Chapter 59

members of the order of the Garter; Ð hence, a member of that order. (b) Anything the attainment of which is an object of great ambition; a distinction; a prize. ½These [scholarships] were the blue ribbon of the college.¸ Farrar. (c) The distinctive badge of certain temperance or total abstinence organizations, as of the Blue ribbon Army. Ð Blue ruin, utter ruin; also, gin. [Eng. Slang] Carlyle. Ð Blue spar (Min.), azure spar; lazulite. See Lazulite. Ð Blue thrush (Zo”l.), a European and Asiatic thrush (Petrocossyphus cyaneas). Ð Blue verditer. See Verditer. Ð Blue vitriol (Chem.), sulphate of copper, a violet blue crystallized salt, used in electric batteries, calico printing, etc. Ð Blue water, the open ocean. Ð To look blue, to look disheartened or dejected. Ð True blue, genuine and thorough; not modified, nor mixed; not spurious; specifically, of uncompromising Presbyterianism, blue being the color adopted by the Covenanters. For his religion... 'T was Presbyterian, true blue. Hudibras. Blue (?), n. 1. One of the seven colors into which the rays of light divide themselves, when refracted through a glass prism; the color of the clear sky, or a color resembling that, whether lighter or darker; a pigment having such color. Sometimes, poetically, the sky. 2. A pedantic woman; a bluestocking. [Colloq.] 3. pl. [Short for blue devils.] Low spirits; a fit of despondency; melancholy. [Colloq.] Berlin blue, Prussian blue. Ð Mineral blue. See under Mineral. Ð Prussian blue. See under Prussian. Blue, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Blued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Bluing.] To make blue; to dye of a blue color; to make blue by heating, as metals, etc. Blue¶back· (?), n. (Zo”l.) (a) A trout (Salmo oquassa) inhabiting some of the lakes of Maine. (b) A salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) of the Columbia River and northward. (c) An American river herring (Clupea ‘stivalis), closely allied to the alewife. Blue¶beard (?), n. The hero of a medi‘val French nursery legend, who, leaving home, enjoined his young wife not to open a certain room in his castle. She entered it, and found the murdered bodies of his former wives. Ð Also used adjectively of a subject which it is forbidden to investigate. The Bluebeard chamber of his mind, into which no eye but his own must look. Carlyle. Blue¶bell· (?), n. (Bot.) (a) A plant of the genus Campanula, especially the Campanula rotundifolia, which bears blue bellÏshaped flowers; the harebell. (b) A plant of the genus Scilla (Scilla nutans). Blue¶berry (?), n. [Cf. Blaeberry.] (Bot.) The berry of several species of Vaccinium, and ericaceous genus, differing from the American huckleberries in containing numerous minute seeds instead of ten nutlets. The commonest species are V. Pennsylvanicum and V. vacillans. V. corymbosum is the tall blueberry. Blue¶bill· (?), n. (Zo”l.) A duck of the genus Fuligula. Two American species (F. marila and F. affinis) are common. See Scaup duck. Blue¶bird· (?), n. (Zo”l.) A small song bird (Sialia sialis), very common in the United States, and, in the north, one of the earliest to arrive in spring. The male is blue, with the breast reddish. It is related to the European robin. Pairy bluebird (Zo”l.), a brilliant Indian or East Indian bird of the genus Irena, of several species. Blue¶ bon·net or Blue¶Ïbon·net (?), n. 1. A broad, flat Scottish cap of blue woolen, or one waring such cap; a Scotchman. 2. (Bot.) A plant. Same as Bluebottle. 3. (Zo”l.) The European blue titmouse (Parus c?ruleus); the bluecap. Blue¶ book· (?). 1. A parliamentary publication, so called from its blue paper covers. [Eng.] 2. The United States official ½Biennial Register.¸ Blue¶bot·tle (?), n. 1. (Bot.) A plant (Centaurea cyanus) which grows in grain fields. It receives its name from its blue bottleÐshaped flowers. 2. (Zo”l.) A large and troublesome species of blowfly (Musca vomitoria). Its body is steel blue. Blue¶breast· (?), n. (Zo”l.) (a) A small European bird; the blueÐthroated warbler. Blue¶cap· (?), n. 1. (Zo”l.) (a) The bluepoll. (b) The blue bonnet or blue titmouse. 2. A Scot; a Scotchman; Ð so named from wearing a blue bonnet. [Poetic] Shak. Blue¶coat· (?), n. One dressed in blue, as a soldier, a sailor, a beadle, etc. Blue¶Ðeye· (?), a. Having blue eyes. BlueÐeyed grass (Bot.), a grasslike plant (Sisyrinchium anceps), with small flowers of a delicate blue color. Blue¶fin· (?), n. (Zo”l.) A species of whitefish (Coregonus nigripinnis) found in Lake Michigan. Blue¶fish· (?), n. (Zo”l.) 1. A large voracious fish (Pomatomus saitatrix), of the family Carangid‘, valued as a food fish, and widely distributed on the American coast. On the New Jersey and Rhode Island coast it is called the horse mackerel, in Virginia saltwater tailor, or skipjack. 2. A West Indian fish (Platyglossus radiatus), of the family Labrid‘. µ The name is applied locally to other species of fishes; as the cunner, sea bass, squeteague, etc. Blue¶gown· (?), n. One of a class of paupers or pensioners, or licensed beggars, in Scotland, to whim annually on the king's birthday were distributed certain alms, including a blue gown; a beadsman. Blue¶ grass· (?). (Bot.) A species of grass (Poa compressa) with bluish green stems, valuable in thin gravelly soils; wire grass. Kentucky blue grass, a species of grass (Poa pratensis) which has running rootstocks and spreads rapidly. It is valuable as a pasture grass, as it endures both winter and drought better than other kinds, and is very nutritious. Blue¶ jay· (?). (Zo”l.) The common jay of the United States (Cyanocitta, or Cyanura, cristata). The predominant color is bright blue. Blue¶Ðjohn· (?), n. A name given to fluor spar in Derbyshire, where it is used for ornamental purposes. Blue¶ly, adv. With a blue color. Swift. Blue¶ness, n. The quality of being blue; a blue color. Boyle. Blue¶nose (?), n. A nickname for a Nova Scotian. Blue¶poll· (?), n. [Blue + poll head.] (Zo”l.) A kind of salmon (Salmo Cambricus) found in Wales. Blue¶print. See under Print. Blue¶stock·ing (?), n. 1. A literary lady; a female pedant. [Colloq.] µ As explained in Boswell's ½Life of Dr. Johnson¸, this term is derived from the name given to certain meetings held by ladies, in Johnson's time, for conversation with distinguished literary men. An eminent attendant of these assemblies was a Mr. Stillingfleet, who always wore blue stockings. He was so much distinguished for his conversational powers that his absence at any time was felt to be a great loss, so that the remark became common, ½We can do nothing without the blue stockings.¸ Hence these meetings were sportively called bluestocking clubs, and the ladies who attended them, bluestockings. 2. (Zo”l.) The American avocet (Recurvirostra Americana). Blue¶stock·ingÏism (?), n. The character or manner of a bluestocking; female pedantry. [Colloq.] Blue¶stone· (?), n. 1. Blue vitriol. Dunglison. 2. A grayish blue building stone, as that commonly used in the eastern United States. Blue¶throat· (?), n. (Zo”l.) A singing bird of northern Europe and Asia (Cyanecula Suecica), related to the nightingales; Ð called also blueÐthroated robin and blueÐthroated warbler. Blu¶ets (?), n. [F. bluet, bleuet, dim. of bleu blue. See Blue, a.] (Bot.) A name given to several different species of plants having blue flowers, as the Houstonia c?rulea, the Centaurea cyanus or bluebottle, and the Vaccinium angustifolium. Blue¶Ðveined· (?), a. Having blue veins or blue streaks. Blue¶wing· (?), n. (Zo”l.) The blueÐwinged teal. See Teal. Blue¶y (?), a. Bluish. Southey. Bluff (?), a. [Cf. OD. blaf flat, broad, blaffaert one with a broad face, also, a boaster; or G. verblffen to confuse, LG. bluffen to frighten; to unknown origin.] 1. Having a broad, flattened front; as, the bluff bows of a ship. ½Bluff visages.¸ Irving. 2. Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front. ½A bluff or bold shore.¸ Falconer. Its banks, if not really steep, had a bluff and precipitous aspect. Judd. 3. Surly; churlish; gruff; rough. 4. Abrupt; roughly frank; unceremonious; blunt; brusque; as, a bluff answer; a bluff manner of talking; a bluff sea captain. ½Bluff King Hal.¸ Sir W. Scott. There is indeed a bluff pertinacity which is a proper defense in a moment of surprise. I. Taylor. Bluff, n. 1. A high, steep bank, as by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face. Beach, bluff, and wave, adieu. Whittier. 2. An act of bluffing; an expression of selfÐconfidence for the purpose of intimidation; braggadocio; as, that is only bluff, or a bluff. 3. A game at cards; poker. [U.S.] Bartlett. Bluff, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Bluffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Bluffing.] 1. (Poker) To deter (an opponent) from taking the risk of betting on his hand of cards, as the bluffer does by betting heavily on his own hand although it may be of less value. [U. S.] 2. To frighten or deter from accomplishing a purpose by making a show of confidence in one's strength or resources; as, he bluffed me off. [Colloq.] Bluff, v. i. To act as in the game of bluff. Bluff¶Ðbowed· (?), a. (Naut.) Built with the stem nearly straight up and down. Bluff¶ness, n. The quality or state of being bluff. Bluff¶y (?), a. 1. Having bluffs, or bold, steep banks. 2. Inclined to bo bluff; brusque. Blu¶ing (?), n. 1. The act of rendering blue; as, the bluing of steel. Tomlinson. 2. Something to give a bluish tint, as indigo, or preparations used by washerwomen. Blu¶ish (?), a. Somewhat blue; as, bluish veins. ½Bluish mists.¸ Dryden. Ð Blu¶ishÏly, adv. Ð Blu¶ishÏness, n. Blun¶der (?), v. i. [imp. & p.p. Blundered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Blundering.] [OE. blunderen, blondren, to stir, confuse, blunder; perh. allied to blend to mix, to confound by mixture.] 1. To make a gross error or mistake; as, to blunder in writing or preparing a medical prescription. Swift. 2. To move in an awkward, clumsy manner; to flounder and stumble. I was never distinguished for address, and have often even blundered in making my bow. Goldsmith. Yet knows not how to find the uncertain place, And blunders on, and staggers every pace. Dryden. To blunder on. (a) To continue blundering. (b) To find or reach as if by an accident involving more or less stupidity, Ð applied to something desirable; as, to blunder on a useful discovery. Blun¶der, v. t. 1. To cause to blunder. [Obs.] ½To blunder an adversary.¸ Ditton. 2. To do or treat in a blundering manner; to confuse. He blunders and confounds all these together. Stillingfleet. Blun¶der, n. 1. Confusion; disturbance. [Obs.] 2. A gross error or mistake, resulting from carelessness, stupidity, or culpable ignorance. Syn. Ð Blunder, Error, Mistake, Bull. An error is a departure or deviation from that which is right or correct; as, an error of the press; an error of judgment. A mistake is the interchange or taking of one thing for another, through haste, inadvertence, etc.; as, a careless mistake. A blunder is a mistake or error of a gross kind. It supposes a person to flounder on in his course, from carelessness, ignorance, or stupidity. A bull is a verbal blunder containing a laughable incongruity of ideas. Blun¶derÏbuss (?), n. [Either fr. blunder + D. bus tube, box, akin to G. bchse box, gun, E. box; or corrupted fr. D. donderbus (literally) thunder box, gun, musket.] 1. A short gun or firearm, with a large bore, capable of holding a number of balls, and intended to do execution without exact aim. 2. A stupid, blundering fellow. Blun¶derÏer (?), n. One who is apt to blunder. Blun¶derÏhead· (?), n. [Blunder + head.] A stupid, blundering fellow. Blun¶derÏing, a. Characterized by blunders. Blun¶derÏingÏly, adv. In a blundering manner. Blunge (?), v. t. To amalgamate and blend; to beat up or mix in water, as clay. Blun¶ger (?), n. [Corrupted from plunger.] A wooden blade with a cross handle, used for mi?ing the clay in potteries; a plunger. Tomlinson. Blun¶ging (?), n. The process of mixing clay in potteries with a blunger. Tomlinson. Blunt (?), a. [Cf. Prov. G. bludde a dull or blunt knife, Dan. blunde to sleep, Sw. & Icel. blunda; or perh. akin to E. blind.] 1. Having a thick edge or point, as an instrument; dull; not sharp. The murderous knife was dull and blunt. Shak. 2. Dull in understanding; slow of discernment; stupid; Ð opposed to acute. His wits are not so blunt. Shak. 3. Abrupt in address; plain; unceremonious; wanting the forms of civility; rough in manners or speech. ½Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior.¸ ½A plain, blunt man.¸ Shak. 4. Hard to impress or penetrate. [R.] I find my heart hardened and blunt to new impressions. Pope. µ Blunt is much used in composition, as bluntÏedged, bluntÏsighted, bluntÏspoken. Syn. Ð Obtuse; dull; pointless; curt; short; coarse; rude; brusque; impolite; uncivil. Blunt, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Blunted; p. pr. & vb. n. Blunting.] 1. To dull the edge or point of, by making it thicker; to make blunt. Shak. 2. To repress or weaken, as any appetite, desire, or power of the mind; to impair the force, keenness, or susceptibility, of; as, to blunt the feelings. Blunt, n. 1. A fencer's foil. [Obs.] 2. A short needle with a strong point. See Needle. 3. Money. [Cant] Beaconsfield. Blunt¶ish, a. Somewhat blunt. Ð Blunt¶ishÏness, n. Blunt¶ly, adv. In a blunt manner; coarsely; plainly; abruptly; without delicacy, or the usual forms of civility. Sometimes after bluntly giving his opinions, he would quietly lay himself asleep until the end of their deliberations. Jeffrey. Blunt¶ness, n. 1. Want of edge or point; dullness; obtuseness; want of sharpness. The multitude of elements and bluntness of angles. Holland. 2. A bruptness of address; rude plainness. ½Bluntness of speech.¸ Boyle. Blunt¶Ðwit·ted (?), n. Dull; stupid. BluntÐwitted lord, ignoble in demeanor! Shak. Blur (?), v. t. [imp. & p.p. Blurred (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Blurring.] [Prob. of same origin as blear. See Blear.] 1. To render obscure by making the form or outline of confused and uncertain, as by soiling; to smear; to make indistinct and confused; as, to blur manuscript by handling it while damp; to blur the impression of a woodcut by an excess of ink. But time hath nothing blurred those lines of favor Which then he wore. Shak. 2. To cause imperfection of vision in; to dim; to darken. Her eyes are blurred with the lightning's glare. J. R. Drake. 3. To sully; to stain; to blemish, as reputation. Sarcasms may eclipse thine own, But can not blur my lost renown. Hudibras. Syn. Ð To spot; blot; disfigure; stain; sully.

<-- p. 160 -->

<-- p. 160 -->