Search the Dictionary

ded to, the original; introduced; foisted in; changed by the insertion of new or spurious matter.

One who interpolates; esp., one who inserts foreign or spurious matter in genuine writings.

one has not been made a party, to put forward a defense of one's interest in the subject matter. Abbott.

r portion of the bowel, terminating at the anus. It is adapted for the retention of fecal matter, being shorter, broader, and less convoluted than the small intestine; it consists of three parts, the cæcum, colon, and rectum. -- Small intestine (Human Anat. & Med.), the upper portion of the bowel, in which the process…

Not tolerating difference of opinion or sentiment, especially in religious matters; refusing to allow others the enjoyment of their opinions, rights, or worship; unjustly impatient of the opinion of those disagree with us; not tolerant; unforbearing; bigoted. Religion, harsh, intolerant, austere, Parent of manners like…

or discourse which introduces or leads the way to the main subject, or part; preliminary; matter; preface; proem; exordium.

The act of taking foreign matter, as food, into a living body; the process of nutrition, by which dead matter is absorbed by the living organism, and ultimately converted into the organized substance of its various tissues and organs. Dead bodies increase by apposition; living bodies by intrussusception. McKendrick.…

To daub or catch with glue or birdlime; to entangle with glutinous matter. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

secretion and discharge of pus. -- To join, or take, issue, to take opposing sides in a matter in controversy.

ruit is of great size, weighing from thirty to forty pounds, and through its soft fibrous matter are scattered the seeds, which are roasted and eaten. The wood is of a yellow color, fine grain, and rather heavy, and is much used in cabinetwork. It is also used for dyeing a brilliant yellow. [Written also jak.]…

Disposed to suspect rivalry in matters of interest and affection; apprehensive regarding the motives of possible rivals, or the fidelity of friends; distrustful; having morbid fear of rivalry in love or preference given to another; painfully suspicious of the faithfulness of husband, wife, or lover. If the spirit of je…

Lacking matter; empty; void of substance.

Sportive; not serious; fit for jests. He will find that these are no jesting matters. Macaulay .

To seek private gain under pretense of public service; to turn public matters to private advantage. And judges job, and bishops bite the town. Pope.

An extractive matter contained in the juice of the green shucks of the walnut (Juglans regia). It is used medicinally as an alterative, and also as a black hair dye.

sually twelve, selected according to law, impaneled and sworn to inquire into and try any matter of fact, and to render their true verdict according to the evidence legally adduced. See Grand jury under Grand, and Inquest. The jury, passing on the prisoner's life. Shak.

of oak near the Mediterranean. They are round, about the size of a pea, contain coloring matter analogous to carmine, and are used in dyeing. They were anciently thought to be of a vegetable nature, and were used in medicine. [Written also chermes.]

A small mass around which other matter is concreted; a nucleus; a concretion or hard lump in the flesh.

and another of birds. I Cor. xv. 39. Diogenes was asked in a kind of scorn: What was the matter that philosophers haunted rich men, and not rich men philosophers Bacon. A kind of, something belonging to the class of; something like to; -- said loosely or slightingly. In kind, in the produce or designated commodity its…

The point on which the action of a story depends; the gist of a matter. [Obs.] I shoulde to the knotte condescend, And maken of her walking soon an end. Chaucer.