Search the Dictionary

A swinging couch or bed, usually made of netting or canvas about six feet wide, suspended by clews or cords at the ends.

A small European rodent (Cricetus frumentarius). It is remarkable for having a pouch on each side of the jaw, under the skin, and for its migrations.

To touch; to feel with the hand; to use or hold with the hand. Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh. Luke xxiv. 39. About his altar, handling holy things. Milton.

A touching, controlling, managing, using, etc., with the hand or hands, or as with the hands. See Handle, v. t. The heavens and your fair handling Have made you master of the field this day. Spenser.

A musical instrument, consisting of a series of hemispherical glasses which, by touching the edges with the dampened finger, give forth the tones.

Rough; disagreeable; grating; esp.:(a) To the touch."Harsh sand." Boyle. (b) To the taste. "Berries harsh and crude." Milton. (c) To the ear. "Harsh din." Milton.

To reach with a stroke or blow; to strike or touch, usually with force; especially, to reach or touch (an object aimed at). I think you have hit the mark. Shak.

To cower; to crouch; to curl up. [Obs.] Palsgrave.

Moisture; dampness; a moderate degree of wetness, which is perceptible to the eye or touch; -- used especially of the atmosphere, or of anything which has absorbed moisture from the atmosphere, as clothing.

In the phrase on one's hunkers, in a squatting or crouching position. [Scot. & Local, U. S.]

s, or substance; hence, constitutive, or elementary. The grand doctrine of the chymists, touching their three hypostatical principles. Boyle.

Without interval of time; without delay; promptly; instantly; at once. And Jesus . . . touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matt. viii. 3.

Contact or impression by touch; collision; forcible contact; force communicated. The quarrel, by that impact driven. Southey.

Not palpable; that cannot be felt; extremely fine, so that no grit can be perceived by touch. "Impalpable powder." Boyle.

Incapable of suffering; inaccessible to harm or pain; not to be touched or moved to passion or sympathy; unfeeling, or not showing feeling; without sensation. "Impassible to the critic." Sir W. Scott. Secure of death, I should contemn thy dart Though naked, and impassible depart. Dryden.

which have very beautiful flowers; -- so called because the elastic capsules burst when touched, and scatter the seeds with considerable force. Called also touch-me-not, jewelweed, and snapweed. I. Balsamina (sometimes called lady's slipper) is the common garden balsam.

souses; not discernible by the mind; not easily apprehended. Almost imperceptible to the touch. Dryden. Its operation is slow, and in some cases almost imperceptible. Burke. -- Im`per*cep"ti*ble*ness, n. -- Im`per*cep"ti*bly, adv. Their . . . subility and imperceptibleness. Sir M. Hale.

To fall or dash against; to touch upon; to strike; to hit; to ciash with; -- with on or upon. The cause of reflection is not the impinging of light on the solid or impervious parts of bodies. Sir I. Newton. But, in the present order of things, not to be employed without impinging on God's justice. Bp. Warburton.…

ake, an impression; having power to impress; adapted to excite attention and feeling, to touch the sensibilities, or affect the conscience; as, an impressive discourse; an impressive scene.

Serving to kindle or set on fire. [R.] Part incentive reed Provide, pernicious with one touch of fire. Milton.