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.
Swal'low-fish, n. p. 1336(Ichth.) A sea-fish of the genus Trigla (T. hirundo), remarkable for the size of its gill-fins;—called also sapphirine gurnard.Swal'low-tāil, n. p. 1336(Mech.) The same as Dove-TAIL, q. v. 2. (Bot.) A species of willow. Bacon. 3. (Fort.) A work so called from its form;—called also priest-cap. [See Illust. of Redan.]Swal'low-tāiled, a. p. 1336Like a swallow's tail in form; having narrow and tapering or pointed skirts; as, a swallow-tailed coat. 2. (Mach.) Dove-tailed.Swallow-tailed hawk p. 1336a species of hawk having a long, forked tail, found in the southern parts of the United States; Nauclerus (Milvus) furcatus. Baird.Swal'low-wort, n. p. 1336(Bot.) A plant of the genus Asclepias or Cynanchum, growing in the southern part of Europe, and said to have been successfully used as a medicine, chiefly in dropsical cases. African swallow-wort, a…Swamp, n. p. 1336Spongy land; low ground filled with water; soft, wet ground; marshy ground away from the sea-shore; land wet and spongy, but not usually covered with water.Swamp, v. t. p. 1336To plunge, whelm, or sink in a swamp, or as in a swamp. 2. (Naut.) To overset, sink, or cause to become filled, as a boat, in water; to whelm. 3. To plunge into inextricable difficulties. “Having…Swamp'-câb'bage, n. p. 1336(Bot.) Skunk-cabbage.Swamp'-hŏn'ey-sŭck'le, n. p. 1336(Bot.) A shrub of the genus Azalea (A. viscosa), growing in swampy places, and having clammy, fragrant flowers, of a white color, or white tinged with rose-color;—called also swamp-pink. Gray.Swamp'-ōāk, n. p. 1336(Bot.) A variety of the Quercus prunus, found in Canada.Swamp'-ōre, n. p. 1336(Min.) An ore of iron found in swamps and morasses; bog-ore, or bog iron ore.Swamp'-săs'/sa-frăs, n. p. 1336(Bot.) A small North American tree of the genus Magnolia (M. glauca);—called also sweet bay.Swamp'y, a. p. 1336Consisting of swamp; like a swamp; low, wet, and spongy; as, swampy land.Swan, n. p. 1336(Or-nith.) A large web-footed bird, like the goose, but handsomer, and more graceful, having also a longer neck and beak, and being generally larger and stronger. It is usually of a white color when…Swāng, n. p. 1336A piece of low land or greensward, liable to be covered with water. [Prov. Eng.] 2. A swamp; a bog. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.Swān'i-mōte, n. p. 1336See SWAINMOTE.Swan'kie, n. p. 1336An active and clever young fellow.Swan'ky p. 1336W. Scott.Swăn'pan, n. p. 1336The Chinese abacus, or calculating instrument. S. W. Williams.Swan's'-down, n. p. 1336The fine, soft feathers of the swan, used for various articles of dress. 2. A fine, soft, thick cloth of wool mixed with silk or cotton; a sort of twilled fustian, like moleskin.Swan'-skin, n. p. 1336The skin of a swan. 2. A species of flannel of a soft texture, thick and warm.Swap, adv. p. 1336Hastily; at a snatch. [Prov. Eng.] [Low.]Swap, v. t. p. 1336To strike;—with off. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] 2. To exchange; to barter; to swop. [Colloq.]Swap, n. p. 1336A blow; a stroke. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] 2. An exchange. [Colloq.]Swap, v. i. p. 1336To fall or descend; to rush hastily or violently. C. Richardson. 2. To beat the air with a sweeping motion or noise; to flap. More.Swāpe, n. p. 1336A pole supported by a fulcrum, on which it turns, used for raising water from a well, for churning, and the like; a sweep.Sward, n. p. 1336The grassy surface of land; that part of the soil which is filled with the roots of grass, forming a kind of mat; turf. 2. Skin; covering. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. Sward-pork, bacon cured in large…Sward, v. t. p. 1336To produce sward upon; to cover with sward. Mortimer.Sward'-cút/ter, n. p. 1336An instrument for cutting sward; a machine for bringing old grass lands into tillage.Sward'ed, a. p. 1336Covered with sward.Sward'y, a. p. 1336Covered with sward or grass; as, swardy land.Swâre, imp. p. 1336of swear. [Obs.] See SWEAR.Swāre, n. p. 1336A copper coin and money of account in Bremen, of the value of one fifth of a groat, that is, nearly a half farthing sterling, or one quarter of a cent. McCulloch.Swärf, v. i. p. 1336To grow languid; to faint. [Scot.] “To swarf for very hunger.” W. Scott.Swärf, n. p. 1336The grit worn away from grindstones used in grinding cutlery wet. [Prov. Eng.]Swarm, n. p. 1336A large number of small animals or insects, especially when in motion. “A deadly swarm of hornets.” Milton. 2. Especially, a great number of honey bees which emigrate from a hive at once, and seek…Swarm, v. i. p. 1336To collect and depart from a hive by flight in a body, as bees; as, bees swarm in warm, clear days in summer. 2. To appear or collect in a crowd; to throng together; to congregate in a multitude; to…Swarm, v. t. p. 1336To crowd or throng. [Obs.]Swart, n. p. 1336Sward. [Obs.] Holinshed.Swart, v. t. p. 1336To make tawny. [Obs.]Swart or Swarth, a. p. 1336Being of a dark hue; moderately black; tawny. “A nation strange, with visage swart.” Spenser. “While your swart attendants wait.” Trench. 2. Gloomy; malignant. [Obs.] Milton.Swarth, n. p. 1336The same as SWATH. See SWATH.Swarth, n. p. 1336An apparition of a person about to die. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.Swarth'i-ly, adv. p. 1336In a swarthy manner; with a tawny hue; duskily.Swarth'i-ness, n. p. 1336The state of being swarthy; a dusky or dark complexion; tawniness.Swarth'ness, n. p. 1336Swarthiness. [Rare.]Swarth'y, a. p. 1336Being of a dark hue or dusky complexion; black or tawny. Their swarthy hosts would darken all our plains. Addison.Swarth'y, v. t. p. 1336To make swarthy; to darken. [Obs.] Cowley.Swart'i-ness, n. p. 1336The state of being swart or swarthy; a tawny color.Swart'ish, a. p. 1336Somewhat swart, dark, or tawny.Swart'ness, n. p. 1336The quality of being swart; darkness; swarthiness. She denounced the plague of swartness to the linen. W. Scott.Swart'-stär, n. p. 1336The dog-star; — so called from its appearance during the hot weather of summer, which darkens, or makes swart, the countenance. [Rare.] Milton.Swart'y, a. p. 1337Swarthy; tawny. [Obs.] Burton.Swärve, v. i. p. 1337To swerve. [Obs.] Spenser. 2. To climb. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.Swash, n. p. 1337(Arch.) An oval figure, whose moldings are oblique to the axis of the work. Moxon.Swash, n. p. 1337A blustering noise; a vaporing; swaggering behavior; a swagger. [Obs. or vulgar.] 2. One who swaggers; a swaggering fellow; a swasher. 3. [From wash, with s prefixed.] Impulse of water flowing with…Swash, v. i. p. 1337To bluster; to make a great noise; to vapor or brag. 2. [See supra.] To dash or flow noisily, as water; to splash; as, water swashing on a shallow place. 3. To fall violently or noisily. [Obs.] They…Swash, a. p. 1337Soft, like fruit too ripe; swashy. [Prov. Eng.] Pegge.Swash'-bŭck'ler, n. p. 1337A bully or braggadocio; a swaggering, boastful fellow; a swaggerer. Milton.Swash'er, n. p. 1337One who makes a blustering show of valor of arms. [Rare.] Shak.