Search the Dictionary

Relatively small; inconsiderable; insignificant; as, a fractional part of the population. Fractional crystallization (Chem.), a process of gradual and approximate purification and separation, by means of repeated solution and crystallization therefrom. -- Fractional currency, small coin, or paper notes, in circulation…

A deep and long cut; an incision of considerable length and depth, particularly in flesh.

An upward bend or flexure of a considerable portion of the earth's crust, resulting in the formation of a class of mountain elevations called anticlinoria; -- opposed to geosynclinal.

Not small, insignificant, or of no account; considerable; esp., in the phrases a good deal, a good way, a good degree, a good share or part, etc.

Large; considerable; portly; as, a goodly number. Goodly and great he sails behind his link. Dryden.

More than ordinary in degree; very considerable in degree; as, to use great caution; to be in great pain. We have all Great cause to give great thanks. Shak.

A building or room of considerable size and stateliness, used for public purposes; as, Westminster Hall, in London.

e often at war with the Egyptians and Assyrians. Especially in the north they developed a considerable civilization, of which numerous monuments and inscriptions are extant. Authorities are not agreed as to their race. While several attempts have been made to decipher the Hittite characters, little progress has yet bee…

ngs to the aluminous division of the species, and is also characterized by its containing considerable iron. Also used as a general term to include the whole species. Hornblende schist (Geol.), a hornblende rock of schistose structure.

-- so called because the elastic capsules burst when touched, and scatter the seeds with considerable force. Called also touch-me-not, jewelweed, and snapweed. I. Balsamina (sometimes called lady's slipper) is the common garden balsam.

h a body, or a ray of light or heat, falls on any surface. In equal incidences there is a considerable inequality of refractions. Sir I. Newton. Angle of incidence, the angle which a ray of light, or the line of incidence of a body, falling on any surface, makes with a perpendicular to that surface; also formerly, the…

Inconsiderable. [Obs.] E. Terry.

One of the dry table-lands of South Africa, which often rise terracelike to considerable elevations. [Also karoo.] The Great Karroo, or The Karroo, a vast plateau, in Cape Colony, stretching through five degrees of longitude, at an elevation of about 3,000 feet.

bulary, or book containing an alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language or of a considerable number of them, with the definition of each; a dictionary; especially, a dictionary of the Greek, Hebrew, or Latin language.

A considerable collection of books kept for use, and not as merchandise; as, a private library; a public library.

Not copious or heavy; not dense; not inconsiderable; as, a light rain; a light snow; light vapors.

821. If our epistolary accounts were fairly liquidated, I believe you would be brought in considerable debtor. Chesterfield.

Small in force or efficiency; not strong; weak; slight; inconsiderable; as, little attention or exertion;little effort; little care or diligence. By sad experiment I know How little weight my words with thee can find. Milton.

Drawn out or extended in time; continued through a considerable tine, or to a great length; as, a long series of events; a long debate; a long drama; a long history; a long book.

has parted; waste; -- opposed to gain or increase; as, the loss of liquor by leakage was considerable.