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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,055 words match “AMERICAN”

MUSKRAT n.
A North American aquatic fur-bearing rodent (Fiber zibethicus). It resembles a rat in color and having a long scaly tail, but the tail is compressed, the bind feet are webbed, and the ears are concealed in the fur. It has scent glands which secrete a substance having a strong odor of musk. Called also musquash, musk be…
MUSQUAW n.
The American black bear. See Bear.
MUTTON n.
g, with the end of the bone at the smaller part chopped off. -- Mutton fish (Zoöl.), the American eelpout. See Eelpout. -- Mutton fist, a big brawny fist or hand. [Colloq.] Dryden. -- Mutton monger, a pimp [Low & Obs.] Chapman. -- To return to one's muttons. Etym: [A translation of a phrase from a farce by De Bruey…
MYCETES n.
A genus of South American monkeys, including the howlers. See Howler, 2, and Illust.
MYGALE n.
sually construct tubes in the earth, which are often furnished with a trapdoor. The South American bird spider (Mygale avicularia), and the crab spider, or matoutou (M. cancerides) are among the largest species. Some of the species are erroneously called tarantulas, as the Texas tarantula (M. Hentzii).…
MYLODON n.
An extinct genus of large slothlike American edentates, allied to Megatherium.
MYRCIA n.
A large genus of tropical American trees and shrubs, nearly related to the true myrtles (Myrtus), from which they differ in having very few seeds in each berry.
MYRICA n.
h aromatic foliage. It includes the bayberry or wax myrtle, the sweet gale, and the North American sweet fern, so called.
NAMAYCUSH n.
A large North American lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). It is usually spotted with red, and sometimes weighs over forty pounds. Called also Mackinaw trout, lake trout, lake salmon, salmon trout, togue, and tuladi.
NANDOU; NANDU n.
Any one of three species of South American ostriches of the genera Rhea and Pterocnemia. See Rhea. [Written also nandow.]
NATIVE a.
Found in nature; not artificial; as native sodium chloride. Native American party. See under American, a. -- Native bear (Zoöl.), the koala. -- Native bread (Bot.), a large underground fungus, of Australia (Mylitta australis), somewhat resembling a truffle, but much larger. -- Native devil. (Zoöl.) Same as Tasmanian…
NECKWEED n.
An American annual weed (veronica peregrina), with small white flowers and a roundish pod.
NELUMBO n.
A genus of great water lilies. The North American species is Nelumbo lutea, the Asiatic is the sacred lotus, N. speciosa. [Written also Nelumbium.]
NEO-HEGELIANISM n.
The philosophy of a school of British and American idealists who follow Hegel in dialectical or logical method and in the general outcome of their doctrine. The founders and leaders of Neo- Hegelianism include: in England, T. H. Green (1836-1882); in Scotland, J. (1820-98) and E. (1835-1908) Caird; in the United States…
NIAGARA PERIOD n.
A subdivision or the American Upper Silurian system, embracing the Medina, Clinton, and Niagara epoch. The rocks of the Niagara epoch, mostly limestones, are extensively distributed, and at Niagara Falls consist of about eighty feet of shale supporting a greater thickness of limestone, which is gradually undermined by…
NICOTIANA n.
A genus of American and Asiatic solanaceous herbs, with viscid foliage and funnel-shaped blossoms. Several species yield tobacco. See Tobacco.
NOCAKE n.
Indian corn parched, and beaten to powder, -- used for food by the Northern American Indians.
NOCTILIONID n.
A South American bat of the genus Noctilio, having cheek pouches and large incisor teeth.
NONILLION n.
According to the French and American notation, a thousand octillions, or a unit with thirty ciphers annexed; according to the English notation, a million octillions, or a unit with fifty-four ciphers annexed. See the Note under Numeration.
NORTHERN a.
Northern lights. See Aurora borealis, under Aurora. -- Northern spy (Bot.), an excellent American apple, of a yellowish color, marked with red.
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