Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 843 results in 843 entries
1. able whackets, n. View full entry 1785
...Blows given on the palm of the hand with a twisted handkerchief. Hence: a sailors' card game in which the loser of the game (or of a point) receives such blows....
2. Achilles, n. View full entry 1703
...the large strong tendon by which the muscles of the back of the lower leg are attached to the heel....
3. advantage point, n. View full entry 1799
...A superior or higher position; (in later use chiefly) spec. a place affording a good view or prospect; = vantage-pointvantage7....
4. air-bell, n. View full entry 1782
...A vessel for containing air; spec.a diving bell;an open-bottomed bell-shaped glass vessel used with its open end downwards to contain a gas or to protect samples; a bell jar....
5. alley, n.2 View full entry 1720
...A toy marble (marble11a), orig. one of high quality made from marble or alabaster, later also one made from glass or other material. Also (occas.) attrib. in...
6. all fives, n. View full entry 1793
...humorous. on all fives: on hands, knees (or feet), and another part of the body (later esp. the buttocks). Cf. on (also upon) all foursall fours1...
7. amateur, n. View full entry 1784
...One who loves or is fond of; one who has a taste for anything....
8. amblingly, adv. View full entry ?a1755
...‘With an ambling movement’ (Johnson)....
9. angleworm, n. View full entry 1788
...An earthworm of a kind used for bait by anglers....
10. arcade, n. View full entry 1731
...A vaulted place, open at one or both sides; an arched opening or recess in a wall. Obs....
11. archership, n. View full entry 1791
...Skill as an archer....
12. arcubalist, n. View full entry 1774
...= arbalest...
13. asiarch, n. View full entry 1753
...The director of religious rites and public games in Asia Minor under the Romans. (Cf. Acts xix. 31.)...
14. ˈasking, adj. View full entry 1734
...That asks; inquiring, begging, suppliant....
15. a-straddle, adv. View full entry 1703
...In a straddling position, with the legs stretched out widely across something. a-straddle of: bestriding....
16. athˈletically, adv. View full entry 1750
...In athletic manner; in the direction of athletics....
17. athˈletics, n. View full entry 1738
...The practice of physical exercises by which muscular strength is called into play and increased....
18. back country, n. View full entry 1746
...The country lying towards or in the rear of a settled district....
19. backgame, n. View full entry 1718
...backgammon; a ‘game’ at backgammon....
20. backˈgammon, v. View full entry 1793
...To defeat at backgammon, or by winning a backgammon....
