Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)

CHAMBERS'S NEW LARGE TYPE ENGLISH DICTIONARY EDITED BY REV. THOMAS DAVIDSON _Pronouncing_, _Explanatory_, _Etymological_ 1264 pp. Imp. 8vo, cloth, 12/6; hf.-mor., 18/- ------ "T...

ABANDON, a-ban'dun, _v.t._ to give up: to desert: to yield (one's self) without restraint (with _to_).--_v.t._ ABAND' (_Spens._), to abandon.--_n._ ABAN'DON (_n_ to be nasalised...

ABSTERSION, abs-ter'shun, _n._ act of cleansing or washing away impurities.--_v.t._ ABSTERGE', to cleanse, purge.--_adjs._ ABSTER'GENT, serving to cleanse; ABSTER'SIVE, having t...

ACHE, [=a]k, _n._ a continued pain.--_v.i._ to be in continued pain:--_pr.p._ [=a]ch'ing; _pa.p._ [=a]ched.--_n._ ACH'ING, continued pain or distress. [The verb is properly _ake...

ADIPOCERE, ad'i-p[=o]-s[=e]r, _n._ a fatty, waxy substance resulting from the decomposition of animal bodies in moist places or under water, but not exposed to air. [Through Fr....

AEROSTAT, [=a]'[.e]r-o-stat, _n._ a machine formed to sustain weights in the air: a flying machine--sometimes applied in the newspapers to the aeronaut himself.--_adj._ AEROSTAT...

AGGRESS, ag-gres', _v.i._ to make a first attack: to begin a quarrel: to intrude.--_adj._ AGGRESS'IVE, making the first attack, or prone to do so: offensive as opposed to defens...

ALCOHOL, al'k[=o]-hol, _n._ pure spirit, a liquid generated by the fermentation of sugar and other saccharine matter, and forming the intoxicating element of fermented liquors.-...

ALMANAC, al'ma-nak, _n._ a register of the days, weeks, and months of the year, &c.--_n._ ALMANOG'RAPHER, an almanac-maker. [Most prob. the original of the word as in Fr., It.,...

AMBULACRUM, am-b[=u]-l[=a]'krum, _n._ a row of pores in the shell of an echinoderm, as a sea-urchin, through which the tube-feet protrude.--_adj._ AMBUL[=A]'CRAL. [L., a walk--_...

ANACRUSIS, an-a-kr[=oo]'sis, _n._ (_pros._) an upward beat at the beginning of a verse, consisting of one or two unaccented syllables introductory to the just rhythm. [Gr. from...

ANGER, ang'ger, _n._ a strong emotion excited by a real or fancied injury, and involving a desire for retaliation.--_v.t._ to make angry: to irritate.--_adj._ AN'GERLESS.--_advs...

ANTENATAL, an-te-n[=a]'tal, _adj._ existing before birth.--_n._ AN'TE-NA'TI, those born before a certain time, as opposed to _Post'-na'ti_, those born after it--of Scotsmen born...

ANTITHESIS, an-tith'e-sis, _n._ a figure in which thoughts or words are set in contrast: a counter-thesis, counter-proposition: opposition: the contrast:--_pl._ ANTITH'ES[=E]S.-...

APOTHECARY, a-poth'ek-ar-i, _n._ one who prepares and sells drugs for medicinal purposes--a term long since substituted by _druggist_, although still a legal description for lic...

AQUA-FORTIS, [=a]'kwa-for'tis, _n._ nitric acid, a powerful solvent, hence used figuratively.--_ns._ AQUAFORT'IST, one who prepares etchings or engravings by means of aqua-forti...

ARGONAUT, är'go-nawt, _n._ one of those who sailed in the ship _Argo_ in search of the golden fleece: also (_nat. hist._) a name of the nautilus, a mollusc of the octopod type.-...

ARTERY, är't[.e]r-i, _n._ a tube or vessel which conveys blood from the heart (see AORTA)--also metaphorically: any main channel of communication.--_adj._ ART[=E]R'IAL--_v.t._ A...

ASS, as, _n._ a well-known quadruped of the horse family: (_fig._) a dull, stupid fellow.--ASSES' BRIDGE, or PONS ASINORUM, a humorous name for the fifth proposition of the firs...

ATHEISM, [=a]'the-izm, _n._ disbelief in the existence of God.--_v.i._ and _v.t._ A'THEISE, to talk or write as an atheist.--_n._ A'THEIST, one who disbelieves in the existence...

AUGHT, awt, _n._ a whit: ought: anything: a part. [A.S. _á-wiht_, contr. to _áht_, whence _[=o]ht_, _[=o]ght_, and _ought_. Shakespeare, Milton, and Pope use _ought_ and _aught_...

AVERAGE, av'[.e]r-[=a]j, _n._ the mean value or quantity of a number of values or quantities: any expense incurred beyond the freight, payable by the owner of the goods shipped,...

BACK, bak, _n._ the hinder part of the body in man, and the upper part in beasts, extending from the neck and shoulders to the extremity of the backbone: put for the whole body...

BALISTRARIA, bal-is-tr[=a]r'i-a, _n._ an aperture or loophole in the wall of a fortification through which crossbowmen might discharge their bolts.--_n._ BAL'ISTER (_obs._), nam...

BAPTISE, bapt-[=i]z', _v.t._ to administer baptism to: to christen, give a name to.--_n._ BAPT'ISM, immersion in or sprinkling with water as a religious ceremony--a sign and sea...

BARYTONE, bar'i-t[=o]n, _n._ a deep-toned male voice between bass and tenor: a singer with such a voice: in Greek, applied to words not having an acute accent on the last syllab...

BAY, b[=a], _adj._ reddish brown inclining to chestnut.--_n._ elliptical for 'bay-horse.'--_n._ BAYARD (b[=a]'ard), a bay-horse: a name for any horse generally, from 'Bayard,' t...

BEDEGUAR, bed'e-gar, _n._ a soft spongy gall found on the branches of some species of roses, esp. the sweet-brier, called also the sweet-brier sponge. [Through Fr. from Pers. an...

BELL, bel, _n._ a hollow vessel of metal, which gives forth a ringing sound when struck by the tongue or clapper suspended inside--as in _church-bell_, _hand-bell_, _alarm-bell_...

BERGAMOT, b[.e]r'ga-mot, _n._ a kind of citron whose aromatic rind yields the well-known oil of Bergamot, used in making pomades, fragrant essences, eau de Cologne, liqueurs, &c...

BIBLIOMANIA, bib-li-[=o]-m[=a]n'i-a, _n._ a mania for possessing _rare_ and curious books.--_n._ BIBLIOM[=A]N'IAC, one who has a mania for possessing _rare_ and curious books.--...

BIRD, b[.e]rd, _n._ a general name for feathered animals.--_v.i._ to catch or snare birds.--_ns._ BIRD'-BOLT (_Shak._), a short thick bolt or arrow with a blunted point, used fo...

BLAZE, bl[=a]z, _n._ a rush of light or of flame: a bursting out or active display: a white spot on the face of a horse or ox: a mark made on a tree by cutting off a strip of ba...

BLUE, bl[=oo], _n._ the colour of the sky when unclouded--hence the sea, the sky, as in 'a bolt from the blue:' one of the seven primary colours.--_adj._ of the colour blue: lea...

BOND, bond, _n._ that which binds, a band: link of connection or union: a writing of obligation to pay a sum or to perform a contract: any constraining or any cementing force: i...

BO-TREE, b[=o]'-tr[=e], _n._ the name given in Ceylon to the Pipal or Peepul of India (_Ficus religiosa_), held sacred by the Buddhists, and planted close by every temple. [Sing...

BRAHMAN, brä'man, BRAHMIN, brä'min, _n._ a person of the highest or priestly caste among the Hindus.--_adjs._ BRAHMAN'IC, -AL, BRAHMIN'IC, -AL, BRAH'MINEE, appropriated to the B...

BREECH, br[=e]ch, _n._ the lower part of the body behind: the hinder part of anything, esp. of a gun.--_v.t._ to put into breeches: to flog.--_adj._ BREECHED.--_n.pl._ BREECHES...

BRONZE, bronz, _n._ an alloy of copper and tin used in various ways since the most ancient times: anything cast in bronze: the colour of bronze: (_fig._) impudence.--_adj._ made...

BUHL, b[=u]l, _n._ unburnished gold, brass, or mother-of-pearl worked in patterns for inlaying: furniture ornamented with such. [From André Charles _Boule_ (1642-1732), a cabine...

BURGH, bur'[=o], _n._ the Scotch word corresponding to the English BOROUGH.--_ns._ BURG (same as BOROUGH); BURG'AGE, a system of tenure where the king or other person is lord of...

BY, b[=i], _prep._ at the side of: near to: through, denoting the agent, cause, means, &c.--_adv._ near: passing near: in presence of: aside, away.--_adv._ BY'-AND-BY, soon, pre...

CALAMUS, kal'a-mus, _n._ the traditional name of the sweet flag, which is no doubt the _Calamus aromaticus_ of Roman authors, and probably the sweet calamus and sweet cane of Sc...

CAMEL, kam'el, _n._ an animal of Asia and Africa with one or two humps on its back, used as a beast of burden and for riding.--_adj._ CAM'EL-BACKED, hump-backed.--_ns._ CAM'ELEE...

CANT, kant, _v.i._ to speak in a conventional manner: to use the language of thieves, &c.: to talk in an affectedly solemn or hypocritical way.--_n._ a hypocritical or affected...

CARAT, kar'at, _n._ a weight of 4 grains: a proportional measure of 1/24 in stating the fineness of gold. [Fr.,--Ar. _q[=i]r[=a]t_, perh. from Gr. _keration_, a seed or bean use...

CART, kärt, _n._ a two-wheeled vehicle without springs, used for farm purposes, and for conveying heavy loads.--_v.t._ to convey in a cart: to carry publicly in a cart as a puni...

CAT, kat, _n._ a common domestic animal kept to devour mice: a spiteful woman: a movable pent-house used for their protection by besiegers: a double tripod with six legs: a piec...

CATTLE, kat'l, _n.pl._ beasts of pasture, esp. oxen, bulls, and cows: sometimes also horses, sheep, &c.--_ns._ CATT'LEMAN, one who tends cattle, or who rears them on a ranch; CA...

CENTIGRADE, sen'ti-gr[=a]d, _adj._ having a hundred degrees: divided into a hundred degrees, as the centigrade thermometer constructed by Celsius (1701-44), in which freezing-po...

CHAIR, ch[=a]r, _n._ a movable seat for one, with a back to it: a covered vehicle for one person, as a sedan-chair: the seat or office of one in authority, as a judge, a bishop,...

CHARGE, chärj, _v.t._ to load, to put into, to fill (_with_): to load heavily, burden: to fill completely: to cause to receive electricity: to lay a task upon one, to enjoin, co...

CHEMISTRY, kem'is-tri, formerly CHYM'ISTRY, _n._ the science which treats of the properties of substances both elementary and compound, and of the laws of their combination and...

CHIRP, ch[.e]rp, _n._ the sharp, shrill sound of certain birds and insects.--_v.i._ to make such a sound; to talk in a happy and lively strain.--_v.t._ to cheer.--_n._ CHIRP'ER,...

CHUCK, chuk, _n._ a gentle blow, as under the chin: (_coll._) a toss or throw; any game of pitch and toss.--_v.t._ to pat gently, as under the chin: to toss: to pitch.--_n._ CHU...

CIRRIPEDA, sir-rip'e-da, CIRRIPEDIA, sir-rip-[=e]'di-a, _n._ a degenerate sub-class of Crustacea, including the numerous forms of _Barnacles_ and _Acorn-shells_.--_n._ CIR'RIPED...

CLEAN, kl[=e]'n, _adj._ free from dirt, stain, or whatever defiles: pure: guiltless: neat: complete.--_adv._ quite: entirely: cleverly.--_v.t._ to make clean, or free from dirt....

CLOSET, kloz'et, _n._ a small private room: a recess off a room: a privy: the private chamber of a sovereign, an apartment for private audience or council, or for private or dom...

COCHINEAL, koch'i-n[=e]l, _n._ a scarlet dye-stuff consisting of the dried bodies of certain insects gathered from the cactus plant in Mexico, the West Indies, &c.: the insect i...

COLD, k[=o]ld, _adj._ the opposite of hot: shivering: without passion or zeal: spiritless: unfriendly: indifferent: reserved.--_n._ a relative want of sensible heat: the feeling...

COMBINE, kom-b[=i]n', _v.t._ to join two together: to unite intimately.--_v.i._ to come into close union: to co-operate: (_chem._) to unite and form a new compound.--_n._ a trad...

COMPANION, kom-pan'yun, _n._ one who keeps company or frequently associates with another: an associate or partner: a higher rank of servant, who, though receiving pay, stands ra...

CONCATENATE, kon-kat'e-n[=a]t, _v.t._ to chain or link together: to connect in a series.--_n._ CONCATEN[=A]'TION, a series of links united: a series of things depending on each...

CONFIDE, kon-f[=i]d', _v.i._ to trust wholly or have faith (with _in_): to rely.--_v.t._ to entrust, or commit to the charge of.--_ns._ CONFIDANT', one confided in or entrusted...

CONSECRATE, kon'se-kr[=a]t, _v.t._ to set apart for a holy use: to render holy or venerable; to hallow; to devote.--_adj._ consecrated: devoted: sanctified.--_ns._ CON'SECRATEDN...

CONTAGION, kon-t[=a]'jun, _n._ transmission of a disease from the sick to the healthy, either by direct contact of a part affected with the disease, or through the medium of the...

CONVERT, kon-vert', _v.t._ to change or turn from one thing, condition, or religion to another: to change from an irreligious to a holy life: to alter one thing into another: to...

CORDIAL, kor'di-al, _adj._ hearty: with warmth of heart: sincere: affectionate: reviving the heart or spirits.--_n._ anything which revives or comforts the heart: a medicine or...

CORSNED, kors'ned, _n._ a kind of ordeal, wherein the accused was required to swallow consecrated bread and cheese; if it stuck in his throat he was pronounced guilty. [A.S. _co...

COUNTER, kown't[.e]r, _adv._ against: in opposition.--_adj._ contrary: opposite.--_n._ that which is counter of opposite: (_mus._) the voice-part set in immediate contrast with...

COVET, kuv'et, _v.t._ to desire or wish for eagerly: to wish for what is unlawful.--_v.i._ to desire (with _for_).--_adjs._ COV'ETABLE; COV'ETED.--_adv._ COV'ETINGLY.--_ns._ COV...

CREATE, kr[=e]-[=a]t', _v.t._ to bring into being or form out of nothing: to beget: to form: to invest with a new form, office, or character: to produce.--_adj._ CRE[=A]T'ABLE.-...

CROOK, kr[=oo]k, _n._ a bend, anything bent: a curved tube used to lower the pitch of a cornet, &c.: the bending of the body in reverence: a staff bent at the end, as a shepherd...

CRUSH, krush, _v.t._ to break or bruise: to squeeze together: to beat down or overwhelm: to subdue: to ruin.--_v.i._ to become broken under pressure.--_n._ a violet squeezing: a...

CUPULE, k[=u]'p[=u]l, _n._ (_bot._) a shortened axis with a number of more or less cohering bracts enclosing the ripening fruit--also C[=U]'PULA.--_adj._ CUPULIF'EROUS, bearing...

CYLINDER, sil'in-d[.e]r, _n._ a solid circular or roller-like body, whose ends are equal parallel circles: (_mech._) applied to many cylindrical parts of machines, as any rotati...

DARE, d[=a]r, _v.i._ to be bold enough: to venture:--_pa.t._ durst.--_v.t._ to challenge: to defy.--_n._ (_Shak._) boldness, a challenge.--_n._ DARE'-DEV'IL, a rash, venturesome...

DEBENTURE, de-bent'[=u]r, _n._ a written acknowledgment of a debt: a deed of mortgage given by a railway or other company for borrowed money: a certificate entitling an exporter...

DECUMAN, dek'[=u]-man, _adj._ principal, large--of waves, &c.: connected with the principal gate of a Roman camp (near which the 10th cohort of the legion was stationed).--_n._...

DELEGATE, del'e-g[=a]t, _v.t._ to send as a legate or representative: to entrust or commit to.--_n._ one who is delegated: a deputy or representative: (_U.S._) a person elected...

DENIZEN, den'i-zn, _n._ an inhabitant (human or animal): one admitted to the rights of a citizen.--_v.t._ to make a denizen of: to provide with occupants.--_v.i._ to inhabit.--_...

DESCANT, des'kant, _n._ the air in a four-part song: a discourse or disquisition under several heads.--_v.i._ DESCANT', to discourse at length: to comment. [O. Fr. _descant_--L....

DEVELOP, d[=e]-vel'op, _v.t._ to unroll: to unfold: to lay open by degrees: to promote the growth of: (_phot._) to make the latent picture visible by chemical applications.--_v....

DIARRHOEA, DIARRHEA, d[=i]-a-r[=e]'a, _n._ a persistent purging or looseness of the bowels.--_adjs._ DIARRHOE'AL, DIARRHOE'IC, DIARRHOET'IC (also -RH[=E]'AL, -RH[=E]'IC, -RHET'I...

DIGNIFY, dig'ni-f[=i], _v.t._ to invest with honour: to exalt:--_pr.p._ dig'nifying; _pa.p._ dig'nified.--_n._ DIGNIFIC[=A]'TION.--_adj._ DIG'NIFIED, marked with dignity: exalte...

DIRECT, di-rekt', _adj._ quite straight: straightforward: in the line of descent: outspoken: sincere: unambiguous: unsophisticated in manner.--_v.t._ to keep or lay quite straig...

DISCRIMINATE, dis-krim'i-n[=a]t, _v.t._ to note the difference: to distinguish: to select from others.--_v.i._ to make a difference or distinction: to distinguish.--_adv._ DISCR...

DISPENSATION, dis-pen-s[=a]'shun, _n._ the act of dispensing or dealing out: various methods or stages of God's dealing with His creatures--_Patriarchal_, _Mosaic_, _Christian_:...

DISTIL, dis-til', _v.i._ to fall in drops; to flow gently: to use a still.--_v.t._ to let or cause to fall in drops: to convert a liquid into vapour by heat, and then to condens...

DOCK, dok, _n._ an enclosure or artificial basin near a harbour or river, for the reception of vessels: the box in court where the accused stands: in a railway station, the plac...

DONATION, do-n[=a]'shun, _n._ act of giving: that which is given, a gift of money or goods: (_law_) the act by which a person freely transfers his title to anything to another.-...

DOWN, down, _adv._ from a higher to a lower position: on the ground: from earlier to later times: from thick to thin, from large to small (to boil down, to cut down): from more...

DRESS, dres, _v.t._ to put straight or in order, as troops: to put clothes upon: to prepare: to cook: to trim: to deck: to cleanse a sore: to manure.--_v.i._ to come into line:...

DUCAT, duk'at, _n._ a gold coin, formerly much used on the Continent, its commonest value being about 9s. 4d., though there were silver ducats in Italy worth 3s. 4d.--_n._ DUCAT...

DUTY, d[=u]'ti, _n._ that which is due: what one is bound by any obligation to do: obedience: military service: respect or regard: one's proper business: tax on goods.--_adj._ D...