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'-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.Sta-tā'ri-an, a. p. 1289Fixed; settled; statary. [Obs.]Sta-tā'ri-an-ly, adv. p. 1289In a statarian manner; fixedly. [Obs.]Stä'ta-ry, a. p. 1289Fixed; settled. [Obs.] “The set and statary times of paring nails and cutting of hair.”Stāte, n. p. 1289The circumstances or condition of a being or thing at any given time. State is a term nearly synonymous with “mode,” but of a meaning more extensive, and is not so exclusively limited to the mutable…Stāte, v. t. p. 1289To set; to settle; to establish. [Rare.] I myself, though meanest stated, And in court now almost hated. Withers. Who calls the council, states the day. Pope. 2. To express the particulars of; to set…Stāte, a. p. 1289Stately. [Obs.] “Expatiate and confer their state affairs.” Milton.State, n. p. 1289That which is stated or expressed in words; a statement; also, a document containing a statement. [Rare.] He sat down to examine Mr. Owen's states. W. Scott.Stāte'-craft, n. p. 1289The art of conducting state affairs; state-management.State'-crim'i-nal, n. p. 1289One who commits an offense against the dignity or well-being of a state, as treason.Stāt'ed, a. p. 1289Settled; established; regular; occurring at regular times; not occasional; as, stated hours of business. 2. Fixed; established; as, a stated salary.Stāt'ed-ly, adv. p. 1289At stated or appointed times.Stāte'ful, a. p. 1289Full of state; stately. [Obs.] “A stateful silence.” Marston.Stāte'-house, n. p. 1289The building in which the legislature of a state holds its sessions; a state capitol.Stāte'less, a. p. 1289Without state or pomp.Stāte'li-ly, adv. p. 1289In a stately manner.Stāte'li-ness, n. p. 1289The condition of being stately; loftiness of mien or manner; majestic appearance; dignity; grandeur. For stateliness and majesty, what is comparable to a horse? Moore.State'ly, a. p. 1289Evincing state or dignity; lofty; majestic; grand; as, stately manners; a stately gait. “Filled with stately temples.” Prescott. Here is a stately style indeed. Shak. Syn.—Lofty; dignified; majestic…Stāte'ly, adv. p. 1289Majestically; loftily. Milton.Stāte'ment, n. p. 1289The act of stating, reciting, or presenting, verbally or on paper. 2. A formal embodiment, in language, of facts or opinions; a narrative; a recital.State'-mōn'ger, n. p. 1289One versed in politics, or one who dabbles in state affairs.Stāte'-prīz'on, n. p. 1289A public prison or penitentiary;—called also state's prison.State'-prĭs'on-er, n. p. 1289One in confinement for political offenses.Stāt'er, n. p. 1289One who states, or makes a statement.Stāter, n. p. 1289(Antiq.) The principal gold coin of ancient Greece. It varied much in value, but was usually worth about £1 3s. sterling, or $5.50. The Attic silver tetradrachm was, in later times, called stater.Stāte'-rōōm, n. p. 1289A magnificent room in a palace or great house. 2. An apartment for lodging in a ship's cabin.States’man, n. p. 1289A man versed in the arts of government; especially, one eminent for political abilities; a politician. The minds of some of our statesmen, like the pupil of the human eye, contract themselves the…Stātes’man-like, a. p. 1289Having the manner, or wisdom, of statesmen; becoming a statesman.Stātes'man-ly, adv. p. 1289In a manner becoming a statesman. De Quincey.Stātes'man-ship, n. p. 1289The qualifications or employments of a statesman.Stātes'wom-an, n. p. 1289A woman who is concerned in public affairs. [Obs.] A rare stateswoman; I admire her bearing. B. Jonson.