Unabridged Dictionary - Letter F
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F
F (&ecre;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 w
consonant. The form and value of Greek letter came from the
Ph\'d2nician, the ultimate source being probably Egyptian.
Etymologically fis most closely related to p,k,v, and b; as in E.
five, Gr. f, L. lupus, Gr. fox, vixen ; fragile, break ; fruit, brook,
v. t.; E. bear, L. ferre. See Guide to Pronunciation, &root; 178, 179,
188, 198, 230.
2. (Mus.) The name of the fourth tone of the model scale, or scale of
C. F sharp (F #) is a tone intermediate between F and G.
F clef, the bass clef. See under Clef.
Fa
Fa (?), 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 (?), 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 (?), 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 fiegn; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or
real; to tell of falsely.
The hell thou fablest. Milton.
Fabler
Fa"bler (?), n. A writer of fables; a fabulist; a dealer in untruths
or falsehoods. Br. Hall.
Fabliau
Fa`bli`au" (?), n.; pl. Fabliaux . [F., fr. OF.fablel, dim. of fable a
fable.] (Fr. Lit.) One of the metrical tales of the Trouv\'8ares, 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 fabricof 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 built; 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\'82.]
1. Fabulousness. [R.] Abp. Abbot.
2. A fabulous or fictitious story. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
Fabulous
Fab"u*lous (?), 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
Greek and Rome. -- Fab"u*lous*ly (#), adv. -- Fab"u*lous*ness, n.
Faburden
Fab"ur*den (?), n. [F. foux bpirdon. 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 (?), 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.
Fa\'87ade
Fa`\'87ade" (?), n. [F., fr. It. facciata, fr. fassia 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 facade 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 presenceof.
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.<-- = face value --> McElrath.
NOTE: &hand; Fa ce is us ed ei ther ad jectively 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\'94ll.), 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.<-- face value = face, 13. Also used metaphorically, = apparent
value: "Take at its face value" --> 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 \'85 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 battale.
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.
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Page 536
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\'94l.) 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.
Faceti\'91
Fa*ce"ti*\'91 (, n. pl. [L., fr. facetus. See Facete.] Witty or
humorous writings or saying; witticisms; merry conceits.
Facetious
Fa*ce"tious (?), a. [Cf. F. fac\'82tieux. See Faceti\'91.]
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.] Br.
Hacket.
2. (Mach.) (a) One of the variables of a quantic as distinguished from
a coefficient. (b) The multiplier.
NOTE: &hand; 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\'94l.) 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. facilitFacile.]
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. -- 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 bunker, 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 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. [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, (
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: &hand; Th eTerm fa ct ha s 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. -- 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. [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. [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.]
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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.
Facul\'91
Fac"u*l\'91 (?), 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\'91. 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 to join, unit,
G. f\'81gen, or AS. \'bef\'91gian 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.
F\'91cal
F\'91"cal (?), a. See Fecal.
F\'91ces
F\'91"ces (?), n.pl. [L. faex, pl. faeces, dregs.] Excrement; ordure;
also, settlings; sediment after infusion or distillation. [Written
also feces.]
F\'91cula
F\'91c"u*la (?), n. [L.] See Fecula.
Fa\'89ry
Fa"\'89r*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\'bech devoted to death, OS. f, OHG. feigi, G. feig, feige,
cowardly, Icel. feigr fated to die, AS. f, 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. 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, Fahlband
Fahl"erz (?), 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: &hand; Th e Fa hrenheit th ermometer 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.
Fa\'8bence
Fa`\'8b*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. Decau, 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\'91gen; akin to OS. fagan, Icel.
faginn glad; AS. f\'91gnian to rejoice, OS. fagan&omac;n, Icel. fagna,
Goth. fagin&omac;n, cf. Goth. fah&emac;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\'82ant
Fai`n\'82`ant" (?), a. [F.; fait he does + n\'82ant nothing.] Doing
nothing; shiftless. -- n. A do-nothing; an idle fellow; a sluggard.
Sir W. Scott.
Faint
Faint (?), a. [Compar. Fainter (-?r); superl. Faintest.] [OE. faint,
feint, false, faint, F. feint, p.p. of feindre to feign, suppose,
hesitate. See Faign, 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.
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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\'91ger; akin to OS. & OHG. fagar, Isel. fagr, Sw. fager,
Dan. faver, Goth. fagrs fit, also to E. fay, G. f\'81gen, 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\'94l.) (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 fairmanner; 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. <--
[2]. That part of a golf course between the tee and the green which is
of closely mowed grass, as contrasted to the rough. -->
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\'82er, fr. LL. Fata
one of the goddesses of fate. See Fate, and cf. Fay a fairy.] [Written
also fa\'89ry.]
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\'94l.), the Euoropean little tern (Sterna minuta); --
called also sea swallow, and hooded tern. -- Fairy bluebird.
(Zo\'94l.) See under Bluebird. -- Fairy martin (Zo\'94l.), 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\'94l.), 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. 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\'82. -- 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 healing,
faith healer = faith cure. -->
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\'91c 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\'c6r poor.] An Oriental religious ascetic or
begging monk. [Written also faquir anf fakeer.]
Falanaka
Fa"la*na"ka (?), n. [Native name.] (Zo\'94l.) A viverrine mammal of
Madagascar (Eupleres Goudotii), allied to the civet; -- called also
Falanouc.
Falcade
Fal*cade" (f&acr;l*k&amac;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.
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Page 539
Falcate, Falcated
Fal"cate (?), 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\'94l.) One of
the mandibles of a spider.
Falchion
Fal"chion (?), n. [OE. fauchon, OF. fauchon, LL. f\'84lcio, fr. L.
falx, falcis, a sickle, cf. Gr. 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\'94l.) (a) One of a family (Falconid\'91) 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) (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\'94l.) The female or young of the goshawk (Astur palumbarius).
Falconine
Fal"co*nine (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) Like a falcon or hawk; belonging to the
Falconid\'91
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\'94l.) A
curved and sharp-pointed claw.
Falculate
Fal"cu*late (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) 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: &hand; In th e 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\'94l.) 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 somewha 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: &hand; Fa ll 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 declinsion 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\'94l.), 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.
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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. -- 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\'94l.) 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\'89rolite. -- 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\'94lr, and prob. to
Lith. palvas, OSlav. plavpallidus pale, pallere to be pale, Gr.
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\'94l.), a small European bird, the
wheatear (Saxicola \'91nanthe). 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.), 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\'94l.), 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\'94l.) 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: &hand; Th is 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 baffie or escape; as, to falsify a blow. Bulter.
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\'82, OF. also, falsit\'82. 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. -- 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.
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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, Isel. f\'belma 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.
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\'82fr. 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\'8are.] A
community in which many persons unite as in one family, and are
regulated by certain communistic laws and customs.
Familistic, Familistical
Fam`i*listic (?), 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\'beman
house, fr. dh\'beto 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 pretennd 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 groupe of kindred or closely related individuals; as, a family of
languages; a family of States; the chlorine family.
7. (Biol.) A groupe 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\'94logy 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. h\'beni loss,
lack, h\'be 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\'82. 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. -- 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\'94l.), 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\'94l.), any shell of the family
Pectinid\'91. 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.<-- and politics, terrorism -->
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. -- 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.
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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. bh\'beto 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 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\'ber 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\'94l.) (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 (?), v. t. [OE. fangen, fongen, fon (g orig. only in p.p. and
imp. tense), AS. f; akin to D. vangen, OHG. f\'behan, G. fahen,
fangen, Isel. f\'be, Sw. f, f, 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\'94l.) 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.
Fannerved
Fan"*nerved` (?), a. (Bot. & Zo\'94l.) Having the nerves or veins
arranged in a radiating manner; -- said of certain leaves, and of the
winfs of some insects.
Fanon
Fan"on (?), n. [F. fanon, LL. fano, fr. OHG. fano banner cloth, G.
fahne banner. See Vane, and cf. Fanion, Confalon.] (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\'91rops 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` (?), 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\'94l.) 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. 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\'94l.) 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\'c6rra, adv., Gr. 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: &hand; Th e di stinction 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: &hand; Far often occurs in self-explaining compounds, such as
far-extended, far-reaching, far-spread.
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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, Faradization
Far"a*dism (?), 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. 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 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, Farcin
Far"ci*men (?), 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: &hand; Farcy, although more common in horses, is communicable
to other animals and to human beings.
Farcy bud, a hard, prominent swelling occurrinng 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., Isel., & Sw. fara, Dan. fare, Gr.
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: &hand; Th e pr imary ac cent 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\'94l.)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\'d6rl\'c6c 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: &hand; In En glish 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.
Faroff
Far"*off` (?), a. Remote; as, the far-off distance. Cf. Far-off, under
Far, adv.
Farrag-inous
Far*rag-i*nous (?), a. [See Farrago.] Formed of various materials;
mixed; as, a farraginous mountain. [R.] Kirwan.
AA farraginous concurrence of all conditions, tempers, sexes, and
ages. Sir T. Browne.
Farrago
Far*ra"go (?), n. [L. farrago, -aginis, mi8xed fodder for cattle,
mash, medley, fr. far a sort of grain. See Farina.] A mass ccomposed
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.
Farfand
Far"fand (?), 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.
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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. 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\'84rse, AS. fearr bull, G. farre. Cf.
Heifer.] Not producing young in a given season or year; -- said only
of cows.
NOTE: &hand; If a co w ha s 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 (?), a., compar. of Far. [superl. Farthest (. 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 renotely; 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 Furtherence.
Farthermore
Far"ther*more*" (?), adv. [Obs.] See Furthermore.
Farthermost
Far"ther*most` (?), a. Most distant or remote; as, the farthest
degree. See Furthest.
Farthing
Far"thing (?), n. [OE. furthing, AS. fe\'a2r, fr. fe\'a2r fourth,
fe\'a2r, fe\'a2wer, 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 hand. [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. , (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; -- calles also pontee and punty.
Fascia
Fas"ci*a (?), n.; pl. Fasci\'91 (#). [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\'94l.) A broad well-defined band of color.
Fascial
Fas"ci*al (?), a.
1. Pertaining to the fasces.
2. (Anat.) Relating to a fascia.
Fasciate, Fasciated
Fas"ci*ate (?), 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\'94l.) 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, Fasciculated
Fas*cic"u*late (?), 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.
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\'91 (#). [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\'94l.) 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, 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. <-- # in a sort? s.b. of
a sort? -->
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&emac;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, OHG. fasta, G. faste. See Fast,
v. i.]
1. Abstinence from food; omission to take nounrishment.
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; akin to OS. fast, D. vast, OHG. fasti,
festi, G. fest, Isel. 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\'89ngage 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.
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Fast
Fast (?), adv. [OE. Faste firmly, strongly, quickly, AS. f. 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\'91stnian; akin to OHG. festin&omac;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
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. --
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, Fastigiated
Fas*tig"i*ate (?), 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\'94l.) 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\'91stnes, fr. f\'91st 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&aemac;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: &hand; An imal fa ts ar e co mposed ma inly 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. 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\'82]
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, . 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\'a0na. 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\'94l.) 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\'91who
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: &hand; Am ong 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\'94l.) (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\'91der; akin to OS. fadar, D. vader,
OHG. fatar, G. vater, Icel. Fa Sw. & Dan. fader, OIr. athir, L. pater,
Gr. pitr, perh. fr. Skr. p\'be protect. 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.
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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: &hand; 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) 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. [fadme, fa&edh;me, AS. f\'91&edh;m fathom, the
embracing arms; akin to OS. fa&edh;mos the outstretched arms, D.
vadem, vaam, fathom, OHG. fadom, fadum, G. faden fathom, thread, Icel.
fa&edh;mr fathom, Sw. famn, Dan. favn; cf. Gr. 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, Fatimide
Fat"i*mite (?), 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\'82
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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) 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; hance, in
trouble ot embarrassment, and unable to proceed; puzzled; thhrown 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. -- Fault,
Failing, Defect, Foible. A fault is positive, something morally wrong;
a failing is negative, some weakness or failling short in a man's
character, disposition, or habits; a defect is also negative, and as
applied to character is the absence of anyything 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 off 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) A
small singing bird, as the nightingale and warblers.
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Faux
Faux (?), n.; pl. Fauces (#). [L.] See Fauces. <-- no pos in original
= n. -->
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 [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\'91.
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 asges.] Of or
pertaining to ashes. [Obs.]
Light and favollous 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\'bevaya to further, foster,
causative of bhBe. 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 fabor 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) 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\'91gnian
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\'82e. 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\'be), v. t. [imp. & p. p. fayed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Faying.]
[OE. feien, v.t. & i., AS. f\'c7gan to join, unite; akin to OS.
f\'d3gian, D. voegen, OHG. fuogen, G. f\'81gen, 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.
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\'91gia 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\'8ale, L. fidelis
faithful, fr. fides faith. See Faith.] Faithful; loyal. [Obs.] Wright.
Fealty
Fe"al*ty (?), n. [OE. faute, OF. faut\'82, fealt\'82, feel\'82,
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: &hand; Fe alty is di stinguished fr om ho mage, wh ich 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 a coming suddenly upon, fear,
danger; akin to D. vaar, OHG. f\'bera danger, G. gefahr, Icel. f\'ber
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: &hand; Th e de grees 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. fFear, 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. z2
fera their people from doing evil. Robynsin (More's utopia).
Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. Shak.
Syn. -- To apprehend; drad; 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 fera, 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 fain-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; ho
Ferafully
Fera"ful*ly, adv. In a fearful manner.
Ferafulness
Fera"ful*ness, n. The state of being fearful.
Feraless
Fera"less, a. Free from fear. Syn. -- Bold; courageous; interpid;
valor -- Fear"less*ly, adv. -- Fera"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
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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 (?), n. [OE. feste festival, holiday, feast, OF. feste festival,
F. f\'88te, fr. L. festum, pl. festa, fr. festus joyful, festal; of
uncertain origin. Cf. Fair, n., Festal, F.]
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: &hand; Ec clesiastical fa sts ar e 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 Syn. --
Entertainment; regale; banquet; treat; carousal; festivity; festival.
-- 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\'88ter 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; akin to D. veder, OHG. fedara,
G. feder, Icel. fj\'94, Sw. fj\'84der, Dan. fj\'91der, Gr. 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: &hand; An or dinary fe ather 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\'91 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: &hand; 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) 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.
Featery
Feat"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\'91s 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.<-- now faze-->] 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\'82brifuge. see Febrile, Feverfew.] (Med.) A
medicine serving to mitigate or remove fever. -- a. Antifebrile.
Febrile
Fe"brile (?; 277), a. [F. f\'82brile, 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\'82cal. See Feces.] relating to, or
containing, dregs, feces, or ordeure; f\'91cal.
Fecche
Fec"che (?), v. t. To fetch. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Feces
Fe"ces (?), n. pl. dregs; sediment; excrement. See F\'92ces.
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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\'94l.) The anal fork on which
the larv\'91 of certain insects carry their f\'91ces.
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\'92 [L.fae burnt tartar or salt of tartar,
dim. of faex, faecis, sediment, dregs: cf. F. f\'82cule.] 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\'82culence.]
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\'82culent.
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\'82cond. 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\'82condation.] (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\'82condit\'82. 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\'82d\'82ral. 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\'82d\'82ralisme.] the principles of
Federalists or of federal union.
Federalist
Fed"er*al*ist, n. [Cf. F. f\'82d\'82raliste.] 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\'82d\'82raliser.] 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\'82d\'82ration.]
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\'82d\'82ratif.] 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 (?), n. [OE. fe, feh, feoh, cattle, property, money, fiet, 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. feuh
cattle, property, D. vee cattle, OHG. fihu, fehu, G. vieh, Icel. f
cattle, property, money, Goth. fa\'a1hu, L. pecus cattle, pecunia
property. money, Skr. pa 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. 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: &hand; Al l 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 qualitified 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 (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Feed (?); 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 (?), a. [Compar. Feebler (?); superl. Feeblest (?).] [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 strenght; 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, fr. f food; akin to C?. f, OFries f, f, D. voeden, OHG.
fuottan, Icel. f\'91, Sw. f\'94da, Dan. f\'94de. 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 anotheEx.
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; akin to OS. gif to perceive, D. voelen to feel, OHG. fuolen, G.
f\'81hlen, Icel. f\'belma 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.
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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\'94l.) 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\'91. 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\'c7sian,
f\'dfsian, f\'dfsan, fr. f\'d4s, 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, Feldspath
Feld"spar` (?), 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: &hand; Th e gr oup in cludes th e mo noclinic (o rthoclastic)
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, Feldspathose
Feld*spath"ic (?), Feld*spath"ose (?), a. Pertaining to, or consisting
of, feldspar.
Fele
Fele (?), a. [AS. fela, feola; akin to G. viel, gr. Full, a.] Many.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Fe-licify
Fe-lic"ify (?), v. t. [L. felix happy = -fy.] To make happy; to
felicitate. [Obs.] Quarles.
Felici-tate
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\'82liciter.]
1. To make very happy; to delight.
What a glorius 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\'82licitation.] 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\'82licit\'82, 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\'82lin. See Fetus.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) Catlike; of or pertaining to the genus Felis, or family
Felid\'91; 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\'94l.) 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 \'edrutsfill leprosy, L. pellis skin, G. 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\'84ll 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\'84llen, Icel. fella, Sw. f\'84lla, Dan. f\'91lde. 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\'86ll 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\'94l.)
The fieldfare.
Fel-liflu-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\'c7lagi, fr. f\'c7lag
companionship, prop., a laying together of property; f\'c7 property +
lag a laying, pl. l\'94g 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: &hand; 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: &hand; Fe llow is of ten us ed in co mpound wo rds, 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.
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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.
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Page 551
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. <-- why "foundation"? stipend is more accurate now.
This use is sense 4 of this dictionary, an "endowment" -->
6. (Arith.) The rule for dividing profit and loss among partners; --
called also partnership, company, and distributive proportion.
Good fellowship
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\'82lon 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.
Feloni-ous
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\'82lonie 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: &hand; Fo rfeiture fo r 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: &hand; Th ere 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, Felspath
Fel"spar` (?), 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.
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\'beqah 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: &hand; A rh yme, in wh ich th e fi nal 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\'91mina), growing in many countries; lady
fern.
NOTE: &hand; Th e na mes ma le fe rn and female fern were anciently
given to two common ferns; but it is now understood that neither
has any sexual character.
Syn. -- Female, Feminine. 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.
Femal-ist
Fe"mal-ist (?), n. A gallant. [Obs.]
Courting her smoothly like a femalist. Marston.
Femal-ize
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, by the custom of
London, engages in business on her own account, inpendently of her
husband.
Femeral
Fem"er*al (?), n. (Arch.) See Femerell.
Femer-ell
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.
Femi-nal
Fem"i-nal (?), a. Feminine. [Obs.] West.
Feminality
Fem`i*nal"i*ty (?), n. Feminity.
Femi-nate
Fem"i-nate (?), a. [L. feminatus effeminate.] Feminine. [Obs.]
Femi-nei-ty
Fem`i-ne"i-ty (?), n. [L. femineus womanly.] Womanliness; femininity.
C. Read
Feminine
Fem"i*nine (?), a. [L. femininus, fr. femina woman; prob. akin to L.
fetus, or to Gr. f\'d6mme woman, maid: cf. F. f\'82minin. 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\'82miniser.] 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\'82moral.]
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: &hand; Fe n is us ed 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\'94l.), a wild duck inhabiting fens; the shoveler. [Prov. Eng.] --
Fen fowl (Zo\'94l.), any water fowl that frequent fens. -- Fen goose
(Zo\'94l.), 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: &hand; In En gland a he dge, di tch, 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
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.]
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Fence
Fence, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fenced ( 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 batDryden.
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 s,allword. 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. To aggregate of the fences put up for inclosure or protection; as,
the fencing of a farm.
Fen cricket
Fen" crick`et (?). (Zo\'94l.) 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 (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\'91 (#). [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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) 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.
Feni-an
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 (?), n. The refuse whale blubber, used as a manure, and in the
manufacture of Prussian blue. Ure.
Fennec
Fen"nec (?), n. [Ar. fanek.] (Zo\'94l.) A small, African, foxlike
animal (Vulpes zerda) of a pale fawn color, remarkable for the large
size of its ears.
Fennel
Fen"nel (?), 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\'91niculum (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\'91niculum 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\'d2num Gr\'91cum)
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\'82.] (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, Feoffer
Feo"for (?), 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 abudantly. [R.] Thomson.
Feracity
Fe*rac"i*ty (?), n. [L. feracitas.] The state of being feracious or
fruitful. [Obs.] Beattie.
Fer\'91
Fe"r\'91 (?), n. pl. [L., wild animals, fem. pl. of ferus wild.]
(Zo\'94l.) A group of mammals which formerly included the Carnivora,
Insectivora, Marsupialia, and lemurs, but is now often restricted to
the Carnivora. <-- no pos in original = adv. -->
Fer\'91 natur\'91
Fe"r\'91 na*tu"r\'91 (?). [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\'94l.) Wild;
untamed; ferine; not domesticated; -- said of beasts, birds, and
plants. <-- also feral child, not raised by humans -->
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\'94l.) A large, venomous serpent (Trigonocephalus lanceolatus<--
now Bothrops atrox-->) of Brazil and the West Indies. It is allied to
the rattlesnake, but has no rattle. <-- also in Central America. -->
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&emac;ra, from f&emac;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. 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\'91 (. (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\'82rial.
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\'c6, or Ar. Firanj\'c6, 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 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, Ferme
Ferm, 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: &hand; Fe rments ar e of tw o 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. <-- by 1960 the
term "ferment" to mean "enzyme" fell out of use. Enzymes are now
known to be globular proteins, capable of catalyzing a wide variety
of chemical reactions, not merely hydrolytic. The full set of
enzymes causing production of ethyl alcohol from sugar has been
identified and individually purified and studied. See enzyme -->
2. Intestine motion; heat; tumult; agitation.
Subdue and cool the ferment of desire. Rogers.
the nation is in a ferment. Walpole.
<-- in a ferment in a state of agitation, applied to human groups. -->
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.]
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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. <-- in industrial microbiology
-- = the production of chemical substances by use of microorganisms
-->
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\'91 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 ur ine is ex posed to th e 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\'c9a 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: &hand; Th e 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\'94l.) (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\'82roce. 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. 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\'82. 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\'91ol.) 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, Ferrer
Fer"re (?), 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) 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.
Ferricyanat
Fer`ri*cy"a*nat (?), 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\'8are.] 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 [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\'84rja, Dan. f\'91rge, G. f\'84hre. 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. 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.
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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\'82.] 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\'82rulac\'82.] 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\'82rule. 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\'d2tida); 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. 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 (?), n. [OE. festu, OF. festu, F. f\'82tu, 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 (?), 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, Fesse
Fess, 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, Feste
Fest, 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 fstered 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 discharge 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\'82.]
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\'91t 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.
F\'88te
F\'88te (?), n. [F. See Feast.] A festival. F\'88te champ\'88tre (
[F.], a festival or entertainment in the open air; a rural festival.
F\'88te
F\'88te (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. F\'88ted; p. pr. & vb. n. F\'88ting.]
[Cf. F. f\'88ter.] To feast; to honor with a festival.
Fetich, Fetish
Fe"tich, Fe"tish (?), n.[F. f\'82tiche, from Pg. feiti, 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, Fetishism
fe"tich*ism, Fe"tish*ism (? OR ?); 277), n.[Cf. F. f\'82tichisme.]
[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, Fetishist
Fe"tich*ist, Fe"tish*ist, n.A believer in fetiches.
He was by nature a fetichist. H. Holbeach.
Fetichistic, Fetishistic
Fe`tich*is"tic (?), 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\'d2ticide.] [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\'82tide.] 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.
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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, n., Fetishism
Fe"tish (?), n., Fe"tish*ism (, n., 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, pl., OD. veter,
OHG. fezzera, Icel. fj\'94turr, L. pedi, Gr. 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 (n. Fettering.] 1. To put fetters
upon; to shakle or confine the feet of with a chain; to bind.
My heels are fettered, but my fist is free. Milton.
2. To reastrain from motion; to impose restrains 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\'94l.) Seeming as if fettered, as the feet pf
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\'d2tus.]
Fetwah
Fet"wah (?), n. [Ar.] A written decision of a Turkish mufti on some
point of law.<-- written also fatwah --> 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, fr. f\'beh hostile; akin to OHG. f, 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\'82odal, 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\'82odalisme.] 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\'82odalit\'82.] The state or quality of
being feudal; feudal form or constitution. Burke.
Fedaliza/tion
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. <-- no pos in original = n. -->
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\'81tterer 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\'8avre. 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: &hand; Re mitting fe vers su bside or ab ate at in tervals;
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\'82vreux.]
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 (?), a. [Compar. Fewer (?); superl. Fewest.] [OE. fewe, feawe, AS.
fe\'a0, pl. fe\'a0we; akin to OS. f\'beh, OHG. f\'b5, Icel. f\'ber,
Sw. f\'86, pl., Dan. faa, pl., Goth. faus, L. paucus, cf. Gr.
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: &hand; 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, 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\'82
Fi`an`c\'82" (?), n. [F.] A betrothed man.
Fianc\'82e
Fi`an`c\'82e" (?), 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, Fibre
Fi"ber, 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, Fibred
Fi"bered, Fi"bred (?), a. Having fibers; made up of fibers.
Fiber-faced, Fibre-faced
Fi"ber-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, Fibreless
Fi"ber*less, 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\'92 (#). [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.
_________________________________________________________________
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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. (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. (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.
Fibrospongi\'91
Fi`bro*spon"gi*\'91 (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. fibra a fiber + spongia a
sponge.] (Zo\'94l.) 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\'92 (#). [L., clasp, buckle.]
1. A brooch, clasp, or buckle.
Mere fibul\'91, 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\'82
Fi*ch\'82 (?), a. (Her.) See Fitch\'90.
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\'becen deceit, OS. f, 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. -- 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: &hand; Fi cus In dica is th e 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: &hand; Th ere ar e ha nd fi ds an d st anding 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; akin to D. vedel, OHG.
fidula, G. fiedel, Icel. fi, 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\'94l.), 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\'94l.),
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.]
1. One who plays on a fiddle or violin.
2. (Zo\'94l.) 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\'94l.) The common European sandpiper (Tringoides hypoleucus);
-- so called because it continually oscillates its body.
Fiddler crab. (Zo\'94l.) 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\'8ale, 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\'82jussion.] (Civil
Law) The act or state of being bound as surety for another;
suretyship.
Fidejussor
Fi`de*jus"sor (?), n. [L.: cf. F. fid\'82jusseur.] (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\'82lit\'82. 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\'94l.) 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.
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Page 557
Field
Field (?), n. [OE. feld, fild, AS. feld; akin to D. veld, G. feld, Sw.
f\'84lt, 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: &hand; Fi eld is of ten us ed ad jectively in th e 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\'94l.), 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\'94l.), 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\'94l.) (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\'94l.), 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\'94l.), the black-bellied plover
(Charadrius squatarola); also sometimes applied to the Bartramian
sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda). -- Field spaniel (Zo\'94l.), a small
spaniel used in hunting small game. -- Field sparrow. (Zo\'94l.) (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\'94l.),
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\'94l.) 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\'a2nd;
akin to OS. f\'c6ond, D. vijand enemy, OHG. f\'c6ant, G. feind, Icel.
fj\'bend, Sw. & Dan. fiende, Goth. fijands; orig. p.pr. of a verb
meaning to hate, AS. fe\'a2n, fe\'a2gan, OHG. f\'c6, Goth. fijan, Skr.
p\'c6y to scorn; prob. akin to E. feud a quarrel. \'fb81. 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\'a2ndlic.] Fiendlike; monstrous; devilish. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Fierasfer
Fi`e*ras"fer (?), n. [NL.] (Zo\'94l.) 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 kniw 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\'c6fa, 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\'c6ft, f\'c6ft. 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\'c6fte. 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\'c6fta. 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.<-- a fifth of whiskey = a fifth of a gallon -->
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\'c6ftigo. 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\'c6ftig; akin to OHG. finfzug, fimfzug, G.
f\'81nfzig, 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: &hand; Th e 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\'94l.), 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 [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 adroi
Figary
Fig"a*ry (?), n. [Corrupted fr. vagary.] A frolic; a vagary; a whim.
[Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
Figeater
Fig"eat`er (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) (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 (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fought (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fighting.]
[OE. fihten, fehten, AS. feohtan; akin to D. vechten, OHG. fehtan, G.
fechten, Sw. f\'84kta, Dan. fegte, and perh. to E. fist; cf. L.
pugnare to fight, pugnus fist.]
1. To strive or contened 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.
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Page 558
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\'94l.), the fiddler crab. -- Fighting
fish (Zo\'94l.), 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\'94l.) The European garden warbler (Sylvia, OR
Currica, hortensis); -- called also beccafico and greater pettychaps.
Fig-shell
Fig"-shell` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A marine univalve shell of the genus
Pyrula, or Ficula, resembling a fig in form.
Figulate, Figulated
Fig"u*late (?), 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\'82.] 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. Ambounding 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 counterpointdescant. 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: &hand; Fi gures ar e 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: -- <--
the "figures" illustrated here have a bar through each number and
cannot be represented as simple fractions, thus the special
"musfig" field notation. The following numbers are contained in a
single line of large (ca. 14 pt.) bold type --> 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) 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: &hand; In En gland fi lberts ar e us ually la rge hazelnuts,
especially the nuts from selected and cultivated trees. The
American hazelnuts are of two other species.
Filbert gall (Zo\'94l.), a gall resembling a filbert in form, growing
in clusters on grapevines. It is produced by the larva of a gallfly
(Cecidomyia).
Filch
Filch (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Filched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Filching.]
[Cf. AS. feol 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 (?), n. One who filches; a thief.
Filchingly
Filch"ing*ly, adv. By pilfering or petty stealing.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 559
File
File (?), 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: &hand; Th e 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. <-- (e)
(computer) a collection of data on a recording medium treated as a
unit for the purpose of recording or reading, accesible by use of a
file name. -->
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\'a2l; akin to D. viji, OHG. f\'c6la, f\'c6hala,
G. feile, Sw. fil, Dan. fiil, cf. Icel. , 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: &hand; 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 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, fr. fFoul, and cf.
Defile, v.t.] To make f [Obs.]
All his hairy breast with blood was filed.Spenser.
For Banquo's issue have I filed mind.Shak.
Filefish
File"fish` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) 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
ather; 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\'8bde.] (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\'91 of the tongue; a filiform style or peduncle. See Illust.
of Antenn\'92.
Filigrain, Filigrane
Fil"i*grain, 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 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\'81llen, 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 filer, 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: &hand; 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\'89ntrant 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) Having the structure of a
filoplume.
Filoplume
Fil"o*plume (?), n. [L. filum a thread pluma a soft feather.]
(Zo\'94l.) A hairlike feather; a father with a slender scape and
without a web in most or all of its length.
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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\'ebe, AS. f, fr. f\'d4l foul; akin to
OHG. f\'d4lida. 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, n., OR Fimble hemp
Fin"ble, n., OR Fim"ble hemp` (?).[Corrupted from female hemp.] Light
summer hemp, that bears no seed.
Fimbria
Fim"bri*a (?), n.; pl. Fimbri\'91 (#). [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\'94l.) fringed, on one side only, by long, straight hairs, as
the antenn\'91 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\'94l.) 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: &hand; Fi shes 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.) 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\'94l.), a finback. --
Paired fins (Zo\'94l.), the pectoral and ventral fins, corresponding
to the fore and hind legs of the higher animals. -- Unpaired, OR
Median, fins (Zo\'94l.), 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.
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 (?), 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\'94l.) Any whale of the genera Sibbaldius,
Bal\'91noptera, and allied genera, of the family Bal\'91nopterid\'91,
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\'94l.) A
small singing bird of many genera and species, belonging to the family
Fringillid\'91.
NOTE: &hand; Th e wo rd is of ten us ed in co mposition, 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\'94l.), 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; and perh. to L. petere to seek,
Gr. 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 \'9c14 and all found. London Times.
Nothing a day and find yourself. Dickens.
<-- obsolete?? -->
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\'91ologists, 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 Prover
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: &hand; Fi ne is of ten co mpounded wi th pa rticiples an d
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. 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.
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Page 561
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: &hand; Th e fi neness of Un ited 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;
at