Words |
Parts of Speech |
Meaning/Definition/Similar Words |
labionasal |
adjective |
Formed by the lips and the nose., A labionasal sound or letter. |
labipalpus |
noun |
One of the labial palpi of an insect. See Illust. under Labium. |
laboratory |
noun |
The workroom of a chemist; also, a place devoted to experiments in any branch of natural science; as, a chemical, physical, or biological laboratory. Hence, by extension, a place where something is prepared, or some operation is performed; as, the liver is the laboratory of the bile. |
lacerating |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lacerate |
laceration |
noun |
The act of lacerating., A breach or wound made by lacerating. |
lacerative |
adjective |
Lacerating, or having the power to lacerate; as, lacerative humors. |
lacertilia |
noun pl. |
An order of Reptilia, which includes the lizards. |
lachrymary |
adjective |
Containing, or intended to contain, tears; lachrymal. |
lachrymate |
verb i. |
To weep. |
lachrymose |
adjective |
Generating or shedding tears; given to shedding tears; suffused with tears; tearful. |
laciniated |
adjective |
Fringed; having a fringed border., Cut into deep, narrow, irregular lobes; slashed. |
lackadaisy |
interj. |
An expression of languor., Lackadaisical. |
lackluster |
noun |
Alt. of Lacklustre |
lacklustre |
noun |
A want of luster., Wanting luster or brightness. |
laconicism |
noun |
Same as Laconism. |
laconizing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Laconize |
lacquering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lacquer, The act or business of putting on lacquer; also, the coat of lacquer put on. |
lacteously |
adverb |
In a lacteous manner; after the manner of milk. |
lactescent |
adjective |
Having a milky look; becoming milky., Producing milk or a milklike juice or fluid, as the milkweed. See Latex. |
lactifical |
adjective |
Producing or yielding milk. |
lactometer |
noun |
An instrument for estimating the purity or richness of milk, as a measuring glass, a specific gravity bulb, or other apparatus. |
lactoscope |
noun |
An instrument for estimating the amount of cream contained in milk by ascertaining its relative opacity. |
lacturamic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or designating, an organic amido acid, which is regarded as a derivative of lactic acid and urea. |
lacustrine |
adjective |
Found in, or pertaining to, lakes or ponds, or growing in them; as, lacustrine flowers. |
laemodipod |
noun |
One of the Laemodipoda. |
lageniform |
adjective |
Shaped like a bottle or flask; flag-shaped. |
lager beer |
|
Originally a German beer, but now also made in immense quantities in the United States; — so called from its being laid up or stored for some months before use. |
lager wine |
|
Wine which has been kept for some time in the cellar. |
lagemorpha |
noun pl. |
A group of rodents, including the hares. They have four incisors in the upper jaw. Called also Duplicidentata. |
lamarckian |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or involved in, the doctrines of Lamarckianism. |
lamarckism |
noun |
The theory that structural variations, characteristic of species and genera, are produced in animals and plants by the direct influence of physical environments, and esp., in the case of animals, by effort, or by use or disuse of certain organs. |
lambdacism |
noun |
A fault in speaking or in composition, which consists in too frequent use of the letter l, or in doubling it erroneously., A defect in pronunciation of the letter l when doubled, which consists in giving it a sound as if followed by y, similar to that of the letters lli in billion., The use of the sound of l for that of r in pronunciation; lallation; as, Amelican for American. |
lambdoidal |
adjective |
Same as Lambdoid. |
lambrequin |
noun |
A kind of pendent scarf or covering attached to the helmet, to protect it from wet or heat., A leather flap hanging from a cuirass., A piece of ornament drapery or short decorative hanging, pendent from a shelf or from the casing above a window, hiding the curtain fixtures, or the like. |
lamellarly |
adverb |
In thin plates or scales. |
lamellated |
adjective |
Composed of, or furnished with, thin plates or scales. See Illust. of Antennae. |
lamentable |
adjective |
Mourning; sorrowful; expressing grief; as, a lamentable countenance., Fitted to awaken lament; to be lamented; sorrowful; pitiable; as, a lamentable misfortune, or error., Miserable; pitiful; paltry; — in a contemptuous or ridiculous sense. |
laminarian |
adjective |
Pertaining to seaweeds of the genus Laminaria, or to that zone of the sea (from two to ten fathoms in depth) where the seaweeds of this genus grow. |
laminarite |
noun |
A broad-leafed fossil alga. |
laminating |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Laminate, Forming, or separating into, scales or thin layers. |
lamination |
noun |
The process of laminating, or the state of being laminated. |
lammergeir |
noun |
Alt. of Lammergeier |
lamnunguia |
noun pl. |
Same as Hyracoidea. |
lampadrome |
noun |
A race run by young men with lighted torches in their hands. He who reached the goal first, with his torch unextinguished, gained the prize. |
lamper eel |
|
See Lamprey. |
lampooning |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lampoon |
lance fish |
|
A slender marine fish of the genus Ammodytes, especially Ammodytes tobianus of the English coast; — called also sand lance. |
lanceolate |
adjective |
Alt. of Lanceolated |
lancinated |
imp. & past participle |
of Lanciname |
landholder |
noun |
A holder, owner, or proprietor of land. |
landladies |
plural |
of Landlady |
landleaper |
noun |
See Landlouper. |
landlocked |
adjective |
Inclosed, or nearly inclosed, by land., Confined to a fresh-water lake by reason of waterfalls or dams; — said of fishes that would naturally seek the sea, after spawning; as, the landlocked salmon. |
landlordry |
noun |
The state of a landlord. |
landlouper |
noun |
A vagabond; a vagrant. |
landlubber |
noun |
One who passes his life on land; — so called among seamen in contempt or ridicule. |
landowning |
noun |
The owning of land., Having property in land; of or pertaining to landowners. |
landwaiter |
noun |
See Landing waiter, under Landing, a. |
languaging |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Language |
languished |
imp. & past participle |
of Languish |
languisher |
noun |
One who languishes. |
languorous |
adjective |
Producing, or tending to produce, languor; characterized by languor. |
laniferous |
noun |
Bearing or producing wool. |
lanigerous |
adjective |
Bearing or producing wool. |
lansquenet |
noun |
A German foot soldier in foreign service in the 15th and 16th centuries; a soldier of fortune; — a term used in France and Western Europe., A game at cards, vulgarly called lambskinnet. |
lantanuric |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or designating, a nitrogenous organic acid of the uric acid group, obtained by the decomposition of allantoin, and usually called allanturic acid. |
lanterning |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lantern |
lanthanite |
noun |
Hydrous carbonate of lanthanum, found in tabular while crystals. |
lanthopine |
noun |
An alkaloid found in opium in small quantities, and extracted as a white crystalline substance. |
lanuginose |
adjective |
Alt. of Lanuginous |
lanuginous |
adjective |
Covered with down, or fine soft hair; downy. |
laparocele |
noun |
A rupture or hernia in the lumbar regions. |
laparotomy |
noun |
A cutting through the walls of the abdomen, as in the Caesarean section. |
lapidarian |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to stone; inscribed on stone; as, a lapidarian record. |
lapidaries |
plural |
of Lapidary |
lapidation |
noun |
The act of stoning. |
lapidified |
imp. & past participle |
of Lapidify |
laplandish |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to Lapland. |
lappaceous |
adjective |
Resembling the capitulum of burdock; covered with forked points. |
lap-welded |
adjective |
Having edges or ends united by a lap weld; as, a lap-welded pipe. |
lardaceous |
adjective |
Consisting of, or resembling, lard. |
largifical |
adjective |
Generous; ample; liberal. |
laryngitis |
noun |
Inflammation of the larynx. |
lascivient |
adjective |
Lascivious. |
lascivious |
adjective |
Wanton; lewd; lustful; as, lascivious men; lascivious desires., Tending to produce voluptuous or lewd emotions. |
laterality |
noun |
The state or condition of being lateral. |
latescence |
noun |
A slight withdrawal from view or knowledge. |
lathereeve |
noun |
Alt. of Lathreeve |
latibulize |
verb i. |
To retire into a den, or hole, and lie dormant in winter; to retreat and lie hid. |
latinistic |
adjective |
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, Latin; in the Latin style or idiom. |
latinizing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Latinize |
latitation |
noun |
A lying in concealment; hiding. |
lattermath |
noun |
The latter, or second, mowing; the aftermath. |
laughingly |
adverb |
With laughter or merriment. |
laumontite |
noun |
A mineral, of a white color and vitreous luster. It is a hydrous silicate of alumina and lime. Exposed to the air, it loses water, becomes opaque, and crumbles. |
launcegaye |
noun |
See Langegaye. |
laundering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Launder, The act, or occupation, of one who launders; washing and ironing. |
laundrymen |
plural |
of Laundryman |
laundryman |
noun |
A man who follows the business of laundering. |
lauraceous |
adjective |
Belonging to, or resembling, a natural order (Lauraceae) of trees and shrubs having aromatic bark and foliage, and including the laurel, sassafras, cinnamon tree, true camphor tree, etc. |
laureating |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Laureate |
laureation |
noun |
The act of crowning with laurel; the act of conferring an academic degree, or honorary title. |
laurentian |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or near, the St. Lawrence River; as, the Laurentian hills. |
laurestine |
noun |
The Viburnum Tinus, an evergreen shrub or tree of the south of Europe, which flowers during the winter mouths. |
lavatories |
plural |
of Lavatory |
lave-eared |
adjective |
Having large, pendent ears. |
lavishment |
noun |
The act of lavishing. |
lavishness |
noun |
The quality or state of being lavish. |
lawbreaker |
noun |
One who disobeys the law; a criminal. |
lawyerlike |
adjective |
Alt. of Lawyerly |
leadership |
noun |
The office of a leader. |
leaf-nosed |
noun |
Having a leaflike membrane on the nose; — said of certain bats, esp. of the genera Phyllostoma and Rhinonycteris. See Vampire. |
lean-faced |
adjective |
Having a thin face., slender or narrow; — said of type the letters of which have thin lines, or are unusually narrow in proportion to their height. |
leathering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Leather |
lectionary |
noun |
A book, or a list, of lections, for reading in divine service. |
leechcraft |
noun |
The art of healing; skill of a physician. |
legalizing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Legalize |
legateship |
noun |
The office of a legate. |
legibility |
noun |
The quality of being legible; legibleness. |
legislated |
imp. & past participle |
of Legislate |
legislator |
noun |
A lawgiver; one who makes laws for a state or community; a member of a legislative body. |
legitimacy |
adjective |
The state, or quality, of being legitimate, or in conformity with law; hence, the condition of having been lawfully begotten, or born in wedlock. |
legitimate |
adjective |
Accordant with law or with established legal forms and requirements; lawful; as, legitimate government; legitimate rights; the legitimate succession to the throne; a legitimate proceeding of an officer; a legitimate heir., Lawfully begotten; born in wedlock., Authorized; real; genuine; not false, counterfeit, or spurious; as, legitimate poems of Chaucer; legitimate inscriptions., Conforming to known principles, or accepted rules; as, legitimate reasoning; a legitimate standard, or method; a legitimate combination of colors., Following by logical sequence; reasonable; as, a legitimate result; a legitimate inference., To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; esp., to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means; as, to legitimate a bastard child. |
legitimism |
noun |
The principles or plans of legitimists. |
legitimist |
noun |
One who supports legitimate authority; esp., one who believes in hereditary monarchy, as a divine right., Specifically, a supporter of the claims of the elder branch of the Bourbon dynasty to the crown of France. |
legitimize |
verb t. |
To legitimate. |
leguminous |
adjective |
Pertaining to pulse; consisting of pulse., Belonging to, or resembling, a very large natural order of plants (Leguminosae), which bear legumes, including peas, beans, clover, locust trees, acacias, and mimosas. |
leiotrichi |
noun pl. |
The division of mankind which embraces the smooth-haired races. |
leisurable |
adjective |
Leisurely., Vacant of employment; not occupied; idle; leisure; as leisurable hours. |
leisurably |
adverb |
At leisure. |
lemniscata |
noun |
Alt. of Lemniscate |
lemniscate |
noun |
A curve in the form of the figure 8, with both parts symmetrical, generated by the point in which a tangent to an equilateral hyperbola meets the perpendicular on it drawn from the center. |
lemuridous |
adjective |
Alt. of Lemurine |
lemuroidea |
noun pl. |
A suborder of primates, including the lemurs, the aye-aye, and allied species. |
lengthened |
imp. & past participle |
of Lengthen |
lengthways |
adverb |
Alt. of Lengthwise |
lengthwise |
adverb |
In the direction of the length; in a longitudinal direction. |
lenocinant |
adjective |
Given to lewdness. |
lentamente |
adverb |
Slowly; in slow time. |
lententide |
noun |
The season of Lenten or Lent. |
lenticelle |
noun |
Lenticel. |
lenticulas |
plural |
of Lenticula |
lenticulae |
plural |
of Lenticula |
lenticular |
adjective |
Resembling a lentil in size or form; having the form of a double-convex lens. |
lepidolite |
noun |
A species of mica, of a lilac or rose-violet color, containing lithia. It usually occurs in masses consisting of small scales. See Mica. |
lepidopter |
noun |
One of the Lepidoptera. |
leptorhine |
adjective |
Having the nose narrow; — said esp. of the skull. Opposed to platyrhine. |
leptothrix |
noun |
A genus of bacteria, characterized by having their filaments very long, slender, and indistinctly articulated., Having the form of a little chain; — applied to bacteria when, as in multiplication by fission, they form a chain of filiform individuals. |
lernaeacea |
noun pl. |
A suborder of copepod Crustacea, including a large number of remarkable forms, mostly parasitic on fishes. The young, however, are active and swim freely. See Illustration in Appendix. |
lethargize |
verb t. |
To make lethargic. |
letheonize |
verb t. |
To subject to the influence of letheon. |
letterless |
adjective |
Not having a letter., Illiterate. |
letterwood |
noun |
The beautiful and highly elastic wood of a tree of the genus Brosimum (B. Aubletii), found in Guiana; — so called from black spots in it which bear some resemblance to hieroglyphics; also called snakewood, and leopardwood. It is much used for bows and for walking sticks. |
leuchaemia |
noun |
See Leucocythaemia. |
leucomaine |
noun |
An animal base or alkaloid, appearing in the tissue during life; hence, a vital alkaloid, as distinguished from a ptomaine or cadaveric poison. |
leucopathy |
noun |
The state of an albino, or of a white child of black parents. |
leucophane |
noun |
A mineral of a greenish yellow color; it is a silicate of glucina, lime, and soda with fluorine. Called also leucophanite. |
leucophyll |
noun |
A colorless substance isomeric with chlorophyll, contained in parts of plants capable of becoming green. |
leucoplast |
noun |
Alt. of Leucoplastid |
leucoscope |
noun |
An instrument, devised by Professor Helmholtz, for testing the color perception of the eye, or for comparing different lights, as to their constituent colors or their relative whiteness. |
leucoturic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or designating, a nitrogenous organic substance of the uric acid group, called leucoturic acid or oxalantin. See Oxalantin. |
leukoplast |
noun |
See Leucoplast. |
levigating |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Levigate |
levigation |
noun |
The act or operation of levigating. |
leviration |
noun |
Levirate marriage or marriages. |
levitation |
noun |
Lightness; buoyancy; act of making light., The act or process of making buoyant. |
levogyrate |
adjective |
Turning or twisting the plane of polarization towards the left, as levulose, levotartaric acid, etc. |
lexicology |
noun |
The science of the derivation and signification of words; that branch of learning which treats of the signification and application of words. |
lexiconist |
noun |
A writer of a lexicon. |
lexigraphy |
noun |
The art or practice of defining words; definition of words. |
lexiphanic |
adjective |
Using, or interlarded with, pretentious words; bombastic; as, a lexiphanic writer or speaker; lexiphanic writing. |
leyden jar |
|
Alt. of Leyden phial |
lherzolite |
noun |
An igneous rock consisting largely of chrysolite, with pyroxene and picotite (a variety of spinel containing chromium). |
liableness |
noun |
Quality of being liable; liability. |
libellulid |
noun |
A dragon fly. |
liberalism |
noun |
Liberal principles; the principles and methods of the liberals in politics or religion; specifically, the principles of the Liberal party. |
liberalist |
noun |
A liberal. |
liberality |
noun |
The quality or state of being liberal; liberal disposition or practice; freedom from narrowness or prejudice; generosity; candor; charity., A gift; a gratuity; — sometimes in the plural; as, a prudent man is not impoverished by his liberalities. |
liberalize |
verb t. |
To make liberal; to free from narrow views or prejudices. |
liberating |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Liberate |
liberation |
noun |
The act of liberating or the state of being liberated. |
liberatory |
adjective |
Tending, or serving, to liberate. |
libidinist |
noun |
One given to lewdness. |
libidinous |
adjective |
Having lustful desires; characterized by lewdness; sensual; lascivious. |
librettist |
noun |
One who makes a libretto. |
licensable |
adjective |
That can be licensed. |
licentiate |
noun |
One who has a license to exercise a profession; as, a licentiate in medicine or theology., A friar authorized to receive confessions and grant absolution in all places, independently of the local clergy., One who acts without restraint, or takes a liberty, as if having a license therefor., On the continent of Europe, a university degree intermediate between that of bachelor and that of doctor., To give a license to. |
licentious |
adjective |
Characterized by license; passing due bounds; excessive; abusive of freedom; wantonly offensive; as, a licentious press., Unrestrained by law or morality; lawless; immoral; dissolute; lewd; lascivious; as, a licentious man; a licentious life. |
licitation |
noun |
The act of offering for sale to the highest bidder. |
lieberkuhn |
noun |
A concave metallic mirror attached to the object-glass end of a microscope, to throw down light on opaque objects; a reflector. |
lierne rib |
|
In Gothic vaulting, any rib which does not spring from the impost and is not a ridge rib, but passes from one boss or intersection of the principal ribs to another. |
lieutenant |
noun |
An officer who supplies the place of a superior in his absence; a representative of, or substitute for, another in the performance of any duty., A commissioned officer in the army, next below a captain., A commissioned officer in the British navy, in rank next below a commander., A commissioned officer in the United States navy, in rank next below a lieutenant commander. |
lifespring |
noun |
Spring or source of life. |
lifestring |
noun |
A nerve, or string, that is imagined to be essential to life. |
life-weary |
adjective |
Weary of living. |
ligamental |
adjective |
Alt. of Ligamentous |
light-boat |
noun |
Light-ship. |
lightening |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lighten |
lighterage |
noun |
The price paid for conveyance of goods on a lighter., The act of unloading into a lighter, or of conveying by a lighter. |
lightermen |
plural |
of Lighterman |
lighterman |
noun |
A person employed on, or who manages, a lighter. |
light-foot |
adjective |
Alt. of Light-footed |
lighthouse |
noun |
A tower or other building with a powerful light at top, erected at the entrance of a port, or at some important point on a coast, to serve as a guide to mariners at night; a pharos. |
light-ship |
noun |
A vessel carrying at the masthead a brilliant light, and moored off a shoal or place of dangerous navigation as a guide for mariners. |
lign-aloes |
noun |
Aloes wood, or agallochum. See Agallochum., A fragrant tree mentioned in the Bible. |
lignifying |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lignify |
lignireose |
noun |
See Lignin. |
lignoceric |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of the formic acid series, found in the tar, wax, or paraffine obtained by distilling certain kinds of wood, as the beech. |
likelihood |
noun |
Appearance; show; sign; expression., Likeness; resemblance., Appearance of truth or reality; probability; verisimilitude. |
likeliness |
noun |
Likelihood; probability., Suitableness; agreeableness. |
liliaceous |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to a natural order of which the lily, tulip, and hyacinth are well-known examples., Like the blossom of a lily in general form. |
limberness |
noun |
The quality or state of being limber; flexibleness. |
limicoline |
adjective |
Shore-inhabiting; of or pertaining to the Limicolae. |
limitarian |
adjective |
Tending to limit. |
limitation |
verb t. |
The act of limiting; the state or condition of being limited; as, the limitation of his authority was approved by the council., That which limits; a restriction; a qualification; a restraining condition, defining circumstance, or qualifying conception; as, limitations of thought., A certain precinct within which friars were allowed to beg, or exercise their functions; also, the time during which they were permitted to exercise their functions in such a district., A limited time within or during which something is to be done., A certain period limited by statute after which the claimant shall not enforce his claims by suit., A settling of an estate or property by specific rules., A restriction of power; as, a constitutional limitation. |
limpidness |
noun |
Quality of being limpid; limpidity. |
limuloidea |
noun pl. |
An order of Merostomata, including among living animals the genus Limulus, with various allied fossil genera, mostly of the Carboniferous period. Called also Xiphosura. |
linguality |
noun |
The quality of being lingual. |
linguiform |
adjective |
Having the form of the tongue; tongue-shaped. |
linguistic |
adjective |
Alt. of Linguistical |
linigerous |
adjective |
Bearing flax; producing linen. |
lion-heart |
noun |
A very brave person. |
lion’s ear |
|
A name given in Western South America to certain plants with shaggy tomentose leaves, as species of Culcitium, and Espeletia. |
lipothymic |
adjective |
Tending to swoon; fainting. |
liquefying |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Liquefy |
liquescent |
adjective |
Tending to become liquid; inclined to melt; melting. |
liquidated |
imp. & past participle |
of Liquidate |
liquidator |
noun |
One who, or that which, liquidates., An officer appointed to conduct the winding up of a company, to bring and defend actions and suits in its name, and to do all necessary acts on behalf of the company. |
liquidized |
imp. & past participle |
of Liquidize |
liquidness |
noun |
The quality or state of being liquid; liquidity; fluency. |
liroconite |
noun |
A hydrated arseniate of copper, occurring in obtuse pyramidal crystals of a sky-blue or verdigris-green color. |
literalism |
noun |
That which accords with the letter; a mode of interpreting literally; adherence to the letter., The tendency or disposition to represent objects faithfully, without abstraction, conventionalities, or idealization. |
literalist |
noun |
One who adheres to the letter or exact word; an interpreter according to the letter. |
literalize |
verb t. |
To make literal; to interpret or put in practice according to the strict meaning of the words; — opposed to spiritualize; as, to literalize Scripture. |
literation |
noun |
The act or process of representing by letters. |
literature |
noun |
Learning; acquaintance with letters or books., The collective body of literary productions, embracing the entire results of knowledge and fancy preserved in writing; also, the whole body of literary productions or writings upon a given subject, or in reference to a particular science or branch of knowledge, or of a given country or period; as, the literature of Biblical criticism; the literature of chemistry., The class of writings distinguished for beauty of style or expression, as poetry, essays, or history, in distinction from scientific treatises and works which contain positive knowledge; belles-lettres., The occupation, profession, or business of doing literary work. |
lithagogue |
noun |
A medicine having, or supposed to have, the power of expelling calculous matter with the urine. |
lithobilic |
adjective |
Pertaining to or designating an organic acid of the tartaric acid series, distinct from lithofellic acid, but, like it, obtained from certain bile products, as bezoar stones. |
lithoclast |
noun |
An instrument for crushing stones in the bladder. |
lithodomus |
noun |
A genus of elongated bivalve shells, allied to the mussels, and remarkable for their ability to bore holes for shelter, in solid limestone, shells, etc. Called also Lithophagus. |
lithoglyph |
noun |
An engraving on a gem. |
lithograph |
verb t. |
To trace on stone by the process of lithography so as to transfer the design to paper by printing; as, to lithograph a design; to lithograph a painting. See Lithography., A print made by lithography. |
litholatry |
noun |
The worship of a stone or stones. |
lithologic |
adjective |
Alt. of Lithological |
lithomancy |
noun |
Divination by means of stones. |
lithomarge |
noun |
A clay of a fine smooth texture, and very sectile. |
lithophane |
noun |
Porcelain impressed with figures which are made distinct by transmitted light, — as when hung in a window, or used as a lamp shade. |
lithophyll |
noun |
A fossil leaf or impression of a leaf. |
lithophyse |
noun |
A spherulitic cavity often with concentric chambers, observed in some volcanic rocks, as in rhyolitic lavas. It is supposed to be produced by expanding gas, whence the name. |
lithophyte |
noun |
A hard, or stony, plantlike organism, as the gorgonians, corals, and corallines, esp. those gorgonians having a calcareous axis. All the lithophytes except the corallines are animals. |
lithotomic |
adjective |
Alt. of Lithotomical |
lithotrite |
|
Alt. of Lithotritor |
lithotrity |
noun |
The operation of breaking a stone in the bladder into small pieces capable of being voided. |
lithotyped |
imp. & past participle |
of Lithotype |
lithotypic |
adjective |
Of, pertaining to, or produced by, lithotypy. |
lithuanian |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to Lithuania (formerly a principality united with Poland, but now Russian and Prussian territory)., A native, or one of the people, of Lithuania; also, the language of the Lithuanian people. |
litigating |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Litigate |
litigation |
noun |
The act or process of litigating; a suit at law; a judicial contest. |
litraneter |
noun |
An instrument for ascertaining the specific gravity of liquids. |
littleness |
noun |
The state or quality of being little; as, littleness of size, thought, duration, power, etc. |
liturgical |
|
Pertaining to, of or the nature of, a liturgy; of or pertaining to public prayer and worship. |
livelihood |
noun |
Subsistence or living, as dependent on some means of support; support of life; maintenance., Liveliness; appearance of life. |
liveliness |
noun |
The quality or state of being lively or animated; sprightliness; vivacity; animation; spirit; as, the liveliness of youth, contrasted with the gravity of age., An appearance of life, animation, or spirit; as, the liveliness of the eye or the countenance in a portrait., Briskness; activity; effervescence, as of liquors. |
livingness |
noun |
The state or quality of being alive; possession of energy or vigor; animation; quickening. |
lixiviated |
imp. & past participle |
of Lixiviate |
loadmanage |
noun |
Alt. of Lodemanage |
lodemanage |
noun |
Pilotage; skill of a pilot or loadsman., Pilotage. |
loanmonger |
noun |
A dealer in, or negotiator of, loans. |
loathingly |
adverb |
With loathing. |
localizing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Localize |
locked-jaw |
noun |
See Lockjaw. |
locomotion |
noun |
The act of moving from place to place., The power of moving from place to place, characteristic of the higher animals and some of the lower forms of plant life. |
locomotive |
adjective |
Moving from place to place; changing place, or able to change place; as, a locomotive animal., Used in producing motion; as, the locomotive organs of an animal., A locomotive engine; a self-propelling wheel carriage, especially one which bears a steam boiler and one or more steam engines which communicate motion to the wheels and thus propel the carriage, — used to convey goods or passengers, or to draw wagons, railroad cars, etc. See Illustration in Appendix. |
loculament |
noun |
The cell of a pericarp in which the seed is lodged. |
locustella |
noun |
The European cricket warbler. |
loggerhead |
noun |
A blockhead; a dunce; a numskull., A spherical mass of iron, with a long handle, used to heat tar., An upright piece of round timber, in a whaleboat, over which a turn of the line is taken when it is running out too fast., A very large marine turtle (Thalassochelys caretta, / caouana), common in the warmer parts of the Atlantic Ocean, from Brazil to Cape Cod; — called also logger-headed turtle., An American shrike (Lanius Ludovicianus), similar to the butcher bird, but smaller. See Shrike. |
logicality |
noun |
Logicalness. |
logistical |
adjective |
Logical., Sexagesimal, or made on the scale of 60; as, logistic, or sexagesimal, arithmetic. |
logography |
noun |
A method of printing in which whole words or syllables, cast as single types, are used., A mode of reporting speeches without using shorthand, — a number of reporters, each in succession, taking down three or four words. |
logometric |
adjective |
Serving to measure or ascertain chemical equivalents; stoichiometric. |
logrolling |
noun |
The act or process of rolling logs from the place where they were felled to the stream which floats them to the sawmill or to market. In this labor neighboring camps of loggers combine to assist each other in turn., Hence: A combining to assist another in consideration of receiving assistance in return; — sometimes used of a disreputable mode of accomplishing political schemes or ends. |
lollardism |
noun |
Alt. of Lollardy |
lomatinous |
adjective |
Furnished with lobes or flaps. |
lombardeer |
noun |
A pawnbroker. |
loneliness |
noun |
The condition of being lonely; solitude; seclusion., The state of being unfrequented by human beings; as, the loneliness of a road., Love of retirement; disposition to solitude., A feeling of depression resulting from being alone. |
long-armed |
adjective |
Having long arms; as, the long-armed ape or gibbon. |
long-drawn |
adjective |
Extended to a great length. |
longheaded |
adjective |
Having unusual foresight or sagacity. |
longimetry |
noun |
The art or practice of measuring distances or lengths. |
long-lived |
adjective |
Having a long life; having constitutional peculiarities which make long life probable; lasting long; as, a long-lived tree; they are a longlived family; long-lived prejudices. |
longshanks |
noun |
The stilt. |
long-sight |
noun |
Long-sightedness. |
lophophore |
noun |
A disk which surrounds the mouth and bears the tentacles of the Bryozoa. See Phylactolemata. |
lophosteon |
noun |
The central keel-bearing part of the sternum in birds. |
loquacious |
adjective |
Given to continual talking; talkative; garrulous., Speaking; expressive., Apt to blab and disclose secrets. |
lordliness |
noun |
The state or quality of being lordly. |
lordolatry |
noun |
Worship of, or reverence for, a lord as such. |
loricating |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Loricate |
lorication |
noun |
The act of loricating; the protecting substance put on; a covering of scales or plates. |
losengerie |
noun |
Flattery; deceit; trickery. |
louchettes |
noun pl. |
Goggles intended to rectify strabismus by permitting vision only directly in front. |
louis d’or |
|
Formerly, a gold coin of France nominally worth twenty shillings sterling, but of varying value; — first struck in 1640. |
love-drury |
noun |
Affection. |
loveliness |
noun |
The state or quality of being lovely. |
lovemonger |
noun |
One who deals in affairs of love. |
lovingness |
noun |
Affection; kind regard. |
low-church |
adjective |
Not placing a high estimate on ecclesiastical organizations or forms; — applied especially to Episcopalians, and opposed to high-church. See High Church, under High. |
lower-case |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or kept in, the lower case; — used to denote the small letters, in distinction from capitals and small capitals. See the Note under 1st Case, n., 3. |
loweringly |
adverb |
In a lowering manner; with cloudiness or threatening gloom. |
low-minded |
adjective |
Inclined in mind to low or unworthy things; showing a base mind. |
low-necked |
adjective |
Cut low in the neck; decollete; — said of a woman’s dress. |
loxodromic |
adjective |
Pertaining to sailing on rhumb lines; as, loxodromic tables. |
lubricator |
noun |
One who, or that which, lubricates., A contrivance, as an oil cup, for supplying a lubricant to machinery. |
lucernaria |
noun |
A genus of acalephs, having a bell-shaped body with eight groups of short tentacles around the margin. It attaches itself by a sucker at the base of the pedicel. |
luciferian |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to Lucifer; having the pride of Lucifer; satanic; devilish., Of or pertaining to the Luciferians or their leader., One of the followers of Lucifer, bishop of Cagliari, in the fourth century, who separated from the orthodox churches because they would not go as far as he did in opposing the Arians. |
luciferous |
adjective |
Giving light; affording light or means of discovery. |
lucubrated |
imp. & past participle |
of Lucubrate, of Lucubrate |
lucubrator |
noun |
One who studies by night; also, one who produces lucubrations. |
luculently |
adverb |
In a luculent manner; clearly. |
ludibrious |
adjective |
Sportive; ridiculous; wanton. |
lugubrious |
adjective |
Mournful; indicating sorrow, often ridiculously or feignedly; doleful; woful; pitiable; as, a whining tone and a lugubrious look. |
lumachella |
noun |
A grayish brown limestone, containing fossil shells, which reflect a beautiful play of colors. It is also called fire marble, from its fiery reflections. |
lumbricoid |
adjective |
Like an earthworm; belonging to the genus Lumbricus, or family Lumbricidae. |
luminaries |
plural |
of Luminary |
lumination |
noun |
Illumination. |
luminosity |
noun |
The quality or state of being luminous; luminousness. |
lumpsucker |
noun |
The lumprish. |
lung-grown |
adjective |
Having lungs that adhere to the pleura. |
lupercalia |
noun pl. |
A feast of the Romans in honor of Lupercus, or Pan. |
lusitanian |
adjective |
Pertaining to Lusitania, the ancient name of the region almost coinciding with Portugal., One of the people of Lusitania. |
lusterless |
adjective |
Alt. of Lustreless |
lustreless |
adjective |
Destitute of luster; dim; dull. |
lustrating |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lustrate |
lustration |
noun |
The act of lustrating or purifying., A sacrifice, or ceremony, by which cities, fields, armies, or people, defiled by crimes, pestilence, or other cause of uncleanness, were purified. |
lutestring |
noun |
A plain, stout, lustrous silk, used for ladies’ dresses and for ribbon. |
luxuriance |
noun |
The state or quality of being luxuriant; rank, vigorous growth; excessive abundance produced by rank growth. |
luxuriancy |
noun |
The state or quality of being luxuriant; luxuriance. |
luxuriated |
imp. & past participle |
of Luxuriate |
lychnobite |
noun |
One who labors at night and sleeps in the day. |
lycoperdon |
noun |
A genus of fungi, remarkable for the great quantity of spores, forming a fine dust, which is thrown out like smoke when the plant is compressed or burst; puffball. |
lycopodite |
noun |
An old name for a fossil club moss. |
lycopodium |
noun |
A genus of mosslike plants, the type of the order Lycopodiaceae; club moss. |
lyme grass |
|
A coarse perennial grass of several species of Elymus, esp. E. Canadensis, and the European E. arenarius. |
lyriferous |
adjective |
Having a lyre-shaped shoulder girdle, as certain fishes. |