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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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
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…Vĭs, n. p. 1479Force; power. Vis impressa (Mech.), force exerted, as in moving a body, or changing the direction of its motion; impressed force. [Obs.] — Vis inertiae. (a.) The resistance of matter, as when a body…Vĭ'sĕ, n. p. 1479An official indorsement on a passport; a visé. See VISÉ. Simmonds.Vī'sā, v. t. p. 1479To indorse, after examination, with the word visé, as a passport; to visé.Vis'age, n. p. 1479The face, countenance, or look of a person, or of other animals; — chiefly applied to human beings; as, a wolfish visage. His visage was so marred, more than any man. Isa. lii. 14. Love and beauty…Vis'a'ged, a. p. 1479Having a visage or countenance.Vis'ard, n. p. 1479A mask. See VISOR.Vis'ard, v. t. p. 1479To mask.Vis-à-vis, n. p. 1479One who, or that which, is opposite, or face to face with, another. 2. A carriage in which two persons sit face to face.Vis'ce-ră, n. p. 1479pl. of viscus. [Lat.] (Anat.) The contents of the great cavities of the body, as of the head, thorax, and abdomen; but especially those of the abdomen, as the stomach, intestines, &c.; bowels.Vis'cer-al, a. p. 1479Of, or pertaining to, the viscera. 2. Having deep sensibility. [Rare.] Bp. Reynolds.Vis'cer-āte, v. t. p. 1479To deprive of the entrails or viscera; to eviscerate; to exenterate; to embowel.Vis'cid, a. p. 1479Sticking or adhering, and having a ropy or glutinous consistency; glutinous; sticky; tenacious; as, turpentine, tar, gums, and the like, are more or less viscid.Vis-cĭd′ĭ-ty, n. p. 1479The quality of being viscid; glutinousness; tenacity; stickiness. 2. That which is viscid; glutinous concretion.Vis-cōs'ity, n. p. 1479The quality of being viscous; viscosity; glutinousness; tenacity.Vis'count, n. p. 1479(O. Eng. Law.) An officer who formerly supplied the place of the count or earl; the sheriff of the county. 2. A nobleman next in rank below an earl; also, his degree or title of nobility. [Eng.]…Vis'count-ess, n. p. 1479The lady of a viscount; a peeress of the fourth order.Vis'count-ship or Vis'count-y, n. p. 1479The quality and office of a viscount.Vis'coüs, a. p. 1479Adhesive or sticky, and having a ropy or glutinous consistency; glutinous; clummy; sticky; adhesive; tenacious; as, a viscous juice.Vis'cōüs-ness, n. p. 1479The state or quality of being viscous; viscosity.Vĭs'cum, n. p. 1479The mistletoe; also, bird-lime, made from its berries.Vis'cus, n. p. 1479(Anat.) One of the organs contained in the great cavities of the body; any one of the contents of the cranium, thorax, or abdomen;—in the plural, especially applied to the contents of the abdomen.…Vise, n. p. 1479(Arch.) A spiral staircase, the steps of which wind round a perpendicular shaft or pillar. [Obs.] 2. An engine or instrument for griping and holding things, closed by a screw.Visé, n. p. 1479An indorsement made by the police officers of certain countries on the continent of Europe, on a passport, denoting that it has been examined, and that the person who bears it is permitted to proceed…Visé, v. t. p. 1479To examine and indorse, as a passport; to visa.Vish'nu p. 1479(Hindoo Myth.) A Hindoo divinity, one of the higher gods of the later religion, and regarded as the preserver, while Brahma is the creator, and Siva the destroyer, of the creation.Vis'i-bil'i-ty, n. p. 1479The state or quality of being visible or perceivable by the eye; perceptibility; exposure to view.Vis'i-ble, a. p. 1479Perceivable by the eye; to be seen; perceptible; in view; as, a visible star; the least spot is visible on white paper. “Virtue made visible in outward grace.” Young. 2. Noticeable; apparent; open…Vis'i-ble-ness, n. p. 1479The state or quality of being visible; visibility.Vis'i-bly, adv. p. 1479In a visible manner; perceptibly to the eye; noticeably; apparently; clearly.Vis'i-gōth, n. p. 1479(Geog.) One of the Western Goths, or that branch of the Gothic tribes which settled in Dacia, as distinguished from the Ostrogoths, or Eastern Goths, who had their seats in Pontus.Vis'i-gōth'ic, a. p. 1479Of, or pertaining to, the Visigoths.Vĭs'ion, n. p. 1479The act of seeing external objects; actual sight. Faith here is turned into vision there. Hammond. 2. The faculty of seeing; sight; as, vision is far more perfect and acute in some animals than in…Vĭs'ion, v. t. p. 1479To see in vision; to dream. For them no visioned terrors daunt, Their nights no fancied specters haunt. W. Scott.Vi'sion-al, a. p. 1479Pertaining to a vision.Vi'sion-a-ri-ness, n. p. 1479The quality of being visionary.Vis'ion-a-ry, a. p. 1479Affected by phantoms; disposed to receive impressions on the imagination; given to reverie; apt to receive and act upon fancies as if they were real. Or lull to rest the visionary maid. Pope. 2.…Vĭs'ion-a-ry, n. p. 1479One whose imagination is disturbed. 2. One who forms impracticable schemes; one who is confident of success in a project which others perceive to be idle and fanciful.Vĭs'ion-ist, n. p. 1479One who gives himself up to impracticable schemes: a visionary.Vĭs'ion-less, a. p. 1479Destitute of vision.Viz'it, v. t. p. 1479To go or come to see; to attend; as, the physician visits his patient. 2. Hence, specifically, to go or come to see for inspection, examination, correction of abuses, or the like; to come and make an…Vĭs'it, v. i. p. 1479To keep up the interchange of civilities and salutations; to practice going to see others.Vĭz'it, n. p. 1479The act of visiting, or going to see a person or thing; a brief stay of business, friendship, ceremony, curiosity, and the like, made with any one or any thing; as, a visit of civility or respect; a…Vĭs'it-a-ble, a. p. 1479Liable or subject to be visited or inspected; as, all hospitals in England, built since the Reformation, are visitable by the king or lord chancellor.Vis'it-ant, n. p. 1479One who visits; one who goes or comes to see another; one who is a guest in the house of a friend. When the visitant comes again, he is no more a stranger. South.