F \F\ ([e^]f).
1. F is the sixth letter of the English alphabet, and a
nonvocal consonant. Its form and sound are from the Latin.
The Latin borrowed the form from the Greek digamma ?,
which probably had the value of English w consonant. The
form and value of Greek letter came from the Ph[oe]nician,
the ultimate source being probably Egyptian.
Etymologically f is most closely related to p, k, v, and
b; as in E. five, Gr. pe`nte; E. wolf, L. lupus, Gr.
ly`kos; E. fox, vixen; fragile, break; fruit, brook, v.
t.; E. bear, L. ferre. See Guide to Pronunciation,
[sect][sect] 178, 179, 188, 198, 230.
2. (Mus.) The name of the fourth tone of the model scale, or
scale of C. F sharp (F [sharp]) is a tone intermediate
between F and G.
{F clef}, the bass clef. See under {Clef}.
Fa \Fa\ (f[aum]), n. [It.] (Mus.)
(a) A syllable applied to the fourth tone of the diatonic
scale in solmization.
(b) The tone F.
Fabaceous \Fa*ba"ceous\ (f[.a]*b[=a]"sh[u^]s), a. [L. fabaceus,
fr. faba bean.]
Having the nature of a bean; like a bean.
Fabella \Fa*bel"la\, n.; pl. {Fabellae} (-l?). [NL., dim. of L.
faba a bean.] (Anat.)
One of the small sesamoid bones situated behind the condyles
of the femur, in some mammals.
Fabian \Fa"bi*an\, a. [L. Fabianus, Fabius, belonging to
Fabius.]
Of, pertaining to, or in the manner of, the Roman general,
Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus; cautious; dilatory;
avoiding a decisive contest.
{Fabian policy}, a policy like that of Fabius Maximus, who,
by carefully avoiding decisive contests, foiled Hannibal,
harassing his army by marches, countermarches, and
ambuscades; a policy of delays and cautions.
Fable \Fa"ble\ (f[=a]"b'l), n. [F., fr. L. fabula, fr. fari to
speak, say. See {Ban}, and cf. {Fabulous}, {Fame}.]
1. A Feigned story or tale, intended to instruct or amuse; a
fictitious narration intended to enforce some useful truth
or precept; an apologue. See the Note under {Apologue}.
Jotham's fable of the trees is the oldest extant.
--Addison.
2. The plot, story, or connected series of events, forming
the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.
The moral is the first business of the poet; this
being formed, he contrives such a design or fable as
may be most suitable to the moral. --Dryden.
3. Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of
talk. ``Old wives' fables. '' --1 Tim. iv. 7.
We grew The fable of the city where we dwelt.
--Tennyson.
4. Fiction; untruth; falsehood.
It would look like a fable to report that this
gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret
methods. --Addison.
Fable \Fa"ble\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fabled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fabling}.]
To compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction; to write
or utter what is not true. ``He Fables not.'' --Shak.
Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell. --Prior.
He fables, yet speaks truth. --M. Arnold.
Fable \Fa"ble\, v. t.
To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or
real; to tell of falsely.
The hell thou fablest. --Milton.
Fabler \Fa"bler\ (f[=a]"bl[~e]r), n.
A writer of fables; a fabulist; a dealer in untruths or
falsehoods. --Bp. Hall.
Fabliau \Fa`bli`au"\, n.; pl. {Fabliaux} (-[-o]"). [F., fr. OF.
fablel, dim. of fable a fable.] (Fr. Lit.)
One of the metrical tales of the Trouv[`e]res, or early poets
of the north of France.
Fabric \Fab"ric\, n. [L. fabrica fabric, workshop: cf. F.
fabrique fabric. See {Forge}.]
1. The structure of anything; the manner in which the parts
of a thing are united; workmanship; texture; make; as
cloth of a beautiful fabric.
2. That which is fabricated; as:
(a) Framework; structure; edifice; building.
Anon out of the earth a fabric huge Rose like an
exhalation. --Milton.
(b) Cloth of any kind that is woven or knit from fibers,
either vegetable or animal; manufactured cloth; as,
silks or other fabrics.
3. The act of constructing; construction. [R.]
Tithe was received by the bishop, . . . for the
fabric of the churches for the poor. --Milman.
4. Any system or structure consisting of connected parts; as,
the fabric of the universe.
The whole vast fabric of society. --Macaulay.
Fabric \Fab"ric\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fabricked}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fabricking}.]
To frame; to build; to construct. [Obs.] ``Fabric their
mansions.'' --J. Philips.
Fabricant \Fab"ri*cant\, n. [F.]
One who fabricates; a manufacturer. --Simmonds.
Fabricate \Fab"ri*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fabricated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Fabricating}.] [L. fabricatus, p. p. of
fabricari, fabricare, to frame, build, forge, fr. fabrica.
See {Fabric}, {Farge}.]
1. To form into a whole by uniting its parts; to frame; to
construct; to build; as, to fabricate a bridge or ship.
2. To form by art and labor; to manufacture; to produce; as,
to fabricate woolens.
3. To invent and form; to forge; to devise falsely; as, to
fabricate a lie or story.
Our books were not fabricated with an accomodation
to prevailing usages. --Paley.
Fabrication \Fab`ri*ca"tion\, n. [L. fabricatio; cf. F.
fabrication.]
1. The act of fabricating, framing, or constructing;
construction; manufacture; as, the fabrication of a
bridge, a church, or a government. --Burke.
2. That which is fabricated; a falsehood; as, the story is
doubtless a fabrication.
Syn: See {Fiction}.
Fabricator \Fab"ri*ca`tor\, n. [L.]
One who fabricates; one who constructs or makes.
The fabricator of the works of Ossian. --Mason.
Fabricatress \Fab"ri*ca`tress\, n.
A woman who fabricates.
Fabrile \Fab"rile\, a. [L. fabrilis, fr. faber workman. See
{Forge}.]
Pertaining to a workman, or to work in stone, metal, wood
etc.; as, fabrile skill.
Fabulist \Fab"u*list\, n. [Cf. F. fabuliste, fr. L. fabula. See
{Fable}.]
One who invents or writes fables.
Fabulize \Fab"u*lize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fabulized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fabulizing}.] [Cf. F. fabuliser. See {Fable}.]
To invent, compose, or relate fables or fictions. --G. S.
Faber.
Fabulosity \Fab`u*los"i*ty\, n. [L. fabulositas: cf. F.
fabulosit['e].]
1. Fabulousness. [R.] --Abp. Abbot.
2. A fabulous or fictitious story. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Fabulous \Fab"u*lous\ (f[a^]b"[-u]*l[u^]s), a. [L. fabulosus;
cf. F. fabuleux. See {Fable}.]
1. Feigned, as a story or fable; related in fable; devised;
invented; not real; fictitious; as, a fabulous
description; a fabulous hero.
The fabulous birth of Minerva. --Chesterfield.
2. Passing belief; exceedingly great; as, a fabulous price.
--Macaulay.
{Fabulous age}, that period in the history of a nation of
which the only accounts are myths and unverified legends;
as, the fabulous age of Greece and Rome. --
{Fab"u*lous*ly}, adv. -- {Fab"u*lous*ness}, n.
Faburden \Fab"ur*den\ (f[a^]b"[u^]r*den), n. [F. faux bourdon.
See {False}, and {Burden} a verse.]
1. (Mus.)
(a) A species of counterpoint with a drone bass.
(b) A succession of chords of the sixth. [Obs.]
2. A monotonous refrain. [Obs.] --Holland.
Fac \Fac\ (f[a^]k), n. [Abbrev. of facsimile.]
A large ornamental letter used, esp. by the early printers,
at the commencement of the chapters and other divisions of a
book. --Brande & C.
Facade \Fa`[,c]ade"\ (f[.a]`s[.a]d" or f[.a]`s[=a]d"), n. [F.,
fr. It. facciata, fr. faccia face, L. facies. See {Face}.]
(Arch.)
The front of a building; esp., the principal front, having
some architectural pretensions. Thus a church is said to have
its fa[,c]ade unfinished, though the interior may be in use.
Face \Face\, n. [F., from L. facies form, shape, face, perh.
from facere to make (see {Fact}); or perh. orig. meaning
appearance, and from a root meaning to shine, and akin to E.
fancy. Cf. {Facetious}.]
1. The exterior form or appearance of anything; that part
which presents itself to the view; especially, the front
or upper part or surface; that which particularly offers
itself to the view of a spectator.
A mist . . . watered the whole face of the ground.
--Gen. ii. 6.
Lake Leman wooes me with its crystal face. --Byron.
2. That part of a body, having several sides, which may be
seen from one point, or which is presented toward a
certain direction; one of the bounding planes of a solid;
as, a cube has six faces.
3. (Mach.)
(a) The principal dressed surface of a plate, disk, or
pulley; the principal flat surface of a part or
object.
(b) That part of the acting surface of a cog in a cog
wheel, which projects beyond the pitch line.
(c) The width of a pulley, or the length of a cog from end
to end; as, a pulley or cog wheel of ten inches face.
4. (Print.)
(a) The upper surface, or the character upon the surface,
of a type, plate, etc.
(b) The style or cut of a type or font of type.
5. Outside appearance; surface show; look; external aspect,
whether natural, assumed, or acquired.
To set a face upon their own malignant design.
--Milton.
This would produce a new face of things in Europe.
--Addison.
We wear a face of joy, because We have been glad of
yore. --Wordsworth.
6. That part of the head, esp. of man, in which the eyes,
cheeks, nose, and mouth are situated; visage; countenance.
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.
--Gen. iii.
19.
7. Cast of features; expression of countenance; look; air;
appearance.
We set the best faceon it we could. --Dryden.
8. (Astrol.) Ten degrees in extent of a sign of the zodiac.
--Chaucer.
9. Maintenance of the countenance free from abashment or
confusion; confidence; boldness; shamelessness;
effrontery.
This is the man that has the face to charge others
with false citations. --Tillotson.
10. Presence; sight; front; as in the phrases, before the
face of, in the immediate presence of; in the face of,
before, in, or against the front of; as, to fly in the
face of danger; to the face of, directly to; from the
face of, from the presence of.
11. Mode of regard, whether favorable or unfavorable; favor
or anger; mostly in Scriptural phrases.
The Lord make his face to shine upon thee. --Num.
vi. 25.
My face [favor] will I turn also from them. --Ezek.
vii. 22.
12. (Mining) The end or wall of the tunnel, drift, or
excavation, at which work is progressing or was last
done.
13. (Com.) The exact amount expressed on a bill, note, bond,
or other mercantile paper, without any addition for
interest or reduction for discount.
--McElrath.
Note: Face is used either adjectively or as part of a
compound; as, face guard or face-guard; face cloth;
face plan or face-plan; face hammer.
{Face ague} (Med.), a form of neuralgia, characterized by
acute lancinating pains returning at intervals, and by
twinges in certain parts of the face, producing convulsive
twitches in the corresponding muscles; -- called also {tic
douloureux}.
{Face card}, one of a pack of playing cards on which a human
face is represented; the king, queen, or jack.
{Face cloth}, a cloth laid over the face of a corpse.
{Face guard}, a mask with windows for the eyes, worn by
workman exposed to great heat, or to flying particles of
metal, stone, etc., as in glass works, foundries, etc.
{Face hammer}, a hammer having a flat face.
{Face joint} (Arch.), a joint in the face of a wall or other
structure.
{Face mite} (Zo["o]ll.), a small, elongated mite ({Demdex
folliculorum}), parasitic in the hair follicles of the
face.
{Face mold}, the templet or pattern by which carpenters,
ect., outline the forms which are to be cut out from
boards, sheet metal, ect.
{Face plate}.
(a) (Turning) A plate attached to the spindle of a lathe,
to which the work to be turned may be attached.
(b) A covering plate for an object, to receive wear or
shock.
(c) A true plane for testing a dressed surface. --Knight.
{Face wheel}. (Mach.)
(a) A crown wheel.
(b) A Wheel whose disk face is adapted for grinding and
polishing; a lap.
{Cylinder face} (Steam Engine), the flat part of a steam
cylinder on which a slide valve moves.
{Face of an anvil}, its flat upper surface.
{Face of a bastion} (Fort.), the part between the salient and
the shoulder angle.
{Face of coal} (Mining), the principal cleavage plane, at
right angles to the stratification.
{Face of a gun}, the surface of metal at the muzzle.
{Face of a place} (Fort.), the front comprehended between the
flanked angles of two neighboring bastions. --Wilhelm.
{Face of a square} (Mil.), one of the sides of a battalion
when formed in a square.
{Face of a} {watch, clock, compass, card etc.}, the dial or
graduated surface on which a pointer indicates the time of
day, point of the compass, etc.
{Face to face}.
(a) In the presence of each other; as, to bring the
accuser and the accused face to face.
(b) Without the interposition of any body or substance.
``Now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to
face.'' 1 --Cor. xiii. 12.
(c) With the faces or finished surfaces turned inward or
toward one another; vis [`a] vis; -- opposed to {back
to back}.
{To fly in the face of}, to defy; to brave; to withstand.
{To make a face}, to distort the countenance; to make a
grimace. --Shak.
Face \Face\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Faced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Facing}.]
1. To meet in front; to oppose with firmness; to resist, or
to meet for the purpose of stopping or opposing; to
confront; to encounter; as, to face an enemy in the field
of battle.
I'll face This tempest, and deserve the name of
king. --Dryden.
2. To Confront impudently; to bully.
I will neither be facednor braved. --Shak.
3. To stand opposite to; to stand with the face or front
toward; to front upon; as, the apartments of the general
faced the park.
He gained also with his forces that part of Britain
which faces Ireland. --Milton.
4. To cover in front, for ornament, protection, etc.; to put
a facing upon; as, a building faced with marble.
5. To line near the edge, esp. with a different material; as,
to face the front of a coat, or the bottom of a dress.
6. To cover with better, or better appearing, material than
the mass consists of, for purpose of deception, as the
surface of a box of tea, a barrel of sugar, etc.
7. (Mach.) To make the surface of (anything) flat or smooth;
to dress the face of (a stone, a casting, etc.); esp., in
turning, to shape or smooth the flat surface of, as
distinguished from the cylindrical surface.
8. To cause to turn or present a face or front, as in a
particular direction.
{To face down}, to put down by bold or impudent opposition.
``He faced men down.'' --Prior.
{To face (a thing) out}, to persist boldly or impudently in
an assertion or in a line of conduct. ``That thinks with
oaths to face the matter out.'' --Shak.
Face \Face\, v. i.
1. To carry a false appearance; to play the hypocrite. ``To
lie, to face, to forge.'' --Spenser.
2. To turn the face; as, to face to the right or left.
Face about, man; a soldier, and afraid! --Dryden.
3. To present a face or front.
Faced \Faced\, a.
Having (such) a face, or (so many) faces; as, smooth-faced,
two-faced.
Faser \Fa"ser\, n.
1. One who faces; one who puts on a false show; a bold-faced
person. [Obs.]
There be no greater talkers, nor boasters, nor
fasers. --Latimer.
2. A blow in the face, as in boxing; hence, any severe or
stunning check or defeat, as in controversy. [Collog.]
I should have been a stercoraceous mendicant if I
had hollowed when I got a facer. --C. Kingsley.
Facet \Fac"et\, n. [F. facette, dim. of face face. See {Face}.]
1. A little face; a small, plane surface; as, the facets of a
diamond. [Written also {facette}.]
2. (Anat.) A smooth circumscribed surface; as, the articular
facet of a bone.
3. (Arch.) The narrow plane surface between flutings of a
column.
4. (Zo["o]l.) One of the numerous small eyes which make up
the compound eyes of insects and crustaceans.
Facet \Fac"et\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Faceted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Faceting}.]
To cut facets or small faces upon; as, to facet a diamond.
Facete \Fa*cete"\, a. [L. facetus elegant, fine, facetious; akin
to facies. See {Face}, and cf. {Facetious}.]
Facetious; witty; humorous. [Archaic] ``A facete discourse.''
--Jer. Taylor.
``How to interpose'' with a small, smart remark,
sentiment facete, or unctuous anecdote. --Prof.
Wilson.
-- {Fa*cete"ly}, adv. -- {Fa*cete"ness}, n.
Faceted \Fac"et*ed\, a.
Having facets.
Facetiae \Fa*ce"ti*[ae]\, n. pl. [L., fr. facetus. See
{Facete}.]
Witty or humorous writings or saying; witticisms; merry
conceits.
Facetious \Fa*ce"tious\, a. [Cf. F. fac['e]tieux. See
{Faceti[ae]}.]
1. Given to wit and good humor; merry; sportive; jocular; as,
a facetious companion.
2. Characterized by wit and pleasantry; exciting laughter;
as, a facetious story or reply. -- {Fa*ce"tious*ly}, adv.
-- {Fa*ce"tious*ness}, n.
Facette \Fa*cette"\, n. [F.]
See {Facet}, n.
Facework \Face"work`\, n.
The material of the outside or front side, as of a wall or
building; facing.
Facia \Fa"ci*a\, n. (Arch.)
See {Fascia}.
Facial \Fa"cial\, a. [LL. facialis, fr. L. facies face : cf. F.
facial.]
Of or pertaining to the face; as, the facial artery, vein, or
nerve. -- {Fa"cial*ly}, adv.
{Facial angle} (Anat.), the angle, in a skull, included
between a straight line (ab, in the illustrations), from
the most prominent part of the forehead to the front efge
of the upper jaw bone, and another (cd) from this point to
the center of the external auditory opening. See {Gnathic
index}, under {Gnathic}.
Faciend \Fa"ci*end\, n. [From neut. of L. faciendus, gerundive
of facere to do.] (Mach.)
The multiplicand. See {Facient}, 2.
Facient \Fa"cient\, n. [L. faciens, -- entis, p. pr. of facere
to make, do. See {Fact}.]
1. One who does anything, good or bad; a doer; an agent.
[Obs.] --Bp. Hacket.
2. (Mach.)
(a) One of the variables of a quantic as distinguished
from a coefficient.
(b) The multiplier.
Note: The terms facient, faciend, and factum, may imply that
the multiplication involved is not ordinary
multiplication, but is either some specified operation,
or, in general, any mathematical operation. See
{Multiplication}.
Facies \Fa"ci*es\, n. [L., from, face. See {Face}.]
1. The anterior part of the head; the face.
2. (Biol.) The general aspect or habit of a species, or group
of species, esp. with reference to its adaptation to its
environment.
3. (Zo["o]l.) The face of a bird, or the front of the head,
excluding the bill.
{Facies Hippocratica}. (Med.) See {Hippocratic}.
Facile \Fac"ile\a. [L. facilis, prop., capable of being done or
made, hence, facile, easy, fr. facere to make, do: cf. F.
facile. Srr {Fact}, and cf. {Faculty}.]
1. Easy to be done or performed: not difficult; performable
or attainable with little labor.
Order . . . will render the work facile and
delightful. --Evelyn.
2. Easy to be surmounted or removed; easily conquerable;
readily mastered.
The facile gates of hell too slightly barred.
--Milton.
3. Easy of access or converse; mild; courteous; not haughty,
austere, or distant; affable; complaisant.
I meant she should be courteous, facile, sweet. --B.
Jonson.
4. Easily persuaded to good or bad; yielding; ductile to a
fault; pliant; flexible.
Since Adam, and his facile consort Eve, Lost
Paradise, deceived by me. --Milton.
This is treating Burns like a child, a person of so
facile a disposition as not to be trusted without a
keeper on the king's highway. --Prof.
Wilson.
5. Ready; quick; expert; as, he is facile in expedients; he
wields a facile pen. -- {Fac"ile-ly}, adv. --
{Fac"ile*ness}, n.
Facilitate \Fa*cil"i*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Facilitated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Facilitating}.] [Cf. F. faciliter. See
{Facility}.]
To make easy or less difficult; to free from difficulty or
impediment; to lessen the labor of; as, to facilitate the
execution of a task.
To invite and facilitate that line of proceeding which
the times call for. --I. Taylor.
Facilitation \Fa*cil`i*ta"tion\, n.
The act of facilitating or making easy.
Facility \Fa*cil"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Facilities}. [L. facilitas, fr.
facilis easy: cf. F. facilit?. See {Facile}.]
1. The quality of being easily performed; freedom from
difficulty; ease; as, the facility of an operation.
The facility with which government has been
overturned in France. --Burke.
2. Ease in performance; readiness proceeding from skill or
use; dexterity; as, practice gives a wonderful facility in
executing works of art.
3. Easiness to be persuaded; readiness or compliance; --
usually in a bad sense; pliancy.
It is a great error to take facility for good
nature. --L'Estrange.
4. Easiness of access; complaisance; affability.
Offers himself to the visits of a friend with
facility. --South.
5. That which promotes the ease of any action or course of
conduct; advantage; aid; assistance; -- usually in the
plural; as, special facilities for study.
Syn: Ease; expertness; readiness; dexterity; complaisance;
condescension; affability.
Usage: {Facility}, {Expertness}, {Readiness}. These words
have in common the idea of performing any act with
ease and promptitude. Facility supposes a natural or
acquired power of dispatching a task with lightness
and ease. Expertness is the kind of facility acquired
by long practice. Readiness marks the promptitude with
which anything is done. A merchant needs great
facility in dispatching business; a banker, great
expertness in casting accounts; both need great
readiness in passing from one employment to another.
``The facility which we get of doing things by a
custom of doing, makes them often pass in us without
our notice.'' --Locke. ``The army was celebrated for
the expertness and valor of the soldiers.'' ``A
readiness to obey the known will of God is the surest
means to enlighten the mind in respect to duty.''
Facing \Fa"cing\, n.
1. A covering in front, for ornament or other purpose; an
exterior covering or sheathing; as, the facing of an
earthen slope, sea wall, etc., to strengthen it or to
protect or adorn the exposed surface.
2. A lining placed near the edge of a garment for ornament or
protection.
3. (Arch.) The finishing of any face of a wall with material
different from that of which it is chiefly composed, or
the coating or material so used.
4. (Founding) A powdered substance, as charcoal, bituminous
coal, ect., applied to the face of a mold, or mixed with
the sand that forms it, to give a fine smooth surface to
the casting.
5. (Mil.)
(a) pl. The collar and cuffs of a military coat; --
commonly of a color different from that of the coat.
(b) The movement of soldiers by turning on their heels to
the right, left, or about; -- chiefly in the pl.
{Facing brick}, front or pressed brick.
Facingly \Fa"cing*ly\, adv.
In a facing manner or position.
Facinorous \Fa*cin"o*rous\, a. [L. facinorous, from facinus
deed, bad deed, from facere to make, do.]
Atrociously wicked. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor. --
{Fa*cin"o*rous*ness}, n. [Obs.]
Facound \Fac"ound\, n. [F. faconde, L. facundia. See {Facund}.]
Speech; eloquence. [Obs.]
Her facound eke full womanly and plain. --Chaucer.
Facsimile \Fac*sim"i*le\, n.; pl. {Facsimiles} (-l?z). [L. fac
simile make like; or an abbreviation of factum simile made
like; facere to make + similes like. See {Fact}, and
{Simile}.]
A copy of anything made, either so as to be deceptive or so
as to give every part and detail of the original; an exact
copy or likeness.
{Facsimile telegraph}, a telegraphic apparatus reproducing
messages in autograph.
Facsimile \Fac*sim"i*le\,, v. t.
To make a facsimile of.
Fact \Fact\, n. [L. factum, fr. facere to make or do. Cf.
{Feat}, {Affair}, {Benefit}, {Defect}, {Fashion}, and {-fy}.]
1. A doing, making, or preparing. [Obs.]
A project for the fact and vending Of a new kind of
fucus, paint for ladies. --B. Jonson.
2. An effect produced or achieved; anything done or that
comes to pass; an act; an event; a circumstance.
What might instigate him to this devilish fact, I am
not able to conjecture. --Evelyn.
He who most excels in fact of arms. --Milton.
3. Reality; actuality; truth; as, he, in fact, excelled all
the rest; the fact is, he was beaten.
4. The assertion or statement of a thing done or existing;
sometimes, even when false, improperly put, by a transfer
of meaning, for the thing done, or supposed to be done; a
thing supposed or asserted to be done; as, history abounds
with false facts.
I do not grant the fact. --De Foe.
This reasoning is founded upon a fact which is not
true. --Roger Long.
Note: TheTerm fact has in jurisprudence peculiar uses in
contrast with low; as, attorney at low, and attorney in
fact; issue in low, and issue in fact. There is also a
grand distinction between low and fact with reference
to the province of the judge and that of the jury, the
latter generally determining the fact, the former the
low. --Burrill Bouvier.
{Accessary before}, or {after}, {the fact}. See under
{Accessary}.
{Matter of fact}, an actual occurrence; a verity; used
adjectively: of or pertaining to facts; prosaic;
unimaginative; as, a matter-of-fact narration.
Syn: Act; deed; performance; event; incident; occurrence;
circumstance.
Faction \Fac"tion\, n. [L. factio a doing, a company of persons
acting together, a faction: cf. F. faction See {Fashion}.]
1. (Anc. Hist.) One of the divisions or parties of
charioteers (distinguished by their colors) in the games
of the circus.
2. A party, in political society, combined or acting in
union, in opposition to the government, or state; --
usually applied to a minority, but it may be applied to a
majority; a combination or clique of partisans of any
kind, acting for their own interests, especially if
greedy, clamorous, and reckless of the common good.
3. Tumult; discord; dissension.
They remained at Newbury in great faction among
themselves. --Clarendon.
Syn: Combination; clique; junto. See {Cabal}.
Factionary \Fac"tion*a*ry\, a. [Cf. F. factionnaire, L.
factionarius the head of a company of charioteers.]
Belonging to a faction; being a partisan; taking sides.
[Obs.]
Always factionary on the party of your general. --Shak.
Factioner \Fac"tion*er\ (-?r), n.
One of a faction. --Abp. Bancroft.
Factionist \Fac"tion*ist\, n.
One who promotes faction.
Factious \Fac"tious\ a. [L. factiosus: cf. F. factieux.]
1. Given to faction; addicted to form parties and raise
dissensions, in opposition to government or the common
good; turbulent; seditious; prone to clamor against public
measures or men; -- said of persons.
Factious for the house of Lancaster. --Shak.
2. Pertaining to faction; proceeding from faction;
indicating, or characterized by, faction; -- said of acts
or expressions; as, factious quarrels.
Headlong zeal or factious fury. --Burke.
-- {Fac"tious*ly}, adv. -- {Fac"tious-ness}, n.
Factitious \Fac*ti"tious\, a. [L. factitius, fr. facere to make.
See {Fact}, and cf. {Fetich}.]
Made by art, in distinction from what is produced by nature;
artificial; sham; formed by, or adapted to, an artificial or
conventional, in distinction from a natural, standard or
rule; not natural; as, factitious cinnabar or jewels; a
factitious taste. -- {Fac-ti"tious*ly}, adv. --
{Fac*ti"tious-ness}, n.
He acquires a factitious propensity, he forms an
incorrigible habit, of desultory reading. --De Quincey.
Syn: Unnatural.
Usage: {Factitious}, {Unnatural}. Anything is unnatural when
it departs in any way from its simple or normal state;
it is factitious when it is wrought out or wrought up
by labor and effort, as, a factitious excitement. An
unnatural demand for any article of merchandise is one
which exceeds the ordinary rate of consumption; a
factitious demand is one created by active exertions
for the purpose. An unnatural alarm is one greater
than the occasion requires; a factitious alarm is one
wrought up with care and effort.
Factitive \Fac"ti*tive\ a. [See {Fact}.]
1. Causing; causative.
2. (Gram.) Pertaining to that relation which is proper when
the act, as of a transitive verb, is not merely received
by an object, but produces some change in the object, as
when we say, He made the water wine.
Sometimes the idea of activity in a verb or
adjective involves in it a reference to an effect,
in the way of causality, in the active voice on the
immediate objects, and in the passive voice on the
subject of such activity. This second object is
called the factitive object. --J. W. Gibbs.
Factive \Fac"tive\, a.
Making; having power to make. [Obs.] ``You are . . . factive,
not destructive.'' --Bacon.
Facto \Fac"to\, adv. [L., ablative of factum deed, fact.] (Law)
In fact; by the act or fact.
{De facto}. (Law) See {De facto}.
Factor \Fac"tor\, n. [L. factor a doer: cf. F. facteur a factor.
See {Fact}.]
1. (Law) One who transacts business for another; an agent; a
substitute; especially, a mercantile agent who buys and
sells goods and transacts business for others in
commission; a commission merchant or consignee. He may be
a home factor or a foreign factor. He may buy and sell in
his own name, and he is intrusted with the possession and
control of the goods; and in these respects he differs
from a broker. --Story. --Wharton.
My factor sends me word, a merchant's fled That owes
me for a hundred tun of wine. --Marlowe.
2. A steward or bailiff of an estate. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
3. (Math.) One of the elements or quantities which, when
multiplied together, from a product.
4. One of the elements, circumstances, or influences which
contribute to produce a result; a constituent.
The materal and dynamical factors of nutrition. --H.
Spencer.
Factor \Fac"tor\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Factored} (-t?rd); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Factoring}.] (Mach.)
To resolve (a quantity) into its factors.
Factorage \Fac"tor*age\, n. [Cf. F. factorage.]
The allowance given to a factor, as a compensation for his
services; -- called also a {commission}.
Factoress \Fac"tor*ess\, n.
A factor who is a woman. [R.]
Factorial \Fac*to"ri*al\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a factory. --Buchanan.
2. (Math.) Related to factorials.
Factorial \Fac*to"ri*al\, n. (Math.)
(a) pl. A name given to the factors of a continued product
when the former are derivable from one and the same
function F(x) by successively imparting a constant
increment or decrement h to the independent variable.
Thus the product F(x).F(x + h).F(x + 2h) . . . F[x +
(n-1)h] is called a factorial term, and its several
factors take the name of factorials. --Brande & C.
(b) The product of the consecutive numbers from unity up
to any given number.
Factoring \Fac"tor*ing\, n. (Math.)
The act of resolving into factors.
Factorize \Fac"tor*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Factorized}
(-?zd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Factorizing} (-?"z?ng).] (Law)
(a) To give warning to; -- said of a person in whose hands
the effects of another are attached, the warning being to
the effect that he shall not pay the money or deliver the
property of the defendant in his hands to him, but appear
and answer the suit of the plaintiff.
(b) To attach (the effects of a debtor) in the hands of a
third person; to garnish. See {Garnish}. [Vt. & Conn.]
Factorship \Fac"tor*ship\, n.
The business of a factor.
Factory \Fac"to*ry\, n.; pl. {Factories} (-r?z). [Cf. F.
factorerie.]
1. A house or place where factors, or commercial agents,
reside, to transact business for their employers. ``The
Company's factory at Madras.'' --Burke.
2. The body of factors in any place; as, a chaplain to a
British factory. --W. Guthrie.
3. A building, or collection of buildings, appropriated to
the manufacture of goods; the place where workmen are
employed in fabricating goods, wares, or utensils; a
manufactory; as, a cotton factory.
{Factory leg} (Med.), a variety of bandy leg, associated with
partial dislocation of the tibia, produced in young
children by working in factories.
Factotum \Fac*to"tum\, n.; pl. {Factotums} (-t?mz). [L., do
everything; facere to do + totus all : cf. F. factotum. See
{Fact}, and {Total}.]
A person employed to do all kinds of work or business. --B.
Jonson.
Factual \Fac"tu*al\, a.
Relating to, or containing, facts. [R.]
Factum \Fac"tum\, n.; pl. {Facta}. [L. See {Fact}.]
1. (Law) A man's own act and deed; particularly:
(a) (Civil Law) Anything stated and made certain.
(b) (Testamentary Law) The due execution of a will,
including everything necessary to its validity.
2. (Mach.) The product. See {Facient}, 2.
Facture \Fac"ture\, n. [F. facture a making, invoice, L. factura
a making. See {Fact}.]
1. The act or manner of making or doing anything; -- now used
of a literary, musical, or pictorial production. --Bacon.
2. (Com.) An invoice or bill of parcels.
Faculae \Fac"u*l[ae]\, n. pl. [L., pl. of facula a little
torch.] (Astron.)
Groups of small shining spots on the surface of the sun which
are brighter than the other parts of the photosphere. They
are generally seen in the neighborhood of the dark spots, and
are supposed to be elevated portions of the photosphere.
--Newcomb.
Facular \Fac"u*lar\a. (Astron.)
Of or pertaining to the facul[ae]. --R. A. Proctor.
Faculty \Fac"ul*ty\, n.; pl. {Faculties}. [F. facult?, L.
facultas, fr. facilis easy (cf. facul easily), fr. fecere to
make. See {Fact}, and cf. {Facility}.]
1. Ability to act or perform, whether inborn or cultivated;
capacity for any natural function; especially, an original
mental power or capacity for any of the well-known classes
of mental activity; psychical or soul capacity; capacity
for any of the leading kinds of soul activity, as
knowledge, feeling, volition; intellectual endowment or
gift; power; as, faculties of the mind or the soul.
But know that in the soul Are many lesser faculties
that serve Reason as chief. --Milton.
What a piece of work is a man ! how noble in reason
! how infinite in faculty ! --Shak.
2. Special mental endowment; characteristic knack.
He had a ready faculty, indeed, of escaping from any
topic that agitated his too sensitive and nervous
temperament. --Hawthorne.
3. Power; prerogative or attribute of office. [R.]
This Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek.
--Shak.
4. Privilege or permission, granted by favor or indulgence,
to do a particular thing; authority; license;
dispensation.
The pope . . . granted him a faculty to set him free
from his promise. --Fuller.
It had not only faculty to inspect all bishops'
dioceses, but to change what laws and statutes they
should think fit to alter among the colleges.
--Evelyn.
5. A body of a men to whom any specific right or privilege is
granted; formerly, the graduates in any of the four
departments of a university or college (Philosophy, Law,
Medicine, or Theology), to whom was granted the right of
teaching (profitendi or docendi) in the department in
which they had studied; at present, the members of a
profession itself; as, the medical faculty; the legal
faculty, ect.
6. (Amer. Colleges) The body of person to whom are intrusted
the government and instruction of a college or university,
or of one of its departments; the president, professors,
and tutors in a college.
{Dean of faculty}. See under {Dean}.
{Faculty of advocates}. (Scot.) See under {Advocate}.
Syn: Talent; gift; endowment; dexterity; expertness;
cleverness; readiness; ability; knack.
Facund \Fac"und\, a. [L. facundus, fr. fari to speak.]
Eloquent. [Archaic]
Facundious \Fa*cun"di*ous\, a. [L. facundiosus.]
Eloquement; full of words. [Archaic]
Facundity \Fa*cun"di*ty\, n. [L. facunditas.]
Eloquence; readiness of speech. [Archaic]
Fad \Fad\, n. [Cf. {Faddle}.]
A hobby; freak; whim. -- {Fad"dist}, n.
It is your favorite fad to draw plans. --G. Eliot.
Faddle \Fad"dle\, v. i. [Cf. {Fiddle}, {Fiddle-faddle}.]
To trifle; to toy. -- v. t. To fondle; to dandle. [Prov.
Eng.] --Halliwell.
Fade \Fade\a. [F., prob. fr. L. vapidus vapid, or possibly
fr,fatuus foolish, insipid.]
Weak; insipid; tasteless; commonplace. [R.] ``Passages that
are somewhat fade.'' --Jeffrey.
His masculine taste gave him a sense of something fade
and ludicrous. --De Quincey.
Fade \Fade\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Faded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fading}.] [OE. faden, vaden, prob. fr. fade, a.; cf. Prov.
D. vadden to fade, wither, vaddigh languid, torpid. Cf.
{Fade}, a., {Vade}.]
1. To become fade; to grow weak; to lose strength; to decay;
to perish gradually; to wither, as a plant.
The earth mourneth and fadeth away. --Is. xxiv. 4.
2. To lose freshness, color, or brightness; to become faint
in hue or tint; hence, to be wanting in color. ``Flowers
that never fade.'' --Milton.
3. To sink away; to disappear gradually; to grow dim; to
vanish.
The stars shall fade away. --Addison
He makes a swanlike end, Fading in music. --Shak.
Fade \Fade\, v. t.
To cause to wither; to deprive of freshness or vigor; to wear
away.
No winter could his laurels fade. --Dryden.
Faded \Fad"ed\, a.
That has lost freshness, color, or brightness; grown dim.
``His faded cheek.'' --Milton.
Where the faded moon Made a dim silver twilight.
--Keats.
Fadedly \Fad"ed*ly\, adv.
In a faded manner.
A dull room fadedly furnished. --Dickens.
Fadeless \Fade"less\, a.
Not liable to fade; unfading.
Fader \Fa"der\, n.
Father. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fadge \Fadge\, v. i. [Cf. OE. faden to flatter, and AS. f?gan to
join, unit, G. f["u]gen, or AS. [=a]f[ae]gian to depict; all
perh. form the same root as E. fair. Cf. {Fair}, a., {Fay} to
fit.]
To fit; to suit; to agree.
They shall be made, spite of antipathy, to fadge
together. --Milton.
Well, Sir, how fadges the new design ? --Wycherley.
Fadge \Fadge\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
A small flat loaf or thick cake; also, a fagot. [Prov. Eng.]
--Halliwell.
Fading \Fad"ing\, a.
Losing freshness, color, brightness, or vigor. -- n. Loss of
color, freshness, or vigor. -- {Fad"ing*ly}, adv. --
{Fad"ing*ness}, n.
Fading \Fad"ing\, n.
An Irish dance; also, the burden of a song. ``Fading is a
fine jig.'' [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Fadme \Fad"me\, n.
A fathom. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fady \Fad"y\, a.
Faded. [R.] --Shenstone.
Faecal \F[ae]"cal\, a.
See {Fecal}.
Faeces \F[ae]"ces\, n.pl. [L. faex, pl. faeces, dregs.]
Excrement; ordure; also, settlings; sediment after infusion
or distillation. [Written also {feces}.]
Faecula \F[ae]c"u*la\, n. [L.]
See {Fecula}.
Faery \Fa"["e]r*y\, n. & a.
Fairy. [Archaic] --Spenser.
Faffle \Faf"fle\, v. i. [Cf. {Famble}, {Maffle}.]
To stammer. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Fag \Fag\n.
A knot or coarse part in cloth. [Obs.]
Fag \Fag\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fagged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fagging}.] [Cf. LG. fakk wearied, weary, vaak slumber,
drowsiness, OFries. fai, equiv. to f[=a]ch devoted to death,
OS. f?gi, OHG. feigi, G. feig, feige, cowardly, Icel. feigr
fated to die, AS. f?ge, Scot. faik, to fail, stop, lower the
price; or perh. the same word as E. flag to droop.]
1. To become weary; to tire.
Creighton withheld his force till the Italian began
to fag. --G.
Mackenzie.
2. To labor to wearness; to work hard; to drudge.
Read, fag, and subdue this chapter. --Coleridge.
3. To act as a fag, or perform menial services or drudgery,
for another, as in some English schools.
{To fag out}, to become untwisted or frayed, as the end of a
rope, or the edge of canvas.
Fag \Fag\, v. t.
1. To tire by labor; to exhaust; as, he was almost fagged
out.
2. Anything that fatigues. [R.]
It is such a fag, I came back tired to death. --Miss
Austen.
{Brain fag}. (Med.) See {Cerebropathy}.
Fagend \Fag"*end"\, n.
1. An end of poorer quality, or in a spoiled condition, as
the coarser end of a web of cloth, the untwisted end of a
rope, ect.
2. The refuse or meaner part of anything.
The fag-end of business. --Collier.
Fagging \Fag"ging\, n.
Laborious drudgery; esp., the acting as a drudge for another
at an English school.
Fagot \Fag"ot\n. [F., prob. aug. of L. fax, facis, torch, perh.
orig., a bundle of sticks; cf. Gr. ??????? bundle, fagot. Cf.
{Fagotto}.]
1. A bundle of sticks, twigs, or small branches of trees,
used for fuel, for raising batteries, filling ditches, or
other purposes in fortification; a fascine. --Shak.
2. A bundle of pieces of wrought iron to be worked over into
bars or other shapes by rolling or hammering at a welding
heat; a pile.
3. (Mus.) A bassoon. See {Fagotto}.
4. A person hired to take the place of another at the muster
of a company. [Eng.] --Addison.
5. An old shriveled woman. [Slang, Eng.]
{Fagot iron}, iron, in bars or masses, manufactured from
fagots.
{Fagot vote}, the vote of a person who has been constituted a
voter by being made a landholder, for party purposes.
[Political cant, Eng.]
Fagot \Fag"ot\v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fagoted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fagoting}.]
To make a fagot of; to bind together in a fagot or bundle;
also, to collect promiscuously. --Dryden.
Fagotto \Fa*got"to\, n. [It. See {Fagot}.] (Mus.)
The bassoon; -- so called from being divided into parts for
ease of carriage, making, as it were, a small fagot.
Faham \Fa"ham\, n.
The leaves of an orchid ({Angraecum fragrans}), of the
islands of Bourbon and Mauritius, used (in France) as a
substitute for Chinese tea.
Fahlband \Fahl"band`\, n. [G., fr. fahl dun-colored + band a
band.] (Mining)
A stratum in crystalline rock, containing metallic sulphides.
--Raymond.
Fahlerz \Fahl"erz\, Fahlband \Fahl"band\, n. [G. fahlerz; fahl
dun-colored, fallow + erz ore.] (Min.)
Same as {Tetrahedrite}.
Fahlunite \Fah"lun*ite\, n. [From Falhun, a place in Sweden.]
(Min.)
A hydration of iolite.
Fahrenheit \Fah"ren*heit\a. [G.]
Conforming to the scale used by Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit in
the graduation of his thermometer; of or relating to
Fahrenheit's thermometric scale. -- n. The Fahrenheit
termometer or scale.
Note: The Fahrenheit thermometer is so graduated that the
freezing point of water is at 32 degrees above the zero
of its scale, and the boiling point at 212 degrees
above. It is commonly used in the United States and in
England.
Faience \Fa`["i]*ence"\, n. [F., fr. Faenza, a town in Italy,
the original place of manufacture.]
Glazed earthenware; esp., that which is decorated in color.
Fail \Fail\v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Failed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Failing}.] [F. failir, fr. L. fallere, falsum, to deceive,
akin to E. fall. See {Fail}, and cf. {Fallacy}, {False},
{Fault}.]
1. To be wanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in
any measure or degree up to total absence; to cease to be
furnished in the usual or expected manner, or to be
altogether cut off from supply; to be lacking; as, streams
fail; crops fail.
As the waters fail from the sea. --Job xiv. 11.
Till Lionel's issue fails, his should not reign.
--Shak.
2. To be affected with want; to come short; to lack; to be
deficient or unprovided; -- used with of.
If ever they fail of beauty, this failure is not be
attributed to their size. --Berke.
3. To fall away; to become diminished; to decline; to decay;
to sink.
When earnestly they seek Such proof, conclude they
then begin to fail. --Milton.
4. To deteriorate in respect to vigor, activity, resources,
etc.; to become weaker; as, a sick man fails.
5. To perish; to die; -- used of a person. [Obs.]
Had the king in his last sickness failed. --Shak.
6. To be found wanting with respect to an action or a duty to
be performed, a result to be secured, etc.; to miss; not
to fulfill expectation.
Take heed now that ye fail not to do this. --Ezra
iv. 22.
Either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale.
--Shak.
7. To come short of a result or object aimed at or desired;
to be baffled or frusrated.
Our envious foe hath failed. --Milton.
8. To err in judgment; to be mistaken.
Which ofttimes may succeed, so as perhaps Shall
grieve him, if I fail not. --Milton.
9. To become unable to meet one's engagements; especially, to
be unable to pay one's debts or discharge one's business
obligation; to become bankrupt or insolvent.
Fail \Fail\, v. t.
1. To be wanting to; to be insufficient for; to disappoint;
to desert.
There shall not fail thee a man on the throne. --1
Kings ii. 4.
2. To miss of attaining; to lose. [R.]
Though that seat of earthly bliss be failed.
--Milton.
Fail \Fail\, n. [OF. faille, from failir. See {Fail}, v. i.]
1. Miscarriage; failure; deficiency; fault; -- mostly
superseded by failure or failing, except in the phrase
without fail. ``His highness' fail of issue.'' --Shak.
2. Death; decease. [Obs.] --Shak.
Failance \Fail"ance\, n. [Of. faillance, fr. faillir.]
Fault; failure; omission. [Obs.] --Bp. Fell.
Failing \Fail"ing\, n.
1. A failing short; a becoming deficient; failure;
deficiency; imperfection; weakness; lapse; fault;
infirmity; as, a mental failing.
And ever in her mind she cas about For that
unnoticed failing in herself. --Tennyson.
2. The act of becoming insolvent of bankrupt.
Syn: See {Fault}.
Faille \Faille\, n. [F.]
A soft silk, heavier than a foulard and not glossy.
Failure \Fail"ure\, n. [From {Fail}.]
1. Cessation of supply, or total defect; a failing;
deficiency; as, failure of rain; failure of crops.
2. Omission; nonperformance; as, the failure to keep a
promise.
3. Want of success; the state of having failed.
4. Decay, or defect from decay; deterioration; as, the
failure of memory or of sight.
5. A becoming insolvent; bankruptcy; suspension of payment;
as, failure in business.
6. A failing; a slight fault. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Fain \Fain\, a. [OE. fain, fagen, AS. f[ae]gen; akin to OS.
fagan, Icel. faginn glad; AS. f[ae]gnian to rejoice, OS.
fagan[=o]n, Icel. fagna, Goth. fagin[=o]n, cf. Goth.
fah[=e]ds joy; and fr. the same root as E. fair. Srr {Fair},
a., and cf. {Fawn} to court favor.]
1. Well-pleased; glad; apt; wont; fond; inclined.
Men and birds are fain of climbing high. --Shak.
To a busy man, temptation is fainto climb up
together with his business. --Jer. Taylor.
2. Satisfied; contented; also, constrained. --Shak.
The learned Castalio was fain to make trechers at
Basle to keep himself from starving. --Locke.
Fain \Fain\, adv.
With joy; gladly; -- with wold.
He would fain have filled his belly with the husks that
the swine did eat. --Luke xv. 16.
Fain Would I woo her, yet I dare not. --Shak.
Fain \Fain\, v. t. & i.
To be glad; to wish or desire. [Obs.]
Whoso fair thing does fain to see. --Spencer.
Fain'eant \Fai`n['e]`ant"\, a. [F.; fait he does + n['e]ant
nothing.]
Doing nothing; shiftless. -- n. A do-nothing; an idle fellow;
a sluggard. --Sir W. Scott.
Faint \Faint\ (f[=a]nt), a. [Compar. {Fainter} (-[~e]r); superl.
{Faintest}.] [OE. feint, faint, false, faint, F. feint, p. p.
of feindre to feign, suppose, hesitate. See {Feign}, and cf.
{Feint}.]
1. Lacking strength; weak; languid; inclined to swoon; as,
faint with fatigue, hunger, or thirst.
2. Wanting in courage, spirit, or energy; timorous; cowardly;
dejected; depressed; as, ``Faint heart ne'er won fair
lady.'' --Old Proverb.
3. Lacking distinctness; hardly perceptible; striking the
senses feebly; not bright, or loud, or sharp, or forcible;
weak; as, a faint color, or sound.
4. Performed, done, or acted, in a weak or feeble manner; not
exhibiting vigor, strength, or energy; slight; as, faint
efforts; faint resistance.
The faint prosecution of the war. --Sir J.
Davies.
Faint \Faint\, n.
The act of fainting, or the state of one who has fainted; a
swoon. [R.] See {Fainting}, n.
The saint, Who propped the Virgin in her faint. --Sir
W. Scott.
Faint \Faint\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fainted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fainting}.]
1. To become weak or wanting in vigor; to grow feeble; to
lose strength and color, and the control of the bodily or
mental functions; to swoon; -- sometimes with away. See
{Fainting}, n.
Hearing the honor intended her, she fainted away.
--Guardian.
If I send them away fasting . . . they will faint by
the way. --Mark viii.
8.
2. To sink into dejection; to lose courage or spirit; to
become depressed or despondent.
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength
is small. --Prov. xxiv.
10.
3. To decay; to disappear; to vanish.
Gilded clouds, while we gaze upon them, faint before
the eye. --Pope.
Faint \Faint\, v. t.
To cause to faint or become dispirited; to depress; to
weaken. [Obs.]
It faints me to think what follows. --Shak.
Fainthearted \Faint"*heart`ed\, a.
Wanting in courage; depressed by fear; easily discouraged or
frightened; cowardly; timorous; dejected.
Fear not, neither be faint-hearted. --Is. vii. 4.
-- {Faint"*heart`ed*ly}, adv. -- {Faint"*heart`ed*ness}, n.
Fainting \Faint"ing\, n.
Syncope, or loss of consciousness owing to a sudden arrest of
the blood supply to the brain, the face becoming pallid, the
respiration feeble, and the heat's beat weak.
{Fainting fit}, a fainting or swoon; syncope. [Colloq.]
Faintish \Faint"ish\, a.
Slightly faint; somewhat faint. -- {Faint"ish*ness}, n.
Faintling \Faint"ling\, a.
Timorous; feeble-minded. [Obs.] ``A fainting, silly
creature.'' --Arbuthnot.
Faintly \Faint"ly\, adv.
In a faint, weak, or timidmanner.
Faintness \Faint"ness\, n.
1. The state of being faint; loss of strength, or of
consciousness, and self-control.
2. Want of vigor or energy. --Spenser.
3. Feebleness, as of color or light; lack of distinctness;
as, faintness of description.
4. Faint-heartedness; timorousness; dejection.
I will send a faintness into their hearts. --Lev.
xxvi. 36.
Faints \Faints\, n.pl.
The impure spirit which comes over first and last in the
distillation of whisky; -- the former being called the strong
faints, and the latter, which is much more abundant, the weak
faints. This crude spirit is much impregnated with fusel oil.
--Ure.
Fainty \Faint"y\, a.
Feeble; languid. [R.] --Dryden.
Fair \Fair\, a. [Compar. {Fairer}; superl. {Fairest}.] [OE.
fair, fayer, fager, AS. f[ae]ger; akin to OS. & OHG. fagar,
Icel. fagr, Sw. fager, Dan. faver, Goth. fagrs fit, also to
E. fay, G. f["u]gen, to fit. fegen to sweep, cleanse, and
prob. also to E. fang, peace, pact, Cf. {Fang}, {Fain}, {Fay}
to fit.]
1. Free from spots, specks, dirt, or imperfection;
unblemished; clean; pure.
A fair white linen cloth. --Book of
Common Prayer.
2. Pleasing to the eye; handsome; beautiful.
Who can not see many a fair French city, for one
fair French made. --Shak.
3. Without a dark hue; light; clear; as, a fair skin.
The northern people large and fair-complexioned.
--Sir M. Hale.
4. Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious;
favorable; -- said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.; as,
a fair sky; a fair day.
You wish fair winds may waft him over. --Prior.
5. Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed;
unincumbered; open; direct; -- said of a road, passage,
etc.; as, a fair mark; in fair sight; a fair view.
The caliphs obtained a mighty empire, which was in a
fair way to have enlarged. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
6. (Shipbuilding) Without sudden change of direction or
curvature; smooth; fowing; -- said of the figure of a
vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.
7. Characterized by frankness, honesty, impartiality, or
candor; open; upright; free from suspicion or bias;
equitable; just; -- said of persons, character, or
conduct; as, a fair man; fair dealing; a fair statement.
``I would call it fair play.'' --Shak.
8. Pleasing; favorable; inspiring hope and confidence; --
said of words, promises, etc.
When fair words and good counsel will not prevail on
us, we must be frighted into our duty. --L'
Estrange.
9. Distinct; legible; as, fair handwriting.
10. Free from any marked characteristic; average; middling;
as, a fair specimen.
The news is very fair and good, my lord. --Shak.
{Fair ball}. (Baseball)
(a) A ball passing over the home base at the height
called for by the batsman, and delivered by the
pitcher while wholly within the lines of his position
and facing the batsman.
(b) A batted ball that falls inside the foul lines; --
called also a {fair hit}.
{Fair maid}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The European pilchard ({Clupea pilchardus}) when
dried.
(b) The southern scup ({Stenotomus Gardeni}). [Virginia]
{Fair one}, a handsome woman; a beauty,
{Fair play}, equitable or impartial treatment; a fair or
equal chance; justice.
{From fair to middling}, passable; tolerable. [Colloq.]
{The fair sex}, the female sex.
Syn: Candid; open; frank; ingenuous; clear; honest;
equitable; impartial; reasonable. See {Candid}.
Fair \Fair\, adv.
Clearly; openly; frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably;
auspiciously; agreeably.
{Fair and square}, justly; honestly; equitably; impartially.
[Colloq.]
{To bid fair}. See under {Bid}.
{To speak fair}, to address with courtesy and frankness.
[Archaic]
Fair \Fair\, n.
1. Fairness, beauty. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. A fair woman; a sweetheart.
I have found out a gift for my fair. --Shenstone.
3. Good fortune; good luck.
Now fair befall thee ! --Shak.
{The fair}, anything beautiful; women, collectively. ``For
slander's mark was ever yet the fair.'' --Shak.
Fair \Fair\, v. t.
1. To make fair or beautiful. [Obs.]
Fairing the foul. --Shak.
2. (Shipbuilding) To make smooth and flowing, as a vessel's
lines.
Fair \Fair\, n. [OE. feire, OF. feire, F. foire, fr. L. fariae,
pl., days of rest, holidays, festivals, akin to festus
festal. See {Feast}.]
1. A gathering of buyers and sellers, assembled at a
particular place with their merchandise at a stated or
regular season, or by special appointment, for trade.
2. A festival, and sale of fancy articles. erc., usually for
some charitable object; as, a Grand Army fair.
3. A competitive exhibition of wares, farm products, etc.,
not primarily for purposes of sale; as, the Mechanics'
fair; an agricultural fair.
{After the fair}, Too late. [Colloq.]
Fair-haired \Fair"-haired`\, a.
Having fair or light-colored hair.
Fairhood \Fair"hood\, n.
Fairness; beauty. [Obs.] --Foxe.
Fairily \Fair"i*ly\, adv.
In the manner of a fairy.
Numerous as shadows haunting fairily The brain.
--Keats.
Fairing \Fair"ing\, n.
A present; originally, one given or purchased at a fair.
--Gay.
{Fairing box}, a box receiving savings or small sums of
money. --Hannah More.
Fairish \Fair"ish\, a.
Tolerably fair. [Colloq.] --W. D. Howells.
Fair-leader \Fair"-lead`er\, n. (Naut.)
A block, or ring, serving as a guide for the running rigging
or for any rope.
Fairly \Fair"ly\, adv.
1. In a fair manner; clearly; openly; plainly; fully;
distinctly; frankly.
Even the nature of Mr. Dimmesdale's disease had
never fairly been revealed to him. --Hawthorne.
2. Favorably; auspiciously; commodiously; as, a town fairly
situated for foreign traade.
3. Honestly; properly.
Such means of comfort or even luxury, as lay fairly
within their grasp. --Hawthorne.
4. Softly; quietly; gently. [Obs.] --Milton.
Fair-minded \Fair"-mind`ed\, a.
Unprejudiced; just; judicial; honest. --
{Fair"*mind`ed*ness}, n.
Fair-natured \Fair"-na`tured\, a.
Well-disposed. ``A fair-natured prince.'' --Ford.
Fairness \Fair"ness\, n.
The state of being fair, or free form spots or stains, as of
the skin; honesty, as of dealing; candor, as of an argument,
etc.
Faair-spoken \Faair"-spo`ken\, a.
Using fair speech, or uttered with fairness; bland; civil;
courteous; plausible. ``A marvelous fair-spoken man.''
--Hooker.
Fairway \Fair"way`\, n.
The navigable part of a river, bay, etc., through which
vessels enter or depart; the part of a harbor or channel
ehich is kept open and unobstructed for the passage of
vessels. --Totten.
Fair-weather \Fair"-weath`er\, a.
1. Made or done in pleasant weather, or in circumstances
involving but little exposure or sacrifice; as, a
fair-weather voyage. --Pope.
2. Appearing only when times or circumstances are prosperous;
as, a fair-weather friend.
{Fair-weather sailor}, a make-believe or inexperienced
sailor; -- the nautical equivalent of {carpet knight}.
Fair-world \Fair"-world`\n.
State of prosperity. [Obs.]
They think it was never fair-world with them since.
--Milton.
Fairy \Fair"y\, n.; pl. {Fairies}. [OE. fairie, faierie,
enchantment, fairy folk, fairy, OF. faerie enchantment, F.
f['e]er, fr. LL. Fata one of the goddesses of fate. See
{Fate}, and cf. {Fay} a fairy.] [Written also {fa["e]ry}.]
1. Enchantment; illusion. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
The God of her has made an end, And fro this
worlde's fairy Hath taken her into company. --Gower.
2. The country of the fays; land of illusions. [Obs.]
He [Arthur] is a king y-crowned in Fairy. --Lydgate.
3. An imaginary supernatural being or spirit, supposed to
assume a human form (usually diminutive), either male or
female, and to meddle for good or evil in the affairs of
mankind; a fay. See {Elf}, and {Demon}.
The fourth kind of spirit [is] called the Fairy.
--K. James.
And now about the caldron sing, Like elves and
fairies in a ring. --Shak.
5. An enchantress. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Fairy of the mine}, an imaginary being supposed to inhabit
mines, etc. German folklore tells of two species; one
fierce and malevolent, the other gentle, See {Kobold}.
No goblin or swart fairy of the mine Hath hurtful
power over true virginity. --Milton.
Fairy \Fair"y\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to fairies.
2. Given by fairies; as, fairy money. --Dryden.
{Fairy bird} (Zo["o]l.), the Euoropean little tern ({Sterna
minuta}); -- called also {sea swallow}, and {hooded tern}.
{Fairy bluebird}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Bluebird}.
{Fairy martin} (Zo["o]l.), a European swallow ({Hirrundo
ariel}) that builds flask-shaped nests of mud on
overhanging cliffs.
{Fairy} {rings or circles}, the circles formed in grassy
lawns by certain fungi (as {Marasmius Oreades}), formerly
supposed to be caused by fairies in their midnight dances.
{Fairy shrimp} (Zo["o]l.), a European fresh-water phyllopod
crustacean ({Chirocephalus diaphanus}); -- so called from
its delicate colors, transparency, and graceful motions.
The name is sometimes applied to similar American species.
{Fairy stone} (Paleon.), an echinite.
Fairyland \Fair"y*land`\n.
The imaginary land or abode of fairies.
Fairylike \Fair"y*like`\, a.
Resembling a fairy, or what is made or done be fairies; as,
fairylike music.
Faith \Faith\, n. [OE. feith, fayth, fay, OF. feid, feit, fei,
F. foi, fr. L. fides; akin to fidere to trust, Gr. ??????? to
persuade. The ending th is perhaps due to the influence of
such words as truth, health, wealth. See {Bid}, {Bide}, and
cf. {Confide}, {Defy}, {Fealty}.]
1. Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is
declared by another, resting solely and implicitly on his
authority and veracity; reliance on testimony.
2. The assent of the mind to the statement or proposition of
another, on the ground of the manifest truth of what he
utters; firm and earnest belief, on probable evidence of
any kind, especially in regard to important moral truth.
Faith, that is, fidelity, -- the fealty of the
finite will and understanding to the reason.
--Coleridge.
3. (Theol.)
(a) The belief in the historic truthfulness of the
Scripture narrative, and the supernatural origin of
its teachings, sometimes called historical and
speculative faith.
(b) The belief in the facts and truth of the Scriptures,
with a practical love of them; especially, that
confiding and affectionate belief in the person and
work of Christ, which affects the character and life,
and makes a man a true Christian, -- called a
practical, evangelical, or saving faith.
Without faith it is impossible to please him
[God]. --Heb. xi. 6.
The faith of the gospel is that emotion of the
mind which is called ``trust'' or ``confidence''
exercised toward the moral character of God, and
particularly of the Savior. --Dr. T.
Dwight.
Faith is an affectionate, practical confidence
in the testimony of God. --J. Hawes.
4. That which is believed on any subject, whether in science,
politics, or religion; especially (Theol.), a system of
religious belief of any kind; as, the Jewish or Mohammedan
faith; and especially, the system of truth taught by
Christ; as, the Christian faith; also, the creed or belief
of a Christian society or church.
Which to believe of her, Must be a faith that reason
without miracle Could never plant in me. --Shak.
Now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
--Gal. i. 23.
5. Fidelity to one's promises, or allegiance to duty, or to a
person honored and beloved; loyalty.
Children in whom is no faith. --Deut. xxvii.
20.
Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, I
should conceal. --Milton.
6. Word or honor pledged; promise given; fidelity; as, he
violated his faith.
For you alone I broke me faith with injured Palamon.
--Dryden.
7. Credibility or truth. [R.]
The faith of the foregoing narrative. --Mitford.
{Act of faith}. See {Auto-da-f['e]}.
{Breach of faith}, {Confession of faith}, etc. See under
{Breach}, {Confession}, etc.
{Faith cure}, a method or practice of treating diseases by
prayer and the exercise of faith in God.
{In good faith}, with perfect sincerity.
Faith \Faith\, interj.
By my faith; in truth; verily.
Faithed \Faithed\, a.
Having faith or a faith; honest; sincere. [Obs.] ``Make thy
words faithed.'' --Shak.
Faithful \Faith"ful\, a.
1. Full of faith, or having faith; disposed to believe,
especially in the declarations and promises of God.
You are not faithful, sir. --B. Jonson.
2. Firm in adherence to promises, oaths, contracts, treaties,
or other engagements.
The faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy
with them that love him. --Deut. vii.
9.
3. True and constant in affection or allegiance to a person
to whom one is bound by a vow, be ties of love, gratitude,
or honor, as to a husband, a prince, a friend; firm in the
observance of duty; loyal; of true fidelity; as, a
faithful husband or servant.
So spake the seraph Abdiel, faithful found, Among
the faithless, faithful only he. --Milton.
4. Worthy of confidence and belief; conformable to truth ot
fact; exact; accurate; as, a faithful narrative or
representation.
It is a faithful saying. --2 Tim. ii.
11.
{The Faithful}, the adherents of any system of religious
belief; esp. used as an epithet of the followers of
Mohammed.
Syn: Trusty; honest; upright; sincere; veracious;
trustworthy. -- {Faith"ful*ly}, adv. -{Faith"ful*ness},
n.
Faithless \Faith"less\, a.
1. Not believing; not giving credit.
Be not faithless, but believing. --John xx. 27.
2. Not believing on God or religion; specifically, not
believing in the Christian religion. --Shak.
3. Not observant of promises or covenants.
4. Not true to allegiance, duty, or vows; perfidious;
trecherous; disloyal; not of true fidelity; inconstant, as
a husband or a wife.
A most unnatural and faithless service. --Shak.
5. Serving to disappoint or deceive; delusive; unsatisfying.
``Yonder faithless phantom.'' --Goldsmith. --
{Faith"less*ly}, adv.{Faith"less*ness}, n.
Faitour \Fai"tour\, n. [OF. faitor a doer, L. factor. See
{Factor}.]
A doer or actor; particularly, an evil doer; a scoundrel.
[Obs.]
Lo! faitour, there thy meed unto thee take. --Spenser.
Fake \Fake\, n. [Cf. Scot. faik fold, stratum of stone, AS.
f[ae]c space, interval, G. fach compartment, partition, row,
and E. fay to fit.] (Naut.)
One of the circles or windings of a cable or hawser, as it
lies in a coil; a single turn or coil.
Fake \Fake\, v. t. (Naut.)
To coil (a rope, line, or hawser), by winding alternately in
opposite directions, in layers usually of zigzag or figure of
eight form,, to prevent twisting when running out.
{Faking box}, a box in which a long rope is faked; used in
the life-saving service for a line attached to a shot.
Fake \Fake\, v. t. [Cf. Gael. faigh to get, acquire, reach, or
OD. facken to catch or gripe.] [Slang in all its senses.]
1. To cheat; to swindle; to steal; to rob.
2. To make; to construct; to do.
3. To manipulate fraudulently, so as to make an object appear
better or other than it really is; as, to fake a bulldog,
by burning his upper lip and thus artificially shortening
it.
Fake \Fake\, n.
A trick; a swindle. [Slang]
Fakir \Fa"kir\, n. [Ar. faq[=i]r poor.]
An Oriental religious ascetic or begging monk. [Written also
{faquir} anf {fakeer}.]
Falanaka \Fa"la*na"ka\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A viverrine mammal of Madagascar ({Eupleres Goudotii}),
allied to the civet; -- called also {Falanouc}.
Falcade \Fal*cade"\ (f[a^]l*k[=a]d"), n. [F., ultimately fr. L.
falx, falcis, a sickle or scythe.] (Man.)
The action of a horse, when he throws himself on his haunches
two or three times, bending himself, as it were, in very
quick curvets. --Harris.
Falcate \Fal"cate\, Falcated \Fal"ca*ted\, a. [L. falcatus, fr.
falx, falcis, a sickle or scythe.]
Hooked or bent like a sickle; as, a falcate leaf; a falcate
claw; -- said also of the moon, or a planet, when horned or
crescent-formed.
Falcation \Fal*ca"tion\, n.
The state of being falcate; a bend in the form of a sickle.
--Sir T. Browne.
Falcer \Fal"cer\, n. [From L. falx, falcis, a sickle.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the mandibles of a spider.
Falchion \Fal"chion\, n. [OE. fauchon, OF. fauchon, LL.
f["a]lcio, fr. L. falx, falcis, a sickle, cf. Gr. ?????? a
ship's rib, ?????? bandy-legged; perh, akin to E. falcon; cf.
It. falcione. Cf. {Defalcation}.]
1. A broad-bladed sword, slightly curved, shorter and lighter
than the ordinary sword; -- used in the Middle Ages.
2. A name given generally and poetically to a sword,
especially to the swords of Oriental and fabled warriors.
Falcidian \Fal*cid"i*an\, a. [L. Falcidius.]
Of or pertaining to Publius Falcidius, a Roman tribune.
{Falcidian law} (Civil Law), a law by which a testator was
obliged to leave at least a fourth of his estate to the
heir. --Burrill.
Falciform \Fal"ci*form\, a. [L. falx, falcis, a sickle + -form:
cf. F. falciforme.]
Having the shape of a scithe or sickle; resembling a reaping
hook; as, the falciform ligatment of the liver.
Falcon \Fal"con\, n. [OE. faucon, faucoun, OF. faucon, falcon,
?. faucon, fr. LL. falco, perh. from L. falx, falcis, a
sickle or scythe, and named from its curving talons. Cf.
{Falchion}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of a family ({Falconid[ae]}) of raptorial birds,
characterized by a short, hooked beak, strong claws,
and powerful flight.
(b) Any species of the genus {Falco}, distinguished by
having a toothlike lobe on the upper mandible;
especially, one of this genus trained to the pursuit
of other birds, or game.
In the language of falconry, the female
peregrine ({Falco peregrinus}) is exclusively
called the falcon. --Yarrell.
2. (Gun.) An ancient form of cannon.
{Chanting falcon}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Chanting}.
Falconer \Fal"con*er\, n. [OE. fauconer, OF. falconier,
fauconier, F. fauconnier. See {Falcon}.]
A person who breeds or trains hawks for taking birds or game;
one who follows the sport of fowling with hawks. --Johnson.
Falconet \Fal"co*net\, n. [Dim. of falcon: cf. F. fauconneau,
LL. falconeta, properly, a young falcon.]
1. One of the smaller cannon used in the 15th century and
later.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of several very small Asiatic falcons of the genus
{Microhierax}.
(b) One of a group of Australian birds of the genus
{Falcunculus}, resembling shrikes and titmice.
Falcongentil \Fal"con*gen`til\, n. [F. faucon-gentil. See
{Falcon}, and {Genteel}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The female or young of the goshawk ({Astur palumbarius}).
Falconine \Fal"co*nine\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like a falcon or hawk; belonging to the {Falconid[ae]}
Falconry \Fal"con*ry\, n. [Cf. F. fauconnerie. See {Falcon}.]
1. The art of training falcons or hawks to pursue and attack
wild fowl or game.
2. The sport of taking wild fowl or game by means of falcons
or hawks.
Falcula \Fal"cu*la\, n. [L., a small sickle, a billhook.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A curved and sharp-pointed claw.
Falculate \Fal"cu*late\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Curved and sharppointed, like a falcula, or claw of a falcon.
Faldage \Fald"age\, n. [LL. faldagium, fr. AS. fald, E. fold.
Cf. {Foldage}.] (O. Eng. Law)
A privilege of setting up, and moving about, folds for sheep,
in any fields within manors, in order to manure them; --
often reserved to himself by the lord of the manor.
--Spelman.
Faldfee \Fald"fee`\, n. [AS. fald (E. fold) + E. fee. See
{Faldage}.] (O. Eng. Law)
A fee or rent paid by a tenant for the privilege of faldage
on his own ground. --Blount.
Falding \Fald"ing\, n.
A frieze or rough-napped cloth. [Obs.]
Faldistory \Fal"dis*to*ry\, n. [LL. faldistorium, faldestorium,
from OHG. faldstuol; faldan, faltan, to fold (G. falten) +
stuol stool. So called because it could be folded or laid
together. See {Fold}, and {Stool}, and cf. {Faldstool},
{Fauteuil}.]
The throne or seat of a bishop within the chancel. [Obs.]
Faldstool \Fald"stool`\, n. [See {Faldistory}.]
A folding stool, or portable seat, made to fold up in the
manner of a camo stool. It was formerly placed in the choir
for a bishop, when he offciated in any but his own cathedral
church. --Fairholt.
Note: In the modern practice of the Church of England, the
term faldstool is given to the reading desk from which
the litany is read. This esage is a relic of the
ancient use of a lectern folding like a camp stool.
Falernian \Fa*ler"ni*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Mount Falernus, in Italy; as,
Falernianwine.
Falk \Falk\ (f[add]k), n. (Zo["o]l.)
The razorbill. [Written also {falc}, and {faik}.] [Prov.
Eng.]
Fall \Fall\ (f[add]l), v. i. [imp. {Fell}; p. p. {Fallen}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Falling}.] [AS. feallan; akin to D. vallen, OS.
& OHG. fallan, G. fallen, Icel. Falla, Sw. falla, Dan. falde,
Lith. pulti, L. fallere to deceive, Gr. sfa`llein to cause to
fall, Skr. sphal, sphul, to tremble. Cf. {Fail}, {Fell}, v.
t., to cause to fall.]
1. To Descend, either suddenly or gradually; particularly, to
descend by the force of gravity; to drop; to sink; as, the
apple falls; the tide falls; the mercury falls in the
barometer.
I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. --Luke
x. 18.
2. To cease to be erect; to take suddenly a recumbent
posture; to become prostrate; to drop; as, a child totters
and falls; a tree falls; a worshiper falls on his knees.
I fell at his feet to worship him. --Rev. xix.
10.
3. To find a final outlet; to discharge its waters; to empty;
-- with into; as, the river Rhone falls into the
Mediterranean.
4. To become prostrate and dead; to die; especially, to die
by violence, as in battle.
A thousand shall fall at thy side. --Ps. xci. 7.
He rushed into the field, and, foremost fighting,
fell. --Byron.
5. To cease to be active or strong; to die away; to lose
strength; to subside; to become less intense; as, the wind
falls.
6. To issue forth into life; to be brought forth; -- said of
the young of certain animals. --Shak.
7. To decline in power, glory, wealth, or importance; to
become insignificant; to lose rank or position; to decline
in weight, value, price etc.; to become less; as, the
falls; stocks fell two points.
I am a poor falle man, unworthy now To be thy lord
and master. --Shak.
The greatness of these Irish lords suddenly fell and
vanished. --Sir J.
Davies.
8. To be overthrown or captured; to be destroyed.
Heaven and earth will witness, If Rome must fall,
that we are innocent. --Addison.
9. To descend in character or reputation; to become degraded;
to sink into vice, error, or sin; to depart from the
faith; to apostatize; to sin.
Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest
any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
--Heb. iv. 11.
10. To become insnared or embarrassed; to be entrapped; to be
worse off than before; asm to fall into error; to fall
into difficulties.
11. To assume a look of shame or disappointment; to become or
appear dejected; -- said of the countenance.
Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
--Gen. iv. 5.
I have observed of late thy looks are fallen.
--Addison.
12. To sink; to languish; to become feeble or faint; as, our
spirits rise and fall with our fortunes.
13. To pass somewhat suddenly, and passively, into a new
state of body or mind; to become; as, to fall asleep; to
fall into a passion; to fall in love; to fall into
temptation.
14. To happen; to to come to pass; to light; to befall; to
issue; to terminate.
The Romans fell on this model by chance. --Swift.
Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the
matter will fall. --Ruth. iii.
18.
They do not make laws, they fall into customs. --H.
Spencer.
15. To come; to occur; to arrive.
The vernal equinox, which at the Nicene Council
fell on the 21st of March, falls now [1694] about
ten days sooner. --Holder.
16. To begin with haste, ardor, or vehemence; to rush or
hurry; as, they fell to blows.
They now no longer doubted, but fell to work heart
and soul. --Jowett
(Thucyd. ).
17. To pass or be transferred by chance, lot, distribution,
inheritance, or otherwise; as, the estate fell to his
brother; the kingdom fell into the hands of his rivals.
18. To belong or appertain.
If to her share some female errors fall, Look on
her face, and you'll forget them all. --Pope.
19. To be dropped or uttered carelessly; as, an unguarded
expression fell from his lips; not a murmur fell from
him.
{To fall abroad of} (Naut.), to strike against; -- applied to
one vessel coming into collision with another.
{To fall among}, to come among accidentally or unexpectedly.
{To fall astern} (Naut.), to move or be driven backward; to
be left behind; as, a ship falls astern by the force of a
current, or when outsailed by another.
{To fall away}.
(a) To lose flesh; to become lean or emaciated; to pine.
(b) To renounce or desert allegiance; to revolt or rebel.
(c) To renounce or desert the faith; to apostatize.
``These . . . for a while believe, and in time of
temptation fall away.'' --Luke viii. 13.
(d) To perish; to vanish; to be lost. ``How . . . can the
soul . . . fall away into nothing?'' --Addison.
(e) To decline gradually; to fade; to languish, or become
faint. ``One color falls away by just degrees, and
another rises insensibly.'' --Addison.
{To fall back}.
(a) To recede or retreat; to give way.
(b) To fail of performing a promise or purpose; not to
fulfill.
{To fall back upon}.
(a) (Mil.) To retreat for safety to (a stronger position
in the rear, as to a fort or a supporting body of
troops).
(b) To have recourse to (a reserved fund, or some
available expedient or support).
{To fall calm}, to cease to blow; to become calm.
{To fall down}.
(a) To prostrate one's self in worship. ``All kings shall
fall down before him.'' --Ps. lxxii. 11.
(b) To sink; to come to the ground. ``Down fell the
beauteous youth.'' --Dryden.
(c) To bend or bow, as a suppliant.
(d) (Naut.) To sail or drift toward the mouth of a river
or other outlet.
{To fall flat}, to produce no response or result; to fail of
the intended effect; as, his speech fell flat.
{To fall foul of}.
(a) (Naut.) To have a collision with; to become entangled
with
(b) To attack; to make an assault upon.
{To fall from}, to recede or depart from; not to adhere to;
as, to fall from an agreement or engagement; to fall from
allegiance or duty.
{To fall from grace} (M. E. Ch.), to sin; to withdraw from
the faith.
{To fall home} (Ship Carp.), to curve inward; -- said of the
timbers or upper parts of a ship's side which are much
within a perpendicular.
{To fall in}.
(a) To sink inwards; as, the roof fell in.
(b) (Mil.) To take one's proper or assigned place in
line; as, to fall in on the right.
(c) To come to an end; to terminate; to lapse; as, on the
death of Mr. B., the annuuity, which he had so long
received, fell in.
(d) To become operative. ``The reversion, to which he had
been nominated twenty years before, fell in.''
--Macaulay.
{To fall into one's hands}, to pass, often suddenly or
unexpectedly, into one's ownership or control; as, to
spike cannon when they are likely to fall into the hands
of the enemy.
{To fall in with}.
(a) To meet with accidentally; as, to fall in with a
friend.
(b) (Naut.) To meet, as a ship; also, to discover or come
near, as land.
(c) To concur with; to agree with; as, the measure falls
in with popular opinion.
(d) To comply; to yield to. ``You will find it difficult
to persuade learned men to fall in with your
projects.'' --Addison.
{To fall off}.
(a) To drop; as, fruits fall off when ripe.
(b) To withdraw; to separate; to become detached; as,
friends fall off in adversity. ``Love cools,
friendship falls off, brothers divide.'' --Shak.
(c) To perish; to die away; as, words fall off by disuse.
(d) To apostatize; to forsake; to withdraw from the
faith, or from allegiance or duty.
Those captive tribes . . . fell off From God to
worship calves. --Milton.
(e) To forsake; to abandon; as, his customers fell off.
(f) To depreciate; to change for the worse; to
deteriorate; to become less valuable, abundant, or
interesting; as, a falling off in the wheat crop; the
magazine or the review falls off. ``O Hamlet, what a
falling off was there!'' --Shak.
(g) (Naut.) To deviate or trend to the leeward of the
point to which the head of the ship was before
directed; to fall to leeward.
{To fall on}.
(a) To meet with; to light upon; as, we have fallen on
evil days.
(b) To begin suddenly and eagerly. ``Fall on, and try the
appetite to eat.'' --Dryden.
(c) To begin an attack; to assault; to assail. ``Fall on,
fall on, and hear him not.'' --Dryden.
(d) To drop on; to descend on.
{To fall out}.
(a) To quarrel; to begin to contend.
A soul exasperated in ills falls out With
everything, its friend, itself. --Addison.
(b) To happen; to befall; to chance. ``There fell out a
bloody quarrel betwixt the frogs and the mice.''
--L'Estrange.
(c) (Mil.) To leave the ranks, as a soldier.
{To fall over}.
(a) To revolt; to desert from one side to another.
(b) To fall beyond. --Shak.
{To fall short}, to be deficient; as, the corn falls short;
they all fall short in duty.
{To fall through}, to come to nothing; to fail; as, the
engageent has fallen through.
{To fall to}, to begin. ``Fall to, with eager joy, on homely
food.'' --Dryden.
{To fall under}.
(a) To come under, or within the limits of; to be
subjected to; as, they fell under the jurisdiction of
the emperor.
(b) To come under; to become the subject of; as, this
point did not fall under the cognizance or
deliberations of the court; these things do not fall
under human sight or observation.
(c) To come within; to be ranged or reckoned with; to be
subordinate to in the way of classification; as,
these substances fall under a different class or
order.
{To fall upon}.
(a) To attack. [See {To fall on}.]
(b) To attempt; to have recourse to. ``I do not intend to
fall upon nice disquisitions.'' --Holder.
(c) To rush against.
Note: Fall primarily denotes descending motion, either in a
perpendicular or inclined direction, and, in most of
its applications, implies, literally or figuratively,
velocity, haste, suddenness, or violence. Its use is so
various, and so mush diversified by modifying words,
that it is not easy to enumerate its senses in all its
applications.
Fall \Fall\, v. t.
1. To let fall; to drop. [Obs.]
For every tear he falls, a Trojan bleeds. --Shak.
2. To sink; to depress; as, to fall the voice. [Obs.]
3. To diminish; to lessen or lower. [Obs.]
Upon lessening interest to four per cent, you fall
the price of your native commodities. --Locke.
4. To bring forth; as, to fall lambs. [R.] --Shak.
5. To fell; to cut down; as, to fall a tree. [Prov. Eng. &
Local, U.S.]
Fall \Fall\, n.
1. The act of falling; a dropping or descending be the force
of gravity; descent; as, a fall from a horse, or from the
yard of ship.
2. The act of dropping or tumbling from an erect posture; as,
he was walking on ice, and had a fall.
3. Death; destruction; overthrow; ruin.
They thy fall conspire. --Denham.
Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit
before a fall. --Prov. xvi.
18.
4. Downfall; degradation; loss of greatness or office;
termination of greatness, power, or dominion; ruin;
overthrow; as, the fall of the Roman empire.
Beholds thee glorious only in thy fall. --Pope.
5. The surrender of a besieged fortress or town; as, the fall
of Sebastopol.
6. Diminution or decrease in price or value; depreciation;
as, the fall of prices; the fall of rents.
7. A sinking of tone; cadence; as, the fall of the voice at
the close of a sentence.
8. Declivity; the descent of land or a hill; a slope.
9. Descent of water; a cascade; a cataract; a rush of water
down a precipice or steep; -- usually in the plural,
sometimes in the singular; as, the falls of Niagara.
10. The discharge of a river or current of water into the
ocean, or into a lake or pond; as, the fall of the Po
into the Gulf of Venice. --Addison.
11. Extent of descent; the distance which anything falls; as,
the water of a stream has a fall of five feet.
12. The season when leaves fall from trees; autumn.
What crowds of patients the town doctor kills, Or
how, last fall, he raised the weekly bills.
--Dryden.
13. That which falls; a falling; as, a fall of rain; a heavy
fall of snow.
14. The act of felling or cutting down. ``The fall of
timber.'' --Johnson.
15. Lapse or declension from innocence or goodness.
Specifically: The first apostasy; the act of our first
parents in eating the forbidden fruit; also, the apostasy
of the rebellious angels.
16. Formerly, a kind of ruff or band for the neck; a falling
band; a faule. --B. Jonson.
17. That part (as one of the ropes) of a tackle to which the
power is applied in hoisting.
{Fall herring} (Zo["o]l.), a herring of the Atlantic ({Clupea
mediocris}); -- also called {tailor herring}, and {hickory
shad}.
{To try a fall}, to try a bout at wrestling. --Shak.
Fallacious \Fal*la"cious\, a. [L. fallaciosus, fr. fallacia: cf.
F. fallacieux. See {Fallacy}.]
Embodying or pertaining to a fallacy; illogical; fitted to
deceive; misleading; delusive; as, fallacious arguments or
reasoning. -- {Fal*la"cious*ly}, adv. -{Fal*la"cious*ness},
n.
Fallacy \Fal"la*cy\, n.; pl. {Fallacies}. [OE. fallace, fallas,
deception, F. fallace, fr. L. fallacia, fr. fallax deceitful,
deceptive, fr. fallere to deceive. See {Fail}.]
1. Deceptive or false appearance; deceitfulness; that which
misleads the eye or the mind; deception.
Winning by conquest what the first man lost, By
fallacy surprised. --Milton.
2. (Logic) An argument, or apparent argument, which professes
to be decisive of the matter at issue, while in reality it
is not; a sophism.
Syn: Deception; deceit; mistake.
Usage: {Fallacy}, {Sophistry}. A fallacy is an argument which
professes to be decisive, but in reality is not;
sophistry is also false reasoning, but of so specious
and subtle a kind as to render it difficult to expose
its fallacy. Many fallacies are obvious, but the evil
of sophistry lies in its consummate art. ``Men are apt
to suffer their minds to be misled by fallacies which
gratify their passions. Many persons have obscured and
confounded the nature of things by their wretched
sophistry; though an act be never so sinful, they will
strip it of its guilt.'' --South.
Fallals \Fal"*lals`\, n.pl.
Gay ornaments; frippery; gewgaws. [Colloq.] --Thackeray.
Fallax \Fal"lax\, n. [L. fallax deceptive. See {Fallacy}.]
Cavillation; a caviling. [Obs.] --Cranmer.
Fallen \Fall"en\, a.
Dropped; prostrate; degraded; ruined; decreased; dead.
Some ruined temple or fallen monument. --Rogers.
Fallency \Fal"len*cy\, n. [LL. fallentia, L. fallens p. pr of
fallere.]
An exception. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
Faller \Fall"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, falls.
2. (Mach.) A part which acts by falling, as a stamp in a
fulling mill, or the device in a spinning machine to
arrest motion when a thread breaks.
Fallfish \Fall"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A fresh-water fish of the United States ({Semotilus
bullaris}); -- called also {silver chub}, and {Shiner}. The
name is also applied to other allied species.
Fallibility \Fal`li*bil"i*ty\, n.
The state of being fallible; liability to deceive or to be
deceived; as, the fallibity of an argument or of an adviser.
Fallible \Fal"li*ble\, a. [LL. fallibilis, fr. L. fallere to
deceive: cf. F. faillible. See {Fail}.]
Liable to fail, mistake, or err; liable to deceive or to be
deceived; as, all men are fallible; our opinions and hopes
are fallible.
Fallibly \Fal"li*bly\, adv.
In a fallible manner.
Falling \Fall"ing\, a. & n.
from {Fall}, v. i.
{Falling away}, {Falling off}, etc. See {To fall away}, {To
fall off}, etc., under {Fall}, v. i.
{Falling band}, the plain, broad, linen collar turning down
over the doublet, worn in the early part of the 17th
century.
{Falling sickness} (Med.), epilepsy. --Shak.
{Falling star}. (Astron.) See {Shooting star}.
{Falling stone}, a stone falling through the atmosphere; a
meteorite; an a["e]rolite.
{Falling tide}, the ebb tide.
{Falling weather}, a rainy season. [Colloq.] --Bartlett.
Fallopian \Fal*lo"pi*an\, a. [From Fallopius, or Fallopio, a
physician of Modena, who died in 1562.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to, or discovered by, Fallopius; as, the Fallopian
tubes or oviducts, the ducts or canals which conduct the ova
from the ovaries to the uterus.
Fallow \Fal"low\, a. [AS. fealu, fealo, pale yellow or red; akin
to D. vaal fallow, faded, OHG. falo, G. falb, fahl, Icel.
f["o]lr, and prob. to Lith. palvas, OSlav. plav[u^] white, L.
pallidus pale, pallere to be pale, Gr. polio`s gray, Skr.
palita. Cf. {Pale}, {Favel}, a., {Favor}.]
1. Pale red or pale yellow; as, a fallow deer or greyhound.
--Shak.
2. [Cf. {Fallow}, n.] Left untilled or unsowed after plowing;
uncultivated; as, fallow ground.
{Fallow chat}, {Fallow finch} (Zo["o]l.), a small European
bird, the wheatear ({Saxicola [oe]nanthe}). See
{Wheatear}.
Fallow \Fal"low\, n. [So called from the fallow, or somewhat
yellow, color of naked ground; or perh. akin to E. felly, n.,
cf. MHG. valgen to plow up, OHG. felga felly, harrow.]
1. Plowed land. [Obs.]
Who . . . pricketh his blind horse over the fallows.
--Chaucer.
2. Land that has lain a year or more untilled or unseeded;
land plowed without being sowed for the season.
The plowing of fallows is a benefit to land.
--Mortimer.
3. The plowing or tilling of land, without sowing it for a
season; as, summer fallow, properly conducted, has ever
been found a sure method of destroying weeds.
Be a complete summer fallow, land is rendered tender
and mellow. The fallow gives it a better tilth than
can be given by a fallow crop. --Sinclair.
{Fallow crop}, the crop taken from a green fallow. [Eng.]
{Green fallow}, fallow whereby land is rendered mellow and
clean from weeds, by cultivating some green crop, as
turnips, potatoes, etc. [Eng.]
Fallow \Fal"low\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fallowed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fallowing}.] [From {Fallow}, n.]
To plow, harrow, and break up, as land, without seeding, for
the purpose of destroying weeds and insects, and rendering it
mellow; as, it is profitable to fallow cold, strong, clayey
land.
Fallow deer \Fal"low deer`\ [So called from its fallow or pale
yellow color.] (Zo["o]l.)
A European species of deer ({Cervus dama}), much smaller than
the red deer. In summer both sexes are spotted with white. It
is common in England, where it is often domesticated in the
parks.
Fallowist \Fal"low*ist\, n.
One who favors the practice of fallowing land. [R.]
--Sinclair.
Fallowness \Fal"low*ness\, n.
A well or opening, through the successive floors of a
warehouse or manufactory, through which goods are raised or
lowered. [U.S.] --Bartlett.
Falsary \Fal"sa*ry\, n. [L. falsarius, fr. falsus. See {False},
a.]
A falsifier of evidence. [Obs.] --Sheldon.
False \False\, a. [Compar. {Falser}; superl. {Falsest}.] [L.
falsus, p. p. of fallere to deceive; cf. OF. faus, fals, F.
faux, and AS. fals fraud. See {Fail}, {Fall}.]
1. Uttering falsehood; unveracious; given to deceit;
dishnest; as, a false witness.
2. Not faithful or loyal, as to obligations, allegiance,
vows, etc.; untrue; treacherous; perfidious; as, a false
friend, lover, or subject; false to promises.
I to myself was false, ere thou to me. --Milton.
3. Not according with truth or reality; not true; fitted or
likely to deceive or disappoint; as, a false statement.
4. Not genuine or real; assumed or designed to deceive;
counterfeit; hypocritical; as, false tears; false modesty;
false colors; false jewelry.
False face must hide what the false heart doth know.
--Shak.
5. Not well founded; not firm or trustworthy; erroneous; as,
a false claim; a false conclusion; a false construction in
grammar.
Whose false foundation waves have swept away.
--Spenser.
6. Not essential or permanent, as parts of a structure which
are temporary or supplemental.
7. (Mus.) Not in tune.
{False arch} (Arch.), a member having the appearance of an
arch, though not of arch construction.
{False attic}, an architectural erection above the main
cornice, concealing a roof, but not having windows or
inclosing rooms.
{False bearing}, any bearing which is not directly upon a
vertical support; thus, the weight carried by a corbel has
a false bearing.
{False cadence}, an imperfect or interrupted cadence.
{False conception} (Med.), an abnormal conception in which a
mole, or misshapen fleshy mass, is produced instead of a
properly organized fetus.
{False croup} (Med.), a spasmodic affection of the larynx
attended with the symptoms of membranous croup, but
unassociated with the deposit of a fibrinous membrane.
{False} {door or window} (Arch.), the representation of a
door or window, inserted to complete a series of doors or
windows or to give symmetry.
{False fire}, a combustible carried by vessels of war,
chiefly for signaling, but sometimes burned for the
purpose of deceiving an enemy; also, a light on shore for
decoying a vessel to destruction.
{False galena}. See {Blende}.
{False imprisonment} (Law), the arrest and imprisonment of a
person without warrant or cause, or contrary to law; or
the unlawful detaining of a person in custody.
{False keel} (Naut.), the timber below the main keel, used to
serve both as a protection and to increase the shio's
lateral resistance.
{False key}, a picklock.
{False leg}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Proleg}.
{False membrane} (Med.), the fibrinous deposit formed in
croup and diphtheria, and resembling in appearance an
animal membrane.
{False papers} (Naut.), documents carried by a ship giving
false representations respecting her cargo, destination,
ect., for the purpose of deceiving.
{False passage} (Surg.), an unnatural passage leading off
from a natural canal, such as the urethra, and produced
usually by the unskillful introduction of instruments.
{False personation} (Law), the intentional false assumption
of the name and personality of another.
{False pretenses} (Law), false representations concerning
past or present facts and events, for the purpose of
defrauding another.
{False rail} (Naut.), a thin piece of timber placed on top of
the head rail to strengthen it.
{False relation} (Mus.), a progression in harmony, in which a
certain note in a chord appears in the next chord prefixed
by a flat or sharp.
{False return} (Law), an untrue return made to a process by
the officer to whom it was delivered for execution.
{False ribs} (Anat.), the asternal rebs, of which there are
five pairs in man.
{False roof} (Arch.), the space between the upper ceiling and
the roof. --Oxford Gloss.
{False token}, a false mark or other symbol, used for
fraudulent purposes.
{False scorpion} (Zo["o]l.), any arachnid of the genus
{Chelifer}. See {Book scorpion}.
{False tack} (Naut.), a coming up into the wind and filling
away again on the same tack.
{False vampire} (Zo["o]l.), the {Vampyrus spectrum} of South
America, formerly erroneously supposed to have
blood-sucking habits; -- called also {vampire}, and {ghost
vampire}. The genuine blood-sucking bats belong to the
genera {Desmodus} and {Diphylla}. See {Vampire}.
{False window}. (Arch.) See {False door}, above.
{False wing}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Alula}, and {Bastard wing},
under {Bastard}.
{False works} (Civil Engin.), construction works to
facilitate the erection of the main work, as scaffolding,
bridge centering, etc.
False \False\, adv.
Not truly; not honestly; falsely. ``You play me false.''
--Shak.
False \False\, v. t. [L. falsare to falsify, fr. falsus: cf. F.
fausser. See {False}, a.]
1. To report falsely; to falsify. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To betray; to falsify. [Obs.]
[He] hath his truthe falsed in this wise. --Chaucer.
3. To mislead by want of truth; to deceive. [Obs.]
In his falsed fancy. --Spenser.
4. To feign; to pretend to make. [Obs.] ``And falsed oft his
blows.'' --Spenser.
False-faced \False"-faced`\, a.
Hypocritical. --Shak.
False-heart \False"-heart`\, a.
False-hearted. --Shak.
False-hearted \False"-heart`ed\, a.
Hollow or unsound at the core; treacherous; deceitful;
perfidious. --Bacon. -- {False"*heart`ed*ness}, n. --Bp.
Stillingfleet.
Falsehood \False"hood\, n. [False + -hood]
1. Want of truth or accuracy; an untrue assertion or
representation; error; misrepresentation; falsity.
Though it be a lie in the clock, it is but a
falsehood in the hand of the dial when pointing at a
wrong hour, if rightly following the direction of
the wheel which moveth it. --Fuller.
2. A deliberate intentional assertion of what is known to be
untrue; a departure from moral integrity; a lie.
3. Treachery; deceit; perfidy; unfaithfulness.
Betrayed by falsehood of his guard. --Shak.
4. A counterfeit; a false appearance; an imposture.
For his molten image is falsehood. --Jer. x. 14.
No falsehood can endure Touch of celestial temper.
--Milton.
Syn: Falsity; lie; untruth; fiction; fabrication. See
{Falsity}.
Falsely \False"ly\, adv.
In a false manner; erroneously; not truly; perfidiously or
treacherously. ``O falsely, falsely murdered.'' --Shak.
Oppositions of science, falsely so called. --1 Tim. vi.
20.
Will ye steal, murder . . . and swear falsely ? --Jer.
vii. 9.
Falseness \False"ness\, n.
The state of being false; contrariety to the fact;
inaccuracy; want of integrity or uprightness; double dealing;
unfaithfulness; treachery; perfidy; as, the falseness of a
report, a drawing, or a singer's notes; the falseness of a
man, or of his word.
Falser \Fals"er\, n.
A deceiver. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Falsetto \Fal*set"to\, n.; pl. {Falsettos}. [It. falsetto, dim.
fr. L. falsus. See {False}.]
A false or artificial voice; that voice in a man which lies
above his natural voice; the male counter tenor or alto
voice. See {Head voice}, under {Voice}.
Falsicrimen \Fal"si*cri"men\ [L.] (Civ. Law)
The crime of falsifying.
Note: This term in the Roman law included not only forgery,
but every species of fraud and deceit. It never has
been used in so extensive a sense in modern common law,
in which its predominant significance is forgery,
though it also includes perjury and offenses of a like
character. --Burrill. Greenleaf.
Falsifiable \Fal"si*fi`a*ble\, a. [Cf. OF. falsifiable.]
Capable of being falsified, counterfeited, or corrupted.
--Johnson.
Falsification \Fal`si*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. falsification.]
1. The act of falsifying, or making false; a counterfeiting;
the giving to a thing an appearance of something which it
is not.
To counterfeit the living image of king in his
person exceedeth all falsifications. --Bacon.
2. Willful misstatement or misrepresentation.
Extreme necessity . . . forced him upon this bold
and violent falsification of the doctrine of the
alliance. --Bp.
Warburton.
3. (Equity) The showing an item of charge in an account to be
wrong. --Story.
Falsificator \Fal"si*fi*ca`tor\, n. [Cf. F. falsificateur.]
A falsifier. --Bp. Morton.
Falsifier \Fal"si*fi`er\, n.
One who falsifies, or gives to a thing a deceptive
appearance; a liar.
Falsify \Fal"si*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Falsified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Falsifying}.] [L. falsus false + -ly: cf. F.
falsifier. See {False}, a.]
1. To make false; to represent falsely.
The Irish bards use to forge and falsify everything
as they list, to please or displease any man.
--Spenser.
2. To counterfeit; to forge; as, to falsify coin.
3. To prove to be false, or untrustworthy; to confute; to
disprove; to nullify; to make to appear false.
By how much better than my word I am, By so much
shall I falsify men's hope. --Shak.
Jews and Pagans united all their endeavors, under
Julian the apostate, to baffie and falsify the
prediction. --Addison.
4. To violate; to break by falsehood; as, to falsify one's
faith or word. --Sir P. Sidney.
5. To baffle or escape; as, to falsify a blow. --Butler.
6. (Law) To avoid or defeat; to prove false, as a judgment.
--Blackstone.
7. (Equity) To show, in accounting, (an inem of charge
inserted in an account) to be wrong. --Story. Daniell.
8. To make false by multilation or addition; to tamper with;
as, to falsify a record or document.
Falsify \Fal"si*fy\, v. i.
To tell lies; to violate the truth.
It is absolutely and universally unlawful to lie and
falsify.
South.
Falsism \Fals"ism\, n.
That which is evidently false; an assertion or statement the
falsity of which is plainly apparent; -- opposed to truism.
Falsity \Fal"si*ty\, n.;pl. {Falsities}. [L. falsitas: cf. F.
fausset['e], OF. also, falsit['e]. See {False}, a.]
1. The quality of being false; coutrariety or want of
conformity to truth.
Probability does not make any alteration, either in
the truth or falsity of things. --South.
2. That which is false; falsehood; a lie; a false assertion.
Men often swallow falsities for truths. --Sir T.
Brown.
Syn: Falsehood; lie; deceit.
Usage: {Falsity}, {Falsehood}, {Lie}. Falsity denotes the
state or quality of being false. A falsehood is a
false declaration designedly made. A lie is a gross,
unblushing falsehood. The falsity of a person's
assertion may be proved by the evidence of others and
thus the charge of falsehood be fastened upon him.
Falter \Fal"ter\, v. t.
To thrash in the chaff; also, to cleanse or sift, as barley.
[Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Falter \Fal"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Faltered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Faltering}.] [OE. falteren, faltren, prob. from fault.
See {Fault}, v. & n.]
1. To hesitate; to speak brokenly or weakly; to stammer; as,
his tongue falters.
With faltering speech and visage incomposed.
--Milton.
2. To tremble; to totter; to be unsteady. ``He found his legs
falter.'' --Wiseman.
3. To hesitate in purpose or action.
Ere her native king Shall falter under foul
rebellion's arms. --Shak.
4. To fail in distinctness or regularity of exercise; -- said
of the mind or of thought.
Here indeed the power of disinct conception of space
and distance falters. --I. Taylor.
Falter \Fal"ter\, v. t.
To utter with hesitation, or in a broken, trembling, or weak
manner.
And here he faltered forth his last farewell. --Byron.
Mde me most happy, faltering ``I am thine.''
--Tennyson.
Falter \Fal"ter\, n. [See {Falter}, v. i.]
Hesitation; trembling; feebleness; an uncertain or broken
sound; as, a slight falter in her voice.
The falter of an idle shepherd's pipe. --Lowell.
Faltering \Fal"ter*ing\, a.
Hesitating; trembling. ``With faltering speech.'' --Milton.
-- n. Falter; halting; hesitation. -- {Fal"ter*ing*ly}, adv.
Faluns \Fa`luns"\, n. [F.] (Geol.)
A series of strata, of the Middle Tertiary period, of France,
abounding in shells, and used by Lyell as the type of his
Miocene subdivision.
Falwe \Fal"we\, a. & n.
Fallow. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Falx \Falx\, n. [L., a sickle.] (Anat.)
A curved fold or process of the dura mater or the peritoneum;
esp., one of the partitionlike folds of the dura mater which
extend into the great fissures of the brain.
Famble \Fam"ble\, v. i. [OE. falmelen; cf. SW. famla to grope,
Dan. famle to grope, falter, hesitate, Icel. f[=a]lma to
grope. Cf. {Famble}.]
To stammer. [Obs.] --Nares.
Famble \Fam"ble\, n. [Cf. {Famble}, v.]
A hand. [Slang & Obs.] ``We clap our fambles.'' --Beau. & Fl.
Fame \Fame\, n. [OF. fame, L. fama, fr. fari to speak, akin to
Gr. ???? a saying, report, ????? to speak. See {Ban}, and cf.
{Fable}, {Fate}, {Euphony}, {Blame}.]
1. Public report or rumor.
The fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house.
--Gen. xlv.
16.
2. Report or opinion generally diffused; renown; public
estimation; celebrity, either favorable or unfavorable;
as, the fame of Washington.
I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited.
--Shak.
Syn: Notoriety; celebrity; renown; reputation.
Fame \Fame\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Famed},; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Faming}.]
1. To report widely or honorably.
The field where thou art famed To have wrought such
wonders. --Milton.
2. To make famous or renowned.
Those Hesperian gardens famed of old. --Milton.
Fameless \Fame"less\, a.
Without fame or renown. -- {Fame"less*ly}, adv.
Familiar \Fa*mil`iar\, a. [OE. familer, familier, F. familier,
fr. L. familiaris, fr. familia family. See {Family}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a family; domestic. ``Familiar
feuds.'' --Byron.
2. Closely acquainted or intimate, as a friend or companion;
well versed in, as any subject of study; as, familiar with
the Scriptures.
3. Characterized by, or exhibiting, the manner of an intimate
friend; not formal; unconstrained; easy; accessible. ``In
loose, familiar strains.'' --Addison.
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. --Shak.
4. Well known; well understood; common; frequent; as, a
familiar illustration.
That war, or peace, or both at once, may be As
things acquainted and familiar to us. --Shak.
There is nothing more familiar than this. --Locke.
5. Improperly acquainted; wrongly intimate. --Camden.
{Familiar spirit}, a demon or evil spirit supposed to attend
at call. --1 Sam. xxviii. 3, 7-9.
Familiar \Fa*mil"iar\, n.
1. An intimate; a companion.
All my familiars watched for my halting. --Jer. xx.
10.
2. An attendant demon or evil spirit. --Shak.
3. (Court of Inquisition) A confidential officer employed in
the service of the tribunal, especially in apprehending
and imprisoning the accused.
Familiarity \Fa*mil`iar"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Familiarities}. [OE.
familarite, F. familiarit['e]fr. L. faniliaritas. See
{Familiar}.]
1. The state of being familiar; intimate and frequent
converse, or association; unconstrained intercourse;
freedom from ceremony and constraint; intimacy; as, to
live in remarkable familiarity.
2. Anything said or done by one person to another
unceremoniously and without constraint; esp., in the pl.,
such actions and words as propriety and courtesy do not
warrant; liberties.
Syn: Acquaintance; fellowship; affability; intimacy. See
{Acquaintance}.
Familiarization \Fa*mil`iar*i*za"tion\, n.
The act or process of making familiar; the result of becoming
familiar; as, familiarization with scenes of blood.
Familiarize \Fa*mil"iar*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Familiarized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Familiarizing}.] [Cf. F.
familiariser.]
1. To make familiar or intimate; to habituate; to accustom;
to make well known by practice or converse; as, to
familiarize one's self with scenes of distress.
2. To make acquainted, or skilled, by practice or study; as,
to familiarize one's self with a business, a book, or a
science.
Familiarly \Fa"mil"iar*ly\, adv.
In a familiar manner.
Familiarness \Fa*mil"iar*ness\, n.
Familiarity. [R.]
Familiary \Fa*mil"ia*ry\, a. [L. familiaris. See {Familiar}.]
Of or pertaining to a family or household; domestic. [Obs.]
--Milton.
Familism \Fam"i*lism\, n.
The tenets of the Familists. --Milton.
Familist \Fam"i*list\, n. [From {Family}.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of afanatical Antinomian sect originating in Holland, and
existing in England about 1580, called the Family of Love,
who held that religion consists wholly in love.
Familistery \Fam"i*lis*ter*y\, n.; pl. {Familisteries}. [F.
familist[`e]re.]
A community in which many persons unite as in one family, and
are regulated by certain communistic laws and customs.
Familistic \Fam`i*listic\, Familistical \Fam`i*lis"tic*al\, a.
Pertaining to Familists. --Baxter.
Family \Fam"i*ly\, n.; pl. {Families}. [L. familia, fr. famulus
servant; akin to Oscan famel servant, cf. faamat he dwells,
Skr. dh[=a]man house, fr. dh[=a]to set, make, do: cf. F.
famille. Cf. {Do}, v. t., {Doom}, {Fact}, {Feat}.]
1. The collective body of persons who live in one house, and
under one head or manager; a household, including parents,
children, and servants, and, as the case may be, lodgers
or boarders.
2. The group comprising a husband and wife and their
dependent children, constituting a fundamental unit in the
organization of society.
The welfare of the family underlies the welfare of
society. --H. Spencer.
3. Those who descend from one common progenitor; a tribe,
clan, or race; kindred; house; as, the human family; the
family of Abraham; the father of a family.
Go ! and pretend your family is young. --Pope.
4. Course of descent; genealogy; line of ancestors; lineage.
5. Honorable descent; noble or respectable stock; as, a man
of family.
6. A group of kindred or closely related individuals; as, a
family of languages; a family of States; the chlorine
family.
7. (Biol.) A group of organisms, either animal or vegetable,
related by certain points of resemblance in structure or
development, more comprehensive than a genus, because it
is usually based on fewer or less pronounced points of
likeness. In zo["o]logy a family is less comprehesive than
an order; in botany it is often considered the same thing
as an order.
{Family circle}. See under {Circle}.
{Family man}.
(a) A man who has a family; esp., one who has a wife and
children living with him andd dependent upon him.
(b) A man of domestic habits. ``The Jews are generally,
when married, most exemplary family men.'' --Mayhew.
{Family of} {curves or surfaces} (Geom.), a group of curves
or surfaces derived from a single equation.
{In a family way}, like one belonging to the family. ``Why
don't we ask him and his ladies to come over in a family
way, and dine with some other plain country gentlefolks?''
--Thackeray.
{In the family way}, pregnant. [Colloq.]
Famine \Fam"ine\, n. [F. famine, fr. L. fames hunger; cf. Gr.
????? want, need, Skr. h[=a]ni loss, lack, h[=a] to leave.]
General scarcity of food; dearth; a want of provisions;
destitution. ``Worn with famine.'' --Milton.
There was a famine in the land. --Gen. xxvi.
1.
{Famine fever} (Med.), typhus fever.
Famish \Fam"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Famished}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Famishing}.] [OE. famen; cf. OF. afamer, L. fames. See
{Famine}, and cf. {Affamish}.]
1. To starve, kill, or destroy with hunger. --Shak.
2. To exhaust the strength or endurance of, by hunger; to
distress with hanger.
And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the
people cried to Pharaoh for bread. --Cen. xli.
55.
The pains of famished Tantalus he'll feel. --Dryden.
3. To kill, or to cause to suffer extremity, by deprivation
or denial of anything necessary.
And famish him of breath, if not of bread. --Milton.
4. To force or constrain by famine.
He had famished Paris into a surrender. --Burke.
Famish \Fam"ish\, v. i.
1. To die of hunger; to starve.
2. To suffer extreme hunger or thirst, so as to be exhausted
in strength, or to come near to perish.
You are all resolved rather to die than to famish?
--Shak.
3. To suffer extremity from deprivation of anything essential
or necessary.
The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous
to famish. --Prov. x. 3.
Famishment \Fam"ish*ment\, n.
State of being famished.
Famosity \Fa*mos"i*ty\, n. [L. famositas infamy: cf. F.
famosit['e]. See {Famous}.]
The state or quality of being famous. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Famous \Fa"mous\, a. [L. famosus, fr. fama fame: cf. F. fameux.
See {Fame}.]
Celebrated in fame or public report; renowned; mach talked
of; distinguished in story; -- used in either a good or a bad
sense, chiefly the former; often followed by for; as, famous
for erudition, for eloquence, for military skill; a famous
pirate.
Famous for a scolding tongue. --Shak.
Syn: Noted; remarkable; signal; conspicuous; celebrated;
renowned; illustrious; eminent; transcendent; excellent.
Usage: {Famous}, {Renowned}, {Illustrious}. Famous is applied
to a person or thing widely spoken of as
extraordinary; renowned is applied to those who are
named again and again with honor; illustrious, to
those who have dazzled the world by the splendor of
their deeds or their virtues. See {Distinguished}.
Famoused \Fa"moused\, a.
Renowned. [Obs.] --Shak.
Famously \Fa"mous*ly\, adv.
In a famous manner; in a distinguished degree; greatly;
splendidly.
Then this land was famously enriched With politic grave
counsel. --Shak.
Famousness \Fa"mous*ness\, n.
The state of being famous.
Famular \Fam"u*lar\, n. [Cf. L. famularis of servants.]
Domestic; familiar. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Famulate \Fam"u*late\, v. i. [L. famulatus, p. p. of famulari to
serve, fr. famulus servant.]
To serve. [Obs.]
Famulist \Fam"u*list\, n. [L. famulus servant.]
A collegian of inferior rank or position, corresponding to
the sizar at Cambridge. [Oxford Univ., Eng.]
Fan \Fan\, n. [AS. fann, fr. L. vannus fan, van for winnowing
grain; cf. F. van. Cf. {Van} a winnowing machine, {Winnow}.]
1. An instrument used for producing artificial currents of
air, by the wafting or revolving motion of a broad
surface; as:
(a) An instrument for cooling the person, made of
feathers, paper, silk, etc., and often mounted on
sticks all turning about the same pivot, so as when
opened to radiate from the center and assume the
figure of a section of a circle.
(b) (Mach.) Any revolving vane or vanes used for producing
currents of air, in winnowing grain, blowing a fire,
ventilation, etc., or for checking rapid motion by the
resistance of the air; a fan blower; a fan wheel.
(c) An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the
grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is
separated and blown away.
(d) Something in the form of a fan when spread, as a
peacock's tail, a window, etc.
(e) A small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of
a smock windmill always in the direction of the wind.
Clean provender, which hath been winnowed with
the shovel and with the fan. --Is. xxx. 24.
2. That which produces effects analogous to those of a fan,
as in exciting a flame, etc.; that which inflames,
heightens, or strengthens; as, it served as a fan to the
flame of his passion.
3. A quintain; -- from its form. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Fan blower}, a wheel with vanes fixed on a rotating shaft
inclosed in a case or chamber, to create a blast of air
(fan blast) for forge purposes, or a current for draft and
ventilation; a fanner.
{Fan cricket} (Zo["o]l.), a mole cricket.
{Fan light} (Arch.), a window over a door; -- so called from
the semicircular form and radiating sash bars of those
windows which are set in the circular heads of arched
doorways.
{Fan shell} (Zo["o]l.), any shell of the family
{Pectinid[ae]}. See {Scallop}, n., 1.
{Fan tracery} (Arch.), the decorative tracery on the surface
of fan vaulting.
{Fan vaulting} (Arch.), an elaborate system of vaulting, in
which the ribs diverge somewhat like the rays of a fan, as
in Henry VII.'s chapel in Westminster Abbey. It is
peculiar to English Gothic.
{Fan wheel}, the wheel of a fan blower.
{Fan window}. Same as {Fan light} (above).
Fan \Fan\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fanned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fanning}.] [Cf. OF. vanner, L. vannere. See {Fan}, n., {Van}
a winnowing machine.]
1. To move as with a fan.
The air . . . fanned with unnumbered plumes.
--Milton.
2. To cool and refresh, by moving the air with a fan; to blow
the air on the face of with a fan.
3. To ventilate; to blow on; to affect by air put in motion.
Calm as the breath which fans our eastern groves.
--Dryden.
4. To winnow; to separate chaff from, and drive it away by a
current of air; as, to fan wheat. --Jer. li. 2.
5. To excite or stir up to activity, as a fan axcites a
flame; to stimulate; as, this conduct fanned the
excitement of the populace.
{Fanning machine}, or {Fanning mill}, a machine for
separating seed from chaff, etc., by a blast of air; a
fanner.
Fanal \Fa`nal"\, n. [F.]
A lighthouse, or the apparatus placed in it for giving light.
Fanatic \Fa*nat"ic\, a. [L. fanaticus inspired by divinity,
enthusiastic, frantic, fr. fanum fane: cf. F. fanatique. See
{Fane}.]
Pertaining to, or indicating, fanaticism; extravagant in
opinions; ultra; unreasonable; excessively enthusiastic,
especially on religious subjects; as, fanatic zeal; fanatic
notions.
But Faith, fanatic Faith, once wedded fast To some dear
falsehood, hugs it to the last. --T. Moore.
Fanatic \Fa*nat"ic\, n.
A person affected by excessive enthusiasm, particularly on
religious subjects; one who indulges wild and extravagant
notions of religion.
There is a new word, coined within few months, called
fanatics, which, by the close stickling thereof,
seemeth well cut out and proportioned to signify what
is meant thereby, even the sectaries of our age.
--Fuller
(1660).
Fanatics are governed rather by imagination than by
judgment. --Stowe.
Fanatical \Fa*nat"ic*al\, a.
Characteristic of, or relating to, fanaticism; fanatic.
-{Fa*nat"ic*al*ly}, adv. -- {Fa*nat"ic*al*ness}, n.
Fanaticism \Fa*nat"i*cism\, n. [Cf. {Fanatism}.]
Excessive enthusiasm, unreasoning zeal, or wild and
extravagant notions, on any subject, especially religion;
religious frenzy.
Syn: See {Superstition}.
Fanaticize \Fa*nat"i*cize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fanaticized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Fanaticizing}.]
To cause to become a fanatic.
Fanatism \Fan"a*tism\, n. [Cf. F. fanatisme. Cf. {Fanaticism}.]
Fanaticism. [R.] --Gibbon.
Fancied \Fan"cied\, a. [From {Fancy}, v. t.]
Formed or conceived by the fancy; unreal; as, a fancied
wrong.
Fancier \Fan"ci*er\, n.
1. One who is governed by fancy. ``Not reasoners, but
fanciers.'' --Macaulay.
2. One who fancies or has a special liking for, or interest
in, a particular object or class or objects; hence, one
who breeds and keeps for sale birds and animals; as, bird
fancier, dog fancier, etc.
Fanciful \Fan"ci*ful\, a.
1. Full of fancy; guided by fancy, rather than by reason and
experience; whimsical; as, a fanciful man forms visionary
projects.
2. Conceived in the fancy; not consistent with facts or
reason; abounding in ideal qualities or figures; as, a
fanciful scheme; a fanciful theory.
3. Curiously shaped or constructed; as, she wore a fanciful
headdress.
Gather up all fancifullest shells. --Keats.
Syn: Imaginative; ideal; visionary; capricious; chimerical;
whimsical; fantastical; wild.
Usage: {Fanciful}, {Fantastical}, {Visionary}. We speak of
that as fanciful which is irregular in taste and
judgment; we speak of it as fantastical when it
becomes grotesque and extravagant as well as
irregular; we speak of it as visionary when it is
wholly unfounded in the nature of things. Fanciful
notions are the product of a heated fancy, without any
tems are made up of oddly assorted fancies, aften of
the most whimsical kind; visionary expectations are
those which can never be realized in fact. --
{Fan"ci*ful*ly}, adv. -{Fan"ci*ful*ness}, n.
Fanciless \Fan"*ci*less\, a.
Having no fancy; without ideas or imagination. [R.]
A pert or bluff important wight, Whose brain is
fanciless, whose blood is white. --Armstrong.
Fancy \Fan"cy\, n.; pl. {Fancies}. [Contr. fr. fantasy, OF.
fantasie, fantaisie, F. fantaisie, L. phantasia, fr. Gr.
???????? appearance, imagination, the power of perception and
presentation in the mind, fr. ???????? to make visible, to
place before one's mind, fr. ??????? to show; akin to ????,
???, light, Skr. bh[=a]to shine. Cf. {Fantasy}, {Fantasia},
{Epiphany}, {Phantom}.]
1. The faculty by which the mind forms an image or a
representation of anything perceived before; the power of
combining and modifying such objects into new pictures or
images; the power of readily and happily creating and
recalling such objects for the purpose of amusement, wit,
or embellishment; imagination.
In the soul Are many lesser faculties, that serve
Reason as chief. Among these fancy next Her office
holds. --Milton.
2. An image or representation of anything formed in the mind;
conception; thought; idea; conceit.
How now, my lord ! why do you keep alone, Of
sorriest fancies your companoins making ? --Shak.
3. An opinion or notion formed without much reflection;
caprice; whim; impression.
I have always had a fancy that learning might be
made a play and recreation to children. --Locke.
4. Inclination; liking, formed by caprice rather than reason;
as, to strike one's fancy; hence, the object of
inclination or liking.
To fit your fancies to your father's will. --Shak.
5. That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice
without much use or value.
London pride is a pretty fancy for borders.
--Mortimer.
6. A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad. [Obs.]
--Shak.
{The fancy}, all of a class who exhibit and cultivate any
peculiar taste or fancy; hence, especially, sporting
characters taken collectively, or any specific class of
them, as jockeys, gamblers, prize fighters, etc.
At a great book sale in London, which had
congregated all the fancy. --De Quincey.
Syn: Imagination; conceit; taste; humor; inclination; whim;
liking. See {Imagination}.
Fancy \Fan"cy\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fancied}, p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fancying}.]
1. To figure to one's self; to believe or imagine something
without proof.
If our search has reached no farther than simile and
metaphor, we rather fancy than know. --Locke.
2. To love. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fancy \Fan"cy\, v. t.
1. To form a conception of; to portray in the mind; to
imagine.
He whom I fancy, but can ne'er express. --Dryden.
2. To have a fancy for; to like; to be pleased with,
particularly on account of external appearance or manners.
``We fancy not the cardinal.'' --Shak.
3. To believe without sufficient evidence; to imagine
(something which is unreal).
He fancied he was welcome, because those arounde him
were his kinsmen. --Thackeray.
Fancy \Fan"cy\, a.
1. Adapted to please the fancy or taste; ornamental; as,
fancy goods.
2. Extravagant; above real value.
This anxiety never degenerated into a monomania,
like that which led his [Frederick the Great's]
father to pay fancy prices for giants. --Macaulay.
{Fancy ball}, a ball in which porsons appear in fanciful
dresses in imitation of the costumes of different persons
and nations.
{Fancy fair}, a fair at which articles of fancy and ornament
are sold, generally for some charitable purpose.
{Fancy goods}, fabrics of various colors, patterns, etc., as
ribbons, silks, laces, etc., in distinction from those of
a simple or plain color or make.
{Fancy line} (Naut.), a line rove through a block at the jaws
of a gaff; -- used to haul it down.
{Fancy roller} (Carding Machine), a clothed cylinder (usually
having straight teeth) in front of the doffer.
{Fancy stocks}, a species of stocks which afford great
opportunity for stock gambling, since they have no
intrinsic value, and the fluctuations in their prices are
artificial.
{Fancy store}, one where articles of fancy and ornament are
sold.
{Fancy woods}, the more rare and expensive furniture woods,
as mahogany, satinwood, rosewood, etc.
Fancy-free \Fan"cy-free`\, a.
Free from the power of love. ``In maiden meditation,
fancy-free.'' --Shak.
Fancymonger \Fan"cy*mon`ger\, n.
A lovemonger; a whimsical lover. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fancy-sick \Fan"cy-sick`\, a.
Love-sick. --Shak.
Fancywork \Fan"cy*work`\, n.
Ornamental work with a needle or hook, as embroidery,
crocheting, netting, etc.
Fand \Fand\, obs.
imp. of {Find}. --Spenser.
Fandango \Fan*dan"go\, n.; pl. {Fandangoes}. [Sp. A name
brought, together with the dance, from the West Indies to
Spain.]
1. A lively dance, in 3-8 or 6-8 time, much practiced in
Spain and Spanish America. Also, the tune to which it is
danced.
2. A ball or general dance, as in Mexico. [Colloq.]
Fane \Fane\, n. [L. fanum a place dedicated to some deity, a
sanctuary, fr. fari to speak. See {Fame}.]
A temple; a place consecrated to religion; a church. [Poet.]
Such to this British Isle, her Christian fanes.
--Wordsworth.
Fane \Fane\, n. [See {Vane}.]
A weathercock. [Obs.]
Fanega \Fa*ne"ga\, n. [Sp.]
A dry measure in Spain and Spanish America, varying from 1?
to 2? bushels; also, a measure of land. --De Colange.
Fanfare \Fan"fare`\, n. [F. Cf. {Fanfaron}.]
A flourish of trumpets, as in coming into the lists, etc.;
also, a short and lively air performed on hunting horns
during the chase.
The fanfare announcing the arrival of the various
Christian princes. --Sir W.
Scott.
Fanfaron \Fan"fa*ron\, n. [F., fr. Sp. fanfarron; cf. It.
fanfano, and OSp. fanfa swaggering, boasting, also Ar.
farf[=a]r talkative.]
A bully; a hector; a swaggerer; an empty boaster. [R.]
--Dryden.
Fanfaronade \Fan*far`on*ade"\, n. [F. fanfaronnade, fr. Sp.
fanfarronada. See {Fanfaron}.]
A swaggering; vain boasting; ostentation; a bluster. --Swift.
Fanfoot \Fan"foot`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A species of gecko having the toes expanded into large
lobes for adhesion. The Egyptian fanfoot ({Phyodactylus
gecko}) is believed, by the natives, to have venomous
toes.
(b) Any moth of the genus {Polypogon}.
Fang \Fang\ (f[a^]ng), v. t. [OE. fangen, fongen, fon (g orig.
only in p. p. and imp. tense), AS. f[=o]n; akin to D. vangen,
OHG. f[=a]han, G. fahen, fangen, Icel. f[=a], Sw. f[*a],
f[*a]nga, Dan. fange, faae, Goth. fahan, and prob. to E.
fair, peace, pact. Cf. {Fair}, a.]
1. To catch; to seize, as with the teeth; to lay hold of; to
gripe; to clutch. [Obs.] --Shak.
He's in the law's clutches; you see he's fanged.
--J. Webster.
2. To enable to catch or tear; to furnish with fangs.
``Chariots fanged with scythes.'' --Philips.
Fang \Fang\, n. [From {Fang}, v. t.; cf. AS. fang a taking,
booty, G. fang.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The tusk of an animal, by which the prey is
seized and held or torn; a long pointed tooth; esp., one
of the usually erectile, venomous teeth of serpents. Also,
one of the falcers of a spider.
Since I am a dog, beware my fangs. --Shak.
2. Any shoot or other thing by which hold is taken.
The protuberant fangs of the yucca. --Evelyn.
3. (Anat.) The root, or one of the branches of the root, of a
tooth. See {Tooth}.
4. (Mining) A niche in the side of an adit or shaft, for an
air course. --Knight.
5. (Mech.) A projecting tooth or prong, as in a part of a
lock, or the plate of a belt clamp, or the end of a tool,
as a chisel, where it enters the handle.
6. (Naut.)
(a) The valve of a pump box.
(b) A bend or loop of a rope.
{In a fang}, fast entangled.
{To lose the fang}, said of a pump when the water has gone
out; hence:
{To fang a pump}, to supply it with the water necessary to
make it operate. [Scot.]
Fanged \Fanged\, a.
Having fangs or tusks; as, a fanged adder. Also used
figuratively.
Fangle \Fan"gle\, n. [From {Fang}, v. t.; hence, prop., a taking
up a new thing.]
Something new-fashioned; a foolish innovation; a gewgaw; a
trifling ornament.
Fangle \Fan"gle\, v. t.
To fashion. [Obs.]
To control and new fangle the Scripture. --Milton.
Fangled \Fan"gled\, a.
New made; hence, gaudy; showy; vainly decorated. [Obs.,
except with the prefix new.] See {Newfangled}. ``Our fangled
world.'' --Shak.
Fangleness \Fan"gle*ness\, n.
Quality of being fangled. [Obs.]
He them in new fangleness did pass. --Spenser.
Fangless \Fang"less\, a.
Destitute of fangs or tusks. ``A fangless lion.'' --Shak.
Fangot \Fan"got\, n. [Cf. It. fagotto, fangotto, a bundle. Cf.
{Fagot}.]
A quantity of wares, as raw silk, etc., from one hundred
weight.
Fanion \Fan"ion\, n. [See {Fanon}.]
1. (Mil.) A small flag sometimes carried at the head of the
baggage of a brigade. [Obs.]
2. A small flag for marking the stations in surveying.
Fanlike \Fan"like`\, a.
Resembling a fan; -- specifically (Bot.), folded up like a
fan, as certain leaves; plicate.
Fannel \Fan"nel\, n. [Dim., from same source as fanon.]
Same as {Fanon}.
Fanner \Fan"ner\, n.
1. One who fans. --Jer. li. 2.
2. A fan wheel; a fan blower. See under {Fan}.
Fan-nerved \Fan"-nerved`\, a. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.)
Having the nerves or veins arranged in a radiating manner; --
said of certain leaves, and of the wings of some insects.
Fanon \Fan"on\, n. [F. fanon, LL. fano, fr. OHG. fano banner
cloth, G. fahne banner. See {Vane}, and cf. {Fanion},
{Gonfalon}.] (Eccl.)
A term applied to various articles, as:
(a) A peculiar striped scarf worn by the pope at mass, and by
eastern bishops.
(b) A maniple. [Written also {fannel}, {phanon}, etc.]
Fan palm \Fan" palm`\ (Bot.)
Any palm tree having fan-shaped or radiate leaves; as the
{Cham[ae]rops humilis} of Southern Europe; the species of
{Sabal} and {Thrinax} in the West Indies, Florida, etc.; and
especially the great talipot tree ({Corypha umbraculifera})
of Ceylon and Malaya. The leaves of the latter are often
eighteen feet long and fourteen wide, and are used for
umbrellas, tents, and roofs. When cut up, they are used for
books and manuscripts.
Fantail \Fan"tail`\ (f[a^]n"t[=a]l`), n. (Zool.)
(a) A variety of the domestic pigeon, so called from the
shape of the tail.
(b) Any bird of the Australian genus {Rhipidura}, in which
the tail is spread in the form of a fan during flight.
They belong to the family of flycatchers.
Fan-tailed \Fan"-tailed`\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having an expanded, or fan-shaped, tail; as, the fan-tailed
pigeon.
Fantasia \Fan*ta"si*a\, n. [It. See {Fancy}.] (Mus.)
A continuous composition, not divided into what are called
movements, or governed by the ordinary rules of musical
design, but in which the author's fancy roves unrestricted by
set form.
Fantasied \Fan"ta*sied\, a. [From {Fantasy}.]
Filled with fancies or imaginations. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fantasm \Fan"tasm\, n. [See {Phantasm}, {Fancy}.]
Same as {Phantasm}.
Fantast \Fan"tast\, n.
One whose manners or ideas are fantastic. [R.] --Coleridge.
Fantastic \Fan*tas"tic\, a. [F. fantastique, fr. Gr. ???????????
able to represent, fr. ????????? to make visible. See
{Fancy}.]
1. Existing only in imagination; fanciful; imaginary; not
real; chimerical.
2. Having the nature of a phantom; unreal. --Shak.
3. Indulging the vagaries of imagination; whimsical; full of
absurd fancies; capricious; as, fantastic minds; a
fantastic mistress.
4. Resembling fantasies in irregularity, caprice, or
eccentricity; irregular; oddly shaped; grotesque.
There at the foot of yonder nodding beech, That
wreathes its old fantastic roots so high. --T. Gray.
Syn: Fanciful; imaginative; ideal; visionary; capricious;
chimerical; whimsical; queer. See {Fanciful}.
Fantastic \Fan*tas"tic\, n.
A person given to fantastic dress, manners, etc.; an
eccentric person; a fop. --Milton.
Our fantastics, who, having a fine watch, take all
ocasions to drow it out to be seen. --Fuller.
Fantastical \Fan*tas"tic*al\, a.
Fanciful; unreal; whimsical; capricious; fantastic.
Fantasticality \Fan*tas`ti*cal"i*ty\, n.
Fantastically. [Obs.]
Fantastically \Fan*tas"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In a fantastic manner.
the letter A, in scarlet, fantastically embroidered
with gold thread, upon her bosom. --Hawthorne.
Fantastic-alness \Fan*tas"tic-al*ness\, n.
The quality of being fantastic.
Fantasticism \Fan*tas"ti*cism\, n.
The quality of being fantastical; fancifulness; whimsicality.
--Ruskin.
Fantasticly \Fan*tas"tic*ly\, adv.
Fantastically. [Obs.]
Fantasticness \Fan*tas"tic*ness\, n.
Fantasticalness. [Obs.]
Fantasticco \Fan*tas"tic*co\, n. [It.]
A fantastic. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fantasy \Fan"ta*sy\, n.; pl. {Fantasies}. [See {Fancy}.]
1. Fancy; imagination; especially, a whimsical or fanciful
conception; a vagary of the imagination; whim; caprice;
humor.
Is not this something more than fantasy ? --Shak.
A thousand fantasies Being to throng into my memory.
--Milton.
2. Fantastic designs.
Embroidered with fantasies and flourishes of gold
thread. --Hawthorne.
Fantasy \Fan"ta*sy\, v. t.
To have a fancy for; to be pleased with; to like; to fancy.
[Obs.] --Cavendish.
Which he doth most fantasy. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
Fantoccini \Fan`toc*ci"ni\, n. pl. [It., dim. fr. fante child.]
Puppets caused to perform evolutions or dramatic scenes by
means of machinery; also, the representations in which they
are used.
Fantom \Fan"tom\, n.
See {Phantom}.
{Fantom corn}, phantom corn. --Grose.
Fap \Fap\, a.
Fuddled. [Obs.] --Shak.
Faquir \Fa*quir"\, n.
See {Fakir}.
Far \Far\, n. [See {Farrow}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A young pig, or a litter of pigs.
Far \Far\, a. [{Farther}and {Farthest}are used as the compar.
and superl. of far, although they are corruptions arising
from confusion with further and furthest. See {Further}.]
[OE. fer, feor, AS. feor; akin to OS. fer, D. ver, OHG.
ferro, adv., G. fern, a., Icel. fjarri, Dan. fjirn, Sw.
fjerran, adv., Goth. fa[=i]rra, adv., Gr. ????? beyond, Skr.
paras, adv., far, and prob. to L. per through, and E. prefix
for-, as in forgive, and also to fare. Cf. {Farther},
{Farthest}.]
1. Distant in any direction; not near; remote; mutually
separated by a wide space or extent.
They said, . . . We be come from a far country.
--Josh. ix. 6.
The nations far and near contend in choice.
--Dryden.
2. Remote from purpose; contrary to design or wishes; as, far
be it from me to justify cruelty.
3. Remote in affection or obedience; at a distance, morally
or spiritually; t enmity with; alienated.
They that are far from thee ahsll perish. --Ps.
lxxiii. 27.
4. Widely different in nature or quality; opposite in
character.
He was far from ill looking, though he thought
himself still farther. --F. Anstey.
5. The more distant of two; as, the far side (called also off
side) of a horse, that is, the right side, or the one
opposite to the rider when he mounts.
Note: The distinction between the adjectival and adverbial
use of far is sometimes not easily discriminated.
{By far}, by much; by a great difference.
{Far between}, with a long distance (of space or time)
between; at long intervals. ``The examinations are few and
far between.'' --Farrar.
Far \Far\, adv.
1. To a great extent or distance of space; widely; as, we are
separated far from each other.
2. To a great distance in time from any point; remotely; as,
he pushed his researches far into antiquity.
3. In great part; as, the day is far spent.
4. In a great proportion; by many degrees; very much; deeply;
greatly.
Who can find a virtuous woman ? for her price is far
above rubies. --Prov. xxxi.
10.
{As far as}, to the extent, or degree, that. See {As far as},
under {As}.
{Far off}.
(a) At a great distance, absolutely or relatively.
(b) Distant in sympathy or affection; alienated. ``But
now, in Christ Jesus, ye who some time were far off
are made nigh by the blood of Christ.'' --Eph. ii. 13.
{Far other}, different by a great degree; not the same; quite
unlike. --Pope.
{Far and near}, at a distance and close by; throughout a
whole region.
{Far and wide}, distantly and broadly; comprehensively. ``Far
and wide his eye commands.'' --Milton.
{From far}, from a great distance; from a remote place.
Note: Far often occurs in self-explaining compounds, such as
far-extended, far-reaching, far-spread.
Farabout \Far"*a*bout`\, n.
A going out of the way; a digression. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Farad \Far"ad\, n. [From Michael Faraday, the English
electrician.] (Elec.)
The standard unit of electrical capacity; the capacity of a
condenser whose charge, having an electro-motive force of one
volt, is equal to the amount of electricity which, with the
same electromotive force, passes through one ohm in one
second; the capacity, which, charged with one coulomb, gives
an electro-motive force of one volt.
Faradic \Far*ad"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to Michael Faraday, the distinguished
electrician; -- applied especially to induced currents of
electricity, as produced by certain forms of inductive
apparatus, on account of Faraday's investigations of their
laws.
Faradism \Far"a*dism\, Faradization \Far`a*di*za"tion\, n.
(Med.)
The treatment with faradic or induced currents of electricity
for remedial purposes.
Farand \Far"and\, n.
See {Farrand}, n.
Farandams \Far"an*dams\, n.
A fabrik made of silk and wool or hair. --Simmonds.
Farantly \Far"ant*ly\, a. [See {Farrand}.]
Orderly; comely; respectable. [Obs.] --Halliwell.
Farce \Farce\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Farced}, p. pr. & vb. n.
{Farcing}.] [F. Farcir, L. farcire; akin to Gr. ???????? to
fence in, stop up. Cf. {Force} to stuff, {Diaphragm},
{Frequent}, {Farcy}, {Farse}.]
1. To stuff with forcemeat; hence, to fill with mingled
ingredients; to fill full; to stuff. [Obs.]
The first principles of religion should not be
farced with school points and private tenets. --Bp.
Sanderson.
His tippet was aye farsed full of knives. --Chaucer.
2. To render fat. [Obs.]
If thou wouldst farce thy lean ribs. --B. Jonson.
3. To swell out; to render pompous. [Obs.]
Farcing his letter with fustian. --Sandys.
Farce \Farce\, n. [F. farce, from L. farsus (also sometimes
farctus), p. p. pf farcire. See {Farce}, v. t.]
1. (Cookery) Stuffing, or mixture of viands, like that used
on dressing a fowl; forcemeat.
2. A low style of comedy; a dramatic composition marked by
low humor, generally written with little regard to
regularity or method, and abounding with ludicrous
incidents and expressions.
Farce is that in poetry which ``grotesque'' is in a
picture: the persons and action of a farce are all
unnatural, and the manners false. --Dryden.
3. Ridiculous or empty show; as, a mere farce. ``The farce of
state.'' --Pope.
Farcement \Farce"ment\, n.
Stuffing; forcemeat. [Obs.]
They spoil a good dish with . . . unsavory farcements.
--Feltham.
Farcical \Far"ci*cal\, a.
Pertaining to farce; appropriated to farce; ludicrous;
unnatural; unreal.
They deny the characters to be farcical, because they
are ??tually in in nature. --Gay.
-- {Far"ci*cal*ly}, adv. -{Far"ci*cal*ness}, n.
Farcical \Far"ci*cal\, a.
Of or pertaining to the disease called farcy. See {Farcy}, n.
Farcilite \Far"ci*lite\, n. [Farce+-lite.] (Min.)
Pudding stone. [Obs.] --Kirwan.
Farcimen \Far"ci*men\, Farcin \Far"cin\, n. (Far.)
Same as {Farcy}.
Farcing \Far"cing\, n. (Cookery)
Stuffing; forcemeat.
Farctate \Farc"tate\, a. [L. farctus, p. p. of farcire. See
{Farce}, v. t.] (Bot.)
Stuffed; filled solid; as, a farctate leaf, stem, or
pericarp; -- opposed to tubular or hollow. [Obs.]
Farcy \Far"cy\, n. [F. farcin; cf. L. farciminum a disease of
horses, fr. farcire. See {Farce}.] (Far.)
A contagious disease of horses, associated with painful
ulcerating enlargements, esp. upon the head and limbs. It is
of the same nature as glanders, and is often fatal. Called
also {farcin}, and {farcimen}.
Note: Farcy, although more common in horses, is communicable
to other animals and to human beings.
{Farcy bud}, a hard, prominent swelling occurring upon the
cutaneous surface in farcy, due to the obstruction and
inflammation of the lymphatic vessels, and followed by
ulceration. --Youatt.
Fard \Fard\, n. [F., prob. fr. OHG. gifarit, gifarwit p. p. of
farwjan to color, tinge, fr. farawa color, G. farbe.]
Paint used on the face. [Obs.] ``Painted with French fard.''
--J. Whitaker.
Fard \Fard\, v. t. [F. farder to paint one's face.]
To paint; -- said esp. of one's face. [Obs.] --Shenstone.
Fardage \Far`dage"\, n. [F. See {Fardel}.] (Naut.)
See {Dunnage}.
Fardel \Far"del\, n. [OF. fardel, F. fardeau; cf. Sp. fardel,
fardillo, fardo, LL. fardellus; prob. fr. Ar. fard one of the
two parts of an object divisible into two, hence, one of the
two parts of a camel's load. Cf. {Furl}.]
A bundle or little pack; hence, a burden. [Obs.] --Shak.
A fardel of never-ending misery and suspense.
--Marryat.
Fardel \Far"del\, v. t.
To make up in fardels. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Farding-bag \Far"ding-bag`\, n. [Of uncertain origin; cf.
{Fardel}.]
The upper stomach of a cow, or other ruminant animal; the
rumen.
Fardingdale \Far"ding*dale\, n.
A farthingale. [Obs.]
Fardingdeal \Far"ding*deal\, n. [See {Farthing}, and {Deal} a
part.]
The fourth part of an acre of land. [Obs.] [Written also
{farding dale}, {fardingale}, etc.]
Fare \Fare\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fared}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Faring}.] [AS. faran to travel, fare; akin to OS., Goth., &
OHG. faran to travel, go, D. varen, G. fahren, OFries.,
Icel., & Sw. fara, Dan. fare, Gr. ????? a way through,
??????? a ferry, strait, ???????? to convey, ?????????? to
go, march, ????? beyond, on the other side, ????? to pass
through, L. peritus experienced, portus port, Skr. par to
bring over. [root]78. Cf. {Chaffer}, {Emporium}, {Far},
{Ferry}, {Ford}, {Peril}, {Port} a harbor, {Pore}, n.]
1. To go; to pass; to journey; to travel.
So on he fares, and to the border comes Of Eden.
--Milton.
2. To be in any state, or pass through any experience, good
or bad; to be attended with any circummstances or train of
events, fortunate or unfortunate; as, he fared well, or
ill.
So fares the stag among the enraged hounds.
--Denham.
I bid you most heartily well to fare. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
So fared the knight between two foes. --Hudibras.
3. To be treated or entertained at table, or with bodily or
social comforts; to live.
There was a certain rich man wwhich . . . fared
sumptuously every day. --Luke xvi.
19.
4. To happen well, or ill; -- used impersonally; as, we shall
see how it will fare with him.
Sso fares it when with truth falsehood contends.
--Milton.
5. To behave; to conduct one's self. [Obs.]
She ferde [fared] as she would die. --Chaucer.
Fare \Fare\, n. [AS. faru journey, fr. faran. See {Fare}, v.]
1. A journey; a passage. [Obs.]
That nought might stay his fare. --Spenser.
2. The price of passage or going; the sum paid or due for
conveying a person by land or water; as, the fare for
crossing a river; the fare in a coach or by railway.
3. Ado; bustle; business. [Obs.]
The warder chid and made fare. --Chaucer.
4. Condition or state of things; fortune; hap; cheer.
What fare? what news abroad ? --Shak.
5. Food; provisions for the table; entertainment; as, coarse
fare; delicious fare. ``Philosophic fare.'' --Dryden.
6. The person or persons conveyed in a vehicle; as, a full
fare of passengers. --A. Drummond.
7. The catch of fish on a fishing vessel.
{Bill of fare}. See under {Bill}.
{Fare} {indicator or register}, a device for recording the
number of passengers on a street car, etc.
{Fare wicket}.
(a) A gate or turnstile at the entrance of toll bridges,
exhibition grounds, etc., for registering the number
of persons passing it.
(b) An opening in the door of a street car for purchasing
tickets of the driver or passing fares to the
conductor. --Knight.
Faren \Far"en\, obs.
p. p. of {Fare}, v. i. --Chaucer.
Farewell \Fare`well"\, interj. [Fare (thou, you) + well.]
Go well; good-by; adieu; -- originally applied to a person
departing, but by custom now applied both to those who depart
and those who remain. It is often separated by the pronoun;
as, fare you well; and is sometimes used as an expression of
separation only; as, farewell the year; farewell, ye sweet
groves; that is, I bid you farewell.
So farewell hope, and with hope, farewell fear.
--Milton.
Fare thee well! and if forever, Still forever fare thee
well. --Byron.
Note: The primary accent is sometimes placed on the first
syllable, especially in poetry.
Farewell \Fare`well"\, n.
1. A wish of happiness or welfare at parting; the parting
compliment; a good-by; adieu.
2. Act of departure; leave-taking; a last look at, or
reference to something.
And takes her farewell of the glorious sun. --Shak.
Before I take my farewell of the subject. --Addison.
Farewell \Fare"well`\, a.
Parting; valedictory; final; as, a farewell discourse; his
farewell bow.
Leans in his spear to take his farewell view.
--Tickell.
{Farewell rock} (Mining), the Millstone grit; -- so called
because no coal is found worth working below this stratum.
It is used for hearths of furnaces, having power to resist
intense heat. --Ure.
Farfet \Far"fet`\, a. [Far + fet, p. p. of {Fette}.]
Farfetched. [Obs.]
York with his farfet policy. --Shak.
Farfetch \Far"fetch`\, v. t. [Far + fetch.]
To bring from far; to seek out studiously. [Obs.]
To farfetch the name of Tartar from a Hebrew word.
--Fuller.
Farfetch \Far"fetch`\, n.
Anything brought from far, or brought about with studious
care; a deep strategem. [Obs.] ``Politic farfetches.''
--Hudibras.
Farfetched \Far"fetched`\, a.
1. Brought from far, or from a remote place.
Every remedy contained a multitude of farfetched and
heterogeneous ingredients. --Hawthorne.
2. Studiously sought; not easily or naturally deduced or
introduced; forced; strained.
Farina \Fa*ri"na\, n. [L., meal, flour, fr. far a sort of grain,
spelt; akin to E. barley.]
1. A fine flour or meal made from cereal grains or from the
starch or fecula of vegetables, extracted by various
processes, and used in cookery.
2. (Bot.) Pollen. [R.] --Craig.
Farinaceous \Far`i*na"ceous\, a. [L. farinaceus.]
1. Consisting or made of meal or flour; as, a farinaceous
diet.
2. Yielding farina or flour; as, ffarinaceous seeds.
3. Like meal; mealy; pertainiing to meal; as, a farinaceous
taste, smell, or appearance.
Farinose \Far`i*nose"\, a. [L. farinosus: cf. F. farineux.]
1. Yielding farinaa; as, farinose substances.
2. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.)Civered with a sort of white, mealy
powder, as the leaves of some poplars, and the body of
certain insects; mealy.
Farl \Farl\, v. t.
Same as {Furl}. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Farlie \Far"lie\, n. [OE. ferlish wonder, as adj., strange,
sudden, fearful, AS. f[=ae]rl[=i]c sudden. See {Fear}.]
An unusual or unexpected thing; a wonder. See {Fearly}. [Obs.
or Prov. Eng.] --Drayton.
Farm \Farm\, n. [OE. ferme rent, lease, F. ferme, LL. firma, fr.
L. firmus firm, fast, firmare to make firm or fast. See
{Firm}, a. & n.]
1. The rent of land, -- originally paid by reservation of
part of its products. [Obs.]
2. The term or tenure of a lease of land for cultivation; a
leasehold. [Obs.]
It is great willfulness in landlords to make any
longer farms to their tenants. --Spenser.
3. The land held under lease and by payment of rent for the
purpose of cultivation.
4. Any tract of land devoted to agricultural purposes, under
the management of a tenant or the owner.
Note: In English the ideas of a lease, a term, and a rent,
continue to be in a great degree inseparable, even from
the popular meaning of a farm, as they are entirely so
from the legal sense. --Burrill.
5. A district of country leased (or farmed) out for the
collection of the revenues of government.
The province was devided into twelve farms. --Burke.
6. (O. Eng. Law) A lease of the imposts on particular goods;
as, the sugar farm, the silk farm.
Whereas G. H. held the farm of sugars upon a rent of
10,000 marks per annum. --State Trials
(1196).
Farm \Farm\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Farmed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Farming}.]
1. To lease or let for an equivalent, as land for a rent; to
yield the use of to proceeds.
We are enforced to farm our royal realm. --Shak.
2. To give up to another, as an estate, a business, the
revenue, etc., on condition of receiving in return a
percentage of what it yields; as, to farm the taxes.
To farm their subjects and their duties toward
these. --Burke.
3. To take at a certain rent or rate.
4. To devote (land) to agriculture; to cultivate, as land; to
till, as a farm.
{To farm let}, {To let to farm}, to lease on rent.
Farm \Farm\, v. i.
To engage in the business of tilling the soil; to labor as a
farmer.
Farmable \Farm"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being farmed.
Farmer \Farm"er\, n. [Cf. F. fermier.]
One who farms; as:
(a) One who hires and cultivates a farm; a cultivator of
leased ground; a tenant. --Smart.
(b) One who is devoted to the tillage of the soil; one who
cultivates a farm; an agriculturist; a husbandman.
(c) One who takes taxes, customs, excise, or other duties, to
collect, either paying a fixed annuual rent for the
privilege; as, a farmer of the revenues.
(d) (Mining) The lord of the field, or one who farms the lot
and cope of the crown.
{Farmer-general} [F. fermier-general], one to whom the right
of levying certain taxes, in a particular district, was
farmed out, under the former French monarchy, for a given
sum paid down.
{Farmers' satin}, a light material of cotton and worsted,
used for coat linings. --McElrath.
{The king's farmer} (O. Eng. Law), one to whom the collection
of a royal revenue was farmed out. --Burrill.
Farmeress \Farm"er*ess\, n.
A woman who farms.
Farmership \Farm"er*ship\, n.
Skill in farming.
Farmery \Farm"er*y\, n.
The buildings and yards necessary for the business of a farm;
a homestead. [Eng.]
Farmhouse \Farm"house`\, n.
A dwelling house on a farm; a farmer's residence.
Farming \Farm"ing\, a.
Pertaining to agriculture; devoted to, adapted to, or engaged
in, farming; as, farming tools; farming land; a farming
community.
Farming \Farm"ing\, n.
The business of cultivating land.
Farmost \Far"most`\, a.
Most distant; farthest.
A spacious cave within its farmost part. --Dryden.
Farmstead \Farm"stead\, n.
A farm with the building upon it; a homestead on a farm.
--Tennyson.
With its pleasant groves and farmsteads. --Carlyle.
Farmsteading \Farm"stead*ing\, n.
A farmstead. [Scot.] --Black.
Farmyard \Farm"yard`\, n.
The yard or inclosure attached to a barn, or the space
inclosed by the farm buildings.
Farness \Far"ness\, n. [From {Far}, a.]
The state of being far off; distance; remoteness. [R.]
--Grew.
Faro \Far"o\, n. [Said to be so called because the Egyptian king
Pharaoh was formerly represented upon one of the cards.]
A gambling game at cardds, in whiich all the other players
play against the dealer or banker, staking their money upon
the order in which the cards will lie and be dealt from the
pack.
{Faro bank}, the capital which the proprietor of a farotable
ventures in the game; also, the place where a game of faro
is played. --Hoyle.
Faroese \Fa`ro*ese`\, n. sing. & pl.
An inhabitant, or, collectively, inhabitants, of the Faroe
islands.
Far-off \Far"-off`\, a.
Remote; as, the far-off distance. Cf. {Far-off}, under {Far},
adv.
Farraginous \Far*rag*i*nous\, a. [See {Farrago}.]
Formed of various materials; mixed; as, a farraginous
mountain. [R.] --Kirwan.
A farraginous concurrence of all conditions, tempers,
sexes, and ages. --Sir T.
Browne.
Farrago \Far*ra"go\, n. [L. farrago, -aginis, mixed fodder for
cattle, mash, medley, fr. far a sort of grain. See {Farina}.]
A mass composed of various materials confusedly mixed; a
medley; a mixture.
A confounded farrago of doubts, fears, hopes, wishes,
and all the flimsy furniture of a country miss's brain.
--Sheridan.
Farrand \Far"rand\, n. [OE. farand beautiful; cf. Gael. farranta
neat, stout, stately; or perh. akin to E. fare.]
Manner; custom; fashion; humor. [Prov. Eng.] [Written also
{farand}.] --Grose.
Farreation \Far`re*a"tion\, n. [L. farreatio.]
Same as {Confarreation}.
Farrier \Far"ri*er\, n. [OE. farrour, ferrer, OF. ferreor,
ferrier, LL. Ferrator, ferrarius equorum, from ferrare to
shoe a horse, ferrum a horseshoe, fr. L. ferrum iron. Cf.
{Ferreous}.]
1. A shoer of horses; a veterinary surgeon.
Farrier \Far"ri*er\, v. i.
To practice as a farrier; to carry on the trade of a farrier.
[Obs.] --Mortimer.
Farriery \Far"ri*er*y\, n.
1. The art of shoeing horses.
2. The art of preventing, curing, or mitigating diseases of
horses and cattle; the veterinary art.
3. The place where a smith shoes horses.
Farrow \Far"row\, n. [AS. fearh a little pig; a akin to OHG.
farh, farah, pig, dim. farheli little pig, G. fercel, D.
varken pig, Lith. parszas OIr. orc,L. porcus, Gr. ??????. Cf.
{Pork}.]
A little of pigs. --Shak.
Farfow \Far"fow\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Farrowed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Farrowing}.]
To bring forth (young); -- said only of swine. --Tusser.
Farrow \Far"row\, a. [Cf. Scot. ferry cow a cow that is not with
calf, D. vaarkoe, vaars, heifer, G. f["a]rse, AS. fearr bull,
G. farre. Cf. {Heifer}.]
Not producing young in a given season or year; -- said only
of cows.
Note: If a cow has had a calf, but fails in a subsequent
year, she is said to be farrow, or to go farrow.
Farry \Far"ry\, n.
A farrow. [Obs.] --Perry.
Farse \Farse\, n. [See {Farce}, n.] (Eccl.)
An addition to, or a paraphrase of, some part of the Latin
service in the vernacular; -- common in English before the
Reformation.
Farseeing \Far"see`ing\, a.
1. Able to see to a great distance; farsighted.
2. Having foresight as regards the future.
Farsighted \Far"sight`ed\, a.
1. Seeing to great distance; hence, of good judgment
regarding the remote effects of actions; sagacious.
2. (Med.) Hypermetropic.
Farsightedness \Far"sight`ed*ness\, n.
1. Quality of bbeing farsighted.
2. (Med.) Hypermetropia.
Farstretched \Far"*stretched`\, a.
Streatched beyond ordinary limits.
Farther \Far"ther\ (f[aum]r"[th][~e]r), a., compar. of {Far}.
[superl. {Farthest} (-[th][e^]st). See {Further}.] [For
farrer, OE. ferrer, compar. of far; confused with further.
Cf. {Farthest}.]
1. More remote; more distant than something else.
2. Tending to a greater distance; beyond a certain point;
additional; further.
Before our farther way the fates allow. --Dryden.
Let me add a farther Truth. --Dryden.
Some farther change awaits us. --MIlton.
Farther \Far"ther\, adv.
1. At or to a greater distance; more remotely; beyond; as,
let us rest with what we have, without looking farther.
2. Moreover; by way of progress in treating a subject; as,
farther, let us consider the probable event.
{No farther}, (used elliptically for) go no farther; say no
more, etc.
It will be dangerous to go on. No farther ! --Shak.
Farther \Far"ther\, v. t.
To help onward. [R.] See {Further}.
Fartherance \Far"ther*ance\, n. [Obs.]
See {Furtherance}.
Farthermore \Far"ther*more*"\, adv. [Obs.]
See {Furthermore}.
Farthermost \Far"ther*most`\, a.
Most remote; farthest.
Farthest \Far"thest\ (f[aum]r"[th][e^]st), a. Superl. of {far}.
[See {Farther} and cf. {Furthest}]
Most distant or remote; as, the farthest degree. See
{Furthest}.
Farthest \Far"thest\ adv.
At or to the greatest distance. See {Furthest}.
Farthing \Far"thing\, n. [OE. furthing, AS. fe['o]r[eth]ung, fr.
fe['o]r[eth]a fourth, fe['o]r, fe['o]wer, four. See {Four}.]
1. The fourth of a penny; a small copper coin of Great
Britain, being a cent in United States currency.
2. A very small quantity or value. [Obs.]
In her cup was no farthing seen of grease.
--Chaucer.
3. A division of land. [Obs.]
Thirty acres make a farthing land; nine farthings a
Cornish acre; and four Cornish acres a knight's fee.
--R. Carew.
Farthingale \Far"thin*gale\, n. [OE. vardingale, fardingale, fr.
OF. vertugale, verdugade, F. vertugade, vertugadin, from Sp.
verdugado, being named from its hoops, fr. verdugo a young
shoot of tree, fr. verde green, fr. L. viridis. See
{Verdant}.]
A hoop skirt or hoop petticoat, or other light, elastic
material, used to extend the petticoat.
We'll revel it as bravely as the best, . . . With ruffs
and cuffs, and farthingales and things. --Shak.
Fasces \Fas"ces\, n. pl. [L., pl. of fascis bundle; cf. fascia a
band, and Gr. fa`kelos a bundle.], (Rom. Antiq.)
A bundle of rods, having among them an ax with the blade
projecting, borne before the Roman magistrates as a badge of
their authority.
Fascet \Fas"cet\, n. (Glass Making)
A wire basket on the end of a rod to carry glass bottles,
etc., to the annealing furnace; also, an iron rod to be
thrust into the mouths of bottles, and used for the same
purpose; -- called also {pontee} and {punty}.
Fascia \Fas"ci*a\, n.; pl. {Fasci[ae]}. [L., a band: cf. It.
fascia. See {Fasces}, and cf. {Fess}.]
1. A band, sash, or fillet; especially, in surgery, a bandage
or roller.
2. (Arch.) A flat member of an order or building, like a flat
band or broad fillet; especially, one of the three bands
which make up the architrave, in the Ionic order. See
Illust. of {Column}.
3. (Anat.) The layer of loose tissue, often containing fat,
immediately beneath the skin; the stronger layer of
connective tissue covering and investing all muscles; an
aponeurosis.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A broad well-defined band of color.
Fascial \Fas"ci*al\, a.
1. Pertaining to the fasces.
2. (Anat.) Relating to a fascia.
Fasciate \Fas"ci*ate\, Fasciated \Fas"ci*a`ted\, a. [L.
fasciatus, p. p. of fasciare to envelop with bands, fr.
fascia band. See {Fasces}.]
1. Bound with a fillet, sash, or bandage.
2. (Bot.)
(a) Banded or compacted together.
(b) Flattened and laterally widened, as are often the
stems of the garden cockscomb.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Broadly banded with color.
Fasciation \Fas`ci*a"tion\, n.
The act or manner of binding up; bandage; also, the condition
of being fasciated.
Fascicle \Fas"ci*cle\, n. [L. fasciculus, dim. of fascis. See
{Fasces}.]
A small bundle or collection; a compact cluster; as, a
fascicle of fibers; a fascicle of flowers or roots.
Fascicled \Fas"ci*cled\, a.
Growing in a bundle, tuft, or close cluster; as, the
fascicled leaves of the pine or larch; the fascicled roots of
the dahlia; fascicled muscle fibers; fascicled tufts of hair.
Fascicular \Fas*cic"u*lar\, a.
Pertaining to a fascicle; fascicled; as, a fascicular root.
Fascicularly \Fas*cic"u*lar*ly\, adv.
In a fascicled manner. --Kirwan.
Fasciculate \Fas*cic"u*late\, Fasciculated \Fas*cic"u*la`ted\,a.
Grouped in a fascicle; fascicled.
Fasciculus \Fas*cic"u*lus\, n.; pl. {Fasciculi}. [L. See
{Fascicle}.]
1. A little bundle; a fascicle.
2. A division of a book.
Fascinate \Fas"ci*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fascinated}, p.
pr. & vb. n.. {Fascinating}.] [L. fascinare; cf. Gr.
?????????? to slander, bewitch.]
1. To influence in an uncontrollable manner; to operate on by
some powerful or irresistible charm; to bewitch; to
enchant.
It has been almost universally believed that . . .
serpents can stupefy and fascinate the prey which
they are desirous to obtain. --Griffith
(Cuvier).
2. To excite and allure irresistibly or powerfully; to charm;
to captivate, as by physical or mental charms.
there be none of the passions that have been noted
to fascinate or bewhich but love and envy. --Bacon.
Syn: To charm; enrapture; captivate; enchant; bewitch;
attract.
Fascination \Fas`ci*na"tion\, n. [L. fascinatio; cf. F.
fascination.]
1. The act of fascinating, bewhiching, or enchanting;
enchantment; witchcraft; the exercise of a powerful or
irresistible influence on the affections or passions;
unseen, inexplicable influence.
The Turks hang old rags . . . upon their fairest
horses, and other goodly creatures, to secure them
against fascination. --Waller.
2. The state or condition of being fascinated.
3. That which fascinates; a charm; a spell.
There is a certain bewitchery or fascination in
words. --South.
Fascine \Fas*cine"\, n. [F., fr. L. fascina a bundle of sticks,
fr. fascis. See {Fasces}.] (Fort. & Engin.)
A cylindrical bundle of small sticks of wood, bound together,
used in raising batteries, filling ditches, strengthening
ramparts, and making parapets; also in revetments for river
banks, and in mats for dams, jetties, etc.
Fascinous \Fas"ci*nous\, a. [L. fascinum witchcraft, akin to
fascinare. See {Fascinate}.]
Caused or acting by witchcraft. [Obs.] ``Fascinous
diseases.'' --Harvey.
Fasciola \Fas*ci"o*la\, n.;pl. {Fasciol[ae]}. [See {Fasciole}.]
(Anat.)
A band of gray matter bordering the fimbria in the brain; the
dentate convolution. --Wilder.
Fasciole \Fas"ci*ole\, n. [L. fasciola a little bandage. See
{Fascia}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A band of minute tubercles, bearing modified spines, on the
shells of spatangoid sea urchins. See {Spatangoidea}.
Fash \Fash\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fashed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fashing}.] [OF. faschier, F. f?cher, to anger, vex; cf. Pr.
fasticar, fastigar, fr. L. fastidium dilike. See
{Fastidious}.]
To vex; to tease; to trouble. [Scot.]
Fash \Fash\, n.
Vexation; anxiety; care. [Scot.]
Without further fash on my part. --De Quincey.
Fashion \Fash"ion\, n. [OE. fasoun, facioun, shape, manner, F.
facon, orig., a making, fr. L. factio a making, fr. facere to
make. See {Fact}, {Feat}, and cf. {Faction}.]
1. The make or form of anything; the style, shape,
appearance, or mode of structure; pattern, model; as, the
fashion of the ark, of a coat, of a house, of an altar,
etc.; workmanship; execution.
The fashion of his countenance was altered. --Luke
ix. 29.
I do not like the fashion of your garments. --Shak.
2. The prevailing mode or style, especially of dress; custom
or conventional usage in respect of dress, behavior,
etiquette, etc.; particularly, the mode or style usual
among persons of good breeding; as, to dress, dance, sing,
ride, etc., in the fashion.
The innocent diversions in fashion. --Locke.
As now existing, fashion is a form of social
regulation analogous to constitutional government as
a form of political regulation. --H. Spencer.
3. Polite, fashionable, or genteel life; social position;
good breeding; as, men of fashion.
4. Mode of action; method of conduct; manner; custom; sort;
way. ``After his sour fashion.'' --Shak.
{After a fashion}, to a certain extent; in a sort.
{Fashion piece} (Naut.), one of the timbers which terminate
the transom, and define the shape of the stern.
{Fashion plate}, a pictorial design showing the prevailing
style or a new style of dress.
Fashion \Fash"ion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fashioned}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fashioning}.] [Cf. F. faconner.]
1. To form; to give shape or figure to; to mold.
Here the loud hammer fashions female toys. --Gay.
Ingenious art . . . Steps forth to fashion and
refine the age. --Cowper.
2. To fit; to adapt; to accommodate; -- with to.
Laws ought to be fashioned to the manners and
conditions of the people. --Spenser.
3. To make according to the rule prescribed by custom.
Fashioned plate sells for more than its weight.
--Locke.
4. To forge or counterfeit. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Fashioning needle} (Knitting Machine), a needle used for
widening or narrowing the work and thus shaping it.
Fashionable \Fash"ion*a*ble\, a.
1. Conforming to the fashion or established mode; according
with the prevailing form or style; as, a fashionable
dress.
2. Established or favored by custom or use; current;
prevailing at a particular time; as, the fashionable
philosophy; fashionable opinions.
3. Observant of the fashion or customary mode; dressing or
behaving according to the prevailing fashion; as, a
fashionable man.
4. Genteel; well-bred; as, fashionable society.
Time is like a fashionable host That slightly shakes
his parting guest by the hand. --Shak.
Fashionable \Fash"ion*a*ble\, n.
A person who conforms to the fashions; -- used chiefly in the
plural.
Fashionableness \Fash"ion*a*ble*ness\, n.
State of being fashionable.
Fashionably \Fash"ion*a*bly\, adv.
In a fashionable manner.
Fashioned \Fash"ioned\, a.
Having a certain style or fashion; as old-fashioned;
new-fashioned.
Fashioner \Fash"ion*er\, n.
One who fashions, forms, ar gives shape to anything. [R.]
The fashioner had accomplished his task, and the
dresses were brought home. --Sir W.
Scott.
Fashionist \Fash"ion*ist\, n.
An obsequious follower of the modes and fashions. [R.]
--Fuller.
Fashionless \Fash"ion*less\, a.
Having no fashion.
Fashion-monger \Fash"ion-mon`ger\, n.
One who studies the fashions; a fop; a dandy. --Marston.
Fashion-mongering \Fash"ion-mon`ger*ing\, a.
Behaving like a fashion-monger. [R.] --Shak.
Fassaite \Fas"sa*ite\, n. (Min.)
A variety of pyroxene, from the valley of Fassa, in the
Tyrol.
Fast \Fast\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fasted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fasting}.] [AS. f[ae]stan; akin to D. vasten, OHG.
fast[=e]n, G. fasten, Icel. & Sw. fasta, Dan. faste, Goth.
fastan to keep, observe, fast, and prob. to E. fast firm.]
1. To abstain from food; to omit to take nourishment in whole
or in part; to go hungry.
Fasting he went to sleep, and fasting waked.
--Milton.
2. To practice abstinence as a religious exercise or duty; to
abstain from food voluntarily for a time, for the
mortification of the body or appetites, or as a token of
grief, or humiliation and penitence.
Thou didst fast and weep for the child. --2 Sam.
xii. 21.
{Fasting day}, a fast day; a day of fasting.
Fast \Fast\, n. [OE. faste, fast; cf. AS. f[ae]sten, OHG. fasta,
G. faste. See {Fast}, v. i.]
1. Abstinence from food; omission to take nourishment.
Surfeit is the father of much fast. --Shak.
2. Voluntary abstinence from food, for a space of time, as a
spiritual discipline, or as a token of religious
humiliation.
3. A time of fasting, whether a day, week, or longer time; a
period of abstinence from food or certain kinds of food;
as, an annual fast.
{Fast day}, a day appointed for fasting, humiliation, and
religious offices as a means of invoking the favor of God.
{To break one's fast}, to put an end to a period of
abstinence by taking food; especially, to take one's
morning meal; to breakfast. --Shak.
Fast \Fast\, a. [Compar. {Faster}; superl. {Fastest}.] [OE.,
firm, strong, not loose, AS. f?st; akin to OS. fast, D. vast,
OHG. fasti, festi, G. fest, Icel. fastr, Sw. & Dan. fast, and
perh. to E. fetter. The sense swift comes from the idea of
keeping close to what is pursued; a Scandinavian use. Cf.
{Fast}, adv., {Fast}, v., {Avast}.]
1. Firmly fixed; closely adhering; made firm; not loose,
unstable, or easily moved; immovable; as, to make fast the
door.
There is an order that keeps things fast. --Burke.
2. Firm against attack; fortified by nature or art;
impregnable; strong.
Outlaws . . . lurking in woods and fast places.
--Spenser.
3. Firm in adherence; steadfast; not easily separated or
alienated; faithful; as, a fast friend.
4. Permanent; not liable to fade by exposure to air or by
washing; durable; lasting; as, fast colors.
5. Tenacious; retentive. [Obs.]
Roses, damask and red, are fast flowers of their
smells. --Bacon.
6. Not easily disturbed or broken; deep; sound.
All this while in a most fast sleep. --Shak.
7. Moving rapidly; quick in mition; rapid; swift; as, a fast
horse.
8. Given to pleasure seeking; disregardful of restraint;
reckless; wild; dissipated; dissolute; as, a fast man; a
fast liver. --Thackeray.
{Fast and loose}, now cohering, now disjoined; inconstant,
esp. in the phrases to play at fast and loose, to play
fast and loose, to act with giddy or reckless inconstancy
or in a tricky manner; to say one thing and do another.
``Play fast and loose with faith.'' --Shak.
{Fast and loose pulleys} (Mach.), two pulleys placed side by
side on a revolving shaft, which is driven from another
shaft by a band, and arranged to disengage and re["e]ngage
the machinery driven thereby. When the machinery is to be
stopped, the band is transferred from the pulley fixed to
the shaft to the pulley which revolves freely upon it, and
vice versa.
{Hard and fast} (Naut.), so completely aground as to be
immovable.
{To make fast} (Naut.), to make secure; to fasten firmly, as
a vessel, a rope, or a door.
Fast \Fast\, adv. [OE. faste firmly, strongly, quickly, AS.
f[ae]ste. See {Fast}, a.]
1. In a fast, fixed, or firmly established manner; fixedly;
firmly; immovably.
We will bind thee fast. --Judg. xv.
13.
2. In a fast or rapid manner; quickly; swiftly;
extravagantly; wildly; as, to run fast; to live fast.
{Fast by}, or {Fast beside}, close or near to; near at hand.
He, after Eve seduced, unminded slunk Into the wood
fast by. --Milton.
Fast by the throne obsequious Fame resides. --Pope.
Fast \Fast\, n.
That which fastens or holds; especially, (Naut.) a mooring
rope, hawser, or chain; -- called, according to its position,
a bow, head, quarter, breast, or stern fast; also, a post on
a pier around which hawsers are passed in mooring.
Fasten \Fas"ten\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fastened}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fastening}.] [AS. f[ae]stnian; akin to OHG. festin[=o]n.
See {Fast}, a.]
1. To fix firmly; to make fast; to secure, as by a knot,
lock, bolt, etc.; as, to fasten a chain to the feet; to
fasten a door or window.
2. To cause to hold together or to something else; to attach
or unite firmly; to cause to cleave to something, or to
cleave together, by any means; as, to fasten boards
together with nails or cords; to fasten anything in our
thoughts.
The words Whig and Tory have been pressed to the
service of many successions of parties, with very
different ideas fastened to them. --Swift.
3. To cause to take close effect; to make to tell; to lay on;
as, to fasten a blow. [Obs.] --Dryden.
If I can fasten but one cup upon him. --Shak.
{To fasten} {a charge, or a crime}, {upon}, to make his guilt
certain, or so probable as to be generally believed.
{To fasten one's eyes upon}, to look upon steadily without
cessation. --Acts iii. 4.
Syn: To fix; cement; stick; link; affix; annex.
Fasten \Fas"ten\, v. i.
To fix one's self; to take firm hold; to clinch; to cling.
A horse leech will hardly fasten on a fish. --Sir T.
Browne.
Fastener \Fas"ten*er\, n.
One who, or that which, makes fast or firm.
Fastening \Fas"ten*ing\, n.
Anything that binds and makes fast, as a lock, catch, bolt,
bar, buckle, etc.
Faster \Fast"er\, n.
One who abstains from food.
Fast-handed \Fast"-hand`ed\, a.
Close-handed; close-fisted; covetous; avaricious. [Obs.]
--Bacon.
Fasti \Fas"ti\, n.pl. [L.]
1. The Roman calendar, which gave the days for festivals,
courts, etc., corresponding to a modern almanac.
2. Records or registers of important events.
Fastidiosity \Fas*tid`i*os"i*ty\, n.
Fastidiousness; squeamishness. [Obs.] --Swift.
Fastidious \Fas*tid"i*ous\, a. [L. fastidiosus disdainful, fr.
fastidium loathing, aversion, perh. fr. fastus arrogance (of
uncertain origin) + taedium loathing. Cf. {Tedious}, {Fash}.]
Difficult to please; delicate to a fault; suited with
difficulty; squeamish; as, a fastidious mind or ear; a
fastidious appetite.
Proud youth ! fastidious of the lower world. --Young.
Syn: Squeamish; critical; overnice; difficult; punctilious.
Usage: {Fastidious}, {Squeamish}. We call a person fastidious
when his taste or feelings are offended by trifling
defects or errors; we call him squeamish when he is
excessively nice or critical on minor points, and also
when he is overscrupulous as to questions of duty.
``Whoever examines his own imperfections will cease to
be fastidious; whoever restrains his caprice and
scrupulosity will cease to be squeamish.'' --Crabb. --
{Fas*tid"i*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Fas*tid"i*ous*ness}, n.
Fastigiate \Fas*tig"i*ate\, Fastigiated \Fas*tig"i*a`ted\, a.
[L. fastigium gable end, top, height, summit.]
1. Narrowing towards the top.
2. (Bot.) Clustered, parallel, and upright, as the branches
of the Lombardy poplar; pointed.
3. (Zo["o]l.) United into a conical bundle, or into a bundle
with an enlarged head, like a sheaf of wheat.
Fastish \Fast"ish\, a.
Rather fast; also, somewhat dissipated. [Colloq.]
--Thackeray.
Fastly \Fast"ly\, adv.
Firmly; surely.
Fastness \Fast"ness\, n. [AS. f[ae]stnes, fr. f[ae]st fast. See
{Fast}, a.]
1. The state of being fast and firm; firmness; fixedness;
security; faithfulness.
All . . . places of fastness [are] laid open. --Sir
J. Davies.
2. A fast place; a stronghold; a fortress or fort; a secure
retreat; a castle; as, the enemy retired to their
fastnesses in the mountains.
3. Conciseness of style. [Obs.] --Ascham.
4. The state of being fast or swift.
Fastuous \Fas"tu*ous\, a. [L. fastuosus, from fastus
haughtiness, pride: cf. F. fastueux.]
Proud; haughty; disdainful. [Obs.] --Barrow. --
{Fas"tu*ous*ness}, n. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
Fat \Fat\, n. [See {Vat}, n.]
1. A large tub, cistern, or vessel; a vat. [Obs.]
The fats shall overflow with wine and oil. --Joel
ii. 24.
2. A measure of quantity, differing for different
commodities. [Obs.] --Hebert.
Fat \Fat\, a. [Compar. {Fatter}; superl. {Fattest}.] [AS.
f[=ae]tt; akin to D. vet, G. fett, feist, Icel. feitr, Sw.
fet, Dan. fed, and perh. to Gr. pi^dax spring, fountain,
pidy`ein to gush forth, pi`wn fat, Skr. pi to swell.]
1. Abounding with fat; as:
(a) Fleshy; characterized by fatness; plump; corpulent;
not lean; as, a fat man; a fat ox.
(b) Oily; greasy; unctuous; rich; -- said of food.
2. Exhibiting the qualities of a fat animal; coarse; heavy;
gross; dull; stupid.
Making our western wits fat and mean. --Emerson.
Make the heart of this people fat. --Is. vi. 10.
3. Fertile; productive; as, a fat soil; a fat pasture.
4. Rich; producing a large income; desirable; as, a fat
benefice; a fat office; a fat job.
Now parson of Troston, a fat living in Suffolk.
--Carlyle.
5. Abounding in riches; affluent; fortunate. [Obs.]
Persons grown fat and wealthy by long impostures.
--Swift.
6. (Typog.) Of a character which enables the compositor to
make large wages; -- said of matter containing blank,
cuts, or many leads, etc.; as, a fat take; a fat page.
{Fat lute}, a mixture of pipe clay and oil for filling
joints.
Fat \Fat\, n.
1. (Physiol. Chem.) An oily liquid or greasy substance making
up the main bulk of the adipose tissue of animals, and
widely distributed in the seeds of plants. See {Adipose
tissue}, under {Adipose}.
Note: Animal fats are composed mainly of three distinct fats,
tristearin, tripalmitin, and triolein, mixed in varying
proportions. As olein is liquid at ordinary
temperatures, while the other two fats are solid, it
follows that the consistency or hardness of fats
depends upon the relative proportion of the three
individual fats. During the life of an animal, the fat
is mainly in a liquid state in the fat cells, owing to
the solubility of the two solid fats in the more liquid
olein at the body temperature. Chemically, fats are
composed of fatty acid, as stearic, palmitic, oleic,
etc., united with glyceryl. In butter fat, olein and
palmitin predominate, mixed with another fat
characteristic of butter, butyrin. In the vegetable
kingdom many other fats or glycerides are to be found,
as myristin from nutmegs, a glyceride of lauric acid in
the fat of the bay tree, etc.
2. The best or richest productions; the best part; as, to
live on the fat of the land.
3. (Typog.) Work. containing much blank, or its equivalent,
and, therefore, profitable to the compositor.
{Fat acid}. (Chem.) See {Sebacic acid}, under {Sebacic}.
{Fat series}, {Fatty series} (Chem.), the series of the
paraffine hydrocarbons and their derivatives; the marsh
gas or methane series.
{Natural fats} (Chem.), the group of oily substances of
natural occurrence, as butter, lard, tallow, etc., as
distinguished from certain fatlike substance of artificial
production, as paraffin. Most natural fats are essentially
mixtures of triglycerides of fatty acids.
Fat \Fat\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fatted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{atting}.] [OE. fatten, AS. f[=ae]ttian. See {Fat}, a., and
cf. {Fatten}.]
To make fat; to fatten; to make plump and fleshy with
abundant food; as, to fat fowls or sheep.
We fat all creatures else to fat us. --Shak.
Fat \Fat\, v. i.
To grow fat, plump, and fleshy.
An old ox fats as well, and is as good, as a young one.
--Mortimer.
Fatal \Fa"tal\, a. [L. fatalis, fr. fatum: cf. F. fatal. See
{Fate}.]
1. Proceeding from, or appointed by, fate or destiny;
necessary; inevitable. [R.]
These thing are fatal and necessary. --Tillotson.
It was fatal to the king to fight for his money.
--Bacon.
2. Foreboding death or great disaster. [R.]
That fatal screech owl to our house That nothing
sung but death to us and ours. --Shak.
3. Causing death or destruction; deadly; mortal; destructive;
calamitous; as, a fatal wound; a fatal disease; a fatal
day; a fatal error.
Fatalism \Fa"tal*ism\, n. [Cf. F. fatalisme.]
The doctrine that all things are subject to fate, or that
they take place by inevitable necessity.
Fatalist \Fa"tal*ist\, n. [Cf. F. fataliste.]
One who maintains that all things happen by inevitable
necessity.
Fatalistic \Fa`tal*is"tic\, a.
Implying, or partaking of the nature of, fatalism.
Fatality \Fa*tal"i*ty\, n.;pl. {Fatalities}. [L. fatalitas: cf.
F. fatalit['e]]
1. The state of being fatal, or proceeding from destiny;
invincible necessity, superior to, and independent of,
free and rational control.
The Stoics held a fatality, and a fixed, unalterable
course of events. --South.
2. The state of being fatal; tendency to destruction or
danger, as if by decree of fate; mortaility.
The year sixty-three is conceived to carry with it
the most considerable fatality. --Ser T.
Browne.
By a strange fatality men suffer their dissenting.
--Eikon
Basilike.
3. That which is decreed by fate or which is fatal; a fatal
event. --Dryden.
Fatally \Fa"tal*ly\, adv.
1. In a manner proceeding from, or determined by, fate.
--Bentley.
2. In a manner issuing in death or ruin; mortally;
destructively; as, fatally deceived or wounded.
Fatalness \Fa"tal*ness\, n.
Quality of being fatal. --Johnson.
Fata Morgana \Fa"ta Mor*ga"na\ [It.; -- so called because this
phenomenon was looked upon as the work of a fairy (It. fata)
of the name of Morg['a]na. See {Fairy}.]
A kind of mirage by which distant objects appear inverted,
distorted, displaced, or multiplied. It is noticed
particularly at the Straits of Messina, between Calabria and
Sicily.
Fatback \Fat"back`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The menhaden.
Fat-brained \Fat"-brained`\, a.
Dull of apprehension.
Fate \Fate\, n. [L. fatum a prophetic declaration, oracle, what
is ordained by the gods, destiny, fate, fr. fari to speak:
cf. OF. fat. See {Fame}, {Fable}, {Ban}, and cf. 1st {Fay},
{Fairy}.]
1. A fixed decree by which the order of things is prescribed;
the immutable law of the universe; inevitable necessity;
the force by which all existence is determined and
conditioned.
Necessity and chance Approach not me; and what I
will is fate. --Milton.
Beyond and above the Olympian gods lay the silent,
brooding, everlasting fate of which victim and
tyrant were alike the instruments. --Froude.
2. Appointed lot; allotted life; arranged or predetermined
event; destiny; especially, the final lot; doom; ruin;
death.
The great, th'important day, big with the fate Of
Cato and of Rome. --Addison.
Our wills and fates do so contrary run That our
devices still are overthrown. --Shak.
The whizzing arrow sings, And bears thy fate,
Antinous, on its wings. --Pope.
3. The element of chance in the affairs of life; the
unforeseen and unestimated conitions considered as a force
shaping events; fortune; esp., opposing circumstances
against which it is useless to struggle; as, fate was, or
the fates were, against him.
A brave man struggling in the storms of fate.
--Pope.
Sometimes an hour of Fate's serenest weather strikes
through our changeful sky its coming beams. --B.
Taylor.
4. pl. [L. Fata, pl. of fatum.] (Myth.) The three goddesses,
Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, sometimes called the
{Destinies}, or {Parc[ae]}who were supposed to determine
the course of human life. They are represented, one as
holding the distaff, a second as spinning, and the third
as cutting off the thread.
Note: Among all nations it has been common to speak of fate
or destiny as a power superior to gods and men --
swaying all things irresistibly. This may be called the
fate of poets and mythologists. Philosophical fate is
the sum of the laws of the universe, the product of
eternal intelligence and the blind properties of
matter. Theological fate represents Deity as above the
laws of nature, and ordaining all things according to
his will -- the expression of that will being the law.
--Krauth-Fleming.
Syn: Destiny; lot; doom; fortune; chance.
Fated \Fat"ed\, p. p. & a.
1. Decreed by fate; destined; doomed; as, he was fated to
rule a factious people.
One midnight Fated to the purpose. --Shak.
2. Invested with the power of determining destiny. [Obs.]
``The fated sky.'' --Shak.
3. Exempted by fate. [Obs. or R.] --Dryden.
Fateful \Fate"ful\, a. .
Having the power of serving or accomplishing fate. ``The
fateful steel.'' --J. Barlow.
2. Significant of fate; ominous.
The fateful cawings of the crow. --Longfellow.
-- {Fate"ful*ly}, adv.- {Fate"ful*ness}, n.
Fathead \Fat"head`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A cyprinoid fish of the Mississippi valley
({Pimephales promelas}); -- called also {black-headed
minnow}.
(b) A labroid food fish of California; the redfish.
Father \Fa"ther\, n. [OE. fader, AS. f[ae]der; akin to OS.
fadar, D. vader, OHG. fatar, G. vater, Icel. Fa?ir Sw. & Dan.
fader, OIr. athir, L. pater, Gr. ?????, Skr. pitr, perh. fr.
Skr. p[=a] protect. ???,???. Cf. {Papa}, {Paternal},
{Patriot}, {Potential}, {Pablum}.]
1. One who has begotten a child, whether son or daughter; a
generator; a male parent.
A wise son maketh a glad father. --Prov. x. 1.
2. A male ancestor more remote than a parent; a progenitor;
especially, a first ancestor; a founder of a race or
family; -- in the plural, fathers, ancestors.
David slept with his fathers. --1 Kings ii.
10.
Abraham, who is the father of us all. --Rom. iv. 16.
3. One who performs the offices of a parent by maintenance,
affetionate care, counsel, or protection.
I was a father to the poor. --Job xxix.
16.
He hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all
his house. --Gen. xiv. 8.
4. A respectful mode of address to an old man.
And Joash the king og Israel came down unto him
[Elisha], . . . and said, O my father, my father!
--2 Kings
xiii. 14.
5. A senator of ancient Rome.
6. A dignitary of the church, a superior of a convent, a
confessor (called also {father confessor}), or a priest;
also, the eldest member of a profession, or of a
legislative assembly, etc.
Bless you, good father friar ! --Shak.
7. One of the chief esslesiastical authorities of the first
centuries after Christ; -- often spoken of collectively as
the Fathers; as, the Latin, Greek, or apostolic Fathers.
8. One who, or that which, gives origin; an originator; a
producer, author, or contriver; the first to practice any
art, profession, or occupation; a distinguished example or
teacher.
The father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
--Gen. iv. 21.
Might be the father, Harry, to that thought. --Shak.
The father of good news. --Shak.
9. The Supreme Being and Creator; God; in theology, the first
person in the Trinity.
Our Father, which art in heaven. --Matt. vi. 9.
Now had the almighty Father from above . . . Bent
down his eye. --Milton.
{Adoptive father}, one who adopts the child of another,
treating it as his own.
{Apostolic father}, {Conscript fathers, etc.} See under
{Apostolic}, {Conscript}, etc.
{Father in God}, a title given to bishops.
{Father of lies}, the Devil.
{Father of the bar}, the oldest practitioner at the bar.
{Fathers of the city}, the aldermen.
{Father of the Faithful}.
(a) Abraham. --Rom. iv. --Gal. iii. 6-9.
(b) Mohammed, or one of the sultans, his successors.
{Father of the house}, the member of a legislative body who
has had the longest continuous service.
{Most Reverend Father in God}, a title given to archbishops
and metropolitans, as to the archbishops of Canterbury and
York.
{Natural father}, the father of an illegitimate child.
{Putative father}, one who is presumed to be the father of an
illegitimate child; the supposed father.
{Spiritual father}.
(a) A religious teacher or guide, esp. one instrumental in
leading a soul to God.
(b) (R. C. Ch.) A priest who hears confession in the
sacrament of penance.
{The Holy Father} (R. C. Ch.), the pope.
Father \Fa"ther\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fathered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fathering}.]
1. To make one's self the father of; to beget.
Cowards father cowards, and base things sire base.
--Shak.
2. To take as one's own child; to adopt; hence, to assume as
one's own work; to acknowledge one's self author of or
responsible for (a statement, policy, etc.).
Men of wit Often fathered what he writ. --Swift.
3. To provide with a father. [R.]
Think you I am no stronger than my sex, Being so
fathered and so husbanded ? --Shak.
{To father on} or {upon}, to ascribe to, or charge upon, as
one's offspring or work; to put or lay upon as being
responsible. ``Nothing can be so uncouth or extravagant,
which may not be fathered on some fetch of wit, or some
caprice of humor.'' --Barrow.
Fatherhood \Fa"ther*hood\, n.
The state of being a father; the character or authority of a
father; paternity.
Father-in-law \Fa"ther-in-law`\, n.; pl. {Fathers-in-law}.
The father of one's husband or wife; -- correlative to
son-in-law and daughter-in-law.
Note: A man who marries a woman having children already, is
sometimes, though erroneously, called their
father-in-law.
Fatherland \Fa"ther*land"\, n. [Imitated fr. D. vaderland. See
{Father}, and {Land}.]
One's native land; the native land of one's fathers or
ancestors.
Father-lasher \Fa"ther-lash`er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A European marine fish ({Cottus bubalis}), allied to the
sculpin; -- called also {lucky proach}.
Fatherless \Fa"ther*less\, a.
1. Destitute of a living father; as, a fatherless child.
2. Without a known author. --Beau. & Fl.
Fatherlessness \Fa"ther*less*ness\, n.
The state of being without a father.
Fatherliness \Fa"ther*li*ness\, n. [From {Fatherly}.]
The qualities of a father; parantal kindness, care, etc.
Father longlegs \Fa"ther long"legs`\ (Zo["o]l.)
See {Daddy longlegs}, 2.
Fatherly \Fa"ther*ly\, a.
1. Like a father in affection and care; paternal; tender;
protecting; careful.
You have showed a tender, fatherly regard. --Shak.
2. Of or pertaining to a father.
Fathership \Fa"ther*ship\, n.
The state of being a father; fatherhood; paternity.
Fathom \Fath"om\, n. [OE. fadme, fa[eth]me, AS. f[ae][eth]m
fathom, the embracing arms; akin to OS. fa[eth]mos the
outstretched arms, D. vadem, vaam, fathom, OHG. fadom, fadum,
G. faden fathom, thread, Icel. fa[eth]mr fathom, Sw. famn,
Dan. favn; cf. Gr. ?????????? to spread out, ???????
outspread, flat, L. patere to lie open, extend. Cf. {Patent},
{Petal}.]
1. A measure of length, containing six feet; the space to
which a man can extend his arms; -- used chiefly in
measuring cables, cordage, and the depth of navigable
water by soundings.
2. The measure or extant of one's capacity; depth, as of
intellect; profundity; reach; penetration. [R.]
Another of his fathom they have none To lead their
business. --Shak.
Fathom \Fath"om\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fathomed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fathoming}.]
1. To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to
measure by throwing the arms about; to span. [Obs.]
--Purchas.
2. The measure by a sounding line; especially, to sound the
depth of; to penetrate, measure, and comprehend; to get to
the bottom of. --Dryden.
The page of life that was spread out before me
seemed dull and commonplace, only because I had not
fathomed its deeper import. --Hawthotne.
Fathomable \Fath"om*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being fathomed.
Fathomer \Fath"om*er\, n.
One who fathoms.
Fathomless \Fath"om*less\, a.
1. Incapable of being fathomed; immeasurable; that can not be
sounded.
And buckle in a waist most fathomless. --Shak.
2. Incomprehensible.
The fathomless absurdity. --Milton.
Fatidical \Fa*tid"i*cal\, a. [L. fatidicus; fatum fate + dicere
to say, tell.]
Having power to foretell future events; prophetic;
fatiloquent; as, the fatidical oak. [R.] --Howell. --
{Fa*tid"i*cal*ly}, adv.
Fatiferous \Fa*tif"er*ous\, a. [L. fatifer; fatum fate + ferre
to bear, bring.]
Fate-bringing; deadly; mortal; destructive. [R.] --Johnson.
Fatigable \Fat"i*ga*ble\, a. [L. fatigabilis: cf. F. fatigable.
See {Fatigue}.]
Easily tired. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Fatigate \Fat"i*gate\, a. [L. fatigatus, p. p. of fatigare. See
Fatigue.]
Wearied; tired; fatigued. [Obs.]
Requickened what in flesh was fatigate. --Shak.
Fatigate \Fat"i*gate\, v. t.
To weary; to tire; to fatigue. [Obs.] --Sir T. Elyot.
Fatigation \Fat`i*ga"tion\, n. [L. fatigatio: cf. OF.
fatigation.]
Weariness. [Obs.] --W. Montaqu.
Fatigue \Fa*tigue"\, n. [F., fr. fatiguer to fatigue, L.
fatigare; cf. L. affatim sufficiently.]
1. Weariness from bodily labor or mental exertion; lassitude
or exhaustion of strength.
2. The cause of weariness; labor; toil; as, the fatigues of
war. --Dryden.
3. The weakening of a metal when subjected to repeated
vibrations or strains.
{Fatigue call} (Mil.), a summons, by bugle or drum, to
perform fatigue duties.
{Fatigue dress}, the working dress of soldiers.
{Fatigue duty} (Mil.), labor exacted from soldiers aside from
the use of arms. --Farrow.
{Fatigue party}, a party of soldiers on fatigue duty.
Fatigue \Fa*tigue"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fatigued}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fatiguing}, n.] [Cf. F. fatiguer. See {Fatigue}, n.]
To weary with labor or any bodily or mental exertion; to
harass with toil; to exhaust the strength or endurance of; to
tire.
Syn: To jade; tire; weary; bore. See {Jade}.
Fatiloquent \Fa*til"o*quent\, a. [See {Fatiloquist}.]
Prophetic; fatidical. [Obs.] --Blount.
Fatiloquist \Fa*til"o*quist\, n. [L. fatiloquus declaring fate;
fatum fate+ Loqui to speak.]
A fortune teller.
Fatimite \Fat"i*mite\, Fatimide \Fat"i*mide\, a. (Hist.)
Descended from Fatima, the daughter and only child of
Mohammed. -- n. A descendant of Fatima.
Fatiscence \Fa*tis"cence\, n. [L. fatiscense, p. pr. of
fatiscere to gape or crack open.]
A gaping or opening; state of being chinky, or having
apertures. --Kirwan.
Fat-kidneyed \Fat"-kid`neyed\, a.
Gross; lubberly.
Peace, ye fat-kidneyed rascal ! --Shak.
Fatling \Fat"ling\, n. [Fat + -ling.]
A calf, lamb, kid, or other young animal fattened for
slaughter; a fat animal; -- said of such animals as are used
for food.
He sacrificed oxen and fatlings. --2 Sam. vi.
13.
Fatly \Fat"ly\, adv.
Grossly; greasily.
Fatner \Fat"ner\, n.
One who fattens. [R.] See {Fattener}. --Arbuthnit.
Fatness \Fat"ness\, n.
1. The quality or state of being fat, plump, or full-fed;
corpulency; fullness of flesh.
Their eyes stand out with fatness. --Ps. lxxiii.
7.
2. Hence; Richness; fertility; fruitfulness.
Rich in the fatness of her plenteous soil. --Rowe.
3. That which makes fat or fertile.
The clouds drop fatness. --Philips.
Fatten \Fat"ten\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fattened}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fattining}.] [See {Fat}, v. t.]
1. To make fat; to feed for slaughter; to make fleshy or
plump with fat; to fill full; to fat.
2. To make fertile and fruitful; to enrich; as, to fatten
land; to fatten fields with blood. --Dryden.
Fatten \Fat"ten\, v. i.
To grow fat or corpulent; to grow plump, thick, or fleshy; to
be pampered.
And villains fatten with the brave man's labor.
--Otway.
Fattener \Fat"ten*er\, n.
One who, or that which, fattens; that which gives fatness or
fertility.
Fattiness \Fat"ti*ness\, n.
State or quality of being fatty.
Fattish \Fat"tish\, a.
Somewhat fat; inclined to fatness.
Coleridge, a puffy, anxious, obstructed-looking,
fattish old man. --Carlyle.
Fatty \Fat"ty\, a.
Containing fat, or having the qualities of fat; greasy;
gross; as, a fatty substance.
{Fatty acid} (Chem.), any one of the paraffin series of
monocarbonic acids, as formic acid, acetic, etc.; -- so
called because the higher members, as stearic and palmitic
acids, occur in the natural fats, and are themselves
fatlike substances.
{Fatty clays}. See under {Clay}.
{Fatty degeneration} (Med.), a diseased condition, in which
the oil globules, naturally present in certain organs, are
so multiplied as gradually to destroy and replace the
efficient parts of these organs.
{Fatty heart}, {Fatty liver}, etc. (Med.), a heart, liver,
etc., which have been the subjects of fatty degeneration
or infiltration.
{Fatty infiltration} (Med.), a condition in which there is an
excessive accumulation of fat in an organ, without
destruction of any essential parts of the latter.
{Fatty tumor} (Med.), a tumor consisting of fatty or adipose
tissue; lipoma.
Fatuitous \Fa*tu"i*tous\, a.
Stupid; fatuous.
Fatuity \Fa*tu"i*ty\, n. [L. fatuitas, fr. fatuus foolish: cf.
F. fatuit['e] Cf. {Fatuous}.]
Weakness or imbecility of mind; stupidity.
Those many forms of popular fatuity. --I Taylor.
Fatuous \Fat"u*ous\, a. [L. fatuus.]
1. Feeble in mind; weak; silly; stupid; foolish; fatuitous.
--Glanvill.
2. Without reality; illusory, like the ignis fatuus.
Thence fatuous fires and meteors take their birth.
--Danham.
Fat-wited \Fat"-wit`ed\, a.
Dull; stupid. --Shak.
Faubourg \Fau`bourg"\, n. [F.]
A suburb of French city; also, a district now within a city,
but formerly without its walls.
Faucal \Fau"cal\, a. [L. fauces throat.]
Pertaining to the fauces, or opening of the throat; faucial;
esp., (Phon.) produced in the fauces, as certain deep
guttural sounds found in the Semitic and some other
languages.
Ayin is the most difficult of the faucals. --I. Taylor
(The
Alphabet).
Fauces \Fau"ces\, n.pl. [L.]
1. (Anat.) The narrow passage from the mouth to the pharynx,
situated between the soft palate and the base of the
tongue; -- called also the {isthmus of the fauces}. On
either side of the passage two membranous folds, called
the pillars of the fauces, inclose the tonsils.
2. (Bot.) The throat of a calyx, corolla, etc.
3. (Zo["o]l.) That portion of the interior of a spiral shell
which can be seen by looking into the aperture.
Faucet \Fau"cet\, n. [F. fausset, perh. fr. L. fauces throat.]
1. A fixture for drawing a liquid, as water, molasses, oil,
etc., from a pipe, cask, or other vessel, in such
quantities as may be desired; -- called also {tap}, and
{cock}. It consists of a tubular spout, stopped with a
movable plug, spigot, valve, or slide.
2. The enlarged end of a section of pipe which receives the
spigot end of the next section.
Fauchion \Fau"chion\, n.
See {Falchion}. [Obs.]
Faucial \Fau"cial\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to the fauces; pharyngeal.
Faugh \Faugh\, interj. [Cf. {Foh}.]
An exclamation of contempt, disgust, or abhorrence.
Faulchion \Faul"chion\, n.
See {Falchion}.
Faulcon \Faul"con\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Falcon}.
Fauld \Fauld\, n.
The arch over the dam of a blast furnace; the tymp arch.
Faule \Faule\, n.
A fall or falling band. [Obs.]
These laces, ribbons, and these faules. --Herrick.
Fault \Fault\, n. [OE. faut, faute, F. faute (cf. It., Sp., &
Pg. falta), fr. a verb meaning to want, fail, freq., fr. L.
fallere to deceive. See {Fail}, and cf. {Default}.]
1. Defect; want; lack; default.
One, it pleases me, for fault of a better, to call
my friend. --Shak.
2. Anything that fails, that is wanting, or that impairs
excellence; a failing; a defect; a blemish.
As patches set upon a little breach Discredit more
in hiding of the fault. --Shak.
3. A moral failing; a defect or dereliction from duty; a
deviation from propriety; an offense less serious than a
crime.
4. (Geol. & Mining)
(a) A dislocation of the strata of the vein.
(b) In coal seams, coal rendered worthless by impurities
in the seam; as, slate fault, dirt fault, etc.
--Raymond.
5. (Hunting) A lost scent; act of losing the scent.
Ceasing their clamorous cry till they have singled,
With much ado, the cold fault cleary out. --Shak.
6. (Tennis) Failure to serve the ball into the proper court.
{At fault}, unable to find the scent and continue chase;
hence, in trouble or embarrassment, and unable to proceed;
puzzled; thrown off the track.
{To find fault}, to find reason for blaming or complaining;
to express dissatisfaction; to complain; -- followed by
with before the thing complained of; but formerly by at.
``Matter to find fault at.'' --Robynson (More's Utopia).
Syn: -- Error; blemish; defect; imperfection; weakness;
blunder; failing; vice.
Usage: {Fault}, {Failing}, {Defect}, {Foible}. A fault is
positive, something morally wrong; a failing is
negative, some weakness or falling short in a man's
character, disposition, or habits; a defect is also
negative, and as applied to character is the absence
of anything which is necessary to its completeness or
perfection; a foible is a less important weakness,
which we overlook or smile at. A man may have many
failings, and yet commit but few faults; or his faults
and failings may be few, while his foibles are obvious
to all. The faults of a friend are often palliated or
explained away into mere defects, and the defects or
foibles of an enemy exaggerated into faults. ``I have
failings in common with every human being, besides my
own peculiar faults; but of avarice I have generally
held myself guiltless.'' --Fox. ``Presumption and
self-applause are the foibles of mankind.''
--Waterland.
Fault \Fault\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Faulted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Faulting}.]
1. To charge with a fault; to accuse; to find fault with; to
blame. [Obs.]
For that I will not fault thee. --Old Song.
2. (Geol.) To interrupt the continuity of (rock strata) by
displacement along a plane of fracture; -- chiefly used in
the p. p.; as, the coal beds are badly faulted.
Fault \Fault\, v. i.
To err; to blunder, to commit a fault; to do wrong. [Obs.]
If after Samuel's death the people had asked of God a
king, they had not faulted. --Latimer.
Faulter \Fault"er\, n.
One who commits a fault. [Obs.]
Behold the faulter here in sight. --Fairfax.
Fault-finder \Fault"-find`er\, n.
One who makes a practice of discovering others' faults and
censuring them; a scold.
Fault-finding \Fault"-find`ing\, n.
The act of finding fault or blaming; -- used derogatively.
Also Adj.
Faultful \Fault"ful\, a.
Full of faults or sins. --Shak.
Faultily \Fault"i*ly\, adv.
In a faulty manner.
Faultiness \Fault"i*ness\, n.
Quality or state of being faulty.
Round, even to faultiness. --Shak.
Faulting \Fault"ing\, n. (Geol.)
The state or condition of being faulted; the process by which
a fault is produced.
Faultless \Fault"less\, a.
Without fault; not defective or imperfect; free from blemish;
free from incorrectness, vice, or offense; perfect; as, a
faultless poem.
Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, Thinks what
ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be. --Pope.
Syn: Blameless; spotless; perfect. See {Blameless}. --
{Fault"less*ly}, adv.-{Fault"less*ness}, n.
Faulty \Fault"y\, a.
1. Containing faults, blemishes, or defects; imperfect; not
fit for the use intended.
Created once So goodly and erect, though faulty
since. --Milton.
2. Guilty of a fault, or of faults; hence, blamable; worthy
of censure. --Shak.
The king doth speak . . . as one which is faulty.
--2 Sam. xiv.
13.
Faun \Faun\, n. [L. Faunus, fr. favere to be favorable. See
{Favor}.] (Rom. Myth.)
A god of fields and shipherds, diddering little from the
satyr. The fauns are usually represented as half goat and
half man.
Satyr or Faun, or Sylvan. --Milton.
Fauna \Fau"na\, n. [NL.: cf. F. faune. See {Faun}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The animals of any given area or epoch; as, the fauna of
America; fossil fauna; recent fauna.
Faunal \Fau"nal\, a.
Relating to fauna.
Faunist \Fau"nist\, n.
One who describes the fauna of country; a naturalist.
--Gilbert White.
Faunus \Fau"nus\, n.;pl. {Fauni}. [L.] (Myth.)
See {Faun}.
Fausen \Fau"sen\, n. [Cf. W. llysowen eel, ll sounding in Welsh
almost like fl.] (Zo["o]l.)
A young eel. [Prov. Eng.]
Fausse-braye \Fausse`-braye"\, n. [F. fausse-braie.] (Mil.)
A second raampart, exterior to, and parallel to, the main
rampart, and considerably below its level.
Fauteuil \Fau`teuil"\, n. [F. See {Faldistory}.]
1. An armchair; hence (because the members sit in fauteuils
or armchairs), membership in the French Academy.
2. Chair of a presiding officer.
Fautor \Fau"tor\, n. [L., contr. fr. favitor, fr. favere to be
favorable: cf. F. fauteur. See {Favor}.]
A favorer; a patron; one who gives countenance or support; an
abettor. [Obs.]
The king and the fautors of his proceedings. --Latimer.
Fautress \Fau"tress\, n. [L. fauutrix: cf. F. fautrice.]
A patroness. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Fauvette \Fau`vette"\, n. [F., dim. fr. fauve fawn-colored.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A small singing bird, as the nightingale and warblers.
Faux \Faux\, n.; pl. {Fauces}. [L.]
See {Fauces}.
faux pas \faux` pas"\ [F. See {False}, and {Pas}.]
A false step; a mistake or wrong measure.
Favaginous \Fa*vag"i*nous\, a. [L. favus a honeycomb.]
Formed like, or resembling, a honeycomb.
Favas \Fa"vas\, n.
See {Favus}, n., 2. --Fairholt.
Favel \Fa"vel\, a. [OF. fauvel, favel, dim. of F. fauve; of
German oigin. See {Fallow}, a.]
Yellow; fal?ow; dun. [Obs.] --Wright.
Favel \Fa"vel\, n.
A horse of a favel or dun color.
{To curry favel}. See {To curry favor}, under {Favor}, n.
Favel \Fa"vel\, n. [OF. favele, fr. L. fabella short fable, dim.
of fabula. See {Fable}.]
Flattery; cajolery; deceit. [Obs.] --Skeat.
Favella \Fa*vel"la\, n. [NL., prob. from L. favus a honeycomb.]
(Bot.)
A group of spores arranged without order and covered with a
thin gelatinous envelope, as in certain delicate red alg[ae].
Faveolate \Fa*ve"o*late\, a. [L. favus honeycomb.]
Honeycomb; having cavities or cells, somewhat resembling
those of a honeycomb; alveolate; favose.
Favillous \Fa*vil"lous\, a. [L. favilla sparkling or glowing
ashes.]
Of or pertaining to ashes. [Obs.]
Light and favillous particles. --Sir T.
Browne.
Favonian \Fa*vo"ni*an\, a. [L. Favonius the west wind.]
Pertaining to the west wind; soft; mild; gentle.
Favor \Fa"vor\, n. [Written also favour.] [OF. favor, F. faveur,
L. favor, fr. favere to be favorable, cf. Skr. bh[=a]vaya to
further, foster, causative of bh[=u] to become, be. Cf. {Be}.
In the phrase to curry favor, favor is prob. for favel a
horse. See 2d {Favel}.]
1. Kind regard; propitious aspect; countenance; friendly
disposition; kindness; good will.
Hath crawled into the favor of the king. --Shak.
2. The act of countenancing, or the condition of being
countenanced, or regarded propitiously; support;
promotion; befriending.
But found no favor in his lady's eyes. --Dryden.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in
favor with God and man. --Luke ii. 52.
3. A kind act or office; kindness done or granted;
benevolence shown by word or deed; an act of grace or good
will, as distinct from justice or remuneration.
Beg one favor at thy gracious hand. --Shak.
4. Mildness or mitigation of punishment; lenity.
I could not discover the lenity and favor of this
sentence. --Swift.
5. The object of regard; person or thing favored.
All these his wondrous works, but chiefly man, His
chief delight and favor. --Milton.
6. A gift or represent; something bestowed as an evidence of
good will; a token of love; a knot of ribbons; something
worn as a token of affection; as, a marriage favor is a
bunch or knot of white ribbons or white flowers worn at a
wedding.
Wear thou this favor for me, and stick it in thy
cap. --Shak.
7. Appearance; look; countenance; face. [Obs.]
This boy is fair, of female favor. --Shak.
8. (Law) Partiality; bias. --Bouvier.
9. A letter or epistle; -- so called in civility or
compliment; as, your favor of yesterday is received.
10. pl. Love locks. [Obs.] --Wright.
{Challenge} {to the favor or for favor} (Law), the challenge
of a juror on grounds not sufficient to constitute a
principal challenge, but sufficient to give rise to a
probable suspicion of favor or bias, such as acquaintance,
business relation, etc. See {Principal challenge}, under
{Challenge}.
{In favor of}, upon the side of; favorable to; for the
advantage of.
{In favor with}, favored, countenanced, or encouraged by.
{To curry favor} [see the etymology of {Favor}, above], to
seek to gain favor by flattery, caresses, kindness, or
officious civilities.
{With one's favor}, or {By one's favor}, with leave; by kind
permission.
But, with your favor, I will treat it here.
--Dryden.
Syn: Kindness; countenance; patronage; support; lenity;
grace; gift; present; benefit.
Favor \Fa"vor\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Favored}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Favoring}.] [Written also favour.] [Cf. OF. favorer,
favorir. See {Favor}, n.]
1. To regard with kindness; to support; to aid, or to have
the disposition to aid, or to wish success to; to be
propitious to; to countenance; to treat with consideration
or tenderness; to show partiality or unfair bias towards.
O happy youth! and favored of the skies. --Pope.
He that favoreth Joab, . . . let him go after Joab.
--2 Sam. xx.
11.
[The painter] has favored her squint admirably.
--Swift.
2. To afford advantages for success to; to facilitate; as, a
weak place favored the entrance of the enemy.
3. To resemble in features; to have the aspect or looks of;
as, the child favors his father.
The porter owned that the gentleman favored his
master. --Spectator.
Favorable \Fa"vor*a*ble\, a. [Written also {favourable}.] [F.
favorable, L. favorabilis favored, popular, pleasing, fr.
favor. See {Favor}, n.]
1. Full of favor; favoring; manifesting partiality; kind;
propitious; friendly.
Lend favorable ears to our request. --Shak.
Lord, thou hast been favorable unto thy land. --Ps.
lxxxv. 1.
2. Conducive; contributing; tending to promote or facilitate;
advantageous; convenient.
A place very favorable for the making levies of men.
--Clarendon.
The temper of the climate, favorable to generation,
health, and long life. --Sir W.
Temple.
3. Beautiful; well-favored. [Obs.] --Spenser. --
{Fa"vora*ble*ness}, n. -- {Fa"vor*a*bly}, sdv.
The faborableness of the present times to all
extertions in the cause of liberty. --Burke.
Favored \Fa"vored\, a.
1. Countenanced; aided; regarded with kidness; as, a favored
friend.
2. Having a certain favor or appearance; featured; as,
well-favored; hard-favored, etc.
Favoredly \Fa"vored*ly\, adv.
In a favored or a favorable manner; favorably. [Obs.] --Deut.
xvii. 1. Arscham.
Favoredness \Fa"vored*ness\, n.
Appearance. [Obs.]
Favorer \Fa"vor*er\, n.
One who favors; one who regards with kindness or friendship;
a well-wisher; one who assists or promotes success or
prosperity. [Written also {favourer}.]
And come to us as favorers, not as foes. --Shak.
Favoress \Fa"vor*ess\, n.
A woman who favors or gives countenance. [Written also
{fovouress}.]
Favoring \Fa"vor*ing\, a.
That favors. -- {Fa"vor*ing*ly}, adv.
Favorite \Fa"vor*ite\, n. [OF. favorit favored, F. favori, fem.
favorite, p. p. of OF. favorir, cf. It. favorito, frm.
favorita, fr. favorire to favor. See {Favor}.]
1. A person or thing regarded with peculiar favor; one
treated with partiality; one preferred above others;
especially, one unduly loved, trusted, and enriched with
favors by a person of high rank or authority.
Committing to a wicked favorite All public cares.
--Milton.
2. pl. Short curls dangling over the temples; -- fashionable
in the reign of Charles II. [Obs.] --Farquhar.
3. (Sporting) The competitor (as a horse in a race) that is
judged most likely to win; the competitor standing highest
in the betting.
Favorite \Fa"vor*ite\, a.
Regarded with particular affection, esteem, or preference;
as, a favorite walk; a favorite child. ``His favorite
argument.'' --Macaulay.
Favoritism \Fa"vor*it*ism\, n. [Cf. F. favoritisme.]
The disposition to favor and promote the interest of one
person or family, or of one class of men, to the neglect of
others having equal claims; partiality.
A spirit of favoritism to the Bank of the United
States. --A. Hamilton.
Favorless \Fa"vor*less\, a.
1. Unfavored; not regarded with favor; having no countenance
or support.
2. Unpropitious; unfavorable. [Obs.] ``Fortune favorless.''
--Spenser.
Favose \Fa*vose"\, a. [L. favus honeycomb.]
1. (Bot.) Honeycombed. See {Faveolate}.
2. (Med.) Of or pertaining to the disease called favus.
Favosite \Fav"o*site\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the genus Favosites.
Favosites \Fav`o*si"tes\, n. [NL. See {Favose}.] (Paleon.)
A genus of fossil corals abundant in the Silurian and
Devonian rocks, having polygonal cells with perforated walls.
Favus \Fa"vus\, n. [L., honeycomb.]
1. (Med.) A disease of the scalp, produced by a vegetable
parasite.
2. A tile or flagstone cut into an hexagonal shape to produce
a honeycomb pattern, as in a pavement; -- called also
{favas} and {sectila}. --Mollett.
Fawe \Fawe\, a. [See {Fain}.]
Fain; glad; delighted. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fawkner \Fawk"ner\, n. [See {Falconer}.]
A falconer. [Obs.] --Donne.
Fawn \Fawn\, n. [OF. faon the young one of any beast, a fawn, F.
faon a fawn, for fedon, fr. L. fetus. See {Fetus}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A young deer; a buck or doe of the first year.
See {Buck}.
2. The young of an animal; a whelp. [Obs.]
[The tigress] . . . followeth . . . after her fawns.
--Holland.
3. A fawn color.
Fawn \Fawn\, a.
Of the color of a fawn; fawn-colored.
Fawn \Fawn\, v. i. [Cf. F. faonner.]
To bring forth a fawn.
Fawn \Fawn\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fawned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fawning}.] [OE. fawnen, fainen, fagnien, to rejoice,
welcome, flatter, AS. f[ae]gnian to rejoice; akin to Icel.
fagna to rejoice, welcome. See {Fain}.]
To court favor by low cringing, frisking, etc., as a dog; to
flatter meanly; -- often followed by on or upon.
You showed your teeth like apes, and fawned like
hounds. --Shak.
Thou with trembling fear, Or like a fawning parasite,
obeyest. --Milton.
Courtiers who fawn on a master while they betray him.
--Macaulay.
Fawn \Fawn\, n.
A servile cringe or bow; mean flattery; sycophancy. --Shak.
Fawn-colored \Fawn"-col`ored\, a.
Of the color of a fawn; light yellowish brown.
Fawner \Fawn"er\, n.
One who fawns; a sycophant.
Fawningly \Fawn"ing*ly\, adv.
In a fawning manner.
Faxed \Faxed\, a. [AS. feaxede haired, fr. feax hair. Cf.
{Paxwax}.]
Hairy. [Obs.] --amden.
Fay \Fay\, n. [F. f['e]e. See {Fate}, and cf. {Fairy}.]
A fairy; an elf. ``Yellow-skirted fays.'' --Milton.
Fay \Fay\, n. [OF. fei, F. foi. See {Faith}.]
Faith; as, by my fay. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fay \Fay\ (f[=a]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {fayed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Faying}.] [OE. feien, v.t. & i., AS. f[=e]gan to join,
unite; akin to OS. f[=o]gian, D. voegen, OHG. fuogen, G.
f["u]gen, Sw. foga. See {Fair}, and cf. {Fadge}.]
(Shipbuilding)
To fit; to join; to unite closely, as two pieces of wood, so
as to make the surface fit together.
Fay \Fay\, v. i. (Shipbuilding)
To lie close together; to fit; to fadge; -- often with in,
into, with, or together.
{Faying surface}, that surface of an object which comes with
another object to which it is fastened; -- said of plates,
angle irons, etc., that are riveted together in shipwork.
Fayalite \Fay"al*ite\, n. [So called from the island Fayal.]
(Min.)
A black, greenish, or brownish mineral of the chrysolite
group. It is a silicate of iron.
Fayence \Fa`y*ence"\, n.
See {Fa?ence}.
Faytour \Fay"tour\, n.
See {Faitour}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Faze \Faze\, v. t.
See {Feeze}.
Fazzolet \Faz"zo*let`\, n. [It. fazzoletto.]
A handkerchief. [R.] --percival.
Feaberry \Fea"ber*ry\, n. [Cf. Prov. E. feabe, theabe, thape.]
(Bot.)
A gooseberry. [Prov. Eng.] --Prior.
Feague \Feague\, v. t. [Cf. G. fegen to sweep, Icel. f[ae]gia to
cleanse, polish, E. fair, fay, to fit, fey to cleanse.]
To beat or whip; to drive. [Obs.] --Otway.
Feal \Fe"al\, a. [OF. feal, feel, feeil, fedeil, F. fid[`e]le,
L. fidelis faithful, fr. fides faith. See {Faith}.]
Faithful; loyal. [Obs.] --Wright.
Fealty \Fe"al*ty\, n. [OE. faute, OF. faut['e], fealt['e],
feel['e], feelteit, fr. L. fidelitas, fr. fidelis faithful.
See {Feal}, and cf. Fidelity.]
1. Fidelity to one's lord; the feudal obligation by which the
tenant or vassal was bound to be faithful to his lord; the
special oath by which this obligation was assumed;
fidelity to a superior power, or to a government;
loyality. It is no longer the practice to exact the
performance of fealty, as a feudal obligation. --Wharton
(Law Dict. ). Tomlins.
2. Fidelity; constancy; faithfulness, as of a friend to a
friend, or of a wife to her husband.
He should maintain fealty to God. --I. Taylor.
Makes wicked lightnings of her eyes, and saps The
fealty of our friends. --tennyson.
Swore fealty to the new government. --Macaulay.
Note: Fealty is distinguished from homage, which is an
acknowledgment of tenure, while fealty implies an oath.
See {Homage}. --Wharton.
Syn: Homage; loyality; fidelity; constancy.
Fear \Fear\, n.
A variant of {Fere}, a mate, a companion. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Fear \Fear\, n. [OE. fer, feer, fere, AS. f?r a coming suddenly
upon, fear, danger; akin to D. vaar, OHG. f[=a]ra danger, G.
gefahr, Icel. f[=a]r harm, mischief, plague, and to E. fare,
peril. See {Fare}.]
1. A painful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of
evil, or the apprehension of impending danger;
apprehension; anxiety; solicitude; alarm; dread.
Note: The degrees of this passion, beginning with the most
moderate, may be thus expressed, -- apprehension, fear,
dread, fright, terror.
Fear is an uneasiness of the mind, upon the
thought of future evil likely to befall us.
--Locke.
Where no hope is left, is left no fear. --Milton.
2. (Script.)
(a) Apprehension of incurring, or solicitude to avoid,
God's wrath; the trembling and awful reverence felt
toward the Supreme Belng.
(b) Respectful reverence for men of authority or worth.
I will put my fear in their hearts. --Jer.
xxxii. 40.
I will teach you the fear of the Lord. --Ps.
xxxiv. 11.
render therefore to all their dues; tribute to
whom tribute is due . . . fear to whom fear.
--Rom. xiii.
7.
3. That which causes, or which is the object of, apprehension
or alarm; source or occasion of terror; danger;
dreadfulness.
There were they in great fear, where no fear was.
--Ps. liii. 5.
The fear of your adventure would counsel you to a
more equal enterprise. --Shak.
{For fear}, in apprehension lest. ``For fear you ne'er see
chain nor money more.'' --Shak.
Fear \Fear\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Feared}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fearing}.] [OE. feren, faeren, to frighten, to be afraid,
AS. f?ran to terrify. See {Fear}, n.]
1. To feel a painful apprehension of; to be afraid of; to
consider or expect with emotion of alarm or solicitude.
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. --Ps.
xxiii. 4.
Note: With subordinate clause.
I greatly fear my money is not safe. --Shak.
I almost fear to quit your hand. --D. Jerrold.
2. To have a reverential awe of; to solicitous to avoid the
displeasure of.
Leave them to God above; him serve and fear.
--Milton.
3. To be anxious or solicitous for. [R.]
The sins of the father are to be laid upon the
children, therefore . . . I fear you. --Shak.
4. To suspect; to doubt. [Obs.]
Ay what else, fear you not her courage? --Shak.
5. To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach
of by fear. [Obs.]
fear their people from doing evil. --Robynsin
(More's
utopia).
Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. --Shak.
Syn: To apprehend; dread; reverence; venerate.
Fear \Fear\, v. i.
To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety
on account of some expected evil.
I exceedingly fear and quake. --Heb. xii.
21.
Fearer \Fear"er\, n.
One who fars. --Sir P. Sidney.
Fearful \Fear"ful\, a.
1. Full of fear, apprehension, or alarm; afraid; frightened.
Anxious amidst all their success, and fearful amidat
all their power. --Bp.
Warburton.
2. inclined to fear; easily frightened; without courage;
timid.
What man is there that is fearful and faint-hearted?
--Deut. xx. 8.
3. Indicating, or caused by, fear.
Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh.
--Shak.
4. Inspiring fear or awe; exciting apprehension or terror;
terrible; frightful; dreadful.
This glorious and fearful name, The Lord thy God.
--Deut.
xxviii. 58.
Death is a fearful thing. --Shak.
In dreams they fearful precipices tread. --Dryden.
Syn: Apprehensive; afraid; timid; timorous; horrible;
distressing; shocking; frightful; dreadful; awful.
Fearfully \Fear"ful*ly\, adv.
In a fearful manner.
Fearfulness \Fear"ful*ness\, n.
The state of being fearful.
Fearless \Fear"less\, a.
Free from fear.
Syn: Bold; courageous; intrepid; valorous; valiant; brave;
undaunted; dauntless; heroic. -- {Fear"less*ly}, adv. --
{Fear"less*ness}, n.
Fearnaught \Fear"naught`\, n.
1. A fearless person.
2. A stout woolen cloth of great thickness; dreadnaught;
also, a warm garment.
Fearsome \Fear"some\a.
1. Frightful; causing fear. [Scotch] ``This fearsome wind.''
--Sir W. Scott
2. Easily frightened; timid; timorous. ``A silly fearsome
thing.`` --B. Taylor
Feasibility \Fea"si*bil*ity\n.; pl. {Feasibilities} (-tiz).
[from {Feasible}]
The quality of being feasible; practicability; also, that
which is feasible; as, before we adopt a plan, let us
consider its feasibility.
Men often swallow falsities for truths, dubiosities for
certainties, possibilities for feasibilities. --Sir T.
Browne.
Feasible \Fea"si*ble\a. [F. faisable, fr. faire to make or do,
fr. L. facere. See {Fact}, {Feat}.]
1. Capable of being done, executed, or effected; practicable.
Always existing before their eyes as a thing
feasible in practice. --Burke.
It was not feasible to gratify so many ambitions.
--Beaconsfield.
2. Fit to be used or tailed, as land. [R.] --R. Trumbull.
{Fea"si*ble*ness}, n. --{Fea"si*bly}, adv.
Feast \Feast\ (f[=e]st), n. [OE. feste festival, holiday, feast,
OF. feste festival, F. f[^e]te, fr. L. festum, pl. festa, fr.
festus joyful, festal; of uncertain origin. Cf. {Fair}, n.,
{Festal}, {F[^e]te}.]
1. A festival; a holiday; a solemn, or more commonly, a
joyous, anniversary.
The seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord. --Ex.
xiii. 6.
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the
feast of the passover. --Luke ii. 41.
Note: Ecclesiastical fasts are called immovable when they
always occur on the same day of the year; otherwise
they are called movable.
2. A festive or joyous meal; a grand, ceremonious, or
sumptuous entertainment, of which many guests partake; a
banquet characterized by tempting variety and abundance of
food.
Enough is as good as a feast. --Old Proverb.
Belshazzar the King made a great feast to a thousand
of his lords. --Dan. v. 1.
3. That which is partaken of, or shared in, with delight;
something highly agreeable; entertainment.
The feast of reason, and the flow of soul. --Pope.
{Feast day}, a holiday; a day set as a solemn commemo?ative
festival.
Syn: Entertainment; regale; banquet; treat; carousal;
festivity; festival.
Usage: {Feast}, {Banquet}, {Festival}, {Carousal}. A feast
sets before us viands superior in quantity, variety,
and abudance; a banquet is a luxurious feast; a
festival is the joyful celebration by good cheer of
some agreeable event. Carousal is unrestrained
indulgence in frolic and drink.
Feast \Feast\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Feasted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Feasting}.] [OE. festen, cf. OF. fester to rest from work,
F. f[^e]ter to celebrate a holiday. See {Feast}, n.]
1. To eat sumptuously; to dine or sup on rich provisions,
particularly in large companies, and on public festivals.
And his sons went and feasted in their houses.
--Job. i. 4.
2. To be highly gratified or delighted.
With my love's picture then my eye doth feast.
--Shak.
Feast \Feast\, v. t.
1. To entertain with sumptuous provisions; to treat at the
table bountifully; as, he was feasted by the king.
--Hayward.
2. To delight; to gratify; as, to feast the soul.
Feast your ears with the music a while. --Shak.
Feaster \Feast"er\, n.
1. One who fares deliciously.
2. One who entertains magnificently. --Johnson.
Feastful \Feast"ful\, a.
Festive; festal; joyful; sumptuous; luxurious. ``Feastful
days.'' --Milton. -- {Feast"ful*ly}, adv.
Feat \Feat\, n. [OE. fet, OF. fet, fait, F. fait, factum, fr. L.
facere, factum, to make or do. Cf. {Fact}, {Feasible}, {Do}.]
1. An act; a deed; an exploit.
The warlike feats I have done. --Shak.
2. A striking act of strength, skill, or cunning; a trick;
as, feats of horsemanship, or of dexterity.
Feat \Feat\, v. t.
To form; to fashion. [Obs.]
To the more mature, A glass that feated them. --Shak.
Feat \Feat\, a. [Compar. {Feater}; superl. {Featest}.] [F. fait
made, shaped, fit, p. p. of faire to make or do. See {Feat},
n.]
Dexterous in movements or service; skillful; neat; nice;
pretty. [Archaic]
Never master had a page . . . so feat. --Shak.
And look how well my garments sit upon me -- Much
feater than before. --Shak.
Feat-bodied \Feat"-bod`ied\, a.
Having a feat or trim body. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Feateous \Feat"e*ous\, a. [Cf. OF. faitis, faitice, fetis, well
made, fine, L. facticius made by art.]
Dexterous; neat. [Obs.] --Johnson. -- {Feat"e*ous*ly}, adv.
Feather \Feath"er\, n. [OE. fether, AS. fe?der; akin to D.
veder, OHG. fedara, G. feder, Icel. fj["o]?r, Sw. fj["a]der,
Dan. fj[ae]der, Gr. ? wing, feather, ? to fly, Skr. pattra
wing, feathr, pat to fly, and prob. to L. penna feather,
wing. [root]76, 248. Cf. {Pen} a feather.]
1. One of the peculiar dermal appendages, of several kinds,
belonging to birds, as contour feathers, quills, and down.
Note: An ordinary feather consists of the quill or hollow
basal part of the stem; the shaft or rachis, forming
the upper, solid part of the stem; the vanes or webs,
implanted on the rachis and consisting of a series of
slender lamin[ae] or barbs, which usually bear
barbicels and interlocking hooks by which they are
fastened together. See {Down}, {Quill}, {Plumage}.
2. Kind; nature; species; -- from the proverbial phrase,
``Birds of a feather,'' that is, of the same species. [R.]
I am not of that feather to shake off My friend when
he must need me. --Shak.
3. The fringe of long hair on the legs of the setter and some
other dogs.
4. A tuft of peculiar, long, frizzly hair on a horse.
5. One of the fins or wings on the shaft of an arrow.
6. (Mach. & Carp.) A longitudinal strip projecting as a fin
from an object, to strengthen it, or to enter a channel in
another object and thereby prevent displacement sidwise
but permit motion lengthwise; a spline.
7. A thin wedge driven between the two semicylindrical parts
of a divided plug in a hole bored in a stone, to rend the
stone. --Knight.
8. The angular adjustment of an oar or paddle-wheel float,
with reference to a horizontal axis, as it leaves or
enters the water.
Note: Feather is used adjectively or in combination, meaning
composed of, or resembling, a feather or feathers; as,
feather fan, feather-heeled, feather duster.
{Feather alum} (Min.), a hydrous sulphate of alumina,
resulting from volcanic action, and from the decomposition
of iron pyrites; -- called also {halotrichite}. --Ure.
{Feather bed}, a bed filled with feathers.
{Feather driver}, one who prepares feathers by beating.
{Feather duster}, a dusting brush of feathers.
{Feather flower}, an artifical flower made of feathers, for
ladies' headdresses, and other ornamental purposes.
{Feather grass} (Bot.), a kind of grass ({Stipa pennata})
which has a long feathery awn rising from one of the
chaffy scales which inclose the grain.
{Feather maker}, one who makes plumes, etc., of feathers,
real or artificial.
{Feather ore} (Min.), a sulphide of antimony and lead,
sometimes found in capillary forms and like a cobweb, but
also massive. It is a variety of Jamesonite.
{Feather shot}, or {Feathered shot} (Metal.), copper
granulated by pouring into cold water. --Raymond.
{Feather spray} (Naut.), the spray thrown up, like pairs of
feathers, by the cutwater of a fast-moving vessel.
{Feather star}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Comatula}.
{Feather weight}. (Racing)
(a) Scrupulously exact weight, so that a feather would
turn the scale, when a jockey is weighed or weighted.
(b) The lightest weight that can be put on the back of a
horse in racing. --Youatt.
(c) In wrestling, boxing, etc., a term applied to the
lightest of the classes into which contestants are
divided; -- in contradistinction to {light weight},
{middle weight}, and {heavy weight}.
{A feather in the cap} an honour, trophy, or mark of
distinction. [Colloq.]
{To be in full feather}, to be in full dress or in one's best
clothes. [Collog.]
{To be in high feather}, to be in high spirits. [Collog.]
{To cut a feather}.
(a) (Naut.) To make the water foam in moving; in allusion
to the ripple which a ship throws off from her bows.
(b) To make one's self conspicuous. [Colloq.]
{To show the white feather}, to betray cowardice, -- a white
feather in the tail of a cock being considered an
indication that he is not of the true game breed.
Feather \Feath"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Feathered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Feathering.}]
1. To furnish with a feather or feathers, as an arrow or a
cap.
An eagle had the ill hap to be struck with an arrow
feathered from her own wing. --L'Estrange.
2. To adorn, as with feathers; to fringe.
A few birches and oaks still feathered the narrow
ravines. --Sir W.
Scott.
3. To render light as a feather; to give wings to.[R.]
The Polonian story perhaps may feather some tedions
hours. --Loveday.
4. To enrich; to exalt; to benefit.
They stuck not to say that the king cared not to
plume his nobility and people to feather himself.
--Bacon.
--Dryden.
5. To tread, as a cock. --Dryden.
{To feather one's nest}, to provide for one's self especially
from property belonging to another, confided to one's
care; -- an expression taken from the practice of birds
which collect feathers for the lining of their nests.
{To feather an oar} (Naut), to turn it when it leaves the
water so that the blade will be horizontal and offer the
least resistance to air while reaching for another stroke.
{To tar and feather a person}, to smear him with tar and
cover him with feathers, as a punishment or an indignity.
Feather \Feath"er\, v. i.
1. To grow or form feathers; to become feathered; -- often
with out; as, the birds are feathering out.
2. To curdle when poured into another liquid, and float about
in little flakes or ``feathers;'' as, the cream feathers
[Colloq.]
3. To turn to a horizontal plane; -- said of oars.
The feathering oar returns the gleam. --Tickell.
Stopping his sculls in the air to feather
accurately. --Macmillan's
Mag.
4. To have the appearance of a feather or of feathers; to be
or to appear in feathery form.
A clump of ancient cedars feathering in evergreen
beauty down to the ground. --Warren.
The ripple feathering from her bows. --Tennyson.
Feather-brained \Feath"er-brained/\, a.
Giddy; frivolous; feather-headed. [Colloq.]
Feathered \Feath"ered\, a.
1. Clothed, covered, or fitted with (or as with) feathers or
wings; as, a feathered animal; a feathered arrow.
Rise from the ground like feathered Mercury. --Shak.
Nonsense feathered with soft and delicate phrases
and pointed with pathetic accent. --Dr. J.
Scott.
2. Furnished with anything featherlike; ornamented; fringed;
as, land feathered with trees.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Having a fringe of feathers, as the legs of
certian birds; or of hairs, as the legs of a setter dog.
4. (Her.) Having feathers; -- said of an arrow, when the
feathers are of a tincture different from that of the
shaft.
Feather-edge \Feath"er-edge/\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) The thin, new growth around the edge of a
shell, of an oyster.
2. Any thin, as on a board or a razor.
Feather-edged \Feath"er-edged/\, a.
Having a feather-edge; also, having one edge thinner than the
other, as a board; -- in the United States, said only of
stuff one edge of which is made as thin as practicable.
Feather-few \Feath"er-few/\, n. (Bot.)
Feverfew.
Feather-foil \Feath"er-foil`\, n. [Feather + foil a leaf.]
(Bot.)
An aquatic plant ({Hottonia palustris}), having finely
divided leaves.
Feather-head \Feath"er-head`\, n.
A frivolous or featherbrained person. [Colloq.] --H. James.
Feather-headed \Feath"er-head`ed\, a.
Giddy; frivolous; foolish. [Colloq.] --G. Eliot.
Feather-heeled \Feath"er-heeled`\, a.
Light-heeled; gay; frisky; frolicsome. [Colloq.]
Featherness \Feath"er*ness\, n.
The state or condition of being feathery.
Feathering \Feath"er*ing\, n.
1. (Arch.) Same as {Foliation}.
2. The act of turning the blade of the oar, as it rises from
the water in rowing, from a vertical to a horizontal
position. See {To feather an oar}, under {Feather}, v. t.
3. A covering of feathers.
{Feathering float} (Naut.), the float or paddle of a
feathering wheel.
{Feathering screw} (Naut.), a screw propeller, of which the
blades may be turned so as to move edgewise through the
water when the vessel is moving under sail alone.
{Feathering wheel} (Naut.), a paddle wheel whose floats turn
automatically so as to dip about perpendicularly into the
water and leave in it the same way, avoiding beating on
the water in the descent and lifting water in the ascent.
Featherless \Feath"er*less\, a.
Destitute of feathers.
Featherly \Feath"er*ly\, a.
Like feathers. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Feather-pated \Feath"er-pat"ed\, a.
Feather-headed; frivolous. [Colloq.] --Sir W. Scott.
Feather-veined \Feath"er-veined`\, a. (Bot.)
Having the veins (of a leaf) diverging from the two sides of
a midrib.
Feathery \Feath"er*y\, a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, feathers; covered with, or as
with, feathers; as, feathery spray or snow. --Milton.
Ye feathery people of mid air. --Barry
Cornwall.
Featly \Feat"ly\, adv. [From {Feat}, a.]
Neatly; dexterously; nimbly. [Archaic]
Foot featly here and there. --Shak.
Featness \Feat"ness\, n.
Skill; adroitness. [Archaic] --Johnson.
Feature \Fea"ture\ (?; 135), n. [OE. feture form, shape,
feature, OF. faiture fashion, make, fr. L. factura a making,
formation, fr. facere, factum, to make. See {Feat}, {Fact},
and cf. {Facture}.]
1. The make, form, or outward appearance of a person; the
whole turn or style of the body; esp., good appearance.
What needeth it his feature to descrive? --Chaucer.
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature. --Shak.
2. The make, cast, or appearance of the human face, and
especially of any single part of the face; a lineament.
(pl.) The face, the countenance.
It is for homely features to keep home. --Milton.
3. The cast or structure of anything, or of any part of a
thing, as of a landscape, a picture, a treaty, or an
essay; any marked peculiarity or characteristic; as, one
of the features of the landscape.
And to her service bind each living creature Through
secret understanding of their feature. --Spenser.
4. A form; a shape. [R.]
So scented the grim feature, and upturned His
nostril wide into the murky air. --Milton.
Featured \Fea"tured\ (?; 135), a.
1. Shaped; fashioned.
How noble, young, how rarely featured! --Shak.
2. Having features; formed into features.
The well-stained canvas or the featured stone.
--Young.
Featureless \Fea"ture*less\ (?; 135), a.
Having no distinct or distinctive features.
Featurely \Fea"ture*ly\, a.
Having features; showing marked peculiarities; handsome. [R.]
Featurely warriors of Christian chivalry. --Coleridge.
Feaze \Feaze\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Feazed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Feazing}.] [Cf. OE. faseln to ravel, fr. AS. f[ae]s fringe;
akin to G. fasen to separate fibers or threads, fasen, faser,
thread, filament, OHG. faso.]
To untwist; to unravel, as the end of a rope. --Johnson.
Feaze \Feaze\, v. t. [See {Feese}.
]
To beat; to chastise; also, to humble; to harass; to worry.
[Obs.] --insworth.
Feaze \Feaze\, n.
A state of anxious or fretful excitement; worry; vexation.
[Obs.]
Feazings \Feaz"ings\, n. pl. [See {Feaze}, v. t.] (Naut.)
The unlaid or ragged end of a rope. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Febricitate \Fe*bric"i*tate\, v. i. [L. febricitare, fr. febris.
See {Febrile}.]
To have a fever. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Febriculose \Fe*bric"u*lose`\, a. [L. febriculosus.]
Somewhat feverish. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Febrifacient \Feb`ri*fa"cient\, a. [L. febris fever + faciens,
p. pr. of facere to make.]
Febrific. --Dunglison. -- n. That which causes fever.
--Beddoes.
Febriferous \Fe*brif"er*ous\, a. [L. febris fever + -ferous.]
Causing fever; as, a febriferous locality.
Febrific \Fe*brif"ic\, a. [L. febris fever + ficare (in comp.)
to make. See {fy}-.]
Producing fever. --Dunglison.
Febrifugal \Fe*brif"u*gal\ (? or ?), a. [See {Febrifuge}.]
Having the quality of mitigating or curing fever. --Boyle.
Febrifuge \Feb"ri*fuge\, n. [L. febris fever + fugare to put to
flight, from fugere to flee: cf. F. f['e]brifuge. see
{Febrile}, {Feverfew}.] (Med.)
A medicine serving to mitigate or remove fever. -- a.
Antifebrile.
Febrile \Fe"brile\ (?; 277), a. [F. f['e]brile, from L. febris
fever. See {Fever}.]
Pertaining to fever; indicating fever, or derived from it;
as, febrile symptoms; febrile action. --Dunglison.
February \Feb"ru*a*ry\, n. [L. Februarius, orig., the month of
expiation, because on the fifteenth of this month the great
feast of expiation and purification was held, fr. februa,
pl., the Roman festival or purification; akin to februare to
purify, expiate.]
The second month in the year, said to have been introduced
into the Roman calendar by Numa. In common years this month
contains twenty-eight days; in the bissextile, or leap year,
it has twenty-nine days.
Februation \Feb`ru*a"tion\, n. [L. februatio. See {february}.]
Purification; a sacrifice. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Fecal \Fe"cal\, a. [Cf. F. f['e]cal. See {Feces}.]
relating to, or containing, dregs, feces, or ordeure;
f[ae]cal.
Fecche \Fec"che\, v. t.
To fetch. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Feces \Fe"ces\, n. pl.
dregs; sediment; excrement. See {F[AE]ces}.
Fecial \Fe"cial\, a. [L. fetialis belonging to the fetiales, the
Roman priests who sanctioned treaties and demanded
satisfaction from the enemy before a formal declaration of
war.]
Pertaining to heralds, declarations of war, and treaties of
peace; as, fecial law. --Kent.
Fecifork \Fe"ci*fork`\, n. [Feces + fork.] (Zo["o]l.)
The anal fork on which the larv[ae] of certain insects carry
their f[ae]ces.
Feckless \Feck"less\, a. [Perh. a corruption of effectless.]
Spiritless; weak; worthless. [Scot]
Fecks \Fecks\, n.
A corruption of the word faith. --Shak.
Fecula \Fec"u*la\, n.; pl. {Fecul[AE]} [L. faecula burnt tartar
or salt of tartar, dim. of faex, faecis, sediment, dregs: cf.
F. f['e]cule.]
Any pulverulent matter obtained from plants by simply
breaking down the texture, washing with water, and
subsidence. Especially:
(a) The nutritious part of wheat; starch or farina; -- called
also {amylaceous fecula}.
(b) The green matter of plants; chlorophyll.
Feculence \Fec"u*lence\, n. [L. faeculentia dregs, filth: cf. F.
f['e]culence.]
1. The state or quality of being feculent; muddiness;
foulness.
2. That which is feculent; sediment; lees; dregs.
Feculency \Fec"u*len*cy\, n.
Feculence.
Feculent \Fec"u*lent\, a. [L. faeculentus, fr. faecula: cf. F.
f['e]culent. See {Fecula}.]
Foul with extraneous or impure substances; abounding with
sediment or excrementitious matter; muddy; thick; turbid.
Both his hands most filthy feculent. --Spenser.
Fecund \Fec"und\, a. [L. fecundus, from the root of fetus: cf.
F. f['e]cond. see {Fetus}.]
Fruitful in children; prolific. --Graunt.
Fecundate \Fec"un*date\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fecundated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Fecundating}.] [L. fecundare, fr. fecundus. See
{Fecund}.]
1. To make fruitful or prolific. --W. Montagu.
2. (Biol.) To render fruitful or prolific; to impregnate; as,
in flowers the pollen fecundates the ovum through the
stigma.
Fecundation \Fec`un*da"tion\, n. [Cf. F. f['e]condation.]
(Biol.)
The act by which, either in animals or plants, material
prepared by the generative organs the female organism is
brought in contact with matter from the organs of the male,
so that a new organism results; impregnation; fertilization.
Fecundify \Fe*cun"di*fy\, v. t. [Fecund + -fy.]
To make fruitful; to fecundate. --Johnson.
Fecundity \Fe*cun"di*ty\, n. [L. fecunditas: cf. F.
f['e]condit['e]. See {Fecund}.]
1. The quality or power of producing fruit; fruitfulness;
especially (Biol.), the quality in female organisms of
reproducing rapidly and in great numbers.
2. The power of germinating; as in seeds.
3. The power of bringing forth in abundance; fertility;
richness of invention; as, the fecundity of God's creative
power. --Bentley.
Fed \Fed\,
imp. & p. p. of {Feed}.
Fedary \Fed"a*ry\, n.
A feodary. [Obs.] --Shak.
Federal \Fed"er*al\, a. [L. foedus league, treaty, compact; akin
to fides faith: cf. F. f['e]d['e]ral. see {Faith}.]
1. Pertaining to a league or treaty; derived from an
agreement or covenant between parties, especially between
nations; constituted by a compact between parties, usually
governments or their representatives.
The Romans compelled them, contrary to all federal
right, . . . to part with Sardinia. --Grew.
2. Specifically:
(a) Composed of states or districts which retain only a
subordinate and limited sovereignty, as the Union of
the United States, or the Sonderbund of Switzerland.
(b) Consisting or pertaining to such a government; as, the
Federal Constitution; a Federal officer.
(c) Friendly or devoted to such a government; as, the
Federal party. see {Federalist}.
{Federal Congress}. See under {Congress}.
Federal \Fed"er*al\, n.
See {Federalist}.
Federalism \Fed"er*al*ism\, n. [Cf. F. f['e]d['e]ralisme.]
the principles of Federalists or of federal union.
Federalist \Fed"er*al*ist\, n. [Cf. F. f['e]d['e]raliste.]
An advocate of confederation; specifically (Amer. Hist.), a
friend of the Constitution of the United States at its
formation and adoption; a member of the political party which
favored the administration of president Washington.
Federalize \Fed"er*al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Federalized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Federalizing}.] [Cf. F. f['e]d['e]raliser.]
To unite in compact, as different States; to confederate for
political purposes; to unite by or under the Federal
Constitution. --Barlow.
Federary \Fed"er*a*ry\, n. [See {Federal}.]
A partner; a confederate; an accomplice. [Obs.] --hak.
Federate \Fed"er*ate\, a. [L. foederatus, p. p. of foederare to
establish by treaty or league, fr. foedus. See {Federal}.]
United by compact, as sovereignties, states, or nations;
joined in confederacy; leagued; confederate; as, federate
nations.
Federation \Fed`er*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F. f['e]d['e]ration.]
1. The act of uniting in a league; confederation.
2. A league; a confederacy; a federal or confederated
government. --Burke.
Federative \Fed"er*a*tive\, a. [Cf. F. f['e]d['e]ratif.]
Uniting in a league; forming a confederacy; federal. ``A
federative society.'' --Burke.
Fedity \Fed"i*ty\, n. [L. foeditas, fr. foedus foul, fikthy.]
Turpitude; vileness. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Fee \Fee\ (f[=e]), n. [OE. fe, feh, feoh, cattle, property,
money, fief, AS. feoh cattle, property, money; the senses of
``property, money,'' arising from cattle being used in early
times as a medium of exchange or payment, property chiefly
consisting of cattle; akin to OS. fehu cattle, property, D.
vee cattle, OHG. fihu, fehu, G. vieh, Icel. f[=e] cattle,
property, money, Goth. fa['i]hu, L. pecus cattle, pecunia
property, money, Skr. pa[,c]u cattle, perh. orig., ``a
fastened or tethered animal,'' from a root signifying to
bind, and perh. akin to E. fang, fair, a.; cf. OF. fie, flu,
feu, fleu, fief, F. fief, from German, of the same origin.
the sense fief is due to the French. [root]249. Cf. {Feud},
{Fief}, {Fellow}, {Pecuniary}.]
1. property; possession; tenure. ``Laden with rich fee.''
--Spenser.
Once did she hold the gorgeous East in fee.
--Wordsworth.
2. Reward or compensation for services rendered or to be
rendered; especially, payment for professional services,
of optional amount, or fixed by custom or laws; charge;
pay; perquisite; as, the fees of lawyers and physicians;
the fees of office; clerk's fees; sheriff's fees; marriage
fees, etc.
To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.
--Shak.
3. (Feud. Law) A right to the use of a superior's land, as a
stipend for services to be performed; also, the land so
held; a fief.
4. (Eng. Law) An estate of inheritance supposed to be held
either mediately or immediately from the sovereign, and
absolutely vested in the owner.
Note: All the land in England, except the crown land, is of
this kind. An absolute fee, or fee simple, is land
which a man holds to himself and his heirs forever, who
are called tenants in fee simple. In modern writers, by
fee is usually meant fee simple. A limited fee may be a
qualified or base fee, which ceases with the existence
of certain conditions; or a conditional fee, or fee
tail, which is limited to particular heirs.
--Blackstone.
5. (Amer. Law) An estate of inheritance belonging to the
owner, and transmissible to his heirs, absolutely and
simply, without condition attached to the tenure.
{Fee estate} (Eng. Law), land or tenements held in fee in
consideration or some acknowledgment or service rendered
to the lord.
{Fee farm} (Law), land held of another in fee, in
consideration of an annual rent, without homage, fealty,
or any other service than that mentioned in the feoffment;
an estate in fee simple, subject to a perpetual rent.
--Blackstone.
{Fee farm rent} (Eng. Law), a perpetual rent reserved upon a
conveyance in fee simple.
{Fee fund} (Scot. Law), certain court dues out of which the
clerks and other court officers are paid.
{Fee simple} (Law), an absolute fee; a fee without conditions
or limits.
Buy the fee simple of my life for an hour and a
quarter. --Shak.
{Fee tail} (Law), an estate of inheritance, limited and
restrained to some particular heirs. --Burill.
Fee \Fee\ (f[=e]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Feed} (f[=e]d); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Feeing}.]
To reward for services performed, or to be performed; to
recompense; to hire or keep in hire; hence, to bribe.
The patient . . . fees the doctor. --Dryden.
There's not a one of them but in his house I keep a
servant feed. --Shak.
Feeble \Fee"ble\ (f[=e]"b'l), a. [Compar. {Feebler} (-bl[~e]r);
superl. {Feeblest} (-bl[e^]st).] [OE. feble, OF. feble,
flebe, floibe, floible, foible, F. faible, L. flebilis to be
wept over, lamentable, wretched, fr. flere to weep. Cf.
{Foible}.]
1. Deficient in physical strength; weak; infirm; debilitated.
Carried all the feeble of them upon asses. --2
Chron. xxviii.
15.
2. Wanting force, vigor, or efficiency in action or
expression; not full, loud, bright, strong, rapid, etc.;
faint; as, a feeble color; feeble motion. ``A lady's
feeble voice.'' --Shak.
Feeble \Fee"ble\, v. t.
To make feble; to enfeeble. [Obs.]
Shall that victorious hand be feebled here? --Shak.
Feeble-minded \Fee"ble-mind"ed\, a.
Weak in intellectual power; wanting firmness or constancy;
irresolute; vacilating; imbecile. ``comfort the
feeble-minded.'' --1 Thess. v. 14. -- {Fee"ble-mind"ed*ness},
n.
Feebleness \Fee"ble*ness\, n.
The quality or condition of being feeble; debility;
infirmity.
That shakes for age and feebleness. --Shak.
Feebly \Fee"bly\, adv.
In a feeble manner.
The restored church . . . contended feebly, and with
half a heart. --Macaulay.
Feed \Feed\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Feeding}.] [AS. f?dan, fr. f?da food; akin to C?. f?dian,
OFries f?da, f?da, D. voeden, OHG. fuottan, Icel. f[ae]?a,
Sw. f["o]da, Dan. f["o]de. ? 75. See {Food}.]
1. To give food to; to supply with nourishment; to satisfy
the physical huger of.
If thine enemy hunger, feed him. --Rom. xii.
20.
Unreasonable reatures feed their young. --Shak.
2. To satisfy; grafity or minister to, as any sense, talent,
taste, or desire.
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.
--Shak.
Feeding him with the hope of liberty. --Knolles.
3. To fill the wants of; to supply with that which is used or
wasted; as, springs feed ponds; the hopper feeds the mill;
to feed a furnace with coal.
4. To nourish, in a general sense; to foster, strengthen,
develop, and guard.
Thou shalt feed people Israel. --2 Sam. v. 2.
Mightiest powers by deepest calms are feed. --B.
Cornwall.
5. To graze; to cause to be cropped by feeding, as herbage by
cattle; as, if grain is too forward in autumn, feed it
with sheep.
Once in three years feed your mowing lands.
--Mortimer.
6. To give for food, especially to animals; to furnish for
consumption; as, to feed out turnips to the cows; to feed
water to a steam boiler.
7. (Mach.)
(a) To supply (the material to be operated upon) to a
machine; as, to feed paper to a printing press.
(b) To produce progressive operation upon or with (as in
wood and metal working machines, so that the work
moves to the cutting tool, or the tool to the work).
Feed \Feed\, v. i.
1. To take food; to eat.
Her kid . . . which I afterwards killed because it
would not feed. --De Foe.
2. To subject by eating; to satisfy the appetite; to feed
one's self (upon something); to prey; -- with on or upon.
Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon. --Shak.
3. To be nourished, strengthened, or satisfied, as if by
food. ``He feeds upon the cooling shade.'' --Spenser.
4. To place cattle to feed; to pasture; to graze.
If a man . . . shall put in his beast, and shall
feed in another man's field. --Ex. xxii. 5.
Feed \Feed\, n.
1. That which is eaten; esp., food for beasts; fodder;
pasture; hay; grain, ground or whole; as, the best feed
for sheep.
2. A grazing or pasture ground. --Shak.
3. An allowance of provender given to a horse, cow, etc.; a
meal; as, a feed of corn or oats.
4. A meal, or the act of eating. [R.]
For such pleasure till that hour At feed or fountain
never had I found. --Milton.
5. The water supplied to steam boilers.
6. (Mach.)
(a) The motion, or act, of carrying forward the stuff to
be operated upon, as cloth to the needle in a sewing
machine; or of producing progressive operation upon
any material or object in a machine, as, in a turning
lathe, by moving the cutting tool along or in the
work.
(b) The supply of material to a machine, as water to a
steam boiler, coal to a furnace, or grain to a run of
stones.
(c) The mechanism by which the action of feeding is
produced; a feed motion.
{Feed bag}, a nose bag containing feed for a horse or mule.
{Feed cloth}, an apron for leading cotton, wool, or other
fiber, into a machine, as for carding, etc.
{Feed door}, a door to a furnace, by which to supply coal.
{Feed head}.
(a) A cistern for feeding water by gravity to a steam
boiler.
(b) (Founding) An excess of metal above a mold, which
serves to render the casting more compact by its
pressure; -- also called a {riser}, {deadhead}, or
simply {feed} or {head} --Knight.
{Feed heater}.
(a) (Steam Engine) A vessel in which the feed water for
the boiler is heated, usually by exhaust steam.
(b) A boiler or kettle in which is heated food for stock.
{Feed motion}, or {Feed gear} (Mach.), the train of mechanism
that gives motion to the part that directly produces the
feed in a machine.
{Feed pipe}, a pipe for supplying the boiler of a steam
engine, etc., with water.
{Feed pump}, a force pump for supplying water to a steam
boiler, etc.
{Feed regulator}, a device for graduating the operation of a
feeder. --Knight.
{Feed screw}, in lathes, a long screw employed to impart a
regular motion to a tool rest or tool, or to the work.
{Feed water}, water supplied to a steam boiler, etc.
{Feed wheel} (Mach.), a kind of feeder. See {Feeder}, n., 8.
Feeder \Feed"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, gives food or supplies
nourishment; steward.
A couple of friends, his chaplain and feeder.
--Goldsmith.
2. One who furnishes incentives; an encourager. ``The feeder
of my riots.'' --Shak.
3. One who eats or feeds; specifically, an animal to be fed
or fattened.
With eager feeding, food doth choke the feeder.
--Shak.
4. One who fattens cattle for slaughter.
5. A stream that flows into another body of water; a
tributary; specifically (Hydraulic Engin.), a water course
which supplies a canal or reservoir by gravitation or
natural flow.
6. A branch railroad, stage line, or the like; a side line
which increases the business of the main line.
7. (Mining)
(a) A small lateral lode falling into the main lode or
mineral vein. --Ure.
(b) A strong discharge of gas from a fissure; a blower.
--Raymond.
8. (Mach.) An auxiliary part of a machine which supplies or
leads along the material operated upon.
9. (Steam Engine) A device for supplying steam boilers with
water as needed.
Feeding \Feed"ing\, n.
1. the act of eating, or of supplying with food; the process
of fattening.
2. That which is eaten; food.
3. That which furnishes or affords food, especially for
animals; pasture land.
{Feeding bottle}. See under {Bottle}.
Fee-faw-fum \Fee`-faw`-fum"\, n.
A nonsensical exclamation attributed to giants and ogres;
hence, any expression calculated to impose upon the timid and
ignorant. ``Impudent fee-faw-fums.'' --J. H. Newman.
Feejee \Fee"jee\, a. & n. (Ethnol)
See {Fijian}.
Feel \Feel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Felt}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Feeling}.] [AS. f?lan; akin to OS. gif?lian to perceive, D.
voelen to feel, OHG. fuolen, G. f["u]hlen, Icel. f[=a]lma to
grope, and prob. to AS. folm paim of the hand, L. palma. Cf.
{Fumble}, {Palm}.]
1. To perceive by the touch; to take cognizance of by means
of the nerves of sensation distributed all over the body,
especially by those of the skin; to have sensation excited
by contact of (a thing) with the body or limbs.
Who feel Those rods of scorpions and those whips of
steel. --Creecn.
2. To touch; to handle; to examine by touching; as, feel this
piece of silk; hence, to make trial of; to test; often
with out.
Come near, . . . that I may feel thee, my son.
--Gen. xxvii.
21.
He hath this to feel my affection to your honor.
--Shak.
3. To perceive by the mind; to have a sense of; to
experience; to be affected by; to be sensible of, or
sensetive to; as, to feel pleasure; to feel pain.
Teach me to feel another's woe. --Pope.
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil
thing. --Eccl. viii.
5.
He best can paint them who shall feel them most.
--Pope.
Mankind have felt their strength and made it felt.
--Byron.
4. To take internal cognizance of; to be conscious of; to
have an inward persuasion of.
For then, and not till then, he felt himself.
--Shak.
5. To perceive; to observe. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{To feel the helm} (Naut.), to obey it.
Feel \Feel\, v. i.
1. To have perception by the touch, or by contact of anything
with the nerves of sensation, especially those upon the
surface of the body.
2. To have the sensibilities moved or affected.
[She] feels with the dignity of a Roman matron.
--Burke.
And mine as man, who feel for all mankind. --Pope.
3. To be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind,
persuasion, physical condition, etc.; to perceive one's
self to be; -- followed by an adjective describing the
state, etc.; as, to feel assured, grieved, persuaded.
I then did feel full sick. --Shak.
4. To know with feeling; to be conscious; hence, to know
certainly or without misgiving.
Garlands . . . which I feel I am not worthy yet to
wear. --Shak.
5. To appear to the touch; to give a perception; to produce
an impression by the nerves of sensation; -- followed by
an adjective describing the kind of sensation.
Blind men say black feels rough, and white feels
smooth. --Dryden.
{To feel after}, to search for; to seek to find; to seek as a
person groping in the dark. ``If haply they might feel
after him, and find him.'' --Acts xvii. 27.
{To feel of}, to examine by touching.
Feel \Feel\, n.
1. Feeling; perception. [R.]
To intercept and have a more kindly feel of its
genial warmth. --Hazlitt.
2. A sensation communicated by touching; impression made upon
one who touches or handles; as, this leather has a greasy
feel.
The difference between these two tumors will be
distinguished by the feel. --S. Sharp.
Feeler \Feel"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, feels.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the sense organs or certain animals (as
insects), which are used in testing objects by touch and
in searching for food; an antenna; a palp.
Insects . . . perpetually feeling and searching
before them with their feelers or antenn[ae].
--Derham.
3. Anything, as a proposal, observation, etc., put forth or
thrown out in order to ascertain the views of others;
something tentative.
Feeling \Feel"ing\, a.
1. Possessing great sensibility; easily affected or moved;
as, a feeling heart.
2. Expressive of great sensibility; attended by, or evincing,
sensibility; as, he made a feeling representation of his
wrongs.
Feeling \Feel"ing\, n.
1. The sense by which the mind, through certain nerves of the
body, perceives external objects, or certain states of the
body itself; that one of the five senses which resides in
the general nerves of sensation distributed over the body,
especially in its surface; the sense of touch; nervous
sensibility to external objects.
Why was the sight To such a tender ball as the eye
confined, . . . And not, as feeling, through all
parts diffused? --Milton.
2. An act or state of perception by the sense above
described; an act of apprehending any object whatever; an
act or state of apprehending the state of the soul itself;
consciousness.
The apprehension of the good Gives but the greater
feeling to the worse. --Shak.
3. The capacity of the soul for emotional states; a high
degree of susceptibility to emotions or states of the
sensibility not dependent on the body; as, a man of
feeling; a man destitute of feeling.
4. Any state or condition of emotion; the exercise of the
capacity for emotion; any mental state whatever; as, a
right or a wrong feeling in the heart; our angry or kindly
feelings; a feeling of pride or of humility.
A fellow feeling makes one wondrous kind. --Garrick.
Tenderness for the feelings of others. --Macaulay.
5. That quality of a work of art which embodies the mental
emotion of the artist, and is calculated to affect
similarly the spectator. --Fairholt.
Syn: Sensation; emotion; passion; sentiment; agitation;
opinion. See {Emotion}, {Passion}, {Sentiment}.
Feelingly \Feel"ing*ly\, adv.
In a feeling manner; pathetically; sympathetically.
Feere \Feere\, n. [See {Fere}, n.]
A consort, husband or wife; a companion; a fere. [Obs.]
Feese \Feese\, n. [Cf. OE. fesien to put to flight, AS.
f[=e]sian, f[=y]sian, f[=y]san, fr. f[=u]s, prompt, willing.]
the short run before a leap. [Obs.] --Nares.
Feet \Feet\, n. pl.
See {Foot}.
Feet \Feet\, n. [See {Feat}, n.]
Fact; performance. [Obs.]
Feetless \Feet"less\, a.
Destitute of feet; as, feetless birds.
Feeze \Feeze\, v. t. [For sense 1, cf. F. visser to screw, vis
screw, or 1st E. feaze, v.t.: for sense 2, see {Feese}.]
1. To turn, as a screw. [Scot] --Jamieson.
2. To beat; to chastise; to humble; to worry. [Obs.] [Written
also {feaze}, {feize}, {pheese}.] --Beau. & Fl.
{To feeze up}, to work into a passion. [Obs.]
Feeze \Feeze\, n.
Fretful excitement. [Obs.] See {Feaze}.
Fehling \Feh"ling\, n. (Chem.)
See {Fehling's solution}, under {Solution}.
Fehmic \Feh"mic\, a.
See {Vehmic}.
Feign \Feign\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Feigned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Feigning}.] [OE. feinen, F. feindre (p. pr. feignant), fr.
L. fingere; akin to L. figura figure,and E. dough. See
{Dough}, and cf. {Figure}, {Faint}, {Effigy}, {Fiction}.]
1. To give a mental existence to, as to something not real or
actual; to imagine; to invent; hence, to pretend; to form
and relate as if true.
There are no such things done as thou sayest, but
thou feignest them out of thine own heart. --Neh.
vi. 8.
The poet Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones,
and floods. --Shak.
2. To represent by a false appearance of; to pretend; to
counterfeit; as, to feign a sickness. --Shak.
3. To dissemble; to conceal. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Feigned \Feigned\, a.
Not real or genuine; pretended; counterfeit; insincere;
false. ``A feigned friend.'' --Shak.
Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned
lips. --Ps. xvii. 1.
-- {Feign"ed*ly}, adv. -- {Feign"ed*ness}, n.
Her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me
with her whole heart, but feignedly. --Jer. iii.
10.
{Feigned issue} (Law), an issue produced in a pretended
action between two parties for the purpose of trying
before a jury a question of fact which it becomes
necessary to settle in the progress of a cause. --Burill.
--Bouvier.
Feigner \Feign"er\, n.
One who feigns or pretends.
Feigning \Feign"ing\, a.
That feigns; insincere; not genuine; false. --
{Feign"ing*ly}, adv.
Feine \Feine\, v. t. & i.
To feign. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Feint \Feint\, a. [F. feint, p. p. of feindre to feign. See
{Feign}.]
Feigned; counterfeit. [Obs.]
Dressed up into any feint appearance of it. --Locke.
Feint \Feint\, n. [F. feinte, fr. feint. See {Feint}, a.]
1. That which is feigned; an assumed or false appearance; a
pretense; a stratagem; a fetch.
Courtley's letter is but a feint to get off.
--Spectator.
2. A mock blow or attack on one part when another part is
intended to be struck; -- said of certain movements in
fencing, boxing, war, etc.
Feint \Feint\, v. i.
To make a feint, or mock attack.
Feitsui \Fei`tsui"\, n. (Min.)
The Chinese name for a highly prized variety of pale green
jade. See {Jade}.
Feize \Feize\, v. t.
See {Feeze}, v. t.
Felanders \Fel"an*ders\, n. pl.
See {Filanders}.
Feldspar \Feld"spar`\, Feldspath \Feld"spath`\, n. [G.
feldspath; feld field + spath spar.] (Min.)
A name given to a group of minerals, closely related in
crystalline form, and all silicates of alumina with either
potash, soda, lime, or, in one case, baryta. They occur in
crystals and crystalline masses, vitreous in luster, and
breaking rather easily in two directions at right angles to
each other, or nearly so. The colors are usually white or
nearly white, flesh-red, bluish, or greenish.
Note: The group includes the monoclinic (orthoclastic)
species orthoclase or common potash feldspar, and the
rare hyalophane or baryta feldspar; also the triclinic
species (called in general plagioclase) microcline,
like orthoclase a potash feldspar; anorthite or lime
feldspar; albite or soda feldspar; also intermediate
between the last two species, labradorite, andesine,
oligoclase, containing both lime and soda in varying
amounts. The feldspars are essential constituents of
nearly all crystalline rocks, as granite, gneiss, mica,
slate, most kinds of basalt and trachyte, etc. The
decomposition of feldspar has yielded a large part of
the clay of the soil, also the mineral kaolin, an
essential material in the making of fine pottery.
Common feldspar is itself largely used for the same
purpose.
Feldspathic \Feld*spath"ic\, Feldspathose \Feld*spath"ose\, a.
Pertaining to, or consisting of, feldspar.
Fele \Fele\, a. [AS. fela, feola; akin to G. viel, gr. ?. See
{Full}, a.]
Many. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fe-licify \Fe-lic"ify\, v. t. [L. felix happy = -fy.]
To make happy; to felicitate. [Obs.] --Quarles.
Felicitate \Fe*lic"i*tate\, a. [L. felicitatus, p. p. of
felicitare to felicitate, fr. felix, -icis, happy. See
{felicity}.]
Made very happy. [Archaic]
I am alone felicitate In your dear highness' love.
--Shak.
Felicitate \Fe*lic"i*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Felicitated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {felicitating}.] [Cf. F. f['e]liciter.]
1. To make very happy; to delight.
What a glorious entertainment and pleasure would
fill and felicitate his spirit. --I. Watts.
2. To express joy or pleasure to; to wish felicity to; to
call or consider (one's self) happy; to congratulate.
Every true heart must felicitate itself that its lot
is cast in this kingdom. --W. Howitt.
Syn: See {Congratulate}.
Felicitation \Fe*lic`i*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. f['e]licitation.]
The act of felicitating; a wishing of joy or happiness;
congratulation.
Felicitous \Fe*lic"i*tous\, a.
Characterized by felicity; happy; prosperous; delightful;
skilful; successful; happily applied or expressed;
appropriate.
Felicitous words and images. --M. Arnold.
-- {Fe*lic"i*tous*ly}, adv. -- {Fe*lic"i*tous*ness}, n.
Felicity \Fe*lic"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Felicities}. [OE. felicite, F.
f['e]licit['e], fr. L. felicitas, fr. felix, -icis, happy,
fruitful; akin to fetus.]
1. The state of being happy; blessedness; blissfulness;
enjoyment of good.
Our own felicity we make or find. --Johnson.
Finally, after this life, to attain everlasting joy
and felicity. --Book of
Common Prayer.
2. That which promotes happiness; a successful or gratifying
event; prosperity; blessing.
the felicities of her wonderful reign. --Atterbury.
3. A pleasing faculty or accomplishment; as, felicity in
painting portraits, or in writing or talking. ``Felicity
of expression.'' --Bp. Warburton.
Syn: Happiness; bliss; beatitude; blessedness; blissfulness.
See {Happiness}.
Feline \Fe"line\, a. [L. felinus, fr. feles, felis, cat, prob.
orig., the fruitful: cf. F. f['e]lin. See {Fetus}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Catlike; of or pertaining to the genus Felis,
or family {Felid[ae]}; as, the feline race; feline
voracity.
2. Characteristic of cats; sly; stealthy; treacherous; as, a
feline nature; feline manners.
Felis \Fe"lis\, n. [L., cat.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of carnivorous mammals, including the domestic cat,
the lion, tiger, panther, and similar animals.
Fell \Fell\,
imp. of {Fall}.
Fell \Fell\, a. [OE. fel, OF. fel cruel, fierce, perfidious; cf.
AS. fel (only in comp.) OF. fel, as a noun also accus. felon,
is fr. LL. felo, of unknown origin; cf. Arm fall evil, Ir.
feal, Arm. falloni treachery, Ir. & Gael. feall to betray; or
cf. OHG. fillan to flay, torment, akin to E. fell skin. Cf.
{Felon}.]
1. Cruel; barbarous; inhuman; fierce; savage; ravenous.
While we devise fell tortures for thy faults.
--Shak.
2. Eager; earnest; intent. [Obs.]
I am so fell to my business. --Pepys.
Fell \Fell\, n. [Cf. L. fel gall, bile, or E. fell, a.]
Gall; anger; melancholy. [Obs.]
Untroubled of vile fear or bitter fell. --Spenser.
Fell \Fell\, n. [AS. fell; akin to D. vel, OHG. fel, G. fell,
Icel. fell (in comp.), Goth fill in [thorn]rutsfill leprosy,
L. pellis skin, G. ?. Cf. {Film}, {Peel}, {Pell}, n.]
A skin or hide of a beast with the wool or hair on; a pelt;
-- used chiefly in composition, as woolfell.
We are still handling our ewes, and their fells, you
know, are greasy. --Shak.
Fell \Fell\, n. [Icel. fell, fjally; akin to Sw. fj["a]ll a
ridge or chain of mountains, Dan. fjeld mountain, rock and
prob. to G. fels rock, or perh. to feld field, E. field.]
1. A barren or rocky hill. --T. Gray.
2. A wild field; a moor. --Dryton.
Fell \Fell\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Felled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Felling}.] [AS. fellan, a causative verb fr. feallan to
fall; akin to D. vellen, G. f["a]llen, Icel. fella, Sw.
f["a]lla, Dan. f[ae]lde. See {Fall}, v. i.]
To cause to fall; to prostrate; to bring down or to the
ground; to cut down.
Stand, or I'll fell thee down. --Shak.
Fell \Fell\, n. (Mining)
The finer portions of ore which go through the meshes, when
the ore is sorted by sifting.
Fell \Fell\, v. t. [Cf. Gael. fill to fold, plait, Sw. f[*a]ll a
hem.]
To sew or hem; -- said of seams.
Fell \Fell\, n.
1. (Sewing) A form of seam joining two pieces of cloth, the
edges being folded together and the stitches taken through
both thicknesses.
2. (Weaving) The end of a web, formed by the last thread of
the weft.
Fellable \Fell"a*ble\, a.
Fit to be felled.
Fellah \Fel"lah\, n.; pl. Ar. {Fellahin}, E. {Fellahs}. [Ar.]
A peasant or cultivator of the soil among the Egyptians,
Syrians, etc. --W. M. Thomson.
Feller \Fell"er\, n.
One who, or that which, fells, knocks or cuts down; a machine
for felling trees.
Feller \Fell"er\, n.
An appliance to a sewing machine for felling a seam.
Felltare \Fell"tare`\, n. [Cf. AS. fealafor, and E. fieldfare.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The fieldfare.
Felliflu-ous \Fel*lif"lu-ous\, a. [L. fellifuus; fel gall +
fluere to flow.]
Flowing with gall. [R.] --Johnson.
Fellinic \Fel*lin"ic\, a. [L. fel, fellis, gall.]
Of, relating to, or derived from, bile or gall; as, fellinic
acid.
Fellmonger \Fell"mon`ger\, n.
A dealer in fells or sheepskins, who separates the wool from
the pelts.
Fellness \Fell"ness\, n. [See {Fell} cruel.]
The quality or state of being fell or cruel; fierce
barbarity. --Spenser.
Felloe \Fel"loe\, n.
See {Felly}.
Fellon \Fel"lon\, n.
Variant of {Felon}. [Obs.]
Those two were foes the fellonest on ground. --Spenser.
Fellow \Fel"low\, n. [OE. felawe, felaghe, Icel. f[=e]lagi, fr.
f[=e]lag companionship, prop., a laying together of property;
f[=e] property + lag a laying, pl. l["o]g law, akin to liggja
to lie. See {Fee}, and {Law}, {Lie} to be low.]
1. A companion; a comrade; an associate; a partner; a sharer.
The fellows of his crime. --Milton.
We are fellows still, Serving alike in sorrow.
--Shak.
That enormous engine was flanked by two fellows
almost of equal magnitude. --Gibbon.
Note: Commonly used of men, but sometimes of women. --Judges
xi. 37.
2. A man without good breeding or worth; an ignoble or mean
man.
Worth makes the man, and want of it, the fellow.
--Pope.
3. An equal in power, rank, character, etc.
It is impossible that ever Rome Should breed thy
fellow. --Shak.
4. One of a pair, or of two things used together or suited to
each other; a mate; the male.
When they be but heifers of one year, . . . they are
let go to the fellow and breed. --Holland.
This was my glove; here is the fellow of it. --Shak.
5. A person; an individual.
She seemed to be a good sort of fellow. --Dickens.
6. In the English universities, a scholar who is appointed to
a foundation called a fellowship, which gives a title to
certain perquisites and privileges.
7. In an American college or university, a member of the
corporation which manages its business interests; also, a
graduate appointed to a fellowship, who receives the
income of the foundation.
8. A member of a literary or scientific society; as, a Fellow
of the Royal Society.
Note: Fellow is often used in compound words, or adjectively,
signifying associate, companion, or sometimes equal.
Usually, such compounds or phrases are
self-explanatory; as, fellow-citizen, or fellow
citizen; fellow-student, or fellow student;
fellow-workman, or fellow workman; fellow-mortal, or
fellow mortal; fellow-sufferer; bedfellow; playfellow;
workfellow.
Were the great duke himself here, and would lift
up My head to fellow pomp amongst his nobles.
--Ford.
Fellow \Fel"low\, v. t.
To suit with; to pair with; to match. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fellow-commoner \Fel"low-com"mon*er\, n.
A student at Cambridge University, England, who commons, or
dines, at the Fellow's table.
Fellow-creature \Fel"low-crea"ture\ (?; 135), n.
One of the same race or kind; one made by the same Creator.
Reason, by which we are raised above our
fellow-creatures, the brutes. --I. Watts.
Fellowfeel \Fel"low*feel"\, v. t.
To share through sympathy; to participate in. [R.] --D.
Rodgers.
Fellow-feeling \Fel"low-feel"ing\, n.
1. Sympathy; a like feeling.
2. Joint interest. [Obs.] --Arbuthnot.
Fellowless \Fel"low*less\, a.
Without fellow or equal; peerless.
Whose well-built walls are rare and fellowless.
--Chapman.
Fellowlike \Fel"low*like`\, a.
Like a companion; companionable; on equal terms; sympathetic.
[Obs.] --Udall.
Fellowly \Fel"low*ly\, a.
Fellowlike. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fellowship \Fel"low*ship\, n. [Fellow + -ship.]
1. The state or relation of being or associate.
2. Companionship of persons on equal and friendly terms;
frequent and familiar intercourse.
In a great town, friends are scattered, so that
there is not that fellowship which is in less
neighborhods. --Bacon.
Men are made for society and mutual fellowship.
--Calamy.
3. A state of being together; companionship; partnership;
association; hence, confederation; joint interest.
The great contention of the sea and skies Parted our
fellowship. --Shak.
Fellowship in pain divides not smart. --Milton.
Fellowship in woe doth woe assuage. --Shak.
The goodliest fellowship of famous knights, Whereof
this world holds record. --Tennyson.
4. Those associated with one, as in a family, or a society; a
company.
The sorrow of Noah with his fellowship. --Chaucer.
With that a joyous fellowship issued Of minstrels.
--Spenser.
5. (Eng. & Amer. Universities) A foundation for the
maintenance, on certain conditions, of a scholar called a
fellow, who usually resides at the university.
6. (Arith.) The rule for dividing profit and loss among
partners; -- called also partnership, company, and
distributive proportion.
{Good fellowship}, companionableness; the spirit and
disposition befitting comrades.
There's neither honesty, manhood, nor good
fellowship in thee. --Shak.
Fellowship \Fel"low*ship\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fellowshiped};
p. pr. & vb. n.. {Fellowshiping}.] (Eccl.)
To acknowledge as of good standing, or in communion according
to standards of faith and practice; to admit to Christian
fellowship.
Felly \Fel"ly\, adv.
In a fell or cruel manner; fiercely; barbarously; savagely.
--Spenser.
Felly \Fel"ly\, n.; pl. {Fellies}. [OE. feli, felwe, felow, AS.
felg, felge; akin to D. velg, G. felge, OHG. felga felly
(also, a harrow, but prob. a different word), Dan. felge.]
The exterior wooden rim, or a segment of the rim, of a wheel,
supported by the spokes. [Written also {felloe}.]
Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel.
--Shak.
Felo-de-se \Fe"lo-de-se`\, n.; pl. {Felos-de-se}. [LL. felo, E.
felon + de of, concerning + se self.] (Law)
One who deliberately puts an end to his own existence, or
loses his life while engaged in the commission of an unlawful
or malicious act; a suicide. --Burrill.
Felon \Fel"on\, n. [OE., adj., cruel, n., villain, ruffian,
traitor, whitlow, F. f['e]lon traitor, in OF. also, villain,
fr. LL. felo. See Fell, a.]
1. (Law) A person who has committed a felony.
2. A person guilty or capable of heinous crime.
3. (Med.) A kind of whitlow; a painful imflammation of the
periosteum of a finger, usually of the last joint.
Syn: Criminal; convict; malefactor; culprit.
Felon \Fel"on\, a.
Characteristic of a felon; malignant; fierce; malicious;
cruel; traitorous; disloyal.
Vain shows of love to vail his felon hate. --Pope.
Felonious \Fe*lo"ni*ous\, a.
Having the quality of felony; malignant; malicious;
villainous; traitorous; perfidious; in a legal sense, done
with intent to commit a crime; as, felonious homicide.
O thievish Night, Why should'st thou, but for some
felonious end, In thy dark lantern thus close up the
stars? --Milton.
-- {Fe*lo"ni*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Fe*lo"ni*ous*ness}, n.
Felonous \Fel"o*nous\, a. [Cf. OF. feloneus. Cf. {Felonious}.]
Wicked; felonious. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Felonry \Fel"on*ry\, n.
A body of felons; specifically, the convict population of a
penal colony. --Howitt.
Felonwort \Fel"on*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
The bittersweet nightshade ({Solanum Dulcamara}). See
{Bittersweet}.
Felony \Fel"o*ny\, n.; pl. {Felonies}. [OE. felonie cruelty, OF.
felonie, F. f['e]lonie treachery, malice. See {Felon}, n.]
1. (Feudal Law) An act on the part of the vassal which cost
him his fee by forfeiture. --Burrill.
2. (O.Eng.Law) An offense which occasions a total forfeiture
either lands or goods, or both, at the common law, and to
which capital or other punishment may be added, according
to the degree of guilt.
3. A heinous crime; especially, a crime punishable by death
or imprisonment.
Note: Forfeiture for crime having been generally abolished in
the United States, the term felony, in American law,
has lost this point of distinction; and its meaning,
where not fixed by statute, is somewhat vague and
undefined; generally, however, it is used to denote an
offense of a high grade, punishable either capitally or
by a term of imprisonment. In Massachusetts, by
statute, any crime punishable by death or imprisonment
in the state prison, and no other, is a felony; so in
New York. the tendency now is to obliterate the
distinction between felonies and misdemeanors; and this
has been done partially in England, and completely in
some of the States of the Union. The distinction is
purely arbitrary, and its entire abolition is only a
question of time.
Note: There is no lawyer who would undertake to tell what a
felony is, otherwise than by enumerating the various
kinds of offenses which are so called. originally, the
word felony had a meaning: it denoted all offenses the
penalty of which included forfeiture of goods; but
subsequent acts of Parliament have declared various
offenses to be felonies, without enjoining that
penalty, and have taken away the penalty from others,
which continue, nevertheless, to be called felonies,
insomuch that the acts so called have now no property
whatever in common, save that of being unlawful and
purnishable. --J. S. Mill.
To compound a felony \To compound a felony\
See under {Compound}, v. t.
Felsite \Fel"site\, n. [Cf. {Feldspar}.] (Min.)
A finegrained rock, flintlike in fracture, consisting
essentially of orthoclase feldspar with occasional grains of
quartz.
Felsitic \Fel*sit"ic\, a.
relating to, composed of, or containing, felsite.
Felspar \Fel"spar`\, Felspath \Fel"spath`\, n. (Min.)
See {Feldspar}.
Felspathic \Fel*spath"ic\, a.
See {Feldspathic}.
Felstone \Fel"stone`\, n. [From G. feldstein, in analogy with E.
felspar.] (Min.)
See {Felsite}.
Felt \Felt\,
imp. & p. p. or a. from {Feel}.
Felt \Felt\, n. [AS. felt; akin to D. vilt, G. filz, and
possibly to Gr. ? hair or wool wrought into felt, L. pilus
hair, pileus a felt cap or hat.]
1. A cloth or stuff made of matted fibers of wool, or wool
and fur, fulled or wrought into a compact substance by
rolling and pressure, with lees or size, without spinning
or weaving.
It were a delicate stratagem to shoe A troop of
horse with felt. --Shak.
2. A hat made of felt. --Thynne.
3. A skin or hide; a fell; a pelt. [Obs.]
To know whether sheep are sound or not, see that the
felt be loose. --Mortimer.
Felt grain \Felt grain\, the grain of timber which is transverse
to the annular rings or plates; the direction of the
medullary rays in oak and some other timber. --Knight. Felt
\Felt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Felted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Felting}.]
1. To make into felt, or a feltike substance; to cause to
adhere and mat together. --Sir M. Hale.
2. To cover with, or as with, felt; as, to felt the cylinder
of a steam emgine.
Felter \Felt"er\, v. t.
To clot or mat together like felt.
His feltered locks that on his bosom fell. --Fairfax.
Felting \Felt"ing\, n.
1. The material of which felt is made; also, felted cloth;
also, the process by which it is made.
2. The act of splitting timber by the felt grain.
Feltry \Fel"try\, n. [OF. feltre.]
See {Felt}, n. [Obs.]
Felucca \Fe*luc"ca\, n. [It. feluca (cf. Sp. faluca, Pg. falua),
fr. Ar. fulk ship, or harr[=a]qah a sort of ship.] (Naut.)
A small, swift-sailing vessel, propelled by oars and lateen
sails, -- once common in the Mediterranean.
Note: Sometimes it is constructed so that the helm may be
used at either end.
Felwort \Fel"wort`\, n. [Probably a corruption of fieldwort.]
(Bot.)
A European herb ({Swertia perennis}) of the Gentian family.
Female \Fe"male\, n. [OE. femel, femal, F. femelle, fr. L.
femella, dim. of femina woman. See {Feminine}.]
1. An individual of the sex which conceives and brings forth
young, or (in a wider sense) which has an ovary and
produces ova.
The male and female of each living thing. --Drayton.
2. (Bot.) A plant which produces only that kind of
reproductive organs which are capable of developing into
fruit after impregnation or fertilization; a pistillate
plant.
Female \Fe"male\, a.
1. Belonging to the sex which conceives and gives birth to
young, or (in a wider sense) which produces ova; not male.
As patient as the female dove When that her golden
couplets are disclosed. --Shak.
2. Belonging to an individual of the female sex;
characteristic of woman; feminine; as, female tenderness.
``Female usurpation.'b8 --Milton.
To the generous decision of a female mind, we owe
the discovery of America. --Belknap.
3. (Bot.) Having pistils and no stamens; pistillate; or, in
cryptogamous plants, capable of receiving fertilization.
Female rhymes \Female rhymes\ (Pros.),
double rhymes, or rhymes (called in French feminine rhymes
because they end in e weak, or feminine) in which two
syllables, an accented and an unaccented one, correspond at
the end of each line.
Note: A rhyme, in which the final syllables only agree
(strain, complain) is called a male rhyme; one in which
the two final syllables of each verse agree, the last
being short (motion, ocean), is called female. --Brande
& C. -- {Female screw}, the spiral-threaded cavity into
which another, or male, screw turns. --Nicholson.
Female fern \Female fern\ (Bot.),
a common species of fern with large decompound fronds
({Asplenium Filixf[ae]mina}), growing in many countries; lady
fern.
Note: The names male fern and female fern were anciently
given to two common ferns; but it is now understood
that neither has any sexual character.
Syn: {Female}, {Feminine}.
Usage: We apply female to the sex or individual, as opposed
to male; also, to the distinctive belongings of women;
as, female dress, female form, female character, etc.;
feminine, to things appropriate to, or affected by,
women; as, feminine studies, employments,
accomplishments, etc. ``Female applies to sex rather
than gender, and is a physiological rather than a
grammatical term. Feminine applies to gender rather
than sex, and is grammatical rather than
physiological.'' --Latham.
Femalist \Fe"mal*ist\, n.
A gallant. [Obs.]
Courting her smoothly like a femalist. --Marston.
Femalize \Fe"mal*ize\, v. t.
To make, or to describe as, female or feminine.
--Shaftesbury.
Feme \Feme\ (? or ?), n. [OF. feme, F. femme.] (Old Law)
A woman. --Burrill.
{Feme covert} (Law), a married woman. See {Covert}, a., 3.
{Feme sole} (Law), a single or unmarried woman; a woman who
has never been married, or who has been divorced, or whose
husband is dead.
{Feme sole} {trader or merchant} (Eng. Law), a married woman,
who, by the custom of London, engages in business on her
own account, inpendently of her husband.
Femeral \Fem"er*al\, n. (Arch.)
See {Femerell}.
Femerell \Fem"er*ell\, n. [OF. fumeraille part of a chimney. See
{Fume}.] (Arch.)
A lantern, or louver covering, placed on a roof, for
ventilation or escape of smoke.
Feminal \Fem"i*nal\, a.
Feminine. [Obs.] --West.
Feminality \Fem`i*nal"i*ty\, n.
Feminity.
Feminate \Fem"i*nate\, a. [L. feminatus effeminate.]
Feminine. [Obs.]
Femineity \Fem`i*ne"i*ty\, n. [L. femineus womanly.]
Womanliness; femininity. --C. Reade.
Feminine \Fem"i*nine\, a. [L. femininus, fr. femina woman; prob.
akin to L. fetus, or to Gr. qh^sqai to suck, qh^sai to
suckle, Skr. dh[=a] to suck; cf. AS. f[=ae]mme woman, maid:
cf. F. f['e]minin. See {Fetus}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a woman, or to women; characteristic
of a woman; womanish; womanly.
Her letters are remarkably deficient in feminine
ease and grace. --Macaulay.
2. Having the qualities of a woman; becoming or appropriate
to the female sex; as, in a good sense, modest, graceful,
affectionate, confiding; or, in a bad sense, weak,
nerveless, timid, pleasure-loving, effeminate.
Her heavenly form Angelic, but more soft and
feminine. --Milton.
Ninus being esteemed no man of war at all, but
altogether feminine, and subject to ease and
delicacy. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
Feminine rhyme \Feminine rhyme\ (Pros.)
See {Female rhyme}, under {Female}, a.
Syn: See {Female}, a.
Feminine \Fem"i*nine\, n.
1. A woman. [Obs. or Colloq.]
They guide the feminines toward the palace.
--Hakluyt.
2. (Gram.) Any one of those words which are the appellations
of females, or which have the terminations usually found
in such words; as, actress, songstress, abbess, executrix.
There are but few true feminines in English.
--Latham.
Femininely \Fem"i*nine*ly\, adv.
In a feminine manner. --Byron.
Feminineness \Fem"i*nine*ness\, n.
The quality of being feminine; womanliness; womanishness.
Femininity \Fem`i*nin"i*ty\, n.
1. The quality or nature of the female sex; womanliness.
2. The female form. [Obs.]
O serpent under femininitee. --Chaucer.
Feminity \Fe*min"i*ty\, n.
Womanliness; femininity. [Obs.] ``Trained up in true
feminity.'' --Spenser.
Feminization \Fem`i*ni*za"tion\, n.
The act of feminizing, or the state of being feminized.
Feminize \Fem"i*nize\, v. t. [Cf. F. f['e]miniser.]
To make womanish or effeminate. --Dr. H. More.
Feminye \Fem"i*nye\, n. [OF. femenie, feminie, the female sex,
realm of women.]
The people called Amazons. [Obs.] ``[The reign of] feminye.''
--Chaucer.
Femme \Femme\ (? or ?), n. [F.]
A woman. See {Feme}, n.
{Femme de chambre}. [F.] A lady's maid; a chambermaid.
Femoral \Fem"o*ral\, a. [L. femur, femoris, thigh: cf. F.
f['e]moral.]
Pertaining to the femur or thigh; as, the femoral artery.
``Femoral habiliments.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Femur \Fe"mur\, n.; pl. {Femora}. [L. thigh.] (Anat.)
(a) The thigh bone.
(b) The proximal segment of the hind limb containing the
thigh bone; the thigh. See {Coxa}.
Fen \Fen\, n. [AS. fen, fenn, marsh, mud, dirt; akin to D. veen,
OFries. fenne, fene, OHG. fenna, G. fenn, Icel. fen, Goth.
fani mud.]
Low land overflowed, or covered wholly or partially with
water, but producing sedge, coarse grasses, or other aquatic
plants; boggy land; moor; marsh.
'Mid reedy fens wide spread. --Wordsworth.
Note: Fen is used adjectively with the sense of belonging to,
or of the nature of, a fen or fens.
{Fen boat}, a boat of light draught used in marshes.
{Fen duck} (Zo["o]l.), a wild duck inhabiting fens; the
shoveler. [Prov. Eng.]
{Fen fowl} (Zo["o]l.), any water fowl that frequent fens.
{Fen goose} (Zo["o]l.), the graylag goose of Europe. [Prov.
Eng.]
{Fen land}, swamp land.
Fence \Fence\, n. [Abbrev. from defence.]
1. That which fends off attack or danger; a defense; a
protection; a cover; security; shield.
Let us be backed with God and with the seas, Which
he hath given for fence impregnable. --Shak.
A fence betwixt us and the victor's wrath.
--Addison.
2. An inclosure about a field or other space, or about any
object; especially, an inclosing structure of wood, iron,
or other material, intended to prevent intrusion from
without or straying from within.
Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold.
--Milton.
Note: In England a hedge, ditch, or wall, as well as a
structure of boards, palings, or rails, is called a
fence.
3. (Locks) A projection on the bolt, which passes through the
tumbler gates in locking and unlocking.
4. Self-defense by the use of the sword; the art and practice
of fencing and sword play; hence, skill in debate and
repartee. See {Fencing}.
Enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetoric, That hath so
well been taught her dazzing fence. --Milton.
Of dauntless courage and consummate skill in fence.
--Macaulay.
5. A receiver of stolen goods, or a place where they are
received. [Slang] --Mayhew.
{Fence month} (Forest Law), the month in which female deer
are fawning, when hunting is prohibited. --Bullokar.
{Fence roof}, a covering for defense. ``They fitted their
shields close to one another in manner of a fence roof.''
--Holland.
{Fence time}, the breeding time of fish or game, when they
should not be killed.
{Rail fence}, a fence made of rails, sometimes supported by
posts.
{Ring fence}, a fence which encircles a large area, or a
whole estate, within one inclosure.
{Worm fence}, a zigzag fence composed of rails crossing one
another at their ends; -- called also {snake fence}, or
{Virginia rail fence}.
{To be on the fence}, to be undecided or uncommitted in
respect to two opposing parties or policies. [Colloq.]
Fence \Fence\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fenced (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fencing}.]
1. To fend off danger from; to give security to; to protect;
to guard.
To fence my ear against thy sorceries. --Milton.
2. To inclose with a fence or other protection; to secure by
an inclosure.
O thou wall! . . . dive in the earth, And fence not
Athens. --Shak.
A sheepcote fenced about with olive trees. --Shak.
{To fence the tables} (Scot. Church), to make a solemn
address to those who present themselves to commune at the
Lord's supper, on the feelings appropriate to the service,
in order to hinder, so far as possible, those who are
unworthy from approaching the table. --McCheyne.
Fence \Fence\, v. i.
1. To make a defense; to guard one's self of anything, as
against an attack; to give protection or security, as by a
fence.
Vice is the more stubborn as well as the more
dangerous evil, and therefore, in the first place,
to be fenced against. --Locke.
2. To practice the art of attack and defense with the sword
or with the foil, esp. with the smallsword, using the
point only.
He will fence with his own shadow. --Shak.
3. Hence, to fight or dispute in the manner of fencers, that
is, by thrusting, guarding, parrying, etc.
They fence and push, and, pushing, loudly roar;
Their dewlaps and their sides are bat?ed in gore.
--Dryden.
As when a billow, blown against, Falls back, the
voice with which I fenced A little ceased, but
recommenced. --Tennyson.
Fenceful \Fence"ful\, a.
Affording defense; defensive. [Obs.] --Congreve.
Fenceless \Fence"less\, a.
Without a fence; uninclosed; open; unguarded; defenseless.
--Milton.
Fencer \Fen"cer\, n.
One who fences; one who teaches or practices the art of
fencing with sword or foil.
As blunt as the fencer's foils. --Shak.
Fenci-ble \Fen"ci-ble\, a.
Capable of being defended, or of making or affording defense.
[Obs.]
No fort so fencible, nor walls so strong. --Spenser.
Fencible \Fen"ci*ble\, n. (Mil.)
A soldier enlisted for home service only; -- usually in the
pl.
Fencing \Fen"cing\, n.
1. The art or practice of attack and defense with the sword,
esp. with the smallsword. See {Fence}, v. i., 2.
2. Disputing or debating in a manner resembling the art of
fencers. --Shak.
3. The materials used for building fences. [U.S.]
4. The act of building a fence.
5. The aggregate of the fences put up for inclosure or
protection; as, the fencing of a farm.
Fen cricket \Fen" crick`et\ (Zo["o]l.)
The mole cricket. [Prov. Eng.]
Fend \Fend\, n.
A fiend. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fend \Fend\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fended}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fending}.] [Abbrev. fr. defend.]
To keep off; to prevent from entering or hitting; to ward
off; to shut out; -- often with off; as, to fend off blows.
With fern beneath to fend the bitter cold. --Dryden.
{To fend off a} {boat or vessel} (Naut.), to prevent its
running against anything with too much violence.
Fend \Fend\, v. i.
To act on the defensive, or in opposition; to resist; to
parry; to shift off.
The dexterous management of terms, and being able to
fend . . . with them, passes for a great part of
learning. --Locke.
Fender \Fen"der\, n. [From {Fend}, v. t. & i., cf. {Defender}.]
One who or that which defends or protects by warding off
harm; as:
(a) A screen to prevent coals or sparks of an open fire from
escaping to the floor.
(b) Anything serving as a cushion to lessen the shock when a
vessel comes in contact with another vessel or a wharf.
(c) A screen to protect a carriage from mud thrown off the
wheels: also, a splashboard.
(d) Anything set up to protect an exposed angle, as of a
house, from damage by carriage wheels.
Fendliche \Fend"liche\, a.
Fiendlike. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fenerate \Fen"er*ate\, v. i. [L. faeneratus, p. p. of faenerari
lend on interest, fr. faenus interest.]
To put money to usury; to lend on interest. [Obs.]
--Cockeram.
Feneration \Fen`er*a"tion\, n. [L. faeneratio.]
The act of fenerating; interest. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Fenes-tella \Fen`es-tel"la\, n. [L., dim. of fenestra ? window.]
(Arch.)
Any small windowlike opening or recess, esp. one to show the
relics within an altar, or the like.
Fenestra \Fe*nes"tra\, n.; pl. {Fenestr[ae]}. [L., a window.]
(Anat.)
A small opening; esp., one of the apertures, closed by
membranes, between the tympanum and internal ear.
Fenestral \Fe*nes"tral\, a. [L. fenestra a window.]
1. (Arch.) Pertaining to a window or to windows.
2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to a fenestra.
Fenestral \Fe*nes"tral\, n. (Arch.)
A casement or window sash, closed with cloth or paper instead
of glass. --Weale.
Fenestrate \Fe*nes"trate\, a. [L. fenestratus, p. p. of
fenestrare to furnish with openings and windows.]
1. Having numerous openings; irregularly reticulated; as,
fenestrate membranes; fenestrate fronds.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having transparent spots, as the wings of
certain butterflies.
Fenestrated \Fe*nes"tra*ted\, a.
1. (Arch.) Having windows; characterized by windows.
2. Same as {Fenestrate}.
Fenestration \Fen`es*tra"tion\, n.
1. (Arch.) The arrangement and proportioning of windows; --
used by modern writers for the decorating of an
architectural composition by means of the window (and
door) openings, their ornaments, and proportions.
2. (Anat.) The state or condition of being fenestrated.
Fenestrule \Fe*nes"trule\, n. [L. fenestrula a little window,
dim. of fenestra a window.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the openings in a fenestrated structure.
Fengite \Fen"gite\, n. (Min.)
A kind of marble or alabaster, sometimes used for windows on
account of its transparency.
Fenian \Fe"ni*an\, n. [From the Finians or Fenii, the old
militia of Ireland, who were so called from Fin or Finn,
Fionn, or Fingal, a popular hero of Irish traditional
history.]
A member of a secret organization, consisting mainly of
Irishment, having for its aim the overthrow of English rule
in ireland.
Fenian \Fe"ni*an\, a.
Pertaining to Fenians or to Fenianism.
Fenianism \Fe"ni*an*ism\, n.
The principles, purposes, and methods of the Fenians.
Fenks \Fenks\ (f[e^][ng]ks), n.
The refuse whale blubber, used as a manure, and in the
manufacture of Prussian blue. --Ure.
Fennec \Fen"nec\ (f[e^]n"n[e^]k), n. [Ar. fanek.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small, African, foxlike animal ({Vulpes zerda}) of a pale
fawn color, remarkable for the large size of its ears.
Fennel \Fen"nel\ (f[e^]n"n[e^]l), n. [AS. fenol, finol, from L.
feniculum, faeniculum, dim. of fenum, faenum, hay: cf. F.
fenouil. Cf. {Fenugreek}. {Finochio}.] (Bot.)
A perennial plant of the genus {F[ae]niculum} ({F. vulgare}),
having very finely divided leaves. It is cultivated in
gardens for the agreeable aromatic flavor of its seeds.
Smell of sweetest fennel. --Milton.
A sprig of fennel was in fact the theological smelling
bottle of the tender sex. --S. G.
Goodrich.
{Azorean, or Sweet}, {fennel}, ({F[ae]niculum dulce}). It is
a smaller and stouter plant than the common fennel, and is
used as a pot herb.
{Dog's fennel} ({Anthemis Cotula}), a foul-smelling European
weed; -- called also {mayweed}.
{Fennel flower} (Bot.), an herb ({Nigella}) of the Buttercup
family, having leaves finely divided, like those of the
fennel. {N. Damascena} is common in gardens. {N. sativa}
furnishes the fennel seed, used as a condiment, etc., in
India. These seeds are the ``fitches'' mentioned in Isaiah
(xxviii. 25).
{Fennel water} (Med.), the distilled water of fennel seed. It
is stimulant and carminative.
{Giant fennel} ({Ferula communis}), has stems full of pith,
which, it is said, were used to carry fire, first, by
Prometheus.
{Hog's fennel}, a European plant ({Peucedanum officinale})
looking something like fennel.
Fennish \Fen"nish\, a.
Abounding in fens; fenny.
Fenny \Fen"ny\, a. [AS. fennig.]
Pertaining to, or inhabiting, a fen; abounding in fens;
swampy; boggy. ``Fenny snake.'' --Shak.
Fenowed \Fen"owed\, a. [AS. fynig musty, fynegean to become
musty or filthy: cf. fennig fenny, muddy, dirty, fr. fen fen.
Cf. {Finew}.]
Corrupted; decayed; moldy. See {Vinnewed}. [Obs.] --Dr.
Favour.
Fensi-ble \Fen"si-ble\, a.
Fencible. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Fen-sucked \Fen"-sucked`\, a.
Sucked out of marches. ``Fen-sucked fogs.'' --Shak.
Fenugreek \Fen"u*greek\ (? or ?), n. [L. faenum Graecum, lit.,
Greek hay: cf. F. fenugrec. Cf. {Fennel}.] (Bot.)
A plant ({trigonella F[oe]num Gr[ae]cum}) cultivated for its
strong-smelling seeds, which are ``now only used for giving
false importance to horse medicine and damaged hay.'' --J.
Smith (Pop. Names of Plants, 1881).
Feod \Feod\, n.
A feud. See 2d {Feud}. --Blackstone.
Feodal \Feod"al\, a.
Feudal. See {Feudal}.
Feodality \Feo*dal"i*ty\, n.
Feudal tenure; the feudal system. See {Feudality}. --Burke.
Feodary \Feod"a*ry\, n.
1. An accomplice.
Art thou a feodary for this act? --Shak.
2. (Eng. Law) An ancient officer of the court of wards.
--Burrill.
Feodatory \Feod"a*to*ry\, n.
See {Feudatory}.
Feoff \Feoff\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Feoffed}; p. pr. &
vb. n.. {Feoffing}.] [OE. feffen, OF. feffer, fieffer, F.
fieffer, fr. fief fief; cf. LL. feoffare, fefare. See
{Fief}.] (Law)
To invest with a fee or feud; to give or grant a corporeal
hereditament to; to enfeoff.
Feoff \Feoff\, n. (Law)
A fief. See {Fief}.
Feoffee \Feof*fee"\ (?; 277), n. [OF. feoff['e].] (Law)
The person to whom a feoffment is made; the person enfeoffed.
Feoffment \Feoff"ment\, n. [OF. feoffement, fieffement; cf. LL.
feoffamentum.] (Law)
(a) The grant of a feud or fee.
(b) (Eng. Law) A gift or conveyance in fee of land or other
corporeal hereditaments, accompanied by actual delivery
of possession. --Burrill.
(c) The instrument or deed by which corporeal hereditaments
are conveyed. [Obs. in the U.S., Rare in Eng.]
Feofor \Feo"for\, Feoffer \Feof"fer\, n. [OF. feoour.] (Law)
One who enfeoffs or grants a fee.
Fer \Fer\, a. & adv.
Far. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Feracious \Fe*ra"cious\, a. [L. ferax, -acis, fr. ferre to
bear.]
Fruitful; producing abundantly. [R.] --Thomson.
Feracity \Fe*rac"i*ty\, n. [L. feracitas.]
The state of being feracious or fruitful. [Obs.] --Beattie.
Ferae \Fe"r[ae]\, n. pl. [L., wild animals, fem. pl. of ferus
wild.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of mammals which formerly included the Carnivora,
Insectivora, Marsupialia, and lemurs, but is now often
restricted to the Carnivora.
Ferae naturae \Fe"r[ae] na*tu"r[ae]\ [L.]
Of a wild nature; -- applied to animals, as foxes, wild
ducks, etc., in which no one can claim property.
Feral \Fe"ral\, a. [L. ferus. See {Fierce}.] (Bot. & Zo["o]l.)
Wild; untamed; ferine; not domesticated; -- said of beasts,
birds, and plants.
Feral \Fe"ral\, a. [L. feralis, belonging to the dead.]
Funereal; deadly; fatal; dangerous. [R.] ``Feral accidents.''
--Burton.
Ferde \Ferde\, obs.
imp. of {Fare}. --Chaucer.
Fer-de-lance \Fer`-de-lance"\, n. [F., the iron of a lance,
lance head.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large, venomous serpent ({Trigonocephalus lanceolatus}
) of Brazil and the West Indies. It is allied to the
rattlesnake, but has no rattle.
Ferding \Fer"ding\, n. [See {Farthing}.]
A measure of land mentioned in Domesday Book. It is supposed
to have consisted of a few acres only. [Obs.]
Ferdness \Ferd"ness\, n. [OE. ferd fear. See {Fear}.]
Fearfulness. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fere \Fere\, n. [OE. fere companion, AS. gef[=e]ra, from
f[=e]ran to go, travel, faran to travel. [root]78. See
{Fare}.]
A mate or companion; -- often used of a wife. [Obs.] [Written
also {fear} and {feere}.] --Chaucer.
And Cambel took Cambrina to his fere. --Spenser.
{In fere}, together; in company. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fere \Fere\, a. [Cf. L. ferus wild.]
Fierce. [Obs.]
Fere \Fere\, n. [See {Fire}.]
Fire. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fere \Fere\, n. [See {Fear}.]
Fear. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fere \Fere\, v. t. & i.
To fear. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Feretory \Fer`e*to*ry\, n. [L. feretrum bier, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
bear, akin to L. ferre, E. bear to support.]
A portable bier or shrine, variously adorned, used for
containing relics of saints. --Mollett.
Ferforth \Fer"forth`\, adv.
Far forth. [Obs.]
{As ferforth as}, as far as.
{So ferforth}, to such a degree.
Ferforthly \Fer"forth`ly\, adv.
Ferforth. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fergusonite \Fer"gu*son*ite\, n. (Min.)
A mineral of a brownish black color, essentially a
tantalo-niobate of yttrium, erbium, and cerium; -- so called
after Robert Ferguson.
Feria \Fe"ri*a\, n.; pl. {Feri[ae]}. (Eccl.)
A week day, esp. a day which is neither a festival nor a
fast. --Shipley.
Ferial \Fe"ri*al\, n.
Same as {Feria}.
Ferial \Fe"ri*al\, a. [LL. ferialis, fr. L. ferie holidays: cf.
F. f['e]rial. See 5th {Fair}.]
1. Of or pertaining to holidays. [Obs.] --J. Gregory.
2. Belonging to any week day, esp. to a day that is neither a
festival nor a fast.
Feriation \Fe`ri*a"tion\, n. [L. feriari to keep holiday, fr.
ferie holidays.]
The act of keeping holiday; cessation from work. [Obs.] --Sir
T. Browne.
Ferie \Fe"rie\, n. [OF. ferie, fr. L. ferie holidays. See 5th
{Fair}.]
A holiday. [Obs.] --Bullokar.
Ferier \Fe"ri*er\, a.,
compar. of {Fere}, fierce. [Obs.]
Rhenus ferier than the cataract. --Marston.
Ferine \Fe"rine\, a. [L. ferinus, fr. ferus wild. See {Fierce}.]
Wild; untamed; savage; as, lions, tigers, wolves, and bears
are ferine beasts. --Sir M. Hale. -- n. A wild beast; a beast
of prey. -- {Fe"rine*ly}, adv. -- {Fe"rine*ness}, n.
Feringee \Fer*in"gee\, n. [Per. Farang[=i], or Ar. Firanj[=i],
properly, a Frank.]
The name given to Europeans by the Hindos. [Written also
{Feringhee}.]
Ferity \Fer"i*ty\, n. [L. feritas, from ferus wild.]
Wildness; savageness; fierceness. [Obs.] --Woodward.
Ferly \Fer"ly\, a. [AS. f?rlic sudden, unexpected. See {Fear},
n.]
Singular; wonderful; extraordinary. [Obs.] -- n. A wonder; a
marvel. [Obs.]
Who hearkened ever such a ferly thing. --Chaucer.
Fermacy \Fer"ma*cy\, n. [OE. See {Pharmacy}.]
Medicine; pharmacy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ferm \Ferm\, Ferme \Ferme\, n.[See {Farm}.]
Rent for a farm; a farm; also, an abode; a place of
residence; as, he let his land to ferm. [Obs.]
Out of her fleshy ferme fled to the place of pain.
--Spenser.
Ferment \Fer"ment\, n. [L. fermentum ferment (in senses 1 & 2),
perh. for fervimentum, fr. fervere to be boiling hot, boil,
ferment: cf. F. ferment. Cf. 1st {Barm}, {Fervent}.]
1. That which causes fermentation, as yeast, barm, or
fermenting beer.
Note: Ferments are of two kinds: ({a}) Formed or organized
ferments. ({b}) Unorganized or structureless ferments.
The latter are also called {soluble or chemical
ferments}, and {enzymes}. Ferments of the first class
are as a rule simple microscopic vegetable organisms,
and the fermentations which they engender are due to
their growth and development; as, the {acetic ferment},
the {butyric ferment}, etc. See {Fermentation}.
Ferments of the second class, on the other hand, are
chemical substances, as a rule soluble in glycerin and
precipitated by alcohol. In action they are catalytic
and, mainly, hydrolytic. Good examples are pepsin of
the dastric juice, ptyalin of the salvia, and disease
of malt.
2. Intestine motion; heat; tumult; agitation.
Subdue and cool the ferment of desire. --Rogers.
the nation is in a ferment. --Walpole.
3. A gentle internal motion of the constituent parts of a
fluid; fermentation. [R.]
Down to the lowest lees the ferment ran. --Thomson.
{ferment oils}, volatile oils produced by the fermentation of
plants, and not originally contained in them. These were
the quintessences of the alchenists. --Ure.
Ferment \Fer*ment"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fermented}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fermenting}.] [L. fermentare, fermentatum: cf. F.
fermenter. See {Ferment}, n.]
To cause ferment of fermentation in; to set in motion; to
excite internal emotion in; to heat.
Ye vigorous swains! while youth ferments your blood.
--Pope.
Ferment \Fer*ment"\, v. i.
1. To undergo fermentation; to be in motion, or to be excited
into sensible internal motion, as the constituent
oarticles of an animal or vegetable fluid; to work; to
effervesce.
2. To be agitated or excited by violent emotions.
But finding no redress, ferment an rage. --Milton.
The intellect of the age was a fermenting intellect.
--De Quincey.
Fermentability \Fer*ment`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
Capability of fermentation.
Fermentable \Fer*ment"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. fermentable.]
Capable of fermentation; as, cider and other vegetable
liquors are fermentable.
Fermental \Fer*ment"al\, a.
Fermentative. [Obs.]
Fermentation \Fer`men*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. fermentation.]
1. The process of undergoing an effervescent change, as by
the action of yeast; in a wider sense (Physiol. Chem.),
the transformation of an organic substance into new
compounds by the action of a ferment, either formed or
unorganized. It differs in kind according to the nature of
the ferment which causes it.
2. A state of agitation or excitement, as of the intellect or
the feelings.
It puts the soul to fermentation and activity.
--Jer. Taylor.
A univesal fermentation of human thought and faith.
--C. Kingsley.
{Acetous, or Acetic}, {fermentation}, a form of oxidation in
which alcohol is converted into vinegar or acetic acid by
the agency of a specific fungus or ferment ({Mycoderma
aceti}). The process involves two distinct reactions, in
which the oxygen of the air is essential. An intermediate
product, aldehyde, is formed in the first process. 1.
C2H6O + O = H2O + C2H4O
Note: Alcohol. Water. Aldehyde. 2. C2H4O + O = C2H4O2
Note: Aldehyde. Acetic acid.
{Alcoholic fermentation}, the fermentation which saccharine
bodies undergo when brought in contact with the yeast
plant or Torula. The sugar is converted, either directly
or indirectly, into alcohol and carbonic acid, the rate of
action being dependent on the rapidity with which the
Torul[ae] develop.
{Ammoniacal fermentation}, the conversion of the urea of the
urine into ammonium carbonate, through the growth of the
special urea ferment. CON2H4 + 2H2O = (NH4)2CO3
Note: Urea. Water. Ammonium carbonate.
Note: Whenever urine is exposed to the air in open vessels
for several days it undergoes this alkaline
fermentation.
{Butyric fermentation}, the decomposition of various forms of
organic matter, through the agency of a peculiar
worm-shaped vibrio, with formation of more or less butyric
acid. It is one of the many forms of fermentation that
collectively constitute putrefaction. See {Lactic
fermentation}.
{Fermentation by an} {unorganized ferment or enzyme}.
Fermentations of this class are purely chemical reactions,
in which the ferment acts as a simple catalytic agent. Of
this nature are the decomposition or inversion of cane
sugar into levulose and dextrose by boiling with dilute
acids, the conversion of starch into dextrin and sugar by
similar treatment, the conversion of starch into like
products by the action of diastase of malt or ptyalin of
saliva, the conversion of albuminous food into peptones
and other like products by the action of
pepsin-hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice or by the
ferment of the pancreatic juice.
{Fermentation theory of disease} (Biol. & Med.), the theory
that most if not all, infectious or zymotic disease are
caused by the introduction into the organism of the living
germs of ferments, or ferments already developed
(organized ferments), by which processes of fermentation
are set up injurious to health. See {Germ theory}.
{Glycerin fermentation}, the fermentation which occurs on
mixing a dilute solution of glycerin with a peculiar
species of schizomycetes and some carbonate of lime, and
other matter favorable to the growth of the plant, the
glycerin being changed into butyric acid, caproic acid,
butyl, and ethyl alcohol. With another form of bacterium
({Bacillus subtilis}) ethyl alcohol and butyric acid are
mainly formed.
{Lactic fermentation}, the transformation of milk sugar or
other saccharine body into lactic acid, as in the souring
of milk, through the agency of a special bacterium
({Bacterium lactis} of Lister). In this change the milk
sugar, before assuming the form of lactic acid, presumably
passes through the stage of glucose. C12H22O11.H2O =
4C3H6O3
Note: Hydrated milk sugar. Lactic acid.
Note: In the lactic fermentation of dextrose or glucose, the
lactic acid which is formed is very prone to undergo
butyric fermentation after the manner indicated in the
following equation: 2C3H6O3 (lactic acid) = C4H8O2
(butyric acid) + 2CO2 (carbonic acid) + 2H2 (hydrogen
gas).
{Putrefactive fermentation}. See {Putrefaction}.
Fermentative \Fer*ment"a*tive\, a. [Cf. F. fermentatif.]
Causing, or having power to cause, fermentation; produced by
fermentation; fermenting; as, a fermentative process. --
{Fer*ment"a*tive*ly}, adv. -- {Fer*ment"a*tive*ness}, n.
Fermerere \Fer"mer*ere\, n. [OF. enfermerier, fr. enfermerie
infirmary. See {Infirmary}.]
The officer in a religious house who had the care of the
infirmary. [Obs.]
Fermillet \Fer"mil*let\, n. [OF., dim. of fermeil, fermail,
clasp, prob. fr. OF. & F. fermer to make fast, fr. ferme
fast. See {Firm}.]
A buckle or clasp. [Obs.] --Donne.
Fern \Fern\, adv.
Long ago. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fern \Fern\, a. [AS. fyrn.]
Ancient; old. [Obs.] ``Pilgrimages to . . . ferne halwes.''
[saints]. --Chaucer.
Fern \Fern\, n. [AS. fearn; akin to D. varen, G. farn,
farnkraut; cf. Skr. par[.n]a wing, feather, leaf, sort of
plant, or Lith. papartis fern.] (Bot.)
An order of cryptogamous plants, the {Filices}, which have
their fructification on the back of the fronds or leaves.
They are usually found in humid soil, sometimes grow
epiphytically on trees, and in tropical climates often attain
a gigantic size.
Note: The plants are asexual, and bear clustered sporangia,
containing minute spores, which germinate and form
prothalli, on which are borne the true organs of
reproduction. The brake or bracken, the maidenhair, and
the polypody are all well known ferns.
{Christmas fern}. See under {Christmas}.
{Climbing fern} (Bot.), a delicate North American fern
({Lygodium palmatum}), which climbs several feet high over
bushes, etc., and is much sought for purposes of
decoration.
{Fern owl}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The European goatsucker.
(b) The short-eared owl. [Prov. Eng.] -- {Fern shaw}, a fern
thicket. [Eng.] --R. Browning.
Fernery \Fern"er*y\, n.
A place for rearing ferns.
Fernticle \Fern"ti*cle\, n.
A freckle on the skin, resembling the seed of fern. [Prov.
Eng.]
Ferny \Fern"y\, a.
Abounding in ferns.
Ferocious \Fe*ro"cious\, a. [L. ferox, -ocis, fierce: cf. F.
f['e]roce. See {Ferocity}.]
Fierce; savage; wild; indicating cruelty; ravenous;
rapacious; as, ferocious look or features; a ferocious lion.
The humbled power of a ferocious enemy. --Lowth.
Syn: {Ferocious}, {Fierce}, {Savage}, {Barbarous}.
Usage: When these words are applied to human feelings or
conduct, ferocious describes the disposition; fierce,
the haste and violence of an act; barbarous, the
coarseness and brutality by which it was marked;
savage, the cruel and unfeeling spirit which it
showed. A man is ferocious in his temper, fierce in
his actions, barbarous in the manner of carrying out
his purposes, savage in the spirit and feelings
expressed in his words or deeds. -- {Fe*ro"cious*ly},
adv. -- {Fe*ro"cious*ness}, n.
It [Christianity] has adapted the ferociousness
of war. --Blair.
Ferocity \Fe*roc"i*ty\, n. [L. ferocitas, fr. ferox, -ocis,
fierce, kin to ferus wild: cf. F. ferocit['e]. See {Fierce}.]
Savage wildness or fierceness; fury; cruelty; as, ferocity of
countenance.
The pride and ferocity of a Highland chief. --Macaulay.
Feroher \Fer*o"her\, n. (Arch[ae]ol.)
A symbol of the solar deity, found on monuments exhumed in
Babylon, Nineveh, etc.
Ferous \Fe"rous\, a. [L. ferus. See {Fierce}.]
Wild; savage. [R.] --Arthur Wilson.
-ferous \-fer*ous\ [L. -fer. fr. ferre to bear. See {Bear} to
support.]
A suffix signifying bearing, producing, yielding; as,
auriferous, yielding gold; chyliferous, producing chyle.
Ferrandine \Fer*ran"dine\ (? or ?), n. [F.; cf. OF. ferrant
iron-gray, from L. ferrum iron.]
A stuff made of silk and wool.
I did buy a colored silk ferrandine. --Pepys.
Ferrara \Fer*ra"ra\, n.
A sword bearing the mark of one of the Ferrara family of
Italy. These swords were highly esteemed in England and
Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Ferrarese \Fer`ra*rese"\, a.
Pertaining to Ferrara, in Italy. -- n., sing. & pl. A citizen
of Ferrara; collectively, the inhabitants of Ferrara.
Ferrary \Fer"ra*ry\, n. [L. ferraria iron works. See
{Ferreous}.]
The art of working in iron. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Ferrate \Fer"rate\, n. [L. ferrum iron.] (Chem.)
A salt of ferric acid.
Ferre \Fer"re\, Ferrer \Fer"rer\, a. & adv.Obs.
compar. of {Fer}.
Ferreous \Fer"re*ous\, a. [L. ferreus, fr. ferrum iron. Cf.
{Farrier}, {Ferrous}.]
Partaking of, made of, or pertaining to, iron; like iron.
[Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Ferrest \Fer"rest\, a. & adv. Obs.
superl. of {Fer}. --Chaucer.
Ferret \Fer"ret\, n. [F. furet, cf. LL. furo; prob. fr. L. fur
thief (cf. {Furtive}); cf. Arm. fur wise, sly.] (Zo["o]l.)
An animal of the Weasel family ({Mustela or Putorius furo}),
about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white
color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been
domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and
rats out of their holes.
Ferret \Fer"ret\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ferreted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Ferreting}.] [Cf. F. fureter. See {Ferret}, n.]
To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the
cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; --
often used with out; as, to ferret out a secret.
Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him.
--Shak.
Ferret \Fer"ret\, n. [Ital. foretto, dim. of fiore flower; or F.
fleuret. Cf. {Floret}.]
A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of
cotton or silk; -- called also {ferreting}.
Ferret \Fer"ret\, n. [F. feret, dim. or fer iron, L. ferrum.]
(Glass Making)
The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to
work, and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles.
Ferreter \Fer"ret*er\, n.
One who ferrets. --Johnson.
Ferret-eye \Fer"ret-eye`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The spur-winged goose; -- so called from the red circle
around the eyes.
Ferretto \Fer*ret"to\, n. [It. ferretto di Spagna, dim. of ferro
iron, fr. L. ferrum.]
Copper sulphide, used to color glass. --Hebert.
Ferri- \Fer"ri-\ (Chem.)
A combining form indicating ferric iron as an ingredient; as,
ferricyanide.
Ferriage \Fer"ri*age\ (?; 48), n. [From {Ferry}.]
The price or fare to be paid for passage at a ferry.
Ferric \Fer"ric\, a. [L. ferrum iron: cf. F. ferrique. See
{Ferrous}.]
Pertaining to, derived from, or containing iron. Specifically
(Chem.), denoting those compounds in which iron has a higher
valence than in the ferrous compounds; as, ferric oxide;
ferric acid.
{Ferric acid} (Chem.), an acid, {H2FeO4}, which is not known
in the free state, but forms definite salts, analogous to
the chromates and sulphates.
{Ferric oxide} (Chem.), sesquioxide of iron, {Fe2O3};
hematite. See {Hematite}.
Ferricyanate \Fer`ri*cy"a*nate\, n. [Ferri- + cyanate.] (Chem.)
A salt of ferricyanic acid; a ferricyanide.
Ferricyanic \Fer`ri*cy*an"ic\, a. [Ferri- + cyanic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, a ferricyanide.
{Ferricyanic acid} (Chem.), a brown crystalline substance,
{H6(CN)12Fe2}, obtained from potassium ferricyanide, and
regarded as the type of the ferricyanides; -- called also
{hydro-ferricyanic acid}, {hydrogen ferricyanide}, etc.
Ferricyanide \Fer`ri*cy"a*nide\ (?; 104), n. [Ferri- + cyanide.]
(Chem.)
One of a complex series of double cyanides of ferric iron and
some other base.
{Potassium ferricyanide} (Chem.), red prussiate of potash; a
dark, red, crystalline salt, {K6(CN)12Fe2}, consisting of
the double cyanide of potassium and ferric iron. From it
is derived the ferrous ferricyanate, Turnbull's blue.
Ferrier \Fer"ri*er\, n.
A ferryman. --Calthrop.
Ferriferous \Fer*rif"er*ous\, a. [L. ferrum iron + -ferous: cf.
F. ferrif[`e]re.]
Producing or yielding iron.
Ferriprussiate \Fer`ri*prus"si*ate\ (? or ?; see {Prussiate},
277), n. [Ferri- + prussiate.] (Chem.)
A ferricyanate; a ferricyanide. [R.]
Ferriprussic \Fer`ri*prus"sic\ (? or ?; see {Prussik}, 277), a.
[Ferri- + prussic.] (Chem.)
Ferricyanic. [R.]
Ferro- \Fer"ro-\ (Chem.)
A prefix, or combining form, indicating ferrous iron as an
ingredient; as, ferrocyanide.
Ferrocalcite \Fer`ro*cal"cite\, n. [Ferro- + calcite.]
Limestone containing a large percentage of iron carbonate,
and hence turning brown on exposure.
Ferrocyanate \Fer`ro*cy"a*nate\, n. [Ferro- + cyanate: cf. F.
ferrocyanate.] (Chem.)
A salt of ferrocyanic acid; a ferrocyanide.
Ferrocyanic \Fer`ro*cy*an"ic\, a. [Ferro- + cyanic: cf. F.
ferrocyanique.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, a ferrocyanide.
{ferrocyanic acid} (Chem.), a white crystalline substance,
{H4(CN)6Fe}, of strong acid properties, obtained from
potassium ferrocyanide, and regarded as the type of the
ferrocyanides; -- called also {hydro-ferrocyanic acid},
{hydrogen ferrocyanide}. etc.
Ferrocyanide \Fer`ro*cy"a*nide\ (? or ?; 104), n. [Ferro- +
cyanide.] (Chem.)
One of a series of complex double cyanides of ferrous iron
and some other base.
{Potassium ferrocyanide} (Chem.), yellow prussiate of potash;
a tough, yellow, crystalline salt, {K4(CN)6Fe}, the
starting point in the manufacture of almost all cyanogen
compounds, and the basis of the ferric ferrocyanate,
prussian blue. It is obtained by strongly heating together
potash, scrap iron, and animal matter containing nitrogen,
as horn, leather, blood, etc., in iron pots.
Ferroprussiate \Fer`ro*prus"si*ate\ (? or ? or ?; see
{Prussiate}, 277), n. [Ferro- + prussiate.] (Chem.)
A ferrocyanate; a ferocyanide. [R.]
Ferroprussic \Fer`ro*prus"sic\ (? or ?; see {Prussic}, 277), a.
[Ferro- + prussic.] (Chem.)
Ferrocyanic.
Ferroso- \Fer*ro"so-\ (Chem.)
See {Ferro-}.
Ferrotype \Fer"ro*type\, n. [L. ferrum iron + -type.]
A photographic picture taken on an iron plate by a collodion
process; -- familiarly called tintype.
Ferrous \Fer"rous\, a. [Cf. F. ferreux. See {Ferreous}.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, iron; -- especially used of
compounds of iron in which the iron has its lower valence;
as, ferrous sulphate.
Ferruginated \Fer*ru"gi*na`ted\, a. [See {Ferrugo}.]
Having the color or properties of the rust of iron.
Ferrugineous \Fer`ru*gin"e*ous\, a.
Ferruginous. [R.]
Ferruginous \Fer*ru"gi*nous\, a. [L. ferruginus, ferrugineus,
fr. ferrugo, -ginis, iron rust: cf. F. ferrugineux. See
{Ferrugo}.]
1. Partaking of iron; containing particles of iron. --Boyle.
2. Resembling iron rust in appearance or color; brownish red,
or yellowish red.
Ferrugo \Fer*ru"go\, n. [L., iron rust, fr. ferrum iron.]
A disease of plants caused by fungi, commonly called the
{rust}, from its resemblance to iron rust in color.
Ferrule \Fer"rule\ (? or ?; 277), n. [Formerly verrel, F.
virole, fr. L. viriola little bracelet, dim. of viriae, pl.,
bracelets; prob. akin to viere to twist, weave, and E. withe.
The spelling with f is due to confusion with L. ferrum iron.]
1. A ring or cap of metal put round a cane, tool, handle, or
other similar object, to strengthen it, or prevent
splitting and wearing.
2. (Steam Boilers) A bushing for expanding the end of a flue
to fasten it tightly in the tube plate, or for partly
filling up its mouth.
Ferruminate \Fer*ru"mi*nate\, v. t. [L. ferruminatus, p. p. of
ferruminare to cement, solder, fr. ferrumen cement, fr.
ferrum iron.]
To solder or unite, as metals. [R.] --Coleridge.
Ferrumination \Fer*ru`mi*na"tion\, n. [L. ferruminatio: cf. F.
ferrumination.]
The soldering ir uniting of me? als. [R.] --Coleridge.
Ferry \Fer"ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ferried}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Ferrying}.] [OE. ferien to convey, AS. ferian, from faran to
go; akin to Icel. ferja to ferry, Goth. farjan to sail. See
{Fare}.]
To carry or transport over a river, strait, or other narrow
water, in a boat.
Ferry \Fer"ry\, v. i.
To pass over water in a boat or by a ferry.
They ferry over this Lethean sound Both to and fro.
--Milton.
Ferry \Fer"ry\, n.; pl. {Ferries}. [OE. feri; akin to Icel.
ferja, Sw. f["a]rja, Dan. f[ae]rge, G. f["a]hre. See {Ferry},
v. t.]
1. A place where persons or things are carried across a
river, arm of the sea, etc., in a ferryboat.
It can pass the ferry backward into light. --Milton.
To row me o'er the ferry. --Campbell.
2. A vessel in which passengers and goods are conveyed over
narrow waters; a ferryboat; a wherry.
3. A franchise or right to maintain a vessel for carrying
passengers and freight across a river, bay, etc., charging
tolls.
{Ferry bridge}, a ferryboat adapted in its structure for the
transfer of railroad trains across a river or bay.
{Ferry railway}. See under {Railway}.
Ferryboat \Fer"ry*boat`\, n.
A vessel for conveying passengers, merchandise, etc., across
streams and other narrow waters.
Ferryman \Fer"ry*man\, n.; pl. {Ferrymen}.
One who maintains or attends a ferry.
Fers \Fers\, a.
Fierce. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ferthe \Ferthe\, a.
Fourth. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fertile \Fer"tile\ (? or ?; 277), a. [L. fertilis, fr. ferr? to
bear, produce: cf. F. fertile. See {Bear} to support.]
1. Producing fruit or vegetation in abundance; fruitful; able
to produce abundantly; prolific; fecund; productive; rich;
inventive; as, fertile land or fields; a fertile mind or
imagination.
Though he in a fertile climate dwell. --Shak.
2. (Bot.)
(a) Capable of producing fruit; fruit-bearing; as, fertile
flowers.
(b) Containing pollen; -- said of anthers.
3. produced in abundance; plenteous; ample.
Henceforth, my early care . . . Shall tend thee, and
the fertile burden ease Of thy full branches.
--Milton.
Syn: {Fertile}, {Fruitful}.
Usage: Fertile implies the inherent power of production;
fruitful, the act. The prairies of the West are
fertile by nature, and are turned by cultivation into
fruitful fields. The same distinction prevails when
these words are used figuratively. A man of fertile
genius has by nature great readiness of invention; one
whose mind is fruitful has resources of thought and a
readiness of application which enable him to think and
act effectively.
Fertilely \Fer"tile*ly\ (? or ?; 277), adv.
In a fertile or fruitful manner.
fertileness \fer"tile*ness\, n.
Fertility. --Sir P. Sidney.
Fertilitate \Fer*til"i*tate\, v. t.
To fertilize; to fecundate. --Sir T. Browne.
Fertility \Fer*til"i*ty\, n. [L. fertilitas: cf. F.
fertilit['e].]
The state or quality of being fertile or fruitful;
fruitfulness; productiveness; fecundity; richness; abundance
of resources; fertile invention; quickness; readiness; as,
the fertility of soil, or of imagination. ``fertility of
resource.'' --E. Everett.
And all her husbandry doth lie on heaps Corrupting in
its own fertility. --Shak.
Thy very weeds are beautiful; thy waste More rich than
other climes' fertility. --Byron.
Fertilization \Fer`ti*li*za"tion\, n.
1. The act or process of rendering fertile.
2. (Biol.) The act of fecundating or impregnating animal or
vegetable germs; esp., the process by which in flowers the
pollen renders the ovule fertile, or an analogous process
in flowerless plants; fecundation; impregnation.
{Close fertilization} (Bot.), the fertilization of pistils by
pollen derived from the stamens of the same blossom.
{Cross fertilization}, fertilization by pollen from some
other blossom. See under {Cross}, a.
Fertilize \Fer"ti*lize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fertilized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Fertilizing}.] [Cf. F. fertiliser.]
1. To make fertile or enrich; to supply with nourishment for
plants; to make fruitful or productive; as, to fertilize
land, soil, ground, and meadows.
And fertilize the field that each pretends to gain.
--Byron.
2. To fecundate; as, to fertilize flower. --A. R. Wallace.
Fertilizer \Fer"ti*lizer\, n.
1. One who fertilizes; the agent that carries the fertilizing
principle, as a moth to an orchid. --A. R. Wallace.
2. That which renders fertile; a general name for commercial
manures, as guano, phosphate of lime, etc.
Ferula \Fer"u*la\, n. [L. ferula giant fennel (its stalks were
used in punishing schoolboys), rod, whip, fr. ferire to
strike; akin to OHG. berjan, Icel. berja. Cf. {Ferule}.]
1. A ferule. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
2. The imperial scepter in the Byzantine or Eastern Empire.
Ferulaceous \Fer`u*la"ceous\, a. [L. ferulaceus, fr. ferula rod:
cf. F. f['e]rulac['e].]
Pertaining to reeds and canes; having a stalk like a reed;
as, ferulaceous plants.
Ferular \Fer"u*lar\, n.
A ferule. [Obs.] --Milton.
Ferule \Fer"ule\ (? or ?; 277), n. [L. ferula: cf. F. f['e]rule.
See {Ferula}.]
A flat piece of wood, used for striking, children, esp. on
the hand, in punishment.
Ferule \Fer"ule\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Feruled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Feruling}.]
To punish with a ferule.
Ferulic \Fe*ru"lic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, asafetida ({Ferula
asaf[oe]tida}); as, ferulic acid. [Written also {ferulaic}.]
Fervence \Fer"vence\, n.
Heat; fervency. [Obs.]
Fervency \Fer"ven*cy\, n. [Cf. OF. fervence. See {Fervent}.]
The state of being fervent or warm; ardor; warmth of feeling
or devotion; eagerness.
When you pray, let it be with attention, with fervency,
and with perseverance. --Wake.
Fervent \Fer"vent\, a. [F. fervent, L. fervens, -entis. p. pr.
of fervere o the boiling hot, to boil, glow.]
1. Hot; glowing; boiling; burning; as, a fervent summer.
The elements shall melt with fervent heat. --2 Pet.
iii. 10.
2. Warm in feeling; ardent in temperament; earnest; full of
fervor; zealous; glowing.
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit. --Rom.
iii. 11.
So spake the fervent angel. --Milton.
A fervent desire to promote the happiness of
mankind. --Macaulay.
-- {Fer"vent*ly}, adv. -- {Fer"vent*ness}, n.
Laboring fervently for you in prayers. --Col. iv.
12.
Fervescent \Fer*ves"cent\, a. [L. fervescens, p. pr. of
fervescere to become boiling hot, incho., fr. fervere. See
{Fervent}.]
Growing hot.
Fervid \Fer"vid\, a. [L. fervidus, fr. fervere. See {Fervent}.]
1. Very hot; burning; boiling.
The mounted sun Shot down direct his fervid rays.
--Milton.
2. Ardent; vehement; zealous.
The fervid wishes, holy fires. --Parnell.
-- {Fer"vid*ly}, adv. -- {Fer"vid*ness}, n.
Fervor \Fer"vor\, n. [Written also {fervour}.] [OF. fervor,
fervour, F. ferveur, L. fervor, fr. fervere. See {Fervent}.]
1. Heat; excessive warmth.
The fevor of ensuing day. --Waller.
2. Intensity of feeling or expression; glowing ardor;
passion; holy zeal; earnestness. --Hooker.
Winged with fervor of her love. --Shak.
Syn: {Fervor}, {Ardor}.
Usage: Fervor is a boiling heat, and ardor is a burning heat.
Hence, in metaphor, we commonly use fervor and its
derivatives when we conceive of thoughts or emotions
under the image of ebullition, or as pouring
themselves forth. Thus we speak of the fervor of
passion, fervid declamation, fervid importunity,
fervent supplication, fervent desires, etc. Ardent is
used when we think of anything as springing from a
deepseated glow of soul; as, ardent friendship, ardent
zeal, ardent devotedness; burning with ardor for the
fight.
Fescennine \Fes"cen*nine\, a. [L. Fescenninus, fr. Fescennia, a
city of Etruria.]
Pertaining to, or resembling, the Fescennines. -- n. A style
of low, scurrilous, obscene poetry originating in fescennia.
Fescue \Fes"cue\ (f[e^]s"k[-u]), n. [OE. festu, OF. festu, F.
f['e]tu, fr. L. festuca stalk, straw.]
1. A straw, wire, stick, etc., used chiefly to point out
letters to children when learning to read. ``Pedantic
fescue.'' --Sterne.
To come under the fescue of an imprimatur. --Milton.
2. An instrument for playing on the harp; a plectrum. [Obs.]
--Chapman.
3. The style of a dial. [Obs.]
4. (Bot.) A grass of the genus {Festuca}.
{Fescue grass} (Bot.), a genus of grasses ({Festuca})
containing several species of importance in agriculture.
{Festuca ovina} is {sheep's fescue}; {F. elatior} is
{meadow fescue}.
Fescue \Fes"cue\ (f[e^]s"k[-u]), v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p.
{Fescued}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Fescuing}.]
To use a fescue, or teach with a fescue. --Milton.
Fesels \Fes"els\, n. pl. [Written also fasels.]
See {Phasel}. [Obs.] --May (Georgics).
Fess \Fess\, Fesse \Fesse\, n. [OF. fesse, faisse, F. fasce, fr.
L. fascia band. See {Fascia}.] (Her.)
A band drawn horizontally across the center of an escutcheon,
and containing in breadth the third part of it; one of the
nine honorable ordinaries.
{Fess point} (Her.), the exact center of the escutcheon. See
{Escutcheon}.
Fessitude \Fes"si*tude\, n. [L. fessus wearied, fatigued.]
Weariness. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Fesswise \Fess"wise\, adv.
In the manner of fess.
Fest \Fest\, n. [See {Fist}.]
The fist. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fest \Fest\, Feste \Fes"te\, n.
A feast. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Festal \Fes"tal\, a. [L. festum holiday, feast. See {feast}.]
Of or pertaining to a holiday or a feast; joyous; festive.
You bless with choicer wine the festal day. --Francis.
Festally \Fes"tal*ly\, adv.
Joyously; festively; mirthfully.
Festennine \Fes"ten*nine\, n.
A fescennine.
Fester \Fes"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Festered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Festering}.] [OE. festern, fr. fester, n.; or fr. OF.
festrir, fr. festre, n. See {Fester}, n.]
1. To generate pus; to become imflamed and suppurate; as, a
sore or a wound festers.
Wounds immedicable Rankle, and fester, and gangrene.
--Milton.
Unkindness may give a wound that shall bleed and
smart, but it is treachery that makes it fester.
--South.
Hatred . . . festered in the hearts of the children
of the soil. --Macaulay.
2. To be inflamed; to grow virulent, or malignant; to grow in
intensity; to rankle.
Fester \Fes`ter\, v. t.
To cause to fester or rankle.
For which I burnt in inward, swelt'ring hate, And
festered ranking malice in my breast. --Marston.
Fester \Fes"ter\, n. [OF. festre, L. fistula a sort of ulcer.
Cf. {Fistula}.]
1. A small sore which becomes inflamed and discharges corrupt
matter; a pustule.
2. A festering or rankling.
The fester of the chain their necks. --I. Taylor.
Festerment \Fes"ter*ment\, n.
A festering. [R.] --Chalmers.
Festeye \Fest"eye\, v. t. [OF. festier, festeer, F. festoyer.]
To feast; to entertain. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Festinate \Fes"ti*nate\, a. [L. festinatus, p. p. of festinare
to hasten.]
Hasty; hurried. [Obs.] -- {Fes"ti*nate*ly}, adv. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Festination \Fes`ti*na"tion\, n. [L. festinatio.]
Haste; hurry. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Festival \Fes"ti*val\, a. [OF. festival, fr. L. festivum festive
jollity, fr. festivus festive, gay. See {Festive}.]
Pertaining to a fest; festive; festal; appropriate to a
festival; joyous; mirthful.
I cannot woo in festival terms. --Shak.
Festi-val \Fes"ti-val\, n.
A time of feasting or celebration; an anniversary day of joy,
civil or religious.
The morning trumpets festival proclaimed. --Milton.
Syn: Feast; banquet; carousal. See {Feast}.
Festive \Fes"tive\, a. [L. festivus, fr. festum holiday, feast.
See {feast}, and cf. {Festivous}.]
Pertaining to, or becoming, a feast; festal; joyous; gay;
mirthful; sportive. -- {Fes"tive*ly}, adv.
The glad circle round them yield their souls To festive
mirth and wit that knows no gall. --Thomson.
Festivity \Fes*tiv"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Festivities}. [L. festivitas:
cf. F. festivit['e].]
1. The condition of being festive; social joy or exhilaration
of spirits at an entertaintment; joyfulness; gayety.
The unrestrained festivity of the rustic youth.
--Bp. Hurd.
2. A festival; a festive celebration. --Sir T. Browne.
Festivous \Fes"ti*vous\, a. [See {Festive}.]
Pertaining to a feast; festive. [R.] --Sir W. Scott.
Festlich \Fest"lich\, a. [See {Feast}, n.]
Festive; fond of festive occasions. [Obs.] ``A festlich
man.'' --Chaucer.
Festoon \Fes*toon"\, n. [F. feston (cf. Sp. feston, It.
festone), prob. fr. L. festum festival. See {Feast}.]
1. A garland or wreath hanging in a depending curve, used in
decoration for festivals, etc.; anything arranged in this
way.
2. (Arch. & Sculp.) A carved ornament consisting of flowers,
and leaves, intermixed or twisted together, wound with a
ribbon, and hanging or depending in a natural curve. See
Illust. of {Bucranium}.
Festoon \Fes*toon"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Festooned}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Festooning}.]
To form in festoons, or to adorn with festoons.
Festoony \Fes*toon"y\, a.
Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, festoons. --Sir
J. Herschel.
Festucine \Fes*tu*cine\ (? or ?), a. [L. festula stalk, straw.
Cf. {Fescue}.]
Of a straw color; greenish yellow. [Obs.]
A little insect of a festucine or pale green. --Sir T.
Browne.
Festucous \Fes"tu*cous\, a.
Formed or consisting of straw. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Festue \Fes"tue\, n. [See {Fescue}.]
A straw; a fescue. [Obs.] --Holland.
Fet \Fet\, n. [Cf. feat, F. fait, and It. fett? slice, G. fetzen
rag, Icel. fat garment.]
A piece. [Obs.] --Dryton.
Fet \Fet\, v. t. [OE. fetten, feten, AS. fetian; akin to AS.
f[ae]t a journey, and to E. foot; cf. G. fassen to seize.
[root] 77. See {Foot}, and cf. {Fetch}.]
To fetch. [Obs.]
And from the other fifty soon the prisoner fet.
--Spenser.
Fet \Fet\, p. p. of {Fette}.
Fetched. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fetal \Fe"tal\, a. [From {Fetus}.]
Pertaining to, or connected with, a fetus; as, fetal
circulation; fetal membranes.
Fetation \Fe*ta"tion\, n.
The formation of a fetus in the womb; pregnancy.
Fetch \Fetch\ (?; 224), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fetched} 2; p. pr.
& vb. n.. {Fetching}.] [OE. fecchen, AS. feccan, perh. the
same word as fetian; or cf. facian to wish to get, OFries.
faka to prepare. [root] 77. Cf. {Fet}, v. t.]
1. To bear toward the person speaking, or the person or thing
from whose point of view the action is contemplated; to go
and bring; to get.
Time will run back and fetch the age of gold.
--Milton.
He called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a
little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as
she was going to fetch it he called to her, and
said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bred in
thine hand. --1 Kings
xvii. 11, 12.
2. To obtain as price or equivalent; to sell for.
Our native horses were held in small esteem, and
fetched low prices. --Macaulay.
3. To recall from a swoon; to revive; -- sometimes with to;
as, to fetch a man to.
Fetching men again when they swoon. --Bacon.
4. To reduce; to throw.
The sudden trip in wrestling that fetches a man to
the ground. --South.
5. To bring to accomplishment; to achieve; to make; to
perform, with certain objects; as, to fetch a compass; to
fetch a leap; to fetch a sigh.
I'll fetch a turn about the garden. --Shak.
He fetches his blow quick and sure. --South.
6. To bring or get within reach by going; to reach; to arrive
at; to attain; to reach by sailing.
Meantine flew our ships, and straight we fetched The
siren's isle. --Chapman.
7. To cause to come; to bring to a particular state.
They could n't fetch the butter in the churn. --W.
Barnes.
{To fetch a compass} (Naut.), to make a sircuit; to take a
circuitious route going to a place.
{To fetch a pump}, to make it draw water by pouring water
into the top and working the handle.
{To fetch} {headway or sternway} (Naut.), to move ahead or
astern.
{To fetch out}, to develop. ``The skill of the polisher
fetches out the colors [of marble]'' --Addison.
{To fetch up}.
(a) To overtake. [Obs.] ``Says [the hare], I can fetch up
the tortoise when I please.'' --L'Estrange.
(b) To stop suddenly.
fetch \fetch\, v. i.
To bring one's self; to make headway; to veer; as, to fetch
about; to fetch to windward. --Totten.
{To fetch away} (Naut.), to break loose; to roll slide to
leeward.
{To fetch and carry}, to serve obsequiously, like a trained
spaniel.
Fetch \Fetch\, n.
1. A stratagem by which a thing is indirectly brought to
pass, or by which one thing seems intended and another is
done; a trick; an artifice.
Every little fetch of wit and criticism. --South.
2. The apparation of a living person; a wraith.
The very fetch and ghost of Mrs. Gamp. --Dickens.
{Fetch candle}, a light seen at night, superstitiously
believed to portend a person's death.
Fethcer \Fethc"er\, n.
One wo fetches or brings.
Fete \Fete\, n. [See {feat}.]
A feat. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fete \Fete\, n. pl. [See {Foot}.]
Feet. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fete \F[^e]te\, n. [F. See {Feast}.]
A festival.
{F[^e]te champ[^e]tre}[F.], a festival or entertainment in
the open air; a rural festival.
Fete \F[^e]te\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {F[^e]ted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{F[^e]ting}.] [Cf. F. f[^e]ter.]
To feast; to honor with a festival.
Fetich \Fe"tich\, Fetish \Fe"tish\, n.[F. f['e]tiche, from Pg.
feiti?o, adj., n., sorcery, charm, fr. L. facticius made by
art, artifical, factitious. See {Factitious}.]
1. A material object supposed among certain African tribes to
represent in such a way, or to be so connected with, a
supernatural being, that the possession of it gives to the
possessor power to control that being.
2. Any object to which one is excessively devoted.
fetichism \fe"tich*ism\, Fetishism \Fe"tish*ism\ (? or ?); 277),
n.[Cf. F. f['e]tichisme.] [Written also {feticism}.]
1. The doctrine or practice of belief in fetiches.
2. Excessive devotion to one object or one idea; abject
superstition; blind adoration.
The real and absolute worship of fire falls into two
great divisions, the first belonging rather to
fetichism, the second to polytheism proper. --Tylor.
Fetichist \Fe"tich*ist\, Fetishist \Fe"tish*ist\, n.
A believer in fetiches.
He was by nature a fetichist. --H. Holbeach.
Fetichistic \Fe`tich*is"tic\, Fetishistic \Fe`tish*is"tic\, a.
Pertaining to, or involving, fetichism.
A man of the fifteenth century, inheriting its strange
web of belief and unbelief, of epicurean levity and
fetichistic dread. --G. Eliot.
Feticide \Fe"ti*cide\ (? or ?), n. [Written also {f[oe]ticide}.]
[Fetus + L. caedere to kill.] (Med. & Law)
The act of killing the fetus in the womb; the offense of
procuring an abortion.
Feticism \Fe"ti*cism\, n.
See {Fetichism}.
Fetid \Fet"id\ (? or ?; 277), a. [L. fetidus, foetidus, fr.
fetere, foetere, to have an ill smell, to stink: cf. F.
f['e]tide.]
Having an offensive smell; stinking.
Most putrefactions . . . smell either fetid or moldy.
--Bacon.
Fetidity \Fet*id"i*ty\ (? or ?), n.
Fetidness.
Fetidness \Fet"id*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being fetid.
Fetiferous \Fe*tif"er*ous\, a. [Fetus + -ferous.]
Producing young, as animals.
Fetis \Fe"tis\, a. [OF. fetis, faitis. Cf. {Factitious}.]
Neat; pretty; well made; graceful. [Obs.]
Full fetis was her cloak, as I was ware. --Chaucer.
Fetisely \Fe"tise*ly\, adv.
Neatly; gracefully; properly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fetish \Fe"tish\, n., Fetishism \Fe"tish*ism\ (? or ?; 277), n.,
Fetishistic \Fe`tish*is"tic\, a.
See {Fetich}, n., {Fetichism}, n., {Fetichistic}, a.
Fetlock \Fet"lock\, n. [OE. fetlak, fitlock, cf. Icel. fet pace,
step, fit webbed foot of water birds, akin to E. foot.
[root]77. See {Foot}.]
The cushionlike projection, bearing a tuft of long hair, on
the back side of the leg above the hoof of the horse and
similar animals. Also, the joint of the limb at this point
(between the great pastern bone and the metacarpus), or the
tuft of hair.
Their wounded steeds Fret fetlock deep in gore. --Shak.
Fetor \Fe"tor\, n. [L. fetor, foetor. See {Fetid}.]
A strong, offensive smell; stench; fetidness. --Arbuthnot.
Fette \Fet"te\ (? or ?), v.t. [imp. {Fette}, p. p. {Fet}.] [See
{Fet}, v. t.]
To fetch. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fetter \Fet"ter\, n. [AS. fetor, feter; akin to OS. feter?s,
pl., OD. veter, OHG. fezzera, Icel. fj["o]turr, L. pedi?a,
Gr. ?, and to E. foot. [root] 77. See {Foot}.] [Chiefly used
in the plural, {fetters}.]
1. A chain or shackle for the feet; a chain by which an
animal is confined by the foot, either made fast or
disabled from free and rapid motion; a bond; a shackle.
[They] bound him with fetters of brass. --Judg. xvi.
21.
2. Anything that confines or restrains; a restraint.
Passion's too fierce to be in fetters bound.
--Dryden.
Fetter \Fet"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fettered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fettering}.]
1. To put fetters upon; to shackle or confine the feet of
with a chain; to bind.
My heels are fettered, but my fist is free.
--Milton.
2. To restrain from motion; to impose restraints on; to
confine; to enchain; as, fettered by obligations.
My conscience! thou art fettered More than my shanks
and wrists. --Shak.
Fettered \Fet"tered\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Seeming as if fettered, as the feet of certain animals which
bend backward, and appear unfit for walking.
Fetterer \Fet"ter*er\, n.
One who fetters. --Landor.
Fetterless \Fet"ter*less\, a.
Free from fetters. --Marston.
Fettle \Fet"tle\, v. t. [OE. & Prov. E., to fettle (in sense 1),
fettle, n., order, repair, preparation, dress; prob. akin to
E. fit. See {Fit}, a.]
1. To repair; to prepare; to put in order. [Prov. Eng.]
--Carlyle.
2. (Metal.) To cover or line with a mixture of ore, cinders,
etc., as the hearth of a puddling furnace.
Fettle \Fet"tle\, v. i.
To make preparations; to put things in order; to do trifling
business. [Prov. Eng.] --Bp. Hall.
Fettle \Fet"tle\, n.
The act of fettling. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
{In fine fettle}, in good spirits.
Fettling \Fet"tling\, n.
1. (Metal.) A mixture of ore, cinders, etc., used to line the
hearth of a puddling furnace. [Eng.] [It is commonly
called {fix} in the United States.]
2. (Pottery) The operation of shaving or smoothing the
surface of undried clay ware.
Fetuous \Fet"u*ous\, a.
Neat; feat. [Obs.] --Herrick.
Fetus \Fe"tus\, n.; pl. {Fetuses}. [L. fetus, foetus, a bringing
forth, brood, offspring, young ones, cf. fetus fruitful,
fructified, that is or was filled with young; akin to E. fawn
a deer, fecundity, felicity, feminine, female, and prob. to
do, or according to others, to be.]
The young or embryo of an animal in the womb, or in the egg;
often restricted to the later stages in the development of
viviparous and oviparous animals, embryo being applied to the
earlier stages. [Written also {f[oe]tus}.]
Fetwah \Fet"wah\, n. [Ar.]
A written decision of a Turkish mufti on some point of law.
--Whitworth.
Feu \Feu\, n. [See 2d {Feud}, and {Fee}.] (Scots Law)
A free and gratuitous right to lands made to one for service
to be performed by him; a tenure where the vassal, in place
of military services, makes a return in grain or in money.
--Burrill.
Feuar \Feu"ar\, n. [From Feu.] (Scots Law)
One who holds a feu. --Sir W. Scott.
Feud \Feud\, n. [OE. feide, AS. f?h?, fr. f[=a]h hostile; akin
to OHG. f?hida, G. fehde, Sw. fejd, D. feide; prob. akin to
E. fiend. See Foe.]
1. A combination of kindred to avenge injuries or affronts,
done or offered to any of their blood, on the offender and
all his race.
2. A contention or quarrel; especially, an inveterate strife
between families, clans, or parties; deadly hatred;
contention satisfied only by bloodshed.
Mutual feuds and battles betwixt their several
tribes and kindreds. --Purchas.
Syn: Affray; fray; broil; contest; dispute; strife.
Feud \Feud\, n. [LL. feudum, feodum prob. of same origin as E.
fief. See {Fief}, {Fee}.] (Law)
A stipendiary estate in land, held of superior, by service;
the right which a vassal or tenant had to the lands or other
immovable thing of his lord, to use the same and take the
profists thereof hereditarily, rendering to his superior such
duties and services as belong to military tenure, etc., the
property of the soil always remaining in the lord or
superior; a fief; a fee.
Feudal \Feu"dal\, a. [F. f['e]odal, or LL. feudalis.]
1. Of or pertaining to feuds, fiefs, or feels; as, feudal
rights or services; feudal tenures.
2. Consisting of, or founded upon, feuds or fiefs; embracing
tenures by military services; as, the feudal system.
Feudalism \Feu"dal*ism\, n. [Cf. F. f['e]odalisme.]
The feudal system; a system by which the holding of estates
in land is made dependent upon an obligation to render
military service to the kind or feudal superior; feudal
principles and usages.
Feudalist \Feu"dal*ist\, n.
An upholder of feudalism.
Feudality \Feu*dal"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. f['e]odalit['e].]
The state or quality of being feudal; feudal form or
constitution. --Burke.
Fedalization \Fe`dal*i*za/tion\, n.
The act of reducing to feudal tenure.
Feudalize \Feu"dal*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Feudalized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Feudalizing}.]
To reduce toa feudal tenure; to conform to feudalism.
Feudally \Feu"dal*ly\, adv.
In a feudal manner.
Feudary \Feu"da*ry\, a. [LL. feudarius, fr. feudum. See 2d
{Feud}.]
Held by, or pertaining to, feudal tenure.
Feudary \Feu"da*ry\, n.
1. A tenant who holds his lands by feudal service; a
feudatory. --Foxe.
2. A feodary. See {Feodary}.
Feudataty \Feu"da*ta*ty\, a. & n. [LL. feudatarius: cf. F.
feudataire.]
See {Feudatory}.
Feudatory \Feu"da*to*ry\, n.; pl. {Feudatories}.
A tenant or vassal who held his lands of a superior on
condition of feudal service; the tenant of a feud or fief.
The grantee . . . was styled the feudatory or vassal.
--Blackstone.
[He] had for feudatories great princes. --J. H.
Newman.
Feudtory \Feu"dto*ry\, a.
Held from another on some conditional tenure; as, a feudatory
title. --Bacon.
Feu de joie \Feu` de joie"\ [F., lit., fire of joy.]
A fire kindled in a public place in token of joy; a bonfire;
a firing of guns in token of joy.
Feudist \Feud"ist\, n. [Cf. F. feudiste.]
A writer on feuds; a person versed in feudal law. --Spelman.
Feuillants \Feu`illants"\, n. pl.
A reformed branch of the Bernardines, founded in 1577 at
Feuillans, near Toulouse, in France.
Feuillemort \Feuille"mort`\, a. [F. feuille morte a dead leaf.]
Having the color of a faded leaf. --Locke.
Feuilleton \Feu`ille*ton"\ (? or ?), n. [F., from feulle leaf.]
A part of a French newspaper (usually the bottom of the
page), devoted to light literature, criticism, etc.; also,
the article or tale itself, thus printed.
Feuilltonist \Feuill"ton*ist\, n. [F. feuilletoniste.]
A writer of feuilletons. --F. Harrison.
feuter \feu"ter\, v. t. [OE. feutre rest for a lance, OF.
feutre, fautre, feltre, felt, cushion, rest for a lance, fr.
LL. filtrum, feltrum; of German origin, and akin to E. felt.
See {Felt}, and cf. {Filter}.]
To set close; to fix in rest, as a spear. --Spenser.
Feuterer \Feu"ter*er\, n. [Either fr. G. f["u]tterer feeder, or
corrupted fr. OF. vautrier, vaultrier; fr. vaultre, viautre,
a kind of hound, fr. L. vertragus, vertraga, a greyhound. The
last is of Celtic origin.]
A dog keeper. [Obs.] --Massinger.
Fever \Fe"ver\, n. [OE. fever, fefer, AS. fefer, fefor, L.
febris: cf. F. fi[`e]vre. Cf. {Febrile}.]
1. (Med.) A diseased state of the system, marked by increased
heat, acceleration of the pulse, and a general derangement
of the functions, including usually, thirst and loss of
appetite. Many diseases, of which fever is the most
prominent symptom, are denominated fevers; as, typhoid
fever; yellow fever.
Note: Remitting fevers subside or abate at intervals;
intermitting fevers intermit or entirely cease at
intervals; continued or continual fevers neither remit
nor intermit.
2. Excessive excitement of the passions in consequence of
strong emotion; a condition of great excitement; as, this
quarrel has set my blood in a fever.
An envious fever Of pale and bloodless emulation.
--Shak.
After life's fitful fever he sleeps well. --Shak.
{Brain fever}, {Continued fever}, etc. See under {Brain},
{Continued}, etc.
{Fever and ague}, a form of fever recurring in paroxysms
which are preceded by chills. It is of malarial origin.
{Fever blister} (Med.), a blister or vesicle often found
about the mouth in febrile states; a variety of herpes.
{Fever bush} (Bot.), the wild allspice or spice bush. See
{Spicewood}.
{Fever powder}. Same as {Jame's powder}.
{Fever root} (Bot.), an American herb of the genus
{Triosteum} ({T. perfoliatum}); -- called also {feverwort}
amd {horse gentian}.
{Fever sore}, a carious ulcer or necrosis. --Miner.
Fever \Fe"ver\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fevered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fevering}.]
To put into a fever; to affect with fever; as, a fevered lip.
[R.]
The white hand of a lady fever thee. --Shak.
Feveret \Fe"ver*et\, n.
A slight fever. [Obs.] --Ayliffe.
Feverfew \Fe"ver*few\, n. [AS. feferfuge, fr. L. febrifugia. See
{fever}, {Fugitive}, and cf. {Febrifuge}.] (Bot.)
A perennial plant ({Pyrethrum, or Chrysanthemum, Parthenium})
allied to camomile, having finely divided leaves and white
blossoms; -- so named from its supposed febrifugal qualities.
Feverish \Fe"ver*ish\, a.
1. Having a fever; suffering from, or affected with, a
moderate degree of fever; showing increased heat and
thirst; as, the patient is feverish.
2. Indicating, or pertaining to, fever; characteristic of a
fever; as, feverish symptoms.
3. Hot; sultry. ``The feverish north.'' --Dryden.
4. Disordered as by fever; excited; restless; as, the
feverish condition of the commercial world.
Strive to keep up a frail and feverish bing.
--Milton.
-- {Fe"ver*ish*ly}, adv. -- {Fe"ver*ish*ness}, n.
Feverous \Fe"ver*ous\, a. [Cf.F. fi['e]vreux.]
1. Affected with fever or ague; feverish.
His heart, love's feverous citadel. --Keats.
2. Pertaining to, or having the nature of, fever; as, a
feverous pulse.
All maladies . . . all feverous kinds. --Milton.
3. Having the tendency to produce fever; as, a feverous
disposition of the year. [R.] --Bacon.
Feverously \Fe"ver*ous*ly\, adv.
Feverishly. [Obs.] --Donne.
Feverwort \Fe"ver*wort`\, n.
See {Fever root}, under {Fever}.
Fevery \Fe"ver*y\, a.
Feverish. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Few \Few\ (f[=u]), a. [Compar. {Fewer}; superl. {Fewest}.] [OE.
fewe, feawe, AS. fe['a], pl. fe['a]we; akin to OS. f[=a]h,
OHG. f[=o] fao, Icel. f[=a]r, Sw. f[*a], pl., Dan. faa, pl.,
Goth. faus, L. paucus, cf. Gr. pay^ros. Cf. {Paucity}.]
Not many; small, limited, or confined in number; --
indicating a small portion of units or individuals
constituing a whole; often, by ellipsis of a noun, a few
people. ``Are not my days few?'' --Job x. 20.
Few know and fewer care. --Proverb.
Note: Few is often used partitively; as, few of them.
{A few}, a small number.
{In few}, in a few words; briefly. --Shak.
{No few}, not few; more than a few; many. --Cowper.
{The few}, the minority; -- opposed to the many or the
majority.
Fewel \Fe"wel\, n. [See {Fuel}.]
Fuel. [Obs.] --Hooker.
Fewmet \Few"met\, n.
See {Fumet}. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Fewness \Few"ness\, n.
1. The state of being few; smallness of number; paucity.
--Shak.
2. Brevity; conciseness. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fey \Fey\, a. [AS. f?ga, Icel. feigr, OHG. feigi.]
Fated; doomed. [Old Eng. & Scot.]
Fey \Fey\, n. [See {Fay} faith.]
Faith. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fey \Fey\, v. t. [Cf. {Feague}.]
To cleanse; to clean out. [Obs.] --Tusser.
Feyne \Feyne\, v. t.
To feign. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Feyre \Feyre\, n.
A fair or market. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fez \Fez\, n. [F., fr. the town of Fez in Morocco.]
A felt or cloth cap, usually red and having a tassel, -- a
variety of the tarboosh. See {Tarboosh}. --B. Taylor.
Fiacre \Fia"cre\, n. [F.]
A kind of French hackney coach.
Fiance \Fi"ance\, v. t. [F. fiancer. See {Affiance}.]
To betroth; to affiance. [Obs.] --Harmar.
Fianc'e \Fi`an`c['e]"\, n. [F.]
A betrothed man.
Fianc'ee \Fi`an`c['e]e"\, n. [F.]
A betrothed woman.
Fiants \Fi"ants\, n. [F. fiente dung.]
The dung of the fox, wolf, boar, or badger.
Fiar \Fi"ar\ (? or ?), n. [See {Feuar}.]
1. (Scots Law) One in whom the property of an estate is
vested, subject to the estate of a life renter.
I am fiar of the lands; she a life renter. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. pl. The price of grain, as legally fixed, in the counties
of Scotland, for the current year.
Fiasco \Fi*as"co\, n.; pl. {Fiascoes}. [It.]
A complete or ridiculous failure, esp. of a musical
performance, or of any pretentious undertaking.
Fiat \Fi"at\, n. [L., let it be done, 3d pers. sing., subj.
pres., fr. fieri, used as pass. of facere to make. Cf. {Be}.]
1. An authoritative command or order to do something; an
effectual decree.
His fiat laid the corner stone. --Willis.
2. (Eng. Law)
(a) A warrant of a judge for certain processes.
(b) An authority for certain proceedings given by the Lord
Chancellor's signature.
{Fiat money}, irredeemable paper currency, not resting on a
specie basis, but deriving its purchasing power from the
declaratory fiat of the government issuing it.
Fiaunt \Fi*aunt"\, n.
Commission; fiat; order; decree. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Fib \Fib\, n. [Prob. fr. fable; cf. Prov. E. fibble-fabble
nonsense.]
A falsehood; a lie; -- used euphemistically.
They are very serious; they don't tell fibs. --H.
James.
Fib \Fib\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fibbed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fibbing}.]
To speak falsely. [Colloq.]
Fib \Fib\, v. t.
To tell a fib to. [R.] --De Quincey.
Fibber \Fib"ber\, n.
One who tells fibs.
Fiber \Fi"ber\, Fibre \Fi"bre\,, n. [F. fibre, L. fibra.]
1. One of the delicate, threadlike portions of which the
tissues of plants and animals are in part constituted; as,
the fiber of flax or of muscle.
2. Any fine, slender thread, or threadlike substance; as, a
fiber of spun glass; especially, one of the slender
rootlets of a plant.
3. Sinew; strength; toughness; as, a man of real fiber.
Yet had no fibers in him, nor no force. --Chapman.
4. A general name for the raw material, such as cotton, flax,
hemp, etc., used in textile manufactures.
{Fiber gun}, a kind of steam gun for converting, wood, straw,
etc., into fiber. The material is shut up in the gun with
steam, air, or gas at a very high pressure which is
afterward relieved suddenly by letting a lid at the muzzle
fly open, when the rapid expansion separates the fibers.
{Fiber plants} (Bot.), plants capable of yielding fiber
useful in the arts, as hemp, flax, ramie, agave, etc.
Fibered \Fi"bered\, Fibred \Fi"bred\, a.
Having fibers; made up of fibers.
Fiber-faced \Fi"ber-faced`\, Fibre-faced \Fi"bre-faced`\, a.
Having a visible fiber embodied in the surface of; -- applied
esp. to a kind of paper for checks, drafts, etc.
Fiberless \Fi"ber*less\, Fibreless \Fi"bre*less\, a.
Having no fibers; destitute of fibers or fiber.
Fibriform \Fi"bri*form\ (? or ?), a. [L. fibra a fiber + -form.]
(Biol.)
Having the form of a fiber or fibers; resembling a fiber.
Fibril \Fi"bril\, n. [F. fibrille, dim. of fibre, L. fibra.]
A small fiber; the branch of a fiber; a very slender thread;
a fibrilla. --Cheyne.
Fibrilla \Fi*bril"la\, n.; pl. {Fibrill[AE]}. [NL. See
{Fibril}.]
A minute thread of fiber, as one of the fibrous elements of a
muscular fiber; a fibril.
Fibrillar \Fi"bril*lar\, a.
Of or pertaining to fibrils or fibers; as, fibrillar
twitchings.
Fibrillary \Fi"bril*la*ry\ (? or ?), a.
Of of pertaining to fibrils.
Fibrillated \Fi"bril*la`ted\ (? or ?), a.
Furnished with fibrils; fringed.
Fibrillation \Fi`bril*la"tion\, n.
The state of being reduced to fibers. --Carpenter.
Fibrillose \Fi*bril"lose\ (? or ?), a.
Covered with hairlike appendages, as the under surface of
some lichens; also, composed of little strings or fibers; as,
fibrillose appendages.
Fibrillous \Fi*bril"lous\ (? or ?), a. [Cf. F. fibraleux.]
Pertaining to, or composed of, fibers.
Fibrin \Fi"brin\, n. [Cf. F. fibrine. See {Fiber}.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
1. A white, albuminous, fibrous substance, formed in the
coagulation of the blood either by decomposition of
fibrinogen, or from the union of fibrinogen and
paraglobulin which exist separately in the blood. It is
insoluble in water, but is readily digestible in gastric
and pancreatic juice.
2. The white, albuminous mass remaining after washing lean
beef or other meat with water until all coloring matter is
removed; the fibrous portion of the muscle tissue; flesh
fibrin.
3. An albuminous body, resembling animal fibrin in
composition, found in cereal grains and similar seeds;
vegetable fibrin.
{Fibrin factors} (Physiol.), the albuminous bodies,
paraglobulin and fibrinigen in the blood, which, by the
action of the fibrin ferment, are changed into fibrin, in
coagulation.
{Fibrin ferment} (Physiol. Chem.), a ferment which makes its
appearance in the blood shortly after it is shed, and is
supposed to be the active agent in causing coagulation of
the blood, with formation of fibrin.
Fibrination \Fi`bri*na"tion\, n. (Med.)
The state of acquiring or having an excess of fibrin.
Fibrine \Fi"brine\, a.
Belonging to the fibers of plants.
Fibrinogen \Fi*brin"o*gen\, n. [Fibrin + -gen.] (Physiol. Chem.)
An albuminous substance existing in the blood, and in other
animal fluids, which either alone or with fibrinoplastin or
paraglobulin forms fibrin, and thus causes coagulation.
Fibrinogenous \Fi`bri*nog"e*nous\, a. (Physiol. Chem.)
Possessed of properties similar to fibrinogen; capable of
forming fibrin.
Fibrinoplastic \Fi`bri*no*plas"tic\, a. (Physiol.Chem.)
Like fibrinoplastin; capable of forming fibrin when brought
in contact with fibrinogen.
Fibrinoplastin \Fi`bri*no*plas"tin\, n. [Fibrin + Gr. ? to form,
mold.] (Physiol.Chem.)
An albuminous substance, existing in the blood, which in
combination with fibrinogen forms fibrin; -- called also
{paraglobulin}.
Fibrinous \Fi"bri*nous\ (? or ?; 277), a.
Having, or partaking of the properties of, fibrin; as,
fibrious exudation.
Fibrocartilage \Fi`bro*car"ti*lage\, n. [L. fibra a fiber + E.
cartilage.] (Anat.)
A kind of cartilage with a fibrous matrix and approaching
fibrous connective tissue in structure. --
{Fi`bro*car`ti*lag"i*nous}, a.
Fibrochondrosteal \Fi`bro*chon*dros"te*al\, a. [L. fibra a fiber
+ gr. ? cartilage + ? bone.] (Anat.)
Partly fibrous, partly cartilaginous, and partly osseous.
--St. George Mivart.
Fibroid \Fi"broid\, a. [L. fibra a fiber + -oid.] (Med.)
Resembling or forming fibrous tissue; made up of fibers; as,
fibroid tumors. -- n. A fibroid tumor; a fibroma.
{Fibroid degeneration}, a form of degeneration in which
organs or tissues are converted into fibroid tissue.
{Fibroid phthists}, a form of pulmonary consumption
associated with the formation of fibrous tissue in the
lungs, and the gradual atrophy of the lungs, from the
pressure due to the contraction of this tissue.
Fibroin \Fi"bro*in\ (? or ?), n. [L. fibra a fiber.] (Chem.)
A variety of gelatin; the chief ingredient of raw silk,
extracted as a white amorphous mass.
Fibrolite \Fi"bro*lite\ (? or ?), n. [L. fibra a fiber + -lite:
cf. F. fibrolithe.] (Min.)
A silicate of alumina, of fibrous or columnar structure. It
is like andalusite in composition; -- called also
{sillimanite}, and {bucholizite}.
Fibroma \Fi*bro"ma\, n. [NL. See {Fiber}, and {-oma}.] (Med.)
A tumor consisting mainly of fibrous tissue, or of same
modification of such tissue.
Fibrospongiae \Fi`bro*spon"gi*[ae]\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. fibra a
fiber + spongia a sponge.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of sponges having a fibrous skeleton, including the
commercial sponges.
Fibrous \Fi"brous\, a. [Cf. F. fibreux.]
Containing, or consisting of, fibers; as, the fibrous coat of
the cocoanut; the fibrous roots of grasses. --
{Fi"brous*ness}, n.
Fibrovascular \Fi`bro*vas"cu*lar\, a. [L. fibra a fiber + E.
vascular.] (Bot.)
Containing woody fiber and ducts, as the stems of all
flowering plants and ferns; -- opposed to cellular.
Fibster \Fib"ster\, n.
One who tells fibs. [Jocular]
Fibula \Fib"u*la\, n.; pl. {Fibul[AE]}. [L., clasp, buckle.]
1. A brooch, clasp, or buckle.
Mere fibul[ae], without a robe to clasp.
--Wordsworth.
2. (Anat.) The outer and usually the smaller of the two bones
of the leg, or hind limb, below the knee.
3. (Surg.) A needle for sewing up wounds.
Fibu-lar \Fib"u-lar\, a.
Pertaining to the fibula.
Fibulare \Fib`u*la"re\, n.; pl. {Fibularia}. [NL. See {Fibula}.]
(Anat.)
The bone or cartilage of the tarsus, which articulates with
the fibula, and corresponds to the calcaneum in man and most
mammals.
Fice \Fice\, n.
A small dog; -- written also fise, fyce, fiste, etc.
[Southern U.S.]
Fich'e \Fi*ch['e]\, a. (Her.)
See {Fitch['E]}.
Ficttelite \Fict"tel*ite\, n. (Min.)
A white crystallized mineral resin from the Fichtelgebirge,
Bavaria.
Fichu \Fich"u\, n. [F., neckerchief.]
A light cape, usually of lace, worn by women, to cover the
neck and throat, and extending to the shoulders.
Fickle \Fic"kle\, a. [OE. fikel untrustworthy, deceitful, AS.
ficol, fr. fic, gefic, fraud, deceit; cf. f[=a]cen deceit,
OS. f?kn, OHG. feichan, Icel. feikn portent. Cf. {Fidget}.]
Not fixed or firm; liable to change; unstable; of a
changeable mind; not firm in opinion or purpose; inconstant;
capricious; as, Fortune's fickle wheel. --Shak.
They know how fickle common lovers are. --Dryden.
Syn: Wavering; irresolute; unsettled; vacillating; unstable;
inconsonant; unsteady; variable; mutable; changeful;
capricious; veering; shifting.
Fickleness \Fic"kle*ness\, n.
The quality of being fickle; instability; inconsonancy.
--Shak.
Fickly \Fic"kly\, adv.
In a fickle manner. [Obs.] --Pepys.
Fico \Fi"co\, n.; pl. {Ficoes}. [It., a fig, fr. L. ficus. See
{Fig}.]
A fig; an insignificant trifle, no more than the snap of
one's thumb; a sign of contempt made by the fingers,
expressing. A fig for you.
Steal! foh, a fico for the phrase. --Shak.
Fictile \Fic"tile\, a. [L. fictilis. See {Fiction}.]
Molded, or capable of being molded, into form by art;
relating to pottery or to molding in any soft material.
Fictile earth is more fragile than crude earth.
--Bacon.
The earliest specimens of Italian fictile art. --C.
Wordsworth.
{Fictile ware}, ware made of any material which is molded or
shaped while soft; hence, pottery of any sort. --
{Fic"tile*ness}, n. -- {Fic*til"i*ty}, n.
Fiction \Fic"tion\, n. [F. fiction, L. fictio, fr. fingere,
fictum to form, shape, invent, feign. See {Feign}.]
1. The act of feigning, inventing, or imagining; as, by a
mere fiction of the mind. --Bp. Stillingfleet.
2. That which is feigned, invented, or imagined; especially,
a feigned or invented story, whether oral or written.
Hence: A story told in order to deceive; a fabrication; --
opposed to fact, or reality.
The fiction of those golden apples kept by a dragon.
--Sir W.
Raleigh.
When it could no longer be denied that her flight
had been voluntary, numerous fictions were invented
to account for it. --Macaulay.
3. Fictitious literature; comprehensively, all works of
imagination; specifically, novels and romances.
The office of fiction as a vehicle of instruction
and moral elevation has been recognized by most if
not all great educators. --Dict. of
Education.
4. (Law) An assumption of a possible thing as a fact,
irrespective of the question of its truth. --Wharton.
5. Any like assumption made for convenience, as for passing
more rapidly over what is not disputed, and arriving at
points really at issue.
Syn: Fabrication; invention; fable; falsehood.
Usage: {Fiction}, {Fabrication}. Fiction is opposed to what
is real; fabrication to what is true. Fiction is
designed commonly to amuse, and sometimes to instruct;
a fabrication is always intended to mislead and
deceive. In the novels of Sir Walter Scott we have
fiction of the highest order. The poems of Ossian, so
called, were chiefly fabrications by Macpherson.
Fictional \Fic"tion*al\, a.
Pertaining to, or characterized by, fiction; fictitious;
romantic.``Fictional rather than historical.'' --Latham.
Fictionist \Fic"tion*ist\, n.
A writer of fiction. [R.] --Lamb.
Fictious \Fic"tious\, a.
Fictitious. [R.] --Prior.
Fictitious \Fic*ti"tious\, a. [L. fictitius. See {Fiction}.]
Feigned; imaginary; not real; fabulous; counterfeit; false;
not genuine; as, fictitious fame.
The human persons are as fictitious as the airy ones.
--Pope.
-- {Fic*ti"tious*ly}, adv. -- {Fic*ti"tious*ness}, n.
Fictive \Fic"tive\, a. [Cf. F. fictif.]
Feigned; counterfeit. ``The fount of fictive tears.''
--Tennyson.
Fictor \Fic"tor\, n. [L.]
An artist who models or forms statues and reliefs in any
plastic material. [R.] --Elmes.
Ficus \Fi"cus\, n. [L., a fig.]
A genus of trees or shrubs, one species of which ({F.
Carica}) produces the figs of commerce; the fig tree.
Note: {Ficus Indica} is the banyan tree; {F. religiosa}, the
peepul tree; {F. elastica}, the India-rubber tree.
Fid \Fid\, n. [Prov. E. fid a small, thick lump.]
1. (Naut.) A square bar of wood or iron, used to support the
topmast, being passed through a hole or mortise at its
heel, and resting on the trestle trees.
2. A wooden or metal bar or pin, used to support or steady
anything.
3. A pin of hard wood, tapering to a point, used to open the
strands of a rope in splicing.
Note: There are hand fids and standing fids (which are larger
than the others, and stand upon a flat base). An iron
implement for this purpose is called a marline spike.
4. (Mil.) A block of wood used in mounting and dismounting
heavy guns.
Fidalgo \Fi*dal"go\, n. [Pg. See {Hidalgo}.]
The lowest title of nobility in Portugal, corresponding to
that of Hidalgo in Spain.
Fiddle \Fid"dle\, n. [OE. fidele, fithele, AS. fi?ele; akin to
D. vedel, OHG. fidula, G. fiedel, Icel. fi?la, and perh. to
E. viol. Cf. {Viol}.]
1. (Mus.) A stringed instrument of music played with a bow; a
violin; a kit.
2. (Bot.) A kind of dock ({Rumex pulcher}) with fiddle-shaped
leaves; -- called also {fiddle dock}.
3. (Naut.) A rack or frame of bars connected by strings, to
keep table furniture in place on the cabin table in bad
weather. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
{Fiddle beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a Japanese carabid beetle
({Damaster blaptoides}); -- so called from the form of the
body.
{Fiddle block} (Naut.), a long tackle block having two
sheaves of different diameters in the same plane, instead
of side by side as in a common double block. --Knight.
{Fiddle bow}, fiddlestick.
{Fiddle fish} (Zo["o]l.), the angel fish.
{Fiddle head}, an ornament on a ship's bow, curved like the
volute or scroll at the head of a violin.
{Fiddle pattern}, a form of the handles of spoons, forks,
etc., somewhat like a violin.
{Scotch fiddle}, the itch. (Low)
{To play} {first, or second}, {fiddle}, to take a leading or
a subordinate part. [Colloq.]
Fiddle \Fid"dle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fiddled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fiddling}.]
1. To play on a fiddle.
Themistocles . . . said he could not fiddle, but he
could make a small town a great city. --Bacon.
2. To keep the hands and fingers actively moving as a fiddler
does; to move the hands and fingers restlessy or in busy
idleness; to trifle.
Talking, and fiddling with their hats and feathers.
--Pepys.
Fiddle \Fid"dle\, v. t.
To play (a tune) on a fiddle.
Fiddledeedee \Fid"dle*dee*dee`\, interj.
An exclamatory word or phrase, equivalent to nonsense!
[Colloq.]
Foddle-faddle \Fod"dle-fad`dle\, n.
A trifle; trifling talk; nonsense. [Colloq.] --Spectator.
Fiddle-faddle \Fid"dle-fad`dle\, v. i.
To talk nonsense. [Colloq.] --Ford.
Fiddler \Fid"dler\, n. [AS. fi?elere.]
1. One who plays on a fiddle or violin.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A burrowing crab of the genus {Gelasimus}, of
many species. The male has one claw very much enlarged,
and often holds it in a position similar to that in which
a musician holds a fiddle, hence the name; -- called also
{calling crab}, {soldier crab}, and {fighting crab}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) The common European sandpiper ({Tringoides
hypoleucus}); -- so called because it continually
oscillates its body.
{Fiddler crab}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Fiddler}, n., 2.
Fiddle-shaped \Fid"dle-shaped`\, a. (Bot.)
Inversely ovate, with a deep hollow on each side. --Gray.
Fiddlestick \Fid"dle*stick`\, n.
The bow, strung with horsehair, used in playing the fiddle; a
fiddle bow.
Fiddlestring \Fid"dle*string`\, n.
One of the catgut strings of a fiddle.
Fiddlewood \Fid"dle*wood`\, n. [Corrupted fr. F. bois-fid[`e]le,
lit., faithful wood; -- so called from its durability.]
The wood of several West Indian trees, mostly of the genus
{Citharexylum}.
Fidejussion \Fi`de*jus"sion\, n. [L. fidejussio, from fidejubere
to be surety or bail; fides faith + jubere to order: cf. F.
fid['e]jussion.] (Civil Law)
The act or state of being bound as surety for another;
suretyship.
Fidejussor \Fi`de*jus"sor\, n. [L.: cf. F. fid['e]jusseur.]
(Civil Law)
A surety; one bound for another, conjointly with him; a
guarantor. --Blackstone.
Fidelity \Fi*del"i*ty\, n. [L. fidelitas: cf. F. fid['e]lit['e].
See {Fealty}.]
Faithfulness; adherence to right; careful and exact
observance of duty, or discharge of obligations. Especially:
(a) Adherence to a person or party to which one is bound;
loyalty.
Whose courageous fidelity was proof to all danger.
--Macaulay.
The best security for the fidelity of men is to
make interest coincide with duty. --A. Hamilton.
(b) Adherence to the marriage contract.
(c) Adherence to truth; veracity; honesty.
The principal thing required in a witness is
fidelity. --Hooker.
Syn: Faithfulness; honesty; integrity; faith; loyalty;
fealty.
Fides \Fi"des\, n. [L., faith.] (Roman Muth.)
Faith personified as a goddess; the goddess of faith.
Fidge \Fidge\, n. & i.
See {Fidget}. [R.] --Swift.
Fidget \Fidg"et\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fidgeted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fodgeting}.] [From {Fidge}; cf. OE. fiken to fidget, to
flatter, Icel. fika to hasten, Sw. fika to hunt after, AS.
befician to deceive. Cf. {Fickle}.]
To move uneasily one way and the other; to move irregularly,
or by fits and starts. --Moore.
Fidget \Fidg"et\, n.
1. Uneasiness; restlessness. --Cowper.
2. pl. A general nervous restlessness, manifested by
incessant changes of position; dysphoria. --Dunglison.
Fidgetiness \Fidg"et*i*ness\, n.
Quality of being fidgety.
Fidgety \Fidg"et*y\, a.
Restless; uneasy. --Lowell.
Fidia \Fid"i*a\, n. [NL., prob. fr. L. fidus trusty.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of small beetles, of which one species (the grapevine
Fidia, {F. longipes}) is very injurious to vines in America.
Fidicinal \Fi*dic"i*nal\, a. [L. fidicinus, fr. fidicen, -inis,
a lute player.] (Mus.)
Of or pertaining to a stringed instrument.
Fiducial \Fi*du"cial\, a. [L. fiducia trust, confidence; akin to
fides faith. See {Faith}.]
1. Having faith or trust; confident; undoubting; firm.
``Fiducial reliance on the promises of God.'' --Hammond.
2. Having the nature of a trust; fiduciary; as, fiducial
power. --Spelman.
{Fiducial edge} (Astron. & Surv.), the straight edge of the
alidade or ruler along which a straight line is to be
drawn.
{Fiducial} {line or point} (Math. & Physics.), a line or
point of reference, as for setting a graduated circle or
scale used for measurments.
Fiducially \Fi*du"cial*ly\, adv.
With confidence. --South.
Fidiciary \Fi*di"ci*a*ry\ (? or ?), a. [L. fiduciarus, fr.
fiducia: cf. F. fiduciaire. See {Fiducial}.]
1. Involving confidence or trust; confident; undoubting;
faithful; firm; as, in a fiduciary capacity. ``Fiduciary
obedience.'' --Howell.
2. Holding, held, or founded, in trust. --Spelman.
Fiduciary \Fi*du"ci*a*ry\, n.
1. One who holds a thing in trust for another; a trustee.
Instrumental to the conveying God's blessing upon
those whose fiduciaries they are. --Jer. Taylor.
2. (Theol.) One who depends for salvation on faith, without
works; an Antinomian. --Hammond.
Fie \Fie\, interj. [OE. fi; cf. D. fif. G. pfui, Icel. f?, Sw. &
Dan. fy, F. fi, L. fi, phy.]
An exclamation denoting contempt or dislike. See {Fy}.
--Fuller.
Fief \Fief\, n. [F. fief; of German origin, and the same word as
E. fee. See {Fee}, and cf. {Feud}, a tief.] (Law)
An estate held of a superior on condition of military
service; a fee; a feud. See under {Benefice}, n., 2.
Field \Field\, n. [OE. feld, fild, AS. feld; akin to D. veld, G.
feld, Sw. f["a]lt, Dan. felt, Icel. fold field of grass, AS.
folde earth, land, ground, OS. folda.]
1. Cleared land; land suitable for tillage or pasture;
cultivated ground; the open country.
2. A piece of land of considerable size; esp., a piece
inclosed for tillage or pasture.
Fields which promise corn and wine. --Byron.
3. A place where a battle is fought; also, the battle itself.
In this glorious and well-foughten field. --Shak.
What though the field be lost? --Milton.
4. An open space; an extent; an expanse. Esp.:
(a) Any blank space or ground on which figures are drawn
or projected.
(b) The space covered by an optical instrument at one
view.
Without covering, save yon field of stars.
--Shak.
Ask of yonder argent fields above. --Pope.
5. (Her.) The whole surface of an escutcheon; also, so much
of it is shown unconcealed by the different bearings upon
it. See Illust. of {Fess}, where the field is represented
as gules (red), while the fess is argent (silver).
6. An unresticted or favorable opportunity for action,
operation, or achievement; province; room.
Afforded a clear field for moral experiments.
--Macaulay.
7. A collective term for all the competitors in any outdoor
contest or trial, or for all except the favorites in the
betting.
8. (Baseball) That part of the grounds reserved for the
players which is outside of the diamond; -- called also
{outfield}.
Note: Field is often used adjectively in the sense of
belonging to, or used in, the fields; especially with
reference to the operations and equipments of an army
during a campaign away from permanent camps and
fortifications. In most cases such use of the word is
sufficiently clear; as, field battery; field
fortification; field gun; field hospital, etc. A field
geologist, naturalist, etc., is one who makes
investigations or collections out of doors. A survey
uses a field book for recording field notes, i.e.,
measurment, observations, etc., made in field work
(outdoor operations). A farmer or planter employs field
hands, and may use a field roller or a field derrick.
Field sports are hunting, fishing, athletic games, etc.
{Coal field} (Geol.) See under {Coal}.
{Field artillery}, light ordnance mounted on wheels, for the
use of a marching army.
{Field basil} (Bot.), a plant of the Mint family ({Calamintha
Acinos}); -- called also {basil thyme}.
{Field colors} (Mil.), small flags for marking out the
positions for squadrons and battalions; camp colors.
{Field cricket} (Zo["o]l.), a large European cricket
({Gryllus campestric}), remarkable for its loud notes.
{Field day}.
(a) A day in the fields.
(b) (Mil.) A day when troops are taken into the field for
instruction in evolutions. --Farrow.
(c) A day of unusual exertion or display; a gala day.
{Field driver}, in New England, an officer charged with the
driving of stray cattle to the pound.
{Field duck} (Zo["o]l.), the little bustard ({Otis tetrax}),
found in Southern Europe.
{Field glass}. (Optics)
(a) A binocular telescope of compact form; a lorgnette; a
race glass.
(b) A small achromatic telescope, from 20 to 24 inches
long, and having 3 to 6 draws.
(c) See {Field lens}.
{Field lark}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The skylark.
(b) The tree pipit.
{Field lens} (Optics), that one of the two lenses forming the
eyepiece of an astronomical telescope or compound
microscope which is nearer the object glass; -- called
also {field glass}.
{Field madder} (Bot.), a plant ({Sherardia arvensis}) used in
dyeing.
{Field marshal} (Mil.), the highest military rank conferred
in the British and other European armies.
{Field mouse} (Zo["o]l.), a mouse inhabiting fields, as the
campagnol and the deer mouse. See {Campagnol}, and {Deer
mouse}.
{Field officer} (Mil.), an officer above the rank of captain
and below that of general.
{Field officer's court} (U.S.Army), a court-martial
consisting of one field officer empowered to try all
cases, in time of war, subject to jurisdiction of garrison
and regimental courts. --Farrow.
{Field plover} (Zo["o]l.), the black-bellied plover
({Charadrius squatarola}); also sometimes applied to the
Bartramian sandpiper ({Bartramia longicauda}).
{Field spaniel} (Zo["o]l.), a small spaniel used in hunting
small game.
{Field sparrow}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A small American sparrow ({Spizella pusilla}).
(b) The hedge sparrow. [Eng.]
{Field staff}> (Mil.), a staff formerly used by gunners to
hold a lighted match for discharging a gun.
{Field vole} (Zo["o]l.), the European meadow mouse.
{Field of ice}, a large body of floating ice; a pack.
{Field}, or {Field of view}, in a telescope or microscope,
the entire space within which objects are seen.
{Field magnet}. see under {Magnet}.
{Magnetic field}. See {Magnetic}.
{To back the field}, or {To bet on the field}. See under
{Back}, v. t. -- {To keep the field}.
(a) (Mil.) To continue a campaign.
(b) To maintain one's ground against all comers.
{To} {lay, or back}, {against the field}, to bet on (a horse,
etc.) against all comers.
{To take the field} (Mil.), to enter upon a campaign.
Field \Field\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fielded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fielding}.]
1. To take the field. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. (Ball Playing) To stand out in the field, ready to catch,
stop, or throw the ball.
Field \Field\, v. t. (Ball Playing)
To catch, stop, throw, etc. (the ball), as a fielder.
Fielded \Field"ed\, a.
Engaged in the field; encamped. [Obs.]
To help fielded friends. --Shak.
Fielden \Field"en\, a.
Consisting of fields. [Obs.]
The fielden country also and plains. --Holland.
Fielder \Field"er\, n. (Ball Playing)
A ball payer who stands out in the field to catch or stop
balls.
Fieldfare \Field"fare`\ (?; 277), n. [OE. feldfare, AS.
feldfare; field + faran to travel.] (Zo["o]l.)
a small thrush ({Turdus pilaris}) which breeds in northern
Europe and winters in Great Britain. The head, nape, and
lower part of the back are ash-colored; the upper part of the
back and wing coverts, chestnut; -- called also {fellfare}.
Fielding \Field"ing\, n. (Ball Playing)
The act of playing as a fielder.
Fieldpiece \Field"piece`\, n.
A cannon mounted on wheels, for the use of a marching army; a
piece of field artillery; -- called also {field gun}.
Fieldwork \Field"work`\, n. (Mil.)
Any temporary fortification thrown up by an army in the
field; -- commonly in the plural.
All works which do not come under the head of permanent
fortification are called fieldworks. --Wilhelm.
Fieldy \Field"y\, a.
Open, like a field. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Fiend \Fiend\, n. [OE. fend, find, fiend, feond, fiend, foe, AS.
fe['o]nd; akin to OS. f[=i]ond, D. vijand enemy, OHG.
f[=i]ant, G. feind, Icel. fj[=a]nd, Sw. & Dan. fiende, Goth.
fijands; orig. p. pr. of a verb meaning to hate, AS. fe['o]n,
fe['o]gan, OHG. f[=i]?n, Goth. fijan, Skr. p[=i]y to scorn;
prob. akin to E. feud a quarrel. [root]81. Cf. {Foe},
{Friend}.]
An implacable or malicious foe; one who is diabolically
wicked or cruel; an infernal being; -- applied specifically
to the devil or a demon.
Into this wild abyss the wary fiend Stood on the brink
of Hell and looked a while. --Milton.
O woman! woman! when to ill thy mind Is bent, all hell
contains no fouler fiend. --Pope.
Fiendful \Fiend"ful\, a.
Full of fiendish spirit or arts. --Marlowe. --
{Fiend"ful*ly}, adv.
Fiendish \Fiend"ish\, a.
Like a fiend; diabolically wicked or cruel; infernal;
malignant; devilish; hellish. -- {Fiend"ish*ly}, adv. --
{Fiend"ish*ness}, n.
Fiendlike \Fiend"like`\, a.
Fiendish; diabolical. --Longfellow.
Fiendly \Fiend"ly\, a. [AS. fe['o]ndlic.]
Fiendlike; monstrous; devilish. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fierasfer \Fi`e*ras"fer\, n. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of small, slender fishes, remarkable for their habit
of living as commensals in other animals. One species
inhabits the gill cavity of the pearl oyster near Panama;
another lives within an East Indian holothurian.
Fierce \Fierce\, a. [Compar. {Fiercer}; superl. {Fiercest}.]
[OE. fers, fiers, OF. fier, nom. fiers, fierce, savage,
cruel, F. fier proud, from L. ferus wild, savage, cruel;
perh. akin to E. bear the animal. Cf. {Feral}, {Ferocity}.]
1. Furious; violent; unrestrained; impetuous; as, a fierce
wind.
His fierce thunder drove us to the deep. --Milton.
2. Vehement in anger or cruelty; ready or eager to kill or
injure; of a nature to inspire terror; ferocious. ``A
fierce whisper.'' --Dickens. ``A fierce tyrant.'' --Pope.
The fierce foe hung upon our broken rear. --Milton.
Thou huntest me as a fierce lion. --Job. x. 16.
3. Excessively earnest, eager, or ardent.
Syn: Ferocious; savage; cruel; vehement; impetuous;
barbarous; fell. See {Ferocious}. -- {Fierce"ly}, adv.
-- {Fierce"ness}, n.
Fieri facias \Fi"e*ri fa"ci*as\ [L., cause it to be done.] (Law)
A judicial writ that lies for one who has recovered in debt
or damages, commanding the sheriff that he cause to be made
of the goods, chattels, or real estate of the defendant, the
sum claimed. --Blackstone. Cowell.
Fieriness \Fi"er*i*ness\, n.
The quality of being fiery; heat; acrimony; irritability; as,
a fieriness of temper. --Addison.
Fiery \Fi"er*y\ (? or ?), a. [Formerly written firy, fr. fire.]
1. Consisting of, containing, or resembling, fire; as, the
fiery gulf of Etna; a fiery appearance.
And fiery billows roll below. --I. Watts.
2. Vehement; ardent; very active; impetuous.
Hath thy fiery heart so parched thine entrails?
--Shak.
The fiery spirit of his forefathers. --W. Irwing.
3. Passionate; easily provoked; irritable.
You know the fiery quality of the duke. --Shak.
4. Unrestrained; fierce; mettlesome; spirited.
One curbed the fiery steed. --Dryden.
5. heated by fire, or as if by fire; burning hot; parched;
feverish. --Pope.
The sword which is made fiery. --Hooker.
{Fiery cross}, a cross constructed of two firebrands, and
pitched upon the point of a spear; formerly in Scotland
borne by a runner as a signal for the clan to take up
arms. --Sir W. Scott.
Fife \Fife\, n. [F. fifre, OHG. pf[=i]fa, LL. pipa pipe, pipare
to play on the pipe, fr. L. pipire, pipare, to peep, pip,
chirp, as a chiken. See {Pipe}.] (Mus.)
A small shrill pipe, resembling the piccolo flute, used
chiefly to accompany the drum in military music.
{Fife major} (Mil.), a noncommissioned officer who
superintends the fifers of a regiment.
{Fife rail}. (Naut.)
(a) A rail about the mast, at the deck, to hold belaying
pins, etc.
(b) A railing around the break of a poop deck.
Fife \Fife\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fifed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{fifing}.]
To play on a fife.
Fifer \Fif"er\, n.
One who plays on a fife.
Fifteen \Fif"teen`\, a. [OE. fiftene, AS. f[=i]ft[=y]ne,
f[=i]ft[=e]ne. See {Five}, and {Ten}, and cf. {Fifty}.]
Five and ten; one more than fourteen.
Fifteen \Fif"teen`\, n.
1. The sum of five and ten; fifteen units or objects.
2. A symbol representing fifteen units, as 15, or xv.
Fifteenth \Fif"teenth`\, a. [OE. fiftenthe; cf. fiftethe, AS.
f[=i]fte[=o][eth]a. See {Fifteen}.]
1. Next in order after the fourteenth; -- the ordinal of
fifteen.
2. Consisting of one of fifteen equal parts or divisions of a
thing.
Fifteenth \Fif"teenth`\, n.
1. One of fifteen equal parts or divisions; the quotient of a
unit divided by fifteen.
2. A species of tax upon personal property formerly laid on
towns, boroughs, etc., in England, being one fifteenth
part of what the personal property in each town, etc., had
been valued at. --Burrill.
3. (Mus.)
(a) A stop in an organ tuned two octaves above the
diaposon.
(b) An interval consisting of two octaves.
Fifth \Fifth\, a. [OE. fifte, fifthe, AS. f[=i]fta. See {Five}.]
1. Next in order after the fourth; -- the ordinal of five.
2. Consisting of one of five equal divisions of a thing.
{Fifth monarchy men} (Hist.), a fanatical sect in England, of
the time of the commonwealth, who maintained that there
would be a fifth universal monarchy, during which Christ
would reign on earth a thousand years.
{Fifth wheel}, a horizontal wheel or segment above the fore
axle of a carriage and beneath the body, forming an
extended support to prevent careening.
Fifth \Fifth\, n.
1. The quotient of a unit divided by five; one of five equal
parts; a fifth part.
2. (Mus.) The interval of three tones and a semitone,
embracing five diatonic degrees of the scale; the dominant
of any key.
Fifthly \Fifth"ly\, adv.
In the fifth place; as the fifth in order.
Fiftieth \Fif"ti*eth\, a. [AS. f[=i]ftigo[eth]a. See {Fifty}.]
1. Next in order after the forty-ninth; -- the ordinal of
fifty.
2. Consisting of one of fifty equal parts or divisions.
Fiftieth \Fif"ti*eth\, n.
One of fifty equal parts; the quotient of a unit divided by
fifty.
Fifty \Fif"ty\, a. [AS. f[=i]ftig; akin to OHG. finfzug,
fimfzuc, G. f["u]nfzig, funfzig, Goth. fimftigjus. See
{Five}, and {Ten}, and cf. {Fifteen}.]
Five times ten; as, fifty men.
Fifty \Fif"ty\, n.; pl. {Fifties}.
1. The sum of five tens; fifty units or objects.
2. A symbol representing fifty units, as 50, or l.
Fig \Fig\, n. [F. figue the fruit of the tree, Pr. figa, fr. L.
ficus fig tree, fig. Cf. {Fico}.]
1. (Bot.) A small fruit tree ({Ficus Carica}) with large
leaves, known from the remotest antiquity. It was probably
native from Syria westward to the Canary Islands.
2. The fruit of a fig tree, which is of round or oblong
shape, and of various colors.
Note: The fruit of a fig tree is really the hollow end of a
stem, and bears numerous achenia inside the cavity.
Many species have little, hard, inedible figs, and in
only a few does the fruit become soft and pulpy. The
fruit of the cultivated varieties is much prized in its
fresh state, and also when dried or preserved. See
{Caprification}.
3. A small piece of tobacco. [U.S.]
4. The value of a fig, practically nothing; a fico; -- used
in scorn or contempt. ``A fig for Peter.'' --Shak.
{Cochineal fig}. See {Conchineal fig}.
{Fig dust}, a preparation of fine oatmeal for feeding caged
birds.
{Fig faun}, one of a class of rural deities or monsters
supposed to live on figs. ``Therefore shall dragons dwell
there with the fig fauns.'' --Jer. i. 39. (Douay version).
{Fig gnat} (Zo["o]l.), a small fly said to be injurious to
figs.
{Fig leaf}, the leaf tree; hence, in allusion to the first
clothing of Adam and Eve (Genesis iii.7), a covering for a
thing that ought to be concealed; esp., an inadequate
covering; a symbol for affected modesty.
{Fig marigold} (Bot.), the name of several plants of the
genus {Mesembryanthemum}, some of which are prized for the
brilliancy and beauty of their flowers.
{Fig tree} (Bot.), any tree of the genus {Ficus}, but
especially {F. Carica} which produces the fig of commerce.
Fig \Fig\, v. t. [See {Fico}, {Fig}, n.]
1. To insult with a fico, or contemptuous motion. See {Fico}.
[Obs.]
When Pistol lies, do this, and fig me like The
bragging Spaniard. --Shak.
2. To put into the head of, as something useless o?
contemptible. [Obs.] --L'Estrange.
Fig \Fig\, n.
Figure; dress; array. [Colloq.]
Were they all in full fig, the females with feathers on
their heads, the males with chapeaux bras? --Prof.
Wilson.
Figaro \Fi`ga`ro"\, n. [From the name of the barber in
Beaumarchais' ``Barber of Seville.'']
An adroit and unscrupulous intriguer.
Figary \Fig"a*ry\, n. [Corrupted fr. vagary.]
A frolic; a vagary; a whim. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Figeater \Fig"eat`er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A large beetle ({Allorhina nitida}) which in the Southern
United States destroys figs. The elytra are velvety green
with pale borders.
(b) A bird. See {Figpecker}.
Figent \Fig"ent\, a.
Fidgety; restless. [Obs.]
Such a little figent thing. --Beau. & Fl.
Figgum \Fig"gum\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
A juggler's trick; conjuring. [Obs.]
The devil is the author of wicked figgum. --B. Jonson.
Fight \Fight\ (f[imac]t), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fought}
(f[add]t); p. pr. & vb. n. {Fighting}.] [OE. fihten, fehten,
AS. feohtan; akin to D. vechten, OHG. fehtan, G. fechten, Sw.
f["a]kta, Dan. fegte, and perh. to E. fist; cf. L. pugnare to
fight, pugnus fist.]
1. To strive or contend for victory, with armies or in single
combat; to attempt to defeat, subdue, or destroy an enemy,
either by blows or weapons; to contend in arms; --
followed by with or against.
You do fight against your country's foes. --Shak.
To fight with thee no man of arms will deign.
--Milton.
2. To act in opposition to anything; to struggle against; to
contend; to strive; to make resistance.
{To fight shy}, to avoid meeting fairly or at close quarters;
to keep out of reach.
Fight \Fight\, v. t.
1. To carry on, or wage, as a conflict, or battle; to win or
gain by struggle, as one's way; to sustain by fighting, as
a cause.
He had to fight his way through the world.
--Macaulay.
I have fought a good fight. --2 Tim. iv.
7.
2. To contend with in battle; to war against; as, they fought
the enemy in two pitched battles; the sloop fought the
frigate for three hours.
3. To cause to fight; to manage or maneuver in a fight; as,
to fight cocks; to fight one's ship.
{To fight it out}, to fight until a decisive and conclusive
result is reached.
Fight \Fight\, n. [OE. fight, feht, AS. feoht. See {Fight}, v.
i.]
1. A battle; an engagement; a contest in arms; a combat; a
violent conflict or struggle for victory, between
individuals or between armies, ships, or navies, etc.
Who now defies thee thrice to single fight.
--Milton.
2. A struggle or contest of any kind.
3. Strength or disposition for fighting; pugnacity; as, he
has a great deal of fight in him. [Colloq.]
4. A screen for the combatants in ships. [Obs.]
Up with your fights, and your nettings prepare.
--Dryden.
{Running fight}, a fight in which the enemy is continually
chased; also, one which continues without definite end or
result.
Syn: Combat; engagement; contest; struggle; encounter; fray;
affray; action; conflict. See {Battle}.
Fighter \Fight"er\, n. [AS. feohtere.]
One who fights; a combatant; a warrior. --Shak.
Fighting \Fight"ing\, a.
1. Qualified for war; fit for battle.
An host of fighting men. --2 Chron.
xxvi. 11.
2. Occupied in war; being the scene of a battle; as, a
fighting field. --Pope.
{A fighting chance}, one dependent upon the issue of a
struggle. [Colloq.]
{Fighting crab} (Zo["o]l.), the fiddler crab.
{Fighting fish} (Zo["o]l.), a remarkably pugnacious East
Indian fish ({Betta pugnax}), reared by the Siamese for
spectacular fish fights.
Fightingly \Fight"ing*ly\, adv.
Pugnaciously.
Fightwite \Fight"wite`\, n. [Fight + wite.] (O.Eng. Law)
A mulct or fine imposed on a person for making a fight or
quarrel to the disturbance of the peace.
Figment \Fig"ment\, n. [L. figmentum, fr. fingere to form,
shape, invent, feign. See {Feign}.]
An invention; a fiction; something feigned or imagined.
Social figments, feints, and formalism. --Mrs.
Browning.
It carried rather an appearance of figment and
invention . . . than of truth and reality. --Woodward.
Pigpecker \Pig"peck`er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European garden warbler ({Sylvia, or Currica,
hortensis}); -- called also {beccafico} and {greater
pettychaps}.
Fig-shell \Fig"-shell`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A marine univalve shell of the genus {Pyrula}, or {Ficula},
resembling a fig in form.
Figulate \Fig"u*late\, Figulated \Fig"u*la`ted\, a. [L.
figulatus, p. p. of figulare to shape, fr. figulus potter,
fr. fingere to shape.]
Made of potter's clay; molded; shaped. [R.] --Johnson.
Figuline \Fig"u*line\ (? or ?), n. [F., fr. L. figulina pottery,
fr. figulus. See {Figulate}.]
A piece of pottery ornamented with representations of natural
objects.
Whose figulines and rustic wares Scarce find him bread
from day to day. --Longfellow.
Figurability \Fig`ur*a*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. figurabilit['e].]
The quality of being figurable. --Johnson.
Figurable \Fig`ur*a*ble\, a. [L. figurare to form, shape, fr.
figura figure: cf. F. figurable. See {Figure}.]
Capable of being brought to a fixed form or shape.
Lead is figurable, but water is not. --Johnson.
Figural \Fig"ur*al\, a. [From {Figure}.]
1. Represented by figure or delineation; consisting of
figures; as, figural ornaments. --Sir T. Browne.
2. (Mus.) Figurate. See {Figurate}.
{Figural numbers}. See {Figurate numbers}, under {Figurate}.
Figurant \Fig"u*rant`\ (? or ?), n. masc. [F., prop. p. pr. of
figurer figure, represent, make a figure.]
One who dances at the opera, not singly, but in groups or
figures; an accessory character on the stage, who figures in
its scenes, but has nothing to say; hence, one who figures in
any scene, without taking a prominent part.
Figurante \Fig"u*rante`\ (? or ?), n. fem. [F.]
A female figurant; esp., a ballet girl.
Figurate \Fig"ur*ate\, a. [L. figuratus, p. p. of figurare. See
{Figure}.]
1. Of a definite form or figure.
Plants are all figurate and determinate, which
inanimate bodies are not. --Bacon.
2. Figurative; metaphorical. [Obs.] --Bale.
3. (Mus.) Florid; figurative; involving passing discords by
the freer melodic movement of one or more parts or voices
in the harmony; as, figurate counterpoint or descant.
{Figurate counterpoint} or {descant} (Mus.), that which is
not simple, or in which the parts do not move together
tone for tone, but in which freer movement of one or more
parts mingles passing discords with the harmony; -- called
also {figural}, {figurative}, and {figured counterpoint}
or {descant} (although the term figured is more commonly
applied to a bass with numerals written above or below to
indicate the other notes of the harmony).
{Figurate numbers} (Math.), numbers, or series of numbers,
formed from any arithmetical progression in which the
first term is a unit, and the difference a whole number,
by taking the first term, and the sums of the first two,
first three, first four, etc., as the successive terms of
a new series, from which another may be formed in the same
manner, and so on, the numbers in the resulting series
being such that points representing them are capable of
symmetrical arrangement in different geometrical figures,
as triangles, squares, pentagons, etc.
Note: In the following example, the two lower lines are
composed of figurate numbers, those in the second line
being triangular, and represented thus: -- . 1, 2, 3,
4, etc. . . . 1, 3, 6, 10, etc. . . . . . . . etc. 1,
4, 10, 20, etc . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figurated \Fig"ur*a`ted\, a.
Having a determinate form.
Figurately \Fig"ur*ate*ly\, adv.
In a figurate manner.
Figuration \Fig`u*ra"tion\, n. [L. figuratio.]
1. The act of giving figure or determinate form;
determination to a certain form. --Bacon.
2. (Mus.) Mixture of concords and discords.
Figurative \Fig"ur*a*tive\, a. [L. figurativus: cf. F.
figuratif. See {Figurative}.]
1. Representing by a figure, or by resemblance; typical;
representative.
This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by
God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the
true glory of a more divine sanctity. --Hooker.
2. Used in a sense that is tropical, as a metaphor; not
literal; -- applied to words and expressions.
3. Abounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid; as, a
highly figurative description.
4. Relating to the representation of form or figure by
drawing, carving, etc. See {Figure}, n., 2.
They belonged to a nation dedicated to the
figurative arts, and they wrote for a public
familiar with painted form. --J. A.
Symonds.
{Figurative} {counterpoint or descant}. See under {Figurate}.
-- {Fig"ur*a*tive*ly}, adv. -- {Fig"ur*a*tive*ness}, n.
Figure \Fig"ure\ (?; 135), n. [F., figure, L. figura; akin to
fingere to form, shape, feign. See {Feign}.]
1. The form of anything; shape; outline; appearance.
Flowers have all exquisite figures. --Bacon.
2. The representation of any form, as by drawing, painting,
modeling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a
representation of the human body; as, a figure in bronze;
a figure cut in marble.
A coin that bears the figure of an angel. --Shak.
3. A pattern in cloth, paper, or other manufactured article;
a design wrought out in a fabric; as, the muslin was of a
pretty figure.
4. (Geom.) A diagram or drawing; made to represent a
magnitude or the relation of two or more magnitudes; a
surface or space inclosed on all sides; -- called
superficial when inclosed by lines, and solid when
inclosed by surface; any arrangement made up of points,
lines, angles, surfaces, etc.
5. The appearance or impression made by the conduct or carrer
of a person; as, a sorry figure.
I made some figure there. --Dryden.
Gentlemen of the best figure in the county.
--Blackstone.
6. Distinguished appearance; magnificence; conspicuous
representation; splendor; show.
That he may live in figure and indulgence. --Law.
7. A character or symbol representing a number; a numeral; a
digit; as, 1, 2,3, etc.
8. Value, as expressed in numbers; price; as, the goods are
estimated or sold at a low figure. [Colloq.]
With nineteen thousand a year at the very lowest
figure. --Thackeray.
9. A person, thing, or action, conceived of as analogous to
another person, thing, or action, of which it thus becomes
a type or representative.
Who is the figure of Him that was to come. --Rom. v.
14.
10. (Rhet.) A mode of expressing abstract or immaterial ideas
by words which suggest pictures or images from the
physical world; pictorial language; a trope; hence, any
deviation from the plainest form of statement.
To represent the imagination under the figure of a
wing. --Macaulay.
11. (Logic) The form of a syllogism with respect to the
relative position of the middle term.
12. (Dancing) Any one of the several regular steps or
movements made by a dancer.
13. (Astrol.) A horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the
astrological houses. --Johnson.
14. (Music)
(a) Any short succession of notes, either as melody or as
a group of chords, which produce a single complete
and distinct impression. --Grove.
(b) A form of melody or accompaniment kept up through a
strain or passage; a musical or motive; a florid
embellishment.
Note: Figures are often written upon the staff in music to
denote the kind of measure. They are usually in the
form of a fraction, the upper figure showing how many
notes of the kind indicated by the lower are contained
in one measure or bar. Thus, 2/4 signifies that the
measure contains two quarter notes. The following are
the principal figures used for this purpose:
2/22/42/8 4/22/44/8 3/23/43/8 6/46/46/8
{Academy figure}, {Canceled figures}, {Lay figure}, etc. See
under {Academy}, {Cancel}, {Lay}, etc.
{Figure caster}, or {Figure flinger}, an astrologer. ``This
figure caster.'' --Milton.
{Figure flinging}, the practice of astrology.
{Figure-of-eight knot}, a knot shaped like the figure 8. See
Illust. under {Knot}.
{Figure painting}, a picture of the human figure, or the act
or art of depicting the human figure.
{Figure stone} (Min.), agalmatolite.
{Figure weaving}, the art or process of weaving figured
fabrics.
{To cut a figure}, to make a display. [Colloq.] --Sir W.
Scott.
Figure \Fig"ure\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Figured}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Figuring}.] [F. figurer, L. figurare, fr. figura. See
{Figure}, n.]
1. To represent by a figure, as to form or mold; to make an
image of, either palpable or ideal; also, to fashion into
a determinate form; to shape.
If love, alas! be pain I bear,
No thought can figure, and no tongue declare.Prior.
2. To embellish with design; to adorn with figures.
The vaulty top of heaven Figured quite o'er with
burning meteors. --Shak.
3. To indicate by numerals; also, to compute.
As through a crystal glass the figured hours are
seen. --Dryden.
4. To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize.
Whose white vestments figure innocence. --Shak.
5. To prefigure; to foreshow.
In this the heaven figures some event. --Shak.
6. (Mus.)
(a) To write over or under the bass, as figures or other
characters, in order to indicate the accompanying
chords.
(b) To embellish.
{To figure out}, to solve; to compute or find the result of.
{To figure up}, to add; to reckon; to compute the amount of.
Figure \Fig"ure\, v. t.
1. To make a figure; to be distinguished or conspicious; as,
the envoy figured at court.
Sociable, hospitable, eloquent, admired, figuring
away brilliantly. --M. Arnold.
2. To calculate; to contrive; to scheme; as, he is figuring
to secure the nomination. [Colloq.]
Figured \Fig"ured\, a.
1. Adorned with figures; marked with figures; as, figured
muslin.
2. Not literal; figurative. [Obs.] --Locke.
3. (Mus.)
(a) Free and florid; as, a figured descant. See
{Figurate}, 3.
(b) Indicated or noted by figures.
{Figured bass}. See {Continued bass}, under {Continued}.
Figurehead \Fig"ure*head`\, n.
1. (Naut.) The figure, statue, or bust, on the prow of a
ship.
2. A person who allows his name to be used to give standing
to enterprises in which he has no responsible interest or
duties; a nominal, but not real, head or chief.
Figurial \Fi*gu"ri*al\, a.
Represented by figure or delineation. [R.] --Craig.
Figurine \Fi`gu`rine"\ (? or ?), n. [F., dim. of figure.]
A very small figure, whether human or of an animal;
especially, one in terra cotta or the like; -- distinguished
from statuette, which is applied to small figures in bronze,
marble, etc.
Figurist \Fig"ur*ist\, n.
One who uses or interprets figurative expressions.
--Waterland.
Figwort \Fig"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A genus of herbaceous plants ({Scrophularia}), mostly found
in the north temperate zones. See {Brownwort}.
Fijian \Fi"ji*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Fiji islands or their inhabitants. --
n. A native of the Fiji islands. [Written also {Feejeean},
{Feejee}.]
Fike \Fike\, n.
See {Fyke}.
Fil \Fil\, obs.
imp. of {Fall}, v. i. Fell. --Chaucer.
Filaceous \Fi*la"ceous\ (? or ?), a. [L. filum thread.]
Composed of threads. --Bacon.
Filacer \Fil"a*cer\, n. [OE. filace a file, or thread, on which
the records of the courts of justice were strung, F. filasse
tow of flax or hemp, fr. L. filum thread.] (Eng. Law)
A former officer in the English Court of Common Pleas; -- so
called because he filed the writs on which he made out
process. [Obs.] --Burrill.
Filament \Fil"a*ment\, n. [F. filament, fr. L. filum thread. See
{File} a row.]
A thread or threadlike object or appendage; a fiber; esp.
(Bot.), the threadlike part of the stamen supporting the
anther.
Filamentary \Fil`a*men"ta*ry\, a.
Having the character of, or formed by, a filament.
Filametoid \Fil"a*metoid`\, a. [Filament + -oid.]
Like a filament.
Filamentous \Fil`a*men"tous\, a. [Cf. F. filamenteux.]
Like a thread; consisting of threads or filaments. --Gray.
Filander \Fil"an*der\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A species of kangaroo ({Macropus Brunii}), inhabiting New
Guinea.
Filanders \Fil"an*ders\, n. pl. [F. filandres, fr. L. filum
thread.] (Falconry)
A disease in hawks, characterized by the presence of small
threadlike worms, also of filaments of coagulated blood, from
the rupture of a vein; -- called also {backworm}. --Sir T.
Browne.
Filar \Fi"lar\, a. [L. filum a thread.]
Of or pertaining to a thread or line; characterized by
threads stretched across the field of view; as, a filar
microscope; a filar micrometer.
Filaria \Fi*la"ri*a\, n. [NL., fr. L. filum a thread.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of slender, nematode worms of many species, parasitic
in various animals. See {Guinea worm}.
Filatory \Fil"a*to*ry\, n. [LL. filatorium place for spinning,
fr. filare to spin, fr. L. filum a thread.]
A machine for forming threads. [Obs.] --W. Tooke.
Filature \Fil"a*ture\ (?; 135), n. [LL. filatura, fr. filare to
spin: cf. F. filature. See {Filatory}.]
1. A drawing out into threads; hence, the reeling of silk
from cocoons. --Ure.
2. A reel for drawing off silk from cocoons; also, an
establishment for reeling silk.
Filbert \Fil"bert\, n. [Perh. fr. fill + bread, as filling the
bread or husk; cf. G. bartnuss (lit., bread nut) filbert; or
perh. named from a St. Philibert, whose day, Aug. 22, fell in
the nutting season.] (Bot.)
The fruit of the {Corylus Avellana} or hazel. It is an oval
nut, containing a kernel that has a mild, farinaceous, oily
taste, agreeable to the palate.
Note: In England filberts are usually large hazelnuts,
especially the nuts from selected and cultivated trees.
The American hazelnuts are of two other species.
{Filbert gall} (Zo["o]l.), a gall resembling a filbert in
form, growing in clusters on grapevines. It is produced by
the larva of a gallfly ({Cecidomyia}).
Filch \Filch\ (f[i^]lch), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Filched}
(f[i^]lcht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Filching}.] [Cf. AS. feolan to
stick to, OHG. felhan, felahan, to hide, Icel. fela, Goth.
filhan to hide, bury, Prov. E. feal to hide slyly, OE.
felen.]
To steal or take privily (commonly, that which is of little
value); to pilfer.
Fain would they filch that little food away. --Dryden.
But he that filches from me my good name, Robs me of
that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed.
--Shak.
Filcher \Filch"er\ (f[i^]lch"[~e]r), n.
One who filches; a thief.
Filchingly \Filch"ing*ly\, adv.
By pilfering or petty stealing.
File \File\ (f[imac]l), n. [F. file row (cf. Pr., Sp., Pg., &
It. fila), LL. fila, fr. L. filum a thread. Cf. {Enfilade},
{Filament}, {Fillet}.]
1. An orderly succession; a line; a row; as:
(a)
(Mil) A row of soldiers ranged one behind another; -- in
contradistinction to {rank}, which designates a row
of soldiers standing abreast; a number consisting
the depth of a body of troops, which, in the
ordinary modern formation, consists of two men, the
battalion standing two deep, or in two ranks.
Note: The number of files in a company describes its width,
as the number of ranks does its depth; thus, 100 men in
``fours deep'' would be spoken of as 25 files in 4
ranks. --Farrow.
(b) An orderly collection of papers, arranged in sequence
or classified for preservation and reference; as,
files of letters or of newspapers; this mail brings
English files to the 15th instant.
(c) The line, wire, or other contrivance, by which papers
are put and kept in order.
It is upon a file with the duke's other letters.
--Shak.
(d) A roll or list. ``A file of all the gentry.'' --Shak.
2. Course of thought; thread of narration. [Obs.]
Let me resume the file of my narration. --Sir H.
Wotton.
{File firing}, the act of firing by file, or each file
independently of others.
{File leader}, the soldier at the front of any file, who
covers and leads those in rear of him.
{File marching}, the marching of a line two deep, when faced
to the right or left, so that the front and rear rank
march side by side. --Brande & C.
{Indian file}, or {Single file}, a line of men marching one
behind another; a single row.
{On file}, preserved in an orderly collection.
{Rank and file}.
(a) The body of soldiers constituing the mass of an army,
including corporals and privates. --Wilhelm.
(b) Those who constitute the bulk or working members of a
party, society, etc., in distinction from the leaders.
File \File\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Filed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Filing}.]
1. To set in order; to arrange, or lay away, esp. as papers
in a methodical manner for preservation and reverence; to
place on file; to insert in its proper place in an
arranged body of papers.
I would have my several courses and my dishes well
filed. --Beau. & Fl.
2. To bring before a court or legislative body by presenting
proper papers in a regular way; as, to file a petition or
bill. --Burrill.
3. (Law) To put upon the files or among the records of a
court; to note on (a paper) the fact date of its reception
in court.
To file a paper, on the part of a party, is to place
it in the official custody of the clerk. To file, on
the part of the clerk, is to indorse upon the paper
the date of its reception, and retain it in his
office, subject to inspection by whomsoever it may
concern. --Burrill.
File \File\, v. i. [Cf. F. filer.] (Mil.)
To march in a file or line, as soldiers, not abreast, but one
after another; -- generally with off.
{To file with}, to follow closely, as one soldier after
another in file; to keep pace.
My endeavors Have ever come too short of my desires,
Yet filed with my abilities. --Shak.
File \File\, n. [AS. fe['o]l; akin to D. viji, OHG. f[=i]la,
f[=i]hala, G. feile, Sw. fil, Dan. fiil, cf. Icel. ??l, Russ.
pila, and Skr. pi? to cut out, adorn; perh. akin to E.
paint.]
1. A steel instrument, having cutting ridges or teeth, made
by indentation with a chisel, used for abrading or
smoothing other substances, as metals, wood, etc.
Note: A file differs from a rasp in having the furrows made
by straight cuts of a chisel, either single or crossed,
while the rasp has coarse, single teeth, raised by the
pyramidal end of a triangular punch.
2. Anything employed to smooth, polish, or rasp, literally or
figuratively.
Mock the nice touches of the critic's file.
--Akenside.
3. A shrewd or artful person. [Slang] --Fielding.
Will is an old file in spite of his smooth face.
--Thackeray.
{Bastard file}, {Cross file}, etc. See under {Bastard},
{Cross}, etc.
{Cross-cut file}, a file having two sets of teeth crossing
obliquely.
{File blank}, a steel blank shaped and ground ready for
cutting to form a file.
{File cutter}, a maker of files.
{Second-cut file}, a file having teeth of a grade next finer
than bastard.
{Single-cut file}, a file having only one set of parallel
teeth; a float.
{Smooth file}, a file having teeth so fine as to make an
almost smooth surface.
File \File\, v. t.
1. To rub, smooth, or cut away, with a file; to sharpen with
a file; as, to file a saw or a tooth.
2. To smooth or polish as with a file. --Shak.
File your tongue to a little more courtesy. --Sir W.
Scott.
File \File\, v. t. [OE. fulen, filen, foulen, AS. f?lan, fr. f?l
foul. See {Foul}, and cf. {Defile}, v. t.]
To make foul; to defile. [Obs.]
All his hairy breast with blood was filed. --Spenser.
For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind. --Shak.
Filefish \File"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any plectognath fish of the genera {Monacanthus}, {Alutera},
{balistes}, and allied genera; -- so called on account of the
roughly granulated skin, which is sometimes used in place of
sandpaper.
Filemot \Fil"e*mot\, n.
See {Feullemort}. --Swift.
Filer \Fil"er\, n.
One who works with a file.
Filial \Fil"ial\, a. [L. filialis, fr. filius son, filia
daughter; akin to e. female, feminine. Cf. {Fitz}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a son or daughter; becoming to a child
in relation to his parents; as, filial obedience.
2. Bearing the relation of a child.
And thus the filial Godhead answering spoke.
--Milton.
Filially \Fil"ial*ly\, adv.
In a filial manner.
Filiate \Fil"i*ate\, v. t.
To adopt as son or daughter; to establish filiation between.
[R.] --Southey.
Filiation \Fil`i*a"tion\, n. [LL. filiatio, fr. L. filius son:
cf. F. filiation. See {Filial}.]
1. The relationship of a son or child to a parent, esp. to a
father.
The relation of paternity and filiation. --Sir M.
Hale.
2. (Law) The assignment of a bastard child to some one as its
father; affiliation. --Smart.
Filibeg \Fil"i*beg\, n. [Gael. feileadhbeag, i. e., little kilt;
feileadh kilt + beag little, small; cf. filleadh a plait,
fold.]
Same as {Kilt}. [Written also {philibeg}.]
Filibuster \Fil"i*bus`ter\, n. [Sp. flibuster, flibustero,
corrupted fr. E. freebooter. See {Freebooter}.]
A lawless military adventurer, especially one in quest of
plunder; a freebooter; -- originally applied to buccaneers
infesting the Spanish American coasts, but introduced into
common English to designate the followers of Lopez in his
expedition to Cuba in 1851, and those of Walker in his
expedition to Nicaragua, in 1855.
Filibuster \Fil"i*bus*ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fillibustered};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Filibustering}.]
1. To act as a filibuster, or military freebooter.
--Bartlett.
2. To delay legislation, by dilatory motions or other
artifices. [political cant or slang, U.S.] --Bartlett.
Filibusterism \Fil"i*bus`ter*ism\, n.
The characteristics or practices of a filibuster. --Bartlett.
Filical \Fil"i*cal\, a.
Belonging to the Filices, r ferns.
Filicic \Fi*lic"ic\, a. [L. filix, -icis, a fern.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, ferns; as, filicic acid.
Filicide \Fil"i*cide\, n. [L. filius son, filia daughter +
caedere to kill.]
The act of murdering a son or a daughter; also, parent who
commits such a murder.
Filiciform \Fi*lic"i*form\, a. [L. filix, -icis, fern + -form:
cf. F. filiciforme]
Shaped like a fern or like the parts of a fern leaf. --Smart.
Filicoid \Fil"i*coid\, a. [L. filix, -icis, fern + -oid: cf. F.
filicoi["i]de.] (Bot.)
Fernlike, either in form or in the nature of the method of
reproduction.
Filicoid \Fil"i*coid\, n. (Bot.)
A fernlike plant. --Lindley.
Filiety \Fi*li"e*ty\, n. [L. filietas.]
The relation of a son to a father; sonship; -- the
correlative of paternity. --J. S. Mill.
Filiferous \Fi*lif"er*ous\, a. [L. filum a thread + -ferous.]
Producing threads. --Carpenter.
Filiform \Fil"i*form\, a. [L. filum thread + -form: cf. F.
filiforme.]
Having the shape of a thread or filament; as, the filiform
papill[ae] of the tongue; a filiform style or peduncle. See
Illust. of {Antenn[AE]}.
Filigrain \Fil"i*grain\, Filigrane \Fil"i*grane\, n. [Sp.
filigrana (cf. It. filigrana, E. filigrane), fr. L. filuma
thread + granum grain. See {File} a row, and {Grain}, and cf.
{Filigree}.]
Filigree. [Archaic]
With her head . . . touches the crown of filigrane.
--Longfellow.
Filigraned \Fil"i*graned\, a.
See {Filigreed}. [Archaic]
Filigree \Fil"i*gree\, n. [Corrupted fr. filigrane.]
Ornamental work, formerly with grains or breads, but now
composed of fine wire and used chiefly in decorating gold and
silver to which the wire is soldered, being arranged in
designs frequently of a delicate and intricate arabesque
pattern.
Filigree \Fil"i*gree\, a.
Relating to, composed of, or resembling, work in filigree;
as, a filigree basket. Hence: Fanciful; unsubstantial; merely
decorative.
You ask for reality, not fiction and filigree work.
--J. C.
Shairp.
Filigreed \Fil"i*greed\, a.
Adorned with filigree. --Tatler.
Filing \Fil"ing\, n.
A fragment or particle rubbed off by the act of filing; as,
iron filings.
Filipendulous \Fil`i*pen"du*lous\ (?; 135), a. [L. filum a
thread + pendulus hanging, fr. pend?re to hang.] (Bot.)
Suspended by, or strung upon, a thread; -- said of tuberous
swellings in the middle or at the extremities of slender,
threadlike rootlets.
Fill \Fill\, n. [See {Thill}.]
One of the thills or shafts of a carriage. --Mortimer.
{Fill horse}, a thill horse. --Shak.
Fill \Fill\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Filled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Filling}.] [OE. fillen, fullen, AS. fyllan, fr. full full;
akin to D. vullen, G. f["u]llen, Icel. fylla, Sw. fylla, Dan.
fylde, Goth. fulljan. See {Full}, a.]
1. To make full; to supply with as much as can be held or
contained; to put or pour into, till no more can be
received; to occupy the whole capacity of.
The rain also filleth the pools. --Ps. lxxxiv.
6.
Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with
water. Anf they filled them up to the brim. --John
ii. 7.
2. To furnish an abudant supply to; to furnish with as mush
as is desired or desirable; to occupy the whole of; to
swarm in or overrun.
And God blessed them, saying. Be fruitful, and
multiply, and fill the waters in the seas. --Gen. i.
22.
The Syrians filled the country. --1 Kings xx.
27.
3. To fill or supply fully with food; to feed; to satisfy.
Whence should we have so much bread in the
wilderness, as to fillso great a multitude? --Matt.
xv. 33.
Things that are sweet and fat are more filling.
--Bacon.
4. To possess and perform the duties of; to officiate in, as
an incumbent; to occupy; to hold; as, a king fills a
throne; the president fills the office of chief
magistrate; the speaker of the House fills the chair.
5. To supply with an incumbent; as, to fill an office or a
vacancy. --A. Hamilton.
6. (Naut.)
(a) To press and dilate, as a sail; as, the wind filled
the sails.
(b) To trim (a yard) so that the wind shall blow on the
after side of the sails.
7. (Civil Engineering) To make an embankment in, or raise the
level of (a low place), with earth or gravel.
{To fill in}, to insert; as, he filled in the figures.
{To fill out}, to extend or enlarge to the desired limit; to
make complete; as, to fill out a bill.
{To fill up}, to make quite full; to fill to the brim or
entirely; to occupy completely; to complete. ``The bliss
that fills up all the mind.'' --Pope. ``And fill up that
which is behind of the afflictions of Christ.'' --Col. i.
24.
Fill \Fill\, v. i.
1. To become full; to have the whole capacity occupied; to
have an abundant supply; to be satiated; as, corn fills
well in a warm season; the sail fills with the wind.
2. To fill a cup or glass for drinking.
Give me some wine; fill full. --Shak.
{To back and fill}. See under {Back}, v. i.
{To fill up}, to grow or become quite full; as, the channel
of the river fills up with sand.
Fill \Fill\, n. [AS. fyllo. See {Fill}, v. t.]
A full supply, as much as supplies want; as much as gives
complete satisfaction. ``Ye shall eat your fill.'' --Lev.
xxv. 19.
I'll bear thee hence, where I may weep my fill. --Shak.
Filler \Fill"er\, n.
One who, or that which, fills; something used for filling.
'T is mere filler, to stop a vacancy in the hexameter.
--Dryden.
They have six diggers to four fillers, so as to keep
the fillers always at work. --Mortimer.
Filler \Fill"er\, n. [From 1st {Fill}.]
A thill horse. [Prov. Eng.]
Fillet \Fil"let\, n. [OE. filet, felet, fr. OF. filet thread,
fillet of meat, dim. of fil a thread, fr. L. filum. See
{Fille} a row.]
1. A little band, especially one intended to encircle the
hair of the head.
A belt her waist, a fillet binds her hair. --Pope.
2. (Cooking) A piece of lean meat without bone; sometimes, a
long strip rolled together and tied.
Note: A fillet of beef is the under side of the sirlom; also
called tenderloin. A fillet of veal or mutton is the
fleshy part of the thigh. A fillet of fish is a slice
of flat fish without bone. ``Fillet of a fenny snake.''
--Shak.
3. A thin strip or ribbon; esp.:
(a) A strip of metal from which coins are punched.
(b) A strip of card clothing.
(c) A thin projecting band or strip.
4. (Mach.) A concave filling in of a re["e]ntrant angle where
two surfaces meet, forming a rounded corner.
5. (Arch.) A narrow flat member; especially, a flat molding
separating other moldings; a reglet; also, the space
between two flutings in a shaft. See Illust. of {Base},
and {Column}.
6. (Her.) An ordinary equaling in breadth one fourth of the
chief, to the lowest portion of which it corresponds in
position.
7. (Mech.) The thread of a screw.
8. A border of broad or narrow lines of color or gilt.
9. The raised molding about the muzzle of a gun.
10. Any scantling smaller than a batten.
11. (Anat.) A fascia; a band of fibers; applied esp. to
certain bands of white matter in the brain.
12. (Man.) The loins of a horse, beginning at the place where
the hinder part of the saddle rests.
{Arris fillet}. See under {Arris}.
Fillet \Fil"let\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Filleted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Filleting}.]
To bind, furnish, or adorn with a fillet.
Filleting \Fil"let*ing\, n.
1. (Arch.) The protecting of a joint, as between roof and
parapet wall, with mortar, or cement, where flashing is
employed in better work.
2. The material of which fillets are made; also, fillets,
collectively.
Fillibeg \Fil"li*beg\, n.
A kilt. See {Filibeg}.
Fillibuster \Fil"li*bus`ter\, n.
See {Filibuster}.
Filling \Fill"ing\, n.
1. That which is used to fill a cavity or any empty space, or
to supply a deficiency; as, filling for a cavity in a
tooth, a depression in a roadbed, the space between
exterior and interior walls of masonry, the pores of
open-grained wood, the space between the outer and inner
planks of a vessel, etc.
2. The woof in woven fabrics.
3. (Brewing) Prepared wort added to ale to cleanse it.
{Back filling}. (Arch.) See under {Back}, a.
Fillip \Fil"lip\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Filliped}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Filliping}.] [For filp, flip. Cf. {Flippant}.]
1. To strike with the nail of the finger, first placed
against the ball of the thumb, and forced from that
position with a sudden spring; to snap with the finger.
``You filip me o' the head.'' --Shak.
2. To snap; to project quickly.
The use of the elastic switch to fillip small
missiles with. --Tylor.
Fillip \Fil"lip\, n.
1. A jerk of the finger forced suddenly from the thumb; a
smart blow.
2. Something serving to rouse or excite.
I take a glass of grog for a filip. --Dickens.
Fillipeen \Fil"li*peen`\, n.
See {Philopena}.
Fillister \Fil"lis*ter\, n.
1. The rabbet on the outer edge of a sash bar to hold the
glass and the putty. --Knight.
2. A plane for making a rabbet.
{Fillister screw had}, a short cylindrical screw head, having
a convex top.
Filly \Fil"ly\, n.; pl. {Fillies}. [Cf. Icel. fylia, fr. foli
foal. See {Foal}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A female foal or colt; a young mare. Cf.
{Colt}, {Foal}.
Neighing in likeness of a filly foal. --Shak.
2. A lively, spirited young girl. [Colloq.] --Addison.
Film \Film\, n. [AS. film skin, fr. fell skin; akin to fylmen
membrane, OFries. filmene skin. See {Fell} skin.]
1. A thin skin; a pellicle; a membranous covering, causing
opacity; hence, any thin, slight covering.
He from thick films shall purge the visual ray.
--Pope.
2. A slender thread, as that of a cobweb.
Her whip of cricket's bone, the lash of film.
--Shak.
Film \Film\, v. t.
To cover with a thin skin or pellicle.
It will but skin and film the ulcerous place. --Shak.
Filminess \Film"i*ness\, n.
State of being filmy.
Filmy \Film"y\, a.
Composed of film or films.
Whose filmy cord should bind the struggling fly.
--Dryden.
Filoplumaceous \Fil`o*plu*ma"ceous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having the structure of a filoplume.
Filoplume \Fil"o*plume\, n. [L. filum a thread ? pluma a soft
feather.] (Zo["o]l.)
A hairlike feather; a father with a slender scape and without
a web in most or all of its length.
Filose \Fi"lose`\, a. [L. filum a thread.]
Terminating in a threadlike process.
Filter \Fil"ter\, n. [F. filtre, the same word as feutre felt,
LL. filtrum, feltrum, felt, fulled wool, this being used for
straining liquors. See {Feuter}.]
Any porous substance, as cloth, paper, sand, or charcoal,
through which water or other liquid may passed to cleanse it
from the solid or impure matter held in suspension; a chamber
or device containing such substance; a strainer; also, a
similar device for purifying air.
{Filter bed}, a pond, the bottom of which is a filter
composed of sand gravel.
{Filter gallery}, an underground gallery or tunnel, alongside
of a stream, to collect the water that filters through the
intervening sand and gravel; -- called also {infiltration
gallery}.
Filter \Fil"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Filtered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Filtering}] [Cf. F. filter. See {Filter}, n., and cf.
{Filtrate}.]
To purify or defecate, as water or other liquid, by causing
it to pass through a filter.
{Filtering paper}, or {Filter paper}, a porous unsized paper,
for filtering.
Filter \Fil"ter\, v. i.
To pass through a filter; to percolate.
Filter \Fil"ter\, n.
Same as {Philter}.
Filth \Filth\, n. [OE. filthe, ful[eth]e, AS. f?l[eth], fr.
f[=u]l foul; akin to OHG. f[=u]lida. See {Foul}, and cf.
{File}.]
1. Foul matter; anything that soils or defiles; dirt;
nastiness.
2. Anything that sullies or defiles the moral character;
corruption; pollution.
To purify the soul from the dross and filth of
sensual delights. --Tillotson.
{Filth disease} (Med.), a disease supposed to be due to
pollution of the soil or water.
Filthily \Filth"i*ly\, adv.
In a filthy manner; foully.
Filthiness \Filth"i*ness\, n.
1. The state of being filthy.
Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the
flesh and spirit. --2 Cor. vii.
1.
2. That which is filthy, or makes filthy; foulness;
nastiness; corruption; pollution; impurity.
Carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.
--2 Chron.
xxix. 5.
Filthy \Filth"y\, a. [Compar. {Filthier}; superl. {Filthiest}.]
Defiled with filth, whether material or moral; nasty; dirty;
polluted; foul; impure; obscene. ``In the filthy-mantled
pool.'' --Shak.
He which is filthy let him be filthy still. --Rev.
xxii. 11.
Syn: Nasty; foul; dirty; squalid; unclean; sluttish; gross;
vulgar; licentious. See {Nasty}.
Filtrate \Fil"trate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Filtrated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Filtrating}. ] [Cf. LL. filtrare. See {Filter}.]
To filter; to defecate; as liquid, by straining or
percolation. --Arbuthnot.
Filtrate \Fil"trate\, n.
That which has been filtered; the liquid which has passed
through the filter in the process of filtration.
Filtration \Fil*tra"tion\, n. [Cf. F. filtration.]
The act or process of filtering; the mechanical separation of
a liquid from the undissolved particles floating in it.
Finble \Fin"ble\, n., or Fimble hemp \Fim"ble hemp`\ [Corrupted
from female hemp.]
Light summer hemp, that bears no seed.
Fimbria \Fim"bri*a\, n.; pl. {Fimbri[ae]}. [L., fringe. See
{Fringle}.] (Anat.)
(a) pl. A fringe, or fringed border.
(b) A band of white matter bordering the hippocampus in the
brain. -- {Fim"bri*al}, a.
Fimbriate \Fim*bri*ate\, a. [L. fimbriatus fibrous, fringed, fr.
fimbria fiber, fringe. See {Fringe}.]
Having the edge or extremity bordered by filiform processes
thicker than hairs; fringed; as, the fimbriate petals of the
pink; the fimbriate end of the Fallopian tube.
Fimbriate \Fim"bri*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fimbriated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Fimbriating}.]
To hem; to fringe. --Fuller.
Fimbriated \Fim"bri*a`ted\, a.
1. Having a fringed border; fimbriate.
2. (Her.) Having a very narrow border of another tincture; --
said esp. of an ordinary or subordinary.
Fimbricate \Fim"bri*cate\, a.
1. Fringed; jagged; fimbriate.
2. (Zo["o]l.) fringed, on one side only, by long, straight
hairs, as the antenn[ae] of certain insects.
Fin \Fin\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Finned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Finning}.] [Cf. {Fin} of a fish.]
To carve or cut up, as a chub.
Fin \Fin\, n. [See {Fine}, n.]
End; conclusion; object. [Obs.] ``She knew eke the fin of his
intent.'' --Chaucer.
Fin \Fin\, n.[OE. finne, fin, AS. finn; akin to D. vin, G. &
Dan. finne, Sw. fena, L. pinna, penna, a wing, feather. Cf.
{pen} a feather.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) An organ of a fish, consisting of a membrane
supported by rays, or little bony or cartilaginous
ossicles, and serving to balance and propel it in the
water.
Note: Fishes move through the water chiefly by means of the
caudal fin or tail, the principal office of the other
fins being to balance or direct the body, though they
are also, to a certain extent, employed in producing
motion.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A membranous, finlike, swimming organ, as in
pteropod and heteropod mollusks.
3. A finlike organ or attachment; a part of an object or
product which protrudes like a fin, as:
(a) The hand. [Slang]
(b) (Com.) A blade of whalebone. [Eng.] --McElrath.
(c) (Mech.) A mark or ridge left on a casting at the
junction of the parts of a mold.
(d) (Mech.) The thin sheet of metal squeezed out between
the collars of the rolls in the process of rolling.
--Raymond.
(e) (Mech.) A feather; a spline.
4. A finlike appendage, as to submarine boats.
{Apidose fin}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Adipose}, a.
{Fin ray} (Anat.), one of the hornlike, cartilaginous, or
bony, dermal rods which form the skeleton of the fins of
fishes.
{Fin whale} (Zo["o]l.), a finback.
{Paired fins} (Zo["o]l.), the pectoral and ventral fins,
corresponding to the fore and hind legs of the higher
animals.
{Unpaired, or Median}, {fins} (Zo["o]l.), the dorsal, caudal,
and anal fins.
Finable \Fin"a*ble\, a. [From {Fine}.]
Liable or subject to a fine; as, a finable person or offense.
--Bacon.
Final \Fi"nal\, a. [F., fr. L. finalis, fr. finis boundary,
limit, end. See {Finish}.]
1. Pertaining to the end or conclusion; last; terminating;
ultimate; as, the final day of a school term.
Yet despair not of his final pardon. --Milton.
2. Conclusive; decisive; as, a final judgment; the battle of
Waterloo brought the contest to a final issue.
3. Respecting an end or object to be gained; respecting the
purpose or ultimate end in view.
{Final cause}. See under {Cause}.
Syn: {Final}, {Conclusive}, {Ultimate}.
Usage: Final is now appropriated to that which brings with it
an end; as, a final adjustment; the final judgment,
etc. Conclusive implies the closing of all discussion,
negotiation, etc.; as, a conclusive argument or fact;
a conclusive arrangement. In using ultimate, we have
always reference to something earlier or proceeding;
as when we say, a temporary reverse may lead to an
ultimate triumph. The statements which a man finally
makes at the close of a negotiation are usually
conclusive as to his ultimate intentions and designs.
Finale \Fi*na"le\ (f[-e]*n[aum]"l[asl]), n. [It. See {Final}.]
Close; termination; as:
(a) (Mus.) The last movement of a symphony, sonata, concerto,
or any instrumental composition.
(b) The last composition performed in any act of an opera.
(c) The closing part, piece, or scene in any public
performance or exhibition.
Finality \Fi*nal"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Finalities}. [L. finalitas the
being last.]
1. The state of being final, finished, or complete; a final
or conclusive arrangement; a settlement. --Baxter.
2. The relation of end or purpose to its means. --Janet.
Finally \Fi"nal*ly\, adv.
1. At the end or conclusion; ultimately; lastly; as, the
contest was long, but the Romans finally conquered.
Whom patience finally must crown. --Milton.
2. Completely; beyond recovery.
Not any house of noble English in Ireland was
utterly destroyed or finally rooted out. --Sir J.
Davies.
Finance \Fi*nance"\, n. [F., fr. LL. financia payment of money,
money, fr. finare to pay a fine or subsidy (cf. OF. finer to
finish, pay), fr. L. finis end. See {Fine}, n., {Finish}.]
1. The income of a ruler or of a state; revennue; public
money; sometimes, the income of an individual; often used
in the plural for funds; available money; resources.
All the finances or revenues of the imperial crown.
--Bacon.
2. The science of raising and expending the public revenue.
``Versed in the details of finance.'' --Macaulay.
Financial \Fi*nan"cial\, a.
Pertaining to finance. ``Our financial and commercial
system.'' --Macaulay.
Financialist \Fi*nan"cial*ist\, n.
A financier.
Financially \Fi*nan"cial*ly\, adv.
In a dfinancial manner. --Burke.
Financier \Fin`an*cier"\ (?; 277), n. [Cf. F. financier.]
1. One charged with the administration of finance; an officer
who administers the public revenue; a treasurer. --Burke.
2. One skilled in financial operations; one acquainted with
money matters.
Financier \Fin`an*cier"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Financiered}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Financiering}.]
To conduct financial operations.
Finary \Fin"a*ry\, n. (Iron Works)
See {Finery}.
Finative \Fi"na*tive\, a.
Conclusive; decisive; definitive; final. [Obs.] --Greene
(1593).
Finback \Fin"back`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any whale of the genera {Sibbaldius}, {Bal[ae]noptera}, and
allied genera, of the family {Bal[ae]nopterid[ae]},
characterized by a prominent fin on the back. The common
finbacks of the New England coast are {Sibbaldius
tectirostris} and {S. tuberosus}.
Finch \Finch\, n.; pl. {Fishes}. [AS. finc; akin to D. vink,
OHG. fincho, G. fink; cf. W. pinc a finch; also E. spink.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A small singing bird of many genera and species, belonging to
the family {Fringillid[ae]}.
Note: The word is often used in composition, as in chaffinch,
goldfinch, grassfinch, pinefinch, etc.
{Bramble finch}. See {Brambling}.
{Canary finch}, the canary bird.
{Copper finch}. See {Chaffinch}.
{Diamond finch}. See under {Diamond}.
{Finch falcon} (Zo["o]l.), one of several very small East
Indian falcons of the genus {Hierax}.
{To pull a finch}, to swindle an ignorant or unsuspecting
person. [Obs.] ``Privily a finch eke could he pull.''
--Chaucer.
Finchbacked \Finch"backed`\, a.
Streaked or spotted on the back; -- said of cattle.
Finched \Finched\, a.
Same as {Finchbacked}.
Find \Find\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Found}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Finding}.] [AS. findan; akin to D. vinden, OS. & OHG.
findan, G. finden, Dan. finde, icel. & Sw. finna, Goth.
fin?an; and perh. to L. petere to seek, Gr. ? to fall, Skr.
pat to fall, fly, E. petition.]
1. To meet with, or light upon, accidentally; to gain the
first sight or knowledge of, as of something new, or
unknown; hence, to fall in with, as a person.
Searching the window for a flint, I found This
paper, thus sealed up. --Shak.
In woods and forests thou art found. --Cowley.
2. To learn by experience or trial; to perceive; to
experience; to discover by the intellect or the feelings;
to detect; to feel. ``I find you passing gentle.'' --Shak.
The torrid zone is now found habitable. --Cowley.
3. To come upon by seeking; as, to find something lost.
(a) To discover by sounding; as, to find bottom.
(b) To discover by study or experiment direct to an object
or end; as, water is found to be a compound substance.
(c) To gain, as the object of desire or effort; as, to
find leisure; to find means.
(d) To attain to; to arrive at; to acquire.
Seek, and ye shall find. --Matt. vii.
7.
Every mountain now hath found a tongue. --Byron.
4. To provide for; to supply; to furnish; as, to find food
for workemen; he finds his nephew in money.
Wages [pounds]14 and all found. --London
Times.
Nothing a day and find yourself. --Dickens.
5. To arrive at, as a conclusion; to determine as true; to
establish; as, to find a verdict; to find a true bill (of
indictment) against an accused person.
To find his title with some shows of truth. --Shak.
{To find out}, to detect (a thief); to discover (a secret) --
to solve or unriddle (a parable or enigma); to understand.
``Canst thou by searching find out God?'' --Job. xi. 7.
``We do hope to find out all your tricks.'' --Milton.
{To find fault with}, to blame; to censure.
{To find one's self}, to be; to fare; -- often used in
speaking of health; as, how do you find yourself this
morning?
Find \Find\, v. i. (Law)
To determine an issue of fact, and to declare such a
determination to a court; as, the jury find for the
plaintiff. --Burrill.
Find \Find\, n.
Anything found; a discovery of anything valuable; especially,
a deposit, discovered by arch[ae]ologists, of objects of
prehistoric or unknown origin.
Findable \Find"a*ble\, a.
Capable of beong found; discoverable. --Fuller.
Finder \Find"er\, n.
One who, or that which, finds; specifically (Astron.), a
small telescope of low power and large field of view,
attached to a larger telescope, for the purpose of finding an
object more readily.
Findfault \Find"fault`\, n.
A censurer or caviler. [Obs.]
Findfaulting \Find"fault`ing\, a.
Apt to censure or cavil; faultfinding; captious. [Obs.]
--Whitlock.
Finding \Find"ing\, n.
1. That which is found, come upon, or provided; esp. (pl.),
that which a journeyman artisan finds or provides for
himself; as tools, trimmings, etc.
When a man hath been laboring . . . in the deep
mines of knowledge, hath furnished out his findings
in all their equipage. --Milton.
2. Support; maintenance; that which is provided for one;
expence; provision.
3. (Law) The result of a judicial examination or inquiry,
especially into some matter of fact; a verdict; as, the
finding of a jury. --Burrill.
After his friends finding and his rent. --Chaucer.
Findy \Fin"dy\, a. [AS. finding heavy; cf. Dan. fyndig strong,
energetical, fynd strength, energy, emphasis.]
Full; heavy; firm; solid; substemtial. [Obs.]
A cold May and a windy Makes the barn fat amd findy.
--Old Proverb.
Fine \Fine\, a. [Compar. {Finer}; superl. {Finest}.] [F. fin,
LL. finus fine, pure, fr. L. finire to finish; cf. finitus,
p. p., finished, completed (hence the sense accomplished,
perfect.) See {Finish}, and cf. {Finite}.]
1. Finished; brought to perfection; refined; hence, free from
impurity; excellent; superior; elegant; worthy of
admiration; accomplished; beautiful.
The gain thereof [is better] than fine gold. --Prov.
iii. 14.
A cup of wine that's brisk and fine. --Shak.
Not only the finest gentleman of his time, but one
of the finest scholars. --Felton.
To soothe the sick bed of so fine a being [Keats].
--Leigh Hunt.
2. Aiming at show or effect; loaded with ornament;
overdressed or overdecorated; showy.
He gratified them with occasional . . . fine
writing. --M. Arnold.
3. Nice; delicate; subtle; exquisite; artful; skillful;
dexterous.
The spider's touch, how exquisitely fine! --Pope.
The nicest and most delicate touches of satire
consist in fine raillery. --Dryden.
He has as fine a hand at picking a pocket as a
woman. --T. Gray.
4. Not coarse, gross, or heavy; as:
(a) Not gross; subtile; thin; tenous.
The eye standeth in the finer medium and the
object in the grosser. --Bacon.
(b) Not coarse; comminuted; in small particles; as, fine
sand or flour.
(c) Not thick or heavy; slender; filmy; as, a fine thread.
(d) Thin; attenuate; keen; as, a fine edge.
(e) Made of fine materials; light; delicate; as, fine
linen or silk.
5. Having (such) a proportion of pure metal in its
composition; as, coins nine tenths fine.
6. (Used ironically.)
Ye have made a fine hand, fellows. --Shak.
Note: Fine is often compounded with participles and
adjectives, modifying them adverbially; a, fine-drawn,
fine-featured, fine-grained, fine-spoken, fine-spun,
etc.
{Fine arch} (Glass Making), the smaller fritting furnace of a
glasshouse. --Knight.
{Fine arts}. See the Note under {Art}.
{Fine cut}, fine cut tobacco; a kind of chewing tobacco cut
up into shreds.
{Fine goods}, woven fabrics of fine texture and quality.
--McElrath.
{Fine stuff}, lime, or a mixture of lime, plaster, etc., used
as material for the finishing coat in plastering.
{To sail fine} (Naut.), to sail as close to the wind as
possible.
Syn: {Fine}, {Beautiful}.
Usage: When used as a word of praise, fine (being opposed to
coarse) denotes no ``ordinary thing of its kind.'' It
is not as strong as beautiful, in reference to the
single attribute implied in the latter term; but when
we speak of a fine woman, we include a greater variety
of particulars, viz., all the qualities which become a
woman, -- breeding, sentiment, tact, etc. The term is
equally comprehensive when we speak of a fine garden,
landscape, horse, poem, etc.; and, though applied to a
great variety of objects, the word has still a very
definite sense, denoting a high degree of
characteristic excellence.
Fine \Fine\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fined}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fining}.] [From {Fine}, a.]
1. To make fine; to refine; to purify, to clarify; as, to
fine gold.
It hath been fined and refined by . . . learned men.
--Hobbes.
2. To make finer, or less coarse, as in bulk, texture, etc.;
as. to fine the soil. --L. H. Bailey.
3. To change by fine gradations; as (Naut.), to fine down a
ship's lines, to diminish her lines gradually.
I often sate at home On evenings, watching how they
fined themselves With gradual conscience to a
perfect night. --Browning.
Fine \Fine\, n. [OE. fin, L. finis end, also in LL., a final
agreement or concord between the lord and his vassal; a sum
of money paid at the end, so as to make an end of a
transaction, suit, or prosecution; mulct; penalty; cf. OF.
fin end, settlement, F. fin end. See {Finish}, and cf.
{Finance}.]
1. End; conclusion; termination; extinction. [Obs.] ``To see
their fatal fine.'' --Spenser.
Is this the fine of his fines? --Shak.
2. A sum of money paid as the settlement of a claim, or by
way of terminating a matter in dispute; especially, a
payment of money imposed upon a party as a punishment for
an offense; a mulct.
3. (Law)
(a) (Feudal Law) A final agreement concerning lands or
rents between persons, as the lord and his vassal.
--Spelman.
(b) (Eng. Law) A sum of money or price paid for obtaining
a benefit, favor, or privilege, as for admission to a
copyhold, or for obtaining or renewing a lease.
{Fine for alienation} (Feudal Law), a sum of money paid to
the lord by a tenant whenever he had occasion to make over
his land to another. --Burrill.
{Fine of lands}, a species of conveyance in the form of a
fictitious suit compromised or terminated by the
acknowledgment of the previous owner that such land was
the right of the other party. --Burrill. See {Concord},
n., 4.
{In fine}, in conclusion; by way of termination or summing
up.
Fine \Fine\, v. t. [From {Fine}, n.]
To impose a pecuniary penalty upon for an offense or breach
of law; to set a fine on by judgment of a court; to punish by
fine; to mulct; as, the trespassers were fined ten dollars.
Fine \Fine\, v. i.
To pay a fine. See {Fine}, n., 3
(b) . [R.]
Men fined for the king's good will; or that he
would remit his anger; women fined for leave to
marry. --Hallam.
Fine \Fine\, v. t. & i. [OF. finer, F. finir. See {Finish}, v.
t.]
To finish; to cease; or to cause to cease. [Obs.]
Finedraw \Fine"draw`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Finedrawn}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Finedrawing}.]
To sew up, so nicely that the seam is not perceived; to
renter. --Marryat.
Finedrawer \Fine"draw`er\, n.
One who finedraws.
Finedrawn \Fine"drawn`\, a.
Drawn out with too much subtilty; overnice; as, finedrawn
speculations.
Fineer \Fi*neer"\, v. i.
To run in dept by getting goods made up in a way unsuitable
for the use of others, and then threatening not to take them
except on credit. [R.] --Goldsmith.
Fineer \Fi*neer"\, v. t.
To veneer.
Fineless \Fine"less\, a. [Fine end + -less.]
Endless; boundless. [Obs.] --Shak.
Finely \Fine"ly\, adv.
In a fine or finished manner.
Fineness \Fine"ness\, n. [From {Fine}, a.]
1. The quality or condition of being fine.
2. Freedom from foreign matter or alloy; clearness; purity;
as, the fineness of liquor.
The fineness of the gold, and chargeful fashion.
--Shak.
3. The proportion of pure silver or gold in jewelry, bullion,
or coins.
Note: The fineness of United States coin is nine tenths, that
of English gold coin is eleven twelfths, and that of
English silver coin is ?.
4. Keenness or sharpness; as, the fineness of a needle's
point, or of the edge of a blade.
Finer \Fin"er\, n.
One who fines or purifies.
Finery \Fin"er*y\, n.
1. Fineness; beauty. [Obs.]
Don't choose your place of study by the finery of
the prospects. --I. Watts.
2. Ornament; decoration; especially, excecially decoration;
showy clothes; jewels.
Her mistress' cast-off finery. --F. W.
Robertson.
3. [Cf. {Refinery}.] (Iron Works) A charcoal hearth or
furnace for the conversion of cast iron into wrought iron,
or into iron suitable for puddling.
Finespun \Fine"spun`\, a.
Spun so as to be fine; drawn to a fine thread; attenuated;
hence, unsubstantial; visionary; as, finespun theories.
Finesse \Fi`nesse"\ (? or ?), n. [F., fr. fin fine. See {Fine},
a.]
1. Subtilty of contrivance to gain a point; artifice;
stratagem.
This is the artificialest piece of finesse to
persuade men into slavery. --Milton.
2. (Whist Playing) The act of finessing. See {Finesse}, v.
i., 2.
Finesse \Fi*nesse"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Finessed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Finessing}.]
1. To use artifice or stratagem. --Goldsmith.
2. (Whist Playing) To attempt, when second or third player,
to make a lower card answer the purpose of a higher, when
an intermediate card is out, risking the chance of its
being held by the opponent yet to play.
Finestill \Fine"still`\, v. t.
To distill, as spirit from molasses or some saccharine
preparation.
Finestiller \Fine"still`er\, n.
One who finestills.
Finew \Fin"ew\, n. [See {Fenowed}.]
Moldiness. [R.]
Finfish \Fin"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A finback whale.
(b) (pl.) True fish, as distinguished from shellfish.
Finfoot \Fin"foot`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A South American bird ({heliornis fulica}) allied to the
grebes. The name is also applied to several related species
of the genus {Podica}.
Fin-footed \Fin"-foot`ed\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Having palmate feet.
(b) Having lobate toes, as the coot and grebe.
Finger \Fin"ger\, n. [AS. finger; akin to D. vinger, OS. & OHG.
fingar, G. finger, Icel. fingr, Sw. & Dan. finger, Goth.
figgrs; of unknown origin; perh. akin to E. fang.]
1. One of the five terminating members of the hand; a digit;
esp., one of the four extermities of the hand, other than
the thumb.
2. Anything that does work of a finger; as, the pointer of a
clock, watch, or other registering machine; especially
(Mech.) a small projecting rod, wire, or piece, which is
brought into contact with an object to effect, direct, or
restrain a motion.
3. The breadth of a finger, or the fourth part of the hand; a
measure of nearly an inch; also, the length of finger, a
measure in domestic use in the United States, of about
four and a half inches or one eighth of a yard.
A piece of steel three fingers thick. --Bp. Wilkins.
4. Skill in the use of the fingers, as in playing upon a
musical instrument. [R.]
She has a good finger. --Busby.
{Ear finger}, the little finger.
{Finger alphabet}. See {Dactylology}.
{Finger bar}, the horizontal bar, carrying slotted spikes, or
fingers, through which the vibratory knives of mowing and
reaping machines play.
{Finger board} (Mus.), the part of a stringed instrument
against which the fingers press the strings to vary the
tone; the keyboard of a piano, organ, etc.; manual.
{Finger} {bowl or glass}, a bowl or glass to hold water for
rinsing the fingers at table.
{Finger flower} (Bot.), the foxglove.
{Finger grass} (Bot.), a kind of grass ({Panicum sanguinale})
with slender radiating spikes; common crab grass. See
{Crab grass}, under {Crab}.
{Finger nut}, a fly nut or thumb nut.
{Finger plate}, a strip of metal, glass, etc., to protect a
painted or polished door from finger marks.
{Finger post}, a guide post bearing an index finger.
{Finger reading}, reading printed in relief so as to be
sensible to the touch; -- so made for the blind.
{Finger shell} (Zo["o]l.), a marine shell ({Pholas dactylus})
resembling a finger in form.
{Finger sponge} (Zo["o]l.), a sponge having finger-shaped
lobes, or branches.
{Finger stall}, a cover or shield for a finger.
{Finger steel}, a steel instrument for whetting a currier's
knife.
{To burn one's fingers}. See under {Burn}.
{To have a finger in}, to be concerned in. [Colloq.]
{To have at one's fingers' ends}, to be thoroughly familiar
with. [Colloq.]
Finger \Fin"ger\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fingered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fingering}.]
1. To touch with the fingers; to handle; to meddle with.
Let the papers lie; You would be fingering them to
anger me. --Shak.
2. To touch lightly; to toy with.
3. (Mus.)
(a) To perform on an instrument of music.
(b) To mark the notes of (a piece of music) so as to guide
the fingers in playing.
4. To take thievishly; to pilfer; to purloin. --Shak.
5. To execute, as any delicate work.
Finger \Fin"ger\, v. i. (Mus.)
To use the fingers in playing on an instrument. --Busby.
Fingered \Fin"gered\, a.
1. Having fingers.
2. (Bot.) Having leaflets like fingers; digitate.
3. (Mus.) Marked with figures designating which finger should
be used for each note.
Fingerer \Fin"ger*er\, n.
One who fingers; a pilferer.
Fingering \Fin"ger*ing\, n.
1. The act or process of handling or touching with the
fingers.
The mere sight and fingering of money. --Grew.
2. The manner of using the fingers in playing or striking the
keys of an instrument of music; movement or management of
the fingers in playing on a musical instrument, in
typewriting, etc.
3. The marking of the notes of a piece of music to guide or
regulate the action or use of the fingers.
4. Delicate work made with the fingers. --Spenser.
Fingerling \Fin"ger*ling\, n. [Finger + -ling.] (Zo["o]l.)
A young salmon. See {Parr}.
Fingle-fangle \Fin"gle-fan`gle\, n. [From fangle.]
A trifle. [Low] --Hudibras.
Fingrigo \Fin"gri*go\, n.; pl. {Fingrigos}. [So called in
Jamaica.] (Bot.)
A prickly, climbing shrub of the genus {Pisonia}. The fruit
is a kind of berry.
Finial \Fin"*i*al\, n. [L. finire to finish, end. See {Finish}.]
(Arch.)
The knot or bunch of foliage, or foliated ornament, that
forms the upper extremity of a pinnacle in Gothic
architecture; sometimes, the pinnacle itself.
Finical \Fin"i*cal\, a. [From {Fine}, a.]
Affectedly fine; overnice; unduly particular; fastidious.
``Finical taste.'' --Wordsworth.
The gross style consists in giving no detail, the
finical in giving nothing else. --Hazlitt.
Syn: {Finical}, {Spruce}, {Foppish}.
Usage: These words are applied to persons who are studiously
desirous to cultivate finery of appearance. One who is
spruce is elaborately nice in dress; one who is
finical shows his affectation in language and manner
as well as in dress; one who is foppish distinguishes
himself by going to the extreme of the fashion in the
cut of his clothes, by the tawdriness of his
ornaments, and by the ostentation of his manner. ``A
finical gentleman clips his words and screws his body
into as small a compass as possible, to give himself
the air of a delicate person; a spruce gentleman
strives not to have a fold wrong in his frill or
cravat, nor a hair of his head to lie amiss; a foppish
gentleman seeks . . . to render himself distinguished
for finery.'' --Crabb. -- {Fin"i*cal*ly}, adv. --
{Fin"i*cal*ness}, n.
Finicality \Fin`i*cal"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being finical; finicalness.
Finicking \Fin"ick*ing\, Finicky \Fin"ick*y\, a.
Finical; unduly particular. [Colloq.]
Finific \Fi*nif"ic\ (? or ?), n. [L. finis end + facere to
make.]
A limiting element or quality. [R.]
The essential finific in the form of the finite.
--Coleridge.
Finify \Fin"i*fy\ (? or ?), v. t. [Fine, a. + -fy.]
To make fine; to dress finically. [Obs.]
Hath so pared and finified them [his feet.] --B.
Jonson.
Finikin \Fin"i*kin\, a. [Fine, a. + -kin.]
Precise in trifles; idly busy. [Colloq.] --Smart.
Fining \Fin"ing\, n.
1. The act of imposing a fin?.
2. The process of fining or refining; clarification; also
(Metal.), the conversion of cast iron into suitable for
puddling, in a hearth or charcoal fire.
3. That which is used to refine; especially, a preparation of
isinglass, gelatin, etc., for clarifying beer.
{Fining pot}, a vessel in which metals are refined. --Prov.
xvii. 3.
Finis \Fi"nis\, n. [L.]
An end; conclusion. It is often placed at the end of a book.
Finish \Fin"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Finished}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Finishing}.] [F. finir (with a stem finiss- in several
forms, whence E. -ish: see -ish.),fr. L. finire to limit,
finish, end, fr. finis boundary, limit, end; perh. for
fidnis, and akin findere to cleave, E. fissure.]
1. To arrive at the end of; to bring to an end; to put an end
to; to make an end of; to terminate.
And heroically hath finished A life heroic.
--Milton.
2. To bestow the last required labor upon; to complete; to
bestow the utmost possible labor upon; to perfect; to
accomplish; to polish.
Syn: To end; terminate; close; conclude; complete;
accomplish; perfect.
Finish \Fin"ish\, v. i.
1. To come to an end; to terminate.
His days may finish ere that hapless time. --Shak.
2. To end; to die. [R.] --Shak.
Finish \Fin"ish\, n.
1. That which finishes, puts an end to? or perfects.
2. (Arch.) The joiner work and other finer work required for
the completion of a building, especially of the interior.
See {Inside finish}, and {Outside finish}.
3. (Fine Arts)
(a) The labor required to give final completion to any
work; hence, minute detail, careful elaboration, or
the like.
(b) See {Finishing coat}, under {Finishing}.
4. The result of completed labor, as on the surface of an
object; manner or style of finishing; as, a rough, dead,
or glossy finish given to cloth, stone, metal, etc.
5. Completion; -- opposed to {start}, or {beginning}.
Finished \Fin"ished\, a.
Polished to the highest degree of excellence; complete;
perfect; as, a finished poem; a finished education.
{Finished work} (Mach.), work that is made smooth or
polished, though not necessarily completed.
Finisher \Fin"ish*er\, n.
1. One who finishes, puts an end to, completes, or perfects;
esp. used in the trades, as in hatting, weaving, etc., for
the workman who gives a finishing touch to the work, or
any part of it, and brings it to perfection.
O prophet of glad tidings, finisher Of utmost hope!
--Milton.
2. Something that gives the finishing touch to, or settles,
anything. [Colloq.]
Finishing \Fin"ish*ing\, n.
The act or process of completing or perfecting; the final
work upon or ornamentation of a thing.
Finishing \Fin"ish*ing\, a.
Tending to complete or to render fit for the market or for
use.
{Finishing coat}.
(a) (Plastering) the final coat of plastering applied to
walls and ceilings, usually white and rubbed smooth.
(b) (Painting) The final coat of paint, usually differently
mixed applied from the others.
{Finishing press}, a machine for pressing fabrics.
{Finishing rolls} (Iron Working), the rolls of a train which
receive the bar from roughing rolls, and reduce it to its
finished shape. --Raymond.
Finite \Fi"nite\, a. [L. finitus, p. p. of finire. See {Finish},
and cf. {Fine}, a.]
Having a limit; limited in quantity, degree, or capacity;
bounded; -- opposed to infinite; as, finite number; finite
existence; a finite being; a finite mind; finite duration.
Finiteless \Fi"nite*less\, a.
Infinite. [Obs.] --Sir T. browne.
Finitely \Fi"nite*ly\, adv.
In a finite manner or degree.
Finiteness \Fi"nite*ness\, n.
The state of being finite.
Finitude \Fin"i*tude\, n. [L. finire. See {Finish}.]
Limitation. --Cheyne.
Finlander \Fin"land*er\, n.
A native or inhabitant of Finland.
Finless \Fin"less\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
destitute of fins.
Finlet \Fin"let\, n. [Fin + -let.]
A little fin; one of the parts of a divided fin.
Finlike \Fin"like`\, a.
Resembling a fin.
Finn \Finn\, a.
A native of Finland; one of the Finn? in the ethnological
sense. See {Finns}.
Finnan haddie \Fin"nan had"die\ [See {Haddock}.]
Haddock cured in peat smoke, originally at Findon (pron.
f[i^]n"an), Scotland. the name is also applied to other kinds
of smoked haddock. [Written also {finnan haddock}.]
Finned \Finned\, a.
Having a fin, or fins, or anything resembling a fin.
--Mortimer.
Finner \Fin"ner\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A finback whale.
Finnic \Finn"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Finns.
Finnikin \Fin"ni*kin\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A variety of pigeon, with a crest somewhat resembling the
mane of a horse. [Written also {finikin}.]
Finnish \Finn"ish\, a.
Of or pertaining to Finland, to the Finns, or to their
language. -- n. A Northern Turanian group of languages; the
language of the Finns.
Finns \Finns\, n. pl.; sing. {Finn}. (Ethnol.)
(a) Natives of Finland; Finlanders.
(b) A branch of the Mongolian race, inhabiting Northern and
Eastern Europe, including the Magyars, Bulgarians,
Permians, Lapps, and Finlanders. [Written also {Fins}.]
Finny \Fin"ny\, a.
1. (Zo["o]l.) Having, or abounding in, fins, as fishes;
pertaining to fishes.
2. Abounding in fishes.
With patient angle trolls the finny deep.
--Goldsmoth.
Finochio \Fi*no"chi*o\ (?; 277), n. [It. finocchio fennel, LL.
fenuclum. See {Fennel}.] (Bot.)
An umbelliferous plant ({F[oe]niculum dulce}) having a
somewhat tuberous stem; sweet fennel. The blanched stems are
used in France and Italy as a culinary vegetable.
Finos \Fi"nos\, n. pl. [Sp., pl., fr. fino fine.]
Second best wool from Merino sheep. --Gardner.
Finpike \Fin"pike`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The bichir. See {Crossopterygii}.
Fint \Fint\,
3d pers. sing. pr. of {Find}, for findeth. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fin-toed \Fin"-toed`\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having toes connected by a membrane; palmiped; palmated;
also, lobate.
Fiord \Fiord\ (fy?rd; i or y consonant, [sect] 272), n. [Dan. &
Norw. fiord. See {Frith}.]
A narrow inlet of the sea, penetrating between high banks or
rocks, as on the coasts of Norway and Alaska. [Written also
{fjord}.]
Fiorin \Fi"o*rin\, n. [Cf. Ir. fiothran a sort of grass.] (Bot.)
A species of creeping bent grass ({Agrostis alba}); -- called
also {fiorin grass}.
Fiorite \Fi"o*rite\, n. (Min.)
A variety of opal occuring in the cavities of volcanic tufa,
in smooth and shining globular and botryoidal masses, having
a pearly luster; -- so called from Fiora, in Ischia.
Fioriture \Fio`ri*tu"re\, n. pl. [It., pl. of fioritura a
flowering.] (Mus.)
Little flowers of ornament introduced into a melody by a
singer or player.
Fippenny bit \Fip"pen*ny bit`\ (? or ?). [Corruption of five
penny bit.]
The Spanish half real, or one sixteenth of a dollar, -- so
called in Pennsylvania and the adjacent States. [Obs.]
Note: Before the act of Congress, Feb. 21, 1857, caused the
adoption of decimal coins and the withdrawal of foreign
coinage from circulation, this coin passed currently
for 61/4 cents, and was called in New England a
fourpence ha'penny or fourpence; in New York a
sixpence; in Pennsylvania, Virginia, etc., a fip; and
in Louisiana, a picayune.
Fipple \Fip"ple\ (f[~e]r), n. [perh. fr. L. fibula a clasp, a
pin; cf. Prov. E. fible a stick used to stir pottage.]
A stopper, as in a wind instrument of music. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Fir \Fir\ (f[~e]r), n. [Dan. fyr, fyrr; akin to Sw. furu, Icel.
fura, AS. furh in furhwudu fir wood, G. f["o]hre, OHG. forha
pine, vereheih a sort of oak, L. quercus oak.] (Bot.)
A genus ({Abies}) of coniferous trees, often of large size
and elegant shape, some of them valued for their timber and
others for their resin. The species are distinguished as the
{balsam fir}, the {silver fir}, the {red fir}, etc. The
Scotch fir is a {Pinus}.
Note: Fir in the Bible means any one of several coniferous
trees, including, cedar, cypress, and probably three
species of pine. --J. D. Hooker.
Fire \Fire\ (f[imac]r), n. [OE. fir, fyr, fur AS. f[=y]r; akin
to D. vuur, OS. & OHG. fiur, G. feuer, Icel. f[=y]ri,
f[=u]rr, Gr. py^r, and perh. to L. purus pure, E. pure Cf.
{Empyrean}, {Pyre}.]
1. The evolution of light and heat in the combustion of
bodies; combustion; state of ignition.
Note: The form of fire exhibited in the combustion of gases
in an ascending stream or current is called flame.
Anciently, fire, air, earth, and water were regarded as
the four elements of which all things are composed.
2. Fuel in a state of combustion, as on a hearth, or in a
stove or a furnace.
3. The burning of a house or town; a conflagration.
4. Anything which destroys or affects like fire.
5. Ardor of passion, whether love or hate; excessive warmth;
consuming violence of temper.
he had fire in his temper. --Atterbury.
6. Liveliness of imagination or fancy; intellectual and moral
enthusiasm; capacity for ardor and zeal.
And bless their critic with a poet's fire. --Pope.
7. Splendor; brilliancy; luster; hence, a star.
Stars, hide your fires. --Shak.
As in a zodiac representing the heavenly fires.
--Milton.
8. Torture by burning; severe trial or affliction.
9. The discharge of firearms; firing; as, the troops were
exposed to a heavy fire.
{Blue fire}, {Red fire}, {Green fire} (Pyrotech.),
compositions of various combustible substances, as
sulphur, niter, lampblack, etc., the flames of which are
colored by various metallic salts, as those of antimony,
strontium, barium, etc.
{Fire alarm}
(a) A signal given on the breaking out of a fire.
(b) An apparatus for giving such an alarm.
{Fire annihilator}, a machine, device, or preparation to be
kept at hand for extinguishing fire by smothering it with
some incombustible vapor or gas, as carbonic acid.
{Fire balloon}.
(a) A balloon raised in the air by the buoyancy of air
heated by a fire placed in the lower part
.
(b) A balloon sent up at night with fireworks which ignite
at a regulated height. --Simmonds.
{Fire bar}, a grate bar.
{Fire basket}, a portable grate; a cresset. --Knight.
{Fire beetle}. (Zo["o]l.) See in the Vocabulary.
{Fire blast}, a disease of plants which causes them to appear
as if burnt by fire.
{Fire box}, the chamber of a furnace, steam boiler, etc., for
the fire.
{Fire brick}, a refractory brick, capable of sustaining
intense heat without fusion, usually made of fire clay or
of siliceous material, with some cementing substance, and
used for lining fire boxes, etc.
{Fire brigade}, an organized body of men for extinguished
fires.
{Fire bucket}. See under {Bucket}.
{Fire bug}, an incendiary; one who, from malice or through
mania, persistently sets fire to property; a pyromaniac.
[U.S.]
{Fire clay}. See under {Clay}.
{Fire company}, a company of men managing an engine in
extinguishing fires.
{Fire cross}. See {Fiery cross}. [Obs.] --Milton.
{Fire damp}. See under {Damp}.
{Fire dog}. See {Firedog}, in the Vocabulary.
{Fire drill}.
(a) A series of evolutions performed by fireman for
practice.
(b) An apparatus for producing fire by friction, by
rapidly twirling a wooden pin in a wooden socket; --
used by the Hindoos during all historic time, and by
many savage peoples.
{Fire eater}.
(a) A juggler who pretends to eat fire.
(b) A quarrelsome person who seeks affrays; a hotspur.
[Colloq.]
{Fire engine}, a portable forcing pump, usually on wheels,
for throwing water to extinguish fire.
{Fire escape}, a contrivance for facilitating escape from
burning buildings.
{Fire gilding} (Fine Arts), a mode of gilding with an amalgam
of gold and quicksilver, the latter metal being driven off
afterward by heat.
{Fire gilt} (Fine Arts), gold laid on by the process of fire
gilding.
{Fire insurance}, the act or system of insuring against fire;
also, a contract by which an insurance company undertakes,
in consideration of the payment of a premium or small
percentage -- usually made periodically -- to indemnify an
owner of property from loss by fire during a specified
period.
{Fire irons}, utensils for a fireplace or grate, as tongs,
poker, and shovel.
{Fire main}, a pipe for water, to be used in putting out
fire.
{Fire master}
(Mil), an artillery officer who formerly supervised the
composition of fireworks.
{Fire office}, an office at which to effect insurance against
fire.
{Fire opal}, a variety of opal giving firelike reflections.
{Fire ordeal}, an ancient mode of trial, in which the test
was the ability of the accused to handle or tread upon
red-hot irons. --Abbot.
{Fire pan}, a pan for holding or conveying fire, especially
the receptacle for the priming of a gun.
{Fire plug}, a plug or hydrant for drawing water from the
main pipes in a street, building, etc., for extinguishing
fires.
{Fire policy}, the writing or instrument expressing the
contract of insurance against loss by fire.
{Fire pot}.
(a) (Mil.) A small earthen pot filled with combustibles,
formerly used as a missile in war.
(b) The cast iron vessel which holds the fuel or fire in a
furnace.
(c) A crucible.
(d) A solderer's furnace.
{Fire raft}, a raft laden with combustibles, used for setting
fire to an enemy's ships.
{Fire roll}, a peculiar beat of the drum to summon men to
their quarters in case of fire.
{Fire setting} (Mining), the process of softening or cracking
the working face of a lode, to facilitate excavation, by
exposing it to the action of fire; -- now generally
superseded by the use of explosives. --Raymond.
{Fire ship}, a vessel filled with combustibles, for setting
fire to an enemy's ships.
{Fire shovel}, a shovel for taking up coals of fire.
{Fire stink}, the stench from decomposing iron pyrites,
caused by the formation of sulphureted hydrogen.
--Raymond.
{Fire surface}, the surfaces of a steam boiler which are
exposed to the direct heat of the fuel and the products of
combustion; heating surface.
{Fire swab}, a swab saturated with water, for cooling a gun
in action and clearing away particles of powder, etc.
--Farrow.
{Fire teaser}, in England, the fireman of a steam emgine.
{Fire water}, ardent spirits; -- so called by the American
Indians.
{Fire worship}, the worship of fire, which prevails chiefly
in Persia, among the followers of Zoroaster, called
Chebers, or Guebers, and among the Parsees of India.
{Greek fire}. See under {Greek}.
{On fire}, burning; hence, ardent; passionate; eager;
zealous.
{Running fire}, the rapid discharge of firearms in succession
by a line of troops.
{St. Anthony's fire}, erysipelas; -- an eruptive fever which
St. Anthony was supposed to cure miraculously. --Hoblyn.
{St. Elmo's fire}. See under {Saint Elmo}.
{To set on fire}, to inflame; to kindle.
{To take fire}, to begin to burn; to fly into a passion.
Fire \Fire\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fired}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fring}.]
1. To set on fire; to kindle; as, to fire a house or chimney;
to fire a pile.
2. To subject to intense heat; to bake; to burn in a kiln;
as, to fire pottery.
3. To inflame; to irritate, as the passions; as, to fire the
soul with anger, pride, or revenge.
Love had fired my mind. --Dryden.
4. To animate; to give life or spirit to; as, to fire the
genius of a young man.
5. To feed or serve the fire of; as, to fire a boiler.
6. To light up as if by fire; to illuminate.
[The sun] fires the proud tops of the eastern pines.
--Shak.
7. To cause to explode; as, to fire a torpedo; to disharge;
as, to fire a musket or cannon; to fire cannon balls,
rockets, etc.
8. To drive by fire. [Obs.]
Till my bad angel fire my good one out. --Shak.
9. (Far.) To cauterize.
{To fire up}, to light up the fires of, as of an engine.
Fire \Fire\, v. i.
1. To take fire; to be kindled; to kindle.
2. To be irritated or inflamed with passion.
3. To discharge artillery or firearms; as, they fired on the
town.
{To fire up}, to grow irritated or angry. ``He . . . fired
up, and stood vigorously on his defense.'' --Macaulay.
Firearm \Fire"arm`\, n.
A gun, pistol, or any weapon from a shot is discharged by the
force of an explosive substance, as gunpowder.
Fireback \Fire"back`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of several species of pheasants of the genus
{Euplocamus}, having the lower back a bright, fiery red. They
inhabit Southern Asia and the East Indies.
Fireball \Fire"ball`\, n.
(a) (Mil.) A ball filled with powder or other combustibles,
intended to be thrown among enemies, and to injure by
explosion; also, to set fire to their works and light
them up, so that movements may be seen.
(b) A luminous meteor, resembling a ball of fire passing
rapidly through the air, and sometimes exploding.
Firebare \Fire"bare`\, n.
A beacon. [Obs.] --Burrill.
Fire beetle \Fire" bee`tle\ (Zo["o]l.)
A very brilliantly luminous beetle ({Pyrophorus noctilucus}),
one of the elaters, found in Central and South America; --
called also {cucujo}. The name is also applied to other
species. See {Firefly}.
Firebird \Fire"bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The Baltimore oriole.
Fireboard \Fire"board`\, n.
A chimney board or screen to close a fireplace when not in
use.
Firebote \Fire"bote`\, n. (O. Eng. Law)
An allowance of fuel. See {Bote}.
Firebrand \Fire"brand`\, n.
1. A piece of burning wood. --L'Estrange.
2. One who inflames factions, or causes contention and
mischief; an incendiary. --Bacon.
Firecracker \Fire"crack`er\, n.
See {Cracker}., n., 3.
Firecrest \Fire"crest`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small European kinglet ({Regulus ignicapillus}), having a
bright red crest; -- called also {fire-crested wren}.
Firedog \Fire"dog`\, n.
A support for wood in a fireplace; an andiron.
Firedrake \Fire"drake`\, n. [AS. f?rdraca; f?r fire + draca a
dragon. See {Fire}, and {Drake} a dragon.] [Obs.]
1. A fiery dragon. --Beau. & Fl.
2. A fiery meteor; an ignis fatuus; a rocket.
3. A worker at a furnace or fire. --B. Jonson.
Fire-fanged \Fire"-fanged`\, a. [Fire + fanged seized.]
Injured as by fire; burned; -- said of manure which has lost
its goodness and acquired an ashy hue in consequence of heat
generated by decomposition.
Firefish \Fire"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A singular marine fish of the genus {Pterois}, family
{Scorp[ae]nid[ae]}, of several species, inhabiting the
Indo-Pacific region. They are usually red, and have very
large spinose pectoral and dorsal fins.
Fireflaire \Fire"flaire`\, n. [Fire + Prov. E. flaire a ray.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A European sting ray of the genus {Trygon} ({T. pastinaca});
-- called also {fireflare} and {fiery flaw}.
Fireflame \Fire"flame`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European band fish ({Cepola rubescens}).
Firefly \Fire"fly`\, n.; pl. {Fireflies}. (Zo["o]l.)
Any luminous winged insect, esp. luminous beetles of the
family {Lampyrid[ae]}.
Note: The common American species belong to the genera
{Photinus} and {Photuris}, in which both sexes are
winged. The name is also applied to luminous species of
{Elaterid[ae]}. See {Fire beetle}.
Fireless \Fire"less\, a.
Destitute of fire.
Firelock \Fire"lock`\, n.
An old form of gunlock, as the flintlock, which ignites the
priming by a spark; perhaps originally, a matchlock. Hence, a
gun having such a lock.
Fireman \Fire"man\, n.; pl. {Firemen} (-men).
1. A man whose business is to extinguish fires in towns; a
member of a fire company.
2. A man who tends the fires, as of a steam engine; a
stocker.
Fire-new \Fire"-new`\, a.
Fresh from the forge; bright; quite new; brand-new. --Charles
reade.
Your fire-new stamp of honor is scarce current. --Shak.
Fireplace \Fire"place`\, n.
The part a chimney appropriated to the fire; a hearth; --
usually an open recess in a wall, in which a fire may be
built.
Fireproof \Fire"proof`\, a.
Proof against fire; incombustible.
Fireprrofing \Fire"prrof`ing\, n.
The act or process of rendering anything incombustible; also,
the materials used in the process.
Firer \Fir"er\, n.
One who fires or sets fire to anything; an incendiary. [R.]
--R. Carew.
Fire-set \Fire"-set`\, n.
A set of fire irons, including, commonly, tongs, shovel, and
poker.
Fireside \Fire"side`\, n.
A place near the fire or hearth; home; domestic life or
retirement.
Firestone \Fire"stone`\ (?; 110), n. [AS. f?rst[=a]n flint; f?r
fire + st[=a]n stone.]
1. Iron pyrites, formerly used for striking fire; also, a
flint.
2. A stone which will bear the heat of a furnace without
injury; -- especially applied to the sandstone at the top
of the upper greensand in the south of England, used for
lining kilns and furnaces. --Ure.
Firetail \Fire"tail`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European redstart; -- called also {fireflirt}. [prov.
Eng.]
Firewarden \Fire"ward`en\, n.
An officer who has authority to direct in the extinguishing
of fires, or to order what precautions shall be taken against
fires; -- called also {fireward}.
Fireweed \Fire"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) An American plant ({Erechthites hiercifolia}), very
troublesome in spots where brushwood has been burned.
(b) The great willow-herb ({Epilobium spicatum}).
Firewood \Fire"wood`\, n.
Wood for fuel.
Firework \Fire"work`\, n.
1. A device for producing a striking display of light, or a
figure or figures in plain or colored fire, by the
combustion of materials that burn in some peculiar manner,
as gunpowder, sulphur, metallic filings, and various
salts. The most common feature of fireworks is a paper or
pasteboard tube filled with the combustible material. A
number of these tubes or cases are often combined so as to
make, when kindled, a great variety of figures in fire,
often variously colored. The skyrocket is a common form of
firework. The name is also given to various combustible
preparations used in war.
2. pl. A pyrotechnic exhibition. [Obs. in the sing.]
Night before last, the Duke of Richmond gave a
firework. --Walpole.
Fireworm \Fire"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The larva of a small tortricid moth which eats the leaves of
the cranberry, so that the vines look as if burned; -- called
also {cranberry worm}.
Firing \Fir"ing\, n.
1. The act of disharging firearms.
2. The mode of introducing fuel into the furnace and working
it. --Knight.
3. The application of fire, or of a cautery. --Dunglison.
4. The process of partly vitrifying pottery by exposing it to
intense heat in a kiln.
5. Fuel; firewood or coal. [Obs.] --Mortimer.
{Firing iron}, an instrument used in cauterizing.
Firk \Firk\, v. t. [Cf. OE. ferken to proceed, hasten, AS.
fercian to bring, assist; perh. akin to faran to go, E.
fare.]
To beat; to strike; to chastise. [Obs.]
I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him. --Shak.
Firk \Firk\, v. i.
To fly out; to turn out; to go off. [Obs.]
A wench is a rare bait, with which a man
No sooner's taken but he straight firks mad.B.Jonson.
Firk \Firk\, n.
A freak; trick; quirk. [Obs.] --Ford.
Firkin \Fir"kin\, n. [From AS. fe['o]wer four (or an allied
word, perh. Dutch or Danish) + -kin. See {Four}.]
1. A varying measure of capacity, usually being the fourth
part of a barrel; specifically, a measure equal to nine
imperial gallons. [Eng.]
2. A small wooden vessel or cask of indeterminate size, --
used for butter, lard, etc. [U.S.]
Firlot \Fir"lot\, n. [Scot., the fourth part of a boll of grain,
from a word equiv. to E. four + lot part, portion. See
{Firkin}.]
A dry measure formerly used in Scotland; the fourth part of a
boll of grain or meal. The Linlithgow wheat firlot was to the
imperial bushel as 998 to 1000; the barley firlot as 1456 to
1000. --Brande & C.
Firm \Firm\, a. [Compar. {Firmer}; superl. {Firmest}.] [OE.
ferme, F. ferme, fr.L. firmus; cf. Skr. dharman support, law,
order, dh? to hold fast, carry. Cf. {Farm}, {Throne}.]
1. Fixed; hence, closely compressed; compact; substantial;
hard; solid; -- applied to the matter of bodies; as, firm
flesh; firm muscles, firm wood.
2. Not easily excited or disturbed; unchanging in purpose;
fixed; steady; constant; stable; unshaken; not easily
changed in feelings or will; strong; as, a firm believer;
a firm friend; a firm adherent.
Under spread ensigns, moving nigh, in slow But firm
battalion. --Milton.
By one man's firm obediency fully tried. --Milton.
3. Solid; -- opposed to fluid; as, firm land.
4. Indicating firmness; as, a firm tread; a firm countenance.
Syn: Compact; dense; hard; solid; stanch; robust; strong;
sturdly; fixed; steady; resolute; constant.
Firm \Firm\, n. [It. firma the (firm, sure, or confirming)
signature or subscription, or Pg. firma signature, firm, cf.
Sp. firma signature; all fr. L. firmus, adj., firm. See
{Firm}, a.]
The name, title, or style, under which a company transacts
business; a partnership of two or more persons; a commercial
house; as, the firm of Hope & Co.
Firm \Firm\, v. t. [OE. fermen to make firm, F. fermer, fr. L.
firmare to make firm. See {Firm}, a.]
1. To fix; to settle; to confirm; to establish. [Obs.]
And Jove has firmed it with an awful nod. --Dryden.
2. To fix or direct with firmness. [Obs.]
He on his card and compass firms his eye. --Spenser.
Firmament \Fir"ma*ment\, n. [L. firmamentum, fr. firmare to make
firm: cf. F. firmament. See {Firm}, v. & a.]
1. Fixed foundation; established basis. [Obs.]
Custom is the . . . firmament of the law. --Jer.
Taylor.
2. The region of the air; the sky or heavens.
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst
of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the
waters. --Gen. i. 6.
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament.
--Gen. i. 14.
Note: In Scripture, the word denotes an expanse, a wide
extent; the great arch or expanse over out heads, in
which are placed the atmosphere and the clouds, and in
which the stars appear to be placed, and are really
seen.
3. (Old Astron.) The orb of the fixed stars; the most rmote
of the celestial spheres.
Firmamental \Fir`ma*men"tal\, a.
Pertaining to the firmament; celestial; being of the upper
regions. --Dryden.
Firman \Fir"man\ (? or ?), n.; pl. {Firmans}or. [Pers.
ferm[=a]n.]
In Turkey and some other Oriental countries, a decree or
mandate issued by the sovereign; a royal order or grant; --
generally given for special objects, as to a traveler to
insure him protection and assistance. [Written also
{firmaun}.]
Firmer-chisel \Firm"er-chis"el\, n.
A chisel, thin in proportion to its width. It has a tang to
enter the handle instead of a socket for receiving it.
--Knight.
Firmitude \Firm"i*tude\, n. [L. firmitudo. See {Firm}.]
Strength; stability. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Firmity \Firm"i*ty\, n. [L. firmitas.]
Strength; firmness; stability. [Obs.] --Chillingworth.
Firmless \Firm"less\, a.
1. Detached from substance. [Obs.]
Does passion still the firmless mind control?
--Pope.
2. Infirm; unstable. ``Firmless sands.'' --Sylvester.
Firmly \Firm"ly\, adv.
In a firm manner.
Firmness \Firm"ness\, n.
The state or quality of being firm.
Syn: {Firmness}, {Constancy}.
Usage: Firmness belongs to the will, and constancy to the
affections and principles; the former prevents us from
yielding, and the latter from fluctuating. Without
firmness a man has no character; ``without
constancy,'' says Addison, ``there is neither love,
friendship, nor virtue in the world.''
Firms \Firms\, n. pl. [From {Firm}, a.] (Arch.)
The principal rafters of a roof, especially a pair of rafters
taken together. [Obs.]
Firring \Fir"ring\, n. (Arch.)
See {Furring}.
Firry \Fir"ry\, a.
Made of fir; abounding in firs.
In firry woodlands making moan. --Tennyson.
First \First\, a. [OE. first, furst, AS. fyrst; akin to Icel.
fyrstr, Sw. & Dan. f["o]rste, OHG. furist, G. f["u]rst
prince; a superlatiye form of E. for, fore. See {For},
{Fore}, and cf. {Formeer}, {Foremost}.]
1. Preceding all others of a series or kind; the ordinal of
one; earliest; as, the first day of a month; the first
year of a reign.
2. Foremost; in front of, or in advance of, all others.
3. Most eminent or exalted; most excellent; chief; highest;
as, Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece.
{At first blush}. See under {Blush}.
{At first hand}, from the first or original source; without
the intervention of any agent.
It is the intention of the person to reveal it at
first hand, by way of mouth, to yourself. --Dickens.
{First coat} (Plastering), the solid foundation of coarse
stuff, on which the rest is placed; it is thick, and
crossed with lines, so as to give a bond for the next
coat.
{First day}, Sunday; -- so called by the Friends.
{First floor}.
(a) The ground floor. [U.S.]
(b) The floor next above the ground floor. [Eng.]
{First} {fruit or fruits}.
(a) The fruits of the season earliest gathered.
(b) (Feudal Law) One year's profits of lands belonging to
the king on the death of a tenant who held directly
from him.
(c) (Eng. Eccl. Law) The first year's whole profits of a
benefice or spiritual living.
(d) The earliest effects or results.
See, Father, what first fruits on earth are
sprung From thy implanted grace in man!
--Milton.
{First mate}, an officer in a merchant vessel next in rank to
the captain.
{First name}, same as {Christian name}. See under {Name}, n.
{First officer} (Naut.), in the merchant service, same as
{First mate} (above).
{First sergeant} (Mil.), the ranking non-commissioned officer
in a company; the orderly sergeant. --Farrow.
{First watch} (Naut.), the watch from eight to twelve at
midnight; also, the men on duty during that time.
{First water}, the highest quality or purest luster; -- said
of gems, especially of diamond and pearls.
Syn: Primary; primordial; primitive; primeval; pristine;
highest; chief; principal; foremost.
First \First\, adv.
Before any other person or thing in time, space, rank, etc.;
-- much used in composition with adjectives and participles.
Adam was first formed, then Eve. --1 Tim. ii.
13.
{At first}, {At the first}, at the beginning or origin.
{First or last}, at one time or another; at the beginning or
end.
And all are fools and lovers first or last.
--Dryden.
First \First\, n. (Mus.)
The upper part of a duet, trio, etc., either vocal or
instrumental; -- so called because it generally expresses the
air, and has a pre["e]minence in the combined effect.
Firstborn \First"born`\, a.
First brought forth; first in the order of nativity; eldest;
hence, most excellent; most distinguished or exalted.
First-class \First"-class`\, a.
Of the best class; of the highest rank; in the first
division; of the best quality; first-rate; as, a first-class
telescope.
{First-class car} or {First-class railway carriage}, any
passenger car of the highest regular class, and intended
for passengers who pay the highest regular rate; --
distinguished from a second-class car.
First-hand \First"-hand`\, a.
Obtained directly from the first or original source; hence,
without the intervention of an agent.
One sphere there is . . . where the apprehension of him
is first-hand and direct; and that is the sphere of our
own mind. --J.
Martineau.
Firstling \First"ling\, n. [First + -ling.]
1. The first produce or offspring; -- said of animals,
especially domestic animals; as, the firstlings of his
flock. --Milton.
2. The thing first thought or done.
The very firstlings of my heart shall be The
firstlings of my hand. --Shak.
Firstling \First"ling\, a.
Firstborn.
All the firstling males. --Deut. xv.
19.
Firstly \First"ly\, adv.
In the first place; before anything else; -- sometimes
improperly used for first.
First-rate \First"-rate`\, a.
Of the highest excellence; pre["e]minent in quality, size, or
estimation.
Our only first-rate body of contemporary poetry is the
German. --M. Arnold.
Hermocrates . . . a man of first-rate ability. --Jowett
(Thucyd).
First-rate \First"-rate`\, n. (Naut.)
A war vessel of the highest grade or the most powerful class.
Firth \Firth\, n. [Scot. See {Frith}.] (geog.)
An arm of the sea; a frith.
Fir tree \Fir" tree`\
See {Fir}.
Fisc \Fisc\, n. [F. fisc, fr. L. fiscus basket, money basket,
treasury; prob. akin to fascis bundle. See {Fasces}.]
A public or state treasury. --Burke.
Fiscal \Fis"cal\, a. [F. fiscal, L. fiscalis, fr. fiscus. See
{Fisc}.]
Pertaining to the public treasury or revenue.
The fiscal arreangements of government.
--A.gt.Hamilton.
Fiscal \Fis"cal\, n.
1. The income of a prince or a state; revenue; exhequer.
[Obs.] --Bacon.
2. A treasurer. --H. Swinburne.
3. A public officer in Scotland who prosecutes in petty
criminal cases; -- called also {procurator fiscal}.
4. The solicitor in Spain and Portugal; the attorney-general.
Fisetic \Fi*set"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to fustet or fisetin.
Fisetin \Fis"e*tin\, n. [G. fisettholz a species of fustic.]
(Chem.)
A yellow crystalline substance extracted from fustet, and
regarded as its essential coloring principle; -- called also
{fisetic acid}.
Fish \Fish\, n. [F. fiche peg, mark, fr. fisher to fix.]
A counter, used in various games.
Fish \Fish\, n.; pl. {Fishes}, or collectively, {Fish}. [OE.
fisch, fisc, fis, AS. fisc; akin to D. visch, OS. & OHG.
fisk, G. fisch, Icel. fiskr, Sw. & Dan. fisk, Goth. fisks, L.
piscis, Ir. iasg. Cf. {Piscatorial}. In some cases, such as
fish joint, fish plate, this word has prob. been confused
with fish, fr. F. fichea peg.]
1. A name loosely applied in popular usage to many animals of
diverse characteristics, living in the water.
2. (Zo["o]l.) An oviparous, vertebrate animal usually having
fins and a covering scales or plates. It breathes by means
of gills, and lives almost entirely in the water. See
{Pisces}.
Note: The true fishes include the Teleostei (bony fishes),
Ganoidei, Dipnoi, and Elasmobranchii or Selachians
(sharks and skates). Formerly the leptocardia and
Marsipobranciata were also included, but these are now
generally regarded as two distinct classes, below the
fishes.
3. pl. The twelfth sign of the zodiac; Pisces.
4. The flesh of fish, used as food.
5. (Naut.)
(a) A purchase used to fish the anchor.
(b) A piece of timber, somewhat in the form of a fish,
used to strengthen a mast or yard.
Note: Fish is used adjectively or as part of a compound word;
as, fish line, fish pole, fish spear, fish-bellied.
{Age of Fishes}. See under {Age}, n., 8.
{Fish ball}, fish (usually salted codfish) shared fine, mixed
with mashed potato, and made into the form of a small,
round cake. [U.S.]
{Fish bar}. Same as {Fish plate} (below).
{Fish beam} (Mech.), a beam one of whose sides (commonly the
under one) swells out like the belly of a fish. --Francis.
{Fish crow} (Zo["o]l.), a species of crow ({Corvus
ossifragus}), found on the Atlantic coast of the United
States. It feeds largely on fish.
{Fish culture}, the artifical breeding and rearing of fish;
pisciculture.
{Fish davit}. See {Davit}.
{Fish day}, a day on which fish is eaten; a fast day.
{Fish duck} (Zo["o]l.), any species of merganser.
{Fish fall}, the tackle depending from the fish davit, used
in hauling up the anchor to the gunwale of a ship.
{Fish garth}, a dam or weir in a river for keeping fish or
taking them easily.
{Fish glue}. See {Isinglass}.
{Fish joint}, a joint formed by a plate or pair of plates
fastened upon two meeting beams, plates, etc., at their
junction; -- used largely in connecting the rails of
railroads.
{Fish kettle}, a long kettle for boiling fish whole.
{Fish ladder}, a dam with a series of steps which fish can
leap in order to ascend falls in a river.
{Fish line}, or {Fishing line}, a line made of twisted hair,
silk, etc., used in angling.
{Fish louse} (Zo["o]l.), any crustacean parasitic on fishes,
esp. the parasitic Copepoda, belonging to {Caligus},
{Argulus}, and other related genera. See {Branchiura}.
{Fish maw} (Zo["o]l.), the stomach of a fish; also, the air
bladder, or sound.
{Fish meal}, fish desiccated and ground fine, for use in
soups, etc.
{Fish oil}, oil obtained from the bodies of fish and marine
animals, as whales, seals, sharks, from cods' livers, etc.
{Fish owl} (Zo["o]l.), a fish-eating owl of the Old World
genera {Scotopelia} and {Ketupa}, esp. a large East Indian
species ({K. Ceylonensis}).
{Fish plate}, one of the plates of a fish joint.
{Fish pot}, a wicker basket, sunk, with a float attached, for
catching crabs, lobsters, etc.
{Fish pound}, a net attached to stakes, for entrapping and
catching fish; a weir. [Local, U.S.] --Bartlett.
{Fish slice}, a broad knife for dividing fish at table; a
fish trowel.
{Fish slide}, an inclined box set in a stream at a small
fall, or ripple, to catch fish descending the current.
--Knight.
{Fish sound}, the air bladder of certain fishes, esp. those
that are dried and used as food, or in the arts, as for
the preparation of isinglass.
{Fish story}, a story which taxes credulity; an extravagant
or incredible narration. [Colloq. U.S.] --Bartlett.
{Fish strainer}.
(a) A metal colander, with handles, for taking fish from a
boiler.
(b) A perforated earthenware slab at the bottom of a dish,
to drain the water from a boiled fish.
{Fish trowel}, a fish slice.
{Fish} {weir or wear}, a weir set in a stream, for catching
fish.
{Neither fish nor flesh} (Fig.), neither one thing nor the
other.
Fish \Fish\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fished}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fishing}.]
1. To attempt to catch fish; to be employed in taking fish,
by any means, as by angling or drawing a net.
2. To seek to obtain by artifice, or indirectly to seek to
draw forth; as, to fish for compliments.
Any other fishing question. --Sir W.
Scott.
Fish \Fish\, v. t. [OE. fischen, fisken, fissen, AS. fiscian;
akin to G. fischen, OHG. fisc?n, Goth. fisk?n. See {Fish} the
animal.]
1. To catch; to draw out or up; as, to fish up an anchor.
2. To search by raking or sweeping. --Swift.
3. To try with a fishing rod; to catch fish in; as, to fish a
stream. --Thackeray.
4. To strengthen (a beam, mast, etc.), or unite end to end
(two timbers, railroad rails, etc.) by bolting a plank,
timber, or plate to the beam, mast, or timbers, lengthwise
on one or both sides. See {Fish joint}, under {Fish}, n.
{To fish the anchor}. (Naut.) See under {Anchor}.
Fish-bellied \Fish"-bel`lied\, a.
Bellying or swelling out on the under side; as, a
fish-bellied rail. --Knight.
Fish-block \Fish"-block`\, n.
See {Fish-tackle}.
Fisher \Fish"er\, n. [AS. fiscere.]
1. One who fishes.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A carnivorous animal of the Weasel family
({Mustela Canadensis}); the pekan; the ``black cat.''
Fisherman \Fish"er*man\, n.; pl. {Fishermen}.
1. One whose occupation is to catch fish.
2. (Naut.) A ship or vessel employed in the business of
taking fish, as in the cod fishery.
Fishery \Fish"er*y\, n.; pl. {Fisheries}.
1. The business or practice of catching fish; fishing.
--Addison.
2. A place for catching fish.
3. (Law) The right to take fish at a certain place, or in
particular waters. --Abbott.
Fishful \Fish"ful\, a.
Abounding with fish. [R.] ``My fishful pond.'' --R. Carew.
Fishgig \Fish"gig`\, n.
A spear with barbed prongs used for harpooning fish.
--Knight.
Fishhawk \Fish"hawk`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The osprey ({Pandion halia["e]tus}), found both in Europe and
America; -- so called because it plunges into the water and
seizes fishes in its talons. Called also {fishing eagle}, and
{bald buzzard}.
Fishhook \Fish"hook`\, n.
1. A hook for catching fish.
2. (Naut.) A hook with a pendant, to the end of which the
fish-tackle is hooked. --Dana.
Fishify \Fish"i*fy\, v. t.
To change to fish. [R.] --Shak.
Fishiness \Fish"i*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being fishy or fishlike. --Pennant.
Fishing \Fish"ing\, n.
1. The act, practice, or art of one who fishes.
2. A fishery. --Spenser.
Fishing \Fish"ing\, a. [From {Fishing}, n.]
Pertaining to fishing; used in fishery; engaged in fishing;
as, fishing boat; fishing tackle; fishing village.
{Fishing fly}, an artificial fly for fishing.
{Fishing line}, a line used in catching fish.
{Fishing net}, a net of various kinds for catching fish;
including the bag net, casting net, drag net, landing net,
seine, shrimping net, trawl, etc.
{Fishing rod}, a long slender rod, to which is attached the
line for angling.
{Fishing smack}, a sloop or other small vessel used in sea
fishing.
{Fishing tackle}, apparatus used in fishing, as hook, line,
rod, etc.
{Fishing tube} (Micros.), a glass tube for selecting a
microscopic object in a fluid.
Fishlike \Fish"like\, a.
Like fish; suggestive of fish; having some of the qualities
of fish.
A very ancient and fishlike smell. --Shak.
Fishmonger \Fish"mon`ger\, n.
A dealer in fish.
Fishskin \Fish"skin`\, n.
1. The skin of a fish (dog fish, shark, etc.)
2. (Med.) See {Ichthyosis}.
Fish-tackle \Fish"-tac`kle\, n.
A tackle or purchase used to raise the flukes of the anchor
up to the gunwale. The block used is called the fish-block.
Fish-tail \Fish"-tail`\, a.
Like the of a fish; acting, or producing something, like the
tail of a fish.
{Fish-tail burner}, a gas burner that gives a spreading flame
shaped somewhat like the tail of a fish.
{Fish-tail propeller} (Steamship), a propeller with a single
blade that oscillates like the tail of a fish when
swimming.
Fishwife \Fish"wife`\, n.
A fishwoman.
Fishwoman \Fish"wom`an\, n.; pl. {Fishwomen}.
A woman who retails fish.
Fishy \Fish"y\, a.
1. Consisting of fish; fishlike; having the qualities or
taste of fish; abounding in fish. --Pope.
2. Extravagant, like some stories about catching fish;
improbable; also, rank or foul. [Colloq.]
Fisk \Fisk\, v. i. [Cf. Sw. fjeska to bustle about.]
To run about; to frisk; to whisk. [Obs.]
He fisks abroad, and stirreth up erroneous opinions.
--Latimer.
Fissigemmation \Fis`si*gem*ma"tion\, n. [L. fissus (p. p. of
findere to split) + E. gemmation.] (Biol.)
A process of reproduction intermediate between fission and
gemmation.
Fissile \Fis"sile\, a. [L. fissilis, fr. fissus, p. p. of
findere to split. See {Fissure}.]
Capable of being split, cleft, or divided in the direction of
the grain, like wood, or along natural planes of cleavage,
like crystals.
This crystal is a pellucid, fissile stone. --Sir I.
Newton.
Fissilingual \Fis`si*lin"gual\, a. [L. fissus (p. p. of findere
to split) + E. lingual.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having the tongue forked.
Fissilinguia \Fis`si*lin"gui*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. fissus (p.
p. o f findere to split) + lingua tongue.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of Lacertilia having the tongue forked, including the
common lizards. [Written also {Fissilingues}.]
Fissility \Fis*sil"i*ty\, n.
Quality of being fissile.
Fission \Fis"sion\, n. [L. fissio. See {Fissure}.]
1. A cleaving, splitting, or breaking up into parts.
2. (Biol.) A method of asexual reproduction among the lowest
(unicellular) organisms by means of a process of
self-division, consisting of gradual division or cleavage
of the into two parts, each of which then becomes a
separate and independent organisms; as when a cell in an
animal or plant, or its germ, undergoes a spontaneous
division, and the parts again subdivide. See
{Segmentation}, and {Cell division}, under {Division}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A process by which certain coral polyps,
echinoderms, annelids, etc., spontaneously subdivide, each
individual thus forming two or more new ones. See
{Strobilation}.
Fissipalmate \Fis`si*pal"mate\, a. [L. fissus (p. p. of findere
to split) + palma palm.] (Zo["o]l.)
Semipalmate and loboped, as a grebe's foot. See Illust. under
{Aves}.
Fissipara \Fis*sip"a*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See {Fissiparous}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Animals which reproduce by fission.
Fissiparism \Fis*sip"a*rism\, n. [See {Fissiparous}.] (Biol.)
Reproduction by spontaneous fission.
Fissiparity \Fis`si*par"i*ty\, n. (Biol.)
Quality of being fissiparous; fissiparism.
Fissiparous \Fis*sip"a*rous\, a. [L. fissus (p. p. of findere to
split) + parere to bring forth: cf. F. fissipare.] (Biol.)
Reproducing by spontaneous fission. See {Fission}. --
{Fis*sip"a*rous*ly}, adv.
Fissipation \Fis`si*pa"tion\, n. (Biol.)
Reproduction by fission; fissiparism.
Fissiped \Fis"si*ped\, Fissipedal \Fis*sip"e*dal\, a. [Cf. F.
fissip[`e]de.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having the toes separated to the base. [See {Aves}.]
Fissiped \Fis"si*ped\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Fissipedia.
Fissipedia \Fis`si*pe"di*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. fissus (p. p.
of findere to cleave) + pes, pedis, a foot.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of the Carnivora, including the dogs, cats, and
bears, in which the feet are not webbed; -- opposed to
Pinnipedia.
Fissirostral \Fis`si*ros"tral\, a. [Cf. F. fissirostre.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having the bill cleft beyond the horny part, as in the case
of swallows and goatsuckers.
Fissirostres \Fis`si*ros"tres\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. fissus (p.
p. of findere to cleave) + rostrum beak.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of birds having the bill deeply cleft.
Fissural \Fis"sur*al\, a.
Pertaining to a fissure or fissures; as, the fissural pattern
of a brain.
Fissuration \Fis`su*ra"tion\, n. (Anat.)
The act of dividing or opening; the state of being fissured.
Fissure \Fis"sure\, n. [L. fissura, fr. findere, fissum, to
cleave, split; akin to E. bite: cf. F. fissure.]
A narrow opening, made by the parting of any substance; a
cleft; as, the fissure of a rock.
{Cerebral fissures} (Anat.), the furrows or clefts by which
the surface of the cerebrum is divided; esp., the furrows
first formed by the infolding of the whole wall of the
cerebrum.
{Fissure needle} (Surg.), a spiral needle for catching
together the gaping lips of wounds. --Knight.
{Fissure of rolando} (Anat.), the furrow separating the
frontal from the parietal lobe in the cerebrum.
{Fissure of Sylvius} (Anat.), a deep cerebral fissure
separating the frontal from the temporal lobe. See Illust.
under {Brain}.
{Fissure vein} (Mining), a crack in the earth's surface
filled with mineral matter. --Raymond.
Fissure \Fis"sure\, v. t.
To cleave; to divide; to crack or fracture.
Fissurella \Fis`su*rel"la\, n. [NL., dim. of L. fissura a
fissure.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of marine gastropod mollusks, having a conical or
limpetlike shell, with an opening at the apex; -- called also
{keyhole limpet}.
Fist \Fist\, n. [OE. fist, fust, AS. f?st; akin to D. vuist,
OHG. f?st, G. faust, and prob. to L. pugnus, Gr. ? fist, ?
with the fist. Cf. {Pugnacious}, {Pigmy}.]
1. The hand with the fingers doubled into the palm; the
closed hand, especially as clinched tightly for the
purpose of striking a blow.
Who grasp the earth and heaven with my fist.
--Herbert.
2. The talons of a bird of prey. [Obs.]
More light than culver in the falcon's fist.
--Spenser.
3. (print.) the index mark [[hand]], used to direct special
attention to the passage which follows.
{Hand over fist} (Naut.), rapidly; hand over hand.
Fist \Fist\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fisted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fisting}.]
1. To strike with the fist. --Dryden.
2. To gripe with the fist. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fistic \Fist"ic\, a. [From {Fist}.]
Pertaining to boxing, or to encounters with the fists;
puglistic; as, fistic exploits; fistic heroes. [Colloq.]
Fisticuff \Fist"i*cuff\, n.
A cuff or blow with the fist or hand; (pl.) a fight with the
fists; boxing. --Swift.
Fistinut \Fis"ti*nut\, n. [Cf. Fr. fistinq, fistuq. See
{Pistachio}.]
A pistachio nut. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Fistuca \Fis*tu"ca\, n. [L.]
An instrument used by the ancients in driving piles.
Fistula \Fis"tu*la\ (?; 135), n.; pl. {Fistul[ae]}. [L.]
1. A reed; a pipe.
2. A pipe for convejing water. [Obs.] --Knight.
3. (Med.) A permanent abnormal opening into the soft parts
with a constant discharge; a deep, narrow, chronic
abscess; an abnormal opening between an internal cavity
and another cavity or the surface; as, a salivary fistula;
an anal fistula; a recto-vaginal fistula.
{Incomplete fistula} (Med.), a fistula open at one end only.
Fistular \Fis"tu*lar\, a. [L. fistularis: cf. F. fistulaire.]
Hollow and cylindrical, like a pipe or reed. --Johnson.
Fistularia \Fis`tu*la"ri*a\, n. [NL., fr. L. fistula pipe.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of fishes, having the head prolonged into a tube,
with the mouth at the extremity.
Fistularioid \Fis`tu*la"ri*oid\, a. [Fistularia + -oid.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the genus Fistularia.
Fistulate \Fis"tu*late\ (?; 135), v. t. & i. [Cf. L. fistulatus
furnished with pipes.]
To make hollow or become hollow like a fistula, or pipe.
[Obs.] ``A fistulated ulcer.'' --Fuller.
Fistule \Fis"tule\ (?; 135), n.
A fistula.
Fistuliform \Fis"tu*li*form\ (? or ?), a. [Fistula + -form.]
Of a fistular form; tubular; pipe-shaped.
Stalactite often occurs fistuliform. --W. Philips.
Fistulose \Fis"tu*lose`\ (?; 135), a. [L. fistulosus.]
Formed like a fistula; hollow; reedlike. --Craig.
Fistulous \Fis"tu*lous\, a. [Cf. F. fistuleux.]
1. Having the form or nature of a fistula; as, a fistulous
ulcer.
2. Hollow, like a pipe or reed; fistulose. --Lindley.
Fit \Fit\,
imp. & p. p. of {Fight}. [Obs. or Colloq.]
Fit \Fit\, n. [AS. fitt a song.]
In Old English, a song; a strain; a canto or portion of a
ballad; a passus. [Written also {fitte}, {fytte}, etc.]
To play some pleasant fit. --Spenser.
Fit \Fit\, a. [Compar. {Fitter}; superl. {Fittest}.] [OE. fit,
fyt; cf. E. feat neat, elegant, well made, or icel. fitja to
web, knit, OD. vitten to suit, square, Goth. f?tjan to adorn.
? 77.]
1. Adapted to an end, object, or design; suitable by nature
or by art; suited by character, qualitties, circumstances,
education, etc.; qualified; competent; worthy.
That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified
in. --Shak.
Fit audience find, though few. --Milton.
2. Prepared; ready. [Obs.]
So fit to shoot, she singled forth among her foes
who first her quarry's strength should feel.
--Fairfax.
3. Conformed to a standart of duty, properiety, or taste;
convenient; meet; becoming; proper.
Is it fit to say a king, Thou art wicked? --Job
xxxiv. 18.
Syn: Suitable; proper; appropriate; meet; becoming;
expedient; congruous; correspondent; apposite; apt;
adapted; prepared; qualified; competent; adequate.
Fit \Fit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fitted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fitting}.]
1. To make fit or suitable; to adapt to the purpose intended;
to qualify; to put into a condition of readiness or
preparation.
The time is fitted for the duty. --Burke.
The very situation for which he was peculiarly
fitted by nature. --Macaulay.
2. To bring to a required form and size; to shape aright; to
adapt to a model; to adjust; -- said especially of the
work of a carpenter, machinist, tailor, etc.
The carpenter . . . marketh it out with a line; he
fitteth it with planes. --Is. xliv.
13.
3. To supply with something that is suitable or fit, or that
is shaped and adjusted to the use required.
No milliner can so fit his customers with gloves.
--Shak.
4. To be suitable to; to answer the requirements of; to be
correctly shaped and adjusted to; as, if the coat fits
you, put it on.
That's a bountiful answer that fits all questions.
--Shak.
That time best fits the work. --Shak.
{To fit out}, to supply with necessaries or means; to
furnish; to equip; as, to fit out a privateer.
{To fit up}, to firnish with things suitable; to make proper
for the reception or use of any person; to prepare; as, to
fit up a room for a guest.
Fit \Fit\, v. i.
1. To be proper or becoming.
Nor fits it to prolong the feast. --Pope.
2. To be adjusted to a particular shape or size; to suit; to
be adapted; as, his coat fits very well.
Fit \Fit\, n.
1. The quality of being fit; adjustment; adaptedness; as of
dress to the person of the wearer.
2. (Mach.)
(a) The coincidence of parts that come in contact.
(b) The part of an object upon which anything fits
tightly.
{Fit rod} (Shipbuilding), a gauge rod used to try the depth
of a bolt hole in order to determine the length of the
bolt required. --Knight.
Fit \Fit\, n. [AS. fit strife, fight; of uncertain origin.
[root] 77.]
1. A stroke or blow. [Obs. or R.]
Curse on that cross, quoth then the Sarazin, That
keeps thy body from the bitter fit. --Spenser.
2. A sudden and violent attack of a disorder; a stroke of
disease, as of epilepsy or apoplexy, which produces
convulsions or unconsciousness; a convulsion; a paroxysm;
hence, a period of exacerbation of a disease; in general,
an attack of disease; as, a fit of sickness.
And when the fit was on him, I did mark How he did
shake. --Shak.
3. A mood of any kind which masters or possesses one for a
time; a temporary, absorbing affection; a paroxysm; as, a
fit melancholy, of passion, or of laughter.
All fits of pleasure we balanced by an equal degree
of pain. --Swift.
The English, however, were on this subject prone to
fits of jealously. --Macaulay.
4. A passing humor; a caprice; a sudden and unusual effort,
activity, or motion, followed by relaxation or insction;
an impulse and irregular action.
The fits of the season. --Shak.
5. A darting point; a sudden emission. [R.]
A tongue of light, a fit of flame. --Coleridge.
{By fits}, {By fits and starts}, by intervals of action and
re?pose; impulsively and irregularly; intermittently.
Fitch \Fitch\ (?; 224), n.; pl. {Fitches}. [See {Vetch}.]
1. (Bot.) A vetch. [Obs.]
2. pl. (Bot.) A word found in the Authorized Version of the
Bible, representing different Hebrew originals. In Isaiah
xxviii. 25, 27, it means the black aromatic seeds of
{Nigella sativa}, still used as a flavoring in the East.
In Ezekiel iv. 9, the Revised Version now reads spelt.
Fitch \Fitch\, n. [Contr. of fitched.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European polecat; also, its fur.
Fitch'e \Fitch"['e]\, a. [Cf. F. fich['e], lit. p. p. of ficher
to fasten, OF. fichier to pierce. Cf. 1st {Fish}.] (Her.)
Sharpened to a point; pointed.
{Cross fitch['e]}, a cross having the lower arm pointed.
Fitched \Fitched\, a. (her.)
Fitch['e]. [Also {fiched}.]
Fitchet \Fitch"et\, Fitchew \Fitch"ew\, n. [Cf. OF. fisseau,
fissel, OD. fisse, visse, vitsche, D. vies nasty, loathsome,
E. fizz.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European polecat ({Putorius f[oe]tidus}). See {Polecat}.
Fitchy \Fitch"y\, a.
Having fitches or vetches.
Fitchy \Fitch"y\, a. [See {Fitch['e]}.] (Her.)
Fitch['e].
Fitful \Fit"ful\, a. [From 7th {Fit}.]
Full of fits; irregularly variable; impulsive and unstable.
After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well. --Shak.
-- {Fit"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Fit"ful*ness}, n.
The victorious trumpet peal Dies fitfully away.
--Macaulay.
Fithel \Fith"el\, Fithul \Fith"ul\, n. [OE. See {Fiddle}.]
A fiddle. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fitly \Fit"ly\, adv.
In a fit manner; suitably; properly; conveniently; as, a
maxim fitly applied.
Fitment \Fit"ment\, n.
The act of fitting; that which is proper or becoming;
equipment. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fitness \Fit"ness\, n.
The state or quality of being fit; as, the fitness of
measures or laws; a person's fitness for office.
Fitt \Fitt\, n.
See 2d {Fit}.
Fittable \Fit"ta*ble\, a.
Suitable; fit. [Obs.] --Sherwood.
Fittedness \Fit"ted*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being fitted; adaptation. [Obs.]
--Dr. H. More.
Fitter \Fit"ter\, n.
1. One who fits or makes to fit; esp.:
(a) One who tries on, and adjusts, articles of dress.
(b) One who fits or adjusts the different parts of
machinery to each other.
2. A coal broker who conducts the sales between the owner of
a coal pit and the shipper. [Eng.] --Simmonds.
Fitter \Fit"ter\, n.
A little piece; a flitter; a flinder. [Obs.]
Where's the Frenchman? Alas, he's all fitters. --Beau.
& Fl.
Fitting \Fit"ting\, n.
Anything used in fitting up; especially (pl.), necessary
fixtures or apparatus; as, the fittings of a church or study;
gas fittings.
Fitting \Fit"ting\, a.
Fit; appropriate; suitable; proper. -- {Fit"ting*ly}, adv. --
{Fit"ting*ness}, n. --Jer. Taylor.
Fitweed \Fit"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant ({Eryngium f[oe]tidum}) supposed to be a remedy for
fits.
Fitz \Fitz\, n. [OF. fils, filz, fiz, son, F. fils, L. filius.
See {Filial}.]
A son; -- used in compound names, to indicate paternity, esp.
of the illegitimate sons of kings and princes of the blood;
as, Fitzroy, the son of the king; Fitzclarence, the son of
the duke of Clarence.
Five \Five\, a. [OE. fif, five, AS. f[=i]f, f[=i]fe; akin to D.
vijf, OS. f[=i]f, OHG. finf, funf, G. f["u]nf, Icel. fimm,
Sw. & Sw. Dan. fem, Goth. fimf, Lith. penki, W. pump, OIr.
c['o]ic, L. quinque, Gr. ?, [AE]ol. ?, Skr. pa?can.
[root]303. Cf. {Fifth}, {Cinque}, {Pentagon}, {Punch} the
drink, {Quinary}.]
Four and one added; one more than four.
{Five nations} (Ethnol.), a confederacy of the Huron-Iroquois
Indians, consisting of five tribes: Mohawks, Onondagas,
Cayugas, Oneidas, and Senecas. They inhabited the region
which is now the State of new York.
Five \Five\ (f[imac]v), n.
1. The number next greater than four, and less than six; five
units or objects.
Five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
--Matt. xxv.
2.
2. A symbol representing this number, as 5, or V.
Five-finger \Five"-fin`ger\, n.
1. (Bot.) See {Cinquefoil}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A starfish with five rays, esp. {Asterias
rubens}.
Fivefold \Five"fold`\, a. & adv.
In fives; consisting of five in one; five repeated;
quintuple.
Five-leaf \Five"-leaf`\, n.
Cinquefoil; five-finger.
Five-leafed \Five"-leafed`\, Five-leaved \Five"-leaved`\, a.
(Bot.)
Having five leaflets, as the Virginia creeper.
Fiveling \Five"ling\, n. (Min.)
A compound or twin crystal consisting of five individuals.
Fives \Fives\ (f[imac]vz), n. pl.
A kind of play with a ball against a wall, resembling tennis;
-- so named because three fives, or fifteen, are counted to
the game. --Smart.
{Fives court}, a place for playing fives.
Fives \Fives\, n. [See {Vives}.]
A disease of the glands under the ear in horses; the vives.
--Shak.
Five-twenties \Five`-twen"ties\, n. pl.
Five-twenty bonds of the United States (bearing six per cent
interest), issued in 1862, '64, and '65, redeemable after
five and payable in twenty years.
Fix \Fix\ (f[i^]ks), a. [OE., fr. L. fixus, p. p. of figere to
fix; cf. F. fixe.]
Fixed; solidified. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fix \Fix\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fixed} (f[i^]kst); p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fixing}.] [Cf. F. fixer.]
1. To make firm, stable, or fast; to set or place
permanently; to fasten immovably; to establish; to
implant; to secure; to make definite.
An ass's nole I fixed on his head. --Shak.
O, fix thy chair of grace, that all my powers May
also fix their reverence. --Herbert.
His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. --Ps.
cxii. 7.
And fix far deeper in his head their stings.
--Milton.
2. To hold steadily; to direct unwaveringly; to fasten, as
the eye on an object, the attention on a speaker.
Sat fixed in thought the mighty Stagirite. --Pope.
One eye on death, and one full fix'd on heaven.
--Young.
3. To transfix; to pierce. [Obs.] --Sandys.
4. (Photog.) To render (an impression) permanent by treating
with such applications as will make it insensible to the
action of light. --Abney.
5. To put in order; to arrange; to dispose of; to adjust; to
set to rights; to set or place in the manner desired or
most suitable; hence, to repair; as, to fix the clothes;
to fix the furniture of a room. [Colloq. U.S.]
6. (Iron Manuf.) To line the hearth of (a puddling furnace)
with fettling.
Syn: To arrange; prepare; adjust; place; establish; settle;
determine.
Fix \Fix\, v. i.
1. To become fixed; to settle or remain permanently; to cease
from wandering; to rest.
Your kindness banishes your fear, Resolved to fix
forever here. --Waller.
2. To become firm, so as to resist volatilization; to cease
to flow or be fluid; to congeal; to become hard and
malleable, as a metallic substance. --Bacon.
{To fix on}, to settle the opinion or resolution about; to
determine regarding; as, the contracting parties have
fixed on certain leading points.
Fix \Fix\, n.
1. A position of difficulty or embarassment; predicament;
dilemma. [Colloq.]
Is he not living, then? No. is he dead, then? No,
nor dead either. Poor Aroar can not live, and can
not die, -- so that he is in an almighty fix. --De
Quincey.
2. (Iron Manuf.) fettling. [U.S.]
Fixable \Fix"a*ble\ (-[.a]*b'l), a.
Capable of being fixed.
Fixation \Fix*a"tion\ (f[i^]ks*[=a]"sh[u^]n), n. [Cf. F.
fixation.]
1. The act of fixing, or the state of being fixed.
An unalterable fixation of resolution.
--Killingbeck.
To light, created in the first day, God gave no
proper place or fixation. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
Marked stiffness or absolute fixation of a joint.
--Quain.
A fixation and confinement of thought to a few
objects. --Watts.
2. The act of uniting chemically with a solid substance or in
a solid form; reduction to a non-volatile condition; --
said of gaseous elements.
3. The act or process of ceasing to be fluid and becoming
firm. --Glanvill.
4. A state of resistance to evaporation or volatilization by
heat; -- said of metals. --Bacon.
Fixative \Fix"a*tive\, n.
That which serves to set or fix colors or drawings, as a
mordant.
Fixed \Fixed\ (f[i^]kst), a.
1. Securely placed or fastened; settled; established; firm;
imovable; unalterable.
2. (Chem.) Stable; non-volatile.
{Fixed air} (Old Chem.), carbonic acid or carbon dioxide; --
so called by Dr. Black because it can be absorbed or fixed
by strong bases. See {Carbonic acid}, under {Carbonic}.
{Fixed alkali} (Old Chem.), a non-volatile base, as soda, or
potash, in distinction from the volatile alkali ammonia.
{Fixed ammunition} (Mil.), a projectile and powder inclosed
together in a case ready for loading.
{Fixed battery} (Mil.), a battery which contains heavy guns
and mortars intended to remain stationary; --
distinguished from movable battery.
{Fixed bodies}, those which can not be volatilized or
separated by a common menstruum, without great difficulty,
as gold, platinum, lime, etc.
{Fixed capital}. See the Note under {Capital}, n., 4.
{Fixed fact}, a well established fact. [Colloq.]
{Fixed light}, one which emits constant beams; --
distinguished from a flashing, revolving, or intermittent
light.
{Fixed oils} (Chem.), non-volatile, oily substances, as
stearine and olein, which leave a permanent greasy stain,
and which can not be distilled unchanged; -- distinguished
from volatile or {essential oils}.
{Fixed pivot} (Mil.), the fixed point about which any line of
troops wheels.
{Fixed stars} (Astron.), such stars as always retain nearly
the same apparent position and distance with respect to
each other, thus distinguished from planets and comets.
Fixedly \Fix"ed*ly\ (f[i^]ks"[e^]d*l[y^]), adv.
In a fixed, stable, or constant manner.
Fixedness \Fix"ed*ness\, n.
1. The state or quality of being fixed; stability;
steadfastness.
2. The quality of a body which resists evaporation or
volatilization by heat; solidity; cohesion of parts; as,
the fixedness of gold.
Fixidity \Fix*id"i*ty\ (f[i^]ks*[i^]d"[i^]*t[y^]), n.
Fixedness. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Fixing \Fix"ing\ (f[i^]ks"[i^]ng), n.
1. The act or process of making fixed.
2. That which is fixed; a fixture.
3. pl. Arrangements; embellishments; trimmings;
accompaniments. [Colloq. U.S.]
Fixity \Fix"i*ty\ (-[i^]*t[y^]), n. [Cf. F. fixit['e].]
1. Fixedness; as, fixity of tenure; also, that which is
fixed.
2. Coherence of parts. --Sir I. Newton.
Fixture \Fix"ture\ (f[i^]ks"t[-u]r; 135), n. [Cf. {Fixure}.]
1. That which is fixed or attached to something as a
permanent appendage; as, the fixtures of a pump; the
fixtures of a farm or of a dwelling, that is, the articles
which a tenant may not take away.
2. State of being fixed; fixedness.
The firm fixture of thy foot. --Shak.
3. (Law) Anything of an accessory character annexed to houses
and lands, so as to constitute a part of them. This term
is, however, quite frequently used in the peculiar sense
of personal chattels annexed to lands and tenements, but
removable by the person annexing them, or his personal
representatives. In this latter sense, the same things may
be fixtures under some circumstances, and not fixtures
under others. --Wharton (Law Dict.). --Bouvier.
Note: This word is frequently substituted for fixure
(formerly the word in common use) in new editions of
old works.
Fixure \Fix"ure\ (-[-u]r), n. [L. fixura a fastening, fr. figere
to fix. See {Fix}, and cf. {Fixture}.]
Fixed position; stable condition; firmness. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fizgig \Fiz"gig`\ (f[i^]z"g[i^]g), n.
A fishgig. [Obs.] --Sandys.
Fizgig \Fiz"gig`\, n. [Fizz + gig whirling thing.]
A firework, made of damp powder, which makes a fizzing or
hissing noise when it explodes.
Fizgig \Fiz"gig`\, n. [See {Gig} a flirt.]
A gadding, flirting girl. --Gosson.
Fizz \Fizz\ (f[i^]z), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fizzed} (f[i^]zd); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Fizzing}.] [Cf. Icel. f[=i]sa to break wind,
Dan. fise to foist, fizzle, OSw. fisa, G. fisten, feisten.
Cf. {Foist}.]
To make a hissing sound, as a burning fuse.
Fizz \Fizz\, n.
A hissing sound; as, the fizz of a fly.
Fizzle \Fiz"zle\ (f[i^]z"z'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fizzled}
(-z'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Fizzling} (-zl[i^]ng).] [See
{Fizz}.]
1. To make a hissing sound.
It is the easiest thing, sir, to be done, As plain
as fizzling. --B. Jonson.
2. To make a ridiculous failure in an undertaking. [Colloq.
or Low]
{To fizzle out}, to burn with a hissing noise and then go
out, like wet gunpowder; hence, to fail completely and
ridiculously; to prove a failure. [Colloq.]
Fizzle \Fiz"zle\, n.
A failure or abortive effort. [Colloq.]
Fjord \Fjord\ (fy[^o]rd), n.
See {Fiord}.
Flabbergast \Flab"ber*gast\, v. t. [Cf. {Flap}, and {Aghast}.]
To astonish; to strike with wonder, esp. by extraordinary
statements. [Jocular] --Beaconsfield.
Flabbergastation \Flab`ber*gas*ta"tion\, n.
The state of being flabbergasted. [Jocular] --London Punch.
Flabbily \Flab"bi*ly\, adv.
In a flabby manner.
Flabbiness \Flab"bi*ness\, n.
Quality or state of being flabby.
Flabby \Flab"by\, a. [See {Flap}.]
Yielding to the touch, and easily moved or shaken; hanging
loose by its own weight; wanting firmness; flaccid; as,
flabby flesh.
Flabel \Fla"bel\, n. [L. flabellum a fan, dim. of flabrum a
breeze, fr. flare to blow.]
A fan. [Obs.] --Huloet.
Flabellate \Fla*bel"late\, a. [L. flabellatus, p. p. of
flabellare to fan, fr. flabellum. See {Flabbel}.] (Bot.)
Flabelliform.
Flabellation \Flab`el*la"tion\, n.
The act of keeping fractured limbs cool by the use of a fan
or some other contrivance. --Dunglison.
Flabelliform \Fla*bel"li*form\, a. [L. flabellum a fan + -form:
cf. F. flabeliforme.]
Having the form of a fan; fan-shaped; flabellate.
Flabellinerved \Fla*bel"li*nerved`\, a. [L. flabellum a fan + E.
nerve.] (Bot.)
Having many nerves diverging radiately from the base; -- said
of a leaf.
Flabellum \Fla*bel"lum\, n. [L. See {Flabel}.] (Eccl.)
A fan; especially, the fan carried before the pope on state
occasions, made in ostrich and peacock feathers. --Shipley.
Flabile \Flab"ile\, a. [L. flabilis.]
Liable to be blown about. --Bailey.
Flaccid \Flac"cid\, a. [L. flaccidus, fr. flaccus flabby: cf.
OF. flaccide.]
Yielding to pressure for want of firmness and stiffness; soft
and weak; limber; lax; drooping; flabby; as, a flaccid
muscle; flaccid flesh.
Religious profession . . . has become flacced. --I.
Taylor.
-- {Flac"cid*ly}, adv. -- {Flac"cid*ness}, n.
Flaccidity \Flac*cid"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. flaccidit['e].]
The state of being flaccid.
Flacker \Flack"er\, v. i. [OE. flakeren, fr. flacken to move
quickly to and fro; cf. icel. flakka to rove about, AS.
flacor fluttering, flying, G. flackern to flare, flicker.]
To flutter, as a bird. [Prov. Eng.] --Grose.
Flacket \Flack"et\, n. [OF. flasquet little flask, dim. of
flasque a flask.]
A barrel-shaped bottle; a flagon.
Flag \Flag\ (fl[a^]g), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flagged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Flagging}.] [Cf. Icel. flaka to droop, hang loosely.
Cf. {Flacker}, {Flag} an ensign.]
1. To hang loose without stiffness; to bend down, as flexible
bodies; to be loose, yielding, limp.
As loose it [the sail] flagged around the mast. --T.
Moore.
2. To droop; to grow spiritless; to lose vigor; to languish;
as, the spirits flag; the streugth flags.
The pleasures of the town begin to flag. --Swift.
Syn: To droop; decline; fail; languish; pine.
Flag \Flag\ (fl[a^]g), v. t.
1. To let droop; to suffer to fall, or let fall, into
feebleness; as, to flag the wings. --prior.
2. To enervate; to exhaust the vigor or elasticity of.
Nothing so flags the spirits. --Echard.
Flag \Flag\, n. [Cf. LG. & G. flagge, Sw. flagg, Dan. flag, D.
vlag. See {Flag} to hang loose.]
1. That which flags or hangs down loosely.
2. A cloth usually bearing a device or devices and used to
indicate nationality, party, etc., or to give or ask
information; -- commonly attached to a staff to be waved
by the wind; a standard; a banner; an ensign; the colors;
as, the national flag; a military or a naval flag.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A group of feathers on the lower part of the legs of
certain hawks, owls, etc.
(b) A group of elongated wing feathers in certain hawks.
(c) The bushy tail of a dog, as of a setter.
{Black flag}. See under {Black}.
{Flag captain}, {Flag leutenant}, etc., special officers
attached to the flagship, as aids to the flag officer.
{Flag officer}, the commander of a fleet or squadron; an
admiral, or commodore.
{Flag of truse}, a white flag carried or displayed to an
enemy, as an invitation to conference, or for the purpose
of making some communication not hostile.
{Flag share}, the flag officer's share of prize money.
{Flag station} (Railroad), a station at which trains do not
stop unless signaled to do so, by a flag hung out or
waved.
{National flag}, a flag of a particular country, on which
some national emblem or device, is emblazoned.
{Red flag}, a flag of a red color, displayed as a signal of
danger or token of defiance; the emblem of anarchists.
{To dip, the flag}, to mlower it and quickly restore it to
its place; -- done as a mark of respect.
{To hang out the white flag}, to ask truce or quarter, or, in
some cases, to manifest a friendly design by exhibiting a
white flag.
{To hang the flag} {half-mast high or half-staff}, to raise
it only half way to the mast or staff, as a token or sign
of mourning.
{To} {strike, or lower}, {the flag}, to haul it down, in
token of respect, submission, or, in an engagement, of
surrender.
{Yellow flag}, the quarantine flag of all nations; also
carried at a vessel's fore, to denote that an infectious
disease is on board.
Flag \Flag\, v. t. [From {Flag} an ensign.]
1. To signal to with a flag; as, to flag a train.
2. To convey, as a message, by means of flag signals; as, to
flag an order to troops or vessels at a distance.
Flag \Flag\, n. [From {Flag} to hang loose, to bend down.]
(Bot.)
An aquatic plant, with long, ensiform leaves, belonging to
either of the genera {Iris} and {Acorus}.
{Cooper's flag}, the cat-tail ({Typha latifolia}), the long
leaves of which are placed between the staves of barrels
to make the latter water-tight.
{Corn flag}. See under 2d {Corn}.
{Flag broom}, a coarse of broom, originally made of flags or
rushes.
{Flag root}, the root of the sweet flag.
{Sweet flag}. See {Calamus}, n., 2.
Flag \Flag\, v. t.
To furnish or deck out with flags.
Flag \Flag\, n. [Icel. flaga, cf. Icel. flag spot where a turf
has been cut out, and E. flake layer, scale. Cf. {Floe}.]
1. A flat stone used for paving. --Woodward.
2. (Geol.) Any hard, evenly stratified sandstone, which
splits into layers suitable for flagstones.
Flag \Flag\, v. t.
To lay with flags of flat stones.
The sides and floor are all flagged with . . . marble.
--Sandys.
Flagellant \Flag"el*lant\, n. [L. flagellans, p. p. of
flagellare: cf.F. flagellant. See {Flagellate}.] (Eccl.
Hist.)
One of a fanatical sect which flourished in Europe in the
13th and 14th centuries, and maintained that flagellation was
of equal virtue with baptism and the sacrament; -- called
also {disciplinant}.
Flagellata \Flag`el*la"ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr.L. flagellatus, p.
p. See {Flagellate}, v. t.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of Infusoria, having one or two long, whiplike
cilia, at the anterior end. It includes monads. See
{Infusoria}, and {Monad}.
Flagellate \Flag"el*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flagellated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Flagellating}.] [L. flagellatus, p. p. of
flagellare to scoure, fr. flagellum whip, dim. of flagrum
whip, scoure; cf. fligere to strike. Cf. {Flall}.]
To whip; to scourge; to flog.
Flagellate \Fla*gel"late\, a.
1. Flagelliform.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to the Flagellata.
Flagellation \Flag`el*la"tion\, n. [L. flagellatio: cf. F.
flagellation.]
A beating or flogging; a whipping; a scourging. --Garth.
Flagellator \Flag"el*la`tor\, n.
One who practices flagellation; one who whips or scourges.
Flagelliform \Fla*gel"li*form\, a. [L. flagellum a whip +
-form.]
Shaped like a whiplash; long, slender, round, flexible, and
(comming) tapering.
Flagellum \Fla*gel"lum\, n.; pl. E. {Flagellums}, L. {Flagella}.
[L., a whip. See {Flagellate}, v. t.]
1. (Bot.) A young, flexible shoot of a plant; esp., the long
trailing branch of a vine, or a slender branch in certain
mosses.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A long, whiplike cilium. See {Flagellata}.
(b) An appendage of the reproductive apparatus of the
snail.
(c) A lashlike appendage of a crustacean, esp. the
terminal ortion of the antenn[ae] and the epipodite of
the maxilipeds. See {Maxilliped}.
Flageolet \Flag"eo*let`\, n. [F. flageolet, dim. of OF. flaj?l
(as if fr. a LL. flautio;us), of fla["u]te, flahute, F.
fl?te. See {Flute}.] (Mus.)
A small wooden pipe, having six or more holes, and a
mouthpiece inserted at one end. It produces a shrill sound,
softer than of the piccolo flute, and is said to have
superseded the old recorder.
{Flageolet tones} (Mus.), the naturel harmonics or overtones
of stringed instruments.
Flagginess \Flag"gi*ness\, n.
The condition of being flaggy; laxity; limberness. --Johnson.
Flagging \Flag"ging\, n.
A pavement or sidewalk of flagstones; flagstones,
collectively.
Flagging \Flag"ging\, a.
Growing languid, weak, or spiritless; weakening; delaying. --
{Flag"ging*ly}, adv.
Flaggy \Flag"gy\, a.
1. Weak; flexible; limber. ``Flaggy wings.'' --Spenser.
2. Tasteless; insipid; as, a flaggy apple. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Flaggy \Flag"gy\, a. [From 5th {Flag}.]
Abounding with the plant called flag; as, a flaggy marsh.
Flagitate \Flag"i*tate\, v. t. [L. flagitatus, p. p. of
flagitare to demand. See {Flagitious}.]
To importune; to demand fiercely or with passion. [Archaic]
--Carcyle.
Flagitation \Flag`i*ta"tion\, n. [L. flagitatio.]
Importunity; urgent demand. [Archaic] --Carlyle.
Flagitious \Fla*gi"tious\, a. [L. flagitiosus, fr. flagitium a
shameful or disgraceful act, orig., a burning desire, heat of
passion, from flagitare to demand hotly, fiercely; cf.
flagrare to burn, E. flagrant.]
1. Disgracefully or shamefully criminal; grossly wicked;
scandalous; shameful; -- said of acts, crimes, etc.
Debauched principles and flagitious practices. --I.
Taylor.
2. Guilty of enormous crimes; corrupt; profligate; -- said of
persons. --Pope.
3. Characterized by scandalous crimes or vices; as,
flagitious times. --Pope.
Syn: Atrocious; villainous; flagrant; heinous; corrupt;
profligate; abandoned. See {Atrocious}. --
{Fla*gi"tious*ly}, adv. -- {Fla*gi"tious*ness}, n.
A sentence so flagitiously unjust. --Macaulay.
Flagman \Flag"man\, n.; pl. {Flagmen}.
One who makes signals with a flag.
Flagon \Flag"on\, n. [F. flacon, for flascon, fr. OF. flasche,
from LL. flasco. See {Flask}.]
A vessel with a narrow mouth, used for holding and conveying
liquors. It is generally larger than a bottle, and of leather
or stoneware rather than of glass.
A trencher of mutton chops, and a flagon of ale.
--Macaulay.
Flagrance \Fla"grance\, n.
Flagrancy. --Bp. Hall.
Flagrancy \Fla"gran*cy\, n.; pl. {Flagrancies}. [L. flagrantia a
burning. See {Flagrant}.]
1. A burning; great heat; inflammation. [Obs.]
Lust causeth a flagrancy in the eyes. --Bacon.
2. The condition or quality of being flagrant; atrocity;
heiniousness; enormity; excess. --Steele.
Flagrant \Fla"grant\, a. [L. flagrans, -antis, p. pr. of
flagrate to burn, akin to Gr. ?: cf. F. flagrant. Cf.
{Flame}, {Phlox}.]
1. Flaming; inflamed; glowing; burning; ardent.
The beadle's lash still flagrant on their back.
--Prior.
A young man yet flagrant from the lash of the
executioner or the beadle. --De Quincey.
Flagrant desires and affections. --Hooker.
2. Actually in preparation, execution, or performance;
carried on hotly; raging.
A war the most powerful of the native tribes was
flagrant. --Palfrey.
3. Flaming into notice; notorious; enormous; heinous;
glaringly wicked.
Syn: Atrocious; flagitious; glaring. See {Atrocious}.
Flagrantly \Fla"grant*ly\, adv.
In a flagrant manner.
Flagrate \Fla"grate\, v. t. [L. flagrare, flagratum, v.i. & t.,
to burn.]
To burn. [Obs.] --Greenhill.
Flagration \Fla*gra"tion\, n.
A conflagration. [Obs.]
Flagship \Flag"ship`\, n. (Naut.)
The vessel which carries the commanding officer of a fleet or
squadron and flies his distinctive flag or pennant.
Flagstaff \Flag"staff`\, n.; pl. {-staves}or {-staffs}.
A staff on which a flag is hoisted.
Flagstone \Flag"stone`\, n.
A flat stone used in paving, or any rock which will split
into such stones. See {Flag}, a stone.
Flagworm \Flag"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A worm or grub found among flags and sedge.
Flail \Flail\, n. [L. flagellum whip, scourge, in LL., a
threshing flail: cf. OF. flael, flaiel, F. fl['e]au. See
{Flagellum}.]
1. An instrument for threshing or beating grain from the ear
by hand, consisting of a wooden staff or handle, at the
end of which a stouter and shorter pole or club, called a
swipe, is so hung as to swing freely.
His shadowy flail hath threshed the corn. --Milton.
2. An ancient military weapon, like the common flail, often
having the striking part armed with rows of spikes, or
loaded. --Fairholt.
No citizen thought himself safe unless he carried
under his coat a small flail, loaded with lead, to
brain the Popish assassins. --Macaulay.
Flaily \Flail"y\, a.
Acting like a flail. [Obs.] --Vicars.
Flain \Flain\, obs.
p. p. of {Flay}. --Chaucer.
Flake \Flake\ (fl[=a]k), n. [Cf. Icel. flaki, fleki, Dan. flage,
D. vlaak.]
1. A paling; a hurdle. [prov. Eng.]
2. A platform of hurdles, or small sticks made fast or
interwoven, supported by stanchions, for drying codfish
and other things.
You shall also, after they be ripe, neither suffer
them to have straw nor fern under them, but lay them
either upon some smooth table, boards, or flakes of
wands, and they will last the longer. --English
Husbandman.
3. (Naut.) A small stage hung over a vessel's side, for
workmen to stand on in calking, etc.
Flake \Flake\ (fl[=a]k), n. [Cf. Icel. flakna to flake off,
split, flagna to flake off, Sw. flaga flaw, flake, flake
plate, Dan. flage snowflake. Cf. {Flag} a flat stone.]
1. A loose filmy mass or a thin chiplike layer of anything; a
film; flock; lamina; layer; scale; as, a flake of snow,
tallow, or fish. ``Lottle flakes of scurf.'' --Addison.
Great flakes of ice encompassing our boat. --Evelyn.
2. A little particle of lighted or incandescent matter,
darted from a fire; a flash.
With flakes of ruddy fire. --Somerville.
3. (Bot.) A sort of carnation with only two colors in the
flower, the petals having large stripes.
{Flake knife} (Arch[ae]ol.), a cutting instrument used by
savage tribes, made of a flake or chip of hard stone.
--Tylor.
{Flake stand}, the cooling tub or vessel of a still worm.
--Knight.
{Flake white}. (Paint.)
(a) The purest white lead, in the form of flakes or
scales.
(b) The trisnitrate of bismuth. --Ure.
Flake \Flake\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flaked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flaking}.]
To form into flakes. --Pope.
Flake \Flake\, v. i.
To separate in flakes; to peel or scale off.
Flakiness \Flak"i*ness\, n.
The state of being flaky.
Flaky \Flak"y\, a.
Consisting of flakes or of small, loose masses; lying, or
cleaving off, in flakes or layers; flakelike.
What showers of mortal hail, what flaky fires! --Watts.
A flaky weight of winter's purest snows. --Wordsworth.
Flam \Flam\ (fl[a^]m), n. [Cf. AS. {fle['a]m}, {fl[=ae]m},
flight. [root] 84 . Cf. {Flimflam}.]
A freak or whim; also, a falsehood; a lie; an illusory
pretext; deception; delusion. [Obs.]
A perpetual abuse and flam upon posterity. --South.
Flam \Flam\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flammed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flamming}.]
To deceive with a falsehood. [Obs.]
God is not to be flammed off with lies. --South.
Flambeau \Flam"beau\; n.; pl. {Flambeaux}or {Flambeaus}. [F.,
fr. OF. flambe flame, for flamble, from L. flammula a little
flame, dim. of flamma flame. See {Flame}.]
A flaming torch, esp. one made by combining together a number
of thick wicks invested with a quick-burning substance
(anciently, perhaps, wax; in modern times, pitch or the
like); hence, any torch.
Flamboyant \Flam*boy"ant\, a. [F.] (Arch.)
Characterized by waving or flamelike curves, as in the
tracery of windows, etc.; -- said of the later (15th century)
French Gothic style.
Flamboyer \Flam*boy"er\, n. [F. flamboyer to be bright.] (Bot.)
A name given in the East and West Indies to certain trees
with brilliant blossoms, probably species of {C[ae]salpinia}.
Flame \Flame\ (fl[=a]m), n. [OE. flame, flaume, flaumbe, OF.
flame, flambe, F. flamme, fr. L. flamma, fr. flamma, fr.
flagrare to burn. See {Flagrant}, and cf. {Flamneau},
{Flamingo}.]
1. A stream of burning vapor or gas, emitting light and heat;
darting or streaming fire; a blaze; a fire.
2. Burning zeal or passion; elevated and noble enthusiasm;
glowing imagination; passionate excitement or anger. ``In
a flame of zeal severe.'' --Milton.
Where flames refin'd in breasts seraphic glow.
--Pope.
Smit with the love of sister arts we came, And met
congenial, mingling flame with flame. --Pope.
3. Ardor of affection; the passion of love. --Coleridge.
4. A person beloved; a sweetheart. --Thackeray.
Syn: Blaze; brightness; ardor. See {Blaze}.
{Flame bridge}, a bridge wall. See {Bridge}, n., 5.
{Flame color}, brilliant orange or yellow. --B. Jonson.
{Flame engine}, an early name for the gas engine.
{Flame manometer}, an instrument, invented by Koenig, to
obtain graphic representation of the action of the human
vocal organs. See {Manometer}.
{Flame reaction} (Chem.), a method of testing for the
presence of certain elements by the characteristic color
imparted to a flame; as, sodium colors a flame yellow,
potassium violet, lithium crimson, boracic acid green,
etc. Cf. {Spectrum analysis}, under {Spectrum}.
{Flame tree} (Bot.), a tree with showy scarlet flowers, as
the {Rhododendron arboreum} in India, and the
{Brachychiton acerifolium} of Australia.
Flame \Flame\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flamed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flaming}.] [OE. flamen, flaumben, F. flamber, OF. also,
flamer. See {Flame}, n.]
1. To burn with a flame or blaze; to burn as gas emitted from
bodies in combustion; to blaze.
The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing
would make it flame again. --Shak.
2. To burst forth like flame; to break out in violence of
passion; to be kindled with zeal or ardor.
He flamed with indignation. --Macaulay.
Flame \Flame\, v. t.
To kindle; to inflame; to excite.
And flamed with zeal of vengeance inwardly. --Spenser.
Flame-colored \Flame"-col`ored\, a.
Of the color of flame; of a bright orange yellow color.
--Shak.
Flameless \Flame"less\, a.
Destitute of flame. --Sandys.
Flamelet \Flame"let\, n. [Flame + -let.]
A small flame.
The flamelets gleamed and flickered. --Longfellow.
Flamen \Fla"men\, n.; pl. E. {Flammens}, L. {Flamines}. [L.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
A priest devoted to the service of a particular god, from
whom he received a distinguishing epithet. The most honored
were those of Jupiter, Mars, and Quirinus, called
respectively Flamen Dialis, Flamen Martialis, and Flamen
Quirinalis.
Affrights the flamens at their service quaint.
--Milton.
Flamineous \Fla*min"e*ous\, a.
Pertaining to a flamen; flaminical.
Flaming \Flam"ing\, a.
1. Emitting flames; afire; blazing; consuming; illuminating.
2. Of the color of flame; high-colored; brilliant; dazzling.
``In flaming yellow bright.'' --Prior.
3. Ardent; passionate; burning with zeal; irrepressibly
earnest; as, a flaming proclomation or harangue.
Flamingly \Flam"ing*ly\, adv.
In a flaming manner.
Flamingo \Fla*min"go\, n.; pl. {Flamingoes}. [Sp. flamenco, cf.
Pg. flamingo, Prov. flammant, F. flamant; prop. a p. pr.
meaning flaming. So called in allusion to its color. See
{Flame}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any bird of the genus {Ph[oe]nicopterus}. The flamingoes have
webbed feet, very long legs, and a beak bent down as if
broken. Their color is usually red or pink. The American
flamingo is {P. ruber}; the European is {P. antiquorum}.
Flaminical \Fla*min"i*cal\, a.
Pertaining to a flamen. --Milton.
Flammability \Flam`ma*bil"ity\, n.
The quality of being flammable; inflammability. [Obs.] --Sir
T. Browne.
Flammable \Flam"ma*ble\, a.
Inflammable. [Obs.]
Flammation \Flam*ma"tion\, n.
The act of setting in a flame or blaze. [Obs.] --Sir. T.
Browne.
Flammeous \Flam"me*ous\, a. [L. flammeus from flamma flame.]
Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, flame. [Obs.]
--Sir T. Browne.
Flammiferous \Flam*mif"er*ous\, a. [L. flammifer; flamma flame +
ferre to bear.]
Producing flame.
Flammivomous \Flam*miv"o*mous\, a. [L. flammivomus; flamma flame
+ vomere to vomit.]
Vomiting flames, as a volcano. --W. Thompson. (1745).
Flammulated \Flam"mu*la`ted\, a. [L. flammula little flame, dim.
fr. flamma flame.]
Of a reddish color.
Flamy \Flam"y\, a. [From {Flame}.]
Flaming; blazing; flamelike; flame-colored; composed of
flame. --Pope.
Flanch \Flanch\, n.; pl. {Flanches}. [Prov. E., a projection,
OF. flanche flank. See {Flank}.]
1. A flange. [R.]. (Her.) A bearing consisting of a segment
of a circle encroaching on the field from the side.
Note: Flanches are always in pairs. A pair of flanches is
considered one of the subordinaries.
Flanched \Flanched\, a. (Her.)
Having flanches; -- said of an escutcheon with those
bearings.
Flanconade \Flan`co*nade"\, n. [F.] (Fencing)
A thrust in the side.
Flaneur \Fla`neur"\, n. [F., fr. fl[^a]ner to stroll.]
One who strolls about aimlessly; a lounger; a loafer.
Flang \Flang\, n.
A miner's two-pointed pick.
Flange \Flange\ (fl[a^]nj), n. [Prov. E. flange to project,
flanch a projection. See {Flanch}, {Flank}.]
1. An external or internal rib, or rim, for strength, as the
flange of an iron beam; or for a guide, as the flange of a
car wheel (see {Car wheel}.); or for attachment to another
object, as the flange on the end of a pipe, steam
cylinder, etc. --Knight.
2. A plate or ring to form a rim at the end of a pipe when
fastened to the pipe.
{Blind flange}, a plate for covering or closing the end of a
pipe.
{Flange joint}, a joint, as that of pipes, where the
connecting pieces have flanges by which the parts are
bolted together. --Knight.
{Flange rail}, a rail with a flange on one side, to keep
wheels, etc. from running off.
{Flange turning}, the process of forming a flange on a
wrought iron plate by bending and hammering it when hot.
Flange \Flange\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flanged} (fl[a^]njd); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Flanging} (fl[a^]n"j[i^]ng).] (Mach.)
To make a flange on; to furnish with a flange.
Flange \Flange\, v. i.
To be bent into a flange.
Flanged \Flanged\ (fl[a^]njd), a.
Having a flange or flanges; as, a flanged wheel.
Flank \Flank\ (fl[a^][ng]k), n. [F. flanc, prob. fr. L. flaccus
flabby, with n inserted. Cf. {Flaccid}, {Flanch}, {Flange}.]
1. The fleshy or muscular part of the side of an animal,
between the ribs and the hip. See Illust. of {Beef}.
2. (Mil.)
(a) The side of an army, or of any division of an army, as
of a brigade, regiment, or battalion; the extreme
right or left; as, to attack an enemy in flank is to
attack him on the side.
When to right and left the front
Divided, and to either flank retired. --Milton.
(b) (Fort.) That part of a bastion which reaches from the
curtain to the face, and defends the curtain, the
flank and face of the opposite bastion; any part of a
work defending another by a fire along the outside of
its parapet. See Illust. of {Bastion}.
3. (Arch.) The side of any building. --Brands.
4. That part of the acting surface of a gear wheel tooth that
lies within the pitch line.
{Flank attack} (Mil.), an attack upon the side of an army or
body of troops, distinguished from one upon its front or
rear.
{Flank company} (Mil.), a certain number of troops drawn up
on the right or left of a battalion; usually grenadiers,
light infantry, or riflemen.
{Flank defense} (Fort.), protection of a work against undue
exposure to an enemy's direct fire, by means of the fire
from other works, sweeping the ground in its front.
{Flank en potence} (Mil.), any part of the right or left wing
formed at a projecting angle with the line.
{Flank files}, the first men on the right, and the last on
the left, of a company, battalion, etc.
{Flank march}, a march made parallel or obliquely to an
enemy's position, in order to turn it or to attack him on
the flank.
{Flank movement}, a change of march by an army, or portion of
one, in order to turn one or both wings of the enemy, or
to take up a new position.
{Flanks of a frontier}, salient points in a national
boundary, strengthened to protect the frontier against
hostile incursion.
{Flank patrol}, detachments acting independently of the
column of an army, but patrolling along its flanks, to
secure it against surprise and to observe the movements of
the enemy.
Flank \Flank\ (fl[a^][ng]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flanked}
(fl[a^][ng]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Flanking}.] [Cf. F.
flanquer. See {Flank}, n., and cf. {Flanker}, v. t.]
1. To stand at the flank or side of; to border upon.
Stately colonnades are flanked with trees. --Pitt.
2. To overlook or command the flank of; to secure or guard
the flank of; to pass around or turn the flank of; to
attack, or threaten to attack; the flank of.
Flank \Flank\, v. i.
1. To border; to touch. --Bp. Butler.
2. To be posted on the side.
Flanker \Flank"er\, n.
One who, or that which, flanks, as a skirmisher or a body of
troops sent out upon the flanks of an army toguard a line of
march, or a fort projecting so as to command the side of an
assailing body.
They threw out flankers, and endeavored to dislodge
their assailants. --W. Irwing.
Flanker \Flank"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flankered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Flankering}.] [See {Flank}, v. t.]
1. To defend by lateral fortifications. [Obs.] --Sir T.
Herbert.
2. To attack sideways. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Flannel \Flan"nel\ (fl[a^]n"n[e^]l), n. [F. flanelle, cf. OF.
flaine a pillowcase, a mattress (?); fr. W. gwlanen flannel,
fr. gwlan wool; prob. akin to E. wool. Cf. {Wool}.]
A soft, nappy, woolen cloth, of loose texture. --Shak.
{Adam's flannel}. (Bot.) See under {Adam}.
{Canton flannel}, {Cotton flannel}. See {Cotton flannel},
under {Cotton}.
Flanneled \Flan"neled\, a.
Covered or wrapped in flannel.
Flannen \Flan"nen\, a.
Made or consisting of flannel. [Obs.] ``Flannen robes.''
--Dryden.
Flap \Flap\, n. [OE. flappe, flap, blow, bly-flap; cf. D. flap,
and E. flap, v.]
Anything broad and limber that hangs loose, or that is
attached by one side or end and is easily moved; as, the flap
of a garment.
A cartilaginous flap upon the opening of the larynx.
--Sir T.
Browne.
2. A hinged leaf, as of a table or shutter.
3. The motion of anything broad and loose, or a stroke or
sound made with it; as, the flap of a sail or of a wing.
4. pl. (Far.) A disease in the lips of horses.
{Flap tile}, a tile with a bent up portion, to turn a corner
or catch a drip.
{Flap valve} (Mech.), a valve which opens and shuts upon one
hinged side; a clack valve.
Flap \Flap\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flapped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flapping}.] [Prob. of imitative origin; cf. D. flappen, E.
flap, n., flop, flippant, fillip.]
1. To beat with a flap; to strike.
Yet let me flap this bug with gilded wings. --Pope.
2. To move, as something broad and flaplike; as, to flap the
wings; to let fall, as the brim of a hat.
{To flap in the mouth}, to taunt. [Obs.] --W. Cartwright.
Flap \Flap\, v. i.
1. To move as do wings, or as something broad or loose; to
fly with wings beating the air.
The crows flapped over by twos and threes. --Lowell.
2. To fall and hang like a flap, as the brim of a hat, or
other broad thing. --Gay.
Flapdragon \Flap"drag`on\, n.
1. A game in which the players catch raisins out burning
brandy, and swallow them blazing. --Johnson.
2. The thing thus caught and eaten. --Johnson.
Cakes and ale, and flapdragons and mummer's plays,
and all the happy sports of Christians night. --C.
Kingsley.
Flapdragon \Flap"drag`on\, v. t.
To swallow whole, as a flapdragon; to devour. [Obs.]
See how the sea flapdragoned it. --Shak.
Flap-eared \Flap"-eared`\, a.
Having broad, loose, dependent ears. --Shak.
Flapjack \Flap"jack`\, n.
1. A fklat cake turned on the griddle while cooking; a
griddlecake or pacake.
2. A fried dough cake containing fruit; a turnover. [Prov.
Eng.]
Flap-mouthed \Flap"-mouthed`\, a.
Having broad, hangling lips. [R.] --Shak.
Flapper \Flap"per\, n.
1. One who, or that which, flaps.
2. See {Flipper}. ``The flapper of a porpoise.'' --Buckley.
{Flapper skate} (Zo["o]l.), a European skate ({Raia
intermedia}).
Flare \Flare\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flared}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flaring}.] [Cf. Norw. flara to blaze, flame, adorn with
tinsel, dial. Sw. flasa upp, and E. flash, or flacker.]
1. To burn with an unsteady or waving flame; as, the candle
flares.
2. To shine out with a sudden and unsteady light; to emit a
dazzling or painfully bright light.
3. To shine out with gaudy colors; to flaunt; to be
offensively bright or showy.
With ribbons pendant, flaring about her head.
--Shak.
4. To be exposed to too much light. [Obs.]
Flaring in sunshine all the day. --Prior.
5. To open or spread outwards; to project beyond the
perpendicular; as, the sides of a bowl flare; the bows of
a ship flare.
{To flare up}, to become suddenly heated or excited; to burst
into a passion. [Colloq.] --Thackeray.
Flare \Flare\, n.
1. An unsteady, broad, offensive light.
2. A spreading outward; as, the flare of a fireplace.
Flare \Flare\, n.
Leaf of lard. ``Pig's flare.'' --Dunglison.
Flare-up \Flare"-up`\, n.
A sudden burst of anger or passion; an angry dispute.
[Colloq.]
Flaring \Flar"ing\, a.
1. That flares; flaming or blazing unsteadily; shining out
with a dazzling light.
His [the sun's] flaring beams. --Milton.
2. Opening or speading outwards.
Flaringly \Flar"ing*ly\, adv.
In a flaring manner.
Flash \Flash\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flashed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flashing}.] [Cf. OE. flaskien, vlaskien to pour, sprinkle,
dial. Sw. flasa to blaze, E. flush, flare.]
1. To burst or break forth with a sudden and transient flood
of flame and light; as, the lighting flashes vividly; the
powder flashed.
2. To break forth, as a sudden flood of light; to burst
instantly and brightly on the sight; to show a momentary
brilliancy; to come or pass like a flash.
Names which have flashed and thundered as the watch
words of unnumbered struggles. --Talfourd.
The object is made to flash upon the eye of the
mind. --M. Arnold.
A thought flashed through me, which I clothed in
act. --Tennyson.
3. To burst forth like a sudden flame; to break out
violently; to rush hastily.
Every hour He flashes into one gross crime or other.
--Shak.
{To flash in the pan}, to fail of success. [Colloq.] See
under {Flash}, a burst of light. --Bartlett.
Syn: {Flash}, {Glitter}, {Gleam}, {Glisten}, {Glister}.
Usage: Flash differs from glitter and gleam, denoting a flood
or wide extent of light. The latter words may express
the issuing of light from a small object, or from a
pencil of rays. Flash differs from other words, also,
in denoting suddenness of appearance and
disappearance. Flashing differs from exploding or
disploding in not being accompanied with a loud
report. To glisten, or glister, is to shine with a
soft and fitful luster, as eyes suffused with tears,
or flowers wet with dew.
Flash \Flash\, v. t.
1. To send out in flashes; to cause to burst forth with
sudden flame or light.
The chariot of paternal Deity, Flashing thick
flames. --Milton.
2. To convey as by a flash; to light up, as by a sudden flame
or light; as, to flash a message along the wires; to flash
conviction on the mind.
3. (Glass Making) To cover with a thin layer, as objects of
glass with glass of a different color. See {Flashing}, n.,
3
(b) .
4. To trick up in a showy manner.
Limning and flashing it with various dyes. --A.
Brewer.
5. [Perh. due to confusion between flash of light and plash,
splash.] To strike and throw up large bodies of water from
the surface; to splash. [Obs.]
He rudely flashed the waves about. --Spenser.
{Flashed glass}. See {Flashing}, n., 3.
Flash \Flash\, n.; pl. {Flashes}.
1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously
appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash
of lightning.
2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a
momentary brightness or show.
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind. --Shak.
No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy. --Wirt.
3. The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a
very brief period.
The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash.
--Bacon.
4. A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring
and giving a fictious strength to liquors.
{Flash light}, or {Flashing light}, a kind of light shown by
lighthouses, produced by the revolution of reflectors, so
as to show a flash of light every few seconds, alternating
with periods of dimness. --Knight.
{Flash in the pan}, the flashing of the priming in the pan of
a flintlock musket without discharging the piece; hence,
sudden, spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing.
Flash \Flash\, a.
1. Showy, but counterfeit; cheap, pretentious, and vulgar;
as, flash jewelry; flash finery.
2. Wearing showy, counterfeit ornaments; vulgarly
pretentious; as, flash people; flash men or women; --
applied especially to thieves, gamblers, and prostitutes
that dress in a showy way and wear much cheap jewelry.
{Flash house}, a house frequented by flash people, as thieves
and whores; hence, a brothel. ``A gang of footpads,
reveling with their favorite beauties at a flash house.''
--Macaulay.
Flash \Flash\, n.
Slang or cant of thieves and prostitutes.
Flash \Flash\, n. [OE. flasche, flaske; cf. OF. flache, F.
flaque.]
1. A pool. [Prov. Eng.] --Haliwell.
2. (Engineering) A reservoir and sluiceway beside a navigable
stream, just above a shoal, so that the stream may pour in
water as boats pass, and thus bear them over the shoal.
{Flash wheel} (Mech.), a paddle wheel made to revolve in a
breast or curved water way, by which water is lifted from
the lower to the higher level.
Flashboard \Flash"board`\, n.
A board placed temporarily upon a milldam, to raise the water
in the pond above its usual level; a flushboard. [U.S.]
Flasher \Flash"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, flashes.
2. A man of more appearance of wit than reality.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A large sparoid fish of the Atlantic coast and all
tropical seas ({Lobotes Surinamensis}).
(b) The European red-backed shrike ({Lanius collurio}); --
called also {flusher}.
Flashily \Flash"i*ly\, adv.
In a flashy manner; with empty show.
Flashiness \Flash"i*ness\, n.
The quality of being flashy.
Flashing \Flash"ing\, n.
1. (Engineering) The creation of an artifical flood by the
sudden letting in of a body of water; -- called also
{flushing}.
2. (Arch.) Pieces of metal, built into the joints of a wall,
so as to lap over the edge of the gutters or to cover the
edge of the roofing; also, similar pieces used to cover
the valleys of roofs of slate, shingles, or the like. By
extension, the metal covering of ridges and hips of roofs;
also, in the United States, the protecting of angles and
breaks in walls of frame houses with waterproof material,
tarred paper, or the like. Cf. {Filleting}.
3. (Glass Making)
(a) The reheating of an article at the furnace aperture
during manufacture to restore its plastic condition;
esp., the reheating of a globe of crown glass to allow
it to assume a flat shape as it is rotated.
(b) A mode of covering transparent white glass with a film
of colored glass. --Knight.
{Flashing point} (Chem.), that degree of temperature at which
a volatile oil gives off vapor in sufficient quantity to
burn, or flash, on the approach of a flame, used as a test
of the comparative safety of oils, esp. kerosene; a
flashing point of 100[deg] F. is regarded as a fairly safe
standard. The burning point of the oil is usually from ten
to thirty degree above the flashing point of its vapor.
Flashy \Flash"y\, a.
1. Dazzling for a moment; making a momentary show of
brilliancy; transitorily bright.
A little flashy and transient pleasure. --Barrow.
2. Fiery; vehement; impetuous.
A temper always flashy. --Burke.
3. Showy; gay; gaudy; as, a flashy dress.
4. Without taste or spirit.
Lean and flashy songs. --Milton.
Flask \Flask\, n. [AS. flasce, flaxe; akin to D. flesch, OHG.
flasca, G. flasche, Icel. & Sw. flaska, Dan. flaske, OF.
flasche, LL. flasca, flasco; of uncertain origin; cf. L.
vasculum, dim. of vas a vessel, Gr. ?, ?, ?. Cf. {Flagon},
{Flasket}.]
1. A small bottle-shaped vessel for holding fluids; as, a
flask of oil or wine.
2. A narrow-necked vessel of metal or glass, used for various
purposes; as of sheet metal, to carry gunpowder in; or of
wrought iron, to contain quicksilver; or of glass, to heat
water in, etc.
3. A bed in a gun carriage. [Obs.] --Bailey.
4. (Founding) The wooden or iron frame which holds the sand,
etc., forming the mold used in a foundry; it consists of
two or more parts; viz., the cope or top; sometimes, the
cheeks, or middle part; and the drag, or bottom part. When
there are one or more cheeks, the flask is called a three
part flask, four part flask, etc.
{Erlenmeyer flask}, a thin glass flask, flat-bottomed and
cone-shaped to allow of safely shaking its contents
laterally without danger of spilling; -- so called from
Erlenmeyer, a German chemist who invented it.
{Florence flask}. [From Florence in Italy.]
(a) Same as {Betty}, n., 3.
(b) A glass flask, round or pear-shaped, with round or
flat bottom, and usually very thin to allow of heating
solutions.
{Pocket flask}, a kind of pocket dram bottle, often covered
with metal or leather to protect it from breaking.
Flasket \Flask"et\, n. [Cf. W. fflasged a vessel of straw or
wickerwork, fflasg flask, basket, and E. flask.]
1. A long, shallow basket, with two handles. [Eng.]
In which they gathered flowers to fill their
flasket. --Spenser.
2. A small flask.
3. A vessel in which viands are served. [Obs.] --Pope.
Flat \Flat\, a. [Compar. {Flatter}; superl. {Flattest}.] [Akin
to Icel. flatr, Sw. flat, Dan. flad, OHG. flaz, and AS. flet
floor, G. fl["o]tz stratum, layer.]
1. Having an even and horizontal surface, or nearly so,
without prominences or depressions; level without
inclination; plane.
Though sun and moon Were in the flat sea sunk.
--Milton.
2. Lying at full length, or spread out, upon the ground;
level with the ground or earth; prostrate; as, to lie flat
on the ground; hence, fallen; laid low; ruined; destroyed.
What ruins kingdoms, and lays cities flat! --Milton.
I feel . . . my hopes all flat. --Milton.
3. (Fine Arts) Wanting relief; destitute of variety; without
points of prominence and striking interest.
A large part of the work is, to me, very flat.
--Coleridge.
4. Tasteless; stale; vapid; insipid; dead; as, fruit or drink
flat to the taste.
5. Unanimated; dull; uninteresting; without point or spirit;
monotonous; as, a flat speech or composition.
How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable Seem to me
all the uses of this world. --Shak.
6. Lacking liveliness of commercial exchange and dealings;
depressed; dull; as, the market is flat.
7. Clear; unmistakable; peremptory; absolute; positive;
downright.
Flat burglary as ever was committed. --Shak.
A great tobacco taker too, -- that's flat.
--Marston.
8. (Mus.)
(a) Below the true pitch; hence, as applied to intervals,
minor, or lower by a half step; as, a flat seventh; A
flat.
(b) Not sharp or shrill; not acute; as, a flat sound.
9. (Phonetics) Sonant; vocal; -- applied to any one of the
sonant or vocal consonants, as distinguished from a
nonsonant (or sharp) consonant.
{Flat arch}. (Arch.) See under {Arch}, n., 2. (b).
{Flat cap}, cap paper, not folded. See under {Paper}.
{Flat chasing}, in fine art metal working, a mode of
ornamenting silverware, etc., producing figures by dots
and lines made with a punching tool. --Knight.
{Flat chisel}, a sculptor's chisel for smoothing.
{Flat file}, a file wider than its thickness, and of
rectangular section. See {File}.
{Flat nail}, a small, sharp-pointed, wrought nail, with a
flat, thin head, larger than a tack. --Knight.
{Flat paper}, paper which has not been folded.
{Flat rail}, a railroad rail consisting of a simple flat bar
spiked to a longitudinal sleeper.
{Flat rods} (Mining), horizontal or inclined connecting rods,
for transmitting motion to pump rods at a distance.
--Raymond.
{Flat rope}, a rope made by plaiting instead of twisting;
gasket; sennit.
Note: Some flat hoisting ropes, as for mining shafts, are
made by sewing together a number of ropes, making a
wide, flat band. --Knight.
{Flat space}. (Geom.) See {Euclidian space}.
{Flat stitch}, the process of wood engraving. [Obs.] -- {Flat
tint} (Painting), a coat of water color of one uniform shade.
{To fall flat} (Fig.), to produce no effect; to fail in the
intended effect; as, his speech fell flat.
Of all who fell by saber or by shot, Not one fell
half so flat as Walter Scott. --Lord
Erskine.
Flat \Flat\, adv.
1. In a flat manner; directly; flatly.
Sin is flat opposite to the Almighty. --Herbert.
2. (Stock Exchange) Without allowance for accrued interest.
[Broker's Cant]
Flat \Flat\, n.
1. A level surface, without elevation, relief, or
prominences; an extended plain; specifically, in the
United States, a level tract along the along the banks of
a river; as, the Mohawk Flats.
Envy is as the sunbeams that beat hotter upon a
bank, or steep rising ground, than upon a flat.
--Bacon.
2. A level tract lying at little depth below the surface of
water, or alternately covered and left bare by the tide; a
shoal; a shallow; a strand.
Half my power, this night Passing these flats, are
taken by the tide. --Shak.
3. Something broad and flat in form; as:
(a) A flat-bottomed boat, without keel, and of small
draught.
(b) A straw hat, broad-brimmed and low-crowned.
(c) (Railroad Mach.) A car without a roof, the body of
which is a platform without sides; a platform car.
(d) A platform on wheel, upon which emblematic designs,
etc., are carried in processions.
4. The flat part, or side, of anything; as, the broad side of
a blade, as distinguished from its edge.
5. (Arch.) A floor, loft, or story in a building; especially,
a floor of a house, which forms a complete residence in
itself.
6. (Mining) A horizontal vein or ore deposit auxiliary to a
main vein; also, any horizontal portion of a vein not
elsewhere horizontal. --Raymond.
7. A dull fellow; a simpleton; a numskull. [Colloq.]
Or if you can not make a speech, Because you are a
flat. --Holmes.
8. (Mus.) A character [[flat]] before a note, indicating a
tone which is a half step or semitone lower.
9. (Geom.) A homaloid space or extension.
Flat \Flat\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flatted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flatting}.]
1. To make flat; to flatten; to level.
2. To render dull, insipid, or spiritless; to depress.
Passions are allayed, appetites are flatted.
--Barrow.
3. To depress in tone, as a musical note; especially, to
lower in pitch by half a tone.
Flat \Flat\, v. i.
1. To become flat, or flattened; to sink or fall to an even
surface. --Sir W. Temple.
2. (Mus.) To fall form the pitch.
{To flat out}, to fail from a promising beginning; to make a
bad ending; to disappoint expectations. [Colloq.]
Flatbill \Flat"bill`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any bird of the genus {Flatyrynchus}. They belong to the
family of flycatchers.
Flatboat \Flat"boat`\, n.
A boat with a flat bottom and square ends; -- used for the
transportation of bulky freight, especially in shallow
waters.
Flat-bottomed \Flat"-bot`tomed\, a.
Having an even lower surface or bottom; as, a flat-bottomed
boat.
Flat-cap \Flat"-cap`\, n.
A kind of low-crowned cap formerly worn by all classes in
England, and continued in London after disuse elsewhere; --
hence, a citizen of London. --Marston.
Flatfish \Flat"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any fish of the family {Pleuronectid[ae]}; esp., the winter
flounder ({Pleuronectes Americanus}). The flatfishes have the
body flattened, swim on the side, and have eyes on one side,
as the flounder, turbot, and halibut. See {Flounder}.
Flat foot \Flat" foot`\ (Med.)
A foot in which the arch of the instep is flattened so that
the entire sole of the foot rests upon the ground; also, the
deformity, usually congential, exhibited by such a foot;
splayfoot.
Flat-footed \Flat"-foot`ed\, a.
1. Having a flat foot, with little or no arch of the instep.
2. Firm-footed; determined. [Slang, U.S.]
Flathead \Flat"head`\, a.
Characterized by flatness of head, especially that produced
by artificial means, as a certain tribe of American Indians.
Flathead \Flat"head`\, n. (Ethnol.)
A Chinook Indian. See {Chinook}, n., 1.
Flat-headed \Flat"-head`ed\, a.
Having a head with a flattened top; as, a flat-headed nail.
Flatiron \Flat"i`ron\, n.
An iron with a flat, smooth surface for ironing clothes.
Flative \Fla"tive\, a. [L. flare, flatum to blow.]
Producing wind; flatulent. [Obs.] --A. Brewer.
Flating \Flat"ing\, adv. [Flat, a. + adverbial suff. -ing.]
With the flat side, as of a sword; flatlong; in a prostrate
position. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Flatlong \Flat"long\ (?; 115), adv.
With the flat side downward; not edgewise. --Shak.
Flatly \Flat"ly\, adv.
In a flat manner; evenly; horizontally; without spirit;
dully; frigidly; peremptorily; positively, plainly. ``He
flatly refused his aid.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
He that does the works of religion slowly, flatly, and
without appetite. --Jer. Taylor.
Flatness \Flat"ness\, n.
1. The quality or state of being flat.
2. Eveness of surface; want of relief or prominence; the
state of being plane or level.
3. Want of vivacity or spirit; prostration; dejection;
depression.
4. Want of variety or flavor; dullness; insipidity.
5. Depression of tone; the state of being below the true
pitch; -- opposed to {sharpness} or {acuteness}.
Flatour \Fla*tour"\, n. [OF.]
A flatterer. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Flatten \Flat"ten\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flattened}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Flattening}.] [From {Flat}, a.]
1. To reduce to an even surface or one approaching evenness;
to make flat; to level; to make plane.
2. To throw down; to bring to the ground; to prostrate;
hence, to depress; to deject; to dispirit.
3. To make vapid or insipid; to render stale.
4. (Mus.) To lower the pitch of; to cause to sound less
sharp; to let fall from the pitch.
{To flatten a sail} (Naut.), to set it more nearly
fore-and-aft of the vessel.
{Flattening oven}, in glass making, a heated chamber in which
split glass cylinders are flattened for window glass.
Flatten \Flat"ten\, v. i.
To become or grow flat, even, depressed dull, vapid,
spiritless, or depressed below pitch.
Flatter \Flat"ter\, n.
1. One who, or that which, makes flat or flattens.
2. (Metal Working)
(a) A flat-faced fulling hammer.
(b) A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for
drawing flat strips, as watch springs, etc.
Flatter \Flat"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flattered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Flattering}.] [OE. flateren, cf. OD. flatteren; akin
to G. flattern to flutter, Icel. fla?ra to fawn, flatter: cf.
F. flatter. Cf. {Flitter}, {Flutter}, {Flattery}.]
1. To treat with praise or blandishments; to gratify or
attempt to gratify the self-love or vanity of, esp. by
artful and interested commendation or attentions; to
blandish; to cajole; to wheedle.
When I tell him he hates flatterers, He says he
does, being then most flattered. --Shak.
A man that flattereth his neighbor, spreadeth a net
for his feet. --Prov. xxix.
5.
Others he flattered by asking their advice.
--Prescott.
2. To raise hopes in; to encourage or favorable, but
sometimes unfounded or deceitful, representations.
3. To portray too favorably; to give a too favorable idea of;
as, his portrait flatters him.
Flatter \Flat"ter\, v. i.
To use flattery or insincere praise.
If it may stand him more in stead to lie, Say and
unsay, feign, flatter, or adjure. --Milton.
Flatterer \Flat"ter*er\, n.
One who flatters.
The most abject flaterers degenerate into the greatest
tyrants. --Addison.
Flattering \Flat"ter*ing\, a.
That flatters (in the various senses of the verb); as, a
flattering speech.
Lay not that flattering unction to your soul. --Shak.
A flattering painter, who made it his care, To draw men
as they ought be, not as they are. --Goldsmith.
Flatteringly \Flat"ter*ing*ly\, adv.
With flattery.
Flattery \Flat"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Flatteries}. [OE. flaterie, OF.
flaterie, F. flaterie, fr. flater to flatter, F. flatter; of
uncertain origin. See {Flatter}, v. t.]
The act or practice of flattering; the act of pleasing by
artiful commendation or compliments; adulation; false,
insincere, or excessive praise.
Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.
--Rambler.
Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.
--Burke.
Syn: Adulation; compliment; obsequiousness. See {Adulation}.
Flatting \Flat"ting\, n.
1. The process or operation of making flat, as a cylinder of
glass by opening it out.
2. A mode of painting,in which the paint, being mixed with
turpentine, leaves the work without gloss. --Gwilt.
3. A method of preserving gilding unburnished, by touching
with size. --Knolles.
4. The process of forming metal into sheets by passing it
between rolls.
{Flatting coat}, a coat of paint so put on as to have no
gloss.
{Flatting furnace}. Same as {flattening oven}, under
{Flatten}.
{Flatting mill}.
(a) A rolling mill producing sheet metal; esp., in mints,
the ribbon from which the planchets are punched.
(b) A mill in which grains of metal are flatted by steel
rolls, and reduced to metallic dust, used for purposes
of ornamentation.
Flattish \Flat"tish\, a.
Somewhat flat. --Woodward.
Flatulence \Flat"u*lence\, Flatlency \Flat"*len*cy\, n. [Cf. F.
flatulence.]
The state or quality of being flatulent.
Flatulent \Flat"u*lent\, a. [L. flatus a blowing, flatus ventris
windiness, flatulence, fr. flare to blow: cf. F. flatulent.
See {Blow}.]
1. Affected with flatus or gases generated in the alimentary
canal; windy.
2. Generating, or tending to generate, wind in the stomach.
Vegetables abound more with a["e]rial particles than
animal substances, and therefore are more flatulent.
--Arbuthnot.
3. Turgid with flatus; as, a flatulent tumor. --Quincy.
4. Pretentious without substance or reality; puffy; empty;
vain; as, a flatulent vanity.
He is too flatulent sometimes, and sometimes too
dry. --Dryden.
Flatulently \Flat"u*lent*ly\, adv.
In a flatulent manner; with flatulence.
Flatuosity \Flat`u*os"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. flatuosit['e].]
Flatulence. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Flatuous \Flat"u*ous\, a. [Cf. F. flatueux.]
Windy; generating wind. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Flatus \Fla"tus\, n.; pl. E. {Flatuses}, L. {Flatus}. [L., fr.
flare to blow.]
1. A breath; a puff of wind. --Clarke.
2. Wind or gas generated in the stomach or other cavities of
the body. --Quincy.
Flatware \Flat"ware`\, n.
Articles for the table, as china or silverware, that are more
or less flat, as distinguished from {hollow ware}. [Webster
1913 Suppl.]
Flatwise \Flat"wise`\, a. or adv.
With the flat side downward, or next to another object; not
edgewise.
Flatworm \Flat"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any worm belonging to the Plathelminthes; also, sometimes
applied to the planarians.
Flaundrish \Flaun"drish\ (? or ?), a.
Flemish. [Obs.]
Flaunt \Flaunt\ (? or ?; 277), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flaunted};
p. pr. & vb. n.. {Flaunting}.] [Cf. dial. G. flandern to
flutter, wave; perh. akin to E. flatter, flutter.]
To throw or spread out; to flutter; to move ostentatiously;
as, a flaunting show.
You flaunt about the streets in your new gilt chariot.
--Arbuthnot.
One flaunts in rags, one flutters in brocade. --Pope.
Flaunt \Flaunt\, v. t.
To display ostentatiously; to make an impudent show of.
Flaunt \Flaunt\, n.
Anything displayed for show. [Obs.]
In these my borrowed flaunts. --Shak.
Flauntingly \Flaunt"ing*ly\, adv.
In a flaunting way.
Flautist \Flau"tist\, n. [It. flauto a flute See {Flute}.]
A player on the flute; a flutist.
Flauto \Flau"to\, n. [It.]
A flute.
{Flaute piccolo}[It., little flute], an octave flute.
{Flauto traverso}[It., transverse flute], the German flute,
held laterally, instead of being played, like the old
fl[^u]te a bec, with a mouth piece at the end.
Flavaniline \Fla*van"i*line\ (? or ?; 104), n. [L. flavus yellow
+ E. aniline.] (Chem.)
A yellow, crystalline, organic dyestuff, {C16H14N2}, of
artifical production. It is a strong base, and is a complex
derivative of aniline and quinoline.
Flavescent \Fla*ves"cent\, a. [L. flavescens, p. pr. of
flavescere to turn yellow.]
Turning yellow; yellowish.
Flavicomous \Fla*vic"o*mous\, a. [L. flavicomus; flavus yellow +
coma hair.]
Having yellow hair. [R.]
Flavin \Fla"vin\, n. [L. flavus yellow.] (Chem.)
A yellow, vegetable dyestuff, resembling quercitron.
Flavine \Fla"vine\ (?; 104), n. (Chem.)
A yellow, crystalline, organic base, {C13H12N2O}, obtained
artificially.
Flavol \Fla"vol\, n. [L. flavus yellow + -oil.] (Chem.)
A yellow, crystalline substance, obtained from anthraquinone,
and regarded as a hydroxyl derivative of it.
Flavor \Fla"vor\, n. [OF. fleur, flaur (two syllables), odor,
cf. F. fleurer to emit an odor, It. flatore a bad odor, prob.
fr. L. flare to bow, whence the sense of exhalation. Cf.
{Blow}.] [Written also {flavour}.]
1. That quality of anything which affects the smell; odor;
fragrances; as, the flavor of a rose.
2. That quality of anything which affects the taste; that
quality which gratifies the palate; relish; zest; savor;
as, the flavor of food or drink.
3. That which imparts to anything a peculiar odor or taste,
gratifying to the sense of smell, or the nicer perceptions
of the palate; a substance which flavors.
4. That quality which gives character to any of the
productions of literature or the fine arts.
Flavor \Fla"vor\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flavored}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Flavoring}.]
To give flavor to; to add something (as salt or a spice) to,
to give character or zest.
Flavored \Fla"vored\, a.
Having a distinct flavor; as, high-flavored wine.
Flavorles \Fla"vor*les\, a.
Without flavor; tasteless.
Flavorous \Fla"vor*ous\, a.
Imparting flavor; pleasant to the taste or smell; sapid.
--Dryden.
Flavous \Fla"vous\, a. [L. flavus.]
Yellow. [Obs.]
Flaw \Flaw\, n. [OE. flai, flaw flake; cf. Sw. flaga flaw,
crack, breach, flake, D. vlaag gust of wind, Norw. flage,
flaag, and E. flag a flat stone.]
1. A crack or breach; a gap or fissure; a defect of
continuity or cohesion; as, a flaw in a knife or a vase.
This heart Shall break into a hundered thousand
flaws. --Shak.
2. A defect; a fault; as, a flaw in reputation; a flaw in a
will, in a deed, or in a statute.
Has not this also its flaws and its dark side?
--South.
3. A sudden burst of noise and disorder; a tumult; uproar; a
quarrel. [Obs.]
And deluges of armies from the town Came pouring in;
I heard the mighty flaw. --Dryden.
4. A sudden burst or gust of wind of short duration.
Snow, and hail, and stormy gust and flaw. --Milton.
Like flaws in summer laying lusty corn. --Tennyson.
Syn: Blemish; fault; imperfection; spot; speck.
Flaw \Flaw\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flawed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flawing}.]
1. To crack; to make flaws in.
The brazen caldrons with the frosts are flawed.
--Dryden.
2. To break; to violate; to make of no effect. [Obs.]
France hath flawed the league. --Shak.
Flawless \Flaw"less\, a.
Free from flaws. --Boyle.
Flawn \Flawn\, n. [OF. flaon, F. flan, LL. flado, fr. OHG.
flado, G. fladen, a sort of pancake; cf. Gr. ? broad. See
{Place}.]
A sort of flat custard or pie. [Obs.] --Tusser.
Flawter \Flaw"ter\, v. t. [Cf. {Flay}.]
To scrape o? pare, as a skin. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Flawy \Flaw"y\, a.
1. Full of flaws or cracks; broken; defective; faulty.
--Johnson.
2. Subject to sudden flaws or gusts of wind.
Flax \Flax\, n. [AS. fleax; akin to D. vlas, OHG. flahs, G.
flachs, and prob. to flechten to braid, plait,m twist, L.
plectere to weave, plicare to fold, Gr. ? to weave, plait.
See {Ply}.]
1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Linum}, esp. the {L.
usitatissimum}, which has a single, slender stalk, about a
foot and a half high, with blue flowers. The fiber of the
bark is used for making thread and cloth, called linen,
cambric, lawn, lace, etc. Linseed oil is expressed from
the seed.
2. The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken
and cleaned by hatcheling or combing.
{Earth flax} (Min.), amianthus.
{Flax brake}, a machine for removing the woody portion of
flax from the fibrous.
{Flax comb}, a hatchel, hackle, or heckle.
{Flax cotton}, the fiber of flax, reduced by steeping in
bicarbinate of soda and acidulated liquids, and prepared
for bleaching and spinning like cotton. --Knight.
{Flax dresser}, one who breaks and swingles flax, or prepares
it for the spinner.
{Flax mill}, a mill or factory where flax is spun or linen
manufactured.
{Flax puller}, a machine for pulling flax plants in the
field.
{Flax wench}.
(a) A woman who spins flax. [Obs.]
(b) A prostitute. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Mountain flax} (Min.), amianthus.
{New Zealand flax} (Bot.) See {Flax-plant}.
Flaxen \Flax"en\, a.
Made of flax; resembling flax or its fibers; of the color of
flax; of a light soft straw color; fair and flowing, like
flax or tow; as, flaxen thread; flaxen hair.
Flax-plant \Flax"-plant`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant in new Zealand ({Phormium tenax}), allied to the
lilies and aloes. The leaves are two inches wide and several
feet long, and furnish a fiber which is used for making
ropes, mats, and coarse cloth.
Flaxseed \Flax"seed`\, n.
The seed of the flax; linseed.
Flaxweed \Flax"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
See {Toadflax}.
Flaxy \Flax"y\, a.
Like flax; flaxen. --Sir M. Sandys.
Flay \Flay\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flayed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flaying}.] [OE. flean, flan, AS. fle['a]n; akin to D. vlaen,
Icel. fl[=a], Sw. fl[*a], Dan. flaae, cf. Lith. ples? to
tear, plyszti, v.i., to burst tear; perh. akin to E. flag to
flat stone, flaw.]
To skin; to strip off the skin or surface of; as, to flay an
ox; to flay the green earth.
With her nails She 'll flay thy wolfish visage. --Shak.
Flayer \Flay"er\, n.
One who strips off the skin.
Flea \Flea\, v. t. [See {Flay}.]
To flay. [Obs.]
He will be fleaced first And horse collars made of's
skin. --J. Fletcher.
Flea \Flea\, n. [OE. fle, flee, AS. fle['a], fle['a]h; akin to
D. ?, OHG. fl?h, G. floh, Icel. fl?, Russ. blocha; prob. from
the root of E. flee. ? 84. See {Flee}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An insect belonging to the genus Pulex, of the order
Aphaniptera. Fleas are destitute of wings, but have the power
of leaping energetically. The bite is poisonous to most
persons. The human flea ({Pulex irritans}), abundant in
Europe, is rare in America, where the dog flea ({P. canis})
takes its place. See {Aphaniptera}, and {Dog flea}. See
Illustration in Appendix.
{A flea in the ear}, an unwelcome hint or unexpected reply,
annoying like a flea; an irritating repulse; as, to put a
flea in one's ear; to go away with a flea in one's ear.
{Beach flea}, {Black flea}, etc. See under {Beach}, etc.
Fleabane \Flea"bane`\, n. (Bot.)
One of various plants, supposed to have efficacy in driving
away fleas. They belong, for the most part, to the genera
{Conyza}, {Erigeron}, and {Pulicaria}.
Flea-beetle \Flea"-bee`tle\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small beetle of the family {Halticid[ae]}, of many species.
They have strong posterior legs and leap like fleas. The
turnip flea-beetle ({Phyllotreta vittata}) and that of the
grapevine ({Graptodera chalybea}) are common injurious
species.
Flea-bite \Flea"-bite`\, n.
1. The bite of a flea, or the red spot caused by the bite.
2. A trifling wound or pain, like that of the bite of a flea.
--Harvey.
Flea-bitten \Flea"-bit`ten\, a.
1. Bitten by a flea; as, a flea-bitten face.
2. White, flecked with minute dots of bay or sorrel; -- said
of the color of a horse.
Fleagh \Fleagh\, obs.
imp. of {Fly}.
Fleak \Fleak\, n.
A flake; a thread or twist. [Obs.]
Little long fleaks or threads of hemp. --Dr. H. More.
Fleaking \Fleak"ing\, n.
A light covering of reeds, over which the main covering is
laid, in thatching houses. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
Flea-louse \Flea"-louse`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A jumping plant louse of the family {Psyllid[ae]}, of many
species. That of the pear tree is {Psylla pyri}.
Fleam \Fleam\, n. [F. flamme, OF. flieme, fr. LL. flevotomum,
phlebotomum; cf. D. vlijm. See {Phlebotomy}.] (Surg. & Far.)
A sharp instrument used for opening veins, lancing gums,
etc.; a kind of lancet.
{Fleam tooth}, a tooth of a saw shaped like an isosceles
triangle; a peg tooth. --Knight.
Fleamy \Fleam"y\, a.
Bloody; clotted. [Obs. or Prov.]
Foamy bubbling of a fleamy brain. --Marston.
Flear \Flear\, v. t. & i.
See {Fleer}.
Fleawort \Flea"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
An herb used in medicine ({Plantago Psyllium}), named from
the shape of its seeds. --Loudon.
Fleche \Fl[`e]che\, n. [F. fl[`e]che, prop., an arrow.] (Fort.)
A simple fieldwork, consisting of two faces forming a salient
angle pointing outward and open at the gorge.
Fleck \Fleck\, n.
A flake; also, a lock, as of wool. [Obs.] --J. Martin.
Fleck \Fleck\, n. [Cf. Icel. flekkr; akin to Sw. fl["a]ck, D.
vlek, G. fleck, and perh. to E. flitch.]
A spot; a streak; a speckle. ``A sunny fleck.'' --Longfellow.
Life is dashed with flecks of sin. --tennyson.
Fleck \Fleck\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flecked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flecking}.] [Cf. Icel. flekka, Sw. fl["a]cka, D. vlekken,
vlakken, G. flecken. See {Fleck}, n.]
To spot; to streak or stripe; to variegate; to dapple.
Both flecked with white, the true Arcadian strain.
--Dryden.
A bird, a cloud, flecking the sunny air. --Trench.
Flecker \Fleck"er\, v. t.
To fleck. --Johnson.
Fleckless \Fleck"less\, a.
Without spot or blame. [R.]
My consnience will not count me fleckless. --Tennyson.
Flection \Flec"tion\, n. [See {Flexion}.]
1. The act of bending, or state of being bent.
2. The variation of words by declension, comparison, or
conjugation; inflection.
Flectional \Flec"tion*al\, a.
Capable of, or pertaining to, flection or inflection.
A flectional word is a phrase in the bud. --Earle.
Flector \Flec"tor\, n.
A flexor.
Fled \Fled\,
imp. & p. p. of {Flee}.
Fledge \Fledge\, a. [OE. flegge, flygge; akin to D. vlug, G.
fl["u]gge, fl["u]cke, OHG. flucchi, Icel. fleygr, and to E.
fly. [root]84. See {Fly}, v. i.]
Feathered; furnished with feathers or wings; able to fly.
His shoulders, fledge with wings. --Milton.
Fledge \Fledge\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Fledged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fledging}.]
1. To furnish with feathers; to supply with the feathers
necessary for flight.
The birds were not as yet fledged enough to shift
for themselves. --L'Estrange.
2. To furnish or adorn with any soft covering.
Your master, whose chin is not yet fledged. --Shak.
Fledgeling \Fledge"ling\, n.
A young bird just fledged.
Flee \Flee\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fleeing}.] [OE. fleon, fleen, AS. fle['o]n (imperf.
fle['a]h); akin to D. vlieden, OHG. & OS. fliohan, G.
fliehen, Icel. fl?ja (imperf. fl??i), Dan. flye, Sw. fly
(imperf. flydde), Goth. pliuhan. (?) 84. Cf. {Flight}.]
To run away, as from danger or evil; to avoid in an alarmed
or cowardly manner; to hasten off; -- usually with from. This
is sometimes omitted, making the verb transitive.
[He] cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.
--Shak.
Flee fornication. --1 Cor. vi.
18.
So fled his enemies my warlike father. --Shak.
Note: When great speed is to be indicated, we commonly use
fly, not flee; as, fly hence to France with the utmost
speed. ``Whither shall I fly to 'scape their hands?''
--Shak. See {Fly}, v. i., 5.
Fleece \Fleece\, n. [OE. flees, AS. fle['o]s; akin to D. flies,
vlies .]
1. The entire coat of wood that covers a sheep or other
similar animal; also, the quantity shorn from a sheep, or
animal, at one time.
Who shore me Like a tame wether, all my precious
fleece. --Milton.
2. Any soft woolly covering resembling a fleece.
3. (Manuf.) The fine web of cotton or wool removed by the
doffing knife from the cylinder of a carding machine.
{Fleece wool}, wool shorn from the sheep.
{Golden fleece}. See under {Golden}.
Fleece \Fleece\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fleeced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fleecing}.]
1. To deprive of a fleece, or natural covering of wool.
2. To strip of money or other property unjustly, especially
by trickery or fraud; to bring to straits by oppressions
and exactions.
Whilst pope and prince shared the wool betwixt them,
the people were finely fleeced. --Fuller.
3. To spread over as with wool. [R.] --Thomson.
Fleeced \Fleeced\, a.
1. Furnished with a fleece; as, a sheep is well fleeced.
--Spenser.
2. Stripped of a fleece; plundered; robbed.
Fleeceless \Fleece"less\, a.
Without a fleece.
Fleecer \Flee"cer\, n.
One who fleeces or strips unjustly, especially by trickery or
fraund. --Prynne.
Fleecy \Flee"cy\, a.
Covered with, made of, or resembling, a fleece. ``Fleecy
flocks.'' --Prior.
Fleen \Fleen\, n. pl.
Obs. pl. of {Flea}. --Chaucer.
Fleer \Fle"er\, n.
One who flees. --Ld. Berners.
Fleer \Fleer\, [imp. & p. p. {Fleered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fleering}.] [OE. flerien; cf. Scot. fleyr, Norw. flira to
titter, giggle, laugh at nothing, MHG. vlerre, vlarre, a wide
wound.]
1. To make a wry face in contempt, or to grin in scorn; to
deride; to sneer; to mock; to gibe; as, to fleer and
flout.
To fleer and scorn at our solemnity. --Shak.
2. To grin with an air of civility; to leer. [Obs.]
Grinning and fleering as though they went to a bear
baiting. --Latimer.
Fleer \Fleer\, v. t.
To mock; to flout at. --Beau. & Fl.
Flear \Flear\, n.
1. A word or look of derision or mockery.
And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorn.
--Shak.
2. A grin of civility; a leer. [Obs.]
A sly, treacherous fleer on the face of deceivers.
--South.
Fleerer \Fleer"er\, n.
One who fleers. --Beau. & Fl.
Fleeringly \Fleer"ing*ly\, adv.
In a fleering manner.
Fleet \Fleet\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fleeted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fleeting}.] [OE. fleten, fleoten, to swim, AS. fle['o]tan to
swim, float; akin to D. vlieten to flow, OS. fliotan, OHG.
fliozzan, G. fliessen, Icel. flj[=o]ta to float, flow, Sw.
flyta, D. flyde, L. pluere to rain, Gr. ? to sail, swim,
float, Skr. plu to swim, sail. [root]84. Cf. {Fleet}, n. &
a., {Float}, {Pluvial}, {Flow}.]
1. To sail; to float. [Obs.]
And in frail wood on Adrian Gulf doth fleet.
--Spenser.
2. To fly swiftly; to pass over quickly; to hasten; to flit
as a light substance.
All the unaccomplished works of Nature's hand, . . .
Dissolved on earth, fleet hither. --Milton.
3. (Naut.) To slip on the whelps or the barrel of a capstan
or windlass; -- said of a cable or hawser.
Fleet \Fleet\, v. t.
1. To pass over rapidly; to skin the surface of; as, a ship
that fleets the gulf. --Spenser.
2. To hasten over; to cause to pass away lighty, or in mirth
and joy.
Many young gentlemen flock to him, and fleet the
time carelessly. --Shak.
3. (Naut.)
(a) To draw apart the blocks of; -- said of a tackle.
--Totten.
(b) To cause to slip down the barrel of a capstan or
windlass, as a rope or chain.
Fleet \Fleet\, a. [Compar. {Fleeter}; superl. {Fleetest}.] [Cf.
Icel. flj?tr quick. See {Fleet}, v. i.]
1. Swift in motion; moving with velocity; light and quick in
going from place to place; nimble.
In mail their horses clad, yet fleet and strong.
--Milton.
2. Light; superficially thin; not penetrating deep, as soil.
[Prov. Eng.] --Mortimer.
Fleet \Fleet\, n. [OE. flete, fleote, AS. fle['o]t ship, fr.
fle['o]tan to float, swim. See {Fleet}, v. i. and cf.
{Float}.]
A number of vessels in company, especially war vessels; also,
the collective naval force of a country, etc.
{Fleet captain}, the senior aid of the admiral of a fleet,
when a captain. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Fleet \Fleet\, n. [AS. fle['o]t a place where vessels float,
bay, river; akin to D. vliet rill, brook, G. fliess. See
{Fleet}, v. i.]
1. A flood; a creek or inlet; a bay or estuary; a river; --
obsolete, except as a place name, -- as Fleet Street in
London.
Together wove we nets to entrap the fish In floods
and sedgy fleets. --Matthewes.
2. A former prison in London, which originally stood near a
stream, the Fleet (now filled up).
{Fleet parson}, a clergyman of low character, in, or in the
vicinity of, the Fleet prison, who was ready to unite
persons in marriage (called Fleet marriage) at any hour,
without public notice, witnesses, or consent of parents.
Fleet \Fleet\, v. t. [AS. fl[=e]t cream, fr. fle['o]tan to
float. See {Fleet}, v. i.]
To take the cream from; to skim. [Prov. Eng.] --Johnson.
Fleeten \Fleet"en\, n.
Fleeted or skimmed milk. [Obs.]
{Fleeten face}, a face of the color of fleeten, i. e.,
blanched; hence, a coward. ``You know where you are, you
fleeten face.'' --Beau. & Fl.
Fleet-foot \Fleet"-foot`\, a.
Swift of foot. --Shak.
Fleeting \Fleet"ing\, a.
Passing swiftly away; not durable; transient; transitory; as,
the fleeting hours or moments.
Syn: Evanescent; ephemeral. See {Transient}.
Fleetingly \Fleet"ing*ly\, adv.
In a fleeting manner; swiftly.
Fleetings \Fleet"ings\, n. pl.
A mixture of buttermilk and boiling whey; curds. [prov. Eng.]
--Wright.
Fleetly \Fleet"ly\, adv.
In a fleet manner; rapidly.
Fleetness \Fleet"ness\, n.
Swiftness; rapidity; velocity; celerity; speed; as, the
fleetness of a horse or of time.
Fleigh \Fleigh\, obs.
imp. of {Fly}. --Chaucer.
Fleme \Fleme\, v. t. [AS. fl[=e]man, fl[=y]man.]
To banish; to drive out; to expel. [Obs.] ``Appetite flemeth
discretion.'' --Chaucer.
Flemer \Flem"er\, n.
One who, or that which, banishes or expels. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fleming \Flem"ing\, n.
A native or inhabitant of Flanders.
Flemish \Flem"ish\, a.
Pertaining to Flanders, or the Flemings. -- n. The language
or dialect spoken by the Flemings; also, collectively, the
people of Flanders.
{Flemish accounts} (Naut.), short or deficient accounts.
[Humorous] --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
{Flemish beauty} (Bot.), a well known pear. It is one of few
kinds which have a red color on one side.
{Flemish bond}. (Arch.) See {Bond}, n., 8.
{Flemish brick}, a hard yellow paving brick.
{Flemish coil}, a flat coil of rope with the end in the
center and the turns lying against, without riding over,
each other.
{Flemish eye} (Naut.), an eye formed at the end of a rope by
dividing the strands and lying them over each other.
{Flemish horse} (Naut.), an additional footrope at the end of
a yard.
Flench \Flench\, v. t.
Same as {Flence}.
Flense \Flense\, v. t. [Cf. Dan. flense, D. vlensen, vlenzen,
Scot. flinch.]
To strip the blubber or skin from, as from a whale, seal,
etc.
the flensed carcass of a fur seal. --U. S. Census
(1880).
Flesh \Flesh\, n. [OE. flesch, flesc, AS. fl?sc; akin to OFries.
fl[=a]sk, D. vleesch, OS. fl?sk, OHG. fleisc, G. fleisch,
Icel. & Dan. flesk lard, bacon, pork, Sw. fl["a]sk.]
1. The aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which
cover the framework of bones in man and other animals;
especially, the muscles.
Note: In composition it is mainly albuminous
, but contains in adition a large number of crystalline bodies,
such as creatin, xanthin, hypoxanthin, carnin, etc. It is also
rich in phosphate of potash.
2. Animal food, in distinction from vegetable; meat;
especially, the body of beasts and birds used as food, as
distinguished from fish.
With roasted flesh, or milk, and wastel bread.
--Chaucer.
3. The human body, as distinguished from the soul; the
corporeal person.
As if this flesh, which walls about our life, Were
brass impregnable. --Shak.
4. The human eace; mankind; humanity.
All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
--Gen. vi. 12.
5. Human nature:
(a) In a good sense, tenderness of feeling; gentleness.
There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart.
--Cowper.
(b) In a bad sense, tendency to transient or physical
pleasure; desire for sensual gratification; carnality.
(c) (Theol.) The character under the influence of animal
propensities or selfish passions; the soul unmoved by
spiritual influences.
6. Kindred; stock; race.
He is our brother and our flesh. --Gen. xxxvii.
27.
7. The soft, pulpy substance of fruit; also, that part of a
root, fruit, and the like, which is fit to be eaten.
Note: Flesh is often used adjectively or self-explaining
compounds; as, flesh broth or flesh-broth; flesh brush
or fleshbrush; flesh tint or flesh-tint; flesh wound.
{After the flesh}, after the manner of man; in a gross or
earthly manner. ``Ye judge after the flesh.'' --John viii.
15.
{An arm of flesh}, human strength or aid.
{Flesh and blood}. See under {Blood}.
{Flesh broth}, broth made by boiling flesh in water.
{Flesh fly} (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of flies whose
larv[ae] or maggots feed upon flesh, as the bluebottle
fly; -- called also {meat fly}, {carrion fly}, and
{blowfly}. See {Blowly}.
{Flesh meat}, animal food. --Swift.
{Flesh side}, the side of a skin or hide which was next to
the flesh; -- opposed to grain side.
{Flesh tint} (Painting), a color used in painting to imitate
the hue of the living body.
{Flesh worm} (Zo["o]l.), any insect larva of a flesh fly. See
{Flesh fly} (above).
{Proud flesh}. See under {Proud}.
{To be one flesh}, to be closely united as in marriage; to
become as one person. --Gen. ii. 24.
Flesh \Flesh\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fleshed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fleshing}.]
1. To feed with flesh, as an incitement to further exertion;
to initiate; -- from the practice of training hawks and
dogs by feeding them with the first game they take, or
other flesh. Hence, to use upon flesh (as a murderous
weapon) so as to draw blood, especially for the first
time.
Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword.
--Shak.
The wild dog Shall flesh his tooth on every
innocent. --Shak.
2. To glut; to satiate; hence, to harden, to accustom.
``Fleshed in triumphs.'' --Glanvill.
Old soldiers Fleshed in the spoils of Germany and
France. --Beau. & Fl.
3. (Leather Manufacture) To remove flesh, membrance, etc.,
from, as from hides.
Fleshed \Fleshed\, a.
1. Corpulent; fat; having flesh.
2. Glutted; satiated; initiated.
Fleshed with slaughter. --Dryden.
Flesher \Flesh"er\, n.
1. A butcher.
A flesher on a block had laid his whittle down.
--Macaulay.
2. A two-handled, convex, blunt-edged knife, for scraping
hides; a fleshing knife.
Fleshhood \Flesh"hood\, n.
The state or condition of having a form of flesh;
incarnation. [R.]
Thou, who hast thyself Endured this fleshhood. --Mrs.
Browning.
Fleshiness \Flesh"i*ness\, n.
The state of being fleshy; plumpness; corpulence; grossness.
--Milton.
Fleshings \Flesh"ings\, n. pl.
Flesh-colored tights, worn by actors dancers. --D. Jerrold.
Fleshless \Flesh"less\, a.
Destitute of flesh; lean. --Carlyle.
Fleshliness \Flesh"li*ness\, n.
The state of being fleshly; carnal passions and appetites.
--Spenser.
Fleshing \Flesh"ing\, n.
A person devoted to fleshly things. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Fleshly \Flesh"ly\, a. [AS. ?.]
1. Of or pertaining to the flesh; corporeal. ``Fleshly
bondage.'' --Denham.
2. Animal; not?vegetable. --Dryden.
3. Human; not celestial; not spiritual or divine. ``Fleshly
wisdom.'' --2 Cor. i. 12.
Much ostentation vain of fleshly arm And fragile
arms. --Milton.
4. Carnal; wordly; lascivious.
Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the
soul. --1 Pet. ii.
11.
Fleshly \Flesh"ly\, adv.
In a fleshly manner; carnally; lasciviously. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Fleshment \Flesh"ment\, n.
The act of fleshing, or the excitement attending a successful
beginning. [R.] --Shak.
Fleshmonger \Flesh"mon`ger\, n. [AS. ? mangere.]
One who deals in flesh; hence, a pimp; a procurer; a pander.
[R.] --Shak.
Fleshpot \Flesh"pot`\, n.
A pot or vessel in which flesh is cooked; hence (pl.),
plenty; high living.
In the land of Egypt . . . we sat by the fleshpots, and
. . . did eat bread to the full. --Ex. xvi. 3.
Fleshquake \Flesh"quake`\, n.
A quaking or trembling of the flesh; a quiver. [Obs.] --B.
Jonson.
Fleshy \Flesh"y\, a. [Compar. {Fleshier}; superl. {Fleshiest}.]
1. Full of, or composed of, flesh; plump; corpulent; fat;
gross.
The sole of his foot is fleshy. --Ray.
2. Human. [Obs.] ``Fleshy tabernacle.'' --Milton.
3. (Bot.) Composed of firm pulp; succulent; as, the
houseleek, cactus, and agave are fleshy plants.
Flet \Flet\, p. p. of {Fleet}.
Skimmed. [Obs.]
Fletch \Fletch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fletched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fletching}.] [F. fl[`e]che arrow.]
To feather, as an arrow. --Bp. Warburton.
[Congress] fletched their complaint, by adding:
``America loved his brother.'' --Bancroft.
Fletcher \Fletch"er\, n. [OF. flechier.]
One who fletches of feathers arrows; a manufacturer of bows
and arrows. [Obs.] --Mortimer.
Flete \Flete\, v. i. [See {Fleet}, v. i.]
To float; to swim. [Obs.] ``Whether I sink or flete.''
--Chaucer.
Fletiferous \Fle*tif"er*ous\, a. [L. fletifer; fletus a weeping
(from flere, fletum, to weep) + ferre to bear.]
Producing tears. [Obs.] --Blount.
Fleur-de-lis \Fleur`-de-lis`\, n.; pl. {Fleurs-de-lis}. [F.,
flower of the lily. Cf. {Flower-de-luce}, {Lily}.]
1. (Bot.) The iris. See {Flower-de-luce}.
2. A conventional flower suggested by the iris, and having a
form which fits it for the terminal decoration of a
scepter, the ornaments of a crown, etc. It is also a
heraldic bearing, and is identified with the royal arms
and adornments of France.
Fleury \Fleur"y\, a. [F. fleuri covered with flowers, p. p. of
fleurir. See {Flourish}.] (Her.)
Finished at the ends with fleurs-de-lis; -- said esp. of a
cross so decorated.
Flew \Flew\,
imp. of {Fly}.
Flewed \Flewed\, a.
Having large flews. --Shak.
Flews \Flews\, n. pl.
The pendulous or overhanging lateral parts of the upper lip
of dogs, especially prominent in hounds; -- called also
{chaps}. See Illust. of {Bloodhound}.
Flex \Flex\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flexed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flexing}.] [L. flexus, p. p. of flectere to bend, perh.
flectere and akin to falx sickle, E. falchion. Cf. {Flinch}.]
To bend; as, to flex the arm.
Flex \Flex\, n.
Flax. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Flexanimous \Flex*an"i*mous\, a. [L. flexanimus; flectere,
flexum, to bend + animus mind.]
Having power to change the mind. [Obs.] --Howell.
Flexibility \Flex`i*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. flexibilitas: cf. F.
flexibilite.]
The state or quality of being flexible; flexibleness;
pliancy; pliability; as, the flexibility of strips of
hemlock, hickory, whalebone or metal, or of rays of light.
--Sir I. Newton.
All the flexibility of a veteran courtier. --Macaulay.
Flexible \Flex"i*ble\, a. [L. flexibilis: cf. F. flexible.]
1. Capable of being flexed or bent; admitting of being
turned, bowed, or twisted, without breaking; pliable;
yielding to pressure; not stiff or brittle.
When the splitting wind Makes flexible the knees of
knotted oaks. --Shak.
2. Willing or ready to yield to the influence of others; not
invincibly rigid or obstinate; tractable; manageable;
ductile; easy and compliant; wavering.
Phocion was a man of great severity, and no ways
flexible to the will of the people. --Bacon.
Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible. --Shak.
3. Capable or being adapted or molded; plastic,; as, a
flexible language.
This was a principle more flexible to their purpose.
--Rogers.
Syn: Pliant; pliable; supple; tractable; manageable; ductile;
obsequious; inconstant; wavering. -- {Flex"i*ble*ness},
n. -- {Flex"i*bly}, adv.
Flexicostate \Flex`i*cos"tate\, a. [L. flexus bent + E.
costate.] (Anat.)
Having bent or curved ribs.
Flexile \Flex"ile\, a. [L. flexilis.]
Flexible; pliant; pliable; easily bent; plastic; tractable.
--Wordsworth.
Flexion \Flex"ion\, n. [L. flexio: cf. F. flexion.]
1. The act of flexing or bending; a turning.
2. A bending; a part bent; a fold. --Bacon.
3. (Gram.) Syntactical change of form of words, as by
declension or conjugation; inflection.
Express the syntactical relations by flexion. --Sir
W. Hamilton.
4. (Physiol.) The bending of a limb or joint; that motion of
a joint which gives the distal member a continually
decreasing angle with the axis of the proximal part; --
distinguished from extension.
Flexor \Flex"or\, n. [NL.] (Anat.)
A muscle which bends or flexes any part; as, the flexors of
the arm or the hand; -- opposed to {extensor}.
Flexuose \Flex"u*ose`\ (?; 135), a.
Flexuous.
Flexuous \Flex"u*ous\, a. [L. flexuosus, fr. flexus a bending,
turning.]
1. Having turns, windings, or flexures.
2. (Bot.) Having alternate curvatures in opposite directions;
bent in a zigzag manner.
3. Wavering; not steady; flickering. --Bacon.
Flexural \Flex"u*ral\, a. [From {Flexure}.]
Of, pertaining to, or resulting from, flexure; of the nature
of, or characterized by, flexure; as, flexural elasticity.
Flexure \Flex"ure\ (?; 135), n. [L. flexura.]
1. The act of flexing or bending; a turning or curving;
flexion; hence, obsequious bowing or bending.
Will it give place to flexure and low bending?
--Shak.
2. A turn; a bend; a fold; a curve.
Varying with the flexures of the valley through
which it meandered. --British
Quart. Rev.
3. (Zo["o]l.) The last joint, or bend, of the wing of a bird.
4. (Astron.) The small distortion of an astronomical
instrument caused by the weight of its parts; the amount
to be added or substracted from the observed readings of
the instrument to correct them for this distortion.
{The flexure of a curve} (Math.), the bending of a curve
towards or from a straight line.
Flibbergib \Flib"ber*gib\, n.
A sycophant. [Obs. & Humorous.] ``Flatterers and
flibbergibs.'' --Latimer.
Flibbertigibbet \Flib"ber*ti*gib`bet\, n.
An imp. --Shak.
Flibustier \Fli`bus`tier"\, n. [F.]
A buccaneer; an American pirate. See {Flibuster}. [Obs.]
Flick \Flick\ (fl[i^]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flicked}
(fl[i^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Flicking}.] [Cf. Flicker.]
To whip lightly or with a quick jerk; to flap; as, to flick a
horse; to flick the dirt from boots. --Thackeray.
Flick \Flick\, n.
A flitch; as, a flick of bacon.
Flicker \Flick"er\ (-[~e]r), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flickered}
(-[~e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Flickering}.] [OE. flikeren,
flekeren, to flutter, AS. flicerian, flicorian, cf. D.
flikkeren to sparkle. [root]84. Cf. Flacker.]
1. To flutter; to flap the wings without flying.
And flickering on her nest made short essays to
sing. --Dryden.
2. To waver unsteadily, like a flame in a current of air, or
when about to expire; as, the flickering light.
The shadows flicker to fro. --Tennyson.
Flicker \Flick"er\, n.
1. The act of wavering or of fluttering; flucuation; sudden
and brief increase of brightness; as, the last flicker of
the dying flame.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The golden-winged woodpecker ({Colaptes
aurutus}); -- so called from its spring note. Called also
{yellow-hammer}, {high-holder}, {pigeon woodpecker}, and
{yucca}.
The cackle of the flicker among the oaks.
--Thoureau.
Flickeringly \Flick"ering*ly\, adv.
In a flickering manner.
Flickermouse \Flick"er*mouse`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Flittermouse}.
Flidge \Flidge\, a.
Fledged; fledge. [Obs.] --Holland.
Flidge \Flidge\, v. i.
To become fledged; to fledge. [Obs.]
Every day build their nests, every hour flidge. --R.
Greene.
Flier \Fli"er\ (fl[imac]"[~e]r), n. [Form {Fly}, v.; cf.
{Flyer}]
1. One who flies or flees; a runaway; a fugitive. --Shak.
2. (Mach.) A fly. See {Fly}, n., 9, and 13
(b) .
3. (Spinning) See {Flyer}, n., 5.
4. (Arch.) See {Flyer}, n., 4.
Flight \Flight\ (fl[imac]t), n. [AS. fliht, flyht, a flying, fr.
fle['o]gan to fly; cf. flyht a fleeing, fr. fle['o]n to flee,
G. flucht a fleeing, Sw. flykt, G. flug a flying, Sw. flygt,
D. vlugt a fleeing or flying, Dan. flugt. [root]84. See
{Flee}, {Fly}.]
1. The act or flying; a passing through the air by the help
of wings; volitation; mode or style of flying.
Like the night owl's lazy flight. --Shak.
2. The act of fleeing; the act of running away, to escape or
expected evil; hasty departure.
Pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
--Matt. xxiv.
20.
Fain by flight to save themselves. --Shak.
3. Lofty elevation and excursion;a mounting; a soa?ing; as, a
flight of imagination, ambition, folly.
Could he have kept his spirit to that flight, He had
been happy. --Byron.
His highest flights were indeed far below those of
Taylor. --Macaulay.
4. A number of beings or things passing through the air
together; especially, a flock of birds flying in company;
the birds that fly or migrate together; the birds produced
in one season; as, a flight of arrows. --Swift.
Swift flights of angels ministrant. --Milton.
Like a flight of fowl Scattered winds and
tempestuous gusts. --Shak.
5. A series of steps or stairs from one landing to another.
--Parker.
6. A kind of arrow for the longbow; also, the sport of
shooting with it. See {Shaft}. [Obs.]
Challenged Cupid at the flight. --Shak.
Not a flight drawn home E'er made that haste that
they have. --Beau. & Fl.
7. The husk or glume of oats. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
{Flight feathers} (Zo["o]l.), the wing feathers of a bird,
including the quills, coverts, and bastard wing. See
{Bird}.
{To put to flight}, {To turn to flight}, to compel to run
away; to force to flee; to rout.
Syn: Pair; set. See {Pair}.
Flighted \Flight"ed\, a.
1. Taking flight; flying; -- used in composition.
``Drowsy-flighted steeds.'' --Milton.
2. (Her.) Feathered; -- said of arrows.
Flighter \Flight"er\, n. (Brewing)
A horizontal vane revolving over the surface of wort in a
cooler, to produce a circular current in the liquor.
--Knight.
Flightily \Flight"i*ly\, adv.
In a flighty manner.
Flightiness \Flight"i*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being flighty.
The flightness of her temper. --Hawthorne.
Syn: Levity; giddiness; volatility; lightness; wildness;
eccentricity. See {Levity}.
Flight-shot \Flight"-shot`\, n.
The distance to which an arrow or flight may be shot;
bowshot, -- about the fifth of a mile. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Within a flight-shot it inthe valley. --Evelyn.
Half a flight-shot from the king's oak. --Sir W.
Scott.
Flighty \Flight"y\, a.
1. Fleeting; swift; transient.
The flighty purpose never is o'ertook, Unless the
deed go with it. --Shak.
2. Indulging in flights, or wild and unrestrained sallies, of
imagination, humor, caprice, etc.; given to disordered
fancies and extravagant conduct; volatile; giddy;
eccentric; slighty delirious.
Proofs of my flighty and paradoxical turn of mind.
--Coleridge.
A harsh disciplinarian and a flighty enthusiast.
--J. S.
Harford.
Flimflam \Flim"flam\, n. [Cf. {Flam}.]
A freak; a trick; a lie. --Beau. & Fl.
Flimsily \Flim"si*ly\, adv.
In a flimsy manner.
Flimsiness \Flim"si*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being flimsy.
Flimsy \Flim"sy\, a. [Compar. {Flimsier}; superl. {Flimsiest}.]
[Cf. W. llymsi naked, bare, empty, sluggish, spiritless. Cf.
{Limsy}.]
Weak; feeble; limp; slight; vain; without strength or
solidity; of loose and unsubstantial structure; without
reason or plausibility; as, a flimsy argument, excuse,
objection.
Proud of a vast extent of flimsy lines. --Pope.
All the flimsy furniture of a country miss's brain.
--Sheridan.
Syn: Weak; feeble; superficial; shallow; vain.
Flimsy \Flim"sy\, n.
1. Thin or transfer paper.
2. A bank note. [Slang, Eng.]
Flinch \Flinch\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flinched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flinching}.] [Prob. fr. OE. flecchen to waver, give way, F.
fl['e]chir, fr. L. flectere to bend; but prob. influenced by
E. blench. Cf. {Flex}.]
1. To withdraw from any suffering or undertaking, from pain
or danger; to fail in doing or perserving; to show signs
of yielding or of suffering; to shrink; to wince; as, one
of the parties flinched from the combat.
A child, by a constant course of kindness, may be
accustomed to bear very rough usage without
flinching or complaining. --Locke.
2. (Croquet) To let the foot slip from a ball, when
attempting to give a tight croquet.
Flinch \Flinch\, n.
The act of flinching.
Flincher \Flinch"er\, n.
One who flinches or fails.
Flinchingly \Flinch"ing*ly\, adv.
In a flinching manner.
Flindermouse \Flin"der*mouse`\, n.[OE. vlindre moth (cf. D.
vlinder butterfly) + E. mouse. Cf. {Flittermouse},
{Flinders}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A bat; a flittermouse.
Flinders \Flin"ders\, n. pl. [Scot. flenders, flendris; perh.
akin to E. flutter; cf. D. flenters rags, broken pieces.]
Small pieces or splinters; fragments.
The tough ash spear, so stout and true, Into a thousand
flinders flew. --Sir W.
Scott.
Fling \Fling\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flung}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flinging}.] [OE. flingen, flengen, to rush, hurl; cf. Icel.
flengia to whip, ride furiously, OSw. flenga to strike, Sw.
fl["a]nga to romp, Dan. flenge to slash.]
1. To cast, send, to throw from the hand; to hurl; to dart;
to emit with violence as if thrown from the hand; as, to
fing a stone into the pond.
'T is Fate that flings the dice: and, as she flings,
Of kings makes peasants, and of peasants kings.
--Dryden.
He . . . like Jove, his lighting flung. --Dryden.
I know thy generous temper well. Fling but the
appearance of dishonor on it, It straight takes
fire. --Addison.
2. To shed forth; to emit; to scatter.
The sun begins to fling His flaring beams. --Milton.
Every beam new transient colors flings. --Pope.
3. To throw; to hurl; to throw off or down; to prostrate;
hence, to baffle; to defeat; as, to fling a party in
litigation.
His horse started, flung him, and fell upon him.
--Walpole.
{To fling about}, to throw on all sides; to scatter.
{To fling away}, to reject; to discard.
Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition.
--Shak.
{To fling down}.
(a) To throw to the ground; esp., to throw in defiance, as
formerly knights cast a glove into the arena as a
challenge.
This question so flung down before the guests, .
. . Was handed over by consent of all To me who
had not spoken. --Tennyson.
(b) To overturn; to demolish; to ruin.
{To fling in}, to throw in; not to charge in an account; as,
in settling accounts, one party flings in a small sum, or
a few days' work.
{To fling off}, to baffle in the chase; to defeat of prey;
also, to get rid of. --Addison.
{To fling open}, to throw open; to open suddenly or with
violence; as, to fling open a door.
{To fling out}, to utter; to speak in an abrupt or harsh
manner; as, to fling out hard words against another.
{To fling up}, to relinquish; to abandon; as, to fling up a
design.
Fling \Fling\, v. i.
1. To throw; to wince; to flounce; as, the horse began to
kick and fling.
2. To cast in the teeth; to utter abusive language; to sneer;
as, the scold began to flout and fling.
3. To throw one's self in a violent or hasty manner; to rush
or spring with violence or haste.
And crop-full, out of doors he flings. --Milton.
I flung closer to his breast, As sword that, after
battle, flings to sheath. --Mrs.
Browning.
{To fling out}, to become ugly and intractable; to utter
sneers and insinuations.
Fling \Fling\, n.
1. A cast from the hand; a throw; also, a flounce; a kick;
as, the fling of a horse.
2. A severe or contemptuous remark; an expression of
sarcastic scorn; a gibe; a sarcasm.
I, who love to have a fling, Both at senate house
and king. --Swift.
3. A kind of dance; as, the Highland fling.
4. A trifing matter; an object of contempt. [Obs.]
England were but a fling Save for the crooked stick
and the gray goose wing. --Old Proverb.
{To have one's fling}, to enjoy one's self to the full; to
have a season of dissipation. --J. H. Newman. ``When I was
as young as you, I had my fling. I led a life of
pleasure.'' --D. Jerrold.
Flingdust \Fling"dust`\, n.
One who kicks up the dust; a streetwalker; a low manner.
[Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Flinger \Fling"er\, n.
One who flings; one who jeers.
Flint \Flint\, n. [AS. flint, akin to Sw. flinta, Dan. flint;
cf. OHG. flins flint, G. flinte gun (cf. E. flintlock), perh.
akin to Gr. ? brick. Cf. {Plinth}.]
1. (Min.) A massive, somewhat impure variety of quartz, in
color usually of a gray to brown or nearly black, breaking
with a conchoidal fracture and sharp edge. It is very
hard, and strikes fire with steel.
2. A piece of flint for striking fire; -- formerly much used,
esp. in the hammers of gun locks.
3. Anything extremely hard, unimpressible, and unyielding,
like flint. ``A heart of flint.'' --Spenser.
{Flint age}. (Geol.) Same as {Stone age}, under {Stone}.
{Flint brick}, a fire made principially of powdered silex.
{Flint glass}. See in the Vocabulary.
{Flint implements} (Arch[ae]ol.), tools, etc., employed by
men before the use of metals, such as axes, arrows,
spears, knives, wedges, etc., which were commonly made of
flint, but also of granite, jade, jasper, and other hard
stones.
{Flint mill}.
(a) (Pottery) A mill in which flints are ground.
(b) (Mining) An obsolete appliance for lighting the miner
at his work, in which flints on a revolving wheel were
made to produce a shower of sparks, which gave light,
but did not inflame the fire damp. --Knight.
{Flint stone}, a hard, siliceous stone; a flint.
{Flint wall}, a kind of wall, common in England, on the face
of which are exposed the black surfaces of broken flints
set in the mortar, with quions of masonry.
{Liquor of flints}, a solution of silica, or flints, in
potash.
{To skin a flint}, to be capable of, or guilty of, any
expedient or any meanness for making money. [Colloq.]
Flint glass \Flint" glass`\ (Chem.)
A soft, heavy, brilliant glass, consisting essentially of a
silicate of lead and potassium. It is used for tableware, and
for optical instruments, as prisms, its density giving a high
degree of dispersive power; -- so called, because formerly
the silica was obtained from pulverized flints. Called also
{crystal glass}. Cf. {Glass}.
Note: The concave or diverging half on an achromatic lens is
usually made of flint glass.
Flint-hearted \Flint"-heart`ed\, a.
Hard-hearted. --Shak.
Flintiness \Flint"i*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being flinty; hardness; cruelty.
--Beau. & Fl.
Flintlock \Flint"lock`\, n.
1. A lock for a gun or pistol, having a flint fixed in the
hammer, which on striking the steel ignites the priming.
2. A hand firearm fitted with a flintlock; esp., the
old-fashioned musket of European and other armies.
Flintware \Flint"ware`\, n.
A superior kind of earthenware into whose composition flint
enters largely. --Knight.
Flintwood \Flint"wood`\, n. (Bot.)
An Australian name for the very hard wood of the {Eucalyptus
piluralis}.
Flinty \Flint"y\, a. [Compar. {Flintier}; superl. {Flintiest}.]
Consisting of, composed of, abounding in, or resembling,
flint; as, a flinty rock; flinty ground; a flinty heart.
{Flinty rock}, or {Flinty state}, a siliceous slate; --
basanite is here included. See {Basanite}.
Flip \Flip\, n. [Cf. Prov. E. flip nimble, flippant, also, a
slight blow. Cf. {Flippant}.]
A mixture of beer, spirit, etc., stirred and heated by a hot
iron.
{Flip dog}, an iron used, when heated, to warm flip.
Flip \Flip\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flipped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flipping}.]
To toss or fillip; as, to flip up a cent.
As when your little ones Do 'twixt their fingers flip
their cherry stones. --W. Browne.
Flipe \Flipe\, v. t.
To turn inside out, or with the leg part back over the foot,
as a stocking in pulling off or for putting on. [Scot.]
Flip-flap \Flip"-flap`\, n. [See {Flip}, and {Flap}.]
The repeated stroke of something long and loose. --Johnson.
Flip-flap \Flip"-flap`\, adv.
With repeated strokes and noise, as of something long and
loose. --Ash.
Flippancy \Flip"pan*cy\, n.[See {Flippant}.]
The state or quality of being flippant.
This flippancy of language. --Bp. Hurd.
Flippant \Flip"pant\, a. [Prov. E. flip to move nimbly; cf. W.
llipa soft, limber, pliant, or Icel. fleipa to babble,
prattle. Cf. {Flip}, {Fillip}, {Flap}, {Flipper}.]
1. Of smooth, fluent, and rapid speech; speaking with ease
and rapidity; having a voluble tongue; talkative.
It becometh good men, in such cases, to be flippant
and free in their speech. --Barrow.
2. Speaking fluently and confidently, without knowledge or
consideration; empty; trifling; inconsiderate; pert;
petulant. ``Flippant epilogues.'' --Thomson.
To put flippant scorn to the blush. --I. Taylor.
A sort of flippant, vain discourse. --Burke.
Flippant \Flip"pant\, n.
A flippant person. [R.] --Tennyson.
Flippantly \Flip"pant*ly\, adv.
In a flippant manner.
Flippantness \Flip"pant*ness\, n.
State or quality of being flippant.
Flipper \Flip"per\, n. [Cf. {Flip}, {Flippant}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A broad flat limb used for swimming, as those
of seals, sea turtles, whales, etc.
2. (Naut.) The hand. [Slang]
Flirt \Flirt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flirted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flirting}.] [Cf. AS. fleard trifle, folly, fleardian to
trifle.]
1. To throw with a jerk or quick effort; to fling suddenly;
as, they flirt water in each other's faces; he flirted a
glove, or a handkerchief.
2. To toss or throw about; to move playfully to and fro; as,
to flirt a fan.
3. To jeer at; to treat with contempt; to mock. [Obs.]
I am ashamed; I am scorned; I am flirted. --Beau. &
Fl.
Flirt \Flirt\, v. i.
1. To run and dart about; to act with giddiness, or from a
desire to attract notice; especially, to play the
coquette; to play at courtship; to coquet; as, they flirt
with the young men.
2. To utter contemptuous language, with an air of disdain; to
jeer or gibe. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Flirt \Flirt\, n.
1. A sudden jerk; a quick throw or cast; a darting motion;
hence, a jeer.
Several little flirts and vibrations. --Addison.
With many a flirt and flutter. --E. A. Poe.
2. [Cf. LG. flirtje, G. flirtchen. See {Flirt}, v. t.] One
who flirts; esp., a woman who acts with giddiness, or
plays at courtship; a coquette; a pert girl.
Several young flirts about town had a design to cast
us out of the fashionable world. --Addison.
Flirt \Flirt\, a.
Pert; wanton. [Obs.]
Flirtation \Flir*ta"tion\, n.
1. Playing at courtship; coquetry.
The flirtations and jealousies of our ball rooms.
--Macaulay.
Flirt-gill \Flirt"-gill`\, n.
A woman of light behavior; a gill-flirt. [Obs.] --Shak.
You heard him take me up like a flirt-gill. --Beau. &
Fl.
Flirtigig \Flirt"i*gig\, n.
A wanton, pert girl. [Obs.]
Flirtingly \Flirt"ing*ly\, adv.
In a flirting manner.
Flisk \Flisk\, v. i.
To frisk; to skip; to caper. [Obs. Scot.] ``The flisking
flies.'' --Gosson.
Flisk \Flisk\, n.
A caper; a spring; a whim. [Scot.]
Flit \Flit\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flitted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flitting}.] [OE. flitten, flutten, to carry away; cf. Icel.
flytja, Sw. flytta, Dan. flytte. [root]84. Cf. {Fleet}, v.
i.]
1. To move with celerity through the air; to fly away with a
rapid motion; to dart along; to fleet; as, a bird flits
away; a cloud flits along.
A shadow flits before me. --Tennyson.
2. To flutter; to rove on the wing. --Dryden.
3. To pass rapidly, as a light substance, from one place to
another; to remove; to migrate.
It became a received opinion, that the souls of men,
departing this life, did flit out of one body into
some other. --Hooker.
4. To remove from one place or habitation to another. [Scot.
& Prov. Eng.] --Wright. Jamieson.
5. To be unstable; to be easily or often moved.
And the free soul to flitting air resigned.
--Dryden.
Flit \Flit\, a.
Nimble; quick; swift. [Obs.] See {Fleet}.
Flitch \Flitch\, n.; pl. {Flitches}. [OE. flicche, flikke, AS.
flicce, akin to Icel. flikki; cf. Icel. fl[=i]k flap, tatter;
perh. akin to E. fleck. Cf. {Flick}, n.]
1. The side of a hog salted and cured; a side of bacon.
--Swift.
2. One of several planks, smaller timbers, or iron plates,
which are secured together, side by side, to make a large
girder or built beam.
3. The outside piece of a sawed log; a slab. [Eng.]
Flite \Flite\, v. i. [AS. fl[=i]tan to strive, contend, quarrel;
akin to G. fleiss industry.]
To scold; to quarrel. [Prov. Eng.] --Grose.
Flitter \Flit"ter\, v. i.
To flutter. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Flitter \Flit"ter\, v. t.
To flutter; to move quickly; as, to flitter the cards. [R.]
--Lowell.
Flitter \Flit"ter\, n. [Cf. G. flitter spangle, tinsel, flittern
to make a tremulous motion, to glitter. Cf. {Flitter}, v. i.]
A rag; a tatter; a small piece or fragment.
Flittermouse \Flit"ter*mouse`\, n. [Flitter, v.i. + mouse; cf.
G. fledermaus, OHG. fledarm[=u]s. Cf. {Flickermouse},
{Flindermouse}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A bat; -- called also {flickermouse}, {flindermouse}, and
{flintymouse}.
Flittern \Flit"tern\, a.
A term applied to the bark obtained from young oak trees.
--McElrath.
Flittiness \Flit"ti*ness\, n. [From {Flitty}.]
Unsteadiness; levity; lightness. [Obs.] --Bp. Hopkins.
Flitting \Flit"ting\, n.
1. A flying with lightness and celerity; a fluttering.
2. A removal from one habitation to another. [Scot. & Prov.
Eng.]
A neighbor had lent his cart for the flitting, and
it was now standing loaded at the door, ready to
move away. --Jeffrey.
Flittingly \Flit"ting*ly\, adv.
In a flitting manner.
Flitty \Flit"ty\, a. [From {Flit}.]
Unstable; fluttering. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Flix \Flix\, n. [Cf. {Flax}.]
Down; fur. [Obs. or Eng.] --J. Dyer.
Flix \Flix\, n.
The flux; dysentery. [Obs.] --Udall.
{Flix weed} (Bot.), the {Sisymbrium Sophia}, a kind of hedge
mustard, formerly used as a remedy for dysentery.
Flo \Flo\ (fl[=o]), n.; pl. {Flon} (fl[=o]n). [AS. fl[=a],
fl[=a]n.]
An arrow. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Float \Float\ (fl[=o]t), n.[OE. flote ship, boat, fleet, AS.
flota ship, fr. fle['o]tan to float; akin to D. vloot fleet,
G. floss raft, Icel. floti float, raft, fleet, Sw. flotta.
[root] 84. See {Fleet}, v. i., and cf. {Flotilla}, {Flotsam},
{Plover}.]
1. Anything which floats or rests on the surface of a fluid,
as to sustain weight, or to indicate the height of the
surface, or mark the place of, something. Specifically:
(a) A mass of timber or boards fastened together, and
conveyed down a stream by the current; a raft.
(b) The hollow, metallic ball of a self-acting faucet,
which floats upon the water in a cistern or boiler.
(c) The cork or quill used in angling, to support the bait
line, and indicate the bite of a fish.
(d) Anything used to buoy up whatever is liable to sink;
an inflated bag or pillow used by persons learning to
swim; a life preserver.
This reform bill . . . had been used as a float
by the conservative ministry. --J. P.
Peters.
2. A float board. See {Float board} (below).
3. (Tempering) A contrivance for affording a copious stream
of water to the heated surface of an object of large bulk,
as an anvil or die. --Knight.
4. The act of flowing; flux; flow. [Obs.] --Bacon.
5. A quantity of earth, eighteen feet square and one foot
deep. [Obs.] --Mortimer.
6. (Plastering) The trowel or tool with which the floated
coat of plastering is leveled and smoothed.
7. A polishing block used in marble working; a runner.
--Knight.
8. A single-cut file for smoothing; a tool used by shoemakers
for rasping off pegs inside a shoe.
9. A coal cart. [Eng.] --Simmonds.
10. The sea; a wave. See {Flote}, n.
{Float board}, one of the boards fixed radially to the rim of
an undershot water wheel or of a steamer's paddle wheel;
-- a vane.
{Float case} (Naut.), a caisson used for lifting a ship.
{Float} {copper or gold} (Mining), fine particles of metallic
copper or of gold suspended in water, and thus liable to
be lost.
{Float ore}, water-worn particles of ore; fragments of vein
material found on the surface, away from the vein outcrop.
--Raymond.
{Float stone} (Arch.), a siliceous stone used to rub
stonework or brickwork to a smooth surface.
{Float valve}, a valve or cock acted upon by a float. See
{Float}, 1
(b) .
Float \Float\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Floated}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Floating}.] [OE. flotien, flotten, AS. flotian to float,
swim, fr. fle['o]tan. See {Float}, n.]
1. To rest on the surface of any fluid; to swim; to be buoyed
up.
The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground.
--Milton.
Three blustering nights, borne by the southern
blast, I floated. --Dryden.
2. To move quietly or gently on the water, as a raft; to
drift along; to move or glide without effort or impulse on
the surface of a fluid, or through the air.
They stretch their broad plumes and float upon the
wind. --Pope.
There seems a floating whisper on the hills.
--Byron.
Float \Float\, v. t.
1. To cause to float; to cause to rest or move on the surface
of a fluid; as, the tide floated the ship into the harbor.
Had floated that bell on the Inchcape rock.
--Southey.
2. To flood; to overflow; to cover with water.
Proud Pactolus floats the fruitful lands. --Dryden.
3. (Plastering) To pass over and level the surface of with a
float while the plastering is kept wet.
4. To support and sustain the credit of, as a commercial
scheme or a joint-stock company, so as to enable it to go
into, or continue in, operation.
Floatable \Float"a*ble\, a.
That may be floated.
Floatage \Float"age\ (?; 48), n.
Same as {Flotage}.
Floatation \Float*a"tion\, n.
See {Flotation}.
Floater \Float"er\, n.
1. One who floats or swims.
2. A float for indicating the height of a liquid surface.
Floating \Float"ing\, a.
1. Buoyed upon or in a fluid; a, the floating timbers of a
wreck; floating motes in the air.
2. Free or lose from the usual attachment; as, the floating
ribs in man and some other animals.
3. Not funded; not fixed, invested, or determined; as,
floating capital; a floating debt.
Trade was at an end. Floating capital had been
withdrawn in great masses from the island.
--Macaulay.
{Floating anchor} (Naut.), a drag or sea anchor; drag sail.
{Floating battery} (Mil.), a battery erected on rafts or the
hulls of ships, chiefly for the defense of a coast or the
bombardment of a place.
{Floating bridge}.
(a) A bridge consisting of rafts or timber, with a floor
of plank, supported wholly by the water; a bateau
bridge. See {Bateau}.
(b) (Mil.) A kind of double bridge, the upper one
projecting beyond the lower one, and capable of being
moved forward by pulleys; -- used for carrying troops
over narrow moats in attacking the outworks of a fort.
(c) A kind of ferryboat which is guided and impelled by
means of chains which are anchored on each side of a
stream, and pass over wheels on the vessel, the wheels
being driven by stream power.
(d) The landing platform of a ferry dock.
{Floating cartilage} (Med.), a cartilage which moves freely
in the cavity of a joint, and often interferes with the
functions of the latter.
{Floating dam}.
(a) An anchored dam.
(b) A caisson used as a gate for a dry dock.
{Floating derrick}, a derrick on a float for river and harbor
use, in raising vessels, moving stone for harbor
improvements, etc.
{Floating dock}. (Naut.) See under {Dock}.
{Floating harbor}, a breakwater of cages or booms, anchored
and fastened together, and used as a protection to ships
riding at anchor to leeward. --Knight.
{Floating heart} (Bot.), a small aquatic plant ({Limnanthemum
lacunosum}) whose heart-shaped leaves float on the water
of American ponds.
{Floating island}, a dish for dessert, consisting of custard
with floating masses of whipped cream or white of eggs.
{Floating kidney}. (Med.) See {Wandering kidney}, under
{Wandering}.
{Floating light}, a light shown at the masthead of a vessel
moored over sunken rocks, shoals, etc., to warn mariners
of danger; a light-ship; also, a light erected on a buoy
or floating stage.
{Floating liver}. (Med.) See {Wandering liver}, under
{Wandering}.
{Floating pier}, a landing stage or pier which rises and
falls with the tide.
{Floating ribs} (Anat.), the lower or posterior ribs which
are not connected with the others in front; in man they
are the last two pairs.
{Floating screed} (Plastering), a strip of plastering first
laid on, to serve as a guide for the thickness of the
coat.
{Floating threads} (Weaving), threads which span several
other threads without being interwoven with them, in a
woven fabric.
Floating \Float"ing\, n.
1. (Weaving) Floating threads. See {Floating threads}, above.
2. The second coat of three-coat plastering. --Knight.
Floatingly \Float"ing*ly\, adv.
In a floating manner.
Floaty \Float"y\, a.
Swimming on the surface; buoyant; light. --Sir W. Raleigh.
Flobert \Flo"bert\, n. (Gun.)
A small cartridge designed for target shooting; -- sometimes
called {ball cap}.
{Flobert rifle}, a rifle adapted to the use of floberts.
Floccillation \Floc`cil*la"tion\, n. [L. floccus a flock of
wool. Cf. {Flock} of wool.] (Med.)
A delirious picking of bedclothes by a sick person, as if to
pick off flocks of wool; carphology; -- an alarming symptom
in acute diseases. --Dunglison.
Floccose \Floc*cose"\, a. [L. floccosus. Cf. 2d {Flock}, n.]
1. Spotted with small tufts like wool. --Wright.
2. (Bot.) Having tufts of soft hairs, which are often
deciduous.
Floccular \Floc"cu*lar\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the flocculus.
Flocculate \Floc"cu*late\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flocculated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Flocculating}.] (Geol.)
To aggregate into small lumps.
Flocculate \Floc"cu*late\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Furnished with tufts of curly hairs, as some insects.
Flocculation \Floc`cu*la"tion\, n. (Geol.)
The process by which small particles of fine soils and
sediments aggregate into larger lumps.
Flocculence \Floc"cu*lence\, n.
The state of being flocculent.
Flocculent \Floc"cu*lent\, a. [See {Flock} of wool.]
1. Clothed with small flocks or flakes; woolly. --Gray.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Applied to the down of newly hatched or
unfledged birds.
Flocculus \Floc"cu*lus\, n.; pl. {Flocculi}. [NL., dim. of L.
floccus a lock or flock of wool.] (Anat.)
A small lobe in the under surface of the cerebellum, near the
middle peduncle; the subpeduncular lobe.
Floccus \Floc"cus\, n.; pl. {Flocci}. [L., a flock of wool.]
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The tuft of hair terminating the tail of mammals.
(b) A tuft of feathers on the head of young birds.
2. (Bot.) A woolly filament sometimes occuring with the
sporules of certain fungi.
Flock \Flock\, n. [AS. flocc flock, company; akin to Icel.
flokkr crowd, Sw. flock, Dan. flok; prob. orig. used of
flows, and akin to E. fly. See {Fly}.]
1. A company or collection of living creatures; -- especially
applied to sheep and birds, rarely to persons or (except
in the plural) to cattle and other large animals; as, a
flock of ravenous fowl. --Milton.
The heathen . . . came to Nicanor by flocks. --2
Macc. xiv. 14.
2. A Christian church or congregation; considered in their
relation to the pastor, or minister in charge.
As half amazed, half frighted all his flock.
--Tennyson.
Flock \Flock\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flocked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flocking}.]
To gather in companies or crowds.
Friends daily flock. --Dryden.
{Flocking fowl} (Zo["o]l.), the greater scaup duck.
Flock \Flock\, v. t.
To flock to; to crowd. [Obs.]
Good fellows, trooping, flocked me so. --Taylor
(1609).
Flock \Flock\, n. [OE. flokke; cf. D. vlok, G. flocke, OHG.
floccho, Icel. fl[=o]ki, perh. akin to E. flicker, flacker,
or cf. L. floccus, F. floc.]
1. A lock of wool or hair.
I prythee, Tom, beat Cut's saddle, put a few flocks
in the point [pommel]. --Shak.
2. Woolen or cotton refuse (sing. or pl.), old rags, etc.,
reduced to a degree of fineness by machinery, and used for
stuffing unpholstered furniture.
3. Very fine, sifted, woolen refuse, especially that from
shearing the nap of cloths, used as a coating for wall
paper to give it a velvety or clothlike appearance; also,
the dust of vegetable fiber used for a similar purpose.
{Flock bed}, a bed filled with flocks or locks of coarse
wool, or pieces of cloth cut up fine. ``Once a flock bed,
but repaired with straw.'' --Pope.
{Flock paper}, paper coated with flock fixed with glue or
size.
Flock \Flock\, v. t.
To coat with flock, as wall paper; to roughen the surface of
(as glass) so as to give an appearance of being covered with
fine flock.
Flockling \Flock"ling\, n.
A lamb. [Obs.] --Brome (1659).
Flockly \Flock"ly\, adv.
In flocks; in crowds. [Obs.]
Flockmel \Flock"mel\, adv. [AS. flocm?lum. See {Meal} part.]
In a flock; in a body. [Obs.]
That flockmel on a day they to him went. --Chaucer.
Flocky \Flock"y\, a.
Abounding with flocks; floccose.
Floe \Floe\ (fl[=o]), n. [Cf. Dan. flag af iis, iisflage, Sw.
flaga, flake, isflaga, isflake. See {Flag} a flat stone.]
A low, flat mass of floating ice.
{Floe rat} (Zo["o]l.), a seal ({Phoca f[oe]tida}).
Flog \Flog\ (fl[o^]g), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flogged} (fl[o^]gd);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Flogging} (-g[i^]ng).] [Cf. Scot. fleg blow,
stroke, kick, AS. flocan to strike, or perh. fr. L.
flagellare to whip. Cf. {Flagellate}.]
To beat or strike with a rod or whip; to whip; to lash; to
chastise with repeated blows.
Flogger \Flog"ger\, n.
1. One who flogs.
2. A kind of mallet for beating the bung stave of a cask to
start the bung. --Knight.
Flogging \Flog"ging\, a. & n.
from {Flog}, v. t.
{Flogging chisel} (Mach.), a large cold chisel, used in
chipping castings.
{Flogging hammer}, a small sledge hammer used for striking a
flogging chisel.
Flon \Flon\, n. pl.
See {Flo}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Flong \Flong\ (? or ?), obs.
imp. & p. p. of {Fling}.
Flood \Flood\, n. [OE. flod a flowing, stream, flood, AS.
fl[=o]d; akin to D. vloed, OS. fl[=o]d, OHG. fluot, G. flut,
Icel. fl[=o][eth], Sw. & Dan. flod, Goth. fl[=o]dus; from the
root of E. flow. [root]80. See {Flow}, v. i.]
1. A great flow of water; a body of moving water; the flowing
stream, as of a river; especially, a body of water,
rising, swelling, and overflowing land not usually thus
covered; a deluge; a freshet; an inundation.
A covenant never to destroy The earth again by
flood. --Milton.
2. The flowing in of the tide; the semidiurnal swell or rise
of water in the ocean; -- opposed to ebb; as, young flood;
high flood.
There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken
at the flood, leads on to fortune. --Shak.
3. A great flow or stream of any fluid substance; as, a flood
of light; a flood of lava; hence, a great quantity widely
diffused; an overflowing; a superabundance; as, a flood of
bank notes; a flood of paper currency.
4. Menstrual disharge; menses. --Harvey.
{Flood anchor} (Naut.), the anchor by which a ship is held
while the tide is rising.
{Flood fence}, a fence so secured that it will not be swept
away by a flood.
{Flood gate}, a gate for shutting out, admitting, or
releasing, a body of water; a tide gate.
{Flood mark}, the mark or line to which the tide, or a flood,
rises; high-water mark.
{Flood tide}, the rising tide; -- opposed to {ebb tide}.
{The Flood}, the deluge in the days of Noah.
Flood \Flood\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flooded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flooding}.]
1. To overflow; to inundate; to deluge; as, the swollen river
flooded the valley.
2. To cause or permit to be inundated; to fill or cover with
water or other fluid; as, to flood arable land for
irrigation; to fill to excess or to its full capacity; as,
to flood a country with a depreciated currency.
Floodage \Flood"age\ (?; 48), n.
Inundation. [R.] --Carlyle.
Flooder \Flood"er\, n.
One who floods anything.
Flooding \Flood"ing\, n.
The filling or covering with water or other fluid; overflow;
inundation; the filling anything to excess.
2. (Med.) An abnormal or excessive discharge of blood from
the uterus. --Dunglison.
Flook \Flook\, n.
A fluke of an anchor.
Flookan \Flook"an\, Flukan \Flu"kan\, n. (Mining)
See {Flucan}.
Flooky \Flook"y\, a.
Fluky.
Floor \Floor\, n. [AS. fl?r; akin to D. vloer, G. flur field,
floor, entrance hall, Icel. fl?r floor of a cow stall, cf.
Ir. & Gael. lar floor, ground, earth, W. llawr, perh. akin to
L. planus level. Cf. {Plain} smooth.]
1. The bottom or lower part of any room; the part upon which
we stand and upon which the movables in the room are
supported.
2. The structure formed of beams, girders, etc., with proper
covering, which divides a building horizontally into
stories. Floor in sense 1 is, then, the upper surface of
floor in sense 2.
3. The surface, or the platform, of a structure on which we
walk or travel; as, the floor of a bridge.
4. A story of a building. See {Story}.
5. (Legislative Assemblies)
(a) The part of the house assigned to the members.
(b) The right to speak. [U.S.]
Note: Instead of he has the floor, the English say, he is in
possession of the house.
6. (Naut.) That part of the bottom of a vessel on each side
of the keelson which is most nearly horizontal.
7. (Mining)
(a) The rock underlying a stratified or nearly horizontal
deposit.
(b) A horizontal, flat ore body. --Raymond.
{Floor cloth}, a heavy fabric, painted, varnished, or
saturated, with waterproof material, for covering floors;
oilcloth.
{Floor cramp}, an implement for tightening the seams of floor
boards before nailing them in position.
{Floor light}, a frame with glass panes in a floor.
{Floor plan}.
(a) (Shipbuilding) A longitudinal section, showing a ship
as divided at the water line.
(b) (Arch.) A horizontal section, showing the thickness of
the walls and partitions, arrangement of passages,
apartments, and openings at the level of any floor of
a house.
Floor \Floor\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Floored}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flooring}.]
1. To cover with a floor; to furnish with a floor; as, to
floor a house with pine boards.
2. To strike down or lay level with the floor; to knock down;
hence, to silence by a conclusive answer or retort; as, to
floor an opponent.
Floored or crushed by him. --Coleridge.
3. To finish or make an end of; as, to floor a college
examination. [Colloq.]
I've floored my little-go work. --T. Hughes.
Floorage \Floor"age\ (?; 48), n.
Floor space.
Floorer \Floor"er\, n.
Anything that floors or upsets a person, as a blow that
knocks him down; a conclusive answer or retort; a task that
exceeds one's abilities. [Colloq.]
Floorheads \Floor"heads`\, n. pl. (Naut.)
The upper extermities of the floor of a vessel.
Flooring \Floor"ing\, n.
A platform; the bottom of a room; a floor; pavement. See
{Floor}, n. --Addison.
2. Material for the construction of a floor or floors.
Floorless \Floor"less\, a.
Having no floor.
Floorwalker \Floor"walk`er\, n.
One who walks about in a large retail store as an overseer
and director. [U.S.]
Flop \Flop\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flopped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flopping}.] [A variant of flap.]
1. To clap or strike, as a bird its wings, a fish its tail,
etc.; to flap.
2. To turn suddenly, as something broad and flat. [Colloq.]
--Fielding.
Flop \Flop\, v. i.
1. To strike about with something broad abd flat, as a fish
with its tail, or a bird with its wings; to rise and fall;
as, the brim of a hat flops.
2. To fall, sink, or throw one's self, heavily, clumsily, and
unexpectedly on the ground. [Colloq.] --Dickens.
Flop \Flop\, n.
Act of flopping. [Colloq.] --W. H. Russell.
Floppy \Flop"py\, n.
Having a tendency to flop or flap; as, a floppy hat brim.
--G. Eliot.
Flopwing \Flop"wing`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The lapwing.
Flora \Flo"ra\, n. [L., the goddess of flowers, from flos,
floris, flower. See {Flower}.]
1. (Rom. Myth.) The goddess of flowers and spring.
2. (Bot.) The complete system of vegetable species growing
without cultivation in a given locality, region, or
period; a list or description of, or treatise on, such
plants.
Floral \Flo"ral\, a. [L. Floralis belonging to Flora: cf. F.
floral. See {Flora}.]
1. Pertaining to Flora, or to flowers; made of flowers; as,
floral games, wreaths.
2. (Bot.) Containing, or belonging to, a flower; as, a floral
bud; a floral leaf; floral characters. --Martyn.
{Floral envelope} (Bot.), the calyx and corolla, one or the
other of which (mostly the corolla) may be wanting.
Florally \Flo"ral*ly\, adv.
In a floral manner.
Floramour \Flo"ra*mour\, n.[L. flos, floris, flower + amorlove.]
The plant love-lies-bleeding. [Obs.] --Prior.
Floran \Flo"ran\, n. (Mining)
Tin ore scarcely perceptible in the stone; tin ore stamped
very fine. --Pryce.
Flor'eal \Flo`r['e]al"\, n. [F. flor['e]al, fr. L. flos, floris,
flower.]
The eight month of the French republican calendar. It began
April 20, and ended May 19. See {Vend['e]miare}.
Floren \Flor"en\, n. [LL. florenus. See {Florin}.]
A cerain gold coin; a Florence. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Florence \Flor"ence\, n. [From the city of Florence: cf. F.
florence a kind of cloth, OF. florin.]
1. An ancient gold coin of the time of Edward III., of six
shillings sterling value. --Camden.
2. A kind of cloth. --Johnson.
{Florence flask}. See under {Flask}.
{Florence oil}, olive oil prepared in Florence.
Florentine \Flor"en*tine\ (? or ?; 277), a. [L. Florentinus, fr.
Florentia Florence: cf. F. florentin.]
Belonging or relating to Florence, in Italy.
{Florentine mosaic}, a mosaic of hard or semiprecious stones,
often so chosen and arranged that their natural colors
represent leaves, flowers, and the like, inlaid in a
background, usually of black or white marble.
Florentine \Flor"en*tine\, n.
1. A native or inhabitant of Florence, a city in Italy.
2. A kind of silk. --Knight.
3. A kind of pudding or tart; a kind of meat pie. [Obs.]
Stealing custards, tarts, and florentines. --Beau. &
Fl.
Florescence \Flo*res"cence\, n. [See {Florescent}.] (Bot.)
A bursting into flower; a blossoming. --Martyn.
Florescent \Flo*res"cent\, a. [L. florescens, p. pr. of
florescere begin to blossom, incho. fr. florere to blossom,
fr. flos, floris, flower. See {Flower}.]
Expanding into flowers; blossoming.
Floret \Flo"ret\, n. [OF. florete, F. fleurette, dim. of OF.
lor, F. fleur. See {Flower}, and cf. {Floweret}, 3d
{Ferret}.]
1. (Bot.) A little flower; one of the numerous little flowers
which compose the head or anthodium in such flowers as the
daisy, thistle, and dandelion. --Gray.
2. [F. fleuret.] A foil; a blunt sword used in fencing.
[Obs.] --Cotgrave.
Floriage \Flo"ri*age\, n. [L. flos, flori?, flower.]
Bloom; blossom. [Obs.] --J. Scott.
Floriated \Flo"ri*a`ted\, a. (Arch.)
Having floral ornaments; as, floriated capitals of Gothic
pillars.
Floricomous \Flo*ric"o*mous\, a. [L. flos, floris, flower + coma
hair.]
Having the head adorned with flowers. [R.]
Floricultural \Flo`ri*cul"tur*al\ (? or ?; 135), a.
Pertaining to the cultivation of flowering plants.
Floriculture \Flo"ri*cul`ture\ (? or ?; 135, 277), n. [L. flos,
floris, flower + cultura culture.]
The cultivation of flowering plants.
Floriculturist \Flo`ri*cul"tur*ist\, n.
One skilled in the cultivation of flowers; a florist.
Florid \Flor"id\, a. [L. floridus, fr. flos, floris, flower. See
{Flower}.]
1. Covered with flowers; abounding in flowers; flowery. [R.]
Fruit from a pleasant and florid tree. --Jer.
Taylor.
2. Bright in color; flushed with red; of a lively reddish
color; as, a florid countenance.
3. Embellished with flowers of rhetoric; enriched to excess
with figures; excessively ornate; as, a florid style;
florid eloquence.
4. (Mus.) Flowery; ornamental; running in rapid melodic
figures, divisions, or passages, as in variations; full of
fioriture or little ornamentations.
Florida bean \Flor"i*da bean"\ (Bot.)
(a) The large, roundish, flattened seed of {Mucuna urens}.
See under {Bean}.
(b) One of the very large seeds of the {Entada scandens}.
Florideae \Flo*rid"e*[ae]\, n. pl. [NL., from L. flos, floris, a
flower.] (Bot.)
A subclass of alg[ae] including all the red or purplish
seaweeds; the Rhodosperme[ae] of many authors; -- so called
from the rosy or florid color of most of the species.
Floridity \Flo*rid"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being florid; floridness. --Floyer.
Floridly \Flor"id*ly\, adv.
In a florid manner.
Floridness \Flor"id*ness\, n.
The quality of being florid. --Boyle.
Floriferous \Flo*rif"er*ous\, a. [L. florifer; flos, floris,
flower + ferre to bear; cf. F. florif[`e]re.]
Producing flowers. --Blount.
Florification \Flo`ri*fi*ca"tion\, n. [L. flos, floris, flower +
facere to make.]
The act, process, or time of flowering; florescence.
Floriform \Flo"ri*form\ (? or ?), a. [L. flos, floris, flower +
-form: cf. F. floriforme.]
Having the form of a flower; flower-shaped.
Floriken \Flo"ri*ken\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An Indian bustard ({Otis aurita}). The Bengal floriken is
{Sypheotides Bengalensis}. [Written also {florikan},
{florikin}, {florican}.]
Florilege \Flo"ri*lege\, n. [L. florilegus flower-culling; flos,
floris, flower + legere to gather: cf. F. floril[`e]ge.]
The act of gathering flowers.
Florimer \Flo"ri*mer\, n. (Bot.)
See {Floramour}. [Obs.]
Florin \Flor"in\, n. [F. florin, It. florino, orig., a
Florentine coin, with a lily on it, fr. flore a flower, fr.
L. flos. See {Flower}, and cf. {Floren}.]
A silver coin of Florence, first struck in the twelfth
century, and noted for its beauty. The name is given to
different coins in different countries. The florin of
England, first minted in 1849, is worth two shillings, or
about 48 cents; the florin of the Netherlands, about 40
cents; of Austria, about 36 cents.
Florist \Flo"rist\ (? or ?; 277), n. [Cf. F. fleuriste,
floriste, fr. F. fleur flower. See {Flower}.]
1. A cultivator of, or dealer in, flowers.
2. One who writes a flora, or an account of plants.
Floroon \Flo*roon"\, n. [F. fleuron. See {Flower}.]
A border worked with flowers. --Wright.
Florulent \Flor"u*lent\, a. [L. florulentus, fr. flos, floris,
flower.]
Flowery; blossoming. [Obs.] --Blount.
Floscular \Flos"cu*lar\, a. (Bot.)
Flosculous.
Floscularian \Flos`cu*la"ri*an\, n. [From L. flosculus a
floweret.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a group of stalked rotifers, having ciliated tentacles
around the lobed disk.
Floscule \Flos*cule\, n. [L. flosculus, dim. of flos flower: cf.
F. floscule.] (Bot.)
A floret.
Flosculous \Flos"cu*lous\, a. (Bot.)
Consisting of many gamopetalous florets.
Flos-ferri \Flos`-fer"ri\, n.[L., flower of iron.] (Min.)
A variety of aragonite, occuring in delicate white
coralloidal forms; -- common in beds of iron ore.
Flosh \Flosh\, n. [Cf. G. fl["o]sse a trough in which tin ore is
washed.] (Metallurgy)
A hopper-shaped box or ?nortar in which ore is placed for the
action of the stamps. --Knight.
Floss \Floss\ (?; 195), n. [It. floscio flabby, soft, fr. L.
fluxus flowing, loose, slack. See {Flux}, n.]
1. (Bot.) The slender styles of the pistillate flowers of
maize; also called {silk}.
2. Untwisted filaments of silk, used in embroidering.
{Floss silk}, silk that has been twisted, and which retains
its loose and downy character. It is much used in
embroidery. Called also {floxed silk}.
{Floss thread}, a kind of soft flaxen yarn or thread, used
for embroidery; -- called also {linen floss}, and {floss
yarn}. --McElrath.
Floss \Floss\, n. [Cf. G. floss a float.]
1. A small stream of water. [Eng.]
2. Fluid glass floating on iron in the puddling furnace,
produced by the vitrification of oxides and earths which
are present.
{Floss hole}.
(a) A hole at the back of a puddling furnace, at which the
slags pass out.
(b) The tap hole of a melting furnace. --Knight.
Flossification \Flos`si*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. {Florification}.]
A flowering; florification. [R.] --Craig.
Flossy \Floss"y\ (?; 115), a.
Pertaining to, made of, or resembling, floss; hence, light;
downy.
Flota \Flo"ta\, n. [Sp. See {Flotilla}.]
A fleet; especially, a ?eet of Spanish ships which formerly
sailed every year from Cadiz to Vera Cruz, in Mexico, to
transport to Spain the production of Spanish America.
Flotage \Flo"tage\, n. [OF. flotage, F. flottage, fr. flotter to
float.]
1. The state of floating.
2. That which floats on the sea or in rivers. [Written also
{floatage}.]
Flotant \Flo"tant\, a. [OF. flotant, F. flottant, p. pr. of
flotter to float.] (Her.)
Represented as flying or streaming in the air; as, a banner
flotant.
Flotation \Flo*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. flottation a floating,
flottaison water line, fr. flotter to float. See {Flotilla}.]
1. The act, process, or state of floating.
2. The science of floating bodies.
{Center of flotation}. (Shipbuilding)
(a) The center of any given plane of flotation.
(b) More commonly, the middle of the length of the load
water line. --Rankine.
{Plane, or Line}, {of flotation}, the plane or line in which
the horizontal surface of a fluid cuts a body floating in
it. See {Bearing}, n., 9
(c) .
{Surface of flotation} (Shipbuilding), the imaginary surface
which all the planes of flotation touch when a vessel
rolls or pitches; the envelope of all such planes.
Flote \Flote\, v. t.
To fleet; to skim. [Obs.] --Tusser.
Flote \Flote\, n. [Cf. F. flot, L. fluctus; also cf. {Float},
n.]
A wave. [Obs.] ``The Mediterranean flote.'' --Shak.
Flotery \Flot"er*y\, a.
Wavy; flowing. [Obs.]
With flotery beard. --Chaucer.
Flotilla \Flo*til"la\, n. [Sp. flotilla, dim. of flota fleet;
akin to F. flotte, It. flotta, and F. flot wave, fr. L.
fluctus, but prob. influenced by words akin to E. float. See
{Fluctuate}, and cf. {Float}, n.]
A little fleet, or a fleet of small vessels.
Flotsam \Flot"sam\, Flotson \Flot"son\, n. [F. flotter to float.
See {FFlotilla}, and cf. {Jetsam}.] (Law)
Goods lost by shipwreck, and floating on the sea; -- in
distinction from jetsam or jetson. --Blackstone.
Flotten \Flot"ten\, p. p. of {Flote}, v. t.
Skimmed. [Obs.]
Flounce \Flounce\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flounced} (flounst); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Flouncing}.] [Cf. OSw. flunsa to immerge.]
To throw the limbs and body one way and the other; to spring,
turn, or twist with sudden effort or violence; to struggle,
as a horse in mire; to flounder; to throw one's self with a
jerk or spasm, often as in displeasure.
To flutter and flounce will do nothing but batter and
bruise us. --Barrow.
With his broad fins and forky tail he laves The rising
sirge, and flounces in the waves. --Addison.
Flounce \Flounce\, n.
The act of floucing; a sudden, jerking motion of the body.
Flounce \Flounce\, n. [Cf. G. flaus, flausch, a tuft of wool or
hair; akin to vliess, E. fleece; or perh. corrupted fr.
rounce.]
An ornamental appendage to the skirt of a woman's dress,
consisting of a strip gathered and sewed on by its upper edge
around the skirt, and left hanging.
Flounce \Flounce\, v. t.
To deck with a flounce or flounces; as, to flounce a
petticoat or a frock.
Flounder \Floun"der\, n. [Cf. Sw. flundra; akin to Dan. flynder,
Icel. fly?ra, G. flunder, and perh. to E. flounder, v.i.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A flatfish of the family {Pleuronectid[ae]}, of
many species.
Note: The common English flounder is {Pleuronectes flesus}.
There are several common American species used as food;
as the smooth flounder ({P. glabra}); the rough or
winter flounder ({P. Americanus}); the summer flounder,
or plaice ({Paralichthys dentatus}), Atlantic coast;
and the starry flounder ({Pleuronectes stellatus}).
2. (Bootmaking) A tool used in crimping boot fronts.
Flounder \Floun"der\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Floundered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Floundering}.] [Cf. D. flodderen to flap, splash
through mire, E. flounce, v.i., and flounder the fish.]
To fling the limbs and body, as in making efforts to move; to
struggle, as a horse in the mire, or as a fish on land; to
roll, toss, and tumble; to flounce.
They have floundered on from blunder to blunder. --Sir
W. Hamilton.
Flounder \Floun"der\, n.
The act of floundering.
Flour \Flour\, n. [F. fleur de farine the flower (i.e., the
best) of meal, cf. Sp. flor de la harina superfine flour,
Icel. fl["u]r flower, flour. See {Flower}.]
The finely ground meal of wheat, or of any other grain;
especially, the finer part of meal separated by bolting;
hence, the fine and soft powder of any substance; as, flour
of emery; flour of mustard.
{Flour bolt}, in milling, a gauze-covered, revolving,
cylindrical frame or reel, for sifting the flour from the
refuse contained in the meal yielded by the stones.
{Flour box} a tin box for scattering flour; a dredging box.
{Flour} {dredge or dredger}, a flour box.
{Flour dresser}, a mashine for sorting and distributing flour
according to grades of fineness.
{Flour mill}, a mill for grinding and sifting flour.
Flour \Flour\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Floured}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flouring}.]
1. To grind and bolt; to convert into flour; as, to flour
wheat.
2. To sprinkle with flour.
Floured \Floured\, p. a.
Finely granulated; -- said of quicksilver which has been
granulated by agitation during the amalgamation process.
--Raymond.
Flourish \Flour"ish\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flourished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Flourishing}.] [OE. florisshen, flurisshen, OF.
flurir, F. fleurir, fr. L. florere to bloom, fr. flos,
floris, flower. See {Flower}, and {-ish}.]
1. To grow luxuriantly; to increase and enlarge, as a healthy
growing plant; a thrive.
A tree thrives and flourishes in a kindly . . .
soil. --Bp. Horne.
2. To be prosperous; to increase in wealth, honor, comfort,
happiness, or whatever is desirable; to thrive; to be
prominent and influental; specifically, of authors,
painters, etc., to be in a state of activity or
production.
When all the workers of iniquity do flourish. --Ps.
xcii 7
Bad men as frequently prosper and flourish, and that
by the means of their wickedness. --Nelson.
We say Of those that held their heads above the
crowd, They flourished then or then. --Tennyson.
3. To use florid language; to indulge in rhetorical figures
and lofty expressions; to be flowery.
They dilate . . . and flourish long on little
incidents. --J. Watts.
4. To make bold and sweeping, fanciful, or wanton movements,
by way of ornament, parade, bravado, etc.; to play with
fantastic and irregular motion.
Impetuous spread The stream, and smoking flourished
o'er his head. --Pope.
5. To make ornamental strokes with the pen; to write
graceful, decorative figures.
6. To execute an irregular or fanciful strain of music, by
way of ornament or prelude.
Why do the emperor's trumpets flourish thus? --Shak.
7. To boast; to vaunt; to brag. --Pope.
Flourish \Flour"ish\, v. t.
1. To adorn with flowers orbeautiful figures, either natural
or artificial; to ornament with anything showy; to
embellish. [Obs.] --Fenton.
2. To embellish with the flowers of diction; to adorn with
rhetorical figures; to grace with ostentatious eloquence;
to set off with a parade of words. [Obs.]
Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth
flourish the deceit. --Shak.
3. To move in bold or irregular figures; to swing about in
circles or vibrations by way of show or triumph; to
brandish.
And flourishes his blade in spite of me. --Shak.
4. To develop; to make thrive; to expand. [Obs.]
Bottoms of thread . . . which with a good needle,
perhaps may be flourished into large works. --Bacon.
Flourish \Flour"ish\, n.; pl. {Flourishes}.
1. A flourishing condition; prosperity; vigor. [Archaic]
The Roman monarchy, in her highest flourish, never
had the like. --Howell.
2. Decoration; ornament; beauty.
The flourish of his sober youth Was the pride of
naked truth. --Crashaw.
3. Something made or performed in a fanciful, wanton, or
vaunting manner, by way of ostentation, to excite
admiration, etc.; ostentatious embellishment; ambitious
copiousness or amplification; parade of words and figures;
show; as, a flourish of rhetoric or of wit.
He lards with flourishes his long harangue.
--Dryden.
4. A fanciful stroke of the pen or graver; a merely
decorative figure.
The neat characters and flourishes of a Bible
curiously printed. --Boyle.
5. A fantastic or decorative musical passage; a strain of
triumph or bravado, not forming part of a regular musical
composition; a cal; a fanfare.
A flourish, trumpets! strike alarum, drums! --Shak.
6. The waving of a weapon or other thing; a brandishing; as,
the flourish of a sword.
Flourisher \Flour"ish*er\, n.
One who flourishes.
Flourishingly \Flour"ish*ing*ly\, adv.
In a flourishing manner; ostentatiously.
Floury \Flour"y\, a.
Of or resembling flour; mealy; covered with flour. --Dickens.
Flout \Flout\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flouted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flouting}.] [OD. fluyten to play the flute, to jeer, D.
fluiten, fr. fluit, fr. French. See {Flute}.]
To mock or insult; to treat with contempt.
Phillida flouts me. --Walton.
Three gaudy standards flout the pale blue sky. --Byron.
Flout \Flout\, v. i.
To practice mocking; to behave with contempt; to sneer; to
fleer; -- often with at.
Fleer and gibe, and laugh and flout. --Swift.
Flout \Flout\, n.
A mock; an insult.
Who put your beauty to this flout and scorn.
--Tennyson.
Flouter \Flout"er\, n.
One who flouts; a mocker.
Floutingly \Flout"ing*ly\, adv.
With flouting; insultingly; as, to treat a lover floutingly.
Flow \Flow\ (fl[=o]), obs.
imp. sing. of {Fly}, v. i. --Chaucer.
Flow \Flow\ (fl[=o]), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flowed} (fl[=o]d); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Flowing}.] [AS. fl[=o]wan; akin to D. vloeijen,
OHG. flawen to wash, Icel. fl[=o]a to deluge, Gr. plw`ein to
float, sail, and prob. ultimately to E. float, fleet.
[root]80. Cf. {Flood}.]
1. To move with a continual change of place among the
particles or parts, as a fluid; to change place or
circulate, as a liquid; as, rivers flow from springs and
lakes; tears flow from the eyes.
2. To become liquid; to melt.
The mountains flowed down at thy presence. --Is.
lxiv. 3.
3. To proceed; to issue forth; as, wealth flows from industry
and economy.
Those thousand decencies that daily flow From all
her words and actions. --Milton.
4. To glide along smoothly, without harshness or asperties;
as, a flowing period; flowing numbers; to sound smoothly
to the ear; to be uttered easily.
Virgil is sweet and flowingin his hexameters.
--Dryden.
5. To have or be in abundance; to abound; to full, so as to
run or flow over; to be copious.
In that day . . . the hills shall flow with milk.
--Joel iii.
18.
The exhilaration of a night that needed not the
influence of the flowing bowl. --Prof.
Wilson.
6. To hang loose and waving; as, a flowing mantle; flowing
locks.
The imperial purple flowing in his train. --A.
Hamilton.
7. To rise, as the tide; -- opposed to ebb; as, the tide
flows twice in twenty-four hours.
The river hath thrice flowed, no ebb between.
--Shak.
8. To discharge blood in excess from the uterus.
Flow \Flow\, v. t.
1. To cover with water or other liquid; to overflow; to
inundate; to flood.
2. To cover with varnish.
Flow \Flow\, n.
1. A stream of water or other fluid; a current; as, a flow of
water; a flow of blood.
2. A continuous movement of something abundant; as, a flow of
words.
3. Any gentle, gradual movement or procedure of thought,
diction, music, or the like, resembling the quiet, steady
movement of a river; a stream.
The feast of reason and the flow of soul. --Pope.
4. The tidal setting in of the water from the ocean to the
shore. See {Ebb and flow}, under {Ebb}.
5. A low-lying piece of watery land; -- called also {flow
moss} and {flow bog}. [Scot.] --Jamieson.
Flowage \Flow"age\ (?; 48), n.
An overflowing with water; also, the water which thus
overflows.
Flowen \Flow"en\, obs.
imp. pl. of {Fly}, v. i. --Chaucer.
Flower \Flow"er\, n. [OE. flour, OF. flour, flur, flor, F.
fleur, fr. L. flos, floris. Cf. {Blossom}, {Effloresce},
{Floret}, {Florid}, {Florin}, {Flour}, {Flourish}.]
1. In the popular sense, the bloom or blossom of a plant; the
showy portion, usually of a different color, shape, and
texture from the foliage.
2. (Bot.) That part of a plant destined to produce seed, and
hence including one or both of the sexual organs; an organ
or combination of the organs of reproduction, whether
inclosed by a circle of foliar parts or not. A complete
flower consists of two essential parts, the stamens and
the pistil, and two floral envelopes, the corolla and
callyx. In mosses the flowers consist of a few special
leaves surrounding or subtending organs called archegonia.
See {Blossom}, and {Corolla}.
Note: If we examine a common flower, such for instance as a
geranium, we shall find that it consists of: First, an
outer envelope or calyx, sometimes tubular, sometimes
consisting of separate leaves called sepals; secondly,
an inner envelope or corolla, which is generally more
or less colored, and which, like the calyx, is
sometimes tubular, sometimes composed of separate
leaves called petals; thirdly, one or more stamens,
consisting of a stalk or filament and a head or anther,
in which the pollen is produced; and fourthly, a
pistil, which is situated in the center of the flower,
and consists generally of three principal parts; one or
more compartments at the base, each containing one or
more seeds; the stalk or style; and the stigma, which
in many familiar instances forms a small head, at the
top of the style or ovary, and to which the pollen must
find its way in order to fertilize the flower. --Sir J.
Lubbock.
3. The fairest, freshest, and choicest part of anything; as,
the flower of an army, or of a family; the state or time
of freshness and bloom; as, the flower of life, that is,
youth.
The choice and flower of all things profitable the
Psalms do more briefly contain. --Hooker.
The flower of the chivalry of all Spain. --Southey.
A simple maiden in her flower Is worth a hundred
coats of arms. --Tennyson.
4. Grain pulverized; meal; flour. [Obs.]
The flowers of grains, mixed with water, will make a
sort of glue. --Arbuthnot.
5. pl. (Old. Chem.) A substance in the form of a powder,
especially when condensed from sublimation; as, the
flowers of sulphur.
6. A figure of speech; an ornament of style.
7. pl. (Print.) Ornamental type used chiefly for borders
around pages, cards, etc. --W. Savage.
8. pl. Menstrual discharges. --Lev. xv. 24.
{Animal flower} (Zo["o]l.) See under {Animal}.
{Cut flowers}, flowers cut from the stalk, as for making a
bouquet.
{Flower bed}, a plat in a garden for the cultivation of
flowers.
{Flower beetle} (Zo["o]l.), any beetle which feeds upon
flowers, esp. any one of numerous small species of the
genus {Meligethes}, family {Nitidulid[ae]}, some of which
are injurious to crops.
{Flower bird} (Zo["o]l.), an Australian bird of the genus
{Anthornis}, allied to the honey eaters.
{Flower bud}, an unopened flower.
{Flower clock}, an assemblage of flowers which open and close
at different hours of the day, thus indicating the time.
{Flower head} (Bot.), a compound flower in which all the
florets are sessile on their receptacle, as in the case of
the daisy.
{Flower pecker} (Zo["o]l.), one of a family ({Dic[ae]id[ae]})
of small Indian and Australian birds. They resemble
humming birds in habits.
{Flower piece}.
(a) A table ornament made of cut flowers.
(b) (Fine Arts) A picture of flowers.
{Flower stalk} (Bot.), the peduncle of a plant, or the stem
that supports the flower or fructification.
Flower \Flow"er\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flowered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Flowering}.] [From the noun. Cf. {Flourish}.]
1. To blossom; to bloom; to expand the petals, as a plant; to
produce flowers; as, this plant flowers in June.
2. To come into the finest or fairest condition.
Their lusty and flowering age. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
When flowered my youthful spring. --Spenser.
3. To froth; to ferment gently, as new beer.
That beer did flower a little. --Bacon.
4. To come off as flowers by sublimation. [Obs.]
Observations which have flowered off. --Milton.
Flower \Flow"er\, v. t.
To embellish with flowers; to adorn with imitated flowers;
as, flowered silk.
Flowerage \Flow"er*age\ (?; 48), n.
State of flowers; flowers, collectively or in general.
--Tennyson.
Flower-de-luce \Flow"er-de-luce"\, n. [Corrupted fr.
fleur-de-lis.] (Bot.)
A genus of perennial herbs ({Iris}) with swordlike leaves and
large three-petaled flowers often of very gay colors, but
probably white in the plant first chosen for the royal French
emblem.
Note: There are nearly one hundred species, natives of the
north temperate zone. Some of the best known are {Iris
Germanica}, {I. Florentina}, {I. Persica}, {I.
sambucina}, and the American {I. versicolor}, {I.
prismatica}, etc.
Flowerer \Flow"er*er\, n.
A plant which flowers or blossoms.
Many hybrids are profuse and persistent flowerers.
--Darwin.
Floweret \Flow"er*et\, n.
A small flower; a floret. --Shak.
Flower-fence \Flow"er-fence`\, n. (Bot.)
A tropical leguminous bush ({Poinciana, or C[ae]salpinia,
pulcherrima}) with prickly branches, and showy yellow or red
flowers; -- so named from its having been sometimes used for
hedges in the West Indies. --Baird.
Flowerful \Flow"er*ful\, a.
Abounding with flowers. --Craig.
Flower-gentle \Flow"er-gen`tle\, n. (Bot.)
A species of amaranth ({Amarantus melancholicus}).
Floweriness \Flow"er*i*ness\, n.
The state of being flowery.
Flowering \Flow"er*ing\, a. (Bot.)
Having conspicuous flowers; -- used as an epithet with many
names of plants; as, flowering ash; flowering dogwood;
flowering almond, etc.
{Flowering fern}, a genus of showy ferns ({Osmunda}), with
conspicuous bivalvular sporangia. They usually grow in wet
places.
{Flowering plants}, plants which have stamens and pistils,
and produce true seeds; phenogamous plants; --
distinguished from {flowerless plants}.
{Flowering rush}, a European rushlike plant ({Butomus
umbellatus}), with an umbel of rosy blossoms.
Flowering \Flow"er*ing\, n.
1. The act of blossoming, or the season when plants blossom;
florification.
2. The act of adorning with flowers.
Flowerless \Flow"er*less\, a.
Having no flowers.
{Flowerless plants}, plants which have no true flowers, and
produce no seeds; cryptogamous plants.
Flowerlessness \Flow"er*less*ness\, n.
State of being without flowers.
Flowerpot \Flow"er*pot`\, n.
A vessel, commonly or earthenware, for earth in which plants
are grown.
Flowery \Flow"er*y\, a.
1. Full of flowers; abounding with blossoms.
2. Highly embellished with figurative language; florid; as, a
flowery style. --Milton.
{The flowery kingdom}, China.
Flowery-kirtled \Flow"er*y-kir`tled\, a.
Dressed with garlands of flowers. [Poetic & Rare] --Milton.
Flowing \Flow"ing\, a.
That flows or for flowing (in various sense of the verb);
gliding along smoothly; copious.
{Flowing battery} (Elec.), a battery which is kept constant
by the flowing of the exciting liquid through the cell or
cells. --Knight.
{Flowing furnace}, a furnace from which molten metal, can be
drawn, as through a tap hole; a foundry cupola.
{Flowing sheet} (Naut.), a sheet when eased off, or loosened
to the wind, as when the wind is abaft the beam. --Totten.
Flowing \Flow"ing\,
a. & n. from {Flow}, v. i. & t.
Flowingly \Flow"ing*ly\, adv.
In a flowing manner.
Flowingness \Flow"ing*ness\, n.
Flowing tendency or quality; fluency. [R.] --W. Nichols.
Flowk \Flowk\ (? or ?), n. (Zo["o]l.)
See 1st {Fluke}.
Flown \Flown\,
p. p. of {Fly}; -- often used with the auxiliary verb to be;
as, the birds are flown.
Flown \Flown\, a.
Flushed, inflated.
Note: [Supposed by some to be a mistake for blown or swoln.]
--Pope.
Then wander forth the sons Of Belial, flown with
insolence and wine. --Milton.
Floxed silk \Floxed" silk`\
See {Floss silk}, under {Floss}.
Floyte \Floyte\, n. & v.
A variant of {Flute}. [Obs.]
Fluate \Flu"ate\, n. [Cf. F. fluate. See {Fluor}.] (Chem.)
A fluoride. [Obs.]
Fluavil \Flu"a*vil\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon extracted from gutta-percha, as a yellow,
resinous substance; -- called also {fluanil}.
Flucan \Flu"can\, n. (Mining)
Soft clayey matter in the vein, or surrounding it. [Written
also {flookan}, {flukan}, and {fluccan}.]
Fluctiferous \Fluc*tif"er*ous\, a. [L. fluctus wave + -ferous.]
Tending to produce waves. --Blount.
Fluctisonous \Fluc*tis"o*nous\, a. [L. fluctisonus; fluctus wave
+ sonus sound.]
Sounding like waves.
Fluctuability \Fluc`tu*a*bil"i*ty\ (?; 135), n.
The capacity or ability to fluctuate. [R.] --H. Walpole.
Fluctuant \Fluc"tu*ant\ (?; 135), a. [L. fluctuans, p. pr. of
fluctuare. See {Fluctuate}.]
1. Moving like a wave; wavering; (Med.) showing undulation or
fluctuation; as, a fluctuant tumor.
2. Floating on the waves. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Fluctuate \Fluc"tu*ate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fluctuated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Fluctuating}.] [L. fluctuatus, p. p. of
fluctuare, to wave, fr. fluctus wave, fr. fluere, fluctum, to
flow. See {Fluent}, and cf. {Flotilla}.]
1. To move as a wave; to roll hither and thither; to wave; to
float backward and forward, as on waves; as, a fluctuating
field of air. --Blackmore.
2. To move now in one direction and now in another; to be
wavering or unsteady; to be irresolute or undetermined; to
vacillate.
Syn: To waver; vacillate; hesitate; scruple.
Usage: To {Fluctuate}, {Vacillate}, {Waver}. -- Fluctuate is
applied both to things and persons and denotes that
they move as they are acted upon. The stocks
fluctuate; a man fluctuates between conflicting
influences. Vacillate and waver are applied to persons
to represent them as acting themselves. A man
vacillates when he goes backward and forward in his
opinions and purposes, without any fixity of mind or
principles. A man wavers when he shrinks back or
hesitates at the approach of difficulty or danger. One
who is fluctuating in his feelings is usually
vacillating in resolve, and wavering in execution.
Fluctuate \Fluc"tu*ate\, v. t.
To cause to move as a wave; to put in motion. [R.]
And fluctuate all the still perfume. --Tennyson.
Fluctuation \Fluc`tu*a"tion\, n. [L. fluctuatio; cf. F.
fluctuation.]
1. A motion like that of waves; a moving in this and that
direction; as, the fluctuations of the sea.
2. A wavering; unsteadiness; as, fluctuations of opinion;
fluctuations of prices.
3. (Med.) The motion or undulation of a fluid collected in a
natural or artifical cavity, which is felt when it is
subjected to pressure or percussion. --Dunglison.
Flue \Flue\, n. [Cf. OF. flue a flowing, fr. fluer to flow, fr.
L. fluere (cf. {Fluent}); a perh. a corruption of E. flute.]
An inclosed passage way for establishing and directing a
current of air, gases, etc.; an air passage; esp.:
(a) A compartment or division of a chimney for conveying
flame and smoke to the outer air.
(b) A passage way for conducting a current of fresh, foul, or
heated air from one place to another.
(c) (Steam Boiler) A pipe or passage for conveying flame and
hot gases through surrounding water in a boiler; --
distinguished from a tube which holds water and is
surrounded by fire. Small flues are called fire tubes or
simply tubes.
{Flue boiler}. See under {Boiler}.
{Flue bridge}, the separating low wall between the flues and
the laboratory of a reverberatory furnace.
{Flue plate} (Steam Boiler), a plate to which the ends of the
flues are fastened; -- called also {flue sheet}, {tube
sheet}, and {tube plate}.
{Flue surface} (Steam Boiler), the aggregate surface of flues
exposed to flame or the hot gases.
Flue \Flue\, n. [Cf. F. flou light, tender, G. flau weak, W.
llwch dust. [root]84.]
Light down, such as rises from cotton, fur, etc.; very fine
lint or hair. --Dickens.
Fluence \Flu"ence\, n.
Fluency. [Obs.] --Milton.
Fluency \Flu"en*cy\, n. [L. fluentia: cf. F. fluence. See
{Fluent}.]
The quality of being fluent; smoothness; readiness of
utterance; volubility.
The art of expressing with fluency and perspicuity.
--Macaulay.
Fluent \Flu"ent\, a. [L. fluens, -entis, p. pr. of fluere to
flow; cf. Gr. ? to boil over. Cf. {Fluctuate}, {Flux}.]
1. Flowing or capable of flowing; liquid; glodding; easily
moving.
2. Ready in the use of words; voluble; copious; having words
at command; and uttering them with facility and
smoothness; as, a fluent speaker; hence, flowing; voluble;
smooth; -- said of language; as, fluent speech.
With most fluent utterance. --Denham.
Fluent as the flight of a swallow is the sultan's
letter. --De Quincey.
Fluent \Flu"ent\, n.
1. A current of water; a stream. [Obs.]
2. [Cf. F. fluente.] (Math.) A variable quantity, considered
as increasing or diminishing; -- called, in the modern
calculus, the {function} or {integral}.
Fluently \Flu"ent*ly\, adv.
In a fluent manner.
Fluentness \Flu"ent*ness\, n.
The quality of being fluent.
Fluework \Flue"work`\, n. (Mus.)
A general name for organ stops in which the sound is caused
by wind passing through a flue or fissure and striking an
edge above; -- in distinction from reedwork.
Fluey \Flue"y\, a. [2d {Flue}.]
Downy; fluffy. [R.]
Fluff \Fluff\, n. [Cf. 2d {Flue}. [root]84.]
Nap or down; flue; soft, downy feathers.
Fluffy \Fluff"y\, a. [Compar. {Fluffier}; superl. {Fluffiest}.]
Pertaining to, or resembling, fluff or nap; soft and downy.
``The carpets were fluffy.'' --Thackeray.
The present Barnacle . . . had a youthful aspect, and
the fluffiest little whisker, perhaps, that ever was
seen. --Dickens.
-- {Fluff"i*ness}, n.
Flugel \Fl["u]"gel\, n. [G., a wing.] (Mus.)
A grand piano or a harpsichord, both being wing-shaped.
Flugelman \Flu"gel*man\, n. [G. fl["u]gelman.] (Mil.)
Same as {Fugleman}.
Fluid \Flu"id\, a. [L. fluidus, fr. fluere to flow: cf. F.
fluide. See {Fluent}.]
Having particles which easily move and change their relative
position without a separation of the mass, and which easily
yield to pressure; capable of flowing; liquid or gaseous.
Fluid \Flu"id\, n.
A fluid substance; a body whose particles move easily among
themselves.
Note: Fluid is a generic term, including liquids and gases as
species. Water, air, and steam are fluids. By analogy,
the term is sometimes applied to electricity and
magnetism, as in phrases electric fluid, magnetic
fluid, though not strictly appropriate.
{Fluid dram}, or {Fluid drachm}, a measure of capacity equal
to one eighth of a fluid ounce.
{Fluid ounce}.
(a) In the United States, a measure of capacity, in
apothecaries' or wine measure, equal to one sixteenth of
a pint or 29.57 cubic centimeters. This, for water, is
about 1.04158 ounces avoirdupois, or 455.6 grains.
(b) In England, a measure of capacity equal to the twentieth
part of an imperial pint. For water, this is the weight
of the avoirdupois ounce, or 437.5 grains.
{Fluids of the body}. (Physiol.) The circulating blood and
lymph, the chyle, the gastric, pancreatic, and intestinal
juices, the saliva, bile, urine, aqueous humor, and muscle
serum are the more important fluids of the body. The
tissues themselves contain a large amount of combined
water, so much, that an entire human body dried in vacuo
with a very moderate degree of heat gives about 66 per
cent of water.
{Burning fluid}, {Elastic fluid}, {Electric fluid}, {Magnetic
fluid}, etc. See under {Burning}, {Elastic}, etc.
Fluidal \Flu"id*al\, a.
Pertaining to a fluid, or to its flowing motion.
{Fluidal structure} (Geol.), the structure characteristic of
certain volcanic rocks in which the arrangement of the
minute crystals shows the lines of flow of thew molten
material before solidification; -- also called {fluxion
structure}.
Fluinity \Flu*in"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. fluidit['e].]
The quality of being fluid or capable of flowing; a liquid,
a["e]riform. or gaseous state; -- opposed to solidity.
It was this want of organization, this looseness and
fluidity of the new movement, that made it penetrate
through every class of society. --J. R. Green.
Fluidize \Flu"id*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fluidized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fluidizing}.]
To render fluid.
Fluidness \Flu"id*ness\, n.
The state of being flluid; fluidity.
Fluidounce \Flu"id*ounce`\, n.
See {Fluid ounce}, under {Fluid}.
Fluidrachm \Flu"i*drachm`\, n.
See {Fluid dram}, under {Fluid}. --Pharm. of the U. S.
Flukan \Flu"kan\, n. (Mining)
Flucan.
Fluke \Fluke\ (fl[=u]k), n. [Cf. AS. fl[=o]c a kind of flatfish,
Icel. fl[=o]ki a kind of halibut.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The European flounder. See {Flounder}. [Written
also {fleuk}, {flook}, and {flowk}]. [1913 Webster]
2. (Zo["o]l.) A parasitic trematode worm of several species,
having a flat, lanceolate body and two suckers. Two
species ({Fasciola hepatica} and {Distoma lanceolatum})
are found in the livers of sheep, and produce the disease
called rot. [1913 Webster]
Fluke \Fluke\ (fl[=u]k), n. [Cf. LG. flunk, flunka wing, the
palm of an anchor; perh. akin to E. fly.]
1. The part of an anchor which fastens in the ground; a
flook. See {Anchor}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the lobes of a whale's tail, so called
from the resemblance to the fluke of an anchor.
3. An instrument for cleaning out a hole drilled in stone for
blasting.
4. An accidental and favorable stroke at billiards (called a
scratch in the United States); hence, any accidental or
unexpected advantage; as, he won by a fluke. [Cant, Eng.]
--A. Trollope.
Flukeworm \Fluke"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as 1st {Fluke}, 2.
Fluky \Fluk"y\, a.
Formed like, or having, a fluke.
Flume \Flume\, n. [Cf. OE. flum river, OF, flum, fr. L. flumen,
fr. fluere to flow. [root]84. See {Fluent}.]
A stream; especially, a passage channel, or conduit for the
water that drives a mill wheel; or an artifical channel of
water for hydraulic or placer mining; also, a chute for
conveying logs or lumber down a declivity.
Fluminous \Flu"mi*nous\, a. [L. flumen, fluminis, river.]
Pertaining to rivers; abounding in streama.
Flummery \Flum"mer*y\, n. [W. llumru, or llumruwd, a kind of
food made of oatmeal steeped in water until it has turned
sour, fr. llumrig harsh, raw, crude, fr. llum sharp, severe.]
1. A light kind of food, formerly made of flour or meal; a
sort of pap.
Milk and flummery are very fit for children.
--Locke.
2. Something insipid, or not worth having; empty compliment;
trash; unsubstantial talk of writing.
The flummery of modern criticism. --J. Morley.
Flung \Flung\,
imp. & p. p. of {Fling}.
Flunk \Flunk\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flunked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flunking}.] [Cf. {Funk}.]
To fail, as on a lesson; to back out, as from an undertaking,
through fear.
Flunk \Flunk\, v. t.
To fail in; to shirk, as a task or duty. [Colloq. U.S.]
Flunk \Flunk\, n.
A failure or backing out; specifically (College cant), a
total failure in a recitation. [U.S.]
Flunky \Flun"ky\, n.; pl. {Flunkies}. [Prob. fr. or akin to
flank.] [Written also {flunkey}.]
1. A contemptuous name for a liveried servant or a footman.
2. One who is obsequious or cringing; a snob.
3. One easily deceived in buying stocks; an inexperienced and
unwary jobber. [Cant, U.S.]
Flunkydom \Flun"ky*dom\, n.
The place or region of flunkies. --C. Kingsley.
Flunlyism \Flun"ly*ism\, n.
The quality or characteristics of a flunky; readiness to
cringe to those who are superior in wealth or position;
toadyism. --Thackeray.
Fluo- \Flu"o-\ (Chem.)
A combining form indicating fluorine as an ingredient; as in
fluosilicate, fluobenzene.
Fluoborate \Flu`o*bo"rate\, n. [Cf. F. fluoborate.] (Chem.)
A salt of fluoboric acid; a fluoboride.
Fluoboric \Flu`o*bo"ric\, a. [Fluo- boric: cf. F. fluoborique.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or consisting of, fluorine and
boron.
{Fluoridic acid} (Chem.), a double fluoride, consisting
essentially of a solution of boron fluoride, in
hydrofluoric acid. It has strong acid properties, and is
the type of the borofluorides. Called also {borofluoric
acid}.
Fluoboride \Flu`o*bo"ride\, n. (Chem.)
See {Borofluoride}.
Fluocerine \Flu`o*ce"rine\, Fluocerite \Flu`o*ce"rite\, n.
[Fluo- + cerium.] (Min.)
A fluoride of cerium, occuring near Fahlun in Sweden.
Tynosite, from Colorado, is probably the same mineral.
Fluohydric \Flu`o*hy"dric\, a. [Fluo- + hydrogen.] (Chem.)
See {Hydrofluoric}.
Fluophosphate \Flu`o*phos"phate\, n. [Fluo- + phosphate.]
(Chem.)
A double salt of fluoric and phosphoric acids.
Fluor \Flu"or\, n. [L., a flowing, fr. fluere to flow. See
{Fluent}.]
1. A fluid state. [Obs.] --Sir I. Newton.
2. Menstrual flux; catamenia; menses. [Obs.]
3. (Min.) See {Fluorite}.
Fluor albus \Flu"or albus\ [L., white flow.] (Med.)
The whites; leucorrh[ae]a.
Fluoranthene \Flu`or*an"thene\, n. [Fluorene + anthra?ene.]
(Chem.)
A white crystalline hydrocarbon C?H?, of a complex structure,
found as one ingrdient of the higher boiling portion of coal
tar.
Fluorated \Flu"or*a`ted\, a. (Chem.)
Combined with fluorine; subjected to the action of fluoride.
[R.]
Fluorene \Flu`or*ene\, n. (Chem.)
A colorless, crystalline hydrocarbon, {C13H10} having a
beautiful violet fluorescence; whence its name. It occurs in
the higher boiling products of coal tar, and is obtained
artificially.
Fluorescein \Flu`o*res"ce*in\, n. (Chem.)
A yellowish red, crystalline substance, {C20H12O5}, produced
by heating together phthalic anhydride and resorcin; -- so
called, from the very brilliant yellowish green fluorescence
of its alkaline solutions. It has acid properties, and its
salts of the alkalies are known to the trade under the name
of uranin.
Fluorescence \Flu`o*res"cence\, n. [From {Fluor}.] (Opt.)
That property which some transparent bodies have of producing
at their surface, or within their substance, light different
in color from the mass of the material, as when green
crystals of fluor spar afford blue reflections. It is due not
to the difference in the color of a distinct surface layer,
but to the power which the substance has of modifying the
light incident upon it. The light emitted by fluorescent
substances is in general of lower refrangibility than the
incident light. --Stockes.
Fluorescent \Flu`o*res"cent\, a.
Having the property of fluorescence.
Fluorescin \Flu`o*res"cin\, n. (Chem.)
A colorless, amorphous substance which is produced by the
reduction of fluoresce["i]n, and from which the latter may be
formed by oxidation.
Fluoric \Flu*or"ic\, a. [Cf. F. fluorique.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, obtained from, or containing, fluorine.
Fluoride \Flu"or*ide\ (? or ?; 104), n. [Cf. F. fluoride.]
(Chem.)
A binary compound of fluorine with another element or
radical.
{Calcium fluoride} (Min.), fluorite, {CaF2}. See {Fluorite}.
Fluorine \Flu"or*ine\ (? or ?; 104), n. [NL. fluorina: cf. G.
fluorin, F. fluorine. So called from its occurrence in the
mineral fluorite.] (Chem.)
A non-metallic, gaseous element, strongly acid or negative,
or associated with chlorine, bromine, and iodine, in the
halogen group of which it is the first member. It always
occurs combined, is very active chemically, and possesses
such an avidity for most elements, and silicon especially,
that it can neither be prepared nor kept in glass vessels. If
set free it immediately attacks the containing material, so
that it was not isolated until 1886. It is a pungent,
corrosive, colorless gas. Symbol F. Atomic weight 19.
Note: Fluorine unites with hydrogen to form hydrofluoric
acid, which is the agent employed in etching glass. It
occurs naturally, principally combined as calcium
fluoride in fluorite, and as a double fluoride of
aluminium and sodium in cryolite.
Fluorite \Flu"or*ite\, n. (Min.)
Calcium fluoride, a mineral of many different colors, white,
yellow, purple, green, red, etc., often very beautiful,
crystallizing commonly in cubes with perfect octahedral
cleavage; also massive. It is used as a flux. Some varieties
are used for ornamental vessels. Also called {fluor spar}, or
simply {fluor}.
Fluoroid \Flu"or*oid\, n. [Fluor + -oid.] (Crystallog.)
A tetrahexahedron; -- so called because it is a common form
of fluorite.
Fluoroscope \Flu*or"o*scope\, n. [Fluorescence + -scope.]
(Phys.)
An instrument for observing or exhibiting fluorescence.
Fluorous \Flu"or*ous\, a.
Pertaining to fluor.
Fluor spar \Flu"or spar`\ (Min.)
See {Fluorite}.
Fluosilicate \Flu`o*sil"i*cate\, n. [Cf. F. fluosilicate.]
(Chem.)
A double fluoride of silicon and some other (usually basic)
element or radical, regarded as a salt of fluosilicic acid;
-- called also {silicofluoride}.
Fluosilicic \Flu`o*si*lic"ic\, a. [Fluo- + silicic: cf. F.
fluosilicique.] (Chem.)
Composed of, or derived from, silicon and fluorine.
{Fluosilicic acid}, a double fluoride of hydrogen and
silicon, {H2F6Si}, obtained in solution in water as a sour
fuming liquid, and regarded as the type of the
fluosilicates; -- called also {silicofluoric acid}, and
{hydrofluosilicic acid}.
Flurried \Flur"ried\, a.
Agitated; excited. -- {Flur"ried*ly} adv.
Flurry \Flur"ry\, n.; pl. {Flurries}. [Prov. E. flur to ruffle.]
1. A sudden and brief blast or gust; a light, temporary
breeze; as, a flurry of wind.
2. A light shower or snowfall accompanied with wind.
Like a flurry of snow on the whistling wind.
--Longfellow.
3. Violent agitation; commotion; bustle; hurry.
The racket and flurry of London. --Blakw. Mag.
4. The violent spasms of a dying whale.
Flurry \Flur"ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flurried}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Flurrying}.]
To put in a state of agitation; to excite or alarm. --H.
Swinburne.
Flurt \Flurt\, n.
A flirt. [Obs.] --Quarles.
Flush \Flush\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flushed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flushing}.] [Cf. OE. fluschen to fly up, penetrate, F. fluz
a flowing, E. flux, dial. Sw. flossa to blaze, and E. flash;
perh. influenced by blush. [root]84.]
1. To flow and spread suddenly; to rush; as, blood flushes
into the face.
The flushing noise of many waters. --Boyle.
It flushes violently out of the cock. --Mortimer.
2. To become suddenly suffused, as the cheeks; to turn red;
to blush.
3. To snow red; to shine suddenly; to glow.
In her cheek, distemper flushing glowed. --Milton.
4. To start up suddenly; to take wing as a bird.
Flushing from one spray unto another. --W. Browne.
Flush \Flush\, v. t.
1. To cause to be full; to flood; to overflow; to overwhelm
with water; as, to flush the meadows; to flood for the
purpose of cleaning; as, to flush a sewer.
2. To cause the blood to rush into (the face); to put to the
blush, or to cause to glow with excitement.
Nor flush with shame the passing virgin's cheek.
--Gay.
Sudden a thought came like a full-blown rose,
Flushing his brow. --Keats.
3. To make suddenly or temporarily red or rosy, as if
suffused with blood.
How faintly flushed. how phantom fair, Was Monte
Rosa, hanging there! --Tennyson.
4. To excite; to animate; to stir.
Such things as can only feed his pride and flush his
ambition. --South.
5. To cause to start, as a hunter a bird. --Nares.
{To flush a joints} (Masonry), to fill them in; to point the
level; to make them flush.
Flush \Flush\, n.
1. A sudden flowing; a rush which fills or overflows, as of
water for cleansing purposes.
In manner of a wave or flush. --Ray.
2. A suffusion of the face with blood, as from fear, shame,
modesty, or intensity of feeling of any kind; a blush; a
glow.
The flush of angered shame. --Tennyson.
3. Any tinge of red color like that produced on the cheeks by
a sudden rush of blood; as, the flush on the side of a
peach; the flush on the clouds at sunset.
4. A sudden flood or rush of feeling; a thrill of excitement.
animation, etc.; as, a flush of joy.
5. A flock of birds suddenly started up or flushed.
6. [From F. or Sp. flux. Cf. {Flux}.] A hand of cards of the
same suit.
Flush \Flush\, a.
1. Full of vigor; fresh; glowing; bright.
With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May.
--Shak.
2. Affluent; abounding; well furnished or suppled; hence,
liberal; prodigal.
Lord Strut was not very flush in ready. --Arbuthnot.
3. (Arch. & Mech.) Unbroken or even in surface; on a level
with the adjacent surface; forming a continuous surface;
as, a flush panel; a flush joint.
4. (Card Playing) Consisting of cards of one suit.
{Flush bolt}.
(a) A screw bolt whose head is countersunk, so as to be
flush with a surface.
(b) A sliding bolt let into the face or edge of a door, so
as to be flush therewith.
{Flush deck}. (Naut.) See under {Deck}, n., 1.
{Flush tank}, a water tank which can be emptied rapidly for
flushing drainpipes, etc.
Flush \Flush\, adv.
So as to be level or even.
Flushboard \Flush"board`\, n.
Same as {Flashboard}.
Flusher \Flush"er\, n.
1. A workman employed in cleaning sewers by flushing them
with water.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The red-backed shrike. See {Flasher}.
Flushing \Flush"ing\, n.
1. A heavy, coarse cloth manufactured from shoddy; --
commonly in the ? [Eng.]
2. (Weaving) A surface formed of floating threads.
Flushingly \Flush"ing*ly\, adv.
In a flushing manner.
Flushness \Flush"ness\, n.
The state of being flush; abundance.
Fluster \Flus"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flustered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Flustering}.] [Cf. Icel. flaustra to be flustered,
flaustr a fluster.]
To make hot and rosy, as with drinking; to heat; hence, to
throw into agitation and confusion; to confuse; to muddle.
His habit or flustering himself daily with claret.
--Macaulay.
Fluster \Flus"ter\, v. i.
To be in a heat or bustle; to be agitated and confused.
The flstering, vainglorious Greeks. --South.
Fluster \Flus"ter\, n.
Heat or glow, as from drinking; agitation mingled with
confusion; disorder.
Flusteration \Flus`ter*a"tion\, n.
The act of flustering, or the state of being flustered;
fluster. [Colloq.]
Flustrate \Flus"trate\, v. t. [See {Fluster}, v. t.]
To fluster. [Colloq.] --Spectator.
Flustration \Flus*tra"tion\, n.
The act of flustrating; confusion; flurry. [Colloq.]
--Richardson.
Flute \Flute\, n. [OE. floute, floite, fr. OF. fla["u]te,
flahute, flahuste, F. fl?te; cf. LL. flauta, D. fluit. See
{Flute}, v. i.]
1. A musical wind instrument, consisting of a hollow cylinder
or pipe, with holes along its length, stopped by the
fingers or by keys which are opened by the fingers. The
modern flute is closed at the upper end, and blown with
the mouth at a lateral hole.
The breathing flute's soft notes are heard around.
--Pope.
2. (Arch.) A channel of curved section; -- usually applied to
one of a vertical series of such channels used to decorate
columns and pilasters in classical architecture. See
Illust. under {Base}, n.
3. A similar channel or groove made in wood or other
material, esp. in plaited cloth, as in a lady's ruffle.
4. A long French breakfast roll. --Simonds.
5. A stop in an organ, having a flutelike sound.
{Flute bit}, a boring tool for piercing ebony, rosewood, and
other hard woods.
{Flute pipe}, an organ pipe having a sharp lip or wind-cutter
which imparts vibrations to the column of air in the pipe.
--Knight. [1913 Webster]
Flute \Flute\ (fl[=u]t), n. [Cf. F. fl[^u]te a transport, D.
fluit.]
A kind of flyboat; a storeship.
{Armed en fl[^u]te}(Nav.), partially armed.
Flute \Flute\, v. i. [OE. flouten, floiten, OF. fla["u]ter,
fle["u]ter, flouster, F. fl[^u]ter, cf. D. fluiten; ascribed
to an assumed LL. flautare, flatuare, fr. L. flatus a
blowing, fr. flare to blow. Cf. {Flout}, {Flageolet},
{Flatulent}.]
To play on, or as on, a flute; to make a flutelike sound.
Flute \Flute\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fluted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fluting}.]
1. To play, whistle, or sing with a clear, soft note, like
that of a flute.
Knaves are men, That lute and flute fantastic
tenderness. --Tennyson.
The redwing flutes his o-ka-lee. --Emerson.
2. To form flutes or channels in, as in a column, a ruffle,
etc.
Flute a bec \Fl[^u]te` [`a] bec"\ [F.] (Mus.)
A beak flute, an older form of the flute, played with a
mouthpiece resembling a beak, and held like a flageolet.
Fluted \Flut"ed\, a.
1. Thin; fine; clear and mellow; flutelike; as, fluted notes.
--Busby.
2. Decorated with flutes; channeled; grooved; as, a fluted
column; a fluted ruffle; a fluted spectrum.
Flutemouth \Flute"mouth`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A fish of the genus {Aulostoma}, having a much elongated
tubular snout.
Fluter \Flut"er\, n.
1. One who plays on the flute; a flutist or flautist.
2. One who makes grooves or flutings.
Fluting \Flut"ing\, n.
Decoration by means of flutes or channels; a flute, or flutes
collectively; as, the fluting of a column or pilaster; the
fluting of a lady's ruffle.
{Fluting iron}, a laundry iron for fluting ruffles; -- called
also {Italian iron}, or {gaufering iron}. --Knight.
{Fluting lathe}, a machine for forming spiral flutes, as on
balusters, table legs, etc.
Flutist \Flut"ist\, n. [Cf. F. fl[^u]tiste.]
A performer on the flute; a flautist. --Busby.
2. To move with quick vibrations or undulations; as, a sail
flutters in the wind; a fluttering fan.
3. To move about briskly, irregularly, or with great bustle
and show, without much result.
No rag, no scrap, of all the beau, or wit, That once
so fluttered, and that once so writ. --Pope.
4. To be in agitation; to move irregularly; to flucttuate; to
be uncertainty.
Long we fluttered on the wings of doubtful success.
--Howell.
His thoughts are very fluttering and wandering. --I.
Watts.
Flutter \Flut"ter\, v. t.
1. To vibrate or move quickly; as, a bird flutters its wings.
2. To drive in disorder; to throw into confusion.
Like an eagle in a dovecote, I Fluttered your
Volscians in Corioli. --Shak.
Flutter \Flut"ter\, n.
1. The act of fluttering; quick and irregular motion;
vibration; as, the flutter of a fan.
The chirp and flutter of some single bird --Milnes.
.
2. Hurry; tumult; agitation of the mind; confusion; disorder.
--Pope.
{Flutter wheel}, a water wheel placed below a fall or in a
chute where rapidly moving water strikes the tips of the
floats; -- so called from the spattering, and the
fluttering noise it makes.
Flutterer \Flut"ter*er\, n.
One who, or that which, flutters.
Flutteringly \Flut"ter*ing*ly\, adv.
In a fluttering manner.
Fluty \Flut"y\, a.
Soft and clear in tone, like a flute.
Fluvial \Flu"vi*al\, a. [L. fluvialis, from fluvius river, fr.
fluere to flow: cf.F. fluvial. See {Fluent}.]
Belonging to rivers; growing or living in streams or ponds;
as, a fluvial plant.
Fluvialist \Flu"vi*al*ist\, n.
One who exlpains geological phenomena by the action of
streams. [R.]
Fluviatic \Flu`vi*at"ic\, a. [L. fluviaticus. See {Fluvial}.]
Belonging to rivers or streams; fluviatile. --Johnson.
Fluviatile \Flu"vi*a*tile\, a. [L. fluviatilis, fr. fluvius
river: cf. F. fluviatile.]
Belonging to rivers or streams; existing in or about rivers;
produced by river action; fluvial; as, fluviatile starta,
plants. --Lyell.
Fluvio-marine \Flu`vi*o-ma*rine"\, a. [L. fluvius river + E.
marine.] (Geol.)
Formed by the joint action of a river and the sea, as
deposits at the mouths of rivers.
Flux \Flux\ (fl[u^]ks), n. [L. fluxus, fr. fluere, fluxum, to
flow: cf.F. flux. See {Fluent}, and cf. 1st & 2d {Floss},
{Flush}, n., 6.]
1. The act of flowing; a continuous moving on or passing by,
as of a flowing stream; constant succession; change.
By the perpetual flux of the liquids, a great part
of them is thrown out of the body. --Arbuthnot.
Her image has escaped the flux of things, And that
same infant beauty that she wore Is fixed upon her
now forevermore. --Trench.
Languages, like our bodies, are in a continual flux.
--Felton.
2. The setting in of the tide toward the shore, -- the ebb
being called the {reflux}.
3. The state of being liquid through heat; fusion.
4. (Chem. & Metal.) Any substance or mixture used to promote
the fusion of metals or minerals, as alkalies, borax,
lime, fluorite.
Note: {White flux} is the residuum of the combustion of a
mixture of equal parts of niter and tartar. It consists
chiefly of the carbonate of potassium, and is white. --
{Black flux} is the ressiduum of the combustion of one
part of niter and two of tartar, and consists
essentially of a mixture of potassium carbonate and
charcoal.
5. (Med.)
(a) A fluid discharge from the bowels or other part;
especially, an excessive and morbid discharge; as, the
bloody flux or dysentery. See {Bloody flux}.
(b) The matter thus discharged.
6. (Physics) The quantity of a fluid that crosses a unit area
of a given surface in a unit of time.
Flux \Flux\, a. [L. fluxus, p. p. of fluere. See {Flux}, n.]
Flowing; unstable; inconstant; variable.
The flux nature of all things here. --Barrow.
Flux \Flux\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fluxed} (fl[u^]kst); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fluxing}.]
1. To affect, or bring to a certain state, by flux.
He might fashionably and genteelly . . . have been
dueled or fluxed into another world. --South.
2. To cause to become fluid; to fuse. --Kirwan.
3. (Med.) To cause a discharge from; to purge.
Fluxation \Flux*a"tion\, n.
The act of fluxing.
Fluxibility \Flux`i*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. LL. fluxibilitas
fluidity.]
The quality of being fluxible. --Hammond.
Fluxible \Flux"i*ble\, a. [Cf.LL. fluxibilis fluid, OF.
fluxible.]
Capable of being melted or fused, as a mineral. --Holland. --
{Flux"i*ble*ness}, n.
Fluxile \Flux"ile\, a. [L. fluxilis, a., fluid.]
Fluxible. [R.]
Fluxility \Flux*il"i*ty\, n.
State of being fluxible.[Obs.]
Fluxion \Flux"ion\, n. [Cf. F. fluxion.]
The act of flowing. --Cotgrave.
2. The matter that flows. --Wiseman.
3. Fusion; the running of metals into a fluid state.
4. (Med.) An unnatural or excessive flow of blood or fluid
toward any organ; a determination.
5. A constantly varying indication.
Less to be counted than the fluxions of sun dials.
--De Quincey.
6. (Math.)
(a) The infinitely small increase or decrease of a
variable or flowing quantity in a certain infinitely
small and constant period of time; the rate of
variation of a fluent; an incerement; a differential.
(b) pl. A method of analysis developed by Newton, and
based on the conception of all magnitudes as generated
by motion, and involving in their changes the notion
of velocity or rate of change. Its results are the
same as those of the differential and integral
calculus, from which it differs little except in
notation and logical method.
Fluxional \Flux"ion*al\, a.
Pertaining to, or having the nature of, fluxion or fluxions;
variable; inconstant.
The merely human,the temporary and fluxional.
--Coleridge.
{Fluxional structure} (Geol.), fluidal structure.
Fluxionary \Flux"ion*a*ry\, a.
1. Fluxional. --Berkeley.
2. (Med.) Pertaining to, or caused by, an increased flow of
blood to a part; congestive; as, a fluxionary hemorrhage.
Fluxionist \Flux"ion*ist\, n.
One skilled in fluxions. --Berkeley.
Fluxions \Flux"ions\, n. pl. (Math.)
See {Fluxion}, 6
(b) .
Fluxive \Flux"ive\, a.
Flowing; also, wanting solidity. --B. Jonson.
Fluxure \Flux"ure\ (?; 138), n. [L. fluxura a flowing.]
1. The quality of being fluid. [Obs.] --Fielding.
2. Fluid matter. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Fly \Fly\ (fl[imac]), v. i. [imp. {Flew} (fl[=u]); p. p. {Flown}
(fl[=o]n); p. pr. & vb. n. {Flying}.] [OE. fleen, fleen,
fleyen, flegen, AS. fle['o]gan; akin to D. vliegen, OHG.
fliogan, G. fliegen, Icel. flj[=u]ga, Sw. flyga, Dan. flyve,
Goth. us-flaugjan to cause to fly away, blow about, and perh.
to L. pluma feather, E. plume. [root]84. Cf. {Fledge},
{Flight}, {Flock} of animals.]
1. To move in or pass thorugh the air with wings, as a bird.
2. To move through the air or before the wind; esp., to pass
or be driven rapidly through the air by any impulse.
3. To float, wave, or rise in the air, as sparks or a flag.
Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
--Job v. 7.
4. To move or pass swiftly; to hasten away; to circulate
rapidly; as, a ship flies on the deep; a top flies around;
rumor flies.
Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race.
--Milton.
The dark waves murmured as the ships flew on.
--Bryant.
5. To run from danger; to attempt to escape; to flee; as, an
enemy or a coward flies. See Note under {Flee}.
Fly, ere evil intercept thy flight. --Milton.
Whither shall I fly to escape their hands ? --Shak.
6. To move suddenly, or with violence; to do an act suddenly
or swiftly; -- usually with a qualifying word; as, a door
flies open; a bomb flies apart.
{To fly about} (Naut.), to change frequently in a short time;
-- said of the wind.
{To fly around}, to move about in haste. [Colloq.]
{To fly at}, to spring toward; to rush on; to attack
suddenly.
{To fly in the face of}, to insult; to assail; to set at
defiance; to oppose with violence; to act in direct
opposition to; to resist.
{To fly off}, to separate, or become detached suddenly; to
revolt.
{To fly on}, to attack.
{To fly open}, to open suddenly, or with violence.
{To fly out}.
(a) To rush out.
(b) To burst into a passion; to break out into license.
{To let fly}.
(a) To throw or drive with violence; to discharge. ``A man
lets fly his arrow without taking any aim.''
--Addison.
(b) (Naut.) To let go suddenly and entirely; as, to let
fly the sheets.
Fly \Fly\, v. t.
1. To cause to fly or to float in the air, as a bird, a kite,
a flag, etc.
The brave black flag I fly. --W. S.
Gilbert.
2. To fly or flee from; to shun; to avoid.
Sleep flies the wretch. --Dryden.
To fly the favors of so good a king. --Shak.
3. To hunt with a hawk. [Obs.] --Bacon.
{To fly a kite} (Com.), to raise money on commercial notes.
[Cant or Slang]
Fly \Fly\, n.; pl. {Flies} (fl[imac]z). [OE. flie, flege, AS.
fl[=y]ge, fle['o]ge, fr. fle['o]gan to fly; akin to D. vlieg,
OHG. flioga, G. fliege, Icel. & Sw. fluga, Dan. flue. [root]
84. See {Fly}, v. i.]
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any winged insect; esp., one with transparent wings;
as, the Spanish fly; firefly; gall fly; dragon fly.
(b) Any dipterous insect; as, the house fly; flesh fly;
black fly. See {Diptera}, and Illust. in Append.
2. A hook dressed in imitation of a fly, -- used for fishing.
``The fur-wrought fly.'' --Gay.
3. A familiar spirit; a witch's attendant. [Obs.]
A trifling fly, none of your great familiars. --B.
Jonson.
4. A parasite. [Obs.] --Massinger.
5. A kind of light carriage for rapid transit, plying for
hire and usually drawn by one horse. [Eng.]
6. The length of an extended flag from its staff; sometimes,
the length from the ``union'' to the extreme end.
7. The part of a vane pointing the direction from which the
wind blows.
8. (Naut.) That part of a compass on which the points are
marked; the compass card. --Totten.
9. (Mech.)
(a) Two or more vanes set on a revolving axis, to act as a
fanner, or to equalize or impede the motion of
machinery by the resistance of the air, as in the
striking part of a clock.
(b) A heavy wheel, or cross arms with weights at the ends
on a revolving axis, to regulate or equalize the
motion of machinery by means of its inertia, where the
power communicated, or the resistance to be overcome,
is variable, as in the steam engine or the coining
press. See {Fly wheel} (below).
10. (Knitting Machine) The piece hinged to the needle, which
holds the engaged loop in position while the needle is
penetrating another loop; a latch. --Knight.
11. The pair of arms revolving around the bobbin, in a
spinning wheel or spinning frame, to twist the yarn.
12. (Weaving) A shuttle driven through the shed by a blow or
jerk. --Knight.
13.
(a) Formerly, the person who took the printed sheets from
the press.
(b) A vibrating frame with fingers, attached to a power
to a power printing press for doing the same work.
14. The outer canvas of a tent with double top, usually drawn
over the ridgepole, but so extended as to touch the roof
of the tent at no other place.
15. One of the upper screens of a stage in a theater.
16. The fore flap of a bootee; also, a lap on trousers,
overcoats, etc., to conceal a row of buttons.
17. (Baseball) A batted ball that flies to a considerable
distance, usually high in the air; also, the flight of a
ball so struck; as, it was caught on the fly.
{Black fly}, {Cheese fly}, {Dragon fly, etc.} See under
{Black}, {Cheese}, etc. -- {Fly agaric} (Bot.), a mushroom
({Agaricus muscarius}), having a narcotic juice which, in
sufficient quantities, is poisonous. -- {Fly block}
(Naut.), a pulley whose position shifts to suit the
working of the tackle with which it is connected; -- used
in the hoisting tackle of yards. -- {Fly board} (Printing
Press), the board on which printed sheets are deposited by
the fly. -- {Fly book}, a case in the form of a book for
anglers' flies. --Kingsley.{Fly cap}, a cap with wings,
formerly worn by women. -- {Fly drill}, a drill having a
reciprocating motion controlled by a fly wheel, the
driving power being applied by the hand through a cord
winding in reverse directions upon the spindle as it
rotates backward and forward. --Knight.{Fly fishing}, the
act or art of angling with a bait of natural or artificial
flies. --Walton.{Fly flap}, an implement for killing
flies. -- {Fly governor}, a governor for regulating the
speed of an engine, etc., by the resistance of vanes
revolving in the air. -- {Fly honeysuckle} (Bot.), a plant
of the honeysuckle genus ({Lonicera}), having a bushy stem
and the flowers in pairs, as {L. ciliata} and {L.
Xylosteum}. -- {Fly hook}, a fishhook supplied with an
artificial fly. -- {Fly leaf}, an unprinted leaf at the
beginning or end of a book, circular, programme, etc. --
{Fly maggot}, a maggot bred from the egg of a fly. --Ray.
{Fly net}, a screen to exclude insects.
{Fly nut} (Mach.), a nut with wings; a thumb nut; a finger
nut.
{Fly orchis} (Bot.), a plant ({Ophrys muscifera}), whose
flowers resemble flies.
{Fly paper}, poisoned or sticky paper for killing flies that
feed upon or are entangled by it.
{Fly powder}, an arsenical powder used to poison flies.
{Fly press}, a screw press for punching, embossing, etc.,
operated by hand and having a heavy fly.
{Fly rail}, a bracket which turns out to support the hinged
leaf of a table.
{Fly rod}, a light fishing rod used in angling with a fly.
{Fly sheet}, a small loose advertising sheet; a handbill.
{Fly snapper} (Zo["o]l.), an American bird ({Phainopepla
nitens}), allied to the chatterers and shrikes. The male
is glossy blue-black; the female brownish gray.
{Fly wheel} (Mach.), a heavy wheel attached to machinery to
equalize the movement (opposing any sudden acceleration by
its inertia and any retardation by its momentum), and to
accumulate or give out energy for a variable or
intermitting resistance. See {Fly}, n., 9.
{On the fly} (Baseball), still in the air; -- said of a
batted ball caught before touching the ground.
.
Fly \Fly\, a.
Knowing; wide awake; fully understanding another's meaning.
[Slang] --Dickens.
Flybane \Fly"bane`\, n. (Bot.)
A kind of catchfly of the genus {Silene}; also, a poisonous
mushroom ({Agaricus muscarius}); fly agaric.
Fly-bitten \Fly"-bit`ten\, a.
Marked by, or as if by, the bite of flies. --Shak.
Flyblow \Fly"blow`\, v. t.
To deposit eggs upon, as a flesh fly does on meat; to cause
to be maggoty; hence, to taint or contaminate, as if with
flyblows. --Bp. Srillingfleet.
Flyblow \Fly"blow`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the eggs or young larv[ae] deposited by a flesh fly,
or blowfly.
Flyblown \Fly"blown`\, a.
Tainted or contaminated with flyblows; damaged; foul.
Wherever flyblown reputations were assembled.
--Thackeray.
Flyboat \Fly"boat`\, n. [Fly + boat: cf. D. vlieboot.]
1. (Naut.) A large Dutch coasting vessel.
Captain George Weymouth made a voyage of discovery
to the northwest with two flyboats. --Purchas.
2. A kind of passenger boat formerly used on canals.
Fly-case \Fly"-case`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The covering of an insect, esp. the elytra of beetles.
Flycatcher \Fly"catch`er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of numerous species of birds that feed upon insects,
which they take on the wing.
Note: The true flycatchers of the Old World are Oscines, and
belong to the family {Muscicapid[ae]}, as the spotted
flycatcher ({Muscicapa grisola}). The American
flycatchers, or tyrant flycatchers, are Clamatores, and
belong to the family {Tyrannid[ae]}, as the kingbird,
pewee, crested flycatcher ({Myiarchus crinitus}), and
the vermilion flycatcher or churinche ({Pyrocephalus
rubineus}). Certain American flycatching warblers of
the family {Sylvicolid[ae]} are also called
flycatchers, as the Canadian flycatcher ({Sylvania
Canadensis}), and the hooded flycatcher ({S. mitrata}).
See {Tyrant flycatcher}.
Fly-catching \Fly"-catch`ing\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having the habit of catching insects on the wing.
Flyer \Fly"er\, n. [See {Flier}.]
1. One that uses wings.
2. The fly of a flag: See {Fly}, n., 6.
3. Anything that is scattered abroad in great numbers as a
theatrical programme, an advertising leaf, etc.
4. (Arch.) One in a flight of steps which are parallel to
each other(as in ordinary stairs), as distinguished from a
winder.
5. The pair of arms attached to the spindle of a spinning
frame, over which the thread passes to the bobbin; -- so
called from their swift revolution. See {Fly}, n., 11.
6. The fan wheel that rotates the cap of a windmill as the
wind veers. --Internat. Cyc.
7. (Stock Jobbing) A small operation not involving ?
considerable part of one's capital, or not in the line of
one's ordinary business; a venture. [Cant] --Bartlett.
Flyfish \Fly"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A California scorp[ae]noid fish ({Sebastichthys
rhodochloris}), having brilliant colors.
Fly-fish \Fly"-fish\, v. i.
To angle, using flies for bait. --Walton.
Flying \Fly"ing\, a. [From {Fly}, v. i.]
Moving in the air with, or as with, wings; moving lightly or
rapidly; intended for rapid movement.
{Flying army} (Mil.) a body of cavalry and infantry, kept in
motion, to cover its own garrisons and to keep the enemy
in continual alarm. --Farrow.
{Flying artillery} (Mil.), artillery trained to rapid
evolutions, -- the men being either mounted or trained to
spring upon the guns and caissons when they change
position.
{Flying bridge}, {Flying camp}. See under {Bridge}, and
{Camp}.
{Flying buttress} (Arch.), a contrivance for taking up the
thrust of a roof or vault which can not be supported by
ordinary buttresses. It consists of a straight bar of
masonry, usually sloping, carried on an arch, and a solid
pier or buttress sufficient to receive the thrust. The
word is generally applied only to the straight bar with
supporting arch.
{Flying colors}, flags unfurled and waving in the air; hence:
{To come off with flying colors}, to be victorious; to
succeed thoroughly in an undertaking.
{Flying doe} (Zo["o]l.), a young female kangaroo.
{Flying dragon}.
(a) (Zo["o]l.) See {Dragon}, 6.
(b) A meteor. See under {Dragon}.
{Flying Dutchman}.
(a) A fabled Dutch mariner condemned for his crimes to sail
the seas till the day of judgment.
(b) A spectral ship.
{Flying fish}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Flying fish}, in the
Vocabulary.
{Flying fox} (Zo["o]l.), the colugo.
{Flying frog} (Zo["o]l.), an East Indian tree frog of the
genus {Rhacophorus}, having very large and broadly webbed
feet, which serve as parachutes, and enable it to make
very long leaps.
{Flying gurnard} (Zo["o]l.), a species of gurnard of the
genus {Cephalacanthus} or {Dactylopterus}, with very large
pectoral fins, said to be able to fly like the flying
fish, but not for so great a distance.
Note: Three species are known; that of the Atlantic is
{Cephalacanthus volitans}.
{Flying jib} (Naut.), a sail extended outside of the standing
jib, on the flying-jib boom.
{Flying-jib boom} (Naut.), an extension of the jib boom.
{Flying kites} (Naut.), light sails carried only in fine
weather.
{Flying lemur}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Colugo}.
{Flying level} (Civil Engin.), a reconnoissance level over
the course of a projected road, canal, etc.
{Flying lizard}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Dragon}, n. 6.
{Flying machine}, an apparatus for navigating the air; a form
of balloon. -- {Flying mouse} (Zo["o]l.), the opossum
mouse ({Acrobates pygm[ae]us}), of Australia.
Note: It has lateral folds of skin, like the flying
squirrels. -- {Flying party} (Mil.), a body of soldiers
detailed to hover about an enemy. -- {Flying phalanger}
(Zo["o]l.), one of several species of small marsuupials of
the genera {Petaurus} and {Belideus}, of Australia and New
Guinea, having lateral folds like those of the flying
squirrels. The sugar squirrel ({B. sciureus}), and the
ariel ({B. ariel}), are the best known; -- called also
{squirrel petaurus} and {flying squirrel}. See {Sugar
squirrel}. -- {Flying pinion}, the fly of a clock. --
{Flying sap} (Mil.), the rapid construction of trenches (when
the enemy's fire of case shot precludes the method of
simple trenching), by means of gabions placed in
juxtaposition and filled with earth. -- {Flying shot}, a
shot fired at a moving object, as a bird on the wing. --
{Flying spider}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Ballooning spider}. --
{Flying squid} (Zo["o]l.), an oceanic squid ({Ommastrephes,
or Sthenoteuthis, Bartramii}), abundant in the Gulf
Stream, which is able to leap out of the water with such
force that it often falls on the deck of a vessel. --
{Flying squirrel} (Zo["o]l.) See {Flying squirrel}, in the
Vocabulary. -- {Flying start}, a start in a sailing race
in which the signal is given while the vessels are under
way. -- {Flying torch} (Mil.), a torch attached to a long
staff and used for signaling at night.
Flying fish \Fly"ing fish`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A fish which is able to leap from the water, and fly a
considerable distance by means of its large and long pectoral
fins. These fishes belong to several species of the genus
{Exoc[oe]tus}, and are found in the warmer parts of all the
oceans.
Flying squirrel \Fly"ing squir"rel\ (? or ?). (Zo["o]l.)
One of a group of squirrels, of the genera {Pteromus} and
{Sciuropterus}, having parachute-like folds of skin extending
from the fore to the hind legs, which enable them to make
very long leaps.
Note: The species of Pteromys are large, with bushy tails,
and inhabit southern Asia and the East Indies; those of
Sciuropterus are smaller, with flat tails, and inhabit
the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America. The
American species {(Sciuropterus volucella)} is also
called Assapan. The Australian flying squrrels, or
flying phalangers, are marsupials. See {Flying
phalanger} (above).
Flyman \Fly"man\, n.; pl. {Flymen} (-m?n).
The driver of a fly, or light public carriage.
Flysch \Flysch\ (fl?sh), n. [A Swiss word, fr. G. fliessen to
flow, melt.] (Geol.)
A name given to the series of sandstones and schists
overlying the true nummulitic formation in the Alps, and
included in the Eocene Tertiary.
Flyspeck \Fly"speck\ (fl?'sp?k), n.
A speck or stain made by the excrement of a fly; hence, any
insignificant dot.
Flyspeck \Fly"speck\, v. t.
To soil with flyspecks.
Flytrap \Fly"trap\, n.
1. A trap for catching flies.
2. (Bot.) A plant {(Dion[ae]a muscipula)}, called also
Venus's flytrap, the leaves of which are fringed with
stiff bristles, and fold together when certain hairs on
their upper surface are touched, thus seizing insects that
light on them. The insects so caught are afterwards
digested by a secretion from the upper surface of the
leaves.
Fnese \Fnese\, v. i. [AS. fn?san, gefn?san.]
To breathe heavily; to snort. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fo \Fo\, n.
The Chinese name of Buddha.
Foal \Foal\, n. [OE. fole, AS. fola; akin to OHG. folo, G.
fohlen, Goth. fula, Icel. foli, Sw Lf?le, Gr. ?, L. pullus a
young animal. Cf. {Filly}, {Poultry}, {Pullet}.] (Zo["o].)
The young of any animal of the Horse family {(Equid[ae])}; a
colt; a filly.
{Foal teeth} (Zo["o]l.), the first set of teeth of a horse.
{In foal}, {With foal}, being with young; pregnant; -- said
of a mare or she ass.
Foal \Foal\, v.t. [imp. & p. p. {Foaled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Foaling}.]
To bring forth (a colt); -- said of a mare or a she ass.
Foal \Foal\, v.i.
To bring forth young, as an animal of the horse kind.
Foalfoot \Foal"foot`\, n. (Bot.)
See {Coltsfoot}.
Foam \Foam\, n. [OE. fam, fom, AS. f?m; akin to OHG. & G. feim.]
The white substance, consisting of an aggregation of bubbles,
which is formed on the surface of liquids, or in the mouth of
an animal, by violent agitation or fermentation; froth;
spume; scum; as, the foam of the sea.
{Foam cock}, in steam boilers, a cock at the water level, to
blow off impurities.
Foam \Foam\, v.i. [imp. & p. p. {Foamed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Foaming}.] [AS. f?man. See {Foam}, n.]
1. To gather foam; to froth; as, the billows foam.
He foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth. --Mark ix.
18.
2. To form foam, or become filled with foam; -- said of a
steam boiler when the water is unduly agitated and frothy,
as because of chemical action.
Foam \Foam\, v.t.
To cause to foam; as,to foam the goblet; also (with out), to
throw out with rage or violence, as foam. ``Foaming out their
own shame.'' --Jude 13.
Foamingly \Foam"ing*ly\, adv.
With foam; frothily.
Foamless \Foam"less\, a.
Having no foam.
Foamy \Foam"y\, a.
Covered with foam; frothy; spumy.
Behold how high the foamy billows ride! --Dryden.
Fob \Fob\, n. [Cf. Prov. G. fuppe pocket.]
A little pocket for a watch.
{Fob chain}, a short watch chain worn a watch carried in the
fob.
Fob \Fob\, v.t. [imp. & p. p. {Fobbed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fobbing}.] [Cf.Fop.]
1. To beat; to maul. [Obs.]
2. To cheat; to trick; to impose on. --Shak.
{To fob off}, to shift off by an artifice; to put aside; to
delude with a trick."A conspiracy of bishops could
prostrate and fob off the right of the people." --Milton.
Focal \Fo"cal\, a. [Cf. F. focal. See {Focus}.]
Belonging to,or concerning, a focus; as, a focal point.
{Focal distance, or length, of a lens or mirror} (Opt.), the
distance of the focus from the surface of the lens or
mirror, or more exactly, in the case of a lens, from its
optical center.
{Focal distance of a telescope}, the distance of the image of
an object from the object glass.
Focalization \Fo`cal*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of focalizing or bringing to a focus, or the state of
being focalized.
Focalize \Fo"cal*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Focalized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Focalizing}.]
To bring to a focus; to focus; to concentrate.
Light is focalized in the eye, sound in the ear. --De
Quincey.
Focillate \Foc"il*late\, v. t. [L. focilatus, p. p. of
focillare.]
To nourish. [Obs.] --Blount.
Focillation \Foc`il*la"tion\, n.
Comfort; support. [Obs.]
Focimeter \Fo*cim"e*ter\, n. [Focus + -meter.] (Photog.)
An assisting instrument for focusing an object in or before a
camera. --Knight.
Focus \Fo"cus\, n.; pl. E. {Focuses}, L. {Foci}. [L. focus
hearth, fireplace; perh. akin to E. bake. Cf. {Curfew},
{Fuel}, {Fusil} the firearm.]
1. (Opt.) A point in which the rays of light meet, after
being reflected or refrcted, and at which the image is
formed; as, the focus of a lens or mirror.
2. (Geom.) A point so related to a conic section and certain
straight line called the directrix that the ratio of the
distace between any point of the curve and the focus to
the distance of the same point from the directrix is
constant.
Note: Thus, in the ellipse FGHKLM, A is the focus and CD the
directrix, when the ratios FA:FE, GA:GD, MA:MC, etc.,
are all equal. So in the hyperbola, A is the focus and
CD the directrix when the ratio HA:HK is constant for
all points of the curve; and in the parabola, A is the
focus and CD the directrix when the ratio BA:BC is
constant. In the ellipse this ratio is less than unity,
in the parabola equal to unity, and in the hyperbola
greater than unity. The ellipse and hyperbola have each
two foci, and two corresponding directrixes, and the
parabola has one focus and one directrix. In the
ellipse the sum of the two lines from any point of the
curve to the two foci is constant; that is:
AG+GB=AH+HB; and in the hyperbola the difference of the
corresponding lines is constant. The diameter which
passes through the foci of the ellipse is the major
axis. The diameter which being produced passes through
the foci of the hyperbola is the transverse axis. The
middle point of the major or the transverse axis is the
center of the curve. Certain other curves, as the
lemniscate and the Cartesian ovals, have points called
foci, possessing properties similar to those of the
foci of conic sections. In an ellipse, rays of light
coming from one focus, and reflected from the curve,
proceed in lines directed toward the other; in an
hyperbola, in lines directed from the other; in a
parabola, rays from the focus, after reflection at the
curve, proceed in lines parallel to the axis. Thus rays
from A in the ellipse are reflected to B; rays from A
in the hyperbola are reflected toward L and M away from
B.
3. A central point; a point of concentration.
{Aplanatic focus}. (Opt.) See under {Aplanatic}.
{Conjugate focus} (Opt.), the focus for rays which have a
sensible divergence, as from a near object; -- so called
because the positions of the object and its image are
interchangeable.
{Focus tube} (Phys.), a vacuum tube for R[oe]ntgen rays in
which the cathode rays are focused upon the anticathode,
for intensifying the effect.
{Principal, or Solar}, {focus} (Opt.), the focus for parallel
rays.
Focus \Fo"cus\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Focused}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Focusing}.]
To bring to a focus; to focalize; as, to focus a camera. --R.
Hunt.
Fodder \Fod"der\, n. [See 1st {Fother}.]
A weight by which lead and some other metals were formerly
sold, in England, varying from 191/2 to 24 cwt.; a fother.
[Obs.]
Fodder \Fod"der\, n. [AS. f?dder, f?ddor, fodder (also sheath
case), fr. f?da food; akin to D. voeder, OHG. fuotar, G.
futter, Icel. f?r, Sw. & Dan. foder. [root]75. See Food Land
cf. {Forage}, {Fur}.]
That which is fed out to cattle horses, and sheep, as hay,
cornstalks, vegetables, etc.
Fodder \Fod"der\, v.t. [imp. & p. p. {Foddered} (-d?rd); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Foddering}.]
To feed, as cattle, with dry food or cut grass, etc.;to
furnish with hay, straw, oats, etc.
Fodderer \Fod"der*er\, n.
One who fodders cattle.
Fodient \Fo"di*ent\, a. [L. fodiens, p. pr. of fodere to dig.]
Fitted for, or pertaining to, digging.
Fodient \Fo"di*ent\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Fodientia.
Fodientia \Fo`di*en"ti*a\, n.pl. [NL., fr. L. fodiens p. pr.,
digging.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of African edentates including the aard-vark.
Foe \Foe\ (f[=o]), n. [OE. fo, fa, AS. f[=a]h hostile; prob.
akin to E. fiend. [root]81. See {Fiend}, and cf. {Feud} a
quarrel.]
1. One who entertains personal enmity, hatred, grudge, or
malice, against another; an enemy.
A man's foes shall be they of his own household.
--Matt. x. 36
2. An enemy in war; a hostile army.
3. One who opposes on principle; an opponent; an adversary;
an ill-wisher; as, a foe to religion.
A foe to received doctrines. --I. Watts
Foe \Foe\, v. t.
To treat as an enemy. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Foehood \Foe"hood\, n.
Enmity. --Bp. Bedell.
Foeman \Foe"man\ (f[=o]"man), n.; pl. {Foemen} (-men). [AS.
f[=a]hman.]
An enemy in war.
And the stern joy which warriors feel In foemen worthy
of their steel. --Sir W. Scott
Foetal \F[oe]"tal\, a.
Same as {Fetal}.
Foetation \F[oe]*ta"tion\, n.
Same as {Fetation}.
Foeticide \F[oe]"ti*cide\, n.
Same as {Feticide}.
Foetor \F[oe]"tor\, n.
Same as {Fetor}.
Foetus \F[oe]"tus\, n.
Same as {Fetus}.
Fog \Fog\ (f[o^]g), n. [Cf. Scot. fog, fouge, moss, foggage rank
grass, LL. fogagium, W. ffwg dry grass.] (Agric.)
(a) A second growth of grass; aftergrass.
(b) Dead or decaying grass remaining on land through the
winter; -- called also {foggage}. [Prov.Eng.]
--Halliwell.
Note: Sometimes called, in New England, {old tore}. In
Scotland, fog is a general name for moss.
Fog \Fog\ v. t. (Agric.)
To pasture cattle on the fog, or aftergrass, of; to eat off
the fog from.
Fog \Fog\ v. i. [Etymol. uncertain.]
To practice in a small or mean way; to pettifog. [Obs.]
Where wouldst thou fog to get a fee? --Dryden.
Fog \Fog\ n. [Dan. sneefog snow falling thick, drift of snow,
driving snow, cf. Icel. fok spray, snowdrift, fj[=u]k
snowstorm, fj[=u]ka to drift.]
1. Watery vapor condensed in the lower part of the atmosphere
and disturbing its transparency. It differs from cloud
only in being near the ground, and from mist in not
approaching so nearly to fine rain. See {Cloud}.
2. A state of mental confusion.
{Fog alarm}, {Fog bell}, {Fog horn}, etc., a bell, horn,
whistle or other contrivance that sounds an alarm, often
automatically, near places of danger where visible signals
would be hidden in thick weather.
{Fog bank}, a mass of fog resting upon the sea, and
resembling distant land.
{Fog ring}, a bank of fog arranged in a circular form, --
often seen on the coast of Newfoundland.
Fog \Fog\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fogged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fogging}.]
To envelop, as with fog; to befog; to overcast; to darken; to
obscure.
Fog \Fog\, v. i. (Photog.)
To show indistinctly or become indistinct, as the picture on
a negative sometimes does in the process of development.
Foge \Foge\, n.
The Cornish name for a forge used for smelting tin. --Raymond
Fo'gey \Fo'gey\, n.
See {Fogy}.
Fog'gage \Fog'gage\ (?; 48), n. (Agric.)
See 1st {Fog}.
Fog'ger \Fog'ger\, n.
One who fogs; a pettifogger. [Obs.]
A beggarly fogger. --Terence in
English(1614)
Foggily \Fog"gi*ly\, adv.
In a foggy manner; obscurely. --Johnson.
Fogginess \Fog"gi*ness\, n.
The state of being foggy. --Johnson.
Foggy \Fog"gy\, a. [Compar. {Foggier}; superl. {Foggiest}.]
[From 4th {Fog}.]
1. Filled or abounding with fog, or watery exhalations;
misty; as, a foggy atmosphere; a foggy morning. --Shak.
2. Beclouded; dull; obscure; as, foggy ideas.
Your coarse, foggy, drowsy conceit. --Hayward.
Fogie \Fo"gie\, n.
See {Fogy}.
Fogless \Fog"less\, a.
Without fog; clear. --Kane.
Fogy \Fo"gy\, n.; pl. {Fogies}.
A dull old fellow; a person behind the times,
over-conservative, or slow; -- usually preceded by old.
[Written also {fogie} and {fogey}.] [Colloq.]
Notorious old bore; regular old fogy. --Thackeray.
Note: The word is said to be connected with the German vogt,
a guard or protector. By others it is regarded as a
diminutive of folk (cf. D. volkje). It is defined by
Jamieson, in his Scottish Dictionary, as ``an invalid
or garrison soldier,'' and is applied to the old
soldiers of the Royal Hospital at Dublin, which is
called the Fogies' Hospital. In the fixed habits of
such persons we see the origin of the present use of
the term. --Sir F. Head.
Fogyism \Fo"gy*ism\, n.
The principles and conduct of a fogy. [Colloq.]
Foh \Foh\, interj. [Cf. {Faugh}.]
An exclamation of abhorrence or contempt; poh; fle. --Shak.
Fohist \Fo"hist\, n.
A Buddhist priest. See {Fo}.
Foible \Foi"ble\, a. [OF. foible. See {Feeble}.]
Weak; feeble. [Obs.] --Lord Herbert.
Foible \Foi"ble\, n.
1. A moral weakness; a failing; a weak point; a frailty.
A disposition radically noble and generous, clouded
and overshadowed by superficial foibles. --De
Quincey.
2. The half of a sword blade or foil blade nearest the point;
-- opposed to forte. [Written also {faible}.]
Syn: Fault; imperfection; failing; weakness; infirmity;
frailty; defect. See {Fault}.
Foil \Foil\ (foil), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Foiled} (foild); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Foiling}.] [F. fouler to tread or trample under
one's feet, to press, oppress. See {Full}, v. t.]
1. To tread under foot; to trample.
King Richard . . . caused the ensigns of Leopold to
be pulled down and foiled under foot. --Knoless.
Whom he did all to pieces breake and foyle, In
filthy durt, and left so in the loathely soyle.
--Spenser.
2. To render (an effort or attempt) vain or nugatory; to
baffle; to outwit; to balk; to frustrate; to defeat.
And by ? mortal man at length am foiled. --Dryden.
Her long locks that foil the painter's power.
--Byron.
3. To blunt; to dull; to spoil; as, to foil the scent in
chase. --Addison.
Foil \Foil\, v. t. [See 6th {File}.]
To defile; to soil. [Obs.]
Foil \Foil\, n.
1. Failure of success when on the point of attainment;
defeat; frustration; miscarriage. --Milton.
Nor e'er was fate so near a foil. --Dryden.
2. A blunt weapon used in fencing, resembling a smallsword in
the main, but usually lighter and having a button at the
point.
Blunt as the fencer's foils, which hit, but hurt
not. --Shak.
Isocrates contended with a foil against Demosthenes
with a word. --Mitford.
3. The track or trail of an animal.
{To run a foil},to lead astray; to puzzle; -- alluding to the
habits of some animals of running back over the same track
to mislead their pursuers. --Brewer.
Foil \Foil\, n. [OE. foil leaf, OF. foil, fuil, fueil, foille,
fueille, F. feuille, fr. L. folium, pl. folia; akin to Gr. ?,
and perh. to E. blade. Cf. {Foliage}, {Folio}.]
1. A leaf or very thin sheet of metal; as, brass foil; tin
foil; gold foil.
2. (Jewelry) A thin leaf of sheet copper silvered and
burnished, and afterwards coated with transparent colors
mixed with isinglass; -- employed by jewelers to give
color or brilliancy to pastes and inferior stones. --Ure.
3. Anything that serves by contrast of color or quality to
adorn or set off another thing to advantage.
As she a black silk cap on him began To set, for
foil of his milk-white to serve. --Sir P.
Sidney.
Hector has a foil to set him off. --Broome.
4. A thin coat of tin, with quicksilver, laid on the back of
a looking-glass, to cause reflection.
5. (Arch.) The space between the cusps in Gothic
architecture; a rounded or leaflike ornament, in windows,
niches, etc. A group of foils is called trefoil,
quatrefoil, quinquefoil, etc., according to the number of
arcs of which it is composed.
{Foil stone}, an imitation of a jewel or precious stone.
Foilable \Foil"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being foiled.
Foiler \Foil"er\, n.
One who foils or frustrates. --Johnson.
Foiling \Foil"ing\, n. (Arch.)
A foil. --Simmonds.
Foiling \Foil"ing\, n. [Cf. F. foul['e]es. See 1st {Foil}.]
(Hunting)
The track of game (as deer) in the grass.
Foin \Foin\ (foin), n. [F. fouine a marten.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The beech marten ({Mustela foina}). See
{Marten}.
2. A kind of fur, black at the top on a whitish ground, taken
from the ferret or weasel of the same name.[Obs.]
He came to the stake in a fair black gown furred and
faced with foins. --Fuller.
Foin \Foin\, v. i. [OE. foinen, foignen; of uncertain origin;
cf. dial. F. fouiner to push for eels with a spear, fr. F.
fouine an eelspear, perh. fr. L. fodere to dig, thrust.]
To thrust with a sword or spear; to lunge. [Obs.]
He stroke, he soused, he foynd, he hewed, he lashed.
--Spenser.
They lash, they foin, they pass, they strive to bore
Their corselets, and the thinnest parts explore.
--Dryden.
Foin \Foin\, v. t.
To prick; to st?ng. [Obs.] --Huloet.
Foin \Foin\, n.
A pass in fencing; a lunge. [Obs.] --Shak.
Foinery \Foin"er*y\, n.
Thrusting with the foil; fencing with the point, as
distinguished from broadsword play. [Obs.] --Marston.
Foiningly \Foin"ing*ly\, adv.
With a push or thrust. [Obs.]
Foison \Foi"son\, n. [F. foison, fr. L. fusio a pouring,
effusion. See {Fusion}.]
Rich harvest; plenty; abundance. [Archaic] --Lowell.
That from the seedness the bare fallow brings To
teeming foison. --Shak.
Foist \Foist\ (foist), n. [OF. fuste stick, boat, fr. L. fustis
cudgel. Cf. 1st {Fust}.]
A light and fast-sailing ship. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Foist \Foist\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Foisted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Foisting}.] [Cf. OD. vysten to fizzle, D. veesten, E. fizz,
fitchet, bullfist.]
To insert surreptitiously, wrongfully, or without warrant; to
interpolate; to pass off (something spurious or counterfeit)
as genuine, true, or worthy; -- usually followed by in.
Lest negligence or partiality might admit or foist in
abuses and corruption. --R. Carew.
When a scripture has been corrupted . . . by a
supposititious foisting of some words in. --South.
Foist \Foist\, n.
1. A foister; a sharper. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
2. A trick or fraud; a swindle. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Foister \Foist"er\, n.
One who foists something surreptitiously; a falsifier. --Mir.
for Mag.
Foistied \Foist"ied\, a. [See 2d {Fust}.]
Fusty. [Obs.]
Foistiness \Foist"i*ness\, n.
Fustiness; mustiness. [Obs.]
Foisty \Foist"y\, a.
Fusty; musty. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Fold \Fold\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Folded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Folding}.] [OE. folden, falden, AS. fealdan; akin to OHG.
faltan, faldan, G. falten, Icel. falda, Dan. folde, Sw.
f[*a]lla, Goth. fal?an, cf. Gr.? twofold, Skr. pu?a a fold.
Cf. {Fauteuil}.]
1. To lap or lay in plaits or folds; to lay one part over
another part of; to double; as, to fold cloth; to fold a
letter.
As a vesture shalt thou fold them up. --Heb. i. 12.
2. To double or lay together, as the arms or the hands; as,
he folds his arms in despair.
3. To inclose within folds or plaitings; to envelop; to
infold; to clasp; to embrace.
A face folded in sorrow. --J. Webster.
We will descend and fold him in our arms. --Shak.
4. To cover or wrap up; to conceal.
Nor fold my fault in cleanly coined excuses. --Shak.
Fold \Fold\, v. i.
To become folded, plaited, or doubled; to close over another
of the same kind; to double together; as, the leaves of the
door fold. --1 Kings vi. 34.
Fold \Fold\, n. [From {Fold}, v. In sense 2 AS. -feald, akin to
fealdan to fold.]
1. A doubling,esp. of any flexible substance; a part laid
over on another part; a plait; a plication.
Mummies . . . shrouded in a number of folds of
linen. --Bacon.
Folds are most common in the rocks of mountainous
regions. --J. D. Dana.
2. Times or repetitions; -- used with numerals, chiefly in
composition, to denote multiplication or increase in a
geometrical ratio, the doubling, tripling, etc., of
anything; as, fourfold, four times, increased in a
quadruple ratio, multiplied by four.
3. That which is folded together, or which infolds or
envelops; embrace.
Shall from your neck unloose his amorous fold.
--Shak.
{Fold net}, a kind of net used in catching birds.
Fold \Fold\, n. [OE. fald, fold, AS. fald, falod.]
1. An inclosure for sheep; a sheep pen.
Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold.
--Milton.
2. A flock of sheep; figuratively, the Church or a church;
as, Christ's fold.
There shall be one fold and one shepherd. --John x.
16.
The very whitest lamb in all my fold. --Tennyson.
3. A boundary; a limit. [Obs.] --Creech.
{Fold yard}, an inclosure for sheep or cattle.
Fold \Fold\, v. t.
To confine in a fold, as sheep.
Fold \Fold\, v. i.
To confine sheep in a fold. [R.]
The star that bids the shepherd fold. --Milton.
Foldage \Fold"age\, n. [See {Fold} inclosure, {Faldage}.]
(O.Eng.Law.)
See {Faldage}.
Folder \Fold"er\, n.
One who, or that which, folds; esp., a flat, knifelike
instrument used for folding paper.
Folderol \Fol"de*rol`\, n.
Nonsense. [Colloq.]
Folding \Fold"ing\, n.
1. The act of making a fold or folds; also, a fold; a
doubling; a plication.
The lower foldings of the vest. --Addison.
2. (Agric.) The keepig of sheep in inclosures on arable land,
etc.
{Folding boat}, a portable boat made by stretching canvas,
etc., over jointed framework, used in campaigning, and by
tourists, etc. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
{Folding chair}, a chair which may be shut up compactly for
carriage or stowage; a camp chair.
{Folding door}, one of two or more doors filling a single and
hung upon hinges.
Foldless \Fold"less\, a.
Having no fold. --Milman.
Foliaceous \Fo`li*a"ceous\, a. [L. foliaceus, fr. folium leaf.]
1. (Bot.) Belonging to, or having the texture or nature of, a
leaf; having leaves intermixed with flowers; as, a
foliaceous spike.
2. (Min.) Consisting of leaves or thin lamin[ae]; having the
form of a leaf or plate; as, foliaceous spar.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Leaflike in form or mode of growth; as, a
foliaceous coral.
Foliage \Fo"li*age\, n. [OF. foillage, fueillage, F. feuillage,
fr. OF. foille, fueille, fueil, F. feulle, leaf, L. folium.
See 3d {Foil}, and cf. {Foliation}, {Filemot}.]
1. Leaves, collectively, as produced or arranged by nature;
leafage; as, a tree or forest of beautiful foliage.
2. A cluster of leaves, flowers, and branches; especially,
the representation of leaves, flowers, and branches, in
architecture, intended to ornament and enrich capitals,
friezes, pediments, etc.
{Foliage plant} (Bot.), any plant cultivated for the beauty
of its leaves, as many kinds of {Begonia} and {Coleus}.
Foliage \Fo"li*age\, v. t.
To adorn with foliage or the imitation of foliage; to form
into the representation of leaves. [R.] --Drummond.
Foliaged \Fo"li*aged\, a.
Furnished with foliage; leaved; as, the variously foliaged
mulberry.
Foliar \Fo"li*ar\, a. (Bot.)
Consisting of, or pertaining to, leaves; as, foliar
appendages.
{Foliar gap} (Bot.), an opening in the fibrovascular system
of a stem at the point of origin of a leaf.
{Foliar trace} (Bot.), a particular fibrovascular bundle
passing down into the stem from a leaf.
Foliate \Fo"li*ate\, a. [L. foliatus leaved, leafy, fr. folium
leaf. See {Foliage}.] (Bot.)
Furnished with leaves; leafy; as, a foliate stalk.
{Foliate curve}. (Geom.) Same as {Folium}.
Foliate \Fo"li*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Foliated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Foliating}.]
1. To beat into a leaf, or thin plate. --Bacon.
2. To spread over with a thin coat of tin and quicksilver;
as, to foliate a looking-glass.
Foliated \Fo"li*a`ted\, a.
1. Having leaves, or leaflike projections; as, a foliated
shell.
2. (Arch.) Containing, or consisting of, foils; as, a
foliated arch.
3. (Min.) Characterized by being separable into thin plates
or folia; as, graphite has a foliated structure.
4. (Geol.) Laminated, but restricted to the variety of
laminated structure found in crystalline schist, as mica
schist, etc.; schistose.
5. Spread over with an amalgam of tin and quicksilver.
{Foliated telluium}. (Min.) See {Nagyagite}.
Foliation \Fo"li*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F. foliation.]
1. The process of forming into a leaf or leaves.
2. The manner in which the young leaves are dispo?ed within
the bud.
The . . . foliation must be in relation to the stem.
--De Quincey.
3. The act of beating a metal into a thin plate, leaf, foil,
or lamina.
4. The act of coating with an amalgam of tin foil and
quicksilver, as in making looking-glasses.
5. (Arch.) The enrichment of an opening by means of foils,
arranged in trefoils, quatrefoils, etc.; also, one of the
ornaments. See {Tracery}.
6. (Geol.) The property, possessed by some crystalline rocks,
of dividing into plates or slabs, which is due to the
cleavage structure of one of the constituents, as mica or
hornblende. It may sometimes include slaty structure or
cleavage, though the latter is usually independent of any
mineral constituent, and transverse to the bedding, it
having been produced by pressure.
Foliature \Fo"li*a*ture\, n. [L. foliatura foliage.]
1. Foliage; leafage. [Obs.] --Shuckford.
2. The state of being beaten into foil. --Johnson.
Folier \Fo"li*er\, n.
Goldsmith's foil. [R.] --Sprat.
Foliferous \Fo*lif"er*ous\, a. [L. folium leaf+ -ferous: cf. F.
foliif[`e]re.]
Producing leaves. [Written also {foliiferous}.]
Folily \Fol"i*ly\, a.
Foolishly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Folio \Fol"io\, n.; pl. {Folios}. [Ablative of L. folium leaf.
See 4th {Foil}.]
1. A leaf of a book or manuscript.
2. A sheet of paper once folded.
3. A book made of sheets of paper each folded once (four
pages to the sheet); hence, a book of the largest kind.
See Note under {Paper}.
4. (Print.) The page number. The even folios are on the
left-hand pages and the odd folios on the right-hand.
5. A page of a book; (Bookkeeping) a page in an account book;
sometimes, two opposite pages bearing the same serial
number.
6. (Law) A leaf containing a certain number of words, hence,
a certain number of words in a writing, as in England, in
law proceedings 72, and in chancery, 90; in New York, 100
words.
{Folio post}, a flat writing paper, usually 17 by 24 inches.
Fol'io \Fol'io\, v. t.
To put a serial number on each folio or page of (a book); to
page.
Fol'io \Fol'io\, a.
Formed of sheets each folded once, making two leaves, or four
pages; as, a folio volume. See {Folio}, n., 3.
Fo'liolate \Fo"'li*o*late\, a.
Of or pertaining to leaflets; -- used in composition; as,
bi-foliolate. --Gray.
Foliole \Fo"li*ole\, n. [Dim. of L. folium leaf: cf. F.
foliole.] (Bot.)
One of the distinct parts of a compound leaf; a leaflet.
Foliomort \Fo`li*o*mort"\, a.
See {Feuillemort}.
Foliose \Fo`li*ose"\, a. [L. foliosus, fr. folium leaf.] (Bot.)
Having many leaves; leafy.
Foliosity \Fo`li*os"i*ty\, n.
The ponderousness or bulk of a folio; voluminousness. [R.]
--De Quincey.
Folious \Fo"li*ous\, a. [See {Foliose}.]
1. Like a leaf; thin; unsubstantial. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
2. (Bot.) Foliose. [R.]
Folium \Fo"li*um\, n.; pl. E. {Foliums}, L. {Folia}. [L., a
leaf.]
1. A leaf, esp. a thin leaf or plate.
2. (Geom.) A curve of the third order, consisting of two
infinite branches, which have a common asymptote. The
curve has a double point, and a leaf-shaped loop; whence
the name. Its equation is x^{3} + y^{3} = axy.
Folk \Folk\ (f[=o]k), Folks \Folks\ (f[=o]ks), n. collect. & pl.
[AS. folc; akin to D. volk, OS. & OHG. folk, G. volk, Icel.
f[=o]lk, Sw. & Dan. folk, Lith. pulkas crowd, and perh. to E.
follow.]
1. (Eng. Hist.) In Anglo-Saxon times, the people of a group
of townships or villages; a community; a tribe. [Obs.]
The organization of each folk, as such, sprang
mainly from war. --J. R. Green.
2. People in general, or a separate class of people; --
generally used in the plural form, and often with a
qualifying adjective; as, the old folks; poor folks.
[Colloq.]
In winter's tedious nights, sit by the fire With
good old folks, and let them tell thee tales.
--Shak.
3. The persons of one's own family; as, our folks are all
well. [Colloq. New Eng.] --Bartlett.
{Folk song}, one of a class of songs long popular with the
common people.
{Folk speech}, the speech of the common people, as
distinguished from that of the educated class.
Folkland \Folk"land`\, n. [AS. folcland.] (O.Eng. Law)
Land held in villenage, being distributed among the folk, or
people, at the pleasure of the lord of the manor, and resumed
at his discretion. Not being held by any assurance in
writing, it was opposed to bookland or charter land, which
was held by deed. --Mozley & W.
Folklore \Folk"lore`\, n., or Folk lore \Folk" lore`\ .
Tales, legends, or superstitions long current among the
people. --Trench.
Folkmote \Folk"mote`\, n. [AS. folcm[=o]t folk meeting.]
An assembly of the people; esp. (Sax. Law), a general
assembly of the people to consider and order matters of the
commonwealth; also, a local court. [Hist.]
To which folkmote they all with one consent Agreed to
travel. --Spenser.
Folkmoter \Folk"mot`er\, n.
One who takes part in a folkmote, or local court. [Obs.]
--Milton.
Follicle \Fol"li*cle\, n. [L. folliculus a small bag, husk, pod,
dim of follis bellows, an inflated ball, a leathern money
bag, perh. akin to E. bellows: cf. F. follicule. Cf. 2d
{Fool}.]
1. (Bot.) A simple podlike pericarp which contains several
seeds and opens along the inner or ventral suture, as in
the peony, larkspur and milkweed.
2. (Anat.)
(a) A small cavity, tubular depression, or sac; as, a hair
follicle.
(b) A simple gland or glandular cavity; a crypt.
(c) A small mass of adenoid tissue; as, a lymphatic
follicle.
Follicular \Fol*lic"u*lar\, a.
1. Like, pertaining to, or consisting of, a follicles or
follicles.
2. (Med.) Affecting the follicles; as, follicular
pharyngitis.
Folliculated \Fol*lic"u*la`ted\, a.
Having follicles.
Folliculous \Fol*lic"u*lous\, a. [L. folliculosus full of husks:
cf. F. folliculeux.]
Having or producing follicles.
Folliful \Fol"li*ful\, a.
Full of folly. [Obs.]
Follow \Fol"low\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Followed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Following}.][OE. foluwen, folwen, folgen, AS. folgian,
fylgean, fylgan; akin to D. volgen, OHG. folg?n, G. folgen,
Icel. fylgja, Sw. f["o]lja, Dan. f["o]lge, and perh. to E.
folk.]
1. To go or come after; to move behind in the same path or
direction; hence, to go with (a leader, guide, etc.); to
accompany; to attend.
It waves me forth again; I'll follow it. --Shak.
2. To endeavor to overtake; to go in pursuit of; to chase; to
pursue; to prosecute.
I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they
shall follow them. --Ex. xiv. 17.
3. To accept as authority; to adopt the opinions of; to obey;
to yield to; to take as a rule of action; as, to follow
good advice.
Approve the best, and follow what I approve.
--Milton.
Follow peace with all men. --Heb. xii.
14.
It is most agreeable to some men to follow their
reason; and to others to follow their appetites.
--J. Edwards.
4. To copy after; to take as an example.
We had rather follow the perfections of them whom we
like not, than in defects resemble them whom we
love. --Hooker.
5. To succeed in order of time, rank, or office.
6. To result from, as an effect from a cause, or an inference
from a premise.
7. To watch, as a receding object; to keep the eyes fixed
upon while in motion; to keep the mind upon while in
progress, as a speech, musical performance, etc.; also, to
keep up with; to understand the meaning, connection, or
force of, as of a course of thought or argument.
He followed with his eyes the flitting shade.
--Dryden.
8. To walk in, as a road or course; to attend upon closely,
as a profession or calling.
O, had I but followed the arts! --Shak.
O Antony! I have followed thee to this. --Shak.
{Follow board} (Founding), a board on which the pattern and
the flask lie while the sand is rammed into the flask.
--Knight.
{To follow the hounds}, to hunt with dogs.
{To follow suit} (Card Playing), to play a card of the same
suit as the leading card; hence, colloquially, to follow
an example set.
{To follow up}, to pursue indefatigably.
Syn: Syn.- To pursue; chase; go after; attend; accompany;
succeed; imitate; copy; embrace; maintain.
Usage: - To {Follow}, {Pursue}. To follow (v.t.) denotes
simply to go after; to pursue denotes to follow with
earnestness, and with a view to attain some definite
object; as, a hound pursues the deer. So a person
follows a companion whom he wishes to overtake on a
journey; the officers of justice pursue a felon who
has escaped from prison.
Follow \Fol"low\, v. i.
To go or come after; -- used in the various senses of the
transitive verb: To pursue; to attend; to accompany; to be a
result; to imitate.
Syn: Syn.- To {Follow}, {Succeed}, {Ensue}.
Usage: To follow (v.i.) means simply to come after; as, a
crowd followed. To succeed means to come after in some
regular series or succession; as, day succeeds to day,
and night to night. To ensue means to follow by some
established connection or principle of sequence. As
wave follows wave, revolution succeeds to revolution;
and nothing ensues but accumulated wretchedness.
Follower \Fol"low*er\, n. [OE. folwere, AS. folgere.]
1. One who follows; a pursuer; an attendant; a disciple; a
dependent associate; a retainer.
2. A sweetheart; a beau. [Colloq.] --A. Trollope.
3. (Steam Engine)
(a) The removable flange, or cover, of a piston. See
Illust. of {Piston}.
(b) A gland. See Illust. of {Stuffing box}.
4. (Mach.) The part of a machine that receives motion from
another part. See {Driver}.
5. Among law stationers, a sheet of parchment or paper which
is added to the first sheet of an indenture or other deed.
Syn: Imitator; copier; disciple; adherent; partisan;
dependent; attendant.
Following \Fol"low*ing\, n.
1. One's followers, adherents, or dependents, collectively.
--Macaulay.
2. Vocation; business; profession.
Following \Fol"low*ing\, a.
1. Next after; succeeding; ensuing; as, the assembly was held
on the following day.
2. (Astron.) (In the field of a telescope) In the direction
from which stars are apparently moving (in consequence of
the earth's rotation); as, a small star, north following
or south following. In the direction toward which stars
appear to move is called preceding.
Note: The four principal directions in the field of a
telescope are north, south, following, preceding.
Folly \Fol"ly\, n.; pl. {Follies}. [OE. folie, foli, F. folie,
fr. fol, fou, foolish, mad. See {Fool}.]
1. The state of being foolish; want of good sense; levity,
weakness, or derangement of mind.
2. A foolish act; an inconsiderate or thoughtless procedure;
weak or light-minded conduct; foolery.
What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill. --Shak.
3. Scandalous crime; sin; specifically, as applied to a
woman, wantonness.
[Achan] wrought folly in Israel. --Josh. vii.
15.
When lovely woman stoops to folly. --Goldsmith.
4. The result of a foolish action or enterprise.
It is called this man's or that man's ``folly,'' and
name of the foolish builder is thus kept alive for
long after years. --Trench.
Folwe \Fol"we\, v. t.
To follow. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fomalhaut \Fo"mal*haut`\, n. [Ar., prop., mouth of the large
fish: cf. F. Fomalhaut.] (Astron.)
A star of the first magnitude, in the constellation Piscis
Australis, or Southern Fish.
Foment \Fo*ment"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fomented}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fomenting}.] [F. fomenter, fr. L. fomentare, fr. fomentum
(for fovimentum) a warm application or lotion, fr. fovere to
warm or keep warm; perh. akin to Gr. ? to roast, and E.
bake.]
1. To apply a warm lotion to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge
wet with warm water or medicated liquid.
2. To cherish with heat; to foster. [Obs.]
Which these soft fires . . . foment and warm.
--Milton.
3. To nurse to life or activity; to cherish and promote by
excitements; to encourage; to abet; to instigate; -- used
often in a bad sense; as, to foment ill humors. --Locke.
But quench the choler you foment in vain. --Dryden.
Exciting and fomenting a religious rebellion.
--Southey.
Fomentation \Fo`men*ta"tion\, n. [?. fomentatio: cf. F.
fomentation.]
1. (Med.)
(a) The act of fomenting; the application of warm, soft,
medicinal substances, as for the purpose of easing
pain, by relaxing the skin, or of discussing tumors.
(b) The lotion applied to a diseased part.
2. Excitation; instigation; encouragement.
Dishonest fomentation of your pride. --Young.
Fomenter \Fo*ment"er\, n.
One who foments; one who encourages or instigates; as, a
fomenter of sedition.
Fomes \Fo"mes\, n.; pl. {Fomites}. [L. fomes, -itis, touch-wood,
tinder.] (Med.)
Any substance supposed to be capable of absorbing, retaining,
and transporting contagious or infectious germs; as, woolen
clothes are said to be active fomites.
Fon \Fon\, n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. f[=a]ni silly,
f[=a]na to act silly, Sw. f[*a]ne fool. Cf. {Fond}, a.]
A fool; an idiot. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fond \Fond\, obs.
imp. of {Find}. Found. --Chaucer.
Fond \Fond\, a. [Compar. {Fonder}; superl. {Fondest}.] [For
fonned, p. p. of OE. fonnen to be foolish. See {Fon}.]
1. Foolish; silly; simple; weak. [Archaic]
Grant I may never prove so fond To trust man on his
oath or bond. --Shak.
2. Foolishly tender and loving; weakly indulgent;
over-affectionate.
3. Affectionate; loving; tender; -- in a good sense; as, a
fond mother or wife. --Addison.
4. Loving; much pleased; affectionately regardful, indulgent,
or desirous; longing or yearning; -- followed by of
(formerly also by on).
More fond on her than she upon her love. --Shak.
You are as fond of grief as of your child. --Shak.
A great traveler, and fond of telling his
adventures. --Irving.
5. Doted on; regarded with affection. [R.]
Nor fix on fond abodes to circumscribe thy prayer.
--Byron.
6. Trifling; valued by folly; trivial. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fond \Fond\, v. t.
To caress; to fondle. [Obs.]
The Tyrian hugs and fonds thee on her breast. --Dryden.
Fond \Fond\, v. i.
To be fond; to dote. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fonde \Fond"e\, v. t. & i. [AS. fandian to try.]
To endeavor; to strive; to try. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fondle \Fon"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fondled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fondling}.] [From {Fond}, v.]
To treat or handle with tenderness or in a loving manner; to
caress; as, a nurse fondles a child.
Syn: Syn.- See {Caress}.
Fondler \Fon"dler\, n.
One who fondles. --Johnson.
Fondling \Fon"dling\, n. [From {Fondle}.]
The act of caressing; manifestation of tenderness.
Cyrus made no . . . amorous fondling To fan her pride,
or melt her guardless heart. --Mickle.
Fondling \Fond"ling\, n. [Fond + -ling.]
1. A person or thing fondled or caressed; one treated with
foolish or doting affection.
Fondlings are in danger to be made fools.
--L'Estrange.
2. A fool; a simpleton; a ninny. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Fondly \Fond"ly\, adv.
1. Foolishly. [Archaic] --Verstegan (1673).
Make him speak fondly like a frantic man. --Shak.
2. In a fond manner; affectionately; tenderly.
My heart, untraveled, fondly turns to thee.
--Goldsmith.
Fondness \Fond"ness\, n.
1. The quality or state of being fond; foolishness. [Obs.]
Fondness it were for any, being free, To covet
fetters, though they golden be. --Spenser.
2. Doting affection; tender liking; strong appetite,
propensity, or relish; as, he had a fondness for truffles.
My heart had still some foolish fondness for thee.
--Addison.
Syn: Attachment; affection; love; kindness.
Fondon \Fon"don\, n. [Cf. F. fondant flux.] (Metal.)
A large copper vessel used for hot amalgamation.
Fondus \Fon`dus"\, n. [F. fondu, prop. p. p. of fondre to melt,
blend. See {Found} to cast.]
A style of printing calico, paper hangings, etc., in which
the colors are in bands and graduated into each other. --Ure.
Fone \Fone\, n.;
pl. of {Foe}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Fonge \Fong"e\, v. t. [See {Fang}, v. t.]
To take; to receive. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fonly \Fon"ly\, adv. [See {Fon}.]
Foolishly; fondly. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Fonne \Fon"ne\, n.
A fon. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Font \Font\, n. [F. fonte, fr. fondre to melt or cast. See
{Found} to cast, and cf. {Fount} a font.] (Print.)
A complete assortment of printing type of one size, including
a due proportion of all the letters in the alphabet, large
and small, points, accents, and whatever else is necessary
for printing with that variety of types; a fount.
Font \Font\, n. [AS. font, fant, fr. L. fons, fontis, spring,
fountain; cf. OF. font, funt, F. fonts, fonts baptismaux, pl.
See {Fount}.]
1. A fountain; a spring; a source.
Bathing forever in the font of bliss. --Young.
2. A basin or stone vessel in which water is contained for
baptizing.
That name was given me at the font. --Shak.
Fontal \Font"al\, a.
Pertaining to a font, fountain, source, or origin; original;
primitive. [R.]
From the fontal light of ideas only can a man draw
intellectual power. --Coleridge.
Fontanel \Fon"ta*nel`\, n. [F. fontanelle, prop., a little
fountain, fr. fontaine fountain. See {Fountain}.]
1. (Med.) An issue or artificial ulcer for the discharge of
humors from the body.[Obs.] --Wiseman.
2. (Anat.) One of the membranous intervals between the
incompleted angles of the parietal and neighboring bones
of a fetal or young skull; -- so called because it
exhibits a rhythmical pulsation.
Note: In the human fetus there are six fontanels, of which
the anterior, or bregmatic, situated at the junction of
the coronal and sagittal sutures, is much the largest,
and remains open a considerable time after birth.
Fontanelle \Fon`ta`nelle"\, n. [F.] (Anat.)
Same as {Fontanel}, 2.
Fontange \Fon`tange"\, n. [F., from the name of the first
wearer, Mlle. de Fontanges, about 1679.]
A kind of tall headdress formerly worn. --Addison.
Food \Food\, n. [OE. fode, AS. f[=o]da; akin to Icel.
f[ae][eth]a, f[ae][eth]i, Sw. f["o]da, Dan. & LG. f["o]de,
OHG. fatunga, Gr. patei^sthai to eat, and perh. to Skr. p[=a]
to protect, L. pascere to feed, pasture, pabulum food, E.
pasture. [root]75. Cf. {Feed}, {Fodder} food, {Foster} to
cherish.]
1. What is fed upon; that which goes to support life by being
received within, and assimilated by, the organism of an
animal or a plant; nutriment; aliment; especially, what is
eaten by animals for nourishment.
Note: In a physiological sense, true aliment is to be
distinguished as that portion of the food which is
capable of being digested and absorbed into the blood,
thus furnishing nourishment, in distinction from the
indigestible matter which passes out through the
alimentary canal as f[ae]ces.
Note: Foods are divided into two main groups: nitrogenous, or
proteid, foods, i.e., those which contain nitrogen, and
nonnitrogenous, i.e., those which do not contain
nitrogen. The latter group embraces the fats and
carbohydrates, which collectively are sometimes termed
heat producers or respiratory foods, since by oxidation
in the body they especially subserve the production of
heat. The proteids, on the other hand, are known as
plastic foods or tissue formers, since no tissue can be
formed without them. These latter terms, however, are
misleading, since proteid foods may also give rise to
heat both directly and indirectly, and the fats and
carbohydrates are useful in other ways than in
producing heat.
2. Anything that instructs the intellect, excites the
feelings, or molds habits of character; that which
nourishes.
This may prove food to my displeasure. --Shak.
In this moment there is life and food For future
years. --Wordsworth.
Note: Food is often used adjectively or in self-explaining
compounds, as in food fish or food-fish, food supply.
{Food vacuole} (Zo["o]l.), one of the spaces in the interior
of a protozoan in which food is contained, during
digestion.
{Food yolk}. (Biol.) See under {Yolk}.
Syn: Aliment; sustenance; nutriment; feed; fare; victuals;
provisions; meat.
Food \Food\, v. t.
To supply with food. [Obs.] --Baret.
Foodful \Food"ful\, a.
Full of food; supplying food; fruitful; fertile. ``The
foodful earth.'' --Dryden.
Bent by its foodful burden [the corn]. --Glover.
Foodless \Food"less\, a.
Without food; barren. --Sandys.
Foody \Food"y\, a.
Eatable; fruitful. [R.] --Chapman.
Fool \Fool\, n. [Cf. F. fouler to tread, crush. Cf. 1st {Foil}.]
A compound of gooseberries scalded and crushed, with cream;
-- commonly called gooseberry fool.
Fool \Fool\, n. [OE. fol, n. & adj., F. fol, fou, foolish, mad;
a fool, prob. fr. L. follis a bellows, wind bag, an inflated
ball; perh. akin to E. bellows. Cf. {Folly}, {Follicle}.]
1. One destitute of reason, or of the common powers of
understanding; an idiot; a natural.
2. A person deficient in intellect; one who acts absurdly, or
pursues a course contrary to the dictates of wisdom; one
without judgment; a simpleton; a dolt.
Extol not riches, then, the toil of fools. --Milton.
Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn
in no other. --Franklin.
3. (Script.) One who acts contrary to moral and religious
wisdom; a wicked person.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
--Ps. xiv. 1.
4. One who counterfeits folly; a professional jester or
buffoon; a retainer formerly kept to make sport, dressed
fantastically in motley, with ridiculous accouterments.
Can they think me . . . their fool or jester?
--Milton.
{April fool}, {Court fool}, etc. See under {April}, {Court},
etc.
{Fool's cap}, a cap or hood to which bells were usually
attached, formerly worn by professional jesters.
{Fool's errand}, an unreasonable, silly, profitless adventure
or undertaking.
{Fool's gold}, iron or copper pyrites, resembling gold in
color.
{Fool's paradise}, a name applied to a limbo (see under
{Limbo}) popularly believed to be the region of vanity and
nonsense. Hence, any foolish pleasure or condition of vain
self-satistaction.
{Fool's parsley} (Bot.), an annual umbelliferous plant
({[AE]thusa Cynapium}) resembling parsley, but nauseous
and poisonous.
{To make a fool of}, to render ridiculous; to outwit; to
shame. [Colloq.]
{To play the fool}, to act the buffoon; to act a foolish
part. ``I have played the fool, and have erred
exceedingly.'' --1 Sam. xxvi. 21.
Fool \Fool\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fooled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fooling}.]
To play the fool; to trifle; to toy; to spend time in idle
sport or mirth.
Is this a time for fooling? --Dryden.
Fool \Fool\, v. t.
1. To infatuate; to make foolish. --Shak.
For, fooled with hope, men favor the deceit.
--Dryden.
2. To use as a fool; to deceive in a shameful or mortifying
manner; to impose upon; to cheat by inspiring foolish
confidence; as, to fool one out of his money.
You are fooled, discarded, and shook off By him for
whom these shames ye underwent. --Shak.
{To fool away}, to get rid of foolishly; to spend in trifles,
idleness, folly, or without advantage.
Foolahs \Foo"lahs`\, n. pl.; sing. {Foolah}. (Ethnol.)
Same as {Fulahs}.
Fool-born \Fool"-born`\, a.
Begotten by a fool. --Shak.
Foolery \Fool"er*y\, n.; pl. {Fooleries}.
1. The practice of folly; the behavior of a fool; absurdity.
Folly in fools bears not so strong a note, As
foolery in the wise, when wit doth dote. --Shak.
2. An act of folly or weakness; a foolish practice; something
absurd or nonsensical.
That Pythagoras, Plato, or Orpheus, believed in any
of these fooleries, it can not be suspected. --Sir
W. Raleigh.
Foolfish \Fool"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The orange filefish
. See {Filefish}.
(b) The winter flounder. See {Flounder}.
Fool-happy \Fool"-hap`py\, a.
Lucky, without judgment or contrivance. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Foolhardihood \Fool"har`di*hood\, n.
The state of being foolhardy; foolhardiness.
Foolhardily \Fool"har`di*ly\, adv.
In a foolhardy manner.
Foolhardiness \Fool"har`di*ness\, n.
Courage without sense or judgment; foolish rashness;
recklessness. --Dryden.
Foolhardise \Fool"har`dise\, n. [Fool, F. fol, fou + F.
hardiesse boldness.]
Foolhardiness. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Foolhardy \Fool"har`dy\, a. [OF. folhardi. See {Fool} idiot, and
{Hardy}.]
Daring without judgment; foolishly adventurous and bold.
--Howell.
Syn: Rash; venturesome; venturous; precipitate; reckless;
headlong; incautious. See {Rash}.
Fool-hasty \Fool"-has`ty\, a.
Foolishly hasty. [R.]
Foolify \Fool"i*fy\, v. t. [Fool + -fy.]
To make a fool of; to befool. [R.] --Holland.
Foolish \Fool"ish\, a.
1. Marked with, or exhibiting, folly; void of understanding;
weak in intellect; without judgment or discretion; silly;
unwise.
I am a very foolish fond old man. --Shak.
2. Such as a fool would do; proceeding from weakness of mind
or silliness; exhibiting a want of judgment or discretion;
as, a foolish act.
3. Absurd; ridiculous; despicable; contemptible.
A foolish figure he must make. --Prior.
Syn: Absurd; shallow; shallow-brained; brainless; simple;
irrational; unwise; imprudent; indiscreet; incautious;
silly; ridiculous; vain; trifling; contemptible. See
{Absurd}.
Foolishly \Fool"ish*ly\, adv.
In a foolish manner.
Foolishness \Fool"ish*ness\, n.
1. The quality of being foolish.
2. A foolish practice; an absurdity.
The preaching of the cross is to them that perish
foolishness. --1 Cor. i.
18.
Fool-large \Fool"-large`\, a. [OF. follarge. See {Fool}, and
{Large}.]
Foolishly liberal. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fool-largesse \Fool"-lar*gesse`\, n. [See {Fool-large},
{Largess}.]
Foolish expenditure; waste. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Foolscap \Fools"cap`\, n. [So called from the watermark of a
fool's cap and bells used by old paper makers. See Fool's
cap, under {Fool}.]
A writing paper made in sheets, ordinarily 16 x 13 inches,
and folded so as to make a page 13 x 8 inches. See {Paper}.
Foot \Foot\ (f[oo^]t), n.; pl. {Feet} (f[=e]t). [OE. fot, foot,
pl. fet, feet. AS. f[=o]t, pl. f[=e]t; akin to D. voet, OHG.
fuoz, G. fuss, Icel. f[=o]tr, Sw. fot, Dan. fod, Goth.
f[=o]tus, L. pes, Gr. poy`s, Skr. p[=a]d, Icel. fet step,
pace measure of a foot, feta to step, find one's way.
[root]77, 250. Cf. {Antipodes}, {Cap-a-pie}, {Expedient},
{Fet} to fetch, {Fetlock}, {Fetter}, {Pawn} a piece in chess,
{Pedal}.]
1. (Anat.) The terminal part of the leg of man or an animal;
esp., the part below the ankle or wrist; that part of an
animal upon which it rests when standing, or moves. See
{Manus}, and {Pes}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The muscular locomotive organ of a mollusk. It
is a median organ arising from the ventral region of body,
often in the form of a flat disk, as in snails. See
Illust. of {Buccinum}.
3. That which corresponds to the foot of a man or animal; as,
the foot of a table; the foot of a stocking.
4. The lowest part or base; the ground part; the bottom, as
of a mountain or column; also, the last of a row or
series; the end or extremity, esp. if associated with
inferiority; as, the foot of a hill; the foot of the
procession; the foot of a class; the foot of the bed.
And now at foot Of heaven's ascent they lift their
feet. --Milton.
5. Fundamental principle; basis; plan; -- used only in the
singular.
Answer directly upon the foot of dry reason.
--Berkeley.
6. Recognized condition; rank; footing; -- used only in the
singular. [R.]
As to his being on the foot of a servant. --Walpole.
7. A measure of length equivalent to twelve inches; one third
of a yard. See {Yard}.
Note: This measure is supposed to be taken from the length of
a man's foot. It differs in length in different
countries. In the United States and in England it is
304.8 millimeters.
8. (Mil.) Soldiers who march and fight on foot; the infantry,
usually designated as the foot, in distinction from the
cavalry. ``Both horse and foot.'' --Milton.
9. (Pros.) A combination of syllables consisting a metrical
element of a verse, the syllables being formerly
distinguished by their quantity or length, but in modern
poetry by the accent.
10. (Naut.) The lower edge of a sail.
Note: Foot is often used adjectively, signifying of or
pertaining to a foot or the feet, or to the base or
lower part. It is also much used as the first of
compounds.
{Foot artillery}. (Mil.)
(a) Artillery soldiers serving in foot.
(b) Heavy artillery. --Farrow.
{Foot bank} (Fort.), a raised way within a parapet.
{Foot barracks} (Mil.), barracks for infantery.
{Foot bellows}, a bellows worked by a treadle. --Knight.
{Foot company} (Mil.), a company of infantry. --Milton.
{Foot gear}, covering for the feet, as stocking, shoes, or
boots.
{Foot hammer} (Mach.), a small tilt hammer moved by a
treadle.
{Foot iron}.
(a) The step of a carriage.
(b) A fetter.
{Foot jaw}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Maxilliped}.
{Foot key} (Mus.), an organ pedal.
{Foot level} (Gunnery), a form of level used in giving any
proposed angle of elevation to a piece of ordnance.
--Farrow.
{Foot mantle}, a long garment to protect the dress in riding;
a riding skirt. [Obs.]
{Foot page}, an errand boy; an attendant. [Obs.]
{Foot passenger}, one who passes on foot, as over a road or
bridge.
{Foot pavement}, a paved way for foot passengers; a footway;
a trottoir.
{Foot poet}, an inferior poet; a poetaster. [R.] --Dryden.
{Foot post}.
(a) A letter carrier who travels on foot.
(b) A mail delivery by means of such carriers.
{Fot pound}, & {Foot poundal}. (Mech.) See {Foot pound} and
{Foot poundal}, in the Vocabulary.
{Foot press} (Mach.), a cutting, embossing, or printing
press, moved by a treadle.
{Foot race}, a race run by persons on foot. --Cowper.
{Foot rail}, a railroad rail, with a wide flat flange on the
lower side.
{Foot rot}, an ulcer in the feet of sheep; claw sickness.
{Foot rule}, a rule or measure twelve inches long.
{Foot screw}, an adjusting screw which forms a foot, and
serves to give a machine or table a level standing on an
uneven place.
{Foot secretion}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Sclerobase}.
{Foot soldier}, a soldier who serves on foot.
{Foot stick} (Printing), a beveled piece of furniture placed
against the foot of the page, to hold the type in place.
{Foot stove}, a small box, with an iron pan, to hold hot
coals for warming the feet.
{Foot tubercle}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Parapodium}.
{Foot valve} (Steam Engine), the valve that opens to the air
pump from the condenser.
{Foot vise}, a kind of vise the jaws of which are operated by
a treadle.
{Foot waling} (Naut.), the inside planks or lining of a
vessel over the floor timbers. --Totten.
{Foot wall} (Mining), the under wall of an inclosed vein.
{By foot}, or {On foot}, by walking; as, to pass a stream on
foot.
{Cubic foot}. See under {Cubic}.
{Foot and mouth disease}, a contagious disease (Eczema
epizo["o]tica) of cattle, sheep, swine, etc.,
characterized by the formation of vesicles and ulcers in
the mouth and about the hoofs.
{Foot of the fine} (Law), the concluding portion of an
acknowledgment in court by which, formerly, the title of
land was conveyed. See {Fine of land}, under {Fine}, n.;
also {Chirograph}. (b).
{Square foot}. See under {Square}.
{To be on foot}, to be in motion, action, or process of
execution.
{To keep the foot} (Script.), to preserve decorum. ``Keep thy
foot when thou goest to the house of God.'' --Eccl. v. 1.
{To put one's foot down}, to take a resolute stand; to be
determined. [Colloq.]
{To put the best foot foremost}, to make a good appearance;
to do one's best. [Colloq.]
{To set on foot}, to put in motion; to originate; as, to set
on foot a subscription.
{To} {put, or set}, {one on his feet}, to put one in a
position to go on; to assist to start.
{Under foot}.
(a) Under the feet; (Fig.) at one's mercy; as, to trample
under foot. --Gibbon.
(b) Below par. [Obs.] ``They would be forced to sell . .
. far under foot.'' --Bacon.
Foot \Foot\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Footed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Footing}.]
1. To tread to measure or music; to dance; to trip; to skip.
--Dryden.
2. To walk; -- opposed to ride or fly. --Shak.
Foot \Foot\, v. t.
1. To kick with the foot; to spurn. --Shak.
2. To set on foot; to establish; to land. [Obs.]
What confederacy have you with the traitors Late
footed in the kingdom? --Shak.
3. To tread; as, to foot the green. --Tickell.
4. To sum up, as the numbers in a column; -- sometimes with
up; as, to foot (or foot up) an account.
5. The size or strike with the talon. [Poet.] --Shak.
6. To renew the foot of, as of stocking. --Shak.
{To foot a bill}, to pay it. [Colloq.] -- {To foot it}, to
walk; also, to dance.
If you are for a merry jaunt, I'll try, for once, who can
foot it farthest. --Dryden.
Football \Foot"ball`\, n.
An inflated ball to be kicked in sport, usually made in India
rubber, or a bladder incased in Leather. --Waller.
2. The game of kicking the football by opposing parties of
players between goals. --Arbuthnot.
Footband \Foot"band`\, n.
A band of foot soldiers. [Obs.]
Footbath \Foot"bath`\, n.
A bath for the feet; also, a vessel used in bathing the feet.
Footboard \Foot"board`\, n.
1. A board or narrow platfrom upon which one may stand or
brace his feet; as:
(a) The platform for the engineer and fireman of a
locomotive.
(b) The foot-rest of a coachman's box.
2. A board forming the foot of a bedstead.
3. A treadle.
Footboy \Foot"boy`\, n.
A page; an attendant in livery; a lackey. --Shak.
Footbreadth \Foot"breadth`\, n.
The breadth of a foot; -- used as a measure. --Longfellow.
Not so much as a footbreadth. --Deut. ii. 5.
Footbridge \Foot"bridge`\, n.
A narrow bridge for foot passengers only.
Footcloth \Foot"cloth`\, n.
Formerly, a housing or caparison for a horse. --Sir W. Scott.
Footed \Foot"ed\, a.
1. Having a foot or feet; shaped in the foot. ``Footed like a
goat.'' --Grew.
Note: Footed is often used in composition in the sense of
having (such or so many) feet; as, fourfooted beasts.
2. Having a foothold; established.
Our king . . . is footed in this land already.
--Shak.
Footfall \Foot"fall`\, n.
A setting down of the foot; a footstep; the sound of a
footstep. --Shak.
Seraphim, whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
--Poe.
Footfight \Foot"fight`\, n.
A conflict by persons on foot; -- distinguished from a fight
on horseback. --Sir P. Sidney.
Footglove \Foot"glove`\, n.
A kind of stocking. [Obs.]
Foot Guards \Foot" Guards`\, pl.
Infantry soldiers belonging to select regiments called the
Guards. [Eng.]
Foothalt \Foot"halt`\, n.
A disease affecting the feet of sheep.
Foothill \Foot"hill`\, n.
A low hill at the foot of higher hills or mountains.
Foothold \Foot"hold`\, n.
A holding with the feet; firm standing; that on which one may
tread or rest securely; footing. --L'Estrange.
Foothook \Foot"hook`\, n. (Naut.)
See {Futtock}.
Foothot \Foot"hot`\, adv.
Hastily; immediately; instantly; on the spot; hotfloot.
--Gower.
Custance have they taken anon, foothot. --Chaucer.
Footing \Foot"ing\, n.
1. Ground for the foot; place for the foot to rest on; firm
foundation to stand on.
In ascent, every step gained is a footing and help
to the next. --Holder.
2. Standing; position; established place; basis for
operation; permanent settlement; foothold.
As soon as he had obtained a footing at court, the
charms of his manner . . . made him a favorite.
--Macaulay.
3. Relative condition; state.
Lived on a footing of equality with nobles.
--Macaulay.
4. Tread; step; especially, measured tread.
Hark, I hear the footing of a man. --Shak.
5. The act of adding up a column of figures; the amount or
sum total of such a column.
6. The act of putting a foot to anything; also, that which is
added as a foot; as, the footing of a stocking.
7. A narrow cotton lace, without figures.
8. The finer refuse part of whale blubber, not wholly
deprived of oil. --Simmonds.
9. (Arch. & Enging.) The thickened or sloping portion of a
wall, or of an embankment at its foot.
{Footing course} (Arch.), one of the courses of masonry at
the foot of a wall, broader than the courses above.
{To pay one's footing}, to pay a fee on first doing anything,
as working at a trade or in a shop. --Wright.
{Footing beam}, the tie beam of a roof.
Footless \Foot"less\, a.
Having no feet.
Footlicker \Foot"lick`er\, n.
A sycophant; a fawner; a toady. Cf. {Bootlick}. --Shak.
Footlight \Foot"light`\, n.
One of a row of lights in the front of the stage in a
theater, etc., and on a level therewith.
{Before the footlights}, upon the stage; -- hence, in the
capacity of an actor.
Footman \Foot"man\, n.; pl. {Footmen}.
1. A soldier who marches and fights on foot; a foot soldier.
2. A man in waiting; a male servant whose duties are to
attend the door, the carriage, the table, etc.
3. Formerly, a servant who ran in front of his master's
carriage; a runner. --Prior.
4. A metallic stand with four feet, for keeping anything warm
before a fire.
5. (Zo["o]l.) A moth of the family {Lithosid[ae]}; -- so
called from its livery-like colors.
Footmanship \Foot"man*ship\, n.
Art or skill of a footman.
Footmark \Foot"mark`\, n.
A footprint; a track or vestige. --Coleridge.
Footnote \Foot"note`\, n.
A note of reference or comment at the foot of a page.
Footpace \Foot"pace`\, n.
1. A walking pace or step.
2. A dais, or elevated platform; the highest step of the
altar; a landing in a staircase. --Shipley.
Footpad \Foot"pad`\, n.
A highwayman or robber on foot.
Footpath \Foot"path`\, n.; pl. {Footpaths}.
A narrow path or way for pedestrains only; a footway.
Footplate \Foot"plate`\, n. (Locomotives)
See {Footboard}
(a) .
Foot pound \Foot" pound`\ (Mech.)
A unit of energy, or work, being equal to the work done in
raising one pound avoirdupois against the force of gravity
the height of one foot.
Foot poundal \Foot" pound`al\ (Mech.)
A unit of energy or work, equal to the work done in moving a
body through one foot against the force of one poundal.
Footprint \Foot"print`\, n.
The impression of the foot; a trace or footmark; as,
``Footprints of the Creator.''
Footrope \Foot"rope`\, n. (Aut.)
(a) The rope rigged below a yard, upon which men stand when
reefing or furling; -- formerly called a {horse}.
(b) That part of the boltrope to which the lower edge of a
sail is sewed.
Foots \Foots\, n. pl.
The settlings of oil, molasses, etc., at the bottom of a
barrel or hogshead. --Simmonds.
Foot-sore \Foot"-sore`\, a.
Having sore or tender feet, as by reason of much walking; as,
foot-sore cattle.
Footstalk \Foot"stalk`\, n.
1. (Bot.) The stalk of a leaf or of flower; a petiole,
pedicel, or reduncle.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The peduncle or stem by which various marine animals
are attached, as certain brachiopods and goose
barnacles.
(b) The stem which supports which supports the eye in
decapod Crustacea; eyestalk.
3. (Mach.) The lower part of a millstone spindle. It rests in
a step. --Knight.
Footstall \Foot"stall`\, n. [Cf. {Pedestal}.]
1. The stirrup of a woman's saddle.
2. (Arch.) The plinth or base of a pillar.
Footstep \Foot"step`\, n.
1. The mark or impression of the foot; a track; hence,
visible sign of a course pursued; token; mark; as, the
footsteps of divine wisdom.
How on the faltering footsteps of decay Youth
presses. --Bryant.
2. An inclined plane under a hand printing press.
Footstone \Foot"stone`\ (?; 110), n.
The stone at the foot of a grave; -- opposed to headstone.
Footstool \Foot"stool`\, n.
A low stool to support the feet of one when sitting.
Footway \Foot"way`\, n.
A passage for pedestrians only.
Footworn \Foot"worn`\, a.
Worn by, or weared in, the feet; as, a footworn path; a
footworn traveler.
Footy \Foot"y\, a.
1. Having foots, or settlings; as, footy oil, molasses, etc.
[Eng.]
2. Poor; mean. [Prov. Eng.] --C. Kingsley.
Fop \Fop\, n. [OE. foppe, fop, fool; cf. E. fob to cheat, G.
foppen to make a fool of one, jeer, D. foppen.]
One whose ambition it is to gain admiration by showy dress; a
coxcomb; an inferior dandy.
Fop-doodle \Fop"-doo`dle\, n.
A stupid or insignificant fellow; a fool; a simpleton. [R.]
--Hudibras.
Fopling \Fop"ling\, n.
A petty fop. --Landor.
Foppery \Fop"per*y\, n.; pl. {Fopperies}. [From {Fop}.]
1. The behavior, dress, or other indication of a fop;
coxcombry; affectation of show; showy folly.
2. Folly; foolery.
Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter My sober
house. --Shak.
Foppish \Fop"pish\, a.
Foplike; characteristic of a top in dress or manners; making
an ostentatious display of gay clothing; affected in manners.
Syn: Finical; spruce; dandyish. See {Finical}. --
{Fop"pish*ly}, adv. -- {Fop"pish*ness}, n.
For- \For-\ [AS. for-; akin to D. & G. ver-, OHG. fir-, Icel.
for-, Goth. fra-, cf. Skr. par[=a]- away, Gr. ? beside, and
E. far, adj. Cf. {Fret} to rub.]
A prefix to verbs, having usually the force of a negative or
privative. It often implies also loss, detriment, or
destruction, and sometimes it is intensive, meaning utterly,
quite thoroughly, as in forbathe.
For \For\, prep. [AS. for, fore; akin to OS. for, fora, furi, D.
voor, OHG. fora, G. vor, OHG. furi, G. f["u]r, Icel. fyrir,
Sw. f["o]r, Dan. for, adv. f["o]r, Goth. fa['u]r, fa['u]ra,
L. pro, Gr. ?, Skr. pra-. [root] 202. Cf. {Fore}, {First},
{Foremost}, {Forth}, {Pro}-.]
In the most general sense, indicating that in consideration
of, in view of, or with reference to, which anything is done
or takes place.
1. Indicating the antecedent cause or occasion of an action;
the motive or inducement accompanying and prompting to an
act or state; the reason of anything; that on account of
which a thing is or is done.
With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath. --Shak.
How to choose dogs for scent or speed. --Waller.
Now, for so many glorious actions done, For peace at
home, and for the public wealth, I mean to crown a
bowl for C[ae]sar's health. --Dryden.
That which we, for our unworthiness, are afraid to
crave, our prayer is, that God, for the worthiness
of his Son, would, notwithstanding, vouchsafe to
grant. --Hooker.
2. Indicating the remoter and indirect object of an act; the
end or final cause with reference to which anything is,
acts, serves, or is done.
The oak for nothing ill, The osier good for twigs,
the poplar for the mill. --Spenser.
It was young counsel for the persons, and violent
counsel for the matters. --Bacon.
Shall I think the worls was made for one, And men
are born for kings, as beasts for men, Not for
protection, but to be devoured? --Dryden.
For he writes not for money, nor for praise.
--Denham.
3. Indicating that in favor of which, or in promoting which,
anything is, or is done; hence, in behalf of; in favor of;
on the side of; -- opposed to against.
We can do nothing against the truth, but for the
truth. --2 Cor. xiii.
8.
It is for the general good of human society, and
consequently of particular persons, to be true and
just; and it is for men's health to be temperate.
--Tillotson.
Aristotle is for poetical justice. --Dennis.
4. Indicating that toward which the action of anything is
directed, or the point toward which motion is made;
?ntending to go to.
We sailed from Peru for China and Japan. --Bacon.
5. Indicating that on place of or instead of which anything
acts or serves, or that to which a substitute, an
equivalent, a compensation, or the like, is offered or
made; instead of, or place of.
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give
life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand
for hand, foot for foot. --Ex. xxi. 23,
24.
6. Indicating that in the character of or as being which
anything is regarded or treated; to be, or as being.
We take a falling meteor for a star. --Cowley.
If a man can be fully assured of anything for a
truth, without having examined, what is there that
he may not embrace for tru?? --Locke.
Most of our ingenious young men take up some
cried-up English poet for their model. --Dryden.
But let her go for an ungrateful woman. --Philips.
7. Indicating that instead of which something else controls
in the performing of an action, or that in spite of which
anything is done, occurs, or is; hence, equivalent to
notwithstanding, in spite of; -- generally followed by
all, aught, anything, etc.
The writer will do what she please for all me.
--Spectator.
God's desertion shall, for aught he knows, the next
minute supervene. --Dr. H. More.
For anything that legally appears to the contrary,
it may be a contrivance to fright us. --Swift.
8. Indicating the space or time through which an action or
state extends; hence, during; in or through the space or
time of.
For many miles about There 's scarce a bush. --Shak.
Since, hired for life, thy servile muse sing.
--prior.
To guide the sun's bright chariot for a day.
--Garth.
9. Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of
which, anything is done. [Obs.]
We 'll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet.
--Beau. & Fl.
{For}, or {As for}, so far as concerns; as regards; with
reference to; -- used parenthetically or independently.
See under {As}.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
--Josh. xxiv.
15.
For me, my stormy voyage at an end, I to the port of
death securely tend. --Dryden.
{For all that}, notwithstanding; in spite of.
{For all the world}, wholly; exactly. ``Whose posy was, for
all the world, like cutlers' poetry.'' --Shak.
{For as much as}, or {Forasmuch as}, in consideration that;
seeing that; since.
{For by}. See {Forby}, adv.
{For ever}, eternally; at all times. See {Forever}.
{For me}, or {For all me}, as far as regards me.
{For my life}, or {For the life of me}, if my life depended
on it. [Colloq.] --T. Hook.
{For that}, {For the reason that}, because; since. [Obs.]
``For that I love your daughter.'' --Shak.
{For thy}, or {Forthy} [AS. for??.], for this; on this
account. [Obs.] ``Thomalin, have no care for thy.''
--Spenser.
{For to}, as sign of infinitive, in order to; to the end of.
[Obs., except as sometimes heard in illiterate speech.] --
``What went ye out for to see?'' --Luke vii. 25. See {To},
prep., 4.
{O for}, would that I had; may there be granted; --
elliptically expressing desire or prayer. ``O for a muse
of fire.'' --Shak.
{Were it not for}, or {If it were not for}, leaving out of
account; but for the presence or action of. ``Moral
consideration can no way move the sensible appetite, were
it not for the will.'' --Sir M. Hale.
For \For\, conj.
1. Because; by reason that; for that; indicating, in Old
English, the reason of anything.
And for of long that way had walk['e]d none, The
vault was hid with plants and bushes hoar.
--Fairfax.
And Heaven defend your good souls, that you think I
will your serious and great business scant, For she
with me. --Shak.
2. Since; because; introducing a reason of something before
advanced, a cause, motive, explanation, justification, or
the like, of an action related or a statement made. It is
logically nearly equivalent to since, or because, but
connects less closely, and is sometimes used as a very
general introduction to something suggested by what has
gone before.
Give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his
mercy endureth forever. --Ps. cxxxvi.
1.
Heaven doth with us as we with torches do, Not light
them for themselves; for if our virtues Did not go
forth of us, 't were all alike As if we had them
not. --Shak.
{For because}, because. [Obs.] ``Nor for because they set
less store by their own citizens.'' --Robynson (More's
Utopia).
{For why}.
(a) Why; for that reason; wherefore. [Obs.]
(b) Because. [Obs.] See {Forwhy}.
Syn: See {Because}.
For \For\, n.
One who takes, or that which is said on, the affrimative
side; that which is said in favor of some one or something;
-- the antithesis of against, and commonly used in connection
with it.
{The fors and against}. those in favor and those opposed; the
pros and the cons; the advantages and the disadvantages.
--Jane Austen.
Forage \For"age\ (?; 48), n. [OF. fourage, F. fourrage, fr.
forre, fuerre, fodder, straw, F. feurre, fr. LL. foderum,
fodrum, of German or Scand, origin; cf. OHG. fuotar, G.
futter. See {Fodder} food, and cf. {Foray}.]
1. The act of foraging; search for provisions, etc.
He [the lion] from forage will incline to play.
--Shak.
One way a band select from forage drives A herd of
beeves, fair oxen and fair kine. --Milton.
Mawhood completed his forage unmolested. --Marshall.
2. Food of any kind for animals, especially for horses and
cattle, as grass, pasture, hay, corn, oats. --Dryden.
{Forage cap}. See under {Cap}.
{Forage master} (Mil.), a person charged with providing
forage and the means of transporting it. --Farrow.
Forage \For"age\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Foraged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Foraging}.]
To wander or rove in search of food; to collect food, esp.
forage, for horses and cattle by feeding on or stripping the
country; to ravage; to feed on spoil.
His most mighty father on a hill Stood smiling to
behold his lion's whelp Forage in blood of French
nobility. --Shak.
{Foraging ant} (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of ants of
the genus {Eciton}, very abundant in tropical America,
remarkable for marching in vast armies in search of food.
{Foraging cap}, a forage cap.
{Foraging party}, a party sent out after forage.
Forage \For"age\, v. t.
To strip of provisions; to supply with forage; as, to forage
steeds. --Pope.
Forager \For"a*ger\, n.
One who forages.
Foralite \For"a*lite\, n. [L. forare to bore + -lite.] (Geol.)
A tubelike marking, occuring in sandstone and other strata.
Foramen \Fo*ra"men\, n.; pl. L. {Foramina}, E. {Foramines}. [L.,
fr. forare to bore, pierce.]
A small opening, perforation, or orifice; a fenestra.
{Foramen of Monro} (Anat.), the opening from each lateral
into the third ventricle of the brain.
{Foramen of Winslow} (Anat.), the opening connecting the sac
of the omentum with the general cavity of the peritoneum.
Foraminated \Fo*ram"i*na`ted\, a. [L. foraminatus.]
Having small opening, or foramina.
Foraminifer \For`a*min"i*fer\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the foraminifera.
Foraminifera \Fo*ram`i*nif"e*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. foramen,
-aminis, a foramen + ferre to bear.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extensive order of rhizopods which generally have a
chambered calcareous shell formed by several united zooids.
Many of them have perforated walls, whence the name. Some
species are covered with sand. See {Rhizophoda}.
Foraminiferous \Fo*ram`i*nif"er*ous\, a.
1. Having small openings, or foramina.
2. Pertaining to, or composed of, Foraminifera; as,
foraminiferous mud.
Foraminous \Fo*ram"i*nous\, a. [L. foraminosus.]
Having foramina; full of holes; porous. --Bacon.
Forasmuch \For`as*much"\, conj.
In consideration that; seeing that; since; because that; --
followed by as. See under {For}, prep.
Foray \For"ay\ (?; 277), n. [Another form of forahe. Cf.
{Forray}.]
A sudden or irregular incursion in border warfare; hence, any
irregular incursion for war or spoils; a raid. --Spenser.
The huge Earl Doorm, . . . Bound on a foray, rolling
eyes of prey. --Tennyson.
Foray \For"ay\, v. t.
To pillage; to ravage.
He might foray our lands. --Sir W.
Scott.
Forayer \For"ay*er\ (? or ?), n.
One who makes or joins in a foray.
They might not choose the lowand road, For the Merse
forayers were abroad. --Sir W.
Scott.
Forbade \For*bade"\,
imp. of {Forbid}.
Forbathe \For*bathe"\, v. t.
To bathe. [Obs.]
Forbear \For*bear"\, n. [See {Fore}, and {Bear} to produce.]
An ancestor; a forefather; -- usually in the plural. [Scot.]
``Your forbears of old.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Forbear \For*bear"\, v. i. [imp. {Forbore}({Forbare}, [Obs.]);
p. p. {Forborne}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Forbearing}.] [OE.
forberen, AS. forberan; pref. for- + beran to bear. See
{Bear} to support.]
1. To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay.
Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall
I forbear? --1 Kinds
xxii. 6.
2. To refuse; to decline; to give no heed.
Thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they
will hear, or whether they will forbear. --Ezek. ii.
7.
3. To control one's self when provoked.
The kindest and the happiest pair Will find occasion
to forbear. --Cowper.
Both bear and forbear. --Old Proverb.
Forbear \For*bear"\, v. t.
1. To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from; to give up;
as, to forbear the use of a word of doubdtful propriety.
But let me that plunder forbear. --Shenstone.
The King In open battle or the tilting field Forbore
his own advantage. --Tennyson.
2. To treat with consideration or indulgence.
Forbearing one another in love. --Eph. iv. 2.
3. To cease from bearing. [Obs.]
Whenas my womb her burden would forbear. --Spenser.
Forbearance \For*bear"ance\, n.
The act of forbearing or waiting; the exercise of patience.
He soon shall findForbearance no acquittance ere day
end. --Milton.
2. The quality of being forbearing; indulgence toward
offenders or enemies; long-suffering.
Have a continent forbearance, till the speed of his
rage goe? slower. --Shak.
Syn: Abstinence; refraining; lenity; mildness.
Forbearant \For*bear"ant\, a.
Forbearing. [R.] --Carlyle.
Forbearer \For*bear"er\, n.
One who forbears. --Tusser.
Forbearing \For*bear"ing\, a.
Disposed or accustomed to forbear; patient; long-suffering.
-- {For*bear"ing*ly}, adv.
Forbid \For*bid"\, v. t. [imp. {Forbade}; p. p.
{Forbidden}({Forbid}, [Obs.]); p. pr. & vb. n. {Forbidding}.]
[OE. forbeden, AS. forbe['o]dan; pref. for- + be['o]dan to
bid; akin to D. verbieden, G. verbieten, Icel.,
fyrirbj[=o][eth]a, forbo[eth]a, Sw. f["o]rbjuda, Dan.
forbyde. See {Bid}, v. t.]
1. To command against, or contrary to; to prohibit; to
interdict.
More than I have said . . . The leisure and
enforcement of the time Forbids to dwell upon.
--Shak.
2. To deny, exclude from, or warn off, by express command; to
command not to enter.
Have I not forbid her my house? --Shak.
3. To oppose, hinder, or prevent, as if by an effectual
command; as, an impassable river forbids the approach of
the army.
A blaze of glory that forbids the sight. --Dryden.
4. To accurse; to blast. [Obs.]
He shall live a man forbid. --Shak.
5. To defy; to challenge. [Obs.] --L. Andrews.
Syn: To prohibit; interdict; hinder; preclude; withold;
restrain; prevent. See {Prohibit}.
Forbid \For*bid"\, v. i.
To utter a prohibition; to prevent; to hinder. ``I did not or
forbid.'' --Milton.
Forbiddance \For*bid"dance\, n.
The act of forbidding; prohibition; command or edict against
a thing. [Obs.]
ow hast thou yield to transgress The strict
forbiddance. --Milton.
Forbidden \For*bid"den\, a.
Prohibited; interdicted.
I kniw no spells, use no forbidden arts. --Milton.
{Forbidden fruit}.
(a) Any coveted unlawful pleasure, -- so called with
reference to the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden.
(b) (Bot.) A small variety of shaddock ({Citrus decumana}).
The name is given in different places to several
varieties of Citrus fruits.
Forbiddenly \For*bid"den*ly\, adv.
In a forbidden or unlawful manner. --Shak.
Forbidder \For*bid"der\, n.
One who forbids. --Milton.
Forbidding \For*bid"ding\, a.
Repelling approach; repulsive; raising abhorrence, aversion,
or dislike; disagreeable; prohibiting or interdicting; as, a
forbidding aspect; a forbidding formality; a forbidding air.
Syn: Disagreeable; unpleasant; displeasing; offensive;
repulsive; odious; abhorrent. -- {For*bid"ding*ly}, adv.
-- {For*bid"ding*ness}, n.
Forblack \For*black"\, a.
Very black. [Obs.]
As any raven's feathers it shone forblack. --Chaucer.
Forboden \For*bo"den\, obs.
p. p. of {Forbid}. --Chaucer.
Forbore \For*bore"\,
imp. of {Forbear}.
Forborne \For*borne"\,
p. p. of {Forbear}.
Forbruise \For*bruise"\, v. t.
To bruise sorely or exceedingly. [Obs.]
All forbrosed, both back and side. --Chaucer.
Forby \For*by"\, adv. & prep. [See {Foreby}.]
Near; hard by; along; past. [Obs.]
To tell her if her child went ought forby. --Chaucer.
To the intent that ships may pass along forby all the
sides of the city without let. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
Forcarve \For*carve"\, v. t.
To cut completely; to cut off. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Force \Force\, v. t. [See {Farce} to stuff.]
To stuff; to lard; to farce. [R.]
Wit larded with malice, and malice forced with wit.
--Shak.
Force \Force\, n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. fors, foss, Dan.
fos.]
A waterfall; a cascade. [Prov. Eng.]
To see the falls for force of the river Kent. --T.
Gray.
Force \Force\, n. [F. force, LL. forcia, fortia, fr. L. fortis
strong. See {Fort}, n.]
1. Strength or energy of body or mind; active power; vigor;
might; often, an unusual degree of strength or energy;
capacity of exercising an influence or producing an
effect; especially, power to persuade, or convince, or
impose obligation; pertinency; validity; special
signification; as, the force of an appeal, an argument, a
contract, or a term.
He was, in the full force of the words, a good man.
--Macaulay.
2. Power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power;
violence; coercion.
Which now they hold by force, and not by right.
--Shak.
3. Strength or power for war; hence, a body of land or naval
combatants, with their appurtenances, ready for action; --
an armament; troops; warlike array; -- often in the
plural; hence, a body of men prepared for action in other
ways; as, the laboring force of a plantation.
Is Lucius general of the forces? --Shak.
4. (Law)
(a) Strength or power exercised without law, or contrary
to law, upon persons or things; violence.
(b) Validity; efficacy. --Burrill.
5. (Physics) Any action between two bodies which changes, or
tends to change, their relative condition as to rest or
motion; or, more generally, which changes, or tends to
change, any physical relation between them, whether
mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, magnetic, or of
any other kind; as, the force of gravity; cohesive force;
centrifugal force.
{Animal force} (Physiol.), muscular force or energy.
{Catabiotic force} [Gr. ? down (intens.) + ? life.] (Biol.),
the influence exerted by living structures on adjoining
cells, by which the latter are developed in harmony with
the primary structures.
{Centrifugal force}, {Centripetal force}, {Coercive force},
etc. See under {Centrifugal}, {Centripetal}, etc.
{Composition of forces}, {Correlation of forces}, etc. See
under {Composition}, {Correlation}, etc.
{Force and arms} [trans. of L. vi et armis] (Law), an
expression in old indictments, signifying violence.
{In force}, or {Of force}, of unimpaired efficacy; valid; of
full virtue; not suspended or reversed. ``A testament is
of force after men are dead.'' --Heb. ix. 17.
{Metabolic force} (Physiol.), the influence which causes and
controls the metabolism of the body.
{No force}, no matter of urgency or consequence; no account;
hence, to do no force, to make no account of; not to heed.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Of force}, of necessity; unavoidably; imperatively. ``Good
reasons must, of force, give place to better.'' --Shak.
{Plastic force} (Physiol.), the force which presumably acts
in the growth and repair of the tissues.
{Vital force} (Physiol.), that force or power which is
inherent in organization; that form of energy which is the
cause of the vital phenomena of the body, as distinguished
from the physical forces generally known.
Syn: Strength; vigor; might; energy; stress; vehemence;
violence; compulsion; coaction; constraint; coercion.
Usage: {Force}, {Strength}. Strength looks rather to power as
an inward capability or energy. Thus we speak of the
strength of timber, bodily strength, mental strength,
strength of emotion, etc. Force, on the other hand,
looks more to the outward; as, the force of
gravitation, force of circumstances, force of habit,
etc. We do, indeed, speak of strength of will and
force of will; but even here the former may lean
toward the internal tenacity of purpose, and the
latter toward the outward expression of it in action.
But, though the two words do in a few cases touch thus
closely on each other, there is, on the whole, a
marked distinction in our use of force and strength.
``Force is the name given, in mechanical science, to
whatever produces, or can produce, motion.'' --Nichol.
Thy tears are of no force to mollify This flinty
man. --Heywood.
More huge in strength than wise in works he was.
--Spenser.
Adam and first matron Eve Had ended now their
orisons, and found Strength added from above,
new hope to spring Out of despair. --Milton.
Force \Force\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Forced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Forcing}.] [OF. forcier, F. forcer, fr. LL. forciare,
fortiare. See {Force}, n.]
1. To constrain to do or to forbear, by the exertion of a
power not resistible; to compel by physical, moral, or
intellectual means; to coerce; as, masters force slaves to
labor.
2. To compel, as by strength of evidence; as, to force
conviction on the mind.
3. To do violence to; to overpower, or to compel by violence
to one;s will; especially, to ravish; to violate; to
commit rape upon.
To force their monarch and insult the court.
--Dryden.
I should have forced thee soon wish other arms.
--Milton.
To force a spotless virgin's chastity. --Shak.
4. To obtain or win by strength; to take by violence or
struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm,
as a fortress.
5. To impel, drive, wrest, extort, get, etc., by main
strength or violence; -- with a following adverb, as
along, away, from, into, through, out, etc.
It stuck so fast, so deeply buried lay That scarce
the victor forced the steel away. --Dryden.
To force the tyrant from his seat by war. --Sahk.
Ethelbert ordered that none should be forced into
religion. --Fuller.
6. To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding;
to enforce. [Obs.]
What can the church force more? --J. Webster.
7. To exert to the utmost; to urge; hence, to strain; to urge
to excessive, unnatural, or untimely action; to produce by
unnatural effort; as, to force a consient or metaphor; to
force a laugh; to force fruits.
High on a mounting wave my head I bore, Forcing my
strength, and gathering to the shore. --Dryden.
8. (Whist) To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a
trick by leading a suit of which he has none.
9. To provide with forces; to re["e]nforce; to strengthen by
soldiers; to man; to garrison. [Obs.] --Shak.
10. To allow the force of; to value; to care for. [Obs.]
For me, I force not argument a straw. --Shak.
Syn: To compel; constrain; oblige; necessitate; coerce;
drive; press; impel.
Force \Force\, v. i. [Obs. in all the senses.]
1. To use violence; to make violent effort; to strive; to
endeavor.
Forcing with gifts to win his wanton heart.
--Spenser.
2. To make a difficult matter of anything; to labor; to
hesitate; hence, to force of, to make much account of; to
regard.
Your oath once broke, you force not to forswear.
--Shak.
I force not of such fooleries. --Camden.
3. To be of force, importance, or weight; to matter.
It is not sufficient to have attained the name and
dignity of a shepherd, not forcing how. --Udall.
Forced \Forced\, a.
Done or produced with force or great labor, or by
extraordinary exertion; hurried; strained; produced by
unnatural effort or pressure; as, a forced style; a forced
laugh.
{Forced draught}. See under {Draught}.
{Forced march} (Mil.), a march of one or more days made with
all possible speed. -- {For"ced*ly}, adv. --
{For"ced*ness}, n.
Forceful \Force"ful\, a.
Full of or processing force; exerting force; mighty. --
{Force"ful*ly}, adv.
Against the steed he threw His forceful spear.
--Dryden.
Forceless \Force"less\, a.
Having little or no force; feeble.
These forceless flowers like sturdy trees support me.
--Shak.
Forcemeat \Force"meat`\, n. [Corrupt. for farce-meat, fr. F.
farce stuffing. See {Farce}, n.] (Cookery)
Meat chopped fine and highly seasoned, either served up
alone, or used as a stuffing. [Written also {forced meat}.]
Forcement \Force"ment\, n.
The act of forcing; compulsion. [Obs.]
It was imposed upon us by constraint; And will you
count such forcement treachery? --J. Webster.
Forceps \For"ceps\, n. [L. forceps, -cipis, from the root of
formus Hot + capere to take; akin to E. heave. Cf.
{Furnace}.]
1. A pair of pinchers, or tongs; an instrument for grasping,
holding firmly, or exerting traction upon, bodies which it
would be inconvenient or impracticable to seize with the
fingers, especially one for delicate operations, as those
of watchmakers, surgeons, accoucheurs, dentists, etc.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The caudal forceps-shaped appendage of earwigs
and some other insects. See {Earwig}.
{Dressing forceps}. See under {Dressing}.
Force pump \Force" pump`\ (Mach.)
(a) A pump having a solid piston, or plunger, for drawing
and forcing a liquid, as water, through the valves; in
distinction from a pump having a bucket, or valved
piston.
(b) A pump adapted for delivering water at a considerable
height above the pump, or under a considerable
pressure; in distinction from one which lifts the
water only to the top of the pump or delivers it
through a spout. See Illust. of {Plunger pump}, under
{Plunger}.
Forcer \For"cer\, n.
1. One who, or that which, forces or drives.
2. (Mech.)
(a) The solid piston of a force pump; the instrument by
which water is forced in a pump.
(b) A small hand pump for sinking pits, draining cellars,
etc.
Forcible \For"ci*ble\, a. [Cf. OF. forcible forcible, forceable
that may be forced.]
1. Possessing force; characterized by force, efficiency, or
energy; powerful; efficacious; impressive; influential.
How forcible are right words! --Job. vi. 2?.
Sweet smells are most forcible in dry substances,
when broken. --Bacon.
But I have reasons strong and forcible. --Shak.
That punishment which hath been sometimes forcible
to bridle sin. --Hooker.
He is at once elegant and sublime, forcible and
ornamented. --Lowth
(Transl. )
2. Violent; impetuous.
Like mingled streams, more forcible when joined.
--Prior.
3. Using force against opposition or resistance; obtained by
compulsion; effected by force; as, forcible entry or
abduction.
In embraces of King James . . . forcible and unjust.
--Swift.
{Forcible entry and detainer} (Law), the entering upon and
taking and withholding of land and tenements by actual
force and violence, and with a strong hand, to the
hindrance of the person having the right to enter.
Syn: Violent; powerful; strong; energetic; mighty; potent;
weighty; impressive; cogent; influential.
Forcible-feeble \For"ci*ble-fee`ble\, a. [From Feeble, a
character in the Second Part of Shakespeare's ``King Henry
IV.,'' to whom Falstaff derisively applies the epithet
``forcible.'']
Seemingly vigorous, but really weak or insipid.
He [Prof. Ayton] would purge his book of much offensive
matter, if he struck out epithets which are in the bad
taste of the forcible-feeble school. --N. Brit.
Review.
Forcibleness \For"ci*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being forcible.
Forcibly \For"ci*bly\, adv.
In a forcible manner.
Forcing \For"cing\, n.
1. The accomplishing of any purpose violently, precipitately,
prematurely, or with unusual expedition.
2. (Gardening) The art of raising plants, flowers, and fruits
at an earlier season than the natural one, as in a hitbed
or by the use of artificial heat.
{Forcing} {bed or pit}, a plant bed having an under layer of
fermenting manure, the fermentation yielding bottom heat
for forcing plants; a hotbed.
{Forcing engine}, a fire engine.
{Forcing fit} (Mech.), a tight fit, as of one part into a
hole in another part, which makes it necessary to use
considerable force in putting the two parts together.
{Forcing house}, a greenhouse for the forcing of plants,
fruit trees, etc.
{Forcing machine}, a powerful press for putting together or
separating two parts that are fitted tightly one into
another, as for forcing a crank on a shaft, or for drawing
off a car wheel from the axle.
{Forcing pump}. See {Force pump}
(b) .
Forcipal \For"ci*pal\, a.
Forked or branched like a pair of forceps; constructed so as
to open and shut like a pair of forceps. --Sir T. Browne.
Forcipate \For"ci*pate\, Forcipated \For"ci*pa`ted\, a.
Like a pair of forceps; as, a forcipated mouth.
Forcipation \For`ci*pa"tion\, n.
Torture by pinching with forceps or pinchers. --Bacon.
Forcut \For*cut"\, v. t.
To cut completely; to cut off. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ford \Ford\ (f[=o]rd), n. [AS. ford; akin to G. furt, Icel.
fj["o]r[eth]r bay, and to E. fare. [root] 78. See {Fare}, v.
i., and cf. {Frith} arm of the sea.]
1. A place in a river, or other water, where it may be passed
by man or beast on foot, by wading.
He swam the Esk river where ford there was none.
--Sir W.
Scott.
2. A stream; a current.
With water of the ford Or of the clouds. --Spenser.
Permit my ghost to pass the Stygian ford. --Dryden.
Ford \Ford\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Forded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fording}.]
To pass or cross, as a river or other water, by wading; to
wade through.
His last section, which is no deep one, remains only to
be forted. --Milton.
Fordable \Ford"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being forded. -- {Ford"a*ble*ness}, n.
Fordless \Ford"less\, a.
Without a ford.
A deep and fordless river. --Mallock.
Fordo \For*do"\, v. t. [OE. fordon, AS. ford?n; pref. for- + d?n
to do. See {For-}, and {Do}, v. i.]
1. To destroy; to undo; to ruin. [Obs.]
This is the night That either makes me or fordoes me
quite. --Shak.
2. To overcome with fatigue; to exhaust. --M. Arnold.
All with weary task fordone. --Shak.
Fordone \For*done"\, a. [See {Fordo}.]
Undone; ruined. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Fordrive \For*drive"\, v. t.
To drive about; to drive here and there. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Fordrunken \For*drunk"en\, a.
Utterly drunk; very drunk. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fordry \For*dry"\, a.
Entirely dry; withered. [Obs.] ``A tree fordry.'' --Chaucer.
Fordwine \For*dwine"\, v. i.
To dwindle away; to disappear. [Obs.] --Rom of R.
Fore \Fore\, n. [AS. f?r, fr. faran to go. See {Fare}, v. i.]
Journey; way; method of proceeding. [Obs.] ``Follow him and
his fore.'' --Chaucer.
Fore \Fore\, adv. [AS. fore, adv. & prep., another form of for.
See {For}, and cf. {Former}, {Foremost}.]
1. In the part that precedes or goes first; -- opposed to
aft, after, back, behind, etc.
2. Formerly; previously; afore. [Obs. or Colloq.]
The eyes, fore duteous, now converted are. --Shak.
3. (Naut.) In or towards the bows of a ship.
{Fore and aft} (Naut.), from stem to stern; lengthwise of the
vessel; -- in distinction from athwart. --R. H. Dana, Jr.
{Fore-and-aft rigged} (Naut.), not rigged with square sails
attached to yards, but with sails bent to gaffs or set on
stays in the midship line of the vessel. See {Schooner},
{Sloop}, {Cutter}.
Fore \Fore\, a. [See {Fore}, adv.]
Advanced, as compared with something else; toward the front;
being or coming first, in time, place, order, or importance;
preceding; anterior; antecedent; earlier; forward; -- opposed
to {back} or {behind}; as, the fore part of a garment; the
fore part of the day; the fore and of a wagon.
The free will of the subject is preserved, while it is
directed by the fore purpose of the state. --Southey.
Note: Fore is much used adjectively or in composition.
{Fore bay}, a reservoir or canal between a mill race and a
water wheel; the discharging end of a pond or mill race.
{Fore body} (Shipbuilding), the part of a ship forward of the
largest cross-section, distinguisched from middle body abd
after body.
{Fore boot}, a receptacle in the front of a vehicle, for
stowing baggage, etc.
{Fore bow}, the pommel of a saddle. --Knight.
{Fore cabin}, a cabin in the fore part of a ship, usually
with inferior accommodations.
{Fore carriage}.
(a) The forward part of the running gear of a four-wheeled
vehicle.
(b) A small carriage at the front end of a plow beam.
{Fore course} (Naut.), the lowermost sail on the foremost of
a square-rigged vessel; the foresail. See Illust. under
{Sail}.
{Fore door}. Same as {Front door}.
{Fore edge}, the front edge of a book or folded sheet, etc.
{Fore elder}, an ancestor. [Prov. Eng.]
{Fore end}.
(a) The end which precedes; the earlier, or the nearer, part;
the beginning.
I have . . . paid More pious debts to heaven, than
in all The fore end of my time. --Shak.
(b) In firearms, the wooden stock under the barrel, forward
of the trigger guard, or breech frame.
{Fore girth}, a girth for the fore part (of a horse, etc.); a
martingale.
{Fore hammer}, a sledge hammer, working alternately, or in
time, with the hand hammer.
{Fore leg}, one of the front legs of a quadruped, or
multiped, or of a chair, settee, etc.
{Fore peak} (Naut.), the angle within a ship's bows; the
portion of the hold which is farthest forward.
{Fore piece}, a front piece, as the flap in the fore part of
a sidesaddle, to guard the rider's dress.
{Fore plane}, a carpenter's plane, in size and use between a
jack plane and a smoothing plane. --Knight.
{Fore reading}, previous perusal. [Obs.] --Hales.
{Fore rent}, in Scotland, rent payable before a crop is
gathered.
{Fore sheets} (Naut.), the forward portion of a rowboat; the
space beyond the front thwart. See {Stern sheets}.
{Fore shore}.
(a) A bank in advance of a sea wall, to break the force of
the surf.
(b) The seaward projecting, slightly inclined portion of a
breakwater. --Knight.
(c) The part of the shore between high and low water marks.
{Fore sight}, that one of the two sights of a gun which is
near the muzzle.
{Fore tackle} (Naut.), the tackle on the foremast of a ship.
{Fore topmast}. (Naut.) See {Fore-topmast}, in the
Vocabulary.
{Fore wind}, a favorable wind. [Obs.]
Sailed on smooth seas, by fore winds borne.
--Sandys.
{Fore world}, the antediluvian world. [R.] --Southey.
Fore \Fore\, n.
The front; hence, that which is in front; the future.
{At the fore} (Naut.), at the fore royal masthead; -- said of
a flag, so raised as a signal for sailing, etc.
{To the fore}.
(a) In advance; to the front; to a prominent position; in
plain sight; in readiness for use.
(b) In existence; alive; not worn out, lost, or spent, as
money, etc. [Irish] ``While I am to the fore.'' --W.
Collins. ``How many captains in the regiment had two
thousand pounds to the fore?'' --Thackeray.
Fore \Fore\, prep.
Before; -- sometimes written 'fore as if a contraction of
afore or before. [Obs.]
Foreadmonish \Fore`ad*mon"ish\, v. t.
To admonish beforehand, or before the act or event. --Bp.
Hall.
Foreadvise \Fore`ad*vise"\, v. t.
To advise or counsel before the time of action, or before the
event. --Shak.
Foreallege \Fore`al*lege"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Forealleged};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Forealleging}.]
To allege or cite before. --Fotherby.
Foreappoint \Fore`ap*point"\, v. t.
To set, order, or appoint, beforehand. --Sherwood.
Foreappointment \Fore`ap*point"ment\, n.
Previous appointment; preordinantion. --Sherwood.
Forearm \Fore*arm"\, v. t.
To arm or prepare for attack or resistance before the time of
need. --South.
Forearm \Fore"arm`\, n. (Anat.)
That part of the arm or fore limb between the elbow and
wrist; the antibrachium.
Forebeam \Fore"beam`\, n.
The breast beam of a loom.
Forebear \Fore*bear"\, n.
An ancestor. See {Forbear}.
Forebode \Fore*bode"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Foreboded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Foreboding}.] [AS. forebodian; fore + bodian to
announce. See {Bode} v. t.]
1. To foretell.
2. To be prescient of (some ill or misfortune); to have an
inward conviction of, as of a calamity which is about to
happen; to augur despondingly.
His heart forebodes a mystery. --Tennyson.
Sullen, desponding, and foreboding nothing but wars
and desolation, as the certain consequence of
C[ae]sar's death. --Middleton.
I have a sort of foreboding about him. --H. James.
Syn: To foretell; predict; prognosticate; augur; presage;
portend; betoken.
Forebode \Fore*bode"\, v. i.
To fortell; to presage; to augur.
If I forebode aright. --Hawthorne.
Forebode \Fore*bode"\, n.
Prognostication; presage. [Obs.]
Forebodement \Fore*bode"ment\, n.
The act of foreboding; the thing foreboded.
Foreboder \Fore*bod"er\, n.
One who forebodes.
Foreboding \Fore*bod"ing\, n.
Presage of coming ill; expectation of misfortune.
Forebodingly \Fore*bod"ing*ly\, adv.
In a foreboding manner.
Forebrace \Fore"brace`\, n. (Naut.)
A rope applied to the fore yardarm, to change the position of
the foresail.
Forebrain \Fore"brain`\, n. (Anat.)
The anterior of the three principal divisions of the brain,
including the prosencephalon and thalamencephalon. Sometimes
restricted to the prosencephalon only. See {Brain}.
Foreby \Fore*by"\, prep. [Fore + by.]
Near; hard by; along; past. See {Forby}. --Spenser.
Forecast \Fore*cast"\, v. t.
1. To plan beforehand; to scheme; to project.
He shall forecast his devices against the
strongholds. --Dan. xi. 24.
2. To foresee; to calculate beforehand, so as to provide for.
It is wisdom to consider the end of things before we
embark, and to forecast consequences. --L'Estrange.
Forecast \Fore*cast"\, v. i.
To contrive or plan beforehand.
If it happen as I did forecast. --Milton.
Forecast \Fore"cast\, n.
Previous contrivance or determination; predetermination.
He makes this difference to arise from the forecast and
predetermination of the gods themselves. --Addison.
2. Foresight of consequences, and provision against them;
prevision; premeditation.
His calm, deliberate forecast better fitted him for
the council than the camp. --Prescott.
Forecaster \Fore*cast"er\, n.
One who forecast. --Johnson.
Forecastle \Fore"cas`tle\ (?; sailors say ?), n. (Naut.)
(a) A short upper deck forward, formerly raised like a
castle, to command an enemy's decks.
(b) That part of the upper deck of a vessel forward of the
foremast, or of the after part of the fore channels.
(c) In merchant vessels, the forward part of the vessel,
under the deck, where the sailors live.
Forechosen \Fore`cho"sen\, a.
Chosen beforehand.
Forecited \Fore"cit`ed\, a.
Cited or quoted before or above. --Arbuthnot.
Foreclose \Fore*close"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Foreclosed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Foreclosing}.] [F. forclos, p. p. of forclore
to exclude; OF. fors, F. hors, except, outside (fr. L. foris
outside) + F. clore to close. See {Foreign}, and {Close}, v.
t.]
To shut up or out; to preclude; to stop; to prevent; to bar;
to exclude.
The embargo with Spain foreclosed this trade. --Carew.
{To foreclose a mortgager} (Law), to cut him off by a
judgment of court from the power of redeeming the
mortgaged premises, termed his equity of redemption.
{To foreclose a mortgage}, (not technically correct, but
often used to signify) the obtaining a judgment for the
payment of an overdue mortgage, and the exposure of the
mortgaged property to sale to meet the mortgage debt.
--Wharton.
Foreclosure \Fore*clo"sure\ (?; 135), n.
The act or process of foreclosing; a proceeding which bars or
extinguishes a mortgager's right of redeeming a mortgaged
estate.
Foreconceive \Fore`con*ceive"\, v. t.
To preconceive; to imagine beforehand. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Foredate \Fore*date"\, v. t.
To date before the true time; to antendate.
Foredeck \Fore"deck`\, n. (Naut.)
The fore part of a deck, or of a ship.
Foredeem \Fore*deem"\, v. t.
To recognize or judge in advance; to forebode. [Obs.]
--Udall.
Laugh at your misery, as foredeeming you An idle
meteor. --J. Webster.
Foredeem \Fore*deem"\, v. i. [Cf. {Foredoom}.]
To know or discover beforehand; to foretell. [Obs.]
Which [maid] could guess and foredeem of things past,
present, and to come. --Genevan
Test.
Foredesign \Fore`de*sign"\ (? or ?), v. t.
To plan beforehand; to intend previously. --Cheyne.
Foredetermine \Fore`de*ter"mine\, v. t.
To determine or decree beforehand. --Bp. Hopkins.
Foredispose \Fore`dis*pose"\, v. t.
To bestow beforehand. [R.]
King James had by promise foredisposed the place on the
Bishop of Meath. --Fuller.
Foredoom \Fore*doom"\, v. t. [Cf. {Foredeem}.]
To doom beforehand; to predestinate.
Thou art foredomed to view the Stygian state. --Dryden.
Foredoom \Fore"doom`\, n.
Doom or sentence decreed in advance. ``A dread foredoom
ringing in the ears of the guilty adult.'' --Southey.
Forefather \Fore"fa`ther\ (?; 277), n.
One who precedes another in the line of genealogy in any
degree, but usually in a remote degree; an ancestor.
Respecting your forefathers, you would have been taught
to respect yourselves. --Burke.
{Forefathers' Day}, the anniversary of the day (December 21)
on which the Pilgrim Fathers landed at Plymouth,
Massachusetts (1620). On account of a mistake in reckoning
the change from Old Style to New Style, it has generally
been celebrated on the 22d.
Forefeel \Fore*feel"\, v. t.
To feel beforehand; to have a presentiment of. [Obs.]
As when, with unwieldy waves, the great sea forefeels
winds. --Chapman.
Forefence \Fore`fence"\, n.
Defense in front. [Obs.]
Forefend \Fore*fend"\, v. t. [OE. forfenden; pref. for- + fenden
to fend. See {Fend}, v. t.]
To hinder; to fend off; to avert; to prevent the approach of;
to forbid or prohibit. See {Forfend}.
God forefend it should ever be recorded in our history.
--Landor.
It would be a far better work . . . to forefend the
cruelty. --I. Taylor.
Forefinger \Fore"fin`ger\, n.
The finger next to the thumb; the index.
Foreflow \Fore*flow"\, v. t.
To flow before. [Obs.]
Forefoot \Fore"foot`\, n.
1. One of the anterior feet of a quardruped or multiped; --
usually written fore foot.
2. (Shipbuilding) A piece of timber which terminates the keel
at the fore end, connecting it with the lower end of the
stem.
Foreefront \Foree"front`\, n.
Foremost part or place.
Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle.
--2 Sam. xi.
15.
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, standing in the forefront
for all time, the masters of those who know. --J. C.
Shairp.
Foregame \Fore"game`\, n.
A first game; first plan. [Obs.] --Whitlock.
Foreganger \Fore"gang`er\, n. [Prop., a goer before cf. G.
voreg["a]nger. See {Fore}, and {Gang}.] (Naut.)
A short rope grafted on a harpoon, to which a longer lin? may
be attached. --Totten.
Foregather \Fore*gath"er\, v. i.
Same as {Forgather}.
Foregift \Fore"gift`\, n. (Law)
A premium paid by ? lessee when taking his lease.
Foregleam \Fore"gleam`\, n.
An antecedent or premonitory gleam; a dawning light.
The foregleams of wisdom. --Whittier.
Forego \Fore*go"\, v. t. [imp. {Forewent 2}; p. p. {Foregone}
(?; 115); p. pr. & vb. n. {Foregoing}.] [See {Forgo}.]
1. To quit; to relinquish; to leave.
Stay at the third cup, or forego the place.
--Herbert.
2. To relinquish the enjoyment or advantage of; to give up;
to resign; to renounce; -- said of a thing already
enjoyed, or of one within reach, or anticipated.
All my patrimony,, If need be, I am ready to forego.
--Milton.
Thy lovers must their promised heaven forego.
--Keble.
[He] never forewent an opportunity of honest profit.
--R. L.
Stevenson.
Note: Forgo is the better spelling etymologically, but the
word has been confused with {Forego}, to go before.
Forego \Fore*go"\, v. t. [AS. foreg[=a]n; fore + g[=a]n to go;
akin to G. vorgehen to go before, precede. See {GO}, v. i.]
To go before; to precede; -- used especially in the present
and past participles.
Pleasing remembrance of a thought foregone.
--Wordsworth.
For which the very mother's face forewent The mother's
special patience. --Mrs.
Browning.
{Foregone conclusion}, one which has preceded argument or
examination; one predetermined.
Foregoer \Fore*go"er\, n.
1. One who goes before another; a predecessor; hence, an
ancestor' a progenitor.
2. A purveyor of the king; -- so called, formerly, from going
before to provide for his household. [Obs.]
Foregoer \Fore*go"er\, n. [Etymologically forgoer.]
One who forbears to enjoy.
Foreground \Fore"ground`\, n.
On a painting, and sometimes in a bas-relief, mosaic picture,
or the like, that part of the scene represented, which is
nearest to the spectator, and therefore occupies the lowest
part of the work of art itself. Cf. {Distance}, n., 6.
Foreguess \Fore*guess"\, v. t.
To conjecture. [Obs.]
Foregut \Fore"gut`\, n. (Anat.)
The anterior part of the alimentary canal, from the mouth to
the intestine, o? to the entrance of the bile duct.
Forehand \Fore"hand`\, n.
1. All that part of a horse which is before the rider.
--Johnson.
2. The chief or most important part. --Shak.
3. Superiority; advantage; start; precedence.
And, but for ceremony, such a wretch . . . Had the
forehand and vantage of a king. --Shak.
Forehand \Fore"hand`\, a.
Done beforehand; anticipative.
And so extenuate the forehand sin. --Shak.
Forehanded \Fore"hand`ed\, a.
1. Early; timely; seasonable. ``Forehanded care.'' --Jer.
Taylor.
2. Beforehand with one's needs, or having resources in
advance of one's necessities; in easy circumstances; as, a
forehanded farmer. [U.S.]
3. Formed in the forehand or fore parts.
A substantial, true-bred beast, bravely forehanded.
--Dryden.
Forehead \Fore"head\ (?; 277), n.
1. The front of that part of the head which incloses the
brain; that part of the face above the eyes; the brow.
2. The aspect or countenance; assurance.
To look with forehead bold and big enough Upon the
power and puissance of the king. --Shak.
3. The front or fore part of anything.
Flames in the forehead of the morning sky. --Milton.
So rich advantage of a promised glory As smiles upon
the forehead of this action. --Shak.
Forehear \Fore*hear"\, v. i. & t.
To hear beforehand.
Forehearth \Fore"hearth`\, n. (Metal.)
The forward extension of the hearth of a blast furnace under
the tymp.
Forehend \Fore*hend"\, v. t.
See {Forhend}. [Obs.]
Forehew \Fore*hew"\, v. t.
To hew or cut in front. [Obs.] --Sackville.
Forehold \Fore"hold`\, n. (Naut.)
The forward part of the hold of a ship.
Foreholding \Fore*hold"ing\, n.
Ominous foreboding; superstitious prognostication. [Obs.]
--L'Estrange.
Forehook \Fore"hook`\, n. (Naut.)
A piece of timber placed across the stem, to unite the bows
and strengthen the fore part of the ship; a breast hook.
Foreign \For"eign\, a. [OE. forein, F. forain, LL. foraneus, fr.
L. foras, foris, out of doors, abroad, without; akin to fores
doors, and E. door. See {Door}, and cf. {Foreclose},
{Forfeit}, {Forest}, {Forum}.]
1. Outside; extraneous; separated; alien; as, a foreign
country; a foreign government. ``Foreign worlds.''
--Milton.
2. Not native or belonging to a certain country; born in or
belonging to another country, nation, sovereignty, or
locality; as, a foreign language; foreign fruits.
``Domestic and foreign writers.'' --Atterbury.
Hail, foreign wonder! Whom certain these rough
shades did never breed. --Milton.
3. Remote; distant; strange; not belonging; not connected;
not pertaining or pertient; not appropriate; not
harmonious; not agreeable; not congenial; -- with to or
from; as, foreign to the purpose; foreign to one's nature.
This design is not foreign from some people's
thoughts. --Swift.
4. Held at a distance; excluded; exiled. [Obs.]
Kept him a foreign man still; which so grieved him,
That he ran mad and died. --Shak.
{Foreign attachment} (Law), a process by which the property
of a foreign or absent debtor is attached for the
satisfaction of a debt due from him to the plaintiff; an
attachment of the goods, effects, or credits of a debtor
in the hands of a third person; -- called in some States
trustee, in others factorizing, and in others garnishee
process. --Kent. --Tomlins. --Cowell.
{Foreign bill}, a bill drawn in one country, and payable in
another, as distinguished from an inland bill, which is
one drawn and payable in the same country. In this latter,
as well as in several other points of view, the different
States of the United States are foreign to each other. See
{Exchange}, n., 4. --Kent. --Story.
{Foreign body} (Med.), a substance occurring in any part of
the body where it does not belong, and usually introduced
from without.
{Foreign office}, that department of the government of Great
Britain which has charge British interests in foreign
countries.
Syn: Outlandish; alien; exotic; remote; distant; extraneous;
extrinsic.
Foreigner \For"eign*er\, n.
A person belonging to or owning allegiance to a foreign
country; one not native in the country or jurisdiction under
consideration, or not naturalized there; an alien; a
stranger.
Joy is such a foreigner, So mere a stranger to my
thoughts. --Denham.
Nor could the majesty of the English crown appear in a
greater luster, either to foreigners or subjects.
--Swift.
Foreignism \For"eign*ism\, n.
Anything peculiar to a foreign language or people; a foreign
idiom or custom.
It is a pity to see the technicalities of the so-called
liberal professions distigured by foreignisms.
--Fitzed.
Hall.
Foreignness \For"eign*ness\, n.
The quality of being foreign; remoteness; want of relation or
appropriateness.
Let not the foreignness of the subject hinder you from
endeavoring to set me right. --Locke.
A foreignness of complexion. --G. Eliot.
Forein \For"ein\, a.
Foreign. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Forejudge \Fore*judge"\, v. t. [Fore + judge.]
To judge beforehand, or before hearing the facts and proof;
to prejudge.
Forejudge \Fore*judge"\, v. t. [For forjudge, fr. F. forjuger;
OF. fors outside, except + F. juger to judge.] (O. Eng. Law)
To expel from court for some offense or misconduct, as an
attorney or officer; to deprive or put out of a thing by the
judgment of a court. --Burrill.
Forejudger \Fore*judg"er\, n. (Eng. Law)
A judgment by which one is deprived or put of a right or
thing in question.
Forejudgment \Fore*judg"ment\, n.
Prejudgment. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Foreknow \Fore*know"\, v. t. [imp. {Foreknew}; p. p.
{Foreknown}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Foreknowing}.]
To have previous knowledge of; to know beforehand.
Who would the miseries of man foreknow? --Dryden.
Foreknowa-ble \Fore*know"a-ble\, a.
That may be foreknown. --Dr. H. More.
Foreknower \Fore*know"er\, n.
One who foreknows.
Foreknowingly \Fore*know"ing*ly\, adv.
With foreknowledge.
He who . . . foreknowingly loses his life. --Jer.
Taylor.
Foreknowledge \Fore*knowl"edge\, n.
Knowledge of a thing before it happens, or of whatever is to
happen; prescience.
If I foreknew, Foreknowledge had no influence on their
fault. --Milton.
Forel \For"el\, n. [OE. forelcase, sheath, OF. forel, fourel, F.
fourreau, LL. forellus, fr. OF. forre, fuerre, sheath, case,
of German origin; cf. OHG. fuotar, akin to Goth. f[=o]dr;
prob. not the same word as E. fodder food. Cf. {Fur},
{Fodder} food.]
A kind of parchment for book covers. See {Forrill}.
Forel \For"el\, v. t.
To bind with a forel. [R.] --Fuller.
Foreland \Fore"land`\, n.
1. A promontory or cape; a headland; as, the North and South
Foreland in Kent, England.
2. (Fort.) A piece of ground between the wall of a place and
the moat. --Farrow.
3. (Hydraul. Engin.) That portion of the natural shore on the
outside of the embankment which receives the stock of
waves and deadens their force. --Knight.
Forelay \Fore*lay"\, v. t.
1. To lay down beforehand.
These grounds being forelaid and understood. --Mede.
2. To waylay. See {Forlay}. [Obs.]
Foreleader \Fore*lead"er\, n.
One who leads others by his example; aguide.
Forelend \Fore*lend"\, v. t.
See {Forlend}. [Obs.]
As if that life to losse they had forelent. --Spenser.
Forelet \Fore*let"\, v. t.
See {Forlet}. [Obs.] --Holland.
Forelie \Fore*lie"\, v. i.
To lie in front of. [Obs.]
Which forelay Athwart her snowy breast. --Spenser.
Forelift \Fore*lift"\, v. t.
To lift up in front. [Obs.]
Forelock \Fore"lock`\, n.
1. The lock of hair that grows from the forepart of the head.
2. (Mech.) A cotter or split pin, as in a slot in a bolt, to
prevent retraction; a linchpin; a pin fastening the
cap-square of a gun.
{Forelock bolt}, a bolt retained by a key, gib, or cotter
passing through a slot.
{Forelock hook} (Rope Making), a winch or whirl by which a
bunch of three yarns is twisted into a standard. --Knight.
{To take} {time, or occasion}, {by the forelock}, to make
prompt use of anything; not to let slip an opportunity.
Time is painted with a lock before and bald behind,
signifying thereby that we must take time by the
forelock; for when it is once past, there is no
recalling it. --Swift.
On occasion's forelock watchful wait. --Milton.
Forelook \Fore*look"\, v. i.
To look beforehand or forward. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Foreman \Fore"man\, n.; pl. {Foremen}.
The first or chief man; as:
(a) The chief man of a jury, who acts as their speaker.
(b) The chief of a set of hands employed in a shop, or on
works of any kind, who superintends the rest; an
overseer.
Foremast \Fore"mast`\, n. (Naut.)
The mast nearest the bow.
{Foremast} {hand or man} (Naut.), a common sailor; also, a
man stationed to attend to the gear of the foremast.
Foremeant \Fore*meant"\, a.
Intended beforehand; premeditated. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Forementioned \Fore"men`tioned\, a.
Mentioned before; already cited; aforementioned. --Addison.
Foremilk \Fore"milk`\, n. (Physiol.)
The milk secreted just before, or directly after, the birth
of a child or of the young of an animal; colostrum.
Foremost \Fore"most`\, a. [OE. formest first, AS. formest,
fyrmest, superl. of forma first, which is a superl. fr. fore
fore; cf. Goth. frumist, fruma, first. See {Fore}, adv., and
cf. {First}, {Former}, {Frame}, v. t., {Prime}, a.]
First in time or place; most advanced; chief in rank or
dignity; as, the foremost troops of an army.
THat struck the foremost man of all this world. --Shak.
Foremostly \Fore"most`ly\, adv.
In the foremost place or order; among the foremost. --J.
Webster.
Foremother \Fore"moth`er\, n.
A female ancestor.
Forename \Fore"name`\, n.
A name that precedes the family name or surname; a first
name. --Selden.
Forename \Fore"name`\, v. t.
To name or mention before. --Shak.
Forenamed \Fore"named`\, a.
Named before; aforenamed.
Forenenst \Fore*nenst"\, prep. [See {Fore}, and {Anent}.]
Over against; opposite to. [Now dialectic]
The land forenenst the Greekish shore. --Fairfax.
Fore-night \Fore"-night`\, n.
The evening between twilight and bedtime. [Scot.]
Forenoon \Fore"noon"\, n.
The early part of the day, from morning to meridian, or noon.
Forenotice \Fore"no`tice\, n.
Notice or information of an event before it happens;
forewarning. [R.] --Rymer.
Forensal \Fo*ren"sal\, a.
Forensic. [R.]
Forensic \Fo*ren"sic\, a. [L. forensis, fr. forum a public
place, market place. See {Forum}.]
Belonging to courts of judicature or to public discussion and
debate; used in legal proceedings, or in public discussions;
argumentative; rhetorical; as, forensic eloquence or
disputes.
{Forensic medicine}, medical jurisprudence; medicine in its
relations to law.
Forensic \Fo*ren"sic\, n. (Amer. Colleges)
An exercise in debate; a forensic contest; an argumentative
thesis.
Forensical \Fo*ren"sic*al\, a.
Forensic. --Berkley.
Foreordain \Fore`or*dain"\, v. t.
To ordain or appoint beforehand; to preordain; to
predestinate; to predetermine. --Hooker.
Foreordinate \Fore*or"di*nate\, v. t.
To foreordain.
Foreordination \Fore*or`di*na"tion\, n.
Previous ordination or appointment; predetermination;
predestination.
Fore part \Fore" part`\, or Forepart \Fore"part`\, n.
The part most advanced, or first in time or in place; the
beginning.
Forepast \Fore"past`\, a.
Bygone. [Obs.] --Shak.
Forepossessed \Fore`pos*sessed"\, a.
1. Holding or held formerly in possession. [Obs.]
2. Preoccupied; prepossessed; pre["e]ngaged. [Obs.]
Not extremely forepossessed with prejudice. --Bp.
Sanderson.
Foreprize \Fore*prize"\, v. t.
To prize or rate beforehand. [Obs.] --Hooker.
Forepromised \Fore`prom"ised\, a.
Promised beforehand; pre["e]ngaged. --Bp. Hall.
Forequoted \Fore"quot`ed\, a.
Cited before; quoted in a foregoing part of the treatise or
essay.
Foreran \Fore*ran"\,
imp. of {Forerun}.
Forerank \Fore"rank`\, n.
The first rank; the front.
Forereach \Fore*reach"\, v. t. (Naut.)
To advance or gain upon; -- said of a vessel that gains upon
another when sailing closehauled.
Forereach \Fore*reach"\, v. i. (Naut.)
To shoot ahead, especially when going in stays. --R. H. Dana,
Jr.
Foreread \Fore*read"\, v. t.
To tell beforehand; to signify by tokens; to predestine.
[Obs.] --Spenser.
Forerecited \Fore`re*cit"ed\, a.
Named or recited before. ``The forerecited practices.''
--Shak.
Foreremembered \Fore`re*mem"bered\, a.
Called to mind previously. --Bp. Montagu.
Foreright \Fore"right`\, a.
Ready; directly forward; going before. [Obs.] ``A foreright
wind.'' --Chapman.
Foreright \Fore"right`\, adv.
Right forward; onward. [Obs.]
Forerun \Fore*run"\, v. t.
1. To turn before; to precede; to be in advance of (something
following).
2. To come before as an earnest of something to follow; to
introduce as a harbinger; to announce.
These signs forerun the death or fall of kings.
--Shak.
Forerunner \Fore*run"ner\, n.
1. A messenger sent before to give notice of the approach of
others; a harbinger; a sign foreshowing something; a
prognostic; as, the forerunner of a fever.
Whither the forerunner in for us entered, even
Jesus. --Heb. vi. 20.
My elder brothers, my forerunners, came. --Dryden.
2. A predecessor; an ancestor. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. (Naut.) A piece of rag terminating the log line.
Foresaid \Fore"said`\, a.
Mentioned before; aforesaid.
Foresail \Fore"sail`\, n. (Naut.)
(a) The sail bent to the foreyard of a square-rigged vessel,
being the lowest sail on the foremast.
(b) The gaff sail set on the foremast of a schooner.
(c) The fore staysail of a sloop, being the triangular sail
next forward of the mast.
Foresay \Fore*say"\, v. t. [AS. foresecgan; fore + secgan to
say. See {Say}, v. t.]
To foretell. [Obs.]
Her danger nigh that sudden change foresaid. --Fairfax.
Foresee \Fore*see"\, v. t. [AS. forese['o]n; fore + se['o]n to
see. See {See}, v. t.]
1. To see beforehand; to have prescience of; to foreknow.
A prudent man foreseeth the evil. --Prov. xxii.
3.
2. To provide. [Obs.]
Great shoals of people, which go on to populate,
without foreseeing means of life. --Bacon.
Foresee \Fore*see"\, v. i.
To have or exercise foresight. [Obs.]
Foreseen \Fore*seen"\, conj., or (strictly) p. p.
Provided; in case that; on condition that. [Obs.]
One manner of meat is most sure to every complexion,
foreseen that it be alway most commonly in conformity
of qualities, with the person that eateth. --Sir T.
Elyot.
Foreseer \Fore*se"er\, n.
One who foresees or foreknows.
Foreseize \Fore*seize"\, v. t.
To seize beforehand.
Foreshadow \Fore*shad"ow\, v. t.
To shadow or typi?y beforehand; to prefigure. --Dryden.
Foreshew \Fore*shew"\, v. t.
See {Foreshow}.
Foreship \Fore"ship`\, n.
The fore part of a ship. [Obs.]
Foreshorten \Fore*short"en\, v. t.
1. (Fine Art) To represent on a plane surface, as if extended
in a direction toward the spectator or nearly so; to
shorten by drawing in perspective.
2. Fig.: To represent pictorially to the imagination.
Songs, and deeds, and lives that lie Foreshortened
in the tract of time. --Tennyson.
Foreshortening \Fore*short"en*ing\, n. (Fine Arts)
Representation in a foreshortened mode or way.
Foreshot \Fore"shot`\, n.
In distillation of low wines, the first portion of spirit
that comes over, being a fluid abounding in fusel oil.
--Knight.
Foreshow \Fore*show"\, v. t. [AS. foresce['a]wian to foresee,
provide; fore + sce['a]wian to see. See {Show}, v. t.]
To show or exhibit beforehand; to give foreknowledge of; to
prognosticate; to foretell.
Your looks foreshow You have a gentle heart. --Shak.
Next, like Aurora, Spenser rose, Whose purple blush the
day foreshows. --Denham.
Foreshower \Fore*show"er\, n.
One who predicts.
Foreside \Fore"side\, n.
1. The front side; the front; esp., a stretch of country
fronting the sea.
2. The outside or external covering. --Spenser.
Foresight \Fore"sight`\, n.
1. The act or the power of foreseeing; prescience;
foreknowledge. --Milton.
2. Action in reference to the future; provident care;
prudence; wise forethought.
This seems an unseasonable foresight. --Milton.
A random expense, without plan or foresight.
--Burke.
3. (Surv.) Any sight or reading of the leveling staff, except
the backsight; any sight or bearing taken by a compass or
theodolite in a forward direction.
4. (Gun.) Muzzle sight. See {Fore sight}, under {Fore}, a.
Foresighted \Fore"sight`ed\, a.
Sagacious; prudent; provident for the future. --Bartram.
Foresightful \Fore"sight`ful\, a.
Foresighted. [Obs.]
Foresignify \Fore*sig"ni*fy\, v. t.
To signify beforehand; to foreshow; to typify. --Milton.
Foreskin \Fore"skin\, n. (Anat.)
The fold of skin which covers the glans of the penis; the
prepuce.
Foreskirt \Fore"skirt`\, n.
The front skirt of a garment, in distinction from the train.
Honor's train Is longer than his foreskirt. --Shak.
Foreslack \Fore*slack"\, v. t. [Obs.]
See {Forslack}.
Foresleeve \Fore"sleeve`\, n.
The sleeve below the elbow.
Foreslow \Fore*slow"\, v. t. [See {Forslow}.]
To make slow; to hinder; to obstruct. [Obs.] See {Forslow},
v. t.
No stream, no wood, no mountain could foreslow Their
hasty pace. --Fairfax.
Foreslow \Fore*slow"\, v. i.
To loiter. [Obs.] See {Forslow}, v. i.
Forespeak \Fore*speak"\, v. t. [Obs.]
See {Forspeak}.
Forespeak \Fore*speak"\, v. t.
To foretell; to predict. [Obs.]
My mother was half a witch; never anything that she
forespake but came to pass. --Beau. & Fl.
Forespeaking \Fore"speak`ing\, n.
A prediction; also, a preface. [Obs.] --Camden. Huloet.
Forespeech \Fore"speech`\, n.
A preface. [Obs.] --Sherwood.
Forespent \Fore*spent"\, a. [Fore + spent.]
Already spent; gone by; past. [Obs.] --Shak.
Forespent \Fore*spent"\, a. [Obs.]
See {Forspent}.
Forespurrer \Fore*spur"rer\, n.
One who rides before; a harbinger. [Obs.] --Shak.
Forest \For"est\, n. [OF. forest, F. for[^e]t, LL. forestis,
also, forestus, forestum, foresta, prop., open ground
reserved for the chase, fr. L. foris, foras, out of doors,
abroad. See {Foreign}.]
1. An extensive wood; a large tract of land covered with
trees; in the United States, a wood of native growth, or a
tract of woodland which has never been cultivated.
2. (Eng. Law) A large extent or precinct of country,
generally waste and woody, belonging to the sovereign, set
apart for the keeping of game for his use, not inclosed,
but distinguished by certain limits, and protected by
certain laws, courts, and officers of its own. --Burrill.
Forest \For"est\, a.
Of or pertaining to a forest; sylvan.
{Forest fly}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of numerous species of blood-sucking flies, of the
family {Tabanid[ae]}, which attack both men and beasts.
See {Horse fly}.
(b) A fly of the genus {Hippobosca}, esp. {H. equina}. See
{Horse tick}.
{Forest glade}, a grassy space in a forest. --Thomson.
{Forest laws}, laws for the protection of game, preservation
of timber, etc., in forests.
{Forest tree}, a tree of the forest, especially a timber
tree, as distinguished from a {fruit tree}.
Forest \For"est\, v. t.
To cover with trees or wood.
Forestaff \Fore"staff`\, n. (Naut.)
An instrument formerly used at sea for taking the altitudes
of heavenly bodies, now superseded by the sextant; -- called
also {cross-staff}. --Brande & C.
Forestage \For"est*age\, n. [Cf. F. forestage.] (O. Eng. Law)
(a) A duty or tribute payable to the king's foresters.
(b) A service paid by foresters to the king.
Forestal \For"est*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to forests; as, forestal rights.
Forestall \Fore*stall"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Forestalled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Forestalling}.] [OE. forstallen to stop, to
obstruct; to stop (goods) on the way to the market by buying
them beforehand, from forstal obstruction, AS. forsteal,
foresteall, prop., a placing one's self before another. See
{Fore}, and {Stall}.]
1. To take beforehand, or in advance; to anticipate.
What need a man forestall his date of grief, And run
to meet what he would most avoid? --Milton.
2. To take possession of, in advance of some one or something
else, to the exclusion or detriment of the latter; to get
ahead of; to preoccupy; also, to exclude, hinder, or
prevent, by prior occupation, or by measures taken in
advance.
An ugly serpent which forestalled their way. --Fairfax.
But evermore those damsels did forestall Their furious
encounter. --Spenser.
To be forestalled ere we come to fall. --Shak.
Habit is a forestalled and obstinate judge. --Rush.
3. To deprive; -- with of. [R.]
All the better; may This night forestall him of the
coming day! --Shak.
4. (Eng. Law) To obstruct or stop up, as a way; to stop the
passage of on highway; to intercept on the road, as goods
on the way to market.
{To forestall the market}, to buy or contract for merchandise
or provision on its way to market, with the intention of
selling it again at a higher price; to dissuade persons
from bringing their goods or provisions there; or to
persuade them to enhance the price when there. This was an
offense at law in England until 1844. --Burrill.
Syn: To anticipate; monopolize; engross.
Forestaller \Fore*stall"er\, n.
One who forestalls; esp., one who forestalls the market.
--Locke.
Forestay \Fore"stay`\, n. (Naut.)
A large, strong rope, reaching from the foremast head to the
bowsprit, to support the mast. See Illust. under {Ship}.
Forester \For"est*er\, n. [F. forestier, LL. forestarius.]
1. One who has charge of the growing timber on an estate; an
officer appointed to watch a forest and preserve the game.
2. An inhabitant of a forest. --Wordsworth.
3. A forest tree. [R.] --Evelyn.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A lepidopterous insect belonging to {Alypia}
and allied genera; as, the eight-spotted forester ({A.
octomaculata}), which in the larval state is injurious to
the grapevine.
Forestick \Fore"stick`\, n.
Front stick of a hearth fire.
Forestry \For"est*ry\, n. [Cf. OF. foresterie.]
The art of forming or of cultivating forests; the management
of growing timber.
Foreswart \Fore"swart`\, Foreswart \Fore"swart`\, a. [Obs.]
See {Forswat}.
Foretaste \Fore"taste`\, n.
A taste beforehand; enjoyment in advance; anticipation.
Foretaste \Fore*taste"\, v. t.
1. To taste before full possession; to have previous
enjoyment or experience of; to anticipate.
2. To taste before another. ``Foretasted fruit.'' --Milton.
Foretaster \Fore"tast`er\ (? or ?), n.
One who tastes beforehand, or before another.
Foreteach \Fore*teach"\, v. t.
To teach beforehand. [Obs.]
Foretell \Fore*tell"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Foretold}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Foretelling}.]
To predict; to tell before occurence; to prophesy; to
foreshow.
Deeds then undone my faithful tongue foretold. --Pope.
Prodigies, foretelling the future eminence and luster
of his character. --C.
Middleton.
Syn: To predict; prophesy; prognosticate; augur.
Foretell \Fore*tell"\, v. i.
To utter predictions. --Acts iii. 24.
Foreteller \Fore*tell"er\, n.
One who predicts. --Boyle.
Forethink \Fore*think"\, v. t.
1. To think beforehand; to anticipate in the mind; to
prognosticate. [Obs.]
The soul of every man Prophetically doth forethink
thy fall. --Shak.
2. To contrive (something) beforehend. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Forethink \Fore*think"\, v. i.
To contrive beforehand. [Obs.]
Forethought \Fore"thought`\, a.
Thought of, or planned, beforehand; aforethought; prepense;
hence, deliberate. ``Forethought malice.'' --Bacon.
Forethought \Fore"thought`\, n.
A thinking or planning beforehand; prescience; premeditation;
forecast; provident care.
A sphere that will demand from him forethought,
courage, and wisdom. --I. Taylor.
Forethoughtful \Fore"thought`ful\, a.
Having forethought. [R.]
Foretime \Fore"time`\, n.
The past; the time before the present. ``A very dim
foretime.'' --J. C. Shairp.
Foretoken \Fore"to`ken\, n. [AS. foret[=a]cen. See {Token}.]
Prognostic; previous omen. --Sir P. Sidney.
Foretoken \Fore*to"ken\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Foretokened}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Foretokening}.] [AS. foret[=a]cnian; fore +
t[=a]cnian.]
To foreshow; to presignify; to prognosticate.
Whilst strange prodigious signs foretoken blood.
--Daniel.
Fore tooth \Fore" tooth`\, pl. {Fore teeth}. (Anat.)
One of the teeth in the forepart of the mouth; an incisor.
Foretop \Fore"top`\, n.
1. The hair on the forepart of the head; esp., a tuft or lock
of hair which hangs over the forehead, as of a horse.
2. That part of a headdress that is in front; the top of a
periwig.
3. (Naut.) The platform at the head of the foremast.
Fore-topgallant \Fore`-top*gal"lant\ (? or ?), a. (Naut.)
Designating the mast, sail, yard, etc., above the topmast;
as, the fore-topgallant sail. See {Sail}.
Fore-topmast \Fore`-top"mast\, n. (Naut.)
The mast erected at the head of the foremast, and at the head
of which stands the fore-topgallant mast. See {Ship}.
Fore-topsail \Fore`-top"sail\ (? or ?), n. (Naut.)
See {Sail}.
Forever \For*ev"er\, adv. [For, prep. + ever.]
1. Through eternity; through endless ages, eternally.
2. At all times; always.
Note: In England, for and ever are usually written and
printed as two separate words; but, in the United
States, the general practice is to make but a single
word of them.
{Forever and ever}, an emphatic ``forever.''
Syn: Constantly; continually; invariably; unchangeably;
incessantly; always; perpetually; unceasingly;
ceaselessly; interminably; everlastingly; endlessly;
eternally.
Forevouched \Fore*vouched"\, a.
Formerly vouched or avowed; affirmed in advance. [R.] --Shak.
Foreward \Fore"ward`\, n.
The van; the front. [Obs.]
My foreward shall be drawn out all in length,
Consisting equally of horse and foot. --Shak.
Forewarn \Fore*warn"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Forewarned}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Forewarning}.]
To warn beforehand; to give previous warning, admonition,
information, or notice to; to caution in advance.
We were forewarned of your coming. --Shak.
Forewaste \Fore*waste"\, v. t.
See {Forewaste}. --Gascoigne.
Forewend \Fore*wend"\, v. t. [Fore + wend.]
To go before. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Forewish \Fore*wish"\, v. t.
To wish beforehand.
Forewit \Fore"wit`\, n.
1. A leader, or would-be leader, in matters of knowledge or
taste. [Obs.]
Nor that the forewits, that would draw the rest unto
their liking, always like the best. --B. Jonson.
2. Foresight; prudence.
Let this forewit guide thy thought. --Southwell.
Forewite \Fore*wite"\, v. t. [pres. indic. sing., 1st & 3d pers.
{Forewot}, 2d person {Forewost}, pl. {Forewiten}; imp. sing.
{Forewiste}, pl. {Forewisten}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Forewiting}.]
[AS. forewitan. See {Wit} to know.]
To foreknow. [Obs.] [Written also {forwete}.] --Chaucer.
Forewoman \Fore"wom`an\, n.; pl. {Forewomen}.
A woman who is chief; a woman who has charge of the work or
workers in a shop or other place; a head woman. --Tatler.
--W. Besant.
Foreword \Fore"word`\, n.
A preface. --Furnvall.
Foreworn \Fore*worn"\, a. [See {Forworn}.]
Worn out; wasted; used up. [Archaic]
Old foreworn stories almost forgotten. --Brydges.
Forewot \Fore*wot"\,
pres. indic., 1st & 3d pers. sing. of {Forewite}. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Foreyard \Fore"yard`\, n. (Naut.)
The lowermost yard on the foremast.
Note: [See Illust. of {Ship}.]
Forfalture \For"fal*ture\, n.
Forfeiture. [Obs.]
Forfeit \For"feit\, n. [OE. forfet crime, penalty, F. forfait
crime (LL. forefactum, forifactum), prop. p. p. of forfaire
to forfeit, transgress, fr. LL. forifacere, prop., to act
beyond; L. foris out of doors, abroad, beyond + facere to do.
See {Foreign}, and {FAct}.]
1. Injury; wrong; mischief. [Obs. & R.]
To seek arms upon people and country that never did
us any forfeit. --Ld. Berners.
2. A thing forfeit or forfeited; what is or may be taken from
one in requital of a misdeed committed; that which is
lost, or the right to which is alienated, by a crime,
offense, neglect of duty, or breach of contract; hence, a
fine; a mulct; a penalty; as, he who murders pays the
forfeit of his life.
Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy
other forfeits. --Shak.
3. Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine; --
whence the game of forfeits.
Country dances and forfeits shortened the rest of
the day. --Goldsmith.
Forfeit \For"feit\, a. [F. forfait, p. p. of forfaire. See
{Forfeit}, n.]
Lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal
seizure.
Thy wealth being forfeit to the state. --Shak.
To tread the forfeit paradise. --Emerson.
Forfeit \For"feit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Forfeited}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Forfeiting}.] [OE. forfeten. See {Forfeit}, n.]
To lose, or lose the right to, by some error, fault, offense,
or crime; to render one's self by misdeed liable to be
deprived of; to alienate the right to possess, by some
neglect or crime; as, to forfeit an estate by treason; to
forfeit reputation by a breach of promise; -- with to before
the one acquiring what is forfeited.
[They] had forfeited their property by their crimes.
--Burke.
Undone and forfeited to cares forever! --Shak.
Forfeit \For"feit\, v. i.
1. To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress.
[Obs.]
2. To fail to keep an obligation. [Obs.]
I will have the heart of him if he forfeit. --Shak.
Forfeit \For"feit\, p. p. or a.
In the condition of being forfeited; subject to alienation.
--Shak.
Once more I will renew His laps[`e]d powers, though
forfeite. --Milton.
Fourfeitable \Four"feit*a*ble\, a.
Liable to be forfeited; subject to forfeiture.
For the future, uses shall be subject to the statutes
of mortmain, and forfeitable, like the lands
themselves. --Blackstone.
Forfeiter \For"feit*er\, n.
One who incurs a penalty of forfeiture.
Forfeiture \For"fei*ture\ (?; 135), n. [F. forfeiture, LL.
forisfactura.]
1. The act of forfeiting; the loss of some right, privilege,
estate, honor, office, or effects, by an offense, crime,
breach of condition, or other act.
Under pain of foreiture of the said goods.
--Hakluyt.
2. That which is forfeited; a penalty; a fine or mulct.
What should I gain By the exaction of the
forfeiture? --Shak.
Syn: Fine; mulct; amercement; penalty.
Forfend \For*fend"\, v. t. [Pref. for- + fend. See {Forewend}.]
To prohibit; to forbid; to avert. [Archaic]
Which peril heaven forefend! --Shak.
Note: This is etymologically the preferable spelling.
Forfered \For*fer"ed\, p. p. & a. [See {For-}, and {Fear}.]
Excessively alarmed; in great fear. [Obs.] ``Forfered of his
death.'' --Chaucer.
Forfete \For"fete\, v. i. [See {Forfeit}.]
To incur a penalty; to transgress. [Obs.]
And all this suffered our Lord Jesus Christ that never
forfeted. --Chaucer.
Forfex \For"fex\, n. [L.]
A pair of shears. --Pope.
Forficate \For"fi*cate\, a. [L. forfex, forficis, shears.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Deeply forked, as the tail of certain birds.
Forficula \For*fic"u*la\, n. [L., small shears, scissors, dim.
of forfex shears.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of insects including the earwigs. See {Earwig}, 1.
Forgather \For*gath"er\, v. i.
To convene; to gossip; to meet accidentally. [Scot.]
--Jamieson.
Within that circle he forgathered with many a fool.
--Wilson.
Forgave \For*gave"\,
imp. of {Forgive}.
Forge \Forge\, n. [F. forge, fr. L. fabrica the workshop of an
artisan who works in hard materials, fr. faber artisan,
smith, as adj., skillful, ingenious; cf. Gr. ? soft, tender.
Cf. {Fabric}.]
1. A place or establishment where iron or other metals are
wrought by heating and hammering; especially, a furnace,
or a shop with its furnace, etc., where iron is heated and
wrought; a smithy.
In the quick forge and working house of thought.
--Shak.
2. The works where wrought iron is produced directly from the
ore, or where iron is rendered malleable by puddling and
shingling; a shingling mill.
3. The act of beating or working iron or steel; the
manufacture of metalic bodies. [Obs.]
In the greater bodies the forge was easy. --Bacon.
{American forge}, a forge for the direct production of
wrought iron, differing from the old Catalan forge mainly
in using finely crushed ore and working continuously.
--Raymond.
{Catalan forge}. (Metal.) See under {Catalan}.
{Forge cinder}, the dross or slag form a forge or bloomary.
{Forge rolls}, {Forge train}, the train of rolls by which a
bloom is converted into puddle bars.
{Forge wagon} (Mil.), a wagon fitted up for transporting a
blackmith's forge and tools.
{Portable forge}, a light and compact blacksmith's forge,
with bellows, etc., that may be moved from place to place.
Forge \Forge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Forged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Forging}.] [F. forger, OF. forgier, fr. L. fabricare,
fabricari, to form, frame, fashion, from fabrica. See
{Forge}, n., and cf. {Fabricate}.]
1. To form by heating and hammering; to beat into any
particular shape, as a metal.
Mars's armor forged for proof eterne. --Shak.
2. To form or shape out in any way; to produce; to frame; to
invent.
Those names that the schools forged, and put into
the mouth of scholars, could never get admittance
into common use. --Locke.
Do forge a life-long trouble for ourselves.
--Tennyson.
3. To coin. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
4. To make falsely; to produce, as that which is untrue or
not genuine; to fabricate; to counterfeit, as, a
signature, or a signed document.
That paltry story is untrue, And forged to cheat
such gulls as you. --Hudibras.
Forged certificates of his . . . moral character.
--Macaulay.
Syn: To fabricate; counterfeit; feign; falsify.
Forge \Forge\, v. i. [See {Forge}, v. t., and for sense 2, cf.
{Forge} compel.]
1. To commit forgery.
2. (Naut.) To move heavily and slowly, as a ship after the
sails are furled; to work one's way, as one ship in
outsailing another; -- used especially in the phrase to
forge ahead. --Totten.
And off she [a ship] forged without a shock. --De
Quincey.
Forge \Forge\, v. t. (Naut.)
To impel forward slowly; as, to forge a ship forward.
Forgeman \Forge"man\, n.; pl. {Forgemen}.
A skilled smith, who has a hammerer to assist him.
Forger \For"ger\, n.[Cf. F. forgeur metal worker, L. fabricator
artificer. See {Forge}, n. & v. t., and cf. {Fabricator}.]
One who forges, makes, of forms; a fabricator; a falsifier.
2. Especially: One guilty of forgery; one who makes or issues
a counterfeit document.
Forgery \For"ger*y\, n.; pl. {Forgeries}. [Cf. F. forgerie.]
1. The act of forging metal into shape. [Obs.]
Useless the forgery Of brazen shield and spear.
--Milton.
2. The act of forging, fabricating, or producing falsely;
esp., the crime of fraudulently making or altering a
writing or signature purporting to be made by another; the
false making or material alteration of or addition to a
written instrument for the purpose of deceit and fraud;
as, the forgery of a bond. --Bouvier.
3. That which is forged, fabricated, falsely devised, or
counterfeited.
These are the forgeries of jealously. --Shak.
The writings going under the name of Aristobulus
were a forgery of the second century. --Waterland.
Syn: {Counterfeit}; {Forgery}.
Usage: Counterfeit is chiefly used of imitations of coin, or
of paper money, or of securities depending upon
pictorial devices and engraved designs for identity or
assurance of genuineness. Forgery is more properly
applied to making a false imitation of an instrument
depending on signatures to show genuineness and
validity. --Abbott.
Forget \For*get"\, v. t. [imp. {Forgot}({Forgat}, Obs.); p. p.
{Forgotten}, {Forgot}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Forgetting}.] [OE.
forgeten, foryeten, AS. forgietan, forgitan; pref. for- +
gietan, gitan (only in comp.), to get; cf. D. vergeten, G.
vergessen, Sw. f["o]rg["a]ta, Dan. forgiette. See {For-}, and
{Get}, v. t.]
1. To lose the remembrance of; to let go from the memory; to
cease to have in mind; not to think of; also, to lose the
power of; to cease from doing.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his
benefits. --Ps. ciii. 2.
Let y right hand forget her cunning. --Ps. cxxxvii.
5.
Hath thy knee forget to bow? --Shak.
2. To treat with inattention or disregard; to slight; to
neglect.
Can a woman forget her sucking child? . . . Yes,
they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. --Is.
xlix. 15.
{To forget one's self}.
(a) To become unmindful of one's own personality; to be
lost in thought.
(b) To be entirely unselfish.
(c) To be guilty of what is unworthy of one; to lose one's
dignity, temper, or self-control.
Forgetful \For*get"ful\, a.
1. Apt to forget; easily losing remembrance; as, a forgetful
man should use helps to strengthen his memory.
2. Heedless; careless; neglectful; inattentive.
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers. --Heb.
xiii. 2.
3. Causing to forget; inducing oblivion; oblivious. [Archaic
or Poetic] ``The forgetful wine.'' --J. Webster.
Forgetfully \For*get"ful*ly\, adv.
In a forgetful manner.
Forgetfulness \For*get"ful*ness\, n.
1. The quality of being forgetful; prononess to let slip from
the mind.
2. Loss of remembrance or recollection; a ceasing to
remember; oblivion.
A sweet forgetfulness of human care. --Pope.
3. Failure to bear in mind; careless omission; inattention;
as, forgetfulness of duty.
Syn: {Forgetfulnes}, {Oblivion}.
Usage: Forgetfulness is Anglo-Saxon, and oblivion is Latin.
The former commonly has reference to persons, and
marks a state of mind; the latter commonly has
reference to things, and indicates a condition into
which they are sunk. We blame a man for his
forgetfulness; we speak of some old custom as buried
in oblivion. But this discrimination is not strictly
adhered to.
Forgetive \For"ge*tive\, a. [From {Forge}.]
Inventive; productive; capable. [Obs.] --Shak.
Forget-me-not \For*get"-me-not`\, n. [Cf. G. vergissmeinnicht.]
(Bot.)
A small herb, of the genus {Myosotis} ({M. palustris},
{incespitosa}, etc.), bearing a beautiful blue flower, and
extensively considered the emblem of fidelity.
Note: Formerly the name was given to the {Ajuga
Cham[ae]pitus}.
Forgettable \For*get"ta*ble\, a.
Liable to be, or that may be, forgotten. --Carlyle.
Forgetter \For*get"ter\, n.
One who forgets; a heedless person. --Johnson.
Forgettingly \For*get"ting*ly\, adv.
By forgetting.
Forging \For"ging\, n.
1. The act of shaping metal by hammering or pressing.
2. The act of counterfeiting.
3. (Mach.) A piece of forged work in metal; -- a general name
for a piece of hammered iron or steel.
There are very few yards in the world at which such
forgings could be turned out. --London
Times.
Forgivable \For*giv"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being forgiven; pardonable; venial. --Sherwood.
Forgive \For*give"\, v. t. [imp. {Forgave}; p. p. {Forgiven}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Forgiving}] [OE. forgiven, foryiven, foryeven,
AS. forgiefan, forgifan; perh. for- + giefan, gifan to give;
cf. D. vergeven, G. vergeben, Icel. fyrirgefa, Sw. f?rgifva,
Goth. fragiban to give, grant. See {For-}, and {Give}, v. t.]
1. To give wholly; to make over without reservation; to
resign.
To them that list the world's gay shows I leave, And
to great ones such folly do forgive. --Spenser.
2. To give up resentment or claim to requital on account of
(an offense or wrong); to remit the penalty of; to pardon;
-- said in reference to the act forgiven.
And their sins should be forgiven them. --Mark iv.
12.
He forgive injures so readily that he might be said
to invite them. --Macaulay.
3. To cease to feel resentment against, on account of wrong
committed; to give up claim to requital from or
retribution upon (an offender); to absolve; to pardon; --
said of the person offending.
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they
do. --Luke xxiii.
34.
I as free forgive you, as I would be fforgiven.
--Shak.
Note: Sometimes both the person and the offense follow as
objects of the verb, sometimes one and sometimes the
other being the indirect object. ``Forgive us our debts
as we forgive our debtors.'' --Matt. vi. 12. ``Be of
good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.'' --Matt. ix. 2.
Syn: See {excuse}.
Forgiveness \For*give"ness\, n. [AS. forgifnes.]
1. The act of forgiving; the state of being forgiven; as, the
forgiveness of sin or of injuries.
To the Lord our God belong mercies and
forgivenesses. --Dan. ix. 9.
In whom we have . . . the forgiveness of sin. --Eph.
i. 7.
2. Disposition to pardon; willingness to forgive.
If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord,
who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee,
that thou mayest be feared. --Ps. cxxx. 3,
4.
Syn:
Pardon \Pardon\, remission \remission\
Usage: {Forgiveness}, {Pardon}. Forgiveness is Anglo-Saxon,
and pardon Norman French, both implying a giving back.
The word pardon, being early used in our Bible, has,
in religious matters, the same sense as forgiveness;
but in the language of common life there is a
difference between them, such as we often find between
corresponding Anglo-Saxon and Norman words. Forgive
points to inward feeling, and suppose alienated
affection; when we ask forgiveness, we primarily seek
the removal of anger. Pardon looks more to outward
things or consequences, and is often applied to
trifling matters, as when we beg pardon for
interrupting a man, or for jostling him in a crowd.
The civil magistrate also grants a pardon, and not
forgiveness. The two words are, therefore, very
clearly distinguished from each other in most cases
which relate to the common concerns of life. Forgiver
\For*giv"er\, n.
One who forgives. --Johnson.
Forgiving \For*giv"ing\, a.
Disposed to forgive; inclined to overlook offenses; mild;
merciful; compassionate; placable; as, a forgiving temper. --
{For*giv"ing*ly}, adv. -- {For*giv"ing*ness}, n. --J. C.
Shairp.
Forgo \For*go"\, v. t. [imp. {Forwent}; p. p. {Forgone}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Forgoing}.] [OE. forgan, forgon, forgoon, AS.
forg[=a]n, prop., to go past, hence, to abstain from; pref.
for- + g[=a]n to go; akin to G. vergehen to pass away, to
transgress. See {Go}, v. i.]
To pass by; to leave. See 1st {Forego}.
For sith [since] I shall forgoon my liberty At your
request. --Chaucer.
And four [days] since Florimell the court forwent.
--Spenser.
Note: This word in spelling has been confused with, and
almost superseded by, forego to go before.
Etymologically the form forgo is correct.
Forgot \For*got"\,
imp. & p. p. of {Forget}.
Forgotten \For*got"ten\,
p. p. of {Forget}.
Forhall \For*hall"\, v. t. [Pref. for- + hale to draw.]
To harass; to torment; to distress. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Forhend \For*hend"\, v. t.
To seize upon. [Obs.]
Forinsecal \Fo*rin"se*cal\, a. [L. forinsecus from without.]
Foreign; alien. [Obs.] --Bp. Burnet.
Forisfamiliate \Fo`ris*fa*mil"i*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Forisfamiliated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Forisfamiliating}.] [LL.
forisfamiliatus, p. p. of forisfamiliater to forisfamiliate;
L. foris abroad, without + familia family.] (LAw)
Literally, to put out of a family; hence, to portion off, so
as to exclude further claim of inheritance; to emancipate (as
a with his own consent) from paternal authority.
--Blackstone.
Forisfamiliate \Fo`ris*fa*mil"i*ate\, v. i. (Law)
To renounce a legal title to a further share of paternal
inheritance.
Forisfamiliation \Fo`ris*fa*mil`i*a"tion\, n. (Law)
The act of forisfamiliating.
Fork \Fork\ (f[^o]rj), n. [AS. forc, fr. L. furca. Cf.
{Fourch['e]}, {Furcate}.]
1. An instrument consisting of a handle with a shank
terminating in two or more prongs or tines, which are
usually of metal, parallel and slightly curved; -- used
from piercing, holding, taking up, or pitching anything.
2. Anything furcate or like a fork in shape, or furcate at
the extremity; as, a tuning fork.
3. One of the parts into which anything is furcated or
divided; a prong; a branch of a stream, a road, etc.; a
barbed point, as of an arrow.
Let it fall . . . though the fork invade The region
of my heart. --Shak.
A thunderbolt with three forks. --Addison.
4. The place where a division or a union occurs; the angle or
opening between two branches or limbs; as, the fork of a
river, a tree, or a road.
5. The gibbet. [Obs.] --Bp. Butler.
{Fork beam} (Shipbuilding), a half beam to support a deck,
where hatchways occur.
{Fork chuck} (Wood Turning), a lathe center having two prongs
for driving the work.
{Fork head}.
(a) The barbed head of an arrow.
(b) The forked end of a rod which forms part of a knuckle
joint.
{In fork}. (Mining) A mine is said to be in fork, or an
engine to ``have the water in fork,'' when all the water
is drawn out of the mine. --Ure.
{The forks of a river} or {a road}, the branches into which
it divides, or which come together to form it; the place
where separation or union takes place.
Fork \Fork\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Forked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Forking}.]
1. To shoot into blades, as corn.
The corn beginneth to fork. --Mortimer.
2. To divide into two or more branches; as, a road, a tree,
or a stream forks.
Fork \Fork\, v. t.
To raise, or pitch with a fork, as hay; to dig or turn over
with a fork, as the soil.
Forking the sheaves on the high-laden cart. --Prof.
Wilson.
{To fork} {over or out}, to hand or pay over, as money.
[Slang] --G. Eliot.
Forkbeard \Fork"beard`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A European fish ({Raniceps raninus}), having a large flat
head; -- also called {tadpole fish}, and {lesser forked
beard}.
(b) The European forked hake or hake's-dame ({Phycis
blennoides}); -- also called {great forked beard}.
Forked \Forked\, a.
1. Formed into a forklike shape; having a fork; dividing into
two or more prongs or branches; furcated; bifurcated;
zigzag; as, the forked lighting.
A serpent seen, with forked tongue. --Shak.
2. Having a double meaning; ambiguous; equivocal.
{Cross forked} (Her.), a cross, the ends of whose arms are
divided into two sharp points; -- called also {cross
double fitch['e]}. A {cross forked of three points} is a
cross, each of whose arms terminates in three sharp
points.
{Forked counsel}, advice pointing more than one way;
ambiguous advice. [Obs.] --B. Jonson. -- {Fork"ed*ly},
adv. -- {Fork"ed*ness}, n.
Forkerve \For*kerve\, v. t. [Obs.]
See {Forcarve}, v. t.
Forkiness \Fork"i*ness\, n.
The quality or state or dividing in a forklike manner.
Forkless \Fork"less\, a.
Having no fork.
Forktail \Fork"tail`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of several Asiatic and East Indian passerine birds,
belonging to {Enucurus}, and allied genera. The tail is
deeply forking.
(b) A salmon in its fourth year's growth. [Prov. Eng.]
Fork-tailed \Fork"-tailed`\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having the outer tail feathers longer than the median ones;
swallow-tailed; -- said of many birds.
{Fork-tailed flycatcher} (Zo["o]l.), a tropical American
flycatcher ({Milvulus tyrannus}).
{Fork-tailed gull} (Zo["o]l.), a gull of the genus {Xema}, of
two species, esp. {X. Sabinii} of the Arctic Ocean.
{Fork-tailed kite} (Zo["o]l.), a graceful American kite
({Elanoides forficatus}); -- called also {swallow-tailed
kite}.
Forky \Fork"y\, a.
Opening into two or more parts or shoots; forked; furcated.
``Forky tongues.'' --Pope.
Forlaft \For*laft"\, obs.
p. p. of {Forleave}. --Chaucer.
Forlay \For*lay"\, v. t. [Pref. for- + lay.]
To lie in wait for; to ambush.
An ambushed thief forlays a traveler. --Dryden.
Forleave \For*leave"\, v. t. [OE. forleven; pref. for- + leven
to leave.]
To leave off wholly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Forlend \For*lend"\, v. t.
To give up wholly. [Obs.]
Forlese \For*lese"\, v. t. [p. p. {Forlore}, {Forlorn}.] [OE.
forlesen. See {Forlorn}.]
To lose utterly. [Obs.] --haucer.
Forlet \For*let"\, v. t. [OE. forleten, AS. forl[=ae]tan; pref.
for- + l[=ae]tan to allow; akin to G. verlassen to leave. See
{Let} to allow.]
To give up; to leave; to abandon. [Obs.] ``To forlet sin.''
--Chaucer.
Forlie \For*lie"\, v. i.
See {Forelie}.
Forlore \For*lore"\,
imp. pl. & p. p. of {Forlese}. [Obs.]
The beasts their caves, the birds their nests forlore.
--Fairfax.
Forlorn \For*lorn"\, a. [OE., p. p. of forlesen to lose utterly,
AS. forle['o]san (p. p. forloren); pref. for- + le['o]san (in
comp.) to lose; cf. D. verliezen to lose, G. verlieren, Sw.
f["o]rlora, Dan. forloren, Goth. fraliusan to lose. See
{For-}, and {Lorn}, a., {Lose}, v. t.]
1. Deserted; abandoned; lost.
Of fortune and of hope at once forlorn. --Spenser.
Some say that ravens foster forlorn children.
--Shak.
2. Destitute; helpless; in pitiful plight; wretched;
miserable; almost hopeless; desperate.
For here forlorn and lost I tread. --Goldsmith.
The condition of the besieged in the mean time was
forlorn in the extreme. --Prescott.
She cherished the forlorn hope that he was still
living. --Thomson.
{A forlorn hope} [D. verloren hoop, prop., a lost band or
troop; verloren, p. p. of verliezen to lose + hoop band;
akin to E. heap. See {For-}, and {Heap}.] (Mil.), a body
of men (called in F. enfants perdus, in G. verlornen
posten) selected, usually from volunteers, to attempt a
breach, scale the wall of a fortress, or perform other
extraordinarily perilous service; also, a desperate case
or enterprise.
Syn: Destitute, lost; abandoned; forsaken; solitary;
helpless; friendless; hopeless; abject; wretched;
miserable; pitiable.
Forlorn \For*lorn"\, n.
1. A lost, forsaken, or solitary person.
Forced to live in Scotland a forlorn. --Shak.
2. A forlorn hope; a vanguard. [Obs.]
Our forlorn of horse marched within a mile of the
enemy. --Oliver
Cromvell.
Forlornly \For*lorn"ly\, adv.
In a forlorn manner. --Pollok.
Forlornness \For*lorn"ness\, n.
State of being forlorn. --Boyle.
Forlye \For*lye"\, v. i.
Same as {Forlie}. [Obs.]
form \form\ [See {Form}, n.]
A suffix used to denote in the form or shape of, resembling,
etc.; as, valiform; oviform.
Form \Form\ (f[=o]rm; in senses 8 & 9, often f[=o]rm in
England), n. [OE. & F. forme, fr. L. forma; cf. Skr.
dhariman. Cf. {Firm}.]
1. The shape and structure of anything, as distinguished from
the material of which it is composed; particular
disposition or arrangement of matter, giving it
individuality or distinctive character; configuration;
figure; external appearance.
The form of his visage was changed. --Dan. iii.
19.
And woven close close, both matter, form, and style.
--Milton.
2. Constitution; mode of construction, organization, etc.;
system; as, a republican form of government.
3. Established method of expression or practice; fixed way of
proceeding; conventional or stated scheme; formula; as, a
form of prayer.
Those whom form of laws Condemned to die. --Dryden.
4. Show without substance; empty, outside appearance; vain,
trivial, or conventional ceremony; conventionality;
formality; as, a matter of mere form.
Though well we may not pass upon his life Without
the form of justice. --Shak.
5. Orderly arrangement; shapeliness; also, comeliness;
elegance; beauty.
The earth was without form and void. --Gen. i. 2.
He hath no form nor comeliness. --Is. liii. 2.
6. A shape; an image; a phantom.
7. That by which shape is given or determined; mold; pattern;
model.
8. A long seat; a bench; hence, a rank of students in a
school; a class; also, a class or rank in society.
``Ladies of a high form.'' --Bp. Burnet.
9. The seat or bed of a hare.
As in a form sitteth a weary hare. --Chaucer.
10. (Print.) The type or other matter from which an
impression is to be taken, arranged and secured in a
chase.
11. (Fine Arts) The boundary line of a material object. In
painting, more generally, the human body.
12. (Gram.) The particular shape or structure of a word or
part of speech; as, participial forms; verbal forms.
13. (Crystallog.) The combination of planes included under a
general crystallographic symbol. It is not necessarily a
closed solid.
14. (Metaph.) That assemblage or disposition of qualities
which makes a conception, or that internal constitution
which makes an existing thing to be what it is; -- called
essential or substantial form, and contradistinguished
from matter; hence, active or formative nature; law of
being or activity; subjectively viewed, an idea;
objectively, a law.
15. Mode of acting or manifestation to the senses, or the
intellect; as, water assumes the form of ice or snow. In
modern usage, the elements of a conception furnished by
the mind's own activity, as contrasted with its object or
condition, which is called the matter; subjectively, a
mode of apprehension or belief conceived as dependent on
the constitution of the mind; objectively, universal and
necessary accompaniments or elements of every object
known or thought of.
16. (Biol.) The peculiar characteristics of an organism as a
type of others; also, the structure of the parts of an
animal or plant.
{Good form} or {Bad form}, the general appearance, condition
or action, originally of horses, atterwards of persons;
as, the members of a boat crew are said to be in good form
when they pull together uniformly. The phrases are further
used colloquially in description of conduct or manners in
society; as, it is not good form to smoke in the presence
of a lady.
Form \Form\ (f[^o]rm), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Formed} (f[^o]rmd);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Forming}.] [F. former, L. formare, fr.
forma. See {Form}, n.]
1. To give form or shape to; to frame; to construct; to make;
to fashion.
God formed man of the dust of the ground. --Gen. ii.
7.
The thought that labors in my forming brain. --Rowe.
2. To give a particular shape to; to shape, mold, or fashion
into a certain state or condition; to arrange; to adjust;
also, to model by instruction and discipline; to mold by
influence, etc.; to train.
'T is education forms the common mind. --Pope.
Thus formed for speed, he challenges the wind.
--Dryden.
3. To go to make up; to act as constituent of; to be the
essential or constitutive elements of; to answer for; to
make the shape of; -- said of that out of which anything
is formed or constituted, in whole or in part.
The diplomatic politicians . . . who formed by far
the majority. --Burke.
4. To provide with a form, as a hare. See {Form}, n., 9.
The melancholy hare is formed in brakes and briers.
--Drayton.
5. (Gram.) To derive by grammatical rules, as by adding the
proper suffixes and affixes.
Form \Form\, v. i.
1. To take a form, definite shape, or arrangement; as, the
infantry should form in column.
2. To run to a form, as a hare. --B. Jonson.
{To form on} (Mil.), to form a lengthened line with reference
to (any given object) as a basis.
Formal \For"mal\ (f[^o]r"mal), n. [L. formic + alcohol.] (Chem.)
See {Methylal}.
Formal \Form"al\ (f[^o]rm"al), a. [L. formalis: cf. F. formel.]
1. Belonging to the form, shape, frame, external appearance,
or organization of a thing.
2. Belonging to the constitution of a thing, as distinguished
from the matter composing it; having the power of making a
thing what it is; constituent; essential; pertaining to or
depending on the forms, so called, of the human intellect.
Of [the sounds represented by] letters, the material
part is breath and voice; the formal is constituted
by the motion and figure of the organs of speech.
--Holder.
3. Done in due form, or with solemnity; according to regular
method; not incidental, sudden or irregular; express; as,
he gave his formal consent.
His obscure funeral . . . No noble rite nor formal
ostentation. --Shak.
4. Devoted to, or done in accordance with, forms or rules;
punctilious; regular; orderly; methodical; of a prescribed
form; exact; prim; stiff; ceremonious; as, a man formal in
his dress, his gait, his conversation.
A cold-looking, formal garden, cut into angles and
rhomboids. --W. Irwing.
She took off the formal cap that confined her hair.
--Hawthorne.
5. Having the form or appearance without the substance or
essence; external; as, formal duty; formal worship; formal
courtesy, etc.
6. Dependent in form; conventional.
Still in constraint your suffering sex remains, Or
bound in formal or in real chains. --Pope.
7. Sound; normal. [Obs.]
To make of him a formal man again. --Shak.
{Formal cause}. See under {Cause}.
Syn: Precise; punctilious; stiff; starched; affected; ritual;
ceremonial; external; outward.
Usage: {Formal}, {Ceremonious}. When applied to things, these
words usually denote a mere accordance with the rules
of form or ceremony; as, to make a formal call; to
take a ceremonious leave. When applied to a person or
his manners, they are used in a bad sense; a person
being called formal who shapes himself too much by
some pattern or set form, and ceremonious when he lays
too much stress on the conventional laws of social
intercourse. Formal manners render a man stiff or
ridiculous; a ceremonious carriage puts a stop to the
ease and freedom of social intercourse.
Formaldehyde \For*mal"de*hyde\, n. [Formic + aldehyde.] (Chem.)
A colorless, volatile liquid, {H2CO}, resembling acetic or
ethyl aldehyde, and chemically intermediate between methyl
alcohol and formic acid.
Formalism \Form"al*ism\, n.
The practice or the doctrine of strict adherence to, or
dependence on, external forms, esp. in matters of religion.
Official formalism. --Sir H.
Rawlinson.
Formalist \Form"al*ist\, n. [Cf. F. formaliste.]
One overattentive to forms, or too much confined to them;
esp., one who rests in external religious forms, or observes
strictly the outward forms of worship, without possessing the
life and spirit of religion.
As far a formalist from wisdom sits, In judging eyes,
as libertines from wits. --Young.
Formality \For*mal"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Formalities}. [Cf. F.
formalit['e].]
1. The condition or quality of being formal, strictly
ceremonious, precise, etc.
2. Form without substance.
Such [books] as are mere pieces of formality, so
that if you look on them, you look though them.
--Fuller.
3. Compliance with formal or conventional rules; ceremony;
conventionality.
Nor was his attendance on divine offices a matter of
formality and custom, but of conscience.
--Atterbury.
4. An established order; conventional rule of procedure;
usual method; habitual mode.
He was installed with all the usual formalities.
--C.
Middleton.
5. pl. The dress prescribed for any body of men, academical,
municipal, or sacerdotal. [Obs.]
The doctors attending her in their formalities as
far as Shotover. --Fuller.
6. That which is formal; the formal part.
It unties the inward knot of marriage, . . . while
it aims to keep fast the outward formality.
--Milton.
7. The quality which makes a thing what it is; essence.
The material part of the evil came from our father
upon us, but the formality of it, the sting and the
curse, is only by ourselves. --Jer. Taylor.
The formality of the vow lies in the promise made to
God. --Bp.
Stillingfleet.
8. (Scholastic. Philos.) The manner in which a thing is
conceived or constituted by an act of human thinking; the
result of such an act; as, animality and rationality are
formalities.
Formalize \Form"al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Formalized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Formalizing}.]
1. To give form, or a certain form, to; to model. [R.]
2. To render formal.
Formalize \Form"al*ize\, v. i.
To affect formality. [Obs.] --ales.
Formally \Form"al*ly\, adv.
In a formal manner; essentially; characteristically;
expressly; regularly; ceremoniously; precisely.
That which formally makes this [charity] a Christian
grace, is the spring from which it flows. --Smalridge.
You and your followers do stand formally divided
against the authorized guides of the church and rest of
the people. --Hooker.
Formate \For"mate\, n. [See {Formic}.] (Chem.)
A salt of formic acid. [Written also {formiate}.]
Formation \For*ma"tion\, n. [L. formatio: cf. F. formation.]
1. The act of giving form or shape to anything; a forming; a
shaping. --Beattie.
2. The manner in which a thing is formed; structure;
construction; conformation; form; as, the peculiar
formation of the heart.
3. A substance formed or deposited.
4. (Geol.)
(a) Mineral deposits and rock masses designated with
reference to their origin; as, the siliceous formation
about geysers; alluvial formations; marine formations.
(b) A group of beds of the same age or period; as, the
Eocene formation.
5. (Mil.) The arrangement of a body of troops, as in a
square, column, etc. --Farrow.
Formative \Form"a*tive\, a. [Cf. F. formatif.]
1. Giving form; having the power of giving form; plastic; as,
the formative arts.
The meanest plant can not be raised without seed, by
any formative residing in the soil. --Bentley.
2. (Gram.) Serving to form; derivative; not radical; as, a
termination merely formative.
3. (Biol.) Capable of growth and development; germinal; as,
living or formative matter.
Formative \Form"a*tive\, n. (Gram.)
(a) That which serves merely to give form, and is no part
of the radical, as the prefix or the termination of a
word.
(b) A word formed in accordance with some rule or usage,
as from a root.
Form'e \For`m['e]"\, a. (Her.)
Same as {Pat['e]} or {Patt['e]}.
Forme \For"me\, a. [OE., fr. AS. forma. See {Foremost}.]
First. [Obs.] ``Adam our forme father.'' --Chaucer.
Formed \Formed\, a.
1. (Astron.) Arranged, as stars in a constellation; as,
formed stars. [R.]
2. (Biol.) Having structure; capable of growth and
development; organized; as, the formed or organized
ferments. See {Ferment}, n.
{Formed material} (Biol.), a term employed by Beale to denote
the lifeless matter of a cell, that which is
physiologically dead, in distinction from the truly
germinal or living matter.
Formedon \For"me*don\, n. [OF., fr. Latin. So called because the
plaintiff claimed ``by the form of the gift,: L. per formam
doni.] (O. Eng. Law)
A writ of right for a tenant in tail in case of a
discontinuance of the estate tail. This writ has been
abolished.
Formell \For"mell\, n. [Dim. of F. forme the female of a bird of
prey.] (Zo["o]l.)
The female of a hawk or falcon.
Former \Form"er\, n.
1. One who forms; a maker; a creator.
2. (Mech.)
(a) A shape around which an article is to be shaped,
molded, woven wrapped, pasted, or otherwise
constructed.
(b) A templet, pattern, or gauge by which an article is
shaped.
(c) A cutting die.
Former \For"mer\, a. [A compar. due to OE. formest. See
{Foremost}.]
1. Preceding in order of time; antecedent; previous; prior;
earlier; hence, ancient; long past.
For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age. --Job.
viii. 8.
The latter and former rain. --Hosea vi. 3.
3. Near the beginning; preceeding; as, the former part of a
discourse or argument.
3. Earlier, as between two things mentioned together; first
mentioned.
A bad author deserves better usage than a bad
critic; a man may be the former merely through the
misfortune of an ill judgment; but he can not be
latter without both that and an ill temper. --Pope.
Syn: Prior; previous; anterior; antecedent; preceding;
foregoing.
Formeret \For`me*ret"\, n. [F.] (Arch.)
One of the half ribs against the walls in a ceiling vaulted
with ribs.
Formerly \For"mer*ly\, adv.
In time past, either in time immediately preceding or at any
indefinite distance; of old; heretofore.
Formful \Form"ful\, a.
Creative; imaginative. [R.] ``The formful brain.'' --Thomson.
Formic \For"mic\, a. [L. formica an ant: cf. F. formique.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, ants; as, formic acid; in an
extended sense, pertaining to, or derived from, formic acid;
as, formic ether.
{Amido formic acid}, carbamic acid.
{Formic acid}, a colorless, mobile liquid, {HCO.OH}, of a
sharp, acid taste, occurring naturally in ants, nettles,
pine needles, etc., and produced artifically in many ways,
as by the oxidation of methyl alcohol, by the reduction of
carbonic acid or the destructive distillation of oxalic
acid. It is the first member of the fatty acids in the
paraffin series, and is homologous with acetic acid.
Formica \For*mi"ca\, n. [L., an ant.] (Zo["o]l.)
A Linn[ae]an genus of hymenopterous insects, including the
common ants. See {Ant}.
Formicaroid \For`mi*ca"roid\, a. [NL. Formicarius, the typical
genus + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the family {Formicarid[ae]} or ant
thrushes.
Formicary \For"mi*ca*ry\, n. [LL. formicarium, fr. L. formica an
ant.] (Zo["o]l.)
The nest or dwelling of a swarm of ants; an ant-hill.
Formicate \For"mi*cate\, a. [L. formica an ant.] (Zo["o]l.)
Resembling, or pertaining to, an ant or ants.
Formication \For`mi*ca"tion\, n. [L. formicatio, fr. formicare
to creep like an ant, to feel as if ants were crawling on
one's self, fr. formica ant: cf. F. formication.] (Med.)
A sensation resembling that made by the creeping of ants on
the skin. --Dunglison.
Formicid \For"mi*cid\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the ants. -- n. One of the family
{Formicid[ae]}, or ants.
Formidability \For`mi*da*bil"i*ty\, n.
Formidableness. --Walpole.
Formidable \For"mi*da*ble\, a. [L. formidabilis, fr. formidare
to fear, dread: cf. F. formidable.]
Exciting fear or apprehension; impressing dread; adapted to
excite fear and deter from approach, encounter, or
undertaking; alarming.
They seemed to fear the formodable sight. --Dryden.
I swell my preface into a volume, and make it
formidable, when you see so many pages behind. --Drydn.
Syn: Dreadful; fearful; terrible; frightful; shocking;
horrible; terrific; tremendous.
Formidableness \For"mi*da*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being formidable, or adapted to excite dread.
--Boyle.
Formidably \For"mi*da*bly\, adv.
In a formidable manner.
Formidolose \For*mid"o*lose\, a. [L. formidolosus, fr. formido
fear.]
Very much afraid. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Forming \Form"ing\, n.
The act or process of giving form or shape to anything; as,
in shipbuilding, the exact shaping of partially shaped
timbers.
Formless \Form"less\, a.
Shapeless; without a determinate form; wanting regularity of
shape. -- {Form"less*ly}, adv. -- {Form"less*ness}, n.
Formula \For"mu*la\, n.; pl. E. {Formulas}, L. {Formul[ae]}.
[L., dim. of forma form, model. See{Form}, n.]
1. A prescribed or set form; an established rule; a fixed or
conventional method in which anything is to be done,
arranged, or said.
2. (Eccl.) A written confession of faith; a formal statement
of foctrines.
3. (Math.) A rule or principle expressed in algebraic
language; as, the binominal formula.
4. (Med.) A prescription or recipe for the preparation of a
medicinal compound.
5. (Chem.) A symbolic expression (by means of letters,
figures, etc.) of the constituents or constitution of a
compound.
Note: Chemical formul[ae] consist of the abbreviations of the
names of the elements, with a small figure at the lower
right hand, to denote the number of atoms of each
element contained.
{Empirical formula} (Chem.), an expression which gives the
simple proportion of the constituents; as, the empirical
formula of acetic acid is {C2H4O2}.
{Graphic formula}, {Rational formula} (Chem.), an expression
of the constitution, and in a limited sense of the
structure, of a compound, by the grouping of its atoms or
radicals; as, a rational formula of acetic acid is
{CH3.(C:O).OH}; -- called also {structural formula},
{constitutional formula}, etc. See also the formula of
{Benzene nucleus}, under {Benzene}.
{Molecular formula} (Chem.), a formula indicating the
supposed molecular constitution of a compound.
Formularistic \For`mu*la*ris"tic\, a.
Pertaining to, or exhibiting, formularization. --Emerson.
Formularization \For`mu*lar*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of formularizing; a formularized or formulated
statement or exhibition. --C. Kingsley.
Formularize \For"mu*lar*ize\, v. t.
To reduce to a forula; to formulate.
Formulary \For"mu*la*ry\, a. [Cf. F. formulaire. See {Formula}.]
Stated; prescribed; ritual.
Formulary \For"mu*la*ry\, n.; pl. {Formularies}. [Cf. F.
formulaire.]
1. A book containing stated and prescribed forms, as of
oaths, declarations, prayers, medical formula[ae], etc.; a
book of precedents.
2. Prescribed form or model; formula.
Formulate \For"mu*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Formulated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Formulating}.]
To reduce to, or express in, a formula; to put in a clear and
definite form of statement or expression. --G. P. Marsh.
Formulation \For`mu*la"tion\, n.
The act, process, or result of formulating or reducing to a
formula.
Formule \For"mule\, n. [F.]
A set or prescribed model; a formula. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Formulization \For`mu*li*za"tion\, n.
The act or process of reducing to a formula; the state of
being formulized.
Formulize \For"mu*lize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Formulized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Formulizing}.]
To reduce to a formula; to formulate. --Emerson.
Formyl \For"myl\, n. [Formic + -yl.] (Chem.)
(a) A univalent radical, {H.C:O}, regarded as the essential
residue of formic acid and aldehyde.
(b) Formerly, the radical methyl, {CH3}.
Forncast \Forn*cast"\, p. p. [OE. foren + cast. See {Forecast}.]
Predestined. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fornical \For"ni*cal\, a.
Relating to a fornix.
Fornicate \For"ni*cate\, Fornicated \For"ni*ca`ted\, a. [L.
fornicatus, fr. fornix, -icis, an arch, vault.]
1. Vaulted like an oven or furnace; arched.
2. (Bot.) Arching over; overarched. --Gray.
Fornicate \For"ni*cate\, v. i. [L. fornicatus, p. p. of
fornicari to fornicate, fr. fornix, -icis, a vault, a brothel
in an underground vault.]
To commit fornication; to have unlawful sexual intercourse.
Fornication \For`ni*ca"tion\, n. [F. fornication, L.
fornicatio.]
1. Unlawful sexual intercourse on the part of an unmarried
person; the act of such illicit sexual intercourse between
a man and a woman as does not by law amount to adultery.
Note: In England, the offense, though cognizable in the
ecclesiastical courts, was not at common law subject to
secular prosecution. In the United States it is
indictable in some States at common law, in others only
by statute. --Whartyon.
2. (Script.)
(a) Adultery.
(b) Incest.
(c) Idolatry.
Fornicator \For"ni*ca`tor\, n. [F. fornicateur, OF. fornicator,
from L. fornicator.]
An unmarried person, male or female, who has criminal
intercourse with the other sex; one guilty of fornication.
Fornicatress \For"ni*ca`tress\, n. [Cf. F. fornicatrice, L.
fornicatrix.]
A woman guilty of fornication. --Shak.
Fornix \For"nix\, n.; pl. {Fornices}. [L., an arch.] (Anat.)
(a) An arch or fold; as, the fornix, or vault, of the
cranium; the fornix, or reflection, of the conjuctiva.
(b) Esp., two longitudinal bands of white nervous tissue
beneath the lateral ventricles of the brain.
Forold \For*old"\, a.
Very old. [Obs.]
A bear's skin, coal-black, forold. --Chaucer.
Forpass \For*pass"\, v. t. & i.
To pass by or along; to pass over. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Forpine \For*pine"\, v. t.
To waste away completely by suffering or torment. [Archaic]
``Pale as a forpined ghost.'' --Chaucer.
Forray \For"ray\ (? or ?), v. t. [OE. forrayen. See {Foray}.]
To foray; to ravage; to pillage.
For they that morn had forrayed all the land.
--Fairfax.
Forray \For"ray\, n.
The act of ravaging; a ravaging; a predatory excursion. See
{Foray}.
Forrill \For"rill\, n. [See {Forel}.]
Lambskin parchment; vellum; forel. --McElrath.
Forsake \For*sake"\, v. t. [imp. {Forsook}; p. p. {Forsaken}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Forsaking}.] [AS. forsacan to oppose, refuse;
for- + sacan to contend, strive; akin to Goth. sakan. See
{For-}, and {Sake}.]
1. To quit or leave entirely; to desert; to abandon; to
depart or withdraw from; to leave; as, false friends and
flatterers forsake us in adversity.
If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my
judgments. --Ps. lxxxix.
30.
2. To renounce; to reject; to refuse.
If you forsake the offer of their love. --Shak.
Syn: To abandon; quit; desert; fail; relinquish; give up;
renounce; reject. See {Abandon}.
Forsaker \For*sak"er\, n.
One who forsakes or deserts.
Forsay \For*say"\, v. t. [AS. forsecgan to accuse; pref. for- +
secgan to say.]
To forbid; to renounce; to forsake; to deny. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
Forshape \For*shape"\, v. t. [Pref. for- + shape, v.t.]
To render misshapen. [Obs.] --Gower.
Forslack \For*slack"\, v. t. [Pref. for- + slack to neglect.]
To neglect by idleness; to delay or to waste by sloth. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
Forslouthe \For*slouth"e\, v. t. [See {For-}, and {Slouth}.]
To lose by sloth or negligence. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Forslow \For*slow"\, v. t. [Pref. for- + slow.]
To delay; to hinder; to neglect; to put off. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Forslow \For*slow"\, v. i.
To loiter. [Obs.] --Shak.
Forslugge \For*slug"ge\, v. t. [See {Slug} to be idle.]
To lsoe by idleness or slotch. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Forsooth \For*sooth"\, adv. [AS. fors[=o][eth]; for, prep. +
s[=o][eth] sooth, truth. See {For}, prep., and {Sooth}.]
In truth; in fact; certainly; very well; -- formerly used as
an expression of deference or respect, especially to woman;
now used ironically or contemptuously.
A fit man, forsooth, to govern a realm! --Hayward.
Our old English word forsooth has been changed for the
French madam. --Guardian.
Forsooth \For*sooth"\, v. t.
To address respectfully with the term forsooth. [Obs.]
The captain of the ``Charles'' had forsoothed her,
though he knew her well enough and she him. --Pepys.
Forsooth \For*sooth"\, n.
A person who used forsooth much; a very ceremonious and
deferential person. [R.]
You sip so like a forsooth of the city. --B. Jonson.
Forspeak \For*speak"\, v. t. [Pref. for- + speak.]
1. To forbid; to prohibit. --Shak.
2. To bewitch. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Forspent \For*spent"\, a. [AS. forspendan to consume; pref. for-
+ spendan to spend.]
Wasted in strength; tired; exhausted. [Archaic]
A gentleman almost forspent with speed. --Shak.
Forstall \For*stall"\, v. t.
To forestall. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Forster \Fors"ter\, n.
A forester. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Forstraught \For*straught"\, p. p. & a. [Pref. for- + straught;
cf. distraught.]
Distracted. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Forswat \For*swat"\, a. [See {Sweat}.]
Spent with heat; covered with sweat. [Obs.] --P. Sidney.
Forswear \For*swear"\, v. t. [imp. {Forswore}; p. p. {Forsworn};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Forswearing}.] [OE. forsweren, forswerien,
AS. forswerian; pref. for- + swerian to swear. See {For-},
and {Swear}, v. i.]
1. To reject or renounce upon oath; hence, to renounce
earnestly, determinedly, or with protestations.
I . . . do forswear her. --Shak.
2. To deny upon oath.
Like innocence, and as serenely bold As truth, how
loudly he forswears thy gold! --Dryden.
{To forswear one's self}, to swear falsely; to perjure one's
self. ``Thou shalt not forswear thyself.'' --Matt. v. 33.
Syn: See {Perjure}.
Forswear \For*swear"\, v. i.
To swear falsely; to commit perjury. --Shak.
Forswearer \For*swear"er\, n.
One who rejects of renounces upon oath; one who swears a
false oath.
Forswonk \For*swonk"\, a. [Pref. for- + swonk, p. p. of swinkto
labor. See {Swink}.]
Overlabored; exhausted; worn out. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Forswore \For*swore"\,
imp. of {Forswear}.
Forsworn \For*sworn"\,
p. p. of {Forswear}.
Forswornness \For*sworn"ness\, n.
State of being forsworn. [R.]
Forsythia \For*syth"i*a\, a. [NL. Named after William Forsyth,
who brought in from China.] (Bot.)
A shrub of the Olive family, with yellow blossoms.
Fort \Fort\, n. [F., from fort strong, L. fortis; perh. akin to
Skr. darh to fix, make firm, and to E. firm Cf. {Forte},
{Force}, {Fortalice}, {Comfort}, {Effort}.] (Mil.)
A strong or fortified place; usually, a small fortified
place, occupied only by troops, surrounded with a ditch,
rampart, and parapet, or with palisades, stockades, or other
means of defense; a fortification.
Detached works, depending solely on their own strength,
belong to the class of works termed forts. --Farrow.
Fortalice \Fort"a*lice\, n. [LL. fortalitia, or OF. fortelesce.
See {Fortress}.] (Mil.)
A small outwork of a fortification; a fortilage; -- called
also {fortelace}.
Forte \Forte\ (f[=o]rt), n. [IT. forte: cf. F. fort. See
{Fort}.]
1. The strong point; that in which one excels.
The construction of a fable seems by no means the forte of
our modern poetical writers. --Jeffrey.
2. The stronger part of the blade of a sword; the part of
half nearest the hilt; -- opposed to foible.
Forte \For"te\ (f[^o]r"t[asl] or f[=o]r"t[asl]), adv. [It.
forte, a. & adv., fr. L. fortis strong.] (Mus.)
Loudly; strongly; powerfully.
Forted \Fort"ed\, a.
Furnished with, or guarded by, forts; strengthened or
defended, as by forts. [R.] --Shak.
Forth \Forth\, v.[AS. for[eth], fr. for akin to D. voort, G.
fort [root]78. See {Fore}, {For}, and cf. {Afford},
{Further}, adv.]
1. Forward; onward in time, place, or order; in advance from
a given point; on to end; as, from that day forth; one,
two, three, and so forth.
Lucas was Paul's companion, at the leastway from the
sixteenth of the Acts forth. --Tyndale.
From this time forth, I never will speak word.
--Shak.
I repeated the Ave Maria; the inquisitor bad me say
forth; I said I was taught no more. --Strype.
2. Out, as from a state of concealment, retirement,
confinement, nondevelopment, or the like; out into notice
or view; as, the plants in spring put forth leaves.
When winter past, and summer scarce begun, Invites
them forth to labor in the sun. --Dryden.
3. Beyond a (certain) boundary; away; abroad; out.
I have no mind of feasting forth to-night. --Shak.
4. Throughly; from beginning to end. [Obs.] --Shak.
{And so forth}, {Back and forth}, {From forth}. See under
{And}, {Back}, and {From}.
{Forth of}, {Forth from}, out of. [Obs.] --Shak.
{To bring forth}. See under {Bring}.
Forth \Forth\, prep.
Forth from; out of. [Archaic]
Some forth their cabins peep. --Donne.
Forth \Forth\, n. [OE., a ford. ? 78. See {Frith}.]
A way; a passage or ford. [Obs.] --Todd.
Forthby \Forth`by"\, adv. [Obs.]
See {Forby}.
Forthcoming \Forth"com`ing\ (? or ?), a.
Ready or about to appear; making appearance.
Forthgoing \Forth"go`ing\ (? or ?), n.
A going forth; an utterance. --A. Chalmers.
Forthgoing \Forth"go`ing\, a.
Going forth.
Forthink \For*think"\, v. t.
To repent; to regret; to be sorry for; to cause regret.
[Obs.] ``Let it forthink you.'' --Tyndale.
That me forthinketh, quod this January. --Chaucer.
Forthputing \Forth"put`ing\ (? or ?), a.
Bold; forward; aggressive.
Forthright \Forth"right`\ (? or ?), adv. [Forth, adv. + right,
adv.]
Straight forward; in a straight direction. [Archaic] --Sir P.
Sidney.
Forthright \Forth"right`\, a.
Direct; straightforward; as, a forthright man. [Archaic]
--Lowell.
They were Night and Day, and Day and Night, Piligrims
wight with steps forthright. --Emerson.
Forthright \Forth"right`\, n.
A straight path. [Archaic]
Here's a maze trod, indeed, Through forthrights and
meanders! --Shak.
Forthrightness \Forth"right`ness\, n.
Straightforwardness; explicitness; directness. [Archaic]
Dante's concise forthrightness of phrase. --Hawthorne.
Forthward \Forth"ward\, adv. [Forth, adv. + -ward.]
Forward. [Obs.] --Bp. Fisher.
Forthwith \Forth`with"\ (? or ?; see {With}), adv.
1. Immediately; without delay; directly.
Immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been
scales; and he received sight forthwith. --Acts ix.
18.
2. (Law) As soon as the thing required may be done by
reasonable exertion confined to that object. --Bouvier.
Forthy \For*thy"\, adv. [AS. for[eth][=y]; for, prep. +
[eth][=y], instrumental neut. of se, se['o], [eth][ae]t,
pron. demonstrative and article. See {The}.]
Therefore. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Forties \For"ties\, n. pl.
See {Forty}.
Fortieth \For"ti*eth\, a. [AS. fe['o]wertigo?a. See {Forty}.]
1. Following the thirty-ninth, or preceded by thirty-nine
units, things, or parts.
2. Constituting one of forty equal parts into which anything
is divided.
Fortieth \For"ti*eth\, n.
One of forty equal parts into which one whole is divided; the
quotient of a unit divided by forty; one next in order after
the thirty-ninth.
Fortifiable \For"ti*fi`a*ble\, a. [Cf. OF. fortifiable.]
Capable of being fortified. --Johnson.
Fortification \For`ti*fi*ca"tion\, n. [L. fortificatio : cf. F.
fortification.]
1. The act of fortifying; the art or science of fortifying
places in order to defend them against an enemy.
2. That which fortifies; especially, a work or works erected
to defend a place against attack; a fortified place; a
fortress; a fort; a castle.
{Fortification agate}, Scotch pebble.
Syn: Fortress; citadel; bulwark. See {Fortress}.
Fortifier \For"ti*fi`er\, n.
One who, or that which, fortifies, strengthens, supports, or
upholds.
Fortify \For"ti*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fortified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fortifying}.] [F. fortifier, L. fortificare; fortis
strong + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See {Fort}, and {-fy}.]
1. To add strength to; to strengthen; to confirm; to furnish
with power to resist attack.
Timidity was fortified by pride. --Gibbon.
Pride came to the aid of fancy, and both combined to
fortify his resolution. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. To strengthen and secure by forts or batteries, or by
surrounding with a wall or ditch or other military works;
to render defensible against an attack by hostile forces.
Fortify \For"ti*fy\, v. i.
To raise defensive works. --Milton.
Fortilage \For"ti*lage\ (?; 48), n. [Cf. {Fortalice}.]
A little fort; a blockhouse. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Fortin \Fort"in\, n. [F. See {Fort}, n.]
A little fort; a fortlet. [Obs.]
Fortissimo \For*tis"si*mo\ (? or ?), adv. [It., superl. of
forte, adv. See {Forte}, adv.] (Mus.)
Very loud; with the utmost strength or loudness.
Fortition \For*ti"tion\, n. [See {Fortuitous}.]
Casual choice; fortuitous selection; hazard. [R.]
No mode of election operating in the spirit of
fortition or rotation can be generally good. --Burke.
Fortitude \For"ti*tude\, n. [L. fortitudo, fr. fortis strong.
See {Fort}.]
1. Power to resist attack; strength; firmness. [Obs.]
The fortitude of the place is best known to you.
--Shak.
2. That strength or firmness of mind which enables a person
to encounter danger with coolness and courage, or to bear
pain or adversity without murmuring, depression, or
despondency; passive courage; resolute endurance; firmness
in confronting or bearing up against danger or enduring
trouble.
Extolling patience as the truest fortitude.
--Milton.
Fortitude is the guard and support of the other
virtues. --Locke.
Syn: Courage; resolution; resoluteness; endurance; bravery.
See {Courage}, and {Heroism}.
Fortitudinous \For`ti*tu"di*nous\, a.
Having fortitude; courageous. [R.] --Gibbon.
Fortlet \Fort"let\, n.
A little fort. [R.] --Bailey.
Fortnight \Fort"night`\ (?; in U.S. often ?; 277), n. [Contr.
fr. fourteen nights, our ancestors reckoning time by nights
and winters; so, also, seven nights, sennight, a week.]
The space of fourteen days; two weeks.
Fortnightly \Fort"night`ly\, a.
Occurring or appearing once in a fortnight; as, a fortnightly
meeting of a club; a fortnightly magazine, or other
publication. -- adv. Once in a fortnight; at intervals of a
fortnight.
Fortread \For*tread"\, v. t.
To tread down; to trample upon. [Obs.]
In hell shall they be all fortroden of devils.
--Chaucer.
Fortress \For"tress\, n.; pl. {Fortresses}. [F. forteresse, OF.
forteresce, fortelesce, LL. foralitia, fr. L. fortis strong.
See {Fort}, and cf. {Fortalice}.]
A fortified place; a large and permanent fortification,
sometimes including a town; a fort; a castle; a stronghold; a
place of defense or security.
Syn: {Fortress}, {Fortification}, {Castle}, {Citadel}.
Usage: A fortress is constructed for military purposes only,
and is permanently garrisoned; a fortification is
built to defend harbors, cities, etc.; a castle is a
fortress of early times which was ordinarily a
palatial dwelling; a citadel is the stronghold of a
fortress or city, etc.
Fortress \For"tress\, v. t.
To furnish with a fortress or with fortresses; to guard; to
fortify. --Shak.
Fortuitous \For*tu"i*tous\, a. [L. fortuitus; akin to forte,
adv., by chance, prop. abl. of fors, fortis, chance. See
{Fortune}.]
1. Happening by chance; coming or occuring unexpectedly, or
without any known cause; chance; as, the fortuitous
concourse of atoms.
It was from causes seemingly fortuitous . . . that
all the mighty effects of the Reformation flowed.
--Robertson.
So as to throw a glancing and fortuitous light upon
the whole. --Hazlitt.
2. (LAw) Happening independently of human will or means of
foresight; resulting from unavoidable physical causes.
--Abbott.
Syn: Accidental; casual; contingent; incidental. See
{Accidental}. -- {For*tu"i*tous*ly}, adv. --
{For*tu"i*tous*ness}, n.
Fortuity \For*tu"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. fortuit['e].]
Accident; chance; casualty. --D. Forbes (1750).
Fortunate \For"tu*nate\ (?; 135), a. [L. fortunatus, p. p. of
fortunare to make fortunate or prosperous, fr. fortuna. See
{Fortune}, n.]
1. Coming by good luck or favorable chance; bringing some
good thing not foreseen as certain; presaging happiness;
auspicious; as, a fortunate event; a fortunate concurrence
of circumstances; a fortunate investment.
2. Receiving same unforeseen or unexpected good, or some good
which was not dependent on one's own skill or efforts;
favored with good forune; lucky.
Syn: Auspicious; lucky; prosperous; successful; favored;
happy.
Usage: {Fortunate}, {Successful}, {Prosperous}. A man is
fortunate, when he is favored of fortune, and has
unusual blessings fall to his lot; successful when he
gains what he aims at; prosperous when he succeeds in
those things which men commonly desire. One may be
fortunate, in some cases, where he is not successful;
he may be successful, but, if he has been mistaken in
the value of what he has aimed at, he may for that
reason fail to be prosperous.
Fortunately \For"tu*nate*ly\, adv.
In a fortunate manner; luckily; successfully; happily.
Fortunateness \For"tu*nate*ness\, n.
The condition or quality of being fortunate; good luck;
success; happiness.
Fortune \For"tune\ (f[^o]r"t[-u]n; 135), n. [F. fortune, L.
fortuna; akin to fors, fortis, chance, prob. fr. ferre to
bear, bring. See {Bear} to support, and cf. {Fortuitous}.]
1. The arrival of something in a sudden or unexpected manner;
chance; accident; luck; hap; also, the personified or
deified power regarded as determining human success,
apportioning happiness and unhappiness, and distributing
arbitrarily or fortuitously the lots of life.
'T is more by fortune, lady, than by merit. --Shak.
O Fortune, Fortune, all men call thee fickle.
--Shak.
2. That which befalls or is to befall one; lot in life, or
event in any particular undertaking; fate; destiny; as, to
tell one's fortune.
You, who men's fortunes in their faces read.
--Cowley.
3. That which comes as the result of an undertaking or of a
course of action; good or ill success; especially,
favorable issue; happy event; success; prosperity as
reached partly by chance and partly by effort.
Our equal crimes shall equal fortune give. --Dryden.
There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken
at the flood, leads on to fortune. --Shak.
His father dying, he was driven to seek his fortune.
--Swift.
4. Wealth; large possessions; large estate; riches; as, a
gentleman of fortune.
Syn: Chance; accident; luck; fate.
{Fortune book}, a book supposed to reveal future events to
those who consult it. --Crashaw.
{Fortune hunter}, one who seeks to acquire wealth by
marriage.
{Fortune teller}, one who professes to tell future events in
the life of another.
{Fortune telling}, the practice or art of professing to
reveal future events in the life of another.
Fortune \For"tune\, v. t. [OF. fortuner, L. fortunare. See
{Fortune}, n.]
1. To make fortunate; to give either good or bad fortune to.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To provide with a fortune. --Richardson.
3. To presage; to tell the fortune of. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Fortune \For"tune\, v. i.
To fall out; to happen.
It fortuned the same night that a Christian, serving a
Turk in the camp, secretely gave the watchmen warning.
--Knolles.
Fortuneless \For"tune*less\, a.
Luckless; also, destitute of a fortune or portion. --Spenser.
Fortunize \For"tun*ize\, v. t.
To regulate the fortune of; to make happy. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Forty \For"ty\ (f[^o]r"t[y^]), a. [OE. forti, fourti, fowerti,
AS. fe['o]wertig; fe['o]wer four + suff. -tig ten; akin to
OS. fiwartig, fiartig, D. veertig, G. vierzig, Icel.
fj["o]rut[=i]u, Sw. fyratio, Dan. fyrretyve, Goth. fidw[=o]r
tigjus. See {Four}, and {Ten}, and cf. {Fourteen}.]
Four times ten; thirty-nine and one more.
Forty \For"ty\, n.; pl. {Forties} (-t[i^]z).
1. The sum of four tens; forty units or objects.
2. A symbol expressing forty units; as, 40, or xl.
Forty-spot \For"ty-spot`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The Tasmanian forty-spotted diamond bird ({Pardalotus
quadragintus}).
Forum \Fo"rum\, n.; pl. E. {Forums}, L. {Fora}. [L.; akin to
foris, foras, out of doors. See {Foreign}.]
1. A market place or public place in Rome, where causes were
judicially tried, and orations delivered to the people.
2. A tribunal; a court; an assembly empowered to hear and
decide causes.
He [Lord Camden] was . . . more eminent in the
senate than in the forum. --Brougham.
Forwaked \For*waked"\ (? or ?), p. p. & a.
Tired out with excessive waking or watching. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Forwander \For*wan"der\, v. i.
To wander away; to go astray; to wander far and to weariness.
[Obs.]
Forward \For"ward\, n. [OE., fr. AS. foreweard; fore before +
weard a ward. See {Ward}, n.]
An agreement; a covenant; a promise. [Obs.]
Tell us a tale anon, as forward is. --Chaucer.
Forward \For"ward\, Forwards \For"wards\, adv. [AS. forweard,
foreweard; for, fore + -weardes; akin to G. vorw["a]rts. The
s is properly a genitive ending. See {For}, {Fore}, and
{-ward}, {-wards}.]
Toward a part or place before or in front; onward; in
advance; progressively; -- opposed to backward.
Forward \For"ward\, a.
1. Near, or at the fore part; in advance of something else;
as, the forward gun in a ship, or the forward ship in a
fleet.
2. Ready; prompt; strongly inclined; in an ill sense,
overready; to hasty.
Only they would that we should remember the poor;
the same which I also was forward to do. --Gal. ii.
10.
Nor do we find him forward to be sounded. --Shak.
3. Ardent; eager; earnest; in an ill sense, less reserved or
modest than is proper; bold; confident; as, the boy is too
forward for his years.
I have known men disagreeably forward from their
shyness. --T. Arnold.
4. Advanced beyond the usual degree; advanced for season; as,
the grass is forward, or forward for the season; we have a
forward spring.
The most forward bud Is eaten by the canker ere it blow.
--Shak.
Forward \For"ward\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Forwarded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Forwarding}.]
1. To help onward; to advance; to promote; to accelerate; to
quicken; to hasten; as, to forward the growth of a plant;
to forward one in improvement.
2. To send forward; to send toward the place of destination;
to transmit; as, to forward a letter.
Forwarder \For"ward*er\, n.
1. One who forwards or promotes; a promoter. --Udall.
2. One who sends forward anything; (Com.) one who transmits
goods; a forwarding merchant.
3. (Bookbinding) One employed in forwarding.
Forwarding \For"ward*ing\, n.
1. The act of one who forwards; the act or occupation of
transmitting merchandise or other property for others.
2. (Bookbinding) The process of putting a book into its
cover, and making it ready for the finisher.
Forwardly \For"ward*ly\, adv.
Eagerly; hastily; obtrusively.
Forwardness \For"ward*ness\, n.
The quality of being forward; cheerful readiness; promtness;
as, the forwardness of Christians in propagating the gospel.
2. An advanced stage of progress or of preparation;
advancement; as, his measures were in great forwardness.
--Robertson.
3. Eagerness; ardor; as, it is difficult to restrain the
forwardness of youth.
3. Boldness; confidence; assurance; want of due reserve or
modesty.
In France it is usual to bring children into
company, and cherish in them, from their infancy, a
kind of forwardness and assurance. --Addison.
5. A state of advance beyond the usual degree; prematureness;
precocity; as, the forwardnessof spring or of corn; the
forwardness of a pupil.
He had such a dexterous proclivity, as his teachers
were fain to restrain his forwardness. --Sir H.
Wotton.
Syn: Promptness; promptitude; eagerness; ardor; zeal;
assurance; confidence; boldness; impudence; presumption.
Forwards \For"wards\, adv.
Same as {Forward}.
Forwaste \For*waste"\, v. t. [Pref. for- + waste.]
To desolate or lay waste utterly. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Forwweary \For*wwea"ry\, v. t.
To weary extremely; to dispirit. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Forweep \For*weep"\, v. i.
To weep much. [Obs.]
Forwete \For*wete"\, v. t.
See {Forewite}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Forwhy \For*why"\, conj. [For + why, AS. hw?, instrumental case
of hw[=a] who.]
Wherefore; because. [Obs.]
Forworn \For*worn"\, a.
Much worn. [Obs.]
A silly man, in simple weeds forworn. --Spenser.
Forwot \For*wot"\,
pres. indic. 1st & 3d pers. sing. of {Forwete}. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Forwrap \For*wrap"\, v. t.
To wrap up; to conceal. [Obs.]
All mote be said and nought excused, nor hid, nor
forwrapped. --Chaucer.
Foryelde \For*yelde"\, v. t. [AS. forgieldan.]
To repay; to requite. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Foryete \For*yete"\, v. t.
To forget. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Foryetten \For*yet"ten\, obs.
p. p. of {Foryete}. --Chaucer.
Forzando \For*zan"do\, adv. [It., prop. p. p. of forzare to
force.] (Mus.)
See {Sforzato}.
Fossa \Fos"sa\, n.; pl. {Foss[AE]}. [L., a ditch. See {Fosse}.]
(Anat.)
A pit, groove, cavity, or depression, of greater or less
depth; as, the temporal fossa on the side of the skull; the
nasal foss[ae] containing the nostrils in most birds.
Fossane \Fos"sane`\, n. [Cf. F. fossane.] (Zo["o]l.)
A species of civet ({Viverra fossa}) resembling the genet.
Fosse \Fosse\, n. [F., fr. L. fossa, fr. fodere, fossum, to
dig.]
1. (Fort.) A ditch or moat.
2. (Anat.) See {Fossa}.
{Fosse road}. See {Fosseway}.
Fosset \Fos"set\, n.
A faucet. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fossette \Fos`sette"\ (? or ?), n. [F., dim. of fosse a fosse.]
1. A little hollow; hence, a dimple.
2. (Med.) A small, deep-centered ulcer of the transparent
cornea.
Fosseway \Fosse"way`\, n.
One of the great military roads constructed by the Romans in
England and other parts of Europe; -- so called from the
fosse or ditch on each side for keeping it dry.
Fossil \Fos"sil\, a. [L. fossilis, fr. fodere to dig: cf. F.
fossile. See {Fosse}.]
1. Dug out of the earth; as, fossil coal; fossil salt.
2. (Paleon.) Like or pertaining to fossils; contained in
rocks, whether petrified or not; as, fossil plants,
shells.
{Fossil copal}, a resinous substance, first found in the blue
clay at Highgate, near London, and apparently a vegetable
resin, partly changed by remaining in the earth.
{Fossil cork}, {flax}, {paper}, or {wood}, varieties of
amianthus.
{Fossil farina}, a soft carbonate of lime.
{Fossil ore}, fossiliferous red hematite. --Raymond.
Fossil \Fos"sil\, n.
1. A substance dug from the earth. [Obs.]
Note: Formerly all minerals were called fossils, but the word
is now restricted to express the remains of animals and
plants found buried in the earth. --Ure.
2. (Paleon.) The remains of an animal or plant found in
stratified rocks. Most fossils belong to extinct species,
but many of the later ones belong to species still living.
3. A person whose views and opinions are extremely
antiquated; one whose sympathies are with a former time
rather than with the present. [Colloq.]
Fossiliferous \Fos`sil*if"er*ous\, a. [Fossil + -ferous.]
(Paleon.)
Containing or composed of fossils.
Fossilification \Fos*sil`i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Fossil + L. facere
to make.]
The process of becoming fossil.
Fossilism \Fos"sil*ism\, n.
1. The science or state of fossils. --Coleridge.
2. The state of being extremely antiquated in views and
opinions.
Fossilist \Fos"sil*ist\, n.
One who is versed in the science of fossils; a
paleontologist. --Joseph Black.
Fossilization \Fos`sil*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. fossilisation.]
The process of converting, or of being converted, into a
fossil.
Fossilize \Fos"sil*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fossilized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Fossilizing}.] [Cf. F. fossiliser.]
1. To convert into a fossil; to petrify; as, to fossilize
bones or wood.
2. To cause to become antiquated, rigid, or fixed, as by
fossilization; to mummify; to deaden.
Ten layers of birthdays on a woman's head Are apt to
fossilize her girlish mirth. --Mrs.
Browning.
Fossilize \Fos"sil*ize\, v. i.
1. To become fossil.
2. To become antiquated, rigid, or fixed, beyond the
influence of change or progress.
Fossilized \Fos"sil*ized\, a.
Converted into a fossil; antiquated; firmly fixed in views or
opinions.
A fossilized sample of confused provincialism. --Earle.
Fossores \Fos*so"res\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. fossor? digger, fr.
fodere to dig.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of hymenopterous insects including the sand wasps.
They excavate cells in earth, where they deposit their eggs,
with the bodies of other insects for the food of the young
when hatched. [Written also {Fossoria}.]
Fossoria \Fos*so"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Fossores}.
Fossorial \Fos*so"ri*al\, a. [L. fossor a digger.]
Fitted for digging, adapted for burrowing or digging; as, a
fossorial foot; a fossorial animal.
Fossorious \Fos*so"ri*ous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Adapted for digging; -- said of the legs of certain insects.
Fossulate \Fos"su*late\, a. [L. fossula little ditch, dim. of
fossa. See {Fosse}.]
Having, or surrounded by, long, narrow depressions or
furrows.
Foster \Fos"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fostered}, p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fostering}.] [OE. fostren, fr. AS. f[=o]ster, f[=o]stor,
food, nourishment, fr. f[=o]da food. [root]75. See {Food}.]
1. To feed; to nourish; to support; to bring up.
Some say that ravens foster forlorn children.
--Shak.
2. To cherish; to promote the growth of; to encourage; to
sustain and promote; as, to foster genius.
Foster \Fos"ter\, v. i.
To be nourished or trained up together. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Foster \Fos"ter\, a. [AS. f[=o]ster, f[=o]stor, nourishment. See
{Foster}, v. t.]
Relating to nourishment; affording, receiving, or sharing
nourishment or nurture; -- applied to father, mother, child,
brother, etc., to indicate that the person so called stands
in the relation of parent, child, brother, etc., as regards
sustenance and nurture, but not by tie of blood.
{Foster} {babe, or child}, an infant of child nursed by a
woman not its mother, or bred by a man not its father.
{Foster brother}, {Foster sister}, one who is, or has been,
nursed at the same breast, or brought up by the same nurse
as another, but is not of the same parentage.
{Foster dam}, one who takes the place of a mother; a nurse.
--Dryden.
{Foster earth}, earth by which a plant is nourished, though
not its native soil. --J. Philips.
{ Foster father}, a man who takes the place of a father in
caring for a child. --Bacon.
{Foster land}.
(a) Land allotted for the maintenance of any one. [Obs.]
(b) One's adopted country.
{Foster lean} [foster + AS. l[ae]n a loan See {Loan}.],
remuneration fixed for the rearing of a foster child;
also, the jointure of a wife. [Obs.] --Wharton.
{Foster mother}, a woman who takes a mother's place in the
nurture and care of a child; a nurse.
{Foster nurse}, a nurse; a nourisher. [R.] --Shak.
{Foster parent}, a foster mother or foster father.
{Foster son}, a male foster child.
Foster \Fos"ter\, n.
A forester. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Fosterage \Fos"ter*age\ (?; 48), n.
The care of a foster child; the charge of nursing. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
Foster \Fos"ter\, n.
One who, or that which, fosters.
Fosterling \Fos"ter*ling\, n. [AS. f[=o]storling.]
A foster child.
Fosterment \Fos"ter*ment\, n.
Food; nourishment. [Obs.]
Fostress \Fos"tress\, n. [For fosteress.]
A woman who feeds and cherishes; a nurse. --B. Jonson.
Fother \Foth"er\, n. [OE. fother, foder, AS. f[=o]?er a
cartload; akin to G. fuder a cartload, a unit of measure,
OHG. fuodar, D. voeder, and perh. to E. fathom, or cf. Skr.
p[=a]tr[=a] vessel, dish. Cf. {Fodder} a fother.]
1. A wagonload; a load of any sort. [Obs.]
Of dung full many a fother. --Chaucer.
2. See {Fodder}, a unit of weight.
Fother \Foth"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fothered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fothering}.] [Cf. {Fodder} food, and G. f["u]ttern,
futtern, to cover within or without, to line. [root]75.]
To stop (a leak in a ship at sea) by drawing under its bottom
a thrummed sail, so that the pressure of the water may force
it into the crack. --Totten.
Fotive \Fo"tive\, a. [L. fovere, fotum, to keep warm, to
cherish.]
Nourishing. [Obs.] --T. Carew (1633).
Fotmal \Fot"mal\, n. (Com.)
Seventy pounds of lead.
Fougade \Fou`gade"\, Fougasse \Fou`gasse"\, n. (Mil.)
A small mine, in the form of a well sunk from the surface of
the ground, charged with explosive and projectiles. It is
made in a position likely to be occupied by the enemy.
Fought \Fought\,
imp. & p. p. of {Fight}.
Foughten \Fought"en\,
p. p. of {Fight}. [Archaic]
Foul \Foul\ (foul), n. [See {Fowl}.]
A bird. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Foul \Foul\ (foul), a. [Compar. Fouler (-[~e]r); superl.
{Foulest}.] [OE. foul, ful, AS. f[=u]l; akin to D. vuil, G.
faul rotten, OHG. f[=u]l, Icel. f[=u]l foul, fetid; Dan.
fuul, Sw. ful foul, Goth. f[=u]ls fetid, Lith. puti to be
putrid, L. putere to stink, be putrid, pus pus, Gr. py`on
pus, to cause to rot, Skr. p[=u]y to stink. [root]82. Cf.
{Defile} to foul, {File} to foul, {Filth}, {Pus}, {Putrid}.]
1. Covered with, or containing, extraneous matter which is
injurious, noxious, offensive, or obstructive; filthy;
dirty; not clean; polluted; nasty; defiled; as, a foul
cloth; foul hands; a foul chimney; foul air; a ship's
bottom is foul when overgrown with barnacles; a gun
becomes foul from repeated firing; a well is foul with
polluted water.
My face is foul with weeping. --Job. xvi.
16.
2. Scurrilous; obscene or profane; abusive; as, foul words;
foul language.
3. Hateful; detestable; shameful; odious; wretched. ``The
foul with Sycorax.'' --Shak.
Who first seduced them to that foul revolt?
--Milton.
4. Loathsome; disgusting; as, a foul disease.
5. Ugly; homely; poor. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Let us, like merchants, show our foulest wares.
--Shak.
6. Not favorable; unpropitious; not fair or advantageous; as,
a foul wind; a foul road; cloudy or rainy; stormy; not
fair; -- said of the weather, sky, etc.
So foul a sky clears not without a storm. --Shak.
7. Not conformed to the established rules and customs of a
game, conflict, test, etc.; unfair; dishonest;
dishonorable; cheating; as, foul play.
8. Having freedom of motion interfered with by collision or
entanglement; entangled; -- opposed to clear; as, a rope
or cable may get foul while paying it out.
{Foul anchor}. (Naut.) See under {Anchor}.
{Foul ball} (Baseball), a ball that first strikes the ground
outside of the foul ball lines, or rolls outside of
certain limits.
{Foul ball lines} (Baseball), lines from the home base,
through the first and third bases, to the boundary of the
field.
{Foul berth} (Naut.), a berth in which a ship is in danger of
fouling another vesel.
{Foul bill}, or {Foul bill of health}, a certificate, duly
authenticated, that a ship has come from a place where a
contagious disorder prevails, or that some of the crew are
infected.
{Foul copy}, a rough draught, with erasures and corrections;
-- opposed to fair or clean copy. ``Some writers boast of
negligence, and others would be ashamed to show their foul
copies.'' --Cowper.
{Foul proof}, an uncorrected proof; a proof containing an
excessive quantity of errors.
{Foul strike} (Baseball), a strike by the batsman when any
part of his person is outside of the lines of his
position.
{To fall foul}, to fall out; to quarrel. [Obs.] ``If they be
any ways offended, they fall foul.'' --Burton.
{To} {fall, or run}, {foul of}. See under {Fall}.
{To make foul water}, to sail in such shallow water that the
ship's keel stirs the mud at the bottom.
Foul \Foul\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fouled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fouling}.]
1. To make filthy; to defile; to daub; to dirty; to soil; as,
to foul the face or hands with mire.
2. (Mil.) To incrust (the bore of a gun) with burnt powder in
the process of firing.
3. To cover (a ship's bottom) with anything that impered its
sailing; as, a bottom fouled with barnacles.
4. To entangle, so as to impede motion; as, to foul a rope or
cable in paying it out; to come into collision with; as,
one boat fouled the other in a race.
Foul \Foul\, v. i.
1. To become clogged with burnt powder in the process of
firing, as a gun.
2. To become entagled, as ropes; to come into collision with
something; as, the two boats fouled.
Foul \Foul\, n.
1. An entanglement; a collision, as in a boat race.
2. (Baseball) See {Foul ball}, under {Foul}, a.
Foulard \Fou`lard"\, n. [F.]
A thin, washable material of silk, or silk and cotton,
originally imported from India, but now also made elsewhere.
Foulder \Foul"der\, v. i. [OE. fouldre lightning, fr. F. foudre,
OF. also fouldre, fr. L. fulgur. See {Fulgor}.]
To flash, as lightning; to lighten; to gleam; to thunder.
[Obs.] ``Flames of fouldering heat.'' --Spenser.
Foule \Foul"e\, adv.
Foully. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Foully \Foul"ly\, v.
In a foul manner; filthily; nastily; shamefully; unfairly;
dishonorably.
I foully wronged him; do forgive me, do. --Gay.
Foul-mouthed \Foul"-mouthed`\, a.
Using language scurrilous, opprobrious, obscene, or profane;
abusive.
So foul-mouthed a witness never appeared in any cause.
--Addison.
Foulness \Foul"ness\, n. [AS. f?lnes.]
The quality or condition of being foul.
Foul-spoken \Foul"-spo`ken\, a.
Using profane, scurrilous, slanderous, or obscene language.
--Shak.
Foumart \Fou"mart`\, n. [OE. folmard, fulmard; AS. f?l foul +
mear?, meard, marten: cf. F. marte, martre. See {Foul}, a.,
and {Marten} the quadruped.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European polecat; -- called also {European ferret}, and
{fitchew}. See {Polecat}. [Written also {foulmart},
{foulimart}, and {fulimart}.]
Found \Found\,
imp. & p. p. of {Find}.
Found \Found\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Founded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Founding}.] [F. fondre, L. fundere to found, pour.]
To form by melting a metal, and pouring it into a mold; to
cast. ``Whereof to found their engines.'' --Milton.
Found \Found\, n.
A thin, single-cut file for combmakers.
Found \Found\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Founded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Founding}.] [F. fonder, L. fundare, fr. fundus bottom. See
1st {Bottom}, and cf. {Founder}, v. i., {Fund}.]
1. To lay the basis of; to set, or place, as on something
solid, for support; to ground; to establish upon a basis,
literal or figurative; to fix firmly.
I had else been perfect, Whole as the marble,
founded as the rock. --Shak.
A man that all his time Hath founded his good
fortunes on your love. --Shak.
It fell not, for it was founded on a rock. --Matt.
vii. 25.
2. To take the ffirst steps or measures in erecting or
building up; to furnish the materials for beginning; to
begin to raise; to originate; as, to found a college; to
found a family.
There they shall found Their government, and their
great senate choose. --Milton.
Syn: To base; ground; institute; establish; fix. See
{Predicate}.
Foundation \Foun*da"tion\, n. [F. fondation, L. fundatio. See
{Found} to establish.]
1. The act of founding, fixing, establishing, or beginning to
erect.
2. That upon which anything is founded; that on which
anything stands, and by which it is supported; the lowest
and supporting layer of a superstructure; groundwork;
basis.
Behold, I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a stone . .
. a precious corner stone, a sure foundation. --Is.
xxviii. 16.
The foundation of a free common wealth. --Motley.
3. (Arch.) The lowest and supporting part or member of a
wall, including the base course (see {Base course}
(a), under {Base}, n.) and footing courses; in a frame
house, the whole substructure of masonry.
4. A donation or legacy appropriated to support a charitable
institution, and constituting a permanent fund; endowment.
He was entered on the foundation of Westminster.
--Macaulay.
5. That which is founded, or established by endowment; an
endowed institution or charity.
Against the canon laws of our foundation. --Milton.
{Foundation course}. See {Base course}, under {Base}, n.
{Foundation muslin}, an open-worked gummed fabric used for
stiffening dresses, bonnets, etc.
{Foundation school}, in England, an endowed school.
{To be on a foundation}, to be entitled to a support from the
proceeds of an endowment, as a scholar or a fellow of a
college.
Foundationer \Foun*da"tion*er\, n.
One who derives support from the funds or foundation of a
college or school. [Eng.]
Foundationless \Foun*da"tion*less\, a.
Having no foundation.
Founder \Found"er\, n. [Cf. OF. fondeor, F. fondateur, L.
fundator.]
One who founds, establishes, and erects; one who lays a
foundation; an author; one from whom anything originates; one
who endows.
Founder \Found"er\, n. [From {Found} to cast.]
One who founds; one who casts metals in various forms; a
caster; as, a founder of cannon, bells, hardware, or types.
{Fonder's dust}. Same as {Facing}, 4.
{Founder's sand}, a kind of sand suitable for purposes of
molding.
Founder \Found"er\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Foundered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Foundering}.] [OF. fondrer to fall in, cf. F.
s'effondrer, fr. fond bottom, L. fundus. See {Found} to
establish.]
1. (Naut.) To become filled with water, and sink, as a ship.
2. To fall; to stumble and go lame, as a horse.
For which his horse fear['e] gan to turn, And leep
aside, and foundrede as he leep. --Chaucer.
3. To fail; to miscarry. ``All his tricks founder.'' --Shak.
Founder \Found"er\, v. t.
To cause internal inflammation and soreness in the feet or
limbs of (a horse), so as to disable or lame him.
Founder \Found"er\, n. (Far.)
(a) A lameness in the foot of a horse, occasioned by
inflammation; closh.
(b) An inflammatory fever of the body, or acute rheumatism;
as, chest founder. See {Chest ffounder}. --James White.
Founderous \Foun"der*ous\, a.
Difficult to travel; likely to trip one up; as, a founderous
road. [R.] --Burke.
Foundershaft \Found"er*shaft`\, n. (Mining)
The first shaft sunk. --Raymond.
Foundery \Found"er*y\, n.; pl. {Founderies}. [F. fonderie, fr.
fondre. See {Found} to cast, and cf. {Foundry}.]
Same as {Foundry}.
Founding \Found"ing\, n.
The art of smelting and casting metals.
Foundling \Found"ling\, n. [OE. foundling, fundling; finden to
find + -ling; cf. f["u]ndling, findling. See {Find}, v. t.,
and {-ling}.]
A deserted or exposed infant; a child found without a parent
or owner.
{Foundling hospital}, a hospital for foundlings.
Foundress \Found"ress\, n.
A female founder; a woman who founds or establishes, or who
endows with a fund.
Foundry \Found"ry\, n.; pl. {Foundries}. [See {Foundery}.]
1. The act, process, or art of casting metals.
2. The buildings and works for casting metals.
{Foundry ladle}, a vessel for holding molten metal and
conveying it from cupola to the molds.
Fount \Fount\, n. [See {Font}.] (Print.)
A font.
Fount \Fount\, n. [OF. font, funt, fr. L. fons, fontis, a
fountain; of uncertain origin, perh. akin to fundere to pour,
E. found to cast. Cf. {Font}.]
A fountain.
Fountain \Foun"tain\ (foun"t[i^]n), n. [F. fontaine, LL.
fontana, fr. L. fons, fontis. See 2d {Fount}.]
1. A spring of water issuing from the earth.
2. An artificially produced jet or stream of water; also, the
structure or works in which such a jet or stream rises or
flows; a basin built and constantly supplied with pure
water for drinking and other useful purposes, or for
ornament.
3. A reservoir or chamber to contain a liquid which can be
conducted or drawn off as needed for use; as, the ink
fountain in a printing press, etc.
4. The source from which anything proceeds, or from which
anything is supplied continuously; origin; source.
Judea, the fountain of the gospel. --Fuller.
Author of all being, Fountain of light, thyself
invisible. --Milton.
{Air fountain}. See under {Air}.
{Fountain heead}, primary source; original; first principle.
--Young.
{Fountain inkstand}, an inkstand having a continual supply of
ink, as from elevated reservoir.
{Fountain lamp}, a lamp fed with oil from an elevated
reservoir.
{Fountain pen}, a pen with a reservoir in the handle which
furnishes a supply of ink.
{Fountain pump}.
(a) A structure for a fountain, having the form of a pump.
(b) A portable garden pump which throws a jet, for
watering plants, etc.
{Fountain shell} (Zo["o]l.), the large West Indian conch
shell ({Strombus gigas}).
{Fountain of youth}, a mythical fountain whose waters were
fabled to have the property of renewing youth.
Fountainless \Foun"tain*less\, a.
Having no fountain; destitute of springs or sources of water.
Barren desert, fountainless and dry. --Milton.
Fountful \Fount"ful\, a.
Full of fountains. --Pope.
Four \Four\, a. [OE. four, fower, feower, AS. fe['o]wer; akin to
OS. fiwar, D. & G. vier, OHG. fior, Icel. fj?rir, Sw. fyra,
Dan. fire, Goth. fidw?r, Russ. chetuire, chetvero, W. pedwar,
L. quatuor, Gr. ?, ?, ?, Skr. catur. ? 302. Cf. {Farthing},
{Firkin}, {Forty}, {Cater} four, {Quater-cousin}, {Quatuor},
{Quire} of paper, {tetrarch}.]
One more than three; twice two.
Four \Four\, n.
1. The sum of four units; four units or objects.
2. A symbol representing four units, as 4 or iv.
3. Four things of the same kind, esp. four horses; as, a
chariot and four.
{All fours}. See {All fours}, in the Vocabulary.
Fourb \Fourb\, Fourbe \Fourbe\, n. [F.]
A trickly fellow; a cheat. [Obs.] --Evelyn. Denham.
Fourch'e \Four`ch['e]"\ (f[=oo]r`sh[asl]"), a. [F. See {Fork}.]
(Her.)
Having the ends forked or branched, and the ends of the
branches terminating abruptly as if cut off; -- said of an
ordinary, especially of a cross.
Fourchette \Four`chette"\ (f[=oo]r`sh[e^]t"), n. [F., dim. of
fourche. See {Fork}.]
1. A table fork.
2. (Anat.)
(a) A small fold of membrane, connecting the labia in the
posterior part of the vulva.
(b) The wishbone or furculum of birds.
(c) The frog of the hoof of the horse and allied animals.
3. (Surg.) An instrument used to raise and support the tongue
during the cutting of the fr[ae]num.
4. (Glove Making) The forked piece between two adjacent
fingers, to which the front and back portions are sewed.
--Knight.
Four-cornered \Four"-cor`nered\, a.
Having four corners or angles.
Fourdrinier \Four`dri`nier"\, n.
A machine used in making paper; -- so named from an early
inventor of improvements in this class of machinery.
Fourfold \Four"fold`\, a. & adv. [AS. fe['o]werfeold.]
Four times; quadruple; as, a fourfold division.
He shall restore the lamb fourfold. --2 Sam. xii.
6.
Fourfold \Four"fold`\, n.
Four times as many or as much.
Fourfold \Four"fold`\, v. t.
To make four times as much or as many, as an assessment,; to
quadruple.
Fourfooted \Four"foot`ed\, a.
Having four feet; quadruped; as, fourfooted beasts.
Fourgon \Four`gon"\, n. [F.] (Mil.)
(a) An ammunition wagon.
(b) A French baggage wagon.
Fourhanded \Four"hand`ed\, a.
1. Having four hands; quadrumanous. --Goldsmith.
2. Requiring four ``hands'' or players; as, a fourhanded game
at cards.
Fourierism \Fou"ri*er*ism\, n.
The co["o]perative socialistic system of Charles Fourier, a
Frenchman, who recommended the reorganization of society into
small communities, living in common.
Fourierist \Fou"ri*er*ist\, Fourierite \Fou"ri*er*ite\, n.
One who adopts the views of Fourier.
Four-in-hand \Four"-in-hand\, a.
Consisting of four horses controlled by one person; as, a
four-in-hand team; drawn by four horses driven by one person;
as, a four-in-hand coach. -- n. A team of four horses driven
by one person; also, a vehicle drawn by such a team.
As quaint a four-in-hand As you shall see. --Tennyson.
Fourling \Four"ling\, n.
1. One of four children born at the same time.
2. (Crystallog.) A compound or twin crystal consisting of
four individuals.
Fourneau \Four`neau"\, n. [F.] (Mil.)
The chamber of a mine in which the powder is placed.
Four-o'clock \Four"-o'clock`\, n.
1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Mirabilis}. There are about
half a dozen species, natives of the warmer parts of
America. The common four-o'clock is {M. Jalapa}. Its
flowers are white, yellow, and red, and open toward
sunset, or earlier in cloudy weather; hence the name. It
is also called {marvel of Peru}, and {afternoon lady}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The friar bird; -- so called from its cry,
which resembles these words.
Fourpence \Four"pence\, n.
1. A British silver coin, worth four pence; a groat.
2. A name formerly given in New England to the Spanish half
real, a silver coin worth six and a quarter cents.
Four-poster \Four"-post`er\, n.
A large bedstead with tall posts at the corners to support
curtains. [Colloq.]
Fourrier \Four"rier\ (?; F. ?), n. [F., fr. OF. forre. See
{Forage}, n.]
A harbinger. [Obs.]
Fourscore \Four"score`\, a. [Four + core, n.]
Four times twenty; eighty.
Fourscore \Four"score`\, n.
The product of four times twenty; eighty units or objects.
Foursquare \Four"square`\, a.
Having four sides and four equal angles. --Sir W. Raleigh.
Fourteen \Four"teen`\, a. [OE. fourtene, feowertene, AS.
fe['o]wert[=y]ne, fe['o]wert[=e]ne. See {Four}, and {Ten},
and cf. {Forty}.]
Four and ten more; twice seven.
Fourteen \Four"teen`\, n.
1. The sum of ten and four; forteen units or objects.
2. A symbol representing fourteen, as 14 or xiv.
Fourteenth \Four"teenth`\, a. [Cf. OE. fourtende, fourtethe, AS.
fe['o]werteo[eth]a.]
1. Next in order after the thirteenth; as, the fourteenth day
of the month.
2. Making or constituting one of fourteen equal parts into
which anything may be derived.
Fourteenth \Four"teenth`\, n.
1. One of fourteen equal parts into which one whole may be
divided; the quotient of a unit divided by fourteen; one
next after the thirteenth.
2. (Mus.) The octave of the seventh.
Fourth \Fourth\, a. [OE. fourthe, ferthe, feorthe, AS.
fe['o]r[eth]a, fr. fe['o]wer four.]
1. Next in order after the third; the ordinal of four.
2. Forming one of four equal parts into which anything may be
divided.
Fourth \Fourth\, n.
1. One of four equal parts into which one whole may be
divided; the quotient of a unit divided by four; one
coming next in order after the third.
2. (Mus.) The interval of two tones and a semitone, embracing
four diatonic degrees of the scale; the subdominant of any
key.
{The Fourth}, specifically, in the United States, the fourth
day of July, the anniversary of the declaration of
American independence; as, to celebrate the Fourth.
Fourthly \Fourth"ly\, adv.
In the fourth place.
Four-way \Four"-way`\, a.
Allowing passage in either of four directions; as, a four-way
cock, or valve. --Francis.
{Four-way cock}, a cock connected with four pipes or ports,
and having two or more passages in the plug, by which the
adjacent pipes or ports may be made to communicate;
formerly used as a valve in the steam engine, and now for
various other purposes. In the illustration, a leads to
the upper end of a steam engine cylinder, and b to the
lower end; c is the steam pipe, and d the exhaust pipe.
Four-wheeled \Four"-wheeled`\, a.
Having four wheels.
Four-wheeler \Four"-wheel`er\, n.
A vehicle having four wheels. [Colloq.]
Foussa \Fous"sa\, n. [Natibe name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A viverrine animal of Madagascar ({Cryptoprocta ferox}). It
resembles a cat in size and form, and has retractile claws.
Fouter \Fou"ter\, n. [F. foutre to lecher, L. futuere. Cf.
{Fouty}.]
A despicable fellow. [Prov. Eng.] --Brockett.
Foutra \Fou"tra\, n. [See {Fouter}.]
A fig; -- a word of contempt. [Obs.]
A foutra for the world and wordlings base! --Shak.
Fouty \Fou"ty\, a. [Cf. F. foutu, p. p. of foutre; OF. foutu
scoundrel. See {Fouter}.]
Despicable. [Obs.]
Fovea \Fo"ve*a\, n.; pl. {Fove[ae]}. [L., a small pit.]
A slight depression or pit; a fossa.
Foveate \Fo"ve*ate\, a. [L. fovea a pit.]
Having pits or depressions; pitted.
Foveola \Fo*ve"o*la\, n.; pl. {Foveol[ae]}. [NL., dim. of L.
fovea.]
A small depression or pit; a fovea.
Foveolate \Fo"ve*o*late\ (? or ?), a.
Having small pits or depression, as the receptacle in some
composite flowers.
Foveolated \Fo"ve*o*la`ted\, a.
Foveolate.
Fovilla \Fo*vil"la\, n.; pl. {Fovill[ae]}. [Dim. fr. L. fovere
to cherish.] (Bot.)
One of the fine granules contained in the protoplasm of a
pollen grain.
Fowl \Fowl\, n.
Note: Instead of the pl. {Fowls} the singular is often used
collectively. [OE. foul, fowel, foghel, fuhel, fugel,
AS. fugol; akin to OS. fugal D. & G. vogel, OHG. fogal,
Icel. & Dan. fugl, Sw. fogel, f[*a]gel, Goth. fugls; of
unknown origin, possibly by loss of l, from the root of
E. fly, or akin to E. fox, as being a tailed animal.]
1. Any bird; esp., any large edible bird.
Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and
over the fowl of the air. --Gen. i. 26.
Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not.
--Matt. vi.
26.
Like a flight of fowl Scattered by winds and high
tempestuous gusts. --Shak.
2. Any domesticated bird used as food, as a hen, turkey,
duck; in a more restricted sense, the common domestic cock
or hen ({Gallus domesticus}).
{Barndoor fowl}, or {Barnyard fowl}, a fowl that frequents
the barnyard; the common domestic cock or hen.
Fowl \Fowl\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fowled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fowling}.]
To catch or kill wild fowl, for game or food, as by shooting,
or by decoys, nets, etc.
Such persons as may lawfully hunt, fish, or fowl.
--Blackstone.
{Fowling piece}, a light gun with smooth bore, adapted for
the use of small shot in killing birds or small
quadrupeds.
Fowler \Fowl"er\, n.
A sportsman who pursues wild fowl, or takes or kills for
food.
Fowlerite \Fow"ler*ite\, n. [From Dr. Samuel Fowler.] (Min.)
A variety of rhodonite, from Franklin Furnace, New Jersey,
containing some zinc.
Fowler's solution \Fow"ler's so*lu"tion\
An aqueous solution of arsenite of potassium, of such
strength that one hundred parts represent one part of
arsenious acid, or white arsenic; -- named from Fowler, an
English physician who first brought it into use.
Fox \Fox\, n.; pl. {Foxes}. [AS. fox; akin to D. vos, G. fuchs,
OHG. fuhs, foha, Goth. fa['u]h?, Icel. f?a fox, fox fraud; of
unknown origin, cf. Skr. puccha tail. Cf. {Vixen}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A carnivorous animal of the genus {Vulpes},
family {Canid[ae]}, of many species. The European fox ({V.
vulgaris} or {V. vulpes}), the American red fox ({V.
fulvus}), the American gray fox ({V. Virginianus}), and
the arctic, white, or blue, fox ({V. lagopus}) are
well-known species.
Note: The black or silver-gray fox is a variety of the
American red fox, producing a fur of great value; the
cross-gray and woods-gray foxes are other varieties of
the same species, of less value. The common foxes of
Europe and America are very similar; both are
celebrated for their craftiness. They feed on wild
birds, poultry, and various small animals.
Subtle as the fox for prey. --Shak.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The European dragonet.
3. (Zo["o]l.) The fox shark or thrasher shark; -- called also
{sea fox}. See {Thrasher shark}, under {Shark}.
4. A sly, cunning fellow. [Colloq.]
We call a crafty and cruel man a fox. --Beattie.
5. (Naut.) Rope yarn twisted together, and rubbed with tar;
-- used for seizings or mats.
6. A sword; -- so called from the stamp of a fox on the
blade, or perhaps of a wolf taken for a fox. [Obs.]
Thou diest on point of fox. --Shak.
7. pl. (Enthnol.) A tribe of Indians which, with the Sacs,
formerly occupied the region about Green Bay, Wisconsin;
-- called also {Outagamies}.
{Fox and geese}.
(a) A boy's game, in which one boy tries to catch others
as they run one goal to another.
(b) A game with sixteen checkers, or some substitute for
them, one of which is called the fox, and the rest the
geese; the fox, whose first position is in the middle
of the board, endeavors to break through the line of
the geese, and the geese to pen up the fox.
{Fox bat} (Zo["o]l.), a large fruit bat of the genus
{Pteropus}, of many species, inhabiting Asia, Africa, and
the East Indies, esp. {P. medius} of India. Some of the
species are more than four feet across the outspread
wings. See {Fruit bat}.
{Fox bolt}, a bolt having a split end to receive a fox wedge.
{Fox brush} (Zo["o]l.), the tail of a fox.
{Fox evil}, a disease in which the hair falls off; alopecy.
{Fox grape} (Bot.), the name of two species of American
grapes. The northern fox grape ({Vitis Labrusca}) is the
origin of the varieties called {Isabella}, {Concord},
{Hartford}, etc., and the southern fox grape ({Vitis
vulpina}) has produced the {Scuppernong}, and probably the
{Catawba}.
{Fox hunter}.
(a) One who pursues foxes with hounds.
(b) A horse ridden in a fox chase.
{Fox shark} (Zo["o]l.), the thrasher shark. See {Thrasher
shark}, under {Thrasher}.
{Fox sleep}, pretended sleep.
{Fox sparrow} (Zo["o]l.), a large American sparrow
({Passerella iliaca}); -- so called on account of its
reddish color.
{Fox squirrel} (Zo["o]l.), a large North American squirrel
({Sciurus niger}, or {S. cinereus}). In the Southern
States the black variety prevails; farther north the
fulvous and gray variety, called the {cat squirrel}, is
more common.
{Fox terrier} (Zo["o]l.), one of a peculiar breed of
terriers, used in hunting to drive foxes from their holes,
and for other purposes. There are rough- and smooth-haired
varieties.
{Fox trot}, a pace like that which is adopted for a few
steps, by a horse, when passing from a walk into a trot,
or a trot into a walk.
{Fox wedge} (Mach. & Carpentry), a wedge for expanding the
split end of a bolt, cotter, dowel, tenon, or other piece,
to fasten the end in a hole or mortise and prevent
withdrawal. The wedge abuts on the bottom of the hole and
the piece is driven down upon it. Fastening by fox wedges
is called foxtail wedging.
{Fox wolf} (Zo["o]l.), one of several South American wild
dogs, belonging to the genus {Canis}. They have long,
bushy tails like a fox.
Fox \Fox\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Foxed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Foxing}.] [See {Fox}, n., cf. Icel. fox imposture.]
1. To intoxicate; to stupefy with drink.
I drank . . . so much wine that I was almost foxed.
--Pepys.
2. To make sour, as beer, by causing it to ferment.
3. To repair the feet of, as of boots, with new front upper
leather, or to piece the upper fronts of.
Fox \Fox\, v. i.
To turn sour; -- said of beer, etc., when it sours in
fermenting.
Foxearth \Fox"earth`\, n.
A hole in the earth to which a fox resorts to hide himself.
Fracas \Fra"cas\ (?; F. ?; 277), n. [F., crash, din, tumult, It.
fracasso, fr. fracassare to break in pieces, perh. fr. fra
within, among (L. infra) + cassare to annul, cashier. Cf.
{Cashier}, v. t.]
An uproar; a noisy quarrel; a disturbance; a brawl.
Fracho \Fracho\, n.
A shallow iron pan to hold glass ware while being annealed.
Fracid \Frac"id\, a. [L. fracidus mellow, soft.]
Rotten from being too ripe; overripe. [Obs.] --Blount.
Fract \Fract\, v. t. [L. fractus, p. p. of frangere to break.]
To break; to violate. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fracted \Frac"ted\, a. (Her.)
Having a part displaced, as if broken; -- said of an
ordinary. --Macaulay.
Foxed \Foxed\, a.
1. Discolored or stained; -- said of timber, and also of the
paper of books or engravings.
2. Repaired by foxing; as, foxed boots.
Foxery \Fox"e*ry\, n.
Behavior like that of a fox; cunning. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Foxes \Fox"es\, n. pl. (Ethnol.)
See {Fox}, n., 7.
Foxfish \Fox"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The fox shark; -- called also {sea fox}. See {Thrasher
shark}, under {Shark}.
(b) The european dragonet. See {Dragonet}.
Foxglove \Fox"glove`\, n. [AS. foxes-gl[=o]fa,
foxes-cl[=o]fa,foxes-clife.] (Bot.)
Any plant of the genus {Digitalis}. The common English
foxglove ({Digitalis purpurea}) is a handsome perennial or
biennial plant, whose leaves are used as a powerful medicine,
both as a sedative and diuretic. See {Digitalis}.
Pan through the pastures oftentimes hath run To pluck
the speckled foxgloves from their stem. --W. Browne.
Foxhound \Fox"hound`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of a special breed of hounds used for chasing foxes.
Fox-hunting \Fox"-hunt`ing\, a.
Pertaining to or engaged in the hunting of foxes; fond of
hunting foxes.
Foxiness \Fox"i*ness\, n.
1. The state or quality of being foxy, or foxlike;
craftiness; shrewdness.
2. The state of being foxed or discolored, as books; decay;
deterioration.
3. A coarse and sour taste in grapes.
Foxish \Fox"ish\, a.
Foxlike. [Obs.]
Foxlike \Fox"like`\, a.
Resembling a fox in his characteristic qualities; cunning;
artful; foxy.
Foxly \Fox"ly\, a.
Foxlike. [Obs.] ``Foxly craft.'' --Latimer.
Foxship \Fox"ship\, n.
Foxiness; craftiness. [R.] --Shak.
Foxtail \Fox"tail`\, n.
1. The tail or brush of a fox.
2. (Bot.) The name of several kinds of grass having a soft
dense head of flowers, mostly the species of {Alopecurus}
and {Setaria}.
3. (Metal.) The last cinders obtained in the fining process.
--Raymond.
{Foxtail saw}, a dovetail saw.
{Foxtail wedging}. See {Fox wedge}, under {Fox}.
Foxy \Fox"y\, a.
1. Like or pertaining to the fox; foxlike in disposition or
looks; wily.
Modred's narrow, foxy face. --Tennyson.
2. Having the color of a fox; of a yellowish or reddish brown
color; -- applied sometimes to paintings when they have
too much of this color.
3. Having the odor of a fox; rank; strong smeelling.
4. Sour; unpleasant in taste; -- said of wine, beer, etc.,
not properly fermented; -- also of grapes which have the
coarse flavor of the fox grape.
Foy \Foy\, n. [F. foi, old spelling foy, faith. See {Faith}.]
1. Faith; allegiance; fealty. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. A feast given by one about to leave a place. [Obs.]
He did at the Dog give me, and some other friends of
his, his foy, he being to set sail to-day. --Pepys.
Foyer \Foy`er"\, n. [F., fr. LL. focarium fireplace. See
{Focus}, n.]
1. A lobby in a theater; a greenroom.
2. The crucible or basin in a furnace which receives the
molten metal. --Knight.
Foyson \Foy"son\, n. [Obs.]
See {Foison}.
Foziness \Fo"zi*ness\, n.
The state of being fozy; spiritlessness; dullness. [Scot.]
[The Whigs'] foziness can no longer be concealed.
--Blackwood's.
Fozy \Fo"zy\, a.
Spongy; soft; fat and puffy. [Scot.]
Fra \Fra\, adv. & prep. [OE.]
Fro. [Old Eng. & Scot.]
Fra \Fra\, n. [It., for frate. See {Friar}.]
Brother; -- a title of a monk of friar; as, Fra Angelo.
--Longfellow.
Frab \Frab\, v. i. & t.
To scold; to nag. [Prov. Eng.]
Frabbit \Frab"bit\, a.
Crabbed; peevish. [Prov. Eng.]
Fraction \Frac"tion\, n. [F. fraction, L. fractio a breaking,
fr. frangere, fractum, to break. See {Break}.]
1. The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially
by violence. [Obs.]
Neither can the natural body of Christ be subject to
any fraction or breaking up. --Foxe.
2. A portion; a fragment.
Some niggard fractions of an hour. --Tennyson.
3. (Arith. or Alg.) One or more aliquot parts of a unit or
whole number; an expression for a definite portion of a
unit or magnitude.
{Common, or Vulgar}, {fraction}, a fraction in which the
number of equal parts into which the integer is supposed
to be divided is indicated by figures or letters, called
the denominator, written below a line, over which is the
numerator, indicating the number of these parts included
in the fraction; as 1/2, one half, 2/5, two fifths.
{Complex fraction}, a fraction having a fraction or mixed
number in the numerator or denominator, or in both.
--Davies & Peck.
{Compound fraction}, a fraction of a fraction; two or more
fractions connected by of.
{Continued fraction}, {Decimal fraction}, {Partial fraction},
etc. See under {Continued}, {Decimal}, {Partial}, etc.
{Improper fraction}, a fraction in which the numerator is
greater than the denominator.
{Proper fraction}, a fraction in which the numerator is less
than the denominator.
Fraction \Frac"tion\, v. t. (Chem.)
To separate by means of, or to subject to, fractional
distillation or crystallization; to fractionate; --
frequently used with out; as, to fraction out a certain grade
of oil from pretroleum.
Fractional \Frac"tion*al\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to fractions or a fraction; constituting
a fraction; as, fractional numbers.
2. Relatively small; inconsiderable; insignificant; as, a
fractional part of the population.
{Fractional crystallization} (Chem.), a process of gradual
and approximate purification and separation, by means of
repeated solution and crystallization therefrom.
{Fractional currency}, small coin, or paper notes, in
circulation, of less value than the monetary unit.
{Fractional distillation} (Chem.), a process of distillation
so conducted that a mixture of liquids, differing
considerably from each other in their boiling points, can
be separated into its constituents.
Fractionally \Frac"tion*al*ly\, adv.
By fractions or separate portions; as, to distill a liquid
fractionally, that is, so as to separate different portions.
Fractionary \Frac"tion*a*ry\, a.
Fractional. [Obs.]
Fractionate \Frac"tion*ate\, v. t.
To separate into different portions or fractions, as in the
distillation of liquids.
Fractious \Frac"tious\, a. [Cf. Prov. E. frack forward, eager,
E. freak, fridge; or Prov. E. fratch to squabble, quarrel.]
Apt to break out into a passion; apt to scold; cross;
snappish; ugly; unruly; as, a fractious man; a fractious
horse.
Syn: Snappish; peevish; waspish; cross; irritable; perverse;
pettish. -- {Frac"tious*ly}, v. -- {Frac"tious*ness}, n.
Fractural \Frac"tur*al\ (?; 135), a.
Pertaining to, or consequent on, a fracture. [R.]
Fracture \Frac"ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. fractura, fr. frangere,
fractum, to break: cf. F. fracture. See {Fraction}.]
1. The act of breaking or snapping asunder; rupture; breach.
2. (Surg.) The breaking of a bone.
3. (Min.) The texture of a freshly broken surface; as, a
compact fracture; an even, hackly, or conchoidal fracture.
{Comminuted fracture} (Surg.), a fracture in which the bone
is broken into several parts.
{Complicated fracture} (Surg.), a fracture of the bone
combined with the lesion of some artery, nervous trunk, or
joint.
{Compound fracture} (Surg.), a fracture in which there is an
open wound from the surface down to the fracture.
{Simple fracture} (Surg.), a fracture in which the bone only
is ruptured. It does not communicate with the surface by
an open wound.
Syn: {Fracture}, {Rupture}.
Usage: These words denote different kinds of breaking,
according to the objects to which they are applied.
Fracture is applied to hard substances; as, the
fracture of a bone. Rupture is oftener applied to soft
substances; as, the rupture of a blood vessel. It is
also used figuratively. ``To be an enemy and once to
have been a friend, does it not embitter the
rupture?'' --South.
Fracture \Frac"ture\ (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fractured}
(#; 135); p. pr. & vb. n.. {Fracturing}.] [Cf. F. fracturer.]
To cause a fracture or fractures in; to break; to burst
asunder; to crack; to separate the continuous parts of; as,
to fracture a bone; to fracture the skull.
Fraenulum \Fr[ae]n"u*lum\, n.; pl. {Fr[ae]nula}. [NL., dim. of
L. fraenum a bridle.] (Anat.)
A fr[ae]num.
Fraenum \Fr[ae]"num\, or Frenum \Fre"num\, n.; pl. E.
{Fr[ae]nums}, L. {Fr[ae]na}. [L., a bridle.] (Anat.)
A connecting fold of membrane serving to support or restrain
any part; as, the fr[ae]num of the tongue.
Fragile \Frag"ile\, a. [L. fragilis, from frangere to break; cf.
F. fragile. See {Break}, v. t., and cf. {Frail}, a.]
Easily broken; brittle; frail; delicate; easily destroyed.
The state of ivy is tough, and not fragile. --Bacon.
Syn: Brittle; infirm; weak; frail; frangible; slight. --
{Frag"ile*ly}, adv.
Fragility \Fra*gil"i*ty\, n. [L. fragilitas: cf. F.
fragilit['e]. Cf. {Frailty}.]
1. The condition or quality of being fragile; brittleness;
frangibility. --Bacon.
2. Weakness; feebleness.
An appearance of delicacy, and even of fragility, is
almost essential to it [beauty]. --Burke.
3. Liability to error and sin; frailty. [Obs.]
The fragility and youthful folly of Qu. Fabius.
--Holland.
Fragment \Frag"ment\, n. [L. fragmentum, fr. frangere to break:
cf. F. fragment. See {Break}, v. t.]
A part broken off; a small, detached portion; an imperfect
part; as, a fragment of an ancient writing.
Gather up the fragments that remain. --John vi. 12.
Fragmentak \Frag*men"tak\, a.
1. Fragmentary.
2. (Geol.) Consisting of the pulverized or fragmentary
material of rock, as conglomerate, shale, etc.
Fragmental \Frag*men"tal\, n. (Geol.)
A fragmentary rock.
Fragmentarily \Frag"men*ta*ri*ly\, adv.
In a fragmentary manner; piecemeal.
Fragmentariness \Frag"men*ta*ri*ness\, n.
The quality or property of being in fragnebts, or broken
pieces, incompleteness; want of continuity. --G. Eliot.
Fragmentary \Frag"men*ta*ry\, a. [Cf. F. fragmentaire.]
1. Composed of fragments, or broken pieces; disconnected; not
complete or entire. --Donne.
2. (Geol.) Composed of the fragments of other rocks.
Fragmented \Frag"ment*ed\, a.
Broken into fragments.
Fragmentist \Frag"ment*ist\, n.
A writer of fragments; as, the fragmentist of
Wolfenb["u]ttel. [R.]
Fragor \Fra"gor\, n. [L., a breaking to pieces, fr. frangere to
break.]
1. A loud and sudden sound; the report of anything bursting;
a crash. --I. Watts.
2.
Note: [Due to confusion with fragrant.] A strong or sweet
scent. [Obs. & Illegitimate.] --Sir T. Herbert.
Fragrance \Fra"grance\, Fragrancy \Fra"gran*cy\, n. [L.
fragrantia: cf. OF. fragrance.]
The quality of being fragrant; sweetness of smell; a sweet
smell; a pleasing odor; perfume.
Eve separate he spies, Veiled in a cloud of fragrance.
--Milton.
The goblet crowned, Breathed aromatic fragrancies
around. --Pope.
Fragrant \Fra"grant\, a. [L. fragrans. -antis, p. pr. of
fragrare to emit a smell of fragrance: cf. OF. fragrant.]
Affecting the olfactory nerves agreeably; sweet of smell;
odorous; having or emitting an agreeable perfume.
Fragrant the fertile earth After soft showers.
--Milton.
Syn: Sweet-smelling; odorous; odoriferous; sweet-scented;
redolent; ambrosial; balmy; spicy; aromatic. --
{Fra"grant*ly}, adv.
Fraight \Fraight\, a.
Same as {Fraught}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Frail \Frail\, n. [OE. fraiel, fraile, OF. fraiel, freel, frael,
fr. LL. fraellum.]
A basket made of rushes, used chiefly for containing figs and
raisins.
2. The quantity of raisins -- about thirty-two, fifty-six, or
seventy-five pounds, -- contained in a frail.
3. A rush for weaving baskets. --Johnson.
Frail \Frail\, a. [Compar. {Frailer}; superl. {Frailest}.] [OE.
frele, freile, OF. fraile, frele, F. fr[^e]le, fr. L.
fragilis. See {Fragile}.]
1. Easily broken; fragile; not firm or durable; liable to
fail and perish; easily destroyed; not tenacious of life;
weak; infirm.
That I may know how frail I am. --Ps. xxxix.
4.
An old bent man, worn and frail. --Lowell.
2. Tender. [Obs.]
Deep indignation and compassion. --Spenser.
3. Liable to fall from virtue or be led into sin; not strong
against temptation; weak in resolution; also, unchaste; --
often applied to fallen women.
Man is frail, and prone to evil. --Jer. Taylor.
Frailly \Frail"ly\, adv.
Weakly; infirmly.
Frailness \Frail"ness\, n.
Frailty.
Frailty \Frail"ty\, n.; pl. {Frailties}. [OE. frelete, freilte,
OF. frailet['e], fr. L. fragilitas. See {Frail}, a., and cf.
{Fragility}.]
1. The condition quality of being frail, physically,
mentally, or morally, frailness; infirmity; weakness of
resolution; liableness to be deceived or seduced.
God knows our frailty, [and] pities our weakness.
--Locke.
2. A fault proceeding from weakness; foible; sin of
infirmity.
Syn: Frailness; fragility; imperfection; failing.
Fraischeur \Frai"scheur\, n. [OF.; F fraicheur, fr. frais, fem.
fra?che, fresh; of German origin. See {Frash}, a.]
Freshness; coolness. [R.] --Dryden.
Fraise \Fraise\, n. [See {Froise}.]
A large and thick pancake, with slices of bacon in it. [Obs.]
--Johnson.
Fraise \Fraise\, n. [F. fraise, orig., a ruff, cf. F. frise
frieze, E. frieze a coarse stuff.]
1. (Fort.) A defense consisting of pointed stakes driven into
the ramparts in a horizontal or inclined position.
2. (Mech.) A fluted reamer for enlarging holes in stone; a
small milling cutter.
Fraise \Fraise\, v. t. (Mil.)
To protect, as a line of troops, against an onset of cavalry,
by opposing bayonets raised obliquely forward. --Wilhelm.
Fraised \Fraised\, a.
Fortified with a fraise.
Fraken \Frak"en\, n.
A freckle. [Obs.]
A few fraknes in his face. --Chaucer.
Framable \Fram"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being framed.
Frambaesia \Fram*b[ae]"si*a\, n. [F. & NL., fr. F. framboise
raspberry.] (Med.)
The yaws. See {Yaws}.
Frame \Frame\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Framed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Framing}.] [OE. framen, fremen, to execute, build, AS.
fremman to further, perform, effect, fr. fram strong,
valiant; akin to E. foremost, and prob. to AS. fram from,
Icel. fremja, frama, to further, framr forward, G. fromm
worthy, excellent, pious. See {Foremost}, {From}, and cf.
{Furnish}.]
1. (Arch. & Engin.) To construct by fitting and uniting the
several parts of the skeleton of any structure;
specifically, in woodwork, to put together by cutting
parts of one member to fit parts of another. See
{Dovetail}, {Halve}, v. t., {Miter}, {Tenon}, {Tooth},
{Tusk}, {Scarf}, and {Splice}.
2. To originate; to plan; to devise; to contrive; to compose;
in a bad sense, to invent or fabricate, as something
false.
How many excellent reasonings are framed in the mind
of a man of wisdom and study in a length of years.
--I. Watts.
3. To fit to something else, or for some specific end; to
adjust; to regulate; to shape; to conform.
And frame my face to all occasions. --Shak.
We may in some measure frame our minds for the
reception of happiness. --Landor.
The human mind is framed to be influenced. --I.
Taylor.
4. To cause; to bring about; to produce. [Obs.]
Fear frames disorder, and disorder wounds. --Shak.
5. To support. [Obs. & R.]
That on a staff his feeble steps did frame.
--Spenser.
6. To provide with a frame, as a picture.
Frame \Frame\, v. i.
1. To shape; to arrange, as the organs of speech. [Obs.]
--Judg. xii. 6.
2. To proceed; to go. [Obs.]
The bauty of this sinful dame Made many princes
thither frame. --Shak.
Frame \Frame\, n.
1. Anything composed of parts fitted and united together; a
fabric; a structure; esp., the constructional system,
whether of timber or metal, that gives to a building,
vessel, etc., its model and strength; the skeleton of a
structure.
These are thy glorious works, Parent of good,
Almighty! thine this universal frame. --Milton.
2. The bodily structure; physical constitution; make or build
of a person.
Some bloody passion shakes your very frame. --Shak.
No frames could be strong enough to endure it.
--Prescott.
3. A kind of open case or structure made for admitting,
inclosing, or supporting things, as that which incloses or
contains a window, door, picture, etc.; that on which
anything is held or stretched; as:
(a) The skeleton structure which supports the boiler and
machinery of a locomotive upon its wheels.
(b) (Founding) A molding box or flask, which being filled
with sand serves as a mold for castings.
(c) The ribs and stretchers of an umbrella or other
structure with a fabric covering.
(d) A structure of four bars, adjustable in size, on which
cloth, etc., is stretched for quilting, embroidery,
etc.
(e) (Hort.) A glazed portable structure for protecting
young plants from frost.
(f) (Print.) A stand to support the type cases for use by
the compositor.
4. (Mach.) A term applied, especially in England, to certain
machines built upon or within framework; as, a stocking
frame; lace frame; spinning frame, etc.
5. Form; shape; proportion; scheme; structure; constitution;
system; as, a frameof government.
She that hath a heart of that fine frame To pay this
debt of love but to a brother. --Shak.
Put your discourse into some frame. --Shak.
6. Particular state or disposition, as of the mind; humor;
temper; mood; as, to be always in a happy frame.
7. Contrivance; the act of devising or scheming. [Obs.]
John the bastard Whose spirits toil in frame of
villainies. --Shak.
{Balloon frame}, {Cant frames}, etc. See under {Balloon},
{Cant}, etc.
{Frame} {building or house}, a building of which the form and
support is made of framed timbers. [U.S.] -- {Frame
level}, a mason's level.
{Frame saw}, a thin saw stretched in a frame to give it
rigidity.
Framer \Fram"er\, n.
One who frames; as, the framer of a building; the framers of
the Constitution.
Framework \Frame"work`\, n.
1. The work of framing, or the completed work; the frame or
constructional part of anything; as, the framework of
society.
A staunch and solid piece of framework. --Milton.
2. Work done in, or by means of, a frame or loom.
Framing \Fram"ing\, n.
1. The act, process, or style of putting together a frame, or
of constructing anything; a frame; that which frames.
2. (Arch. & Engin.) A framework, or a sy? of frames.
{Framing chisel} (Carp.), a heavy chisel with a socket shank
for making mortises.
Frampel \Fram"pel\, Frampoid \Fram"poid\, a. [Also written
frampul, frampled, framfold.] [Cf. W. fframfol passionate,
ffrom angry, fretting; or perh. akin to E. frump.]
Peevish; cross; vexatious; quarrelsome. [Obs.] --Shak.
Is Pompey grown so malapert, so frampel? --Beau. & Fl.
Franc \Franc\, n. [F., fr. franc a Franc. See {Frank}, a.]
A silver coin of France, and since 1795 the unit of the
French monetary system. It has been adopted by Belgium and
Swizerland. It is equivalent to about nineteen cents, or ten
pence, and is divided into 100 centimes.
Franchise \Fran"chise\ (? or ?; 277), n. [F., fr. franc, fem.
franche, free. See {Frank}, a.]
1. Exemption from constraint or oppression; freedom; liberty.
[Obs.] --Spenser.
2. (LAw) A particular privilege conferred by grant from a
sovereign or a government, and vested in individuals; an
imunity or exemption from ordinary jurisdiction; a
constitutional or statutory right or privilege, esp. the
right to vote.
Election by universal suffrage, as modified by the
Constitution, is the one crowning franchise of the
American people. --W. H.
Seward.
3. The district or jurisdiction to which a particular
privilege extends; the limits of an immunity; hence, an
asylum or sanctuary.
Churches and mobasteries in Spain are franchises for
criminals. --London
Encyc.
4. Magnanimity; generosity; liberality; frankness; nobility.
``Franchise in woman.'' [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Elective franchise}, the privilege or right of voting in an
election of public officers.
Franchise \Fran"chise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Franchised}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Franchising}.] [Cf. OF. franchir to free, F., to
cross.]
To make free; to enfranchise; to give liberty to. --Shak.
Franchisement \Fran"chise*ment\, n. [Cf. OF. franchissement.]
Release; deliverance; freedom. --Spenser.
Francic \Fran"cic\, a. [See {Frank}, a.]
Pertaining to the Franks, or their language; Frankish.
Franciscan \Fran*cis"can\, a. [LL. Franciscus Francis: cf. F.
franciscain.] (R. C. Ch.)
Belonging to the Order of St. Francis of the Franciscans.
{Franciscan Brothers}, pious laymen who devote themselves to
useful works, such as manual labor schools, and other
educational institutions; -- called also {Brothers of the
Third Order of St. Francis}.
{Franciscan Nuns}, nuns who follow the rule of t. Francis,
esp. those of the Second Order of St. Francis, -- called
also {Poor Clares} or {Minoresses}.
{Franciscan Tertiaries}, the Third Order of St. Francis.
Franciscan \Fran*cis"can\, n. (R.C.Ch.)
A monk or friar of the Order of St. Francis, a large and
zealous order of mendicant monks founded in 1209 by St.
Francis of Assisi. They are called also {Friars Minor}; and
in England, {Gray Friars}, because they wear a gray habit.
Francolin \Fran"co*lin\, n. [F.; cf. It. francolino, Sp.
francolin.] (Zo["o]l.)
A spurred partidge of the genus {Francolinus} and allied
genera, of Asia and Africa. The common species ({F.
vulgaris}) was formerly common in southern Europe, but is now
nearly restricted to Asia.
Francolite \Fran"co*lite\, n. (Min.)
A variety of apatite from Wheal Franco in Devonshire.
Frangent \Fran"gent\, a. [L. frangens, p. pr. of frangere. See
{Fraction}.]
Causing fracture; breaking. [R.] --H. Walpole.
Frangibility \Fran`gi*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. frangibilit['e].]
The state or quality of being frangible. --Fox.
Frangible \Fran"gi*ble\, a. [Cf. F. frangible.]
Capable of being broken; brittle; fragile; easily broken.
Frangipane \Fran"gi*pane\, n. [F. frangipane; supposed to be
called so from the inventor, the Marquis Frangipani, major
general under Louis XIV.]
1. A perfume of jasmine; frangipani.
2. A species of pastry, containing cream and almonds.
Frangipani \Fran`gi*pan"i\, Frangipanni \Fran`gi*pan"ni\, n.
[Another spelling of frangipane.]
A perfume derived from, or imitating the odor of, the flower
of the red jasmine, a West Indian tree of the genus
{Plumeria}.
Frangulic \Fran*gu"lic\, Frangulinic \Fran`gu*lin"ic\, a.
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or drived from, frangulin, or a species
({Rhamnus Frangula}) of the buckthorn.
{Frangulinic acid} (Chem.), a yellow crystalline substance,
resembling alizarin, and obtained by the decomposition of
frangulin.
Frangulin \Fran"gu*lin\, n. (Chem.)
A yellow crystalline dyestuff, regarded as a glucoside,
extracted from a species ({Rhamnus Frangula}) of the
buckthorn; -- called also {rhamnoxanthin}.
Franion \Fran"ion\, n. [Perh. from F. fain['e]ant an idler.]
A paramour; a loose woman; also, a gay, idle fellow. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
Frank \Frank\, n. [OF. franc.]
A pigsty. [Obs.]
Frank \Frank\, v. t.
To shut up in a frank or sty; to pen up; hence, to cram; to
fatten. [Obs.] --Shak.
Frank \Frank\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The common heron; -- so called from its note. [Prov. Eng.]
Frank \Frank\, a. [Compar {Franker}; superl. {Frankest}.] [F.
franc free, frank, L. Francus a Frank, fr. OHG. Franko the
name of a Germanic people on the Rhine, who afterward founded
the French monarchy; cf. AS. franca javelin, Icel. frakka.
Cf. {Franc}, {French}, a., {Franchise}, n.]
1. Unbounded by restrictions, limitations, etc.; free. [R.]
``It is of frank gift.'' --Spenser.
2. Free in uttering one's real sentiments; not reserved;
using no disguise; candid; ingenuous; as, a frank nature,
conversation, manner, etc.
3. Liberal; generous; profuse. [Obs.]
Frank of civilities that cost them nothing.
--L'Estrange.
4. Unrestrained; loose; licentious; -- used in a bad sense.
--Spenser.
Syn: Ingenuous; candid; artless; plain; open; unreserved;
undisguised; sincere. See {Candid}, {Ingenuous}.
Frank \Frank\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Franked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Franking}.]
1. To send by public conveyance free of expense. --Dickens.
2. To extempt from charge for postage, as a letter, package,
or packet, etc.
Frank \Frank\, n. [See {Frank}, a.]
The privilege of sending letters or other mail matter, free
of postage, or without charge; also, the sign, mark, or
signature denoting that a letter or other mail matter is to
free of postage.
I have said so much, that, if I had not a frank, I must
burn my letter and begin again. --Cowper.
Frank \Frank\, n. [Cf. F. franc. See {Frank}, a.]
1. (Ethnol.) A member of one of the German tribes that in the
fifth century overran and conquered Gaul, and established
the kingdom of France.
2. A native or inhabitant of Western Europe; a European; -- a
term used in the Levant.
3. A French coin. See {Franc}.
Frankalmoigne \Frank`al*moigne"\, n. [F. franc free + Norm. F.
almoigne alma, for almosne, F. aum[^o]ne. See {Frank}, a.,
and {Almoner}.] (Eng. Law)
A tenure by which a religious corporation holds lands given
to them and their successors forever, usually on condition of
praying for the soul of the donor and his heirs; -- called
also {tenure by free alms}. --Burrill.
Frank-chase \Frank"-chase`\, n. [Frank free + chase.] (Eng. Law)
The liberty or franchise of having a chase; free chase.
--Burrill.
Frank-fee \Frank"-fee`\, n. [Frank free + fee.] (Eng. Law)
A species of tenure in fee simple, being the opposite of
ancient demesne, or copyhold. --Burrill.
Frankfort black \Frank"fort black`\
A black pigment used in copperplate printing, prepared by
burning vine twigs, the lees of wine, etc. --McElrath.
Frankincense \Frank"in*cense\, n. [OF. franc free, pure + encens
incense.]
A fragrant, aromatic resin, or gum resin, burned as an
incense in religious rites or for medicinal fumigation. The
best kinds now come from East Indian trees, of the genus
{Boswellia}; a commoner sort, from the Norway spruce ({Abies
excelsa}) and other coniferous trees. The frankincense of the
ancient Jews is still unidentified.
Franking \Frank"ing\, n. (Carp.)
A method of forming a joint at the intersection of
window-sash bars, by cutting away only enough wood to show a
miter.
Frankish \Frank"ish\, a.
Like, or pertaining to, the Franks.
Frank-law \Frank"-law`\, n. [Frank free + law.] (Eng. Law)
The liberty of being sworn in courts, as a juror or witness;
one of the ancient privileges of a freeman; free and common
law; -- an obsolete expression signifying substantially the
same as the American expression {civil rights}. --Abbot.
Franklin \Frank"lin\, n. [OE. frankelein; cf. LL. franchilanus.
See {Frank}, a.]
An English freeholder, or substantial householder. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
The franklin, a small landholder of those days. --Sir
J. Stephen.
Franklinic \Frank*lin"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to Benjamin Franklin.
{Franklinic electricity}, electricity produced by friction;
called also {statical electricity}.
Franklinite \Frank"lin*ite\, n. (Min.)
A kind of mineral of the spinel group.
Franklin stove \Frank"lin stove`\
A kind of open stove introduced by Benjamin Franklin, the
peculiar feature of which was that a current of heated air
was directly supplied to the room from an air box; -- now
applied to other varieties of open stoves.
Frankly \Frank"ly\, adv.
In a frank manner; freely.
Very frankly he confessed his treasons. --Shak.
Syn: Openly; ingenuously; plainly; unreservedly;
undisguisedly; sincerely; candidly; artlessly; freely;
readily; unhesitatingly; liberally; willingly.
Frank-marriage \Frank"-mar"riage\, n. [Frank free + marriage.]
(Eng. Law)
A certain tenure in tail special; an estate of inheritance
given to a man his wife (the wife being of the blood of the
donor), and descendible to the heirs of their two bodies
begotten. [Obs.] --Blackstone.
Frankness \Frank"ness\, n.
The quality of being frank; candor; openess; ingenuousness;
fairness; liberality.
Frankpledge \Frank"pledge`\, n. [Frank free + pledge.] (O. Eng.
Law)
(a) A pledge or surety for the good behavior of freemen, --
each freeman who was a member of an ancient decennary,
tithing, or friborg, in England, being a pledge for the
good conduct of the others, for the preservation of the
public peace; a free surety.
(b) The tithing itself. --Bouvier.
The servants of the crown were not, as now, bound
in frankpledge for each other. --Macaulay.
Frantic \Fran"tic\, a. [OE. frentik, frenetik, F. frentique, L.
phreneticus, from Gr. ?. See {Frenzy}, and cf. {Frenetic},
{Phrenetic}.]
Mad; raving; furious; violent; wild and disorderly;
distracted.
Die, frantic wretch, for this accursed deed! --Shak.
Torrents of frantic abuse. --Macaulay.
-- {Fran"tic*al*ly}, adv. -- {Fran"tic*ly}, adv. --Shak. --
{Fran"tic*ness}, n. --Johnson.
Frap \Frap\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Frapped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Frapping}.] [Cf. F. frapper to strike, to seize ropes. Cf.
{Affrap}.]
1. (Naut.) To draw together; to bind with a view to secure
and strengthen, as a vessel by passing cables around it;
to tighten; as a tackle by drawing the lines together.
--Tottem.
2. To brace by drawing together, as the cords of a drum.
--Knoght.
Frape \Frape\, n. [Cf. frap, and Prov. E. frape to scold.]
A crowd, a rabble. [Obs.] --ares.
Frapler \Frap"ler\, n.
A blusterer; a rowdy. [Obs.]
Unpolished, a frapler, and base. --B. Jonson.
Frater \Fra"ter\, n. [L., a brother.] (Eccl.)
A monk; also, a frater house. [R.] --Shipley.
{Frater house}, an apartament in a convent used as an eating
room; a refectory; -- called also a {fratery}.
Fraternal \Fra*ter"nal\, a.[F. fraternel, LL. fraternalis, fr.
L. fraternus, fr. frater brother. See {Brother}.]
Pf, pertaining to, or involving, brethren; becoming to
brothers; brotherly; as, fraternal affection; a fraternal
embrace. -- {Fra*ter"nal*ly}, adv.
An abhorred, a cursed, a fraternal war. --Milton.
Fraternal love and friendship. --Addison.
Fraternate \Fra*ter"nate\, v. i.
To fraternize; to hold fellowship. --Jefferson.
Fraternation \Fra`ter*na"tion\, Fraternism \Fra"ter*nism\, n.
Fraternization. [R.] --Jefferson.
Fraternity \Fra*ter"ni*ty\, n.; pl. {Fraternities}. [F.
fraternit['e], L. fraternitas.]
1. The state or quality of being fraternal or brotherly;
brotherhood.
2. A body of men associated for their common interest,
business, or pleasure; a company; a brotherhood; a
society; in the Roman Catholic Chucrch, an association for
special religious purposes, for relieving the sick and
destitute, etc.
3. Men of the same class, profession, occupation, character,
or tastes.
With what terms of respect knaves and sots will
speak of their own fraternity! --South.
Fraternization \Fra`ter*ni*za"tion\ (? or ?), n.
The act of fraternizing or uniting as brothers.
I hope that no French fraternization . . . could so
change the hearts of Englishmen. --Burke.
Fraternize \Fra"ter*nize\ (? or ?; 277), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Fraternized}; p. pr. & vb. n.. {Fraternizing}.] [Cf. F.
fraterniser.]
To associate or hold fellowship as brothers, or as men of
like occupation or character; to have brotherly feelings.
Fraternize \Fra"ter*nize\, v. t.
To bring into fellowship or brotherly sympathy.
Correspondence for fraternizing the two nations.
--Burke.
Fraternizer \Frat"er*ni`zer\ (?; 277), n.
One who fraternizes. --Burke.
Fratery \Fra"ter*y\ (? or ?), n. [L. frater brother: cf. It.
frateria a brotherhood of monks. See {Friar}.]
A frater house. See under {Frater}.
Fratrage \Fra"trage\ (? or ?; 48), n. [L. frater a brother.]
(Law)
A sharing among brothers, or brothers' kin. [Obs.] --Crabb.
Fratricelli \Fra`tri*cel"li\, n. pl. [It. fraticelli, lit.,
little brothers, dim. fr. frate brother, L. frater.] (Eccl.
Hist.)
(a) The name which St. Francis of Assisi gave to his
followers, early in the 13th century.
(b) A sect which seceded from the Franciscan Order, chiefly
in Italy and Sicily, in 1294, repudiating the pope as an
apostate, maintaining the duty of celibacy and poverty,
and discountenancing oaths. Called also {Fratricellians}
and {Fraticelli}.
Fratricidal \Frat"ri*ci`dal\, a.
Of or pertaining to fratricide; of the nature of fratricide.
Fratricide \Frat"ri*cide\, n. [L. fratricidium a brother's
murder, fr. fratricida a brother's murderer; frater, fratris,
brother + caedere to kill: cf. F. fratricide.]
1. The act of one who murders or kills his own brother.
2. [L. fratricida: cf. F. fratricide.] One who murders or
kills his own brother.
Fraud \Fraud\ (fr[add]d), n. [F. fraude, L. fraus, fraudis;
prob. akin to Skr. dh[=u]rv to injure, dhv[.r] to cause to
fall, and E. dull.]
1. Deception deliberately practiced with a view to gaining an
unlawful or unfair advantage; artifice by which the right
or interest of another is injured; injurious stratagem;
deceit; trick.
If success a lover's toil attends, Few ask, if fraud
or force attained his ends. --Pope.
2. (Law) An intentional perversion of truth for the purpose
of obtaining some valuable thing or promise from another.
3. A trap or snare. [Obs.]
To draw the proud King Ahab into fraud. --Milton.
{Constructive fraud} (Law), an act, statement, or omission
which operates as a fraud, although perhaps not intended
to be such. --Mozley & W.
{Pious fraud} (Ch. Hist.), a fraud contrived and executed to
benefit the church or accomplish some good end, upon the
theory that the end justified the means.
{Statute of frauds} (Law), an English statute (1676), the
principle of which is incorporated in the legislation of
all the States of this country, by which writing with
specific solemnities (varying in the several statutes) is
required to give efficacy to certain dispositions of
property. --Wharton.
Syn: Deception; deceit; guile; craft; wile; sham; strife;
circumvention; stratagem; trick; imposition; cheat. See
{Deception}.
Fraudful \Fraud"ful\, a.
Full of fraud, deceit, or treachery; trickish; treacherous;
fraudulent; -- applied to persons or things. --I. Taylor. --
{Fraud"ful*ly}, adv.
Fraudless \Fraud"less\, a.
Free from fraud. -- {Fraud"less*ly}, adv. --
{Fraud"less*ness}, n.
Fraudulence \Fraud"u*lence\ (?; 135), Fraudulency
\Fraud"u*len*cy\, n. [L. fraudulentia.]
The quality of being fraudulent; deliberate deceit;
trickishness. --Hooker.
Fraudulent \Fraud"u*lent\, a. [L. fraudulentus, fr. fraus,
fraudis, frand: cf. F. fraudulent.]
1. Using fraud; trickly; deceitful; dishonest.
2. Characterized by,, founded on, or proceeding from, fraund;
as, a fraudulent bargain.
He, with serpent tongue, . . . His fraudulent
temptation thus began. --Milton.
3. Obtained or performed by artifice; as, fraudulent
conquest. --Milton.
Syn: Deceitful; fraudful; guileful; crafty; wily; cunning;
subtle; deceiving; cheating; deceptive; insidious;
treacherous; dishonest; designing; unfair.
Fraudulently \Fraud"u*lent*ly\, adv.
In a fraudulent manner.
Fraught \Fraught\ (fr[add]t), n. [OE. fraight, fraght; akin to
Dan. fragt, Sw. frakt, D. vracht, G. fracht, cf. OHG.
fr[=e]ht merit, reward; perh. from a pref. corresponding to
E. for + The root of E. own. Cf. {Freight}.]
A freight; a cargo. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fraught \Fraught\, a.
Freighted; laden; filled; stored; charged.
A vessel of our country richly fraught. --Shak.
A discourse fraught with all the commending excellences
of speech. --South.
Enterprises fraught with world-wide benefits. --I.
Taylor.
Fraught \Fraught\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fraughted} or {Fraught};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Fraughting}.] [Akin to Dan. fragte, Sw.
frakta, D. bevrachten, G. frachten, cf. OHG. fr[=e]ht[=o]n to
deserve. See {Fraught}, n.]
To freight; to load; to burden; to fill; to crowd. [Obs.]
Upon the tumbling billows fraughted ride The armed
ships. --Fairfax.
Fraughtage \Fraught"age\ (?; 48), n.
Freight; loading; cargo. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fraughting \Fraught"ing\, a.
Constituting the freight or cargo. [Obs.] ``The fraughting
souls within her.'' --Shak.
Fraunhofer lines \Fraun"ho*fer lines`\ (Physics.)
The lines of the spectrun; especially and properly, the dark
lines of the solar spectrum, so called because first
accurately observed and interpreted by Fraunhofer, a German
physicist.
Fraxin \Frax"in\, n. [From {Fraxinus}.] (Chem.)
A colorless crystalline substance, regarded as a glucoside,
and found in the bark of the ash ({Fraxinus}) and along with
esculin in the bark of the horse-chestnut. It shows a
delicate fluorescence in alkaline solutions; -- called also
{paviin}.
Fraxinus \Frax"i*nus\, n. [L., the ash tree.] (Bot.)
A genus of deciduous forest trees, found in the north
temperate zone, and including the true ash trees.
Note: {Fraxinus excelsior} is the European ash; {F.
Americana}, the white ash; {F. sambucifolia}, the black
ash or water ash.
Fray \Fray\ (fr[=a]), n. [Abbreviated from affray.]
Affray; broil; contest; combat.
Who began this bloody fray? --Shak.
Fray \Fray\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Frayed} (fr[=a]d); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fraying}.] [See 1st {Fray}, and cf. {Affray}.]
To frighten; to terrify; to alarm. --I. Taylor.
What frays ye, that were wont to comfort me affrayed?
--Spenser.
Fray \Fray\, v. t. [Cf. OF. fraier. See {Defray}, v. t.]
To bear the expense of; to defray. [Obs.]
The charge of my most curious and costly ingredients
frayed, I shall acknowledge myself amply satisfied.
--Massinger.
Fray \Fray\, v. t. [OF. freier, fraier, froier, to rub. L.
fricare; cf. friare to crumble, E. friable; perh. akin to Gr.
chri`ein to anoint, chri^sma an anointing, Skr. gh[.r]sh to
rub, scratch. Cf. {Friction}.]
To rub; to wear off, or wear into shreds, by rubbing; to
fret, as cloth; as, a deer is said to fray her head.
Fray \Fray\, v. i.
1. To rub.
We can show the marks he made When 'gainst the oak
his antlers frayed. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. To wear out or into shreads, or to suffer injury by
rubbing, as when the threads of the warp or of the woof
wear off so that the cross threads are loose; to ravel;
as, the cloth frays badly.
A suit of frayed magnificience. --tennyson.
Fray \Fray\, n.
A fret or chafe, as in cloth; a place injured by rubbing.
Fraying \Fray"ing\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The skin which a deer frays from his horns. --B. Jonson.
Freak \Freak\ (fr[=e]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Freaked}
(fr[=e]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Freaking}.] [Akin to OE. frakin,
freken, freckle, Icel. freknur, pl., Sw. fr["a]kne, Dan.
fregne, Gr. perkno`s dark-colored, Skr. p[.r][,c]ni
variegated. Cf. {Freckle}, {Freck}.]
To variegate; to checker; to streak. [R.]
Freaked with many a mingled hue. --Thomson.
Freak \Freak\, n. [Prob. from OE. frek bold, AS. frec bold,
greedly; akin to OHG. freh greedly, G. frech insolent, Icel.
frekr greedy, Goth. fa['i]hufriks avaricious.]
A sudden causeless change or turn of the mind; a whim of
fancy; a capricious prank; a vagary or caprice.
She is restless and peevish, and sometimes in a freak
will instantly change her habitation. --Spectator.
Syn: Whim; caprice; folly; sport. See {Whim}.
Freaking \Freak"ing\, a.
Freakish. [Obs.] --Pepys.
Freakish \Freak"ish\, a.
Apt to change the mind suddenly; whimsical; capricious.
It may be a question whether the wife or the woman was
the more freakish of the two. --L'Estrange.
Freakish when well, and fretful when she's sick.
--Pope.
-- {Freak"ish*ly}, adv. -- {Freak"ish*ness}, n.
Freck \Freck\, v. t. [Cf. {Freak}, v. t., {Freckle}.]
To checker; to diversify. [R. & Poet.]
The painted windows, frecking gloom with glow.
--Lowell.
Freckle \Freck"le\, n. [Dim., from the same root as freak, v.
t.]
1. A small yellowish or brownish spot in the skin,
particularly on the face, neck, or hands.
2. Any small spot or discoloration.
Freckle \Frec"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Freckled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Freckling}.]
To spinkle or mark with freckle or small discolored spots; to
spot.
Freckle \Frec"kle\ (fr[e^]k"k'l), v. i.
To become covered or marked with freckles; to be spotted.
Freckled \Frec"kled\ (fr[e^]k"k'ld), a.
Marked with freckles; spotted. ``The freckled trout.''
--Dryden.
The freckled cowslip, burnet, and green clover. --Shak.
Freckledness \Frec"kled*ness\ (-k'ld*n[e^]s), n.
The state of being freckled.
Freckly \Frec"kly\ (-kl[y^]), a.
Full of or marked with freckles; sprinkled with spots;
freckled.
Fred \Fred\ (fr[e^]d), n. [AS. fri[eth] peace. See {Frith}
inclosure.]
Peace; -- a word used in composition, especially in proper
names; as, Alfred; Frederic.
Fredstole \Fred"stole`\ (-st[=o]l`), n. [Obs.]
See {Fridstol}. --Fuller.
Free \Free\ (fr[=e]), a. [Compar. {Freer} (-[~e]r); superl.
{Freest} (-[e^]st).] [OE. fre, freo, AS. fre['o], fr[=i];
akin to D. vrij, OS. & OHG. fr[=i], G. frei, Icel. fr[=i],
Sw. & Dan. fri, Goth. freis, and also to Skr. prija beloved,
dear, fr. pr[=i] to love, Goth. frij[=o]n. Cf. {Affray},
{Belfry}, {Friday}, {Friend}, {Frith} inclosure.]
1. Exempt from subjection to the will of others; not under
restraint, control, or compulsion; able to follow one's
own impulses, desires, or inclinations; determining one's
own course of action; not dependent; at liberty.
That which has the power, or not the power, to
operate, is that alone which is or is not free.
--Locke.
2. Not under an arbitrary or despotic government; subject
only to fixed laws regularly and fairly administered, and
defended by them from encroachments upon natural or
acquired rights; enjoying political liberty.
3. Liberated, by arriving at a certain age, from the control
of parents, guardian, or master.
4. Not confined or imprisoned; released from arrest;
liberated; at liberty to go.
Set an unhappy prisoner free. --Prior.
5. Not subjected to the laws of physical necessity; capable
of voluntary activity; endowed with moral liberty; -- said
of the will.
Not free, what proof could they have given sincere
Of true allegiance, constant faith, or love.
--Milton.
6. Clear of offense or crime; guiltless; innocent.
My hands are guilty, but my heart is free. --Dryden.
7. Unconstrained by timidity or distrust; unreserved;
ingenuous; frank; familiar; communicative.
He was free only with a few. --Milward.
8. Unrestrained; immoderate; lavish; licentious; -- used in a
bad sense.
The critics have been very free in their censures.
--Felton.
A man may live a free life as to wine or women.
--Shelley.
9. Not close or parsimonious; liberal; open-handed; lavish;
as, free with his money.
10. Exempt; clear; released; liberated; not encumbered or
troubled with; as, free from pain; free from a burden; --
followed by from, or, rarely, by of.
Princes declaring themselves free from the
obligations of their treaties. --Bp. Burnet.
11. Characteristic of one acting without restraint; charming;
easy.
12. Ready; eager; acting without spurring or whipping;
spirited; as, a free horse.
13. Invested with a particular freedom or franchise; enjoying
certain immunities or privileges; admitted to special
rights; -- followed by of.
He therefore makes all birds, of every sect, Free
of his farm. --Dryden.
14. Thrown open, or made accessible, to all; to be enjoyed
without limitations; unrestricted; not obstructed,
engrossed, or appropriated; open; -- said of a thing to
be possessed or enjoyed; as, a free school.
Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free For
me as for you? --Shak.
15. Not gained by importunity or purchase; gratuitous;
spontaneous; as, free admission; a free gift.
16. Not arbitrary or despotic; assuring liberty; defending
individual rights against encroachment by any person or
class; instituted by a free people; -- said of a
government, institutions, etc.
17. (O. Eng. Law) Certain or honorable; the opposite of base;
as, free service; free socage. --Burrill.
18. (Law) Privileged or individual; the opposite of common;
as, a free fishery; a free warren. --Burrill.
19. Not united or combined with anything else; separated;
dissevered; unattached; at liberty to escape; as, free
carbonic acid gas; free cells.
{Free agency}, the capacity or power of choosing or acting
freely, or without necessity or constraint upon the will.
{Free bench} (Eng. Law), a widow's right in the copyhold
lands of her husband, corresponding to dower in freeholds.
{Free board} (Naut.), a vessel's side between water line and
gunwale.
{Free bond} (Chem.), an unsaturated or unemployed unit, or
bond, of affinity or valence, of an atom or radical.
{Free-borough men} (O.Eng. Law). See {Friborg}.
{Free chapel} (Eccles.), a chapel not subject to the
jurisdiction of the ordinary, having been founded by the
king or by a subject specially authorized. [Eng.]
--Bouvier.
{Free charge} (Elec.), a charge of electricity in the free or
statical condition; free electricity.
{Free church}.
(a) A church whose sittings are for all and without
charge.
(b) An ecclesiastical body that left the Church of
Scotland, in 1843, to be free from control by the
government in spiritual matters.
{Free city}, or {Free town}, a city or town independent in
its government and franchises, as formerly those of the
Hanseatic league.
{Free cost}, freedom from charges or expenses. --South.
{Free and easy}, unconventional; unrestrained; regardless of
formalities. [Colloq.] ``Sal and her free and easy ways.''
--W. Black.
{Free goods}, goods admitted into a country free of duty.
{Free labor}, the labor of freemen, as distinguished from
that of slaves.
{Free port}. (Com.)
(a) A port where goods may be received and shipped free
of custom duty.
(b) A port where goods of all kinds are received from
ships of all nations at equal rates of duty.
{Free public house}, in England, a tavern not belonging to a
brewer, so that the landlord is free to brew his own beer
or purchase where he chooses. --Simmonds.
{Free school}.
(a) A school to which pupils are admitted without
discrimination and on an equal footing.
(b) A school supported by general taxation, by
endowmants, etc., where pupils pay nothing for
tuition; a public school.
{Free services} (O.Eng. Law), such feudal services as were
not unbecoming the character of a soldier or a freemen to
perform; as, to serve under his lord in war, to pay a sum
of money, etc. --Burrill.
{Free ships}, ships of neutral nations, which in time of war
are free from capture even though carrying enemy's goods.
{Free socage} (O.Eng. Law), a feudal tenure held by certain
services which, though honorable, were not military.
--Abbott.
{Free States}, those of the United States before the Civil
War, in which slavery had ceased to exist, or had never
existed.
{Free stuff} (Carp.), timber free from knots; clear stuff.
{Free thought}, that which is thought independently of the
authority of others.
{Free trade}, commerce unrestricted by duties or tariff
regulations.
{Free trader}, one who believes in free trade.
{To make free with}, to take liberties with; to help one's
self to. [Colloq.]
{To sail free} (Naut.), to sail with the yards not braced in
as sharp as when sailing closehauled, or close to the
wind.
Free \Free\, adv.
1. Freely; willingly. [Obs.]
I as free forgive you As I would be forgiven.
--Shak.
2. Without charge; as, children admitted free.
Free \Free\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Freed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Freeing}.] [OE. freen, freoien, AS. fre['o]gan. See {Free},
a.]
1. To make free; to set at liberty; to rid of that which
confines, limits, embarrasses, oppresses, etc.; to
release; to disengage; to clear; -- followed by from, and
sometimes by off; as, to free a captive or a slave; to be
freed of these inconveniences. --Clarendon.
Our land is from the rage of tigers freed. --Dryden.
Arise, . . . free thy people from their yoke.
--Milton.
2. To remove, as something that confines or bars; to relieve
from the constraint of.
This master key Frees every lock, and leads us to
his person. --Dryden.
3. To frank. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Freebooter \Free"boot`er\, n. [D. vrijbuiter, fr. vrijbuiten to
plunder; vrij free + buit booty, akin to E. booty. See
{Free}, and {Booty}, and cf. {Filibuster}.]
One who plunders or pillages without the authority of
national warfare; a member of a predatory band; a pillager; a
buccaneer; a sea robber. --Bacon.
Freebootery \Free"boot`er*y\, n.
The act, practice, or gains of a freebooter; freebooting.
--Booth.
Freebooting \Free"boot`ing\, n.
Robbery; plunder; a pillaging.
Freebooting \Free"boot`ing\, a.
Acting the freebooter; practicing freebootery; robbing.
Your freebooting acquaintance. --Sir W.
Scott.
Freebooty \Free"boot`y\, n.
Freebootery. [Obs.]
Freeborn \Free"born`\, a.
Born free; not born in vassalage; inheriting freedom.
Free-denizen \Free"-den`i*zen\, v. t.
To make free. [R.]
Freedman \Freed"man\, n.; pl. {Freedmen}.
A man who has been a slave, and has been set free.
Freedom \Free"dom\ (fr[=e]"d[u^]m), n. [AS. fre['o]d[=o]m;
fre['o]free + -dom. See {Free}, and {-dom}.]
1. The state of being free; exemption from the power and
control of another; liberty; independence.
Made captive, yet deserving freedom more. --Milton.
2. Privileges; franchises; immunities.
Your charter and your caty's freedom. --Shak.
3. Exemption from necessity, in choise and action; as, the
freedom of the will.
4. Ease; facility; as, he speaks or acts with freedom.
5. Frankness; openness; unreservedness.
I emboldened spake and freedom used. --Milton.
6. Improper familiarity; violation of the rules of decorum;
license.
7. Generosity; liberality. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Freedom fine}, a sum paid on entry to incorporations of
trades.
{Freedom of the city}, the possession of the rights and
privileges of a freeman of the city; formerly often, and
now occasionally, conferred on one not a resident, as a
mark of honorary distinction for public services.
Syn: See {Liberty}.
Freedstool \Freed"stool`\, n. [Obs.]
See {Fridstol}.
Free-hand \Free"-hand`\, a.
Done by the hand, without support, or the guidance of
instruments; as, free-hand drawing. See under {Drawing}.
Free-handed \Free"-hand`ed\, a.
Open-handed; liberal.
Free-hearted \Free"-heart`ed\, a.
Open; frank; unreserved; liberal; generous; as, free-hearted
mirth. -- {Free"-heart`ed*ly}, adv. -- {Free"-heart`ed*ness},
n.
Freehold \Free"hold`\, n. (LAw)
An estate in real property, of inheritance (in fee simple or
fee tail) or for life; or the tenure by which such estate is
held. --Kent. Burrill.
{To abate into a freehold}. See under {Abate}.
Freeholder \Free"hold`er\, n. (Law)
The possessor of a freehold.
Free-liver \Free"-liv`er\, n.
One who gratifies his appetites without stint; one given to
indulgence in eating and drinking.
Free-living \Free"-liv`ing\, n.
Unrestrained indulgence of the appetites.
Free-love \Free"-love`\, n.
The doctrine or practice of consorting with the opposite sex,
at pleasure, without marriage.
Free-lover \Free"-lov`er\, n.
One who believes in or practices free-love.
Freelte \Freel"te\, n.
Frailty. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Freely \Free"ly\, adv. [AS. fre['o]lice.]
In a free manner; without restraint or compulsion;
abundantly; gratuitously.
Of every tree of the garden thou mayst freely eat.
--Gen. ii. 16.
Freely ye have received, freely give. --Matt. x. 8.
Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell.
--Milton.
Freely we serve Because we freely love. --Milton.
Syn: Independently; voluntarily; spontaneously;
unconditionally; unobstructedly; willingly; readily;
liberally; generously; bounteously; munificently;
bountifully; abundantly; largely; copiously;
plentifully; plenteously.
Freeman \Free"man\, n.; pl. {Freemen}. [AS. fre['o]man;
fre['o]free + mann man.]
1. One who enjoys liberty, or who is not subject to the will
of another; one not a slave or vassal.
2. A member of a corporation, company, or city, possessing
certain privileges; a member of a borough, town, or State,
who has the right to vote at elections. See {Liveryman}.
--Burrill.
Both having been made freemen on the same day.
--Addison.
Free-martin \Free"-mar`tin\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An imperfect female calf, twinborn with a male.
Freemason \Free"ma`son\, n.
One of an ancient and secret association or fraternity, said
to have been at first composed of masons or builders in
stone, but now consisting of persons who are united for
social enjoyment and mutual assistance.
Freemasonic \Free`ma*son"ic\, a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, the institutions or the
practices of freemasons; as, a freemasonic signal.
Freemasonry \Free"ma`son*ry\, n.
The institutions or the practices of freemasons.
Free-milling \Free"-mill`ing\, a.
Yielding free gold or silver; -- said of certain ores which
can be reduced by crushing and amalgamation, without roasting
or other chemical treatment. --Raymond.
Free-minded \Free"-mind`ed\, a.
Not perplexed; having a mind free from care. --Bacon.
Freeness \Free"ness\, n.
The state or quality of being free; freedom; liberty;
openness; liberality; gratuitousness.
Freer \Fre"er\, n.
One who frees, or sets free.
Free-soil \Free"-soil`\, a.
Pertaining to, or advocating, the non-extension of slavery;
-- esp. applied to a party which was active during the period
1846-1856. [U.S.] -- {Free"soil`er}, n. [U.S.] --
{Free"-soil`ism}, n. [U.S.]
Free-spoken \Free"-spo`ken\, a.
Accustomed to speak without reserve. --Bacon. --
{Free"-spo`ken-ness}, n.
Freestone \Free"stone`\, n.
A stone composed of sand or grit; -- so called because it is
easily cut or wrought.
Freestone \Free"stone`\, a.
Having the flesh readily separating from the stone, as in
certain kinds of peaches.
Free-swimming \Free"-swim`ming\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Swimming in the open sea; -- said of certain marine animals.
Freethinker \Free"think`er\, n.
One who speculates or forms opinions independently of the
authority of others; esp., in the sphere or religion, one who
forms opinions independently of the authority of revelation
or of the church; an unbeliever; -- a term assumed by deists
and skeptics in the eighteenth century.
Atheist is an old-fashioned word: I'm a freethinker,
child. --Addison.
Syn: Infidel; skeptic; unbeliever. See {Infidel}.
Freethinking \Free"think`ing\, n.
Undue boldness of speculation; unbelief. --Berkeley. -- a.
Exhibiting undue boldness of speculation; skeptical.
Free-tongued \Free"-tongued`\, a.
Speaking without reserve. --Bp. Hall.
Free will \Free will\
1. A will free from improper coercion or restraint.
To come thus was I not constrained, but did On my
free will. --Shak.
2. The power asserted of moral beings of willing or choosing
without the restraints of physical or absolute necessity.
Freewill \Free"will`\, a.
Of or pertaining to free will; voluntary; spontaneous; as, a
freewill offering.
{Freewill Baptists}. See under {Baptist}.
Freezable \Freez"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being frozen.
Freeze \Freeze\, n. (Arch.)
A frieze. [Obs.]
Freeze \Freeze\, v. i. [imp. {Froze}; p. p. {Frozen}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Freezing}.] [OE. fresen, freosen, AS. fre['o]san;
akin to D. vriezen, OHG. iosan, G. frieren, Icel. frjsa, Sw.
frysa, Dan. fryse, Goth. frius cold, frost, and prob. to L.
prurire to itch, E. prurient, cf. L. prna a burning coal,
pruina hoarfrost, Skr. prushv[=a] ice, prush to spirt. ? 18.
Cf. {Frost}.]
1. To become congealed by cold; to be changed from a liquid
to a solid state by the abstraction of heat; to be
hardened into ice or a like solid body.
Note: Water freezes at 32[deg] above zero by Fahrenheit's
thermometer; mercury freezes at 40[deg] below zero.
2. To become chilled with cold, or as with cold; to suffer
loss of animation or life by lack of heat; as, the blood
freezes in the veins.
{To freeze up} (Fig.), to become formal and cold in demeanor.
[Colloq.]
Freeze \Freeze\, v. t.
1. To congeal; to harden into ice; to convert from a fluid to
a solid form by cold, or abstraction of heat.
2. To cause loss of animation or life in, from lack of heat;
to give the sensation of cold to; to chill.
A faint, cold fear runs through my veins, That
almost freezes up the heat of life. --Shak.
Freeze \Freeze\, n.
The act of congealing, or the state of being congealed.
[Colloq.]
Freezer \Freez"er\, n.
One who, or that which, cools or freezes, as a refrigerator,
or the tub and can used in the process of freezing ice cream.
Freezing \Freez"ing\, a.
Tending to freeze; for freezing; hence, cold or distant in
manner. -- {Frrez"ing*ly}, adv.
{Freezing machine}. See {Ice machine}, under {Ice}.
{Freezing mixture}, a mixture (of salt and snow or of
chemical salts) for producing intense cold.
{Freezing point}, that degree of a thermometer at which a
fluid begins to freeze; -- applied particularly to water,
whose freezing point is at 32[deg] Fahr., and at 0[deg]
Centigrade.
Freieslebenite \Frei"es*le`ben*ite\, n. [Named after the German
chemist Freiesleben.]
A sulphide of antimony, lead, and silver, occuring in
monoclinic crystals.
Freight \Freight\, n. [F. fret, OHG. fr?ht merit, reward. See
{Fraught}, n.]
1. That with which anything in fraught or laden for
transportation; lading; cargo, especially of a ship, or a
car on a railroad, etc.; as, a freight of cotton; a full
freight.
2. (Law)
(a) The sum paid by a party hiring a ship or part of a
ship for the use of what is thus hired.
(b) The price paid a common carrier for the carriage of
goods. --Wharton.
3. Freight transportation, or freight line.
Freight \Freight\, a.
Employed in the transportation of freight; having to do with
freight; as, a freight car.
{Freight agent}, a person employed by a transportation
company to receive, forward, or deliver goods.
{Freight car}. See under {Car}.
{Freight train}, a railroad train made up of freight cars; --
called in England goods train.
Freight \Freight\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Freighted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Freighting}.] [Cf. F. freter.]
To load with goods, as a ship, or vehicle of any kind, for
transporting them from one place to another; to furnish with
freight; as, to freight a ship; to freight a car.
Freightage \Freight"age\, n.
1. Charge for transportation; expense of carriage.
2. The transportation of freight.
3. Freight; cargo; lading. Milton.
Freighter \Freight"er\, n.
1. One who loads a ship, or one who charters and loads a
ship.
2. One employed in receiving and forwarding freight.
3. One for whom freight is transported.
4. A vessel used mainly to carry freight.
Freightless \Freight"less\, a.
Destitute of freight.
Frelte \Frel"te\, n.
Frailty. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fremd \Fremd\, Fremed \Frem"ed\a. [OE., from AS. fremede,
fremde; akin to G. fremd.]
Strange; foreign. [Old Eng. & Scot.] --Chaucer.
Fren \Fren\ (fr[e^]n), n. [OE. frenne, contr. fr. forrene
foreign. See {Foreign}, a.]
A stranger. [Obs.] --Spenser.
French \French\ (fr[e^]nch), a. [AS. frencisc, LL. franciscus,
from L. Francus a Frank: cf. OF. franceis, franchois,
fran[,c]ois, F. fran[,c]ais. See {Frank}, a., and cf.
{Frankish}.]
Of or pertaining to France or its inhabitants.
{French bean} (Bot.), the common kidney bean ({Phaseolus
vulgaris}).
{French berry} (Bot.), the berry of a species of buckthorn
({Rhamnus catharticus}), which affords a saffron, green or
purple pigment.
{French casement} (Arch.) See {French window}, under
{Window}.
{French chalk} (Min.), a variety of granular talc; -- used
for drawing lines on cloth, etc. See under {Chalk}.
{French cowslip} (Bot.) The {Primula Auricula}. See
{Bear's-ear}.
{French fake} (Naut.), a mode of coiling a rope by running it
backward and forward in parallel bends, so that it may run
freely.
{French honeysuckle} (Bot.) a plant of the genus {Hedysarum}
({H. coronarium}); -- called also {garland honeysuckle}.
{French horn}, a metallic wind instrument, consisting of a
long tube twisted into circular folds and gradually
expanding from the mouthpiece to the end at which the
sound issues; -- called in France {cor de chasse}.
{French leave}, an informal, hasty, or secret departure;
esp., the leaving a place without paying one's debts.
{French pie} [French (here used in sense of ``foreign'') +
pie a magpie (in allusion to its black and white color)]
(Zo["o]l.), the European great spotted woodpecker
({Dryobstes major}); -- called also {wood pie}.
{French polish}.
(a) A preparation for the surface of woodwork, consisting of
gums dissolved in alcohol, either shellac alone, or
shellac with other gums added.
(b) The glossy surface produced by the application of the
above.
{French purple}, a dyestuff obtained from lichens and used
for coloring woolen and silken fabrics, without the aid of
mordants. --Ure.
{French red} rouge.
{French rice}, amelcorn.
{French roof} (Arch.), a modified form of mansard roof having
a nearly flat deck for the upper slope.
{French tub}, a dyer's mixture of protochloride of tin and
logwood; -- called also {plum tub}. --Ure.
{French window}. See under {Window}.
French \French\, n.
1. The language spoken in France.
2. Collectively, the people of France.
Frenchify \French"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Frenchified}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Frenchifying}.] [French + -fy.]
To make French; to infect or imbue with the manners or tastes
of the French; to Gallicize. --Burke.
Frenchism \French"ism\, n.
A French mode or characteristic; an idiom peculiar to the
French language. --Earle.
Frenchman \French"man\, n.; pl. {Frenchmen}.
A native or one of the people of France.
Frenetir \Fre*net"ir\, a. [See {Frantic}, a.]
Distracted; mad; frantic; phrenetic. --Milton.
Frenetical \Fre*net"ic*al\, a.
Frenetic; frantic; frenzied. -- {Frenet"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Frenum \Fre"num\, n.; pl. E. {Frenums}, L. {Frena}. [L., a
bridle.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A cheek stripe of color.
2. (Anat.) Same as {Fr[ae]num}.
Frenzical \Fren"zi*cal\, a.
Frantic. [Obs.] --Orrery.
Frenzied \Fren"zied\, p. p. & a.
Affected with frenzy; frantic; maddened. -- {Fren"zied-ly},
adv.
The people frenzied by centuries of oppression.
--Buckle.
Up starting with a frenzied look. --Sir W Scott.
Frenzy \Fren"zy\, n.; pl. {Frenzies}. [OE. frenesie, fransey, F.
fr['e]n['e]sie, L. phrenesis, fr. Gr. ? for ? disease of the
mind, phrenitis, fr. ? mind. Cf. {Frantic}, {Phrenitis}.]
Any violent agitation of the mind approaching to distraction;
violent and temporary derangement of the mental faculties;
madness; rage.
All else is towering frenzy and distraction. --Addison.
The poet's eye in a fine frenzy rolling. --Shak.
Syn: Insanity; lunacy; madness; derangment; alienation;
aberration; delirium. See {Insanity}.
Frenzy \Fren"zy\, a.
Mad; frantic. [R.]
They thought that some frenzy distemper had got into
his head. --Bunyan.
Frenzy \Fren"zy\, v. t.
To affect with frenzy; to drive to madness [R.] ``Frenzying
anguish.'' --Southey.
Frequence \Fre"quence\, n. [See {Frequency}.]
1. A crowd; a throng; a concourse. [Archaic.] --Tennyson.
2. Frequency; abundance. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Frequency \Fre"quen*cy\, n.; pl. {Frequencies}. [L. frequentia
numerous attendance, multitude: cf. F. fr['e]quence. See
{Frequent}.]
1. The condition of returning frequently; occurrence often
repeated; common occurence; as, the frequency of crimes;
the frequency of miracles.
The reasons that moved her to remove were, because
Rome was a place of riot and luxury, her soul being
almost stifled with, the frequencies of ladies'
visits. --Fuller.
2. A crowd; a throng. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Frequent \Fre"quent\, a. [L. frequens, -entis, crowded,
frequent, akin to farcire to stuff: cf. F. fr['e]quent. Cf.
{Farce}, n.]
1. Often to be met with; happening at short intervals; often
repeated or occurring; as, frequent visits. ``Frequent
feudal towers.'' --Byron.
2. Addicted to any course of conduct; inclined to indulge in
any practice; habitual; persistent.
He has been loud and frequent in declaring himself
hearty for the government. --Swift.
3. Full; crowded; thronged. [Obs.]
'T is C[ae]sar's will to have a frequent senate.
--B. Jonson.
4. Often or commonly reported. [Obs.]
'T is frequent in the city he hath subdued The Catti
and the Daci. --Massinger.
Frequent \Fre*quent"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Frequented}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Frequenting}.] [L. frequentare: cf. F.
fr['e]quenter. See {Frequent}, a.]
1. To visit often; to resort to often or habitually.
He frequented the court of Augustus. --Dryden.
2. To make full; to fill. [Obs.]
With their sighs the air Frequenting, sent from
hearts contrite. --Milton.
Frequentable \Fre*quent"a*ble\, a.
Accessible. [R.] --Sidney.
Frequentage \Fre*quent"age\, n.
The practice or habit of frequenting. [R.] --Southey.
Frequentation \Fre"quen*ta"tion\, n. [L. frequentatio a crowding
together, frequency: cf. F. fr['e]quentation.]
The act or habit of frequenting or visiting often; resort.
--Chesterfield.
Frequentative \Fre*quent"a*tive\, a. [L. frequentativus: cf. F.
fr['e]quentatif.] (Gram.)
Serving to express the frequent repetition of an action; as,
a frequentative verb. -- n. A frequentative verb.
Frequenter \Fre*quent*er\, n.
One who frequents; one who often visits, or resorts to
customarily.
Frequently \Fre*quent*ly\, adv.
At frequent or short intervals; many times; often;
repeatedly; commonly.
Frequentness \Fre"quent*ness\, n.
The quality of being frequent.
Frere \Fr[`e]re\, n. [F. See {Friar}.]
A friar. --Chaucer.
Frescade \Fres"cade\, n. [See {Fresco}, {Fresh}, a.]
A cool walk; shady place. [R.] --Maunder.
Fresco \Fres"co\, n.; pl. {Frescoes} or {Frescos}. [It., fr.
fresco fresh; of German origin. See {Fresh}, a.]
1. A cool, refreshing state of the air; duskiness; coolness;
shade. [R.] --Prior.
2. (Fine Arts)
(a) The art of painting on freshly spread plaster, before
it dries.
(b) In modern parlance, incorrectly applied to painting on
plaster in any manner.
(c) A painting on plaster in either of senses
a and
b .
Fresco \Fres"co\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Frescoed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Frescoing}.]
To paint in fresco, as walls.
Fresh \Fresh\, a. [Compar. {Fresher}; superl. {Freshest}.] [OE.
fresch, AS. fersc; akin to D. versch, G. frisch, OHG. frisc,
Sw. frisk, Dan. frisk, fersk, Icel. fr?skr frisky, brisk,
ferskr fresh; cf. It. fresco, OF. fres, freis, fem. freske,
fresche, F. frais, fem. fra?che, which are of German origin.
Cf. {Fraischeur}, {Fresco}, {Frisk}.]
1. Possessed of original life and vigor; new and strong;
unimpaired; sound.
2. New; original; additional. ``Fear of fresh mistakes.''
--Sir W. Scott.
A fresh pleasure in every fresh posture of the
limbs. --Landor.
3. Lately produced, gathered, or prepared for market; not
stale; not dried or preserved; not wilted, faded, or
tainted; in good condition; as, fresh vegetables, flowers,
eggs, meat, fruit, etc.; recently made or obtained;
occurring again; repeated; as, a fresh supply of goods;
fresh tea, raisins, etc.; lately come or made public; as,
fresh news; recently taken from a well or spring; as,
fresh water.
4. Youthful; florid; as, these fresh nymphs. --Shak.
5. In a raw, green, or untried state; uncultivated;
uncultured; unpracticed; as, a fresh hand on a ship.
6. Renewed in vigor, alacrity, or readiness for action; as,
fresh for a combat; hence, tending to renew in vigor;
rather strong; cool or brisk; as, a fresh wind.
7. Not salt; as, fresh water, in distinction from that which
is from the sea, or brackish; fresh meat, in distinction
from that which is pickled or salted.
{Fresh breeze} (Naut.), a breeze between a moderate and a
strong breeze; one blowinq about twenty miles an hour.
{Fresh gale}, a gale blowing about forty-five miles an hour.
{Fresh way} (Naut.), increased speed.
Syn: Sound; unimpaired; recent; unfaded: ruddy; florid;
sweet; good: inexperienced; unpracticed: unused; lively;
vigorous; strong.
Fresh \Fresh\, n.; pl. {Freshes}.
1. A stream or spring of fresh water.
He shall drink naught but brine; for I'll not show
him Where the quick freshes are. --Shak.
2. A flood; a freshet. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
3. The mingling of fresh water with salt in rivers or bays,
as by means of a flood of fresh water flowing toward or
into the sea. --Beverly.
Fresh \Fresh\, v. t.
To refresh; to freshen. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Freshen \Fresh"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Freshened}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Freshening}]
1. To make fresh; to separate, as water, from saline
ingredients; to make less salt; as, to freshen water,
fish, or flesh.
2. To refresh; to revive. [Obs.] --Spenser.
3. (Naut.) To relieve, as a rope, by change of place where
friction wears it; or to renew, as the material used to
prevent chafing; as, to freshen a hawse. -- Totten.
{To freshen ballast} (Naut.), to shift Or restore it.
{To freshen the hawse}, to pay out a little more cable, so as
to bring the chafe on another part.
{To freshen the way}, to increase the speed of a vessel.
--Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Freshen \Fresh"en\, v. i.
1. To grow fresh; to lose saltness.
2. To grow brisk or strong; as, the wind freshens.
Freshet \Fresh"et\, n. [OE. fresche flood + -et. See {Fresh},
a.]
1. A stream of fresh water. [Obs.] --Milton.
2. A flood or overflowing of a stream caused by heavy rains
or melted snow; a sudden inundation.
Cracked the sky, as ice in rivers When the freshet
is at highest. --Longfellow.
Freshly \Fresh"ly\, adv.
In a fresh manner; vigorously; newly, recently; brightly;
briskly; coolly; as, freshly gathered; freshly painted; the
wind blows freshly.
Looks he as freshly as he did? --Shak.
Freshman \Fresh"man\, n.; pl. {Freshmen}.
novice; one in the rudiments of knowledge; especially, a
student during his fist year in a college or university.
He drank his glass and cracked his joke, And freshmen
wondered as he spoke. --Goldsmith.
{Freshman class}, the lowest of the four classes in an
American college. [ U. S.]
Freshmanship \Fresh"man*ship\, n.
The state of being a freshman.
Freshment \Fresh"ment\, n.
Refreshment. [Obs.]
Freshness \Fresh"ness\, n.
The state of being fresh.
The Scots had the advantage both for number and
freshness of men. --Hayward.
And breathe the freshness of the open air. --Dryden.
Her cheeks their freshness lose and wonted grace.
--Granville.
Fresh-new \Fresh"-new`\, a.
Unpracticed. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fresh-water \Fresh"-wa`ter\, a.
1. Of, pertaining to, or living in, water not salt; as,
fresh-water geological deposits; a fresh-water fish;
fresh-water mussels.
2. Accustomed to sail on fresh water only; unskilled as a
seaman; as, a fresh-water sailor.
3. Unskilled; raw. [Colloq.] ``Fresh-water soldiers.''
--Knolles.
Fresnel lamp \Fres`nel" lamp"\, Fres'nel' lan'tern \Fres'nel'
lan'tern\[From Fresnel the inventor, a French physicist.]
A lantern having a lamp surrounded by a hollow cylindrical
Fresnel lens.
Fresnel lens \Fres`nel" lens"\ [See {Fresnel lamp}.] (Optics)
See under {Lens}.
Fret \Fret\ (fr[e^]t), n. [Obs.]
See 1st {Frith}.
Fret \Fret\ (fr[e^]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fretted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fretting}.] [OE. freten to eat, consume; AS. fretan,
for foretan; pref. for- + etan to eat; akin to D. vreten,
OHG. frezzan, G. fressen, Sw. fr["a]ta, Goth. fra-itan. See
{For}, and {Eat}, v. t.]
1. To devour. [Obs.]
The sow frete the child right in the cradle.
--Chaucer.
2. To rub; to wear away by friction; to chafe; to gall;
hence, to eat away; to gnaw; as, to fret cloth; to fret a
piece of gold or other metal; a worm frets the plants of a
ship.
With many a curve my banks I fret. --Tennyson.
3. To impair; to wear away; to diminish.
By starts His fretted fortunes give him hope and
fear. --Shak.
4. To make rough, agitate, or disturb; to cause to ripple;
as, to fret the surface of water.
5. To tease; to irritate; to vex.
Fret not thyself because of evil doers. --Ps.
xxxvii. 1.
Fret \Fret\, v. i.
1. To be worn away; to chafe; to fray; as, a wristband frets
on the edges.
2. To eat in; to make way by corrosion.
Many wheals arose, and fretted one into another with
great excoriation. --Wiseman.
3. To be agitated; to be in violent commotion; to rankle; as,
rancor frets in the malignant breast.
4. To be vexed; to be chafed or irritated; to be angry; to
utter peevish expressions.
He frets, he fumes, he stares, he stamps the ground.
--Dryden.
Fret \Fret\, n.
1. The agitation of the surface of a fluid by fermentation or
other cause; a rippling on the surface of water.
--Addison.
2. Agitation of mind marked by complaint and impatience;
disturbance of temper; irritation; as, he keeps his mind
in a continual fret.
Yet then did Dennis rave in furious fret. --Pope.
3. Herpes; tetter. --Dunglison.
4. pl. (Mining) The worn sides of river banks, where ores, or
stones containing them, accumulate by being washed down
from the hills, and thus indicate to the miners the
locality of the veins.
Fret \Fret\, v. t. [OE. fretten to adorn, AS. fr[ae]twan,
fr[ae]twian; akin to OS. fratah[=o]n, cf. Goth. us-fratwjan
to make wise, also AS. fr[ae]twe ornaments, OS. fratah[=i]
adornment.]
To ornament with raised work; to variegate; to diversify.
Whose skirt with gold was fretted all about. --Spenser.
Yon gray lines, That fret the clouds, are messengers of
day. --Shak.
Fret \Fret\, n.
1. Ornamental work in relief, as carving or embossing. See
{Fretwork}.
2. (Arch.) An ornament consisting of smmall fillets or slats
intersecting each other or bent at right angles, as in
classical designs, or at obilique angles, as often in
Oriental art.
His lady's cabinet is a adorned on the fret,
ceiling, and chimney-piece with . . . carving.
--Evelyn.
3. The reticulated headdress or net, made of gold or silver
wire, in which ladies in the Middle Ages confined their
hair.
A fret of gold she had next her hair. --Chaucer.
{Fret saw}, a saw with a long, narrow blade, used in cutting
frets, scrolls, etc.; a scroll saw; a keyhole saw; a
compass saw.
Fret \Fret\, n. [F. frette a saltire, also a hoop, ferrule,
prob. a dim. of L. ferrum iron. For sense 2, cf. also E. fret
to rub.]
1. (Her.) A saltire interlaced with a mascle.
2. (Mus.) A short piece of wire, or other material fixed
across the finger board of a guitar or a similar
instrument, to indicate where the finger is to be placed.
Fret \Fret\, v. t.
To furnish with frets, as an instrument of music.
Fretful \Fret"ful\, a. [See 2d {Fret}.]
Disposed to fret; ill-humored; peevish; angry; in a state of
vexation; as, a fretful temper. -- {Fret"ful-ly}, adv. --
{Fret"ful-ness}, n.
Syn: Peevish; ill-humored; ill-natured; irritable; waspish;
captious; petulant; splenetic; spleeny; passionate;
angry.
Usage: {Fretful}, {Peevish}, {Cross}. These words all
indicate an unamiable working and expression of
temper. Peevish marks more especially the inward
spirit: a peevish man is always ready to find fault.
Fretful points rather to the outward act, and marks a
complaining impatience: sickly children are apt to be
fretful. Crossness is peevishness mingled with
vexation or anger.
Frett \Frett\, n. [See 2d {Fret}.] (Mining)
The worn side of the bank of a river. See 4th {Fret}, n., 4.
Frett \Frett\, n. [See {Frit}.]
A vitreous compound, used by potters in glazing, consisting
of lime, silica, borax, lead, and soda.
Fretted \Fret"ted\, p. p. & a. [From 2d {Fret}.]
1. Rubbed or worn away; chafed.
2. Agitated; vexed; worried.
Fretted \Fret"ted\, p. p. & a. [See 5th {Fret}.]
1. Ornamented with fretwork; furnished with frets;
variegated; made rough on the surface.
2. (Her.) Interlaced one with another; -- said of charges and
ordinaries.
Fretten \Fret"ten\, a. [The old p. p. of fret to rub.]
Rubbed; marked; as, pock-fretten, marked with the smallpox.
[Obs.] --Wright.
Fretter \Fret"ter\, n.
One who, or that which, frets.
Fretty \Fret"ty\, a. [See 5th {Fret}.]
Adorned with fretwork.
Fretum \Fre"tum\, n.; pl. {Freta}. [L.]
A strait, or arm of the sea.
Fretwork \Fret"work\, n. [6th fret + work.]
Work adorned with frets; ornamental openwork or work in
relief, esp. when elaborate and minute in its parts. Hence,
any minute play of light and shade, dark and light, or the
like.
Banqueting on the turf in the fretwork of shade and
sunshine. --Macaulay.
Freya \Frey"a\ (fr[imac]"[.a]), n. [Icel. Freyja.] (Scand.
Myth.)
The daughter of Nj["o]rd, and goddess of love and beauty; the
Scandinavian Venus; -- in Teutonic myths confounded with
Frigga, but in Scandinavian, distinct. [Written also {Frea},
{Freyia}, and {Freyja}.]
Friabiiity \Fri"a*bii"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. friabilit['e].]
The quality of being friable; friableness. --Locke.
Friable \Fri"a*ble\, a. [L. friabilis, fr. friare to rub, break,
or crumble into small pieces, cf. fricare to rub, E. fray:
cf. F. friable.]
Easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder. ``Friable
ground.'' --Evelyn. ``Soft and friable texture.'' --Paley. --
{Fri'a*ble*ness}, n.
Friar \Fri"ar\, n. [OR. frere, F. fr[`e]re brother, friar, fr.
L. frater brother. See {Brother}.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) A brother or member of any religious order,
but especially of one of the four mendicant orders, viz:
{(a) Minors, Gray Friars, or Franciscans.} {(b)
Augustines}. {(c) Dominicans or Black Friars.} {(d) White
Friars or Carmelites.} See these names in the Vocabulary.
2. (Print.) A white or pale patch on a printed page.
3. (Zo["o]l.) An American fish; the silversides.
{Friar bird} (Zo["o]l.), an Australian bird ({Tropidorhynchus
corniculatus}), having the head destitute of feathers; --
called also {coldong}, {leatherhead}, {pimlico}; {poor
soldier}, and {four-o'clock}. The name is also applied to
several other species of the same genus.
{Friar's balsam} (Med.), a stimulating application for wounds
and ulcers, being an alcoholic solution of benzoin,
styrax, tolu balsam, and aloes; compound tincture of
benzoin. --Brande & C.
{Friar's cap} (Bot.), the monkshood.
{Friar's cowl} (Bot.), an arumlike plant ({Arisarum vulgare})
with a spathe or involucral leaf resembling a cowl.
{Friar's lantern}, the ignis fatuus or Will-o'-the-wisp.
--Milton.
{Friar skate} (Zo["o]l.), the European white or sharpnosed
skate ({Raia alba}); -- called also {Burton skate},
{border ray}, {scad}, and {doctor}.
Friarly \Fri"ar*ly\, a.
Like a friar; inexperienced. --Bacon.
Friary \Fri"ar*y\, a. [From {Friar}, n.]
Like a friar; pertaining to friars or to a convent. [Obs.]
--Camden.
Friary \Fri"ar*y\, n. [OF. frerie, frairie, fr. fr[`e]re. See
{Friar}.]
1. A monastery; a convent of friars. --Drugdale.
2. The institution or praactices of friars. --Fuller.
Friation \Fri*a"tion\, n. [See {Friable}.]
The act of breaking up or pulverizing.
Frible \Frib"le\, a. [Cf. F. frivole, L. frivolus, or E.
frippery.]
Frivolous; trifling; sily.
Fribble \Frib"ble\, n.
A frivolous, contemptible fellow; a fop.
A pert fribble of a peer. --Thackeray.
Fribble \Frib"ble\, v. i.
1. To act in a trifling or foolish manner; to act
frivolously.
The fools that are fribbling round about you.
--Thackeray.
2. To totter. [Obs.]
Fribbler \Frib"bler\, n.
A trifler; a fribble.
Fribbling \Frib"bling\, a.
Frivolous; trining; toolishly captious.
Friborg \Fri"borg\, Friborgh \Fri"borgh\, n. [AS. fri?borh,
lit., peace PLAGE; fri? peace + borh, borg, pledge, akin to
E. borrow. The first part of the word was confused with free,
the last part, with borough.] (Old Eng. Law)
The pledge and tithing, afterwards called by the Normans
frankpledge. See {Frankpledge}. [Written also {friburgh} and
{fribourg}.] --Burril.
Fricace \Fric"ace\, n. [See {Fricassee}.]
1. Meat sliced and dressed with strong sauce. [Obs.] --King.
2. An unguent; also, the act of rubbing with the unguent.
Fricandeau \Fri"can`deau`\, Fricando \Fric"*an*do\, n. [F.
fricandeau; cf. Sp. fricand['o].]
A ragout or fricassee of veal; a fancy dish of veal or of
boned turkey, served as an entr['e]e, -- called also
{fricandel}. --A. J. Cooley.
Fricassee \Fric"as*see`\, n. [F. fricass['e]e, fr. fricasser to
fry, fricassee; cf. LL. fricare, perh. for frictare, fricare,
frictum, to rub. Cf. {Fry}, {Friction}.]
A dish made of fowls, veal, or other meat of small animals
cut into pieces, and stewed in a gravy.
Frlcassee \Frlc"as*see`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fricassed}; p.
pr. &. vb. n. {Fricasseeing}.]
To dress like a fricassee.
Frication \Fri*ca"tion\, n. [L. fricatio, fr. fricare, fricatum,
to rub. ]
Friction. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Fricative \Fric"a*tive\, a. [See {Frication}.] (Phon.)
Produced by the friction or rustling of the breath, intonated
or unintonated, through a narrow opening between two of the
mouth organs; uttered through a close approach, but not with
a complete closure, of the organs of articulation, and hence
capable of being continued or prolonged; -- said of certain
consonantal sounds, as f, v, s, z, etc. -- n. A fricative
consonant letter or sound. See Guide to Pronunciation,
[sect][sect] 197-206, etc.
Fricatrice \Fric"a*trice\, n. [Cf. L. frictrix, fr. fricare to
rub.]
A lewd woman; a harlot. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Frickle \Fric"kle\, n.
A bushel basket. [Obs.]
Ftiction \Ftic"tion\, n. [L. frictio, fr. fricare, frictum,to
rub: cf. F. friction. See {Fray} to rub, arid cf.
{Dentifrice}.]
1. The act of rubbing the surface of one body against that of
another; attrition; in hygiene, the act of rubbing the
body with the hand, with flannel, or with a brush etc., to
excite the skin to healthy action.
2. (Mech.) The resistance which a body meets with from the
surface on which it moves. It may be resistance to sliding
motion, or to rolling motion.
3. A clashing between two persons or parties in opinions or
work; a disagreement tending to prevent or retard
progress.
{Angle of friction} (Mech.), the angle which a plane onwhich
a body is lying makes with a horizontal plane,when the
hody is just ready to slide dewn the plane.
Note: This angle varies for different bodies, and for planes
of different materials.
{Anti-friction wheels} (Mach.), wheels turning freely on
small pivots, and sustaining, at the angle formed by their
circumferences, the pivot or journal of a revolving shaft,
to relieve it of friction; -- called also {friction
wheels}.
{Friction balls}, or
{Friction rollers}, balls or rollers placed so as to receive
the pressure or weight of bodies in motion, and relieve
friction, as in the hub of a bicycle wheel.
{Friction brake} (Mach.), a form of dynamometer for measuring
the power a motor exerts. A clamp around the revolving
shaft or fly wheel of the motor resists the motion by its
friction, the work thus absorbed being ascertained by
observing the force required to keep the clamp from
revolving with the shaft; a Prony brake.
{Friction chocks}, brakes attached to the common standing
garrison carriages of guns, so as to raise the trucks or
wheels off the platform when the gun begins to recoil, and
prevent its running back. --Earrow.
{Friction clutch}, {Friction coupling}, an engaging and
disengaging gear for revolving shafts, pulleys, etc.,
acting by friction; esp.:
(a) A device in which a piece on one shaft or pulley is so
forcibly pressed against a piece on another shaft that
the two will revolve together; as, in the
illustration, the cone a on one shaft, when thrust
forcibly into the corresponding hollow cone b on the
other shaft, compels the shafts to rotate together, by
the hold the friction of the conical surfaces gives.
(b) A toothed clutch, one member of which, instead of
being made fast on its shaft, is held by friction and
can turn, by slipping, under excessive strain or in
starting.
{Friction drop hammer}, one in which the hammer is raised for
striking by the friction of revolving rollers which nip
the hammer rod.
{Friction gear}. See {Frictional gearing}, under
{Frictional}.
{Friction machine}, an electrical machine, generating
electricity by friction.
{Friction meter}, an instrument for measuring friction, as in
testing lubricants.
{Friction powder}, {Friction composition}, a composition of
chlorate of potassium, antimony, sulphide, etc, which
readily ignites by friction.
{Friction primer}, {Friction tube}, a tube used for firing
cannon by means of the friction of a roughened wire in the
friction powder or composition with which the tube is
filled.
{Friction wheel} (Mach.), one of the wheels in frictional
gearing. See under {Frictional}.
Frictional \Fric"tion*al\, a.
Relating to friction; moved by friction; produced by
friction; as, frictional electricity.
{Frictional gearing}, wheels which transmit motion by surface
friction instead of teeth. The faces are sometimes made
more or less V-shaped to increase or decrease friction, as
required.
Frictionless \Fric"tion*less\, a.
Having no friction.
Friday \Fri"day\, n. [AS. friged[ae]g, fr. Frigu, the gooddes of
marriage; friqu love + d[ae]g day; cf. Icel. Frigg name of a
goddess, the wife of Odin or Wodan, OHG. Fr[=i]atag, Icel.
Frj[=a]dagr. AS. frigu is prob. from the root of E. friend,
free. See {Free}, and {Day}.]
The sixth day of the week, following Thursday and preceding
Saturday.
Fridge \Fridge\, v. t. [AS. frician to dance, from free bold.
Cf. {Freak}, n.]
To rub; to fray. [Obs.] --Sterne.
Fridstol \Frid"stol`\ (fr[i^]d"st[=o]l`), Frithstool
\Frith`stool"\ (fr[i^]th"st[=oo]l`), n. [AS. fri[eth]st[=o]l.
See {Fred}, and {Stool}.]
A seat in churches near the altar, to which offenders
formerly fled for sanctuary. [Written variously {fridstool},
{freedstool}, etc.] [Obs.]
Fried \Fried\ (fr[imac]d),
imp. & p. p. of {Fry}.
Friend \Friend\ (fr[e^]nd), n. [OR. frend, freond, AS.
fre['o]nd, prop. p. pr. of fre['o]n, fre['o]gan, to love;
akin to D. vriend friend, OS. friund friend, friohan to love,
OHG. friunt friend, G. freund, Icel. fr[ae]ndi kinsman, Sw.
fr["a]nde. Goth. frij[=o]nds friend, frij[=o]n to love.
[root]83. See {Free}, and cf. {Fiend}.]
1. One who entertains for another such sentiments of esteem,
respect, and affection that he seeks his society aud
welfare; a wellwisher; an intimate associate; sometimes,
an attendant.
Want gives to know the flatterer from the friend.
--Dryden.
A friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
--Prov. xviii.
24.
2. One not inimical or hostile; one not a foe or enemy; also,
one of the same nation, party, kin, etc., whose friendly
feelings may be assumed. The word is some times used as a
term of friendly address.
Friend, how camest thou in hither? --Matt. xxii.
12.
3. One who looks propitiously on a cause, an institution, a
project, and the like; a favorer; a promoter; as, a friend
to commerce, to poetry, to an institution.
4. One of a religious sect characterized by disuse of outward
rites and an ordained ministry, by simplicity of dress and
speech, and esp. by opposition to war and a desire to live
at peace with all men. They are popularly called Quakers.
America was first visited by Friends in 1656. --T.
Chase.
5. A paramour of either sex. [Obs.] --Shak.
{A friend} {at court or in court}, one disposed to act as a
friend in a place of special opportunity or influence.
{To be friends with}, to have friendly relations with. ``He's
. . . friends with C[ae]sar.'' --Shak.
{To make friends with}, to become reconciled to or on
friendly terms with. ``Having now made friends with the
Athenians.'' --Jowett (Thucyd.).
Friend \Friend\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Friended}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Friending}.]
To act as the friend of; to favor; to countenance; to
befriend. [Obs.]
Fortune friends the bold. --Spenser.
Friended \Friend"ed\, a.
1. Having friends; [Obs.]
2. Inclined to love; well-disposed. [Obs.] --Shak.
Friending \Friend"ing\, n.
Friendliness. [Obs.] --Shak.
Friendless \Friend"less\, a. [AS. fre['o]ndle['a]s.]
Destitute of friends; forsaken. -- {Friend"less*ness}, n.
Friendlily \Friend"li*ly\, adv.
In a friendly manner. --Pope.
Friendliness \Friend"li*ness\, n.
The condition or quality of being friendly. --Sir P. Sidney.
Friendly \Friend"ly\, a. [AS. fre['e]ndl[imac]ce.]
1. Having the temper and disposition of a friend; disposed to
promote the good of another; kind; favorable.
2. Appropriate to, or implying, friendship; befitting
friends; amicable.
In friendly relations with his moderate opponents.
--Macaulay.
3. Not hostile; as, a friendly power or state.
4. Promoting the good of any person; favorable; propitious;
serviceable; as, a friendly breeze or gale.
On the first friendly bank he throws him down.
--Addison.
Syn: Amicable; kind; conciliatory; propitious; favorable. See
{Amicable}.
Friendly \Friend"ly\, adv.
In the manner of friends; amicably; like friends. [Obs.]
--Shak.
In whom all graces that can perfect beauty Are friendly
met. --Beau. & Fl.
Friendship \Friend"ship\, n. [AS. fre['o]ndscipe. See {Friend},
and {-ship}.]
1. The state of being friends; friendly relation, or
attachment, to a person, or between persons; affection
arising from mutual esteem and good will; friendliness;
amity; good will.
There is little friendship in the world. --Bacon.
There can be no friendship without confidence, and
no confidence without integrity. --Rambler.
Preferred by friendship, and not chosen by
sufficiency. --Spenser.
2. Kindly aid; help; assistance, [Obs.]
Some friendship will it [a hovel] lend you gainst
the tempest. --Shak.
3. Aptness to unite; conformity; affinity; harmony;
correspondence. [Obs.]
Those colors . . . have a friendship with each
other. --Dryden.
Frier \Fri"er\, n.
One who fries.
Friese \Friese\, n.
Same as {Friesic}, n.
Friesic \Fries"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to Friesland, a province in the northern
part of the Netherlands.
Friesic \Fries"ic\, n.
The language of the Frisians, a Teutonic people formerly
occupying a large part of the coast of Holland and
Northwestern Germany. The modern dialects of Friesic are
spoken chiefly in the province of Friesland, and on some of
the islands near the coast of Germany and Denmark.
Friesish \Fries"ish\, a.
Friesic. [R.]
Frieze \Frieze\, n. [Perh. the same word as frieze a, kind of
cloth. Cf. {Friz}.] (Arch.)
(a) That part of the entablature of an order which is between
the architrave and cornice. It is a flat member or face,
either uniform or broken by triglyphs, and often enriched
with figures and other ornaments of sculpture.
(b) Any sculptured or richly ornamented band in a building
or, by extension, in rich pieces of furniture. See
Illust. of {Column}.
Cornice or frieze with bossy sculptures graven.
--Milton.
Frieze \Frieze\, n. [F. frise, perh. originally a woolen cloth
or stuff from Friesland (F. Frise); cf. LL. frisii panni and
frissatus pannus, a shaggy woolen cloth, F. friser to friz,
curl. Cf. {Friz}.]
A kind of coarse woolen cloth or stuff with a shaggy or
tufted (friezed) nap on one side. ``Robes of frieze.''
--Goldsmith.
Frieze \Frieze\, v. t.
To make a nap on (cloth); to friz. See {Friz}, v. t., 2.
{Friezing machine}, a machine for friezing cloth; a friezing
machine.
Friezed \Friezed\, a.
Gathered, or having the map gathered, into little tufts,
knots, or protuberances. Cf. {Frieze}, v. t., and {Friz}, v.
t., 2.
Friezer \Frie"zer\, n.
One who, or that which, friezes or frizzes.
Frigate \Frig"ate\, n. [F. fr['e]gate, It. fregata, prob.
contracted fr. L. fabricata something constructed or. built.
See {Fabricate}.]
1. Originally, a vessel of the Mediterranean propelled by
sails and by oars. The French, about 1650, transferred the
name to larger vessels, and by 1750 it had been
appropriated for a class of war vessels intermediate
between corvettes and ships of the line. Frigates, from
about 1750 to 1850, had one full battery deck and, often,
a spar deck with a lighter battery. They carried sometimes
as many as fifty guns. After the application of steam to
navigation steam frigates of largely increased size and
power were built, and formed the main part of the navies
of the world till about 1870, when the introduction of
ironclads superseded them. [Formerly spelled {frigat} and
{friggot}.]
2. Any small vessel on the water. [Obs.] --Spenser.
{Frigate bird} (Zo["o]l.), a web-footed rapacious bird, of
the genus {Fregata}; -- called also {man-of-war bird}, and
{frigate pelican}. Two species are known; that of the
Southern United States and West Indies is {F. aquila}.
They are remarkable for their long wings and powerful
flight. Their food consists of fish which they obtain by
robbing gulls, terns, and other birds, of their prey. They
are related to the pelicans.
{Frigate mackerel} (Zo["o]l.), an oceanic fish ({Auxis
Rochei}) of little or no value as food, often very
abundant off the coast of the United States.
{Frigate pelican}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Frigate bird}.
Frigate-built \Frig"ate-built"\, a. (Naut.)
Built like a frigate with a raised quarter-deck and
forecastle.
Frigatoon \Frig"a*toon`\, n. [It. fregatone: cf. F. fr['e]gaton.
See {Frigate}.] (Naut.)
A Venetian vessel, with a square stern, having only a
mainmast, jigger mast, and bowsprit; also a sloop of war
ship-rigged.
Frigefaction \Frig"e*fac`tion\, n. [L. frigere to be cold +
facere to make.]
The act of making cold. [Obs.]
Frigefactive \Frig"e*fac`tive\, a.
Cooling. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Frigerate \Frig"er*ate\, e. t. [L. frigerare, fr. frigus cold.]
To make cool. [Obs.] --Blount.
Frigg \Frigg\, Frigga \Frig"ga\n. [Icel. Frigg. See {Friday}.]
(Scand. Myth.)
The wife of Odin and mother of the gods; the supreme goddess;
the Juno of the Valhalla. Cf. {Freya}.
Fright \Fright\, n. [OE. frigt, freyht, AS. fyrhto, fyrhtu; akin
to OS. forhta, OHG. forhta, forahta, G. furcht, Dan. frygt,
Sw. fruktan, Goth. fa['u]rhtei fear, fa['u]rhts timid.]
1. A state of terror excited by the sudden appearance of
danger; sudden and violent fear, usually of short
duration; a sudden alarm.
2. Anything strange, ugly or shocking, producing a feeling of
alarm or aversion. [Colloq.]
Syn: Alarm; terror; consternation. See {Alarm}.
Fright \Fright\, v. t. [imp. {Frighted}; p. pr. & vb. n..
{Frighting}.] [OE. frigten to fear, frighten, AS. fyrhtan to
frighten, forhtian to fear; akin to OS. forhtian, OHG.
furihten, forahtan, G. f["u]rchten, Sw. frukta, Dan. frygte,
Goth. faurhtjan. See {Fright}, n., and cf. {Frighten}.]
To alarm suddenly; to shock by causing sudden fear; to
terrify; to scare.
Nor exile or danger can fright a brave spirit.
--Dryden.
Syn: To affright; dismay; daunt; intimidate.
Frighten \Fright"en\, v. t. [imp. {Frightened}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Frightening}.] [See {Fright}, v. t.]
To disturb with fear; to throw into a state of alarm or
fright; to affright; to terrify.
More frightened than hurt. --Old Proverb.
Frightful \Fright"ful\, a.
1. Full of fright; affrighted; frightened. [Obs.]
See how the frightful herds run from the wood. --W.
Browne.
2. Full of that which causes fright; exciting alarm;
impressing terror; shocking; as, a frightful chasm, or
tempest; a frightful appearance.
Syn: Terrible; dreadful; alarming; fearful; terrific; awful;
horrid; horrible; shocking.
Usage: {Frightful}, {Dreadful}, {Awful}. These words all
express fear. In frightful, it is a sudden emotion; in
dreadful, it is deeper and more prolonged; in awful,
the fear is mingled with the emotion of awe, which
subdues us before the presence of some invisible
power. An accident may be frightful; the approach of
death is dreadful to most men; the convulsions of the
earthquake are awful.
Frightfully \Fright"ful*ly\, adv.
In a frightful manner; to a frightful dagree.
Frightfulness \Fright"ful*ness\, n.
The quality of being frightful.
Frightless \Fright"less\, a.
Free from fright; fearless. [Obs.]
Frightment \Fright"ment\, n.
Fear; terror. [Obs.]
Frigid \Frig"id\, a. [L. frigidus, fr. frigere to be cold; prob.
akin to Gr. ? to shudder, or perh. to ? cold. Cf. {Frill}.]
1. Cold; wanting heat or warmth; of low temperature; as, a
frigid climate.
2. Wanting warmth, fervor, ardor, fire, vivacity, etc.;
unfeeling; forbidding in manner; dull and unanimated;
stiff and formal; as, a frigid constitution; a frigid
style; a frigid look or manner; frigid obedience or
service.
3. Wanting natural heat or vigor sufficient to excite the
generative power; impotent. --Johnson.
{Frigid zone}, that part of the earth which lies between
either polar circle and its pole. It extends 23? 28? from
the pole. See the Note under {Arctic}.
Frigidarium \Frig"i*da`ri*um\, n.; pl. {Frigidaria}. [L., neut.
of frigidarium cooling.]
The cooling room of the Roman therm[ae], furnished with a
cold bath.
Prigidity \Pri*gid"i*ty\, n. [L. frigiditas: cf. F.
frigidit['e].]
1. The condition or quality of being frigid; coldness; want
of warmth.
Ice is water congealed by the frigidity of the air.
--Sir T.
Browne.
2. Want of ardor, animation, vivacity, etc.; coldness of
affection or of manner; dullness; stiffness and formality;
as, frigidity of a reception, of a bow, etc.
3. Want of heat or vigor; as, the frigidity of old age.
Frigidly \Frig"id*ly\, adv.
In a frigid manner; coldly; dully; without affection.
Frigidness \Frig"id*ness\, n.
The state of being frigid; want of heat, vigor, or affection;
coldness; dullness.
Frigorific \Frig"o*rif"ic\, Frigorifical \Frig"o*rif`ic*al\a.
[L. frigorificus; frigus, frigoris, cold + facere to make:
cf. F. frigorifique.]
Causing cold; producing or generating cold. --Quincy.
Frill \Frill\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Frilled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Frilling}.] [OF. friller, fr. L. frigidulus somewhat cold,
dim. of frigidus cold; akin to F. frileux chilly.]
1. To shake or shiver as with cold; as, the hawk frills.
--Johnson.
2. (Photog.) To wrinkle; -- said of the gelatin film.
Frill \Frill\, v. t.
To provide or decorate with a frill or frills; to turn back.
in crimped plaits; as, to frill a cap.
Frill \Frill\, n. [See {Frill}, v. i.]. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A ruffing of a bird's feathers from cold.
(b) A ruffle, consisting of a fold of membrane, of hairs, or
of feathers, around the neck of an animal. See {Frilled
lizard} (below).
(c) A similar ruffle around the legs or other appendages of
animals.
(d) A ruffled varex or fold on certain shells.
2. A border or edging secured at one edge and left free at
the other, usually fluted or crimped like a very narrow
flounce.
Frilled \Frilled\, a.
Furnished with a frill or frills.
{Frilled lizard} (Zo["o]l.), a large Australian lizard
({Chlamydosaurus Kingii}) about three feet long, which has
a large, erectile frill on each side of the neck.
Frim \Frim\, a. [Cf. AS. freme good, bold, and E. frame.]
Flourishing; thriving; fresh; in good case; vigorous. [Obs.]
``Frim pastures.'' --Drayton.
Frimaire \Fri"maire`\, n. [F., fr. frimas hoarfrost.]
The third month of the French republican calendar. It
commenced November 21, and ended December 20., See
{Vend['e]miaire}.
Fringe \Fringe\, n. [OF, fringe, F. frange, prob. fr. L. fimbria
fiber, thread, fringe, cf. fibra fiber, E. fiber, fimbriate.]
1. An ornamental appendage to the border of a piece of stuff,
originally consisting of the ends of the warp, projecting
beyond the woven fabric; but more commonly made separate
and sewed on, consisting sometimes of projecting ends,
twisted or plaited together, and sometimes of loose
threads of wool, silk, or linen, or narrow strips of
leather, or the like.
2. Something resembling in any respect a fringe; a line of
objects along a border or edge; a border; an edging; a
margin; a confine.
The confines of grace and the fringes of repentance.
--Jer. Taylor.
3. (Opt.) One of a number of light or dark bands, produced by
the interference of light; a diffraction band; -- called
also interference fringe.
4. (Bot.) The peristome or fringelike appendage of the
capsules of most mosses. See {Peristome}.
{Fringe tree} (Bot.), a small tree ({Chionanthus Virginica}),
growing in the Southern United States, and having
snow-white flowers, with long pendulous petals.
Fringe \Fringe\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fringed}; p. pr. & vb. a.
{Fringing}.]
To adorn the edge of with a fringe or as with a fringe.
Precipices fringed with grass. -- Bryant.
{Fringing reef}. See {Coral reefs}, under {Coral}.
Fringed \Fringed\, a.
Furnished with a fringe.
{Fringed lear} (Bot.), a leaf edged with soft parallel hairs.
Fringeless \Fringe"less\, a.
Having no fringe.
Fringent \Frin"gent\, a.
Encircling like a fringe; bordering. [R.] ``The fringent
air.'' --Emerson.
Fringilla \Frin*gil"la\, a. [NL., fr. L. fringilla a chaffinch.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of birds, with a short, conical, pointed bill. It
formerly included all the sparrows and finches, but is now
restricted to certain European finches, like the chaffinch
and brambling.
Fringillaceous \Frin`gil*la"ceous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Fringilline.
Fringilline \Frin*gil"line\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the family {Fringillid[ae]}; characteristic of
finches; sparrowlike.
Fringy \Frin"gy\, a.
Aborned with fringes. --Shak.
Fripper \Frip"per\, n. [F. fripier, fr. friper to rumple,
fumble, waste.]
One who deals in frippery or in old clothes. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Fripperer \Frip"per*er\, n.
A fripper. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Frippery \Frip"per*y\, n. [F. friperie, fr. fruper. See
{Fripper}.]
1. Coast-off clothes. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
2. Hence: Secondhand finery; cheap and tawdry decoration;
affected elegance.
Fond of gauze and French frippery. --Goldsmith.
The gauzy frippery of a French translation. --Sir W.
Scott.
3. A place where old clothes are sold. --Shak.
4. The trade or traffic in old clothes.
Frippery \Frip"per*y\, a.
Trifling; contemptible.
Friseur' \Fri"seur'\, n. [F., fr. friser to curl, frizzle. See
{Frizzle}.]
A hairdresser.
Frisian \Fri"sian\, a.
Of or pertaining to Friesland, a province of the Netherlands;
Friesic.
Frisian \Fri"sian\, n.
A native or inhabitant of Friesland; also, the language
spoken in Friesland. See {Friesic}, n.
Frisk \Frisk\, a. [OF. frieque, cf. OHG. frise lively, brisk,
fresh, Dan. & Sw. frisk, Icel. friskr. See {Fresh}, a.]
Lively; brisk; frolicsome; frisky. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Frisk \Frisk\, a.
A frolic; a fit of wanton gayety; a gambol: a little playful
skip or leap. --Johnson.
Frisk \Frisk\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Frisked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Frisking}.]
To leap, skip, dance, or gambol, in fronc and gayety.
The frisking satyrs on the summits danced. --Addison.
Friskal \Frisk"al\, n.
A leap or caper. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Frisker \Frisker\, n.
One who frisks; one who leaps of dances in gayety; a wanton;
an inconstant or unsettled person. --Camden.
Frisket \Fris"ket\, n. [F. frisguette. Perh. so named from the
velocity or frequency of its motion. See {Frisk} a.] (Print.)
The light frame which holds the sheet of paper to the tympan
in printing.
Friskful \Frisk"ful\, a.
Brisk; lively; frolicsome.
Friskily' \Frisk"i*ly'\, adv.
In a frisky manner.
Friskiness \Frisk"i*ness\, n.
State or quality of being frisky.
Frisky \Frisk"y\, a.
Inclined to frisk; frolicsome; gay.
He is too frisky for an old man. --Jeffrey.
Frislet \Fris"let\ (fr[i^]z"l[e^]t), n. [Cf. {Fraise} a kind of
defense; also {Friz}.]
A kind of small ruffle. --Halliwell.
Frist \Frist\ (fr[i^]st), v. t. [OE. fristen, firsten, to lend,
give respite, postpone, AS. firstan to give respite to; akin
to first time, G. frist, Icel. frest delay.]
To sell upon credit, as goods. [R.] --Crabb.
Frisure \Fri"sure`\, n. [F.]
The dressing of the hair by crisping or curling. --Smollett.
Frit \Frit\, n. [F. fritte, fr. frit fried, p. p. of frire to
fry. See {Far}, v. t.]
1. (Glass Making) The material of which glass is made, after
having been calcined or partly fused in a furnace, but
before vitrification. It is a composition of silex and
alkali, occasionally with other ingredients. --Ure.
2. (Ceramics) The material for glaze of pottery.
{Frit brick}, a lump of calcined glass materials, brought to
a pasty condition in a reverberatory furnace, preliminary
to the perfect vitrification in the melting pot.
Frit \Frit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fritted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fritting}.]
To prepare by heat (the materials for making glass); to fuse
partially. --Ure.
Frit \Frit\, v. t.
To fritter; -- with away. [R.] --Ld. Lytton.
Frith \Frith\, n. [OE. firth, Icel. fj["o]r?r; akin to Sw.
fj["a]rd, Dan. fiord, E. ford. [root]78. See {Ford}, n., and
cf. {Firth}, {Fiord}, {Fret} a frith, {Port} a harbor.]
1. (Geog.) A narrow arm of the sea; an estuary; the opening
of a river into the sea; as, the Frith of Forth.
2. A kind of weir for catching fish. [Eng.] --Carew.
Frith \Frith\, n. [OE. frith peace, protection, land inclosed
for hunting, park, forest, AS. fri? peace; akin to freno?
peace, protection, asylum, G. friede peace, Icel. fri?r, and
from the root of E. free, friend. See {Free}, a., and cf.
{Affray}, {Defray}.]
1. A forest; a woody place. [Obs.] --Drayton.
2. A small field taken out of a common, by inclosing it; an
inclosure. [Obs.] --Sir J. Wynne.
Frithy \Frith"y\, a.
Woody. [Obs.] --Skelton.
Fritillaria \Frit"il*la`ri*a\, n. [NL., fr. L. fritillus
dicebox: cf. F. fritillaire. So named from the checkered
markings of the petals.] (Bot.)
A genus of liliaceous plants, of which the crown-imperial
({Fritillaria imperialis}) is one species, and the Guinea-hen
flower ({F. Meleagris}) another. See {Crown-imperial}.
Fritillary \Frit"il*la*ry\, n.
1. (Bot.) A plant with checkered petals, of the genus
Fritillaria: the Guinea-hen flower. See {Fritillaria}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of several species of butterflies belonging
to {Argynnis} and allied genera; -- so called because the
coloring of their wings resembles that of the common
{Fritillaria}. See {Aphrodite}.
Fritinancy \Frit"i*nan*cy\, n. [L. fritinnire to twitter.]
A chirping or creaking, as of a cricket. [Obs.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Fritter \Frit"ter\, n. [OR. fritour, friture, pancake, F.
friture frying, a thing fried, from frire to fry. See {Far},
v. t.]
1. A small quantity of batter, fried in boiling lard or in a
frying pan. Fritters are of various kinds, named from the
substance inclosed in the batter; as, apple fritters, clam
fritters, oyster fritters.
2. A fragment; a shred; a small piece.
And cut whole giants into fritters. --Hudibras.
{Corn fritter}. See under {Corn}.
Fritter \Frit"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Frittered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Frittering}.]
1. To cut, as meat, into small pieces, for frying.
2. To break into small pieces or fragments.
Break all nerves, and fritter all their sense.
--Pope.
{To fritter away}, to diminish; to pare off; to reduce to
nothing by taking away a little at a time; also, to waste
piecemeal; as, to fritter away time, strength, credit,
etc.
Fritting \Frit"ting\, n. [See {Frit} to expose to heat.]
The formation of frit or slag by heat with but incipient
fusion.
Frivolism \Friv"o*lism\, n.
Frivolity. [R.] --Pristley.
Frivolity \Fri*vol"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Frivolities}. [Cg. F.
frivolit['e]. See {Frivolous}.]
The condition or quality of being frivolous; also, acts or
habits of trifling; unbecoming levity of disposition.
Frivolous \Friv"o*lous\, a. [L. frivolus; prob. akin to friare
to rub, crumble, E. friable: cf. F. frivole.]
1. Of little weight or importance; not worth notice; slight;
as, a frivolous argument. --Swift.
2. Given to trifling; marked with unbecoming levity; silly;
interested especially in trifling matters.
His personal tastes were low and frivolous.
--Macaulay.
Syn: Trifling; trivial; slight; petty; worthless. --
{Friv"o*lous*ly}, adv. -- {Friv"o*lous*ness}, n.
Friz \Friz\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Frizzed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Frizzing}.] [Cf. F. friser to curl, crisp, frizzle, to raise
the nap (on certain stuffs); prob.akin to OFries. frisle hair
of the head. Cf. {Frieze} kind of cloth.] [Written also
{frizz}.]
1. To curl or form into small curls, as hair, with a crisping
pin; to crisp.
With her hair frizzed short up to her ears. --Pepys.
2. To form into little burs, prominences, knobs, or tufts, as
the nap of cloth.
3. (Leather Manufacture) To soften and make of even thickness
by rubbing, as with pumice stone or a blunt instrument.
{Frizzing machine}.
(a) (Fabrics) A machine for frizzing the surface of cloth.
(b) (Wood Working) A bench with a revolving cutter head
slightly protruding above its surface, for dressing
boards.
Friz \Friz\, n.; pl. {Frizzes}.
That which is frizzed; anything crisped or curled, as a wig;
a frizzle. [Written also {frizz}.]
He [Dr. Johnson], who saw in his glass how his wig
became his face and head, might easily infer that a
similar fullbottomed, well-curled friz of words would
be no less becoming to his thoughts. --Hare.
Frize \Frize\, n. (Arch.)
See 1st {Frieze}.
Frizel \Friz"el\, a. (Firearms)
A movable furrowed piece of steel struck by the flint, to
throw sparks into the pan, in an early form of flintlock.
--Knight.
Frizette \Fri*zette"\, n. [F. frisette curl.]
A curl of hair or silk; a pad of frizzed hair or silk worn by
women under the hair to stuff it out.
Frizz \Frizz\, v. t. & n.
See {Friz}, v. t. & n.
Frizzle \Friz"zle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Frizzled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Frizzling}.] [Dim. of {friz}.]
To curl or crisp, as hair; to friz; to crinkle. --Gay.
{To frizzle up}, to crinkle or crisp excessively.
Frizzle \Friz"zle\, n.
A curl; a lock of hair crisped. --Milton.
Frizzler \Friz"zler`\, n.
One who frizzles.
Frizzly \Friz"zly\, Frizzy \Friz"zy\, a.
Curled or crisped; as, frizzly, hair.
Fro \Fro\ (fr[=o]), adv. [OE. fra, fro, adv. & prep., Icel.
fr[=a], akin to Dan. fra from, E. from. See {From}.]
From; away; back or backward; -- now used only in opposition
to the word to, in the phrase to and fro, that is, to and
from. See {To and fro} under {To}. --Milton.
Fro \Fro\, prep.
From. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Frock \Frock\, n. [F. froc a monk's cowl, coat, garment, LL.
frocus, froccus, flocus, floccus, fr. L. floccus a flock of
wool; hence orig., a flocky cloth or garment; cf. L. flaccus
flabby, E. flaccid.]
1. A loose outer garment; especially, a gown forming a part
of European modern costume for women and children; also, a
coarse shirtlike garment worn by some workmen over their
other clothes; a smock frock; as, a marketman's frock.
2. A coarse gown worn by monks or friars, and supposed to
take the place of all, or nearly all, other garments. It
has a hood which can be drawn over the head at pleasure,
and is girded by a cord.
{Frock coat}, a body coat for men, usually double-breasted,
the skirts not being in one piece with the body, but sewed
on so as to be somewhat full.
{Smock frock}. See in the Vocabulary.
Frock \Frock\, v. t.
1. To clothe in a frock.
2. To make a monk of. Cf. {Unfrock}.
Frocked \Frocked\, a.
Clothed in a frock.
Frockless \Frock"less\, a.
Destitute of a frock.
Froe \Froe\ (fr[=o]), n. [See {Frow}.]
A dirty woman; a slattern; a frow. [Obs.] ``Raging frantic
froes.'' --Draylon.
Froe \Froe\, n. [See {Frow} the tool]
An iron cleaver or splitting tool; a frow. [U. S.]
--Bartlett.
Frog \Frog\ (fr[o^]g), n. [AS. froggu, frocga a frog (in
sensel); akin to D. vorsch, OHG. frosk, G. frosch, Icel.
froskr, fraukr, Sw. & Dan. fr["o].]
1. (Zo["o]l.) An amphibious animal of the genus {Rana} and
related genera, of many species. Frogs swim rapidly, and
take long leaps on land. Many of the species utter loud
notes in the springtime.
Note: The edible frog of Europe ({Rana esculenta}) is
extensively used as food; the American bullfrog ({R.
Catesbiana}) is remarkable for its great size and loud
voice.
2. [Perh. akin to E. fork, cf. frush frog of a horse.]
(Anat.) The triangular prominence of the hoof, in the
middle of the sole of the foot of the horse, and other
animals; the fourchette.
3. (Railroads) A supporting plate having raised ribs that
form continuations of the rails, to guide the wheels where
one track branches from another or crosses it.
4. [Cf. fraco of wool or silk, L. floccus, E. frock.] An
oblong cloak button, covered with netted thread, and
fastening into a loop instead of a button hole.
5. The loop of the scabbard of a bayonet or sword.
{Cross frog} (Railroads), a frog adapted for tracks that
cross at right angles.
{Frog cheese}, a popular name for a large puffball.
{Frog eater}, one who eats frogs; -- a term of contempt
applied to a Frenchman by the vulgar class of English.
{Frog fly}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Frog} hopper.
{Frog hopper} (Zo["o]l.), a small, leaping, hemipterous
insect living on plants. The larv[ae] are inclosed in a
frothy liquid called {cuckoo spit} or {frog spit}.
{Frog lily} (Bot.), the yellow water lily ({Nuphar}).
{Frog spit} (Zo["o]l.), the frothy exudation of the {frog
hopper}; -- called also {frog spittle}. See {Cuckoo spit},
under {Cuckoo}.
Frog \Frog\, v. t.
To ornament or fasten (a coat, etc.) with trogs. See {Frog},
n., 4.
Frogbit \Frog"bit`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) A European plant ({Hydrocharis Morsus-ran[ae]}), floating
on still water and propagating itself by runners. It has
roundish leaves and small white flowers.
(b) An American plant ({Limnobium Spongia}), with similar
habits.
Frogfish \Frog"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) See {Angler}, n., 2.
(b) An oceanic fish of the genus {Antennarius} or
{Pterophrynoides}; -- called also mousefish and toadfish.
Frogged \Frogged\, a.
Provided or ornamented with frogs; as, a frogged coat. See
{Frog}, n., 4. --Ld. Lytton.
Froggy \Frog"gy\, a.
Abounding in frogs. --Sherwood.
Frogmouth \Frog"mouth`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of several species of Asiatic and East Indian birds of
the genus {Batrachostomus} (family {Podargid[ae]}); -- so
called from their very broad, flat bills.
Frogs-bit \Frog"s`-bit"\, n. (Bot.)
Frogbit.
Frogshell \Frog"shell`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of numerous species of marine gastropod shells, belonging
to {Ranella} and allied genera.
Froise \Froise\, n. [OE. froise cf. F. froisser to bruise, E.
frush to bruise,]
A kind of pancake. See 1st {Fraise}. [Written also {fraise}.]
Frolic \Frol"ic\ (fr[o^]l"[i^]k), a. [D. vroolijk; akin to G.
fr["o]lich, fr. froh, OHG. fr[=o], Dan. fro, OS. fr[=a]h, cf.
Icel. fr[=a]r swift; all perh. akin to Skr. pru to spring
up.]
Full of levity; dancing, playing, or frisking about; full of
pranks; frolicsome; gay; merry.
The frolic wind that breathes the spring. --Milton.
The gay, the frolic, and the loud. --Waller.
Frolic \Frol"ic\, n.
1. A wild prank; a flight of levity, or of gayety and mirth.
He would be at his frolic once again. --Roscommon.
2. A scene of gayety and mirth, as in lively play, or in
dancing; a merrymaking.
Frolic \Frol"ic\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Frolicked}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Frolicking}.]
To play wild pranks; to play tricks of levity, mirth, and
gayety; to indulge in frolicsome play; to sport.
Hither, come hither, and frolic and play. --Tennyson.
Frolicful \Frol"ic*ful\, a.
Frolicsome. [R.]
Frolicky \Frol"ick*y\, a.
Frolicsome. [Obs.] --Richardson.
Frolicly \Frol"ic*ly\, adv.
In a frolicsome manner; with mirth and gayety. [Obs.] --Beau.
& Fl.
Frolicsome \Frol"ic*some\, a.
Full of gayety and mirth; given to pranks; sportive.
Old England, who takes a frolicsome brain fever once
every two or three years, for the benefit of her
doctors. --Sir W.
Scott.
-- {Frol"ic*some*ly}, adv. -- {Frol"ic*some*ness}, n.
From \From\, prep. [AS. fram, from; akin to OS. fram out, OHG. &
Icel. fram forward, Sw. fram, Dan. frem, Goth. fram from,
prob. akin to E. forth. ?202. Cf. {Fro}, {Foremost}.]
Out of the neighborhood of; lessening or losing proximity to;
leaving behind; by reason of; out of; by aid of; -- used
whenever departure, setting out, commencement of action,
being, state, occurrence, etc., or procedure, emanation,
absence, separation, etc., are to be expressed. It is
construed with, and indicates, the point of space or time at
which the action, state, etc., are regarded as setting out or
beginning; also, less frequently, the source, the cause, the
occasion, out of which anything proceeds; -- the aritithesis
and correlative of to; as, it, is one hundred miles from
Boston to Springfield; he took his sword from his side; light
proceeds from the sun; separate the coarse wool from the
fine; men have all sprung from Adam, and often go from good
to bad, and from bad to worse; the merit of an action depends
on the principle from which it proceeds; men judge of facts
from personal knowledge, or from testimony.
Experience from the time past to the time present.
--Bacon.
The song began from Jove. --Drpden.
From high M[ae]onia's rocky shores I came. --Addison.
If the wind blow any way from shore. --Shak.
Note: From sometimes denotes away from, remote from,
inconsistent with. ``Anything so overdone is from the
purpose of playing.'' --Shak. From, when joined with
another preposition or an adverb, gives an opportunity
for abbreviating the sentence. ``There followed him
great multitudes of people . . . from [the land] beyond
Jordan.'' --Math. iv. 25. In certain constructions, as
from forth, from out, etc., the ordinary and more
obvious arrangment is inverted, the sense being more
distinctly forth from, out from -- from being virtually
the governing preposition, and the word the adverb. See
{From off}, under {Off}, adv., and {From afar}, under
{Afar}, adv.
Sudden partings such as press The life from out
young hearts. --Byron.
Fromward \From"ward\, Fromwards \From"wards\, prep. [AS.
framweard about to depart. Cf. {Froward}]
A way from; -- the contrary of toward. [Obs.]
Towards or fromwards the zenith. --Cheyne.
Frond \Frond\, n. [L. frons, frondis, a leafy branch, foliage.]
(Bot.)
The organ formed by the combination or union into one body of
stem and leaf, and often bearing the fructification; as, the
frond of a fern or of a lichen or seaweed; also, the peculiar
leaf of a palm tree.
Frondation \Fron*da"tion\, n. [L. frondatio, from frons. See
{Frond}.]
The act of stripping, as trees, of leaves or branches; a kind
of pruning. --Evelyn.
Fronde \Fronde\, n. [F.] (F. Hist.)
A political party in France, during the minority of Louis
XIV., who opposed the government, and made war upon the court
party.
Fronded \Frond"ed\, a.
Furnished with fronds. ``Fronded palms.'' --Whittier.
Frondent \Fron"dent\, a. [L. frondens, p. pr. of frondere to put
forth leaves. See {Frond}.]
Covered with leaves; leafy; as, a frondent tree. [R.]
Frondesce \Fron*desce"\, v. i. [L. frondescere, inchoative fr.
frondere. See {Frondent}.]
To unfold leaves, as plants.
Frondescence \Fron*des"cence\, n. (Bot.)
(a) The time at which each species of plants unfolds its
leaves.
(b) The act of bursting into leaf. --Milne. Martyn.
Frondeur \Fron"deur`\, n. [F.] (F. Hist.)
A member of the Fronde.
Frondiferous \Fron*dif"er*ous\, a. [L. frondifer frons a leafy
branch + ferre to bear: cf. F. frondifere.]
Producing fronds.
Frondlet \Frond"let\, n. (Bot.)
A very small frond, or distinct portion of a compound frond.
Frondose \Fron*dose"\, a. [L. frondosus leafy.] (Bot.)
(a) Frond bearing; resembling a frond; having a simple
expansion not separable into stem and leaves.
(b) Leafy. --Gray.
Frondous \Fron"dous\, a. (Bot.)
Frondose. [R.]
Frons \Frons\, n. [L., front.] (Anal.)
The forehead; the part of the cranium between the orbits and
the vertex.
Front \Front\, n. [F. frant forehead, L. frons, frontis; perh.
akin to E. brow.]
1. The forehead or brow, the part of the face above the eyes;
sometimes, also, the whole face.
Bless'd with his father's front, his mother's
tongue. --Pope.
Grim-visaged war hath smoothed his wrinkled front.
--Shak.
His front yet threatens, and his frowns command.
--Prior.
2. The forehead, countenance, or personal presence, as
expressive of character or temper, and especially, of
boldness of disposition, sometimes of impudence; seeming;
as, a bold front; a hardened front.
With smiling fronts encountering. --Shak.
The inhabitants showed a bold front. --Macaulay.
3. The part or surface of anything which seems to look out,
or to be directed forward; the fore or forward part; the
foremost rank; the van; -- the opposite to back or rear;
as, the front of a house; the front of an army.
Had he his hurts before? Ay, on the front. --Shak.
4. A position directly before the face of a person, or before
the foremost part of a thing; as, in front of un person,
of the troops, or of a house.
5. The most conspicuous part.
The very head and front of my offending. --Shak.
6. That which covers the foremost part of the head: a front
piece of false hair worn by women.
Like any plain Miss Smith's, who wears s front.
--Mrs.
Browning.
7. The beginning. ``Summer's front.'' --Shak.
{Bastioned front} (Mil.), a curtain connerting two half
bastions.
{Front door}, the door in the front wall of a building,
usually the principal entrance.
{Front of fortification}, the works constructed upon any one
side of a polygon. --Farrow.
{Front of operations}, all that part of the field of
operations in front of the successive positions occupied
by the army as it moves forward. --Farrow.
{To come to the front}, to attain prominence or leadership.
Front \Front\, a.
Of or relating to the front or forward part; having a
position in front; foremost; as, a front view.
Front \Front\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fronted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fronting}.]
1. To oppose face to face; to oppose directly; to meet in a
hostile manner.
You four shall front them in the narrow lane.
--Shak.
2. To appear before; to meet.
[Enid] daily fronted him In some fresh splendor.
--Tennyson.
3. To face toward; to have the front toward; to confront; as,
the house fronts the street.
And then suddenly front the changed reality. --J.
Morley.
4. To stand opposed or opposite to, or over against as, his
house fronts the church.
5. To adorn in front; to supply a front to; as, to front a
house with marble; to front a head with laurel.
Yonder walls, that pertly front your town. --Shak.
Front \Front\, v. t.
To have or turn the face or front in any direction; as, the
house fronts toward the east.
Frontage \Front"age\, n.
The front part of an edifice or lot; extent of front.
Frontal \Fron"tal\, a. [Cf. F. frontal.]
Belonging to the front part; being in front; esp. (Anat.), Of
or pertaining to the forehead or the anterior part of the
roof of the brain case; as, the frontal bones.
Frontal \Fron"tal\, n. [F. frontal, fronteau, OF. Frontel,
frontal, L. frontale an ornament for the forehead, frontlet.
See {Front}.]
1. Something worn on the forehead or face; a frontlet; as:
(a) An ornamental band for the hair.
(b) (Mil.) The metal face guard of a soldier.
2. (Arch.) A little pediment over a door or window.
3. (Eccl.) A movable, decorative member in metal, carved
wood, or, commonly, in rich stuff or in embroidery,
covering the front of the altar. Frontals are usually
changed according to the different ceremonies.
4. (Med.) A medicament or application for the forehead.
[Obs.] --Quincy.
5. (Anat.) The frontal bone, or one of the two frontal bones,
of the cranium.
{Frontal} {hammer or helve}, a forge hammer lifted by a cam,
acting upon a ``tongue'' immediately in front of the
hammer head. --Raymond.
Frontate \Fron"tate\, Fron'tated \Fron'ta*ted\, a.
Growing broader and broader, as a leaf; truncate.
Fronted \Front"ed\, a.
Formed with a front; drawn up in line. ``Fronted brigades.''
--Milton.
Frontier \Fron"tier\, n. [F. fronti[`e]re, LL. frontaria. See
{Front}.]
1. That part of a country which fronts or faces another
country or an unsettled region; the marches; the border,
confine, or extreme part of a country, bordering on
another country; the border of the settled and cultivated
part of a country; as, the frontier of civilization.
2. (Fort.) An outwork. [Obs.]
Palisadoes, frontiers, parapets. --Shak.
Frontier \Fron"tier\, a.
1. Lying on the exterior part; bordering; conterminous; as, a
frontier town.
2. Of or relating to a frontier. ``Frontier experience.''
--W. Irving.
Frontier \Fron"tier\, v. i.
To constitute or form a frontier; to have a frontier; -- with
on. [Obs.] --Sir W. Temple.
Frontiered \Fron"tiered\, p. a.
Placed on the frontiers. [R.]
Floatiersman \Floa"tiers*man\, n.; pl. {Frontiersmen}.
A man living on the frontier.
Frontignac \Fron`ti*gnac"\, Frontignan \Fron`ti`gnan"\, n. [So
called from Frontignan, a town in Southern France.]
1. A sweet muscadine wine made in Frontignan (Languedoc),
France.
2. (Bot.) A grape of many varieties and colors.
Frontingly \Front"ing*ly\, adv.
In a fronting or facing position; opposingly.
Frontiniac \Fron`tin*iac"\, n.
See {Frontignac}.
Frontispiece \Fron"tis*piece\, n. [F. frontispice, LL.
frontispicium beginning, front of a church, fr. L. frons
front + spicere, specere, to look at, view: cf. It.
frontispizio. See {Front} and {Spy}.]
The part which first meets the eye; as:
(a) (Arch.) The principal front of a building. [Obs. or R.]
(b) An ornamental figure or illustration fronting the first
page, or titlepage, of a book; formerly, the titlepage
itself.
Frontless \Front"less\, a.
Without face or front; shameless; not diffident; impudent.
[Obs.] ``Frontless vice.'' --Dryden. ``Frontless flattery.''
--Pope.
Frontlessly \Front"less*ly\, adv.
Shamelessly; impudently. [Obs.]
Frontlet \Front"let\, n. [OF. frontelet brow band, dim. of
frontel, frontal. See {Frontal}, n.]
1. A frontal or brow band; a fillet or band worn on the
forehead.
They shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
--Deut. vi. 8.
2. A frown (likened to a frontlet). [R. & Poetic]
What makes that frontlet on? Methinks you are too
much of late i' the frown. --Shak.
3. (Zo["o]l.) The margin of the head, behind the bill of
birds, often bearing rigid bristles.
Fronto- \Fron"to-\ [L. frons, frontis, the forehead.] (Anat.)
A combining form signifying relating to the forehead or the
frontal bone; as, fronto-parietal, relating to the frontal
and the parietal bones; fronto-nasal, etc.
Fronton \Fron`ton"\, n. [F., a pediment. See {Front}.] (Arch.)
Same as {Frontal}, 2.
Froppish \Frop"pish\, a. [Cf. {Frap}, {Frape}.]
Peevish; froward. [Obs.] --Clarendon.
Frore \Frore\, adv. [See {Frorn}.]
Frostily. [Obs.]
The parching air Burns frore, and cold performs the
effect of fire. --Milton.
Frorn \Frorn\, p. a. [AS. froren, p. p. of fre['o]sun to freeze.
See {Freeze}.]
Frozen. [Obs.]
Well nigh frorn I feel. --Spenser.
Frory \Fro"ry\, a. [AS. fre['o]rig. See {Frorn}.]
1. Frozen; stiff with cold. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. Covered with a froth like hoarfrost. [Archaic]
The foaming steed with frory bit to steer.
--Fairfax.
Frost \Frost\, n. [OE. frost, forst, AS. forst, frost. fr.
fre['o]san to freeze; akin to D. varst, G., OHG., Icel.,
Dan., & Sw. frost. [root]18. See {Freeze}, v. i.]
1. The act of freezing; -- applied chiefly to the congelation
of water; congelation of fluids.
2. The state or temperature of the air which occasions
congelation, or the freezing of water; severe cold or
freezing weather.
The third bay comes a frost, a killing frost.
--Shak.
3. Frozen dew; -- called also {hoarfrost} or {white frost}.
He scattereth the frost like ashes. --Ps. cxlvii.
16.
4. Coldness or insensibility; severity or rigidity of
character. [R.]
It was of those moments of intense feeling when the
frost of the Scottish people melts like a snow
wreath. --Sir W.
Scott.
{Black frost}, cold so intense as to freeze vegetation and
cause it to turn black, without the formation of
hoarfrost.
{Frost bearer} (Physics), a philosophical instrument
illustrating the freezing of water in a vacuum; a
cryophous.
{Frost grape} (Bot.), an American grape, with very small,
acid berries.
{Frost lamp}, a lamp placed below the oil tube of an Argand
lamp to keep the oil limpid on cold nights; -- used
especially in lighthouses. --Knight.
{Frost nail}, a nail with a sharp head driven into a horse's
shoe to keen him from slipping.
{Frost smoke}, an appearance resembling smoke, caused by
congelation of vapor in the atmosphere in time of severe
cold.
The brig and the ice round her are covered by a
strange black obscurity: it is the frost smoke of
arctic winters. --Kane.
{Frost valve}, a valve to drain the portion of a pipe,
hydrant, pump, etc., where water would be liable to
freeze.
{Jack Frost}, a popular personification of frost.
Frost \Frost\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Frostted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Frosting}.]
1. To injure by frost; to freeze, as plants.
2. To cover with hoarfrost; to produce a surface resembling
frost upon, as upon cake, metals, or glass.
While with a hoary light she frosts the ground.
--Wordsworth.
3. To roughen or sharpen, as the nail heads or calks of
horseshoes, so as to fit them for frosty weather.
Frostbird \Frost"bird\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The golden plover.
Frostbite \Frost"bite\, n.
The freezing, or effect of a freezing, of some part of the
body, as the ears or nose. --Kane.
Frostbite \Frost`bite"\, v. t.
To expose to the effect of frost, or a frosty air; to blight
or nip with frost.
My wife up and with Mrs. Pen to walk in the fields to
frostbite themselves. --Pepys.
Frost-bitten \Frost`-bit"ten\, p. a.
Nipped, withered, or injured, by frost or freezing.
Frost-blite \Frost`-blite"\, n. (Bot.)
(a) A plant of the genus {Atriplex}; orache. --Gray.
(b) The lamb's-quarters ({Chenopodium album}). --Dr. Prior.
Frosted \Frost"ed\, a.
Covered with hoarfrost or anything resembling hoarfrost;
ornamented with frosting; also, frost-bitten; as, a frosted
cake; frosted glass.
Frosted work is introduced as a foil or contrast to
burnished work. --Knight.
Frostfish \Frost`fish"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The tomcod; -- so called because it is abundant on the
New England coast in autumn at about the commencement of
frost. See {Tomcod}.
(b) The smelt. [Local, U. S.]
(c) A name applied in New Zealand to the scabbard fish
({Lepidotus}) valued as a food fish.
Frostily \Frost"i*ly\, adv.
In a frosty manner.
Frostiness \Frost"i*ness\, n.
State or quality of being frosty.
Frosting \Frost"ing\, n.
1. A composition of sugar and beaten egg, used to cover or
ornament cake, pudding, etc.
2. A lusterless finish of metal or glass; the process of
producing such a finish.
Frostless \Frost"less\, a.
Free from frost; as, a frostless winter.
Frostweed \Frost"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
An American species of rockrose ({Helianthemum Canadense}),
sometimes used in medicine as an astringent or aromatic
tonic.
Note: It has large yellow flowers which are often sterile,
and later it has abundant but inconspicuous flowers
which bear seed. It is so called because, late in
autumn, crystals of ice shoot from the cracked bark at
the root; -- called also frostwort.
Frostwork \Frost`work"\, n.
The figurework, often fantastic and delicate, which moisture
sometimes forms in freezing, as upon a window pane or a
flagstone.
Frostwort \Frost`wort"\, n. (Bot.)
Same as {Frostweed}.
Frosty \Frost"y\, a. [Cf. AS. fyrstig.]
1. Attended with, or producing, frost; having power to
congeal water; cold; freezing; as, a frosty night.
2. Covered with frost; as, the grass is frosty.
3. Chill in affection; without warmth of affection or
courage. --Johnson.
4. Appearing as if covered with hoarfrost; white;
gray-haired; as, a frosty head. --Shak.
Frote \Frote\, v. t. [F. frotter.]
To rub or wear by rubbing; to chafe. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Froterer \Fro"ter*er\, n.
One who frotes; one who rubs or chafes. [Obs.] --Marston.
Froth \Froth\, n. [OE. frothe, Icel. fro[eth]a; akin to Dan.
fraade, Sw. fradga, AS. [=a]freo[eth]an to froth.]
1. The bubbles caused in fluids or liquors by fermentation or
agitation; spume; foam; esp., a spume of saliva caused by
disease or nervous excitement.
2. Any empty, senseless show of wit or eloquence; rhetoric
without thought. --Johnson.
It was a long speech, but all froth. --L'Estrange.
3. Light, unsubstantial matter. --Tusser.
{Froth insect} (Zo["o]l.), the cuckoo spit or frog hopper; --
called also {froth spit}, {froth worm}, and {froth fly}.
{Froth spit}. See {Cuckoo spit}, under Cuckoo.
Froth \Froth\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Frothed}; p. pr. & vb. n..
{Frothing}.]
1. To cause to foam.
2. To spit, vent, or eject, as froth.
He . . . froths treason at his mouth. --Dryden.
Is your spleen frothed out, or have ye more?
--Tennyson.
3. To cover with froth; as, a horse froths his chain.
Froth \Froth\, v. i.
To throw up or out spume, foam, or bubbles; to foam; as beer
froths; a horse froths.
Frothily \Froth"i*ly\, adv.
In a frothy manner.
Frothiness \Froth"i*ness\, n.
State or quality of being frothy.
Frothing \Froth"ing\, n.
Exaggerated declamation; rant.
Frothless \Froth"less\, a.
Free from froth.
Frothy \Froth"y\, a. [Compar. {Frothier}; superl. {Frothiest}.]
1. Full of foam or froth, or consisting of froth or light
bubbles; spumous; foamy.
2. Not firm or solid; soft; unstable. --Bacon.
3. Of the nature of froth; light; empty; unsubstantial; as, a
frothy speaker or harangue. --Tillotson.
Frounce \Frounce\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Frounced}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Frouncing}.] [OE. frouncen, fronsen, to told, wrinkle,
OF. froncier, F. froncer, perh. fr. an assumed LL. frontiare
to wrinkle the forehead, L. frons forehead. See {Front}, and
cf. {Flounce} part of a dress.]
To gather into or adorn with plaits, as a dress; to form
wrinkles in or upon; to curl or frizzle, as the hair.
Not tricked and frounced, as she was wont. --Milton.
Frounce \Frounce\, v. i.
To form wrinkles in the forehead; to manifest displeasure; to
frown. [Obs.]
The Commons frounced and stormed. -- Holland.
Frounce \Frounce\, n.
1. A wrinkle, plait, or curl; a flounce; -- also, a frown.
[Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
2. An affection in hawks, in which white spittle gathers
about the hawk's bill. --Booth.
Frounceless \Frounce"less\, a.
Without frounces. --Rom. of R.
Frouzy \Frou"zy\, a. [Prov. E. frouzy froward, peevish,
offensive to the eye or smell; cf. froust a musty smell,
frouse to rumple, frouze to curl, and E. frounce, frowy.]
Fetid, musty; rank; disordered and offensive to the smell or
sight; slovenly; dingy. See {Frowzy}. ``Petticoats in frouzy
heaps.'' --Swift.
Frow \Frow\, n. [D. vrouw; akin to G. frau woman, wife, goth,
fr['a]uja master, lord, AS. fre['a].]
1. A woman; especially, a Dutch or German woman. --Beau. &
Fl.
2. A dirty woman; a slattern. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Frow \Frow\, n. [Cf. {Frower}.]
A cleaving tool with handle at right angles to the blade, for
splitting cask staves and shingles from the block; a frower.
Frow \Frow\, a.
Brittle. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Froward \Fro"ward\, a. [Fro + -ward. See {Fro}, and cf.
{Fromward}.]
Not willing to yield or compIy with what is required or is
reasonable; perverse; disobedient; peevish; as, a froward
child.
A froward man soweth strife. --Prov. xvi.
28.
A froward retention of custom is as turbulent a thing
as innovation. --Bacon.
Syn: Untoward; wayward; unyielding; ungovernable: refractory;
obstinate; petulant; cross; peevish. See {Perverse}. --
{Fro"ward*ly}, adv. -- {Fro"ward*ness}, n.
Frower \Frow"er\, n. [Cf. frow a frower, and Prov. E, frommard.]
A tool. See 2d {Frow}. --Tusser.
Frowey \Frow"ey\, a. [See {Frow}, a.] (Carp.)
Working smoothly, or without splitting; -- said of timber.
Frown \Frown\, v. i. [imp. &, p. p. {Frowned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Frowning}.] [OF. froignier, F. frogner, in se refrogner, se
renfrogner, to knit the brow, to frown; perh. of Teutonic
origin; cf. It. in frigno wrinkled, frowning, Prov. It.
frignare to cringe the face, to make a wry face, dial. Sw.
fryna to make a wry face,]
1. To contract the brow in displeasure, severity, or
sternness; to scowl; to put on a stern, grim, or surly
look.
The frowning wrinkle of her brow. --Shak.
2. To manifest displeasure or disapprobation; to look with
disfavor or threateningly; to lower; as, polite society
frowns upon rudeness.
The sky doth frown and lower upon our army. --Shak.
Frown \Frown\, v. t.
To repress or repel by expressing displeasure or disapproval;
to rebuke with a look; as, frown the impudent fellow into
silence.
Frown \Frown\, n.
1. A wrinkling of the face in displeasure, rebuke, etc.; a
sour, severe, or stere look; a scowl.
His front yet threatens, and his frowns command.
--Prior.
Her very frowns are fairer far Than smiles of other
maidens are. --H.
Coleridge.
2. Any expression of displeasure; as, the frowns of
Providence; the frowns of Fortune.
Frowningly \Frown"ing*ly\, adv.
In a frowning manner.
Frowny \Frown"y\, a.
Frowning; scowling. [Obs.]
Her frowny mother's ragged shoulder. --Sir F.
Palgrave.
Frowy \Frow"y\, a. [Cf. {Frowzy}, {Frouzy}.]
Musty. rancid; as, frowy butter. ``Frowy feed.'' --Spenser
Frowzy \Frow"zy\, a. [See {Frouzy}.]
Slovenly; unkempt; untidy; frouzy. ``With head all frowzy.''
--Spenser.
The frowzy soldiers' wives hanging out clothes. --W. D.
Howells.
Froze \Froze\,
imp. of {Freeze}.
Frozen \Fro"zen\, a.
1. Congealed with cold; affected by freezing; as, a frozen
brook.
They warmed their frozen feet. --Dryden.
2. Subject to frost, or to long and severe cold; chilly; as,
the frozen north; the frozen zones.
3. Cold-hearted; unsympathetic; unyielding. [R.]
Be not ever frozen, coy. --T. Carew.
Frozenness \Fro"zen*ness\, n.
A state of being frozen.
Frubish \Frub"ish\, v. t. [See {Furbish}.]
To rub up: to furbish. [Obs.] --Beau. c& Et.
Fructed \Fruc"ted\, a. [L. fructus fruit. See {Fruit}.] (Her.)
Bearing fruit; -- said of a tree or plant so represented upon
an escutcheon. --Cussans.
Fructescence \Fruc*tes"cence\, n. [L. fructus fruit.] (Bot.)
The maturing or ripening of fruit. [R.] --Martyn.
Fructiculose \Fruc*tic"u*lose`\, a.
Fruitful; full of fruit.
Fructidor \Fruc`ti`dor"\, n. [F., fr. L. fructus fruit.]
The twelfth month of the French republican calendar; --
commencing August 18, and ending September 16. See
{Vend['e]miaire}.
Fructiferuos \Fruc*tif"er*uos\, a. [L. fructifer; fructus fruit
+ ferre to bear; cf. F. fructif[`e]re.]
Bearing or producing fruit. --Boyle.
Fructification \Fruc`ti*fi*ca"tion\, n. [L. fructificatio: cf.
F. fructification.]
1. The act of forming or producing fruit; the act of
fructifying, or rendering productive of fruit;
fecundation.
The prevalent fructification of plants. --Sir T.
Brown.
2. (Bot.)
(a) The collective organs by which a plant produces its
fruit, or seeds, or reproductive spores.
(b) The process of producing fruit, or seeds, or spores.
Fructify \Fruc"ti*fy\ (fr[u^]k"t[i^]*f[imac]), v. i. [F.
fructifier, L. fructificare; fructus fruit + -ficare (only in
comp.), akin to L. facere to make. See {Fruit}, and {Fact}.]
To bear fruit. ``Causeth the earth to fructify.''
--Beveridge.
Fructify \Fruc"ti*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fructified}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Fructifying}.]
To make fruitful; to render productive; to fertilize; as, to
fructify the earth.
Fructose \Fruc*tose"\ (fr[u^]k*t[=o]s" or fr[u^]k"t[=o]s), n.
[L. fructus fruit.] (Chem.)
Fruit sugar; levulose. [R.]
Fructuary \Fruc"tu*a*ry\ (fr[u^]k"t[-u]*[asl]*r[y^]), n.; pl.
{Fructuaries} (-r[i^]z). [L. fructuarius.]
One who enjoys the profits, income, or increase of anything.
Kings are not proprietors nor fructuaries. --Prynne.
Fructuation \Fruc"tu*a`tion\ (-[=a]"sh[u^]n), n.
Produce; fruit. [R.]
Fructuous \Fruc"tu*ous\, a. [L. fructuosus: cf, F. fructueux.]
Fruitful; productive; profitable. [Obs.]
Nothing fructuous or profitable. --Chaucer.
-- {Fruc"tu*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Fruc"tu*ous*ness}, n. [Obs.]
Fructure \Fruc"ture\, n. [L. frui, p. p. fructus, to enjoy. See
{Fruit}, n.]
Use; fruition; enjoyment. [Obs.] --Cotgrave.
Frue vanner \Frue" van"ner\ [Etymol. uncertain.] (Mining)
A moving, inclined, endless apron on which ore is
concentrated by a current of water; a kind of buddle.
Frugal \Fru"gal\, a. [L. frugalis, fr. frugi, lit., for fruit;
hence, fit for food, useful, proper, temperate, the dative of
frux, frugis, fruit, akin to E. fruit: cf. F. frugal. See
{Fruit}, n.]
1. Economical in the use or appropriation of resources; not
wasteful or lavish; wise in the expenditure or application
of force, materials, time, etc.; characterized by
frugality; sparing; economical; saving; as, a frugal
housekeeper; frugal of time.
I oft admire How Nature, wise and frugal, could
commit Such disproportions. --Milton.
2. Obtained by, or appropriate to, economy; as, a frugal
fortune. ``Frugal fare.'' --Dryden.
Frugality \Fru*gal"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Frugalities}. [L. frugalitas:
cf. F. frugalit['e].]
1. The quality of being frugal; prudent economy; that careful
management of anything valuable which expends nothing
unnecessarily, and applies what is used to a profitable
purpose; thrift; --- opposed to extravagance.
Frugality is founded on the principle that all
riches have limits. --Burke.
2. A sparing use; sparingness; as, frugality of praise.
Syn: Economy; parsimony. See {Economy}.
Frugally \Fru"gal*ly\, adv.
Thriftily; prudently.
Frugalness \Fru"gal*ness\, n.
Quality of being frugal; frugality.
Frugiferous \Fru*gif"er*ous\, a. [L. frugifer; frux, frugis,
fruit + ferre to bear: cf. F. frugifere.]
Producing fruit; fruitful; fructiferous. --Dr. H. More.
Frugivora \Fru*giv"o*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See {Frugivorous}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The fruit bate; a group of the Cheiroptera, comprising the
bats which live on fruits. See {Eruit bat}, under {Fruit}.
Frugivorous \Fru*giv"o*rous\, a. [L. frux, frugis, fruit +
vorare to devour.: cf. F. frugivore.]
Feeding on fruit, as birds and other animals. --Pennant.
Fruit \Fruit\, n. [OE. fruit, frut, F. fruit, from L. fructus
enjoyment, product, fruit, from frui, p. p. fructus, to
enjoy; akin to E. brook, v. t. See {Brook}, v. t., and cf.
{Fructify}, {Frugal}.]
1. Whatever is produced for the nourishment or enjoyment of
man or animals by the processes of vegetable growth, as
corn, grass, cotton, flax, etc.; -- commonly used in the
plural.
Six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather
in the fruits thereof. --Ex. xxiii.
10.
2. (Hort.) The pulpy, edible seed vessels of certain plants,
especially those grown on branches above ground, as
apples, oranges, grapes, melons, berries, etc. See 3.
3. (Bot.) The ripened ovary of a flowering plant, with its
contents and whatever parts are consolidated with it.
Note: Fruits are classified as fleshy, drupaceous, and -dry.
Fleshy fruits include berries, gourds, and melons,
orangelike fruita and pomes; drupaceous fruits are
stony within and fleshy without, as peaches, plums, and
chercies;and dry fruits are further divided into
achenes, follicles, legumes, capsules, nuts, and
several other kinds.
4. (Bot.) The spore cases or conceptacles of flowerless
plants, as of ferns, mosses, algae, etc., with the spores
contained in them.
6. The produce of animals; offspring; young; as, the fruit of
the womb, of the loins, of the body.
King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown.
--Shak.
6. That which is produced; the effect or consequence of any
action; advantageous or desirable product or result;
disadvantageous or evil consequence or effect; as, the
fruits of labor, of self-denial, of intemperance.
The fruit of rashness. --Shak.
What I obtained was the fruit of no bargain.
--Burke.
They shall eat the fruit of their doings. --Is. iii
10.
The fruits of this education became visible.
--Macaulay.
Note: Fruit is frequently used adjectively, signifying of,
for, or pertaining to a fruit or fruits; as, fruit bud;
fruit frame; fruit jar; fruit knife; fruit loft; fruit
show; fruit stall; fruit tree; etc.
{Fruit bat} (Zo["o]l.), one of the Frugivora; -- called also
{fruit-eating bat}.
{Fruit bud} (Bot.), a bud that produces fruit; -- in most
oplants the same as the power bud.
{Fruit dot} (Bot.), a collection of fruit cases, as in ferns.
See {Sorus}.
{Fruit fly} (Zo["o]l.), a small dipterous insect of the genus
{Drosophila}, which lives in fruit, in the larval state.
{Fruit jar}, a jar for holding preserved fruit, usually made
of glass or earthenware.
{Fruit pigeon} (Zo["o]l.), one of numerous species of pigeons
of the family {Carpophagid[ae]}, inhabiting India,
Australia, and the Pacific Islands. They feed largely upon
fruit. and are noted for their beautiful colors.
{Fruit sugar} (Chem.), a kind of sugar occurring, naturally
formed, in many ripe fruits, and in honey; levulose. The
name is also, though rarely, applied to {invert sugar}, or
to the natural mixture or dextrose and levulose resembling
it, and found in fruits and honey.
{Fruit tree} (Hort.), a tree cultivated for its edible fruit.
{Fruit worm} (Zo["o]l.), one of numerous species of insect
larv[ae]: which live in the interior of fruit. They are
mostly small species of Lepidoptera and Diptera.
{Small fruits} (Hort.), currants, raspberries, strawberries,
etc.
Fruit \Fruit\, v. i.
To bear fruit. --Chesterfield.
Fruitage \Fruit"age\, n. [F. fruitage.]
1. Fruit, collectively; fruit, in general; fruitery.
The trees . . . ambrosial fruitage bear. --Milton.
2. Product or result of any action; effect, good or ill.
Fruiter \Fruit"er\, a.
A ship for carrying fruit.
Fruiterer \Fruit"er*er\, n. [Cf. F. fruitier.]
One who deals in fruit; a seller of fruits.
Fruiteress \Fruit"er*ess\, n.
A woman who sells fruit.
Fruitery \Fruit"er*y\, n.; pl. {Fruiteries}. [F. fruiterie place
where fruit is kept, in OF. also, fruitage.]
1. Fruit, taken collectively; fruitage. --J. Philips.
2. A repository for fruit. --Johnson.
Fruitestere \Fruit"es*tere\, n.
A fruiteress. [Obs.]
Fruitful \Fruit"ful\, a.
Full of fruit; producing fruit abundantly; bearing results;
prolific; fertile; liberal; bountiful; as, a fruitful tree,
or season, or soil; a fruitful wife. -- {Fruit"ful*ly}, adv.
-- {Fruit"ful*ness}, n.
Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth.
--Gen. i. 28.
[Nature] By disburdening grows More fruitful. --Milton.
The great fruitfulness of the poet's fancy. --Addison.
Syn: Fertile; prolific; productive; fecund; plentiful; rich;
abundant; plenteous. See {Fertile}.
Fruiting \Fruit"ing\, a.
Pertaining to, or producing, fruit.
Fruiting \Fruit"ing\, n.
The bearing of fruit.
Fruition \Fru*i"tion\, n. [OF. fruition, L. fruitio, enjoyment,
fr. L. frui, p. p. fruitus, to use or enjoy. See {Fruit}, n.]
Use or possession of anything, especially such as is
accompanied with pleasure or satisfaction; pleasure derived
from possession or use. ``Capacity of fruition.'' --Rogers.
``Godlike fruition.'' --Milton.
Where I may have fruition of her love. --Shak.
Fruitive \Fru"i*tive\, a. [See {Fruition}.]
Enjoying; possessing. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Fruitless \Fruit"less\, a.
1. Lacking, or not bearing, fruit; barren; destitute of
offspring; as, a fruitless tree or shrub; a fruitless
marriage. --Shak.
2. Productive of no advantage or good effect; vain; idle;
useless; unprofitable; as, a fruitless attempt; a
fruitless controversy.
They in mutual accusation spent The fruitless hours.
--Milton.
Syn: Useless; barren; unprofitable; abortive; ineffectual;
vain; idle; profitless. See {Useless}. --
{Fruit"less*ly}, adv. -- {Fruit"lness*ness}, n.
Fruit'y \Fruit'y\, a.
Having the odor, taste, or appearance of fruit; also,
fruitful. --Dickens.
Frumentaceous \Fru"men*ta"ceous\, a. [L. frumentaceus, fr.
frumentum corn or grain, from the root of frux fruit: cf. F.
frumentac['e]. See {Frugal}.]
Made of, or resembling, wheat or other grain.
Frumentarious \Fru`men*ta"ri*ous\, a. [L. frumentarius.]
Of or pertaining to wheat or grain. [R.] --Coles.
Frumentation \Fru`men*ta"tion\, n. [L. frumentatio.] (Rom.
Antiq.)
A largess of grain bestowed upon the people, to quiet them
when uneasy.
Frumenty \Fru"men*ty\, n. [OF. froment['e]e, fr. L. frumentum.
See {Frumentaceous}.]
Food made of hulled wheat boiled in milk, with sugar, plums,
etc. [Written also {furmenty} and {furmity}.] --Halliwell.
Frump \Frump\, v. t. [Cf. Prov. E. frumple to wrinkle, ruffle,
D. frommelen.]
To insult; to flout; to mock; to snub. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Frump \Frump\, n.
1. A contemptuous speech or piece of conduct; a gibe or
flout. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
2. A cross, old-fashioned person; esp., an old woman; a
gossip. [Colloq.] --Halliwell.
Frumper \Frump"er\, n.
A mocker. [Obs.] --Cotgrave.
Frumpish \Frump"ish\, a.
1. Cross-tempered; scornful. [Obs.]
2. Old-fashioned, as a woman's dress.
Our Bell . . . looked very frumpish. --Foote.
Frush \Frush\, v. t. [F. froisser to bruise. Cf. {Froise}.]
To batter; to break in pieces. [Obs.]
I like thine armor well; I'll frush it and unlock the
rivets all. --Shak.
Frush \Frush\, a.
Easily broken; brittle; crisp.
Frush \Frush\, n.
Noise; clatter; crash. [R.] --Southey.
Frush \Frush\, n. [Cf. OE. frosch, frosk, a frog (the animal),
G. frosch frog (the animal), also carney or lampass of
horses. See {Frog}, n., 2.]
1. (Far.) The frog of a horse's foot.
2. A discharge of a fetid or ichorous matter from the frog of
a horse's foot; -- also caled {thrush.}
Frustrable \Frus"tra*ble\, a. [L. frustrabilis: cf. F.
frustable.]
Capable of beeing frustrated or defeated.
Frustraneous \Frus*tra"ne*ous\, a. [See {Frustrate}, a.]
Vain; useless; unprofitable. [Obs.] --South.
Frustrate \Frus"trate\, a. [L. frustratus, p. p. of frustrare,
frustrari, to deceive, frustrate, fr. frustra in vain, witout
effect, in erorr, prob. for frudtra and akin to fraus, E.
fraud.]
Vain; ineffectual; useless; unprofitable; null; voil;
nugatory; of no effect. ``Our frustrate search.'' --Shak.
Frustrate \Frus"trate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Frustrated}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Frustrating}.]
1. To bring to nothing; to prevent from attaining a purpose;
to disappoint; to defeat; to baffle; as, to frustrate a
plan, design, or attempt; to frustrate the will or
purpose.
Shall the adversary thus obtain His end and
frustrate thine ? --Milton.
2. To make null; to nullifly; to render invalid or of no
effect; as, to frustrate a conveyance or deed.
Syn: To balk; thwart; foil; baffle; defeat.
Frustrately \Frus"trate*ly\, adv.
In vain. [Obs.] --Vicars.
Frustration \Frus*tra"tion\, n. [L. frustratio: cf. OF.
frustration.]
The act of frustrating; disappointment; defeat; as, the
frustration of one's designs
Frustrative \Frus"tra*tive\, a.
Tending to defeat; fallacious. [Obs.] --Ainsworth.
Frustratory \Frus"tra*to*ry\, a. [L. frustratorius: cf. F.
frustratoire.]
Making void; rendering null; as, a frustratory appeal. [Obs.]
--Ayliffe.
Frustule \Frus"tule\, n. [L. frustulum, dim. fr. frustum a
piece: cf. F. frustule.] (Bot.)
The siliceous shell of a diatom. It is composed of two
valves, one overlapping the other, like a pill box and its
cover.
Frustulent \Frus"tu*lent\, a. [L. frustulentus. See {Frustule}.]
Abounding in fragments. [R.]
Frustum \Frus"tum\, n.; pl. L. {Frusta}, E. {Frustums}. [L.
fruslum piece, bit.]
1. (Geom.) The part of a solid next the base, formed by
cutting off the, top; or the part of any solid, as of a
cone, pyramid, etc., between two planes, which may be
either parallel or inclined to each other.
2. (Arch.) One of the drums of the shaft of a column.
Frutage \Frut"age\, n. [Cf. {Fruitage}.]
1. A picture of fruit; decoration by representation of fruit.
The cornices consist of frutages and festoons.
--Evelyn.
2. A confection of fruit. [Obs.] --Nares.
Frutescent \Fru*tes"cent\, a. [L. frulex, fruticis, shrub, bush:
cf. F. frutescent, L. fruticescens, p. pr.] (Bot.)
Somewhat shrubby in character; imperfectly shrubby, as the
American species of Wistaria.
Frutex \Fru"tex\, n. [L.] (Bot.)
A plant having a woody, durable stem, but less than a tree; a
shrub.
Fruticant \Fru"ti*cant\, a. [L. fruticans, p. pr. of fruticare,
to become bushy, fr. frutex, fruticis, shrub.]
Full of shoots. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Fruticose \Fru"ti*cose`\, a. [L. fruticosus, from frutex,
fruticis, shrub] (Bot.)
Pertaining to a shrub or shrubs; branching like a shrub;
shrubby; shrublike; as, a fruticose stem. --Gray.
Fruticous \Fru"ti*cous\, a. (Bot.)
Fruticose. [R.]
Fruticulose \Fru*tic"u*lose`\, a. [Dim. fr. L. fruticosus bushy:
cf. F. fruticuleux.] (Bot.)
Like, or pertaining to, a small shrub. --Gray.
Fry \Fry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fried}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Frying}.] [OE. frien, F. frire, fr. L. frigere to roast,
parch, fry, cf. Gr. ?, Skr. bhrajj. Cf. {Fritter}.]
To cook in a pan or on a griddle (esp. with the use of fat,
butter, or olive oil) by heating over a fire; to cook in
boiling lard or fat; as, to fry fish; to fry doughnuts.
Fry \Fry\, v. i.
1. To undergo the process of frying; to be subject to the
action of heat in a frying pan, or on a griddle, or in a
kettle of hot fat.
2. To simmer; to boil. [Obs.]
With crackling flames a caldron fries. --Dryden
The frothy billows fry. --Spenser.
3. To undergo or cause a disturbing action accompanied with a
sensation of heat.
To keep the oil from frying in the stomach. --Bacon.
4. To be agitated; to be greatly moved. [Obs.]
What kindling motions in their breasts do fry.
--Fairfax.
Ery \Ery\, n.
1. A dish of anything fried.
2. A state of excitement; as, to be in a fry. [Colloq.]
Fry \Fry\, n. [OE. fri, fry, seed, descendants, cf. OF. froye
spawning, spawn of. fishes, little fishes, fr. L. fricare
tosub (see {Friction}), but cf. also Icel. fr[ae], frj[=o],
seed, Sw. & Dan. fr["o], Goth. fraiw seed, descendants.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The young of any fish.
2. A swarm or crowd, especially of little fishes; young or
small things in general.
The fry of children young. --Spenser.
To sever . . . the good fish from the other fry.
--Milton.
We have burned two frigates, and a hundred and
twenty small fry. --Walpole.
Frying \Fry"ing\, n.
The process denoted by the verb fry.
{Frying pan}, an iron pan with a long handle, used for frying
meat. vegetables, etc.
Fuage \Fu"age\, n.
Same as {Fumage}.
Fuar \Fu"ar\, n.
Same as {Feuar}.
Fub \Fub\, Fubs \Fubs\, n. [Cf. {Fob} a pocket.]
A plump young person or child. [Obs.] --Smart.
Fub \Fub\, v. t. [The same word as fob to cheat.]
To put off by trickery; to cheat. [Obs.]
I have been fubbed off, and fubbed off, and fabbed off,
from this day to that day. --Shak.
Fubbery \Fub"ber*y\, n.
Cheating; deception. --Marston.
Fubby \Fub"by\, Fubsy \Fub"sy\a.
Plump; chubby; short and stuffy; as a fubsy sofa. [Eng.]
A fubsy, good-humored, silly . . . old maid. --Mme.
D'Arblay.
Fucate \Fu"cate\, Fucated \Fu"ca*ted\a. [L. fucatus, p. p. of
fucare to color, paint, fr. fucus.]
Painted; disguised with paint, or with false show.
Fuchs \Fuchs\, n. [G., prop., a fox.] (German Univ.)
A student of the first year.
Fuchsia \Fuch"si*a\, n.; pl. E. {Fuchsias}, L. {Fuchsl[ae]}.
[NL. Named after Leonard Fuchs, a German botanist.] (Bot.)
A genus of flowering plants having elegant drooping flowers,
with four sepals, four petals, eight stamens, and a single
pistil. They are natives of Mexico and South America.
Double-flowered varieties are now common in cultivation.
Fuchsine \Fuch"sine\, n. [Named by the French inventor, from
Fuchs a fox, the German equivalent of his own name, Renard.]
(Chem.)
Aniline red; an artificial coal-tar dyestuff, of a metallic
green color superficially, resembling cantharides, but when
dissolved forming a brilliant dark red. It consists of a
hydrochloride or acetate of rosaniline. See {Rosaniline}.
Fucivorous \Fu*civ"o*rous\, a. [Fucus + L. vorare to eat.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Eating fucus or other seaweeds.
Fucoid \Fu"coid\, a. [Fucus + -oid.] (Bot.)
(a) Properly, belonging to an order of alga: ({Fucoide[ae]})
which are blackish in color, and produce o["o]spores
which are not fertilized until they have escaped from the
conceptacle. The common rockweeds and the gulfweed
({Sargassum}) are fucoid in character.
(b) In a vague sense, resembling seaweeds, or of the nature
of seaweeds.
Fucoid \Fu"coid\, n. (Bot.)
A plant, whether recent or fossil, which resembles a seaweed.
See {Fucoid}, a.
Fucoidal \Fu*coid"al\, a.
1. (Bot.) Fucoid.
2. (Geol.) Containing impressions of fossil fucoids or
seaweeds; as, fucoidal sandstone.
Fucus \Fu"cus\, n.; pl. {Fuci}. [L. rock lichen, orchil, used as
a red dye, red or purple color, disguise, deceit.]
1. A paint; a dye; also, false show. [Obs.]
2. (Bot.) A genus of tough, leathery seaweeds, usually of a
dull brownish green color; rockweed.
Note: Formerly most marine alg? were called fuci.
Fucusol \Fu"cu*sol\, n. [Fucus + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.)
An oily liquid, resembling, and possibly identical with,
furfurol, and obtained from fucus, and other seaweeds.
Fud \Fud\, n. [Of uncertain origin.]
1. The tail of a hare, coney, etc. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
--Burns.
2. Woolen waste, for mixing with mungo and shoddy.
Fudder \Fud"der\, n.
See {Fodder}, a weight.
Fuddle \Fud"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p., {Fuddled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fuddling}.] [Perh. formed as a kind of dim. of full. Cf.
{Fuzzle}.]
To make foolish by drink; to cause to become intoxicated.
[Colloq.]
I am too fuddled to take care to observe your orders.
--Steele.
Fuddle \Fud"dle\, v. i.
To drink to excess. [Colloq.]
Fuddler \Fud"dler\, n.
A drunkard. [Colloq.] --Baxter.
Fudge \Fudge\, n. [Cf. Prov. F. fuche, feuche, an interj. of
contempt.]
A made-up story; stuff; nonsense; humbug; -- often an
exclamation of contempt.
Fudge \Fudge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fudged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fudging}.]
1. To make up; to devise; to contrive; to fabricate.
Fudged up into such a smirkish liveliness. --N.
Fairfax.
2. To foist; to interpolate.
That last ``suppose'' is fudged in. --Foote.
Fudge wheel \Fudge" wheel"\ (Shoemaking)
A tool for ornamenting the edge of a sole.
Fuegian \Fu*e"gi*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Terra del Fuego. -- n. A native of Terra
del Fuego.
Fuel \Fu"el\, n. [OF. fouail, fuail, or fouaille, fuaille, LL.
focalium, focale, fr. L. focus hearth, fireplace, in LL.,
fire. See {Focus}.] [Formerly written also {fewel.}]
1. Any matter used to produce heat by burning; that which
feeds fire; combustible matter used for fires, as wood,
coal, peat, etc.
2. Anything that serves to feed or increase passion or
excitement.
{Artificial fuel}, fuel consisting of small particles, as
coal dust, sawdust, etc., consolidated into lumps or
blocks.
Fuel \Fu"el\, v. t.
1. To feed with fuel. [Obs.]
Never, alas I the dreadful name, That fuels the
infernal flame. --Cowley.
2. To store or furnish with fuel or firing. [Obs.]
Well watered and well fueled. --Sir H.
Wotton.
Fueler \Fu"el*er\, n.
One who, or that which, supplies fuel. [R.] [Written also
{fueller}.] --Donne.
Fuero \Fu*e"ro\, n. [Sp., fr. L. forum.] (Sp. Law)
(a) A code; a charter; a grant of privileges.
(b) A custom having the force of law.
(c) A declaration by a magistrate.
(d) A place where justice is administered.
(e) The jurisdiction of a tribunal. --Burrill.
Fuff \Fuff\, v. t. & i. [Of imitative origin. Cf. {Puff}.]
To puff. [Prov. Eng. A Local, U. S.] --Halliwel.
Fuffy \Fuff"y\, a.
Light; puffy. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U. S.]
Fuga \Fu"ga\, n. [It.] (Mus.)
A fugue.
Fugacious \Fu*ga"cious\, a. [L. fugax, fugacis, from fugere: cf.
F. fugace. See {Fugitive}.]
1. Flying, or disposed to fly; fleeing away; lasting but a
short time; volatile.
Much of its possessions is so hid, so fugacious, and
of so uncertain purchase. --Jer. Taylor.
2. (Biol.) Fleeting; lasting but a short time; -- applied
particularly to organs or parts which are short-lived as
compared with the life of the individual.
Fugaciousness \Fu*ga"cious*ness\, n.
Fugacity. [Obs.]
Fugacity \Fu*gac"i*ty\, a. [L fugacitas: cf. F. fugacit['e].]
1. The quality of being fugacious; fugaclousness; volatility;
as, fugacity of spirits. --Boyle.
2. Uncertainty; instability. --Johnson.
Fugacy \Fu"ga*cy\, n.
Banishment. [Obs.] --Milton.
Fugato \Fu*ga"to\, a. (Mus.)
in the gugue style, but not strictly like a fugue. -- n. A
composition resembling a fugue.
Fugh \Fugh\, interj.
An exclamation of disgust; foh; faugh. --Dryden.
Fughetta \Fu*ghet"ta\, n. [It.] (Mus.)
a short, condensed fugue. --Grove.
Fugitive \Fu"gi*tive\, a. [OE. fugitif, F. fugitif, fr. L.
fugitivus, fr. fugere to flee. See {Bow} to bend, and cf.
{Feverfew}.]
1. Fleeing from pursuit, danger, restraint, etc., escaping,
from service, duty etc.; as, a fugitive solder; a fugitive
slave; a fugitive debtor.
The fugitive Parthians follow. --Shak.
Can a fugitive daughter enjoy herself while her
parents are in tear? --Richardson
A libellous pamphlet of a fugitive physician. --Sir
H. Wotton.
2. Not fixed; not durable; liable to disappear or fall away;
volatile; uncertain; evanescent; liable to fade; --
applied to material and immaterial things; as, fugitive
colors; a fugitive idea.
The me more tender and fugitive parts, the leaves .
. . of vegatables. --Woodward.
{Fugitive compositions}, Such as are short and occasional,
and so published that they quickly escape notice.
Syn: Fleeting; unstable; wandering; uncertain; volatile;
fugacious; fleeing; evanescent.
Fugitive \Fu"gi*tive\, n.
1. One who flees from pursuit, danger, restraint, service,
duty, etc.; a deserter; as, a fugitive from justice.
2. Something hard to be caught or detained.
Or Catch that airy fugitive called wit. --Harte.
{Fugitive from justice} (Law), one who, having committed a
crime in one jurisdiction, flees or escapes into another
to avoid punishment.
Fugitively \Fu"gi*tive*ly\, adv.
In a fugitive manner.
Fugitiveness \Fu"gi*tive*ness\, n.
The quality or condition of being fugitive; evanescence;
volatility; fugacity; instability.
Fugle \Fu"gle\, v. i.
To maneuver; to move hither and thither. [Colloq.]
Wooden arms with elbow joints jerking and fugling in
the air. --Carlyle.
Fugleman \Fu"gle*man\, n.; pl. {Fuglemen}. [G. fl["u]gelmann
file leader; fl["u]gel wing (akin to E. fly) + mann man. Cf.
{Flugrelman}.]
1. (Mil.) A soldier especially expert and well drilled, who
takes his place in front of a military company, as a guide
for the others in their exercises; a file leader. He
originally stood in front of the right wing. [Written also
{flugelman}.]
2. Hence, one who leads the way. [Jocose]
Fugue \Fugue\, n. [F., fr. It. fuga, fr. L. fuga a fleeing,
flight, akin to fugere to fiee. See {Fugitive}.] (Mus.)
A polyphonic composition, developed from a given theme or
themes, according to strict contrapuntal rules. The theme is
first given out by one voice or part, and then, while that
pursues its way, it is repeated by another at the interval of
a fifth or fourth, and so on, until all the parts have
answered one by one, continuing their several melodies and
interweaving them in one complex progressive whole, in which
the theme is often lost and reappears.
All parts of the scheme are eternally chasing each
other, like the parts of a fugue. --Jer. Taylor.
Fuguist \Fu"guist\, n. (Mus.)
A musician who composes or performs fugues. --Busby.
-ful \-ful\ [See {Full}, a.]
A suffix signifying full of, abounding with; as, boastful,
harmful, woeful.
Fulahs \Fu"lahs`\, Foolahs \Foo"lahs`\, n. pl.; sing. {Fulah},
{Foolah}. (Ethnol.)
A peculiar African race of uncertain origin, but distinct
from the negro tribes, inhabiting an extensive region of
Western Soudan. Their color is brown or yellowish bronze.
They are Mohammedans. Called also {Fellatahs}, {Foulahs}, and
{Fellani}. Fulah is also used adjectively; as, Fulah empire,
tribes, language.
Fulbe \Ful"be\, n. (Ethnol.)
Same as {Fulahs}.
Fuldble \Ful"d*ble\, a. [L. fulcire to prop.]
Capable of being propped up. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
Fulciment \Ful"ci*ment\, n. [L. fulcimentum, fr. fulcire to
prop.]
A prop; a fulcrum. [Obs.] --Bp. Wilkins.
Fulcra \Ful"cra\, n. pl.
See {Fulcrum}.
Fulcrate \Ful"crate\, a. [See {Fulcrum}.]
1. (Bot.) Propped; supported by accessory organs. [R.]
--Gray.
2. Furnished with fulcrums.
Fulcrum \Ful"crum\, n.; pl. L. {Fulcra}, E. {Fulcrums}. [L.,
bedpost, fr. fulcire to prop.]
1. A prop or support.
2. (Mech.) That by which a lever is sustained, or about which
it turns in lifting or moving a body.
3. (Bot.) An accessory organ such as a tendril, stipule,
spine, and the like. [R.] --Gray.
4. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The horny inferior surface of the lingua of certain
insects.
(b) One of the small, spiniform scales found on the front
edge of the dorsal and caudal fins of many ganoid
fishes.
5. (Anat.) The connective tissue supporting the framework of
the retina of the eye.
Fulfill \Ful*fill"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fulfilled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fulfilling}.] [OE. fulfillen, fulfullen, AS.
fulfyllan; ful full + fyllan to fill. See {Full}, a., and
{Fill}, v. t.] [Written also {fulfil.}]
1. To fill up; to make full or complete. [>Obs.] ``Fulfill
her week'' --Gen. xxix. 27.
Suffer thou that the children be fulfilled first,
for it is not good to take the bread of children and
give to hounds. --Wyclif (Mark
vii. 27).
2. To accomplish or carry into effect, as an intention,
promise, or prophecy, a desire, prayer, or requirement,
etc.; to complete by performance; to answer the
requisitions of; to bring to pass, as a purpose or design;
to effectuate.
He will, fulfill the desire of them fear him. --Ps.
cxlv. 199.
Here Nature seems fulfilled in all her ends.
--Milton.
Servants must their masters' minds fulfill. --Shak.
Fulfiller \Ful*fill"er\, n.
One who fulfills. --South.
Fulfillment \Ful*fill"ment\, n. [Written also fulfilment.]
1. The act of fulfilling; accomplishment; completion; as, the
fulfillment of prophecy.
2. Execution; performance; as, the fulfillment of a promise.
Fulgency \Fulgen*cy\, n. [See {fulgent}.]
Brightness; splendor; glitter; effulgence. --Bailey.
Fulgent \Ful"gent\, a. [L. fulgens, -entis, p. pr. of fulgere to
flash, glitter, shine, akin to Gr. ? to burn. See {Phlox},
{Flagrant}.]
Exquisitely bright; shining; dazzling; effulgent.
Other Thracians . . . fulgent morions wore. --Glower.
Fulgently \Ful"gent*ly\, adv.
Dazzlingly; glitteringly.
Fulgid \Ful"gid\, a. [L. fulgidus. See {Fulgent}.]
Shining; glittering; dazzling. [R.] --Pope.
Fulgidity \Ful*gid"i*ty\, n.
Splendor; resplendence; effulgence. [R.] --Bailey.
Fulgor \Ful"gor\, n. [L. fulgor, fr. fulgere to shine.]
Dazzling brightness; splendor. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Fulgurant \Ful"gu*rant\a. [L. fulgurans, p. pr. of fulgurare.]
Lightening. [R.] --Dr. H. More.
Fulgurata \Ful"gu*ra"ta\, n. [NL.] (Electricity)
A spectro-electric tube in which the decomposition of a
liquid by the passage of an electric spark is observed.
--Knight.
Fulgurate \Ful"gu*rate\, v. i. [L. fulguratus, p. p. of
fulgurare to flash, fr. fulgur lightning, fr. fulgere to
shine. See {Fulgent}.]
To flash as lightning. [R.]
Fulgurating \Ful"gu*ra`ting\, a. (Med.)
Resembling lightning; -- used to describe intense lancinating
pains accompanying locomotor ataxy.
Fulguration \Ful"gu*ra`tion\, n. [L. fulguratio: cf. F.
fulguration.]
1. The act of lightening. [R.] --Donne.
2. (Assaying) The sudden brightening of a fused globule of
gold or silver, when the last film of the oxide of lead or
copper leaves its surface; -- also called {blick}.
A phenomenon called, by the old chemists,
fulguration. --Ure.
Fulgurite \Ful"gu*rite\, n. [L. fulguritus, p. p. of fulgurire
to strike with lightning, fr. fulgur lightning: cf. F.
fulgurite.]
A vitrified sand tube produced by the striking of lightning
on sand; a lightning tube; also, the portion of rock surface
fused by a lightning discharge.
Fulgury \Ful"gu*ry\, n. [L. fulgur.]
Lightning. [Obs.]
Fulham \Ful"ham\, n. [So named because supposed to have been
chiefly made at Fulham, in Middlesex, Eng.]
A false die. [Cant] [Written also {fullam}.] --Shak.
Fuliginosity \Fu*lig"i*nos"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. fuliginosit['e].]
The condition or quality of being fuliginous; sootiness;
matter deposited by smoke. [R.]
Fuliginous \Fu*lig"i*nous\, a. [L. fuliginosus, from fuligo
soot: cf. F. fuligineux. See {Fume}.]
1. Pertaining to soot; sooty; dark; dusky.
2. Pertaining to smoke; resembling smoke.
Fuliginously \Fu*lig"i*nous*ly\, adv.
In a smoky manner.
Fulimart \Fu"li*mart\, n.
Same as {Foumart}.
Full \Full\, a. [Compar. {Fuller}; superl. {Fullest}.] [OE. &
AS. ful; akin to OS. ful, D. vol, OHG. fol, G. voll, Icel.
fullr, Sw. full, Dan. fuld, Goth. fulls, L. plenus, Gr. ?,
Skr. p?rna full, pr? to fill, also to Gr. ? much, E. poly-,
pref., G. viel, AS. fela. [root]80. Cf. {Complete}, {Fill},
{Plenary}, {Plenty}.]
1. Filled up, having within its limits all that it can
contain; supplied; not empty or vacant; -- said primarily
of hollow vessels, and hence of anything else; as, a cup
full of water; a house full of people.
Had the throne been full, their meeting would not
have been regular. --Blackstone.
2. Abundantly furnished or provided; sufficient in. quantity,
quality, or degree; copious; plenteous; ample; adequate;
as, a full meal; a full supply; a full voice; a full
compensation; a house full of furniture.
3. Not wanting in any essential quality; complete, entire;
perfect; adequate; as, a full narrative; a person of full
age; a full stop; a full face; the full moon.
It came to pass, at the end of two full years, that
Pharaoh dreamed. --Gen. xii. 1.
The man commands Like a full soldier. --Shak.
I can not Request a fuller satisfaction Than you
have freely granted. --Ford.
4. Sated; surfeited.
I am full of the burnt offerings of rams. --Is. i.
11.
5. Having the mind filled with ideas; stocked with knowledge;
stored with information.
Reading maketh a full man. --Bacon.
6. Having the attention, thoughts, etc., absorbed in any
matter, and the feelings more or less excited by it, as,
to be full of some project.
Every one is full of the miracles done by cold baths
on decayed and weak constitutions. --Locke.
7. Filled with emotions.
The heart is so full that a drop overfills it.
--Lowell.
8. Impregnated; made pregnant. [Obs.]
Ilia, the fair, . . . full of Mars. --Dryden.
{At full}, when full or complete. --Shak.
{Full age} (Law) the age at which one attains full personal
rights; majority; -- in England and the United States the
age of 21 years. --Abbott.
{Full and by} (Naut.), sailing closehauled, having all the
sails full, and lying as near the wind as poesible.
{Full band} (Mus.), a band in which all the instruments are
employed.
{Full binding}, the binding of a book when made wholly of
leather, as distinguished from half binding.
{Full bottom}, a kind of wig full and large at the bottom.
{Full} {brother or sister}, a brother or sister having the
same parents as another.
{Full cry} (Hunting), eager chase; -- said of hounds that
have caught the scent, and give tongue together.
{Full dress}, the dress prescribed by authority or by
etiquette to be worn on occasions of ceremony.
{Full hand} (Poker), three of a kind and a pair.
{Full moon}.
(a) The moon with its whole disk illuminated, as when
opposite to the sun.
(b) The time when the moon is full.
{Full organ} (Mus.), the organ when all or most stops are
out.
{Full score} (Mus.), a score in which all the parts for
voices and instruments are given.
{Full sea}, high water.
{Full swing}, free course; unrestrained liberty; ``Leaving
corrupt nature to . . . the full swing and freedom of its
own extravagant actings.'' South (Colloq.)
{In full}, at length; uncontracted; unabridged; written out
in words, and not indicated by figures.
{In full blast}. See under {Blast}.
Full \Full\, n.
Complete measure; utmost extent; the highest state or degree.
The swan's-down feather, That stands upon the swell at
full of tide. --Shak.
{Full of the moon}, the time of full moon.
Full \Full\, adv.
Quite; to the same degree; without abatement or diminution;
with the whole force or effect; thoroughly; completely;
exactly; entirely.
The pawn I proffer shall be full as good. --Dryden.
The diapason closing full in man. --Dryden.
Full in the center of the sacred wood. --Addison.
Note: Full is placed before adjectives and adverbs to
heighten or strengthen their signification. ``Full
sad.'' --Milton. ``Master of a full poor cell.''
--Shak. ``Full many a gem of purest ray serene.'' --T.
Gray. Full is also prefixed to participles to express
utmost extent or degree; as, full-bloomed, full-blown,
full-crammed full-grown, full-laden, full-stuffed, etc.
Such compounds, for the most part, are self-defining.
Full \Full\, v. i.
To become full or wholly illuminated; as, the moon fulls at
midnight.
Full \Full\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fulled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fulling}.] [OE. fullen, OF. fuler, fouler, F. fouler, LL.
fullare, fr. L. fullo fuller, cloth fuller, cf. Gr. ?
shining, white, AS. fullian to whiten as a fuller, to
baptize, fullere a fuller. Cf. {Defile} to foul, {Foil} to
frustrate, {Fuller}. n. ]
To thicken by moistening, heating, and pressing, as cloth; to
mill; to make compact; to scour, cleanse, and thicken in a
mill.
Full \Full\, v. i.
To become fulled or thickened; as, this material fulls well.
Fullage \Full"age\, n.
The money or price paid for fulling or cleansing cloth.
--Johnson.
Fullam \Ful"lam\, n.
A false die. See {Fulham}.
Full-blooded \Full"-blood`ed\, a.
1. Having a full supply of blood.
2. Of pure blood; thoroughbred; as, a full-blooded horse.
Full-bloomed \Full"-bloomed`\, a.
Like a perfect blossom. ``Full-bloomed lips.'' --Crashaw.
Full-blown \Full"-blown`\, a.
1. Fully expanded, as a blossom; as, a full-bloun rose.
--Denham.
2. Fully distended with wind, as a sail. --Dryden.
Full-bottomed \Full"-bot"tomed\, a.
1. Full and large at the bottom, as wigs worn by certain
civil officers in Great Britain.
2. (Naut.) Of great capacity below the water line.
Full-butt \Full"-butt"\, adv.
With direct and violentop position; with sudden collision.
[Colloq.] --L'Estrange.
Full-drive \Full`-drive"\, adv.
With full speed. [Colloq.]
Fuller \Full"er\, n. [AS. fullere, fr. L. fullo. See {Full}, v.
t.]
One whose occupation is to full cloth.
{Fuller's earth}, a variety of clay, used in scouring and
cleansing cloth, to imbibe grease.
{Fuller's herb} (Bot.), the soapwort ({Saponaria
officinalis}), formerly used to remove stains from cloth.
{Fuller's thistle or weed} (Bot.), the teasel ({Dipsacus
fullonum}) whose burs are used by fullers in dressing
cloth. See {Teasel}.
Fuller \Full"er\, n. [From {Full}, a.] (Blacksmith's Work)
A die; a half-round set hammer, used for forming grooves and
spreading iron; -- called also a {creaser}.
Fuller \Full"er\, v. t.
To form a groove or channel in, by a fuller or set hammer;
as, to fuller a bayonet.
Fullery \Full"er*y\, n.; pl. {Fulleries}.
The place or the works where the fulling of cloth is carried
on.
Full-formed \Full"-formed`\, a.
Full in form or shape; rounded out with flesh.
The full-formed maids of Afric. --Thomson.
Full-grown \Full"-grown`\, a.
Having reached the limits of growth; mature. ``Full-grown
wings.'' --Lowell.
Full-hearted \Full"-heart`ed\, a.
Full of courage or confidence. --Shak.
Full-hot \Full"-hot`\, a.
Very fiery. --Shak.
Fulling \Full"ing\, n.
The process of cleansing, shrinking, and thickening cloth by
moisture, heat, and pressure.
{Fulling mill}, a mill for fulling cloth as by means of
pesties or stampers, which alternately fall into and rise
from troughs where the cloth is placed with hot water and
fuller's earth, or other cleansing materials.
Full-manned \Full"-manned`\, a.
Completely furnished wiith men, as a ship.
Fullmart \Full"mart"\, n.
See {Foumart}. --B. Jonson.
Fullness \Full"ness\, n.
The state of being full, or of abounding; abundance;
completeness. [Written also {fulness}.]
``In thy presence is fullness of joy.'' --Ps. xvi. 11.
Fullonical \Ful*lon"i*cal\, a. [L. fullonicus, from fullo a
cloth fuller.]
Pertaining to a fuller of cloth. [Obs.] --Blount.
Full-orbed \Full"-orbed`\, a.
Having the orb or disk complete or fully illuminated; like
the full moon.
Full-sailed \Full"-sailed`\, a.
Having all its sails set,; hence, without restriction or
reservation. --Massinger.
Full-winged \Full"-winged`\, a.
1. Having large and strong or complete wings. --Shak.
2. Beady for flight; eager. [Archaic] --Beau. & Fl.
Fully \Ful"ly\, adv.
In a full manner or degree; completely; entirely; without
lack or defect; adequately; satisfactorily; as, to be fully
persuaded of the truth of a proposition.
{Fully committed} (Law), committed to prison for trial, in
distinction from being detained for examination.
Syn: Completely; entirely; maturely; plentifuly; abundantly;
plenteously; copiously; largely; amply; sufficiently;
perfectly.
Fulmar \Ful"mar\ (f[u^]lm[aum]r), n. [Icel. f[=u]lm[=a]r. See
{foul}, and {Man} a gull.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of several species of sea birds, of the family
{procellariid[ae]}, allied to the albatrosses and petrels.
Among the well-known species are the arctic fulmar ({Fulmarus
glacialis}) (called also {fulmar petrel}, {malduck}, and
{mollemock}), and the giant fulmar ({Ossifraga gigantea}).
Fulminant \Ful"mi*nant\, a. [L. fulminans, p. pr. of fulminare
to lighten: cf. F. fulminant.]
Thundering; fulminating. [R.] --Bailey.
Fulminate \Ful"mi*nate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fulminated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Fulminating}.] [L. fulminatus, p. p. of
fulminare to lighten, strike with lightning, fr. fulmen
thunderbolt, fr. fulgere to shine. See {Fulgent}, and cf.
{Fulmine}.]
1. To thunder; hence, to make a loud, sudden noise; to
detonate; to explode with a violent report.
2. To issue or send forth decrees or censures with the
assumption of supreme authority; to thunder forth menaces.
Fulminate \Ful"mi*nate\, v. t.
1. To cause to explode. --Sprat.
2. To utter or send out with denunciations or censures; --
said especially of menaces or censures uttered by
ecclesiastical authority.
They fulminated the most hostile of all decrees.
--De Quincey.
Fulminate \Ful"mi*nate\, n. [Cf. P. fulminate. See {Fulminate},
v. i.] (Chem.)
(a) A salt of fulminic acid. See under {Fulminic}.
(b) A fulminating powder.
{Fulminate of gold}, an explosive compound of gold; -- called
also {fulminating gold}, and {aurum fulminans}.
Fulminating \Ful"mi*na"ting\, a.
1. Thundering; exploding in a peculiarly sudden or violent
manner.
2. Hurling denunciations, menaces, or censures.
{Fulminating oil}, nitroglycerin.
{Fulminating powder} (Chem.) any violently explosive powder,
but especially one of the fulminates, as mercuric
fulminate.
Fulmination \Ful"mi*na`tion\, n. [L. fulminatio a darting of
lightning: cf. F. fulmination.]
1. The act of fulminating or exploding; detonation.
2. The act of thundering forth threats or censures, as with
authority.
3. That which is fulminated or thundered forth; vehement
menace or censure.
The fulminations from the Vatican were turned into
ridicule. --Ayliffe.
Fulminatory \Ful"mi*na*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. fulminatoire.]
Thundering; striking terror. --Cotgrave.
Fulmine \Ful"mine\, v. i. [F. fulminer. See {Fulminate}, v.]
To thunder. [Obs.] --Spenser. Milton.
Fulmine \Ful"mine\, v. t.
To shoot; to dart like lightning; to fulminate; to utter with
authority or vehemence.
She fulmined out her scorn of laws Salique. --Tennyson.
Fulmineous \Ful*min"e*ous\, a. [L. fulmen thunder.]
Of, or concerning thunder.
Fulmiaic \Ful*mia"ic\, a. [Cf. F. fulminique.]
Pertaining to fulmination; detonating; specifically (Chem.),
pertaining to, derived from, or denoting, an acid, so called;
as, fulminic acid.
{Fulminic acid} (Chem.), a complex acid, {H2C2N2O2}, isomeric
with cyanic and cyanuric acids, and not known in the free
state, but forming a large class of highly explosive
salts, the fulminates. Of these, mercuric fulminate, the
most common, is used, mixed with niter, to fill percussion
caps, charge cartridges, etc. -- Fulminic acid is made by
the action of nitric acid on alcohol.
Fulminuric \Ful"mi*nu"ric\, a. [Fulminic + cyanuric.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to fulminic and cyanuric acids, and designating an
acid so called.
{Fulminuric acid} (Chem.), a white, crystalline, explosive
subatance, {H3C3N3O3}, forming well known salts, and
obtained from the fulnunates. It is isomeric with cyanuric
acid, and hence is also called isocyanuric acid.
Falness \Fal"ness\, n.
See {Fullness}.
Fulsamic \Ful*sam"ic\, a. [See {Fulsome}.]
Fulsome. [Obs.]
Fulsome \Ful"some\, a. [Full, a. + -some.]
1. Full; abundant; plenteous; not shriveled. [Obs.]
His lean, pale, hoar, and withered corpse grew
fulsome, fair, and fresh. --Golding.
2. Offending or disgusting by overfullness, excess, or
grossness; cloying; gross; nauseous; esp., offensive from
excess of praise; as, fulsome flattery.
And lest the fulsome artifice should fail Themselves
will hide its coarseness with a veil. --Cowper.
3. Lustful; wanton; obscene; also, tending to obscenity.
[Obs.] ``Fulsome ewes.'' --Shak. -- {Ful"some*ly}, adv. --
{Ful"some*ness}, n. --Dryden.
Fulvid \Ful"vid\, a. [LL. fulvidus, fr. L. fulvus.]
Fulvous. [R.] --Dr. H. More.
Fulvous \Ful"vous\, a. [L. fulvus.]
Tawny; dull yellow, with a mixture of gray and brown.
--Lindley.
Fum \Fum\, v. i.
To play upon a fiddle. [Obs.]
Follow me, and fum as you go. --B. Jonson.
Fumacious \Fu*ma"cious\, a. [From Fume.]
Smoky; hence, fond of smoking; addicted to smoking tobacco.
Fumade \Fu*made"\, Fumado \Fu*ma"do\, n.; pl. {Fumades},
{Fumadoes}. [Sp. fumodo smoked, p. p. of fumar to smoke, fr.
L. fumare. See {Fume}, v. i.]
A salted and smoked fish, as the pilchard.
Fumage \Fu"mage\, n. [OF. fumage, fumaige, fr. L. fumus smoke.]
Hearth money.
Fumage, or fuage, vulgarly called smoke farthings.
--Blackstone.
Fumarate \Fu"ma*rate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of fumaric acid.
Fumaric \Fu*mar"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, fumitory ({Fumaria
officinalis}).
{Fumaric acid} (Chem.), a widely occurring organic acid,
exttracted from fumitory as a white crystallline
substance, {C2H2(CO2H)2}, and produced artificially in
many ways, as by the distillation of malic acid; boletic
acid. It is found also in the lichen, Iceland moss, and
hence was also called {lichenic acid}.
Fumarine \Fu"ma*rine\, n. [L. fumus smoke, fume.] (Chem.)
An alkaloid extracted from fumitory, as a white crystalline
substance.
Fumarole \Fu"ma*role\, n. [It. fumaruola, fr. fumo smoke, L.
fumus: cf. F. fumerolle, fumarolle.]
A hole or spot in a volcanic or other region, from which
fumes issue.
Fumatory \Fu"ma*to*ry\, n.
See {Fumitory}. [Obs.]
Fumble \Fum"ble\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fumbled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fumbling}.] [Akin to D. fommelen to crumple, fumble, Sw.
fumla to fusuble, famla to grope, Dan. famle to grope,
fumble, Icel. falme, AS. folm palm of the hand. See {Feel},
and cf. {Fanble}, {Palm}.]
1. To feel or grope about; to make awkward attempts to do or
find something.
Adams now began to fumble in his pockets.
--Fielding.
2. To grope about in perplexity; to seek awkwardly; as, to
fumble for an excuse. --Dryden.
My understanding flutters and my memory fumbles.
--Chesterfield.
Alas! how he fumbles about the domains.
--Wordsworth.
3. To handle much; to play childishly; to turn over and over.
I saw him fumble with the sheets, and play with
flowers. --Shak.
Fumble \Fum"ble\, v. t.
To handle or manage awkwardly; to crowd or tumble together.
--Shak.
Fumbler \Fum"bler\, n.
One who fumbles.
Fumblingly \Fum"bling*ly\, adv.
In the manner of one who fumbles.
Fume \Fume\ (f[=u]m), n. [L. fumus; akin to Skr. dh[=u]ma smoke,
dh[=u] to shake, fan a flame, cf. Gr. qy`ein to sacrifice,
storm, rage, qy`mon, qy`mos, thyme, and perh. to E. dust: cf.
OF. fum smoke, F. fum['e]e. Cf. {Dust}, n., {Femerell},
{Thyme}.]
1. Exhalation; volatile matter (esp. noxious vapor or smoke)
ascending in a dense body; smoke; vapor; reek; as, the
fumes of tobacco.
The fumes of new shorn hay. --T. Warton.
The fumes of undigested wine. --Dryden.
2. Rage or excitement which deprives the mind of
self-control; as, the fumes of passion. --South.
3. Anything vaporlike, unsubstantial, or airy; idle conceit;
vain imagination.
A show of fumes and fancies. --Bacon.
4. The incense of praise; inordinate flattery.
To smother him with fumes and eulogies. --Burton.
{In a fume}, in ill temper, esp. from impatience.
Fume \Fume\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fumed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fuming}.] [Cf. F. fumer, L. fumare to smoke. See {Fume}, n.]
1. To smoke; to throw off fumes, as in combustion or chemical
action; to rise up, as vapor.
Where the golden altar fumed. --Milton.
Silenus lay, Whose constant cups lay fuming to his
brain. --Roscommon.
2. To be as in a mist; to be dulled and stupefied.
Keep his brain fuming. --Shak.
3. To pass off in fumes or vapors.
Their parts pre kept from fuming away by their
fixity. --Cheyne.
4. To be in a rage; to be hot with anger.
He frets, he fumes, he stares, he stamps the ground.
--Dryden.
While her mother did fret, and her father did fume.
--Sir W.
Scott.
{To tame away}, to give way to excitement and displeasure; to
storm; also, to pass off in fumes.
Fume \Fume\, v. t.
1. To expose to the action of fumes; to treat with vapors,
smoke, etc.; as, to bleach straw by fuming it with
sulphur; to fill with fumes, vapors, odors, etc., as a
room.
She fumed the temple with an odorous flame.
--Dryden.
2. To praise inordinately; to flatter.
They demi-deify and fume him so. --Cowper.
3. To throw off in vapor, or as in the form of vapor.
The heat will fume away most of the scent.
--Montimer.
How vicious hearts fume frenzy to the brain!
--Young.
Fumeless \Fume"less\, a.
Free from fumes.
Fumer \Fum"er\, n.
1. One that fumes.
2. One who makes or uses perfumes. [Obs.]
Embroiderers, feather makers, fumers. --Beau. & Fl.
Fumerell \Fu"mer*ell\, n. (Arch.)
See {Femerell}.
Fumet \Fu"met\, n. [Cf. F. fumier dung, OF. femier, fr. L. fimus
dung.]
The dung of deer. --B. Jonson.
Fumet \Fu"met\Fumette \Fu*mette"\, n. [F. fumet odor, fume of
wine or meat, fr. L. fumus smoke. See {Fume}, n.]
The stench or high flavor of game or other meat when kept
long. --Swift.
Fumetere \Fu"me*tere"\, n.
Fumitory. [Obs.]
Fumid \Fu"mid\, a. [L. fumidus, fr. fumus smoke. See {Fume}.]
Smoky; vaporous. --Sir T. Broune.
Fumidity \Fu*mid"i*ty\, Fumidness \Fu"mid*ness\n.
The state of being fumid; smokiness.
Fumiferous \Fu*mif"er*ous\, a. [L. fumifer; fumus smoke + ferre
to bear.]
Producing smoke.
Fumifugist \Fu*mif"u*gist\, n. [L. fumus smoke + fugare to put
to flight, fugere to flee.]
One who, or that which, drives away smoke or fumes.
Fumify \Fu"mi*fy\, v. t. [Fume + -fy.]
To subject to the action of smoke. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Fumigant \Fu"mi*gant\, a. [L. fumigans, p. pr. of fumigare. See
{Fumigate}.]
Fuming. [R.]
Fumigate \Fu"mi*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fumigated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fumigating}.] [L. fumigate, p. p. of fumigare to
fumigate, fr. fumus smoke. See {Fume}, n.]
1. To apply smoke to; to expose to smoke or vapor; to purify,
or free from infection, by the use of smoke or vapors.
2. To smoke; to perfume. --Dryden.
Fumigation \Fum`iga"tion\, n. [Cf. F. fumigation.]
1. The act of fumigating, or applying smoke or vapor, as for
disinfection.
2. Vapor raised in the process of fumigating.
Fumigator \Fu"mi*ga`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, fumigates; an apparattus for
fumigating.
Fumigatory \Fu"mi*ga*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. fumigatoire.]
Having the quality of purifying by smoke. [R.]
Fumlly \Fum"l*ly\, adv.
Smokily; with fume.
Fuming \Fum"ing\, a.
Producing fumes, or vapors.
{Cadet's fuming liquid} (Chem.), alkarsin.
{Fuming liquor of Libsvius} (Old Chem.), stannic chloride;
the chloride of tin, {SnCl4}, forming a colorless, mobile
liquid which fumes in the air. Mixed with water it
solidifies to the so-called butter of tin.
{Fuming sulphuric acid}. (Chem.) Same as {Disulphuric acid},
uder {Disulphuric}.
Fumingly \Fum"ing*ly\, adv.
In a fuming manner; angrily. ``They answer fumingly.''
--Hooker.
Famish \Fam"ish\, a.
Smoky; hot; choleric.
Fumishness \Fum"ish*ness\, n.
Choler; fretfulness; passion.
Fumitez \Fu"mi*tez`\, n. (Bot.)
Fumitory. [Obs.]
Fumitory \Fu"mi*to*ry\, n. [OE. fumetere, F. fumeterre, prop.,
smoke of the ground, fr. L. fumus smoke + terra earth. See
{Fume}, and {Terrace}.] (Bot.)
The common uame of several species of the genus Fumaria,
annual herbs of the Old World, with finely dissected leaves
and small flowers in dense racemes or spikes. {F.
officinalis} is a common species, and was formerly used as an
antiscorbutic.
{Climbing fumitory} (Bot.), the Alleghany vine ({Adlumia
cirrhosa}); a biennial climbing plant with elegant
feathery leaves and large clusters of pretty white or
pinkish flowers looking like grains of rice.
Fummel \Fum"mel\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A hinny.
Fumosity \Fu*mos"i*ty\, n. [Cf. OF. fumosit['e].]
The fumes of drink. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Fumous \Fum"ous\, a. [L. fumosus, fr. fumus smoke: cf. F.
fumeux.]
1. Producing smoke; smoky.
2. Producing fumes; full of fumes.
Garlic, onions, mustard, and such-like fumous
things. --Barough
(1625).
Fumy \Fum"y\, a.
Producing fumes; fumous. ``Drowned in fumy wine.'' --H.
Brooke.
Fun \Fun\, n. [Perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. & Gael. fonn
pleasure.]
Sport; merriment; frolicsome amusement. ``Oddity, frolic, and
fun.'' --Goldsmith.
{To make fan of}, to hold up to, or turn into, ridicule.
Funambulate \Fu*nam"bu*late\, v. i. [See {Funambulo}.]
To walk or to dance on a rope.
Funambulation \Fu*nam"bu*la`tion\, n.
Ropedancing.
Funambulatory \Fu*nam"bu*la`to*ry\, a.
1. Performing like a ropedancer. --Chambers.
2. Narrow, like the walk of a ropedancer.
This funambulatory track. --Sir T.
Browne.
Funambulist \Fu*nam"bu*list\, n.
A ropewalker or ropedancer.
Funambulo \Fu*nam"bu*lo\, Funambulus \Fu*nam"bu*lus\n. [Sp.
funambulo, or It. funambolo, fr. L. funambulus; funis rope
(perh. akin to E. bind) + ambulare to walk. See {Amble}, and
cf. {Funambulist}.]
A ropewalker or ropedancer. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Function \Func"tion\, n. [L. functio, fr. fungi to perform,
execute, akin to Skr. bhuj to enjoy, have the use of: cf. F.
fonction. Cf. {Defunct}.]
1. The act of executing or performing any duty, office, or
calling; per formance. ``In the function of his public
calling.'' --Swift.
2. (Physiol.) The appropriate action of any special organ or
part of an animal or vegetable organism; as, the function
of the heart or the limbs; the function of leaves, sap,
roots, etc.; life is the sum of the functions of the
various organs and parts of the body.
3. The natural or assigned action of any power or faculty, as
of the soul, or of the intellect; the exertion of an
energy of some determinate kind.
As the mind opens, and its functions spread. --Pope.
4. The course of action which peculiarly pertains to any
public officer in church or state; the activity
appropriate to any business or profession.
Tradesmen . . . going about their functions. --Shak.
The malady which made him incapable of performing
his regal functions. --Macaulay.
5. (Math.) A quantity so connected with another quantity,
that if any alteration be made in the latter there will be
a consequent alteration in the former. Each quantity is
said to be a function of the other. Thus, the
circumference of a circle is a function of the diameter.
If x be a symbol to which different numerical values can
be assigned, such expressions as x^{2}, 3^{x}, Log. x, and
Sin. x, are all functions of x.
{Algebraic function}, a quantity whose connection with the
variable is expressed by an equation that involves only
the algebraic operations of addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division, raising to a given power, and
extracting a given root; -- opposed to transcendental
function.
{Arbitrary function}. See under {Arbitrary}.
{Calculus of functions}. See under {Calculus}.
{Carnot's function} (Thermo-dynamics), a relation between the
amount of heat given off by a source of heat, and the work
which can be done by it. It is approximately equal to the
mechanical equivalent of the thermal unit divided by the
number expressing the temperature in degrees of the air
thermometer, reckoned from its zero of expansion.
{Circular functions}. See {Inverse trigonometrical functions}
(below). -- Continuous function, a quantity that has no
interruption in the continuity of its real values, as the
variable changes between any specified limits.
{Discontinuous function}. See under {Discontinuous}.
{Elliptic functions}, a large and important class of
functions, so called because one of the forms expresses
the relation of the arc of an ellipse to the straight
lines connected therewith.
{Explicit function}, a quantity directly expressed in terms
of the independently varying quantity; thus, in the
equations y = 6x^{2}, y = 10 -x^{3}, the quantity y is an
explicit function of x.
{Implicit function}, a quantity whose relation to the
variable is expressed indirectly by an equation; thus, y
in the equation x^{2} + y^{2} = 100 is an implicit
function of x.
{Inverse trigonometrical functions}, or {Circular function},
the lengths of arcs relative to the sines, tangents, etc.
Thus, AB is the arc whose sine is BD, and (if the length
of BD is x) is written sin ^{-1}x, and so of the other
lines. See {Trigonometrical function} (below). Other
transcendental functions are the exponential functions,
the elliptic functions, the gamma functions, the theta
functions, etc.
{One-valued function}, a quantity that has one, and only one,
value for each value of the variable. -- {Transcendental
functions}, a quantity whose connection with the variable
cannot be expressed by algebraic operations; thus, y in
the equation y = 10^{x} is a transcendental function of x.
See {Algebraic function} (above). -- {Trigonometrical
function}, a quantity whose relation to the variable is the
same as that of a certain straight line drawn in a circle
whose radius is unity, to the length of a corresponding
are of the circle. Let AB be an arc in a circle, whose
radius OA is unity let AC be a quadrant, and let OC, DB,
and AF be drawnpependicular to OA, and EB and CG parallel
to OA, and let OB be produced to G and F. E Then BD is the
sine of the arc AB; OD or EB is the cosine, AF is the
tangent, CG is the cotangent, OF is the secant OG is the
cosecant, AD is the versed sine, and CE is the coversed
sine of the are AB. If the length of AB be represented by
x (OA being unity) then the lengths of Functions. these
lines (OA being unity) are the trigonometrical functions
of x, and are written sin x, cos x, tan x (or tang x), cot
x, sec x, cosec x, versin x, coversin x. These quantities
are also considered as functions of the angle BOA.
Function \Func"tion\, Functionate \Func"tion*ate\, v. i.
To execute or perform a function; to transact one's regular
or appointed business.
Functional \Func"tion*al\, a.
1. Pertaining to, or connected with, a function or duty;
official.
2. (Physiol.) Pertaining to the function of an organ or part,
or to the functions in general.
{Functional disease} (Med.), a disease of which the symptoms
cannot be referred to any appreciable lesion or change of
structure; the derangement of an organ arising from a
cause, often unknown, external to itself opposed to
organic disease, in which the organ itself is affected.
Functionalize \Func"tion*al*ize\, v. t.
To assign to some function or office. [R.]
Functionally \Func"tion*al*ly\, adv.
In a functional manner; as regards normal or appropriate
activity.
The organ is said to be functionally disordered.
--Lawrence.
Functionary \Func"tion*a*ry\, n.; pl. {Functionaries}. [Cf. F.
fonctionnaire.]
One charged with the performance of a function or office; as,
a public functionary; secular functionaries.
Functionless \Func"tion*less\, a.
Destitute of function, or of an appropriate organ. Darwin.
Fund \Fund\, n. [OF. font, fond, nom. fonz, bottom, ground, F.
fond bottom, foundation, fonds fund, fr. L. fundus bottom,
ground, foundation, piece of land. See {Found} to establish.]
1. An aggregation or deposit of resources from which supplies
are or may be drawn for carrying on any work, or for
maintaining existence.
2. A stock or capital; a sum of money appropriated as the
foundation of some commercial or other operation
undertaken with a view to profit; that reserve by means of
which expenses and credit are supported; as, the fund of a
bank, commercial house, manufacturing corporation, etc.
3. pl. The stock of a national debt; public securities;
evidences (stocks or bonds) of money lent to government,
for which interest is paid at prescribed intervals; --
called also {public funds}.
4. An invested sum, whose income is devoted to a specific
object; as, the fund of an ecclesiastical society; a fund
for the maintenance of lectures or poor students; also,
money systematically collected to meet the expenses of
some permanent object.
5. A store laid up, from which one may draw at pleasure; a
supply; a full provision of resources; as, a fund of
wisdom or good sense.
An inexhaustible fund of stories. --Macaulay.
{Sinking fund}, the aggregate of sums of money set apart and
invested, usually at fixed intervals, for the
extinguishment of the debt of a government, or of a
corporation, by the accumulation of interest.
Fund \Fund\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Funded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Funding}.]
1. To provide and appropriate a fund or permanent revenue for
the payment of the interest of; to make permanent
provision of resources (as by a pledge of revenue from
customs) for discharging the interest of or principal of;
as, to fund government notes.
2. To place in a fund, as money.
3. To put into the form of bonds or stocks bearing regular
interest; as, to fund the floating debt.
Fundable \Fund"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being funded, or converted into a fund;
convertible into bonds.
Fundament \Fun"da*ment\, n. [OE. fundament, fundement,
fondement, OF. fundement, fondement, F. fondement, fr. L.
fundamentum foundation, fr. fundare to lay the bottom, to
found, fr. fundus bottom. See {Fund}.]
1. Foundation. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. The part of the body on which one sits; the buttocks;
specifically (Anat.), the anus. --Hume.
Fundamental \Fun`da*men"tal\, a. [Cf. F. fondamental.]
Pertaining to the foundation or basis; serving for the
foundation. Hence: Essential, as an element, principle, or
law; important; original; elementary; as, a fundamental
truth; a fundamental axiom.
The fundamental reasons of this war. --Shak.
Some fundamental antithesis in nature. --Whewell.
{Fundamental bass} (Mus.), the root note of a chord; a bass
formed of the roots or fundamental tones of the chords.
{Fundamental chord} (Mus.), a chord, the lowest tone of which
is its root.
{Fundamental colors}, red, green, and violet-blue. See
{Primary colors}, under {Color}.
Fundamental \Fun"da*men`tal\, n.
A leading or primary principle, rule, law, or article, which
serves as the groundwork of a system; essential part, as, the
fundamentals of the Christian faith.
Fundamentally \Fun`da*men"tal*ly\, adv.
Primarily; originally; essentially; radically; at the
foundation; in origin or constituents. ``Fundamentally
defective.'' --Burke.
Funded \Fund"ed\, a.
1. Existing in the form of bonds bearing regular interest;
as, funded debt.
2. Invested in public funds; as, funded money.
Fundholder \Fund"hold"er\, a.
One who has money invested in the public funds. --J. S. Mill.
Funding \Fund"ing\, a.
1. Providing a fund for the payment of the interest or
principal of a debt.
2. Investing in the public funds.
{Funding system}, a system or scheme of finance or revenue by
which provision is made for paying the interest or
principal of a public debt.
Funuless \Funu"less\, a.
Destitute of funds.
Fundus \Fun"dus\, n. [L., bottom.] (Anat.)
The bottom or base of any hollow organ; as, the fundus of the
bladder; the fundus of the eye.
Funebrial \Fu*ne"bri*al\, a. [L. funebris belonging to a
funeral, fr. funus funeral.]
Pertaining to a funeral or funerals; funeral; funereal.
[Obs.] [Written also {funebral}.] --Sir T. Browne.
Funebrious \Fu*ne"bri*ous\, a.
Funebrial. [Obs.]
Funeral \Fu"ner*al\, n. [LL. funeralia, prop. neut. pl. of
funeralis of a funeral, fr. L. funus, funeris, funeral: cf.
F. fun['e]railles.]
1. The solemn rites used in the disposition of a dead human
body, whether such disposition be by interment, burning,
or otherwise; esp., the ceremony or solemnization of
interment; obsequies; burial; -- formerly used in the
plural.
King James his funerals were performed very solemnly
in the collegiate church at Westminster. --Euller.
2. The procession attending the burial of the dead; the show
and accompaniments of an interment. ``The long funerals.''
--Pope.
3. A funeral sermon; -- usually in the plural. [Obs.]
Mr. Giles Lawrence preached his funerals. --South.
Funeral \Fu"ner*al\, a. [LL. funeralis. See {Funeral}, n.]
Per. taining to a funeral; used at the interment of the dead;
as, funeral rites, honors, or ceremonies. --Shak.
{Funeral pile}, a structure of combustible material, upon
which a dead body is placed to be reduced to ashes, as
part of a funeral rite; a pyre. -- {Fu"ner*al*ly}, adv.
[Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Funerate \Fu"ner*ate\, v. t. [L. funeratus, p. p. of funerare to
funerate, fr. funus. See {Funeral}.]
To bury with funeral rites. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
Funeration \Fu`ner*a"tion\, n. [L. funeratio.]
The act of burying with funeral rites. [Obs.] --Knatchbull.
Funereal \Fu*ne"re*al\, a. [L. funereus, fr. fentus a funeral.]
Suiting a funeral; pertaining to burial; solemn. Hence: Dark;
dismal; mournful. --Jer. Taylor.
What seem to us but sad funereal tapers May be heaven's
distant lamps. --Longfellow.
-- {Fu*ne"re*al*ly}, adv.
Funest \Fu*nest"\, a. [L. funestus, fr. funus a funeral,
destruction: cf. F. funeste.]
Lamentable; doleful. [R.] ``Funest and direful deaths.''
--Coleridge.
A forerunner of something very funest. --Evelyn.
Fungal \Fun"gal\, a.
Of or pertaining to fungi.
Fungate \Fun"gate\, n. [Cf. F. fongate.] (Chem.)
A salt of fungic acid. [Formerly written also {fungiate}.]
Funge \Funge\, n. [L. fungus mushroom, dolt.]
A blockhead; a dolt; a fool. [Obs.] --Burton.
Fungi \Fun"gi\, n. pl. (Bot.)
See {Fungus}.
Fungia \Fun"gi*a\, n. [NL., fr. L. fungus mushroom: cf. F.
fongie.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of simple, stony corals; -- so called because they
are usually flat and circular, with radiating plates, like
the gills of a mushroom. Some of them are eighteen inches in
diameter.
Fungian \Fun"gi*an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the {Fungid[ae]}, a family of stony
corals. -- n. One of the {Fungid[ae]}.
Fungibles \Fun"gi*bles\, n. pl. [LL. (res) fungibiles, probably
fr. L. fungi to discharge. ``A barbarous term, supposed to
have originated in the use of the words functionem recipere
in the Digeste.'' Bouvier. ``Called fungibiles, quia una
alterius vice fungitur.'' John Taylor (1755). Cf.
{Function}.]
1. (Civ. Law) Things which may be furnished or restored in
kind, as distinguished from specific things; -- called
also {fungible things}. --Burrill.
2. (Scots Law) Movable goods which may be valued by weight or
measure, in contradistinction from those which must be
judged of individually. --Jamieson.
Fungic \Fun"gic\, a. [L. fungus mushroom: cf. F. fungique,
fongique.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or obtained from, mushrooms; as, fungic acid.
Fungicide \Fun"gi*cide`\, n. [Fungi + -cide, fr. L. caedere to
kill.]
Anything that kills fungi. -- {Fun`gi*ci"dal}, n.
Fungiform \Fun"gi*form\, a. [Eungus + -form: cf. F. fongiforme.]
Shaped like a fungus or mushroom.
{Fungiform papill[ae]} (Anat.), numerous small, rounded
eminences on the upper surface of the tongue.
Fungilliform \Fun*gil"li*form\, a.
Shaped like a small fungus.
Fungin \Fun"gin\, n. [L. fungus mushroom: cf. F, fongine,
fungine.] (Chem.)
A name formerly given to cellulose found in certain fungi and
mushrooms.
Fungite \Fun"gite\, n. [L. fungus mushroom: cf. F. pongite.]
(Paleon.)
A fossil coral resembling Fungia.
Fungivorous \Fun*giv"o*rous\, a. [L. fungus + vorare to eat
freedily: cf. F. fangivore.] (Zo["o]l.)
Eating fungi; -- said of certain insects and snails.
Fungoid \Fun"goid\, a. [Fungus + -oil: cf. F. fongo["i]de.]
Like a fungus; fungous; spongy.
Fungologist \Fun*gol"o*gist\, n.
A mycologist.
Fungology \Fun*gol"o*gy\, n. [Fungus + --logy.]
Mycology.
Fungosity \Fun*gos"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. fungosit['e],
fongosit['e].]
The quality of that which is fungous; fungous excrescence.
--Dunglison.
Fungous \Fun"gous\, a. [L. fungosus: cf. F. fungueux.]
1. Of the nature of fungi; spongy.
2. Growing suddenly, but not substantial or durable.
Fungus \Fun"gus\, n.; pl. L. {Fungi}, E. {Funguses}. [L., a
mushroom; perh. akin to a doubtful Gr. ? sponge, for ?;if so,
cf. E. sponge.]
1. (Bot.) Any one of the Fungi, a large and very complex
group of thallophytes of low organization, -- the molds,
mildews, rusts, smuts, mushrooms, toadstools, puff balls,
and the allies of each.
Note: The fungi are all destitute of chorophyll, and,
therefore, to be supplied with elaborated nourishment,
must live as saprophytes or parasites. They range in
size from single microscopic cells to systems of
entangled threads many feet in extent, which develop
reproductive bodies as large as a man's head. The
vegetative system consists of septate or rarely
unseptate filaments called hyph[ae]; the aggregation of
hyph[ae] into structures of more or less definite form
is known as the mycelium. See Fungi, in the Supplement.
2. (Med.) A spongy, morbid growth or granulation in animal
bodies, as the proud flesh of wounds. --Hoblyn.
Funic \Fu"nic\, a. (Anat.)
Funicular.
Funicle \Fu"ni*cle\, n. [L. funiculus, dim. of funis cord, rope:
cf. F. funicule funicle (in sense 2). Cf. {Funambulo}.]
(Bot.)
1. A small cord, ligature, or fiber.
2. (Bot.) The little stalk that attaches a seed to the
placenta.
Funicular \Fu*nic"u*lar\, a. [Cf. F. funiculaire.]
1. Consisting of a small cord or fiber.
2. Dependent on the tension of a cord.
3. (Anat.) Pertaining to a funiculus; made up of, or
resembling, a funiculus, or funiculi; as, a funicular
ligament.
{Funicular action} (Mech.), the force or action exerted by a
rope in drawing together the supports to which its ends
are Fastened, when acted upon by forces applied in a
direction transverse to the rope, as in the archer's bow.
{Funicular curve}. Same as {Catenary}.
{Funicular machine} (Mech.), an apparatus for illustrating
certain principles in statics, consisting of a cord or
chain attached at one end to a fixed point, and having the
other passed over a pulley and sustaining a weight, while
one or more other weights are suspended from the cord at
points between the fixed support and the pulley.
{Funicular polygon} (Mech.), the polygonal figure assumed by
a cord fastened at its extremities, and sustaining weights
at different points.
Funiculate \Fu*nic"u*late\, a.
Forming a narrow ridge.
Funiculus \Fu*nic"u*lus\, n.; pl. {Funiculi}. [L., a little
cord. See {Funicle}.]
1. (Anat.) A cord, baud, or bundle of fibers; esp., one of
the small bundles of fibers, of which large nerves are
made up; applied also to different bands of white matter
in the brain and spinal cord.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A short cord which connects the embryo of some
myriapods with the amnion.
(b) In Bryozoa, an organ extending back from the stomach.
See {Bryozoa}, and {Phylactolema}.
Funiliform \Fu*nil"i*form\, a. [L. funis rope + -form.] (Bot.)
Resembling a cord in toughness and flexibility, as the roots
of some endogenous trees.
Funis \Fu"nis\, n. [L., a rope. ]
A cord; specifically, the umbilical cord or navel string.
Funk \Funk\, n. [OE. funke a little fire; akin to Prov. E. funk
touchwood, G. funke spark, and perh. to Goth. f?n fire.]
An offensive smell; a stench. [Low]
Funk \Funk\, v. t.
To envelop with an offensive smell or smoke. [Obs.] --King.
Funk \Funk\, v. i.
1. To emit an offensive smell; to stink.
2. To be frightened, and shrink back; to flinch; as, to funk
at the edge of a precipice. [Colloq.] --C. Kingsley.
{To funk out}, to back out in a cowardly fashion. [Colloq.]
To funk right out o' political strife. --Lowell
(Biglow
Papers).
Funk \Funk\, Funking \Funk"ing\, n.
A shrinking back through fear. [Colloq.] ``The horrid panic,
or funk (as the men of Eton call it).'' --De Quincey.
Funky \Funk"y\, a.
Pertaining to, or characterized by, great fear, or funking.
[Colloq. Eng.]
Funnel \Fun"nel\, n. [OE. funel, fonel, prob. through OF. fr, L.
fundibulum, infundibulum, funnel, fr. infundere to pour in;
in in + fundere to pour; cf. Armor. founil funnel, W. ffynel
air hole, chimney. See {Fuse}, v. t.]
1. A vessel of the shape of an inverted hollow cone,
terminating below in a pipe, and used for conveying
liquids into a close vessel; a tunnel.
2. A passage or avenue for a fluid or flowing substance;
specifically, a smoke flue or pipe; the iron chimney of a
steamship or the like.
{Funnel box} (Mining), an apparatus for collecting finely
crushed ore from water. --Knight.
{Funnel stay} (Naut.), one of the ropes or rods steadying a
steamer's funnel.
Funnelform \Fun"nel*form`\, a. (Bot.)
Having the form of a funnel, or tunnel; that is, expanding
gradually from the bottom upward, as the corolla of some
flowers; infundibuliform.
Funny \Fun"ny\, a. [Compar. {Funnier}; superl. {Funniest}.]
[From {Fun}.]
Droll; comical; amusing; laughable.
{Funny bone}. See {crazy bone}, under {Crazy}.
Funny \Fun"ny\, n.; pl. {Funnies}.
A clinkerbuit, narrow boat for sculling. [Eng.]
Fur \Fur\ (f[^u]r), n. [OE. furre, OF. forre, fuerre, sheath,
case, of German origin; cf. OHG. fuotar lining, case, G.
futter; akin to Icel. f[=o][eth]r lining, Goth. f[=o]dr,
scabbard; cf. Skr. p[=a]tra vessel, dish. The German and
Icel. words also have the sense, fodder, but this was
probably a different word originally. Cf. {Fodder} food,
{Fother}, v. t., {Forel}, n.]
1. The short, fine, soft hair of certain animals, growing
thick on the skin, and distinguished from the hair, which
is longer and coarser.
2. The skins of certain wild animals with the fur; peltry;
as, a cargo of furs.
3. Strips of dressed skins with fur, used on garments for
warmth or for ornament.
4. pl. Articles of clothing made of fur; as, a set of furs
for a lady (a collar, tippet, or cape, muff, etc.).
Wrapped up in my furs. --Lady M. W.
Montagu.
5. Any coating considered as resembling fur; as:
(a) A coat of morbid matter collected on the tongue in
persons affected with fever.
(b) The soft, downy covering on the skin of a peach.
(c) The deposit formed on the interior of boilers and
other vessels by hard water.
6. (Her.) One of several patterns or diapers used as
tinctures. There are nine in all, or, according to some
writers, only six. --See Tincture.
Fur \Fur\, a.
Of or pertaining to furs; bearing or made of fur; as, a fur
cap; the fur trade.
{Fur seal} (Zo["o]l.) one of several species of seals of the
genera {Callorhinus} and {Arclocephalus}, inhabiting the
North Pacific and the Antarctic oceans. They have a coat
of fine and soft fur which is highly prized. The northern
fur seal ({Callorhinus ursinus}) breeds in vast numbers on
the Prybilov Islands, off the coast of Alaska; -- called
also {sea bear}.
Fur \Fur\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Furred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Furring}.]
1. To line, face, or cover with fur; as, furred robes. ``You
fur your gloves with reason.'' --Shak.
2. To cover with morbid matter, as the tongue.
3. (Arch.) To nail small strips of board or larger scantling
upon, in order to make a level surface for lathing or
boarding, or to provide for a space or interval back of
the plastered or boarded surface, as inside an outer wall,
by way of protection against damp. --Gwill.
Furacious \Fu*ra"cious\, a. [L. furax, -racis thievish, from fur
thief.]
Given to theft; thievish. [Obs.]
Furacity \Fu*rac"i*ty\, n. [L. furacitas.]
Addictedness to theft; thievishness. [Obs.]
Furbelow \Fur"be*low\, n. [Prov. F. farbala, equiv. to F.
falbala, It. falbal[`a].]
A plaited or gathered flounce on a woman's garment.
Furhelow \Fur"he*low\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Furbelowed}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Furbelowing}.]
To put a furbelow on; to ornament.
Furbish \Fur"bish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Furbished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Furbishing}.] [OE. forbischen, OF. forbir, furbir,
fourbir, F. fourbir, fr. OHG. furban to clean. See {-ish}.]
To rub or scour to brightness; to clean; to burnish; as, to
furbish a sword or spear. --Shak.
Furbish new the name of John a Gaunt. --Shak.
Furbishable \Fur"bish*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being furbished.
Furbisher \Fur"bish*er\, n. [Cf. F. fourbisseur.]
One who furbishes; esp., a sword cutler, who finishes sword
blades and similar weapons.
Furcate \Fur"cate\, Furcated \Fur"ca*ted\, a. [L. furca fork.
See {Fork}.]
Forked; branching like a fork; as, furcate twigs.
Furcation \Fur*ca"tion\, n.
A branching like a. fork.
Furciferous \Fur*cif"er*ous\, a. [L. furcifer yoke bearer,
scoundrel; furca fork, yoke, fork-shaped instrument of
punishment + ferre to bear.]
Rascally; scandalous. [R.] ``Furciferous knaves.'' --De
Quincey.
Furcula \Fur"cu*la\, n. [L., a forked prop, dim. of furca a
fork.] (Anat.)
A forked process; the wishbone or furculum.
Furcular \Fur"cu*lar\, a.
Shaped like a fork; furcate.
Furculum \Fur"cu*lum\, n. [NL., dim. of L. furca a fork.]
(Anat.)
The wishbone or merrythought of birds, formed by the united
clavicles.
Furdle \Fur"dle\, v. t. [See {Fardel}, and cf. {Furl}.]
To draw up into a bundle; to roll up. [Ods.]
Furfur \Fur"fur\, n. [L.]
Scurf; dandruff.
Furfuraceous \Fur"fu*ra"ceous\, a. [L. furfuraceus.]
Made of bran; like bran; scurfy.
Furfuran \Fur"fu*ran\, n. [L. furfur bran.] (Chem.)
A colorless, oily substance, {C4H4O}, obtained by distilling
certain organic substances, as pine wood, salts of pyromucic
acid, etc.; -- called also {tetraphenol}.
Furfuration \Fur"fu*ra"tion\, n. [L. furfur bran, scurf.]
Falling of scurf from the head; desquamation.
Furfurine \Fur"fu*rine\, n. (Chem.)
A white, crystalline base, obtained indirectly from furfurol.
Furfurol \Fur"fu*rol\, n. [L. furfur bran + oleum oil.] (Chem.)
A colorless oily liquid, {C4H3O.CHO}, of a pleasant odor,
obtained by the distillation of bran, sugar, etc., and
regarded as an aldehyde derivative of furfuran; -- called
also {furfural}.
Furfurous \Fur"fu*rous\, a.
Made of bran; furfuraceous. [R.] ``Furfurous bread.''
--Sydney Smith.
Furial \Fu"ri*al\, a. [L. furialis: cf. OF. furial.]
Furious; raging; tormenting. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Furibundal \Fu`ri*bun"dal\, a. [L. furibundus, fr. furere to
rage.]
Full of rage. [Obs.] --G. Harvey.
Furies \Fu"ries\, n. pl.
See {Fury}, 3.
Furile \Fu"rile\, n. [Furfurol + benzile.] (Chem.)
A yellow, crystalline substance, {(C4H3O)2.C2O2}, obtained by
the oxidation of furoin. [Written also {furil}.]
Furilic \Fu*ril"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, furile; as, furilic acid.
Furioso \Fu"ri*o"so\, a. & adv. [It.] (Mus.)
With great force or vigor; vehemently.
Furious \Fu"ri*ous\, a. [L. furiosus, fr. furia rage, fury: cf.
F. furieux. See {Fury}.]
1. Transported with passion or fury; raging; violent; as, a
furious animal.
2. Rushing with impetuosity; moving with violence; as, a
furious stream; a furious wind or storm.
Syn: Impetuous; vehement; boisterous; fierce; turbulent;
tumultuous; angry; mad; frantic; frenzied. --
{Fu"ri*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Fu"ri*ous*ness}, n.
Furl \Furl\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Furld}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Furling}.] [Contr. fr. furdle, fr. fardel bundle: cf. F.
ferler to furl, OF. fardeler to pack. See {Furdle}, {Fardel},
and cf. {Farl}.]
To draw up or gather into close compass; to wrap or roll, as
a sail, close to the yard, stay, or mast, or, as a flag,
close to or around its staff, securing it there by a gasket
or line. Totten.
Furlong \Fur"long\, n. [OE. furlong, furlang, AS. furlang,
furlung, prop., the length of a furrow; furh furrow + lang
long. See {Furrow}, and {Long}, a.]
A measure of length; the eighth part of a mile; forty rods;
two hundred and twenty yards.
Furlough \Fur"lough\, n. [Prob. fr. D. verlof, fr. a prefix akin
to E. for + the root of E. lief, and akin to Dan. forlov, Sw.
f["o]rlof, G. verlaub permission. See {Life}, a.] (Mil.)
Leave of abserice; especially, leave given to an offcer or
soldier to be absent from service for a certain time; also,
the document granting leave of absence.
Furlough \Fur"lough\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Furloughed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Furloughing}.] (Mil.)
To furnish with a furlough; to grant leave of absence to, as
to an offcer or soldier.
Furmonty \Fur"mon*ty\, Furmity \Fur"mi*ty\n.
Same as {Frumenty}.
Furnace \Fur"nace\, n. [OE. fornais, forneis, OF. fornaise, F.
fournaise, from L. fornax; akin to furnus oven, and prob. to
E. forceps.]
1. An inclosed place in which heat is produced by the
combustion of fuel, as for reducing ores or melting
metals, for warming a house, for baking pottery, etc.; as,
an iron furnace; a hot-air furnace; a glass furnace; a
boiler furnace, etc.
Note: Furnaces are classified as wind or air. furnaces when
the fire is urged only by the natural draught; as blast
furnaces, when the fire is urged by the injection
artificially of a forcible current of air; and as
reverberatory furnaces, when the flame, in passing to
the chimney, is thrown down by a low arched roof upon
the materials operated upon.
2. A place or time of punishment, affiction, or great trial;
severe experience or discipline. --Deut. iv. 20.
{Bustamente furnace}, a shaft furnace for roasting
quicksilver ores.
{Furnace bridge}, Same as {Bridge wall}. See {Bridge}, n., 5.
{Furnace} {cadmiam or cadmia}, the oxide of zinc which
accumulates in the chimneys of furnaces smelting
zinciferous ores. --Raymond.
{Furnace hoist} (Iron Manuf.), a lift for raising ore, coal,
etc., to the mouth of a blast furnace.
Furnace \Fur"nace\, n.
1. To throw out, or exhale, as from a furnace; also, to put
into a furnace. [Obs. or R.]
He furnaces The thick sighe from him. --Shak.
Furniment \Fur"ni*ment\, n. [Cf. F. fourniment. See {Furnish}.]
Furniture. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Furnish \Fur"nish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Furnished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Furnishing}.] [OF. furnir, fornir, to furnish,
finish, F. fournir; akin to Pr. formir, furmir, fromir, to
accomplish, satisfy, fr. OHG. frumjan to further, execute,
do, akin to E. frame. See {Frame}, v. t., and {-ish}.]
1. To supply with anything necessary, useful, or appropriate;
to provide; to equip; to fit out, or fit up; to adorn; as,
to furnish a family with provisions; to furnish one with
arms for defense; to furnish a Cable; to furnish the mind
with ideas; to furnish one with knowledge or principles;
to furnish an expedition or enterprise, a room or a house.
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works. --2 Tim. iii.
17,
2. To offer for use; to provide (something); to give
(something); to afford; as, to furnish food to the hungry:
to furnish arms for defense.
Ye are they . . . that furnish the drink offering
unto that number. --Is. lxv. 11.
His writings and his life furnish abundant proofs
that he was not a man of strong sense. --Macaulay.
Furnish \Fur"nish\, n.
That which is furnished as a specimen; a sample; a supply.
[Obs.] --Greene.
Furnisher \Fur"nish*er\, n.
One who supplies or fits out.
Furnishment \Fur"nish*ment\, n.
The act of furnishing, or of supplying furniture; also,
furniture. [Obs.] --Daniel.
Furniture \Fur"ni*ture\, n. [F. fourniture. See {Furnish}, v.
t.]
1. That with which anything is furnished or supplied;
supplies; outfit; equipment.
The form and all the furniture of the earth.
--Tillotson.
The thoughts which make the furniture of their
minds. --M. Arnold.
2. Articles used for convenience or decoration in a house or
apartment, as tables, chairs, bedsteads, sofas, carpets,
curtains, pictures, vases, etc.
3. The necessary appendages to anything, as to a machine, a
carriage, a ship, etc.
(a) (Naut.) The masts and rigging of a ship.
(b) (Mil.) The mountings of a gun.
(c) Builders' hardware such as locks, door and window
trimmings.
(d) (Print) Pieces of wood or metal of a lesser height
than the type, placed around the pages or other matter
in a form, and, with the quoins, serving to secure the
form in its place in the chase.
4. (Mus.) A mixed or compound stop in an organ; -- sometimes
called mixture.
Furoin \Fu"ro*in\, n. [See {Furfurol}.] (Chem.)
A colorless, crystalline substance, {C10H8O4}, from furfurol.
Furore \Fu*ro"re\, n. [It.]
Excitement; commotion; enthusiasm.
Furrier \Fur"ri*er\, n. [Cf. F. fourreur.]
A dealer in furs; one who makes or sells fur goods.
Furriery \Fur"ri*er*y\, n.
1. Furs, in general. --Tooke.
2. The business of a furrier; trade in furs.
Furring \Fur"ring\, n.
1. (Carp.)
(a) The leveling of a surface, or the preparing of an air
space, by means of strips of board or of larger
pieces. See {Fur}, v. t., 3.
(b) The strips thus laid on.
2. (Shipbuilding) Double planking of a ship's side.
3. A deposit from water, as on the inside of a boiler; also,
the operation of cleaning away this deposit.
Furrow \Fur"row\, n. [OE. forow, forgh, furgh, AS. furh; akin to
D. voor, OHG. furuh, G. furche, Dan. fure, Sw. f?ra, Icel.
for drain, L. porca ridge between two furrows.]
1. A trench in the earth made by, or as by, a plow.
2. Any trench, channel, or groove, as in wood or metal; a
wrinkle on the face; as, the furrows of age.
{Farrow weed} a weed which grows on plowed land. --Shak.
{To draw a straight furrow}, to live correctly; not to
deviate from the right line of duty. --Lowell.
Furrow \Fur"row\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Furrowed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Furrowing}.] [From {Furrow}, n.; cf. AS. fyrian.]
1. To cut a furrow in; to make furrows in; to plow; as, to
furrow the ground or sea. --Shak.
2. To mark with channels or with wrinkles.
Thou canst help time to furrow me with age. --Shak.
Fair cheeks were furrowed with hot tears. --Byron.
Furrowy \Fur"row*y\, a.
Furrowed. [R.] --Tennyson.
Furry \Fur"ry\, a. [From {Fur}.]
1. Covered with fur; dressed in fur. ``Furry nations.''
--Thomson.
2. Consisting of fur; as, furry spoils. --Dryden.
3. Resembling fur.
Further \Fur"ther\, adv. [A comparative of forth; OE. further,
forther, AS. fur?or, far?ur; akin to G. f["u]rder. See
{Forth}, adv.]
To a greater distance; in addition; moreover. See {Farther}.
Carries us, I know not how much further, into familiar
company. --M. Arnold.
They sdvanced us far as Eleusis and Thria; but no
further. --Jowett
(Thucyd. ).
{Further off}, not so near; apart by a greater distance.
Further \Fur"ther\, a. compar. [Positive wanting; superl.
{Furthest}.]
1. More remote; at a greater distance; more in advance;
farther; as, the further end of the field. See {Farther}.
2. Beyond; additional; as, a further reason for this opinion;
nothing further to suggest.
Note: The forms further and farther are in general not
differentiated by writers, but further is preferred by
many when application to quantity or degree is implied.
Further \Fur"ther"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Furthered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Furthering}.] [OE. furthren, forthren, AS.
fyr[eth]ran, fyr[eth]rian. See {Further}, adv.]
To help forward; to promote; to advance; to forward; to help
or assist.
This binds thee, then, to further my design. --Dryden.
I should nothing further the weal public. --Robynsom
(More's
Utopia).
Furtherance \Fur"ther*ance\, n.
The act of furthering or helping forward; promotion;
advancement; progress.
I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for
your furthersnce and joy of faith. --Phil. i. 25.
Built of furtherance and pursuing, Not of spent deeds,
but of doing. --Emerson.
Fartherer \Far"ther*er\, n.
One who furthers. or helps to advance; a promoter. --Shak.
Furthermore \Fur"ther*more"\, adv.
or conj. Moreover; besides; in addition to what has been
said.
Furthermost \Fur"ther*most"\, a.
Most remote; furthest.
Furthersome \Fur"ther*some\, a.
Tending to further, advance, or promote; helpful;
advantageous. [R.]
You will not find it furthersome. --Carlyle.
Furthest \Fur"thest\, a.
superl. Most remote; most in advance; farthest. See
{Further}, a.
Furthest \Fur"thest\, adv.
At the greatest distance; farthest.
Furtive \Fur"tive\, a. [L. furtivus, fr. furtum theft, fr. fur
thief, akin to ferre to bear: cf. F. furtif. See {Fertile}.]
Stolen; obtained or characterized by stealth; sly; secret;
stealthy; as, a furtive look. --Prior.
A hasty and furtive ceremony. --Hallam.
Furtively \Fur"tive*ly\, adv.
Stealthily by theft. --Lover.
Furuncle \Fu"run*cle\, n. [L. furunculus a petty thief, a boil,
dim. of fur thief: cf. F. furoncle.] (Med.)
A superficial, inflammatory tumor, suppurating with a central
core; a boil.
Faruncular \Fa*run"cu*lar\, a.
Of or pertaining to a furuncle; marked by the presence of
furuncles.
Fury \Fu"ry\, n. [L. fur.]
A thief. [Obs.]
Have an eye to your plate, for there be furies. --J.
Fleteher.
Fury \Fu"ry\, n.; pl. {Furies}. [L. furia, fr. furere to rage:
cf. F. furie. Cf. {Furor}.]
1. Violent or extreme excitement; overmastering agitation or
enthusiasm.
Her wit began to be with a divine fury inspired.
--Sir P.
Sidney.
2. Violent anger; extreme wrath; rage; -- sometimes applied
to inanimate things, as the wind or storms; impetuosity;
violence. ``Fury of the wind.'' --Shak.
I do oppose my patience to his fury. --Shak.
3. pl. (Greek Myth.) The avenging deities, Tisiphone, Alecto,
and Meg[ae]ra; the Erinyes or Eumenides.
The Furies, they said, are attendants on justice,
and if the sun in heaven should transgress his path
would punish him. --Emerson.
4. One of the Parc[ae], or Fates, esp. Atropos. [R.]
Comes the blind Fury with the abhorred shears, And
slits the thin-spun life. --Milton.
5. A stormy, turbulent violent woman; a hag; a vixen; a
virago; a termagant.
Syn: Anger; indignation; resentment; wrath; ire; rage;
vehemence; violence; fierceness; turbulence; madness;
frenzy. See {Anger}.
Furze \Furze\, n. [OE. firs, As. fyrs.] (Bot.)
A thorny evergreen shrub ({Ulex Europ[ae]us}), with beautiful
yellow flowers, very common upon the plains and hills of
Great Britain; -- called also {gorse}, and {whin}. The dwarf
furze is {Ulex nanus}.
Furzechat \Furze"chat"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The whinchat; -- called also {furzechuck}.
Furzeling \Furze"ling\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An English warbler ({Melizophilus provincialis}); -- called
also {furze wren}, and {Dartford warbler}.
Furzen \Furz"en\, a.
Furzy; gorsy. [Obs.] --Holland.
Furzy \Furz"y\, a. a.
bounding in, or overgrown with, furze; characterized by
furze. --Gay.
Fusain \Fu"sain"\, n. [F., the spindle tree; also, charcoal made
from it.] (Eine Arts)
(a) Fine charcoal of willow wood, used as a drawing
implement.
(b) A drawing made with it. See {Charcoal}, n. 2, and
{Charcoal drawing}, under {Charcoal}.
Fusarole \Fu"sa*role\, n. [F. fusarolle, fr. It. fusaruolo, fr.
fuso spindle, shaft of a column. See {Fusee} a conical
wheel.] (Arch.)
A molding generally placed under the echinus or quarter round
of capitals in the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders of
architecture.
Fuscation \Fus*ca"tion\, n. [L. fuscare, fuscatum, to make dark,
fr. fuscus dark.]
A darkening; obscurity; obfuscation. [R.] --Blount.
Fuscin \Fus"cin\, n. [L. fuscus dark-colored, tawny.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
A brown, nitrogenous pigment contained in the retinal
epithelium; a variety of melanin.
Fuscine \Fus"cine\, n. (Chem.)
A dark-colored substance obtained from empyreumatic animal
oil. [R.]
Fuscous \Fus"cous\, a. [L. fuscus.]
Brown or grayish black; darkish.
Sad and fuscous colors, as black or brown, or deep
purple and the like. --Burke.
Fuse \Fuse\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fused} (fuzd); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fusing}.] [L. fusus, p. p. of fundere to pour, melt, cast.
See {Foundo} to cast, and cf. Futile.]
1. To liquefy by heat; to render fiuid; to dissolve; to melt.
2. To unite or blend, as if melted together.
Whose fancy fuses old and new. --Tennyson.
Fuse \Fuse\, v. i.
1. To be reduced from a solid to a Quid state by heat; to be
melted; to melt.
2. To be blended, as if melted together.
{Fusing point}, the degree of temperature at which a
substance melts; the point of fusion.
Fuse \Fuse\, n. [For fusee, fusil. See 2d {Fusil}.] (Gunnery,
Mining, etc.)
A tube or casing filled with combustible matter, by means of
which a charge of powder is ignited, as in blasting; --
called also {fuzee}. See {Fuze}.
{Fuse hole}, the hole in a shell prepared for the reception
of the fuse. --Farrow.
Fusee \Fu*see"\, n. [See 2d {Fusil}, and cf. {Fuse}, n.]
1. A flintlock gun. See 2d {Fusil}. [Obs.]
2. A fuse. See {Fuse}, n.
3. A kind of match for lighting a pipe or cigar.
Fusee \Fu*see"\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
The track of a buck. --Ainsworth.
Fusee \Fu*see"\, n. [F. fus['e]e a spindleful, fusee, LL.
fusata, fr. fusare to use a spindle, L. fusus spindle.]
(a) The cone or conical wheel of a watch or clock, designed
to equalize the power of the mainspring by having the
chain from the barrel which contains the spring wind in a
spiral groove on the surface of the cone in such a manner
that the diameter of the cone at the point where the
chain acts may correspond with the degree of tension of
the spring.
(b) A similar wheel used in other machinery.
Fusel \Fu"sel\, n., Fusel oil \Fu"sel oil\ [G. fusel bad
liquor.] (Chem.)
A hot, acrid, oily liquid, accompanying many alcoholic
liquors (as potato whisky, corn whisky, etc.), as an
undesirable ingredient, and consisting of several of the
higher alcohols and compound ethers, but particularly of amyl
alcohol; hence, specifically applied to amyl alcohol.
Fusibility \Fu"si*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. fusibilit['e].]
The quality of being fusible.
Fusible \Fu"si*ble\, a. [F. fusible. See {Fuse}, v. t.]
CapabIe of being melted or liquefied.
{Fusible metal}, any alloy of different metals capable of
being easily fused, especially an alloy of five parts of
bismuth, three of lead, and two of tin, which melts at a
temperature below that of boiling water. --Ure.
{Fusible plug} (Steam Boiler), a piece of easily fusible
alloy, placed in one of the sheets and intended to melt
and blow off the steam in case of low water.
Fusiform \Fu"si*form\, a. [L. fusus spindle + -form: cf. F.
fusiforme.]
Shaped like a spindle; tapering at each end; as, a fusiform
root; a fusiform cell.
Fusil \Fu"sil\, a. [L. fusilis molten, fluid, fr. fundere,
fusum, to pour, cast. See {Fuse}, v. t.]
1. Capable of being melted or rendered fluid by heat;
fusible. [R.] ``A kind of fusil marble'' --Woodward.
2. Running or flowing, as a liquid. [R.] ``A fusil sea.''
--J. Philips.
3. Formed by melting and pouring into a mold; cast; founded.
[Obs.] --Milton.
Fusil \Fu"sil\, n. [F. fusil, LL. fosile a steel for kindling
fire, from L. focus hearth, fireplace, in LLL. fire. See
{Focus}, and cf. {Fusee} a firelock.]
A light kind of flintlock musket, formerly in use.
Fusil \Fu"sil\, n. [See 3d {Fusee}.] (Her.)
A bearing of a rhomboidal figure; -- named from its shape,
which resembles that of a spindle.
Note: It differs from a lozenge in being longer in proportion
to its width.
Fusile \Fu"sile\, a.
Same as {Fusil}, a.
Fusileer \Fu"sil*eer"\, Fusilier \Fu"sil*ier"\, n. [F. fusilier,
fr. fusil.] (Mil.)
(a) Formerly, a soldier armed with a fusil. Hence, in the
plural:
(b) A title now borne by some regiments and companies; as,
``The Royal Fusiliers,'' etc.
Fusillade \Fu"sil*lade"\, n. [F. fusillade, cf. It. fucilata.
See {Fusil} a firelock.] (Mil.)
A simultaneous discharge of firearms.
Fusillade \Fu"sil*lade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fusillader}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Fusillading}.]
To shoot down of shoot at by a simultaneous discharge of
firearms.
Fusion \Fu"sion\, n. [L. fusio, fr. fundere, fusum to pour,
melt: cf. F. fusion. See {Fuse}, v. t., aud cf, {Foison}.]
1. The act or operation of melting or rendering fluid by
heat; the act of melting together; as, the fusion of
metals.
2. The state of being melted or dissolved by heat; a state of
fluidity or flowing in consequence of heat; as, metals in
fusion.
3. The union or blending together of things, as, melted
together.
The universal fusion of races, languages, and
customs . . . had produced a corresponding fusion of
creeds. --C. Kingsley.
{Watery fusion} (Chem.) the melting of certain crystals by
heat in their own water of crystallization.
4. (Biol.) The union, or binding together, of adjacent parts
or tissues.
Fusome \Fu"some\, a. [AS. f?san to hasten, fr. f?s ready,
prompt, quick; akin to OS. f?s, OHG. funs, Icel. fuss
willing; prob. from the root of E. find.]
Handy; reat; handsome; notable. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Fuss \Fuss\, n. [Cf. {Fusome}.]
1. A tumult; a bustle; unnecessary or annoying ado about
trifles. --Byron.
Zealously, assiduously, and with a minimum of fuss
or noise --Carlyle.
2. One who is unduly anxious about trifles. [R.]
I am a fuss and I don't deny it. --W. D.
Howell.
Fuss \Fuss\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fussed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fussing}.]
To be overbusy or unduly anxious about trifles; to make a
bustle or ado. --Sir W. Scott.
Fussily \Fuss"i*ly\, adv.
In a fussy manner. --Byron.
Fussiness \Fuss"i*ness\, n.
The quality of being fussy.
Fussy \Fuss"y\, a. [Compar. {Fussier}; superl {Fussiest}.]
Making a fuss; disposed to make an unnecessary ado about
trifles; overnice; fidgety.
Not at all fussy about his personal appearance. --R. G.
White.
Fast \Fast\, n. [OF. fust, F. f?t, fr. L. fustis stick staff.]
(Arch.)
The shaft of a column, or trunk of pilaster. --Gwilt.
Fust \Fust\, n. [OF. fust cask, F. f?t cask, taste or smell of
the caak, fustiness, cf. sentir le f?t to taste of the cask.
See {1st Fust}.]
A strong, musty smell; mustiness.
Fust \Fust\, v. i.
To become moldy; to smell ill. [Obs.]
Fusted \Fust"ed\, a.
Moldy; ill-smelling. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Fusteric \Fus"ter*ic\, n.
The coloring matter of fustet. --Ure.
Fustet \Fus"tet\, n. [F. fustet (cf. Sp. & Pg. fustete), LL.
fustetus, fr. L. fustis stick, in LL., tree, See {1st Fust},
and cf. {Fustic}.]
The wood of the Rhus Cptinus or Venice sumach, a shrub of
Southern Europe, which yields a fine orange color, which,
however, is not durable without a mordant. --Ure.
Fustian \Fus"tian\, n. [OE. fustan, fustian, OF. fustaine, F.
futaine, It. fustagno, fr. LL. fustaneum, fustanum; cf. Pr.
fustani, Sp. fustan. So called from Fust[=a]t, i. e., Cairo,
where it was made.]
1. A kind of coarse twilled cotton or cotton and linen stuff,
including corduroy, velveteen, etc.
2. An inflated style of writing; a kind of writing in which
high-sounding words are used,' above the dignity of the
thoughts or subject; bombast.
Claudius . . . has run his description into the most
wretched fustian. --Addison.
Fustian \Fus"tian\, a.
1. Made of fustian.
2. Pompous; ridiculously tumid; inflated; bombastic; as,
fustian history. --Walpole.
Fustianist \Fus"tian*ist\, n.
A writer of fustian. [R.] --Milton.
Fustic \Fus"tic\, n. [F. fustoc, Sp. fustoc. Cf. {Fustet}.]
The wood of the {Maclura tinctoria}, a tree growing in the
West Indies, used in dyeing yellow; -- called also {old
fustic}. [Written also {fustoc}.]
Note: Other kinds of yellow wood are often called fustic; as
that of species of {Xanthoxylum}, and especially the
{Rhus Cotinus}, which is sometimes called young fustic
to distinguish it from the {Maclura}. See {Fustet}.
Fustigate \Fus"ti*gate\, v. t. [L. fustigare, fr. fustis stick.
See {1st Fust}.]
To cudgel. [R.] --Bailey.
Fustigation \Fus"ti*ga"tion\, n. [Cf. F. fustigation.]
A punishment by beating with a stick or club; cudgeling.
This satire, composed of actual fustigation. --Motley.
Fastilarian \Fas"ti*la"ri*an\, n. [From {Fusty}.]
A low fellow; a stinkard; a scoundrel. [Obs.] --Shak.
Fustilug \Fus"ti*lug`\, Fustilugs \Fus"ti*lugs`\, n. [Fusty +
lug something heavy, to be drawn or carried.]
A gross, fat, unwieldy person. [Obs.] --F. Junius.
Fusiness \Fus"i*ness\, n.
A fusty state or quality; moldiness; mustiness; an ill smell
from moldiness.
Fusty \Fusty\, a. [Compar. {Fustier}; superl {Fustiest}.] [See
{2d Fust}.]
1. Moldy; musty; ill-smelling; rank. ``A fusty plebeians.''
--Shak.
2. Moping. [Archaic]
A melancholy, fusty humor. --Pepys.
Fussure \Fus"sure\, n. [L. fusura, fr. fundere, fusum. See
{Fuse}, v. t.]
Act of fusing; fusion. [R.]
Futchel \Futch"el\, n.
The jaws between which the hinder end of a carriage tongue is
inserted. --Knight.
Futile \Fu"tile\ (?; 277), a. [L. futilis that easily pours out,
that easily lets loose, vain, worthless, from the root of
fundere to pour out: cf. F. futile. See {Fuse}, v. t.]
1. Talkative; loquacious; tattling. [Obs.]
Talkers and futile persons. --Bacon.
2. Of no importance; answering no useful end; useless; vain;
worthless. ``Futile theories.'' --I. Taylor.
His reasoning . . . was singularly futile.
--Macaulay.
Futilely \Fu"tile*ly\, adv.
In a futile manner.
Futility \Fu"til`i*ty\, n. [L. futilitas: cf. F. futilit['e].]
1. The quality of being talkative; talkativeness;
loquaciousness; loquacity. [Obs.]
2. The quality of producing no valuable effect, or of coming
to nothing; uselessness.
The futility of this mode of philosophizing.
--Whewell.
Futilous \Fu"til*ous\, a.
Futile; trifling. [Obs.]
Futtock \Fu"ttock\, n. [Prob. corrupted fr. foothook.] (Naut.)
One of the crooked timbers which are scarfed together to form
the lower part of the compound rib of a vessel; one of the
crooked transverse timbers passing across and over the keel.
{Futtock plates} (Naut.), plates of iron to which the
dead-eyes of the topmast rigging are secured.
{Futtock shrouds}, short iron shrouds leading from the upper
part of the lower mast or of the main shrouds to the edge
of the top, or through it, and connecting the topmast
rigging with the lower mast. --Totten.
Futurable \Fu"tur*a*ble\ (?; 135), a.
Capable of being future; possible to occur. [R.]
Not only to things future, but futurable. --Fuller.
Future \Fu"ture\ (?; 135), a. [F. futur, L. futurus, used as
fut. p. of esse to be, but from the same root as E. be. See
{Be}, v. i.]
That is to be or come hereafter; that will exist at any time
after the present; as, the next moment is future, to the
present.
{Future tense} (Gram.), the tense or modification of a verb
which expresses a future act or event.
Future \Fu"ture\, n. [Cf. F. futur. See {Future}, a.]
1. Time to come; time subsequent to the present (as, the
future shall be as the present); collectively, events that
are to happen in time to come. ``Lay the future open.''
--Shak.
2. The possibilities of the future; -- used especially of
prospective success or advancement; as, he had great
future before him.
3. (Gram.) A future tense.
{To deal in futures}, to speculate on the future values of
merchandise or stocks. [Brokers' cant]
Futureless \Fu"ture*less\, a.
Without prospect of betterment in the future. --W. D.
Howells.
Futurely \Fu"ture*ly\, adv.
In time to come. [Obs.] --Raleigh.
Futurist \Fu"tur*ist\, n.
1. One whose chief interests are in what is to come; one who
anxiously, eagerly, or confidently looks forward to the
future; an expectant.
2. (Theol.) One who believes or maintains that the
fulfillment of the prophecies of the Bible is to be in the
future.
Futuritial \Fu`tu*ri"tial\ (?; 135), a.
Relating to what is to come; pertaining to futurity; future.
[R.]
Futurition \Fu`tu*ri"tion\, n. [Cf. F. futurition.]
The state of being future; futurity. [R.]
Nothing . . . can have this imagined futurition, but as
it is decreed. --Coleridge.
Futurity \Fu*tu"ri*ty\, n.; pl. {Futurities}.
1. State of being that is yet to come; future state.
2. Future time; time to come; the future.
3. Event to come; a future event.
All futurities are naked before the All-seeing Eye.
--South.
Fuze \Fuze\, n.
A tube, filled with combustible matter, for exploding a
shell, etc. See {Fuse}, n.
{Chemical fuze}, a fuze in which substances separated until
required for action are then brought into contact, and
uniting chemically, produce explosion.
{Concussion fuze}, a fuze ignited by the striking of the
projectile.
{Electric fuze}, a fuze which is ignited by heat or a spark
produced by an electric current.
{Friction fuze}, a fuze which is ignited by the heat evolved
by friction.
{Percussion fuze}, a fuze in which the ignition is produced
by a blow on some fulminating compound.
{Time fuze}, a fuze adapted, either by its length or by the
character of its composition, to burn a certain time
before producing an explosion.
Fuzz \Fuzz\, v. t.
To make drunk. [Obs.] --Wood.
Fuzz \Fuzz\, n. [Cf. Prov. E. fuzzy that ravels (of silk or
cotton), D. voos spongy, fungous, G. faser filament. E. feaze
to untwist.]
Fine, light particles or fibers; loose, volatile matter.
{Fuzz ball}, a kind of fungus or mushroom, which, when
pressed, bursts and scatters a fine dust; a puffball.
Fuzz \Fuzz\, v. i.
To fly off in minute particles.
Fuzzle \Fuz"zle\, v. t. [Cf. LG. fuseln to drink common liquor,
fr. fusel bad liquor.]
To make drunk; to intoxicate; to fuddle. [Obs.] --Burton.
Fuzzy \Fuzz"y\, a. [See {Fuzz}, n.]
1. Not firmly woven; that ravels. [Written also {fozy}.]
[Prov. Eng.]
2. Furnished with fuzz; having fuzz; like fuzz; as, the fuzzy
skin of a peach.
-fy \-fy\ [Through French verbs in -fier, L. -ficare, akin to
facere to do, make. See {Fact}.]
A suffix signifying to make, to form into, etc.; as, acetify,
amplify, dandify, Frenchify, etc.
Fy \Fy\, interj. [See {Fie}, interj.]
A word which expresses blame, dislike, disapprobation,
abhorrence, or contempt. See {Fie}.
Fyke \Fyke\, n. [D. fuik a bow net.]
A long bag net distended by hoops, into which fish can pass
easily, without being able to return; -- called also {fyke
net}. --Cozzens.
Fyllot \Fyl"lot\, n. [Prov. fr. AS. fy?erf?te, fierf?te,
fe['o]werf?te. See {Four}, and {Foot}, n.]
A rebated cross, formerly used as a secret emblem, and a
common ornament. It is also called {gammadion}, and
{swastika}.
Fyrd \Fyrd\, Fyrdung \Fyr"dung\, n. [AS.; akin to E. fare, v.
i.] (Old. Eng. Hist.)
The military force of the whole nation, consisting of all men
able to bear arms.
The national fyrd or militia. --J. R. Green.
Fytte \Fytte\, n.
See {Fit} a song. [Archaic]