Search the Dictionary

Webster’s Dictionary (1828)

98,828 entries. Headwords are matched first, then definition text.

1,000+ words match “BE”

A low fellow or scoundrel; a beggar. Great men oft die by vile bezonians. Shak.

A Russian sect. See Raskolnik.

BEZZLE v. 2 definitions

To plunder; to waste in riot. [Obs.]

A n. 10 definitions

The first letter of the English and of many other alphabets. The capital A of the alphabets of Middle and Western Europe, as also the small letter (a), besides the forms in Italic, black letter, etc., are all descended from the old Latin A, which was borrowed from the Greek Alpha, of the same form; and this was made fr…

A Dutch and German measure of liquids, varying in different cities, being at Amsterdam about 41 wine gallons, at Antwerp 36½, at Hamburg 38¼. [Written also Aum and Awm.]

To blind by a red-hot metal plate held before the eyes. [R.]

ABACK adv. 4 definitions

Behind; in the rear. Knolles.

One who steals and drives away cattle or beasts by herds or droves. [Obs.]

ABAFT prep. 2 definitions

Behind; toward the stern from; as, abaft the wheelhouse. Abaft the beam. See under Beam.

ABANDON v. 6 definitions

to banish; to expel; to reject. [Obs.] That he might . . . abandon them from him. Udall. Being all this time abandoned from your bed. Shak.

One who abandons. Beau. & Fl.

ABANDONMENT n. 4 definitions

The act of abandoning, or the state of being abandoned; total desertion; relinquishment. The abandonment of the independence of Europe. Burke.

ABASE v. 2 definitions

mation of worthiness; to depress; to humble; to degrade. Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased. Luke xiv. ll.

The act of abasing, humbling, or bringing low; the state of being abased or humbled; humiliation.

The state of being abashed; confusion from shame.

Capable of being abated; as, an abatable writ or nuisance.

ABATE v. 9 definitions

To beat down; to overthrow. [Obs.] The King of Scots . . . sore abated the walls. Edw. Hall.

ABATEMENT n. 4 definitions

The act of abating, or the state of being abated; a lessening, diminution, or reduction; removal or putting an end to; as, the abatement of a nuisance is the suppression thereof.

) A person who, without right, enters into a freehold on the death of the last possessor, before the heir or devisee. Blackstone.

Grass and sprigs beaten or trampled down by a stag passing through them. Crabb.