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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,000+ words match “FORMER”

LUNACY n. 2 definitions
ity or madness; properly, the kind of insanity which is broken by intervals of reason, -- formerly supposed to be influenced by the changes of the moon; any form of unsoundness of mind, except idiocy; mental derangement or alienation. Brande. Burrill. Your kindred shuns your house As beaten hence by your strange lunacy…
LUNT n. 2 definitions
The match cord formerly used in firing cannon.
LUSSHEBURGH n.
ious coin of light weight imported into England from Luxemburg, or Lussheburgh, as it was formerly called. [Obs.] God wot, no Lussheburghes payen ye. Chaucer.
LUTE n. 7 definitions
A stringed instrument formerly much in use. It consists of four parts, namely, the table or front, the body, having nine or ten ribs or "sides," arranged like the divisions of a melon, the neck, which has nine or ten frets or divisions, and the head, or cross, in which the screws for tuning are inserted. The strings ar…
MACASSAR OIL n.
A kind of oil formerly used in dressing the hair; -- so called because originally obtained from Macassar, a district of the Island of Celebes. Also, an imitation of the same, of perfumed castor oil and olive oil.
MACKINAW BLANKET; MACKINAW n.
A thick blanket formerly in common use in the western part of the United States.
MADAME n.
My lady; -- a French title formerly given to ladies of quality; now, in France, given to all married women. Chaucer.
MADDER n.
A plant of the Rubia (R. tinctorum). The root is much used in dyeing red, and formerly was used in medicine. It is cultivated in France and Holland. See Rubiaceous.
MADONNA n. 3 definitions
My lady; -- a term of address in Italian formerly used as the equivalent of Madame, but for which Signora is now substituted. Sometimes introduced into English. Shak.
MADREPORE n.
Any coral of the genus Madrepora; formerly, often applied to any stony coral.
MAGNATE n. 2 definitions
ers of state belonging to the noble estate in the national representation of Hungary, and formerly of Poland.
MAGNETIC; MAGNETICAL a. 5 definitions
gnet exerts its influence. -- Magnetic fluid, the hypothetical fluid whose existence was formerly assumed in the explanations of the phenomena of magnetism. -- Magnetic iron, or Magnetic iron ore. (Min.) Same as Magnetite. -- Magnetic needle, a slender bar of steel, magnetized and suspended at its center on a sharp-…
MAIDEN n. 9 definitions
An instrument resembling the guillotine, formerly used in Scotland for beheading criminals. Wharton.
MALL n. 9 definitions
Formerly, among Teutonic nations, a meeting of the notables of a state for the transaction of public business, such meeting being a modification of the ancient popular assembly. Hence:
MANGONEL n.
A military engine formerly used for throwing stones and javelins.
MANTELET n. 3 definitions
A short cloak formerly worn by knights.
MANTUA n. 2 definitions
A superior kind of rich silk formerly exported from Mantua in Italy. [Obs.] Beck (Draper's Dict.).
MANX a. 2 definitions
ic bird (Puffinus anglorum, or P. puffinus), called also Manx petrel, Manx puffin. It was formerly abundant in the Isle of Man.
MARABOU n. 2 definitions
A large stork of the genus Leptoptilos (formerly Ciconia), esp. the African species (L. crumenifer), which furnishes plumes worn as ornaments. The Asiatic species (L. dubius, or L. argala) is the adjutant. See Adjutant. [Written also marabu.]
MARC n. 4 definitions
A coin formerly current in England and Scotland, equal to thirteen shillings and four pence.
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