Search the Dictionary

The act of shedding, separating, or casting off or out; as, the shedding of blood.

Bloodshed. Shak.

The shedding of blood; the taking of life, murder; manslaughter; destruction. So wills the fierce, avenging sprite, Till blood for blood atones. Hood.

Not attended with shedding of blood, or slaughter; as, a bloodless victory. Froude.

The shedding or spilling of blood; slaughter; the act of shedding human blood, or taking life, as in war, riot, or murder.

A fine or amercement paid as a composition for the shedding of blood; also, a riot wherein blood was spilled.

Given, or tending, to the shedding of blood; having a cruel, savage disposition; murderous; cruel. Some bloody passion shakes your very frame. Shak.

Radiating or reflecting light; shedding or having much light; shining; luminous; not dark. The sun was bright o'erhead. Longfellow. The earth was dark, but the heavens were bright. Drake. The public places were as bright as at noonday. Macaulay.

evergreens) in autumn, or as parts of animals, such as hair, teeth, antlers, etc.; also, shedding leaves or parts at certain seasons, stages, or intervals; as, deciduous trees; the deciduous membrane.

The shedding of teeth. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

The separation of ripened leaves from a branch or stem; the falling or shedding of the leaves.

The separation or shedding of the cuticle or epidermis in the form of flakes or scales; exfoliation, as of bones.

Of the eyes: Not shedding tears. Not a dry eye was to be seen in the assembly. Prescott.

The act of shedding, or casting off, an outer cuticular layer, as in the case of serpents, lobsters, etc.; a coming out; as, the ecdysis of the pupa from its shell; exuviation.

Capability of shedding the skin periodically. Craig.

The act of shedding tears; weeping.

Generating or shedding tears; given to shedding tears; suffused with tears; tearful. You should have seen his lachrymose visnomy. Lamb. -- Lach"ry*mose`ly, adv.

The act of shedding or spilling; -- used only in composition, as in bloodshed.

Shedding tears; tender. [Poetic] "Tear-falling pity." Shak.

Abounding with tears; weeping; shedding tears; as, tearful eyes. -- Tear"ful*ly, adv. -- Tear"ful*ness, n.