Search the Dictionary

A kind of chair formerly used for punishing scolds, and also dishonest tradesmen, by fastening them in it, usually in front of their doors, to be pelted and hooted at by the mob, but sometimes to be taken to the water and ducked; -- called also a castigatory, a tumbrel, and a trebuchet; and often, but not so correctly,…

Of or pertaining to a kind of chair appropriated to Roman magistrates and dignitaries; pertaining to, having, or conferring, the right to sit in the curule chair; hence, official.

The chairman of an incorporated company. [Scot.]

reeling, And the duke himself, I dare not say distempered, But kind, and in his tottering chair carousing. Massinger.

[Written also doolee and doolie.] [East Indies] Having provided doolies, or little bamboo chairs slung on four men's shoulders, in which I put my papers and boxes, we next morning commenced the ascent. J. D. Hooker.

; as, the ruffed grouse drums with his wings. Drumming with his fingers on the arm of his chair. W. Irving.

, from Duck, v. t. & i. Ducking stool, a stool or chair in which common scolds were formerly tied, and plunged into water, as a punishment. See Cucking stool. The practice of ducking began in the latter part of the 15th century, and prevailed until the early part of the 18th, and occasionally as late as the 19th centur…

eedom from care or labor; furnishing comfort; commodious; as, easy circumstances; an easy chair or cushion.

ove by little and little or cautiously, as by pressing forward edgewise; as, edging their chairs forwards. Locke.

rse of a river; also, an angular or jointed part of any structure, as the raised arm of a chair or sofa, or a short pipe fitting, turning at an angle or bent.

An armchair; hence (because the members sit in fauteuils or armchairs), membership in the French Academy.

e; the president fills the office of chief magistrate; the speaker of the House fills the chair.

implant; to secure; to make efinite. An ass's nole I fixed on his head. Shak. O, fix thy chair of grace, that all my powers May also fix their reverence. Herbert. His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Ps. cxii. 7. And fix far deeper in his head their stings. Milton.

er jointed framework, used in campaigning, and by tourists, etc. Ham. Nav. Encyc. Folding chairFolding door, one of two or more doors filling a single and hung upon hinges.

the hand hammer. -- Fore leg, one of the front legs of a quadruped, or multiped, or of a chair, settee, etc. -- Fore peak (Naut.), the angle within a ship's bows; the portion of the hold which is farthest forward. -- Fore piece, a front piece, as the flap in the fore part of a sidesaddle, to guard the rider's dress.…

Articles used for convenience or decoration in a house or apartment, as tables, chairs, bedsteads, sofas, carpets, curtains, pictures, vases, etc.

automatic lathe for turning a round object having an irregular profile, as a baluster or chair round, to a templet or gauge. -- Gauge point, the diameter of a cylinder whose altitude is one inch, and contents equal to that of a unit of a given measure; -- a term used in gauging casks, etc. -- Gauge rod, a graduated…

To move with hitches; as, he hitched his chair nearer. To hitch up. (a) To fasten up. (b) To pull or raise with a jerk; as, a sailor hitches up his trousers. (c) To attach, as a horse, to a vehicle; as, hitch up the gray mare. [Colloq.]

makes it impudence to deny. Locke. Where pride and impudence (in fashion knit) Usurp the chair of wit. B. Jonson.

The seat in which one is placed. [Obs.] The several chairs of order, look, you scour; . . . Each fair installment, coat, and several crest With loyal blazon, evermore be blest. Shak.