| slovo | definícia |
american
(mass) | American
- Americký |
American
(gcide) | American \A*mer"i*can\ ([.a]*m[~e]r"[i^]*kan), a. [Named from
Americus Vespucius.]
1. Of or pertaining to America; as, the American continent:
American Indians.
[1913 Webster]
2. Of or pertaining to the United States. "A young officer of
the American navy." --Lyell.
[1913 Webster]
American ivy. See Virginia creeper.
American Party (U. S. Politics), a party, about 1854, which
opposed the influence of foreign-born citizens, and those
supposed to owe allegiance to a foreign power.
Native american Party (U. S. Politics), a party of
principles similar to those of the American party. It
arose about 1843, but soon died out.
[1913 Webster] |
American
(gcide) | American \A*mer"i*can\ ([.a]*m[~e]r"[i^]*kan), n.
A native of America; -- originally applied to the aboriginal
inhabitants, but now applied to the descendants of Europeans
born in America, and especially to the citizens of the United
States.
[1913 Webster]
The name American must always exalt the pride of
patriotism. --Washington.
[1913 Webster] |
| | podobné slovo | definícia |
afroamerican
(mass) | Afro-American
- afroamerický |
american
(mass) | American
- Americký |
american samoa
(mass) | American Samoa
- Americká Samoa |
americanism
(mass) | Americanism
- amerikanizmus |
angloamerican
(mass) | Anglo-American
- angloamerický |
antiamerican
(mass) | anti-American
- protiamerický |
latinamerican
(mass) | Latin-American
- latinskoamerický |
afro-american
(encz) | Afro-American,afroamerický adj: Zdeněk BrožAfro-American,Afroameričan n: Zdeněk Brož |
all-american
(encz) | all-American,celoamerický Pavel Cvrček |
anglo-american
(encz) | Anglo-American,angloamerický adj: Zdeněk Brož |
anti-american
(encz) | anti-American,protiamerický |
german-american
(encz) | German-American, adj: |
inter-american development bank
(encz) | Inter-American Development Bank, |
latin-american
(encz) | Latin-American, |
pan-american
(encz) | Pan-American,panamerický adj: týkající se celé Ameriky Petr Prášek |
pro-american
(encz) | pro-American, adj: |
spanish-american
(encz) | Spanish-American, |
un-american
(encz) | un-American,neamerický adj: Milan Svoboda |
African-American
(gcide) | Hyphenated American \Hyphenated American\
An American who is referred to by a hyphenated term with the
first word indicating an origin in a foreign country, and the
second term being "American", as Irish-American,
Italian-American, African-American, Asian-American.
Used in reference to Americans of foreign birth or ancestry.
When used of Americans of European ancestry, it is often used
to refer to those who have a strong attachment to the
ancestral country or its culture. It implies that the
individual is imperfectly assimilated into American culture,
and is sometimes used derogatively.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]Negro \Ne"gro\ (n[=e]"gr[-o]), n.; pl. Negroes
(n[=e]"gr[=o]z). [Sp. or Pg. negro, fr. negro black, L.
niger; perh. akin to E. night.]
A black man; especially, one of a race of black or very dark
persons who inhabit the greater part of tropical Africa, and
are distinguished by crisped or curly hair, flat noses, and
thick protruding lips; also, any black person of unmixed
African blood, wherever found.
[1913 Webster]
2. A person of dark skin color descended at least in part
from African negroes; in the United States, an
African-American. [U.S. usage, sometimes considered
offensive.]
[PJC]African \Af"ri*can\, a. [L. Africus, Africanus, fr. Afer
African.]
Of or pertaining to Africa.
[1913 Webster]
African hemp, a fiber prepared from the leaves of the
Sanseviera Guineensis, a plant found in Africa and
India.
African marigold, a tropical American plant ({Tagetes
erecta}).
African oak or African teak, a timber furnished by
Oldfieldia Africana, used in ship building.
[1913 Webster]
African violet .
African-American, see African-American.
[1913 Webster]African-American \African-American\ adj.
1. of or pertaining to or characteristic of Americans of
African ancestry or their history or culture
Syn: Afro-American
[WordNet 1.5]African-American \African-American\ n.
1. 1 an American whose ancestors were born in Africa,
especially a United States citizen of African descent.
Syn: Afro-American, African, black, negro
[WordNet 1.5] |
Afro-American
(gcide) | Afro-American \Afro-American\ n.
1. an American whose ancestors were born in Africa.
Syn: African-American, African.
[WordNet 1.5]Afro-American \Afro-American\ adj.
1. 1 of or pertaining to or characteristic of Americans of
African ancestry or their history or culture.
Syn: African-American.
[WordNet 1.5] |
Agave Americana
(gcide) | Sisal grass \Si*sal" grass`\, Sisal hemp \Si*sal" hemp`\,
The prepared fiber of the Agave Americana, or American
aloe, used for cordage; -- so called from Sisal, a port in
Yucatan. See Sisal hemp, under Hemp.
[1913 Webster]Pita \Pi"ta\, n. [Sp.] (Bot.)
(a) A fiber obtained from the Agave Americana and other
related species, -- used for making cordage and paper.
Called also pita fiber, and pita thread.
(b) The plant which yields the fiber.
[1913 Webster]Maguey \Mag"uey\, n. [Sp. maguey, Mexican maguei and metl.]
(Bot.)
Any of several species of Agave, such as the {century
plant} (Agave Americana), a plant requiring many years to
come to maturity and blossoming only once before dying; and
the Agave atrovirens, a Mexican plant used especially for
making pulque, the source of the colorless Mexican liquor
mescal; and the cantala (Agave cantala), a Philippine
plant yielding a hard fibre used in making coarse twine. See
Agave.
[1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]
2. A hard fibre used in making coarse twine, derived from the
Philippine Agave cantala (Agave cantala); also called
cantala.
[WordNet 1.5]Agave \A*ga"ve\ ([.a]*g[=a]"v[-e]), prop. n. [L. Agave, prop.
name, fr. Gr. 'agayh`, fem. of 'agayo`s illustrious, noble.]
(Bot.)
A genus of plants (order Amaryllidaceae) of which the chief
species is the maguey or century plant (Agave Americana),
wrongly called Aloe. It takes from ten to seventy years,
according to climate, to attain maturity, when it produces a
gigantic flower stem, sometimes forty feet in height, and
perishes. The juice has purgative and diuretic properties.
The fermented juice is the pulque of the Mexicans;
distilled, it yields mescal. A strong thread and a tough
paper are made from the leaves, and the wood has many uses.
[1913 Webster]Amole \A*mo"le\, n. [Mex.] (Bot.)
Any detergent plant, or the part of it used as a detergent,
as the roots of Agave Americana, {Chlorogalum
pomeridianum}, etc. [Sp. Amer. & Mex.]
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]Century \Cen"tu*ry\, n.; pl. Centuries. [L. centuria (in
senses 1 & 3), fr. centum a hundred: cf. F. centurie. See
Cent.]
1. A hundred; as, a century of sonnets; an aggregate of a
hundred things. [Archaic.]
[1913 Webster]
And on it said a century of prayers. --Shak.
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2. A period of a hundred years; as, this event took place
over two centuries ago.
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Note: Century, in the reckoning of time, although often used
in a general way of any series of hundred consecutive
years (as, a century of temperance work), usually
signifies a division of the Christian era, consisting
of a period of one hundred years ending with the
hundredth year from which it is named; as, the first
century (a. d. 1-100 inclusive); the seventh
century (a.d. 601-700); the eighteenth century
(a.d. 1701-1800). With words or phrases connecting
it with some other system of chronology it is used of
similar division of those eras; as, the first century
of Rome (A.U.C. 1-100).
[1913 Webster]
3. (Rom. Antiq.)
(a) A division of the Roman people formed according to
their property, for the purpose of voting for civil
officers.
(b) One of sixty companies into which a legion of the army
was divided. It was Commanded by a centurion.
[1913 Webster]
Century plant (Bot.), the Agave Americana, formerly
supposed to flower but once in a century; -- hence the
name. See Agave.
The Magdeburg Centuries, an ecclesiastical history of the
first thirteen centuries, arranged in thirteen volumes,
compiled in the 16th century by Protestant scholars at
Magdeburg.
[1913 Webster] |
Alces Americanus
(gcide) | moose \moose\ (m[=oo]s), n. [A native name; Knisteneaux mouswah;
Algonquin monse. Mackenzie.]
1. (Zool.) A large cervine mammal (Alces alces syn. {Alces
machlis}, syn Alces Americanus), native of the Northern
United States and Canada. The adult male is about as large
as a horse, and has very large, palmate antlers. It
closely resembles the European elk, and by many Zoologists
is considered the same species. See Elk.
[1913 Webster]
2. A member of the Progressive Party; a Bull Moose.
[Obsolescent. Cant, from the early 1900's.]
[Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
2. [capitalized] A member of the fraternal organization named
Loyal Order of Moose.
[PJC]
Moose bird (Zool.), the Canada jayor whisky jack. See
Whisky jack.
Moose deer. Same as Moose.
Moose yard (Zool.), a locality where moose, in winter, herd
together in a forest to feed and for mutual protection.
[1913 Webster] |
American
(gcide) | American \A*mer"i*can\ ([.a]*m[~e]r"[i^]*kan), a. [Named from
Americus Vespucius.]
1. Of or pertaining to America; as, the American continent:
American Indians.
[1913 Webster]
2. Of or pertaining to the United States. "A young officer of
the American navy." --Lyell.
[1913 Webster]
American ivy. See Virginia creeper.
American Party (U. S. Politics), a party, about 1854, which
opposed the influence of foreign-born citizens, and those
supposed to owe allegiance to a foreign power.
Native american Party (U. S. Politics), a party of
principles similar to those of the American party. It
arose about 1843, but soon died out.
[1913 Webster]American \A*mer"i*can\ ([.a]*m[~e]r"[i^]*kan), n.
A native of America; -- originally applied to the aboriginal
inhabitants, but now applied to the descendants of Europeans
born in America, and especially to the citizens of the United
States.
[1913 Webster]
The name American must always exalt the pride of
patriotism. --Washington.
[1913 Webster] |
American aloe
(gcide) | aloe \al"oe\ ([a^]l"n[-o]), n.; pl. Aloes ([a^]l"[=o]z). [L.
alo["e], Gr. 'alo`h, aloe: cf. OF. aloe, F. alo[`e]s.]
1. pl. The wood of the agalloch. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.) [capitalized] A genus of succulent plants, some
classed as trees, others as shrubs, but the greater number
having the habit and appearance of evergreen herbaceous
plants; from some of which are prepared articles for
medicine and the arts. They are natives of warm countries.
[1913 Webster]
3. pl. (Med.) The inspissated juice of several species of
aloe, used as a purgative. [Plural in form but
syntactically singular.] AS
[1913 Webster]
American aloe, Century aloe, the agave. See Agave.
[1913 Webster] |
American bluefish
(gcide) | Carangidae \Carangidae\ n.
1. large family of narrow-bodied marine food fishes allied to
the mackerels, with widely forked tails; chiefly of warm
seas; it includes the caranx, American bluefish, and
the pilot fish.
Syn: family Carangidae.
[WordNet 1.5] |
American Braille
(gcide) | Point \Point\, n. [F. point, and probably also pointe, L.
punctum, puncta, fr. pungere, punctum, to prick. See
Pungent, and cf. Puncto, Puncture.]
1. That which pricks or pierces; the sharp end of anything,
esp. the sharp end of a piercing instrument, as a needle
or a pin.
[1913 Webster]
2. An instrument which pricks or pierces, as a sort of needle
used by engravers, etchers, lace workers, and others;
also, a pointed cutting tool, as a stone cutter's point;
-- called also pointer.
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3. Anything which tapers to a sharp, well-defined
termination. Specifically: A small promontory or cape; a
tract of land extending into the water beyond the common
shore line.
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4. The mark made by the end of a sharp, piercing instrument,
as a needle; a prick.
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5. An indefinitely small space; a mere spot indicated or
supposed. Specifically: (Geom.) That which has neither
parts nor magnitude; that which has position, but has
neither length, breadth, nor thickness, -- sometimes
conceived of as the limit of a line; that by the motion of
which a line is conceived to be produced.
[1913 Webster]
6. An indivisible portion of time; a moment; an instant;
hence, the verge.
[1913 Webster]
When time's first point begun
Made he all souls. --Sir J.
Davies.
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7. A mark of punctuation; a character used to mark the
divisions of a composition, or the pauses to be observed
in reading, or to point off groups of figures, etc.; a
stop, as a comma, a semicolon, and esp. a period; hence,
figuratively, an end, or conclusion.
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And there a point, for ended is my tale. --Chaucer.
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Commas and points they set exactly right. --Pope.
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8. Whatever serves to mark progress, rank, or relative
position, or to indicate a transition from one state or
position to another, degree; step; stage; hence, position
or condition attained; as, a point of elevation, or of
depression; the stock fell off five points; he won by
tenpoints. "A point of precedence." --Selden. "Creeping on
from point to point." --Tennyson.
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A lord full fat and in good point. --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
9. That which arrests attention, or indicates qualities or
character; a salient feature; a characteristic; a
peculiarity; hence, a particular; an item; a detail; as,
the good or bad points of a man, a horse, a book, a story,
etc.
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He told him, point for point, in short and plain.
--Chaucer.
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In point of religion and in point of honor. --Bacon.
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Shalt thou dispute
With Him the points of liberty ? --Milton.
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10. Hence, the most prominent or important feature, as of an
argument, discourse, etc.; the essential matter; esp.,
the proposition to be established; as, the point of an
anecdote. "Here lies the point." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
They will hardly prove his point. --Arbuthnot.
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11. A small matter; a trifle; a least consideration; a
punctilio.
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This fellow doth not stand upon points. --Shak.
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[He] cared not for God or man a point. --Spenser.
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12. (Mus.) A dot or mark used to designate certain tones or
time; as:
(a) (Anc. Mus.) A dot or mark distinguishing or
characterizing certain tones or styles; as, points of
perfection, of augmentation, etc.; hence, a note; a
tune. "Sound the trumpet -- not a levant, or a
flourish, but a point of war." --Sir W. Scott.
(b) (Mod. Mus.) A dot placed at the right hand of a note,
to raise its value, or prolong its time, by one half,
as to make a whole note equal to three half notes, a
half note equal to three quarter notes.
[1913 Webster]
13. (Astron.) A fixed conventional place for reference, or
zero of reckoning, in the heavens, usually the
intersection of two or more great circles of the sphere,
and named specifically in each case according to the
position intended; as, the equinoctial points; the
solstitial points; the nodal points; vertical points,
etc. See Equinoctial Nodal.
[1913 Webster]
14. (Her.) One of the several different parts of the
escutcheon. See Escutcheon.
[1913 Webster]
15. (Naut.)
(a) One of the points of the compass (see {Points of the
compass}, below); also, the difference between two
points of the compass; as, to fall off a point.
(b) A short piece of cordage used in reefing sails. See
Reef point, under Reef.
[1913 Webster]
16. (Anc. Costume) A a string or lace used to tie together
certain parts of the dress. --Sir W. Scott.
[1913 Webster]
17. Lace wrought the needle; as, point de Venise; Brussels
point. See Point lace, below.
[1913 Webster]
18. pl. (Railways) A switch. [Eng.]
[1913 Webster]
19. An item of private information; a hint; a tip; a pointer.
[Cant, U. S.]
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20. (Cricket) A fielder who is stationed on the off side,
about twelve or fifteen yards from, and a little in
advance of, the batsman.
[1913 Webster]
21. The attitude assumed by a pointer dog when he finds game;
as, the dog came to a point. See Pointer.
[1913 Webster]
22. (Type Making) A standard unit of measure for the size of
type bodies, being one twelfth of the thickness of pica
type. See Point system of type, under Type.
[1913 Webster]
23. A tyne or snag of an antler.
[1913 Webster]
24. One of the spaces on a backgammon board.
[1913 Webster]
25. (Fencing) A movement executed with the saber or foil; as,
tierce point.
[1913 Webster]
26. (Med.) A pointed piece of quill or bone covered at one
end with vaccine matter; -- called also vaccine point.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
27. One of the raised dots used in certain systems of
printing and writing for the blind. The first practical
system was that devised by Louis Braille in 1829, and
still used in Europe (see Braille). Two modifications
of this are current in the United States:
New York point founded on three bases of equidistant points
arranged in two lines (viz., : :: :::), and a later
improvement,
American Braille, embodying the Braille base (:::) and the
New-York-point principle of using the characters of few
points for the commonest letters.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
28. In technical senses:
(a) In various games, a position of a certain player, or,
by extension, the player himself; as: (1) (Lacrosse &
Ice Hockey) The position of the player of each side
who stands a short distance in front of the goal
keeper; also, the player himself. (2) (Baseball)
(pl.) The position of the pitcher and catcher.
(b) (Hunting) A spot to which a straight run is made;
hence, a straight run from point to point; a
cross-country run. [Colloq. Oxf. E. D.]
(c) (Falconry) The perpendicular rising of a hawk over
the place where its prey has gone into cover.
(d) Act of pointing, as of the foot downward in certain
dance positions.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
Note: The word point is a general term, much used in the
sciences, particularly in mathematics, mechanics,
perspective, and physics, but generally either in the
geometrical sense, or in that of degree, or condition
of change, and with some accompanying descriptive or
qualifying term, under which, in the vocabulary, the
specific uses are explained; as, boiling point, carbon
point, dry point, freezing point, melting point,
vanishing point, etc.
[1913 Webster]
At all points, in every particular, completely; perfectly.
--Shak.
At point, In point, At the point, In the point, or
On the point, as near as can be; on the verge; about (see
About, prep., 6); as, at the point of death; he was on
the point of speaking. "In point to fall down." --Chaucer.
"Caius Sidius Geta, at point to have been taken, recovered
himself so valiantly as brought day on his side."
--Milton.
Dead point. (Mach.) Same as Dead center, under Dead.
Far point (Med.), in ophthalmology, the farthest point at
which objects are seen distinctly. In normal eyes the
nearest point at which objects are seen distinctly; either
with the two eyes together (binocular near point), or with
each eye separately (monocular near point).
Nine points of the law, all but the tenth point; the
greater weight of authority.
On the point. See At point, above.
Point lace, lace wrought with the needle, as distinguished
from that made on the pillow.
Point net, a machine-made lace imitating a kind of Brussels
lace (Brussels ground).
Point of concurrence (Geom.), a point common to two lines,
but not a point of tangency or of intersection, as, for
instance, that in which a cycloid meets its base.
Point of contrary flexure, a point at which a curve changes
its direction of curvature, or at which its convexity and
concavity change sides.
Point of order, in parliamentary practice, a question of
order or propriety under the rules.
Point of sight (Persp.), in a perspective drawing, the
point assumed as that occupied by the eye of the
spectator.
Point of view, the relative position from which anything is
seen or any subject is considered.
Points of the compass (Naut.), the thirty-two points of
division of the compass card in the mariner's compass; the
corresponding points by which the circle of the horizon is
supposed to be divided, of which the four marking the
directions of east, west, north, and south, are called
cardinal points, and the rest are named from their
respective directions, as N. by E., N. N. E., N. E. by N.,
N. E., etc. See Illust. under Compass.
Point paper, paper pricked through so as to form a stencil
for transferring a design.
Point system of type. See under Type.
Singular point (Geom.), a point of a curve which possesses
some property not possessed by points in general on the
curve, as a cusp, a point of inflection, a node, etc.
To carry one's point, to accomplish one's object, as in a
controversy.
To make a point of, to attach special importance to.
To make a point, or To gain a point, accomplish that
which was proposed; also, to make advance by a step,
grade, or position.
To mark a point, or To score a point, as in billiards,
cricket, etc., to note down, or to make, a successful hit,
run, etc.
To strain a point, to go beyond the proper limit or rule;
to stretch one's authority or conscience.
Vowel point, in Arabic, Hebrew, and certain other Eastern
and ancient languages, a mark placed above or below the
consonant, or attached to it, representing the vowel, or
vocal sound, which precedes or follows the consonant.
[1913 Webster] |
American calumba
(gcide) | Calumba \Ca*lum"ba\, n. [from kalumb, its native name in
Mozambique.] (Med.)
The root of a plant (Jateorrhiza Calumba, and probably
Cocculus palmatus), indigenous in Mozambique. It has an
unpleasantly bitter taste, and is used as a tonic and
antiseptic. [Written also colombo, columbo, and
calombo.]
[1913 Webster]
American calumba, the Frasera Carolinensis, also called
American gentian. Its root has been used in medicine as
bitter tonic in place of calumba.
[1913 Webster] |
American cowslip
(gcide) | Cowslip \Cow"slip`\ (-sl[i^]p`), n. [AS. c[=u]slyppe,
c[=u]sloppe, prob. orig., cow's droppings. Cf. Slop, n.]
(Bot.)
1. A common flower in England (Primula veris) having yellow
blossoms and appearing in early spring. It is often
cultivated in the United States.
[1913 Webster]
2. In the United States, the marsh marigold ({Caltha
palustris}), appearing in wet places in early spring and
often used as a pot herb. It is nearer to a buttercup than
to a true cowslip. See Illust. of Marsh marigold.
[1913 Webster]
American cowslip (Bot.), a pretty flower of the West
(Dodecatheon Meadia), belonging to the same order
(Primulace[ae]) with the English cowslip.
French cowslip (Bot.), bear's-ear (Primula Auricula).
[1913 Webster] |
American flagfish
(gcide) | Jordanella \Jordanella\ prop. n.
a genus of fishes, including the American flagfish
(Jordanella floridae), of Florida.
Syn: genus Jordanella.
[WordNet 1.5] |
American forge
(gcide) | Forge \Forge\ (f[=o]rj), n. [F. forge, fr. L. fabrica the
workshop of an artisan who works in hard materials, fr. faber
artisan, smith, as adj., skillful, ingenious; cf. Gr. ? soft,
tender. Cf. Fabric.]
1. A place or establishment where iron or other metals are
wrought by heating and hammering; especially, a furnace,
or a shop with its furnace, etc., where iron is heated and
wrought; a smithy.
[1913 Webster]
In the quick forge and working house of thought.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. The works where wrought iron is produced directly from the
ore, or where iron is rendered malleable by puddling and
shingling; a shingling mill.
[1913 Webster]
3. The act of beating or working iron or steel; the
manufacture of metallic bodies. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
In the greater bodies the forge was easy. --Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
American forge, a forge for the direct production of
wrought iron, differing from the old Catalan forge mainly
in using finely crushed ore and working continuously.
--Raymond.
Catalan forge. (Metal.) See under Catalan.
Forge cinder, the dross or slag form a forge or bloomary.
Forge rolls, Forge train, the train of rolls by which a
bloom is converted into puddle bars.
Forge wagon (Mil.), a wagon fitted up for transporting a
blackmith's forge and tools.
Portable forge, a light and compact blacksmith's forge,
with bellows, etc., that may be moved from place to place.
[1913 Webster] |
American gentian
(gcide) | Calumba \Ca*lum"ba\, n. [from kalumb, its native name in
Mozambique.] (Med.)
The root of a plant (Jateorrhiza Calumba, and probably
Cocculus palmatus), indigenous in Mozambique. It has an
unpleasantly bitter taste, and is used as a tonic and
antiseptic. [Written also colombo, columbo, and
calombo.]
[1913 Webster]
American calumba, the Frasera Carolinensis, also called
American gentian. Its root has been used in medicine as
bitter tonic in place of calumba.
[1913 Webster] |
American germander
(gcide) | Germander \Ger*man"der\, n. [OE. germaunder, F. germandr['e]e,
It. calamandrea, L. chamaedrys, fr. Gr.?; ? on the earth or
ground + ? tree. See Humble, and Tree.] (Bot.)
A plant of the genus Teucrium (esp. Teucrium Cham[ae]drys
or wall germander), mintlike herbs and low shrubs.
[1913 Webster]
American germander, Teucrium Canadense.
Germander chickweed, Veronica agrestis.
Water germander, Teucrium Scordium.
Wood germander, Teucrium Scorodonia.
[1913 Webster] |
American Indian
(gcide) | American Indian \American Indian\ n.
1. a red-skinned member of a race of people living in North
America when Europeans arrived.
Syn: Indian, native American, Amerindian, Red Indian
[WordNet 1.5] |
American ipecac
(gcide) | Indian \In"di*an\ (?; 277), a. [From India, and this fr. Indus,
the name of a river in Asia, L. Indus, Gr. ?, OPers. Hindu,
name of the land on the Indus, Skr. sindhu river, the Indus.
Cf. Hindu.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Of or pertaining to India proper; also to the East Indies,
or, sometimes, to the West Indies.
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2. Of or pertaining to the aborigines, or Indians, of
America; as, Indian wars; the Indian tomahawk.
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3. Made of maize or Indian corn; as, Indian corn, Indian
meal, Indian bread, and the like. [U.S.]
[1913 Webster]
Indian bay (Bot.), a lauraceous tree (Persea Indica).
Indian bean (Bot.), a name of the catalpa.
Indian berry. (Bot.) Same as Cocculus indicus.
Indian bread. (Bot.) Same as Cassava.
Indian club, a wooden club, which is swung by the hand for
gymnastic exercise.
Indian cordage, cordage made of the fibers of cocoanut
husk.
Indian cress (Bot.), nasturtium. See Nasturtium, 2.
Indian cucumber (Bot.), a plant of the genus Medeola
(Medeola Virginica), a common in woods in the United
States. The white rootstock has a taste like cucumbers.
Indian currant (Bot.), a plant of the genus
Symphoricarpus (Symphoricarpus vulgaris), bearing
small red berries.
Indian dye, the puccoon.
Indian fig. (Bot.)
(a) The banyan. See Banyan.
(b) The prickly pear.
Indian file, single file; arrangement of persons in a row
following one after another, the usual way among Indians
of traversing woods, especially when on the war path.
Indian fire, a pyrotechnic composition of sulphur, niter,
and realgar, burning with a brilliant white light.
Indian grass (Bot.), a coarse, high grass ({Chrysopogon
nutans}), common in the southern portions of the United
States; wood grass. --Gray.
Indian hemp. (Bot.)
(a) A plant of the genus Apocynum ({Apocynum
cannabinum}), having a milky juice, and a tough,
fibrous bark, whence the name. The root it used in
medicine and is both emetic and cathartic in
properties.
(b) The variety of common hemp (Cannabis Indica), from
which hasheesh is obtained.
Indian mallow (Bot.), the velvet leaf ({Abutilon
Avicenn[ae]}). See Abutilon.
Indian meal, ground corn or maize. [U.S.]
Indian millet (Bot.), a tall annual grass ({Sorghum
vulgare}), having many varieties, among which are broom
corn, Guinea corn, durra, and the Chinese sugar cane. It
is called also Guinea corn. See Durra.
Indian ox (Zool.), the zebu.
Indian paint. See Bloodroot.
Indian paper. See India paper, under India.
Indian physic (Bot.), a plant of two species of the genus
Gillenia (Gillenia trifoliata, and {Gillenia
stipulacea}), common in the United States, the roots of
which are used in medicine as a mild emetic; -- called
also American ipecac, and bowman's root. --Gray.
Indian pink. (Bot.)
(a) The Cypress vine (Ipom[oe]a Quamoclit); -- so called
in the West Indies.
(b) See China pink, under China.
Indian pipe (Bot.), a low, fleshy herb ({Monotropa
uniflora}), growing in clusters in dark woods, and having
scalelike leaves, and a solitary nodding flower. The whole
plant is waxy white, but turns black in drying.
Indian plantain (Bot.), a name given to several species of
the genus Cacalia, tall herbs with composite white
flowers, common through the United States in rich woods.
--Gray.
Indian poke (Bot.), a plant usually known as the {white
hellebore} (Veratrum viride).
Indian pudding, a pudding of which the chief ingredients
are Indian meal, milk, and molasses.
Indian purple.
(a) A dull purple color.
(b) The pigment of the same name, intensely blue and
black.
Indian red.
(a) A purplish red earth or pigment composed of a silicate
of iron and alumina, with magnesia. It comes from the
Persian Gulf. Called also Persian red.
(b) See Almagra.
Indian rice (Bot.), a reedlike water grass. See Rice.
Indian shot (Bot.), a plant of the genus Canna ({Canna
Indica}). The hard black seeds are as large as swan shot.
See Canna.
Indian summer, in the United States, a period of warm and
pleasant weather occurring late in autumn. See under
Summer.
Indian tobacco (Bot.), a species of Lobelia. See
Lobelia.
Indian turnip (Bot.), an American plant of the genus
Aris[ae]ma. Aris[ae]ma triphyllum has a wrinkled
farinaceous root resembling a small turnip, but with a
very acrid juice. See Jack in the Pulpit, and
Wake-robin.
Indian wheat, maize or Indian corn.
Indian yellow.
(a) An intense rich yellow color, deeper than gamboge but
less pure than cadmium.
(b) See Euxanthin.
[1913 Webster] |
American ivy
(gcide) | Ivy \I"vy\, n.; pl. Ivies. [AS. [imac]fig; akin to OHG. ebawi,
ebah, G. epheu.] (Bot.)
A plant of the genus Hedera (Hedera helix), common in
Europe. Its leaves are evergreen, dark, smooth, shining, and
mostly five-pointed; the flowers yellowish and small; the
berries black or yellow. The stem clings to walls and trees
by rootlike fibers.
[1913 Webster]
Direct
The clasping ivy where to climb. --Milton.
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Ye myrtles brown, with ivy never sere. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
American ivy. (Bot.) See Virginia creeper.
English ivy (Bot.), a popular name in America for the ivy
proper (Hedera helix).
German ivy (Bot.), a creeping plant, with smooth, succulent
stems, and fleshy, light-green leaves; a species of
Senecio (Senecio scandens).
Ground ivy. (Bot.) Gill (Nepeta Glechoma).
Ivy bush. (Bot.) See Mountain laurel, under Mountain.
Ivy owl (Zool.), the barn owl.
Ivy tod (Bot.), the ivy plant. --Tennyson.
Japanese ivy (Bot.), a climbing plant ({Ampelopsis
tricuspidata}), closely related to the Virginia creeper.
Poison ivy (Bot.), an American woody creeper ({Rhus
Toxicodendron}), with trifoliate leaves, and
greenish-white berries. It is exceedingly poisonous to the
touch for most persons.
To pipe in an ivy leaf, to console one's self as best one
can. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
West Indian ivy, a climbing plant of the genus
Marcgravia.
[1913 Webster]Virginia \Vir*gin"i*a\, n.
One of the States of the United States of America. -- a. Of
or pertaining to the State of Virginia.
[1913 Webster]
Virginia cowslip (Bot.), the American lungwort ({Mertensia
Virginica}).
Virginia creeper (Bot.), a common ornamental North American
woody vine (Ampelopsis quinquefolia), climbing
extensively by means of tendrils; -- called also
woodbine, and American ivy. [U. S.]
Virginia fence. See Worm fence, under Fence.
Virginia nightingale (Zool.), the cardinal bird. See under
Cardinal.
Virginia quail (Zool.), the bobwhite.
Virginia reel, an old English contradance; -- so called in
the United States. --Bartlett.
Virginia stock. (Bot.) See Mahon stock.
[1913 Webster]American \A*mer"i*can\ ([.a]*m[~e]r"[i^]*kan), a. [Named from
Americus Vespucius.]
1. Of or pertaining to America; as, the American continent:
American Indians.
[1913 Webster]
2. Of or pertaining to the United States. "A young officer of
the American navy." --Lyell.
[1913 Webster]
American ivy. See Virginia creeper.
American Party (U. S. Politics), a party, about 1854, which
opposed the influence of foreign-born citizens, and those
supposed to owe allegiance to a foreign power.
Native american Party (U. S. Politics), a party of
principles similar to those of the American party. It
arose about 1843, but soon died out.
[1913 Webster] |
American laurel
(gcide) | Laurel \Lau"rel\, n. [OE. lorel, laurer, lorer, OF. lorier,
laurier, F. laurier, (assumed) LL. Laurarius, fr. L. laurus.]
1. (Bot.) An evergreen shrub, of the genus Laurus ({Laurus
nobilis}), having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape,
with clusters of small, yellowish white flowers in their
axils; -- called also sweet bay.
Note: The fruit is a purple berry. It is found about the
Mediterranean, and was early used by the ancient Greeks
to crown the victor in the games of Apollo. At a later
period, academic honors were indicated by a crown of
laurel, with the fruit. The leaves and tree yield an
aromatic oil, used to flavor the bay water of commerce.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The name is extended to other plants which in some
respect resemble the true laurel. See Phrases, below.
[1913 Webster]
2. A crown of laurel; hence, honor; distinction; fame; --
especially in the plural; as, to win laurels.
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3. An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because
the king's head on it was crowned with laurel.
[1913 Webster]
Laurel water, water distilled from the fresh leaves of the
cherry laurel, and containing prussic acid and other
products carried over in the process.
[1913 Webster]
American laurel, or Mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia;
called also calico bush. See under Mountain.
California laurel, Umbellularia Californica.
Cherry laurel (in England called laurel). See under
Cherry.
Great laurel, the rosebay (Rhododendron maximum).
Ground laurel, trailing arbutus.
New Zealand laurel, the Laurelia Nov[ae] Zelandi[ae].
Portugal laurel, the Prunus Lusitanica.
Rose laurel, the oleander. See Oleander.
Sheep laurel, a poisonous shrub, Kalmia angustifolia,
smaller than the mountain laurel, and with smaller and
redder flowers.
Spurge laurel, Daphne Laureola.
West Indian laurel, Prunus occidentalis.
[1913 Webster]Mountain \Moun"tain\ (moun"t[i^]n), a.
1. Of or pertaining to a mountain or mountains; growing or
living on a mountain; found on or peculiar to mountains;
among mountains; as, a mountain torrent; mountain pines;
mountain goats; mountain air; mountain howitzer.
[1913 Webster]
2. Like a mountain; mountainous; vast; very great.
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The high, the mountain majesty of worth. --Byron.
[1913 Webster]
Mountain antelope (Zool.), the goral.
Mountain ash (Bot.), an ornamental tree, the {Pyrus
Americana} (or Sorbus Americana), producing beautiful
bunches of red berries. Its leaves are pinnate, and its
flowers white, growing in fragrant clusters. The European
species is the Pyrus aucuparia, or rowan tree.
Mountain barometer, a portable barometer, adapted for safe
transportation, used in measuring the heights of
mountains.
Mountain beaver (Zool.), the sewellel.
Mountain blue (Min.), blue carbonate of copper; azurite.
Mountain cat (Zool.), the catamount. See Catamount.
Mountain chain, a series of contiguous mountain ranges,
generally in parallel or consecutive lines or curves.
Mountain cock (Zool.), capercailzie. See Capercailzie.
Mountain cork (Min.), a variety of asbestus, resembling
cork in its texture.
Mountain crystal. See under Crystal.
Mountain damson (Bot.), a large tree of the genus
Simaruba (Simaruba amarga) growing in the West Indies,
which affords a bitter tonic and astringent, sometimes
used in medicine.
Mountain dew, Scotch whisky, so called because often
illicitly distilled among the mountains. [Humorous]
Mountain ebony (Bot.), a small leguminous tree ({Bauhinia
variegata}) of the East and West Indies; -- so called
because of its dark wood. The bark is used medicinally and
in tanning.
Mountain flax (Min.), a variety of asbestus, having very
fine fibers; amianthus. See Amianthus.
Mountain fringe (Bot.), climbing fumitory. See under
Fumitory.
Mountain goat. (Zool.) See Mazama.
Mountain green. (Min.)
(a) Green malachite, or carbonate of copper.
(b) See Green earth, under Green, a.
Mountain holly (Bot.), a branching shrub ({Nemopanthes
Canadensis}), having smooth oblong leaves and red berries.
It is found in the Northern United States.
Mountain laurel (Bot.), an American shrub ({Kalmia
latifolia}) with glossy evergreen leaves and showy
clusters of rose-colored or white flowers. The foliage is
poisonous. Called also American laurel, ivy bush, and
calico bush. See Kalmia.
Mountain leather (Min.), a variety of asbestus, resembling
leather in its texture.
Mountain licorice (Bot.), a plant of the genus Trifolium
(Trifolium Alpinum).
Mountain limestone (Geol.), a series of marine limestone
strata below the coal measures, and above the old red
standstone of Great Britain. See Chart of Geology.
Mountain linnet (Zool.), the twite.
Mountain magpie. (Zool.)
(a) The yaffle, or green woodpecker.
(b) The European gray shrike.
Mountain mahogany (Bot.) See under Mahogany.
Mountain meal (Min.), a light powdery variety of calcite,
occurring as an efflorescence.
Mountain milk (Min.), a soft spongy variety of carbonate of
lime.
Mountain mint. (Bot.) See Mint.
Mountain ousel (Zool.), the ring ousel; -- called also
mountain thrush and mountain colley. See Ousel.
Mountain pride, or Mountain green (Bot.), a tree of
Jamaica (Spathelia simplex), which has an unbranched
palmlike stem, and a terminal cluster of large, pinnate
leaves.
Mountain quail (Zool.), the plumed partridge ({Oreortyx
pictus}) of California. It has two long, slender,
plumelike feathers on the head. The throat and sides are
chestnut; the belly is brown with transverse bars of black
and white; the neck and breast are dark gray.
Mountain range, a series of mountains closely related in
position and direction.
Mountain rice. (Bot.)
(a) An upland variety of rice, grown without irrigation,
in some parts of Asia, Europe, and the United States.
(b) An American genus of grasses (Oryzopsis).
Mountain rose (Bot.), a species of rose with solitary
flowers, growing in the mountains of Europe ({Rosa
alpina}).
Mountain soap (Min.), a soft earthy mineral, of a brownish
color, used in crayon painting; saxonite.
Mountain sorrel (Bot.), a low perennial plant ({Oxyria
digyna} with rounded kidney-form leaves, and small
greenish flowers, found in the White Mountains of New
Hampshire, and in high northern latitudes. --Gray.
Mountain sparrow (Zool.), the European tree sparrow.
Mountain spinach. (Bot.) See Orach.
Mountain tobacco (Bot.), a composite plant ({Arnica
montana}) of Europe; called also leopard's bane.
Mountain witch (Zool.), a ground pigeon of Jamaica, of the
genus Geotrygon.
[1913 Webster] |
American lion
(gcide) | Lion \Li"on\ (l[imac]"[u^]n), n. [F. lion, L. leo, -onis, akin
to Gr. le`wn. Cf. Chameleon, Dandelion, Leopard.]
1. (Zool.) A large carnivorous feline mammal (Panthera leo,
formerly Felis leo), found in Southern Asia and in most
parts of Africa, distinct varieties occurring in the
different countries. The adult male, in most varieties,
has a thick mane of long shaggy hair that adds to his
apparent size, which is less than that of the largest
tigers. The length, however, is sometimes eleven feet to
the base of the tail. The color is a tawny yellow or
yellowish brown; the mane is darker, and the terminal tuft
of the tail is black. In one variety, called the {maneless
lion}, the male has only a slight mane.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Astron.) A sign and a constellation; Leo.
[1913 Webster]
3. An object of interest and curiosity, especially a person
who is so regarded; as, he was quite a lion in London at
that time.
[1913 Webster]
Such society was far more enjoyable than that of
Edinburgh, for here he was not a lion, but a man.
--Prof.
Wilson.
[1913 Webster]
American lion (Zool.), the puma or cougar.
Lion ant (Zool.), the ant-lion.
Lion dog (Zool.), a fancy dog with a flowing mane, usually
clipped to resemble a lion's mane.
Lion lizard (Zool.), the basilisk.
Lion's share, all, or nearly all; the best or largest part;
-- from Aesop's fable of the lion hunting in company with
certain smaller beasts, and appropriating to himself all
the prey.
Lion of Lucerne, a famous sculptured lion at Lucerne,
Switzerland, designed by Thorwaldsen and dedicated in 1821
as a memorial to the Swiss Guards who fell defending Louis
XVI. in the attack of the mob on the Tuileries, Aug. 10,
1792. The animal, which is hewn out of the face of a rock,
is represented as transfixed with a broken spear and
dying, but still trying to protect with its paw a shield
bearing the fleur-de-lis of France.
Lion of St. Mark, a winged lion, the emblem of the
evangelist Mark, especially that of bronze surmounting a
granite column in the Piazzetta at Venice, and holding in
its fore paws an open book representing St. Mark's Gospel.
Lion of the North, Gustavus Adolphus (1594-1632), King of
Sweden, the hero of the Protestant faith in the Thirty
Years' War.
[1913 Webster + Webster 1913 Suppl.]Puma \Pu"ma\ (p[=u]"m[.a]), n. [Peruv. puma.] (Zool.)
A large American carnivore (Felis concolor), found from
Canada to Patagonia, especially among the mountains. Its
color is tawny, or brownish yellow, without spots or stripes.
Called also catamount, cougar, American lion, {mountain
lion}, and panther or painter.
[1913 Webster]Cougar \Cou"gar\ (k??"g?r), n. [F. couguar, from the native name
in the South American dialects, cuguacuara, cuguacuarana.]
(Zool.)
An American feline quadruped (Felis concolor), resembling
the African panther in size and habits. Its color is tawny,
without spots; hence writers often called it the {American
lion}. Called also puma, panther, mountain lion, and
catamount. See Puma.
[1913 Webster] |
American marten
(gcide) | marten \mar"ten\, n. [From older martern, marter, martre, F.
martre, marte, LL. martures (pl.), fr. L. martes; akin to AS.
mear[eth], meard, G. marder, OHG. mardar, Icel. m["o]r[eth]r.
Cf. Foumart.]
1. (Zool.) Any one of several fur-bearing carnivores of the
genus Martes (formerly Mustela), closely allied to the
sable. Among the more important species are the European
beech marten or stone marten (Martes foina); the
pine marten (Martes martes); and the {American
marten}, or sable (Martes Americana), which some
Zoologists consider only a variety of the Russian sable.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
2. The fur of the marten, used for hats, muffs, etc.
[1913 Webster] |
American nutmeg
(gcide) | Nutmeg \Nut"meg\, n. [OE. notemuge; note nut + OF. muge musk, of
the same origin as E. musk; cf. OF. noix muguette nutmeg, F.
noix muscade. See Nut, and Musk.] (Bot.)
The kernel of the fruit of the nutmeg tree ({Myristica
fragrans}), a native of the Molucca Islands, but cultivated
elsewhere in the tropics.
[1913 Webster]
Note: This fruit is a nearly spherical drupe, of the size of
a pear, of a yellowish color without and almost white
within. This opens into two nearly equal longitudinal
valves, inclosing the nut surrounded by its aril, which
is mace. The nutmeg is an aromatic, very grateful to
the taste and smell, and much used in cookery. Other
species of Myristica yield nutmegs of inferior
quality.
[1913 Webster]
American nutmeg, Calabash nutmeg, or Jamaica nutmeg,
the fruit of a tropical shrub (Monodora Myristica). It
is about the size of an orange, and contains many aromatic
seeds imbedded in pulp.
Brazilian nutmeg, the fruit of a lauraceous tree,
Cryptocarya moschata.
California nutmeg, a tree of the Yew family ({Torreya
Californica}), growing in the Western United States, and
having a seed which resembles a nutmeg in appearance, but
is strongly impregnated with turpentine.
Clove nutmeg, the Ravensara aromatica, a lauraceous tree
of Madagascar. The foliage is used as a spice, but the
seed is acrid and caustic.
Jamaica nutmeg. See American nutmeg (above).
Nutmeg bird (Zool.), an Indian finch (Munia punctularia).
Nutmeg butter, a solid oil extracted from the nutmeg by
expression.
Nutmeg flower (Bot.), a ranunculaceous herb ({Nigella
sativa}) with small black aromatic seeds, which are used
medicinally and for excluding moths from furs and
clothing.
Nutmeg liver (Med.), a name applied to the liver, when, as
the result of heart or lung disease, it undergoes
congestion and pigmentation about the central veins of its
lobules, giving it an appearance resembling that of a
nutmeg.
Nutmeg melon (Bot.), a small variety of muskmelon of a rich
flavor.
Nutmeg pigeon (Zool.), any one of several species of
pigeons of the genus Myristicivora, native of the East
Indies and Australia. The color is usually white, or
cream-white, with black on the wings and tail.
Nutmeg wood (Bot.), the wood of the Palmyra palm.
Peruvian nutmeg, the aromatic seed of a South American tree
(Laurelia sempervirens).
Plume nutmeg (Bot.), a spicy tree of Australia
(Atherosperma moschata).
[1913 Webster] |
American ostrich
(gcide) | Rhea \Rhe"a\, n. [L., a proper name.] (Zool.)
Any one of three species of large South American ostrichlike
birds of the genera Rhea and Pterocnemia. Called also the
American ostrich.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The common rhea, or nandou (Rhea Americana), ranges
from Brazil to Patagonia. Darwin's rhea ({Pterocnemia
Darwinii}), of Patagonia, is smaller, and has the legs
feathered below the knee.
[1913 Webster] |
American Party
(gcide) | American \A*mer"i*can\ ([.a]*m[~e]r"[i^]*kan), a. [Named from
Americus Vespucius.]
1. Of or pertaining to America; as, the American continent:
American Indians.
[1913 Webster]
2. Of or pertaining to the United States. "A young officer of
the American navy." --Lyell.
[1913 Webster]
American ivy. See Virginia creeper.
American Party (U. S. Politics), a party, about 1854, which
opposed the influence of foreign-born citizens, and those
supposed to owe allegiance to a foreign power.
Native american Party (U. S. Politics), a party of
principles similar to those of the American party. It
arose about 1843, but soon died out.
[1913 Webster] |
American pika
(gcide) | Chief hare \Chief" hare`\ (Zool.)
A small rodent (Lagamys princeps) inhabiting the summits of
the Rocky Mountains; -- also called crying hare, {calling
hare}, cony, American pika, and little chief hare.
[1913 Webster]
Note: It is not a true hare or rabbit, but belongs to the
curious family Lagomyid[ae].
[1913 Webster] |
American pitcher plants
(gcide) | Pitcher \Pitch"er\, n. [OE. picher, OF. pichier, OHG. pehhar,
pehh[=a]ri; prob. of the same origin as E. beaker. Cf.
Beaker.]
1. A wide-mouthed, deep vessel for holding liquids, with a
spout or protruding lip and a handle; a water jug or jar
with a large ear or handle.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.) A tubular or cuplike appendage or expansion of the
leaves of certain plants.
[1913 Webster]
American pitcher plants, the species of Sarracenia. See
Sarracenia.
Australian pitcher plant, the Cephalotus follicularis, a
low saxifragaceous herb having two kinds of radical
leaves, some oblanceolate and entire, others transformed
into little ovoid pitchers, longitudinally triple-winged
and ciliated, the mouth covered with a lid shaped like a
cockleshell.
California pitcher plant, the Darlingtonia California.
See Darlingtonia.
Pitcher plant, any plant with the whole or a part of the
leaves transformed into pitchers or cuplike organs,
especially the species of Nepenthes. See Nepenthes.
[1913 Webster] |
American plan
(gcide) | American plan \A*mer"i*can plan\
In hotels, aplan upon which guests pay for both room and
board by the day, week, or other convenient period; --
contrasted with European plan.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.] |
American poachard
(gcide) | Redhead \Red"head`\ (-h?d`), n.
1. A person having red hair.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.)
(a) An American duck (Aythya Americana) highly esteemed
as a game bird. It is closely allied to the
canvasback, but is smaller and its head brighter red.
Called also red-headed duck. American poachard,
grayback, and fall duck. See Illust. under
Poachard.
(b) The red-headed woodpecker. See Woodpecker.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Bot.) A kind of milkweed (Asclepias Curassavica) with
red flowers. It is used in medicine.
[1913 Webster] |
American Protective Association
(gcide) | American Protective Association \A*mer"i*can Pro*tect"ive
As*so`ci*a"tion\
A secret organization in the United States, formed in Iowa in
1887, ostensibly for the protection of American institutions
by keeping Roman Catholics out of public office. Abbrev.
commonly to A. P .A.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.] |
American rail
(gcide) | Sora \So"ra\, n. (Zool.)
A North American rail (Porzana Carolina) common in the
Eastern United States. Its back is golden brown, varied with
black and white, the front of the head and throat black, the
breast and sides of the head and neck slate-colored. Called
also American rail, Carolina rail, Carolina crake,
common rail, sora rail, soree, meadow chicken, and
orto.
[1913 Webster]
King sora, the Florida gallinule.
[1913 Webster] |
American Sign Language
(gcide) | sign language \sign" lang`uage\ (s[imac]n" l[a^]ng`w[asl]j), n.
A form of language for communicating by use of gestures made
by the hands, rather than by speech. It includes alphabets
made by hand gestures, as well as proper languages formed
from signs. Among the latter is the American Sign Language
(ASL), used by the deaf. See also dactylology.
[PJC]American sign language \American sign language\ n.
a sign language, used in the United States mostly by the deaf
or for communication with the deaf, in which gestures made
with the hands symbolize words, alphabetical letters, or
ideas, permitting rapid communication in the absence of
speech.
Syn: Ameslan.
[PJC] |
American sign language
(gcide) | sign language \sign" lang`uage\ (s[imac]n" l[a^]ng`w[asl]j), n.
A form of language for communicating by use of gestures made
by the hands, rather than by speech. It includes alphabets
made by hand gestures, as well as proper languages formed
from signs. Among the latter is the American Sign Language
(ASL), used by the deaf. See also dactylology.
[PJC]American sign language \American sign language\ n.
a sign language, used in the United States mostly by the deaf
or for communication with the deaf, in which gestures made
with the hands symbolize words, alphabetical letters, or
ideas, permitting rapid communication in the absence of
speech.
Syn: Ameslan.
[PJC] |
American silkworm
(gcide) | Polyphemus \Pol`y*phe"mus\, n. [L. Polyphemus the one-eyed
Cyclops who was blinded by Ulysses.] (Zool.)
A very large American moth (Telea polyphemus) belonging to
the Silkworm family (Bombycid[ae]). Its larva, which is
very large, bright green, with silvery tubercles, and with
oblique white stripes on the sides, feeds on the oak,
chestnut, willow, cherry, apple, and other trees. It produces
a large amount of strong silk. Called also {American
silkworm}.
[1913 Webster] |
American silver fir
(gcide) | Silver \Sil"ver\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to silver; made of silver; as, silver
leaf; a silver cup.
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2. Resembling silver. Specifically:
(a) Bright; resplendent; white. "Silver hair." --Shak.
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Others, on silver lakes and rivers, bathed
Their downy breast. --Milton.
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(b) Precious; costly.
(c) Giving a clear, ringing sound soft and clear. "Silver
voices." --Spenser.
(d) Sweet; gentle; peaceful. "Silver slumber." --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
American silver fir (Bot.), the balsam fir. See under
Balsam.
Silver age (Roman Lit.), the latter part (a. d. 14-180) of
the classical period of Latinity, -- the time of writers
of inferior purity of language, as compared with those of
the previous golden age, so-called.
Silver-bell tree (Bot.), an American shrub or small tree
(Halesia tetraptera) with white bell-shaped flowers in
clusters or racemes; the snowdrop tree.
Silver bush (Bot.), a shrubby leguminous plant ({Anthyllis
Barba-Jovis}) of Southern Europe, having silvery foliage.
Silver chub (Zool.), the fallfish.
Silver eel. (Zool.)
(a) The cutlass fish.
(b) A pale variety of the common eel.
Silver fir (Bot.), a coniferous tree (Abies pectinata)
found in mountainous districts in the middle and south of
Europe, where it often grows to the height of 100 or 150
feet. It yields Burgundy pitch and Strasburg turpentine.
Silver foil, foil made of silver.
Silver fox (Zool.), a variety of the common fox ({Vulpes
vulpes}, variety argenteus) found in the northern parts of
Asia, Europe, and America. Its fur is nearly black, with
silvery tips, and is highly valued. Called also {black
fox}, and silver-gray fox.
Silver gar. (Zool.) See Billfish
(a) .
Silver grain (Bot.), the lines or narrow plates of cellular
tissue which pass from the pith to the bark of an
exogenous stem; the medullary rays. In the wood of the oak
they are much larger than in that of the beech, maple,
pine, cherry, etc.
Silver grebe (Zool.), the red-throated diver. See Illust.
under Diver.
Silver hake (Zool.), the American whiting.
Silver leaf, leaves or sheets made of silver beaten very
thin.
Silver lunge (Zool.), the namaycush.
Silver moonfish.(Zool.) See Moonfish
(b) .
Silver moth (Zool.), a lepisma.
Silver owl (Zool.), the barn owl.
Silver perch (Zool.), the mademoiselle, 2.
Silver pheasant (Zool.), any one of several species of
beautiful crested and long-tailed Asiatic pheasants, of
the genus Euplocamus. They have the tail and more or
less of the upper parts silvery white. The most common
species (Euplocamus nychtemerus) is native of China.
Silver plate,
(a) domestic utensils made of a base metal coated with
silver.
(b) a plating of silver on a base metal.
Silver plover (Zool.), the knot.
Silver salmon (Zool.), a salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
native of both coasts of the North Pacific. It ascends all
the American rivers as far south as the Sacramento. Called
also kisutch, whitefish, and white salmon.
Silver shell (Zool.), a marine bivalve of the genus Anomia.
See Anomia.
Silver steel, an alloy of steel with a very small
proportion of silver.
Silver stick, a title given to the title field officer of
the Life Guards when on duty at the palace. [Eng.]
--Thackeray.
Silver tree (Bot.), a South African tree ({Leucadendron
argenteum}) with long, silvery, silky leaves.
Silver trout, (Zool.) See Trout.
Silver wedding. See under Wedding.
Silver whiting (Zool.), a marine sciaenoid food fish
(Menticirrus littoralis) native of the Southern United
States; -- called also surf whiting.
Silver witch (Zool.), A lepisma.
[1913 Webster] |
American siskin
(gcide) | Pinefinch \Pine"finch`\ (p[imac]n"f[i^]nch`), n. (Zool.)
(a) A small American bird (Spinus spinus syn. {Chrysomitris
spinus}); -- called also pine siskin, and {American
siskin}.
(b) The pine grosbeak.
[1913 Webster] |
American skylark
(gcide) | Pipit \Pip"it\, n. [So named from its call note.] (Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of small singing birds belonging
to Anthus and allied genera, of the family
Motacillid[ae]. They strongly resemble the true larks in
habits, colors, and the great length of the hind claw. They
are, therefore, often called titlarks, and pipit larks.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis); the {tree
pipit}, or tree lark (Anthus trivialis); and the
rock pipit, or sea lark (Anthus obscurus) are
well-known European species. The common American pipit,
or brown lark, is Anthus Pensilvanicus. The Western
species (Anthus Spraguei) is called the {American
skylark}, on account of its musical powers.
[1913 Webster] |
American smoke tree
(gcide) | chittamwood \chittamwood\ n.
1. a shrubby tree of the U. S. Pacific coast ({Rhamnus
purshianus} or Rhamnus purshiana), whose bark is the
cascara sagrada, used as a mild cathartic or laxative.
Syn: cascara, cascara buckthorn, bearberry, bearwood,
chittimwood, Rhamnus purshianus.
[WordNet 1.5]
2. a deciduous tree of SE U.S. and Mexico.
Syn: false buckthorn, chittimwood, shittimwood, black haw,
Bumelia lanuginosa.
[WordNet 1.5]
3. a shrubby tree of southern U.S. (Cotinus obovatus)
having large plumes of feathery flowers resembling puffs
of smoke; -- called also American smoke tree.
Syn: American smokewood, Cotinus americanus, {Cotinus
obovatus}.
[WordNet 1.5] |
American tiger
(gcide) | Jaguar \Ja*guar"\, n. [Braz. yago['a]ra: cf. & Pg. jaguar.]
(Zool.)
A large and powerful feline animal (Panthera onca, formerly
Felis onca), ranging from Texas and Mexico to Patagonia. It
is usually brownish yellow, with large, dark, somewhat
angular rings, each generally inclosing one or two dark
spots. It is chiefly arboreal in its habits. It is also
called the panther and the American tiger.
[1913 Webster +PJC]Tiger \Ti"ger\, n. [OE. tigre, F. tigre, L. tigris, Gr. ti`gris;
probably of Persian origin; cf. Zend tighra pointed, tighri
an arrow, Per. t[imac]r; perhaps akin to E. stick, v. t.; --
probably so named from its quickness.]
1. A very large and powerful carnivore (Felis tigris)
native of Southern Asia and the East Indies. Its back and
sides are tawny or rufous yellow, transversely striped
with black, the tail is ringed with black, the throat and
belly are nearly white. When full grown, it equals or
exceeds the lion in size and strength. Called also {royal
tiger}, and Bengal tiger.
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2. Fig.: A ferocious, bloodthirsty person.
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As for heinous tiger, Tamora. --Shak.
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3. A servant in livery, who rides with his master or
mistress. --Dickens.
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4. A kind of growl or screech, after cheering; as, three
cheers and a tiger. [Colloq. U. S.]
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5. A pneumatic box or pan used in refining sugar.
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American tiger. (Zool.)
(a) The puma.
(b) The jaguar.
Clouded tiger (Zool.), a handsome striped and spotted
carnivore (Felis macrocelis or Felis marmorata) native
of the East Indies and Southern Asia. Its body is about
three and a half feet long, and its tail about three feet
long. Its ground color is brownish gray, and the dark
markings are irregular stripes, spots, and rings, but
there are always two dark bands on the face, one extending
back from the eye, and one from the angle of the mouth.
Called also tortoise-shell tiger.
Mexican tiger (Zool.), the jaguar.
Tiger beetle (Zool.), any one of numerous species of active
carnivorous beetles of the family Cicindelidae. They
usually inhabit dry or sandy places, and fly rapidly.
Tiger bittern. (Zool.) See Sun bittern, under Sun.
Tiger cat (Zool.), any one of several species of wild cats
of moderate size with dark transverse bars or stripes
somewhat resembling those of the tiger.
Tiger flower (Bot.), an iridaceous plant of the genus
Tigridia (as Tigridia conchiflora, {Tigridia
grandiflora}, etc.) having showy flowers, spotted or
streaked somewhat like the skin of a tiger.
Tiger grass (Bot.), a low East Indian fan palm ({Chamaerops
Ritchieana}). It is used in many ways by the natives. --J.
Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).
Tiger lily. (Bot.) See under Lily.
Tiger moth (Zool.), any one of numerous species of moths of
the family Arctiadae which are striped or barred with
black and white or with other conspicuous colors. The
larvae are called woolly bears.
Tiger shark (Zool.), a voracious shark ({Galeocerdo
tigrinus} syn. Galeocerdo maculatus) more or less barred
or spotted with yellow. It is found in both the Atlantic
and Indian Ocean. Called also zebra shark.
Tiger shell (Zool.), a large and conspicuously spotted
cowrie (Cypraea tigris); -- so called from its fancied
resemblance to a tiger in color and markings. Called also
tiger cowrie.
Tiger snake (Zool.), either of two very venomous snakes of
Tasmania and Australia, Notechis scutatis and {Notechis
ater}, which grow up to 5 feet in length.
Tiger wolf (Zool.), the spotted hyena (Hyaena crocuta).
Tiger wood, the variegated heartwood of a tree ({Machaerium
Schomburgkii}) found in Guiana.
[1913 Webster] |
American waxwing
(gcide) | cedar waxwing \ce"dar wax"wing\, n. (Zool.)
a species of chatterer (Bombycilla cedrorum, formerly
Ampelis cedrorum) widely distributed over temperate North
America, so named from its frequenting cedar trees; -- called
also cedar bird, cherry bird, Canada robin, and
American waxwing. It is a brownish bird about 7 inches
long, between the size of a robin and a sparrow, has a crest
on the head, a black face mask, and a yellow-tipped tail. The
name comes from the black color of the tips of the wings,
like that of a black sealing wax. They sometimes are seen in
flocks.
[1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5] |
American wayfaring tree
(gcide) | Wayfaring \Way"far`ing\, a.
Traveling; passing; being on a journey. "A wayfaring man."
--Judg. xix. 17.
[1913 Webster]
Wayfaring tree (Bot.), a European shrub ({Viburnum
lantana}) having large ovate leaves and dense cymes of
small white flowers.
American wayfaring tree (Bot.), the ({Viburnum
lantanoides}).
[1913 Webster] |
American yew
(gcide) | Yew \Yew\, n. [OE. ew, AS. e['o]w, [imac]w, eoh; akin to D. ijf,
OHG. [imac]wa, [imac]ha, G. eibe, Icel. [=y]r; cf. Ir.
iubhar, Gael. iubhar, iughar, W. yw, ywen, Lith. j["e]va the
black alder tree.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Bot.) An evergreen tree (Taxus baccata) of Europe,
allied to the pines, but having a peculiar berrylike fruit
instead of a cone. It frequently grows in British
churchyards.
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2. The wood of the yew. It is light red in color, compact,
fine-grained, and very elastic. It is preferred to all
other kinds of wood for bows and whipstocks, the best for
these purposes coming from Spain.
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Note: The American yew (Taxus baccata, var. Canadensis)
is a low and straggling or prostrate bush, never
forming an erect trunk. The California yew ({Taxus
brevifolia}, also called Pacific yew) is a good-sized
tree, and its wood is used for bows, spear handles,
paddles, and other similar implements; the anticancer
agent taxol is obtained from its bark. Another yew is
found in Florida, and there are species in Japan and
the Himalayas.
[1913 Webster + PJC]
3. A bow for shooting, made of the yew.
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Americana
(gcide) | Americana \Americana\ ([.a]*m[~e]r`[i^]*k[a^]n"[.a]), n.
1. any artifact (such a books or furniture or art) that is
distinctive to America.
[WordNet 1.5] |
American-Indian
(gcide) | American-Indian \American-Indian\ adj.
1. of or pertaining to American Indians
Syn: Amerindian, Amerind, Amerindic, Indian, native American
[WordNet 1.5] |
Americanism
(gcide) | Americanism \A*mer"i*can*ism\, n.
1. Attachment to the United States.
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2. A custom peculiar to the United States or to America; an
American characteristic or idea.
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3. A word or phrase peculiar to the United States.
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