Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Wā'ger, n. p. 1487Something deposited, laid, or hazarded, on the event of a contest or some unsettled question; a bet; a stake; a pledge. Besides these plates for horse-races, the wagers may be as the persons please.…Wā'ger, v. t. p. 1487To hazard on the issue of a contest, or on some question that is to be decided, or on some casualty; to lay; to bet. “And wagered with him pieces of gold.” Shak.Wā'ger, v. i. p. 1487To make a bet; to lay a wager. 'Twas merry when you wagered on your angling. Shak.Wā'ger-er, n. p. 1487One who wages, or lays a bet.Wā'ger-ing, p. a. p. 1487Hazarding; pertaining to that which is hazarded. Wagering policy (Com.), a policy of insurance, insuring a sum of money when no property is at hazard; as a policy to insure money on a ship when no…Wā'ges, n. p. 1487A compensation given to a hired person for his or her services. See WAGE.Wāg'gel, n. p. 1487(Ornith.) The young of the great black-backed gull (Larus marinus), formerly considered a distinct species, and called Larus nævius. [Written also wagel.] Jardine.Wāg'ger-y, n. p. 1487The manner or action of a wag; mischievous merriment; sportive trick or gayety; sarcasm in good humor; pleasantry; as, the waggery of a school-boy.Wāg'gish, n. p. 1487Like a wag; mischievous in sport; roguish in merriment or good humor; frolicsome. “A company of waggish boys.” D'Estrange. 2. Done, made, or laid in waggery or for sport; as, a waggish trick.Wāg'gish-ly, adv. p. 1487In a waggish manner; in sport.Wāg'gish-ness, n. p. 1487State or quality of being waggish; mischievous sport; frolicsome merriment.Wāg'gle, v. i. p. 1487To reel or move from side to side; to waddle. Why do you go nodding and waggling so? D'Estrange.Wāg'gle, v. t. p. 1487To move one way and the other; to wag; as, a bird waggles his tail.Wāg'-hāl/ter, n. p. 1487One who moves or wears a halter; — a comic term coined to suit a thief, or such personage. [Obs.] I can tell you, I am a mad wag-halter. Marston.Wāg'ner-ite, n. p. 1487(Min.) A phosphate of magnesia, resembling the Brazilian topaz. Paine.Wāg'on, n. p. 1487A wheeled carriage; a vehicle on four wheels, and usually drawn by horses; especially, one used for carrying freight. ☞ In the U. S., light wagons are used for the conveyance of persons, and for…Wāg'on, v. t. p. 1487To transport in a wagon; as goods are wagoned from London to the interior.Wāg'on, v. t. p. 1487To practice the transportation of goods in a wagon; as, the man wagons between Philadelphia and Pittsburg.Wāg'on-a'ge, n. p. 1487Money paid for carriage in a wagon.Wāg'on-boil'er, n. p. 1487A form of steam-boiler introduced by Watt, having a semi-cylindrical top, the ends and sides being vertical, and the bottom flat, or, as improved, having the sides and bottom slightly curved inwardly.Wāg'on-er, n. p. 1487One who conducts a wagon; a wagon-driver. 2. (Astron.) A constellation; Charles's Wain; Ursa Major.Wāg'on-ëtte', n. p. 1487A peculiar kind of wagon or carriage designed to carry six or eight persons. Simmonds.Wāg'on-ful, n. p. 1487As much as aWăg'on-hēad'ed, a. p. 1487Having a top or head shaped like the top of a covered wagon, or resembling in section or outline an inverted U, thus, n.Wāg'on-mās'ter, n. p. 1487An officer or person in charge of one or more wagons, especially of those used for transporting freight, as the supplies of an army, and the like.Wăg'on-rōofed, a. p. 1487Having a roof or top shaped like an inverted u; wagon-headed.Wăg'on-ry, n. p. 1487Conveyance by means of a wagon or wagons; wagonage. [Obs.] Milton.Wāg'on-wright, n. p. 1487A maker of wagons.Wăg′tāil, n. p. 1487(Ornith.) A small bird, of several species, belonging to the genus Motacilla, and so named from the incessant motion of its long tail.Wā-hā'bee, n. p. 1487A follower of Abdel Wahab, a reformer of Mohammedanism, about 1760. His doctrines prevail particularly among the Bedouins, and the sect, though checked in its influence, extends to most parts of…Wāid, n. p. 1487Oppressed with weight; crushed. [Obs.] Shak.Waif, n. p. 1487(Eng. Law.) Goods found of which the owner is not known. These were originally such goods as a thief, when pursued, threw away to prevent being apprehended. They belong to the king unless the owner…Wāift, n. p. 1487A waif. [Obs.] Spenser.Wāil, v. t. p. 1487To lament; to moan; to bewail; to grieve over. “Or if no more her absent lord she wails.” Pope.Wāil, v. i. p. 1487To express sorrow audibly; to lament; to weep. Therefore I will wail and howl. Micah i. 8.Wāil, n. p. 1487Loud weeping; violent lamentation.Wāil, v. t. p. 1487To choose; to select; to cull. [Obs. and rare.] “Wailed wine and meats.” Chaucer.Wāil'er, n. p. 1487One who wails or laments.Wāil'er-ess, n. p. 1487A female who wails. [Obs.]Wāil'ful, a. p. 1487Sorrowful; mournful. “Like wailful widows.” Spenser. “Wailful sonnets.” Shak.Wāil'ing-ly, adv. p. 1487In a wailing manner; with wailing.Wāil'ment, n. p. 1487Lamentation. [Obs.] Hacket.Wai'ment, v. i. p. 1487To lament; to wayment. [Obs.] See WAYMENT.Wāin, n. p. 1487A carriage for the transportation of goods on wheels; a wagon. The wardens see nothing but a wain of hay. Jeffrey. 2. (Astron.) A constellation; Charles’s Wain; Ursa Major.Wāin'a-ble, a. p. 1487Capable of being plowed or cultivated; tillable. [Obs.] Crabb.Wāin'age, n. p. 1487A finding of carriages for the transportation of goods, produce, &c. Ainsworth. 2. (O. Eng. Law.) Gainage. See GAINAGE.Wāin'-bōte, n. p. 1487(Eng. Law.) Timber for wagons or carts.Wāin'-house, n. p. 1487A house or shed for wagons and carts. [Prov. Eng.]Wāin'-rōpe, n. p. 1487A rope for binding a load on a wagon; a cart-rope. Shak.Wāin'scot, n. p. 1487Oaken timber or boarding. [Obs.] A wedge of wainscot is fittest and most proper for cleaving of an oaken tree. Urquhart. Being thus arrayed and inclosed in a chest of wainscot, he [Edward the…Wāin'scot, v. t. p. 1487To line with boards or panel-work, or as if with panel-work; as, to wainscot a hall. Music sounds better in chambers wainscoted than hanged. Bacon. The other is wainscoted with looking-glass. Addison.Wāin'scot-ing, n. p. 1487The act of covering or lining with boards in panel. 2. The material used to wainscot a house, or the wainscot as a whole.Wāin’wright, n. p. 1487The same as WAGON-WRIGHT.Wāir, n. p. 1487(Carp.) A piece of plank two yards long and a foot broad. Bailey.Waist, n. p. 1487That part of the human body which is immediately below the ribs or thorax; the small part of the body between the thorax and hips. “Woman to the waist, and fair.” Milton. I am in the waist two yards…Wāist’band, n. p. 1487The band or upper part of breeches, trousers, pantaloons, or the like, which encompasses the waist. 2. A sash worn by ladies around the waist.Wāist'clōth, n. p. 1487A cloth or wrapper worn about the waist; especially, a cotton wrapper so worn by natives of India. Simmonds. 2. (Naut.) A covering of canvas or tarpauling for the hammocks, stowed on the gangways…Wāist'coat, n. p. 1487A short coat or garment, without sleeves, worn under the coat, extending no lower than the hips, and covering the waist; a vest. “The waistcoat was a part of female attire as well as male. . . . It…Wäist'coat-eer', n. p. 1487One wearing a waistcoat; especially, a woman doing so, or thought fit for such a habit; hence, a profligate woman; a strumpet. [Obs.] Do you think you are here, sir, Amongst your waistcoaters, your…Wāist'er, n. p. 1487(Naut.) A seaman, usually a green hand or broken-down man, stationed in the waist of a vessel of war. Dana.