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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



328 words match “FIGURATIVE”

BOWEL n.
Hence, figuratively: The interior part of anything; as, the bowels of the earth. His soldiers . . . cried out amain, And rushed into the bowels of the battle. Shak.
BREACH n.
The act of breaking, in a figurative sense.
BRILLIANCY n.
e quality of being brilliant; splendor; glitter; great brighness, whether in a literal or figurative sense. With many readers brilliancy of style passes for affluence of thought. Longfellow.
BRIM v.
To be full to the brim. "The brimming stream." Milton. To brim over (literally or figuratively), to be so full that some of the contents flows over the brim; as, cup brimming over with wine; a man brimming over with fun.
BURDEN v.
To encumber with weight (literal or figurative); to lay a heavy load upon; to load. I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened. 2 Cor. viii. 13.
BUY v.
To acquire or procure by something given or done in exchange, literally or figuratively; to get, at a cost or sacrifice; to buy pleasure with pain. Buy the truth and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Prov. xxiii. 23. To buy again. See Againbuy. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- To buy off. (a) To influenc…
CANCEL v.
o have lines drawn over it in the form of latticework or cancelli; the phrase is now used figuratively for any manner of obliterating or defacing it. Blackstone.
CANDIED a.
Figuratively; Honeyed; sweet; flattering. Let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp. Shak.
CLAMBER v.
To climb with difficulty, or with hands and feet; -- also used figuratively. The narrow street that clambered toward the mill. Tennyson.
CLUTCH n. 2 definitions
The hands, claws, or talons, in the act of grasping firmly; -- often figuratively, for power, rapacity, or cruelty; as, to fall into the clutches of an adversary. I must have . . . little care of myself, if I ever more come near the clutches of such a giant. Bp. Stillingfleet.
DEW n.
Figuratively, anything which falls lightly and in a refreshing manner. "The golden dew of sleep." Shak.
DIG v.
anure.(b) To entrench oneself so as to give stronger resistance; -- used of warfare. Also figuratively, esp. in the phrase to dig in one's heels.
DISEASE n.
threatening pain and weakness; malady; affection; illness; sickness; disorder; -- applied figuratively to the mind, to the moral character and habits, to institutions, the state, etc. Diseases desperate grown, By desperate appliances are relieved. Shak. The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the publ…
DISORIENTATE v.
To turn away from the east, or (figuratively) from the right or the truth. [R.]
DISROBE v.
To divest of a robe; to undress; figuratively, to strip of covering; to divest of that which clothes or decorates; as, autumn disrobes the fields of verdure. Two great peers were disrobed of their glory. Sir H. Wotton.
DIVE n.
A plunge headforemost into water, the act of one who dives, literally or figuratively.
DOFF v.
To put off, as dress; to divest one's self of; hence, figuratively, to put or thrust away; to rid one's self of. And made us doff our easy robes of peace. Shak. At night, or in the rain, He dons a surcoat which he doffs at morn. Emerson.
DOMAIN n.
hority is exerted; the possessions of a sovereign or commonwealth, or the like. Also used figuratively. The domain of authentic history. E. Everett. The domain over which the poetic spirit ranges. J. C. Shairp.
DOMINION n.
tract, district, or county, considered as subject; as, the dominions of a king. Also used figuratively; as, the dominion of the passions.
DONE n.
it be a match or bargain; -- used elliptically. Done brown, a phrase in cookery; applied figuratively to one who has been thoroughly deceived, cheated, or fooled. [Colloq.] -- Done for, tired out; used up; collapsed; destroyed; dead; killed. [Colloq.] -- Done up. (a) Wrapped up. (b) Worn out; exhausted. [Colloq.]…
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