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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,000+ words match “PURPOSE”

QUALIFY v. 7 definitions
character; to furnish with the knowledge, skill, or other accomplishment necessary for a purpose; to make capable, as of an employment or privilege; to supply with legal power or capacity. He had qualified himself for municipal office by taking the oaths to the sovereigns in possession. Macaulay.
QUARREL v. 16 definitions
To quarrel with. [R.] "I had quarelled my brother purposely." B. Jonson.
QUARRY n. 8 definitions
where stone is taken from the rock or ledge, or dug from the earth, for building or other purposes; a stone pit. See 5th Mine (a).
QUIPU n.
in the smaller cords, representing definite numbers. It was chiefly used for arithmetical purposes, and to register important facts and events. [Written also quipo.] Tylor. The mysterious science of the quipus . . . supplied the Peruvians with the means of communicating their ideas to one another, and of transmitting t…
QUOIN n. 3 definitions
A wedgelike piece of stone, wood metal, or other material, used for various purposes, as: (a) (Masonry)
QUOIT n. 6 definitions
to be pitched at a fixed object in play; hence, any heavy flat missile used for the same purpose, as a stone, piece of iron, etc. (b) pl.
RACK v. 23 definitions
of yarn, marline, etc. To rack one's brains or wits, to exert them to the utmost for the purpose of accomplishing something.
RAID n. 3 definitions
An attack or invasion for the purpose of making arrests, seizing property, or plundering; as, a raid of the police upon a gambling house; a raid of contractors on the public treasury. [Colloq. U. S.]
RAIFFEISEN a.
ted-liability institutions making small loans at a low rate of interest, for a designated purpose, to worthy members only.
RAKE v. 18 definitions
To pass a rake over; to scrape or scratch with a rake for the purpose of collecting and clearing off something, or for stirring up the soil; as, to rake a lawn; to rake a flower bed.
RANDOM a. 5 definitions
ing at random or by chance; done or made at hazard, or without settled direction, aim, or purpose; hazarded without previous calculation; left to chance; haphazard; as, a random guess. Some random truths he can impart. Wordsworth. So sharp a spur to the lazy, and so strong a bridle to the random. H. Spencer. Random cou…
RATTAN n.
walking sticks, wickerwork, chairs and seats of chairs, cords and cordage, and many other purposes.
RATTEN v.
oniously of the tools used in one's employment (as by breaking or stealing them), for the purpose of annoying; as, to ratten a mechanic who works during a strike. [Trades-union Cant] J. McCarthy.
REBELLION n. 2 definitions
r by levying war, or by aiding others to do so; an organized uprising of subjects for the purpose of coercing or overthrowing their lawful ruler or government by force; revolt; insurrection. No sooner is the standard of rebellion displayed than men of desperate principles resort to it. Ames.
RECLAIM v. 12 definitions
To call back from flight or disorderly action; to call to, for the purpose of subduing or quieting. The headstrong horses hurried Octavius . . . along, and were deaf to his reclaiming them. Dryden.
RECONNOISSANCE; RECONNAISSANCE n. 2 definitions
egion as to its general natural features, preparatory to a more particular survey for the purposes of triangulation, or of determining the location of a public work.
RECORD v. 15 definitions
ption, or the like; to make note of; to write or enter in a book or on parchment, for the purpose of preserving authentic evidence of; to register; to enroll; as, to record the proceedings of a court; to record historical events. Those things that are recorded of him . . . are written in the chronicles of the kings. 1…
REDOUBT n. 3 definitions
a roughly constructed, fort or outwork of varying shape, commonly erected for a temporary purpose, and without flanking defenses, -- used esp. in fortifying tops of hills and passes, and positions in hostile territory.
REEM v. 2 definitions
To open (the seams of a vessel's planking) for the purpose of calking them. Reeming iron (Naut.), an iron chisel for reeming the seams of planks in calking ships.
REFORMLY adv.
In the manner of a reform; for the purpose of reform. [Obs.] Milton.
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