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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. Wĭn'ter-ăp'ple, n.p. 1518An apple that keeps well in winter, or that does not ripen until winter.
  2. Wĭn'ter-bär'ley, n.p. 1518A kind of barley which is sowed in autumn.
  3. Wĭn'ter-bēat'en, a.p. 1518Beaten or harassed by the severe weather of winter. Spenser.
  4. Wĭn'ter-bĕr'ry, n.p. 1518(Bot.) A low shrub of the genus Prinos. Loudon. Lee.
  5. Wĭn'ter-blo͞om, n.p. 1518(Bot.) (a.) A plant of the genus Azalea. (b.) A plant of the genus Hamamelis (H. Virginica); witch-hazel; — so called from its flowers appearing late in autumn, while the leaves are falling.
  6. Wĭn'ter-chĕr'ry, n.p. 1518(Bot.) A plant of the genus Physalis, and its fruit, which is of the size of a cherry. Lee. Miller.
  7. Wĭn'ter-çĭt'ron, n.p. 1518A sort of pear.
  8. Wĭn'ter-crĕss, n.p. 1518(Bot.) A plant of the genus Barbarea.
  9. Wĭn'ter-crŏp, n.p. 1518A crop which will bear the winter, or which may be converted into fodder during the winter.
  10. Wĭn'ter-făl'lōw, n.p. 1518Ground that is fallowed in winter.
  11. Wĭn'ter-gär'den, n.p. 1518An ornamental garden for winter.
  12. Wĭn'ter-green, n.p. 1518(Bot.) An aromatic, creeping evergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), having bright red berries;—called also aromatic winter-green, checkerberry, and partridge-berry. ☞ The name is also applied to several…
  13. Wĭn'ter-ground, v. t.p. 1518To cover over in the season of winter, as for protection or shelter; as, to winter-ground the roots of a plant. The ruddock would . . . bring thee all this, Yea, and furred moss besides, when flowers…
  14. Wĭn'ter-gŭll, n.p. 1518(Ornith.) A bird of the genus Larus (L. canus); a species of gull;—called also winter-mew.
  15. Wĭn'ter-kĭll, v. t.p. 1518To kill by the cold, or exposure of winter; as, to winter-kill wheat or clover. [U. S.]
  16. Wĭn'ter-lŏdġe or Wĭn'ter-lŏdġ'ment, n.p. 1518(Bot.) The hibernacle of a plant, which protects the embryo, or future shoot, from injuries during the winter. It is either a bud or a bulb.
  17. Wĭn'ter-ly, a.p. 1518Suitable for winter; like winter; wintery. [Rare.] “The air growing more winterly in the month of April.” Camden.
  18. Wĭn'ter-mew, n.p. 1518(Ornith.) See WINTER-GULL.
  19. Wĭn'ter-peâr, n.p. 1518A kind of pear that keeps well in winter, or that ripens in winter.
  20. Wĭn'ter-proud, a.p. 1518Having too rank or forward a growth for winter. When corn is winter-proud, or other plants put forth and bud too early. Holland.
  21. Wĭn'ter-quar'ters, n. pl.p. 1518The quarters of an army during the winter; a winter residence or station.
  22. Wĭn'ter-rĭg, v. t.p. 1518To fallow or till in winter. [Prov. Eng.] Scott.
  23. Wĭn'ter-weed, n.p. 1518(Bot.) A plant of the genus Veronica (V. hederifolia); ivy-leafed speedwell.
  24. Wĭn'ter-whēat, n.p. 1518Wheat sown in autumn, which lives during the winter, and ripens in the following summer.
  25. Wĭn'ter-y, a.p. 1518Suitable to winter; resembling winter, or what belongs to winter; brumal; hyemal; cold; stormy. “Chill airs and wintery winds.” Longfellow.
  26. Wĭn'try, a.p. 1518The same as WINTERY, q. v.
  27. Wīn'y, a.p. 1518Having the taste or qualities of wine.
  28. Wĭnze, n.p. 1518(Mining.) A small shaft sunk from one level to another for the purpose of ventilation.
  29. Wīpe, v. t.p. 1518To rub with something soft for cleaning; to clean by rubbing; as, to wipe the hands or face with a towel. Let me wipe thy face. Shak. 2. To strike off gently; to remove by rubbing. Some natural tears…
  30. Wīpe, n.p. 1518Act of rubbing for the purpose of cleaning. 2. A blow; a stroke; a hit. [Low.] 3. A gibe; a jeer; a severe sarcasm. Swift. 4. A handkerchief. [Slang.]
  31. Wīpe, n.p. 1518(Ornith.) The lapwing, or pewit. See PEWIT.
  32. Wīp'er, n.p. 1518One who wipes. 2. Something used for wiping, as a towel, or rag. 3. (Mach.) A piece generally projecting from an horizontal axle, for the purpose of raising stampers, heavy pistons, or the like, and…
  33. Wire, n.p. 1519A thread of metal; a metallic substance formed to an even thread by being passed between grooved rollers, or drawn through holes in a plate of steel. ☞ Wire is made of any desired form, as round…
  34. Wire, v. i.p. 1519To pass like a wire; to flow in a form like that of a wire, or in a stream as thin as a wire. [Rare.] Fletcher.
  35. Wire, v. t.p. 1519To bind with wire; to apply wire to; as, to wire corks in bottling liquors. 2. To put upon a wire; as, to wire beads. 3. To snare by means of a wire or wires.
  36. Wire'-bridge, n.p. 1519A bridge suspended on wires, or cables made of wires.
  37. Wire'-car'/tridge, n.p. 1519A cartridge strengthened by wire ligaments. Simmonds.
  38. Wire'-cloth, n.p. 1519A coarse cloth made of woven metallic wire, and used for strainers, and for various other purposes.
  39. Wire'-draw, v. t.p. 1519To form, as a piece of metal, into wire, by drawing it through a hole in a plate of steel. 2. Hence, to draw by art or violence. My sense has been wire-drawn into blasphemy. Dryden. 3. Hence, also…
  40. Wire'-draw'er, n.p. 1519One who draws metal into wire.
  41. Wire'-edge, n.p. 1519The thin, wire-like thread of metal sometimes formed on the edge of a tool by the stone in sharpening it.
  42. Wire'-gauze, n.p. 1519A texture of finely interwoven wire, resembling gauze.
  43. Wire'-grăss, n.p. 1519(Bot.) (a.) A plant of the genus Eleusine (E. Indica). Gray. (b.) A plant of the genus Poa (P. compressa). Gray.
  44. Wire'-grŭb, n.p. 1519A certain mischievous worm or grub.
  45. Wire'-heel, n.p. 1519(Far.) A defect and disease in the feet of a horse or other beast.
  46. Wire'-ī'ron, n.p. 1519Iron in rods used for drawing out into wire. Simmonds.
  47. Wire'-mi-cröm'e-ter, n.p. 1519See MICROMETER.
  48. Wire'-nĕt'ting, n.p. 1519A texture of woven wire, somewhat coarser than ordinary wire-gauze.
  49. Wire'-pull'er, n.p. 1519One who pulls the wires, as of a puppet; hence, one who operates by secret means; an intriguer. [U. S.]
  50. Wire'-pull'ing, n.p. 1519The act of pulling the wires, as of a puppet; hence, secret influence or management; intrigue. [U. S.]
  51. Wire'-work'er, n.p. 1519One who manufactures articles from wire. Simmonds.
  52. Wire'-worm, n.p. 1519The larvæ of various species of beetles;—so called from its slenderness and uncommon hardness. It is sometimes very destructive to the roots of plants. The American wire-worm is a species of Iulus…
  53. Wir'y-ness, n.p. 1519The state of being wiry.
  54. Wir'y, a.p. 1519Made of wire; like wire; drawn out like wire. 2. Capable of endurance; tough; sinewy; as, a wiry frame or constitution. “A little wiry sergeant of meek demeanor and strong sense.” Dickens.
  55. Wis, v. t.p. 1519To know; to be aware. Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? Luke ii. 49. 2. To think; to suppose; to imagine. I wis, if it had pleased him, he might have saved us, and never felt…
  56. Wīs, adv.p. 1519Certainly; really; indeed. [Obs.]
  57. Wĭs'ard, n.p. 1519The same as WIZARD, q. v. [Rare.]
  58. Wis'dōm, n.p. 1519The quality of being wise; knowledge, and the capacity to make due use of it; knowledge of the best ends and the best means; discernment and judgment; discretion; sagacity; skill; dexterity. It is…
  59. Wis'dom-tooth, n.p. 1519A large, back double tooth; — familiarly so called because appearing comparatively late, as it were after the person has arrived at the age of wisdom.
  60. Wise, a.p. 1519Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive information; erudite; learned. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. Jer. iv. 22. 2. Hence, especially, making due use…