Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 14845 results in 14845 entries
1. aal, n. View full entry 1799
...The noni or Indian mulberry, Morinda citrifolia. Also: the reddish dye obtained from this plant, used (esp. formerly) in India to colour cotton fabrics. Cf. Morinda...
2. aandblom, n. View full entry 1793
...Any of several evening-scented wild flowers of the family Iridaceae; esp. Hesperantha falcata, which has fragrant white flowers that open in the late afternoon....
3. aardvark, n. View full entry 1785
...A medium-sized, nocturnal African mammal, Orycteropus afer, which has sparse hair, long ears, an elongated snout, strong burrowing limbs, and a thick tail, feeding solely on ants and termites. Also...
4. Aaron's serpent, n. View full entry 1732
...= Aaron's rod1....
5. aba, n.1 View full entry 1792
...A loose-fitting overgarment of various forms, traditionally worn by esp. Arab men and women. Cf. abaya...
6. abaca, n. View full entry 1751
...A kind of banana plant, Musa textilis, native to the Philippines, the petioles of which yield a strong fibre. Also: the fibre itself, used for making paper, ropes, matting, etc.;...
7. abaciscus, n. View full entry 1753
...A square section containing part or all of the pattern of a mosaic pavement; (also) a single mosaic tile, a tessera. Now rare....
8. † abandum, n. View full entry 1729
...Anything which is sequestered, proscribed, or abandoned....
9. † abannation, n. View full entry 1721
...= abannition...
10. † abarcy, n. View full entry 1730
...Insatiableness....
11. † abarticulation, n. View full entry 1721
...= diarthrosis...
12. abatis, n. View full entry 1758
...Mil. A defensive barricade or entanglement constructed using sharpened stakes or felled trees positioned with their branches pointing towards the enemy to delay or repel attackers....
13. † abatude, n. View full entry 1729
...Something which is or has been diminished....
14. abbate, n. View full entry 1751
...In Italy and Italian contexts: an abbot. Also: a priest or clergyman in minor orders; esp. one without an assigned ecclesiastical duty, formerly often acting as a professor, private tutor,...
15. Abbevillian, adj. and n. View full entry 1783
...Of or relating to Abbeville or its inhabitants. Now rare....
16. abbey laird, n. View full entry 1700
...An insolvent debtor taking sanctuary in the precincts of Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh. Cf. abbey3....
17. Abdominales, n. View full entry 1771
...A (former) division of bony fishes comprising those with pelvic fins located on the belly, between the pectoral and anal fins; fishes of this division. Cf. abdominal3abdominal1....
18. abelmosk, n. View full entry 1719
...Any of several plants of the tropical genus Abelmoschus, esp. A. moschatus, with aromatic seeds which yield a musky oil, formerly used medicinally and as a substitute for...
19. aberdevine, n. View full entry 1728
...The siskin, Carduelis spinus, esp. as a cage bird....
20. † abesse, n. View full entry 1725
...A thinly-rolled piece of pastry....
