Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 649 results in 649 entries
1. address, v. View full entry a1325
...trans. (chiefly in pass.). To direct (a written communication) to a specific person or destination; spec. (in early use) to write and send (a writ, a petition,...
2. aerial, adj. View full entry ?1545
...Dwelling, flying, or moving in the air, above the earth; occurring or taking place in the air; (spec. of birds or bats) spending much of the time airborne....
3. against, prep., conj., adv., and n. View full entry eOE
...In reception of, in welcome of. Obs....
4. agate, n. View full entry ?1483
...= jet1a. Obs.rare....
5. age, n. View full entry c1275
...A naturally distinct section of a person's or animal's existence; a particular period or stage of life. Often with defining word or phrase specifying the stage....
6. aim, n. View full entry c1400
...An object aimed at; a mark, a target....
7. air, n.1 View full entry ?c1225
...An atmosphere contaminated by noxious fumes, vapours, etc.; such contaminating fumes themselves; miasma. Now only (with qualifying adjective) merged in sense 2a....
8. alarm, int., n., and adv. View full entry c1400
...Used as a call to arms or warning of imminent danger, esp. of being attacked. Now literary (chiefly arch. and hist.)....
9. all, adj., pron., and n., adv., and conj. View full entry eOE
...With singular noun. The whole amount, quantity, extent, or compass of; the whole of....
10. Amazon, n. View full entry a1398
...pl. A race of female warriors alleged by Herodotus, etc. to exist in Scythia....
11. ambs-ace, n. View full entry 1297
...lit. Both aces, double ace, the lowest possible throw at dice; hence, fig. bad luck, misfortune; worthlessness, nought, next to nothing....
12. anchor, n.1 View full entry c880
...An appliance for holding a ship, etc., fixed in a particular place, by mooring it to the bottom of the sea or river; now consisting of ‘a heavy iron, composed of a...
13. and, conj.1, adv., and n.1 View full entry eOE
...Simply connective....
14. angel, n. View full entry c950
...A ministering spirit or divine messenger; one of an order of spiritual beings superior to man in power and intelligence, who, according to the Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and other theologies, are the...
15. angle, v.1 View full entry a1398
...Freq. with adverb or prepositional phrase indicating direction....
16. ankle, v. View full entry 1896
...intr. To use the ankles to good effect in cycling (see quot. 1961)....
17. answer, v. View full entry c950
...intr. To speak in reply or opposition to a charge or accusation, to make a rebutting statement, defend oneself....
18. Araby, adj. and n. View full entry c1175
...Arabian, Arabic. arch. and poet....
19. arm, v.1 View full entry 1250
...lit. To furnish with arms defensive or offensive. In early use: (chiefly) to cover (a man or horse) with armour or mail. Later: to provide (a man, garrison, stronghold, ship, etc.)...
20. arrow, n. View full entry a835
...A slender pointed missile shot from a bow, usually feathered and barbed. Sometimes also applied to the bolts, or quarrels, with thickened heads, discharged from the cross-bow....
