8 letter word starting with o

Words Parts of Speech Meaning/Definition/Similar Words
oarsweed noun Any large seaweed of the genus Laminaria; tangle; kelp. See Kelp.
oathable adjective Capable of having an oath administered to.
obduracy noun The duality or state of being obdurate; invincible hardness of heart; obstinacy.
obdurate adjective Hardened in feelings, esp. against moral or mollifying influences; unyielding; hard-hearted; stubbornly wicked., Hard; harsh; rugged; rough; intractable., To harden.
obedible adjective Obedient.
obedient adjective Subject in will or act to authority; willing to obey; submissive to restraint, control, or command.
obeisant adjective Ready to obey; reverent; differential; also, servilely submissive.
obelized imp. & past participle of Obelize
obiyuary adjective Of or pertaining to the death of a person or persons; as, an obituary notice; obituary poetry.
obituary noun That which pertains to, or is called forth by, the obit or death of a person; esp., an account of a deceased person; a notice of the death of a person, accompanied by a biographical sketch., A list of the dead, or a register of anniversary days when service is performed for the dead.
objected imp. & past participle of Object
obectize verb t. To make an object of; to regard as an object; to place in the position of an object.
objector noun One who objects; one who offers objections to a proposition or measure.
oblation noun The act of offering, or of making an offering., Anything offered or presented in worship or sacred service; an offering; a sacrifice., A gift or contribution made to a church, as for the expenses of the eucharist, or for the support of the clergy and the poor.
obligate verb t. To bring or place under obligation, moral or legal; to hold by a constraining motive., To bind or firmly hold to an act; to compel; to constrain; to bind to any act of duty or courtesy by a formal pledge.
obligato adjective See Obbligato.
obliging present participle & vb. noun of Oblige, Putting under obligation; disposed to oblige or do favors; hence, helpful; civil; kind.
obliqued imp. & past participle of Oblique
oblivion noun The act of forgetting, or the state of being forgotten; cessation of remembrance; forgetfulness., Official ignoring of offenses; amnesty, or general pardon; as, an act of oblivion.
oblongly adverb In an oblong form.
oblongum noun A prolate spheroid; a figure described by the revolution of an ellipse about its greater axis. Cf. Oblatum, and see Ellipsoid of revolution, under Ellipsoid.
obrogate verb t. To annul indirectly by enacting a new and contrary law, instead of by expressly abrogating or repealing the old one.
obscured imp. & past participle of Obscure
obscurer noun One who, or that which, obscures.
observed imp. & past participle of Observe
observer noun One who observes, or pays attention to, anything; especially, one engaged in, or trained to habits of, close and exact observation; as, an astronomical observer., One who keeps any law, custom, regulation, rite, etc.; one who conforms to anything in practice., One who fulfills or performs; as, an observer of his promises., A sycophantic follower.
obsidian noun A kind of glass produced by volcanoes. It is usually of a black color, and opaque, except in thin splinters.
obsolete adjective No longer in use; gone into disuse; disused; neglected; as, an obsolete word; an obsolete statute; — applied chiefly to words, writings, or observances., Not very distinct; obscure; rudimental; imperfectly developed; abortive., To become obsolete; to go out of use.
obstacle verb That which stands in the way, or opposes; anything that hinders progress; a hindrance; an obstruction, physical or moral.
obstancy noun Opposition; impediment; obstruction.
obstruct verb t. To block up; to stop up or close, as a way or passage; to place an obstacle in, or fill with obstacles or impediments that prevent or hinder passing; as, to obstruct a street; to obstruct the channels of the body., To be, or come, in the way of; to hinder from passing; to stop; to impede; to retard; as, the bar in the harbor obstructs the passage of ships; clouds obstruct the light of the sun; unwise rules obstruct legislation.
obtained imp. & past participle of Obtain
obtainer noun One who obtains.
obtected adjective Covered; protected., Covered with a hard chitinous case, as the pupa of certain files.
obtemper verb t. & i. To obey (a judgment or decree).
obtended imp. & past participle of Obtend
obtested imp. & past participle of Obtest
obtruded imp. & past participle of Obtrude
obtruder noun One who obtrudes.
obtunded imp. & past participle of Obtund
obtunder noun That which obtunds or blunts; especially, that which blunts sensibility.
obtusely adverb In an obtuse manner.
obtusion noun The act or process of making obtuse or blunt., The state of being dulled or blunted; as, the obtusion of the senses.
obtusity noun Obtuseness.
obuncous adjective Hooked or crooked in an extreme degree.
obverted imp. & past participle of Obvert
obviated imp. & past participle of Obviate
obvolute adjective Alt. of Obvoluted
occasion noun A falling out, happening, or coming to pass; hence, that which falls out or happens; occurrence; incident., A favorable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance; convenience., An occurrence or condition of affairs which brings with it some unlooked-for event; that which incidentally brings to pass an event, without being its efficient cause or sufficient reason; accidental or incidental cause., Need; exigency; requirement; necessity; as, I have no occasion for firearms., A reason or excuse; a motive; a persuasion., To give occasion to; to cause; to produce; to induce; as, to occasion anxiety.
occasive adjective Of or pertaining to the setting sun; falling; descending; western.
occident noun The part of the horizon where the sun last appears in the evening; that part of the earth towards the sunset; the west; — opposed to orient. Specifically, in former times, Europe as opposed to Asia; now, also, the Western hemisphere.
occipita plural of Occiput
occiputs plural of Occiput
occision noun A killing; the act of killing.
occulted adjective Hidden; secret., Concealed by the intervention of some other heavenly body, as a star by the moon.
occultly adverb In an occult manner.
occupant noun One who occupies, or takes possession; one who has the actual use or possession, or is in possession, of a thing., A prostitute.
occupate verb t. To occupy.
occupier noun One who occupies, or has possession., One who follows an employment; hence, a tradesman.
occupied imp. & past participle of Occupy
occurred imp. & past participle of Occur
ocellary adjective Of or pertaining to ocelli.
ocellate adjective Same as Ocellated.
ocherous adjective Alt. of Ochreous
ochreous adjective Of or pertaining to ocher; containing or resembling ocher; as, ocherous matter; ocherous soil., See Ocherous.
ochlesis noun A general morbid condition induced by the crowding together of many persons, esp. sick persons, under one roof.
ochreaee plural of Ochrea
ochreate adjective Alt. of Ochreated
ocreated adjective Same as Ochreate, Ochreated.
octander noun One of the Octandria.
octaroon noun See Octoroon.
octocera nounpl. Octocerata.
octodont adjective Of or pertaining to the Octodontidae, a family of rodents which includes the coypu, and many other South American species.
octogamy noun A marrying eight times.
octogild noun A pecuniary compensation for an injury, of eight times the value of the thing.
octonary adjective Of or pertaining to the number eight.
octopede noun An animal having eight feet, as a spider.
octopoda nounpl. Same as Octocerata., Same as Arachnida.
octoroon noun The offspring of a quadroon and a white person; a mestee.
octylene noun Any one of a series of metameric hydrocarbons (C8H16) of the ethylene series. In general they are combustible, colorless liquids.
ocularly adverb By the eye, or by actual sight.
oculated adjective Furnished with eyes., Having spots or holes resembling eyes; ocellated.
oddities plural of Oddity
odometer noun An instrument attached to the wheel of a vehicle, to measure the distance traversed; also, a wheel used by surveyors, which registers the miles and rods traversed.
odometry noun Measurement of distances by the odometer.
odontoid adjective Having the form of a tooth; toothlike., Of or pertaining to the odontoid bone or to the odontoid process.
odorline noun A pungent oily substance obtained by redistilling bone oil.
odorless adjective Free from odor.
oecology noun The various relations of animals and plants to one another and to the outer world.
oeconomy noun See Economy.
oeillade noun A glance of the eye; an amorous look.
oenocyan noun The coloring matter of red wines.
oenology noun Knowledge of wine, scientific or practical.
oestrian adjective Of or pertaining to the gadflies., A gadfly.
oestrual adjective Of or pertaining to sexual desire; — mostly applied to brute animals; as, the oestrual period; oestrual influence.
offended imp. & past participle of Offend
offender noun One who offends; one who violates any law, divine or human; a wrongdoer.
offering present participle & vb. noun of Offer, The act of an offerer; a proffering., That which is offered, esp. in divine service; that which is presented as an expiation or atonement for sin, or as a free gift; a sacrifice; an oblation; as, sin offering., A sum of money offered, as in church service; as, a missionary offering. Specif.: (Ch. of Eng.) Personal tithes payable according to custom, either at certain seasons as Christmas or Easter, or on certain occasions as marriages or christenings.
official noun Of or pertaining to an office or public trust; as, official duties, or routine., Derived from the proper office or officer, or from the proper authority; made or communicated by virtue of authority; as, an official statement or report., Approved by authority; sanctioned by the pharmacopoeia; appointed to be used in medicine; as, an official drug or preparation. Cf. Officinal., Discharging an office or function., One who holds an office; esp., a subordinate executive officer or attendant., An ecclesiastical judge appointed by a bishop, chapter, archdeacon, etc., with charge of the spiritual jurisdiction.
offshoot noun That which shoots off or separates from a main stem, channel, family, race, etc.; as, the offshoots of a tree.
offshore adjective From the shore; as, an offshore wind; an offshore signal.
ofttimes adverb Frequently; often.
oilcloth noun Cloth treated with oil or paint, and used for marking garments, covering floors, etc.
oiliness noun The quality of being oily.
oilstone noun A variety of hone slate, or whetstone, used for whetting tools when lubricated with oil.
oinement noun Ointment.
ointment noun That which serves to anoint; any soft unctuous substance used for smearing or anointing; an unguent.
ojibways noun pl. Same as Chippeways.
oleander noun A beautiful evergreen shrub of the Dogbane family, having clusters of fragrant red or white flowers. It is native of the East Indies, but the red variety has become common in the south of Europe. Called also rosebay, rose laurel, and South-sea rose.
oleaster noun The wild olive tree (Olea Europea, var. sylvestris)., Any species of the genus Elaeagus. See Eleagnus. The small silvery berries of the common species (Elaeagnus hortensis) are called Trebizond dates, and are made into cakes by the Arabs.
olefiant adjective Forming or producing an oil; specifically, designating a colorless gaseous hydrocarbon called ethylene.
oleosity noun The state or quality of being oily or fat; fatness.
olfactor noun A smelling organ; a nose.
olibanum noun The fragrant gum resin of various species of Boswellia; Oriental frankincense.
oligarch noun A member of an oligarchy; one of the rulers in an oligarchical government.
olympiad noun A period of four years, by which the ancient Greeks reckoned time, being the interval from one celebration of the Olympic games to another, beginning with the victory of Cor/bus in the foot race, which took place in the year 776 b.c.; as, the era of the olympiads.
olympian adjective Alt. of Olympic
omission noun The act of omitting; neglect or failure to do something required by propriety or duty., That which is omitted or is left undone.
omissive adjective Leaving out; omitting.
omitting present participle & vb. noun of Omit
ommateal adjective Of or pertaining to an ommateum.
ommateum noun A compound eye, as of insects and crustaceans.
omniform adjective Having every form or shape.
omnivora noun pl. A group of ungulate mammals including the hog and the hippopotamus. The term is also sometimes applied to the bears, and to certain passerine birds.
omohyoid adjective Of or pertaining to the shoulder and the hyoid bone; as, the omohyoid muscle.
omoplate noun The shoulder blade, or scapula.
omphalic adjective Of or pertaining to the umbilicus, or navel.
omphalo- A combining form indicating connection with, or relation to, the umbilicus, or navel.
omphalos noun The navel.
oncidium noun A genus of tropical orchidaceous plants, the flower of one species of which (O. Papilio) resembles a butterfly.
oncotomy noun The opening of an abscess, or the removal of a tumor, with a cutting instrument.
oneberry noun The herb Paris. See Herb Paris, under Herb.
one-hand adjective Employing one hand; as, the one-hand alphabet. See Dactylology.
onerated imp. & past participle of Onerate
onliness noun The state of being alone.
onocerin noun A white crystalline waxy substance extracted from the root of the leguminous plant Ononis spinosa.
onomancy noun Divination by the letters of a name; nomancy.
ontogeny noun The history of the individual development of an organism; the history of the evolution of the germ; the development of an individual organism, — in distinction from phylogeny, or evolution of the tribe. Called also henogenesis, henogeny.
ontology noun That department of the science of metaphysics which investigates and explains the nature and essential properties and relations of all beings, as such, or the principles and causes of being.
oogonium noun A special cell in certain cryptogamous plants containing oospheres, as in the rockweeds (Fucus), and the orders Vaucherieae and Peronosporeae.
oologist noun One versed in oology.
oophoric adjective Having the nature of, or belonging to, an oophore.
oophytic adjective Of or pertaining to an oophyte.
oosporic adjective Of or pertaining to an oospore.
oothecae plural of Ootheca
ootocoid noun A half oviparous, or an oviparous, mammal; a marsupial or monotreme.
opacular adjective Opaque.
opalesce verb i. To give forth a play of colors, like the opal.
opalized imp. & past participle of Opalize
open-air adjective Taking place in the open air; outdoor; as, an open-air game or meeting.
openbill noun A bird of the genus Anastomus, allied to the stork; — so called because the two parts of the bill touch only at the base and tip. One species inhabits India, another Africa. Called also open-beak. See Illust. (m), under Beak.
openness noun The quality or state of being open.
openwork noun Anything so constructed or manufactured (in needlework, carpentry, metal work, etc.) as to show openings through its substance; work that is perforated or pierced., A quarry; an open cut.
operable adjective Practicable.
operance noun Alt. of Operancy
operancy noun The act of operating or working; operation.
operated imp. & past participle of Operate
operatic adjective Alt. of Operatical
operator noun One who, or that which, operates or produces an effect., One who performs some act upon the human body by means of the hand, or with instruments., A dealer in stocks or any commodity for speculative purposes; a speculator., The symbol that expresses the operation to be performed; — called also facient.
opercula noun pl. See Operculum., of Operculum
operetta noun A short, light, musical drama.
ophidian noun One of the Ophidia; a snake or serpent., Of or pertaining to the Ophidia; belonging to serpents.
ophidion noun The typical genus of ophidioid fishes. [Written also Ophidium.] See Illust. under Ophidioid.
ophiuran adjective Of or pertaining to the Ophiurioidea., One of the Ophiurioidea.
ophiurid noun Same as Ophiurioid.
opianine noun An alkaloid found in small quantity in opium. It is identical with narcotine.
opificer noun An artificer; a workman.
opinable adjective Capable of being opined or thought.
opinator noun One fond of his own opinious; one who holds an opinion.
opinlate verb t. To hold or maintain persistently.
opinicus noun An imaginary animal borne as a charge, having wings, an eagle’s head, and a short tail; — sometimes represented without wings.
opopanax noun The inspissated juice of an umbelliferous plant (the Opoponax Chironum), brought from Turkey and the East Indies in loose granules, or sometimes in larger masses, of a reddish yellow color, with specks of white. It has a strong smell and acrid taste, and was formerly used in medicine as an emmenagogue and antispasmodic.
oppilate verb t. To crowd together; to fill with obstructions; to block up.
oppleted adjective Filled; crowded.
opponent adjective Situated in front; opposite; hence, opposing; adverse; antagonistic., One who opposes; an adversary; an antagonist; a foe., One who opposes in a disputation, argument, or other verbal controversy; specifically, one who attacks some theirs or proposition, in distinction from the respondent, or defendant, who maintains it.
opposing present participle & vb. noun of Oppose
opposite adjective Placed over against; standing or situated over against or in front; facing; — often with to; as, a house opposite to the Exchange., Applied to the other of two things which are entirely different; other; as, the opposite sex; the opposite extreme., Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic., Set over against each other, but separated by the whole diameter of the stem, as two leaves at the same node., Placed directly in front of another part or organ, as a stamen which stands before a petal., One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist., That which is opposed or contrary; as, sweetness and its opposite.
opprobry noun Opprobrium.
oppugned imp. & past participle of Oppugn
oppugner noun One who opposes or attacks; that which opposes.
optation noun The act of optating; a wish.
optative adjective Expressing desire or wish., Something to be desired., The optative mood; also, a verb in the optative mood.
optician adjective One skilled in optics., One who deals in optical glasses and instruments.
optimacy noun Government by the nobility., Collectively, the nobility.
optimate adjective Of or pertaining to the nobility or aristocracy., A nobleman or aristocrat; a chief man in a state or city.
optimism noun The opinion or doctrine that everything in nature, being the work of God, is ordered for the best, or that the ordering of things in the universe is such as to produce the highest good., A disposition to take the most hopeful view; — opposed to pessimism.
optimist noun One who holds the opinion that all events are ordered for the best., One who looks on the bright side of things, or takes hopeful views; — opposed to pessimist.
optimity noun The state of being best.
optional adjective Involving an option; depending on the exercise of an option; left to one’s discretion or choice; not compulsory; as, optional studies; it is optional with you to go or stay., See Elective, n.
optogram noun An image of external objects fixed on the retina by the photochemical action of light on the visual purple. See Optography.
opulence noun Wealth; riches; affluence.
opulency noun See Opulence.
opuscule noun A small or petty work.
opuscula plural of Opusculum
orabassu noun A South American monkey of the genus Callithrix, esp.
oracling present participle & vb. noun of Oracle
oracular adjective Of or pertaining to an oracle; uttering oracles; forecasting the future; as, an oracular tongue., Resembling an oracle in some way, as in solemnity, wisdom, authority, obscurity, ambiguity, dogmatism.
oragious adjective Stormy.
orangeat noun Candied orange peel; also, orangeade.
orangery noun A place for raising oranges; a plantation of orange trees.
orangite An orange-yellow variety of the mineral thorite, found in Norway.
oratorio noun A more or less dramatic text or poem, founded on some Scripture nerrative, or great divine event, elaborately set to music, in recitative, arias, grand choruses, etc., to be sung with an orchestral accompaniment, but without action, scenery, or costume, although the oratorio grew out of the Mysteries and the Miracle and Passion plays, which were acted., Performance or rendering of such a composition.
oratress noun A woman who makes public addresses.
orbation noun The state of being orbate, or deprived of parents or children; privation, in general; bereavement.
orbicula noun Same as Discina.
orbitary adjective Situated around the orbit; as, the orbitary feathers of a bird.
orbitude noun Alt. of Orbity
orbulina noun A genus of minute living Foraminifera having a globular shell.
orcadian adjective Of or pertaining to the Orkney Islands.
orchanet noun Same as Alkanet, 2.
orchises plural of Orchis
orchitis noun Inflammation of the testicles.
ordained imp. & past participle of Ordain
ordainer noun One who ordains.
ordalian adjective Of or pertaining to trial by ordeal.
ordering p pr. & vb. noun of Order, Disposition; distribution; management.
ordinand noun One about to be ordained.
ordinant adjective Ordaining; decreeing., One who ordains.
ordinary adjective According to established order; methodical; settled; regular., Common; customary; usual., Of common rank, quality, or ability; not distinguished by superior excellence or beauty; hence, not distinguished in any way; commonplace; inferior; of little merit; as, men of ordinary judgment; an ordinary book., An officer who has original jurisdiction in his own right, and not by deputation., One who has immediate jurisdiction in matters ecclesiastical; an ecclesiastical judge; also, a deputy of the bishop, or a clergyman appointed to perform divine service for condemned criminals and assist in preparing them for death., A judicial officer, having generally the powers of a judge of probate or a surrogate., The mass; the common run., That which is so common, or continued, as to be considered a settled establishment or institution., Anything which is in ordinary or common use., A dining room or eating house where a meal is prepared for all comers, at a fixed price for the meal, in distinction from one where each dish is separately charged; a table d’hote; hence, also, the meal furnished at such a dining room., A charge or bearing of simple form, one of nine or ten which are in constant use. The bend, chevron, chief, cross, fesse, pale, and saltire are uniformly admitted as ordinaries. Some authorities include bar, bend sinister, pile, and others. See Subordinary.
ordinate adjective Well-ordered; orderly; regular; methodical., The distance of any point in a curve or a straight line, measured on a line called the axis of ordinates or on a line parallel to it, from another line called the axis of abscissas, on which the corresponding abscissa of the point is measured., To appoint, to regulate; to harmonize.
ordnance noun Heavy weapons of warfare; cannon, or great guns, mortars, and howitzers; artillery; sometimes, a general term for all weapons and appliances used in war.
ordovian adjective & noun Ordovician.
ordurous adjective Of or pertaining to ordure; filthy.
oreodont adjective Resembling, or allied to, the genus Oreodon.
oreosoma noun pl. A genus of small oceanic fishes, remarkable for the large conical tubercles which cover the under surface.
organdie noun Alt. of Organdy
organism noun Organic structure; organization., An organized being; a living body, either vegetable or animal, compozed of different organs or parts with functions which are separate, but mutually dependent, and essential to the life of the individual.
organist noun One who plays on the organ., One of the priests who organized or sung in parts.
organity noun Organism.
organize verb t. To furnish with organs; to give an organic structure to; to endow with capacity for the functions of life; as, an organized being; organized matter; — in this sense used chiefly in the past participle., To arrange or constitute in parts, each having a special function, act, office, or relation; to systematize; to get into working order; — applied to products of the human intellect, or to human institutions and undertakings, as a science, a government, an army, a war, etc., To sing in parts; as, to organize an anthem.
organule noun One of the essential cells or elements of an organ. See Sense organule, under Sense.
orgulous adjective See Orgillous.
oriental adjective Of or pertaining to the orient or east; eastern; concerned with the East or Orientalism; — opposed to occidental; as, Oriental countries., A native or inhabitant of the Orient or some Eastern part of the world; an Asiatic., Eastern Christians of the Greek rite.
oriflamb noun Alt. of Oriflamme
origanum noun A genus of aromatic labiate plants, including the sweet marjoram (O. Marjorana) and the wild marjoram (O. vulgare).
original adjective Pertaining to the origin or beginning; preceding all others; first in order; primitive; primary; pristine; as, the original state of man; the original laws of a country; the original inventor of a process., Not copied, imitated, or translated; new; fresh; genuine; as, an original thought; an original process; the original text of Scripture., Having the power to suggest new thoughts or combinations of thought; inventive; as, an original genius., Before unused or unknown; new; as, a book full of original matter., Origin; commencement; source., That which precedes all others of its class; archetype; first copy; hence, an original work of art, manuscript, text, and the like, as distinguished from a copy, translation, etc., An original thinker or writer; an originator., A person of marked eccentricity., The natural or wild species from which a domesticated or cultivated variety has been derived; as, the wolf is thought by some to be the original of the dog, the blackthorn the original of the plum.
oriskany adjective Designating, or pertaining to, certain beds, chiefly limestone, characteristic of the latest period of the Silurian age.
orkneyan adjective Of or pertaining to the Orkney islands.
ornament noun That which embellishes or adorns; that which adds grace or beauty; embellishment; decoration; adornment., To adorn; to deck; to embellish; to beautify; as, to ornament a room, or a city.
ornately adverb In an ornate manner.
ornature noun Decoration; ornamentation.
ornithic adjective Of or pertaining to birds; as, ornithic fossils.
ornitho- A combining form fr. Gr. /, /, a bird.
ornithon noun An aviary; a poultry house.
orphaned imp. & past participle of Orphan
orphancy noun Orphanhood.
orphanet noun A little orphan.
orpiment noun Arsenic sesquisulphide, produced artificially as an amorphous lemonyellow powder, and occurring naturally as a yellow crystalline mineral; — formerly called auripigment. It is used in king’s yellow, in white Indian fire, and in certain technical processes, as indigo printing.
orreries plural of Orrery
orseille noun See Archil.
orsellic adjective Pertaining to, or designating, an acid found in certain lichens, and called also lecanoric acid.
orthodox adjective Sound in opinion or doctrine, especially in religious doctrine; hence, holding the Christian faith; believing the doctrines taught in the Scriptures; — opposed to heretical and heterodox; as, an orthodox Christian., According or congruous with the doctrines of Scripture, the creed of a church, the decree of a council, or the like; as, an orthodox opinion, book, etc., Approved; conventional.
orthoepy noun The art of uttering words correctly; a correct pronunciation of words; also, mode of pronunciation.
orthogon noun A rectangular figure.
orthopny noun Specifically, a morbid condition in which respiration can be performed only in an erect posture; by extension, any difficulty of breathing.
orvietan noun A kind of antidote for poisons; a counter poison formerly in vogue.
oryctere noun The aard-vark.
oscinian noun One of the Oscines, or singing birds., Any one of numerous species of dipterous files of the family Oscinidae.
oscinine adjective Of or pertaining to the Oscines.
oscitant adjective Yawning; gaping., Sleepy; drowsy; dull; sluggish; careless.
oscitate verb i. To gape; to yawn.
osculant adjective Kissing; hence, meeting; clinging., Adhering closely; embracing; — applied to certain creeping animals, as caterpillars., Intermediate in character, or on the border, between two genera, groups, families, etc., of animals or plants, and partaking somewhat of the characters of each, thus forming a connecting link; interosculant; as, the genera by which two families approximate are called osculant genera.
osculate verb t. To kiss., To touch closely, so as to have a common curvature at the point of contact. See Osculation, 2., To kiss one another; to kiss., To touch closely. See Osculation, 2., To have characters in common with two genera or families, so as to form a connecting link between them; to interosculate. See Osculant.
osmanlis plural of Osmanli
osmazome noun A substance formerly supposed to give to soup and broth their characteristic odor, and probably consisting of one or several of the class of nitrogenous substances which are called extractives.
osmiamic adjective Of, pertaining to, or designating, a nitrogenous acid of osmium, H2N2Os2O5, forming a well-known series of yellow salts.
osnaburg noun A species of coarse linen, originally made in Osnaburg, Germany.
ossianic adjective Of or pertaining to, or characteristic of, Ossian, a legendary Erse or Celtic bard.
ossicula plural of Ossiculum
ossified adjective Changed to bone or something resembling bone; hardened by deposits of mineral matter of any kind; — said of tissues., of Ossify
osteitis noun Inflammation of bone.
osteogen noun The soft tissue, or substance, which, in developing bone, ultimately undergoes ossification.
osteozoa noun pl. Same as Vertebrata.
ostracea noun pl. A division of bivalve mollusks including the oysters and allied shells.
otiosity noun Leisure; indolence; idleness; ease.
otocrane noun The cavity in the skull in which the parts of the internal ear are lodged.
otolitic adjective Of or pertaining to otoliths.
otopathy noun A diseased condition of the ear.
otorrh/a noun A flow or running from the ear, esp. a purulent discharge.
otoscope noun An instrument for examining the condition of the ear.
otoscopy noun The examination of the ear; the art of using the otoscope.
otosteal noun An auditory ossicle.
ottomans plural of Ottoman
ottomite noun An Ottoman.
ouistiti noun See Wistit.
oulachan noun Same as Eulachon.
ourology noun See Urology.
outargue verb t. To surpass or conquer in argument.
outbleat verb t. To surpass in bleating.
outblown adjective Inflated with wind.
outblush verb t. To exceed in blushing; to surpass in rosy color.
outboard adjective & adverb Beyond or outside of the lines of a vessel’s bulwarks or hull; in a direction from the hull or from the keel; — opposed to inboard; as, outboard rigging; swing the davits outboard.
outbound adjective Outward bound.
outbowed adjective Convex; curved outward.
outbrave verb t. To excel in bravery o/ in insolence; to defy with superior courage or audacity, To excel in magnificence or comeliness.
outbreak noun A bursting forth; eruption; insurrection.
outbribe verb t. To surpass in bribing.
outbring verb t. To bring or bear out.
outbuilt imp. & past participle of Outbuild
outbuild verb t. To exceed in building, or in durability of building.
outburst noun A bursting forth.
outcheat verb t. To exceed in cheating.
outclimb verb t. To climb bevond; to surpass in climbing.
outcourt noun An outer or exterior court.
outcrier noun One who cries out or proclaims; a herald or crier.
outdated adjective Being out of date; antiquated.
outdoing present participle & vb. noun of Outdo
outdoors adverb Abread; out of the house; out of doors.
outdream verb t. To pass, or escape, while dreaming.
outdrink verb t. To exceed in drinking.
outdwell verb t. To dwell or stay beyond.
outfaced imp. & past participle of Outface
outfeast verb t. To exceed in feasting.
outfield noun Arable land which has been or is being exhausted. See Infield, 1., A field beyond, or separated from, the inclosed land about the homestead; an uninclosed or unexplored tract. Also used figuratively., The part of the field beyond the diamond, or infield. It is occupied by the fielders., The part of the field farthest from the batsman.
outflank verb t. To go beyond, or be superior to, on the flank; to pass around or turn the flank or flanks of.
outfling noun A gibe; a contemptuous remark.
outflown past participle of Outfly
outfrown verb t. To frown down; to overbear by frowning.
outgoing present participle & vb. noun of Outgo, The act or the state of going out., That which goes out; outgo; outlay., The extreme limit; the place of ending., Going out; departing; as, the outgoing administration; an outgoing steamer.
outgrown past participle of Outgrow
outguard noun A guard or small body of troops at a distance from the main body of an army, to watch for the approach of an enemy; hence, anything for defense placed at a distance from the thing to be defended.
outhouse noun A small house or building at a little distance from the main house; an outbuilding.
outknave verb t. To surpass in knavery.
outlabor verb t. To surpass in laboring.
outlaugh verb t. To surpass or outdo in laughing., To laugh (one) out of a purpose, principle, etc.; to discourage or discomfit by laughing; to laugh down.
outlawed imp. & past participle of Outlaw
outlawry noun The act of outlawing; the putting a man out of the protection of law, or the process by which a man (as an absconding criminal) is deprived of that protection., The state of being an outlaw.
outlearn verb t. To excel or surpass in learing., To learn out [i. e., completely, utterly]; to exhaust knowledge of.
outlined imp. & past participle of Outline
outlived imp. & past participle of Outlive
outliver noun One who outlives.
outloose noun A loosing from; an escape; an outlet; an evasion.
outlying adjective Lying or being at a distance from the central part, or the main body; being on, or beyond, the frontier; exterior; remote; detached.
outmarch verb t. To surpass in marching; to march faster than, or so as to leave behind.
outmount verb t. To mount above.
outnoise verb t. To exceed in noise; to surpass in noisiness.
outpoise verb t. To outweigh.
outpower verb t. To excel in power; to overpover.
outprize verb t. To prize beyong value, or in excess; to exceed in value.
outragen imp. & past participle of Outrage
outrance noun The utmost or last extremity.
outreach verb t. To reach beyond.
outreign verb t. To go beyond in reigning; to reign through the whole of, or longer than.
outrider noun A summoner whose office is to cite men before the sheriff., One who rides out on horseback., A servant on horseback attending a carriage.
outright adverb Immediately; without delay; at once; as, he was killed outright., Completely; utterly.
outrival verb t. To surpass in a rivalry.
outscent verb t. To exceed in odor.
outscold verb t. To exceed in scolding.
outscorn verb t. To confront, or subdue, with greater scorn.
outscout verb t. To overpower by disdain; to outface.
outshine verb i. To shine forth., To excel in splendor.
outshoot verb t. To exceed or excel in shooting; to shoot beyond.
outsider noun One not belonging to the concern, institution, party, etc., spoken of; one disconnected in interest or feeling., A locksmith’s pinchers for grasping the point of a key in the keyhole, to open a door from the outside when the key is inside., A horse which is not a favorite in the betting.
outskirt noun A part remote from the center; outer edge; border; — usually in the plural; as, the outskirts of a town.
outsleep verb t. To exceed in sleeping.
outslide verb i. To slide outward, onward, or forward; to advance by sliding.
outsound verb t. To surpass in sounding.
outspeak verb t. To exceed in speaking., To speak openly or boldly., To express more than.
outspeed verb t. To excel in speed.
outspend noun Outlay; expenditure.
outsport verb t. To exceed in sporting.
outstand verb i. To stand out, or project, from a surface or mass; hence, to remain standing out., To resist effectually; to withstand; to sustain without yielding., To stay beyond.
outstare verb t. To excel or overcome in staring; to face down.
outstart verb i. To start out or up.
outstorm verb t. To exceed in storming.
outstrip verb t. To go faster than; to outrun; to advance beyond; to leave behing.
outswear verb t. To exceed in swearing.
outswell verb t. To exceed in swelling., To swell beyond; to overflow.
outtaken past participle or prep. Excepted; save.
outthrow verb t. To throw out., To excel in throwing, as in ball playing.
outtwine verb t. To disentangle.
outvalue verb t. To exceed in value.
outvenom verb t. To exceed in venom.
outvoice verb t. To exceed in noise.
outwards adverb From the interior part; in a direction from the interior toward the exterior; out; to the outside; beyond; off; away; as, a ship bound outward., See Outward, adv.
outwatch verb t. To exceed in watching.
outweary verb t. To weary out.
outweigh verb t. To exceed in weight or value.
outwhore verb t. To exceed in lewdness.
outworth verb t. To exceed in worth.
outwrest verb t. To extort; to draw from or forth by violence.
outwrite verb t. To exceed or excel in writing.
ovariole noun One of the tubes of which the ovaries of most insects are composed.
ovarious adjective Consisting of eggs; as, ovarious food.
ovaritis noun Inflammation of the ovaries.
ovariums plural of Ovarium
ovenbird noun Any species of the genus Furnarius, allied to the creepers. They inhabit South America and the West Indies, and construct curious oven-shaped nests., In the United States, Seiurus aurocapillus; — called also golden-crowned thrush., In England, sometimes applied to the willow warbler, and to the long-tailed titmouse.
overalls noun pl. A kind of loose trousers worn over others to protect them from soiling., Waterproof leggings.
overarch verb t. & i. To make or place an arch over; to hang over like an arch.
over-arm adjective Done (as bowling or pitching) with the arm raised above the shoulder. See Overhard.
overawed imp. & past participle of Overawe
overbear verb t. To bear down or carry down, as by excess of weight, power, force, etc.; to overcome; to suppress., To domineer over; to overcome by insolence., To bear fruit or offspring to excess; to be too prolific.
overbend verb t. To bend to excess., To bend over.
overbide verb t. To outlive.
overblow verb i. To blow over, or be subdued., To force so much wind into a pipe that it produces an overtone, or a note higher than the natural note; thus, the upper octaves of a flute are produced by overblowing., To blow away; to dissipate by wind, or as by wind.
overboil verb i. To boil over or unduly.
overbold adjective Excessively or presumptuously bold; impudent.
overbrim verb i. To flow over the brim; to be so full as to overflow.
overbrow verb t. To hang over like a brow; to impend over.
overbulk verb t. To oppress by bulk; to overtower.
overburn verb t. & i. To burn too much; to be overzealous.
overcare noun Excessive care.
overcast verb t. To cast or cover over; hence, to cloud; to darken., To compute or rate too high., To take long, loose stitches over (the raw edges of a seam) to prevent raveling.
overcloy verb t. To fill beyond satiety.
overcoat noun A coat worn over the other clothing; a greatcoat; a topcoat.
overcold adjective Cold to excess.
overcame imp. of Overcome
overcome past participle of Overcome, To get the better of; to surmount; to conquer; to subdue; as, to overcome enemies in battle., To overflow; to surcharge., To come or pass over; to spreads over., To gain the superiority; to be victorious.
overcrow verb t. To crow, exult, or boast, over; to overpower.
overdare verb t. & i. To dare too much or rashly; to be too daring.
overdate verb t. To date later than the true or proper period.
overdeal noun The excess.
overdone past participle of Overdo
overdoer noun One who overdoes.
overdose verb t. To dose to excess; to give an overdose, or too many doses, to., Too great a dose; an excessive dose.
overdrew imp. of Overdraw
overdraw verb t. To exaggerate; to overdo., To make drafts upon or against, in excess of the proper amount or limit.
overfall noun A cataract; a waterfall., A turbulent surface of water, caused by strong currents setting over submerged ridges; also, a dangerous submerged ridge or shoal.
overfeed verb t. & i. To feed to excess; to surfeit.
overfill verb t. To fill to excess; to surcharge.
overfish verb t. To fish to excess.
overflow verb t. To flow over; to cover woth, or as with, water or other fluid; to spread over; to inundate; to overwhelm., To flow over the brim of; to fill more than full., To run over the bounds., To be superabundant; to abound., A flowing over, as of water or other fluid; an inundation., That which flows over; a superfluous portion; a superabundance., An outlet for the escape of surplus liquid.
overflux noun Overflow; exuberance.
overflew imp. of Overfly
overfond adjective Fond to excess.
overfree adjective Free to excess; too liberal; too familiar.
overfull adjective Too full; filled to overflowing; excessively full; surfeited.
overgaze verb t. To gaze; to overlook.
overgild verb t. To gild over; to varnish.
overgird verb t. To gird too closely.
overgive verb t. To give over; to surrender; to yield.
overglad adjective Excessively or unduly glad.
overwent imp. of Overgo
overgone past participle of Overgo
overgrew imp. of Overgrow
overgrow verb t. To grow over; to cover with growth or herbage, esp. that which is rank., To grow beyond; to rise above; hence, to overcome; to oppress., To grow beyond the fit or natural size; as, a huge, overgrown ox.
overhall verb t. See Overhaul.
overhale verb t. See Overhaul.
overhand noun The upper hand; advantage; superiority; mastery., Over and over; — applied to a style of sewing, or to a seam, in which two edges, usually selvedges, are sewed together by passing each stitch over both., Done (as pitching or bowling) with the hand higher than the elbow, or the arm above, or higher than, the shoulder., In an overhand manner or style.
overhung imp. & past participle of Overhang, Covered over; ornamented with hangings., Suspended from above or from the top.
overhang verb t. To impend or hang over., To hang over; to jut or project over., To jut over., In a general sense, that which just out or projects; a projection; also, the measure of the projection; as, the overhang is five feet., Specifically: The projection of an upper part (as a roof, an upper story, or other part) of a building beyond the lower part; as, the overhang of a roof, of the eaves, etc., The portion of the bow or stem of a vessel that projects over the water beyond the water line., The projection of a part beyond another part that is directly below it, or beyond a part by which it is supported; as, the overhang of a shaft; i. e., its projection beyond its bearing.
overhaul verb t. To haul or drag over; hence, to turn over for examination; to inspect; to examine thoroughly with a view to corrections or repairs., To gain upon in a chase; to overtake., Alt. of Overhauling
overhead adverb Aloft; above; in or attached to the ceiling or roof; in the story or upon the floor above; in the zenith.
overhear verb t. To hear more of (anything) than was intended to be heard; to hear by accident or artifice., To hear again.
overheat verb t. To heat to excess; to superheat.
overhele verb t. To hele or cover over.
overhent verb t. To overtake.
overhigh adjective Too high.
overhold verb t. To hold or value too highly; to estimate at too dear a rate.
overjump verb t. To jump over; hence, to omit; to ignore.
overking noun A king who has sovereignty over inferior kings or ruling princes.
overlade verb t. To load with too great a cargo; to overburden; to overload.
overland adjective Being, or accomplished, over the land, instead of by sea; as, an overland journey., By, upon, or across, land.
overlash verb i. To drive on rashly; to go to excess; hence, to exaggerate; to boast.
overlate adjective Too late; exceedingly late.
overlave verb t. To lave or bathe over.
overlaid imp. & past participle of Overlay
overlead verb t. To domineer over; to affront; to treat with indignity.
overleap verb t. To leap over or across; hence, to omit; to ignore.
overlick verb t. To lick over.
overlain past participle of Overlie
overlive verb t. To outlive., To live too long, too luxuriously, or too actively.
overload verb t. To load or fill to excess; to load too heavily., An excessive load; the excess beyond a proper load.
overlong adjective & adverb Too long.
overlook verb t. To look down upon from a place that is over or above; to look over or view from a higher position; to rise above, so as to command a view of; as, to overlook a valley from a hill., Hence: To supervise; to watch over; sometimes, to observe secretly; as, to overlook a gang of laborers; to overlook one who is writing a letter., To inspect; to examine; to look over carefully or repeatedly., To look upon with an evil eye; to bewitch by looking upon; to fascinate., To look over and beyond (anything) without seeing it; to miss or omit in looking; hence, to refrain from bestowing notice or attention upon; to neglect; to pass over without censure or punishment; to excuse.
overloop noun See Orlop.
overlord noun One who is lord over another or others; a superior lord; a master.
overloud adjective Too loud; noisy.
overlove verb t. To love to excess.
overmast verb t. To furnish (a vessel) with too long or too heavy a mast or masts.
overmore adverb Beyond; moreover.
overmost adjective Over the rest in authority; above all others; highest.
overmuch adjective Too much., In too great a degree; too much., An excess; a surplus.
overname verb t. To name over or in a series; to recount.
overneat adjective Excessively neat.
overnice adjective Excessively nice; fastidious.
overpart verb t. To give too important or difficult a part to.
overpass verb t. To go over or beyond; to cross; as, to overpass a river; to overpass limits., To pass over; to omit; to overlook; to disregard., To surpass; to excel., To pass over, away, or off.
overpaid imp. & past participle of Overpay
overpeer verb t. To peer over; to rise above.
overplus noun That which remains after a supply, or beyond a quantity proposed; surplus.
overpost verb t. To post over; to pass over swiftly, as by post.
overrake verb t. To rake over, or sweep across, from end to end, as waves that break over a vessel anchored with head to the sea.
overrank adjective Too rank or luxuriant.
overrate verb t. To rate or value too highly., An excessive rate.
overread verb t. To read over, or peruse.
overrent verb t. To rent for too much.
overrich adjective Exccessively rich.
overrode imp. of Override, of Override
override verb t. To ride over or across; to ride upon; to trample down., To suppress; to destroy; to supersede; to annul; as, one low overrides another; to override a veto., To ride beyond; to pass; to outride., To ride too much; to ride, as a horse, beyond its strength.
overripe adjective Matured to excess.
overrule verb t. To rule over; to govern or determine by superior authority., To rule or determine in a contrary way; to decide against; to abrogate or alter; as, God overrules the purposes of men; the chairman overruled the point of order., To supersede, reject, annul, or rule against; as, the plea, or the decision, was overruled by the court., To be superior or supreme in rulling or controlling; as, God rules and overrules.
overseas adverb Over the sea; abroad.
overseen past participle of Oversee
overseer noun One who oversees; a superintendent; a supervisor; as, an overseer of a mill; specifically, one or certain public officers; as, an overseer of the poor; an overseer of highways.
oversold imp. & past participle of Oversell
oversell verb t. To sell for a higher price than; to exceed in selling price., To sell beyond means of delivery.
overshoe noun A shoe that is worn over another for protection from wet or for extra warmth; esp., an India-rubber shoe; a galoche.
overshot imp. & past participle of Overshoot, From Overshoot, v. t.
oversize verb t. To surpass in size., To cover with viscid matter.
overskip verb t. To skip or leap over; to treat with indifference.
overslip verb t. To slip or slide over; to pass easily or carelessly beyond; to omit; to neglect; as, to overslip time or opportunity.
overslop noun An outer garment, or slop.
overslow verb t. To render slow; to check; to curb., Too slow.
oversmen plural of Oversman
oversman noun An overseer; a superintendent., An umpire; a third arbiter, appointed when two arbiters, previously selected, disagree.
oversnow verb t. To cover with snow, or as with snow.
oversoon adverb Too soon.
oversoul noun The all-containing soul.
overspan verb t. To reach or extend over.
overspin verb t. To spin out to too great length; to protract unduly.
overstay verb t. To stay beyond the time or the limits of; as, to overstay the appointed time.
overstep verb t. To step over or beyond; to transgress.
oversure adjective Excessively sure.
oversway verb t. To bear sway over.
overtook imp. of Overtake
overtake verb t. To come up with in a course, pursuit, progress, or motion; to catch up with., To come upon from behind; to discover; to surprise; to capture; to overcome., Hence, figuratively, in the past participle (overtaken), drunken.
overtalk verb i. To talk to excess.
overtask verb t. To task too heavily.
overtilt verb t. To tilt over; to overturn.
overtime noun Time beyond, or in excess of, a limit; esp., extra working time.
overtire verb t. To tire to excess; to exhaust., To become too tired.
overtoil verb t. To overwork., To weary excessively; to exhaust.
overtone noun One of the harmonics faintly heard with and above a tone as it dies away, produced by some aliquot portion of the vibrating sting or column of air which yields the fundamental tone; one of the natural harmonic scale of tones, as the octave, twelfth, fifteenth, etc.; an aliquot or “partial” tone; a harmonic. See Harmonic, and Tone.
overtrip verb t. To trip over nimbly.
overtrow verb i. To be too trustful or confident; to trust too much.
overture An opening or aperture; a recess; a recess; a chamber., Disclosure; discovery; revelation., A proposal; an offer; a proposition formally submitted for consideration, acceptance, or rejection., A composition, for a full orchestra, designed as an introduction to an oratorio, opera, or ballet, or as an independent piece; — called in the latter case a concert overture., To make an overture to; as, to overture a religious body on some subject.
overturn verb t. To turn or throw from a basis, foundation, or position; to overset; as, to overturn a carriage or a building., To subvert; to destroy; to overthrow., To overpower; to conquer., The act off overturning, or the state of being overturned or subverted; overthrow; as, an overturn of parties.
overvail verb t. See Overveil.
overveil verb t. To veil or cover.
overview noun An inspection or overlooking.
overvote verb t. To outvote; to outnumber in votes given.
overwalk verb t. To walk over or upon.
overwary adjective Too wary; too cautious.
overwash verb t. To overflow.
overweak adjective Too weak; too feeble.
overwear verb t. To wear too much; to wear out.
overween verb t. To think too highly or arrogantly; to regard one’s own thinking or conclusions too highly; hence, to egotistic, arrogant, or rash, in opinion; to think conceitedly; to presume.
overwell verb t. To overflow.
overwind verb t. To wind too tightly, as a spring, or too far, as a hoisting rope on a drum.
overwing verb t. To outflank.
overwise adjective Too wise; affectedly wise.
overword verb t. To say in too many words; to express verbosely.
overwork verb t. To work beyond the strength; to cause to labor too much or too long; to tire excessively; as, to overwork a horse., To fill too full of work; to crowd with labor., To decorate all over., To work too much, or beyond one’s strength., Work in excess of the usual or stipulated time or quantity; extra work; also, excessive labor.
overworn verb t. Worn out or subdued by toil; worn out so as to be trite.
overzeal noun Excess of zeal.
ovioular adjective Of or pertaining to an egg.
oviducal adjective Of or pertaining to oviducts; as, oviducal glands.
oviposit verb i. To lay or deposit eggs; — said esp. of insects., To deposit or lay (an egg).
ovococci plural of Ovococcus
owleries plural of Owlery
owl-eyed adjective Having eyes like an owl’s.
owllight noun Glimmering or imperfect light.
oxaluric adjective Pertaining to, or designating, a complex nitrogenous acid related to the ureids, and obtained from parabanic acid as a white silky crystalline substance.
oxanilic adjective Pertaining to, or derived from, oxalic acid and aniline; — used to designate an acid obtained in white crystalline scales by heating these substances together.
oxidable adjective Capable of being converted into an oxide.
oxidated imp. & past participle of Oxidate
oxidator noun An oxidizer., A contrivance for causing a current of air to impinge on the flame of the Argand lamp; — called also oxygenator.
oxidized imp. & past participle of Oxidize
oxidizer noun An agent employed in oxidation, or which facilitates or brings about combination with oxygen; as, nitric acid, chlorine, bromine, etc., are strong oxidizers.
oxpecker noun An African bird of the genus Buphaga; the beefeater.
oxtongue noun A name given to several plants, from the shape and roughness of their leaves; as, Anchusa officinalis, a kind of bugloss, and Helminthia echioides, both European herbs.
oxycrate noun A Mixture of water and vinegar.
oxygenic adjective Pertaining to, containing, or resembling, oxygen; producing oxygen.
oxygonal adjective Alt. of Oxygonial
oxymoron noun A figure in which an epithet of a contrary signification is added to a word; e. g., cruel kindness; laborious idleness.
oxyphony noun Acuteness or shrillness of voice.
oxytocic adjective Promoting uterine contractions, or parturition., An oxytocic medicine or agent.
ozonized imp. & past participle of Ozonize
ozonizer noun An apparatus or agent for the production or application of ozone.