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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- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Tāil, n. p. 1348Any long, flexible, terminal appendage; the part of an animal which terminates its body behind. ☞ In many quadrupeds, the tail is a shoot or projection covered with hair, hanging loose from the…Tāil, n. p. 1349(Law.) Limitation; abridgment. Burvill. Estate in tail, a limited, abridged, or reduced fee; an estate limited to certain heirs, and from which the other heirs are precluded. Blackstone.Tāil, a. p. 1349(Law.) Limited; abridged; reduced; curtailed; as, an estate tail.Tāil, v. t. p. 1349To follow or hang to, like a tail; to be attached closely to, as something which can not be evaded or got rid of. [Obs.] Nevertheless his bond of two thousand pounds, wherewith he was tailed…Tāil, v. i. p. 1349(Arch.) To hold by the end on a support, as the end of a timber when it rests upon a wall.Tāil'age, n. p. 1349A share; hence, a tax or toll; tailage. See TALEAGE. [Obs.] [Written also taillage.]Tāil'-blŏck, n. p. 1349(Naut.) A single block made fast to one end of a piece of rope by an eye-splice.Tāil'-bōard, n. p. 1349The board at the hinder end of a cart or wagon, which can be removed or let down, for convenience in unloading.Tāiled, a. p. 1349Having a tail. “Snouted and tailed like a boar, footed like a goat.” Grew.Tāil'ing, n. p. 1349(Arch.) The part of a projecting stone or brick inserted in a wall. Gwill. 2. (Surg.) The same as TAIL, 8, q. v. 3. (pl.) The lighter parts of grain blown to one end of the heap in winnowing. 4.…Tāille, n. p. 1349(O. Fr. Law.) Any imposition levied by the king, or any other lord, upon his subjects. The taille, as it still subsists in France, may serve as an example of those ancient tailages. It is a tax upon…Tāil'less, a. p. 1349Having no tail.Tail'lie, n. p. 1349(Scots Law.) The same as TAILZIE, q. v. “In direct contravention of an unrecorded taillie.” W. Scott.Tāi'lor, n. p. 1349One whose occupation is to cut out and make men's garments. 2. (Ichth.) A kind of fish resembling the shad, but inferior to it in size and flavor. [U. S.] ☞ The blue fish is called salt-water tailor…Tāi'lor, v. i. p. 1349To practice making men's clothes; to follow the business of a tailor. These tailoring artists for our lays Invent cramped rules. Green.Tāi'lor-bird, n. p. 1349(Ornith.) An East Indian bird, allied to the warblers;—so called from its habit of constructing nests by stitching together the leaves of plants.Tāi'lor-ess, n. p. 1349A woman who makes garments for men or boys; a female tailor.Tāi'lor-ing, n. p. 1349The business or the work of a tailor or tailoress.Tāil'-pièce, n. p. 1349A piece at the end; an appendage. 2. (Print.) An ornament placed at the bottom of a short page to fill up the space, or at the end of a book. Savage. 3. A piece of ebony or other material attached to…Tāil'-rāce, n. p. 1349The stream of water which runs from the mill after it has been applied to move the wheel.Tāilṣ'-cōm'/mon, n. p. 1349Washed lead ore;—so called by miners. Simmonds.Tail'-stōck, n. p. 1349The sliding block or support, in a lathe, which carries the tail-screw and adjustable center, the head-stock being that which supports the mandrel.Tāil'-vise, n. p. 1349A small hand-vise, with a tail or handle to hold it by.Tāil'-wa'ter, n. p. 1349Water running in a tail-race, after having been used in turning a water-wheel.Tāil'zie, n. p. 1349(Scots Law.) An entailment or deed whereby the legal course of succession is cut off, and an arbitrary one substituted. [Written also tailzee.] Brande.Tāinet, n. p. 1349The same as TAINT, q. v. Halliwell.Tāint, v. t. p. 1349To imbue or impregnate, as with some extraneous matter which alters the sensible qualities of the substance. 2. More generally, to impregnate with something odious, noxious, or poisonous; hence, to…Tāint, v. i. p. 1349To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting. I can not taint with fear. Shak. 2. To be affected with incipient putrefaction; as, meat soon taints in warm weather.Tāint, n. p. 1349Tincture; stain. 2. Infection; corruption; depravation. He had inherited from his parents a scrofulous taint, which it was beyond the power of medicine to remove. Macaulay. 3. A blemish on…Tāint, n. p. 1349A thrust with a lance which fails of its intended effect. This taint he followed with his sword drawn from a silver sheath. Chapman. 2. An injury done to a lance used in an encounter, without its…Tāint, v. i. p. 1349To thrust ineffectually with a lance. [Obs.]Tāint, v. t. p. 1349To injure, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to break, but not in an honorable or scientific manner. [Obs.] I have A staff to taint, and bravely Save the splinters, If it break in the encounter.…Tāint'-free, a. p. 1349Free from taint or guilt.Tāint'less, a. p. 1349Free from taint or infection; pure.Tāint'less-ly, adv. p. 1349In a taintless manner; without taint.Tāint'tūre, n. p. 1349Taint; tinge; defilement; stain; spot. [Rare.] Shak.Tâirn, n. p. 1349The same as TARN, q. v. Coleridge.Ta-ja'çu or Ta-jas'su, n. p. 1349The peccary or Mexican hog. See PECCARY.Tāke, v. t. p. 1349In a more active sense, to lay hold of; to seize with the hands, or otherwise; to grasp; to seize; to get into one's hold or possession; to get; to procure; hence, specifically, (a.) To obtain…Tāke, v. i. p. 1350To catch; to fix, or be fixed; as, he was inoculated, but the infection did not take. When flame taketh and openeth, it giveth a noise. Bacon. 2. To have the intended or natural effect. In…Tāke, n. p. 1350The quantity of fish captured at one haul or catch; — so called among fishermen. 2. (Print.) The quantity of copy taken in hand by a compositor at one time.Tāke'-īn, n. p. 1350That by which a person is taken in, deceived, or defrauded; an imposition or fraud.Tāke'-ōff, n. p. 1350An imitation, especially in the way of caricature.Tāk'er, n. p. 1350One who takes or receives; one who catches or apprehends.Tāk'ing, p. a. p. 1350Alluring; attracting. “Subtile in making his temptations most taking.” Fuller. 2. Infectious; contagious. [Obs.] Come not near me, For I am yet too taking for your company. Beau. & Fl.Tāk'ing, n. p. 1350The act of gaining possession; a seizing; seizure; apprehension. 2. Agitation; excitement; distress of mind. What a taking was he in, when your husband asked what was in the basket! Shak.Tāk'ing-ly, adv. p. 1350In a taking or attractive manner.Tāk'ing-ness, n. p. 1350The quality of being agreeable or taking.Ta-lăng', n. p. 1350A flavor; a tang. [Obs.] Holland.Ta-lā'ri-a, n. pl. p. 1350(Myth.) Winged shoes or sandals represented as fastened to the ankles; — chiefly used as an attribute of Mercury.Tal'bot, n. p. 1350A sort of dog, noted for his quick scent and eager pursuit of game. “A talbot strong—a sturdy tyke.” W. Scott. ☞ The figure of a dog is said to be borne in the arms of the Talbot family; whence…Tăl'bo-týpe, n. p. 1350A process of taking pictures by the camera obscura on chemically prepared paper, invented and patented by Mr. H. Fox Talbot, and called by him calotype. [Rare.]Tālc, n. p. 1350(Min.) A soft magnesian mineral, of a soapy feel, and usually of greenish, whitish, or grayish colors, occurring in foliated or easily cleavable masses, and also in compact granular masses. In the…Tāl'cite, n. p. 1350(Min.) A mineral having the feel of a soft, earthy talc, and similar in composition to nacrite. Dana.Tāleck, n. p. 1350Talc. [Obs.] See TALC. B. Jonson.Tălc'īte, n. p. 1350Talcite. [Obs.]Tălc'ky, a. p. 1350Containing, consisting of, or resembling, talc; as, a talcky feel; a talcky substance.Tal-cōse' or Tāle'ous, a. p. 1350Pertaining to, composed of, or resembling, talc; talcky. Talcose slate (Min.), a dark, slaty rock, having a somewhat greasy feel, consisting largely of talc, mixed intimately with more or less…Tāle'-slāte, n. p. 1350(Min.) Indurated talc. See TALC.Tâle, n. p. 1350That which is told; an oral relation. 2. A number told or counted off; a reckoning by count; an enumeration; a count, in distinction from measure or weight; a number reckoned or stated. “The…