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A making thick or viscous; thickness; inspissation. [R.] Dr. H. More.

A cluster or group of fixed stars, or dvision of the heavens, designated in most cases by the name of some animal, or of some mythologial personage, within whose imaginary outline, as traced upon the heavens, the group is included. The constellations seem to have been almost purposely named and delineated to cause as m…

consistent with the constitution or frame of government, or of being authorized by its provisions. Burke. Constitutionalities, bottomless cavilings and questionings about written laws. Carlyle.

To violate; to ravish. [Obs.] Shak.

To devise; to invent; to set in order; to arrange; as, to construct a theory of ethics.

The process or art of constructing; the act of building; erection; the act of devising and forming; fabrication; composition.

To ravish; to debauch. Burton.

The act of ravishing; violation; defilement. Bp. Hall.

To bring about by counsel or contrivance; to devise; to contrive. [Obs.] Thou hast consulted shame to thy Hab. ii. 10.

Formed by, or resulting from, consultation; advisory. Bancroft.

One of the grand divisions of land on the globe; the main land; specifically (Phys. Geog.), a large body of land differing from an island, not merely in its size, but in its structure, which is that of a large basin bordered by mountain chains; as, the continent of North America.

That which falls to one in a division or apportionment among a number; a suitable share; proportion; esp., a quota of troops. From the Alps to the border of Flanders, contingents were required . . . 200,000 men were in arms. Milman.

To contradict or oppose; to thwart. [Obs.] I was advised not to contrary the king. Bp. Latimer.

opposition of qualities. The joints which divide the sandstone contrast finely with the divisional planes which separate the basalt into pillars. Lyell.

Capable of being contrived, planned, invented, or devised. A perpetual motion may seem easily contrivable. Bp. Wilkins.

The act or faculty of contriving, inventing, devising, or planning. The machine which we are inspecting demonstrates, by its construction, contrivance and design. Contrivance must have had a contriver. Paley.

To form by an exercise of ingenuity; to devise; to invent; to design; to plan. What more likely to contrive this admirable frame of the universe than infinite wisdom. Tillotson. neither do thou imagine that I shall contrive aught against his life. Hawthorne.

One who contrives, devises, plans, or schemas. Swift.

nest management, or artifice. [Obs.] the very jesuits themselves . . . can not possibly devise any juggling conveyance how to shift it off. Hakewill.

A female servant or maid who dresses provisions and assists the cook.