5 letter word starting with a

by
Words Parts of Speech Meaning/Definition/Similar Words
abaca noun The Manila-hemp plant (Musa textilis); also, its fiber. See Manila hemp under Manila.
aback adverb Toward the back or rear; backward., Behind; in the rear., Backward against the mast; — said of the sails when pressed by the wind., An abacus.
abaci plural of Abacus
abada noun The rhinoceros.
abaft preposition Behind; toward the stern from; as, abaft the wheelhouse., Toward the stern; aft; as, to go abaft.
aband verb t. To abandon., To banish; to expel.
abase adjective To lower or depress; to throw or cast down; as, to abase the eye., To cast down or reduce low or lower, as in rank, office, condition in life, or estimation of worthiness; to depress; to humble; to degrade.
abash verb t. To destroy the self-possession of; to confuse or confound, as by exciting suddenly a consciousness of guilt, mistake, or inferiority; to put to shame; to disconcert; to discomfit.
abate verb t. To beat down; to overthrow., To bring down or reduce from a higher to a lower state, number, or degree; to lessen; to diminish; to contract; to moderate; to cut short; as, to abate a demand; to abate pride, zeal, hope., To deduct; to omit; as, to abate something from a price., To blunt., To reduce in estimation; to deprive., To bring entirely down or put an end to; to do away with; as, to abate a nuisance, to abate a writ., To diminish; to reduce. Legacies are liable to be abated entirely or in proportion, upon a deficiency of assets., To decrease, or become less in strength or violence; as, pain abates, a storm abates., To be defeated, or come to naught; to fall through; to fail; as, a writ abates., Abatement.
abbey noun A monastery or society of persons of either sex, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy; also, the monastic building or buildings., The church of a monastery.
abbot noun The superior or head of an abbey., One of a class of bishops whose sees were formerly abbeys.
a b c The first three letters of the alphabet, used for the whole alphabet., A primer for teaching the alphabet and first elements of reading., The simplest rudiments of any subject; as, the A B C of finance.
abdal noun A religious devotee or dervish in Persia.
abeam adverb On the beam, that is, on a line which forms a right angle with the ship’s keel; opposite to the center of the ship’s side.
abear verb t. To bear; to behave., To put up with; to endure.
abele noun The white poplar (Populus alba).
aberr verb i. To wander; to stray.
abhal noun The berries of a species of cypress in the East Indies.
abhor verb t. To shrink back with shuddering from; to regard with horror or detestation; to feel excessive repugnance toward; to detest to extremity; to loathe., To fill with horror or disgust., To protest against; to reject solemnly., To shrink back with horror, disgust, or dislike; to be contrary or averse; — with
abode imp. & past participle of Abide, pret. of Abide., Act of waiting; delay., Stay or continuance in a place; sojourn., Place of continuance, or where one dwells; abiding place; residence; a dwelling; a habitation., An omen., To bode; to foreshow., To be ominous.
abide verb i. To wait; to pause; to delay., To stay; to continue in a place; to have one’s abode; to dwell; to sojourn; — with with before a person, and commonly with at or in before a place., To remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to continue; to remain., To wait for; to be prepared for; to await; to watch for; as, I abide my time., To endure; to sustain; to submit to., To bear patiently; to tolerate; to put up with., To stand the consequences of; to answer for; to suffer for.
abies noun A genus of coniferous trees, properly called Fir, as the balsam fir and the silver fir. The spruces are sometimes also referred to this genus.
abime noun Alt. of Abyme
abyme noun A abyss.
abler adjective comp. of Able., superl. of Able.
ablet Alt. of Ablen
ablen A small fresh-water fish (Leuciscus alburnus); the bleak.
abnet noun The girdle of a Jewish priest or officer.
aboma noun A large South American serpent (Boa aboma).
aboon preposition and adv. Above.
abord noun Manner of approaching or accosting; address., To approach; to accost.
abort verb i. To miscarry; to bring forth young prematurely., To become checked in normal development, so as either to remain rudimentary or shrink away wholly; to become sterile., An untimely birth., An aborted offspring.
about preposition Around; all round; on every side of., In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one’s person)., Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout., Near; not far from; — determining approximately time, size, quantity., In concern with; engaged in; intent on., On the point or verge of; going; in act of., Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching., On all sides; around., In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across., Here and there; around; in one place and another., Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; — also of quantity, number, time., To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one’s self about.
above preposition In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface; over; — opposed to below or beneath., Figuratively, higher than; superior to in any respect; surpassing; beyond; higher in measure or degree than; as, things above comprehension; above mean actions; conduct above reproach., Surpassing in number or quantity; more than; as, above a hundred. (Passing into the adverbial sense. See Above, adv., 4.), In a higher place; overhead; into or from heaven; as, the clouds above., Earlier in order; higher in the same page; hence, in a foregoing page., Higher in rank or power; as, he appealed to the court above., More than; as, above five hundred were present.
abray verb See Abraid.
absis noun See Apsis.
abuna noun The Patriarch, or head of the Abyssinian Church.
abuse verb t. To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to misuse; to put to a bad use; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert; as, to abuse inherited gold; to make an excessive use of; as, to abuse one’s authority., To use ill; to maltreat; to act injuriously to; to punish or to tax excessively; to hurt; as, to abuse prisoners, to abuse one’s powers, one’s patience., To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage., To dishonor., To violate; to ravish., To deceive; to impose on., Improper treatment or use; application to a wrong or bad purpose; misuse; as, an abuse of our natural powers; an abuse of civil rights, or of privileges or advantages; an abuse of language., Physical ill treatment; injury., A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as, the abuses in the civil service., Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; virulent condemnation; reviling., Violation; rape; as, abuse of a female child.
abuzz adjective In a buzz; buzzing.
abysm noun An abyss; a gulf.
abyss noun A bottomless or unfathomed depth, gulf, or chasm; hence, any deep, immeasurable, and, specifically, hell, or the bottomless pit., Infinite time; a vast intellectual or moral depth., The center of an escutcheon.
acari plural of Acarus
accoy verb t. To render quiet; to soothe., To subdue; to tame; to daunt.
acerb adjective Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, as unripe fruit; sharp and harsh.
ached imp. & past participle of Ache
acini plural of Acinus
acock adverb In a cocked or turned up fashion.
acold adjective Cold.
acorn noun The fruit of the oak, being an oval nut growing in a woody cup or cupule., A cone-shaped piece of wood on the point of the spindle above the vane, on the mast-head., See Acorn-shell.
acred adjective Possessing acres or landed property; — used in composition; as, large-acred men.
acrid adjective Sharp and harsh, or bitter and not, to the taste; pungent; as, acrid salts., Causing heat and irritation; corrosive; as, acrid secretions., Caustic; bitter; bitterly irritating; as, acrid temper, mind, writing.
acted imp. & past participle of Act
acton noun A stuffed jacket worn under the mail, or (later) a jacket plated with mail.
actor noun One who acts, or takes part in any affair; a doer., A theatrical performer; a stageplayer., An advocate or proctor in civil courts or causes., One who institutes a suit; plaintiff or complainant.
acute adjective Sharp at the end; ending in a sharp point; pointed; — opposed to blunt or obtuse; as, an acute angle; an acute leaf., Having nice discernment; perceiving or using minute distinctions; penetrating; clever; shrewd; — opposed to dull or stupid; as, an acute observer; acute remarks, or reasoning., Having nice or quick sensibility; susceptible to slight impressions; acting keenly on the senses; sharp; keen; intense; as, a man of acute eyesight, hearing, or feeling; acute pain or pleasure., High, or shrill, in respect to some other sound; — opposed to grave or low; as, an acute tone or accent., Attended with symptoms of some degree of severity, and coming speedily to a crisis; — opposed to chronic; as, an acute disease., To give an acute sound to; as, he acutes his rising inflection too much.
adact verb t. To compel; to drive.
adage noun An old saying, which has obtained credit by long use; a proverb.
adapt adjective Fitted; suited., To make suitable; to fit, or suit; to adjust; to alter so as to fit for a new use; — sometimes followed by to or for.
adays adverb By day, or every day; in the daytime.
added imp. & past participle of Add
addax noun One of the largest African antelopes (Hippotragus, / Oryx, nasomaculatus).
adder noun One who, or that which, adds; esp., a machine for adding numbers., A serpent., A small venomous serpent of the genus Vipera. The common European adder is the Vipera (/ Pelias) berus. The puff adders of Africa are species of Clotho., In America, the term is commonly applied to several harmless snakes, as the milk adder, puffing adder, etc., Same as Sea Adder.
addle noun Liquid filth; mire., Lees; dregs., Having lost the power of development, and become rotten, as eggs; putrid. Hence: Unfruitful or confused, as brains; muddled., To make addle; to grow addle; to muddle; as, he addled his brain., To earn by labor., To thrive or grow; to ripen.
adeem verb t. To revoke, as a legacy, grant, etc., or to satisfy it by some other gift.
aden- Alt. of Adeno-
adeps noun Animal fat; lard.
adept noun One fully skilled or well versed in anything; a proficient; as, adepts in philosophy., Well skilled; completely versed; thoroughly proficient.
adieu interj. & adverb Good-by; farewell; an expression of kind wishes at parting., A farewell; commendation to the care of God at parting.
admit verb t. To suffer to enter; to grant entrance, whether into a place, or into the mind, or consideration; to receive; to take; as, they were into his house; to admit a serious thought into the mind; to admit evidence in the trial of a cause., To give a right of entrance; as, a ticket admits one into a playhouse., To allow (one) to enter on an office or to enjoy a privilege; to recognize as qualified for a franchise; as, to admit an attorney to practice law; the prisoner was admitted to bail., To concede as true; to acknowledge or assent to, as an allegation which it is impossible to deny; to own or confess; as, the argument or fact is admitted; he admitted his guilt., To be capable of; to permit; as, the words do not admit such a construction. In this sense, of may be used after the verb, or may be omitted.
admix verb t. To mingle with something else; to mix.
adobe noun An unburnt brick dried in the sun; also used as an adjective, as, an adobe house, in Texas or New Mexico.
adoor Alt. of Adoors
adopt verb t. To take by choice into relationship, as, child, heir, friend, citizen, etc.; esp. to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) to be in the place of, or as, one’s own child., To take or receive as one’s own what is not so naturally; to select and take or approve; as, to adopt the view or policy of another; these resolutions were adopted.
adore verb t. To worship with profound reverence; to pay divine honors to; to honor as deity or as divine., To love in the highest degree; to regard with the utmost esteem and affection; to idolize., To adorn.
adorn verb t. To deck or dress with ornaments; to embellish; to set off to advantage; to render pleasing or attractive., Adornment., Adorned; decorated.
adown adverb From a higher to a lower situation; downward; down, to or on the ground., Down.
adrad p. adjective Put in dread; afraid.
adrip adverb & adjective In a dripping state; as, leaves all adrip.
adult adjective Having arrived at maturity, or to full size and strength; matured; as, an adult person or plant; an adult ape; an adult age., A person, animal, or plant grown to full size and strength; one who has reached maturity.
adunc adjective Alt. of Adunque
adure verb t. To burn up.
adust adjective Inflamed or scorched; fiery., Looking as if or scorched; sunburnt., Having much heat in the constitution and little serum in the blood. [Obs.] Hence: Atrabilious; sallow; gloomy.
adyta plural of Adytum
aegis noun A shield or protective armor; — applied in mythology to the shield of Jupiter which he gave to Minerva. Also fig.: A shield; a protection.
aerie noun The nest of a bird of prey, as of an eagle or hawk; also a brood of such birds; eyrie. Shak. Also fig.: A human residence or resting place perched like an eagle’s nest.
aero- The combining form of the Greek word meaning air.
affix verb t. To subjoin, annex, or add at the close or end; to append to; to fix to any part of; as, to affix a syllable to a word; to affix a seal to an instrument; to affix one’s name to a writing., To fix or fasten in any way; to attach physically., To attach, unite, or connect with; as, names affixed to ideas, or ideas affixed to things; to affix a stigma to a person; to affix ridicule or blame to any one., To fix or fasten figuratively; — with on or upon; as, eyes affixed upon the ground., That which is affixed; an appendage; esp. one or more letters or syllables added at the end of a word; a suffix; a postfix.
afire adverb & adjective On fire.
aflat adverb Level with the ground; flat.
aflow adverb & adjective Flowing.
afoam adverb & adjective In a foaming state; as, the sea is all afoam.
afoot adverb On foot., Fig.: In motion; in action; astir; in progress.
afore adverb Before., In the fore part of a vessel., Before (in all its senses)., Before; in front of; farther forward than; as, afore the windlass.
afoul adverb & adjective In collision; entangled.
afric adjective African., Africa.
afrit noun Alt. of Afreet
after adjective Next; later in time; subsequent; succeeding; as, an after period of life., Hinder; nearer the rear., To ward the stern of the ship; — applied to any object in the rear part of a vessel; as the after cabin, after hatchway., Behind in place; as, men in line one after another., Below in rank; next to in order., Later in time; subsequent; as, after supper, after three days. It often precedes a clause. Formerly that was interposed between it and the clause., Subsequent to and in consequence of; as, after what you have said, I shall be careful., Subsequent to and notwithstanding; as, after all our advice, you took that course., Moving toward from behind; following, in search of; in pursuit of., Denoting the aim or object; concerning; in relation to; as, to look after workmen; to inquire after a friend; to thirst after righteousness., In imitation of; in conformity with; after the manner of; as, to make a thing after a model; a picture after Rubens; the boy takes after his father., According to; in accordance with; in conformity with the nature of; as, he acted after his kind., According to the direction and influence of; in proportion to; befitting., Subsequently in time or place; behind; afterward; as, he follows after.
again adverb In return, back; as, bring us word again., Another time; once more; anew., Once repeated; — of quantity; as, as large again, half as much again., In any other place., On the other hand., Moreover; besides; further., Alt. of Agains
agama noun A genus of lizards, one of the few which feed upon vegetable substances; also, one of these lizards.
agami noun A South American bird (Psophia crepitans), allied to the cranes, and easily domesticated; — called also the gold-breasted trumpeter. Its body is about the size of the pheasant. See Trumpeter.
agape adverb & adjective Gaping, as with wonder, expectation, or eager attention., The love feast of the primitive Christians, being a meal partaken of in connection with the communion.
agasp adverb & adjective In a state of gasping.
agast verb t. Alt. of Aghast, See Aghast.
agate adverb On the way; agoing; as, to be agate; to set the bells agate., A semipellucid, uncrystallized variety of quartz, presenting various tints in the same specimen. Its colors are delicately arranged in stripes or bands, or blended in clouds., A kind of type, larger than pearl and smaller than nonpareil; in England called ruby., A diminutive person; so called in allusion to the small figures cut in agate for rings and seals., A tool used by gold-wire drawers, bookbinders, etc.; — so called from the agate fixed in it for burnishing.
agaty adjective Of the nature of agate, or containing agate.
agave noun A genus of plants (order Amaryllidaceae) of which the chief species is the maguey or century plant (A. Americana), wrongly called Aloe. It is from ten to seventy years, according to climate, in attaining maturity, when it produces a gigantic flower stem, sometimes forty feet in height, and perishes. The fermented juice is the pulque of the Mexicans; distilled, it yields mescal. A strong thread and a tough paper are made from the leaves, and the wood has many uses.
aging present participle & vb. noun of Age
agend noun See Agendum.
agent adjective Acting; — opposed to patient, or sustaining, action., One who exerts power, or has the power to act; an actor., One who acts for, or in the place of, another, by authority from him; one intrusted with the business of another; a substitute; a deputy; a factor., An active power or cause; that which has the power to produce an effect; as, a physical, chemical, or medicinal agent; as, heat is a powerful agent.
agger noun An earthwork; a mound; a raised work.
aggry adjective Alt. of Aggri
aggri adjective Applied to a kind of variegated glass beads of ancient manufacture; as, aggry beads are found in Ashantee and Fantee in Africa.
agile adjective Having the faculty of quick motion in the limbs; apt or ready to move; nimble; active; as, an agile boy; an agile tongue.
agios plural of Agio
agist verb t. To take to graze or pasture, at a certain sum; — used originally of the feeding of cattle in the king’s forests, and collecting the money for the same.
aglet noun Alt. of Aiglet
agley adverb Aside; askew.
aglow adverb & adjective In a glow; glowing; as, cheeks aglow; the landscape all aglow.
agnus noun Agnus Dei.
agone adjective & adverb Ago., Agonic line.
agony noun Violent contest or striving., Pain so extreme as to cause writhing or contortions of the body, similar to those made in the athletic contests in Greece; and hence, extreme pain of mind or body; anguish; paroxysm of grief; specifically, the sufferings of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane., Paroxysm of joy; keen emotion., The last struggle of life; death struggle.
agood adverb In earnest; heartily.
agora noun An assembly; hence, the place of assembly, especially the market place, in an ancient Greek city.
agree adverb In good part; kindly., To harmonize in opinion, statement, or action; to be in unison or concord; to be or become united or consistent; to concur; as, all parties agree in the expediency of the law., To yield assent; to accede; — followed by to; as, to agree to an offer, or to opinion., To make a stipulation by way of settling differences or determining a price; to exchange promises; to come to terms or to a common resolve; to promise., To be conformable; to resemble; to coincide; to correspond; as, the picture does not agree with the original; the two scales agree exactly., To suit or be adapted in its effects; to do well; as, the same food does not agree with every constitution., To correspond in gender, number, case, or person., To make harmonious; to reconcile or make friends., To admit, or come to one mind concerning; to settle; to arrange; as, to agree the fact; to agree differences.
agrin adverb & adjective In the act of grinning.
agrom noun A disease occurring in Bengal and other parts of the East Indies, in which the tongue chaps and cleaves.
agued imp. & past participle of Ague
agush adverb & adjective In a gushing state.
ahead adverb In or to the front; in advance; onward., Headlong; without restraint.
aheap adverb In a heap; huddled together.
ahigh adverb On high.
ahold adverb Near the wind; as, to lay a ship ahold.
ahull adverb With the sails furled, and the helm lashed alee; — applied to ships in a storm. See Hull, n.
aided imp. & past participle of Aid
aider noun One who, or that which, aids.
aigre adjective Sour.
ailed imp. & past participle of Ail
aimed imp. & past participle of Aim
aimer noun One who aims, directs, or points.
ain’t A contraction for are not and am not; also used for is not. [Colloq. or illiterate speech]. See An’t.
aired imp. & past participle of Air
airer noun One who exposes to the air., A frame on which clothes are aired or dried.
aisle noun A lateral division of a building, separated from the middle part, called the nave, by a row of columns or piers, which support the roof or an upper wall containing windows, called the clearstory wall., Improperly used also for the have; — as in the phrases, a church with three aisles, the middle aisle., Also (perhaps from confusion with alley), a passage into which the pews of a church open.
aitch noun The letter h or H.
akene noun Same as Achene.
aknee adverb On the knee.
aknow Earlier form of Acknow.
alack interj. An exclamation expressive of sorrow.
aland adverb On land; to the land; ashore.
alarm noun A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy., Any sound or information intended to give notice of approaching danger; a warning sound to arouse attention; a warning of danger., A sudden attack; disturbance; broil., Sudden surprise with fear or terror excited by apprehension of danger; in the military use, commonly, sudden apprehension of being attacked by surprise., A mechanical contrivance for awaking persons from sleep, or rousing their attention; an alarum., To call to arms for defense; to give notice to (any one) of approaching danger; to rouse to vigilance and action; to put on the alert., To keep in excitement; to disturb., To surprise with apprehension of danger; to fill with anxiety in regard to threatening evil; to excite with sudden fear.
alary adjective Of or pertaining to wings; also, wing-shaped.
alate adverb Lately; of late., Alt. of Alated
alban noun A white crystalline resinous substance extracted from gutta-percha by the action of alcohol or ether.
albee conj. Although; albeit.
album noun A white tablet on which anything was inscribed, as a list of names, etc., A register for visitors’ names; a visitors’ book., A blank book, in which to insert autographs sketches, memorial writing of friends, photographs, etc.
albyn noun Scotland; esp. the Highlands of Scotland.
alday adverb Continually.
alder noun A tree, usually growing in moist land, and belonging to the genus Alnus. The wood is used by turners, etc.; the bark by dyers and tanners. In the U. S. the species of alder are usually shrubs or small trees., Alt. of Aller
aller adjective Of all; — used in composition; as, alderbest, best of all, alderwisest, wisest of all., Same as Alder, of all.
aleak adverb & adjective In a leaking condition.
alert adjective Watchful; vigilant; active in vigilance., Brisk; nimble; moving with celerity., An alarm from a real or threatened attack; a sudden attack; also, a bugle sound to give warning.
alfet noun A caldron of boiling water into which an accused person plunged his forearm as a test of innocence or guilt.
algae plural of Alga
algal adjective Pertaining to, or like, algae.
algid adjective Cold; chilly.
algol noun A fixed star, in Medusa’s head, in the constellation Perseus, remarkable for its periodic variation in brightness.
algor noun Cold; chilliness.
algum noun Same as Almug (and etymologically preferable)., A tree or wood of the Bible (2 Chron. ii. 8; 1 K. x. 11).
alias adverb Otherwise; otherwise called; — a term used in legal proceedings to connect the different names of any one who has gone by two or more, and whose true name is for any cause doubtful; as, Smith, alias Simpson., At another time., A second or further writ which is issued after a first writ has expired without effect., Another name; an assumed name.
alibi noun The plea or mode of defense under which a person on trial for a crime proves or attempts to prove that he was in another place when the alleged act was committed; as, to set up an alibi; to prove an alibi.
alien adjective Not belonging to the same country, land, or government, or to the citizens or subjects thereof; foreign; as, alien subjects, enemies, property, shores., Wholly different in nature; foreign; adverse; inconsistent (with); incongruous; — followed by from or sometimes by to; as, principles alien from our religion., A foreigner; one owing allegiance, or belonging, to another country; a foreign-born resident of a country in which he does not possess the privileges of a citizen. Hence, a stranger. See Alienage., One excluded from certain privileges; one alienated or estranged; as, aliens from God’s mercies., To alienate; to estrange; to transfer, as property or ownership.
alife adverb On my life; dearly.
align verb t. To adjust or form to a line; to range or form in line; to bring into line; to aline., To form in line; to fall into line.
alike adjective Having resemblance or similitude; similar; without difference., In the same manner, form, or degree; in common; equally; as, we are all alike concerned in religion.
aline verb t. To range or place in a line; to bring into line; to align.
alish adjective Like ale; as, an alish taste.
alive adjective Having life, in opposition to dead; living; being in a state in which the organs perform their functions; as, an animal or a plant which is alive., In a state of action; in force or operation; unextinguished; unexpired; existent; as, to keep the fire alive; to keep the affections alive., Exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings; swarming; thronged., Sprightly; lively; brisk., Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive., Of all living (by way of emphasis).
allah noun The name of the Supreme Being, in use among the Arabs and the Mohammedans generally.
allay verb t. To make quiet or put at rest; to pacify or appease; to quell; to calm; as, to allay popular excitement; to allay the tumult of the passions., To alleviate; to abate; to mitigate; as, to allay the severity of affliction or the bitterness of adversity., To diminish in strength; to abate; to subside., Alleviation; abatement; check., Alloy., To mix (metals); to mix with a baser metal; to alloy; to deteriorate.
alley noun A narrow passage; especially a walk or passage in a garden or park, bordered by rows of trees or bushes; a bordered way., A narrow passage or way in a city, as distinct from a public street., A passageway between rows of pews in a church., Any passage having the entrance represented as wider than the exit, so as to give the appearance of length., The space between two rows of compositors’ stands in a printing office., A choice taw or marble.
allis noun The European shad (Clupea vulgaris); allice shad. See Alose.
allod noun See Allodium.
alloo verb t. / i. To incite dogs by a call; to halloo.
allot verb t. To distribute by lot., To distribute, or parcel out in parts or portions; or to distribute to each individual concerned; to assign as a share or lot; to set apart as one’s share; to bestow on; to grant; to appoint; as, let every man be contented with that which Providence allots him.
allow verb t. To praise; to approve of; hence, to sanction., To like; to be suited or pleased with., To sanction; to invest; to intrust., To grant, give, admit, accord, afford, or yield; to let one have; as, to allow a servant his liberty; to allow a free passage; to allow one day for rest., To own or acknowledge; to accept as true; to concede; to accede to an opinion; as, to allow a right; to allow a claim; to allow the truth of a proposition., To grant (something) as a deduction or an addition; esp. to abate or deduct; as, to allow a sum for leakage., To grant license to; to permit; to consent to; as, to allow a son to be absent., To admit; to concede; to make allowance or abatement.
alloy verb t. Any combination or compound of metals fused together; a mixture of metals; for example, brass, which is an alloy of copper and zinc. But when mercury is one of the metals, the compound is called an amalgam., The quality, or comparative purity, of gold or silver; fineness., A baser metal mixed with a finer., Admixture of anything which lessens the value or detracts from; as, no happiness is without alloy., To reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable substance; as, to alloy gold with silver or copper, or silver with copper., To mix, as metals, so as to form a compound., To abate, impair, or debase by mixture; to allay; as, to alloy pleasure with misfortunes., To form a metallic compound.
allyl noun An organic radical, C3H5, existing especially in oils of garlic and mustard.
almah noun Same as Alme.
alman noun A German., German., The German language., A kind of dance. See Allemande.
almeh noun An Egyptian dancing girl; an Alma.
almry noun See Almonry.
almug noun Alt. of Algum
aloes plural of Aloe
aloft adverb On high; in the air; high above the ground., In the top; at the mast head, or on the higher yards or rigging; overhead; hence (Fig. and Colloq.), in or to heaven., Above; on top of.
alogy noun Unreasonableness; absurdity.
aloin noun A bitter purgative principle in aloes.
alone adjective Quite by one’s self; apart from, or exclusive of, others; single; solitary; — applied to a person or thing., Of or by itself; by themselves; without any thing more or any one else; without a sharer; only., Sole; only; exclusive., Hence; Unique; rare; matchless., Solely; simply; exclusively.
along adverb By the length; in a line with the length; lengthwise., In a line, or with a progressive motion; onward; forward., In company; together., By the length of, as distinguished from across., (Now heard only in the prep. phrase along of.)
aloof noun Same as Alewife., At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away., Without sympathy; unfavorably., Away from; clear from.
alose verb t. To praise., The European shad (Clupea alosa); — called also allice shad or allis shad. The name is sometimes applied to the American shad (Clupea sapidissima). See Shad.
aloud adverb With a loud voice, or great noise; loudly; audibly.
alpen adjective Of or pertaining to the Alps.
alpha noun The first letter in the Greek alphabet, answering to A, and hence used to denote the beginning.
alpia noun The seed of canary grass (Phalaris Canariensis), used for feeding cage birds.
altar noun A raised structure (as a square or oblong erection of stone or wood) on which sacrifices are offered or incense burned to a deity., In the Christian church, a construction of stone, wood, or other material for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist; the communion table.
alter verb t. To make otherwise; to change in some respect, either partially or wholly; to vary; to modify., To agitate; to affect mentally., To geld., To become, in some respects, different; to vary; to change; as, the weather alters almost daily; rocks or minerals alter by exposure.
altho conj. Although.
altos plural of Alto
alula noun A false or bastard wing. See under Bastard.
alure noun A walk or passage; — applied to passages of various kinds.
alvei plural of Alveus
alway adverb Always.
amain noun With might; with full force; vigorously; violently; exceedingly., At full speed; in great haste; also, at once., To lower, as a sail, a yard, etc., To lower the topsail, in token of surrender; to yield.
amass verb t. To collect into a mass or heap; to gather a great quantity of; to accumulate; as, to amass a treasure or a fortune; to amass words or phrases., A mass; a heap.
amate verb t. To dismay; to dishearten; to daunt., To be a mate to; to match.
amaze verb t. To bewilder; to stupefy; to bring into a maze., To confound, as by fear, wonder, extreme surprise; to overwhelm with wonder; to astound; to astonish greatly., To be astounded., Bewilderment, arising from fear, surprise, or wonder; amazement.
ambi- A prefix meaning about, around; — used in words derived from the Latin.
amber noun A yellowish translucent resin resembling copal, found as a fossil in alluvial soils, with beds of lignite, or on the seashore in many places. It takes a fine polish, and is used for pipe mouthpieces, beads, etc., and as a basis for a fine varnish. By friction, it becomes strongly electric., Amber color, or anything amber-colored; a clear light yellow; as, the amber of the sky., Ambergris., The balsam, liquidambar., Consisting of amber; made of amber., Resembling amber, especially in color; amber-colored., To scent or flavor with ambergris; as, ambered wine., To preserve in amber; as, an ambered fly.
ambit noun Circuit or compass.
amble verb i. To go at the easy gait called an amble; — applied to the horse or to its rider., To move somewhat like an ambling horse; to go easily or without hard shocks., A peculiar gait of a horse, in which both legs on the same side are moved at the same time, alternating with the legs on the other side., A movement like the amble of a horse.
ambos plural of Ambo
ambon noun Same as Ambo.
ambry noun In churches, a kind of closet, niche, cupboard, or locker for utensils, vestments, etc., A store closet, as a pantry, cupboard, etc., Almonry.
ameer noun Alt. of Amir
amend verb t. To change or modify in any way for the better, by simply removing what is erroneous, corrupt, superfluous, faulty, and the like;, by supplying deficiencies;, by substituting something else in the place of what is removed; to rectify., To grow better by rectifying something wrong in manners or morals; to improve.
ament noun A species of inflorescence; a catkin.
amess noun Amice, a hood or cape. See 2d Amice.
amice noun A square of white linen worn at first on the head, but now about the neck and shoulders, by priests of the Roman Catholic Church while saying Mass., A hood, or cape with a hood, made of lined with gray fur, formerly worn by the clergy; — written also amess, amyss, and almuce.
amide noun A compound formed by the union of amidogen with an acid element or radical. It may also be regarded as ammonia in which one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by an acid atom or radical.
amido adjective Containing, or derived from, amidogen.
amine noun One of a class of strongly basic substances derived from ammonia by replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by a basic atom or radical.
amiss adverb Astray; faultily; improperly; wrongly; ill., Wrong; faulty; out of order; improper; as, it may not be amiss to ask advice., A fault, wrong, or mistake.
amity noun Friendship, in a general sense, between individuals, societies, or nations; friendly relations; good understanding; as, a treaty of amity and commerce; the amity of the Whigs and Tories.
among preposition Alt. of Amongst
amort adjective As if dead; lifeless; spiritless; dejected; depressed.
amour noun Love; affection., Love making; a love affair; usually, an unlawful connection in love; a love intrigue; an illicit love affair.
amove verb t. To remove, as a person or thing, from a position., To dismiss from an office or station., To move or be moved; to excite.
ample adjective Large; great in size, extent, capacity, or bulk; spacious; roomy; widely extended., Fully sufficient; abundant; liberal; copious; as, an ample fortune; ample justice., Not contracted of brief; not concise; extended; diffusive; as, an ample narrative.
amply adverb In an ample manner.
ampul noun Same as Ampulla, 2.
ampyx noun A woman’s headband (sometimes of metal), for binding the front hair.
amsel noun Alt. of Amzel
amzel noun The European ring ousel (Turdus torquatus).
amuck adjective & adverb In a frenzied and reckless manner.
amuse verb To occupy or engage the attention of; to lose in deep thought; to absorb; also, to distract; to bewilder., To entertain or occupy in a pleasant manner; to stir with pleasing or mirthful emotions; to divert., To keep in expectation; to beguile; to delude., To muse; to mediate.
amyss noun Same as Amice, a hood or cape.
anaks noun pl. A race of giants living in Palestine.
ancle noun See Ankle.
ancon noun The olecranon, or the elbow., Alt. of Ancone
anear preposition & adverb Near., To near; to approach.
anele verb t. To anoint., To give extreme unction to.
anent adjective Over against; as, he lives anent the church., About; concerning; in respect; as, he said nothing anent this particular.
angel noun A messenger., A spiritual, celestial being, superior to man in power and intelligence. In the Scriptures the angels appear as God’s messengers., One of a class of “fallen angels;” an evil spirit; as, the devil and his angels., A minister or pastor of a church, as in the Seven Asiatic churches., Attendant spirit; genius; demon., An appellation given to a person supposed to be of angelic goodness or loveliness; a darling., An ancient gold coin of England, bearing the figure of the archangel Michael. It varied in value from 6s. 8d. to 10s.
anger noun Trouble; vexation; also, physical pain or smart of a sore, etc., A strong passion or emotion of displeasure or antagonism, excited by a real or supposed injury or insult to one’s self or others, or by the intent to do such injury., To make painful; to cause to smart; to inflame., To excite to anger; to enrage; to provoke.
angle noun The inclosed space near the point where two lines meet; a corner; a nook., The figure made by. two lines which meet., The difference of direction of two lines. In the lines meet, the point of meeting is the vertex of the angle., A projecting or sharp corner; an angular fragment., A name given to four of the twelve astrological “houses.”, A fishhook; tackle for catching fish, consisting of a line, hook, and bait, with or without a rod., To fish with an angle (fishhook), or with hook and line., To use some bait or artifice; to intrigue; to scheme; as, to angle for praise., To try to gain by some insinuating artifice; to allure.
angor noun Great anxiety accompanied by painful constriction at the upper part of the belly, often with palpitation and oppression.
angry superl. Troublesome; vexatious; rigorous., Inflamed and painful, as a sore., Touched with anger; under the emotion of anger; feeling resentment; enraged; — followed generally by with before a person, and at before a thing., Showing anger; proceeding from anger; acting as if moved by anger; wearing the marks of anger; as, angry words or tones; an angry sky; angry waves., Red., Sharp; keen; stimulated.
anigh preposition & adverb Nigh.
anile adjective Old-womanish; imbecile.
anime adjective Of a different tincture from the animal itself; — said of the eyes of a rapacious animal., A resin exuding from a tropical American tree (Hymenaea courbaril), and much used by varnish makers.
animi plural of Animus
anion noun An electro-negative element, or the element which, in electro-chemical decompositions, is evolved at the anode; — opposed to cation.
anise noun An umbelliferous plant (Pimpinella anisum) growing naturally in Egypt, and cultivated in Spain, Malta, etc., for its carminative and aromatic seeds., The fruit or seeds of this plant.
anker noun A liquid measure in various countries of Europe. The Dutch anker, formerly also used in England, contained about 10 of the old wine gallons, or 8/ imperial gallons.
ankle noun The joint which connects the foot with the leg; the tarsus.
annat noun A half years’s stipend, over and above what is owing for the incumbency, due to a minister’s heirs after his decease.
annal noun See Annals.
annex verb t. To join or attach; usually to subjoin; to affix; to append; — followed by to., To join or add, as a smaller thing to a greater., To attach or connect, as a consequence, condition, etc.; as, to annex a penalty to a prohibition, or punishment to guilt., To join; to be united., Something annexed or appended; as, an additional stipulation to a writing, a subsidiary building to a main building; a wing.
annoy noun To disturb or irritate, especially by continued or repeated acts; to tease; to ruffle in mind; to vex; as, I was annoyed by his remarks., To molest, incommode, or harm; as, to annoy an army by impeding its march, or by a cannonade., A feeling of discomfort or vexation caused by what one dislikes; also, whatever causes such a feeling; as, to work annoy.
annul adjective To reduce to nothing; to obliterate., To make void or of no effect; to nullify; to abolish; to do away with; — used appropriately of laws, decrees, edicts, decisions of courts, or other established rules, permanent usages, and the like, which are made void by component authority.
anode noun The positive pole of an electric battery, or more strictly the electrode by which the current enters the electrolyte on its way to the other pole; — opposed to cathode.
anoil verb t. To anoint with oil.
anomy noun Disregard or violation of law.
anona noun A genus of tropical or subtropical plants of the natural order Anonaceae, including the soursop.
anorn verb t. To adorn.
ansae plural of Ansa
an ‘t An it, that is, and it or if it. See An, conj.
antae plural of Anta
ante- A Latin preposition and prefix; akin to Gr. ‘anti`, Skr. anti, Goth. and-, anda- (only in comp.), AS. and-, ond-, (only in comp.: cf. Answer, Along), G. ant-, ent- (in comp.). The Latin ante is generally used in the sense of before, in regard to position, order, or time, and the Gr. ‘anti` in that of opposite, or in the place of.
antes noun pl. Antae. See Anta.
antic adjective Old; antique., , Odd; fantastic; fanciful; grotesque; ludicrous., A buffoon or merry-andrew; one that practices odd gesticulations; the Fool of the old play., An odd imagery, device, or tracery; a fantastic figure., A grotesque trick; a piece of buffoonery; a caper., A grotesque representation., An antimask., To make appear like a buffoon., To perform antics.
antre noun A cavern.
antra plural of Antrum
anura noun pl. One of the orders of amphibians characterized by the absence of a tail, as the frogs and toads.
anury noun Nonsecretion or defective secretion of urine; ischury.
anvil noun An iron block, usually with a steel face, upon which metals are hammered and shaped., Anything resembling an anvil in shape or use., the incus. See Incus., To form or shape on an anvil; to hammer out; as, anviled armor.
aorta noun The great artery which carries the blood from the heart to all parts of the body except the lungs; the main trunk of the arterial system.
apace adverb With a quick pace; quick; fast; speedily.
apaid adjective Paid; pleased.
apair verb t. & i. To impair or become impaired; to injure.
apara noun See Mataco.
apart adverb Separately, in regard to space or company; in a state of separation as to place; aside., In a state of separation, of exclusion, or of distinction, as to purpose, use, or character, or as a matter of thought; separately; independently; as, consider the two propositions apart., Aside; away., In two or more parts; asunder; to piece; as, to take a piece of machinery apart.
aping present participle & vb. noun of Ape
apeak adverb & adjective In a vertical line. The anchor in apeak, when the cable has been sufficiently hove in to bring the ship over it, and the ship is them said to be hove apeak.
apert adjective Open; evident; undisguised., Openly.
apery noun A place where apes are kept., The practice of aping; an apish action.
aphid noun One of the genus Aphis; an aphidian.
aphis noun A genus of insects belonging to the order Hemiptera and family Aphidae, including numerous species known as plant lice and green flies.
apian adjective Belonging to bees.
apiol noun An oily liquid derived from parsley.
apish adjective Having the qualities of an ape; prone to imitate in a servile manner. Hence: Apelike; fantastically silly; foppish; affected; trifling.
apods plural of Apode
apode noun One of certain animals that have no feet or footlike organs; esp. one of certain fabulous birds which were said to have no feet.
apoda noun A group of cirripeds, destitute of footlike organs., An order of Amphibia without feet. See Ophiomorpha., A group of worms without appendages, as the leech.
aport adverb On or towards the port or left side; — said of the helm.
appay verb t. To pay; to satisfy or appease.
apple noun The fleshy pome or fruit of a rosaceous tree (Pyrus malus) cultivated in numberless varieties in the temperate zones., Any tree genus Pyrus which has the stalk sunken into the base of the fruit; an apple tree., Any fruit or other vegetable production resembling, or supposed to resemble, the apple; as, apple of love, or love apple (a tomato), balsam apple, egg apple, oak apple., Anything round like an apple; as, an apple of gold., To grow like an apple; to bear apples.
apply verb t. To lay or place; to put or adjust (one thing to another); — with to; as, to apply the hand to the breast; to apply medicaments to a diseased part of the body., To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case; to appropriate; to devote; as, to apply money to the payment of a debt., To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relative; as, to apply the testimony to the case; to apply an epithet to a person., To fix closely; to engage and employ diligently, or with attention; to attach; to incline., To direct or address., To betake; to address; to refer; — used reflexively., To busy; to keep at work; to ply., To visit., To suit; to agree; to have some connection, agreement, or analogy; as, this argument applies well to the case., To make request; to have recourse with a view to gain something; to make application. (to); to solicit; as, to apply to a friend for information., To ply; to move., To apply or address one’s self; to give application; to attend closely (to).
appui noun A support or supporter; a stay; a prop.
april noun The fourth month of the year., Fig.: With reference to April being the month in which vegetation begins to put forth, the variableness of its weather, etc.
apron noun An article of dress, of cloth, leather, or other stuff, worn on the fore part of the body, to keep the clothes clean, to defend them from injury, or as a covering. It is commonly tied at the waist by strings., Something which by its shape or use suggests an apron;, The fat skin covering the belly of a goose or duck., A piece of leather, or other material, to be spread before a person riding on an outside seat of a vehicle, to defend him from the rain, snow, or dust; a boot., A leaden plate that covers the vent of a cannon., A piece of carved timber, just above the foremost end of the keel., A platform, or flooring of plank, at the entrance of a dock, against which the dock gates are shut., A flooring of plank before a dam to cause the water to make a gradual descent., The piece that holds the cutting tool of a planer., A strip of lead which leads the drip of a wall into a gutter; a flashing., The infolded abdomen of a crab.
apsis noun One of the two points of an orbit, as of a planet or satellite, which are at the greatest and least distance from the central body, corresponding to the aphelion and perihelion of a planet, or to the apogee and perigee of the moon. The more distant is called the higher apsis; the other, the lower apsis; and the line joining them, the line of apsides., In a curve referred to polar coordinates, any point for which the radius vector is a maximum or minimum., Same as Apse.
aptly adverb In an apt or suitable manner; fitly; properly; pertinently; appropriately; readily.
araby noun The country of Arabia.
arace verb t. To tear up by the roots; to draw away.
arara noun The palm (or great black) cockatoo, of Australia (Microglossus aterrimus).
arbor noun A kind of latticework formed of, or covered with, vines, branches of trees, or other plants, for shade; a bower., A tree, as distinguished from a shrub., An axle or spindle of a wheel or opinion., A mandrel in lathe turning.
arch- A prefix signifying chief, as in archbuilder, archfiend.
archy adjective Arched; as, archy brows., A suffix properly meaning a rule, ruling, as in monarchy, the rule of one only. Cf. -arch.
ardor noun Heat, in a literal sense; as, the ardor of the sun’s rays., Warmth or heat of passion or affection; eagerness; zeal; as, he pursues study with ardor; the fought with ardor; martial ardor., Bright and effulgent spirits; seraphim.
areas plural of Area
aread verb t. Alt. of Areed
areed verb t. To tell, declare, explain, or interpret; to divine; to guess; as, to aread a riddle or a dream., To read., To counsel, advise, warn, or direct., To decree; to adjudge.
areal adjective Of or pertaining to an area; as, areal interstices (the areas or spaces inclosed by the reticulate vessels of leaves).
arear verb t. & i. To raise; to set up; to stir up., Backward; in or to the rear; behindhand.
areca noun A genus of palms, one species of which produces the areca nut, or betel nut, which is chewed in India with the leaf of the Piper Betle and lime.
areek adverb & adjective In a reeking condition.
arefy verb t. To dry, or make dry.
arena noun The area in the central part of an amphitheater, in which the gladiators fought and other shows were exhibited; — so called because it was covered with sand., Any place of public contest or exertion; any sphere of action; as, the arenaof debate; the arena of life., “Sand” or “gravel” in the kidneys.
areng noun Alt. of Arenga
arere verb t. & i. See Arear.
arest noun A support for the spear when couched for the attack.
argal noun Crude tartar. See Argol., A ludicrous corruption of the Latin word ergo, therefore., Alt. of Argali
argas noun A genus of venomous ticks which attack men and animals. The famous Persian Argas, also called Miana bug, is A. Persicus; that of Central America, called talaje by the natives, is A. Talaje.
argil noun Clay, or potter’s earth; sometimes pure clay, or alumina. See Clay.
argol noun Crude tartar; an acidulous salt from which cream of tartar is prepared. It exists in the juice of grapes, and is deposited from wines on the sides of the casks.
argon noun A substance regarded as an element, contained in the atmosphere and remarkable for its chemical inertness.
argot noun A secret language or conventional slang peculiar to thieves, tramps, and vagabonds; flash.
argue verb i. To invent and offer reasons to support or overthrow a proposition, opinion, or measure; to use arguments; to reason., To contend in argument; to dispute; to reason; — followed by with; as, you may argue with your friend without convincing him., To debate or discuss; to treat by reasoning; as, the counsel argued the cause before a full court; the cause was well argued., To prove or evince; too manifest or exhibit by inference, deduction, or reasoning., To persuade by reasons; as, to argue a man into a different opinion., To blame; to accuse; to charge with.
argus noun A fabulous being of antiquity, said to have had a hundred eyes, who has placed by Juno to guard Io. His eyes were transplanted to the peacock’s tail., One very vigilant; a guardian always watchful., A genus of East Indian pheasants. The common species (A. giganteus) is remarkable for the great length and beauty of the wing and tail feathers of the male. The species A. Grayi inhabits Borneo.
arian adjective & noun See Aryan., Pertaining to Arius, a presbyter of the church of Alexandria, in the fourth century, or to the doctrines of Arius, who held Christ to be inferior to God the Father in nature and dignity, though the first and noblest of all created beings., One who adheres to or believes the doctrines of Arius.
ariel Alt. of Ariel gazelle
aries noun The Ram; the first of the twelve signs in the zodiac, which the sun enters at the vernal equinox, about the 21st of March., A constellation west of Taurus, drawn on the celestial globe in the figure of a ram., A battering-ram.
arose imp. of Arise, The past or preterit tense of Arise.
arise verb i. To come up from a lower to a higher position; to come above the horizon; to come up from one’s bed or place of repose; to mount; to ascend; to rise; as, to arise from a kneeling posture; a cloud arose; the sun ariseth; he arose early in the morning., To spring up; to come into action, being, or notice; to become operative, sensible, or visible; to begin to act a part; to present itself; as, the waves of the sea arose; a persecution arose; the wrath of the king shall arise., To proceed; to issue; to spring., Rising.
arist 3d sing. pres. of Arise, for ariseth.
arles noun pl. An earnest; earnest money; money paid to bind a bargain.
armed imp. & past participle of Arm, Furnished with weapons of offense or defense; furnished with the means of security or protection., Furnished with whatever serves to add strength, force, or efficiency., Having horns, beak, talons, etc; — said of beasts and birds of prey.
armet noun A kind of helmet worn in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries.
armil noun A bracelet., An ancient astronomical instrument.
armor noun Defensive arms for the body; any clothing or covering worn to protect one’s person in battle., Steel or iron covering, whether of ships or forts, protecting them from the fire of artillery.
arnee noun The wild buffalo of India (Bos, or Bubalus, arni), larger than the domestic buffalo and having enormous horns.
arnot noun Alt. of Arnut
arnut noun The earthnut.
aroid adjective Alt. of Aroideous
aroma noun The quality or principle of plants or other substances which constitutes their fragrance; agreeable odor; as, the aroma of coffee., Fig.: The fine diffusive quality of intellectual power; flavor; as, the subtile aroma of genius.
aroph noun A barbarous word used by the old chemists to designate various medical remedies.
arpen noun Formerly, a measure of land in France, varying in different parts of the country. The arpent of Paris was 4,088 sq. yards, or nearly five sixths of an English acre. The woodland arpent was about 1 acre, 1 rood, 1 perch, English.
arras noun Tapestry; a rich figured fabric; especially, a screen or hangings of heavy cloth with interwoven figures., To furnish with an arras.
array noun Order; a regular and imposing arrangement; disposition in regular lines; hence, order of battle; as, drawn up in battle array., The whole body of persons thus placed in order; an orderly collection; hence, a body of soldiers., An imposing series of things., Dress; garments disposed in order upon the person; rich or beautiful apparel., A ranking or setting forth in order, by the proper officer, of a jury as impaneled in a cause., The panel itself., The whole body of jurors summoned to attend the court., To place or dispose in order, as troops for battle; to marshal., To deck or dress; to adorn with dress; to cloth to envelop; — applied esp. to dress of a splendid kind., To set in order, as a jury, for the trial of a cause; that is, to call them man by man.
arret noun A judgment, decision, or decree of a court or high tribunal; also, a decree of a sovereign., An arrest; a legal seizure., Same as Aret.
arris noun The sharp edge or salient angle formed by two surfaces meeting each other, whether plane or curved; — applied particularly to the edges in moldings, and to the raised edges which separate the flutings in a Doric column.
arrow noun A missile weapon of offense, slender, pointed, and usually feathered and barbed, to be shot from a bow.
arsis noun That part of a foot where the ictus is put, or which is distinguished from the rest (known as the thesis) of the foot by a greater stress of voice., That elevation of voice now called metrical accentuation, or the rhythmic accent., The elevation of the hand, or that part of the bar at which it is raised, in beating time; the weak or unaccented part of the bar; — opposed to thesis.
arson noun The malicious burning of a dwelling house or outhouse of another man, which by the common law is felony; the malicious and voluntary firing of a building or ship.
artly adverb With art or skill.
artow A contraction of art thou.
arval noun A funeral feast.
aryan noun One of a primitive people supposed to have lived in prehistoric times, in Central Asia, east of the Caspian Sea, and north of the Hindoo Koosh and Paropamisan Mountains, and to have been the stock from which sprang the Hindoo, Persian, Greek, Latin, Celtic, Teutonic, Slavonic, and other races; one of that ethnological division of mankind called also Indo-European or Indo-Germanic., The language of the original Aryans., Of or pertaining to the people called Aryans; Indo-European; Indo-Germanic; as, the Aryan stock, the Aryan languages.
asses plural of As
ascii noun pl. Alt. of Ascians
ascus noun A small membranous bladder or tube in which are inclosed the seedlike reproductive particles or sporules of lichens and certain fungi.
a-sea adverb On the sea; at sea; toward the sea.
ashen adjective Of or pertaining to the ash tree., Consisting of, or resembling, ashes; of a color between brown and gray, or white and gray., obs. pl. for Ashes.
ashes noun pl. The earthy or mineral particles of combustible substances remaining after combustion, as of wood or coal., Specifically: The remains of the human body when burnt, or when “returned to dust” by natural decay., The color of ashes; deathlike paleness.
asian adjective Of or pertaining to Asia; Asiatic., An Asiatic.
aside adverb On, or to, one side; out of a straight line, course, or direction; at a little distance from the rest; out of the way; apart., Out of one’s thoughts; off; away; as, to put aside gloomy thoughts., So as to be heard by others; privately., Something spoken aside; as, a remark made by a stageplayer which the other players are not supposed to hear.
asked imp. & past participle of Ask
asker noun One who asks; a petitioner; an inquirer., An ask; a water newt.
askew adverb & adjective Awry; askance; asquint; oblique or obliquely; — sometimes indicating scorn, or contempt, or entry.
aslug adverb Sluggishly.
asoak adjective Soaking.
aspen noun Alt. of Asp, Of or pertaining to the aspen, or resembling it; made of aspen wood.
asper adjective Rough; rugged; harsh; bitter; stern; fierce., The rough breathing; a mark (/) placed over an initial vowel sound or over / to show that it is aspirated, that is, pronounced with h before it; thus “ws, pronounced h/s, “rh`twr, pronounced hra”t/r., A Turkish money of account (formerly a coin), of little value; the 120th part of a piaster.
aspic noun The venomous asp., A piece of ordnance carrying a 12 pound shot., A European species of lavender (Lavandula spica), which produces a volatile oil. See Spike., A savory meat jelly containing portions of fowl, game, fish, hard boiled eggs, etc.
assai A direction equivalent to very; as, adagio assai, very slow.
assay noun Trial; attempt; essay., Examination and determination; test; as, an assay of bread or wine., Trial by danger or by affliction; adventure; risk; hardship; state of being tried., Tested purity or value., The act or process of ascertaining the proportion of a particular metal in an ore or alloy; especially, the determination of the proportion of gold or silver in bullion or coin., The alloy or metal to be assayed., To try; to attempt; to apply., To affect., To try tasting, as food or drink., To subject, as an ore, alloy, or other metallic compound, to chemical or metallurgical examination, in order to determine the amount of a particular metal contained in it, or to ascertain its composition., To attempt, try, or endeavor.
asset noun Any article or separable part of one’s assets.
assot verb t. To besot; to befool; to beguile; to infatuate., Dazed; foolish; infatuated.
astay adverb An anchor is said to be astay, when, in heaving it, an acute angle is formed between the cable and the surface of the water.
astel noun An arch, or ceiling, of boards, placed over the men’s heads in a mine.
aster noun A genus of herbs with compound white or bluish flowers; starwort; Michaelmas daisy., A plant of the genus Callistephus. Many varieties (called China asters, German asters, etc.) are cultivated for their handsome compound flowers.
astir adverb & adjective Stirring; in a state of activity or motion; out of bed.
aston verb t. Alt. of Astone
astun verb t. To stun.
asura noun An enemy of the gods, esp. one of a race of demons and giants.
asyla plural of Asylum
atake verb t. To overtake.
ataxy noun Disorder; irregularity., Irregularity in disease, or in the functions., The state of disorder that characterizes nervous fevers and the nervous condition.
atilt adverb In the manner of a tilter; in the position, or with the action, of one making a thrust., In the position of a cask tilted, or with one end raised. [In this sense sometimes used as an adjective.]
atimy noun Public disgrace or stigma; infamy; loss of civil rights.
atlas noun One who sustains a great burden., The first vertebra of the neck, articulating immediately with the skull, thus sustaining the globe of the head, whence the name., A collection of maps in a volume, A volume of plates illustrating any subject., A work in which subjects are exhibited in a tabular from or arrangement; as, an historical atlas., A large, square folio, resembling a volume of maps; — called also atlas folio., A drawing paper of large size. See under Paper, n., A rich kind of satin manufactured in India.
atoll noun A coral island or islands, consisting of a belt of coral reef, partly submerged, surrounding a central lagoon or depression; a lagoon island.
atomy noun An atom; a mite; a pigmy., A skeleton.
atone verb i. To agree; to be in accordance; to accord., To stand as an equivalent; to make reparation, compensation, or amends, for an offense or a crime., To set at one; to reduce to concord; to reconcile, as parties at variance; to appease., To unite in making., To make satisfaction for; to expiate.
atony noun Want of tone; weakness of the system, or of any organ, especially of such as are contractile.
atrip adverb Just hove clear of the ground; — said of the anchor., Sheeted home, hoisted taut up and ready for trimming; — said of sails., Hoisted up and ready to be swayed across; — said of yards.
atria plural of Atrium
attal noun Same as Attle.
attar noun A fragrant essential oil; esp., a volatile and highly fragrant essential oil obtained from the petals of roses.
atter noun Poison; venom; corrupt matter from a sore.
attic adjective Of or pertaining to Attica, in Greece, or to Athens, its principal city; marked by such qualities as were characteristic of the Athenians; classical; refined., A low story above the main order or orders of a facade, in the classical styles; — a term introduced in the 17th century. Hence:, A room or rooms behind that part of the exterior; all the rooms immediately below the roof., An Athenian; an Athenian author.
attle noun Rubbish or refuse consisting of broken rock containing little or no ore.
attry adjective Poisonous; malignant; malicious.
aubin noun A broken gait of a horse, between an amble and a gallop; — commonly called a Canterbury gallop.
audit adjective An audience; a hearing., An examination in general; a judicial examination., The result of such an examination, or an account as adjusted by auditors; final account., A general receptacle or receiver., To examine and adjust, as an account or accounts; as, to audit the accounts of a treasure, or of parties who have a suit depending in court., To settle or adjust an account.
auger noun A carpenter’s tool for boring holes larger than those bored by a gimlet. It has a handle placed crosswise by which it is turned with both hands. A pod auger is one with a straight channel or groove, like the half of a bean pod. A screw auger has a twisted blade, by the spiral groove of which the chips are discharge., An instrument for boring or perforating soils or rocks, for determining the quality of soils, or the nature of the rocks or strata upon which they lie, and for obtaining water.
auget noun A priming tube connecting the charge chamber with the gallery, or place where the slow match is applied.
aught noun Alt. of Aucht, Anything; any part., At all; in any degree.
aucht noun Property; possession.
augur noun An official diviner who foretold events by the singing, chattering, flight, and feeding of birds, or by signs or omens derived from celestial phenomena, certain appearances of quadrupeds, or unusual occurrences., One who foretells events by omens; a soothsayer; a diviner; a prophet., To conjecture from signs or omens; to prognosticate; to foreshow., To anticipate, to foretell, or to indicate a favorable or an unfavorable issue; as, to augur well or ill., To predict or foretell, as from signs or omens; to betoken; to presage; to infer.
aulic adjective Pertaining to a royal court., The ceremony observed in conferring the degree of doctor of divinity in some European universities. It begins by a harangue of the chancellor addressed to the young doctor, who then receives the cap, and presides at the disputation (also called the aulic).
aunty noun A familiar name for an aunt. In the southern United States a familiar term applied to aged negro women.
aurae plural of Aura
aural adjective Of or pertaining to the air, or to an aura., Of or pertaining to the ear; as, aural medicine and surgery.
auric adjective Of or pertaining to gold., Pertaining to, or derived from, gold; — said of those compounds of gold in which this element has its higher valence; as, auric oxide; auric chloride.
aurin noun A red coloring matter derived from phenol; — called also, in commerce, yellow corallin.
aurum noun Gold.
auto- A combining form, with the meaning of self, one’s self, one’s own, itself, its own.
avail verb t. To turn to the advantage of; to be of service to; to profit; to benefit; to help; as, artifices will not avail the sinner in the day of judgment., To promote; to assist., To be of use or advantage; to answer the purpose; to have strength, force, or efficacy sufficient to accomplish the object; as, the plea in bar must avail, that is, be sufficient to defeat the suit; this scheme will not avail; medicines will not avail to check the disease., Profit; advantage toward success; benefit; value; as, labor, without economy, is of little avail., Proceeds; as, the avails of a sale by auction., See Avale, v.
avale verb t. & i. To cause to descend; to lower; to let fall; to doff., To bring low; to abase., To descend; to fall; to dismount.
avant noun The front of an army. [Obs.] See Van.
avast adjective Cease; stop; stay.
avena noun A genus of grasses, including the common oat (Avena sativa); the oat grasses.
avens noun A plant of the genus Geum, esp. Geum urbanum, or herb bennet.
avert noun To turn aside, or away; as, to avert the eyes from an object; to ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of; as, how can the danger be averted? “To avert his ire.”, To turn away.
avian adjective Of or instrument to birds.
avile verb t. To abase or debase; to vilify; to depreciate.
avise verb t. To look at; to view; to think of., To advise; to counsel., To consider; to reflect.
aviso noun Information; advice., An advice boat, or dispatch boat.
avoid adjective To empty., To emit or throw out; to void; as, to avoid excretions., To quit or evacuate; to withdraw from., To make void; to annul or vacate; to refute., To keep away from; to keep clear of; to endeavor no to meet; to shun; to abstain from; as, to avoid the company of gamesters., To get rid of., To defeat or evade; to invalidate. Thus, in a replication, the plaintiff may deny the defendant’s plea, or confess it, and avoid it by stating new matter., To retire; to withdraw., To become void or vacant.
avoke verb t. To call from or back again.
await verb t. To watch for; to look out for., To wait on, serve, or attend., To wait for; to stay for; to expect. See Expect., To be in store for; to be ready or in waiting for; as, a glorious reward awaits the good., To watch., To wait (on or upon)., To wait; to stay in waiting., A waiting for; ambush; watch; watching; heed.
awoke imp. of Awake, of Awake
awake verb t. To rouse from sleep; to wake; to awaken., To rouse from a state resembling sleep, as from death, stupidity., or inaction; to put into action; to give new life to; to stir up; as, to awake the dead; to awake the dormant faculties., To cease to sleep; to come out of a state of natural sleep; and, figuratively, out of a state resembling sleep, as inaction or death., Not sleeping or lethargic; roused from sleep; in a state of vigilance or action.
award verb t. To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case; to adjudge; as, the arbitrators awarded damages to the complainant., To determine; to make an award., A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted., The paper containing the decision of arbitrators; that which is warded.
aware adjective Watchful; vigilant or on one’s guard against danger or difficulty., Apprised; informed; cognizant; conscious; as, he was aware of the enemy’s designs.
awarn verb t. To warn.
awash adjective Washed by the waves or tide; — said of a rock or strip of shore, or (Naut.) of an anchor, etc., when flush with the surface of the water, so that the waves break over it.
awing present participle & vb. noun of Awe, On the wing; flying; fluttering.
awful adjective Oppressing with fear or horror; appalling; terrible; as, an awful scene., Inspiring awe; filling with profound reverence, or with fear and admiration; fitted to inspire reverential fear; profoundly impressive., Struck or filled with awe; terror-stricken., Worshipful; reverential; law-abiding., Frightful; exceedingly bad; great; — applied intensively; as, an awful bonnet; an awful boaster.
awkly adverb In an unlucky (left-handed) or perverse manner., Awkwardly.
awned adjective Furnished with an awn, or long bristle-shaped tip; bearded.
awork adverb At work; in action.
axial adjective Of or pertaining to an axis; of the nature of, or resembling, an axis; around an axis., Belonging to the axis of the body; as, the axial skeleton; or to the axis of any appendage or organ; as, the axial bones.
axile adjective Situated in the axis of anything; as an embryo which lies in the axis of a seed.
axiom adjective A self-evident and necessary truth, or a proposition whose truth is so evident as first sight that no reasoning or demonstration can make it plainer; a proposition which it is necessary to take for granted; as, “The whole is greater than a part;” “A thing can not, at the same time, be and not be.”, An established principle in some art or science, which, though not a necessary truth, is universally received; as, the axioms of political economy.
axled adjective Having an axle; — used in composition.
axmen plural of Axman
axman noun One who wields an ax.
ayein adverb & preposition Alt. of Ayeins
ayond preposition & adverb Beyond.
ayont preposition & adverb Beyond.
ayrie noun Alt. of Ayry
azoic adjective Destitute of any vestige of organic life, or at least of animal life; anterior to the existence of animal life; formed when there was no animal life on the globe; as, the azoic. rocks.
azote noun Same as Nitrogen.
azoth noun The first principle of metals, i. e., mercury, which was formerly supposed to exist in all metals, and to be extractable from them., The universal remedy of Paracelsus.
aztec adjective Of or relating to one of the early races in Mexico that inhabited the great plateau of that country at the time of the Spanish conquest in 1519., One of the Aztec race or people.
azure adjective Sky-blue; resembling the clear blue color of the unclouded sky; cerulean; also, cloudless., The lapis lazuli., The clear blue color of the sky; also, a pigment or dye of this color., The blue vault above; the unclouded sky., A blue color, represented in engraving by horizontal parallel lines., To color blue.
azurn adjective Azure.
azyme noun Unleavened bread.