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An American Dictionary of the English Language

by Noah Webster

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.

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  1. Sweet'-bri'er, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A shrubby plant of the genus Rosa, cultivated for its fragrant smell.
  2. Sweet'-broom, n.p. 1338A certain plant. Ainsworth.
  3. Sweet'-cal'a-bāsh, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A plant of the genus Passiflora (P. maliformis), growing in the West Indies, and producing a roundish, edible fruit. Loudon.
  4. Sweet'-cāl'a-mŭs or Sweet'-cāine, n.p. 1338(Bot.) An aromatic plant of the genus Calamus; C. aromaticus.
  5. Sweet'-ciç'e-ly, n.p. 1338(Bot.) (a.) A North American umbelliferous plant of the genus Osmorrhiza, having aromatic roots and seeds, and white flowers. Gray. (b.) A plant of the genus Myrrhis (M. odorata), growing in England.
  6. Sweet'-cïs'tus, n.p. 1338(Bot.) An evergreen shrub (Cistus ladanum), from which the gum ladanum is obtained.
  7. Sweet'-côrn, n.p. 1338A variety of the maize, of a sweet taste.
  8. Sweet'en, v. t.p. 1338To make sweet to the taste; as, to sweeten tea or coffee. 2. To make pleasing or grateful to the mind; as, to sweeten life; to sweeten friendship. 3. To make mild or kind; as, to sweeten the temper.…
  9. Sweet'en, v. i.p. 1338To become sweet.
  10. Sweet'en-er, n.p. 1338One who, or that which, sweetens; one who palliates; that which moderates acrimony.
  11. Sweet'en-ing, n.p. 1338The act of making sweet. 2. That which sweetens.
  12. Sweet'-fĕrn, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A small North American shrub, having sweet-scented or aromatic leaves resembling fern-leaves; Comptonia asplenifolia. Gray.
  13. Sweet'-flāg, n.p. 1338(Bot.) An endogenous water plant of the genus Acorus, having a root-stalk of a pungent, aromatic taste; — called also calamus. It is found in wet places in Europe and America. The whole plant has an…
  14. Sweet'-gāle, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A shrub of the genus Myrica (M. gale), having bitter, fragrant leaves, and found in wet grounds. London.
  15. Sweet'-gŭm, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A large tree (Liquidambar styraciflua), having smooth, shining, fragrant leaves; liquidambar. It is common in the United States.
  16. Sweet'heärt, n.p. 1338A lover or mistress.
  17. Sweet'ing, n.p. 1338A sweet apple. Ascham. 2. A darling;—a word of endearment. Shak.
  18. Sweet'ish, a.p. 1338Somewhat sweet or grateful to the taste.
  19. Sweet'ish-ness, n.p. 1338The quality of being sweetish.
  20. Sweet'-jōhns, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A plant; a species of Dianthus, or pink;—called also sweet John's-wort.
  21. Sweet'-leaf, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A small tree (Symplocos tinctoria), bearing clusters of yellow flowers, and thick, odorous leaves, of a sweetish taste, which are greedily eaten by cattle, and which also furnish a yellow…
  22. Sweet'ly, adv.p. 1338In a sweet manner; gratefully; agreeably.
  23. Sweet'-mär'jo-ram, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A very fragrant plant of the genus Origanum.
  24. Sweet'-maud'lin, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A species of Achillea, allied to milfoil. London.
  25. Sweet'mēat, n.p. 1338Fruit preserved with sugar, as peaches, pears, melons, nuts, orange peel, and the like.
  26. Sweet'ness, n.p. 1338The quality of being sweet, in any of its senses; as, gratefulness to the taste, or to the smell; fragrance; agreeableness to the ear, melody; as, sweetness of the voice; sweetness of elocution…
  27. Sweet'-oil, n.p. 1338Olive-oil. Simmonds.
  28. Sweet'-pēa, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A species of pea cultivated for ornament; an annual leguminous plant of the genus Lathyrus.
  29. Sweet'-po-tā'to, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A trailing plant and its starchy tubers, the Batatas (or Convolvulus) edulis. The tubers resemble those of the common potato, but are elongated, and of a sweetish taste. It is a native of the…
  30. Sweet'-ro͞ot, n.p. 1338(Bot.) The licorice, or Glycyrrhiza.
  31. Sweet'-rŭsh, n.p. 1338(Bot.) The sweet-flag, a species of Acorus.
  32. Sweet-scā'bi-oŭs, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A plant of the genus Erigeron (E. annuum), having a stout, branching stem, covered with spreading hairs. Gray.
  33. Sweet'-sçĕnt'ed, a.p. 1338Having a sweet smell; fragrant. Sweet-scented shrub (Bot.), a shrub of the genus Calycanthus, the flowers of which, when crushed, have a fragrance resembling that of strawberries. Gray.
  34. Sweet'-sŏp, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A shrub or tree (Anona squamosa), allied to the custard-apple. It grows in the West Indies, and bears a greenish fruit, sweet and pulpy.
  35. Sweet'-stŭff, n.p. 1338Sweetmeats of any or all kinds;—popularly so called. Simmonds.
  36. Sweet'-sŭl'tan, n.p. 1338(Bot.) An annual flowering plant; Centaurea moschata.
  37. Sweet'-wa'ter, n.p. 1338A variety of white grape, having a sweet, watery juice.
  38. Sweet'-weed, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A plant of the genus Capraria, and another of the genus Scoparia.
  39. Sweet'-wĭll'iam, n.p. 1338(Bot.) The Dianthus barbatus, a species of pink of many varieties. Lee.
  40. Sweet'-wĭl'lōw, n.p. 1338(Bot.) A plant (the Myrica gale), or Dutch myrtle; sweet-gale. Lee.
  41. Sweet'-wo͝od, n.p. 1338(Bot.) (a.) A species of Laurus (L. nobilis); sweet-bay. (b.) The timber of the Oreodaphne exaltata, a tree growing in Jamaica. Simmonds.
  42. Sweet'wort, n.p. 1338Any plant of a sweet taste.
  43. Swein'mōte, n.p. 1338See SWAINMOTE.
  44. Swĕll, v. i.p. 1338To grow larger; to dilate or extend the exterior surface or dimensions, by matter added within, or by expansion of the inclosed substance; as, the legs swell in dropsy; a bruised part swells; a tumor…
  45. Swĕll, v. t.p. 1338To increase the size, bulk, or dimensions of; to cause to rise, dilate, or increase; as, rains and dissolving snow swell the rivers in spring, and cause floods. 2. To aggravate; to heighten. It is…
  46. Swĕll, n.p. 1338The act of swelling. 2. Gradual increase; as, (a.) Augmentation in bulk; protuberance. (b.) Elevation; rise;—said of height. (c.) Force; intensity; power;—said in reference to sound. Music arose with…
  47. Swĕll'ing, n.p. 1339Protuberance; prominence. The superficies of such plates are not even, but have many cavities and swellings. Newton. 2. (Med.) A tumor or any morbid enlargement of the natural size; as, a swelling on…
  48. Swell'-mōb, n.p. 1339Well-dressed thieves, taken collectively. He is renowned for his acquaintance with the swell-mob. Dickens.
  49. Swĕlt, imp. & p. p.p. 1339of swell. [Obs.] See SWELL.
  50. Swĕlt, v. i.p. 1339To swelter; to faint; to swoon. [Obs.] Nigh she swelt for passing joy. Spenser.
  51. Swĕlt, v. t.p. 1339To overpower, as with heat; to cause to faint; to swelter. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
  52. Swĕlt'er, v. i.p. 1339To be overcome and faint with heat; to be ready to perish with heat. It was so rare a piece of fun To see the sweltered cattle run. Coleridge. 2. To welter. [Obs.] Drayton.
  53. Swĕlt'er, v. t.p. 1339To oppress with heat; to make faint or weak by a heated, close atmosphere. 2. To exude, like sweat. [Rare.] Shak.
  54. Swĕlt'ry, a.p. 1339Suffocating with heat; oppressive with heat; sultry. [Rare.]
  55. Swēpt, imp. & p. p.p. 1339of sweep. See SWEEP.
  56. Swērd, n. & v.p. 1339Sward. [Obs.] See SWARD.
  57. Swērve, v. i.p. 1339To wander from any line prescribed, or from a rule of duty; to depart from what is established by law, duty, or custom; to deviate. I swerve not from thy commandments. Com. Prayer. They swerve from…
  58. Swĕt, imp. & p. p.p. 1339of sweat. [Rare.] See SWEAT.
  59. Swē'ven, n.p. 1339A dream. [Obs.] Wycliffe.
  60. Swift, a.p. 1339Moving a great distance, or over a large space, in a short time; moving with celerity or velocity; fleet; rapid; quick; speedy. 2. Ready; prompt. My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear…