# Dictionary

Topic: Aware
Definition:
AWA'RE, a.  [See Ware and Wary.]
Watchful; vigilant; guarded; but more strictly in modern usage, apprised; expecting an event from information, or probability; as, the general was aware of the enemy's designs.
AWA'RE, v.i.  To beware; to be cautious.  [Not legitimate.]


Topic: Awatcha
Definition:
AWAT'CHA, n.  A bird of Kamtchatka, enumerated by Pennant, among the warblers.  The upper parts of the body are of a deep brown color; the throat and breast white, with black spots.


Topic: Away
Definition:
AWA'Y, adv.  [See Way.]
1.  Absent; at a distance; as, the master is away from home.
Have me away, for I am wounded.  2Chron. 35.
2.  It is much used with words signifying moving or going from; as, go away, send away, run away,  &c.; all signifying departure, or separation to a distance.  Sometimes without the verb; as, whither away so fast.
Love hath wings and will away.
3.  As an exclamation, it is a command or invitation to depart; away, that is, be gone, or let us go.  'Away with him.'  Take him away.
4.  With verbs, it serves to modify their sense and form peculiar phrases; as,
To throw away, to cast from, to give up, dissipate or foolishly destroy.
To trifle away, to lose or expend in trifles, or in idleness.
To drink away, to squander away, &c., to dissipate in drinking or extravagance.
To make away, is to kill or destroy.
5.  Away with has a peculiar signification in the phrase, 'I cannot away with it.'  Isa. 1.  The sense is, 'I cannot bear or endure it.'


Topic: Awe
Definition:
AWE, n. aw. [Gr. to be astonished.]
1.  Fear mingled with admiration or reverence; reverential fear.
Stand in awe and sin not.  Ps. 4.
2.  Fear; dread inspired by something great, or terrific.
AWE, v.t.  To strike with fear and reverence; to influence by fear, terror or respect; as, his majesty awed them into silence.


Topic: Aweather
Definition:
AWEATHER, adv. aweth'er.  [a and weather.]
On the weather-side, or towards the wind; as, the helm is aweather; opposed to alee.


Topic: Aweigh
Definition:
AWEIGH', adv.  [a and weigh.]  Atrip.  The anchor is aweigh, when it is just drawn out of the ground, and hangs perpendicular.  [See Atrip.]


Topic: Awful
Definition:
AWFUL, a.  [awe and full.]
1.  That strikes with awe; that fills with profound reverence; as the awful majesty of Jehovah.
2.  That fills with terror and dread; as the awful approach of death.
3.  Struck with awe; scrupulous.
A weak and awful reverence for antiquity.
Shakespeare uses it for worshipful, inspiring respect by authority or dignity.
Our common people use this word in the sense of frightful, ugly, detestable.


Topic: Awfulness
Definition:
AW'FULNESS, n.
1.  The quality of striking with awe, or with reverence; solemnity; as, 'the awfulness of this sacred place.'
2.  The state of being struck with awe.
A help to prayer, producing in us reverence and awfulness.
[Not legitimate.]


Topic: Awk
Definition:
AWK, a.  
1.  Odd; out of order.
2.  Clumsy in performance, or manners; unhandy; not dexterous.  [Vulgar.]


Topic: Awkward
Definition:
AWK'WARD, a.  [awk and ward.] 
1.  Wanting dexterity in the use of the hands or of instruments; unready; not dexterous; bungling; untoward.
2.  Inelegant; unpolite; ungraceful in manners; clumsy; unnatural; bad.


Topic: Awkwardness
Definition:
AWK'WARDNESS, n.  Clumsiness; ungracefulness in manners; want of dexterity in the use of the hands or instruments; unsuitableness.


Topic: Awl
Definition:
AWL, n.
An iron instrument for piercing small holes in leather, for sewing and stitching; used by shoemakers, sadlers, &c.  The blade is either straight, or a little bent and flattened.


Topic: Awless
Definition:
AW'LESS, a.  [awe and less.]
1.  Wanting reverence; void of respectful fear; as awless insolence.
2.  Wanting the power of causing reverence; not exciting awe; as an awless throne.


Topic: Awlwort
Definition:
AWL'WORT, n.  [awl and wort.  See Wort.]
The popular name of the Subularia aquatica, or rough leaved alyssum; so called from its awl-shaped leaves, which grow in clusters round the root.  It is a native of Britain and Ireland.


Topic: Awning
Definition:
AWN'ING, n.
1.  A cover of canvas,usually a sail or tarpaulin, spread over a boat or ship's deck, to shelter from the sun's rays, the officers and crew, and preserve the decks.
2.  That part of the poop deck which is continued forward beyond the bulk head of the cabin.


Topic: Awry
Definition:
AWRY', a. or adv.
1.  Turned or twisted towards one side; not in a straight or true direction, or position; asquint; with oblique vision; as, 'to glance a look awry;'  the lady's cap is awry.
2.  In a figurative sense, turned aside from the line of truth, or right reason; perverse or perversely.


Topic: Ax
Definition:
AX, n.  improperly written axe.  [Gr.]
An instrument usually of iron, for hewing timber and chopping wood.  It consists of a head with an arching edge, and a helve or handle.  The ax is of two kinds, the broad ax for hewing, and the narrow ax for rough-hewing and cutting.  The hatchet is a small ax to be used with one hand.


Topic: Axayacat
Definition:
AXAYA'CAT, n.  A fly in Mexico, whose eggs, deposited on rushes and flags, in large quantities, are sold and used as a sort of caviare, called ahuauhtli.  This was a dish among the Mexicans, as it now is among the Spaniards.


Topic: Axil
Definition:
AX'IL, n.  [L. axilla; Heb. to separate or set apart; whence armpits.]
1.  The armpit; a cavity under the upper part of the arm or shoulder.
2.  In botany, the space or angle formed by a branch with the stem, or by a leaf with the stem or branch.


Topic: Axinite
Definition:
AX'INITE, n.  A mineral which sometimes occurs in lamellar masses, but commonly in crystals, whose general form is that of a very oblique rhomb, or rather, four-sided prism, so flattened that some of its edges become thin and sharp, like that of an ax; whence its name, Gr.  This is the thumerstone of Kirwan.  It has been sometimes called yanolite and violet shorl.


Topic: Axinomancy
Definition:
AXINOM'ANCY,  n.  [Gr. an ax, and divination.]
Among the ancients, a species of divination, by means of an ax or hatchet, performed by laying an agate-stone on a red hot hatchet, or by fixing a hatchet on a round stake, so as to be poised; then the names of those suspected were repeated, and he at whose name the hatchet moved, was pronounced guilty.


Topic: Axiom
Definition:
AX'IOM, n.  [Gr. authority, an authoritative sentence, or that which is assumed, from worthy, and to think worthy, to esteem;  Eng. to ask, that which is asked, sought or esteemed.]
1.  A self evident truth, or a proposition whose truth is so evident at first sight, that no process of reasoning or demonstration can make it plainer; as, 'the whole is greater than a part.'
2.  An established principle in some art or science; a principle received without new proof; as, 'things which are equal to the same thing, are equal to one another.'


Topic: Axis
Definition:
AX'IS, n. plu. axes.  [L.; Gr.]
1.  The straight line, real or imaginary, passing through a body, or which it revolves, or may revolve; as the axis of the earth.
2.  In geometry, a straight line in a plain figure, about which it revolves to produce a solid.
3.  In conic sections, a right line dividing the section into two equal parts, and cutting all its ordinates at right angles.
4.  In mechanics, the axis of a balance is that line about which it moves, or rather turns.
The axis of oscillation is a right line parallel to the horizon passing through the center, about which a pendulum vibrates.
The axis in peritrochio is a wheel concentric with the base of a cylinder, and movable with it about its axis.
5.  In optics, a particular ray of light from any object which falls perpendicularly on the eye.
6.  In architecture, spiral axis is the axis of a twisted column spirally drawn in order to trace the circumvolutions without.
Aris of the Ionic capital is a line passing perpendicularly through the middle of the eye of the volute.
The axis of a vessel is an imaginary line passing through the middle of it, perpendicular to its base, and equally distant from its sides.
In botany, axis is a taper column in the center of some flowers or catkins, about which the other parts are disposed.
In anatomy, axis is the name of the second verteber of the neck; it has a tooth which enters into the first verteber, and this tooth is by some called the axis.


Topic: Axolote
Definition:
AX'OLOTE, n.  A water lizard found in the Mexican lake, about eight inches in length, sometimes much larger.  The skin is black and soft.  It swims with its feet, which resemble those of a frog.  It has a periodical evacuation of blood, like the human female.


Topic: Axstone
Definition:
AXSTONE, n.  A mineral, a subspecies of jade; less hard than nephrite; of a leek or grass green, olive green or greenish gray color.  It occurs amorphous, or in rolled fragments.  It is found chiefly in New Zealand and the S. Sea isles, where it is used by the rude natives for axes and other instruments.


Topic: Azote
Definition:
AZOTE, n. [Gr. priv. and life, or vital.]
A species of gas, called also mephitic air, and atmospheric mephitis, on account of it fatal effects upon  animal life.  It is tasteless, and inodorous: it exists in common air, mixed with oxygen, and constitutes about seventy-nine hundredth parts of atmospheric air.  It may be obtained, in large quantities, from the muscular fibers of animals.  Combined with hydrogen, it forms volatile alkali; and it enters into the composition of most animal substances.  It is the radical of nitric acid, and is now called nitrogen gas, or nitrogen.


Topic: Azoth
Definition:
AZ'OTH, n.  
1.  Among alchimists, the first principle of metals; the mercury of metals; a universal medicine.  obs.
2.  The liquor of sublimated quicksilver; brass.


Topic: Azotite
Definition:
AZ'OTITE, n.  A salt formed by a combination of the protoxyd of azote, or nitrous oxyd, with an alkali.


Topic: Azymite
Definition:
AZYMITE, n. [See Azymous.] In church history, azymites are Christians who administer the eucharist with unleavened bread.


Topic: B
Definition:
B  is the second letter, and the first articulation, or consonant, in the English, as in the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and most other alphabets.  In the Ethiopic, it is the ninth letter, and its shape is that of a hut.  Perhaps from this or other like figure, it received its Hebrew name, beth, a house.  It is a mute and a labial, being formed by pressing the whole length of the lips together, as in pronouncing eb.  It is less perfectly mute than p, as may be perceived by pronouncing the syllables ab and ap.  It is convertible, 1st, with p, as in the Celtic, ben or pen, a mountain; in the English, beak and peak, beck and peck; 2d, with v, as in the German, silber for silver; and in Spanish, b and v are used indifferently; 3d, with f, as in bore and perforo; Eng. bear, L.fero;in the celtic bun,bunadh, bunait, stock,origin,foundation; English,found; L.fundamentum; with the Gr.as Bilip; 4th,with the v and w; as,Ir.fior, L. verus; fear, vir; Ir. buaic, the wick of a candle.
The Greek B is always pronounced like the English V, and the Russian B corresponds with the Greek.
In composition, the letter B is changed into p before the letter p; as in opprimo, from ob and premo; oppono, from ob and pono; into f, before f, as in offero, from ob and fero; into c before c, as in occido, from ob and cado, and coedo.
As a numeral, B was used by the Hebrews and Greeks, as now by the Arabians, for 2; by the Romans for 300, and with a dash over it thus B, for 3000.  B is used also as an abbreviation; thus B.A. stand for bachelor of arts; B.L. for bachelor of laws; B.D. for bachelor of divinity; B.F. before the decrees of the old Romans, for bonum factum.  In music, B stands for the tone above A; for B flat,or the semi-tone major above A.  B also stands for base, and 
B.C. for basso continuo, or thorough base.


Topic: Baal
Definition:
BA'AL, n.  An idol among the ancient Chaldeans and Syrians, representing the sun.  The word signifies also lord, or commander; and the character of the idol was varied by different nations, at different times.  Thus Baal Berith is supposed to signify the Lord of the Covenant; Baal Peor, or rather Baal Phegor, the Lord of the dead.  Ps. cvi, Baal Zebub, the god of flies, &c.


Topic: Babble
Definition:
BAB'BLE, v.i.  
1.  To utter words imperfectly or indistinctly, as children.
2.  To talk idly or irrationally; to talk thoughtlessly.
3.  To talk much; to prate; hence to tell secrets.
4.  To utter sounds frequently, incessantly, or indistinctly; as a babbling echo; a babbling stream.
BAB'BLE, v.t.  To prate; to utter.
BAB'BLE, n.  Idle talk; senseless prattle. 
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Topic: Babbling
Definition:
BAB'BLING, ppr.  Talking idly; telling secrets.
2.  Uttering a succession of murmuring sounds; as a babbling stream.
3.  In hunting, babbling is when the hounds are too busy after they have found a good scent.
BAB'BLING, n.  Foolish talk.  1 Tim.vi.


Topic: Babe
Definition:
BABE, n. [L. pupus,a word of endearment; pupa, little girl; whence pupillus, pupilla, pupil.]
An infant; a young child of either sex.


Topic: Baboon
Definition:
BABOON', n.  A monkey of the largest species; a quadruped belonging to the genus Simia, in the class Mammalia, and order Primates, according to the system of Linne; but by Pennant arranged under the digitated quadrupeds.  Baboons have short tails; a long face; a broad high muzzle; dog-like tusks, or canine teeth; and naked callosities on the buttocks.  They are found only on the eastern continent.  


Topic: Baby
Definition:
BA'BY, a. Like a young child; pertaining to an infant.
BA'BY, n.  [See Babe.]  An infant or young child of either sex; a babe; [used in familiar language.]
2.  A small image in form of an infant, for girls to play with; a doll.
BA'BY, v.t.  To treat like a young child.


Topic: Babylonics
Definition:
BABYLON'ICS,  n.plu.  The title of a fragment of the history of the world, ending 267 years before Christ, composed by Berosus, a priest of Babylon.


Topic: Babylonish
Definition:
BABYLO'NISH, a. Pertaining to Babylon, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Babylonia, or to the kingdom. The city stood on the river Frat, or Euphrates, and it is supposed, on the spot where the tower of Babel was founded. 
2.  Like the language of Babel; mixed; confused.
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Topic: Babyroussa
Definition:
BABYROUS'SA, n.  In zoology, the Indian hog, a native of Celebes, and of Buero, but not found on the continent of Asia or of Africa.  This quadruped belongs to the genus,Sus, in the class Mammalia, and order Bellua.  From the outside of the upper jaw, spring two teeth twelve inches long, bending like horns, and almost touching the forehead.  Along the back are some weak bristles, and on the rest of the body only a sort of wool. These animals live in herds, feed on herbage, are sometimes tamed, and their flesh is well tasted.  When pursued hard, they rush into the sea, swim or dive and pass from isle to isle.  In the forest, they rest their heads by hooking their upper tusks on a bough.


Topic: Bac
Definition:
BAC or BACK, n.
1.  In navigation, a ferry-boat or praam.
2.  In brewing, a large flat tub, or vessel, in which wort is cooled before boiling; hence called a cooler.
3. In distilleries, a vessel into which the liquor to be fermented is pumped, from the cooler, in order to be worked with the yeast.


Topic: Bacca
Definition:
BAC'CA, n.[L.] In botany, a berry; a fruit which consists of a pulpy pericarp, without valves, inclosing several naked seeds.  


Topic: Baccalaureate
Definition:
BACCALAU'REATE, n.  [The first part of this word is from the same root as bachelor; or as Bailey supposes, from bacca, berry; and the latter part, from laurea, a laurel, from the practice of wearing a garland of bay berries.]
The degree of bachelor of arts.


Topic: Baccated
Definition:
BAC'CATED, a. [L. baccatus, garnished with pearls, from bacca, a berry.]
Set or adorned with pearls; having many berries.


Topic: Bacchanals
Definition:
BAC'CHANALS, n.plu.  Drunken feasts; the revels of bacchanalians.  In antiquity, feasts in honor of Bacchus, the god of wine. These were celebrated in spring and autumn, with games and shows.


Topic: Bacchic
Definition:
BAC'CHIC, a.  Jovial; drunken; mad with intoxication.
2.  Relating to Bacchus, the god of wine; as, a bacchic feast or song; bacchic mysteries.


Topic: Bacchius
Definition:
BAC'CHIUS, n.  In ancient poetry, a foot composed of a short syllable and two long ones; as in avari.


Topic: Baccifferous
Definition:
BACCIF'FEROUS, a.[L.baccifer,of bacca, a berry, and fero, to bear.]
That produces berries. [See Bacca.]  Bacciferous plants formerly included all such plants as have a pulpy fruit, whether of the apple, berry or cherry kind; but the modern systems of botany comprehend under this description such plants only as bear the pulpy pericarp, called bacca, or berry.  


Topic: Baccivorous
Definition:
BACCIV'OROUS, a.[L. bacca,berry, and voro, to eat.]
Eating or subsisting on berries; as baccivorous birds.


Topic: Bachelor
Definition:
BACH'ELOR, n.[L.baculus, a stick, that is, a shoot.]
1.  A young man who has not been married.
2.  A man of any age, who has not been married; often with the word old.
3.  A person who has taken the first degree in the liberal arts and sciences, at a college or university.  This degree or honor is called the baccalaureate.  This title is given also to such as take the first degree in divinity, law or physic, in certain European universities.
4.  A knight of the lowest order, or more correctly, a young knight, styled, a knight bachelor.  The Germans anciently constituted their young men knights or soldiers, by presenting to them a shield and a lance, in a great council.  This ceremony answered to that of the toga virilis of the Romans.  In the livery  companies of London, those persons not yet admitted to the livery are called bachelors.


Topic: Bachelorship
Definition:
BACH'ELORSHIP, n.  The state of being a bachelor.
2.  The state of one who has taken his first degree in a college or university.


Topic: Back
Definition:
BACK, n.
1.  The upper part of an animal, particularly of a quadruped, whose back is a ridge.  In human beings, the hinder part of the body.
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2.  The outward or convex part of the hand, opposed to the inner, concave part, or palm.
3.  As the back of man is the part on the side opposite to the face; hence the part opposed to the front; as the back of a book and of a chimney, or the back of a house.
4.  The part opposite to or most remote from that which fronts the speaker or actor, or the part out of sight; as the back of an isle, of a wood, of a village.
5.  As the back is the strongest part of an animal, and as the back is behind in motion; hence the thick and strong part of a cutting tool; as the back of a knife, or of a saw.
6.  The place behind or nearest the back; as, on the back of a hill or of a village.
7.  The outer part of the body, or the whole body; a part for the whole; as, he has not clothes to his back.
8.  To turn the back on one, is to forsake, or neglect him.
9.  To turn the back to one, to acknowledge to be superior.
    10. To turn the back, is to depart, or to leave the care or cognizance of; to remove or be absent.
11.  Behind the back, is in secret, or when one is absent.
12.  To cast behind the back, in scripture, is to forget and forgive, Is.xxxviii, 17; or to treat with contempt. Ez.xxiii.35. Neh.ix.26.
13.  To plow the back, is to oppress and persecute.  Ps.cxxix.
14.  To bow the back, is to submit to oppression.  Rom.xi.10.
BACK, adv.  To the place from which one came; as, to go back is to return.
2.  In a figurative sense, to a former state, condition or station; as, he cannot go back from his engagements.
3.  Behind; not advancing; not coming or bringing forward; as, to keep back a part; to keep one's selfback.
4.  Towards times or things past; as, to look back on former ages.
5.  Again; in return; as, give back the money.
6.  To go or come back, is to return, either to a former place, or state.
7.  To go or give back, is to retreat to recede.
BACK, v.t.  To mount; to get upon the back; sometimes perhaps to place upon the back; as, to back a horse.
2.  To support; to maintain; to second or strengthen by aid; as, the Court was backed by the House of Commons.
3.  To put backward; to cause to retreat or recede; as, to back oxen.
4.  To back a warrant, is for a justice of the peace in the county where the warrant is to be executed, to sign or indorse a warrant, issued in another county, to apprehend an offender.
5.  In seamanship, to back an anchor is to lay down a small anchor ahead of a large one, the cable of the small one being fastened to the crown of the large one, to prevent its coming home.
6.  To back astern, in rowing, is to manage the oars in a direction contrary to the usual method, to move a boat stern 
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foremost.
7.  To back the sails,is to arrange them so as to cause the ship to move astern.
BACK, v.i.  To move or go back; as, the horse refuses to back.


Topic: Backbite
Definition:
BACK'BITE, v.t. [back and bite]  To censure, slander, reproach, or speak evil of the absent.  Prov.xxv.


Topic: Backdoor
Definition:
BACKDOOR, n. [back and door.]  A door on the back part of a bulding; a private passage; and indirect way.


Topic: Backed
Definition:
BACK'ED, pp.  Mounted; having on the back; supported by aid; seconded; moved backward.
BACK'ED, a. Having a back; a word used in composition; as broad-backed, hump-backed.


Topic: Backgammon
Definition:
BACKGAM'MON, n. A game played by two persons, upon a table, with box and dice.  The table is in two parts, on which are 24 black and white spaces, called points.  Each player has 15 men of different colors for the purpose of distinction.


Topic: Background
Definition:
BACK'GROUND, n. [back and ground.]  Ground in the rear or behind, as opposed to the front.
2.  A place of obscurity, or shade; a situation little seen, or noticed.


Topic: Backhanded
Definition:
BACK'HANDED,a. [back and hand.] With the hand turned backward; as a backhanded blow.
BACK'HANDED, adv.  With the hand directed backward; as, to strike backhanded.


Topic: Backpainting
Definition:
BACK'PAINTING, n.[back and paint.]  The method of painting mezzotinto prints, pasted on glass of a size to fit the print.


Topic: Backside
Definition:
BACK'SIDE, n. [back and side.]  The back part of anything; the part behind that which is presented to the face of a spectator.  Ex.iii.
2.  The hind part of an animal.
3.  The yard, ground or place behind a house.


Topic: Backslide
Definition:
BACKSLI'DE, v.i. [back and slide.]  To fall off; to apostatize; to turn gradually from the faith and practice of christianity.  Jer.iii.  Hos.iv.


Topic: Backslider
Definition:
BACKSLI'DER, n.  An apostate; one who falls from the faith and practice of religion.  Prov.xiv.
2.  One who neglects his vows of obedience and falls into sin.


Topic: Backsliding
Definition:
BACKSLI'DING, n.  The act of apostatizing from faith or practice; a falling insensibly from religion into sin or idolatry.  Jer. v.6.


Topic: Backstaff
Definition:
BACK'STAFF, n. [back and staff, so called from its being used with the observer's back toward the sun.]
A quadrant; an instrument for taking the sun's altitude at sea; called also, from its inventor, Davis's quadrant.


Topic: Backstairs
Definition:
BACK'STAIRS, n.[back and stairs.]
Stairs in the back part of a house; private stairs; and figuratively, a private or indirect way.


Topic: Backstays
Definition:
BACK'STAYS, n. [back and stay.]
Long ropes or stays extending from the top-mast heads to both sides of a ship, to assist the shrouds in supporting the mast, when strained by a weight of sail, and prevent it from giving way and falling overboard.


Topic: Backsword
Definition:
BACK'SWORD,n. [back and sword.]
A sword with one sharp edge.  In England, a stick with a basket handle used in rustic amusements.
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Topic: Backwardness
Definition:
BACK'WARDNESS, n.  Unwillingness; reluctance, dilatoriness, or dullness in action.
2.  A state of being behind in progress; slowness; tardiness; as the backwardness of the spring.


Topic: Backwards
Definition:
BACK'WARDS, adv.[back and ward. See Ward.]  With the back in advance; as, to move backward.
 2.  Toward the back; as, to throw the arms backward; to move backwards and forwards.
 3. On the back, or with the back downwards; as, to fall backward.
 4.  Toward past times or events; as to look backward on the history of man.
 5.  By way of reflection; reflexively.
 6.  From a better to a worse state; as, public affairs go backward.
 7.  In time past; as,let us look some ages backward.
 8.  Perversely; from a wrong end. 
I never yet saw man but she would spell him backward.
     9. Towards the beginning; in an order contrary to the natural order; as, to read backward.
10.  In a scriptural sense, to go or turn backward, is to rebel, apostatize, or relapse into sin, or idolatry.  Is.i.
11.  Contrarily; in a contrary manner.
To be driven or turned backward, is to be defeated, or disappointed. Ps.xl.turn judgment backward, is to pervert justice and laws.  Is.lix.


Topic: Backworm
Definition:
BACK'WORM, n.[back and worm.]  A small worm, in a thin skin, in the reins of a hawk.  [See Filanders.]


Topic: Bacon
Definition:
BA'CON, n. ba'kn.
Hog's flesh, salted or pickled and dried, usually in smoke.  
To save one's bacon, is to preserve one's self from harm.


Topic: Bacule
Definition:
BAC'ULE, n.  In fortification, a kind of portcullis or gate, made
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like a pit-fall, with a counterpoise, and supported by two great stakes.


Topic: Baculite
Definition:
BAC'ULITE, n.[L.baculus.]
A genus of fossil shells, of a straight form, in their cellular structure resembling the ammonites.


Topic: Baculometry
Definition:
BACULOM'ETRY, n. [L. baculus, a staff, and Gr. measure.]
The act of measuring distance of altitude by a staff or staves.


Topic: Bad
Definition:
BAD, a.[Heb. to perish or destroy]
1.  Ill; evil; opposed to good; a word of general use, denoting physical defects and moral faults, in men and things; as a bad man, a bad heart, a bad design, bad air, bad water, bad books.
2.  Vicious; corrupt; depraved, in a moral sense; as a bad life; a bad action.
3.  Unwholesome; as bad provisions.
4.  Unfortunate; unprosperous; as a bad state of affairs.
5.  Unskillful; as a bad player.
6.  Small; poor; as a bad crop.
7.  Infirm; as a bad state of health.
8.  Feeble, corrupt, or oppressive; as a bad government.
9.  Hurtful; pernicious; as, fine print is bad for the eyes.
    10. Unfavorable; as a bad season.
    11. Poor; sterile; as a bad soil.
    12. Rough or muddy; as a bad road. In short, bad expresses whatever is injurious, hurtful, inconvenient, unlawful or immoral; whatever is offensive, painful or unfavorable; or what is defective.


Topic: Badge
Definition:
BADGE, n.[I know not the affinities of this word, not having found it in any other language.  Probably it belongs to class Bg.]
1.  A mark, sign, token or thing, by which a person is distinguished, in a particular place or employment, and designating his relation to a person or to a particular occupation; as the badge of authority.
2.  The mark or token of anything; as the badge of bitterness.
3.  An ornament on ships, near the stern, decorated with figures.
BADGE, v.t.  To mark, or distinguish with a badge.


Topic: Badger
Definition:
BADG'ER, n.  In law, a person who is licensed to buy corn in one place and sell it in another, without incurring the penalties of engrossing.
BADG'ER, n.  A quadruped of the genus Ursus, of a clumsy make, with short, thick legs, and long claws on the fore feet.  It inhabits the north of Europe and Asia, burrows, is indolent and sleepy, feeds by night on vegetables, and is very fat.  Its skin is used 9
for pistol furniture; its flesh makes good bacon, and its hair is used for brushes to soften the shades in painting.  The American badger is called the ground hog, and is sometimes white.


Topic: Badger-legged
Definition:
BADG'ER-LEGGED, a.  Having legs like a badger.  Johnson says having legs of unequal length; but, qu.short thick legs.


Topic: Badiaga
Definition:
BADIA'GA, n.  A small spunge, common in the North of Europe, the powder of which is used to take away the livid marks of bruises.


Topic: Badly
Definition:
BAD'LY, adv. [from bad.]  In a bad manner; not well, unskillfully; grievously; unfortunately; imperfectly.


Topic: Badness
Definition:
BAD'NESS, n.  The state of being bad, evil, vicious or depraved; want of good qualities, natural or moral; as the badness of the heart, of the season, of the roads, & c.


Topic: Baffling
Definition:
BAF'FLING, ppr.  Eluding by shifts, and turns, or by stratagem; defeating; confounding.  A baffling wind, among seamen, is one that frequently shifts, from one point to another.


Topic: Baggage
Definition:
BAG'GAGE, n. [Eng.package.]
1.  The tents, clothing, utensils, and other necessaries of an army.
2.  The clothing and other conveniencies which a traveller carries with him, on a journey.
        Having dispatched my baggage by water to Altdorf.
   [The English now call this luggage.]
BAG'GAGE, n.  A low worthless woman; a strumpet.


Topic: Bagging
Definition:
BAG'GING, ppr.  Swelling; becoming protuberant.
BAG'GING, n.  The cloth or materials for bags.  U.States.  Edwards' W. Indies.


Topic: Bagnio
Definition:
BAGNIO, n. ban'yo.[L.balneum.]
1.  A bath; a house for bathing, cupping, sweating and otherwise cleansing the body.  In Turkey, it is the name of prisons where slaves are kept; so called from the baths which they contain.
2.  A brothel.


Topic: Bagpipe
Definition:
BAG'PIPE, N.[bag and pipe.]
A musical wind instrument, used chiefly in Scotland and Ireland.  It consists of a leathern bag, which receives the air by a tube, which is stopped by a valve; and pipes, into which the air is pressed by the performer.  The base-pipe is called the drone, and the tenor or treble is called the chanter.  The pipes have eight holes like those of a flute, which the performer stops and opens at pleasure.  There are several species of bag-pipes, as the soft and melodious Irish bag-pipe, with two short drones and a long one; the Highland bag-pipe, with two short drones, the music of which is very loud; the Scot's Lowland bag-pipe, which is played with a bellows and is also a loud instrument.  There is also a small pipe, with a chanter about eight inches in length.
In seamanship, to bag-pipe the mizen, is to lay it aback by 
11
bringing the sheet to the mizen shrouds.


Topic: Bagre
Definition:
BAG'RE, n.  A small bearded fish, a species of Silurus, anguilliform, of a silvery hue, without scales,and delicious food.


Topic: Baguet
Definition:
BAGUET', n.  In architecture, a little round molding, less than an astragal, sometimes carved and enriched.


Topic: Baikalite
Definition:
BA'IKALITE, n.[From Baikal, a lake in Northern Asia.]
A mineral occurring in acicular prisms, sometimes long, and either confusedly grouped or radiating from a center.  Its color is greenish, or yellowish white.  It is regarded as a variety of Tremolite.  This name is given also to an olive-green variety of augite and also of epidote.


Topic: Bail
Definition:
BAIL, v.t.
1.  To set free, deliver, or liberate from arrest and imprisonment, upon security given that the person bailed shall appear and answer in court.  The word is applied to the magistrate, or the surety.  The magistrate bails a man, when he liberates him from arrest or imprisonment, upon bond given with sureties.  The surety bails a person, when he procures his release from arrest, by giving bond for his appearance.
2.  To deliver goods in trust, upon a contract, expressed or implied, that the trust shall be faithfully executed on the part of the bailee or person entrusted; as, to bail cloth to a tailor to be made into a garment, or to bail goods to a carrier.
3.  To free from water, as to bail a boat.  This word is improperly written bale.  The word is probably the same as bail in law, to free, or liberate, and signifies to throw out water, as with a bucket or shovel.


Topic: Bailable
Definition:
BA'ILABLE, a.  That may be set free upon bond with sureties; that may be admitted to bail; used of persons.
2.  That admits of bail; as a bailable offense.


Topic: Bailbond
Definition:
BA'ILBOND, n.  A bond or obligation given by a prisoner and his surety, to insure the prisoner's appearance in court, at the return of the writ.


Topic: Bailed
Definition:
BA'ILED, pp.  Released from custody on bonds for appearance in court.
2.  Delivered in trust, to be carried and deposited, redelivered, or otherwise accounted for.
3.  Freed from water, as a boat.


Topic: Bailee
Definition:
BAILEE',n.  The person to whom goods are committed in trust, and who has a temporary possession and a qualified property in them, for the purposes of the trust.


Topic: Bailiwick
Definition:
BA'ILIWICK, n.[bailli, an officer, see bailiff.]
The precincts in which a bailiff has jurisdiction; the limits of a bailiff's authority; as a hundred, a liberty, a forest, over which a bailiff is appointed.  In the liberties and franchises of lords, the bailiff has exclusive jurisdiction.


Topic: Bailment
Definition:
BA'ILMENT, n. [from bail.]
A delivery of goods, in trust, upon a contract, expressed or implied, that the trust shall be faithfully executed.


Topic: Bailpiece
Definition:
BA'ILPIECE, n.  A slip of parchment or paper containing a recognizance of bail above or bail to the action.


Topic: Baited
Definition:
BA'ITED, pp.  Furnished with bait; allured; tempted.
2.  Fed, or refreshed, on the road.
3.  Harassed by dogs or other small animals; attacked.


Topic: Baiting
Definition:
BA'ITING, ppr.  Furnishing with bait; tempting; alluring.
2. Feeding; refreshing at an inn.
3.  Harassing, with dogs; attacking.


Topic: Baize
Definition:
BAIZE, n.  A coarse woolen stuff, with a long nap, sometimes frized on one side, without wale, being wove with two treadles like flannel.


Topic: Bake
Definition:
BAKE, v.t.
14
1.  To heat, dry and harden, as in an oven or furnace, or under coals of fire; to dress and prepare for food, in a close place heated; as, to bake bread.
2.  To dry and harden by heat, either in an oven, kiln or furnace, or by the solar rays; as, to bake bricks; to bake the ground.
BAKE, v.i.  To do the work of baking; as, she brews, washes and bakes.
2.  To be baked; to dry and harden in heat; as, the bread bakes, the ground bakes in a hot sun.


Topic: Balan
Definition:
BAL'AN, n.  A fish of a beautiful yellow, variegated with orange, a species of wrasse, caught on the shores of England.


Topic: Balance
Definition:
BAL'ANCE, n. [L.bilanx, bis, twice, and lanz, a dish, the double dish.]
1.  A pair of scales, for weighing commodities.  It consists of a beam or lever suspended exactly in the middle, with a scale or basin hung to each extremity, of precisely equal weight.  
The Roman balance, our steel-yard, consists of a lever or beam, movable on a center, and suspended near one of its extremities. Hence,
2.  One of the simple powers in mechanics, used for determining the equality or difference of weight in heavy bodies,and consequently their masses or quantity of matter.
3.  Figuratively, an impartial state of the mind, in deliberating; or a just estimate of the reasons and arguments on
both sides of a question, which gives to each its due weight, or
15
force and importance.
4.  As balance signifies equal weight, or equality, it is by custom used for the weight or sum necessary to make two unequal weights or sums equal; that which is necessary to bring them to a balance or equipoise.  Hence, in accounts, balance is the difference of two sums; as upon an adjustment of accounts, a balance was found against A, in favor of B.  Hence, to pay a balance, is to pay the difference and make the two accounts equal.
5.  Balance of trade is an equal exportation of domestic productions, and importation of foreign. But, usually, the term is applied to the difference between the amount or value of the commodities exported and imported.  Hence the common expression, the balance of trade is against or in favor of a country.
6.  Equipoise, or an equal state of power between nations; as the 'balance of power.'
7.  Equipoise, or an equal state of the passions.
      The balance of the mind.
8.  That which renders weight or authority equal.
      The only balance attempted against the ancient kings, was a body of nobles.
9.  The part of a clock or watch which regulates the beats.
10.  In astronomy, a sign in the zodiac, called in Latin Libra, which the sun enters at the equinox in September.
The hydrostatic balance is an instrument to determine the specific gravity of fluid and solid bodies.
The assay balance is one which is used in docimastic operations, to determine the weight of minute bodies.
BAL'ANCE, v.t.  To adjust the weights in the scales of a balance so as to bring them to an equipoise.  Hence,
 2.  To weigh reasons; to compare, by estimating the relative force, importance, or value of different things; as, to balance good and evil.
3.  To regulate different powers, so as to keep them in a state of just proportion; as, to balance Europe, or the powers of Europe.
4.  To counterpoise; to make of equal weight or force; to make equipollent; as, one species of attraction balances another.
      One expression in the letter check and balance another.
5.  To settle and adjust, as an account; to find the difference of two accounts, and to pay the balance, or difference, and make them equal.
6.  In seamanship, to contract a sail, by rolling up a small part of it at one corner.
BAL'ANCE, v.i.  To have on each side equal weight; to be on a poise.
2.  To hesitate; to fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force, as a balance plays when poised by equal weights.
       Between right and wrong, never balance a moment.


Topic: Balanced
Definition:
BAL'ANCED, pp.  Charged with equal weights; standing on an equipoise, regulated so as to be equal; settled; adjusted; made 
16  
equal in weight or amount.


Topic: Balancer
Definition:
BAL'ANCER,n.  The person who weighs, or who uses a balance.
2.  A member of an insect useful in balancing the body.
3.  One skilled in balancing.


Topic: Balancing
Definition:
BAL'ANCING, ppr.  Charging with equal weights; being in a state of equipoise; bringing to a state of equality; regulating respective forces or sums to make them equal; settling; adjusting; paying a difference of accounts; hesitating; contracting a sail by rolling up one corner of it.
BAL'ANCING, n.  Equilibrium; poise.


Topic: Balas
Definition:
BAL'AS, n.  A variety of spinel ruby, of a pale rose red, or inclining to orange.  Its crystals are usually octahedrons, composed of two four-sided pyramids, applied base to base.  [See Spinel.]


Topic: Bald
Definition:
BALD, a. bauld.  
1.  Destitute of hair, especially on the top and back of the head.
2.  Destitute of the natural covering; as a bald oak.
3.  Without feathers on the head; as a bald vulture.
4.  Destitute of trees on the top; as a bald mountain.
5.  Unadorned; inelegant; as a bald translation.
6.  Mean; naked; base; without dignity or value.
7.  In popular language, open, bold, audacious.
8.  Without beard or awn; as bald wheat.


Topic: Balderdash
Definition:
BALD'ERDASH, n.  Mean, senseless prate; a jargon of words; ribaldry; anything jumbled together without judgment.
BALD'ERDASH, v.t.  To mix or adulterate liquors.


Topic: Baldness
Definition:
BALD'NESS, n.  Want of hair on the top and back of the head; loss of hair; meanness or inelegance of writing; want of ornament.


Topic: Baldrick
Definition:
BALD'RICK, n. [L.balleus, a belt, and rick, rich.  See these words.]
1.  A girdle, or richly ornamented belt; a war girdle.
      A radiant baldrick o'er his shoulders tied.
     2. The zodiac.


Topic: Bale
Definition:
BALE, n.[Heb. to bind, to pledge, and its derivative.]
1.  A bundle or package of goods in a cloth cover, and corded for carriage or transportation.
2.  Formerly, a pair of dice
BALE, v.t.  To make up in a bale.
BALE, n. [Heb. to grieve or mourn, to be desolate, or to destroy.]
Misery; calamity.


Topic: Balearic
Definition:
BALEAR'IC, a. [Gr. to throw, because the inhabitants were good slingers.]
Pertaining to the isles of Majorca and Minorca, in the Mediterranean sea.


Topic: Baleful
Definition:
BA'LEFUL, a.[See Bale.]  Woeful; sad; sorrowful; full of grief; producing misery; as, a baleful smart; baleful eyes.
2.  Mischievous; destructive; pernicious; calamitous; deadly; as, baleful enemies; baleful war.


Topic: Balk
Definition:
BALK, n. bauk.
1.  A ridge of land, left unplowed, between furrows, or at the end of a field.
2.  A great beam, or rafter.
3.  Any thing left untouched, like a ridge in plowing.
4.  A frustration; disappointment.
18


Topic: Balked
Definition:
BALK'ED, pp.  Plowed in ridges between furrows, as in American husbandry.
2.  Frustrated; disappointed.


Topic: Balker
Definition:
BALK'ER, n.  One who balks.  In fishery, balkers are persons who stand on rocks and eminences to espy the sholes of herring, and to give notice to the men in boats, which way they pass.


Topic: Ball
Definition:
BALL, n.[L. pila; A ball may signify a mass from collecting, or it may be that which is driven, from the root of L. pello; probably the former.]
1.  A round body; a spherical substance, whether natural or artificial; or a body nearly round; as, a ball for play; a ball of thread; a ball of snow.
    2. A bullet; a ball of iron or lead for cannon, muskets, &c.
 3.  A printer's ball, consisting of hair or wool, covered with leather or skin, and fastened to a stock, called a ball-stock, and used to put ink on the types in the forms.
4.  The globe or earth, from its figure.
5.  A globe borne as an ensign of authority; as, to hold the ball of a kingdom.
6.  Any part of the body that is round or protuberant; as, the eye ball; the ball of the thumb or foot.
7.  The weight at the bottom of a pendulum.
8.  Among the Cornish miners in England, a tin mine.
9.  In pyrotechnics, a composition of combustible ingredients, which serve to burn, smoke or give light.
Ball-stock, among printers, a stock somewhat hollow at one end, to which balls of skin, stuffed with wool, are fastened, and which serves as a handle.
Ball-vein, among miners, a sort of iron ore, found in loose masses, of a circular form, containing sparkling particles.
Ball and socket, an instrument used in surveying and astronomy, made of brass, with a perpetual screw, to move horizontally, obliquely, or vertically.
Puff-ball, in botany, the Lycoperdon, a genus of fungeses.
Fire-ball, a meteor; a luminous globe darting through the atmosphere; also, a bag of canvas filled with gunpowder, sulphur, pitch, saltpeter, &c.,to be thrown by the hand, or from mortars, to set fire to houses.
BALL, n.[Gr.to toss or throw; to leap.]  An entertainment of dancing; originally and peculiarly, at the invitation and expense of an individual; but the word is used in America, for a dance at the expense of the attendants.
19
BALL, v.i.  To form into a ball, as snow on horses' hoofs, or on the feet.  We say the horse balls, or the snow balls.


Topic: Ballad
Definition:
BAL'LAD, n. A song; originally, a solemn song of praise; but now a meaner kind of popular song.
BAL'LAD, v.i.  To make or sing ballads.


Topic: Ballast
Definition:
BAL'LAST, n.
1.  Heavy matter, as stone, sand or iron, laid on the bottom of a ship or other vessel, to sink it in the water, to such a depth, as to enable it to carry sufficient sail, without oversetting.
    Shingle ballast is ballast of coarse gravel.
2.  Figuratively, that which is used to make a thing steady.
BAL'LAST, v.t.  To place heavy substances on the bottom of a ship or vessel, to keep it from oversetting.
2.  To keep any thing steady, by counterbalancing its force.


Topic: Ballasting
Definition:
BAL'LASTING, ppr.  Furnishing with ballast; keeping steady.
BAL'LASTING, n.  Ballast; that which is used for ballast.


Topic: Ballet
Definition:
BAL'LET, n.
20
1.  A kind of dance; an interlude; a comic dance, consisting of a series of several airs, with different movements, representing some subject or action.
2.  A kind of dramatic poem, representing some fabulous action or subject, in which several persons appear and recite things, under the name of some deity or personage.
In heraldry, ballets or balls, a bearing in coats of arms, denominated according to their color, bezants, plates, hurts, &c.


Topic: Balliage
Definition:
BAL'LIAGE, or more correctly bailage. n.
A small duty paid to the city of London by aliens, and even by denizens, for certain commodities exported by them.


Topic: Ballistic
Definition:
BALLIS'TIC, a. [L. balista, an engine to throw stones, or shoot darts, from Gr.to throw or shoot.]  Pertaining to the balista, or to the art of shooting darts, and other missive weapons, by means of an engine.


Topic: Ballistics
Definition:
BALLIS'TICS, n.  The science or art of throwing missive weapons, by the use of an engine.  The balista was a machine resembling a cross-bow.


Topic: Balloen
Definition:
BAL'LOEN, n.  A state barge of Siam, made of a single piece of timber, very long, and managed with oars.


Topic: Balloon
Definition:
BALLOON', n.
1.  In general, any spherical hollow body.
2.  In chimistry, a round vessel with a short neck, to receive whatever is distilled; a glass receiver of a spherical form.
3.  In architecture, a ball or globe, on the top of a pillar.
4.  In fireworks, a ball of pasteboard, or kind of bomb, stuffed with combustibles, to be played off, when fired, either in the air, or in water, which, bursting like a bomb, exhibits sparks of fire like stars.
5.  A game, somewhat resembling tennis, played in an open field, with a large ball of leather, inflated with wind.
6.  A bag or hollow vessel, made of silk or other light material, and filled with hydrogen gas or heated air, so as to rise and float in the atmosphere, called for distinction, an air-balloon.
7.  In France, a quantity of paper, containing 24 reams. [See Bale.]
8.  In France, balloon, ballon or ballot, a quantity of glass plates; of white glass, 25 bundles of six plates each; of colored glass, 12 1-2 bundles of three plates each.
BALLOON'


Topic: Ballot
Definition:
BAL'LOT, n.
1.  A ball used in voting.  Ballots are of different colors; those of one color give an affirmative; those of another, a  (p.21)  negative.  They are privately put into a box or urn.
2.  A ticket or written vote, being given in lieu of a ballot, is now called by the same name.
3.  The act of voting by balls or tickets.
BAL'LOT, v.i.  To vote by ballot, that is, by putting little balls of different colors into a box, the greater number of one color or the other determining the result.
2.  To vote by written papers or tickets.


Topic: Balm
Definition:
B'ALM, n. bam.
1.  The sap or juice of trees or shrubs remarkable odoriferous or aromatic.
2.  Any fragrant or valuable ointment.
3.  Anything which heals, or which soothes or mitigates pain.
4.  In botany, the name of several plants, particularly of the genus Melissa.  They are aromatic and used as corroborants.
Balm of Gilead.  A plant of the genus Amyris.  Its leaves yield, when bruised, a strong aromatic scent; and from this plant is obtained the balm of Gilead of the shops, or balsam of Mecca or of Syria.  It has a yellowish or greenish color, a warm bitterish aromatic taste, and an acidulous fragrant smell.  It is valued as an odoriferous unguent, and cosmetic, by the Turks, who possess the country of its growth, and hence it is adulterated for market.
B'ALM, v.t.  To anoint with balm, or with any thing medicinal.
2.  To soothe; to mitigate; to assuage.


Topic: Balmy
Definition:
B'ALMY, a.  Having the qualities of balm; aromatic.
2.  Producing balm; as the balmy tree.
3.  Soothing; soft; mild; as balmy slumbers.
4.  Fragrant; odoriferous; as balmy wings.
5.  Mitigating; easing; assuaging; as balmy breath.


Topic: Balotade
Definition:
BAL'OTADE, n.  In the menage, a leap of pillars, or upon a strait line, so that when his fore feet are in the air, he shrews nothing but the shoes of his hind feet, without jerking out.  In a capriole, the horse yerks out his hind legs.


Topic: Balsam
Definition:
BAL'SAM, n.  [L.balsamum.] An oily, aromatic, resinous substance, flowing spontaneously or by incision, from certain plants.  A (p.22)
great variety of substances pass under this denomination.  But in modern chimistry, the term is confined to such vegetable juices, as are liquid or spontaneously become concrete, and consist of a resinous substance, combined with benzoic acid, or capable of affording it by decoction or sublimation. The balsams are either liquid or solid; of the former, are the balm of Gilead and the balsams of copaiba, Peru and tolu; of the latter, benzoin, dragon's blood, and storax.
Balsam apple, an annual Indian plant; included under the genus Momordica.  A water and a subtil oil are obtained from it, which are commended as deobstruents.
Balsam tree.  This name is given to a genus of plants called Clusia; to another, called Copaifera, which produces the balsam of Copaiba; and to a third, called Pistacia, turpentine tree or mastich tree.
Balsam of Sulphur is a solution of sulphur in oil
Balsam of Tolu is the produce of the Toluifera, or Tolu tree, of South America.  It is of a reddish yellow color, transparent, thick and tenacious, but growing hard and brittle by age.  It is very fragrant, and like the Balsam of Peru, is a stimulant, and used as a pectoral.
Balsam of Peru, the produce of a tree in Peru, possessing strong stimulant qualities.


Topic: Baltic
Definition:
BALT'IC, n. [From balte, belt, from certain straits or channels, surrounding its isles, called belts. See Belt.]
The sea which separates Norway and Sweden from Jutland, Holstein and Germany.
BALT'IC, a.  Pertaining to the sea of that name; situated on the Baltic sea.
Each Baltic state to join the righteous cause.


Topic: Baluster
Definition:
BAL'USTER, n.  [L. palus; Eng.pole,pale.  This is corrupted into bannister, which I have rejected.]
A small column or pilaster, of various forms and dimension, often adorned with moldings, used for balustrades.


Topic: Balustrade
Definition:
BAL'USTRADE, n.  A row of balusters,joined by a rail, serving as a fence or inclosure, for altars, balconies, stair-cases, terraces. tops of buildings, &c.


Topic: Bam
Definition:
BAM or BEAM, as an initial syllable in names of places, signifies wood; implying that the place took its name from a grove, or forest.


Topic: Bamboo
Definition:
BAM'BOO, n.  A plant of the reed kind, or genus Arundo, growing in the East Indies, and in some other warm climates, and sometimes attaining to the height of 60 feet.  From the main root, which is long, thick and jointed,spring several round, jointed stalks, which at 10 or 12 feet from the ground, send out from their joints several stalks which are united at their base.  These are armed, at their joints, with one or two sharp rigid spines, and furnished with oblong, oval leaves, eight or nine inches long, on short footstalks.  The flowers grow in large panicles, from the joints of the stalk, placed three in a parcel, close to their receptacles.  Old stalks grow to five or six inches in diameter, and are so hard and durable, as to be used for building and for all sorts of furniture, for water pipes, and for poles to support palanquins.  The smaller stalks are used for walking sticks, flutes, &c.


Topic: Ban
Definition:
BAN, n.
1.  A public proclamation or edict; a public order or notice, mandatory or prohibitory.
  In a more particular sense,
2. Notice of a marriage proposed, or of a matrimonial contract, proclaimed in a church, that any person may object, if he knows of any kindred between the parties, of any precontract or other just cause, why the marriage should not take place.


Topic: Banana
Definition:
BAN'ANA, n.  A species of the genus Musa, or plantain tree, and its fruit.  It rises 15 or 20 feet high, with a soft stalk, marked with dark purple stripes and spots,with leaves six feet long, and a foot broad.  The flowers grow in bunches, covered with a sheath of a fine purple color.  
The fruit is four or five inches long, and an inch or more in diameter; the pulp soft and of a luscious taste.  When ripe, it is eaten raw, or fried in slices.  Bananas grow in large bunches weighing a dozen pounds or more.  This tree is the native of tropical countries, and on many isles, constitutes an important article of food.


Topic: Band
Definition:
BAND, n.[See Bind and Bend.]
1.  A fillet; a cord; a tie; a chain; any narrow ligament with which a thing is bound, tied or fastened, or by which a number of things are confined together.
2.  In architecture, any flat low member of molding, broad but not deep, called also fascia, face or plinth.
3.  Figuratively, any chain; any means of restraint; that which draws or confines.
4.  Means of union or connection between persons; as, Hymen's bands.
5.  Any thing bound round or encircling another.
6.  Something worn about the neck; as the bands of clergymen.
7.  A company of soldiers; the body of men united under one flag or ensign.  Also, indefinitely, a troop, a body of armed men.
    2 Kings vi.
8.  A company of persons united in any common design; as a band of brothers.
9.  A slip of canvas, sewed across a sail to strengthen it.
The band of pensioners in England, is a company of 120 gentlemen, who receive a yearly allowance of f100st., for attending the king on solemn occasions.
The bands of a saddle are two pieces of iron nailed upon the bows, to hold them in their proper situation.
BAND, v.t.  To bind together; to bind over with a band.
2.  To unite in a troop, company or confederacy.
BAND, v.i.  To unite; to associate; to confederate for some common purpose.  Acts xxiii.


Topic: Bandage
Definition:
BAND'AGE, n. A fillet, roller, or swath, used in dressing and binding up wounds, restraining hemorrhages, and joining fractured and dislocated bones.  Sometimes, the act or practice of applying bandages.
2.  Something resembling a bandage; that which is bound over another
25


Topic: Bandian
Definition:
BAN'DIAN, n. The seed of a tree in China, which smells like anise seeds; used by the Chinese and Dutch to give their tea an aromatic taste.


Topic: Bandit
Definition:
BAN'DIT, n.plu. BAN'DITS or BANDIT'TI, An outlaw; also in a general sense, a robber; a highwayman; a lawless or desperate fellow.


Topic: Bandoleers
Definition:
BANDOLEE'RS, n.  A large leathern belt, thrown over the right shoulder, and hanging under the left arm; worn by ancient musketeers for sustaining their fire arms, and their musket charges, which being put into little wooden cases, and coated with leather, were hung, to the number of twelve, to each bandoleer.


Topic: Bandrol
Definition:
BAND'ROL, n.  
1.  A little flag or streamer, in form of a guidon, used to be hung on the masts of vessels.
2.  The little fringed silk flag that hangs on a trumpet.


Topic: Bandy
Definition:
BAND'Y, n. [L.pando.] A club for striking a ball at play.
BAND'Y, v.t.  To beat to and fro, as a ball in play.
2.  To exchange; to give and receive reciprocally; as, to bandy looks.
3.  To agitate; to toss about, as from man to man.
    Let not known truth be bandied in disputation.
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BAND'Y, v.i.  To contend, as at some game, in which strives to drive the ball his own way.


Topic: Bandying
Definition:
BAND'YING, ppr.  Beating, impelling or tossing from one to another; agitating in controversy without ceremony.


Topic: Bane
Definition:
BANE, n.[Gr. is to kill; in L. venenum is poison.]
Poison of a deadly quality; hence, any fatal cause of mischief, injury or destruction; as, vice is the bane of society.
BANE, v.t.  To poison.


Topic: Bang
Definition:
BANG, v.t.  
1.  To beat, as with a club or cudgel; to thump; to cudgel. [A low word.]
2.  To beat or handle roughly; to treat with violence.
BANG, n.  A blow with a club; a heavy blow.


Topic: Banian
Definition:
BAN'IAN, n.  A man's undress or morning gown, as worn by the Banians in the E. Indies.
2.  A Gentoo servant, employed as an agent in commerce.
3. A tree in India.
Banian days, in seamen's language, are three days in a week, in which the sailors have no flesh meat served out to them.  This use of the term seems to be borrowed from the Banians in Asia, who, believing in a metempsychosis, will eat no flesh, nor even kill noxious animals.


Topic: Banish
Definition:
BAN'ISH, v.t.
1.  To condemn to exile, or compel to leave one's country, by authority of the prince or government, either for life or for a limited time.  It is common for Russians to be banished to Siberia.
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2.  To drive away; to compel to depart; as, to banish sorrow.
3.  To quit one's country voluntarily, and with a view to reside abroad; as, he banished himself.


Topic: Banishment
Definition:
BAN'ISHMENT, n.  The act of a prince or government, compelling a citizen to leave his country, either for a limited time or forever, as for some crime.
2.  A voluntary forsaking of one's country upon oath, called abjuration.  [This practice has now ceased in G.Britain.]
3.  The state of being banished; exile.
4.  The act of driving away or dispelling; as the banishment of care from the mind.


Topic: Bank
Definition:
BANK, n. [Bank and bench are radically the same word.  The sense is, that which is set, laid or extended.  Applied to a mass of earth, it is a collection, that which is thrown or laid together.]
1.  A mound, pile or ridge of earth, raised above the surrounding plain, either as a defense or for other purposes.  2 Sam.xx 15.
2.  Any steep acclivity, whether rising from a river, a lake, or the sea, or forming the side of a ravine, or the steep side of a hillock on a plain.  When we speak of the earth in general adjoining a lake or the sea, we use the word shore; but a particular steep acclivity on the side of a lake, river or the sea, is called a bank.
3.  A bench,or a bench of rowers, in a galley; so called from their seat.
  Placed on their banks, the lusty Trojans sweep.
4.  By analogy, a collection or stock of money, deposited, by a number of persons, for a particular use; that is, an aggregate of particulars, or a fund; as, to establish a bank, that is a joint fund.
5.  The place where a collection of money is deposited; a common repository of the money of individuals or of companies; also a house used for a bank.
6.  A company of persons concerned in a bank, whether a private association, or an incorporated company; the stockholders of a bank, or their representatives, the directors, acting in their corporate capacity.
7.  An elevation, or rising ground, in the sea; called also flats, shoals, shelves or shallows.  These may rise to the surface of the water or near to it; but the word bank signifies also elevated ground at the bottom of the sea, when many fathoms below the surface, as the banks of Newfoundland.


Topic: Banker
Definition:
BANK'ER, n.  One who keeps a bank; one who trafficks in money, receives and remits money, negotiates bills of exchange, &c.
2.  A vessel employed in the codfishery on the banks of Newfoundland.


Topic: Banking
Definition:
BANK'ING, ppr.  Raising a mound or bank; inclosing with a bank.  When we speak of restraining water, we usually call it banking; when we speak of defending the land, we call it imbanking.
BANK'ING, n.  The business or employment of a banker; the business of establishing a common fund for lending money, discounting notes, issuing bills, receiving deposits, collecting the money on notes deposited, negotiating bills of exchange, &c.


Topic: Bankrupt
Definition:
BANK'RUPT, n.  [Eng.rout,defeat.  This may signify bench-broken, or bank-broken; most probably the latter, referring to the fund or stock.  The last syllable is the Latin ruptus contracted; Norm.roupt,rous,broken.]
1.  A trader who secretes himself, or does certain other acts tending to defraud his creditors.
2.  In a less technical sense, a trader who fails or becomes unable to pay his just debts; an insolvent trader.  In strictness, no person but a trader can be a bankrupt.  Bankruptcy is applied to merchants and traders; insolvency, to other persons.
BANK'RUPT, a.  Having committed acts of bankruptcy; unable to pay just debts; insolvent.
BANK'RUPT, v.t.  To break one in trade; to make insolvent.


Topic: Bankrupt-law
Definition:
BANK'RUPT-LAW, n.  A law, which, upon a bankrupt's surrendering all his property to commissioners for the benefit of his creditors, discharges him from the payment of his debts,and all liability to arrest or suit for the same, and secures his future acquired property from a liability to the payment of his past debts.


Topic: Bankrupt-system
Definition:
BANKRUPT-SYSTEM, n. A system of laws and legal proceedings in regard to bankrupts and their property.


Topic: Bankruptcy
Definition:
BANK'RUPTCY, n.  The state of being a bankrupt, or insolvent; inability to pay all debts.
2.  The act of becoming a bankrupt; the act of rendering one's self a bankrupt, as by absconding, or otherwise; failure in trade.


Topic: Banner
Definition:
BAN'NER, n. [L.pannus.]
1.  A square flag; a military ensign; the principal standard of a prince or state.
2.  A streamer borne at the end of a lance or elsewhere.
3.  In botany, the upper petal of a papilionaceous corol.


Topic: Bannered
Definition:
BAN'NERED, a.  Furnished with or bearing banners.
  Shield the strong foes, and rake the bannered shore.


Topic: Banneret
Definition:
BAN'NERET, n.  A knight made in the field.  Bannerets formerly constituted an order of knights or feudal lords, who led their vassals to battle under their own flags.  On the day of battle, the candidates presented their flags to the king or general, who cut off the train or skirt, and made it square.  They were then called knights of the square flag.  They were a middle order between barons and simple knights.


Topic: Bannock
Definition:
BAN'NOCK, n.  A cake made of oatmeal or peas-meal, baked on an iron plate over the fire; used in Scotland, and the northern counties of England.


Topic: Banoy
Definition:
BAN'OY, n.  A species of hawk, somewhat larger than the English sparrow hawk; the back and wings yellow, and the belly white; a native of the Philippine isles.


Topic: Banqueter
Definition:
BAN'QUETER, n.  A feaster; one who lives deliciously.
2.  One who makes feasts, or rich entertainments.
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Topic: Banqueting
Definition:
BAN'QUETING, ppr.  Feasting; entertaining with rich fare.
2.  Partaking of rich fare.
BAN'QUETING, n. A feast; luxurious living; rich entertainment. lPet.iv.


Topic: Banquette
Definition:
BANQUETTE or BANQUET, n.  banket.  In fortification, a little raised way or foot bank, running along the inside of a parapet, on which musketeers stand to fire upon the enemy in the moat or covered way.


Topic: Banstickle
Definition:
BAN'STICKLE, n.  A small fish, called also stickle-back.  This fish falls under the genus Gasterosteus.


Topic: Banter
Definition:
BAN'TER, v.t. [Gr. to mock, or deride.]  To play upon in words and in good humor; to rally; to joke, or jest with.  Banter hardly amounts to ridicule, much less to derision.  It consists in being pleasant and witty with the actions of another, and raising a humorous laugh at his expense, often attended with some degree of sarcasm.
BAN'TER, n.  A joking or jesting; raillery; wit or humor; pleasantry.


Topic: Baptism
Definition:
BAP'TISM, n. [Gr. to baptize.]
1.  The application of water to a person, as a sacrament or religious ceremony, by which he is initiated into the visible church of Christ.  This is usually performed by sprinkling or immersion.
2.  The sufferings of Christ.  Matt.xx22.23.
3.  So much of the gospel as was preached by John, the Baptist.  Acts xviii.


Topic: Baptist
Definition:
BAP'TIST, n.  One who administers baptism.  This appellation is 
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appropriately given to John, the forerunner of Christ.
2.  As a contraction of Anabaptist, one who denies the doctrine of infant baptism, and maintains that baptism ought to be administered only to adults by immersing the body in water.


Topic: Baptistery
Definition:
BAP'TISTERY, n. [L. baptisterium.]  A place where the sacrament of baptism is administered.  Primitively, baptisteries were in buildings separate from the church; but in the sixth century, they were taken into the church-porch, and afterwards into the church itself.


Topic: Baptize
Definition:
BAPTI'ZE, v.t. [See Baptism.]  To administer the sacrament of baptism to; to christen.  By some denominations of christians, baptism is performed by plunging, or immersing the whole body in water, and this is done to none but adults.  More generally the ceremony is performed by sprinkling water on the face of a person, whether an infant or an adult,and in the case of an infant,by giving him a name, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which is called Christening.


Topic: Bar
Definition:
B'AR, n. [If these words are the Eng.bar, the sense is a shoot, that which shoots, passes or is driven.]
1.  A piece of wood,iron or other solid matte, long in proportion to its diameter, used for various purposes, but especially for a hindrance or obstruction; as the bars of a fence or gate; the bar of a door or hatchway.  Numb.iii.36. Ex.xxvi.26.
2.  Any obstacle which obstructs, hinders or defends; an obstruction; a fortification.  Amos i.
    Must I new bars to my own joy create.
3.  The shore of the sea, which restrains its waters.  Job xxxviii.
4.  The railing that incloses the place which counsel occupy in courts of justice.  Hence the phrase, at the bar of the court, signifies in open court.  Hence also licensed lawyers are called barristers; and hence the whole body of lawyers licensed in a court, are customarily called the bar.  A trial at bar, in England, is a trial in the courts of Westminster, opposed to a trial at Nisi Prius, in the circuits.
5.  Figuratively, any tribunal; as the bar of public opinion.  Thus the final trial of men is called the bar of God.
6.  The inclosed place of a tavern, inn or coffee house, where the landlord or his servant delivers out liquors,and waits upon customers.
7.  A bank of sand, gravel or earth, forming a shoal at the 32
mouth of a river or harbor, obstructing entrance, or rendering it difficult.
8.  A rock in the sea, according to Brown; or any thing by which structure is held together, according to Johnson; used in Jonah ii.
9.  Any thing laid across another, as bars in heraldlry, stripes in color,and the like.
    10. In the menage, the highest part of the place in a horse's mouth between the grinders and tusks, so that the part of the mouth which lies under and at the side of the bars, retains the name of the gum. The upper part of the gums, which bears no teeth, and to which the bit is applied.
    11. In music, bars are lines drawn perpendicularly across the lines of the staff, including between each two, a certain quantity of time, or number of beats.
    12. In law, a peremptory exception sufficient to destroy the plaintiff's action. It is divided into a bar to common intendment, and bar special; bar temporary and bar perpetual. Bar to common intendment is an ordinary or general bar, which disables the declaration of the plaintiff. A special bar is more than ordinary, as a fine, release, or justification. A temporary bar is that which is good for a time, but may afterwards cease. A perpetual bar overthrows the action of the plaintiff forever.
    13. A bar of gold or silver,is an ingot, lump or wedge, from the mines, run in a mold, and unwrought. A bar of iron is a long piece, wrought in the forge and hammered from a pig.
    14. Among printers, the iron with a wooden handle,by which the screw of the press is turned.
    15. In the African trade, a denomination of price; payment formerly being made to the Africans in iron bars.
B'AR, v.t.  To fasten with a bar; as, to bar a door, or gate.
2.  To hinder; to obstruct, or prevent; as, to bar the entrance of evil.
3.  To prevent; to exclude; to hinder; to make impracticable; as, the distance between us bars our intercourse.  In this sense, the phrase is often varied, thus;  the distance bars me from his aid, or bars him from my aid.
4.  To prohibit; to restrain or exclude by express or implied prohibition; as, the statute bars my right; the law bars the use of poisoned weapons.
5.  To obstruct, prevent or hinder by any moral obstacle; as, the right is barred by time, or by statute; a release bars the plaintiff's recovery.
6.  To except; to exclude by exception; as, I bar to night.
7.  To cross with stripes of a different color.
8. To bar a vein, in farriery, is an operation upon the legs of a horse, or other parts, to stop malignant humors.  This is done by opening the skin above a vein, disengaging it and tying it both above and below, and striking between the two ligatures.
9.  To adorn with trappings; a contraction of barb. [See Barb.]
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Topic: Barb
Definition:
B'ARB, n. [L.barba; This is beard, with a different ending.  The sense may be, that which shoots out.]
1.  Beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place of it; as the barb of a fish, the smaller claws of the polypus,&c.
2.  The down, or pubes, covering the surface of some plants; or rather, a tuft or bunch of strong hairs terminating leaves.
3.  Anciently, armor for horses; formerly, barbe or barde.
4. A common name of the barbary pigeon, a bird of a black or dun color.
5.  A horse from Barbary, of which it seems to be a contraction.
6.  The points that stand backward in an arrow, fish-hook or other instrument for piercing, intended to prevent its being extracted.
7.  In botany, a straight process armed with teeth pointing backward like the sting of a bee.  This is one sort of pubescence.


Topic: Barbadoes-cherry
Definition:
BARBA'DOES-CHERRY, n.  The Malpighia, a tree growing in the W. Indies, fifteen feet high and producing a pleasant tart fruit.


Topic: Barbarian
Definition:
BARBA'RIAN, n. [L. barbarus;. The sense is, foreign, wild, fierce.]
1.  A man in his rude, savage state; an uncivilized person.
2.  A cruel, savage, brutal man; one destitute of pity or humanity.
3. A foreigner.  The Greeks and Romans denominated most foreign nations barbarians; and many of these were less civilized than themselves, or unacquainted with their language, laws and manners.  But with them,the word was less reproachful than with us.
BARBA'RIAN, a.  Belonging to savages; rude; uncivilized.
2.  Cruel; inhuman.
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Topic: Barbaric
Definition:
BARBAR'IC, a. [L. barbaricus. See Barbarian.  The Romans applied this word to designate things foreign; Barbaricum aurum, gold from Asia, Virg. AEn.2.504; Barbaricoe vestes,embroidered garments from foreign nations.  English writers use the word in a like sense.]
Foreign; imported from foreign nations.


Topic: Barbarity
Definition:
BARBAR'ITY, n. [See Barbarian.]  The manners of a barbarian; savageness; cruelty; ferociousness; inhumanity.
2.  Barbarism; impurity of speech. [The use of the word in this sense, is now superseded by barbarism.]


Topic: Barbarous
Definition:
B'ARBAROUS, a.  Uncivilized; savage; unlettered; untutored; ignorant; unacquainted with arts; stranger to civility of manners.
         Thou are a roman; be not barbarous.
2.  Cruel; ferocious; inhuman; as barbarous.


Topic: Barbarously
Definition:
B'ARBAROUSLY, adv.  In the manner of a barbarian; ignorantly; without knowledge or arts; contrary to the rules of speech.
2. In a savage, cruel, ferocious or inhuman manner.


Topic: Barbarousness
Definition:
B'ARBAROUSNESS, n.  Rudeness or incivility of manners.
2.  Impurity of language.
3.  Cruelty; inhumanity; barbarity.


Topic: Barbe
Definition:
B'ARBE.  In the military art, to fire in barbe, is to fire the cannon over the parapet, instead of firing through the embrasures.   


Topic: Barbecue
Definition:
B'ARBECUE, n.  In the West Indies, a hog roasted whole.  It is, with us, used for an ox or perhaps any other animal dressed in like manner.
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B'ARBECUE, v.t.  To dress and roast a hog whole, which is done by splitting the hog to the back bone, and roasting it on a gridiron; to roast any animal whole.


Topic: Barbed
Definition:
B'ARBED, pp.  [See Barb.]
1. Furnished with armor; as barbed steeds.
2. Bearded; jagged with hooks or points; as barbed arrows.
3. Shaved or trimmed; having the beard dressed.


Topic: Barbel
Definition:
B'ARBEL, n.  [L. barba.]
1.  A fish of the genus Cyprinus, of the order of abdominals.  The mouth is toothless; the gill has three rays; the body is smooth and white.  This fish is about three feet long, and weighs 18 pounds.  It is a very coarse fish, living in deep still rivers and rooting like swine in the soft banks.  Its dorsal fin is armed with a strong spine, sharply serrated, from which circumstance it probably received its name.
2.  A knot of superfluous flesh, growing in the channels of a horse's mouth; written also barble, or barb.


Topic: Barber
Definition:
B'ARBER, n.  One whose occupation is to shave men, or to shave and dress hair.
B'ARBER, v.t.  To shave and dress hair.


Topic: Barber-chirurgeon
Definition:
B'ARBER-CHIRURGEON, n.  One who joins the practice of surgery with that of a barber; a practice now unusual.  A low practitioner of surgery.


Topic: Barber-monger
Definition:
B'ARBER-MONGER, n.  A man who frequents the barber's shop, or prides himself in being dressed by a barber; a fop.


Topic: Barberry
Definition:
B'ARBERRY, n.  [L. berberis.]
1.  A plant of the genus berberis, common in hedges; called in England, pipperidge bush.  The berries are used in housewifery, and are deemed efficacious in fluxes and fevers.  The bark dyes a fine yellow, especially the bark of the root.  This plant is pernicious to wheat, the ears of which will not fill, if within the effluvia of the plant; and the influence of this has been known to extend three or four hundred yards.


Topic: Barbet
Definition:
B'ARBET, n.  A name given by some French writers to a peculiar species of those worms which feed on the puceron or aphis.  [See Aphis.]
2.  The Bucco, a genus of birds found in the warm climates of both continents.
3.  A dog, so called from his long hair.


Topic: Bard
Definition:
B'ARD, n. 
1.  A poet and a singer among the ancient Celts; one whose occupation was to compose and sing verses, in honor of the heroic
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achievements of princes and brave men.  The bards used an instrument of music like a lyre or guitar, and not only praised the brave, but reproached the cowardly.
2.  In modern usage, a poet.
B'ARD, n.  The trappings of a horse.


Topic: Bardesanists
Definition:
BARDES'ANISTS, n.  A sect of heretics, who sprung from Bardesanes, of Edessa, in Mesopotamia, in the 2d century, who taught that the actions of men depend on fate, to which God himself is subject.  His followers went farther, and denied the incarnation of Christ and the resurrection.


Topic: Bare
Definition:
BARE, a.  [This word is from opening, separating, stripping.]
1.  Naked, without covering; as, the arm is bare; the trees are bare.
2.  With the head uncovered, from respect.
3.  Plain; simple; unadorned; without the polish of refined manners.
4.  Laid open to view; detected; no longer concealed.
5.  Poor; destitute; indigent; empty; unfurnished.
      I have made Esau bare. Jer.xlix.
6.  Alone; unaccompanied.
7.  Thread-bare; much worn.
8.  Wanting clothes; or ill supplied with garments.
      Under bare poles, at sea, signifies having no sail set.
It is often followed by of; as, the country is bare of money.
BARE, v.t. [See Bare, adj.]
To strip off the covering; to make naked; as, to bare the breast.
BARE, the old preterit of bear, now bore.


Topic: Barefaced
Definition:
BA'REFACED, pp. [See Face.]
1.  With the face uncovered; not masked.
2.  Undisguised; unreserved; without concealment; hence shameless; impudent; audacious; as a barefaced falsehood.
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Topic: Barefoot
Definition:
BA'REFOOT, a.  [See Foot.]
With the feet bare; without shoes and stockings. 2 Sam.xv. Isaiah xx.
BA'REFOOT, a. or adv.  With the feet bare; as, to dance barefoot.


Topic: Barely
Definition:
BA'RELY, adv.  Nakedly; poorly; indigently; without decoration; merely; only; without any thing more; as a price barely in title.


Topic: Bargain
Definition:
B'ARGAIN, n.  An agreement between parties concerning the sale of property; or a contract by which one party binds himself to transfer the right to some property, for a consideration, and the other party binds himself to receive the property and pay the consideration.
2.  Stipulation:  interested dealing.
3.  Purchase or the thing purchased.
4.  In popular language, final event; upshot.
       We must make the best of a bad bargain.
To sell bargains, is a vulgar phrase.
To strike a bargain, is to ratify an agreement, originally by striking, or shaking hands. The Latin ferire foedus, may represent a like ceremony,unless it refers to the practice of killing a victim, at the solemn ratification of oaths.
Bargain and sale, in law, a species of conveyance, by which the bargainer contracts to convey the lands to the bargainee, and becomes by such contract a trustee for and seised to the use of the bargainee.  The statute then completes the purchase; that is, the 
bargain vests the use, and the statute vests the possession.
B'ARGAIN, v.i. To make a contract or conclusive agreement, for the 
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transfer of property; often with for before the thing purchased; as, to bargain for a house.  A bargained with B for his farm.
B'ARGAIN, v.t.  To sell; to transfer for a consideration; as, A bargained away his farm; a popular use of the word.


Topic: Barge
Definition:
B'ARGE, n. barj. [Barge, and bark or barque, a ship, are radically one word.]
1.  A pleasure boat; a vessel or boat of state, furnished with elegant apartments, canopies and cushions, equipped with a band of rowers, and decorated with flags and streamers; used by officers and magistrates.
2.  A flat-bottomed vessel of burthen, for loading and unloading ships.


Topic: Barge-course
Definition:
B'ARGE-COURSE, n.  In bricklaying, a part of the tiling which projects beyond the principal rafters, in building where there is a gable,or kirkinhead.


Topic: Barilla
Definition:
BARIL'LA, n.  A plant cultivated in Spain for its ashes, from which the purest kind of mineral alkali is obtained; used in making glass and soap, and in bleaching linen.  The plant is cut and laid in heaps, and burnt, the salts running into a hole in the ground where they form a vitrified lump.
2.  The alkali procured from this plant.


Topic: Bark
Definition:
B'ARK, n. [Probably from stripping, separating.]
1.  The rind or exterior covering of a tree, corresponding to the skin of an animal.  This is composed of the cuticle or epidermis, the outer bark or cortex, and the inner bark or liber.  The rough broken matter on bark is, by the common people of New England, called ross.
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2.  By way of distinction.  Peruvian Bark.
B'ARK, v.t.  To peel; to strip off bark.  Also to cover or inclose with bark.
B'ARK


Topic: Bark-bound
Definition:
B'ARK-BOUND, a.  Having the bark too firm or close, as with trees.  This disease is cured by slitting the bark.


Topic: Barley
Definition:
B'ARLEY, n. [L. far; Heb. bar,corn.]  A species of valuable grain, used especially for making malt, from which are distilled liquors of extensive use, as beer, ale and porter.  It is of the genus hordeum, consisting of several species.  Those principally cultivated in England, are the common spring barley, the long eared barley, the winter or square barley, by some called big,and the sprat or battledore barley.  This grain is used in medicine, as possessing emollient, diluent, and expectorant qualities.


Topic: Barley-corn
Definition:
B'ARLEY-CORN, n. [See Corn.]  A grain of barley;; the third part of an inch in length; hence originated our measure of length.
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Topic: Barley-water
Definition:
B'ARLEY-WATER, n.  A decoction of barley, which is reputed soft and lubricating, and much used in medicine.
French barley and pearl barley are used for making decoctions.  These are made by separating the grain from its coat.  The pearl barley is reduced to the size of a small shot.


Topic: Barm
Definition:
B'ARM, n. [L, fermentum, from ferveo; or beer-rahm, beer cream.]
Yeast; the scum rising upon beer, or other malt liquors, when fermenting, and used as leaven in bread to make it swell, causing it to be softer, lighter, and more delicate.  It may be used in liquors to make them ferment or work.


Topic: Barnacle
Definition:
B'ARNACLE, n. [L.perna, a shell-fish.]
1.  A shell which is often found on the bottoms of ships, rocks and timber, below the surface of the sea.
2.  A species of goose, found in the northern seas, but visiting more southern climates in winter.  The forehead and cheeks are white, but the upper part of the body and neck is black.  Formerly, a strange notion prevailed, that these birds grew out of wood, or rather out of the barnacles attached to wood in the sea.  Hence the name.  It is written also Bernacle.
3.  In the plural, an instrument consisting of two branches jointed at one end with a hinge, to put upon a horse's nose, to confine him, for shoeing, bleeding, or dressing.


Topic: Barolite
Definition:
BAR'OLITE, n.  [Gr.weight, and a stone.]  Carbonate of baryte.  Its color is usually a light yellowish gray; sometimes whitish, or with a tinge of green.  It is strongly translucent.  It usually occurs in small masses, which have a fibrous structure; sometimes in distinct crystals.
This mineral is called also Witherite, from Dr. Withering, the discoverer.


Topic: Barom
Definition:
BAROM,'ETER, n.  [Gr.weight, and measure.]
An instrument for measuring the weight or pressure of the atmosphere, consisting of a glass tube,hermetically sealed at one end, filled with quicksilver, well defecated and purged of air, and inverted in a basin of quicksilver.  A column of quicksilver is then supported in the tube, of equal weight with the incumbent 
41
atmosphere.  This instrument was invented by Torricelli, of Florence, in 1643.  Its uses are to indicate changes of weather, and to determine the altitude of mountains, by the falling and rising of the mercury. For this purpose,the tube is fixed to a graduated scale, so that the smallest variation in the column is visible.


Topic: Barometrical
Definition:
BAROMET'RICAL, a.  Pertaining or relating to the barometer; made by a barometer; as barometrical experiments.


Topic: Baron
Definition:
BAR'ON, n.  [L.vir, is doubtless the Shemitic, a man, so named from strength.]
1. In Great Britain, a title or degree of nobility; a lord; a peer; one who holds the rank of nobility next below that of a viscount, and above that of a knight or baronet.  Originally, the barons, being the feudatories of princes, were the proprietors of land held by honorable service.  Hence, in ancient records, the word barons comprehends all the nobility.  All such in England had, in early times, a right to sit in parliament.  As a baron was the proprietor of a manor, and each manor had its court-baron; hence the barons claimed, and to this day enjoy, the right of judging in the last resort; a right pertaining to the house of lords, or peers, as the representatives of the ancient barons, land-holders, manor-holders.
 Anciently, barons were greater, or such as held their lands of the king in capite; or lesser, such as held their lands of the greater barons by military service in capite.
 The title of baron is no longer attached to the possession of a manor, but given by the king's letters patent, or writ of summons to parliament; that is, the dignity is personal, and not territorial.
 The radical word,vir,fir,a man, is Celtic, as well as Teutonic; but the word baron was not known in the British isles, till introduced from the continent under the Norman princes.
2.  Baron is a title of certain officers, as barons of the exchequer, who are the four judges who try cases between the king and his subjects, relating to the revenue.  Barons of the Cinque Ports are members of the House of Commons, elected by the seven Cinque Ports, two for each port. These ports are Dover, Sandwich, Rommey, Hastings, Hythe, Winchelsea, and Rye.
3.  In law, a husband; as baron and feme, husband and wife.


Topic: Baronage
Definition:
BAR'ONAGE, n.  The whole body of barons or peers.
2.  The dignity of a baron.
3.  The land which gives title to a baron.


Topic: Baronet
Definition:
BAR'ONET, n.  A dignity or degree of honor, next below a baron, and above a knight;; having precedency of all knights except those of the garter, and being the only knighthood that is hereditary.  The  42
order was founded by James I. in 1611, and is given by patent.


Topic: Barony
Definition:
BAR'ONY, n.  The lordship, honor, or fee of a baron, whether spiritual or temporal.  This lordship is held in chief of the king, and gives title to the possessor,or baron.


Topic: Baroscope
Definition:
BAR'OSCOPE, n. [Gr.weight, and to view.]  An instrument to show the weight of the atmosphere; superseded by the Barometer.


Topic: Barque
Definition:
BARQUE, n.  A small ship; but appropriately, a ship which carries three masts without a mizen top sail. The English mariners, in the coal trade, apply this name to a broadsterned ship without a figure-head.
Water-barks, in Holland, are small vessels, for conveying fresh water from place to place, the hold of which is filled with water.


Topic: Barra
Definition:
BAR'RA, n.  In Portugal and Spain, a long measure for cloths.  In Valencia, 13 barras make 12 6/7 yards English; in Castile, 7 are equal to 6 4/7 yards; in Arragon, 3 make 2 4/7 yards.


Topic: Barracada
Definition:
BARRACA'DA, n.  A fish, about fifteen inches in length, of a dusky color on the back, and a white belly, with small black spots.


Topic: Barracan
Definition:
BAR'RACAN, n.  A thick, strong stuff, something like camelot; used for clokes, surtouts,and other outer garments.


Topic: Barrack
Definition:
BAR'RACK, n.  A hut or house for soldiers, especially in garrison.  In Spain, a hut or cabin for fishermen.


Topic: Barracuda
Definition:
BARRACU'DA, n.  A species of fish of the pike kind, found in the seas about the Bahamas and W.Indies, of ten feet in length.  The color is deep brown, and the fish is very voracious.  The flesh is disagreeable and sometimes poisonous.


Topic: Barrator
Definition:
BAR'RATOR, n. [L. ferto; Eng.barter.  See Barter.]
1.  One who frequently excites suits at law; a common mover and maintainer of suits and controversies; an encourager of litigation.
2.  The master of a ship, who commits any fraud, in the management of the ship, or in relation to his duties as master, by which the owner or insurers are injured.


Topic: Barratry
Definition:
BAR'RATRY, n.  The practice of exciting and encouraging lawsuits and quarrels.
2.  In commerce, any species of cheating or fraud, in a shipmaster, by which the owners or insurers are injured; as by running away with the ship, sinking or deserting her, by wilful deviation, or by embezzling the cargo.


Topic: Barre
Definition:
BAR'RE, n.  Weights used in the E.Indies.  The great bahar, for weighing pepper, cloves, nutmegs,&c., is 524 lb.9 oz. avoirdupoise.  The little bahar, for weighing quicksilver, vermilion, ivory, silk, &c.,is 437 lbs. 9 oz.


Topic: Barrel
Definition:
BAR'REL, n.
1.  A vessel or cask, of more length than breadth, round and bulging in the middle, made of staves and heading, and bound with hoops.
2.  The quantity which a barrel contains.  Of wine measure, the English barrel contains 31 l/2 gallons, of beer measure, 36 gallons; of ale, 32 gallons; and of beer-vinegar, 34 gallons.
 Of weight, a barrel of Essex butter is 106 pounds; of Suffolk butter,256, a barrel of herring should contain 32 gallons wine measure, and hold 1000 herrings; a barrel of salmon should contain 42 gallons; a barrel of soap should weigh 256 lbs.
 In America, the contents of a barrel are regulated by statutes.
In Connecticut, the barrel for liquors must contain 31 l/2 gallons, each gallon to contain 231 cubic inches.  In New York, a barrel of flour by statute must contain either 196 lb. or 228 lb.net weight. The barrel of beef and pork in New York and Connecticut, is 200 lbs.  In general, the contents of barrels, as defined by statute, in this country, must be from 28 to 31 1/2 gallons.
3.  Any thing hollow and long, as the barrel of a gun; a tube.
4.  A cylinder; as the barrel of a watch, within which the spring is coiled, and round which is wound the chain.
5.  A cavity behind the tympanum of the ear is called the barrel of the ear.  It is four or five lines deep, and five or six wide, and covered with a fine membrane.  It is more usually called the cavity of the tympanum.
BAR'REL, v.t. To put in a barrel; to pack in a barrel with salt for preservation, as to barrel beef, pork or fish.


Topic: Barreled
Definition:
BAR'RELED, pp.  
1. Put or packed in a barrel.
2. In composition, having a barrel or tube; as a double-barreled gun.


Topic: Barren
Definition:
BAR'REN, a. [from the same root as bare.]
1.  Not producing young, or offspring; applied to animals.
2.  Not producing plants; unfruitful; steril; not fertile; or producing little; unproductive; applied to the earth.
3.  Not producing the usual fruit; applied to tree,&c.
4.  Not copious; scanty; as a scheme barren of hints.
5. Not containing useful or entertaining ideas; as a barren treatise.
6.  Unmeaning; uninventive; dull; as barren spectators.
7.  Unproductive; not inventive; as a barren mind.
BAR'REN, n.  In the States west of the Allegheny, a word used to denote a tract of land, rising a few feet above the level of a plain, and producing trees and grass.  The soil of these barrens is not barren, as the name imports, but often very fertile.  It is usually alluvial, to a depth sometimes of several feet.
44
2.  Any unproductive tract of land; as the pine barrens of South Carolina.


Topic: Barrenness
Definition:
BAR'RENNESS, adv.  The quality of not producing its kind; want of the power of conception; applied to animals.
2.  Unfruitfulness; sterility, infertility.  The quality of not producing at all, or in small quantities; as the barrenness of soil.
3.  Want of invention; want of the power of producing any thing new; applied to the mind.
4.  Want of matter; scantiness; as the barrenness of a cause.
5.  Defect of emotion, sensibility or fervency; as the barrenness of devotion.


Topic: Barrenwort
Definition:
BAR'RENWORT, n. [See Wort.]  A plant, constituting the genus Epimedium, of which the alpinum is the only species; a low herbaceous plant, with a creeping root, having many stalks, each of which has three flowers.


Topic: Barricade
Definition:
BARRICA'DE, n.
1.  A fortification made in haste, of trees, earth, palisades, wagons, or any thing that will obstruct the progress of an enemy, or serve for defense or security, against his shot.
2. Any bar or obstruction; that which defends.
3.  In naval architecture, a strong wooden rail, supported by stanchions, extending across the foremost part of the quarter deck, in ships of war, and filled with rope, mats, pieces of old cable, and full hammocks, to prevent the effect of small shot in time of action.
BARRICA'DE, v.t.  To stop up a passage; to obstruct.
2. To fortify with any slight work that prevents the approach of an enemy.


Topic: Barrier
Definition:
BAR'RIER.  [See bar]
1.  In fortification, a kind of fence made in a passage or retrenchment, composed of great stakes, with transums or overthwart rafters, to stop an enemy.
2.  A wall for defense.
3. A fortress or fortified town on the frontier of a country.
4.  Any obstruction; any thing which confines, or which hinders approach,or attack; as constitutional barriers.
5.  A bar to mark the limits of a place; any limit, or boundary; a line of separation.


Topic: Barring
Definition:
B'ARRING, ppr.  Making fast with a bar; obstructing; excluding; preventing; prohibiting; crossing with stripes.
45


Topic: Barrister
Definition:
BAR'RISTER, n. [from bar.]  A counselor, learned in the laws, qualified and admitted to please at the bar, and to take upon him the defense of clients; answering to the advocate or licentiate of other countries.  Anciently, barristers were called, in England, apprentices of the law.  Outer barristers are pleaders without the bar, to distinguish them from inner barristers, benchers or readers, who have been sometime admitted to please within the bar, as the king's counsel are.


Topic: Barrow
Definition:
BAR'ROW, n.
1.  A light small carriage.  A hand-barrow is a frame covered in the middle with boards, and borne by and between two men.
    A wheel-barrow, is a frame with a box, supported by one wheel, and rolled by a single man.
2. A wicker case, in salt works, where the salt is put to drain.
BAR'ROW, n.
1.  In England, a hog; and according to Ash, obsolete.  Barrow-grease is hog's lard.
2. In America, a male hog castrated; a word in common use.
BAR'ROW, n.  In the names of places, barrow is used to signify a wood or grove.
BAR'ROW, n.  A hillock or mound of earth, intended as a repository of the dead.  Such barrows are found in England, in the North of the European continent,and in America.  They sometimes were formed of stones, and in England called cairns.  The barrow answers to the tumulus of the Latins.  [See Tomb.]


Topic: Barshot
Definition:
B'ARSHOT, n.  [See Bar and Shoot.]  Double headed shot, consisting of a bar, with a half ball or round head at each end; used for destroying the masts and rigging in naval combat.


Topic: Barter
Definition:
B'ARTER, v.i. [L.vario,vertol Class Br.]  To traffick or trade, by exchanging one commodity for another, in distinction from a sale and purchase, in which money is paid for the commodities transferred.
B'ARTER, v.t.  To give one thing for another in commerce.  It is sometimes followed by away; as, to barter away goods or honor.
B'ARTER, n.  The act or practice of trafficking by exchange of commodities; sometimes, perhaps, the thing given in exchange.


Topic: Barystrontianite
Definition:
BARYSTRON'TIANITE, n.  [Gr.heavy and strontian.]  A mineral, called also stromnite, from Stromness, in Orkney. It has been found in masses of a grayish white color internally, but externally of a yellowish white.


Topic: Baryto-calcite
Definition:
BARYTO-CAL'CITE, n. [baryte and calx.  See Cals.]
A mixture of carbonate of lime with sulphate of baryte, of a dark or light gray color, of various forms.


Topic: Basalt
Definition:
BASALT', n. bazalt'.  [Pliny informs us that the Egyptians found in Ethiopia, a species of marble, called basaltes, of an iron color and hardness, whence it received its name.  Nat.Hist.Lib.36.Ca.7.  But according to Da Costa, that stone was not the same which now bears the name of basalt.  Hist. of Fossils.p.263.  If named from its color, it may be allied to the Fr. basane, tawny.  Lunier refers it to the Ethiopic basal, iron, a word I cannot find.]
A dark, grayish black mineral or stone, sometimes bluish or brownish black, and when withered,the surface is grayish or reddish brown.  It is amorphous, columnar, tabular or globular.  The columnar form is straight or curved, perpendicular or inclined, sometimes nearly horizontal; the diameter of the columns from three 47
inches to three feet, sometimes with transverse semi-spherical joints, in which the convex part of one is inserted in the concavity of another.  The forms of the columns generally are pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal.  It is sometimes found also in rounded masses, either spherical, or compressed and lenticular. These rounded masses are sometimes composed of concentric layers, with a nucleus, and sometimes of prisms radiating from a center.  It is heavy and hard.  The pillars of the Giant's causey in Ireland, composed of this stone and exposed to the roughest sea for ages, have their angles as perfect as those at a distance from the waves.  The English miners call it cockle; the German, shorl,or shoerl.  It is called by Kirwan, Figurate Trap, from its prismatic forms.


Topic: Basaltine
Definition:
BASALT'INE, n. Basaltic Hornblend; a variety of common hornblend, so called from its being often found in Basalt. It is also found in lavas and volcanic scoriae.  It is generally in distinct crystals, and its color is a pure black,or slightly tinged with green.  It is more foliated than the other varieties, and has been mistaken for mica.
2.  A column of basalt.


Topic: Basanite
Definition:
BAS'ANITE, n.  [Gr. the trier. Plin.Lib.36. Ca.22.  See Basalt.]
Lydian stone, or black jasper; a variety of siliceous or flinty slate.  Its color is a grayish or bluish black, interspersed with veins of quartz.  It is employed to test the purity of gold.


Topic: Base
Definition:
BASE, a.
1.  Low in place.  Obs.
2.  Mean; vile; worthless; that is, low in value or estimation; used of things.
3.  Of low station; of mean account; without rank, dignity or estimation among men; used of persons.
      The base shall behave proudly against the honorable. Is.iii.
4.  Of mean spirit; disingenuous; illiberal; low; without dignity of sentiment; as a base and abject multitude.
5.  Of little comparative value; applied to metals, and perhaps to all metals, except gold and silver.
6.  Deep; grave; applied to sounds; as the base sounds of a viol.
7.  Of illegitimate birth; born out of wedlock.
8.  Not held by honorable tenure.  A base estate is an estate held by services not honorable,not in capite, or by villenage.  Such a tenure is called base, or low, and the tenant, a base tenant.  So writers on the laws of England use the terms, a base fee, a base court.
48
Such a tenure is called base, or low, and the tenant, a base tenant.  So writers on the laws of England use the terms, a base fee, a base court.
BASE, n.  [L. basis; that which is set, the foundation or bottom.]
1.  The bottom of any thing, considered as its support or the part of a thing on which it stands or rests; as the base of a column, the pedestal of a statue, the foundation of a house,&c.
In architecture, the base of a pillar properly is that part which is between the top of a pedestal and the bottom of the shaft; but when there is no pedestal, it is the part between the bottom of the column and the plinth.  Usually it consists of certain spires or circles.  The pedestal also has its base.
2.  In fortification, the exterior side of the polygon, or that imaginary line which is drawn from the flanked angle of a bastion to the angle opposite to it.
3.  In gunnery, the least sort of ordnance, the diameter of whose bore is l 1/4 inch.
4.  The part of any ornament which hangs down, as housings.
5.  The broad part of any thing, as the bottom of a cone.
6.  In old authors, stockings; armor for the legs.
7.  The place from which racers or tilters start; the bottom of the field; the carcer or starting post.
8.  The lowest or gravest part in music; improperly written bass.
9.  A rustic play, called also bays, or prison bars.
    10. In geometry, the lowest side of the perimeter of a figure. Any side of a triangle may be called its base, but this term most properly belongs to the side which is parallel to the horizon. In rectangled triangles, the base, properly, is the side opposite to the right angle. The base of a solid figure is that on which it stands. The base of a conic section is a right line in the hyperbola and parabola, arising from the common intersection of the secant plane and the base of the cone.
    11. In chimistry, any body which is dissolved by another body, which it receives and fixes. Thus any alkaline, earthy or metallic substance, combining with an acid, forms a compound or neutral salt, of which it is the base. Such salts are called salts with alkaline, earthy or metallic bases.
    12. Thorough base, in music, is the part performed with base viols or theorbos, while the voices sing and other instruments perform their parts, or during the intervals when the other parts stop. It is distinguished by figures over the notes.
          Counter base is a second or double base, when there are several in the same concert.
BASE, v.t.  To embase; to reduce the value by the admixture of meaner metals.  [Little used.]
2.  To found; to lay the base or foundation.
      To base and build the commonwealth of man.


Topic: Base-born
Definition:
BA'SE-BORN, a.  [base and born.]  Born out of wedlock.
2.  Born of low parentage.
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3.  Vile; mean.


Topic: Base-court
Definition:
BA'SE-COURT, n.  [See Court.]
The back yard, opposed to the chief court in front of a house; the farm yard.


Topic: Baseless
Definition:
BA'SELESS, a.  Without a base; having no foundation, or support.
  The baseless fabric of a vision.
  The fame how poor that swells our baseless pride.


Topic: Basement
Definition:
BA'SEMENT, n.  In architecture, the ground floor, on which the order or columns which decorate the principal story, are placed.


Topic: Baseness
Definition:
BA'SENESS, n.  Meanness; vileness; worthlessness.
2. Vileness of metal; the quality of being of little comparative value.
3.  Bastardy; illegitimacy of birth.
4.  Deepness of sound.


Topic: Bash
Definition:
BASH, v.i.  [Heb.bosh, to be cast down, or confounded. See Abash.]
To be ashamed; to be confounded with shame.


Topic: Bashaw
Definition:
BASHAW', n.  [This word is often written most absurdly pasha, both by the English and Americans.  It should be written and pronounced pashaw.]
1.  A title of honor in the Turkish dominions; appropriately, the title of the prime vizer, but given to viceroys or governors of provinces, and to generals and other men of distinction.  The Turkish bashaws exercise an oppressive authority in their provinces.  Hence,
2.  A proud, tyrannical, overbearing man.


Topic: Bashful
Definition:
BASH'FUL, a.  [See Bash and Abash.]
1.  Properly, having a downcast look; hence very modest.
2.  Modest to excess; sheepish.
3.  Exciting shame.
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Topic: Bashfulness
Definition:
BASH'FULNESS, n.  Excessive or extreme modesty; a quality of mind often visible in external appearance, as in blushing, a downcast look , confusion. &c.
2.  Vicious or rustic shame.


Topic: Basil
Definition:
BAS'IL, n.  s as z. The slope or angle of a tool or instrument as of a chisel or plane; usually of 12 degrees, but for hard wood, 18 degrees.
BAS'IL, v.t.  To grind or form the edge of a tool to an angle.
BAS'IL, n.  s as z.  
1.  A plant of the genus Ocymum, of which there are many species, all natives of warm climates.  They are fragrant aromatic plants, and one species, the sweet basil, is much used in cookery, especially in France.
BAS'IL, n.  The skin of a sheep tanned; written also basan.


Topic: Basilic
Definition:
BAS'ILIC, n.  s as z.  [L. basilica; Gr. a king.]
Anciently, a public hall or court of judicature, where princes and magistrates sat to administer justice.  It was a large hall, with aisles, porticoes, tribunes, and tribunals.  The bankers also had a part allotted for their residence.  These edifices, at first, were the palaces of princes, afterwards courts of justice, and finally converted into churches.  Hence basilic now signifies a church, chapel,cathedral, or royal palace.
BAS'ILIC, n.  [See Basil.]  The middle vein of the arm, or the interior branch of the axillary vein, so called by way of eminence.
BAS'ILIC


Topic: Basilical
Definition:
BASIL'ICAL, a.  Belonging to the middle vein of the arm.
2.  Noting a particular nut, the walnut, basilica nux.


Topic: Basilicon
Definition:
BASIL'ICON, n.  s as z.  [Gr.royal.]
An ointment. This name is given to several compositions in ancient medical writers.  At present it is confined to three officinal ointments, distinguished into black,yellow and green basilicon.
51


Topic: Basilisk
Definition:
BAS'ILISK, n. s as z. [L. basiliscus.]
1.  A fabulous serpent, called a cockatrice, and said to be produced from a cock's egg brooded by a serpent.  The ancients alledged that its hissing would drive away all other serpents, and that its breath and even its look was fatal. Some writers suppose that a real serpent exists under this name.
2. In military affairs, a large piece of ordnance, so called from its supposed resemblance to the serpent of that name, or from its size.  This cannon carried a ball of 200 pounds weight,but is not now used.  Modern writers give this name to cannon of a smaller size, which the Dutch make 15 feet long, and the French 10, carrying a 48 pound ball.


Topic: Basin
Definition:
BA'SIN, n.  basn.
1.  A hollow vessel or dish, to hold water for washing, and for various other uses.
2. In hydraulics, any reservoir of water.
3.  That which resembles a basin in containing water, as a pond, a dock for ships, a hollow place for liquids, or an inclosed part of water, forming a broad space within a strait or narrow entrance; a little bay.
4.  Among glass grinders, a concave piece of metal by which convex glasses are formed.
5.  Among hatters, a large shell or case, usually of iron, placed over a furnace, in which the hat is molded into due shape.
6.  In anatomy, a round cavity between the anterior ventricles of the brain.
7.  The scale of a balance, when hollow and round.
8.  In Jewish antiquities, the laver of the tabernacle.


Topic: Basis
Definition:
BA'SIS, n.  plu.bases. [L.and Gr.; the same as base, which see.]
1.  The foundation of any thing; that on which a thing stands or lies; the bottom or foot of the thing itself, or that on which it rests.  See a full explanation under base.
2.  The ground work or first principle; that which supports.
3.  Foundation; support.
      The basis of public credit is good faith.
      The basis of all excellence is truth.
4. Basis, in chimistry. See Base. No. 12.


Topic: Bask
Definition:
B'ASK, v.i.  [The origin of this word is not obvious.]
To lie in warmth; to be exposed to genial heat; to be at ease and thriving under benign influences; as, to bask in the blaze of day; to bask in the sunshine of royal favor.  The word includes the idea of some continuance of exposure.
B'ASK, v.t.  To warm by continued exposure to heat; to warm with genial heat.


Topic: Basket
Definition:
B'ASKET, n. 
1.  A domestic vessel made of twigs, rushes,splinters or other  52
flexible things interwoven.  The forms and sizes of baskets are very various, as well as the uses to which they are applied; as corn-baskets, clothes-baskets, fruit-baskets, and work-baskets.
2.  The contents of a basket; as much as a basket will contain; as, a basket of medlars is two bushels. But in general, this quantity is indefinite.
In military affairs, baskets of earth sometimes are used on the parapet of a trench, between which the soldiers fire.  They serve for defense against small shot.
B'ASKET, v.t.  To put in a basket.


Topic: Basket-fish
Definition:
B'ASKET-FISH, n.  A species of sea-star, or star-fish, of the genus Asterias, and otherwise called the Magellanic star-fish.  It has five rays issuing from an angular body, and dividing into innumerable branches.  These when extended form a circle of three feet diameter.  [See Asterias.]


Topic: Basket-hilt
Definition:
B'ASKET-HILT, n.  [See Hilt.]  A hilt which covers the hand, and defends it from injury, as of a sword.


Topic: Basket-salt
Definition:
B'ASKET-SALT, n.  Salt made from salt-springs, which is purer, whiter and finer, than common brine salt.


Topic: Basking-shark
Definition:
B'ASKING-SHARK, n.  The sun-fish of the Irish; a species of squalus or shark.  This fish is from three to twelve yards in length, or even longer.  The upper jaw is much longer than the lower one; the tail is large and the upper part much longer than the lower; the skin is rough, of a deep leaden color on the back, and white on the belly.  The fish weighs more than a thousand pounds, and affords a great quantity of oil, which is used for lamps, and to cure bruises, burns, and rheumatic complaints.  It is viviparous, and frequents the northern seas.  [See Squalus.]


Topic: Bass
Definition:
B'ASS, n. [It has no plural.]  The name of several species of fish.  In England, this name is given to a species of perch, called by some the sea-wolf, from its voracity, and resembling, in a degree, the trout in shape, but having a larger head.  It weighs about fifteen pounds.  In the northern states of America, this name is given to a striped fish which grows to the weight of 25 or 30 
53
pounds, and which enters the rivers; the perca ocellata.
A species of striped fish, of a darker color, with a large head, is called sea-bass, as it is never found in fresh water.  This fish grows to two or three pounds weight.  Both species are well tasted, but the proper bass is a very white and delicious food.
B'ASS, n.  The linden, lime or tiel tree; called also bass-wood.  [See Bast.]
2.  [pron.bas.]  A mat to kneel on in churches.


Topic: Bass-relief
Definition:
BASS-RELIE'F, n.  In English, base-relief.  [See Lift and Relief.]
Sculpture, whose figures do not stand out far from the ground or plane on which they are formed.  When figures do not protuberate so as to exhibit the entire body, they are said to be done in relief; and when they are low, flat or little raised from the plane, 
the work is said to be in low relief.  When the figures are so raised as to be well distinguished, they are said to be bold, strong, or high, alto relievo.  [See Relief.]


Topic: Basset
Definition:
BAS'SET, n.  A game at cards, said to have been invented at Venice, by a nobleman, who was banished for the invention.  The game being introduced into France by the Venetian embassador, Justiniani, in 1674, it was prohibited by severe edicts.
BAS'SET, v.i.  [See Basil.]  Among coal diggers, to incline upwards.  Thus a vein of coal bassets, when it takes a direction towards the surface of the earth.  This is called cropping, and is opposed to dipping.


Topic: Basseting
Definition:
BAS'SETING, ppr.  Having a direction upwards.
BAS'SETING, n.  The upward direction of a vein in a coal mine.


Topic: Basso-concertante
Definition:
BASSO-CONCERTANTE, in music, is the base of the little chorus, or that which plays throughout the whole piece.


Topic: Basso-repieno
Definition:
BASSO-REPIENO, is the base of the grand chorus, which plays only occasionally, or in particular parts.
54


Topic: Bassoon
Definition:
BASSOON', n.  A musical wind instrument, blown with a reed, and furnished with eleven holes, which are stopped, as in other large flutes.  Its compass comprehends three octaves.  Its diameter at bottom is nine inches, and for convenience of carriage it is divided into two parts; whence it is called also a fagot.  It serves for the base in a concert of hautboys, flutes, &c.


Topic: Bast
Definition:
B'AST, n.  A rope or cord, made of the bark of the lime tree, bass-wood or linden; or the bark made into ropes and mats.


Topic: Bastard
Definition:
B'ASTARD, n.  A natural child; a child begotten and born out of wedlock; an illegitimate or spurious child. By the civil and canon laws, a bastard becomes a legitimate child, by the intermarriage of the parents, at any future time.  But by the laws of this country, as by those of England, a child, to be legitimate, must at least be born after the lawful marriage.
Bastard eigne', or bastard elder, in law, is when a man has a bastard son, and afterward marries the mother, and has a legitimate son, called mulier puisne, or younger.
B'ASTARD, n.  A kind of sweet wine.  [Not in use.]
B'ASTARD, a.  Begotten and born out of lawful matrimony; illegitimate.
2.  Spurious;; not genuine; false; supposititious; adulterate. In this sense, it is applied to things which resemble those which are genuine, but are really not genuine; as a bastard hope, bastard honors.
In military affairs, bastard is applied to pieces of artillery which are of an unusual make or proportion, whether longer or shorter, as the double culverin extraordinary, half or quarter culverin extraordinary.
Bastard-Flower-fence, a plant, a species of Adenanthera.
Bastard-hemp, a plant, a species of Datisca, false hemp.
Bastard-Rocket, dyers-weed, or wild woad, a species of Reseda.
Bastard-Star of Bethlehem, a plant, a species of Albuca.
Bastard-Scarlet, a red color dyed with balemadder.
B'ASTARD, v.t.  To make or determine to be a bastard.


Topic: Bastardize
Definition:
B'ASTARDIZE, v.t.  To make or prove to be a bastard; to convict of being a bastard; to declare legally, or decide a person to be illegitimate.
55
      The law is so indulgent as not to bastardize the child, if born, though not begotten,in lawful wedlock.
2.  To beget a bastard.


Topic: Bastards
Definition:
B'ASTARDS, an appellation given to a faction or troop of bandits, who ravaged Guienne in France in the 14th century; supposed to have been headed by the illegitimate sons of noblemen, who were excluded from the rights of inheritance.


Topic: Bastardy
Definition:
B'ASTARDY, n.  A state of being a bastard, or begotten and born out of lawful wedlock, which condition disables the person from inheriting an estate.


Topic: Bastarnic
Definition:
BASTARN'IC, a.  Pertaining to the Basternae, ancient inhabitants of the Carpathian mountains.
Bastarnic Alps, the Carpathian mountains, between Poland, Hungary and Transvlvania; so called from the ancient inhabitants, the Bastarnoe.


Topic: Baste
Definition:
BASTE, v.t.  
1.  To beat with a stick.
2.  To drip butter or fat upon meat, as it turns upon the spit,in roasting; to moisten with fat or other liquid.
BASTE, v.t.  To sew with long stitches; to sew slightly.


Topic: Basted
Definition:
BASTED, pp.  Beat with a stick; moistened with fat or other matter in roasting; sewed together with long stitches,or slightly.


Topic: Bastile
Definition:
BAS'TILE, n.  An old castle in Paris, built between 1369 and 1383, used as a state prison, and converted to the purpose of confining men for life, who happened to incur the resentment or jealousy of the French monarchs.  It was demolished by the enraged populace in 1789.


Topic: Basting
Definition:
BASTING, ppr.  Beating with a stick; moistening with dripping; sewing together with long stitches.
BASTING, n.  A beating with a stick; a moistening with dripping; a sewing together slightly with long stitches.


Topic: Bastion
Definition:
BAS'TION, n.  bas'chun.  A huge mass of earth, usually faced with 56
sods, sometimes with brick, or stones, standing out from a rampart, of which it is a principal part; formerly called a bulwark.  Bastions are solid or hollow.  A flat bastion is made in the middle of the curtain, when it is too long to be defended by the bastions in its extremes.  A cut bastion has its point cut off and instead of it a re-entering angle, or an angle inwards, with two points outward. A composed bastion has two sides of the interior polygon unequal, which makes the gorges unequal.  A demibastion is composed of one face only, which makes the gorges unequal.  A demibastion is composed of one face only, with one flank and a demigorge. A double bastion is one raised on the plane of another.


Topic: Baston
Definition:
BAS'TON, or BATOON', n.  In architecture, a round molding in the base of a column; called also a tore, [torus.]


Topic: Bat
Definition:
BAT, n.  
1.  A heavy stick or club; a piece of wood with one end thicker or broader than the other.
2.  Bat or bate, a small copper coin of Germany, with a small mixture of silver, worth four crutzers.  Also a coin of Switzerland, worth five livres.
3.  A term given by miners to shale or bituminous shale.
BAT, v.i.  To manage a bat, or play with one.
BAT, n.  [I have not found this word in any European language, except in English.]
A race of quadrupeds, technically called Vespertilio, of the order primates, in Linne's system.  The fore feet have the toes connected by a membrane, expanded into a kind of wings, by means of which the animals fly.  The species are numerous.  Of these, the vampire or  Ternate bat inhabits Africa and the Oriental Isles.  These animals fly in flocks from isle to isle, obscuring the sun by their numbers. Their wings when extended measure five or six feet.  They live on fruits; but are said sometimes to draw blood from persons when asleep.  The bats of the northern latitudes are small; they are viviparous and suckle their young. Their skin resembles that of a mouse. They enter houses in pleasant summer evenings, feed upon moths, flies, flesh, and oily substances, and are torpid during the winter.


Topic: Batable
Definition:
BA'TABLE, a.  [See Bate and Debate.]  Disputable. The land between England and Scotland, which, when the kingdoms were distinct, was 57
a subject of contention, was called batable ground.


Topic: Batatas
Definition:
BATA'TAS, n.  A species of tick or mite, found on the potatoes of Surinam.  Also the Peruvian name of the sweet potatoe.


Topic: Batavian
Definition:
BATA'VIAN, a.  [from Batavi, the people who inhabited the isle.]
Pertaining to the isle of Betaw in Holland, between the Rhine and the Waal.  But more generally, the word denotes what appertains to Holland in general.
BATA'VIAN, n.  A native of Betaw, or of the Low Countries.


Topic: Batch
Definition:
BATCH, n.  [from bake.]
1.  The quantity of bread baked at one time; a baking of bread.
2.  Any quantity of a thing made at once, or so united as to have like qualities.


Topic: Bate
Definition:
BATE, n. [It is probably from the root of beat.  See Debate.]
Strife; contention; retained in make-bate.
BATE, v.t.  [The literal sense is, to beat, strike, thrust; to force down.  See Beat.]
To lessen by retrenching, deducting or reducing; as, to bate the wages of the laborer; to bate good cheer.  [We now use abate.]
BATE, v.i.  To grow or become less; to remit or retrench a part; with of.
      Abate thy speed and I will bate of mine.
Spenser uses bate in the sense of sinking, driving in, penetrating; a sense regularly deducible from that of beat, to thrust.
      Yet there the steel staid not, but inly bate.
           Deep in the flesh, and open'd wide a red flood gate.


Topic: Bateau
Definition:
BATEAU, n. batto'.  [L. batillum.]  A light boat, long in proportion to its breadth, and wider in the middle than at the ends.


Topic: Batement
Definition:
BA'TEMENT, n.  Abatement; deduction; diminution.  [Bate, with its derivatives, is, I believe, little used, or wholly obsolete in the United States.]


Topic: Batenists
Definition:
BAT'ENITES, BAT'ENISTS, or BATE'NIANS, n.  A sect of apostates from Mohammedism, who professed the abominable practices of the Ismaelians and Kirmatians. The word signified esoteric,or persons of inward light.  [See Assassins.]
58


Topic: Batfowling
Definition:
BAT'FOWLING, n.  A mode of catching birds at night, by holding a torch or other light, and beating the bush or perch where they roost.  The birds flying to the light are caught with nets or otherwise.


Topic: Bath
Definition:
B'ATH, n.  
1.  A place for bathing; a convenient vat or receptacle of water for persons to plunge or wash their bodies in.  Baths are warm or tepid, hot or cold, more generally called warm and cold. They are also natural or artificial.  Natural baths are those which consist of spring water, either hot or cold, which is often impregnated with iron, and called chalybeate, or with sulphur, carbonic acid, and other mineral qualities.  These waters are often very efficacious in scorbutic, bilious, dyspeptic and other complaints.
2.  A place in which heat is applied to a body immersed in some substance.  Thus, 
  A dry bath is made of hot sand, ashes, salt,or other matter, for the purpose of applying heat to a body immersed in them.
  A vapor bath is formed by filling an apartment with hot steam or vapor, in which the body sweats copiously, as in Russia; or the term is used for the application of hot steam to a diseased part of the body.
  A metalline bath is water impregnated with iron or other metallic substance, and applied to a diseased part.
  In chimistry, a wet bath is formed by hot water in which is placed a vessel containing the matter which requires a softer heat than the naked fire.
  In medicine, the animal bath is made by wrapping the part affected in a warm skin just taken from an animal.
3.  A house for bathing.  In some eastern countries, baths are very magnificent edifices.
4.  A Hebrew measure containing the tenth of a homer, or seven gallons and four pints, as a measure for liquids; and three pecks and three pints, as a dry measure.


Topic: Bathe
Definition:
BATHE, v.t.
1.  To wash the body, or some part of it, by immersion, as in a bath; it often differs from ordinary washing in a longer application of water, to the body or to a particular part, as for the purpose of cleansing or stimulating the skin.
2.  To wash or moisten, for the purpose of making soft and supple, or for cleansing, as a wound.
3.  To moisten or suffuse with a liquid; as, to bathe in tears or blood.
BATHE, v.i.  To be or lie in a bath; to be in water, or in other liquid, or to be immersed in a fluid, as in a bath; as, to bathe in fiery floods.


Topic: Bather
Definition:
BA'THER, n.  One who bathes; one who immerses himself in water, or who applies a liquid to himself or to another.


Topic: Bathing
Definition:
BA'THING, ppr.  Washing by immersion, or by applying a liquid; moistening; fomenting.
BA'THING, n.  The act of bathing, or washing the body in water.


Topic: Bathing-tub
Definition:
BA'THING-TUB, n. A vessel for bathing, usually made either of wood or tin.  In the Royal Library at Paris, I saw a bathing-tub of porphyry, of beautiful form and exquisite workmanship.


Topic: Bating
Definition:
BA'TING, ppr.  [from bate.]  Abating; taking away; deducting; excepting.
  Children have few ideas, bating some faint ideas of hunger and thirst.


Topic: Batist
Definition:
BAT'IST, n.  A fine linen cloth made in Flanders and Picardy, of three different kinds or thicknesses.


Topic: Batlet
Definition:
BAT'LET, n.  [from bat.]  A small bat, or square piece of wood with a handle, for beating linen when taken out of the buck.


Topic: Batman
Definition:
BAT'MAN, n.  A weight used in Smyrna, of six okes, each of 400 drams; equal to 16 lbs.6 ox. 15 dr. English.


Topic: Batrachomyomachy
Definition:
BAT'RACHOMYOM'ACHY, n.  [Gr.a frog, a mouse, and a battle.]
The battle between the frogs and mice; a burlesque poem ascribed to Homer.


Topic: Batracian
Definition:
BATRA'CIAN, a. [Gr.a frog.]  Pertaining to frogs; an epithet designating an order of animals, including frogs, toads and similar animals.
BATRA'CIAN, n.  An animal of the order above mentioned.


Topic: Battailous
Definition:
BAT'TAILOUS, a.  [See Battle.]  Warlike; having the form or appearance of an army arrayed for battle;; marshaled, as for an attack.


Topic: Battalia
Definition:
BATTAL'IA, n.  [See Battle.]
1.  The order of battle; troops arrayed in their proper brigades,regiments, battalions, &c.,for action.
2.  The main body of any army in array, distinguished from the wings.


Topic: Battalion
Definition:
BATTAL'ION, n.  [See Battle.]  A body of infantry, consisting of from 500 to 800 men; so called from being originally a body of men arrayed for battle.  A battalion is generally a body of troops next below a regiment.  Sometimes a battalion composed a regiment; more generally a regiment consists of two or more battalions.  Shakespeare used the word for and army.


Topic: Battel
Definition:
BAT'TEL, n.  [See Battle.]  In law, wager of battle, a species of trial for the decision of causes between parties. This species of trial is of high antiquity, among the rude military people of Europe.  It was introduced into England, by William, the Norman Conqueror, and used in three cases only; in the court martial, or court of chivalry or honor;; in appeals of felony; and in issues joined upon a writ of right.  The contest was had before the judges, on a piece of ground inclosed, and the combatants were bound to fight till the stars appeared, unless the death of one party or victory sooner decided the contest.  It is no longer is use.


Topic: Batten
Definition:
BAT'TEN, v.t. bat'n. [See Fat.]
1.  To fatten; to make fat; to make plump by plenteous feeding.
2.  To fertilize or enrich land.
BAT'TEN, v.i.  To grow or become fat; to live in luxury, or to grow fat in ease and luxury.
      The pampered monarch battening in ease.
BAT'TEN, n.  A piece of board or scantling, of a few inches in breadth, used in making doors and windows.  It is not as broad as a panel.
BAT'TEN, v.t.  To form with battens.


Topic: Batter
Definition:
BAT'TER, v.t.  [L. batuo, to beat.  See Beat.]
1.  To beat with successive blows; to beat with violence, so as to bruise, shake, or demolish;, as, to batter a wall.
2. To wear or impair with beating; as a battered pavement; a battered jade.
3.  To attack with a battering ram.
4.  To attack with heavy artillery, for the purpose of making a breach in a wall or rampart.
BAT'TER, v.i.  To swell, bulge or stand out, as a timber or side of a wall from its foundation.
BAT'TER, n.  [from beat or batter.]  A mixture of several ingredients, as flour, eggs, salt, &c., beaten together with some liquor, used in cookery.


Topic: Battering-ram
Definition:
BAT'TERING-RAM, n.  In antiquity, a military engine used to beat down the walls of besieged places.  It was a large beam, with a head of iron somewhat resembling the head of a ram, whence its name.  It was suspended by ropes in the middle to a beam which was supported by posts, and balanced so as to swing backwards and forwards, and was impelled by men against the wall.  It was sometimes mounted on wheels.


Topic: Battery
Definition:
BAT'TERY, n.  [See Beat.]
1.  The act of battering, or beating.
2.  The instrument of battering.
3.  In the military art, a parapet thrown up to cover the gunners and others employed about them, from the enemy's shot, with the guns employed.  Thus, to erect a battery, is to form the parapet and mount the guns.  The term is applied also to a number of guns ranged in order for battering, and to mortars used for a like purpose.
  Cross batteries are two batteries which play athwart each other, forming an angle upon the object battered.
  Battery d'enfilade, is one which scours or sweeps the whole line or length.
  Battery en echarpe, is that which plays obliquely.
  Battery de revers, is that which plays upon the enemy's back.
  Camerade battery, is when several guns play at the same time upon one place.
4.  In law, the unlawful beating of another.  The least violence or the touching of another in anger is a battery.
  5.  In electrical apparatus and experiments,a number of coated jars placed in such a manner, that they may be charged at the same time, and discharged in the same manner.  This is called an electrical battery.
6.  Galvanic battery, a pile or series of plates of copper and zink, or of any substances suspectable of galvanic action.


Topic: Battle
Definition:
BAT'TLE, n.  [See Beat.]  Owen supposes the Welsh batel, to be from tel, tight, stretched, compact, and the word primarily to have expressed the drawing of the bow.  This is probably an error.  The first battles of men were with clubs, or some weapons used in beating, striking.  Hence the club of Hercules.  And although the moderns use different weapons, still a battle is some mode of beating or striking.]
1.  A fight, or encounter between enemies, or opposing armies; an engagement.  It is usually applied to armies or large bodies of men; but in popular language, the word is applied to an encounter between small bodies, between individuals, or inferior animals.  It is also more generally applied to the encounters of land forces than of ships; the encounters of the latter being called engagements.  But battle is applicable to any combat of enemies.
2.  A body of forces, or division of an army.
      The main body, as distinct from the van and rear.
  To give battle, is to attack an enemy; to join battle, is properly to meet the attack; but perhaps this distinction is not always observed.
  A pitched battle is one in which the armies are previously drawn up in form, with a regular disposition of the forces.
  To turn the battle to the gate, is to fight valiantly, and drive the enemy, who hath entered the city, back to the gate.  Is.28.
  
BAT'TLE, v.i.  To join in battle; to contend in fight; sometimes with it; as, to battle it.
BAT'TLE, v.t.  To cover with armed force.


Topic: Battle-array
Definition:
BATTLE-ARRA'Y, n.  [battle and array.]  Array or order of battle; the disposition of forces preparatory to a battle.


Topic: Battle-door
Definition:
BAT'TLE-DOOR, n. bat'tl-dore.  An instrument of play,with a handle and a flat board or palm, used to strike a ball or shuttle-cock; a racket.
1.  A child's horn book. [Not in use in U.S.]


Topic: Battlement
Definition:
BAT'TLEMENT, n.  [This is said to have been bastillement, from bastille, a fortification.]  
A wall raised on a building with openings or embrasures, or the 
embrasure itself.


Topic: Battologist
Definition:
BATTOL'OGIST,n.  [See Battology.]  One that repeats the same thing in speaking or writing. [Little used.]


Topic: Battology
Definition:
BATTOL'OGY, n.  [Gr. from Barros, a garrulous person, and discourse.]
A needless repetition of woods in speaking.


Topic: Battory
Definition:
BAT'TORY, n. Among the Hans-Towns, a factory or magazine which the merchants have in foreign countries.


Topic: Batz
Definition:
BATZ, n.  A small copper coin with a mixture of silver,current in some parts of Germany and Switzerland.


Topic: Bawble
Definition:
BAW'BLE, n. [ According to Spelman, baubella are gems or jewels.]
A trifling piece of finery; a gew-gaw; that which is gay or showy without real value.


Topic: Bawd
Definition:
BAWD,n.  [Gr.,a procurer or procuress.]
A procurer or procuress. A person who keeps a house of prostitution, and conducts criminal intrigues. [Usually applied to females.]     


Topic: Bawdry
Definition:
BAWD'RY, n.  [See Bawd.]  The abominable practice of procuring women for the gratification of lust.
1.  Obscenity; filthy, unchaste language.


Topic: Bawl
Definition:
BAWL, v.i.  [L. balo, to bleat; Heb. the blast of a trumpet;to weep, to wail.  These all coincide in elements with L. pello, appello, Eng. peal, and the primary sense is the same.]
1.  To cry out with a loud full sound; to hoot; to cry with vehemence, as in calling, or in pain or exultation.
2. To cry loud, as a child from pain or vexation.
BAWL, v.t. To proclaim by outcry, as a common crier.


Topic: Bay
Definition:
BAY, a.  [L.badius. Blass Bd.]  Red, or reddish, inclining to a chestnut color; applied to the color of horses.  The shades of this color are called light bay, dark bay, dappled bay, gilded bay, chestnut bay.  In  popular language, in England, all bay horses are called brown.
BAY, n.  
1.  An arm of the sea, extending into the land, not of any definite form, but smaller than a gulf, and larger than a creek. The name,however, is not used with much precision, and is often applied to large tracts of water, around which the land forms a curve, as Hudson's Bay.  Nor is the name restricted to tracts of water with a narrow entrance, but used for any recess or inlet between capes of head lands, as the bay of Biscay.
2. A pond-head,or a pond formed by a dam, for the purpose of driving mill-wheels. [ I believe not used in U.S.]
3.  In a barn, a place between the floor and the end of the building, or a low inclosed place, for depositing hay.
  In England, says Johnson, if a barn consists of a floor and two heads, where they lay corn, they call it a barn of two bays.  These bays are from 14 to 20 feet long, and floors from 10 to 12 feet broad, and usually 20 feet long, which is the breadth of the barn.
4.  In ships of war, that part on each side between decks which lies between the bitts.
5.  Any kind of opening in walls.


Topic: Bay-salt
Definition:
BAY-SALT, is salt which crystallizes or receives its consistence from the heat of the sun or action of the air.  It forms in pits or basins, and from this circumstance receives its denomination.  It appears first in a slight incrustation upon the surface of the water in which salt is dissolved.  This crust thickens and hardens, till the crystallization is perfected, which takes place, in eight, ten or fifteen days.


Topic: Bayonet
Definition:
BA'YONET, n.  A short pointed instrument of iron or broad dagger, formerly with a handle fitted to the bore of a gun, where it was inserted for use, after the soldier had fired; but now made with an iron handle and ring which go over the muzzle of the piece, so that the soldier fires with his bayonet fixed.
BA'YONET, v.t.  To stab with a bayonet.
1.  To compel or drive by the bayonet.


Topic: Bazar
Definition:
BAZ'AR,n.  Among the Turks and Persians, an exchange, market-place, or place where goods are exposed to sale.  Some bazars are open, others are covered with lofty ceilings or domes, pierced to give light.  The bazar at Tauris will contain 30,000 men.


Topic: Bbarbarism
Definition:
B'BARBARISM, n.  [L. Barbarisums.  See Barbarian.]
1.  An offense against purity of style or language; any form of speech contrary to the pure idioms of a particular language.
2.  Ignorance of arts; want of learning.
3.  Rudeness of manners; savagism; incivility; ferociousness; a savage state of society.
4.  Brutality; cruelty; barbarity.  [In this sense little used, being superseded by barbarity.]


Topic: Bdellium
Definition:
BDEL'LIUM, n. [ Bochard and Parkhurst translate it, pearl. Gen.2. But it is doubtful whether the bdellium of the scriptures is that now used.]
A gummy resinous juice, produced by a tree in the East Indies, of which we have no satisfactory account.  It is brought from the E. Indies and from Arabia, in pieces of different sizes and figures, externally of a dark reddish brown, internally, clear and not unlike to glue.  To the taste, it is slightly bitterish and pungent; its odor is agreeable.  In the mouth, it becomes soft and sticks to the teeth; on a red hot iron, it readily catches flame and burns with a crackling noise.  It is used as a perfume and a medicine, being a weak deobstruent.


Topic: Be
Definition:
BE, v.i. substantive, ppr.being; pp.been.[The sense is to stand, remain or be fixed; hence to continue.  This verb is defective, and its defects are supplied by verbs from other roots, as, is, was, were, which have no radical connection with be.  The case is the same with the substantive verb in most languages.]
1.  To be fixed; to exist; to have a real state or existence,for a longer or shorter time.
      Let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus. Phil.2.
           To be, contents his natural desire.
2.  To be made to be; to become.
           And they twain shall be one flesh. Math.19. Jer.32.
     3. To remain. Let the garment be as it was made.
4.  To be present in a place.  Where was I at the time?  When will you be at my house?
5.  To have a particular manner of being or happening; as, how is this affair?  how was it? what were the circumstances?
This verb is used as an auxiliary in forming the tenses of other verbs, and particularly in giving them the passive form; as, he has been disturbed.  It forms, with the infinitive, a particular future tense, which often expresses duty, necessity or purpose; as, government is to be supported; we are to pay our just debts.
Let be is to omit,or leave untouched; to let alone.
          Let be,said he, my prey.
BE, a prefix, as in because, before, beset, bedeck,is the same word as by.  It is common to the English, Saxon, Gothic, German, Dutch, Danish and Swedish languages. It occurs probably in the Russian, but is written po, as it is in possideo and a few other words in the Latin.  It denotes nearness, closeness, about, or, at, from some root signifying to pass or to press. [See By.]
That this word is the Shemitic, used as a prefix, is certain, not only from its general applications, which may be seen by comparing the uses of the word, in the Heb. for instance, with those in the Saxon; but from its use in particular phrases, particularly in its use before the name of the Supreme being in swearing.  


Topic: Beach
Definition:
BEACH, n.  The shore of the sea, or of a lake, which is washed by the tide and waves; the strand.  It may be sometimes used for the shore of large rivers.


Topic: Beacon
Definition:
BE'ACON, n.  beekn.
1.  A signal erected on a long pole, upon an eminence, consisting of a pitch barrel, or some combustible matter, to be fired at night, or to cause a smoke by day, to notify the approach of an enemy. 
2.  A light-house; a house erected on a point on land, or other place on the sea-coast, with lamps which burn at night, to direct navigators, and preserve vessels from running upon rocks, sand banks, or the shore.  In general, a beacon may be any light or mark intended for direction and security against danger.
 3.  Figuratively, that which gives notice of danger.


Topic: Bead
Definition:
BEAD, n.  
1.  A little perforated ball, to be strung on a thread, and worn about the neck, for ornament.  A string of beads is called a necklace.  Beads are made of gold, pearl, amber, steel, garnet, coral, diamond, crystal, pastes, glasses, &c.  The Romanists use strings of beads in rehearsing their prayers.  Hence the phrase, to tell beads, and to be at one's beads, is to be at prayer.
2.  Any small globular body; hence the glass globules, used in traffic with savages, and sold in strings, are called beads; also a bubble on spirit.
3. In architecture, a round molding, commonly made upon the edge of a piece of stuff, in the Corinthian and Roman orders,cut or carved in short embossments, like beads in necklaces.of beads, is a charge given by a priest to his parishioners, to repeat certain pater-nosters upon their beads for a departed soul.


Topic: Bead-maker
Definition:
BE'AD-MAKER,n.  One who makes beads.  In French, paternostrier is one who makes, strings, and sells beads. In Paris are three companies of paternostriers; one that works in glass or crystal; one, in wood and horn; a third, in amber, coral, &c.


Topic: Bead-proof
Definition:
BE'AD-PROOF, a.  Spirit is bead-proof, when, after being shaken, a crown of bubbles will stand, for some time after, on the surface, manifesting a certain standard of strength.


Topic: Bead-roll
Definition:
BE'AD-ROLL, n.  Among Catholics, a list or catalogue of persons, for the rest of whose souls, they are to repeat a certain number of prayers, which they count by their beads.


Topic: Bead-tree
Definition:
BE'AD-TREE, n.  The azederach, a species of Melia, a native of the Indies, growing about 20 feet high, adorned with large pinnated or winged leaves, and clusters of pentapetalous flowers.


Topic: Beadle
Definition:
BE'ADLE, n.  
1.  A messenger or crier of a court; a servitor; one who cites persons to appear and answer; called also an apparitor or summoner.
2.  An officer in a university, whose chief business is to walk with a mace, before the masters, in a public procession; or as in America before the president, trustees, faculty and students of a college, in a procession, at public commencements.
3.  A parish officer, whose business is to punish petty offenders.


Topic: Beagle
Definition:
BE'AGLE, n.  [Gr. a pygmy.]
A small hound, or hunting dog.  Beagles are of different sorts; as the southern beagle, shorter and less, but thicker, than the deep-mouthed hound; the fleet northern, or cat beagle, smaller, and of a finer shape than the southern.  From these species united, is bred a third, still preferable; and a smaller sort is letter larger than the lap-dog.


Topic: Beak
Definition:
BEAK, n.  [Eng. peak,pike, &c. The sense is, a shoot, or a point, from thrusting; and this word is connected with a numerous family.  See Class Bg.]
1.  The bill, or nib of a bird, consisting of a horny substance, either straight or curving, and ending in a point.
2.  A pointed piece of wood, fortified with brass, resembling a beak, fastened to the end of ancient gallies; intended to pierce the vessels of an enemy.  In modern ships, the beak-head is a name given to the forepart of a ship, whose forecastle is square, or oblong; a circumstance common to all ships of war, which have two or more tiers of guns.
           Beak or beak-head, that part of a ship, before the forecastle, which is fastened to the stem, and supported by the main knee.
3.  In farriery, a little shoe, at the toe, about an inch long,turned up and fastened in upon the part of the hoof.
4.  Any thing ending in a point, like a beak.  This in America is more generally pronounced peak.
BEAK, v.t.  Among cock fighters,to take hold with the beak.


Topic: Beal
Definition:
BEAL, n. [See Boil]  A pimple; a whelk; a small inflammatory tumor, a pustule.
BEAL v.i.  To gather matter; to swell and come to a head, as a pimple.


Topic: Beam
Definition:
BEAM,  n.  [We see by the Gothic, that the word belongs to Class Bg. It properly signifies the stock or stem of a tree; that is, the fixed, firm part.]
1.  The largest, or a principal piece in a building, that lies across the walls, and serves to support the principal rafters.
2.  Any large piece of timber, long in proportion to its thickness, and squared, or hewed for use.
3.  The part of a balance, from the ends of which the scales are suspended; sometimes used for the whole apparatus for weighing.
4.  The part on the head of a stag, which bears the antlers, royals and tops.
5.  The pole of a carriage, which runs between the horses.
6.  A cylinder of wood, making part of a loom, on which weavers wind the warp before weaving; and this name is given also to the cylinder on which the cloth is rolled,as it is wove.
7.  The straight part or shank of an anchor.
8.  In ships, a great main cross timber, which holds the sides of a ship from falling together. The beams support the decks and orlops.  The main beam is next the mainmast.
9.  The main piece of a plow, in which the plow-tails are fixed, and by which it is drawn.
    10. Beam compass, an instrument consisting of a square wooden or brass beam, having sliding sockets, that carry steel or pencil points; used for describing large circles, and in large projections for drawing the furniture on wall-dials.
 On the beam, in navigation, signified any distance from the ship, on a line with the beams, or at right angles with the keel.
 Before the beam, is an arch of the horizon between a line that crosses the ship at right angles, or the line of the beam, and that point of the compass which she steers.
 Beam ends.  A vessel is said to be on her beam ends, when she inclines so much on one side that her beams approach a vertical position.
 Beam-feathers, in falconry, the long feathers of a hawk's wing.


Topic: Beam-bird
Definition:
BE'AM-BIRD, n.  In  Yorkshire, England, the petty chaps, a species of Motacilla; called in Dorsetshire, the hay-bird.
The spotted fly-catcher, a species of Muscicapa.


Topic: Beaming
Definition:
BE'AMING, ppr.  Emitting rays of light or beams.
BE'AMING, n.  Radiation; the emission or darting of light in rays.
1.  The issuing of intellectual light; dawn; prophetic intimation; first indication.


Topic: Beamy
Definition:
BE'AMY, a.  Emitting rays of light; radiant; shining.
1.  Resembling a beam in size and weight; massy.
2.  Having horns, or antlers.


Topic: Bean
Definition:
BEAN, n.  A name given to several kinds of pulse, or leguminous seeds, and the plants producing them.  They belong to several genera, particularly Vicia, Phaseolus and Dolichos.  The varieties most usually cultivated are, the horse bean, the mazagan, the kidney bean, the cranberry bean, the lima bean, the frost bean, &c.  The stalk is erect or climbing, and the fruit generally roundish, oval or flat,and of various colors.
 Malacca-beans.  Anacardia, the fruit of a tree growing in Malabar, and other parts of the Indies.  This fruit is of a shining black color, of the shape of a heart flattened, about an inch long, terminating at one end in an obtuse point, and at the other, adhering to a wrinkles stalk.  In contains, within two shells, a kernel of a sweetish taste; and betwixt the shells is lodged a thick acrid juice.


Topic: Bean-cod
Definition:
BE'AN-COD, n.  A small fishing vessel or pilot boat, used in the rivers of Portugal.  It is sharp forward,having its stem bent above into a great curve, and plated with iron.


Topic: Bean-fly
Definition:
BE'AN-FLY, n. A beautiful fly, of a pale purple color,found on bean flowers, produced from a maggot called mida.


Topic: Bean-goose
Definition:
BE'AN-GOOSE, n.  A species of Anas; a migratory bird, which arrives in England in autumn, and retires to the north in summer.  It is so named, from the likeness of the nail of the bill to a horse-bean.
 Bean-tree of America, a name given to the Erythrina.
 Kidney-Bean-tree, a name given to the Glycine.
 Binding-bean tree, a name given to the Mimosa.
 Bean-trefoil, the Cytisus.


Topic: Bear
Definition:
BEAR,  v.t. pret.bore; pp. born,borne. [L. fero, pario, porto. The primary sense is to throw out, to bring forth, or in general, to thrust or drive along. ]
1.  To support; to sustain; as, to bear a weight or burden.
2. To carry; to convey; to support and remove from place to place; as, 'they bear him upon the shoulder;', 'the eagle beareth them on her wings.'
3.  To wear; to bear as a mark of authority or distinction; as, to bear a sword, a badge, a name; to bear arms in a coat.
4.  To keep afloat; as, the water bears a ship.
5.  To support or sustain without sinking or yielding; to endure; as, a man can bear severe pain or calamity; or to sustain with proportionate strength, and without injury; as, a man may bear stronger food or drink.
6.  To entertain; to carry in the mind; as, to bear a great love for a friend; to bear inveterate hatred to gaming.
7.  To suffer; to undergo; as, to bear punishment.
8.  To suffer without resentment, or interference to prevent; to have patience; as, to bear neglect or indignities.
9.  To admit or be capable of; that is, to suffer or sustain without violence,injury,or change; as, to give words the most favorable interpretation they will bear.
    10. To bring forth or produce, as the fruit of plants, or the young of animals; as, to bear apples; to bear children.
    11. To give birth to, or be the native place of.
          Here dwelt the man divine whom Samos bore.
    12. To possess and use as power; to exercise; as, to bear sway.
    13. To gain or win.
          Some think to bear it by speaking a great word. [Not now used. The phrase now used is, to bear away.]
    14. To carry on, or maintain; to have; as, to bear a part in conversation.
    15. To show or exhibit; to relate; as, to bear testimony or witness. This seems to imply utterance, like the Latin fero, to relate or utter.
    16. To sustain the effect, or be answerable for; as, to bear the blame.
    17. To sustain, as expense; to supply the means of paying; as, to bear the charges, that is, to pay the expenses.
    18. To be the object of.
      Let me but bear your love, and I'll bear your cares. 
    19. To behave; to act in any character; as,'hath he borne himself penitent?'
    20. To remove, or to endure the effects of; and hence to give satisfaction for.
           He shall bear their iniquities. Is. 53. Heb.9.
 To bear the infirmities of the weak, to bear one another's burdens, is to be charitable towards their faults, to sympathize with them, and to aid them in distress.
 To bear off, is to restrain; to keep from approach; and in seamanship, to remove to a distance; to keep clear from rubbing against any thing; as, to bear off a blow; to bear off a boat; also, to carry away; as, to bear off stolen goods.
 To bear down, is to impel or urge; to overthrow or crush by force; as, to bear down an enemy.
 To bear down upon, to press to overtake; to make all sail to come up with.
 To bear hard, is to press or urge.
       Cesar doth bear me hard.
 To bear on, is to press against; also to carry forward, to press, incite or animate.
       Confidence hath borne thee on.
 To bear through, is to conduct or manage; as,'to bear through the consulship.' B.Jonson.  Also, to maintain or support to the end; as, religion will bear us through the evils of life.
 To bear out, is to maintain and support to the end; to defend to the last.
        Company only can bear a man out in an ill thing.
 To bear up, to support; to keep from falling.
        Religious hope bears up the mind under sufferings.
 To bear up, to keep afloat.
 To bear a body. A color is said to bear a body in painting, when it is capable of being ground so fine, and mixed so entirely with the oil, as to seem only a very thick oil of the same color. To bear date, is to have the mark of time when written or executed; as, a letter or bond bears date, Jan.6,1811.
 To bear a price,is to have a certain price.  In common mercantile language,it often signifies or implies, to bear a good or high price.
 To bear in hand, to amuse with false pretenses; to deceive.
        I believe this phrase is obsolete, or never used in America.
 To bear a hand, in seamanship, is to make haste, be quick.


Topic: Bear-garden
Definition:
BEAR-GARDEN, n.  A place where bears are kept for diversion.
BEAR-GARDEN, a.  Rude; turbulent; as bear-garden sport.


Topic: Beard
Definition:
BEARD, n. berd. [L.barba.]  
1.  The hair that grows on the chin,lips and adjacent parts of the face,chiefly of male adults; hence a mark of virility.  A gray beard, long beard and reverend beard, are terms for old age.
2.  Beard is sometimes used for the face, and to do a thing to a man's beard,is to do it in defiance, or to his face.
3.  The awn or sharp prickles on the ears of corn.  But more technically, parallel hairs or a tuft of stiff hairs terminating the leaves of plants, a species of pubescence.  By some authors the name is given to the lower lip of a ringent corol.
4.  A barb or sharp point of an arrow, or other instrument, bent backward from the end to prevent its being easily drawn out.
5.  The beard or chuck of a horse, is that part which bears the curb of a bridle,underneath the lower mandible and above the chin.
6.  The rays of a comet, emitted towards that part of the heaven to which its proper motion seems to direct it.
7.  The threads or hairs of an oyster, muscle or similar shell-fish, by which they fasten themselves to stones.
8.  In insects, two small, oblong, fleshy bodies, placed just above the trunk, as in gnats, moths and butterflies.
BEARD, v.t. berd.  To take by the beard; to seize, pluck, or pull the beard, in contempt or anger.
1. To oppose to the face; to set at defiance.
          I have been bearded by boys.


Topic: Bearded
Definition:
BEARD'ED, a.  berd'ed.  Having a beard, as a man.  Having parallel hairs or tufts of hair, as the leaves of plants.
1.  Barbed or jagged, as an arrow.
BEARD'ED, pp.  berd'ed.  Taken by the beard; opposed to the face.


Topic: Beardless
Definition:
BEARD'LESS, a. berd'less.  Without a beard; young; not having arrived to manhood.  In botany, not having a tuft of hairs.


Topic: Bearer
Definition:
BEARER, n.  [See Bear.]  One who bears, sustains, or carries; a carrier, especially of a corpse to the grave.
1.  One who wears any thing, as a badge or sword.
2.  A tree or plant that yields its fruit; as a good bearer.
3.  In architecture, a post or brick wall between the ends of a piece of timber, to support it.  In general, any thing that supports another thing.
4.  In heraldry, a figure in an achievement, placed by the side of a shield, and seeming to support it; generally the figure of a beast.  The figure of a human creature for a like purpose is called a tenant.


Topic: Bearing-cloth
Definition:
BEARING-CLOTH, N.  A cloth in which a new born child is covered when carried to church to be baptized.


Topic: Beast
Definition:
BEAST, n.  [L. bestia.  See Boisterous.]
1.  Any four footed animal, which may be used for labor, food or sport; distinguished from fowls, insects, fishes and man; as beasts of burden, beasts of the chase, beasts of the forest.  It is usually applied to large animals.
2.  Opposed to man, it signifies any irrational animal, as in the phrase 'man and beast.'  So wild beast.
3.  Figuratively, a brutal man; a person rude, coarse, filthy, or acting in a manner unworthy of a rational creature.
4.  A game at cards.  Hence to beast.


Topic: Beastliness
Definition:
BE'ASTLINESS, n. [from beastly.]  Brutality; coarseness, vulgarity; 
filthiness; a practice contrary to the rules of humanity.  
           


Topic: Beastly
Definition:
BE'ASTLY, a.  Like a beast; brutal; coarse; filthy; contrary to the nature and dignity of man.
1.  Having the form or nature of a beast.


Topic: Beat
Definition:
BEAT, v.t. pret. beat;  pp. beat, beaten. [L. batuo. See Abate.]
1.  To strike repeatedly; to lay on repeated blows, with a stick, with the hand or fist, or with any instrument, and for any cause,just or unjust, or for punishment. Luke 12. Deut.25.
2.  To strike an instrument of music; to play on, as a drum.
3.  To break, bruise,comminute, or pulverize by beating or pounding, as pepper or spices.  Ex.30.
4.  To extend by beating, as gold or other malleable substance; or to hammer into any form; to forge.  Ex.39.
5.  To strike bushes, to shake by beating, or to make a noise to rouse game.
6.  To thresh; to force out corn from the husk by blows.
7.  To break, mix or agitate by beating; as, to beat an egg with any other thing.
8.  To dash or strike, as water; to strike or brush, as wind.
9. To tread, as a path.
    10. To overcome in a battle, contest or strife; to vanquish or conquer; as, one beats another at play.
      Phrrhus beat the Carthaginians at sea.
    11. To harass; to exercise severely; to overlabor; as, to beat the brains about logic.
 To beat down, to break, destroy, throw down, by beating or battering, as a wall.
   Also, to press down or lay flat, as by treading, by a current of water, by violent wind, &c.
   Also, to lower the price by importunity or argument.
   Also, to depress or crush; as, to bet down opposition.
   Also, to sink or lessen the price or value.
    Usury beats down the price of land.
   To beat back, to compel to retire or return.
   To beat into, to teach or instill, by repetition of instruction.
   To beat up, to attack suddenly; to alarm or disturb; as, to beat up an enemy's quarters.
   To beat the wing, to flutter; to move with fluttering agitation.
   To beat off, to repel or drive back.
   To beat the hoof, to walk; to go on foot.
  To beat time, to measure or regulate time in music by the motion of the hand or foot.
   In the manerge, a horse beats the dust, when at each motion he does not take in ground enough with his fore legs; and at curvets, when he does them too precipitately, or too low. He beats upon a walk, when he walks too short.
   To beat out, to extend by hammering. In popular use, to be beat out, is to be extremely fatigued; to have the strength exhausted by labor or exertion.
BEAT, v.i.  To more with pulsation, as the pulse beats; or to throb, as the heart beats.
1.  To dash with force, as a storm, flood, passion, &c.; as, the tempest beats against the house.
2.  To knock at a door.  Judges 19.
     3. To fluctuate; to be in agitation.
To beat about, to try to find; to search by various means or ways.
To beat upon, to act upon with violence.
Also, to speak frequently; to enforce by repetition.
To beat up for soldiers,is to go about to enlist men into the army.
In seamanship, to beat, is to make progress against the direction of the wind, by sailing in a zigzag line or traverse.
With hunters, a stag beats up and down, when he runs first one way and then another.
BEAT, n. A stroke; a striking; a blow, whether with the hand, or with a weapon.
1.  A pulsation; as the beat of the pulse.
2.  The rise or fall of the hand or foot, in regulating the divisions of time in music.
3.  A transient grace-note in music, struck immediately before the note it is intended to ornament.
In the military art, the beat of drum, is a succession of strokes varied, in different ways, for particular purposes; as to regulate a march to call soldiers to their arms or quarters, to direct an attack or retreat, &c.
The beat of a watch or clock, is the stroke made by the fangs or pallets of the spindle of the balance, or of the pads in a royal pendulum.
BEAT


Topic: Beaten
Definition:
BE'ATEN, pp.  Struck; dashed against; pressed or laid down; hammered; pounded; vanquished; make smooth by treading; worn by use; tracked.


Topic: Beater
Definition:
BE'ATER, n.  One who beats, or strikes; one whose occupation is to hammer metals.
1. An instrument for pounding, or comminuting substances.


Topic: Beatification
Definition:
BEATIFICA'TION, n.  In the Romish church, an act of the Pope by which he declares a person beatifies or blessed after death.  This is the first step towards canonization, or the raising of one to the dignity of a saint.  No person can be beatified till 50 years after his death.  All certificates or attestations of his virtues and miracles are examined by the congregation of rites, and this examination continues often for years; after which his Holiness decrees the beatification, and the corpse and relics of the intended saint are exposed to the veneration of all good christians.


Topic: Beatify
Definition:
BEAT'IFY, v.t. [L. beatus, happy, from beo, to bless, and facio, to make.]
1.  To make happy; to bless with the completion of celestial enjoyment.
2.  In the Romish church, to declare, by a decree or public act, that a person is received into heaven, and is to be reverenced as blessed, though not canonized.


Topic: Beating
Definition:
BE'ATING, ppr.  Laying on blows; striking; dashing against; conquering; pounding; sailing against the direction of the wind; &c.
BE'ATING,n.  The act of striking or giving blows; punishment or chastisement by blows.
The beating of flax and hemp is an operation which  renders them more soft and pliable. For this purpose, they are made into rolls and laid in a trough, where they are beat, till no roughness or hardness can be felt.
In book binding, beating is performed by laying the book in quires or sheets folded, on a block, and beating it with a heavy broad-faced hammer.  On this operation the elegance of the binding and the easy opening of the book chiefly depend.
Beating the wind, was a practice in the ancient trial by combat.  If one of the combatants did not appear on the field, the other was to beat the wind, by making flourishes with his weapons; by which he was entitled to the advantages of a conqueror.
Beatings, in music, the regular pulsative swellings of sound, produced in an organ by pipes of the same key, when not in unison, and their vibrations not simultaneous or coincident.


Topic: Beatitude
Definition:
BEAT'ITUDE, n.  [L. beatitudo, from beatus, beo.  See Beatify.]
1.  Blessedness; felicity of the highest kind; consummate bliss; used of the joys of heaven.
2.  The declaration of blessedness made by our Savior to particular virtues.


Topic: Beau
Definition:
BEAU, n.  bo. plu. beaux, boze.[L. bellus.]
A man of dress; a fine, gay man; one whose great care is to deck his person.  In familiar language, a man who attends a lady.


Topic: Beauteous
Definition:
BEAU'TEOUS, a.  bu'teous.  [See Beauty.]  Very fair; elegant in form; pleasing to the sight; beautiful; very handsome.  It expresses a greater degree of beauty than handsome, and is chiefly used in poetry.


Topic: Beauteously
Definition:
BEAU'TEOUSLY, adv. bu'teously.  In a beauteous manner; in a manner pleasing to the sight; beautifully.


Topic: Beautiful
Definition:
BEAU'TIFUL, a. bu'tiful. [beauty and full.]
1.  Elegant in form, fair,having the form that pleases the eye. It expresses more than handsome.
   A beautiful woman is one of the most attractive objects in all nature's works.
        A circle is more beautiful than a square; a square is more beautiful than a parallelogram.
2.  Having the qualities which constitute beauty, or that which pleases the senses other than the sight; as a beautiful sound.


Topic: Beautify
Definition:
BEAU'TIFY, v.t.  bu'tify. [beauty and L. facio.]
To make or render beautiful; to adorn; to deck; to grace; to add beauty to; to embellish.
BEAU'TIFY, v.i. bu'tify.  To become beautiful; to advance in beauty.


Topic: Beauty
Definition:
BEAU'TY, n. bu'ty.
1.  An assemblage of graces, or an assemblage of properties in the form of the person or any other object, which pleases the eye.  In the person, due proportion or symmetry of parts constitutes the most essential property to which we annex the term beauty.  In the face, the regularity and symmetry of the features, the color of the skin, the expression of the eye, are among the principal properties which constitute beauty.  But as it is hardly possible to define all the properties which constitute beauty, we may observe in general, that beauty consists in whatever pleases the eye of the beholder, whether in the human body, in a tree, in a landscape, or in any other object.
 Beauty is intrinsic, and perceived by the eye at first view, or relative, to perceive which the aid of the understanding and reflection is requisite.  Thus, the beauty of a machine is not perceived, till we understand its uses, and adaptation to its purpose. This is called the beauty of utility. By any easy transition, the word beauty is used to express what is pleasing to the other senses, or to the understanding.  Thus we say, the beauty of a thought, of a remark, of sound, &c.
  So beauty, armed with virtue, bows the soul
  With a commanding, but a sweet control.
2.  A particular grace, feature or ornament; any particular thing which is beautiful and pleasing; as the beauties of nature.
3.  A particular excellence, or a part which surpasses in excellence that with which it is united; as the beauties of an author.
4.  A beautiful person,  In scripture, the chief dignity or ornament. 2 Sam.1.
5.  In the arts, symmetry of parts; harmony; justness of composition.
6.  Joy and gladness.  Is.61. Order, prosperity,peace,holiness, Ezek. 26.
BEAU'TY, v.t. bu'ty.  To adorn; to beautify or embellish.  Obs.


Topic: Beaver
Definition:
BE'AVER, n.  [L.fiber.]
1.  An amphibious quadruped, of the genus Castor.  It has short ears, a blunt nose, small fore feet, large hind feet, with a flat ovate tail.  It is remarkable for its ingenuity in construction its lodges or habitations, and from this animal is obtained the castor of the shops, which is taken from cods or bags in the groin.  Its fur, which is mostly of a chestnut brown, is the material of the best hats.
2.  The fur of the beaver, and a hat made of the fur; also, a part of a helmet that covers the face.


Topic: Becabunga
Definition:
BECABUN'GA, n. Brooklime speedwell; veronica becabunga; a plant common in ditches and shallow streams.


Topic: Becalm
Definition:
BECALM, v.t. becam. [be calm.  See Calm.]
1.  To still; to make quiet; to appease; to stop, or repress motion in a body; used of the elements and of the passions; as, to becalm the ocean, or the mind. But calm is generally used.
2.  To intercept the current of wind, so as to prevent motion; to keep from motion for want of wind; as, highlands becalm a ship.


Topic: Becalmed
Definition:
BECALMED, pp. becamed.  Quieted; appeased.
1.  a. Hindered from motion or progress by a calm; as a ship becalmed.


Topic: Becalming
Definition:
BECALMING, ppr.  becaming.  Appeasing; keeping from motion or progress.
 
BECALMING, n. becaming.  A calm at sea.


Topic: Because
Definition:
BECAUSE, becauz' a compound word. [ See By and Cause.]
By cause, or by the cause; on this account; for the cause which is explained in the next proposition; for the reason next explained.  Thus, I fled, because I was afraid, is to be thus resolved; I fled, by the cause, for the cause, which is mentioned in the next affirmation, viz.  I was afraid.  Hence, cause being a noun, because may be regularly followed by of.
  The spirit is life, because of righteousness.
  Because of these cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.


Topic: Bechic
Definition:
BE'CHIC, n. [Gr.a cough.]  A medicine for relieving coughs, synonymous with pectoral, which is now the term mostly used.


Topic: Beck
Definition:
BECK, n.  A small brook.  Gray.  Heb. a brook or rivulet; in the sense of flowing, as tears, weeping.  Gen.32.22.  It is obsolete in English, but is found in the names of towns situated near streams, as in Walbeck; but is more frequent in names on the continent,as in Griesbach.&c.
BECK, n.  A nod of the head; a significant nod, intended to be understood by some person, especially as a sign of command.
BECK, v.i.  To nod or make a sign with the head.
BECK, v.t.  To call by a nod; to intimate a command to; to notify by a motion of the head.


Topic: Becket
Definition:
BECK'ET, n. A thing used in ships to confine loose ropes, tackles or spars; as a large hook, a rope, with an eye at one end, or a wooden bracket.


Topic: Beckon
Definition:
BECK'ON, v.t.  bek'n. [See Beck.]
To make a sign to another, by nodding, winking, or a motion of the hand or finger, &c.,intended as a hint or intimation.  Acts.19.
BECK'ON, v.t.  bek'n.  To make a significant sign to.


Topic: Become
Definition:
BECOME, v.i. becum'. pret. became, pp. become.
1.  To pass from one state to another; to enter into some state or condition, by a change from another state or condition, or by assuming or receiving new properties or qualities, additional matter, or a new character; as, a cion becomes a tree.
     The Lord God breathed into his nostrils the breath of like and man became a living soul.
     To the Jew, I became a Jew.
2.  To become of, usually with what preceding; to be the fate of; to be the end of; to be the final or subsequent condition; as, what will become of our commerce?  what will become of us?
       In the present tense, it applies to place as well as condition. What has become of my friend?  that is, where is he? as well as, what is his condition?  Where is he become? used by Shakespeare and Spenser, is obsolete; but this is the sense in Saxon, where has he fallen?
BECOME, v.t.  In general, to suit or be suitable; to be congruous; to befit; to accord with, in character or circumstances; to be worthy of, decent or proper.  It is used in the same sense applied to persons or things.
       If I become not a cart as well as another man.
       This use of the word however is less frequent, the verb usually expressing the suitableness of things, to persons or to other things; as, a robe becomes a prince.
       It becomes not a cart as well as another man.


Topic: Becoming
Definition:
BECOM'ING,ppr., but used rarely or never except as an adjective. Fit; suitable; congruous; proper; graceful; belonging to the character, or adapted to circumstances; as, he speaks with becoming boldness; a dress is very becoming.
Some writers formerly used of, after this word.
       Such discourses as are becoming of them.
       But this use is inelegant or improper.
BECOM'ING, a.  Ornament. Obs.


Topic: Bed
Definition:
BED, n. [The sense is a lay or spread, from laying or setting.]
1.  A place or an article of furniture to sleep and take rest on; in modern times, and among civilized men, a sack or tick filled with feathers or wool; but a bed may be made of straw or any other materials.  The word bed includes often the bedstead.
2.  Lodging; a convenient place for sleep.
3.  Marriage; matrimonial connection.
           George, the eldest son of his second bed.
4.  A plat or level piece of ground in a garden, usually a little raised above the adjoining ground.
5.  The channel of a river,or that part in which the water usually flows.
6. Any hollow place, especially in the arts; a hollow place, in which any thing rests; as the bed of a mortar.
7. A layer; a stratum; an extended mass of any thing, whether upon the earth or within it; as a bed of sulphur; a bed of sand or clay.
8.  Pain, torment.  Rev.2.  The grave.  Is.57.  The lawful use of wedlock. Heb.13.
 The bed of the carriage of a gun is a thick plank which lies under the piece, being, as it were, the body of the carriage.
 The bed of a mortar is a solid piece of oak, hollow in the middle, to receive the britch and half the trunnions.
 In masonry, bed is a range of stones, and the joint of the bed is the mortar between two stones placed over each other.
 Bed of justice, in France, was a throne on which the king was seated when he went to parliament.  Hence the phrase, to hold a bed of justice.
 To make a bed, is to put it in order after it has been used.
 To bring to bed, to deliver of a child, is rarely used.  But in the passive form, to be brought to bed, that is, to be delivered of a child, is common.  It is often followed by of; as, to be brought to bed of a son.
 To put to bed, in midwifery, is to deliver of a child.
 Dining bed, or discubitory bed, among the ancients, a bed on which persons lay at meals.  It was four or five feet high, and would hold three or four persons.  Three of these beds were ranged by a square table, one side of the table being left open, and accessible to the waiters.  Hence the Latin name for the table and the room, triclinium, or three beds.
 From bed and board.  In law, a separation of man and wife,without dissolving the bands of matrimony, is called a separation from bed and board, a mensa et thoro.  In this case the wife has a suitable maintenance allotted to her out of the husband's estate, called alimony.


Topic: Bedaggle
Definition:
BEDAG'GLE, v.t.  [be and daggle.]  To soil, as clothes, by drawing the ends in the mud, or spattering them with dirty water.


Topic: Bedash
Definition:
BEDASH', v.t. [be and dash.]  To wet, by throwing water, or other liquor upon; to bespatter, with water or mud.


Topic: Bedaub
Definition:
BEDAUB', v.t. [be and daub.]  To daub over; to besmear with viscous, slimy matter; to soil with any thing thick and dirty.


Topic: Bedazzle
Definition:
BEDAZ'ZLE, v.t. [be and dazzle.] To confound the sight by too strong a light; to make dim by luster.


Topic: Bedchamber
Definition:
BED'CHAMBER, n. [bed and chamber.]  An apartment or chamber intended or appropriated for a bed, or for sleep and repose.


Topic: Bedehouse
Definition:
BE'DEHOUSE, n.  Formerly, a hospital or alms house, where the poor prayed for their founders and benefactors.


Topic: Bedew
Definition:
BEDEW', v.t. [be and dew.]  To moisten, as with dew; to moisten in a gentle manner with any liquid; as, tears bedew her face.


Topic: Bedight
Definition:
BEDI'GHT, v.t. bedi'te. [be and dight.]  To adorn; to dress;  set off with ornaments.  [Little used.]


Topic: Bedlam
Definition:
BED'LAM, n. [Corrupted from Bethlehem, the name of a religious house in London, afterward converted into a hospital for lunatics.]
1.  A mad house; a place appropriated for lunatics.]
2.  A madman; a lunatic; one who lives in Bedlam.
3.  A place of uproar.
BED'LAM, a.  Belonging to a mad house; fit for a mad house.


Topic: Bedraggle
Definition:
BEDRAG'GLE, v.t. [be and draggle.]  To soil, as garments which are suffered, in walking, to reach the dirt; to soil by drawing along on mud.


Topic: Bedroom
Definition:
BED'ROOM, n. [bed and room.]  A room or apartment intended or used for a bed; a lodging room.
1.  Room in a bed. [Not in use.]


Topic: Bedstaff
Definition:
BED'STAFF, n. [bed and staff.]  A wooden pin anciently inserted on the sides of bedsteads, to keep the clothes from slipping on either side.


Topic: Bedstraw
Definition:
BED'STRAW, n.  [bed and straw.]  Straw laid under a bed to make it soft; also the name of a plant, a species of galium.


Topic: Bedswerver
Definition:
BED'SWERVER, n.  [bed and swerve.]  One that swerves from his bed; that is one who is false and unfaithful to the marriage vow.


Topic: Bee
Definition:
BEE, n.  An insect of the genus Apis. [See Apis.]  The species are numerous, of which the honey-bee is the most interesting to man.  It has been cultivated from the earliest periods, for its wax and honey.  It lives in swarms or societies, of from 10,000 to 50,000 individuals.  These swarms contain three classes of bees, the females or queen bees, the males or drones, and the neuters or working bees.  Of the former, there is only one in each hive or swarm, whose sole office is to propagate the species.  It is much larger than the other bees.  The drones serve merely for impregnating the queen, after which they are destroyed by the neuters.  These last are the laborers of the hive.  They collect the honey, form the cells, and feed the other bees and the young.  They are furnished with a proboscis by which they suck the honey from flowers, and a mouth by which they swallow it, and then convey it to the hive in their stomachs, where they disgorge it into the cells.  The pollen of flowers settles on the hairs with which their body is covered, whence it is collected into pellets, by a brush on their second pair of legs,and deposited in a hollow in the third pair.  It is called bee bread, and is the food of the larvae or young.  The adult bees feed on honey.  The wax was supposed to be formed from pollen by a digestive process, but it is now ascertained that it is formed from the honey by a similar process. The females and neuters have a barbed sting, attached to a bag of poison, which flows into the wound inflicted by the sting.  When a hive is overstocked, a new colony is sent out under the direction of a queen bee.  This is called swarming.


Topic: Bee-bread
Definition:
BEE'-BREAD, n. [bee and bread.]  The pollen of flowers collected by bees, as food for their young.  [See Bee.]


Topic: Bee-eater
Definition:
BEE'-EATER,n. [bee and eat.]  A bird that feeds on bees.  There are several species included in the genus merops, of which the apiaster of Europe is remarkable for the brilliancy of its plumage.


Topic: Bee-flower
Definition:
BEE'-FLOWER, n. [bee and flower.]  A plant; a species of Ophrys or twyblade, whose flowers represent singular figures of bees, flies and other insects.


Topic: Beech
Definition:
BEECH, n.  [Gr. payos; L. fagus.]  A tree arranged by Linne under the genus fagus, with the chestnut. The beech grows to a large size, with branches forming a beautiful head, with thick foliage.  The bark is smooth and of a silvery cast.  The mast or nuts are the food of swine, and of certain wild animals, and yield a good oil for lamps.  When eaten by man, they are said to occasion giddiness and headache.


Topic: Beech-oil
Definition:
BEE'CH-OIL, n.  [beech and oil.]  Oil expressed from the mast or nuts of the beech-tree.  It is used in Picardy, and in other parts of France, instead of butter; but is said to occasion heaviness and pains in the stomach.


Topic: Beechen
Definition:
BEE'CHEN, a. bee'chn.  Consisting of the wood or bark of the beech; belonging to the beech; as a beechen vessel.


Topic: Beef
Definition:
BEEF, n.  [L. bos,bovis; Gr.Bous.]
1.  An animal of the bovine genus,whether ox, bull or cow; but used of those which are full grown or nearly so. In this, which is the original sense, the word has a plural, beeves.
2.  The flesh of an ox, bull, or cow, when killed.  In popular language, the word is often applied to the live animal; as, an ox is good beef; that is,is well fattened.  In this sense,the word has no plural.
BEEF, a.  Consisting of the flesh of the ox, or bovine kind; as a beef-steak.


Topic: Beef-eater
Definition:
BEE'F-EATER, n. [beef and eat.]  One that eats beef.
1.  A yeoman of the guards, in England.
2.  The Buphaga, an African bird that feeds on the larvas which nestle under the hides of oxen.
3.  In popular use, a stout fleshy man.


Topic: Been
Definition:
BEEN, Part.perf. of be; pronounced bin.  In old authors, it is also the present tense plural of be.
BEEN, n.  A fretted stringed instrument of music of the guitar kind, having nineteen frets; used in India.


Topic: Beer
Definition:
BEER, n.  
1.  A spirituous liquor made from any farinaceous grain; but generally from barley, which is first malted and ground, and its fermentable substance extracted by hot water.  This extract or infusion is evaporated by boiling in caldrons, and hops or some other plant of an agreeable bitterness added.  The liquor is then suffered to ferment in vats.  Beer is of different degrees of strength, and is denominated small beer, ale, porter, brown stout, &c.,according to its strength, or other peculiar qualities.
2.  Beer is a name given in America to fermenting liquors made of various other materials; and when a decoction of the roots of plants forms a part of the composition, it is called spring-beer, from the season in which it is made.


Topic: Beet
Definition:
BEET, n. [L. beta.]  A plant of the genus Beta.  The species cultivated in gardens are the cicla and vulgaris,or white and red beet.  There are many varieties; some with long taper roots, and others with flat roots, like turnips.  The root furnishes a large portion of sugar, which has been recently manufactured in France on a great scale.


Topic: Befall
Definition:
BEFALL', v.t. pret. befell; part. befallen.  
To happen to; to occur to; as, let me know the worst that can befall me.  It usually denotes ill.  It is generally transitive in form, but there seems to be an ellipsis of to,and to sometimes follows it.
BEFALL', v.i.  To happen; to come to pass.
      To befall of is not legitimate.


Topic: Befit
Definition:
BEFIT', v.t. [be and fit.] To suit; to be suitable to; to become.
          That name best befits thee.


Topic: Befool
Definition:
BEFOOL', v.t. [be and fool.]  To fool; to infatuate; to delude or lead into error.
           Men befool themselves.


Topic: Before
Definition:
BEFO'RE, prep. [be and fore, that is by fore, near the fore part.]
1.  In front; on the side with the face, at any distance; used of persons.
2.  In presence of, with the idea of power, authority, respect.
      Abraham bowed before the people of the land. Gen.23.
           Wherewithal shall I come before the Lord. Micah 6.
3.  In sight of; as before the face.
4.  In the presence of, noting cognizance of jurisdiction.
5.  In the power of, noting the right or ability to choose or possess; free to the choice.  
           The world was all before them.
           My land is before thee. Gen.20.
     6. In front of any object; as before the house; before the fire.
7.  Preceding in time.
           Before I was afflicted, I went astray. Ps.119.
        Before Abraham was, I am. John 8.
         Here the preposition has a sentence following for an object.
8.  In preference to.
           And he set Ephraim before Manasseh. Gen.48.
           Poverty is desirable before torments.
9. Superior; preceding in dignity.
           He that cometh after me is preferred before me, for he was before me. John l.
    10. Prior to; having prior right; preceding in order; as, the eldest son is before the younger in succession.
    11. Previous to; in previous order; in order to.
           Before this treatise can become of use, two points are necessary.
12.  Before the wind, is to move in the direction of the wind by its impulse.
BEFO'RE, adv.  In time preceding.
           You tell me what I knew before.
1. In time preceding, to the present, or to this time; hitherto; as, tumults then arose which before were unknown.
2. Further onward in place, in progress, or in front.
      Reaching forth to those things which are before. Phil.3.
3.  In front; on the fore part.
           The battle was before and behind. 2 Chron.13.
In some of the examples of the use of before, which Johnson places under the adverb, the word is a preposition governing a sentence; as, 'Before the hills appeared.'  This is the real construction,however overlooked or misunderstood.


Topic: Beforehand
Definition:
BEFO'REHAND, adv. [before and hand.]  In a state of anticipation or preoccupation; often followed by with; as, you are before hand with me.
1.  Antecedently; by way of preparation or preliminary; aforetime. Math.13.  1 Tim.5.
2.  In a state of accumulation, so as that more has been received than expended.  A man is beforehand.  In this use it is more properly an adjective.
3.  At first; before any thing is done.


Topic: Befriend
Definition:
BEFRIEND, v.t. befrend'. [be and friend.]  To favor; to act as a friend to; to countenance,aid or benefit.


Topic: Beg
Definition:
BEG , n. In the Turkish dominions, a governor of a town or country; more particularly, the lord of a sangiac or banner. Every province is divided into seven sangiacs or banners, each of which qualifies a bey; and these are commanded by the governor of the province, called begler-beg or lord of all the beys. Each beg has the command of a certain number of spahis, or horse, denominated 
timariots.
In Tunis, the beg or bey is the prince or king, answering to the dey of Algiers.
In Egypt, the begs are twelve generals who command the militia, or standing forces of the kingdom.


Topic: Beget
Definition:
BEGET', v.t. pret. begot, begat; pp. begot, begotten. 
1.  To procreate, as a father or sire; to generate; as, to beget a son.
2.  To produce, as an effect; to cause to exist; to generate; as, luxury begets vice.


Topic: Beggar
Definition:
BEG'GAR, n. [See Beg.] One that lives by asking alms, or makes it his business to beg for charity.
1.  One who supplicates with humility; a petitioner; but in this sense rarely used, as the word has become a term of contempt.
2.  One who assumes in argument what he does not prove.
BEG'GAR, v.t.  To reduce to beggary; to impoverish.
1.  To deprive or make destitute; to exhaust; as, to beggar description.


Topic: Begging
Definition:
BEG'GING, ppr.  Asking alms; supplicating; assuming without proof.
BEG'GING, n. The act of soliciting alms; the practice of asking alms; as, he lives by begging.


Topic: Begin
Definition:
BEGIN', v.i.  pret. began; pp. begun. [L.genero,gigno; Heb.to make ready, to adapt,prepare, establish.]
1.  To have an original or first existence; to take rise; to commence.
  As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, who have been since the world began.  Luke 1.
  Judgment must begin at the house of God. 1 Pet.4.
  From Nimrod first the savage race began.
  And tears began to flow.
2.  To do the first act; to enter upon something new; to take the first step; as, begin, my muse.
  Begin every day to repent.
  When I begin, I will also make an end. 1 Sam.3.
BEGIN'v.t.  To do the first act of any thing; to enter on; to commence.
  Ye nymphs of Solyma, begin the song.
  And this they begin to do. Gen.11.
2.  To trace from any thing, as the first ground; to lay the foundation.
  The apostle begins our knowledge in the creatures, which leads us to the knowledge of God.
To begin with, to enter upon first; to use or employ first; as, to begin with the Latin Grammar; to begin business with a small capital.


Topic: Beginner
Definition:
BEGIN'NER, n.  The person who begins; he that gives an original; the agent who is the cause; an author.
1.  One who first enters upon any art, science or business; one who is in his rudiments; a young practitioner; often implying want of experience.


Topic: Beginning
Definition:
BEGIN'NING, ppr.  First entering upon; commencing; giving rise or original; taking rise or origin.
BEGIN'NING, n.  The first cause; origin.
  I am the beginning and the ending. Rev.1.
1.  That which is first; the first state; commencement; entrance into being.
  In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. Gen.1.
3. The rudiments, first ground or materials.
  Mighty things from small beginnings grow


Topic: Begird
Definition:
BEGIRD, v.t. begurd. pret.begirt, begirded; pp. begirt. [be and gird.]
1.  To bind with a band or girdle.
2. To surround; to inclose; to encompass.
 Begird the Almighty throne.
3.  To besiege.
To begirt, used by B.Jonso, is a corrupt orthography.


Topic: Beglerbeg
Definition:
BEG'LERBEG, n.  [See Beg.]  The governor of a province in the Turkis empire, next in dignity to the grand vizier.  Each has three ensigns or staves, trimmed with a horse tail, to distinguish him from a bashaw, who has two, and a beg, who has one.  His province is called beglerbeglik.


Topic: Begone
Definition:
BEGONE.  Go away; depart.  These two words have been improperly united.  Be retains the sense of a verb, and gone, that of a participle.


Topic: Begrime
Definition:
BEGRI'ME, v.t. [be and grime.]  To soil with dirt deep-impressed, so that the natural hue cannot easily be recovered.


Topic: Beguards
Definition:
BEGUARDS', n.  A religious order of St. Francis in Flanders, established at Antwerp in 1228, and so named from St. Begghe, their patroness.  They at first employed themselves in making linen cloth,united in bonds of charity, without any rule; but in 1290, they embraced that of the third order of St. Francis.  The name has been transferred to all the other religious of the convent of Antwerp.


Topic: Beguile
Definition:
BEGUI'LE, v.t. begi'le. [be and guile.]  To delude; to deceive; to impose on by artifice or craft.
  The serpent beguiled me and I did eat  Gen.3.
1.  To elude by craft.
  When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage.
2.  To elude any thing disagreeable by amusement, or other means; to pass pleasingly; to amuse; as, to beguile the tedious day with sleep.


Topic: Beguin
Definition:
BE'GUIN, n.  The beguins are a congregation of nuns in Flanders, so called from their founder, or from their head dress.  Beguin, in French, is a linen cap.  From this order sprung the Beguinages in Flanders.


Topic: Behalf
Definition:
BEHALF, n.  behaf.  [See Behoof.]
1.  Favor; advantage; convenience, profit; support, defense, vindication.  The advocate pleads in behalf of the prisoner.  The patriot suffers in behalf of his country.
2.  Part; side; noting substitution, or the act of taking the part of another; as, the agent appeared in behalf of his constituents, and entered a claim.


Topic: Behave
Definition:
BEHA'VE, v.t.
1.  To restrain; to govern; to subdue. 
  He did behave his anger e'er 'twas spent.
This sense is obsolete.  Yet it often seems to be implied; for to behave one's self, is really, to govern one's self; to have in command.
2.  To carry; to conduct; used with the reciprocal pronoun; as, he behaves himself manfully.  But the tendency of modern usage is to omit the pronoun; as, he behaves well.
BEHA'VE, v.i.  To act; to conduct; generally applied to manners, or to conduct in any particular business; and in a good or bad sense.  He behaves well or will.


Topic: Behavior
Definition:
BEHA'VIOR, n.  behavyur.  [See Behave.]
Manner of behaving, whether good or bad; conduct; manners; carriage of one's self, with respect to propriety, or morals; deportment.  It expresses external appearance or action; sometimes in a particular character; more generally in the common duties of life; as, our future destiny depends on our behavior in this life. It may express correct or good manners, but I doubt whether it ever expresses the idea of elegance of manners,without another word to qualify it.
  To be upon one's behavior, is to be in a state of trial, in which something important depends on propriety of conduct.  The modern phrase is, to be or to be put, upon one's good behavior.


Topic: Behead
Definition:
BEHEAD', v.t. behed'. [be and head.]
To cut off the head; to sever the head from the body, with a cutting instrument; appropriately used of the execution of men for crimes.


Topic: Beheading
Definition:
BEHEAD'ING, ppr. behed'ing. Severing the head from the body.
BEHEAD'ING,n.  behed'ing. The act of separating the head from the body by a cutting instrument; decollation.


Topic: Behemoth
Definition:
BE'HEMOTH, n.]Heb. a beast or brute; from an Arabic vert, which signifies, to shut, to lie hid, to be dumb. In Eth.dumb.]
Authors are divided in opinion as to the animal intended in scripture by this anme; some supposing it to be an ox, others, an elephant; and Bochart labors to prove it the hippopotamus, or river horse.  The latter opinion is most probably.  [See Hippopotamus.]  The original word in Arabic signifies a brute of beast in general, especially a quadruped.


Topic: Behen
Definition:
BE'HEN, BEN, OR BEK'EN, n.  A plant.  The white behen is a species of Cucubalus, called Swedish Lychnis, or gum sepungar.  The empalement of its flower resembles net-work, and its leaves have somewhat of the flavor of pease.
 The behen of the shops, or white behen, is spatling poppy.  Red behen is sea lavender.


Topic: Behight
Definition:
BEHI'GHT, v.t. behite; pret. behot.  
To promise; to entrust; to call, or name; to command; to adjudge; to address; to inform; to mean; to reckon.  The orthography is corrupt; it should be behite.


Topic: Behind
Definition:
BEHIND, prep.
1.  At the back of another; as, to ride behind a horseman.
2. On the back part, at any distance; in the rear; as, to walk behind another.
3.  Remaining; left after the departure of another, whether by removing to a distance, or by death; as, a man leaves his servant behind him, or his estate at his decease.
4.  Left at a distance, in progress or improvement; as, one student is behind another in mathematics.
5.  Inferior to another in dignity and excellence.
  For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. 2 Cor.11.
6. On the side opposite to that which fronts a person; on the other side; as behind a bed; behind a hill; behind a house, tree, or rock.
Behind the back, in scripture, signifies,out of notice, or regard; overlooked; disregarded.
  They cast thy laws behind their backs. Neh.19. Is.38.
BEHIND, adv. [be and hind.]  Out of sight; not produced, or exhibited to view; remaining; as, we know no what evidence is behind.
1.  Backwards; on the back-part; as, to look behind.
2.  Past in the progress of time.
3.  Future, or remaining to be endured.
      And fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh. Col.1.
4.  Remaining after a payment; unpaid; as, there is a large sum behind.
5.  Remaining after the departure of; as, he departed and left us behind.


Topic: Behindhand
Definition:
BEHINDHAND, a.  [behind and hand.]  In arrear; in an exhausted state; in a state in which rent or profit has been anticipated, and expenditures precede the receipt of funds to supply them.  In popular use, a state of poverty, in which the means of living are not adequate to the end.  Also, in a state of backwardness, in which a particular business has been delayed beyond the proper season for performing it; as, he is behindhand in his business.
Behindhand with, is behind in progress; not upon equal terms in forwardness; as to be behindhand with the fashionable world.
This word is really an adjective, as it is applied to the person rather than to the verb; but like adrift,aloft, ashamed, and several other words, never precedes the noun. Shakespeare's 'behindhand slackness.' therefore, according to present usage, is not a legitimate phrase.


Topic: Behold
Definition:
BEHO'LD, v.t. pret. and pp. beheld' [L.observo, from servo, to keep.]
1.  To fix the eyes upon; to see with attention; to observe with care.
      Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1.
2.  In a less intensive sense, to look upon; to see.
      When he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Num. 21.
 
BEHO'LD, v.i.  To look; to direct the eyes to an object.
      And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, a lamb,as it had been slain. Rev.5.
1.  To fix the attention upon an object; to attend; to direct or fix the mind.
      Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Rev.3.word is much used in this manner for exciting attention, or admiration. It is in the imperative mode, expressing command, or exhortation; and by no means a mere exclamation.


Topic: Beholden
Definition:
BEHO'LDEN, pp. or a. beholdn.  [The participle of behold, to keep, guard, or bind.  See Behold.]
Obliged; bound in gratitude; indebted.
      Little are we beholden to your love.


Topic: Beholding
Definition:
BEHO'LDING, ppr.  Fixing the eyes upon; looking on; seeing.
1.  Fixing the attention; regarding with attention.
2.  Obligation.  [Not used.]
3.  Obliged.  Bacon on Love.  A mistaken use of the word for beholden.


Topic: Behoof
Definition:
BEHOOF', n.  
1.  Radically, need, necessity; whence, by an easy analogy, the word came to signify that which supplies want.  Hence, in present usage.
2.  That which is advantageous; advantage; profit; benefit.
      No mean recompense it brings to your behoof.


Topic: Behoove
Definition:
BEHOOVE, v.t. behoof'.  To be necessary for; to be fit for; to be meet for, with respect to necessity, duty, or convenience.
           And thus it behooved Christ to suffer. Luke 24.
It may perhaps be used intransitively; as, let him behave as it behooveth; but I believe such use is rare.


Topic: Being
Definition:
BE'ING, ppr.  [See Be.]  Existing in a certain state.
      Man, being in honor, abideth not. Ps.49.
BE'ING,n.  Existence; as, God is the author of our being.
      In God we live, and move, and have our being. Acts 17.
1.  A particular state or condition.  [This is hardly a different sense.]
2.  A person existing; applied to the human race.
3.  An immaterial, intelligent existence, or spirit.
      Superior beings, when of late they saw.
           A mortal man unfold all nature's law--
4.  An animal; any living creature.
      Animals are such beings, as are endowed with sensation and spontaneous motion.


Topic: Belabor
Definition:
BELA'BOR, v.t. [perhaps from be and labor; but in Russ. bulava is a club.]  To beat soundly; to thump.
      Ajax belabors there a harmless ox.


Topic: Belated
Definition:
BELA'TED, a.  [be and lated.]  Benighted; abroad late at night.
1.  Too late for the hour appointed or intended; later than the proper time.


Topic: Belay
Definition:
BELA'Y, v.t.  [This word is composed of be and lay, to lay to, lay by, or close.  See Beleaguer.]
1.  To block up, or obstruct.
2.  To place in ambush.
3.  To adorn, surround, or cover.
4.  In seamanship, to fasten, or make fast, by winding a rope round a cleat, kevil, or belaying-pin.  It is chiefly applied to the running rigging.


Topic: Belch
Definition:
BELCH, v.t.[Eng. bulge,bilge, bulk.]
1.  To throw or eject wind from the stomach with violence.
2.  To eject violently from a deep hollow place, as, a volcano belches flames and lava.
BELCH, n.  The act of throwing out from the stomach, or from a hollow place; eructation.
1.  A cant name for malt liquor.


Topic: Beldam
Definition:
BEL'DAM, n.
1.  An old woman.
      Spenser seems to have used the word in its true sense for good dame.
2.  A hag.


Topic: Beleaguer
Definition:
BELE'AGUER, v.t.  belee'ger.  To besiege; to block up; to surround with an army, so as to preclude escape.


Topic: Belee
Definition:
BELEE', v.t. [be and lee.]  To place on the lee, or in a position unfavorable to the wind. [Not used.]


Topic: Belemnite
Definition:
BELEM'NITE, n. [Gr.a dart,or arrow, from the root of pello, to throw.]
Arrow-head, or finger stone; vulgarly called thunder-bolt, or thunder stone.  A genus of fossil shells, common in chalk and limestone.  These shells consist of an interior cone, divided into partitions connected by a syphon, as in the nautilus, and surrounded by a number of concentric layers, made up of fibers radiating from the axis.  These layers are somewhat transparent, and when burnt, rubbed or scraped, give the odor of rasped horn.  The species are now extinct.


Topic: Belfry
Definition:
BEL'FRY, n. [L. belfredus.]
1.  Among military writers of the middle age, a tower erected by besiegers to overlook the place besieged, in which sentinels were placed to watch the avenues, and to prevent surprise from parties of the enemy, or to give notice of fires,by ringing a bell.
2.  That part of a steeple,or other building, in which a bell is hung, and more particularly, the timer work which sustains it.


Topic: Belgian
Definition:
BEL'GIAN, a.  [See Belgic.]  Belonging to Belgica,or the Netherlands.
BEL'GIAN, n. A native of Belgica,or the Low Countries.


Topic: Belgic
Definition:
BEL'GIC, a. [L.belgicus, from Belgae, the inhabitants of the Netherlands and the country bordering on the Rhine, from that river to the Seine and the ocean.  The name may have been given to them from their bulk or large stature; Eng.bulge;]
Pertaining to the Belgae, who, in Caesar's time, possessed the country between the Rhine, the Seine and the ocean. They were of Teutonic origin, and anterior to Caesar's invasion of Gaul and Britain, colonies of them had established themselves in the southern part of Britain.  The country was called from its inhabitants Belgica, not Belgium, which was the town of Beauvais.  See Cluv.Germ. Ant.2.2.
Belgic is now applied to the Netherlands, called also Flanders, or that part of the Low Countries which formerly belonged to the house of Austria.


Topic: Belial
Definition:
BE'LIAL, n.  As a noun, unprofitableness; wickedness.  As an adjective, worthless; wicked.  In a collective sense, wicked men.


Topic: Belie
Definition:
BELI'E, v.t. [be and lie.  See Lie.]
1.  To give the lie to; to show to be false; to charge with falsehood; as, the heart belies the tongue.  It is rarely used of declarations; but of appearances and facts which show that declarations, or certain appearances and pretences are false and hypocritical.  Hence.
2.  To counterfeit; to mimic; to feign resemblance.
      With dust, with horse's hoofs, that beat the ground,]
           And martial brass, belie the thunder's sound.
3.  To give a false representation.
      Should I do so, I should belie my thoughts.
4.  To tell lies concerning; to calumniate by false reports.
           Thou dost belie him, Percy.
5.  To fill with lies.
      Slander doth belie all corners of the world. [Not legitimate]


Topic: Belied
Definition:
BELI'ED,pp. Falsely represented either by word or obvious evidence and indication; counterfeited; mimicked.


Topic: Belief
Definition:
BELIE'F, n.  
1. A persuasion of the truth, or an assent of mind to the truth of a declaration, proposition or alleged fact, on the ground of evidence, distinct from personal knowledge; as the belief of the gospel; belief of a witness.  Belief may also by founded on internal impressions, or arguments and reasons furnished by our own minds; as the belief of our senses; a train of reasoning may result in belief.  Belief is opposed to knowledge and science.
2.  In theology, faith, or a firm persuasion of the truths of religion.
      No man can attain [to] belief by the bare contemplation of heaven and earth.
3.  Religion; the body of tenets held by the professors of faith.
           In the heat of persecution, to which christian belief was subject, upon its first promulgation.
4.  In some cases, the word is used for persuasion or opinion, when the evidence is not so clear as to leave no doubt; but the shades of strength in opinion can hardly be defined, or exemplified. Hence the use of qualifying words; as a firm, full or strong belief.
5.  The thing believed; the object of belief.
           Superstitious prophecies are the belief of fools.
6.  A creed; a form or summary of articles of faith.  In this sense, we generally use Creed.


Topic: Believe
Definition:
BELIE'VE, v.t.  To credit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of something upon the declaration of another, or upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of the mind, or by other circumstances, than personal knowledge. When we believe upon the authority of another, we always put confidence in his veracity.  
When we believe upon the authority of reasoning, arguments, or a concurrence of facts and circumstances, we rest our conclusions upon their strength or probability, their agreement with our own experience, &c.  
2.  To expect or hope with confidence; to trust.
      I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Ps.27.
BELIE'VE, v.i. To have a firm persuasion of any thing.  In some cases, to have full persuasion, approaching to certainty; in others, more doubt is implied.  It is often followed by in or on, especially in the scriptures.  To believe in, is to hold as the object of faith. 'Ye believe in God, believe also in me.' John 14.  To believe on, is to trust, to place full confidence in, to rest upon with faith. 'To them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.'  John 1.  Johnson.  But there is no ground for much distinction. 
In theology, to believe sometimes expresses a mere assent of the understanding to the truths of the gospel; as in the case of Simon.  Act.8. In others, the word implies, with this assent of the mind, a yielding of the will and affections, accompanied with a humble reliance on Christ for salvation.  John 1.12.  3.15.
In popular use and familiar discourse, to believe often expresses an opinion in a vague manner, without a very exact estimate of evidence, noting a mere preponderance of opinion, and is nearly equivalent to think or suppose.


Topic: Believer
Definition:
BELIE'VER, n.  One who believes; one who gives credit to other evidence than that of personal knowledge.
1.  In theology, one who gives credit to the truth of the scriptures, as a revelation from God.  In a more restricted sense, a professor of christianity; one who receives the gospel, as unfolding the true way of salvation, and Christ, as his Savior.
In the primitive church, those who had been instructed in the truths of the gospel and baptized, were called believers; in distinction from the catechumens, who were under instruction , as preparatory to baptism and admission to church privileges.


Topic: Bell
Definition:
BELL, n.  
1.  A vessel or hollow body,used for making sounds.  Its constituent parts are a barrel or hollow body, enlarged or expanded at one end, an ear or cannon by which it is hung to a beam, and a clapper on the inside.  It is formed of a composition of metals.  Bells are of high antiquity.  The blue tunic of the Jewish High Priest was adorned with golden bells; and the kings of Persia are said to have the hem of their robe adorned with them in like manner.  Among the Greeks, those who went the nightly rounds in camps or garrisons, used to ring a bell, at each sentinel-box, to see that the soldier on duty was awake.  Bells were also put on the necks of criminals, to warn persons to move out of the way of so ill an omen, as the sight of a criminal or his executioner; also on the necks of beasts and birds, and in houses. In churches and other public buildings, bells are now used to notify the time of meeting of any congregation or other assembly.
In private houses, bells are used to call servants, either hung and moved by a wire, or as hand-bells. Small bells are also used in electrical experiments.
2.  A hollow body of metal, perforated, and containing a solid ball, to give sounds when shaken; used on animals, as on horses or hawks.
3. Any thing in form of a bell, as the cup or calix of a flower.
To bear the bell, is to be the first or leader, in allusion to the bell-wether of a flock, or the leading horse of a team or drove, that wears bells on his collar.
To shake the bells, a phrase of Shakespeare, signifies to move, give notice or alarm.


Topic: Bell-flower
Definition:
BELL'-FLOWER, n. [bell and flower.]  A genus of plants, so named from the shape of the corol or flower which resembles a bell, L. Campanula, a genus of monogynian pentanders, comprehending many species.


Topic: Bell-metal
Definition:
BELL'-METAL, n. [bell and metal] A mixture of copper and tin, in the proportion of about ten parts of copper to one of tin, or according to Thomson, three parts to one, and usually a small portion of brass or zink; used for making bells.


Topic: Bell-wether
Definition:
BELL'-WETHER, n. [bell and wether.]  A wether or sheep which leads the flock, with a bell on his neck.


Topic: Bellatrix
Definition:
BEL'LATRIX, n. [L.]  A ruddy, glittering star of the second magnitude, in the left shoulder of Orion; so named from its imagined influence in exciting war.


Topic: Belle
Definition:
BELLE, n. bel. [L.bellus.]  A young lady. In popular use, a lady of superior beauty and much admired.


Topic: Belles-letters
Definition:
BELLES-LETTERS, n.  plu. bel' letter, or anglicized, bell-letters.  Polite literature; a word of very vague signification.  It includes poetry and oratory; but authors are not agreed to what particular branches of learning the term should be restricted.


Topic: Belligerent
Definition:
BELLIG'ERENT, a. [L. belliger, warlike; belligero, to wage war; from bellum, war, and gero, to wage; part. gerens, gerentis, waging. Gr. war.]
Waging war; carrying on war; as a belligerent nation.
BELLIG'ERENT, n.  A nation, power or state carrying on war.


Topic: Belling
Definition:
BELL'ING, n.  The noise of a roe in rutting time; a huntsman's term.
1.  Growing or forming like a bell; growing full and ripe; used of hops; from bell.


Topic: Bellipotent
Definition:
BELLIP'OTENT, a. [L. bellum, war, and potens,powerful, bellipotens.]
Powerful or mighty in war. [Little used.]


Topic: Bellon
Definition:
BEL'LON, n.  A disease, attended with languor and intolerable griping of the bowels, common in places where lead ore is smelted.


Topic: Bellow
Definition:
BEL'LOW, v.i. [L.balo.]  
1. To make a hollow, loud noise, as a bull; to make a loud outcry; to roar.  In contempt, to vociferate or clamor.
2.  To roar, as the sea in a tempest, or as the wind when violent; to make a loud, hollow, continued sound.
BEL'LOW, n.  A loud outcry; roar.


Topic: Bellowing
Definition:
BEL'LOWING, ppr. Making a loud hollow sound, as a bull, or as the roaring of billows.
BEL'LOWING, n.  A loud hollow sound or roar.


Topic: Bellows
Definition:
BEL'LOWS, n. sing.and plu.[L.bulga]  An instrument, utensil or machine for blowing fire, either in private dwellings or in forges, furnaces and shops.  It is so formed as by being dilated and contracted, to inhale air by a lateral orifice which is opened and closed with a valve, and to propel it through a tube upon the fire. 


Topic: Belluine
Definition:
BEL'LUINE, a. [L. belluinus, brom bellua, a beast.]  Beastly; pertaining to or like a beast; brutal. [Little used.]


Topic: Belly
Definition:
BEL'LY, n.  
1.  That part of the human body which extends from the breast to the thighs, containing the bowels.  It is called also the abdomen or lower belly, to distinguish it from the head and breast, which are sometimes called bellies, from their cavity.
2.  The part of a beast, corresponding to the human belly.
3.  The womb. Jer. 1.5.
4.  The receptacle of food; that which requires food, in opposition to the back.
      Whose god is their belly. Phil.3.
5.  The part of any thing which resembles the human belly in protuberance or cavity, as of a harp or a bottle.
6.  Any hollow inclosed place; as the belly of hell, in Jonah.
7.  In scripture, belly is used for the heart. Prov.18.8. 20.30.John 7.38. Carnal lusts, sensual pleasure. Rom.16.18. Phil.3.19. The whole man. Tit.1.12.
BEL'LY, v.t.  To fill; to swell out.
BEL'LY, v.i.  To swell and become protuberant, like the belly; as bellying goblets; bellying canvas.
1.  To strut.


Topic: Belly-fretting
Definition:
BEL'LY-FRETTING, n.  The chafing of a horse's belly, with a fore girt.
1.  A violent pain in a horse's belly, caused by worms.


Topic: Belly-god
Definition:
BEL'LY-GOD, n. [belly and god.]  A glutton; one who makes a god of his belly; that is, whose great business or pleasure is to gratify his appetite.


Topic: Bellyful
Definition:
BEL'LYFUL, n. [belly and full.]  As much as fills the belly, or satisfies the appetite.  In familiar and ludicrous language, a great abundance; more than enough.


Topic: Belomancy
Definition:
BEL'OMANCY, n. [Gr.an arrow, and divination.]
A kind of divination, practiced by the ancient Scythians, Babylonians, and other nations, and by the Arabians.  A number of arrows, being marked, were put into a bag or quiver, and drawn out at random; and the marks or words on the arrow drawn determined what was to happen. See Ezek.21.21.


Topic: Belone
Definition:
BELO'NE, n. [Gr. a needle.]  The gar, garfish,or sea-needle, a species of Esox.  It grows to the length of two or three feet, with long pointed jaws, the edges of which are armed with small teeth.


Topic: Belong
Definition:
BELONG', v.i.
1.  To be the property of; as, a field belongs to Richard Roe; Jamaica belongs to G.Britain.
2.  To be the concern or proper business of; to appertain; as, it belongs to John Doe to prove his title.
3.  To be appendant to.
      He went into a desert place belonging to Bethsaida. Luke 9.
4.  To be a part of, or connected with, though detached in place; as, a beam or rafter belongs to such a frame, or to such a place in the building.
5.  To have relation to.
      And David said, to whom belongest thou? 1.Sam.30.
6.  To be the quality or attribute of.
      To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness. Dan.9.
7.  To be suitable for.
      Strong meat belongeth to them of full age. Heb.5.
8.  To relate to, or be referred to.
      He careth for things that belong to the Lord. l Cor.7.
9.  To have a legal residence, settlement, or inhabitancy, whether by birth or operation of law, so as to be entitled to maintenance by the parish or town.
  Bastards also are settled in the parishes to which the mothers belong.  Hence,
    10. To be the native of; to have original residence.
  There is no other country in the world to which the Gipeys could belong.
    11. In common language, to have a settled residence; to be domiciliated.


Topic: Belonging
Definition:
BELONG'ING, ppr.  Pertaining; appertaining; being the property of; being a quality of; being the concern of; being appendant to; being a native of, or having a legal or permanent settlement in.
BELONG'ING, n. A quality. [Not in use..]


Topic: Beloved
Definition:
BELOV'ED, ppr.  [be and loved, from love. Belove, as a verb, is not used.]  
Loved; greatly loved; dear to the heart.


Topic: Below
Definition:
BELOW, prep. [be and low]  Under in place; beneath; not so high; as, below the moon; below the knee.
1.  Inferior in rank, excellence or dignity.
2.  Unworthy of; unbefitting.
BELOW, adv.  In a lower place, with respect to any object; as, the heavens above and the earth below.
1.  On the earth, as opposed to the heavens.
         The fairest child of Jove below.
2.  In hell, or the region of the dead; as the realms below.
3.  In a court of inferior jurisdiction; as, at the trial below.


Topic: Belt
Definition:
BELT, n. [L.balteus.] 
1.  A girdle; a band,usually of leather, in which a sword or other weapon is hung.
2. A narrow passage, or strait between the isle of Zealand and that of Funen at the entrance of the Baltic,usually called the Great Belt.  The Lesser Belt is the passage between the isle of Funen, and the coast of Jutland.
3.  A bandage or band used by surgeons for various purposes.
4.  In astronomy, certain girdles or rings, which surround the planet Jupiter, are called belts.
5.  A disease among sheep,cured by cutting off the tail, laying the sore bare, then casting mold on it, and applying tar and goose grease.
BELT, v.t.  To encircle.


Topic: Beluga
Definition:
BELU'GA, n. A fish of the cetaceous order, and genus Delphinus, from 12 to 18 feet in length.  The tail is divided into two lobes, lying horizontally, and there is no dorsal fin.  In swimming, this fish bends its tail under its body like a lobster, and thrusts itself along with the rapidity of an arrow.  This fish is found in the arctic seas and rivers, and is caught for its oil and its skin.


Topic: Belvidere
Definition:
BEL'VIDERE,n.  [L.bellus,fine and video, to see.]
1. A plant, a species of chenopodium, goosefoot or wild orach, called scoparia or annual mock cypress. It is of a beautiful pyramidical form, and much esteemed in China, as a salad, and for other uses. 
2.  In Italian architecture, a pavilion on the top of an edifice; an artificial eminence in a garden.


Topic: Bema
Definition:
BE'MA, n.  A chancel. [Not in use.]
1.  In ancient Greece, a state or kind of pulpit, on which speakers stood when addressing an assembly.


Topic: Bemire
Definition:
BEMI'RE, v.t. [be and mire.]  To drag or incumber in the mire; to soil by passing through mud or dirty places.


Topic: Bemoan
Definition:
BEMOAN, v.t. [be and moan.]  To lament; to bewail; to express sorrow for; as, to bemoan the loss of a son.


Topic: Bemoil
Definition:
BEMOIL', v.t. [be and moil.]  To bedraggle; to bemire; to soil or incumber with mire and dirt. [Not in use.]


Topic: Ben
Definition:
BEN or BEN'-NUT, n. A purgative fruit or nut, the largest of which resembles a filbert, yielding an oil used in pharmacy.


Topic: Bench
Definition:
BENCH, n.
1.  A long seat,usually of board or plank, differing from a stool in its greater length.
2.  The seat where judges sit in court; the seat of justice. Hence,
3. The persons who sit as judges; the court.
Free bench, in England, the estate in copy hold lands, which the wife, being espoused a virgin, has for her dower, after the decease of her husband.  This is various in different manors, according to their respective customs.
King's Bench, in England, a court in which the king formerly sat in person, and which accompanied his household.  The court consists of the Lord Chief Justice, and three other justices, who have jurisdiction over all matters of a criminal or public nature. It has a crown side and a plea side; the former determining criminal, the latter, civil causes.
BENCH, v.t.  To furnish with benches.
1.  To seat on a bench.
2.  v.i.  To sit on a seat of justice.


Topic: Bencher
Definition:
BENCH'ER, n.  In England, the benchers in the inns of court, are the senior members of the society who have the government of it.  They have been readers,and being admitted to please within the bar, are called inner barristers.  They annually elect a treasurer.
1.  The alderman of a corporation.
2.  A judge.


Topic: Bend
Definition:
BEND, [L.pando,pandare, to bend in; pando, pandere, to open; pandus, bent, crooked]
1.  To strain, or to crook by straining; as, to bend a bow.
2.  To crook; to make crooked; to curve; to inflect; as, to bend the arm.
3.  To direct to a certain point; as, to bend our steps or course to a particular place.
4.  To exert; to apply closely; to exercise laboriously; to intend or stretch; as, to bend the mind to study.
5.  To prepare or put in order for use; to stretch or strain.
      He hath bent his bow and made it ready. Ps.7.
6.  To incline; to be determined; that is, to stretch towards, or cause to tend; as, to be bent on mischief.
7.  To subdue; to cause to yield; to make submissive; as, to bend a man to our will.
8.  In seamanship, to fasten, as one rope to another or to an anchor; to fasten, as a sail to its yard or stay; to fasten, as a cable to the ring of an anchor.
9.  To bend the brow, is to knit the brow; to scowl; to frown.
BEND, v.i.  To be crooked; to crook,or be curving.
1.  To incline; to lean or turn; as, a road bends to the west.
2.  To jut over; as a bending cliff.
3.  To resolve, or determine.[See Bent on.]
4.  To bow or be submissive. Is.60.
BEND,n.  A curve; a crook; a turn in a road or river; flexure; incurvation.
1.  In marine language, that part of a rope which is fastened to another or to an anchor. [See To bend. No.8.]
2.  Bends of a ship, are the thickest and strongest planks in her sides, more generally called wales.  They are reckoned from the water, first, second or third bend.  They have the beams,knees, and foot hooks bolted to them, and are the chief strength of the ship's sides.
3.  In heraldry, one of the nine honorable ordinaries, containing a third part of the field, when charged, and a fifth, when plain.  It is made by two lines drawn across from the dexter chief, to the sinister base point.  It sometimes is indented, ingrained, &c.
BEND, n.  A band. [Not in use.]


Topic: Bending
Definition:
BEND'ING, ppr. Incurvating; forming into a curve; stooping subduing; turning as a road or river;inclining; leaning; applying closely, as the mind; fastening.


Topic: Bendy
Definition:
BEND'Y, n.  In heraldry, the field divided into four, six or more parts, diagonally, and varying in metal and color.


Topic: Bene
Definition:
BENE, n. ben'y.  The popular name of the sesamum orientale, called in the West Indies vangloe, an African plant.


Topic: Beneaped
Definition:
BENE'APED, a. [be and neap.]  Among seamen, a ship is beneaped, when the water does not flow high enough to float her from a dock or over a bar.


Topic: Beneath
Definition:
BENE'ATH, prep.
1.  Under; lower in place, with something directly over or on, as to place a cushion beneath one; often with the sense of pressure or oppression, as to sink beneath a burden, in a literal sense.
2.  Under, in a figurative sense; bearing heavy impositions, as taxes, or oppressive government.
  Our country sinks beneath the yoke.
3.  Lower in rank, dignity or excellence;as, brutes are beneath man;; man is beneath angels, in the seale of beings.
4.  Unworthy of; unbecoming; not equal to; as, he will do nothing beneath his station or character.
BENE'ATH, adv.  In a lower place; as, the earth from beneath will be barren.
1.  Below, as opposed to heaven, or to any superior region; as, in heaven above, or in earth beneath.


Topic: Benedictines
Definition:
BENEDIC'TINES, n.  An order of monks, who profess to follow the rules of St. Benedict; an order of great celebrity. They wear a loose black gown, with large wide sleeves, and a cowl on the head,ending in a point.  In the canon law,they are called black 
friars.


Topic: Benediction
Definition:
BENEDIC'TION, n. [L. benedictio, from bene, well, and dictio, speaking. See Boon and Diction.]
1.  The act of blessing; a giving praise to God or rendering thanks for his favors; a blessing pronounced; hence grace before and after meals.
2.  Blessing, prayer, or kind wishes, uttered in favor of any person or thing; a solemn or affectionate invocation of happiness; thanks; expression of gratitude.
3.  The advantage conferred by blessing.
4.  The form of instituting an abbot, answering to the consecration of a bishop.
5.  The external ceremony performed by a priest in the office of matrimony is called the nuptial benediction.
6.  In the Romish Church, an ecclesiastical ceremony by which a thing is rendered sacred or venerable.


Topic: Benefaction
Definition:
BENEFAC'TION, n. [L.benefacio, of bene, well, and facio, to make or do.]
1. The act of conferring a benefit.
  More generally,
2.  A benefit conferred, especially a charitable donation.


Topic: Benefactor
Definition:
BENEFAC'TOR, n.  He who confers a benefit, especially one who makes charitable contributions either for public institutions or for private use.


Topic: Benefice
Definition:
BEN'EFICE, n. [L. beneficium.]
1.  Literally, a benefit, advantage or kindness.  But in present usage, en ecclesiastical living; a church endowed with a revenue, for the maintenance of divine service,or the revenue itself.  All church preferments are called benefices, except bishoprics, which are called dignities.  But ordinarily, the term dignity is applied to bishoprics, deaneries, arch-deaconries, and prebendaries; and benefice, to parsonages, vicarages, and donatives.
2.  In the middle ages, benefice was used for a fee, or an estate in lands, granted at first for like only, and held ex mero beneficio of the donor. The estate afterwards becoming hereditary, took the appellation of feud, and benefice became appropriated to church livings.


Topic: Beneficence
Definition:
BENEF'ICENCE, n. [L.beneficentia, from the participle of benefacio.] The practice of doing good; active goodness, kindness, or charity.


Topic: Beneficent
Definition:
BENEF'ICENT, a.  Doing good; performing acts of kindness and charity.  It differs from benign, as the act from the disposition; beneficence being benignity or kindness exerted in action.


Topic: Beneficial
Definition:
BENEFI'CIAL, a.  Advantageous; conferring benefits; useful; profitable; helpful; contributing to a valuable end; followed by to; as, industry is beneficial to the body, as well as to the property.
1.  Receiving or entitled to have or receive advantage, use or benefit; as the beneficial owner of an estate.


Topic: Beneficiary
Definition:
BENEFI'CIARY, a.  [L.beneficiarius.  See Benefaction.]
Holding some office or valuable possession, in subordination to another; having a dependent and secondary possession.
BENEFI'CIARY, n.  One who holds a benefice.  A beneficiary is not the proprietor of the revenues of his church; but he has the administration of them, without being accountable to any person.  The word was used, in the middle ages, for a feudatory, or vassal.
1.  One who receives any thing as a gift, or is maintained by charity.


Topic: Benefit
Definition:
BEN'EFIT, n.  [Primarily from L. beneficium, or benefactum.]
1.  An act of kindness; a favor conferred.
  Bless the Lord,O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Ps.103.
2.  Advantage; profit; a word of extensive use, and expressing whatever contributes to promote prosperity and personal happiness, or add value to property.
  Men have no right to what is not for their benefit.
3.  In law, benefit of clergy. [See Clergy.]
BEN'EFIT, v.t. To do good to; to advantage; to advance in health, or prosperity; applied either to persons or things; as, exercise benefits health; trade benefits a nation.
BEN'EFIT, v.i.  To gain advantage; to make improvement; as, he has benefited by good advice; that is, he has been benefited.


Topic: Beneplaciture
Definition:
BENEPLAC'ITURE, n. [L.beneplacitum, bene, well, and placitum, from placeo, to please.]
Will; choice.  [Not in use.]


Topic: Benevolence
Definition:
BENEV'OLENCE, n. [L. benevolentia, of bene, well and volo, to will or wish. See Will.]
1.  The disposition to do good; good will; kindness; charitableness; the love,of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote their happiness.
  The benevolence of God is one of his moral attributes; that attribute which delights in the happiness of intelligent beings. 'God is love.' 1 John 4.
2.  An act of kindness; good done; charity given.
3.  A species of contribution or tax illegally exacted by arbitrary kings of England.


Topic: Benevolent
Definition:
BENEV'OLENT, a. [L. benevolens, of bene and volo.]
Having a disposition to do good; possessing love to mankind, and a desire to promote their prosperity and happiness; kind.


Topic: Bengal
Definition:
BENGAL', n.  A thin stuff made of silk and hair, for women's apparel, so called from Bengal in the E.Indies.


Topic: Benight
Definition:
BENI'GHT, v.t. [be and night.]  To involve in darkness; to shroud with the shades of night.
  The clouds benight the sky.
1.  To overtake with night; as a benighted traveler.
2.  To involve in moral darkness, or ignorance; to debar from intellectual light; as benighted nations, or heathen.


Topic: Benign
Definition:
BENI'GN, a. beni'ne. [L.benignus, from the same root, as bonus, bene, ancient L. benus, Eng. boon.]
1.  Kind; of a kind disposition; gracious; favorable.
  Our Creator, bounteous and benign.
2.  Generous; liberal; as a benign benefactor.
3.  Favorable; having a salutary influence; as the benign aspect of the seasons.
  The benign light of revelation.
4.  Wholesome; not pernicious; as a benign medicine.
5.  Favorable; not malignant; as a benign disease.


Topic: Benignity
Definition:
BENIG'NITY, n.  Goodness of disposition or heart; kindness of nature; graciousness.
1.  Actual goodness; beneficence.
2.  Salubrity; wholesome quality; or that which tends to promote health.


Topic: Benjamin
Definition:
BEN'JAMIN, n.  A tree, the Laurus Benzoin, a native of America, called also spicebush. It grows to the height of 15 or 20 feet, with a very branchy head.
1.  A gum or resin, or rather a balsam.  [See Benzoin.]


Topic: Bennet
Definition:
BEN'NET, n.  The herb bennet, or avens, known in botany by the generic term Geum.
BEN'NET FISH, n.  A fish of two feet in length, caught in the African seas, having scales of a deep purple, streaked with gold.


Topic: Benum
Definition:
BENUM', corruptly BENUMB', v.t.
1.  To make torpid; to deprive of sensation; as, a hand or foot benummed by cold.
2.  To stupify; to render inactive; as, to benum the senses.


Topic: Benzoate
Definition:
BEN'ZOATE,n.  [See Benzoin.]  A salt formed by the union of the benzoic acid with any salifiable base.


Topic: Benzoic
Definition:
BENZO'IC, a.  Pertaining to benzoin. 
Benzoic acid, or flowers of Benzoin, is a peculiar vegetable acid, obtained from Benzoin and other balsams, by sublimation or decoction.  It is a fine light white matter in small needles; its taste pungent and bitterish, its odor slightly aromatic.


Topic: Bequeath
Definition:
BEQUE'ATH, v.t. [Eng.quoth.]  To give or leave by will; to devise some species of property by testament; as, to bequeath an estate or a legacy.


Topic: Bereave
Definition:
BERE'AVE, v.t.  pret.bereaved, bereft:  pp.bereaved, bereft.
1.  To deprive; to strip; to make destitute; with of before the thing taken away.
  Me have ye bereaved of my children. Gen.42.
It is sometimes used without of, and is particularly applied to express the loss of friends by death.
2.  To take away from.


Topic: Berengarianism
Definition:
BERENGA'RIANISM, n. The opinions or doctrines of Berengarius, archdeacon of St.Mary at Anjou, and of his followers, who deny the reality of the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.


Topic: Bergamot
Definition:
BERG'AMOT,n.  
1.  A species of pear.
2.  A species of citron, at first casually produced by an Italian, who grafted a citron on the stock of a bergamot pear tree.  The fruit has a fine taste and smell, and its essential oil is in high esteem as a perfume.  This oil is extracted from 
the yellow rind of the fruit.  Hence,
3.  An essence or perfume from the citron thus produced.
4.  A species of snuff perfumed with bergamot.
5.  A coarse tapestry, manufactured with flocks of wool, silk, cotton, hemp and ox or goat's hair, said to have been invented at Bergamo in Italy.


Topic: Bergmanite
Definition:
BERG'MANITE, n. [from Bergman, the mineralogist.]  
A mineral classed with scapolite, in the family of felspath.  It occurs massive, with gray and red quartz in Norway.  Its colors are greenish and grayish white.


Topic: Bergmote
Definition:
BERG'MOTE, n.  A court held on a hill in Derbyshire, in England, for deciding controversies between the miners.


Topic: Berlin
Definition:
BER'LIN, n.  A vehicle of the chariot kind, supposed to have this name from berlin, the chief city of Prussia, where it was first made, or from the Italian berlina, a sort of state or pillory, and a coach.


Topic: Berme
Definition:
BERME, n.  In fortification, a space of ground of three, four or five feet in width, left between the rampart and the moat or foss, designed to receive the ruins of the rampart, and prevent the earth from filling the foss.  Sometimes, it is palisaded, and in Holland, it is generally planted with quick-set hedge.


Topic: Bernardins
Definition:
BER'NARDINS, n.  An order of monks, founded by Robert, abbot of Moleme, and reformed by St. Bernard.  The order originated about the beginning of the 12th century.  They wear a white robe, with a black scapulary; and when they officiate, they are clothed with a large white gown, with great sleeves, and a hood of the same color.


Topic: Beroe
Definition:
BER'OE, n.  A marine animal of an oval or spherical form, nearly an inch in diameter, and divided into longitudinal ribs, like a melon.


Topic: Berry
Definition:
BER'RY, n. 
1.  A succulent or pulpy fruit, containing naked seeds.  Or in more technical language, a succulent pulpy pericarp, or seed vessel, without valves, containing several seeds, which are naked, that is, which have no covering but the pulp and rind.  It is commonly round or oval.  This botanical definition includes the orange and other like fruits.  But in popular language, berry extends only to the smaller fruits, as strawberry, gooseberry, &c.,containing seeds or granules.
2.  A mound. [for barrow.]
BER'RY, v.i.  To bear or produce berries.


Topic: Berth
Definition:
BERTH, n.  [from the root of bear.]
1.  A station in which a ship rides at anchor, comprehending the space in which she ranges.  In more familiar usage, the word signifies any situation or place, where a vessel lies or can lie, whether at anchor or at a wharf.
2.  A room or apartment in a ship, where a number of officers or men mess and reside.
3.  The box or place for sleeping at the sides of a cabin; the place for a hammoc, or a repository for chests, &c.
  To berth, in seamen's language, is to allot to each man a place for his hammoc.


Topic: Bertram
Definition:
BER'TRAM, n. [L.pyrethrum, said to be from fire, from its acrid quality.]
Bastard pellitory, a plant.


Topic: Beryl
Definition:
BER'YL,n. [L.beryllus; Eng.brilliant.]
A mineral, considered by Cleaveland as a subspecies of Emerald.  Its prevailing color is green of various shades,but always pale.  Its crystals are usually longer and larger than those of the precious emerald, and its structure more distinctly foliated.  It is harder than the apatite,with which it has been confounded; harder and less heavy than the pycnite.  The best beryls are found in Brazil, in Siberia and Ceylon, and in Dauria, on the frontiers of China.  They are found in many parts of the United States.


Topic: Beryl-crystal
Definition:
BER'YL-CRYSTAL, n.  A species of imperfect crystal, of a very pure, clear, and equal texture.  It is always of the figure of a long and slender column, irregularly hexangular, and tapering at the top.  Its color is a pale brown, of a fine transparency.


Topic: Besayle
Definition:
BESA'YLE, n.  A great grandfather.
If the abatement happened on the death of one's grandfather or grandmother, a writ of ayle lieth; if on the death of the great grandfather, then a writ of besayle; but if it mounts one degree higher, to the tresayle, or grandfather's grandfather, &c.,the writ is called a writ of cosinage, or de consanguineo.


Topic: Beseech
Definition:
BESEE'CH, v.t. pret. and pp.besought.
To entreat; to supplicate; to implore; to ask or pray with urgency; followed by a person; as, 'I Paul beseech you by the meekness of Christ,', 2 Cor.10.; or by a thing; as, I beseech your patience.


Topic: Beseem
Definition:
BESEE'M, v.t. [be and seem.]  To become; to be fit for, or worthy of; to be decent for.
  What form of speech or behavior beseemeth us, in our prayers to god?


Topic: Beset
Definition:
BESET', v.t. pret. and pp. beset. 
1.  To surround; to inclose; to hem in; to besiege; as, we are beset with enemies; a city is beset with troops.  Hence,
2.  To press on all sides, so as to perplex; to entangle, so as to render escape difficult or impossible.
  Adam sore beset replied.
3.  To waylay.
4.  To fall upon.


Topic: Besetting
Definition:
BESET'TING, ppr.  Surrounding; besieging; waylaying.
BESET'TING, a.  Habitually attending, or pressing; as a besetting sin.


Topic: Beshrew
Definition:
BESHREW', v.t. [be and shrew.]  To wish a curse to; to execrate.
1.  To happen ill to. [Not in use.]


Topic: Beside
Definition:
BESI'DE, prep. [be and side, by the side.]
1. At the side of a person or thing; near; as, sit down beside me, or beside the stream.
2.  Over and above; distinct from.
  Beside all this, between us and you, there is a great gulf fixed. Luke 16.
3.  On one side; out of the regular course or order; not according to, but not contrary.
  It is beside my present business to enlarge upon this speculation.
4. Out of; in a state deviating from; as, to put one beside his patience.  Hence,
5.  With the reciprocal pronoun, beside one's self is out of the wits or senses; out of the order of reason, or of rational beings.
  Paul, thou are beside thyself.  Act 26.


Topic: Besides
Definition:
BESI'DES, prep.  Over and above; separate or distinct from.
  And there was a famine in the land, besides the first famine. Gen.26.
Note.  This word, though radically the same as beside, and a corruption of it, ought not to be confounded with it, for it is never used in the senses explained under beside, except in the second.


Topic: Besiege
Definition:
BESIE'GE, v.t. [be and siege.]
1.  To lay siege to; to beleaguer; to beset, or surround with armed forces, for the purpose of compelling to surrender, either by famine or by violent attacks; as, to besiege a castle or city.
2.  To beset; to throng round.


Topic: Beslubber
Definition:
BESLUB'BER, v.t. [be and slubber,slabber.]  To soil or smear with spittle, or any thing running from the mouth or nose. [Vulgar.]


Topic: Besmear
Definition:
BESME'AR, v.t. [be and smear.]  To bedaub; to overspread with any viscous, glutinous matter, or with any soft substance that adheres.  Hence, to foul; to soil.


Topic: Besom
Definition:
BE'SOM, n.  s as z.  A broom; a brush of twigs for sweeping.
  I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the Lord of Hosts. Is.14.
BE'SOM, v.t.  To sweep, as with a besom.
  Rolls back all Greece,and besoms wide the plain.


Topic: Besot
Definition:
BESOT'v.t. [be and sot.]  To make sottish; to infatuate; to stupify; to make dull or senseless.
1.  To make to dote.


Topic: Bespangle
Definition:
BESPAN'GLE, v.t. [be and spangle.]  To adorn with spangles; to dot or sprinkle with something brilliant; as, the heavens bespangled with stars.


Topic: Bespatter
Definition:
BESPAT'TER, v.t. [be and spatter.] To soil by spattering; to sprinkle with water, or with dirt and water.
1.  To asperse with calumny or reproach.


Topic: Bespeaak
Definition:
BESPEA'AK, v.t. pret. bespoke; pp. bespoke, bespoken. [be and speak.]
1. To speak for beforehand; to order or engage against a future time; as, to bespeak a seat in a public coach.
  My lade is bespoke.
2.  To forebode; to foretell.
  They started fears, and bespoke dangers, to scare the allies.
3.  To speak to; to address.  This sense is mostly poetical.
  He thus the queen bespoke.
4.  To betoken; to show; to indicate by external marks or appearances; as, his manners bespeak him a gentleman.


Topic: Bespeaking
Definition:
BESPE'AKING, ppr.  Speaking for or ordering beforehand; foreboding; addressing; showing; indicating.
BESPE'AKING, n.  A previous speaking or discourse,by way of apology, or to engage favor.


Topic: Bespread
Definition:
BESPREAD', v.t.  bespred'. pret. and pp. bespread. [be and spread.]  To spread over; to cover over; as, to bespread with flowers.


Topic: Bespringkle
Definition:
BESPRINGK'LE, v.t. [be and sprinkle.]  To sprinkle over; to scatter over; as, to besprinkle with dust.


Topic: Best
Definition:
BEST, a.  superlative.  [Eng.but;]  Literally, most advanced, Hence,
1.  Most good; having good qualities in the highest degree; applied indifferently to physical or moral subjects; as, the best man; the best road; the best cloth; the best abilities.  This, like most, and other attributes, is often used without its noun, when the noun is obvious; as, men are all sinners; the best of them fail in the performance of duty.
2.  Most advanced; most accurate; as the best scholar.
3.  Most correct or complete; as the best view of a landscape, or of a subject.
4.  The best.  This phrase is elliptical, and may be variously interpreted; as, the utmost power; the strongest endeavor; the most, the highest perfection; as, let a man do his best; let him do a thing to the best of his power.
5.  At best, in the best manner, in the utmost degree or extent, applicable to the case; as, life is at best very short.
To make the best of, to carry to its greatest perfection; to improve to the utmost; as, to make the best of a sum of money, or a piece of land.  Also, to permit the least possible inconvenience; as, to make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain.
The best of the way.  We had made the best of our way to the city; that is, the most, the greatest part of the distance.  [This is the primary sense of the word.]
BEST, adv.  In the highest degree; beyond all other; as, to love one best; to like this best; to please best.
1.  To the advantage; with the most ease; as,'which instrument can you best use?'
2.  With most profit or success; as, money is best employed in manufactures; this medicine will answer best in the present case.
3.  Most intimately or particularly; most correctly; as, what is expedient is best known to himself.


Topic: Bestain
Definition:
BESTA'IN, v.t. [be and stain.] To mark with stains; to discolor, either the whole surface of a thing, or in spots.


Topic: Bestead
Definition:
BESTEAD', v.t. bested' pret.and pp. bested. [be and stead.]  To profit.
      How little you bestead.
1.  To accommodate.
      They shall pass through it, hardly bestead. Is.8.
             That is, distressed; perplexed.
2.  To dispose.


Topic: Bestial
Definition:
BES'TIAL, a. [from beast.]
1.  Belonging to a beast, or to the class of beasts.  
2.  Having the qualities of a beast; brutal; below the dignity of reason or humanity; carnal; as a bestial appetite.


Topic: Bestiality
Definition:
BESTIAL'ITY, n.  The quality of beasts; the state or manners of man which resemble those of brutes.
1.  Unnatural connection with a beast.


Topic: Bestick
Definition:
BESTICK', v.t. pret. and pp. bestuck. [be and stick.]
To stick over, as with sharp points; to mark, by infixing points or spots here and there.
      Truth shall retire, bestuck with slanderous darts.


Topic: Bestir
Definition:
BESTIR', v.t. bestur' [be and stir.]  To put into brisk or vigorous action; to move with life and vigor; usually with the reciprocal pronoun; as, rise and bestir yourselves.


Topic: Bestor
Definition:
BESTOR, v.t. [be and stow, a place.  See Stow. Literally, to set or place.]
1.  To give; to confer; to impart; with the sense of gratuity, and followed by on or upon.
      Consecrate yourselves to the Lord, that he may bestow on you a blessing. Ex.32.
  Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor. 1 Cor.13.3.
This word should never be followed by to.
2.  To give in marriage; to dispose of.
      I could have bestowed her upon a fine gentleman.
3.  To apply; to place for the purpose of exertion, or use; as, to bestow our whole force upon an object.
4.  To lay out, or dispose of; to give in payment for; as, to bestow money for what we desire. Deut.14.26.
5.  To lay up in store; to deposit for safe keeping; to stow; to place.
      I have no room where to bestow my fruits. Luke 12.


Topic: Bestowment
Definition:
BESTOWMENT, n. The act of giving gratuitously; a conferring.
      God the father had committed the bestowment of the blessings purchased, to his son.
      If we consider this bestowment of gifts in this view.
      Whatever may be the secret counsel of his will respecting his own bestowment of saving grace.
1.  That which is conferred, or given; donation.
      They strengthened his hands by their liberal bestowments on him and his family.
      The free and munificent bestowment of the Sovereign Judge.


Topic: Bestrew
Definition:
BESTREW', v.t. pret. bestrewed; pp. bestrewed, bestrown. [be and strew.]  To scatter over; to besprinkle; to strow.


Topic: Bestride
Definition:
BESTRI'DE, v.t.  pret.bestrid; pp. bestrid, bestridden. [be and stride.]
1.  To stride over; to stand or sit with any thing between the legs, or with the legs extended across; as, to bestride the world, like a colossus; to bestride a horse.
2.  To step over; as, to bestride a threshold.
Bestriding sometimes includes riding, or defending, as Johnson remarks; but the particular purposes to the act, which depend on the circumstances of the case, can hardly be reduced to definition.


Topic: Bet
Definition:
BET, n.  A wager; that which is laid, staked or pledges in a contest, to be won, either by the victorious party himself, or by another person, in consequence of his victory. At a race, a man lays a bet on his own horse, or on the horse of another man.
BET, v.t.  To lay a bet; to lay a wager; to stake or pledge something upon the event of a context.
BET, the old participle of beat, is obsolete or vulgar.


Topic: Betake
Definition:
BETA'KE, v.t. pret. betook; pp. betaken. [be and take.]
1.  To take to; to have recourse to; to apply; to resort; with the reciprocal pronoun; as, to betake ourselves to arms, or to action.  It generally implies a motion towards an object, as to betake ourselves to a shade grove; or an application of the mind or faculties, corresponding with such motion, as to betake ourselves to study or to vice.
2.  Formerly, to take or seize.


Topic: Bethlehem
Definition:
BETH'LEHEM, n. [Heb. the house of food or bread.]
1.  A town or village in Judea, about six miles south-east of Jerusalem; famous for its being the place of Christ's nativity.
2.  A hospital for lunatics; corrupted into bedlam.


Topic: Bethlemite
Definition:
BETH'LEMITE, n.  An inhabitant of Bethlehem; a lunatic.
1.  In church history, the Bethlemites were a sort of Monks, introduced into England in the year 1257, who were habited like the Dominicans, except that they wore a star with five rays, in memory of the comet or star which appeared over Bethlehem at the nativity of our Savior.  There is an order of Bethlemites also in Peru.


Topic: Bethrall
Definition:
BETHRALL', v.t. [be and thrall.]  To enslave; to reduce to bondage; to bring into subjection. [Little used.]


Topic: Betide
Definition:
BETI'DE, v.t. pret. betid, or betided; pp.betid. [be and tide.]
To happen; to befall; to come to; used of good or evil.
      What will betide the few?
BETI'DE, v.i.  To come to pass; to happen.
      What news else betideth here?
Shakespeare has used it with of.  What would betide of thee?  but this is unusual or improper.


Topic: Betime
Definition:
BETI'ME

BETI'MES, adverb [be and time, that is, by the time.]

1. Seasonably; in good season or time; before it is late.

To measure life learn thou betimes.

2. Soon; in a short time.

He tires betimes, that spurs too fast betimes.


Topic: Betle
Definition:
BE'TLE, n.  A species of pepper, the leaves of which are chewed by the inhabitants of the East Indies.  It is a creeping or climbing plant like the ivy, the leaves somewhat resembling those of the citron.  It is planted by a tree, or supported by props.  In India, betel is taken after meals; during a visit, it is offered to friends when they meet, and when they separate; in short, nothing is to be done without betel.  To correct the bitterness of the leaves, a little areca is wrapped in them with the chinam, a kind of burnt lime made of shells.


Topic: Betoken
Definition:
BETO'KEN, v.t. beto'kn. [be and token.]
1.  To signify by some visible object; to show by signs.
      A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow
           Betokening peace from God.
2.  To foreshow by present signs; to indicate something future by that which is seen or known; as, a dark cloud often betokens a storm.


Topic: Betony
Definition:
BET'ONY, n. [L. betonica.]  A genus of plants of several species. The purple or wood betony grows in woods and shady places, and is deemed useful as a mild corroborant.


Topic: Betray
Definition:
BETRA'Y, v.t.  [L.traho.]
1.  To deliver into the hands of an enemy by treachery or fraud, in violation of trust; as, an officer betrayed the city.
      The son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men. Matt.17.
2.  To violate by fraud, or unfaithfulness; as, to betray a trust.
      If the people of America ever betray their trust, their guilt will merit even greater punishment than other nations have suffered, and the indignation of heaven.
3.  To violate confidence by disclosing a secret, or that which was intrusted; to expose; followed by the person, or the thing; as, my friend betrayed me, or betrayed the secret.
4.  To disclose, or permit to appear, what is intended to be kept secret, or what prudence would conceal.
      Be swift to hear, but cautions of your tongue, lest you betray your ignorance. 
    Hence,
5.  To mislead or expose to inconvenience not foreseen; as, great confidence betrays a man into errors.
6.  To show; to discover; to indicate what is not obvious at first view, or would otherwise be concealed.
      Nor, after length of years, a stone betray
      The place where once the very ruins lay.
      This river betrays its original in its name.
           All the names in the country betray great antiquity.
7.  To fail, or deceive.
           But when I rise, I shall find my legs betraying me.


Topic: Betrayed
Definition:
BETRA'YED, pp.  Delivered up in breach of trust; violated by unfaithfulness; exposed by breach of confidence; disclosed contrary to expectation or intention; made known; discoverd.


Topic: Betraying
Definition:
BETRA'YING, ppr.  Delivering up treacherously; violating confidence; disclosing contrary to intention; exposing; discovering.


Topic: Betrim
Definition:
BETRIM', v.t. [be and trim.] To deck; to dress; to adorn; to grace; to embellish; to beautify; to decorate.


Topic: Betroth
Definition:
BETROTH', v.t.  [be and troth, truth, faith. See Truth, and Troth.]
1.  To contract to any one, in order to a future marriage; to promise or pledge one to be the future spouse of another; to affiance; used of either sex.  'The father betroths his daughter.'
2.  To contract with one for a future spouse; to espouse; as, a man betroths a lady.
3.  To nominate to a bishopric,in order to consecration.


Topic: Betrothing
Definition:
BETROTH'ING, ppr.  Contracting to any one, in order to a future marriage, as the father or guardian; contracting with one for a future wife, as the intended husband; espousing.


Topic: Betrothment
Definition:
BETROTH'MENT, n.  A mutual promise or contract between two parties, for a future marriage between the persons betrothed; espousals.


Topic: Betrust
Definition:
BETRUST', v.t. [be and trust.]  To entrust; to commit to another in confidence of fidelity; to confide.  This is less used than entrust.


Topic: Better
Definition:
BET'TER, a comp. of bet.  See Best.]
1.  Having good qualities in a greater degree than another; applied to physical, acquired or moral qualities; as a better soil, a better man, a better physician, a better house, a better air, a better harvest.
2.  More advantageous.
      Were it not better for us to return to Egypt: Ex.14.
3.  More acceptable.
      To obey is better than sacrifice. 1 Sam.15.
4.  More safe.
      It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. Ps.118.
5.  Improved in health; less affected with disease; as, the patient is better.
6.  To be better off, to be in a better condition. Beddoes,Hygeia. This is a very common phrase; but ought not off, to be of?  It is not elegant.
7.  To have the better, is to have the advantage or superiority, followed by of before him or that over which the advantage is enjoyed; as, the English had the better of the Spaniards.
8. To get or gain the better, is to obtain the advantage, superiority or victory; as, to get the better of an enemy.
9.  For the better, is for the advantage or improvement.
BET'TER, adv.  In a more excellent manner; with more skill and wisdom, virtue, advantage or success; as, to perform work better; to plan a scheme better; land better cultivated; laws better executed; government better administered.
1.  More correctly, or fully; as, to understand a subject better than another.
2.  With superior excellence; as, to write or speak better than another.
3.  With more affection; in a higher degree; as, to love one better than another.
It is not easy to specify and exemplify the various applications of better.  In general,it implies what is more excellent, advantageous, useful, or virtuous, than something else.
BET'TER, v.t.  
1.  To improve; to meliorate; to increase the good qualities of; as, manure betters land; discipline may better the morals.
2.  To surpass; to exceed.
      The works of nature do always aim at that which cannot be bettered.
           Qu.is not the sense, made better:
3.  To advance; to support; to give advantage to; as, to better a party; to better a cause.
BET'TER, n.  A superior; one who has a claim to precedence on account of his rank, age, or office; as, give place to your betters.  It is generally or always used in the plural.


Topic: Betty
Definition:
BET'TY, n. [Supposed to be a cant word from the name of a maid; but qu. is it not from the root of beat or L.peto?]
An instrument to break open doors.


Topic: Between
Definition:
BETWEE'N, prep. 
1.  In the intermediate space, without regard to distance; as, New York is between Boston and Philadelphia; the Delaware river runs between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
2.  From one another; passing from one to another, noting exchange of actions or intercourse; as, things go well between the parties.
3.  Belonging to two or more, in common or partnership; as, two friends have but one soul between them; twenty proprietors own a tract of land between them.  We observe that between is not restricted to two.
4.  Having mutual relation to two or more; as, discords exist between the families.
5.  Noting difference, or discrimination of one from another; as, to distinguish between right and wrong.


Topic: Betwixt
Definition:
BETWIXT', prep.
1.  Between; in the space that separates two persons or things; as, betwixt two oaks.
2.  Passing between; from one to another, noting intercourse.  [See Between.]


Topic: Bevel
Definition:
BEV'EL, n.
Among masons, carpenters,joiners, &c., an instrument, or kind of square, one leg of which is frequently crooked, according to the sweep of an arch or vault.  It is movable on a point or center, and so may be set to any angle.  An angle that is not square is called a bevel angle, whether obtuse or acute.
1.  A curve or inclination of a surface from a right line; as, the proper bevel of a piece of timber.
BEV'EL, a.  Crooked; awry; oblique.
BEV'EL, v.t.  To cut a bevel angle.
BEV'EL, v.i.  To curve; to incline towards a point, or from a direct line.


Topic: Beveling
Definition:
BEV'ELING, ppr.  Forming to a bevel angle.
BEV'ELING, a.  Curving; bending from a right line.
BEV'ELING, n.  A hewing of timber with a proper and regular curve, according to a mold laid on one side of its surface.
1.  The curve or bevel of timber.


Topic: Bevelment
Definition:
BEV'ELMENT, n.  In mineralogy, bevelment supposes the removal of two contiguous segments from the edges, angles or terminal faces of the predominant form, thereby producing two new faces, inclined to each other at a certain angle and forming an edge.


Topic: Bever
Definition:
BEV'ER, n.  A collation or small repast between meals. [Not used.]
BEV'ER, v.i.  To take a small repast between meals.


Topic: Beverage
Definition:
BEV'ERAGE, n.  [L.bibo;]  Drink; liquor for drinking.  It is generally used of a mixed liquor. Nectar is called the beverage of the gods.
In the middle ages, beverage, beveragium, or biberagium was money for drink given to an artificer of other person over and above his hire or wages.  The practice has existed, to a certain extent, in American, within my memory,and I know not but it still exists in some parts of this country.  A person who had a new garment, was called onto pay beverage, that is, to treat with liquor.  Hence,
1.  A treat on wearing a new suit of clothes, or on receiving a suit from the tailor; also a treat on first coming into prison; a garnish.
In England, water-cider, a mixture of cider and water, made by putting water into pumice before it is pressed.


Topic: Bevy
Definition:
BEV'Y, n. [I know not the origin or affinities of this word.  The etymologies I have seen are not worth notice.]
A flock of birds;hence, a company; an assembly or collection of persons; usually applied to females.


Topic: Bewail
Definition:
BEWA'IL, v.t. [be and wail.]  To bemoan; to lament; to express sorrow for.  It expresses deep sorrow; as, to bewail the loss of a child.
      The true penitent bewails his ingratitude to God.
BEWA'IL, v.i.  To express grief.


Topic: Beware
Definition:
BEWA'RE, v.i.
1.  Literally, to restrain or guard one's self from.  Hence, to regard with caution; to restrain one's self from anything that may be dangerous, injurious or improper; to avoid; to take care; followed by of before the thing that is to be avoided.
      Beware of all, but more beware of man.
           Beware of false prophets; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees; beware of the concision.
2.  To have a special regard to.
      Behold, I send an angel before thee--beware of him, and obey his voice. Ex.23.
       [This is unusual and hardly legitimate.]
This word though here admitted as a verb, from the Saxon,is rarely used as a verb in fact; or if a verb, is now never used except in the imperative mode  It is a compound of be and the Old Eng. ware, now wary.  Be wary of danger.  Hence it cannot be used with did, like a regular verb, nor with be, in any of its inflections, he is beware; for this would be to use the substantive verb twice before ware and wary, is and be.  Ben Jonson however has used the word in the third person.  He bewares to act.  But it has no past tense or participle, and therefore, if admitted as a verb, it is defective,and used only in the imperative mode, or after an auxiliary.
      We must beware of excess.
  


Topic: Beweep
Definition:
BEWEE'P, v.t. [be and weep.]  To weep over; to bedew with tears. [Little used.]
BEWEE'P, v.i.  To make lamentation. [Little used.]


Topic: Bewilder
Definition:
BEWIL'DER, v.t. To lead into perplexity or confusion; to lose in pathless places; to confound for want of a plain road; to perplex with mazes; or in general, to perplex.
Lost and bewildered in the fruitless search.


Topic: Bewitch
Definition:
BEWITCH', v.t. [be and witch.]  To fascinate; to gain an ascendancy over by charms or incantation; an operation which was formerly supposed to injure the person bewitched, so that he lost his flesh, or behaved in a strange unaccountable manner; ignorant people being inclined to ascribe to evil spirits what they could not account for.
Look, how I am bewitched; behold, mine arm
Is like a blasted sapling withered up.
1.  To charm; to fascinate; to please to such a degree as to take away the power of resistance.
The charms of poetry our souls bewitch.
2.  To deceive and mislead by juggling tricks or imposter. Acts 8.9.


Topic: Bewitching
Definition:
BEWITCH'ING, ppr.  Fascinating; charming.
BEWITCH'ING, a.  That has power to bewitch or fascinate; that has power to control by the arts of pleasing.


Topic: Bewray
Definition:
BEWRA'Y, v.t. beray. To disclose perfidiously; to betray; to show or make visible.
Thy speech bewrayeth thee. Matt.23.
[This word is nearly antiquated.]


Topic: Bey
Definition:
BEY, n.  In the Turkish dominions, a governor of a town or particular district of country; also,in some places, a prince; the same as the Arabic Beg.  [See Beg.]


Topic: Beyond
Definition:
BEYOND', prep.
1.  On the further side of; on the side most distant, at any indefinite distance from that side; as beyond a river, or the sea, either a mile beyond, or a hundred miles beyond the river.
2.  Before; at a place not yet reached.
A thing beyond us, even before our death.
3.  Past; out of reach of; further than any given limit; further than the extent of any thing else; as, beyond our power; beyond comprehension; beyond dispute; beyond our care.
4.  Above; in a degree exceeding or surpassing; proceeding to a greater degree, as in dignity, excellence, or quality of any kind; as, one man is great or good beyond another.
To go beyond is a phrase which expresses an excess in some action or scheme; to exceed in ingenuity,in research, or in anything else; hence, in a bad sense, to deceive or circumvent.
Let no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter.
BEYOND', adv.  At a distance; yonder.


Topic: Bezoar
Definition:
BE'ZOAR, n.  
1.  An antidote; a general name for certain animal substances supposed to be efficacious in preventing the fatal effects of poison.  Bezoar is a calcarious concretion found in the stomach of certain ruminant animals, composed of concentric coats surrounding each other, with a little cavity in the middle, containing a bit of wood, straw, hair, or the like substance.  There are two sorts; the oriental, from Persia and the East Indies, of a shining dark green or olive color, with a smooth surface; and the occidental, from the Spanish West Indies, which has a rough surface, is less green much heavier, more brittle, and of a looser texture.  The oriental is generally less than a walnut;the occidental is larger, and sometimes as large as a goose egg.
      The oriental bezoars are generally of a resinous composition and combustible.
2.  In a more general sense, any substance formed, stratum upon stratum, in the stomach or intestines of animals.
This name is also given to the biliary calculi of certain animals.
Fossil-bezoar is a figured stone, formed, like the animal bezoar, with several coats round some extraneous body, which serves as a nucleus; found chiefly in Sicily, in sand and clay pits.  It is of a purple color, and of the size of a walnut.  It seems to be of the nature of bole armenian, and is called Sicilian earth.
Bezoar-mineral.  This preparation is an oxyd of antimony, produced by distilling the nitrous acid several times to dryness from the sublimated muriate of antimony.


Topic: Bezoardic
Definition:
BEZOAR'DIC, a.  Pertaining to or compounded of bezoar.
BEZOAR'DIC, n.  A medicine compounded with bezoar.


Topic: Bezola
Definition:
BEZ'OLA, n.  A fish of the truttaceous kind, of a dusky blue color, nearly of the size of a herring.


Topic: Bhuchampac
Definition:
BHUCHAMP'AC, n.  A beautiful plant of India, known in Linne's system, under the name of Koempferia rotunda.  The blossoms rise from the ground with a short scape, and scarce live a whole day.


Topic: Biarmian
Definition:
BIARM'IAN, a.  Noting a race of Finns in Perme, in the north of Europe, on the Dvina, and about the White Sea; written also Permian.  The Biarmians or Permians are said to be the most wealthy and powerful of the Finnish tribes.


Topic: Bias
Definition:
BI'AS, n.  
1.  A weight on the side of a bowl which turns it from a straight line.
2.  A leaning of the mind; inclination; prepossession; propensity towards an object, not leaving the mind indifferent; as, education gives a bias to the mind.
3.  That which causes the mind to lean or incline from a state of indifference, to a particular object or course.
BI'AS, v.t.  To incline to one side; to warp; to give a particular direction to the mind; to prejudice; to prepossess.  The judgment is often biassed by interest.
This word is used by Shakespeare as an adverb, bias and thwart,i.e. aslope; and as an adjective.
Blow till they bias cheek
Outswell the cholic of puft Aquilon.


Topic: Bib
Definition:
BIB, n.  A small piece of linen or other cloth worn by children over the breast.
1.  A fish about a foot in length, the back of a light olive, the sides yellow, and the belly white.


Topic: Bibliographer
Definition:
BIBLIOG'RAPHER, n.  [Gr. a book.]  One who composes or compiles the history of books; one skilled in literary history; a transcriber.


Topic: Bibliography
Definition:
BIBLIOG'RAPHY, n.  A history or description of books; the perusal of books, and manuscripts, with notices of the different editions, the times when they were printed, and other information tending to illustrate the history of literature.


Topic: Bibliolite
Definition:
BIB'LIOLITE, n. [Gr. a book, and a stone; called also phytobiblia and lithobiblia.]
Bookstone; a species of shistous stones, mostly calcarious, which present, between their lamens, the figures of leaves, or sometimes simple dendrites.


Topic: Bibliomancy
Definition:
BIBLIOM'ANCY, n.  [Gr.a book, and divination.]
A kind of divination, performed by means of the bible; consisting in selecting passages of scripture at hazard, and drawing from them indications concerning things future.


Topic: Bibliomania
Definition:
BIBLIOMA'NIA, n.  [Gr.book, and madness.]  
Book-madness; a rage for possessing rare and curious books.


Topic: Biblist
Definition:
BIB'LIST, n.  [from bible.]  With the Romanists, one who makes the scriptures the sole rule of faith.
1. One who is conversant with the bible.


Topic: Bibulous
Definition:
BIB'ULOUS, a.  [L. bibulus, from bibo, to drink.]
Spungy; that has the quality of imbibing fluids or moisture.


Topic: Bicapsular
Definition:
BICAP'SULAR, a.  [L. bis,double, and capsula, a little chest, from capsa, a chest.  See Capsular.]
In botany, having two capsules containing seeds, to each flower; as a bicapsular pericarp.


Topic: Bicauda
Definition:
BICAU'DA, n.  A fish of the sword-fish kind, about five feet in length; its back and sides of a brown color, and its belly white.


Topic: Bice
Definition:
BICE or BISE, n.  Among painters, a blue color prepared from the lapis armenus, Armenican stone.
Bice is smalt reduced to a fine power by levigation.


Topic: Bicker
Definition:
BICK'ER, v.i.
1.  To skirmish; to fight off and on; that is, to make repeated attacks. [But in this sense I believe rarely used.]
2.  To quarrel; to contend in words; to scold; to contend in petulant altercation.  [This is the usual signification.]
3.  To move quickly; to quiver; to be tremulous, like flame or water; as the bickering flame; the bickering stream.


Topic: Bicorn
Definition:
BI'CORN, n. [L. bis, twice, and cornu, a horn, bicornis.]
A plant whose anthers have the appearance of two horns.
BI'CORN


Topic: Bid
Definition:
BID, v.t. pret. bid, or bade;  pp. bid, bidden. [L. peto, to drive at, to attack, to ask, to desire, to beseech, anciently beto; impetus.  Applied to the voice, it denotes utterance, a driving of sounds, which is applied to asking, prayer, and command. Class Bd.]
1.  To ask; to request; to invite.
Go ye into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.  Math.22.
This sense is antiquated, but we have the same word from the Latin, in invite, [in and bid.]


Topic: Bidale
Definition:
BID'ALE, n.  [bid and ale.]  In England, an invitation of friends to drink ale at some poor man's house, and there to contribute in charity; an ancient and still a local custom.


Topic: Bidding
Definition:
BID'DING, ppr.  Inviting; offering; commanding.
BID'DING, n.  Invitation; command; order; a proclamation or notifying.


Topic: Bide
Definition:
BIDE, v.i.  To dwell; to inhabit.
1.  To remain; to continue or be permanent, in a place or state.  [Nearly antiquated.]
BIDE, v.t.  To endure; to suffer.  [See Abide.]


Topic: Biennial
Definition:
BIEN'NIAL, a. [L. biennis, of bis,twice, and annus, a year.]
1.  Continuing for two years and then perishing; as plants, whose root and leaves are formed the first year, and which produce fruit the second.
2.  In botany, continuing for two years and then perishing; as plants, whose root and leaves are formed the first year, and which produce fruit the second.


Topic: Bier
Definition:
BIER, n.  [L. feretrum, from fero.  See Bear.]
A carriage or frame of wood for conveying dead human bodies to the 
grave.


Topic: Bifarious
Definition:
BIFA'RIOUS, a. [L. bifarius; bis and fero, or Teutonic, faran, to go.]
Two-fold. In botany, pointing two ways, as leaves that grow only on opposite sides of a branch.


Topic: Bifariously
Definition:
BIFA'RIOUSLY, adv.  In a bifarious manner.  A stem or branch is bifariously hairy, when the hairs between any two joints come out on the front and back, and in the two adjoining internodes, on the right and left side.


Topic: Biferous
Definition:
BIF'EROUS, a. [L. bifer, biferus; of bis, twice, and fero, to bear.]
Bearing fruit twice a year, as plants do in warm climates.


Topic: Big
Definition:
BIG, a.
1.  Bulky; protuberant; pregnant, applied to females.  Big, in the sense of pregnant, is followed by with; as, big with child.  The use of of, big of child, is not good English.
2.  Great; large; in a more general sense; applied to any body or object.
3.  Full; fraught, and about to have vent, or be brought forth.
The important day, big with the fate of Rome.
4.  Distended; full, as with grief or passion.
Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep.
5.  Swelled; tumid; inflated, as with pride; hence, haughty in air or mien, or indicating haughtiness; proud; as big looks; big words; to look big.
6.  Great in spirit; lofty; brave.
Have not I a heart as big as thine?
BIG, n.  A kind of barley.


Topic: Bigamy
Definition:
BIG'AMY, n. [L.bis,twice, and Gr. to marry, marriage.]
The crime of having two wives at once.  But the term is ordinarily used as synonymous with Polygamy, and may be more justly defined, the crime of having a plurality of wives.
In the canon law, bigamy was the marrying a second wife after the death of the first, or once marrying a widow.  This disqualified a man for orders,and holding ecclesiastical offices.


Topic: Bigeminate
Definition:
BIGEM'INATE, a.  [L.bis, twice, and geminus, double.]
Twin-forked; used of a decompound leaf having a forked petiole, with several leaflets, at the end of each division.


Topic: Biggel
Definition:
BIG'GEL, n.  A quadruped of the East Indies, somewhat like a rane or rein-deer, but its head resembles that of a horse. It has two horns, cloven feet and a mane like an ass.


Topic: Bight
Definition:
BIGHT, n.
1.  A bend, or small bay between two points of land.
2.  The double part of a rope when folded, in distinction from the end; that is, a round, bend or coil anywhere except at the ends.
3.  The inward bent of a horse's chambrel,and the bend of the fore knees.


Topic: Bigness
Definition:
BIG'NESS, n.  Bulk; size; largeness; dimensions.  It is used of any object,animate or inanimate, and with or without comparison. Thus we speak of the bigness of a tree, of a rock, of a house, without instituting a comparison with other objects of the kind.  Yet in this case there is always some reference in the mind to known measure.  We also say, one thing is as big as another; in which case we give the idea of unknown size, by a known object.  Big and bigness always imply expansion, more or less, in breadth, and are thus distinguished from tall and tallness.


Topic: Bigot
Definition:
BIG'OT, n.  
1.  A person who is obstinately and unreasonably wedded to a particular religious creed, opinion, practice or ritual.  The word is sometimes used in an enlarged sense, for a person who is illiberally attached to any opinion, or system of belief; as a bigot to the Mohammedan religion; a bigot to a form of government.
2.  A venetian liquid measure containing the fourth part of the amphor, or half the boot.
BIG'OT


Topic: Bigoted
Definition:
BIG'OTED, a.  Obstinately and blindly attached to some creed, opinion, practice or ritual; unreasonably devoted to a system or party, and illiberal towards the opinions of others.


Topic: Bigotry
Definition:
BIG'OTRY, n.  Obstinate or blind attachment to a particular creed, or to certain tenets; unreasonable zeal or warmth in favor of a party, sect or opinion; excessive prejudice.
1.  The practice or tenet of a bigot.


Topic: Bigswoln
Definition:
BIG'SWOLN, a.  [big and swoln.  See Swell.]
Swelled to a large size; turgid; greatly swelled; ready to burst.


Topic: Bijugous
Definition:
BIJU'GOUS, a.  [L. bis, twice, and jugum, a yoke, a pair.]
Having two pairs of leaflets; used of pinnated leaves.


Topic: Bilamellate
Definition:
BILAM'ELLATE, a.  [L. bis, twice, and lamella, a plate.]
Having the form of a flatted sphere, longitudinally bifid; used of the stigma of plants.


Topic: Bilander
Definition:
BI'LANDER, n.  A small merchant vessel with two masts, distinguished from other vessels of two masts, by the form of the main-sail, which is bent to the whole length of a yard, hanging fore and aft, and inclined to the horizon in an angle of about 45 degrees; the foremost lower corner, called the tack, being secured to a ring-bolt in the deck, and the aftermost or sheet, to the tafferel.  Few vessels are now rigged in this manner.
The bilander is a kind of hoy, manageable by four or five men and used chiefly in the canals of the Low Countries.


Topic: Bilberry
Definition:
BIL'BERRY, n.  The name of a shrub and its fruit; a species of Vaccinium or whortle-berry.  The name with us is given to the taller shrub and its fruit which is of a bluish color.


Topic: Bilbo
Definition:
BIL'BO, n.  [from Bilboa, in Spain.]
A rapier; a sword; so named, it is said, from Bilboa in Spain, where the best are made.


Topic: Bilboes
Definition:
BIL'BOES, n. plu.  On board of ships, long bars or bolts of iron with shackles sliding on them, and a lock at the end, used to confine the feet of prisoners or offenders.  Hence the punishment of offenders in this manner is called by the same name.


Topic: Bild
Definition:
BILD, v.t. pret. bilded, bilt;  pp.id.
To construct; to erect; to set up and finish; as, to bild a house or ship; to bild a wall.  [This is the true orthography; the common spelling is incorrect.  See Build.]


Topic: Bildstein
Definition:
BILD'STEIN, n.  Agalmatolite, or figure-stone.  A massive mineral, with sometimes a slaty structure; of a color gray, brown, flesh red, sometimes spotted, or with blue veins. It fuses into a transparent glass. Brongniart calls it steatite pagodite, from its coming from China in grotesque figures.
This mineral resembles steatite in its physical characters,but differs from it essentially in its composition.  It is soft, easily cut with a knife, and reducible to a fine unctuous powder.


Topic: Bile
Definition:
BILE, n.  [L. bilis.]  A yellow bitter liquor, separated from the blood in the liver, collected in the pori biliarii and gall bladder, and thence discharged by the common duct into the duodenum.
BILE, n.  An inflamed tumor.  [See Boil, the correct orthography.]


Topic: Bilge
Definition:
BILGE, n.  [A different orthography of bulge, and belly, a protuberance.]
1.  The protuberant part of a cask, which is usually in the middle.
2.  The breadth of a ship's bottom, or that part of her floor which approaches to a horizontal direction, on which she would rest, if aground.  Hence, when this part of a ship is fractured, she is said to be bilged.
BILGE, v.i. To suffer a fracture in the bilge; to spring a leak by a fracture in the bilge. The term is used also when a ship has some of her timbers struck off by a rock or an anchor, and springs a leak.


Topic: Bilged
Definition:
BILG'ED, pp. or a.  Having a fracture in the bilge.  This participle is often used, as if the verb were transitive; and perhaps it is sometimes so used.


Topic: Biliary
Definition:
BIL'IARY, n.  Water which enters a ship, and lies upon her bilge or bottom.
BIL'IARY, a.  [from L. bilis.]  Belonging to the bile; conveying the bile; as a biliary duct.


Topic: Bilingsgate
Definition:
BIL'INGSGATE, n.  [from a place of this name in London frequented by low people who use foul language.]
Foul language; ribaldry.


Topic: Bilious
Definition:
BIL'IOUS, a. [L. biliosus, from bilis, the bile.]
Pertaining to bile; consisting or partaking of bile; caused by a redundancy, or bad state of the bile; as a bilious fever.


Topic: Biliteral
Definition:
BILIT'ERAL, a. [L. bis, twice, and litera, letter.]
Consisting of two letters; as a biliteral root in language.


Topic: Bilk
Definition:
BILK, v.t.  To frustrate or disappoint; to deceive or defraud, by non-fulfillment of engagement; as, to bilk a creditor.


Topic: Bill
Definition:
BILL, n.
1.  The beak of a fowl.
2.  An instrument used by plumbers, basket makers and gardeners, made in the form of a crescent, and fitted with a handle.  When short, it is called a hand-bill; when long, a hedge-bill.  It is used for pruning trees, &c.


Topic: Billet
Definition:
BILL'ET, n.  [dim. of bill;]  
A small paper or note in writing, used for various purposes; sometimes it is a short letter, addressed to some person; sometimes a ticket directing soldiers at what house to lodge.
In heraldry, billet is a bearing in the form of a long square.


Topic: Billiards
Definition:
BILL'IARDS, n. plu. bil'yards.
A game played on a rectangular table, covered with a green cloth, with small ivory balls, which the players aim to drive into hazardnets or pockets at the sides and corners of the tables, by impelling one ball against another, with maces, or cues, according to certain rules of the game.


Topic: Billion
Definition:
BILL'ION, n.  bil'yun. [bis and million.]
A million of millions; as many millions as there are units in a million.


Topic: Billow
Definition:
BIL'LOW, n.  A great wave or surge of the sea, occasioned usually by violent wind.  It can hardly be applied to the waves of a river, unless in poetry, or when the river is very large.
BIL'LOW, v.i.  To swell; to rise and roll in large waves, or surges.


Topic: Bimbow
Definition:
BIM'BOW, a.  Crooked; arched; bent; as a kimbo handle.
To set the arms a kimbo, is to set the hands on the hips, with the elbows projecting outward.


Topic: Bimedial
Definition:
BIME'DIAL, a. [L. bis,twice,and medial.]  In mathematics, if two medial lines, A B and B C, commensurable only in power, and containing a rational rectangle, are compounded, the whole line A C will be irrational, and is called a first bimedial line.
1.  Belonging to a quantity arising from a particular combination of two other quantities.


Topic: Binacle
Definition:
BIN'ACLE, n.  [Formerly bittacle.]  A wooden case or box in which the compass and lights are kept on board a ship.  It is sometimes divided into three apartments, with sliding shutters; the two sides contain each a compass, and the middle division, a lamp or candle.


Topic: Binary
Definition:
BI'NARY, a. [L. binus, two and two.]
Binary arithmetic, the invention of Leibnitz, is that in which two figures only, 0 and 1, are used, in lieu of ten; the cypher multiplying every thing by two, as in common arithmetic by 10. Thus, 1 is one; 10 is two; 11 is three; 100 is four; 101 is five; 110 is six; 111, is seven; 1000 is eight; 1001 is nine; 1010 is ten.  It is said this species of arithmetic has been used by the Chinese for 4000 years, being left in enigma by Fohi.
 Binary measure, in music, is that used in common time, in which the time of rising in beating, is equal to the time of falling.
 Binary number is that which is composed of two units.
BI'NARY, n.  The constitution of two.


Topic: Binate
Definition:
BI'NATE, a. [L. biinus.  See Binary.]  Being double or in couples; growing in pairs.  A binate leaf has a simple petiole, connecting two leaflets on the top; a species of digitate leaf.


Topic: Bind
Definition:
BIND, v.t.
1.  To tie together,or confine with a cord, or any thing that is flexible; to fasten as with a band, fillet or ligature.
2.  To gird, inwrap or involve; to confine by a wrapper, cover or bandage; sometimes with up; as, to bind up a wound.
3.  To confine or restrain, as with a chain, fetters or cord; as, bind him hand and foot.
4.  To restrain in any manner.
He bindeth the floods from overflowing. Job.28.
5.  To oblige by a promise, vow, stipulation, covenant, law, duty or any other moral tie; to engage.
If a man shall swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond.  Numbers 30.
We are bound by the laws of kindness, of nature, of a state, &c.
6.  To confirm or ratify.
Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. Matt.16.
7.  To distress, trouble, or confine by infirmity.
Whom Satan hath bound these eighteen years.  Luke 13.
8.  To constrain by a powerful influence or persuasion.
I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem.  Acts.20.
9.  To restrain the natural discharges of the bowels; to make costive; as, certain kinds of food bind the body or bowels.
    10. To form a border; to fasten with a band, ribin, or any thing that strengthens the edges; as, to bind a garment or carpet.
    11. To cover with leather or anything firm; to sew together and cover; as, to bind a book.
    12. To cover or secure by a band; as, to bind a wheel with tire.
    13. To oblige to serve, by contract; as, to bind an apprentice; often with out; as, to bind out a servant.
    14. To make hard or firm; as, certain substances bind the earth.
To bind to is to contract; as, to bind one's self to a wife.
To bind over is to oblige by bond to appear at a court.


Topic: Bind-weed
Definition:
BI'ND-WEED, n. A genus of plants, called Convolvulus, comprehending many species, as the white, the blue, the 
Syrian bind-weed, &c.  The black briony or Tamus is called black bind-weed; and the Smilax is called rough bind-weed.


Topic: Binder
Definition:
BI'NDER, n.  A person who binds; one whose occupation is to bind books; also, one who binds sheaves.
1.  Anything that binds, as a fillet, cord, rope, or band.


Topic: Binding
Definition:
BI'NDING, ppr.  Fastening with a band; confining; restraining; covering or wrapping; obliging by a promise or other moral tie; making costive; contracting; making hard or stiff.
BI'NDING, a.  That obliges; obligatory; as the binding force of a moral duty or of a command.
BI'NDING, n.  The act of fastening with a band or obliging; a bandage; the cover of a book, with the sewing and accompanying work; any thing that binds; something that secures the edge of cloth.
1.  In the art of defense, a method of securing or crossing the adversary's sword with a pressure, accompanied with a spring of the wrist.
Binding-joists, in architecture, are the joists of a floor into which the trimmers of staircases, or well holes of the stairs and chimney ways, are framed.


Topic: Binocle
Definition:
BIN'OCLE, n. [binus, double, and oculus, and eye.]
A dioptric telescope,fitted with two tubes joining, so as to enable a person to view an object with both eyes at once.


Topic: Binocular
Definition:
BINOC'ULAR, a. [See Binocle.]  Having two eyes; also, having two apertures or tubes, so joined that one may use both eyes at once in viewing a distant object; as a binocular telescope.


Topic: Binomial
Definition:
BINO'MIAL, a. [L. bis, twice, and nomen, name.]
In algebra, a root consisting of two members connected by the sign plus or minus; as a+b, or 7-3.


Topic: Biographer
Definition:
BIOG'RAPHER, n.  [See Biography.]  One who writes an account of history of the life and actions of a particular person; a writer of lives, as Plutarch.


Topic: Biography
Definition:
BIOG'RAPHY, n.  [Gr.life, and to write.]
The history of the life and character of a particular person.


Topic: Biotina
Definition:
BIOTINA, n. [from Biot, a French naturalist.]
A newly discovered Vesuvian mineral, whose primitive form is that of an obtuse rhomboid.


Topic: Bipartite
Definition:
BIP'ARTITE, a. [L. bis, twice,and partitus, divided.] 
1.  Having two correspondent parts, as a legal contract or writing, one for each party.
2. In botany, divided into two parts to the base, as a leaf.


Topic: Bipennate
Definition:
BIPEN'NATE,a. [L. bis, and penna, a wing or feather.]  Having two wings.
1.  In botany, having pinnate leaves on each side of the petiole, as a leaf or frond.


Topic: Bipennatifid
Definition:
BIPEN'NATIFID, a.  [L. bis, twice, pinna, a wing or feather, and findo, to divide.]
Doubly-pinnatifid; having pinnatifid leaves on each side of the petiole.


Topic: Bipetalous
Definition:
BIPET'ALOUS, a. [L. bis, twice, and Gr. a leaf.]
Consisting of two flower leaves; having two petals.


Topic: Biquadratic
Definition:
BIQUADRAT'IC, n.  The same as biquadrate.
BIQUADRAT'IC, a.  Pertaining to the biquadratic or fourth power.
 Biquadratic equation, in algebra, is an equation raised to the fourth power, or where the unknown quantity of one of the terms has four dimensions. 
 Biquadratic parabola, in geometry, is a curve line of the third order, having two infinite legs tending the same way.
 Biquadratic root of a number, is the square root of the square root of that number.  Thus the square root of 9 is 3, which is the biquadratic root of 81.


Topic: Biquintile
Definition:
BIQUIN'TILE, n.  [L. bis, twice, and quintus, fifth.]
An aspect of the planets, when they are distant from each other, by twice the fifth part of a great circle, that is 144 degrees or twice 72 degrees.


Topic: Birch
Definition:
BIRCH, n. burch.  A genus of trees, the Betula, of which there are several species; as the white or common birch, the dwarf birch, the Canada birch, of which there are several varieties, and the common black birch.
Birch of Jamaica, a species of the Pistacia or turpentine tree.
BIRCH


Topic: Bird
Definition:
BIRD, n.  burd.
1.  Properly, a chicken, the young of fowls, and hence a small fowl.
2.  In modern use, any fowl or flying animal.
It is remarkable that a nation should lay aside the use of the proper generic name of flying animals, and substitute the name of the young of those animals, as the generic term.  The fact is precisely what it would be to make lamb, the generic name of sheep,or colt, that of the equine genus.
BIRD, v.t.  To catch birds.
Bird of paradise, a genus of birds, found in the Oriental isles, and in New Guinea; some of them remarkable beautiful.  The beak is covered with a belt or collar of downy feathers at the base, and the feathers on the sides are very long.  The longest species is two feet four inches in length. The head and back part of the neck are lemon-colored; the neck of the brightest emerald green, soft like velvet; the breast is black; the wings of a chestnut color.  The back part of the body is covered with long straight narrow feathers, of a pale brown color, similar to the plumes of the ostrich.  These are spread when the bird flies, for which reason he cannot keep long on the wing.  From the rump proceed two long stiff shafts, feathered at the extremities.


Topic: Bird-cage
Definition:
BIRD'-CAGE, n.  [bird and cage.]  A box or case with wires, small sticks, or wicker, forming open work, for keeping birds.


Topic: Bird-catching
Definition:
BIRD'-CATCHING, n.  [bird and catch.]  The art of taking birds or wild fowls, either for food, for pleasure, or for their destruction, when pernicious to the husbandman.


Topic: Birdseye
Definition:
BIRDS'EYE, n. [bird and eye.]  A genus of plants, called also pheasant's eye, known in botany by the generic term Adonis.  There are several species,some of which produce beautiful flowers.


Topic: Birdsfoot
Definition:
BIRDS'FOOT, n.  [bird and foot.] A plant, the Ornithopus, whose legumen is articulated, cylindrical, and bent in the form of a bow.


Topic: Birdsnest
Definition:
BIRDS'NEST, n. [bird and nest.]  The nest in which a bird lays eggs and hatches her young.
1.  A plant, a species of Ophrys or twyblade; also a species of Orchis.
2.  In cookery, the nest of a small swallow, of China, and the neighboring countries, delicately tasted,and mixed with soups. This nest is found in the rocks; it is of a hemispherical figure, of the size of a goose egg, and in substance resembles isinglass.  In the East, these nests are esteemed a great luxury, and sell at a very high price.


Topic: Birhomboidal
Definition:
BIRHOMBOID'AL, a. [bis and rhomboid.]
Having a surface composed of twelve rhombic faces, which, being taken six and six, and prolonged in idea, till they intercept each other, would form two different rhombs.


Topic: Birth
Definition:
BIRTH, n.  berth. [L. partus, the participle of pario, to bear.]
1.  The act of coming into life, or of being born.  Except in poetry, it is generally applied to human beings; as the birth of a son.
2.  Lineage; extraction; descent; as, Grecian birth.
It is used of high or low extraction; but is often used by way of distinction for a descent from noble or honorable parents and ancestors; as a man of birth.
3.  The condition in which a person is born.
A foe by birth to Troy.
4.  That which is born; that which is produced, whether animal or vegetable.
5.  The act of bringing forth; as, she had two children at a birth.
6.  In a theological sense, regeneration is called the new birth.
7.  Origin; beginning; as the birth of an empire.


Topic: Birthday
Definition:
BIRTH'DAY, n.  [birth and day.]  The day in which any person is born.
1.  The same day of the month, in which a person was born, in every succeeding year; often celebrated as a joyful anniversary.  It sometimes has the form of an attribute; as a birth-day ode.


Topic: Birthnight
Definition:
BIRTH'NIGHT, n.  [birth and night.]  The night in which a person is born; and the anniversary of that night in succeeding years.


Topic: Birthplace
Definition:
BIRTH'PLACE, n.  [birth and place.]  The town, city or country, where a person is born; more generally, the particular town, city, or other local district.


Topic: Birthright
Definition:
BIRTH'RIGHT, n.  [birth and right.]  Any right or privilege, to which a person is entitled by birth, such as an estate descendible by law to an heir, or civil liberty under a free constitution.
Esau, for a morsel, sold his birthright.  Heb.12.
It may be used in the sense of primogeniture,or the privilege of the first born, but is applicable to any right which results from descent.


Topic: Birthwort
Definition:
BIRTH'WORT, n.  [birth and wort.]  A genus of plants, Aristolochia, of many species.  Of these are the snake root of America, and the contrayerva of Jamaica.


Topic: Biscuit
Definition:
BIS'CUIT, n.  bis'kit. [L. bis, twice,and cuit, baked.]
1. A kind of bread, formed into cakes, and baked hard for seamen.
2. A cake, variously made, for the use of private families.  The name, in England, is given to a composition of flour, eggs, and sugar.  With us the name is given to a composition of flour and butter, made and baked in private families.  But the compositions under this denomination are very various.
3.  The body of an earthen vessel, in distinction from the glazing.


Topic: Bisdiapason
Definition:
DISDIAPASON, BISDIAPASON, n. [See Diapason.] In music, a compound concord in the quadruple ratio of 4:1 or 8:2.
Disdiapason diapente, a cocord in a sectuple ratio of 1:6.
Disdiapason semi-diapente, a compound concord in the proportion of 16:3.
Disdiapason ditone, a compound consontance in the proportion of 10:2.
Disdiapason semi-ditone, a compound concord in the proportion of 24:5.


Topic: Bisect
Definition:
BISECT', v.t. [L. bis, twice, and seco, sectum, to cut.  See Section.]
To cut or divide into two parts. In geometry, one line bisects another when it crosses it, leaving an equal part of the line on each side of the point where it is crossed.


Topic: Bisection
Definition:
BISEC'TION, n. The act of cutting into two equal parts; the division of any line or quantity into two equal parts.


Topic: Bishop
Definition:
BISH'OP, n. [L. episcopus; Gr. of, over, and inspector, or visitor; to view, or inspect; whence, to visit; also, to view.  This Greek and Latin word accompanied the introduction of christianity into the west and north of Europe.]
1.  An overseer; a spiritual superintendent, ruler or director; applied to Christ.
Ye were as sheep going astray, but are now returned to the shepherd and bishop of your souls. 1. Pet.2.
2.  In the primitive church, a spiritual overseer; an elder or presbyter; one who had the pastoral care of a church.
The same persons are in this chapter called elders or presbyters,and overseers or bishops.  Scott,Comm. Acts.20.
Till the churches were multiplied, the bishops and presbyters were the same. Ib. Phil.1.1.  1. Tim.3.1.  Tit. 1.7.
Both the Greek and Latin fathers do, with one consent, declare, that bishops were called presbyters, and presbyters bishops, in apostolic times, the name being then common.
3.  In the Greek, Latin, and some Protestant churches, a prelate, or person consecrated for the spiritual government and direction of a diocese.  In Great Britain, bishops are nominated by the king, who, upon request of the dean and chapter, for leave to elect a bishop, sends a conge d'elire, or license to elect, with a letter missive, nominating the person whom he would have chosen.  The election, by the chapter, must be made within twelve days, or the king has a right to appoint whom he pleases.  Bishops are consecrated by an archbishop, with two assistant bishops.  A bishop must be thirty years of age; and all bishops, except the bishop of Man, are peers of the realm.
  By the canons of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States, no diocese or state shall proceed to the election of a bishop, unless there are at least six officiating presbyters residing therein, who shall be qualified, according to the canons, to vote for a bishop; a majority of whom  at least must concur in the election.  But the conventions of two or more dioceses, or states, having together nine or more such presbyters,may join in the election of a bishop.  A convention is composed of the clergy, and a lay delegation, consisting of one or more members from each parish.  In every state, the bishop is to be chosen according to such rules as the convention of that state shall ordain.  The mode of election, in most or all of the states,is by a concurrent vote of the clergy and laity, in convention, each body voting separately.  Before a bishop can be consecrated, he must receive a testimonial of approbation from the General Convention of the church; or if that is not in session, from a majority of the standing committee in the several dioceses.  The mode of consecrating bishops and ordaining priests and deacons differs not essentially from the practice in England.


Topic: Bishopric
Definition:
BISH'OPRIC,n.  [bishop and ric, jurisdiction.] 
1.  A diocese; the district over which the jurisdiction of bishop extends.  in England, are twenty-four bishoprics, besides that of Sodor and Man; in Ireland, eighteen.
2.  The charge of instructing and governing in spiritual concerns; office. Acts.1.20.


Topic: Bismuth
Definition:
BIS'MUTH, n. s as z.  A metal of a yellowish or reddish white color, and a lamellar texture. It is somewhat harder than lead, and scarcely, of at all, malleable, being so brittle as to break easily under the hammer, and it is reducible to powder.  Its internal face or fractrue exhibits large shining plates, variously disposed.  It melts at 476 degrees Fahr. and may be fused in the flame of a candle.  It is often found in a native state, crystallized in rhombs or octahedrons, or in the form of dendrites, or thin lamens investing the ores of other metals, particularly cobalt.


Topic: Bison
Definition:
BIS'ON, n.  [L.  A quadruped of the bovine genus, usually but improperly called the buffalo. The proper buffalo is a distinct species, peculiar to the warmer climates of the Eastern Continent.  The bison is a wild animal, with short, black, rounded horns, with a great interval between their bases. On the shoulders is a large hunch, consisting of a fleshy substance.  The head and hunch are covered with a long undulated fleece, of a rust-color, divided into locks.  In winter, the whole body is covered in this manner; but in summer, the hind part of the body is naked,and wrinkled.  The tail is about a foot long, naked, except a tuft of hairs at the end.  The fore parts of the body are very thick and strong;  the hind parts are slender and weak.  These animals inhabit the interior parts of North America, and some of the mountainous parts of Europe and Asia.
Pennant alleges that the bison of America is the same species of animal as the bison and aurochs of Europe, the bonasus of Aristotle, the urus of Caesar, the bos ferus or wild ox of Strabo,the bison of Pliny, and the biston of Oppian.
Cuvier has not separated the bison of America from that of Europe,  He considers their identity as doubtful.  The former has the legs and tail shorter, and the hairs of its head and neck longer than in the latter.
Cuvier has not separated the bison of America from that of Europe.  He considers their identity as doubtful.  The former has the legs and tail shorter, and the hairs of its head and neck longer than in the latter.


Topic: Bissextile
Definition:
BISSEX'TILE, n. [L.bissextilis, leap year, from bissextus, [bis and sextus] the sixth of the calends of March, or twenty-fourth day of February, which was reckoned twice every fourth year, by the interrelation of a day.]
Leap year; every fourth year, in which a day is added to the month of February, on account of the excess of 6 hours, which the
civil year contains, above 365 days.  This excess is 11 minutes 3 seconds too much; that is, it exceeds the real year, or annual revolution of the earth.  Hence at the end of every century,divisible by 4, it is necessary to retain the bissextile day, and to suppress it at the end of those centuries which are not divisible by 4.
BISSEX'TILE, a.  Pertaining to the leap year.


Topic: Bister
Definition:
BIS'TER, n.  Among painters, the burnt oil extracted from the soot of wood; a brown pigment.  To prepare it, soot [that os beach is the best' is put into water, in the proportion of two pounds to a gallon, and boiled half an hour; after standing to settle, and while hot, the clearer part of the fluid must be poured off from the sediment, and evaporated to dryness; the remainder is bister.


Topic: Bistort
Definition:
BIS'TORT, n. [L. bistorta, bis and tortus, twisted.]
A plant, a species of polygonum, or many-knotted or angled.  In popular language, it is called snake-weed.


Topic: Bistoury
Definition:
BIS'TOURY, n.  bis'tury.  A surgical instrument for making incisions.  It is either straight and fixed in a handle like a knife, or its blade turns like a lancet, or it is crooked, with the sharp edge on the inside.


Topic: Bisulphuret
Definition:
BISUL'PHURET, n. [bis and sulphuret.]  In chimistry, a sulphuret, with a double proportion of sulphur.


Topic: Bit
Definition:
BIT, n.  The iron part of a bridle which is inserted in the mouth of a horse,and its appendages, to which the reins are fastened.  It includes the bit mouth, the branches, the curb, the sevel holes, the tranchefil and cross chains.  Bits are of various kinds, as the musrol, snaffle,or watering bit; the canon mouth, jointed in the middle; the canon or fast mouth, all of a piece, kneed in the middle; the scatch-mouth; the masticador,or slavering bit; &c.
BIT, v.t.  To put a bridle upon a horse; to put the bit in the mouth.
BIT, pret. and pp. of bite. Seized or wounded by the teeth.
BIT, n.  A small piece; a mouthful, or morsel; a bite.
1.  A small piece of any substance.
3.  A small coin of the West Indies, a half pistareen, about ten cents, or five pence sterling.
4.  The point of an auger, or other borer; the bite.
This word is used, like jot and whit, to express the smallest degree; as, he is not a bit wiser or better.


Topic: Bitch
Definition:
BITCH, n.
1.  The female of the canine kind, as of the dog,wolf,and fox.
2.  A name of reproach for a woman.


Topic: Bite
Definition:
BITE, v.t. pret. bit; pp. bit, bitten.
1.  To break or crush with the teeth, as in eating; to pierce with the teeth, as a serpent; to seize with the teeth, as a dog.
2.  To pinch or pain, as with cold; as a biting north wind; the frost bites.
3.  To reproach with sarcasm; to treat with severity by words or writing; as, one poet praises, another bites.
4.  To pierce,cut, or wound; as a biting falchion.
5.  To make to smart, as acids bite the mouth.
6.  To cheat; to trick.
The rogue was bit.
[Not elegant, but common.]
7.  To enter the ground and hold fast, as the bill and palm of an anchor.
8.  To injure by angry contention.
If ye bite and devour one another. Gal.5.
BITE, n.  The seizure of any thing by the teeth of an animal, as the bite of a dog; or with the mouth, as of a fish.
1.  The wound made by the teeth.
2.  A morsel; as much as is taken at once by biting; a mouthful.
3.  A cheat; a trick; a fraud.  [A low word.]
4.  A sharper; one who cheats.


Topic: Biter
Definition:
BI'TER, n.  One who bites; that which bites; a fish apt to take bait.
1.  One who cheats or defrauds.


Topic: Biternate
Definition:
BITERN'ATE, a.  [L. bis and ternus, three.]  In botany, doubly ternate, as when a petiole has three ternate leaflets.


Topic: Biting
Definition:
BI'TING, ppr.  Seizing, wounding, or crushing with the teeth; pinching,paining, causing to smart with cold; reproaching with severity, or treating sarcastically; chesting.
BI'TING, a.  Sharp; severe; sarcastic.


Topic: Bitter
Definition:
BIT'TER, a.
1.  Sharp, or biting to the taste; acrid; like wormwood.
2.  Sharp; cruel; severe; as bitter enmity. Heb.1.
3.  Sharp, as words, reproachful; sarcastic.
4.  Sharp to the feeling; piercing; painful; that makes to smart; as a bitter cold day, or a bitter blast.
5.  Painful to the mind; calamitous; poignant; as a bitter fate.
6.  Afflicted; distressed.
The Egyptians made their lives bitter. Ex.1.
7.  Hurtful; very sinful.
Is is an evil and bitter thing.  Jer.2.
8.  Mournful; distressing; expressive of misory; as a bitter complaint or lamentation. Job.23.  Jer.6.31.
BIT'TER, n.  A substance that is bitter. [See Bitter.]
BIT'TER, n.  [See Bitts.]  In marine language, a turn of the cable which is round the bitts.
Bitter-end, that part of a cable which is abaft the bitts, and therefore within board, when the ship rides at anchor.


Topic: Bitter-gourd
Definition:
BIT'TER-GOURD, n.  [bitter and gourd.]  A plant, a species of Cucumis, called Colocynthis, Colocynth, Coloquintada.  The fruit is of the gourd kind, having a shell inclosing a bitter pulp, which is a very drastic purgative.  It is brought from the Levant, and is the bitter apple of the shops.


Topic: Bitter-spar
Definition:
BIT'TER-SPAR, n.  Rhombspar, a mineral that crystallizes in rhomboids.  It is the crystallized variety of magnesian limestone.


Topic: Bitter-sweet
Definition:
BIT'TER-SWEET, n. [bitter and sweet.]  A species of Solanum, a slender climbing plant, whose root,when chewed, produces first a bitter, then a sweet taste.


Topic: Bitter-wort
Definition:
BIT'TER-WORT, n.  [bitter and wort.]  The plant called gentian, Gentiana, which has a remarkable bitter taste.


Topic: Bitterly
Definition:
BIT'TERLY, adv.  With a bitter taste.
1.  In a severe manner; in a manner expressing poignant grief; as, to weep bitterly.
2.  In a manner severely reproachful; sharply; severely; angrily; as, to censure bitterly.


Topic: Bittern
Definition:
BIT'TERN, n.  A fowl of the grallic order, the Ardea stellaris, a native of Europe.  This fowl has long legs and neck, and stalks among reeds and sedge, feeding upon fish.  It makes a singular noise, called by Dryden bumping, and by Goldsmith booming.
BIT'TERN, n. [from bitter.]  In salt works, the brine remaining after the salt is concreted.  This being laded off,and the salt taken out of the pan, is returned, and being again boiled, yields more salt.  It is used in the preparation of Epsom salt, the sulphate of magnesia, and of Glauber's salt, the sulphate of soda.


Topic: Bitterness
Definition:
BIT'TERNESS, n.  [from bitter.]  A bitter taste; or rather a quality in things which excites a biting disagreeable sensation in the tongue.
1.  In a figurative sense, extreme enmity, grudge, hatred; or rather an excessive degree or implacableness of passions and emotions; as the bitterness of anger.  Eph.4.
2.  Sharpness; severity of temper.
3.  Keenness of reproach; piquancy; biting sarcasm.
4.  Keen sorrow; painful affliction; vexation; deep distress of mind.
Hannah was in bitterness of soul.  1 Sam.1.  Job.7.
In the gall of bitterness, in a state of extreme impiety or enmity to God.  Acts.8.
Root of bitterness, a dangerous error, or schism, tending to draw persons to apostasy. Heb.12.


Topic: Bitters
Definition:
BIT'TERS, n.  A liquor in which bitter herbs or roots are steeped; generally a spirituous liquor, the bitter cause of intemperance, of disease, and of premature death!


Topic: Bittervetch
Definition:
BIT'TERVETCH, n. [bitter and vetch.]  A species of Ervum, or lentil, cultivated for fodder.
1.  A genus of plants, known by the generic name Orobus, remarkable for their beautiful papilionaceous flowers. The tubercles of one species are in great esteem among the Highlanders of Scotland, who chew them, when dry, to give a better relish to their liquors.


Topic: Bitts
Definition:
BITTS, n. plu. [from the same root as bite.]  A frame of two strong pieces of timber fixed perpendicularly in the fore part of a ship, on which to fasten the cables,when she rides at anchor.  There are also top-sail sheet bitts, paul-bitts, carrick-bitts, &c.
BITTS, v.t.  To put round the bitts; as, to bitt the cable, in order to fasten it or to slacken it out gradually, which is called veering away.


Topic: Bituminous
Definition:
BITU'MINOUS, a.  Having the qualities of bitumen; compounded with bitumen; containing bitumen.Limestone is of a lamellar structure, susceptible of polish, of a brown or black color,and when rubbed emitting an unpleasant smell.  That of Dalmatia is so charged with bitumen, that it may be cut like soap.


Topic: Bivalve
Definition:
BI'VALVE, n. [L. bis, twice, and valve. L. valva]
An animal having two valves, or a shell consisting of two parts which open and shut. Also a pericarp in which the seed-case opens or splits into two parts.
BI'VALVE


Topic: Bivalvous
Definition:
BIVALV'OUS,  a.  Having two shells or valves which open and shut, as the oyster and the seed cases of certain plants.


Topic: Bivouac
Definition:
BIVOUAC, n.  [L. vigilo.]  The guard or watch of a whole army, as in cases of great danger of surprise or attack.
BIVOUAC, v.t.  To watch or be on guard, as a whole army.
[This word anglicized would be bewatch.]


Topic: Blaast
Definition:
BLA'AST, n.  [Eng. blaze, which is primarily a blowing or swelling.]
1.  A gust or puff of wind; or a sudden gust of wind.
2.  The sound made by blowing a wind instrument.
3.  Any pernicious or destructive influence upon animals or plants.
4.  The infection of any thing pestilential; a blight on plants.
5. A sudden compression of air, attended with a shock, caused by the discharge of cannon.
6.  A forcible stream of air from the mouth, from a bellows or the like.
7.  A violent explosion of gun powder, in splitting rocks, and the explosion of inflammable air in a mine.
8.  The whole blowing of a forge necessary to melt one supply of ore; a common use of the word among workmen in forges in American.


Topic: Blab
Definition:
BLAB, v.t.
1.  To utter or tell in a thoughtless manner; to publish secrets or trifles without discretion.  It implies, says Johnson, rather thoughtlessness than treachery, but may be used in either sense.
2.  To tell, or utter; in a good sense.
BLAB, v.i.  To tattle; to tell tales.
BLAB, n.  A babbler; a telltale; one who betrays secrets, or tell things which ought to be kept secret.


Topic: Black
Definition:
BLACK, a.  
1.  Of the color of night; destitute of light; dark.
2.  Darkened by clouds; as the heavens black with clouds.
3.  Sullen; having a cloudy look or countenance.
4.  Atrociously wicked; horrible; as a black deed or crime.
5.  Dismal; mournful; calamitous.
Black and blue, the dark color of a bruise in the flesh, which is accompanied with a mixture of blue.
BLACK, n.  That which is destitute of light or whiteness; the darkest color, or rather a destitution of all color; as, a cloth has a good black.
1.  A negro; a person whose skin is black.
2.  A black dress, or mourning; as, to be clothed in black.
BLACK, v.t.  To make black; to blacken; to soil.


Topic: Black-bird
Definition:
BLACK'-BIRD, n. [black and bird.]  In England, the merula, a species of turdus, a singing bird with a fine note, but very loud. In America, this name is given to different birds,as to the gracula quiscula, or crow black-bird, and to the oriolus phaeniceus, or red winged black-bird.


Topic: Black-browed
Definition:
BLACK'-BROWED, a.  [black and brow.]  Having black eye-brows; gloomy; dismal; threatening; as a black-browed gust.


Topic: Black-cap
Definition:
BLACK-CAP, n. [black and cap.]  A bird, the Motacilla atricapilla, or mock-nightingale; so called from its black crown.  It is common in Europe.
1.  In cookery, an apple roasted till black, to be served up in a dish of boiled custard.


Topic: Black-chalk
Definition:
BLACK-CHALK, n.  A mineral of a bluish black color, of a slaty texture, and soiling the fingers when handled; a variety of argillaceous slate.


Topic: Black-forest
Definition:
BLACK-FOREST, n. [black and forest.]  A forest in Germany, in Swabia; a part of the ancient Hercynian forest.


Topic: Black-friar
Definition:
BLACK-FRIAR, n.  Black-friars is a name given to the Dominican Order, called also Predicants and preaching friars; in France, Jacobins.


Topic: Black-lead
Definition:
BLACK'-LEAD, n.  A mineral of a dark steel-gray color, and of a scaly texture, composed of carbon, with a small portion of iron.  This name, black-lead, is improper, as it contains no lead.  It is called plumbago, and technically graphite, as it is used for pencils.


Topic: Blacken
Definition:
BLACK'EN, v.t.
1.  To make black.
The importation of slaves that has blackened half America.
2.  To make dark; to darken; to cloud.
3.  To soil.
4.  To sully reputation; to make infamous; as, vice blackens the character.
BLACK'EN, v.i. To grow black, or dark.


Topic: Blacking
Definition:
BLACK'ING, ppr.  Making black.
BLACK'ING, n.  A substance used for blacking shoes, variously made; any factitious matter for making things black.


Topic: Blackness
Definition:
BLACK'NESS, n.  The quality of being black; black color; darkness; atrociousness or enormity in wickedness.


Topic: Blacksmith
Definition:
BLACK'SMITH, n. [black and smith.]  A smith who works in iron, and makes iron utensils; more properly, an iron-smith.
Black'-strakes, in a ship, are a range of planks immediately above the wales  in a ship's side, covered with tar and lamp-black.


Topic: Bladder
Definition:
BLAD'DER, n.[Eng.a blade; L.latus.]
1.  A thin membranous bag in animals, which serves as the receptacle of some secreted fluid, as the urinary bladder, the gall bladder, &c.  By way of eminence, the word, in common language, denotes the urinary bladder, either within the animal, or when taken out and inflated with air.
2.  Any vesicle, blister or pustule, especially if filled with air, or a thin, watery liquor.
3. In botany, a distended membranaceous pericarp.


Topic: Bladder-nut
Definition:
BLAD'DER-NUT, n. [bladder and nut.]  A genus of plants, with the generic name of Staphyloea. They have three capsules, inflated and joined by a longitudinal suture.
1.  The African bladder nut is the Royena.
2.  The laurel-leaved bladder-nut is a species of Ilex, holm or holly.


Topic: Bladder-senna
Definition:
BLAD'DER-SENNA, or bastard-senna, a genus of plants, called in botany Colutea.
The jointed-podded bladder-senna is the Coronilla.


Topic: Blade
Definition:
BLADE, n.  [Gr.broad.]
1.  The stalk or spire of a plant,particularly of grass and corn; but applicable to the stalk of any herbaceous plant, whether green or dry.
2.  A leaf.  In this sense much used in the Southern States of N. America, for the leaves of maize, which are used as fodder.
3.  The cutting part of an instrument, as the blade of a knife, or sword,so named from its length or breadth.  Usually, it is made of iron or steel, but may be of any other metal, cast or wrought to an edge or point.  Also,the broad part of an oar.
4.  The blade of the shoulder,shoulder-blade, or blade-bone, is the scapula, or scapular bone. It is the broad upper bone of the shoulder, so called from its resemblance to a blade or leaf.
5.  A brisk man; a bold, forward man; a rake.
BLADE, v.t.  To furnish with a blade.


Topic: Bladed
Definition:
BLA'DED, pp.  Having a blade or blades.  It may be used of blade in the sense of a leaf, a spire, or the cutting part of an instrument.
1.  In mineralogy, composed of long and narrow plates, like the blade of a knife.


Topic: Blain
Definition:
BLAIN, n.  A pustule; a botch; a blister.  In farriery, a bladder growing on the root of the tongue, against the wind pipe,which swells so as to stop the breath.


Topic: Blame
Definition:
BLAME, v.t. [The Greeks have the root of this word, to blaspheme.]
1.  To censure; to express disapprobation of; to find fault with; opposed to praise or commend, and applicable most properly to persons, but applied also to things.
I withstood him, because he was to be blamed. Gal.2.
I must blame your conduct; or I must blame you for neglecting business.  Legitimately, it cannot be followed by of.
2.  To bring reproach upon; to blemish; to injure.  [See Blemish.]
She had blamed her noble blood.
BLAME, n.  Censure; reprehension; imputation of a fault; disapprobation; an expression of disapprobation for something deemed to be wrong.
Let me bear the blame forever. Gen.43.
1.  Fault; crime; sin; that which is deserving of censure or disapprobation.
That we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Eph.i.
2.  Hurt; injury.
And glancing down his shield, from blame him fairly blest.
The sense of this word, as used by Spenser, proves that it is a derivative from the root of blemish.
To blame, in the phrase,he is to blame, signifies blamable, to be blamed.
Blame is not strictly a charge or accusation of a fault; but it implies an opinion in the censuring party, that the person censured is faulty.  Blame is the act or expression of disapprobation for what is supposed to be wrong.


Topic: Blameless
Definition:
BLA'MELESS, a.  Without fault; innocent; guiltless; not meriting censure.
A bishop then must be blameless.  1 Tim.3.
Sometimes followed by of.
We will be blameless of this thine oath.  Josh.2.


Topic: Blanc-manger
Definition:
BLANC-MANGER, pron. blomonge.  In cookery, a preparation of dissolved isinglass, milk, sugar, cinnamon, &c., boiled into a thick consistence,and garnished for the table with blanched almonds.


Topic: Blancard
Definition:
BLANC'ARD, n.  A kind of linen cloth, manufactured in Normandy, so called because the thread is half blanched before it is woven.


Topic: Blanch
Definition:
BL'ANCH, v.t.  
1.  To whiten; to take out the color, and make white; to obliterate.
2.  To slur; to balk; to pass over; that is to avoid; to make empty.
3. To strip or peel; as, to blanch almonds.
BL'ANCH, v.i.  To evade; to shift; to speak softly.
Rather, to fail or withhold; to be reserved; to remain blank, or empty.
Books will speak plain, when counselors blanch.


Topic: Blanchimeter
Definition:
BLANCHIM'ETER, n. [blanch, and Gr. measure.]
An instrument for measuring the bleaching power of oxymuriate [chloride] of lime, and potash.


Topic: Blanching
Definition:
BL'ANCHING, ppr.  Whitening. In coinage, the operation of giving brightness to pieces of silver,by heating them on a peel, and afterwards boiling them successively in two pans of copper, with aqua fortis, common salt, and tartar of Montpelier; then draining off the water in a sieve;  sand and fresh water are then thrown over them, and when dry, they are rubbed with a towel.
The covering of iron plates with a thin coat of tin is also called blanching.
Blanch-fern, or blank farm, in ancient law, a white farm, was one, where the rent was paid in silver, not in cattle.
Blanch-holding, in law, a tenure by which the tenant is bound to pay only an elusory yearly duty to his superior, as an acknowledgment to his right.


Topic: Blandish
Definition:
BLAND'ISH, v.t. [L. blandior; Old Eng. blandise.]
To soften; to caress; to flatter by kind words or affectionate actions.


Topic: Blandishment
Definition:
BLAND'ISHMENT, n.  Soft words;kind speeches; caresses; expression of kindness; words or actions expressive of affection or kindness, and tending to win the heart.


Topic: Blank
Definition:
BLANK, a.
1.  Void; empty; consequently white; as a blank paper.
2.  White or pale; as the blank moon.
3.  Pale from fear or terror; hence confused; confounded; dispirited; dejected.
Adam--astonished stood, and blank.
4.  Without rhyme; as blank verse, verse in which rhyme is wanting.
5. Pure; entire; complete.
6.  Not containing balls or bullets; as blank cartridges.
This word is applied to various other objects, usually in the sense of destitution, emptiness; as a blank line; a blank space, in a book.&c.
BLANK, n.  Any void space; a void space on paper, or in any written instrument.
1.  A lot by which nothing is gained; a ticket in a lottery which draws no prize.
2. A paper unwritten; a paper without marks or characters.
3.  A paper containing the substance of a legal instrument, as a deed, release, writ or execution, with vacant spaces left to be filled with names, date, descriptions. &c.
4.  The point to which an arrow is directed, marked with white paper. [Little used.]
5.  Aim; shot.
6. Object to which any thing is directed.
7.  A small copper coin formerly current in France, at the rate of 5 deniers Tournois.  There were also pieces of three blanks, and of six; but they are now become moneys of account.
Blank-bar, in law, a common bar, or a plea in bar, which, in an action of trespass, is put in to oblige the plaintiff to assign the place where the trespass was committed.
Point-blank, in gunnery, the shot of a gun leveled horizontally. The distance between the piece, and the point where the shot first touches the ground, is called the point-blank range; the shot proceeding on a straight line, without curving.
BLANK, v.t.  To make void; to annul.
1.  To deprive of color, the index of health and spirits; to damp the spirits; to dispirit or confuse; as, to blank the face of joy.


Topic: Blanket
Definition:
BLANK'ET, n.
1. A cover for a bed, made of coarse wool loosely woven, and used for securing against cold.  Blankets are used also by soldiers,and seamen, for covering.
2. A kind of pear, sometimes written after the French, blanquet.
3.  Among printers, woolen cloth or white baize, to lay between the tympans.
BLANK'ET, v.t.  To toss in a blanket by way of punishment; an ancient custom.  The Emperor Otho used to sally forth in dark nights, and if he found a drunken man, he administered the discipline of the blanket.
1.  To cover with a blanket.


Topic: Blanketing
Definition:
BLANK'ETING, ppr.  Tossing in a blanket.
BLANK'ETING, n.  The punishment of tossing in a blanket.
1.  Cloth for blankets.


Topic: Blare
Definition:
BLARE, v.i.  [L. ploro, to dry out, to bawl, to weep.]
1.  To roar; to bellow. [Little used.]
2.  To sweal or melt away, as a candle.
This is, I believe, usually called flare.

BLARE, n.  Roar; noise.  [Little used.]
And sign for battle's blare.
1.  A small copper coin of Bern, nearly of the same value as the ratz.


Topic: Blaspheme
Definition:
BLASPHE'ME, v.t. [Gr. The first syllable is the same as in blame, blasme, denoting injury; L. loedo, loesus; The last syllable is the Gr.,to speak.]
1.  To speak of the Supreme Being in terms of impious irreverence; to revile or speak reproachfully of God, or the Holy Spirit. 1 Kings 21.  Mark 3.
2. To speak evil of; to utter abuse or calumny against; to speak reproachfully of.
BLASPHE'ME, v.i. To utter blasphemy.
He that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven.  Mark 3.
1.  To arrogate the prerogatives of God.
This man blasphemeth. Who can forgive sins but God?    Math.9. Mark 2.


Topic: Blasphemer
Definition:
BLASPHE'MER, n.  One who blasphemes; one who speaks of God in impious and irreverent terms. 1 Tim.1.


Topic: Blasphemous
Definition:
BLAS'PHEMOUS, a.  Containing blasphemy; calumnious; impiously irreverent or reproachful towards God.


Topic: Blasphemy
Definition:
BLAS'PHEMY, n.  An indignity offered to God by words or writing; reproachful, contemptuous or irreverent words uttered impiously against Jehovah. 
Blasphemy is an injury offered to God, by denying that which is due and belonging to him, or attributing to him that which is not agreeable to his nature.
In the middle ages, blasphemy was used to denote simply the blaming or condemning of a person or thing.  Among the Greeks, to blaspheme was to use words of ill omen, which they were careful to avoid.
1.  That which derogates from the prerogatives of God.  Mark 2.


Topic: Blast
Definition:
BL'AST, v.t.  [Literally, to strike.]  To make to wither by some pernicious influence, as too much heat or moisture, or other destructive cause; or to check growth and prevent from coming to maturity and producing fruit; to blight, as trees or plants.  
1.  To affect with some sudden violence,plague, calamity, or destructive influence, which destroys or causes to fail; as, to blast pride or hopes.  The figurative senses of this verb are taken from the blasting of plants, and all express the idea of checking growth, preventing maturity, impairing, injuring, destroying, or disappointing of the intended effect; as, to blast credit, or reputation; to blast designs.
2.  To confound, or strike with force, by a loud blast or din.
3. To split rocks by an explosion of gun powder.
They did not stop to blast this ore.


Topic: Blasted
Definition:
BL'ASTED, pp.  Affected by some cause that checks growth, injures, impairs, destroys, or renders abortive; split by an explosion of gunpowder.


Topic: Blasting
Definition:
BL'ASTING, ppr.  Affecting by a blast; preventing from coming to maturity; frustrating; splitting by an explosion of gun powder.
BL'ASTING, n.  A blast; destruction by a pernicious cause; explosion.


Topic: Blastment
Definition:
BL'ASTMENT, n.  Blast; sudden stroke of some destructive cause.  [Superseded by blast and blasting.]


Topic: Blaze
Definition:
BLAZE, n.  [Eng.to blush.]
1.  Flame; the stream of light and heat from any body when burning, proceeding from the combustion of inflammable gas.
2. Publication; wide diffusion of report. In this sense, we observe the radical sense of dilatation, as well as that of light.
3.  A white spot on the forehead or face of a horse, descending nearly to the nose.
4.  Light; expanded light; as the blaze of day.
5.  Noise; agitation; tumult.
BLAZE, v.i. To flame; as, the fire blazes.
1.  To send forth or show a bright and expanded light.
      The third fair morn now blazed upon the main.
2.  To be conspicuous.
BLAZE, v.t.  To make public far and wide.
To blaze those virtues which the good would hide.
1.  To blazon. [Not used. See Blazon.]
2.  To set a white mark on a tree, by paring off a part of the bark.


Topic: Blazing
Definition:
BLA'ZING, ppr.  Flaming; publishing far and wide.
BLA'ZING, a. Emitting flame, or light; as a blazing star.


Topic: Blazon
Definition:
BLA'ZON, v.t.  bla'zn.
1.  To explain, in proper terms, the figures on ensigns armorial.
2.  To deck; to embellish; to adorn.
She blazons in dread smiles her hideous form.
3.  To display; to set to show; to celebrate by words or writing.
4.  To blaze about; to make public far and wide.
5.  To display; to exhibit conspicuously.
There pride sits blazon'd on th' unmeaning brow.
BLA'ZON, n.  The art of drawing, describing or explaining coats of arms; perhaps a coat of arms, as used by the French.
1. Publication; show; celebration; pompous display, either by words or by other means.


Topic: Blazoned
Definition:
BLA'ZONED, pp.  Explained, deciphered in the manner of heralds; published abroad; displayed pompously.


Topic: Blazoning
Definition:
BLA'ZONING, ppr.  Explaining, describing as heralds; showing; publishing; blazing abroad; displaying.


Topic: Bleach
Definition:
BLEACH, v.t. [Eng. bleak.]
To whiten; to make white or whiter; to take out color; applied to many things, but particularly to cloth and thread. Bleaching is variously performed, but in general by steeping the cloth in lye, or a solution of pot or pearl ashes, and then exposing it to the solar rays.
Bleaching is now generally performed, on the large scale, by means of chlorine or the oxymuriatic acid, which has the property of whitening vegetable substances.
BLEACH, v.i.  To grow white in any manner.


Topic: Bleaching
Definition:
BLE'ACHING, ppr.  Whitening; making white; becoming white.
BLE'ACHING, n.  The act or art of whitening, especially cloth.


Topic: Bleak
Definition:
BLEAK, a.  
1.  Pale.  [But not often used in this sense, in America, as far as my observations extend.]
2.  Open; vacant; exposed to a free current of air; as a bleak hill or shore. This is the true sense of the word; hence cold and cheerless.  A bleak wind is not so named merely from its coldness, but from its blowing without interruption, on a wide waste;at least this is the sense in America.  So in Addison.  'Her desolation presents us with nothing but bleak and barren prospects.'
BLEAK, n.  A small river fish, five or six inches long, so named from its whiteness.  It belongs to the genus Cyprinus,and is known to the Londoners by the name of white bait.  It is called also by contraction blay.


Topic: Blear
Definition:
BLEAR, a.  Sore, with a watery rheum; applied only to the eyes; as the blear-eyed owl.
BLEAR, v.t.  To make sore; to affect with soreness of eyes,or a watery humor; to make dim or partially  obscure the sight.


Topic: Bleat
Definition:
BLEAT, v.i. [L. blatero; plaudo.]  To make the noise of a sheep; to cry as a sheep.
BLEAT, n.  The cry of a sheep.


Topic: Bleb
Definition:
BLEB, n.  [This word belongs to the root of blab, blubber.]
A little tumor, vesicle or blister.
Arsenic abounds with air blebs.


Topic: Bleed
Definition:
BLEED, v.i. pret. and pp. bled.
1.  To lose blood; to run with blood, by whatever means; as, the arm bleeds.
2.  To die a violent death, or by slaughter.
The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to day.
3. To issue forth, or drop as blood, from an incision; to lose sap, gum or juice; as, a tree or a vine bleeds.
For me the balm shall bleed.
The heart bleeds, is a phrase used to denote extreme pain from sympathy or pity.
BLEED, v.t.  To let blood; to take blood from, by opening a vein.


Topic: Bleeding
Definition:
BLEE'DING, ppr. Losing blood;letting blood; losing sap or juice.
BLEE'DING, n.  a running or issuing of blood, as from the nose; a hemorrhage; the operation of letting blood, as in surgery; the drawing of sap from a tree or plant.


Topic: Blemish
Definition:
BLEM'ISH, v.t.
1. Too mark with any deformity; to injure or impair any thing which is well formed, or excellent; to mar,or make defective,either the body or mind.
2.  To tarnish, as reputation or character; to defame.
BLEM'ISH, n. Any mark of deformity; any scar or defect that diminishes beauty, or renders imperfect that which is well formed.
1.  Reproach; disgrace; that which impairs reputation; taint; turpitude; deformity.


Topic: Blench
Definition:
BLENCH, v.i.  [This evidently is the blanch of Bacon [see Blanch.] and perhaps the modern flinch.]
To shrink; to start back to give way.
BLENCH, v.t.  To hinder or obstruct, says Johnson.  But the etymology explains the passage he cites in a different manner.  'The rebels carried great trusses of hay before them, to blench the defendants' fight.'  That is, to render the combat blank; to render it ineffectual; to break the force of the attack; to deaden the shot.
BLENCH, n.  A start.


Topic: Blend
Definition:
BLEND, n.
An ore of zink, called also mock-lead, false galena and black jack. Its color is mostly yellow, brown and black.  There are several varieties, but in general, this ore contains more than half its weight of zink, about one fourth sulphur, and usually a small portion of iron.  In chimical language, it is a sulphuret of zink.
BLEND, v.t.  
1.  To mix or mingle together; hence to confound, so that the separate things mixed cannot be distinguished.
2.  To pollute by mixture; to spoil or corrupt.
3.  To blind.

BLEND, v.i.  To be mixed; to be united.
There is a tone of solemn and sacred feeling that blends with our conviviality.


Topic: Blenny
Definition:
BLEN'NY, n.  A genus of fishes, of the order of Jugulars, in Ichthyology called Blennius.  There are several species; the size from five inches to a foot in length.


Topic: Bless
Definition:
BLESS, v.t.  pret. and ppr. blessed or blest.
1.  To pronounce a wish of happiness to one; to express a wish or desire of happiness.
And Isaac called Jacob and blessed him.  Gen.28.
2.  To make happy; to make successful; to prosper in temporal concerns; as, we are blest with peace and plenty.
The Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thou doest. Deut. 15.
3.  To make happy in a future life.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.  Rev.14.
4.  To set apart or consecrate to holy purposes; to make and pronounce holy.
And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. Gen.2
5.  To consecrate by prayer; to invoke a blessing upon.
And Jesus took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven he blessed them. Luke 9.
6.  To praise; to glorify, for benefits received.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me. Ps.103.
7.  To praise; to magnify; to extol, for excellencies.  Ps.104.
8.  To esteem or account happy; with the reciprocal pronoun.
The nations shall bless themselves in him. Jer.4.
9.  To pronounce a solemn prophetical benediction upon.  Gen.27.  Deut. 33.
    10. In this line of Spenser, it may signify to throw, for this is nearly the primary sense.
His sparkling blade about his head he blest.
Johnson supposes the word to signify to wave or brandish, and to have received this sense from the old rite of blessing a field, by directing the hands to all parts of it.
Bless in Spenser for bliss, may be so written, not for rhyme merely, but because bless and bliss are from the same root.


Topic: Blessed
Definition:
BLESS'ED, pp. Made happy or prosperous; extolled; pronounced happy.
BLESS'ED, a.  Happy; prosperous in worldly affairs; enjoying spiritual happiness and the favor of God; enjoying heavenly felicity.
Blessed-Thistle.  A plant of the genus Cnicus, sometimes used in decoctions, for a bitter.


Topic: Blessing
Definition:
BLESS'ING, ppr.  Making happy; wishing happiness to; praising or extolling; consecrating by prayer.
BLESS'ING,n.  Benediction; a wish of happiness pronounced; a prayer imploring happiness upon another.
1.  A solemn prophetic benediction, in which happiness is desired, invoked or foretold.
This is the blessing wherewith Moses--blessed the children of Israel.  Deut.33.
2.  Any means of happiness; a gift,benefit or advantage;that which promotes temporal prosperity and welfare, or secures immortal felicity.  A just and pious magistrate is a public blessing.  The divine favor is the greatest blessing.
3.  Among the Jews,a present; a gift; either because it was attended with kind wishes for the welfare of the giver, or because it was the means of increasing happiness.
Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee. Gen.33.


Topic: Blest
Definition:
BLEST, pp. of bless.
BLEST, a. Made happy.
1. Making happy; cheering.
While these blest sounds my rafish'd ear assail.


Topic: Bletonism
Definition:
BLE'TONISM, n.  The faculty of perceiving and indicating subterraneous springs and currents by sensation; so called from one Bleton of France who possessed this faculty.


Topic: Blight
Definition:
BLIGHT, n.
1.  A disease incident to plants, affecting them variously.  sometimes the whole plant perishes; sometimes only the leaves and blossoms, which will shrivel, as if scorched.
2. Any thing nipping or blasting.
In America, I have often heard a cutaneous eruption on the human skin called by the name of blights.
BLIGHT, v.t.  To affect with blight; to blast; to prevent growth,and fertility; to frustrate.


Topic: Blind
Definition:
BLIND, a.  
1. Destitute of the sense of seeing, either by natural defect, or by deprivation;not having sight.
2.  Not having the faculty of discernment; destitute of intellectual light; unable to understand or judge; ignorant; as authors are blind to their own defects.
Blind should be followed by to; but it is followed by of, in the phrase,blind of an eye.
3.  Unseen;; out of public view; private; dark; sometimes implying contempt or censure; as a blind corner.
4. Dark; obscure; not easy to be found; not easily discernible; as a blind path.
5.  Heedless; inconsiderate; undeliberating.
This plan is recommended neither to blind approbation or blind reprobation.
6.  In scripture, blind implies not only want of discernment, but moral depravity.
BLIND, v.t.  To make blind; to deprive of sight.
1.  To darken; to obscure to the eye.
Such darkness blinds the sky.
2.  To darken the understanding; as, to blind the mind.
3.  To darken or obscure to the understanding.
He endeavored to blind and confound the controversy.
4.  To eclipse.
BLIND, or BLINDE, See Blend, an ore.
BLIND, n.  Something to hinder the sight.
Civility casts a blind over the duty.
1.  Something to mislead the eye or the understanding; as, one thing serves as a blind for another.
2. A screen; a cover; as a blind for a window, or for a horse.


Topic: Blindfold
Definition:
BLINDFOLD, a.  [blind and fold.]  Having the eyes covered; having the mental eye darkened.
BLINDFOLD, v.t.  To cover the eyes; to hinder from seeing.


Topic: Blindly
Definition:
BLINDLY, adv.  Without sight, or understanding.
1.  Without discerning the reason; implicitly; without examination; as, to be blindly led by another.
2.  Without judgment or direction.


Topic: Blinds
Definition:
BLINDS, n.  In the military art, a defense made of osiers or branches interwoven, and laid across two rows of stakes, four or five feet asunder, of the highth of a man, to shelter the workmen, and prevent their being overlooked by the enemy.


Topic: Blindside
Definition:
BLINDSIDE, n.  [blind and side.]  The side which is most easily assailed; or the side on which the party is least able or disposed to see danger; weakness; foible; weak part.


Topic: Blindworm
Definition:
BLINDWORM, n. [blind and worm.]  A small reptile, called also slow worm, a species of Anguis, about eleven inches long, covered with scales, with a forked tongue, but harmless.


Topic: Blink
Definition:
BLINK, v.i.  
1. To wink; to twinkle with the eye.
2.  To see obscurely.  Johnson. Is it not to see with the eyes half shut, or with frequent winking, as a person with weak eyes?
One eye was blinking and one leg was lame.
BLINK, n. A glimpse or glance.
BLINK, n.  Blink of ice, is the dazzling whiteness about the horizon, occasioned by the reflection of light from fields of ice at sea.


Topic: Blinkard
Definition:
BLINK'ARD, n.  [blink and ard,kind.]  A person who blinks or has bad eyes; that which twinkles, or glances, as a dim star, which appears and disappears.


Topic: Bliss
Definition:
BLISS, n. The highest degree of happiness; blessedness; felicity; used of felicity in general, when of an exalted kind, but appropriately, of heavenly joys.


Topic: Blister
Definition:
BLIS'TER, n.  
1.  A pustule; a thin bladder on the skin, containing watery matter or serum, whether occasioned by a burn, or other injury, or by a vesicatory.  It is formed by raising the cuticle.
2.  Any tumor made by the separation of the film or skin, as on plants; or by the swelling of the substance at the surface, as on steel.
3.  A vesicatory; a plaster of flies, or other matter, applied to raise a vesicle.
BLIS'TER, v.t.  To rise in blisters.
BLIS'TER, v.t.  To raise a blister, by any hurt, burn or violent action  upon the skin; to raise a blister by a medical application, or vesicatory.
1. To raise tumors on iron bars in a furnace, in the process of converting iron into steel.


Topic: Blite
Definition:
BLITE, n. [L. blitum.]  A genus of plants, called strawberry spinach.
1.  A species of amaranth, or flower gentle.


Topic: Blithe
Definition:
BLITHE, a. [L. loetus; Eng. glad. See Bliss and glad.]
Gay; merry; joyous; sprightly; mirthful.
For that fair female troop thou sawest, that seemed
Of goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay.


Topic: Bloat
Definition:
BLOAT, v.t.[This word may be allied to bladder, from the sense of inflating, swelling.]
1.  To swell or make turgid, as with air; to inflate; to puff up; hence, to make vain; followed by up, but without necessity.  To bloat up with praise is less elegant than to bloat with praise.
2.  To swell or make turgid with water, or other means; as a bloated limb.  It is used to denote a morbid enlargement, often accompanied with softness.
BLOAT, v.i.  To grow turgid; to dilate.
BLOAT, a.  Swelled; turgid.  [Not used.]


Topic: Blobber
Definition:
BLOB'BER, n. A bubble; pronounced by the common people in America, blubber, It is a legitimate word, but not elegant.


Topic: Block
Definition:
BLOCK, n.
1.  A heavy piece of timber or wood, usually with one plain surface;or it is rectangular, and rather thick than long.
2.  Any mass of matter with an extended surface; as a block of marble, a piece rough from the quarry.
3.  A massy body, solid and heavy; a mass of wood, iron, or other metal, with at least one plain surface, such as artificers use.
4.  The wood on which criminals are beheaded.
5.  Any obstruction, or cause of obstruction; a stop; hindrance; obstacle.
6.  A piece of wood in which a pulley runs; used also for the pulley, or the block itself and the sheaves, or wheels.
7.  A blockhead; a stupid fellow.
8.  Among cutters in wood, a form made of hard wood, on which they cut figures in relief with knives,chisels, &c.
9.  In falconry, the perch whereon a bird of prey is kept.
BLOCK, v.t.  To inclose or shut up, so as to hinder egress or passage; to stop up; to obstruct,by placing obstacles in the way; often followed by up; as, to block up a town,or a road.


Topic: Blockade
Definition:
BLOCKA'DE, n.  The siege of a place,formed by surrounding it with hostile troops or ships, or by posting them at all the avenues, to prevent escape,and hinder supplies of provisions and ammunition from entering, with a view to compel a surrender,by hunger and want, without regular attacks.
To constitute a blockade, the investing power must be able to apply its force to every point of practicable access,so as to render it dangerous to attempt to enter; and there is no blockade of that port,where its force cannot be brought to bear.
BLOCKA'DE, v.t.  To shut up a town or fortress, by posting troops at all the avenues, to compel the garrison or inhabitants to surrender by means of hunger and want, without regular attacks; also,to station ships of war to obstruct all intercourse with a town or nation.


Topic: Blockhouse
Definition:
BLOCK'HOUSE, n. [block and house.]  A house or fortress, erected to block up a pass, and defend against the entrance of an enemy.


Topic: Blomary
Definition:
BLO'MARY, n.  [See Bloom, a mass if iron.] The first forge through which iron passes, after it is melted from the ore.


Topic: Blood
Definition:
BLOOD, n.
1.  The fluid which circulates through the arteries and veins of the human body, and of other animals,which is essential to the preservation of life. This fluid is generally red.  If the blood of an animal is not red, such animal is called  exsanguious, or white-blooded; the blood being white, or white tinged with blue.
2.  Kindred; relation by natural descent from a common ancestor; consanguinity.
God hath made of one blood, all nations of the earth.  Acts 17.
3.  Royal lineage; blood royal; as a prince of the blood.
4.  Honorable birth; high extraction; as a gentleman of blood.
5.  Life.
Shall I not require his blood at your hands? 2 Sam.4.
6. Slaughter; murder, or bloodshedding.
I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu. Hosea 1.
The voice of thy brother's blood crieth to me from the ground. Gen.4.
7.  Guilt, and punishment.
Your blood be upon your own heads.  Acts.18.
8.  Fleshly nature;; the carnal part of man; as opposed to spiritual nature,or divine life.
Who were born, not of flesh and blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1.
9.  Man, or human wisdom, or reason.
Flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee,but my Father who is in heaven. Matt.16.
    10. A sacramental symbol of the blood of Christ.
This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for the remission of sins.  Matt.26.
    11. The death and sufferings of Christ.
Being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  Rom. 5.3.
    12. The price of blood; that which is obtained by shedding blood,and seizing goods.
Wo to him that buildeth a town with blood.  Hab.2. Acts.1.
    13. Temper of mind; state of the passions; but in this sense, accompanied with cold or warm, or other qualifying word. Thus to commit an act in cold blood, is to do it deliberately, and without sudden passion. Warm blood denotes a temper inflamed or irritated; to warm or head the blood, is to excite the passions.
    14. A hot spark; a man of fire or spirit; a rake.
    15. The juice of any thing, especially if red; as, 'the blood of grapes.'  Gen.49.
Whole blood.  In law, a kinsman of the whole blood is one who descends from the same couple of ancestors; of the half blood, one who descends from either of them singly, by a second marriage.
BLOOD, v.t.  To let blood; to bleed by opening a vein.
1.  To stain with blood.
2.  To enter; to inure to blood; as a hound.
3.  To heat the blood; to exasperate. [Unusual.]


Topic: Blood-hound
Definition:
BLOOD-HOUND, n.  [blood and hound.]  A species of canis or dog, with long, smooth and pendulous ears, remarkable for the acuteness of its smell, and employed to recover game which had escaped wounded from the hunter, by tracing the lost animal by the blood it had spilt; whence the name of the dog.


Topic: Blood-root
Definition:
BLOOD'-ROOT, n.  A plant so named from its color;a species of sanguinaria, called also puccoon, turmeric and red root.


Topic: Blood-sucker
Definition:
BLOOD'-SUCKER, n.  [blood and suck.]  Any animal that sucks blood, as a leech, a fly, &c.  A cruel man; a murderer.


Topic: Blood-vessel
Definition:
BLOOD'-VESSEL, n.  [blood and vessel.]  Any vessel in which blood circulates in an animal body; an artery or a vein.


Topic: Bloodless
Definition:
BLOOD'LESS, a.  Without blood; dead.
1.  Without shedding of blood or slaughter; as a bloodless victory.
2.  Without spirit or activity.


Topic: Bloodshed
Definition:
BLOOD'SHED, n.  [blood and shed.]  The shedding or spilling of blood; slaughter; waste of life; the crime of shedding blood.


Topic: Bloodshot
Definition:
BLOOD'SHOT, a.  [blood and shoot.]  Red and inflamed by a turgid state of the blood vessels, as in diseases of the eye.


Topic: Bloodstone
Definition:
BLOOD'STONE, n.  [blood and stone.]  A stone, imagined, if worn as an amulet, to be a good preventive of bleeding at the nose. [See Hematite.]


Topic: Bloody
Definition:
BLOOD'Y, a.  Stained with blood.
1.  Cruel; murderous; given to the shedding of blood; or having a cruel, savage disposition; applied to animals.
2.  Attended with bloodshed; marked by cruelty; applied to things; as a bloody battle.
BLOOD'Y, v.t.  To stain with blood.


Topic: Bloody-flux
Definition:
BLOOD'Y-FLUX, n.  [blood and flux.]  The dysentery, a disease in which the discharges from the bowels have a mixture of blood.


Topic: Bloody-hand
Definition:
BLOOD'Y-HAND, n. [blood and hand.]  A hand stained with the blood of a deer,which,in the old forest laws of England, was sufficient evidence of a man's trespass in the forest against venison.


Topic: Bloody-minded
Definition:
BLOOD'Y-MINDED, a. [blood and mind.]  Having a cruel, ferocious disposition; barbarous; inclined to shed blood.


Topic: Bloody-sweat
Definition:
BLOOD'Y-SWEAT, n. [blood and sweat.] A sweat, accompanied by a discharge of blood; also a disease, called sweating sickness, which formerly prevailed in England and other countries.


Topic: Bloom
Definition:
BLOOM  n.  
1.  Blossom; the flower of a plant; an expanded bud.
While opening blooms diffuse their sweets around.
2.  The opening of flowers in general; flowers open, or in a state of blossoming; as, the trees are clothed with bloom.
3.  The state of youth, resembling that of blossoms; a state of opening manhood, life,beauty, and vigor; a state of health and growth, promising higher perfection; as the bloom of youth.
4.  The blue color upon plums and grapes newly gathered.
BLOOM, v.i.  To produce or yield blossoms; to flower.
1. To be in a state of healthful, growing youth and vigor; to show the beauty of youth; as blooming graces.
BLOOM, v.t. To put forth as blossoms.
Charitable affection bloomed them.  [Not in use.]
BLOOM, n. [L. plumbum, lead, properly a lump.]
A mass of iron that has passed the blomary, or undergone the first hammering.


Topic: Blooming
Definition:
BLOOM'ING, ppr. Opening in blossoms; flowering; thriving in the health, beauty, and vigor of youth; showing the beauties of youth.
His blooming laurels graced the muse's seat.


Topic: Bloomy
Definition:
BLOOM'Y, a. Full of bloom; flowery; flourishing with the vigor of youth; as a bloomy spray; bloomy beauties.


Topic: Blore
Definition:
BLORE, n.  [This is a different orthography of blare, which see.]
The act of blowing; a blast.  [Not used.]


Topic: Blossom
Definition:
BLOS'SOM, n.  [Gr. a bud, probably from the same root.]
1.  The flower or corol of a plant; a general term, applicable to every species of tree or plant, but more generally used than flower or bloom, when we have reference to the fruit which is to succeed.  Thus we use flowers,when we speak of shrubs cultivated for ornament; and bloom, in a more general sense, as flowers in general, or in reference to the beauty of flowers.
2. This word is used to denote the color of a horse, that has his hair white,but intermixed with sorrel and bay hairs; otherwise, peach-colored.


Topic: Blossoming
Definition:
BLOS'SOMING, ppr.  Putting forth flowers; blowing.
BLOS'SOMING, n.  The blowing or flowering of plants.


Topic: Blot
Definition:
BLOT, v.t. [L. litura,[whence lituro, oblitero.] without the prefix.]
1.  To spot with ink; to stain or bespatter with ink; as, to blot a paper.
2.  To obliterate writing or letters with ink, so as to render the characters invisible, or not distinguishable; generally with out; as, to blot out a word or a sentence.
3.  To efface; to erase; to cause to be unseen, or forgotten; to destroy; as, to blot out a crime, or the remembrance of any thing.
4.  To stain with infamy; to tarnish;; to disgrace; to disfigure.
Blot not thy innocence with guiltless blood.
5.  To darken
He sung how earth blots the moon's gilded wane.
6.  In scripture, to blot one out of the book of life, is to reject him from the number of those who are to be saved.  To blot out a name, a person or a nation, is to destroy the person or nation; to exterminate or consume.  To blot out sins, is to forgive them.  Sins are compared to debts, which are recorded in God's book of remembrance,and when paid, are crossed or cancelled.
BLOT, n.  A spot or stain on paper,usually applied to ink.
1.  An obliteration of something written or printed.
2.  A spot in reputation; a stain, a disgrace; a reproach; a blemish.
3.  Censure;scorn; reproach.
He that rebuketh the wicked getteth a blot.  Prov.9.
4.  In backgammon, when a single man lies open to be taken up.


Topic: Blote
Definition:
BLOTE, v.t.  [The affinities of this word are not clearly ascertained.]
To dry and smoke; as, to blote herrings.


Topic: Blow
Definition:
BLOW, n.  [This probably is a contracted word, and the primary sense must be, to strike, thrust, push, or throw, that is, to drive.  I have not found it in the cognate dialects.  If g or other palatal letter is lost, it corresponds in elements with the L.plaga
fligo; Eng.flog.]
1.  The act of striking; more generally the stroke; a violent application of the hand, fist, or an instrument to an object.
2.  The fatal stroke; a stroke that kills; hence, death.
3.  An act of hostility; as, the nation which strikes the first blow.  Hence, to come to blows, is to engage in combat, whether by individuals, armies, fleets or nations; and when by nations, it is war.
4.  A sudden calamity; a sudden or severe evil.  In like manner, plaga in Latin gives rise to the Eng. plague.
5. A single act; a sudden event; as, to gain or lose a province at a blow, or by one blow.
At a stroke is used in like manner.
6.  An ovum or egg deposited by a fly, on flesh or other substance, called a fly-blow.
BLOW, v.t.  pret. blew; pp.blown. [L.flo, to blow.  This word probably is from the same root as bloom, blossom, blow, a flower.]
1.  To make a current of air; to move as air; as, the wind blows.  Often used with it; as, it blows a gale.
2.  To pant; to puff; to breathe hard or quick.
Here is Mrs. Page at the door, sweating and blowing.
3.  To breathe; as, to blow hot and cold.
4.  To sound with being blown, as a horn or trumpet.
5.  To flower; to blossom; to bloom; as plants.
How blows the citron grove.
To blow over, to pass away without effect;to cease or be dissipated; as, the storm or the clouds are blown over.
To blow up, to rise in the air; also, to be broken and scattered by the explosion of gunpowder.
BLOW, v.t.  To throw or drive a current of air upon; as, to blow the fire; also, to fan.
1. To drive by a current of air; to impel; as, the tempest blew the ship ashore.
2.  To breathe upon, for the purpose of warming; as, to blow the fingers in a cold day.
3.  To sound a wind instrument; as, blow the trumpet.
4.  To spread by report.
And through the court his courtesy was blown.
5.  To deposit eggs, as flies.
6.  To form bubbles by blowing.
7.  To swell and inflate, as veal; a practice of butchers.
8.  To form glass into a particular shape by the breath, as in glass manufactories.
9.  To melt tin, after being first burnt to destroy the mundic.
To blow away, to dissipate; to scatter with wind.
To blow down, to prostrate by wind.
To blow off, to shave down by wind, as to blow off fruit from trees; to drive from land, as to blow off a ship.
To blow out, to extinguish by a current of air, as a candle.
To blow up,to fill with air; to swell; as, to blow up a bladder or a bubble.
    10. To inflate; to puff up; as, to blow up one with flattery.
    11. To kindle; as, to blow up a contention.
    12. To burst, to raise into the air,or to scatter, by the explosion of gunpowder. Figuratively, to scatter or bring to naught suddenly; as, to blow up a scheme.
To blow upon, to make stale; as, to blow upon an author's works.
BLOW, n.  A flower; a blossom.  This word is in general use in the U. States, and legitimate.  In the Tatler, it is used for blossoms in general, as we use blowth.
1.  Among seamen, a gale of wind.  This also is a legitimate word, in general use in the U. States.


Topic: Blow-pipe
Definition:
BLOW-PIPE, , n.  [blow and pipe.]  An instrument by which a blast or current of air is driven through the flame of a lamp or candle,and that flame directed upon a mineral substance, to fuse or vitrify it.
Blow-pipe of the artist, a conical tube of brass, glass or other substance, usually a quarter of an inch in diameter at one end, and capillary or nearly so at the other, where it is bent nearly to a right angle.  This is used to propel a jet of air from the lungs, through the flame of a lamp or candle, upon substance to be fused.
Blow-pipe of the mineralogist, the same instrument substantially as the foregoing, but usually fitted with an ivory or silver mouth-piece, and with several movable jets to produce flames of different sizes.  Its office is to produce instantly a furnace heat, on minute fragments of mineral substances, supported on charcoal, by platina forceps. &c.
Compound Blow-pipe of Dr. Hare, invented in 1821, an instrument in which oxygen and hydrogen,propelled by hydrostatic or other pressure, coming from separate reservoirs,in the proportions requisite to form water, are made to unite in a capillary orifice, at the moment when they are kindled.  The heat produced, when the focus is formed on charcoal or any non-conducting substance, is such as to melt every thing but the diamond, to burn the metals, and to dissipate in vapor, or in gaseous forms, most known substances.
The blow-pipe of Newman, Clark, &c. is the compound blow-pipe of Dr. Hare, with some unimportant modifications.


Topic: Blower
Definition:
BLOWER, n.  One who blows; one who is employed in melting tin.
1.  A plate of iron for drawing up a fire in a stove chimney.


Topic: Blowing
Definition:
BLOWING, ppr. Making a current of air; breathing quick; sounding a wind instrument; inflating; impelling by wind; melting tin.
BLOWING, n.  The motion of wind or act of blowing.


Topic: Blown
Definition:
BLOWN, pp.  Driven by wind; fanned; sounded by blowing; spread by report; swelled; inflated; expanded as a blossom.


Topic: Blowth
Definition:
BLOWTH, n.  Bloom or blossom, or that which is expanded.  It signifies bloom or blossoms in general, or the state of blossoming.  Thus we say, trees are now in their blowth, or they have a full blowth.


Topic: Blubber
Definition:
BLUB'BER, n. [See Blobber, Blob and Bleb.]
1.  A blobber, or bubble; a common vulgar word, but legitimate.
2.  The fat of whales and other large sea animals, of which is made train-oil.  It lies immediately under the skin and over the muscular flesh.
3.  Sea nettle, or sea blubber, the medusa.
BLUB'BER, v.i.  To weep in such a manner as to swell the cheeks.
If I mistake not, this word carries with it the idea of weeping, so as to slaver.
BLUB'BER, v.t.  To swell the cheeks or disfigure the face with weeping.


Topic: Bludgeon
Definition:
BLUD'GEON, n. A short stick, with one end loaded or thicker and heavier than the other, and used as an offensive weapon by low persons.


Topic: Blue
Definition:
BLUE, a. blu.  One of the seven colors, into which the rays of light divide themselves, when refracted through a glass prism.  There are various shades of blue, as sky-blue, or azure, Prussian blue, indigo blue, smalt blue, &c.
Prussian blue, a combination of the oxyd of iron with an acid called ferro-prussic.


Topic: Blue-bird
Definition:
BLU'E-BIRD, n.  [blue and bird.] A small bird, a species of Motacilla, very common in the U. States.  The upper part of the body is blue,and the throat and breast, of a dirty red.  It makes its nest in the hole of a tree.


Topic: Blue-bottle
Definition:
BLU'E-BOTTLE, an. [blue and bottle.]  A plant, a species of Centaurea, called Cyanus, which grows among corn.  This and the former plant receive their names from their blue funnel-shaped flowers.
1.  A fly with a large blue belly.


Topic: Blue-fish
Definition:
BLU'E-FISH, n.  [blue and fish.]  A fish, a species of Coryphaena, of the order of thoracics, found about the Bahamas, and on the coast of Cuba.


Topic: Blue-john
Definition:
BLU'E-JOHN, n.  Among miners, fluor spar, a mineral, found in the mines of Derbyshire, and fabricated into vases and other ornamental figures.


Topic: Blue-throat
Definition:
BLU'E-THROAT, n.  [blue and throat.]  A bird with a tawny breast, marked with a sky-blue crescent, inhabiting the northern parts of Europe and Asia.


Topic: Bluff
Definition:
BLUFF, a.  [Eng.leap, from shooting forward.]surly; blustering.
BLUFF, n.  A high bank, almost perpendicular, projecting into the sea; a high bank presenting a steep front.


Topic: Blunder
Definition:
BLUN'DER, v.i.  [This word seems to be allied to the Gr.,to err, and to flounder.  The sense of the latter is to move with sudden jerks, and irregular motions.]
1.  To mistake grossly; to err widely or stupidly.
2.  To move without direction, or steady guidance; to plunge at an object; to move, speak or write with sudden and blind precipitance; as, to blunder upon a reason; to blunder round a meaning.
3.  To stumble, as a horse; a common use of the word.
BLUN'DER, n.  A mistake through precipitance, or without due exercise of judgment; a gross mistake.


Topic: Blunderbuss
Definition:
BLUN'DERBUSS, n.  [blunder.]  A short gun or fire-arm, with a large bore, capable of holding a number of balls, and intended to do execution without exact aim.


Topic: Blunt
Definition:
BLUNT, a.  [from the root of Gr.to dull.]
1.  Having a thick edge or point, as an instrument; dull; not sharp.
2.  Dull in understanding; slow of discernment.
3.  Abrupt in address; plain; unceremonious; wanting the forms of civility; rough in manners or speech.
4. Hard to penetrate. [Unusual.]
BLUNT, v.t. To dull the edge or point, by making it thicker.
1.  To repress or weaken any appetite, desire or power of the mind; to impair the force of any passion which affects the mind, or of any evil or good which affects the body; as, to blunt the edge of love, of pain, or of suffering.
Your ceaseless endeavors will be exerted to blunt the stings of pain.


Topic: Bluntly
Definition:
BLUNT'LY, adv.  IN a blunt manner; coarsely; plainly; abruptly without delicacy, or the usual forms of civility.


Topic: Bluntness
Definition:
BLUNT'NESS, n.  Want of edge or point; dullness; obtuseness; want of sharpness.
1.  Coarseness of address; roughness of manners, rude sincerity or plainness.


Topic: Blur
Definition:
BLUR, n.  [L.luridus.]  A dark spot; a stain; a blot, whether upon paper or other substance, or upon reputation.
BLUR, v.t.  To obscure by a dark spot, or by any foul matter, without quite effacing.
1.  To sully; to stain; to blemish; as, to blur reputation.


Topic: Blurt
Definition:
BLURT, v.t. [Allied probably to flirt, to throw.]
To throw out, or throw at random, hastily, or unadvisedly; to utter suddenly or inadvertently; commonly with out, and applied to words.


Topic: Blush
Definition:
BLUSH, v.i.  
1.  To redden in the cheeks or face; to be suddenly suffused with a red color in the cheeks or face, from a sense of guilt, shame, confusion, modesty, diffidence or surprise; followed by at or for, before the cause of blushing; as, blush at your vices;blush for your degraded country.
In the presence of the shameless and unblushing, the young offender is ashamed to blush.
2.  To bear a blooming red color, or any soft bright color; as the blushing rose.
He bears his blushing honors thick upon him.
Shakespeare has used this word in a transitive sense, to make red, and it may be allowable in poetry.
BLUSH, n.  A red color suffusing the cheeks only, or the face generally, and excited by confusion, which may spring from shame, guilt, modesty, diffidence or surprise.
The rosy blush of love.
1.  A red or reddish color.
2.  Sudden appearance; a glance; a sense taken from the sudden suffusion of the face in blushing;; as, a proposition appears absurd at first blush.


Topic: Bluster
Definition:
BLUS'TER, v.i.  [Probably allied to blaze, blast.]
1.  To be loud, noisy or swaggering; to bully; to purr; to swagger; as a turbulent or boasting person.
2.  To roar, and be tumultuous, as wind; to be boisterous; to be windy;; to hurry.
BLUS'TER, n.  Noise; tumult; boasting; boisterousness; turbulence; roar of a tempest; violent wind; hurry; any irregular noise and tumult from wind, or from vanity.


Topic: Blusterer
Definition:
BLUS'TERER, n.  A swaggerer; a bully; a noisy, tumultuous fellow, who makes great pretensions from vanity.


Topic: Boa
Definition:
BO'A,n.  A genus of serpents, of the class Amphibia, the characters of which are, the belly and tail are furnished with scuta.  It includes the largest species of serpent, the constrictor, sometimes 30 or 40 feet long.


Topic: Board
Definition:
BOARD, n.  
1.  A piece of timber sawed thin and of considerable length and breadth, compared with the thickness, used for building and other purposes.
2.  A table.  The table of our rude ancestors was a piece of board, perhaps originally laid upon the knees. 'Lauti cibum capiunt; separata singulis sedes, et sua cuique mensa.'  
3.  Entertainment; food; diet; as, the price of board is two, five, or seven dollars a week.
4.  A table at which a council or court is held; hence a council, convened for business, or any authorized assembly or meeting; as a board of directors.
5.  The desk of a ship; the interior part of a ship or boat; used in the phrase, on board, aboard.  In this phrase however the sense is primarily the side of the ship.  To go aboard is to go over the side.
6.  The side of a ship.
Now board to board, the rival vessels row.
To fall over board, that is, over the side; the mast went by the board.
Board and board, side by side.
7.  The line over which a ship runs between tack and tack.  To make a good board, is to sail in a straight line, when close hauled.  
To make short boards, is to tack frequently.
8.  A table for artificers to sit or work on.
9.  A table or frame for a game; as a chess board, &c.
    10. A body of men constituting a quorum in session; a court, or council; as a board of trustees; a board of officers.
BOARD, v.t.  To lay or spread with boards; to cover with boards.
1.  To enter a ship by force in combat, which answers to storming a city or fort on land.
2.  To attack; to make the first attempt upon a man.  In Spenser, to accost.
3.  To place at board, for a compensation, as a lodger.
4.  To furnish with food, or food and lodging, for a compensation; as, a man boards ten students.
BOARD, v.i.  To receive food or diet as a lodger or without lodgings, for a compensation; as,he boards at the moderate price of two dollars a week.


Topic: Board-load
Definition:
BOARD-LOAD, n.  [bord and load.]  The service required of a tenant to carry timber from the woods to the lord's house; also, the quantity of provision paid by a bord-man for bord-land.


Topic: Boarded
Definition:
BOARDED, pp. Covered with boards; entered by armed men, as a ship; furnished with food for a compensation.


Topic: Boarder
Definition:
BOARDER, n.  One who has food or diet and lodging in another's family for a reward.
1. One who boards a ship in action; one who is selected to board ships.


Topic: Boarding
Definition:
BOARDING, ppr.  Covering with boards; entering a ship by force; furnishing or receiving board, as a lodger, for a reward.


Topic: Boast
Definition:
BOAST, v.i. [Gr. to inflate; L. fastus.]
1. To brag,or vaunt one's self; to make an ostentatious display, in speech, of one's own worth, property, or actions.
2. To glory; to speak with laudable pride and ostentation of meritorious persons or things.
I boast of you to them of Macedonia.  St. Paul. 2. Cor.9.
Usually, it is followed by of; sometimes by in.
3. To exalt one's self.
With your mouth you have boasted against me.  Ezek.
BOAST, v.t.  To display in ostentatious language; to speak of with pride, vanity or exultation, with a view to self-commendation.
Lest men should boast their specious deeds.
1.  Magnify or exalt.
They boast themselves in the multitude of their riches. Ps.49.
2.  To exult in confident expectation.
Boast not thyself of tomorrow.  Prov.27.
BOAST, n.  Expression of ostentation, pride or vanity; a vaunting.
Thou makest thy boast of the law. Rom.2
1.  The cause of boasting; occasion of pride, vanity, or laudable exultation.
Trial by peers is the boast of the British nation.


Topic: Boasting
Definition:
BOASTING, ppr. Talking ostentatiously; glorying; vaunting.
BOASTING, n.  Ostentatious display of personal worth, or actions; a glorying or vaunting.
Where is boasting then?  Rom.3.


Topic: Boat
Definition:
BOAT, n.  
1.  A small open vessel, or water craft, usually moved by oars, or rowing. The forms, dimensions and uses of boats are very various, and some of them carry a light sail. The different kinds of boats have different names, as, long-boat,lanch, barge, pinnace,jolly-boat, cutter, yawl, ferry-boat, wherry, Moses-boat, punt, felucca, fishing-boat,perogue, &c.
2.  A small vessel carrying a mast and sails; but usually described by another word, as a packet-boat, passage-boat, advice-boat. &c.
BOAT, v.t.  To transport in a boat; as, to boat goods across a lake.


Topic: Boat-bill
Definition:
BOAT-BILL, n.  [boat and bill.]  A genus of birds, the Cancroma, of two species, the crested and the brown; but by some ornithologists, they are considered as varieties of the same species. They are of the grallic order, with a bill four inches long, not unlike a boat with the keel uppermost, or like the bowls of two spoons, with the hollow parts placed together.


Topic: Boat-fly
Definition:
BOAT-FLY or BOAT-INSECT,n.  A genus of insects, hemipters, known in zoology by the generic term Notonecta.


Topic: Boat-hook
Definition:
BOAT-HOOK, n.  [boat and hook.]  an iron hook with a point on the back, fixed to a long pole, to pull or push a boat.


Topic: Boat-shaped
Definition:
BOAT-SHAPED, a.  Having the shape of a boat; navicular; cymbiform; hollow like a boat; as the valve of some pericarps.


Topic: Boating
Definition:
BOATING, ppr.  Transporting in boats.
BOATING, n.  The act of practice of transporting in boats.
1. In Persia, a punishment of capital offenders by laying them on the back in a boat which is covered, where they perish.


Topic: Boatswain
Definition:
BOATSWAIN, n.  In seamen's language, bosn.
An officer on board of ships, who has charge of the boats,sails, rigging, colors, anchors, cables and cordage.  His office is also, to summon the crew to their duty. to relieve the watch, assist in the necessary business of the ship, seize and punish offenders, &c.  He has a mate who has charge of the long-boat, for setting forth and weighing anchors, warping, towing and mooring.


Topic: Bob
Definition:
BOB, n.  Any little round thing, that plays loosely at the end of a string, cord, or movable machine; a little ornament or pendant that hangs so as to play loosely.
Our common people apply the word to a knot of worms, on a string,used in fishing for eels.
1.  The words repeated at the end of a stanza.
2.  A blow; a shake or jog; a jeer or flout.
3.  The ball of a short pendulum.
4.  A mode of ringing.
5.  A bob-wig.
BOB, v.i.  To play backward and forward; to play loosely against any thing.
1.  To angle, or fish for eels, or to catch eels with a bob.


Topic: Bobbin
Definition:
BOB'BIN, n.  A small pin or cylindrical piece of wood, with a head, on which thread is wound for making lace. A similar instrument, bored through to receive an iron pivot, and with a border at each end,is used in spinning, to wind thread or silk on; a spool.


Topic: Bocaque
Definition:
BOCAQUE or BOCAKE, n.  An animal found on the banks of the Nieper, resembling a rabbit, except that its ears are shorter, and it has no tail.


Topic: Bockland
Definition:
BOCK'LAND, n.  [book and land.] In old English laws,charter land,held by deed under certain rents and free-services, which differed nothing from  free socage lands.  This species of tenure has given rise to the modern freeholds.


Topic: Bode
Definition:
BODE, v.t. To portend; to foreshow; to presage; to indicate something future by signs; to be the omen of; most generally applied to things; as, our vices bode evil to the country.
BODE, v.i. To foreshow; to presage.
This bodes well to you.
BODE, n.  An omen.
1.  A stop.


Topic: Bodily
Definition:
BOD'ILY, a.  Having or containing a body or material form; corporeal; as bodily dimensions.
1.  Relating or pertaining to the body, in distinction from the mind; as bodily defects; bodily pain.
2. Real; actual; as bodily act.
BOD'ILY, adv. Corporeally; united with a body or matter.
It is his human nature, in which the Godhead dwells bodily.


Topic: Bodkin
Definition:
BOD'KIN, n.  [Gr.a thorn.]
1.  An instrument of steel; bone, ivory or the like, with a small blade, and a sharp point, for making holes by piercing.  A like instrument with an eye, for drawing thread, tape, or ribin through a loop, &c.  An instrument to dress the hair.
2.  A dagger.  [Not in use.]


Topic: Bodleian
Definition:
BOD'LEIAN, a.  Pertaining to Sir Thomas Bodley, who founded a celebrated library in the 16th century.


Topic: Body
Definition:
BOD'Y, n.
1.  The frame of an animal; the material substance of an animal, in distinction from the living principle of beasts, and the soul of man.
Be not anxious for your body.
2.  Matter, as opposed to spirit.
3. A person; a human being; sometimes alone; more generally, with some or no; as, somebody; nobody.
4.  Reality, as opposed to representation.
A shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ. Col.2
5. A collective mass; a number of individuals or particulars united;  as the body of mankind. Christians united or the Church is called the body, of which each Christian is a member, and Christ the head.  1 Cor.12. 12.27.
6.  The main army, in distinction from the wings, van or rear.  Also, any number of forces under one commander.
7.  A corporation; a number of men, united by a common tie, by one form of government, or by occupation; as the legislative body; the body of the clergy; body corporate; body politic.
8.  The main part; the bulk; as the body of a tree; the body of a coach, of a ship, &c.
9. Any extended solid substance; matter; any substance or mass distinct from others; as a metaline body; a floating body; a moving body; a light body; a heavy body.


Topic: Bog
Definition:
BOG, n.  
1.  A quagmire covered with grass or other plants. It is defined by marsh, and morass, but differs from a marsh, as a part from the whole.  Wet grounds are bogs, which are the softest and too soft to bear a man; marshes or fens, which are less soft, but very wet; and swamps, which are soft spongy land,upon the surface,but sustain man and beast, and are often mowed.
2.  A little elevated spot or clump of earth, in marshes and swamps, filled with roots and grass. [This is a common use of the word in New England.]
BOG, v.t.  To whelm or plunge, as in mud and mire.


Topic: Boggle
Definition:
BOG'GLE, v.i.  
1.  To doubt; to hesitate; to stop, as if afraid to proceed, or as if impeded by unforeseen difficulties; to play fast and loose. We boggle at every unusual appearance.
2.  To dissemble.
BOG'GLE, v.t.  To embarrass with difficulties; a popular or vulgar use of the word in the United States.


Topic: Boiar
Definition:
BOI'AR or BOY'AR, n.  In the Russian Empire, a nobleman; a lord; a person of quality; a soldier. This word answers nearly to Baron in Great Britain, and other countries in the west of Europe.


Topic: Boil
Definition:
BOIL, v.i.  [L. bullio, bulla, a bubble.]
1.  To swell,heave, or be agitated by the action of heat; to bubble; to rise in bubbles; as, the water boils.  In a chimical sense, to pass from a liquid to an aeriform state or vapor, with a bubbling motion.
2.  To be agitated by any other cause than heat; as, the boiling waves which roll and foam.
3.  To be hot or fervid; to swell by native heat, vigor or irritation; as the boiling blood of youth; his blood boils with anger.
4.  To be in boiling water;to suffer boiling heat in water or other liquid, for cookery or other purpose.
5.  To bubble; to effervesce; as a mixture of acid and alkali. To boil away, to evaporate by boiling.
To boil over, is to run over the top of a vessel, as liquor when thrown into violent agitation by heat or other cause of effervescence.
BOIL, v.t.  To dress or cook in boiling water; to seethe; to extract the juice or quality of any thing by boiling.
1.  To prepare for some use in boiling liquor; as, to boil silk, thread or cloth. To form by boiling and evaporation. This word is applied to a variety of processes for different purposes; as, to boil salt, or sugar, &c. In general, boiling is a violent agitation, occasioned by heat; to boil a liquor is to subject it to heat till it bubbles, and to boil any solid substance is to subject it to heat in a boiling liquid.
BOIL, n. A tumor upon the flesh, accompanied with soreness and inflammation; a sore angry swelling.


Topic: Boiler
Definition:
BOIL'ER, n.  A person who boils.
1.  A vessel in which any thing is boiled.  A large pan, or vessel of iron, copper or brass, used in distilleries, pot-ash works and the like, for boiling large quantities of liquor at once.


Topic: Boiling
Definition:
BOIL'ING, ppr.  Bubbling; heaving in bubbles; being agitated as boiling liquor; swelling with heat, ardor or passion; dressing or preparing for some purpose by hot water.
BOIL'ING, n.  The act or state of bubbling; agitation by heat; ebullition; the act of dressing by hot water; the act of preparing by hot water, or of evaporating by heat.


Topic: Boiobi
Definition:
BOIO'BI, n.  A green snake, found in America, an ell in length, called by the Portuguese, cobra de verb.  It is harmless, unless provoked; but its bite is noxious.


Topic: Boisterous
Definition:
BOIS'TEROUS, a.  
1.  Loud; roaring; violent; stormy; as a boisterous wind.
2.  Turbulent; furious; tumultuous; noisy; as a boisterous man.
3.  Large; unwieldy; huge; clumsily violent; as a boisterous club.
4.  Violent; as a boisterous heat.  


Topic: Boisterousness
Definition:
BOIS'TEROUSNESS, n.  The state or quality of being boisterous; turbulence; disorder; tumultuousness.


Topic: Boitiapo
Definition:
BOITI'APO, n.  A Brazilian serpent, about eight feet long, covered with triangular scales, of an olive or yellowish color, whose bite is mortal.


Topic: Bolbitine
Definition:
BOL'BITINE, a.  An epithet given to one of the channels of the Nile, by which its waters are discharged into the Mediterranean.  It is the second from West to East, but nearly filled with sand.


Topic: Bold
Definition:
BOLD, a.  
1.  Daring; courageous; brave; intrepid; fearless; applied to men or other animals; as, bold as a lion.
2.  Requiring courage in the execution; executed with spirit or boldness; planned with courage and spirit; as a bold enterprise.
3.  Confident; not timorous.
We were bold in our God to speak to you. 1 Thess.2.
4.  In an ill sense, rude, forward, impudent.
5.  Licentious; showing great liberty of fiction or expression; as, the figures of an author are bold.
6.  Standing out to view; striking to the eye; as bold figures in painting, sculpture and architecture.
7.  Steep; abrupt; prominent; as a bold shore, which enters the water almost perpendicularly, so that ships can approach near to land without danger.
Where the bold cape its warning forehead rears.
To make bold, to take freedoms; a common, but not a correct phrase.  To be bold is better.
BOLD, v.t.  To make daring.  [Not used.]


Topic: Bolden
Definition:
BOLDEN, v.t.  To make bold; to give confidence.  This is nearly disused; being superseded by embolden.


Topic: Boldly
Definition:
BOLDLY, adv.  In a bold matter; courageously; intrepidly; without timidity or fear; with confidence.  Sometimes, perhaps, in a bad sense, for impudently.


Topic: Boldness
Definition:
BOLDNESS, n. Courage; bravery; intrepidity; spirit; fearlessness.  I cannot, with Johnson, interpret this word by fortitude or magnanimity.  Boldness does not, I think, imply the firmness of mind, which constitutes fortitude,nor the elevation and generosity of magnanimity.
1.  Prominence; the quality of exceeding the ordinary rules of scrupulous nicety and caution; applied to style, expression, and metaphors in language; and to figures in painting, sculpture and architecture.
2.  Freedom from timidity; liberty.
Great is my boldness  of speech towards you. 2 Cor.7.
3.  Confidence; confident trust.
We have boldness and access with confidence. Eph.3.
4.  Freedom from bashfulness; assurance; confident mien.
5.  Prominence; steepness; as the boldness of the shore.
6.  Excess of freedom, bordering on impudence.


Topic: Bole
Definition:
BOLE, n.
1.  The body, or stem of a tree. [Not in use.]
2.  A measure of corn, containing six bushels.

BOLE, n.  A kind of fine clay, often highly colored by iron.  Its color is reddish yellow of various shades, often with a tinge of brown, sometimes passing to reddish, yellowish, or blackish brown, flesh red, or yellowish white.  It is opake or a little translucid, especially at the edges,in the red and yellow varieties.  It is compact and its fracture conchoidal.  It is brittle, smooth, a little unctuous, and receives a polish from the finger nail.  It adheres to the tongue, melts by degrees in the mouth and impresses a slight sense of astringency.
Armenian bole is of a bright red color, with a tinge of yellow, harder than the other kinds, and of a rough dusty surface.
Bole of Blois is yellow, lighter than the other kinds, and it effervesces with acids.
Bohemian bole is of a yellow color, with a cast of red, and of a flaky texture.
French bole is of a pale red color, variegated with specks of white and yellow.
Lemnian bole is of a pale red color.
Silesian bole is of a pale yellow color.


Topic: Bolis
Definition:
BO'LIS,n. [L. from Gr.,a dart; to throw.]
A fire-ball darting through the air, followed by a train of light or sparks.


Topic: Boll
Definition:
BOLL, n.  The pod or capsule of a plant, as of flax; a pericarp.  Bole, a measure of six bushels, is sometimes written in this manner.
BOLL, v.i.  To form into a pericarp or seed-vessel.
The barley was in the ear and the flax was bolled.  Exodus 9.
Heb.,Gr., as translated by the seventy.
Bollard timbers, in a ship, or knight-heads, are two timbers, rising just within the stem, one on each side of the bowsprit, to secure its end.
In docks, bollards are large posts set in the ground on each side, to which are lashed large blocks, through which are reeved the transporting hawsers for docking and undocking ships.


Topic: Bolster
Definition:
BOLSTER, n.
1.  A long pillow or cushion,used to support the head of persons lying on a bed; generally laid under the pillows.
2.  A pad, or quilt,used to hinder pressure,support any part of the body, or make a bandage sit easy upon a wounded part a compress.
3.  In sadlery, a part of a saddle raised upon the bows or hinder part, to hold the rider's thigh.
4.  In ships, a cushion or bag, filled with tarred canvas,used to preserve the stays from being worn or chafed by the masts.
BOLSTER, v.t.  To support with a bolster, pillow or any soft pad or quilt.
1.  To support; to hold up; to maintain.
2.  To afford a bed to.


Topic: Bolt
Definition:
BOLT,n.  [L. pello.]
1.  An arrow; a dart; a pointed shaft.
2.  A strong cylindrical pin, of iron or other metal, used to fasten a door, a plank, a chain, &c.  In ships, bolts are used in the sides and decks, and have different names, as rag-bolts, eye-bolts, ring-bolts,chain-bolts, &c. In gunnery, there are prise-bolts, transom-bolts, traverse-bolts, and bracket-bolts.
3.  A thunder-bolt; a stream of lightning, so named from its darting like a bolt.
4.  The quantity of twenty-eight ells of canvas.
BOLT, v.t.  To fasten or secure with a bolt, or iron pin, whether a door, a plank, fetters or any thing else.
1.  To fasten; to shackle; to restrain.
2.  To blurt out; to utter or throw out precipitately.
I hate when vice can bolt her arguments.
In this sense it is often followed by out.
3.  To sift or separate bran from flour.  In America this term is applied only to the operation performed in mills.
4.  Among sportsmen, to start or dislodge, used of coneys.
5.  To examine by sifting; to open or separate the parts of a subject, to find the truth; generally followed by out.  'Time and nature will bolt out the truth of things.' [Inelegant.]
6.  To purify; to purge.  [Unusual.]
7.  To discuss or argue; as at Gray's inn, where cases are privately discussed by students and barristers.
BOLT, v.i.  To shoot forth suddenly; to spring out with speed and suddenness; to start forth like a bolt; commonly followed by out; as, to bolt out of the house, or out of a den.


Topic: Bolt-head
Definition:
BOLT-HEAD, n.  [bolt and head.]  A long straight-necked glass vessel for chimical distillations, called also a matrass or receiver.


Topic: Bolt-rope
Definition:
BOLT-ROPE, n.  [bolt and rope.]  A rope to which the edges of sails are sewed to strengthen them.  That part of it on the perpendicular side is called the leech-rope; that at the bottom, the foot-rope; that at the top, the head-rope.


Topic: Bolt-sprit
Definition:
BOLT-SPRIT, n.  [From the universal popular pronunciation of this word, this may have been the original word; but I doubt it.  See. Bowspirit.]


Topic: Bolter
Definition:
BOLTER, n.  An instrument or machine for separating bran from flour or the coarser part of meal from the finer.
1.  A kind of net.


Topic: Bolting
Definition:
BOLTING,ppr.  Fastening with a bolt, or bolts; blurting out; shooting forth suddenly; separating bran from flour; sifting; examining; discussing; dislodging.
BOLTING, n.  The act of fastening with a bolt or bolts; a sifting; discussion.


Topic: Bolting-cloth
Definition:
BOLTING-CLOTH, n.  [bolt and cloth.]  A linen or hair cloth of which bolters are made for sifting meal.


Topic: Bolus
Definition:
BO'LUS, n.  [L. bolus; Gr. a mass.]  A soft mass of any thing medicinal to be swallowed at once, like a pill.  It may be of any ingredients, made a little thicker than honey.


Topic: Bom
Definition:
BOM, n.  A large serpent found in America, of a harmless nature, and remarkable for uttering a sound like bom.


Topic: Bomb
Definition:
BOMB, [L. bombus.]  A great noise.
1.  A large shell of cast iron, round and hollow, with a vent to receive a fusee, which is made of wood.  This being filled with gunpowder and the fusee driven into the vent, the fusee is set on fire and the bomb is thrown from a mortar, in such a direction as to fall into a fort, city or enemy's camp, when it bursts with great violence and often with terrible effect.  The inventor of bombs is not known; they came into common use about the year 1634.
2.  The stroke upon a bell.
BOMB, v.t.  To attack with bombs; to bombard. [Not used.]
BOMB, v.i.  To sound.


Topic: Bombard
Definition:
BOM'BARD, n.  [bomb and ard, kind.]
1.  A piece of short thick ordnance with a large mouth, formerly used; some of them carrying a ball of three hundred pounds weight.  It is called also basilisk, and by the Dutch, donderbuss, thunder-gun.  But the thing and the name are no longer in use.
2.  An attack with bombs; bombardment.
3.  A barrel; a drinking vessel.


Topic: Bombardier
Definition:
BOMBARDIE'R, n.  One whose business is to attend the loading and firing of mortars.
1.  Carabus, a genus of insects of the beetle kind.


Topic: Bombardo
Definition:
BOMB'ARDO, n.  A musical instrument of the wind kind,much like the bassoon, and used as a base to the hautboy.


Topic: Bombasin
Definition:
BOMBASIN, n.  s as z.  A name given to two sorts of stuffs, one of silk, the other crossed of cotton.


Topic: Bombast
Definition:
BOM'BAST, n.  Originally a stuff of soft loose texture, used to swell garments.  Hence, high sounding words; an inflated style; fustian; a serious attempt, by strained description, to raise a low or familiar subject beyond its rank, which, instead of being sublime, never fails to be ridiculous.
BOM'BAST, a.  High-sounding; inflated; big without meaning.


Topic: Bombycinous
Definition:
BOMBYC'INOUS, a.  [L. bombycinus, from bombyx, a silk worm.]
1.  Silken; made of silk.
2.  Being of the color of the silk worm; transparent, with a yellow tint.


Topic: Bonasus
Definition:
BONA'SUS, n. [L.]  A species of Bos, or wild ox, with a long mane; a native of Asia and Africa.  It is of the size of a bull.


Topic: Bond
Definition:
BOND, n.  
1.  Anything that binds, as a cord, a chain, a rope; a band.
2.  Ligament; that which holds things together.
3.  Union; connection; a binding.
Let walls be so constructed as to make a good bond.
4.  In the plural, chains; imprisonment; captivity.
He hath done nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Acts.
5.  Cause of union; cement which unites; link of connection; as the bonds of affection.
Charity is the bond of perfectness.  Col.3
6.  An obligation imposing a moral duty, as by a vow, or promise, by law or other means.
7.  In law, an obligation or deed by which a person binds himself, his heirs, executors, and administrators, to pay a certain sum, on or before a future day appointed.  This is a single bond.  But usually a condition is added, that ;if the obligor shall do a certain act, or pay a certain sum of money, on or before a time specified, the obligation shall be void; otherwise it shall remain in full force.  If the condition is not performed, the bond becomes forfeited, and the obligor and his heirs are liable to the payment of the whole sum.
BOND, a.  [for bound.]  In a state of servitude, or slavery; captive.
Whether we be jews or Gentiles; whether we be bond or free. 1 Cor.12.
BOND, v.t.  To give bond for; as for duties or customs at a custom house; to secure payment of, by giving a bond.
On their reshipment and exportation, official clearances were given, in which no mention was made that the cargo consisted of bonded or debentured goods.
In the U.States, it is applied to the goods on which the customs arise, and to the duties secured by bond.


Topic: Bondage
Definition:
BOND'AGE, n.  Slavery or involuntary servitude; captivity; imprisonment; restraint of a person's liberty by compulsion.  In ancient English law, villenage.
1.  Obligation; tie of duty.
He must resolve not to be brought under the bondage of observing oaths.
2.  In scripture, spiritual subjection to sin and corrupt passions, or to the yoke of the ceremonial law; servile fear.  Heb.2. Gal.2. Rom.8.


Topic: Bonded
Definition:
BOND'ED, pp. Secured by bond, as duties.  Bonded goods are those for the duties on which bonds are given at the custom house.


Topic: Bondmaid
Definition:
BOND'MAID, n.  [bond and maid.]  A female slave, or one bound to service without wages, in opposition to a hired servant.


Topic: Bondman
Definition:
BOND'MAN, n.  [bond and man.]  A man slave, or one bound to service without wages.  In old English law, a villain, or tenant in villenage.


Topic: Bondservant
Definition:
BOND'SERVANT, n.  [bond and servant.]  A slave; one who is subjected to the authority of another, or whose person and liberty are restrained.


Topic: Bondslave
Definition:
BOND'SLAVE, n.  [bond and slave.]  A person in a state of slavery; one whose person and liberty are subjected to the authority of a master.


Topic: Bondsman
Definition:
BONDS'MAN, n.  [bond and man.]  A slave.
1.  A surety; one who is bound, or who gives security, for another.


Topic: Bonduc
Definition:
BON'DUC, n.  A species of Guilandina, or nickar tree, the yellow nickar, a climbing plant, a native of the West Indies, bearing a pod containing two hard seeds of the size of a child's marble.


Topic: Bone
Definition:
BONE, n.
1.  A firm hard substance of a dull white color, composing some part of the frame of an animal body.  The bones of an animal support all the softer parts, as the flesh and vessels.  They vary in texture in different bones, and in different parts of the same bone.  The long bones are compact in their middle portion, with a central cavity occupied by a network of plates and fibers, and cellular or spongy at the extremities.  The flat bones are compact externally, and cellular internally. The bones in a fetus are soft and cartilaginous, but they gradually harden with age. The ends of the long bones are larger than the middle, which renders the articulations more firm, and in the fetus are distinct portions, called epiphyses.  Bones are supplied with blood vessels, and in the fetus, or in a diseased state, are very vascular.  They are probably also furnished with nerves and absorbents, though less easily detected in a sound state.  They are covered with a thin, strong membrane, called the periosteum, which, together with the bones, has very little sensibility in a sound state, but when inflamed, is extremely sensible.  Their cells and cavities are occupied by a fatty substance, called the medulla or marrow.  They consist of earthy matter, rather more than half, gelatin, one sixteenth, and cartilage, about one third of the whole.  The earthy matter gives them their solidity, and consists of phosphate of lime, with a small portion of carbonate of lime and phosphate of magnesia. 
2.  A piece of bone, with fragments of meat adhering to it.
To be upon the bones, is to attack.  [Little used, and vulgar.]
To make no bones, is to make no scruple; a metaphor taken from a dog who greedily swallows meat that has no bones.
Bones, a sort of bobbins, made of trotter bones, for weaving lace; also dice.
BONE, v.t. To take out bones from the flesh, as in cookery.
1.  To put whale bone into stays.


Topic: Bone-ace
Definition:
BO'NE-ACE, n.  [bone and ace.]  A game at cards, in which he who has the highest card turned up to him, wins the bone, that is, one half the state.


Topic: Bone-set
Definition:
BO'NE-SET, v.t.  [bone and set.]  To set a dislocated bone; to unite broken bones.
BO'NE-SET, n.  A plant, the thorough-wort, a species of Eupatorium.


Topic: Bone-setter
Definition:
BO'NE-SETTER, n.  [bone and set.]  One whose occupation is to set, and restore broken and dislocated bones.


Topic: Bone-setting
Definition:
BO'NE-SETTING, n.  That branch of surgery which consists in replacing broken and luxated bones; the practice of setting bones.


Topic: Bone-spavin
Definition:
BO'NE-SPAVIN, n.  [bone and spavin.] A bony excrescence, or hard swelling, on the inside of the hock of a horse's leg; usually cured by blistering and firing, or caustic blisters.


Topic: Boned
Definition:
BO'NED, pp.  Deprived of bones, as in cookery.
BO'NED a.  Having bones; used in composition; as high-boned; strong-boned.


Topic: Bonelacae
Definition:
BO'NELACAE, n.  [bone and lace.]  A lace made of linen thread, so called because made with bobbins of bone, or for its stiffness.


Topic: Bonito
Definition:
BONITO, n.  A fish of the tunny kind, growing to the length of three feet, and found on the American coast, and in the tropical climates.  It has a greenish back, and a white silvery belly.


Topic: Bonnet
Definition:
BON'NET, n.  
1.  A covering for the head, in common use before the introduction of hats.  The word, as now used, signifies a cover for the head, worn by females, close at the sides, and projecting over the forehead.


Topic: Bonny
Definition:
BON'NY, a.  [L.bonus.]
1.  Handsome; beautiful.
Till bonny Susan sped across the plain.
2.  Gay; merry; frolicsome; cheerful; blithe.
Blithe and bonny.
3.  In familiar language, plump, as plump and healthful persons are most inclined to mirth.
[This word is much used in Scotland.]
BON'NY, n.  Among miners, a bed of ore, differing from a squat in being round, whereas a squat is flat; or a distinct bed of ore, that communicates with no vein.


Topic: Bonny-clabber
Definition:
BON'NY-CLABBER, n. A word used in Ireland for sour buttermilk.
It is used, in America, for any milk that is turned or become thick in the process of souring, and applied only to that part which is thick.


Topic: Bony
Definition:
BO'NY, a.  [from bone.]  Consisting of bones; full of bones; pertaining to bones.
1.  Having large or prominent bones; stout;strong.


Topic: Bonze
Definition:
BON'ZE, n.  bon'zy. An Indian priest; a name used in China, Tunkin and the neighboring countries.  In China, the Bonzes are the priests of the Fohists, or sect of Fohi.  They are distinguished from the laity by their dress.  In Japan, they are gentlemen of family.  In Tunkin, every pagoda has at least two bonzes belonging to it, and some have thirty or forty.  In China, the number of bonzes is estimated at fifty thousand, and they are represented as idle dissolute men.


Topic: Booby
Definition:
BOO'BY, n.  
1.  A dunce; a stupid fellow; a lubber; one void of wisdom, or intellect.
2.  A fowl of the pelican genus, of a brown and white color, much varied in different individuals.  This fowl is found among the Bahama isles, feeds upon fish and lays its eggs on the bare rocks.  It has a joint in the upper mandible, by which it can raise it without opening the mouth.


Topic: Book
Definition:
BOOK, n.  [Like the Latin liber, book signifies primarily bark and beech, the tree being probably named from its bark.]
A general name of every literary composition which is printed; but appropriately, a printed composition bound; a volume.  The name is given also to any number of written sheets when bound or sewed together, and to a volume of blank paper, intended for any species of writing, as for memorandums, for accounts, or receipts.
1.  A particular part of a literary composition; a division of a subject in the same volume.
2.  A volume or collection of sheets in which accounts are kept; a register of debts and credits, receipts and expenditures, &c.
In books, in kind remembrance; in favor.
I was so much in his books, that at his decease he left me his lamp.
Without book, by memory; without reading;without notes; as, a sermon was delivered without book.  This phrase is used also in the sense of without authority; as,a man asserts without book.
BOOK, v.t.  To enter, write or register in a book.


Topic: Book-keeping
Definition:
BOOK'-KEEPING, n.  [book and keep.]  The art of recording mercantile transactions in a regular and systematic manner; the art of keeping accounts in such a manner, that a man may know the true state of his business and property, or of his debts and credits, by an inspection of his books.
The books for this purpose are, 1. a Waste Book, or blotter, in which  are registered all accounts or transactions in the order in which they take place. 2.  The Journal, which contains the accounts transferred from the waste book, in the same order, but expressed in a technical style;  3.  the Leger, in which articles of the same kind are collected together, from the journal,and arranged under proper titles.
In addition to these, several others are used;as cash-book; book of charges of merchandize; book of house-expenses; invoice-book; sales-book; bill-book; receipt-book;letter-book; pocket-book; the use of which may be understood from the names.


Topic: Bookbinding
Definition:
BOOK'BINDING,n.  The art or practice of binding books; or of sewing
the sheets,and covering them with leather or other material.


Topic: Bookful
Definition:
BOOK'FUL, a.  [book and full.]  Full of notions gleaned from books; crowded with undigested learning.


Topic: Booklearning
Definition:
BOOK'LEARNING, n.  Learning acquired by reading; acquaintance with books and literature; sometimes implying want of practical knowledge.


Topic: Bookworm
Definition:
BOOK'WORM, n.  [book and worm.]  A worm or mite that eats holes in books.
1. A student closely attached to books,or addicted to study; also, a reader without judgment.


Topic: Booley
Definition:
BOO'LEY, n.  In Ireland, one who has not settled habitation,but wanders from place to place, with his flocks and herds, living on their milk, like the Tartars.


Topic: Boom
Definition:
BOOM, n.  A long pole or spar, run out from various parts of a ship, or other vessel, for the purpose of extending the bottom of particular sails; as the jib-boom, studding-sail boom, main-boom, square-sail boom. &c.
1.  A strong iron chain, fastened to spars, and extended across a river, or the mouth of a harbor, to prevent an enemy's ships from passing.
2.  A pole set up as a mark to direct seamen how to keep the channel, in shallow water.


Topic: Boon
Definition:
BOON, n. [L. bonus.]
1.  A gift; a grant; a benefaction; a present; a favor granted.
2.  A prayer, or petition.
BOON, a.  [L. bonus.]  Gay; merry; kind; bountiful; as a boon companion.


Topic: Boops
Definition:
BO'OPS, n.  The pike-headed whale, with a double pipe in its snout,and a hard horny ridge on its back; so names from its sharp pointed nose.


Topic: Boor
Definition:
BOOR, n.  A countryman; a peasant; a rustic; a plowman; a clown; hence, one who is rude in manners, and illiterate.


Topic: Boose
Definition:
BOOSE, n. [Heb. a stall or crib.]  A stall or inclosure for an ox, cow or other cattle. Not used or local.]
BOOSE


Topic: Boot
Definition:
BOOT, v.t.  [Eng. but. The primary sense of the root is to advance, or carry forward.]
1.  To profit; to advantage
It shall not boot them.
2.  To enrich; to benefit.
I will boot thee.
BOOT, n.  Profit; gain; advantage; that which is given to make the exchange equal, or to supply the deficiency of value in one of the things exchanged.
1.  To boot, in addition to; over and above; besides; a compensation for the difference of value between things bartered; as, I will give my house for yours,with one hundred dollars to boot.
2.  Spoil; plunder.  [See Booty.]
BOOT, n.  
1.  A covering for the leg, made of leather, and united with a shoe.  This garment was originally intended for horsemen, but is now generally worn by gentlemen on foot.  The different sorts are fishing-boots, worn in water; hunting-boots, a thinner kind for sportsmen; jack-boots, a strong kind for horsemen; and half-boots.
2.  A kind or rack for the leg, formerly used to torture criminals.  This was made of boards bound fast to the legs by cords; or a boot or buskin, made wet and drawn upon the legs and then dried by the fire, so as to contract and squeeze the legs.
3.  A box covered with leather in the fore part of a coach.  Also, an apron or leathern cover for a gig or chair, to defend persons from rain and mud. This latter application is local and improper.
BOOT, v.t.  To put on boots.


Topic: Bootes
Definition:
BOO'TES,n.  A northern constellation; consisting, according to Flamstead's catalogue, of fifty-four stars.


Topic: Booth
Definition:
BOOTH, n.  [Heb. beth, a house or booth, a nest for birds.]
A house or shed built of boards, boughs of trees, or other slight materials, for a temporary residence.


Topic: Booty
Definition:
BOOT'Y, n.  
1.  Spoil taken from an enemy in war; plunder; pillage.
2.  That which is seized by violence and robbery.
To play booty is to play dishonestly with an intent to lose.


Topic: Bopeep
Definition:
BOPEE'P,n.  [bo, an exclamation, and peep.]  The act of looking out or from behind something and drawing back, as children in play, for the purpose of frightening each other.


Topic: Boracic
Definition:
BORAC'IC, a. [See Borax.]  Pertaining to or produced from borax.
Boracic acid, a compound of a peculiar base, boron, with oxygen.  It is generally obtained from borax, by adding sulfuric acid.  It is also found native, in certain mineral springs in Italy.


Topic: Boracite
Definition:
BO'RACITE, n.  Borate of magnesia; magnesian earth combined with boracic acid. It is generally of a cubic form, and remarkable for its electrical properties when heated.


Topic: Borax
Definition:
BO'RAX, n.  Sub-borate of soda; a salt formed by the combination of boracic acid with the marine alkali or soda.  It is brought from the East Indies, where it is said to be found at the bottom or on the margin of certain lakes,particularly in Thibet.  It is said to be artificially prepared in Persia, like niter.  It comes in three states.  1.  Crude borax, tinkal, or chrysocolla, from Persia, in greenish masses of a greasy feel, or in opake crystals.  2.  Borax of China, somewhat purer, in small plates or masses, irregularly crystallized, and of a dirty white.  3.  Dutch or purified borax, in portions of transparent crystals, which is the kind generally used.  It is an excellent flux in docimastic operations, a styptic in medicine, and useful in soldering metals.


Topic: Bord-land
Definition:
BORD-LAND, n.  [bord and land.]  See Board.]
In old law, the demain land which a lord kept in his hands for the maintenance of his bord, board, or table.


Topic: Bordello
Definition:
BORDEL'LO, n.  [This is the Eng. brothel.]  A brothel; a bawdy-house; a house devoted to prostitution.


Topic: Border
Definition:
BORD'ER, n.  The outer edge of any thing; the extreme part or surrounding line; the confine or exterior limit of a country, or of any region or tract of land; the exterior part or edge of a garment, or of the corol of plants; the rim or brim of a vessel, but not often applied to vessels; the exterior part of a garden, and hence a bank raised at the side of a garden, for the cultivation of flowers, and a row of plants; in short, the outer part or edge of things too numerous to be specified.
BORD'ER, v.i.  To confine; to touch at the edge, side or end; to be contiguous or adjacent; with on or upon; as, Connecticut on the north borders on or upon Massachusetts.
1.  To approach near to.
Wit, which borders upon profaneness, deserves to be branded as folly.
BORD'ER, v.t.  To make  a border; to adorn with a border of ornaments; as, to border a garment or a garden.
1. To reach to; to touch at the edge or end; to confine upon; to be contiguous to.
Sheba and Raamah border the Persian gulf.
2. To confine within bounds; to limit.  [Not used.]


Topic: Borderer
Definition:
BORD'ERER, n.  One who dwells on a border, or at the extreme part or confines of a country, region or tract of land; one who dwells near to a place.


Topic: Bordure
Definition:
BORD'URE, n.  In heraldry, a tract or compass of metal, color or fur, within the escutcheon, and around it.


Topic: Bore
Definition:
BORE, v.t.  [L. foro and perforo, to bore, to perforate; Gr. to pierce or transfix; also, to pass over, in which sense it coincides with ferry; L. veru, from thrusting or piercing, coincide in elements with this root.
1.  To perforate or penetrate a solid body and make a round hole by turning an auger, gimlet, or other instrument. Hence, to make hollow;; to form a round  hole; as,to bore a cannon.
2.  To eat out or make a hollow by gnawing or corroding, as a worm.
3.  To penetrate or break through by turning or labor; as, to bore through a crowd.
BORE, v.i.  To be pierced or penetrated by an instrument that turns; as, this timber does not bore well or is hard to bore.
1.  To pierce or enter by boring; as, an auger bores well.
2.  To push forward toward a certain point.
Boring to the west.
3. With horsemen, a horse bores, when he carries his nose to the ground.
4.  In a transitive or intransitive sense, to pierce the earth with scooping irons, which, when drawn out, bring with them samples of the different stratums, through which they pass.  This is a method of discovering veins of ore and coal without opening a mine.
BORE, n.  The hole made by boring. Hence, the cavity or hollow of a gun, cannon, pistol or other fire-arm; the caliber; whether formed by boring or not.
1. Any instrument for making holes by boring or turning, as an auger, gimlet or wimble.
BORE, n.  A tide, swelling above another tide.
A sudden influx of the tide into a river or narrow strait.
BORE, pret. of bear.  [See Bear.]


Topic: Boree
Definition:
BOREE', n.  A certain dance, or movement in common time, of four crotchets in a bar; always beginning in the last quaver or last crotchet of the measure.


Topic: Borer
Definition:
BO'RER, n.  One who bores; also an instrument to make holes with by turning.
1.  Terebella, the piercer, a genus of sea worms, that pierce wood.


Topic: Born
Definition:
BORN, pp. of bear. baurn. Brought forth, as an animal.  A very useful distinction is observed by good authors, who, in the sense of produced or brought forth, write this word born; but in the sense of carried, write it borne.  This difference of orthography renders obvious the difference of pronunciation.
1.  To be born, is to be produced or brought into life.  'Man is born to trouble.'  A man born a prince or a beggar.  It is followed by of, before the mother or ancestors.
Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.  Job.14.
2.  To be born, or born again, is to be regenerated and renewed; to receive spiritual life. John 3.


