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nsactions between citizens and with government; also, any number of such pieces; coin. To prevent such abuses, ... it has been found necessary ... to affix a public stamp upon certain quantities of such particular metals, as were in those countries commonly made use of to purchase goods. Hence the origin of coined mone…

A tax paid to the first two Norman kings of England to prevent them from debashing the coin. Hume.

A ring fitted upon the head of a lance to prevent wounding an adversary in titling.

A knob made on a rope with spun yarn or parceling to prevent a running eye from slipping.

r small stuff, or a metallic clasp or fastening, uniting the point and shank of a hook to prevent its unhooking or straighening out.

To prevent seeing, or hearing, or speaking, by wraps bound about the head; to blindfold; to deafen.

A fastening or covering (as a band or cage) for the mouth of an animal, to prevent eating or vicious biting. With golden muzzles all their mouths were bound Dryden. Muzzle sight. (Gun.) See Dispart, n., 2.

eenth of a yard. Nail ball (Ordnance), a round projectile with an iron bolt protruding to prevent it from turning in the gun. -- Nail plate, iron in plates from which cut nails are made. -- On the nail, in hand; on the spot; immediately; without delay or time of credit; as, to pay money on the nail. "You shall have t…

ly. [Obs.] Chaucer. The solitariness of man ...God hath namely and principally ordered to prevent by marriage. Milton.

Impossible to be otherwise, or to be dispensed with, without preventing the attainment of a desired result; indispensable; requiste; essential. "'T is necessary he should die." Shak. A certain kind of temper is necessary to the pleasure and quiet of our minds. Tillotson.

rs, springs, etc., working together or collectively. Nest egg, an egg left in the nest to prevent the hen from forsaking it, and to induce her to lay more in the same place; hence, figuratively, something laid up as the beginning of a fund or collection. Hudibras.

The process of tying together the ends of yarns in pairs, to prevent tangling.

Without prevention, or obstruction from or by; in spite of. We gentil women bee Loth to displease any wight, Notwithstanding our great right. Chaucer's Dream. Those on whom Christ bestowed miraculous cures were so transported that their gratitude made them, notwithstanding his prohibition, proclaim the wonders he had d…

ut which is screwed up tightly against another nut on the same bolt or screw, in order to prevent accidental unscrewing of the first nut. -- Nut buoy. See under Buoy. -- Nut coal, screened coal of a size smaller than stove coal and larger than pea coal; -- called also chestnut coal. -- Nut crab (Zoöl.), any leucosoi…

Nourishing; promoting growth, or preventing decay; alimental. -- Nu*tri"tious*ly, adv. -- Nu*tri"tious*ness, n.

. -- To muffle the oars, to put something round that part which rests in the rowlock, to prevent noise in rowing. -- To put in one's oar, to give aid or advice; -- commonly used of a person who obtrudes aid or counsel not invited. -- To ship the oars, to place them in the rowlocks. -- To toss the oars, To peak the…

The act of objecting; as, to prevent agreement, or action, by objection. Johnson.

One who obscures; one who prevents enlightenment or hinders the progress of knowledge and wisdom. Coleridge.

as a way or passage; to place an obstacle in, or fill with obstacles or impediments that prevent or hinder passing; as, to obstruct a street; to obstruct the channels of the body. 'T is the obstructed paths of sound shall clear. Pope.

to stop (a gun breech) so as to prevent the escape of gas in firing.