12.31.2006

Quarrel, n.

An arrow with a square head.

12.30.2006

Pole-ax, n.

An ax fixed to a pole or handle; or rather a sort of hatchet with a handle about fifteen inches in length, and a point or claw bending downward from the back of its head. It is principally used in actions at sea, to cut away the rigging of the enemy attempting to board; sometimes it is thrust into the side of a ship to assist in mounting the enemy's ship, and it is sometimes called a boarding-ax.

12.29.2006

Ranger, n.

A dog that beats the ground.

12.28.2006

Hunch, v.t.

To push with the elbow; to push or thrust with a sudden jerk.

12.27.2006

Move, v.i.

To change place or posture; to stir; to pass or go in any manner or direction from one place or part of space to another. The planets move in their orbits; the earth moves on its axis; a ship moves at a certain rate an hour. We move by walking, running or turning; animals move by creeping, swimming or flying.

12.25.2006

Jack, n.

The name of an instrument that supplies the place of a boy; an instrument to pull off boots.

Eyelid, n.

The cover of the eye; that portion of movable skin with which an animal covers the eyeball, or uncovers it, at pleasure.

12.24.2006

Cardialgy, n.

The heart-burn, a violent sensation of heat and acrimony in the upper or left orifice of the stomach, seemingly at the heart, but rising into the oesophagus. It is called also the cardiac passion.

12.23.2006

Muscle, n.

In anatomy, the muscles are the organs of motion, consisting of fibers or bundles of fibers inclosed in a thin cellular membrane. The muscles are susceptible of contraction and relaxation, and in a healthy state the proper muscles are subject to the will, and are called voluntary muscles. But other parts of the body, as the heart, the urinary bladder, the stomach, &c. are of a muscular texture, and susceptible of contraction and dilatation, but are not subject to the will, and are therefore called involuntary muscles. The red color of the muscles is owing to the blood vessels which they contain. The ends of the muscles are fastened to the bones which they move, and when they act in opposition to each other, they are called antagonists.

12.22.2006

Rainbat, a.

Beaten or injured by the rain.

12.21.2006

Pain, n.

An uneasy sensation in animal bodies, of any degree from slight uneasiness to extreme distress or torture, proceeding from pressure, tension or spasm, separation of parts by violence, or any derangement of functions.

12.20.2006

Junk, n.

Pieces of old cable or old cordage, used for making points, gaskets, mats, &c., and when untwisted and picked to pieces, it forms oakum for filling the seam of ships.

12.19.2006

Crinkle, v.i.

To turn or wind; to bend; to wrinkle; to run in and out in little or short bends or turns; as, the lightning crinkles.

12.18.2006

Gallop, n.

The movement or pace of a quadruped, particularly of a horse, by springs, reaches or leaps. The animal lifts his fore feet nearly at the same time, and as these descend and are just ready to touch the ground, the hind feet are lifted at once. The gallop is the swiftest pace of a horse, but it is also a moderate pace, at the pleasure of a rider.

12.17.2006

Valve, n.

A lid or cover so formed as to open a communication in one direction, and close it in the other.

12.16.2006

List, n.

A line inclosing or forming the extremity of a piece of ground, or field of combat; hence, the ground or field inclosed for a race or combat. Hence, to enter the lists, is to accept a challenge or engage in contest.

12.15.2006

Word, v.i.

To dispute. [Little used.]

12.14.2006

Absurd, a.

Opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with reason or the plain dictates of common sense. An absurd man acts contrary to the clear dictates of reason or sound judgment. An absurd proposition contradicts obvious truth. An absurd practice or opinion is repugnant to the reason or common apprehension of men. It is absurd to say six and six make ten, or that plants will take root in stone.

12.12.2006

Head, n.

The uppermost part of the human body, or the foremost part of the body of prone and creeping animals. This part of the human body contains the organs of hearing, seeing, tasting and smelling; it contains also the brain, which is supposed to be the seat of the intellectual powers, and of sensation. Hence the head is the chief or more important part, and is used for the whole person, in the phrase, let the evil fall on my head.

12.10.2006

Hurraw, exclam.

A shout of joy or exultation.

[This is the genuine English word, for which we find in books most absurdly written, huzza, a foreign word never or rarely used.]

12.09.2006

Language, n.

The inarticulate sounds by which irrational animals express their feelings and wants. Each species of animals has peculiar sounds, which are uttered instinctively, and are understood by its own species, and its own species only.

Sea-Dragon, n.

A marine monster caught in England in 1749, resembling in some degree an alligator, but having two large fins which served for swimming or flying. It had two legs terminating in hoofs, like those of an ass. Its body was covered with impenetrable scales, and it had five rows of teeth.

12.07.2006

Walloping, ppr.

Boiling with a heaving and noise.

12.06.2006

Vapor, n.

Substances resembling smoke, which sometimes fill the atmosphere, particularly in America during the autumn.

12.05.2006

Verb, n.

In grammar, a part of speech that expresses action, motion, being, suffering, or a request or command to do or forbear any thing. The verb affirms, declares, asks or commands; as, I write; he runs; the river flows; they sleep; we see; they are deceived; depart; go; come; write; does he improve?

12.04.2006

Dawn, v.i.

To glimmer obscurely.

12.03.2006

Animal, n.

An organized body, endowed with life and the power of voluntary motion; a living, sensitive, locomotive body; as, man is an intelligent animal. Animals are essentially distinguished from plants by the property of sensation. The contractile property of some plants, as the mimosa, has the appearance of the effect of sensation, but it may be merely the effect of irritability.

The distinction here made between animals and vegetables, may not be philosophically accurate; for we cannot perhaps ascertain the precise limit between the two kinds of beings, but this is sufficiently correct for common practical purposes.

Mummer, n.

One who masks himself and makes diversion in disguise; originally, one who made sport by gestures without speaking.