Search the Dictionary

One whose practice it is to raise mirth by odd tricks; a jester; a buffoon; a merry-andrew. Prior.

Characterized by a quality somewhat severe, grave, or hard; hence, sharp; keen; shrewd; quaint; as, a dry tone or manner; dry wit. He was rather a dry, shrewd kind of body. W. Irving.

ape-wheel has two sets of teeth. See Escapement. -- Duplex lathe, one for turning off, screwing, and surfacing, by means of two cutting tools, on opposite sides of the piece operated upon. -- Duplex pumping engine, a steam pump in which two steam cylinders are placed side by side, one operating the valves of the othe…

To merit or deserve, as by labor or service; to do that which entitles one to (a reward, whether the reward is received or not). The high repute Which he through hazard huge must earn. Milton.

Hebrew. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Regulative; relating to the adaptation of means to an end. Grew.

elephant paper, paper measuring 26Paper. -- Elephant seal (Zoöl.), an African jumping shrew (Macroscelides typicus), having a long nose like a proboscis. -- Elephant's ear (Bot.), a name given to certain species of the genus Begonia, which have immense one-sided leaves. -- Elephant's foot (Bot.) (a) A South African…

y elves, in room of one they had stolen. See Changeling. -- Elf fire, the ignis fatuus. Brewer. -- Elf owl (Zoöl.), a small owl (Micrathene Whitneyi) of Southern California and Arizona.

One of the principal names by which God is designated in the Hebrew Scriptures.

See Imbrue, Embrew. [Obs.]

To make run in a channel. "Its waters were enchanneled." Sir D. Brewster.

That which serves to incite, support, promote, or advance, as favor, countenance, reward, etc.; incentive; increase of confidence; as, the fine arts find little encouragement among a rude people. To think of his paternal care, Is a most sweet encouragement to prayer. Byron.

t. Endless chain, a chain which is made continuous by uniting its two ends. -- Endless screw. (Mech.) See under Screw.

pacity for vigorous action or for exerting force; active. "A Being eternally energetic." Grew.

forces, constraints, gives force, authority, or effect to; constraint; force applied. The rewards and punishment of another life, which the Almighty has established as the enforcements of his law. Locke.

e. Exhibiting the seeming contradiction of susceptibility to enthusiasm and calculating shrewdness. Bancroft.

Used in entreaty; pleading. [R.] "Entreative phrase." A. Brewer.

A Hebrew dry measure, supposed to be equal to two pecks and five quarts. ten ephahs make one homer.

re in which successive clauses end with the same word or affirmation; e. g., "Are they Hebrews so am I. Are they Israelites so am I." 2 Cor. xi. 22.

The earth. [Prov. Eng.] Wright. Erd shrew (Zoöl.), the common European shrew (Sorex vulgaris); the shrewmouse.