Search the Dictionary

Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,872 words match “MEAN”

DOVETAIL v.
To join by means of dovetails.
DRAG v.
; to draw a drag along the bottom of, as a stream or other water; hence, to search, as by means of a drag. Then while I dragged my brains for such a song. Tennyson.
DRAIN n.
That means of which anything is drained; a channel; a trench; a water course; a sewer; a sink.
DRAINAGE n.
The act, process, or means of drawing off the pus or fluids from a wound, abscess, etc. Drainage tube (Surg.), a tube introduced into a wound, etc., to draw off the discharges.
DRAWGEAR n.
The means or parts by which cars are connected to be drawn.
DRAWING n.
The act or the art of representing any object by means of lines and shades; especially, such a representation when in one color, or in tints used not to represent the colors of natural objects, but for effect only, and produced with hard material such as pencil, chalk, etc.; delineation; also, the figure or representat…
DRIFT n.
e of conduct, or the like; object aimed at or intended; intention; hence, also, import or meaning of a sentence or discourse; aim. He has made the drift of the whole poem a compliment on his country in general. Addison. Now thou knowest my drift. Sir W. Scott.
DRIVEL n.
Inarticulate or unmeaning utterance; foolish talk; babble.
DROIL n.
Mean labor; toil.[Obs.]
DROP v.
as, ripe fruit drops from a tree; wise words drop from the lips. Mutilations of which the meaning has dropped out of memory. H. Spencer. When the sound of dropping nuts is heard. Bryant.
DROPWORM n.
The larva of any geometrid moth, which drops from trees by means of a thread of silk, as the cankerworm.
DRUDGE v.
To perform menial work; to labor in mean or unpleasant offices with toil and fatigue. He gradually rose in the estimation of the booksellers for whom he drudged. Macaulay.
DRUM n. 2 definitions
A sheet iron radiator, often in the shape of a drum, for warming an apartment by means of heat received from a stovepipe, or a cylindrical receiver for steam, etc.
DRUMFISH n.
any fish of the family Sciænidæ, which makes a loud noise by means of its air bladder; -- called also drum.
DRY v.
To make dry; to free from water, or from moisture of any kind, and by any means; to exsiccate; as, to dry the eyes; to dry one's tears; the wind dries the earth; to dry a wet cloth; to dry hay. To dry up. (a) To scorch or parch with thirst; to deprive utterly of water; to consume. Their honorable men are famished, and…
DUNGHILL n.
Any mean situation or condition; a vile abode. He . . . lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill. 1. Sam. ii. 8. Dunghill fowl, a domestic fowl of common breed.
DUPLEX a.
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 other. -- Duplex querela Etym…
DUST n.
Figuratively, a low or mean condition. [God] raiseth up the poor out of the dust. 1 Sam. ii. 8.
DYKE n.
See Dike. The spelling dyke is restricted by some to the geological meaning.
E- n.
A Latin prefix meaning out, out of, from; also, without. See Ex-.
← Previous Page 26 of 94 Next →