Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
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- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
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…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.]Wīpe, n. p. 1518(Ornith.) The lapwing, or pewit. See PEWIT.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…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…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.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.Wire'-bridge, n. p. 1519A bridge suspended on wires, or cables made of wires.Wire'-car'/tridge, n. p. 1519A cartridge strengthened by wire ligaments. Simmonds.Wire'-cloth, n. p. 1519A coarse cloth made of woven metallic wire, and used for strainers, and for various other purposes.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…Wire'-draw'er, n. p. 1519One who draws metal into wire.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.Wire'-gauze, n. p. 1519A texture of finely interwoven wire, resembling gauze.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.Wire'-grŭb, n. p. 1519A certain mischievous worm or grub.Wire'-heel, n. p. 1519(Far.) A defect and disease in the feet of a horse or other beast.Wire'-ī'ron, n. p. 1519Iron in rods used for drawing out into wire. Simmonds.Wire'-mi-cröm'e-ter, n. p. 1519See MICROMETER.Wire'-nĕt'ting, n. p. 1519A texture of woven wire, somewhat coarser than ordinary wire-gauze.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.]Wire'-pull'ing, n. p. 1519The act of pulling the wires, as of a puppet; hence, secret influence or management; intrigue. [U. S.]Wire'-work'er, n. p. 1519One who manufactures articles from wire. Simmonds.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…Wir'y-ness, n. p. 1519The state of being wiry.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.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…Wīs, adv. p. 1519Certainly; really; indeed. [Obs.]Wĭs'ard, n. p. 1519The same as WIZARD, q. v. [Rare.]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…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.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…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…Wise'ā-cre, n. p. 1519A sayer of wise things; a prophet; a learned or wise man. [Obs.] Pythagoras learned much . . . becoming a mighty wiseacre. Leland. 2. One who makes undue pretensions to wisdom; a would-be-wise…Wise'-heärt'ed, a. p. 1519Wise; knowing; skillful; sapient; erudite; prudent. Exod. xxviii. 3.Wĭse'-like, a. p. 1519Resembling that which is wise: seemingly wise. [Rare.] “The only wise-like thing I heard any body say.” W. Scott.Wise'ling, n. p. 1519One who pretends to be wise; a wiseacre; a witling. Donne.Wise'ly, adv. p. 1519In a wise manner; prudently; judiciously; discreetly; with wisdom. “And wisely learn to curb thy sorrow.” Milton.Wīse'ness, n. p. 1519Wisdom. [Obs.] Spenser.Wīser-ite, n. p. 1519(Min.) A mineral consisting chiefly of hydrated carbonate of manganese; a variety of diallagite. Dana.Wish, v. i. p. 1519To have a desire; to long; to hanker. I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper. 3 John 2. They cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. Acts xxvii. 29. This is as good an…Wish, v. t. p. 1519To desire; to long for; to hanker after; to have a mind or disposition toward. I would not wish Any companion in the world but you. Shak. 2. To frame or express desires concerning; to invoke in favor…Wish, n. p. 1519Desire; eager desire; longing. Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead. Job xxxiii. 6. 2. Expression of desire; request; petition; hence, invocation or imprecation. Blistered be thy tongue…Wish'a-ble, a. p. 1519Capable or worthy of being wished for; desirable. [Rare.] Udal.Wish'-bōne, n. p. 1519The forked bone just in front of the breast-bone in birds, and corresponding to two clavicles confluent at their lower ends;—called also merry-thought and wishing-bone.Wish'ed-ly, adv. p. 1519Willingly; according to wish; conformably to desire. [Obs.] Chapman.Wĭsh'er, n. p. 1519One who wishes or desires; one who expresses a wish.Wish'ful, a. p. 1519Having desire, or ardent desire. From Scotland am I stolen even of pure love To greet mine own land with my wishful sight. Shak. 2. Showing desire; as, wishful eyes. 3. Desirable; exciting wishes.…Wish'ful-ly, adv. p. 1519In a wishful manner; with desire, or ardent desire; with the show of desiring.Wish'ful-ness, n. p. 1519State or quality of being wishful.Wish'ing-căp, n. p. 1519A cap fabled to give its wearer whatever he desired.Wish'ly, adv. p. 1519According to desire; longingly; with wishes. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Chapman.Wish'-wash, n. p. 1519Any weak, thin drink.Wish'y-wash'y, a. p. 1519Thin and pale; without force or solidity; also, very weak, when said of liquor.Wish'y-wash'y, n. p. 1519A weak or thin drink or liquor; wish-wash.Wisk'et, n. p. 1519A basket. Ainsworth.Wisp, n. p. 1519A small bundle of straw or other like substance; as, a wisp of straw; a wisp of hay. 2. A whisk, or small broom. Simmonds.Wisp, v. t. p. 1519To brush or dress, as with a wisp. 2. To rumple. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.Wisp'en, a. p. 1519Formed of a wisp, or of wisps. [Obs.]Wist, imp. and p. p. p. 1519of wis. See Wis. [Obs.]