Search the Dictionary

ter of history; especially, one appointed or designated to write a history; also, a title bestowed by some governments upon historians of distinction.

n matters affecting one's honor; as, he raised a point of honor. -- To do the honors, to bestow honor, as on a guest; to act as host or hostess at an entertainment. "To do the honors and to give the word." Pope. -- To do one honor, to confer distinction upon one. -- To have the honor, to have the privilege or distin…

To bestow a share or portion of; to give, grant, or communicate; to allow another to partake in; as, to impart food to the poor; the sun imparts warmth. Well may he then to you his cares impart. Dryden.

common. [Obs.] Not to be adorned with any art but such improper ones as nature is said to bestow, as singing and poetry. J. Fletcher.

To grant as by favor; to bestow in concession, or in compliance with a wish or request. Persuading us that something must be indulged to public manners. Jer. Taylor. Yet, yet a moment, one dim ray of light Indulge, dread Chaos, and eternal Night! Pope.

To endow with intellect; to bestow intellectual qualities upon; to cause to become intellectual.

A present; a gift; a bounty bestowed. The heralds finished their proclamation with their usual cry of "Largesse, largesse, gallant knights!" and gold and silver pieces were showered on them from the galleries. Sir W. Scott.

The bestowment of a largess or gift. [Obs.]

To honor with a wreath of laurel, as formerly was done in bestowing a degree at the English universities.

Expending or bestowing profusely; profuse; prodigal; as, lavish of money; lavish of praise.

Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman; generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver. " Liberal of praise." Bacon. Infinitely good, and of his good As liberal and free as infinite. Milton.

Easily bestowed; inconsiderately rendered. To a fair semblance doth light annex. Spenser.

A title bestowed on the persons above named; and also, for honor, on certain official persons; as, lord advocate, lord chamberlain, lord chancellor, lord chief justice, etc. [Eng.]

es, Venus. Such was his form as painters, when they show Their utmost art, on naked Lores bestow. Dryden. Therefore do nimble-pinioned doves draw Love. Shak.

That which is bestowed or rendered in consideration of merit; reward; recompense. A rosy garland was the victor's meed. Spenser.

My lord; -- an ecclesiastical dignity bestowed by the pope, entitling the bearer to social and domestic rank at the papal court. (Abbrev. Mgr.)

s, teachings, or examples; to lend a moral to. While chastening thoughts of sweetest use, bestowed By Wisdom, moralize his pensive road. Wordsworth.

The quality or state of being munificent; a giving or bestowing with extraordinary liberality; generous bounty; lavish generosity. The virtues of liberality and munificence. Addison.

Very liberal in giving or bestowing; lavish; as, a munificent benefactor. -- Mu*nif"i*cent*ly, adv.

(Rom. Antiq.), a golden crown, or circle of gold indented so as to resemble a battlement, bestowed on him who first mounted the wall of a besieged place, and there lodged a standard.