Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
- Pages
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- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Găd, n. p. 553The point of a spear, or an arrow head. Shak. 2. A point or wedge-shaped instrument of metal. I will go get a leaf of brass. And with a gad of steel will write these words. Shak. 3. A sharp-pointed…Găd, v. i. p. 553To walk about; to rove or ramble idly, or without any fixed purpose. Envy is a gadding passion, and walketh the streets. Bacon. 2. To ramble in growth. “With . . . the gadding vine o’ergrown.” Milton.Găd'-a-bout', n. p. 553One who gads about, or roves idly; a gadder. [Colloq.]Găd'der, n. p. 553A rambler; one who roves about idly.Găd'ding-ly, adv. p. 553In a roving, idle manner.Găd'dish, a. p. 553Disposed to gad about.Găd'dish-ness, n. p. 553The quality of being gaddish; idleness. “Gaddishness and folly.” Abp. Leighton.Găd'flȳ, n. p. 553(Entom.) An insect of the genus Œstrus, which stings cattle, and deposits its eggs in their skin;—called also breeze. The common species which infest oxen is Œstrus bovis. ☞ The gadfly of the horse…Găd/i-tā'ni-an, a. p. 553(Geog.) Belonging or relating to Cadiz, in Spain, or to its inhabitants.Găd/i-tā'ni-an, n. p. 553(Geog.) A native or inhabitant of Cadiz.Gād'ling, n. p. 553(Anc. Armor.) A spike or sharp-pointed boss on the knuckle of a gauntlet; gad. Fosbroke.Gād'ling, n. p. 553\nAn idle vagabond. Chaucer.Gād'ling, a. p. 553Gadding about; rambling; straggling. [Obs.] Bullokar.Gā'doid, n. p. 553(Ichth.) One of a family of soft-finned fishes, having the ventral fins below or in advance of the pectoral, of which family the cod is the type. Brande.Gā'doid, a. p. 553(Ichth.) Relating to a family of fishes of which the cod is the type.Găd'o-lin-ite, n. p. 553(Min.) A mineral of a black or greenish-black color and vitreous luster, and consisting principally of the silicates of yttrium, cerium, and iron;— so called from Prof. Gadolin, a Russian chemist.Gā'dus, n. p. 553(Ichth.) A genus of fishes in the Linnæan system, including the cod.Gād'wall, n. p. 553(Ornith.) A bird of the genus Anas (A. strepera), found in the northern parts of Europe and America, in marshes and along the shores;Gāel, n. sing. & pl. p. 553A Scotch Highlander of Celtic origin. 2. An Irish Celt.Gāe'lie, a. p. 553Belonging to the Gael, tribes of Celtic origin inhabiting the Highlands of Scotland; as, the Gaelic language.Gāe'lie, n. p. 553The language of the Highlanders of Scotland. It is a branch of the Celtic.Gāff, n. p. 553A light spear or barbed iron used by fishermen. 2. (Naut.) A sort of boom or yard, extending the upper edge of a fore-and-aft sail. Brande. 3. A gaffle. Wright.Găf'fer, n. p. 553An old fellow; an aged rustic. Go to each gaffer and each goody. Fawkes. Gaffer was originally a word of respect, now degenerated into a term of familiarity or contempt, when addressed to an aged man.Gāf'fle, n. p. 553An artificial spur put on cocks when they are set to fight. 2. A steel lever to bend cross-bows. Ainsworth.Gāff'-tōp'sail, n. p. 553(Naut.) A small sail placed above, and spread by, a gaff.Gāf'ol, n. p. 553(Law.) Rent or income; tax, tribute, or custom. Burrill.Gāf'ol-lānd, n. p. 553(Law.) Land subject to taxes; land that is rented.Gāg, v. t. p. 553To stop the mouth of, by thrusting in something, so as to hinder speaking; hence, to silence by authority or by violence; not to allow freedom of speech to. Murrell. 2. To pry or hold open by means…Gāg, v. i. p. 553To keck; to heave with nausea.Gāg, n. p. 553Something thrust into the mouth or throat to hinder speaking. 2. A mouthful that makes one retch; a choking bit, as a gag of mutton fat. C. Lamb.Gāg'ate, n. p. 553Agate. [Obs. and rare.] Fuller.Gāge, n. p. 553A pledge or pawn; something laid down or given as a security for the performance of some act, to be done by the person depositing the thing, and which is to be forfeited by non-performance; security.…Gāge, n. p. 554A measure or standard. See GAUGE.Gāge, v. t. p. 554To give or deposit as a pledge or security for some other act; to wage or wager; to pawn or pledge. [Obs.] A moiety competent Was gaged by our king. Shak. 2. To bind by pledge, caution, or security…Gāge, v. t. p. 554To measure. See GAUGE. You shall not gage me By what we do to-night. Shak.Gā'ger, n. p. 554A measurer. See GAUGER.Găg'ger, n. p. 554One who gags.Găg'gle, v. i. p. 554To make a noise like a goose. Bacon.Gāg'-tooth, n. p. 554A projecting tooth. Halliwell.Gāg'-tōothed, a. p. 554Having projecting teeth. Then follow the lips: some men there be that put them far out by reason that they are gag-toothed. Holland.Gähn'ite, n. p. 554(Min.) A zinc-spinel; automolite;—so called in honor of Gahn, a Swedish chemist. See AUTOMOLITE.Gāi'e-ty, n. p. 554The same as GAYETY, q. v.Gailliarde, n. p. 554A sprightly Italian dance. Brande.Gāy'ly, adv. p. 554In a gay manner; joyfully; merrily; jauntily.Gāin, v. t. p. 554To get, as profit or advantage; to acquire; to win; to obtain or acquire by effort or labor; as, to gain a good living. What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own…Gāin, v. i. p. 554To have advantage or profit; to acquire gain; to grow rich; to advance in interest or happiness. Thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbors by extortion. Ezek. xxii. 12. Thanks to you, That called me…Gāin, n. p. 554That which is gained, obtained, or acquired, as profit or advantage; profit; advantage; benefit; winning; — opposed to loss. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Phil.…Gāin, n. p. 554(Arch.) A beveled shoulder of a binding joist, for the purpose of giving additional resistance to the tenon below.Gāin, a. p. 554Handy; dexterous; suitable; convenient. 2. Profitable; cheap. 3. Near; contiguous. 4. Respectable; honest.Gāin'a-ble, a. p. 554Capable of being obtained or reached. Sherwood.Gāin'age, n. p. 554(O. Eng. Law.) (a.) The horses, oxen, plows, wains or wagons with their furniture for carrying on tillage. (b.) The land itself, or the profit made by cultivation. Bouvier.Gāin'er, n. p. 554One who gains or obtains profit, interest, or advantage. Wilt thou, after the expense of so much money, be now a gainer? Shak.Gāin'ful, a. p. 554Producing profit or advantage; profitable; advantageous; advancing interest or happiness. They be very gainful and profitable to their masters. Holland. 2. Productive of wealth; lucrative. “A gainful…Gāin'ful-ly, adv. p. 554In a gainful manner; with gain; profitably; advantageously.Gāin'ful-ness, n. p. 554The quality of being gainful; profitableness.Gāin'giv-ing, n. p. 554A misgiving; a giving against. [Obs.] Shak.Gāin'less, a. p. 554Not producing gain; unprofitable; not bringing advantage. Hammond.Gāin'less-ness, n. p. 554Want of advantage; unprofitableness.Gāin'ly, adv. p. 554Handily; readily; dexterously; advantageously; conveniently. [Obs.] Henry More.Gāin'pāin, n. p. 554Bread-gainer;—a term applied in the middle ages to the sword of a hired soldier.