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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,872 words match “MEAN”

BIFILAR a.
eter (often called a bifilar), an instrument form measuring minute distances or angles by means of two very minute threads (usually spider lines), one of which, at least, is movable; -- more commonly called a filar micrometer.
BILL HOLDER n.
A device by means of which bills, etc., are held.
BIRTHLESS a.
Of mean extraction. [R.] Sir W. Scott.
BIT n.
A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes, usually turned by means of a brace or bitstock. See Bitstock.
BITE v.
enemy bite the dust. -- To bite in (Etching), to corrode or eat into metallic plates by means of an acid. -- To bite the thumb at (any one), formerly a mark of contempt, designed to provoke a quarrel; to defy. "Do you bite your thumb at us " Shak. -- To bite the tongue, to keep silence. Shak.
BITING IN n.
The process of corroding or eating into metallic plates, by means of an acid. See Etch. G. Francis.
BLACKMAIL n.
Payment of money exacted by means of intimidation; also, extortion of money from a person by threats of public accusation, exposure, or censure.
BLADE n.
A sharp-witted, dashing, wild, or reckless, fellow; -- a word of somewhat indefinite meaning. He saw a turnkey in a trice Fetter a troublesome blade. Coleridge.
BLAST LAMP n.
A lamp provided with some arrangement for intensifying combustion by means of a blast.
BLAZON n. 2 definitions
Ostentatious display, either by words or other means; publication; show; description; record. Obtrude the blazon of their exploits upon the company. Collier. Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions, and spirit, Do give thee fivefold blazon. Shak.
BLEED v.
To emit blood; to lose blood; to run with blood, by whatever means; as, the arm bleeds; the wound bled freely; to bleed at the nose.
BLESSING n.
A means of happiness; that which promotes prosperity and welfare; a beneficent gift. Nature's full blessings would be well dispensed. Milton.
BLOCK n. 2 definitions
lock printing. (a) A mode of printing (common in China and Japan) from engraved boards by means of a sheet of paper laid on the linked surface and rubbed with a brush. S. W. Williams. (b) A method of printing cotton cloth and paper hangings with colors, by pressing them upon an engraved surface coated with coloring mat…
BLOOTH n.
Bloom; a blossoming. [Prov. Eng.] All that blooth means heavy autumn work for him and his hands. T. Hardy.
BLOW v.
To force a current of air upon with the mouth, or by other means; as, to blow the fire.
BLOWPIPE n.
A blowgun; a blowtube. Blowpipe analysis (Chem.), analysis by means of the blowpipe. -- Blowpipe reaction (Chem.), the characteristic behavior of a substance subjected to a test by means of the blowpipe.
BLUNT-WITTED n.
Dull; stupid. Blunt-witted lord, ignoble in demeanor! Shak.
BLUSTER v.
loweth and blustereth out . . . his abominable blasphemy. Sir T. More. As if therewith he meant to bluster all princes into a perfect obedience to his commands. Fuller.
BOLT v.
To sift or separate the coarser from the finer particles of, as bran from flour, by means of a bolter; to separate, assort, refine, or purify by other means. He now had bolted all the flour. Spenser. Ill schooled in bolted language. Shak.
BOMBARD v.
rds or with artillery; especially, to throw shells, hot shot, etc., at or into. Next, she means to bombard Naples. Burke. His fleet bombarded and burnt down Dieppe. Wood.
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