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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,055 words match “AMERICAN”

DEVIL n.
nge with stout branches. [Prov. Eng., Irish & Scot.] -- Devil's riding-horse (Zoöl.), the American mantis (Mantis Carolina). -- The Devil's tattoo, a drumming with the fingers or feet. "Jack played the Devil's tattoo on the door with his boot heels." F. Hardman (Blackw. Mag.). -- Devil worship, worship of the power o…
DEVILWOOD n.
A kind of tree (Osmanthus Americanus), allied to the European olive.
DICKCISSEL n.
The American black-throated bunting (Spiza Americana).
DIDELPHOUS n.
Formerly, any marsupial; but the term is now restricted to an American genus which includes the opossums, of which there are many species. See Opossum. [Written also Didelphis.] See Illustration in Appendix. Cuvier.
DIDELPHYS n.
Formerly, any marsupial; but the term is now restricted to an American genus which includes the opossums, of which there are many species. See Opossum. [Written also Didelphis.] See Illustration in Appendix. Cuvier.
DIPPER n.
The American dipper or ouzel (Cinclus Mexicanus). The Dipper (Astron.), the seven principal stars in the constellation of the Great Bear; popularly so called from their arrangement in the form of a dipper; -- called also Charles's Wain. See Ursa Major, under Ursa.
DISPATCH n.
another; -- often used in the plural; as, a messenger has arrived with dispatches for the American minister; naval or military dispatches.
DOG DAY; DOGDAY n.
One of the dog days. Dogday cicada (Zoöl.), a large American cicada (C. pruinosa), which trills loudly in midsummer.
DOMINO n.
as politically unstable as a domino standing on edge. Used by some as a justification for American involvement in the Vietnam war, 1964-1972.
DOR n.
ercorarius), which makes a droning noise while flying. The name is also applied to allied American species, as the June bug. Called also dorr, dorbeetle, or dorrbeetle, dorbug, dorrfly, and buzzard clock.
DORY n.
The American wall-eyed perch; -- called also doré. See Pike perch.
DOVE PLANT n.
A Central American orchid (Peristeria elata), having a flower stem five or six feet high, with numerous globose white fragrant flowers. The column in the center of the flower resembles a dove; -- called also Holy Spirit plant.
DUDE n.
r affectations. [Recent] The social dude who affects English dress and English drawl. The American.
DUNBIRD n.
An American duck; the ruddy duck.
DURUKULI n.
A small, nocturnal, South American monkey (Nyctipthecus trivirgatus). [Written also douroucouli.]
DUTCHMAN n.
A native, or one of the people, of Holland. Dutchman's breeches (Bot.), a perennial American herb (Dicentra cucullaria), with peculiar double-spurred flowers. See Illust. of Dicentra. -- Dutchman's laudanum (Bot.), a West Indian passion flower (Passiflora Murucuja); also, its fruit. -- Dutchman's pipe (Bot.), an Amer…
DYNAMITING n.
Destroying by dynamite, for political ends. Dynamiting is not the American way. The Century.
EAGLE n.
eagle (Aquila chrysaëtus); the imperial eagle of Europe (A. mogilnik or imperialis); the American bald eagle (Haliæetus leucocephalus); the European sea eagle (H. albicilla); and the great harpy eagle (Thrasaetus harpyia). The figure of the eagle, as the king of birds, is commonly used as an heraldic emblem, and also…
EELPOUT n.
producing living young; -- called also greenbone, guffer, bard, and Maroona eel. Also, an American species (Z. anguillaris), -- called also mutton fish, and, erroneously, congo eel, ling, and lamper eel. Both are edible, but of little value.
EGRET n.
h bear plumes on the back. They are generally white. Among the best known species are the American egret (Ardea, or Herodias, egretta); the great egret (A. alba); the little egret (A. garzetta), of Europe; and the American snowy egret (A. candidissima). A bunch of egrets killed for their plumage. G. W. Cable.…
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