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'per-ish, a. p. 1478Like a viper; viperous.Vī'per-ous, a. p. 1478Having the qualities of a viper; malignant; venomous; as, a viperous tongue. “This viperous slander.” Shak.Vī'per's-bū'gloss, n. p. 1478(Bot.) A plant of the genus Echium, some species of which are cultivated for their beauty.Vī'per's-grāss, n. p. 1478(Bot.) A plant of the genus Scorzonera, some species of which have edible roots, which are sometimes used as food.Vī'ra-ğin'i-an, a. p. 1478Having the qualities of a virago.Vī'ra-gĭn'i-ty, n. p. 1478The qualities or character of a virago.Vī-rā'go, n. p. 1478A woman of extraordinary stature, strength, and courage; a female who has the robust body and masculine mind of a man; a female warrior. To arms! to arms! the fierce virago cries. Pope. 2. Hence, a…Vire, n. p. 1478A barbed arrow, formerly used with the cross-bow. [Obs.] Gower.Vir'e-lāy, n. p. 1478An ancient French song, or short poem, wholly in two rhymes, and composed in short lines, with a refrain. To which a lady sung a virelay. Dryden. “The virelay admitted only two rhymes, and after…Vĭ'rent, a. p. 1478Green; verdant; fresh; not faded or withered. [Rare.] Browne.Vī-rĕs'cent, a. p. 1478Slightly green; beginning to be green; greenish.Vir'e-ton, n. p. 1478An arrow with a thick, lozenge-shaped head, and having the feathers placed at an angle with the shaft to make it spin in flying. Fairholt.Vir'ga-lōo', n. p. 1478The same as VERGALIEU.Vir′gate, a. p. 1478(Bot.) Having the shape of a rod or wand; twig-like; wand-shaped; as, a virgate stem.Vĭr'gate, n. p. 1478A yardland, or measure of land varying from fifteen to forty acres. [Obs.] Warton.Vĭr'gā-ted, a. p. 1478Striped; streaked. [Obs.]Vĭrge, n. p. 1478A wand. [Obs.] See VERGE.Vĭr'ger, n. p. 1478A verger. [Obs.]Vir-gĭl'i-an, a. p. 1478Of, or pertaining to, Virgil, the Roman poet. 2. Resembling the style of Virgil. The rich Virgilian rustic measure Of Lari Maxume. Tennyson.Vir'gin, n. p. 1478A female of unspotted purity; she who has preserved her chastity, or who has had no carnal knowledge of man. 2. A woman not a mother. [Rare.] Milton. 3. A person of the male sex who has not known…Vĭr'gin, a. p. 1478Chaste; pure; undefiled; fresh; new; as, virgin soil; virgin gold. “White, cold, virgin snow.” Shak. A few ounces of mutton, with a little virgin oil. Lander. 2. Becoming a virgin; maidenly; modest…Vir'gin, v. t. or i. p. 1478To play the virgin; to be or keep chaste. [Obs.] My pure lip Hath virgined it e’er since. Shak.Vir'gin-al, a. p. 1478Of, or pertaining to, a virgin. [Obs.] “Virginal chastity.” Hammond.Vir'gin-al, n. p. 1478(Mus.) An instrument somewhat resembling the spinet, but having a rectangular form, like the small piano-forte. It had strings and keys, but only one wire to a note. The instrument was used in the…Vir'gin-al, v. t. p. 1478To play with the fingers, as if on a virginal; to pat. [Obs. and rare.] Still virginaling Upon his palm. Shak.Vir-gĭn'i-ty, n. p. 1478The quality of a virgin; undefiled purity or chastity: maidenhood.Vir'gin's-bow'er, n. p. 1478(Bot.) A climbing plant of the genus Clematis.Vir'go, n. p. 1478(Astron.) (a.) A sign of the zodiac which the sun enters about the 21st of August. (b.) A constellation of the zodiac, now occupying chiefly the sign Libra, and containing the bright star Spica.Vir'gou-leūise, n. p. 1478A variety of pear of an excellent quality. [Also vergouleuse.]Vir'gu-late, a. p. 1478Shaped like a twig or rod.Vĭr'gŭle, n. p. 1478A comma. [Rare.] In the MSS. of Chaucer, the line is always broken by a cesura in the middle, which is pointed by a virgule. Hallam.Vir'id, a. p. 1478Green. [Obs.] The virid marjoram Her sparkling beauty did but see. Crompton.Vĭr/i-dĕs'çence, n. p. 1478The state or quality of being viridescent.Vir'i-dĕs'çent, a. p. 1478(Bot.) Slightly green; greenish.Vī-rid'i-ty or Vir'id-ness, n. p. 1478Greenness; verdure; the color of fresh vegetables.Vī'rile or Vir'ile, a. p. 1478Of, or pertaining to, a man, in the eminent sense of the word (not to man, in the sense of the human race); belonging to the male sex; as, virile age. 2. Masculine; — opposed to puerile or feminine…Vī-rĭl'i-ty or Vĭ-rĭl'i-ty, n. p. 1478The quality of being virile; the state of an adult male; manhood; manly character. 2. The power of procreation. Browne.Vī-rĭp'ō-tent, a. p. 1478Fit for a husband; marriageable. [Obs.] “Being not of ripe years, nor viripotent, nor marriable.” Holinshed.Vir-mĭl'ion, n. p. 1478Vermilion. [Rare.]Vī-rōle', n. p. 1478(Her.) The hoop, ring, or mouth-piece of a bugle or hunting-horn.Vī-rōled’, a. p. 1478(Her.) Furnished with a virole or viroles.Vī-rōse', a. p. 1478Having a nauseous odor; poisonous. [Rare.]Vir'tu, n. p. 1478A love of the fine arts; a taste for curiosities. 2. Objects of art or antiquity, taken collectively; curiosities, such as are found in museums or private collections. Fairholt.Vĭrt'ū-al, a. p. 1478Having the power of acting or of invisible efficacy without the material or sensible part; potential. [Rare.] Every kind that lives, Fomented by his virtual power, and warmed. Milton. Neither an…Virt’ū-ăl’i-ty, n. p. 1478The quality of being virtual; potentiality; efficacy; existence. [Obs.] In one grain of corn, there lieth dormant a virtuality of many other. Browne.Virt'ū-al-ly, adv. p. 1478In a virtual manner; in efficacy or effect only; by means of some supposed virtue or influence.Virt'ū-āte, v. t. p. 1478To make efficacious. [Obs.]Virt'ūe, n. p. 1478Manly strength or courage; bravery; spirit; valor. [Obs.] Built too strong For force or virtue ever to expugn. Chapman. 2. Active quality or power; capacity or power adequate to the production of a…Vĭrt'ūe-less, a. p. 1478Destitute of virtue; without efficacy or operating qualities. Virtueless she wished all her herbs and charms. Fairfax.Vir'tu-ōs'i-ty, n. p. 1478The state or character of a virtuoso; especially, the character of one in whom mere artistic feeling or esthetic cultivation takes the place of religious character; sentimentalism. This famous…Vĭr/tu-ō’sō, n. p. 1478One devoted to virtu; a person skilled in the fine arts, in antiquities, curiosities, and the like. Virtuoso the Italians call a man who loves the noble arts, and is a critic in them. Dryden. ☞ “We…Vĭr'tu-ō'so-shĭp, n. p. 1478The pursuits or occupation of a virtuoso. Hurd.Virt'u-ōus, a. p. 1478Possessing or exhibiting virtue; as, (a.) Of manly courage and strength; valorous; brave. [Obs.] Old Priam's son, among them all, was chiefly virtuous. Chapman. (b.) Having special power or efficacy…Virt'ū-ous-ly, adv. p. 1479In a virtuous manner; in conformity with the moral law or with duty; as, a life virtuously spent. “A child virtuously educated.” Addison.Virt'ū-oŭs-ness, n. p. 1479The state or character of being virtuous.Vir'u-lence or Vir'u-len-cy, n. p. 1479The quality of being virulent; injurious activity; poisonousness; acrimony; malignancy; as, the virulence of poison. 2. Acrimony of temper; extreme bitterness or malignity; as, the virulence of…Vir'-u-lent, a. p. 1479Extremely poisonous or venomous; very active in doing injury. “A contagious disorder rendered more virulent by uncleanness.” W. Scott. 2. Very bitter in enmity; malignant; as, a virulent invective.Vir'ū-lent-ed, a. p. 1479Made virulent; filled with virus; poisoned. [Obs.]Vĭr'u-lent-ly, adv. p. 1479In a virulent manner; with malignant activity; with bitter spite or severity.Vī'rus, n. p. 1479(Med.) (a.) Contagious or poisonous matter, as of specific ulcers, the bite of snakes, and the like;—applied to organic poisons. (b.) The special contagion of a disease. “By it [virus] is understood…