Search the Dictionary

The distinguishing mark worn by an armed knight, usually upon the helmet, and by his retainers and followers: Hence, in general, a badge worn by a retainer or dependent, to indicate the person or party to which he belonged; a token by which a thing may be known. Wearing the liveries and cognizance of their master. Pres…

To repeat the distillation of, pouring the liquor back upon the matter remaining in the vessel. Arbuthnot.

A ring or round flange upon, surrounding, or against an object, and used for rastraining motion within given limits, or for holding something to its place, or for hibing an opening around an object; as, a collar on a shaft, used to prevent endwise motion of the shaft; a collar surrounding a stovepipe at the place where…

In an indirect or subordinate manner; indirectly. The will hath force upon the conscience collaterally and indirectly. Jer. Taylor.

A method of quantitative chemical analysis based upon the comparison of the depth of color of a solution with that of a standard liquid.

, to rise to; to equal. -- To come up with, to overtake or reach by pursuit. -- To come upon. (a) To befall. (b) To attack or invade. (c) To have a claim upon; to become dependent upon for support; as, to come upon the town. (d) To light or chance upon; to find; as, to come upon hid treasure.

A dramatic composition, or representation of a bright and amusing character, based upon the foibles of individuals, the manners of society, or the ludicrous events or accidents of life; a play in which mirth predominates and the termination of the plot is happy; -- opposed to tragedy. With all the vivacity if comedy. M…

To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge. We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends. Bacon. Go to your mistress: Say, I command her come to me. Shak.

te the Declaration of Independence by the observance of the Fourth of July. We are called upon to commemorate a revolution. Atterbury.

To enter upon; to begin; to perform the first act of. Many a wooer doth commence his suit. Shak.

The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others.

ning, or to explain particular passages; to write annotations; -- often followed by on or upon. A physician to comment on your malady. Shak. Critics . . . proceed to comment on him. Dryden. I must translate and comment. Pope.

To write comments or notes upon; to make comments. [R.] Commentate upon it, and return it enriched. Lamb.

ant, a right belonging to the owners or occupiers of arable land to put commonable beasts upon the waste land in the manor where they dwell. -- Common appurtenant, a similar right applying to lands in other manors, or extending to other beasts, besides those which are generally commonable, as hogs. -- Common because…

n of the Lord's supper, or the office or service therefor. -- Communion table, the table upon which the elements are placed at the celebration of the Lord's supper. -- Communion in both kinds, participation in both the bread and wine by all communicants. -- Communion in one kind, participation in but one element, as…

large; a commonwealth or state; a body politic; the public, or people in general. Burdens upon the poorer classes of the community. Hallam.

An instrument for determining directions upon the carth's surface by means of a magnetized bar or needle turning freely upon a pivot and pinting in a northerly and southerly direction. He that firat discovered the use of the compass did more for the supplying and increase of useful commodities than those who built work…

Folded together, or upon itself, with the fold running lengthwise.

o pass compliments; to use conventional expressions of respect. I make the interlocutors, upon occasion, compliment with one another. Boyle.

ention in the composer. Addison. His [Mozart's] most brilliant and solid glory is founded upon his talents as a composer. Moore (Encyc. of Mus. ).