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An American Dictionary of the English Language

by Noah Webster

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.

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  1. Wă'ter-mill, n.p. 1497A mill whose machinery is moved by water, and thus distinguished from a wind-mill.
  2. Wă'ter-mĭnt, n.p. 1497The same as WATER-CALAMINT.
  3. Wă'ter-mōle, n.p. 1497(Zoöl.) (a.) The same as SHREW-MOLE, q. v. (b.) The duck-bill. See DUCK-BILL.
  4. Wā'ter-mūr'rain, n.p. 1497A kind of murrain affecting cattle. Crabb.
  5. Wa'ter-newt, n.p. 1497(Zoöl.) An animal of the lizard tribe (Lacerta aquatica of Linnæus).
  6. Wă'ter-ôr'de-al, n.p. 1497A judicial trial of persons accused of crimes, by means of water, formerly in use among illiterate and superstitious nations. See ORDEAL.
  7. Wa'ter-ou'sel, n.p. 1497(Ornith.) An aquatic bird; the Hydrobata aquatica (Cinclus aquaticus, or Turdus cinclus, of some authors); the dipper; — called also water-crake and water-crow. Baird.
  8. Wă'ter-pärs'nip, n.p. 1497(Bot.) A plant of the genus Sium, growing in wet or in marshy grounds.
  9. Wā'ter-pĕp'per, n.p. 1497(Bot.) (a.) One of an order of annual marsh-plants, of which the genus Elatine is the type. Some species possess a considerable degree of acridity. Baird. (b.) A plant of the genus Polygonum (P.…
  10. Wa'ter-pil'lar, n.p. 1497A water-spout. [Obs.]
  11. Wa'ter-pim'per-nĕl, n.p. 1497(Bot.) A small marsh plant of the genus Samolus; brook-weed.
  12. Wa'ter-pitch'er, n.p. 1497A pitcher for holding water. 2. (Bot.) One of a family of plants having pitcher-shaped leaves, and of which the side-saddle flower (Sarracenia purpurea) is the type. Baird.
  13. Wă'ter-plānt, n.p. 1497A plant that grows in water; an aquatic plant.
  14. Wa'ter-plän'tain, n.p. 1497(Bot.) An aquatic plant of the genus Alisma. Gray.
  15. Wa'ter-pō'ă, n.p. 1497(Bot.) A valuable species of grass, the Poa aquatica, which is cultivated for fodder.
  16. Wa'ter-poise, n.p. 1497An hydrometer.
  17. Wa'ter-pŏt, n.p. 1497A vessel for holding or conveying water, or for sprinkling water on cloth in bleaching, or on plants, &c.
  18. Wa'ter-pow'er, n.p. 1497The power of water employed to move machinery, &c. 2. A fall of water which may be used to drive machinery; a source of power from water; a place where water may be readily used to drive machinery.
  19. Wa'ter-pōx, n.p. 1497(Med.) A variety of chicken-pox; varicella. Dunglison.
  20. Wa'ter-priv'i-lege, n.p. 1497The right to use water for mills, or to drive machinery. 2. A stream of water capable of being employed to drive machinery, as for a mill.
  21. Wa'ter-proof, a.p. 1497Impervious to water; so firm and compact as not to admit water; as, water-proof cloth, leather, or felt.
  22. Wa'ter-prōof or Wa'ter-prōof'ing, n.p. 1497A substance or preparation for rendering any thing, as cloth, leather, &c., impervious to water.
  23. Wa'ter-pûrs'lane, n.p. 1497(Bot.) An aquatic plant of the genus Peplis.
  24. Wa'ter-qualm, n.p. 1497(Med.) The same as WATER-BRASH, q. v.
  25. Wa'ter-quint'ain, n.p. 1497A tilt on the water. See QUINTAIN. Strutt.
  26. Wā'ter-räb'bit, n.p. 1497(Zoöl.) An American rabbit (Lepus aquaticus), found in Mississippi and Louisiana, and having the peculiarity of swimming and diving.
  27. Wa'ter-rād'ish, n.p. 1497(Bot.) A plant of the genus Nasturtium; a species of water-cress.
  28. Wa'ter-rāil, n.p. 1497(Ornith.) A wading-bird of the genus Rallus (R. aquaticus).
  29. Wa'ter-rām, n.p. 1497A machine by means of which water is raised by the momentum of a larger stream than the one which is raised; an hydraulic ram. See HYDRAULIC.
  30. Wa'ter-rät, n.p. 1497(Zoöl.) A rodent; the musk-rat, which lives in the banks of streams or lakes. 2. A thief on the water; a pirate.
  31. Wa'ter-rāte, n.p. 1497A rate or tax for a supply of water.
  32. Wa'ter-rĕt, v. t.p. 1497To ret or rot in water, as flax; to water-rot.
  33. Wa'ter-rice, n.p. 1497(Bot.) A plant of the genus Zizania; Indian rice. See RICE.
  34. Wa'ter-rŏck'et, n.p. 1497(Bot.) A plant of the genus Nasturtium; a species of water-cress. 2. A kind of firework to be discharged in the water.
  35. Wa'ter-röt, v. t.p. 1497To rot by steeping in water; as, to water-rot hemp or flax.
  36. Wa'ter-säil, n.p. 1497(Naut.) A small sail used under a studding-sail or driver-boom. Mar. Dict.
  37. Wa'ter-săp'phire, n.p. 1497(Min.) A transparent variety of iolite, of an intense blue color, sometimes employed as a gem; — called also, among jewelers, sapphire d'eau.
  38. Wa’ter-scäpe, n.p. 1497(Fine Arts.) A sea-view, as distinguished from a landscape. [Rare.] Fairholt.
  39. Wa'ter-scōr'pi-on, n.p. 1497(Entom.) An aquatic, hemipterous insect of the genus Nepa, having two long, bristle-like appendages to the posterior part of the body; — so called from the shape of its fore legs, which are somewhat…
  40. Wa'ter-screw, n.p. 1497A screw-propeller.
  41. Wā'ter-shĕd, n.p. 1497A range of high land lying between two river-basins, and discharging its waters into them from opposite directions.
  42. Wa'ter-shield, n.p. 1497(Bot.) An aquatic plant having floating shield-shaped leaves.
  43. Wa'ter-shoot, n.p. 1497A sprig or shoot from the root or stock of a tree. [Prov. Eng.] 2. (Arch.) That which serves to guard from falling water, as over a door; a drip-stone. 3. A trough for discharging water.
  44. Wa'ter-shrew, n.p. 1497(Zoöl.) An animal of the genus Sorex (S. fodiens), which feeds upon insects obtained from the water; a species of shrew-mouse. Bell.
  45. Wa'ter-snäil, n.p. 1497(Zoöl.) A group of gasteropods found in water. 2. (Mech.) The Archimedes screw. [Rare.]
  46. Wa'ter-snäke, n.p. 1497(Zoöl.) One of a family of snakes that are found in water, and are unable to exist out of it.
  47. Water-sōak, v. t.p. 1497To soak in water; to fill the interstices of with water.
  48. Wā'ter-sōl'dier, n.p. 1497(Bot.) An aquatic plant of the genus Stratiotes, with long, sword-like leaves, and flowers resembling plumes of white feathers; — called also water-aloe. London.
  49. Wa'ter-spăn'iel, n.p. 1497A dog so called from its aquatic habits.
  50. Wă'ter-speed'well, n.p. 1497(Bot.) A plant of the genus Veronica; a species of speedwell.
  51. Wa'ter-spī'der, n.p. 1497(Zoöl.) The same as WATER-TICK, q. v.
  52. Wā'ter-spout,, n.p. 1497A remarkable meteorological phenomenon, of the nature of a tornado or whirlwind, usually observed over the sea, but sometimes over the land. ☞ Tall columns, apparently of cloud, and reaching from the…
  53. Wa'ter-sprite, n.p. 1497A sprite or spirit inhabiting the water. Drake.
  54. Wa’ter-ständ’ing, a.p. 1497Wet with water. [Rare.] “An orphan’s water-standing eye.” Shak.
  55. Wa'ter-tăb'by, n.p. 1497A kind of waved or watered tabby.
  56. Wa'ter-tā'ble, n.p. 1497(Arch.) A molding, or other projection, in the wall of a building, to throw off the water. 2. (Steam-boilers.) A thin space for water, communicating with the other water-spaces, and inclosed by…
  57. Wa'ter-tāp, n.p. 1497A tap or cock at which water is or may be drawn.
  58. Waʹter-tāth, n.p. 1497A species of coarse grass growing in wet grounds, and supposed to be injurious to sheep. [Prov. Eng.]
  59. Wa'ter-ther-mōm'e-ter, n.p. 1497A thermometer filled with water instead of mercury, for ascertaining the precise temperature at which water attains its maximum density. This is about 39° Fahrenheit; and from that point down to 32°…
  60. Waʹter-thief, n.p. 1497A pirate. [Rare.] “Water-thieves and land-thieves; I mean pirates.” Shak.