Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Bā'by-ship, n. p. 100The state or condition of a baby.Bāc or Bāck, n. p. 100(Brewing & Distilling.) A large tub or vessel into which the wort, &c., is drawn for the purpose of cooling, straining, mixing, &c. It has different names, according to its position and use; as…Băc'ea, n. p. 100(Bot.) A berry; a fruit which consists of a succulent pulp containing seeds, as the gooseberry.Băc'ca-lau're-ate, n. p. 100The degree of bachelor of arts, the first or lowest academical degree conferred by colleges in the British empire and the United States.Băc'e-la-u're-ate, a. p. 100Pertaining to a bachelor of arts. Baccalaureate sermon, in some American colleges, a farewell discourse delivered to a graduating class.Bae-cā'rē or Back-ā'rē p. 100Stand back! give place! — a cant word in the Elizabethan writers, probably in ridicule of some person who pretended to a knowledge of Latin which he did not possess. Let us, that are poor…Băc'cāte, a. p. 100(Bot.) Having a pulpy nature, like a berry. Gray.Băc'ēā-ted, a. p. 100Having many berries. 2. Set or adorned with pearls. [Obs.]Băc'eha-nal or Băc'eha-nā'li-an, n. p. 100A devotee of Bacchus; one who indulges in drunken revels; one who is noisy and riotous when intoxicated; a drunkard; a bacchant.Băc'cha-nal or Băc'cha-nā'li-an, a. p. 100Reveling in intemperate drinking; riotous; noisy; pertaining to reveling and drunkenness. Even bacchanalian madness has its charms. Cowper.Băc'cha-nā'li-an-ly, adv. p. 100In the manner of bacchanals.Băc'cha-nals or Băc'cha-nā'li-ā, n. pl. p. 100(Myth.) Feasts in honor of Bacchus; hence, drunken feasts; the revels of Bacchanalians.Bac-chānt', n. p. 100A priest of Bacchus. 2. A bacchanal; a reveler; a drunkard. Croly.Bac-chānte’, n. p. 100A priestess of Bacchus. 2. A female bacchanal.Bac-chān'tēs, n. pl. p. 100Priests or devotees of Bacchus.Băc'chic or Băc'chic-al, a. p. 100Relating to Bacchus; hence, jovial with intoxication; drunken. Spenser.Bac-chi'us, n. p. 100(Pros.) A foot composed of a short syllable and two long ones; as in āvārī.Băc'chus, n. p. 100The god of wine, and son of Jupiter and Semele, daughter of Cadmus.Bac-çif'er-oŭs, a. p. 100Producing berries. “Bacciferous trees.” See BACCA. Ray.Bac-cĭv'o-roŭs, a. p. 100Eating, or subsisting on, berries; as, baccivorous birds.Bāçe, n. & a. p. 100Same as BASE, q. v. Spenser.Bāch'e-lor, n. p. 100A man of any age who has not been married. As merry and mellow an old bachelor as ever followed a hound. Irving. 2. A person who has taken the first degree in the liberal arts, at a college or…Băch'e-lor-hōod or Băch'e-lor-ĭsm, n. p. 101State or condition of a bachelor; bachelorship.Băch'e-lor's-bŭt'ton, n. p. 101(Bot.) An herbaceous perennial plant, the yellow variety being the double Ranunculus acris. ☞ The flowers of the campion, of the common burdock, of the scabious, and of the centaury, are sometimes…Băch'e-lor-shĭp, n. p. 101The state of being a bachelor.Bā'çil-lā'ri-æ, n. pl. p. 101Microscopic, silicious organisms, consisting of slender rectangular segments which have the power of moving or sliding on each other. They are now regarded as plants.Băck, n. p. 101See BAC.Băck, n. p. 101The upper or hinder part of an animal, from the neck to the loins. 2. A broad, high ridge. [The mountains] their broad, bare backs upheave Into the clouds. Milton. 3. The outward or upper part of a…Băck, adv. p. 101To the place from which one came; to, in, or toward the rear; as, to go back. 2. To a former state, condition, or station; as, to go back to poverty. 3. Away from contact; by reverse movement. The…Băck, v. t. p. 101To get upon the back of; to mount. I will back him [a horse] straight. Shak. 2. To place upon the back. [Rare.] Shak. 3. To support; to maintain; to second or strengthen by aid; as, the court was…Băck, v. i. p. 101To move or go back; as, the horse refuses to back.Băck, a. p. 101In the rear; remote; as, the back settlements; backward in direction; as, back action.Băck'bīte, v. t. p. 101To censure, slander, reproach, or speak evil of, in the absence of the person traduced. Spenser.Băck'bīte, v. i. p. 101To censure or revile the absent. They are arrant knaves, and will backbite. Shak.Băck'-bīt'er, n. p. 101One who backbites; a secret calumniator or detractor.Băck'/bĭt/ing-ly, adv. p. 101With secret slander. Barret.Băck'bōard, n. p. 101A board placed across the after part of a boat for the passengers to lean against. 2. A board attached to the rim of a water-wheel to prevent the water from running off the floats or paddles into the…Băck'-bŏnd, n. p. 101(Scots Law.) An instrument which, in conjunction with another making an absolute disposition, constitutes a trust.Bäck'bōne, n. p. 101The bone of the back, or the spine. 2. Firmness; moral principle; steadfastness; resolution; stability of purpose. C. Sumner.Bäck'-eär'ry, n. p. 101(Forest Law.) A having on the back, as venison. [Obs.] Cowell.Băck'dōor, n. p. 101A door on the back part of a building.Băcked, p. a. p. 101Having a back; — used in composition; as, broad-backed, hump-backed.Băck'er, n. p. 101One who backs or supports another in a contest or an undertaking. 2. (Arch.) A small slate laid on the back of a large one at certain points. Brandt.Băck'friĕnd, n. p. 101A secret enemy. [Obs.] “Our Romish back-friends.” South.Bäck-găm'mon, n. p. 101A game played by two persons, upon a table, with box and dice. The table is in two parts, on which are twenty-four black and white spaces, called points. Each player has fifteen men of different…Băck'ground, n. p. 101Ground in the rear or behind, as opposed to the front. 2. (Paint.) The space behind the principal figures of a picture, scene, &c. Fairholt. 3. A place of obscurity or shade; a situation little seen…Băck'hănd-ed, a. p. 101With the hand turned backward; as, a back-handed blow. 2. Indirect; oblique; as, a backhanded compliment. 3. Turned back, or inclining to the left; as, back-handed letters.Bäck'händ-ed, adv. p. 101With the hand directed backward; as, to strike backhanded.Băck'house, n. p. 101A building behind the main or front building; specifically, a privy or necessary.Băck'ing, n. p. 101(Man.) The operation of breaking a colt for the saddle. Gilbert. 2. (Book-binding.) The preparation of the back of a book with glue, &c., before putting on the cover.Băck'ing-ŭp, n. p. 101In cricket and other games, the act of stopping the ball, and driving it back.Bäck'làsh, n. p. 101(Mech.) The reaction or striking back on each other of a set of connected wheels, produced by irregularities in their velocity when the moving power is not uniform, or the load is variable.Bäck'-päint'ing, n. p. 101A method of painting mezzotinto prints, pasted on glass of a size to fit the print.Băck'-pièce or Băck'-plāte, n. p. 101A piece of armor for covering the back.Bäck'-prĕss/ure, n. p. 101(Steam Engineering.) The resistance of the atmosphere or waste steam to the piston.Băck'rack or Băck'rag, n. p. 101A kind of wine made at Bacharach, in Germany. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.Băck'-rĕst, n. p. 101A guide attached to the slide-rest of a lathe, and placed in contact with the work to steady it in turning.Băck're-tûrn', n. p. 101Repeated return. [Obs.] Shak.Băck'-rōōm, n. p. 101A room behind the front room, or in the back part of the house.Bäcks, n. pl. p. 101Among leather-dealers, a quality of leather selected from the thickest and stoutest ox-hides. Tomlinson.