Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
E. p. 423E. The second vowel and the fifth letter of the English alphabet. It occurs more frequently in the words of the language than any other letter of the alphabet. It has two principal sounds, the long…Ēach, a. p. 423This word is a distributive adjective pronoun, used either with or without a following noun, and denoting every one of the two or more individuals composing a whole, considered separately from the…Ēach'whêre, adv. p. 423Every where. [Obs.] Spenser.Ēad'ish, n. p. 423See EDDISH.Ēa'ger, a. p. 423Sharp; sour; acid. [Obs.] “Eager droppings into milk.” Shak. 2. Sharp; keen; biting; severe. [Rare.] “A nipping and an eager air.” Shak. 3. Excited by desire in the pursuit of any object; ardent to…Ea'ger, n. p. 423The same as EAGRE.Ea'ger-ly, adv. p. 423With great ardor of desire; ardently; earnestly; warmly; hastily; impetuously; keenly; sharply.Eā'ger-ness, n. p. 423The state of being eager; impetuosity; earnestness; ardor. “The eagerness of love.” Addison. 2. Tartness; sourness. [Obs.] Syn.—Ardor; vehemence; earnestness; impetuosity; heartiness; fervor…Ea'gle, n. p. 423A rapacious bird of the falcon family, remarkable for its strength, size, graceful figure, and extraordinary flight. The most noted species are the golden eagle (Aquila chrysäëtos); the imperial…Ea'gle-eyed, a. p. 423Sharp-sighted as an eagle; having an acute or piercing sight. “Inwardly eagle-eyed and versed in the humors of its subjects.” Howell.Ea'gle-hawk, n. p. 423(Ornith.) A predacious bird of the genus Morphuus, found in South America.Ea'gle-owl, n. p. 423(Ornith.) One of a sub-family of owls (Buboninæ), one of the most remarkable species of which is the great horned owl, Bubo Virginianus.Eā'gle-rāy, n. p. 423(Ichth.) A large species of rayfish (Myliobatis aquila);—called also miller.Ea'gle-sight/ed, a. p. 423Having acute sight. Shak.Ea'gless, n. p. 423A female or hen eagle. Sherwood.Ēa'gle-stōne, n. p. 423(Min.) A variety of argillaceous oxide of iron, occurring in rounded or ovoidal masses, varying from the size of a walnut to that of a man's head, having usually a concentric structure, often hollow…Ēa'glet, n. p. 423A young eagle, or a diminutive eagle.Ea'gle-winged, a. p. 423Having the wings of an eagle; — swift as an eagle. Shak.Ea'gle-wood, n. p. 423A fragrant wood, used by the Asiatics for burning as incense. Brande.Ea'grass, n. p. 423See EDDISH.Ea'gre, n. p. 423The whole of a flood tide moving up an estuary or river in one tidal wave, or in two or three successive waves, of great height and violence;—called also bore. Dryden.Eal'der-man, n. p. 423The same as ALDERMAN.Eame, n. p. 423Uncle. [Obs.] Spenser.Ēan, v. t. or i. p. 423To bring forth, as young; to yean. “In eaning time.” Shak. See YEAN.Ean'ling, n. p. 423A lamb just brought forth; a yeanling. “Eanlings streaked and pied.” Shak.Ear, n. p. 423The organ of hearing. In man and the higher animals it is composed of three portions; the external ear, which is a cartilaginous funnel, covered by the integument serving to collect sonorous…Ear, v. i. p. 423To put forth the ear in growing; to form ears, as corn.Ear, v. t. p. 423To take in with the ears; to hear. [Obs.] “I eared her language.” Beau. & Fl.Ear, v. t. p. 423To plow or till. “Let them go to ear the land.” Shak.Ear'a-ble, a. p. 423Admitting of being, or used to being tilled; arable. [Obs.]Ear'āche, n. p. 423Pain in the ear.Ear'al, a. p. 423Receiving by the ear. [Obs.] Hewyt.Ear'-bōred, a. p. 423Having the ear perforated. Hall.Ear'-cāp, n. p. 423A cover for the ears against cold.Ear'-drōp, n. p. 423An ear-ring, or pendant for the ear.Ear'-drŭm, n. p. 423The tympanum of the ear. See — EAR.Ear'i-ness, n. p. 423Fear or timidity, especially of something supernatural. [Written also eiryness.] The sense of eariness, as twilight came on. De Quincey.Ēar'ing, n. p. 423(Naut.) A rope attached to the cringle of a sail, by which it is bent or reefed. R. H. Dana.Ear'ing, n. p. 423A plowing of land. [Obs.] “Neither earing nor harvest.” Gen. xlv. 6.Earl, n. p. 423A nobleman of England ranking below a marquis, and above a viscount. The rank of an earl corresponds to that of a count (comte) in France, and graaf in Germany.Ear'-lăp, n. p. 423The tip of the ear.Earl'dōm, n. p. 423The seigniory, jurisdiction, or dignity of an earl.Earl'dor man, n. p. 423The same as ALDERMAN.Earles'-pĕn'ny, n. p. 423Money given in part payment; an installment of money. [Obs.]Ear'less, a. p. 423Without ears; deaf or unwilling to hear. Earless on high stood unabashed Defoe. Pope.Ear'li-ness, n. p. 423The state of being early or forward; promptness.Earl'-mār'shal, n. p. 423An officer of state in England who marshals and orders all great ceremonials, takes cognizance of all matters relating to honor, arms, and pedigree, and directs the proclamation of peace and war. The…Ear'lōck, n. p. 423A lock or curl of hair near the ear; a love-lock.Ēar'ly, a. p. 423In advance of the usual or appointed time; in good season; prior in time; as, an early spring; early fruit; early hours, and the like. Syn.—Forward; timely; not late.Ear'ly, adv. p. 423Soon; in good season; seasonably; promptly; betimes; as, rise early; come early. Those that seek me early shall find me. Prov. viii. 17.Ear'-märk, n. p. 424A mark on the ear by which a sheep is known. 2. (Law.) A sign or token by which one thing may be known from another; a note or mark for identification; a distinguishing mark. “Money is said to have…Ear'-märk, v. t. p. 424To mark, as sheep, by cropping or slitting the ear.Earn, v. t. p. 424To merit or deserve by labor; to do that which entitles to a reward, whether the reward is received or not. The high repute Which he through hazard huge must earn. Milton. 2. To acquire by labor…Earn, v. i. p. 424To long for; to feel anxiety; to yearn. [Obs.] And ever as he rode, his heart did earn To prove his puissance in battle brave. Spencer.Earn, v. i. p. 424To curdle, as milk. [Prov. Eng.]Ear'nest, a. p. 424Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain; intent upon acquiring. “Importune with earnest prayers.” Shak. 2. Intent; fixed. 3. Serious; important. [Obs.] “They whom earnest lets do often…Ear'nest, n. p. 424Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness. Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest. Sidney. And give in earnest what I begged in jest. Shak. 2. [Probably…Ear'nest, v. t. p. 424To use in earnest. [Old and rare.] “To earnest them [arms] with men.”Ear'nest-ly, adv. p. 424In an earnest manner; warmly; eagerly; also, with fixed attention.Ear'nest-món'ey, n. p. 424Money paid as earnest, to bind a bargain or to ratify and prove a sale.