Search the Dictionary

One who skulks, or keeps out of sight; hence, a truant; an idler; a thief, etc. [Obs.] Shak.

That which serves to confine a ship to a place, as anchors, cables, bridles, etc.

A rural custom in England, of visiting one's parents on Midlent Sunday, -- supposed to have been originally visiting the mother church to make offerings at the high altar.

To contract mold; to grow moldy; to mold. [Obs.] Let us not moulen thus in idleness. Chaucer.

The crosspiece of a bridle bit, which enters the mouth of an animal.

the Western United States. The name refers to its long ears. -- Mule pulley (Mach.), an idle pulley for guiding a belt which transmits motion between shafts that are not parallel. -- Mule twist, cotton yarn in cops, as spun on a mule; -- in distinction from yarn spun on a throstle frame.

Silent and idle. [Colloq.] Boys can't sit mum-chance always. J. H. Ewing.

ppressed, or uttered in a low, muttering voice. Chaucer. Some discontents there are, some idle murmurs. Dryden.

The nose band of a horse's bridle.

occasion for; to lack; to require, as supply or relief. Other creatures all day long Rove idle, unemployed, and less need rest. Milton.

That part of the headstall of a bridle which passes over a horse's nose.

To loiter; to idle. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

aising the oars out of water, but not boating them; to cease from work of any kind; to be idle; to rest. -- To muffle the oars, to put something round that part which rests in the rowlock, to prevent noise in rowing. -- To put in one's oar, to give aid or advice; -- commonly used of a person who obtrudes aid or couns…

Being at leisure or ease; unemployed; indolent; idle. "Otiose assent." Paley. The true keeping of the Sabbath was not that otiose and unAlford.

Leisure; indolence; idleness; ease. [R.] Thackeray.

ger, a desire to be rid of; -- with the force of command; go out; begone; away; off. Out, idle words, servants to shallow fools ! Shak. Out upon or on! equivalent to "shame upon!" "away with!" as, out upon you!

epithet of a contrary signification is added to a word; e. g., cruel kindness; laborious idleness.

Covered or adorned with paint; portrayed in colors. As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean. Coleridge.

Talk; conversation; esp., idle or beguiling talk; talk intended to deceive; flattery.

, to suggest the process of cooking or burning; in a theological sense, to be heretical. Ridley. Southey.