Search the Dictionary

nt to, to the extent of desire; to sate; as, to satiate appetite or sense. These [smells] rather woo the sense than satiate it. Bacon. I may yet survive the malice of my enemies, although they should be satiated with my blood. Eikon Basilike.

strive or contend tumultuously; to struggle confusedly or at haphazard. A gallant man had rather fight to great disadvantage in the field, in an orderly way, than scuffle with an undisciplined rabble. Eikon Basilike.

arance of disclosure or discovery. It is not with public as with private prayer; in this, rather secrecy is commanded than outward show. Hooker.

, upon the holders, by making a charge to cover the expense (which is done by giving back rather less in coin than has been received in bullion, and is called "levying a seigniorage"), the coin will rise to the extent of the seigniorage above the value of the bullion. J. S. Mill.

Seeming, rather than real; apparent. [R.] Carlyle.

he true lawgiver ought to have a heart full of sensibility. Burke. His sensibilities seem rather to have been those of patriotism than of wounded pride. Marshall.

artificially or affectedly tender; -- often in a reproachful sense. A sentimental mind is rather prone to overwrought feeling and exaggerated tenderness. Whately.

of the Old Testament; -- so called because it was believed to be the work of seventy (or rather of seventy-two) translators.

An African wild cat (Felis serval) of moderate size. It has rather long legs and a tail of moderate length. Its color is tawny, with black spots on the body and rings of black on the tail.

The leading and most progressive Buddhist sect of Japan, resting its faith rather upon Amida than Gautama Buddha. Rites and ceremonies are held useless without uprightness.

A Sicilian dance, resembling the pastorale, set to a rather slow and graceful melody in 12-8 or 6-8 measure; also, the music to the dance.

e; -- called also single-footed pace. See Single, v. i. Single-foot is an irregular pace, rather rare, distinguished by the posterior extremities moving in the order of a fast walk, and the anterior extremities in that of a slow trot. Stillman (The Horse in Motion.)

. The sloop usually carries a centerboard, and depends for stability upon breadth of beam rather than depth of keel. The two types have rapidly approximated since 1880. One radical distinction is that a slop may carry a centerboard. See Cutter, and Illustration in Appendix. Sloop of war, formerly, a vessel of war rigge…

A boxing match or prize fight marked rather by heavy hitting than skill. [Cant or Slang]

g world. T. Burnet. He is very much in Sir Roger's esteem, so that he lives in the family rather as a relation than dependent. Addison.

Soaked or saturated with liquid or moisture; very wet or sloppy. It [Yarmouth] looked rather spongy and soppy. Dickens.

Having a shape broad for the height, with rectilineal and angular rather than curving outlines; as, a man of a square frame.

e metal, never to decay Until his revolution was at stay. Milton. Affairs of state seemed rather to stand at a stay. Hayward.

tenosis of the pylorus. It differs from stricture in being applied especially to diffused rather than localized contractions, and in always indicating an origin organic and not spasmodic.

ou." Davenant. (b) To be troublesome by adhering. "I am satisfied to trifle away my time, rather than let it stick by me." Pope. -- To stick out. (a) To project; to be prominent. "His bones that were not seen stick out." Job xxxiii. 21. (b) To persevere in a purpose; to hold out; as, the garrison stuck out until relie…