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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



463 words match “CHARACTERISTIC”

ITCHY a.
A suffix used in naming minerals; as, chlorite, from its characteristic green color; barite, from its heaviness; graphite, from its use in writing.
JAPONISM n.
A quality, idiom, or peculiarity characteristic of the Japanese or their products, esp. in art.
JEFFERSONIAN a.
Pertaining to, or characteristic of, Thomas Jefferson or his policy or political doctrines. Lowell.
JEHOVIST n.
y those of the Pentateuch, in which the Supreme Being is styled Jehovah. See Elohist. The characteristic manner of the Jehovist differs from that of his predecessor [the Elohist]. He is fuller and freer in his descriptions; more reflective in his assignment of motives and causes; more artificial in mode of narration. S…
JEWISH a.
Of or pertaining to the Jews or Hebrews; characteristic of or resembling the Jews or their customs; Israelitish. -- Jew"ish*ly, adv. -- Jew"ish*ness, n.
JOHN n.
t. John's Day. Same as Apple-john. -- John Bull, an ideal personification of the typical characteristics of an Englishman, or of the English people. -- John Bullism, English character. W. Irving. -- John Doe (Law), the name formerly given to the fictitious plaintiff in an action of ejectment. Mozley & W. -- John Do…
JOHNSONIANISM n.
A manner of acting or of writing peculiar to, or characteristic of, Dr. Johnson. [Written also Johnsonism.]
JOURNALISTIC a.
Pertaining to journals or to journalists; contained in, or characteristic of, the public journals; as journalistic literature or enterprise.
JUICE n.
The characteristic fluid of any vegetable or animal substance; the sap or part which can be expressed from fruit, etc.; the fluid part which separates from meat in cooking. An animal whose juices are unsound. Arbuthnot. The juice of July flowers. B. Jonson. The juice of Egypt's grape. Shak. Letters which Edward Digby w…
JURA-TRIAS n.
A term applied to many American Mesozoic strata, in which the characteristics of the Jurassic and Triassic periods appear to be blended. -- Ju`ra-tri*as"sic, a.
KIND a.
Characteristic of the species; belonging to one's nature; natural; native. [Obs.] Chaucer. It becometh sweeter than it should be, and loseth the kind taste. Holland.
KINGDOM n.
An extensive scientific division distinguished by leading or ruling characteristics; a principal division; a department; as, the mineral kingdom. "The animal and vegetable kingdoms." Locke. Animal kingdom. See under Animal. -- Kingdom of God. (a) The universe. (b) That spiritual realm of which God is the acknowledged…
KINGLY a.
Belonging to, suitable to, or becoming, a king; characteristic of, resembling, a king; directed or administered by a king; monarchical; royal; sovereign; regal; august; noble; grand. "Kingly magnificence." Sir P. Sidney. "A kingly government." Swift. "The kingly couch." Shak. The kingliest kings are crowned with thorn.…
KNAVISH a.
Like or characteristic of a knave; given to knavery; trickish; fraudulent; dishonest; villainous; as, a knavish fellow, or a knavish trick. "Knavish politicians." Macaulay.
LACONIC; LACONICAL a.
Laconian; characteristic of, or like, the Spartans; hence, stern or severe; cruel; unflinching. His head had now felt the razor, his back the rod; all that laconical discipline pleased him well. Bp. Hall.
LAMARCKISM n.
The theory that structural variations, characteristic of species and genera, are produced in animals and plants by the direct influence of physical environments, and esp., in the case of animals, by effort, or by use or disuse of certain organs.
LANDLORDISM n.
The state of being a landlord; the characteristics of a landlord; specifically, in Great Britain, the relation of landlords to tenants, especially as regards leased agricultural lands. J. S. Mill.
LANGUAGE n.
The characteristic mode of arranging words, peculiar to an individual speaker or writer; manner of expression; style. Others for language all their care express. Pope.
LEGUMIN n.
An albuminous substance resembling casein, found as a characteristic ingredient of the seeds of leguminous and grain- bearing plants.
LEMON n.
ed, as it consists of an acid potassium oxalate and contains no citric acid, which is the characteristic acid of lemon; -- called also salis of sorrel. It is used in removing ink stains. See Oxalic acid, under Oxalic. [Colloq.]
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