Search the Dictionary

on of anything formed in the mind; conception; thought; idea; conceit. How now, my lord ! why do you keep alone, Of sorriest fancies your companoins making Shak.

, especially in its surface; the sense of touch; nervous sensibility to external objects. Why was the sight To such a tender ball as the eye confined, . . . And not, as feeling, through all parts diffused Milton.

egal sense, done with intent to commit a crime; as, felonious homicide. O thievish Night, Why should'st thou, but for some felonious end, In thy dark lantern thus close up the stars Milton. -- Fe*lo"ni`ous*ly, adv. -- Fe*lo"ni`ous*ness, n.

To execute an irregular or fanciful strain of music, by way of ornament or prelude. Why do the emperor's trumpets flourish thus Shak.

for because they set less store by their own citizens." Robynson (More's Utopia). -- For why. (a) Why; for that reason; wherefore. [Obs.] (b) Because. [Obs.] See Forwhy.

or appropriated; open; -- said of a thing to be possessed or enjoyed; as, a free school. Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free For me as for you Shak.

out, without purpose; hence, to run wild; to be uncontrolled. "The gadding vine." Milton. Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way Jer. ii. 36.

Brilliant in colors; splendid; fine; richly dressed. Why is my neighbor's wife so gay Chaucer. A bevy of fair women, richly gay In gems and wanton dressMilton.

with eagerness or curiosity, as in admiration, astonishment, or with studious attention. Why stand ye gazing up into heaven Acts i. 11.

move, under the influence of gravitation; to tend in any direction or toward any object. Why does this apple fall to the ground Because all bodies gravitate toward each other. Sir W. Hamilton. Politicians who naturally gravitate towards the stronger party. Macaulay.

mage; to wrong. Though yet he never harmed me. Shak. No ground of enmity between us known Why he should mean me ill or seek to harm. Milton.

uscular organ, which, by contracting rhythmically, keeps up the circulation of the blood. Why does my blood thus muster to my heart! Shak.

orrowfully. And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily. Ex. xiv. 25. Why looks your grace so heavily to-day Shak.

howing, or consistent with, honor. The reverend abbot . . . honorably received him. Shak. Why did I not more honorably starve Dryden.

ident expectation of good; -- usually followed by in. "I hope in thy word." Ps. cxix. 81. Why art thou cast down, O my soul and why art thou disquieted within me Hope thou in God. Ps. xlii. 11.

For what reason; from what cause. How now, my love! why is your cheek so pale Shak.

Not employed; unoccupied with business; inactive; doing nothing; as, idle workmen. Why stand ye here all the day idle Matt. xx. 6.

rts; wanting a part; deective; deficient. Something he left imperfect in the state. Shak. Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect. Shak.

king by force for the public service; compulsion to serve; also, that which is impressed. Why such impress of shipwrights Shak. Impress gang, a party of men, with an officer, employed to impress seamen for ships of war; a press gang. -- Impress money, a sum of money paid, immediately upon their entering service, to me…

lief; too extraordinary and improbable to admit of belief; unlikely; marvelous; fabulous. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead Acts xxvi. 8.