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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,147 words match “PURPOSE”

NONCE n.
The one or single occasion; the present call or purpose; -- chiefly used in the phrase for the nonce. The miller was a stout carl for the nones. Chaucer. And that he calls for drink, I 'll have prepared him A chalice for the nonce. Shak. Nonce word, "a word apparently employed only for the nonce". Murray (New English D…
NOSTRUM n.
A medicine, the ingredients of which are kept secret for the purpose of restricting the profits of sale to the inventor or proprietor; a quack medicine.
NUNCIO n.
hed from a legate a latere, whose mission is temporary in its nature, or for some special purpose. Nuncios are of higher rank than internuncios.
NURSERY n.
A place where young trees, shrubs, vines, etc., are propagated for the purpose of transplanting; a plantation of young trees.
OBJECT n.
That by which the mind, or any of its activities, is directed; that on which the purpose are fixed as the end of action or effort; that which is sought for; end; aim; motive; final cause. Object, beside its proper signification, came to be abusively applied to denote motive, end, final cause.... This innovation was pro…
OBJECTLESS a.
Having no object; purposeless.
OBSERVE v.
de no such cursedness observe. Chaucer. Must I budge Must I observe you Shak. With solemn purpose to observe Immutably his sovereign will. Milton.
OBSTINACY n.
ll, or only with great difficulty; firm and usually unreasonable adherence to an opinion, purpose, or system; unyielding disposition; stubborness; pertinacity; persistency; contumacy. You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this contract. Shak. To shelter their ignorance, or obstinacy, under the obscurit…
OBSTINATE a.
Pertinaciously adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course; persistent; not yielding to reason, arguments, or other means; stubborn; pertinacious; -- usually implying unreasonableness. I have known great cures done by obstinate resolution of drinking no wine. Sir W. Temple. No ass so meek, no ass so obstinate. Pope. Of…
OF prep.
Denoting that by which a person or thing is actuated or impelled; also, the source of a purpose or action; as, they went of their own will; no body can move of itself; he did it of necessity. For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Josh. xi. 20.
OFF adv.
scape; as, he was off without a moment's warning. (b) To be abandoned, as an agreement or purpose; as, the bet was declared to be off. [Colloq.] -- To come off, To cut off, To fall off, To go off, etc. See under Come, Cut, Fall, Go, etc. -- To get off. (a) To utter; to discharge; as, to get off a joke.…
OFFICE n.
A special duty, trust, charge, or position, conferred by authority and for a public purpose; a position of trust or authority; as, an executive or judical office; a municipal office.
OGEE n.
Hence, any similar figure used for any purpose. Ogee arch (Arch.), a pointed arch, each of the sides of which has the curve of an ogee, that is, has a reversed curve near the apex.
OLITORY a.
Of or pertaining to, or produced in, a kitchen garden; used for kitchen purposes; as, olitory seeds. At convenient distance towards the olitory garden. Evelyn.
ONLY adv.
In one manner or degree; for one purpose alone; simply; merely; barely. And to be loved himself, needs only to be known. Dryden.
OOZE LEATHER n.
nely granulated finish (called sometimes velvet finish) put on the flesh side for special purposes. Ordinary ooze leather is used for shoe uppers, in bookbinding, etc. Hence Ooze calf, Ooze finish, etc.
OPEN a.
Free; disengaged; unappropriated; as, to keep a day open for any purpose; to be open for an engagement.
OPERATOR n.
A dealer in stocks or any commodity for speculative purposes; a speculator. [Brokers' Cant]
OPPORTUNITY n.
Fit or convenient time; a time or place favorable for executing a purpose; a suitable combination of conditions; suitable occasion; chance. A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. Bacon.
OPPOSITION n.
Repugnance; contrariety of sentiment, interest, or purpose; antipathy. Shak.
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