Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
- Pages
- 1,538
- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Watch'man, n. p. 1495One set to watch; a person who keeps guard; a sentinel. 2. One who guards the streets of a city or building by night. Watchman's rattle, an instrument having at the end of a handle a revolving arm…Watch'-pā'per, n. p. 1495An old-fashioned fancy ornament or thin tissue lining for the inside of a watch-case. Simmonds.Watch'-tow'er, n. p. 1495A tower on which a sentinel is placed to watch for enemies or the approach of danger.Watch'-word, n. p. 1495The word given to sentinels, and to such as have occasion to visit the guards, used as a signal by which a friend is known from an enemy, or a person who has a right to pass the watch from one who…Wā'ter, n. p. 1495The fluid which descends from the clouds in rain, and which forms rivers, lakes, seas, &c. “We will drink water.” Shak. “Powers of fire, air, water, and earth.” Milton. ☞ When pure, water is…Wa'ter, v. t. p. 1495To wet or overflow with water; as, to water land. “With tears watering the ground.” Milton. 2. To supply with water for drink; to cause or allow to drink; as, to water cattle and horses. 3. To wet…Wă'ter, v. i. p. 1496To shed water or liquid matter; as, his eyes began to water. 2. To get or take in water; as, the ship put into port to water. The mouth waters, a phrase denoting that a person has a longing desire…Wa'ter-a-ge, n. p. 1496Money paid for transportation of goods, &c., by water. [Eng.] Simmonds.Wa'ter-ā'lōe, n. p. 1496(Bot.) See WATER-SOLDIER.Wā'ter-bāil'iff, n. p. 1496An officer of the customs, in England, for searching ships.Wā'ter-ba-rōm'e-ter, n. p. 1496A barometer in which the changes of atmospheric pressure are indicated by the motion of a column of water instead of mercury. It requires a column of water about thirty-three feet in height.Wă'ter-băt'ter-y, n. p. 1496(Elec.) A voltaic battery in which the exciting fluid is water.Wă’ter-beâr, n. p. 1496(Zoöl.) One of a family of minute arachnidans found in stagnant fresh water, in wet moss, and similar situations, and remarkable for the power of recovering vitality after having been kept dry for…Wă'ter-beâr'er, n. p. 1496(Astron.) A sign of the zodiac, and the constellation from which it is named; Aquarius. [See Illust. of Aquarius.]Wă'ter-bee'tle, n. p. 1496(Entom.) An aquatic insect of the genus Dytiscus, which swims with great agility, its hind legs acting together like those of a frog. Baird.Wa'ter-bĕl'lows, n. sing. & pl. p. 1496The same as TROMP, q. v.Wạ'ter-bīrd, n. p. 1496(Ornith.) An aquatic bird; a water-fowl.Wā'ter-bōard, n. p. 1496A board set up in a boat to keep out water.Wă'ter-bōat'man, n. p. 1496(Entom.) An aquatic insect of the genus Notonecta; boat-fly.Wā'ter-brāsh, n. p. 1496(Med.) A hot sensation in the stomach, with the eructation of an acrid, burning liquid, that causes a distressing sensation in the parts over which it passes; pyrosis;—called also water-qualm.…Wă'ter-brĭdge, n. p. 1496(Steam-boilers.) See WATER-TABLE.Wā'ter-bŭg, n. p. 1496(Entom.) An aquatic, hemipterous insect, of the genus Naucoris. Baird.Wā'ter-bŭtt, n. p. 1496A large, open-headed cask, set up on end, to contain water. Dickens.Wạ'ter-căl'a-mint, n. p. 1496(Bot.) A plant of the genus Mentha; a species of mint.Wă'ter-căl'trop, n. p. 1496(Bot.) An aquatic plant of the genus Trapa, the fruit of which is remarkable for the spines with which it is furnished. Baird.Wa'ter-cār'rīage, n. p. 1496Transportation or conveyance by water, or the means of transporting by water. 2. A vessel or boat. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.Wȧ'ter-cärt, n. p. 1496A cart bearing water; especially, one by means of which water is sprinkled, as in the streets, &c.Wạ'ter-çēm'ent or Wạ'ter-çe-mēnt', n. p. 1496Hydraulic cement.Wa'ter-chick'/weed, n. p. 1496(Bot.) A small weed of the genus Montia (M. fontana). Loudon.Wā'ter-clŏck, n. p. 1496An instrument or machine serving to measure time by the fall of a certain quantity of water; a clepsydra.Wā'ter-clōs'et, n. p. 1496A privy; especially, a privy furnished with a contrivance for introducing a stream of water to cleanse it, and prevent it from becoming offensive.Wa’ter-cŏck, n. p. 1496A cock through which water is drawn. 2. A street plug to supply water from the mains in case of fire. Simmonds.Wā'ter-cŏl'or, n. p. 1496(Paint.) A color ground with water and gum or size, which preserves its consistency in a solid cake when dried, and which can easily be mixed with water by rubbing on a moistened palette when wanted…Wa'ter-cōl'or-ist, n. p. 1496One who paints in water-colors.Wa'ter-cōurse, n. p. 1496A stream of water; a river or brook. Isa. xliv. 4. 2. A channel or canal for the conveyance of water, especially in draining lands. 3. (Law.) A running stream of water having a bed and banks; the…Wa'ter-craft, n. p. 1496Vessels and boats plying on water.Wa'ter-erāke, n. p. 1496(Ornith.) The water-ousel. See WATER-OUSEL.Wa'ter-crāne, n. p. 1496An apparatus for supplying water from an elevated tank, as to the tender of a locomotive. Weale.Wă'ter-crĕss, n. p. 1496(Bot.) A small, creeping plant, growing in watery places;—applied especially to the Nasturtium officinale, a plant of an agreeable flavor, much cultivated as a relish or salad, and as a preventive of…Wa'ter-crōw, n. p. 1496(Ōrnith.) The water-ousel. See WATER-OUSEL.Wā'ter-crōw'fōot, n. p. 1496(Bot.) An aquatic plant, the Ranunculus aquatilis.Wă'ter-cūre, n. p. 1496(Med.) The mode or system of treating diseases with water; hydropathy;—applied also to an establishment where such treatment is employed. Douglison.Wa'ter-dēck, n. p. 1496A covering of painted canvas for the saddle, bridle, and the like, of a dragoon's horse. Stocqueler.Wə'ter-dōe'tor, n. p. 1496(Med.) (a.) One who professes to be able to divine diseases by inspection of the urine. (b.) A physician who treats diseases with water; an hydropathist. Douglison.Wă'ter-dŏg, n. p. 1496A dog accustomed to the water; especially, a variety of the common dog, generally of a black color, with some white, remarkable for its aquatic habits, which render it valuable to sportsmen. Bell. 2.…Wə'ter-drāin, n. p. 1496A drain or channel for water to run off.Wā'ter-drāin'age, n. p. 1496The draining off of water.Wa'ter-drēss'ing, n. p. 1496(Med.) The treatment of wounds and ulcers by the application of water, or of dressings saturated with water only. Dunglison.Wa'ter-drŏp'wort, n. p. 1496(Bot.) An umbelliferous, aquatic plant, of the genus Œnanthe, some species of which possess poisonous properties.Wă'ter-ēl'der, n. p. 1496(Bot.) A plant of the genus Viburnum; guelder-rose.Wa'ter-ēl'e-phant, n. p. 1496The hippopotamus.Wă'ter-ēn'gine, n. p. 1496An engine to raise water; or an engine moved by water; also, an engine or machine for extinguishing fires; a fire-engine.Wă'ter-er, n. p. 1496One who waters.Wā'ter-fall, n. p. 1496A fall or perpendicular descent of the water of a river or stream, or a descent nearly perpendicular; a cascade; a cataract.Wă'ter-flāg, n. p. 1496(Bot.) Water flower-de-luce, a species of Iris.Wa'ter-flā'nel, n. p. 1496(Bot.) A species of confervæ which forms beds of entangled filaments on the surface of water. Baird.Wă'ter-flēa, n. p. 1496(Zoöl.) A small, entomostracous crustacean, of the genus Cyclops, and also of the genus Daphnia.Wa'ter-flood, n. p. 1496A flood of water; an inundation.Wa'ter-flȳ, n. p. 1496An insect that is seen on the water.Wa'ter-fowl, n. p. 1496A bird that frequents the water, or lives about rivers, lakes, or on or near the sea; an aquatic fowl. ☞ Of aquatic fowls, some are waders, or furnished with long legs; others are swimmers, and are…