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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,055 words match “AMERICAN”

GROUND n.
Ground cypress. (Bot.) See Lavender cotton. -- Ground dove (Zoöl.), one of several small American pigeons of the genus Columbigallina, esp. C. passerina of the Southern United States, Mexico, etc. They live chiefly on the ground. -- Ground fish (Zoöl.), any fish which constantly lives on the botton of the sea, as the…
GRUGRU WORM n.
The larva or grub of a large South American beetle (Calandra palmarum), which lives in the pith of palm trees and sugar cane. It is eaten by the natives, and esteemed a delicacy.
GRUNT n.
Any one of several species of American food fishes, of the genus Hæmulon, allied to the snappers, as, the black grunt (A. Plumieri), and the redmouth grunt (H. aurolineatus), of the Southern United States; -- also applied to allied species of the genera Pomadasys, Orthopristis, and Pristopoma. Called also pigfish, squi…
GRUNTER n.
One of several American marine fishes. See Sea robin, and Grunt, n., 2.
GUANACO n.
A South American mammal (Auchenia huanaco), allied to the llama, but of larger size and more graceful form, inhabiting the southern Andes and Patagonia. It is supposed by some to be the llama in a wild state. [Written also huanaco.]
GUIDGUID n.
A South American ant bird of the genus Hylactes; -- called also barking bird.
GUITGUIT n.
One of several species of small tropical American birds of the family Coerebidæ, allied to the creepers; -- called also quit. See Quit.
GURNARD; GURNET n.
s. Some of the species are highly esteemed for food. The name is sometimes applied to the American sea robins. [Written also gournet.] Plyling gurnard. See under Flying.
GYMNOTUS n.
A genus of South American fresh-water fishes, including the Gymnotus electricus, or electric eel. It has a greenish, eel-like body, and is possessed of electric power. One fearful shock, fearful but momentary, like from the electric blow of the gymnotus. De Quincey.
HACIENDA n.
from a farming establishment with rude huts for herdsmen, etc.; -- a word used in Spanish-American regions. 1.
HACKMATACK n.
The American larch (Larix Americana), a coniferous tree with slender deciduous leaves; also, its heavy, close-grained timber. Called also tamarack.
HADROSAURUS n.
An American herbivorous dinosaur of great size, allied to the iguanodon. It is found in the Cretaceous formation.
HAKE n.
of the genera Phycis, Merlucius, and allies. The common European hake is M. vulgaris; the American silver hake or whiting is M. bilinearis. Two American species (Phycis chuss and P. tenius) are important food fishes, and are also valued for their oil and sounds. Called also squirrel hake, and codling.…
HALESIA n.
A genus of American shrubs containing several species, called snowdrop trees, or silver-bell trees. They have showy, white flowers, drooping on slender pedicels.
HALF-BREED n.
A person who is blooded; the offspring of parents of different races, especially of the American Indian and the white race.
HARDHEAD n.
A coarse American commercial sponge (Spongia dura).
HARLEQUIN n.
, curiously variegated with white spots. -- Harlequin beetle (Zoöl.), a very large South American beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) having very long legs and antennæ. The elytra are curiously marked with red, black, and gray. -- Harlequin cabbage bug. (Zoöl.) See Calicoback. -- Harlequin caterpillar. (Zoöl.), the larva…
HARNESS v.
ssion. J. C. Shairp. Harnessed antelope. (Zoöl.) See Guib. -- Harnessed moth (Zoöl.), an American bombycid moth (Arctia phalerata of Harris), having, on the fore wings, stripes and bands of buff on a black ground.
HARPY n.
A large and powerful, double-crested, short-winged American eagle (Thrasaëtus harpyia). It ranges from Texas to Brazil. Harpy bat (Zoöl.) (a) An East Indian fruit bat of the genus Harpyia (esp. H. cerphalotes), having prominent, tubular nostrils. (b) A small, insectivorous Indian bat (Harpiocephalus harpia). Harpy fly…
HAWTHORN n.
fruit called haw. It is much used in Europe for hedges, and for standards in gardens. The American hawthorn is Cratægus cordata, which has the leaves but little lobed. Gives not the hawthorn bush a sweeter shade To shepherds Shak.
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