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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



276 words match “RATHER”

MEN-PLEASER n.
One whose motive is to please men or the world, rather than God. Eph. vi. 6.
METAL n.
n elementary substance, as sodium, calcium, or copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather than acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals and nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid and basic qualities, as chromium, manganese, bism…
METALLOID n.
s which in the free state are unlike metals, and whose compounds possess or produce acid, rather than basic, properties; a nonmetal; as, boron, carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, chlorine, bromine, etc., are metalloids.
MODEST a.
Restraining within due limits of propriety; not forward, bold, boastful, or presumptious; rather retiring than pushing one's self forward; not obstructive; as, a modest youth; a modest man.
MORAL a.
irtuous; just; as, a moral man. Used sometimes in distinction from religious; as, a moral rather than a religious life. The wiser and more moral part of mankind. Sir M. Hale.
MUZZY a.
t me with a whimsical, muzzy look, like men whose senses were a little obfuscated by beer rather then wine. W. Irving.
NEO-GREEK n.
r of a body of French painters (F. les néo-Grecs) of the middle 19th century. The term is rather one applied by outsiders to certain artists of grave and refined style, such as Hamon and Aubert, than a name adopted by the artists themselves.
NEPOTISM n.
shown to members of one's family; bestowal of patronage in consideration of relationship, rather than of merit or of legal claim. From nepotism Alexander V. was safe; for he was without kindred or relatives. But there was another perhaps more fatal nepotism, which turned the tide of popularity against him -- the nepoti…
NICKER NUT n.
A rounded seed, rather smaller than a nutmeg, having a hard smooth shell, and a yellowish or bluish color. The seeds grow in the prickly pods of tropical, woody climbers of the genus Cæsalpinia. C. Bonduc has yellowish seeds; C.Bonducella, bluish gray. [Spelt also neckar nut, nickar nut.]
NONMETAL n.
set of elements which, as contrasted with the metals, possess, produce, or receive, acid rather than basic properties; a metalloid; as, oxygen, sulphur, and chlorine are nonmetals.
ONENESS n.
The state of being one; singleness in number; individuality; unity. Our God is one, or rather very oneness. Hooker.
OPINION n.
when the assent of the understanding is so far gained by evidence of probability, that it rather inclines to one persussion than to another, yet not without a mixture of incertainty or doubting. Sir M. Hale. I can not put off my opinion so easily. Shak.
OSCILLATE v.
manner; to change repeatedly, back and forth. The amount of superior families oscillates rather than changes, that is, it fluctuates within fixed limits. Dc Quincey.
OTAHEITE APPLE n.
fruit of a Polynesian anacardiaceous tree (Spondias dulcis), also called vi-apple. It is rather larger than an apple, and the rind has a flavor of turpentine, but the flesh is said to taste like pineapples.
OVERCOME v.
r; to subdue; as, to overcome enemies in battle. This wretched woman overcome Of anguish, rather than of crime, hath been. Spenser.
PARODY v.
To write a parody upon; to burlesque. I have translated, or rather parodied, a poem of Horace. Pope.
PARTIALITY n.
A predilection or inclination to one thing rather than to others; special taste or liking; as, a partiality for poetry or painting. Roget.
PARTICULARISM n.
Devotion to the interests of one's own kingdom or province rather than to those of the empire.
PASQUE n.
of several plants of the genus Anemone, section Pulsatilla. They are perennial herbs with rather large purplish blossoms, which appear in early spring, or about Easter, whence the common name. Called also campana.
PASSION n.
dy at rest affords us no idea of any active power to move, and, when set is motion, it is rather a passion than an action in it. Locke.
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