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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- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
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.Ear'nest-ness, n. p. 424The state of being earnest; ardor or zeal in the pursuit of any thing; eagerness; intenseness of desire; fixed attention; seriousness; care; anxiety; as, to ask with earnestness. “An honest…Earn'ful, a. p. 424Full of anxiety or yearning. [Obs.] P. Fletcher.Ẽarn'ing, n. p. 424That which is earned; that which is gained or merited by labor, services, or performances; wages; reward; — used commonly in the plural. As to the common people, their stock is in their persons and…Ēar'-pĭck, n. p. 424An instrument for cleansing the ear.Ēar'-rēach, n. p. 424Hearing-distance. [Obs.] “All stand without ear-reach.” Marston.Ēar'-rĕnt, n. p. 424Rent paid by loss of the ears. [Obs.] A hole to thrust your heads in, For which you should pay ear-rent. B. Jonson.Ear'-ring, n. p. 424An ornament, sometimes set with diamonds, pearls, or other jewels, suspended from the ear, by means of a ring passing through the lobe.Earsh, n. p. 424A plowed field. [Obs.] May. 2. Grass that grows after mowing or reaping. See EDDISH.Ear'-shēll, n. p. 424(Conch.) A flattened univalve, a species of Haliotis, having a pearly, iridescent inner coating, which is used for inlaid work.Ear'-shōt, n. p. 424Reach of the ear; distance at which words may be heard. Dryden.Ẽarst, adv. p. 424See ERST. Spenser.Ẽarth, n. p. 424The globe which we inhabit; that one of the planets on which man dwells; the world, in distinction from the sun, moon, or stars. O thou in heaven and earth the only peace. Milton. 2. The solid…Ẽarth, v. t. p. 424To hide, or cause to hide, in the earth; to bury. “The fox is earthed.” Dryden. 2. To cover with earth or mold;—sometimes with up. The miser earths his treasure, and the thief, Watching the mole…Ēarth, v. i. p. 424To retire under ground; to burrow. “Here foxes earthed.” Tickell.Earth'-āp'ple, n. p. 424A cucumber. Ogilvie. 2. A potato. Ogilvie.Earth'-bāg, n. p. 424(Mil.) A bag filled with earth, used for defense in war.Earth'-bānk, n. p. 424A bank or mound of earth.Earth'-bōard, n. p. 424(Agric.) The board of a plow, or other implement, that turns over the earth; the mold-board.Ēarth’bŏrn, a. p. 424Born of the earth; terrigenous; springing originally from the earth. “Some earth-born giant.” Milton. 2. Relating to, or occasioned by, earthly objects. All earth-born cares are wrong. Goldsmith.Ēarth'-bound, a. p. 424Fastened by the pressure of the earth. Shak.Earth'-brēd, a. p. 424Low; abject; groveling.Earth'-ere-āt/ed, a. p. 424Formed of earth. Young.Earth'-din, n. p. 424An earthquake. [Obs.]Earth'-drāke, n. p. 424A mythical monster of the early Anglo-Saxon literature; a dragon. He sacrifices his own life in destroying a frightful earth-drake or dragon. W. Spalding.Earth'en, a. p. 424Made of earth; made of burnt or baked clay, or other like substances; as, an earthen vessel; earthen ware.Earth'en-ware, n. p. 424Ware made of earth; crockery.Earth'-fēd, a. p. 424Fed upon earthly things; low; abject. B. Jonson.Earth'-flāx, n. p. 424(Min.) The same as ASBESTOS.Ẽarth'-fôrk, n. p. 424A pronged fork for turning up the earth.Ẽarth'i-ness, n. p. 424The quality of being earthy, or of containing earth; grossness.Ẽarth'li-ness, n. p. 424The quality of being earthly; grossness. 2. Excessive and debasing attachment to earthly objects; worldliness. 3. Perishableness; want of durability; frailty. [Obs.] Fuller.Ẽarth'ling, n. p. 424An inhabitant of the earth; a mortal. Earthlings oft her deemed a deity. Drummond.Earth'ly, a. p. 424Pertaining to earth; belonging to this world, or to man's existence on the earth; not heavenly or spiritual; carnal. This earthly load Of death called life. Milton. Whose glory is in their shame, who…**Earth'ly-minded**, a. p. 424Having a mind devoted to earthly things; worldly-minded.Earth'ly-mindedness, n. p. 424Extreme devotedness to earthly objects; grossness; sensuality.Earth'-mād, n. p. 424A kind of worm or grub. [Obs.] The earth-mads and all the sorts of worms . . . are without eyes. Holland.Ĕarth'-nŭt, n. p. 424(Bot.) (a.) The root of Bunium bulbocastanum, an umbelliferous plant, which is farinaceous, sweet, and considered to be nourishing. Loudon. (b.) The seed-vessel and seed of the Arachis hypogæa, a…Earth'-pea, n. p. 424(Bot.) A species of pea; the Lathyrus amphicarpos, a climbing leguminous plant.Earth'quake, n. p. 424A shaking, trembling, or concussion of the earth, due to subterranean causes, often accompanied by a rumbling noise. The vibration, originating in some concussion, is transmitted by the material of…Earth'-shāk'ing, a. p. 424Shaking the earth; having power to shake the earth. “Earth-shaking Neptune's mace.” Milton.Earth'-shine, n. p. 424A pale, delicate light, rendering the unenlightened portion of the moon's disk visible. It is occasioned by the sun's light reflected to the moon's disk, and from thence reflected back again to the…Earth'-tā'ble, n. p. 424(Goth. Arch.) The lowest course of stones visible in a building.Earth'-tŏngue, n. p. 424(Bot.) A plant of the genus Geoglossum. Ogilvie.Earth'ward, adv. p. 424Toward the earth.Earth'-work, n. p. 424(Engin.) The removal of large masses of earth, in constructing canals, railways, and the like; a fortification of earth.Earth'-worm, n. p. 424(Zool.) The common worm found in the soil, without legs or appendages. The species belong to the genus Lumbricus. 2. A mean, sordid person; a niggard. Norris.Earth'y, a. p. 424Consisting of, or belonging or relating to earth; terrene; terrestrial. “An earthy pit.” Shak. “To tend their earthy charge.” Milton. “Earthy spirits black and envious are.” Dryden. 2. Gross…