Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
- Pages
- 1,538
- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
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.]Stärt'le, v. i. p. 1289To shrink; to move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling a sudden alarm. Why shrinks the soul Back on herself, and startles at destruction? Addison.Stärt'le, v. t. p. 1289To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to fright suddenly, and not seriously; to shock; to alarm. The supposition that angels assume bodies need not startle us. Locke. 2. To deter; to…Stărt'le, n. p. 1289A sudden motion or shock occasioned by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger. After having recovered from my first startle, I was well pleased with the accident. Spectator.Stärt'ling-ly, adv. p. 1289In a startling manner.Stärt'lish, a. p. 1289Easily startled; apt to start; startish; skittish; — said especially of a horse. [Colloq.]Stärt'-ŭp, n. p. 1289One who comes suddenly into notice; an upstart. [Obs.] Shak. 2. A kind of high rustic shoe. Drayton.Stärt'-ŭp, a. p. 1289Suddenly coming into notice. [Obs.]Star-vā'tion, n. p. 1289The act of starving, or the state of being starved. ☞ This word has been erroneously called an Americanism, and incorrectly said to be of recent origin. It was first used, according to Horace…Stărve, v. i. p. 1289To perish; to be destroyed. [Obs.] Fairfax. 2. To perish or die with cold. “Starving with cold as well as hunger.” W. Irving. ☞ In this sense, still common in England, but rarely or never used in the…Stärve, v. t. p. 1289To destroy with cold. [Eng.] From beds of raging fire, to starve in ice Their soft, ethereal warmth. Milton. 2. To kill with hunger; as, maliciously to starve a man is, in law, murder. 3. To distress…Stärve'ling, a. p. 1289Hungry; lean; pining with want. Philips.Stärve'ling, n. p. 1289An animal or plant that is made thin, lean, and weak through want of nutriment. “And thy poor starveling bountifully fed.” — Donna.Star'-wort, n. p. 1289(Bot.) (a.) A shrubby or herbaceous plant of the genus Aster, having flowers which resemble stars. Loudon. (b.) A small plant of the genus Stellaria, having star-shaped flowers; chickweed. Gray.…Stā'tal, a. p. 1289Of, pertaining to, or existing, with reference to the state, as distinguished from the general government. [Rare.] I have no knowledge of any other kind of political citizenship, higher or lower…Stā'tant, a. p. 1289(Her.) In a standing position; as, a lion statant.