Search the Dictionary

To destine; to fix irrevocably the destiny or fate of; to appoint, as by decree or by fate. A man of genius . . . doomed to struggle with difficulties. Macaulay.

A small point or spot, made with a pen or other pointed instrument; a speck, or small mark.

either of such matters alone would be a sufficient bar to the action. Stephen. -- Double point (Geom.), a point of a curve at which two branches cross each other. Conjugate or isolated points of a curve are called double points, since they possess most of the properties of double points (see Conjugate). They are also…

Difficulty expressed or urged for solution; point unsettled; objection. To every doubt your answer is the same. Blackmore. No doubt, undoubtedly; without doubt. -- Out of doubt, beyond doubt. [Obs.] Spenser.

A flat stone so thrown along the surface of water as to skip from point to point before it sinks; also, the sport of so throwing stones; -- sometimes called ducks and drakes. Internal earthquakes, that, not content with one throe, run along spasmodically, like boys playing at what is called drakestone. De Quincey.…

. 2 Chron. v. 9. Draw thee waters for the siege. Nahum iii. 14. I opened the tumor by the point of a lancet without drawing one drop of blood. Wiseman.

An instrument with an edged or pointed end used for making holes in hard substances; strictly, a tool that cuts with its end, by revolving, as in drilling metals, or by a succession of blows, as in drilling stone; also, a drill press.

To urge, impel, or hurry forward; to force; to constrain; to urge, press, or bring to a point or state; as, to drive person by necessity, by persuasion, by force of circumstances, by argument, and the like. " Enough to drive one mad." Tennyson. He, driven to dismount, threatened, if I did not do the like, to do as much…

To grow weak or faint with disappointment, grief, or like causes; to be dispirited or depressed; to languish; as, her spirits drooped. I'll animate the soldier's drooping courage. Addison.

To fall or be depressed; to lower; as, the point of the spear dropped a little.

moistening. -- Dry-plate process, the process of photographing with dry plates. -- Dry point. (Fine Arts) (a) An engraving made with the needle instead of the burin, in which the work is done nearly as in etching, but is finished without the use acid. (b) A print from such an engraving, usually upon paper. (c) Hence…

Such as (a thing) ought to be; fulfilling obligation; proper; lawful; regular; appointed; sufficient; exact; as, due process of law; due service; in due time.

An elderly lady holding a station between a governess and companion, and appointed to have charge over the younger ladies in a Spanish or a Portuguese family. Brande & C.

Not keen in edge or point; lacking sharpness; blunt. "Thy scythe is dull." Herbert.

In a dying manner; as if at the point of death. Beau. & Fl.

In advance of the usual or appointed time; in good season; prior in time; among or near the first; -- opposed to Ant: late; as, the early bird; an early spring; early fruit. Early and provident fear is the mother of safety. Burke. The doorsteps and threshold with the early grass springing up about them. Hawthorne.…

The point in the heavens where the sun is seen to rise at the equinox, or the corresponding point on the earth; that one of the four cardinal points of the compass which is in a direction at right angles to that of north and south, and which is toward the right hand of one who faces the north; the point directly opposi…

, using the vernacular (or some ancient form of it) in divine service and varying in many points of detail, but standing in full communion with each other and united as equals in a great federation. The highest five authorities are the patriarch of Constantinople, or ecumenical patriarch (whose position is not one of s…

Toward the east; in the direction of east from some point or place; as, New Haven lies eastward from New York.

said when each side has an equal number of honors, in which case they are not counted as points.