Search the Dictionary

Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,383 words match “DIRE”

CRITICAL a.
iterary or artistic productions. It is submitted to the judgment of more critical ears to direct and determine what is graceful and what is not. Holder.
CROSS a. 2 definitions
Made in an opposite direction, or an inverse relation; mutually inverse; interchanged; as, cross interrogatories; cross marriages, as when a brother and sister marry persons standing in the same relation to each other. Cross action (Law), an action brought by a party who is sued against the person who has sued him, upo…
CROSS-READING n.
The reading of the lines of a newspaper directly across the page, instead of down the columns, thus producing a ludicrous combination of ideas.
CROSS-SPRINGER n.
One of the ribs in a groined arch, springing from the corners in a diagonal direction.
CROSSFLOW v.
To flow across, or in a contrary direction. "His crossflowing course." Milton.
CROW n.
pera, mostly from Australia. -- Red-legged crow. See Crough. -- As the crow flies, in a direct line. -- To pick a crow, To pluck a crow, to state and adjust a difference or grievance (with any one).
CRUISE n.
A voyage made in various directions, as of an armed vessel, for the protection of other vessels, or in search of an enemy; a sailing to and fro, as for exploration or for pleasure. He feigned a compliance with some of his men, who were bent upon going a cruise to Manilla. Dampier.
CULMINATE v.
To reach its highest point of altitude; to come to the meridian; to be vertical or directly overhead. As when his beams at noon Culminate from the equator. Milton.
CULTIVATE v.
To direct special attention to; to devote time and thought to; to foster; to cherish. Leisure . . . to cultivate general literature. Wordsworth.
CURRENT n.
lowing or passing; onward motion. Hence: A body of fluid moving continuously in a certain direction; a stream; esp., the swiftest part of it; as, a current of water or of air; that which resembles a stream in motion; as, a current of electricity. Two such silver currents, when they join, Do glorify the banks that bound…
CURVATURE n. 2 definitions
ved; a curving or bending, normal or abnormal, as of a line or surface from a rectilinear direction; a bend; a curve. Cowper. The elegant curvature of their fronds. Darwin.
CURVE v.
To bend or turn gradually from a given direction; as, the road curves to the right.
CUT v.
ge the order of the cards to be dealt. To cut across, to pass over or through in the most direct way; as, to cut across a field. -- To cut and run, to make off suddenly and quickly; -- from the cutting of a ship's cable, when there is not time to raise the anchor. [Colloq.] -- To cut in or into, to interrupt; to jont…
CUTWATER n.
A starling or other structure attached to the pier of a birdge, with an angle or edge directed up stream, in order better to resist the action of water, ice, etc.; the sharpened upper end of the pier itself.
CYNIC n.
nics; a snarler; a misanthrope; particularly, a person who believes that human conduct is directed, either consciously or unconsciously, wholly by self- interest or self-indulgence, and that appearances to the contrary are superficial and untrustworthy. He could obtain from one morose cynic, whose opinion it was imposs…
CYNIC; CYNICAL a.
principles; disbelieving in the reality of any human purposes which are not suggested or directed by self-interest or self-indulgence; as, a cynical man who scoffs at pretensions of integrity; characterized by such opinions; as, cynical views of human nature.
CYNOSURE n. 2 definitions
ar, to which, as containing the polar star, the eyes of mariners and travelers were often directed.
DACAPO n.
From the beginning; a direction to return to, and end with, the first strain; -- indicated by the letters D. C. Also, the strain so repeated.
DAL SEGNO n.
A direction to go back to the sign Segno.
DAMASK n.
Linen so woven that a pattern in produced by the different directions of the thread, without contrast of color.
← Previous Page 17 of 70 Next →