Search the Dictionary

The possession of dovelike qualities, harmlessness and innocence. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Like a dove; harmless; innocent. "Joined with dovish simplicity." Latimer.

of the Garter; -- often abbreviated to Garter. -- Garter snake (Zoöl.), one of several harmless American snakes of the genus Eutænia, of several species (esp. E. saurita and E. sirtalis); one of the striped snakes; -- so called from its conspicuous stripes of color.

vessel's deck. -- Green sickness (Med.), chlorosis. -- Green snake (Zoöl.), one of two harmless American snakes (Cyclophis vernalis, and C. æstivus). They are bright green in color. -- Green turtle (Zoöl.), an edible marine turtle. See Turtle. -- Green vitriol. (a) (Chem.) Sulphate of iron; a light green crystallin…

A harmless North American snake of the genus Heterodon, esp. H. platyrhynos; -- called also puffing adder, blowing adder, and sand viper.

the skirts of a woman's dress; -- called also hoop petticoat. -- Hoop snake (Zoöl.), a harmless snake of the Southern United States (Abaster erythrogrammus); -- so called from the mistaken notion that it curves itself into a hoop, taking its tail into its mouth, and rolls along with great velocity. -- Hoop tree (Bot…

A harmless snake (Farancia abacura), found in the Southern United States. The color is bluish black above, red below.

Doing no injury; harmless; also, unhurt; without injury or harm. Gentle dame so hurtless and so true. Spenser. -- Hurt"less*ly, adv. -- Hurt"less*ness, n.

Not injurious; harmless. [R.]

, ornamentation, or instinctive habits, so as to derive an advantage thereby; sa, when a harmless snake imitates a venomous one in color and manner, or when an odorless insect imitates, in color, one having secretion offensive to birds.

To save harmless; to secure against loss or damage; to insure. The states must at last engage to the merchants here that they will indemnify them from all that shall fall out. Sir W. Temple.

The state or quality of being innocent; freedom from that which is harmful or infurious; harmlessness.

Not harmful; free from that which can injure; innoxious; innocuous; harmless; as, an innocent medicine or remedy. The spear Sung innocent,and spent its force in air. Pope.

Harmless; producing no ill effect; innocent. A patient, innocuous, innocent man. Burton. -- In*noc"u*ous*ly, adv. -- In*noc"u*ous*ness, n. Where the salt sea innocuously breaks. Wordsworth.

Free from hurtful qualities or effects; harmless. "Innoxious flames." Sir K. Digby.

Harmless; doing no injury or mischief. Dryden.

A name of several harmless plants, as Arnica montana, Senecio Doronicum, and Paris quadrifolia.

certain plants in their food, and to polluted drinking water. -- Milk snake (Zoöl.), a harmless American snake (Ophibolus triangulus, or O. eximius). It is variously marked with white, gray, and red. Called also milk adder, chicken snake, house snake, etc. -- Milk sugar. (Physiol. Chem.) See Lactose, and Sugar of mi…

The common name of the several species of the genus Parietaria, low, harmless weeds of the Nettle family; -- also called wall pellitory, and lichwort.

and pine trees, and used in making varnishes and colors. -- Pine snake (Zoöl.), a large harmless North American snake (Pituophis melanoleucus). It is whitish, covered with brown blotches having black margins. Called also bull snake. The Western pine snake (P. Sayi) is chestnut-brown, mottled with black and orange. --…