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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



21 words match “DECOY”

DECOY v. 5 definitions
rtifice; to lure into a net or snare; to entrap; to insnare; to allure; to entice; as, to decoy troops into an ambush; to decoy ducks into a net. Did to a lonely cot his steps decoy. Thomson. E'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy, The heart, distrusting, asks if this be joy. Goldsmith.
DECOY-DUCK n.
A duck used to lure wild ducks into a decoy; hence, a person employed to lure others into danger. Beau. & Fl.
DECOY-MAN n.
A man employed in decoying wild fowl.
DECOYER n.
One who decoys another.
BADGER GAME n.
The method of blackmailing by decoying a person into a compromising situation and extorting money by threats of exposure. [Cant]
BIRDCALL n.
A sound made in imitation of the note or cry of a bird for the purpose of decoying the bird or its mate.
BONNET n.
An accomplice of a gambler, auctioneer, etc., who entices others to bet or to bid; a decoy. [Cant] Bonnet head (Zoöl.), a shark (Sphyrna tiburio) of the southern United States and West Indies. -- Bonnet limpet (Zoöl.), a name given, from their shape, to various species of shells (family Calyptræidæ). -- Bonnet monkey…
BUNKO n.
f cards or by a sham lottery. [Written also bunco.] Bunko steerer, a person employed as a decoy in bunko. [Slang, U.S.]
CALL n.
used by the male bird to call the female. It is artifically applied by birdcatchers as a decoy. Latham. -- Call of the house (Legislative Bodies), a calling over the names of members, to discover who is absent, or for other purposes; a calling of names with a view to obtaining the ayes and noes from the persons named…
CAPPER n.
A by-bidder; a decoy for gamblers [Slang, U. S.].
COY v.
To allure; to entice; to decoy. [Obs.] A wiser generation, who have the art to coy the fonder sort into their nets. Bp. Rainbow.
CRIMP v. 2 definitions
a knife; as, to crimp skate, etc. Crimping house, a low lodging house, into which men are decoyed and plied with drink, to induce them to ship or enlist as sailors or soldiers. -- Crimping iron. (a) An iron instrument for crimping and curling the hair. (b) A crimping machine. -- Crimping machine, a machine with flute…
DRILL v.
To entice; to allure from step; to decoy; -- with on. [Obs.] See drilled him on to five-fifty. Addison.
FALSE a.
g, but sometimes burned for the purpose of deceiving an enemy; also, a light on shore for decoying a vessel to destruction. -- False galena. See Blende. -- False imprisonment (Law), the arrest and imprisonment of a person without warrant or cause, or contrary to law; or the unlawful detaining of a person in custody.…
FOWL v.
To catch or kill wild fowl, for game or food, as by shooting, or by decoys, nets, etc. Such persons as may lawfully hunt, fish, or fowl. Blackstone. Fowling piece, a light gun with smooth bore, adapted for the use of small shot in killing birds or small quadrupeds.
IGNIS FATUUS n.
Fig.: A misleading influence; a decoy. Scared and guided by the ignis fatuus of popular superstition. Jer. Taylor.
LURE n.
Any enticement; that which invites by the prospect of advantage or pleasure; a decoy. Milton.
PERCHANT n.
A bird tied by the foot, to serve as decoy to other birds by its fluttering.
ROPE v.
To draw, as with a rope; to entice; to inveigle; to decoy; as, to rope in customers or voters. [Slang, U.S.]
STALE n.
thing set, or offered to view, as an allurement to draw others to any place or purpose; a decoy; a stool pigeon. [Obs.] Still, as he went, he crafty stales did lay. Spenser.
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