Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 1239 results in 1239 entries
1. abandonment, n. View full entry 1593
...The surrender or devotion of oneself to an influence, passion, emotion, etc.; self-abandonment; an instance of this....
2. abdication, n. View full entry 1552
...The action or practice of formally disowning or casting off a person, esp. one's child. Chiefly hist., with reference to ancient Greek and Roman law....
3. † abordage, n. View full entry c1550
...An attack on a ship, in which it is boarded....
4. abort, v. View full entry 1540
...intr. Of a pregnant woman or animal: to expel an embryo or fetus from the uterus, esp. before it is viable; to suffer a spontaneous abortion or miscarriage. Cf. miscarry...
5. Academite, n. View full entry 1572
...Perh.: = academic1. Obs.rare....
6. acceptance, n. View full entry 1528-30
...Law. An agreement to abide by the act or contract of another, such as a predecessor in an office, by some act which amounts to a recognition or approval of it,...
7. accommodation, n. View full entry 1566
...Adaptation; the process of being adapted....
8. a-cock-bill, adv. View full entry 1578
...Of an anchor: with the bills pointing upwards, as when it hangs from the cathead ready for dropping. Also of the yards of a vessel: at an angle with the deck....
9. acting, n. View full entry 1590
...The performance of a play, scene, or similar dramatic piece; the art or occupation of performing parts in plays, films, etc. In extended use: the action of feigning a particular emotion, feeling,...
10. admiral ship, n.1 View full entry 1539
...A ship commanded by or carrying an admiral; = flagship1; (also) the leading or principal ship of any fleet. Cf. admiral3....
11. admiralship, n.2 View full entry 1561
...Performance of the role or functions of an admiral; (also) the qualities or abilities characteristic of an admiral; skill at commanding....
12. adrift, adv. and adj. View full entry 1578
...In or into a drifting condition; so as to drift without being moored, steered, propelled, etc....
13. adviser, n. View full entry c1536
...Usu. with of. A person who advises a particular course of action, measure, etc.; an advocate, a proponent. Now rare....
14. adviso, n. View full entry 1589
...A piece of advice or counsel; a recommendation; a suggestion, a hint; (in pl.) promptings, urgings. rare in later use....
15. 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....
16. affectation, n. View full entry 1542
...An ostentatious fondness for something; a studied display. With of. Now somewhat rare....
17. ahead, adv., prep., and adj. View full entry 1530
...With run, in figurative contexts: headlong; unrestrainedly, rashly, hastily. Cf. on head (head1g(c)(i)). Obs....
18. ahold, adv. View full entry 1578
...Naut. At or to a position close to the wind, so as to avoid sailing or drifting leeward. Obs....
19. ahull, adv. View full entry 1578
...Of a ship: so as to float or drift solely with the force of the wind or current on the hull, i.e. with the sails furled or the engines turned...
20. † aland, v. View full entry 1578
...intr. To come ashore, to land....
