Search the Dictionary

Contraction for Vingt et un.

The spasmodic contraction of the intestines which causes colic.

A colloquial contraction of was not.

To turn or twist out of shape; esp., to twist or bend out of a flat plane by contraction or otherwise. The planks looked warped. Coleridge. Walter warped his mouth at this To something so mock solemn, that I laughed. Tennyson.

Contraction for we will or we shall. "We'll follow them." Shak.

Employing, or done by means of, water or some other liquid; as, the wet extraction of copper, in distinction from dry extraction in which dry heat or fusion is employed.

A contraction of what-ever; -- used in poetry. "Whate'er is in his way." Shak.

A contraction of whatsoever; -- used in poetry. Shak.

aided cord, tape, or tube, usually made of soft spun cotton threads, which by capillary attraction draws up a steady supply of the oil in lamps, the melted tallow or wax in candles, or other material used for illumination, in small successive portions, to be burned. But true it is, that when the oil is spent The light…

med state; disposition to rove or go unrestrained; rudeness; savageness; irregularity; distraction.

One who exercises more than common power of attraction; a charming or bewitching person; also, one given to mischief; -- said especially of a woman or child. [Colloq.]

The act of withdrawing; withdrawment; retreat; retraction. Fielding.

A colloquial contraction of woll not. Will not. See Will.

James ii. 17. Muscular work (Physiol.), the work done by a muscle through the power of contraction. -- To go to work, to begin laboring; to commence operations; to contrive; to manage. "I 'll go another way to work with him." Shak. -- To set on work, to cause to begin laboring; to set to work. [Obs.] Hooker. -- To s…

A small ridge, prominence, or furrow formed by the shrinking or contraction of any smooth substance; a corrugation; a crease; a slight fold; as, wrinkle in the skin; a wrinkle in cloth. "The wrinkles in my brows." Shak. Within I do not find wrinkles and used heart, but unspent youth. Emerson.

isted or distorted neck; a deformity in which the neck is drawn to one side by a rigid contraction of one of the muscles of the neck; torticollis.

A species of asceticism among the Hindoos, which consists in a complete abstraction from all worldly objects, by which the votary expects to obtain union with the universal spirit, and to acquire superhuman faculties.

Resemblance to Zoilus in style or manner; carping criticism; detraction. Bring candid eyes the perusal of men's works, and let not Zoilism or detraction blast well-intended labors. Sir T. Browne.