Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
- Pages
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- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Wa'ter-less, a. p. 1496Destitute of water.Wă'ter-lĕv'el, n. p. 1496The level formed by the surface of still water. 2. A leveling instrument in which water is employed (commonly in a trough or curved tube) for determining the horizontal line.Wa'ter-lil'y, n. p. 1496(Bot.) An aquatic plant of the genus Nymphæa, distinguished for its beautiful, and usually very fragrant, flowers, and large, floating leaves;—applied also to the yellow pond-lily of the genus…Wā'ter-lime, n. p. 1496Hydraulic lime. See HYDRAULIC.Wā'ter-line, n. p. 1496(Naut.) An horizontal line supposed to be drawn about a ship's bottom at the surface of the water. This is higher or lower, according to the depth of water necessary to float her. Light water-line…Wə'ter-lŏgged, a. p. 1497(Naut.) Rendered log-like, heavy, or clumsy in movement, in consequence of being filled with water; — said of a ship, when, by leaking and receiving a great quantity of water into her hold, she has…Wă’ter-man, n. p. 1497A man who plies for hire on rivers, lakes, or canals, in distinction from a seaman who is engaged on the high seas; a man who manages water-craft; a boatman; a ferryman. 2. An attendant on…Wā'ter-märk, n. p. 1497A mark indicating the height to which water has risen, or at which it has stood. 2. A letter, device, &c., wrought into paper during the process of manufacture. “The water-mark in paper is produced…Wă'ter-mēad'ōw, n. p. 1497(Agric.) A meadow, or low, flat land, capable of being kept in a state of fertility by being overflowed with water from some adjoining river or stream. Brandé.Wa'ter-mēas/ūre, n. p. 1497A measure for articles brought by water, as coals, oysters, and the like; a measure three gallons larger than the Winchester bushel. Cowell.Wa'ter-mĕl'on, n. p. 1497(Bot.) A plant and its fruit, of the genus Cucumis (C. citrullus). The fruit abounds with a sweetish liquor resembling water in color, and the pulp is rich and delicious.Wa’ter-mē’ter, n. p. 1497A contrivance for measuring the supply of water to a house, &c., as from a street main. Simmonds. 2. An instrument to determine the amount of water evaporated in a given time, as from a steam-boiler…Wa'ter-mil'foil, n. p. 1497(Bot.) A perennial aquatic plant of the genus Myriophyllum, having crowded, often whorled leaves, of which those under water are pinnately parted into capillary divisions. Gray.Wă'ter-mill, n. p. 1497A mill whose machinery is moved by water, and thus distinguished from a wind-mill.Wă'ter-mĭnt, n. p. 1497The same as WATER-CALAMINT.Wă'ter-mōle, n. p. 1497(Zoöl.) (a.) The same as SHREW-MOLE, q. v. (b.) The duck-bill. See DUCK-BILL.Wā'ter-mūr'rain, n. p. 1497A kind of murrain affecting cattle. Crabb.Wa'ter-newt, n. p. 1497(Zoöl.) An animal of the lizard tribe (Lacerta aquatica of Linnæus).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.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.Wă'ter-pärs'nip, n. p. 1497(Bot.) A plant of the genus Sium, growing in wet or in marshy grounds.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.…Wa'ter-pil'lar, n. p. 1497A water-spout. [Obs.]Wa'ter-pim'per-nĕl, n. p. 1497(Bot.) A small marsh plant of the genus Samolus; brook-weed.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.Wă'ter-plānt, n. p. 1497A plant that grows in water; an aquatic plant.Wa'ter-plän'tain, n. p. 1497(Bot.) An aquatic plant of the genus Alisma. Gray.Wa'ter-pō'ă, n. p. 1497(Bot.) A valuable species of grass, the Poa aquatica, which is cultivated for fodder.Wa'ter-poise, n. p. 1497An hydrometer.Wa'ter-pŏt, n. p. 1497A vessel for holding or conveying water, or for sprinkling water on cloth in bleaching, or on plants, &c.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.Wa'ter-pōx, n. p. 1497(Med.) A variety of chicken-pox; varicella. Dunglison.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.Wa'ter-proof, a. p. 1497Impervious to water; so firm and compact as not to admit water; as, water-proof cloth, leather, or felt.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.Wa'ter-pûrs'lane, n. p. 1497(Bot.) An aquatic plant of the genus Peplis.Wa'ter-qualm, n. p. 1497(Med.) The same as WATER-BRASH, q. v.Wa'ter-quint'ain, n. p. 1497A tilt on the water. See QUINTAIN. Strutt.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.Wa'ter-rād'ish, n. p. 1497(Bot.) A plant of the genus Nasturtium; a species of water-cress.Wa'ter-rāil, n. p. 1497(Ornith.) A wading-bird of the genus Rallus (R. aquaticus).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.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.Wa'ter-rāte, n. p. 1497A rate or tax for a supply of water.Wa'ter-rĕt, v. t. p. 1497To ret or rot in water, as flax; to water-rot.Wa'ter-rice, n. p. 1497(Bot.) A plant of the genus Zizania; Indian rice. See RICE.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.Wa'ter-röt, v. t. p. 1497To rot by steeping in water; as, to water-rot hemp or flax.Wa'ter-säil, n. p. 1497(Naut.) A small sail used under a studding-sail or driver-boom. Mar. Dict.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.Wa’ter-scäpe, n. p. 1497(Fine Arts.) A sea-view, as distinguished from a landscape. [Rare.] Fairholt.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…Wa'ter-screw, n. p. 1497A screw-propeller.Wā'ter-shĕd, n. p. 1497A range of high land lying between two river-basins, and discharging its waters into them from opposite directions.Wa'ter-shield, n. p. 1497(Bot.) An aquatic plant having floating shield-shaped leaves.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.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.Wa'ter-snäil, n. p. 1497(Zoöl.) A group of gasteropods found in water. 2. (Mech.) The Archimedes screw. [Rare.]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.Water-sōak, v. t. p. 1497To soak in water; to fill the interstices of with water.