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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-bär'ley, n.p. 1518A kind of barley which is sowed in autumn.
  2. Wĭn'ter-bēat'en, a.p. 1518Beaten or harassed by the severe weather of winter. Spenser.
  3. Wĭn'ter-bĕr'ry, n.p. 1518(Bot.) A low shrub of the genus Prinos. Loudon. Lee.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Wĭn'ter-çĭt'ron, n.p. 1518A sort of pear.
  7. Wĭn'ter-crĕss, n.p. 1518(Bot.) A plant of the genus Barbarea.
  8. Wĭn'ter-crŏp, n.p. 1518A crop which will bear the winter, or which may be converted into fodder during the winter.
  9. Wĭn'ter-făl'lōw, n.p. 1518Ground that is fallowed in winter.
  10. Wĭn'ter-gär'den, n.p. 1518An ornamental garden for winter.
  11. 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…
  12. 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…
  13. Wĭn'ter-gŭll, n.p. 1518(Ornith.) A bird of the genus Larus (L. canus); a species of gull;—called also winter-mew.
  14. Wĭn'ter-kĭll, v. t.p. 1518To kill by the cold, or exposure of winter; as, to winter-kill wheat or clover. [U. S.]
  15. 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.
  16. Wĭn'ter-ly, a.p. 1518Suitable for winter; like winter; wintery. [Rare.] “The air growing more winterly in the month of April.” Camden.
  17. Wĭn'ter-mew, n.p. 1518(Ornith.) See WINTER-GULL.
  18. Wĭn'ter-peâr, n.p. 1518A kind of pear that keeps well in winter, or that ripens in winter.
  19. 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.
  20. Wĭn'ter-quar'ters, n. pl.p. 1518The quarters of an army during the winter; a winter residence or station.
  21. Wĭn'ter-rĭg, v. t.p. 1518To fallow or till in winter. [Prov. Eng.] Scott.
  22. Wĭn'ter-weed, n.p. 1518(Bot.) A plant of the genus Veronica (V. hederifolia); ivy-leafed speedwell.
  23. Wĭn'ter-whēat, n.p. 1518Wheat sown in autumn, which lives during the winter, and ripens in the following summer.
  24. 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.
  25. Wĭn'try, a.p. 1518The same as WINTERY, q. v.
  26. Wīn'y, a.p. 1518Having the taste or qualities of wine.
  27. Wĭnze, n.p. 1518(Mining.) A small shaft sunk from one level to another for the purpose of ventilation.
  28. 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…
  29. 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.]
  30. Wīpe, n.p. 1518(Ornith.) The lapwing, or pewit. See PEWIT.
  31. 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…
  32. 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…
  33. 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.
  34. 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.
  35. Wire'-bridge, n.p. 1519A bridge suspended on wires, or cables made of wires.
  36. Wire'-car'/tridge, n.p. 1519A cartridge strengthened by wire ligaments. Simmonds.
  37. Wire'-cloth, n.p. 1519A coarse cloth made of woven metallic wire, and used for strainers, and for various other purposes.
  38. 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…
  39. Wire'-draw'er, n.p. 1519One who draws metal into wire.
  40. 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.
  41. Wire'-gauze, n.p. 1519A texture of finely interwoven wire, resembling gauze.
  42. 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.
  43. Wire'-grŭb, n.p. 1519A certain mischievous worm or grub.
  44. Wire'-heel, n.p. 1519(Far.) A defect and disease in the feet of a horse or other beast.
  45. Wire'-ī'ron, n.p. 1519Iron in rods used for drawing out into wire. Simmonds.
  46. Wire'-mi-cröm'e-ter, n.p. 1519See MICROMETER.
  47. Wire'-nĕt'ting, n.p. 1519A texture of woven wire, somewhat coarser than ordinary wire-gauze.
  48. 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.]
  49. Wire'-pull'ing, n.p. 1519The act of pulling the wires, as of a puppet; hence, secret influence or management; intrigue. [U. S.]
  50. Wire'-work'er, n.p. 1519One who manufactures articles from wire. Simmonds.
  51. 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…
  52. Wir'y-ness, n.p. 1519The state of being wiry.
  53. 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.
  54. 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…
  55. Wīs, adv.p. 1519Certainly; really; indeed. [Obs.]
  56. Wĭs'ard, n.p. 1519The same as WIZARD, q. v. [Rare.]
  57. 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…
  58. 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.
  59. 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…
  60. Wise, n.p. 1519Way of being or acting; manner; mode. “All armed in complete wise.” Spenser. This song she sings in most commanding wise. Sidney. Let not these blessings then, sent from above, Abused be, or spilt in…