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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



218 words match “AFRICAN”

COAST n.
employed in lifesaving stations along the seacoast. [U. S.] -- Coast rat (Zoöl.), a South African mammal (Bathyergus suillus), about the size of a rabbit, remarkable for its extensive burrows; -- called also sand mole. -- Coast waiter, a customhouse officer who superintends the landing or shipping of goods for the coa…
COUGAR n.
An American feline quadruped (Felis concolor), resembling the African panther in size and habits. Its color is tawny, without spots; hence writers often called it the American lion. Called also puma, panther, mountain lion, and catamount. See Puma.
CROCODILE n.
a, mythically supposed to have been first used by a crocodile. Crocodile bird (Zoöl.), an African plover (Pluvianus ægypticus) which alights upon the crocodile and devours its insect parasites, even entering its open mouth (according to reliable writers) in pursuit of files, etc.; -- called also Nile bird. It is the tr…
DAMBONITE n.
A white crystalline, sugary substance obtained from an African caotchouc.
DEVIL n.
-- Cartesian devil. See under Cartesian. -- Devil bird (Zoöl.), one of two or more South African drongo shrikes (Edolius retifer, and E. remifer), believed by the natives to be connected with sorcery. -- Devil may care, reckless, defiant of authority; -- used adjectively. Longfellow. -- Devil's apron (Bot.), the lar…
DONATIST n.
A follower of Donatus, the leader of a body of North African schismatics and purists, who greatly disturbed the church in the 4th century. They claimed to be the true church.
DRILL n.
A large African baboon (Cynocephalus leucophæus).
DRIVER n.
fore-and-aft sail attached to a gaff; a spanker. Totten. Driver ant (Zoöl.), a species of African stinging ant; one of the visiting ants (Anomma arcens); -- so called because they move about in vast armies, and drive away or devour all insects and other small animals.
DROME n.
The crab plover (Dromas ardeola), a peculiar North African bird, allied to the oyster catcher.
DUYKERBOK n.
A small South African antelope (Cephalous mergens); -- called also impoon, and deloo.
ELAND n.
A species of large South African antelope (Oreas canna). It is valued both for its hide and flesh, and is rapidly disappearing in the settled districts; -- called also Cape elk.
ELECTRIC; ELECTRICAL a.
candle. See under Candle. -- Electric cat (Zoöl.), one of three or more large species of African catfish of the genus Malapterurus (esp. M. electricus of the Nile). They have a large electrical organ and are able to give powerful shocks; -- called also sheathfish. -- Electric clock. See under Clock, and see Electro-c…
ELEPHANT n. 2 definitions
A mammal of the order Proboscidia, of which two living species, Elephas Indicus and E. Africanus, and several fossil species, are known. They have a proboscis or trunk, and two large ivory tusks proceeding from the extremity of the upper jaw, and curving upwards. The molar teeth are large and have transverse folds. Ele…
EMGALLA n.
The South African wart hog. See Wart hog.
ETHNOLOGICALLY adv.
hnological manner; by ethnological classification; as, one belonging ethnologically to an African race.
EUPHORBIUM n.
An inodorous exudation, usually in the form of yellow tears, produced chiefly by the African Euphorbia resinifrea. It was formerly employed medicinally, but was found so violent in its effects that its use is nearly abandoned.
FENNEC n.
A small, African, foxlike animal (Vulpes zerda) of a pale fawn color, remarkable for the large size of its ears.
FETICH; FETISH n.
A material object supposed among certain African tribes to represent in such a way, or to be so connected with, a supernatural being, that the possession of it gives to the possessor power to control that being.
FODIENTIA n.
A group of African edentates including the aard-vark.
FULAHS; FOOLAHS n.
, Foo"lahs` (, n. pl.; sing. Fulah, Foolan (. (Ethnol.) A peculiar African race of uncertain origin, but distinct from the negro tribes, inhabiting an extensive region of Western Soudan. Their color is brown or yellowish bronze. They are Mohammedans. Called also Fellatahs, Foulahs, and Fellani. Fulah is also used adjec…
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