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Controversial. [Archaic] A specimen of admirable special pleading in the court of eristic logic. Coleridge.

of a measure beyond sufficiency, necessity, or duty; that which exceeds what is usual or prover; immoderateness; superfluity; superabundance; extravagance; as, an excess of provisions or of light. To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, . . . Is wasteful and ridiculous excess. Shak. T…

That which resembles the eye in relative importance or beauty. "The very eye of that proverb." Shak. Athens, the eye of Greece, mother of arts. Milton.

blow in the face, as in boxing; hence, any severe or stunning check or defeat, as in controversy. [Collog.] I should have been a stercoraceous mendicant if I had hollowed when I got a facer. C. Kingsley.

rgy; timorous; cowardly; dejected; depressed; as, "Faint heart ne'er won fair lady." Old Proverb.

aracterized by tempting variety and abundance of food. Enough is as good as a feast. Old Proverb. Belshazzar the King made a great feast to a thousand of his lords. Dan. v. 1.

Kind; nature; species; -- from the proverbial phrase, "Birds of a feather," that is, of the same species. [R.] I am not of that feather to shake off My friend when he must need me. Shak.

ipsis of a noun, a few people. "Are not my days few" Job x. 20. Few know and fewer care. Proverb.

irm; solid; substemtial. [Obs.] A cold May and a windy Makes the barn fat amd findy. Old Prover

[Obs.] England were but a fling Save for the crooked stick and the gray goose wing. Old Proverb. To have one's fling, to enjoy one's self to the full; to have a season of dissipation. J. H. Newman. "When I was as young as you, I had my fling. I led a life of pleasure." D. Jerrold.

and the happiest pair Will find occasion to forbear. Cowper. Both bear and forbear. Old Proverb.

into a state of alarm or fright; to affright; to terrify. More frightened than hurt. Old Proverb.

good effect; vain; idle; useless; unprofitable; as, a fruitless attempt; a fruitless controversy. They in mutual accusation spent The fruitless hours. Milton.

To contradict; to deny; to controvert; to dispute; to forbid. I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Luke xxi. 15. The just gods gainsay That any drop thou borrow'dst from thy mother, My sacred aunt, should by my mortal sword Be drained. Shak.…

the punishment of the gantlet; hence, to go through the ordeal of severe criticism or controversy, or ill-treatment at many hands. Winthrop ran the gantlet of daily slights. Palfrey.

One who engages in any fierce combat or controversy.

stament, or that portion not contained in the Law and the Prophets. It comprises Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Canticles, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles.

nerosity or nobleness of character; liberal; generous. Handsome is as handsome does. Old Proverb.

rust, a well directed or effective thrust; one that wounds in a vital part; hence, in controversy, a personal attack.

Plain in manner or style; not elegant; rude; coarse. "Our homespun English proverb." Dryden. "Our homespun authors." Addison.