Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Where-with', or Where-with', adv. p. 1508With which; — used relatively. The love wherewith thou hast loved me. John xvii. 26. 2. With what; — used interrogatively. Wherewith shall I save Israel? Judg. vi. 15.Where-with-al',, adv. p. 1508The same as WHEREWITH. The builders of Babel, still with vain design, New Babels, had they wherewithal, would build. Milton.Where·with·al', n. p. 1508The means wherewith to accomplish any purpose. [Colloq.]Whĕr'ret, v. t. p. 1508To hurry; to trouble; to tease. 2. To give a box on the ear to; to strike or box, as the ear; as, to wherret a child.Whĕr'ret, n. p. 1508A box on the ear. [Obs.] B. & Fl.Whĕr'ry, n. p. 1508(Naut.) A shallow, light boat, usually for a single person, built long and narrow, and sharp at both ends, for fast rowing or sailing, especially on tide-rivers. ☞ The term has also been applied to…Whēt, v. t. p. 1508To rub for the purpose of sharpening, as an edge-tool; to sharpen by attrition. The mower whets his scythe. Milton. 2. To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to stimulate; as, to whet the…Whĕt, n. p. 1508The act of sharpening by friction. 2. Something that provokes or stimulates the appetite. “Sips, drams, and whets.” Spectator.Whēth'er, pron. p. 1508Which of two; which one of two; — used interrogatively and relatively. [Obs. or antiquated.] Whether of them twain did the will of his father? Matt. xxi. 31. One day, in doubt, I cast for to compare…Whēth'er, conj. p. 1508Used to introduce the first of two or more alternative clauses, either conditional or objective, the other or others being connected by or, or by or whether: it also frequently introduces each one…Whēth'er-ing, n. p. 1508The retention of the after-birth in cows. Gardner.Whĕt'-slāte, n. p. 1508(Min.) A variety of slate used for sharpening cutting instruments; novaculite;—called also whetstone-slate, and oil-stone.Whet'stōne, n. p. 1508A stone used for sharpening edged instruments by friction. Diligence is to the understanding as the whetstone to the razor. South. The fool is the whetstone of the wits. Shak. To give the whetstone…Whēt'ter, n. p. 1508One who, or that which, whets or sharpens.Whew, v. i. p. 1508To whistle. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.Whew, n. or interj. p. 1508A sound like that of a half-formed whistle, expressing astonishment, scorn, or dislike.Whew'ell-ite, n. p. 1508(Min.) A brittle, crystalline mineral, consisting chiefly of oxalate of lime. Dana.Whew’er, n. p. 1508The widgeon. [Prov. Eng.]Whey, n. p. 1508The serum or watery part of milk, separated from the more thick or coagulable part, particularly in the process of making cheese. In this process, the thick part is called curd, and the thin part…Whey'ey, a. p. 1508Partaking of whey; resembling whey. Bacon.Whey'ish, a. p. 1508Having the qualities of whey; resembling whey; wheyey. Philips.Whey'ish-ness, n. p. 1508The state or quality of being wheyey.Which, pron. p. 1508An interrogative pronoun, used both substantively and adjectively, to ask for an individual person or thing among several of a class, being more demonstrative than who or what;—in this use signifying…Which-ē'v'er or Which/so-ē'v'er, pron. p. 1508Whether one or the other; which; as, whichever road you take, it will conduct you to town.Whid'ah-finch, n. p. 1508(Ornith.) See WIDOW-BIRD.Whĭff, n. p. 1508A sudden expulsion of air from the mouth; a quick puff or slight gust of air. “Seasons his whiffs with impertinent jokes.” Pope. With the whiff and wind of his fell sword The unnerved father falls.…Whiff, v. t. p. 1508To throw out in whiffs; to consume in whiffs; to puff. 2. To carry or convey by a puff; to blow. Old Empedocles, . . . who, when he leaped into Etna, having a dry, sear body, and light, the smoke…Whiff, v. i. p. 1508To emit whiffs, as of smoke; to puff; to smoke.Whiff'et, n. p. 1508A little whiff or puff; a whiff.Whiff'ing, n. p. 1508The act of one who, or that which whiffs. 2. A mode of hand-line fishing for pollack, mackerel, and the like. Simmonds.Whiff'fle, v. i. p. 1508To waver or shake, as if moved by gusts of wind; to start, shift, and turn; to change from one opinion or course to another; to use evasions; to prevaricate; to be fickle and unsteady. A person of…Whif'fle, v. t. p. 1508To disperse with a puff; to scatter. [Obs.] More.Whif'fle, n. p. 1508A fife, or small fife. [Obs.] Douce.Whif'fler, n. p. 1508One who whiffs, or smokes tobacco. Halliwell. 2. Hence, a trifling fellow. Every whiffler in a laced coat who frequents the chocolate house shall talk of the constitution. Swift.Whĭf'fler, n. p. 1508One who whiffles, or frequently changes his opinion or course; one who uses shifts and evasions in argument. 2. One who plays on a whiffle, or small fife. [Obs.] 3. An officer who went before…Whĭf'fle-tree, n. p. 1508The bar to which the traces of a carriage are fastened for draught; a whippletree.Whĭg, n. p. 1508Acidulated whey, sometimes mixed with buttermilk and sweet herbs, used as a cooling beverage. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]Whĭg, n. p. 1508(Eng. Hist.) One of a political party which had its origin in England in the seventeenth century, in the reign of Charles I. or II., when great contests existed respecting the royal prerogatives and…Whĭg, a. p. 1508Pertaining to, or composed of, whigs; adhering to the principles of the whigs.Whĭg'ga-mōre, n. p. 1508A Scotch Presbyterian;—so called in contempt. W. Scott.Whĭg'gär-chy, n. p. 1508Government by whigs. [Cant.] Swift.Whĭg'ger-y, n. p. 1508The principles of a whig.Whĭg'gish, a. p. 1508Pertaining to whigs; partaking of the principles of whigs.Whĭg'gish-ly, adv. p. 1508In a whiggish manner; after the manner of whigs.Whĭg'gism, n. p. 1508The principles of a whig.Whĭg'ling, n. p. 1508A little or inferior whig; a whig;—so called in contempt. Spectator.Whīle, n. p. 1508Space of time, or continued duration; time; as, one while we thought him innocent. Like some poor, nigh-related guest, That may not rudely be dismissed, Yet hath outstaid his welcome while, And tells…Whīle, adv. p. 1508During the time that; as long as; at the same time that; as, while I write, you sleep. Use your memory, and you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while you take care not to overload it.…Whīle, v. t. p. 1508To cause to pass away without irksomeness or disgust; to spend or pass;—usually followed by away. Let us while away this life. Pope.Whīle, v. i. p. 1508To loiter. [Obs. or rare.] Spectator.Whīl'êre, adv. p. 1508A little while ago; recently; just now; erewhile. [Obs.] He who, with all heaven's heraldry, whilere Entered the world. Milton.Whīles, adv. p. 1508While. Fuller. 2. Meanwhile; meantime. [Rare.] “The good knight whiles humming to himself the lay of some enamored troubadour.” W. Scott.Whĭlk, n. p. 1508A kind of shell, or shell-fish; a whelk. See WHELK.Whī'lom, adv. p. 1508Formerly; once; of old. [Obs.] Spenser.Whilst, adv. p. 1509The same as WHILE, q. v.Whĭm, n. p. 1509A sudden turn or start of the mind; a freak; a fancy; a capricious notion; a humor; as, every man has his whims. All the superfluous whims relate. Swift. 2. (Mining.) A large capstan or windlass…Whĭm, v. i. p. 1509To be subject to whims; to indulge in whims; to be whimsical, giddy, or freakish. [Rare.] Congreve.Whĭm'brel, n. p. 1509(Ornith.) A bird closely allied to the curlew, and resembling it in its appearance and habits; Numenius phæopus.Whĭm'-ġĭn, n. p. 1509(Mining.) A whim. See WHIM, 2.Whĭm'ling, n. p. 1509One given to whims; hence, a weak, childish person; a child. Go, whimling, and fetch two or three grating-loaves. Beau. & Fl.