Search the Dictionary

Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,872 words match “MEAN”

ALETHOSCOPE n.
An instrument for viewing pictures by means of a lens, so as to present them in their natural proportions and relations.
ALEUROMANCY n.
Divination by means of flour. Encyc. Brit.
ALGATE; ALGATES adv.
By any or means; at all events. [Obs.] Fairfax.
ALGEBRA n.
That branch of mathematics which treats of the relations and properties of quantity by means of letters and other symbols. It is applicable to those relations that are true of every kind of magnitude.
ALIMENT n.
s to a substance in natural growth. Hence: The necessaries of life generally: sustenance; means of support. Aliments of theiBacon.
ALIMONY n.
Maintenance; means of living.
ALL adv.
he all and the to have commonly been regarded as forming a compound adverb, equivalent in meaning to entirely, completely, altogether. But the sense of entireness lies wholly in the word all (as it does in "all forlorn," and similar expressions), and the to properly belongs to the following word, being a kind of intens…
ALLEGORIC; ALLEGORICAL a.
plication." Pope. Allegorical being . . . that kind of language which says one thing, but means another. Max Miller. Al`le*gor"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Al`le*gor"ic*al*ness, n.
ALLEGORY n.
A figure representation which has a meaning beyond notion directly conveyed by the object painted or sculptured.
ALOMANCY n.
Divination by means of salt. [Spelt also halomancy.] Morin.
ALTERNATE n.
A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means.
AMB-; AMBI- n.
A prefix meaning about, around; -- used in words derived from the Latin.
AMBIGUITY n.
icularly as to the signification of language, arising from its admitting of more than one meaning; an equivocal word or expression. No shadow of ambiguity can rest upon the course to be pursued. I. Taylor. The words are of single signification, without any ambiguity. South.
AMBIGUOUSLY adv.
In an ambiguous manner; with doubtful meaning.
AMEN interj.
An expression used at the end of prayers, and meaning, So be it. At the end of a creed, it is a solemn asseveration of belief. When it introduces a declaration, it is equivalent to truly, verily. It is used as a noun, to demote: (a) concurrence in belief, or in a statement; assent; (b) the final word or act; (c) Christ…
AMORTIZATION n.
The extinction of a debt, usually by means of a sinking fund; also, the money thus paid. Simmonds.
AMORTIZE v.
To clear off or extinguish, as a debt, usually by means of a sinking fund.
AMPHIBOLOGICAL a.
Of doubtful meaning; ambiguous. "Amphibological expressions." Jer. Taylor. -- Am*phib`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.
AMPHIBOLOGY n.
e, discourse, or proposition, susceptible of two interpretations; and hence, of uncertain meaning. It differs from equivocation, which arises from the twofold sense of a single term.
AMPHIBOLOUS a.
Capable of two meanings. An amphibolous sentence is one that is capable of two meanings, not from the double sense of any of the words, but from its admitting of a double construction; e. g., "The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose." Whately.
← Previous Page 5 of 94 Next →