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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



625 words match “BECAUSE”

SCRIBE v.
loor which is out of level, a board to the curves of a molding, or the like; -- so called because the workman marks, or scribe, with the compasses the line that he afterwards cuts.
SEA GINGER n.
the genus Millepora, especially M. alcicornis, of the West Indies and Florida. So called because it stings the tongue like ginger. See Illust. under Millepore.
SEEING conj.
. In view of the fact (that); considering; taking into account (that); insmuch as; since; because; -- followed by a dependent clause; as, he did well, seeing that he was so young. Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me Gen. xxvi. 27.
SENSIBLE a.
ol. Shak. Sensible note or tone (Mus.), the major seventh note of any scale; -- so called because, being but a half step below the octave, or key tone, and naturally leading up to that, it makes the ear sensible of its approaching sound. Called also the leading tone. -- Sensible horizon. See Horizon, n., 2. (a).…
SEPTUAGESIMA n.
The third Sunday before Lent; -- so called because it is about seventy days before Easter.
SEPTUAGINT n.
A Greek version of the Old Testament; -- so called because it was believed to be the work of seventy (or rather of seventy-two) translators.
SEQUENCE n.
or introit, whence the name. Bp. Fitzpatrick. Originally the sequence was called a Prose, because its early form was rhythmical prose. Shipley.
SERVE v.
instead of by one's duty; to be a timeserver. [Obs.] They think herein we serve the time, because thereby we either hold or seek preferment. Hooker.
SETTERWORT n.
The bear's-foot (Helleborus foetidus); -- so called because the root was used in settering, or inserting setons into the dewlaps of cattle. Called also pegroots. Dr. Prior.
SEXAGESIMAL a.
, those fractions whose denominators are some power of sixty; as, astronomical fractions, because formerly there were no others used in astronomical calculations. -- Sexagesimal, or Sexagenary, arithmetic, the method of computing by the sexagenary scale, or by sixties. -- Sexagesimal scale (Math.), the sexagenary sca…
SHADBIRD n.
The American, or Wilson's, snipe. See under Snipe. So called because it appears at the same time as the shad.
SHADE n.
The soul after its separation from the body; -- so called because the ancients it to be perceptible to the sight, though not to the touch; a spirit; a ghost; as, the shades of departed heroes. Swift as thought the flitting shade Thro' air his momentary journey made. Dryden.
SHEEP n.
city of which they open as often as pressed together by the hand in cutting; -- so called because used to cut off the wool of sheep. -- Sheep sorrel. (Bot.), a prerennial herb (Rumex Acetosella) growing naturally on poor, dry, gravelly soil. Its leaves have a pleasant acid taste like sorrel. -- Sheep's-wool (Zoöl.),…
SHEEPSKIN n.
A diploma; -- so called because usually written or printed on parchment prepared from the skin of the sheep. [College Cant]
SHILL-I-SHALL-I; SHILLY-SHALLY adv.
irresolute, undecided, or hesitating manner. I am somewhat dainty in making a resolution, because when I make it, I keep it; I don't stand shill-I-shall-I then; if I say 't, I'll do 't. Congreve.
SHINNEY n.
The game of hockey; -- so called because of the liability of the players to receive blows on the shin. Halliwell.
SHORT CIRCUIT n.
A circuit formed or closed by a conductor of relatively low resistance because shorter or of relatively great conductivity.
SHOT-CLOG n.
A person tolerated only because he pays the shot, or reckoning, for the rest of the company, otherwise a mere clog on them. [Old Slang] Thou common shot-clog, gull of all companies. Chapman.
SHREWD a.
ous; vexatious; rough; unfair; shrewish. [Obs.] Chaucer. [Egypt] hath many shrewd havens, because of the great rocks that ben strong and dangerous to pass by. Sir J. Mandeville. Every of this happy number That have endured shrewd days and nights with us. Shak.
SIDE a.
tter of course, without formal application being made to them in open court; -- so called because anciently moved for by the attorneys at side bar, that is, informally. Burril. -- Side box, a box or inclosed seat on the side of a theater. To insure a side-box station at half price. Cowper. -- Side chain, one of two sa…
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