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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,753 words match “ERICA”

EARWIG n.
In America, any small chilopodous myriapod, esp. of the genus Geophilus.
ECHINATE; ECHINATED a.
Set with prickles; prickly, like a hedgehog; bristled; as, an echinated pericarp.
EEL n.
An elongated fish of many genera and species. The common eels of Europe and America belong to the genus Anguilla. The electrical eel is a species of Gymnotus. The so called vinegar eel is a minute nematode worm. See Conger eel, Electric eel, and Gymnotus.
EELPOUT n.
oducing living young; -- called also greenbone, guffer, bard, and Maroona eel. Also, an American species (Z. anguillaris), -- called also mutton fish, and, erroneously, congo eel, ling, and lamper eel. Both are edible, but of little value.
EGRET n.
bear plumes on the back. They are generally white. Among the best known species are the American egret (Ardea, or Herodias, egretta); the great egret (A. alba); the little egret (A. garzetta), of Europe; and the American snowy egret (A. candidissima). A bunch of egrets killed for their plumage. G. W. Cable.…
EIDER n.
Somateria, esp. Somateria mollissima, which breeds in the northern parts of Europe and America, and lines its nest with fine down (taken from its own body) which is an article of commerce; -- called also eider duck. The American eider (S. Dresseri), the king eider (S. spectabilis), and the spectacled eider (Arctonetta…
EL DORADO n.
n by the Spaniards in the 16th century to an imaginary country in the interior of South America, reputed to abound in gold and precious stones.
ELAPS n.
A genus of venomous snakes found both in America and the Old World. Many species are known. See Coral snake, under Coral.
ELDERBERRY n.
rylike drupe of the elder. That of the Old World elder (Sambucus nigra) and that of the American sweet elder (S. Canadensis) are sweetish acid, and are eaten as a berry or made into wine.
ELECTIVE n.
In an American college, an optional study or course of study. [Colloq.]
ELECTRIC; ELECTRICAL a.
h is in a different electrical state. -- Electric, or Electrical, eel (Zoöl.), a South American eel-like fresh-water fish of the genus Gymnotus (G. electricus), from two to five feet in length, capable of giving a violent electric shock. See Gymnotus. -- Electrical fish (Zoöl.), any fish which has an electrical organ…
ELK n.
eral species. The European elk (Alces machlis or Cervus alces) is closely allied to the American moose. The American elk, or wapiti (Cervus Canadensis), is closely related to the European stag. See Moose, and Wapiti. Irish elk (Paleon.), a large, extinct, Quaternary deer (Cervus giganteus) with widely spreading antlers…
ELM n.
tree of the genus Ulmus, of several species, much used as a shade tree, particularly in America. The English elm is Ulmus campestris; the common American or white elm is U. Americana; the slippery or red elm, U. fulva. Elm beetle (Zoöl.), one of several species of beetles (esp. Galeruca calmariensis), which feed on the…
EMIGRATE v.
er, for the purpose of residence; to migrate from home. Forced to emigrate in a body to America. Macaulay. They [the Huns] were emigrating from Tartary into Europe in the time of the Goths. J. H. Newman.
EMIGRATION n.
l from one country or state to another, for the purpose of residence, as from Europe to America, or, in America, from the Atlantic States to the Western.
EMPEROR n.
several large and beautiful bombycid moths, with transparent spots on the wings; as the American Cecropia moth (Platysamia cecropia), and the European species (Saturnia pavonia). -- Emperor paper. See under Paper. -- Purple emperor (Zoöl.), a large, strong British butterfly (Apatura iris).
ENGLISH n.
The language of England or of the English nation, and of their descendants in America, India, and other countries.
ENTASIA n.
Tonic spasm; -- applied generically to denote any disease characterized by tonic spasms, as tetanus, trismus, etc.
ENTRAILS n.
rnal parts; as, the entrails of the earth. That treasure . . . hid the dark entrails of America. Locke.
EPHEMERIS n.
giving the computed places of the heavenly bodies for each day of the year, with other numerical data, for the use of the astronomer and navigator; an astronomical almanac; as, the "American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac."
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