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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



377 words match “ADAPT”

POKERISH a.
Infested by pokers; adapted to excite fear; as, a pokerish place. [Colloq. U. S.] There is something pokerish about a deserted dwelling. Lowell.
POLITIC a.
Pertaining to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong; -- said of things; as, a politic treaty. "Enrich'd with politic grave counsel." Shak.
POLLUTING a.
Adapted or tending to pollute; causing defilement or pollution. -- Pol*lut"ing*ly, adv.
POLONAISE n.
crotchet, and closing on the beat after a strong accent on the second beat; also, a dance adapted to such music; a polacca.
POPULAR a.
Adapted to the means of the common people; possessed or obtainable by the many; hence, cheap; common; ordinary; inferior; as, popular prices; popular amusements. The smallest figs, called popular figs, . . . are, of all others, the basest and of least account. Holland.
POPULARITY n.
The quality or state of being adapted or pleasing to common, poor, or vulgar people; hence, cheapness; inferiority; vulgarity. This gallant laboring to avoid popularity falls into a habit of affectation. B. Jonson.
POST n.
of the post. See under Knight. -- Post hanger (Mach.), a bearing for a revolving shaft, adapted to be fastened to a post. -- Post hole, a hole in the ground to set the foot of a post in. -- Post mill, a form of windmill so constructed that the whole fabric rests on a vertical axis firmly fastened to the ground, and…
PREDISPOSITION n.
Previous fitness or adaptation to any change, impression, or purpose; susceptibility; -- applied to material things; as, the predisposition of the body to disease.
PREHENSILE a.
Adapted to seize or grasp; seizing; grasping; as, the prehensile tail of a monkey.
PREHENSORY a.
Adapted to seize or grasp; prehensile.
PREPARATION n.
beforehand for a particular purpose, use, service, or condition; previous arrangement or adaptation; a making ready; as, the preparation of land for a crop of wheat; the preparation of troops for a campaign.
PREPARATORY a.
Preparing the way for anything by previous measures of adaptation; antecedent and adapted to what follows; introductory; preparative; as, a preparatory school; a preparatory condition.
PREPARE v.
To fit, adapt, or qualify for a particular purpose or condition; to make ready; to put into a state for use or application; as, to prepare ground for seed; to prepare a lesson. Our souls, not yet prepared for upper light. Dryden.
PREPARED a.
Made fit or suitable; adapted; ready; as, prepared food; prepared questions. -- Pre*par"ed*ly, adv. Shak. -- Pre*par"ed*ness, n.
PREPOSTEROUS a.
Contrary to nature or reason; not adapted to the end; utterly and glaringly foolish; unreasonably absurd; perverted. "Most preposterous conclusions." Shak. Preposterous ass, that never read so far! Shak.
PROCRUSTES n.
ims upon an iron bed, and, as the case required, either stretched or cut of their legs to adapt them to its length; -- whence the metaphorical phrase, the bed of Procrustes.
PROJECTILE n.
A body projected, or impelled forward, by force; especially, a missile adapted to be shot from a firearm.
PROPORTION n.
The relation or adaptation of one portion to another, or to the whole, as respect magnitude, quantity, or degree; comparative relation; ratio; as, the proportion of the parts of a building, or of the body. The image of Christ, made after his own proportion. Ridley. Formed in the best proportions of her sex. Sir W. Scot…
PROPORTIONALLY adv.
In proportion; in due degree; adapted relatively; as, all parts of the building are proportionally large. Sir I. Newton.
PROTREPTICAL a.
Adapted to persuade; hortatory; persuasive. [Obs.] Bp. Ward.
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