Search the Dictionary

A Jewish festival, called also the Feast of Lots, instituted to commemorate the deliverance of the Jews from the machinations of Haman. Esther ix. 26.

Rigid purity; the quality of being affectedly pure or nice, especially in the choice of language; over-solicitude as to purity. "His political purism." De Quincey. The English language, however, . . . had even already become too thoroughly and essentially a mixed tongue for his doctrine of purism to be admitted to the…

One who aims at excessive purity or nicety, esp. in the choice of language. He [Fox] . . . purified vocabulary with a scrupulosity unknown to any purist. Macaulay.

Of or pertaining to purists or purism.

f faith and worship than those established by law; -- originally, a term of reproach. The Puritans formed the bulk of the early population of New England.

Of or pertaining to the Puritans, or to their doctrines and practice.

In a puritanical manner.

The doctrines, notions, or practice of Puritans.

To agree with, or teach, the doctrines of Puritans; to conform to the practice of Puritans. Bp. Montagu.

The condition of being pure. Specifically:

Large ganglion cells forming a layer near the surface of the cerebellum.

To decorate with fringe or embroidery. "Nature's cradle more enchased and purled." B. Jonson.

emit to the former owners their rights. Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied In some purlieu two gentle fawns at play. Milton.

In root construction, a horizontal member supported on the principals and supporting the common rafters.

The motion of a small stream running among obstructions; also, the murmur it makes in so doing.

for one's self; hence, to steal; to take by theft; to filch. Had from his wakeful custody purloined The guarded gold. Milton. when did the muse from Fletcher scenes purloin Dryden.

One who purloins. Swift.

A share, part, or portion of an estate allotted to a coparcener. [Written also purpart, and pourparty.] I am forced to eat all the game of your purparties, as well as my own thirds. Walpole.

that formed by, a combination of the primary colors red and blue. Arraying with reflected purple and gold The clouds that on his western throne attend. Milton.

A strong, durable, and elastic wood of a purplish color, obtained from several tropical American leguminous trees of the genus Copaifera (C. pubiflora, bracteata, and officinalis). Used for decorative veneering. See Copaiba.