Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Vo-lū'mi-noŭs, a. p. 1483Consisting of many coils or complications. But ended foul in many a scaly fold Voluminous and vast. Milton. I must go down into depths and shy recesses of time, over which dusky draperies are…Vo-lū'mi-noŭs-ly, adv. p. 1483In a voluminous manner; in many volumes; very copiously.Vo-lū'mi-noŭs-ness, n. p. 1483The state or quality of being voluminous or bulky.Vŏl'ū-mĭst, n. p. 1483One who writes a volume; an author. [Obs.] Milton.Vŏl'un-ta-rĭ-ly, adv. p. 1483In a voluntary manner; in the exercise of volition; spontaneously; of one's own will; without being moved, influenced, or impelled, by others. To be agents voluntarily in our own destruction is…Vŏl'un-ta-ri-ness, n. p. 1483The state or quality of being voluntary, or endowed with the power of choosing; spontaneousness.Vŏl'un-ta-ry, a. p. 1483Proceeding from the will; produced in or by an act of choice. That sin or guilt pertains exclusively to voluntary action is the true principle of orthodoxy. N. W. Taylor. 2. Unconstrained by the…Vŏl'un-ta-ry, n. p. 1484One who engages in any affair of his own free will; a volunteer. [Rare.] 2. (Mus.) A piece played by a musician, often extemporarily, according to his fancy;—now generally used to indicate the…Vŏl'un-ta-ry-ism, n. p. 1484The principle of supporting religion, &c., by voluntary association and effort, in opposition to doing so by the aid or patronage of the state. Chalmers.Vŏl'un-teer', n. p. 1484One who enters into any service of his own free will. 2. (Mil.) One who enters into service voluntarily, but when in service, is subject to discipline and regulations like other soldiers. 3. (Law.) A…Vŏl'un-teer', a. p. 1484Entering into service of free will; composed of volunteers; as, volunteer companies.}Vŏl'un-teer', v. t. p. 1484To offer or bestow voluntarily, or without solicitation or compulsion; as, to volunteer one's services.Vŏl'un-teer', v. i. p. 1484To enter into any service of one's free will, without solicitation or compulsion; as, he volunteered in that undertaking.Vo-lŭpt'ū-a-ry, n. p. 1484A voluptuous person; a sensualist; one who makes his own bodily enjoyments his chief object or care; one addicted to luxury, or the gratification of the appetite, and to other sensual pleasures. He…Vo-lŭpt'ū-a-ry, a. p. 1484Addicted to, or affording, pleasure; voluptuous.Vo-lŭpt'ū-ōŭs, a. p. 1484Full of delight or pleasure; ministering to sensual gratification; exciting sensual desire; luxurious; sensual. Music arose with its voluptuous swell. Byron. 2. Given to the enjoyments of luxury and…Vo-lŭpt'ū-ōŭs-ly, adv. p. 1484In a voluptuous manner; with free indulgence of sensual pleasures; luxuriously; as, to live voluptuously. I had rather eleven died nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.…Vo-lūpt'ū-ōŭs-ness, n. p. 1484The state or quality of being voluptuous; addictedness to pleasure or sensual gratification; luxuriousness. “Where no voluptuousness, yet all delight.” Dōme.Vo-lūp'ty, n. p. 1484Voluptuousness. [Obs.] “That in any wise volupty or concupiscence have no preeminence in the soul of man.” Sir T. Elyot.Vŏl'ū-tā'tion, n. p. 1484A rolling of a body, as on the earth; a wallowing. [Rare.] Browne.Vo-lūte′, n. p. 1484(Arch.) A kind of spiral scroll, used in the Ionic and Composite capitals, of which it is a principal ornament. Corinthian. Ionic. Volutes of Ionian and Corinthian Capitals. ☞ The number of volutes…Vo-lût'ed, a. p. 1484Having a volute or spiral scroll.Vo-lū'tion, n. p. 1484A spiral turn or wreath.Vŏl'vŏx, n. p. 1484(Zoöl.) A genus of globular infusorial animalcules, found in stagnant waters.Vō'mer, n. p. 1484(Anat.) A slender, thin bone separating the nostrils from each other, consisting of two united plates. Owen.Vō'mer-ine, a. p. 1484Of, or pertaining to, the vomer.Vōm'i-ca, n. p. 1484(Med.) (a.) An abscess in the lungs. (b.) An abscess in other parenchymatous organs.Vŏm'ic-nŭt, n. p. 1484(Bot.) The seed of the Strychnos nux-vomica, a medium-sized tree growing in various parts of India;—commonly called nux vomica. The fruit is of the size of a small orange, and of the same color…Vŏm'it, v. i. p. 1484To eject the contents of the stomach by the mouth; to puke; to spew.Vŏm'it, v. t. p. 1484To throw up; to eject from the stomach through the mouth; to disgorge; to puke; to cascade;—often followed by up or out. The fish ... vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. Jonah ii. 10. 2. Hence, to…Vŏm'it, n. p. 1484The matter ejected from the stomach. “Like vomit from his yawning entrails poured.” Sandys. 2. (Med.) That which excites the stomach to discharge its contents; an emetic. He gives your Hollander a…Vo-mi'tion, n. p. 1484The act or power of vomiting.Vŏm'i-tive, a. p. 1484Causing the ejection of matter from the stomach; emetic.Vōm'it-năt, n. p. 1484The same as VOMIC-NUT, q. v.Vō-mī'to, n. p. 1484(Med.) The yellow fever in its worst form, when it is usually attended with the black vomit.Vŏm'i-to-ry, a. p. 1484Procuring vomiting; causing to eject from the stomach; emetic; vomitive.Vŏm'i-to-ry, n. p. 1484An emetic; a vomit. Harvey. 2. A principal door or entrance of a large building, as of an amphitheater. Gibbon.Vōm'i-tu-ri'tion, n. p. 1484(Med.) (a.) An ineffectual attempt to vomit. (b.) The vomiting of but little matter, or vomiting with little effort. Dunglison.Vo-rā'cious, a. p. 1484Greedy for eating; very hungry; eager to devour or swallow; rapacious; ravenous; as, a voracious man or appetite; a voracious gulf or whirlpool.Vo-rā'cious-ly, adv. p. 1484In a voracious manner; with greedy appetite; ravenously.Vo-rā'ciōus-ness, n. p. 1484The quality of being voracious; greediness of appetite; ravenousness; eagerness to devour; rapaciousness.Vo-rāç'i-ty, n. p. 1484The quality of being voracious; greediness of appetite; voraciousness. Creatures by their voracity pernicious have commonly fewer young. Derham.Vo-răg'i-nous, a. p. 1484Full of gulfs. [Rare.]Vōr'au-līte, n. p. 1484(Min.) Lazulite. See LAZULITE.Vōr'tex, n. p. 1484A whirling or circular motion of any fluid, usually of water, forming a kind of cavity in the center of the circle, and in some instances drawing in water or absorbing other things; a whirlpool. 2. A…Vōr'tex-wheel, n. p. 1484A turbine.Vōr'ti-cal, a. p. 1484Pertaining to, or resembling, a vortex in form or motion; whirling; as, a vortical motion.Vôr'ti-cel, n. p. 1484(Zoöl.) One of certain wheel-animalcules, which, by the rapid rotary motion of the organs round the mouth, create a vortex in the water, and thus obtain their food.Vor-tĭg’i-noŭs, a. p. 1484Moving rapidly round a center or axis; vortical. [Rare.] He said, and lifting high his angry tide Vortiginous, against Achilles hurled, Roaring, the foam, the bodies, and the blood. Cowper.Vō'ta-ress, n. p. 1484A female devoted to any service, worship, or state of life; a female votary.Vō'ta-rist, n. p. 1484One devoted or given up to any person or thing, to any service, worship, or pursuit; a votary. “Like a sad votarist in palmer's weed.” Milton.VŌ'ta-ry, a. p. 1484Consecrated by a vow or promise; consequent on a vow; devoted; promised. Votary resolution is made equipollent to custom. Bacon.VŌ'ta-ry, n. p. 1484One devoted, consecrated, or engaged by a vow or promise; hence, especially, one devoted, given, or addicted to some particular service, worship, study, or state of life. “Love's fond votary.” Shaft.…Vōte, n. p. 1484An ardent wish or desire; a vow; a prayer. [Obs. and rare.] I. The end of my Devotions is, that one and the same hour May make us fit for heaven. S. I join with you In my votes that way. Manager. 2.…Vōte, v. i. p. 1484To express or signify the mind, will, or preference, either viva voce, or by ballot, or other authorized means, as in electing men to office, or in passing laws, regulations, and the like, or in…Vōte, v. t. p. 1484To choose by suffrage; to elect; as, the citizens voted their candidate into office with little opposition. 2. To enact, establish, grant, or the like, by a vote; to determine; as, the legislature…Vōt'er, n. p. 1484One who votes; one who has a legal right to vote, or give his suffrage.Vō'tive, a. p. 1484Given by vow; devoted; as, votive offerings. “Additional embellishments of flowers and votive garlands.” Motley. We reached a votive stone, that bears the name Of Aloys Reding. Wordsworth. Votive…Vō'tive-ly, adv. p. 1484In a votive manner; by vow.Vouch, v. t. p. 1484To call upon to witness; to obtest. “Vouch the silent stars and conscious moon.” Dryden. 2. To call; to summon. [Obs. and rare.] 3. To warrant; to maintain by affirmations; to attest; to affirm. They…