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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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Stā'di-ām, n. p. 1283A Greek measure of length, being the chief one used for itinerary distances, also adapted by the Romans for nautical and astronomical measurements. It was equal to 600 Greek or 625 Roman feet, or 125…Stād't'hōld-er, n. p. 1283Formerly, the chief magistrate of the United Provinces of Holland; or the governor or lieutenant-governor of a province.Stadt'hōld-er-ate or Stadt'hōld-er-ship, n. p. 1283The office or position of a stadtholder.Stāff, n. p. 1283A long piece of wood; a stick; the long handle of an instrument or weapon; a pole or stick, used for many purposes. With forks and staves the felon to pursue. Dryden. 2. A stick carried in the hand…Stăff, n. p. 1283A series of verses so disposed that, when it is concluded, the same order begins again; a stanza; a stave. See STAVE. Cowley found out that no kind of staff is proper for an heroic poem, as being all…Stăff'-ăn'gle, n. p. 1283(Arch.) A square rod of wood standing flush with the wall on each of its sides, at the external angles of plastering, to prevent their being damaged. Brande.Stȧf'fi-er, n. p. 1283An attendant bearing a staff. [Obs.] “Staffiers on foot.” Hudibras.Stȧff'ish, a. p. 1283Stiff; harsh. [Obs.] Ascham.Stȧff'man, n. p. 1283A workman employed in silk-throwing. Simmonds.Stȧff'-tree, n. p. 1283(Bot.) A plant of several species of the genus Celastrus. Celastrus scandens, of the United States, is the climbing staff-tree.Stăg, n. p. 1283The male red deer, Cervus elaphus; the male of the hind; a hart; — sometimes applied specially to a male red deer of the fifth year. See HART. 2. A colt or filly; also, a romping girl. [Prov. Eng.]…Stăg, v. i. p. 1283(Com.) To act as a stag or irregular dealer in stocks. [Cant.]Stăg'-bee'tle, n. p. 1283(Entom.) A nocturnal beetle (Lucanus cereus), having large hooked mandibles somewhat resembling the horns of a stag. The larves bore into the roots and trunks of trees, and are sometimes many years…Stăg'-dănce, n. p. 1283A rough kind of dance by men only. [U. S.]Stāge, n. p. 1283A floor, or story of a house. [Obs.] Chaucer. 2. A platform slightly elevated, on which an orator may speak, a play be performed, an exhibition be presented, and the like. 3. A floor elevated for the…Stāge, v. t. p. 1283To exhibit upon a stage, or as upon a stage; to display publicly. [Obs.] Shak.Stāge′-bōx, n. p. 1283A box close to the stage in a theater. Simmonds.Stäge'-cär'riage, n. p. 1283A stage-coach.Stāge'-cōach, n. p. 1283A coach that runs regularly from one stage to another, for the convenience of passengers; sometimes (when running chiefly in the streets of a city), an omnibus.Stāge'-cōach'man, n. p. 1284One who drives a stage-coach.Stāge'-dōor, n. p. 1284The actors' and workmen's entrance to a theater. Simmonds.Stāge'-driv'er, n. p. 1284One who drives a stage or stage-coach; a stage-coachman.Stāge'-lights, n. pl. p. 1284The lights in front of the stage in a theater; — called also foot-lights.Stāge'ly, a. p. 1284Pertaining to a stage; becoming the theater. [Obs.] Bp. Taylor.Stāge'-plāy, n. p. 1284A dramatic or theatrical entertainment. Dryden.Stāge'-plāy'er, n. p. 1284An actor on the stage; one whose occupation is to represent characters on the stage; as, Garrick was a celebrated stage-player.Stā'ger, n. p. 1284A player. [Rare.] 2. One who has long acted on the stage of life; a practitioner; a person of experience, or of skill derived from long experience. You will find most of the old stagers still…Stā'ger-y, n. p. 1284Exhibition on the stage. [Obs.]Stāg'-ē'vil, n. p. 1284(Far.) A kind of palsy affecting the jaw of a horse. Crabb.Stāge'-wāg'on, n. p. 1284A wagon which runs between two places for conveying passengers or goods; also, a stage-coach.Stāg'gard, n. p. 1284A stag of four years of age. [Obs.] Ainsworth.Stăg'ger, v. i. p. 1284To move to one side and the other in standing or walking; not to stand or walk with steadiness; to reel; to vacillate. Deep was the wound; he staggered with the blow. Dryden. 2. To cease to stand…Stäg'ger, v. t. p. 1284To cause to reel. 2. To cause to doubt and waver; to make to hesitate; to make less steady or confident; to shock. Whoever will read the story of this war will find himself much staggered. Howell.…Stăg'ger-bush, n. p. 1284(Bot.) An American plant of the genus Andromeda (A. mariana), growing in low, sandy places, having clusters of large nodding flowers. Gray.Stāg'ger-ing-ly, adv. p. 1284In a staggering manner; doubtingly.Stāg'gers, n. pl. p. 1284(Far.) A disease of horses and other animals, by which they fall down suddenly without sense or motion; apoplexy. 2. Madness; wild, irregular conduct. [Obs.]Stāg'ger-wort, n. p. 1284A plant; ragwort.Stāg'hound, n. p. 1284A hound employed in hunting the stag or deer.Stā'ging, n. p. 1284A structure of posts and boards for supporting workmen, &c., in building, and the like. 2. The business of running, managing, or of journeying in, stage-coaches.Stăg'i-rīte, n. p. 1284One who is native to or resident in Stagira, in ancient Macedonia; especially, Aristotle.Stäg'mā, n. p. 1284Any distilled liquor. [Very rare.] Crabb.Stăg'nan-çy, n. p. 1284The state of being stagnant.Stăg'nant, a. p. 1284Inclined to stagnate; not flowing; not running in a current or stream; motionless; impure from want of motion; as, a stagnant lake or pond; stagnant blood in the veins. 2. Not active; dull; not…Stăg'nant-ly, adv. p. 1284In a stagnant manner.Stăg'nāte, v. i. p. 1284To cease to flow; to be motionless; as, blood stagnates in the veins of an animal; to become impure by want of motion; air stagnates in a close room. 2. To cease to be brisk or active; to become…Stāg'nate, a. p. 1284Stagnant. [Obs.] “A stagnate mass of vapors.” Young.Stag-nā'tion, n. p. 1284The condition of being stagnant; cessation of flowing or circulation, as of a fluid; the state of being motionless; as, the stagnation of the blood; the stagnation of water or air; the stagnation of…Stăg'-worm, n. p. 1284An insect that is troublesome to deer.Stähl'ian, n. p. 1284A believer in, or advocate of, Stahlianism.Stähl'ism or Stähl'ian-ĭsm, n. p. 1284The theory of a German physician, named Stahl, that every vital action is under the direction and presidency of the soul. Dunglison.Stāid, imp. & p. p. p. 1284of stay. See STAY.Stāid, a. p. 1284Sober; grave; steady; composed; regular; not wild, volatile, flighty, or fanciful. “O’erlaid with black, staid Wisdom’s hue.” Milton. To ride out with staid guides. Milton. Syn.—Sober; grave; steady…Stäid'ly, adv. p. 1284In a staid manner.Stāid'ness, n. p. 1284The state or quality of being staid; seriousness; steadiness; regularity; — the opposite of wildness or levity. If he sometimes appears too gay, yet a secret gracefulness of youth accompanies his…Stāin, v. t. p. 1284To discolor by the application of foreign matter; to make foul; to spot; as, to stain the hand with dye; to stain clothes with vegetable juice; to stain paper; armor stained with blood. 2. To color…Stāin, n. p. 1284A discoloration from foreign matter; a spot; as, a stain on a garment or cloth. 2. A natural spot of a color different from the ground. “Swift trouts, diversified with crimson stains.” Pope. 3. Taint…Stāin'er, n. p. 1284One who stains, blots, or tarnishes; a dyer.Stāin'less, a. p. 1284Free from any stain. 2. Free from the reproach of guilt; free from sin. The very care he took to keep his name Stainless, with some, was evidence of shame. Crabbe. Syn. — Blameless; spotless…Stāin'less-ly, adv. p. 1284In a stainless manner; with freedom from stain.Stair, n. p. 1284One step of a series, for ascending or descending to a different level; — commonly applied to those within a building, and not to such as ascend outside to the entrance. 2. A series of steps, as for…