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.
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.]Wist'ful, a. p. 1520Full of thoughts; meditative; musing; pensive. [Rare.] That he who there at such an hour hath been, Will wistful linger on that hallowed spot. Byron. 2. Eagerly attentive; engrossed; hence…Wist'ful-ly, adv. p. 1520In a wistful manner; thoughtfully; pensively; attentively; earnestly; wishfully; inquisitively.Wist'ful-ness,, n. p. 1520The state or quality of being wistful; thoughtfulness; pensiveness; attentiveness; wishfulness.Wis'tit, n. p. 1520(Zool.) A small, South American monkey; the marmoset.Wĭst'ly, adv. p. 1520Wistfully. [Obs.]Wĭs'ton-wĭsh, n. p. 1520(Zoöl.) A rodent quadruped of America; the prairie-dog. See PRAIRIE-DOG.Wit, v. i. p. 1520To know;— now used only in the infinitive, to wit, which is employed, especially in legal language, to call attention to a particular thing, or to a more particular specification of what has…Wit, n. p. 1520Mind; intellect; understanding; sense. A prince most prudent, of an excellent And unmatched wit and judgment. Shak. Will puts in practice what the wit deviseth. Davies. He wants not wit the danger to…Witch, n. p. 1520A person, especially a woman, who is given to the black art; one regarded as possessing supernatural or magical power by compact with evil spirits; a sorcerer or sorceress; — now applied only to…Witch, n. p. 1520A winding, sinuous bank. [Obs.] Spenser. 2. A piece of conical paper which is placed in a vessel of lard or other fat, and, being lighted, answers the purpose of a taper. [Prov. Eng.]Witch, v. t. p. 1520To bewitch; to fascinate; to enchant. I'll witch sweet ladies with my words and looks. Shak.Witch'craft, n. p. 1520The practices of witches; sorcery; enchantments; intercourse with evil spirits. 2. Power more than natural. He hath a witchcraft Over the king in 's tongue. Shak.Witch'-ĕlm, n. p. 1520(Bot.) A kind of elm; Ulmus montana; wych-elm or weech-elm. London.Witch'er-y, n. p. 1520Sorcery; enchantment; witchcraft. “A woman famed for sortilege and witcheries.” W. Scott. Great Comus. Deep skilled in all his mother's witcheries. Milton. 2. Fascination; entrancing influence. The…Witch'-hā'zel, n. p. 1520(Bot.) (a.) The Hamamelis Virginica, a shrub which flowers in autumn, when its leaves are falling. Lee. Bigelow. (b.) The witch-elm or wych-elm; Ulmus montana.Witch'ing, a. p. 1520Suited to enchantment or witchcraft. “The witching time of night.” Shak.Witch'-tree, n. p. 1520The witch-hazel.Wit'-crăck'er, n. p. 1520One who breaks jests; a joker. [Obs.] Shak.Wit'crāft, n. p. 1520Contrivance; invention. [Obs.] 2. The art of reasoning; logic. [Obs. and rare.]Wite, v. t. p. 1520To reproach; to blame. [Obs.] Spenser.Wite, n. p. 1520Blame; reproach. [Obs.]Wite'less, a. p. 1520Blameless. [Obs.] Spenser.Wĭt'e-na-gē-mōte, n. p. 1520(Eng. Antiq.) A meeting of wise men; the national council or legislature of England in the days of the Anglo-Saxons, before the Conquest. [Obs.]With, prep. p. 1520With denotes or expresses,— 1. Nearness; proximity; association; connection; partnership; intercourse; as, to be distressed with pain, or excited with joy. I will buy with you, sell with you, talk…With, n. p. 1520A twig, or band made of twigs. See WITHE. 2. (Arch.) A partition between different flues in a chimney. Gwilt.With-al', adv. p. 1520With the rest; likewise; at the same time. If you choose that, then I am yours withal. Shak. How modest in exception, and withal How terrible in constant resolution! Shak.With-al', prep. p. 1520With;—so used when combined with a verb, and following the object of the verb. [Nearly obs.] St. Basil commended that woman who took part of her husband's goods to do good withal. Bp. Taylor.With'am-ite, n. p. 1520(Min.) A variety of epidote, of a red or yellow color, found in Scotland. Dana.With-draw', v. t. p. 1520To take away, as what has been enjoyed; to draw back; to reverse; to cause to go away or retire; as, to withdraw aid, favor, capital, or the like. It is impossible that God should withdraw his…With-draw', v. i. p. 1520To retire; to retreat; to quit a company or place; to go away; as, we withdrew from the company at ten o'clock. She from her husband soft withdrew. Milton. Syn.—To retire; retreat; recede…With-draw'al, n. p. 1520The act of withdrawing; with-drawment.