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.
Stär'-chām'ber, n. p. 1288An ancient court of criminal jurisdiction in England, which sat without the intervention of a jury. This court exercised extensive powers during the reigns of Henry VIII. and his…Stärched, p. a. p. 1288Stiffened with starch. 2. Stiff; precise; formal.Stärch'ed-ness, n. p. 1288The state of being starched; stiffness in manners; formality.Stärch'er, n. p. 1288One who starches, or whose occupation is to starch.Stärch'-hÿ'a-çinth, n. p. 1288(Bot.) A plant (the Muscari racemosum) of the same natural order with the hyacinth, and named from the smell of the flower. It is a native of Britain, and a garden plant in the United States. London.Stärch'ly, adv. p. 1288In a starch manner; formally.Stärch'ness, n. p. 1288The state or quality of being starch; stiffness of manner; preciseness.Stärch'y, a. p. 1288Consisting of starch; resembling starch; stiff; precise.Stär'-cŏn'ner, n. p. 1288One who cons or studies the stars; an astronomer or astrologer. [Obs.]Stär'-crōssed, a. p. 1288Ill-omened. [Obs.] Shak. Such is my star-crossed destiny. Masinger.Stāre, n. p. 1288(Ornith.) A bird; the starling. [Obs.]Stāre, v. i. p. 1288To look with fixed eyes wide open; to fasten an earnest look on some object. Look not big, nor stare, nor fret. Shak. ☞ Staring is produced by wonder, surprise, stupidity, horror, fright, sometimes…Stāre, v. t. p. 1288To look earnestly at; to gaze at. I will stare him out of his wits. Shak. To stare in the face, to be before the eyes, or undeniably evident. “The law stares them in the face while they are breaking…Stāre, n. p. 1288The act of staring; a fixed look with eyes wide open.Stâr'er, n. p. 1288One who stares or gazes.Stär'-finch, n. p. 1288(Ornith.) A certain bird; the red-start.Stär'-fish, n. p. 1288A marine animal; the Asterias, or sea-star. See ASTERIAS.Stär'-flow'er, n. p. 1288(Bot.) (a.) A plant of the genus Ornithogalum; star-of-Bethlehem. (b.) A plant of the genus Stellaria; chickweed; starwort. Lee. (c.) An American plant of the genus Trientalis (T. Americana). Gray.Stär'-fört, n. p. 1288(Fort.) A fort surrounded on the exterior with projecting angles, — whence the name.Stär'-gāz'er, n. p. 1288One who gazes at the stars; an astrologer; sometimes, in contempt, an astronomer. 2. (Ichth.) A spiny-rayed, percoid fish, of the family Trachinidæ, or weavers, and genus Uranoscopus;—so called from…Stär'-gāz'ing, n. p. 1288The act or practice of observing the stars with attention; astrology. Swift.Stär'-gräss, n. p. 1288(Bot.) (a.) A small grass-like plant, having star-shaped yellow flowers; Hypoxis erecta. (b.) A smooth, stemless, very bitter plant, of the genus Aletris, having fibrous roots, and small flowers in a…Stär'-hawk, n. p. 1288A species of hawk. Ainsworth.Stär'-hy'a-çinth, n. p. 1288(Bot.) A bulbous plant of the genus Scilla (S. autumnalis);—called also star-headed hyacinth.Stâr'ing-ly, adv. p. 1288In a staring manner; with gazing.Stär'-jĕl'ly, n. p. 1288(Bot.) A fungous plant (the Tremella), of a gelatinous appearance; nostoc;—called also star-shoot, because formerly supposed to be the extinguished residue of a shooting-star.Stärk, a. p. 1288Stiff; strong; rugged. Many a nobleman lies stark and stiff Under the hoofs of vaunting enemies. Shak. The north is not so stark and cold. B. Jonson. 2. Absolute; deep; full; profound. [Obs.]…Stārk, adv. p. 1288Wholly; entirely; absolutely; as, stark mad; stark naked. “Held him strangled in his arms, till he was stark dead.” Fuller.Stärk'ly, adv. p. 1288In a stark manner; stiffly; strongly. [Obs.] Shak.Stärk'ness, n. p. 1288The state or quality of being stark; stiffness; stoutness; strength. [Obs.]Stär'less, a. p. 1288Having no stars visible, or no starlight; as, a starless night.Stär'light (-lit), n. p. 1288The light proceeding from the stars. Nor walk by moon, Or glittering starlight, without thee, is sweet. Milton.Stär'light, a. p. 1288Lighted by the stars, or by the stars only; as, a starlight evening.Stär'-like, a. p. 1288Resembling a star; stellated; radiated like a star; as, starlike flowers. 2. Bright; illustrious. The having turned many to righteousness shall confer a star-like and immortal brightness. Boyle.Stär'ling, n. p. 1288(Ornith.) A small bird (the Sturnus vulgaris), common in Europe. It is of a rich metallic black color, spotted with yellowish white. It is a sociable bird, and builds about houses, old towers, &c. It…Stär'-mŏn'ger, n. p. 1288A fortune-teller; an astrologer. “These star-monger knaves, who would trust them.” B. Jonson.Stăr'ost, n. p. 1288A nobleman who possessed a starosty. [Poland.]Stăr'os-ty, n. p. 1288A castle and domains conferred on noblemen for life by the crown. [Poland.] Brande.Stär'-pro͞of, a. p. 1288Impervious to the light of the stars; as, a star-proof elm. Milton.Stär'-rēad, n. p. 1288Doctrine of the stars; astronomy. [Obs.] “Who in star-read were wont have best insight.” Spenser.Stärred, a. p. 1288Adorned or studded with stars. 2. Influenced in fortune by the stars. [Obs.] My third comfort, Starred most unluckily. Shak.Stär'ri-ness, n. p. 1288The state of being starry; as, the starriness of the heavens.Stär'ry, a. p. 1288Abounding with stars; adorned with stars. Above the clouds, above the starry sky. Pope. 2. Consisting of, or proceeding from, the stars; stellar; stellary; as, starry light; starry flame. Do not…Stär'-sho͞ot, n. p. 1288See STAR-JELLY and NOSTOC.Stär'-spăn'gled, a. p. 1288Spangled or studded with stars. Star-spangled banner, the flag of the United States; the national ensign of the American people.Stär'-stōne, n. p. 1288(Min.) A variety of sapphire, which, when cut in a certain direction, presents a reflection of light in the form of a star. Brande.Stärt, v. i. p. 1288To move suddenly, as with a spring or leap, from surprise, pain, or other sudden feeling or emotion, or by a voluntary act. I start as from some dreadful dream. Dryden. A spirit fit to start into an…Stärt, v. t. p. 1288To cause to move suddenly; to alarm; to disturb suddenly; to startle; to rouse; to cause to flee or fly. Upon malicious bravery dost thou come To start my quiet? Shak. 2. To bring into motion; to…Stärt, n. p. 1288A sudden spring, leap, or motion, occasioned by surprise, fear, pain, or the like; any sudden motion, or beginning of motion. Now fear I this will give it start again. Shak. 2. A convulsive motion…Stärt, n. p. 1289A projection; a push; a horn; a tail. 2. The handle or tail of a plow; also, any long handle. [Prov. Eng.]Stărt'er, n. p. 1289One who starts; one who shrinks from his purpose. 2. One who suddenly moves or suggests a question or an objection. 3. A dog that rouses game. Delany.Stärt'ful, a. p. 1289Apt to start; skittish. [Rare.]Stärt'ful-ness, n. p. 1289Aptness to start. [Rare.]Stär'-thīs'tle, n. p. 1289(Bot.) An annual plant of the genus Centaurea.Stärt'ing-bär, n. p. 1289(Steam-eng.) A hand-lever for moving the valves for the purpose of starting an engine. [See Illust. of Valve-gear.]Stärt'ing-hōle, n. p. 1289A loop-hole; evasion. [Obs.]Stärt'ing-ly, adv. p. 1289By sudden fits or starts.Stärt'ing-point, n. p. 1289The point from which motion begins, or from which any thing starts.Stărt'ing-pōst, n. p. 1289A post, stake, barrier, or place, from which competitors in a race start, or begin the race.Stärt'ish, a. p. 1289Apt to start; skittish; shy;—said especially of a horse. [Colloq.]