Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 81 results in 81 entries
1. Aaron's rod, n. View full entry 1631
...In similative and allusive use: a powerful force which devours or overwhelms everything around it....
2. alexander, v.1 View full entry 1666
...trans. Used allusively with reference to the harsh sentences customarily imposed by Judge Alexander: to hang (a person)....
3. Alsatia, n. View full entry 1676
...orig. cant. The precinct of Whitefriars in London, where debtors and criminals were immune from arrest. Now hist....
4. Benjamite, n. View full entry 1611
...A descendant of Benjamin. Also as , used allusively (see Benjamin)....
5. ˈbroadway, n. View full entry a1613
...(Now usually as two words.)...
6. bust, n.2 View full entry a1660
...The part of a sculpture representing the torso, esp. that of a larger ancient Greek or Roman statue. Obs. (but cf. sense 2a)....
7. Cassandra, n. View full entry 1670
...The name of a daughter of Priam, sought in love by Apollo, who gave her the gift of prophecy; when she deceived him he ordained that no one should believe her prophecies,...
8. champagne, n. View full entry 1664
...The name of a province of eastern France; hence, a well-known wine of different varieties, white and red, and still or sparkling, made in this district....
9. Decameron, n. View full entry 1616
...The title of a work by Boccaccio containing a hundred tales which are supposed to be related in ten days; used allusively by Ben Jonson....
10. Drawcansir, n. View full entry 1672
...Used allusively and attrib. to designate a blustering, bragging person....
11. drawing-room, n.1 View full entry 1642
...orig. A room to withdraw to, a private chamber attached to a more public room (see withdrawing-room); now, a room reserved for the reception of company, and to which...
12. Dunkirk, n. View full entry 1602
...ˈdʌnkɜːk Name of a town on the coast of French Flanders; hence, a privateer vessel of that town. Also transf. and fig....
13. ˈEdomitish, adj. View full entry 1641
...Pertaining to Edom; characteristic of the Edomites. In 17th c. sometimes used allusively with reference to Ps. cxxxvii. 7....
14. ˈelbow-grease, n. View full entry 1672
...Vigorous rubbing, proverbially referred to as the best unguent for polishing furniture. Hence allusively, energetic labour of any kind....
15. elephantine, adj. View full entry 1631
...Of or pertaining to an elephant, or elephants. elephantine epoch (Geol.): the period marked by the abundance of large pachydermata....
16. Esau, n. View full entry 1662
...Used allusively for: a person who prefers present advantage to permanent rights or interests....
17. Eureka, int. (and n.) View full entry 1603
...The exclamation (‘I have found it’) uttered by Archimedes when he discovered the means of determining (by specific gravity) the proportion of base metal in Hiero's golden crown. (See Vitruvius Arch....
18. fiat lux, n. View full entry a1680
...Used allusively with reference to Gen. i. 3....
19. forky, adj. View full entry 1693
...Shaped like a fork, forked....
20. furca, n. View full entry 1653
...Roman Hist. (and allusively). A gallows....