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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,753 words match “ERICA”

FAUNA n.
The animals of any given area or epoch; as, the fauna of America; fossil fauna; recent fauna.
FELLOW n.
In an American college or university, a member of the corporation which manages its business interests; also, a graduate appointed to a fellowship, who receives the income of the foundation.
FEMALE a.
urpation.'b8 Milton. To the generous decision of a female mind, we owe the discovery of America. Belknap.
FERRIS WHEEL n.
a number of balanced passenger cars around its rim; -- so called after G. W. G. Ferris, American engineer, who erected the first of its kind for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.
FEVER n.
bush. See Spicewood. -- Fever powder. Same as Jame's powder. -- Fever root (Bot.), an American herb of the genus Triosteum (T. perfoliatum); -- called also feverwort amd horse gentian. -- Fever sore, a carious ulcer or necrosis. Miner.
FIDIA n.
, of which one species (the grapevine Fidia, F. longipes) is very injurious to vines in America.
FILIBUSTER n.
est of plunder; a freebooter; -- originally applied to buccaneers infesting the Spanish American coasts, but introduced into common English to designate the followers of Lopez in his expedition to Cuba in 1851, and those of Walker in his expedition to Nicaragua, in 1855.
FINFOOT n.
A South American bird (heliornis fulica) allied to the grebes. The name is also applied to several related species of the genus Podica.
FIRE n.
and, the fireman of a steam emgine. -- Fire water, ardent spirits; -- so called by the American Indians. -- Fire worship, the worship of fire, which prevails chiefly in Persia, among the followers of Zoroaster, called Chebers, or Guebers, and among the Parsees of India. -- Greek fire. See under Greek. -- On fire, b…
FIRE BEETLE n.
luminous beetle (Pyrophorus noctilucus), one of the elaters, found in Central and South America; -- called also cucujo. The name is also applied to other species. See Firefly.
FIREWEED n.
An American plant (Erechthites hiercifolia), very troublesome in spots where brushwood has been burned.
FISHHAWK n.
The osprey (Pandion haliaëtus), found both in Europe and America; -- so called because it plunges into the water and seizes fishes in its talons. Called also fishing eagle, and bald buzzard.
FLAMINGO n.
y long legs, and a beak bent down as if broken. Their color is usually red or pink. The American flamingo is P. ruber; the European is P. antiquorum.
FLATFISH n.
Any fish of the family Pleuronectidæ; esp., the winter flounder (Pleuronectes Americanus). The flatfishes have the body flattened, swim on the side, and have eyes on one side, as the flounder, turbot, and halibut. See Flounder.
FLATHEAD a.
y flatness of head, especially that produced by artificial means, as a certain tribe of American Indians.
FLEA n.
sonous to most persons. The human flea (Pulex irritans), abundant in Europe, is rare in America, where the dog flea (P. canis) takes its place. See Aphaniptera, and Dog flea. See Illustration in Appendix. A flea in the ear, an unwelcome hint or unexpected reply, annoying like a flea; an irritating repulse; as, to put a…
FLETCH v.
o feather, as an arrow. Bp. Warburton. [Congress] fletched their complaint, by adding: "America loved his brother." Bancroft.
FLIBUSTIER n.
A buccaneer; an American pirate. See Flibuster. [Obs.]
FLOATING a.
aquatic plant (Limnanthemum lacunosum) whose heart-shaped leaves float on the water of American ponds. -- Floating island, a dish for dessert, consisting of custard with floating masses of whipped cream or white of eggs. -- Floating kidney. (Med.) See Wandering kidney, under Wandering. -- Floating light, a light sh…
FLY n.
-- Fly sheet, a small loose advertising sheet; a handbill. -- Fly snapper (Zoöl.), an American bird (Phainopepla nitens), allied to the chatterers and shrikes. The male is glossy blue-black; the female brownish gray. -- Fly wheel (Mach.), a heavy wheel attached to machinery to equalize the movement (opposing any sud…
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