Search the Dictionary

A fungus (Ustilago foetida) which affects the ear of cereals, filling the grains with a fetid dust; -- also called pepperbrand.

The shank bone, or great bone above the fetlock, in the fore and hind legs of the horse and allied animals, corresponding to the middle metacarpal or metatarsal bone of most mammals. See Horse.

Charge, oversight, or management, implying responsibility for safety and prosperity. The care of all the churches. 2 Car. xi. 28 Him thy care must be to find. Milton. Perlexed with a thousand cares. Shak.

To act as a bearer; to convey anything; as, to fetch and carry.

Lit., an eggshell; hence, an eggshell filled with confetti to be thrown during balls, carnivals, etc. [Western U. S.]

To dismiss; to discard; to cashier. [Obs.] The state can not with safety casthim.

A part of the amnion, one of the membranes enveloping the fetus, which sometimes is round the head of a child at its birth. It is deemed lucky to be with a caul or membrane over the face. This caul is esteemed an infallible preservative against drowning . . . According to Chysostom, the midwives frequently sold it for…

An instrument measuring the dimensions of the head of a fetus during delivery.

An instrument for cutting into the fetal head, to facilitate delivery.

Craniotomy; -- usually applied to bisection of the fetal head with a saw.

The act or operation of crushing the head of a fetus in the womb in order to effect delivery.

That which confines, fetters, or secures, as a chain; a bond; as, the chains of habit. Driven down To chains of darkness and the undying worm. Milton.

Having no chain; not restrained or fettered. "The chainless mind." Byron.

The outer membrane which invests the fetus in the womb; also, the similar membrane investing many ova at certain stages of development.

A passing round; circuit; circuitous course. They fetched a compass of seven day's journey. 2 Kings iii. 9. This day I breathed first; time is come round, And where I did begin, there shall I end; My life is run his compass. Shak.

ondition; to adjust; to regulate. In a peaceful grave my corpse compose. Dryden. How in safety best we may Compose our present evils. Milton.

rd, by some indiscretion; to endanger; to compromise; as, to compromit the honor or the safety of a nation.

To have an embryo or fetus formed in the womb; to breed; to become pregnant. A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son. Isa. vii. 14.

Disturbed; troubled; solicitous; as, to be much concerned for the safety of a friend.

To produce in such a manner as to give an unnatural effet; as, a constrained voice.