milton.Spūme, v. i. p. 1279To froth; to foam.Spūme'ous, a. p. 1279Spumous. [Obs.]Spu-mēs'cence, n. p. 1279The state of being foamy; frothiness.Spu-mēs'cent, a. p. 1279Resembling froth or foam.Spūm'id, a. p. 1279Spumous; frothy. [Obs.]Spu-mif'er-oŭs, a. p. 1279Producing foam.Spūm'ī-ness, n. p. 1279The quality of being spumy or frothy.