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.
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…Stâir'cāse, n. p. 1284A flight of stairs with their supporting framework, casing, balusters, &c. To make a complete staircase is a curious piece of architecture. Wotton.Stâir'-head, n. p. 1284The head or top of a staircase.Stâir'-rŏd, n. p. 1284A metallic rod for holding a stair-carpet to its place.