Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Vī'brant, a. p. 1473Vibrating; resonant; as, vibrant drums.Vĭ′brāte, v. i. p. 1473To move to and fro, or from side to side, as a pendulum, an elastic rod, or a stretched string, when disturbed from its position of rest; to swing; to oscillate. 2. To have the constituent particles…Vĭ'brāte, v. t. p. 1473To brandish; to move to and fro; to swing; as, to vibrate a sword or staff. 2. To mark or measure by moving to and fro; as, a pendulum vibrating seconds. 3. To affect with vibratory motion; to set in…Vĭ'bra-tile, a. p. 1473Adapted to, or used in, vibratory motion; as, the vibratile organs of certain insects. 2. Having a constant vibratory motion.Vī′bra·til′i·ty, n. p. 1473The quality of being vibratile; disposition to vibration or oscillation. [Rare.] Rush.Vī-brā'tion, n. p. 1473The act of vibrating, or the state of being vibrated, or in vibratory motion; quick motion to and fro; oscillation, as of a pendulum, or musical cord. 2. (Physics.) A limited reciprocating motion of…Vi-brā'ti-ūn'cle, n. p. 1473A small vibration. Chambers.Vi'bra-tive, a. p. 1473Vibrating; vibratory. [Rare.] Newton.Vī'bra-to-ry, a. p. 1473Consisting in vibration or oscillation; vibrating; as, a vibratory motion. 2. Causing to vibrate.Vĭb′rĭ-ō,, n. p. 1473(Nat. Hist.) One of a family of very minute organisms, found in various infusions, in the purulent matter of tumors, and even in the tartar of the teeth. Their nature is not clearly understood, it…Vi-bŭr'num, n. p. 1473(Bot.) A genus of shrubs having opposite, petiolate leaves, and corymbose flowers, several species of which are cultivated as ornamental plants. Baird.Vie'ar, n. p. 1473One deputed or authorized to perform the functions of another; a substitute in office; a deputy. [Rare.] 2. (Eng. Eccl. Law.) The incumbent of an appropriated benefice. ☞ The distinction between a…Vīc'ar-age, n. p. 1473The benefice of a vicar. 2. The residence of a vicar.Vī-cā'ri-al, a. p. 1473Of, or pertaining to, a vicar; small; as, vicarial tithes. 2. Delegated; vicarious. [Rare.]Vĭ-cā'ri-an, n. p. 1473A vicar. [Obs.] Marston.Vī-cā'ri-ate, a. p. 1473Having delegated power, as a vicar; vicarious. Barron.Vī-cā'ri-ate, n. p. 1473Delegated office or power; vicarship; the office or oversight of a vicar. In consequence of that event, the vicariate of that part of Germany which is governed by the Saxon laws devolved on the…Vī-cā’ri-oŭs, a. p. 1473Of, or pertaining to, a vicar, substitute, or deputy; deputed; delegated; as, a vicarious power or authority. 2. Acting or suffering for another; as, a vicarious agent or officer. 3. Performed or…Vī-cā'ri-ōus-ly, adv. p. 1473In a vicarious manner; in the place of another; by substitution.Vī'car-ship, n. p. 1473The office of a vicar; the ministry of a vicar.Vice, n. p. 1473A defect; a fault; a blemish; an imperfection; as, the vices of a political constitution. Mark the vice of the procedure. Sir W. Hamilton. 2. A moral fault or failing; especially, immoral conduct or…Vīce, n. p. 1473(Arch.) A spiral staircase. [Obs.] See VISE. Chaucer. 2. A smith’s instrument consisting of two jaws, closing by a screw, for holding work, as in filing, and the like. 3. A gripe or grasp. [Obs.]…Vīçe, v. t. p. 1474To press closely or squeeze with a vice, or as if with a vice; to hold as if in a vice. The coachman's hand was viced between his upper and lower thigh. De Quincey.Vīçe p. 1474A prefix used in composition, chiefly in words signifying persons, and denoting one who acts in the place of another, or who is second in rank or authority; as, vice-agent, vice-consul, and the like.Vī'çe, prep. p. 1474In the place of; instead of; as, A was appointed chairman vice B, who resigned.Vīçe/-ăd'/mi-ral, n. p. 1474(British Navy.) The second officer in command. His flag is displayed at the fore top-gallant mast head. 2. A civil officer, in Great Britain, appointed by the lords commissioners of the admiralty for…Vīçe/-ăd'/mi-ral-ty, n. p. 1474The office of a vice-admiral; a vice-admiralty court.Vīce'-chām'ber-lain, n. p. 1474An officer in court next in command to the lord-chamberlain. [Eng.]Vīçe'-chân'çel-lor, n. p. 1474(Law.) An officer next in rank to a chancellor. 2. An officer in a university, in England, who is annually elected to manage the affairs in the absence of the chancellor.Vīced, a. p. 1474Vicious; corrupt. [Obs.] Shak.Vīçe'-dōge, n. p. 1474A counselor at Venice who represents the doge when sick or absent.Vīce-gĕ'ren-cy, n. p. 1474The office of a vicegerent; agency under another; deputed power; lieutenancy.Vīce-gĕ'rent, n. p. 1474An officer who is deputed by a superior, or by proper authority, to exercise the powers of another; a lieutenant; a vicar.Vīce-gĕ'rent, a. p. 1474Having, or exercising, delegated power; acting by substitution, or in the place of another.Vīçe'-king', n. p. 1474One who acts in the place of a king; a viceroy.Vīçe'-lēg'ate, n. p. 1474A legate second in rank to, or acting in place of, another legate; especially, an officer employed by the pope to perform the office of spiritual and temporal governor in certain cities, when there…Vīce'-man, n. p. 1474A smith whose work is at the vice, instead of the anvil. Simmonds.Vī'ce-na-ry, a. p. 1474Of, pertaining to, or consisting of, twenty.Vī-cen'ni-al, a. p. 1474Lasting, or comprising, twenty years. Vicennial prescription (Scots Law), a prescription of twenty years.Vīçe'-prēş'i-den-cy, n. p. 1474The office of vice-president.Vīçe'-prēş'i-dent, n. p. 1474An officer next in rank below a president.Vīce-rē'gal, a. p. 1474Of, or pertaining to, a viceroy or viceroyalty.Vīce'roy, n. p. 1474The governor of a kingdom or country who rules in the name of the king with regal authority, as the king's substitute.Vīçe-roy'al-ty, n. p. 1474The dignity, office, or jurisdiction of a viceroy.Vīçe'roy-ship, n. p. 1474The dignity, office, or jurisdiction of a viceroy.Vī'çe-ty, n. p. 1474Fault; defect; inferiority; coarseness. [Obs. and rare.] “Old Sherewood's vicety.” B. Jonson.Vi'ci-āte, v. t. p. 1474To vitiate. See VITIATE.Vĭc'i-nage, n. p. 1474The place or places adjoining or near; neighborhood; vicinity; as, a jury must be of the vicinage, or body of the county. “To summon the Protestant gentlemen of the vicinage to the rescue.” Macaulay.…Vĭc'i-nal or Vĭcine, a. p. 1474Near; neighboring. [Rare.] Glanville.Vi-cĭn'i-ty, n. p. 1474The quality of being near, or not remote; nearness; propinquity; proximity; as, the vicinity of two country-seats. 2. That which is near, or not remote; that which is adjacent to any thing; near…Vĭ'ci-ōs'i-ty, n. p. 1474Viciousness. [Rare.]Vĭ'cious, a. p. 1474Characterized by vice or defects; defective; imperfect. The title of these lords was vicious in its origin. Burke. Upon their own blunder they built a charge against Bentley of vicious reasoning. De…Vi'cious-ly, adv. p. 1474In a vicious manner; in a manner contrary to rectitude, moral principles, propriety, or purity; faultily; corruptly; incorrectly.Vĭ'ciōus-ness, n. p. 1474The state or quality of being vicious; addictedness to vice; corruptness of moral principles or practice; defectiveness; faultiness; wickedness. What makes a governor justly despised, is viciousness…Vĭ-cĭs'ĭ-tūde, n. p. 1474Regular change or succession from one thing to another; alternation; mutual succession; interchange. God made two great lights . . . To illuminate the earth and rule the day In their vicissitude, and…Vī-cĭs'sĭ-tū'dĭ-na-ry, a. p. 1474Subject to vicissitudes; changing in succession. [Rare.] Donne.Vī-cĭs'si-tū'di-noūs, a. p. 1474Full of changes. 2. Marked by, or subject to, a regular series or succession of changes.Vĭ-çis'sy-dŭck, n. p. 1474(Ornith.) A West Indian water fowl, smaller than the European duck, and affording excellent food. Simmonds.Vī-cōn’ti-el, a. p. 1474(Eng. Law.) Of, or pertaining to, the sheriff. Vicontiel rents, certain rents for which the sheriff pays a rent to the king.—Vicontiel writs, such writs as are triable in the county or sheriff court.Vī-coun’ti-els, n. pl. p. 1474(O. Eng. Law.) Things belonging to the sheriff; especially, farms for which the sheriff pays rent to the king.