4.29.2007

Goat-Milker, n.

A kind of owl, so called from sucking goats.

4.28.2007

Dabble, v.i.

To dip the hands, throw water and splash about; to play in mud and water.

4.27.2007

Go, vi.

In a general sense, to move; to pass; to proceed from one place, state or station to another; opposed to resting. A mill goes by water or by steam; a ship goes at the rate of five knots an hour; a clock goes fast or slow; a horse goes lame; a fowl or a ball goes with velocity through the air.

4.26.2007

Cynic spasm, n.

A kind of convulsion, in which the patient imitates the howling of dogs.

4.25.2007

Dance, n.

In a general sense, a leaping and frisking about. Appropriately, a leaping or stepping with motions of the body adjusted to the measure of a tune, particularly by two more in concert. A lively brisk exercise or amusement, in which the movements of the person are regulated by art, in figure, and by the sound of instruments, in measure.

4.24.2007

Fire-ball, n.

A meteor; a luminous globe darting through the atmosphere; also, a bag of canvas filled with gunpowder, sulpher, pitch, saltpeter, &c, to be thrown by the hand, or from mortars, to set fire to houses.

4.23.2007

Emergency, n.

The act of rising out of a fluid or other covering or surrounding matter.

4.21.2007

Absence, n.

Absence of mind is the attention of the mind to a subject which does not occupy the rest of the company, and which draws the mind from things or objects which are present, to others distant or foreign.

4.19.2007

Barricade, n.

A strong wooden rail, supported by stanchions, extending across the foremost part of the quarter deck, in ships of war, and filled with rope, mats, pieces of old cable, and full hammocks, to prevent the effect of small shot in time of action.

4.18.2007

Tell-Tale, n.

A movable piece of ivory or lead on a chamber organ, that gives notice when the wind is exhausted.

4.17.2007

Chafe, v.t.

To excite violent action; to cause to rage; as, the wind chafes the ocean.

4.16.2007

Barnacle, n.

A species of goose, found in the northern seas, but visiting more southern climates in winter. The forehead and cheeks are white, but the upper part of the body and neck is black. Formerly, a strange notion prevailed, that these birds grew out of wood, or rather out of the barnacles attached to wood in the sea.

4.15.2007

Georama, n.

An instrument or machine which exhibits a very complete view of the earth, lately invented in Paris. It is a hollow sphere of forty feet diameter, formed by thirty six bars of iron representing the parallels and meridians, and covered with a bluish cloth, intended to represent seas and lakes. The land, mountains and rivers are painted on paper and pasted on this cover.

4.14.2007

Tatterdemalion, n.

A ragged fellow.

4.12.2007

Ray, n.

A line of light, or the right line supposed to be described by a particle of light. A collection of parallel rays constitutes a beam; a collection of diverging or converging rays, a pencil.

4.11.2007

Nest, n.

Any place where irrational animals are produced.

4.09.2007

Panorama, n.

Complete or entire view; a circular painting having apparently no beginning or end, from the center of which the spectator may have a complete view of the objects presented.

4.08.2007

Absorption, n.

The act or process of imbibing or swallowing; either by water which overwhelms, or by substances, which drink in and retain liquids; as the absorption of a body in a whirlpool, or of water by the earth, or of the humors of the body by dry powders. It is used also to express the swallowing up of substances by the earth in chasms made by earthquakes, and the sinking of large tracts in violent commotions of the earth.

4.07.2007

Plump, n.

A knot; a cluster; a clump; a number of things closely united or standing together; as a plump of trees; a plump of fowls; a plump of horsemen.

4.06.2007

Tattoo, n.

A beat of drum at night, giving notice to soldiers to retreat, or to repair to their quarters in garrison, or to their tents in camp.

4.04.2007

Mop, v.i.

To make a wry mouth.

4.03.2007

Body, n.

The frame of an animal; the material substance of an animal, in distinction from the living principle of beasts, and the soul of man.

4.02.2007

Gargle, v.t.

To wash the throat and mouth with a liquid preparation, which is kept from descending into the stomach by a gentle expiration of air.

4.01.2007

Name, n.

That by which a thing is called; the sound or combination of sounds used to express an idea, or any material substance, quality, or act; an appellation attached to a thing by customary use, by which it may be vocally distinguished from other things.