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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,776 words match “MAY”

FABLE n.
the first business of the poet; this being formed, he contrives such a design or fable as may be most suitable to the moral. Dryden.
FACADE n.
ral pretensions. Thus a church is said to have its facade unfinished, though the interior may be in use.
FACE n.
That part of a body, having several sides, which may be seen from one point, or which is presented toward a certain direction; one of the bounding planes of a solid; as, a cube has six faces.
FACTION n.
nion, in opposition to the government, or state; -- usually applied to a minority, but it may be applied to a majority; a combination or clique of partisans of any kind, acting for their own interests, especially if greedy, clamorous, and reckless of the common good.
FACTOR n.
s and transacts business for others in commission; a commission merchant or consignee. He may be a home factor or a foreign factor. He may buy and sell in his own name, and he is intrusted with the possession and control of the goods; and in these respects he differs from a broker. Story. Wharton. My factor sends me wo…
FACULTATIVE a.
conditions; as, a facultative parasite, a plant which is normally saprophytic, but which may exist wholly or in part as a parasite; -- opposed to obligate.
FAIL v.
To err in judgment; to be mistaken. Which ofttimes may succeed, so as perhaps Shall grieve him, if I fail not. Milton.
FAIR a.
said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.; as, a fair sky; a fair day. You wish fair winds may waft him over. Prior.
FAMILIAR a.
tood; common; frequent; as, a familiar illustration. That war, or peace, or both at once, may be As things acquainted and familiar to us. Shak. There is nothing more familiar than this. Locke.
FAMILY n. 2 definitions
head or manager; a household, including parents, children, and servants, and, as the case may be, lodgers or boarders.
FATHER v.
to put or lay upon as being responsible. "Nothing can be so uncouth or extravagant, which may not be fathered on some fetch of wit, or some caprice of humor." Barrow.
FAUCET n.
as water, molasses, oil, etc., from a pipe, cask, or other vessel, in such quantities as may be desired; -- called also tap, and cock. It consists of a tubular spout, stopped with a movable plug, spigot, valve, or slide.
FEATHER v.
To render light as a feather; to give wings to.[R.] The Polonian story perhaps may feather some tedions hours. Loveday.
FEATHERING n.
a feathering wheel. -- Feathering screw (Naut.), a screw propeller, of which the blades may be turned so as to move edgewise through the water when the vessel is moving under sail alone. -- Feathering wheel (Naut.), a paddle wheel whose floats turn automatically so as to dip about perpendicularly into the water and…
FEEL v.
piece of silk; hence, to make trial of; to test; often with out. Come near, . . . that I may feel thee, my son. Gen. xxvii. 21. He hath this to feel my affection to your honor. Shak.
FELONY n.
ther lands or goods, or both, at the common law, and to which capital or other punishment may be added, according to the degree of guilt.
FENCE n.
A receiver of stolen goods, or a place where they are received. [Slang] Mayhew.
FENNEL n.
t herb. -- Dog's fennel (Anthemis Cotula), a foul-smelling European weed; -- called also mayweed. -- Fennel flower (Bot.), an herb (Nigella) of the Buttercup family, having leaves finely divided, like those of the fennel. N.Damascena is common in gardens. N.sativa furnishes the fennel seed, used as a condiment, etc.,…
FESELS n.
See Phasel. [Obs.] May (Georgics).
FESTER v.
a wound festers. Wounds immedicable Rankle, and fester, and gangrene. Milton. Unkindness may give a wound that shall bleed and smart, but it is treachery that makes it fester. South. Hatred . . . festered in the hearts of the children of the soil. Macaulay.
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