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.
Stē're-o-tȳp-y, n. p. 1295The art or employment of making stereotype plates.Stĕr′ile, a. p. 1295Producing little or no crop; barren; unfruitful; not fertile; as, sterile land; a sterile desert; a sterile year. 2. Producing no young; barren. She is grown sterile, . . . and her births of animals…Ste-rĭl'i-ty, n. p. 1295The quality or condition of being sterile; barrenness; unproductiveness; unfruitfulness.Stĕr'il-ize, v. t. p. 1295To make sterile; to impoverish, as land; to exhaust of fertility. “Sterilizing the earth.” Woodward. 2. To deprive of fecundity, or the power of producing young.Stĕr'let, n. p. 1295(Ichth.) A species of sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus), found in the Caspian Sea and its rivers, highly esteemed for its flavor, and from whose roe is made the finest caviare.Ster'ling, a. p. 1295Belonging to, or relating to, the British money of account, or to the British coinage; as, a pound sterling; a shilling sterling; a penny sterling;—now chiefly applied to the lawful money of England…Stêr'ling, n. p. 1295English money. [Rare.] Robert of Gloucester. And Roman wealth in English sterling view. Arbuthnot.Stĕrn, a. p. 1295Fixed, with an aspect of severity and authority; severe; rigid; austere; as, a stern look; a stern countenance; a stern frown. I would out-stare the sternest eyes that look. Shak. 2. Severe of…Stĕrn, n. p. 1295(Naut.) The hind part of a ship or other vessel, or of a boat; the part opposite to the stem or prow. 2. Post of management; direction. [Obs.] And sit at chiefest stern of public weal. Shak. 3. The…Stĕrn'age, n. p. 1295Steerage or stern. [Obs.] Shak.Stĕrn'al, a. p. 1295Pertaining to the sternum, or breast-bone.Stĕrn'berg-ite, n. p. 1295A foliated ore of silver, consisting of silver, iron, and sulphur. Dana.Stĕrn'-bōard, n. p. 1295(Naut.) The backward motion of a vessel; hence, a loss of way in making a tack. To make a stern-board, to fall back from the point gained in the last tack.Stĕrn'-chāse, n. p. 1295A chase in which two vessels sail on one and the same course, one following in the wake of the other. A stern-chase is a long chase. Prof. Wilson.Stĕrn'-chāse or Stĕrn'-chās'er, n. p. 1295(Naut.) A cannon placed in a ship's stern, pointing backward, and intended to annoy a ship that is in pursuit of her.Stērned, a. p. 1295Having a stern of a particular shape;—used chiefly in composition; as, square-sterned; pink-sterned, &c.Stĕrn'er, n. p. 1295A director. [Obs.] Clarke.Stĕrn'-făst, n. p. 1295(Naut.) A rope used to confine the stern of a ship or other vessel.Stĕrn'-frāme, n. p. 1295(Naut.) The frame-work of timber which forms the stern of a ship.Stĕrn'-knee, n. p. 1295See STERNSON.Stērn'ly, adv. p. 1295In a stern manner; with an austere or stern countenance.Stĕrn'-mōst, a. p. 1296Furthest in the rear; furthest astern; as, the sternmost ship in a convoy.Stērn'ness, n. p. 1296The quality or state of being stern; rigidity; rigor; severity. I have sternness in my soul enough To hear of soldier's work. Dryden.Stēr′no-cōs′tal, a. p. 1296(Anat.) Of, or pertaining to, the sternum and the ribs; —said of those ribs which are attached to the breast-bone.Stēr'non, n. p. 1296The breast-bone. [Rare.] See STERNUM.Stērn'-pōrt, n. p. 1296(Naut.) A port or opening in the stern of a ship.Stērn'-pōst, n. p. 1296(Naut.) A straight piece of timber, erected on the extremity of the keel to support the rudder and terminate the ship behind.Stērn'-sheets, n. pl. p. 1296(Naut.) That part of a boat which is between the stern and the aftmost seat of the rowers; — usually furnished with seats for passengers.Stērns'man, n. p. 1296A steersman; a pilot. [Obs.]Stērn'son, n. p. 1296(Naut.) The end of a ship's keelson, to which the stern-post is bolted; — called also stern-knee.Stēr'num, n. p. 1296(Anat.) A flat, symmetrical bone on the median line of the chest in front, articulated with the clavicles and the cartilages of the upper seven ribs. ¶ In birds, it is the large bone of the breast…Stēr/nu-tā'/tion, n. p. 1296The act of sneezing. Quincy.Ster-nū'ta-tīve, a. p. 1296Having the quality of provoking to sneeze.Ster-nū'ta-to-ry, a. p. 1296Having the quality of exciting to sneeze.Ster-nū'ta-to-ry, n. p. 1296A substance that provokes sneezing.Stērn'-wāy, n. p. 1296(Naut.) The movement of a ship backward, or with her stern foremost.Ster-quil’i-noŭs, a. p. 1296Pertaining to a dung-hill; hence, mean; dirty; paltry. [Obs.] Howell.Stĕrt, v. i. p. 1296To start. [Obs.] Chaucer.Ster-tō'ri-oŭs or Stēr'to-roŭs, a. p. 1296Characterized by a deep snoring, which accompanies inspiration in some diseases, especially apoplexy; hence, hoarsely breathing; snoring. “With burning, stertorous breath that hurt her cheek.”…Stērve or Stērv'en, v. i. p. 1296To starve. [Obs.] Spenser.Stētech, n. p. 1296As much land as lies between one furrow and another. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.Ste-thōm'e-ter, n. p. 1296(Med.) An instrument for measuring the difference in mobility of the opposite sides of the chest in respiration.Stēth'o-scōpe, n. p. 1296A tube of metal, wood, or other material, so constructed that, when applied to the human chest, the operator may hear sounds within, and judge of the regular action or condition of the part thus…Stēth'o-scōp'ic or Stēth'o-scōp'ic-al, a. p. 1296Of, or pertaining to, a stethoscope; obtained, or made by means of, a stethoscope.Stēve, v. t. p. 1296To stow, as cotton or wool in a ship’s hold.Ste've-dōre', n. p. 1296One whose occupation is to load and unload vessels in port.Stē'ven, n. p. 1296An outcry; a loud call; a clamor. [Obs.] Spenser.Stew, v. t. p. 1296To boil slowly, in a moderate manner, or with a simmering heat; to seethe; as, to stew meat; to stew apples.Stew, v. i. p. 1296To be seethed in a slow, gentle manner, or in heat and moisture.Stew, n. p. 1296A hot-house; a bagnio. The Lydians were inhibited by Cyrus to use any armor, and give themselves to baths and stews. Abbot. 2. A house of prostitution; a brothel; —usually in the plural. Bacon.…Stew'ard, n. p. 1296A man employed in a large family, or on a large estate, to manage the domestic concerns, superintend other servants, collect the rents or income, keep accounts, and the like. 2. (Naut.) In vessels…Stew'ard, v. t. p. 1296To manage as a steward. [Obs.] Fuller.Stew'ard-ess, n. p. 1296A female waiter on shipboard.Stew'ard-ly, adv. p. 1296In the manner, or with the care, of a steward. [Rare.] Tooker.Stew'ard-shĭp, n. p. 1296The office of a steward.Stew'art-ry, n. p. 1296An overseer or superintendent. [Rare.] “The stewartry of provisions.” Tooke.Stew'ish, a. p. 1296Suiting a stew, or brothel. Bp. Hall.Stew'-păn, n. p. 1296A pan in which things are stewed.Stew'-pŏt, n. p. 1296A pot in which things are stewed.Stey, n. p. 1296See STEE.