Words |
Parts of Speech |
Meaning/Definition/Similar Words |
labarum |
noun |
The standard adopted by the Emperor Constantine after his conversion to Christianity. It is described as a pike bearing a silk banner hanging from a crosspiece, and surmounted by a golden crown. It bore a monogram of the first two letters (CHR) of the name of Christ in its Greek form. Later, the name was given to various modifications of this standard. |
labeled |
imp. & past participle |
of Label |
labeler |
noun |
One who labels. |
labella |
plural |
of Labellum |
labiate |
verb t. |
To labialize., Having the limb of a tubular corolla or calyx divided into two unequal parts, one projecting over the other like the lips of a mouth, as in the snapdragon, sage, and catnip., Belonging to a natural order of plants (Labiatae), of which the mint, sage, and catnip are examples. They are mostly aromatic herbs., A plant of the order Labiatae. |
labiose |
adjective |
Having the appearance of being labiate; — said of certain polypetalous corollas. |
labiums |
plural |
of Labium |
labored |
imp. & past participle |
of Labor, Bearing marks of labor and effort; elaborately wrought; not easy or natural; as, labored poetry; a labored style. |
laborer |
noun |
One who labors in a toilsome occupation; a person who does work that requires strength rather than skill, as distinguished from that of an artisan. |
labroid |
adjective |
Like the genus Labrus; belonging to the family Labridae, an extensive family of marine fishes, often brilliantly colored, which are very abundant in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The tautog and cunner are American examples. |
labrose |
adjective |
Having thick lips. |
labrums |
plural |
of Labrum |
lacemen |
plural |
of Laceman |
laceman |
noun |
A man who deals in lace. |
lacerta |
noun |
A fathom., A genus of lizards. See Lizard., The Lizard, a northern constellation. |
lacerti |
plural |
of Lacertus |
lacinia |
noun |
One of the narrow, jagged, irregular pieces or divisions which form a sort of fringe on the borders of the petals of some flowers., A narrow, slender portion of the edge of a monophyllous calyx, or of any irregularly incised leaf., The posterior, inner process of the stipes on the maxillae of insects. |
lacking |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lack |
lackeys |
plural |
of Lackey |
laconic |
adjective |
Alt. of Laconical, Laconism. |
lacquer |
noun |
A varnish, consisting of a solution of shell-lac in alcohol, often colored with gamboge, saffron, or the like; — used for varnishing metals, papier-mache, and wood. The name is also given to varnishes made of other ingredients, esp. the tough, solid varnish of the Japanese, with which ornamental objects are made., To cover with lacquer. |
lactage |
noun |
The produce of animals yielding milk; milk and that which is made from it. |
lactant |
adjective |
Suckling; giving suck. |
lactary |
adjective |
Milky; full of white juice like milk., a dairyhouse. |
lactate |
noun |
A salt of lactic acid. |
lacteal |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or resembling, milk; milky; as, the lacteal fluid., Pertaining to, or containing, chyle; as, the lacteal vessels., One of the lymphatic vessels which convey chyle from the small intestine through the mesenteric glands to the thoracic duct; a chyliferous vessel. |
lactean |
adjective |
Milky; consisting of, or resembling, milk., Lacteal; conveying chyle. |
lactide |
noun |
A white, crystalline substance, obtained from also, by extension, any similar substance. |
lactone |
noun |
One of a series of organic compounds, regarded as anhydrides of certain hydroxy acids. In general, they are colorless liquids, having a weak aromatic odor. They are so called because the typical lactone is derived from lactic acid. |
lactory |
adjective |
Lactiferous. |
lactose |
noun |
Sugar of milk or milk sugar; a crystalline sugar present in milk, and separable from the whey by evaporation and crystallization. It has a slightly sweet taste, is dextrorotary, and is much less soluble in water than either cane sugar or glucose. Formerly called lactin., See Galactose. |
lactuca |
noun |
A genus of composite herbs, several of which are cultivated foe salad; lettuce. |
lacunae |
plural |
of Lacuna |
lacunas |
plural |
of Lacuna |
lacunal |
adjective |
Alt. of Lacunar |
lacunar |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or having, lacunae; as, a lacunar circulation., The ceiling or under surface of any part, especially when it consists of compartments, sunk or hollowed without spaces or bands between the panels., One of the sunken panels in such a ceiling. |
lacwork |
noun |
Ornamentation by means of lacquer painted or carved, or simply colored, sprinkled with gold or the like; — said especially of Oriental work of this kind. |
ladanum |
noun |
A gum resin gathered from certain Oriental species of Cistus. It has a pungent odor and is chiefly used in making plasters, and for fumigation. |
lademan |
noun |
One who leads a pack horse; a miller’s servant. |
ladinos |
plural |
of Ladino |
ladling |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Ladle |
ladrone |
noun |
A robber; a pirate; hence, loosely, a rogue or rascal. |
ladybug |
noun |
Same as Ladybird. |
ladykin |
noun |
A little lady; — applied by the writers of Queen Elizabeth’s time, in the abbreviated form Lakin, to the Virgin Mary. |
laelaps |
noun |
A genus of huge, carnivorous, dinosaurian reptiles from the Cretaceous formation of the United States. They had very large hind legs and tail, and are supposed to have been bipedal. Some of the species were about eighteen feet high. |
lagging |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lag, The clothing (esp., an outer, wooden covering), as of a steam cylinder, applied to prevent the radiation of heat; a covering of lags; — called also deading and cleading., Lags, collectively; narrow planks extending from one rib to another in the centering of arches. |
lagarto |
noun |
An alligator. |
lagenae |
plural |
of Lagena |
lagenas |
plural |
of Lagena |
laggard |
adjective |
Slow; sluggish; backward., One who lags; a loiterer. |
lainere |
noun |
See Lanier. |
lakelet |
noun |
A little lake. |
lamming |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lam |
lamaism |
noun |
A modified form of Buddhism which prevails in Thibet, Mongolia, and some adjacent parts of Asia; — so called from the name of its priests. See 2d Lama. |
lamaist |
noun |
Alt. of Lamaite |
lamaite |
noun |
One who believes in Lamaism. |
lambing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lamb |
lambale |
noun |
A feast at the time of shearing lambs. |
lambent |
adjective |
Playing on the surface; touching lightly; gliding over., Twinkling or gleaming; fickering. |
lambkin |
noun |
A small lamb. |
lamboys |
noun pl. |
Same as Base, n., 19. |
lamella |
noun |
a thin plate or scale of anything, as a thin scale growing from the petals of certain flowers; or one of the thin plates or scales of which certain shells are composed. |
lametta |
noun |
Foil or wire made of gold, silver, or brass. |
laminae |
plural |
of Lamina |
laminas |
plural |
of Lamina |
laminar |
adjective |
Alt. of Laminal |
laminal |
adjective |
In, or consisting of, thin plates or layers; having the form of a thin plate or lamina. |
lampate |
noun |
A supposed salt of lampic acid. |
lampern |
noun |
The river lamprey (Ammocoetes, / Lampetra, fluviatilis). |
lampers |
noun |
See Lampas. |
lamping |
adjective |
Shining; brilliant. |
lampoon |
noun |
A personal satire in writing; usually, malicious and abusive censure written only to reproach and distress., To subject to abusive ridicule expressed in writing; to make the subject of a lampoon. |
lamprel |
noun |
See Lamprey. |
lamprey |
noun |
An eel-like marsipobranch of the genus Petromyzon, and allied genera. The lampreys have a round, sucking mouth, without jaws, but set with numerous minute teeth, and one to three larger teeth on the palate (see Illust. of Cyclostomi). There are seven small branchial openings on each side. |
lampron |
noun |
See Lamprey. |
lanated |
|
Wooly; covered with fine long hair, or hairlike filaments. |
lancing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lance |
lancely |
adjective |
Like a lance. |
lanched |
imp. & past participle |
of Lanch |
landing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Land, Of, pertaining to or used for, setting, bringing, or going, on shore., A going or bringing on shore., A place for landing, as from a ship, a carriage. etc., The level part of a staircase, at the top of a flight of stairs, or connecting one flight with another. |
landmen |
plural |
of Landman |
landman |
noun |
A man who lives or serves on land; — opposed to seaman., An occupier of land. |
landtag |
noun |
The diet or legislative body; as, the Landtag of Prussia. |
langaha |
noun |
A curious colubriform snake of the genus Xyphorhynchus, from Madagascar. It is brownish red, and its nose is prolonged in the form of a sharp blade. |
langate |
noun |
A linen roller used in dressing wounds. |
langdak |
noun |
A wolf (Canis pallipes), found in India, allied to the jackal. |
langrel |
noun |
A kind of shot formerly used at sea for tearing sails and rigging. It consisted of bolts, nails, and other pieces of iron fastened together or inclosed in a canister. |
langret |
noun |
A kind of loaded die. |
langued |
adjective |
Tongued; having the tongue visible. |
languet |
noun |
Anything resembling the tongue in form or office; specif., the slip of metal in an organ pipe which turns the current of air toward its mouth., That part of the hilt, in certain kinds of swords, which overlaps the scabbard. |
languid |
adjective |
Drooping or flagging from exhaustion; indisposed to exertion; without animation; weak; weary; heavy; dull., Slow in progress; tardy., Promoting or indicating weakness or heaviness; as, a languid day. |
languor |
noun |
A state of the body or mind which is caused by exhaustion of strength and characterized by a languid feeling; feebleness; lassitude; laxity., Any enfeebling disease., Listless indolence; dreaminess. Pope. |
langure |
verb i. |
To languish. |
laniard |
noun |
See Lanyard. |
laniary |
adjective |
Lacerating or tearing; as, the laniary canine teeth., The shambles; a place of slaughter., A laniary, or canine, tooth. |
laniate |
verb t. |
To tear in pieces. |
lanioid |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the shrikes (family Laniidae). |
lanolin |
noun |
A peculiar fatlike body, made up of cholesterin and certain fatty acids, found in feathers, hair, wool, and keratin tissues generally. |
lantern |
noun |
Something inclosing a light, and protecting it from wind, rain, etc. ; — sometimes portable, as a closed vessel or case of horn, perforated tin, glass, oiled paper, or other material, having a lamp or candle within; sometimes fixed, as the glazed inclosure of a street light, or of a lighthouse light., An open structure of light material set upon a roof, to give light and air to the interior., A cage or open chamber of rich architecture, open below into the building or tower which it crowns., A smaller and secondary cupola crowning a larger one, for ornament, or to admit light; such as the lantern of the cupola of the Capitol at Washington, or that of the Florence cathedral., A lantern pinion or trundle wheel. See Lantern pinion (below)., A kind of cage inserted in a stuffing box and surrounding a piston rod, to separate the packing into two parts and form a chamber between for the reception of steam, etc. ; — called also lantern brass., A perforated barrel to form a core upon., See Aristotle’s lantern., To furnish with a lantern; as, to lantern a lighthouse. |
lanyard |
noun |
A short piece of rope or line for fastening something in ships; as, the lanyards of the gun ports, of the buoy, and the like; esp., pieces passing through the dead-eyes, and used to extend shrouds, stays, etc., A strong cord, about twelve feet long, with an iron hook at one end a handle at the other, used in firing cannon with a friction tube. |
laocoon |
noun |
A priest of Apollo, during the Trojan war. (See 2.), A marble group in the Vatican at Rome, representing the priest Laocoon, with his sons, infolded in the coils of two serpents, as described by Virgil. |
lapping |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lap, A kind of machine blanket or wrapping material used by calico printers. |
lapfuls |
plural |
of Lapful |
lapilli |
noun pl. |
Volcanic ashes, consisting of small, angular, stony fragments or particles. |
lapides |
plural |
of Lapis |
lapling |
noun |
One who has been fondled to excess; one fond of ease and sensual delights; — a term of contempt. |
lappish |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the Lapps; Laplandish., The language spoken by the Lapps in Lapland. It is related to the Finnish and Hungarian, and is not an Aryan language. |
lapsing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lapse |
laputan |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to Laputa, an imaginary flying island described in Gulliver’s Travels as the home of chimerical philosophers. Hence, fanciful; preposterous; absurd in science or philosophy. |
lapwing |
noun |
A small European bird of the Plover family (Vanellus cristatus, or V. vanellus). It has long and broad wings, and is noted for its rapid, irregular fight, upwards, downwards, and in circles. Its back is coppery or greenish bronze. Its eggs are the “plover’s eggs” of the London market, esteemed a delicacy. It is called also peewit, dastard plover, and wype. The gray lapwing is the Squatarola cinerea. |
lapwork |
noun |
Work in which one part laps over another. |
laquear |
noun |
A lacunar. |
larceny |
noun |
The unlawful taking and carrying away of things personal with intent to deprive the right owner of the same; theft. Cf. Embezzlement. |
larchen |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the larch. |
larding |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lard |
lardery |
noun |
A larder. |
lardoon |
noun |
A bit of fat pork or bacon used in larding. |
largely |
adverb |
In a large manner. |
largess |
adjective |
Alt. of Largesse |
largish |
adjective |
Somewhat large. |
larking |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lark |
larmier |
noun |
See Tearpit. |
lashing |
noun |
The act of one who, or that which, lashes; castigation; chastisement., See 2d Lasher. |
lassoed |
imp. & past participle |
of Lasso |
lasting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Last, Existing or continuing a long while; enduring; as, a lasting good or evil; a lasting color., Continuance; endurance., A species of very durable woolen stuff, used for women’s shoes; everlasting., The act or process of shaping on a last., In a lasting manner. |
lastage |
noun |
A duty exacted, in some fairs or markets, for the right to carry things where one will., A tax on wares sold by the last., The lading of a ship; also, ballast., Room for stowing goods, as in a ship. |
lastery |
noun |
A red color. |
latakia |
noun |
A superior quality of Turkish smoking tobacco, so called from the place where produced, the ancient Laodicea. |
latched |
imp. & past participle |
of Latch |
latchet |
noun |
The string that fastens a shoe; a shoestring. |
latence |
noun |
Latency. |
latency |
noun |
The state or quality of being latent. |
lateres |
plural |
of Later |
laterad |
adverb |
Toward the side; away from the mesial plane; — opposed to mesiad. |
lateral |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the sides; as, the lateral walls of a house; the lateral branches of a tree., Lying at, or extending toward, the side; away from the mesial plane; external; — opposed to mesial., Directed to the side; as, a lateral view of a thing. |
lateran |
noun |
The church and palace of St. John Lateran, the church being the cathedral church of Rome, and the highest in rank of all churches in the Catholic world. |
latered |
adjective |
Inclined to delay; dilatory. |
lathing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lath, The act or process of covering with laths; laths, collectively; a covering of laths. |
latimer |
noun |
An interpreter. [Obs.] Coke. |
latinly |
adverb |
In the manner of the Latin language; in correct Latin. |
latitat |
noun |
A writ based upon the presumption that the person summoned was hiding. |
latrant |
adjective |
Barking. |
latrate |
verb i. |
To bark as a dog. |
latrine |
noun |
A privy, or water-closet, esp. in a camp, hospital, etc. |
lattice |
noun |
Any work of wood or metal, made by crossing laths, or thin strips, and forming a network; as, the lattice of a window; — called also latticework., The representation of a piece of latticework used as a bearing, the bands being vertical and horizontal., To make a lattice of; as, to lattice timbers., To close, as an opening, with latticework; to furnish with a lattice; as, to lattice a window. |
lauding |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Laud |
laughed |
imp. & past participle |
of Laugh |
laugher |
noun |
One who laughs., A variety of the domestic pigeon. |
launder |
noun |
A washerwoman., A trough used by miners to receive the powdered ore from the box where it is beaten, or for carrying water to the stamps, or other apparatus, for comminuting, or sorting, the ore., To wash, as clothes; to wash, and to smooth with a flatiron or mangle; to wash and iron; as, to launder shirts., To lave; to wet. |
laundry |
noun |
A laundering; a washing., A place or room where laundering is done. |
laurate |
noun |
A salt of lauric acid. |
lauriol |
noun |
Spurge laurel. |
laurite |
noun |
A rare sulphide of osmium and ruthenium found with platinum in Borneo and Oregon. |
laurone |
noun |
The ketone of lauric acid. |
lavaret |
noun |
A European whitefish (Coregonus laveretus), found in the mountain lakes of Sweden, Germany, and Switzerland. |
lavatic |
adjective |
Like lava, or composed of lava; lavic. |
lavolta |
noun |
An old dance, for two persons, being a kind of waltz, in which the woman made a high spring or bound. |
lavrock |
noun |
Same as Laverock. |
lawless |
adjective |
Contrary to, or unauthorized by, law; illegal; as, a lawless claim., Not subject to, or restrained by, the law of morality or of society; as, lawless men or behavior., Not subject to the laws of nature; uncontrolled. |
lawsuit |
noun |
An action at law; a suit in equity or admiralty; any legal proceeding before a court for the enforcement of a claim. |
laxator |
noun |
That which loosens; — esp., a muscle which by its contraction loosens some part. |
laxness |
noun |
The state of being lax; laxity. |
layland |
noun |
Land lying untilled; fallow ground. |
layship |
noun |
The condition of being a layman. |
lazaret |
noun |
Alt. of Lazaretto |
lazarly |
adjective |
Full of sores; leprous. |
leached |
imp. & past participle |
of Leach |
leading |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lead, of Lead, Guiding; directing; controlling; foremost; as, a leading motive; a leading man; a leading example., The act of guiding, directing, governing, or enticing; guidance., Suggestion; hint; example. |
leadmen |
plural |
of Leadman |
leadman |
noun |
One who leads a dance. |
leafing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Leaf |
leafage |
noun |
Leaves, collectively; foliage. |
leafcup |
noun |
A coarse American composite weed (Polymnia Uvedalia). |
leaflet |
noun |
A little leaf; also, a little printed leaf or a tract., One of the divisions of a compound leaf; a foliole., A leaflike organ or part; as, a leaflet of the gills of fishes. |
leagued |
imp. & past participle |
of League |
leaguer |
noun |
The camp of a besieging army; a camp in general., A siege or beleaguering., To besiege; to beleaguer. |
leaking |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Leak |
leakage |
noun |
A leaking; also, the quantity that enters or issues by leaking., An allowance of a certain rate per cent for the leaking of casks, or waste of liquors by leaking. |
leaning |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lean, The act, or state, of inclining; inclination; tendency; as, a leaning towards Calvinism. |
lean-to |
adjective |
Having only one slope or pitch; — said of a roof., A shed or slight building placed against the wall of a larger structure and having a single-pitched roof; — called also penthouse, and to-fall. |
leaping |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Leap, from Leap, to jump. |
leapful |
noun |
A basketful. |
learned |
imp. & past participle |
of Learn, Of or pertaining to learning; possessing, or characterized by, learning, esp. scholastic learning; erudite; well-informed; as, a learned scholar, writer, or lawyer; a learned book; a learned theory. |
learner |
noun |
One who learns; a scholar. |
leasing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lease, The act of lying; falsehood; a lie or lies. |
leashed |
imp. & past participle |
of Leash |
leather |
noun |
The skin of an animal, or some part of such skin, tanned, tawed, or otherwise dressed for use; also, dressed hides, collectively., The skin., To beat, as with a thong of leather. |
leaving |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Leave, of Leave |
lechery |
noun |
Free indulgence of lust; lewdness., Selfish pleasure; delight. |
lectern |
noun |
See Lecturn. |
lectica |
noun |
A kind of litter or portable couch. |
lection |
noun |
A lesson or selection, esp. of Scripture, read in divine service., A reading; a variation in the text. |
lectual |
adjective |
Confining to the bed; as, a lectual disease. |
lecture |
noun |
The act of reading; as, the lecture of Holy Scripture., A discourse on any subject; especially, a formal or methodical discourse, intended for instruction; sometimes, a familiar discourse, in contrast with a sermon., A reprimand or formal reproof from one having authority., A rehearsal of a lesson., To read or deliver a lecture to., To reprove formally and with authority., To deliver a lecture or lectures. |
lecturn |
noun |
A choir desk, or reading desk, in some churches, from which the lections, or Scripture lessons, are chanted or read; hence, a reading desk. [Written also lectern and lettern.] |
leeched |
imp. & past participle |
of Leech |
leering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Leer |
leetmen |
plural |
of Leetman |
leetman |
noun |
One subject to the jurisdiction of a court-leet. |
leeward |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or in the direction of, the part or side toward which the wind blows; — opposed to windward; as, a leeward berth; a leeward ship., The lee side; the lee., Toward the lee. |
legally |
adverb |
In a legal manner. |
legatee |
noun |
One to whom a legacy is bequeathed. |
legator |
noun |
A testator; one who bequeaths a legacy. |
legging |
noun |
Alt. of Leggin, a. & vb. n., from Leg, v. t. |
leghorn |
noun |
A straw plaiting used for bonnets and hats, made from the straw of a particular kind of wheat, grown for the purpose in Tuscany, Italy; — so called from Leghorn, the place of exportation. |
legible |
adjective |
Capable of being read or deciphered; distinct to the eye; plain; — used of writing or printing; as, a fair, legible manuscript., Capable of being discovered or understood by apparent marks or indications; as, the thoughts of men are often legible in their countenances. |
legibly |
adverb |
In a legible manner. |
legific |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to making laws. |
legitim |
adjective |
The portion of movable estate to which the children are entitled upon the death of the father. |
legless |
adjective |
Not having a leg. |
legumen |
noun |
Same as Legume. |
legumin |
noun |
An albuminous substance resembling casein, found as a characteristic ingredient of the seeds of leguminous and grain-bearing plants. |
leister |
noun |
Alt. of Lister |
leisure |
noun |
Freedom from occupation or business; vacant time; time free from employment., Time at one’s command, free from engagement; convenient opportunity; hence, convenience; ease., Unemployed; as, leisure hours. |
lemmata |
plural |
of Lemma |
lemming |
noun |
Any one of several species of small arctic rodents of the genera Myodes and Cuniculus, resembling the meadow mice in form. They are found in both hemispheres. |
lemnian |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the isle of Lemnos. |
lemures |
noun pl. |
Spirits or ghosts of the departed; specters. |
lemuria |
noun |
A hypothetical land, or continent, supposed by some to have existed formerly in the Indian Ocean, of which Madagascar is a remnant. |
lemurid |
adjective & noun |
Same as Lemuroid. |
lending |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lend, The act of one who lends., That which is lent or furnished. |
lengest |
adjective |
Longer; longest; — obsolete compar. and superl. of long. |
lengthy |
superl. |
Having length; rather long or too long; prolix; not brief; — said chiefly of discourses, writings, and the like. |
lenient |
adjective |
Relaxing; emollient; softening; assuasive; — sometimes followed by of., Mild; clement; merciful; not rigorous or severe; as, a lenient disposition; a lenient judge or sentence., A lenitive; an emollient. |
lentigo |
noun |
A freckly eruption on the skin; freckles. |
lentisk |
noun |
A tree; the mastic. See Mastic. |
lentoid |
adjective |
Having the form of a lens; lens-shaped. |
lentous |
adjective |
Viscid; viscous; tenacious. |
l’envoi |
noun |
Alt. of L’envoy |
l’envoy |
noun |
One or more detached verses at the end of a literary composition, serving to convey the moral, or to address the poem to a particular person; — orig. employed in old French poetry., A conclusion; a result. |
leonced |
adjective |
See Lionced. |
leonese |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to Leon, in Spain., A native or natives of Leon. |
leonine |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or characteristic of, the lion; as, a leonine look; leonine rapacity. |
leopard |
noun |
A large, savage, carnivorous mammal (Felis leopardus). It is of a yellow or fawn color, with rings or roselike clusters of black spots along the back and sides. It is found in Southern Asia and Africa. By some the panther (Felis pardus) is regarded as a variety of leopard. |
lepered |
adjective |
Affected or tainted with leprosy. |
lepisma |
noun |
A genus of wingless thysanurous insects having an elongated flattened body, covered with shining scales and terminated by seven unequal bristles. A common species (Lepisma saccharina) is found in houses, and often injures books and furniture. Called also shiner, silver witch, silver moth, and furniture bug. |
leprose |
adjective |
Covered with thin, scurfy scales. |
leprosy |
noun |
A cutaneous disease which first appears as blebs or as reddish, shining, slightly prominent spots, with spreading edges. These are often followed by an eruption of dark or yellowish prominent nodules, frequently producing great deformity. In one variety of the disease, anaesthesia of the skin is a prominent symptom. In addition there may be wasting of the muscles, falling out of the hair and nails, and distortion of the hands and feet with destruction of the bones and joints. It is incurable, and is probably contagious. |
leprous |
adjective |
Infected with leprosy; pertaining to or resembling leprosy., Leprose. |
lernaea |
noun |
A Linnaean genus of parasitic Entomostraca, — the same as the family Lernaeidae. |
lernean |
noun |
One of a family (Lernaeidae) of parasitic Crustacea found attached to fishes and other marine animals. Some species penetrate the skin and flesh with the elongated head, and feed on the viscera. See Illust. in Appendix. |
lesbian |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the island anciently called Lesbos, now Mitylene, in the Grecian Archipelago. |
letting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Let |
lethean |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to Lethe; resembling in effect the water of Lethe. |
letheed |
adjective |
Caused by Lethe. |
letheon |
noun |
Sulphuric ether used as an anaesthetic agent. |
let-off |
noun |
A device for letting off, releasing, or giving forth, as the warp from the cylinder of a loom. |
lettern |
noun |
See Lecturn. |
lettish |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the Letts., The language spoken by the Letts. See Lettic. |
lettuce |
noun |
A composite plant of the genus Lactuca (L. sativa), the leaves of which are used as salad. Plants of this genus yield a milky juice, from which lactucarium is obtained. The commonest wild lettuce of the United States is L. Canadensis. |
letuary |
noun |
Electuary. |
leucite |
noun |
A mineral having a glassy fracture, occurring in translucent trapezohedral crystals. It is a silicate of alumina and potash. It is found in the volcanic rocks of Italy, especially at Vesuvius., A leucoplast. |
leucoma |
noun |
A white opacity in the cornea of the eye; — called also albugo. |
leucous |
adjective |
White; — applied to albinos, from the whiteness of their skin and hair. |
levator |
noun |
A muscle that serves to raise some part, as the lip or the eyelid., A surgical instrument used to raise a depressed part of the skull. |
leveful |
noun |
Allowable; permissible; lawful. |
leveled |
imp. & past participle |
of Level |
leveler |
noun |
One who, or that which, levels., One who would remove social inequalities or distinctions; a socialist. |
levelly |
adverb |
In an even or level manner. |
leveret |
noun |
A hare in the first year of its age. |
levesel |
noun |
A leafy shelter; a place covered with foliage. |
leviner |
noun |
A swift hound. |
levulin |
noun |
A substance resembling dextrin, obtained from the bulbs of the dahlia, the artichoke, and other sources, as a colorless, spongy, amorphous material. It is so called because by decomposition it yields levulose. |
levying |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Levy |
lexical |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to a lexicon, to lexicography, or words; according or conforming to a lexicon. |
lexicon |
noun |
A vocabulary, or book containing an alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language or of a considerable number of them, with the definition of each; a dictionary; especially, a dictionary of the Greek, Hebrew, or Latin language. |
liaison |
noun |
A union, or bond of union; an intimacy; especially, an illicit intimacy between a man and a woman. |
liassic |
adjective |
Of the age of the Lias; pertaining to the Lias formation., Same as Lias. |
libbard |
noun |
A leopard. |
libeled |
imp. & past participle |
of Libel |
libeler |
noun |
One who libels. |
liberal |
adjective |
Free by birth; hence, befitting a freeman or gentleman; refined; noble; independent; free; not servile or mean; as, a liberal ancestry; a liberal spirit; liberal arts or studies., Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman; generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver., Bestowed in a large way; hence, more than sufficient; abundant; bountiful; ample; profuse; as, a liberal gift; a liberal discharge of matter or of water., Not strict or rigorous; not confined or restricted to the literal sense; free; as, a liberal translation of a classic, or a liberal construction of law or of language., Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish; enlarged in spirit; catholic., Free to excess; regardless of law or moral restraint; licentious., Not bound by orthodox tenets or established forms in political or religious philosophy; independent in opinion; not conservative; friendly to great freedom in the constitution or administration of government; having tendency toward democratic or republican, as distinguished from monarchical or aristocratic, forms; as, liberal thinkers; liberal Christians; the Liberal party., One who favors greater freedom in political or religious matters; an opponent of the established systems; a reformer; in English politics, a member of the Liberal party, so called. Cf. Whig. |
liberty |
noun |
The state of a free person; exemption from subjection to the will of another claiming ownership of the person or services; freedom; — opposed to slavery, serfdom, bondage, or subjection., Freedom from imprisonment, bonds, or other restraint upon locomotion., A privilege conferred by a superior power; permission granted; leave; as, liberty given to a child to play, or to a witness to leave a court, and the like., Privilege; exemption; franchise; immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant; as, the liberties of the commercial cities of Europe., The place within which certain immunities are enjoyed, or jurisdiction is exercised., A certain amount of freedom; permission to go freely within certain limits; also, the place or limits within which such freedom is exercised; as, the liberties of a prison., A privilege or license in violation of the laws of etiquette or propriety; as, to permit, or take, a liberty., The power of choice; freedom from necessity; freedom from compulsion or constraint in willing., A curve or arch in a bit to afford room for the tongue of the horse., Leave of absence; permission to go on shore. |
library |
noun |
A considerable collection of books kept for use, and not as merchandise; as, a private library; a public library., A building or apartment appropriated for holding such a collection of books. |
librate |
verb i. |
To vibrate as a balance does before resting in equilibrium; hence, to be poised., To poise; to balance. |
license |
noun |
Authority or liberty given to do or forbear any act; especially, a formal permission from the proper authorities to perform certain acts or to carry on a certain business, which without such permission would be illegal; a grant of permission; as, a license to preach, to practice medicine, to sell gunpowder or intoxicating liquors., The document granting such permission., Excess of liberty; freedom abused, or used in contempt of law or decorum; disregard of law or propriety., That deviation from strict fact, form, or rule, in which an artist or writer indulges, assuming that it will be permitted for the sake of the advantage or effect gained; as, poetic license; grammatical license, etc., To permit or authorize by license; to give license to; as, to license a man to preach. |
licking |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lick, A lapping with the tongue., A flogging or castigation. |
lidless |
adjective |
Having no lid, or not covered with the lids, as the eyes; hence, sleepless; watchful. |
lifeful |
adjective |
Full of vitality. |
liflode |
noun |
Livelihood. |
lifting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lift, Used in, or for, or by, lifting. |
ligator |
noun |
An instrument for ligating, or for placing and fastening a ligature. |
lighted |
imp. & past participle |
of Light, of Light |
lighten |
verb i. |
To descend; to light., To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to display a flash or flashes of lightning; to flash., To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to brighten; to clear, as the sky., To make light or clear; to light; to illuminate; as, to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets., To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten., To emit or disclose in, or as in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning., To free from trouble and fill with joy., To make lighter, or less heavy; to reduce in weight; to relieve of part of a load or burden; as, to lighten a ship by unloading; to lighten a load or burden., To make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as, to lighten the cares of life or the burden of grief., To cheer; to exhilarate. |
lighter |
noun |
One who, or that which, lights; as, a lighter of lamps., A large boat or barge, mainly used in unloading or loading vessels which can not reach the wharves at the place of shipment or delivery., To convey by a lighter, as to or from the shore; as, to lighter the cargo of a ship. |
lightly |
adverb |
With little weight; with little force; as, to tread lightly; to press lightly., Swiftly; nimbly; with agility., Without deep impression., In a small degree; slightly; not severely., With little effort or difficulty; easily; readily., Without reason, or for reasons of little weight., Commonly; usually., Without dejection; cheerfully., Without heed or care; with levity; gayly; airily., Not chastely; wantonly. |
lignify |
verb t. |
To convert into wood or into a ligneous substance., To become wood. |
lignite |
noun |
Mineral coal retaining the texture of the wood from which it was formed, and burning with an empyreumatic odor. It is of more recent origin than the anthracite and bituminous coal of the proper coal series. Called also brown coal, wood coal. |
lignone |
noun |
See Lignin. |
lignose |
adjective |
Alt. of Lignous, See Lignin., An explosive compound of wood fiber and nitroglycerin. See Nitroglycerin. |
lignous |
adjective |
Ligneous. |
ligroin |
noun |
A trade name applied somewhat indefinitely to some of the volatile products obtained in refining crude petroleum. It is a complex and variable mixture of several hydrocarbons, generally boils below 170ยก Fahr., and is more inflammable than safe kerosene. It is used as a solvent, as a carburetant for air gas, and for illumination in special lamps. |
ligulae |
plural |
of Ligula |
ligulas |
plural |
of Ligula |
likable |
adjective |
Such as can be liked; such as to attract liking; as, a likable person. |
likened |
imp. & past participle |
of Liken |
lilacin |
noun |
See Syringin. |
lima/on |
noun |
A curve of the fourth degree, invented by Pascal. Its polar equation is r = a cos / + b. |
limbate |
adjective |
Bordered, as when one color is surrounded by an edging of another. |
limbous |
adjective |
With slightly overlapping borders; — said of a suture. |
limited |
imp. & past participle |
of Limit, Confined within limits; narrow; circumscribed; restricted; as, our views of nature are very limited. |
limiter |
noun |
One who, or that which, limits., A friar licensed to beg within certain bounds, or whose duty was limited to a certain district. |
limning |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Limn, The act, process, or art of one who limns; the picture or decoration so produced. |
limniad |
noun |
See Limoniad. |
limoges |
noun |
A city of Southern France. |
limonin |
noun |
A bitter, white, crystalline substance found in orange and lemon seeds. |
limosis |
noun |
A ravenous appetite caused by disease; excessive and morbid hunger. |
limping |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Limp |
limpkin |
noun |
Either one of two species of wading birds of the genus Aramus, intermediate between the cranes and rails. The limpkins are remarkable for the great length of the toes. One species (A. giganteus) inhabits Florida and the West Indies; the other (A. scolopaceus) is found in South America. Called also courlan, and crying bird. |
limulus |
noun |
The only existing genus of Merostomata. It includes only a few species from the East Indies, and one (Limulus polyphemus) from the Atlantic coast of North America. Called also Molucca crab, king crab, horseshoe crab, and horsefoot. |
linctus |
noun |
Medicine taken by licking with the tongue. |
lineage |
noun |
Descent in a line from a common progenitor; progeny; race; descending line of offspring or ascending line of parentage. |
lineary |
adjective |
Linear. |
lineate |
adjective |
Alt. of Lineated |
linemen |
plural |
of Lineman |
lineman |
noun |
One who carries the line in surveying, etc., A man employed to examine the rails of a railroad to see if they are in good condition; also, a man employed to repair telegraph lines. |
linener |
noun |
A dealer in linen; a linen draper. |
lingism |
noun |
A mode of treating certain diseases, as obesity, by gymnastics; — proposed by Pehr Henrik Ling, a Swede. See Kinesiatrics. |
linguae |
plural |
of Lingua |
lingual |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the tongue; uttered by the aid of the tongue; glossal; as, the lingual nerves; a lingual letter., A consonant sound formed by the aid of the tongue; — a term especially applied to certain articulations (as those of t, d, th, and n) and to the letters denoting them. |
lingula |
noun |
A tonguelike process or part., Any one of numerous species of brachiopod shells belonging to the genus Lingula, and related genera. See Brachiopoda, and Illustration in Appendix. |
linking |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Link |
linkage |
noun |
The act of linking; the state of being linked; also, a system of links., Manner of linking or of being linked; — said of the union of atoms or radicals in the molecule., A system of straight lines or bars, fastened together by joints, and having certain of their points fixed in a plane. It is used to describe straight lines and curves in the plane. |
linkboy |
noun |
Alt. of Linkman |
linkman |
noun |
A boy or man that carried a link or torch to light passengers. |
linnean |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to Linnaeus, the celebrated Swedish botanist. |
linoxin |
noun |
A resinous substance obtained as an oxidation product of linoleic acid. |
linsang |
noun |
Any viverrine mammal of the genus Prionodon, inhabiting the East Indies and Southern Asia. The common East Indian linsang (P. gracilis) is white, crossed by broad, black bands. The Guinea linsang (Porana Richardsonii) is brown with black spots. |
linseed |
noun |
The seeds of flax, from which linseed oil is obtained. |
lionced |
adjective |
Adorned with lions’ heads; having arms terminating in lions’ heads; — said of a cross. |
lioncel |
noun |
A small lion, especially one of several borne in the same coat of arms. |
lioness |
noun |
A female lion. |
lionism |
noun |
An attracting of attention, as a lion; also, the treating or regarding as a lion. |
lionize |
verb t. |
To treat or regard as a lion or object of great interest., To show the lions or objects of interest to; to conduct about among objects of interest. |
lipping |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lip |
lipinic |
adjective |
Lipic. |
lipless |
adjective |
Having no lips. |
liquate |
verb i. |
To melt; to become liquid., To separate by fusion, as a more fusible from a less fusible material. |
liquefy |
verb t. |
To convert from a solid form to that of a liquid; to melt; to dissolve; and technically, to melt by the sole agency of heat., To become liquid. |
liqueur |
noun |
An aromatic alcoholic cordial. |
lirella |
noun |
A linear apothecium furrowed along the middle; the fruit of certain lichens. |
lisping |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lisp |
lissome |
adjective |
Limber; supple; flexible; lithe; lithesome., Light; nimble; active. |
listing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of List, The act or process of one who lists (in any sense of the verb); as, the listing of a door; the listing of a stock at the Stock Exchange., The selvedge of cloth; list., The sapwood cut from the edge of a board., The throwing up of the soil into ridges, — a method adopted in the culture of beets and some garden crops. |
listful |
adjective |
Attentive. |
litarge |
noun |
Litharge. |
literal |
adjective |
According to the letter or verbal expression; real; not figurative or metaphorical; as, the literal meaning of a phrase., Following the letter or exact words; not free., Consisting of, or expressed by, letters., Giving a strict or literal construction; unimaginative; matter-of fast; — applied to persons., Literal meaning. |
lithate |
noun |
A salt of lithic or uric acid; a urate. |
lithely |
adverb |
In a lithe, pliant, or flexible manner. |
lithium |
noun |
A metallic element of the alkaline group, occurring in several minerals, as petalite, spodumene, lepidolite, triphylite, etc., and otherwise widely disseminated, though in small quantities. |
lithoid |
adjective |
Alt. of Lithoidal |
litotes |
noun |
A diminution or softening of statement for the sake of avoiding censure or increasing the effect by contrast with the moderation shown in the form of expression; as, ” a citizen of no mean city,” that is, of an illustrious city. |
littery |
adjective |
Covered or encumbered with litter; consisting of or constituting litter. |
lituite |
noun |
Any species of ammonites of the genus Lituites. They are found in the Cretaceous formation. |
liturgy |
adjective |
An established formula for public worship, or the entire ritual for public worship in a church which uses prescribed forms; a formulary for public prayer or devotion. In the Roman Catholic Church it includes all forms and services in any language, in any part of the world, for the celebration of Mass. |
livable |
adjective |
Such as can be lived., Such as in pleasant to live in; fit or suitable to live in. |
livered |
adjective |
Having (such) a liver; used in composition; as, white-livered. |
llanero |
noun |
One of the inhabitants of the llanos of South America. |
lloyd’s |
noun |
An association of underwriters and others in London, for the collection and diffusion of marine intelligence, the insurance, classification, registration, and certifying of vessels, and the transaction of business of various kinds connected with shipping., A part of the Royal Exchange, in London, appropriated to the use of underwriters and insurance brokers; — called also Lloyd’s Rooms. |
loading |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Load, The act of putting a load on or into., A load; cargo; burden. |
loafing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Loaf |
loaming |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Loam |
loaning |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Loan, An open space between cultivated fields through which cattle are driven, and where the cows are sometimes milked; also, a lane. |
loathed |
imp. & past participle |
of Loathe |
loather |
noun |
One who loathes. |
loathly |
adjective |
Loathsome., Unwillingly; reluctantly., (/) So as to cause loathing. |
lobbing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lob |
lobated |
adjective |
Consisting of, or having, lobes; lobed; as, a lobate leaf., Having lobes; — said of the tails of certain fishes having the integument continued to the bases of the fin rays., Furnished with membranous flaps, as the toes of a coot. See Illust. (m) under Aves. |
lobbish |
adjective |
Like a lob; consisting of lobs. |
lobbies |
plural |
of Lobby |
lobbied |
imp. & past participle |
of Lobby |
lobcock |
noun |
A dull, sluggish person; a lubber; a lob. |
lobelet |
noun |
A small lobe; a lobule. |
lobelia |
noun |
A genus of plants, including a great number of species. Lobelia inflata, or Indian tobacco, is an annual plant of North America, whose leaves contain a poisonous white viscid juice, of an acrid taste. It has often been used in medicine as an emetic, expectorant, etc. L. cardinalis is the cardinal flower, remarkable for the deep and vivid red color of its flowers. |
lobelin |
noun |
A yellowish green resin from Lobelia, used as an emetic and diaphoretic. |
lobiped |
adjective |
Having lobate toes, as a coot. |
lobster |
noun |
Any large macrurous crustacean used as food, esp. those of the genus Homarus; as the American lobster (H. Americanus), and the European lobster (H. vulgaris). The Norwegian lobster (Nephrops Norvegicus) is similar in form. All these have a pair of large unequal claws. The spiny lobsters of more southern waters, belonging to Palinurus, Panulirus, and allied genera, have no large claws. The fresh-water crayfishes are sometimes called lobsters. |
lobular |
adjective |
Like a lobule; pertaining to a lobule or lobules. |
lobworm |
noun |
The lugworm. |
locally |
adverb |
With respect to place; in place; as, to be locally separated or distant. |
located |
imp. & past participle |
of Locate |
locator |
noun |
One who locates, or is entitled to locate, land or a mining claim. |
lochage |
noun |
An officer who commanded a company; a captain. |
lochial |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the lochia. |
locking |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lock |
lockage |
noun |
Materials for locks in a canal, or the works forming a lock or locks., Toll paid for passing the locks of a canal., Amount of elevation and descent made by the locks of a canal. |
lockjaw |
noun |
A contraction of the muscles of the jaw by which its motion is suspended; a variety of tetanus. |
lockman |
noun |
A public executioner. |
lockout |
noun |
The closing of a factory or workshop by an employer, usually in order to bring the workmen to satisfactory terms by a suspension of wages. |
lockram |
noun |
A kind of linen cloth anciently used in England, originally imported from Brittany. |
locular |
adjective |
Of or relating to the cell or compartment of an ovary, etc.; in composition, having cells; as trilocular. |
loculus |
noun |
One of the spaces between the septa in the Anthozoa., One of the compartments of a several-celled ovary; loculament. |
locusta |
noun |
The spikelet or flower cluster of grasses. |
lodging |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lodge, The act of one who, or that which, lodges., A place of rest, or of temporary habitation; esp., a sleeping apartment; — often in the plural with a singular meaning., Abiding place; harbor; cover. |
loftily |
adverb |
In a lofty manner or position; haughtily. |
logging |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Log, The business of felling trees, cutting them into logs, and transporting the logs to sawmills or to market. |
logcock |
noun |
The pileated woodpecker. |
logical |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to logic; used in logic; as, logical subtilties., According to the rules of logic; as, a logical argument or inference; the reasoning is logical., Skilled in logic; versed in the art of thinking and reasoning; as, he is a logical thinker. |
logroll |
verb i. & t. |
To engage in logrolling; to accomplish by logrolling. |
logwood |
noun |
The heartwood of a tree (Haematoxylon Campechianum), a native of South America, It is a red, heavy wood, containing a crystalline substance called haematoxylin, and is used largely in dyeing. An extract from this wood is used in medicine as an astringent. Also called Campeachy wood, and bloodwood. |
lokorys |
noun |
Liquorice. |
lolling |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Loll |
lollard |
noun |
One of a sect of early reformers in Germany., One of the followers of Wyclif in England. |
lombard |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to Lombardy, or the inhabitants of Lombardy., A native or inhabitant of Lombardy., A money lender or banker; — so called because the business of banking was first carried on in London by Lombards., Same as Lombard-house., A form of cannon formerly in use. |
lompish |
adjective |
Lumpish. |
longing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Long, An eager desire; a craving; a morbid appetite; an earnest wish; an aspiration. |
longbow |
noun |
The ordinary bow, not mounted on a stock; — so called in distinction from the crossbow when both were used as weapons of war. Also, sometimes, such a bow of about the height of a man, as distinguished from a much shorter one. |
longish |
adjective |
Somewhat long; moderately long. |
loobily |
adjective |
Loobylike; awkward., Awkwardly. |
loobies |
plural |
of Looby |
looking |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Look, Having a certain look or appearance; — often compounded with adjectives; as, good-looking, grand-looking, etc., The act of one who looks; a glance., The manner in which one looks; appearance; countenance; face. |
lookout |
noun |
A careful looking or watching for any object or event., The place from which such observation is made., A person engaged in watching., Object or duty of forethought and care; responsibility. |
looming |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Loom, The indistinct and magnified appearance of objects seen in particular states of the atmosphere. See Mirage. |
looping |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Loop, The running together of the matter of an ore into a mass, when the ore is only heated for calcination., of Loop. |
loosing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Loose |
loosely |
adverb |
In a loose manner. |
loosish |
adjective |
Somewhat loose. |
looting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Loot |
lopping |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lop, A cutting off, as of branches; that which is cut off; leavings. |
lopeman |
noun |
Leaper; ropedancer. |
lophine |
noun |
A nitrogenous organic base obtained by the oxidation of amarine, and regarded as a derivative of benzoic aldehyde. It is obtained in long white crystalline tufts, — whence its name. |
loppard |
noun |
A tree, the top of which has been lopped off. |
lopseed |
noun |
A perennial herb (Phryma Leptostachya), having slender seedlike fruits. |
lording |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lord, The son of a lord; a person of noble lineage., A little lord; a lordling; a lord, in contempt or ridicule. |
lordkin |
noun |
A little lord. |
lorette |
noun |
In France, a name for a woman who is supported by her lovers, and devotes herself to idleness, show, and pleasure; — so called from the church of Notre Dame de Lorette, in Paris, near which many of them resided. |
loricae |
plural |
of Lorica |
lorimer |
noun |
Alt. of Loriner |
loriner |
noun |
A maker of bits, spurs, and metal mounting for bridles and saddles; hence, a saddler. |
lorries |
plural |
of Lorry |
losable |
adjective |
Such as can be lost. |
losange |
noun |
See Lozenge. |
lossful |
adjective |
Detrimental. |
lotting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lot |
lottery |
noun |
A scheme for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance; esp., a gaming scheme in which one or more tickets bearing particular numbers draw prizes, and the rest of tickets are blanks. Fig. : An affair of chance., Allotment; thing allotted. |
loudful |
adjective |
Noisy. |
lounged |
imp. & past participle |
of Lounge |
lounger |
noun |
One who lounges; ar idler. |
lousily |
adverb |
In a lousy manner; in a mean, paltry manner; scurvily. |
loutish |
adjective |
Clownish; rude; awkward. |
lovable |
adjective |
Having qualities that excite, or are fitted to excite, love; worthy of love. |
loveful |
adjective |
Full of love. |
lowbell |
noun |
A bell used in fowling at night, to frighten birds, and, with a sudden light, to make them fly into a net., A bell to be hung on the neck of a sheep., To frighten, as with a lowbell. |
lowborn |
adjective |
Born in a low condition or rank; — opposed to highborn. |
lowbred |
adjective |
Bred, or like one bred, in a low condition of life; characteristic or indicative of such breeding; rude; impolite; vulgar; as, a lowbred fellow; a lowbred remark. |
lowered |
imp. & past participle |
of Lower, of Lower |
lowland |
noun |
Land which is low with respect to the neighboring country; a low or level country; — opposed to highland. |
lowlily |
adverb |
In a lowly place or manner; humbly. |
lowness |
noun |
The state or quality of being low. |
loyally |
adverb |
In a loyal manner; faithfully. |
loyalty |
noun |
The state or quality of being loyal; fidelity to a superior, or to duty, love, etc. |
lozenge |
noun |
A diamond-shaped figure usually with the upper and lower angles slightly acute, borne upon a shield or escutcheon. Cf. Fusil., A form of the escutcheon used by women instead of the shield which is used by men., A figure with four equal sides, having two acute and two obtuse angles; a rhomb., Anything in the form of lozenge., A small cake of sugar and starch, flavored, and often medicated. — originally in the form of a lozenge. |
lozengy |
adjective |
Divided into lozenge-shaped compartments, as the field or a bearing, by lines drawn in the direction of the bend sinister. |
lubbard |
noun |
A lubber., Lubberly. |
lucarne |
noun |
A dormer window. |
lucency |
noun |
The quality of being lucent. |
lucerne |
noun |
See Lucern, the plant. |
lucidly |
adverb |
In a lucid manner. |
lucifer |
noun |
The planet Venus, when appearing as the morning star; — applied in Isaiah by a metaphor to a king of Babylon., Hence, Satan., A match made of a sliver of wood tipped with a combustible substance, and ignited by friction; — called also lucifer match, and locofoco. See Locofoco., A genus of free-swimming macruran Crustacea, having a slender body and long appendages. |
lucific |
adjective |
Producing light. |
luckily |
adverb |
In a lucky manner; by good fortune; fortunately; — used in a good sense; as, they luckily escaped injury. |
luctual |
adjective |
Producing grief; saddening. |
luddite |
noun |
One of a number of riotous persons in England, who for six years (1811-17) tried to prevent the use of labor-saving machinery by breaking it, burning factories, etc.; — so called from Ned Lud, a half-witted man who some years previously had broken stocking frames. |
luffing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Luff |
lugging |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lug |
luggage |
noun |
That which is lugged; anything cumbrous and heavy to be carried; especially, a traveler’s trunks, baggage, etc., or their contents. |
lugmark |
noun |
A mark cut into the ear of an animal to identify it; an earmark. |
lugsail |
noun |
A square sail bent upon a yard that hangs obliquely to the mast and is raised or lowered with the sail. |
lugworm |
noun |
A large marine annelid (Arenicola marina) having a row of tufted gills along each side of the back. It is found burrowing in sandy beaches, both in America and Europe, and is used for bait by European fishermen. Called also lobworm, and baitworm. |
lulling |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lull |
lullaby |
verb t. |
A song to quiet babes or lull them to sleep; that which quiets., Hence: Good night; good-by. |
lumbago |
noun |
A rheumatic pain in the loins and the small of the back. |
lumbric |
noun |
An earthworm, or a worm resembling an earthworm. |
lumping |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lump, Bulky; heavy. |
lumpish |
adjective |
Like a lump; inert; gross; heavy; dull; spiritless. |
lunated |
adjective |
Crescent-shaped; as, a lunate leaf; a lunate beak; a lunated cross. |
lunatic |
adjective |
Affected by lunacy; insane; mad., Of or pertaining to, or suitable for, an insane person; evincing lunacy; as, lunatic gibberish; a lunatic asylum., A person affected by lunacy; an insane person, esp. one who has lucid intervals; a madman; a person of unsound mind. |
lunched |
imp. & past participle |
of Lunch |
lunette |
noun |
A fieldwork consisting of two faces, forming a salient angle, and two parallel flanks. See Bastion., A half horseshoe, which wants the sponge., A kind of watch crystal which is more than ordinarily flattened in the center; also, a species of convexoconcave lens for spectacles., A piece of felt to cover the eye of a vicious horse., Any surface of semicircular or segmental form; especially, the piece of wall between the curves of a vault and its springing line., An iron shoe at the end of the stock of a gun carriage. |
lunging |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lunge |
lungoor |
noun |
A long-tailed monkey (Semnopithecus schislaceus), from the mountainous districts of India. |
lunulae |
plural |
of Lunula |
lunular |
adjective |
Having a form like that of the new moon; shaped like a crescent. |
lunulet |
noun |
A small spot, shaped like a half-moon or crescent; as, the lunulet on the wings of many insects. |
lupinin |
noun |
A glucoside found in the seeds of several species of lupine, and extracted as a yellowish white crystalline substance. |
lupulin |
noun |
A bitter principle extracted from hops., The fine yellow resinous powder found upon the strobiles or fruit of hops, and containing this bitter principle. |
lurched |
imp. & past participle |
of Lurch |
lurcher |
noun |
One that lurches or lies in wait; one who watches to pilfer, or to betray or entrap; a poacher., One of a mongrel breed of dogs said to have been a cross between the sheep dog, greyhound, and spaniel. It hunts game silently, by scent, and is often used by poachers., A glutton; a gormandizer. |
lurking |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lurk |
luskish |
adjective |
Inclined to be lazy. |
lusting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Lust |
lustred |
imp. & past participle |
of Lustre |
lustful |
adjective |
Full of lust; excited by lust., Exciting lust; characterized by lust or sensuality., Strong; lusty. |
lustily |
adverb |
In a lusty or vigorous manner. |
lustral |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to, or used for, purification; as, lustral days; lustral water., Of or pertaining to a lustrum. |
lustrum |
noun |
A lustration or purification, especially the purification of the whole Roman people, which was made by the censors once in five years. Hence: A period of five years. |
luteous |
adjective |
Yellowish; more or less like buff. |
luthern |
noun |
A dormer window. See Dormer. |
luxated |
imp. & past participle |
of Luxate |
lyceums |
plural |
of Lyceum |
lychnis |
noun |
A genus of Old World plants belonging to the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae). Most of the species have brilliantly colored flowers and cottony leaves, which may have anciently answered as wicks for lamps. The botanical name is in common use for the garden species. The corn cockle (Lychnis Githago) is a common weed in wheat fields. |
lycopod |
noun |
A plant of the genus Lycopodium. |
lyerman |
noun |
The cicada. |
lyingly |
adverb |
In a lying manner; falsely. |
lyncean |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the lynx. |
lynched |
imp. & past participle |
of Lynch |
lyncher |
noun |
One who assists in lynching. |
lyrated |
adjective |
Lyre-shaped, or spatulate and oblong, with small lobes toward the base; as, a lyrate leaf., Shaped like a lyre, as the tail of the blackcock, or that of the lyre bird. |
lyrical |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to a lyre or harp., Fitted to be sung to the lyre; hence, also, appropriate for song; — said especially of poetry which expresses the individual emotions of the poet. |