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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)

98,828 entries. Headwords are matched first, then definition text.

11,617 words match “AY”

MALAY; MALAYAN a. 2 definitions

Of or pertaining to the Malays or their country. -- n.

The name given to one the cultivated Dravidian languages, closely related to the Tamil. Yule.

One who kills a human being; one who commits manslaughter.

A small passageway, as in a mine, that a man may pass through. Raymond.

MANYWAYS; MANYWISE adv.

In many different ways; variously.

An American wild cat (Felis tigrina), ranging from Mexico to Brazil. It is spotted with black. Called also long-tailed cat.

Play in which the score is reckoned by counting the holes won or lost by each side; -- disting. from medal play.

MAUNDY THURSDAY n.

The Thursday in Passion week, or next before Good Friday.

MAY v. 10 definitions

xpressing: (a) Ability, competency, or possibility; -- now oftener expressed by can. How may a man, said he, with idle speech, Be won to spoil the castle of his health ! Spenser. For what he [the king] may do is of two kinds; what he may do as just, and what he may do as possible. Bacon. For of all sad words of tongue…

MAY LAWS n. 2 definitions

sion for great persecution; -- so called because they received the assent of the czar in May, 1882, and because likened to the Prussian May laws (see Kulturkampf).

The name for the doctrine of the unreality of matter, called, in English, idealism; hence, nothingness; vanity; illusion.

MAYAN a. 2 definitions

co, Campeche, and Yucatan, together with a part of Guatemala and a part of Salvador. The Mayan peoples are dark, short, and brachycephallic, and at the time of the discovery had attained a higher grade of culture than any other American people. They cultivated a variety of crops, were expert in the manufacture and dyei…

MAYAN ARCH; MAYA ARCH n.

A form of corbel arch employing regular small corbels.

MAYBE adv. 3 definitions

Perhaps; possibly; peradventure. Maybe the amorous count solicits her. Shak. In a liberal and, maybe, somewhat reckless way. Tylor.

MAYBIRD n. 3 definitions

The whimbrel; -- called also May fowl, May curlew, and May whaap.

A large dark-red cherry of excellent quality.

A common American minnow (Fundulus majalis). See Minnow.

In England, the hawthorn; in New England, the trailing arbutus (see Arbutus); also, the blossom of these plants.